11 Dec Don’t Forget the Sunscreen on Your Holiday Getaway
In California, it can be sunny year-round and many in the area have established a solid, 365-day sunscreen routine. However, during the holiday season, the team at RefinedMD knows that it can be easy to forget daily applications and re-applications with all of the stress, events, and parties. Whether you’re planning to spend the holidays in an exotic location or you’re staying close to home, here are a few reminders about sun damage protection this time of year:
- Check the expiration date. Sunscreen has an expiration date for a reason. Its protective factor lessens with age, and the sunscreen from last year might no longer be effective. Make sure your sunscreen offers you all the safeguarding you deserve.
- Cover up. Contrary to popular belief, wearing less doesn’t necessarily mean staying cooler. Not only does bare skin mean a higher chance of sun damage, it can also make you feel hotter. Take a cue from locations with even more sun this time of year and opt for fuller coverage clothing along with your sunscreen regimen. It’s an added barrier to be used in conjunction with sunscreen.
- Check your sunscreen before heading to Hawaii. Hawaii has a ban on certain types of sunscreen with ingredients that are harmful to ocean life and environment. However, there are several sunscreens that are allowed on the islands. Avoid sunscreens with oxybenzone and octinoxate, which kills reefs. This is a kind move if you plan to be in the ocean even in locations where these sunscreens aren’t banned.
- Re-apply every 90 minutes. A lot of people do a great job of putting on sunscreen when leaving the house but forget about re-applying. Sunscreen is only totally effective for the first 75 – 90 minutes. If you don’t re-apply, you’re putting yourself at risk of burning and sun damage.
- Apply sunscreen even if you’re indoors (sometimes). Windows don’t come with an SPF barrier. If you’ll be exposed to the sun, even when you’re indoors or in a car, you need sunscreen.
No matter where your holidays travels take you, stay safe and keep your sunscreen nearby. December is also a great month to schedule your annual skin check, so book online today.
Winter Skin Protection
Hopefully you got your sunscreen routine down pat in the summer. Still, many people aren’t as on top of UV protection when it can get cooler and cloudier. The risk of sun damage is higher in summer months, but sun damage and skin cancer are accumulative. Years spent with unprotected skin in the wintertime can lead to prematurely aged skin at best and skin cancer at worst.
The good news is that it’s easier in the winter to protect your skin. A lot of us start piling on the layers. Clothes are often more effective at blocking UV rays than sunscreen because you don’t need to remember to reapply anything. Take advantage of scarves and gloves because they’re great at protecting the neck and backs of the hands, two areas where skin is thin and delicate.
Winter Skin Care
However, don’t forget to wear sunscreen any time you’re exposed to UV rays. Those who wear makeup can help themselves out even more by choosing a foundation or bronzer with an SPF of at least 15. Just remember that the quality of makeup with SPFs can vary. It’s best to choose a daily moisturizer with an SPF recommended by a dermatologist for your unique skin needs and goals. Ultimately, moisturizers and makeup with SPF can help with sunscreen optimization, but aren’t a replacement for it.
And remember: Just because you don’t get a sunburn in the winter months doesn’t mean your skin isn’t battling harmful UV rays on a regular basis. Anyone who’s been burned while snowboarding or skiing understands it’s not just heat that equates to sun damage. It can take years for sun damage to fully become visible, and by the time it does show up it can be difficult to undo.
Fortunately, there are a number of procedures available to do just that, such as laser skin resurfacing, which can reverse a large amount of sun damage. For more information on safeguarding your skin in the winter months or to undo sun damage, get in touch with RefinedMD today by calling the office or completing the online form.