Keeping Aging Skin Healthy – Part One

With age, the skin suffers natural wear and tear, just like the rest of our bodies. But much of what we think of as natural aging is in fact due to sun exposure and other factors. That means it can be avoided -and it’s never too late to start. In Rancho Cucamonga, Dr. Vidor provides comprehensive care for a variety of skin-related conditions. Below are some tips to prevent unnecessary aging and keep your skin as healthy as possible. 

Protect Yourself from the Sun: One of the most important ways to keep your aging skin healthy is to protect it from the sun. A lifetime of sun exposure can cause wrinkles, age spots and other skin problems — as well as increase the risk of skin cancer.

For the most complete sun protection:

• Use sunscreen: Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. Apply sunscreen generously and reapply every two hours — or more often if you’re swimming or perspiring.
• Seek shade: Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when the sun’s rays are strongest.
• Wear protective clothing: Cover your skin with tightly woven long-sleeved shirts, long pants and wide-brimmed hats. Also consider special sun-protective clothing which is specifically designed to block ultraviolet rays.

Don’t Smoke: Smoking makes your skin look older and contributes to wrinkles. Smoking narrows the tiny blood vessels in the outermost layers of skin which decreases blood flow. This depletes the skin of oxygen and nutrients that are important to skin health.

Smoking also damages collagen and elastin — the fibers that give your skin strength and elasticity. In addition, the repetitive facial expressions you make when smoking, such as pursing your lips when inhaling, can contribute to wrinkles.

If you smoke, the best way to protect your skin is to quit. Dr. Vidor can provide tips to help you stop smoking.

Keeping Aging Skin Healthy to be continued…