F E AT U R E
HEALTHY
SKIN & NAILS {from}
THE INSIDE OUT W R I T T E N B Y D r. C o l b y E v a n s , M D
I
t is said that the eyes are the window to the
important step. Sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours
soul. In that spirit, your skin can be a window
or immediately after swimming and other water activities.
to overall health and fitness. Because skin is on
Remember, the UVA rays that contribute to photoaging
display for the world every day, it is important
penetrate most car windows. So, even if you don’t spend a lot
not only to keep your skin healthy but to
of time outdoors, your daily exposure can really add up when
watch for changes in your skin, hair, or nails which might aid in
you factor in your drive time. Those tanning rays damage the
the early detection of underlying health problems.
DNA of each skin cell which over time will destroy that cell’s
Dermatologists and plastic surgeons have an ever expanding toolkit
ability to grow and repair itself, leading to wrinkles, sun spots,
to help aging skin from injectable fillers to laser treatments. It is
and even skin cancer. As with most cancers, prevention is the
exciting that these treatments offer more ways than ever to restore a
best bet since treating skin cancers often involves surgery.
youthful look. But even state-of-the-art treatments administered by
If you find you can go a whole summer without running out
the top doctors do not match the positive healthy glow that comes
of sunscreen, it is probably a sign you’re not using enough
from good overall health and a protective daily skin care routine.
(a shot glass sized quantity is recommended to cover visible
Protecting your skin from the damage of ultraviolet rays from the
30
skin) or you are not using it as frequently as you think you are.
sun is the most important step you can take every day to prevent
Treat your skin gently - handle it like a fine fabric. Pushing, pulling,
skin cancer, prevent the signs of aging, and maintain healthy skin
scrubbing, and popping are tempting, but they take a noticeable toll.
for the long-term. Recent research has debunked the conventional
Those small stresses on the skin weaken the network of collagen
wisdom that we get most of our sun damage before the age of 18,
fibers that keep your skin looking plump and youthful. And the micro-
so it is never too late to begin a new and healthy regimen.
damage done by rough scrubbing can result in hyperpigmentation,
Getting into the daily habit of wearing a sunscreen with a SPF
broken blood vessels, and under-eye circles. A mild and fragrance-
rating of 30 or higher and a brimmed hat is the first and most
free cleanser should be used once or twice daily to remove dirt, oil, and
IN FLUENTIAL