July is UV Safety Month: Dr Schweitzer
JULY IS UV SAFETY MONTH: The Burning Essentials! Or The Burning Details!
Summer is here! This means extended fun-time outdoors exposing more skin to the sun. Summer is the long awaited time of the year to schedule vacations to sunny and exotic destinations, to lounge around at the beach or the pool wearing your favorite swimming suit without thinking much about daily tensions. Celebrity Dermatologist William Schweitzer, M. D., F.A.A.D. of ProDerm Image Cosmetic Dermatology cautions that it is important to take a few steps to protect your beautiful skin from the damaging UV rays.
IN THE KNOW: UV AND YOUR SKIN
Dr. Schweitzer explains that your skin is the largest organ of your body, it covers you entirely and acts as a shield against sunlight, injury, and infection. Over-exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun or artificial sources like tanning beds or sun lamps is the number one cause of skin cancer. Additionally, our love affair with sun bathing can bring about premature aging, spots, wrinkles and leathery skin.
Sunlight contains both visible and invisible rays or waves: long waves are harmless to our skin and shorter waves like UV light rays can penetrate deeper into the skin. UV rays can cause problems on our skin’s delicate processes which affect the health and appearance of the skin. The skin becomes less elastic, wrinkly, leathery, or even thin as tissue paper.
FACE THE SUN
We all love that Summer feeling but as the heat increases your skin takes a high toll. Sun protection is a must! A daily dose of the right sunscreen is a critical step in your skin care routine. There are advanced sunscreen formulas which combine powerful protection with an almost weightless feel so your makeup goes on silky smooth.
Apply a sunscreen that has an SPF of 30 or higher and contains titanium dioxide, zinc, mexoryl SX, avobenzone. These ingredients provide excellent sun protection and are not absorbed into the skin. Not all sunscreens are created equal and not all ingredients are innocent!
Re-apply sunscreen approximately every two hours and immediately after swimming or sweating. Be extra cautious when you are near water, concrete, or sand as they reflect and intensify sun rays. Don’t forget your hands, neck, ears, and feet as they can burn without protection.
Seek shade when available. The sun’s rays are the strongest between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm, if your shadow is shorter than you are, find a shady spot.
Wear a large brimmed hat and sunglasses to protect your eyes.
Protect your pout! Whatever your color choice, look for lip balm instead of gloss as it will stay on longer and hydrate your lips. Choose an SPF of 15 or higher and re-apply as needed.
For more information:
prodermimage.com
Book your next appointment with Dr. Schweitzer:
805.379.5970
960 South Westlake Blvd., Suite 208
Westlake Village, CA 9136
