Good skin-care begins from day one. Not only does a neglected skin fade quickly and smell unpleasant as we all know, but also because the pores are clogged, it cannot perform its functions such as nourishment and purification properly-with the result that lack of care leads to disturbance in the body system. So get to know your skin. In order to understand and deal with common skin problems at home, and also to follow an effective day-to-day skin-care, it is important to first understand skin - its structure and its functions.
The outer layer is the epidermis - the part we see and touch. It is composed of dead horny cells formed by the protein keratin and a basal cell layer underneath where the new cells are manufactured. The new cells move upwards to the surface where they expire and then are exfoliated. Melanin cells which are responsible for freckles and darkening the skin's color due to the ultraviolet rays in sunlight are also in the dermis. The epidermis has no blood vessels or nerves.
The dermis is commonly known as the true skin. It is made up of connective tissues which include collagen protein and elastic fibers (elastic-type protein) which form a valuable support system to the skin. It is in this layer that the majority of the skin's aging process takes place. The sweat glands, the oil glands, the nerve endings and receptors, blood vessels, arrector pili muscles and a major portion of hair follicles are also located in the dermis.
The hypodermis or sub-dermis is a subcutaneous tissue or fatty layer situated below the dermis. It influences the quality of our skin's appearance. A dramatic loss of weight causes the skin to sag and too much fat or water retention in the skin's tissue makes the skin stretch and dimple. The hypodermis is a cushion for the skin. It acts as a shock-absorber to protect the bones and to help support the delicate structures, such as blood vessels, nerve endings and hair bulbs. The layer gives contour and shape to the body and acts as an emergency reservoir of food and water.
There are two sets of glands found in the dermis - the sweat glands and the oil glands. The sweat glands are employed in the elimination of the water-soluble cellular waste. The oil glands secrete oil which lubricates the skin surface. This prevents the skin from excessive dryness and chapping. Blockages, congestion, over activity or under activity of these two sets of glands are considered the primary causes of our numerous beauty problems.
In our common language (and the cosmetologist's lingo), a healthy skin condition is blemish free, (unpigmented, scar-free), soft and moist (not oily and not dehydrated), smooth and glowing (reflecting light and with clear visibility of the inner skin), supple, firm, wrinkle-free (tonned, elastic and collagen enriched) and having no visible acne or allergy (unsusceptible to infection).
If you want your skin to look attractive and healthy there are a few rules you must follow.
Internal care of a perfect complexion requires sensible diet, plenty of water, adequate sleep, moderate exercise, and a calm disposition. All these contribute to a soft, beautiful skin.
Drink plenty of liquids. Moisture is the key word in complexion beauty. It begins with six glasses of water a day, and as much additional liquid in the form of juices, milk and the like.
A brisk half-hour daily walk can do you as much good as an expensive facial, especially if you are relaxed and dressed for the walk and above all enjoying the walk. You will return home with a glow in your cheeks and a sparkle in your eyes and your skin will tingle with vitality. Exercise increases your circulation carrying oxygen to the skin.
The skin-care of course, varies from one skin type to another and the relative emphasis of the various routines in it also differs.
Cleansing is the most important aspect of the skin-care. It is undertaken primarily to remove the stale make-up, clean the skin pores and exfoliate the dead cells which otherwise cause blockages on the skin's surface.
The daily cleansing routine should be followed with toning. The toning exercise helps in the stimulation of the skin, pores and invigorates the blood circulation.
The moisturising and conditioning routines conclude the daily skin-care. Moisturising helps in keeping the moisture in the skin. The conditioning routine restores the acid balance on the skin and corrects other such imbalances.
Massage helps keep skin pores healthy and increases the action of the excretory glands, actually helping your skin to cleanse itself. Massage arouses tissues, perks up every little cell, and creates a tingling feeling of well-being.
As well as improving the circulation, correct massage relieves nervous tension by relaxing and so eases out fine lines. It also strengthens face and throat muscles and removes scaly, dead skin, leaving the skin smooth, firm and glowing.
In the morning, before washing your face, rub the strips gently across your forehead, nose, chin and cheeks by sliding them back and forth. The strips will either gain greasy stains or remain transparent and clean.
If the strips used on forehead, nose and chin are greasy, whereas the strips used on the cheeks are clean, you have a combination skin.
If all the strips are greasy, including the one used on the cheek, and the stains are large, you have an extremely oily skin.
If all the strips are clean and transparent it means you have a dry skin. Through the strip-test method, one can find out the skin-type and also which parts of the face and body are excessively oily or dry.
Skin dryness is of two kinds: The oil-dryness is caused due to the sluggish activity of the oil glands resulting in inadequate oil secretions and an insufficient lubrication of the skin surface. Apart from the improper functioning of the sebaceous glands, jittery nervous conditions, improper diet, the use of wrong cosmetics, strong soaps, over-exposure to the sun and the harsh wind are some of the other factors that aggravate dryness.
The moisture-dryness is caused by the inadequate functioning of the sweat glands and internal dehydration. The natural elements such as sun and wind in extremes contribute to it. Increasing the liquids in diet and using skin moisturizers are extremely helpful.
Oily skin looks greasy, unclean and aesthetically unappealing. The skin pores are visibly enlarged. Over a period of time, blockages of grime, stale make-up and horny dead cells appear in the skin pores, resulting in the formation of the unsightly whiteheads and blackheads.
The excessive oiliness engenders a sallow, yellow complexion and thick, coarse skin texture. The make-up alters and disappears easily.
The dry skin is thin and sensitive to weather elements and bacteria. It can develop an allergy easily. The skin usually tends to flake during the winters and fine wrinkles appear on the face prematurely.
The dark-coloured veins are obvious on the thin dry skin and the fine, red-coloured lines of the broken capillaries are also visible. The dry skin looks dull. Make-up tends to stand out and face powder looks floury.
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