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To
look gorgeous and graceful all that
you have to do is spend little time every day
for nourishing and caring for your skin. Learn how to achieve a
lovely skin by following our face care Tips.
Acne
is a common problem faced by almost all teen-agers and youth. What
is acne and why do we get them. Acne is actually caused because
of hormone imbalance. Your skin breaks out because of a hormone
called testosterone. Both men and women havetestosterone in their
systems. In fact, did you know that in order to make testosterone,boys
bodies have to make female hormones first? If you have acne, you
haven't got abnormal levels of testosterone. You've got skin that
reacts abnormally to this hormone. You start producing testosterone
around the time you start sprouting body hair. Testosterone tells
glands in your skin, called sebaceous glands, to produce oily stuff
called sebum. To add to the problem the inside of the tubes that
hold each hair become gummy and get partially blocked - giving you
blackheads. Put together if sebum blocks the tubes --- you have
big acne.
So go to your pharmacist or doctor to get your acne treated. Here
are a few tips that will help you know how to treat acne at home.
1.
If you have red angry looking acne, don't
touch it. If you squeeze now, all you'll do is force the contents
deeper into the skin that will make matters worst. And all you'll
end up with is redder, angrier acne than you had before. Don't do
it.
2.
If you have a yellow custard top? Go for it.
These beauties CAN be squeezed but there's an art to it. Here's
how. Wash your hands thoroughly to avoid trouble and infection.
Put a tissue over your finger. Why? Because you want the contents
of the spot on the tissue, not splattered all over the mirror. Using
the side of your thumb and the end of your finger, very gently start
to squeeze. Don't whatever you do, use your nails as this will damage
your skin. Stop when you're applying a lot of pressure and nothing
is happening and you see clear fluid, rather than yellow grotty
stuff and the spot begins to bleed. When you've finished dab it
with antiseptic. Once the custard bit is out, the spot will heal
more quickly than an unsqueezed yellow top would, providing that
you now leave it well alone. Now wash your hands again.
3. Whiteheads and blackheads.
If acne is left untreated they may cause this problem. Here the
rule is if they're black, squeeze but if they're small, white raised
lumps leave them alone. All that stuff about clean hands, tissues
and stopping if nothing is happening or you see blood, apply here
too.
Tips for acne treatment
1. DON'T TRY TO WASH IT AWAY
Acne isn't caused by dirt. In fact people
with oily skin have cleaner skin than average because they wash
it more often. But it's a fact that washing too much can make acne
worse because it makes the skin dry and sore. So, wash no more than
twice a day, using mild soap and water. If you have patches of dry
skin, don't worry about putting moisturizer on. It won't make your
acne worse. If you're still concerned, use an oil free moisturizer.
2.
DON'T NUKE 'EM
There are lots of over the counter creams,
gels, lotions and potions. Most contain a powerful bleaching agent
called benzoyl peroxide. You'll find the strength written on the
label. You might be tempted to go straight for the highest sort,
working on the 'let's nuke 'em principle. The likely result is that
you'll irritate your skin like mad. It may also go all dry and scaly
on you. But if you still are willing to bleach then use the mild
one.
3.
MAKE A DATE - THE TWO MONTH RULE
If you have been using over the counter remedies
for two months and there is no real improvement in your spots, this
is the moment to go and make an appointment with your doc.
4.
YOUR DOCTOR - THE TWO MONTH RULE
The thing you are most likely to be given
by the doctor is a prescription for antibiotics. These will either
be topical (which means something you put on your skin) or tablets
you have to take every day. Whatever treatment your doctor or pharmacist
recommends, follow the instructions carefully and keep using for
at least two months. There should be a noticeable improvement by
this time. If not, go back to discuss other possible treatments
Antibiotics are perfectly safe to take. You should take them for
at least two months and then go back to your doc. If they seem to
be working, he will probably tell you to keep taking them and give
you some more. If they aren't doing their stuff, don't despair -
he has loads of other spot busters in his black bag.
5.
