SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION:
HEALTH & WELLNESS
TAKE CARE OF YOUR SKIN
As we learned in grade school, our largest organ is our skin. Our
skin regulates body temperature, protects against the elements,
and gives us the feeling of different sensations. Since our skin does
so much for us, it is important to take care of it. A skin care routine
is important for men and women of all ages, although it will vary
throughout the years.
Teenage Years
When starting your first skin care routine, it’s important to first
determine your skin type. It’s pretty simple to figure out whether
oily, dry, or combination. Between breakouts and blemishes, think
about how your skin feels on a day-to-day basis. Here are some do’s
and don’ts about treating your skin during your teens:
• DO: Pick a cleanser, scrub, toner, and moisturizer that are
meant for your skin type. Labels make it easy to choose between
the different brands. Many brands have a line of products
developed especially for oily, dry, or combination skin. It is still
important to put on moisturizer if you have oily skin, but be
sure to look for one that is oil-free.
• DO: Look for a moisturizer or foundation that has SPF! It is
important to keep something with SPF on whenever you go
outside to protect your skin from the damaging effects of the
sun now and in the future (you’ll be so glad you did).
• DON’T: Pick! You can pick your friends, but don’t pick your
stubborn pimples! Although you might want to rid yourself of
whiteheads and blackheads, resist the urge. This could lead to
long-term damaging effects on your skin.
• DON’T: Leave makeup on overnight. As tempting as it is to
crash after a long day, be sure to give your pores a rest from
makeup. Makeup-removing wipes are a quick way to at least get
a majority of products off your face.
• DO: Be sure to wipe down your cell phone. Bacteria can live on
the surface and cause major breakouts on your cheeks and chin
if not properly sanitized.
Prevention Years
As a young adult, it’s important to continue good habits of
caring for your skin. This is the prime age to prevent unwanted
wrinkles that you may start to face in the next five to 10 years. Now
is the time to take charge by:
• Wearing eye cream. We have seen the commercials about
preventing wrinkles. But when do you have to start? NOW! The
skin around your eyes is very thin and just a short amount of
sunlight could cause lasting wrinkles.
• Applying SPF products to face, neck, and hands. Skipping
the protection of an SPF could throw off your entire routine.
Find a good moisturizer that combines protection with
moisture and apply it to your face, neck, and hands. The neck
and hands are often overlooked, but prime spots for the sun to
hit and cause wrinkles.
• Quitting bad habits. Now is a better time than ever to kick the
bad habits you formed in high school and college. The number
of benefits to canceling your package at the tanning salon and
quitting smoking would take up this entire article, but for skin’s
sake, give them up!
Treatment Years
Now is the time to treat the years of damage that the sun and
other elements have caused to your skin.
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• Put the right nutrients into your body. It’s important to make
sure your body is getting all the nutrients it needs on the inside
for radiant skin on the outside. This includes lots of water!
• Take cover when heading outside. SPF products shouldn’t
be skipped at this age either and should be applied daily. Try
adding a hat and cover your skin to prevent overexposure to the
harmful rays of the sun, even in the cooler months.
• Find a good retinoid. Derived from vitamin A, retinoids boost
collagen production in the skin to stimulate blood vessels and
unclog pores.
SEEING INTO THE FUTURE
Twenty-first century children will be looking beyond genetics as
a cause for needing corrective eyewear, according to the American
Optometric Association (AOA). In the Digital Age, children are
exposed to electronic devices their whole lives as an integral part
of social and educational practices. Teachers are continuing to
increase the amount of digital technology used in the classroom,
and it is expected that computer simulations will account for much
of the learning style in the future. Both teachers and parents are
finding that children are adapting well to the use of technology in
the classroom, making learning more interactive and current than
most textbook learning.
The AOA’s 2015 American Eye-Q survey stated that 41 percent
of parents say their kids spend three or more hours per day using
digital devices, and 66 percent of kids have their own smartphone
or tablet. As technology becomes more of an essential part of
modern life, it is important for parents to facilitate balance in their
children’s digital usage. Electronic devices, including televisions,
give off blue and violet light that may affect vision by causing
eyestrain and discomfort. If your child has to do homework using
a computer or tablet, then keep the television and other devices off
during dinnertime and enjoy conversation together. Optometrists
also researched the importance of natural sunlight exposure to the
eyes and say that a lack of exposure to natural light could affect the
growth and development of vision.
Digital eyestrain symptoms
• Burning
• Itchy or tired
• Increased headaches