Scientifically, aging could be explained as a decline in an individual’s ability to respond and defend himself against the various internal and external factors that cause aging like stress, environmental damage and internal disorders. We are all aware of the fact that with age our body’s defence mechanisms slow down. So we easily fall prey to various diseases and infections.

Skin care beyond lotions and potions

We have not been able to completely master the reversal of the natural clock of aging. But with newer advances in biotechnology, we have been able to develop growth factors and peptides that show immense promise in enhancing skin immunity. Young skin readily generates collagen and elastin. In aging skin, the quantity of active fibroblasts is greatly reduced which means that synthesis of collagen and elastin decreases. By utilising the benefits of this new technology, we can stimulate the skin’s ability to regenerate faster.

The latest concept of skin care includes an amalgamation of topical applications, nutritional elements and lifestyle changes. Skin, our body’s largest organ, responds best to a holistic approach. Providing inclusive care means addressing skin issues inside-out. An inclusive approach involves changes that reduce stress and isolation. Various external and internal factors cause injury to free radicals which further causes functional cell death.

Skin – a defence mechanism

When we are young and skin immunity is good, the skin is resilient even under great assault from microbes, chemicals, and other environmental agents. It bounces back and wards-off the infection. You could walk through a medical ward teeming with all sorts of microbes, bacteria and viruses and come out unaffected. This means there is a sophisticated defence system at work, keeping your skin and other systems at bay from diseases as well as aging. The top layer of skin called keratin creates an effective barrier to prevent foreign matter from entering while maintaining lipids in the skin, minimising moisture loss.

Boost skin immunity

Just as our body’s immune system protects us and keeps us healthy, skin immunity gives our skin its amazing power to fight off things that age us like the sun’s UV rays, pollution and stress. Skin’s immunity gives skin the power to repair and regenerate, and to remain flawless and wrinkle-free. As skin gets older, its immunity starts to slow down. As a result, skin loses its glow and miraculous wrinkle-resisting power. So the bottom line is to boost skin immunity and give it the right skin care. One of the most important factors in maintaining skin health is eliminating toxins and replenishing it with healthy foods.

Consider these steps to improve skin immunity:

• Vegetables and fruits are loaded with anti-oxidants which deal with free radicals. So make sure that you include 3-4 portions of fresh vegetables at each meal
• Protect your skin from moisture loss
• When skin immunity is weakened, it is more prone to allergy/rash. So replenish the protective layer of skin by applying the right skin products and following a skin care regime
• Keeping the tummy fit and bowel clean helps in avoiding skin allergies
• Sunscreens help in delaying photoaging which further help in boosting skin immunity and keep skin younger and wrinkle-free
• Use a mild soap or a face wash to clean your skin
• Pamper your skin occasionally with facials and massages. But take care to go light on the cosmetics and chemicals
• Regular use of scrubs helps to remove dead cells from your skin
• Use of herbs like aloe vera and neem helps to cleanse the skin
• Use steam to cleanse your face once a week
• Drink 8-10 glasses of water daily
• Ensure that you get enough sleep; at least 6-8 hours daily and on a regular basis
• Go for walks whenever possible. This will ensure you receive plenty of beneficial oxygen needed to cleanse your system.

The post Your skin is your body’s first line of defence appeared first on Complete Wellbeing.

Here we attempt to simplify the complex subject of soaps and cleansers and help you choose the right product.

Cleansing act

We are exposed to millions of bacteria and microorganisms everyday. Add to that pollution, grime, dust, make-up, cosmetics, and creams. On top of it all, our skin secretes oils and other toxins. This covers our pores and lock them. To get rid of the dirt, grime and to give our skin a chance to breathe, cleansing becomes the most important part of skin care and ideally should be repeated a couple of times a day.

Soaps have been widely used as an effective means for skin cleansing. Soaps with anti-bacterial properties offer an added advantage of removing the bacteria, which invade the skin and can help achieve appropriate treatment outcomes. However, always use a mild soap for general cleansing.

Soap opera

There is a big difference in the composition and formulation of a soap, cleanser and a scrub. Soaps and cleansers are both surfactants, but soaps usually have a vegetable oil source whereas cleansers are made from synthetic chemicals.

