Blackheads
Blackheads are so
common, yet many of us do know what they are. We know
even less about dealing with them. However, they can
be controlled and even prevented by taking regular care
of the skin.
Blackheads are caused
by over active sebaceous glands (the oil producing glands
of the skin). The excess secretion of oil expands and
thickens the pores of the skin. The oil collects in
the pores and hardens into a plug. The pores are then
clogged with hardened sebum or oil. Since the pores
are open, the tip of the clogged grease is exposed to
the air and oxidises, turning black. Hence, blackheads
are formed.
Oily skins naturally
tend to attract dirt and grime from the environment
and these pollutants also collect in the pores with
hardened oil Blackheads cause the pores to be further
enlarged and people with oily skins end up with a skin
texture that is coarse and trough. Apart from the fact
that blackheads look unsightly, they are the cause of
acne. When a pore is fully blocked, the oil gland can
get infected resulting into a pimple. Therefore, the
control of blackheads is one way of preventing acne.
Blackheads not only
appear on the face, but on the back, chest and other
areas that are rich in sebaceous glands.
Blackhead
extraction is a professional job and it should be left
to people who know exactly know how to do it. Never
pick at them. Tampering with the skin by forcing blackheads
out brutally can damage the skin tissue by destroying
the inner layer. The counter part of the blackhead is
the whitehead, which is also caused by collection of
sebum in the pores, but in this case the pores are not
open and the sebum is not exposed to the air.
Effective methods for removing Blackheads.
It is most important
to keep the skin scrupulously clean.
-
Use an oatmeal
or almond mask thoroughly to cleanse your face.
Mix either oatmeal or almond powder with enough
rose water to make a soft paste that spreads easily
on the skin. Rub it on your skin with your fingertips,
paying special attention the problem areas. Leave
to dry for about 15 minutes and then rinse off with
cold water.
-
Apply undiluted
lemon juice, two to three times a day, on the affected
areas.
-
solution made
out of one and a half cups of hot water and half
a tablespoon of boric powder is an ideal concoction
for blackheads, Saturate a face napkin in this hot
solution and press on to the skin, repeat twice.
Extract blackheads carefully with a blackhead remover
and sterilized cotton wool. Pat on an astrigent.
-
Warm a little
honey and apply on the trouble spots. Wash off after
10-15 minutes.
Try out these home
remedies for cleaning out your blackheads yourself or
get in touch with a qualified beautician
Spots
Spots and acne are
the result of oily skin, stress and the wrong use of
skin care products and cosmetics. These are not easy
to get rid of and they tend to crop up at the wrong
time. What you need is to give them a hard time by robbing
them of a friendly environment.
Oily
skin needs to be exfoliated to keep the pores clear
and unclogged. Instead of covering spots with a concealor
that can further clog your pores, dab on an anti-acne
formula and face powder to absorb excess oil.
Stress
from job pressures and the demands of motherhood also
trigger breakouts. Birth control pills high in certain
progestins can cause spots, too. Besides, using the
wrong cleanser or cosmetics not meant for your skin
type can also lead to clogged pores and blemishes. To
keep skin clear, use a pre-soap cleanser meant for your
specific skin type, followed by a good moisturizing
routine (only on dry areas).
All
too many people are driven to the myth that sunlight
helps dry out pimples. Exposure to sun may dry skin
slightly, but the effect is temporary. In fact, heat,
humidity and UV rays can intensify acne by stimulating
oil production, leading to thick skin that further causes
of clogged pores.
A
cosmetic way to camourflage spots and to give your skin
a smooth matte finish is to rub some loose face powder
into your palms. Rub hands together lightly and apply
powder over the face. Then dust off the excess with
a powder brush.
The T-Zone
Oily skin can be
checked with proper exfoliation, which keeps the pores
clear and unclogged. However, if you have a shiny T-Zone,
use a face mask to de-shine. Alternatively, blot excess
oil with a tissue before touching up with powder.
Wrinkles
wrinkles surface
first around eyes and the mouth and are sign that the
skin lacks hydration. You can put a hold on them by
keeping your skin protected from excessive exposure
to sun and using a wrinkle-control formula. Though the
sun gives us vitamin D, which is great for the complexion,
going out in the sun without proper protection is an
open invitation for wrinkles in the long run. It can
even lead to melanoma(skin cancer).
So
use a sunscreen over the face and body before you expose
yourself to the rays of the sun. Don't skip the routine
when the sky is overcast, for haze and clouds don't
block those damaging UV rays. Wear sunglasses with UV
protection and make sure your sunscreens stays put.
