The sun darkens our skin due to UVB rays – the rays that burn us. When food is burnt it turns brown to black, depending on how long it was burning. The skin reacts in the same way. Tanning is a treatment for animal skin that makes leather tough, coloured and suitable for clothing, saddles and gloves. We are NOT animals and do NOT want thickened, tough skin with irregular brown patches, wrinkles and dilated blood vessels! Tanning beds work in the same way and should be avoided at all costs.
Protect on a BUDGET!
All you need to protect your hair against sun damage is moisture. By constantly moisturising, your hair is protected from further environmental damage. Use a leave-in conditioner or mix up a weak mixture of your regular conditioner and water, and spritz it on your hair just before and after you exit the water. Also, heat defence products are not just for hair dryers or hot iron use. They also protect the hair against the heat of the sun (try Advance Techniques Professional Hair Care).
The single most important thing you can do for your skin is to wear a sun block every day. Instead of using your normal lip balm replace it with one that contains a SPF factor to protect the delicate skin on your lips. Also, use a foundation that has a minimum SPF factor of 15. A day cream with a SPF factor of 25 or above can do wonders for your skin (try A NEW Ultimate repair cream by Avon).
Prevention is better than cure! Using these methods of sun protection will ensure that you will not end up needing to cut all your damaged hair off, and that you will enjoy great summer skin.
