Caring for your Skin
The skin is exposed daily to a countless variety of hazardous substances and conditions. Injurious substances should be identified and avoided, and warnings that certain household and industrial chemicals are harmful to the skin must be taken seriously. In addition, many common substances, including even soap and water, if used injudiciously or too frequently can produce’ skin damage in susceptible individuals. “Dishpan hands” results from the too frequent immersion of hands in water containing soap or detergents. Immersion may also predispose to the development of yeast infections around the nails. It is wise, therefore, to wear protective gloves when doing wet work.
The skin should also be protected from the effects of ultraviolet radiation. Because of its ultraviolet content sunlight is capable of causing both acute and chronic skin damage, including skin cancer. A number of excellent “sunscreen lotions have been developed, and they are usually effective in blocking out the harmful ultraviolet wavelengths.
Misguided efforts to improve the skin or remove blemishes often do more harm than good. Once it is realized that the skin normally supports a large population of harmless bacteria, it becomes evident that vigorous and drastic attempts to cleanse the skin are futile and that they may even cause skin irritation. Too frequent bathing or showering particularly during dry weather can result in removing the natural oils from the skin surface and thus lead to “winter itch” and eczema.
Many, if not most, of the concepts used in the advertising of cosmetics and “skin aids” are patently false. Notions such as “opening and closing pores,” the necessity of removing “dead” skin, “deep cleansing,” or “nourishing the hair roots” were all disproved scientifically many years ago. Certain commonly performed cosmetic procedures are potentially dangerous. For example, too frequent or harsh brushing of the hair may cause scalp irritation. Tight curling of the hair may cause temporary or even permanent hair loss, and pushing back the nail cuticle may provide an opening for infection.