Rohini Wadhwani, Author at Complete Wellbeing

Skin: The inside story

Rohini Wadhwani — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 10:51:00 +0000

How we glow when we are happy or in love, and get red in the face when we are angry—our skin actually reflects our emotions. It also reflects our food habits. So, for the perfect skin, eat what the skin loves and stay happy.

Food for your skin

Your skin projects the overall health of your body and hence, any disturbance inside the body affects the skin. Therefore, eating right is of utmost importance. It sends the right nutrition to your blood, purifying it, which in turn helps the body. So, do not cut fat completely from your diet; it is the lubricating factor and also gives glow to your skin. And if you exercise often, you lose toxins from your body, which should be substituted by right balance of proteins, carbohydrates and fats.

Water your skin loves

Our skin comprises of 60 per cent water. Thus, it is imperative to drink enough water to keep that level to avoid unhealthy and dry skin.

Vitamins your skin loves

Vitamin A repairs body tissue, prevents skin dryness and ageing. Sources: Yellow and orange vegetables, carrots, and apricots.

Vitamin B improves circulation and skin colour. Sources: Vitamin B5-rich foods like raw milk, cheese, natural plain yogurt and green leafy vegetables.

Vitamin C provides support and elasticity to your skin thus delaying the onset of wrinkles. Sources: Citrus fruits, lemon, amla, berries.

Vitamin D is widely used to treat psoriasis. It plays a role in skin cell metabolism and growth and hence relieves itching and flaking of the skin. Sources: It is produced inside our body when the skin comes in contact with sunlight. Other sources include egg yolk, butter and cheese.

Vitamin E avoids cellular damage by preventing the formation of free radicals. It also enhances healing and tissue repair process. It slows down cellular ageing and prevents formation of wrinkles. Sources: Almonds, asparagus, avocados, fish, corn, soy bean oil, spinach, and walnuts.

Vitamin K promotes healing of skin discolourations, improves the healing and appearance of scars and corrects skin imperfections. Sources: Green vegetables, lettuce, spinach, lentils, egg yolk, broccoli, brussel sprouts and cabbage.

Minerals your skin loves

Zinc acts as an astringent and may help in the treatment of acne among other benefits. It also helps heal wounds, Sources: Almonds, avocado, banana, cashew, cucumber, kiwi, lettuce, onion, milk, peas, tomatoes.

Selenium aids in preventing cancer and prevents inflammatory skin diseases such as psoriasis and eczema. It increases the rate of skin burn wound healing and is anti-ageing. Sources: Oats, wheat, meat such as poultry and beef, seafood such as tuna, eggs, and cheese.

Sulphur keeps the skin smooth and youthful. Sources: Garlic, onions, eggs, and asparagus.

Herbs your skin loves

Turmeric has antiseptic properties and therefore is useful in treating pimples and minor skin infections, irritations, or burns.

Aloe vera has a soothing, healing, and moisturising effect on the skin. When applied externally [for exfoliation], it also helps remove dead skin cells.

Ginger is used in skin care products to combat cellulite and in massage oil products to warm, soothe and relax skin. It restores youthful radiance of the skin, and smoothes out rough skin.

Calendula prevents skin from over-drying, inhibiting the formation of sun-caused wrinkles. Due to the high content of carotenes, phytosterols and polyphenols, it also delays premature ageing of the skin.

Tea tree oil is effective to treat acne, abscess, athlete’s foot, blisters, burns, cold sores, insect bites, oily skin, rashes, spots, warts and wounds. It can also be used to cure sunburn, diaper rash, toe nail infections and problems of smelly feet.

Other foods your skin loves

Evening primrose oil contains gamma-linolenic acid [GLA], an essential fatty acid reputed to strengthen skin cells and boost their moisture content. It helps in rejuvenating your skin, lightens dark circles, acts as an anti-ageing agent, improves firmness and reduces skin blemishes and redness.

Carotenoids helps protect the skin against harmful ultraviolet [UV] radiation from the sun. These are a highly coloured group of plant pigments that are known to be potent antioxidants found in carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, kale, and tomatoes.

Biotin is essential for maintaining healthy skin and prevents hair loss and premature greying of hair. It is present in common foods such as nuts, fruit, oats egg yolk, milk, and brewer’s yeast.

