Treatment For Dehydrated Skin

DEHYDRATED OR OILY SKIN-SYMPTOMS, CAUSES AND TREATMENT

Symptoms of a dehydrated skin include excess oil production throughout the day; usually two to three hours after cleansing. This occurs due to the fact that the skin is in need of water and will then compensate by producing excess oil. Skin consists of 70% water, should skin dehydrate, it will appear sallow, dull and oily. Texture tends to be coarse and skin is rather thick with deep wrinkles and has a rubbery feel to it.

What most people do not realise is that dehydrated skin is very similar to oily skin. Both lack water due to various reasons. These could include incorrect skin care products (alcohol and acetone toners or astringents are a major cause of dehydration; the more you dry your skin out with these substances, the more oil the skin will produce to compensate), excessive perspiration due to hot weather conditions or sport activities, drinking too little water, using diuretics (when not prescribed by a doctor; this can be extremely dangerous) and also a diet high in refined foods (processed and fatty starchy foods, chocolates and excess cheese and dairy products) and low in fruit and vegetables (fruit & vegetables contain water).

Hormonal imbalances also play a role, since during puberty; hormones tend to be off-balance and can excrete excess oil. This can be treated by consuming enough water; which will give the body and skin the "message" that enough fluid is available in the skin and oil production will reduce. Also; flax seed oil (fatty acids) is extremely beneficial to stabilise hormones and also to replace the bad fats with the good ones. Excellent for hormonal imbalances, healing and strengthening of skin in both men and women.

I realise this sounds too simple to be true, but give it a try, you'll be amazed at the improvement! And of course, sufficient water intake also assists with cleansing the body and skin of impurities; thus aiding in weight loss, reduced chance of getting stretch marks (water provides extra elasticity to skin) and a general feeling of well-being.

The secret; drink enough water and use water-based skin care products.

How much is enough water? Simple; water consumption differs in each person. It is established according to your weight. Should you consume too much water on a daily basis, you could be causing more damage than good. Your body needs minerals, salts and vitamins constantly; by consuming too much water these very necessary substances may be lost or "flushed out", causing a feeling of weakness, lethargy or even cramps. (Cramps could include any muscular cramps, including the heart muscle. Hence the danger in taking diuretics without a doctors' prescription.)

Too little water, on the other hand, may cause dehydration; symptoms being; in severe cases kidney stones, bladder and urinary tract infections, a feeling of lethargy, weakness and ultimately could result in death. Dehydration can be detected when the pallet feels dry (by the time this happens, dehydration is fairly advanced), a persistent head ache for no reason, low blood pressure and a feeling of dizziness.

Symptoms in skin include oily skin, slow healing due to reduced metabolic rate, sallow looking skin (dull skin tone/ colour), infections due to pimples developing and not healing which could eventually result in acne. Also, the skin tends to have a thick, rubbery texture accompanied by deep seated wrinkles and an over all unhealthy pallor.

There is a very basic method of determining the correct water intake for each person.

For example:

Should you weigh 86kg; round this off to 90kg. Divide 90 by 10; which gives you 9 glasses of water. Then add 2 glasses of water to that; which gives you 11 glasses of water daily for a weight of 86kg.

Should you weigh 83kg; round this off to 80kg. Divide 80 by 10; which gives you 8 glasses of water. Then add 2 glasses of water to that; which gives you 10 glasses of water daily for a weight of 83kg.

Also be sure to use a foaming, soap free cleanser which will remove the excess oil and allow water and gel or water-based products to penetrate the skin.

Use a good exfoliant at least once a week, to increase absorption of water-based products. This will allow the skin to stop having to over compensate with oil secretion, since enough water will be available. A good exfoliator is cleanser mixed with oats or maize, since it cannot over-stimulate, cut or damage the skin. Exfoliation is to ensure the removal of all dead skin cells; which will allow the mask or treatment products to penetrate the skin better and give effective results.

Treatment masque:

• Two table spoons honey; has hydrating and healing properties (if not allergic to bee sting);
• one egg white; whisked to a fluffy texture (hardens to constrict pores);
• one tea spoon of lemon juice (reduces oil production; natural fruit acid for rejuvenation and healing) and
• one drop Tea Tree oil; if available (reduces oil production, heals, disinfects, reduces scarring)

Alternately:

• Two table spoons full cream yoghurt;
• four strawberries, crushed (natural fruit acid- healing and oil reducing);
• one teaspoon of lemon juice (reduces oil production; natural fruit acid for rejuvenation and healing) and • one drop German Chamomile oil (if available-hydrating & healing).

Cleanse the skin; preferably use a facial scrub or any gel based kind of exfoliation before applying the mask. A good exfoliator is cleanser mixed with oats or maize, since it cannot over-stimulate, cut or damage the skin. Exfoliation is to ensure the removal of all dead skin cells; which will allow the mask to penetrate the skin better and give effective results.

Age tends to show quickest on the neck and hands; in my years of training therapists in skin care I took great care to explain that beauty treatments should encompass the entire face, neck, chest, breasts, hands and arms.

Since the preparation of the masks that I prescribe is not very pricey, one can afford to treat all the important areas.

The mask can be massaged gently into the skin, using circular movements with the fingers. Massage for five to seven minutes; then relax and allow the mask to dry for 15 minutes and remove with sponges and luke-warm water.

Refrain from using a "toner". I know this has always been prescribed- "cleanse, tone moisturise"; only, a toner's function is to close the pores and this will cause the skin to not absorb the treatment products applied. Think of it in this way. When you go swimming or do exercise; you don't run straight to the dressing room to apply your toner, do you? Anything bad ever happen to your skin? No; because your skin has a built-in mechanism whereby it will close the pores automatically and protect your skin from harmful bacteria. Also, the fact that a toner is not being used, allows the skin to "work" to regain its natural pH, and in effect keeps the skin toned and strong. Toners tend to replace this natural exercise and make skin lazy and ultimately, flabby. The skin has what is called an Acid Mantle; this is a combination of sweat and oil that is secreted onto the skin layer. Combined, this forms the pH level of your skin and acts to protect and maintain healthy skin.

Apply treatments or moisturisers as required. Most important of all; make sure to use a sunscreen daily, as sun damage is the main cause of ageing, pigmentation and scarring.

I have been involved in the skin and natural health care industry for the past 15 years and I would like to share the knowledge and experience gained with other interested members.

Since I am still learning everyday, I would appreciate any input, questions or advice you might have to improve my site. This includes web optimization, topic information etc.

Below is a link to my site; please note, I am constantly up-dating as new ideas and knowledge comes my way.
http://beautyanswers.synthasite.com

Kind regards
Vanessa