Good Skin Care: Why Should You Care?

Description: There are many reasons for maintaining good skin care and many ways in which you can accomplish this important daily task.

Keywords: good skin care, skin care, practice good skin care

To age gracefully, it is important to practice good skin care throughout life. When we are born, we are blessed with wrinkle free skin that is moist and very soft. As life progresses, the harshness of certain environmental factors begin to wear the skin. This results in drier and tougher skin that wrinkles and begins to sag as we age. Good skin care aids in slowing the harmful effects of time and our environment.

How the Skin Functions
Good skin care begins with understanding how the skin functions. There are basically three layers, which include the following:

* Subcutaneous tissue (the innermost layer) contains insulating fat cells.
* Dermis (the middle layer) contains connective tissues.
* Epidermis (the outermost layer) protects the inner skin layers from environmental contaminants.

The epidermal cells travel in and out of this layer of skin. Once they have reached the surface, they die and become flaky. Sweat gland function decreases as well, causing the skin to dry even more. The epidermal cells also become thinner as time progresses.

As less collagen is produced, the skin loses its elasticity, which brings about the beginning of sagging and wrinkling. Finally, UVA and UVB rays from the sun cause the epidermal layer of skin to become thinner, causing faster collagen breakdown in the dermis.

The skin functions as a shield for our bodies and as a regulator between the environments inside and outside our bodies. Important functions of our skin include:

* Regulating body temperature through control of sweats and blood flow
* Elimination of toxins and water from the body
* Heat retention in cold weather conditions
* Prevention of harmful chemicals, organisms, bacteria and viruses from entering the body
* Provides resistance against shock for more sensitive tissues in the body
* Vitamin D manufacturing to aid in maintenance and growth of bones

Good Skin Care
Good skin care requires regular use of healthy cleansers and moisturizers. Dirt and excess oil cause pimples and acne problems. Cleansing removes not only dirt, but also the skin cells that have died and are causing a flaky appearance on the surface of the skin.

Cleansing also removes the oils from the skin. Some of these oils are necessary to keep the skin moisturized. When they are removed, the drying out process is accelerated, which also speeds the signs of age. The result is the need for moisturizing in order to restore water to the skin and protect it.

Certain liquid cleansers are often recommended over bar soap because they are often designed with better moisturizers in them to combat the drying agents in the cleanser. Your skin type and your preferences should determine which cleanser is best.

An important element in moisturizers is Vitamin E because it moisturizes and helps to maintain elasticity. Heavy moisturizing formulas are recommended for nighttime use, while lighter ones should be used during the day.

Practicing Good Skin Care
The practice of good skin care requires effort on your part. A practiced and well-developed routine of cleansing and moisturizing is important in order to maintain effective skin care. The avoidance of excessive exposure to the sun's harmful rays is important in maintaining healthy skin. Tanning may make you look vibrant and healthy initially, but the long-term effects include excessive sagging, wrinkling and the strong possibility of skin cancer.

Good practices also include the regular use of a strong sunscreen that has a minimum SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of 15. Smoking is another dangerous element in skin neglect. It causes the skin to age and wrinkle much faster than in non-smokers. Finally, practice healthy eating habits and include foods that promote skin elasticity. Drink plenty of water each day.

There are many reasons for maintaining good skin care and many ways in which you can accomplish this important daily task. As society learns about and practices more good skin care habits, we will discover newer and better methods of preserving our most important protective bodily organ.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our friendly staff at Advanced Vein & Laser Center.

Advanced Vein & Laser Center
191 Leader Heights Road,
York, Pennsylvania, 17402

Our phone number is: (717) 268-4001

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