A strong skin care routine can help you look and feel your best while preventing serious health issues, like skin cancer. It’s never too late to start caring for your skin, and there are a few steps you can take.

How Can I Improve My Skin Care Regimen?

1. Wear Sunscreen

Sun exposure damages skin over time by reducing elasticity and causing dark spots to appear. Apply sunscreen whenever you plan to go outside, even if it's overcast. Use a broad-spectrum formula with an SPF of 30 or higher to protect yourself from UVA and UVB rays, which can cause sunburn and melanoma.

2. Stop Smoking

Smoking negatively affects the skin, diminishing your looks over time. This habit impairs blood circulation, causing signs of premature aging, like wrinkles. Fortunately, you’ll experience almost immediate health benefits once you quit. Oxygen levels will increase 12 hours after your last cigarette, and your risk of heart attack decreases after one day without smoking.

3. Perform Self-Exams

Perform a skin cancer self-exam at least once a month. Check each area of your body, and look for anything out of the ordinary, such as unusual blemishes, new marks, or changes in existing moles. Use a mirror or ask a friend to help you examine hard-to-reach areas, like your back.

4. Be Gentle

Although cleaning your face every day keeps your skin healthy, you can damage the surface by washing it harshly. Over-washing causes the skin to become red and irritated, and your face may feel uncomfortably tight afterward. Additionally, make sure you’re using an appropriate cleanser for your skin type. People with dry skin should look for cleansers with moisturizing ingredients, such as glycerin, while those with oily skin will be best served by lightweight foam washes, as these won’t clog pores.  

If you’d like more tips on how you can strengthen your skin care routine, contact the knowledgeable team at Kailua Dermatology Associates in Hawaii. Led by Dr. Phillip Hellreich, MD, these professionals will teach you how to perform a self-exam and help you determine your skin type. View their treatments online, or call (808) 261-6133 to schedule an appointment.