Safeguard Your Skin!

Summertime is perfect for outdoor exercising – biking, running, surfing and much more. But as you head out into the sun-drenched streets, remember that the UV index in most of America can range from high to extreme. You can quickly look up your area’s UV index at www.epa.gov. The higher the UV index number means that the sun is “stronger” & that you will burn more easily in less time.

Thankfully, there are easy ways to cover up & protect your skin from the sun during your favorite workouts.

Sunscreen. Besides water for hydration, it’s your skin best friend in a bottle. Lather up about 15 minutes before sun exposure. This allows your skin to soak in the lotion and its sun shielding properties.

Hats. Wide brimmed by far are the best, as they keep sun off not only your face but your ears & neck as well. I always keep at least a baseball cap in my car for those impromptu workouts.

Sunglasses. We’re not being vain and only trying to protect our skin from crow’s feet, but protecting your eye itself is just as important. Eyes exposed to too much sun are more likely to develop macular degeneration than those that stayed out of the sun.

Protective clothing. Gone are the days that, in order to keep our arms & legs covered, we had to don heavy cotton materials. Now there are a myriad of synthetic materials out there that can keep your skin covered AND are light & breathable. Check out your nearest sporting goods store for options.

As you plan your next work out during these summer months, remember to safeguard your skin- you’ll need it for the rest of your life.