Archive for the ‘Skin Care Treatments’ Category

How to Get Rid of Peeling Skin on Face

Thursday, June 3rd, 2010

The outer layer of the skin or the epidermis is replaced once every 28 days. The skin naturally sheds its outer layer and this is influenced by a number of factors. These factors include friction, hydration, sun exposure and other environmental factors. Peeling skin on face is thus normal and tends to heal in a few days time. However, often there are a number of other factors like skin infections and certain kinds of medication that would result in peeling skin. If your peeling skin symptoms are accompanied by severe perspiration, cracked, dry and itchy skin then you should consult your dermatologist immediately to identify the underlying cause of your symptoms.

Dry peeling skin on face is very often the result of excessive sun exposure. Being exposed to the harmful rays of the sun for long periods of time leads to sunburn and causes the skin to peel. In addition to sunburn, there are several other disorders that lead to peeling skin on face. These disorders include exfoliative dermatitis, erythroderma, eczema, ichthyosis and psoriasis, among others. You can help prevent and treat peeling skin with the help of a few simple health tips and natural remedies for peeling skin. Firstly, it is important to keep your skin well protected from the sun at all times. Always wear sunscreen before stepping outdoors to protect your skin against UV exposure. Use a sunscreen that contains SPF 15 or higher to help prevent peeling skin on face from sunburn. Keep your skin well covered by wearing full sleeved clothes and cover your face with a scarf while in the sun. This will help prevent sun exposure effectively.

Natural Remedies for Peeling Skin

In addition to these precautions, there are several remedies you can try to help prevent peeling skin.

  • Cucumber is one of the most effective natural remedies for peeling skin. Grind cucumber and apply it on the affected area for at least fifteen or twenty minutes. Wash it off and repeat at least two or three times a day to help diminish dry and peeling skin.
  • Fresh mint is another effective remedy for dry peeling skin. Apply fresh mint leaf juice on the affected areas every night to help treat peeling skin effectively.
  • Mint leaf juice is also an excellent remedy for dermatitis and eczema.
  • Make a mixture using turmeric, olive oil, sandalwood paste and honey and apply it on the affected area daily. This will help rejuvenate parched, dry skin and will treat peeling skin effectively.

How to Clear Blackheads Naturally

Thursday, June 3rd, 2010

Blackheads are caused by an over active sebaceous gland that makes the skin oily and leaves it with large open pores. Other factors that can trigger blackheads are environmental pollution and a lack of proper hygiene. Clearing black heads is not very difficult and can be done at home although it may take a lot of patience and persistence. Use a mild face wash and wash your face with it at least twice a day and ideally after returning from a trip outside the house. This will wash away all the dust and grime which can block your pores. Steam your face while at home to get the pores open and apply a paste made of rose water and powdered almond. Massage the mixture into your face and particularly on the parts where the blackheads are present. Wash off in fifteen minutes and repeat the procedure twice or thrice a week.

Blackheads Natural Treatment

  • In order to clear blackheads naturally, you can use a homemade scrub by mixing a teaspoon of honey, a quarter teaspoon of salt, the juice of one lime and half a spoon of yoghurt. Once the paste becomes smooth, you can use it as a scrub to remove the blackheads.  Wash the mixture off after scrubbing with lukewarm water. Follow this by bathing your face with cool water to keep the pores sealed.
  • You can clear up blackheads by beating the white of one egg till it comes out fluffy and applying it onto your face. Wash off thoroughly and use a towel to lightly rub the areas with blackheads.
  • Mix a little turmeric powder with the juice extracted from tender margosa leaves. Apply the mixture on all affected areas and wash off in twenty minutes.
  • Take about four teaspoons of basil leaves and boil in a cup of water. Once it has boiled well, take it off the stove and allow it to cool. Dab the solution onto your face with a cotton swab and wash off after fifteen minutes. Repeat this before going to bed every night for best results.
  • Take a spoon of oatmeal and mix it with the required amount of rose water to form a thick paste. Massage into the face and spread it on to the skin evenly. Wash it off once it begins to dry with cool water.
  • Blackheads natural treatment also involves cutting down on the consumption of greasy junk food, alcohol, caffeinated and artificially flavored beverages as well as smoking, as they may aggravate the condition.

