1. Too
much sun exposure. Minimal, unprotected exposure to the sun
consisting of 10-15 minutes per day (3-4 times a week) is
acceptable, even beneficial, for the body to absorb needed
Vitamin D. Any additional exposure causes skin damage and
women should make using sunscreen a matter of daily habit.
2. Frequenting artificial tanning beds and salons. The use
of tanning salons is never warranted and does cumulative harm
to a woman's skin. For those individuals who believe they
are getting a "safe-start" using a tanning bed before
vacationing, it is simply not true. The healthiest alternative
is to apply an SPF30 sun block on the entire body from day
one of a vacation. Bronzers and lotions that "tan"
the skin are another safe option.
3. Failure to do regular full body checks for suspicious and/or
changing skin conditions. Women should become familiar enough
with their bodies to be able to detect any skin changes (both
subtle or obvious) including those potentially cancerous lesions
or moles that suddenly begin to itch, bleed, or blacken and
need to be seen by a dermatologist immediately.
4. Subjecting skin to excessive heat exposure. Come mid-winter,
it may feel wonderful to stand under a steaming shower, but
too much hot water wreaks havoc on the skin and can precipitate
troubling conditions such as eczema or psoriasis.
5. Neglecting to use moisturizers on a regular basis. Three
times a day is optimal, but twice daily is the more realistic
practice for most women.
6. Selecting the wrong type of skin care products for acne-prone
skin. Oil based makeup and cleansers can exacerbate skin prone
to breakouts. Women should look for products that are non-comedogenic.
7. Lack of compliance with physician's instructions. By not
adhering to specific current directions, there is no plausible
reason for expecting subsequent courses of treatments to be
effective. In order to achieve success, directions must be
carefully followed.
8. Smoking. Notwithstanding the negative damage it has on
the inside of a woman's body and its related cancer risks,
this habit alone dramatically ages the skin and causes premature
wrinkling of the skin.
9. Hair breakage patterns which affect African-American women
in particular. Repetitive straightening and the habitual use
of relaxers leads to hair breakage (Traction Alopecia) as
well as causing the hair follicles to cease functioning. Visible
hair loss occurs where the most stress has been placed on
the scalp.
10. Doesn't recognize the connection between artificial nails
and nail changes. The frequent use of acrylic nail products
(and/or an allergic reaction) can affect the overall health
of the nail and the nail bed.
About
the Author:
Michele
Howe is a book reviewer for Publishers Weekly, FaithfulReader.com,
Aspiring Retail and has published over 900 articles/reviews.
She works as a manuscript critique editor for the Christian
Communicator and writes on women's health issues for the Toledo
Free Press, Monroe Journal, CBN.com, SingleMom.com, ParentSuperSite.com,
CatholicMom.com, and Radiant among other publications. Howe
has also published eight books for women including: Going
It Alone: Meeting the Challenges of Being a Single Mom ,
Prayers
for Homeschool Moms,
Prayers
for New and Expecting Moms,
Prayers
of Comfort and Strength,
Prayers
to Nourish a Woman's Heart,
Successful
Single Moms,
and Pilgrim
Prayers for Single Mothers.
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