Blotchiness
blotchiness is another
side effect caused by taking in too much sun. Prevent
it with daily sunscreen of at least SPF 15 and regular
exfoliation (with masks, scrubs and lotions). To conceal
blotchiness, apply foundation and loose face powder
to integrate the skin tone. Extreme cases can be tackled
with a concealer, followed by loose powder and appropriate
make-up. To polish away any unevenness, you can apply
a slightly shimmered powder.
Sunburn
never exfoliate
your skin when it is sunburn and in the red, sore, tender
stage. Wait until all redness disappears before resuming
exfoliation. If you are using a prescription skin-peeling
drug for acne or sun damage, ask your doctor if addition
exfoliation is advisable.
Broken
capillaries or spider veins: These are tiny dilated
blood vessels or capillaries, usually visible on the
face and legs. Exposure to the sun, wind, spicy food,
alcoholic drinks and temperature extremes can aggravate
the problem.
Besides
the above-mentioned problems, the skin undergoes a change
during menopause, too. It becomes much drier and you
should use a mild soap to clean it gently. Stepped-up
exfoliation will bring new cells to the surface (because
cell renewal slows down with age). You can try a good
emollient in addition to a moisturizing lotion. Remember
that sun damage is additive. As your age, your immune
system starts slowing down and can't respond as vigorously
to a problem as it used to. Learn it help it along.
Excess hair
Unwanted hair on
the body or face does not necessarily indicate a hormonal
imbalance. Prevalent in a large number of perfectly
normal women, especially as they get older, it is frequently
an inherited characteristic common to either specific
families or races. Women are particularly prone to develop
hair where they donut want it during the glandular changes
connected with fertility. Most girls can trace the beginnings
to the onset of puberty, pregnancy or menopause. Occasionally
excessive hair can be the result of a physical ailment
or a glandular disturbance resulting in an imbalance
of the male and female sex hormones. It could even develop
as a side effect of steroid creams or hormone pills
prescribed to treat other conditions. But these disorders
are infrequent causes of excessive hair.
Ways of handling unwanted hair
For some women,
excess hair can be cunningly concealed by bleaching.
Mix six per cent hydrogen peroxide with 20 drops of
ammonia per 28 grams of peroxide. Either household ammonia
or ammonia water can be used.
Apply immediately
after mixing and leave it on for about half an hour.
If the hair is not bleached enough with one application,
repeat in a day or so. If the freshly mixed bleach does
not perform properly, the cause may be inactive, old
peroxide or insufficient ammonia.
Waxing
One of the oldest
methods of temporary hair removal, it is also the least
popular. It is most often used for the removal of hair
from the upper lip or chin. As the hair is plucked beneath
the surface, relatively, just above the root, the results
of waxing are reasonably long lasting. Usually it takes
several weeks for new growth to become evident.
Depilatories
Chemical depilatories
are used primarily for the arms and legs. They should
not be used on the face unless specifically stated on
the product label. And they should never be used if
there are breaks in the skin.
Although a few quick
acting depilatories are now available, a depilatory
generally takes 10 to 15 minutes to work on some areas
like the underarms or legs. Many women consider this
inconvenient, for shaving can be faster. Also, some
products may have an unpleasant smell. On the other
hand, using a depilatory does not have the masculine
connotation of shaving.
It is claimed that
the results of depilatories last longer than those of
shaving because the hair is removed closer to the skin
surface, but the difference is probably only sight.
Chemical depilatories
are usually in cream form, and their effectiveness various
according to the type of hair growth. A thin hair is
destroyed in a shorter time than a thick one. They may
not be effective on some people and on some parts of
the body.
The first time you
use a depilatory, try it on a small area to see if the
product causes a skin reaction. If this happens, discontinue
using the product. Follow the directions on the packet
carefully. The manufacturer has included them to ensure
maximum safety and efficiency. Pay attention to the
length of time the preparation is to be left on your
skin.
Pumice stones
Among the oldest
devices used for temporary hair removal, they are used
most often for removing rough skin on heels and elbows.
Rubbing pumice over the skin generates mechanical friction,
which wears off hair at the skin surface.
The device is inexpensive,
easy to use and not as likely as chemical depilatories
to cause skin irritation. It is, also, slow and tedious
to use and impractical for large areas. If the abrasive
is rubbed too vigorously, your skin will feel irritated.
Once the hair is
removed, regular treatments afterward may be less time
consuming since the hair will be short. Hair growth
may become less coarse or dense after years of using
a pumice, but this method will not remove hair permanently.
After using a pumice,
gently massage oil or body lotion into the area to lessen
skin irritation produced by the abrasion.
Shaving
This can be done
by electric razor or by hand. The secret is to use a
sharp blade every time. There are throwaway, curved
razors that give the equivalent of two or three dozen
smooth shaves.
