Top 3 Summer Sun Care Tips from Dermatologist Dr. Cook-Bolden

This post is part of my Summer Beauty Tips Series, a collection of posts for the summer season. You can read the rest of the series here.

After years of offering the latest dermatological procedures, renowned dermatologist Dr. Fran Cook-Bolden has witnessed the damaging effects of sun exposure firsthand.

“I regularly see patients who have aged beyond their years because they’ve been careless about sun protection in their youth,” reveals Dr. Cook-Bolden.

“Knowing what we do now about the effects of UV exposure, it’s incredibly easy to prevent sun damage—there’s no excuse for skipping simple preventative steps.”

Dr. Cook-Bolden offers expert tips and tricks for protecting skin in the sun and preserving it for the future:

1. Always wear sunscreen

When going out into the sun, always use a sunscreen formulated with SPF 30 or higher. For normal skin types with no tendency toward heat reactions, SPF 30 is sufficient; however, for those with pre-existing skin conditions or sun sensitivity, a higher SPF is preferable.

So what products would Dr. Cook-Bolden recommend?

• Skin Medica Environmental Defense Sunscreen™ SPF 30
• Vanicream for Sensitive Skin SPF 60 (For those with sun sensitivity)

2. Don’t Exfoliate

To avoid a sunburn, don’t exfoliate skin before heading into the sun, as exfoliation speeds up cell turnover and makes sun damage more likely. Be sure to avoid Alpha and Beta Hydroxy Acids (found in chemical peels) as well, as this will increase the severity of sunburns. Instead, exfoliate at night to reduce sunburn and inflammation, use an exfoliator formulated with Vitamin C or Retinoids to correct sun damage overnight.

3. Treat Sunburns

To treat a sunburn, use creams containing tea tree oil, chamomile or peppermint to help reduce inflammation. For severe burns, visit a dermatologist for Biafine, a prescription-grade treatment that heals skin after sunburns and reduces scarring.

If you have existing signs of sun damage, use a Feruelic Acid treatment. Feruelic Acid features antioxidant-rich coffeeberry, which helps break up pigment in sun spots. (For more information on how to deal with sunburns, check out my post How to Treat a Sun Burn.)

Thanks, Doc! Isn’t she beautiful?!

You might also like:

1. Summer Beauty Tips Series
2. How to Treat a Sun Burn
3. The Top 5 Ultimate Skin Care Tips
4. How To: Sun Protection Head to Toe