Stop Doing These Things If You Want Clearer Skin

You want clear, blemish-free skin when you face the world, but life — and your actions — may be getting in the way of your goals. While there may have been little you could do to avoid the scar that came by way of an accident, there are certain practices you should stop doing if you want clearer skin.

To get you on the road to clear skin, Drs. Khongruk Wongkittiroch and Matthew Zarraga, along with the rest of the team here at Z-Roc Dermatology, present the following dos and don’ts when it comes to your skin.

Dealing with acne

You watch as a pimple starts to take shape on your face, and you want to take matters into your own hands by giving it good pop. Stop.

Pimples are your body’s way of dealing with bacteria, oils, and debris trapped in your pores. In creating this protective “bubble,” your body is working to correct the blockage.

If you routinely pop your pimples, you’ll not only disrupt this healing process, you’ll make the blemish temporarily worse (think bleeding and scabbing), and you may even create a scar.

To effectively get rid of acne, you should seek our help; we’re equipped with a wide range of professional treatment options, from prescription medications to laser therapies, that can clear your skin.

Sun: Enemy number one

You love heading outdoors and sunning yourself to achieve what you think will be a healthy glow. Stop.

The ultraviolet (UV) rays emitted by the sun contain radiation, and they’re responsible for up to 90% of visible changes in your skin. Included in these changes are:

• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Age spots
• Facial veins
• Freckles
• Melasma
• Actinic keratoses (precancerous lesions)

As you can see, these developments present serious challenges when it comes to clear skin.

When you head out into the sun, you should always wear sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or some form of protection, such as a hat and sunglasses. Since we live in the sunny state of Florida, this practice is even more critical.

Should you develop sun-related changes in your skin, there are ways we can clean the slate through our advanced laser technologies, facials, and other skin rejuvenation techniques, including microneedling.

Nourish your skin from the inside out

You’re hungry, and you grab a snack at the convenience store, and you throw in a soda to quench your thirst. Stop.

Your skin needs proper hydration  — about 11-13 cups of water each day — to keep your skin hydrated and glowing.

Eating processed foods full of salts and sugars can also lead to dehydration, causing your skin to sag. Instead, eat foods that contain the vitamins and nutrients your skin needs. For example, vitamin C is one of the best skin health supporters, so be sure to add this key vitamin to your diet through citrus fruits and leafy greens.

Of course, there are other steps that you can take to achieve clearer skin, and we’re happy to sit down with you to create a personalized plan. To get started, contact our office in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to set up an appointment.