Skin Advices on :
- Dandruff
- Acne
- Sun Protection
- Psoriasis
- Dry Skin
- Eczema / Dermatitis
- Skin Ageing
- pH 5.5
1.
Dandruff
Dandruff is due to the excessive shedding of dead
skin cells from the scalp. As it is normal for skin
cells to die and flake off, a small amount of flaking
is normal and in fact quite common. Some people, however,
either chronically or as a result of certain triggers,
experience an unusually large amount of flaking, which
can also be accompanied by redness and irritation.
Most cases of dandruff can be easily treated with
specialized shampoos such as Neutriderm Anti Dandruff Shampoo.
Excessive flaking can also be a symptom of seborrhoeic
dermatitis, psoriasis, fungal infection or excoriation
associated with infestation of head lice. Dandruff
is a global phenomenon and many people find that dandruff
can cause social or self-esteem problems.
The fungus Malassezia furfur (previously known as
Pityrosporum ovale) as the cause of dandruff. Whilst
this fungus is found naturally on the skin surface
of both healthy people and those with dandruff it
has recently been shown that a scalp specific fungus
Malassezi Globosa is the responsible agent.
Tips to treat and control Dandruff:
- The most direct way to control dandruff is to
use a shampoo that contains Climbazole. Use Neutriderm
Anti-Dandruff Shampoo with 1% Climbazole which has
a high in-vitro activity of climbazole against M.furfur,
followed by zinc pyrithione
- Gently massage your scalp with your fingertips
when you shampoo to remove dead skin and improve
circulation to the scalp
- Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight,
particularly at midday - ultraviolet rays can damage
your hair
- Rinse your hair with clean water after swimming
in chlorinated, polluted or salt water. All three
can damage your hair
Top^
2. Acne
Acne vulgaris is an inflammatory disease of the skin,
caused by changes in the pilosebaceous units (skin
structures consisting of a hair follicle and its associated
sebaceous gland). Acne lesions are commonly referred
to as pimples, spots or zits. Several factors are
known to be linked to acne:
- Hormonal activity, such as menstrual cycles and
puberty
- Stress, through increased output of hormones from
the adrenal (stress) glands.
- Hyperactive sebaceous glands
- Accumulation of dead skin cells.
- Bacteria in the pores, to which the body becomes
'allergic'.
- Skin irritation or scratching of any sort will
activate inflammation.
- Use of anabolic steroids.
- Any medication containing halogens (iodides,
chlorides, bromides), lithium, barbiturates, or
androgens.
- Exposure to high levels of chlorine compounds,
particularly chlorinated dioxins
Exfoliating the skin with exfoliating agents like
salicylic acid encourage the peeling of the top layer
of skin to prevent a build-up of dead skin cells which
combine with skin oil to block pores. It also helps
to unblock already clogged pores. Note that the word
"peeling" is not meant in the visible sense of shedding,
but rather as the destruction of the top layer of
skin cells at the microscopic level.
Top^
3.
Sun Protection
Why do you need sun protection?
Sunlight contains ultraviolet (UV) rays that can
be harmful to your skin and eyes. Sunlight is strong
enough to cause ageing of the skin and skin cancer.
The risk of skin cancer today is much greater than
it was 20 years ago. The main reason for this is our
outdoor lifestyle.
Sun Protection Guidelines
- Reduce sun exposure between 11 am and 4pm
- Wear protective clothing
- War a Hat and Sunglasses
- Use a Sunscreen with a SPF of atleast 15 or higher
- Sunstop SPF30+ with nanoparticle (super-microfined)
Zinc Oxide which protects from sunlight for more
than 7 hours and 2 hours water resistant at the
same time allows the skin to breathe. Apply to all
exposed skin, including lips, ears, backs of hands,
and neck..
- If using sunstop, no need to reapply after swimming, exercising or sweating since sunstop is water and sweat proof.
Top^
4. Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an immune-mediated disease which affects
the skin and joints. It commonly causes red scaly
patches to appear on the skin. The scaly patches caused
by psoriasis, called psoriatic plaques or lesions,
are areas of excessive skin production and inflammation.
Skin rapidly accumulates at these sites and takes
a silvery-white appearance.
Several factors are thought to aggravate psoriasis.
These include stress and excessive alcohol consumption.
Individuals with psoriasis may suffer from depression
and loss of self-esteem. As such, quality of life
is an important factor in evaluating the severity
of the disease. There are many treatments available
but because of its chronic recurrent nature psoriasis
is a challenge to treat.
Bath solutions and moisturizers help sooth affected
skin and reduce the dryness which accompanies the
build-up of skin on psoriatic plaques. Medicated creams
and ointments applied directly to psoriatic plaques
can help reduce inflammation, remove built-up scale,
reduce skin turn over, and clear affected skin of
plaques.
What are the skin care benefits
of oatmeal?
Colloidal oatmeal is obtained from the seeds of
Avena Sativa, by means of a special and exhaustive
process of cold-milling which eliminate the possibility
of the degradation of substances which are sensitive
to heat. It is a natural skin protectant and has many
benefits:
- Cleansing Action
- Barrier/Protective Properties
- Moisturising Properties
- Anti-Itch Properties
- pH factor
- Skin-soothing properties
Top^
5. Dry
Skin
Dry skin is characterized by lack of moisture in
the epidermis. This results in the skin becoming flaky,
dry, tight, dehydrated and fine lines appearing. The
skin loses moisture and crack and peels, becomes irritated
and inflamed.