Scrubs usually have an additive abrasive agent and are not recommended for daily use. Use different soaps for the face and body, as the ones for the face are milder and contain fewer chemicals. Even the liquid cleansers for the body are different from the ones for the face.

Off-the-shelf

There is a wide range of products designed for cleansing like, syndet bars [made from synthetic surfactants], gels, creams, foam washes, face washes with scrubs, scrub soaps, and cleansing wipes to name a few. Apart from this, a whole range of home remedies for cleansing is also available. However, all cleansing products have different ingredients, which are good or bad for you depending on the type of skin you have. Some pointers to help you pick the right soap for you:

• If you have thin and sensitive skin, along with any hormonal problems like thyroid, use mild creme cleansers. Avoid using soaps.
• If you have oily skin that is prone to acne, use soap or face wash containing anti-bacterial elements. Exfoliating [peeling], keratolytic [skin-dissolving] or comedolytic [whitehead-removing], additives such as salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide are good to reduce acne and skin infections. Remember to use these along with a mild soap as overuse of anti-bacterial soaps can dry and flake the skin. Also, use a water-based moisturiser like emolene soon after the wash if your skin feels dry and patchy.
• If your work involves a lot of sweating and outdoor activity, use strong anti-bacterial soap. However, avoid using them on the face.
• If you suffer from dry and flaky skin, use soaps with moisturisers to replace skin oils and retain moisture in the skin.
• If you tend to buy soaps purely based on how they look, you’ll like to know that colours, humectants, thickeners and solvents such as glycerine are added to improve texture and appearance. People prefer clear soaps over opaque cakes due to their aesthetic value.
• If you expect your soap to help control body odour and skin conditions like atopic dermatitis and acne, opt for one with antiseptics such as triclosan, which reduces bacterial formation.
• If you prefer scrub soaps, use them once, daily especially after you’ve had outdoor exposure. They are excellent in smoothing out rough skin on the face and neck, and removing stubborn dirt and grime from the body. Apart from the face, you can use scrub soaps on thick rough areas of your skin like knees and elbows. However, for the morning bath, use a mild clear soap to avoid damaging your skin.
• If you are looking for a soap to brighten your skin and reduce ageing, you may go with ones with exotic ingredients like whitening agents, antioxidants, vitamins and alphahydroxy acids [fruit acids].

The post Daily soaps appeared first on Complete Wellbeing.

Skin care for men

Teens to mid-20s

Due to hormonal changes, this age group usually suffers oily skin problems like open pores, black heads, acne/pimple scars, and tanning. Men who have oily skin should avoid facials. But don’t be disheartened, you can do clean-ups and skin polishing for glowing skin. If you have acne [pimples] breakout, start using a salicylic acid based cleanser. For extensive acne problem, rush to your dermatologist at the earliest for medical treatment. In case of scar formation, take a few sessions of chemical peels. If you have a sensitive skin, you could run into razor burns when you start shaving. In this case, avoid alcohol-based after-shave lotions and use a calming lotion instead.

20s-30s

The role of skin care for men actually starts at this age when wrinkles begin to appear and puffiness under your eyes starts getting noticeable. Most of that damage can be repaired by right skin care products and minimal skin care on a regular basis. If you have recently developed dark circles under your eye, stop intake of alcohol, cigarettes and caffeine. Botox or injectable fillers are treatment options that can be considered if those lines bother you, but you could still do without them at this stage. If early pigmentation has become a nuisance giving a patchy look on the face, there are many specialised whitening creams available in the market. Skin polishing is a good option to prevent pigmentation in future and can be done once in six weeks.

30s-40s

I feel this is the best time of a man’s life and especially when he gets some time to think about himself. A must time for use of botox, lasers and fillers. Botox for those frown lines on forehead and crow’s feet that prevent you from giving away that charming smile and fillers for the laugh lines and facial drooping. If the tan and pigmentation is what pulls down your confidence, ask your doctor about treatments available. It’s time you take a plunge in this new world of technologies. If going to the beach and taking your shirt off makes you bother about the hair on the chest, back and armpits, remember that you can zap that permanently with a few sessions of laser hair removal. So we know Salman Khan is not the only one flaunting his bare chest. Though exercise and lifestyle modification will help in curbing that belly fat, if you still see that ugly bulge, don’t let it bother you. You don’t even have to go under the knife. Just a few sessions of treatment will take away 2-8 cm of those extra inches around your belly.

