Careful in the West

Record heat throughout the West these days - I'm sure taking care because my personal comfort zone expires above 78 degrees. Hydrate before you go out of doors, and take cool water with you. I have a bottle of water sitting in my freezer awaiting my leaving the house. If you're going to be in the pool and/or in the sun for more than 30 minutes, another application of sunscreen is a good idea. I'm heading to a couple of stores to take advantage of the indoor activities, knowing that I have an outdoor one later in the heat of the late afternoon. It has been planned so that the height of the heat should be past tense by then. Think cool - be cool - hydrate.

Summer Solstice and skin care

This longest day of the year over the next 24 hours can be a good time to check yourself out - are you where you want to be in ways great and small? Since it is almost the half-way point of year, it's a good time to re-assess financial and employment goals. It's also a good time to look at the impact of lifestyle and choices on our health. So taking a look at what we do for food choices, exercise alternatives, and skin care should be on our radar too. I'm looking at things like intellectual stimulation, reading, and learning new skills as high on my list as well. I have a digital media project that I've put off several times that I need to get moving on - I'm convinced it will improve my life, save me money and time, and it has been incomplete for 4 months. What has not been incomplete is my my skin care regimen. And when my skin has that youthful glow and people ask me what I'm doing to look so good, I have confidence that I'm treating my skin very well. So take a look at your regimen on this longest day of the year: Has your skin begun to tolerate the treatment, and not have as much effect as it did? Have those little discolorations begun to grow? Are you noticing more lines and wrinkles? Are your little breakouts occurring more often or in new places? Are you noticing more sun damaged areas because you are getting more new exposure? Do you have dry places that just don't respond to moisturizing? These are signs that your skin, the largest organ in your body, needs help. Send me an email at debandonly@comcast.net if I can help you at summer solstice with your skin.

Men and Skin care

Our guys, whether fathers or not, all want to look good and prevent the signs of aging just like we women do. Here's some special advice for the guys in the room, from Nurse Mary Radford of Rodan + Fields. Enjoy!