How to Keep Skin Young and Healthy

Everyone want to look young, show me a man or a woman who doesn't want to look younger than his or her age and I will show yo a liar or a saint. If the cosmetic industry is a billion dollar one, globally, it is only because of the fact that we all want to look good. Looking good is essentially a human trait. It do not really know whether the animals also indulge in the pursuit of good looks, but one never knows.

There was a time when only women bothered about their looks and skin but with changing time it is common to find men going to parlors for a facial treatment and taking as much care of their skin as their female counterpart. It is a good thing, too. Caring about the skin does not make a man less manly, in fact the smooth skin can only add to his charm and personality.

Looking good gives confidence and a sense of enhanced self-esteem, which is essential in today's world. In a world so full of consumerist attitude, good looks are a part and parcel of a personality and to get somewhere one has to be able to make the right impression.

Youthful looks are a result of a healthy lifestyle, which involve a careful regimen of controlled diet, regular exercise and positive thinking. Our face is the mirror of our body and mind. It reflects the healthy conditions we subject our physical and mental as well as emotional faculties to.

Why is it that there are people who have healthy and glowing faces which makes them so beautiful and attractive? On the other hand there are people who age before time, their faces reflecting an unhealthy parlor and a lifetime's exposure to toxic elements. But toxic elements I do not mean the environmental kind only. Toxic elements could be  mental as well as emotional ones, too.

The physical grooming of the face and body is just half the battle. To win the entire battle is a monumental job. It requires control over the mind and emotions, too. I will deal with the physical aspect in this post, and the mental and emotional we-being will be dealt with in the next posts.

Supple skin

Skin is the most important organ in the human body. It regulates the body temperature and performs protective function. Our skin covers the entire body and measures approximately two square yards. Most people do not look beyond the cosmetic aspect in caring for the skin. If one were to observe the skin closely, one would be surprised at the condition of the skin wrought by years of neglect. The ageing process of our skin begins very early in life. The smooth, soft skin of a baby gives way to stressed skin as a result of the daily wear and tear, pollution, age and the regular use of chemically prepared cosmetics on it.

Skin Phases

Skin is delicate, skin is the mirror of health and skin is what maters.. You must have heard it often enough. but did you know that the skin goes through as much upheaval as any other organ, during your lifetime? And that skin requirements and care should change with the years that one has walked on the earth?

Phase 1

Teens are the time when the sebaceous glands and oil glands are at their hyperactive peak. The hyperactivity of these glands results in problems like acne, white heads, blackheads, enlarged pores, etc. It is best to live with a scrubbed clean look, which is fresh and young. Natural youthful looks complement the adolescents more than any made up or put on face. The essentials during this phase are a well balanced diet, healthy outlook, positive thoughts and the barest of cosmetics.

Phase 2

By the time a person is in the early twenties, the pimple problem has vanished and the skin has settled down to a nice and healthy look. In fact, this is bloom time for the skin. The routine skin care of cleansing, toning moisturizing and nourishing, should keep the skin and complexion looking radiant. If you invest a little time and effort at this stage, you will reap rich rewards in the later years.

Phase 3

Thirties is the time, when one has to be on gourd. The process of drying out begins at this stage. fine lines start making their presence felt, and by the time one reaches late thirties the skin begins to look rather dull and tried, if adequate care has not gone into the health routine. Premature ageing is a real threat and one can retard the process by keeping away from direct sun.

Phase 4

The skin can really become dull and tired by the time a person reaches the forties. The sebaceous glands slow down and produce less oil, which leads to dryness and wrinkles. The collagen fibers begin to thin, and the skin's ability to hold moisture also reduces. The elasticity and the suppleness of the skin are impaired. Hormonal imbalances in the late forties can play havoc with the health of the skin.Crow's feet and laughter lines deepen, and the furrow between the brows is accentuated. The skin pores enlarge, leading to an uneven texture. It is imperative that measures like facials, packs and proper nourishment, supplement the regular beuty routine. Regular exercises and a balanced diet, along with meditation to calm the mind, can really help at this stage.

Phase 5

The fifties need not be dreaded; although it is a visibly tired skin that greets the eyes each time one looks at the mirror. The fat deposits under the skin diminish, lending it a flabby appearance. The skin also gets drier and loses elasticity. there is a leathery look and the complexion becomes mottled. At the same time, it is not rare to find a woman at her glowing best during this stage. this radiance does not come from beauty regimen, alone. It is also the result of being at peace with the realities of life. Apart from regular beauty care, it is important to develop a positive, peaceful attitude, and incorporate a regimen of regular exercise in the lifestyle.

From the teens to late sixties is a long road for the skin. It goes through many upheavals of physical, emotional and environmental kind.

