Recently, I was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma on my nose, and had it removed. After a childhood of sunbathing for days on end, sometimes with baby oil with iodine instead of sunscreen (eeeekkk!!!), I consider myself lucky.
The fact is, we can all enjoy summer safely—with just a bit of knowledge and forethought. Keep in mind this valuable info before heading outside.
Vitamin D is essential for our immune systems and bone health, and moderate sun exposure is a natural way to get it
You can enjoy 10-30 minutes of unprotected sun 3x per week, as long as you’re wearing sunscreen the rest of your time outdoors
Sunscreen not only lowers your skin cancer risk, but it also slows the ageing effects of sun damage
Apply sunscreen every 2 hours and/or after swimming/excessive sweating
This is your chance to wear fabulous sunglasses and wide-brimmed hats!
What you eat can also make your skin more resilient. So why not enjoy foods that protect and repair from the inside out?
Blueberries and Watermelon
They’ve got antioxidants, which are excellent for repairing sun-damaged skin
Tomatoes
They’ve got lycopene, which absorbs UVA and UVB rays and promotes collagen production
Carrots and Leafy Greens
They’ve got beta carotene, which have photoprotective qualities
Green Tea
It’s got flavanol EGCG, which protects your cells from damage
Mix:
GRAZE ON A FRESH SUMMER SALAD
Assemble:
COOL DOWN WITH WATERMELON-INFUSED GREEN TEA & MINT
