What is National Healthy Skin Month?
National Healthy Skin Month is held every year to show how important it is to take care of your skin. The event was started by the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) in 1997 and has since become a widely recognized month-long celebration. Every November, the AAD works to educate the public on how to best take care of their skin and adopt habits that will lead to a lifetime of healthier skin, hair, and nails.
In addition to spreading awareness, National Healthy Skin Month is also a time for people to take inventory of their own skincare routines and make necessary changes. This could mean anything from using a more gentle cleanser to putting on more sunscreen. No matter what changes are made, the goal is always to improve overall skin health. So this November, take some time for yourself and your skin—it’ll thank you in the long run!
Importance of Healthy Skin
The skin is one of the most important organs in the human body. It has many important jobs, such as protecting the body from injury, controlling body temperature, keeping important nutrients in the body, and stopping harmful substances from getting in. Because of all these important functions, it’s only fitting that the skin should have a month dedicated to promoting how to keep it healthy. This month is known as “National Healthy Skin Month.”
Board-certified dermatologist Christian Millett of Tyson’s Corner, Virginia’s Forefront Dermatology, says that learning about your skin is crucial for a variety of reasons. Skin changes could indicate that something is wrong with your overall health. Many illnesses, including an allergic reaction, an infection, or an autoimmune disease, can cause itching or a rash. A mole that has changed or developed a new growth may be a form of skin cancer. If you pay close attention to your skin, it could tell you important things about your overall health and wellness. [1]
Skin Cancer Prevention
The American Academy of Dermatology is bringing back National Healthy Skin Month to help prevent and learn more about skin cancer. People often don’t know that skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the world.
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation:
- One out of every five Americans will get skin cancer by the time they are 70.
- Every hour, more than two people in the U.S. die from skin cancer.
- Melanoma risk doubles if you get more than 5 sunburns.
- The most common types are squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma.
- Melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer, but if caught early, it is easy to treat. [2]
5 Tips to Celebrate National Healthy Skin Month
This November, make a commitment to taking better care of your skin! Here are five tips to help you get started:
1. Get yearly skin cancer screenings
Getting screened for skin cancer is the best thing you can do to keep your skin healthy. We know that skin cancer can be dangerous, especially if it isn’t found early.
Skin cancer can happen to anyone, no matter how much sun they get, what color their skin is, or how often they use sunscreen. As a result, it’s critical to avoid the sun and have your skin checked for growths you can’t see. It is always advised to get screened for skin cancer at least once a year.
2. Manage acute or chronic skin issues
It’s time to look at that rash you’ve been ignoring for a while or that annoying wart that’s getting worse. Some conditions that don’t seem serious could be long-term or even signs of something more serious.
Since your skin is the outermost layer that keeps you safe from harm, it needs the same care as, say, a sore throat that keeps coming back. Go to a dermatologist to get it fixed, and your skin will soon be better.
3. Relieve dry hands and brittle nails
Have you noticed that your hands and nails are very dry because you use hand sanitizers and wash your hands so often? After each time you wash your hands, be sure to moisturize your hands, nails, and cuticles using an ointment-based moisturizer such as petroleum jelly. The dryness and brittleness of the nails can both be avoided in this way.
4. Exfoliate your skin
Exfoliating is an important part of any skincare routine. It helps to remove dead skin cells, which can make your skin look dull. Exfoliating also allows your other skincare products to work better.
You can exfoliate your skin in a number of ways. You can use an exfoliating cleanser, scrub, or brush. You can also make your own sugar scrub at home. Just mix equal parts sugar and olive oil, and you’re good to go!
5. Limit your time in the sun
You may enjoy spending time in the sun, but too much exposure can be harmful to your skin. UV (ultraviolet) rays can damage your skin and cause wrinkles, sunspots, and even skin cancer.
To protect your skin from the sun, wear sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. You should also wear protective clothing, such as long-sleeve shirts and pants, and a hat. Avoid being in the sun during the middle of the day, when the sun’s rays are the strongest.
Go to dermabare.com for your skin and wellness needs. They have a variety of services to help you with any skin concerns you may have. They also have a blog with tips on how to take care of your skin. November is National Healthy Skin Month, so make sure to take care of your skin this month!
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