We can always take care of our skin more starting now. It’s never too late to become extremely skin-conscious and a lot of people benefit from this change. Moisturizers are easy enough to procure, and sometimes they can even be free. Some resort to trapping the skin’s moisture after bathing by applying lotion. Some go for anti-aging skin care products that work the same way as regular lotions, but longer. If you have ever spend your summer lazing around in the sun without regard for your skin, it’s time for a change.
Winter doesn’t give much respite either. The cold and frost will dry your skin as fast as sunlight, and so you still need to use moisturizers even during the winter season. Begin by getting a good anti-aging skin care regimen. Develop one yourself, and don’t use the excuse that salons are expensive to opt out of better skin care processes. When we do these things to care for our skin, our inner radiance will be evident in the way our skin glows.
Cleansing the skin is the first step to taking care of it. Cleansing doesn’t just mean giving your skin a thorough scrubbing. It also means choosing which bar of soap will work best for your skin. Some soaps can clean but not moisturize. If you can find a skin care product that does both, go for it. You can also use some natural elements to cleanse your skin. Fruits when macerated and crushed can become great skin care products. Whatever you do, make sure you’re pampering your skin more.
Mild cleansers are great for the face. The skin on your face is a lot more sensitive than that on your hand or legs. I’ve tried Aveeno, Olay, and Biore and they all work great. The best thing is that they are gentle. A skin care product is gentle if your skin does not feel tight right after you use it. Moreover, your skin shouldn’t itch at all after you use the product. Some skin care products are perfect for certain skin types, but to be safe, try the gentlest ones first to test if your skin is more sensitive than others.
Adopt a twice-daily cleaning routine. This means you use your brand of skin care product before you go to work and before you go to bed. In between, you can use a soft sponge to hydrate or clean your skin, but the beautifying should be done twice a day to avoid scrubbing the skin on your face more than necessary.
For your hands, use mild, soap that has antibacterial properties. It’s great if you can find a hand sanitizer that doesn’t contain too much alcohol. Rubbing alcohol can kill bacteria but it can dry your skin.
Exfoliation is a great way to get rid of dead skin cells and make room for new ones. This should be a regular part of your routine. If you don’t have the time to exfoliate daily, do this twice on the weekend to keep your body’s skin supple and smooth. Everyday exfoliation is also possible using loofa sponge or a soft scrubber that will slough off the skin cells that are dried out or dying. This is a secret to that healthy glow. The healthy skins in the pink of health are always replenished because of proper cleansing procedures.
If you’re like most people, you probably spend much of your summer season in places near the beach. We all like a mild climate and we enjoy athletic activities in these places. Some of these activities include swimming, biking and playing some outdoor games. There are many instances during a normal day that we are exposed to direct sunlight and its dangers. That’s why we always need to apply sunscreen.
Living in a cooler, northern climate doesn’t keep us safe from skin cancer. The summers can be humid, and even when the sun is not always visible during winter season, the UV rays are constantly around us so we have to use sunscreen.
You may not think skin cancer is such a big deal but the truth is, as long as you are living in a world that has thinning protection against the sun’s harmful rays, you are at risk of developing skin cancer.
There are also myths associated with skin cancer that makes us complacent. Here they are.
Myth: Tanning Beds are Safe
People who use tanning beds instead of direct sun exposure to get that golden glow they want are still exposed to UV rays. Tanning beds use UVA rays rather than UVB rays, but 20 minutes of exposure in a tanning bed is roughly equivalent to four hours in the sun. This is because UVA gets inside the skin cells more deeply than UVB. The more tan you get, the more deeply the UVA rays have penetrated your skin. You’re in danger of getting immune-compromised if you keep this up, but that’s the least of your worries. What really need to worry about is getting skin cancer.
Myth: Not Going to the Beach Means You’re Less Exposed
Even on cloudy days, you are exposed to the sun. The beach, although the haven for sun worshippers and beach-ready bodies, is not the only place to get exposed to the sun. You get exposed to the same amount of UV rays that beach goers get just by doing menial chores without sufficient sun protection. You’re at risk of getting skin cancer even if you just leave the home to go to your car, walk the dog or let your children out to play at any time of year.
This is the reason why most people use lightweight clothing that covers their arms even when they’re not at the beach. Sunscreen must be applied every two hours or after getting soaked in water.
Myth: Being Darker Means You’re less Likely to Develop Skin cancer
This is a common myth. It seems that dark skinned individuals think they are less likely to develop cancer, but the risk is the same. If you’re artificially dark, or you have been tanning for a long time, the risk is double. Tanned skin is really skin that has been damaged. Repeated tanning means more skin injures, and this leads to greater risk.
So how do you protect yourself and your family from cancer? Limit sun exposure, especially for babies. Regularly examine your skin for early signs of damage. And most of all, use a sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher and apply it at least 30 minutes before exposure, and every two hours after initial application.
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