For those with no serious skin conditions, skincare can be something that often falls to the wayside when schedules get busy during the holiday season. However, even if you don’t suffer from rosacea or acne and aren’t ready for wrinkle treatments, it’s important to take care of your skin now to prevent future issues like the signs of aging or even skin cancer. There are four main steps to maintaining healthy skin: cleanse, exfoliate, moisturize, and apply sunscreen.

Cleanse: Choose a cleanser that works with your skin type (dry, oily, combination, sensitive, normal), and wash your skin once or twice a day with warm water. Over-cleansing can dry out your skin, and washing in very hot or cold water can cause broken capillaries or visible facial veins. Those with dry skin should choose a creamy cleanser, and oily-skinned individuals should opt for a clear cleanser. If you wear makeup, make sure to remove it with a makeup remover before going to bed to prevent dirt and bacteria from building up in your pores.

Exfoliate: In order to protect you from outside elements, your skin is constantly regenerating new skin cells. However, sometimes dead skin cells don’t slough off as easily as they should. Exfoliation helps to remove the dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. Using a gentle scrub with small polishing particles, lightly rub the face in a circular motion working from the inside out.

Each person’s exfoliation schedule depends on his or her skin type. Those with more sensitive facial skin may need to stick to weekly exfoliation, while those with more durable or oily skin may exfoliate more often. The key to exfoliation is gentleness. Remember that the exfoliation process is supposed to leave the skin healthier afterward, not irritated and red.

Moisturize: There are multiple moisturizers on the market that work well for individuals of all different skin types. Cleansing the face removes any dirt or oil that could clog pores, but it also often strips the skin of its natural moisturizing and protective oils. By applying the appropriate moisturizer for your skin type, your skin can replenish the oils eliminated by the cleanser and protect itself from outside elements.

Apply Sunscreen: Of all the skincare steps one should take, applying daily sunscreen is the most important. The main cause of wrinkles is unprotected sun exposure. UV rays hasten the aging process, breaking down the support structure behind the skin creating lax tissue that makes us look older than we are. A simple daily application of a broad spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen on facial skin can help prevent advanced signs of aging as well as skin cancer. There are currently many moisturizers on the market that include SPF for a combination of the last two steps.

Skincare is often much simpler than people think. A quick 4-step regimen takes less than 10 minutes to complete and sets you up for healthy skin now and in the future. Our Skin Medics™ Medical Spa can formulate an easy skincare program catered toward your age and skin type.

For individuals who may suffer from dermatological problems like psoriasis or eczema and need more than a simple skincare regimen, we recommend you make an appointment with one of our highly trained dermatologists. We can also offer information on our other services like vein removal, laser tattoo removal, facial rejuvenation, and treatment of other skin conditions.

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