Skin and Your Lifestyle

Skin and lifestyle are very closely related. Learn how your lifestyle can affect your skin at HowStuffWorks.

Learn More

Explore the profound semicolon tattoo meaning and its significance. Discover the power of hope, resilience, and mental health awareness.

By HowStuffWorks

Explore the intriguing Medusa tattoo meaning, symbolism, and history. Unveil the captivating myth behind Medusa ink.

By HowStuffWorks

A startup is developing a nonpermanent tattoo that can be applied with the same technique and equipment that traditional tattoo artists use. You could snag one in 2017.

By Kate Kershner

Advertisement

Blackout tattoos were once reserved for things like covering up the name of your short-lived (but very passionate) crush you had inscribed on your body. No longer.

By Jonathan Strickland

A new study indicates having lots of tats might mean a healthy immune system.

By Melanie Radzicki McManus

Tattoos are often colorful with vivid inks. But a red, oozing staph infection? Talk about your worst nightmare. Can a life-changing experience suddenly turn into a life-threatening one?

By Debra Ronca

Tattoos used to be taboo. But today nearly one in three people has one. And some people are getting them for reasons other than to decorate their bodies.

By Debra Ronca & Sarah Gleim

Advertisement

Birth control prevents pregnancy and can have all kind of effects on your body. But do you know what it can do for your skin?

By Katie Lambert

Body art, such as a tattoo, is a terrific way to express your individuality, but it's permanent, and there are some risks -- especially for your skin.

By John Barrymore & Brion O'Connor

Air and water pollution are a fact of life, and each can have an impact on the health of your skin. However, there are steps you can take to limit the effects on your skin.

By Sarah Siddons & Brion O'Connor

Get fast facts on tattoos, and learn how tattoos are created and how they can affect skin.

By John Barrymore

Advertisement

Insect repellents work by spending hours in contact with your skin. Can these chemicals that insects find so repulsive possibly be OK for your skin?

By Jonathan Atteberry

The contents of modern products, from toothpaste to shampoo, can sometimes make you feel like you need a degree in chemistry to identify them. What do the tongue-twisting parabens listed on the label do?

By Tom Scheve

Tattoos, like other types of body art, are a common form of self-expression. If you've ever considered getting one, though, some concerns may have crossed your mind. That needle, for instance, pricking your skin and marking it with dye -- is it safe?

By John Barrymore

Finding breakouts on your skin might make you feel self-conscious. But do other people really notice them as much as you do?

By Sarah Siddons

Advertisement

With diets that are rich in fruits and veggies, many vegetarians seem to be healthier overall than some non-vegetarians. But how much does this lifestyle translate to skin health?

By Sarah Siddons

For years, research has attributed birth control with acne-clearing powers. But is clear skin worth the side effects that can come with some oral contraceptives?

By Sarah Siddons

Studies have shown that stress does, in fact, have a negative effect on your skin. Find out why and how you can help prevent it.

By John Barrymore

Alcohol can be a social icebreaker, or it can complement a delicious meal made at home. Experts have also linked moderate alcohol consumption to good heart health. But can a drink (or two or three) affect your skin?

By Sarah Siddons

Advertisement

If swimming pools leave you with dry, itchy skin, chlorine may be the culprit -- and the water in your shower may not be much better. Learn how chlorine affects your skin and how you can protect it.

By Sarah Siddons

No matter whether you live in a climate that's cold and dry or hot and humid, the elements can take a toll on your skin. Find out what you can do to protect yourself.

By Sarah Siddons

Most people are aware of the major negative health issues associated with smoking, including lung cancer and heart problems. But the visible effects of smoking don't always get the most attention. What can 10 cigarettes a day do to your skin?

By John Barrymore

It's common knowledge that sun exposure can damage your skin, but did you know that air and water pollution may cause even more damage than the sun? Here's how you can protect your skin.

By Sarah Siddons

Advertisement

Exercise isn't good for just your muscles; it can also give boost the appearance of your skin. But how does a simple workout make your look skin brighter and feel tighter?

By John Barrymore

A recent study of U.S. college students found that women with four or more tattoos had higher self-esteem than female participants with fewer or no tattoos. Who knew?

By John Donovan