YOU ARE NOT AN ALIEN - BUT JUST BE PATIENT
Hundreds of thousands of teenagers seek help
for acne. You are not alone. You are not an alien. And if people
really care about you, they don't even notice your acne, however
bad you think they are. But you will need to be patient. Most treatments
take time to work. At least two months. And some treatments, like
antibiotics will work well but may have to be taken for months,
or even years.
6.
THE MONTHLY COURSE... OR EXAMS
Acne does tend to get worse just before a
period. It's because there is a surge in hormone levels at this
time. But boys don't get away lightly either. Being hot and sweaty
(particularly after sports like football) makes acne worse. And
for everyone, stress - particularly at exam times - is a cue for
a mega breakout. This is normal - and of course, even more reason
for feeling stressed. Go chill. They'll get better - promise.
7.
WATCH WHAT YOU PUT ON YOUR SKIN AND HAIR
Some beauty products are big no-nos. These
include pomades and defrizzing agents for hair that tend to cause
an outcrop of blackheads along the hairline and some of the heavier
cosmetics. And be wary of suntan oils. Not all will make you break
out, but some may. Try a friend's first before you buy. By the way,
the sun might dry up acne and a tan might hide them, but your skin
is still vulnerable in the sun and needs protection.
8.
CARRY ON EATING CHOCOLATE
It's a myth that eating chocolate and fried
foods causes acne. However, eating a good diet improves your general
well-being and this is reflected in your skin.
Common
Questions asked about acne problem
Does
wearing make up cause acne?
It is not necessary that wearing make up causes
acne. Acne is caused because of hormonal imbalance mostly during
puberty. But you have to take special care while you apply make
up and thereafter if you have acne. Make sure you wash any make
up tools, including sponges and brushes as often as possible as
these become a breeding ground for bugs which can cause your spots
to pop up. Stop wearing make up if you have too many spots and you
can resume after you have treated them. Don't forget to clean the
make up after you come home and and make sure you cleanse your face
properly each night.
Do
skin toner and moisturizer cure acne?
One thing that you need to know is acne is
not caused by dirt, so no amount of cleaning and toning is going
to get rid of them. So for treating acne you must consult your doctor
and eat lots of healthy food and drink lots of water. That is the
natural way to keep you face spot free.
Is
it ok to do facial?
It can be a real treat to have the facial
done, as they can be very relaxing and make you feel properly pampered.
However, you should be aware that they should not be used to help
'treat' spots, as this can be quite dangerous if the beauty therapist
is not trained. Sometimes a beauty therapist will also squeeze out
any spots and blackheads that if it's not done properly, may cause
a bigger problem than before.
What
is the best way to cover up spots?
Foundation is okay to use and may give you
more confidence if you've got a hot date, but remember to look for
oil-free one. Whatever you use to put on your skin, wash your hands
or sponge before applying foundation.
SECRETS
OF BEUTIFUL & HEALTHY SKIN: |
It is the dream of every
woman to have a beautiful, fresh and youthful skin. The first step
in looking younger begins with what you decide to put into your
mouth. Your diet and lifestyle plays a major part in deciding the
beauty of your skin. Most people think of a diet as being appropriate
only for getting a beautiful figure, however eating the right kind
of foods and following a proper diet will put you on the fast track
to a healthy body and healthy and glowing skin. The secret to a
beautiful, healthy and glowing skin is FRUITS.
Include plenty of fruits in your diet and you will see the difference
within a week. Fruit is essential for both inner and outer beauty
since it enhances the beauty of your skin and hair.
What makes fruit so wonderful is that it is rich in skin and hair
enhancing vitamins, acids, and enzymes. Fruit can be used in just
about every beauty product to cleanse, freshen, tone, and condition
our bodies.
Find out the characteristics
of the following fruits and what wonders they can do to your skin:
Apples: Apples
can used as great conditioner and toner. They have been used for
centuries for their skin-healing powers. Add a cup of apple juice
to your bath to cleanse and soften your skin. The juice of apple
can be used as breathe freshener. Apple juice when applied to your
hair scalp can prevent dandruff. Use as a final rinse after shampooing
your hair.
