Cheap Skin Tips from Doctors: Less is Really More!

Speakers at a national medical conference at the University of Miami offered very frugal tips about skin care: Bottom Line: Don't spend so much money on personal care products. Less is really more. Pure water frequently cleans better than soap!


"From the Experts: Top Skin Care Tips


When the Skin Academy presenters were asked for their top skin care tips, the responses offered a glimpse at the kind of expert care that dermatologists provide their patients every day. These include:


-- Use Soap on Select Areas of the Body to Avoid Dryness -- "Unless you
have really oily skin, because you are a teenager or work with oils or gases, you do not need soap to get yourself clean. Pure water does the job to get you clean. However, you do need to use soap on your face, under your arms, and in the groin area. As you get older, the use of
soap on the rest of your body can unnecessarily dry your skin." -- Brian B. Adams, MD, MPH, FAAD, associate professor of dermatology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio; director of dermatology, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio.

-- Don't Smoke! It Causes Wrinkles -- "Quit smoking or, better yet, don't even start! More and more young people are smoking and doing so to relieve stress, but it's bad for your skin and causes wrinkles. Deep-set wrinkles will appear around your mouth from puckering, your
skin will be dehydrated and dull, and you may experience premature aging." -- Flor A. Mayoral, MD, FAAD, clinical instructor, departments of dermatology and cutaneous surgery, University of Miami's Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Fla.

-- Wear Sunscreen! It Prevents Wrinkles -- "Use sunscreen every day, preferably one with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15 that provides broad-spectrum protection from both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. Today, many skin care products contain
sunscreen and are multifunctional, which allows you to get many skin benefits from one application. This saves time and money. For example, to protect and maintain healthy skin, use a daily facial moisturizer containing sunscreen. You also can find body lotions that contain sunscreen. These products can help hydrate and protect your skin, especially areas of your body that are sun-exposed throughout the day -- like your hands." -- Sandra I. Read, MD, FAAD, instructor of dermatology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, D.C.

-- Your Skin Reflects What You Eat -- "What you apply to your skin helps give it a healthy, radiant glow, but remember what you put into your body is just as important. A balanced diet rich in vitamins and antioxidants can make a real difference in the appearance of your skin." -- Susan C. Taylor, MD, FAAD, assistant clinical professor of dermatology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, N.Y.; clinical assistant professor of dermatology and associate faculty, School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania,
Philadelphia, Pa.

-- Do As Little As Possible to Your Hair -- "When it comes to hair care, less is more. Using unnecessary products or subjecting the hair to repeated procedures -- such as perms, coloring, waving or straightening -- can damage the hair and lead to breakage. Although women use these things to improve the cosmetic appearance of their hair, in the long run they will inevitably cause the hair to lose some of its natural luster and look unhealthy. I advise my patients to do as little as possible to their hair, which will help keep it healthy." -- Zoe D.
Draelos, MD, FAAD, private practice, High Point, N.C.

For more information on common skin conditions and the latest cosmetic procedures for aging skin, go to http://www.skincarephysicians.com/, a Web site developed by dermatologists that provides patients with up-to-date information on the treatment and management of disorders of the skin, hair and nails.


Headquartered in Schaumburg, Ill., the American Academy of Dermatology (Academy), founded in 1938, is the largest, most influential, and most representative of all dermatologic associations. For more information, contact the Academy at 1-888-462-DERM (3376) or http://www.aad.org/.


Source: American Academy of Dermatology "



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