How our skin and hair look is important to many of us. At the
same time, your skin and hair are organs that do special jobs
that support life. Skin protects your inside organs from injury,
bacteria, and viruses. Your skin, hair, and sweat glands help
control body temperature. Body hair also alerts you to heat and
touch. You can take steps to keep your skin and hair healthy.
You can also look to your skin and hair for clues to your overall
health. And, as a bonus, good skin and hair care will help you to
feel your best, too.

Caring for your skin and hair

Good skin and hair care involves:

1. eating a variety of healthy foods rich in vitamins and nutrients
2. keeping physically active
3. managing stress
4. practicing sun safety
5. limiting alcohol
6. not using tobacco and other recreational drugs
7. drinking plenty of water

Unhealthy behaviors can take a toll on
skin and hair. For instance, habits like
smoking and sunbathing dry out skin
and cause wrinkles.

Caring for your skin
Follow this simple skin care routine to
keep your skin healthy and radiant:

• Bathe in warm—not hot—water using mild cleansers that don’t irritate. Wash gently—don’t scrub.
• Keep skin from drying out by drinking plenty of water and using gentle moisturizers, lotions, or creams.
• Practice sun safety to prevent skin
  cancer. Sun exposure puts you at greater
  risk of skin cancer, whatever your
  skin color or ethnicity. To protect your
  skin:
  • Limit exposure to the midday sun
  (10 am-4 pm).
  • Wear protective clothing, such
  as wide-brimmed hats and long
  sleeves.
  • Use sunscreen with a sun protection
  factor (SPF) of 15 or higher and with
  both UVA and UVB protection.
  • Avoid sunlamps and tanning booths.
• Check your skin for sun damage. Tell
  your doctor about changes on the
  skin, such as a new growth, a sore that
• Age Spots
  Years of sun exposure can cause flat,
  brown spots called “liver” or age spots
  to appear on your face, hands, arms,
  back, and feet. They are not harmful.
  But if the look of age spots bothers
  you, ask your doctor about skin-lightening
  creams, laser therapy, and cryotherapy
  (freezing). Use sunscreen to
  prevent more age spots.
  doesn’t heal, or a change in an old
  growth. Ask your doctor how often
  you should have a clinical skin exam
  to check for signs of skin cancer. (See
  pages 53 and 54 of the Cancer chapter
  for more information.)
  l Ask your doctor if the medicines you
  are taking can affect your skin. For instance,
  blood thinners and aspirin can
  cause you to bruise more easily. Some
  antibiotics and vitamins make skin
  sunburn more easily.
  Skin and hair: Clues to overall
  health
  Healthy skin and hair are signs of good
  overall health. Some skin and hair
  changes can signal a health problem. For
  instance, a “butterfly” rash on your face
  can be a sign of lupus. Distinct rashes
  appear with some viruses, such as the
  measles and chicken pox. An allergic
  reaction can cause hives, redness, and
  itching. Diabetes and thyroid disease can
  cause hair loss. Knowing how your skin
  and hair normally look and feel will help
  you notice changes to ask your doctor about.

Nail Health
Healthy fingernails and toenails are
smooth, with an even color. Keep your
nails clean, dry, and trimmed to prevent
ingrown nails. If you wear artificial
(fake) nails, check around the base
and sides of the nails for redness,
pain, and infection. Bacteria and fungus
can grow between the artificial nail
and your natural nail. Tell your doctor
if you notice nail changes, which also
could be the result of health problems,
such as diabetes or heart disease.

Common skin complaints
Sensitive skin
Women with sensitive skin may have
itching, burning, stinging, or tightness
after using products such as soaps or
makeup. Women of color are more prone
to sensitive skin. Look for products made
for sensitive skin. Talk with your doctor
if these products don’t help.
Pimples (acne)
Pimples form when hair follicles under
your skin clog up. Although most common
in the teen years, many women get
pimples into their 50s. Acne also is common during pregnancy and menopause,
when hormones are changing. Medicines,
such as birth control pills, can also
lead to breakouts.
The cause of acne is unclear. We do
know that dirt, stress, and foods do not
cause acne. But stress and certain foods,
such as chocolate or greasy foods, can
make acne worse. Acne also appears to
run in some families.
To care for acne, use mild soaps, avoid
touching your skin, and wear oil-free
makeup. Your doctor may also suggest an
acne medicine. If so, ask about the side
effects. Do not take isotretinoin (eyesoh-
trih-TIN-oh-in) (Accutane®) if you
are pregnant or trying to get pregnant—
it can hurt your baby.
Dry skin
Skin can dry out and become rough,
scaly, and itchy for a number of reasons.
Dry skin (xerosis, zih-ROH-suhss) can
be caused by:

dry air

• not drinking enough water
• stress
• smoking
• the sun

Doctors report a higher rate of dry skin
in African Americans. Try the skin care
routine on pages 305 and 306. If dry
skin does not improve, talk to your doctor.
Sometimes, dry skin signals a health
problem, such as diabetes or kidney
disease.