How to Firm up Sagging neck Skin naturally

Thursday, June 3rd, 2010

The need to firm sagging skin occurs as we age for the skin begins to lose its elasticity and sags. While age is one factor, skin begins to sag also when one has suddenly lost a tremendous amount of body weight. Certain crash diets and even illnesses may cause a heavy loss of weight and this can again cause loose skin.

In order to firm skin naturally, one will have to make changes in one’s exercise regimen and consume a healthy diet to aid in the firming up process.Consult a trainer on a regimen of exercises you can do to build up muscle under the loose skin. Lunges, squats, pushups and even crunches will help and these exercises must be performed without fail lest a fat build up occur again.Body hugging apparel like corsets or bustiers help tighten up the skin and after regular use of bout 3-4 months it is likely to help firm up skin to some extent.To firm up sagging neck skin, make sure that you are maintaining a proper posture and take care to not slouch. Just as you care for your face, the neck too has to be cared for and this will involve moisturizing it with lotion, butter or even milk to keep it from sagging.

To Get Firm Skin Naturally

  • In order to firm skin naturally, you can use several homemade toners that can be massaged into the skin. Take a whole cucumber and slice it up thinly. Mash it up a little and mix with a half a cup of plain, unflavored yoghurt. Apply onto the face and neck by gently massaging it into your skin in circular movements.
  • Take a little coconut oil and warm it up. Massage gently onto the neck and beneath the eyes before going to bed. This will aid in firming up skin naturally.
  • Mash a few strawberries and apply the pulp onto your face and neck. Rinse off after about 15-20minutes. The massage will also tighten up and firm the skin.

Drink plenty of water during the day (5-6 litres) and consume a diet that is rich in protein, vitamins and minerals. Blackberries, blueberries, strawberries and soy products are capable of increasing collagen production in the body and thus improving the elasticity of the skin. This is because of their antioxidant properties and the vitamins and biotin they contain. One of the last resorts to firm skin is to undergo surgery although this can be risky and must be done only after consulting your physician.

Dark Circles Home Remedies - How to Reduce Under Eye Circles

Tuesday, May 11th, 2010

Dark circles under a person’s eyes can be very noticeable as darkened patches of skin around one’s eyes. Besides these darkened areas there art no further symptoms of this condition. At times some people may even get a watery discharge from their eyes. There are various causes of dark circles under eyes.

Causes of Dark Circles Under Eyes

One of the main causes is aging. It is considered to be the one of the primary reasons for development of these dark circles. As a person begins to age, their skin gets drier and drier and thus due to this excessive dryness the dark circles that are around a person’s eyes become more and more apparent. Another major reason for circles forming under one’s eyes is due to stress. Stress is considered by many doctors and medical practitioners to be a major factor of circles forming under the eyes. Those who do not get adequate sleep also suffer from a problem of darkening circles around their eyes. The required number of eyes of sleep should be around 7 to 8 hours. If one does not sleep enough it can be a major cause of tiredness and dark circles. If one is dehydrated and is not getting adequate amount of water and fluids then it can also be a major reason of dark circles forming.

Home Remedies for Dark Circles

Hence dark circles home remedies include drinking plenty of water, at least 8 to 10 glasses in a day. This will help in keeping the skin well hydrated and prevent drying. If one is not eating a healthy and nutritious diet then this can also be a cause of darkening circles under the eyes. One should be eating a balanced meal that consists of vitamins, proteins, minerals and fiber. All these along with some other nutrients are extremely essential for a person’s well being. All these nutrients and vitamins should be consumed regularly. Some other home remedies for dark circles are to try applying some freshly diced cucumber over each eye. These need to be kept for about 15 to 20 minutes. This helps in relieving the stress in one’s eyes and thus in cooling the eyes down. Try mixing a paste of some honey and almond oil and applying this over the dark circles every night. This is found to be a very effective home treatment for dark circles. Tea bags have also been found to be very effective in curing a condition of dark circles. Put the tea bag in the fridge then when it cools place it over each eye for about 15 minutes.

