One of our senior clients is the epitome of a “southern belle,” which is exactly how her youngest daughter describes her!
The senior woman is a former schoolteacher, a native of Birmingham, AL, with a distinct southern drawl, and she is very diligent about managing her personal care, with visits to her hair stylist of 40 years for a wash & set twice a week, color every six weeks, and of course, a mani/pedi every four.
She has also survived breast cancer, four auto accidents, and multiple falls, so she routinely sees her doctors to stay on top of her health and wellness.
One day when her caregiver/personal rideshare driver was reviewing the lady’s weekly schedule of appointments, out of the blue, the woman mentioned concerns about her aging skin.
At 84 years old, our client was exasperated at how easily she could draw blood on her arm when she accidentally scraped it against something. She mentioned how she thought she was moisturizing and drinking plenty of water, but nothing seemed to help her fragile skin.
As the caregiver was telling me about this, I decided to do some digging and find tips for summer skincare to help senior men and women in the Clearwater area. After all, I addressed skin cancer in a previous blog, but not specific ways we all should care for our body’s largest organ, the skin.
The National Institute on Aging explains, “Your skin changes with age. It becomes thinner, loses fat, and no longer looks as plump and smooth as it once did. Your veins and bones can be seen more easily. Scratches, cuts, or bumps can take longer to heal. Years of being out in the sunlight for a long time may lead to wrinkles, dryness, spots, and even cancer. But there are things you can do to protect your skin and to make it feel and look better.”
Additionally, the Florida Academy shared, “The perfect summer skincare routine is here! The key is using nourishing ingredients and avoiding harmful elements.”
They recommend the following 8 summertime skin care tips:
- Generously apply moisturizer. Time in the sun removes moisture from the skin making it feel dry and tight. Applying a generous amount of a quality moisturizer at least once a day will help replace lost moisture and add helpful ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and plant-based oils.
- Add antioxidants. Antioxidants are great for our bodies, but they can really aid in protecting the skin from free radicals. Antioxidants help slow the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and boost collagen production. “Try adding vitamins A, E, and C to your routine – either through a topical serum or by eating some leafy greens and fruits.”
- Avoid over-exfoliating. Exfoliating is good if it is not overdone. It can keep skin glowing and smooth; however, over-exfoliation can also strip away necessary oils leaving skin feeling very dry. “Experts recommend exfoliating no more than three times a week to get the best results for your skin.”
- Shower less. Like over-exfoliating, over-showering can dry out the skin and lead to inflammation and skin irritation. Try cutting pool time, too, to prevent dryness.
- Stay hydrated! “Staying hydrated has tons of benefits from facilitating organ function to transporting nutrients throughout your body. Perhaps one of the most important summertime benefits it has is for your skin. Drinking water can help your skin recover from sunburns and can lessen dryness.”
- Use effective sunscreens. You need to routinely use sunscreen! Sunscreens help keep skin looking younger because it slows the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots. It has also been proven to decrease the risk of developing skin cancer. “Make sure to apply sunscreen regularly throughout the day (about every couple of hours) and use a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher.”
- Try natural remedies. Of course, there are many great skincare products on the market, but sometimes you can achieve amazing results with items commonly found in your kitchen or pantry. “Common summertime home remedies include grated cucumber, oatmeal, and coffee grounds. For a cooling mist, extract cucumber juice and mix it with rose water and mint for a relieving spritz of freshness. Aloe vera is also a great home remedy for sunburnt skin.”
Because we live in the Sunshine State, we all have an abundance of time in the sun. I encourage seniors to please remember these helpful tips to keep their skin in its best possible condition throughout the summer and year-round!
At Home Helpers®, our exceptional caregivers regularly assist seniors with personal care to help make life and personal hygiene easier. I gladly offer a FREE Consultation to discuss specific ways our battery of in-home care services can help you or someone you love 24/7/265.
We, at Home Helpers® Clearwater, are honored to have been ranked among the Home Care Pulse Top 100 Leaders in Experience for home care providers in 2023 and to have received the Best of Home Care® Provider of Choice Award 2023, the Best of Home Care® Employer of Choice Award 2023, and the Best of Home Care® Leader in Experience Award 2023.
We proudly serve male and female seniors in Clearwater, Dunedin, Palm Harbor, Safety Harbor, Tarpon Springs, Holiday, New Port Richey, Trinity, Port Richey, Hudson, and surrounding areas. Home Helpers®…we are Making Life Easier℠ 727.942.2539
Sources:
National Institute on Aging
Florida Academy
