One of the most common questions that I get during aesthetic consultations is, “How long will the results of this treatment last?” That is a loaded question! Now that you’ve gotten me started, I’m going to get on my soapbox about how I feel that we should take care of our bodies and our skin! Our skin is the largest organ of our body, so taking care of our skin obviously necessitates taking care of the entire body properly! The best skin health is only achievable when we focus simultaneously on inner wellness.
Our skin does not exist separately from other body systems so we need to give them all some love!
Over the next few weeks I will create a series of blogs diving more deeply into each individual topic so stay tuned!
Lets talk about all of the things that you should be doing to keep yourself looking and feeling youthful and enjoying the maximum benefit from your investment in your aesthetic treatments!
- Minimize UV exposure-since it is currently summertime, this one has to be first!!
Sunscreen is an absolute necessity! We should all wear it — even when it’s cloudy, but sunscreen alone isn’t enough. Shade, the right clothes, and common sense are your best weapons against sun damage. See a more detailed description in my next blog.
This one isn’t just about beauty or anti-aging, it could be a matter of life and death! UV rays are the #1 cause of skin cancer, so protect from the sun like your life depends upon it!
There is well established evidence that exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) from the sun can not only lead to skin cancer, premature aging of the skin, and cataracts but also can suppress the body’s immune system. It is important to protect all of your skin from the sun all of the time, not only during the summer when we can feel the heat of the sun, but year round and in every type of weather!
SLIP on your UVP clothing! Many of us just think to apply sunscreen to the part of our bodies not covered by clothing. But did you know that UVA and UVB rays can go directly through regular clothing? So that means your torso and shoulders are at risk! Wearing UVP clothing will help protect all of your skin. UVP clothing is now affordable, with one of the highest-rated shirts being from Hanes and priced under $20!
SLOP on your Zinc Oxide sunscreen! Unlike chemical sunscreens, zinc oxide blocks both UVA and UVB rays, is both antimicrobial and non-comedogenic, and is not absorbed into the skin. It sits on top of the skin as a physical barrier so it is a great choice for everyone, including acne prone skin or sensitive skin or rosacea. EltaMD carries a product which boasts 19% zinc oxide, one of the highest on the market. Also, we love Jan Marini’s tinted Physical Block which doubles as foundation!
SLAP on your UVP hat! A sun hat can not only be a stylish statement piece to your cute outfit, it also adds a layer of protection from the sun for the skin on your face, ears, eyes, and scalp! Look for a hat with UVP, and some even come with evaporative cooling properties, for an extra bonus!
SEEK shade! In addition to all of the other measures listed here, seeking shade can help to further reduce UV exposure, but it should not be relied upon solely! That’s because UVB rays, the segment of ultraviolet light most harmful to skin, can strike indirectly, by bouncing off UV-reflective surfaces such as sand, water, and concrete.
SLIDE on your UV 400 sunglasses! What UV level should sunglasses be? The higher the rating, the better, so look for sunglasses labeled UV 400, which provides nearly 100% protection from harmful ultraviolet light rays. UV 400 protection lenses block wavelengths up to 400 nanometers. While polarized sunglasses are beneficial in protecting your eyes from blinding glare, they don’t always offer the best protection from damaging UV rays. So, when choosing polarized sunglasses, look for a pair clearly labeled UV 400 or 100% protection from UV rays.
So do yourself a favor and make sun protection a daily habit, no matter what the weather conditions!
And visit Timarron Aesthetic Center for a skin cancer check and recommendations on skin health products or procedures to help un-do the years of sun damage that may have already accrued.