Dry skin

Definition

Ordinarily, dry skin isn't serious, but it can be uncomfortable and unsightly, turning plump cells into shriveled ones and creating fine lines and wrinkles.

Serious dry skin conditions — an inherited group of disorders called ichthyosis — can sometimes be disfiguring, causing psychological distress. Fortunately, most dry skin results from environmental factors that can be wholly or partially controlled. These include exposure to hot or cold weather with low humidity levels and excessive bathing.
Chronic or severe dry skin problems may require a dermatologist's evaluation. But first you can do a lot on your own to improve your skin, including using moisturizers, bathing less and avoiding harsh, drying soaps. 

Symptoms

Dry skin is often just a temporary problem — one you experience only in winter, for example — but it may be a lifelong concern. And although skin is often driest on your arms and lower legs, this pattern can vary considerably from person to person. What's more, signs and symptoms of dry skin depend on your age, your health status, your locale, the amount of time you spend outdoors and the cause of the problem.
If you have dry skin, you're likely to experience one or more of the following:

• A feeling of skin tightness, especially after showering, bathing or swimming
• Skin that appears shrunken or dehydrated
• Skin that feels and looks rough rather than smooth
• Itching (pruritus) that sometimes may be intense
• Slight to severe flaking, scaling or peeling
• Fine lines or cracks
• Redness
• Deep fissures that may bleed

When to see a doctor
Most cases of dry skin respond well to lifestyle and home remedies. See your doctor if:

• Your skin doesn't improve in spite of your best efforts
• Dry skin is accompanied by redness
• Dryness and itching interfere with sleeping
• You have open sores or infections from scratching
• You have large areas of scaling or peeling skin

  Causes

  Though most cases of dry skin (xerosis) are caused by environmental exposures, certain diseases also can significantly alter the function and appearance of your skin. Potential causes of dry skin include:
  
• Weather. In general, your skin is driest in winter, when temperatures and humidity levels plummet. Winter conditions also tend to make many existing skin conditions worse. But the reverse may be true if you live in desert regions, where temperatures can soar, but humidity levels remain low.
• Central heating and air conditioning. Central air and heating, wood-burning stoves, space heaters, and fireplaces all reduce humidity and dry your skin.
• Hot baths and showers. Frequent showering or bathing, especially if you like the water hot and your baths long, breaks down the lipid barriers in your skin. So does frequent swimming, particularly in heavily chlorinated pools.
• Harsh soaps and detergents. Many popular soaps and detergents strip lipids and water from your skin. Deodorant and antibacterial soaps are usually the most damaging, as are many shampoos that dry out your scalp.
• Sun exposure. Like all types of heat, the sun dries your skin. Yet damage from ultraviolet (UV) radiation penetrates far beyond the top layer of skin (epidermis). The most significant damage occurs deep in the dermis, where collagen and elastin fibers break down much more quickly than they should, leading to deep wrinkles and loose, sagging skin (solar elastosis). Sun-damaged skin may have the appearance of dry skin.
• Atopic dermatitis. This is one of the more common types of eczema, and those affected have more sensitive and drier skin. Many persons with mild eczema confuse this skin condition with excessive dryness. Areas commonly affected include the face, sides of the neck, and fold areas around the elbows, wrists, knees and ankles.
• Psoriasis. This skin condition is marked by a rapid buildup of rough, dry, dead skin cells that form thick scales.
• Thyroid disorders. Hypothyroidism, a condition that occurs when your thyroid produces too little thyroid hormones, reduces the activity of your sweat and oil glands, leading to rough, dry skin.

  Risk factors

  Although anyone can develop dry skin, you may be more likely to develop the condition if you:
  
• Are an older adult
• Live in dry, cold or low-humidity climates
• Bathe or shower frequently

  Complications

  In some people who have a tendency toward eczema, dry skin that's not cared for can lead to:
  
• Atopic dermatitis (eczema). If you're prone to develop this condition, excessive dryness can lead to activation of the disease, causing redness, cracking and inflammation.
• Folliculitis. This is an inflammation of your hair follicles.
• Cellulitis. This is a potentially serious bacterial infection of the skin's underlying tissues; these bacteria may enter the lymphatic system and blood vessels.

These complications are most likely to occur when your skin's normal protective mechanisms are severely compromised. For example, severely dry skin can cause deep cracks or fissures, which can open up and bleed, providing an avenue for invading bacteria. 

