The Nurse’s Station

by | Jun 1, 2022 | Advice, Women's Health

 

Welcome to our new monthly series of Q&A on health issues that will help you make better-informed decisions for your and your family’s good health. We took a poll and asked people for topics of interest or questions they’d like us to answer. This month we explore skincare during the summer months and a Covid-19 concern.

Our health and wellness series,“The Nurse’s Station” column, is intended for educational purposes only. 

Reader Question: 

“I’m over 50 and have always had very fair skin and can burn easily. As I’m aging, I also get more blemishes. What can I do this summer to prevent problems now and in the future?” – E.C.

Answer:

Dear E.C.,

Thanks for this very timely question to start off our series! Your fair skin tone (and I’ll bet, blue eyes) is very sensitive to the sun, and probably to extreme cold, i.e. in air conditioning and winter weather as well. Protecting your skin and eyes is too important to neglect at any age. 

The number one most important thing we can do for ourselves is to protect what we have and prevent, or at least slow down, losing it. As we age, all our biological attributes change. What was okay to do or use at age 18 or 25 could be detrimental at 50 and  over. Our bodies naturally change over the passing years and so should our skincare regime. Even if all you use is soap and water, the soap product’s ingredients should be reviewed, as well as the “hardness” or mineral component of the water used in your home. The following list is a compilation from multiple professional dermatological sites, and almost all sources give similar recommendations.

Those blemishes that appear more frequently as we get older, which are often called age spots or liver spots, are due to sun exposure – they are actually the skin’s way of protecting itself. So the following recommendations regarding sun exposure can help minimize the amount of spots that appear. However, by the time they do begin, the damage is usually already done.

  • Stay out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. That’s when the sun’s rays are the strongest. Also stay away from tanning beds. If you must be outside, wear a protective hat with a brim and also sunglasses. Don’t forget arms and legs – wear lightweight long-sleeve tops and long skirts or slacks.

  • Use sunscreen faithfully before any outdoor exposure, no matter how brief. UV rays are not blocked by clouds or rain. Use a product with an SPF rating of 30 or higher that contains at least 7% zinc oxide. Reapply every 2 hours for maximum protection It literally takes 5 seconds to apply.

  • Moisturize! Your fair facial skin is prone to dehydration (and wrinkles) as is the rest of your body. Replenish with a soothing natural coconut oil moisturizer or a vitamin E cream. Also useful against eczema and other skin problems.

  • Try using makeup at a minimum. When you do need to, use products with fewer preservatives or vegan friendly (and hopefully cruelty free). Consider anti-aging products for sensitive skin over 50, with collagen or retinol to help replenish. 

    • Sensitive skin can be refreshed and soothed with a milk or rose water splash.

    • Homemade scrubs or an exfoliation mask using fruits and yogurt (!) used once every two weeks will gently clean away dead skin and revitalize. But remember, more is not always better. Exfoliation should be done on a very limited basis or you risk damaging the skin by causing micro-tears on the surface.

    • Drink plenty of cool plain water. Coffee and flavored drinks tend to dehydrate instead of rehydrate. It’s good for all internal systems, including your kidneys.

    • If you smoke, please, please find a way to stop. Besides the high risk of cancer, research shows that smoking prematurely ages your skin.

    Reader Question:  

    “I just became engaged and am soon to be married. My fiance and I are really concerned about how Covid-19 may affect me and my chances of normal pregnancies, and how does the vaccine affect me as well? We have both been vaccinated three times (original and 2 boosters).” – S.R.P.

    Answer:

    Dear S.R.P.,

    First, mazal tov! (congratulations) and may you live a long and happy, loving life together! And as far as your question is concerned, may we suggest taking a deep  breath and relaxing? 

    According to research by both collaborative and independent scientific and academic bodies such as  American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine (SMFM), there have been no cautionary statements regarding any links to Covid-19 or the vaccines, in the ability to conceive, carry and deliver. Nor were there adverse outcomes in the fetus or in newborns. Obviously, after only two years, no one has long-term research outcomes, however clients are being followed to be included in future research and statistical reports. 

    If you still have concerns, please speak to your PCP – primary care physician – or an OB/GYN whom you trust. It’s natural to feel anxious when so much information (and misinformation) is circulating widely on social media, but your doctor should be able to help put your mind at ease. 

    We welcome the submissions of your health and wellness related questions for consideration, to be researched and answered on this page in next month’s edition of Unorthoboxed Magazine. Your privacy will be protected. Send your questions to: miryam@unorthoboxed.com

    DISCLAIMER:

    “Unorthoboxed Magazine in general and this article series in particular, does not provide nor intend  to give any medical advice. It is intended for informational purposes only. The author is a retired Registered Nurse, not currently in practice. The information offered is for educational purposes. It is not intended to take the place of your doctor’s recommendations. You are strongly urged to seek the advice of a trusted primary care physician or specialist. If your situation is urgent or critical, please seek the appropriate  professional help immediately.”

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