They don’t realize that any amount of sun exposure is dangerous and will damage your skin. Tanning is bad for you because your skin doesn’t begin even to tan until the sun’s UV rays have already pierced your skin and started messing with your DNA.

Sunscreen, Sunscreen, Sunscreen

Even the old idea of a “base tan” to protect you from burning in the future is a myth. Tanned skin only offers as much protection as an SPF 2 sunscreen. With this mind, it’s a good idea to make sure you apply sunscreen of at least 30 SPF anytime you’re out and exposed to sunlight.

Benefits with Proper Precaution

Not all sun is bad, mind you. Populations with higher sun exposure levels have better blood pressure and moods while showing fewer cases of autoimmune diseases. The sun is also a great source of vitamin D; however, many experts say you get the necessary amounts of vitamin D within a few minutes. So, it’s still highly recommended to apply sunscreen before heading outside at all.

Any type of UV exposure is dangerous, meaning that tanning beds, which were thought to be a safer alternative, are also off the table. Excess UV light leads to many skin problems, including melanomas, cancers, DNA damage, and wrinkles.

If you want that sun-kissed look, it’s recommended that you go with a tanning lotion or spray-tan. When heading out, you’re better off applying a thick layer of sunscreen and proper coverings.

It’s easy to get too much sun, so if you’re in pain from a sunburn, or are suffering from the effects of heat exhaustion/stroke, drop by one of our 10 locations across Florida, or click here to sign up for a Telemedicine appointment.

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There are countless guides and tutorials for self-care tips and how-to’s in this day of readily available information on the internet.

How Do Your Nails Look These Days?

Many people can keep up basic nail maintenance at home, but the more advanced techniques are best left to the professionals. However, with some clippers, an emery board, and a buffer, you can bring a shine back to your nails that make you feel like…you.

 If you need some guidance, there are more than a few online videos and guides. Find one you’re comfortable with and have at it.

Keep Those Locks Luscious 

Cutting your hair is not for the faint of heart. Any mistakes made here are harder to make up for, and you end up living with the repercussions for at least a month. However, with a little patience and know-how, you can keep your hair trimmed up and looking fresh when we all return to our offices and public places.

If you have a style that you maintain, there should be many tutorials online you can search for and watch to learn how to freshen your look so that you’re ship-shape.

This could also be an excellent time to try another style if you aren’t comfortable attempting a more complicated cut or finding a technique that you want to try.

Self-Care and Your Mind

Take some time, while you can, to give your mind some love and care. What better time to work a time of relaxation into your daily or weekly routine? How you do this is entirely up to you.

Perhaps you prefer taking some time alone, or spending time with friends and family – the choice is yours. You can meditate, pray, stretch, practice yoga, lay in a pool, tan in the sun, go for a jog, take some time away from your stresses, and improve your mental state.

Since many of us are on the go 24/7, our minds don’t have a moment’s rest. It’s like leaving every program open that you’ve worked on in the last month on your computer; it slows everything down and eventually crashes. Our brains work the same way because they need to take a break to file things away to come back refreshed with a new outlook.

 What kinds of self-care have you added to your home routine?

The post Self-Care – The Trend is Real appeared first on Quick Med Care.

What is a sunburn?

You might wonder: what exactly is a sunburn and how does it happen? It’s a valid question, considering you’ve probably suffered through a few sunburns in your lifetime.

Quite simply, sunburns are your skin’s defensive reaction to ultraviolet radiation: UV-A and UV-B rays to be specific. The third type of ray, UV-C, could be the most dangerous of all, but it’s completely blocked out by the ozone layer and doesn’t reach the earth’s surface.

Those of us with darker complexions have higher levels of melanin, which helps protect the skin by converting UV light to heat. When you’re fair skinned, your body doesn’t produce the melanin necessary to protect you from the sun’s death rays, causing your cells to die. In turn, your body reacts by sending blood to the affected areas, which accounts for your newfangled lobster glow.

Don’t let cool cloudy weather fool you. You can’t feel UV rays – the heat from the sun comes from infrared rays, which can’t burn you. This is why you can still burn on days that are overcast.

How to treat a sunburn

• Act fast to cool down by dipping in a pool or the ocean but make it brief as to not extend your time in the sun

• Moisturize while your skin still damp, but make sure your lotion is not oil- or petroleum-based as it can trap in the heat and exacerbate the burn

• Decrease the inflammation by taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as ibuprofen, naproxen or aspirin

• Replenish your fluids by drinking extra liquids, including water and sports drinks that help to replenish electrolytes, immediately and while your skin heals

• See your doctor if you have severe blistering over a large portion of your body, or if you’re experiencing chills or feel woozy

How do you avoid sunburns?

To avoid damage from the sun, slather on a broad-spectrum sunscreen of 30 spf or higher and reapply it every hour. Try wearing protective clothing, a hat with a wide brim, and sunglasses. Also, keep an eye on the UV index: the higher the number, the stronger the UV, and the less time you should be out in the sun. The sun’s rays are typically strongest between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm.
What are the long-term effects?

We all know that exposure to too much UV radiation can lead to premature aging and skin cancer. Too much UV radiation can damage the genetic material (the DNA) in your skin cells. If enough DNA damage builds up over time, it can cause cells to start growing out of control, which can lead to skin cancer. One study reveals that getting sunburn, just once every 2 years, can triple your risk of melanoma skin cancer.

And for the record, there is no such thing as a healthy tan. It’s in your best interest to embrace an outdoor skincare regimen that will keep your skin healthy all year round.

Sources and Citations
Cancer Research UK. How the Sun and UV Cause Cancer. Retrieved from http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/causes-of-cancer/sun-uv-and-cancer/how-the-sun-and-uv-cause-cancer
How to Prevent a Sunburn. Retrieved from https://www.wikihow.com/Prevent-a-Sunburn
Skin Cancer Foundation (May 27, 2016). 5 Ways to Treat a Sunburn. Retrieved from https://www.skincancer.org/prevention/sunburn/five-ways-to-treat-a-sunburn
Zainab Mudallal (June 4, 2015). There’s a Real Reason Some People Get Sunburns and Others Don’t. Retrieved from https://www.elitedaily.com/life/actually-happens-body-get-sunburn/1054488

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