You’ve probably just started to relax after a fast-paced holiday season, but don’t get too comfortable. Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching, and it is a good time to think about doing something special for the one you love. Before you rush out and buy a gift or plan a romantic evening out for your partner, Dr. Peterson wants you to consider someone else you love this Valentine’s Day: yourself! Dr. Peterson encourages all patients to take the time this Valentine’s Day to love their skin.
Love your skin this Valentine’s Day with these tips:
Stay Away from the Sun. We know many people love how they look with a suntan. But the sun’s ultraviolet rays cause damage to the skin by depleting collagen and elastin, which leads to the development of wrinkles and lines. The sun also affects the skin’s pigment and can cause freckles and age spots to appear. It’s also one of the leading contributors to the development of skin cancer. And tanning beds are not a safe alternative to the sun!
You can protect your skin by avoiding the sun when it is the most powerful, from about 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. If you cannot avoid the sun during this time, you should use a sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 30 combined with a hat or clothing to protect you from harmful rays.
More Love: Wearing sunglasses when you are outside will also help you stop squinting, which may help prevent the development of crow’s feet at your temples and fine lines near your eyes.
Stay Hydrated. Drinking water has big benefits for your whole body, but especially for your skin. Be sure to consume at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day to keep your skin looking healthy and bright. Avoid excessive consumption of caffeinated drinks and alcoholic beverages because both are very dehydrating.
More Love: Staying hydrated means not only drinking enough water, but also keeping your skin moisturized. Using a moisturizer with hyaluronic acid is beneficial to the skin, as hyaluronic acid attracts water to your skin’s cells and keeps them plump.
Make Better Lifestyle Choices. One of the best ways to take care of your skin this Valentine’s Day is to take care of yourself. Taking care of yourself means making positive choices such as eating a healthy diet to prevent premature aging, getting enough sleep every night and exercising regularly to increase circulation of blood, oxygen and other nutrients to the skin.
More Love: One of the best lifestyle changes you can make for your skin (and your overall health) is to quit smoking. Tobacco damages the skin by depleting the collagen and elastin your skin needs to stretch and retract. When the skin loses these vital elements, deep wrinkles can develop around the mouth and nose.
Want to show your skin more love this Valentine’s Day? Schedule a skin-rejuvenating treatment such as microdermabrasion or microneedling with Dr. Peterson today. Call 785-234-9000 for your appointment.
