1. Exfoliation is a rule to have a flawless, smooth and supple skin and more so in the younger ages. But the frequency of exfoliation will depend further on your skin type as well as the environmental conditions. More in places like Mumbai and more frequent for those who face the direct pollution. However, it has to be gentle so that it does not harm the protective layer of skin. You can even try a home made scrub of besan (gram flour) mixed with a few lemon drops and rose water. However a skin polishing ( microdermabrasion ) once in 6 – 8 weeks done at a professional place and trained person, will be a good maintainence.
2. Try avoiding straining your forehead muscles while reading a close print. Also just before you step out of your car or house out in the glaring sun, put on the dark UV protected sun glasses as that is the time we really strain our muscles around the eyes which lead to early wrinkling around the eyes, so beautifully called crow’s feet in the animal world.
3. Smoking has been the greatest enemy of a good skin since ages. The toxins released not only makes your skin dull, dark and lifeless, but also sets in wrinkles early causing premature aging. It stains the teeth as well. Smokers are at a greater risk of sun damage on their skin as well.
4. At some point you had acne, now you are left with embarrassing, ugly scars. So the greatest tip will be DON’T PICK those acne or else they will form scars, especially if you have a similar family history. Steam your face 2 – 3 times a week and follow by applying a 2.5% benzoyl peroxide gel at night. Steam is good for the face, but to ensure that you close the pores, please follow by using a toner or an astringent.
5. For people working in closed air conditioned places for long hours ( which most of us do) there is a separate skin care. AC drives out all the essential oils and natural moisturining factors (NMF’s) out of our skin and so these have to be supplemented on a 4 hrly basis to ensure the hydration level of skin is maintained. Also for those working for long hours infront of computer, use a sunscreen mixed with a moisturizer for your skin. For those who drive two wheelers, using a helmet and a sunscreen is a good idea, but you need to.
6. Like a wardrobe, skincare is seasonal. Your skin gets flaky and dry in winter more so than in summer because cold weather destroys the lipid layer that keeps the skin from drying out. To keep your skin feeling dewy and moist even in the harsh winter weather, a stay on moisturizer every 2 -3 hrs is required. However, oral intake of 1000mg of evening primrose oil and 400mg of Vit E also helps for those getting tanned and skin getting patchy, start taking high doses of Vitamin C ( upto 2000 gms) either in natural or in tablet form. Vitamin C rich foods are sprouts, lemon, orange, amla etc. Vitamin C being water soluble is very safe even if consumed in excess.
7. Don’t use soap on the face from the very early in life. Soaps tend to leave a thin layer on your face which makes your skin look very dull and lifeless. Use a face wash. There is no logic in avoiding using face wash on face for the fear of it being a chemical. We need to get rid of the grime and dirt that we accumulate whole day on our skin and for that a face wash is a must, just how shampoos are for the hair.
8. Puffiness under your eyes Common causes of this puffiness are lack of sleep and drinking excessive alcohol. To reduce the puffiness, you can apply a cold compress until the area returns to it's original state. If alcohol is the culpret, increase your intake of fluids to rehydrate the skin.
9. Detoxification removes the toxins and other waste from the body that make our skin look dull and lifeless. Just a simple paste of coriander leaves, mint and curry patta, mixed 1/3 each taken early morning is a good detox formula and also helps in weight control.
10. Deworming is a must for all at all ages. Tab Albendazole 400 mg once in six months is a good health care regime.
Tanning is something that is ineviatable at times. Don’t panic !! Take a piece of ripe papaya or a ripe babana and rub it for 15 min on the tanned area of the body. Wash it off and use a moisturizer containing AHA’s or tea tree oil.
11. Men need to wake up to skin care too. Avoid using after shave lotion which had irritant ingredients. Use a skin soothener like aloe vera gel or a calamine lotion in case of a shaving rash. The sunscreen is more important for them as they are more exposed to the harsh environment.
12. As you start noticing the frown lines as well as the crow’s feet on your face, its time you get into wrinkle erasing procedures like botox, fillers and the latest Dermalift skin rejuvenation.
13. Treat constipation if you are suffering from any as the toxins accumulated can affect your skin adversely.
14. Get into a habit of splashing water on the face while washing your face instead of rubbing water on the skin with fingers. Even the face wash that you use first make a lather on your palm and then apply it gently on face rather than forming the lather directly on the skin.
15. Don’t be too harsh and crude while brushing your teeth. Remember it is also pulling and pushing our skin. So be gentle with our teeth, gums as well as skin.
17. For acne and oily skin, here is a superb home remedy. Take 1/3 each of rose petals, mint ( pudina) leaves and neem leaves. Boil these in water, strain it, throw away the leaves. Now the decoction obtained, set it in a ice tray and keep it in fridge. Whenever you have to go out for a party, rub your skin with this ice cube on face and then pat dry and then apply the make. You are sure to get compliments for your skin glow.
18. Two things are always taught to professional models and in beauty schools. Drink all liquids with straw , not by sipping. The advantage you will know once you do it. Secondly, walk on a straight line with a 1 kg book on your head.
Try this too. Pinch your facial skin at 20 places on your face for a few seconds and then leave it. Do this more at places where you feel the skin getting loose or sagging. This helps in increasing the blood supply and adds to skin glow. U could even blow 2 big balloons a day.
19. Try to keep smiling all the time and make a conscious effort to do this. This too increases the face value. Especially practice this while watching a horror movie r reading a detective novel. Once you master the art of smiling, no one can stop you from having the best skin and all eyes on you.
20. Don't go to bed with make up on. Makeup left on overnight seeps into your pores, clogs them, and congests your skin. Make sure that you wash your face twice at the end of the day. Once to get the makeup off. A second time to wash the skin itself. Don't use the cheapest or most expensive cosmetics. Moderately priced cosmetics are the best. They get the job done, and the ingredients are usually pretty good. You have to keep trying various brands until you find something that works well for you.
21. Hydrate your face throughout the day. Whether it's a commercial product, or one you make yourself (fill a spray bottle with distilled water, add a few drops of chamomile or essential oils, shake it gently before each use, and spray it on) hydrate your face, even over makeup, frequently throughout the day.
22. Let go of stress. Stress can show up on your face, no matter how well you take care of your skin. Do something your enjoy everyday, whether it's watching TV or going shopping. Your face reflects what's going on inside of your mind.
With inputs from Dr Satish Bhatia, Board Certified Dermatologist at the Indian Cancer Society Mumbai.
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