Skin Care GuideThe Ultimate Guide to Skin Care

The usage of mint is usually considered as a herb for cooking, but mint being a herbal plant is widely used in Ayurveda for curing various skin problems. Facts provide that mint has anti-inflammatory properties and it not only protects the skin from physiological damages but hydrates and rejuvenates the skin.

Make a fine paste of mint leaves, add rose water, a spoonful of cornmeal and egg-white. Apply a smooth coat over the face and wash-off when dry.

Interested in how to combat winter dry skin? As the days turn colder and thoughts turn to holiday parties and celebrations, we naturally want to be looking our best and most radiant.

Unfortunately, the change of season usually wreaks havoc on even the most resilient complexions, leading to tired-looking dry skin. And dry skin during the winter season year after year can lead to lasting damage and even premature aging. So what can you do to banish dry skin and keep your complexion looking fresh and youthful throughout the holiday season.

Here are some simple tips and tricks to keeping dry skin at bay during the winter months:

Cleansing: If your are currently washing your face with soap, consider switching during the winter months to a cream-based facial cleanser. Cleansers often have built in moisturizers which means that the cleanser won’t strip away the natural moisture in your skin.

Moisturizing: Moisturizer is a must during winter months. Contrary to popular believe, moisturizers aren’t absorbed by the skin. Moisturizers act as a sealant to keep the skin’s natural moisture from evaporating away. The best routine at night, wash your face with a gentle cleanser and pat gently dry. Then apply a moisturizer. In the morning, there’s no need for a cleanser, simply was your face with warm water and then apply the moisturizer.

Sunscreen: Don’t think that just because you can’t go sunbathing, you shouldn’t be wearing sunscreen. Between the months of October and March sunscreen is as important as ever. Just because the sun doesn’t feel warm doesn’t mean that your complexion can do without protection from UVA and UVB rays. The difference is that in winter you need a lower SPF. In most cases SPF 8 is adequate.

Use these tips to combat seasonal complexion problems and keep your face fresh and beautiful! If you have an extreme condition that persists, make sure you see a dermatologist.

BOILS

Treatment will depend in part on the location, the age of the patient, as well as the size and immune status of the individual. The treatment choice will depend in part on previous experience of the patient and the patient’s preference. Many of the treatments can be uncomfortable and therefore difficult to use in children.

Treatments can be either destructive as in the use of liquid nitrogen or most recently there is an immunological approach to boost the patient’s own immune system.

Common Warts

Liquid nitrogen cryotherapy is most commonly used in those who can tolerate the pain. Repeat treatments are frequently required. Excising or scraping off these warts is less desirable as it will scar. The use of pulse dye laser or very occasionally the Co2 laser can be used in resistant lesions. Cantharone can be used particularly in children as it is more easily tolerated. Other treatments involve the use of immune therapy. Substances such as DNCB involve painting the substance on the warts in order to develop an allergic reaction. This immune allergic reaction will be useful for destroying the wart.

Flat Warts

Flat warts frequently occur on the face and on the legs. Care needs to be taken not to use a treatment that will have a high risk of scarring. Very light liquid nitrogen cryotherapy can be used.

It is important that shaving is done very carefully or is stopped for a while as this is known to spread these warts. Treatments such as Aldara have been used. Topical treatments such as vitamin A acids (Tretinoin) can sometimes be of benefit. Efudex cream has also been used.

Plantar Warts

Plantar warts can be stubborn. Because of their location aggressive use of liquid nitrogen cryotherapy is difficult in that it can not only be painful but swelling and soreness can prevent walking for a number of days. Often paring the warts by thinning them down can be helpful. The use of salicylic acid preparations that are applied daily and cover the affected area will eat away at the surface of the wart allowing it to be pared down. This may make it more responsive to liquid nitrogen. The use of duct tape to soften the lesions in some individuals can be in itself curative. It appears that changing the water content and making the skin mushy enhances the patient’s ability to eradicate these warts. Treatments such as surgery and scraping of these warts is discouraged as scars can sometimes be painful on the weight-bearing parts of the foot. The pulse dye laser can be used once the wart has been thinned as it does not produce scarring. Occlusion combining these therapies with Aldara cream in some individuals is helpful.

Genital Warts

Genital warts are usually sexually transmitted. It is important that woman be checked to rule out any atypical changes on the cervix. Small warts can be treated with liquid nitrogen although this is uncomfortable. Podophyllin or podophyllotoxin can be applied every few days and this can be helpful.

Acne is the most common skin disorder seen by doctors. In fact, it will affect almost every one of us at some time in our lives. It can happen at any time, but teenagers are the ones who get it most often.

Acne can cause a great deal of embarrassment and anxiety. If it’s really bad it can cause people to become depressed which can lead to withdrawing from friends, and perform poorly at school or work.
Visible Signs Of Acne:

The following are visible signs of acne:

Comedones:
An early acne blemish is caused by blocked pores, and at first the skin does not look red and inflamed. These early blemishes are called open comedones (blackspecks/blackheads) and closed comedones (whiteheads).

Oily skin:
The sebum production increases so that your skin looks and feels oily.

Hyperpigmentation:
After the inflammation subsides, the skin can be discolored by brown acne stains (called hyperpigmentation) and damaged by scars. Acne scars are common and may occur even in mild acne.
Who Gets Acne?

Acne is the most common of all skin disorders. Almost everyone will have acne, most get mild cases, some moderate and a few are severe. Teens aren’t the only ones who get it. Acne has been diagnosed in young infants as well as in the elderly, but it is most often seen in teens and young adults with 85-100% of adolescents and up to 10% of young adults getting it.

Acne seems to affect the sexes somewhat differently. Before children reach puberty, acne is more commonly seen in girls. During puberty, acne affects boys and girls almost equally, but boys generally have more severe cases and in adulthood, it tends to be seen more often in women.
Where Does Acne Develop?

You can have acne on any part of your skin where sebaceous glands are found. These are the glands that produce oil for the skin. Most, but not all people get acne on their face, but the skin on the chest and back can also be affected. Acne can also be seen on the arms and thighs, but is less common.
When Do People Get Acne?

Acne usually starts around the time you reach puberty, and usually will be mild. Often it will last for about 5 years, but can persist for as long as 10-20 years. About 25% of teens who have acne will still have it when they turn 25. The cause is not understood, but it’s becoming more common for women who are in their 20s, 30s, and 40s to develop acne often for the first time. Temporary acne is often seen on the faces of newborns.
How Does Acne Affect You?

Acne not only causes physical discomfort and damage, but it can also have a big emotional and social impact on your life. Acne (pimples or zits) can be tender and painful, and in extreme cases, the pimples can drain pus and blood, soiling pillowcases and clothing.