How often, as adults, have we regretted we didn't take better care of our skin when we were younger?
If your face is full of "craters" from youthful acne, or if you just have too many "frown" lines and if you think it's too late to do anything about it, think again, it's never too late. A skin regimen can't get rid of past acne scars, but it might be able to help the signs of aging or those "frown" lines.
If you are looking for instant results, then yes, you may need to see a specialist.
But remember, you still have to take care of your face/body after your procedure is over. You should start as soon as your procedure(s) allows you.
Your skin is the body's largest organ and needs to be nourished constantly. Alcohol, drugs, tobacco, improper diet, will show up as dry or paper thin skin, puffy eyes, and or dark circles under the eye, making you seem older than you really are.
Cleansing, toning and moisturizing are three of the most important things you can do to keep your skin fresh, moisturized and wrinkle resistant.
Knowing your skin type is the first step to your skin regiment. The most common skin types are:
- Normal
- Dry
- Mature
- Combination
- Acne/oily/problem skin
Believe it or not you can develop acne at any age. Excessive dieting is another reason many women suffer from what is known as "paper thin" skin. Although too much fat is unhealthy, not enough fat in our diet is equally unhealthy. The fat was Mother's Nature way of helping early man survive harsh winters and food shortages. My Grandchildren call it the "Grandma's soft cushion."
Proper skin care should start when we are young children. Proper diet is the most helpful, but taking care of our skin is the second most important, and this goes for boys as well as girls.
Proper cleansing of your face at least twice a day is essential, washing hands often and keeping them away from your face is equally important. Quite often, young girls wearing makeup is another major cause. Since makeup can clog pores, the skin can't breath properly. A good morning and nighttime regimen of facial/neck cleaning becomes extremely important.
Some health conditions are caused by underlying problems and will need a medical specialists to be treated correctly:
- Eczema, causes dry, flaky patches on the skin,
- Rosacea - characterized by redness, pimples, and broken blood vessels
- Scarring - from acne, insect bites, and accidents.
- Intertrigo - an inflammation of the top layers of skin caused by moisture, bacteria, or fungi in the folds of the skin
But, for the majority of us, daily carefully cleansing will do the trick.
Cleansing:
- One of the most important factors of skin care is skin cleansing. Because dirt, pollution, residual makeup, etc. can cause havoc to the skin leading to skin ailments and even hastening of the aging process.
- Facial scrubs are another method to help clean the surface of the skin by removing the dead skins and the dirt mechanically.
Toning & Astringents
- Toning is necessary for all skin types and should be a part of your daily skin care routine. Toning is refreshing, improves blood circulation and adds a healthy glow to the skin.
- Toners, fresheners, and astringents restore the pH balance of the acid mantle; remove any remaining makeup that was not cleaned up, oily cleanser, or soap film.
Moisturizing
- Water is the secret ingredient for fresh dewy looking, soft and supple skin. Your face will reflect a healthy glow and will also prevent premature aging by keeping the skin from chapping and drying out.
- Moisturize around your eyes. If your face is excessively dry, mist or splash with water, blot then lightly cover with moisturizer
Masks:
- Facial masks are some of the oldest known beauty treatments, ancient Egyptians used mud and clay to remove dead skin cells and heal blemishes.
- Once a week you should cleanse, tone and exfoliate your skin then apply a clay mask to give your face an extra deep-cleansing weekly. Finish off with a liberal amount of your night cream. This will help to maintain a balanced clear complexion without over drying oily skin.
Last but least, don't forget the one thing most of us pass over.....the eyes. The skin under your eyes may be a reflection of your health. Puffiness and dark circles may occur due to any and/or all of the following reasons:
- Liquid retention - This may be caused by allergy, irritation, illness, lack of sleep or tiredness.
- Redistribution of fat caused by aging - (surgical measures may be necessary).
- Genetics - Puffy eyes are inherited and are caused by improper lymph circulation or peculiarities of one's body.
- Internal disorders - Kidney, stomach or nervous system disorders often manifest themselves with puffy eyes.
The best way to prevent wrinkles, premature aging and possible surgery is to:
- Follow a regular skin care routine,
- Always protect your face from the harmful effects of the sun.
- Know your skin type and use the products made specifically
So, if you regret not taking better care of your skin when you were younger it is never too late, no matter how old or young you are.
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2006 Michele Winslow, Gaia's Breowan, Inc.
[http://www.iwantenuf.com]
