Although it’s impossible to avoid high amounts of exposure in the sunshine state, here are some debunked myths and things to consider to maintain youthful skin.

Tanning is a great way to get vitamin D… right?

Vitamin D is a good thing. Studies have shown that it reduces our risk of dying from heart complications and deters different types of cancer. Scientists from Stanford University have confirmed sunlight helps the body synthesize this vitamin. So that’s a great reason to sit out in the sun for hours on end, right?

Not really.

Although sunlight is great for synthesizing Vitamin D, you don’t need much of it. Two to ten minutes of exposure, without sunscreen will satisfy your daily needs. Plus, you can also get it in the form of a pill, and there are many foods that are fortified with the vitamin as well.

Don’t forget the hole in the ozone layer

Remember the ozone layer? It’s that part of our atmosphere which provides protection from the cancer causing ultraviolet radiation. There was plenty of buzz years ago about holes in this barrier being created by CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons). Since then, hairsprays, refrigerators, and other products containing these chemicals have been banned in the U.S. End of story? Not quite.

There are still holes in the ozone layer and scientists predict that the atmosphere won’t get better until…later this century. Unless significant advancements in the science of longevity occur, it’s best to maintain the regular course of protection.

Proper sunscreen, worn properly

Ever hear the phrase, “slip, slop, slap, wrap”? That stands for:

• Slip on a shirt
• Slop on sunscreen
• Slap on a hat
• Wrap on sunglasses

Pretty much anyone can easily do what’s on the list, except for the sunscreen. If you’re heading to the beach for the day, you’ll want to reapply sunscreen in accordance with the SPF. For example, you’ll want to reapply SPF 30 sunscreen twice an hour, and SPF 60 sunscreen every hour. No exceptions.

At Skin Deep, we offer a wide variety of Dermalogica products, which isn’t just your normal sunscreen. Dermalogica sunblock is enriched to fulfill different needs. These niches can range from daily protection to anti-aging.

Turning the Tide Against Sun Damage and Aging

You may have adjusted habits to protect your skin, but chances are, you still have a bit of sun damage here and there. Don’t fret. With our Bio-Synthesis LED Sessions we can reverse it, and get you on track for more youthful skin. So what exactly is it?

The process begins with cleansing and exfoliation. Pretty typical with skin care in general. However, it’s photo rejuvenation brought on with the LED lighting that makes a major difference (and also removes the need for lasers).

There are about three layers to our skin. There’s the outermost epidermis, the dermis, and then adipose tissue. Elastin and collagen are two proteins that form fibers in the dermis which makes our skin flexible.

As we age, we produce less of these proteins, and we then get wrinkles. Exposure from LED, that’s ministered by a professional, helps skin cells naturally produce collagen and elastin, thus returning skin to a more youthful state.

If you feel that the Floridian sun has taken it’s toll on your skin, stop by Skin Deep to pick up our specialized sunblock and to schedule an LED Session.