Whiteheads Home Remedies to Prevent Whiteheads Pimples on Face

Monday, April 19th, 2010

Whiteheads are usually caused when the follicles are filled with excessive dry skin cells which the results in the formation of oil like excretion by the skin called sebum. Whiteheads have to be taken seriously as they are usually the starting point of pimples and acne. Whiteheads pimples are easily distinguished from blackheads as they appear on the upper layer of the skin as raised white bumps. They are highly undesired as they adversely affect the texture of the skin and may also lead to other skin infections.

Home Remedies for Whiteheads

  • Whiteheads prevention is possible by using some home remedies such as preparing a paste of powdered and dry roasted pomegranate skin and lime juice. This paste should be applied generously on the whitehead affected area.
  • Another home remedy to prevent whiteheads involves concentrating on ones dietary intake. Those prone to whiteheads should include a lot of water, fresh fruit juices and whole fruits which are rich in vitamins and antioxidants that keep the skin clear and hydrated.
  • Another one of the whiteheads homes remedies is the use of rosewater and sandalwood mixed together to form a paste which is then applied directly on the whiteheads and washed off with some lukewarm water.
  • Potatoes that are finely grated may also be used as a home made poultice to scrub away stubborn whiteheads.
  • In yet another simple home remedy for white heads you are required to soak a few almonds overnight in water. In the morning grind them into a paste along with some honey. This paste should then be applied with a gentle massage on the face where the whiteheads are most dominant are then allowed to stay on the skin for around 15-20 minutes. Thereafter, wash the paste off with some warm water. This process should be repeated at least thrice a month to prevent the occurrence of whiteheads.
  • Leaves of fresh fenugreek may also be ground into a paste with water every night and washed off only the next morning with warm water. Steaming the face with the mist of some mildly warm water also helps in opening up the pores which thereby helps in unclogging them. This is highly effective against white heads if done twice or thrice a week.

Whiteheads pimples can also be treated with mild scrubbers or cleanser 2-3 times in a week. White heads should never be forced out forcibly as this may result in scarring. Peels of fruits act as effective natural scrubbers in combating the problem of white heads and therefore is an excellent remedy.

Smooth Skin Home Remedies - How to Make Rough Skin Smooth

Monday, April 19th, 2010

Overall health, diet and exercise all play a key role in an individual having smooth and glowing skin. One of the ideal ways to develop and maintain smooth and glowing skin would be to have a diet rich in vegetables and fruits as they have a very high concentration of antioxidants that keep the body and thereby the skin well hydrated. In order to make rough skin smooth, one should consume foods rich in Vitamin E.

Home Remedy for Making Rough Skin Smooth

  • Some of the simple home remedies for smooth skin would include mashing a ripe banana with milk and applying this paste like mixture on the rough skin for a minimum of 20 minutes. This paste should then be washed with cold water to get a noticeably smoother skin.
  • Plain honey also comes very handy in getting smooth skin. It should be directly applied the rough skin and washed off thoroughly with cold water. Honey may also be applied along with egg white as a home remedy for making rough skin smooth.
  • A simple home made face scrub can be prepared by mixing a teaspoon of walnut powder with lemon juice and honey. The face or rough skin area should be rubbed with this paste. Doing so will help scrub away the dry skin cells, leaving the skin smoother.
  • Another home remedy which will address the question of how to make skin smooth involves boiling a head of cabbage in plain water and then washing the face with this water.
  • It is also beneficial to massage your face or the dry skin area for 10- 15 minutes everyday with a mixture of egg whites and corn flour as this will stimulate the blood circulation and help in the generation of new smooth skin cells.
  • Mango peels may also be dried and powdered and mixed with a tablespoon of milk to make a paste like mixture which should then be applied on the rough skin area.
  • Another effective home remedy is applying Vaseline all over the rough skin area after a shower. Then go for a shower again after an hour. This process should be repeated 2- 3 times a month to make rough skin smooth.

As discussed earlier, one should also consume foods such as oranges, tomatoes, limes, sweet potatoes etc. which provide the body and consequently the skin all the required nutrients such as vitamin C and omega – 3 to keep it smooth and glowing.

How to Get Rid of Hard Skin on Feet

Monday, April 19th, 2010

Hard skin on one’s feet can be caused for a variety of reasons. These include wearing of ill fitting shoes, if the feet are in unhygienic conditions and age which can result in dry scaly skin due to loss of elasticity. It can also be the result of a deficiency in vitamins, zinc and minerals.

