Sun, Skin Health & Smart Protection

Summer is finally here! It's the season of gardening, family vacations, evening walks, backyard gatherings, and spending more time outdoors enjoying the beauty of nature.

As an esthetician, I often hear mixed messages about sun exposure. Some people avoid the sun completely, while others spend hours outdoors with little protection. Personally, I believe the healthiest approach is somewhere in the middle.

Sunlight plays an important role in overall wellness. It supports the body's natural production of vitamin D, can help improve mood, and encourages us to spend more time moving and enjoying the outdoors. The key is finding a healthy balance between receiving the benefits of sunshine while avoiding excessive exposure that can damage the skin.

Benefits of Vitamin D - One of the main reasons for soaking up the sun is to gain the benefits of absorbing vitamin D through sun exposed skin.

Strengthens bones and muscles. Without enough vitamin D in your body, you can’t absorb the calcium you ingest. So, your body steals calcium from your bones. This is why low vitamin D could lead to things like osteoporosis and bone fractures.

Protects oral health. Vitamin D keeps your teeth and gums healthy by helping them absorb calcium and stimulating production of antimicrobial peptides.

Supports immune health and fights inflammation. The antimicrobial peptides that vitamin D stimulates help your body fight infection.

Prevents diabetes. Vitamin D helps improve blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity, which could lower your risk of getting diabetes. 

Helps shed extra pounds. Obesity is actually a risk factor for low vitamin D. Vitamin D is fat-soluble, which means it gets stored in fatty tissue instead of being absorbed right away. So, more vitamin D may help you lose weight!

Boosts mood. In case you didn't know, vitamin D is called the sunshine vitamin! Exposure to regular sunlight has been shown to improve overall mood and reduce depression.

Reduces risk of cancers. Even though there can be concern for skin cancer development with too much UV exposure, sun exposure in moderation has shown to actually have benefits in preventing cancer cells and tumors.

Practices for Healthy Sun Exposure

• One of the best ways to prepare your skin for summer is by gradually increasing your time outdoors. Rather than spending hours in direct sun after months of limited exposure, allow your skin time to adjust as the seasons change. This approach is often much gentler on the skin and may help reduce the likelihood of burning.

• When it comes to sun protection, I prefer starting with simple physical barriers. Wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses, protective clothing, and seeking shade during peak sun hours can go a long way in protecting your skin naturally.

• When additional protection is needed, I recommend mineral-based sunscreens containing zinc oxide. Zinc oxide provides broad-spectrum protection while remaining gentle on many skin types. It aligns well with my philosophy of supporting the skin with simple, effective ingredients whenever possible.

Over time, repeated sun exposure can contribute to fine lines, wrinkles, discoloration, and loss of elasticity. More importantly, UV damage accumulates throughout our lives and can increase the risk of developing skin cancer. For that reason, I encourage everyone to schedule a yearly skin examination with a dermatologist. Annual skin checks are one of the most important preventive steps you can take for your long-term health. Early detection truly makes a difference. I also encourage you to become familiar with your own skin. If you notice a spot that changes in appearance, becomes irregular, bleeds, or simply doesn't seem right, don't ignore it. Have it evaluated by a qualified medical professional.

As an esthetician, I believe professional skincare is another important part of maintaining healthy skin. Regular facials and skin evaluations allow us to monitor changes, support the skin barrier, improve hydration, address concerns early, and create personalized treatment plans that evolve with your skin's needs.

Healthy skin is rarely the result of a single product or treatment. It is built through consistent care, healthy habits, and a customized approach that supports your skin at every stage of life.

My goal has always been to help clients achieve skin that is not only beautiful, but healthy and resilient. By combining smart sun habits, regular professional skincare, and annual dermatology exams, you can help protect your skin for years to come.

So get outside! Enjoy the sunshine! Take the walk, plant the garden, watch the sunset, and make memories with the people you love. Just remember to care for your skin along the way.

Honor your body, nurture your skin.

Warmly,

Jody

Licensed Esthetician