Moisturizers

As with any other skin products there are many different moisturizers on the market and they are all formulated to assist in different areas of the skin.

They serve two main purposes and that is to soften the skin and help to keep moisture under the outer layer.

This will make dry skin look more hydrated and in doing so it will make your skin feel better - albeit temporarily.

There are three main areas that moisturizers are used for the face skin and these are for the area around the eyes, the facial skin and the skin on your neck.

All these areas of skin have slightly different characteristics and often one moisturizer isn't suitable for all areas.

The skin around the eyes is the most delicate and for this reason moisturizers for the eyes are lighter in texture than those used for the face.

Most people will use a different eye moisturizer than the one they will use on their face.

If you are using one moisturizer for the whole of your face you will need to be particularly careful to choose one that won't have any ingredients that will irritate your eyes.

As you will be leaving moisturizer on your skin throughout the day you really need to take the time to test samples of various products until you find the one that is most suitable.

There is an enormous array of products, and moisturizers come in all types and formulations.
The range in prices can vary considerably too but it is essential that you buy quality products when selecting a moisturizer.

While many people don't bother using a separate moisturizer for the neck skin there are formulations that are specifically suitable for the neck as this is an area where there are fewer oil glands and the skin can become somewhat drier.

Menopausal Skin

Collagen and Elastin fibers are the structural support that the skin needs to remain youthful.

Collagen production is stimulated by the hormone estrogen and this is necessary for the skin to remain firm and wrinkle free.

The problem with menopause is that this production of estrogen begins to wane and this causes a breakdown in the production of collagen.

The result of the decreased collagen is that the skin becomes slack and more susceptible to wrinkles.

There are other factors that are affected by menopause that also reduce the condition of the skin.

With the skin becoming increasingly fragile with age, the top layers of the skin, the epidermis and the dermis are more easily separated and this leads to the vulnerability to damage more easily.

The skin becomes less durable and more susceptible to cuts that would not have resulted in previous years.
As well as this, there is the problem that when cuts do occur, they take a lot longer to heal.

The same applies to bruises, that are easier to get, and often look somewhat more severe and they will generally take longer to disappear.

Due to the delicate nature of the skin during menopause and as we age there is a need to be a lot gentler than would be expected with the skin of a younger person.

This care even applies to the way that creams and cleansers are used on the skin and particularly the face.

As the skin ages and becomes more fragile it is necessary to avoid pulling the skin when applying skin care products.

By rubbing in creams and toners the skin can easily get 'pulled' and in doing so stretch it causing permanent damage if this is done on a regular basis.
It is better to pat the skin when applying lotions and make up.

Good quality moisturizers applied day and night will assist in maintaining the skin in the best possible condition and will be money well spent.

Laser Vein Treatment

Most broken veins will appear on areas such as the thighs.
It is not uncommon however for people to get spider veins on the face.

While these can look quite unsightly the procedure to remove them is relatively simple.

Rather than trying to hide the veins with clever makeup, it might be time to visit a dermatologist and have them treated with a laser.

The way that the laser treats these veins is through a wavelength of light that it emits.
The laser light increases the heat of the blood inside the vein.
When the heat reaches a certain temperature the blood vessel walls collapse and dissolve.

Is a relatively quick treatment taking approximately 15 minutes and there is very little sensation felt by the patient.

To get the desired results you will often need several treatments spread out over a number of weeks.

There are various different types of lasers used in the treatment and the dermatologist will choose the one most suitable dependent upon the results that are required.

Each of the different types of lasers will emit a slightly different beam and having the choice of the different lasers allows the dermatologist to target the various different types of spider veins that are present.

After a few treatments with the laser light the capillaries will be dilated and virtually invisible.
When this laser treatment is used on the face it is quite easy with the use of light makeup to completely conceal any traces of the veins.

There is very little chance of any side effects from laser vein treatment, with the most noticeable sign that you've had the treatment being slight redness around the area where the veins were.

As with most treatments it is better to get on to the problem as soon as possible while the veins are small and there is less damage to the skin.

LASER RESURFACING

Laser resurfacing involves the removal of the skins outer layer.
In doing so, this procedure can diminish discoloration, fine lines and wrinkles, scars, pigmentation problems, and other skin problems.

Laser resurfacing can also tighten the skin and give the face a firmer and younger appearance.
While this sounds good you'll need to get some expert advice from a good dermatologist before undergoing any of this treatment particularly if you have dark or olive skin.

The reason people with dark or olive skin need to be particularly careful when using these types of treatments is the fact that they can scar quite easily.

A good dermatologist will give you a thorough evaluation before deciding whether this sort of treatment will be suitable or not.

With a choice of two different types of lasers for resurfacing the dermatologist can choose how deep they need to go to improve the quality of the skin.

Sometimes the dermatologist will recommend medication to prevent the possibility of infection.

By taking advantage of the benefit of having two different types of laser treatments available, the dermatologist can target both light scarring and deeper scaring.

