Skin Tag

Why You Should Use Sunscreen and How to Find the Best Kind for You

Spring means sunshine and sunshine means outdoor activities. While soaking up the sun has its benefits, such as providing the body with a natural source of vitamin D, it is important to use caution when spending extended periods of time outside. The ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can be very damaging to the skin. In fact, UV rays from the sun are directly responsible for skin conditions such as premature aging. sunburn and skin damage that can lead to skin cancer.

Tips for Finding the Best Sunscreen for Your Skin

The technology used to make sunscreens is constantly evolving. Today, the best kinds offer fuller protection against both UVA and UVB rays. Some scatter the UV rays and others absorb them before they get to the skin. In sifting through the broad spectrum of sunscreens, ensure the sunscreen has:

• An SPF of 15 or higher to protect against UVB rays
• Titanium dioxide, ecamsule, avobenzone, oxybenzone, zinc oxide, or sulisobenzone among the ingredients as they indicate protection against UVA rays
• Sweat and water resistance

In addition to ensuring the sunscreen has the right properties, it is important to use sunscreens as directed in order to gain maximum benefits. When using sunscreen, keep these application tips in mind:

Laser Treatments Tips

Laser treatments, such as laser hair removal, are meant to help you put your best skin forward. Laser treatments include a host of relatively non-invasive and effective procedures for treating a wide range of skin conditions. Common skin conditions which can be treated using these treatments include:

Tips For Your Skin During The Winter Months

Winter gives your skin a double whammy. When outside, cold temperatures and high winds combine to stress your skin. Indoors, warm air from the furnace continues the work, drying it out to produce dull, lifeless and sometimes cracked skin. Skin health doesn’t have to suffer during colder weather if you use simple techniques to alleviate dry skin. Follow these skin tips for great-looking skin over the next few months.

Use Sunscreen. Yes, it’s important even in winter. The sun may not be out much, but your skin still needs protection. Winter sun combined with snow glare can damage your skin. A broad-spectrum sunscreen with zinc oxide does a great job of repelling rays before they enter your skin.

Moisturize More. Light moisturizers are great for spring and summer, but as the weather changes, so must your routine. Choose a moisturizer that is oil-based to create a protective layer over the skin, but chooses with care. Look for oils that won’t clog the pores such as avocado oil, mineral oil, primrose oil or almond oil. Lotions with glycerine, sorbitol, and alpha-hydroxy that attract moisture to your skin are also good. For your entire body, mix a few drops of olive or grapeseed oil into the bathwater, or try an oatmeal bath to make irritated skin feel better.

Ditch Overly Hot Baths. Speaking of baths, soaking in a hot tub may feel great in chilly weather, but your skin won’t thank you. The intense heat breaks down lipid barriers leading to a loss of moisture.

Take Extra Care of Hands and Feet. Winter takes a heavier toll on your hands because the skin there is thinner. Wear gloves outside and apply moisturizer frequently, especially after washing your hands. For very dry hands, apply cream instead of lotion. Applying cream right before bed and then wearing cotton gloves is a great way to avoid extreme dryness.

Similarly, don’t let your feet, especially the heels, turn into a callused and cracked mess. Exfoliate and moisturize frequently and don’t forget to wear socks at night to help creams absorb.

Sometimes no matter what you do, your skin health suffers in winter so much so that you need a prescription or professional advice. Visit the professionals at Universal Dermatology before your dry winter skin turns into a crisis.

Prepare Your Winter Skin For Spring Break And Sun

With the cold weather finally breaking up, many people are looking forward to enjoying warmer months under the sun. However, many people also do not consider some of the most important changes that they need to make to their skincare routine after winter ends. When you are ready to spend more time outside after a long winter break, prepare yourself with a few easy to remember winter skin care tips. These are particularly important to remember after you have had a chemical peel or some other intensive skin procedure done.

One of the easiest ways to take better care of your skin is to simply moisturize more. Moisturizing regularly with an oil-based moisturizer will help you create protective layers over your skin that can retain moisture much more efficiently than creams or lotions. Look for avocado, mineral, and almond oil, specifically, as these oils are nonclogging, which means that they can provide your body with the protection it needs without creating acne.

Be sure to put on sunscreen every time you plan on going out. Sunscreen is not only for summertime, as the winter sun, made more intense with a snow glare, can still damage your skin. Applying a broader spectrum sunscreen to your hands and face can ensure that you protect yourself all year round. Reapply this sunscreen regularly if you plan on staying outside for extended periods of time. Read the instructions and be sure to consult with a dermatologist if you have any skin conditions that you need to watch over.

Hydration is the key to keeping not only your skin, but your overall health well maintained. Drink the doctor recommended amount of water as regularly as possible, and make sure that you keep the air in your home hydrated as well. It is recommended for you to invest in a humidifier, as central heating systems, in addition to space heaters, blast hot air into the home and dry the moisture out. Humidifiers can help get more moisture back into the air, which will help keep your skin from drying out, ensuring a more vibrant appearance.