As the largest organ of the body, our skins main function is to protect everything within it; so, why do we haphazardly protect our skin? Approximately 90 percent of the signs of aging come from sun exposure. When we hear the term sun exposure we only look at the possibility of damage from one angle: the sun. However, there is an element that is rarely ever discussed; heat. Sun damage, UV rays and heat are all melanocyte triggers that stimulate excess melanin production in order to defend the skin against the perceived trauma that may transpire.

Heat in the body can cause the same damage as the rays of the sun. The sun causes heat, as will extremely hot showers, saunas, laying out on a hot day, exercise, etc. Therefore, summer isn’t the only season that we should be protecting our skin. We must keep skin protection at the forefront of our minds all year long. Melanin suppressing products as well as sun (heat) protection products should be a part of your daily skin care regime.

Keep in mind that you are exposed to UV rays indoors and outdoors no matter the season. So, it is important to apply at least a broad spectrum spf 30 and reapply it every 2 hours.