10 tips to care for your skin
Premature aging, acne, rashes and other problems are perfectly preventable if we had a skin care awareness regime, being the body’s largest organ; it grows to be about 2 square meters when we reach adulthood, so it deserves our attention.
Dr. Alberto de la Fuente, is a double certified dermatologist by the most important organizations in Mexico and the US, and in this interview he explains the importance of skin as well as ten ways to keep it healthy and beautiful…Take note!
Q: What should we know about our skin?
Dr .: “Skin is a business card for many people, the skin distinguishes us, in order to take care of it we need to know what needs does it have, once we understand this, we will know what is the best treatment for it.
It also serves as a protection organ from the outside, it gives us the sense of feeling and regulates the temperature by sweating, to keep lipids and water, and is also responsible for producing vitamin D through the sun, so that our body can absorb calcium.
Q: Wow! It has many features that we don’t even imagine. Why is this so important to know?
Dr .: Because our skin will be changing over the years… you begin to gain and lose weight, after we are 25 to 30 years old is easier to damage it, is when collagen and elastin production decreases and the effects of radiation slowly accumulated over these years become visible in the form of sagging skin, with wrinkles or spots. When we are 35 to 40 years old, we begin to lose fat in our face and a tablespoon of collagen per year, so as we age it becomes more noticeable.
Q: There are counter products everywhere to moisturize, cleanse, exfoliate, and so on. What is your opinion about this?
Dr .: Many times we believe or think that certain creams or products are suitable for us, but sometimes we don’t even know if we are candidates to use these treatments, or if you can do anything else than just change creams. Therefore it is extremely important to have an assessment with a dermatologist to help you make good, informed decisions and really benefit from them. In VIDA Wellness and Beauty we have cosmetic products of medical grade such as the line of creams and moisturizers Skin Medica for acne, rosacea, anti-aging, and so on.
Last but not least, we must remember that the skin is your business card from a physical point of view, and the first impression is very important, so it is vital to take care of it in order to have a healthy look in the face.
10 factors to maintain and improve the quality of your skin: Dr. Alberto De La Fuente
- Avoid excessive sun exposure. 80% of the radiation that accumulates on our skin it’s practically reached at our 18s or 20s. Therefore it’s important to use a UVA / UVB sunscreen, protective clothing and avoid going out in the sun between 10 am and 4 pm. It is recommended that your sun block has at least an SPF factor of 30 and to apply it every 2 or 3 hours. We often think that applying sunscreen once a day is more than enough, but you have to apply it every 2 or 3 hours because radiation decomposes the protection factor. tip: Try to buy a sun block that has 4 to 5 stars on the label.
- Stop smoking. Tobacco impairs the circulation of the body’s largest organ, compromising oxygenation and causing premature aging.
- Take care of your body. Get enough sleep! Good nutrition and reducing stress are important for health and skin. Sleep at least 8 hours or take a nap whenever possible. “Exercise, relaxation, lots of water, many green leafy vegetables, fish, diets high in omegas, olive oil, all these foods have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory substances. If we decrease the inflammation in the body we will make the skin wear out less than usual. Supplements can also be incorporated. “
- Know your skin. Understanding your unique skin type is important to find the right treatments. You aren’t sure if your skin is dry, oily, mixed, if it’s sensitive or tends to develop allergies, acne or rosacea? Ask the dermatologist so you can know which products and makeups will be better you. A clinical assessment is very important for cosmetic treatments you want to have like peelings, facials, laser, and so on. You have to check if they are suitable and appropriate for your skin type, and if they are, of what type.
- Clean your face. Washing and moisturizing your face twice a day will maintain a clean and balanced skin. Choose a derma cleanser and moisturizer appropriate for your skin type. “There are patients who think they have acne and actually have rosacea, they begin acne treatments and what they do is activate more the rosacea, irritating the skin even more. This is why I insist on the importance of having first, an assessment with the dermatologist” Says Dr. Alberto De La Fuente.
- Hands out of the face! As tempting as it is to scratch, pinch or squeeze the skin of the face to clean it, these methods don’t work. Unless you want more scarring and infections, always apply quality products for acne or any other skin problems.
- Pamper your skin. Consider including peelings, laser, facials, masks or massage to your skin care routine. Use products containing AHA, BHA, and / or retinoids. Hydroxy acids also work, these are organic substances that improve skin tone by removing dead cells, clearing spots and they also are anti-inflammatories.
- Keep your cosmetics clean. Get rid of cosmetics that have more than 6 or 8 months. Consider applying anti-bacterial substances to brushes and check expiration date in creams and sun blocks. Dr. De la Fuente recommends that “Brushes and sponges should be washed at least two or three times a month, and change every two or three months because they build up makeup and bacteria.”
Another tip: You’ll notice that the boxes of cosmetics have a shaped bottle illustration that says 3M, 6M, 9M, and so on. This means that even without an expiration date, once the product is open that’s the time it will work. So put a mark to the bottle when opened for the first time, and super important, remove your make up before going to sleep, first with cleaning wipes and then wash your face, if you use night creams you can apply them at the end of this ritual.
- Shave carefully. Use balanced shaving creams and gels, as well as clean with good edge knives. Shave in the direction of hair growth to avoid irritation. You will be surprised to know that a razor lasts no more than five to seven shaves and all you’re doing is hurting your skin if you continue to use it. Shave preferably with moist skin, because with this there is less friction and less irritation. At the end use cold water and avoid hot water before doing it, because with hot water you can cause inflammation.
- Have a comprehensive skin care routine. Clean, moisturize and care for the skin on his knees, hands, elbows and fingers. Examine your body regularly, especially the spots or moles and their characteristics.
It is important to get checked especially if there is a personal or family history of skin cancer. Stay alert to moles or spots that change in size or color, if they ulcerate, hurt, heal or if they make scabs. The ideal is to do a self-examination at least every 3 months at home before and against a mirror. Check forearms, underarms, palms, legs and feet, as well as plants and fingers. Also check the neck and the hairy skin with help of a mirror.
Finally, we recommend you to book your yearly routine checkup with the dermatologist, as it is much better and cheaper to prevent than to correct skin problems. Having a beautiful and healthy skin does not have to be difficult or expensive, if we start preventing since we are teenagers and pay attention as adults.
If you want to have a checkup remember that you can schedule your dermatologic appointment at 664-608-6460 in Tijuana or from the US at the toll free number 1-619-610-1667. Dr. Alberto De la Fuente is a dermatologist certified by the American Society of Dermatology in the US and in the most important organizations in Mexico. If you want more information about the types of treatments we offer, do not forget to visit us at www.vidawellnessandbeauty.com where you’ll find technology to rejuvenate or correct cosmetic skin problems.
Dr. Alejandro Quiroz
Dr. Quiroz is our board-certified Chief Plastic Surgeon at VIDA Clinic in Tijuana. He specializes in Facial Rejuvenation, Neck lift, Buttock Augmentation, Breast Augmentation, Body Contouring and more. He is member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, San Diego Plastic Surgery Society, the Mexican Society of Aesthetic & Reconstructive Plastic Surgery and the Mexican Council of Aesthetic & Reconstructive Plastic Surgery, to mention a few.