Skin in the Game
By DeVonte Roberts, St. Paul Field Crew Leader
I’ve spoken to many Minnesotans about what they believe to be the hottest month in the state. What do you feel like it is? July gets the majority vote because it’s smack in the middle of summer and it feels the dryest with no clouds. According to research, July is when the Northern Hemisphere has officially absorbed the most heat from the sun. I am originally from California, so my memory of the hottest days of my life was always August, typically for the same reasons of being dry and cloudless. After the 100th time of my crew hearing me say “dang, it’s hot”, it dawned on me that since I am in this new environment doing a very physical job that is completely outdoors with varying climate, I need to take bodily protection more seriously. Most of this blog will probably relate to all the males because if us guys were honest, we don’t take time to prioritize self care. So here I am, 20 something years later and I am finally getting into a routine of products and practices for my body to stay healthy from head to toe.
Sunscreen has likely been the biggest stranger to me because growing up it was never suggested to wear nor did people really understand the damages that come from the sun. Wearing sunblock creates a layer of defense against harsh ultraviolet light and prevents premature skin defects. Personally I would recommend purchasing a sunscreen that is also a lotion so that your skin can also be nourished with other vitamins, plus they are typically water resistant. Since we are talking about the sun I also would urge you to sport dark tinted work goggles. Not only can the sun offend your skin but also your eyes and leave marks on the whiteness of your eyeballs. Growing up my father did not wear sunglasses while working and as a result had brown spots in his eyeballs and even developed a yellowish shade. Reducing the glare from wherever you’re focused can save your eyes from discoloration and dryness.
Now while I have you thinking about your face, let’s talk about our hair. Summertime heat can dry up your luscious locks and leave you itchy and brittle. Take time in your morning as you’re getting ready to quickly moisturize your scalp. Hair oils and conditioners are not expensive and well worth fitting in between brushing your teeth and putting your boots on. And for my fellows with facial hair, this is something you should also apply to your mustache and beard. The wonderful thing is that there are many natural creams that have hydrating benefits that will keep your hair healthy and your body just a tad cooler. One side-tip of keeping your head cool, especially for you bandana wearers, is to run water on your head wrap before putting it on. You’d be surprised how cool it keeps you for a couple hours until it’s time to re-soak.
Another suggestion that could have a big impact though it is small in size is an ice roller. These items are primarily popular for massaging the skin but what a lot of people aren’t aware of is that if you put it in the freezer or keep it in a container with a cold pack then it’s optimized to cool and relax the body after hot working conditions. Rollers have also reported on helping relieve muscle pain, loosen stiffness, and enhance blood flow. Visit a beauty supply store and pick one up to try for a week, at the very least you have something to ease tension anywhere you find it.
We cannot talk about skin protection without talking about other potential harms from the natural environment like plants or insects. My team has had its fair share in bug bites or simply bug scares and so we have narrowed down that our choice of repellent is an aerosol can that contains 40% DEET. There are many bug sprays and there are even repellent lotions that don’t have the nasty and dangerous chemical vapor so it really comes down to what suits your body the best. Either way, treating your clothes and skin is a great method in keeping your body healthy so that you can continue to work with minimal distractions. When it comes to cuts or inflammation from contact with a particular plant species, I advocate keeping aloe vera (whether the plant or a tube gel) that naturally will sooth the irritation with organic healing properties. Same goes with cucumbers, green tea, peppermint, and a number of essential oils.
Oh, and one more small mention. DRINK WATER! Nothing is better for your skin than good ol H2O. Water on the inside of your body and on the outside has endless benefits that you can research yourself. If you really want to take it up a notch this summer, try doing an ice bath. See how long you can last. Most experts will say 5 minutes is enough, but longer is always better. So take it from the new guy in town that is learning to respect the outdoors and give yourself a head start on the days’ conditions. Hopefully these tips can help you stay cool but also place you in a routine that makes your skin and body well nourished during all your hard work.