For most people, their skin will never look better than when they are in their 20s. For others, it will never look worse. How your skin looks at the age you’re in really depends on your genetics and many other factors, but it can also be affected by using the wrong products or using the right products wrongly.  The top 8 skin care tips for healthy skin are listed below.

1. Protect Yourself from the Sun

 Sunglasses, sunscreen, and hats are all important tools to help you protect your skin from the sun. While a little sun exposure each day, up to 30 minutes each day, is healthy, overexposing is not. You’ll want to ensure that you use sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses to help protect your skin from the sun to keep it healthy. 

Practicing sun protection by wearing a sunscreen of sun protection factor(SPF) 30 and above can  prevent sun damage. Sun damage can cause the skin to develop uneven dark patches(melasma) if you are dark skinned. It can also cause aging and skin cancer.

2. Treat Acne Properly

 If you have acne, the best treatment is to seek medical advice. Some people have acne due to hormonal imbalances, others have it due to genetics, others still due to an allergic reaction to things like dairy. The main thing to know is that if you have acne, you don’t want to touch your acne and cause further infection and scaring by picking at your skin. Find a professional who uses the most natural methods and stick to that.

3. Avoid Using Too Many Products

 Many people get a little crazy with the products, piling them on and ending up with skin issues. All you really need is gentle soap for washing, a microfiber washcloth/towel for wiping and drying, and a skin type appropriate moisturizer with sunscreen. For makeup, less is more too, but you can use a lot if you make sure it doesn’t have a lot of additives.

4. Remove Makeup before Bed

 No matter how natural your makeup is, washing your face before bed is an essential beauty regime that will really make a huge difference. Wash off not just the day’s makeup but also the germs and oils that can cause acne and dullness. Add a night-time moisturizer, and your skin will work hard to repair itself while you sleep.

5. Get an Annual Skin Cancer Check

 Everyone is at risk of skin cancer, no matter what shade of skin you have. Getting an annual skin cancer check is one of the ways that you can reduce your risk of dying from highly treatable skin cancers. Most of the time, a simple procedure that takes less than 10 minutes can remove problem spots before they get serious.

6. Stay Hydrated and Eat Right

 Eating right and drinking enough water help to maintain and improve your health. Eating a diet that is high in plant nutrition is essential for healthy skin and eyes. Drinking enough water is also essential. 

Did you know that most people are dehydrated right now and don’t know it? Try focusing on drinking a minimum of 64 ounces to one gallon (depending on your height and weight) of water a day for 30 days. You will see a difference in your skin.

Read: Why is Avocado Good For The Skin?

7. Clean Your Makeup Applicators and Brushes

 You may be surprised at how damaging your makeup applicators and brushes can be to your skin. Dirty makeup brushes can cause an infection that looks like acne. Clean your brushes regularly with a good cleaner recommended for your type of applicators and brushes, and let them dry.

8. Get Your Beauty Sleep

 Sleeping enough each night gives your body time to perform repairs that only happen while you’re asleep. Getting 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night helps cut down on sagging skin, dark circles, and dullness. Imagine that – you can look many years younger just from sleeping? .

You really don’t have to do much to keep your skin looking amazing and feeling amazing. Remember, less is more. Wash your skin gently, moisturize, eat right, and watch the sun exposure, and your skin will look its best all the time now and later.

According to the World Health Organization, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide.  In this article, you will learn about breast cancer, its common symptoms, and how it is diagnosed and treated.

 Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death after lung cancer in the United States. In Nigeria, more than 100,000 thousand cases are reported every year. In this article, you will learn about breast cancer, its common symptoms, and how it is diagnosed and treated.

What is Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is a type of cancer that forms in the breast. This happens when abnormal breast cells begin to grow and divide in an uncontrolled manner creating a tumor or mass of cells. Breast cancer can grow into tissues surrounding the breast. 

