San Francisco summers are famous for cold, foggy mornings and nights. But midday in SF and most of the day in the East Bay the gray cedes to the warm-hot golden sun for which California is known. That often means sun-filled, outdoor activities like barbecue on the Fourth of July, outdoor concerts and activities in Stern Grove and Golden Gate Park, and swimming on Labor Day weekend. But all that time in the sun has risks.
What you don’t realize about sun exposure
Most of us already know that sun exposure causes skin cancer and that we should use sunscreen. But, you might be surprised to learn that sun exposure is also a leading cause of premature skin aging. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun can damage elastin in our skin, which causes wrinkles, age spots, and sagging skin. This is one reason the face and hands often age faster than other parts of the body like the legs and torso which are more often protected by clothing.
Our top 5 tips to reduce your risk of early skin aging
- Use sunscreen daily, even on cloudy days: This is the obvious, easiest, and first line of defense. Use SPF 30 or more, and apply it liberally. Reapply after 2 hours and after you swim or sweat excessively. We like SkinMedica Essential Defense Mineral Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 35 for its sheer and lightweight characteristics.
- Wear a hat, scarf, and sunglasses: Opt for a wide-brimmed hat to shade your face, neck, and ears; a scarf around your neck; and sunglasses with UV protection to protect the more delicate skin around your eyes.
- Act shady: Avoid sun at its prime time: 10 AM to 4 PM. Seek cover under an umbrella, tree, or other shelter. Schedule outdoor activities in the early morning or late afternoon. Your skin will be better protected if you avoid as much direct contact with sun as possible.
- Wear clothing: Skip the shorts and short sleeves; wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants in lightweight fabrics. You can still look glamorous doing it. These will provide protection from UV rays where we often forget to apply sunscreen.
- Hydrate your skin: Moisturize and hydrate your skin with hyaluronic acid and a facial serum that will plumpen dry skin and reveal brighter and youthful skin. We recommend that you use both SkinMedica HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator and Cosmedix Mystic Spray.
Enjoy summertime while protecting your beautiful skin.