Summer Skin Care 101

With temperatures continuing to rise and children spending even more time outdoors enjoying the sun, parents should remain cautious of the effects the intense heat and harsh sun rays can have on the skin.

As the summer winds down, many families are preparing for their last summer vacation.

Whether you plan on spending time lying on the beach or exploring the outdoors, Board Certified Dermatologist Dr. Patrick Bitter, Jr. offers some essential tips to help parents keep their children's skin safe and protected from the sun.

Summer Skin Care 101

1. Know your sunscreens

Every parent knows that the best way to protect your child from sun exposure is to lather on the sunscreen.

With hundreds of brands out there all advertising that they are the best, how can you be sure the lotion you are applying is really protecting against harmful UVA rays?

According to experts, the best sunscreens should always contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. These two chemicals don't irritate or get absorbed into children's sensitive skin, but still act as a powerful shield. Sunscreens should also always be broad spectrum, which means that they block both UVA and UVB rays protecting not only against sunburn, but wrinkles and aging of the skin.

2. BEENS

When it comes to favorite foods, parents know that beans are not on the tops of many kids' lists. However, in the case of sun protection, BEENS is the best way to keep your child safe. An acronym for the most sensitive parts of the body, BEENS stands for back of the knees, ears, eye area, neck and scalp. If these body parts are properly covered, sunburn is 50% less likely to happen!

3. Cover Up

Even with sunscreen, the best option to fully protect against damaging skin is to wear dark, tightly woven clothes. Forget throwing on a white t-shirt. The light color absorbs more of the rays than it reflects. Instead, purchase sun protective clothing such as a kid's full swimsuit or rash guard shirt which offers an ultra violet protection factor.

4. Don't want to buy new clothes?

The Skin Cancer Foundation recently did a study which found that simply using Tinosorb FD in your next load of laundry will instantly leave your clothes with 30 UPF. A laundry addictive that contains sunscreen, Tinosorb FD creates protection that lasts for as long as 20 washings!

5. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate!

The National Safe Kids Campaign estimates that every year one in four kids under the age of 14 will suffer from dehydration and heat stroke. The best way to keep your child completely hydrated during the summer months is to have him or her drink at least four glasses of water each hour. Liquids with electrolytes, such as Gatorade, are also very beneficial in balancing the still developing nervous system in children. Early symptoms of heat stroke include dry mouth, fatigue and irritability. These signs should be immediately addressed by the parent.

6. Parents - Don't Forget About Your Skin!

It can become easy to forget about your own health needs after fretting all day over your child's well-being. In addition to following these tips, parents must also remember to protect their skin as well. No time to go to the spa? Dr. Bitter highly recommends Clearly Beautiful's line of collagen masks for the face, neck, and hands. "Each mask contains essential nutrients that reveal a fresh and radiant glow while hydrating the skin and reducing the signs aging," says Dr. Bitter. Clearly Beautiful masks not only show instant results, but are the perfect size for traveling and packing. For more information on Clearly Beautiful products, please visit www.ClearlyBeautiful.net.

Clearly Beautiful Facial Mask: Retail value $10

About Board Certified Dermatologist, Dr. Patrick Bitter, Jr., MD

Patrick H. Bitter, Jr. M.D. is a board-certified dermatologist specializing in non-surgical treatments to improve skin health and delay ageing and anti-aging medicine. He is founder of Advanced Aesthetic Dermatology and maintains practices in Los Gatos, CA and Beverly Hills. He graduated from the University of California with highest honors and received his medical degree from Stanford University School of Medicine. He completed his dermatology residency at Stanford University Medical School. Dr. Bitter is regarded as a pioneer in the use of pulsed light energy and is the developer of the internationally acclaimed FotoFacial procedure. He is author of several groundbreaking scientific papers on the use of pulsed light for skin rejuvenation. He is a noted international lecturer and teacher. He is a member of numerous professional societies including fellowship in the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine. He consults regularly for medical and pharmaceutical companies and is a member of the Scientific Advisory Board for Isagenix International, a leading nutritional company. Dr Bitter is team dermatologist for the San Jose Sharks NHL team. Dr. Bitter has evaluated extensively the Clearly Beautiful Collagen Masks.

About Clearly Beautiful

Launched in March 2010, Clearly Beautiful is an all natural skin rejuvenation line that contains exclusive formulas in the form of masks and serums to combine effective ingredients with pure plant collagen delivery system. Active ingredients in the products work to transform the skin by nourishing the epidermal layer and penetrating deeply into the skin to aid in increased collagen production, cell renewal and total skin hydration. Clearly Beautiful products provide immediate smoothing and firming of the skin to revive, restore and rejuvenate each layer. With continual use on the face, neck and hands, the skin will experience optimal hydration, the pores will be dramatically reduced and wrinkles will vanish. For more information, please visit www.ClearlyBeautiful.net.

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