National Healthy Skin Month
The weather is changing and for some of us, so does our skin. Our skin is often a reflection of our overall health. It can show signs of stress, lack of sleep and poor diet. How do we take the best care of our skin during this time?
Here are some healthy skin care tips:
Cleansers and moisturizers are important in preventing dry skin. Dryness causes cracks and fine wrinkles in the skin, which decreases its effectiveness as a barrier, and can cause pain and itching. Soaps, detergents, bath or shower gels, and bubble baths remove dirt, body oils, and bacteria. They prevent odour and infection, but heavy use of these products can over-dry the skin, causing flaking, itching, and irritation. People who have dry skin should choose a mild cleanser, bathe or shower with cool water, minimize water contact, and apply a moisturizer immediately after bathing while the skin is slightly wet. Moisturizers prevent water loss by layering an oily substance over the skin to keep water in, or by attracting water to the outer skin layer from the inner skin layer.
- Exfoliate at least once a week. Lucky men – they exfoliate whenever they shave and is often a reason why they look younger.
- Use sunscreen at least 30 minutes before you go outdoors.
- Drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated inside and out.
- Consider taking Vitamin supplements such as E, A for elasticity and skin repair, C for skin repair and D for healing.
- Get a good sleep – aiming for 7-9 hours of restful sleep.
- Examine your skin for any changes.
- Beauty is only skin deep, but our health goes much deeper and it is important that we take care of our skin.
Beverly’s Hot Tips For Building Resiliency and Awareness During National Healthy Skin Month:
- Examine your body front and back in the mirror, then look at the right and left sides with your arms raised.
- Bend elbows and look carefully at forearms, upper underarms, and palms.
- Look at the backs of your legs and feet, the spaces between your toes, and on the sole.
- Examine the back of your neck and scalp with a hand mirror. Part hair for a closer look.
- Finally, check your back and buttocks with a hand mirror.
- If you find a spot look for things like:
One half is unlike the other half.
An irregular, scalloped, or poorly defined border.
It varies from one area to another; has shades of tan, brown, or black; is sometimes white, red, or blue.
Melanomas usually are greater than 6mm (the size of a pencil eraser) when diagnosed, but they can be smaller.
A mole or skin lesion that looks different from the rest or is changing in size, shape, or color.
If you have some strategies to share – comment on this posting!
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