Living in Southern California, we all enjoy soaking up the sun’s warm
rays. We hear about the damage UV rays can do to our skin, and many of us try
to protect ourselves with sunscreen or a hat. Unfortunately, those measures
are simply not enough.
Although you can’t feel them, ultraviolet rays are silent killers and
the primary cause of skin cancer and wrinkles, not to mention a leading cause
of diminishing self-esteem through premature aging that so many of us try to
correct through surgery and artificial means. Even though summer is over, Californians,
especially, still need to be cautious of the lingering dangerous effects of
the sun.
Melanie Vasseur, chemist and aesthetician from San Diego spa and founder
of skincare company, Vasseur Skincare, shares tips to ensure your skin stays
healthy and young-looking, and that you feel radiant, for years to come.
While most of us know about the importance of sunscreen, Vasseur recommends
clients carefully select the brand they use for one that contains zinc oxide
and titanium oxide. The fine mineral particles will reflect and scatter both
UVA and UVB rays.
One of the hidden dangers of the sun is that it can easily penetrate through
clear glass windows. This makes driving to and from work one of the most
important times to protect your skin with sunscreen and ward off those
harmful rays while you’re sitting in traffic.
An unopened bottle of sunscreen will keep its effectiveness for up to
three years, but when you open the bottle its shelf life diminishes. If
you just cracked your bottle last season (and the expiration date hasn’t
passed), try this test: squeeze out a small amount, smooth it onto your skin
and sniff. If the consistency has changed from creamy to watery or
oily, or it has an odd smell, it’s time to invest in a new bottle.
After a day in the sun, your skin has some major recovering to do.
There
are three natural nutrients that can help you fend off damage:
Vitamin A (or its active ingredients, retonoid) has been shown
in multiple studies to help prevent sun-induced wrinkles
Vitamin C protects against burns and may even reverse sun damage
Green Tea contains antioxidant polyphenols, which can prevent
sun damage and possibly even reverse it
Still want a gorgeous golden tan? Try the latest trend in Hollywood,
airbrush tanning, for instant color that will last up to 10 days. The bronzer
works with the chemistry of your skin and gives you a long-lasting tan
in minutes.
If you have already done damage and are considering popular Botox injections,
educate yourself first. The neurotoxin, which paralyzes muscles and
helps to smooth the skin that lies over them was recently approved by the
FDA for its first cosmetic use. But Botox isn’t everyone’s
ticket to the fountain of youth. Side effects can range from minor irritation
to facial paralysis, and the long-term effects are still unknown.
Above all, it’s important to remember that taking care of your skin is
a daily process. Your skin is your body’s largest organ, and one of the
most vital. Using the right products and taking preventative measures to eliminate
sun exposure are the critical elements of a good skincare regime that will
keep you looking and feeling fabulous for years to come.