Home Remedies for Getting rid of Hard Skin on Feet

There are various remedies for getting rid of the hard skin on one’s feet. These include first beginning with some home care. People most often tend to neglect their feet.

  • A simple home remedy for dealing with hard skin and cracked heels is to try applying some regular hydrogenated vegetable oil or shortening after one is done washing their feet clean. This should be applied on the dry and cracked parts of the feet. After finishing applying a substantially thick coat of this shortening on to the feet, proceed to wear a pair of comfortable and thick socks. Try leaving this shortening application overnight will help to provide the positive results in a very few days.
  • Another recipe is to try to apply the extracted pulp of a ripe yellow or green banana on to the dry or cracked part of the heel. Leave this mixture on for about 10 minutes and then rinse it clean.
  • One can also try to soak their feet in some lemon juice for about 10 to 12 minutes. Then follow up this therapy on a regular basis till the time one finds a noticeable change.
  • One can even try cleaning and also moisturizing on a regular basis.
  • At the end of the day one should try to soak the feet in a solution of warm soapy water for 15 to 20 minutes.Rinse the feet and pat completely dry. Try to make a healing mixture that comprises of about one teaspoon of petroleum jelly and also the juice of a single lemon. Rub this jelly and lemon juice mixture onto the person’s cracked heels and any other areas of the feet that has hard skin till it is thoroughly absorbed into the skin. Continue this treatment till one sees visible results.

One should also eat a diet that is rich in iron, calcium, zinc and also omega-3 fats. Omega-3 fatty acids can not be naturally produced by the human body, hence it has to be taken from other food or supplements. Eating Vitamin E rich foods like vegetable oils, cereals, green vegetables, whole-grain products, wheat germ and nuts is also very beneficial in preventing this problem.

How to Make Homemade Facial Scrubs

Monday, April 19th, 2010

A facial scrub is very useful in quickening the process of the removal off dead skin cells which then permits the newer skin beneath it to come through. There are numerous ways to make effective and inexpensive homemade facial scrubs. There are homemade facial scrubs for oily skin, normal skin and even for dry skin. Homemade face scrubs can be created from a whole host of ingredients like cucumber, pineapple, grapefruit, orange etc.

Recipes for Homemade Face Scrubs

  • A simple homemade face scrub recipe involves grating one or two fresh cucumbers in a bowl. Next proceed to squeeze the juice of a single lemon and add it to this bowl and mix well. The resulting paste is very effective as a face scrub. This can be done at least twice or thrice in a week or for best results.
  • Another simple face scrub can be made by taking a couple of oranges and peeling them. Keep the peels in the sun till they are dried and then powder the dried peels to a grainy consistency. Next proceed to mix some fresh yogurt to this dried and granulated orange peel. This can be used as great face scrub on all skin types. Wash this scrub off with warm water. This can be repeated 3 – 4 times a week.Orange has some properties that help in reducing any facial scars and also that leaves one’s skin feeling soft and nourished.
  • One can even try making a great face scrub from freshly picked mint leaves. Simply grind a handful of these mint leaves and squeeze out the juice. Then mix this juice with a dash of water. This resulting mixture can either be drunk or can be applied as a scrub on ones face. Mint leaves are very useful in clearing up one’s skin and reducing any acne.
  • Try separately mashing up a couple of avocados and mixing it with water. Then use this over one’s face once or twice a week. Avocados are useful in helping to heal damaged and scarred skin.
  • Similarly you can mix dried lemon peel with an equal portion of dried orange peel. Then add a dash of milk to this mixture and use as a face scrub.One can even add honey to this mixture or rose water for great results.
  • Try separately mixing a teaspoon of milk along with some ground rose petals and some apricot powder. One can add honey to this paste and use it as a great scrub or one can even leave it on the face to form a face mask.

Naturl Cures for Poison Ivy | Treating Poison Ivy Rashes

Friday, March 26th, 2010

When a person’s skin comes in contact with poison ivy, they normally break out into a rash, because of the presence of “Urushiol” found in the plant. This rash, along with other symptoms of poison ivy (like blisters, red pimples, inflammation), can appear a few hours or even days after contact with the plant. Poison ivy usually effects areas like the face, legs, hands, or arms, but can spread to other parts of the body. Healing from this problem could take anywhere between a week or two. Calamine lotion is one of the most effective ways to soothe and cure poison ivy.

