Skin Care

Introduction To Skin

Skin is the protective organ of our body that covers the whole body and the organs inside it. It protects us from getting hurt, external attacks from virus and bacteria, and variation in temperature. It also forms Vitamin D inside our body and protects us from the harmful ultra-violet rays of the sun. Skin is formed with nerve receptor, hair follicle and sweat gland. On the other hand it also absorbs, preserves, sweat out the oily things and exchange gases. The absolutely natural skin care treatment is yoga.

Skin is mainly made up of two layers. The upper layer is called epidermis and the lower layer is called dermis. Epidermis and dermis has different layers. They are as follows:

Stratum corneum layer.
Stratum glanulosum layer.
Stratum granulosum layer.
Malpisium layer.
Basal layer.
Granular layer.
Ludium layer.
Keratin layer.
Cholazen layer.

Different layers of skin do different kinds of work. Some layers are mentioned as needed. For example:

Upper layer stratum corneum: It is keratinaside and stratified epithelial layer. It mainly works to protect the skin from infection. It mainly removes the dead cells from the upper layer and forms new cells in lower layer. Due to this, skin remains intact throughout that cannot be understood when we see. This layer is mostly thick in the palm area and under feet but thin in lips. Generally the hair grows more in the keratinaside cell. The body part and head where hair grows more is because of this cell.

The lower layer is more important for protection of beauty. The cholozen layer breaks up according to growing age and helps the skin to remain fit.

Important facts about skin

Skin plays a very important role in protection of beauty. Beauty is one of the most desired and dedicated wealth of human kind. We can retain our youth by keeping our skin healthy. 50 years older person can also look like a 35 year old one. There are many types of skin in our body. 1) Dry skin 2) Oily skin 3) Mixed skin 4) Rough skin 5) Smooth skin 6) Sensitive/Responsive skin 7) Natural skin etc.

Types of Skins

1. Dry Skin:

The strength of dry skin is very less. As a reason, dry skin gets cracked easily. The face wrinkles get more cleared due to dryness. Skin can also get dry due to hormone. Skin naturally gets dry with age. This type of dry skin needs much more care. In winter and summer, it requires more care for the protection of this type of skin.

2. Oily Skin:

This type of skin looks soft and glossy. Pimples, face spots can occur more due to excess oil in the skin. Oily cells generate excess oil due to which skin pores get closed and formation of dirt occurs. As a result, pimples occur.

3. Mixed Skin:

The larger portions of the population have this type of skin. It is seen that few portion of the skin is cleared and normal whereas few portion is oily. The oily part is largely visible in the area of ear. To see whether the skin is oily, just take a tissue and rub on your face lightly. You will notice that few portion of it is oily and remaining portion is clean. This type of skin is referred to as mixed skin.

4. Rough Skin:

This skin is not dry. Wrinkles, irregular, different kinds of roughness are seen. Harshness is felt in this type of skin.

5. Smooth Skin:

This skin is very soft, thin and sensitive. It is so smooth, thin and soft that minimal pressure or scratch can harm it.

By applying different skin care creams and lotions, many people try to take care of their skin. But inner beauty and mental peace enhances the glamour of the skin for a long time.

Maintenance of Skin

Taking care of skin is known as maintenance of skin. The following are necessary points for taking care of skin:

1. Food:

Be conscious about food. Most of the skin problems occur from stomach. It is better not to eat oily and fried foods. Taking protein, vitamin related foods mainly anti-oxidant foods like oranges, lime, apple, water-melon etc. fruits and vegetables on high amount keeps beauty of your skin. Mainly Vitamin A, C and E play a vital role in taking care of skin.

Vitamin A - It increases the glow of skin as protein that helps to increase the glaze and glamour of skin. It also works on skin as fat soluble vitamin. Red-coloured food is more helpful in keeping glaze-glamour of skin. Red-coloured fruit and vegetables contain more Vitamin A. Different kinds of vegetables and green fruits contain more Vitamin A.

Vitamin B - It helps to maintain tightness of skin by producing cholozen. It works as anti-oxidant in body.

Vitamin C - It is also called ascorbic acid. It helps to filter out the oil or oily foods. It protects the body from decaying and also age spots. It increases the immunity power and easily heals any injuries. It protects the heart by controlling the cholesterol level. Vitamin C is useful for sun burnt skin. Guava, lime, oranges etc. contain Vitamin C.

Vitamin E - It works as fat soluble compound and anti-oxidant. It is necessary in repairing ageing, for longevity of youth and also protects from germs. Peas, grams, soya bean, bitter kind food, turmeric contain Vitamin E.

2. Sleep:

It is very important for skin. Regular 6-8 hours sleep is necessary. It is the normal work of body. Skin remains healthy if it gets proper rest.

