You probably know the most important things you're supposed to do for your skin, like keeping it clean, moisturizing, and applying plenty of broad-spectrum sunscreen, but there are also things that dermatologists wish you would stop doing, including covering your face with too many ointments and serums, bathing in very hot water, and squeezing pimples.
“One of the biggest misconceptions I see is the belief that skin care has to be harsh or complicated to be effective,” said Elizabeth Bahr Houshmand, a dermatologist in Dallas.
Here are five things dermatologists say they wish you could avoid, and what you can do instead.
Shower with hot water
Bathing with very hot water can disrupt the skin’s barrier, by stripping it of natural fats and oils, which increases its dryness and irritation, especially during the fall and winter seasons, according to Houshmand.
She said that lukewarm water is better for the skin, while admitting that she likes to warm herself in a hot bath during the winter. To make the transition to lukewarm water easier, try to accustom your skin to gradually cooler temperatures over time.
Immediately after showering, apply moisturizer while your skin is still damp, to help lock in moisture.
Excessive use of skin care products
Too many products and the complexity of your skin care routine does not necessarily mean better skin.
Layering multiple products containing active ingredients, such as alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) to exfoliate the skin, retinoids to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and vitamin C serums to brighten the skin, may cause irritation and negate their benefits, research suggests.
Houshmand said that in her routine, she uses about three products during the day, and three products at night.
A daytime routine can consist of a cleanser, followed by moisturizer and sunscreen, while a nighttime routine consists of a cleanser, serum, and moisturizer.
Also, using several products at the same time may make it difficult to know which ones are achieving results, or which ones may cause side effects, according to Houshmand.
Sleeping with makeup or sunscreen
Before bed, it is best to use a gentle cleanser to wash away the dirt that has accumulated on your face during the day, followed by a moisturizer, and perhaps a product or two to treat an ongoing skin problem. And when you sleep with makeup and sunscreen, in addition to all the oils, sweat, and environmental pollutants, this can lead to skin irritation, clogged pores, and pimples.
But it is not always possible to follow a complete skin care routine before bed. For a quick overnight fix, Houshmand recommends using micellar water, a water-based cleanser that contains microscopic particles that help remove dirt, oil, and makeup. Put a little of it on a piece of cotton and gently wipe your face and around your eyes.
Houshmand prefers to rinse the face well with cold water, but she said that this is not necessary.
As another option when needed, you can use makeup removal wipes, but be sure to choose a product designed for sensitive skin, as some wipes can irritate the skin.
Assuming that “natural” products are better
Skin and hair care products labeled “natural” or “clean” do not necessarily mean that they are gentler, safer, or more effective, according to Houshmand.
Research suggests that essential oils, botanical ingredients, and fragrances, which can be found in facial moisturizers, body oils, serums, shampoos, conditioners, and even deodorants, may cause irritation, inflammation, or an itchy rash known as allergic contact dermatitis.
Although products containing these ingredients are not bad for all skin types, Houshmand said: “If you are someone who has very sensitive skin or suffers from any inflammatory conditions, you should investigate the matter yourself.”
For example, she said, “A person with eczema should not choose a product just because it says ‘for sensitive skin.’ They generally need gentle, fragrance-free formulations that support the skin barrier and reduce potential irritants.”
As people age, a range of changes occur in the entire genitourinary system, and aging increases the risk of urinary tract disease and lower urinary tract symptoms, due to structural weakness, decreased blood flow, and neurological changes in the bladder and kidneys.
What are urinary tract infections?
Urinary tract infections are infections that affect the urinary system. This infection can affect: the urethra, kidneys, and bladder.
The website explains that urine is a byproduct of the blood filtration process, which the kidneys perform when they remove waste and excess water from the blood.
Urine usually travels through the urinary system without any contamination.
However, bacteria can enter the urinary system; Which may cause urinary tract infections.
How common are urinary tract infections?
Urinary tract infections are very common, especially in females, as about half of females will suffer from a urinary tract infection at some point in their lives. Males can also get urinary tract infections, as can children, although they affect only 1 percent to 2 percent of children.
Between 8 million and 10 million people are treated annually for urinary tract infections, and there are some changes that occur with age, which we will review below:
Age-related changes in the kidneys
With increasing age, there is a slow and continuous decrease in the weight of the kidneys. After approximately the age of thirty or forty, about two-thirds of people (even those without kidney disease) experience a gradual decline in the rate at which their kidneys filter blood. However, this rate does not change in the remaining third of elderly people, which indicates that factors other than age may affect kidney function, according to a report by the “MSD Manual Professional” website concerned with health.
