Make Ordinary Skin Extraordinary

Anti-age Maintain & Enhance Your Beauty

Have you ever scrolled through your social media sites wondering, wow how do these women achieve flawless, youthful, glowy, skin? Every model or celebrity can’t have perfect skin right? Are you looking for answers to help you achieve the results you have been waiting for? You are not alone. Skin is one of the most important organs of the body, but it’s also one of the main areas that people struggle with. In all actuality, there is the method to this madness. I have answers for you.

The Epidermis

Not Just Another Organ

We first have to understand what we are working with here. Our skin is the soldier on the front line. It’s our first defense and protection. As being part of our integumentary system it is the largest organ our body has. It does everything from waterproofing to controlling our body’s temperature.

There are layers to this. The skin like onions have layers. The very top layer is the stratum corneum. It is literally you scratching the surface. The stratum lucidum is the following clear dead skin cell layer, which is only visible under microscope by looking at thicker skin, like the palm of your hand or the bottom of your feet. Next we have the stratum granulosum whose main responsibility is hydration and barrier function. Stratum spinosum is next in line giving skin its strength and flexibility. Next you would run into stratum basale, and that is responsible for cell reproduction and replenishment. We finally made it from the epidermis to the dermis which contains connective tissue, hair follicles, nerves, sweat glands, blood vessels and other structures. Beneath this is the deepest layer being the hypodermis. This is the main source for providing structural support and insulation for the skin.

There are some factors that make skincare harder and some of them are out of our control. Many people were born with particular skin conditions. Some of these include heat rash, cradle cap, atopic dermatitis and vitiligo. Heat rash generally occurs in the hot humid weather. It is simply a result of overheating. Going into more detail, there is essentially a blockage in the sweat glands that doesn’t allow the cooling mechanism of the skin to function correctly. It can incur on babies and adults. It takes on a few different forms, but generally looks like small pinkish red bumps. It usually goes away on its own but taking action to cool down helps. Cradle Cap is another type of rash, and it is a younger form of seborrheic dermatitis. With that being said it looks like a premature version of what we know as dandruff that occurs on infants. Treatment involves a mild or medicated shampoo depending on the rate of severity. Atopic dermatitis also known as a type of chronic eczema that develops around the stage of early childhood. The skin is normally really dry and sometimes cracked. There is no cure, but treatment includes avoiding possible irritants like certain soaps, that may cause flare ups and using creams or ointments that provide relief from itching. Vitiligo is when pigment has been lost in cells. It results in discolored patches all over the body. It is not contagious nor does it affect the person’s health. In the past it had been looked at as something negative, but now people are embracing this unique difference. It is just a part of who they are.

Over time some skin diseases develop with age and others are based on a person’s environment or something they were exposed to. Some of these include acne, blisters, hives, rosacea, skin allergies like latex for example, contact dermatitis, psoriasis, cellulitis, measles, lupus, warts, and ringworm.

Acne also known as pimples, is the result of hair follicles being intertwined with dead skin cells and the oil of the skin. It’s those stubborn whiteheads and blackheads that you can’t help but have the urge to pick at. This can occur at any age, and there are several different types and classifications. The most common types are whiteheads, blackheads, papules, nodules, and cyst. The classifications of acne are vulgaris which is common acne, mild, moderate and severe. Blisters are circular fluid pockets filled with serum (which is a clear water like part of the blood) pus, and blood. It is caused by friction, cold and heat of extreme conditions, coming in contact with something you are allergic to, bug bites, and some viruses. The scientific name for hives is Urticaria. It is usually red welts that appear on the skin’s surface, and commonly the result of allergic reactions which causes itching, burning and possibly stinking at any age.

Rosacea is a mystery skin condition, in other words the causes are unknown which means the cure is also unknown, and all efforts go into treating symptoms. It is broken up into subtypes based on symptoms and location. A skin allergy is a reaction that occurs when a person comes in contact with a substance, and the immune system overreacts by possibly causing itching, swelling, and hives although the substance may not be harmful. Contact dermatitis is just another type of eczema that is based on touch. This can also be a result of an allergic reaction. It’s an itchy, non-contagious rash that can occur at any age. Paralysis is a skin disease in which there is an overproduction of cells on different areas of the body, near the hairline, nails, and joints. It is long-term, has no cure, and triggers include stress, colds, and infections. The treatment would of course try to slow down production of these skin cells.

