After the soaring hot temperatures in May- June months, it is the time to drench in the monsoon drizzles to get some relief from the heat. Monsoon is lovely, but the rains bring along with it a barrage of health problems that can be downright uncomfortable.

Excessive humidity can make you sweat a lot and skin that doesn’t have enough moisture can look pale and dull. Rain has a dehydrating effect on the skin, Thus, if you already have a dry skin, during this season, you may experience an increase in dryness.

Humidity and constant temperature changes of the monsoon make atopic dermatitis or eczema common and exacerbate the condition in individuals especially with sensitive skin.

Make monsoon your skin’s favourite

• Use a good moisturiser to prevent and hydrate dry skin. And make sure that the moisturization effect is retained.
• It is essential that you exfoliate your skin daily to rid it of dead cells but do so gently. Use of gentle cleanser cum moisturiser soap can be the best choice for the season.
• Shower with steaming hot water may give you a better feeling but it can make your skin capillaries weak and cause skin damage.
• Eat wholesome meals which include good fats because they are pivotal in repairing damaged skin and also retaining moisture.
• Drink good quantity of water to stay hydrated throughout the day.

Lastly, remember, you need to be more strategic with skin care in monsoon or just follow the expert’s advice and get your skin rain-ready.

The moisture content of the skin determines its nature (oily, dry and normal), texture and also how we look. Skin needs a certain level of moisture content to be healthy and moisture loss makes the skin dry, scaly, and also highlights the lines and wrinkles making your skin look older.

So how can we prevent out skin from losing all the moisture?

There are many ways we can do that and look our glorious best

• • Environment– Skin’s natural ability to make its own natural moisturizing factors are disrupted when we are exposed to the UV radiation from the sun. Hence, it is essential to use sunscreen at all times, even during winters. Hot showers also strip our skin of moisture. It is advisable to have short showers in lukewarm water. Low humidity, air conditioning and heaters also affect skin’s ability to retain moisture
  • Moisturizers – Contrary to popular belief, moisturizers do not moisturize the skin. They only help lock in the moisture. So, use of gentle moisturizer, cleansing soap followed by any moisturizing lotion can help you in that way.
  • Lifestyle – it is extremely important to keep your body hydrated from the inside as well. Drink lots of water and have fruits rich in Vitamin C.

Taking good care of your body and skin makes you healthy which is the best way to look at all times.

Managing pimples through the day – 1000s of microbes and the way to beat them

Dermatologists believe, every person faces at least 3 major out breaks of acne during their lifetime; mostly during their teens and post-puberty. Acne is in fact the most common skin condition found all over the planet. Since it is so highly common, your skin needs proper protection to fight acne and keep it clear. There are many products in the market that promise on clearing acne and keeping your skin healthy, however few minor changes to your lifestyle could help you in combating acne.

More than an infectious skin condition, Acne is also a lifestyle inflicted disease. Researchers say, people who live a stressful lifestyle have a higher risk of acne outbursts. Here are 5 simple ways you can fight acne by yourself through the day.

1. Get Enough Sleep

The concept of ‘Beauty Sleep’ is quite well known yet seldom followed. Losing just 1 hour’s sleep puts you at 90% higher risk of an acne outburst. Sleep also helps to improve your metabolism, relieve stress and substantially reduce sebum production.

2. Exercise

Exercise helps you to keep your body healthy and active. It also does a lot of good for your skin. Exercise makes you sweat and in turn detoxifies your body, removes toxins that may contribute to acne outburst. Although, be sure to have a post –workout shower, as sweat over long periods of time may invigorate acne.

3. Cut Down on Dairy Products

Recent studies have revealed that dairy products do more harm than good for your health. Consuming dairy products changes the chemical composition in your body leading to outbursts of acne. People claim, it was easier to manage acne when they cut down on dairy products completely. Many dermatologists also recommend cutting down on dairy products to manage acne better.

4. Not Too Sweet

Sugar and confectionaries have long been known to aggravate acne conditions. Studies suggest intake of sugar worsens the symptoms of acne. Moreover, Sugar also leads to other health conditions like diabetes. Reducing sugar intake would do a lot of good not just for your skin but also your overall health.

