How our skin and hair look is important to
many of us. At the same time, your skin and hair are organs that do special
jobs that support life. Skin protects your inside organs from injury, bacteria,
and viruses. Your skin, hair, and sweat glands help control body temperature.
Body hair also alerts you to heat and touch. You can take steps to keep your
skin and hair healthy. You can also look to your skin and hair for clues to
your overall health. And, as a bonus, good skin and hair care will help you to
feel your best, too.
Caring for your skin and hair
Good skin
and hair care involves eating a variety of healthy foods rich in vitamins and nutrients
keeping physically active managing stress practicing sun safety limiting alcohol
not using tobacco and other recreational drugs drinking plenty of water
Unhealthy behaviors can take a toll on skin and hair. For instance, habits like
smoking and sunbathing dry out skin and cause wrinkles.
Caring for your skin
Follow this
simple skin care routine to keep your skin healthy and radiant’s Bathe in
warm—not hot—water using mild cleansers that don’t irritate. Wash gently—don’t
scrub.
Keep skin from drying out by drinking plenty
of water and using gentle moisturizers, lotions, or creams.
Practice sun safety to
prevent skin cancer. Sun exposure puts you at great-err risk of skin cancer,
whatever your skin color or ethnicity. To protect your skin: • Limit exposure
to the midday sun (10 am-4 pm). • Wear protective clothing, such as
wide-brimmed hats and long sleeves. • Use sunscreen with a sun protection
factor (SPF) of 15 or higher and with both UVA and UVB protection. • Avoid
sunlamps and tanning booths’ Check your skin for sun damage. Tell your doctor
about changes on the skin, such as a new growth, a sore that growth. Ask your
doctor how often you should have a clinical skin exam to check for signs of
skin cancer. (See pages 53 and 54 of the Cancer chapter for more
information.)l Ask your doctor if the medicines you are taking can affect your
skin. For in-stance, blood thinners and aspirin can cause you to bruise more
easily. Some antibiotics and vitamins make skin sunburn more easily.
