Along with summer fun, the season brings a host of unique skin care requirements. While basking under the warm inviting sun, you want to avoid the risk of skin damage and\u00a0the uncomfortable pain and itch of insect bites. Short of staying indoors all season, there are precautions you can take and effective, affordable products you can use that will keep you safe and comfortable while soaking up some rays. The most important skin care issues to consider in summer are:<\/p>\n
As much as a summer tan is valued by our culture, it predisposes us to skin cancer – the most common form of the disease. The risk of developing skin cancer can be dramatically reduced by protecting ourselves from exposure to those damaging rays. The American Academy of Dermatology estimates that children get 80% of their total lifetime sun exposure by the age of 18; if they’ve experienced a\u00a0blistering sunburn, the risk of deadly skin cancer doubles in later life.\u00a0The most effective way to avoid sun-related skin damage is to avoid it – especially at its peak, between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM.<\/p>\n
Sunscreen<\/strong> Clothing<\/strong>
\nWhen you do go in the sun:<\/p>\n\n
\nClothing and accessories can create a physical barrier to the sun\u2019s potentially damaging rays.\u00a0A broad-brimmed hat provides personal shade.\u00a0Large sunglasses protect delicate skin around the eyes. Clothing that has any of these characteristics can block the penetration of harmful rays:<\/p>\n\n
Insect repellent<\/h3>\n