Flaxseed has anti-inflammatory properties, reduces skin irritation and redness, fastens healing of skin bruises and skin wounds, helps prevent or slow the development of skin cancer. It also assists in the maintenance of younger looking skin, and plays a role in treating and reducing skin problems and dandruff.

Olive oil prevents dry skin and stretch marks and acts as a good moisturiser.

Sleep and glow

Sleeping time is when our skin undertakes its maintenance and damage repair activities. To aid in its work, the body too produces more proteins during this time. The enhanced protein production ensures proper rejuvenation and revamping of the tissues and cells. So, not sleeping well or enough deprives the skin of its repair time, which is bound to show up on the face—dark under-eye circles, swollen eyes, sagging, dull and sallow skin, and early onset of wrinkles, crow’s feet and laugh lines.

Sleep experts say that we need 7 – 9 hours of sleep every night. However, with the current hectic schedules that men and women follow, it becomes difficult to get the required amount of sleep. So manage your work effectively and find ways to get your quota of sleep.

— Team CW

pH protection

By Satish T Bhatia

The skin wields a very effective weapon—a slightly acidic layer known appropriately as ‘the Acid Mantle’, a fine film that prevents the growth of bacteria that might enter through the skin and cause harm. It is measured by pH. The pH of healthy human skin ranges between 4.5 and 6 [in adults], especially in our 20s.

As we hurtle towards our 30s and 40s, the pH starts to increase causing bacterial growth and infections. Due to this, the skin begins to lose its elasticity and firmness, tends to become more dry and as a result starts sagging.

The pH also increases due to problems unrelated with age like repetitive washing, and using alkaline cleansing agents. In dealing with skin problems, therefore it is important that the pH of the skin be kept within the normal range [the ideal is a pH of 5.5].

To help do that, use cleansing agents made from natural ingredients with minimum allergenic potential, devoid of harsh chemicals, conforming to highest quality standards.

Satish T Bhatia holds a post-graduate degree in dermatology with honours. He is the first Indian to get a diploma in Dermabrasion from MEDICAMAT, France and is based in Mumbai.

Reverse effect

Skin diseases are just another example of organ dysfunction like heart disease or diabetes. But, because skin is plays an important role in social interactions, diseases of the skin create a major impact on the psyche of the person.

The effects of disorders like acne, eczema, vitiligo and psoriasis are so visible that they cause tremendous shame and isolation. For instance, in a vitiligo study 40 per cent of patients reported depression. And vitiligo is purely a cosmetic condition.

— Team CW

The post Skin: The inside story appeared first on Complete Wellbeing.

Skin care: Cleanse, Tone, Moisturise, Protect

Rohini Wadhwani — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +0000

A good daily skin care routine is vital to keep your skin clean, hydrated, protected, healthy and glowing. And for this, it is important to make cleansing, toning, moisturising and protecting a regular feature in your routine.

Skin care routine

It is absolutely vital to determine your skin type prior to using any product on your skin. This is because the type of products you use will depend on your skin type. Your skin care professional will help you to know your skin type after checking your skin.

Cleansing

Cleansers are of various types. Those with dry skin should use a cream cleanser while those with oily skin should use a medicated cleanser with salicylic acid designed to reduce breakouts. Wash your face with warm water to loosen dirt and clogged pores. Then apply the cleanser in a gentle circular motion or with gentle upwards strokes and rinse thoroughly with cool water to close the pores.

Tip: Never use very hot or very cold water.

Toning

Toners remove any residual cleanser left on your skin. Always use a toner formulated for your skin type. Those with very dry skin should use an alcohol-free toner, also called a tonic. The toner is applied with the help of a cotton ball, using a gentle upwards stroke.

Moisturising

Moisturisers just like cleansers are of various types. If you have dry skin use an oil/cream based moisturisers, very sensitive skin then avoid moisturisers containing AHA’s [alpha hydroxy acids], perfumes and use moisturisers developed specially designed for sensitive skin using hypoallergenic products. Those with oily skin should opt for a gel-based moisturiser or one with in-built sunscreen.

