Although spring is right around the corner, this time of year it seems as if everyone is scratching dry skin. With the temperature changing every day? one day it's 70, the next day it's back down to the cool, crisp 30, your emotions are on a weather roller coaster, but your skin is taking most of the abuse. Now is the time to prep your tender skin for those warm months ahead (even if they seem far away).
Prevention
You may be thinking it's too late for prevention, but it's never too late to take care of your skin. Here are some simple tips for preventing dry, chapped skin:
1. Avoid scolding hot showers: Tempting as it may be when the temperature cools down and you think there's no other way to warm up other than a long, hot shower, hot water will dry your skin out even more than it already is. 2. Don't linger in the shower: There are some days when all you want to do is stay in the shower until it turns ice cold, but dermatologists suggest limiting your showers to 5-10 minutes. A long shower can actually dehydrate your skin. 3. Don't use harsh soaps: Many bar soaps can dry out your skin. Try using a mild soap or a moisturizing body wash. 4. Pat dry: Rubbing yourself roughly with a towel after a shower can irritate the skin. Instead, pat yourself dry. 5. Seal it in: After you wash your hands, make sure to apply hand cream to seal in the moisture. 6. Good night: Many people don't think to put on moisturizer before bed, but it's a good time to slather it on. 7. Vaseline and gloves: If your hands are unusually dry, try lathering on Vaseline and wear thin, cotton gloves to bed. 8. Try a humidifier: Dry heat during those cold days and nights can also dry your skin. A humidifier can relieve stale, dry air and your skin.
Moisturizers
Don't believe the hype that moisturizers are not for every skin type! Even people with oily skin should use a moisturizer, because oily skin could be from dry patches that clog the pores. Moisturizer is commonly used to make your skin look and feel smooth, but it can also relieve itchy dry skin and reduce breakouts. It may even eliminate the early signs of aging and protect you from sun damage. You may think moisturizer is used to provide moisture to your skin, but the reality is that a moisturizer actually helps your skin retain its own moisture level. With that in mind, depending on the type of skin you have, you should add a moisturizer to your daily cleansing routine. For dry skin: use moisturizers that are heavy and oil-based. For extremely dry skin: use a moisturizer with emollients, which reduces moisture evaporation and increases hydration. For oily skin: use a light moisturizer that is oil-free and water-based. Avoid mineral oils and mineral waxes, as they tend to clog pores. Look for products that have silicones, which can slightly dry oily skin. For combination skin: use a moisturizer that contains alpha hydroxy acids and vitamin A retinols.
The best time to apply moisturizer is after you wash or shower. Your skin is still slightly damp (but not wet), which seals in the moisture. When applying moisturizer, apply the desired amount onto clean fingertips. In a circular motion, gently smooth it onto the skin. Do not rub it in completely. Let the moisturizer rest on your face/body and naturally absorb it. By continuously rubbing the moisturizer in, your fingertips will absorb most of the lotion. Nighttime moisturizers are tempting but not always necessary. If you have oily skin, give your face a break after cleansing at night and let your natural oils do the hard work. For dryer skin, apply a light moisturizer.
Skin Disorders
Extremely dry, scaly skin can also be a sign of a skin disorder. If your itchy skin turns red and begins to feel uncomfortable, it may be time to consult a dermatologist. There are two common skin disorders.:
1.)Eczema is an inherited dry skin condition. It usually affects the face or the areas where your body bends. 2.)Psoriasis has strong genetic and environmental components. Psoriasis is thick, red sore spots with very thick white scales on top of them. Initially, these are on the scalp, elbows and knees, but they can spread.
If you feel you have either, do yourself a favor and see your dermatologist. He'll have plenty of things to help you.
Copyright (c) 2007 Barry Lycka
Changes are apparent in kids every summer at SuperCamp academic summer camps where counselors teach learning and life skills that help them know themselves, like themselves, and learn better. During our more than 25 years of running these summer programs we have learned lots and lots about teens and their problems—and how adults can help them through those sometimes rough years. Here are some of the most important and easily utilized things we've found . . .
1. A great communication tool for building relationships with teens is, Tell me more. If you get one of those dead-end responses to a question like How was your day, try Tell me more.
2. When teens have been hurt by something someone said or did to them, try asking them How do you feel? Tell them that how we feel and think about ourselves is a CHOICE. We can't control what happens to us but we can control how we react to it. Then ask How do you CHOOSE to feel?
3. To help teens build self-esteem, acknowledge every effort. When your teens make an effort and complete something, stop for the high-five before urging them on to the next task.
4. When you see FEAR (False Expectations Appearing Real) in your teens, acknowledge it and show that you understand. Then ask What's the worst that could happen? and What's the best?
5. Excelling in school starts with an I CAN attitude. A fast way to I CAN and I WILL is when students discover how they learn best and apply the appropriate strategies for their learning style to their school work. People learn differently—some of us are better visual learners, some are auditory, and some are kinesthetic learners. How do you learn best?
6. Physiology affects learning. Our mind, body, and emotions are all connected—change one, you change them all. Remind your teens to walk tall into every class (even the most dreaded), sit tall at their desks, and look and listen. Soon they will be able to remind themselves with Adjust your physiology!
7. If your teens are struggling with low motivation, help them find their passions—and the accompanying motivation—by asking them, What would you do—today, tomorrow, or in the future—if you knew you couldn't fail?
8. If your teens are hitting the inevitable "bumps" on their road to success, remind them that Failure Leads to Success! with the suggestion, forgive yourself, learn from your "failure," recommit, and keep moving toward your goal!
9. Help your teens to understand that they need to take ownership of their dreams—no blaming, no excuses, no justifying, no giving up. If it's to be, it's up to me!
10. Remind your teens that Speak with Good Purpose applies to what they say to themselves as well as what they say to others. They can use this to correct those voices in their heads that tell them negative things about themselves.
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