Dont Let Summer Weather Turn Your Skin To Leather!

Every year, we become increasingly excited when summer rolls around, but do we really take the time to assess the increased hazards to our skin? May is Melanoma month and the perfect time for those of you who love the summer sun to take a moment to learn about the potential dangers to your skin, and find out what you can do to prevent future damage.

Melanoma is the most severe form of skin cancer, affecting over 50,000 Americans each year. Increased exposure to ultraviolet light causes melanocytes to grow increasingly abnormally and become cancerous. Generally, Melanoma affects women around the hips and lower legs, while men more often have Melanoma around the upper body, facial, and neck areas.

It's important to perform a routine self-check skin exam about once every 6 to 8 weeks, checking for changes of growth, color, and size of moles and pigmented areas. If you see a significant change or are concerned, don't hesitate to have your skin checked by a physician or dermatologist. Often, when Melanoma is caught early, it can be treated with minor surgery to remove the affected area. In more advanced cases, Melanoma may require extreme chemotherapy or radiation treatments. Taking steps now to protect our skin from the sun and skin cancer prevention is ideal.

For women who use products with Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA's), Retinoids, microdermabrasion, or peels should be even more careful when it comes to skin care and sun protection. Such treatments leave skin fresh, new, and vulnerable to the damaging ultraviolet rays. Wearing a protective hat such as the AVEA by SunSoul yelomod Sun Hat can significantly decrease your face's exposure to harmful UVA and UVB rays.

For the ultimate sun protection, it's important to look for a sunscreen with SPF of at least 15. La Roche-Posay Anthelios 40 Sunscreen Cream is powerful sun protectant fortified with Avobenzone and Titanium Dioxide and massages easily onto skin for a powerful sun shield. Another great product to use is Procyte TiSilc Sheer SPF 45. It's a lightweight, non-greasy product that provides a physical block against UV radiation.

When purchasing a sunscreen, it's important to consider the difference between physical and chemical sunscreens. A chemical sunscreen is designed with synthetic chemical substances to absorb UV radiation, whereas physical sunscreens contain ultra-fine mineral particles that act like a mirror, reflecting and deflecting damaging radiation. One of the most common ingredients to look for in a physical sunscreen is micronized Titanium Dioxide, such as what makes Procyte TiSilc Sheer SPF 45 such a lightweight, non-greasy, and effective sunscreen.

If you desire a sun-kissed glow on your skin, but don't want to risk the damage, bronzers and sunless-tanners are excellent alternatives to an actual suntan. Fake Bake features the Fake Bake Instant Self-Tanning Spray for a streak-free, realistic, and healthy-looking glow, minus the sun. For everyday, on-the-go protection, Colorescience Sunforgettable SPF 30 - All Clear gives you a soft, finished, and odor-free sunscreen in powder form that's great for those of all skin types, t ones, and conditions.

So be sure to enjoy the outdoors this summer and keep safe by practicing these easy and smart skincare tips!