The American Academy of Dermatology sponsors National Healthy Skin Month in November. Some people are unaware that their skin reveals a great deal about their overall health. This month brings attention to the steps of keeping your skin healthy, as well as how to treat and avoid common skin diseases. November is also meant to emphasize the significance of properly applying sunscreen and checking yourself for skin cancer.

Below, we’ve provided a few tips to keep your skin as healthy as possible.

Many are unaware that skin cancer is the most frequent type of cancer in the world. Below are a few key statistics from the Skin Cancer Foundation you should be aware of.

• 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70
• There are 3 types of skin cancer – basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma
  • Squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma are the two most common types of skin cancer
  • Melanoma is the deadliest skin cancer, but highly treatable when detected early
• Having more than 5 sunburns in your life doubles your risk of melanoma
• More than 2 people in the U.S. die of skin cancer every hour

Tips to keep your skin healthy:

• • Wash up. Bathe in warm, not hot, water and use gentle, non-irritating cleansers.
  • Avoid dry skin. Apply a moisturizing lotion as soon as you get out of the shower – your skin should still be wet to lock in as much moisture as possible. It’s also vital you drink enough water – at least 100 oz. per day.
  • Get enough sleep. Teenagers should get about 9 hours of sleep per night, while adults should get 7-8 hours.
  • Block sun damage. Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun, always use sunscreen, and dress in protective clothing.
  • Don’t use tanning beds or sunlamps. They release the same UV radiation as the sun, but at much higher, more intense rates.
  • Wash your hands before washing your face. Bacteria, viruses, and allergens can be transferred from your fingertips onto your skin.

• Establish a skincare routine. A good skincare routine will prevent acne, treat wrinkles, and reduce stress. Not to mention, it’s much easier to prevent skin problems than fix them later. Every skincare routine should involve:
  • Cleanser – This should be a product specifically intended for your face. Cleanser will wash away dirt and bacteria from your face.
  • Toner – Applied after washing, toner restores nutrients to your skin and will calm red and dry patches.
  • Moisturizer – This should be a product specifically intended for your face, not a “regular” body lotion. Moisturizer will prevent your skin from drying out.
  • Sunscreen – This should be a product specifically intended for your face, not a “regular” body sunscreen. Sunscreen prevents skin cancer, sun damage, and signs of aging. This should be worn every day, even if you work in an office.
• Avoid smoking. Smoking not only damages elasticity on the face and makes skin paler; smoking also increases your risk of squamous cell skin cancer.
• See a dermatologist. Seeing a dermatologist once a year can help catch skin cancer early and give you a better idea of which moles could become cancerous. While you should examine your whole body every 2-3 months for moles that have grown or appear darker, a dermatologist does a much more thorough job and uses a dermatoscope to look at spots up-close.

For more information on National Healthy Skin Month, visit the American Academy of Dermatology’s website.

For more information on at-home skin-exams, read this article by the American Cancer Society.