With summer upon us, most of us are eager to get outside and enjoy the sunshine at
last. However, as we all know very well, sunburn poses a serious threat in the
summer months. While the immediate effects of minor pain and redness are merely
temporary, your risk of skin cancer increases drastically with each sunburn, as does
your likelihood of getting wrinkles and an uneven complexion.
To protect yourself from the sun, go for a natural fix.Dr. Christopher Calapai DO., a New York City Osteopathic Physician board-certified in family and anti-aging medicine, suggests the following
natural solutions to relish the sunshine without sacrificing your wellbeing:
1. Pay attention to the timing of your sun exposure
Peak sunburn hours are around 11:00-2:00 (or more broadly, 10:00-4:00), so if you’re
planning on spending a prolonged period of time outdoors, aim to do so earlier or
later in the day than this time frame. Additionally, limiting your time in the sun
is beneficial, as people of all skin complexions can absorb maximum vitamin D from
the sun within an hour, and for fair-skinned people, it can take as little as 10
minutes. Smaller segments of time in the sun will decrease the risk of burn. Plus, as
your skin gets darker over the summer through short increments, your skin will
acquire an increased tolerance to the sun’s rays and you will be able to spend more
time in the sun sans damage. [Read more…]
