-
Always eat balanced
meals with plenty of fresh fruit and veg, and avoid crash diets. But
chocolate doesn't cause spots any more than any other food, and hot
spicy foods don't cause thread veins.
-
Drink at least two pints
of fresh water a day, to help flush out the kidneys. Take this water
in fruit juices and herbal teas for variety, or drink sparkling
mineral water with a slice of citrus fruit.
-
Protect your skin from
the elements by avoiding excessive sunbathing and using a sunscreen.
If you must get a tan, concentrate on browning areas of the body
where the skin is thicker, like the back, arms and legs. It's never
wise to tan your face or hands, as these areas have the driest skin
and will age the fastest.
-
Moisturise well at all
times - but especially in cold windy weather.
-
Cut down or out on
cigarettes - inhaling causes lines to develop around the mouth and
eyes from squinting, and carbon monoxide displaces oxygen in the
blood, so reducing the amount available to replenish skin.
-
If you live or work in
centrally-heated rooms, keep a bowl of water by the radiator to
prevent the air becoming too dry, and so lifting moisture from the
skin.
-
Skin has two growth
periods every day - in the early morning and early afternoon. This
is when new cells are forming in the basal cell layer. Treatments
carried out at these times will be most effective.
-
Avoid very hot baths -
they are very drying. Moisturise well all over afterwards.
-
Keep your skin as clean
as possible at all times, but don't dry it out. Find the cleansing
routine that suits you best, and use it whenever your skin feels
grimy. Leave off make-up as often as possible.
-
Try to avoid touching
your face - and never squeeze or pick spots and blackheads if they
are inflamed.
-
Get enough sleep - with
too little the skin itself looks tired, becoming sallow, puffy and
lifeless. This is because while you sleep, skin renews its texture.
The hormones responsible for cell division and renewal of skin
tissue are most active during sleep.
-
Protect your hands from
detergents by wearing rubber gloves to wash-up, and moisturise your
hands as often as your face.
-
Keep alcohol to a
minimum - it dehydrates skin.
-
Get plenty of fresh air
and exercise to stop the circulation becoming sluggish.
-
Check your Pill - it
could have advantageous or adverse effects on the skin. Some acne
sufferers have been prescribed a combined Pill by their doctors
instead of antibiotics. However, the Pill can cause brown blotches.
-
Try to relax - tension
and screwing up the face speeds wrinkles, and stress can make your
skin oilier.
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