01 Jun Summer Skin Protection and Healing

Hello summer!… at last, time to shed the winter wearing layers. From the winter boots to the wooly leggings to the long-sleeved sweaters and gloves, we bid a (temporary) farewell to the trappings and expose our toes, our nose, and most of the skin that’s in between.

With all this exposure comes some caveats. Your skin is your body’s protection, but it too has its limits with summer elements. 

First of all, the relentless sun can dry and burn your skin, especially since the sun is more intense this time of year in our northern hemisphere. Most of us are outdoor and more active during the summer which exposes us to things like insect bites, chlorine and other chemicals in swimming pools, assaults from wind-blown sand, salt water, scrapes and scratches from branches and bushes, poison ivy, and whatever else your activities bring on. 

Risk of skin cancer

Part of the “more” is the risk of skin cancer. The three types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma, and all three are associated with exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun, and even tanning beds can contribute as well. This is always something to take very seriously.

Read about self-skin cancer screening

Basal cell cancer begins in the cells that make new skin cells as the old ones die. They may appear as a shiny white or pink bump on those with white skin, or glossy brown or black on those with brown or black skin. They also can show as a flat scaly patch, a white waxy lesion, or a brown, black, or blue slightly raised spot. 

Squamous cell cancer starts in the outer and middle layers of the skin. They can appear as a firm red nodule; a flat sore with a scaly crust; a new sore or raised spot where an old scar once was; a raised red patch or wartlike sore on the genitals; or a red sore inside the mouth.

Melanoma, the most serious and deadly of the skin cancers, develops in the melanocytes, which produce skin pigment. First signs and symptoms are usually a change in an existing mole or the appearance of a new pigmented or skin growth with an irregular shape and/or border, several or uneven colors, and that changes its shape. 

How to protect your skin

The first product everyone needs to protect their skin against the ravages of the sun is sunscreen. The safest and most effective sunscreens to buy are those that contain the active ingredients zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide. These are known as mineral sunscreens. 

Both zinc oxide and titanium dioxide physically protect the skin against ultraviolet A rays (which can result in premature aging, fine lines, and wrinkles) and ultraviolet B rays (those that make your skin red). These two UV rays also contribute to a greater risk for skin cancers. 

Many sunscreens contain chemicals and though they may be effective sun protections, they do penetrate the skin, can get into the bloodstream, and affect hormone levels. Alternatively, look for one of the many natural sunscreen products on the market. You typically can’t go wrong selecting any bottle or tube found in any true natural health store.

Nourishing your skin

To nourish and soothe your skin after sun exposure and other damaging assaults, look for 1) colloidal silver, 2) aloe vera, and 3) tea tree oil. These ingredients are remarkably effective and have been among the most popular choices for generations.

1. Silver has a long and varied history safeguarding human health for the immune system, topically and used even for purification. Over the generations, silver’s topical benefits have been widely used, most notably for wound care during the Civil War and World War I battlefields. Silver continues to be used around the world in burn centers and commonly applied in infants’ eyes at birth.
   
   Colloidal silver gel is recommended to help manage sunburn, minor scrapes and cuts, dry skin, rashes, insect bites and stings to name only a few. 
2. You may also be familiar with aloe vera as a natural remedy for skin burns, including sunburn and those mishaps while cooking in the kitchen. Aloe vera gel is also recommended to help speed up collagen production to promote quicker cell proliferation.
   
   The combination of colloidal silver and aloe vera in a handy gel can help rehydrate dry, sunburned skin or skin that is dry from aging. These two natural ingredients can also assist in reducing skin damage by its moisturizing and nourishing effects. Both work in nice harmony with one another.
3. Tea tree oil is derived from the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia, a small tree native to Australia. Among the many compounds it contains is terpinen-4-ol, which can help address many uncomfortable skin conditions. The oil is often used undiluted to help manage minor skin cuts, scrapes, and similar skin problems. If mosquitoes are a nuisance, tea tree oil can also help keep these pesky critters away.

Bottom line

Remember to protect your skin with mineral-enriched sunscreen when you’re outdoors. Apply and reapply your sunscreens liberally throughout the day. Then apply all-natural ingredients to pamper, nourish and protect your skin using colloidal silver, aloe vera, and tea tree oil. Rest assured that these three natural ingredients are safe, effective and among nature’s best and most popular year-round skin choices. If you aren’t yet, try Natural Path Silver Wings topical skin tubes 

which conveniently combine all of these ingredients into an easy, all-in-one soothing gel for your anytime and anywhere summer activities. Now that’s convenient!

Have a fun summer and be smart because beautiful and healthy skin is always in.

Sources

• Carson CF et al. Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree) oil: a review of antimicrobial and other medicinal properties. Clinical Microbiology Reviews 2006 Jan; 19(1):50-62.
• Fonseca-Santos B et al. An effective mosquito-repellent topical product from liquid crystal-based tea tree oil. Industrial Crops and Products 2019 Feb; 128:488-95
• Mayo Clinic. Skin cancer
• Tags: summer, sunscreen, colloidal silver, aloe vera, tea tree oil, sunburn, sun exposure, skin care
• Meta-description: This summer (and year-round) protect, nourish, and heal your skin with all-natural products that include colloidal silver gel, aloe vera, and tea tree oil.
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30256753/