I was on Cool FM Kano the other day and shared a couple of skin care tips for healthy skin. I had to write this because of the numerous questions I received even after the program.
The prevalence of use and abuse of bleaching agents in Nigeria cannot be over emphasized. The marketplace is also overwhelmed with those in search of these agents.
Men and women bleach. Some who are dark are suddenly lighter than me (im light skinned by the way). A ridiculous instance is someone with a very fair face and significantly dark skin, hands and legs. I think one’s skin colour is something one should be comfortable with.
Myths flying around in Nigeria make us erroneously believe that light skinned young ladies tend to get married more easily as they attract male attention easily. It may be easier to get a job or promotion if you are light skinned and the list goes on. Men also bleach but I’m yet to know the reasons why.
What many abuse is steroids and hydroquinone. In many countries of the world, hydroquinone use has been banned. Hydroquinone and steroid use on the skin is for use as drugs. Their use is usually for short duration of time on affected spots/parts of the skin and then stopped. Many have assumed their use is lifelong. The prolonged use of creams, lotions, serums that contains these substances leads to progressive wearing out of the skin. The skin becomes thinner, more prone to injury, more prone to ageing. Also, prolonged use eventually leads to darker skin. Ever seen the knuckles of one who is bleaching over a period of time? Their knuckles become so dark (I’m sure we can relate).Worse, is that if there has to be a surgery, suturing a thin skin can be quite difficult and this can make healing difficult too.
The skin is the largest organ of the body. It happens to be God’s personal gift to every human and our responsibility to take care of it. I will briefly highly must dos
There are ways to protect your skin and your skin will look very healthy:
1. Know your skin type. This will help determine if you will need lotion or cream. Creams are heavier than lotions.
2. Sun protection.Use creams and lotions with spf 15 or more. Stay under shades when possible. Wear protective clothing
3. Pat dry-after bathing.Gently pat your skin dry with towel so that some moisture remains on your skin. Don’t rub so hard to over dry the skin. It is not necessary.
4. Treat your skin gently
5. Avoid strong soaps, they dry out the skin. Some use harsh soaps and harsh sponges to bath. These can strip oil from your skin.
6. Shave carefully (that’s if you shave). Shave carefully-to protect and lubricate your skin,apply lotion or gel before doing so.
7. Exfoliate regularly
8. Moisturise thoroughly.
9. Drinks lots of water. The skin has two layers-dermis and epidermis. The dermis is made of 70% water and epidermis is made up of 15% water
10. Stop Smoking. Smoking damages elastic skin fibres and accelerates ageing. It makes skin look older and contributes to wrinkling. It depletes nutrients that are important to skin health. If u smoke the best way to protect your skin is to quit.
11. Manage stress-take steps to manage your stress. Set reasonable limits, scale back your to-do list and make time for things you enjoy. External stress damages the skin- learn how to manage and cope with stress.
Nutrients for Healthy Skin: Eat healthy fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean protein, Vitamin C, etc. Diets rich in unhealthy fats and processed or refined carbohydrates might promote older looking skin.
1. Water – It keeps skin hydrated, reducing the look of fine lines and wrinkles. It helps cells take up nutrients and purge toxins. And water improves circulation and blood flow, keeping your skin glowing. Drinking nine to 12 8-ounce glasses of water a day is recommended.
2. Selenium is a trace mineral that may help protect skin cells from free radical damage. It may also play a role in skin cancer prevention.
Excellent sources of selenium include nuts,shrimp. lamb, and fish such as stockfish, tuna, and salmon. Selenium is also found in cooked beef, light turkey meat, oysters, sardines, crab, and whole-wheat pasta.
3. CoQ10 is a powerful antioxidant made naturally in your body. However, its production decreases with aging. CoQ10 protects skin and other body cells from the damage caused by free radicals. It’s also involved in energy production and basic functioning of cells. Low levels of this antioxidant are found in many age-related illnesses. When used topically, it is reported to improve the appearance of wrinkles and the signs of aging.
4. Antioxidants prevent or slow the damage done to cells by free radicals. This damage contributes to signs of aging, such as wrinkles and dry skin
Antioxidants can be found in all kinds of foods, especially colorful fruits and vegetables such as berries, tomatoes, beets, pumpkin, spinach, sweet potato, tangerines, peppers, and beans.
5. Vitamin A. Applying vitamin A to the skin appears to improve signs of aging, such as wrinkles. Topical and oral forms of vitamin A are common prescription treatments for acne and other skin conditions, including wrinkles. Other sources of vitamin A include leafy greens, eggs, and low-fat dairy.
6. Vitamin C helps protect skin from the sun. It also helps undo damage done by free radicals, which destroy skin-firming fibres such as collagen and elastin.
Excellent sources of vitamin C include red bell peppers, citrus fruits,pawpaw, greens
7. Vitamin E is another antioxidant that may help shield your skin from damage done by the sun. Vitamin E is also an anti-inflammatory and immunity enhancer.
Vitamin E is found in vegetable oils, nuts, seeds, olives, spinach, olives, and leafy greens in small amounts.
8. Essential fatty acids such as omega-3s and omega-6s help produce your skin’s natural oil barrier, keeping dry skin and blemishes at bay. EFAs are necessary fats that help leave skin smoother and younger-looking.
Good sources of essential fatty acids include olive and canola oils, walnuts, and coldwater fish such as salmon, sardines, and mackerel.
9. Good-quality oils like extra virgin olive oil and cold- or expeller-pressed oil are more simply processed than many commercial oils, and so they may help retain more skin-boosting nutrients.
These oils may also help lubricate skin and keep it looking and feeling healthy.
10. Green tea may be the closest thing to a magic elixir that nature can offer for your skin. Green tea helps to stop inflammation, slow DNA damage, and can help prevent the sun from burning your skin. In Nigeria, there is another kind of potent green tea called Moringa Tea
You can find green tea in an abundance of cosmetics, but why not go straight to the source for a green tea boost: your tea pot.
Dr Dileem
The Likita Bokanturai
Kano Nigeria
twitter : @inqemdilim
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