Whether you’re on the beach, at a concert, or maybe the ski slopes, it doesn’t matter—it’s spring break and you are somewhere having fun! Drinks are flowing and the sun is shining. Fast forward to tomorrow AM. You have a sunburn, dehydrated, and probably a little hungover. How did this happen and what could I have done to avoid it?
#1 How to deal with a sunburn
Nobody wants a sunburn, especially on spring break, but it happens. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), here is the skinny on dealing with a sunburn:
- Put a cold, damp towel on your skin.
- Use a moisturizer that contains aloe vera or soy to help soothe sunburned skin.
- Take ibuprofen if the sunburn really hurts.
- Drink extra water.
- Leave blisters alone.
- See a physician if you feel sick.
- Take extra care to protect sunburned skin while it heals.
#2 Moisturize
Now that you are enjoying the ocean, pool, or even the cold mountain air (skiing), your skin is going to get dehydrated. The chlorine from the pool or salt from the ocean strips your skin of oils. These oils are used to keep moisture in your skin. Remember, skin is over 60% water and it’s easy for it to lose water. So after you are out take a minute and put on something to moisturize your skin.
#3 Avoiding that hangover
Spring break is finally here! It’s time to party. You are listening to music, hanging out with friends and family, and have a few drinks. While at the bar you end up eating something salty because it tastes good. Which makes you thirsty. Guess it’s time for another beer. And the cycle continues. According to Dr. Thomas Narsete, MD, “an easy fix while drinking alcohol is to have a glass of water in between drinks. Not only will it help you to avoid a hangover, but it will keep your skin and body hydrated.” Remember, our bodies are made mostly of water and that includes our skin. Plus your hangover won’t be nearly as bad if you drink water throughout the night.
It might sound funny, but the other option you have here is an IV. If you forget to drink water (it’s easy to do and we don’t judge) there are a number of portable clinics that have registered nurses administering IV bags. Generally an IV will cost $100-200 per bag and can be a life saver. Just make sure there is a licensed physician in the mix so you know what you’re getting.
#4 Seriously. Wear sunscreen.
As reference above sunscreen is so simple to put on. The challenge is reapplication. Sun protection factor (SPF) is a measurement that tells you how much light it will block. So, if you put on 2 SPF, you’re going to tan and will most likely burn. An SPF of 50 blocks upwards of 98% of UVA and UVB light which is awesome. The best product on the market for sunscreen re-application hands down is Sunforgettable by Colorescience. It comes in powder form and takes a whopping 10-20 seconds to put on your face and neck. It comes in an applicator you can literally brush-on. The stuff is absolutely amazing. No oil on your hands and ladies can put it on over makeup. Win-win.
Party on
Even if you are not partying on spring break we hope you have a great time doing something you enjoy! Be safe and smart about what you do in the sun. A little sun exposure is fine, but you need to protect yourself. If you get too much exposure or drink a little too much be proactive. Drinking water and staying out of the sun is always a good thing. It might not be as much fun, but it will help your skin and overall health.
Enjoy your trip,
Team Reflect
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