Clients often visit a med spa, their dermatologist, or their doctor hoping for a quick fix to whatever skin issue ails them. In reality, long-lasting skin health starts daily at home. Diet and lifestyle choices go a long way to repairing complexion and maintaining youthful skin post-treatment.
Skin treatment really starts by treating the whole body. If you are the kind of person who gets treatments but still routinely eats fast food or bakes in the sun, then you are throwing away your money on skin treatments. Here are 5 steps to long-lasting skin health.
1. NUTRITION
You are what you eat. Want healthy skin? Eat healthy foods. Skin nourishment starts from the inside.
● Protein: Consuming protein daily supports collagen, elastin, and other fibers that keep your skin looking firm and young. Eat chicken, fish, or Greek yogurt.
● Fish: Many types are rich in omega-3 essential fatty acids that contribute to healthy cell membranes and can serve as an anti-inflammatory.
● Anti-oxidant rich foods: Vitamin A (carrots & sweet potatoes), Vitamin C (citrus & broccoli), Vitamin E (nuts & olives)
● Water: Dehydration causes our organs not to work efficiently, and one of the first signs of dehydration is weathered-looking skin. The ideal amount of water varies by weight and age, but the Mayo Clinic generally recommends 9 cups for women and 13 for men per day. Don’t wait until you feel thirsty. Get in the habit of drinking water all throughout the day.
2. PROTECTION
Sun exposure is the primary cause of premature aging. UVB rays cause accelerated aging and increased risk of skin cancer. UVB rays are strongest from 10am-2pm.
UVA radiation really accelerates the skin’s aging process by penetrating deep into the dermis and destroying your own natural collagen. Dryness, wrinkles, leathery skin, and discoloration? Thank UVA exposure for that. Daily, from dawn to dusk, each and every day of the year, you are at risk to UVA rays at 100% potency.
Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen, such as PRO-TECT sunscreen from A-Cute Derm, one of the most comprehensive medical grade sunscreens on the market. It offers superb, consistent and high protection levels across 100% of the spectrum range.
What's it like to get a skincare consultation with us? Watch the video to learn more.
3. SKINCARE ROUTINE
It doesn’t matter where you are or what you are doing, take your makeup off every night and use a mild cleanser, and be sure to moisturize for those magical nighttime effects. Try this Antioxidant and Grape Seed Serum and Moisturizer. Your skin repairs itself at night, and if you don’t clean off the makeup and air pollution from the day, your trap in the dirt and bacteria overnight.
4. SLEEP MORE—STRESS LESS
This one is easier said than done for most people! But beauty sleep is real. University Hospitals (UH) Case Medical Center conducted a study that found that sleep quality impacts skin function and aging. Those who had a low quality of sleep or less sleep had increased signs of aging and slower recovery from environmental factors, such as UV exposure.
Because stress can be a factor to poor sleep, it should also be avoided or lessened. Skin is the primary organ for sensing external stress, so it is only natural the skin responds to these stressors. Your body releases cortisol when it is under stress. Cortisol can break down collagen and compromise skin cells’ ability to hold water, leading to more age spots, sunken eyes, and wrinkles.
Stress and sleep disturbances are often related, and can be treated together. Try a sticking to a nighttime routine of shutting off electronics an hour before bed, meditating, reading, or practicing yoga or tai chi. These relax the brain and signal it is time for bed, but they also have an added benefit of relaxing the facial muscles.
5. GET MOVING
Increasing your blood flow through physical activity can bring about a nice healthy glow to the complexion. That blood flow carries new oxygen to the skin and helps to carry away waste and free radicals. Exercise also eases stress, which can reduce acne and eczema. It can be as simple as a daily walk or that yoga before bed.
