The summer heat can be brutal on your skin. It can dry and damage the skin, making you look older than you are. This happens in several different ways.

Exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet radiation (UV rays) damages collagen and elastin in the skin, which keep the skin supple and firm. This makes the skin sag and prematurely wrinkle.

Another cause of looking older than your years has to do with the amount of moisture in your skin. There are numerous ways your skin loses moisture and become dull and dry, and causes fine lines and wrinkles to appear:

• Saltwater, chlorine, and showering. Many of the activities we opt for in the summer can cause our skin to lose moisture – and that healthy glow. For example, we all enjoy a dip in the pool or the ocean when summer comes around. It’s refreshing and fun. Unfortunately, the salt water and chlorine strip your skin of its natural, protective oils. The same is true for too-frequent showering.
• Hydration. Most people don’t rehydrate sufficiently in the summertime. Whether you’re lying in the sun, riding a bike, or having a picnic, your body has to constantly use water to stay cool. If you don’t replenish the water in your body, it will cause your skin to lose precious moisture.
• Air conditioning, while cooling, reduces the amount of moisture in the air and, consequently, in your skin.
• Partying and consuming alcohol can dehydrate your body, drying your skin from the inside out.

How to Save Your Skin This Summer

Maintaining healthy and youthful-looking skin requires proper precautions and a little TLC.

Protect yourself against the heat and sun. If you’re going outdoors, even for a short period of time, remember to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen to your face and any exposed areas of your body. Wear a hat. And stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and replenishing your electrolytes.

If you already have sun-damaged skin, don’t fret! You have options to get back your healthy glow. You’ll need the help of the experienced crew at Iorio Plastic Surgery, who offer many types of noninvasive and minimally invasive procedures to rejuvenate damaged skin tissue, including peels, resurfacing, microdermabrasion, and more. Find out what your options are by calling 732-780-9191 for an appointment in Colts Neck, New Jersey, office, or 732-458-7400 for the Brick, New Jersey, office.