Taking care of your skin to keep it healthy is a year-round project, and these are some tips for keeping your skin healthy and hydrated from season to season.

1. Drink lots of water! Your body is 50 – 70% water; we need water to survive; drinking at least 64 ounces of water per day is recommended. Water is a natural way to flush out toxins, plump and hydrate the skin, and reduce puffiness. Minimize your alcohol consumption, as it does the exact opposite.
2. Apply an SPF daily. Skin cancer occurrences continue to rise – it’s never too early or too late to wear a sunblock daily. Our Practice recommends zinc-based (mineral) sun protection. The higher the zinc, the greater the protection. You should reapply at least every 80 minutes when in continuous sun year-round. The UVA rays, or as we call them, the aging rays, are as damaging in the middle of winter as they are in the middle of summer, including on cloudy days. There are many sunscreens with sophisticated ingredients to reduce blue light exposure from device screens, protect against infrared heat damage, and are tinted.
3. Have a skincare routine addressing your skin type and conditions or concerns you want to improve. Using a good skincare consultant/aesthetician is wise and will save you time and money.
4. Always cleanse your face. I know we get tired and forget to take the day off, but removing all the dirt, debris, and environmental pollution from your face nightly is vital. I recommend cleansing sooner rather than later in the evenings and again in the morning to prepare the skin for your day products.
5. We recommend that you have an annual skin check from a dermatologist to catch any signs of skin cancers early when they are most treatable.
6. Try to get 8-9 hours of sleep every evening and exercise in the fresh air when possible.
7. We recommend immediately addressing any sun damage from summer or other seasonal skin conditions while they are mild and easiest to treat. Professional exfoliation about every 6-8 weeks will keep your skin glowing and allow the cells to operate as they should.
8. Our skin is often stressed due to winter weather, heat being on, and holiday pressures and a good skincare routine can help keep your skin vibrant and supple.
9. Relax and slow down during the holiday season to enjoy the festivities and not be stressed.

Our clinical providers have many excellent treatment options and skincare products to prepare your skin for each season. We work with our patients to have the most healthy skin possible and anti-age gracefully year round. Call our office for a consultation to embark on a healthy skin routine – it is never too late!

-Jennifer Quigley, Licensed Medical Aesthetician