Tuesday, November 1, 2016

November is National Healthy Skin Awareness Month




With the holidays right around the corner, November is a great time to be thinking about your skin. It’s also National Healthy Skin Awareness Month! To celebrate, Trinity Vista Dermatology is giving you a few tips on how to keep your skin healthy:

1.     Sunscreen: Do your future self a big favor and wear sunscreen. Even though you still have a few months out of the summer Texas sun, it is still imperative to wear sunscreen daily, especially on exposed areas such as the face. Not only do UV rays increase our risk of skin cancer, but they are also one of the biggest contributors to aging! Use at least an SPF 30 sunscreen on a daily basis. Sunscreens containing physical blockers like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide (eg. Neutrogena Prescreen, Blue Lizard, & Elta MD) are superior to chemical based sunscreens. Don’t forget to reapply if you are going to be outside longer than 2 hours.

2.     Sun Protective Clothing: Remember that sunscreen does not block 100% of the sun’s rays. Physically blocking the sun is even more effective. While all clothing affords some protection from the sun, several lines of UPF (UV Protection Factor) clothing have made covering up really cute. These products are made of certain material and weaves that add additional protection from the sun. If you see me by the pool in the summer, I'm liking in one of these from the J Crew and Lands End lines. And since it's the off-season, these double as great (on sale!) Christmas gifts. 



And for the "I-don't-like-wearing-sunscreen" men out there, the Magellan fishing shirts at Academy or the Columbia line are great options. Several athletic brands like Under Armour and Nike have created UPF clothing lines that are great for outdoor activities. You can also find several UPF clothing options, hats, and umbrella for the whole family at Coolibar.com.


3.     Stop Smoking: Besides increasing your risk for lung cancer and heart disease, smoking is also linked to premature skin aging. It damages the elastic fibers, decreases blood flow to the skin, and prevents new collagen formation. Smoking additionally increases the risk of skin cancer formation, delays wound healing, and can exacerbate certain skin conditions like psoriasis. 


4.    Have your skin checked: Self skin exams should be a part of your regular routine. Be aware of any changes in color, shape, or size of your moles. We also encourage an annual skin examination with a dermatologist. Early detection of skin cancer is critical. 

Call us at 817-885-8222 to schedule an appointment for a full skin examination with one of our board-certified dermatologists. 

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