Advanced Skin Care

November is National Healthy Skin Month, and I couldn’t be more excited about it! The summer is so wonderful and we all have so much fun, but I feel like skin care sometimes takes a back seat during that warmer season. The fall and winter are the perfect time of year to take a step back and think about the health of our skin. As we move into the colder, more temperamental months a lot of people don’t realize the toll it takes on our skin, and not only that, but what they can do to prevent or repair the damage. Taking a little bit of time each day to make sure we are caring for our skin properly will provide so many benefits, and luckily there are so many ways we can care for our skin.

1. Hydrate. Drink your water! Making sure you’re getting enough water through the day is going to greatly increase the hydration in your skin, which is so important during these cold, windy, aggressive winter months. And, not only is it going to increase the health of your skin, but you will most likely see an overall improvement in your health. It is recommended that you take your weight, divide it in half, and then drink that many ounces of water per day! Now, not only can we hydrate with water, but it’s also a good idea to change up our skin care routine a bit. Bring in some heavier, more hydrating products to help protect and aid in improving the barrier and function of the skin. Our skin is the largest organ in our body, however it is also the last to receive vital nutrients that we get through ingestion, so it’s up to us to supplement for the health of our skin. Look for professional products containing Vitamin E, Vitamin C, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, Shea butter, and Aloe Vera; ingredients that are going to hydrate, heal, and protect the skin.

2. Treat your skin. Fall and winter are the ideal times to receive chemical peels or any other more aggressive treatments since the sun isn’t as big of an issue as it is in the summer. Now is the time you’ll also be noticing that spas are running specials on their chemical peels and professional treatments, so take advantage! Use this time when the sun isn’t as strong, to repair the damage done during the summer. At home, look for professional skin care products containing Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs), Enzymes, Retinol, Vitamin C, and Hydroquinone (a skin bleaching agent). These products either together or separate will help to remove dead, dry, built up skin as well as helping to improve the appearance of hyperpigmentation (sun spots, damage, etc.).

3. Get checked out. The fall and winter months are some of the best times to go get a “spot check” because your skin is most likely at its palest, making it a lot easier for your dermatologist to see any irregularities. It is important, year round, to keep an eye on all of your spots especially those looking a little more suspect. Make it a priority to get checked once a year, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Remember your ABCDEs of melanoma: Asymmetry. If you were to draw a line through your mole would the sides still match? Border. The borders of an early melanoma tend to be uneven. Color. Having a variety of colors is another warning sign. Diameter. Melanomas are usually larger in size than the diameter of a pencil eraser. Evolving. Any change in size, shape, color, elevation, or new symptoms such as bleeding, itching, or crusting points to danger.

4. Continue to protect your skin. Just because you can’t see the sun as much doesn’t mean it isn’t still damaging your skin. UVA rays are consistent year round, and 80% of the sun’s rays can reflect off the snow. Think of the A in UVA as standing for aging. These are the rays that penetrate deeper into the skin and scramble up your cells. They are responsible for free radical damage that can lead to skin cancer, photo-damage, photo-aging, sagging, and wrinkling skin, so wear your sunscreen ALWAYS…seriously though!

5. Stay away from tanning beds! Please, for the love, stay out of the tanning beds! I know how tempting it is to get into a nice, warm, UV filled bed when it’s cold outside, but you must avoid it at all costs! Studies have found a 75% increase in the risk of melanoma for those who have used tanning beds, and your risk goes up each time you use it! Winter is the perfect time to repair your skin and focus on keeping it healthy; you don’t want to risk it by jumping into a tanning bed!

This month is a perfect reminder and perfect opportunity for us to take a moment and really think about the health of our skin. We all want beautiful, young-looking, healthy skin, and by taking these few, simple steps I know you’ll be amazed by what you see.