Rejuvenate Your Skin With Natural Soaps

Are you tired of trying and testing different medicated remedies in search of a healthy skin? If the answer is yes, then think twice before you choose a bathing bar. It is well known fact that bathing bar plays a vital role in making your skin healthy; however, it pays equal contribution towards ruining it. Skin is the largest organ of the body and so demands extra care. With the growing trend of herbal products, natural soaps are quite commonly used. They are formulated for highly sensitive skin but suitable for every type.

Why natural soaps are advised? The major reason is presence of glycerin. It is the major ingredient in saponification. The advantage of using glycerin is that it hydrates the skin. Even there are many consumers who use pure glycerin to make their skin look gorgeous. In several soaps, the measure of glycerin is very less or zero which drifts the aim of it and turns it into a detergent bars which are very harsh in nature. The result of such products is dehydrated or torn out skin. Another reason for growing popularity of natural soaps is absence of animal fat. As skin is porous in nature, it sucks everything whatever comes in contact with it. The chemicals present in the commercial soap bars make skin look quite dry and dull.

The major skin care ingredients in acne soaps are Aloe Vera, rose, sandal wood, turmeric, mint, honey, neem etc. these ingredients have natural healing properties which can treat your skin organically without any side effects. So, if you are facing skin blemishes due to acne, cut marks, petty burn injuries; natural soaps are very beneficial for you.

Natural treatments possess essential properties which are extremely important for a healthy skin. It hydrates, moisturizes, lightens, heals and protects the skin from alien elements.

Why Should You Use Natural Soap?

The mankind is slowly waking up to the world of natural and herbal products. The beauty products industry is a zillion dollars industry and that means there are a whooping number of people who resort to these synthetic creams and other products. Do you agree? The trend, of late, however is shifting from synthetic creams to natural products or botanical products or herbal products.

People are becoming more and more aware of the benefits of natural products. Lately, the concept of natural soaps is on the popularity spree. Your grandmother or grandfather may know how to make a natural soap at home. In earlier times, soaps were made at home using all-natural products like floral wax, fruit extracts, plant oils, vegetable oils, herbs, beeswax and other such ingredients. Though you may find the idea of making soap at home rather hilarious and scary but once you are explained the benefits of using a natural soap, you may not be able to resist the temptation of getting on the work! It is actually a lot of fun to make soap at home.

You need not be disappointed if you do not find the soap making process feasible at home. These natural soaps are easily obtainable from any beauty salon or beauty store. There are different varieties of natural soap that are available in the market for example anti aging natural soaps, natural soaps to counter acne, natural soaps to tackle age lines, natural soaps for skin whitening, natural soaps for oily skin and many more.

Usage of all natural soap not only cures acne but it also prevents acne from happening. They restore the lost beauty and vitality to the skin. Regular use of natural soap is sure to produce visible effects. So rush and grab a bar soon and see the change for yourself!

The Latest Trend Of Using Natural Soaps

It does not take much to make your skin happy. All you need to do is to eat properly and take care of your skin properly.

For most people, fragrance is the sole criteria while buying soap or any other beauty product for that matter. Fragrance is the most remote thing to be considered in a beauty product and hence measuring the quality of a beauty product by the kind of scent it gives off is the most unwise thing! By that it is not meant that you hit the best beauty store and pick the foulest smelling beauty cream, lotion or soap! No, no way! Fragrance should not be the yardstick to measure the effectiveness of any beauty item, as simple as that!

A very common case with most people is that as long as they don’t rub a bar of soap aggressively all over their body, they do not get feeling of having had a bath! If you are one of such a lot of people, beware!

The first thumb rule of skincare treatment is to treat your skin as very much a part of your body and just NOT to play harsh on it! Assuming that none of you uses a soap bar on the facial skin (even if it is an herbal one), you are now being acquainted with the type of soap you must be using on the rest of your body. A natural soap or a herbal soap, as some call it, is the best you can try to treat your bodily skin with.

