UNDERSTANDING AND CARING FOR YOUR SKIN

The skin is a very complex organ that consists of different layers.

The upper layer of the skin is called the epidermis; this layer is composed of mainly dead cells. These dead cells shed off in a circle of 28 days and new ones grow up. The epidermis is our skin’s front line of defense against the harmful effect of the sun and bacteria. It is nourished by blood vessels in the deeper layer of the skin which provide it with “skin food” and oxygen.

The inner layer of the skin is called the dermis. It is composed of living cells. In the dermis you’ll find hair follicles, sweat glands and the sebaceous gland which produce sebum (oil). The sebum is the skin’s natural lubricant and very sensitive to hormones. That’s why at puberty when the hormones are very active, teenagers break out a lot especially boys. When some ladies are in their periods also they brake out because the glands are secreting excess oils during that period.

 This layer consists of mainly collagen which is a protein that is responsibly for the structural support of the skin. Women have less collagen than men and men produce more sebum than women. Because men have more sebum than women, their sebaceous glands work way into their eighties. As the woman gets older into her thirties her estrogen level starts to drop, the collagen decreases, the skin also starts drying up and then she experiences gradual thinning of skin. 

This collagen is packaged in bundles and is held together by the elastic fiber called elastin.

REMOVING UNWANTED BODY HAIR

Everyone has body hair and except in few cultures it is considered attractive to get rid of.  Dark haired women usually have more of the problem than fair, because the hair shows more and is coarser.

 Haphazard hair growth is normal in every woman past puberty. Hormonal changes are also a prime influence which is why growth becomes more profuse after menopause and sometimes during pregnancy. Some women grow hairs on their chest and chins and I must say, it can really be unsightly and unattractive sometimes.

There are many hair removing methods and the choice depends on personal preference and place of removal. Then again it also depends on the individual’s skin type and what the skin can take. This is why professional help is best sought before venturing into hair removing.  Here are some salon treatments available for different persons:  

Bleaching:  This if for soft dark hair, either on the upper lip, chin or chest, a bleaching agent is used comprising ammonia and sometimes peroxide. After a skin patch test. This is swabbed where needed and later rinsed off to make the hair invisible.

Depilation: This is the application of chemical depilatories in powder, gel creams or spray form. They soften and dissolve the hair shaft but do not disturb the root, therefore do not prevent regrowth, they take between 10 to 15 minutes to work on some area depending on the thickness of the hair especially if you  have previously shaved.

Electrolysis: This is the only technique that offers reasonable assurance of permanent removal of unwanted hair. A fine wire needle of platinum or stainless steel is inserted into the opening of the hair follicle, then an electric current of low voltage, lasting up to 30-40 seconds is transmitted down the needle to destroy the papilla, then the hair shaft is automatically loosened for instant removal.

Shaving: This is the quickest, easiest and cheapest method of hair removal, the only negative thing about shaving is that it causes the new hair from the shaved pore to emerge blunt-cut instead of tapered

Tweezing:  plucking with tweezers is the only practical way to get rid of isolated hair on the face and chest, it is a fine method of trimming eye brows too. Re-plucking is required after a week or two. With tweezing the new hair comes out fresh and tapered.

Waxing: This is one of the oldest methods of temporary hair removal. A thin layer of melted wax is applied to the skin, allowed to cool , then quickly striped off tearing the hair out with it but not destroying the root. With waxing the hair takes a longer period to grow.

All these treatments are available in Spas and are not too expensive.   Till I come your way again, stay beautiful! 

The Benefits of A Massage

By Celine Momoh-Sanni

A popular Nigerian musician, the late Fela Anikulapo kuti once said that in Nigeria, people are suffering and smiling. He painted a scenario in Lagos where 39 people only sit down in a commuting ‘Molue’ bus while 99 people stand. That is the story of the average lagosian. Imagine Waking up in morning before dawn to pick a bus/or drive to the Island, a long day of standing on cement floors, lifting heavy boxes, or sitting at a desk. Your back is killing you, there is a sharp pain in your shoulder, and your temples are throbbing. Fatigue, repetitive motion, muscle strain, or staying in one position for an extended amount of time could cause any or maybe all of these symptoms. 

It's your body's way of saying, "slow down and take it easy". How you respond to these symptoms determines how you will feel. What if your stress, pain, tension, and fatigue could be purged from your body through therapeutic massage? Would you get one? There are many reasons a person may desire or need a massage. The above example covers 80-90% of the cases a massage therapist sees.

The power of touch has miraculous effects: for the very young to the very old, for the terminally ill to the marathon athlete, and for the stay-at-home mum to the over-stressed executive. Massage has the power to relax, heal, and help release emotions and tension without the aid of drugs. 

