SANDRA DUKE
Your skin is an indicator of your overall health. You are never too young to start taking good care of your skin. Medical procedures are no substitute for maintaining healthy skin at home, and in fact, make good skin care even more necessary. Keeping your skin healthy will not only prolong your need for cosmetic procedures, it will help to ensure optimal results should you choose to undergo a procedure.
Healthy Skin Basics. Stay out of the sun, drink lots of water, and don’t smoke.
Sun damage starts very early in life, as far back as early childhood. Unfortunately, we cannot go back and undo what we did to our skin as children, but it is never too late to start. Always wear sunscreen, even when you do not think you are going to be out in the sun. Those daily walks back and forth to your car can add up to sun damaged skin. Wear protective clothing whenever possible. That fashionable hat you have been contemplating can help save your face and neck, too.
Drink Plenty of Good, Pure Water. Tap water is not helpful to your skin or any other part of your body. It is loaded with toxins. Invest in a filter or drink bottled water.
Smoking can cause premature aging by reducing oxygen flow to the skin reducing elasticity and healing abilities. Smoking will also slow down the healing process and minimize the benefits should you have a cosmetic procedure. Your skin needs good circulation to replenish itself.
Healthy Skin Means a Healthy Body. Your skin is an elimination organ. Pimples are normally associated with adolescence, but can occur later in life if your body has to eliminate extra toxins. This is one reason that water is so important. A healthy diet that includes plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, and good maintenance of your entire elimination system, will equate to healthy skin. Be sure to get plenty of vitamins A, C, D, and E. Allergies and hormone imbalance can also affect your skin. Physical exercise benefits your skin in two ways – by increasing circulation and by causing you to sweat. Perspiring keeps the elimination function of your skin working properly and sweat stimulates the production of sebum, which is your body’s natural moisturizer. Minimizing stress and getting adequate sleep benefits your skin as well as the rest of your body.
Elements of a Healthy Skin Regiment. While the face is often the main focus in skin care, it is important to take care of the skin on your entire body. Often even those who have been careful about their faces, develop early signs of aging in neglected places like the backs of their hands, chest and neck. Keep those long soaks in the tub to a minimum. Avoid soaps that contain harsh chemicals, dyes, and perfumes. Soaps that are scented with natural essential oils often have other health benefits and are safer for your skin.
Exfoliating helps to remove dead skin cells, unclog pores and stimulate circulation, giving your skin a fresh, healthy appearance and minimizing fine lines. When exfoliating at home is not sufficient you may consider Glycolic peels or microdermabrassion if you are young. Older people can benefit from Tricloraceitc acid (TCA) peels, laser resurfacing, or light resurfacing with an Erbium laser.
Moisturizing is Critical to Healthy Skin. Moisturizing helps to maintain elasticity and prevent wrinkles. Moisturizer should be used on your entire body, not just your face. Avoid oily moisturizer that may clog pores.
Other Enemies and Allies Of Healthy Skin. Cosmetics, airborne pollutants, and the faces you make everyday can work against healthy skin.
- Cosmetics can cause skin problems by clogging pores and by harboring bacteria. Replace all makeup on a regular basis and wash application tools twice a month. Remember your mom saying “If you keep making that face it’s going to freeze that way,”? There is some truth to that. Squinting, frowning, and even smiling, over time, will create creases and lines. Simple things like wearing sunglasses and trying not to frown so much can help lessen these effects. BOTOX® can be used as a preventative measure by paralyzing the muscles that normally wrinkle and crease the skin.
- Airborne pollutants can damage your skin. Use moisturizers that provide both protection from the sun and act as barriers to airborne pollutants such as those containing vitamins E, A and C. Bee products such honey, bee pollen, and royal jelly help to rejuvenate skin, speed healing, and reduce acne when taken internally and when used externally as ingredients in topical applications. Green tea has many benefits when taken internally including fighting and helping to prevent skin cancer. Externally green tea helps to heal and refresh the skin.
Proper maintenance of the skin is important for those who wish to prevent aging naturally and for those who have had or plan to have corrective procedures. Corrective procedures will look better if you have healthy skin. While good skin care at home is essential, you may have reached a point where you are ready for outside help. Your doctor can help you decide whether you will benefit most from an improved regimen and diet alone, or if a corrective or preventative procedure will give you the jump-start that you need.
Read more articles about skin care.
