Summer is coming. And with that comes the dreaded sunburn if you aren’t prepared. It’s always fun to spend time outdoors in the sunshine, but getting a sunburn is a completely different story. Not only does that painful, red burn hurt if anything touches it, it puts you at an increased risk for skin cancer and signs of premature aging.

If you don’t protect yourself, the sun’s UV light can really do some serious damage to your skin. It can damage the fibers in your skin called elastin which can cause your skin to break down and sag. You may want that golden glow, but that short term tan can really sabotage your future complexion and the overall health of your skin. A sunburn can cause melanoma, pre-cancerous skin lesions and even tumors.

We all know the importance of lathering up with SPF, seeking shade and wearing a floppy hat to prevent a sunburn, but now there are even more effective ways to protect ourselves from the scorching sun.

Shield Your Skin From Sunburn with These 3 Tips

Sunburn Fighting Foods

Did you realize that what you put in your mouth each day can actually work to prevent and soothe a sunburn? There are certain types of foods that may help your body to fight off sunburn. Beta-carotene, omega-3 fats and lycopene are effective after getting a daily intake for a period of at least 10 weeks. Think red peppers, carrots, leafy vegetables and tomatoes. Here are 13 foods that fight sunburn from Prevention.

Timing is Everything

Stay out of the sun during peak hours. UV rays tend to be strongest between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Avoid these dangerous rays and schedule your outdoor activities before 10 or after 4 whenever possible. Here’s a little trick to determine how strong the sun’s UV rays are: look at your shadow! If your shadow is longer than you are, UV exposure is low. If it’s shorter, it’s time to head inside because UV exposure is high.

Cover Up

Keep your head, eyes and face covered up as much as possible to protect your delicate skin. The scalp can burn pretty quickly without us realizing it. Wear a protective hat that covers your

head, neck, ears and shoulders from the sun. And don’t neglect your fragile eyelid skin either—invest in a good pair of sunglasses that will block UV rays. And remember that even if you are in the shade, you still can get a sunburn! Make sure you reapply your sunscreen regularly.

BONUS! Sunscreen Tips

We can’t write about preventing sunburns without thoroughly going over the proper way to use sunscreen.

•  Make sure you’re using SPF 30 or higher, and reapply at least every two hours

•  If you’re swimming, double check that your sunscreen is water resistant with a higher SPF, and reapply closer to every hour

LifeScape offers Skin Cancer Foundation approved sunscreens by PCA Skin, Epionce, and Revision Skincare. As SCF approved products, they’re much healthier and safer than their over the counter alternatives. Next time you’re in the office, don’t forget to ask about them!

A sunburn is a surefire way to put a damper on outdoor fun, and has some dangerous health risks to boot. Spending time in the sun can increase your risk of skin cancer and early skin aging. We don’t want you to suffer the potentially dangerous repercussions of a sunburn.

At LifeScape our goal is to help you have the best skin of your life. Being safe is always at the top of our list. Our medical aesthetics services can help prevent and even reverse signs of sun damage and aging, which is something that impacts many Phoenicians.

If you’ve had your fair share of sun, and are looking to unveil beautiful, sun damage-less skin, book your skin care consultation today!