Handy tips

Apart from following the normal skin care routine you must:

Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration.
Shower immediately after exercising to maintain hygiene.
Wear open shoes to allow circulation, especially if you perspire a lot on the feet. This will keep odours away and prevent fungal infection due to the dampness.
Use a deodorant if you suffer from excess perspiration and body odours.
Wear loose cotton clothing to keep comfortable and prevent sun burns
Apply sun-block on all exposed areas.

Many women notice that their skin is extra oily around the time of their menstrual periods, during pregnancy, or at menopause.

To keep oil in control, cleanse the skin using a face wash at least twice daily. Also use a toner or astringent at home.

A natural astringent could be a few drops of eau de cologne in cold water. Scrub your face at least once a week using rice powder, lemon juice and water or oatmeal and milk.

Protection

Use a sun block with SPF 15 or 30, depending on your daily activity 20 – 30 minutes before going in the sun.

It is best to avoid sun tan

A tan is a result of exposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun. If the amount of exposure to the sun or other ultraviolet light source exceeds the ability of the body’s protective pigment, melanin, to protect the skin then sunburn will result. Now let us understand why we tan.

Dermatologists classify skin in its relationship to sensitivity to the sun by using a rating system called as Fitzpatrick Classification of Skin Types.

Type I: Very sensitive, always burns easily going very red in sunlight, never tans

Type II: Very sensitive, always burns going red after sunlight, minimal tan after

Type III: Sensitive, burns moderately going red, tans gradually with a light tan

Type IV: Moderately sensitive rarely going red, tans easily going brown

Type V: Minimally sensitive, rarely burns, going brown always, dark brown

Type VI: Never burns, always deeply pigmented, black.

A tan is better prevented than treated. Effective sunscreens protect from UVA and UVB [long and short wavelengths of ultraviolet light], which are responsible for tanning, burning and cancerous changes in the skin. Wearing a sunscreen with high sun protection factor [SPF] is recommended. I usually suggest a sunscreen with an SPF level of 30 or greater. It should be generously applied 15 – 30 minutes before sun exposure, and re-applied every hour during and after swimming. You can also opt for make-up with sun protection.

There are two ways of getting rid a tan. One is to moisturise and gently exfoliate the skin daily to remove dead cells and help in new cell formation. Every three weeks, skin cells are replenished, and new skin cells make their way up from the lowest level of the epidermis. The secret to exfoliating is to make way for new skin cells by getting rid of dead skin cells. For those prone to tanning, a natural bleach like curd + lemon juice+ honey or egg white + corn flower + lemon juice can be used. Potato juice mixed with lemon juice is also a good exfoliator. These should be applied, kept for 5 – 10 minutes, and then rinsed off using warm water. You can also use a home-made oatmeal scrub or sugar and lime.

Second is to undertake a sun-tan removal treatment using ingredients such as tyrosine peptides, arbutin [skin whitening agent], vitamin C, mulberry extract, and liquorice extracts, which help to achieve overall lightening effects quickly. There are a variety of tan removal treatments available. These help to remove the tan by 70 – 90 per cent in a single treatment and can be undertaken weekly or monthly.

Pimples can be managed

Pimples or heat boils are caused due to excessive oil production, toxins, pollution and unhealthy habits.

For those who suffer from pimples, it is best to use products containing tea tree oil, aloe vera, fuller’s earth [multani mitti], witch hazel [natural astringent], and zinc. Tea tree oil is effective as it contains bacteria-fighting substances. Aloe vera has a soothing effect on the skin. It also has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. Aloe vera can be used fresh from the plant. This can also be refrigerated and used cool to calm the skin.

Homemade packs containing Fuller’s earth [mixed with yogurt] and witch hazel may also be used.

Bathe at least twice daily and cleanse your skin well. This is especially important for those who perspire a lot. Fresh fruits, leafy green vegetables and water also help to keep skin healthy. Also, keep the skin calm and cool by using products containing calamine, cucumber or aloe vera. It is best to avoid comedogenic agents like cocoa butter, linseed oil, acetylated lanolin, butyl stearate, and isopropyl myristate.

Looking perfect isn’t just about your make-up routine. Healthy skin begins from within. Hence it is absolutely essential to treat the skin from the inside as well as from the outside.

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