Although it’s only Spring, we’ve already had a decent taste of what Summer has to offer with sweltering days already creeping past the 30 degree mark. Whether you’re ready or not, Summer is starting up again. The blazing sun, stuffy cars, humid nights, and unrelenting sweat makes Summer feel like a never-ending season. That being said, nothing beats glowing, tanned skin, beach trips, and afternoon barbeques by the pool. Sadly, you can’t have the good without the bad—and with Summer, there’s some extra bad… especially in regards to our skin. In Summer, we all take additional risks with our sun exposure. Not only is this potentially dangerous with the prevalence of sun cancer in Australia, but we’re also causing unnecessary damage to our skin and contributing to premature aging. And no one wants that.

Unfortunately, in Australia, we have some less-than-desirable skin cancer stats. According to the Cancer Council, approximately two in three Australians are diagnosed with skin cancer by the time they are 70 years of age! Melanoma, an aggressive form of skin cancer, is the third most common cancer in Australia, and overall, skin cancer accounts for 80% of all newly diagnosed cancers. It’s pretty obvious where all this cancer is stemming from too. Sun exposure has been-long known as the most prominent (and avoidable!) cause of skin cancer. About 95% of melanomas form as a result of prolonged UV exposure. Tanning is just not worth it anymore, especially with the amount of high quality fake tanning products on the market. Whether you do it yourself, a skin clinic or go to a spa, it’s a whole lot safer getting a tan from a bottle. Not to mention, you’re saving yourself from age spots and freckles developing down the track.

Did you know most of your skin’s sun damage occurred before you turned 20? According to Dr Mehmet on ShareCare.com, it can take up to 30 years for sun damage to show up. If you’re starting to notice fine lines and wrinkles settling that weren’t there before, and a bunch of new age spots, you can thank your younger self for that. The sunburns from your childhood and teen years are most likely starting to surface. Then there’s all the other problems the sun and heat create for your skin. Sweat caused by heat can lead to irritations of the skin, such as acne, heat rash, and dermatitis. On top of that, heat alone, without sweat or the sun, can induce oxidative damage to the skin—this is the type of damage that ages your skin (and the reason why you should try and incorporate antioxidants into your diet and skincare). This damage causes your skin’s natural collagen supply to deplete, leading to more fine lines and sagging. Winter—It’s really the best month for beauty. In Australia however, the heat is unavoidable. Unless you want to move to Tassie? Kidding, that’s a bit drastic.

Thankfully, you still have some time to mentally (and physically) prepare for Summer. There are steps you can take to protect your skin and products and treatments you can begin implementing into your skincare routine to condition your skin against oxidation (AKA aging!) and sun damage. So, find a cool, shady spot and continue reading for some Summer tips for your best skin!

TO DO CONSISTENTLY!

HYDRATE
We all understand the importance of staying hydrated. I’m sure you’ve heard the eight-glasses-a-day rule by now. Let’s face it—eight glasses seems like a lot. We’re not going to tell you to drink so-and-so glasses of water a day, that’s up to you, but we’re going to tell you to recognise the signs of dehydration.

Sometimes it’s easy to forget to rehydrate, particularly when you’re participating in water-based activities, like at the beach or pool. In Summer, it is especially important to drink water because we lose so much water sweating in the heat. As a dehydrated body deteriorates quickly, it’s important to recognise the signs quickly. Thankfully, there are tell-tale signs for dehydration. One of the easiest ways of checking for dehydration is not exactly the most glamorous way. Checking your number one’s, as they say, is the best method for checking how hydrated you are—the clearer in colour, the better. Darker urine is a good indication to up your water intake. Also look out for tiredness, nausea, headaches, and of course, feeling thirsty or hungry. Need creative ways of increasing your water intake? Check out some of these easy tips.

AVOID PRIME SUN TIME
As the sun comes up, UV rays begin intensifying. Early morning and late evening UV rays are not as harsh as those throughout the day—take this into consideration if you’re a fan of outdoor activities and exercise. The most dangerous time to be out in the sun is between 10am-2pm. This is prime burning time. Take all the precaution if you’re out and about. Seek the salvation of shade. Wear a hat. Take an umbrella—you might feel a bit silly walking around with an umbrella when it’s not raining, but you won’t feel too silly when you’re looking good well into your older years.

BE AWARE OF MEDICATION
There are certain medications that can make your skin more sensitive to UV exposure. Some heart medications, anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotic medications cause phototoxicity—this is a highly damaging side-effect that causes the death of skin cells. Acne treatments and medications will most often cause sensitivity to sun. Tretinoin usually takes form in topical acne treatments that help push new skin to the surface; this new skin is more prone to sunburn. Isotretinoin, or as it’s more commonly known, Roaccutane, is another acne medication. While this medication is good for treating severe acne, because of the harsh chemicals, the skin on your face becomes very fragile and vulnerable. This is because Roaccutane is extremely drying and works by reducing oil production. Not only can it cause lips to crack and your skin and eyes to feel dry, but it makes skin extremely sensitive to ultraviolet light. To ensure you’re not exposing yourself to more sun damage than necessary, always read the labels and instructions of any new medication or speak to your GP.

