Repairing Sun Damage

Repairing Sun Damage

If you regularly enjoy most of your days outside with all the travels and activities, then chances are you may have gotten some sun damage. Whether it was a full-body sunburn or just an extra freckle here and there, it’s still considered sun damage. And it’s not great for your skin.

To help get your skin back on the right track, here are a few ways you can repair sun damage on your skin:

Use Sunscreen Every Day

Even if you’re not planning on spending very much time outside, wearing sunscreen with SPF of 15 of higher on a daily basis can help give your skin time to heal. That little extra layer of protection has even been shown to lower your long-term risk of skin cancer.

Exfoliate

Build-up of dead skin cells can make your skin appear blotchy and uneven — especially after you’ve experienced sun damage. By exfoliating every day, you are able to remove those dead skin cells and help your skin look healthier and smoother.

Hydrate

Staying hydrated is one of the best things you can do to help keep your skin looking and feeling healthy after sun exposure. Not only will hydrating help keep your skin from drying out, but moisturizing can also help plump up dry skin and make your skin instantly appear less wrinkled.

Try Laser Treatment

If all else fails, it may be time to try laser treatment. There are a few different types of laser treatment you can try, but it’s best if you speak with your dermatologist first to discuss your options and what he/she recommends for your particular skin type.

Learn more about how to repair sun damage or to get started on your own personalized treatment plan by scheduling an appointment with our expert dermatologists!

Call our Patient Care Lines: (+632) 7-368 5238 l (+63) 917 862 7454 l (+63) 921 217 0517 for inquiries, questions, and appointments or talk to our consultants via LiveChat at https://shinagawa.ph so we can address and answer them for you.

Steps for Proper Sunscreen Application

Steps for Proper Sunscreen Application

There’s a proper way to apply your sunscreen.

Have you ever put on sunscreen and thought you did a good job, only to realize a few hours later that you still got sunburnt? You’re not alone.

Chances are, you may have missed a critical step in your sunscreen application routine. From selecting your sunscreen to the steps you take before, during, and after you’re exposed to the sun, there are a lot of things you need to take into consideration.

That’s why we’re sharing this quick and easy guide to help you keep your skin protected all summer — and all year — long.

Step 1: Check Your Sunscreen

We’ve talked about selecting the right sunscreen for your skin before. Ultimately, you want to find sunscreen that is SPF 30 or higher, water-resistant and offers broad-spectrum coverage.

One other thing to keep in mind is whether or not your sunscreen is expired. While the FDA requires that all sunscreens retain their original strength for three years, some sunscreens do not include an expiration date. It’s a good habit to invest in a new supply of sunscreen every year and to keep an eye out for any obvious changes in color or consistency in your sunscreen. If you think you may have an expired bottle, grab yourself some new reinforcements. Your skin will thank you.

Step 2: Use the Right Amount

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, most people only apply 25 to 50 percent of the recommended amount of sunscreen to their skin. To help give you an idea of how much sunscreen is the right amount, an average adult needs at least one ounce — or one handful — of sunscreen to cover their entire body.

Step 3: Apply Properly

Sunscreen takes about 15 minutes to absorb into the skin. So make sure you apply sunscreen at least 15 minutes before sun exposure. Applying sunscreen after sun exposure is one of the leading causes of sunburn.

Additionally, remember to cover your entire body, especially the parts of your skin that are not covered. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen on your neck, face, ears and the tops of your feet and hands. These are the areas that skin cancer is most commonly found. Also, be sure to protect your lips from skin cancer with lip balm that’s SPF 15 or higher. 

Step 4: Reapply

One of the biggest mistakes that people make is putting on sunscreen once and then never reapplying throughout the day. If you are swimming or sweating, your sunscreen will rub off and leave you exposed to harmful UV rays. Even if you aren’t swimming or sweating, it is always a good idea to reapply sunscreen every two hours you spend outside.

