HEALTH & WELLNESS
S PECIA L S ECT I ON
• 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 an SPF product on whenever you go
outside to protect your skin from the damaging effects of the
sun 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, make sure to give your pores
a rest from makeup. Makeup-removing wipes are a quick
alternative to at least get a majority of products off of 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 something with SPF 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 are
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 learned in high school and college. The
number of benefits of 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.
• 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 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 states 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
find 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 the computer or tablet, keep the television
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