Skin Through the Ages: The 20s

 
This post is the second in a series called “Skin Through the Ages.” The series will focus on how to take care of and manage skin at various points in life. This post focuses on the 20s.

Your 20s are all about choices: choosing who you want to be, what you want to do, where you want to live, where to go for spring break…. Along with all those choices is choosing the type of skin you want. “Huh? I already know my skin type, so what gives?” Yes, you already have the dry, normal, oily, combination or sensitive skin you had in your teens. That will start to change in your mid- to late 20s. But how you care for your skin during your 20s will determine how soon you see signs of aging in your 30s and what type of damage appears in your 40s. So let’s get to what you should do to help your skin age as gracefully as possible.

A routine
Did you mean to start a regular skin care routine in your teens, but never quite got around to it? Don’t worry. There’s no time like the present, but this is the time you have to establish a routine if you want to set yourself up for good healthy skin down the road. Choose the proper products for your skin type and use them every morning and every night. No exceptions.

Sunscreen
Yes, you hear this everywhere, including in multiple posts on this blog. That’s because it’s so important! We can’t change the body’s aging process (at least not yet), but you can prevent sun damage from adding to the aging process. Use a lotion with at least 30 SPF every day to keep sun damage at bay and avoid unnecessary sun exposure.

Acne
Your teens may be over, but dealing with acne is not. Many people continue to experience issues with acne well into their 20s. Make sure to continue using acne treatment products as needed and avoid triggers that may cause breakouts. These include touching your face unnecessarily, using overly drying products, not moisturizing properly or stress, among others.

Anti-aging
Although we were just talking about acne – traditionally a teenage problem – skin care in your 20s is tricky. There’s a reason why skin care lines offer products that are both anti-aging and acne treating. In your mid-20s, the rate your skin turns over will start to slow, and in your late 20s, you may start seeing some fine lines. These combination products are meant for that unfair time when acne and fine lines creep in at the same time. Introduce a gentle exfoliant into your skin care routine in your mid- to late 20s to avoid the fine lines, but also to make sure that it won’t irritate your acne.

All those other pesky -ings
Now is the time to stop those other bad habits you’ve picked up: smoking; drinking (too much); eating (too much and the wrong foods); and sleeping (too little). These things may seem fun now, but in 10 to 20 years, you’ll think differently. You’ll want to make these changes now before they leave their permanent mark on your body.

Are there any other skin problems that you’re experiencing in your 20s? Post them in the comments below and I’ll try to help you out! If you need to schedule an appointment, visit our website. 

Skin Through The Ages: The Teenage Years

 
This post is the first in a series called “Skin Through the Ages.” The series will focus on how to take care of and manage skin at various points in life. This post addresses the teenage years. 

Do me a favor. Take a minute and close out the chats, games and other apps you have running. Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let me get to the point quickly. You’re going to get old one day. Yeah, I know, it’ll happen a million years from now, but one day in the not-so-distant future, you’ll look in the mirror and ask, “What are those lines? Where did I get this spot on my face? I AM getting old!” Then you’ll wonder why you didn’t listen to that blog post you came across when you were still young and had great skin. So consider yourself lucky and listen to these skin care tips that will have your friends in the future seriously jealous of your youthful complexion.

What am I?
You can’t take care of your skin if you don’t know what type of skin you have. The five basic skin types are dry, normal, oily, combination and sensitive. The names describe each skin type exactly as they sound. If you’re still unsure, you can have your skin analyzed at a skin care counter in the mall or make an appointment with a dermatologist or other skin care professional.

Do it to it.
Now that you know your skin care type, it’s time to take care of it twice a day. Wash and moisturize your skin every morning and every night. Use spot treatments as needed for your acne, scars or other problems. Most importantly, use products meant for teenage skin. The stuff your grandma uses is probably not right for you now.

Too slick?
You may think your skin is already soft enough or too oily for lotion, but that isn’t true. After washing, your skin needs moisture. If you don’t use a proper product, your skin will likely over-compensate, producing its own oil to get back to its natural state. This can cause your face to be even more oily and at risk for acne. Use the right moisturizer for your skin type, including an oil-free lotion and one with sunscreen.

Take it off!
Hold on a second, we’re talking about your makeup. Yes, morning-after makeup looks good on TV and in the movies, but it will look quite the opposite in real life. Leftover makeup can suffocate your skin overnight and make your eyes feel gritty and irritated in the morning. Even if you’re too exhausted to do your whole skin care routine, AT LEAST take off your makeup.

Hands off!
Yeah, I know, we’re really bossy when it comes to your skin, but keep your hands off of your face! Unless you just washed your hands, wherever they’ve been is going to wind up on your FACE! Pretty gross, right?  Avoid touching your face unnecessarily.

Hands off! (Part deux)
Oh yeah, I almost forgot, don’t pick at your pimples! Although your face is nice, it isn’t magic. You know how when you scrape your knee or arm and get a scar? The same will happen to your face. That’s not cute.

You aren’t a baker…
So don’t cook your skin! Yes, that nice golden glow looks really good, but you should think twice unless you want to look like this. If you must have the tan-like glow, use a bronzer or self-tanner, but leave the frying in the kitchen.

