As 2017 comes to a close we start to take a look at the year that has gone by and dwell on how to best move forward with good intentions. We take a long look in the mirror and ask, "What is my resolution for the New Year?"
It’s a fair question.
There are typical answers. We’ve all contemplated diet and physical condition, which are items that tend to rule “the top of the charts” when it comes to New Year’s resolutions.
So what is yours?
We thought we’d offer up an often overlooked item that plays right into the health card, and is something you ought to be seriously considering when it comes to your own general health initiatives. It’s time to place value and conscious attentive daily duty to the overall well-being of our skin. No, we’re not talking about acne and other skin woes that are actively dwelled upon. We’re talking about skin care and the proactive approach to making sure that we’re not doing damage to our health, and subjecting ourselves to the oppressive detriment of UV rays and skin cancer development.
Heavy. We know. We’d apologize, but we’re not going to. Like brushing your teeth, taking proactive measures like applying sunscreen to your skin on a daily basis is an imperative must that so many of us overlook.
Resolve to take better care of your skin. It’s the only covering you’ve got and without it, well, you understand.
Here are several healthful skin tips to keep in mind in 2018 and beyond:
Make Sunscreen a Part of Your Daily Routine
The common thought on sunscreen is that it’s an optional topical ointment for summer months. False. The sun shines when it shines, regardless of season, temperature or other environmental variables. Even in the winter months—if you’re in a part of the world that experiences snow and all that winter brings—the sun’s UV rays are quite problematic as they reflect off of the snow, ice and water present on the ground. So, in essence, you’re not only getting it from above, you’re getting it from myriad angles. Ouch. Apply sunscreen each and every day. If you’re a person who moisturizes, kill two birds with one stone and take advantage of moisturizers that contain SPF.
Make Your Annual Skin Exam
What’s that? You don’t know what that means? Blasphemy! OK, OK, we understand, but now it’s time to make you understand. You schedule an annual physical with your primary care doctor, right? Of course you do. You do this not because you’re sick, but you wish to take a proactive measure to preventing illness and more serious conditions that you wouldn’t otherwise be conscious of until it’s possibly too late. Taking preventative measures enables you to stay a step ahead with potential diagnoses, etc. All that said, your primary care physician isn’t likely to know all the ins and outs of what’s happening on the surface. They’re not going to take a hard look at moles, rashes and other pigment inconsistencies unless you ask them to. And even if you do ask, they may or may not have the wherewithal to know what’s going on (that’s no knock, it’s a reality—if you’re car needs to have a piston replaced you don’t take it to the body shop—you take it to the professional who works with the engine, right? Right.) A dermatologist knows skin. A skin check is just that: a thorough examination of what’s happening or what could happen with your body’s largest organ.
Establishing Care with a Dermatologist
Hey, while you’re there getting your annual skin check taken care of, why not establish a relationship with a dermatologist? It’s easy and establishing a record—like that of your primary care—is going to make things easier with appointments down the road. Your dermatologist can look at things not apparent on the surface, such as family history and records, and make more informed decisions for the betterment of you and your health.
Teaching Your Kids About Skin Care
Now this is a novel idea for all you parents out there. We’ve been working hard to educate the masses about the importance of good skin care and protecting oneself from the damages caused by the sun’s UV rays. We’ve made great strides, but there’s always room for improvement! You know how to best ingrain this kind of information? By starting when people are young, like, for instance, your children! Teach them about sun safety and let’s work together to make great IMPACT in the quest of eradicating the incidences of melanoma and other skin cancers, which jeopardize life itself. Know what we’re saying?
Happy New Year to everyone, and here’s to a prosperous, healthy 2018 for skin lovers everywhere!