5. Hands-Off

Keep your hands off your face if you are suffering from acne. Pimples can sometimes be itchy and irritable, however touching your face and pinching pimples only makes it worse. It could cause pimples to spread and irritate your skin. It could also lead to serious scaring!

Along with these 5 tips, being hygienic and keeping yourself hydrated also helps in fighting acne through the day.

As winter season arrives, it is a known fact that the sudden drop in temperature leads to various problems on our skin. The cold winds and low temperature are the most common reasons that result in dry skin and flaking.

Though dry skin in winter can be a nuisance, there are many ways to fight the dryness using home remedies.

Here are 5 natural ways to moisturize your skin this winter.

Milk: It has an anti-inflammatory and soothing property that greatly helps to get rid of dry and itchy skin. Apply cold milk on your dry skin for five to seven minutes. Gently wash off the milk with lukewarm water. This natural moisturizer will remain on your skin for a long time.

Egg mask: You might be wondering why there are many edible items on this list, but egg masks left on the face for about half an hour can give you immediate and lasting effects. Eggs are rich in protein and albumin that control the oil which prevent your skin from drying up.

Honey and olive oil: A spoon of both honey and olive oil that is left on the skin for a mere 15 minutes has many benefits apart from moisturizing the skin. Honey being naturally sticky keeps your skin exfoliated and also lightens the skin tone. Olive oil prevents the honey from sticking to your skin, prevents itching and helps in prevention of pimples as well.

Yogurt scrub: No matter how rough your skin feels, using abrasive scrubs can make your skin worse. The best way to exfoliate is to use a yogurt and besan powder scrub that removes dead cells without damaging your skin. Yogurt contains lactic acid that exfoliates and moisturizes your skin .

Coconut Oil: It makes the skin feel softer and removes its previous scaly characteristic by moistening it in a natural way. Coconut oil has sufficient amounts of fatty acid that make up for any loss of moisture from the skin. Apply proper amount before going to sleep and wash it off in the morning

Though difficult at first, following these tips regularly during this winter season will make your skin glow and moisturized regardless of the drops in temperature.
Give your skin what it deserves this season and beat the winter itch!

The skin when loses its natural colour due to various disorders like vitiligo, becomes extremely sensitive to the sun exposure. But on the other hand, sun exposure induces the pigment forming cells underlying the skin and kindles the genetic memory of those cells to produce melanin pigment. Therefore, for treating hypopigmentary disorders, certain amount of sun exposure is required.

How much sun exposure does the skin need?

Overexposure to sun can cause sunburn, wrinkle formation, skin damage, photo ageing of skin and even skin cancer. And when the melanin protection is missing, the risk becomes more.

Moderate sun exposure has various positive effects but there is no easy method to measure the amount of sun exposure.

Complimentary benefits from contradicting agents- the best drug of choice

Hence, to manage hypopigmentary disorders, products with Psoralea corylifolia (natural source of Psoralen) that can absorb the sun benefit and with sun screeners like Bentonite, Calamine, Titanium dioxide and Zinc oxide which would protect the skin from over exposure, should be the best choice.

But as the hypopigmentary disorders like vitiligo requires a long term management, we also need to be sure about the product we choose for it. Therefore, doctor’s consultation is must.

Beat the Dryness of Summer Days

Summer heat causes dehydration. It is not just the body that loses all its water through sweat, but also the skin cells that lose water, shrink, stretch, crack, start itching, and become flaky and dry.

Take care of your skin
Your skin needs natural oils-

Natural oils seal in the moisture. But frequent baths and harsh soaps tend to deplete and hinder the production of these natural oils.

So wisely choose the right soap for your skin type.

Moisturise-

The water may hydrate your skin but it cannot moisturise it or help you avoid the extreme dry skin problem.

For that you need a moisturiser which will provide a long lasting benefit and is easily absorbed. Thereby, will not attract the dust or pollutants as well.