So off you go, and if for some reason your skin confuses you, leave me a comment below and I’ll help you work it out! You can also schedule an appointment with Advanced Dermatology by clicking here.

A Guide to Healthy Fingernails

Fingernails are like frontline soldiers. They go through a lot, but they’re usually tough if you take care of them.

It’s that last part that seems to trip people up sometimes. Nail care is kind of an ambiguous art. Until you break one, experience a painful ingrown or need them to look nice for an event, odds are you don’t pay very close attention to your nails. Here’s The Skinny on a few things you can do to ensure healthy nails – for both your fingers and toes – as well as when to consult a dermatologist for any problems.

Don’t drown them.

Most people don’t even think about potential damage to the nails when they wash dishes, take long baths or wash their hands multiple times per day. If you’ve ever taken a long bath and then tried to clip your nails, you may have noticed they seemed softer or more pliable. That’s what happens when they’re submerged in water for too long – they get soggy! Keep your nails dry and clean to avoid fungus or weak nails that will break or tear. This includes wearing gloves while washing dishes.

Don’t bite them!

This is a given, and I assume most of your mothers told you not to bite your nails. Not only is it gross (do you really want that stuff in your mouth?), it can cause them to fracture at the edges, resulting in breaks later on too. If you need to, paint your nails to avoid biting them. You may even try a strengthening clear polish. Remember though, it’s important to let them breathe at least once a week, so be sure to remove your polish periodically.

Feed them well.

Your nails are made of a protein called keratin that grows from underneath your cuticle. As it regenerates, the harder, tougher parts get pushed out to become your fingernail. Just like the rest of your body, your nails need nutrients. Make sure your diet includes lots of good protein. If you’re looking for a supplement, go for a vitamin with biotin in it. You can also help repair damaged nails topically with Vitamin E. Just use a pin to poke a hole in the supplement pill and rub the gel onto your nails to aid in their healing process.

Give them a little TLC.

Your nails are important! Keep them strong and healthy by taking care of them. When you clip them, be sure to clip them straight across, using a nail file to round out the corners. This will help avoid ingrown nails that are often caused by clipping the nail too close to the bed. Also, don’t forget your nails when moisturizing – while water can “drown” them, a little hand lotion can go a long way in revitalizing them.

And don’t ever use them as a tool! It’s tempting to use your nails to break into a box or get underneath a stubborn bottle cap, but it will ruin them. Also, never “rip off” a hangnail, as it can damage healthy tissue.

You should consult a dermatologist if…

Healthy fingernails are smooth, close to the skin’s natural color and free of discolorations, ridges or blemishes. While white marks or other small imperfections may pop up periodically as a result of injury or other external cause, but some irregularities need to be checked out by a dermatologist. These include:

• Dark or substantial discolorations
•  Change in the growth direction of the nail
• Curling nails
• Bleeding or redness/swelling around the nail bed
• Substantial thinning or thickening of the nail

Have any questions I didn’t answer here? Leave them in the comments and I’ll try to answer them there. If you’d like to get more information about Advanced Dermatology or book an appointment, visit our website here.

A Chilly Weather Skin Care Routine

It’s that time of year -- when heavy clothes, blankets and hot cocoa are in full fashion. Along with those changes, have you considered altering your skin care routine? If not, you should. Cold air doesn’t hold humidity as well, hence the dry winter air. Plus, furnaces, fireplaces and heaters only serve to further dry out your skin. Here are some tips to help your skin endure the winter months unscathed.

Change exfoliants
I can’t say it enough. Pay attention to the condition of your skin. If it seems flakier than normal, you may want to increase how often you exfoliate or change products. By that same token, if your skin looks like it’s more damaged than normal, you’d want to ease up on exfoliating or find a product that is not as harsh. Winter weather can really throw your skin a curve ball, so adjust your exfoliants as needed. For more info, check out our exfoliation blog post.

Don’t forget sunscreen
It may be cold out, but you still need your sunscreen. You should still be wearing a lotion with an SPF of 30 or higher every day. Try to find a thick, moisturizing lotion with an SPF of 30 or higher to do double duty on the moisturizer and sunscreen. For more info and tips on winter sun care, check out our “Sunburn in a Winter Wonderland” blog post.

Moisturize inside out
Although the weather is perfect for cocoa, tea or coffee, you still need to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. While those beverages do contain water, your body still needs plain water for optimal hydration. Add foods that are rich with healthy fats like nuts, fish and avocado to help add essential oils and nutrients back into your body. If need be, take supplements like fish oil and vitamins C, E and B complex to keep skin healthy through the winter. There is more information on the best foods for skin health in our blog post from a few months ago.

Moisturize outside in
Step up your beauty products to formulas that are more moisturizing than your summer products. Use a heavy cream to keep your skin soft and non-flaky. Consider adding aromatherapy oils to your body wash to help nourish dry skin. Also, take warm baths and showers, as the hot water will only further dry out your skin. Use a humidifier in your home to put moisture back into the air. Apply lotion to your hands and feet before bed, and then put thick socks on them (yes, your hands too) to help seal in moisture over night. Use eye drops to keep dry eyes at bay. Finally, use lip balm like there’s no tomorrow.

Hopefully these tips help you fare the winter months better. You still have questions? No problem, just leave them in the comments below and I’ll try to help you out!