Skin Health

How our skin look is important to many of us. At the same time, your skin 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. You can take steps to keep your skin  healthy. You can also look to your skin for clues to your overall health. And, as a bonus, good skin care will help you to feel your best, too.
Follow this simple skin care routine to keep your skin healthy and radiant:

+ 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.

Healthy skin

+ Practice sun safety to prevent skin cancer. Sun exposure puts you at greater 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.doesn’t heal, or a change in an old 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.)
+ Ask your doctor if the medicines you are taking can affect your skin. For instance, blood thinners and aspirin can cause you to bruise more easily. Some antibiotics and vitamins make skin sunburn more easily.