Skin Tips

WHY WASHING YOUR FACE EVERYDAY IS IMPORTANT:

Daily cleansing is essential to keep your skin looking radiant and healthy. Throughout the day the skin on your face is continually covered with bacteria, pollutants, viruses, dirt, old (dead) skin cells and excess oils (which cause acne). Daily facial washing removes these impurities to give the skin a fresh look. Cleansing helps your facial anti-aging and acne treatments work properly and helps maintain proper pore size.

STEP TO WASHING YOUR FACE, NECK, AND DÉCOLLETAGE:

  1. Wash your hands.

  2. Pull your hair back and wet your skin with warm water.

  3. Apply a cleanser, that works best for your skin type, with your finger tips. Using a washcloth or mesh sponge can irritate your skin.  If you must use a wash cloth make sure it is clean, never reuse.  Most fabrics hold in bacteria which will cause irritation, breakouts, and even infection.  Try using a mirco fiber or an alternative option like Spa Sister gentle cruelty-free Chamois Facial cloth.

  4. Gently exfoliate your skin twice a week. Do not over exfoliate.

  5. Rinse and pat it dry with a clean towel.

  6. Apply toner for a smooth appearance.

  7. Apply moisturizer to face and neck.

  8. Apply a sunscreen with UVA and UVB protection.

PROTECT YOUR SKIN FROM THE SUN:

  1. Use sunscreen daily. Use a generously apply sunscreen to all exposed skin.   A broad-spectrum sunscreen with both UVA and UVB protection of at least SPF 30 is best.

  2. Wear protective clothing and sunglasses with UV protection.

  3. Seek shade when possible, especially from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.. If there is no shade around, create your own using an umbrella or by wear a wide-brimmed hat.

  4. Say farewell to tanning, both indoor and outdoor. Tanning can lead to wrinkles, age spots, and skin cancer.  Get that golden glow by using self tanning products instead.

SUNSCREEN:

Sunscreen protects your skin from the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays (UVA and UVB). The number one cause of premature aging of the face is ultraviolet (UVA) exposure. By wearing sunscreen, you are slowing down the development of wrinkles and leathery skin.  Sunscreen prevents facial age spots  and skin discolorations, keeping your skin tone even.  Using sunscreen daily, even when it is cloudy, raining, or if you are driving in your car, dramatically reduces your risk of developing skin cancer.  This is especially true of the deadliest form of skin cancer, melanoma.   Selecting a sunscreen is Important.  Choose a sunscreen that can prevent sunburn, reduce your risk of getting skin cancer, and help prevent early signs  of skin aging, and discoloration.  We recommend purchasing sunscreen with the following ingredients; zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, and iron oxide for optimal protection from UVA, UVB and Visible light rays.  We can help select the correct sunscreen for your skin.

SELF EXAMINATIONS:

During your self examination if you notice any new or suspicious spots on your skin, or any spots that are changing, itching or bleeding, make an appointment to see a board-certified dermatologist.  Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer.  When detected early, it can be effectively treated.  Become familiar with the ABCDEs of Melanoma.

  • Asymmetry - One half is unlike the other half.

  • Border - Irregular, scalloped or poorly defined border.

  • Color - Varied from one area to another; has shades of tan, brown, or black; sometimes white, red, or blue.

  • Diameter - While melanomas are usually greater than 6mm (the size of a pencil eraser) when diagnosed, they can be smaller.

  • Evolving - A mole or sin lesion that looks different from the rest or is changing in size, shape or color.