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7 Tips For Healthy Skin And Hair In Winter

Healthy Skin And Hair

Winter is approaching and though this season has its own charm, it could wreak havoc on your skin and hair. Cold, breezy conditions can leave your skin and hair dry, itchy, and irritated. Artificial heating systems can also zap moisture from the air, causing dullness, itchiness in skin and hair. You need to take extra care to combat the effects of winter on your skin and hair.

To keep your skin and hair protected through the seasonal changes, make some easy changes to your everyday routine. Instead of spending hours stocking up on endless beauty products, all you need to do is to follow smart strategies that can protect your skin and hair against the cold and keep you covered through the entire season. Here are 7 easy-to-follow hair and skin winter tips:

Winter Skin Care

  1. Apply Moisturizer: Be it summer or winter, follow a daily skin moisturizing regimen to maintain healthy skin. The ideal time to apply moisturizer is right after your bath. Choose the right product as what kept your skin healthy during summer may not work during winter. The key to healthy and glowing winter skin is using mild skin care products. You can consider investing in a humidifier for your home – it will add moisture to the dry winter air and help keep your skin hydrated.

  2. Shower in Lukewarm Water: Taking a hot shower can be soothing in the biting cold, but it’s not good for your skin. Hot water dries out the skin quickly by stripping it of its natural oils, causing cracks and winter eczema. Use lukewarm water to shower and wash your face. Apply a moisturizer that contains hyaluronic acid and ceramides to prevent dryness and protect your skin’s natural oils.

  3. Don’t Step Out Without Sunscreen: Though the winter sun may not appear as strong as summer sun, its harmful UV rays can still cause damage. Apply sunscreen or a moisturizer with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or more before you step out.

  4. Don’t remain in Wet Clothes for too long: After walking and playing in the snow, change your wet clothes as soon as possible. Wearing wet clothes for a long time can irritate your skin and cause itchiness.

  5. Don’t Over-exfoliate Your Skin: Though exfoliation helps in getting rid of dead cells, you need to be careful not to overdo it in winter. Your skin barrier is already compromised due to the dry and cold weather and over-exfoliation can cause skin damage. Depending on your skin type, exfoliating once a week is sufficient to boost skin regeneration and better absorption of skin care products.

  6. Eat Right And Healthy: To prevent dry, itchy skin, eat foods that are rich in essential fatty acids, such as walnuts, flax, and tuna. Fatty acids form part of the skin’s natural moisture retaining barriers. Include foods high in water content that will help hydrate your skin from the inside out. For essential nutrients, eat nuts and fruits. To support the healthy production of collagen and elastin, eat foods rich in vitamin C and zinc.

  7. Stay Hydrated: The skin tends to dry up in winter. Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water can keep your skin hydrated.

Winter Hair Care

  1. Don’t go outdoors with wet hair: Stepping out with your wet hair in cold weather can damage your tresses. Cold weather can increase the risk of breakage and make your hair color fade faster. The best solution here is to wash your hair at night before going bed so that it’s dry by morning. While using a blow dryer, make sure to dry the undermost layers first.

  2. Avoid washing too often: Washing your hair too often in cold season can lead to a dry, flaky scalp and brittle hair. Shampoo every 2 to 3 days if you have straight hair and every 4 to 5 days if you have curly hair. After shampooing, apply a coat of deep conditioner on your strands starting from the mid-length to prevent them from becoming frizzy. Use a deep conditioner at least once a week to protect your hair from the harsh climate.

  3. Set your indoor temperature to moderate: The combination of winter’s chill and dry central heating can be extremely dehydrating and high temperatures can cause dry, dull or brittle hair. So keep your indoor temperature moderate.

  4. Use extra moisture: To protect your hair against cold weather damage, use an appropriate moisturizer and add extra hydration to your hair. Some experts recommend using a nourishing oil into your weekly hair care routine to restore moisture.

  5. Avoid over-styling: To minimize the hair damage, avoid over-styling your hair using tools like hair dryers and curling irons in winter. The heat from these tools can dry out your hair and scalp, and increase risk of hair damage.

  6. Cover Up: To shield your hair from the harsh weather, cover your head when you step out. Using a woolen or silk wrap is important to avoid hair breakage. Make sure it’s not too tight or else it will restrict the circulation in the scalp.