Avoiding Dry Skin
Don't
- Don't scratch the itch as you will aggravate
it and it could trigger rashes
- Don't use regular soap as it contains animal
fat and an alkaline pH strips the natural oils from
the skin leaving it dry and itchy "
- Don't expose your skin to very cold or hot air
as they can make dry and itchy skin problems worse
"
- Don't use any skin products or laundry products
with added fragrances as this can worsen inflammation
and irritate surface nerves "
- Don't allow wool clothing or blankets against
your skin "
- Don't scrub yourself with vigorous rubbing. It
is best to pat yourself dry and leave a little moisture
behind to soak into the skin
Do
- Make sure you do limit the length of showers
and batch and lower the water temperature. Long
hot baths and showers take the chill off, but they
can kake dry, itchy skin problems worse and increase
dryness
- Ensure you use moisturizer twice daily (more
often on hands) to hydrate and soften the skin,
and reduce itching.
- Make sure you apply moisturising lotions right
after a shower or bath. Using body moisturizer right
after bathing, when your skin is damp maximizes
the moisturising effect
- Ensure you use a soap-free, hypoallergenic facial
cleansing bar and body wash or non-alkaline (neutral)
soaps
- Make sure you look for products that contain
Colloidal oatmeal. Colloidal Oatmeal has been shown
to bring relief to dry, itchy and irritated skin
Fortunately, there are products available that can
help you solve the problem of dry skin. Thanks to
the specific beneficial properties of colloidal oatmeal
which are present in all the products of Dermavive
line and when used on a continuous basis it represents
the right treatment to prevent the appearance of dry
skin.
Top^
6. Eczema
/ Dermatitis
Eczema is a form of dermatitis, or inflammation
of the upper layers of the skin. Dermatitis severely
dries out the skin, and keeping the affected area
moistened can promote healing and retain natural moisture.
This is the most important self-care treatment that
one can use in atopic eczema.
The use of anything that may dry out the skin should
be discontinued and this includes both normal soaps
and bubble baths that remove the natural oils from
the skin. Emollient bath oils should be added to bath
water and then suitable agents applied after patting
the skin dry. Generally twice daily applications of
emollients work best and while creams are easy to
apply, they are quickly absorbed into the skin, therefore
needing frequent re-application. Ointments, with less
water content, stay on the skin for longer and need
fewer applications.
Top^
7.
Skin Ageing
As the body ages, the appearance and characteristics
of the skin alter.
Ageing is accelerated in those areas exposed to
sunlight (ultraviolet radiation), a process known
as photo aging. Photo ageing is due to a combination
of short wavelength (UVB) injury to the outside layers
of the skin (epidermis) and long wavelength (UVA)
to the middle layers (dermis). The ageing changes
are particularly apparent on the face
Care of Ageing Skin
- Completely protect your sun-damaged skin from
sun exposure. In summer, avoid outdoor activities
during the middle of the day. Cover up when outside.
- Do not smoke. Smoking increases facial lines
and wrinkles; delays skin healing and are bad for
you. Exercise is good for the skin as well as for
your general health.
- Sunscreens should be applied daily, more often
when outdoors, paying particular attention to your
face and hands. Use a foundation or face lotion
that blocks UVA and UVB rays and has an SPF of at
least 15.
- Moisturisers can be used to smooth the skin if
it is dry and flaky.
- Pay attention to the ingredients in your skin
care products and avoid any irritating ingredients.
Individual reactions to ingredients vary dramatically
- Moisturize dry skin in cold weather and in dry
heat. Dry skin does not cause additional wrinkles,
but wrinkles look worse when compounded by dry skin.
- Use an alpha-hydroxy cleanser and lotion on areas
of the skin that have age spots. It helps to fade
them.
- Apply a fade cream like Neutriderm Moisturising
Lotion with Vitamin E to the skin at night. They
help to restore skin to a uniform color.
- Talk to a dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon about
wrinkles and age spots if you want to investigate
other options for looking younger.
Top^
8. pH 5.5
Our skin's pH is closely related to the acid mantle
of our skin. This protective mantel is vitally important
and the pH of the skin plays an extremely important
part. One of the most important roles of our skin
is to protect our 'insides' from the external environment,
acting both as a barrier and a filter between 'outside'
and 'inside'. In addition, the skin is involved in
regulating our body's temperature, like when we have
a fever or we're physically working hard, we tend
to sweat, which is the body's way to attempt to lower
the temperature.
Importance of the skin's pH: Do's
& Don'ts
One of the major culprits that radically alter the
pH of the skin is soap. Ordinary, commercially available
soaps are highly alkaline (pH range 9-11) and raise
the skin's pH to be much more alkaline. This can be
adjusted by using products such as the Dermavive Dry
Skin Cleansing Bar, Dermavive Oily skin cleansing
bar, Dermavive Acne and Sensitive Bar - depending
on your skin type. These soap free bars restore normal
pH of the skin and thus provide an environment not
conducive to the growth of bacteria. In addition,
soap dries out the skin, because of its high alkalinity.
Top^
