Summer Skin: Prep and Protect
Brian O'Connor

HOME > HEALTH

Don't want your skin to look like the inside of a catcher's mitt by summer's end? Then you'd best protect your skin from the scorching sun.

"For men, it's as much about where you protect against the sun as how," says Dr. Mauro Romita, a specialist in aesthetic and reconstructive plastic surgery and founder and medical director of Ajune: The Center for Beauty Synergy in New York City.

"Specifically, many men have thinning or bald scalps," says Romita, who recommends that men protect their heads as well as the back of their necks, ears, "and also the hands, which are all-too-often forgotten." He also points out that men over 40 tend to have the highest annual exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Here's how to protect yourself best, no matter what your age:

Protective Layers

To protect your scalp, "it's very important to wear a hat with fabrics that offer a 50+ UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) rating," says Romita.

Huh? Why not throw on a HazMat suit while you're at it?

Well, actually … you should. Romita is talking about something the Australians have known about for more than a decade: The best defense from the penetrating rays of the sun lies beneath layers of clothes.

"People often think a cotton T-shirt or loose weave hat is sufficient," he says, "but they let significant amounts of UV (Ultraviolet) rays through, especially when wet."

Coolibar Quality Sun Protection offers a host of protective products -- such as sun hats, protective clothing and swimwear -- that can help block the sun's damaging UV rays, using high-tech fabrics that deliver more than 50 UPF and 98 percent blockage.

Sunscreen

If you want sun protection, but wish to avoid buying an entirely new and scientifically prepared wardrobe, then it's all about the sunscreen. "You must apply sunscreen every time you go outside," warns Romita. "Often you need help. It rubs off and must be reapplied regularly to maintain effectiveness. Even a late start on daily sunscreen use can have an impact," he says.

Romita recommends sunscreen with at least an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of 45 with broad-spectrum coverage. Neutrogena with Helioplex, for example, reinforces the UVA protection for all exposed areas.

But be aware, not all lotions will protect you from general skin fatigue caused by aging, or even worse … skin cancer. Romita recommends a face lotion with zinc oxide and ecamsule to make sure you're getting the right protection. Invest $32 and pick up a tube of DDF Organic Sunblock with SPF of 30 that also contains titanium oxide and provides protection from ultraviolet rays. Bonus? It also doubles as a skin moisturizer.

Protective Diet

Want to give your skin even more protection? Do it through your diet by loading up on antioxidants, such as lycopene, a naturally occurring chemical found in tomatoes and other red fruits and vegetables. Lycopene becomes more concentrated when processed in food such as ketchup and marinara sauce -- so load up!

Brian O'Connor is a print and online journalist. He is a former contributing editor at Men's Fitness and executive editor at Genre. He has also written for Slate, San Francisco Weekly and the New York Daily News, among other publications.