June is Beautiful in Your Skin Month: Dr. Schweitzer

Celebrity Dermatologist William Schweitzer, M. D. of ProDerm Image Cosmetic Dermatology explains that your skin is the largest organ of your body and perhaps it is the most wonderful as well. Your skin covers your entire body and acts as a shield from the elements. Your wonderful skin bends with ease, warns you when something is too hot or too cold, repairs itself when broken, and plays a huge part in your appearance. Protecting your skin and spending a few minutes a day on your skin care routine can help prevent lasting skin damage and take off years worth of wrinkles and age spots.

PROTECT FROM HARMFUL UV RAYS

Wear sunscreen daily. There are plenty of sunscreens available but the right kind of sunscreen can effectively protect your skin from the damaging UV rays. Choose a sunscreen that has an SPF of 30 or higher and contains titanium dioxide, zinc, mexoryl SX, avobenzone. These ingredients provide excellent sun protection and are not absorbed into the skin. Don’t forget your neck, chest, and hands! Chances are you are applying sunscreen to your face on a daily basis but neglecting your neck, chest, and hands. The neck, chest, and hands are also exposed to the sun and at risk of premature aging and skin cancer. Even if your face looks youthful, your neck, chest, and hands could be an age giveaway. A range of issues can affect the appearance of one’s neck and hands, depending on age, sun damage, fat atrophy, muscle weakening, skin laxity, and body weight. There are several non-invasive options that can vastly improve your appearance producing younger a looking neck and hands.

OVER EXFOLIATING

Getting rid of dry, dead skin cells can leave your skin looking smoother and supple. Over exfoliation can cause more harm than good to your skin. Start by testing any new product on a small area of your face and watch to see how your skin reacts. The proper exfoliation for your skin type should leave your skin looking and feeling smoother and refreshed. You can start exfoliating once a week and can go up to three times per week depending on your skin sensitivity. Over manipulating the skin is a big NO! Regular use of excessive exfoliation with chemicals or mechanical methods can lead to damage of your skin. If you exfoliate to the point that your skin turns red and flaky, STOP! Be gentle to your skin and treat it with care. A dermatologist can advise you on caring for your particular skin type.

HYDRATION

Drinking 6-8 glasses of water daily does not necessarily mean that your skin will be automatically hydrated. The water you consume daily first goes through your intestines where it gets absorbed into your bloodstream, is filtered by your kidneys, and is absorbed by cells in your skin and other organs aiding in your bodies hydration. The moisture in your skin can be preserved by avoiding the use of harsh soaps that can strip away natural oils. Instead, use a mild, non-abrasive, alcohol free cleanser. Minimize your exposure to moisture depleting elements such as the sun, harsh winds, low humidity, alcohol, and prolonged baths. Your diet plays a large role in promoting your skin’s ability to maintain its natural moisture.  Include foods that are rich in essential fatty acids which are commonly found in salmon, flax seeds, walnuts, and olive oil.  A healthy diet that includes three to five servings a week of these essential fatty acids will aid in reducing red, flaky, dry skin.   Include some Chia in your diet.  These wonderful seeds contain high levels of Omega-3 which your body needs but it does not produce. Omega-3’s help keep skin hydrated. Chia seeds are hydrophilic, absorbing more than 10 times their weight in water.

DR. SCHWEITZER’S
QUICK TIPS
FOR HEALTHY AND YOUNGER LOOKING SKIN

1. Wear sunscreen daily. Use a moisturizer for the face that has an SPF of 30 or higher.

2. Do not over-wash your face. Excess washing strips your skin of the protective oils that assist in trapping moisture.

3. Stay away from tanning beds or the sun, do a spray tan instead.

4. Moisturize your skin daily, this will make your skin look younger and brighter.

5. Limit the number of products you use on your skin. Using too many anti-aging products can irritate your skin.

6. Be patient and give the product time to work. While some moisturizers can rather quickly plump up fine lines, most products take a few weeks to work.

For more information:
prodermimage.com

Book your next appointment with Dr. Schweitzer:
805.379.5970

960 South Westlake Blvd., Suite 208
Westlake Village, CA 91361