It’s that time of year when you’re ready to get your body sun drenched just because it feels good.  Whether your body is beach ready or not, a lot of you will be getting your Vitamin D in major doses.

Yes, the weather has been crazy for most of the country.  It’s been 46 degrees in southern states at night in the month of May.  But with the weather finally warming up, you can’t wait to enjoy the sunshine and warmth to your skin.

A lot of the discoloration you’ve experienced, especially throughout the winter months has been due to dead skin cell build up.  You give your face and hopefully your neck your undivided attention when it comes to caring for your skin.  But the rest of your body goes without the same care simply because it’s covered.

But how do you handle those areas of skin discoloration that you’ve been noticing throughout the winter months? 

•    You can begin with a good body scrub.  A mild butter body scrub that will remove the dead skin cells and soften your skin making it smooth to  touch, will feel really nice.  At least twice a week give your entire body a mild exfoliation.  You’ll begin to see your skin respond and the dead skin cells shed from your skin surface.

•     If you intend to frequent the beach, use the sand, it is the best natural exfoliant you have at your fingertips.  Remember when you were young and you used to bury yourself in the sand?  If you added water, you were actually giving your entire body a mask.  Stay young at heart and do the same thing now, your skin will thank you for it.

•    When coconut oil was the real thing, it worked as the perfect sun block.  Ok, you can still find  real coconut oil, it might take you a minute but it will nourish your skin  as well as protect it from the sun.  When that’s not possible, look for a sunscreen with a minimum (sun protection factor) SPF 15 up to SPF 30.  Anything higher and you’ll look like a ghost.  Test sunscreens before your beach visit because they’ve been known to actually burn or turn African American facial skin blue.  Also keep in mind that your face is a different texture from your body.

What causes skin discoloration in the first place?

Other than dead skin cell build up, when you see your skin experiencing different shades of you, there are factors that can be going on under your skin.  Melasma, also known as the pregnancy mask often occurs when you’re pregnant.  But other hormonal changes in your body can cause your skin to experience skin discoloration.

Menopause, pre-menopause, post-menopause, medication and acne are just a few of the body changes that will reflect outwardly in your skin causing discoloration.  But if you keep your body (your temple) clean outside and inside, you’ll ward off a lot of the discoloration that you experience.

With all this being said, it’s time to go to the beach.  Don’t forget your umbrellas!  Enjoy!

Dedicated to Your Beauty,

Juliette Samuel

Esthetician/Author/Publisher

Nyraju Skin Care