talk to your doctor. Excessive hair loss
could be a sign of other health problems.
• Eat well for luscious locks. Think your
diet has nothing to do with the way your
hair looks? Think again. Hair quality
can change over time with continual
consumption of processed foods. Keep
a healthy diet full of nutrient-rich foods
including healthy fats, dark leafy greens,
and fish and you’ll be on your way to
radiant hair.
HEAR ALL ABOUT IT
Although hearing loss is most commonly
associated with aging, it could happen at any
time and can be caused by environmental
conditions like working in a noisy
environment, earwax buildup, or inner ear
damage. According to the National Center
for Health Statistics, the average person
waits six years after the first signs of hearing
loss to get checked by a doctor. Hearing
problems are considered an undertreated
issue for reasons including patient denial,
vanity, and less awareness of issues associated
with hearing loss. With the oldest Baby
Boomers entering their 70s, an age at which
many individuals only start seeking medical
attention for hearing ailments, it is important
to take charge at the first signs of trouble.
A study on the psychological effects of
hearing loss was done for the American
Psychology Association and focused on
mental health in patients who suffer from
hearing loss. The National Council on
Aging study found that 2,304 people who
suffered from hearing loss but used no form
of treatment were 50% more likely to suffer
from sadness or depression than individuals
who wore hearing aids. It revealed that
individuals not using hearing aids showed
more signs of anger, anxiety and frustration,
causing them to be less involved in social
activities than those who wear aids. The
risk for dementia also increases in patients
who suffer from hearing loss, due to sensory
loss and growing social isolation, pointed
out in a study conducted by the Archives of
Neurology.
Start becoming aware of the signs of
hearing loss, and consult your doctor or
audiologist if you start to notice some of the
symptoms:
• Trouble hearing over the phone
• Vertigo, causing dizziness, pain, or ringing
in the ears
• Mumbled voices
• Having to ask others to repeat
themselves often
• Avoidance of social situations
• Having a family medical history of
hearing loss
Individuals with hearing loss may often
be reluctant to face the reality, but may not
know about the deeper implications of letting
it go untreated. If you or someone you know
may be experiencing some of the symptoms
of hearing loss, be sure to understand and
share the benefits of seeking treatment.
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.
• 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.
Continued on page 22 >
PLUM
❘
WINTER 2019
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