If you are near sand or water, your need for sunscreen increases, as these surfaces tend to reflect the sun’s rays more, leaving you more susceptible to harmful UV exposure.

If you follow all these steps religiously and are still finding yourself getting sunburnt every now and then, it may be time to talk to a specialist. 

Schedule an appointment with Shinagawa Aesthetics today to find a sunscreen and routine that works best for you!

Call our Patient Care Lines: (+632) 7-368 5238 l (+63) 917 862 7454 l (+63) 921 217 0517 for inquiries, questions, and appointments or talk to our consultants via LiveChat at https://shinagawa.ph so we can address and answer them for you.

Foods for a Clear Complexion

Foods for a Clear Complexion

For most of us scramble for the self-tanner and start taking steps to get our skin into tip-top shape. If you are struggling to achieve that fresh, clean glow, you may want to make some adjustments to your everyday diet.

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, what you put into your body has a huge impact on your skin. 

The more you are able to incorporate some of these skin-friendly foods into your diet, the better off your skin will be.

Water

Even though water isn’t technically categorized as “food,” it is one of the most important things you can put into your body to help improve your skin’s complexion. Not only does it help boost your metabolism, but it also helps flush out your system and keep impurities from causing blemishes to pop up.

Eggs

Who knew that cracking a couple of eggs in the morning would be good for your skin? The yolk in eggs is full of skin-clearing selenium, zinc, vitamins and protein, which all contribute to healthy skin. Additionally, the protein found in eggs is critical for collagen production, which helps give your skin a nice, smooth appearance. 

Seeds

A handful of seeds can go a long way when it comes to the health of your skin. Pumpkin seeds in particular are filled with zinc, which protects your skin cell membranes, helps maintain collagen and prompts skin renewal. Sunflower seeds are another great option, offering plenty of vitamin E to help protect your skin from damage caused by free radicals in the environment and in your body.

Fresh Fish

Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which in turn fortify your skin cell membranes and protect your skin against sun damage, fresh, oily fish such as salmon or tuna are great for your skin. The omega-3 fatty acids found in this type of fish also helps prevent redness and wrinkle development, keeping your skin fresh and supple.

Sweet Potatoes

Finally, start adding some sweet potatoes to your daily routine. Rich in vitamin A, the nutrients found in sweet potatoes have been shown to enhance the color and appearance of your skin. Vitamin A has also been shown to repair skin tissue and protect against free radical damage from the sun and the environment.

Looking to freshen up your skincare routine? We recommend consulting with your dermatologist first before making any changes. Set up an appointment with one of our experienced dermatologists today!

Call our Patient Care Lines: (+632) 7-368 5238 l (+63) 917 862 7454 l (+63) 921 217 0517 for inquiries, questions, and appointments or talk to our consultants via LiveChat at https://shinagawa.ph so we can address and answer them for you.

The Importance of Proper Skin Hygiene

The Importance of Proper Skin Hygiene

As you know, your skin is the largest organ in your body. In fact, your skin plays a vital role in regulating your body’s temperature, insulation and production of vitamin D. Which is exactly why the health of your skin has such a huge impact on your overall physical health.

With this in mind, maintaining good skin hygiene is critical to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. 

When you keep your skin clean and healthy, you take major steps toward ensuring your entire body remains healthy, too. 

Here are just a few of the simple steps you can take every day to make sure you’ve got a solid skin hygiene routine.

Keep Your Hands Away

Avoid touching your face, especially if you haven’t washed your hands recently. You pick up so much dirt and bacteria throughout the day that you may not even see, by touching your face you’re just adding more dirt and bacteria to your skin. By the same token, if you have a pimple, leave it alone. By picking at it or popping it, you’ll only make it worse and potentially cause scarring that will last a lot longer than a pimple ever would.

