November is National Healthy Skin Month!

We all have it. We all wash it. We all take efforts to feel our best inside of it. What is it? This time it's not your car, it's your skin! And November is National Healthy Skin month, a recognition that provides us the opportunity to give advice on maintaining your precious human hide.

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), along with Franciscan Alliance dermatologists, continually focus on helping people keep their skin healthy. While a wide variety of methods exist, lets concentrate on the simple ones.

Generally speaking, the first thing a person notices is your face. It's important to take care of your face whose skin is often very sensitive. The AAD offers the following advice for the best way to wash your face:

1) Use a gentle, non-abrasive cleanser that does not contain alcohol.

2) Wet your face with lukewarm water and use your fingertips to apply cleanser. Other items (washcloth, sponge) can irritate your skin.

3) Resist temptation to scrub your skin. Scrubbing can lead to irritation.

4) Rinse your skin with lukewarm water and pat dry with a soft towel.
5)Apply moisturizer if your skin is dry or itchy.

6) Limit washing to twice a day and after sweating. Perspiration irritates the skin, so it's important to wash it off as soon as possible.

The face may often be the focus of our skin care, but with winter upon us it's important to take care of our body in its entirety. Here's some winter skin care tips for you to keep in mind as the snow begins to fall!

-Seek a specialist. A dermatologist or esthetician can analyze your skin type, review your skin care regimen and give you sound advice on the skin care products you use.

-Moisturize more! Use an oil-based moisturizer rather than a water-based one because it will provide a protective layer over your skin that helps retain moisture.

-Utilize a humidifier. Furnaces and space heaters blow hot, dry air through your home. Humidifiers get more moisture into the air, which helps prevent your skin from drying out.

-Keep it cool in the bath! Extremely hot baths, while pleasant in their own time, break down lipid barriers in the skin which can lead to moisture loss.

Your local dermatologists are extensively trained on skin care, skin disease and skin care products. By utilizing their knowledge and expertise you can keep the quality of your skin at it's best.

For more information on skin care tips during this month of skin health, visit www.aad.org or visit the dermatologists at Franciscan Hammond Clinic! Make an appointment today by calling (219)836-5800!