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To keep your skin healthy and looking good, you need to know a little about your skin structure, skin type and the steps required to delay the onset of ageing.
The skin has two main layers, the epidermis and the dermis. The dermis contains collagen, which gives the skin its fullness and resilience. Collagen is held together in bundles by a protein called elastin. Together they allow the skin to spring back into its natural state without being distorted. The condition of elastin and collagen displays the symptoms of ageing.
SKIN TYPE:
Dry Skin: This occurs when the epidermis of the skin does not contain enough lipids, so your skin cannot retain adequate moisture. Dry skin can be caused by internal factors, such as stress, illness, drug therapy or hereditary disposition of dry skin. It can also be due to external factors, such as weather and cleansers.
Oily or Greasy Skin: Sebum is the skin’s protective mantel, which helps to keep the skin supple. Excess sebum production causes oily skin, which can lead to the formation of spots, blackheads and open pores.
Combination Skin: This is when the nose, forehead and chin are oily, due to there being more sebaceous being present there and the cheeks are dry.
Sensitive Skin: Sensitive skin is usually very dry and reacts to many external substances, causing red, itchy, blotchy, flaky skin. Stress is a major factor which causes sensitive skin.
Asian skin has larger, more numerous sebaceous glands, thicker epidermis and larger melanin cells compared to white Caucasian skin. Darker skin types are prone to noticeable scarring. Products especially effective at fading scars are those which contain a combination of Vitamin A and E, which promotes skin repair and rejuvenates the skin. Asian skin is also easily darkened by the sun. Asian skin has a larger number of melanocytes compared to Caucasian skin, therefore it darkens much faster. To prevent this from happening, products with a high SPF factor (of 25 or more) used as a daily moisturiser, is perfect for you. Also, a most effective skin lightener for the hyper- pigmentation should contain Kojic acid. (Kojic Dipalmitate is the stable form).
Acne is a particular problem for Asian skins, due to the high frequency of sebaceous glands releasing sebum. If it is not dealt with properly, visible scarring and darker pigmented areas can cover the face, which can be very distressing. There are a number of acne treatments to try, such as drug therapies and antibiotics, but the best for removing acne scarring is Laser and Intense Pulse Treatments.
Collagen and elastin keep the skin supple. Together, these two substances keep young skin smooth, firm and flexible. With age, collagen and elastin fibres become less efficient. Your genetic makeup plays a major part in the way your skin ages.
The single most influential cause of premature skin ageing is exposure to UVA light. It triggers free radical activity in the skin, which leads to the gradual erosion of structure of collagen and elastin, causing them to break down. This in turn causes the formation of fine lines, larger wrinkles and loose, sagging skin.
The next most significant factor affecting the rate at which your skin will age is whether you smoke or not. Smoking introduces harsh toxins and damaging oxidants into the body.
The skin expresses the body’s degeneration via dryness, loss of tone, wrinkles and sagging. There are four important steps you can take now to prevent premature ageing: (a) wear UVA sunscreens all year round - you can do this easily by choosing a moisturiser containing sunscreen (b) stop smoking, (c) wear anti ageing facial moisturisers (d) take vitamins rich in anti-oxidants. Vitamin E cream is also helpful because it fights free radical activity in the body.
If cared for properly, the skin can keep a good complexion and remain youthful looking for a longer period of time!
Shashi Gossain is a Pharmacist, a Member of the Royal
Pharmaceutical Society and a Member of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists. She
owns the PharmaClinix Health and Beauty Clinic in London.Using the latest scientific research in the beauty industry, she created
the PharmaClinix.com range of cosmeceutical creams, available online, and has
written “The Ultimate Anti-Ageing Book." To learn more about the book and
products, call 020 8969 0063. Shashi has launched two specialist Introduction Services for Indian
Professionals andProfessional Muslims Worldwide
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
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