Healthy Skin Dos and Don'ts
SPF has nothing to do with how long you can stay in the sun. Studies find that people think the higher the SPF rating, the longer they can stay out in the sun. That's simply not true. While higher numbered products (SPF-40, for example) do provide more protection, using sunscreen doesn't prevent all the possible harmful effects of the sun. Plus, few people use sunscreen the right way—a full ounce every couple of hours; more if you've been swimming or sweating.
You need more than sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun. You also need a hat, protective clothing and a time limit for your stay in the sun.
Stress and your skinWhether you're stressed about your job, a family member's health, a crumbling marriage or your first child going off to college, stress has a sneaky way of showing up on your face and skin. Think of it as your body's way of communicating what's going on inside to the outside world. There's even a name for it: psychodermatology.
The stress in your life turns up on your face. For instance, studies find that stress triggers 62 percent of psoriasis episodes (an inflammatory skin condition), with flares occurring within days of the emotional upset. Most hyperhidrosis episodes (in which you sweat excessively) are related to stress, and 94 percent of episodes in women with rosacea—a skin condition marked by excessive redness and bumps on the face—have an emotional trigger. Thus, you can see the very strong mind/body connection that exists between our emotions and our skin health. The connection is probably related to the immune system and the way it reacts to stress. Short bursts of stress—like those from a good workout—can improve your skin. But, when you're exposed to chronic stress—stress that just won't stop—or a lot of stress all at once, your immune system can get overloaded. The result? Negative effects on your skin. So it's important you learn to recognize the stressors in your life and modify your reactions to them. Relaxation techniques, biofeedback and breathing training can help you cope better with life stresses and reduce their effects on your skin.
A 2001 survey by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) found that about 45 percent of dermatologic surgeons reported an increase in the number of patients they saw who needed corrective treatment for burns, splotching, irreversible pigmentation and scarring resulting from various medical procedures performed by aestheticians, cosmetic technicians and employees of physicians without appropriate physician supervision.
Make sure you're seeing the right skin-care professional for the right reason. And always look for physicians who are board-certified in their specialty. This means they've passed an intense examination and take continuing education courses to maintain their knowledge and skills.
Finding the right skin care professional
