CIGNA members: Please note that you may receive a letter in the mail stating that The Dermatology Center of Indiana is no longer in your network. This communication from CIGNA is incorrect and we would like to reassure you that we are still in network with CIGNA. We look forward to continuing to service you and your family for all your dermatology needs.

Skin Care Basics 101

You can get beautiful skin through genetics or through a great regimen. Even if you are genetically gifted with natural, low maintenance skin, there are skin basic care tenets that can help you maintain the look and feel of it as your skin does change over time. If you are not one of the naturally gifted, then you might need to give your skin a little extra TLC. Whether you starting with a perfect natural palette or you are bringing your skin back from beauty purgatory, these are some basic skin care tips that you can use to help you achieve your best skin.

Beautiful skin starts on the inside. Your skin is constantly under attack from the elements – the last thing you need is it being attacked from the inside, as well. Skin cell regeneration, overall texture, and general resilience are all aided by a great diet. Add foods to your diet that are rich in Omega oils, vitamin A, and antioxidants. Tuna, almonds, blueberries, Brazil nuts, spinach, broccoli, sweet potatoes, and wholegrains are all staples of a more skin-centric nutrient-rich diet.

Keep hydrated and get your beauty rest. Drinking plenty of water is necessary to flush out toxins and to keep your cells functional. Sleep is also very important not just because of the bags that would form under your eyes otherwise, but you need sleep to give your body time to perform proper maintenance and to give you skin a break from everything you can put it through during the day.

Be careful with products. Only use products with all natural ingredients and avoid combining too many products. Using natural ingredient products or sensitive skin products will remove a lot of chemicals from becoming absorbed into your skin. While we would like to think of our skin as this solid barrier of protection, it is quite porous and things get through it to get into our bloodstreams. This is why topical medications work at all. Next time you reach for a new cosmetic, be sure to read all of the ingredients. You especially need to be on the lookout for parabens, which is a group of preservatives that companies use for hygiene purposes. Unfortunately, there agents can cause significant irritation to skin, eyes and lungs.

Apply sunscreen every morning and moisturize every evening. Sun damage is the most effective way to damage your skin on a daily basis, and it can cause significant health problems, including skin cancer. Having adequate protection from the sun is your first line of defense for beautiful skin. No one expects you to be covered up all of the time, so be sure to apply some SPF to give yourself an extra layer. Hand-in-hand with sunscreen is applying a moisturizer at night. Moisturizer is more effective when applied at night because nothing is rubbing it off or breaking it down, which allows all of the effects to be absorbed unimpeded.

Spring for dermatologist treatments, such as microdermabrasion or intense pulsed light therapy occasionally. It is a great idea to indulge your skin a bit to give yourself a confidence boost. Microdermabrasion removes the topmost layers of skin to reveal the newer skin beneath. Intense pulsed light therapy is used to even out skin tone. The light causes the blood vessels to restrict blood flow, which reduces the appearance of redness.

The Dermatology Center of Indiana services Brownsburg, Cicero, Crawfordsville, and Fishers along with many other cities throughout Indiana. Join us today in one of our locations where you are always welcome!

Disclaim: This blog pro­vides gen­eral infor­ma­tion and dis­cus­sion about medical, cosmetic, mohs, and surgical dermatology. The words and other con­tent pro­vided in this blog, and in any linked mate­ri­als, are not intended and should not be con­strued as med­ical advice. If the reader or any other per­son has a med­ical con­cern, he or she should con­sult with an appropriately-licensed dermatologist or other health care worker.