Your Guide to Basic Skin Care

Salem dermatology office

At our Salem dermatology office, we believe that your skin is a reflection of your health. Not only does it act as a canvas for the body, it’s also one of your most valuable assets. To enjoy a new year of wonderfully healthy skin, you need to develop healthy habits that work to protect your canvas from the outer – and occasionally inner – forces at work against you. Here are a few basic skin care tips that will help 2017 become a year of enjoying the smoothest, youngest looking and healthiest skin possible.

Moisturize and Clean Your Skin Daily

Great looking skin requires a daily commitment. You need to wash your face twice a day, ideally once in the morning and again at night before heading off to bed. After you wash, follow up by applying a moisturizer or a toner. Toners work to remove fine traces of make-up, oil or dirt that you may have missed when washing. Moisturizing is a necessity even if you have oily skin. However, make sure you buy a moisturizer that matches your skin types (oily, normal or dry).

While it’s important that you wash twice daily, you don’t want to overdo it as you can easily dry your skin out by washing too frequently. Just make sure to properly wash and moisturize your face in the morning and again at night instead of throughout the day.

Don’t Forget the Sun Block

Over the years, exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet radiation can cause many changes to the health of your skin, including age spots, freckles, discoloration, wrinkles and pre-cancerous or cancerous growths that include melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma. In fact, the majority of skin cancers are directly linked to sun exposure. Make sure to limit your time in the sun, especially between the hottest parts of the day when the sun is at its zenith. You also need to always wear a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF factor of at least 30 or higher. Cover exposed areas with protective clothing, such as pants, long-sleeve shirts or a wide-brimmed hat before heading out for extended periods of time as well.

Visit Our Salem Dermatology Office for Help

Few people ever truly enjoy perfect skin. Your skin can become oily or dry; it can develop acne, rashes and a variety of other issues. Whatever condition may impact the health of your skin, our skin doctors in Salem can help diagnose and address the issues at hand. Most of our patients cannot believe the difference just one visit to our Salem dermatology office can make to the health and appearance of their skin. Don’t let chronic skin issues become the norm. Seek out the professional help available to keep your skin looking and feeling its best.

Self Screen

Throughout your life, it’s important to pay attention to all parts of your skin. Familiarize yourself with it, so you’ll notice any changes that might develop, such as the appearance of moles or patches that could indicate skin cancer. If you ever have a question or concern regarding the health of your skin, don’t wait to seek out a professional diagnosis. The earlier the majority of skin problems are treated, the higher the recovery rate becomes.