40s-50s

Since the physiological processes are on a regression, skin turnover also slows down and so regular exfoliation once a week is a must. You can also opt to do skin polishing [microdermabrasion] or chemical peels once in two months to maintain your skin. If your vision is also deteriorating, the frown lines on forehead will have to be zapped with Botox shots. Now one thing which might start bothering you in this decade is the slow and gradual sag on the lower face and the double chin that has just started. A few sessions of therapy for double chin and radiofrequency treatments for sagging skin can avoid surgery for next 20 years at least. Again the option of laser hair removal, fillers and skin rejuvenation will depend a lot on individual skin type. In case the receding hair line [male pattern alopecia] sets in, hair transplantation is a good option.

Above 50s

Life for you starts at 50. Before that you are not living for yourself. Now with most responsibilities off your head and you getting some pre-retirement time, you will be amazed to see those frown lines, crow’s feet, sagging of the jaw line, under eye bags and, worst of all, a distinct pigmentation patch on the forehead and around the eyes. If you are someone who has never really believed in the concept of skin care and sunscreen, it’s time you take a bow. Next would be to visit your dermatologist with a detailed list of all your concerns. I am sure the treatment options are plenty. Botox, fillers, polishing, lasers, thread lifts, cosmetic surgery… sky is the limit. But this has to be customised to your skin. Also, don’t shy away from asking your wife to fix up a facial, manicure, pedicure and a hair salon appointment for you once a month. Vitamin supplements should also be started.

Steps for daily skin care

Cleansing

Since male skin gets dryer and thicker with age, cleansing and scrubbing is important. Though the cleanser will vary with age as well as your skin type, soap is a no-no on the face and scrub should be used only once a week or less frequently.

Toning

A toner is used after cleansing. Toners are known to soothe the skin, especially after shaving. An after shave balm can also be used instead. Toner is more helpful for oily skin prone to acne [pimples] formation. It is usually applied using cotton and dabbed all over the skin.

Moisturising

For healthy skin, moisturising is a must. If not twice a day, you need to moisturise it at least once at night before you sleep, since that’s the longest stretch of time when you don’t consume water. Use a water-based moisturiser for normal skin with very little oil content. Men with normal-to-dry and sensitive skin should use a moisturising emulsion that has a slightly milky texture. Use oil-free moisturisers for oily skin. Moisturisers are best applied soon after bath on full body.

Sunscreen

Shielding means essentially using a high SPF>30 sunscreen daily and re-applying every 3-4 hours, if need be. Many skin problems like pigmentation, sagging, wrinkles, loss of elasticity are a result of over exposure in the sun. A sunscreen not only protects you from the harmful ultraviolet rays, but also acts as a shield to dirt and pollutants in the atmosphere and prevents aging.

In a nutshell, I would say that your skin is an investment that you make very early in your life by proper skin care. Then later in life, you can reap the benefits by enjoying a good skin. And mind you, it is a secure investment. Only problem is that when it comes to improving your skin and hair, we all face a limitation and that is our genes. To a great extent, the future of our skin and hair is pre-determined, even before we were born.

What I mean to say is that if you are blessed with a good skin and hair, you know whom to thank – your parents, but even with that minimal skin care will go long way.

The post Man of few warts appeared first on Complete Wellbeing.

There is nothing better than a nice bath, when you just get in from the pouring rain. However, washing your hair too often, say every day, can exaggerate the problems you already face. Washing your hair 2-3 times a week will keep your hair clean and looking good. At the same time, it prevents excessive drying of hair and keeps frizziness away. Also, do not forget to condition your hair after every wash; you could use a leave-in conditioner to make dry hair more manageable.

