Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Tips for enlarged pores

The problem of enlarged pores spoils the life of many women of all ages and skin types, especially for those with oily and combination skin.





When a woman doesn’t take proper care of her skin, pores become larger and can be easily clogged. This usually leads to blackheads, pimples, discolorations or excessive sebum production. When large pores are not treated correctly at early stage they may look worse than they actually are.
Enlarged pores mostly appear on the T-zone, forehead and chin. Pores are a natural part of the skin and play a vital role in skin physiology. It is obvious that without them the skin won’t be able “to breathe“.
Their secretion ensures essential skin moisture and oiliness and all the nutrients are supplied through them.
Enlarged pores can be caused by: genetics, hormonal changes, sun damage, acne, blackheads, trapped dirt, oil, dead skin cells, improper skincare, overuse of makeup, smoking, etc.
Though you can do nothing about genetics or sun damage you do have chances to prevent pores enlargement due to other causes.
For example, in 78 percent of the cases the pores enlarge due to improper skin care. If you don’t remove your makeup in the evening, don’t cleanse your face twice a day, don’t use moisturizers and don’t exfoliate your skin regularly you are more likely to have enlarged pores.
Large pores appear when you mistreat blackheads and pimples. For instance, if you squeeze a blackhead or a pimple you may stretch the pore.
Pores become larger when they are clogged, dilated or infected. That’s why the best way to keep your pores small and less visible is to keep your skin clean all the time.
Unfortunately no one can make large pores invisible and shrink them for ever but there are a few things and procedures that can help you to minimize their appearance.
Treatments for enlarged pores:
Chemical peels appear to be effective in reducing the size of large pores. Chemical peel with Trichloreacetic acid (TCA) is the most appropriate peel, our favorite is the Gorgeous peel from 'I'M FABULOUS® (because it has no downtime) for enlarged pores because the acid penetrates deeper into the skin and removes the damaged layers of the skin, allowing new cells to form. We love the Bio Gorgeous Peel from I'M FABULOUS®
Microdermabrasion is a non-chemical procedure used to exfoliate and rejuvenate the skin by using a tool that sprays tiny microcrystal particles on the skin. It is a perfect procedure for shrinking big pores, lessening the appearance of pores by roughening up the skin, loosening the dead skin cells that clog the pores.
The treatment, when performed by a specialist, removes the upper layer of the skin and reduces the size of the pores, wrinkles, fine lines, dark spots, acne scars and blemishes.

Laser resurfacing treats not only large pores but also wrinkles, discolorations caused by sun damage, post-acne scars and, what is the most important, it boost collagen production which is essential for the skin elasticity and healthy look. The treatment tones, lifts and tightens skin on the face and stimulates long-term collagen and elastin rebuilding.
Deep pore cleansing treatment is the best treatment for large pores caused by puberty as it balances oil (sebum) production, removes congestion and helps healthy new cells to form. To achieve best results deep pore cleansing should be performed by a beautician or by a dermatologist.
Topical vitamin A treatments
They include: Renova, Retin A, Avage, Tretinoin. Vitamin A is considered to help minimize pores in size. As a result of the treatment pores are unclogged by loosening blackheads and speeding up cell growth.
Home Remedies
Exfoliation
Exoliation is improtant for keeping your skin clean and to prevent enlargement of pores. Opt for a mild exfoliator to get rid of the dead skin cells, but make sure it’s good for your skin type. However, there is an alternative for home exfoliation. It is a Microdermabrasion kit. Choose famous and good brands as their kits usually include gentle exfoliator and post-treatment moisturizer. These products refinish skin texture, erase sun damage, reduce discoloration, smooth signs of aging, refine pores and even out skin tone.
Reducing the excess oiliness
Large pores can be caused by excess oil (sebum) production. Thus, it’s highly recommended to control the sebum production. There are many products, specially designed for this purpose. They tend to reduce and control the excess surface oil and prevent clogging of the pores and pore plugging which usually contributes to pore visibility. Opt for products containing Nordihydraguaiaretic Acid as it reduces the sebum production.
Using pore minimizing creams and lotions
Pore minimizing (refining) products should be definitely included into your skin care kit. They target the production of sebum deep in the pores, clear away debris and reduce the size of the large pores. Look for moisturizers containing natural ingredients, vitamins, retinol to increase the collagen production.
Applying tightening face masks
To keep your pores clean you must do a pore refining mask once or twice a week. Such masks deeply cleanse pores and draw out the impurities while refining the skin texture.
Steaming face
Steaming your face once a week will help you to clean your pores thoroughly deep, to loosen debris and to open the pores. High temperature stimulates the pores to open and this way the skin clears itself from the toxins. A deep cleaning face mask works well after steaming your face.
As you can see there are plenty of ways to treat enlarged pores, especially if you take into account the fact these methods are just the most popular and there are many others.
Now you have to decide which of the procedures will be more appropriate for you. But don’t forget about daily skin care, as you can use many of the techniques describes above but they will not be effective if you don’t take care of your skin properly.

