- Categories: Skin Whitening
- Tags: 28 Days, Allergens, Atopic Dermatitis, Dermatitis, Dry Patchy Skin, Eczema, Fish Scale, Fish Skin, Flake, Flaky Dry Skin, Hypodermis, Moisturizers, Neurodermatitis, Psoriasis, Rapid Growth, Scaly Patches, Skin Cells, Skin Condition, Skin Disease, Steroid Creams
It’s hard not to get worried when you realize one day that you have patches of dry skin on your body. It can be disfiguring and distressing, especially if the patches appear on exposed parts of your body, such as your arms and face. For the most part, dry patchy skin is often only temporary and responds well to home treatment measures. This article will illustrate the more common causes of dry patchy skin, as well as how to avoid or treat them.
1. Ichthyosis
Ichthyosis literally means “fish skin”, and is also known as “fish-scale disease” or “fish-skin disease.” Ichthyosis is marked by scaly patches of dry skin that may occur anywhere in the body. The scaly patches vaguely resemble the scales of a fish. There is currently no way to avoid ichthyosis, but application of moisturizers can help improve the skin’s condition.
2. Atopic Dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis is often called “eczema,” and is the most common type of dermatitis. It is hereditary and runs in many families. The skin is unusually sensitive to irritants and allergens in food and the environment, presenting red, flaky dry skin. Atopic dermatitis occurs more commonly in infants, where it often attacks the cheeks. As with ichthyosis, moisturizers can help alleviate the symptoms, and over-the-counter steroid creams are also helpful. Avoiding known allergens is also a good idea.
3. Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a skin condition marked by a rapid growth of skin. Skin cells usually take 28 days to move from the hypodermis (the lowest portion of the skin) to the epidermis (the surface of the skin), where they die. With psoriasis, this cycle is compressed into a mere few days, resulting in large amounts of dry patchy skin which flake off. Psoriasis is often treatable by daily lukewarm baths or showers, mild soaps and cleansers, and moisturizers.
4. Neurodermatitis
Neurodermatitis is a type of dermatitis that is aggravated by scratching. Sometimes the skin becomes so dry and itchy that you scratch it on impulse. The scratching makes the dry skin worse, making it thicker and even itchier, until it develops an itchy patch of dry skin. Neurodermatitis often cannot heal unless you keep yourself from scratching, and this can be done by putting a bandage over the affected area. Moisturizers can also help soothe the itch.
5. Nummular Eczema
Nummular eczema is a type of rash that causes coin-shaped patches on the skin. While its cause is unknown, it has been found to be associated with dry skin and the winter months. Its condition has been found to improve with faithful application of moisturizers and prescription strength cortisone creams. Avoidance of wool clothing and not using fabric softeners in the laundry can also help ease the symptoms. It is often best to have the nummular eczema checked by your doctor in order to arrive at a more specific, effective treatment.
6. Seborrheic Eczema
Seborrheic eczema is better known as that annoying scalp problem, “dandruff.” While the patches of dry skin appear most often on the scalp, they can also occur on the eyebrows, the face, in the armpits, the genitals, and around the navel; anywhere the oil glands are more concentrated. It is usually caused by oily skin, stress, infrequent shampooing, and use of cleansers with alcohol. Dandruff can be treated with the usual dandruff shampoos-leave the shampoo on your hair for five minutes to ensure the medication reaches the scalp. More serious cases of seborrheic eczema often merit a visit to the doctor.
Other causes include overexfoliating, overuse of Retin-A, and the use of moisturizers that contain alcohol. Overexfoliating can take its toll on your skin by drying it too thoroughly. Retin-A also tends to dry out the skin, and while it can benefit the skin with mild, controlled use, it can shrivel the skin and cause wrinkles when used too much. Alcohol also has a drying effect on the skin.
Treatments include drinking enough water to keep the skin hydrated (8 glasses a day is enough), resisting the urge to pick, scratch, or peel at the dry patchy skin (it can open fissures in the skin, inviting infection), and avoiding any skin products that contain alcohol.
The rule of thumb is to see the doctor when the dry patchy skin occurs suddenly and without warning. It may be a sign of a more serious skin condition. Also, see your doctor when the dry patchy skin fails to respond to home treatment. Your doctor may authorize a biopsy (taking a small piece of your skin and examining it under a microscope) to determine the exact cause of your affliction.
By: Della Franklin
- Categories: Skin Whitening
- Tags: Active Ingredients, Anti Aging Skin, Anti Aging Skin Cream, B Vitamins, Building Blocks, Collagen Elastin, Free Radicals, Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronidase, Laboratory Analysis, Little Animal, Name Brands, Natural Ability, New Skin, Pores, Prime Ingredient, Protein Levels, Sea Kelp, Skin Cells, Skin Creams
The best anti-aging skin creams encourage and support the body’s natural ability to grow new collagen, elastin, cells, tissue and fibers. The average anti-aging skin cream contains few if any truly active ingredients. Rubbing a little animal collagen on your face will not produce results.
