South Florida is filled with beautiful beaches that residents and tourists enjoy visiting. Beautiful glowing skin is commonly seen everywhere in the community. But, are you putting your skin in danger by exposing it to the sun on a regular basis? The following three tips will help you protect your skin from the sun.
- Use Sunscreen
This obvious tip won’t take you by surprise. Sunscreen is so common you can even find it as part of the ingredients in makeup and body lotion. Chances are you already use these products every day. Make sure you are using a broad-spectrum sunscreen that has the strength to protect your skin against UVB and UVA radiation. Applying it 15 to 30 minutes before you go outside to start your day is recommended. If you are spending the day at the beach, pool, lake, water park or and place where you will be in the sun for more than one hour, re-apply suntan lotion in 2-hour intervals.
- Wear a Hat
A hat protects your delicate facial skin from exposure to direct sunlight. Try to choose a stylish wide brim hat that covers and protects your scalp, forehead, eyes, ears, nose, and neck. These areas are the most sensitive and can become easily sunburned.
- Wear Protective Clothing
Let’s face it! South Florida is filled with beautiful people walking around the beach in their teeny tiny swimwear. There are a variety of reasons why people wear such small swimwear. The most common reasons are to avoid tan lines, to get attention, to show off their well-sculpted body and simply because it’s too hot outside to wear anything more. If you want to protect your skin from the sun invest in tightly woven fabric to help block out UV rays. Avoid thin delicate fabrics. Generally, any fabric you can see light through is not going to protect your skin.
Signs of Sun Damaged Skin
- Redness
- Blisters
- Peeling
- Wrinkles
- Sagging skin
- Stretched skin
- Irregular pigmentation
- Uneven skin tone
- Discolored skin tone
- Unusual freckles
- Abnormal patch of brown skin located on the nose, cheeks or forehead
- Age spots
- Scally red or brown papules
- Dry cracked or scaly lips
It’s not a secret that UV rays are damaging to your skin and eyes. Tan skin is actually proof that your skin has become damaged due to exposure to ultraviolet rays which can increase your risk of developing skin cancer. Consulting with a dermatologist is recommended to determine the severity of your skin damage and proper treatment. Make an appointment today to get started!
Dr. Georgette Rodriguez is a board-certified dermatologist in Miami, Florida who provides her patients with only the most advanced and up to date dermatologic care available. She received her medical degree from University of Florida College of Medicine and has been in practice 15+ years. Dr. Rodriguez accepts several types of health insurance. She is a diplomate of the American Board of Dermatology and the American Society for Mohs Surgery. She specializes in complete dermatology services including medical, cosmetic, and pediatric dermatology. She is one of 14 doctors at Miami Veterans Affairs Healthcare System who specialize in Dermatology. To make an appointment, please call her office at 305-667-5480.