Monday, October 10, 2011

How to Care for your Skin after a Chemical Peel


How to Care for your Skin after a Chemical Peel



Before you get/do a chemical peel, consider your post-peel care.  After having a chemical peel, you need to properly care for your skin to produce the best outcome: gently cleanse, promote healing, soothe and calm, provide hydration, reduce redness and inflammation, and protect from UV radiation.  See the list of products below that I found after searching forums.

1. Immediately following your chemical peel, do the following to properly care for your skin:

  • rinse with copious amounts of cool water and blot dry (do not rub)
  • apply a light moisturizer (see those listed below, depending upon skin type)
  • apply a sunscreen SPF 30 minimum (see below for my new favorite physical sunscreen); chemical sunscreens may sting and irritate the skin right now
2. You won't need to cleanse your face after the chemical peel, but you may want to the next day.  Make sure you use a gentle cleanser or oil (see below) and always blot, rather than wipe, dry.

3. You may apply makeup, depending upon the strength of the peel.  I've been able to use concealer and makeup without problems so far.

4. Plan to reapply moisturizer throughout the day.  This will HELP keep that weird leathery look at bay, and once you start peeling, it will help mask the peeling.

5. When you remove your makeup or sunscreen at the end of the day, make sure you use a baby wipe or something smooth instead of a rough washcloth.  I've found baby wipes to be the best, but I like to rinse them before I use them, so I know exactly what I'm putting on my face.

6. Put a thick coat of light serum on before bed.  You don't want your face to crack during the night before the new skin is fully formed.  I like light moisturizer after a peel because my skin seems to get clogged easily after a peel if I constantly use a heavy moisturizer.  If I use a thick coat of Hyaluronic acid serum, I get no clogged pore, and my skin stays hydrated.

7. Avoid any irritating products at this time!  You don't want to use any peeling agents, and it's hard for me to understand all the ingredients, so I just stay away from them for 7-10 days after a peel.

8. When the skin starts peeling, do not pull on the skin.  I've found this to be very challenging, to say the least.  It's easier for me if I keep my skin very hydrated because I can't see the skin peeling, which helps me resist.

You should start peeling within about 2-4 days.  Hello new, beautiful skin.  Don't forget your sunscreen!

After searching some chemical peel forums, these seem to be the most popular post-peel products.

I've been using the following products from the list below, and I like them: I'm Fabulous Hyaluronic Acid serum, I'm Fabulous Organic Repair Serum, and I'm Fabulous sunscreen. 



How Chemical Peels Make the Skin Look Better


How Chemical Peels Make the Skin Look Better


Ever wonder how chemical peels really work to improve the texture, tone, fine lines, acne, acne scars, and overall look of your skin? It's not simply the exfoliation of skin that makes your skin look better.  Using an at home chemical peel evokes a complex repair process that builds more collagen.  The process includes inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. At-home chemical peels work long after the peeling finishes to improve your skin.

SKIN’S HEALING PROCESS DURING AN AT-HOME CHEMICAL PEEL: 

1. INFLAMMATION


All of us experience the inflammation stage during the healing process of a chemical peel, even if you can't see it. I usually swell immediately after a chemical peel and the following day, which gives a nice, plump effect.


