Skin Care Tips: July 03, 2011

Science of skin care

Every fortnight, Living features a column on beauty and style by aromatherapy expert Blossom Kochhar. Readers can send in their feedback to dhliving@gmail.com

It is important to keep track of the progress of treatments that are administered on your skin. This helps your beautician determine a treatment for  best results. Now, why it is necessary to thoroughly cleanse the skin? Dryness and oiliness of the skin, blackheads, blemishes, and other problems exist in varying degrees. Facial skin should be cleaned first, and eye pads used, to protect the eyes from the glare of the magnifying lamp. So here’s how you understand your skin better. Routine check Cleanse the skin thoroughly by following a step-by-step cleansing routine. Remove the cleanser and place eye pads on the  eyes to protect them from the light of the magnifying lamp. Study the skin of the entire face and neck under the magnifying lamp.Using the middle fingers of both hands, take a small (about an inch) section of skin between the fingers and stretch it slightly to reveal the texture of the skin and size of the openings of follicles. Lines, flakiness and other problems will show up clearly. Skin types Normal skin: This is the type of skin that appears to be functioning normally and is neither too dry nor too oily. It is usually free of blemishes too. Normal skin needs only monthly maintenance treatments to  keep it healthy and attractive. Dry skin: This skin may become dry due to over-exposure to the sun, use of harsh soaps, poor diet, ageing, lack of fluid intake, excessive steaming, use of drying packs and masks, use of cosmetics, medication, or factors in the environment. Dry skin that lacks natural oil:  The purpose of treatment is to  stimulate the sebaceous glands into supplying the natural oil (sebum) that the skin needs. Dry skin that lacks moisture : Dehydrated skin is prone to  form wrinkles. Mature skin: Dry skin is often due to the natural ageing processes of the body. The body’s processes slow down and cells are not replaced as rapidly as they were when the person was younger. The skin begins to age if it is neglected or from an external treatment it has received. Over-exposure to sun, wind, salt water or polluted air can hasten the ageing process. Ill health and emotional problems can cause the skin to appear old and tired. Extreme weight loss can result in loss of muscle tone and sagging skin, which in turn gives the skin an aged appearance. Medication, lack of proper diet, and smoking may also affect the appearance of the skin. Ageing skin lacks elasticity. The skin is tested for elasticity by taking a small section of facial skin or neck between the thumb and fore-finger and giving the skin a slight outward pull. If the skin is slow to resume its normal shape, it is lacking elasticity. Skin may sometimes also appear quite yellow or flushed. Some food and liquids can cause a reaction that changes the colour of the skin. Oily skin is characterised by an over- production of sebum (oil) and will seem thicker. Oily skin also has enlarged pores filled with dirt and grease. This type of skin is prone to pimples and blemishes, but less prone to wrinkles and fine lines. However, lines and wrinkles that do appear on oily skin will be deeper and more pronounced. If oily skin is not cleansed properly, dirt, dead cells and grease can clog follicles and become blackheads. Pimples are infected ducts that  are clogged with oil, dead cells and dirt. Blackheads are a breeding ground for bacteria and, if not given proper attention, can turn into pimples. An occasional pimple may also develop into acne.  Enlarged pores (follicles) can be made to appear smaller. Blackheads, grease deposits, dead cells, make-up, and other debris, fill and stretch the pores and prevent them from closing. Acne has the same characteristics as oily skin and is especially common during adolescence. When there is an increase in hormone production, it stimulates the sebaceous glands. This leads to blackheads, which  can develop into pimples and acne. Not everyone with blackheads will develop acne, but everyone with acne has blackheads. Deep cleansing treatments prevent the follicles from becoming clogged. Spot the warning signs Seborrhea: Seborrhea is characterised by the excessive secretion of sebum, which collects as a layer on the skin in the form of an oily coating. An itching or burning sensation often accompanies seborrhea. Rosacea: Rosacea is characterised by excessive amount of oil on the skin. The nose and cheeks are most frequently affected. The face will have a flushed appearance and, if neglected, the skin can become lumpy, leading to the formation of papules and pustules. ‘Acne rosacea’ is not to be confused with acne. Rosacea usually does not appear before the age of 35. Rosacea is more common in adults than in teenagers. Soothing treatments will be helpful. Couperose skin: Cuperose skin is characterised by broken capillaries that are visible beneath the surface of the skin. When blood vessels are not elastic enough to handle the flow of blood that is forced through them, they stretch and break. Extremes of heat and cold on the face, strong alcoholic beverages, and some foods can cause such a condition. Proper care can help to prevent further damage