While selecting any soap or surfactant, there are a few ingredients you must keep off from for example PABA, Triclosan, BHT and fragrance having said above. Natural soap usually contains honey, Aloe Vera, plant oils, goat’s milk, Shea butter, strawberry and lime extracts, antioxidants, vitamins and tea tree or chamomile extracts.

Anti Acne Treatments with Natural Soap

Acne is created when follicles, often called pores, get blocked. Sebum (oil) which normally drains to the surface gets blocked and bacteria begins to grow. Both whiteheads and blackheads start out as a microcomedone. The picture below is a microcomedone:

Acne is a problem but not an insurmountable one. Today, there are fast, safe and effective acne treatments available online. The most effective ones are natural treatments.

The truth is, increasing numbers of dermatologists are now recommending natural acne treatments as the best acne treatment plan to begin with. That’s because natural acne remedies and treatments can be more effective than medications. Chemical treatments can disrupt the balance of the skin’s healthy bacteria. Plus, these chemicals can be so harsh on the skin that the irritation is worse than the acne.

Studies show that the best acne treatment for more than 70% of acne suffers requires a plan that includes the right nutritional balance and the proper use of natural skin care products.

Here are three simple and easy things you can start doing to help you treat your acne:

1) Wash your face and body twice a day with proven natural acne soap – the soap should be designed exclusively for acne. The best acne treatment soaps contain powerful essential oils known to have antibacterial properties. Essential Oils like Rosemary and Lavender will provide the anti-abacterial properties you need to reduce your acne flare ups and additional ingredients like Aloe Vera and Comfrey will reduce inflammation.

The best times to wash are in the morning and then, again at night right before you go to bed. Wash normally, over scrubbing your skin can cause sebaceous glands to produce more sebum, the root cause of acne.
2) Eat a healthy diet. There is a synergistic connection between what we eat and improved natural immunities. Acne is caused by a proliferation of harmful skin bacteria caused by clogged skin pores as a result of an over production of sebum. Healthy skin bacteria “the good bacteria” will help keep harmful bacteria in check. A nutrition rich balanced diet is critical to treating acne fast and effectively.

3) Avoid any outside interference with your natural acne treatment program. Common mistakes when starting on a fast acne treatment program include the following:

Squeezing, rubbing or touching your blackheads and pimples :  Doing that will increases the sebum production. In addition squeezing will rupture the cells below the skin, causing more infections and sebum production underneath the skin. The result is worse acne.

Letting your hair cover your face :  Hair contains oils that can contribute to clog skin pores.

Wearing too much make-up : Just as your hair can block pores so can make-up, even more so. If make-up is a necessity there are many water-based make-ups available so choose wisely.

Not washing your pillowcases routinely :  Anything that comes into contact with your skin has the potential to contribute to infection or clog your pores. Clean pillowcases, bed sheets and clothes assure that you are not inadvertently sabotaging your natural acne treatment plan.

There you have it. The fastest way to treat acne and the best acne treatment to start begins with a high quality natural acne soap and wash normally twice a day. Commit your self to a healthy balanced diet to strengthen your skin’s natural immunities. Embark on a common sense plan to avoid anything that can interfere with your fast natural acne treatment plan.

Best Natural Skin Care and Using Facial Soaps

Tips for Natural Skin Care

Our skin is the reflection of our health and vitality, physical, mental and emotional wellness. A radiant and glowing skin indicates good health, positive attitude and vibrates self-confidence. On the other hand, a dull and blemished skin shows an unhealthy body, stressful lifestyle and carelessness towards one’s own personality.

Who doesn’t want to look good, and good looks start with good skin. You may think it’s not such a big issue; there are several products in the market to make the skin beautiful and glowing in a jiffy. But as you use them, you must also be realizing that it is not so. These cosmetic products produce temporary effects on skin, have lots of side effects, and are very costly and not suited to all skin types. Then, what’s the way out? Here’s where we come to our topic of discussion, to care for the skin in a natural way that is natural skin care.

Natural skin care is not just about using skin products produced without chemicals; it’s an ongoing process of a result of a healthy life-style, right diet and off-course right skin products to be applied directly.

