Getting the lowdown on skin and skin care

Skin needs our  tender loving care to stay healthy and look younger. But how you care for your skin is utterly dependent on the type of skin you have -  oily, normal and combination, dry, sensitive or sun- damaged. 

Skin indicates your state of health. Besides its aesthetic merit, having a healthy complexion also mirrors how well we take care of ourselves.

Being the largest organ, the skin is the most exposed and certainly the most abused part of the human body. Because of constant exposure to elements such as the rapidly changing weather, chemicals, and free radicals, the skin is very susceptible to damages that can compromise its overall health.

According to dermatologists, acknowledging the fact that the skin undergoes a bombardment of harmful chemicals on a daily basis should alert everyone on how we treat our skin. 

“The way we treat our skin today plays a huge role in how it’ll look 

when we grow old,” 

says Dr. Amy Cagayan, Dermatologist from Clarity Aesthetic Medical and Dental Center.

In order to maintain a healthy complexion, it is important to be mindful of what we put in our body. Observing a healthy diet coupled with regular bowel movement tremendously contribute to the wellbeing of our skin. “A regular diet composed of fresh green vegetables, nuts and seeds, antioxidant rich fruits, and plenty of fibers, along with an intake of three to four liters of water everyday helps in establishing a healthy foundation not only for the skin, but for the rest of the body as well,” says Dr. Amy Cagayan.

While diet is a major pillar for healthy skin, there are also measures that everyone can take in order to have good complexion. According to skin care specialists, observing the basic steps of cleansing, exfoliating, moisturizing, and sun protection will help ensure young and healthy looking skin.

Cleansing

Adapting a cleansing routine is invaluable in keeping the skin healthy. Doing so ensures that the dirt, as well as the makeup you put on are cleansed away, which will help avoid any complications due to material buildup in the skin’s pores.

Contrary to popular belief, you do not need expensive agents to clean the skin. All you need is a good quality cleanser that suits your own skin type. For those who opt to use soap to clean their face, mild and unscented varieties are best.

Use only tepid or lukewarm water during the process in order to protect the blood vessels underneath the skin. Extra care should also be given when cleaning the sensitive areas of the face such as the eyelids and the area underneath the eyes.

Exfoliating

Often neglected, exfoliation is a vital step in taking care of the skin because it gets rid of dead skin cells and reveals fresh and younger-looking skin. The process should be done only once or twice a week because frequent scrubbing may cause damage.

Facial scrubs come in many forms and while there are a lot of solutions available in the market today, there are also recipes available for homemade solutions with ingredients that include almonds, oatmeal, and even sugar. Make sure to apply whatever solution you may choose in a gentle, circular motion, carefully massaging it all over the face.

The rest of the body can be exfoliated using a loofah or any scrubbing tool lathered with a good body wash solution. Start from the ground up, from the feet moving up eventually to the torso. This also helps improve the body’s blood circulation.

Moisturizing

Moisturizing the skin after cleansing or exfoliating is ideal because the skin can absorb nutrients better. Regardless of age and skin type, moisturizing is invaluable because it feeds the skin, making it smooth and soft.

Consult your doctor and ask for a moisturizer with the right ingredients for your skin type.

Sun Protection

Exposure to the sun’s harmful rays is one of the major causes of skin aging such as wrinkles and fine lines. That is why it is important to always have a protective covering of sunscreen lotion every time you go out.

Regardless whether it’s a sunny or an overcast day, having sunscreen on protects the skin from UV rays that penetrate and damage the skin. As a rule of thumb, sunscreen lotions that have sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 should be applied half an hour before going out. Reapplication of sunscreen is sometimes needed, depending on the situation.

Applying these steps religiously ensures the maintenance of the skin’s good quality. Maintaining the quality of your complexion starts with taking an active stance in taking care of it.

To get you on your way toward skin wellness, go to Clarity’s website- www.clarity.com.ph to learn more about caring for your skin. Clarity Aesthetic Medical and Dental Center also offers online consultation, personally provided for by board-certified doctors and specialists in dermatology. The center also offers a range of anti-aging and contouring services that help patients attain a young and healthy look.

Visit Clarity Aesthetic Medical & Dental Center at the 5^th Level Wellness Zone, Shangri-la Plaza Mall, EDSA corner Shaw Blvd., Mandaluyong City. For more information, contact their office through telephone number 0916-CLARITY (2527489) or through their Customer Service Hotline 632-638-1294 .