BEST SKINCARE TIPS FROM DERMATOLOGISTS
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Your skin is your body’s largest organ, so it’s important to take good care of it. You can maintain healthy and younger-looking skin with these dermatologist skincare tips. Even if you already have signs of prematurely aging skin, it is never too late to benefit from making changes to improve your skin.
SKIN AGING FACTS
NATURAL AGING
The medical term for natural aging is intrinsic aging. This aging is largely controlled by our genes. It is natural to get visible lines, wrinkles, and to lose fullness and moisture in your skin as you age.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND LIFESTYLE AGING
The medical term for environmental and lifestyle aging is extrinsic aging. We can influence this aging of the skin by our environment and lifestyle choices. We can try to avoid sun damage, pollution, drinking, smoking, and stress. We can slow prematurely aging skin by taking precautions and preventative actions.
TEN DERMATOLOGIST SKIN CARE TIPS
Here are ten of the best skincare tips that dermatologists recommend to their patients and actually use themselves.
(1) Use sunscreen every day.
Dermatologists agree that wearing sunscreen is the most important thing you can do for your skin. Sunscreen protects your skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays which cause early skin aging (including wrinkles and age spots), sunburn, and skin cancer. Anyone can get skin cancer, regardless of age, gender, skin tone, or race.
Look for a water-resistant, broad-spectrum (protects against both UVA and UVB rays) sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. It’s important to cover all of your skin not covered by clothing and to re-apply it regularly, especially after swimming or sweating. Since no sunscreen can block all harmful UV rays, it is important to limit your time in the sun, seek shade, and wear protective clothing, including a hat.
(2) Know your skin type.
Knowing your skin type helps you to select skincare products that are right for you.
◦ Sensitive skin: May sting or burn after product use
◦ Normal skin: Clear and not sensitive
◦ Dry skin: Flaky, itchy, or rough
◦ Oily skin: Shiny and greasy
◦ Combination skin: Dry in some areas and oily in others
(3) Get your rest.
Beauty sleep is real. A good night’s sleep allows your body to rest and regenerate. Sleep is critical for your entire body, including your skin.
(4) Stay out of tanning beds.
Ultraviolet light from tanning beds can cause skin cancer and wrinkling. If you want to look tan, get your glow from a self-tanner. Remember to continue to use sunscreen after you perfect your faux tan.
(5) Maintain a consistent skincare routine.
It is important to have a consistent morning routine and a consistent bedtime routine. You want to keep your routine simple and easy to do regularly. You need more than a quick swipe of face wipes and much less than a chemical peel or a lengthy, multi-step process. Balance is the key to finding a routine that works daily.
What’s the difference between the morning and bedtime routine?
Morning: cleanse, hydrate, protect
Your morning skincare routine is to protect your skin. Remember to use your sunscreen of at least 30 SPF to start your day.
Bedtime: cleanse, hydrate, repair
Your bedtime skincare routine is to repair your skin. Overnight is a great time to add extra moisture to your skin or to target problem areas as you rest.
(6) Keep your hands off of your face.
Who knew a skincare secret would be to simply leave your face alone and do nothing? Your hands can transfer germs, dirt, and oil to your face. Do not do any picking, popping, or squeezing at all. You will do much more damage than any good. Hands off!
(7) Stop smoking.
Smoking accelerates how quickly skin ages. Smoking causes a dull complexion and actively causes wrinkles.
(8) Reduce or eliminate drinking alcohol.
Drinking alcohol dries out the skin. With time, this can damage your skin and make you look older.
(9) Check your birthday suit more than once a year.
Don’t leave an inspection of your skin to an annual checkup. Get to know your skin and check it regularly. Look for new spots, bumps, and marks, any spot that has grown in size, spots that are different from other spots on your body, or moles that itch, bleed, or change color, as these are often early warning signs of skin cancer.
According to the American Academy of Dermatologists, skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. It affects one in five Americans in their lifetime. When detected early, skin cancer is highly treatable. The five-year survival rate for people whose melanoma is detected and treated before it spreads to the lymph nodes is 98%.
If you find anything unusual on your skin, make an appointment with a board-certified dermatologist. Dermatologists are medical doctors that are experts in diagnosing and treating skin diseases and conditions, including skin cancer, acne, psoriasis, and eczema. In addition, dermatologists can perform medical skincare, such as chemical peels, and consult on the effectiveness of specific skincare ingredients, like Vitamin C.
(10) Watch your calendar. Period.
Period skin is real. Skin reacts to monthly hormonal changes and is prone to breakout at certain times. Pay attention to when in addition to how your skin reacts to any skincare advice. This personal knowledge of your skin’s patterns can inform how you care for it.
SKINCARE SECRETS
- Want to learn more of the best skincare tips, more anti-aging secrets, and more beauty tips?
- Do you love learning about skincare?
- Would you like official skincare training?
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Florida Academy’s up-to-the-minute skincare program is structured to provide our students with the very latest information on skincare.
Our school is equipped with modern equipment, including high-frequency, galvanic and microdermabrasion machines, Epiwave Ultrasonic facial machines, and LED light therapy equipment, to provide hands-on training of electronic therapy treatments, as found in the most prestigious spas, salons, and medical offices.
Call Florida Academy, for our skincare training program in Fort Myers, Florida, to get started.