A list of handy tips for a gorgeous mane –

• If you do wet your hair in the rain, make sure that you wash your hair as soon as possible with a mild shampoo and condition after that. Do not leave the rainwater in the hair for long time as it is high in chemical contents and can damage the hair.
• Dry massage your scalp so that it improves blood circulation. However, once a week oil massaging it with warm oil is a good idea. But in that case do not leave the oil in the hair for a long time. Instead, wash it off in a few hours.
• Wash your hair every alternate day. If you have short hair, you can wash it daily. Switching to a gentle/baby shampoo is a good idea. Apply conditioner on the hair shaft as this will strengthen your hair.
• Do not use hair spray or gel in the monsoons as these stick to the scalp and cause dandruff. Avoid using blow dryer also. However, if the hair is wet at night, apply lots of leave-in conditioner on the hair and then blow dry on cold air.
• Excessive moisture is the biggest culprit during this season. It affects your hair even if you remain indoors, especially on days when the humidity is high. Depending on your hair type, it may leave your hair frizzy or flat. Hair usually tends to absorb the moisture in the air. This makes fine/thin hair fall flat, but people with wavy/curly hair end up with frizzy strands. The best solution to this is to use a humidity-protective gel before styling. These gels help by forming a protective coat over the hair cuticle and preventing moisture from getting in and also going out.
• Choose hair care products wisely depending on your hair type. Frizzy, dry and rough hair is usually dealt with by using hair cream or similar products to smoothen it. But this can have an adverse effect, by allowing your hair to absorb moisture and making it look greasy or sticky. If this happens, stick to a leave-in conditioner. Also for coloured hair, use the special shampoos and conditioners meant for such hair.
• Due to high humidity and wet hair, dandruff is a common problem in monsoons. So, make sure that you use an effective anti-dandruff once a week. However, use your normal regular wash shampoo on other days.
• The chlorine content in water during the monsoons is also very high; this can bleach and damage your hair. So, if possible wear caps or rain coats with cap/hood to protect the hair from coming in contact with rain water.
• Rains are also the favourite time for lice to grow in the hair. In case of any itching on the scalp, apply Permethrin lotion [anti-lice medication] on the scalp with cotton, leave for two hours and wash off. Repeat this for 3-4 weeks. This problem is more common in school-going children.

Hair care routine for all hair types

For dry hair:

You know your hair is dry when it becomes greasy 4-6 days after washing.

Use shampoo especially formulated for dry hair. Wash your hair once or twice a week.

Do not use a hairdryer.

For oily hair

You know your hair is oily when it becomes greasy 1-2 days after washing.

Use mild shampoo with an in-built conditioner or a vinegar/lemon rinse. Wash the hair daily.

To make the vinegar/lemon rinse, take two tablespoons of vinegar or lemon juice and massage into hair.

To double the strength of the rinse, you can use peppermint tea with one quart of distilled water as a final rinse.

For normal hair

You know your hair is normal if it becomes greasy 2-4 days after washing.

Use a mild shampoo and a good conditioner. But rinse the hair with plain water or mild shampoo whenever it gets wet in rain water.

Hair requires more attention during the rainy season, because of the additional humidity. But following the above tips will make you a proud owner of a healthy, shiny, soft and thick crowning glory.

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A: My advice would be that you consult a dermatologist, because when acne are left untreated, they form bad scars.

Nowadays many treatments are available that help to manage acne. However, don’t use any creams, lotions or antibiotics unless recommended by a physician. Since you have an oily skin, wash your face regularly and drink plenty of fluids. Stay away from spicy and fried food.

Note: If you are intolerant or allergic to certain foods, then you may be at a risk of developing acne.

The post Dealing with acne appeared first on Complete Wellbeing.

Here are some tips for summer sun worship:

