Summer Skincare Tips for Coloradans
Colorado might be known for its mountain's majesty, but it’s also known for its sunburns and eczema, which can wreak havoc on your skin. Fortunately, this doesn’t mean you should pack your bags and venture off to high humidity and sea-level shores. You can stay a mile high and keep your skin in tip-top shape. Start by considering the following:
Wear Sunscreen - Lots of It
It’s not just your imagination that you burn easier at higher elevations; increased altitude decreases the atmosphere between you and the sun, making the sun’s rays more potent and penetrating. Most Coloradans are already aware of this and likely to apply ample SPF before heading out for a hike in the woods or a dip in the reservoir. But less extreme activities can result in sun damage, too. Get in the habit of wearing sunscreen daily so you’ll be protected when you do habitual things like walk your dog or run out to the mailbox to fetch a package.
Stay Indoors During Peak Hours
Not all sunlight is equally risky; a walk around the block at 8am is safer than going out at noon. Thus, a good rule of thumb is to stay indoors during peak hours, which are typically considered to be between 10am and 4pm. If you do have to go outside, wear protective clothing and a hat, and try to stay in the shade.
Use the Right SPF
While any SPF is better than none, aiming to use an SPF of at least 30 gives you the most adequate protection from the bicentennial sun. Make sure your bottle isn’t expired and re-apply hourly if you’re swimming or sweating. Don’t let cloud cover deceive you, either; you can still get burned on overcast days.
Wear Lip Balm
Lip balm is a must-have for Coloradans; it’s not unusual for residents to have 16 tubes of Chapstick circulating in their junk drawer. Not only does lip balm moisturize the lips and keep them from cracking, chapping, and drying out, but it creates a barrier that offers protection from UV rays, as well. Some lip balm comes with SPF, allowing you to pucker up for even more protection.
Moisturize
Traipsing through the Rocky Mountains isn’t quite like trekking through the desert, but Colorado is a dry state, nonetheless. Inland positioning, little rainfall, and lack of large bodies of water work together to create an environment void of humidity, leaving your skin rough, flaky, and patchy (something made worse by the summer sun). To counteract this, use moisturizing products regularly, stay hydrated, and limit baths and showers (as ironic as it sounds, too much water can dry your skin out rapidly). Protect yourself outdoors as well, as UV rays can remove moisture from the skin and deplete it of essential oils. Sun-damaged skin can’t repair itself as effectively, either.
Living in Colorado comes with plenty of perks, but the summer sun isn’t always one of them. These tips are an excellent way to improve your skin and enjoy Mother Nature while nurturing yourself.
Vive Med Spa offers the highest quality esthetician services in the Denver, Colorado area. We’ve expanded from permanent makeup to laser skin treatments to meet your needs for one destination for high-end skin rejuvenation services. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
