3 Summer Skincare Tips Before You Visit a Beverly Hills Dermatology Clinic

Summer is officially upon us and though it can be tempting to run out and soak up as many rays as possible, doing so without exercising the proper care can be damaging and harmful to the body's largest organ: the skin. In addition to finding a Beverly Hills dermatology clinic and taking advantage of all the rejuvenating options available, it’s also wise to be proactive by preventing skin damage before it ever has the chance to take hold.

Fortunately, there are a variety of treatments and preventative measures anyone can follow to make sure that their skin maintains a healthy look and is not harmed when they head to the beach, the campground, or anywhere else people go to enjoy the sunshine.

1. Sunscreen, Sunscreen, Sunscreen

Ask any dermatology professional what the most important precautionary measure is for dealing with the sun, and they’ll tell you sunscreen. The field of dermatology (both cosmetic dermatology, as well as medical and surgical dermatology) has come a long way in undoing damage from the sun, but the best bet to maintain a youthful appearance is to put a blocker between  skin and the sun. In addition to unsightly sunspots and other unwanted cosmetic effects from too much sun, skin cancer is a very real concern for all types of people.

“Anyone can get skin cancer, regardless of age, gender, or race,” the American Academy of Dermatology reminds us.

About one in five Americans will develop some form of skin cancer in her or his lifetime. But the best way to protect against this is by applying sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 30 or higher. Everyone should also use sunscreen that is water resistant to make sure the protection isn’t washed away by sweat or a dip in the ocean.

1. If You Burn, Treat It

Just because most people are not trained in dermatology doesn’t mean that they can’t treat themselves in the event of a burn. As stated before, people in the dermatology profession always recommend using sunscreen and other preventative measures first, but if someone finds that they have been burned by too much sun exposure, there are still steps they can take to avoid a visit to the dermatology clinic.

One of the “Summer Skin Secrets” in the field of dermatology is in how to properly treat a burn.

“It's all about getting the inflammation down as soon as possible to curb damage in the skin and to calm redness,” Patricia Wexler, associate clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center, explains. “I soak a facecloth in a bowl of skim milk and ice and apply it to the area for five to ten minutes. I also take aspirin or ibuprofen and apply hydrocortisone cream.”

1. Use Topical Treatments

Aside from preventing skin cancer and the other unwanted medical conditions, people can also implement a few easy best practices to make sure that their skin maintains a young and healthy look. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that everyone apply a treatment product to their skin about every 12 hours. One dermatology tip for the winter months is to use body moisturizer to help rejuvenate your skin from time spent indoors, which can cause the skin to be drier than usual. Other cosmetic treatments recommended by the American Academy of Dermatology include:

• Tretinoin, a prescription topical cream in the vitamin A family for the treatment of fine facial wrinkles.
• Retinol, an ingredient in many over-the-counter anti-aging products and also in the vitamin A family.
• Alpha hydroxy acids, which can exfoliate the skin, reducing rough texture and improving fine lines.