Your skin is your body’s largest organ and covers, on average, a whopping 22 square feet. The barrier it forms between your body and the outside world undergoes a fair amount of abuse, sometimes by our own hands.
In this blog post, Dr. Vicki Rapaport and the team at Rapaport Dermatology focus on a few skin care mistakes that many people make and how to correct them.
We live in southern California, where the sun shines in abundance. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is heading out into the sun without some protection, no matter what season.
To underscore this point, about 90% of the visible signs of aging are due to sun damage. While cosmetic concerns are certainly valid, we want to point out that exposure to the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays can lead to the most common type of cancer in the United States — skin cancer — which affects about 1 in 5 people by the time they reach the age of 70.
Whether to protect your health or combat sun damage and premature aging, never leave the house without some sun protection, such as hats and sunscreen.
Acne affects about 50 million people in the US in any given year, making it the most common skin condition. One of the worst habits is picking at a pimple or attempting to pop it. When you do this, you turn a short-term problem into a much longer-term one because your fussing may slow the healing process and leave you with a scar.
Another common mistake that people make is routinely scrubbing their skin too hard. As with your teeth, excessive scrubbing can do more harm than good, and you should think of cleaning as more of a massage than a session with your dirtiest dishes.
We recommend using a mild cleanser for your skin and a gentle cloth to lift away dirt and debris. Trust us — a gentle cleansing is sufficient to keep your pores free and clear.
You love a nice, hot shower, but your delicate skin may not be keen on it. Hot water can damage and dry out skin, so we suggest that you keep your showers on the warm side.
However, if you want to use hot water to your advantage, the steam from hot water can be great for your skin. Steam can open pores, detox your skin, and hydrate at the same time.
This last point may seem self-serving, but as dermatologists, we understand skin better than anyone. Not only should you visit us regularly for skin checks, but we also offer targeted facial treatments that can bring out the best in your skin.
We understand your skin’s unique needs and can tailor your facial to tackle every skin type and skin care concern, from acne and aging to a clearer complexion, elasticity, and tone.
During your visits, we can also help you design the best at-home regimen for your skin and help you sift through the dizzying array of skin care products to direct you toward those that work.
To get started on a winning skin care regimen, call or use our online booking feature today to schedule your skin care check or facial treatment at our Culver City or Beverly Hills, California, office.
