How to Build the Best Body Skincare Routine
Most people have a skincare routine: whether they stick to just the essentials or have an entire arsenal of products they can’t live without. However, skincare routines are usually tailored to the face, but the rest of the body’s skin deserves just as much attention.
Here, the skincare specialists at our Hagerstown medspa share how you can build the best body skincare routine to maintain healthy skin from head to toe.
Why is body skincare important?
Your skin is the body’s largest organ, and it protects you from environmental damage, regulates your temperature, and helps prevent dehydration, so it’s important to show all of your skin as much care and attention as you do your face. Fortunately, body skin care is relatively straightforward, as you can apply many of the practices you use on your face to your entire body.
Step 1: Cleanse mindfully
Proper cleansing is the foundation of any skincare routine. How often you shower is a personal choice, but keep in mind that scrubbing your skin too much and with harsh soaps may cause irritation or make sensitive skin or existing skin conditions worse. If your skin feels tight and dry after a shower, that’s a good indicator that it’s time to find a different cleanser, wash less often, or both—it is usually OK to wash areas prone to dirt, sweat, and odor as often as needed.
If you enjoy a good scrub every day, choose a gentle cleanser with ingredients like glycerin, niacinamide, urea, hyaluronic acid, or ceramides. These ingredients help trap and replenish moisture in the skin. Unless you are washing your hands, avoid antibacterial soaps and rough or “heavy duty” scrubs, as they can strip away healthy bacteria and natural oils that help prevent dryness and irritated skin.
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Step 2: Keep your skin moisturized
Hydrated skin is not only important for maintaining skin health, but it looks and feels better too! Apply lotion or body cream all over your body, focusing on areas prone to dryness like the arms, legs, and back. The best time to moisturize is right after a shower when your skin is slightly damp, which helps lock in moisture.
A good moisturizer will have humectant ingredients similar to those found in cleansers, with different consistencies to choose from to suit your skin’s needs: If you have oily or acne-prone skin, choose lighter, oil-free products. If you have dehydrated skin, you may need a thicker formula. You may also notice you prefer light-weight products in the summer and heavier creams in the winter.
Issues such as dryness, acne, sun damage, and even skin cancer can affect the body just as they can the face.
Step 3: Never skip SPF
Sunscreen isn’t just for your face; any part of your body exposed to the sun needs UV protection. Swiping on sunscreen daily can prevent sun damage, reduce the risk of skin cancer, and minimize signs of aging like sunspots and wrinkles.
Many cosmetic products contain sunscreen or you can apply your makeup over a thin layer of SPF. We recommend using sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and reapplying as directed. There are many different types of sunscreen available with several different application methods so don’t be afraid to try a few until you find what you love. Better yet, we would love to help you choose a sunscreen that works for your skin type and lifestyle—we’ve seen it all!
Body skincare treatments
Did you know that some of our most popular skin treatments can be used on more than just the face? These treatments are the perfect complement to a good body skincare routine and are customized to help address specific concerns:
- Microneedling stimulates collagen and elastin production, which helps improve skin texture, tone, and firmness, and is highly effective at reducing scars and stretch marks nearly anywhere on the body.
- Chemical peels deeply exfoliate away dead, damaged skin cells and promote new cell growth to improve the appearance of fine lines, discoloration, and uneven skin texture. Peels are often used on areas such as the chest, back, and hands to reveal clearer, smoother skin.
- DiamondGlow® is a skin-resurfacing treatment that exfoliates, extracts, and infuses the skin with condition-specific serums, making it suitable for body areas experiencing dryness, dullness, and clogged pores.
Aside from helping your skin look and feel great, a body skincare routine and professional medspa treatments can help you monitor your skin’s condition for anything out of the ordinary. Regular examinations for skin cancer are crucial for early detection and treatment. While a professional evaluation is the safest choice, you can use our skin cancer self-exam checklist in between appointments to note any changes in your skin.
In the event you do need to have tissue removed, we offer skin cancer treatment in Hagerstown, which is performed by board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Henry Garazo. Trusting a plastic surgeon with skin cancer removal helps ensure the best cosmetic outcome so you can get back to life without worrying over your appearance post-removal.
When it comes to skin, we’ve got you coveredLicensed aesthetician Shelby offers these body care treatments and more at our physician-led medical spa. If you would like to show all of your skin a little TLC, schedule a consultation with us by calling Plastic Surgery Services at 301-791-1800 or fill out our contact form.
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