  7. Trim your tresses: To keep your hair healthy and reduce risk of dry, split ends, trim your tresses every 6-8 weeks.

Following these skin and hair care tips will keep your hair strong and healthy during the harsh winter season.

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Check Out These Holiday Skin-care Tips For A Glowing Skin

Skin-care Tips

Holiday season is the time when you’ll be busy with tours, late night parties and get-togethers. All these can take a toll on your skin. Proper skin care is important to prevent the skin from breaking out or losing its natural glow. Caring for your skin helps maintain optimal function and retain a youthful elasticity. Follow an effective skincare routine, as it helps prevent acne and wrinkles, and make your skin look its best.

Consider these tips to care for your skin better –

Keep your skin clean

Moisturize your skin using a good moisturizer that suits your skin type. Use a good face scrub that can clean deeply and get rid of dead skin cells. A good scrub can refine the texture of the skin, bring your complexion to life, and stimulate cellular regeneration.

6 TOP REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD CONSIDER MOISTURIZING YOUR SKIN DAILY

Remove makeup before sleep

Before going to bed, clean your face and remove all traces of makeup. Either wash your face thoroughly or use makeup remover wipes to let your skin breathe free and avoid any breakouts.

Get a good night’s sleep

It’s during sleep that our brain produces body-repairing hormones that are necessary for tissue repair and cell regeneration. So, it is important to get a good sleep. Make sure you find enough time to take rest even between food prep and party hosting schedules.

Control your sweet cravings

During the holidays, you may have to consume delicious treats, especially sweet items. Make sure to control sugary treats, as it can trigger glycation which accelerates skin aging. Opt for some foods like berries or other fruits that will satisfy your cravings. Such foods can protect your complexion from aging.

Go for wine than other alcohol

Alcohol can take a toll on the appearance of your skin. Over consumption of alcohol in parties can break down collagen fibers and cause wrinkles. Choose red wine spritzers, as it has antioxidants that can be great for your skin. It can also curb your cravings for drinks in a much healthier way.

Stay hydrated

Even during your busy holiday schedule, make sure you drink enough water and stay hydrated. Water keeps your body refreshed and helps maintain your skin’s elasticity. Also, use a well-formulated moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated. Drinking sufficient amount of water can slowly tighten the skin and help maintain a healthy glow.

Get ready for this holiday season. Consider these top skin-care tips to keep your skin glowing and get your complexion prepped.

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6 Skin Care Habits That Can Worsen Your Acne

Skin Care

Acne is a common skin concern that most people face at some point in their lives, and find to be bothersome or embarrassing. Caused by hormones and genetics, acne can be annoying and painful and in some cases, go completely out of control. Though it’s hard to pinpoint the exact cause of acne breakouts, it’s a fact that some lifestyle habits worsen this condition.

To reduce breakouts and maintain a clear, glowing complexion, you first need to identify the potential acne triggers. Here are 6 common skin care habits that can make acne worse:

  1. Popping or squeezing pimples: Never poop or squeeze pimples, as doing this could push some of what’s inside – bacteria, pus, and/or dead skin – deeper into the skin, which might increase inflammation, pain and scarring. Instead, find the right way to treat the condition. If you have deep or painful acne, see a dermatologist for effective treatment.

  2. Vigorous scrubbing: Many people think that scrubbing the skin can address acne. But it doesn’t. In fact vigorous scrubbing – using a washcloth, loofah, or harsh exfoliant – can irritate your skin more, causing the acne to flare. To prevent this, cleanse your be gentle when washing your skin and use a mild cleanser and lukewarm water.

  3. Sleeping with makeup on: Make sure to remove your make-up before you hit the bed as not doing so can trigger or worsen acne. Makeup can clog your pores with sweat and dirt that’s built up on your face throughout the day. This clogging can form a microcomedone, which can attract the P. Acnes bacteria into your pores and cause a breakout. Even makeup marketed as non-comedogenic can cause acne.

  4. Over-washing: One of the basic steps of keeping your skin clean is by washing it properly. But overdoing it can irritate the skin and lead to more acne/breakouts. Instead, wash your face once a day and be gentle while doing it.

  5. Rubbing sweat: Rubbing your sweat roughly with towel after your workout can irritate your skin and cause acne breakouts. Use a clean towel and gently pat the sweat from your skin.

  6. Switching a new acne treatment frequently: If you on an acne treatment, give it some time to work – say 6 to 8 weeks. If you don’t give the treatment time to work and switch to a new one every week or so, it can irritate your skin, causing more breakouts. Acne treatments usually take time to work.

Take care to avoid these skin care habits that can worsen your acne and replace them with good skin care practices.

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6 Top Reasons why you should consider Moisturizing Your Skin Daily

Moisturizing Your Skin

Moisturizing is important step in a skin-care routine is as it helps maintain your skin’s healthy and protect it from irritation. Some people skip moisturizing their skin, thinking they don’t need the hydration as they already have oily skin or have clean skin, or feel that moisturizer doesn’t really have dramatic effects. If you are one among those who skip skin moisturizing, then you’re missing out one of the greatest skin care steps.

To achieve year-round silky-smooth skin, moisturize your skin every day. When your skin is dry and irritated, it can cause breakouts and acne. But if you moisturize your skin regularly, it reduces your chances of skin problems and breakouts. If you’re not still convinced, take a look at the amazing benefits of moisturizing your skin daily:

  • Helps Prevent Skin Problems such as Acne and Breakouts: When skin is too dry or too oily, it can lead to problems like acne, breakouts and so on. However, using the right moisturizer that suits your skin will keep it hydrated and nourished, and reduce the chances of breakouts. If you have oily skin, look for gel- based moisturizers or lotions instead of creams, and if you are have dry skin, look for a cream that has higher oil content.
  • Can Reduce the Appearance of Blemishes: If your skin gets all hydration it needs, then it will stay healthy and looking fresh. With moisturizing, you are hydrating your skin which will make it glow, hide small imperfections, and also even out your skin’s tone. Moreover, some moisturizers contain tint or self-tanning agents that can work with any skin tone, and will conceal blemishes, discoloration, redness, and dark spots.
  • Gives you a Smooth Base for Applying Makeup: Skin moisturizer is the best to apply as a base for makeup. Moisturize your skin a few minutes before you apply makeup. This gives you a smoother surface to work with, resulting in a flawless face.
  • Prevents the Onset of Wrinkles: Premature wrinkles and lines are result of not properly moisturizing your skin. So begin moisturizing early and do it every day to keep your cells healthy and benefit your skin in the long run.
  • Protects your Skin: Using a moisturizer can give your skin extra protection as it adds up as an extra layer on your skin. Because of this extra layer, you are protected from harmful elements like UV rays of the sun, pollution, dirt, dust and other components of the external environment. Moisturizing can also help prevent skin issues like itchiness, dryness and so on.
  • Keeps your Skin Looking Young and Alluring: Moisturizing daily can prevent premature aging of the skin. By hydrating your skin with moisturizer, your skin will have the ability to repair itself, produce enough collagen, stay tight, and vibrant, and look more youthful and smooth.

Invest time and effort in a skincare routine that’s personalized for your skin type and make moisturizing a part of it. As the moisturizer you use will heavily influence the outcomes of using it on a daily basis, choose the right product that suits your skin type.

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August is Summer Sun Safety Month

Summer Sun Safety

Each year, August is observed as Summer Sun Safety Month. This month encourages you to enjoy the summer days while taking precautions to avoid overexposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays. The UV rays that can affect skin include UVA rays and UVB rays. The dangers from UV exposure are greater during summer days, when you tend to spend more time in the sun.

Spending time outdoors can reduce stress and help you get your daily dose of vitamin D, but too much ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure can have damaging effects on the skin and can cause skin cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 5 million skin cancers are diagnosed each year in the United States. Overexposure to the UV rays can cause premature aging of the skin and signs of sun damage such as wrinkles, liver spots and more. It can weaken the immune system and can also cause eye problems such as the cornea to become inflamed or burned.

