Anti-Aging… Antebellum-Style
Plastic surgery, Retin-A, Resveratrol, Botox… Better Than Botox… seriously, with all the anti-aging approaches out there, how does a person even know where to start (or stop?). Well, my dear readers, let me tell you one of the cheapest and simplest ways of keeping your skin young and healthy: stay out of the sun.
Yes, it’s true that some sun is good for you, vital in fact for healthy living (get that Vitamin D!), but you really only need 10-15 minutes of direct sun a few days a week. And, in fact, sun damage causes wrinkles and liver spots, as well as more dangerous lesions like actinic keratosis and melanoma. Basically, when you fry those little skin cells in the sun too long, UV light and radiation causes cellular swelling and damage and can create DNA mutations that may lead to cancer.
Bottom line? Get out of that tanning booth, and get under a parasol.
I’ve actually been carrying around a parasol for close to twenty years, and though it takes a certain amount of moxie I think it’s a cheap, easy and cute way to protect yourself from too much sun–especially if you’re going to be out all day. Of course, the darker the parasol, the more sun protection you will get, but even the protection provided by a lighter color or paper parasol will be beneficial. It also keeps you cooler than many hats and doesn’t mess up your hair. What’s not to love?
I used to have to trek out to Chinatown to get my summer supply of parasols, but that was back in the stone ages before the internet was invented. There are some seriously cute parasols on the market now, everything from traditional paper parasols to steampunk-style antiques. Really, the only hard part is not poking other people in the eye.
1. Designs by Victoria, Brown and Black Steampunk Parasol, $200
2. Carasol, Cynthia parasol, $240
3. Pamela’s Parasols, single-letter monogram parasol, $98
4. Luna Bazaar, Rose Quartz paper parasol, $6.50
5. Parasols by Tamie, Chinese New Year parasol, $75
6. Luna Bazaar, Green Mehendi Henna Design paper parasol, $26
7. Something Wicked, Black Skull parasol, $80
8. Designs by Victoria, Ivory and Silver Steampunk Parasol, $165
March 5, 2010 at 3:36 pm
I started carrying parasols and wearing hats because I’m in the number one risk group for skin cancer – female, red-haired, green eyed. Both my parents have had cancerous growths removed from their faces, my father when he was in his 40s, and my mother just last year. They’re a wonderful tool for both fashion and health, and stylish as well! Thanks for the feature in this wonderful article!
March 5, 2010 at 9:31 pm
It “does” require a bit of moxie to pull this off, but they are gorgeous and “healthy. I always say “own your look.” Great article!
May 24, 2011 at 1:00 pm
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