• Always use a sunscreen SPF at least 25+. Apply 20 minutes before you go into the sun to allow your skin time to absorb it. Re-apply as needed throughout the day, particularly after a swim. If not able to tolerate due to oiliness, mix it in a little calamine lotion or dab it with talc.
• Wear broad-rimmed hats, umbrellas, light coloured clothes and UV protective sunglasses when out in sun.
• Whenever possible, stay out of the sun between 10 am and 2 pm to avoid exposure to the most intensive rays.
• Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration and heat stroke. Remember that water is your best saviour in summers. It is also the cheapest beauty aid.
• Nowadays fruits like peach, strawberry, apricot, and kiwi not grown in India are available on big shops along with Indian fruits. Kiwi fruit is exceptionally good if used for moisturising properties. To get a soft skin in humid season, mix juice of half a lime and a spoon of glycerine in a cup of boiled milk. Rub the mixture all over body and keep for half an hour. Rinse with water.
• Apply cool compresses to sunburned skin to help reduce the area temperature. Never exfoliate or use a mask on sunburned skin until the area has healed. Remember: If you are severely sunburned, consult a dermatologist as soon as possible for treatment.
• To get rid of the tanning occurred in winter use juice of tomato twice everyday. Don’t forget to have raw tomatoes to include vitamin C in your everyday diet. Tomato and orange is helpful in reducing fine lines of skin.
• For controlling excessive oiliness of the skin as well as the pimples [acne] for a fast, relatively cheap fix, smooth on a clay mask [Multani mitti] or swipe skin with an astringent made for oily skin; both will draw out excess oil and give you about four hours of shine-free skin. Salicylic acid containing face wash is excellent to reduce oiliness in the hot summer season.
• Oral intake of 25,000 IU of vitamin A also helps.
• You could try a pack of grated potato, fuller’s earth and drops of lime. As the pack dries rinse it off thoroughly with water. Dead cells will get removed to give a fresh look.
• Bathe as many times as possible. Use rose petals and basil leaves in lukewarm water for bathing. This is the wonder formula for a glowing skin.
• Remove dead cells and dirt with a homemade scrubber of rose water and refined flour. If you have no time to spare at morning add a few drops of menthol, chamomile or lavender essential to the last mug of water and bathe.

Hair care in summers

The hot summer weather has a damaging effect on your hair too. It is important to take active steps to take good care of your hair. Here are a few handy tips.

• To get rid of tangles in your hair, brush your hair from the bottom. If you brush from the top, you pull tangles together, and eventually create knots, making it harder to take care of hair.
• To get rid of dandruff, use a medicated shampoo containing ketoconazole and zinc pyrithrone once a week. For those wanting a home remedy, soak one tsp fenugreek [methi] seeds overnight. Mix the seeds with sour curd in the morning. Coat the scalp with the mixture. Only soaked fenugreek seeds paste is also helpful for treating dandruff.
• Cucumber being rich in silicon sulphur, is useful in treating dandruff as well as in hair fall problem. Or rub half lemon on the scalp at two hrs before washing the hair.
• Always wet your hair or apply conditioner before you go swimming [hair absorbs very well, so if you do not, it will absorb the salt or chlorine in the sea or pool]. If hair is already wet, absorption will be minimal
• Egg shampoo adds protein to your hair, so if you can use it if you have damaged, fragile, or even tinted. It is also very gentle and cleans hair without striping it of natural oils.
• For healthy hair fill you diet with lots of vegetables, vitamin A, C, B complex, iron, iodine, and copper.
• In summers, to avoid greasy hair, scrub scalp very lightly when washing hair. When scalp is scrubbed harshly, sebaceous glands are activated, and this produces more oils.
• For frizzy hair, try using a little body lotion to tone down the frizz. If you have coloured hair, always remember to cover your hair while sun bathing.
• Although scalp hair is tough and can withstand a lot of abuse, it can be damaged by too much or inexpertly applied perming, dyeing, bleaching, and massage. Occasionally the scalp is allergic to the dye and becomes inflamed and swollen. To prevent this, the dye should be tested by applying it to a small area on the arm. If a patch of inflammation has developed, the dye must not be used.
• Hair growth depends on an adequate diet. A widespread diet problem which causes loss of hair is iron deficiency anaemia. The cause is too little iron in blood, brought on by a diet containing too little meat, eggs, cereals or peas and beans. Fresh fruits and vegetables are also needed to provide vitamin C, which enables the body to absorb iron. If these cannot be substituted by food, it is wise to take the right multivitamin to fill the need for the particular vitamin.
• Summer is the time to switch to a gentler shampoo, if you’re not using an ultragentle one already. In winter, you deal with dry air, but in summer, sweat, salt water, chlorine and the sun can have the same damaging effects as chemical treatments, so you have to be more gentle to keep hair shiny and soft. Wash your hair daily. It keeps the scalp clean and prevents excess oiliness. But do not scrub the hair too hard as this may increase the oil production. Oiling of the hair should be avoided; at least the oil should not be left on the skin.

So, regardless of your skin colour [yes, even black skin can get sunburned!], you need to protect your skin and hair in summer.

