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Three Tips to Keep Skin Radiant and Healthy

Did you know that November is recognized as National Healthy Skin Month? The skin does a hefty job in protecting the body from germs and other infectious agents, but it’s important to treat it right. So how do you keep skin healthy? Here are some important points to consider:

healthy skin

1. Eat a Healthy Diet

Nutritious food promotes healthy skin. Eat foods rich in:

  • Vitamin A – helps prevent dryness and signs of aging. Carrots, eggs, oranges, and dark green leafy veggies contain Vitamin A.

  • Vitamin C – boosts protein substances including elastin and collagen. These substances prevent wrinkles, skin lines, and sagging. Citrus fruits, green vegetables, and red peppers are rich in vitamin C.

  • Vitamin E – an antioxidant that helps skin retain moisture and heals the damage done by free radicals. It can also help neutralize the effects of a sunburn. Foods rich in vitamin E include nuts, grains, and olives.

A balance of these food choices can also lower the risk of some diseases, regulate sugar levels, and aid proper digestion. Keep in mind that the best skin-friendly foods are those rich in antioxidants and flavonoids. These two components can help minimize the effects of free radicals that cause skin flakiness, tissue damage, and wrinkles.

Foods rich in Omega 3 and Omega 6 are also good for the skin. These fatty acids can enhance skin’s moisture and prevent blemishes and dryness. Flaxseeds, salmon, mackerel, and walnuts are good sources of omega oil.

Also, hydration is paramount. Drink fluids regularly.

2. Cleanse and moisturize

Washing the skin helps remove dust, dirt, and excess oil. To avoid damaging skin layers, opt for short showers, warm baths, and mild cleansers. Also consider exfoliating once a week to remove the old layers and reveal a new, fresh, and glowing skin. Moisturizing is also very important and can help strengthen the barrier that keeps out drying influences and negative elements in the environment.

3. Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle

Regular exercise improves blood circulation. As circulation improves, so, too, can the flow of vitamins and minerals to the skin. It’s also important to get enough sleep to avoid premature aging of the skin. Smoking and alcohol can also age the skin markedly.

4. Seek Treatment for Rashes

Eczema and hives can often be treated through allergy medications or allergy immunotherapy. Rosacea (redness or red bumps) can also be treated, and, of course, acne can be addressed as well through creams and medications. See a doctor for help, so you don’t have to live with the irritation and discoloration of skin maladies.

About The Author

Stuart H. Agren, M.D.

Stuart H. Agren, M.D. completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Utah and went on to earn his Doctor of Medicine from Tulane University School of Medicine in 1974. He completed additional training at L.D.S. Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah and then established his private medical practice starting in 1975. Dr. Agren completed a mini-residency in Industrial Medicine at the Robert Johnson School of Medicine at Rutgers University and also completed training to become a certified Medical Review Officer.

Dr. Agren was the Medical Director at TRW and McDonnell Douglas in Mesa, Arizona and at Stauffer Chemical and Kennecott Copper in Salt Lake City, Utah. He also served as an adjunct faculty member at Arizona State University.

In his private medical practice, Dr. Agren specialized in family practice and allergy. In his work as a private practice allergist, he was one of the first doctors in the country to prescribe sublingual immunotherapy to his patients as an alternative to subcutaneous immunotherapy (allergy shots). He has also been a trailblazer in the field of food allergy treatment and research, developing a program to treat multiple food allergies simultaneously using sublingual immunotherapy. Dr. Agren has been featured on local CBS, NBC, and ABC news affiliates and won the peer-nominated “Top Doc” award from Phoenix Magazine.

After 20 years in private practice, Dr. Agren became the Founder and President of AllergyEasy, which helps primary care physicians around the country offer allergy testing and sublingual immunotherapy treatment to their patients. Over 200 physicians in over 32 states use the AllergyEasy program to help their patients overcome environmental and food allergies and asthma.