Protecting your skin from the sun will save you thousands in reparative treatments and products from the damage of harmful UV rays. I know we all love basking in the warm sun and seeing those golden hues show up on our skin - but you are causing damage to your skin in so many ways. Prolonged exposure can cause fine lines, wrinkles, pigmentation, a dull complexion, lack of luminosity, burns, blisters and of course melanoma. Do yourself a favor and don’t speed up the aging process!

Here are my top 5 tips to protect yourself from sun damage:

WEAR THE CORRECT SPF AND REAPPLY
When it comes to choosing an SPF, you want to look for ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide which will cause a block on the skin and give you the most protection. Choose an SPF with a Sun-Protection-Factor of 30 or higher. When outdoors for a longer duration of time, reapply your SPF every 2 hours for full protection. Don’t forget to apply it to the back of your hands!

AVOID PEAK TIMES
The sun shines most aggressively between the hours of 10AM to 2PM. During this time, make sure to seek out shade and protect yourself with a wide brimmed hat. This rule also applies when driving. Even though there is some protection built in to most windows nowadays - it is not enough.

GET A SUNLESS TAN INSTEAD
Book yourself in for a professional spray tan and enjoy the glow without harming your skin. The tan usually lasts 10-14 days and is easy to remove when it starts to fade. You can also purchase self tanning mousses and lotions to do at home! Say no to tanning beds and booths. The direct UV rays are extremely dangerous.

CHECK THE UV INDEX
If you are unfamiliar, the UV Index is a way to measure the intensity of the sun’s rays at a particular moment. If the UV index is 3 or higher in your area, protect your skin from too much exposure to the sun.

SUNBURN PREVENTION & TREATMENT
To prevent a sunburn, make sure you are using sunscreen that is not expired and has an SPF rating of at least 30. You should reapply every 2 hours, after swimming or being in the water or if you have been sweating. If you begin to feel a tingle on your skin from the sun, it is time to find shade and protect yourself. This is your skin’s way of telling you it is in danger. If you do happen to get a sunburn, apply aloe vera and cool compresses to the area. You want to keep the area moisturized with a gentle moisturizer and do NOT pick at the skin. You will cause skin damage and promote scarring and pigmentation to the area.