As the largest organ of the body, the skin does a mammoth amount of work. Not only does it protect the internal organs but it also has self-healing capabilities. When an injury such as a bump, bruise or cut occurs, the body kicks into action, clearing debris from the area and releasing collagen and elastin below the surface. Unlike the stomach that can produce ulcers as a result of stress or the lungs that contract and squeeze when we push them too far, the skin doesn’t always show immediate evidence of the damage or inflammation happening below the surface.
Because so much occurs below the surface of the skin, the effects of poor skin care often don’t show up until later. This is why creating a gentle skin care plan is important to give skin the vital nutrients it needs to continue its multiple jobs. Much like creating a eating or exercise plan, it’s important to identify the current condition of your skin and how to best treat it. This is not about adding the “hot” new ingredient to your skin care routine but instead implementing a consistent approach of quality sleep, healthy diet and using skin care products with quality antioxidants designed to repair the skin’s outer barrier.
Steps to Loving your Skin
1. Determine your Skin Type – The skin’s needs change throughout our life. The oily skin of the teenage years can give way to combination or dry skin later in life. Knowing your current skin type (oily, dry, combination or sensitive) is a good way to determine the right product formulations for your skin.
- Dry to Very Dry – balms, creams, ointments
- Normal to Combination – lotions and serums
- Oily and/or Acne/Blemishes – gels, liquids and serums
2. Avoid products with Fragrances (natural and synthetic), Alcohol and Dyes – Each of these products has the potential to create irritation. When irritation occurs below the surface, collagen, a structural protein in the body, breaks down. Allergic reactions result in surface irritation.
3. Regulate Water Temperature – Very hot or very cold water can cause broken capillaries and increase inflammation. Over time, these will begin to show on the surface of the skin. Instead, wash the face with lukewarm water and a gentle cleanser formulated for your specific skin type.
4. Eliminate the Rough Scrubs – Exfoliation can feel good, especially after wearing sunscreen or a sweat session at the gym. Just choose a smart exfoliation method. Scrubs made of rough pieces can cause tiny tears in the surface of the skin, resulting in inflammation. Instead, pick a scrub with soft, rounded edges or gently exfoliate with a washcloth or a Clarisonic tool.
5. Wear Sunscreen Every Day – The sun is responsible for up to 90 percent of aging, wrinkles and sun spots. Regular sun protection of at least SPF 30 is an important step to protect from skin cancer and premature aging.
Protecting the skin is about more than looking great, it’s also about improving the overall functions of the body’s largest organ. Sunflower Dermatology offers help for all your skin care needs including acne, anti-aging, exfoliation, and hyperpigmentation and sun protection. To learn more about Sunflower Dermatology’s approach to Better Skin for a Better Life, talk to the dermatologic experts at Sunflower Dermatology and Medical Day Spa in Riverside, Missouri. They offer medical dermatology, surgical dermatology, cosmetic dermatology procedures and photodynamic. Protect the largest organ in your body and improve the long-term appearance and health of your skin with Sunflower Dermatology & Medical Day Spa.