Eat healthy, eat smart-

Include lots of fresh fruits and vegetables to keep your skin healthy and acne free.

Whereas eggs, onions, and garlic help keep skin smooth. And also make sure you consume plenty of yellow and orange vegetables that are high in an antioxidant called beta-carotene.

Junk foods and deep fried foods can worsen the situation. So it would be smart if you avoid them.

Drink water-

Even if you take good quantity of water, it may not be sufficient to replenish the fluids that you lose while you sweat. So, DRINK more and STAY fit.

Whatever may be your skin type, Summer is going to be tough for all if you don’t choose the right way to stay healthy and keep your skin happy.

Acne Fighting Lifestyle Changes
What can I do about my acne?

No one likes pimples. We go to great lengths to avoid them, not necessarily because they’re painful, but because they’re ugly. We try to control them by scrubbing our faces with cleansers, applying warm and cool compresses, toothpaste, and an assortment of acne products. We squeeze them, cover them up with make-up, part our hair on the wrong side to cover them, and shield them with our hands. On a particularly bad skin day, some of us might even wish we could stay in bed and hide.

The truth is, acne is very common. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, about 40 to 50 million Americans have acne at any one time. And, it’s not just for teenagers.

Acne can begin when pores are clogged by oil or dirt. Acne breakouts are also related to hormonal fluctuations. For some women, oral contraceptives can help reduce acne. Other acne sufferers try every product imaginable and, eventually, consult a dermatologist. There are, however, several complexion spoilers in most of our daily routines that can be managed or eliminated for clearer skin. Consider making these acne fighting lifestyle changes:

Establish a skin routine. Your skin’s your biggest organ; you wouldn’t scrub your heart with harsh products, and your skin deserves the same sort of delicate treatment. Wash your face twice daily with a gentle cleanser. Any more and you’ll dry it out, which can actually increase oil production. You can treat breakouts with an over-the-counter acne remedy, but use it sparingly as it might further irritate skin. Be sure to use an oil-free moisturizer after cleansing.

Read labels. Make sure that your moisturizers, sunscreens, and make-up are oil-free and non-comedogenic. It’s best to avoid make-up completely, but if you feel you must, be sure to read all the ingredients. Consider keeping a skin diary when experimenting with new products: write down how it looks and feels when you put it on, a few hours later, and at the end of the day. Make note of any increase or decrease in blemishes. If you see a pimple pattern, discontinue use. You don’t want the make-up you use to hide your break-outs to actually make them worse.

Try hair products that aren’t oil-based. What goes on your hair gets in your face, be it shampoos and conditioners that wash over your face as you rinse your hair in the shower, the anti-frizz oil you use to tame unruly curls, or the pomade you use to keep hair in place. Eliminating exposure to these products will help prevent your pores from clogging, especially around your hairline and forehead.

Hit the gym. Exercise reduces stress levels and helps regulate hormones. It also gives you a make-up free glow. Just be sure to shower afterward so the oily sweat produced from all those reps doesn’t clog your pores.

Avoid processed or sugary foods. Foods that are processed tend to break down into sugar quickly, causing spikes in insulin levels. These spikes can lead to increased oil production, clogged pores, and unsightly acne.

Practice safe sun. The sun’s UVA and UVB rays irritate acne-prone skin. Try to stay in the shade when the sun is highest, between 10:00am and 4:00pm. If you are in the sun, wear a hat that breathes, and oil-free, non-comedogenic sunscreen with SPF 30.

Don’t sweat the small stuff. Remember that you’re much more aware of your skin issues than your peers. Everyone gets blemishes: give yourself a pep talk: you’re making positive, acne fighting lifestyle changes. Then, move on with your day.

Melanin- the natural protector of skin

Skin pigment or Melanin does not just provide the skin colour but also it protects the skin from harmful UV rays. If melanin pigment is lost due to any infection, injury or due to auto immune diseases like vitiligo, the skin becomes extremely sensitive. The skin cells being devoid of melanin and continually exposed to sun/UV rays, get damaged and may lead to skin cancer.

Vitiligo- What and Why?

