Tucson Skin Care - The Importance of Prevention and Maintenance

In Tucson, skin care is a serious subject – and one which gets much more attention than it does in most other places. In matters of skin care, many people don’t even give it a thought until they see the initial signs of aging. The first signs are usually wrinkles, which customarily start to appear sometime in their 30's. While starting to pay attention to skin care is beneficial at any age, it is important to learn the basics of good skin care as early as possible, and then make it a routine – especially in the Tucson desert environment. Many times, however, people just don’t know where to start. Little wonder, with all of the beauty products on the market, and all of the claims of their healing, cleansing, and anti aging benefits, how can we figure out the best skin care regimens for ourselves?

There have been great strides forward made in the area of skin care in the last couple of decades, and some of the newly created skin care products, combined with some old tried-and-true methods of skin care, can help anyone keep their skin in the best condition possible.

Skin care begins inside –
One thing that a lot of people don’t realize is that skin care is more than just keeping your skin clean and covered with one of the various kinds of creams. The skin is an organ – the largest organ of the human body - and all the organs of the human body require proper nutrition in order to function correctly. With today’s fast food diets and busy lifestyles, where many peoples’ idea of a meal is grabbing donut on the way out the door, it’s no wonder that there is a nutritional crisis going on in America.

In the matter of a Tucson skin care program, proper nutrition should be the first thing on your agenda. Eating healthy foods, including plenty of fruits, lean protein, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats like those in olive or canola oil can go a long way in helping your skin stay healthy and supple. A good quality vitamin and mineral supplement also bears consideration, especially for those busy people who simply don’t watch their diets as closely as they should. To be truly healthy, the skin needs the right balance of vitamins and minerals, especially the B vitamins, anti-oxidants such as vitamin C and vitamin E, and the essential minerals such as calcium and magnesium. Proper eating habits, combined with comprehensive vitamin and mineral supplementation, should be considered the first and most essential part of a skin care program that works. Proper diet and nutrition will allow you to enjoy more Tucson activities in the sun, without so much concern over damage.

The Role of Prevention in Skin Care –
"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." That famous axiom is certainly true in and Tucson skin care regimen. Think of it like this: if you allow your skin to become sunburned, then it is 'injured' and must 'heal' – which is quite literally true. Much better that you avoid injuring your skin under the unyielding Tucson sun with some quality sunscreen, than spend [uncomfortable] time slathering up your red, blistered body with healing skin care lotions and creams.

It's much more difficult for skin care products and anti-aging products to work when we don’t work to prevent many skin care problems. Good nutrition is one way to do this, but we also need to do more. One of the most damaging elements to the skin is the sun – something we have in abundance in Tucson. Not very long ago, people regarded a nice tan as a sign of attractive, healthy skin. Today, most of us know better. Too much exposure to the ultra-violet rays of our star, and even the so called “safe” UVA rays that come from tanning booths, are extremely damaging, and even dangerous, to the skin.

Both UV and UVA rays cause a premature aging of the skin, and can also cause other skin conditions such as rashes, inflammation, and even skin cancer. A good quality sun block lotion or cream (with an SPF of 30 or higher) is an essential beauty product to have on hand at all times. Sun block should be worn all the time you are outside exposed to the sun. Remember, ultra-violet rays are still present even on cloudy days. And sun blocks are not permanent – they should be reapplied as necessary throughout your outdoor adventure. Hats work well for shielding the face from the sun. And of course, though it can be hard to find in the Sonora Desert, sitting in the shade, and not directly in the sun, is a great way to avoid skin damage.

Cleaning –
Keeping the skin clean is absolutely essential for good skin care. A mild soap that doesn’t excessively dry the skin can be good, and there are several beauty products on the market that focus on safe skin cleansing – based on your skin type. Your skin should be thoroughly cleansed before applying or reapplying any creams, lotions, or make-up used on the face. Make sure the skin is as clean as possible. In Tucson, the Sonora Desert winds frequently kick up a fine dust/dirt that clings to skin and fills pores. In your Tucson skin care program, be sure to focus in on this special problem.

Creams and Lotions –
Today there are myriad creams and lotions available over the counter that are very beneficial for skin care. Beauty products and anti-aging products for the skin have been developed over the years that can help the skin renew itself; that can help prevent or reduce wrinkles; help prevent or reduce other signs of skin aging; and even help clear up acne and other debilitating skin conditions. Exfoliating skin creams help the skin with the natural process of sloughing off old, dead skin cells. With the dead cells removed, newer, more resilient skin cells can more easily flourish.

Recently, moisturizers have been developed that not only keep the skin supple, but also help the skin rejuvenate itself, and can soften or 'plump' lines and wrinkles, thereby making them noticeably smoother and less apparent. There are some excellent creams and lotions for specific areas of the face and body, such as creams for the delicate area around the eyes, the thicker and rougher areas of the elbows and knees, or the vulnerable area of the neck. There are also non-prescription and prescription preparations that can be extremely helpful for clearing up acne and blackheads.

Medical Support for Skin Care –
If you are having a problem with your skin, or you want to focus on a serious skin care regimen, consult one of the many Tucson dermatologists to figure out the best beauty and anti-aging regimen for your personal skin type. With all of the amazing beauty and health care products on the market, as well as the new anti-aging products, your skin can look its best for a very, very long time – even if you enjoy being out in the Tucson sun. A dermatologist will help you develop a comprehensive and effective Tucson skin care program.