Here are four tips to reduce UV exposure during summer

  • Stay in shade, at least from 10 am – 4 pm. If you go outside, wear a darker hat as it may offer more UV protection. Avoid wearing straw hats with holes, as UV rays can pass through them.
  • Wear protective clothing such as long-sleeved shirts and long pants and skirts, when you’re outside, and even when you’re in the shade. Wearing darker colors may offer more protection than lighter colors.
  • Before going outdoors, apply a thick layer of sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher on all exposed skin. The SPF number is the level of protection the sunscreen will provide against UVB rays.
  • Wear sunglasses. Choose wrap-around glasses to block UV rays and protect your eyes from UV rays and reduce risk of cataracts.

If you notice any skin changes, redness or allergies, consult a doctor or dermatologist.

The strength of the sun’s UV rays reaching the ground depend on a number of factors such as time of day, season of the year, distance from the equator (latitude), cloud cover and more. UV rays from artificial sources like tanning beds can also cause sunburn.
Celebrate Summer Sun Safety Month – encourage your family members and friends to wear hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen when they step outside. Also remind them that protection from UV rays is important all the year round, not just during the summer.

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Best Practices To Keep Your Skin Healthy And Glowing

Skin

The skin is the largest organ that protects your body from harsh sun rays, pollution, harmful elements, etc. It is the body’s first line of defence against all possible threats present in the environment. It acts a filter that prevents millions of pathogens which can cause infections and diseases, from entering the body.It is therefore important to take care of your skin and keep it healthy and glowing. Proper skin care ensures that your skin has the nutrition it needs to repair itself, maintain optimal function and retain a youthful resilience. Having good skin can boost your confidence and self-esteem.

Importance of Good Skin Care

  • It keeps your Skin more Youthful: As people age, the skin’s cells turnover rate slows down, which makes the skin look duller and less radiant. A good skin care routine with quality products is essential to remove dead skin cells and help your body will replace them with newer, more youthful cells.
  • Prevention is Easier than Correction: Taking good care of the skin prevents skin problems. Preventing skin problems is better than trying to fix them in the future, which can be costly.
  • It keeps your Skin Ingood Condition: Skin cells shed throughout the day. Good skin care is important to keep your skin glowing and in good condition. An effective routine can help prevent acne, treat wrinkles, and help keep your skin looking its best.

Basic Skin Care Routine

  • Cleansing: Cleansing removes impurities like dirt and natural oils that can make your complexion dull. These impurities can be environmental toxins that could penetrate into your skin and cause skin problems. Cleanse your skin once in the morning and in the evening.
  • Toning: Use toner after cleansing to make your skin smooth and restore nutrients.
  • Moisturising: Moisturizers should be used after toning to keep your skin moist and supple. Cleansing can strip natural moisture from your skin. If you have oily skin, make sure to use oil-free, gel-like moisturizer.
  • Use Sunscreen: Use sunscreen everyday even on cloudy days. Use sunscreen that has at least 30 SPF.
  • Use Exfoliator and Serum: Exfoliate your skin once or twice in a week to remove dead skin. Using a serum based product can address issues like redness, acne scars, etc.

Other Skin Care Tips

  • Don’t Smoke: Smoking narrows the tiny blood vessels in the outermost layers of skin, which decreases blood flow and makes the skin paler and older. It deprives the skin of oxygen and nutrients. Smoking can also damage the collagen and elastin in your skin. It can also darken your lips and cause squinting to prevent smoke from getting into your eyes, which can lead to wrinkles.
  • Treat your Skin Gently: Do not take long showers, especially with hot water,as it can remove oils from the skin, making it look dry and flaky. Do not use harsh soaps and detergents as they rob the skin of its natural oils. After washing or bathing, gently pat or blot your skin dry with a towel to retain some moisture.
  • Maintain a Good Diet: Make sure to eat lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins. Research suggests that a diet rich in fish oil or fish oil supplements and low in unhealthy fats and processed or refined carbohydrates might help promote youthful looking skin. Drink plenty of water everyday to keep your skin hydrated.
  • Manage your Stress: Too much stress can make your skin more sensitive and trigger acne breakouts and other skin problems. To encourage healthy skin, take steps to manage stress. Make sure to get enough sleep and take time to do small things that make you happy. Practice yoga or any other form of exercise to manage stress and keep your skin healthy.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is critical to maintain good skin hygiene. Schedule a check-up with your dermatologist to assess what is working for your skin and what you could do to potentially improve or adjust based on your history and skin type.

