Five tips for promoting healthy skin for your teenage son or daughter.
The day-to-day of raising teenage kids is truly a journey. Odds are, they will listen to you part of the time. They will also want to get input from other trusted sources such as their friends. Perhaps even TV and media role models. Actually – it is more likely to be influencers from YouTube and Instagram. As parents, we try to steer our children toward useful information and smart decision-making. In that context, we hope this list helpful.
1 – Use sun protection. This sounds obvious and simple – but it is increasingly important. There are all sorts of studies suggesting that impact of sun is more damaging that it was 15 or 20 years ago. With some indications that the earth has a depleting ozone layer, the sun’s rays may actually be getting stronger than they once were. Be an advocate for sun screen and protective clothing and hats. According to The Skin Cancer Foundation, we as parents are the role models and we have huge influence over the behavior of our teens. Let’s lead by example. And importantly, sun screen is not just for the summer months. We recommend year round application.
2 – Pay attention to diet, but don’t over-analyze it. Moderation is the key. We don’t think extreme dietary decisions are useful unless they are specifically recommended by your doctor or nutritionist. But our advice is to consume a balanced diet of vegetables, minerals, lean proteins, and legumes. Teens will inevitably have their share of sugars, processed foods and soft drinks. In our view, it isn’t realistic or productive to police this heavily. We simply suggest moderation. Again, leading by example is a fantastic way to start healthy habits when our kids are young.
3 – Drink lots of water. Water has so many positive health effects. We could put together a separate blog entry on this topic alone. According to University of Wisconsin School of Medicine, drinking at least 8 glasses of water per day can help the body and skin to eliminate toxins. While people may debate this, some professionals suggest that the regular consumption of water can even lead to a certain healthy radiance. In addition to impacting our skin, water is also a meaningful impact on our heart, joints and digestive tract. One pro tip – start the day and end the day with a glass of water. This leaves only six glasses for the time in between.
4 – Consistent hygiene and washing. This is really about routine. You want to find a gentle soap or cleansing solution that works for your skin and doesn’t cause any irritation or rash. Wet your face with lukewarm water. We generally discourage products that are too drying, as this can have a harmful effect on skin. Try to pat the skin dry, rather than rubbing your face. The American Academy of Dermatology publishes a useful list of steps for healthy face washing. Also, One Slade offers an excellent facial cleanser that serves to cleanse and exfoliate the skin. And watch for our two new masks, coming by June 2019.
5 – Zit happens. It is inevitable. Adolescent skin is prone to experience acne and breakouts. Some of this is merely genetics and some is environmental. Take small and deliberate steps and remember that skin is an essential part of our body and we can do our best to take care of it by following the steps in this list and other suggestions. It is also wise to remember that people are beautiful inside and out. So – any temporary skin blemish is just that – temporary.
It has been said that the skin is the largest organ. Amazing to think of that when our conventional definition of an organ is one of the tools inside our body that handles day-to-day function, such as liver, heart, brain, kidney. But, yes, the skin is considered an organ and we ought to work hard to care for it.
This is by no means a comprehensive list and we are not doctors, we are parents. If you have thoughts or suggestions, please reach us at hello@oneslade.com.