Say goodbye to 4 common skincare problems with these tips
Editorial Team Nov 05, 2014 at 12:35 pm
Spider veins
Small, detailed capillaries that sit right
beneath the surface of the skin are called spider veins. These appear as
red, or sometimes purple, small, wiggly lines. An appearance of such
veins is often found on the hands or legs.
What to do?
Such a skin condition can be controlled on
the basis of the water intake one has. Nutritionist Keri Filtness says,
‘Ensure that your water intake doesn’t drop at any time. Dehydration
tends to cause fluid retention, causing spider veins to appear. Having
fresh fruits and vegetables of a variety of colours provides different
types of plant compounds. These compounds are rich antioxidants and
hence protect the blood vessels from any damage and support collagen
production.’
Acne
Acne is one of the most common skin problems.
Pimples or breakouts are caused on the face when the sebaceous gland
produces sebum, which ‘oils’ the skin. The problem of acne may occur
excessively in people with oily skin. Hence, it is important to keep a
check on the products and cosmetics used. It is ideal to check with your
dermatologist or skin specialist before you pick up over-the-counter
skin products.
What to do?
Regular skincare habits can either aggravate
your acne problem or help resolve them coveniently. Keri says, ‘Your
skin needs appropriate amounts of nutrients coming from unsalted nuts
and seeds, avocado, oily fish, fruits and vegetables and wholegrain
products. Avoid processed foods and ensure you are drinking as much
water. Be cautious of the cleansers you are using, as harsh cleansers
can strip the skin of the required oil. Face washes and cleansers with
high mineral oil content should be avoided as they create a blockage in
pores.’ Know how to get rid of acne scars, here.
Home remedy
Sandalwood or chandan is
a great cooling agent for the skin and resolves zits with much ease.
Simply soak a piece of sandalwood in water for a few hours and remove
the wood and dry it. You could then store it for further use. Begin with
dipping a small ball of cotton into the sandalwood paste and apply it
on the affected areas. Carry on with this every day for a week. Here are some home remedies and face packs to fight pimples.
Skin pigmentation, freckles and tanning
Freckles or
sunspots are increasingly common as the result of excessive sun
exposure. As the sun is very strong in India, even a little bit of
exposure or the sun that comes through windows can affect you. The most
immediate and easy way to protect yourself from sun exposure is by
wearing lots of sunscreen. If
you ave developed skin pigmentation and tanning in certain areas of
your face, it’s needed that there is strong SPF in most of the beauty
product you use.
What to do?
If and when you
are heading out in the sun apply some sunscreen at least 30 minutes
prior without fail and don’t forget to carry it with you for the day.
You could also shield yourself from harmful sun rays by covering your
face with a scarf to help prevent chances of pigmentation. Know more on
how to get rid of the common most beauty problems, here.
Home remedy
Aloe vera is an
effective remedy for lightening of dark sports and is effective in
lightening your spots. Mix some rose water in aloe vera gel and
apply it on your dark spots or freckles. Keep it on for 10 minutes
until you wash it off with cold water. To see a considerable decrease,
you would have to do this regularly.
For skin tanning, the besan and haldi facial scrub can prove beneficial. Take two tablespoons of besan, add some haldi or turmeric (the
type that is meant for application on the skin specifically) and a few
drops of lemon juice and some milk. Add some crushed orange peel to this
mix for a natural scrub. Make a
fine paste with these ingredients and just add a few drops of some cool
rose water. This paste will give you a soothing effect instantly, once
applied on the face and neck. After a few minutes, you will find that
certain patches have dried out. Wet these patches with your hand. This
will turn those areas soft. Once done, scrub your face carefully and
wash well.
Eczema
Eczema is a condition that causes the skin to
turn excessively itchy, red, dry and cracked. This skin irritation is
commonly seen in areas like behind the knees or the inside of the
elbows.
What to do?
For a skin problem like eczema, you should
keep a check on the consumption of fats. Keri advises, ‘You need fats
found in nuts, seeds and oily fish. For a skin condition like this, it
is needed that you watch your diet. If possible, maintain a food diary
so it is easier for you to identify in case of any food allergies which
could worsen the condition. It is best to consult your general
practitioner or dietitian before you plan to leave out certain foods
from your meals. A good supply of Omega-3 fatty acids churned out from
fish oil are involved in the production of essential compounds that keep
inflammation at bay.’
Home remedy
Tulsi leaves have thymol, eugenol and
camphor which are soothing for skin irritation. You could either wash a
few leaves and rub them over the affected area swiftly or prepare some
tea by boiling a few leaves in water. Then, dip a cotton ball or cloth
into the tea and apply it carefully onto the itchy skin. Tulsi or Holy Basil has a number of other benefits for your body. Find out more about them.
