Summer is almost here. Are you prepared to inform more of your clients about how to properly protect their skin? Sun exposure is the primary cause of skin damage, and while most people are aware of this, they maintain their habits of overexposure. Many of the treatments skin care professionals provide are contraindicated to restrict or eliminate the amount of sun exposure before or after receiving the treatments. Did you know that it is not only the actual sun that we need to be mindful of, but also the heat that comes with it? Sun overexposure can cause many adverse reactions, including light sensitivity. Tanning creams and bronzers in the tissue can become reactive to light or lasers and heat exposure prior to or after treatments can cause some of the most severe reactions. As skin care professionals, it is our responsibility to educate our clients, provide incentive to help them overcome any potentially damaging habits, and give them the tools to work with to create desired results. Remember, broads spectrum sunscreens help protect against both UVA (cancer causing) and UVB (burning) rays. The sun protection factor protects against burns. Many sunscreens will contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. No sunscreen is waterproof, only water-resistant, so it must be reapplied frequently. Summer also brings swimming pools, which typically have high levels of chlorine, which can irritate and dry the skin. As we age, our skin becomes thinner and drier. By our 40s, our glycosaminoglycans are degrading and replenishing moisture to our skin is a daily necessity if we wish to maintain a youthful appearance. Our dry skin can be observed as rough, scaly, flaky, or itchy; can tear easily; and will become sensitive. As you see, there are endless opportunities to educate clients regarding sun overexposure and the challenges of dry skin. Hydrated skin will respond best to treatments and give clients the results they seek, but they must be vigilant in the summer to get those results. Offer them fruity or bottled water with their visit and remind them how much their skin needs to keep hydrated. Develop a new dialogue to discuss dry skin issues. Do not be afraid to take your products off the shelf and set in front of the client with a recommendation. If you practice teaching your clients healthy hydration habits, it will directly influence your results and your bottom line. Michelle R. De LeonAIA Ambassador Want to read more? Subscribe to one of our monthly plans to continue reading this article.