Basic Skin Care Information in Boardman, OH

Discover The Essentials of Healthy Skin

The body's largest organ, the skin accounts for nearly 18 percent of a person’s total weight. It's a protective outer layer that keeps moisture in and infections and other invasive organisms out. Your skin also helps regulate body temperature and can heal itself. Prevention of skin damage is the best maintenance for healthy skin. Age spots, leathery patches, and wrinkles are frequent signs of skin damage, generally caused by overexposure to the sun and ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Wrinkles are also caused by frowning, smiling, squinting, and other repeated facial muscle movements. Other contributors to skin aging include gravity, stress, and obesity. Your skin also becomes thinner with age, making it more susceptible to damage.

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Photoaging

Photoaging is premature skin aging caused by UV light exposure. As UV rays penetrate the dermis, collagen fibers are damaged and production of abnormal elastin increases. As the fundamental skin structure breaks down, deep wrinkles, fine lines, age spots and skin discolorations, and other signs of skin damage appear.

Skin Care Routine

A healthy daily skin care routine can reduce the symptoms of skin aging.

Wash your face twice a day with a gentle cleanser and lukewarm water.
Pat skin dry — don't rub.
Exfoliate skin twice a week to remove dead cells.
Applymoisturizer immediately after a shower or bath.
Wear sunscreen with minimum SPF 30 every day.
Leave time each day when the skin is clean and free of makeup.

Don't use tanning beds.
Maintain a healthy diet and drink lots of water.
Get an adequate amount of sleep every day.
Quit smoking and avoid stress.
Conduct a monthly self-examination of your skin to detect any changes that might lead to cancer.
See your dermatologist with Advanced Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center once a year.

Skin Infections

Any break in the skin can increase the risk for an infection to develop. Three types of common skin infections are bacterial, fungal, and viral.

Bacterial Infections

Many bacteria live on the surface of healthy skin each day but can cause an infection and/or rash if a break in the skin occurs. Staph bacteria commonly cause bacterial skin infections in people of all age. Children who go to daycare or are of school age are frequently affected by impetigo, another type of skin infection. Bacterial skin infections are treated with oral and/or topical antibiotics.

Viral Infections

A virus causes the decline or spread of cells once it enters a healthy cell. Viral skin infections have two common causes, Human Papillomavirus (HPV) or Human Herpesvirus (HHV). HPV causes warts, which usually appear on the hands and feet, while HHV causes cold sores, genital herpes, shingles, and mononucleosis. Any medications used to treat viral infections simply reduce the symptoms. Vaccinations are frequently used to prevent viral infections.

Fungal Infections

Fungal infections, also called mycoses, only affect the outer skin layer. The most common fungal infections are athlete's foot, thrush, and yeast infections. Fungal infections can be found in all areas of the body.

Anti-Aging Treatments

Advanced Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center offers a wide range of anti-aging treatments to slow the effects of skin aging. Visit our Cosmetic page to learn more about:

Botox;
Chemical peels;
Dermabrasion;
Fillers;
Laser Resurfacing; and
Retinoids.

Skin Care Basics For Any Age