Summer Skin Care Tips

Summer is predominantly a hot, dry, and humid season, and depending on your personal makeup and location, it can be a challenging month to acclimate to especially if you have sensitive skin. It is a season where we need to take extra precautions to protect our skin from long hours in the sun or excessive heat. Here are some RNM summer skin care tips to get you through the season:

  • Wear sunscreen or SPF clothing. This is your first line of defense against long exposure to UV rays. Always opt for a mineral based sunscreen. Keep in mind that sunscreens are used in large quantities, all over the body and reapplied regularly. Thus, the (usually chemical) ingredients in sunscreens are absorbed into the skin and can be measured in the blood. When using a mineral sunscreen such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, these particles are larger and do not absorb into the skin (hence the white coating on the skin look). This ensures that mineral-based sunscreens are acting as a literal barrier between your skin and the sun, and not directly absorbed into your skin, or your blood. Here are some of the best sunscreens available recommended by the Environmental Working Group, and you can check your sunscreen ingredients within their database for safety.
  • Apply skin soothing herbs to sun-irritated skin. Aloe vera gel, chamomile or calendula compresses are great options to calm inflamed skin.
  • Avoid intense sun exposure during peak hours. Depending on where you’re located, this is usually between 11am-4pm. If you plan to be out in the sun, plan to do so earlier in the morning, or in later afternoon.
  • Hydrate! Maintaining internal hydration is so important to keeping your summer skin healthy and balanced. As a general rule, consume about half of your body weight in ounces of water, not to exceed 100 ounces for women and 120 ounces for men. For example, if you weigh 160 pounds, that’s 80 ounces of water per day!
  • Nutrition: Focus on consuming colorful, seasonal berries (cherries, blackberries, blueberries, strawberries and grapes); nutrient-rich greens (rainbow chard, kale, collards, beet greens); healthy fats (avocados, coconut oil, olive oils, organic dairy products, high quality fatty fish and seafood, walnuts, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds); plant-based/organic proteins (lentils, kidney beans, nutritional yeast, black beans, mushrooms, and even collagen powders).

A Natural Approach to Dermatological Health

Depending on your skin color, your age, your location, and your skin sensitivity, all of these recommendations can be customized for you so that your skin health is optimally supported long term. If you have concerns about summer skin health, or how to protect yourself this season, consider making an appointment with a naturopathic doctor at Richmond Natural Medicine to go over some strategies specific to your needs. Check out our naturopathic doctors specializing in dermatological concerns:

 

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Welcome to RNM Dr. Vanessa Ferreira, ND!

As our community grows here in Richmond and throughout Virginia, we are continually expanding our Richmond Natural Medicine family and optimizing our services and expertise to best serve our patients. This spring, we are thrilled to announce the arrival of our newest naturopathic doctor into our Richmond Natural medicine family – Dr. Vanessa Ferreira, ND!

Dr. Ferreira received her naturopathic medical doctorate degree from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine. In 2016, she completed a residency in general medicine at the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medical Center. Her areas of specialty include anti-aging, lifestyle & stress management, dermatology, women’s health, men’s health, homeopathy, and hormone optimization.

“I have been practicing for 5 years in the fields of women & men’s health, lifestyle management, and anti-aging. Through my experiences, I’ve realized there are many ways to help the human body function most optimally inside and out. In addition, I have worked alongside other medical professionals to create comprehensive treatment plans for patients that support their healthcare needs & goals”.

Dr. Vanessa Ferreira, ND

Dr. Ferreira has a passion for using alternative therapies in an integrative way to provide complete & balanced care. She believes in empowering individuals to take control of their own health by providing customized health plans to fit each person’s unique needs. Dr. Ferreira also uses tools such as supported detoxification, homeopathy, herbs, supplements, and stress management to address the underlying causes of each concern. As a naturopathic doctor, she committed to providing individuals with the resources they need to feel empowered in their health journey and to support them towards optimal well-being.

“I am a New Jersey native who has always been interested in healthcare and the human body. As a doctor, my goal has always been to help patients improve their health sustainably while also creating opportunities for education.”

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Ferreria into our Richmond community! You can request an appointment with Dr. Ferreria online or by calling (804) 476-2113.

Read More: About Dr. Vanessa Ferreria
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Phone 804-977-2634

Fax - 804-980-7876

Office Hours

Monday: 8:00 AM-5:30 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM-5:30 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM-5:30 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM-5:30 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM-5:30 PM

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