Despite lower numbers due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, beachgoers will inundate South Padre Island during the annual spring break pilgrimage in a few days. Similar scenes will play out in other popular hot spots as south Texans embark on a week’s worth of everything outdoors. While loads of fun will undoubtedly occur, our skin almost always pays the price after it all. We have a skin care survival guide, spring break edition, to break this cycle.

Sun Protection During the Day Keeps the Skin Cancer Away

We’re not going to hide this one where readers could miss it. Listen, if you remember anything from this entire blog, this section is the most important. Over-exposure to the sun and its UV rays is the number one cause of skin cancer. Burnt skin may be the signature of a great spring break, but it is also a countdown increasing your risk of skin cancer.

UV rays not only cause skin cancer, but they also prematurely age your skin. Whether vanity or self-preservation is your motive, our business is in skincare and not judgment. Taking precautions and protecting your skin when outside for long periods means taking a multi-facet approach that includes:

• Using a UVA broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher as directed. This translates to liberally reapplying every 2 hours or after getting wet.
• Avoid being in the sun during peak hours (10 am-4 pm)
• Seek shade when possible
• Wear wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses, and lightweight, protective clothing. Covering up also serves as a barrier to certain plants and other foliage that can irritate the skin.

While on Spring Break, You Gotta Hydrate!

Most Texans are familiar with sizzling temps hanging around all year like a bad ex that never leaves. Unfortunately, even our weather-hardened bodies still require basic necessities like water to avoid dehydration. Hydrating with water often helps cool the body and replaces the moisture lost when we sweat. It also helps keep the skin moisturized from the inside out along with your daily moisturizing routine.

Some Head to the Beach. Some Head to the Mountains

Sometimes sweating out your edges in the southern sun for a week isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Some prefer to have a destination spring break skiing in the mountains. The bonfires, warm beverages, and gnarly slopes are shiny distractions of the effects wintry conditions have on the skin, such as:

• Drier skin from:
  • Blustery winds
  • Extreme changes in temperatures (from skiing to sitting by a fire)
    • You’ll still need to moisturize regularly during the day with a thicker formula. Don’t forget your lips!
  • Sun’s damaging rays are intensified from:
    • The sun’s reflection off the snow means you get exposure from above and below.
    • Higher elevations mean you are literally closer to the sun.
      • In addition to the sun protection guidelines above, wearing a protective face mask is another must when skiing. Opting for the all-in-one types will shield your face from the wind, sun, and light debris.

Is Spring Break Over, but the Effects Remain on Your Skin?

The staff here at Alamo Heights Dermatology wish you a memorable 2022 spring break. However, if you need help getting your skin back to pre-spring break condition, our expert staff will be at the ready, sans judgments. Stop by our office to stock up on our recommended sunscreen products, or call us to set up a consultation at (210) 255-8447.

Sources:

https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/sun-protection/cold-weather

https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-prevention/sun-protection/