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We all have used cosmetics, skin care products, imitation jewellery, fake watches, accessories, and leather shoes and purses at some point in life. Most of these personal care items need to be taken care of; otherwise, our sense of grooming would be adversely affected; especially if they cause reactions in the skin. For example, cosmetics if not maintained properly could lead to skin infections and allergies. Let us look at some accessories and the role their care plays in personal grooming.

Leather shoes and bags

• To maintain leather goods for longer, oil and polish your leather shoes regularly. Leather dries and it can crack if it becomes too dry. Use a quality saddle soap or beeswax to oil the shoes and then apply a polish to clean them, making them shine.
• Store leather shoes away from heat, even if they get wet. Stuff tissue paper or an absorbent cloth inside the wet shoes and allow them a few days to dry. Putting them near a heat source to dry causes the leather to dry too much, and it may crack.
• Slip your foot into the shoes using a shoe horn. This keeps the back of the shoe from becoming worn and damaged over time. Most leather is soft and supple and gets pressed down when the shoe is slipped on. A shoe horn makes the leather stand up.

Jewellery

• Fine jewellery requires care even though it is made from some of the most durable substances on earth. Lotions, powders, soaps and natural skin oils can cause deposits that dull the surface of a diamond or gem stone.
• Regular cleaning to remove such deposits from ordinary wear will help ensure your diamond or gem remains sparkling. One of the safest methods to clean jewellery at home is with a soft toothbrush and warm, soapy water.
• Care must be taken to not scratch the jewellery when cleaning. Then, rinse thoroughly and dry with a soft cloth.
• In case of imitation jewellery, avoid contact with water and perfume. As soon as you remove them, wipe them with dry cotton and keep then in airtight zip-lock bags.

Cosmetics

• Remember, all cosmetics come with an expiry date even if it is not mentioned on the product. Replace all cosmetics within six months. By the end of 6-7 months, whatever is left in a container may have become contaminated by contact with your hand or an applicator. Even the presence of air each time you open the container to apply make-up each day can lead to gradual build-up of bacteria, which can cause skin infections and inflammation.
• Apply make-up with clean hands and supplies. Don’t forget to wash your hands before applying or removing make-up. Use a clean washcloth, and use a make-up remover or cold milk, taking care around the eyes and nose. Wipe off spills or drips from the sides of make-up bottles or tubes. Clean out the drawer or tray where cosmetics are kept to eliminate dust, debris, hair, and other residue that can contaminate make-up products.
• Always remove cosmetics at the end of the day. Don’t sleep with cosmetics on your face. They can smear your pillow and may lead to irritation of skin, as well as become more resistant to removal the following day. Gently wipe away all vestiges of cream, powder, liner and rouge to leave your face clean and fresh.
• Tighten all product lids and completely close containers to preserve contents. Do not leave the lids here and there. Lipsticks should not be left lying open. Close, fasten or secure each item, from mascara to lip-gloss. While opening, if a product falls on the floor and is contaminated, discard it to prevent dirt from entering your pores or other facial structures like your eyelashes.
• Don’t share your cosmetics with others. While it’s tempting to borrow from a friend while at work or to lend to a sister at home, sharing cosmetics can increase the risk of contamination and contribute to bacterial build-up. Instead, carry an extra with you, in case one is dropped or dirty, or if someone asks to borrow it.
• It is recommended that all cosmetic tools such as brushes and applicators be cleaned every three months or more often. There are professional cleaners in the market, but for sensitive skin, these can cause irritation. Instead of using those, use your daily cleanser to clean your cosmetic tool. To clean hard cosmetic tools such as eyelash curlers, use a clean washcloth. Get it wet with warm water and then apply a tiny amount of your daily cleanser to the cloth. Lather into the cloth. Then take the washcloth and gently wipe or scrub the cosmetic tools. Once you have cleaned the cosmetic tools, rinse them in warm water and dry with a clean towel or let them air dry.In order to clean your cosmetic brushes, you can use a washcloth or you can just use your fingers. If you use your fingers, then start by getting your cosmetic brushes wet in warm water. Once you have done this, you can add a tiny amount of cleanser to the bristles. Gently lather the bristles through your fingers, allowing the cleanser to permeate through all the bristles. After you have done this, you can rinse the brush out in warm water. After rinsing, reshape your brushes and allow them to air dry completely before using them again. If your bristles frizz or shed, then it is time to get a new cosmetic brush.
• With the development of cosmetics research, adverse skin reactions induced by cosmetics allergy has attracted more and more attention. It would be better to take precautions to avoid getting cosmetics allergy. Remember, cosmetic allergy, just like any other allergy, is only treatable, not curable. There are some tips that can help you prevent contracting cosmetics allergy. Before using any cosmetic products, read its labels. Look out for active ingredients that can obviously trigger an allergic reaction to your skin. Find products or alternatives that do not contain such ingredients. Perform mini-patch tests to determine if a new cosmetic product is too strong for your skin. It is done by rubbing your wrist with the products and observing for any redness or rash within 24 hours. When wearing perfume, apply it on your clothes, not on your skin.Creams and ointments specifically manufactured to treat cosmetics allergy are available without prescriptions through retailers and drug stores. Most of these medications contain cortisone in the form of hydrocortisone acetate and hydrocortisone. Cortisones help curtail redness, swelling and itching during the onset of cosmetics allergy symptoms. However, it is advisable to go for these medications on the advice of a medical practitioner only.

