We have a society of sun-worshipers, the glorious golden tan is a We have become a society of sun-symbol of freedom, status and leisure which we all want, sometimes at any cost. But the price we pay for it is often high in terms of I prematurely aging skin and sagging contours. Ultra-violet rays stimulate certain cells in the skin to distribute a pigment called melanin; the same deadly light rays cause changes in the cells of the dermis, leading to rapid aging sagging and wrinkled skin, and in cases of prolonged extreme exposure, to skin cancer.

Tanning is nothing more than a defense mechanism. The melanin that turns the skin brown is the only way the skin has of offering a protective layer to guard itself and the deeper layers of the body from ultra-violet damage. Certainly the damage done to skin cells and to the connective tissues is a great deal worse if the skin is allowed to burn. But even if the skin suffers no burning the damaging changes from exposure to sunlight still occur and so does premature aging. The damage may not show up immediately, until wrinkles appear several years later. To preserve youthful, healthy-looking skin, tan little (go for the pale golden look on your body instead of the baked skin a la St Tropez), and avoid the sun on your face altogether by using a good moisturizer complete with sunscreen, plus a high protection sunscreen that blocks all the ultraviolet rays. Use a lower protection product for your body and let it gently brown. Increase your exposure to the sun gradually, starting with 20 minutes a day (never between the hours of 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.) and stepping it up by 10 or 15 minutes each day until you build up a good protective tan.

Cigarettes, too, damage the skin. Dermatological tests show that smokers’ skins appear 10 to 20 years older than those of non smokers. This is believed to be because each cigarette you smoke depletes your system of 25 milligrams of Vitamin C which is necessary for the health and strength of our tissues.

Looking after your skin is simple. Cleanliness comes first. But this doesn’t mean scrubbing away with great volumes of soap that can clog pores and remove the skin’s natural oils . Use soap sparingly and only in the places it is needed most — under the arms, around the genitals, and wherever you are actually dirty. On the face, use a neutral soap, a mild detergent cleanser or a lotion cleanser that is pH balanced so that it doesn’t remove the skin’s natural acid mantle. Necessary skin acne treatment helps protect it from bacterial invasion and excessive drying. Be sure to remove any make-up completely and let your skin breathe by not covering it day and night with a heavy film of make-up or cream.

Herbal Beauty

For both men and women, a moisturizer with a sunscreen is a good idea. Men can apply it after shaving in the morning. This helps protect against ultra-violet rays and excessive water loss from heat, dry air, or air- conditioning systems. Drying out can be another cause of prematurely aging skin.

Finally, to be sure your skin is getting everything it needs to stay healthy and glowing, eat plenty of raw fruits and vegetables, grain products and lean protein foods.

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