More often than not, we invite or directly facilitate our skin problems. To put it simply, if you treated your skin the way you should, it would look radiant and healthy. It would also age gracefully. In this article, we break down the simple ways you can take care of your skin to great effect with the expert help of Dr. Chirag Kotecha – a Medical Doctor with advanced experience in Aesthetics & Cosmetics who also happens to be Lead Specialist at Avane Cosmetic Clinique & Medispa.
Manage Stress
“First to note is the fact that your mind and your skin are inextricably interlinked in various ways so the latter responds directly to the former” says Dr. Kotecha. For example when you are tense, your body releases stress hormones including cortisol, which may increase the skin’s oil production, making you prone to pimples. It also decreases the body’s ability to fight off bacteria that causes acne. While it is admittedly not an easy thing, manage your stress levels to have a better skin.
Protection from UV Light exposure
Many of us don’t take this seriously but to our own peril. First off though, limited exposure to the sun is good for your skin as it exposes you to Vitamin D. “However, with time, the sun’s Ultraviolet (UV) light damages the fibers in the skin called elastin. When these fibers break down, the skin begins to sag, stretch, and lose its ability to go back into place after stretching” Dr. Kotecha explains. It also increases the risk of skin cancer.
The remedy for this is the daily use a sunscreen (SPF 30 or stronger for us near the Equator). For proper effect, sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours according to Dr. Kotecha. He however warns of ineffective and fake sunscreens on the market. Genuine and medically-tested sunscreens are available at Avane Cosmetic Clinique & Medispa.
Ditch the smoke
Smoking isn’t just bad for your lungs. It has adverse effects on your skin too. Smokers deplete their skins of key nutrients. Smoking also deprives your skin of enough oxygen. It accelerates the development of wrinkles making your skin look older and reduces its elasticity.
Hydrate & Eat well
For many, drinking lots of water isn’t an easy sport but the good thing is that it isn’t an extreme sport either. If you’re not drinking at least eight full glasses a day, you’re not drinking enough. Drinking enough water can help you combat a variety of skin issues. It does this by helping your digestive system flush out toxins from the body. This helps to improve your skin complexion for a healthy and glowing skin.
A healthy diet has a huge bearing on the health of your skin. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and proteins will have your skin looking its best. Nuts and fish are especially good for cleaning out the bad oils from your body. Don’t forget to stay away from sodas.
Catch up on some sleep!
Without a doubt, most of us don’t sleep enough and yet the hours we spend asleep are actually among our most constructive because certain areas of your brain work their hardest during sleep, your skin is best able to repair and regenerate itself at night. In short, quality and quantity of sleep is crucial to both skin health and your overall health. “Between 6-8 hours of sleep a night is recommended. Also, remember to keep your sheets and pillowcase clean in order to avoid a buildup of grease and oil that can irritate your skin” recommends Dr. Kotecha.
Break a sweat!
Not only will regular exercise keep you healthy and strong, but it can also do wonders for your skin. When you exercise you increase the blood circulation throughout your body, this leads to oxygen and nutrients being carried to skin cells. Exercise allows you to improve the health of your heart, lungs, and skin all at the same time! But be sure to wash properly after exercise so you do not let sweat sit on your skin.
Clean, Moisturize, Exfoliate & get a facial regularly
Cleaning your skin helps in getting rid of dirt and bacteria that lead to breakouts. Remember to wash your skin gently so that you do not aggravate or damage it. You should also avoid using soaps that are too strong so that you do not irritate your skin.
Moisturizing your skin is highly recommended because it protects your skin from drying up. It also helps your skin maintain natural moisture levels. It is best to apply moisturizer while your skin is still damp so that it traps the surface moisture into your skin.
Exfoliation is physically or chemically removing those dead and dulling skin cells. Exfoliating helps speed up your skin’s process and helps it to behave younger. This can be done with facial scrub but should only be done once or twice a week to prevent irritation.
For a facial, Dr. Kotecha recommends a Hydrafacial which is available at Avane Cosmetic Clinique & Medispa. Its many benefits include a more hydrated, bright, plump, and clear complexion. Plus, it can also improve signs of aging. This is because the Hydrafacial removes dead skin cells, extracts impurities while enriching the skin with cleansing, hydrating & moisturizing serums. Last but not least, this mainly goes to the ladies. Wearing makeup can block your pores and limit your skin’s contact with oxygen. This can lead to skin irritation and breakouts. Asking someone to not wear makeup is too much to ask, but people should be aware that it can damage the skin. Minimizing the amount of makeup you wear limits irritation and remember to properly remove makeup before you go to sleep.