The post Tips for personal grooming appeared first on Complete Wellbeing.

Beautiful youthful skin has a great deal to do with your diet, your digestion, your hormone and stress levels, and the state of your entire nutritional health. Anti-aging skincare means maintaining a balanced diet, drinking plenty of water; regular exercising, avoiding stress as well as maintaining a positive attitude to improve body’s immune system. The anti-aging skincare routine strives to maintain a continuous balance between the inner spirit and outward appearance as the greatest source of everlasting beauty.

Scientifically developed anti-aging treatments using a combination of natural healing agents and the latest developmental techniques can indeed have visible, measurable and positive results. With a proper amalgamation of these tools, some parts of the aging process can be slowed or delayed.

While eating right and regular exercise are the most important components of leading a long and healthy life, there is evidence supporting the notion that certain products and treatments may help us look younger. While cosmetic products improve the appearance of wrinkles, acne scars, uneven pigmentation, broken blood vessels and age spots, anyone seeking more dramatic improvements will have to look at other remedies – some performed by aestheticians, but most by dermatologists and plastic surgeons.

Here are some of the more popular anti-aging techniques and products:

• Anti-oxidants: Anti-oxidants, applied externally and ingested internally, can noticeably improve the firmness and youth of skin. Some popular antioxidants are vitamin A, B, E, CoQ10, beta carotene and selenium. It is believed that the consumption of anti-oxidants may be linked to a delay in the aging process since our bodies need them to fight off substances called free radicals, which scientists have linked to the aging process.
• Skincare: There are no shortages of wrinkle creams available, and the selection is ever-increasing. If you’re prone to skin allergies, you may want to seek a dermatologist’s help for prescription products. There are anti-aging natural skin care formulas that complement your multi-faceted anti-aging skincare process. Anti-aging skin care will diminish the fine lines and wrinkles while some of the anti-aging skincare products will put moisture and nutrients back into your skin. These anti-aging natural skincare formulas allow your skin to restore its own wrinkle control.

There are several active ingredients that have been clinically proven to be effective skin rejuvenators. These are best to be used at night prior to sleeping. One of the most effective treatments is vitamin A derivatives such a retinol, retinoic acid, retinyl palmitate and other vitamin A derivatives. The next most beneficial anti-aging skin rejuvenation treatment is a chemical exfoliant such as an alpha hydroxyl acid [AHA] or beta hydroxyl acid [BHA] product. The last consideration is including an anti-oxidant to contain the skin damaging free radicals as well as to encourage overall skin repair. Products containing vitamin C Ester, or CoQ10 are good options to explore. Then, of course, there are other viable anti-aging treatments which can be incorporated into your regime depending on your particular skin rejuvenation needs which include Kinerase or Kinetin, pycnogenol, Glycosaminoglycan, Gatuline [plant extract], albumin, Fucogel, and Copper Peptides.

