A Healthier Glow

A HEALTHIER GLOW
GET READY FOR YOUR SEASON IN THE SUN WITH THESE TIPS FROM SKIN SCIENCE EXPERT
AND PREMIER DERMATOLOGIST DR. JEANNETTE GRAF

Healthy Glow

Summertime means fun outside: lounging by the pool, vacationing at
the beach, 18 holes of golf, gardening, barbeques, bike rides, running
after your kids in the backyard or just lazing on your front steps
enjoying the warm weather. Summer is also the time of year when our
sun exposure is highest and our skin is most exposed. While the sun’s
UVA rays stay the same all year round, the sun’s burning UVB rays are
highest during the summer months.

During this time of maximum outside R & R, you want your skin to be protected but still shine with rich, smooth glow— it is the accessory of the season, after all. Here are my four easy tips for maintaining a balance of protection and perfection all summer long:

1. Exfoliate
Start the summer with smooth and soft skin by gently exfoliating all over with an at-home microdermabrasion kit. Not only will your skin look polished and glowing as you lose the excess layers of dull and dry skin, but your self-tanner will go on evenly. Exfoliating the skin in this manner should be performed once or twice weekly depending on the extent of skin dullness and patchiness. To maintain smooth and radiant skin, it is essential to apply and reapply moisturizer all over two times per day. Summer skin can also dry out quite easily from going to the beach as well as swimming in chlorine water. Special care must be taken to avoid long and hot showers, which are very drying to the skin.

2. Self-Tanning
The only tan that I approve of is out of a bottle. It is absolutely necessary for the health and well being of your skin that you avoid outdoor tanning of any sort. It is equally important that you stay out of tanning beds, which are dangerous since they expose the skin to harmful UV rays, which increase the risk of skin cancer as well as premature aging.

Most self-tanners contain dihydroxyacetone (DHA), which the FDA considers a safe for self-tanning ingredient. The DHA is not absorbed through the skin but instead stays on the very top dead skin cell layer where it binds to the cells and gradually a stain is formed. Self-tanners simply form a stain on the skin, which fades as normal exfoliation takes place and the stained cells are replaced. This process takes place every three to five days, which is why self-tanners require reapplication to maintain their color. Exfoliation, however, does not always occur evenly and some of the stained skin cells may build up and result in skin that looks uneven and patchy. Re-applying self-tanner to unevenly exfoliated skin will result in greater unevenness as well as a muddy look to skin. As such, regularly exfoliating once or twice weekly is necessary to ensure even self tanner application.

3. Sunblock
Self-tanners are safe but they are not protective in any way. The use of sunblock is absolutely essential every single day whether the sun is out or not. Overcast days are especially dangerous since the UV exposure is quite strong yet it may not feel that way. Sunburns are not uncommon on overcast days, so don’t forget to apply it daily.

Summer sun protection should always be a broad spectrum UVA and UVB protective sunblock with a high SPF. The SPF indicates UVB protection, which should be at least 30 or higher since UVB rays, which cause sunburn, are highest during the summer months. Apply sunblock generously all over at least 20 minutes before going out. Afterward be sure to reapply sunblock all over every 90 minutes, especially after swimming. Other sports, including tennis, golf, running, hiking, biking or any outdoor activity, require reapplication of sunblock, too. Even if a sunblock is labeled waterproof or water-resistant, you still must reapply it since the protection diminishes as the day progresses. The simplest and least cumbersome way to reapply your sunblock is by using a high SPF UVA/UVB spray. These do not require rubbing, which makes it much easier to apply to yourself and your children. If you have children in day camp or teens at sleep away camp, these spray on sun blocks are much easier for them to apply—which makes their compliance more likely. These sprays are extremely helpful on the beach—less sand in the process—and during sports when you're sweating. Just be sure to be very generous with your application.

4. Cover Up
Finally, avoid unnecessary sun exposure. Wear a hat and protective sunglasses. Also, stay in the shade or under an umbrella when possible and cover your skin when not in the water. Since UV light is reflected off the ground being in the shade alone is not enough, so remember to reapply your sunblock. If you are sailing or boating, reapply sunblock even more frequently since water can act as a strong sun reflector.

If you follow my four hot tips, you will have gorgeous, radiant skin all summer long—so get glowing!

Dr. Jeannette Graf, MD, FAAD, is a leading skin science expert, board certified, clinical and research dermatologist. A top industry expert, published author and National Institute of Health award winner, Dr. Graf combines minimally invasive office procedures with effective skincare products and nutrition and lifestyle counseling to elicit both an inner and outer beauty from each of her clients. To get your glow, go to www.askdrgraf.com.

Check out THE FAMILY GROOVE's favorite sunscreen for your season in the sun.