Vitiligo is an auto immune disorder that causes loss of melanin pigment in skin resulting into uneven white patches. It is a progressive disorder in which the pigment cells of skin get damaged, lose their functional ability of melanin formation and also fail to transfer the melanin content from basal layer of skin to the upper layer which results in vitiligenous patches. Vitiligo problem can only be controlled and never cured completely.

Treat Vitiligo naturally-

Psoralea corylifolia or babchi- It contains Psoralen which on absorption of sun light activates the damaged melanocytes (pigment producing skin cells) resulting into production of melanin.
Wrightia tinctoria or Vetpalai – Augments healing properties of skin.

Indigofera tinctoria- Acts as anti-oxidant and contain natural pigment indigo.

Piper longum or long pepper- Induces multiplication of pigment cells and also helps in the melanin transfer from the basal layer of the skin to the uppermost layer.

Therefore, ointments, oils containing all these herbs can be of great help in managing vitiligo.

But being vitiligo an autoimmune disorder topical therapy alone may not be highly effective and oral medication is also required.

Scalp psoriasis is a common skin disorder that makes raised, reddish, often scaly patches. It can pop up as a single patch or several, and can even affect the entire scalp. It can also spread to the forehead, the back of neck or behind ears. It causes severe itching and discomfort.

WHAT HAPPENS IN SCALP PSORIASIS?

• Occurs when the immune system sends faulty signals and scalp cells grow too quickly.
• Causes a silvery sheen and dry scales .
• Can be very mild, with slight, fine scaling.
• Can also be very severe with thick, crusted plaques covering the entire scalp.

WHOM DOES IT AFFECT?

• 50% of people who have psoriasis have it on their scalp too.
• Normally develops between the ages of 15-20 years or later between 50-60 years.
• Around 75% of patients are affected before the age of 40.

SOLUTION FOR SCALP PSORIASIS

Special medicated oils containing Wrightia tinctoria ( proven to be effective in the treatment of psoriasis) as a herbal ingredient can be applied on the scalp and can then be given sun exposure for five to ten minutes to get faster relief from psoriatic symptoms like excessive scaling of scalp cells.

Medicated herbal shampoos prescribed for scalp psoriasis can then be used to exfoliate the dead scalp scales and remove the sebum. They also give the additional benefit of making the hair soft, smooth and lustrous.

Severe Psoriasis – Managing a flare-up

Psoriasis is one of the most baffling and persistent of skin disorders. It’s characterized by skin cells that multiply up to 10 times faster than normal. As underlying cells reach the skin’s surface and die, their sheer volume causes raised, red plaques covered with white scales.

Most common symptoms of plaque psoriasis include:

• red, raised, inflamed patches of skin
• silver-white scales or plaques on the red patches
• dry skin that may crack and bleed
• soreness around patches
• itching and burning sensations around patches
• thick, pitted nails
• painful, swollen joints

Taking your medication as directed by your doctor is the first step in preventing psoriasis flare-ups. But you can do other things to minimize symptoms and get relief quickly.

Keep Your Skin Moisturized

TakingKeeping your skin lubricated with oils, creams and ointments can go a long way in preventing or worsening dry, itchy skin caused by a psoriasis flare-up. It can also help reduce redness and heal the skin, making your flare-up easier to manage.

Stay on Top of Scalp Irritation and Itching

TakingTry to resist the urge to scratch or rub your scalp during a flare-up. Use of gentle moisturizer soap and shampoo can be helpful for avoid scratching the scalp.

Avoid Stress

TakingPsoriasis and stress are intricately linked. Although psoriasis is a genetic condition, environmental triggers such as a stressful life event often trigger it, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. And having psoriasis is stressful in itself, which can trigger future flare-ups. Oral medication that can help you manage stress and anxiety and also corrects the imbalance in thermoregulation due to poor cutaneous barrier effect can be the drug of choice.

Eat a Nutritious Diet

TakingNutritional supplements or foods containing omega-3 fatty acids may also help with your psoriasis, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation. Omega-3 fatty acids have been linked to a decrease in inflammation.