Keep Summer Safe

Keep Yourself and Your Family Summer Safe

Let us remind you of some common sense tips to keep safe under the weather and within your environment, as well as how to take care of your skin, for beauty as well as health.

The sun

It warms the earth and helps the plants grow. We don’t often think about it except in relation to the fun we can have when it is shining. But, the sun gives off ultraviolet rays that can damage our skin if we are not careful. Whenever you or your family are going to be out in the sun for long periods of time, follow a few safety tips.

Wear sunscreen – Even if you have lots of melanin in your skin, the sun can still burn you. Sunscreen blocks much of the UVA and UVB radiation from penetrating the outer layer of your skin and damaging the deeper ones. Choose a SPF of 50 or higher for maximum protection. When you are at the beach, use waterproof sunscreen and reapply every two hours or more often if you are swimming.

Stay hydrated – When you sweat, it is the body’s way of cooling off. But, that water you lose through your pores needs to be replenished. While at play, continue to drink plenty of cool water. It absorbs faster and helps cool you off further. When you are thirsty, reach for water and not sugary drinks; they don’t feed your thirst.

Wear protective clothing – It seems like you will get hot with long sleeves, but it keeps your skin from losing moisture and exposure to the sun. That is why road workers and construction workers wear jeans and long-sleeved shirts.

The environment

The sun isn’t the only thing to watch out for. Nature can pose a problem if you aren’t careful. Here are some tips.

Use bug spray – This avoids mosquito bites and bites from other pesky bugs that can ruin your summer day. There are also bug repellant lotions that you can use on your face to protect you there.

Know your plants – Poison ivy, sumac and oak may look pretty, but they will set you in a fit. Camping trips can turn hairy when you get into that stuff.

Wear light clothing – This makes it easier to spot ticks. Certain ticks carry the bacteria for Lyme disease and other nasty infections. Avoid tall grasses and known tick-infested areas.

Skin care

In the summer, your skin can get dried out from swimming, exercise and play. To keep your skin looking vibrant, choose moisture-rich lotions and even baby oil to hold in as much moisture as possible.

Drink water as often as possible. It gives your inner body a shower and you more energy, and it enhances your cooling mechanism.

Wash your face after your sweat. The salts can dry your skin and you also want to remove dead skin.

Are you ready for summer? Use these tips as a checklist to make sure.