It's Summer! Yay!
Actually, it's been summer for about a month now. Have you had a sunburn yet? I hope not. It's so painful, trust me I know from experience.
A lot of times my clients ask me what they can do for their skin to help prepare for the session. And honestly, the answer is pretty simple. Wear sunblock, drink water, get rest and moisturize.
These tips are instrumental in any skincare routine, but why are they so important for boudoir photography? I'm so glad you asked!
Do I need sunscreen? Do you have skin? Yes, you need it.
You may know that sunscreen is a good idea, especially if you spend plenty of time in the sun, but do you know why? If you haven't yet gotten in the habit of wearing sunscreen daily, it's definitely time you make it a part of your daily routine. Dermatologists with the Skin Cancer Foundation estimate that 90 percent of visible aging comes not from the number of candles on your birthday cake , but the hours you've spent in the sun. Wearing sunscreen daily saves your skin from years of visible damage later. Many people think they don't need sunscreen on overcast days or for brief stints in the sun, but for the ultraviolet rays that damage your skin, a little cloud cover means nothing. UV light penetrates clouds with ease, so you need protection even on cloudy days.
If you have a darker complexion, the melanin in your skin offers some natural protection from sunburns, but you still need protection from harmful ultraviolet rays. While people with fair skin are more likely to develop skin cancer due to sun exposure, people with dark skin tones are at risk of more serious kinds of cancer when they get it. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that EVERYONE wear sunscreen daily for the safety of their skin.
Drink water? But it doesn't taste like anything.
Stahp. Seriously. When a person drinks water, their body’s cells become nourished and hydrated. Skin, hair, nails and every other part of us blossoms when H20 is added, leading to overall enhancements in our appearance. According to the University of Wisconsin Madison, your skin is the last to receive benefits after drinking water making it the hardest organ to hydrate. This is just one major reason why it’s essential to make sure you’re drinking adequate amounts of water each day. That is why drinking water is important for boudoir photography - if you don't want dull skin, drink your water. Because the skin is comprised of about 64 percent water, it becomes flaky without hydration. Causing ashy and itchy skin, a lack of water can exacerbate these ailments in dry areas. This is why moisturizers like lotion help smooth out skin and contribute to a water-based “glow”.
If you just cannot take the taste of it, don't worry. You can add fresh berries into your water, you can cut a glass of juice with half water and even that counts towards your daily water consumption.
Moisturize!
Get that lotion out and be generous with it. "When skin is moisturized, it's plumper, smoother, and it looks younger," says Deanne Mraz Robinson, M.D., president and co-founder of Modern Dermatology in Westport, Connecticut. Fun fact: Your skin also looks brighter when light can bounce off it more evenly, which'll give you a glow. Are you seeing a pattern here? Glow! Yes, girl. Boudoir is all about glowing and another way to achieve that is by keeping your skin well moisturized. Moisturizing dry skin is one way to get it done. But the best way to do it is by sealing in actual H2O when skin is damp. "I always tell my patients to moisturize within 60 seconds of getting out of the shower, which will lock in hydration," Dr. Mraz Robinson says. So whether you're on a morning or nighttime shower routine, when you get out, lightly pat skin dry — rubbing with a towel can be too aggressive and drying — then immediately grab your moisturizer. "Moisturizer is not a seasonal thing — it's like sunscreen, you need it year-round, the sun does dry out your skin — it causes you to lose natural water content." So instead of benching your moisturizer until fall, simply switch it up to something lighter, or apply a lighter layer.
And...finally. That mythical unicorn all adults seek: A good night's rest
It is ok to cancel plans to say “I need my beauty rest” because beauty sleep is real. The quality and length of sleep you receive every night can have a profound impact on your skin’s overall health. When we sleep our bodies recharge. Not only do our bodies recharge, our skin does as well. During sleep we heal, restore and eliminate toxins from the skin. If sleep is compromised so is the body’s ability to carry out these essential skin functions. When you miss sleep your cortisol levels increase. Cortisol triggers inflammation. Inflammation breaks down the proteins in the skin that keep skin radiant and smooth. When you are tired the blood in your body is not flowing efficiently which normally results in a lack of oxygen in the blood. This lack of oxygen causes your skin to appear ashy, pigmented, or blotchy. Who wants blotchy skin for their session? Any takers? I didn't think so. Did you know that during sleep you perspire more? It’s true. While you are asleep your body’s hydration rebalances and recovers extra moisture. This makes sleep a natural moisturizer that can help to smooth out wrinkles on the skin.
Adding these steps to a skin care routine can help you look at feel great for your boudoir session. Are you convinced now to give your skin care routine a second look? There is no time like the present to develop a skin care routine that works for you and can keep your skin looking and feeling amazing for years to come! If you're ready to put these tips to the test, contact me and let's start planning your own boudoir session.
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