Skin is the largest organ of the
body because it actually breathes and absorbs things which
are good and bad. It helps you warm up when you're cold and
cool off when you're hot. It lets you feel things by touch,
protects you and keeps your body organs from falling out ;)
Your skin adds a significant percentage to your overall personality.
A skin appearance is considered to be representing one’s
overall internal health. With so much in stake, it is no wonder
that “skin care” is a multi-million dollar industry
today. There are products targeted for every aspect of skin
care, for every skin type and for every age group from every
major brand. There are tanning salons in every corner of the
town and beauty spas in every resort around the world. The
TV commercials, magazines and news paper are flooded with
advertisements claiming color-changing, age-defying or wrinkle-free
capabilities.
So what is the secret behind keeping your skin healthy and
flawless?
The answer is simpler than you think. There are 6 questions
you need to ask yourself to see how conscious you are about
skin health.
1. Are you drinking enough water?
Water is a best cleansing agent for your body. Remember to
drink at least 8 glasses of water every day. 2. Are you sleeping enough?
Sleep can rejuvenate and renew your body elements. Make a
resolution to have 8 hours of sleep. 3. Are you keeping your skin clean?
Read the section “A clean skin is a
happy skin” to learn the do’s and do not’s
in maintaining a clean skin. 4. Are you exercising regularly?
Regular exercise increases the flow of blood to different
parts of the body including skin. This results in a healthy
looking skin. 5. Are you watching what you are eating?
As the saying goes “you are what you eat”. More
oily and fat rich foods are associated to common skin issues
such as acnes. Eat anti-oxidant foods or foods richer in Vitamin
A, B, D and E. 6. Are you moisturizing your skin?
It is not enough to just clean your skin. It is important
to keep it moist. There are many products available in the
market which you can pick based on your skin type and purpose.
However, avoid using non-organic cosmetics or non-organic
skin care products. Pick products containing Vitamin A, B,
D, E or K.
To summarize, off-the-shelf skin
care products can only help in keeping your skin moisturized
or renewed. In order to maintain a glowing skin you need to
look into your overall lifestyle as mentioned above.
Don't miss to watch the following
15 minute video which is interesting (and inspiring too) on
skin care.
Video: Tips for maintaining healthy skin
Clean skin is happy skin
One simple way to take care of
your skin is to keep it clean. Few do’s and do not‘s
you can follow while cleaning are:
Do’s :
• Always keep your hands clean. Your hands can spread
germs to other parts of your skin and body.
• Limit your bath time. Hot water and long showers remove
oils from your skin
• Avoid strong soaps. Strong soaps can strip oil from
your skin. Instead, choose mild cleansers.
• Shave carefully. To protect and lubricate your skin,
apply shaving cream, lotion or gel before shaving. For the
closest shave, use a clean, sharp razor. Shave in the direction
the hair grows, not against it.
• Pat dry. After washing or bathing, gently pat or blot
your skin dry with a towel so that some moisture remains on
your skin.
Do Not’s:
• Don’t smoke: Smoking makes your skin look older
and contributes to wrinkles. Smoking narrows the tiny blood
vessels in the outermost layers of skin, which decreases blood
flow. This depletes the skin of oxygen and nutrients, such
as vitamin A, that are important to skin health. Smoking also
damages collagen and elastin — fibers that give your
skin its strength and elasticity. In addition, the repetitive
facial expressions you make when smoking — such as pursing
your lips when inhaling and squinting your eyes to keep out
smoke — may contribute to wrinkles
• Stay safe in the Sun by applying sun protection cream
otherwise it can cause burns, rashes or cancer.
What does Alternative Medicine recommend on Skin Care?
Beauty is the perfection of what
is visually perceived.
The skin is seen as the mirror of inner health. The external
body is simply the manifestation of everything that happens
inside ,including the emotions.By addressing the components
of our life ,we can control our skin’s health.
Now a days, the air we breathe, the water we drink and the
food we eat , everything is polluted. These pollutants, when
enter our body from outside , causes different types of diseases.
We clean our body externally but not internally. Healthy internal
radiance is regarded as the true definition of health.
Ayurvedic medicine recommends oil massage and herbal steam
bath(boiling the fresh herbs in water and sweating is induced
by the steam),which improves peripheral circulation by vasodilation.
The role of Ayurveda is to rebuild tissue, strengthen the
immune system and restore balance to the person.
Also , acupressure, the ancient chinese method of healing
helps the skin to detox by applying pressure at specific points
in the body.
The only way to remove the pollutants from inside is the body
and mind purification therapy.
Mind-body activities such as breathing techniques, meditation
and yoga work wonders in keeping our energy or prana level
high. It is an extremely effective technique for total relaxation
and stress relief. Meditation is food for our soul and it
brings forth the inner wealth. Meditation removes fixed and
preconceived impressions and removes the stresses of day-to-day
living .It is hundred times more refreshing than sleep because
it helps you to live in the present moment.
To attain a perfect state of health , one has to be mentally
calm, steady and emotionally soft. But this is not an easy
state to attain in today's fast-paced life. Practice of yoga
can release tensions, negative emotions and help one to live
in present moment.
The mental thought patterns are the ones which causes the
most disease in the body. A person is said to be in a state
of perfect health only when he/she has a healthy body and
healthy mind. And a healthy mind only can cultivate good ,positive
thoughts. In this age of technology, we care very little for
our emotional and spiritual needs.
Practices such as yoga, pranayama and meditation not only
give you physical health but also mental and emotional heath
and this is true wealth. So ,let us acquire the true wealth
and have a glowing skin and sparkling eyes radiating positive
energy everywhere.
Rich Father ... Poor Father
"A
truly rich father is one
whose children run into his arms
when his hands are empty."
-- Unknown
Disclaimer: The above content is provided
for information and awareness purpose only. It is not prescriptive
or suggestive or meant to replaces your qualified physician's
advice or consultation.