National Healthy Skin Month
- Posted on: Nov 8 2021
November is National Healthy Skin Month, and we’re dedicating this time to raising awareness about healthy skincare. The skin is your body’s largest organ, and our healthy skin dermatologist wants to help you achieve vibrant, beautiful skin all year round with these healthy skin tips.
Healthy Skin Tips for Everyone
Healthy skin is hydrated, has a uniform, consistent tone, and is free from redness and inflammation. Achieving healthy, rejuvenated skin doesn’t have to be a challenge. Our dermatologists follow these healthy skin tips and recommend them to their patients:
Managing Stress for Healthy, Glowing Skin
Finding healthy ways to manage stress plays a positive role in achieving healthy skin care. Periods of high stress create a chemical response in your body that can make your skin more sensitive. That’s why you’re more likely to experience a variety of skin conditions when you feel stressed, such as acne, rosacea, eczema, and psoriasis. Taking steps to encourage a healthy state of mind can also act as a healthy skin care treatment. This includes getting enough sleep, taking the time to perform enjoyable activities, getting regular exercise, performing breathing exercises, and scaling back on your to-do list if it starts to feel overwhelming.
Wear Sunscreen Daily to Protect Your Sensitive Skin
Applying sunscreen daily and taking measures to protect your skin from the sun is one of the easiest ways to achieve and maintain healthy skin. Making sunscreen a part of your daily routine can help prevent skin cancer, wrinkles, and sunspots. Look for a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 and apply it to your face and all exposed areas of skin any time you are outside. Wearing protective clothing, such as wide-brimmed hats, long-sleeved shirts, or long pants can also protect your skin from the sun.
Eat a Healthy Diet for Complete Wellness
Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet is an important part of healthy skin care and can help you look and feel your best. Focus on a diet of lean proteins, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. These are the best foods and nutrients for promoting healthy skin:
- Omega-3 fatty acids: Found in most types of seafood like herring, salmon, and mackerel, eating several servings of fatty fish each week can help keep your skin moisturized, improve skin elasticity, and reduce inflammation.
- Nuts and seeds: Most nuts and seeds contain skin-boosting nutrients that can lock in moisture, promote collagen production, and reduce inflammation. To achieve these benefits, you should regularly eat sunflower seeds, walnuts, almonds, and pistachios.
- Vitamin C: Your skin needs vitamin C to create collagen, and it also acts as an antioxidant that protects your skin from damage caused by the sun and the environment. Eat plenty of citrus fruits, bell peppers, broccoli, cantaloupe, and tomatoes to ensure that you’re getting enough vitamin C.
- Vitamin A: Foods high in vitamin A, like sweet potatoes, carrots, squash, and spinach can help you achieve glowing, healthy skin.
Avoid Skin Damage from Smoking
Smoking is an unhealthy habit that can negatively affect your skin and overall health. It speeds up how quickly your skin ages by damaging collagen and elastin, which can contribute to wrinkles that make your skin look older. If you smoke, it will take longer for wounds to heal, and you’re also at a greater risk of developing squamous cell skin cancer. Some research suggests that smoking can worsen specific skin conditions like psoriasis.
Examine Your Skin Regularly
In the United States, skin cancer affects one in five Americans in their lifetime. That’s why it’s important to perform regular skin self-exams, which can help you identify the early signs of skin cancer. When diagnosed early, skin cancer is highly treatable. Examine your skin regularly from head to toe, looking closely for the early signs of skin cancer, including moles or spots that bleed, itch, or change color and any spots that are different from the others.
Cleanse Your Skin Gently
Wash your face with a mild cleanser when you wake up, before you go to bed, and after sweating. This helps to remove dirt, bacteria, and makeup that can clog your pores and cause skin dullness. To preserve the health of your skin and avoid stripping the skin of its natural oils, avoid scrubbing your skin, bathing or showering in hot water, and using strong soaps that contain fragrance, dyes, and perfumes.
Schedule Your Appointment With a Local Dermatologist
Visiting a board-certified dermatologist is an important step towards keeping your skin healthy. Our dermatologists have the expertise needed to successfully diagnose and treat most conditions affecting the skin and can recommend a skin care treatment that works best for your individual needs. Make an appointment today with a healthy skin dermatologist at Asarch Dermatology.