Lexington, KY - It's your largest, and most visible, organ, but in terms of health care and maintenance, your skin is probably one of the most neglected parts of your body. Your skin, especially the skin on your face, is your body's first line of defense against the elements and should be nourished of to combat an accelerated aging process.
A whole galaxy of lotions and procedures are available for skin care, some promising everything just shy of an appearance resembling a recent visit to the Fountain of Youth, but we thought we'd ask some local professionals in the skin business for some quick tips to make sure your outer shell is as healthy and as radiant as possible.
Use fish oils: Fish oil supplements can help replenish much needed oils which help maintain a healthy skin barrier and prevent dryness. This may be especially helpful if you take cholesterol-lowering medications which can promote skin dryness.
No lip-licking: Aquaphor or Vaseline applied to lips can help prevent lip-licking, which exacerbates dry, chapped lips. Hydrocortison 1 percent cream (over-the-counter) can be applied sparingly to red, chapped areas.
Try soap substitutes: Avoid hot water and cleanse with soap-substitutes, such as Cetaphil, especially with children with dry skin or eczema. Children do not require soap daily.
- Kelli G. Webb, M.D. Dermatology Consultants, 1401 Harrodsburg Rd., C-415. (859) 278-9492.
Get your nutrients: Don't starve your skin for nutrients. Topical vitamin C and other antioxidants can be very beneficial as a supplement to good overall nutrition.
Watch your exposure to the sun: Sunscreen is your best friend. Use an SPF of 30 or more daily and reapply often if sweating or swimming. Avoid the sun, as it is responsible for most of what we consider the signs of "aging."
Some soap is too harsh: The original process of making soap involves the use of lye and ash, so it's not hard to imagine that the use of soap is harsh on the skin. Non-soap cleansers are more gentle and protective of the moisture-retaining lipid layer and are recommended for daily use.
- Dr. Sharon Napier, Aestetic Surgical Arts, 220 Lexington Green Circle, Suite 120. (859) 223-FACE
Some things to avoid: Healthy skin needs healthy habits. The following is harmful to healthy skin: sun exposure, caffeine (try to limit coffee to no more than one cup per day), cigarettes, picking or squeezing pimples and going to sleep with make-up still on (this is a big no-no).
Be vigilant: Beautiful skin does not last forever. If you do not take care of it, no matter how great your genes may be, there are going to be problems. But you can prepare your skin for the anti-aging battle that is ahead of it. Without proper maintenance your skin will not "age gracefully." We compare it to going to the gym. There are those individuals with fit and healthy bodies; they still need to maintain their figure and health by exercising, and eating healthy. Otherwise, they will not stay fit or healthy very long. This applies to your skin as well.
- Pam Nystrom, owner of Seasons Salon and Spa, 3025 Blake James Dr., (859) 367-0102.
Use topical antioxidants: There is good science behind some of the newer topical antioxidants and their effect on skin. Benefits include correction of age spots, enhancements of the skin's natural immunity, which may help prevent skin cancer and acceleration of cell turnover. Look for products that contain ingredients such as stabilized vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), idebenone, or green tea with polyphenols.
Be sure to resurface: Skin resurfacing can be done with products, procedures or both. Choosing products that contain fruit acids like glycolic or mandelac can be used in low concentrations to daily increase cell turnover. However, getting professional facial peels or laser treatments is a better way to achieve results more rapidly. We often begin with a professional treatment and then prescribe products to maintain the result between treatments.
Use vitamin A topically: Retin A and its derivatives, vitamin A propionate, palmitate and retinol, can increase collagen and correct wrinkles. These products have been tested for many years and have proven effectiveness, just do not use if you are pregnant or breast feeding.
- Chasity Hester, licensed physician assistant and esthetic director at Be Medispa, 812 E. High Street. (859) 266-LIVE.