Skin Problems

Pimples

I Would guess that like me, many of you have a common problem pimple that pops up at the most inappropriate and inopportune moment (actually, any time a pimple pops up is inappropriate). Be that as it may, pimples appear. And they have to be handled.

Step one is to know that a blackhead pimple, the most common of all, is oil that got clogged in the pore and, when it oxidized with the air, turned black. If this blackhead gets infected, it can turn into a pimple. But a pimple can also be a symptom of an internal problem: You ate too much greasy food and your body couldn't digest all that oil, so it secreted it through the skin; or your liver may not be functioning properly. If you often get pimples you may want to see a doctor.

Step two is to decide that the pimple is not a tragedy, that it is probably more noticeable to you than it is to those around you.

Step three is to take charge. Try to find out why you got the pimple, because some causes are treatable. Here are some examples:

Perhaps you have been under some sort of stress that can be channeled elsewhere (how about exercise?); many women under stress produce more oil which can result in a breakout.

* Perhaps you are about to menstruate; when a woman menstruates, there is a hormonal change in her system which often shows up on her face. It is common and it is easy to handle because you know it will happen each month, and you know the cause. Aida Thibiant recommends cleaning your face more often and with more regularity so that the unclogged pores will allow the flow of oil to come out more freely, leaving your pores extra clean. Changes in diet can also cause a skin breakout.

Step four is to treat the pimple. The rule is don't pick at it. it may get larger, it may bleed, it may get infected, and it will get uglier. I try a couple of things. Sometimes I take a cotton swab and dip it in alcohol or in my astringent. I then apply it to my pimple, put some medicated coverup on it, and go on with my life, knowing that I look as good as I can and that I am healing my skin in the process.

Sometimes I mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with a touch of alcohol (and rosewater, if you have it), and put a drop on the pimple. It will dry, so leave it there for thirty minutes; then wash it off (if you prefer, you can sleep with the mixture on the pimple it will reduce the redness and you can remove it in the morning). I also buy a drying stick (you can find one in any drugstore) and keep it with my skin care products. That way I always have it handy when I need it.

If I am ready to go to bed and I want the pimple to come to a head, I take a warm washcloth and press the area until the blackhead is extracted. Then I put some alcohol and some medicine on it and go to sleep.

You might try to remember that getting a pimple is nature's way of releasing oil from your body, or telling you that something is haywire in your system. Pay attention to the signs, control whatever you can, and calmly deal with the problem. And go out and face the world don't powder the you know what into oblivion; don't put extra foundation on it to call everyone's attention to it. just take care of it and remember that these pimples are temporary chances are they'll be gone by morning.

There are skin blemishes, broken capillaries and discolorations that can be treated; they can also be prevented if you know the cause.

Yellow discoloration of the skin is not jaundice caused by a liver problem) can be caused by smoking. Nicotine gives your skin a yellowish cast which should be an additional incentive not to smoke.

Broken capillaries can be caused by drinking too much alcohol. Ever notice how someone who drinks too much liquor has red splotches on the cheeks and the nose? These are broken capillaries or blood vessels, and they have been linked to alcohol consumption. Do yourself a favor stick to wine or an occasional Scotch.

Other causes of broken capillaries are eating too much spicy food and living in areas of extreme temperatures. in the latter, where people go from hot heat at home to cold outdoor temperatures, skin with broken capillaries is common. The only thing to do is to protect your skin clean and moisturize faithfully; try not to go outside with damp skin; and cover your face in extremely cold temperatures.

Skin spots have several causes. One is taking birth control pills. Another is sun, which causes "sun spots" on your skin to darken and/or get larger. These spots can be bleached and removed by a dermatologist, but you can avoid them by staying out of the sun, especially without protection and when you are taking any medication, particularly an antibiotic or a sulfa drug. Ask your doctor if the medication you are taking can make your skin sensitive to the sun.

Another reason for sun spots may surprise you perfume. Putting perfume on your face or neck before going out into the sun may cause a "photosensitive" reaction which results in spots on your skin.

Other skin blemishes can be caused by allergies. I have a friend in her thirties who, three years ago, suddenly developed acne. She went to numerous doctors and no one could discover the cause of the problem. But, smart lady that she is she discovered it on her own. A couple of months ago she got rid of her pillows and bought new ones, just as a redecorating step. The day she threw out the old pillows, her skin cleared up.

Thus, if you suddenly develop a skin reaction small, hard pimples that seem to sprout up overnight see a doctor, but also try to figure out if there is anything you are doing that is different from your routine. Are you wearing a new fabric, using a new detergent, spending more time around animals, using a new cosmetic all of these can cause reactions on your skin. And what's more aggravating and puzzling you can suddenly develop an allergy to something you have been using for a very long time, whether it's a skin care product or a pillow. So be aware that allergies can show upon your skin. Try to localize the source and then treat your skin.

wrinkles

Everybody has some wrinkles, and once you have them, you have them. You won't be able to give them away, no matter how hard you try. That is why preventive skin care is so essential you can delay and prevent premature wrinkle lines on your face if you care for your skin all your life, starting at a young age.

Premature wrinkles are caused by stretching the skin, by exposure to ultraviolet rays of the sun, by stress in your life, by lack of sleep, by dry skin and by heredity.

What you can do for wrinkles other than try to remove them with plastic surgery, which is only successful with some kinds of facial lines is to keep them moisturized, because the moisture is absorbed by the skin and fills out the lines. This simply means keeping your skin moisturized as in the skin routine it does not mean you should smear globs of oil on your skin, hoping to fill in or erase years of abuse and neglect. Many women figure they'll put oil on their faces, go to bed and their wrinkles will diminish, if not disappear. What actually happens is that they wake up with a puffy face, sometimes a slightly swollen one and that is why the lines seem to go away. And, like all short term remedies, the swelling will go down, and the lines will return.

The things to do include the following: 1. You can wear a sun block to protect your face from the sun so the wrinkles and I ines won't get worse. the skin.

2. You can avoid crash diets which stretch out the skin.

3. You can try not to sleep on your face, which also stretches

4. You can use creams with collagen, which nourish your skin and fill it in.

5. You can use light, moisturized foundation heavy coverup will only accentuate the wrinkles.

6. You can embark on a simple skin care routine that will keep your skin in as good condition as possible.

But don't stop laughing, or crying, or otherwise letting life show on your face. Our faces are the sum of our life experiences, our inner souls. An expressionless, perfectly smooth face is indeed lifelessand therefore not really beautiful. Beauty is pretty features and good skin, but more than that, it is energy, enthusiasm, enjoyment, experience, a zest for life. Let it show on your face; it is what mak es you you.