It is officially summer in the City!! The warmth from the sun is glorious … it just makes you feel alive and refreshed … but be careful and please practice sun safety …Here’s a few summer sun tips:

1) Don’t over exfoliate:

Over exfoliation can stretch the skin causing scratches or abrasions. Because the skin is your body’s largest organ and your first line of defense against harm, cracks and breaks in it increase the risk of infection. Normally, exfoliation is a process to remove the outer layers of dead skin cells and allow the deeper layers of skin come to the surface. However, it is best to exfoliate only 1-2 times a week at most. Over-exfoliation not only dehydrates the skin but also can lead to dark spots called hyperpigmentation, and skin damage.

2) A little sun is OK .. because it helps increase our Vit D levels

Your body makes Vitamin D when the skin is exposed to the sun. But cloudy days, spending considerable time indoors, or having darker skin limits the amount of Vit D your skin can make. Therefore, it is important to get Vit. D from other ways because Vitamin D is necessary to build strong bones and prevent osteoporosis. Foods such as salmon, cereals, eggs, milk, and even mushrooms are good sources of Vit D. It is a good idea to breathe fresh air, get out of the office and take a walk or eat your lunch outdoors. However, if you are going to be outside make sure to protect your skin from harmful UVA/UVB rays that cause skin cancer with sunscreen that has at least SPF15.

3) A skoche more than a little sun is BAD:

Being a sun goddess indoors on a tanning bed or outdoors under the sky dramatically increases your risk for skin cancer. If you want that J-Lo glow try a spray tan or self-tanning lotion. Spray tan and self-tanner are applied to the outer layers of the skin. They DON’T penetrate the deep layers of the skin or get absorbed by the body. The main ingredient in spray tans is dihydroxyacetone called DHA. The FDA has approved DHA as a tanning ingredient since 1977. It is a colorless compound with a carbohydrate (sugar) component. Make sure if it’s your first time using a spray tan or self-tanner product that you test it on a small patch of your skin first to make sure you don’t have an allergy to any of the ingredients in the product.

4) Moisturize .. moisturize .. moisturize ..

Day and Night. This will keep your skin hydrated. Moisturizing the skin helps replenish the natural oils the body loses through the day. The body loses moisture and collagen naturally as we get older. The skin is dried out by the elements we encounter everyday like the weather, sun damage, pollution, medications, and even regular showers and baths. Moisturizing recharges the skin, increases blood circulation, and rehydrates. It’s especially important to moisturize your face with a product that has at least SPF 15 when you are outdoors. The key to beautiful skin is prevention. Love and take care of you skin early in life and avoid problems later.

5) Protect your Mani and Pedi with a little Solar Oil:

Apply Solar Oil to your nails and cuticles 2-3 times a day to keep your nails healthy AND keep that WET fresh out the nail shop look lasting! Solar oil is made by CND (Creative Nail Design, the company who makes Shellac) from Jojoba, Sweet Almond oil, Vitamin E, and Rice Bran. When applied it will penetrate the polish, yes even gel and shellac polish and nourish your nails. Say good-bye to dry, cracked nails. And the 2-for-1 .. solar oil can also be used for other purposes such as dry skin.. try rubbing a few drops on your hands.

Wishing you good health, Dr. V