Your Skin
You probably don't realize it, but your skin is constantly reinventing
itself: The outer layer regenerates every month. Your body's biggest
organ needs to stay in tip-top shape because it has important jobs to
do—like shielding you from pathogens, the elements, and everyday bumps
and falls. You can help by giving your skin the TLC it deserves. That
means eating the right nutrients, slathering on sunscreen, and checking
for suspicious spots,
says Jessica Wu, MD, professor of dermatology at the University of
Southern California's Keck School of Medicine. Bonus: Those same healthy
habits will keep your skin soft, smooth and gorgeous, too.
Layer by layer
In order to understand how to keep your skin healthy, it helps to know these important terms:
The epidermis makes new skin and the pigment melanin. It also contains Langerhans cells, which help regulate your immune system.
The dermis holds the subepidermal structures of the skin in place.
Subcutaneous fat cushions and protects your body and helps you stay warm.
Sebaceous glands produce an oily substance to keep your skin smooth and soft.
Blood vessels remove waste (like CO2) and ferry nutrients through the layers of the skin.
Hair follicles attach to tiny muscles that cause your hair to stand up (giving you goose bumps) and trap heat when you're cold.
Sweat glands secrete perspiration to moisten the surface of the skin and cool you down.
Nerves send signals to your brain, so you know how something feels and react to it (e.g., you pull your hand back from a hot pot).
Wrinkles can offer health clues
Got a lot of deep creases? You might be at a higher risk
of developing low bone density postmenopause, according to a Yale School
of Medicine study. That makes sense, says Debra Jaliman, MD, professor
of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New
York City, because skin and bone are made from the same type of
collagen. Another study, from the Netherlands, found that women with
saggier skin had higher blood pressure. "Wrinkles can signal that your
body is not making enough of the protein elastin, which helps keep both
your skin and blood vessels supple," notes Dr. Jaliman. Wrinkles could
also be a hint that you need more shut-eye: Women who received five or
fewer hours a night had more fine lines than those who logged a full
night's sleep, according to a 2013 study. When you skimp on rest, your
body has less time to do its nightly repair work on collagen and
elastin, explains Dr. Jaliman.
When in doubt, get moles checked out
It's important to alert your derm to any new growth. But it's
especially vital if the mole exhibits one or more of the ABCDE signs of
melanoma:
asymmetry, border irregularity, color variations, a diameter that's
larger than a pencil eraser's, and an evolving size, color or shape. You
should also have your derm examine anything that looks like a pimple or
ingrown hair and doesn't go away within three weeks. "It could be
either basal or squamous cell carcinoma, the two nonmelanoma forms of
skin cancer," says dermatologist Shawn Allen, MD, spokesperson for the
Skin Cancer Foundation. These are much less likely to be deadly but
still require removal; and the longer you wait, the larger they grow.
If you notice a suspicious spot, you may be tempted to use a skin
cancer app that lets you submit a picture for either automated analysis
or a dermatologist's opinion. "These are unreliable," cautions Dr.
Allen. "It's hard enough to make the call as to whether something needs
to be biopsied when the person is standing right in front of you." The
better move is to always schedule a face-to-face appointment.
See spots fade
If you're unhappy with freckles, sunspots, or melasma (patches of gray-brown skin), these treatments can erase 'em.
Tri-luma: This Rx cream packs a triple punch: the skin bleacher hydroquinone, a skin-sloughing
retinoid and a steroid to reduce irritation. Since high doses of hydroquinone have been linked to cancer in rats, many doctors recommend that you limit use. Cost: around $150 for a four-month supply.
Glycolic acid peels: These medical-strength peels contain at least 30 percent glycolic acid, and some dermatologists will mix in hydroquinone for extra potency. Most women require three to five peels before they see results. Cost: $200 to $250 per peel.
Lasers: They are very effective at zapping
freckles and sunspots, says Heather D. Rogers, MD, professor of
dermatology at the University of Washington School of Medicine in
Seattle. Patients generally need three or more treatments. Cost: about
$500 per session.
Your acne may get worse with age
"As you enter perimenopause"—which can start as early as
your 30s—"your estrogen levels drop, while male sex hormones, like
testosterone, remain nearly constant," says Dr. Wu. That imbalance may
send your oil glands into overdrive, causing you to break out like a
teen. Look for OTC products with retinol, which fights both wrinkles (by
increasing cell turnover) and pimples (by unblocking pores). Or ask
your derm about a prescription retinoid, like Renova, which may be a
good choice for aging skin. But if you're experiencing big, pustulelike
cysts, you likely need something stronger: "I sometimes put patients on
the blood pressure medication spironolactone, which restores hormonal
balance," says Dr. Jaliman.
Smart swaps can give you better skin
While some foods can help prevent UV damage, others can cause
problems (from acne to aging). Here, three smart trades to try for
healthier skin.
Instead of blended coffee drinks, drink plain iced coffee. Dairy can worsen acne; sugar helps break down collagen, says Dr. Wu, author of Feed Your Face. On the other hand, having four or more cups of coffee a day was associated with a 20 percent lower risk of melanoma in a 2015 Yale study.
Instead of grilled steak, eat salmon. Red meat that's cooked at high temps is more likely to form advanced glycation end products, which can play a role in aging. Salmon is rich in anti-inflammatory
omega-3 fatty acids. A study published in 2009 suggests that a serving of oily fish every five days may protect against pre-cancerous changes.
Instead of lots of citrus fruits, eat watermelon.
Citrus contains substances called psoralens, which make your skin more
sensitive to UV rays, and have been linked to an increased risk of
melanoma. Like citrus fruits, watermelon are chock-full of skin-rejuvenating
vitamin C—but they don't have any psoralens.
You sweat for a reason
What you need to know about embarrassing perspiration issues.
First of all, why do we perspire? It's your body's way of
regulating your temperature, says Dr. Jaliman. There are two types of sweat glands: eccrine, which are found all over your body, and apocrine, which are located in areas with a lot of hair follicles, like your armpits and groin. Your eccrine glands produce mostly odorless water and salt; your apocrine glands, however, churn out a milky fluid that combines with skin bacteria to create BO.
How can I prevent rashes and breakouts caused by sweat? Start
by wearing looser workout gear, since rashes can be a result of
friction from damp clothing, says Dr. Wu. And shower as soon as you can
after each workout (or wipe down your face, chest and back with
salicylic or glycolic acid pads). If the problem persists,
try applying antiperspirant on your inner thighs and under your breasts
to stave off rashes and chafing.
My palms drip when I'm nervous. What can I do? About 3 percent of people in the United States have hyperhidrosis,
which means they sweat too much, often from one or two areas of the
body (usually the underarms, palms, feet or head), according to Malcolm
Brock, MD, director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Sweating Disorders.
If you're diagnosed with the condition, there are a number of treatment
options, including prescription deodorants and Botox.
