Foods For Healthy Skin

Research on the best foods for healthy skin is limited. Still, antioxidant-rich foods seem to have a protective effect for the skin. Consider these skin-friendly foods:

* Carrots, apricots and other yellow and orange fruits and vegetables
* Blueberries
* Spinach and other green leafy vegetables
* Tomatoes
* Beans, peas and lentils
* Fish, especially salmon
* Nuts

On the flip side, some foods seem to be associated with skin damage. For example, some research suggests that a diet high in fat and carbohydrates promotes skin aging.

Remember, many of the best foods for healthy skin also promote good health overall. Rather than focusing on specific foods for healthy skin, concentrate on a healthy diet in general. Drink plenty of water. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Trade red meat for fish. Choose low-fat or fat-free dairy products. Include nuts, seeds and beans in your favorite meals. Opt for whole-grain breads and pasta. Limit sweets. Strive for variety as you're making healthy choices.

from Lawrence E. Gibson, M.D.

Tips for Healthy Skin

With our busy times, we don't have much time for intensive skin care anymore. Good skin care and healthy lifestyle can help delay the natural aging process and prevent many skin problems. Pamper yourself with the basics. Get started with the following five no-nonsense tips:

1. Protect yourself from the sun

The most important way to take care of your skin is to protect it from the sun. A lifetime of sun exposure can cause wrinkles, freckles, age spots and rough, dry skin. Sun exposure can also cause more-serious problems, such as skin cancer. For the most complete sun protection:

* Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. This is when the sun's rays are the strongest.

* Wear protective clothing. Cover your skin with tightly woven long-sleeved shirts, long pants and wide-brimmed hats. You might also opt for special sun-protective clothing, which is specifically designed to block ultraviolet rays while keeping you cool and comfortable.

* Use sunscreen when you're in the sun. Apply generous amounts of broad-spectrum sunscreen 30 minutes before going outdoors and reapply every two hours, after heavy sweating or after being in water.

2. Don't smoke

Smoking makes your skin look older and contributes to wrinkles. Smoking narrows the tiny blood vessels in the outermost layers of skin, which decreases blood flow. This depletes the skin of oxygen and nutrients, such as vitamin A, that are important to skin health. Smoking also damages collagen and elastin — fibers that give your skin its strength and elasticity. In addition, the repetitive facial expressions you make when smoking — such as pursing your lips when inhaling and squinting your eyes to keep out smoke — may contribute to wrinkles.

If you smoke, the best way to protect your skin is to quit. Ask your doctor for tips or treatments to help you stop smoking.

3. Treat your skin gently

Daily cleansing and shaving can take a toll on your skin, so keep it gentle:

* Limit bath time. Hot water and long showers or baths remove oils from your skin. Limit your bath or shower time, and use warm — rather than hot — water.

* Avoid strong soaps. Strong soaps can strip oil from your skin. Instead, choose mild cleansers.

* Shave carefully. To protect and lubricate your skin, apply shaving cream, lotion or gel before shaving. For the closest shave, use a clean, sharp razor. Shave in the direction the hair grows, not against it.

* Pat dry. After washing or bathing, gently pat or blot your skin dry with a towel so that some moisture remains on your skin.

* Moisturize dry skin. Find a moisturizer that fits your skin type and makes your skin look and feel soft.

4. Eat a healthy diet

A healthy diet can help you look and feel your best. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins. The association between diet and acne isn't clear — but research suggests that a diet rich in vitamin C and low in fats and carbohydrates may promote younger looking skin.

5. Manage stress

Uncontrolled stress can make your skin more sensitive and trigger acne breakouts and other skin problems. To encourage healthy skin — and a healthy state of mind — takes steps to manage your stress. Set reasonable limits, scale back your to-do list and make time to do the things you enjoy. The results may be more dramatic than you expect.

Asthma

Asthma is a disease which causes wheezing and difficulty in breathing due to swelling and congestion of the air passages in the lungs. This is the cause of an allergic reaction to various substance, and is hereditary.

Where there is no cure for asthma, the good news is that, it can be managed. You can help counter an asthma attack before it happens.

How to avoid asthma attacks?

Smite the mite. Dustproofing is a must!
Minimize molds.
Avoid pollens.
Avoid pets.
Kick that cigarette!
Watch your meals.
Weather the weather.
Be healthy.
Exercise to keep fit.
Watch your weight.
Stay cool. Mind your emotions.
Relax

Acne

Acne is a skin disease caused by chronic inflammation of the sebaceous glands. It consists of pimples and blackheads, especially on the face and neck, which if not properly treated may may leave ugly scars. If you are a teenager, you can't wait to get rid of it. Ad if you are an adult, you can't believe that it is back!

Acne often appears during adolescence because of changing hormone levels, which enlarge the oil glands and encourage them to produce more oil. The increase in oil appears to fuel acne. The situation usually settles down by the end of their teen years or during the early 20s.

Who Gets Acne?

Almost all teenage boys and around 80% of teenage girls will suffer from acne. Blame those male hormones!!!

In contrast, women are most likely than men to have acne in their 20s, 30s and 40s. Women may also be more likely to visit dermatologists for treatment.

Why do adults get acne?

Hormonal changes.
Stress.
Cosmetics.
Occupational exposure.

What to do? No matter what's causing your acne, there are steps you can take to help clear up your skin.

Use benzoyl peroxide.
Do no harm. In other words, don't pick, press, rub or manipulate those pimples.
Apply over-the-counter products for prevention.
Wash your face properly.
Don't exfoliate or remove the top layer of the dead skin.
Watch out for oily products. Avoid them.
Use water-based makeup.
Don't touch your face.

How Is Your Health?