*This article is sponsored by Dermapure*
Why is healthy skin so important?
The skin is the largest organ in the body. An average adult carries approximately 8 pounds of skin that is spread over 22 square feet!
Skin is our barrier to the world around us, providing protection from UV rays, chemicals, bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Our skin can only effectively do its job when it’s healthy and its barrier is intact, keeping us safe from all those harmful environmental aggressors.
Effective skincare not only makes your skin look good, but it also helps you get sick less often, keeps you healthier overall, and helps you live a longer life.
What are three simple things we can do to improve skin health?
Prevention is key!
Skin is the first line of defense against the environment. It is an effective barrier against most things, but anything we can do to add another layer of protection will help. Daily sunscreen and antioxidants will go a long way toward preventing premature damage.
Another important factor is good nutrition. The skin needs energy and protein to maintain and rebuild itself, so maintaining a healthy diet is the foundation of good skin health.
Finally, a good skincare routine will get rid of irritants, aggressors, and pollutants, and provide a good protective barrier. Developing a good skincare routine that fits into your daily routine is the kindest thing you can do for your skin.
Take care of your skin, and it will take care of you!
This long-haul trucker has dramatically worse aging on the left side of his face from prolonged driver’s-seat sun exposure, evidence of the harmful effects of UV rays.
photo credit New England Journal of Medicine
What causes premature aging?
There are several factors to skin aging, and they come from both inside and outside the body. Genetics can’t be changed, but external factors can be modified. The biggest external aggressor is UV rays which in excess cause wrinkles, loss of collagen, irregular pigment, and even skin cancer. Other modifiable external damaging factors include pollution, smoking, and poor diet.
Anything that will take care of your body’s general health will also be beneficial for the skin.
What are your three favourite skincare products?
The number one most important, and therefore my favorite skincare product will always be sunscreen. Up to 90 percent of premature skin aging is due to UV exposure, so sunscreen is a no-brainer for daily use all year round.
My second favorite product is topical Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid. It’s a potent antioxidant that promotes collagen production, reduces fine lines and wrinkles, and protects against UV-induced damage. It also evens out your skin tone by reducing dark spots, sunspots, and hyperpigmentation.
My third favorite skincare product is retinol. It accelerates skin rejuvenation and further promotes collagen production, which means bouncier, more elastic skin!
Do office procedures actually improve skin quality?
They absolutely do!
There is a long list of clinical skin procedures that target a variety of skin concerns. The treatments are adjusted based on your skin type and can relieve many common problems, including acne, wrinkles, loose or thin skin, redness, brown spots, and a variety of medical skin disorders.
What about skincare trends?
I am generally cautious about skincare trends. New ingredients can be innovative, and new treatments are exciting, but it’s important to wait and give the science time to catch up. Unproven treatments are not without risk, so better to wait until effectiveness has been proven before jumping on the bandwagon.
Where can I go for more info?
Come visit the Dermapure Clinic, located at 1272 Wellington Street West. We’re a medical Clinic with dozens of locations across the country, and we’d love to put our collective expertise to work for your skin.
Located in the heart of the Wellington Village, Dr. Hetz, Dr. Viana, and I focus on providing skin care treatments, dermatology consults and Medical Aesthetic treatments. We only use the safest, most effective treatments and techniques available. We also have three excellent medical aestheticians who provide a variety of Energy-based services.
Visit our website at www.dermapure.com, or call 613.829.1266
Follow me on instagram @rebeccafishermd.skin for more skin tips and advice to help navigate this ever-changing and evolving space!