Be sure your skin
is wet. Wet hair is easier to shave because it is soft
and pliable. Lathering with either soap and water or
shaving cream will help further.
Use lashings or
body oil or moisturizer on your legs after shaving because
the procedure can make your skin very dry.
Electrolysis
A safe way to remove
hair permanently is by destroying the hair root with
an electric current. This method electrolysis destroys
the hair root at the bottom of the follicle and loosens
the hair, which is then removed from the follicle with
tweezers.
If you buy depilatory
creams, or mitts, or wax, you will use them forever
because hair never stops growing until late in life,
and that is when you are too old to care.
So, what age can
you begin electrolysis at ? Like everything else, it
is getting younger all the time. Children start to shave
and pencil eyebrows earlier on, their bodies develop
sooner.
To mothers, experts
say : "If you have a daughter 12 years old and she is
developing superfluous hair, she should have it seen
to now, and not left until she is made miserable and
perhaps psychologically hurt."
Electrolysis is
very simple. A needle so fine it is like a hair itself,
is inserted into the follicle where the hair comes out.
This is charged with electricity and zap – the cells
are destroyed. No more hair should grow there.
Now sometimes this
mild current causes discomfort. It depends on which
part of the face or body it is being applied to. On
the things and the breast, it is not very bad, but on
the knees and the ankles, it can be painful
Simple Facial Exercises
If you want firmer
facial skin, and want to look years younger just follow
these ten exercises every morning and watch the age
on your face fade away.
Face tapping - to
get the circulation going
Tap 20 times on
each dot with the pads of your middle fingers. From
the bridge of your nose work out along your eyebrows,
then in round the top of your cheekbone. Tap up from
the sides of your mouth to each inner eye. Then out
from the chin along the jaw line to each ear. Make sharp,
light, very quick taps as if you are testing a very
hot iron.
Ear massage - to
get your face glowing
With index fingers
and thumbs, hold the top rim of your ears and pull upwards.
Massage, making small circles between fingers and thumb.
Move down all round the rim of the ears, pulling ears
out gently and massaging. When you reach the lobes,
pull them down slightly and massage for about one minute.
Repeat this sequence if you have time. Then, with small,
quick circular movements, massage all the crevices and
spirals of the ear. Use the surface of the nails of
your index fingers, or the pads of your middle fingers.
Throat massage -
to beautify your neck
Put the fingers
of one hand on one side of your throat and the thumb
on the other. Make rapid circular motions up and down
the throat. Repeat with the other hand.
Gum stimulation
- for glowing gums
With finger tips
of knuckles, make circles just above the jaw line along
the gums.
Under-chin slaps
- to sharpen your jaw line
Slap quickly and
lightly under your chin 30 times with the back of one
hand.
Hair massage - to
stimulate hair growth and soothe headaches
With pads of your
fingertips, massage in small circles all along the front
of your scalp for at least 30 seconds. Then take large
fistfuls of hair and gently pull upwards. Now clench
your hands into fists and lightly pound your scalp about
20 times.
Face Stroking -
to soothe, relax and generally uplift face and mind
Start with the flat
of your right hand against your chest and stroke up
to your jaw line, then immediately follow with your
left. Continue alternating like this for at least ten
strokes.
Next, immediately
smooth the palms and fingers of your hands over your
face very, very lightly. Start at the jaw line, move
up and over your cheeks and each side of your nostrils,
gently over the eyes and over the forehead to the hairline,
then back down the sides of your face to your jaw. Repeat
five to ten times in a continuous motion.
Now glide your middle
fingers towards the bridge of your nose, out along your
eyebrow, down your cheekbones and back to the bridge
of your nose. Make ten of these light circular movements.
Then with your middle
fingers on the bridge of your nose, stroke up towards
your forehead. Place all fingers (not thumb) on your
forehead and smooth outwards towards your temples; hold
for a moment, pressing down slightly. Continue lightly
down the side of your face, back along up from the bridge
of your nose. Do this ten times.
Temple pressures
- to lift eye area and whole face.
Leaning back in
a chair, place the base of your palm or the pads of
your fingertips against your temples and push upwards.
At the same time, suck your tongue against the top of
your mouth keeping your back teeth together. Hold this
for a count of ten, increasing to 20. Slowly release
and relax.
Exercise your mouth
- to lift lip lines
Sit or stand, looking
into the mirror. Open your mouth quite wide, as if about
to yawn. Pull in the sides to form an oval. Now curve
your lips over teeth. Then slowly to the count of ten,
close your lips until they are about 1.5cm (1/2in) apart.
