Smoking, Sun, Skin and More

It's not only the sun! Your skin can be harmed by a number of other factors such as smoking. Here are five tips on how to take care of your skin and maintain it hydrated. It's not all about drinking water. There are equally important steps you can take towards maintaining a healthy looking and feeling skin.









1- Protect your skin from the sun as long exposure to the sun can cause wrinkles, age spots and increase your risk of developing skin cancer:
   a- Use a broad spectrum sunscreen (SPF at least 15), re-apply every 2 hours if outdoors, or more if swimming or perspiring.
   b- Stay in the shade especially between 10 am and 4 pm as sun rays are strongest then.
   c- Wear protective clothing with long sleeved shirts, long pants and hats as much as possible.

2-  Avoid smoking as it makes your skin look older and add wrinkles to it. It "narrows the tiny blood vissels in the outermost layers of skin, which decreases blood flow." This deprives the skin of nutrients it needs such as Oxygen and elastin-the fibers that strengthen your skin and gives it elasticity. Even the face expression you make when you smoke adds wrinkles to your face around your lips and eyes. For this and many other known reasons, just try to quit and seek help from your health professional if needed!







3- Treat skin gently by following the following tips:
   a- Limit bath time and long showers as they remove natural oils from your skin and use warm, not hot,
water.
   b- Don't use strong soaps and cleansers for the same reason and opt for mild ones instead.
   c- Apply shaving cream or lotion before shaving and use a clean, sharp razor in the direction of the hair growth, not against it.
   d- Don't rub your skin dry harshly after washing or bathing. rather, pat it dry gently so that some moisture remains in.
   e- Use a moisturizer that matches your skin type and consider ones with SPF for daily usage.

4- Eat healthy. Healthy skin begins form the inside! Include in your diet lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins. Some research suggests that "a diet rich in vitamin C and low in unhealthy fats and processed or refined carbohydrates might promote younger looking skin."

5- Control stress as it could make your skin more sensitive and contribute to skin problems. Take serious steps to control your time and schedule in a less stressful way and make time to do what you enjoy. (1)
     





Furthermore, if you want your skin to remain hydrated, consider following these tips:

- Avoid exposure to dry air,

- Avoid prolonged contact with hot or chlorinated water, 

- Use a gentle cleanser instead of soap, 

- Avoid using skin care products that contain alcohol,

- Moisturize immidiately after a bath or shower and regularly throughout the day,

- Use a humidifier,

- Wear a scarf and gloves when going out in cold weather. (2)  

Stay safe this summer and all year around by taking good care of this beautiful cover we have, skin. If you have other tips, share with us below.  


Sources:
1- Mayo Clinic: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/skin-care/SN00003 
2- http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hydrated-skin/AN02191

Images:
- http://studio64skincare.com/
- http://www.webmd.com/beauty/wrinkles/ss/slideshow-reducing-wrinkles  
- http://health.howstuffworks.com/skin-care/daily/regimen/daily-oily-skin-care-regimens.htm 
- http://www.kanebo.com/beautyadvice/skincare/cleansing.html 
- http://www.elitereflectionsalon.com/residents-encouraged-to-get-skin-care-in-salt-lake-city-health.php
- http://julielindh.com/2013/05/19/your-skin-needs-four-seasons-of-skincare/