Skin care for midlife

To repair or at least control the sun damage, many women purchase wrinkle-reducing creams, bleaching products to lighten age spots, and skin lotions to keep skin looking smooth and healthy. The best remedy for keeping your skin healthy doesn’t come in a bottle, jar or tube - its free and easy – stay out of the sun!

Sun Damage

Sun exposure over many years has a cumulative effect. The skin has many stretchy fibers called elastin. Ultraviolet light breaks down these fibers over time, which results in a loss of elasticity, looser, saggy skin and wrinkles. Easy bruising, fragile skin (prone to easy scrapes), and slower healing may also accompany the elastin damage.

For the most part, if the damage is done there is not much you can do to reverse it. However, the skin has some resilience and it may self-repair in part. Be certain not to add insult to injury, protect yourself with sunblocks, clothing, hats, sunglasses and shade.

Smoking

Smokers have more wrinkles. When comparing a group of smokers and a group of non-smokers with the same age, skin color, skin type and similar lifetime sun exposures – you will find that the smoker group looks older and has more wrinkles that the non-smokers.

The reason for this difference is unclear. It may be because smoking interferes with normal blood flow in the skin.

The solution: avoid smoking from the earliest age! And it’s never too late to quit!

Skin Cancer

Sun exposure also puts you at risk for skin cancer. The chance of developing skin cancer increases as people age, especially for those who live in sunny areas of the country. There are three types of common skin cancers:

• Basal cell carcinomas are the most common. They rarely spread to other vital organs, but should be removed since they will grow larger. They especially like to grow deep in cartilage like the nose and the ear.
• Squamous cell carcinomas are less common but more of a concern. They may have faster growth and an increased chance of spread.
• Malignant melanomas are the most dangerous of all the skin cancers, because they often spread to other body areas. This cancer requires aggressive treatment. Prevention and early detection is the key to reducing the serious health effects of melanoma.

The best thing to know about detecting skin cancer is to know the warning signs. Look for differences in color, size, shape, or surface quality (scaliness, oozing, crusting, or bleeding) of any mole or skin lesion. If there is a sudden change in the look of a mole or a new spot, consult your physician.

Dry Skin

Skin is drier as we age. The decrease in sweat and oil gland production may also have a drying effect on skin. Exposures to hot air heating systems, hot tubs, chlorinated pools, soaps, etc., further irritate and dry skin.

Applying daily moisturizer and avoiding irritating/drying soaps is often helpful in reducing dry skin. Other recommendations include:

• Avoid long soaks in the tub, hot tub, or pool. Use warm or tepid water, and apply bath oil for extra soothing – always be careful though because this makes the tub slippery.
• Dry gently, don’t rub hard. Leave the skin damp, and follow this with an application of moisturizing skin cream.
• Use mild detergents for your clothes washing and avoid wearing itchy or scratchy fabrics. (so you don’t scratch at irritated, dry skin)
• Wear gloves when you go out in cold or windy weather.
• Avoid sun damage by using moisturizer with sun screen even in the wintertime
• Use a humidifier to keep the air in your home moist, especially during the winter heating season (remember to keep this clean according to manufacturer’s instructions.)
• Drink plenty of fluids