Dan's Papers - June 29, 2007 - Guidelines For Healthy Skin

That's right Margaret - there is no such thing as a "healthy" tan. I know what you'll say. You look so good with that rich, deep color. It brings out the blue in your eyes and shows off those white teeth you paid so much for. Even Aristotle Onassis once said, "To be successful, one must always look tanned." Who am I to disagree? But I am the one who will eventually remove your skin cancer and peel or fill those ugly wrinkles that the sun has left behind after years of radiation damage. So to save you the unpleasantness of surgery and the cost of those wrinkle busters, let me tell you how to protect your skin during these hot Hampton summers. If you follow these simple guidelines, you may never have to come and see me at all.

1) Exfoliate: getting rid of dead and dry skin cells from the winter is an important first step. A daily treatment with a chemical (retinol, glycolic acid) or physical (loufah or buff puff pad) exfoliant will keep your skin toned and improve its texture, while promoting an even tan. Microdermabrasion bi-monthly in a doctor's office will achieve the same result as daily over-the-counter regimens.

2) Moisturize: combine your exfoliating agent with a good moisturizer, or use a moisturizer separately after exfoliating. Hydrating the skin during the summer is especially critical to maintaining its health. A lighter, oil-free moisturizer will be easier to tolerate in the heat, and remember, a tinted moisturizer will give you the hydration you need as well as a tanned look without the sun exposure.

3) Sunblock! Sunblock! Sunblock!: Applying sunscreen properly and using the right sunscreen is undoubtedly the most important part of protecting your skin. With the array of products now available (creams, oils, sticks, mists, gels, etc.) there is no reason why every woman, man and child should not be adequately protected. Men are more apt to use an alcohol-based spray. Women might prefer to select a sunscreen that contains a moisturizer or tint. Children should be forced (yes, forced) to apply sunscreen liberally and frequently. Statistics have proven that most skin cancers are caused by burns and radiation damage received during the formative years. So let's go over some sunscreen basics:

a) Choose a sunscreen that has a minimum SPF (sun protection factor) of 15, which will block 93% of the sun's rays. SPF 30 offers 97% protection. Those with fair skin, light eyes and light hair require even more protection, so they should go with an SPF 50. Select a sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays. UVB is responsible for sunburns, but both UVA and UVB can cause premature aging and skin cancer. Read the label carefully. Make sure that in addition to PABA the sunscreen has at least one of the following ingredients: oxybenzone, cinnamates (octylmethyl cinnamate and cinoxate), mexoril, sulisobenzone, salicylates, titanium oxide, zinc oxide, and avobenzone (Parsol 1789).

b) Apply liberally, often and before going out. One of the biggest mistakes people make is to apply sunscreen at the beach. It takes a full twenty minutes for sunscreen to be effective, so apply it before going out into the sun. And then reapply every two hours, which is about how long the normal sunscreen lasts. Reapply after coming out of the water too, even if the sunscreen is labeled "waterproof." And please cover your whole body with a handful of sunscreen. I've seen both kids and adults trying to cover their bodies with a pea-sized amount of sunscreen. Don't cheap out - just buy more if you need to!

c) Pay attention to your children! Aside from the tips already mentioned, think about dressing your children in protective clothing such as colorful "cool-looking" wetsuits, which provide the equivalent of SPF 50, especially in the water where reflective rays in midday can be particularly damaging. Light colored cotton clothing treated with "sun guard" also offers added protection. Remember that you are responsible for the health of your child's skin. Radiation damage now will lead to skin cancers and premature aging later on.

Hopefully, I have managed to put some fear of the sun into you. Now go out and have fun! And don't hesitate to call us for advice about sunscreens, moisturizers, exfoliants and the like. Healthy, protected skin is the key to ageless beauty. A few simple steps will keep you out of my office for years to come.

Dr. Steven K. Palumbo is a board certified plastic surgeon. His office is located at 25 Montauk Highway, Quogue. Call (631) 653-6112 or visit www.hamptonsfacelift.com for more information.