When there is a combination of light and deep scarring in the same area the dermatologist might choose to use an alternative laser that can affect the skin tissues deeper down allowing him to clear those problems at once.

There is a recovery time that can vary depending on the patient and for some people this can be quite a considerable time, particularly those people who have sensitive skin.

In the first few days special care needs to be taken to ensure that the skin doesn't become infected.
After that the skin can peel for up to three weeks by which time it is generally ready to have makeup applied.

One of the benefits of laser treatment is the fact that it stimulates new collagen growth.
This new collagen growth can help the skin to feel tighter and firmer for several months after the initial treatment.

Hyperpigmentation

Hyperpigmentation is a skin problem that affects a large number of people and is one of the most common skin problems that people want to address.

Hyperpigmentation occurs when there are pigment changes in the skin as can be seen when people get freckles on the face and spots on other parts of the body that are most likely to appear on the hands and the chest.

There are two main causes for hyperpigmentation with the most obvious one being over exposure and subsequent damage from the sun.
The face, hands and often the upper areas of the chest are generally those areas of the skin that get the most exposure to the sun and this is why you will see the incidence of hyperpigmentation in those places more often that other places on the body.

Even the sun streaming through the windscreen of the car you drive can be sufficient to cause these changes in the skin pigment.

Another main cause of hyperpigmentation is due to hormonal changes in the body.
The biggest causes of these hormonal changes in women are pregnancy and birth control pills.

Many people have the misconception that melasma, which is pigmentation caused by the sun, is simply age spots.

Certain skin bleaching agents can assist in reducing the impact of these spots but like most things associated with the condition of your skin, covering up in the sun is the best solution to ensure that you don't get these spots in the first place.

If you do have hyperpigmentation then exposure to the sun will only make the condition worse.

While hyperpigmentation that has resulted from hormonal changes is a lot more difficult to cure than that caused by the sun, over time with the correct use of quality skin bleaching products the 'spots' can fade quite significantly.

Laser treatment is also an effective solution for assisting with the reduction of hyperpigmentation.

How to Care for Your Skin

There are three main areas that are most important when caring for your skin.

Those three areas are the cleaning of your skin, the moisturizing of your skin and the protection of the skin.

It all starts with cleanliness, as the other factors can't work as well if the skin is not cleaned properly.

With all the different cleansers on the market there is enough information to fill a book but it is worthwhile saying that you do not have to spend lots of money to get a good quality cleanser.

Makeup will need to be dissolved with oil-based creams before the face can be cleaned properly and then your preferred cleanser will remove any residue that could clog up your pores.

It is important that all traces of makeup are removed before you retire for the night as sleeping with makeup on can cause all sorts of skin problems as it clogs the pores overnight.

A good moisturizer will then help to soften your skin and replace the natural oils that are removed by washing.
This barrier that is created by the moisturizer will help to lock in the moisture that is in your skin.

And finally you will need to protect your skin.
There is nothing that will age your skin more than leaving it unprotected against the elements.

Sunlight is good for the skin but too much will cause damage and even a little too much can cause irreparable damage so always use sunscreen when outdoors.

Many of the moisturizers that are worn during the day have SPF sun protection factors and these are products that you should consider when out and about during the day for additional protection.

Even driving a car in sunny conditions can cause sun damage so these moisturizers are particularly good to use.

Protect your lips with balms to stop them from drying out and becoming chapped and wear sunglasses and eye creams to protect the delicate skin around your eyes.

Your skin is precious so treat is like so.

How Does Alcohol Affect Your Skin?

OK - we're not talking about alcohol on your skin here but the amount that you consume.

Excessive consumption of alcohol is detrimental to your general health but it also affects the condition of your skin as well.

It's not unusual to be able to spot a heavy drinker by the color of their nose and this redness that appears on their nose is associated with broken blood vessels.
While it might take a considerable amount of alcohol to create this condition, every time you drink a little too much alcohol you are adding to the damage that is occurring to your skin.

With a deficiency of the B vitamins that is associated with excessive alcohol consumption, the skin loses some of its condition and this can cause all sorts of problems, from a change in complexion, to a less healthy sallow tone to the appearance of skin spots and discoloration.

The blood vessels in the skin dilate and this is what causes them to break and result in permanent redness in areas such as the nose.

For your skin to remain vibrant you need to remain hydrated and each time you consume alcohol you are dehydrating your body and that includes your skin.

It is not sufficient for you to expect to counter this dehydration by using moisturizers, as these won't address the problem that is happening under the skin and the body as a whole.

The occasional drink of alcohol or drinking in moderation won't have much affect at all but you can expect to age faster if you drink more than a reasonable amount regularly.

A night on the town with a few too many drinks can make for a sorry sight the next morning with puffy eyes due to water retention so try to counter the effects of alcohol but consuming at least an equal quantity of water throughout the night to remain hydrated.