20°C | Skin Care |
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The skin is the largest organ in the body and one of the most accessible - you can see it and feel it - which can hardly be said of the liver, for example. It is also one of the most interesting organs. It grows from within outwards and is constantly replacing itself. Beauty is Skin Deep: How deep? The skin is composed of four layers. They are:
Distinct from the skin itself but closely related to it in position and function are the sweat glands, hair follicles, sebaceous glands and nails. The functions of the skin: The functions of the skin are:
Skin Types Basically there are there types of skin textures: normal, oily and dry. Two other skin types are combination and sensitive skin. Normal Skin This type of skin is neither too oily, nor too dry. It is not oversensitive to wind, harsh sunlight, or cold. It does not have open pores, lines or acne. It has a smooth texture. It poses little problems unless it has been neglected or abused. Oily skin Generally people develop an oily skin in their teens. Overproduction of oil by the sebaceous glands leads to an oily skin. People who have an oily skin should avoid oily food, starches and sugar. They need a rigid skin care regime and should remove every trace of make-up every night before going to bed. While bathing, mild exfoliates should be used.Care It benefits from water, so washing with ordinary soap or a wash off cleanser is ideal. After cleansing, remove excess oil with an astringent. Dry Skin Normally associated with ageing, some people have a naturally dry skin. In this case too, the right nourishment can work wonders. Along with this you need to have a moisturising routine. Care All products used should be mild and toners should be alcohol free. A creamy cleanser should be used. It is essential to moisturise the face, throat and skin around the eyes. COMBINATION SKIN: A combination of dry and oily types is known as combination skin or T-zone(to indicate the "T" of your forehead and nose where combination skin tends to be oilier. Care Wash the face with a gentle soap or a mild milky cleanser. Moisturise the dry areas often. Refer Skin Care at Home for advice on the suitable facemasks for your skin. SENSITIVE SKIN: Sensitive skin usually describe any skin types which responds especially quickly and adversely to sudden changes of temperature or humidity and bruises very easily;it is also allergic to many cosmetic products. Thus we see that all types of skin require care. The bath time is best for an overall skin caring routine. Bath time should not be a mere spartan exercise of cleansing the body. It should also be a time to revitalize your body and skin. True, in today's rush and run lifestyle, a morning bath can at most be a quick cleansing routine that 'wakes' you up for the day ahead. However, you could devote some extra time at night before going to bed when you bathe again. Also, a weekly, leisurely, rejuvenating bath should become a routine. This is when you could attend to your skin, and deal with any problem. Your Skin Worries and Treatment Acne Blackheads, small pustules with a tendency to develop deeper inflamed spots, are most common in puberty. Treatment * Wash at least three times a day with soap and water. Meticulous cleansing of the skin is required to de-fat the skin. * Use an anti-bacterial cleanser. * Obtain special medication from a doctor - do not use proprietary ones. Chloasma Brown patches on the skin, frequently on the face and neck. Treatment * Avoid direct sunlight. * Use sunscreen creams. * Eat food rich in Vitamin C. * Use cosmetic products containing glycolic acid and retinoic acid. * Chemical peeling using Alphahydroxy acids. Moles Moles are large collections of melanocytes in the skin. They may be flat or raised. Treatment * Remove by cosmetic surgery. * Visit a doctor immediately if the mole gets larger, itchy, inflamed, or swollen. Vitiligo Vitiligo is the absence of pigmentation of the skin, usually seen as patches. Treatment * Protect from sunlight. Patches of vitiligo are very sensitive to sunlight and burn easily. * Consult a dermatologist. Scars Scars are formed usually as a result of injuries to the skin. They may be thick as in a keloid or may be depressed as in post acne or chicken pox. Treatment For Scars * Carbondioxide Slush * Dermabrasion * Chemical Peel * Laser Resurfacing For Keloids * Intralesional Steroids * Cryosurgery * Laser Warts Warts occur due to virus infection of the skin. Treatment Visit a doctor for specific treatment. Wrinkles Wrinkles appear due to thinning and folding of the skin, most commonly on the face. Around the eyes, it is called Crow's Feet and around the mouth, Laughter Lines. The tendency to develop wrinkles or to have a young-looking skin is inherited. Treatment * Creams and lotions containing alpha-hydroxy acids and retinoic acid * Chemical Peeling * Laser Resurfacing Skin Care at Home The Home Facial This involves cleaning, steaming, mask application and skin toning. The face should be cleaned thoroughly with make-up remover or lotion. Massage the lotion on to the skin for five minutes, then remove it gently with cotton wool. Steaming * Take a pot of boiling water and place it on a hot plate on a low table. * Sit in front of the steaming pot, take a large towel and make a tent over the head. * Hold the edge of the towel about 6 inches in front of the forehead. * Lean over the pot taking care not to get too close. * Pat the face dry after ten minutes. Applying a Mask You can use either a proprietary brand or a natural home - made one. The Magic Egg Mask The egg is one of the oldest known natural beauty products in existence. It is said that Cleopatra used egg white on her face as a mask. Nourishing Face Mask Mix 1 egg yolk and 1 teaspoon almond oil together, apply on the face and leave it on for 10-30 min. Cream may also be added to make it even more nutritious. Avoid the oil and cream if you have an oily skin. This can be used every other day. Egg and Yeast Mask Mix 1 egg yolk, 1 tablespoon brewery yeast and 1 tablespoon sunflower oil together into a smooth paste and apply on the face. Leave for about 15 min, and rinse off with milk. Masks for Oily Skin Make a paste using Fuller's Earth and Rose Water. Apply on the face. Leave it on for 15 min and rinse off well. The Fuller's earth can be substituted with gram powder. Skin Toners Cucumber juice and honey are good skin toners. |