Lemons:
A classic home beauty ingredient, lemons are
used to cleanse and freshen the skin and hair. Use lemon slices
to soften rough skin spots such as elbows and heels. Lemon slices
also help deodorize and mix a few teaspoons of lemon juice in your
bath and you will feel fresh the whole day. Lemon juice can be added
to your favourite cleanser or shampoo to refresh and tone your scalp.
It also helps prevent dandruff.
Strawberry:
Strawberry can be used for conditioning and
skin toning treatment. They are rich in salicylic acid an ingredient
found in many commercial acne creams and thus are the best treatment
for troubled or teenage skin. Mix 1/2-cup fresh strawberries with
a tablespoon of sour cream for a weekly facial mask. Eating fresh
berries will also help whiten your teeth and keep your breath fresh.
Banana: Banana
can be used for moisturising and soothing your skin and hair. They
are rich in protein and natural fats and can be used by all skin
types. An easy facemask that will make your skin smooth is to apply
mashed banana over your skin and keep it for 15 minutes, rinse off
with warm water and moisturize well. Mashed banana also makes a
wonderful hair conditioner mixed with a teaspoon or two of honey.
Pineapple:
Like papaya pineapples are also good skin
softeners, which cleanse and rejuvenate dull and dry skin, especially
for classic rough skin spots like knees, elbows, and heels. Use
a slice of pineapple as you would a sponge or loofah to scrub your
body in the bath or shower.
Papaya:
Papaya is rich in natural enzymes and is the best treatment for
cleansing your skin. For having a fresh and glowing skin apply the
oaste of mashed papaya and 3 teaspoons of aloe vera gel and massage
all over your body monthly. Leave on your skin for no more than
five minutes and rinse thoroughly. Do not use on your face and avoid
sensitive skin areas.
Peaches:
Peaches are best for soothing and cleansing dry skin. Mash a fresh
peach and combine with a tablespoon of plain yogurt to make a smooth
paste. Apply on the skin and keep it for 15 mins and then wash off
with cold water.
Face Exercise
:
If you have those circles under your eyes, frowning and squinting
left tracks on your face then here are a few face exercises that
will help you look great and beautiful. By following these few exercises
religiously you will have a young and dazzling look without going
for surgery or face-lift. Let us begin with forehead. This exercise
should be done 10 times daily to the count of six at a time.
Forehead :
1. Join your fingers
together with your thumbs folded in and place your fingers near
your temples i.e., where your scalp meets your head. Push straight
up and hold and then, raise your eyebrows, hold for six counts and
release.
Benefits: This face exercise removes
the lines above the brow. It targets the muscles of the forehead
and the muscles at the back of your head.
2.
First, place the middle fingertip of each hand in the centre
of each eyebrow. Pull the eyebrows apart or outwards, and at the
same time try to frown. Hold for six counts. The next step is totally
the reverse exercise. Place the middle fingertip of each hand in
the centre of each eyebrow; push brows together or inward and at
the same time raise eyebrows and hold.
Benefits: This face exercise helps
remove the mark on your forehead and the area between the eyebrows.
This face exercise targets the muscles right above the brow area.
Eyes
:
1. Place the three
centre fingers of each hand underneath the eye, pull down, and try
to close your eyes. Hold for six counts and release.
Benefits: This face exercise eliminates
puffiness as it targets the muscles under the eyes.
2.
Place the ring and middle fingers of each hand at the outer corners
of eyes. Pull the corner of the eyes toward the hairline and hold.
At the same time, squeeze eyes shut; hold for six counts and then
release.
Benefits: This face exercise helps
remove the wrinkles around the eyes.
Cheeks
:
1.
Put your head back. Take your three centre fingers, place them on
the apples of the cheeks and push down. At the same time, raise
your cheeks as hard as you can by smiling.
Benefits: This exercise targets the
muscles of the cheeks.
2.
