The Sun And Our Skin

The leading cause of preventable skin damage is ultraviolet radiation. However, two people with different types of skin will have different results from the same degree of sun exposure. Fair skinned, blue eyed people (Fitzpatrick Skin Type 1) have skin that evolved to live in Europe and places without significant ultraviolet exposure. Darker skin with more melanin (Fitzpatrick Type 6) is better adapted to sun exposure and designed for tropical latitudes. These differences in pigmentation translate to requirements for high SPF for people with fair skin and lower SPF for those with darker skin. The requirement for differing degrees of protection depending on skin type is the main fault with skincare moisturizers that include SPF 15 and are marketed as “daily wear.” They are not adequate for the daily activities of most of the people who purchase them. For instance, skin that needs SPF 50 will burn with only an SPF 15 on.

Sun protection is necessary regarding the ultraviolet light does to the skin. Ultraviolet light interacts with the skin by radiating it. Different types of ultraviolet light penetrate to different levels and have interactions with molecules and cells. One significant interaction is with the DNA of the skin. As DNA is affected by sunlight, it is altered and the information contained in the DNA is changed. Most of the time, the damage can be repaired but as we get older our ability to repair DNA decreases and mistakes begin to accumulate. As this occurs, faulty genetic information is translated into defective proteins and abnormalities in the cells are seen. Abnormalities including skin cancer may result from the damage. Ultraviolet radiation also damages collagen and this is seen on the surface as wrinkles. Liver spots are also seen following exposure to sunlight as the body tries to shield itself.

Foaming Vanilla Honey Bath

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sweet almond oil (light olive or sesame oil may be substituted)
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/2 cup liquid soap
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Mix all the ingredients together and pour about 1/2 cup under running water into tub.
Put the remainder in a canning jar for later use and refrigate for up to 30 days.

Tips for Dry Elbows and Knees

Start by using a good body scrub to exfoliate in the shower. Next mash-up pineapple in the blender and rub it on your elbows and knees. Leave it on for 15 minutes so the natural enzymes can do their work. Shower it off and follow up with a thick lotion. You'll be amazed at how soft your sknin feels!

Masks and Homemade Cleansers For Acne Treatment

First, prepare the honey cleansing scrub: 1 tablespoon of honey, 2 tablespoons finely ground almonds, and 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice. Rub gently onto face, rinse off with warm water.

Then use the tomato mask. To make the tomato mask, remove skin and seeds and mash 1/4 of a tomato, add with 2 tablespoon plain yogurt, 1 teaspoon mashed cucumber, 2 teaspoon aloe gel, 3 teaspoon oatmeal powder and 2 mint leaves (crushed). Mix ingredient together in a bowl, apply to face and leave on for about 10 minutes. Rinse with warm water.
Finish the treatment using the Firming Face Mask. Whisk together 1 tablespoon honey, 1 egg white, 1 teaspoon glycerin, and enough flour to form a paste (approximately 1/4 cup). Smooth over face. Leave on 10 minutes. Rinse off with warm water.Your face will feel refreshed and your acne will start to clear-up.

What Causes Acne?

What causes the plugged pores that result in acne is a question that scientists and doctors still haven’t been able to completely agree upon. Today, most theories seem to point to a combination of factors that include genetics, hormone changes, and stress. Previously it was believed that diet was a strong component to acne, but most evidence suggests that hormones and stress are more likely to be the culprits.

Almost everyone will have some form of acne in their lives. Most people get acne during their teenage years, associated with the massive hormone changes that occur during puberty. It is equally common to men and women, and usually occurs in facial regions. However, acne can begin or persist at any stage in adult life, and can sometimes occur on the back, neck, arms and legs.

Briefly About Acne

Acne is a medical condition describing blocked skin pores that result in lesions. The reasons why skin pores can become plugged with sebum, the natural oil produced by skins sebaceous glands aren’t entirely understood. Once plugged, dead cells and bacteria become trapped in the pore, resulting in the acne.

The most common lesions are called ‘comedones’. Comedones come in two basic varieties, ‘white heads’ and ‘black heads’. A white head is a plugged pore that has begun to bulge outward from the skin due to bacteria, dead skin cells, and other contaminants that have become trapped inside. The bulging dome shape often takes on a white appearance. Black heads are simply comedones that have become opened, revealing the dark follicle plug within. Acne comedones are often referred to as pimples.

Microcomedones are a less common form of acne lesion, sometimes referred to as papules. These are basically small comedones that form from localized cellular reactions to the processes that cause acne. That usually occur in clusters and are sometimes too small to see, but can be felt as a series of little bumps along the skin surface.

In more severe forms of acne, pustules, nodules and cysts can form. A pustule is like a normal comedone, but larger due to a higher amount of dead white cells, or pus, trapped inside the plugged sebaceous follicle.

Nodules are a more severe form of papules, extending deeper into the skin tissue and resulting in large raised legions that are usually inflamed, and painful to touch. Cysts are very large fluid filled sacs that can result from pustules or nodules. Though none of these forms of acne are dangerous or life threatening, they can leave scars and are sometimes very disfiguring.