![]() | ![]() |
Advertisement ![]() |
Skin CareSkin CareIt might surprise you to learn that your skin is the largest organ of your body, accounting for 16 percent of your body weight. Therefore skin care is an important part of maintaining total health and wellness.Skincare is partially a self-fulfilling prophecy. Your skin is itself in a never-ending cycle of repair and renewal. You can help the process, however, by understanding how your skin functions. Your skin is made up of cells called pores. At its surface, your skin is covered with a thin sheath of dead cells that are continually being pushed to the surface. It is vital that you clean your skin regularly to remove these dead cells. If you do not, the dead cells can prevent your skin from breathing and renewing itself. Your face, more than almost any other party of your body, has exposure to the most extreme conditions, from the heat of summer to the cold of winter. That is why your face is one of the first parts of your body to show signs of aging. There is a separate article on our website dedicated to acne treatment. Nobody likes getting older. And if there’s something we hate more than that, it’s looking older. Why else do you suppose Americans spend billions of dollars each year on skincare products? We want to erase wrinkles, lighten age spots and eliminate itching, flaking and redness. But there are things we can do to avoid having to do all of that. Taking care of your skin in summerThe sun sends out ultraviolet radiation, most of which is stopped from reaching the Earth's surface by the ozone layer. The UV radiation that makes it past the ozone layer is strong enough to alter the DNA of skin cells and trigger, in time, the formation of carcinomas and melanomas. UV radiation is also responsible for sunburns and skin ageing.Children and people with fair or red hair or fair skin, who tend to burn rapidly in the sun, are more at risk than others and may develop skin cancer faster. They should be the first to use sunscreen and other types of protection against UV radiation (wearing long sleeves and hats in summer). Most cases of skin cancer could have been prevented by limiting the exposure to sun. UV radiation is at its highest level in summer, around midday, when the sun is high in the sky. If you like mountain climbing, then you should be doubly careful; UV radiation increases with altitude. A heavy cloud cover may block UV radiation, but thin clouds are not good enough for protection. Don't rely on the fact that you can face the sun safely for half an hour or even an hour. You cannot feel UV radiation on your skin and you will not be able to tell when it's no longer safe for you to be out in the sun. Knowledge is power. The more you know about skin cancer and its roots, the better you can protect yourself. Here are a few simple tips designed to help you in your quest to never experience skin cancer as long as you live. As stated above, avoid the sun when it's high in the sky. This means that you should stay indoors, or at least in the shade, between 11 AM and, say, 3 PM. After 3 PM it should be safe enough to venture outside. Still, you should always take advantage of shade, wherever you find it. Buy yourself a pair of UV protection glasses, if you don't have one already. Wear a wide-brimmed hat if you can't cover your neck by some other means. Make sure the exposed parts of your body never get burnt; you may want to invest in a sunscreen solution with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or higher to cover your hands and, if need be, feet. Use comfortable clothing that actually covers your body. Keep in mind that no sunscreen solution is 100 percent safe, so cover as much of your skin as possible. Be extra careful with babies and children. Their skin needs much more protection than that of adults. Avoid sunbeds and tanning lamps. Such devices simply negate any effort to protect yourself from exposure to UV radiation. And lastly, check you skin on a regular basis and see your doctor if you notice any unexplained changes. Skin CancerThere are three types of skin cancer, according to the type of tumors that develop on the skin. The most common and less dangerous types feature basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Approximately nine in ten skin cancer cases belong to these two types. The true dangerous type is the malignant melanoma cancer, which can be fatal if not treated early.Basal cell carcinomas look much like sores and form on the exposed parts of the skin: neck, shoulders, hands, and head. The carcinomas appear as raised, round bumps or flattened lumps of a reddish, pale or pearly colour. The carcinomas may be crusted and bleeding is frequent. Squamous cell carcinoma features persistent red, scaling, thickened spots on the sun-exposed skin. Ulceration and bleeding may occur. The SCC may also grow in size and spread to other parts of your skin if it is not treated. Any newly grown sore or reddish patch of skin that does not heal over a longer period of time (at least one month) is likely to be a carcinoma or melanoma, especially if you notice any bleeding. Any spot that does not stop itching, hurting or bleeding is also likely to be skin cancer. Also look for inflamed moles or moles that start to bleed or crust. Persistent ulceration of the skin that cannot be explained by your activities should also be suspected of being an early sign. If you experience any of the above symptoms, you should go to a doctor as soon as possible. It's better to be safe than sorry. The worst type of skin cancer lesions are malignant melanomas. Melanomas look like moles, but grow to be bigger than any other moles you have ever seen. They develop in the outer layer of the skin, but can spread to other parts of the body and may be fatal if left untreated. You should see a doctor if you notice that one or more existing moles are growing in size. Melanomas also have a ragged outline, which is significantly different from the round and regular shape of common moles. Skin TypeKnowing what type of skin you have is important for your health care. Your protection depends on accurate information, which is the basis of correct decisions. Skin type determines which makeup, sunscreen and soap you can use and how much you need to help your biggest organ. Environmental factors such as pollution, UV radiation and chemicals damage your skin and block its normal functions.Normal Skin: This is considered the standard type of skin that we all should have. Normal skin is soft, elastic and firm to the touch. The pores are small to medium in size. It needs no special care, unless exposed to hazardous environment factors. Oily Skin: Nothing says I'm a teenager better than oily skin and pimples. This type of skin has a shiny look and is firmer than normal skin. Pores