Take Good Care of Yourself: Enjoy Summer Anywhere with 3 Solutions to Say Goodbye to Sun-Darkened Skin

Summer is when the sun sits directly overhead and closest to us here in Thailand, so we feel its full influence — from the stifling heat in the air to the intense heat from sunlight, which can also damage our skin the most during this period. The best way to protect your skin from the sun's harm is:

• 1. Avoid sunlight, especially during the strongest hours between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM.
• 2. Wear clothing that covers the skin well, wear a hat, and use an umbrella for extra protection.
• 3. Use an effective sun protection product.

Using a sunscreen product seems to be the easiest and most convenient method, so choosing an effective sunscreen is extremely important. These days, we tend to use sunscreen only when we think we'll be doing outdoor activities, causing us to neglect using sun protection products in our everyday life — which is actually a mistaken idea, because sunlight can damage our skin every single second, especially UVA1 and UVA2 rays, which remain intense at all times. Therefore, using a sun protection product every single day is essential if we want skin that stays bright and clear, free of sun-induced dark patches, and that keeps its youthfulness with us for as long as possible.

Choosing a sunscreen can be done easily by picking a sun protection product with SPF 50, since the sun in our country is quite intense, and you should choose a sunscreen that can protect the skin from UVB, UVA1, and UVA2 rays, which damage the skin deeply and are the root cause of dark spots and sun-induced melasma. You need to apply about two knuckle-lengths' worth to get full protective effectiveness. Since we need to use sunscreen every single day, choosing a sunscreen that keeps your skin feeling comfortable all day is very important. Choose a serum-textured sunscreen, since it has a light texture that won't leave your skin feeling sticky or greasy, which will make you want to use it every day.

During periods when you have to be out in intense sun, or doing outdoor activities, you should reapply sunscreen every half hour, and if you're going to be in the water, you should choose a sunscreen that's effective at resisting water as well.
Besides protecting your skin from the sun, you should also get enough sleep, drink plenty of clean water, exercise regularly, avoid drinking alcohol and smoking, and eat food that's beneficial for your body. Just doing this much will keep beautiful skin, free of sun-induced melasma, and good health with you for a long time to come.

Dr. Tony - Dr. Worapol Sukeewattana, Skin Specialist

Already Sunburned? Here's the Fix — 3 Solutions to Say Goodbye to Dark, Sun-Damaged Skin

Good grief! The sun is unbelievably intense, hot enough to practically cook and burn you, showing no mercy for my skin at all. Many people say they haven't even recovered from the tan they got splashing around during Songkran, and now they're getting hit again by scorching sunlight damaging their skin. Beautiful skin has turned patchy and discolored, and there's no just sitting around about it — it's time for serious recovery care. So let's take a look at what methods can help.

1. Don't make it worse by "scrubbing"

If your skin has just been freshly sunburned, don't try to take a shortcut to beauty by "scrubbing," thinking the dullness will just slough off.
We're telling you, it's not like that — that only damages your skin further. The better solution is to avoid exfoliating for the first 2 weeks after getting badly sunburned, and instead use a soft sponge to gently cleanse the body. After those 2 weeks, then use a mask or a gentle scrub to help slough off dead skin cells, letting your skin gradually reveal its brightness — "slow and steady wins the race" is the better way to go.

2. Milk to restore beautiful skin

Another easy method is a milk bath — but you don't need to go all the way to a fancy spa, you can do it right at home. Just buy about 5-10 boxes of pasteurized fresh milk, mix it into a bathtub until the water looks milky white, then soak for about 20-30 minutes or more, with no need to rinse it off afterward. The lactic acid and proteins in the milk will help slough off dead skin cells. This time, dry, dull, damaged skin will look soft and moisturized, as if it's been awakened all over again — guaranteed to leave you glowing and radiant.

3. Restore damaged skin from within

Something women may often overlook is the food we eat every day. So let's start fresh by choosing to eat vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and milk, which are packed with vitamins A, C, E, and the B complex, or a glass of freshly blended fruit juice every morning — this also helps restore damaged skin to brightness faster, giving it an extra boost.