Avoiding Damage to Your Skin

We can have the best skin care routine and still notice damage to our skin. Why is that? The elements, alcohol, what we eat, our sleep routine, our laundry detergent and much more can cause changes to our face. So, here are some things to be aware of when avoiding damage to your skin and how to protect yourself from them.

Sun Exposure

The sun is the main cause of skin damage, according to Faramarz Samie, MD, PhD, director of Mohs Surgery and vice chair of the department of dermatology at Columbia University Medical Center in New York. The sun’s rays break down the collagen and elastin in your skin and eventually the effects of the sun show on your skin as wrinkles, age spots (patches of brown spots), and possibly skin cancer. To avoid sun damage, avoid sitting in direct sunlight in the middle of the day, wear protective clothing such as hats and long sleeves and invest in a broad-spectrum sunscreen — one that protects against both UVA and UVB rays — with a sun protection factor of 30 or higher. Don’t forget to reapply every two hours for maximum protection.

Alcohol

Something that many people don’t consider is the damage alcohol can cause to the skin. Alcohol is a toxin that can affect the quality, appearance and ageing of your skin. You can lose plenty of skin cell-loving water from the body quite rapidly, leaving your skin dehydrated, dull and flakey. You will notice the short-term effects immediately. 24 hours after one night of excessive drinking, your skin will appear dull, slack, lined and those who suffer from acne and rosacea will see flare ups. Monitoring your alcohol intake and drinking

Smoking

If you are a smoker, you may notice your skin doesn’t heal as well as a non smoker’s skin. Wrinkles will appear more easily. When you smoke, your blood vessels constrict and nutrients and oxygen find it harder to reach the skin. Your skin loses elasticity and for women, smoking leads to lower estrogen levels, which dries out the skin. Smoking can be difficult to quit, but worth considering if you have concerns for your skin.

These are just a few of the things that can have consequences for your skin. If you would like more advice for your skin, get in touch with us!