More Than Just Skin Deep (Part 4)
Caring For Problem Skin
Wrinkles
How does the smooth, firm skin of a baby become the wrinkled skin of an elderly person? It is a gradual process where the lubricating glands produce less moisture and the skin’s supporting fibers lose their elasticity with age. The skin thus becomes thinner and wrinkled.
How fast all these happen depends on your genetic inheritance, the internal state of your body, your stress level, and the care and protection you provide for your skin. So, help slow down the aging process by taking good care of your body. Stay away from alcohol and cigarettes. Slow down the development of wrinkles with good skin care, and take precautions to prevent further damage once the wrinkles have appeared, give older skin extra protection from the sun and from excessive dehydration of the skin. Get sufficient rest and keep the stress levels down.
Various anti-ageing ‘wonder creams’ promise to restore your skin to its former youthful condition. Some of these creams are only sophisticated emollients that merely plump up the skin by encouraging water retention. Others are exfoliating agents containing chemicals that promote the shedding of dead cells on the surface of the skin, exposing the new, younger-looking skin beneath.
A thicker dermis enables the skin to retain moisture and elasticity, making it supple and youthful-looking. In the few years ago, there has been a surge of oral products made from marine or animal protein believed to thicken the dermis layer of skin. Collagen tissues are sometimes injected under the skin to fill out wrinkles but the effects are not permanent, lasting only 6 to 18 months. Cosmetic surgery can correct some features of ageing and allow you to regain your youthful looks. The effects can be excellent if done by the hands of a skilled surgeon. However, they are also not permanent for they last on the average between 5 and 7 years, and carry the risk of infection and scarring, and a very small but real chance of serious complications.
Body Odour
Perspiration is the main means by which the body regulates its temperature. It consists mainly of water and salt, with a small amount of waste products. Fresh sweat is odourless. It is secreted by the glands of the skin. The foul smell that comes with body odour is caused by the activity of bacteria acting on sweat on the skin. The most effective way to reduce body odour is to wash all over at least once a day using an antibacterial soap. This will remove the stale sweat and control bacterial growth. Pay special attention to the armpits, the nipple area and the groin, as these are where the sweat glands are concentrated.
Use deodorants and anti-perspirants to control persistent body odour. A deodorant masks the odour generated by perspiration. They usually contain a small quantity of germicide mixed with a fragrance, or a combination of aluminum salts and perfume. An anti-perspirant restricts the flow of perspiration but does not stop it altogether. It helps keep body odour from building up during the day. Try a deodorant first, and if this does not control the dour, then try an anti-perspirant. Some products contain both anti-perspirant and deodorant.
Wash your feet daily and apply deodorant foot powder regularly to keep the odour away. Minimize the use of perfume body talc as this can combine with swear and bacteria to produce a stale odour. Wear cotton underwear, clothes and socks as they allow the skin to ‘breathe’ better in hot weather than synthetic fabrics, thus preventing the sweat from being trapped.
Should there be excessive sweating or extremely pungent odour, a doctor should be consulted as there may be a medical cause.
Conclusion
Skin health plays a major role in total body health. So take the first step now to protect and to preserve it for life.
