Healthy Aging Month

September is Healthy Aging Month at West Dermatology. This month we are focusing on developing good habits that assist in healthy aging. Below are some tips to keep your body healthy on both the inside and on the outside.

Healthy on the Inside
- Drink plenty of water
- Limit sugary foods, salt, and refined-grain products
- Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables
- Eat fiber rich foods
- Consume plenty of calcium and vitamin D for bone health
- Monitor fat intake in order to maintain healthy cholesterol levels
- Take a multi-vitamin
- Don't smoke
- Get moving

Healthy on the Outside
- Wear sunscreen
- Shield your skin from the sun
- Gently cleanse your skin to remove dirt, oil, dead skin cells and other unwanted particles once or twice a day, and/or after exercising.
- Moisturize your skin to retain water. The most effective time to moisturize is directly after a bath or shower.
- Don't pick at your skin as this can lead to scarring.
- Take advantage of aesthetic procedures that can help rejuvenate your skin.
- Get your skin checked on a regular basis, at least once a year, by a dermatologist.

Remember, you're never too old to look and feel young.

From Pink to Peeling: How to Relieve a Sunburn

Unfortunately, you may have missed the sunburn prevention post and now you're left with a red, sensitive sunburn from spending too much time in the sun. What can you do to relieve the pain and minimize peeling? Here are a few suggestions.

1. Apply a cooling substance, such as aloe gel (chilled in the fridge helps to magnify the cooling sensation), Solarcaine spray or cold compresses to the skin. These methods help reduce heat and inflammation caused by the sunburn.

2. Take some aspirin within the first 24 hours. Aspirin dulls the pain and reduces inflammation.

3. Shower in cold or lukewarm water. Hot water may aggravate the burn further and cause additional dryness to your skin.

4. Moisturize your skin. Lotions, creams and aloe gel can help keep skin hydrated and make the peeling process less irritating. A gentle, fragrance-free, hypoallergenic lotion is the best option. Also, never pick your peeling skin. That can lead to further damage and scarring. Let the skin shed naturally.

5. Drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated. Remember, your skin is your largest organ and it needs water to stay healthy, especially when damaged.

6. If you will be spending more time in the sun, be sure to wear clothes that cover the sunburned areas. Apply sunscreen to all other exposed areas and spend as much time in the shade as possible.

Lastly, if your sunburn is causing you intense discomfort and/or illness, and you develop severe blisters, please contact a dermatologist. He or she has the knowledge and ability to help you recover.

Be careful this summer and don't forget to wear your sunscreen.

Summer Skin Care 101

Thank you for visiting West Dermatology Dialogues, the official blog for the West Dermatology medical network. We are excited to provide you with up-to-date information about anything and everything related to the health of your skin. We will strive to keep you informed about the latest happenings in our industry and may even suggest a product or two.

That being said, let the skinformation transfer begin.

Summer. Glorious summer. Time for swimming in the pool, hosting barbecues, playing at the beach and frolicking in the sun. Unfortunately, it is also time for sunburns. Ouch. That new shade of red on your skin is more than painful, it is bad for you. Did you know that a sunburn is a sign of damaged cells? The red inflammation is caused by healthy cells trying to save the impaired, unlucky ones. Ultraviolet light from the sun penetrates the top layer of your skin (epidermis) causing injury to your cells. Over time, this damage can cause wrinkles and skin cancer, two things no one wants.

So, what can you do to prevent a sunburn? Below are some tips from the FDA that we fully support and hope you will adhere to in order to avoid a summer sunburn:

1. Reduce your time in the sun
It is important to stay in the shade, especially between the hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., when the sun's rays are strongest. Even on an overcast day, up to 80% of the sun's UV rays can get through the clouds leaving your skin vulnerable to sun damage.

2. Dress with care
Wear clothes that cover as much of your body as possible if you plan to be outside in the middle of the day. You can also consider using an umbrella or wide brimmed hat for shade.

3. Get serious about sunscreen
Use a "broad spectrum" waterproof sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Apply the recommended amount evenly to all uncovered skin, and don't forget your lips, nose, ears, neck, hands, and feet. Reapply at least every two hours.

So, whether you'll be doing this:

this....

or simply this....

Remember to wear your sunscreen and cover up.