3. Exercise and Asana:

Exercise, yogasan, walking, swimming, playing plays a vital role in keeping the skin healthy and beauty. Remember that dhyan and yogasan keeps and protects young looking of skin. The flow of pituitary gland and thyroid gland, hormones of parathyroid gland helps in maintaining the layers of skin.

4. Aroma Therapy:

Aroma means fragrance. The treatment of skin by the extracts of different fragrance added flowers is called aromatherapy. It is done with the extracts of rose, lavender etc.

5. Massage Therapy:

It is passive way of blood circulation. Blood circulation in skin is one of the organic systems. Normal blood flow directly increases the health of the skin, repairs it as a result skin glows. Massage therapy helps to maintain young skin for a long time. It increases blood circulation through micro massage by vibrating various skin glands.

6. Stress-Tensionless Skin:

Tension, curiosity, stress harm skin. As a result, wrinkles and ageing can be noticed easily. Engage at work, do asanas, pranayam, dhyan. Remain tensionless, stressless helps our skin remain healthy.

Other Methods

A. Hydrogermy Treatment

The skin glow of the rough, dry and damage skin is increased through oxygenation treatment. No hormone or animal product is used. There is lot of methods available in modern treatment but before applying those, expert comments should be taken. Otherwise, skin can get harmed.

B. Biopiling

In this method, chemical cream is used to remove the dead cells. As a result, skin looks glow and acts as barrier against ageing.

Different skin diseases or problems

Prevention from various skin diseases or problems make it more glow or healthy. Different kinds of problems are mentioned below:

1. Pimple/Acne:

It occurs on face, nose and its areas. Liquid comes out when pressed. This is called acne. Pimple is bigger than acne, sometimes bright red-coloured spots. Liquid with blood comes out when pressed. Some people feel pain. Unclear stomach, using cosmetics, empty stomach for long time, careless skin, dirty skin are the reasons behind pimple. It spreads more if scratched by nails.

2. Freckles/Lentigo:

Black spots are formed on face. The increase of active melanocyte creates black spots. This spot is called freckles or lentigo. Melanocytes activation gets increased on sun rays. Many times freckles can also occur due to the effect of estrogen and progesterone hormone in female.

3. Nettlerash:

The scientific term of this is pitariasis-versicolor. Due to excess humidity or temperature one kind of fungus from pitirosporum group enters the upper layer of skin. Pitariasis means sharp scales and versicolor means different colours. Nettlerash has more possibility to grow more in summer and rainy season. Every age can have it. On the other hand, malnutrition, diabetes or hereditary problems are also the reasons of it. Many people can also have dandruff with nettlerash.

4. Itching:

It occurs in case of irregular blood circulation, dry skin, fungal infection, dirty skin, dirt on skin pores, sweat and dirt together closes the skin pores. It can also happen due to lack of vitamin.

5. Urticaria:

Rounded red-coloured spot formed after itching. Many a times it goes by itself. Reaction from different foods, intake of arsenic, antimony, and worm in stomach or insect bite can also be the reason for it. According to doctors, it occurs from allergy.

6. Corn:

Continuous pressure on hand and feet makes the tissue harder under hand or feet. These hard dead cells are called corn. It can be painful. It creates problem while walking if it occurs under feet. Lifting heavy weight is the cause of it. Skin comes out when scratched by nails.

7. Scabies:

The reason behind this is to wear dirty, unclean clothes, stay unhealthy, unclean without bath etc. Sarcoptes Scabiei is responsible for this kind of skin disease.

8. Eczema:

It is a dangerous skin disease. It does not get cured easily. Generally it is seen on legs, head, beside ears. Sometimes it can be liquid in form and sometimes dry. The dry one is called dry eczema. It causes Psora diseases. There are different kinds of eczema.

9. Leuco derma/Vitiligo:

White patches on skin are called leuco derma. At first a pointed white spot is formed and then it spread over wide area. If the skin is white as milk then it is said to be leuco derma or vitiligo. It does not occur from liver problem always but the main reason is the change of pigmentation. For this, the deficiency of melanin in basal layer is important.

For treating the skin, application of natural skin care oils will be fruitful. Though free skin care tips and skin care creams are easily available at your doorstep, but the absolutely natural skin care remedy is yoga therapy.

Facial Exercises: Anti age Facial Exercises

The downward-facing dog - great for the mind, body and soul - but how about some yoga for the face? We asked face yoga expert to teach us simple facial exercise regime, which helps lift, firm, tone and reduce wrinkles. Try this easy 20-minute routine, six times a week.

Firstly, it's hailed as a non-invasive alternative to Botox and surgery, but how exactly will doing facial exercises help banish fine lines, sagging and wrinkles?

The exercises work the hypodermis or the lower layer of the skin, the dermis or the middle layer and the epidermis or the upper layer.

