This weekend marks the unofficial kickoff to summer. While things are different this year, with most of you off the roads, there is always room for a staycation. In a previous blog post, we talked about tips for setting up your relaxation vibe at home. This week, we want to talk about how to prepare your skin to optimally soak in that much needed Vitamin D.
It’s been a long Winter and Spring, with many of us cooped up indoors. As we take this party of one outside, make sure that your body is ready for the powerful rays of the sun. After all, the forecast is looking up for most of us!
Best Sunbathing Practices:
1. Exfoliate
Make sure that your skin has an even surface to lay the tan upon. If you have patches of dead skin, once you wash and remove them, the skin underneath will not be as tan as the surrounding patches of non dead skin. Make sure to exfoliate evenly throughout the body, paying special attention to areas that will be exposed. To exfoliate, you can use a pumice stone or sea sponge. Just make sure to start the process a few days before hitting the sand (or yard), as exfoliating leaves the skin sensitive. For more tips of exfoliation check here.
2. Sunscreen Please
You often hear people saying, “I don’t need sunscreen, I’m already tan”, or “I don’t burn.” Forget all of that! UVA and UVB rays admitted into the atmosphere, even through clouds on an overcast day, can cause harm to your skin. This damage includes not only premature aging, but the threat of skin cancer. These two types of rays are distinct, and affect the skin in different ways, but both have the potential to damage. When choosing a sunscreen, you want to make sure it contains both SPF and broad spectrum ingredients, which will protect you from the myriad of sunrays.
Did you know the sun can penetrate through many types of clothing? But fret not, our swimwear is produced from fabric that is UPF 50+. What is UPF you ask? UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) is a numerical rating given to clothing to indicate how effectively the fabric blocks ultraviolet (UV) radiation. UPF encompasses both broad spectrum UVA and UVB radiation. The highest UPF rating a garment can be assigned is 50+. A piece in this range is determined as providing “excellent” protection from UV radiation.
(A fabric must have a UPF of 30 to qualify for The Skin Cancer Foundation’s Seal of Recommendation. A UPF of 30 to 49 offers very good protection, while UPF 50+ rates as excellent.)
3. Alternate
If you throw yourself into the throws of summer without abandon, you risk burning yourself into Labor Day. The key to a tan that sticks around to see the next weekend is gradual sun exposure. You want to introduce your body slowly to the powerful sun rays. Start by spending some time in the sun, and then seeking solace in the shade for a bit. Or go out in the morning or evening when the sun is not at its peak. Make sure you stay hydrated during both sun and shadow time!
We’re sending you off with one of our favorite Throwback Madonna songs, Ray of Light. Enjoy the weekend!
Missed our tips on what to bring for your Staycation? Read it here.
Thanks to the Beach Muse Blog, and The Skin Cancer Foundation, for the references.