Taking care of your skin is not a luxury but a necessity.  This article tells you why.

BN Beauty Nest With Ameera: Understanding Facials 101

Posted on Wednesday, November 14th, 2012 at 12:00 PM By Ameera Abraham

When it comes to skincare we often view it as something that’s part of a luxurious lifestyle. This is where we are all wrong because taking care of your skin is just as important as taking care of any other part of your body. We all book appointments to see our dentists approximately every 6 months, or get our eyes tested every 2 years. Taking care of our skin should not be any different, it is a reflection of our age, inner health and well being amongst other things. It is not a luxury but a necessity.

What are the functions of the skin? – The skin covers the entire surface of the body that creates a boundary that separates our internal organs from the outside world. It is an organ of protection that maintains body temperature. It  protects against disease, harmful UV rays and the invasion of bacteria amongst other things.

Having regular facials and a good at-home skincare routine goes beyond our physical appearance alone. It  promotes healthy skin which is less susceptible to premature aging, wrinkles, acne, rashes, infections, diseases or sores. When the skin is healthy it heals and regenerates itself effectively and is less likely to scar as badly as an unhealthy skin. Regular facials aid the functions of the skin and allows it to work at its optimum level.

What is the purpose of a facial? – All skin types benefit from regular facials as it allows for a deep cleansing of the skin, relaxes tense and tight muscles, improves the general condition of the skin (e.g acne, psoriasis, dehydration, wrinkles), and aids in relaxation.

I understand that it is easy to get confused particularly as the beauty industry is at its peak with a million and one products on the market and beauty treatments that offer quick-fixes to every and any skin concern. It’s important to go back to the basics when it comes to skincare and this involves four basic steps – cleanse, tone, exfoliate and moisturize. In order to do this effectively you must first identify your skin type (this is genetic and cannot change) and particular skin conditions (these are subject to change and are driven by hormones, stress and other external factors) to enable you invest in  the right products and facial treatments.

Skin Type	Symptoms
Normal	Even texture and tone, no blemishes, firm, no dryness, oiliness or sensitivity.
Dry	Matte, flaky, uneven texture, itchy patches, tightness, fine lines around the mouth or eyes.
Sensitive	Broken capillaries, redness, scaling, peeling, reacts easily with burning, itching or stinging sensations.
Oily	Open pores, oily all over, spots, blackheads, blocked pores, lumpy and thickened texture/appearance.
Acne	Spots, blackheads, broken skin, open wounds.
Combination	Oily/ normal or oily/ dry t-zone, forehead, nose or chin.

Oily skin

Skin conditions can affect any skin type and can change on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. Having regular facials will enable you to get professional advise on how to treat your skin conditions and provide you with the right products to use in between professional treatments.

Skin Condition
Dehydration
Premature Aging/ Aging
Pigmentation/Uneven skin tone
Congestion/ Breakouts
Sensitised – sunburns, illness, etc

 Remember that your skin conditions are subject to change and so it is important you check your skin regularly to ensure that your conditions are treated and your daily skincare routine changes according to your skins needs. Your at-home skincare routine is very important as this will help you yield better results from your facial and help maintain your skin.

 What facial treatment is best for me? – All good facials will be tailored to your specific skin condition which will be determined after a skin consultation. The difference between a professional facial and regular skin care products you use daily is that the products used in your facial treatment contain higher levels of active ingredients thus yielding almost immediate visible results. The basic steps which are common in most facial treatments include a deep cleanse, exfoliation, extraction -if necessary, toning of the skin with masks and toners, facial massage and moisturizing of the skin.

 If you have special skin concerns such as acne, dry skin, aging, etc your facial will include specialized masks, toners and moisturizers and in some cases unique facial massage movements will be used alongside advanced tools and equipment. Examples of specialized facials include Oxygen Facials, Thalassotherapy, Vitamin Facials, AHA Facials, amongst many others.

In my next article I will have be sharing DIY facial tips for various skin conditions. In the mean time find your nearest day spa and speak to a qualified beautician about your skin concerns and desired results.