You will feel an upward pull. Release very slowly.
Finish by closing
your eyes for a few moments, breathing deeply and gently
and allowing yourself to drift off into a peaceful place.
Home Truths
It
never fails. Just when you thought you’d seen the last
of the face invaders, they’re back and larger than life!
Suddenly, you feel like an alien, and the only thing
you want to do move…to another planet. But wait! Instead
of waging war on you skin by blasting blemishes wit
supersonic zit creams and harsh scrubbing, take the
kinder, gentler approach, just like the women from the
past who made good use of everyday items like fruits,
vegetables, nuts and cereals for enhancing their beauty.
Grandma’s recipes obviously work, because even the most
exotic spas of Europe are veering towards herbal and
natural therapies.
The
best part? You can whip these up in seconds using things
that are sitting in the refrigerator or on the kitchen
shelf. Masks, facials, packs and cleansers made of homegrown
stuff all work in gentle, natural ways to soothe, stimulate,
relax, tone or clear the skin. Though you may go according
to different or problem skin types, a tutti-frutti approach
may be better: everyone’s skin is a combination of oily
and dry elements. You might want to use a mask for oily
skin on the nose, forehead and chin and mask for dry
skin everywhere else.
You
can even take a Chinese restaurant approach, and combine,
say honey with egg in the same skin category. However,
you can cook up your mask, apply it to a cleansed skin
and let it do the good work for fifteen or twenty minutes
while you relax. Feet up on the pillows or resting on
the slant board will double the benefits of any helper
you put on the skin. Remember, skin is an all-over affair.
Don’t stop with just nourishing your face – spread the
good work to hands, to the throats and shoulders. After
twenty minutes, splash away the facial with cool or
lukewarm water.
What
is your skin type? Get a head start on the road to a
dear complexion by understanding the basics:
- Oily sin usually
has a shiny surface, visible pores and is prone
to breakouts.
- Dry skin often
feels taut, slightly rough and tends to chap and
flake.
- Combination skin
is oily at the T-zone (the forehead, nose and chin)
and drier on the cheeks.
- Sensitive skin
is thin, delicate and easily irritated. It has a
red and blotchy.
Natural Masks
-
Break two large
bananas, toss into a blender along with half of
the peel and one tablespoon of raw honey. Blend
to liquefy, pat on, let dry for 20 minutes.
-
Mix equal proportions
of honey, fresh cream, or oats and almond paste.
Pat on, let dry for 20 minutes.
-
Peel and pit an
avocado, liquefy in the blender with one tablespoon
of raw honey. Pat on, let dry for 20 minutes. Rinse
off with cool water.
Oily Skin Masks
-
Wash and core
two crisp apples, but do not peel, liquefy the whole
thing into the blender. Pat on, let dry for 20 minutes.
Splash on with cool water.
- Wash a big, ripe
tomato and liquefy the whole thing in the blender.
Pat on, let dry for 20 minutes, splash off with
cool water.
Two nourishing masks for all skin types:
-
Blend two egg
yolks, two tablespoons of honey, three drops of
almond oil. Pat on, let dry for 20 minutes. Rinse
off with cool water.
- Grind half a cup
of yellow mustard seeds, adding 2 liters of water
in it. Also grind in a few rose petals. Apply on
skin. Let dry for 20 minutes. Rinse well.
One Clarifying facial mask, good for all skins
(to be used occasionally):
This does with gentle
natural enzymes what skin-slouching creams, peelers
and exfoliating lotions do with chemical – it removes
dead, dry skin cells on the surface to expose fresh
clear skin.
- Peel a ripe banana
and puree in the blender. Pat on the fruit, let
dry for 20 minutes. Rinse off with cool water.
Two cleansing and bleaching masks (for faded,
end of summer tans as well as winter-drab or season-change
sallow skin)
-
Add the juice
of two lemons to one cup of buttermilk. blend, pat
on, let dry for 20 minutes. Splash off with cool
water.
-
Liquefy one whole
lemon (washed, not peeled) and half an orange (washed,
not peeled) in the blender, add one cup of plain
yogurt. blend, pat on, let dry for 20 minutes. Rinse
off with cool water.
Here are a few more
any-time masks
-
For a glowing
skin, cucumber mixed with fresh coconut water gives
remarkable results.
-
use mashed bananas
and strawberries as a pack to freshen up the complexion.
-
For curing pimples,
apply a mixture of haldi (turmeric) and sandalwood
on the face.
-
Pimples can also
be cured with a light massage of rose and sevti
flowers extract. The extract is easily prepared
by distilling a number of flowers in a distilling
apparatus. The extract should be applied on the
pimples three times a day .