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How to Prevent Premature Aging of Your Skin with Some Simple Steps

Premature Aging

As people start aging, the production of collagen, a crucial protein that promotes skin firmness, begins to decline and the skin starts getting drier and thinner. This can eventually lead to wrinkles and other signs of aging. Taking good care of your skin is important because it is the outermost part of the body and protects your body from harsh sun rays, pollutions and other toxins that are present in the atmosphere. Not taking care of your skin can lead to premature aging of skin. The present lifestyle choices also contribute to untimely aging of your skin. However, you can improve the quality of your skin, if you take proper care of it.

Signs of Premature Skin Aging

  • Inflammation: Inflammation is a sign of premature skin aging which can develop due to frequent exposure to the sun. Inflammation is a patchy discoloration that is caused by the heat and UV rays which damage the skin cells.
  • Dry Skin: The skin can become very dry as it starts thinning. Dry skin is a major concern for people as they reach their 40s. But this can become an issue at an earlier age also if your skin’s quality diminishes sooner.
  • Sunspots: Sunspots, also called age spots or liver spots, are dark flat spots that can form on various parts of your body, including your face, the back of your hands or on your forearms. It may look like inflammation but these spots occur due to the sun exposure for many years. They typically form in people above the age of 40 but can become evident sooner if sun exposure is frequent.
  • Skin Sagging and Wrinkles: Wrinkles and sagging skin become more noticeable as you enter your 30s because your collagen production starts to decline. Poor skin routine can speed up the development of wrinkles, making your skin look prematurely aged.

Different Causes of Premature Skin Aging

  • Eating Habits: Several studies have shown that what you put in your body will reflect in your body and skin. Intake of foods that are high in sugars and refined carbohydrates can gradually cause harm to your skin.
  • Smoking and Alcohol: The toxins that you inhale while smoking can lead to oxidative stress. This affects your body’s potential to detoxify and heal itself, and this can lead to thinning skin, dry skin and wrinkles. Similarly, alcohol is also not good for skin because it causes your skin to dehydrate.
  • Sun Exposure and Tanning: When ultraviolet (UV) rays penetrate into your skin, they can alter your skin cells’ DNA and ultimately result in wrinkles.
  • Stress: Stressful situations can trigger an inflammatory response from your body. If you are regularly exposed to stressful situations, your body will continuously release stress hormones, which causes your skin to age more quickly.
  • Sleeping with Makeup: Sometimes people get so tired that they forget to remove their makeup before going to bed. This can trigger the appearance of pimples, acne, fine lines, and wrinkles.

Quick Tips to Prevent Premature Skin Aging

  • Protect your Skin from the Sun: Use sun protection every day and protect your skin by seeking shade, or covering up with sun-protective clothing. Make sure to use sunscreen that is broad-spectrum, SPF 30 (or higher), and water-resistant.
  • Avoid Repetitive Facial Expressions: Frequent facial expressions can contract the underlying muscles and if you do it repeatedly for many years, these lines become permanent.
  • Exercise Most Days of the Week: Moderate exercise can improve circulation and boost the immune system, and this can give your skin a more youthful appearance. Too much exercise can also have detrimental effects – it could damage skin cells and loosen the muscles.
  • Eat a Balanced Diet: Some studies suggest that eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables prevents damage to your skin. A balanced diet provides good fats from fish and nuts, and nutrients from fruits and vegetables that are important for a radiant skin. A diet rich in vegetables and unsaturated fats and low in dairy and sugar can provide a healthier skin.
  • Cleanse your Skin Gently: Gentle washing helps to remove pollution, makeup, and other substances without irritating your skin. Apply a moisturizer and toner to keep your skin moist and supple. This will give your skin a youthful appearance.
  • Wash your Face Twice a Day and after Sweating Heavily: Perspiration, especially when wearing a hat or helmet, irritates the skin, so you want to wash your skin as soon as possible after sweating.
  • Drink Plenty of Water: Make sure to drink enough water to keep your skin hydrated.

