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In summer, skin care must be redoubled, because the sun can cause burns, premature aging of the skin and even increase the risk of cancer.
So, to keep your skin healthy in summer, it is important to adopt some measures, such as keeping your skin dry, free of sweat, but properly hydrated, drinking plenty of fluids during the day, using sunscreen and avoiding the hottest hours of the day.
1. Keep your skin clean, hydrated and dry
To keep your skin healthy during the summer, it is important to keep it clean and hydrated, and it is recommended to take at least 2 baths a day, as this is how you can eliminate sweat. If it is very hot, you can take more baths, but it is recommended to use only water, avoiding the soap so as not to make the skin more dry.
The antiseptic soap can be useful to eliminate bacteria and other microorganisms from the armpits, intimate area and feet that can cause chilblains, for example. However, in order to avoid the proliferation of microorganisms, it is important to keep the skin dry, since more humid and hot regions of the body favor the development of microorganisms, mainly fungi.
After bathing it is important to apply a fluid moisturizing cream, at least in areas where the skin tends to get drier, such as feet, knees, hands and elbows, helping to keep the skin soft. Check out some skin moisturizer options.
2. Wear sunscreen daily
Using sunscreen daily is important to prevent premature skin aging and dryness, in addition to preventing the development of diseases, such as skin cancer, for example. Thus, it is important to apply sunscreen over the entire area of skin that is exposed to the sun, even if the person is not directly exposed to the sun.
In the case of going to the beach or the pool, the recommendation is that the sunscreen is used 20 to 30 minutes before sun exposure and is applied again every 3 hours. Those who want to get a tan without harming their skin can choose to use a weaker sunscreen, with SPF 4 or 8, for example, as it is able to filter the harmful rays of the sun and make the skin more beautiful, with a golden tone.
3. Do not shave on the day of sunbathing
Another important precaution in the summer is not to shave your face and body on the day and also on the day before sun exposure, as this can cause dark spots on the skin, especially if waxing. Thus, the recommendation is that epilation is done at least 48 hours before sun exposure.
To have more prolonged effects of hair removal, you can choose to wax or laser hair removal, as the hair is removed from the root, however in both forms it is important to avoid exposure to the sun after hair removal, as the skin is more sensitive and there is a greater likelihood of spots.
See 7 steps for razor shaving to be perfect.
4. Invest in beta-carotene
To leave the skin brown and with a tan that lasts longer, it is also recommended to eat foods that contain carotenoids such as carrots, squash, papaya, apples and beets, as these foods favor the production of melanin, which is a pigment naturally present in the skin and that gives color to the skin, leaving it more tanned.
In addition, foods rich in beta-carotenes have antioxidants, having a protective effect on the skin and preventing damage caused by the sun's rays.
Check out the video below for more information on beta-carotene-rich foods:
5. Do not do skin treatments in the summer
Avoiding laser and chemical treatments during the summer is important, as these treatments can damage tanned skin and cause spots that are difficult to remove. The best time to do these treatments is during autumn and winter, when the temperature is cooler and the sun is less strong, but it is always important to use sunscreen when doing these treatments.
Another important care is to exfoliate the skin, especially on the face and feet, once a week to eliminate dead cells and renew the skin. Check out a great homemade foot scrub recipe.
6. Bathing in fresh water when leaving the beach
After a day at the beach, you should take a bath of fresh water, preferably cold, to remove the salt and sand that tend to dry the skin and facilitate the formation of cracks that can allow the entry of microorganisms.
After bathing with fresh water, it is recommended to moisturize the skin and, for this, you can again apply sunscreen or an after-sun lotion.
7. Avoid direct sunlight
In the hottest hours of the day, between 10 am and 4 pm, direct sun exposure should be avoided because at these times there are more health risks. Thus, in these hours, one should prefer to stay in shady places, in addition to wearing a hat or cap and light clothes, to protect the skin, and sunglasses, to protect the eyes and avoid skin burns and heat stroke.
It is also important to place yourself on the umbrella or inside the beach or pool bar to protect yourself from the sun, avoiding heat stroke and skin burns.
8. Drink plenty of fluids
To avoid dehydration of the body and skin, it is important to drink at least 2 to 3 liters of water a day or other liquids, such as natural fruit juice or iced teas, as this way, in addition to preventing dehydration, it refreshes the body. The consumption of alcoholic beverages is not recommended, as they promote water loss to the body and can quickly cause dehydration, especially if they are ingested on very hot days.
Liquids can also be ingested as food, because some fruits and vegetables have a large amount of water in their composition, and can also be a great option for hot days and to promote skin health in summer.
See in the video which are the richest foods in water: