Your skin is your biggest asset that is about to be highlighted now that summer is here once again. Having done your fair share at the gym and sticking out with that diet, it’s now time to reap the reward that you so faithfully waited out for: the beach bod. Your skin just needs a little oomph to nail that summer rendezvous.
Fabulous, radiant skin is in! No matter how expensive your clothes may be, or how bootylicious you may seem, your skin will never fail to be noticed. So before heading out to the beach, here are a few tips on how to prep your beach-ready skin.
Back to basics. The golden rule in skin care is exfoliate, tone and moisturize. It is the tried and tested beauty formula (if there is one) to reveal healthy luscious skin hiding behind those dull, dead skin cells. As you probably know by now, washing your face with plain soap will do more harm than good. Antibacterial and deodorant soaps can be cruel to your skin, so moisturizing bars like Dove would be better. Also, look for alcohol and fragrance-free products, as these ingredients tend to strip the skin of its natural oils.
Eating and exercising. Yet again, avoiding greasy and fatty foods will prove to be beneficial not only to your health but to your skin. So instead of chomping down on chips and sodas, replace them with fruits, veggies and just plain water to lend your skin a helping hand. Whatever you choose to eat will ultimately show on your skin, as how your sedentary lifestyle shows on your figure, so it’s up to you.
Strive to exercise everyday for an hour or half. If you think that losing weight is the only motivation for getting physical, think again. Studies have shown that being active is essential to achieving good skin, because when we exercise, the brain releases a hormone called oxytocin which contributes to the rosy white glow we get. A short tip: short bursts of ten-minute activities, scattered on a whole day, is better than exercising for three hours once a week.
Masks and treatments. Who knew that your pantry holds the key to soft, radiant skin? A paste of banana, honey and orange juice are all it takes to make a moisturizing and hydrating mask. You could also try lemon juice mixed with honey and milk. Some oils like almond oil, grape seed oil, and avocado oil along with shea butter and cocoa butter are all ingredients in a skin friendly product. And remember, lukewarm water is still the best for your skin.
If you prefer professional treatments, facials are highly recommended because they help boost blood circulation and strengthen your skin’s elasticity. A massage would also yield the same effects, with guaranteed relaxation on the side.
Good timing. Moisturize approximately twenty minutes after showering, while your skin is still damp, to lock in moisture. Sometimes it’s all about timing, which is why you are advised to put on moisturizer just before sleeping because it is when the skin is most absorbent. Besides, when you sleep, your skin rejuvenates itself and builds new skin cells that is why you look refreshed and glowing after a good night’s sleep. An extra tip: slather on vaseline petroleum jelly on your feet and put on socks. You’ll have softer skin on your feet in the morning, guaranteed.
Protect. After your skin has been pampered and buffed to perfection, it’s time for the last and most important step of all in caring for your skin. NEVER ever forget to put sunscreen on liberally on every part of your skin that will be exposed to the sun 20 minutes before going out. It will shield your skin from damaging ultraviolet rays from the sun, minimize its aging effects on the skin and help prevent skin cancers. In sunblock, the rule is that the higher the number is, the better. But 15 is the minimum, usually already mixed in lotions and creams.
So, having laid out the foundation for success in caring for your skin, you’re sure to catch every eye in the crowd with your beautiful, glowing skin. Happy summer!
Jomie Jean O. Apostol
-beauty-
Sunday, February 21, 2010
An itch that won’t go away
Allergic contact dermatitis is something few people know about. I was one of those people until a dermatologist diagnosed it as my ailment.
Allergic contact dermatitis is usually caused by exposure to a substance or particle to which you are allergic to or have grown sensitive to. Likely allergens would be the following:
-Poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac
-Other plants
-Metals, especially nickel
-Medications, especially topicals (those applied to the surface of the skin)
-Rubber or latex
-Cosmetics
-Fabrics and clothing
-Detergents and solvents
-Adhesives
-Fragrances
-Other substances and chemicals
The first few days having it were torture. My skin became covered with pimple like growth, like a raised rash. Almost as if I had the measles. They hurt and they were very itchy... VERY.