All the above-mentioned tips would help to prevent premature aging of the skin and provide a radiant skin.

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Eight Ways To Keep Your Skin Smooth And Hydrated

Skin

Everyone wants smooth, clear skin, but continuous exposure to pollution, acne in the teens, the harsh rays of the sun, stress and aging makes the skin rough and bumpy. Apart from external factors, genetic conditions like eczema, psoriasis, etc can also lead to dry skin. In the case of older women, chemical and hormonal changes leads to loss of skin smoothness. However, having a regular skin care routine can help prevent skin problems and slow signs of aging. Use of moisturizer, sunscreen, and steaming are basic things that you can include in your skin care regimen to achieve smoother skin.

Tips to keep your Skin Smooth

  • Maintain a Skin care Routine: Taking proper care of your skin includes cleansing, exfoliating, toning, and moisturizing. These steps help get rid of dirt, clogged pores, etc that can make your skin prone to acne, pimples, dead skin and rough skin. A regular skin care routine can help keep your skin clean and smooth and soft.
  • Use Vitamin C Serum in the Morning: Vitamin C has anti-aging benefits and repairs damaged skin. It prevents damage even before anything happens to your skin. It protects your skin by neutralizing free radicals, unstable atoms or molecules that can come from inside our bodies and from external sources such as UV radiation. Free radicals launch tiny attacks on the healthy cells in our bodies. Vitamin C helps to protect your skin against damage caused by free radicals. Today, there are many creams and serums that contain Vitamin C. Applying Vitamin C serum on your face and neck can protect your skin from sun damages.
  • Use Hyaluronic Acid: Hyaluronic acid is the ideal solution for dry skin. It has moisture binding properties that makes the skin look plump and soft. Due to exposure to the sun, pollution and other external factors, the level of hyaluronic acid decreases over time and this leads to dry and flaky skin. Applying hyaluronic acid in the form of serum or cream can keep your skin soft and hydrated.
  • Use Sunscreen Lotion: Use sunscreen lotion that has at least SPF 30 to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Harsh sun rays, especially between 10 am and 4 pm, is very harmful for the skin and prolonged exposure to sun can make your skin dry, rough and flaky. Using sunscreen also helps to lighten dark spots, minimize redness, improve skin elasticity and also maintain moisture in your skin.
  • Chemically Exfoliating: Chemical exfoliation is an innovative method to attain soft and smooth skin. Exfoliation with AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid) helps to improve the skin’s natural renewal process, revealing new younger skin cells and makes your skin look healthier. It reduces hyperpigmentation and it also improves the skin texture. Begin chemical exfoliation with AHA once in a week and then gradually increase the frequency as your skin can tolerate. Chemically exfoliation with Beta Hydroxy Acid is another alternative. It helps to remove dead skin and removes dryness, flakiness an also clears clogged pores. When the layers of dead skin cells on the surface of the skin are removed, such as by exfoliation, the skin loses some of its physical protection against the sun’s UV rays. So it is important to be diligent with sunscreen when using BHA.
  • Use a Humidifier: The skin can easily dry out at night. This is because of the fans and AC or heaters that can contribute to a dry room. Use a humidifier and apply moisturizer before going to bed to keep your skin moist and hydrated.
  • Eat Healthy and Drink Enough Water: Just like applying enough moisturizer and serums, it is also important to eat well to get a glow from within. Eating healthy and drinking enough water keeps your body hydrated.
  • Sleep Well: Sleeping well for at least 6 to 8 hours helps relax the body and this helps to heal the stress and tension that affects the skin. So make it a priority to get proper sleep at night so that the damaged skin can be repaired easily.

Having good skin makes your look better, younger and also boosts your self-confidence. From hormonal acne to skin discoloration to sunspots, your skin goes through several issues that can make your skin dull and rough. All of the above-mentioned tips can help protect your skin from dryness and keep it soft, smooth, and supple.

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Effective Medical and Home Remedies to Reduce Acne Scars

Acne Scars

Everybody likes a smooth and supple face that has a glow from within, but everyone is not blessed with a soft face. Acne is a nightmare, especially for teenagers and this concern could continue until adulthood. Pimples, acne and redness are commonly found skin conditions on both men and women. Around 80 percent of the people who have acne are between the ages 11 to 30.

