UV Safety Awareness Month is well underway, and it acts as the perfect opportunity to remind your clients of the ways to stay healthy in the summer heat. Temperatures are reaching an all-time high, so it’s important for patients to keep their skin protected, bodies hydrated, and a close watch on their overall wellness.
1. Get Enough Sleep
One of the most underrated and overlooked health necessities is sleep. Getting a good night’s rest directly contributes to daily performance and physical health. Specifically, in the summer heat, our bodies work extra hard to cool us down, leaving the body feeling fatigued.
Remind patients that especially after a day in the sun, it’s important to make sleep a priority. The sun’s rays suppress melatonin, the hormone that greatly assists in sleep. Because of this, it’s not uncommon to “hit a wall” once you find yourself back indoors.
The best advice you can give clients is to listen to their bodies and prioritize a consistent sleep schedule. It’ll have them waking up and feeling refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready to take on the next day.
2. Maintain a Healthy Routine
Aside from getting a good night’s sleep, there are three other specific things to make sure patients focus on in their summer routine: exercise, diet, and water intake. Physical attributes aside, these three things can help clients get their daily dose of vitamin D, get their blood moving, and help lead an overall healthier life.
The benefits of exercise are endless — from weight management, strengthening the immune system, and boosting mental health, to improving blood circulation and keeping skin healthy. Whether it’s getting outside for a short walk, enjoying a yoga class, or a more intense workout, encourage clients to get out and get moving.
Similar to exercise, adding a few healthy foods into your summer diet also works wonders for your body, both inside and out. Foods such as fish and avocado are enriched with healthy fats, high in Omega-3 and Vitamin E, both essential in keeping skin moisturized and protected against the sun. For clients struggling with dry, red, or sensitive skin, recommend incorporating foods for healthy skin into their summer diet.
Arguably the most important reminder for clients this summer is water intake. Our bodies rely on water to function, and especially during these hot summer afternoons, consistent water intake is essential. For patients who struggle with keeping hydrated, try suggesting alternative methods to drinking plain water. This can include eating more fruits and vegetables, drinking beverages with electrolytes, eating a popsicle, or making smoothies with fruits and greens. This can help patients keep their bodies fueled and their skin glowing.
3. Protect Your Skin and Eyes
Next up on the summer health checklist is none other than skin and eye protection. Many clients put SPF on in the morning and believe they’re protected and ready to take on the day. However, we know there’s more to skin protection than sunscreen.
For the strong July and August rays, stay fully protected from UVA and UVB rays with broad spectrum Ultra Replenishing Sunscreen. This SPF40 contains 8% Zinc Oxide to help block UV rays while nourishing the skin. It works as a makeup primer for patients searching for that fresh summer base layer and contains firming peptides to keep the skin looking youthful and refreshed. Other benefits include:
- 100% free of artificial ingredients
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Safe for sensitive and pre/post-operation skin
In addition to skin safety, it’s also important for patients to note the other major body organ susceptible to the sun: their eyes. The sun’s impact on our eyes can span from dryness and sunburn, to cataracts and cancers.
Keep patients up to date on the best eye protection this summer. This can include upgrading their shades to polarized sunglasses with both UVA and UVB protection, or wearing hats more often to shade their face. Another great way to keep your eyes healthy is actually quite simple: make sure to properly take your contact lenses out at the end of the night, especially after being in the sun all day. After a long day of applying SPF, staying hydrated, and getting in a few minutes of exercise, don’t forget about making eye health a priority.
4. Be Aware of Health Changes
At the end of the day, remind your patients to pay attention to any abnormal changes in their bodies. Whether it’s a mole that's changing shape or color, sunburn that won’t go away, or aches and pains that are out of the ordinary, make sure they know to speak up.
These four simple tips, in addition to our expertly formulated products, will give your patients the headstart they need for a healthier summer. Ready to start offering your clients the best skincare options? Learn more here.
