YES.

Your skin is the largest organ in your body. It protects you from disease, injury, fluid loss, dangerous temperature changes, and solar radiation. Your immune system is heavily present in the skin and constantly active preventing invaders from entering our bodies.

Consider burn victims who have lost a large percentage of their skin- they are constantly losing body fluids, losing body heat, battling with bacterial and fungal infections, and are at risk of losing their lives depending on the percentage of their body suffering from severe burns.

Neglecting skincare leads to skin that is not able to optimally provide these vital functions for you. You are more likely to scar, tear or abrade the skin, get an infection from small skin injuries, appear older than your age, and suffer from discomfort related to unhealthy skin if you don't perform skincare.

Over time the skin changes with age due to genetic programming and insults over time.

The top layer of the skin (epidermis) becomes thicker, and may appear or feel rough.

The deep layer of the skin (dermis) becomes thinner, leading to more translucent skin, easily torn or bruised skin, and a crepey, wrinkled appearance.

We also have a decrease in the density of oil glands and hair follicles which are structures that house stem cells for skin to regenerate when needed.

Life threatening skin cancers can develop, as well as benign but undesirable skin growths, known as keratoses, pigment changes, and blood vessel abnormalities such as cherry angiomas, venous lakes, and telangiectasias.

1. SUNSCREEN and REDUCING SUN EXPOSURE

Here in New Mexico at higher altitudes we are that much closer to the sun, and experience more harmful radiation as a consequence. All year we are exposed to high UV radiation levels that damage the DNA of our skin cells leading to mutations (mistakes in reproduction) and potentially fatal and/or disfiguring skin cancers.

Sun exposure causes pigment abnormalities (discoloration), excess oil production in response to the sun's injury that can trigger acne, and accelerated aging of the skin making us appear older than we are.

Sunscreen every day of the year, no matter what, at an SPF of 30 minimum (50 preferred), is extremely important.

2. MOISTURE RETENTION AND MOISTURIZATION

New Mexico also has the added harshness of being extremely arid or dry. Drying is stressful to the skin and causes extra oil production, increased reproduction of skin cells putting us at greater risks of cancer, benign growths, and accelerated aging.

We need to prevent moisture loss by avoiding harsh cleansers and chemicals on the skin, and replenish moisture without clogging pores. We also need to drink water!

The cosmetic product industry that produces over the counter (OTC) skincare does not have oversight by the FDA, which means thorough product or ingredient testing is not required. They often contain fillers and preservatives that are potentially irritating to your skin.

Companies that manufacture medical grade skincare use extensive research to develop their products, use extremely pure ingredients that are highly concentrated, and minimize preservatives and fillers (remember, a little goes a long way!).

Medical or pharmaceutical-grade skincare products can only be prescribed by a medical professional (MD, NP or PA). OTC products, although often advertised otherwise, are quite general in their components, and do not truly benefit one skin type or concern over the other, in an effort to prevent serious problems if someone chooses the wrong product off the shelf.

Obtaining medical grade skincare allows you to use products that are truly tailored to your skin's needs because the medical professional prescribing it to you has the expertise to identify what is appropriate for your skin, and therefore they can safely prescribe products with highly active ingredients that are actually treating the skin.