Independence Day brings about lots of food, fireworks and fun, but is your skin really ready for the outdoor festivities? Whether you are celebrating the birth of our nation at a barbeque, by a campfire, at the beach, or by the pool, follow these easy precautions for a safer holiday.
Cleanse Your Face
Make sure to cleanse your face with cold water to remove all of that sand, sweat and oil throughout the day. The harsh summer heat causes sweating, which will lead dirt and oil to sink into your skin, producing unflattering black heads, pimples, and clogged pores. Leave your skin refreshed and glowing by using a gentle cleanser to remove all traces of sand, dirt, and oil throughout the holiday day.
Lightweight Makeup
Ease up on your normal makeup routine this 4th, for the heat is no place for a full face of makeup! Under a blazing sun a done-up face of makeup can become melty and runny, so be strategic about what you apply. Rather than using a foundation on your entire face, use a spot concealer instead to have the lightest makeup as possible. Powder form makeup is also favored over liquid in the heat because it will help soak up rather than produce any additional oil. However, if you must use liquid makeup, find ones that contain SPF to protect your young skin from those strong rays.
Sunblock
Before participating in those fun outdoor activities this holiday, apply sunscreen 30 minutes prior to reduce the risk of damaging your skin. Dermatologists suggest reapplying sunscreen every two hours that you are in the sun, or every time you get wet, to ensure best protection for your skin. And don’t let those clouds fool you…UV light easily penetrates most cloud coverage and can cause just as painful, if not more, sunburns. Keep your skin youthful and glamorous with SPF–nothing speeds up aging like those UV rays.
Drink Your H20!
Whether you spend your holiday on the beach, by the pool, or at a barbeque, staying hydrated is KEY. Drinking plenty of fluids, especially in hot weather, is not only important for your skin but is detrimental for your overall health. A celebration like July 4th also calls for sipping cocktails and throwing back brews. Be sure to accompany your adult beverages with plenty of water, for consumption of alcohol causes dehydration.
Pesky Bugs
Holiday gatherings are almost always about the feasts… but leaving your food uncovered will invite those pesky, unwanted insects to your party. Wear bug spray, cover your food, and distance your party from the smelly trash to avoid getting with those agitating, itchy red bumps on your skin.
Go about celebrating this Independence Day without risking your health! You might want to pass on that last drink. Studies have shown that moderate alcohol consumption increases risk of melanoma by 20%. Have a happy and healthy Fourth of July! For more information on skincare in the summer, contact DC Derm Docs at (202) 822-9591.
