“As I age with my patients, I understand how normal changes over time on the outside can impact how you feel about yourself. A lot of prevention, especially for skin cancer, actually helps your skin’s overall appearance as well,” said Dr. Jennifer Jenkins, Physician and Board-Certified Dermatologist.
Many of us don’t think much about the health of our skin, unless we notice changes, especially as we age. And it is common for women to fear this natural process, in part because we’re treated differently as we get older. Especially in our professional lives.
However, caring for and about skin health has many benefits beyond confidence in how we look, it’s a critical indicator for our overall health.
Start Early to Address Natural Changes
Jennifer primarily works on the medical side of dermatology, including treating patients with skin cancer or other medical conditions that impact their skin. However, she also works with patients who are interested in the aesthetic side of skin health.
When I asked, what moms can do in their 30’s, 40’s or 50’s to become proactive about skin health, she explained it helps to plan ahead. “When you start is important because once you’ve reached a certain point, changes in the skin are very difficult to reverse without some type of cosmetic reversal. So, prevention is the most beneficial.” Although starting earlier is more effective and less expensive, there are interventions that help.
Override Cultural Norms
Jennifer said, “A resident that I trained with from Japan always put driving gloves on when she got into the car, it was just something she did naturally. We can all take steps to get less sun exposure and move away from the US ideal of what beauty is.”
Although awareness about the link between tanning and skin cancer has increased, we don’t see many people with hats and long sleeves on the beach in America. Jennifer added, “People from cultures that value clearer skin over having it look “sun kissed” will have more youthful looking skin into their older years, because they protect their skin better. For people who have less melanin in their skin, wearing sunscreen with higher SPF regularly helps to maintain a more youthful appearance and reduces the risk of skin cancer.”
Reduce Sun Exposure
Jennfer said, “Wrinkling of the skin, overall hydration of the skin, sunspots or discoloration are exacerbated by sun exposure.” Many of us wait all year for this season of sunnier, longer days. You can still enjoy it and be more intentional about reducing harm from UV rays.
Sunscreen is something most of us turn to but you can also use clothing and other physical barriers. She added, “The SPF protective clothing is more lightweight and cuter than it used to be so, you don’t have to wear something that doesn’t fit your style.”
Moisturize and Hydrate
The basics still matter in addition to sunscreen, Jennifer explained it’s healthy to keep skin moisturized. “You can buy moisturizer with sunscreen in it but whatever products you use, your skin should appear moisturized. Meaning that if your skin still feels or looks dry, then you need to use something different.” If you’re unsure of what SPF or how much to use, there are sunscreen guidelines on the American Academy of Dermatology’s website.
Although Jennifer explained thicker creams tend to work better than lighter lotions, hydration is mostly an inside job. Drinking enough water and eating nutritious meals positively impact your skin. But there are also external products proven to work well. She said, “The hyaluronic acid or ceramides that are in a lot of moisturizers are added ingredients that help to bind water into the skin. My tip is to put your moisturizer onto wet skin because again, moisturizers are kind of trapping in the moisture as opposed to adding a lot of moisture.”
Anti-Aging Products Are Not a Quick Fix
There isn’t anything speedy about aging or finding ways to unravel its effects. Jennifer said, “The greatest evidence has been shown for topical retinol products and that can range from over the counter to prescription strength anti-aging retinoids. Commercials say you’ll see the difference in 14 days and that’s not the case but if you continually use these products, you will notice a difference in your skin. Especially in terms of fine wrinkling, overall youthful glow or appearance of the skin.”
Supplements May Help
There are a dizzying range of internal and external supplements that claim to help with skin health. However, Jennifer explained the evidence base is still emerging for many of these products. “There are a number of supplements available over the counter ranging from collagen or other botanical agents that may help on both the medical and aesthetic sides, but don’t show robust evidence right now. In some high-risk populations a form of B3 has been shown to reduce certain skin cancers. There are also manufacturers developing products for children and adults to prevent sun burn and help with overall skin health.” Find a dermatologist if you don’t already have one to help determine what’s right for your circumstances.
As will Physical Barriers
Jennifer said the future, will likely include more sun-friendly public spaces too, “The American Academy of Dermatology has grants to build sun covering structures so that when kids are playing sports and parents are watching they’re not necessarily exposed to direct sunlight. There are other infrastructure things in the works as well, maybe not as quickly as we need but they are going to help change the way even architecture reflects on our skin health.”
Build Prevention into Your Routines
It’s exciting to learn about advances in skin health that will reduce risks from serious illnesses like skin cancer. However, Jennifer wisely reminds us there are steps we can take right now. She said, “In all of medicine we want to move from treatment and diagnosis to a place of prevention and in the next like three to five years, I believe preventative options and how we think about our skin, will become more mainstream.”
Here’s a quick recap on proactive steps you can take:
- Get your skin checked annually by your dermatologist or a qualified health care practitioner.
- Reduce sun exposure with adequate sunscreen, SPF protective clothing and other physical barriers like hats, gloves and sitting under an awning or other sun blocking structures.
- Apply moisturizers to wet skin and ensure your skin doesn’t look dry afterwards.
- If you use anti-aging or hydrating products, look for brands that include ingredients with an existing or promising evidence base, like those with retinols, retinoids, hyaluronic acid or ceramides.
Many thanks to the talented Dr. Jennfer Jenkins, MD!
Learn more about her work on her website and if you’re in the Boston area, her Dermatology practice.
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About Dr. Jennifer Jenkins, MD:
Dr. Jenkins studied neuroscience at Brown University and then received her medical degree from the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. She then completed her Master of Public Health in Health Policy and Management at the Harvard School of Public Health. This was followed by a residency in Dermatology at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and a fellowship in Dermatopathology at Tufts Medical Center/Miraca Life Sciences
