HOW TO HAVE A GLOWING SKIN

HOW TO HAVE A GLOWING SKIN

Dr. Gurinderjit Singh

Your face is your fortune and you are largely dependent on a smooth, unblemished and healthy facial skin. Beauty may therefore be only skin-deep? and even if you have symmetrical features and a fair complexion, you cease to be attractive and charming if your facial  patches pimples wrinkles or freckles  or is loose and sagging: Dr. Gurinderjit Singh, a famed dermatologist discuses here various kinds of common skin ailments and gives very practical suggestions, both preventive and curative.

 A healthy skin is a source of pleasure not only to its holder but to its beholder also. We are all born with soft, smooth and flawless skin but as time passes and we grow older, the skin ages like the other organs of the body, only much earlier than others, as it is exposed to many environmental factors.

With the onset of puberty, the skin which behaved so well, starts giving troubles of different shades and hues. The hormonal activity in the body affects the oil glands regulating in excessive oil secretions. This gives rise to blackheads and acne (pimples). The teenagers should learn to follow an appropriate cleansing routine, to keep the pores free of clogging grease. When acne is present, professional advice should be sought well in time, so that the condition does not get out of control.

During the twenties and thirties, the skin is at its best, unless it has been badly neglected earlier. Basic skin care during this time should be geared towards its proper maintenance, so that the skin does not acquire the signs of premature aging . Daily moisturization is the most important part of skin care when the skin begins to lose its capacity to hold moisture.

The skin that has had regular care will not show its age even at forty. However, this is the time when most people neglect their skin and develop crows feet (lateral to the eyes) and a maze of laughter lines. Loss of elasticity and dryness are the main problems of a mature skin. poor blood circulation can also cause deterioration in skin colour and tone. Cellular buildup is yet another problem making the skin thick and coarse.

ln order to keep skin healthy, the following factors need to be observed:-

Diet : lt should be balanced. The daily diet should contain liberal helpings of green vegetables and fruits, milk and its products, fish and eggs. Concentrated starchy food should be avoided. Spices, condiments, tea, coffee and alcohol should be cut down to the minimum. Occasional fasting is good.

Fresh-Cool Air : Exercise anci mild sun are potent natural skin restorers, but the strong sun should be  avoided as it produces degenerative changes in the skin.

Clothing : Neither the clothing nor the footwear should contain sensitizers. Very tight-fitting and nylon clothes should be avoided especially in summer as they interfere with the absorption and evaporation of sweat.

Bathing : Daily bathing with cool water is essential in sumrner. ln cold weather, one should bathe in warm water as often as possible. A hot bath followed by a cold one is slimulating to the skin and the vital skin organs. To begin with the difference of temperature between the two baths should not be great but in the course of time, as a person gets used to, he will enjoy such baths with benefit.

Soap: A simple least alkaline soap should be used. people with a greasy skin need more soap than those with a dry skin. Soaps can however lead to allergic reactions causing itching, soreness and possibly a rash. Medicated soapS should be used only if they are prescribed by a dermatologist.

Oil: Soap dries out the skin, stripping it of its protective sebum and making it taut. After a bath one feels more comfortable when one applies a moisturizer to re-lubricate the skin. Men often have oilier skin and can use a lighter moisturizer, whereas, women may need an all-over moisturizer or olive oil massage, Cosmetics : Today there is such a vast and bewildering array of cosmetics that it can be difficult  to choose what to use.

Make-up should always be applied on a clean skin and moisturizer should be used if the skin is Iry lf the skin is sensitive, hypo-allergic cosmetics should be used.

Removing make-up at night is essential and helps the skin-to breathe. Cleansing lotions and creams are more efficient than soaps for removing make ups. Astringents and toning lotions remove traces of cleansing lotions and excess oil.

Right Thoughts and Emotions:  Some skin eruptions, itching and other dise

ases may be caused due to mental or emotional stresses and strains. The human skin can therefore, also be regarded as a true mirror of the internal ,state, of an individual, reflecting the conditions of the heart, brain, stomach, blood as well as the emotions. Therefore see situation. Switch over to lighter moods by keeping in mind the-great mood swinging words ,This too will pass away.

Ageing Skin ! What to do ?

Most people aspire to retard and counteract ageing by various means. Ageing skin frequently develops patches of peculiar pigmentation. Flat brown spots (lentigos) that look like large freckles are the result of skin maturation.

Collagen fibres can be injected to fill out prominent and fine wrinkles. ln the hands of a skilled dermatologist the procedure is simple. Results are not permanent as the collagen is absorbed by the body over a period of 6 to 18 months.

Plastic surgery can remove flabby skin on the neck and  on the forehead, but it cannot completely eradicate deep furrows between nose and mouth. The effects of a facelift be excellent, but they are not permanent, on the average they last r five to seven years. Blepheroplasty. plastic surgery to remove folds of skin over and bags under the eyes, is also very successful and the effects are often permanent.