Put your thumb in your mouth right in the centre of the cheek and
push. At the same time, bring the cheek back towards the teeth against
your thumb. Hold for six counts and then repeat on the other side.
Benefits: This face exercise will fill
out the cheek hollows, firm the face and lift.
Mouth
:
1. Take your middle
fingers and pull down on either side of your lower lip thus exposing
your teeth. At the same time try to mope.
Benefits: This exercise tones the muscles
around the lip area.
Chin
:
1. Take your three centre fingers,
pull the chin down and at the same time curl the lower lip over
the bottom teeth.
Benefits: : This face exercise tones
the muscles of the chin.
Caring
for your skin requires a daily routine programme. You have to give
your skin some time and repeat the process every day, no matter
what. The good news is that this process only has to take five minutes
and includes four easy and pleasurable steps. And if you have selected
quality skin care products appropriate for your kind of skin, performing
this simple regimen can produce almost immediate and visible results.
So you should carry out this skin care regimen just before going
to bed because it gives you the chance to clean your skin of all
make-up and environmental residue it has gathered during the day.
STEP
ONE: STEAM
The first step is to steam your skin in order
to clear the pores of your skin. When your day is done, use a facial
steamer or just soak a washcloth with steaming water, wring lightly
and bring the cloth close to your face. Steam your face for 1-1/2
minutes. Let the steam penetrate to fully open your pores.
STEP
TWO: CLEANSE
With your pores open, next splash warm water
on your face and neck. Pour or work the appropriate amount of skin
cleanser into your hands, then mix with some water to work it into
a creamy lather. Massage this onto your wet face. Using your fingertips
or a soft complexion brush, in a circular motion delicately massage
your face for about 30 seconds, making sure to include your neck
area. Then rinse with warm water and gently pat your skin dry with
a soft towel. A tip: always try to use a cleanser specially formulated
for cleansing your face rather than a generic kind of soap. And
be careful to avoid the delicate skin around your eyes.
STEP
THREE: TONE
Dampen a piece of cotton with an alcohol-free toner and gently wipe
your entire face and neck area. (Alcohol-based toners have a damaging
and drying effect on the skin). This step lifts away any residue
that you might have missed and also closes your pores, preparing
your skin for its moisturizing treatment. Alcohol-free toners are
far gentler on your skin, which is especially important during the
winter months. At this point, your face should now be squeaky clean.
STEP
FOUR: MOISTURIZE
In an upward, circular motion, now apply a small amount of a moisturizer
of your choice to your face and neck areas. Do not over apply, as
too much can be worse for your skin. Only when your skin has been
properly cleansed can your moisturizer work to condition, moisten
and protect your complexion. Choose moisturizers, which have anti-aging
ingredients and vitamins added to it.
A
beautiful smile lights up a day. It makes your face more beautiful
and lively.
Your lips are the most important and exquisitely sensitive part
of your body. And therefore you have to take special care of your
lips.
The
common lips problems are:
1-Dark Lips
2-Cracked lips
1-Dark
Lips
You
will be surprised to know that our lips unlike most part of our
body do not have any melanin pigment to protect them. Lips are covered
on the outside by a thin layer of skin and on the inside by virtually
transparent mucous membranes. Therefore it is necessary to take
care of our lips and to eat well-balanced food and lots of fruits.
If
you have dark lips you have to do the following………
1-
Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.
2- Stop smoking.
3- Avoid lipstick.
4- Apply a layer of oil and leave it on for several hours. Best
apply before going to bed.
5- Mix coconut oil and almond oil in equal quantity. Apply a coat
of this on the lips and leave on overnight.
This
has to be done daily for at least two weeks for best results.
Massage lips: Every night with a mixture of 1/2 tsp. Glycerine and
1/2 tsp. Castor oil with 1/2 tsp. Lemon juice and leave overnight.
Apply cream from curds with saffron on your lips.
2-Cracked
Lips
Lips do not produce oil like our skin, because they have no
oil producing glands. The skin on our lips is actually mucous membrane,
so for them to remain smooth and chap free is a bit of a challenge.
