Re-write your skin story with the latest tips & tricks

People say “Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder and its only skin deep”; in fact what is inside is what really matters and after all it depends on the person who sees it. Do you really agree with this?

 What is inside your body is definitely important, but skin, the largest organ of the body which basically covers everything is the first layer of defense against the outer world. Owning a healthy skin since birth or achieving it later on is certainly a blessing but maintaining it for the rest of your life is the real challenge.

 Although technology has been rapidly advancing over last many years, the fountain of youth is yet to be discovered. So, the bottom line is your skin will slowly start sagging, covered with spots, freckles and wrinkles as you age and if you do not act fast, these structural changes occurring would become irreversible. Ageing is inevitable but healthy ageing will always keep you motivated and that is where your skin care plan should come into action. 

 On today’s Health Capsule, we are talking about tips and tricks you can follow to fix unhealthy skin in order to achieve a beautiful texture and tone with Dr Amitha Nelumdeniya, Board certified Consultant Dermatologist, MBBS, MD (dermatology).

 “Avoidance of externally damaging sources like the sun, adequate nutrition, maintaining well-balanced hormonal levels and following a good skin care regimen are extremely important when talking about a healthy skin,” said Nelumdeniya. 

 What to do and what not to do

• Develop your own action plan with segmented targets to achieve a healthy skin 
• Pay attention to flaws and changes of your skin as identifying your skin type should be the first step towards your goal.
• Limit bath time and avoid using hot water. Warm water is acceptable but room temperature water is the best for your skin
• Avoid bathing in chlorinated pools for a long time
• Avoid intense exposure to sun (10am-4pm) and use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, when going out. Re-apply every two hours for the optimal results.
• Drink plenty of water (at least 2.5L/day) to stay hydrated
• Try your best to stay away from frizzy, carbonated or sugary drinks and fast-food
• Consume lots of fruits, whole grains, green leafy vegetables and lean proteins
• Stop smoking and stick to healthy amounts of alcoholic beverages
• Identify your skin type before choosing skin care products and always avoid ones which contain mercury.
• Stick to a consistent skin care routine
• Use gentle moisturizers, lotions or creams.
• Use mild cleansers which don’t irritate the skin
• Wash gently without excessive scrubbing and do not over-rub with towels afterwards
• Never shave dry skin and always apply lubricating lotions or shaving cream before hand. Shave in the direction, the hair grows. Make sure to moisturize your skin afterwards. However, there are plenty of new non-invasive, less harmful techniques of hair removal so try to get used to one of those if possible. Permanent hair removal is an option
• Choose your cosmetic brands carefully and seek professional advice when you are in doubt
• Never go to sleep with make-up on
• Try your best to avoid stress
• Practice meditation and yoga to calm your body
• Get enough sleep (9 hours a night for teens and 7-8 hours for adults)
• Don’t be hesitant to seek professional help if you are worried about your skin, because with the latest advances in scientific studies and technology, there is a range of options to choose from in terms of dermatology and cosmetic medicine, in order to bring-off your best skin texture and tone.

  “In addition to all the above tips, what matters the most is to believe in yourself and walk slowly but steadily towards your target because if you do no look after yourself who else would do it for you?” Concludes Dr Nelumdeniya.