Dr.D.Senthil Kumar.,

Dr.D.Senthil Kumar.,
Consulting Physician & Psycologist

Please visit Vivekanantha Homoeo clinic & Psychological counselling Center Official web site


http://homeoall.com/


Skin care

Basic skin care does not involve use of expensive cosmetics & toiletries. One has to follow a very simple regime for skin care.


1. Diet: A well-balanced, regular diet along with adequate amount of water is all that you need. One must avoid the so-called junk food, too much of starvation in the form of dieting & eating at odd irregular hours.


2. Exercise: about 30 minutes of aerobics, walking, jogging or cycling at least five times a week is essential for a healthy skin.


3. Sun Protection: UVA & UVB rays could be harsh on the skin & cause photo damage in the form of increased pigmentation, freckles, premature aging & even skin cancers. Those with normal to dry skin can use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 at least 20 minutes before sun exposure. People with oily skin should use an umbrella or a wide brimmed hat for sun protection.


4. Local skin care: the surface of the skin contains oil, dead cells, sweat, grime, dirt, grease & pollutants. If this is not removed, the skin looks dull & flaky. Cleansing is an important part of skin care & can be done with simple soaps or cleansers. The skin should be washed at least twice a day with soap & warm water. Deodorant soaps with antiseptic agents are good for oily skin. Super fatted soaps or glycerine-based soaps are good for dry & normal skin. For the skin to look healthy & glowing, its uppermost layer called stratum corneum should contain more than 10% of the total water content of the body. Thus, comes the role of a moisturizer. People with dry to normal skin should use a moisturizer twice a day after cleansing. Those with oily skin should be careful & use an oil free moisturizer only once a day.


Lastly, be gentle on your skin. Do not use harsh cosmetics. If you have a skin problem, seek professional advice.


CLEANSERS

A cleanser is one which removes dirt, sweat, sebum, micro-organisms (bacteria etc.), dead cells (stratum corneum) and make-up if used from the skin surface.


Cleansing comprises of three stages:

1. Wetting.

2. Emulsification and removal of grease.

3. Rinsing.


Deeply ingrained dirt, particularly in the pores of the hair follicles and sweat glands can be removed by warming the skin with hot water or a mild steam bath.


Normal pH of the skin is 4.5 to 5.5, this acidic pH changes to alkaline due to application of cleanser and gives a feeling of freshness in the skin.

Types of cleansers:


1. Soaps and cleansing bars: They are derived from fatty acids and tri-glycerides (fats and oils).

I. Routine bars.

ii. Deodorant or anti-microbicidal bars:
These have an added anti-bacterial agent to eradicate bacteria. These soaps have a pH between 9 - 10 and may cause skin irritation. They are good for oily skin.

iii. Moisturising base:
These have moisturising agents like lanolin or glycerine. Their pH is between 5 - 7, thus they are non-irritant. They are good for dry skin.

Functions: Soaps help cleansing, perfume the bath, softens the water, forms lather and gives the skin a cool and fresh feeling.


2. Lipid free cleansers / Face wash: These contain water, glycerine, and acetyl alcohol and do not contain any fat. They clean without soap formation and leave a thin moisturising film. They are good for sensitive and photo aged skin.


3. Cleansing creams: They are oil based products which remove grease and cosmetics on the skin by dissolving it in more oil. They are good for dry skin.


4. Cleansing Lotion: It is a water based product and is good for normal and dry skin. Since it is water based, it can be easily rinsed with water. It is commonly sold as pore cleanser.


5. Exfoliants: Help in removing dead cells (stratum corneum cells) from the skin.


6. Abrasive scrubs: They aid in removing dead cells and control excess sebum secretion. They are mechanical exfoliants made of granules in form of Aluminum oxide, ground fruit pits etc.


7. Cleansing masks / packs:

I. Setting masks - containing Fuller's earth ('Multani Mitti').

ii. Peel-off masks - containing gel and latex.

iii. Non-setting masks - containing cold cream or oil packs.

Setting and peel-off masks achieve cleansing, exfoliation and skin-tightening. They also refresh the skin. Non-setting masks only clean the skin.


MOISTURISERS

For the skin to remain normal and fresh, the upper most layers, namely the stratum corneum should contain more than 10% of the total water content. In places with tropical climate like India, heat, sun-rays and pollution tend to dry the skin. Thus, use of a moisturiser becomes essential.

Basic components of moisturisers are:

1. Occlusive oils: They retard water loss from the skin.

2. Humectants: They increase the water content of the skin by absorbing water from the environment and lower layers of skin.

3. Hydrophilic matrices: They prevent water loss and have a soothing action.

4. Others: Water, sun-screens, emulsifying agents, preservatives, fragrances and colouring agents.

5. Special additives: Ceramides, Vitamins, EFA's, Aloe Vera, Urea, Lactic acid, Alfa-hydroxyl acids, collagen, Elastin and Hyaluronic acid.


