Cinco costumbres cotidianas que pueden cuidar la piel

La piel no funciona como una capa aislada: refleja lo que sucede dentro del organismo y también responde al entorno. Por eso, cambios de color, manchas, resequedad o modificaciones en las uñas pueden ser señales de que vale la pena consultar con un profesional de la salud, según explicó Saranya Wyles, dermatóloga e investigadora de Mayo Clinic.

Wyles talkedSleep

“La piel no duerme de noche, cambia a un modo de reparación”,resume Wyles. Durante el día, este tejido se defiende de la radiación ultravioleta y de la contaminación; por la noche, activa mecanismos de recuperación. Studies with people who sleep well showed a recovery of the epidermal barrier 30 percent greater than that of those who sleep poorly.

• Dormir entre siete y nueve horas por noche.
• Mantener la humedad del ambiente donde se descansa.
• Evitar presionar el rostro contra la almohada.

La specialist also focused on food. She suggested reducing sugar and high-glycemic-index carbohydrates, especially for people with acne or inflammatory flare-ups. A 12-week trial involving acne patients found that a low-glycemic-index diet was linked to a 23 percent reduction in flare-ups. Wyles linked that result to a decrease in glycation, a process by which sugars adhere to collagen and elastin.

She mentioned leafy green vegetables, legumes, whole grains and seeds among the foods that can be incorporated into this type of eating pattern, while clarifying that she was not proposing a rigid menu but a way to review daily habits.

Hydration has two parts

For women, Wyles recommended close to two liters of water a day, and somewhat more for men. However, she warned that drinking water alone is not enough to hydrate the skin barrier. Topical products with glycerin, ceramides, colloidal oatmeal and beta-glucans may help, and fragrance-free formulas are preferable. She also noted that a label saying “without perfume” does not necessarily mean that a product contains no aromatic compounds.

Physical activity was the fourth habit. In a study of older adults, the group that exercised healed wounds an average of ten days faster than the sedentary group. Strength training also appeared in a 16-week study of 56 middle-aged women: those who combined cardiovascular and resistance work achieved better results, according to the information provided.

Wyles also pointed to stress as a factor to consider. Although the material does not detail a specific numerical finding for stress, she explained that it can affect the skin and should be considered together with sleep, nutrition, hydration and physical activity.

Finally, the specialist recommended paying attention to changes in the skin, nails and hair, because these may be signs of internal processes that deserve medical evaluation. Wyles’ central message was that skin care is not limited to applying a product: the daily routine and overall health of the body are part of the conversation.

“La piel no duerme de noche, cambia a un modo de reparación.”Saranya Wyles, dermatóloga e investigadora de Mayo Clinic