Fashion
Factors Harmfulto the Skin Pt 1
NoveletteBodden,
Certified Aesthetician
Many factors, external aswell as internal, can affect the health of the skin. Among theseare smoking, drugs, alcohol consumption, poor nutrition, chemicals,and time.
Short of becoming addictedto narcotics, smoking is about the single most self-destructiveact one can indulge in.
Smoking causes emphysema and cancer and is a major factor in theonset of heart attacks. The effect of smoking on the skin is alsodevastating.
The nicotine in tobaccocontracts the small blood vessels. As a result blood circulationdecreases, preventing the skin from receiving oxygen and nutrients.This dries the skin and makes it prone to wrinkling and prematureaging.
The smoke particles serveas a carrier for airborne dust and dirt, allowing the residueto settle on the skin and clog the pores. Nicotine can also stainthe skin and give it a yellowish cast.
Constant exposure to smokecauses smokers to squint their eyes in reaction to the irritationof the smoke. The long-term effect of squinting is premature wrinkling.Smoking also causes the skin around the upper and lower lips towrinkle prematurely as the surrounding muscle, orbicularis oris,is constantly contracting and puckering. The remedy for this harmfulfactor is simple stop smoking, not only for your skin; yourbody will love you for it.
Like smoking the habitualuse of narcotics and other illicit drugs can have severe effectson the skin. They also rob the skin of oxygen and essential nutrientsand can leave the skin dry or cause acne-like symptoms.
Many medications, both over-the-counterand prescription drugs can produce side effects that manifestthemselves in various skin disorders such as hives, rashes, eczema-likeeruptions, and pigment changes. Light to moderate use of alcoholis not generally harmful to the skin. Heavy use, however, candeprive the skin of moisture. It can also cause broken capillaries,which show as red blotches under the skin. Chronic overindulgenceis also linked to the development of the skin condition rosacea.
Chemicals, both syntheticand those found in nature, can have harmful effects on the skin,causing conditions that vary from dryness and redness to blisteringand burning. Many common household chemicals, such as laundrydetergents, bleach and drain cleaners, can cause contact dermatitis.Alcohol can dry the skin. Cosmetics, hair dyes, nail polish, evensome skin care products can cause allergic reactions in peoplewho are sensitive to those substances.
Dirt particles in the air,exhaust fumes, sulphur compounds from industrial wastes, etc.are all potentially damaging to the skin. These sulphur containingpollutants convert to sulphuric acid solution on contact withthe skin, the same chemical process that forms acid rain. Thisdehydrates the skin. Similarly air borne dirt and impurities lodgein the pores and provide breeding grounds for harmful bacteria.
Most soaps are harshly alkalineand dry the skin. The chemical reaction also strips the skin ofits protective acid mantle, leaving it open to germicidal attack.
Novelette Bodden
Spa Novell