How to Enjoy the Sun Without the Danger

Summertime means bar-b-q's, parties, hiking, biking, swimming and all kinds of fun outdoors. What you might not realize is that while you play the sun is warring with your skin and can lead to damage causing serious consequences as well as age your skin beyond it's years. While you are thinking watermelon, fireworks, swim parties and tanning, your skin gets put on the back burner - literally.

Yes, sun-kissed skin sounds glorious and yes, sun tans look great and even healthy, but the truth is the more you go into the sun for prolonged hours without protecting it, the more your skin will show it down the road. You might not think it's a problem now, but preventing damage is easier than correcting damage. To see an estimate of the damage your skin has already suffered stand in front of a mirror under a black light. What you see might shock you! The darkened areas are where you have hurt your skin at the deepest level. As time goes on, these will be the places you have problems with age marks and even skin cancer.

So what can you do then? Staying inside is not an option; summer is here! Whether you want to defend against skin cancer or just fight aging before it starts, the best defense is as close as these simple steps.

Protecting your skin starts from the moment you wake up. You need to prep your face for the day by washing it with a quality cleanser and toner. If age marks and lines are already an issue, follow your toner with a targeted treatment. Then finish with an SPF moisturizer. For daily use on your face you should not use a SPF stronger than 15 as you might burn your skin. If you wear makeup, find a foundation that has SPF in it as well. Always apply your SPF at least fifteen minutes before going outside. Something to remember: the sun is not a respecter of persons. Men, women and children alike can get skin damage and need to remember to at least wear SPF on their face.

Never sit for prolonged hours in direct sunlight. Shading your face with a hat will keep your skin fair and freckle free, and sun glasses will keep you from squinting into the sun, thus stopping the fine lines around your eyes. You will still get a nice color from the sun but not be as aft to burn.

Now that your face is protected don't forget your other parts! A lotion with SPF is a great way to take care of your hands, arms and legs. Every time you put lotion on your hands spread it to your arms. A lotion with SPF is less greasy and smells nicer than a straight sun block. For more active pursuits you will want a stronger SPF but for your daily routines, lotion with SPF will keep you burn free and tan.

You might also consider wearing loose, light, long sleeved clothing for long periods of time in the sun. Whites and pastels will still allow you to keep cool and the more light and sheer fabrics will allow enough sun to tan you without burning.

Remember! Every time you burn and peel you takes years off your skin! The age you appear is reflected in your skin; primarily your hands and face so protect that skin and you will have people asking you what your secret to youth is.