Cellulitis is a bacterial disease in which bacteria enter through a bruise, cut, or sore. It comes from the same streptococcal bacteria group A, which is the bacteria that also causes strep throat. Measles is a highly contagious viral infection of the respiratory system. Lupus is a long-term autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the host’s own organs and tissues. It’s found to be a result of genetics and a person’s environment. Warts come in different shapes and sizes. They are benign lesions that can appear anywhere on the body, and are caused by coming in contact with many different types of viruses. A ringworm is a highly contagious fungal red circle- like rash that occurs on skin. A person can acquire this from infected surfaces and other people that are infected through skin to skin contact.

Skin conditions like these and the natural makeup of skin of an individual, determines a person’s skin type. This includes normal, dry, oily, or combination skin. If a person’s skin is also sensitive that is usually added to the list of classifications as well. A person who has any skin condition has a little more work to do. They have to know how to treat it, to make sure they are giving their skin everything it needs. It is very important to be aware and have an understanding of how the skin functions, and also have knowledge of everything that can affect its appearance. It is also important to understand skin is very unique from person to person. The goal should be to get your skin to where you want it to be.

Skin Matters

Why So Much Effort

Can you imagine walking around with all your organs exposed? Can you imagine not having any sense of feeling or touch? Can you imagine not being able to cool down or warm up? Can you imagine always being sick and having all kinds of infection? Can you imagine being extremely dehydrated and drying out? Can you imagine your blood flowing out of your body, you going into hypovolemic shock and not being aware of it?

There are infinite ways you could die at any single moment not knowing it, due to the absence of skin. So now considering you wouldn’t live long as it is, imagine how much of a nightmare dating would be. As you can see here, without our skin we would be a lot more susceptible to heat and light damage, let alone rejection. Injury and infection would also be a lot more prominent, because we wouldn’t have any protection from infection and bacteria would enter as it please. Maybe you get extremely lucky and bacteria doesn’t approach you, but I’m pretty sure microorganisms are not very selective when it comes to choosing a host to multiply. On the upside, you won’t have to worry about breakouts nor hair… just everything else.

So what happens if we simply don’t take care of our skin? Taking care of our skin involves a lot more factors than what meets the eye. One of the biggest factors is when skin is not cleansed adequately. This can lead to enlarged clogged pores filled with oil and dirt, or the complete opposite where the skin is completely stripped of its natural oils when washed excessively. It results in causing the skin to feel and appear dry, textured and dull. The sun’s rays are beneficial in the skin’s production of vitamin D, but over exposure can lead to cell loss and skin damage. When this damage occurs the rays have reached the deeper layers of the skin resulting in tanning, darkening, and or sunburn. More severe cases involve the development of skin cancer. Among the four types the cancerous pigment producing cells of melanoma is the most severe. Also bad or non treatment of such skin conditions, no matter how severe can lead to worsening of the condition, skin infections, and permanent damage. More severe cases can be life threatening. Intentional and unintentional cuts, bruises or injuries also puts the skin at a disadvantage. It exposes the body to possible contaminants, germs and viruses due to the open wounds.

Picking at breakouts isn’t the way to go either. Yeah you probably think it’s ugly, but it’s better to just leave it alone. Picking at skin may cause the debris to be pushed down deeper into the skin layers, making it worse and leading to scarring. Also, continuously pulling a ripping off scabs elongate the repair, leaves the skin vulnerable for infection, and leads to scarring as well. Another factor that can play a role is not using products specifically for your skin type, and the goals you have. These products may cause irritation and inflammation, or they may provide what your skin doesn’t need. This ultimately leads to you not achieving the desired results you are looking for. Two things people don’t commonly think about when it comes to taking care of their skin is their environment and deep cleaning or consistently switching out their body use instruments.

