Pamper Yourself

PAMPERING YOURSELF, IT’S FUN!

Southern Utah Skincare 101

Congratulations on making it to Southern Utah, to experience some of the world’s most stunning scenery and adventures. Whether it’s a hike, an ATV trip, or mountain biking across world-class trails, we hope you’re having an amazing time! While Southern Utah offers world-class adventure and fun, it can also challenge the body, especially given the dry climate. With Utah being the second driest state in the nation, there are several things you’ll want to do to have the best time possible. Water, water, water. If you haven’t already noticed it yet, your body needs plenty of water. Unless you’ve come from a dry climate similar to Southern Utah, you’re likely going to need to drink more water than you’re used to. The Mayo Clinic suggests about 15 cups of fluids a day for adult men and 11 cups of fluids for adult women. This can obviously vary based on weight, exercise level, overall health, and other factors such as pregnancy or breastfeeding. In any case, pay attention to your body and avoid caffeine as it can mask your body’s need for water. The desert is very dry so you’ll want to drink before you feel thirsty to feel your best. With an average of 310 days of sunshine each year, it’s critical to protect your skin with sunscreen. With a daily max UV that can range well into very high levels, it’s important to use at least an SPF 30 rated sunscreen. With many of the activities in Southern Utah involving sweating or swimming, it’s important to reapply the sunscreen every couple of hours. After you’ve had some fun on the trail or lake, the final step in making the most of your time in Southern Utah is to help your skin recover. Given all the dry air, dust, dirt, sun, sweat, lotions, and grime that your face has been exposed to, it is important to clean and treat your face as soon as possible to avoid further damage and/or developing blemishes. The solution? Treat yourself to a number of facials that can be tailored to your skin to clean it, hydrate it, and leave it feeling better than when you began your vacation. These facials range from chemical peels to HydraFacials to more advanced treatments using RF micro-needle, laser, and other technologies and techniques. If you’ve never experienced a HydraFacial, you will be amazed at its ability to clean, treat, and hydrate your face, leaving you feeling refreshed and your skin glowing. In addition to providing a full suite of medical spa services, some local spas provide primary care for adults 18 and over and accept most major insurances as well as offer cash-pay rates. While same-day appointments are available at both the health care clinic and the med spa, schedule your visit as soon as you can to make sure the appropriate provider and equipment are available at your desired time.

Contributed by Gabe Waters