Answers.com Article: Skin Resolutions for the New Year

 

The following is a preview of an article Dr. Miller wrote for Answers.com. Click here to read the full article.

It's never too late to start taking care of your skin to make it look its best. If you want skin that glows and appears younger and less wrinkled, here are some New Year's skin resolutions to get you started.

1. Stop Smoking

There are plenty of other health reasons to stop smoking, but the skin is affected by smoking as well. A smoker's skin over time becomes thickened, leathery and less able to heal itself. The nicotine literally cuts off the blood supply and oxygen to the skin. If you don't smoke, don't start. If you do smoke, do yourself a big favor and stop. You will not only feel better, but look better as well.

2. Wear Sunscreen

Protecting your skin from the sun is essential and mandatory for healthy, wrinkle-free skin. It needs to be worn every day on sun exposed areas. The rays of the sun that cause aging and wrinkles (called UVA) reach the skin even on cloudy days and penetrate deeply enough to damage the collagen layer and the living skin cells. Incorporate a sunscreen into your daily regimen either in your make up or a light moisturizer.

3. Avoid Tanning Beds

It is now a known fact that tanning beds cause skin cancer. Utilizing tanning beds in the teen years increases the risk for developing a melanoma, the most deadly skin cancer, later in life. If that isn't a good enough reason by itself, then tanning beds can also cause skin wrinkling and a leathery appearance to the skin. Tanning beds should simply be avoided.

4. Maintain a Healthy Diet

A diet rich in antioxidants and nutrients is not only good for general health, but for the skin as well. Incorporating colorful fresh fruits and vegetables into the diet and avoiding foods high in fat and foods prepared by frying can help the skin repair damage from the sun and the pollutants in the air.

To find out more resolutions for clear and glowing skin, click here to read the rest of the article or call Greenville Dermatology today at (864)242-5872.