Why Should You Care About Your Skin?

“Skin”. For such a short word, the concept and its importance to the body carries an immense amount of weight (literally). It is the largest organ of the body, though one which may not be immediately apparent as an actual organ. Some may think of organs as more internal to the body, perhaps the heart, brain, liver, lungs, or kidneys. But in addition to these vital organs, we have many more that help the human body to function in a variety of different ways.

The skin is one of these organs which aid the body. Despite its importance, unless one has taken medical courses, many are not taught to really understand what it does, how it works, and how to protect it. A Biology 101 class may have taught you some of the fundamentals of the anatomy of the skin — maybe to recognize the difference between the epidermis and subcutaneous tissue, but chances are good those facts were easily forgotten.

Unless we have a practical application for the knowledge that we acquire in school or otherwise, it is understandable to forget. But understanding the skin does have a practical application for you and your body. Your skin can be a great indicator of both internal and external health.

Our Skin Wears Many Hats — You Should, Too

Our skin wears many hats. That is to say, it has many roles to play in the health of the human body. Perhaps the skin’s most obvious function is to serve as a barrier to protect our insides from the outside world. The skin is part of the integumentary system, whose function is, put simply, that: to protect the body. The definition of ‘protect’, however, has many different meanings. Herein lies the ways in which the skin serves its functions.

Skin serves not only as a physical barrier, but it also plays a pivotal role in helping to regulate body temperature (thermoregulation), maintain the proper balance of fluids in the body, provides sensation cues to the body, and helps to protect against pathogens. And it does all of these things and more without the need for conscious control (barring anomalies)! Of course, this doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try to be more conscious about our skin.

We can help our skin perform at its peak by supporting it along the way

Many of the ways we can protect the skin are simple to add to your daily routine. This is important, as your healthy skincare practices should become habits.

Stay Hydrated, Eat Healthy, & Check Your Meds

Staying hydrated and making sure your body has the right nutrients is key to keeping a healthy body, both inside and out. This one may seem obvious but is easy to overlook. Maintaining proper hydration keeps your skin moisturized, meaning there is less chance for dry skin. Dry skin can make it more prone to cracks, or openings which can allow bacteria to enter, for example. Taking care to properly moisturize and using gentle skincare products is also essential. Of course, no skincare regimen should replace other protocols, such as attending to your doctors’ recommendations.

Understanding the proper nutrition and hydration needs for your body should be a conversation you have with your doctor. Not all bodies have the same needs. Discussing any concerns, pre-existing skin conditions or predispositions to skin damage is important. The more you learn about your skin the easier it will be to look out for any changes which you should discuss with your doctor. When you speak with your medical professional, be sure to understand the impacts that any medications you might be taking can have on your skin.

Several medications can actually increase sensitivity to the sun, making it more prone to sunburn and subsequent skin damage.

Practice Safe Sun

When we think of taking care of the skin, we often think of the most obvious culprits for skin damage — the sun and artificial tanning beds. There is a great reason for this. While we need the sun to survive, the sun’s benefits are not without its risks. It is important to ensure we have the proper amount of Vitamin D, of which the sun is an abundant source. However, in so doing, it is imperative that we take the proper precautions when absorbing its benefits and its rays. This mean limiting sun exposure, being aware of the UV index for your area, and wearing the proper protective clothing and skincare products. It’s not just as simple as “wearing sunscreen”.

Understanding the daily UV index is an important aspect to really gauge the amount of sun exposure you may be subject to in your region. This kind of information is usually easily accessible via local weather reports and can indicate when there is a risk of dangerous exposure to harmful rays. The UV index scale in the US ranges from 1–11+ and can be a great barometer for understanding the times of the day when sun exposure for the skin and eyes is at its greatest. A UV index between 6–7 indicates a high risk of exposure. It is always important to practice safe skin.

However, during times of a high UV index, it is imperative. This means wearing proper sunscreen, a rash guard, UV protective clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, and seeking shade where possible. Limiting sun exposure is always a best practice, especially in conditions where the UV index is 11+. This is likely in many geographical regions, particularly those closer to the equator, between the hours of 10 AM and 4 PM. Be sure to always check your local conditions and seek the advice of your doctor to ensure the right protocol for your health.

Protection of your skin against sun exposure includes your eyes. This means taking care to not only wear sunglasses, but also being mindful of additional exposure due to reflection. Certain environments, such as the sand and snow, can increase reflection and subsequent exposure to UV rays. Being around water, sand, and snow, can therefore increase chance of sunburn. Applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen, at least SPF 30, to all exposed areas (including the ears and lips!), is key. Be sure to apply, reapply according to directions, as well as after any exposure to water or intense sweating.

Any measures you can take to cover up and protect your skin are those that your skin will thank you for, today, and tomorrow. We take our skin with us everywhere, but it is often something that we forget. Rest assured, however, that an investment in one’s skin is one that will pay dividends for years to come. The health of your skin, and your body overall, depends on it.

This article was previoulsy published on Medium.

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About James Goydos, M.D.

James Goydos is an expert in melanoma research and specialist in surgical oncology with an M.D. from Rutgers University. With over 20 years of experience as a Professor, Surgeon, and Clinical Trial Lead, he is a leading expert in his field.

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