By Dr. Krystina Quow & Dr. Juliann Wallner
November is National Healthy Skin Month, an annual observance from the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). It's a good reminder that your skin is your body's largest organ, and it works hard for you every day. The good news: caring for it doesn't require a cabinet full of products or a complicated routine.
Dermatologists consistently return to the same short list of habits. Here's what they recommend.
1. Wear sunscreen every day, not just in summer
If you do only one thing for your skin, make it this. Ultraviolet (UV) rays reach your skin year-round, including on cloudy and cool days, and they cause sunburn, premature aging and skin cancer.
The AAD recommends a sunscreen that is:
• Broad-spectrum, meaning it protects against both UVA and UVB rays
• SPF 30 or higher
• Water-resistant
Apply it to all skin not covered by clothing, and reapply every two hours or after swimming or sweating. Most adults need about one ounce, roughly a shot glass full, to cover the body. To save a step, use a daily moisturizer that already contains SPF 30.
Don't forget the spots people often miss: ears, the back of the neck, the tops of feet and the backs of hands. Your lips can develop skin cancer, too, so use a lip balm with SPF 30 or higher before heading outdoors. A tinted sunscreen can also help prevent dark spots.
2. Keep your routine simple
An effective routine doesn't need to be expensive. Dermatologists recommend focusing on three basics:
• A gentle cleanser. Wash morning and night without scrubbing, which can irritate skin and worsen conditions like acne.
• A moisturizer. Apply it right after washing to lock in hydration. This matters even more as the air turns cooler and drier this time of year.
• Sunscreen. Your final step every morning.
3. Check your skin regularly
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. Most skin cancers, including melanoma, are highly treatable when found early. Get to know your skin, and watch for any spot that is new, changing, itching, bleeding or looks different from the others. If something concerns you, have it checked.
4. Remember the basics that support everything else
Healthy skin reflects overall health. Not smoking, managing stress and getting enough sleep all show up in your skin over time.
When to see a dermatology provider
Make an appointment if you notice a changing mole or spot, have a rash or condition that won't clear up, or simply want a skin care routine built around your skin type and needs. A board-certified dermatologist can also perform a full-body skin exam.
This November, give your skin some attention. Pinehurst Medical Clinic Dermatology sees patients in Southern Pines and Sanford.
Call 910.235.3330 for the Southern Pines office.
Call 919.708.1555 for the Sanford office.
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