Beauty Watch: Seven Skin Care Tips for Any Age

November is National Healthy Skin Month and the perfect time to learn how to maintain healthy skin care habits. Studies have demonstrated that exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun and indoor tanning damages the DNA in our skin cells. This not only increases a person's risk for skin cancer, it can also lead to premature skin aging in the form of wrinkles and sun spots. 

 

 "It's possible to have vibrant skin at any age, as long as you take steps to properly care for your skin," said board-certified dermatologist Bethanee J. Schlosser, MD, PhD, FAAD, assistant professor of dermatology and director of Women's Skin Health at Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago. "For example, wearing sunscreen protects the skin from both harmful UVA and UVB rays and is one of the most effective ways to prevent wrinkling and sun damage."

For additional ways to prevent premature skin aging, Dr. Schlosser recommends the following tips:

  1. Use gentle skin care products: For healthier-looking skin, consider using mild, unscented products year-round. Deodorant soaps, alcohol-based toners and products that contain fragrance can leave aging skin feeling irritated and dry.
  2. Consider using an AHA or retinoid product:Products with alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or retinoids can make your skin look younger. If you want to reduce the signs of aging, ask your dermatologist if a product that contains a retinoid, such as tretinoin, may be right for you. Also consider using products with antioxidants, as these may help repair and prevent further skin damage. Regimens can also be tailored to minimize potential skin irritation.
  3. Be gentle with acne-prone skin: If you struggle with acne as an adult, use – and overuse – of anti-acne cleansers and products may irritate your skin. Consider switching to a mild cleanser with salicylic acid or sulfur. Make sure all skin care products and cosmetics are labeled non-comedogenic, non-acnegenic or oil-free. In addition, wash gently, as scrubbing can further irritate the skin.
  4. Moisturize: Oil production in the skin diminishes in our 40s, so it is important to moisturize your skin regularly. The best time to moisturize is right after taking a bath or shower. If your skin still feels dry with consistent daily moisturizing, apply moisturizer a few times throughout the day.
  5. Protect your skin from the sun: Research has shown that ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun accelerate skin aging – making sun protection a critical part of every anti-aging skin care plan. To protect your skin, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to your face, neck and body whenever you are going outside. For additional protection, seek shade and wear sun-protective clothing whenever possible.
  6. Keep your hands protected: Be sure to also apply sunscreen to your hands to protect them from premature aging. Consider applying a glycolic acid or antioxidant product to your hands to help repair sun damage.
  7. Do not smoke: Tobacco smoke contains toxins that can lead to "smoker's" face - a term used by doctors to describe the dull and dry complexion, loss of skin firmness, premature lines and wrinkles, especially around the mouth, and leathery-looking skin that smokers often have.

"Many things cause our skin to age – some we cannot do anything about, and others we can influence," said Dr. Schlosser. "If your complexion bothers you or you're worried about wrinkles, you should consult a board-certified dermatologist."  

The "Skin Care in Your 40s and 50s" video is posted to the Academy website and the Academy's YouTube channel. This video is part of the Dermatology A to Z: Video Series, which offers relatable videos that demonstrate tips people can use to properly care for their skin, hair and nails. A new video in the series posts to the Academy's website and YouTube channel each month.

# # #

Headquartered in Schaumburg, Ill., the American Academy of Dermatology (Academy), founded in 1938, is the largest, most influential, and most representative of all dermatologic associations. With a membership of more than 17,000 physicians worldwide, the Academy is committed to: advancing the diagnosis and medical, surgical and cosmetic treatment of the skin, hair and nails; advocating high standards in clinical practice, education, and research in dermatology; and supporting and enhancing patient care for a lifetime of healthier skin, hair and nails.

For more information www.aad.org. Follow the Academy on Facebook(American Academy of Dermatology), Twitter (@AADskin), orYouTube (AcademyofDermatology).

Haute Tease

  • Money News: Tax and Estate Planning Strategies

    Managing and preserving wealth requires strategic planning, especially when dealing with a million-dollar estate. Effective tax and estate planning can ensure that your assets are protected, your tax liabilities minimized, and your wealth is transferred according to your wishes.

     
  • And the Oscar for Best Documentary Short Film Goes To . . .

    Documentary films bring the world into our living rooms, we are treated to lands, times, events that we would never see, astonished at stories of overcoming obstacles and provide clarity into our own situations, they provide a looking glass into another's life, dreams, survival, hope and heart.

     
  • Academy Reveals 2024 Nicholl Screenwriting Fellows

    Four individuals and one writing team have been selected as recipients of the 2024 Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting.  Each individual and writing team will receive a $35,000 prize and mentorship from an Academy member throughout their fellowship year.  

     
  • Breaking News: Amtrak Derails Outside Philadelphia, 2 Dead; 35 Injured

    Two are dead and nearly three dozen injured as an Amtrak commuter train, carrying 334 passengers, derailed outside of Philadelphia after striking a backhoe, in Delaware County, Delaware, Maryland, effectively shutting down the Eastern Corridor service.

     
  • Victim in South Carolina Police Shooting Owed Child Support

    A South Carolina police officer shot and killed an unarmed black man after a routine traffic stop in which the victim ran as he could not produce insurance or registration papers for the vehicle pulled over for a faulty tail light.

     
  • Earthx Film Festival Announces Its 2022 Program Lineup

    EarthX Film Festival 2022 presented by Curiosity unveiled its programming lineup with over 75 feature-length and short films screening during its four-day run May 12-15, in the Dallas Arts District, providing easy walking for attendees.

Arts / Culture