Preparing for your appointment

You're likely to start by seeing your family doctor. However, in some cases when you call to set up an appointment, you may be referred directly to a specialist in skin diseases (dermatologist).
Because appointments can be brief, and because there's often a lot to cover, it's a good idea to be well prepared for your appointment. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment and what to expect from your doctor.
What you can do
Your time with your doctor is limited, so preparing a list of questions will help you make the most of your appointment. List your questions from most important to least important in case time runs out. For dry skin, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:

• What is likely causing the dry skin?
• What are other possible causes for my symptoms?
• Are tests needed to confirm the diagnosis?
• Can I wait to see if the condition goes away on its own?
• What skin care routines do you recommend to improve my symptoms?

In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask questions during your appointment at any time that you don't understand something.
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor is likely to ask you several questions. Being ready to answer them may reserve time to go over any points you want to discuss more. Your doctor may ask:

• Do you have other symptoms?
• Have your symptoms been continuous or occasional?
• What, if anything, makes it better?
• What, if anything, makes it worse?
• What medications are you taking?
• Do you have asthma or hay fever, or do these conditions run in your family?
• What is your typical bathing pattern, and which soaps and shampoos do you use?
• Do you use moisturizing creams? If so, which ones and how often do you use them?
  

  Tests and diagnosis

  Physical exam and medical history
  Your doctor is likely to conduct a thorough physical exam and to ask questions about your medical history, including when your dry skin started, what factors make it better or worse, your bathing habits, your diet, and how you care for your skin.
  You may have certain diagnostic tests if your doctor suspects that your dry skin is the result of an underlying medical condition, such as hypothyroidism.
  Related conditions
  Through examination and tests, your doctor may determine that your dry skin is, in fact, a sign of another skin condition. Related dry skin conditions include:
  
• Keratosis pilaris. Keratosis pilaris causes small, acne-like bumps, which usually appear on the upper arms, legs or buttocks; they usually don't hurt or itch. The bumps create rough patches and give skin a goose-flesh or sandpaper appearance. Typically, patches are skin colored, but they can, at times, be red and inflamed.
• Ichthyosis vulgaris. Sometimes also called fish-scale disease or fishskin disease, ichthyosis vulgaris develops when skin cells fail to shed normally and instead accumulate in thick, dry scales. The scales are small, polygonal in shape and range in color from white to brown. Ichthyosis vulgaris may also cause scalp flaking and deep, painful fissures on your palms and soles.
• Asteatotic eczema (eczema craquele). This condition causes dry, scaly, deeply fissured skin that some doctors have described as resembling cracked porcelain or a dry riverbed. The affected skin may become inflamed, itchy and may bleed.
• Psoriasis. A frustrating and sometimes disfiguring skin condition, psoriasis can be confused with dry skin conditions at times. This is because it's marked by reddened skin with dry, silvery scales that sometimes resemble dandruff. It is not caused by dry skin, but can result in areas of red, dry skin developing in certain areas. In severe cases, your skin may crack, bleed and form pus-filled blisters. Psoriasis is a persistent, chronic disease that tends to flare periodically, and although it may go into remission, it usually remains active for years.

  Treatments and drugs

  In most cases, dry skin problems respond well to home and lifestyle measures, such as using moisturizers and avoiding long, hot showers and baths. If you have very dry and scaly skin, your doctor may recommend you use an over-the-counter (nonprescription) cream that contains lactic acid or lactic acid and urea.
  If you have a more serious skin disease, such as atopic dermatitis, ichthyosis or psoriasis, your doctor may prescribe prescription creams and ointments or other treatments in addition to home care.
  Sometimes dry skin leads to dermatitis, which causes red, itchy skin. In these cases, treatment may include hydrocortisone-containing lotions. If your skin cracks open, your doctor may prescribe wet dressings with mildly astringent properties to contract your skin and reduce secretions and prevent infection. 
  

