Sun Care and After SunCare - Article 3

Table of Contents

SUN CARE & AFTER SUN CARE
Protect/Moisturize/Cool & Relieve/Rehydrate & Re-moisturize

One of the most important aspects in maintaining healthy skin is to take proper care when out in the sun. The sun provides some beneficial qualities to the skin and body as it enhances the ability to produce Vitamin D which is an essential vitamin used to regulate skin cell growth and maintain proper calcium and phosphorus levels in the body. Along with these benefits, however, the sun also emits harmful radiation rays from which we must protect ourselves.

The sun’s rays are comprised of two types of radiation – UVB & UVA. UVB rays are the cause of overexposure and sunburns. They penetrate the epidermis layer of the skin. UVA rays penetrate the deeper connective tissue of the skin and are far more serious threat to cause skin damage, wrinkles and potentially skin cancer.

It is important to protect against both UVB and UVA rays by using a broad spectrum sunscreen. It is recommended that a minimum SPF of 15 be used and that the sunscreen contain avobenzone, zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as one of the active ingredients. These “physical” sunscreens help to prevent the dangerous UVA rays from damaging the deeper layers of the skin.

Sun care is an every day, year-round endeavor – not just for “days at the beach” or in summer months. People who enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain biking or skiing have to be especially careful. Altitude is a sun enhancer. It is estimated that for every 1000 foot increase in altitude the suns potency increases by 4 %!

Suggested Sun Care procedures

Liberally apply a broad spectrum sunscreen, minimum SPF15, which contains a physical sunscreen active ingredient such as avobenzone, zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, 15 – 20 minutes prior to being out in the sun. Reapply often as perspiration or activities such as swimming will lessen the effectiveness of the sunscreen. Your sunscreen should be the last thing applied prior to going out. It can be used over your foundation or makeup. Remember the sun is out 365 days a year and we need to protect against harmful exposure every one of these days!  SPF 15 Daily Wear


After Suncare

Aftersun care is also a daily, 365 day-a-year proposition, not just when you’ve got a sunburn! Exposure to the sun and elements (even when following an appropriate sunscreen program) can leave the skin under -moisturized and under- nourished. The skin needs help in order to help itself!

An emollient moisturizer enhanced with lipid (plant) juices and
restorative, anti-oxidant vitamins such as A,C and E is recommended to restore moisture to the skin, encourage new skin cell production, and relieve dryness and flakiness caused by the damaging effects of the sun, wind and pollution.

One of the most beneficial plant extracts for moisturizing and healing the skin is aloe vera. It has natural cooling and healing properties and acts as a natural anti-inflammatory agent. Aloe helps restore damaged skin by keeping cells flexible and pliant and acting as a moisturizing conduit so the skin can help heal itself. Alo Sun After Tan


Overexposure and Sunburn

To paraphrase John Steinbeck, “ even the best laid plans can go astray..”
Sometimes circumstances are beyond are control, and we get caught off-guard and get overexposed to the elements and sun resulting in a burn. The UVB rays of the sun dry out and damage the epidermal layer of the skin, creating excessive heat and swelling of the skin cells. Whenever the skin is burned it first needs to be adequately cooled off to prevent the skin tissue from retaining the heat and causing further negative reactions
(swelling, redness, pain! , etc…) It is recommended that you dissipate the heat by taking a cool (not cold) bath or shower and then applying a light layer of an anti-inflammatory, cooling agent such as Aloe Vera. Topical application of Aloe Vera helps to aid in the healing process by cooling the skin without trapping in the heat and allows the skin to start healing itself.
Aloe Relief Gel

Once the immediacy of the burn has been relieved and the skin has begun the self- healing process, the damaged outer layers of the skin will begin flaking or peeling causing irritation and discomfort. In order to ease the effects of this condition , you need to moisturize and rehydrate the new skin cells making their way from the deeper structures of the skin to the outer layer. Aloe again is a great aid in providing the relief and moisture needed for this process. Daily use of an aloe- based moisturizer will help reduce the effects of flaking , hydrate the newer skin cells making their way to the surface of the skin, and help in the continued healing of the damaged skin cells.

Alo Relief Healing Lotion

Alo Sun After Tan