In the United States, we are blessed with the ability to receive not just a base education, but an excellent one. The technology at our fingertips allows up to simply touch a button or use our voice to activate the Discovery Chanel, google, Ask.com or Yahoo on our phone, computer and TV. In other words, we have what it takes to act responsibly and make educated decisions.
Dispite this widely available stream of information and knowledge, walking thru the park we witness smokers sitting in the sun with no hat or umbrella and probably little or no sun block. To take this one step further, on the way to Vitamin Cottage, I had my family look for and count the indoor tanning salons. In a 12 mile round trip we found 5 (yes 5!) independent and national places to go indoors and age our skin. That is 1 every 2.25 miles.
On the shelves at Walgreens, Target, Whole Foods as well as out Med Spa's and Plastic Surgeons offices are 100's of line erasing, skin smoothing, age reversing products, designed to repair skin damage. None of these products are cheap, and some may be down right painful! The worst part about this is that much of this skin damage could have been avoided by good decision making in the first place.
But don't despair, all is not lost! With a little education we can change the habits that are creating the lip lines and small eye creases. We have the technology to eradicate sun and age spots and rejuvenate dry sagging skin. Now we need to educate ourselves on protecting our skin from further damage! We don't need to stop living large, we need to start thinking!
Smoking and surrounding ourselves with Cigarette smoke not only damages our heart and lungs, but our complexion! Notice the small lines and wrinkles surrounding a smokers lips as well as the overall dull and pasty skin tone they may have. Aging smokers may be using a powder "cover up" to replenish their healthy look. But powders may seep into those lines, INCREASNG the aging look rather then accenting the natural healthy glow that comes with good skin care! Consider quitting, or at least lowering the numbers of cigarettes smoked each day. Smoking is an addiction. Just like tanning, or heroin. It may be one of the hardest things you will ever have to do. It may also be one of the most rewarding. Seek help if necessary. Pull your family and friends in for encouragement and support. Fill your energy and time with a physical fitness class or that book you have been meaning to read.
Then there is the idea that indoor tanning will only help your complexion. Or the idea that we need to submit our bodies to the Suns full rays in order to be healthy and have enough vitamin D in our systems. While Doctors world wide agree we should get outdoors and play in Nature, we can do so safely while still obsorbing the wonderful nutrients and vitamins the sun provides. Simply use SUN BLOCK containing UVA and UVB cancelling agens. Zinc and titanium oxide need to be present in your SUN BLOCK (not sunscreen)!!! And think about wearing a full brimmed sun hat. While I am a huge fan and collector of golf hats they do not protect any area other then the forehead and nose. Other body parts deserve the same consideration as your cheeks. Do not assume your arms, chest and legs are protected. If you plan on being in the beautiful outdoors for any period of time (by which we mean longer then 15 minutes...) consider longer sleeves or light capris. And please don't assume that the windows in your car will give you any kind of protective barrier. Just notice how your driving arm may be warmer, even tanner then the rest of your body, and wha lah!, you have your answer.
As for Tanning beds. The fix is one of the easiest. Don't! If you need the look of the Sun kissed to feel your most beautiful, try a spray tan or self tanner. There are bronzers that you can apply yourself which will help you acheive the look you are lacking, without exposing yourself to harmful, skin damaging rays.
Be great to yourself. Everyone deserves to look and feel their best. And there is nothing wrong with being a little vain. After all, if you really think about it, we surround ourselves with people and things we find pretty and inviting. So really, we are doing our friends and society a favor by looking great! Now with that in mind, do the right thing. Take care of yourself. You and society deserve it!
http://www.smokefree.gov/
http://www.kidzworld.com/article/5838-the-dangers-of-tanning-beds
I like this one. As a non-smoker, it's easy to look at somebody puffing away and immediately notice the lines and wrinkles in the face, odor, discolored fingers and think how can you do that to your body? Then I'll spray on the toxic smelling sunscreen (don't know what brand, just picked it up at the store) and head out for a round of golf, where I'll forget to reapply at the turn. Good lesson to pay more attention to how I protect myself.
ReplyDeleteWow! I appreciate your honesty! It is easy to use what ever is easy and at hand, but not always the best way to take care of ourselves. Taking a few extra moments each day to pay attention to what we are paying for, applying to our skin or putting in our bodies will do each of us a world of good.
ReplyDeleteTaking an honest look at ourselves is not always easy, but is the right place to start!