When summer weather hits, our thoughts turn to making life simpler. That means lightweight and comfortable clothes, easy no-cook dinners, and especially, a no-hassle beauty routine.
As a plastic surgery office, we can’t give much advice on fashion or cooking, but we are experts on skin care and looking your best. Here are six tips to help you protect your skin and achieve effortless beauty all summer long.
We’ve all heard about the virtues of sunscreen by now, but it bears repeating. A high-quality sunscreen should be the foundation of your summer beauty routine because it can help protect you from sunburn, wrinkles, premature aging, and perhaps most importantly, skin cancer. Be sure to choose a broad-spectrum product that blocks both UVA and UVB rays and has an SPF of at least 30.
Start your day by applying about two ounces (a shot glass worth) of sunscreen to all exposed skin. Sunscreen wears off surprisingly quickly so be sure to re-apply every two hours you are in the sun, and more often than that if you are spending time in water. And as great as sunscreen is, don’t rely on it exclusively. Go indoors to take breaks from the sun, use umbrellas, and wear protective clothing.
Your skin is your body’s first line of defense against pollution, dehydration, allergens, and bacteria. Keeping your skin properly moisturized helps that barrier work properly. Unfortunately, summer is full of elements that rob your skin of moisture, such as salt water, chlorine, air conditioning, and sun.
So this makes your moisturizing routine as important in the summer as it was in the winter. Your best bet is to apply your favorite moisturizer to your skin after bathing. Looking to make things a bit simpler? There are new moisturizers you can apply to still wet skin, even before you towel off. Skin care doesn’t get much easier than that.
Heat, humidity, chlorine, salt water, and pollution all take a toll on your hair, leaving it flat and dull. Instead of turning to expensive and often too-harsh clarifying shampoos to restore health and shine, open your cupboard.
Simply add a teaspoon of baking soda to your regular shampoo and wash as normal. It will gently remove chemicals and pollutants and prevent discoloration from chlorine and salt water.
You can also fill a spray bottle with apple cider vinegar, spray it directly to your hair and let it sit for 3 to 10 minutes. The slightly acidic nature of the vinegar will break down the pollutants and residue in your hair, allowing you to safely wash it away with your usual shampoo. As a bonus, apple cider vinegar is known to prevent dandruff and add shine when used regularly.
Now that summer’s here, you may be thinking about changing your foundation shade to a darker tint to give your skin that sun-kissed glow. If you’re changing foundations, then find one with added sunscreen. Then you can beautify and protect your face in one step.
Summer means lots of time around water, and lots of sweating, so waterproof anything is the way to go. Waterproof mascaras and eyeliners have come a long way, allowing you to safely take a dip (or sweat) without worrying about smears or dark lines under the eyes.
And if you wear eyeshadow, then consider switching from your usual powder to a cream shadow. The creams are water-resistant, longer lasting, and if you choose the right shade, it can even be used as blush or a highlighter.
Forget heavy lipsticks this summer and go for lip stains. You’ll barely feel them on your lips and they’re sweat-proof. Plus, most lip stains provide great moisture and come in fun summer colors. For added moisture and protection, apply a thin layer of sunscreen or lip balm with SPF to your lips before applying the stain.
Northeastern Plastic Surgery understands your desire for a beautiful, youthful looking body and facial appearance. We use the latest plastic surgery techniques to perform a variety of surgical procedures. Dr. Fodero and the staff are very friendly, helpful, and available to answer any questions you may have about the procedures we offer. We strive to ensure that your experience with us is positive. Please contact us today to learn more about the services we offer.