A moisturiser should be used after bath on a moist skin surface. One may even use a sun-screen during the day and a moisturiser at bed time.

People with normal or dry skin can use both creams and lotions which have water in oil emulsion.

Those with oily skin should avoid using creams. Lotions with oil in water formulations are best suited for oily skin.


SHAMPOOS AND CONDITIONERS

Hair is aesthetically a very important part of the human body. All of us desire to have smooth, soft and lustrous hair. This is done with use of shampoos and conditioners.


It is important to understand one's hair type to make the right choice of shampoos and conditioners.

1. Normal

2. Dry: This type may be a result of

a. Lack of sebum.

b. Environmental factors like sunlight, wind, sea water, chlorinated water (as in swimming pool).

c. Chemical treatment like hair colouring

d. Mechanical injury such as straightening and perming

3. Oily or greasy hair: This happens because of excessive sebum secretion from sebaceous glands in the scalp.



SHAMPOOS

Shampoo is a suitable detergent for washing hair, removing sebum, sweat, dirt and dead cells present on the hair shaft and scalp.

TYPES OF SHAMPOOS


A.BASIC SHAMPOOS

1. Normal hair shampoos: They achieve good cleansing with minimum conditioning.

2. Oily hair shampoos: They give excellent cleansing and very minimal conditioning.

3. Dry hair shampoos: They cause mild cleansing and good conditioning. They reduce static electricity and make the hair more manageable.

4. Damaged hair shampoos: Meant for hair which have been chemically treated with hair colour, bleaching agents or hair straightening agents. They have mild detergents and more conditioner in order to temporarily repair the hair surface defects.


B.BABY SHAMPOOS
these are formulated with 'amphoteric surfactants' which cause little or no irritation. They are mild and can also be used by adults who wish to wash their hair everyday.


C. MEDICATED SHAMPOOS

1. Anti-dandruff shampoos: They, in addition to the regular ingredients also contain additives such as anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, Selenium Sulphide, Zinc Pyrithione, Tar derivatives etc.


They remove sebum, oil, scalp scales and the anti-fungal acts on the fungus 'Pityrosporum ovale' which is usually the cause of dandruff.

2. Anti-Lice shampoos: They contain Gama-benzene hexa-chloride or Permethrin which kill the lice when applied in a proper manner.


D. CONDITIONING SHAMPOOS
they are a combination of shampoo and conditioner. These products may be self-defeating since the shampoo removes sebum, the body's natural conditioner and replaces it with an artificial conditioner.



CONDITIONERS

Shampooing, drying, combing, brushing, dyeing, permanent waving, straightening and styling damage the hair and make it harsh, brittle and entangled. Hair conditioners reverse this hair damage and make the hair manageable, glossy and soft. They increase the strength and reduce the brittleness of the shaft. Conditioners also attempt to mend the split ends ('split ends' result from extensive damage to hair shaft).


Conditioners are designed to revert the hair damage caused by several factors as given below.

1. Grooming: Damage after wet combing, blow drying, wet brushing leads to damage of the hair cuticle.

2. Environmental insults: Hair may become discoloured. There may be damage to the cuticle, split ends and finally breakage of hair may occur due to weathering.

3. Chlorine and salt water: This weakens the hair shaft causes split ends and cracks in the cuticle.

4. Heat styling: Blow drying and hot rollers damage the tensile strength of the hair.

5. Chemical agents: Permanent hair colours, bleaching increase the frictional force of the hair and consequently the combing force leading to breakage. Perming and straightening reduces the tensile strength of the hair and causes hair loss.


TYPES OF CONDITIONERS

1. Instant conditioners: They are applied following a shampoo, left on the hair for 5 - 10 minutes and rinsed. They provide minimal conditioning due to short contact time.

2. Deep conditioners: Usually are marketed as creams. Their ingredients are similar to instant conditioners but are more concentrated. They have to be left on the scalp for 20 - 30 minutes before rinsing. They provide good conditioning.

3. Leave in conditioners: They are applied after drying the hair and are left on till the next shampoo. They are in the form of blow drying lotions and hair thickeners.

4. Sunscreen conditioners: Excessive exposure to sun can cause dryness, loss of colour and roughening of surface texture. PABA and Benzophenones are added to conditioners which provide sun protection to hair.


MECHANISM OF ACTION

  • They seal split ends.
  • They protect the cuticle which covers and protects the hair shaft.
  • They restore the acidic pH of the hair which is disturbed by the alkaline pH of the shampoos.
  • They cause 'fly-away hair to become smoother and more manageable.


