NHS Choices: Five Things You Need To Know About Skin Health

Main Category: Dermatology
Also Included In: Melanoma / Skin Cancer
Article Date: 14 Jul 2010 - 1:00 PDT

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Your skin protects you, heals itself and lasts a lifetime. Find how to give it some skin care in return, to help keep it looking and feeling its best.

Acne doesn't just happen to teenagers

There are lots of myths around acne, including the idea that it only happens to teenage skin. This is not true - acne can develop in adults too. Find out about the treatments available if it happens to you, and whether your eating or skin care habits could be to blame.

Smoking makes your skin look older

Along with growing older and sun damage, smoking plays a part in creating wrinkles. It's thought this may be because smoking reduces the amount of skin-plumping collagen (a protein that supports skin's strength), leading to fine lines and wrinkles forming. You can help to delay the appearance of wrinkles by not smoking. Find out other tips on keeping skin as healthy as possible.

Changes to a mole can be dangerous

If a mole changes, for example it grows, bleeds or changes colour, a doctor needs to check it for cancer warning signs. In addition, you can use the mole checker tool to see whether any of your moles could be risky and need a medical opinion. Sun damage increases your risk of skin cancer, so make sure you know the latest skin care tips to protect your skin from the sun and prevent sunburn .

Skin lightening creams can harm your skin

Non-prescription creams that claim to lighten your skin colour could contain banned ingredients that damage your skin. Over-the-counter creams like these have been found to contain steroids and hydroquinone, a substance banned from use in cosmetics. Prescription creams containing steroids can be used to treat some conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis, but this must be supervised by a skin specialist.

You don't need to risk sunburn to get vitamin D

Sunlight on skin is our main source of vitamin D, essential for healthy bones. The amount of time you need in the sun to make enough vitamin D is different for everyone, and depends on things like skin type and the time of day. But you don't need to sunbathe - the amount of sun you need to make enough vitamin D is less than the amount that causes tanning or burning.

Source:
NHS Choices

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