Wash, Exfoliate, Moisturize, Repeat

Even if you’ve had a long day and just want to crash into bed, it is important to make sure to wash, exfoliate and moisturize before you go to sleep. Washing your face gets rid of the top level of dirt and bacteria, while exfoliating goes deeper and helps keep your pores open and clean. Adding moisture back into your skin with a daily or nightly moisturizer helps keep your skin hydrated and protected from impurities. Combine all of these together and you’ve got a solid routine that will keep your skin happy and healthy all year long.

Be Consistent

Rome wasn’t built in a day, and it’s going to take time for a new skin care routine to start showing results. Be consistent and patient and you should start to notice a difference in a few weeks.

In addition to following your regular daily routine consistently, it is important to schedule regular check-ups with your dermatologist. He/she will be able to help you assess what is working and what you could potentially improve upon or adjust as needed based on your history and skin type.

Schedule an appointment with Shinagawa Aesthetics today to get started!

Call our Patient Care Lines: (+632) 7-368 5238 l (+63) 917 862 7454 l (+63) 921 217 0517 for inquiries, questions, and appointments or talk to our consultants via LiveChat at https://shinagawa.ph so we can address and answer them for you.

Signs of Stress On Your Skin

Signs of Stress On Your Skin

Less stress equals a more beautiful you.

Whether it’s glowing skin or a wrinkle-free smile, inner peace can create outer beauty. So, what happens when the stresses of life are clouding your mind?

From a knot in the pit of your stomach to sweaty palms and trouble sleeping – the effects of stress are universal. Given enough time, symptoms of stress left untreated can make their way from below the skin and show themselves on its surface. 

But how?

Acne

When troubles strike, our bodies react.  If put into a stressful situation, the body is more likely to put cortisol production into overdrive, causing a part of the brain known as the hypothalamus to over-produce a hormone called corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH). 

The increased levels of CRH are thought to stimulate the sebaceous glands found around your hair follicles to release excessive oils and, in turn, cause pores to clog and pimples to form.

Bags Under Eyes

Although a common sign of aging or dehydration, bags beneath the eyes can also begin to form due to unchecked stress. These features typically develop due to the weakening of the eye muscles over time and a decreased elasticity in the skin surrounding them. Studies have shown that sleep deprivation-induced stress is a likely culprit in the formation of eye bags.

Dry Skin

As the outer layer of your skin, the stratum corneum acts as a protective barrier for your body, safeguarding you from bacteria and illness while also housing important proteins that keep your skin cells healthy and hydrated. When stress is left unmanaged, that protective barrier can crack, weakening your skin’s ability to retain water and causing it to become dry and itchy. 

Inflammation

When your body experiences stress, it responds with a series of fight or flight reactions to “protect” you. When that stress is passed, your body resets, reverting to homeostasis. 

However, if left unchecked for too long, your body can become confused, believing the threat is ever-present and leading to a state called allostasis. In an allostatic state, the reactions caused by stress continue and make other bodily functions more difficult to properly regulate, leading to inflammation issues like rosacea, psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis, and more.

Fine Lines and Wrinkles

Happiness, sadness, anxiety and more can all find their way from your heart to your skin. Increased stress levels can change the proteins in your skin, reducing its elasticity and making it more prone to wrinkles. Repeated signs of strong emotion, such as a regularly furrowed brow, can make themselves a permanent feature on your face. 

Combat the effects of stress

The ways we show stress may differ, but we all experience it at some point in our lives. Stress can be unavoidable, and while avoidance can be key, learning how to manage it is even more essential. There are countless ways to reduce stress, from breathing exercises and meditation techniques to a peaceful walk in nature.

And when the effects of stress begin on your skin, Shinagawa Aesthetics is here to support you! Our team of board-certified dermatologists can administer Botox treatments and other cosmetic services that can help you combat the signs of stress. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with our team, or visit our website to explore our list of services.

Call our Patient Care Lines: (+632) 7-368 5238 l (+63) 917 862 7454 l (+63) 921 217 0517 for inquiries, questions, and appointments or talk to our consultants via LiveChat at https://shinagawa.ph so we can address and answer them for you.