Acne is caused when bacteria, oil and dead skin fill up and inflame pores, the tiny openings in your skin through which oil and sweat rise to the surface. Another cause for acne is hormone changes. Stress, the environment, exposure to harsh sun, menstrual cycles, oil-based products and birth control pills are also other causes for acne.

Types of Acne

  • Pustules: These are pus-filled lesions that are red at the base and white or yellow at the top.
  • Papules: These acnes are in pink to red bumps that hurt when you touch them.
  • Nodules: These are solid lesions which are larger than papules and pustules. They extend deeper into the skin are painful too.
  • Cysts: Cysts lie deep within the skin which are painful, full of pus and likely to cause scars.

The skin is the largest organ in the human body and it protects you from harmful UV rays and bacteria. The areas that have sebaceous glands are prone to acne like the face, back and chest. Acne scars are caused by the inflammation of acne blemishes. The acne pore swells and a breakdown occurs in the wall of the pore. Some acne blemishes are small and the scars created are shallow and heal quickly. Sometimes the contents of blemishes spill into the surrounding tissue and cause deeper scars. Some acne scars fade with time but some do not. So here are some tips to remove acne scars:

  • Home Remedies:
    • Retinoids: Topical retinoids prevent inflammation, reduces acne lesions, and quicken regeneration of cells. It also helps to lighten hyperpigmented acne scars, including those in people with darker skin tones. Remember, retinoids can make your skin sensitive to sun, so take necessary measures like sunscreen lotions etc.
    • Salicylic Acid: It is a naturally occurring compound that is often an ingredient in acne skin care products. It helps to clears dirt, skin cells, and other debris that leads to acne from the pores of the skin. It helps to minimize swelling and redness that reduces scarring. So use products that contains salicylic acid in your skin care routine.
    • Lactic Acid: It acts as a gentle peel to pull away dead skin cells and minimizes the appearance of scars and smoothen the overall texture of the skin. It lightens scar and hyper pigmentation. It is also present in diluted apple cider vinegar.
    • Alpha Hydroxyl Acid: Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) helps to get rid of dead skin cells and prevent clogged pores. Doctors may recommend AHAs for treating acne and reducing the appearance of acne scars. It mildly scraps out the outer layer to reveal the fresh skin underneath.
    • Natural Remedies: These include honey, coconut oil, lemon juice, aloevera gel, shea butter etc.
  • Medical Treatments:
    • Chemical Peel: A chemical solution is applied by the doctor to remove the top layer of skin and minimize the appearance of deeper scars. This process can be repeated to maintain the results. There can be some side effects like change in skin colour.
    • Laser Resurfacing: This is a popular treatment that is usually performed on scars that were once treated with dermabrasion. This technique has an increased risk of side effects for people with darker skin or a history of keloids.
    • Soft Tissue Fillers: Injecting collagen or fat or any other similar substance under the skin to make it plumper and make the scar less noticeable. This is a temporary treatment, so you will have to repeat the treatment when required.
    • Dermabrasion: This procedure is ideal for severe scarring. The doctor removes the top layer with a rotating brush. Surface scars may be completely removed, and deeper acne scars may appear less noticeable.
    • Surgery: This is a minor surgery called punch excision. In this procedure the doctor cuts out individual acne scars and repairs the wound with stitches or a skin graft.
    • Skin Needling: Your doctor rolls a needle-studded device over the skin to stimulate collagen formation in the underlying tissue. It’s a safe and simple process for acne scarring with minimal risk of discoloring the skin. Results are subtle, and you may need repeat treatments.
    • OnabotulinumtoxinA (Botox): Sometimes the skin around acne scars puckers. Injecting Botox helps to relax the surrounding skin that improves the appearance of an acne scar. The results are temporary, so repeat treatments may be needed.

All the above-mentioned tips help to remove acne scars and for medical treatments, you can reach out to a reliable plastic surgeon who can provide the right treatment for your acne scar.

