Tips for Healthy Skin
Your skin is the single largest organ of your body, forming a network of protection against the outside world. It’s no wonder then that taking care of it is vital, as it helps regulate our temperature and protects us from ultraviolet (UV) rays, viruses, bacteria, chemicals, dehydration and other potential dangers in the external environment. Despite this, many people fail to take adequate care of their skin, and with Melanoma being the third most common cancer found in Australians, it is vital that each and every one of us knows what it is, what makes it tick and how to take care of it.
To help you do your best to avoid skin damage, let’s take a look at how you can maintain healthy, glowing skin.
Stay hydrated
First and foremost, making sure your body has enough water is fundamental in assisting the natural, healthy functioning of your skin. Keeping your fluids up contributes to your skin’s ability to regenerate and heal itself, as well as giving it a soft, supple appearance. You can bolster these effects by applying moisturiser to your skin where necessary. Get to know your skin type – while everyone benefits from drinking plenty of water, dry skin, for example, will require more of a hydration-focused regimen than oily skin.
Get some sleep
During sleep your body is spending time repairing itself, including your brain, your muscles, and your skin. These precious moments involve an increase in your skin’s blood flow, replenishing collagen stores and repairing damage from ultraviolet (UV) light exposure. So make sure you give yourself enough time to get some shut-eye – your skin will thank you for it.
Eat well
You really are what you eat – your skin is a reflection of what you’re exposed to externally as well as what you ingest. The foods you incorporate into your diet should include a healthy balance of protein, vitamins and antioxidants, as well as healthy fats. A quick recap:
- Protein – legumes, chicken, red meats
- Vitamins – apples, oranges and other vitamin-C rich foods
- Healthy fats – avocadoes, nuts, salmon and other lipid-dense foods
Be sun safe
Exposure to UV rays damages the DNA in skin cells. Of course, your skin is able to regenerate and handle most of this damage, however, subjecting your skin to prolonged periods of sunlight does increase your chances of developing skin cell abnormalities, and sometimes cancer. For these reasons, it’s vital that you protect your skin by applying sunscreen when you know you’re going to be spending time in the sun, wearing hats or clothing to shield your skin, or avoiding the elements all together.
Keep an eye on it and catch it early
Sadly, according the Cancer Council, “two in three Australians are diagnosed with skin cancer by the age of 70 and 2000 Australians die of skin cancer each year”. Catching abnormalities early is the key to avoiding surgery or more severe consequences. No one knows your body or your skin like you do. Periodically checking your own skin for any developments or changes is vital in becoming aware of any skin health risks as soon as possible. This might mean spending 20 minutes each week looking at yourself in the mirror to identify any new spots or discrepancies from the previous week.
Unfortunately, we can’t catch everything ourselves. Even if you don’t see any skin damage or changes, it is important to get your skin checked by a professional, especially if you are at high risk of skin cancer due to skin type, occupation, lifestyle or family history.
The dedicated team at The Bennelong Medical Clinic is experienced in comprehensive skin checks. We have also recently introduced the mole mate machine which is able to intricately track and identify changing conditions in your skin, and welcomed Dr Ata Eshragi, an experienced practitioner with a special interest in skin health, skin checks and skin procedures. Dr Eshragi joins our team of GPs, including Dr Bryce and Dr Khoury, who have undergone additional skin training and have been attending to the dermatological needs of our community for years.
If you’re unsure about your skin health or you know a skin check is overdue, please don’t hesitate to contact us.