Seniors outside playing cards in the sunshine and shade

The Importance of Protecting Skin in the Summertime

Did you know that rates of skin cancer in the United States are rising faster than any other cancer? That is one reason there is so much demand for sunscreen in the country. Every year, people in the United States spend more than $648 million on the sunscreen manufacturing market. Proper skin protection is one of the most important things to focus on when you are at a senior living center in the summertime. Many people get excited about the prospect of warm days and beautiful sunlight. However, it is important to enjoy these things while also taking precautions to avoid damage to your skin. Not everyone realizes all of the different ways that excessive exposure to sunlight can be damaging to the skin. Understanding more about this can help you appreciate how vital it is to protect your skin this upcoming summer. So what makes protecting your skin from excessive sunlight such a big priority? Read on to learn all about the importance of protecting skin in summertime.

Prevent Photoaging to Cultivate Skin Health

A lot of people have no idea how much the aging of the skin is the result of exposure to sunlight. In fact, scientists have discovered that sunlight exposure is responsible for about 90% of the visible changes to the skin. The more unprotected exposure to the UV rays of the sun you have over the course of a lifetime, the more your skin will start to show the signs of photoaging. Of course, photoaging is about more than the mere appearance of your skin. It is a strong sign that your skin is losing vibrancy, which also has a huge impact on its ability to function. Your skin is the primary layer of defense that protects the sensitive insides of your body from anything that might damage them. When your skin becomes more affected by photoaging, it will show more signs of wrinkles and age spots. However, it will also provide less cushion and protection for your body.

Avoid Sunburn to Enjoy Senior Skin Health

All of that applies even if you only get a little bit of sunlight at a time. However, if you get a significant dose of sunlight within a short amount of time, there is also a higher chance that you will develop a case of sunburn. Many people are not worried about sunburn because they do not consider the pain to be too serious. However, the damage that sunburn does to our skin is about more than the pain we experience with it. Even once your sunburn heals, it will leave behind certain permanent effects. The more sunburn you get over the course of a lifetime, the higher the chance that you will develop skin cancer. Even if you do not develop skin cancer, too much sunburn can wreak havoc on the structural integrity of your skin. You might find that your skin begins to lose some of the collagen that provides it with support.

Improve Skin Protection to Avoid Dehydration

Excessive exposure to sunlight can also lead to dehydration. This can put more stress on your skin as well as the rest of your body. That can exacerbate any pre-existing health issues you experience. It may also make it more likely that you develop new ones. In general, your body will be more robust and resist developing health problems when it has all of the hydration that it needs.

Use Great Sunscreen at Your Assisted Living Community

The good news is that there is a lot that you can do to help protect your skin while still enjoying the sun at your senior living community. One of the most powerful things you can do is find a great sunscreen that you can use at your assisted living facility. In general, the higher the SPF of your sunscreen, the more protection it will provide for your skin. If your sunscreen has an SPF of 15, that means that it will take 15 times longer for your skin to develop sunburn. On the other hand, SPF 50 sunscreen will make it take 50 times longer for your skin to develop sunburn. At a memory care community, you should make a priority of having sunscreens with high SPF ratings.

Take Other Skin Protection Precautions

The more exposure to sunlight you have, the more important it is that you also stay hydrated. Make sure to get plenty of water while you are outside. That goes double if you are participating in any physical activities. Another great way to protect your skin from the sun is to wear a wide-brimmed hat. Many people find it difficult to keep reapplying sunscreen as often as is necessary to protect their skin. Some people also find it difficult to apply sunscreen to every single part of their exposed skin. A sun hat can cover a large area of your most sensitive skin, reducing your reliance on sunscreen.

Know the Value of Senior Living Skin Protection

There is a lot that you can do at a senior living center to enjoy greater skin protection. Some people do not want to devote the necessary time to keep their skin healthy and protected. However, in the long run, giving your skin proper protection from the sun is an investment that will more than pay for itself. To learn more about how you can find the right senior living center for you, reach out and get in touch with us here at any time!

Archives