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Thursday, July 25, 2013

How to Survive the Heat

     Hey all, I hope your summer is going well. We've been having a heat wave here in Seattle. I'm not complaining, I'm loving every bit of sunshine and vitamin d I can. Who knows how long it will last! I have taken some suggestions from some of you and done some research on how to survive the summer heat in a healthy way for your skin.

     1. Sunglasses. This is often overlooked, but it is the leading cause for "crows feet" (wrinkling around the eyes), because when it's bright outside and you don't have sunglasses, you squint. Squinting causes damage along with the under eye getting over exposed to UVA and UVB rays. I suggest not only wearing sunglasses, but also using eye cream with SPF in it.

     2. Sunscreen. Anyone who is or has been exposed to direct sunlight without SPF before the age of 18 could develop skin cancer. Prevent and protect every chance you get. Sun burns are very damaging to the skin. Not to mention how annoying they are to deal with. People often overlook their face when applying sunscreen. I like to use face lotion with SPF in my daily routine, as well as tinted moisturizer for foundation during the summer. Look for the brands that carry a minimum of SPF 15. 

     3. Not enough water. Not only can this problem leave you dehydrated in the heat and possibly cause heat stroke, but water intake affects your skin. Drinking plenty of water helps your skin produce collagen, which improves the elasticity and firmness of your skin, causing less blemishes and smaller pores. Unfortunately for those over the age of 30, your skin's ability to produce collagen reduces at a rapid rate, so stay hydrated. Of course water has so many other. Benefits outside of caring for your skin, so go drink some!

     4. Smaller, more refreshing meals. Our natural tendencies when it's nice outside is to grill and BBQ. Quite a few sources say in order to keep cool; stay away from big giant meals. Big, protein-laden meals force your body to stoke its metabolic fires. So try some tasty leafy green salad with chopped chicken, or chicken/tuna salad. Maybe have a cold cut sandwich. Eat smaller, more frequent meals to keep cool, and it's better for you anyway.

     5. Limit physical activity. Many cases of heat stroke in children, and teenagers are caused by outdoor activity. When you're young you tend to play no matter what your body might be telling you. If it's hot, take adequate breaks from your activities. Take your breaks in the shade and cool down with a cold beverage. Here are a few signs to look out for that could mean heat stroke: headache, profuse sweating, exhaustion, nausea/vomiting, muscle cramps, dizziness/fainting, dim or blurred vision, hot dry skin, cold damp skin. 

     That's my list! I hope it helps, and I am leaving a list of resources at the bottom of this blog so you guys can look for yourself. Stay cool, my friends!

Skincare.about.com, webmd.com, zocdoc.com, shifu.people.com, ehow.com, medicinenet.com, cchealth.org

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