Issue link: https://www.ascpskindeepdigital.com/i/1523489
ASCP SkinPro got a glow-up! Check out new app content at ascpskincare.com/skinpro 31 SOLUTIONS TO COMBAT ENVIRONMENTAL STRESSORS Given the inevitability of environmental stressors, it's important to help your client adopt an approach to protect their skin before it's damaged. They should choose products packed with antioxidants such as resveratrol and glutathione. Resveratrol helps limit premature aging from UV damage. It can neutralize free radicals and boost antioxidant levels so skin can better defend and repair itself. Glutathione functions as an anti-infl ammatory agent and an antioxidant to protect against free radical damage. It also improves skin elasticity, reduces wrinkles and fi ne lines, brightens skin tone, and improves overall skin health. Using a broad-spectrum sunscreen is crucial to protect your client's skin from UV radiation. Wearing a mineral-based sunscreen will physically block UV rays. The reapplication process is also imperative for fi ghting UV damage. Remind your client to reapply every two hours, even if they're indoors—UV rays can penetrate windows. 6 Wearing protective clothing, such as hats and sunglasses, to shield the skin from direct sunlight is also eff ective. Lifestyle changes can help combat some aggressors. If your client is curious about quitting smoking, refer them to their primary care provider. Consuming antioxidant-rich foods and staying hydrated are also essential for maintaining healthy skin. While dietary advice is out of your scope Air pollutants can break down the skin's natural collagen and elastin, contributing to premature skin aging. SKIN PHYSIOLOGY of practice, you can refer them to a registered dietitian who can help them build healthy habits. In this technology-driven age, exposure to blue light is also unavoidable. Reducing exposure to blue light by limiting screen time, using blue light fi lters, wearing refl ective glasses when using electronic devices, and taking breaks will help reduce continuous exposure. Finally, encourage your client to incorporate practices that help remove environmental pollutants from their skin. Regular cleansing and exfoliation can aid in removing pollutants that accumulate on the skin. Along with semi-occlusive products, locking in moisture to protect the skin is necessary. Protecting the skin maintains a healthy skin barrier, increases skin immunity, and promotes healthy cell function. Prioritizing skin care routines at home and in the treatment room, incorporating protection from the sun, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle are important to keep your client's skin looking and feeling its best. Notes 1. Skin Cancer Foundation, "UV Radiation & Your Skin," last modifi ed July 2022, skincancer.org/risk-factors/uv-radiation. 2. Jessica W. Hui-Beckman et al., "The Impact of Temperature on the Skin Barrier and Atopic Dermatitis," Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology 131, no. 6 (December 2023): 713–9, sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/ S1081120623005690. 3. American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, "Smoking and Its E ects on Skin," accessed May 2024, aocd.org/page/Smoking. 4. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, "Nutrition, Health, and Your Environment," accessed May 2024, niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/ nutrition. 5. Jyoti Kumari et al., "The Impact of Blue Light and Digital Screens on the Skin," Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 22, no. 4 (April 2023): 1185–90, onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jocd.15576. 6. Skin Cancer Foundation, "Ask the Expert: How Often Do I Need to Reapply Sunscreen if I'm Indoors All Day? " July 14, 2021, skincancer.org/ blog/ask-the-expert-how-often-do-i-need-to-reapply-sunscreen-if-im- indoors-all-day.