As we age, the arteries that supply the kidneys narrow. Because narrowed arteries may no longer be able to supply enough blood to normal-sized kidneys, the size of the kidneys may decrease. The walls of the small arteries that feed the renal glomeruli (glomeruli) also increase in thickness, which reduces the efficiency of the work of these glomeruli. These changes are accompanied by a decline in the ability of nephrons (filtration units in the kidneys) to excrete wastes and many medications, as well as a weak ability to concentrate or dilute urine and excrete acids.
Despite these age-related changes, kidney function remains sufficient to meet the body's needs. The symptoms associated with aging do not cause the disease in themselves, but they reduce the functional reserve available to the kidneys. In other words, your kidneys may need to work almost at full capacity to perform all their normal functions; Therefore, any damage - even if it is minor - to one or both kidneys may lead to a loss of kidney function.
Changes in the ureters
The ureters do not change much with age, but the bladder and urethra (urethra) do see some changes.
Changes in the bladder
The maximum capacity of urine that the bladder can hold decreases, the person's ability to postpone urination after feeling the need for it for the first time decreases, and the rate of urine flow from the bladder to the urethra slows.
Throughout life, intermittent contractions of the bladder wall muscles occur independently of any need or opportunity to urinate. In young children, most of these contractions are inhibited by control mechanisms in the brain and spinal cord, but the number of spontaneous, uninhibited contractions increases with age, sometimes leading to episodes of urinary incontinence. The amount of urine remaining in the bladder after you finish urinating (residual urine) also increases. As a result, people may have to urinate frequently or wake up at night to urinate, and they have an increased risk of urinary tract infections.
Changes in the urethra
In women, the length of the urethra shortens, and its lining becomes thinner. These changes reduce the ability of the urethral sphincter to close tightly, increasing the risk of urinary incontinence. The underlying cause of these changes in a woman's urethra appears to be a decrease in estrogen levels during menopause.
Changes in the prostate gland
In men, the prostate gland tends to enlarge with age, gradually obstructing urine flow. If left untreated, the obstruction may become nearly or complete, causing urinary retention and possibly kidney damage.
Getting out of bed once during the night to use the bathroom is common, but frequent trips to the bathroom may indicate underlying health problems, health experts warn.
According to a report published by the Fox News website, waking up more than once a night to urinate may fall within the clinical definition of “nocturia,” a condition that affects about half of adults over the age of 50, and becomes more common with age, according to a recent report by the “StudyFinds” website.
Urologist Dr. Ali Dabaja said: “Every person has a basic rate of what is considered normal for him in terms of frequency of urination. But if you wake up at least twice to go to the bathroom within eight hours of sleep, that is considered nocturia.”
According to Dr. Jeffrey Chester, nocturia is not just a problem related to the bladder.
He said, “Any change in the pattern of nocturnal urination is definitely worth reporting to the doctor or health care provider, especially when it begins suddenly, becomes more frequent, or leads to a person’s sleep disturbance.”
He added that drinking alcohol and caffeine, the amount of fluids consumed and the timing of taking them, and some medications can all contribute to this problem.
Katherine Darley, a physical therapist and founder of Skilled Sleeper in Seattle, agreed that waking up once is nothing to worry about.
But she said waking up more than once could be "worrying."
Experts point out that this may increase the risk of falling, especially for people who suffer from movement or balance problems. Research has shown that going to the bathroom two or more times during the night is associated with a higher risk of injuries resulting from falls, according to StudyFinds.
Darley said sleep disorders may also be a factor, including obstructive sleep apnea, which can affect the hormones responsible for reducing urine production during the night.
She added that restless legs syndrome may also contribute to urination during the night, and it becomes more common with age.
She advised starting by seeing your primary care doctor to look for an underlying cause, and talking to doctors and pharmacists to see if medications might be linked to frequent bathroom trips.
In some cases, the timing of taking these medications can be adjusted to avoid waking up late at night.
There may also be other causes, according to StudyFinds, including diabetes, overactive bladder, prostate enlargement, and fluid accumulation.
For some people, some simple habits may help, including abstaining from drinking liquids for about two hours before bedtime, and stopping drinking alcohol about three hours before bedtime, according to Darley.
She also suggested keeping floors free of carpets and objects that might impede movement, using dim amber lighting, sitting on the edge of the bed before standing to avoid feeling dizzy, and installing grab handles to provide additional support.
