Skin Care: The Importance Of Exfoliation

Achieving great looking skin isn't necessarily that hard. You do have to know what to do (and what not to do) for good skin care. While most people understand the importance of hydration, sunscreen and cleansing, they often overlook exfoliation in their skin care regimen. Exfoliation can help bring out a fresh, youthful look to your skin and will help prevent blemishes. The key is to perform the exfoliation properly.

The very outer layer of your skin is actually dead skin cells. Your skin creates new cells underneath and the old ones on the surface slough off on their own. This occurs each and every day, whether you notice it or not. Sometimes this dead layer will build up on the surface of your skin and you will notice your skin has a dull look to it. You may also find you are more prone to blemishes, if the dead skin cells clog your pores. Getting rid of these skin cells will promote healthy skin. To exfoliate, you can choose one of these methods: chemical or abrasive. Chemical exfoliants usually contain some form of mild acid, such as alpha hydroxy or salicylic acid. The acids work to slough off the dead skin cells. These actually come in different strengths and can be applied on their own, or in conjunction with an abrasive exfoliant.

Abrasive exfoliants are creams or liquid cleansers that contain particulate matter, such as ground botanicals, jojoba beads or groundnuts. The use of the abrasive will physically remove the dead skin cells. The particulate matter can come in many different sizes and the type you choose will depend upon the application. You don't want to use the same abrasive on your face that you would use to exfoliate your feet.

Start your exfoliation with clean skin. Wet the skin with warm water and apply the exfoliant. Rub gently in circles with your fingers or a facial sponge, avoiding the under eye area, as this skin is too delicate for exfoliation. Rinse with warm water and pat your skin dry. Apply a toner to help balance the pH of your newly exposed skin cells. Follow this with a moisturizer. Your skin may tingle for fifteen minutes or so after the application, especially for your first couple of times. After that, your skin will become used to it. With the chemical exfoliants, discontinue their use if your skin burns too much after application. Exfoliation only needs to be done once or twice a week. Since you have exposed new skin cells to the surface, it is very important that you use a sunscreen if you will be outdoors.

You can choose to purchase an exfoliant, or you can make your own. Some great home products for exfoliation include ground oats, cornmeal, yogurt, honey or buttermilk. A mixture of ground oats and yogurt would be a combination of an abrasive and chemical (oats for the abrasive and the lactic acid in the yogurt is the chemical).

Whichever product you choose, consistent use of your exfoliant product will result in youthful skin with a healthy glow.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to [http://skin-care-guides.com/]Skin Care
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Skin Changes During Pregnancy - Hyperpigmentation

During pregnancy, the female body undergoes multiple changes that affect almost every organ system. The skin being the largest organ of the body is well worth talking about as many pregnant women find it hard to differentiate normal pregnancy skin changes from abnormal ones.

There are 3 general categories of skin conditions that are associated with pregnancy:


1- Benign skin conditions related to normal hormonal changes
2- Pre-existing skin conditions that change during pregnancy
3- Pregnancy-specific Skin disorders.

Benign skin changes which are induced by the normal hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy include; striae gravidarum (Stretch marks) which occur in up to 90% of women.

Hyperpigmentation which is more pronounced in darker skinned women, scars and nevi also may darken. The linea nigra is the line that often forms when the abdominal linea alba darkens during pregnancy and this appears as a midline dark line starting above the ubilicus and extending to the pubic bone. Also, Melasma (The mask of pregnancy) which occurs in up to 70% of pregnant women mainly in sun exposed areas like the cheeks and face.

Hair, nail, and vascular changes as either an increase or decrease in growth and production of hair is common during pregnancy, blood vessels can prolifirate and become congested and little Spider telangiectasias may appear in the neck, face and arms. Vascular changes include varicosities which occur in about 40 % of pregnant women.

Pre-existing skin conditions: Such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, candidal and other fungal infections, cutaneous tumors including molluscum fibrosum gravidarum and malignant melanoma may change during pregnancy. Skin problems like atopic dermatitis & psoriasis can worsen or improve during pregnancy.

Finally, Pregnancy-Specific Dermatologic Disorders:

This is just a list that includes a simple description of these skin disorders, if you suspect you may have one please contact your doctor as some may have a negative outcome on the baby.

Prurigo of pregnancy: This occures in 1 : 300 pregnancies, the cause may be related to gall stones but may not be. This appears as reddish nodules on the extensor surfaces of arms and legs.

Pimiphigoid Gestationis: This skin disorder has been found to be associated with some auto-immune disorders. It appears as vesicles or plaques that start around the umbalicus and spread sparing the face and mucous membranes.

