No, it’s not your brain, it’s your skin. It literally covers you from head to toe. All sorts of things around you can impact it: the sun, the wind, heat, cold, dry air and the list goes on. Here are some steps you might take to protect or fix it.

See a Doctor

Dermatology is the medical specialty doctors study to become experts in skin care. If you live in the right area of the Lone Star State you can go see the people at Dallas Associated Dermatologists, if you live outside that area an internet search will find providers local to you. They can help you with:

  • Eczema
  • Melanomas (skin cancer)
  • Hair loss
  • Psoriasis
  • Acne
  • Moles

And any other issue that involves your skin, including any necessary surgeries.

Hydration

There is a plethora of over-the-counter creams and lotions vying for your money. Some have hyaluronic acid, others collagen and still others with a variety of chemicals, fatty acids and even foodstuffs. Unfortunately, it’s a trial and error process to find the right one for you. To save the damage to your bank account, look for trial size options if you can find them.

Like the snake oil salesmen of yesteryear, there is no dearth of websites giving out false and unverified information. One such says drinking lots of water will keep your skin nicely hydrated. While keeping up your intake is important for your overall health, medical science has yet to prove any link between it and supple, elastic skin. 

Sun Protection

One thing science does agree on, the sun can and does damage your skin. From sunburn to dry skin to skin cancer, solar radiation can wreak havoc upon that largest of human organs. Fortunately, there are proactive ways to reduce your risk of permanent, potentially fatal consequences. Wearing a hat while out in the garden is a simple method, as is wearing a cover-up when you head to the beach. Sunscreen is a great way to cover all exposed skin. Using a product with an SPF-30 rating that covers both UVA and UVB rays should give you adequate protection as long as you also reapply as needed.

Home Environment

If you live in an area where you have to keep your furnace blasting hot air around the house for a good chunk of the year, you probably know how dry the air can get. Have you ever walked across the carpet, grabbed a doorknob, and gotten a stinging zap? That’s because the overly dry air causes static electricity to build up and then discharge. It can also cause your skin to become dry and brittle. A humidifier attached to your furnace or set up in your living areas can be an immense help in alleviating these problems.

The old adage about an ounce of prevention being worth a pound of cure holds true when it comes to your skin. The simple preventative measures listed here can help you avoid the surgical remedies the doctor’s office may need to apply later in life. Of course, there are no guarantees. Doing everything you can may not preclude problems, but it is a wise choice to reduce your risk as much as possible.