Archive for February, 2009
Sensitized Skin
Introduction
No other skin condition is more misunderstood than sensitive skin. In fact, almost 90% of the population report having sensitive skin at one time or another! There is, however, a difference between sensitive skin and sensitized skin.
What causes Sensitive skin
Sensitive skin is a genetically-inherited condition that predominantly affects very fair-skinned individuals, usually of Northern European ancestry. Someone with truly sensitive skin is highly prone to blushing, has a very fine complexion and may experience bad hay fever, allergies or asthma.
Sensitized Skin
What most people suffer from is in fact sensitized skin. Rather than a result of our genetic make-up, sensitized skin is a reflection of our environment, lifestyle and physiology. Pollution, stress, hormonal imbalance, cosmetic allergies, alcohol, a poor diet and over-exfoliation can all cause the sensitized skin condition. The good news is that sensitized skin can be treated. The bad news is that, left untreated, the skin’s response can actually result in permanent cellular damage, which can lead to premature aging.
How can I avoid trigger factors?
A few lifestyle modifications can usually solve most people’s skin sensitization. Maintaining the skin’s barrier function is vital, so remember to always apply your Dermalogica moisturizer after cleansing, and whenever your skin feels tight or dry – Dermalogica Barrier Repair was developed with this specific goal in mind. Dermalogica Skin Hydrating Booster is the ideal addition to your skin care regimen to optimize the water level of your skin. Also, always avoid over-exfoliating your skin – remember, more exfoliation is not better! If you notice redness or tightness that lasts more than a few hours, you should discontinue the use of your exfoliant for a few days. Sun protection is also critical because sensitized skin is even more vulnerable to UV damage. Lastly, avoiding trigger factors such as hot drinks, spicy foods. msg, alcohol, caffeine and cigarettes can help your skin recover and rebuild its normal resistance.
What can I do for my skin when it’s sensitized?
The first step to treating sensitized skin is to notice that you are experiencing it. The signs usually come in the form of a tightness, redness and slight swelling of the skin. If you believe you do have sensitized skin then a useful place to start is to avoid all the trigger factors explained above. Whilst doing this, you also need to follow a special regimen to help your skin recover. Cleansing with Dermalogica UltraCalming Cleanser, an extremely gentle gel/cream and tissue-off formula, will remove all irritants from the skin’s surface. Follow with Soothing Protection Spray to mist on anti-ozonate protection that’ll help shield the skin from further assault. Barrier Repair provides the last step, creating an invisible silicone barrier against the outside world. Your Environmental Control regimen doesn’t replace your existing skin care routine – think of it as an emergency response.
Some products you may be interested in:
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Dermalogica Ultracalming cleanser |  |
Dermalogica Soothing protection spray |
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Extra-gentle cleansing, healing and protection for skin aggravated by environmental influences. |
Mist on this environmental shield to immediately reduce the redness associated with stress, pollution, climatic extremes or allergies. |
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Dermalogica Barrier repair |  |
Dermalogica Climate control |
| Our Silicone-based moisturiser melts gently into sensitized skin to soothe and help repair damage from environmental aggressions. |
Take charge of your microclimate! Whether you’re in harsh outdoor cold or intense indoor dryness, your skin will be safe from chapping, redness and dryness. |
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The Magic of Exfoliation
Introduction
Not many people are aware that the skin is, in actual fact, the largest organ in the body. Another interesting fact is that the human skin produces roughly one million skin cells every minute. This equates to over 5 billion skin cells per day!
These facts re-enforce the need for proper exfoliation when it comes to maintaining and enhancing the quality of your skin. This article looks at what exfoliation actually is and how it can be used to improve the look and health of your skin.
What is Exfoliation?
Put simply, exfoliation is the process of removing cells from the skin. When we exfoliate we not only immediately refresh the skin’s appearance but also stimulate cell renewal. There are many techniques that can be used to carry out this exfoliation process. Among them are scrubs, peels, masques and dermabrasion.
Does everybody need to Exfoliate?
Every single person on the planet exfoliates naturally. The way this natural process occurs, however, will vary from person to person and depends on factors such as age and skin type. Teenagers completely regenerate their external layer of skin, on average every 14 days. By the time you are 40, however, that rate has increased to 30-40 days. If you are in any doubt as to which exfoliant to use and how often to use it contact your local skin care specialist. Another way to find out which skin care products are right for your skin type is to use our on-line dermalogica face mapping service. This service will analyse your skin condition and recommend a core regimen to suit your skin type.
What are the benefits of Exfoliation?
Exfoliation has many different benefits. As well as promoting skin cell renewal it will improve the quality and tone of your skin, making it look fresher and healthier. Exfoliation can be us to improve many different skin types. It can be used to help treat acneic, aging, and dry/dehydrated skin and can also be used to treat hyper pigmentation
Can you over Exfoliate?
Many people are of the belief that the more you do something the higher level of results you achieve. This may be true for some things but it is not true for exfoliation. If you over-exfoliate you will no longer be removing dead skin cells you will actually be scrubbing away the protective barrier of the epidermis. This can result in permanent sensitization, premature aging and various different other concerns. The amount of times you need to exfoliate will depend on the strength of the exfoliant, your age and the skin condition you have.
Perfect Skin Care Dermalogica UK offer a wide range of high quality products to help you with this exfoliation process. Click on the link if you would like to find out more about these Dermalogica Exfoliation products.
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