Queries on Skincare

1.        Night watch

Q.       "My dry skin needs night cream, but I seem to lose most of it onto my pillow. Any solutions?"

A.       Put a little night cream into the palm of your hand, then gently rub your hands together. The heat created will help liquefy the cream and make it more easily absorbed. Gently massage it into your skin, and you'll find it sinks in better. Another method is to place the cream in a teaspoon, and heat gently over a low gas flame on the cooker until just warm, before  applying as usual.  It sounds strange, but it really works.

2.         Polished perfection

Q.       "I spend a fortune on skincare products, but resent paying for an exfoliator. Are there any alternatives?"

A.       Yes, here's a good, cheap alternative to facial scrubs. After washing your skin, gently massage with a soft facecloth or natural sponge to ease away the dead surface skin cells that can give your complexion a muddy look. Make sure you avoid ones with scratchy surfaces as they'll be too harsh for your skin. If you have dry skin, massage a little cream cleanser onto damp skin, then rub over the top with your flannel (wash cloth). Rinse afterwards, then apply moisturizer in the normal way. It is essential to wash the facecloth after every couple of uses and to hang it up to dry in between to prevent the build-up of bacteria.

3.       Lip tricks

Q.      "How can I stop my lips from getting so chapped and flaky in winter?"

A.      This action plan will help. Massage dry lips with a generous dollop of petroleum jelly. Allow it to work for a couple of minutes to soften your skin. Then, gently rub your lips with a warm, damp facecloth. As the petroleum. jelly is removed, the flakes of skin will come with it. Smooth your lips morning and night with a lip balm. Switch to a moisturizing lipstick to prevent your lips from drying out during the daytime.

4.       Red nose day

Q.     "It's so embarrassing! My nose looks really red in the winter. Whats the best way to cover it?"

A       Try smoothing a little green foundation or concealers over the red area before applying your normal foundation and powder. Although it sounds strange, the green works by concealing out the redness leaving your skin looking a normal shade again.

5.        Winter sun

Q.      "Someone told me you should still wear a sunscreen in winter. Is this true?"

A.       Yes, if you want to guard against the signs of ageing. Exposure to sunlight is thought to be the main cause of wrinkling, and the ultraviolet rays that are responsible for this process are around every single day of the year. You don't, however, need to use a suntan lotion - just choose one of the many moisturizers that contain sunscreens.

6.        Lighten up

Q.      "My skin feels as though it needs a richer cream in the winter months, but I find most of them. too heavy. What can you suggest?"

A.      Choose the level of moisturizer that feels right for you. Just because moisturizer is heavier, it doesn't necessarily mean its more effective. You can help  seal in extra moisture to your skin by spritzing your complexion with water before applying it. Also, choose a nourishing foundation  or  tinted moisturizer  to ensure that your skin stays smooth and soft all day long. You can help counteract the drying effects of central heating by placing a bowl of water near the radiators to replenish the moisture levels in the air.

7.         Water factor

Q.       "I like the feeling of water on my face, but I find soap too drying. Should I switch to a cream cleanser instead?"

A.       If you have dry skin, it's generally better to use a creamy cleanser, which you apply with your fingertips and remove with cotton wool pads (cotton balls) or soft tissues. This will prevent too much moisture from being lost from the surface of our skin. However, normal and oily skins can still happily use water but switch to a facial wash or wash-off cleanser instead. They're specially formulated to be  non-drying, while still getting your face clean and you can splash with water as much as you like!

8.         Sensitiveissue

Q.       "Why does my skin feel more sensitive in winter than summer?"

A.       Eighty per cent of women claim to have sensitive skin which tingles, itches and is prone to dryness. It can be aggravated by harsh winter weather, such as the winds and cold, because this breaks down the natural oily layer which protects  your skin. Milder summer weather doesn't tend to be so hard on the skin. The best way to cope is to moisturize your skin regularly with a hypoallergenic cream that is specially formulated for sensitive skin.

9.         Pregnant pause

Q.       "I'm pregnant and have developed patches of darker colour on my face, particularly under my eyes and around my mouth. What causes this?"

A.       This is called chloasma, or "the mask of pregnancy". It's triggered by a change in hormones at this time and is made more obvious by sunbathing. Cover up under the sun and wear a sunblock to prevent the patches from becoming denser.  It usually fades within a few months of having your baby. Chloasma can also be triggered by the contraceptive pill, but disappears again once you stop taking them.

10.      On the spot

Q.      "I suffer from oily skin, but find blemish creams too drying. What can you suggest?"

A.       Many women have skin that has dry patches as well as blemishes. The solution is to choose  an antibacterial cream that will kill off the cause of your blemishes, while soothing the skin around them. This means you won't be left with dry patches of skin as well as blemishes.

