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Journalism of Courage
Every era has its own charms and along with that its thorns. The year 2000 is less than six months away and isn8217;t it time we began planning for it? Our skin care routine should also be galvanised and geared up to deal with the specific problems that the next millennium would have lined up for us.
By the year 2000, it is always certain that we are going to be affected by totally new skin conditions. For one, the level of pollution in our cities has increased dramatically in the last 10 years and a big percentage of this is bound to affect our skin in the future as well.
As the ozone layer continues to get depleted and the sun8217;s rays gets stronger one of the fastest growing areas is pigmentation disorders. Pigment comes from the natural process of melanin synthesis within the skin. When the system goes wrong too much pigment is produced and results in brown patches or mottled skin texture. Pigmentation was a problem earlier associated with much older women, but now hits those in the 20s, 30s, and 40s. Prevention is the best treatment and one should use a sunscreen with a skin protection factor of 15 or more, to prevent triggering of melanin production cells. Avoid wearing perfume in the sun as this can also trigger the production of melanocytes epidermal cells which contain melanin.
Hypersensitivity is another problem specific to this age. A skin product could end up having a reaction. The cause is more deep rooted. One bout of sunburn is enough to damage the larger than cells which detect all allergenic materials and this increases their sensitivity. A fragrance preservative and even some ingredients in sunblocks can cause a reaction. Try and choose natural hypoallergenic, chemical free products.
Dehydration is yet another problem which is bound to afflict us in the year 2000, mainly because we are becoming more and more reliant on our conditioning which is extremely dehydrating. Don8217;t be fooled into thinking that dehydration is the same as dry skin. While dry skin lacks oil, dehydrated skin lacks water. Once skin becomes dehydrated there is a loss of Natural Moisturising Factor NMF which holds the lower layer of the skin, the dermis, together. The only way out is using a water rich moisturiser containing a good humectant. This will bind the moisture to the skin. Next rehydrate with a water mister throughout the day.
Acne which was easily associated with puberty has now started making an appearance in the late 20s and 30s as well. One of the main causes is increased stress levels which further increases testosterone levels in the body and increased production of sebum. Combined with other inputs such as the long-term use of the pill and a poor diet can cause widespread acne. Try and avoid the above triggers so as to prevent adult acne, but in case you8217;ve already broken out use alpha hydroxy acids and benzyl peroxide. Do not apply friction of any kind to an acne-prone situation.
Now that you know the beauty challenges that you will have to face in the year 2000, equip yourself adequately and go forth with total confidence.
