The summer sun may feel good, but it can quickly dehydrate, burn, and fatigue your body. There are several ways to enjoy the outdoors but still protect yourself from the potentially harmful effects of the sun.
- Stay Hydrated – Nearly 60% of your body is made up of water. Heat can deplete that water very, very quickly. Dehydration makes your body less efficient at cooling itself, forcing your heart to work harder to pump blood and slows down muscles.
- Wear Sunblock – Even if your skin doesn’t typically burn, it is important to wear SPF when you are outside (even in the winter!) Use a sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB to prevent skin cancer, premature aging of the skin, eye damage, and immune system suppression.
- Be aware of heat-related illnesses – Because prolonged exposure to the sun can cause illness and progress rapidly, you should be on the lookout for any of these symptoms: muscle cramps, confusion, difficulty sweating, abnormally excessive sweating, fatigue, nausea, headaches, dizziness. If you experience these symptoms, seek shade and water and call a doctor.
- Look for shade – The best way to protect yourself from the sun is to shield yourself from it. According to the American Cancer Society, UV rays can increase your risk of skin cancer even if you never get a sunburn, so seek out shade frequently.
- Wear a hat & sunglasses – Wide brimmed hats do wonders to protect hairlines, ears, necks, face, lips and eyelids from the sun. The sun can also damage your eyes so be sure to wear glasses that block at least 99% of UVA and IVB rays.
- Avoid the heat of the day – The hottest hours of the day radiate the most damaging of the sun’s rays. To best protect yourself, stay indoors or in the shade between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
- Pay attention to your body – It’s important to pay close attention to how you feel. Take signs of heat illnesses seriously and just stay smart and safe under the summer sun.
The key to younger looking skin is protecting it from the harmful damage of the sun. Dr. Abramson is a board certified plastic surgeon in New York and New Jersey, so call for a thorough consultation at 201-731-3134!