Chicago is HEATING UP and if you’re anything like us, you’ve been craving that sunshine! You’ve thrown on your favorite tank top and you’re feeling good, but before you step out the door, pump the brakes. You’re probably forgetting sun protection and if you’re spending as much time taking care of your skin as you should be, you don’t want to risk ruining that hard work by not protecting it. There are so many ways that you can protect your skin and the more you combine, the better the protection. Some of the solutions are even fashion-forward!
Slather On The Sunscreen
Let’s start with the most obvious. Sunscreen is a no-brainer when it comes to sun protection, but many people use the wrong kind, use it improperly or forget about it altogether! You should be applying your favorite sunblock 30 minutes before you get in the sun just to make sure you’re protected from the moment you step out of the house. Sunscreen should be applied liberally every two hours, sometimes every hour for particularly intense, sweaty, or days you’re swimming. Remember that any skin that is exposed to the sun, should have sunscreen on! Areas that people tend to miss are behind the ears, knees, feet and, the back of the neck. While some can get away with just SPF 15, we like to recommend at least SPF 30. If you’re a I or II on the Fitzpatrick Scale, you should bump that up to SPF 50 for extra protection. If you’re unsure where you fall on the Fitzpatrick Scale, here’s an easy questionnaire to help determine that. But, no matter the SPF, you should look for an option that offers “Broad Protection” as this blocks both UVB and UVA rays.
It’s a common misconception that you can’t get a tan with sunblock on, but that couldn’t be further from the truth! Sunscreen is blocking the rays that cause harm and in turn, make your skin age more rapidly. You’ll still be able to get a beautiful tan while wearing sunscreen, it just will be more gradual. If you’re feeling like you want to have more of a glow at the end of the day, opt for a sunless option like spray tanning or foam tanning. We love Halsted Street Beach Tanning for all our spray tan needs!
Stun Them In Sun Hats
This one is our personal favorite here at Plump Room because we love fashion! A sunhat is a great way to shade your face from the harsh rays of the sun. When you’re sunhat shopping, opt for something with a wide brim. Ideally something with at least a 4-inch brim, but if you’re feeling a bit more dramatic, that’s great too! While the straw-colored hat can be really cute, you’ll be getting more protection from something with a darker pigment. Why? Because dark pigments swallow the light more than something light-colored.
Everyone has heard of SPF but have you heard of UPF? UPF is the Ultraviolet Protection Factor and the higher it is, the better. Good protection starts around 30 and goes up from there. Hats that are fashioned from tightly woven fabric will have a higher UPF as less light will be able to sneak its way through. A great way to test how much light can get through is to use your phone flashlight! Shine it along the brim of the hat and wherever the light seeps through, is where those UV rays will go through. It’s time to channel your inner Samantha Jones and buy that big hat you’ve been eyeing!
Style With Some Shades
A stylish pair of sunglasses is always a great option to help shade you from harsh rays, and they offer more protection than you may realize! These days, all sunglasses come with UV protection to some degree, but there are certainly some options that are better than others. When searching for the perfect pair to rock this summer, look for a sticker that notes 99% UV protection or better and polarized lenses. It’s pretty obvious why you would want UV protection, but what are polarized lenses? Polarized lenses help prevent eye strain and squinting by filtering the glare that may reflect off of glass, water, and other elements that have reflective properties. While you don’t necessarily NEED polarized lenses, they’re great to have if you are on the water a lot or drive often during the day. Remember, less squinting means less wrinkling and in turn, more youthful eyes!
Why’s It Important?
You can pick and choose which one of these methods you want to use to keep your skin safe this summer or, combine all of them for a head-turning look! If you’re starting to see wrinkles setting in, don’t worry! Plump Room has you covered for all your Botox needs to keep your skin smooth and glowy. Lock in your appointment here and get that skin summer ready!
