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August - September 2005
Health
Skincare for South Asian Women
by Shashi Gossain B.Sc (Hons), MRPS, Member
The
skin has two main layers, the epidermis and the dermis. The dermis contains
collagen, which gives the skin its fullness and resilience. Collagen
is held together in bundles by a protein called elastin. Together they
allow the skin to spring back into its natural state without being distorted.
The condition of elastin and collagen displays the symptoms of ageing.
Your skin type
Dry Skin: This occurs when the epidermis of the skin does not contain enough lipids, therefore not enough moisture is kept in the skin. This can be due to internal factors, such as stress, illness, drug therapy or hereditary disposition of dry skin. It can also be due to external factors, such as weather and cleansers.
Oily or greasy skin: Sebum is the skin’s protective mantle, which helps to keep the skin supple. Excess sebum production causes oily skin, which can lead to the formation of spots, black heads and open pores.
Combination skin: This is when the nose, forehead and chin are oily, due to there being more sebaceous glands being present there and the cheeks are dry.
Sensitive skin: Sensitive skin is usually very dry and reacts to many external substances, causing red, itchy, blotchy, flaky skin. Stress is a major factor which causes sensitive skin.
Asian skin has larger, more numerous sebaceous glands, thicker
epidermis and larger melanin cells compared to white Caucasian skin.
Darker skin types are prone to noticeable scarring. Products especially effective at fading scars are those which contain a combination of Vitamin A and E, which promotes skin repair and rejuvenates the skin.
Asian skin is also easily darkened by the sun. Asian skin has a large number of melanocytes compared to Caucasian skin, therefore it darkens much faster. To prevent this from happening, products with a high SPF factor (of 20 or more) used as a daily moisturiser, is perfect for you.
Also, a most
effective skin lightener for the hyper pigmentation should contain Kojic
acid.
Acne is a particular problem for Asian skins, due to the high frequency
of sebaceous glands releasing sebum. If it is not dealt with properly,
visible scarring and darker pigmented areas can cover the face, which can
be very distressing. There are a number of acne treatments to try, such
as drug therapies and antibiotics, but the best for removing acne scarring
is Laser and Intense Pulse Treatments.
Collagen and elastin keep the skin supple. Togethere, these two substances
keep young skin smooth, firm and flexible. With age, collagen and elastin
fibres become less efficient. Your genetic makeup plays a major role in
the way your skin ages.
The single most influential cause of premature skin ageing is exposure
to UVA light. It triggers free radical activity in the skin, which leads
to the gradual erosion of structure of collagen and elastin, causing them
to break down. This in turn causes the formation of fine lines, larger
wrinkles and loose sagging skin.
The next most significant factor affecting the rate at which your skin
will age is whether you smoke or not.Smoking introduces harsh toxins anddamaging
oxidants into the body. The skin expresses the body’s degeneration
via dryness, loss of tone, wrinkles and sagging.
The four important steps to prevent premature ageing are: to wear UVA sunscreens
all year (which can be incorporated in your moisturizer), to stop smoking,
to wear anti-ageing facial moisturizers and to take vitamins rich in anti-oxidants.
Vitamin E cream is also helpful because it fights free radical activity
in the body.
If cared for properly, the skin can keep a good complexion and remain youthful looking for a longer period of time!
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