  Lifestyle and home remedies

  Although it may not be possible to achieve flawless skin, the following measures can help keep your skin moist and healthy:
  
• Moisturize your skin. Moisturizers provide a seal over your skin to keep water from escaping. Thicker moisturizers work best, such as over-the-counter brands Eucerin and Cetaphil. You may also want to use cosmetics that contain moisturizers. If your skin is extremely dry, you may want to apply an oil, such as baby oil, while your skin is still moist. Oil has more staying power than moisturizers do and prevents the evaporation of water from the surface of your skin.
• Use warm water and limit bath time. Hot water and long showers or baths remove oils from your skin. Limit your bath or shower time to about 15 minutes or less, and use warm, rather than hot, water.
• Avoid harsh, drying soaps. If you have dry skin, it's best to use cleansing creams or gentle skin cleansers and bath or shower gels with added moisturizers. Choose mild soaps that have added oils and fats, such as Neutrogena, Basis or Dove. Avoid deodorant and antibacterial detergents, which are especially harsh. You might want to experiment with several brands until you find one that works particularly well for you. A good rule of thumb is that your skin should feel soft and smooth after cleansing, never tight or dry.
• Apply moisturizers immediately after bathing. After washing or bathing, gently pat or blot your skin dry with a towel so that some moisture remains on the skin. Immediately moisturize your skin with an oil or cream to help trap water in the surface cells.
• Use a humidifier. Hot, dry indoor air can parch sensitive skin and worsen itching and flaking. A portable home humidifier or one attached to your furnace adds moisture to the air inside your home. Portable humidifiers come in many varieties. Choose one that meets your budget and any special needs. And be sure to keep your humidifier clean to ward off bacteria and fungi.
• Choose fabrics that are kind to your skin. Natural fibers, such as cotton and silk, allow your skin to breathe. But wool, although it certainly qualifies as natural, can irritate even normal skin. When you wash your clothes, try to use detergents without dyes or perfumes, both of which can irritate your skin.

If dry skin causes itching, apply cool compresses to the area. To reduce inflammation, use a nonprescription hydrocortisone cream or ointment, containing at least 1 percent hydrocortisone. If these measures don't relieve your symptoms or if your symptoms worsen, see your doctor or consult a dermatologist.

 

 

The Sceret of Beautiful Skin.

The secret of beautiful skin involves protecting it from the outside and nourishing it from the inside.
Women spend hundreds of millions of dollars on expensive miracle skincare products, but great looking skin does not have to be expensive!
The secret of beautiful skin is simply concentrating on both the inside and outside and this does not have to be expensive.
Protection from the outside
Harmful UV rays are far and away the biggest cause of skin damage and the advice when choosing a day cream is to make sure that is SPF 15.
In the evening use any cream you feel suits your skin type were all different, but don't spend a lot of money, all you need to do is keep the skin hydrated.
There is no point in moisturizing your skin and then let the suns rays destroy it.
Everyday prevention is definitely better than cure. On the subject of cure, all the creams that claim to repair damage are simply pedalling to vanity - They don't.
The myth of beautiful skin
A moisturizer can keep the skin hydrated and with SPF protect it and that's all.
Its common sense, however many women fall for the hundreds of millions of year advertising campaigns that claim to give them a quick miracle and end up disappointed.
The real secret of beautiful skin is protection from the outside and nourishment from within – Combine the two and you will have beautiful skin.
Here are some great foods to include in your diet for radiant skin.
Drink lots of water
Two liters of water a day should be drunk this helps keep the skin hydrated and flush away toxins from the body
Eat vegetables & Fruit
Eat 2 – 3 portions of vegetables for lots of nutrients for the skin,
The best ones are below, but really any vegetable or fruit is good and in terms of vegetables try and eat them raw if you can.
Sweet potatoes tomatoes and spinach
For three important antioxidants
Beta-carotene is present in sweet potatoes, lycopene in tomatoes and lutein in spinach.
They enter the skin and help reflect harmful UV rays and act as a permanent sunscreen.
Cherries, blueberries, blackberries, grapes
Contain anthocyanins an antioxidant that keeps the skin supplied with nutrients through the blood vessels that lead into the face.
Oily fish
As we all know oily fish are a great source of protein to regenerate collagen and elastin, as well as omega 3 oils, these are essential to keep the skin both subtle and hydrated.
Good sources include: Salmon, mackerel, herrings and sardines.
Crab, sardines, lean beef and wheat germ
A good source of copper, a trace element that is essential for the making of melanin, the pigment in the skin that helps to absorb harmful UV rays from the sun.
It also helps fight age spots which are the most obvious sign of skin aging.
Soya milk, lentils, bean sprouts, yogurt & wholegrain cereals
These contain plant oestrogens, which help make lubricating oils and collagen in the skin for a healthier complexion. They also repair collagen and elastin, which slow down the thinning of the skin and the formation of fine lines which most women fear!
Oats
Contain the trace element silic acid, which is used to make the spongy cells that lie between collagen and elastin fibers. This makes the skin full and plump and by consequence slows down the formation of fine lines.
Whole meal pitta, gogi berries & muesli
Pitta contains ferulic acid, berries contain vitamin c, muesli contains vitamin E. These are great antiaging vitamins
Vitamin C and e are great for fighting harmful UV rays and gogi berries have 15 times more vitamin C than an orange gram for gram.
The secret of beautiful skin is actually simple!
Protect from the outside and nourish from the inside. Forget the miracle cures follow the advice above and you will have beautiful radiant skin for life.