To minimize swelling, eliminate as much sugar and salt from your diet for several days before your chemical peel and during the healing process.


The purpose of inflammation is to prevent infection, even during a light or medium chemical peel. When the skin swells, leukocytes begin to clean away dead cells and destroy bacteria. Later white blood cells called macrophages replace them. Macrophages continue cleaning the wound, although there may not appear to be a wound with a light or medium at-home chemical peel.

Macrophages also secrete growth factors and proteins that facilitate the development of new cells to rebuild tissue. This stage begins as soon as the skin is wounded, and it can last several days, depending on your chemical peel strength and depth. You may even feel warmth from the histamine response and subsequent pain. If you need to, you can take an OTC painkiller or fever reducer.

2. PROLIFERATION


This stage of the healing process after a chemical peel lasts from two days to several weeks, depending upon the chemical peel depth and the chemical peel strength. During this time, the wound begins to heal by building tissue, including skin and blood vessels.


And this is the step that’s most important for aging skin: cells called fibroblasts move to the wound caused by the chemical peel and begin to produce new connective tissue called collagen. The collagen fibers develop into a matrix that creates the foundation for further healing. As we age, our bodies naturally create less collagen, but doing light chemical peels on a regular basis keeps our bodies’ collagen machines working!


Now the leathery stage begins after your at home chemical peel: as the matrix forms and the collagen begins to strengthen, the edges of the wound start to contract toward one another. When the leathery texture begins, although it’s no fun to see, take stock that your body is creating collagen, which will build up your skin and fill in those lines.

3. REMODELING


Even though your skin looks good after the peeling finishes, it’s only going to get better!  The process of remodeling starts after several weeks and can last for years after a chemical peel. Old collagen is broken down and then replaced with new collagen.


This process is also why we want to give our skin a break during the summer months to rest, and to avoid being exposed to more UV damage during the healing process.


Below is the actual first step in the healing process--if the skin is cut, torn, or bleeds for any reason. I didn't include it in the at-home chemical peel process because we should not be performing peels that are strong enough to start this response within our bodies.

HEMOSTASIS


This stage should not be necessary in any at-home chemical peel, but it’s interesting to know how it would work if you had a deep chemical peel at your doctor’s office.  Some deep chemical peels can cause bleeding, and this would be an important step in the healing process.  Hemostasis means to stand still or stop bleeding. Blood vessels constrict and blood platelets form a clot. A scab forms as the clotted blood dries

How to do an at-home Glycolic Acid Peel


How to do an at-home Glycolic Acid Peel

How to do an at-home glycolic acid peel:



  1. Make sure you’re a good candidate for an at-home glycolic peel: no open acne or other lesions; skin color that is not prone to hyperpigmentation, able to wear sunscreen; completed allergy test on a sensitive area, such as under the chin, with no reaction; have not used any peeling agents (Retin-A or any acids) within 7-10 days, have not shaved the area to be peeled in two days and can wait an addition 24-48 hours to shave.
  2. Gather all your supplies: hand towel, peel, swabs, glass dish, timer, water, moisturizer, sunscreen
  3. Cleanse to remove makeup and gently blot dry
  4. Pore a small amount of the peel into a small glass dish
  5. Set the timer: start with 1 minute – by the time you apply the peel to your entire face, it will have been on about 30 seconds when the timer goes off.  This is a good amount of time to start with to make sure your skin can tolerate the peel in those areas that are more sensitive; you can work your way up during subsequent peels (at least one week apart)
  6. Using the two swabs, dip them into the dish and apply in this order: forehead, nose, above lip, cheeks, chin area.  I like to use my clean fingers, but that’s just me.
  7. When the timer rings, rinse with copious amounts of cool water for about 1-2 minutes.
  8. Gently blot the face dry with your hand towel
  9. Apply the gentle moisturizer
  10. Apply sunscreen
  11. Do not use any peeling agents for at least one week.  If your skin tolerates the peel well, you can do another in a week.
Follow these instructions at your own risk.