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Effective Acne Treatments – Making Your Own!
Choosing effective acne treatments from amongst the plethora of products available today can be a daunting task, and while many skincare specialists advocate the use of gentle products, it can be difficult to find a natural facial cleanser that will...
Fast Facts About Acne - Myths to Uncover!
Let's take a look at some other popular beliefs about acne to dispel any other rumors; for example, stress. Is it true that increased stress spreads acne? Not exactly. What is true is that ultimately stress can have a very minimal or minor influence...
Mineral Makeup- Natural Beauty
As we become more aware of our environment and more aware of the products that we are putting into and onto our bodies, natural and homeopathic products are taking the cosmetic industry by storm. It’s likely you’ve noticed new skincare and...
Shopping for Sensitive Skin: A Guide for the Acne and Rosacea Conscious
Acne and rosacea patients take note- you must know about proper skin-care and cosmetic usage to successfully manage your sensitive skin. This is the counsel of Dr. Diane Berson, who runs a dermatology practice in New York City. A critical step in...
What do Essential Fatty Acids do in Your Body?
Fatty acids are used in every cell of your body. They have several characteristics that give them the power to give your
body health and a feeling of well being:
· They attract oxygen
· They absorb sunlight
· They have a negative charge
·...
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Skin Health Secrets: How to apply skin care products
It is pretty well known that different people get different
results with the same skin care products. This can be caused by
variations in body chemistry, but more often than not it's
because everyone applies skin care products differently.
Of course, if a particular product doesn't give you the results
you expect, it doesn't always mean you are applying the product
incorrectly. Unfortunately, many products just don't work as
advertised, no matter what you do! To top that off, some
products may work for some people but not for others even when
used properly. Nevertheless, when a product doesn't work, it may
often be due to incorrect application.
Products like skin creams, gels, or lotions are a mixture of
chemicals that have a biological action, applied topically to
the skin. So the effectiveness depends on whether the active
ingredients work, and whether they are absorbed properly into
your skin. Your skin's temperature, hydration, environment and
other factors will influence your skin's ability to absorb the
active ingredients in a product. To be sure that you get optimal
effectiveness of you skin care products:
* Cleanse skin before applying any products. The best time to
apply is right after you come out of a warm shower or bath
because not only is your skin clean, but it is also moist and
warm, so it will absorb whatever you apply much better. Do not
wash with hot water because excessive heat accelerates aging.
Water should be comfortably warm but not hot. However, if you
plan to apply anything oily that blocks the pores, splash cool
water on yourself to close pores. Just pat dry with a towel.
Also, use a charcoal shower filter to prevent exposure to the
chlorine in the water. You probably drink bottled or filtered
water - but you can absorb more chlorine through your skin
during a shower than you would get from an 8 oz. glass of water!
* When cleansing your skin, don't use regular soap or shampoo,
they're much too drying. Use a good moisturizing soap, a skin
cleanser, or plain warm (not hot) water.
* The top layer of skin is mostly made from dry, dead cells.
When this layer becomes too thick, either from aging or poor
skin care skin, the active ingredients of a skin care product
have trouble penetrating. Professional microdermabrasion safely
removes that top layer of skin, revealing the healthier,
younger-looking skin underneath and allowing skin care products
to be better absorbed for greater effectiveness. In addition,
microdermabrasion done regularly strengthens the skin by
stimulating elastin and collagen production, which helps
diminish wrinkles, fine lines, acne scars and many other
blemishes.
* Use short, firm strokes to apply skin care products. Do not
stretch the skin. Do not rub. After applying, gently massage the
products into your skin by tapping the area with your fingers
for 30 seconds or so.
* When using a professional microdermabrasion product at home,
it is important to read the directions and
follow them very
carefully. Remember, professional microdermabrasion is usually
applied with expensive machines and medically-trained
professionals. You can save a lot by doing it yourself, but
don't be over-eager to get that 10-years-younger look. Apply the
sponges gently the first time - let your skin adjust to the
application. Add a little more time and pressure each
application, about 2 weeks apart, up to a maximum of 3-5 minutes
(depending on the sensitivity of your skin).
* If you have sensitive skin or allergies, always test the
products you want to use first on a small patch of skin on your
underarm (the soft skin on the bottom of your forearm).
DO YOU HAVE SENSITIVE SKIN? Did you know sensitive skin is very
common? More than 40% of people say they have it. Its causes
include age, heredity, gender, and racial differences. These
questions below can help you find out if your skin may be
sensitive. Of course, a trip to your dermatologist is the best
way to find out!
1. Does your skin get extra dry after you wash it with soap? 2.
Does your skin get extra oily and break out after you use
particular types of moisturizers?
If you answered "Yes" to one or both of these questions, you may
have sensitive skin.
3. Does your skin get red, itch, burn, or feel "tight" after
coming into direct or indirect contact with perfumes and/or
particular shampoos, shaving creams, detergents, dish soaps,
hair sprays, cleaning products, or deodorants?
Irritants to sensitive skin include many household and personal
products. The fragrances and dyes in just about every household
product, and many personal care products, can cause irritation
either from direct contact or even from deposits left on your
clothes, towels, or bedding. If you have any of the classic
signs and symptoms of sensitive skin in Question 3, try to use
hypoallergenic products without ingredients known to cause skin
reactions.
4. Does your skin get red, itch, burn, or feel "tight" after
extended exposure to sun, wind, heat, or cold?
Sensitive skin often reacts to extreme weather conditions. In
fact, anything in the environment that damages your skin's
natural protective barrier against water evaporation -- called
sebum -- can irritate sensitive skin.
5. Do you have acne or psoriasis?
People with acne, psoriasis, or skin conditions like eczema
often have sensitive skin. These conditions impair immune system
functioning and/or destroy the skin's protective barrier. If you
have of these conditions, you may have sensitive skin.
About the author:
Kathleen Williams is the developer of DermaSponge, a home
microdermabrasion product which achieves results comparable
to professional treatments at a fraction of the cost. She is
also the founder of http://www.dermanesse.com, where her
products may be purchased.
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