Preparing Your Skin for the School Year

Oregon dermatologists

As summer break quickly comes to an end, our Oregon dermatologists at Valley View Dermatology want all of our patients to start the upcoming school year with the healthy, radiant-looking skin that helps them feel confident and ready for success. Whether you’re heading back to college or moving up to high school, it’s important that your skin is ready to withstand the rigorous school year that’s to come.

In order to help our patients feel ready for the start of the semester, here are a few back-to-school tips that will help keep your skin looking and feeling great.

Shed That Summer Tan

If you’ve taken advantage of every opportunity to spend a little time in the sun you’re probably a little tanner than at the beginning of summer. Even if you took the precautions of wearing sunscreen and protective clothing, it’s likely you still developed a tan that’s now starting to look dull and uneven.

To start the process of removing dead skin cells and to promote the growth of new cells try using an exfoliating body and facial wash that’s specifically designed for your skin type. Look for an exfoliating cleanser that contains Alpha Hydroxy Acids for your face and a salt or sugar scrub for the rest of your body.

Oh, and even though the skies will start to turn cloudy as we move into fall, make sure you still continue to wear a sunscreen of at least SPF 30 before heading out.

Take Care of Your Acne

While certainly more common, hormonal changes don’t just effect the complexion of teens. An overdrive of oils can cause acne, white heads, and black heads to appear just before your first day of class. To make the best first impression possible, make sure to apply a gentle cleansing to your face every morning and evening using a cleanser designed for your specific skin type. This will help your pores stay open and avoid clogging.

You don’t want to abuse your skin so skip scrubbing with harsh cleansing products that can cause further irritation. Instead, try using a non-comedogenic, oil-free product to keep your skin looking clear and radiant. If you have trouble managing your acne without a prescription make sure to schedule an appointment with one of our Salem skin doctors before school starts.

Prevent Skin Infections

A return to team sports and dirty locker rooms or the communal showers in a dorm can both increase your risk of developing a skin infection from an infectious disease. Stay aware of the common skin conditions caused by bacteria, fungi, and viruses to know what to keep an eye out for. Also make sure to frequently wash your hands and to try and keep communal areas you share with others clean and disinfected.

You should always take a few necessary precautions when in communal environments that include: carrying antibacterial gel in case you need to clean a surface, wearing shower shoes when using a shared bathroom, thoroughly washing your sporting clothes and equipment after each use, and cleaning and covering any wounds in order to prevent infection.

Scale Back Your Skin Care Routine

Early morning classes and commutes generally mean having less time in the morning to get ready for the day. Maintaining your skin care routine could become problematic if overly complicated or time consuming. Instead of letting your skin care routine fall into a rut, focus on keeping up your most effective habits while using the best products.

While your routine may contain additional steps, our Oregon dermatologists at the Dermatology Clinic recommend always finding the time for at least two important steps:

  • Exfoliate and cleanse. This will enable you to remove dead skin cells and make way for new, healthier cells to take their place.
  • Moisturize and protect. For young, healthy skin, try using a moisturizer and sunscreen in one product.

Our Oregon dermatologists Can Help

If you have any questions about the best practices for keeping your skin looking and feeling its best this school year, make sure to schedule an exam and consultation with our team at Valley View Dermatology. We can provide the care and advice needed to keep your skin looking healthy from the start of the semester to finals.