With the first official week of summer under
our belts, most of us are enjoying time at the beach, in the garden, on the
sports field, in a backyard pool, or on the golf course. While it feels great
to be outside in the sun, just remember: If you spend too much time working or
playing in the sun, your skin is going to show it.
As you age, changes in the structure and
appearance of your skin may become noticeable, but you can take steps now to keep
your skin looking young and healthy. One of the best ways to prevent premature
aging is to protect your skin from the sun’s ultraviolet A (UVA) and
ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. Common side effects of too much sun exposure include
wrinkling or sagging skin; brown or white spots on the face, arms, back, chest,
legs or other areas; and non-cancerous skin growths, melanoma, and other types
of skin cancer.
Through its Be Sun Smart®
awareness campaign for consumers, the American Academy of Dermatology says that
you can protect your skin from UVA and UVB rays by generously applying a
broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of
30 or more to all exposed skin. Sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours,
or after you swim or finish activities that cause you to sweat.
In June 2011, The U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) released new
guidelines for the labeling of broad-spectrum sunscreens to help
consumers make informed buying decisions. Under the new rules, which will take
effect by summer 2012, sunscreen products labeled “broad spectrum” must protect
the skin from both UVA and UVB rays. In addition, the new rules will prohibit
sunscreen makers from using the words “waterproof,"
"sweat-proof," or "sun block” on product labeling.
In addition to regularly using sunscreen, you
can protect your skin from sun damage and premature aging by wearing a hat or
cap to shade your face and staying out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.,
when UVA and UVB rays are strongest.
Other habits in your daily routine, such as
cigarette smoking or food choices, can affect the appearance and aging of your
skin. For example, long-time smokers can develop fine wrinkles around the mouth
due to years of puckering the lips around the cigarette. High carbon monoxide
in the bloodstreams of smokers can damage the collagen composition and
elasticity of the skin, especially the face.
A diet high in vitamins C and A, magnesium,
and zinc can provide your skin with important nutrients to stay healthy. A
lifestyle that incorporates regular physical activity increases circulation,
which improves the appearance of the skin.
Applying a daily facial moisturizer
appropriate for your skin type, preferably with an SPF of 15 or higher, is
another great way to maintain good-looking skin. Your skin also may benefit
from regular moisturizing after you dry off from a shower.
Read dermatologists’ top skin-health
tips and how to perform a skin
self-examination from the American Academy of Dermatology.
*Joshua Feinberg, D.O., is a family medicine
physician in practice at the Crozer Health Pavilion, 145
Brinton Lake Road, Suite 201, Glen Mills, PA 19342, 610-459-1619
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