Good times and tan lines, yes, please!

It is tempting we know, spending the entire day on the beach, out in the sun under beautiful skies of blue, but it is important to remember that while the tan may fade, the damage unfortunately stays.

Whoops!

Sorry to burst your bubble, but hey we are only looking out for you, so here are a few tips and tricks on how to protect your skin and hair from all the summer heat:

Apply sunscreen

An obvious one, we know, but also a crucial one.

While a tan does not hurt, too much exposure to the sun might. Sunscreen can protect you from painful and undesired scenarios that include: sunburn, wrinkles and premature ageing or skin cancer. Even on cloudy days, you can still get sunburned because clouds do not block UV rays. The Sun Protection Factor (SPF) is an indication of the level of protection the average user gets from using any specific sunscreen. An SPF 15 or higher is the recommended minimum strength of protection you should be looking for. So you can stay safe and still get that tan you want.

Never forget the lips

The sun can be harsh on your lips too, causing them to dry. So, if you do not want chapped lips…Yes, you guessed it! Apply sunscreen. A lip balm with SPF 15 or higher will give you smooth and soft lips all summer, but just like the case is with sunscreen for face and body, the secret is in remembering to reapply it every 2 hours or when outside to prevent your skin from soaking up too much sun.

Go back to basics – stay hydrated

It is like taking a magic pill that does it all. From flushing out body toxins and giving you healthier skin and an even skin tone to preventing premature ageing and appearance of fine lines and wrinkles as water increases the elasticity of the skin and thus makes you look younger. Not to mention, it can speed up the healing process of sunburn and prevent acne by balancing oil and water content on face skin.

For an added flavour and to keep you refreshed during summer, you can add mint or ginger to your water intake, which will help with digestion and inflammation. Or lemon packed with vitamin C which is known to boost collagen and flush out the liver and hence leaves you with a brighter looking skin.

Look for reinforcement

It can be a hat, turban or headscarf, whatever complements your look, and will do the trick of shielding your hair from damaging sun rays that can fry your strands. Also, try to look for hair care products that contain UV filters (these can be in cream, gel or spray forms) and will protect hair from sun damage as well as keep coloured hair from fading.

Use fresh water or leave-in cream

Looks small but does wonders to your hair. If your hair is soaked with freshwater or generously covered in leave-in cream, it is less likely to absorb saltwater or pool chemicals that can dry your hair. It’s also vital that you rinse your hair after a swim if you cannot find a shower, fill a spray bottle with fresh water and keep it nearby when you are on the beach.

Hydrating masks

Hydrating masks are a great way to reverse some of the damage done after spending a full day on the beach and will restore moisture to your hair. A bi-weekly hydrating hair mask will keep your hair looking just as fresh, vibrant and bouncy. Believe me, your hair will thank you for it!

Written by Yara Gomaa for Luxuria Lifestyle Egypt