As you age, your skin not only loses moisture, but it also loses vital elasticity that’s important to appearance and overall health. Because your skin is your largest organ of the body, it takes a lot of nutrients to maintain its structural integrity. If you’re over 40, you may have tried several moisturizers and creams to retain that youthful appearance. While some may help, it’s important to practice good skin health now, so that you can preserve your skin for many years to come.
Staying Hydrated
Part of keeping your skin looking its very best is to stay hydrated throughout the day. Your body loses a lot of moisture when you sweat or you engage in outdoor activities in the heat. While it’s impossible to preserve skin elasticity as you move past your 40s, you can still keep your skin glowing by avoiding a dry out and using organic skin care products.
When eating a proper diet with plenty of water-based fruits and veggies, such as watermelon and cucumbers, you end up adding more water to your diet which can contribute to a natural moisturizer. This helps your skin retain its smooth texture, therefore possibly avoiding the onset of fine line and wrinkles.
Your dermatologist can perform non-invasive procedures such as skin contouring and resurfacing that target your outer layer of skin to help improve skin cell growth and restore vitality in your skin. Microdermabrasion and chemical peels are other options to help you shed away dry, dead skin and reduce the appearance of skin damage and the effects of age and sun.
Annual Visits to Your Dermatologist
The best way to get to the bottom of problem skin issues is to visit your dermatologist at least once a year. Your doctor may be able to spot issues prior to becoming a major issue. Subtle changes in your skin such as age spots, discolorations or suspicious moles will be noted and addressed at your annual check-up.
Maybe you have a patch of dry skin that is also itchy, bumpy or doesn’t respond to hydration. Your dermatologist will be able to closely look at it and tell you if the skin needs to be biopsied for further testing. Annual visits are also a good time to have a complete body checkup to help detect the early signs of skin cancer. Your doctor will take pictures of moles that have changed and need to be monitored closely for the next six to twelve months. This allows him to compare the moles next time you visit. Because as you age, your risk increases for skin cancer, so it’s good to bring up any concerns at your annual appointment.
Checking for Skin Changes
It’s important to check your skin for changes every day, not just when you visit your skin doctor. Because conditions like melanoma can appear quickly and progress rapidly, it’s important to identify the telltale signs of a mole that could be cancerous.
- A- Asymmetry
- B- Border irregularities
- C- Color changes and variation throughout a mole
- D- Diameter of mole or spot larger than ¼ inch
- E- Evolving or changing rapidly over time
Knowing the ABCD and Es of skin changes apply to more than just melanoma. Other cancers such as basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma can also be identified by any changes in the skin. If you notice an existing mole is changing or a new one has appeared, it’s important to call your dermatologist right away for an exam. Skin that is itching or wounds that don’t heal should also prompt a call to your family doctor or dermatologist for a checkup.
Avoiding Toxic Environments
Everyone knows that the sun does a lot of damage to your skin. That’s why it’s important to always wear an SPF when you’re outside, even on cloudy days. But what about spaces that may be toxic to your skin? This could be a work environment, moldy space or being around people who smoke cigarettes. The smoke, mold, carcinogens and other materials can actually make your skin dull over time, which can have lasting effects as you age well into your 40s and beyond.
If you have to be in an environment that could be potentially hazardous, protect your eyes and lungs first. Always make sure to wash your body, especially face as soon as you get back in a clean location. Environmental toxins can reduce oxygen flow to your skin which can lead to breakdown, affecting the preservation of the outer layer of your skin. Choosing natural-based skin care cleaners and moisturizers can help improve the damage caused by environmental pollutants.
Making sure that you take care of your skin now and as you age is important to your overall health. Taking small steps goes a long way in reaching your skincare goals.
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