A person’s environment can include anything from an atmosphere of cigarette smoke to showering in scalding hot water. We all have seen the adverse effects that cigarette smoke can have on a person’s appearance including premature aging, wrinkles, sagging skin, and unevenness in skin color. Using hot water in a shower may feel good but it depends on what the individual considers warm and hot. Anything too hot strips the skin of its natural oils leaving the skin dry, and requiring more moisture. Body use instruments can include anything you use for applying or taking off the body including luffas, rags, towels, makeup brushes, clippers, razors and ect. If not cleaned or switched out consistently they build up bacteria.

A person’s overall health plays a significant role in everything, especially the skin. If a person isn’t drinking an adequate amount of water then the skin has little to nothing to store, and they probably are dehydrated often. Water helps flush out toxins, and that can possibly aid in the appearance of the skin. The over intake of sugar leads to skin stiffening and loss of elasticity. An inadequate amount of sleep or complete lack thereof cuts cell reproduction and repair time. You may have less vibrant skin also due to the lack of exercise or physical activity. The lack of blood flow causes less nutrients to reach your skin cells.

Some problems that I commonly see among people the most are wrinkles and fine lines, scars, and dark skin under eyes. These are due to the same missteps that have been mentioned for example, wrinkles and fine lines are also products of sun damage and of course smoking. The collagen and elastin in the skin is weakened and or broken down. Premature fine lines can be the result of repeated facial expressions. Scars are also another issue people encounter. People tend to hurt or injure themselves by not paying attention, being reckless or due the actions of someone else. Dark marks can also be the result of harsh chemicals. Other scars like acne scars are normally the results of picking which causes discoloration. Dark circles are also the results of lack of sleep, too much sleep, loss of collagen and elasticity due to age, strain on eyes, allergic reactions, lack of water intake, skin damage, and genetics.

Find Your Glow

The Do’s and Don’ts of Skin Care

We all have busy lives, but the key is to be consistent. Inconsistency may prolong results and lead to discouragement. Make sure you are actively cleansing your skin and getting rid of the dirt and oils trapped in your pores. Also be sure to not cleanse the skin excessively risking dehydration and totally stripping all natural oils. It’s great to get some daily sun exposure for the production of vitamin D, but avoid excessive amounts of rays to prevent losing skin cells. If you have a skin condition of any kind make sure you are fully informed about what it entails, treating it adequately, and using products that do not trigger reactions of this condition. Make sure all wounds as well are treated and covered to prevent exposure to outside contaminants unless instructed otherwise by a licensed physician. Although it is hard to resist, remember that you would be doing your skin an advantage by not popping the pimple. Letting it run its course naturally, and keeping your hands out of your face prevents the addition of more bacteria, pushing debris down to deeper layers of skin, and possible scarring.

Another really important thing is to choose products that are specifically for your skin and help you get the results that you want to achieve. How do you know which products are for you? First you have to determine what kind you are looking for. Some are based on small lifestyle changes that are natural life- long alternative ways of achieving results. Other products are the usual creams and oils that you see from day to day. There are now even some companies that make quality products uniquely designed for the user. Another way of looking for products is simply trial and error. Products can be tested by putting them on the back of your hand and seeing how it reacts to your skin. Then following up with a test trial on a small piece of the area where you plan to use the product. It gives you an idea of what the product feels like and how it reacts without causing a massive breakout.

Being aware of environmental situations is important as well. If it’s a person’s preference, they could avoid being in an atmosphere of cigarette smoke. If a person who smokes is struggling with skin problems then cutting back or completely eliminating the amount of smoke experienced each day would slow down the aging process of their skin. Hot water feels good, but it is not the most beneficial for our skin. Coming up with a possible ratio like one hot shower to every three warm showers would be a better alternative instead of consistently stripping the skin of all it’s natural oils.

As I said before, a person’s overall health has a big impact on the appearance of skin as well. It is important to remember how essential water is for our body. It keeps us from being dehydrated, and it helps us get rid of toxins from what we eat. Sugar should be limited. The over intake of sugar causes adverse effects on the body as a whole let alone the skin. Some highly recommended alternatives would be honey and agave since those are natural sweeteners. Getting your beauty sleep is highly recommended for the more rapid repair and replenishment of cells during that time. Exercise allows for more nutrients to reach skin cells. Sparing ten to thirty minutes a day just to get your body moving and your blood flowing would get you one step closer to achieving that social media glow.

