Saturday, September 25, 2010

For the Men: Tips for Handsome and Healthy Skin


With the advent of HD TV, its harder to hide breakouts or blemishes on the faces of male athletes, entertainers and actors. And with cell phones with cameras, facebook and other public forums for personal lives, everyone is in the spotlight. Previously, "quick and easy" was the mantra when it came to a man cleansing his skin...whatever he had in the shower would serve the purpose. However, in the past few years, the male cosmetic and skin care market has exploded.


Men have stepped up to the plate and admitted that they want smooth, blemish free and even-toned skin too. Men know that in today's competitive job market, your appearance can play a crucial role in getting the job, the promotion..or the girl! Having clear, healthy looking skin will keep the attention on what you're saying when you have to spend face time with your boss, a client, customer or a new friend.


Caring for your skin is smart. Healthy skin reflects the overall health of your body and it works to keep you protected from germs, bacteria and the environment. The sudden appearance of lesions or eruptions in the skin can signal problems with your health and should be investigated with your health care providers.


All skin functions the same, however the structure of a man's skin differs in several ways from women's skin. Because of the increase in androgens (male hormones), men have a thicker skin and they have more terminal hair (dark, course hair), especially on the face, back and chest. The oil and sweat glands on men are also more active and when you combine sweat, oil and hair in pores, you get congestion that can cause blemishes, ingrown hairs and rough, uneven skin. In our culture, men are typically outdoors more than women and protect their skin less from the sun, wind and cold. This increase exposure to sun, wind and cold can result in premature aging and an increased risk of skin cancer.


Healthy skin should be important to everyone, regardless of gender. Men, like women, can put their best face forward in just a few easy steps. Read on for some smart tips on maintaining healthy and handsome skin...



  • Cleanse your skin every morning AND night (for skin with ingrown hairs, use a cleanser with AHA's and/or salicylic acid and try a drop of pure tea tree oil on infected pores)

  • Use a hydrating (water based) moisturizer daily to keep skin healthy and functioning properly

  • Choose products that are free of ingredients that could irritate the skin ie. fragrance, alcohol, lanolin, dye and propylene glycol

  • Use sunscreen every day with a minimum SPF 15

  • Wear a brimmed hat to protect face and ears in prolonged direct sunlight

  • Check your face and body regularly for any dar, scaly or irritated lesions that don't heal

dermHA has many male clients who are faithful to the products. We have had great success with helping men with skin issues created by constant shaving and ingrown hairs. Call or email and we can put together a simple skin care routine to help you look your best. You can also order online at http://www.dermha.com/



Stay handsome!


Millie

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Women, Hormones and their Skin


Many of the changes you experience in your skin are a result of hormones. Hormones are crucial to the healthy functioning of your body. they fluctuate throughout your lifetime and are responsible for both physical and emotional changes that we feel. When your hormones are out of wack, skin problems can occur...most notable, acne.


During puberty, acne occurs due to an increase in oil production in glands. During menopause, the loss of estrogen results in the body having more androgens (the male sex hormone), so hair growth on the chin and jaw line along with adult acne becomes more common in women.


Breakouts occur when pores become blocked with a sticky combination of dead cells, sebum and bacteria. This accumulation can be as small as a pimple or it can become as large and painful as a cyst. The severity of the acne breakout is determined by a variety of factors including heredity, diet, environment, and the way that you care for your skin. No matter what the cause, acne can be a wake up call to take better overall care of your health.


Tips for improve your overall health:

  • Exercise daily to stimulate circulation, healthy sweat and oil secretions, metabolism, as well as those feel-good hormones.


  • Drink plenty of water so toxins can be flushed from your body through the kidneys and liver


  • Eat a diet full of colorful veggies and fruits and switch to organic meat if you can afford it.


  • Eliminate sugar and sweets, caffeine, and sodas.


  • Dairy is a suspect in contributing to acne and should be eliminated for a month to see if the condition improves.


  • Cleanse and hydrate your skin daily and exfoliate when needed.


  • Look for a hyaluronic acid based moisturizer to keep skin hydrated without blocking pores. A hydrated skin functions better by keeping skin soft and allowing for the transfer of oils. Dry, tight skin constricts pores and solidifies sebum, trapping it and causing pores to become congested.

As we age, women lose precious hormones. Visible changes occur in the bones, muscles, hair and skin. Skin and hair may begin to thin and skin loses elasticity, gets dry and begins to form wrinkles. Aging skin also becomes more vulnerable to infection and often more sensitive. Irritants such as fragrance, alcohol, lanolin, dye and propylene glycol should be avoided in skin care products. Hyaluronic acid, found in dermHA products, is the most powerful natural moisturizing ingredient known to science and a key ingredient in keeping aging skin healthy and younger looking.

Understanding the affects of hormones as they relate to unwelcome changes in skin during puberty and menopause, and every stage in between, can help you make healthy choices in diet, lifestyle and daily skin care. Learning to incorporate proper skin care into your daily routine is essential for improving the health, appearance and integrity of your skin.


Stay beautiful!

Millie

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Trouble Shooting Problem Skin


Everyone has problem skin from time to time, whether it's a pimple or blackheads, a rash, hives, athletes foot, dry cracked skin, blisters...whatever the problem, your skin becomes more sensitive and more reactive to irritants, cold and heat.


If the skin is broken and won't heal, if there is an infection or intense swelling, if the rash is spreading or if the pain or discomfort is intolerable-you should see your family doctor or dermatologist.


If the problem or condition has just started-try to figure out why before the condition gets worse. A few of the usual suspects include:



  • contact with something your skin is sensitive to such as a plant like poison ivy, a material like wool, or a metal like nickel



  • a change in cleansers, moisturizers, sun screen or makeup can also cause skin reactions. Soaps and shower gels can dry skin making it itchy



  • hair care products seal hair shafts to make them smooth and shiny. But when they spread or are sprayed onto skin, they can block pores and cause breakouts



  • diet can also play a part in breakouts. Since skin is an organ of elimination, an overload of toxins can surface on your skin along with sweat and oils causing it to react.



  • contact with jewelry and even diet should be examined and considered as a possible cause.


Skin diseases like acne, rosacea, psoriasis and eczema can be aggravated by dryness so keep skin hydrated. Use cool water for daily cleansing and hydrting. Try using products (like the dermHA line) that are free of major irritants like fragrance, alcohol, lanolin, dye and propylene glycol to help keep skin clean and hydrated.


Trouble shooting skin problems can help prevent current conditions from getting worse and prevent reoccurrence in the future. Eat a healthy well balanced diet (try to eliminate or avoid sugar), drink plenty of water (eliminate sodas and sugary fruit juices) and exercise daily to keep yoru body strong and healthy and your skin looking its best.