Given proper care, your skin can belie your age.

Healthy skin, smooth and resilient, can reflect a good physical and mental condition.

With the temperature climbs in the spring, the skin recovers its vigor and becomes more moist and lustrous. Still, allergies and acne also bloom with this season.

"Every year at this time, I see more patients with skin problems," said Fu Wenwen of the dermatology department of Huashan Hospital.

Why do the skin woes develop so often in this season?

According to the theory of traditional Chinese medicines, all livings in the world are growing quickly in warm spring after hibernating in the long, cold winter. Those diseases of human bodies also recover in this period.

In this season, trees are growing leaves and flowers bloom. At the same time, bacteria and fungus also reproduce, a main cause of the skin troubles, Fu said.

Skin is the front-line protection system for the body. It can protect against bacteria, but if there's something wrong with the body, the skin shows it.

The tender facial skin is more at risk than other parts because it exposes in the air all the time and comes into contact with dirt, pollen, light and other invaders.

Dermatologists suggest daily cleaning is essential to maintaining healthy skin. The polluted air carries many harmful elements that attach to the skin, block the pores and influence its normal biologic function. If mixed with the secretion of the sebaceous glands, blackheads will come up on the face.

To keep the dirt away from the face, people should clear the skin regularly. Those with oily skin should wash with warm water several times a day.

Some people have hypersensitive skin and are allergic to various pollen, fragrant smells and sunlight. Doctors find most of these people have dry or neutral skin. Genes can also play a part, as some may be predisposed to skin problems.

Patients should consult a dermatologist to determine what allergens they should avoid. Some doctors prescribe medication and recommend sleep, a balanced diet and exercise.

Enjoying the sun is natural part of springtime, but many people forget that sun protection is important in spring. The sun is no less strong now than it is in summer or autumn.

In fact, because the dry air of spring makes ultraviolet radiation more harmful than in other seasons. Skin may be less prepared to defend itself in the spring, too. Thus, sun protection is very important. Umbrellas, hats and sunglasses are recommended.

Fu also stressed that people should seek medical attention once the skin disease develops. Some over-the-counter ointments may cause serious skin problems.

"Since some ointments contain hormones, they may work but don't cure the problem," Fu said.

(Shanghai Star 04/27/2001)