Memorial Day and Skincare
On Memorial Day, we honor those service men and women who have fallen in service to our nation. As we pause and reflect on the great sacrifice they have made, we are reminded of the price of our freedoms. Our military not only protects us abroad but also protects our borders and our country. Understanding the great loss of more than one million men and women in service is humbling. Today, at 3 PM, individuals can take a moment of silence to reflect and remember that our freedoms are because of others’ sacrifices. Our freedoms are not to be taken lightly, and as we look for ways to honor those who have served or are currently serving, we seek to give back to the community and show respect to those to whom we owe our freedoms.
How to Honor Memorial Day
As we stand next to our families and friends of fallen heroes, there are ways to show honor and respect on Memorial Day. The American flag can be flown at half-staff until noon, with a unified moment of silence at 3 PM local time. These small gestures show those who have suffered great loss that their loved ones are not forgotten. Attending a Veteran’s memorial, supporting local parades, and events is a great way to show support in your local community.
Self-Care is Essential to Military Personnel
Those who are called to serve in the military face challenges and conditions that civilians will never understand completely. We recognize that those who serve in the United States military have given themselves to protecting our rights and freedoms. What may be lost in this sacrifice is self-care, which many retired military personnel face once they re-enter civilian life. It is essential to continue self-care beyond service, and many women find that maintaining their skincare during service can offer a moment of respite.
Skincare for Military Personnel
All uniforms look the same, but people have a choice in how they treat their skin and what is under that standardized attire. Those who serve abroad must deal with harsh and unclean water conditions, making skincare seem impossible. However, finding quality products that work across environments is something many serving in the military seek to maintain their skin health.
Skincare for Retired Veterans
Our Veterans are a grossly underserved demographic, and we encourage Veterans in our lives to seek skincare advice and work with a local dermatologist to have any moles or skincare concerns evaluated, which can be lifesaving. Early detected skin cancer is highly treatable, and when ignored, can also be devastating. As a community of citizens, we owe it to our active-duty and retired military to help them embark on a self-care path to wellness. Our skin is the body’s largest organ, and caring for it in harsh conditions or during a difficult transition to civilian life can be part of wellness care.
Military Values Across Skincare
In the military, service members learn adaptability, teamwork, commitment, and resilience. These values are at the core of our nation’s military, and civilians will never understand the depth to which these values are instilled in military personnel. Adaptability to environments and situations can carry into skincare and self-care, as life’s circumstances are certain to change; products that work can provide continuity. Teamwork involves working with people and can also apply to how skincare products interact. It is often underestimated how much difference feeling good in one’s skin can make. Dermatologists are expertly trained in developing sustainable skincare routines and products that help those serving in the military find affordable options.
Commitment is at the core of military service, and those who serve and have served often have the skill to maintain skincare routines. They recognize the value of maintaining a routine and that long-term results may take time. Radiant and healthy skin can take time, but commitment yields results. Discipline is significant in skincare because resilience to distractions and the structure taught in the military help us overcome challenges and adapt to changing skin as we age and our environment changes.
Caring for Our Military
Today is Memorial Day, which was designated an official holiday in 1971. Since then, on this day, we honor and remember those who have fallen protecting our nation and our freedoms. The sacrifice they made can’t be repaid. However, we can take time to reflect each year and, in between, honor our active and retired members by encouraging them to take steps toward self-care. Self-care can be therapy, meditation, coaching, and staying healthy.
In honor of Memorial Day, help someone schedule a dermatology visit to do a skin cancer screening. Skin cancer screenings save lives, and those who have sacrificed so much often think of themselves last, so we must remind them of the importance of self-care. Contact Buckhead Dermatology today to speak with a licensed professional who works with active and returning men and women throughout the Atlanta area.