TREATMENT FOR STRETCH MARKS

By Celine Mommoh Sanni

Stretch marks, as they are popularly called have become a common skin problem in Nigeria. It is a form of scarring on the skin with an off-color shade. They are caused by the tearing of the dermis, and over time can reduce but not disappear completely.

  
They first appear as reddish or purple lines depending on the complexion of the individual, but they tend to gradually fade to a lighter shade.

The affected areas appear empty and slack and are often very soft to the touch. 
Stretch marks can appear anywhere on the body, but are most likely to appear in places where larger amounts of fat are stored like the abdomen, breasts, upper arms, underarms, thighs (both inner and outer), hips, and buttocks.

  
Stretch mark can be caused by over use of bleaching creams, yoyo weight loss and excessive weight gain, pregnancies and lack of exercise also.

For most women that develop stretch marks during pregnancy it is because the skin stretches during pregnancy and as it stretches they scratch vigorously.

 It is advisable not to scratch when you feel the itch, instead apply shear butter or creams that contain menthol so as to cool the itch, the more you scratch the tummy, the more the stretch marks appear especially after the baby has been born.  

 Improper diet also pose as a problem, the hormones responsible for the growth of stretch marks affect the epidermis by preventing the skin from forming collagen and elastin fibers that is necessary to keep skin tight.

Thus the skin is stretched and this leads to the tearing of the demise and epidermis.

There is hope for people with stretch marks. Some oils and creams can be used to remove or prevent the development of stretch marks.

The use of some certain salon treatment like the dead sea mud wrap, continuous body exfoliation, body massage and herbal sauna bathes have been proven to help reduce and prevent stretch marks.

Please note that the treatment of stretch mark is not rapid but requires patience.

 Most of these treatments may take up to six months  before you see result, but if done regularly, and with every advice adhered to, like stopping the use of bleaching creams, healthy eating habits and regular exercise followed by the salon treatments, you will be happy with the results you get. 
 

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Natural Ways of Improving Your Skin Complexion, Appearance and Color

Skin complexion is the appearance and the natural color of the skin of an individual. The skin color normally ranges from whitish to black. People living in sunny areas have a darker complexion usually because they have more quantities of melanin. Melanin is a protein molecule that protects against the sun exposure making the skin look dark in color. Nearly everybody is looking for how to improve skin complexion.

There are many ways to take care of your complexion and become fairer. People with darker complexion want a fairer skin mostly and improvement can be achieved by following some basic tips. The list below comprises of ways on how to improve skin complexion and look better:

1. Lemon: Lemon is often used to improve skin complexion. It is a natural bleaching agent and can be applied to the skin directly or can be mixed with honey and applied. It helps in removing the tan on the skin and makes the skin look fairer.

2. Cucumber: Cucumber can be applied directly to the skin; you may scrub your face with the cucumber slices and then apply the juice of the cucumber, leave it on for some time before washing it off.

3. Oatmeal: Oatmeal can be used to improve skin complexion. Mix it with tomato juice and some yogurt and apply this mixture. Leave it on for some time and then wash.

4. Sandalwood Powder: Mix sandalwood powder with some milk and apply this paste on the skin.

5. Egg: Egg white can be applied to the skin and left till it dries. Then wash it.

6. Tomato: Cut a slice of tomato and rub it on your skin regularly if you want to improve skin complexion.

7. Almond: Soak few almonds in little milk over the night. Grind this in the morning and make a paste. Use this paste and apply over the skin. Wash after a while. Using almonds is effective in how to improve skin complexion tips.

8. Vitamin E: Vitamin E is essential for a healthy skin. Include this vitamin in your diet or apply vitamin E by breaking a capsule directly on the skin.

9. Flaxseeds: Flaxseeds consist of omega 3 fatty acids. This is beneficial for the skin and to improve skin complexion. Include flaxseeds in your diet by adding it to your breakfast cereal every day.

10. Gram Flour: Add little milk to gram flour and make a paste. Apply this paste to your face and gently rub it and take it off after a while. Wash after that. This helps in improving the complexion and makes the skin smooth.

Apart from following these tips on how to improve skin complexion, it is important to eat a healthy diet. The diet should consist of vitamins and minerals required by the body to stay healthy and fit. Eat fish, nuts, carrots, spinach, broccoli and sweet potatoes. Also drink plenty of water to keep the skin clean and to improve skin complexion. Remember to exfoliate, moisturize and protect your skin from the sun and pollutants.lly because they have more quantities of melanin. Melanin is a protein 

Have Questions

CONTACT

The 7th Heaven Spa

5b Kudirat Abiola Way

Alausa

http://the7thheavenspa.com