I went to the dermatologist at our town but still wasn’t able to see results so I went for a second opinion. When I got back to Manila, what followed was a series of treatments, of trials and errors, and a whole lot of medication. A painfully slow process.
Truly a skin disease is an expensive one to have. Antihistamines for the itchiness became my desserts. I always had a wet towel to pat on my itching rashes. Inevitably, the itch became too much for me, and soon I had wounds and sores all over my body. I had to switch from brand of antihistamine to another, hoping for relief. Expensive brands work just as well as cheap generic ones.
It turns out that even though you have been using something repeatedly in the past, you may still develop sensitivity to it. Hence, you must consider everything if you’ve had an allergic reaction and still haven’t figured out what it is.
Symptoms of allergic contact dermatitis include:
• Itching
• Tenderness
• Skin redness/ inflammation
• Swelling
• Lesions or rashes, papules (pimple like), vesicles (blistery), and bullae (blisters)
• Oozing, draining or crusting may happen
• Can become raw, scaly or thickened
To identify the allergen, patch testing is usually done on patients whose dermatitis recur. In patch testing, patches of potential allergens are applied on the skin and removed 48 hours later to see if a reaction has occurred to any of the substances.
Treatments comprise of corticosteroid skin creams that reduce inflammation, antihistamines are also prescribed to lessen the itchiness. Avoid itching the affected part of your skin because it can cause a secondary infection and unsightly scars. Trust me, I have scars all over my body to prove it.
I always have a bottle of corticosteroid handy in my bag so that when it flares up, I’m ready.
You should be too.
Jomie Jean O. Apostol
-health-
Allergic contact dermatitis is usually caused by exposure to a substance or particle to which you are allergic to or have grown sensitive to. Likely allergens would be the following:
-Poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac
-Other plants
-Metals, especially nickel
-Medications, especially topicals (those applied to the surface of the skin)
-Rubber or latex
-Cosmetics
-Fabrics and clothing
-Detergents and solvents
-Adhesives
-Fragrances
-Other substances and chemicals
The first few days having it were torture. My skin became covered with pimple like growth, like a raised rash. Almost as if I had the measles. They hurt and they were very itchy... VERY.
I went to the dermatologist at our town but still wasn’t able to see results so I went for a second opinion. When I got back to Manila, what followed was a series of treatments, of trials and errors, and a whole lot of medication. A painfully slow process.
Truly a skin disease is an expensive one to have. Antihistamines for the itchiness became my desserts. I always had a wet towel to pat on my itching rashes. Inevitably, the itch became too much for me, and soon I had wounds and sores all over my body. I had to switch from brand of antihistamine to another, hoping for relief. Expensive brands work just as well as cheap generic ones.
It turns out that even though you have been using something repeatedly in the past, you may still develop sensitivity to it. Hence, you must consider everything if you’ve had an allergic reaction and still haven’t figured out what it is.
Symptoms of allergic contact dermatitis include:
• Itching
• Tenderness
• Skin redness/ inflammation
• Swelling
• Lesions or rashes, papules (pimple like), vesicles (blistery), and bullae (blisters)
• Oozing, draining or crusting may happen
• Can become raw, scaly or thickened
To identify the allergen, patch testing is usually done on patients whose dermatitis recur. In patch testing, patches of potential allergens are applied on the skin and removed 48 hours later to see if a reaction has occurred to any of the substances.
Treatments comprise of corticosteroid skin creams that reduce inflammation, antihistamines are also prescribed to lessen the itchiness. Avoid itching the affected part of your skin because it can cause a secondary infection and unsightly scars. Trust me, I have scars all over my body to prove it.
I always have a bottle of corticosteroid handy in my bag so that when it flares up, I’m ready.
You should be too.
Jomie Jean O. Apostol
-health-
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