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The Body Articles are really a standalone addition, but, since you can’t have just, “Mind and Spirit” without “Body,” the last section was swiftly added. As you can imagine, these self-growth articles focus on keeping your body in tip-top form.
Skin Care - A Brief Introduction Oh yes, the largest organ of our body. A delicate flower that usually indicates the state of our health... as such, it is vital to keep it in tip-top form.
Free Radicals This is by far your skin's mortal enemy. However, in order for you to understand this topic, we're going to have to go back into your memory to your high school chemistry class... atoms to be precise.
Now then, as you are aware, atoms are the building blocks of life. (overly used cliche line, indeed)... Atoms are composed of a Nucleus, Proton(s), Neutron(s) and Electron(s).
Number of Protons = Number of Electrons
Now, let's get to the important stuff... Electrons orbit the nucleus. When that particular orbit-ring reaches the maximum amount of electrons sustainable... a new orbit is created further from the last. Each maximum amount of electrons per orbit is different for each orbit but the universal law is...
1st Full Orbit - 2 Electrons 2nd Full Orbit - 8 Electrons Etc...
For example, if you add 3 electrons to an atom with no electrons, you will have 2 orbits. One orbit holding 2 electrons because that's the maximum amount sustainable in the first orbit, always, and you'll have a second orbit with the third electron. Stable atoms are created by having the last orbit (1, 4, or any other number) of electrons full. Stability is the goal of all atoms... they gain stability by sharing/giving up/adding electrons from nearby atoms.
For example, assume two atoms are close by... both atoms have two electrons in their first orbit ring and six in their second orbit ring. Now, because the laws for atoms dictate that a maximum 2nd Orbit is 8 Electrons, the two in our example will want to share electrons so that each of them have a full 8 electrons orbiting both their 2nd rings. The process of mixing atoms and whatnot is called a chemical bonding. You may have heard this before. :D Stable atoms do not bond well because they have no further business mixing/sharing with atoms since they are already complete and happy. Their bond is complete
Now, normally, bonds don't split apart in a way that leaves it with an odd, or unpaired, electron. However, such is not the case with weak bonds. When weak bonds split, free radicals are created. Think of free radicals as a leech, a parasite. It's very unstable and will attempt to react with anything, as quickly as possible. By react, it steals electrons from other atomic bonds... what happens to that atomic bond? It becomes a free radical itself, ultimately, creating a chain reaction resulting in the destruction of a healthy cell. (skin cell, get it? lol)
"That's Nice and All, but What Do I Do?"
Typically, your body can deal with free radicals... assuming you have enough ANTIOXIDANTS in your system. :D You see, damage and rate-of-occurrence from free-radicals only increases with age. That's why it's important to consume things rich in antioxidants, like FRUIT and VEGETABLES. You see, antioxidants found in fruit, veggies and whatnot stop the chain reaction, of a free-radical taking the electron of a stable atom thereby creating a new free-radical, by donating an electron from the antioxidant THEMSELVES. And thus, the day is saved. So, what exactly are antioxidants?
VITAMIN C AND VITAMIN E... mainly. In conclusion, eat/drink more of that stuff to promote healthy skin, as well as using lotion containing vitamin e. Alcohol No surprise here, really. Although alcohol may be a great way to drown away problems... it actually aids in the premature aging of skin. Alcohol works by way of dehydration, which is always bad. As a result of this dehydration, your skin begins to take on signs of aging; dry, flaky skin and increased wrinkle visibility.
Remember how, above, we talked about free radicals?... Well, alcohol serves to break down nutrients and halts the body's absorption of vitamins A, B, and E which, IN TURN, greatly increases the damage done by free-radicals since, what is being blocked are those antioxidants your body relies on to stop the free-radical cycle.
Ultimately, your skin appears sickly and whatnot. In short, if getting krunked at the club takes greater priority than the health, glow and radiance of your skin, by all means, chug away. Tobacco I know, right? So far, we're listing all the cliché things said to be bad for us and completely unhealthy. I suppose it's labeled that way for a reason, eh? But yeah, smoking that thar cigarette thins the blood vessels causing a decrease in oxygen reaching your cells, particularly skin cells. the result of this decrease oxygen'd state gives your skin a greyish tint to it. Not only that, but, once more, tobacco increases the destruction caused by free-radicals. Moreover, tobacco reduces levels of vitamin C, an essential vitamin our bodies need to maintain health. As a result of this, your skin not only takes on a grey tint, but wrinkles and fine lines become dominant due to the dryness and reduced elasticity. Stress Indeed, stress not only effects our emotional and psychological well-being... it also extends physically. When under levels of stress, skin around the eyes and mouth become grayish and pallid. This is because stress lowers the amount of oxygen within the blood stream.
