The working mom’s lifestyle wreaks havoc on your skin. Late nights, skipping meals, hormonal swings, and the drying effect of office airconditioning strip us of a natural, beautiful glow. The problem gets worse during summer. All that “fun in the sun” exposes our already-sensitive skin to chlorine and ultraviolet radiation. The result? Dryness, wrinkles, age spots, discoloration, and dullness. In short, looking old.

That’s why it’s important to take extra good care of our skin. We can’t switch to a perfect lifestyle (10 hours of sleep? You’ve got to be kidding), but we can protect it against some damage, and help it heal faster.

Defense against UVA and UVB

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So prom is looming in, huh? It’s high time to prepare your checklist. Before you get hooked into prom dresses and prom shoes exploration, take into consideration your face first. Get the lowdown on facials for clearer, radiant skin!

Finding the right facial for a certain skin type has been such a constant battle, and you’ll now this if you’ve been burdened with problem skin. There are tons of facial salons today that it’s difficult to decide which one will suit you best. Here are some guidelines (or pre-prom advice) that will help you choose the right place, the right people, and the right facials just for you.

1. Skin Analysis – Your dermatologist or, in some cases, a “facial therapist”, will examine your skin under a lit magnifying glass to diagnose any existing skin problems like acne, clogged pores, discoloration, broken capillaries, fine lines, and so on. Only then ill she know the treatment suitable for your skin type.

2. Cleansing and Massage – After securing your hair away from your face, all traces of dirt, oil and makeup will be removed with a hypo-allergenic soap or cleanser. Then she will use a light scrub to exfoliate the top layer of dead skin cells no matter what skin type you are. Massage stimulates the circulation and brings oxygen to the skin cells and gives you that glow after a facial. It also releases tension and relaxes the facial muscles.

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Early morning sun is a glorious experience and  gracious benefactor to the human body, Ultraviolet rays from the sun activate the cholesterol on the skin to become Vitamin D that is transformed to the liver. This is converted to a hormone that facilitates calcium absorption in the gut and deposition in the bone for our daily sustenance and sturdy stance, respectively. This is the perfect time to bask under the sun and revel in its brilliant splendor, the pleasurable sensation and manifold health benefits.

Or so it seems.

As mid-day sun approaches, the tranquil scenario briskly changes into a tempestuous one. The serene becomes searing. Temperatures soar and the sun’s rays lash unabashedly on the hapless skin. 10 AM until 4 PM is the dangerous time to be out in the sun sans protection, the maximum intensity being 11 AM to 2 PM. Sun worshipers collect the bulk of damage, namely sunburn, heat stroke, skin pigmentation, cancer and photoaging.

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It’s summertime, and living is easy. But some of the joys of summer — such as the sun, chlorine, insect bites, and poison ivy — can cause havoc with your skin. To help you avoid serious skin problems, here are some tips:

• Protect your skin by using sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher) whenever you are outdoors. Wear gloves to protect your hands when gardening or doing other outdoor chores. Wash thoroughly after working outdoors to minimize your risk from poison ivy. Use insect repellants to help prevent insect bites. It is best to avoid open-toed sandals and, of course, never go barefoot.
• Treat injuries right away by washing all minor cuts and scrapes with soap and water. Use an over-the-counter antibacterial ointment and cover the wound with a clean, dry, breathable bandage. Be sure to check on it twice a day to be sure it is healing. If you see no signs of healing within two days, of if the cut appears to be infected, contact your physician. Signs of infection include redness, heat, swelling, tenderness and/or thick yellow drainage.
• Moisturize your skin daily. Sun and chlorine from swimming pools can cause dryness. Dehydration, another summertime risk, also causes dry skin. Lanolin-based lotions are best to prevent, or relieve, dry skin. Avoid putting lotion between your toes, because keeping the area between your toes dry helps prevent fungal infections.

Finding the right facial for your skin type is a constant battle, and you’ll only know this if you’ve been burdened with problem skin. There are tons of facial salons today that it’s difficult to decide which one will suit you best. Here are some guidelines that will help you choose the right place, the right people, and the right facials for you:

Skin Analysis. Your dermatologist or, in some cases, a “facial therapist”, will examine your skin under a lit magnifying glass to diagnose any existing skin problems like acne, clogged pores, discoloration, broken capillaries, fine lines, and so on. Only then will she know the treatment suitable for your skin type.

(more…)