Laser treatments are an excellent way of reversing the damage caused by prolonged sun exposure, but they can also cause extra skin sensitivity for a brief period of time. After a laser treatment, your skin might feel extra sensitive to UV rays, so slather on the SPF. Further, to look after your new, rejuvenated skin, keep slathering on the SPF. In fact, if you take anything from this article, it’s that you should always slather on the SPF. At least an SPF 15 everyday, depending on your climate. It’s also a good idea to avoid active ingredients and harsh exfoliation when using medications or treatments that make your skin more UV sensitive. Avoid excessive amounts of your alpha hydroxy acids, beta hydroxy acids, retinols, and abrasive physical exfoliants.

GET SKIN CHECKS
Skin checks< are a necessity in Australia, especially with the prevalence of skin cancers. It’s important to self check, as well as get checked by a GP or dermatologist. Some skin clinics will map out all of your moles and freckles for you to track. Remember, cancerous moles are not always new—cancers can develop in existing moles. Keep track yourself by taking photos of moles that look suspicious on a monthly basis. They may be asymmetrical, have a scalloped or blurry edge, and consist of different colours (although there are lots of different signs). It’s best to see a doctor if you’re concerned. Getting a check will provide you with peace of mind, and can help identify suspicious moles early.

FACIALS
On to a lighter and slightly more luxurious topic, facials are a great way to treat your skin. Facials help treat your skin with hydration and antioxidants, and not to mention, they are incredibly relaxing and enjoyable. At GC Skin Boutique, we offer a pomegranate treatment amongst all our other speciality facial peels.

WHEN YOU’RE IN THE SUN!

Everyone remembers the iconic SunSmart Aussie TV ad and catchy slogan—slip, slop, slap! The sun protection slogan became an Australian philosophy and has remained in our Australian vernacular—but did you know, there’s been words added on? There’s extra precautionary measures you can take to have the ultimate sun protection.

SLIP

While sunscreen is good, it’ll never be as effective as a physical barrier like clothing. While you may not feel like wearing as much fabric on your body in the hot Australian Summer, it can protect you from a direct hit of UV. So, slip on a shirt (make sure it’s light and airy), while in direct sunlight. If you’re participating in water activities go for a rashie and if need something to go over swimwear, try and find yourself some cute summer beach cover-ups or kaftans. Aim for clothing made from breathable natural fibres, such as cotton, to keep you feeling cool.

SLOP
Incase we haven’t already made it obvious, sunscreen is our holy grail for protecting against UV rays. There are plenty of sunscreens available. You can get body sunscreens, face sunscreens, sports sunscreen, sunscreen that smells like coconuts, sunscreen that come out of spray can, physical sunscreens, chemical sunscreens, and sunscreen with varying degrees of SPF protection—at high end or low end prices. Today, there’s a sunscreen to meet everyone’s needs and budget. If you’re after a little more glam, thankfully, many foundations come with SPF protection as well. Remember, the more SPF you incorporate into your routine right now, the more wrinkles you can delay!

SLAP
Look, no one likes hat hair. But don’t forget, your scalp can burn too! And there’s nothing fun about scalp burn, especially when you have to brush your hair… OUCH, that stuff stings! If you’re down by the beach or field, bring a hat. Thankfully, there are many hats in fashion—from caps to full brim felt hats—to help you turn sun safety into a fashion statement. On the plus side, hats and caps also help shade your face, providing even more protection against wrinkles.

SEEK
Is for seek shade! This one’s a new addition to the jingle. Sitting in the sun for hours upon end is asking for sun damage. It only takes 10 minutes to burn in the Australian sun if you’re not adequately protected. So, find a shady spot if you can, or invest in a good beach umbrella for Summer.

SLIDE
Refers to “slide on some shades” and is our last piece of advice. Many people don’t realise that eyes are just as prone to sun damage as the skin. Over exposure of UV rays to the eyes can cause photokeratitis, photoconjunctivitis and cataracts, which is the most common form of eye damage in Australia. Cataracts cause the lens of the eye to become cloudy, blocking light from entering into the eye and our eyes from creating sharp, clear images. Cataracts can even lead to blindness, if left untreated. Wearing sunglasses can protect against this. Further, sunglasses can also protect the fragile skin around your eyes from the sun, preventing premature wrinkles and crow’s feet. So, time to hit the shops and snap up some new sunnies. Look out for the degrees of sun protection indicated on the sun glasses—the higher the better!

While the temperature is burning up, your skin and eyes don’t have to be. Consider these tips for staying sun safe this Summer, and in pretty much every future Summer to come… we implore you! The sun doesn’t rest and neither should you. Please, stay on top of your sun protection—your youthful, glowing, radiant future self with thank you for it.

To book in that extra little TLC for your skin, come to GC Skin Boutique. With a range of facials, laser and cosmetic treatments, and hair removal, we can help you get that Summer body ready for the beach! To enquire about our treatments, email us at info@gcskinboutique.com.