Fine lines and wrinkles are hard to prevent, but ensuring the use of sunscreen, staying moisturized, eating a healthy diet and avoiding sun damage is recommended. There are over-the-counter remedies that can aid in lessening the appearance and even remove them. These items are high in antioxidants, provide moisture and usually in some way aids in exfoliation. The avoidance of burns injury and any other types of trauma to the skin will help prevent scars. Let’s face it we are all human and these things happen.

So how do we get rid of these scars? Some natural remedies will include the use of aloe vera gel, apple cider vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, castor oil, and lemons. Aloe vera is found to have some skin lightening properties that removes hyperpigmentation. Acidic acid which is found in apple cider vinegar also helps lighten skin. During the process of healing wounds, hydrogen peroxide also helps lighten discoloration left by skin trauma. The fatty acids of castor oil also helps get rid of or reduce hyperpigmentation. The citric acid in lemons has some gentle bleaching qualities, which over time can break down the melanin of pigmentation. Other non-natural ways of getting rid of dark marks are cryotherapy, microdermabrasion, chemical peels, laser treatments, and prescribed creams. Cryotherapy is a surgical treatment that uses extremely cold temperatures. Microdermabrasion is another type of skin surgery that exfoliates by removing thick or uneven outer layers of skin. Using a chemical solution that is applied to areas of hyperpigmentation, chemical peels remove the top layers of skin in order to be replenished by new cells. The resurfacing technique of laser treatment uses intense beams of light energy to destroy the outer layer of the skin and stimulates collagen production over a period of time. The chemicals within skin lightening creams accelerate the turnover of skin cells which in turn lightens dark spots.

Treatments that you can do yourself for dark circles and bags are getting more sleep and keeping your head elevated while doing so, using cold tea bags for more blood circulation, using cold wraps for the reduction of swelling, and of course as a quick fix it can be concealed with makeup. Other treatments include chemical peels and laser surgery like the treatments of regular dark spots, medical tattoos, and fat removal. Medical tattoos replace the hyperpigment using the original pigment of the skin, and fat removal depending on cause removes the tissue causing the bags under the eyes. If you are considering any surgical treatments, it is highly recommended that you consult with a doctor.

What are You Waiting for

Start Your Glow Journey Now

We all have one life to live. Sitting on the sidelines admiring other people’s skin and reading about it alone isn’t going to get you where you want to be. It is great to do your research and read about it, but you also have to physically take action for yourself, because no one else can or is going to do it for you. There are endless resources like the included affiliate links and opportunities to help you get where you would like to be. You might say well, I will do it tomorrow. Or I’ll do something about it another time. Or maybe I’ll do something about it later. What’s the difference between the time now and later? The faster you do something about it the faster you get to the results and changes you want to see within yourself. That goes for anything. No need to waste time procrastinating on something that you want. Don’t just look at the image, become the image. You are more than capable.

You also have to believe you will get there. You have to visualize it for yourself. Imagine other people contacting you through social media saying, wow your skin is so beautiful. What do you use? Look forward to those questions. If you believe it, you will see it. Some people might be a little discouraged, because they feel that they have tried every product there is, but nothing has helped. That just means they have a little more research to do. Just like the saying that there’s someone out there for everybody, there’s something that will work for you. You also can’t be discouraged by looking at other people’s results and the rate at which their skin changes. You have to remember that you are uniquely you, and your skin is uniquely your skin. You can’t always expect the same results as somebody else, because yes we have similarities and categories our skin may fall into, but no one will ever have your exact skin structure. Do your research, don’t be discouraged, be realistic, be consistent, be patient, and celebrate small improvements. Some people don’t give themselves the credit they deserve. This helps further encourage you to keep going, and stay consistent with your skin routine. You can do it, I hope this article provides some insight, and I look forward to reading your article about how you achieved flawless, youthful, glowy skin.