Taking Care of Your Body

Your face is exposed and the very first thing people notice, so it generally receives a lot more attention than the rest of your body. And when the focus is shifted to the body, it’s usually about losing weight and trying to cover up flaws, rather than celebrating it. But to feel good in your skin, you need to shower as much attention on your body as you do on your face -protecting and caring for the skin, which reacts and changes just as facial skin does. It’s also a good idea to listen to your body. Aching muscles, tiredness and stiff joints may be an indication that your body is run down and needs attention. A healthy diet and a fitness regime are essential to keep in shape, but caring for your body is just as much about keeping the skin smooth and glowing with energy. Taking a brisk walk, treating yourself to a long bath or a massage, regular exfoliation, nourishing lotions, keeping an eye on posture, proper breathing and taking time to relax all have a direct impact on your body and its appearance. In this chapter we look at how to keep the body’s skin smooth, supple and healthy. Detoxiyfing, firming body wraps relieve water retention, making the skin appear smoother. The effect lasts about 8-12 hours.

EXFOLIATION

Dry skin is simply the accumula tion of dead skin cells. By remov ing them through exfoliation, skin looks smoother and more youth ful; it also helps prevent ingrown hairs. You can either use an exfoIiating scrub or a body brush, rubbing gently in a circular motion, towards the heart.

The skin on your body is generally drier than the skin on your face, so daily moisturizing is essential. When choosing a product, remember that the heavier the consistency, the more mois turizing it is. If you suffer from spots on your chest or back, look
For a body lotion that contains salicylic acid. Many lotions also contain AHAs, retinol, antioxidants and sunscreens, so you really can give your body the same attention as you do your face. Apply it immediately after bathing to seal in the moisture.

HAIR REMOVAL

Unwanted hair can. be removed in a variety of ways depending on your time and pain threshold! And, various lotions can be applied after your method of hair removal to inhibit regrowth.

DEPILATORIES are creams and lotions that contain chemicals to dissolve hair. They can irritate the skin whose outer layer is made of a keratin protein similar to that of hair. They are also very alkaline and so can disturb the skin’s natural pH balance. Always do a patch test first, and never leave on longer than instructed.

Why do ingrown hairs form? An ingrown hair is a hair that has grown sideways, forcing the tip of the hair into the follicle wall. It can also occur if the hair is too weak to push through the follicle. Regular exfoliation will help reduce the occurrence, while a cream containing benzoyl peroxide, salicylic or glycolic acid can be dabbed on to clear it up.

Shaving is quick and convenient in the bath or shower. First wash the area with warm water to avoid razor burn and soften the hairs. For minimal irritation, change the blades regularly and use the fewest possible number of strokes. Shaving creams, gels and lotions provide a layer of protection by increasing lubrication so the blade glides smoothly. Most of them also contain soothing and moisturizing ingredients. If you do suffer skin sensitivity, do a patch test before using one of these products. Despite popular belief, shaving does not make the hair grow back thicker - it’s merely the blunt edge as it grows out that makes it appear a little thicker.

• Waxing pulls the hair out from the root. Hairs grow back slower than with shaving and become finer with repeated use. For optimal results, hair needs to be quite long and the process can be painful. Like shaving, waxing can cause ingrown hairs, so exfoliate the area well.

• Electrolysis, when it is performed properly, can permanently remove unwanted hair. Electrical impulses are directed into hair follicles where they shock the hair’s root and inhibit growth. The procedure is timeconsuming and expensive because multiple treatments are required. It can also be quite painful, but an anaesthetic cream can be used to ease any discomfort. It’s important to have it done by a professional as it can leave brown marks or scars if done incorrectly.

• Laser hair removal temporarily inactivates the hair follicle. Once the follicle is destroyed, it usually stops producing hair. As with electrolysis, more than one treatment is required and it’s the most expensive procedure. A session leaves the area free of hair for four to six weeks. Eventually hair becomes finer or disappears altogether.

• Shaving, waxing or depilatories … how you remove unwanted hair depends on personal preference and your pain threshold.