In brief dry, brittle and lustreless hair become shiny, bouncy, glossy and strong




Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Spring Season Skin Care Tips for you





Spring Season Skin Care Tips
Spring is a beautiful time, and you too should feel beautiful. Adjusting your moisturizer and foundation coverage level are great precursors to skin care preparation for summer. Fresh fruits and vegetables are always in vogue for the spring, and the prices can’t be beat. Nature’s renewal can wreak havoc for allergy sufferer, so be aware of air quality indications on the news.

Nothing cheers people up more than the weather turning warm! The coming of spring can be noticed all around, from ever shrinking piles of snow, to small green buds popping out on tree tips. The change in weather and environment also mean it is time to re-evaluate your skin care regiment. Changes made in preparation for winter’s harsh reality will not be suitable for the freshness of spring. Here is how you can make sure you put your best face forward as the world outside begins transforming from gray to green.

Hydration
As always, hydration is the key to youthful, vital skin. If you’ve been slacking on the old water consumption in favour of warm cocoas or hot lattes than it is probably time to step up your water intake. Not only can caffeinated keep you from getting your water quota, but they can also dehydrate you and your skin, even further. Getting into the habit now of consuming eight or more glasses of good quality water a day will help your skin be looking fabulous come warmer days.

Exfoliation
So last time you were at yoga class you happened to catch a glance at your shins while trying to breath into your pose and discovered to your horror that your legs were scaly and dry, or perhaps even worse, entirely reptilian. This can of course catch off guard if you haven’t been paying attention to what was going on under those leggings and winter boots. Although winter weather can be much to blame, slacking off on the sloughing off can also get you into trouble. Now is therefore the time to say good bye to those dry flaky bits with a little exfoliating magic. A good exfoliater won’t further dry out your skin but will merely help you get rid of the flaky look.

Loofa
While exfoliation might be great for getting rid of the dry flaky skin from your arms and legs, you may need to go a step further when it comes to your feet. When the skin gets dry and dehydrated, the bottom of the soles can be the worst sufferers. If, like most people, you’ve been ignoring the bottoms of your feet during the winter season it might be time to invest in a little pedicure operation. If you’d rather have someone else deal with this, then find a good natural spa and enjoy yourself. However, if you’d like to save a little money, then investing in a good loofa and scrubbing the feet after a long soak is your best bet. Once flip flop season rolls around you don’t want to be caught off guard!

EFAs
Yes, that’s right another reason to keep eating (or start eating) those essential fatty acids everyone’s on about. EFAs are really important when it comes to keeping your skin in good condition. EFAs were found in flax seeds, hemp seeds, or deep water fish like salmon, provide essential nutrients for your skin. These nutrients not only help to hydrate and plum up the skin, but help also to water proof the skin. EFAs help the body to maintain impermeability while providing the building blocks for healthy cells. So if you have been slacking on the skin care front, you can get your skin ready for spring with an early barbecue and some grilled salmon.

Vitamin A
Vitamin A has long been known to be an important component in skin care. Vitamin A is often found in night creams and prescription skin care products. Vitamin A has a proven ability to help fade out brown spots and aging spots and to smooth rough edges. Retinoids are essential to making the skin look and feel younger. Adding a few baby carrots to your afternoon snack will help provide you with some beta carotene a precursor to vitamin A.

Vitamin B3
Vitamin B3 is another skin enhancing supplement, which is often overlooked. Yet the truth of the matter is that vitamin B3 has been shown to significantly reduce redness and to boost hydration. So if you can’t seem to down enough water throughout the day to hydrate your skin, then try adding a B3 supplement to your regimen as well. Alongside fatty acids, B3 has been proven to strengthen the skin’s protective barriers. This vitamin can help keep irritants out while maintaining moisture on the inside. If this wasn’t enough it can also reduce and minimize dark pigmented spots.


Sun Screen
Ok so although it might not be beach weather just yet, wearing sunscreen everyday is crucial to keeping your skin young and healthy. A moisturizer with an SPF of at least fifteen is recommended by health and skin care professionals even during the winter months. As the warmer weather approaches it is even more essential to make sure your skin is protected. Although you may be hoping to get a head start on your summer glow, remember that a red burn is possible even in moderate weather. The lobster look is never appealing and you will only be adding skin damage to your list of skin woes. So, be responsible and put on the SPF. There’ll be plenty of time to soak up the rays and get a little colour soon enough.

Steam
A good sweat has long been a traditional remedy for a variety of ills, but it can also be a great way to detoxify the body and this includes the skin. If you’ve been suffering from skin eruptions or other skin disorders you may want to head to your local community centre or spa and spend a little time in the sauna to sweat it all out. If you are adverse to the public nature of some community steam rooms or saunas, then look into what sorts of hydrotherapy options your nearest spa might have. Sweating is the body’s way of getting rid of skin impurities. So if after all of these tips you still feel your skin could use a little revitalization then give this last one a try. Some people swear by it as a cure all for skin disorders









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