• Protect your skin: Exposure to the sun is the number one cause of skin damage, including wrinkles. So protect your skin by wearing sunscreen cream with at least SPF 20. Also, wear protective hats and clothing to limit your skins exposure to the suns harmful rays.
• Hormones: Hormones are a relatively common, although controversial, form of anti-aging therapy. Some common hormone treatments include DHEA, oestrogen, testosterone and melatonin. However, these should be strictly under professional guidance.
• Moisturise: Fine lines are often brought on by dry skin cells. Therefore, keeping your skin moisturised can help to minimise their appearance.

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A: It is absolutely true that there is no harm in frequently shampooing the hair. In fact, if there is ample oil in the hair, it is always better to shampoo the hair twice. But while shampooing, the hair should not be rubbed vigorously and too much friction should not be applied. If hair is rubbed too much, the oil glands on the scalp would be stimulated and would result in increased oiliness on the scalp and in turn the hair would appear limp and lifeless. Due to increase in friction, there will be static charges produced in the hair that will cause increased breakage of the hair.

About the use of conditioner, it is a thumb rule that whatever the type of hair and how much ever times you wash them, every shampoo has to be followed by a conditioner.

Some important points to remember for hair care:

• Never use a shampoo which is combined with a conditioner. Use them separately as they are meant to serve different purposes.
• Shampoo should be used on the roots, warm water can be used, should not be left on the scalp for a longer time. Shampoo actually opens the cuticles and cleanses the hair.
• On the other hand, conditioner is never used on the roots, only on the shaft of the hair. Preferably avoid using warm water for conditioning. Conditioner will close and lay down the cuticles that were opened by the shampoo. For best results, leave the conditioner on for a few minutes prior to rinsing. Conditioner mainly gives that shine, lustre and softness to your crowning glory.

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As the ominous cold and dry winter winds ravage your skin, you ought to be ready with your army of moisturisers, cold cream, and cleansing milk. Here are a handful of tips that can go a long way to help you retain that glow and shine.

• For our mothers and grandmothers, skin care started from childhood. Massaging with body oil and lying in the open, or under the sun, was a regular practice. It helped the skin pigments synthesise vital vitamin D for the baby’s bones. With maturity, the teenage girl would be asked to pamper her skin with a paste of turmeric, besan and fresh cream.
• The changing scenario of our hectic life seems to squeeze out all the energy and youth left in you. Pollution and dirt are the worst enemies of your skin. Moreover, busy working women no longer have time to pamper themselves with home-made products. What they can find time for is just a visit to the parlour, a quick facial, and probably an application of a popular night cream during dry winter months
• Start oral evening primrose oil [EPO] capsules, 1,000 mg once daily, for three months during winter time. Apply moisturisers that have a long stay-life and are enriched with products like squalene, hyaluronic acid, essential fatty acids etc. During the day, sunscreen with in-built moisturisers of sun protection factor [SPF] > 25 is a must
• Another important enemy of modern life is the wide range of pollutants that precipitate in the winter smog. These pollutants darken your skin; the dirt particles clog the skin pores and don’t allow the skin to breathe. In the process, your skin shrinks and you look older. So, good cleansing with liquid face wash rather than soap is a must
• Application of various products only on the outer surface does not lead to an ultimate healthy skin. What one needs is a healthy diet and peaceful mind. Your meals should have ample amount of juicy fruits and vegetables along with at least 12-14 glasses of water a day. Intake of liquids helps your skin to retain the essential oils automatically and acts as a natural protection against dryness
• There are certain parts of the body that require special care during winter months. These are your feet and hands. The feet tend to crack and they are the most neglected areas constantly exposed to dirt and dryness. Apply a thick vaseline-based cream and wear soft cotton socks
• Your scalp too needs special mention as many of us suffer from dandruff that can have long-term effects like hair fall. Use a ketoconazole-containing shampoo once a week. For daily skin care, washing the hair frequently with a baby shampoo is good. Use a good brand conditioner soon after hair wash. Use of hair serums, after a wash, on moist hair is also nourishing for the hair
• To further nourish the hair, start taking 10 mg of biotin tablet daily for at least three months. Almond, castor and olive oil mixed in equal proportions can be used for massage. However, for a hair pack, mix one full egg, two tsp almond oil, one tsp of castor oil and one tsp glycerine. Apply this for one hour and rinse. Repeat weekly for at least four weeks for best results. Use a good conditioner after hair wash.

So, follow these tips and keep looking great this winter!

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