First of all, natural way of caring for skin starts with some life-style changes we need to take care of.

Getting enough sleep: ‘Beauty sleep’ is not just a saying; its meaning goes far beyond that. As the rest of the body, for healthy skin, sleeping adequately is a must. At least 7 – 8 hours of sleep (hours vary for person to person), ensures a relaxed mind and body, normal blood flow, takes care of all wear and tear during the day, energizes you and brings the glow back in the morning. Dark circles around the eyes, blotchy skin, and lifeless appearance of face are all side effects of not getting enough sleep. So switch off that TV, log-off your laptop, and get from the party on time to catch a good night’s sleep.

Get Moving: Now that you’ve got enough sleep, its time for some exercises as well. Be active, walk, jog, exercise, hit the gym, do stretches during office hours too, take the stairs, do anything to keep moving. Inactivity affects the skin by promoting bloating and puffiness, cellulite and loss of muscle tone. Exercise also helps us to relax and de-stress, both necessary for a healthy skin.

Drink lots of water: Water helps to detoxify the body’s system, bathes the cells, eliminates waste products, help in digestion, purify blood and the list goes on and on. The point is to have at least 2 liters of water a day, avoid carbonated and sweetened drinks and have fresh juices and soups as additional source of fluids.

For a shiny and smooth skin, drinking honey mixed in warm water in the morning helps a lot. Secondly, natural way of caring for skin by eating right. Let’s discuss some basic points: Have lots of fiber: Eating food that is rich in fiber help a good digestion and constipation is totally taken care of. This eliminates the root of many skin problems like acne, psoriasis, spotty skin etc. we must have lots of fruits, fresh veggies, whole grains, and salad. The idea is to cut on processed food and fast food because these contain almost no fiber. Eating things in their natural form is the mantra to get the most benefit out of it.

Cut on excess sugar: The more we take sugar, the more sugar enters our bloodstream. Over some time, this results in a process where the glucose molecules damages protein molecule by sticking to it. This causes damage in collagen, cartilage and ligament, thus forming wrinkles. So, the next time, you are adding the second spoon of sugar to your tea/ coffee or going to bite on your favorite sweet…think again!!

Get some good fats: These are the fats needed to build cells, membrane, hormones etc. Lack of the good fat can lead to eczema, acne and dry skin. The sources to get these fats are cold-water fish, walnut oil, flaxseed oil, nuts; also you can try fish oil supplements.

Apart from these basic dietary requirements, we need to have a balanced diet containing Vitamins, Minerals, Proteins, Fats, all essential ingredients which comprises an adequate diet. This is absolutely vital for a healthy body and mind along with a smooth, glowing skin.

Last but not the least, we come to the most interesting part of out discussion.

Natural skin care products, to be applied regularly for best results. According to the classic definition of natural skin care products, these are products found and used in their natural or raw form without any chemicals and manufactured in such a way so as to preserve the integrity of the ingredient.

There are many products, which can be bought from the market, manufactured by reputed companies. But best is to spend a little time and prepare some easy recipes for taking care of common skin problems and daily cleansing and toning.

Skin Care Tips:

· Stop using manufactured soap on your face (if possible, on body also). Use gram flour and milk to make a paste. Apply it gently and rub a little, then wash off with water. Or try any number or organic or natural soaps now on the market, made with soothing aloe vera or inflammation-reducing, oatmeal to name a couple.

· Massage body with mustard oil 10 minutes before bath, and then take a warm bath. Your skin will be moisturized and smooth.

· Massage your body with milk. Milk moisturizes your skin naturally.

· For daily cleansing, mix sandal wood powder with rose water and add 4-5 drops of milk in it, then apply on face and body. After 10 minutes, take a warm bath.

· Warm honey and mix with lemon juice, then apply on face. Let it dry, and then wash off with warm water. It refreshes and cleanses your skin.

· For preparing natural bleach, mix lemon juice in milk. Then massage it on your face and body. It bleaches you skin naturally.

· To remove sun-tan, mix cucumber juice with tomato juice, rub on skin, wash off with cold water.

