True Enemies of the Skin

Healthy skin is a valuable asset to anyone’s appearance, whatever their age.

First impressions of a person make a lasting impression, and among the details we first notice about others are their facial features and their skin.

For thousands of years, women especially, have been using lotions and creams to keep their skin silky-smooth. Legend has it that Cleopatra bathed in milk to preserve the beauty of her skin. Today it is indeed a proven fact that milk contains fruit acids currently being hailed as the most significant anti-aging cosmetic discovery! New and costly products are constantly being developed, offering the promise of a more beautiful and above all, more youthful skin.

But all will be in vain if the true enemies of the skin are ignored or a blind eye is turned. The enemies’ list is long and sometime scary.

Enemies’ lists

1. Baking in the sun may feel good and a beautiful bronzed tan may look good, but it is the worst thing that can be done to your skin. The sun’s ultra-violet rays can cause wrinkling and skin cancer. (Skin cancer is the most common of all cancers. It accounts for nearly half of all cancers in the United States. More than 2 million cases of non-melanoma skin cancer are found in this country each year. Melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, will account for about 68,130 cases of skin cancer in 2010 – American Cancer Society)

2. The wind dries and toughens the skin. Cover up on windy days – even if it means to wear a scarf to protect your face – and use a moisturizer regularly as preventative measure.

3. Dry air, whether hot or cold, robs the skin of moisture. In winter use a humidifier or boil a kettle in your bedroom before going to sleep. Plants are also good humidifiers since they emit water vapour.

4. Smoking is bad for your skin. Nicotine constricts blood vessels, interferes with the flow of oxygen and nutrients to skin cells, and can emphasise crow’s-feet. (Women smokers may develop crow's-feet earlier than women who don't smoke. According to Dr. Weiss, smoking makes you unconsciously squint as your eyes try to avoid the smoke's irritating and drying effects – MotherNature.com)

5. Hot baths can take moisture out of your skin. The longer the soak, the more moisture you lose. Go easy on these, as well as hot showers.

6. Poor nutrition affects the whole body, but the skin may show it first.

7. Inactivity means sluggish skin. Exercise increases blood flow and bathe the skin in its natural moisturizer – sweat.

8. Facial exercises designed to fight wrinkles may instead actually produce them, since they tend to crease the skin into set patterns.

In conclusion, for skin care, simpler is often better. For instance, you’ll find that wearing protective clothing to shield yourself from the harsh elements is a better method of skin care than using very expensive beauty creams.

Ouma se Kombuis

My Beautiful Body

10 Basic Health Tips

Life is tough and life is busy. Not everyone has the time to spend hours on their health every day.

Water: Often fatigue and depression are caused by dehydration. Most people do not drink enough water. You should have at least six to eight glasses every day. Remember that coffee and fizzy drinks and alcohol don't count – they actually dehydrate you.

An apple a day: Your body needs fruit and vegetables every day. And no, the slice of onion on the hamburger is not enough. Keep some apples or bananas at work and get into a habit of nibbling them rather than eating chips off the trolley.

Caffeine cadenza: Watch those endless bottomless cups of coffee. A cup or two can do little harm, but when you start doing four or five, it could wreak havoc with your blood pressure and sleeping patterns.

Cheers: Have a drink or two, but having more on a regular basis is simply not good for you. It dehydrates you and depletes your body's vitamin reserves. Never drink on an empty stomach. And make it a rule to drink a glass of water for every drink you've had. Your liver will be very grateful.

Walk: If it's six blocks to work, get into a habit of walking. If that's not possible, get into a habit of climbing a few floors to work rather than taking the lift. Don't drive to the shop on the corner, take a walk.

Get a rage outlet: Life can be frustrating and every now and then you could feel like you're going to explode. Rather than take it out on your family or on colleagues or other motorists, go running. Or go to the gym or take up kickboxing. Anything to get the juices flowing.

Be a quitter: If you smoke, chances are high you will either get lung cancer or emphysema. Don't do this to yourself and your family. Nicotine is one of the most powerful addictive substances around. This is the reason why it is difficult to quit. Do whatever it takes.

One for the road: Not a good idea. A major portion of road accidents and injuries can be ascribed to drinking and driving. Even if you don't get injured, think of how difficult it may be to live with the consequences of injuring someone else.

Don't harbor grudges: If you have things eating at you, keeping you awake at night and absorbing your energy, do something about them. Talk to someone - it won't kill you to see a therapist – and get rid of these feelings before they turn inwards and do real damage to your insides. Prolonged unhappiness or depression is often a precursor to serious illness.

Get enough sleep: Sometimes this is not possible, but make a point of trying to go to bed at more or less the same time every night. Your body likes routine and will reward you for it. Most people need about seven hours in order to function properly.

Acknowledgement: Susan Erasmus

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