Too Much Sun, Not Enough Sunscreen The sun is one giant paradox. It can be our best friend, as well as our worth enemy. As you should be well-aware, the sun is a huge radiator of radiation, much like an X-Ray. There are three variations of rays that we'll now discuss, each with their own effect on our skin. Ultraviolet-A (UVA) These are pretty much invisible to the naked eye. These rays penetrate the skin to their deepest levels, which effects our elasticity and collagen levels. Aggravation of the skin may occur, causing wrinkles, signs of premature aging, decrease in skin elasticity and bring about susceptibility to melanomas and other infections.
These types of rays remain constant during the day Ultraviolet-B (UVB) This is the most serious type of ray to watch out for because it damages to the DNA levels. The resulting damage is sunburns, reddening, aging spots and play a key role in the formation of skin cancer. Of course, this is only as a result of overexposure with no protection.
These types of rays vary based on the time of day. Generally, though, the hours for which these rays are most damaging are between 9:30AM and 4:30PM... in other words, when the sun is high in sky and not on the horizon. Ultraviolet-C (UVC) Although this is the most lethal, fear not, it is absorbed by our ozone. Nothing to fear here, lad.
All in all, wear sunscreen if you plan on being in sunlight for awhile. By now though, you should have an understanding when you hear commercials mention, "Both UVA and UVB protection..." :) Pollution Unfortunately, sometimes, the damage to our skin may be out of our hands; such is the case if you happen to live where pollution is prevalent. Air pollutants such as car exhaust, smog and cigarette smoke (etc) increase the damage caused by free radicals. Scaling, dryness, pimples and black heads may also become problematic due to the air pollutants' effect of interfering with our skin's moisture levels.
Solution? Taking in plenty of antioxidants, of course, as well as cleansing your skin at night, thereby, relieving your skin of the accumulated pollutants absorbed during that day. Also, move somewhere more clean. :) Coldness By now, you should associate the cold with dryness, flaking and roughness. This is because the cold atmosphere causes our skin to receive less oxygen. It's also advisable to not go from extreme to extreme... immediately going from a warm environment to a cold one (and vise-versa) provokes our skin resulting in those familiar red spots which is actually broken capillaries.
Cleansers, Soaps and Lotions Normal Skin Throughout the day, your skin becomes dirty and sweaty. In order to maintain health in "NORMAL" skin, it's advisable to clean your skin twice a day with a gentle soap or skin product where appropriate. (Alcohol Free Toners work well)
Keep up your body's moisture by using a light moisturizer after waking up and before going to sleep. As the eyes are more delicate, it's preferable to use an eye-specific-type product for that particular area. And remember, always use sunblock when going out. Follow these simple tips, and you'll be fine. Oily Skin Unfortunately, I fall into this category thanks to my genes :D. Now, it may seem weird, but don't wash your face more than 3x a day. Too much cleaning will promote your skin to produce MORE oil... and that's one thing you don't want. It helps big time to use a cleansing product specifically created for your face as opposed to a simple gentle soap used for normal skin. Use that about 2x a day and follow up with light toner after each cleansing. Follow THAT up with an oil-free lotion.
Use sunblock when going outside in sunny weather with a non-greasy sunscreen. And again, use eye-specific products for the eye area, as the eye area is more delicate. Dry Skin For this type of skin, do not use any products on your face that have a PH equal to that of an acid or base. This will further dry your already dry skin. After waking up and before going to bed, use a good moisturizing lotion. Using an exfoliator followed with a moisturizer mask would also be of help... but only once a week. Once more, use a good sunscreen when going outside. I've noticed that Dove has quite a bit of helpful products relating to dry skin. Give them a try. Combination Skin Entire Face Non Soap Cleanser Moisturizer, consider using a lighter one for the oily areas.
Oily Areas Gentle Astringent/Toner
Eye Area Cream or Gel Specifically Made for That Area
General Ways to Keep Skin Healthy Exercise Ah, yes. We revisit things that may make you feel like groaning. :D True, physical exercise increases our blood flow. Increased blood flow means more oxygen and nutrients delivered to our cells. Not only that, but those who maintain a life of exercise slow down the signs of aging by keeping muscles firm and healthy. Also, body sweat serves to eliminate built up toxins as well as activate sebum, which happens to be our skin's natural moisturizer.
Tony Horton is a fitness instructor in his early-mid 50's. Look him up and tell me he doesn't look like he'll crush both you and I put together. Indeed, the power of fitness has so many long-lasting benefits. Water As always. Be sure to drink plenty of water, as water is the body's natural way of cleansing itself.
Wrinkle Reduction and Skin RejuvenationTotal Skin Care Once you understand how and why your skin ages it makes the next step of identifying your skin type almost child's play in the next few chapters.
Take a look at the arsenal of information waiting for you:
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