By working all these layers correctly it will increase the blood circulation, allowing more oxygen and more nourishment to reach the cells of the skin. The result is a clear, healthy complexion with a beautiful glow which has less toxins and has a better ability to absorb moisture.

The techniques are also designed to stimulate collagen and elastin production in the middle layer of the skin giving you a smoother, more supple, tighter-looking skin.

TWC recommends that you do the facial exercises for 20 minutes, six times a week. It may seem like a lot, but you'll see results quickly. Everyone has different faces so the time it takes to see changes varies from person to person. As a general rule you will start to see more of a long term improvement in your face and neck after two weeks. After 2-4 months, you will notice you have less fine lines and less tension and people will notice you look healthier and more energised. Within 6-9 months people have reported that they look and feel many years younger and feel more relaxed within themselves.

Here are five facial exercises:

1. The V

Good For: Drooping eyelids, crow's feet, eye bags and puffiness.
Alternative To: Botox and eye surgery.
Step 1: Press both middle fingers together at the inner corner of the eyebrows, then with the index fingers, apply pressure to the outer corners of the eyebrows.
Step 2: Look to the ceiling, and raise the lower eyelids upwards to make a strong squint, and then relax.
Step 3: Repeat six more times and finish by squeezing eyes shut tightly for 10 seconds.

2. The Smile Smoother

Good For: Cheek lines and sagging skin.
Alternative To: Lower face lift and fillers.
Step 1: Hide the teeth with the lips to make an 'O' shape with the mouth.
Step 2: Smile widely while keeping the teeth hidden and repeat six times.
Step 3: Next, hold the smile shape while placing one index finger on the chin. Then start to move the jaw up and down as the head tilts gently back. Relax and repeat twice more.

3. Smooth The Brow

Good For: Horizontal forehead lines.
Alternative To: Botox.
Step 1: Place both hands on the forehead facing inwards and spread all of the fingers out between the eyebrows and hairline.
Step 2: Gently sweep the fingers outwards across the forehead, applying light pressure to tighten the skin.
Step 3: Relax and repeat 10 times.

4. The Flirty Eyes

Good For: Deep eye hollows and drooping eye brows.
Alternative To: Eyebrow lift.
Step 1: Place an index finger under each eye, pointing towards the nose.
Step 2: Hide the teeth and tease the top lip and bottom lip away from each other at the mouth.
Step 3: Flutter the upper eyelids while gazing at the ceiling for 30 seconds.

5. The Giraffe

Good For: Lines and loose skin on the neck.
Alternative To: Neck lift and jowl lift.
Step 1: Looking straight ahead, place the finger tips at the bottom of the neck and lightly stroke the skin downwards with the head tilted back.
Step 2: Bring the head back down to the chest and repeat twice more.
Step 3: Finally, jut the lower lip out as far as possible to pull the corners of the mouth down and place finger tips on the collarbone with the chin pointed upwards. Hold for four deep breaths.

Yoga Breathing

Sit in Easy pose with your spine erect. Practice complete yogic breathing - inhale slowly filling your abdomen first, then your chest, then your upper chest. Hold briefly. Exhale slowly in reverse order. Focus on making each breath as full and deep as possible. Continue this for 5 minutes, focusing on full lung expansion with each breath.

Benefits: Yoga breathing exercise helps you to re-program your natural breathing techniques and clear the airways, allowing the lungs to work at full capacity and increasing the amount of oxygen in the blood. Increased oxygen supply to the skin cells helps to maintain a healthy, glowing complexion and prevents premature aging.

Deep Breathing

Sit or stand straight with your back erect. Inhale deeply through the nose for 4 counts, filling your lungs completely. Hold the breath for 4 counts. Exhale slowly through the nose for 6 counts, emptying your lungs completely. Focus on making each breath cycle smooth and controlled. Repeat this process 10 times. Then rest and breathe normally for a minute.

Benefits: This breathing technique keeps the skin smooth and exudes inner calm and greater energy. The increased oxygen supply nourishes skin cells, improves cell regeneration and helps the body eliminate toxins that can cause skin problems like acne and dullness.

Neck Exercises

Sit straight with your spine erect. Slowly rotate your neck clockwise 5 times. Then rotate anticlockwise 5 times. Now tilt your head to the right shoulder, hold for 3 counts, come back. Tilt to the left shoulder, hold 3 counts, come back. Tilt head forward (chin to chest), hold 3 counts, come back. Tilt head backward, hold 3 counts, come back. Do 3 rounds of the entire sequence.

Benefits: These exercises can tighten the skin on the neck and face and prevent it from sagging. The increased blood flow to the face and neck area nourishes the skin cells and helps maintain a youthful appearance. Regular practice helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines on the neck.

