Tips for Sensitive Skin

February 18th, 2009

If you experience allergic reactions to outside products regularly, you have sensitive skin. This skin type is characterized by redness, rashes and skin irritation. You may also suffer from frequent bouts of eczema. A little amount of sun exposure can easily lead to skin burn for the people with this skin type.

Heredity is believed to be the primary cause of sensitive skin. You cannot cure it, but can minimize the irritations resulting from usage of strong products and irritants. Daily use products can cause itching or burning as soon as they are applied. Skin care products, soaps, laundry detergents, fabric softeners and cosmetics are the other irritants. If you have this problem, use products that do not contain dye and fragrance.

For highly sensitive skin, select products very carefully to lessen the chances of suffering from allergic reactions. Buy products that are hypoallergenic as they do not contain any harsh chemicals. Avoid products that contain fragrance as the alcohol in the fragrance can irritate your skin.

Cosmetic manufacturers use various chemicals, colors and fragrances. Chemicals retain the makeup for a long time and increase the shelf life of the product. But they can cause irritation to your skin. Instead of choosing cosmetics with chemicals ingredients, use cosmetics with natural constituents, depending on your skin type. Mineral makeup is ideal for your skin as it does not have any synthetic components to irritate your skin.

Dry skin is another problem. Very dry skin can show aging signs much earlier. Fine lines are another problem that can be treated in many ways. Apply an oil free moisturizer meant for your skin type to moisturize the skin. Choose a lotion consisting entirely of natural ingredients instead of chemicals. Apply moisturizer both in the morning and in the evening before going to bed. Facial peeling occasionally can minimize wrinkling and other aging signs.

It can be a problem if you have sensitive skin as well as acne. Most of the treatments for acne contain strong chemicals, which can irritate your skin and aggravate your condition. Use only the natural products for acne. Buy gentle cleansers, meant for your skin type. Do not wash your skin frequently as it can irritate the skin.

To reduce inflammation, apply an ice pack on the affected skin twice a day. Do not pluck the blemishes to prevent irritation of the skin and pimples from affecting other parts of the face. Ensure adequate intake of water to keep your skin flushed and the pores clean. Avoid sun as much as possible. If you have to go out in the sun, apply a non-greasy sun block to prevent overexposure from the sun.

If your acne is serious, simple skin care routine may not help. Go for a deeper exfoliation like facial peel. The ideal product for the sensitive skin is Esthetician’s Choice, which has been used for over 30 years and can be used as a surface peel.

Tips to Remove Whiteheads Quickly

February 18th, 2009

It is easy to mistake a whitehead for a pimple. Hence many people apply the medication for acne and expect it to work for whitehead. But this is not true.

Your skin contains millions of pores that secrete oil or sebum. Sebum retains the health of your skin by lubricating and moisturizing it. When the pores of the skin are blocked, problems like acne start. If the pore is open, sebum oxidizes and becomes black. When the pore closes, bacteria start growing and leave a white residue, hence the name whitehead. Though it resembles a normal pimple, both are different. Blocking of pores is called comedone.

Do not squeeze or pluck the whitehead without proper care. Improper handling can result in the breaking of the skin, making it prone to infections and can leave a permanent scar. Using a comedone remover is the only appropriate method for removing whitehead. It is a stainless steel tool with a loop design to clear the skin of the whitehead without hurting the skin.

A comedone remover is very easy to use. First, steam your face with a hot washcloth or have a bath and then use the tool. This makes it very easy to remove only the whitehead, without touching the skin close to it. After you break the whitehead, press the loop over the whitehead to remove the dead materials. After finishing the process, wash your face with warm water to clear all the remnants of the pore.

If you find this method difficult, applying a cream or gel meant to cure blackhead, will also be effective. Many of these treatments consist of retinoid to hamper the growth of the whitehead, before it escalates into a major problem.

Choose either a retinoid cream or lotion to moisturize the skin and remove the blockage, suitable for your skin type. Before using this method, consult a dermatologist to find out the right treatment for you.

If you do not want any home remedies, ask your dermatologist about the specific procedures to clear whiteheads. These procedures are the best in certain cases and can be conducted only by the qualified dermatologist.