Taking Care of Yourself During National Healthy Skin Month

Our skin is the largest organ of our bodies. It’s our first line of defense, so taking good care of our skin is essential.

Because November is National Healthy Skin Month , now is a great time to talk about the importance of keeping our skin healthy and looking good.

National Healthy Skin Month is sponsored by the American Academy of Dermatology, which raises awareness of how to prevent and treat common skin problems. There are things we can do to be proactive about our skin health and issues that might require examination by a dermatologist.

Let’s look at what you can do to care for your skin.

Take time to relax and decompress

Stress is unhealthy. It steals our energy, puts added pressure on the cardiovascular system and, yes, causes skin problems, too. So stretch out. Relax. Put down the phone. Just breathe. Stress can cause your skin to break out and can make conditions like psoriasis even worse. Get some sleep – seven to nine hours is optimal.

Stay hydrated

Never underestimate the power of a glass of water. Fully 70% of the earth is water. The same holds true for our bodies. When you drink at least eight glasses of water a day, you’re hydrating your skin as well as the rest of your body. Water flushes out toxins that can harm your skin. Drinking eight glasses of water may seem like a chore, but over the course of an entire day it’s easy to do. Add some ice cubes and a spritz of fresh lemon or lime to jazz up a glass of water. Thin slices of cucumber add interesting flavor, or just add the juice of your favorite fruit.

Inspect your skin for unusual spots and discoloration

When you’re done relaxing, look over your skin for any changes, odd spots or different color tones. Pay close attention to new moles or moles that seem to have changed shape or size recently. Use a hand mirror and a wall-mounted mirror like the bathroom vanity to examine your back and other areas that are harder to see.

Unusual spots and discolored patches can be signs of skin cancer. To be clear, their mere appearance does not mean cancer, only a possibility. The important thing to do is check your skin regularly and if you see anything unusual, talk to your dermatologist right away.

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States and impacts about 1 in 5 people. Preventing skin cancer is the reason the American Academy of Dermatology started National Healthy Skin Month.

The two most common forms of skin cancer are squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma. However, most skin cancer-related deaths are due to melanoma when the cancer has reached an advanced stage.

Still, skin cancer should not be cause for panic. When detected early, it can be treated with great success. Awareness is the key to prevention.

Of course, cancer is not the only skin concern. There are many other common skin conditions, most of them far less serious than melanoma, but uncomfortable and potentially embarrassing just the same. Information is a powerful tool for overcoming worries about your skin and its appearance. We’ve got you covered.

Protect your skin with sunscreen year-round

Sunscreen sales spike in the summertime, when people hit the beach, hang out by the pool and get out and about while the weather is warm and inviting. While the sun’s ultraviolet rays are more intense during the summer months, because the sun is closer to the earth, dermatologists encourage their patients to use sunscreen all year to protect their skin. You can get just as bad a sunburn on your face after a January afternoon on a ski slope as you can lounging on a beach in mid-August.

Use sunscreen with a skin protection factor (SPF) of at least 30. This not only helps protect your skin from the rays that cause cancer, but helps keep your skin smooth, supple and looking young.

Taking care of your skin is easy. Taking time to do it could be the greater challenge. So make the time. Because you’re worth it. And remember, the four keys to maintaining healthy skin: relax, hydrate, inspect and protect.

Let Walk-in Dermatology Take Care of You

If you have concerns about any skin condition and need dependable answers, you don’t have to wonder, worry or wait. Walk-in Dermatology is here to keep you healthy. Our team of dermatologists and experienced healthcare staff will address your concerns and provide the necessary care for all your skin conditions. We can set up a Video Visit and even prescribe medications remotely, or you can schedule an appointment with us online. The choice is yours. But don’t wait until the problem gets worse. Contact us today.