Sit Up

Lie down straight on back. Place both the hands above the head. Now keeping both the hands straight sit up and touch the toes with your fingers. Head should touch the knees. Again lie down straight with hands straight. Do this for 10 times.

Benefits: Increases the energy level which in turn, reflects on the skin by keeping it soft and without any marks or pimples.

Wind Relieving Pose

Lie on back. Fold your right leg and press knee towards chest, count 10. Same with left. Then fold both legs, count 10.

Benefits: Cures stomach problems such as indigestion, gas and constipation which, if not treated will reflect on the skin in the form of acne, pimples etc.

Half Tortoise Pose

Sit in Diamond posture. Then raise your hands up sidewise and join your palms. Now bend your body forward along with your hands and hip should be touched with ankles. Your forehead should rest on the ground and stretch your arms in front with your palms touching the floor. Hold this position and count 5 with normal breathing. Come back to the previous position. Do the asana 2 times. Then take rest in Corpse pose.

Benefits: Proper exercising of this asana relieves all stomach disorders and gives a youthful look.

Rabbit Pose

Sit in Diamond pose. Now hold the heels with the hands. Thumbs should be inside the leg facing each other. Now slowly bend the body in front. Place the head between the knee and try to touch the crown of the head on floor. Hold the heels tight, raise the hips up. Hold the position and count 5. Breathing will be normal. Then return to the normal position. Do the asana 2 times. Then take rest in Corpse pose.

Benefits: Performance of this asana adds glint to the face and the skin appears smooth and healthy.

Fish Pose

Sit in Lotus pose. Slowly lie down on your back taking the help of your elbows. Place the crown of the head on the ground by bending the dorsal and cervical spine backwards. Catch hold of the big toes and elbows should touch the ground. Hold this position and count 5. Then release your hands and slowly release your head. Do this asana 2 times. Then take rest in Corpse pose.

Benefits: This asana enhances the natural glow of the skin by maintaining the hormonal balance and increasing the oxygen flow to the blood.

Breathing Exercise

Sit in Easy pose. Close your left nostril with ring and little finger. Close your eyes and breathe in through right nostril. Block right nostril with thumb and breathe out with left nostril. Again breathe in with left nostril. Close left nostril and breathe out with right nostril. Do this for 10 times. Change your legs and again do for 10 times.

Benefits: Good for the whole body and relieves stress, adding luster to the skin.

Corpse Pose

Lie down on your back and relax your whole body, as if you have gone to sleep. Place a cold towel on top of the eyes. In this posture, keep the mind clean from all worries and thoughts. Do this for 5 minutes.

Benefits: A satisfied relaxing posture for remaining fit.

The V - Facial Exercise

Good For: Drooping eyelids, crow's feet, eye bags and puffiness.

Alternative To: Botox and eye surgery.

Step 1: Press both middle fingers together at the inner corner of the eyebrows, then with the index fingers, apply pressure to the outer corners of the eyebrows.

Step 2: Look to the ceiling, and raise the lower eyelids upwards to make a strong squint, and then relax.

Step 3: Repeat six more times and finish by squeezing eyes shut tightly for 10 seconds.

The Smile Smoother

Good For: Cheek lines and sagging skin.

Alternative To: Lower face lift and fillers.

Step 1: Hide the teeth with the lips to make an 'O' shape with the mouth.

Step 2: Smile widely while keeping the teeth hidden and repeat six times.

Step 3: Next, hold the smile shape while placing one index finger on the chin. Then start to move the jaw up and down as the head tilts gently back. Relax and repeat twice more.

Smooth The Brow

Good For: Horizontal forehead lines.

Alternative To: Botox.

Step 1: Place both hands on the forehead facing inwards and spread all of the fingers out between the eyebrows and hairline.

Step 2: Gently sweep the fingers outwards across the forehead, applying light pressure to tighten the skin.

Step 3: Relax and repeat 10 times.

The Flirty Eyes

Good For: Deep eye hollows and drooping eye brows.

Alternative To: Eyebrow lift.

Step 1: Place an index finger under each eye, pointing towards the nose.

Step 2: Hide the teeth and tease the top lip and bottom lip away from each other at the mouth.

Step 3: Flutter the upper eyelids while gazing at the ceiling for 30 seconds.

The Giraffe

Good For: Lines and loose skin on the neck.

Alternative To: Neck lift and jowl lift.

Step 1: Looking straight ahead, place the finger tips at the bottom of the neck and lightly stroke the skin downwards with the head tilted back.

Step 2: Bring the head back down to the chest and repeat twice more.

Step 3: Finally, jut the lower lip out as far as possible to pull the corners of the mouth down and place finger tips on the collarbone with the chin pointed upwards. Hold for four deep breaths.