Take care your skin

Covering you from head to toe, the skin is one of the fundamental parts of your body's defense system, which protects you from bacteria, dirt and other foreign objects and the ultraviolet rays of the sun, and contains the nerve endings that let you know if something is hot or cold, soft or hard, sharp or dull. Your skin also plays an important role in regulating your body’s fluids and temperature. Remember that clean and healthy skin means a healthy body and a happier you.  

Now you thinking what exactly mean by healthy skin?Healthy skin is smooth, with no breaks in the surface. It is warm (not hot or red) and neither dry and flaky nor moist and wrinkled. Healthy skin is a mirror of a healthy body. Hygiene goes beyond the simple task of making sure you don't smell bad when you go out in the street. Proper hygiene means keeping clean the largest organ in your body and also the most exposed to the hazards of this world. Here's a list featuring simple tips for your daily hygiene:

Take Care of Your Skin

To keep your skin healthy, eat a well-balanced diet that includes plenty of protein foods, fruits and vegetables (fresh if possible) and liquids. If you have a skin problem, such as a pressure sore or a healing surgical incision, you should increase your intake of protein (lean meats, dairy foods and legumes), carbohydrates (breads, cereals), vitamins A, Cand E, and zinc. Extra iron may be needed if you are anemic.

Smoking 

DON’T! Nicotine in cigarettes causes blood vessels to get small (constrict) and prevents blood, oxygen and

nutrients from flowing to the body tissues.

Edema or swelling caused by fluid collecting in the tissues, usually occurs in a part of the body that is not moved frequently and is below the level of the heart (i.e., the feet, legs and hands). Skin over areas of edema becomes thin and pale and injures easily because of poor circulation. Edema can be prevented by elevating your legs and hands frequently, performing regular Range of Motion (ROM) exercises and wearing compressive stockings. 

Anemia 

(a decrease in red blood cells). Oxygen is essential for skin health, and is carried by red blood cells. A decrease in their number means less oxygen gets to the skin, which means that skin cells may become unhealthy or even die. Anemia should be evaluated and treated by your health care provider.

Vascular Disease

or a narrowing of the blood vessels, can be caused by diabetes, smoking, high blood pressure or elevated cholesterol. The result is decreased blood flow to the skin. Work closely with your health care provider to manage conditions that can lead to vascular disease and cause skin problems.

Some other tips

Protect your skin from the sun and avoid prolonged exposure.Sun exposure increases your risk of skin

cancer, such as melanoma, by causing mutations in your DNA. It also causes premature aging of the skin (which results in wrinkles and thin skin), brown discolorations and uneven texture. Seek shade under an umbrella or tree, and wear sunscreen, a hat and sun-protective clothing.

Avoid tanning salons.They emit UV radiation, which causes wrinkles, melanoma and other skin cancers.

Perform a monthly skin check. You are most likely the first to notice a new growth that could be

cancerous. Every month, examine your skin from head to toe. For your back and other hard-to-see spots, use a handheld and/or full-length mirror, or enlist the help of a partner. If you see something unusual, seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Moisturize your skin. During cold and dry weather, apply a thick moisturizing cream. When the weather

is warmer, switch to a lighter lotion.

Avoid irritating chemicals and harsh soaps. Choose moisturizing,gentle cleansers, especially if your skin is dry or sensitive. Use soap only where needed, such as the underarms, and avoid areas that tend to dry out easily,such as the arms and legs.

Consider applying a retinoid cream to boost collagen production. Retinoid creams can’t remove deep wrinkles, but can improve your skin’s appearance. These creams typically contain retinol or prescription tretinoin (generic name for Retin-A or Renova).

Choose a high SPF sunscreen. Recent research has shown that we do not apply as much sunscreen as manufacturers do when they are rating the SPF (sun protection factor). So a sunscreen with SPF 30 in “real life” may only offer an SPF of 10 or 15. For everyday application, use at least SPF 30. For sunny days at the beach or on the golf course, go with an even higher SPF.

Have a beautiful skin.