It’s that time of year again… While the rest of the country is still shoveling snow, Floridians are reaching for their beach balls and heading outdoors. Unlike our northern neighbors, who are restricted by seasonal weather change, we really only spend about two miserable weeks cooped up inside. The squirrels and chipmunks may have spent winter in hibernation, but the sun-worshipping Tampa beach bunnies were busy doing crunches on the living room floor. After all, when you live a hop away from the most scenic beaches in the world, the only season that matters is bikini season!
One of the perks of living in the sunshine state is that we can enjoy the outdoors twelve months out of the year. The deeper into summer, of course, the less clothing we sport. This unfortunately leaves our skin vulnerable to the elements and our dermatologist’s docket booked! So, whether you are rollerblading down gorgeous Bayshore Boulevard or frolicking with Fido on Davis Island, here are a few tips for how to avoid tan lines only a country music star could appreciate:
1. You may be reading this thinking “I only work out at the gym so I am totally safe from the sun’s harmful rays!” WRONG! Many gyms come well equipped with tanning beds… If you must fake bake, do so in moderation. What damage you do now, could be irreversible years later.
2. How many times have you heard someone say “I’m only trying to get a base tan”? The lighter your skin is naturally, the more important it is for you to use a broad spectrum SPF with UVA and UVB protection. Products containing Zinc Oxide and Titanium Oxide are dermatologist recommended and there are even tinted formulas available. Elta MD, Neutrogena and Aveeno are a few brands to try.
3. If you are sweating or swimming, be sure to reapply sunscreen throughout the day. The harshest rays may be from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M., but without the proper coverage you may still be vulnerable to sunburn.
4. To avoid skin irritation, remove spandex and tight fitted work out gear as quickly as possible after a strenuous work out. Sweat and bacteria gets trapped in the clothing fibers and may cause a rash or acne (worse than tan lines).
5. Don’t be “that guy” or “that girl”. You know you’ve seen them. You might be friends with them. Shoot, this could even be YOU: the ultra bronze, ultra buff [insert sport] playing, [insert beverage] drinking person at the beach, that surely will regret his over exposure to the sun. It makes you wonder what that person does during those previously mentioned two weeks of hibernation…but would you really even want to know?
So let’s get active Tampa Bay and celebrate this sunny and sandy home that others envy from inside their igloos. Of course, sunscreen and the proper skincare are the only hope of that last laugh not leaving a permanent fixture on your carrot-complected face! Rule of thumb, before setting out, slather on the sunscreen!
