It's July in the Valley of the Sun.  The sun is continuing to bake anything within reach of its' rays.  Thirty minutes outside in the sun can make your skin look like a tomato.  And when you are sunburned, all of the moisture is sapped out of your skin. Plus, did you know that damage from the sun is cumulative, and may not be visible for years?

Yet most Arizonans love to sun bathe, to float in the pool, to hang out at the lake.  We are drawn to water to help us survive the summer.  So, what are practical ways to still enjoy summer but not make sure skin take on a lizard like quality?

• Stay hydrated - at least 8 ounces of WATER.  Caffeine and alcohol both have dehydrating effects.
• Wear sunscreen - at least 50 SPF and apply once per hour if you are in and out of the pool. 
• Stay out of the sun when the rays are fiercest - 10am - 2pm.
• Use a good moisturizer - avoid moisturizers with paraffin and petroleum jelly.  Use one with smaller molecules that your skin can absorb, not just a coating on the top of your skin.  We have several good moisturizers we can recommend.
• Use this rule of thumb when applying sunscreens, lotions, and topical serums - apply the clearest one first.  Example - topical vitamin C, and then work your way out from there.  Sunscreen should be last.  We also have several sunscreens we can recommend as they are not all created equal.  And keep in mind that expiration dates on sunscreen really do matter.

If you are like many Arizonans who have grown up in the sun, you have skin damage in the form of sun spots and prematurely aging skin.  Don't despair - modern science has so many wonderful solutions for sun damaged skin.  At Vitality Skin & Body medical spa we offer the following for solutions:

• Micro-needling with Dermapen®  - Dermapen® is a fractional micro-needling device that works to tighten, lift and rejuvenate the skin.  It's effective in reducing fine lines and wrinkles, stretch marks, surgical and acne scars. 
• Laser Titan® Skin Tightening - Perfect choice to tighten up the skin around your neck, chin or chest area and even to tighten the skin around the delicate under arm area.
• Photo-Rejuvenation IPL - Treats Pigmentation - Sun Spots - Sun Damage for a smoother and more refined skin tone.
• Cutera LimeLight Facial - Best option for lighter skin tones - Treats Pigmentation - Sun Spots - Sun Damage for a smoother and more refined skin tone.
• Laser Genesis™ Skin Rejuvenation - Great option for all skin types and skin tones and works on reduction of scars, fine lines, wrinkles, promotes collagen production, pore reduction and improvement of overall texture and tone of your skin.  

I really encourage you not to wait.  Call the medical professionals at Vitality Skin & Body medical spa in Scottsdale and schedule a complimentary consultation.  The staff will help you identify the areas and services that will be most beneficial.    So call 480.203.3918 to schedule your appointment, or CLICK HERE to request one.  Vitality Skin & Body is conveniently located right off the 101 and Shea Blvd. in Scottsdale, easily accessible from Tempe, Phoenix, Glendale and Peoria, Arizona.