Summer skincare: clarify your doubts

To enjoy the summer without having negative effects on the health of your skin, we have listed the main precautions to take

In this month, the summer begins, long-awaited by many all year round! In the hottest season, people usually take time to rest and enjoy the heat by enjoying the swimming pool or the beach.

However, the high temperatures require extra care, especially with the skin, as sun exposure can cause burns and other problems.

«Sunburn occurs due to a strong inflammatory process, which can lead to the appearance of dryness and blisters on the skin. In addition to the signs caused by this type of burn, not being beautiful, the biggest problem is not the aesthetic one”, warns the dermatologist Marcella Alves specialist in three-dimensional facial rejuvenation, from Clínica Les Peaux (RJ).

Additionally, she says other serious harms can arise from excessive exposure to sunlight without ideal protection, including the appearance of wrinkles and an increased chance of developing skin cancer.

The peak in sunburn occurs within three days, according to the doctor. “When people experience flaking, permanent brown spots, also called freckles, can appear,” he points out.

What to do in case of burns?

To take care of a sunburn, the main tip is to cool the skin. To do this, the doctor recommends taking a shower with cold water and letting the water come into contact with the affected area for 5 to 10 minutes. In this way it is possible to cool all layers of the skin and stop burning.

“After cooling the burn, it is normal for discomfort to remain, so one way to ease the discomfort and keep the burn cool is to apply cold compresses with chamomile, which has calming and healing properties that help repair the skin. However, any kind of cold compress will go a long way in combating the discomfort,” she adds.

As for the hygiene products that can be used in case of skin burns, the specialist advises that it is necessary to avoid using those that can damage the skin.

“Soap and soap can attack the skin making it dry and, therefore, the best thing is to take a shower only with water, at least in the affected area, and without rubbing the skin. It is also not recommended to use a towel on the place while drying of the burn, letting it air dry,” he says.

The expert also indicates that hydration is essential. “Moisturize the skin well every day, immediately after a shower and several times a day, applying a good moisturizer to combat the dryness of the affected skin. You can also use moisturizing and soothing creams based on medicinal plants such as aloe, which soothes the skin even more, reducing discomfort,” she reports.

Water intake should be done with the aim of hydrating the skin from the inside out. Therefore, the recommended is at least 1 liter per day.

The doctor lists the main mistakes when it comes to sunscreens, an essential element to enjoy the summer without endangering the health of the skin. They are: not using sunscreen because it’s under an umbrella, not protecting your scalp, using the same product on your face and body, and using expired sunscreens.

It is worth noting that you need to protect your skin even on cloudy days. “Sunscreen should be used every day, come rain or shine!” she points out.

How to apply sunscreen correctly?

«In everyday life, especially in summer, it is important to protect above all the most exposed areas such as the hands, chest and neck; in addition to the face,” says the dermatologist.

If you go to the beach or the pool, that is, you expose your skin for a long time, the ideal is to reapply the protector.

“Sunscreen should be applied at least 15 minutes before sun exposure and the product should be reapplied every two hours in case of strong exposure. Furthermore, it is necessary to apply the right amount to ensure the effectiveness of the product used,” says Marcella.

Should the protection factor for face and body be the same?

“It’s not that there is a need for more coverage on the face. It’s just that the face, neck and décolleté are areas that are constantly exposed in everyday life, as well as being more delicate skin. Unwanted aging and the wrinkles that accompany , the face protection tends to have better and greater coverage than the rest of the body,” says the specialist.

What are the special photoprotection precautions for black skin?

“Because of the higher amount of melanin (the compound responsible for pigmentation), which gives a natural photoprotection of 13.4, black skin ends up getting stained more easily, so it needs sunscreen!” she explains.

How to combine tanning and sunscreen?

“The correct way to use tanning and sunscreen is to combine your favorite tanning product with an SPF of 30 or higher. This not only gives your skin a golden glow, but also blocks the sun’s harmful rays. Sunscreen won’t stop you from getting your bronze!” she describes.

How to do post-sun maintenance?

In order for the skin not to dry out or burn, it is essential to take care after exposure to the sun’s rays.

According to the dermatologist, in addition to maintaining the habit of ingesting the recommended amount of water every day, some cosmetics are also indicated for after-sun use.

“I always advise my patients to use after-sun creams on the skin of the body and face: the more intense the hydration of the skin after sun exposure, the more uniform, lasting and beautiful the tan will be. This is because hydration favors cell renewal without peeling occurs due to dryness,” he points out.

How to protect tattoos and scars from the sun’s rays?

Beware of tattoos during the summer, as it is necessary to avoid exposure to the sun for at least a month after having done it.

“A tattoo is a wound, skin lesion, superficial healing (peel) that takes a week to fall off. After that time, you can sunbathe with a sunscreen (SPF 50 or higher),” warns the dermatologist.

In the case of scars, Dr. Marcella Alves points out that, “in the case of very extensive scars, the affected area is unable to eliminate heat through sweat, compromising body temperature. “.

How to protect yourself during outdoor physical activities in the summer?

“To protect the skin during outdoor sports, it is advisable to always use sunscreens with a factor of at least 30 and, preferably, with UVB and UVA protection. The product should be reapplied every 2 to 3 hours”, guides the doctor.

If you plan to participate in any water sport, your doctor indicates that changing sunscreen should always be done when you get out of the water.

In both cases, physical protection is indicated, achieved with a hat, cap, shirt and glasses.

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Source: Terra

Ben

Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.