Beauty Kuel Category Expert: Lakshmi Devi Ethirajan
Your skin, the largest organ in your body, is your first line of defense against all types of harmful attacks: sun, wind, bacteria, and more.
“a small amount of sun is critical in helping our bodies create Vitamin D, a little goes a long way.
Yes, skin cells are less than paper-thin. The good news, the many layers that make up this amazing organ work 24/7 to protect you.
Season after season, the sun’s rays beat down on us. We soak them up while relaxing at the beach, lake, tennis court, or other outdoor activity. They pour in through our car and building windows. And while a small amount of sun is critical in helping our bodies create Vitamin D, a little goes a long way. The sun can do real damage: wrinkles, burns, and cancer top the list.
Unfortunately, millions of people of all ages receive the shocking, often an unexpected diagnosis, of skin cancer every year. Some can be treated fairly easily—especially if caught early. But every hour more than two people die from skin cancer in the U.S. These 6 simple steps to keep skin healthy will help reduce your chances of experiencing negative effects.
Prevent Skin Damage: 6 Simple Steps To Keep Skin Healthy
- Stay In The Shade (And Avoid Tanning Beds, Booths, Sunbeds, And Sunlamps): Repeated exposure and/or overexposure to ultraviolet rays – whether from sun or tanning beds—is the top cause of skin damage and skin cancer. The shade is your skin’s best friend!
- Protect Your Skin With Clothing: Clothes with a relatively tight weave are a good first line of defense. The more light you can see when you hold an item of clothing up, the more UV rays can penetrate it. When available, clothes with built-in UV protection are the best option. Just remember that, for most items, the protection will last about a year, given typical wearing and washing. If possible, wear UV-protective gloves, too, especially when driving.
“When available, clothes with built-in UV protection are the best option.”
3, Wear A Hat With A Brim: Hats appear to be making a comeback, and that’s good news for your scalp, face, lips, ears, neck and hair. All common areas for skin cancer. Be on the cutting edge of the trend and prevent skin damage. The same general guideline applies for hats as clothing: the less light that penetrates, the better. Look for a brim that shades your whole face and upper shoulders, or for a sporty look choose a cap with a fabric panel that shades the back of your neck.
4. Use Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen: The higher the SPF, the better. It blocks more UVBs. Water-resistant is generally a good choice since that will reduce the amount that dissipates when you perspire. And when it comes to choosing which type, most authorities don’t express a preference (unless you have a particular allergy). Any is better than none.
- Physical (also known as mineral) sunscreens provide a thick barrier that is helpful, particularly on the most exposed and often-rubbed areas like the nose, ears and cheeks.
- Chemical sunscreens interact with the sun’s rays and can also be very effective.
5. Wear Sunglasses That Protect Both UVA And UVB Rays: Larger frames tend to give you the greatest coverage, but again, any protection is better than none.
6. Check Your Skin For Signs Of Damage: Make checking your skin a standard post-shower or bath activity will help you spot changes in your skin earlier (and help nip any potentially cancerous growths in the bud!). Use a handheld mirror to see your neck, shoulders, back, backs of thighs, and rear end. What are you looking for?
- Any new, irregularly-shaped spot on the skin (other than the one that’s clearly a pimple).
- Any growth that looks like a wart, or mole that’s changing in size or color.
- A scaly red patch—especially if it’s oozing or bleeding and/or doesn’t heal after several weeks.
“A favorite method of monitoring skin is to take a quick photo of any moles, dark spots or other growths. “
Prevent Skin Damage:
A favorite method of monitoring skin is to take a quick photo of any moles, dark spots or other growths. You can refer to these baseline images later. That will be invaluable to your doctor if they begin to change later on.
“When detected early, the 5-year survival rate for melanoma is 99%.” – SkinCancer.org. Needless to say, if you see any of the signs above or anything unusual on your skin, play it safe and visit the dermatologist.
Follow these 6 simple steps to keep skin healthy every day—not just when you’re sunbathing—you’ll be well on your way to preventing skin damage.
Did you enjoy this article? Become a Kuel Life Member today to support our ad-free Community. Sign-up for our Sunday newsletter and get your expert content delivered straight to your inbox.
About the Author:
Lakshmi is a holistic skincare specialist. She is the founder of Srida Herbals an organic and vegan friendly skincare line. She aspires to create products that help people feel confident their own skin and ditch the harsh chemicals in their skincare routine.
By founding Srida Herbals, she wants to influence the skincare world around her. She focuses on bringing together her knowledge about centuries old skincare traditions and her 20+ years of pharmaceutical skills to create products that are toxin-free and safe. In her products she uses ingredients in their righteous quantities to maximize the effect of the skin. She wants others to understand that skincare is an holistic ritual and it’s not the active process of using chemicals filled products that give an instant effect. Follow Lakshmi on Instagram and shop her products in the Kuel Shop.
