How to get your body ready for summer is always a big topic for people, special for women. Summer is the perfect season when the people head towards the beach, travel on a holiday with their loved ones and spend some time in their backyard with a good old fashioned family barbeque. However, as this season provides opportunities for fun and leisure, it also brings a few requirements that need to be fulfilled to keep your body shielded from the sun and nourished against the environmental insults. Here are a few steps on how to get your body ready for summer.
Fix your dry skin: During the summer, the skin tends to become dry, and itchy, due to the light, easy clothes worn during that time. To fix this issue, one may apply oil based scrub daily before showering, and also consider applying body butter, which also enhances the skin and prevents the body from further dryness.
Try body oil: It is recommended that one may skip the use of lotions and instead use oils as a substitute. Oils tend to be more
nutritious than most lotions and tend to absorb better in the skin, hence being more effective. Coconut oil or Almond oil is recommended, along with a few drops of juniper berries, rosemary oils, topped with cypress and patchouli oils.
Consume juicy fruits: Studies show that juicy fruits, such as melons and watermelons, tend to provide hydration and nutrients to the body, without having the body to bloat. In contrast, one may restrict the use of unhealthy products such as sodas and artificial sweeteners, and also a few foods such as cabbage and beans, which may cause the body to feel filled up, and lose its shape during summer. Snack on fruits and keep your body hydrated with a rich vitamin and mineral supply. Keep yourself fuelled up on loads of water intake too.
Block the sun: One of the most important things to remember is taking care of your skin. Always apply sunblock to keep your skin protected. Dermatologists recommend usage of antioxidants for even greater protection. However, they recommend avoiding acidic products, such as citric acid enriched sunblocks, as they cause a reverse effect and make skin even more vulnerable.
Get a sexy tan: Tanning your skin enhances the skin tone and makes your muscles more vivid. One may use natural products for getting a subtle tan, preferably with shades that are just a few tones darker than their skin, for the best desired effect.
Avoid acne breakouts: For people who have oily skin, breakouts during the summers are one of the worst epidemics, as the sweating causes their skin to develop pimples, ruining one’s whole complexion. One may have these treated using retinoid and benzoyl peroxide, readily available on drugstores and from a doctor. Zinc sulfate, caffeine, niacin amide, and tea tree are also recommended products which help counter the oily effect.
Wax your body: Unwanted hair on the body can be very unappealing, may ruin one’s looks and appear very unsightly during summers when you put on light clothes. Waxing is a very effective way to remove excess unwanted hair from the body. It is a recommended alternative to shaving, as shaving lasts for a short while, whereas waxing can remove hair and prevents it from growing for up to a month. Waxing also removes the hair from its roots, thereby leaving one with a smooth skin, in contrast to shaving, which leaves the skin rough and itchy. If one may still be opting for a razor, it is suggested taking a shower before shaving, and apply a moisturizer such as shaving cream, to make the hair easier to remove.
Summer is the season when one can enjoy some fun in the sun, and keeping these techniques in consideration while participating in your favorite activity will not only help keep your skin and body fully protected, but will also help you remain fresh and not succumb to the heat of this delightful part of the year.
Johanna Oosterwijk N.D.
