Healthy diet = healthy skin – beautify your skin for the new year

Welcome to a brand new year! It's a time when many make resolutions for healthy lifestyle changes. Let's be intentional, today and always, about preserving ourselves throughout this journey of life. Be intentional about considering yourselves 'too blessed to be stressed', no matter what you may go through, how you think you look, or how others say you look. It's okay to take good care of yourself without feeling guilty, once what you do is healthy, safe, and affordable to you. Be your biggest cheerleader! You have been fearfully and wonderfully made, and you are an original masterpiece!

There are many simple ways in which we can help keep our skin healthy. For example, a healthy diet can complement a healthy skincare routine and medical treatment. Eating the right kind of food can help your body's ability to heal and keep the skin youthful.

It is recommended that we eat a balanced diet that includes raw foods, plenty of yellow and orange vegetables, fruits, seeds, grains, and nuts. Even foods high in sulfur such as garlic, onions, and eggs can also be beneficial.

Avocados are a great source of biotin that help to prevent dry skin and brittle hair and nails.

Green tea contains lots of polyphenols, which can reduce inflammation and ageing, and may even help reduce cancer formation.

Another way in which we can maintain healthy skin is by avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol intake. This is also a way for us to keep more money in our pockets at the same time!

DON'T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF

Reducing stress in our lives can also help us keep our skin youthful and healthy. Everywhere around us, there are situations that can be perceived as 'stressing us out'. However, we each have a choice in how we view stress and what we allow to stress us. We need to work on our coping mechanisms so that we can view ourselves as victors and not victims in every situation and learn not to 'sweat the small stuff'.

On that note, reducing frowning can also minimise the development of unwanted facial wrinkles.

Sleeping on our backs instead of on our tummies can also help prevent some facial wrinkles.

A healthy skincare routine doesn't have to be complicated and should include cleansing, optional toner, and sunscreen with moisturiser. Every skin type can get sun damage, and so we should all use sunscreen and sun-protective measures.

There are lots of treatments that are available if you need professional help to take care of your skin concerns. These include topical skincare and medicated products, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, injectable treatments, dermal micro-needling, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), laser rejuvenation, radio frequency, and surgery. A consultation is required to help you decide which treatment or combination of treatments is suitable for you.

As you embrace this brand new year, work towards being your best you possible. Don't forget to wear and share one of your most beautiful accessories - your smile. Live, laugh, love ... and love the skin you are in!

Dr Arusha Campbell-Chambers is a dermatologist and founder of Dermatology Solutions Skin Clinics & Medi-Spas; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.