The least popular, but essential advice from a dermatologist

The least popular advice from a dermatologist can sometimes be difficult to accept, but they form a crucial basis for healthy skin. These recommendations, although often overlooked or considered unpleasant, are especially important for young people, whose skin is still developing and could be prone to long-term damage. By being aware of these pieces of advice, I hope to lay a stronger foundation for better skin health.

Least popular advice

Below are some of the least popular dermatological advices, often accompanied by sighs or eye rolls from patients.

Sun Protection:

We all enjoy a sunny day, but excessive exposure to the sun can cause serious skin problems, such as skin cancer. During consultations, I often hear patients say that they “never sit in the sun”. However, upon further questioning, it turns out that many of them are regularly outside, such as when gardening, biking, or walking the dog, and that without adequate sun protection. It is crucial to take good protective measures, such as using sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and seeking shade, even on cloudy days when UV radiation can still be harmful to the skin.

UV radiation consists of UVA and UVB rays, both of which can be harmful. UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin and can contribute to premature skin aging and increase the risk of skin cancer, while UVB rays mainly cause sunburn, direct damage to DNA, pigment spots, and skin cancer. For people with dark skin, protection against visible light is also important in addition to UVA and UVB protection, as this type of light can contribute to hyperpigmentation such as melasma.

2. Stop Visiting Tanning Beds:

The use of the tanning bed is strongly linked to an increased risk of skin cancer. Most of us know that but do not realize what the impact is.

This study examined the link between the use of tanning beds and the risk of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC), especially in people under the age of 50. A systematic literature review was conducted to assess this. The studies showed that there is a clear link between tanning bed use and an increased risk of various types of skin cancer.

Thus, the risk of melanoma is 27% higher in people who use sunbeds, the risk of non-melanoma skin cancer is 40% higher, the risk of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is 58% higher and the risk of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is 24% higher. This risk is even greater in people who start using sunbeds at a young age and those who do this frequently. These results underline the importance of prevention policies to reduce the risk of skin cancer, especially among young adults.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) even after one time under the sunbed the risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma increases by 67% and basal cell carcinoma by 29%.

If you have ever used a sunbed, your risk of melanoma increases by 20%. Using it before the age of 35 increases your risk almost by 60%.

3. 57 times more likely to get another type of cancer, if you’ve had melanoma

Once you’ve had melanoma, you’re not only at an increased risk of developing this form of cancer again, but also of other types of cancers. This is due to improvements in early diagnosis allowing people with melanoma to live longer. Scientific research and a meta-analysis involving more than 350,000 melanoma patients have shown that these survivors are at a higher risk of a second melanoma and other new forms of cancer at various parts of the body. The risk of other types of cancer was generally 57 times higher, if you’ve had melanoma.

Bone: These people are more than twice as likely (109% higher) to get bone cancer.

Non-melanoma skin cancer: Their risk of getting this cancer is four times higher (301% higher).

Soft tissues: Almost seven times as likely (580% higher) to get this rare cancer.

Colon and Rectum: 12% higher risk of developing these types of cancer.

Breast in women: 14% higher risk of breast cancer.

Kidney: 34% higher chance of developing kidney cancer.

Prostate: 25% higher chance for men to get prostate cancer.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma: 37% increased chance of developing this type of lymphoma.

The analyses showed that the risk of getting a second type of cancer greatly increases in the first years following a melanoma diagnosis. Over time, this risk decreases, but it never completely disappears. These results highlight the importance of providing preventive advice to people to prevent melanoma.

4. Quitting Smoking:

Smoking has a direct negative impact on skin health by reducing the blood supply to the skin. This not only leads to faster skin aging, characterized by wrinkles and sagging skin, but also increases the risk of serious skin conditions such as psoriasis and skin cancer. The chemicals in cigarette smoke damage the collagen and elastin, the fibers that give the skin its strength and elasticity, causing the skin to sag and form wrinkles earlier.