The most common cause of cracked lips are allergic reaction to cosmetics,
skin infections, extreme weather conditions like excess sun and
wind exposure, biting of the lips or a vitamin B deficiency.
If
you have cracked lips you have to do the following………
1-
Protect the lips from weather by applying heavy plain cream.
2- Avoid licking your lips.
3- To cure dry chapped lips apply peanut butter or coco butter to
your lips before going to bed.
4- Grind rose petals with cream on the top of milk and apply on
lips to cure the cracked lips
5- Take vitamin B, C foods in diet.
6- Mix 2 drops of glycerine with 1 tsp of cream on the top of milk
and apply to lips to cure the chapped lips and keep overnight to
get smooth and shiny lips.
7- Mix equal quantities of nutmeg, turmeric, and fresh butter and
apply to lips.
8- Hot water fomentation, followed by a mixture of Vaseline and
honey applied on the lips at least thrice a week will prevent lips
from chapping.
9- Lips should be moisturized and exfoliated. Exfoliate lips with
your gentle facial scrub using a toothbrush or just the tips of
your fingers.
10- You can make a paste using baking soda and water to exfoliate
lips as well. Work it for a minute and then rinse with lukewarm
water.
General
Care for lips
- Apply
cold cream or moisturizer or lip balm before applying lipstick.
- To
get natural pink lips apply beetroot juice before bed.
- Grind
rose petals and apply on lips to get smooth pink lips
- Apply
menthol based lip balm and take an old brush and brush gently
on lips (don't rub too hard, because lip are very sensitive) to
get rid off chapped lips.
A
good smile catches the attention of everyone and increases your
face value. However your smile looks more beautiful if you have
sparkling white teeth. Therefore, it is important that you take
care of those tiny pearls that make your smile so special.If you
want to get the glitter in your smile then you have to learn to
take care of your teeth. It is very important to take care of your
teeth since it helps prevent formation of plague around the gums
of teeth causing tooth decay and inflammation of the gums. Following
are a few tips that help keep your teeth sparkling clean and prevent
tooth decay.
Learn to brush properly:
Brush your teeth properly in order to keep your teeth scrupulously
clean. It is important to learn how to brush properly. Move the
brush from the gum to the biting edge, working the bristles between
the teeth to dislodge food particles. Besides the teeth, the gum
should also be cleaned. Massage them in the same stroke as brushing
your teeth and give them an occasional extra massage, rubbing them
gently in circular movement with a little toothpaste on your finger.
Brush teeth systematically around the front and then the inside
followed by a sawing movement across the tops of the teeth.
A good toothbrush is as important as the toothpaste. Hence it
is important to choose shape and brand of toothbrush. A good one
should have small angled head and soft to medium rounded bristles.
This is important as it helps clean all those hidden areas of
your teeth.
Always change your toothbrush after every 3 months.
Floss regularly to remove the plaque and food debris stuck between
the teeth.
Use a mouthwash to make sure that your breath is fresh. Put a
few drops in warm water and rinse your mouth after you clean your
teeth in the morning.
Brush your teeth twice daily or after every meal if possible.
Visit the dentist regularly and this will help keep your teeth
healthy.
Some home-made beauty tips that will keep
your teeth sparkling clean
For sparkling teeth, rub them once or twice a week with a dried
bay leaf (tej patta) or with table salt.
For bringing glitter in your teeth rub them with cotton wool dipped
(and then squeezed out) in hydrogen peroxide. This has a slight
bleaching effect. You can also make a liquid of these products
by mixing two teaspoons of table salt and two teaspoons of hydrogen
peroxide in a large glass of warm water. Then wash your mouth.
·
If your teeth have stains, you can remove them by rubbing strawberries
or putting three tablespoons of soda bicarbonate with two tablespoons
of salt.
To use as mouthwash take ¼ cup of vinegar, ½ cup
wine, ½ cup honey, and 1 teaspoon of powdered cloves and
boil them. This works as an effective mouthwash.
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