July in New Orleans means attending summer festivals, strolling through the French Quarter, and boating on Lake Pontchartrain. It also means that UV Safety Month is here again. Follow Dr. Sean Weiss’ tips to protect your skin from damage while enjoying the warm weather:
- Wear sunscreen: It’s important to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen every single day. We sell some great products from Obagi and SkinMedica. Keep in mind, however, that sunscreen doesn’t block all UV rays. It should only be one part of your sun safety plan.
- Cover up with protective clothing: Protect your skin with long-sleeved shirts and long pants or skirts when you’re out in the sun. Reach for dark colors and tightly woven materials that provide a better defense than light and thin options. Don’t forget your hat and sunglasses!
- Seek shade: Limiting the amount of time you are out in direct sunlight is a simple way to dial back your UV exposure. You don’t need to steer clear of the sun entirely. But you should seek shade when you can, especially between 10 am and 4 pm when UV light is the most powerful.
- Avoid tanning beds: Indoor tanning isn’t safer than outdoor tanning. Tanning beds expose you to harmful UV radiation that changes and ages your skin. They can also increase your risk of developing melanoma skin cancer.
- Know your risk: Anyone can get sun damage and skin cancer. Yet it’s people who have fair or freckled skin, blond or red hair, and light eyes that face the greatest risk. Factors such as a family history of skin cancer also play a role.
Already Dealing with Damaged Skin?
Sun damage, also known as photoaging, can show up on the skin in different ways. It may look like hyperpigmentation, redness, uneven texture, and many other concerns.
Fortunately, it’s possible to reverse some of the visible signs of sun damage. We generally recommend treatments such as chemical peels, fractional CO2 laser resurfacing, and microneedling.
Schedule a consultation with board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Sean Weiss at (504) 814-3223 to explore your sun damage treatment options. He welcomes patients from Metairie, New Orleans, and the surrounding areas of Louisiana.