A beauty regimen alone cannot help, Good diet, regular exercise, positive attitude and a healthy outlook go a long way in keeping it glowing through the years.

Ageing Factor

Although it is natural for the skin to age with the biological clock, certain factors can accelerate the rate of ageing.

•  Smoking
• Drinking alcohol
• Excessive caffeine consumption
• Excessive exposure to sun
• Stressful living
• Deficient diet
• Lack of exercise
• Insomnia
• Environmental pollution

Dry Skin and Wrinkles

That skin changes with age is one of life's universal laments. The most common manifestation of these changes is dryness of the skin. This drying of the skin emphasizes wrinkles, and contributes to flaking, cracking and itching. Although dry skin is a natural consequence of ageing, it can usually be controlled with simple, easy to follow measures that help to keep it moist an doyen looking.

What Causes Dry Skin?

A decrease in the secretions from oil and sweat glans is seen with ageing. These secretions originate in the dermis( the innermost layer of skin) and reach the epidermis( the outermost layer of kin) through pores that lead to the surface.

Once the secretions emerge, the oil traps sweat( which is primarily composed of water) just under the exposed surface of the epidermis. As a result , the skin retains moisture and remains well hydrated.

Oil and water secretions are abundant during the teen years and early adult life, but over the years these secretions lessen and the skin gradually dries out.

Other factors, which contribute to the problem, include thinning of the skin with ageing, as well as loss of the fat and supporting factors.

Simple Ways to Keep Your Skin Healthy

Keeping your skin well hydrates will improve its appearance and keep it healthy. The following suggestions are effective, inexpensive and easy to implement.

1. Avoid direct sunlight- In addition to causing dryness, sun exposure is the leading cause of skin cancer. It is best to minimize sun exposure, especially during the peach sun hours of 10:00 am to 3:00 pm when the sun's rays are the most intense. A wide brim hat is a useful tool to block direct sunlight exposure.
2. Daily use of sunscreen- Routine use of a sunscreen will prevent the damaging effects of the sun as well as minimize the dryng effects of the sun. for regular everyday use, a S>P>F ( sun protection factor) of 15 is most likely adequate. A higher S>P>F of 30 to 45 is recommended for high sun exposure activities such as snow skiing or travel to the beach.
3. Bathe only once daily- Bathing more frequently can worsen dryness of the skin by stripping away the natural protective oils of the skin . Although bathing more than once a day may seem to relieve itching at first, it is counter-productive in the long run. Hot water should also be avoided in an effort to minimize drying of the skin.
4. Cautious use of bath oil- Although bath oil is an effective moisturizer, adding it to bath water is dangerous because it makes the tub slippery. Also, the seduce may be difficult to clean from the tub. If you do use bath oil, add it to the water after you have been soaking for 15 minutes, otherwise the oil will coat your body and prevent the water from penetrating the skin. a safer use of bath oils is to smooth it on this skin after you get out of the tub.  
5. Use mild soaps- Only mild soaps with moistening contents should be used; otherwise it is best to use a face wash.
6. Pat yourself dry- vigorous rubbing disrupts the smooth skin surface. Gently patting of the skin is much less irritating and will decrease drying, flaking and cracking of the skin.
7. Use a humidifier- Low humidity will dry the skin. The lower the humidity, the faster the skin will lose water. If the air in your home is dry, a purifier can raise humidity and slow dehydration of the skin.
8. Using the air conditioner- The air conditioner has a drying effect of the skin. The difference in the temperature when you step out from the air conditioned interiors into the environmental one has a devasting effect on the skin.
9. Tone up the skin- toning is the process of balancing dry and moist patches of the skin, neutralizing the chemicals and giving the skin an even tone. In addition, a toner removes all traces of excess oil.
10. Moisture- You should moisture at least once daily. The best time to moisture is immediately after bathing because that's when the moisturizer cab trap the water into the skin. Moist skin is a happy skin, so always moisturize your skin even if it is oily skin. It is a good ide to let your skin breathe wile sleep, so wash your face should half an hour applying moisturizer so it would have absorbed a sufficient amount of moisture by the time your wash it off.
11. See a dermatologist- The dermatologist has the final key to a youthful skin . Alpha hydroxyl acids as well as retin- A creams have been shown to reverse the signs of ageing and return a more youthful appearance to the skin. Laser therapy, which can remove liver warts, birthmarks, can also remove years from your appearance.

Persistent dryness, itching, eczema, blisters or sores should be evaluated by a dermatologist, as this may be an indication of a more serious medical condition such as cancer, liver disease, kidney disease, diabetes, thyroid disease, lupus or anemia.

The above methods will contribute to youthful, healthy skin. Even though ageing is inevitable, these measures will help to slow the age-associated changes in skin. It is never too late to start treating your kin with care.