5 Ways to Protect Our Skin
It's 100 percent true that Black skin does not age like other skin types,” Ife J. Rodney, a dermatologist and founding director of Eternal Dermatology and Aesthetics in Fulton, Maryland, told Sisters From AARP. If you ever had someone say you look 10 years younger than you are, here’s why scientifically they might be right.
A genetic jackpot: Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School found that “exceptional skin agers” have a common genetic blueprint. Black women were more likely to fall into this group than white women.
Natural protection from the sun: Darker skin has more melanin, a pigment with protective properties.
Good bones: Age-related changes to the bones and structure of the face were less dramatic among Black subjects than among white participants, according to a study from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and Yale School of Medicine.
Thick skin: Black skin is known for having a thicker dermis than white skin.
Try These Five Tips to Keep Your Skin Healthy at Every Age
- Try a vitamin C serum. The potent antioxidant helps protect skin from environmental pollutants, Rodney says.
- Consider using an over-the-counter retinol, or topical vitamin A, to help prevent and reduce discoloration, Rodney says.
- Eat your spinach. Antioxidant-rich carrots and tomatoes may also be protective, according to the Mayo Clinic.
- Wear sunscreen year-round. Opt for a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 50, Rodney says.
- Choose warm water when bathing, to retain the natural oils on your skin, according to Harvard Medical School.
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