Oh, Hawaii sun, how we love thee…but not so much your effects. ☹ No matter how well we think we have protected our skin, it seems you always manage to find a spot that we missed. Those beautiful days in the ocean, on the beach, or at the park are delightful with warmth and light mixed with family and friends. But the shine disappears when you get home and realize that your skin has fried. The sun is fun, yes. But it needs to be respected for the power it has and the damage it can cause.
Prevention
Before we get to post-sun help, let’s start with what to do before even walking out the door. Prevention, prevention, prevention. Did I mention prevention? If you have ever experiences the burning heat and pain of even a mild burn, you know that it is better to be safe than sorry.
Whether you live here or you are visiting our lovely home on Oahu, please do not underestimate the power of our sunshine.
- Apply sunscreen as part of your morning routine – every day. The damaging UV rays of the sun still come through on a cloudy day. We know fair-skinned people who have sunburned – with blisters! – on a cloudy day! Use a minimum of 30 SPF every day.
- Use a cream or lotion based sunscreen. While aerosol sunscreen is convenient, and the feeling of the lotion on our hands is not particularly pleasant, you are far less likely to miss a spot or have the wind blow the product away before it reaches your skin.
- Give your sunscreen at least 30 minutes to soak in before leaving the shade.
- Take sunscreen with you to re-apply if you are going to be out for an extended period of time.
- Think through and time how long you spend in the sun. Most of us take tents or umbrellas to the beach for some shade. Spend some time in the sun, then give your skin a break.
- Sweat and humidity affect performance of sunscreen. If you are in the heat and sweating, enjoying time in the ocean, or live on the Windward side of the island where it is frequently damp, re-apply every hour, regardless of what the bottle says about being “waterproof”.
- Don’t forget under your chin! If you are going to be out on the water, skiing on the mainland, or visiting a farmers market surrounded by reflective asphalt, make sure that you hit the “undersides”. These areas are often forgotten in the application process, but they are just as likely, if not more likely, to get burned because of reflections.
- Don’t assume that your hat will protect you. Don’t neglect to cover your ears, face, and forehead thoroughly. And hats can cause us to sweat a bit more, so re-apply!
- Protect your smile. Even the skin of your lips can burn, so choose a lip balm with sunscreen in it.
Normal Sun Exposure
Whether you get a burn or not, taking care of your skin after time in the sun is important for your health and in preventing premature aging.
We need the sun. Nothing can replace the Vitamin D that our bodies produce when we spend time in the sun. And the impact on our emotional well-being is just as critical. We are so lucky to live in Hawaii where we have an abundant number of sunny days and the rainy days are a rarity. But that does require knowledge of and taking responsibility for our health.
- Hydrating. While out in the sun and after, it is critical to drink lots of water, keeping the body and our skin hydrated.
- Cleansing. Typically, time in the sun involves either sweat, salt, or chlorine. None of these are good for your skin. Rinse off as soon as and often as possible while outside and then take a cool shower with a gentle cleanser when you get home. Take extra care with the tender skin of your face with our Rose Whitening Foaming Gel.
- Moisturizing. Hand in hand with internal hydration comes external. A high-quality moisturizer soothes and protects the skin. Look for products that are free of parabens and unnecessary chemicals. While do not currently have a body lotion, our Rose Whitening & Repair Moisturizer hydrates, repairs and protects and a Serum Infusion Mask is ideal for gentle, penetrating hydration.
- Cooling. Whether you have a sunburn or not, relax and cool your body with a lukewarm shower rather than blasting your body with another layer of heat. This is a good idea not only right after you return home, but your next evening or morning shower as well.
- Soothing. Before you go out, put your aloe vera or after-sun cream in the refrigerator to soothe and cool skin when you get back.
Yes, the sun causes aging, and yes, we have to be careful, but it is an amazing natural resource, and staying inside all the time isn’t the solution. Proper prevention and post-sun care allows us to enjoy this life giving resource in a healthy manner.