One of the best anti-aging skin creams on the market contains Cynergy TK, which has been clinically proven to stimulate the growth of collagen, elastin and new skin cells. Slowly but surely, wrinkles disappear as the levels of these things increase.
Skin’s Building Blocks
You see, a couple of different kinds of protein are the skin’s “building blocks”. One is called keratin. An anti-aging skin cream may claim to contain keratin, but if it is not manufactured properly or comes from the wrong source, it cannot be absorbed through the pores and used by the human body.
Cynergy TK contains “functional keratin”, created through a patented process that is readily available for use by the skin. You won’t find it in the big name brands that are often advertised as the best anti-aging skin creams. You have to really look for it.
Another prime ingredient for an anti-aging skin cream is Wakame. Wakame is a specific type of Japanese sea kelp or algae, whichever you prefer to call it. It is rich in calcium, sodium, iron, potassium and many of the B vitamins.
It is cultivated throughout Japan as a food and was used traditionally by women there to keep their faces looking young and smooth. Recent laboratory analysis has revealed that a component of the kelp inhibits the activity of hyaluronidase. That’s an enzyme that breaks down one of the skin’s protein building blocks, hyaluronic acid.
The best anti-aging skin creams contain wakame, because when used regularly, it increases the skin’s protein levels to that of a much younger person. Also, it is a fine antioxidant.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants destroy free radicals that are responsible for changes in the cellular structure that result in wrinkles and even skin-cancer. It is a relatively new idea to include antioxidants in an anti-aging skin cream. Our daily vitamins contain them, but apparently that’s not enough.
The best anti-aging skin creams contain a number of antioxidants, including wakame, co-enzyme Q10 and vitamin E. They have to be manufactured specifically for this purpose, or the body cannot use them.
Nano-lipobelle is created in such a way that it will penetrate through seven layers of skin. It contains both COQ10 and vitamin E in a special emulsion created specially for use as an anti-aging skin cream.
Ingredients to Avoid
Briefly, let’s look at a few of the things that an anti-aging skin cream should not contain:
-alcohol because it is drying.
-fragrance because it can be irritating.
-sunscreen because it alone does not reduce the risk of skin cancer and some compounds are hazardous.
-parabens because they cause cancer.
-paraffin wax or mineral oil because they clog the pores and strip natural oils, leading to dryness.
There are other ingredients that should be avoided. The best anti-aging skin creams contain safe and all natural ingredients, because whatever you rub on your face, eventually ends up in your bloodstream. Hope this helps you find them.
By: Margaret Bell
- Categories: Skin Whitening
- Tags: Better Skin, Chicago Winter, Cold Weather, Daylight Savings Time, Delicate Skin, Dermatologist In Chicago, Full Swing, Harmful Rays, Light Moisturizer, Petroleum Jelly, Rene Martin, Skin Care Advice, Skin Cells, Skin Type, Spring Approaches, Suppleness, Telltale Signs, Warm Weather, Winter Damage, Winter Weather
Now that daylight savings time is here, we can all breathe a sigh of relief that spring is on its way. As we say farewell to our coats and boots and welcome t-shirts and sandals, we should also take time to examine our skin. Winter takes a toll on your skin and spring is a great time to do damage control – especially since people will see more of your skin in those warm weather clothes!
According to Dr. Rene Martin Earles, a dermatologist in Chicago, “Winter weather decreases the circulation and perspiration of the skin. The skin’s naturally shedding outer layer does not turn over in cold weather as fast as in warm weather. This results in a decrease of suppleness in the skin; it is drier and it feels more rough.”
Fortunately, there are several easy ways to get rid of the telltale signs of winter on your skin before spring is in full swing…here’s some good advice:
- Exfoliate to remove dry skin cells that clog your pores. A simple mask made from cooled instant oatmeal can be applied for ten minutes to slough the surface of your complexion without stripping it.
- Use a light moisturizer on your face that is suitable for your particular skin type. As spring approaches, you perspire more and heavy moisturizers tend to clog your pores.
- Moisturize your entire body. A good trick is to liberally apply white petroleum jelly on your hands and feet, put on gloves and socks and go to bed. When you wake up, you’re skin will be noticeably softer.
- Avoid tanning salons that strip your skin of essential moisture and damage it with harmful rays.
- Be cautious when first gardening outdoors. The sun is stronger and your skin is still sensitive from winter damage, making it even more susceptible to sunburn. Apply a sunscreen to protect your skin whenever you go outside.
- Wear gloves when doing outdoor work to protect the delicate skin on your hands.
- Drink six to eight glasses of water every day to hydrate your skin from the inside out.
- Try soaking your hands and feet for about fifteen minutes in a solution made from two parts milk to one part honey – it really works!
With a little extra attention applying the advice above, you will have smooth, attractive skin and be ready to face spring.
By: John Jenkins