Key takeaways
- Healthy skin comes down to a few consistent basics: gentle cleansing, moisturizing, and daily sun protection.
- The American Academy of Dermatology recommends a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, plus shade and protective clothing.
- Checking your own skin once a month helps you notice new or changing spots early. Professional exams are typically recommended once a year, or more often if you are at higher risk.
- Diet can play a role for some skin conditions, but no food or supplement replaces sun protection and medical care.
- Persistent breakouts, rashes, redness, or a spot that is new, changing, or not healing are reasons to see a dermatology provider.
Maintaining healthy skin doesn't require a long product list. It comes down to three daily habits (cleanse gently, moisturize, and protect your skin from the sun) plus regular skin checks so problems are caught early. The rest is adjusting for your skin type, your risk factors, and Middle Tennessee's humid summers and dry winters.
Here is what matters most, what the evidence does and doesn't support, and when a dermatology visit makes sense.
The daily routine that matters most
Cleanse gently
Wash your face morning and night with a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser and lukewarm water. Harsh scrubs and very hot water can strip the skin's natural oils and leave it irritated, which is especially noticeable in winter.
Moisturize right after washing
Applying moisturizer while skin is still slightly damp helps hold in water and support the skin barrier. Many people find a lighter, oil-free moisturizer works in humid Nashville summers and a richer cream helps once indoor heating dries the air in winter.
Wear sunscreen every day
Sun protection is the single most important habit for preventing skin cancer and early skin aging. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, applied whenever you'll be outdoors, including on cloudy days. Reapply about every two hours outdoors, and after swimming or sweating.
Two practical details many people miss:
- Use enough. Most adults need about 1 ounce, roughly a shot glass full, to cover skin not covered by clothing.
- Consider a tinted sunscreen if dark spots are a concern. According to the AAD, tinted sunscreens containing iron oxide help protect against visible light, which can worsen hyperpigmentation, particularly in darker skin tones.
Use shade and clothing, too
Sunscreen alone isn't full protection. The AAD notes that the sun's rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and offers a simple rule: if your shadow is shorter than you are, seek shade. A wide-brimmed hat, UV-protective sunglasses, and clothing with a UPF label add meaningful protection during long Middle Tennessee summers.
Skip tanning
There is no safe way to tan. Tanning, whether from the sun or a tanning bed, damages skin and raises the risk of skin cancer.
Lifestyle and diet: what the evidence supports
It is common to read that diet matters "more than any serum." That overstates what the research shows. The AAD reports that findings from small studies suggest a low-glycemic diet may reduce acne for some people. That means fewer foods that spike blood sugar quickly, such as white bread, sugary drinks, and fries.
That is a reasonable thing to try alongside treatment, not a substitute for it. General healthy habits support overall health, but no single food, supplement, or drink replaces daily sun protection and a diagnosis when something isn't right.
Check your skin, and know when to get a professional exam
Do a monthly self-exam
A good time is right after a shower. Look over your whole body, including your scalp, the soles of your feet, and between your toes. Ask a partner or family member to check your back. The American Cancer Society recommends learning the pattern of your moles and spots so you'll notice when something changes.
Schedule professional skin exams
The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends a full-body professional skin exam once a year, or more often if you are at increased risk. Higher risk includes a personal or family history of skin cancer, many moles, fair skin, significant sun exposure, or a weakened immune system. Your provider can recommend the right schedule for you.
Don't wait for a scheduled visit if a spot is new, changing, bleeding, itching, or not healing. Those changes deserve prompt attention. Gold Skin Care Center offers full-body skin cancer screenings and evaluation of moles and other spots.
For medical dermatology, the practice accepts most major insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid. Coverage varies by plan and by service, and our office can help you understand your benefits.
When a routine needs medical help
Good daily care keeps healthy skin healthy. It can't treat a medical skin condition. It is time for an appointment if you are dealing with:
- Breakouts that haven't improved after a few months of consistent care (acne)
- Persistent facial redness or flushing (rosacea)
- Dry, itchy, inflamed patches that keep coming back (eczema)
- Thick, scaly plaques (psoriasis)
- Any rash that spreads, blisters, or doesn't clear up
Our medical dermatology team sees patients from childhood through older adulthood.
Getting ready for your first visit
A little preparation makes your appointment more useful. Bring:
- A summary of past skin conditions, treatments, and skin surgeries
- A current list of medications and supplements
- Notes, or phone photos, of any spots that have changed over time
- A clear sense of the main reason for your visit
If you are coming in for a skin exam, the Skin Cancer Foundation suggests removing nail polish and wearing your hair loose so your provider can check your nails and scalp. New patients can download the new patient paperwork and complete it ahead of time.
Where cosmetic care fits
Cosmetic treatments aren't required for healthy skin. For patients who want them once medical needs are addressed, the practice offers in-office options through The Laser & Rejuvenation Center and Advanced Aesthetics Medical Spa, including chemical peels, microneedling, Sofwave™ skin tightening, neuromodulators, and dermal fillers. Candidacy, risks, and recovery are discussed at a consultation.
What to do next
If it has been more than a year since your last skin exam, or something on your skin has changed, schedule a visit. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michael H. Gold founded Gold Skin Care Center in Green Hills in 1990. He is a Clinical Assistant Professor at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing and an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Meharry Medical College School of Medicine, and he leads the Tennessee Clinical Research Center, which conducts clinical studies across many skin conditions. Meet Dr. Gold and our dermatology providers.
Schedule an appointment online or call (615) 383-2400.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I get a professional skin check?
The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends a full-body professional exam once a year, or more often if you are at increased risk, such as having a personal or family history of skin cancer or many moles. Your dermatology provider can recommend the right schedule for you.
What sunscreen should I use every day?
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. The best sunscreen is one you will actually use every day. If dark spots are a concern, a tinted sunscreen with iron oxide adds protection against visible light.
Does diet affect skin health?
For some people, it may. Small studies suggest a low-glycemic diet may reduce acne. Diet changes can support treatment, but they aren't a substitute for sun protection or medical care for a skin condition.
This article is for general education and is not medical advice. Results vary, and every treatment carries risks. An appointment with a board-certified dermatologist or qualified dermatology provider is the best way to learn which options are right for you.
