Protect Skin from UV Rays Year-Round

autumn treesIt’s my favorite time of year—the air is gaining crispness, coffees are including spices and pumpkin, and football is filling the airwaves. Though I tend to say the beginning of each season tops my list because there are new activities to look forward to, autumn is especially sweet. The beginning of fall doesn’t mean it’s time to stow away the SPF, though. The damaging UV rays still get through even when the temperatures drop. Everyday sun exposure, even indirect exposure on cloudy days, is responsible for 90 percent of skin aging. If you and your clients want to delay wrinkles, fine lines, sagging, dull, and dehydrated skin, and age spots everyone needs to lather up all year round. Contrary to the common belief that genetics, not sun exposure, is the primary determining factor for aging. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), even on cloudy days, up to 80 percent of the sun’s harmful UV rays can penetrate your skin and cause damage that leads to the signs of aging. In addition to proper sunscreen use, the AAD and Skin Cancer Foundation recommends seeking shade when the sun’s rays are the strongest between 10 am and 2 pm, wear long-sleeved shirt, pants and hat, use extra caution near water, snow, and sand because they reflect UV rays and increase changes of sunburn, and avoid the UV light from tanning beds.

What skincare treatment and regimen changes do you recommend for clients in the fall?