Protecting Your Skin Over Spring Break
The weather is warming up, and spring break is approaching. It’s a great time to shake off the winter blues and take a long-awaited vacation! Where will you go this year? For many people, the beach is the perfect place to spend spring break- is that your go-to spot? While you’re enjoying the sun, sand, and nightlife, make sure you don’t neglect your skin. After all, spring break is no excuse for taking a vacation from skincare.
In fact, a beach vacation contains many different elements that can be detrimental to your skin. Because of that, it’s even more important than ever to take keep up your skincare routine. Let’s take a look at the problems your skin may face while you’re relaxing, catching some rays, sight-seeing, and just generally enjoying yourself.
- It’s easy to become dehydrated on a beach vacation. While you’re having fun in the sun, enjoying the surf and sand with friends and family, you can get distracted and forget to drink water. At the same time, you’ll be getting hot and probably sweating, losing moisture as the day progresses. Make sure you pack plenty of water in your beach cooler, and keep sipping throughout the day to keep your body well-hydrated. Once the day is over, cleanse your face and apply a cooling mask, then moisturize not only your face but also the rest of your body. Your skin will thank you for keeping it soft, supple, and plump.
- Too much sun is the obvious hazard at the beach. Sunscreen is a no-brainer, but it’s important to remember to reapply it every hour or two, depending on whether or not you’re spending any time in the water. Even if you’re spending the day sight-seeing or visiting an attraction like theme park, sunscreen is an absolute must, every single day. It’s not the only way to protect your skin from the sun, though. Choose sun-protective swimwear when you’re swimming, and when you’re out and about, wear a broad brimmed hat and loose fitting clothing with long pants and sleeves to cover as much skin as possible and protect it from UV rays. It’s also smart to plan your schedule so that you’re not in the sun when it’s at its height.
- Eating poorly can also be detrimental to the skin. When you’re on vacation, it’s understandable that you might not want to stick to a strict diet. There are restaurants to try, hot spots to hit, and ice cream to sample, after all! Just make sure your vacation is not just one long splurge. Make sure you’re eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, healthy fats, and lean proteins, and save the heavier fare for occasional treats.
- Drinking too much alcohol is another hazard of vacation life. When you’re on vacation, it’s easy to overindulge, but alcohol can be a real skin wrecker. It causes both dehydration and inflammation, and can cause puffiness, bloating, flushing, and dark circles. Keep your drinking moderate, don’t drink on an empty stomach, and make sure you’re drinking plenty of water- at least one glass of water for every alcoholic beverage you consume.
- Don’t neglect your skincare routine just because you’re on vacation. It’s particularly important to cleanse your skin at the end of a day of playing on the beach or sightseeing. Dirt, debris, sweat, sand, saltwater- all of these can cause skin problems if you don’t remove them at the end of the day. Use a gentle cleanser each night, then moisturize, and you’ll protect your skin against damage.
When you get home from vacation, give us a call to schedule a consultation! We can help you eliminate any damage you may have done over spring break. Swinyer-Woseth Dermatology is committed to providing superior, professional skin care in a manner that’s practical, efficient, and compassionate. With over 30 years of experience providing dermatological services in Salt Lake City, we provide a variety of services, from cosmetic skincare to treatment for skin cancer. Our team of board-certified dermatologists and licensed cosmetic service providers are here to provide you the care you need in a comfortable, professional atmosphere. Call (801) 682-4715 or contact us through our website.