Photo credit: cdn.madamenoire.com| counterculturebeauty.com| www.drgranny.com

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Ameera Abraham is the Creative Director at The Nail Bar, a luxury nail spa and wellness centre located in Abuja. She’s a qualified aesthetician and is passionate about all things beauty!

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Combat Dry Skin Naturally

• Michelle Schoffro Cook
• November 8, 2012

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The colder weather of autumn and winter is upon us.  While we can hide beneath layers of clothing, the elements still take their toll on our skin.  Cold weather and dry, windy conditions can wreak havoc on skin, particularly if you’re a fan of outdoor exercise.  With a little TLC and some natural remedies, seasonal dry and chapped skin can be a thing of the past.

Skin 101

Skin is the body’s largest organ.  It not only shields us from the elements around us, it also assists with detoxification, and protects our tissues and organs from damage.  Skin also reflects our inner health.  It readily shows stress and tension, hormonal imbalances, and nutritional deficiencies.  The best way to combat dry skin that accompanies the colder weather is by working from the inside out, rather than just slathering on creams and ointments and hoping for the best.

Water, Water Everywhere

One of the main components of healthy skin is water.  The body is composed of over seventy percent water that makes up every cell, including skin cells.  The first step toward preventing or healing dry skin is to increase your water consumption.  This will help keep your skin properly hydrated.  While the standard recommendation is eight cups per day, more may be required to cope with dry indoor air and harsh fall and winter elements outdoors.  For every caffeinated or alcoholic beverage you drink, add another glass of water to the total.

Eat Your Fats
(Before you start piling the French fries on your dinner plate, keep reading.)

To combat dryness, you will need to increase your consumption of healthy fats, also known as essential fatty acids.  There are many different types of healthy fats, all of which are required to prevent dry skin and chapping.  Fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, and tuna are helpful.  Adding cold-pressed flax or hemp oil to salads or drizzled on steamed veggies or baked potatoes is another excellent way to add healthy Omega-3 fatty acids to your diet.

Avoid cooking with flax or hemp oil since the heat eliminates any benefit to taking them.  After cooking food, you can use these oils in place of butter as a condiment on foods.  Most people are quite surprised to find that they actually taste quite good.  If you are not among them, you can sneak some flax or hemp oil into a smoothie.  Try to get two tablespoons of these oils per day.

Keep reading to discover foods and supplements that prevent dry and chapped skin

Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/combat-dry-skin-naturally.html#ixzz2BxxMtBpm

Foods and Supplements
To prevent dryness and chapped skin, your body’s needs for vitamins A, E, and D may be higher during the cold weather months.  You can take these nutrients in supplement form but I recommend that you also try to eat foods high in these nutrients.
Carrots, carrot juice, sweet potatoes, yams, and green leafy vegetables are excellent sources of vitamin A.
Vitamin E is prevalent in raw, unsalted seeds and nuts such as pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, and whole grain cereals and breads.
Vitamin D is made in the body when the skin is exposed to sunlight, however, that can be inadequate during the colder weather.  Excellent sources of vitamin D include sunflower seeds, sweet potatoes, fish, eggs, and sprouts.
From the Outside In
The best moisturizers to fend off dry skin are those that contain few harsh chemicals, emulsifiers, preservatives, and alcohol, all of which can further irritate dry skin.  While many companies claim that their products are “natural,” few actually live up to the claim.
An oil-based moisturizer is best, preferably one that contains vitamins A, E, or D.  Pure, cold-pressed oils are also effective.  You can find hazelnut, almond, apricot kernal, grape seed, avocado, and other pure oils in many natural food stores.  You can also add pure essential oils.  Tomorrow I will share my recipe for a soothing and moisturizing chapped skin ointment.
With a little extra attention you can prevent your skin from withering up during the colder months ahead.  If you’re already experiencing dry skin, you can turn it around with a little TLC, some healthy foods, extra water and some soothing natural moisturizers.

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