· Mix milk cream with flour, apply that paste on to your skin, then wash off to get a smooth skin.

These are the basic ways of caring for skin naturally. The glow and radiance that comes with the natural care practice is for all to see and is everlasting. Just remember: Beauty is not skin deep…still it starts with the skin!!

Know more on Natural Skin Care through herbal cure and aromatherapy. Also read more about the benefits of Bath Salts.

Learn more on Ayurveda – through World’s Finest Portal on Ayurveda and Herbal Remedies.
By Dr John Anne

Article Source: Natural Skin Care Main Section

Natural Cleansers, Soaps and Face Masks

If you are looking for some great homemade facial mask recipes to save some money, keep reading. Some of these facial skincare tips I found on the web, others were notes from herbal classes I took.  So, depending on your skin type, here are lots of great facial masks to try at home. When possible always try to use organic or natural ingredients to prevent possible allergic reactions. Enjoy!

FOR OILY SKIN

For oily skin use some plain Milk of Magnesia, rub it on your face and neck area and let dry, then rinse with lukewarm water. It absorbs oil wonderfully!

I haven’t tried this one personally, but I heard it works well too.  Said to have a cleansing and softening effect: mix regular clean kitty litter, the clay kind, with water and strain out the grit. Mix in a little water and appy to a damp face for 10-15 min.

For normal to oily skin, use an egg white.

FOR NORMAL / COMBINATION SKIN / ACNE

Why buy acne products when you use strawberries? Strawberries are a natural source of salicylic acid which is found in most over-the-counter acne medicines, according to Janice Cox, the author of “Natural Beauty at Home.” This is Cox’s recipe. The yogurt is great for soothing skin.

Ingredients:

* 1/4 cup strawberries (fresh, not frozen please)
* 1/4 cup sour cream or non-flavored yogurt

Preparation:
Mash together the strawberries and yogurt or sour cream. Spread on face and wash after 10-15 minutes.

ADDITIONAL FACIAL MASK RECIPES

Mix one egg and 1/2 cup cooked instant oatmeal and a teaspoon olive oil until smooth. Spread on your face and leave 15 min then rinse.

For trouble-prone skin, mix oatmeal with water to form a paste.

FOR DRY SKIN

For dry skin, mix one egg yolk, one teaspoon honey and a teaspoon olive oil and some vitamin E oil if you have it. Smooth on and leave on for 15 min. Rinse in lukewarm water and pat dry. If your skin is a bit dry you can put a dab or two of either extra virgin olive oil, or any light organic oil, like jojoba or almond if you need a heavier moisturizer after cleansing or a good moisturizing facial mask.

Homemade Facial Scrub Instead of Soap

For a homemade facial mask. First, clean your face with water only. Never use plain store-bought soap. If you do use soap, make sure its a n organic or natural blend that won’t strip your skin of it’s natural acid mantel. You can also open your pores with hot compresses (washcloth).

For a great facial scrub, moisten oatmeal to a “gooey” consistency, use it to scrub your face (not around your eyes). Wash off with cool water.  You may also make a paste of the oatmeal and allow it to dry..remove with cool water.

Sliced fresh cucumber placed on your closed eyes will reduce bagginess and dark circles.To make your hair shine, rub in some regular mayonnaise,shampoo out after 15 minutes.

Honey wins for Best Organic Facial Treatment

One of the best facial masks that I have found is honey. Honey is a antural anti-micoribal and an excellent wound healer. First, use a warm cloth to open pores, smear on organic or herbally infused honey, leave on 15 to 30 minutes, rinse off with warm water, and then use cold water to close pores. Use for 3 days in a row and then once a week.
You can also mix a little gound oatmeal with the honey, which makes an excellent natural face mask.

Exfoliating Facial Mask
For an easy exfoliating mask, mix three tablespoons olive oil or any skincare oil (almond, jojoba) and one tablespoon kosher salt mix and gently rub into dry skin. Do not use around eye area. This works great on elbows and feet, but it can also be used on cheeks and forehead

Egg Whites / Egg Yolk Facial Masks

Just beat one egg white until it is frothy. Spread it all over your face. Wait until it dries. Rinse it off. My face feels very clean and “tight” after this application. And then you can use the yolk for cooking.