Home Remedies to Cure Poison Ivy

However, in case you do not have any at hand, you can try some of the following home remedies in order to alleviate your discomfort:

•    Aloe Vera: Applying liberal amount of Aloe Vera gel or juice on the affected areas, soothes the itch and dries up the poison ivy

•    Oatmeal: Boil some oatmeal, as you normally do and allow it to cool a bit, till it is no longer hot, but warm. Apply the warm oatmeal to the areas that have been affected. Apply the oatmeal mixture in such a way, that it forms a thick layer. As the mixture dries, it should harden. This treatment has been known to alleviate the discomfort to a large extent.

•    Baking Soda: This is another ingredient often used to provide relief from the itchiness caused by poison ivy. Make a thick paste using baking soda (3 tablespoons) and water (1 teaspoon) and apply it to the rash. Leave it on, till it dries. You could also try a “baking soda bath”, which is very soothing.

•    Banana Peel: Using the inner part of a banana peel has been known to bring instant relief, when rubbed on a rash caused by poison ivy.

•    Vinegar: Although its smell is not very pleasant, vinegar helps in curing poison ivy, as it seems to remove its poison. All you need to do is apply vinegar (preferably apple cider vinegar or distilled white vinegar) liberally on the blisters or rash.

Apart from the above home remedies, you could also try some of these natural remedies, which have been known to help in healing poison ivy:

  • Jewelweed leaves or juice
  • Honeysuckle leaves
  • Goldenseal root powder
  • Tea tree oil
  • Fiddlehead ferns
  • Wild peach tea
  • Rhubarb
  • Manzanita leaf tea
  • Sweet fern

In case you notice an unusually high amount of swelling or rapid redness, please contact your doctor immediately, as these two symptoms could occur because of a severe allergic reaction.

How to Remove Dead Skin from Face through Home Remedies

Friday, March 26th, 2010

Everyone wants to have soft, glowing and smooth skin. Unfortunately, the presence of dry skin, or even worse, dead skin, can make that impossible. Dead skin is a lot worse than dry skin and is not easy to get rid of. The removal of dead skin could take weeks and at times, even months. Dead skin cells occupy the topmost layer of your skin. This prevents the emergence of fresh skin cells. Dead skin can also block the supply of nutrients, required by fresh skin cells. Though it may take a while for you to remove dead skin, the good news is that there are many simple, yet effective home remedies to help you.

Homemade face scrubs:

You can make a face scrub at home, by mixing lemon, baking soda, finely-ground sugar granules and honey.  First, you need to wash your face with water and dry it. Then apply the scrub on your face, with your fingertips. Starting at the forehead, apply the scrub to other parts of your face, moving your fingertips in a circular motion. In order to avoid any damage to your skin, please ensure that you do not rub the skin too hard. Alternate between firm and gentle massage strokes to maximize the effect of your scrub. Wash your face and pat it dry after about 2 minutes. Using this or any other good face scrub will not only remove dead skin and its cells, it will also visibly reduce your wrinkles, fine lines and scars.

Fruit peels:

A peel made from fruits like pineapples and papayas contain substances called bromelain and papain that are very effective when dealing with dead skin. These substances are “proteases”, which expedite the riddance of dead skin cells.

To make this peel, you will need -

  • Papaya      -  1 cup
  • Pineapple -  1 cup
  • Honey       -  2 tablespoons

Puree the fruits in a blender & add honey, to make your fruit peel.

Wash your face and then apply the peel to your face, making sure that you avoid applying it too close to your eyes. For the first time that you use this peel, leave it on for only a minute or so. After that, you can leave it on, for about five minutes. Then wash your face thoroughly, with cool water and pat it dry. Apply a moisturizer after the process.

Apart from the above mentioned alternatives, you could also try -

  • Exfoliating your skin, using a face wash and a sponge.
  • Using a cleanser made from applesauce.

Eczema or psoriasis may be the root cause of this problem and so you should consult your dermatologist if you do not see any improvement in your skin.