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6 Natural Ways To Get Rid Of Blackheads

Blackheads

The skin’s pores accumulate dirt, sebum, oil and dead skin cells on a daily basis. This accumulation of grime results in clogged pores and hair follicles, leading to concerns like blackheads, whiteheads, acne and so on. Blackheads are a mild type of acne in which the acne lesion is not closed. No matter how well you take care of your skin, this pinhead-like black lesion on the skin – that can affect face and body – just shows up sometimes.

Blackheads – tiny, raised bumps on the surface of the skin that mostly black in color – occur if your skin is not cleaned properly. When oil, dead cells and sebum block the pores on your skin, it settles in the pores over time and when these materials are exposed to air, they get oxidized and turns black, forming blackheads.

In addition to lack of proper skin cleaning, other factors that cause blackheads include:

  • Hormonal changes
  • Excessive production of skin cells
  • Excessive use of cosmetics
  • Excessive sweating
  • Shaving parts of your body – it expose the hair follicles.
  • Health conditions like stress, PCOS, and even PMS

Though frequently seen on the nose, corner of the nose, cheeks, forehead and the chin area, blackheads can appear on other parts of the body as well.

If blackheads are not tackled in the early stages, it can cause your face to look pigmented. Here are some highly effective natural ways to get rid of blackheads.

  1. Lemon Honey Mask: Applying a simple lemon-honey mask is an easy and effective way to get rid of blackheads. For this mask, take one teaspoon of lemon juice and add half a teaspoon of honey to it. Mix it well and apply this mixture on to your blackhead area. After 15 minutes, check if it’s dried. If it is, wash it off with lukewarm water. Repeat this 3-4 times in a week for best results. Lemon has astringent properties which open the clogged pores, while honey has antibacterial properties that can tackle bacterial action which causes blackheads and nourish and hydrate the skin.
  2. Egg White and Lemon Mask: Mix three egg whites with 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and apply the mask to clean skin. Once the mask is dried apply a second layer. Rinse off after 20 minutes. Egg white has skin-tightening properties that can reduce the appearance of blackheads.
  3. Baking Soda: To remove blackheads, mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with 2 tablespoons of water to make a smooth paste. Apply this on the concerned areas and leave it on for 15-20 minutes. Wash it off with lukewarm water. Baking soda has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. It also helps in exfoliating dead skin cells and extra sebum.
  4. Cinnamon Lemon Mask: Mix 2 tablespoon of cinnamon powder with 2 tablespoon of lemon juice and make a smooth paste. Apply this mask on concerned areas and leave it on for 20 minute. Rinse off with lukewarm water. Apply this mask 3 -4 times a week. The cinnamon powder helps tighten pores and improves blood circulation, whereas lemon has anti-bacterial properties that aid in fighting blackheads, whiteheads and acne.
  5. Charcoal Peel Off Mask: Mix half a tablespoon of activated charcoal and a teaspoon of gelatin with warm water. Apply the mask on the affected areas and leave it to dry for about 20 minutes. Gently peel off the mask and rinse and moisturize your face. Charcoal is one of the best skin care ingredients. It not only removes blackheads from the roots, but also tones the skin, removes toxins and deep cleanses the skin.
  6. Oatmeal Scrub: Exfoliating skin helps to get rid of blackheads. An oatmeal scrub is a great exfoliator. It acts as a mild cleanser and can quickly remove blackheads and dirt. Oatmeal unclogs pores, removes blackheads and leaves your skin moisturized and radiant. For oatmeal scrub, mix 2 tablespoons of oatmeal and 1 tablespoon yogurt with a few drops of olive oil. Add some lime juice for better cleansing. Apply this mask on a clean and dry face, and leave it on for 10 minutes. Once the mask has dried, remove it by rubbing it off gently in a circular motion. Rinse and moisturize.

Here are some tips to prevent blackheads forming:

  • Change clothes immediately after engaging in any sweat-producing activity. Sweat that sticks close to your skin can clog the pores on your skin and cause blackheads.
  • Wear loose clothing made of natural fiber such as cotton. It allows the skin to “breathe” and avoids irritating friction.
  • After a workout, wash your sweaty face.
  • Drink a lot of water to hydrate the skin’s surface and keeping the potent oil blocks at bay.

If these at-home measures to reduce blackheads don’t work within 8 weeks, the American Academy of Dermatology (ADD) recommends consulting a dermatologist.