People say that beauty’s only skin deep; it’s what’s on the “inside” that counts. Our insides are certainly important, but skin is your first layer of defense against the outside world. Skin may give important clues to your overall health. Learn to require excellent care of your skin, so your skin can keep taking excellent care of you.
Your skin could be a barrier between you and a variety of health threats, from annoying irritants to bacteria that would cause serious infection. Your skin — the biggest organ in your body; bears the brunt of exposure to UV rays from the sun and maintains a healthy temperature despite changing temperatures around you.
Just as healthy skin contributes to your overall health, a key skin benefit is its ability to lift the red flag when your body becomes sick through changes in texture and color and through itching.
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Skin plays other roles, too. It contains nerve endings that let you feel when an object is just too hot or sharp, so you'll be able to quickly retreat. Sweat glands and tiny blood vessels in your skin help to manage your blood heat. And cells in your skin turn sunlight into vitamin D, which is very important for healthy bones.
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Skin can also alert you to a health problem. A red, itchy rash might signal allergies or infections, and a red “butterfly” rash on your face might be an indication of lupus. A yellow tint might indicate liver disease. And dark or unusual moles can be a wake-up call of carcinoma. Air the lookout for unexpected changes to your skin, and talk along with your doctor if you've got concerns.
Your skin can become too dry if you don’t drink enough fluids or spend an excessive amount of time in sunny or dry conditions.
While washing hands is important for good hygiene, washing your hands an excessive amount of may also result in dry skin.
The sun can damage your skin as well. Sunlight contains ultraviolet (UV) light that causes sunburn and makes your skin age faster, resulting in more wrinkles as you age.
There’s a powerful link between UV exposure and carcinoma. So protect your skin from the sun. Wear hats and other protective clothing, use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of a minimum of 30, and restrict your time in the sun during the late morning and early afternoon hours, when sunlight is strongest.
Many skin researchers are studying the skin’s microbiome—the bacteria and other microscopic organisms that live on your skin. A number of these microbes are often helpful. Evidence suggests that they boost the body’s infection-fighting system and help keep you healthy. But there are some skin diseases with known associations with certain microbes. Researchers are trying to grasp how those microbes differ between healthy people and folks with skin diseases.
Tips for Healthy Skin
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Wash up. Bathe in warm—not hot—water; use mild cleansers that don’t irritate; and wash
gently—don’t scrub. -
Block sun damage. Avoid intense sun exposure, use sunscreen, and wear protective clothing.
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Don’t use tanning beds or sunlamps. They emit the same harmful UV radiation as the sun.
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Avoid dry skin. Drink plenty of water, and use gentle moisturizers, lotions, or creams.
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Reduce stress. Stress can harm your skin and other body systems.
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Get enough sleep. Experts recommend about 9 hours a night for teens and 7-8 hours for adults.
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Speak up. Talk to your doctor if you notice any odd changes to your skin, like a rash or mole that changes size or color.
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