11.      Treatment sprays

Q.      " I find body lotions too hot and sticky to wear after bathing. Is there anything else I can try?"

A.       There's a lovely new trend for body treatment sprays, which combine the moisturizing and toning properties of a body care product with the fragrance of a traditional perfume. This means they'll make you smell beautifully fresh as well as lightly moisturize your skin. Many of the large perfume companies now offer a choice of these products.

12.      The throat vote

Q.        "The skin on my neck looks grey and dull. Are there any special treatments I can use?"

A.      Necks can quickly shown the signs of ageing. This is mainly due to the fact that they have a lack of sebaceous glands. Using a creamy cleanser can help. Massage in, leave to .dissolve dirt, and then remove with cotton wool pads (cotton balls). Dull grey skin will benefit from regular exfoliation scrub briskly with a facecloth or soft shaving brush. Grey lines on the neck and throat can be bleached away by smoothing plain yogurt over clean skin. Leave on for about half an hour, then rinse away thoroughly with warm water. Boost softness by smoothing on moisturizer. Your ordinary cream moisturizer will do the job.

13.     Beautiful back

Q.     "How can I get rid of the pimples on my back and bottom?"

A.      Because backs are covered up and hard to reach, they're prone to breakouts. Keep yours blemish free by exfoliating daily with a loofah or body brush to remove dry, flaking skin and superficial blemishes. For more stubborn pimples, try a clay ask to draw out deep-seated impurities.  Smooth  onto broken-out areas,  leave until  dry,  then rinse away with lots of warm. water.

14.     Mole watch

Q.     "I understand you need to keep an eye on moles on your skin to guard against the risk of skin cancer. But what exactly should I be looking for?"

A.      Moles are clumps of clustered pigment cells that are nearly always darker than freckles. All changes in existing moles should be checked by your doctor. Any that cause concern will be removed and sent off for analysis. You should also check moles yourself once a month. Try the following ABCD Code: check for A (asymmetry); B (border irregularity); C (colour change); D (change in diameter).

15.      Shadow sense

Q.       "I've got dark shadows under my eye What's the best way to deal with them?

A        Dark shadows can be the result of variety of causes,  including fatigue anaemia, poor digestion and lack of fresh air.  They  can  also  be  hereditary.  If in doubt, consult your doctor for advice. Take steps to ensure that you're cutting out the causes for instance, getting good night's sleep and keeping to a low fat, high-fibre diet. For special occasions, you can bathe the area with pads soaked in ice-cool water for 15 minutes. This will help lessen the shadow effect temporarily. Or cover shadows by dotting on some concealers over the affected area.

16.      Brown baby

Q.      "Is there anything I can do to hang on to my tan for longer?"

A.      Just when you want to show off a golden tan, it begins to peel away. This because your skin is especially dry after sunbathing, so it sheds its old cells more quickly. You can prolong the colour for little  while  longer  by  applying  lots  of body lotion in the morning and evening. Apply it while your skin is still damp to make it extra effective. Apply a little fake  tan every few days to keep your color topped up. Or better still - protect your skin by not tanning at all.

17.     Sticky situation

Q       "I exercise a lot and find body odour problem. How can I prevent it?"

A.      Sweating is your body's natural cooling device.  Sweat itself has no odour but it begins to smell when it comes in contact with bacteria on the skins surface. Keeping the underarms  hair-free can help prevent the sweat from being trapped. Opt for an anti-perspirant deodorant rather than just a deodorant alone. Also try to wear natural fabrics next to your skin because this will help you to stay fresh for a longer period of time.

18.      Massage Magic

Q        I had a facial massage in a beauty salon. Is there anyway I can give myself one at home?

A        Yes, just like every other part of your body, your face will look better after a bit of exercise, and a massage is the ideal way to give  your complexion a workout. Pour a  few drops of vegetable oil into the palms of your hand and smooth it on to your face and neck. Make sure your skin in damp as this makes the oil go on more  easily then follow these steps:

Use your fingers to stroke upwards from the base of your neck to your chin.

Continue with long strokes up one side of your face , then the other.

Now go around your nose and up towards your forehead.

When you go to your forehead , stroke it across from left to right using one hand. Finish off by gently drawing a circle around each eye using the ring finger.

19.      Stretch Marks

Q        Is there anything I can do to get rid of  the stretch marks that have appeared on my thighs, breasts and tummy?

A        There is little one can do once they have appeared, except wait until they start to fade. However keeping your skin well moisturized can help guard against getting them in the first place.  An application of fake tan can be a good disguise for stretch marks that might be on view.