There are different kinds of breast cancer depending on which cells in the breast turn into cancer. The breast is made up of three parts. These are the lobules, ducts, and connective tissue. The lobules are the glands that produce milk. The ducts are tubes that carry milk to the nipple. Connective tissue holds everything together. Most breast cancer starts in the ducts or lobules. It can also travel to other parts of the body like the lungs, bones e.t.c. and form new tumors there. This process is called metastasis. 

What Causes Breast Cancer

It is difficult to say what makes a woman develop breast cancer because the causes have not been fully understood. However, there are some risk factors that have been found to increase the possibility of developing cancer. Having a risk factor does not mean that a woman will get breast cancer.

Family history

If you have a family member like a mother, daughter, or sister who has developed breast or ovarian cancer, you may have a higher risk of developing cancer. Genes known as BRCA1 and BRCA2 can increase the risk of developing breast cancer.

 It is possible for these genes to be passed on from parent to child.

Age

The risk of developing breast cancer increases with age. Many breast cancers are diagnosed after the age of 50.

Reproductive history

Starting periods before age 12 and starting menopause after age 55 expose the woman's body longer to hormones which can increase the risk of getting cancer.

Personal history of breast cancer

Women who had breast cancer before are at a higher risk of developing it again.

Previous radiation therapy treatment

Women who had radiation therapy to the chest or breast before the age of 30 are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer later in life.

These risk factors can be reduced with lifestyle modification

• Drinking alcohol
• Being overweight after menopause
• Being physically inactive

Common Symptoms of Breast Cancer

Different people have different symptoms of breast cancer. One of the most common symptoms is a breast lump or thickening of the breast. If you find an unusual lump or thickening of the breast, it is important to consult your healthcare provider immediately for a proper examination.

Read: How to do breast self-examination

Other symptoms of breast cancer include:

• Pain in the nipple and pulling in(retraction) of the nipple area.
• Nipple discharge that is not breast milk including blood
• Pain in any area of the breast
• Change in shape or size of the breast
• Dimpling, redness or pitting, or any change in the skin of the breast

Read: How Is Breast Cancer Diagnosed

 Breast cancer screening means checking the breasts for signs of cancer even before they have symptoms. Screening is done to find cancer early when it can be treated. Your doctor may recommend screening even when you have no symptoms. Talk to your doctor to determine the right kind of screening test for you.

Types of screening

Mammography

This is the most common type of screening test. A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast. They help to find tumors that are so small you can't feel them. It can also help to find ductal carcinoma in situ(DCIS) where abnormal cells line the breast duct.

Mammography Guidelines

Women age 40-54 are recommended to get mammograms every year.

Women 55 and older who are at average risk can get mammograms done every two years.

Screening should continue as long as a woman is in good health and expected to live ten more years or longer.

Types of mammograms

There are three types of mammograms.

• Film mammogram is an x-ray picture of the breast.
• Digital mammogram is a picture of the breast taken by a computer.
• Digital breast tomosynthesis takes pictures of the breast from many angles using X-rays. A computer then makes 3D images of the breast using these pictures.

Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging(MRI)

The breast MRI uses magnets, radio waves, and computers to take detailed pictures of the breast tissues. This is used in addition to the mammogram to screen women at high risk of getting cancer. MRI does not use X-rays and you are not exposed to radiation.

Factors that put women at risk include a family history of breast cancer(mother, daughter, or sister), certain gene changes in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, and some genetic conditions like Li-Fraumeni and Cowden Syndrome.

Clinical Breast Exam

The breasts are inspected and checked for lumps or any other abnormality by a doctor or health professional.

Breast Self Examination

This is not usually included as part of breast screening because there is no evidence to show that it decreases the chances of dying from cancer. However, it helps you to become familiar with the look and feel of your breast so you can know when there are unusual changes in the breast.

Read: How To Do Breast Self Exam

Talk to your healthcare provider about your risk of breast cancer and what type of screening test is appropriate for you.