Some reccommend using a raw egg yolk. Just apply the raw yolk to your face and neck for 30 minutes and rinse with cool water. Egg yolks are high in vitamin A. The mask is very effective in healing blemishes.

Match Your Facial Mask to Your Skin Type

For normal to oily skin, use an egg white.
For dry skin, use an egg yolk.

In all cases, spread mixture on face and allow to dry. Rinse thoroughly with cool water.

For oily skin, witch hazel makes an inexpensive toner.

For dry skin, you may want to add moisturizer while skin is still damp.

One reader said ” The cheapest and best facial mask I have ever come up with is oatmeal processed to a powder in the blender and either skim milk. If you are trying to fade spots, use lemon juice. Really works well for dry skin.”

More Facial Mask Ingredient Choices.

Having fun playing around in your kitchen - mix and match for the best facial treatment for you!
The kind of the mask you want to use depends on your skin type.

For dry skin, try:

* an egg yolk mixed with olive oil and warmed honey

* sour cream

* plain olive oil

* avocado

For oily skin:

* dissolve a teaspoon of baking yeast in a small amount of warm milk, wait until foamy, then apply (best done in the bath tub)

* puree flesh of a tomato and mix with some potato flour to make a paste;

* cucumber (it will whiten your skin);

* beaten egg whites with a few drops of lemon juice (great for getting rid of blackheads);

* carrots (but don’t use this one more than about every other week because it can overdry your skin). This one will make you look tanned.

General refreshing masks:

* grapes (just cut a berry in half and rub lightly)

* strawberries (test behind your ear first, because many people are alergic to strawberies used this way even though they can eat them just fine)

* honey and ricotta cheese

Many fruits and vegetables can also be used to good effect. Anything acidic (lemon, strawberries, etc) will tend to whiten and refresh your skin, but you need to be careful if your skin is dry.

In general, don’t apply masks more often than about twice a week, and try to vary the ingredients.

It is a good idea to test the mask first for allergic reactions. Apply a small amount behind your ear, wait 20 minutes, then wash off. Then wait 24 hours. If the skin behind your ear is normal, then go ahead and use the mask.

Cleanse and Tone Daily for a Great Complexion

By Van Le | Beauty may only be skin deep, but having a great complexion makes life a lot more pleasant. The key to having great skin is finding a skin care regimen that tailors to your skin’s individual needs, and following this regimen daily. It does not have to be complex and complicated—in fact, simpler is better since you will need to follow the same steps twice a day.

The first step is to do your homework. Determine what your skin type is, and find a product line that works well for you. There are many resources you can use either online or through your local library to help you determine your skin type. Look for published works by dermatologists or skincare experts who have created their own skin typing quizzes or online calculators such as this one: http://www.biobalance4women.com/skin_type.html. There are even sunscreen and UV calculators to help you find the best sun protection for your skin type. A product that works perfectly for your friend or sister may not produce the same results for you. Luckily, most products now specify which skin type it works best for. Also, there are several herbal skin care lines on the market whose products contain all-natural ingredients that work well with most skin types. When experimenting with new products, keep track of those that are effective and more importantly, those that irritate your skin so you can stay away from other products that contain similar ingredients. Ultimately, creating and maintaining a great complexion comes down to three simple steps: cleanse, tone, moisturize.

Cleanse

Finding a cleanser that works well for your skin is the foundation of having great skin. Some prefer to use a heavier cream cleanser during the winter months and a lighter cleanser through the summer, while others use the same product year-round. Wash your face twice a day, massaging the cleanser in a circular motion to remove dirt and excess oil, which can clog your pores. Proper cleansing at night also removes all traces of makeup and allows your skin to breath freely. Remember to change your pillow cover regularly, since the dirt and pollutants can transfer to your face while you are sleeping.