are larger and more visible and pimples are far more likely to appear, due to the excess oil produced by glands. Dry Skin: Firmer than normal skin, but not as elastic. Dry skin is a lot less likely to develop pimples because the secretion of oil is lower than normal. However, the drawback is that dry skin wrinkles sooner. Keep in mind that dry skin can be caused by certain factors. If your skin type is not dry, but you do feel your skin is tight (especially facial skin) and lacking in moisture, then try to identify the source of this change. Soaps, certain types of heating, prolonged exposure to wind, insufficient water consumption and certain disorders can dry your skin. Sensitive Skin: If you burn easily in the sun and wind, if cosmetics have always given you rashes and if your skin is irritated by almost anything, then it belongs to the sensitive type. You are far more prone to experience the adverse effects of exposure to the environment than other people. Combination Skin: This is the strangest type of skin. Combination Skin means that different parts of the same person's skin belong to different types. A common pattern for CS is the "T-Zone", where the forehead, nose and chin form a "T"-shaped zone of oily skin, while the cheeks are normal or dry. Skincare productsAnd since we've been discussing skin issues, let me throw in a couple of skin care pointers. As many of you know, the best skin care products are based on Aloe Vera. This plant has been used since the ancient times and its beneficial effects are well-documented. Herbalists have discovered a long time ago that the juice of fresh Aloe Vera can easily soothe and cure burns and other skin lesions. The high number of minerals, vitamins and amino acids contained by the plant makes it perfect for treating various skin issues.Aloe Vera is, of course, the darling of the skin care market. Well-known skin care products and systems contain generous amounts of Aloe Vera juice. The ClearPores System, for instance, uses the powerful Salicylic Acid to clear acne and Aloe Vera to soothe the skin, help it close the distended pores and heal the lesions. The System is designed to take full advantage of the plant's healing properties and treat acne. This is just one example, albeit a very good one, of the many uses of Aloe Vera. The ClearPores™ Body System was especially developed to clear your body skin. No one who is suffering from breakouts on the chest or the back likes to be seen in summertime without a top. This system is designed to give you back your clean and clear skin so there will be nothing between you and a good tanned body.Money Back Guarantee: To give clients ultimate confidence in the ClearPores™ Skin Cleansing System, they have guaranteed its effectiveness for a full 6 months or your money back. The ClearPores™ Body System includes: ClearPores™ Deep Body Wash. The unique combination of effective acne ingredients unclogs the pores on your body. Apply the Deep Wash to the affected skin and remove all debris and wash out the bacteria from your pores. The ClearPores™ Deep Body Wash is recommended for use in the morning and at night. ClearPores™ Herbal Supplement. The 100% natural ingredients work from the inside and fight the acne bacteria where it grows. Active Ingredients: Dandelion Root, Aloe Vera, Yellow Dock, Echinacea purpurea, Burdock Root, Red Clover, Sarsaparilla Root, Licorice Root, Kelp, Cayenne, Tea Tree Oil. ClearPores™ Body Protection Cream. The Protection Cream keeps your pores clear from the sweat and bacteria produced by your body and moisturizes it. Attention! When you order the ClearPores Body System, make sure you purchase "ClearPores™ Body System" or "ClearPores™ Complete System". Diet and Skin CareFinally, let's discuss the diet. There's a rather worn-out saying, which goes like this: you are what you eat. Not surprisingly, the cheap soundbite appearance serves as a mask for a deeper truth, since any skin care professional would tell you that diet is crucial for maintaining a healthy skin. Many skin conditions are caused by diets that actually starve the body instead of bringing in the much-needed vitamins and minerals.Your skin cannot function properly without the daily supply of vitamins, among which the most important are Vitamin A, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B7, Vitamin C, Vitamin D and Vitamin E. Vitamin A is one of the building blocks of the body's immune system. It plays a key role in the formation of intact epithelial tissues, which are the first barrier to infections, and also in keeping white cells healthy to fight bacteria. An insufficient supply of Vitamin A can lead to xerosis, which means "dry skin". The best sources of Vitamin A are milk, eggs, carrots and spinach. Vitamin B2 is involved in the regulation of human growth, including the health of skin, hair and nails. It can be found in milk, cheese, leafy vegetables and almonds. According to studies conducted by Doctor Hung Leung, deficiency of Vitamin B5 can cause acne. Doctor Leung has actually managed to prove through his studies that regular doses of Vitamin B5 have a positive impact on acne, with milder cases being solved in matter of weeks. This vitamin is common in whole grain cereals, legumes, eggs and meat. Vitamin B7 is used by the cosmetics and health industries in many skin and hair care products. It is also recommended by doctors for strengthening hair and nails. Common sources of B7 are liver and kidney, dairy products and some seafood. The well-known Vitamin C is not used solely for preventing the loss of teeth, but also to keep skin flexible and strong at the same time. The vitamin is required for the production of collagen in the connective tissues. Collagen is responsible for keeping the connective tissue flexible, yet strong. The best sources of Vitamin C are fruits and vegetables, with the Billygoat Plum (also known as Gubinge or Kakadu Plum) being the undisputed leader of Vitamin C sources (60 times more Vitamin C than oranges). The body synthesizes large quantities of Vitamin D through exposure to sunlight, which makes this vitamin one of the easiest to get. However, the end of summer means an end to large-scale Vitamin D synthesis and the body has to rely on reserves to get through the autumn and winter. Lack of Vitamin D is one of the causes behind skin cancer. Other sources of Vitamin D are fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, sardines) fish and beef liver and eggs. Vitamin E is used in many skin creams and lotions. It is believed to play a role in promoting skin healing and reducing scarring after certain injuries. It can be found in vegetable oils, nuts, wheat and leafy vegetables. Sincerely, Your Web Doc |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ©2003 - 2009 YourWebDoc.com. All Rights Reserved. |