Get Beach-Ready with Ten Tips from Dr. Murad

As summer approaches, world-renowned dermatologist Howard Murad M.D., Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine at UCLA and founder of Murad Inc., is sharing his top ten tips for getting beach-ready. From SPF to foods and exercise, Dr. Murad suggests effective ways to reduce cellulite and protect skin throughout body-baring months.

Start Wearing SPF
No one is ever too young to protect themselves from the sun. The general consensus in the medical community is that the majority of sun damage occurs before a person turns 18 years old. Younger skin is much more sensitive to sun exposure and free radical damage. And many signs of skin damage are cumulative as we age and will likely not be visible until you are much older. I recommend everyone wear SPF on a daily basis because most sun damage occurs during daily activities. This incidental exposure includes more than just direct sunlight on bare skin while you’re tanning. Light also reflects off surfaces, comes through building and car windows and penetrates through clothing.

Eat More Lecithin
When weakened skin and connective tissue can no longer hold fat invisibly in place, it migrates up through the skin to become cellulite. To build healthy new cells with strong membranes, your body needs lecithin, which is found in many foods – including eggs, soy, spinach, peanuts, apples, cauliflower, and potatoes.

Try Dry Skin Brushing
This simple technique is one of the most effective exfoliating treatments for skin with cellulite and stretch marks. Use a body brush or exfoliating gloves to remove old dead and dying cells, while simultaneously increasing the blood flow to the affected areas and stimulating the body’s ability to remove built-up toxins.

Add More Raw Fruits and Vegetables to Your Grocery List
Applying topical lotions containing SPF is only one way to protect skin from the sun; select raw fruits and vegetables, as well as dietary supplements, can also help defend skin from the sun and the resulting damage. Add food such as broccoli, tomatoes, cranberries and spinach to your grocery list and take a supplement containing Pomegranate Extract for maximum benefits.

Shape Up Your Self-Image
Since you’ll soon be spending more time showing off your arms and legs, take simple steps to reshape your body into a point of pride by doing some exercise you enjoy at least a few times a week. Getting in shape is more than just a matter of physical exercise, getting in shape will help you feel confident and comfortable as you show off more skin.

Get Your EFAs (Essential Fatty Acids)
Add extra healthy fats to your diet, like flaxseed oil, olive oil, seeds and oil from cold-water fish (like black cod and salmon) to attract water to dehydrated cells and prevent future water loss. Healthy water-tight cells mean better overall skin health including a reduction in the skin damage cycle that leads to cellulite and sagging skin.

Discover Botanicals and Essential Oils
To reduce cellulite, check products for effective botanicals and essential oils such as Aloe Vera, Basil, Cat’s Claw, Cedarwood, Tiger’s Herb, Fennel, Ginger, Grapefruit, Grape Seed, Mint, Pine, Pomegranate, and Tea (black, red, white, and green).

Stretch
In addition to helping your flexibility and enhancing your fitness routine, stretching, including yoga, can have the added benefit of stress relief – which means less cell damage. Optimizing your cellular health is key to look your best in the long and the short term.

Shop Smart
When purchasing a sunscreen, be sure to look for four key basic features: full spectrum sun protection for UVA and UVB radiation, antioxidants to neutralize aging free radicals, anti-inflammatory agents to prevent redness and soothe skin, and hydrating ingredients to replace moisture loss due to sun exposure.

Adopt an Inclusive Health Lifestyle
A healthy body and complexion are a reflection of total wellness. Inclusive Health, a 3-prong approach to health through topical, internal and emotional self care, provides your body the opportunity to build youthful vitality at the cellular level. By optimizing these three environments, your body and spirit will have the best opportunity to thrive.