| Top tips to protect your skin | | | | plump and smooth. Sunlight is a major cause of |
| * The best way to keep your skin healthy is to | | | | skin aging. You can protect yourself by staying |
| avoid sun exposure. UV radiation also can pass | | | | out of the sun when it is strongest, using |
| through water, so don't assume you're safe if | | | | sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher, wearing |
| you're in the water and feeling cool. | | | | protective clothing, and avoiding sunlamps and |
| * Use sunscreen like Seriesse's SPF 30 sunscreen. | | | | tanning beds. Cigarette smoking also contributes |
| A higher number means longer protection. | | | | to wrinkles. The wrinkling increases with the |
| * Wear protective clothing. A hat with a wide | | | | amount of cigarettes and number of years a |
| brim shades your neck, ears, eyes, and head. | | | | person has smoked. |
| * Avoid artificial tanning. | | | | Over time, the sun's ultraviolet (UV) light damages |
| * Check your skin often. | | | | the fibers in the skin called elastin. Wrinkles form |
| Skin Facts | | | | after the breakdown of these fibers. This |
| Your skin does many things including protecting | | | | breakdown causes the skin to lose its ability to |
| you from the environment, regulating your body | | | | snap back after stretching. Gravity also causes |
| temperature, helping with fluid and electrolyte | | | | the skin to pull and sag, primarily on the face, |
| balance, and providing receptors for sensations | | | | neck, and upper arms. |
| such as touch, pain, and pressure. | | | | As you age, the loss of sweat and oil glands |
| Although skin has many layers, it can be generally | | | | worsen dry skin. Dehydration, sun exposure, |
| divided into three main portions. The outer portion | | | | smoking, and stress also can also cause dry skin. |
| (epidermis) contains skin cells, pigment, and | | | | The most common treatment for dry skin is |
| proteins. The middle portion (dermis) contains | | | | moisturizers. These moisturizers are used to |
| blood vessels, nerves, hair follicles, and oil glands. | | | | reduce water loss and soothe the skin. You may |
| The dermis provides nutrients to the epidermis. | | | | need to apply them frequently to relieve the signs |
| Your skin changes as you age. You'll notice | | | | and symptoms of dryness. Moisturizers should be |
| wrinkles, age spots and dryness. Your skin can | | | | used indefinitely to prevent recurrence of dry |
| also become thinner and loses fat, making it less | | | | skin. |