Tips For Protecting Your Skin

By George K. Verghese, MD

Mid-Atlantic Skin Surgery Institute

. https://midatlanticskinsurgery.com/

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Tips For Protecting Your Skin

The skin is the largest and most visible organ of the human body. It protects your other organs, warms you up and cools you down, and reflects how healthy you are inside. Keep your skin, hair, and nails healthy and looking their best by following these practical tips.

Because skin care products are not subject to approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), their benefits may not be adequately tested and their claims may be exaggerated. Ask your dermatologist for recommendations for skin care products that have strong science behind them and have been proven safe and effective in human studies.

During the day, wear sunscreen and consider using products containing antioxidants because they also have sun-protection properties. At night, consider using products containing retinoids, peptides or growth factors for their repair properties.

Get to know your skin. If something is bleeding or doesn't look right, see a dermatologist.

Skin self-exams should be a regular part of your healthy lifestyle. It is also important to screen the one you love for skin cancer. Recent research shows that involving a partner in the skin self-examination process can improve the early detection of skin cancer.

Stress can worsen psoriasis or rosacea, result in acne lesions that are more inflamed and persistent, cause brittle nails and ridging of the nails, lead to hair loss, worsen or cause hives, and induce excessive perspiration. See your dermatologist for effective treatments that can improve your skin, hair, and nail conditions and also substantially reduce your stress. Also, consider using stress-management techniques to reduce blood vessel over-activity (a primary cause of blushing or flushing of the skin).

If you're considering purchasing any at-home kit to improve the look of your skin, such as a microdermabrasion kit, talk to your dermatologist first. Safety can be a concern if these at-home treatments are used improperly or if an active ingredient causes an unforeseen skin reaction. It also is important to know that the concentration of active ingredients in these products is much lower than that used by dermatologists. Therefore, most at-home treatments do not produce results as dramatic or long-lasting as the cosmetic procedures performed in dermatologists' offices. If you are very concerned about the appearance of your skin, talk to your dermatologist about how lasers, wrinkle fillers and botulinum rejuvenation can be used to diminish signs of aging that concern you.

Remember, the best way to avoid mistakes when caring for your skin, hair or nails is to discuss any questions or concerns with a dermatologist.