When you have a busy lifestyle it's easy to forget about pampering your skin. But taking time to pamper it produces a big pay off-healthy skin. And it's worth it.



Your skin is the largest organ of your body. It protects and covers your body while holding everything in place-including bones, muscles and internal organs. In addition, your skin helps your body to maintain its proper temperature.

The outside layer of skin-your "birthday suit," is called the epidermis. Beneath this surface, new skin cells are continually forming and moving to the top. This process takes about 2-4 weeks. When newer cells move up, older cells die off and rise to the surface. Each time you shower or bathe, you are losing dead skin cells. Surprisingly, you lose 30,000 to 40,000 skin cells every minute. In fact, experts say we lose approximately 9 pounds of skin cells every year!

Beneath the epidermis lies a layer of skin called the dermis. This layer contains nerve endings, blood vessels, oil glands and sweat glands. It also contains substances called collagen and elastin, which help to give skin its elasticity. The blood vessels within the dermis keep skin cells healthy by bringing them oxygen and nutrients, and they work to eliminate waste products. Oil glands (sebaceous glands) that lie within the dermis produce sebum, which is the skin's natural oil. This oil keeps skin lubricated and protected while keeping skin "waterproof" so we don't end up melting into a puddle.

Nerve endings that lie within the dermis are responsible for our sense of touch. These nerve endings work in concert with the brain and nervous system, and this is how we are able to tell the difference between the soft velvet feel of a rose petal and the sharp stabbing pain of a thorn.

Our sense of touch allows us to experience wonderful feelings, but it also protects us by delivering a signal to the brain when something presents immediate danger. This process happens so fast we don't have time to think about it. If you accidentally walk into something sharp, the immediate response is to move away from the object. On the other hand, when we encounter something soothing, our natural response is to continue having the pleasure sensation...like "touch my bikini-and do it like you mean it!"

The bottom layer of skin, called the subcutaneouslayer, is primarily comprised of fat. This layer helps to absorb shock and keep us warm. The roots of the hair follicles are housed in this layer, and hair follicles are found throughout the body, except for the palms of the hands, soles of the feet and the lips. The sebaceous glands work with the hair follicles to release oil onto hair to give it shine and protection.

An overlooked-but important function of the skin is the role it plays in keeping the body's temperature at approximately 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature is beneficial for the cells of your body. When you get overheated, sweat glands within the skin help to cool it off. When sweat is released it evaporates and this process creates a cooling effect.

The skin gradually becomes thinner as we age and the oil producing glands grow less active. This can leave our skin drier and more prone to wrinkles. In addition, the number of blood vessels decreases with age, so skin becomes more fragile and it becomes harder to maintain a youthful "glow." But good skin care practices-such as avoiding too much sun, washing your skin gently, applying a good moisturizer, exercising regularly (which improves circulation), and following sound nutritional practices (to "feed your skin) can give you a natural glow. When it comes to sunlight, experts recommend protecting your skin when the sun's rays are the most intense, which is from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Experts suggest applying sunscreen liberally 20 minutes before going outdoors and then reapplying it every two hours. It should also be applied again after heavy sweating or swimming. Protective clothing worn during these hours is also helpful, so a chic and sexy cover up can be fashionable and functional.

Bear in mind that smoking contributes to wrinkles. In fact, changes in the skin have been seen in young adults who have smoked for as few as 10 years! This is because smoking causes narrowing of the blood vessels and this depletes the skin of oxygen and nutrients vital for skin health. The idea is to keep the skin's natural elastic fibres of elastin and collagenhealthy because these fibres give skin a youthful texture and appearance. So 'kicking the habit' is better for your skin.

Another essential part of pampering your skin is proper cleaning. This is where you want to remember "the gentle touch." Treat your skin gently. Here's what experts recommend:

Use warm water and limit bath and shower time. Long showers and too much hot water can remove oils from your skin. Limits shower and bath times to 15 minutes or less, and use tepid or warm water.

Avoid strong soaps. Strong soaps can strip oil from your skin.

Remove eye makeup carefully. The skin around the eye area is extremely delicate. Use a soft sponge or cotton ball when removing eye makeup.

Pat skin dry. After a shower or bath, remember to gently pat or blot dry. The idea is to keep some of the moisture on your skin. Then, immediately follow up with a good moisturizer.

Moisturize regularly. Moisturizers help seal in skin's natural moisture. So for velvet soft skin, moisturize regularly. If your skin feels tight 20 minutes after bathing-you need a moisturizer.

I suggest consulting a skin care expert to determine which moisturizer is best for your skin because skin types vary. Shop around for a qualified skin care specialist. I have dry skin, so I need an intense moisturizer. My husband's skin is the opposite, so we have a variety of soaps and moisturizers in our household. Find the products that are right for your particular skin type.

Remember to be careful when shaving because shaving can cause skin irritation. Shaving dry skin can cause razor burn, so apply shaving cream or lotion to protect and lubricate your skin. Use a clean sharp razor, and shave in the direction of hair growth. I avoid alcohol-based products.

To keep your skin healthy and beautiful I suggest starting from the inside. Good nutrition and proper hydration can assist your body's natural mechanisms. You can tell the difference in the appearance of your skin when you eat a lot of "junk food." A balanced diet that includes plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables is essential for bikini body skin fitness. You've heard the expression: "You are what you eat." I've been hearing this since grade school (many moons ago), and my mother always told me this. But it's true. Many experts believe the foods you put on your plate may be more beneficial than anything you put on your skin.

Treat your skin right, and healthy skin will be your treat!

george markos