Tone

Even after washing your face with a cleanser, some traces of dirt and stubborn makeup may remain on your skin. A toner will completely remove any leftover dirt or residue left by the cleanser, reducing the chances of infections. Some cleansers may change the skin’s pH, and a toner will help bring the skin back to the proper level. Toners are also excellent in prepping the skin for the next step, moisturizing. Dip a cotton ball into your favorite toner and apply across the surface of the face, being careful not to get too close to the eyes.

Moisturize

Moisturizing daily will help the skin stay hydrated and produce a healthy glow. Lack of moisture can lead to wrinkles, fine lines, and can produce premature signs of aging. A moisturizer will restore the skin of all the natural oil stripped throughout the day and during the cleansing and toning process. The right moisturizer depends on your individual skin type, and will help your skin produce a natural glow.

Weekly, bi-weekly and monthly skin care products and processes such as masks, peels and facials are great to help revamp and rejuvenate your skin; however, a great complexion starts and ends with a proper daily skincare regimen.

Van Le is a staff writer for the CSU Daily Titan and writing intern for Vivoderm Laboratories in Los Angeles, California. She is currently pursuing a Journalism degree at California State University, Fullerton.

For the latest findings on natural skincare you can also link to http://herbalfacialskincare.com

Eat Your Way to Younger Skin

Natural Skin Care Treatments

The fountain of youth may actually be located in your kitchen, not your plastic surgeon’s office. Certain Dermatology studies have shown through a three-tier approach involving diet, supplements, and creams, we can control the rate at which we age. And we can delay the need for surgical procedures, including facelifts, by 15 to 20 years — if we even get them at all.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to natural skin care using ingredients largely available in your own kitchen. Try this three-day nutritional facelift to get omega-3 fatty acids vital for natural skin care:

For lunch and dinner, eat:

* A green salad (making a dressing out of olive oil and lemon juice)
* 3-oz of broiled salmon or another cold water fish such as tuna or mackerel
* Strawberries, raspberries and/or blueberries for dessert.

Fatty fish are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, an important ingredient in natural skin care. A deficiency of omega-3s has been linked to a wide array of diseases as well as premature aging of the skin. Blueberries,strawberries, cranberries and raspberries are all loaded with antioxidants which save cells from premature aging.

For breakfast, choose a sensible breakfast that is low in carbohydrates and sugars. Also drink 8-10 glasses of water a day to keep skin hydrated and supple. After three days, this natural skin care diet will make such a difference in your appearance that people will say,
‘Wow!’ You will look as if someone turned a lamp on your skin. Your pores will be tighter. Your dark circles go away and you will look like you were on vacation. Here’s why: Inflammation is triggered by what we eat and sugar is the bad actor, say leading dermatologists. Anything that is sugar or rapidly converted to sugar (carbohydrates such as white rice, white breads or pasta) can attach to collagen and cause stiffness of skin and very old looking skin, he says. Collagen is a natural protein that forms connective tissues in the body.

Use Toners and Creams for Natural Skin Care

A facelift in a bottle. Sound too good to be true? It’s not if you choose a natural skin care cream rich in DMAE (dimetheyaminoethanol). If you apply it to your skin, it can enhance muscle tone — which stops sagging — and in just 30 minutes, your face is lifted, he says. Apply this natural skin care cream twice a day, once in the morning and once before bed. The longer you use the cream, the more pronounced the difference. It also acts as a natural anti-inflammatory and protects the skin from the irritation that can cause wrinkles and age-related skin damage.

Also consider natural skin care creams with alpha lipoic acid. It helps restore a healthy radiance to your skin. It also can tighten pores and diminish fine lines in just a few months. Another key ingredient in a natural skin care cream is vitamin C ester. It is fat soluble and thus penetrates the skin at 10 times higher levels than vitamin C [without ester]. It will thicken skin, decrease fine lines and is a necessity for a youthful appearance.

Aside from creams, a toner is an important aspect of natural skin care.Here’s a recipe for your own natural skin care toner.

