Happy New Year! We all know that January 1 is an exciting time to set goals and intentions for yourself for the next 365 days. While goals might include losing weight, being more patient, living in the moment, or getting outside of your comfort zone, it’s also a great time to make sure you’re taking care of yourself and your skin!
Did you know that your skin is the largest organ of the body? It’s true! Not only that, but it requires constant care to function at its best. So if your goal is to reduce breakouts, minimize wrinkles, stay on top of your freckles and moles, or to have younger looking skin, here are five ways you can achieve that in 2021.
1: Drink Water
Not only is drinking water important for your overall health and bodily functions, it’s incredibly important for your skin. If you’re not drinking enough water, your skin can not only become dry and lose elasticity, but can also become irritated and itchy, increasing your chance of acne, wrinkles and general irritation.
For those of us who live in Florida, we know that heat and humidity make us lose a lot of water through perspiration, making it even more crucial to drink as much water as possible. A good rule of thumb is to try and drink between half an ounce and an ounce of water for each pound you weigh, every day.
2: Wear Sunscreen Daily
Never go outside without first applying sunscreen! Even if it’s cloudy, or you’ll only be outside “for a few minutes,” it’s important to apply sunscreen, and apply it correctly. Our team of board certified dermatologists recommend a sunscreen with at least SPF 30, and to apply enough to cover your entire body – including face! – and reapply every two hours.
Not only does protecting yourself from the sun help to reduce the chance of sun damage and premature aging, you’ll also reduce the chances of developing skin cancer later in life. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, regular daily use of sunscreen can lower your melanoma risk by 50%.
3: Schedule an Annual Dermatologist Appointment
Don’t wait until you have an area of concern to see your dermatologist! Scheduling an annual dermatologist appointment should be a part of your yearly health and wellness routine. Not only will your dermatologist be able to help with a suspicious mole or problem with acne or dry skin, but he/she will also be able to evaluate your skin overall and take note of any changes over time, including moles, texture, tone, and more.
At Siperstein Dermatology Group, we are the only private practice in the Southeast United States to employ the DermaGraphix Mole Mapping and artificial intelligence technology, which helps dermatologists to more easily spot new moles and track changes to patients’ existing moles – one of the earliest possible signs of melanoma. Not only does this technology create a baseline for your skin from the first visit, it will also help to track all changes so treatment, if needed, can be done as soon as an issue is recognized!
4: Moisturize/Exfoliate Regularly
Not only does moisturized skin look better, it also feels better. Keeping your skin well moisturized is important for reducing dryness and wrinkles, and we recommend moisturizing daily. The best time is right after a warm shower or bath, when your skin is still moist, allowing for the moisturizer to be absorbed more quickly and efficiently.
Exfoliation also helps to keep your skin looking fresh and healthy because it removes the dead skin cells off the surface of the skin, encouraging new cells to regenerate. Exfoliating your skin allows for skin with a smoother texture. When you combine both moisturizing and exfoliating to your skin care regimen, you’ll have glowing and radiant skin that looks and feels great.
5: Don’t Touch Your Face!
Because we use our hands for everything, they are the No. 1 culprit for carrying dirt and bacteria. The last place you want that ending up is on your face. Even if you wash your hands often (which we recommend), it’s important to avoid touching your face as much as possible throughout the day to avoid pore-clogging irritants from creating breakouts and irritation.
This also includes avoiding the temptation to pop pimples! Popping a pimple spreads bacteria to the surrounding area and creates an open wound, which could lead to scarring and pigmentation changes.
The board certified dermatologists and skin care professionals at Siperstein Dermatology Group are here to help you start 2021 with the healthiest skin possible. Regardless if you have an area of concern, would like to discuss the best treatments to help you achieve your skin care goals, or want to have peace of mind with a full body skin check, we are here to provide you with unparalleled patient care. Contact us today for an in-office or virtual appointment.
