November is National Heathy Skin Month and the perfect opportunity to ramp up caring for your body’s largest organ before the harsh winter months to come. The skin is a fascinating system with multiple duties that include protecting the body from pathogens, collecting sensory information, and regulating our temperature. It can be easy to take our skin for granted, because we often don’t pay much attention to it until it begins acting up!

The skin has three layers: the hypodermis, the dermis and epidermis. The deepest layer, the hypodermis, is made of fat and tissues. The middle layer, the dermis, contains hair follicles, sweat glands and tissues. And last but not least the epidermis, our outermost skin layer, provides a waterproof barrier and contains melanin which creates skin tone.

Although, the skin is relatively thin (anywhere from .5mm to 4.0mm thickness) it takes up a vast area (about 22 square feet in adults) and weighs more then one would imagine (about 11 pounds). That’s a whole lot of skin to care for, which is why it is important to follow these simple tips for a more flawless, radiant skin glow.

  • Eat Healthy

    This cannot be overstated enough. Be sure to consume a healthy, balanced diet. Eat vegetables, fruits and whole grains everyday and skip processed foods which are loaded with unhealthy additives.

  • Don’t Smoke

    Smoking depletes the skin of oxygen and nutrients which leaves the large organ dry and discolored. Check out The American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout website for inspiration on how to quit smoking today.

  • Drink Less Alcohol

    We all know that the consumption of alcohol causes dehydration. After a night of drinking your skin becomes deprived of vitamins, nutrients and most importantly moisture. Drink a lot of water daily to combat dehydration.

  • Cleanse, Exfoliate and Moisturize

    The skin is constantly generating new cells and sloughing off old ones. A routine of using a gentle cleanser, exfoliating with scrub and moisturizing with an all natural cream or oil can help to maintain a healthy, youthful glow year round.

  • Don’t Stress

    Just like all the other organ in the human body, your skin takes a brutal beating when you are stressed. Stress can cause hives, rashes, fever blisters and eczema. Take time to meditate or practice deep breathing every day so that your skin can reap the benefits of an anxiety-free environment.

The well-being of your skin is extremely important to your overall health. Stay focused on maintaining a healthy lifestyle and your skin will thank you for it! Don’t believe us? Try giving up sugar or smoking for a month and watch your skin transform from dull and dry to glowing and radiant.

National Healthy Skin Month is more than a reminder to be good to our skin. It is about raising awareness of skin disorders and diseases including skin cancers. Yearly visits to the dermatologist and at home monitoring of moles can be life saving. Don’t forget your ABCD’s! Continuously monitor suspicious areas for Asymmetry, Border, Color, and Diameter changes. For more information on achieving optimal skin health, schedule a complimentary consultation at our Boulder office at 303.440.9493.