In addition, smokers are more susceptible to skin diseases such as hidradenitis suppurativa, a painful chronic skin disease characterized by the onset of inflammations and abscesses. Psoriasis, an inflammatory skin disease, can also be worsened by the effects of smoking. Acne and tylotic hand eczema are also negatively affected by smoking, leading to more severe symptoms and slower recovery. Quitting smoking can significantly improve skin conditions and reduce the risk of developing these skin problems. Read more about the impact of smoking on skin diseases.

5. Reducing Alcohol:

It is a good idea to drink less alcohol if you want to have healthy skin, although this advice is not always very popular. Alcohol does have various effects that are not so good for your skin. Here are a few reasons why drinking less alcohol can help your skin:

Dehydration: Alcohol causes you to urinate more, which dries out your body and skin. Dry skin can look less young and fresh, and exacerbates skin conditions such as eczema, because a well-hydrated skin helps prevent irritations and inflammations.

Inflammation: Drinking can cause inflammation in your body, which is bad news for conditions like rosacea and psoriasis. With rosacea, for example, alcohol can cause redness by dilating the blood vessels, and with psoriasis, it can worsen symptoms.

Skin Aging: Alcohol can also contribute to premature aging of the skin. It lowers vitamin A in the body, an important antioxidant that protects the skin from damage and helps in the renewal of skin cells. Less vitamin A can lead to wrinkles and less elastic skin.

Acne: Although alcohol does not directly cause acne, it can exacerbate acne by causing inflammation and hormonal fluctuations. Moreover, drinks high in sugar can raise your blood sugar levels, which can also trigger acne.

6. Eating less salt:

Recent research indicates a connection between eating salty food and skin conditions like eczema and allergies. A study showed that table salt stimulates T-helper (Th2) cells and produces pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-4 and IL-13, which contribute to these skin conditions. By eating less salt, you can better control these cells and reduce the symptoms of eczema and allergies.

People with atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema, have much more salt in their skin than those without eczema. This high salt content can disrupt the balance of the microbiome on the skin and stimulate the growth of the Staphylococcus Aureus bacteria. This bacteria can infect eczema and exacerbate skin problems. Therefore, it is important to limit your salt intake if you suffer from eczema.

Salt can also exacerbate the symptoms of psoriasis, a chronic skin condition characterized by inflammation and scaly red patches. A recent study showed a relationship between high salt intake and the severity of psoriasis. Although not everyone with psoriasis has the same triggers, reducing your salt intake can help to see if it reduces the severity of your symptoms.

7. Reducing Stress:

Reducing stress is very important for healthy skin. Stress can exacerbate skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and acne. This is because the body produces hormones such as cortisol under stress, which can increase inflammation and damage the skin. Therefore, managing stress is important for people who are sensitive to these skin conditions.

There are several ways to reduce stress that can benefit your skin. Techniques such as mindfulness, meditation, and yoga can relax your body and mind and reduce the production of stress hormones. Regular exercise is also beneficial, as it helps to lower stress and improve blood circulation, which is important for healthy skin. In addition, it’s essential to get enough sleep, as a lack of sleep can increase stress and age the skin more quickly.

Although these tips are not always easy to follow, it’s important to realize that your skin is your largest organ and deserves good care. By following these tips, you can keep your skin healthy and reduce the risk of serious health problems.

What Iconic Elements considers important in skincare

At Iconic Elements, we believe in the power of natural ingredients and sustainable production. Our products do not contain parabens, lanolin, silicones, sulfates, or BPA, as these substances can irritate your skin and are harmful to the environment. Instead, we use natural and organic ingredients that are packed with nutrients and antioxidants, such as argan oil, jojoba oil, shea butter, and aloe vera.

Did you know that all our products are free from microplastics? At Iconic Elements, we strive to use only natural ingredients, without harmful substances for your skin or the environment. Our products are safe for your skin and friendly to our planet. Our commitment to quality and sustainability has earned us two prestigious awards. In 2022, we won the award for Best Holistic Skin Care, and in 2016, we received the Beauty Award for our Spotreducer.

We are incredibly proud of these recognitions and continue to commit ourselves to the best and most sustainable skincare products. Thanks to our natural ingredients and sustainable production processes, you can enjoy our products with peace of mind and let the natural beauty of your skin shine.