Despite everything we know about UV exposure, many of us still get a little too much sun from time to time. To be realistic (as someone who LOVES the sun) it just feels great. Even if you’ve slathered on SPF, it’s possible to feel the effects of sun exposure on your skin after a day spent outdoors. I wanted to take a moment and share a few tips on how to take care of your skin at home after you have spent some time in the sun!
How Does Sun Exposure Affect Your Skin?
Most people have experienced the primary effect of sun exposure on the skin firsthand: pinking and redness of the skin means you’ve gotten a sunburn. Even on cooler or overcast days, UV rays can penetrate the skin’s surface, damaging DNA cells in the skin and leading to burns. Sunburn on the skin may feel hot to the touch or even painful, and as the initial burn subsides, you may experience itching and irritation. Mild sunburn will usually subside over 48 hours, however symptoms can linger for up to three days or longer in severe cases.
Even if you don’t experience sunburn, exposure to UV rays affects the skin in other ways. The sun’s rays can damage collagen, reducing elasticity and accelerates the aging process. As a result, wrinkles and fine lines may appear more prominent after too much time in the sun. These physical effects are known as extrinsic aging - for more information check out my other blog post here where I expand on this concept!
Additionally, the sun and heat dehydrate the cells and the skins surface causing dryness which depletes the skin’s natural barrier and inhibits the cell regeneration process.
My Tops Tips for Skin After Sun
Drink Water
Hydrate from the inside out by drinking plenty of water after you’ve been outside! Average recommendation for water for an adult is 64oz. You may need to drink more when the sun has dried your skin out—especially if you’ve been swimming, hiking, or doing sports. You can also eat hydrating foods, like watermelon, celery, and cucumbers, to replenish the water in your body.
Take a Cool Shower
Cleansing the skin is important for removing impurities following time spent outdoors. Be careful to avoid hot water and any scrubs or chemical exfoliants that could aggravate your skin, which is likely to be more sensitive after being in the sun. Spritzing the skin with a nice toning mist can help rebalance the pH and add additional moisture.
Moisturize the Skin
Nourish sun-drenched skin with products specially formulated to supply extra hydration. You can used a water based moisturizer or a gel. For an extra treat place your product in the fridge or freezer for a few minutes before applying!
Protect Against Further Damage
Any time you have to be outdoors, take extra care to cover up after excessive sun exposure. Wear breathable, UV-resistant clothing, try to stay in the shade, and avoid direct sun exposure during the midday hours. Always apply SPF 30 or higher and reapply as instructed throughout the day.
I hope some one out there finds this helpful! As some one who loves the sun and takes advantage of the many benefits of reasonable sun exposure (15-20 minutes unprotected sun exposure 3x weekly) I am always mindful of finding a balance of getting healthy sun exposure while maintaining my skin. As always, if you have thoughts or questions please let me know. I would love to hear them! Please shoot me an email a guidedcompass@gmail.com.
In Health,
Michal
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