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There was no sun protection, but therewasbaby oil and sunburn; oh, so much sunburn.
Johner Images
But I kept at it, because the sun seduced me with the promise of a healthy tan.
I am a self-diagnosed heliophobe.
Protect your skin every day.
We need to stop thinking about sun protection as seasonal or situational.
Protecting your skin from the sun is an important part of a daily self-care routine.
Its like brushing your teeth: You just do it.
(Yes, 90%!)
New York dermatologist Dendy Engelman, MD, agrees that sun protection can be part of a daily practice.
I always recommendapplying SPFduring your morning routines, regardless of the day and season, she says.
Wearing UPF clothing and hats will also help reduce your exposure to harmful rays.
Likewise, visible light comes through and can contribute to hyperpigmenting conditions like melasma.
The higher the elevation, the higher the exposure.
Sunscreen is not enough.
When thinking about sun protection, you might assume we are strictly talking about sunscreen.
But while sunscreen should be an important part of your arsenal, its not the full defense.
The Ultraviolet Protection Factor number is a gauge of how much sun protection a garment offers.
Every piece of clothing could be given a UPF number if tested, Dr. Rieder explains.
This combination of characteristics will block UV light wellthink black cycling shorts.
The opposite would be something like a white T-shirt, which offers very little UV protection.
I live in UPF 50 clothing year-round because it takes the guesswork out of how much protection Im getting.
I like to plan ahead and ensure that wherever Im going has shade.
If you see light through it, pick another hat.
And if you hate hats?
Seek out double-duty sunscreen.
When it comes to sunscreen, you have two choices: mineral or chemical.
So really, choose whichever formula you likejust make it a daily habit.
Consider the time of day.
In general, any time between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. can be peak UV time.
Dr. Rieder explains: Beyond sunscreen, there are some things to consider.
An oral supplement like polypodium leucotomos can be helpful in decreasing your skins reactivity to the sun.
Is it possible to reverse the effects of sun damage?
This evens skin tone and removes pigmented spots and precancerous damage.
These lasers are extremely reliable, and give incredible and predictable aesthetic results.
I also love chemical peels because you might get them done in-office or do them at home yourself.
Fraxel, a fractionated nonablative resurfacing laser, is very effective at treating sun damage, Dr. Kim explains.
It helps soften fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and improves the overall quality of the skin.
Now theyre exploring ways to use it as a preventative measure.
Either choice can have a long-lasting impact on the health of your skin.
The most important advice?
See your dermatologist one to two times a year for a skin checkup.
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This article first appeared onVogue.