Impetigo herpetiformis : This is a form of pustular psoriasis that occurs in the 2nd trimester, medical attention is always required due to infections and increase fetal risk.

Puppp: Pruritic Urticalial Papules Of Pregnancy is the most common pregnancy-specific skin disorder, occurring in one out of 130 to 300 pregnancies.These are itchy papules that usually begin on the abdomen along stria and frequently invlove extremeties while sparing the face.

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy: These are excoriations that result from gallbladder disease. Medical attention is a must in this case.

Pruritic folliculitis of pregnancy: This occurs in the second and third trimesters and presents as erythematous follicular papules and sterile pustules. Its causes are unkown and there are no negative fetal outcomes associated with it.(AFP Volume 75, Number 2, January 15, 2007 )

Learn more about this author, Iman Ashour.

Best Fade Creams for Aftican-American Skin

The most common reason African-Americans need fade creams is hyperpigmentation, a cosmetic condition that causes dark spots on the skin.

This abnormalcy that also affects darker Asian, Native American, African, Hispanic and South Asian populations results in splotches and uneven skin tones can be caused by sun damage, inflammation, scars from skin injuries, acne.


Because of the close distribution of melanocytes in darker skin types, irritation and swelling can cause the melanacytes to react and produce darker pigment.

Dermatologists have chosen dermabrasion, laser treatments and bleaching agents to combat scarring and spotting.

At times, fading creams have been a stigma in the African-American community. Some use the products to lighten their overall complexions to become more white-appearing. This ritual has drawn a lot of flack from those who say it is an attempt to "be" more like whites. Colored contact lenses, long blonde hair/wigs, and hair straighteners have drawn the same controversies.

Traditionally, however, African-Americans who legitimately want to fade dark spots have selected their own over-the-counter remedies for an even blend. The key is knowing your skin type and doing a patch test to guard against allergic reactions.

One of the things many fade cream users have noticed is a browning of some brands over a period of time. The white cream form of normal fading agents reacts to light and become discolored. This might also happen if you have had the cream for too long. Check good-use dates and discard creams that have expired.

Among the most popular fade cream brands have been Ambi Fade Cream (about $5), a long-time favorite that contains vitamin E, alpha hydroxy acid and sunscreen; Nadinola Skin Discoloration Fade Cream known to fight dark spots from oral contraceptives; Esoterica, a light-weight, non-greasy cream that also acts as a great sunscreen; and Porcelana, formulated to work at night and contains antioxidants and botanical extracts for firming skin.

Some others which have had favorable results among consumers include:

- Palmer's Skin Success Fade Cream ($5.59)

Palmer's contains vitamin C and E, both known to naturally promote even skin tones. In addition to the fade cream, there is an oil that helps reduce stretch marks.

- MaMa Lotion ($15.00)

Non-irritating, MaMa Lotion gives a high-potent anti-inflammatory guard for users and aides in hyperpigmentation prevention. The lotion helps to increase collagen production in the skin and helps slow and prevent breakouts in oily/acne prone skin types. Contains mandelic acid, which is naturally anti-bacterial. Users have reported seeing significant improvements in skin clarity after only a month.

- Fade-Out ($10.49)

A leg treatment cream that helps fade spider veins without injections and lasers. Vitamin K A tinted cream formulated with Vitamin K and herbal extracts, Fade-Out has been known to help improve circulation.


- Clear Essence Advance Complex Fade Gel ($6.75)

One of the few products on the market that is a gel that absorbs into the skin, and not a cream. Contains sunscreen and specially formulated for oily skin.

- Black & White Bleaching Cream with Hydroquinone ($4.99)

Good for freckles and age/liver spots. Economical and less greasy than most other formulas. Conveniently found in most drug stores.

- Black Opal Fade Cream ($12.49)

A silky cream with moisturizing emollients to help nourish and condition as it fades. Contains a combination of Hydroquinone and botanicals to fight discoloration and even skin tones.

- KleenShave Smooth & Tight Fade Cream ($9.99)

A wonder cream for men who have hyperpigmentation in the beard and neck area, KleenShave contains pure shea butter and other natural ingredients and works well against shaving trauma. This also includes women who have trouble in the bikini area. Used twice daily, it produces results in about seven days. A one-ounce jar lasts one- to two months with regular use.

- Sekkisei ($28-60)

Emphasizing the fact that its skin evening tones are better than the "whitening" agents found in other products, Sekkisei offers a whole line of cleansing and toning products. Made with combinations of Japanese and Chinese herbal extracts. Expensive - the complexion soap is $28 and the lotion is about $40 - the products tend to be a bit oily, but are very hydrating and effective. Available at Beauty.com.

Learn more about this author, Cherryl Floyd-Miller.