Ingredients:

* 1 teaspoon of rosemary, dried
* 1 teaspoon thyme, dried
* 1 bay leaf
* 1 cup white wine

Gently boil herbs with white wine for 10 minutes. Allow herbs to cool in white wine for one hour. Drain off herbs and discard. Keep the liquid and transfer the strained toner to a clean glass jar. Store in refrigerator for one week. To use this natural skin care toner, dip a cotton ball in toner and dab on freshly washed skin before bed and in the morning. It’s refreshing, and it has anti-inflammatory properties. The alphahydroxy oils in wine encourage good healthy cell growth. Use it for any skin type except those parts of the skin that are dry and  irritated.

Take a multivitamin every day containing vitamin C, as well as vitamin E, for natural skin care. These vitamins are strong antioxidants and may help prevent damage done by free radical molecules in the body. Doctors also recommend taking 50 to 100 milligrams of alpha lipoic acid daily for natural skin care.

Underneath aging and age-related disease is low-grade inflammation. So the best ways to decrease disease risk and slow the aging process is to take nutrients with powerful anti-inflammatory activity on a regular basis. Enter alpha lipoic acid. Alpha lipoic acid is 400 times stronger than vitamins C and E combined, so it’s great for natural skin care. Our skin is always getting inflamed by sun, weather, pollution, and products because it is our interface between the environment and our body, but alpha lipoic acid will bring inflammation down.

Finally, for good natural skin care, take 30 milligrams a day of the antioxidant coenzyme Q-10 (CoQ10). Levels in the body decline due to age as well as excessive sunlight exposure, but reintroducing CoQ10 can help slow or even reverse the aging process, he says. You are going to see your skin look more radiant in just a few weeks

By trying these natural skin care treatments, you can save yourself thousands of dollars. Even better, you can get fresh-looking, healthy skin without pain or discomfort.

Treating Cuts at Home in 5 Easy Steps

We all get cuts and scrapes from time to time, so here are some basic steps to make sure you are decreasing the chance of infection and minimizing scarring:

Step 1: Stop the bleeding

The first priority is to stop the wound from bleeding. This is done by applying firm pressure to the wound using a cloth or towel.

Step 2: Clean the wound

Cleaning the wound is important to minimize the risk of infection and scarring. First rinse the wound with clean water, removing any dirt, gravel or glass. Clean the wound next with sterile gauze.

Step 3: Prevent infection

The best way to prevent infection is to apply a topical antibiotic to the wound and cover it with a dressing. Studies show that applying a topical antibiotic can promote healing in eight days, as opposed to 13 days for wounds left untreated.

Step 4: Close the wound

You can promote healing and minimize the potential for scarring by covering the wound. Scientific studies show that keeping an injured area moist:

• Encourages new tissue to grow
• Decreases the chance of infection
• Reduces scarring
• Lowers the chance of further injury to the cut or scrape
• If the cut is small enough, simply cover the cut with a bandage or dressing after following steps Step 1 through Step 3

Options for closing wounds

There are many ways to close wounds, and the best option will depend on the type and severity of the wound itself.

• Skinstrips are tape—like strips that hold the skin together. These are appropriate for small cuts.
• Stitches (or sutures) are used for deeper cuts. The stitches are used to sew the edges of the cut together.
• Steri-strips are used to close wounds on the face in those instances where stitches may leave a scar. Steri-strips or butterfly strips are thin and sticky, and usually fall off after a few days.
• Skin glue is a special adhesive that sticks together the edges of the wound and seals the skin for protection. Skin glue is not as effective on areas where there is a significant amount of skin movement.
• A liquid bandage forms a seal over the affected area. A significant advantage is that it can be used in areas that are difficult for an ordinary bandage to stay on. The seal is waterproof, promotes healing and helps protect against infection.

Step 5: When to seek medical help

Call your doctor if:

• If the wound is deep, the edges are torn, if fat protrudes from it, if the wound is over half an inch long, if it’s a puncture or if it is a gaping wound, you may need stitches
• You are unable to remove dirt, debris, dead tissue, or stop the
• The wound is on the face, eyelids, lips, or neck as you may need medical attention to help prevent scarring
• A tetanus shot is required

By Richard Thomas, MD, FRCPC

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