5 Tips for Taking Care of Yourself in The Gorgeous San Diego Sun

5 ESSENTIAL SUN CARE TIPS FOR AN AFTERNOON SPENT AT THE POOLHOUSE

Summer is the time to take advantage of the gorgeous weather and carefree vibe by spending as much time as possible outside. This is especially true in San Diego, where the summer sun seems to whisper in your ear, beckoning you to come outside and play. While you’re enjoying those golden rays, especially while lounging in a poolside daybed, it’s important to be extra mindful of taking care of yourself in the sun.

Of course, taking care to protect your skin from the sun’s rays is a major priority this summer. After all, few people look their best with a lobster glow. However, too much time in the sun can affect you in other ways, making it important to have an action plan in place for fully protecting yourself before you head out to the Gaslamp Quarter to enjoy an afternoon at the hottest rooftop pool in San Diego.

Whether you’re lounging around at the Poolhouse or heading to the beach, follow these 5 tips for taking better care of yourself while in the sun this summer.

HYDRATE, HYDRATE, HYDRATE

Before we start lecturing on the importance of sunscreen, let’s pedal back and talk about one of the most important thing to remember when spending time out in the hot sun – hydration. Hanging with your friends at a rooftop bar in San Diego hardly sounds like a physically strenuous activity, so you might not realize how important staying properly hydrated really is.

When you’re out in the sun, even in a shaded daybed, your body is working hard to adapt to the change of temperature to keep your own temperature regulated. The natural response when we become overheated is perspiration, which causes your body to lose fluid. Even when you’re looking cool as a cucumber by the pool, your body is still slowly becoming dehydrated and it’s up to you to replenish it.

The solution is simple. Keep a nice cool glass or bottle of water by your side to sip on while you’re out in the sun. If you happen to be indulging in a few summertime adult beverages, make a rule of drinking one glass of water for each alcoholic drink you consume out in the sun.

GETTING SERIOUS ABOUT SUNSCREEN

You might look your best with a little golden glow courtesy of the sun, but using sunscreen is non-negotiable if you want to protect your skin today and well into the future. Unprotected exposure to the sun can cause damage that leads to premature aging and increases your risk of developing skin cancer later on down the road.

Here are a few of the golden rules to remember:

• Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or more. The higher the better, although some skin care professionals say there isn’t a great deal of difference in protection between an SPF of 30 or 50.
• Apply sunscreen liberally. At least a tablespoon or capful for covering the exposed parts of your body.
• Reapply regularly. As a generally rule, you should reapply sunscreen every two hours when you’re out in the sun. If you’ve been perspiring or taking a dip in the pool, reapply more frequently – even if the formula you’re using claims to be waterproof.
• Don’t rely on the sunscreen included in personal care products. It’s great if your moisturizer, cosmetics, or body lotion add a little extra protection with added sunscreen, but this alone isn’t enough to protect you against the hot San Diego sun. Add an additional sunscreen whenever you’re going to be outside.

STAY COOL IN THE HOT TIMES

The sun is hottest and throwing the most direct rays at you between the hours of 10am and 4 pm. Of course, if you’re presented with an opportunity for a rooftop lunch with a little lounging by the pool during these hours, you’re not going to refuse. That said, if you’re on the rooftop during this time, sunscreen alone might not be enough.

If you’re sporting a bikini poolside, bring along a breathable swimsuit cover to help block some of the sun’s rays. Also consider wearing a wide brimmed hat to protect your face and eyes. Finally, while it doesn’t offer complete protection, but relaxing in a shaded spot will help to minimize your exposure.

DON’T FORGET YOUR EYES

It isn’t just your skin that’s at risk of being damaged by UV rays. The delicate tissues of the eyes can also be harmed by the exposure – not to mention what can happen to the fragile skin surrounding the eye area. Make sure you’re sporting a pair of shades that offer additional UV protection and apply a water -resistant moisturizer with built in sunscreen to the area.

AFTER CARE IS EVERYTHING IN SUN CARE

So, you stopped by the Poolhouse for lunch and suddenly found yourself spending hours soaking up the atmosphere, along with the sun’s rays. As it turned out, the sun was a little brutal and now you’re paying the price.

IS ALL LOST?

Not at all. An ounce of prevention is great, but aftercare is just as important. Take a cool bath to ease some of the heat coming off your skin, apply a moisturizer that’s formulated for sensitive sun-kissed skin that includes aloe and vitamin E. Then, take extra care in keeping your skin moisturized and protected from the sun to avoid further damage.

PAMPER YOURSELF AT THE POOLHOUSE

Summer is the perfect time for a little indulgent pampering, like a day spent escaping the drudgery of everyday life by lounging around the pool with your friends while enjoying tasty nibbles and the best summer cocktails ever. The Poolhouse rooftop lounge in San Diego’s legendary Gaslamp Quarter has everything you’re looking for in a summertime getaway.

Contact the Poolhouse and RSVP to reserve your spot today!