Beat the Heat

Summer is here and so is the warm weather! At Nu Image, we recognize that having fun in the sun is what this season is all about. For all the ways in which you like to spend your summers, whether that be beach days or patio hopping, we encourage you to enjoy responsibly and proactively. We are talking about sun exposure! As the temperatures begin to rise, we can not stress enough the importance of learning about sun exposure and all that comes with it. We want to kick off a fun and informed summer by discussing what to look out for this season and proactive ways to beat this prairie heat!

First and foremost, to beat the heat you must first know what you’re up against. Heatstroke is one of the most common and most concerning conditions brought on by the summer heat. But what is heatstroke and are you at risk? Heatstroke is a serious condition that increases in severity as the temperature rises. This condition occurs when your body overheats due to either prolonged exposure to a hot environment and/or participating in strenuous physical activity in a hot environment. Heatstroke is most common in the summer months and can affect anyone at any age. However, the most at risk of developing heatstroke are small children and adults over the age of 65. Chronic illness and certain medications can also put you at more of a risk of developing heatstroke. If you have concerns regarding your health and the heat relating to illness and medication it is always advised to speak with your medical practitioner, they will be the expert on the subject and can provide further guidance. The signs and symptoms of heatstroke can often be overlooked and if left untreated can quickly become a serious risk to your health. Untreated heatstroke can cause damage to the brain, heart, liver, muscles, and of course your skin. To prevent sun-induced conditions like heatstroke be on the lookout for signs and symptoms including a high body temperature, profuse sweating, mental fog and confusion, nausea, hyperventilating, as well as experiencing a flush of colour across the face and skin. Becoming aware of these signs and symptoms can help in preventing and recognizing heat stroke in yourself and those around you.

Now that we know what to look out for, here are some sure-fire ways to beat the heat and stay proactive while still enjoying our time in the sun.

Choosing clothing that is lightweight, light in colour and UV protection when possible is an easy way to protect your skin against intense heat and its damaging effects. Wearing lightweight clothing not only shields your skin from direct sun but it provides space for your skin to breathe and shade for your skin to naturally cool down. The same can be said about wearing a hat. Wearing a hat will protect the top of your head, which is where we receive the most heat, and keep it cool. The brim of your hat will also be providing a shaded cover over the delicate skin on your face and keeping it out of direct sun exposure. Utilizing a heat-appropriate wardrobe as described above will keep you comfortable and cool over the summer and is a great way to prevent serious and heat-induced conditions.

Staying hydrated is another important step in staying proactive and healthy this summer. Staying hydrated is not only critical when it comes to beating the heat but it’s imperative in looking after your body and skin's overall health. Drinking lots of water and replenishing with electrolytes will cool your internal temperature and ensure that your body has the proper nutrients to function in an optimal manner. Our bodies are 80% water and so neglecting to properly hydrate can lead to dehydration and overheating especially in high summer temperatures. Practicing proper hydration is essential to optimal health in any season and an impactful step to take during the hotter summer months in being proactive against conditions like heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Further, it’s important to not only internally stay hydrated but to keep your skin hydrated as well. Hydrated skin is stronger and healthier skin. Moisturizing fortifies the skin's barrier, when your skin's barrier is compromised it is more at risk of sun damage and irritation. We recommend using medical-grade skincare with hydrating ingredients. We recommend the use of medical-grade products to ensure you’ll be receiving high amounts of the active and hydrating ingredients that you’re looking for in your products. Nu Image offers a variety of brands and medical-grade products to keep your skin fresh, hydrated and protected this summer. You can shop our stock through our online store or book a consultation with one of our specialized team members who will work with you to select products that will best suit your personal skin type and concerns.

SPF! SPF! SPF! If you didn’t know, the use of sunscreen in best practice should be used all year round, however, it should be your closest friend and ally this summer as you strive to protect yourself against the summer rays. Sunscreen helps protect your skin from sun damage which can cause pigmentation and advance the photo ageing process (fine lines and wrinkles and freckles-oh my). Sunscreen also helps prevent the most common sun damage known as sunburn. Getting sunburnt is actually just the result of intense sun damage to our skin. The effects of sunburn include damage to the exterior skin as well as the body's ability to self-regulate and self-cool. When our body can not cool itself down it enters a state of acute stress and begins to work harder which only increases the body's temperature further. This is a leading cause of developing heat stroke. SPF can limit the sun's access to the surface of our skin, it forms a protective barrier over our skin and shields it from the sun's UV rays. Sunscreen should be applied generously and reapplied every couple of hours (more frequently if swimming or sweating). Not all sunscreens are made the same, so you may need to do some research on what type is best for you and the activities you’ll be enjoying this summer. What we can tell you is that Nu Image offers medical-grade sunscreens and SPF specifically designed for the delicate and sensitive skin of our face.

Heatstroke is no laughing matter but it can be easily prevented by staying informed, being proactive, and following the above tips: protective clothing, hydration, and SPF. Beat the heat this summer with Nu Image. Stay tuned into our new blog space where we’ll be dishing on all things summer skin, beauty, and wellbeing!

So, raise your water bottle to the most enjoyable and sun-safe summer yet!