5 tips for healthy skin

Good skin care — including sun protection and gentle cleansing — can keep your skin healthy and glowing for years to come. 

Don't have time for intensive skin care? Pamper yourself with the basics. Good skin care and healthy lifestyle choices can help delay the natural aging process and prevent many skin problems. Get started with these five no-nonsense tips.

1. Protect yourself from the sun

The most important way to take care of your skin is to protect it from the sun. A lifetime of sun exposure can cause wrinkles, freckles, age spots and rough, dry skin. Sun exposure can also cause more-serious problems, such as skin cancer. For the most complete sun protection:

• Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. This is when the sun's rays are the strongest.
• Wear protective clothing. Cover your skin with tightly woven long-sleeved shirts, long pants and wide-brimmed hats. You might also opt for special sun-protective clothing, which is specifically designed to block ultraviolet rays while keeping you cool and comfortable.
• Use sunscreen when you're in the sun. Apply generous amounts of broad-spectrum sunscreen 30 minutes before going outdoors and reapply every two hours, after heavy sweating or after being in water.

2. Don't smoke

Smoking makes your skin look older and contributes to wrinkles. Smoking narrows the tiny blood vessels in the outermost layers of skin, which decreases blood flow. This depletes the skin of oxygen and nutrients, such as vitamin A, that are important to skin health. Smoking also damages collagen and elastin — fibers that give your skin its strength and elasticity. In addition, the repetitive facial expressions you make when smoking — such as pursing your lips when inhaling and squinting your eyes to keep out smoke — may contribute to wrinkles.
If you smoke, the best way to protect your skin is to quit. Ask your doctor for tips or treatments to help you stop smoking. 

3. Treat your skin gently

Daily cleansing and shaving can take a toll on your skin, so keep it gentle:

• Limit bath time. Hot water and long showers or baths remove oils from your skin. Limit your bath or shower time, and use warm — rather than hot — water.
• Avoid strong soaps. Strong soaps can strip oil from your skin. Instead, choose mild cleansers.
• Shave carefully. To protect and lubricate your skin, apply shaving cream, lotion or gel before shaving. For the closest shave, use a clean, sharp razor. Shave in the direction the hair grows, not against it.
• Pat dry. After washing or bathing, gently pat or blot your skin dry with a towel so that some moisture remains on your skin.
• Moisturize dry skin. Find a moisturizer that fits your skin type and makes your skin look and feel soft.

4. Eat a healthy diet

A healthy diet can help you look and feel your best. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins. The association between diet and acne isn't clear — but research suggests that a diet rich in vitamin C and low in fats and carbohydrates may promote younger looking skin.

5. Manage stress

Uncontrolled stress can make your skin more sensitive and trigger acne breakouts and other skin problems. To encourage healthy skin — and a healthy state of mind — takes steps to manage your stress. Set reasonable limits, scale back your to-do list and make time to do the things you enjoy. The results may be more dramatic than you expect.

 

Gul Ahmad winter dresses 2011

Gul Ahmed is famous textile company in Pakistan. Gul Ahmed is one of the leading company which always introduced latest dresses designs according to the trend or fashion. Fashion, style, luscious colors and winter Gul Ahmed’s winter Collection 2011 nurtures the right moods and attitude to celebrate this winter, wrapped up in a sheer blissful experience.
Gul Ahmed is the name which depicts the greatest heights of feminine fashion excellence in exceptional styles and glorifying colors. So ladies, make your winter attractive by adding the new Gul Ahmed collection 2011 and enjoy the feel pleasure with such colorful winter dresses.
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 Gul Ahmed Winter Salwar Suit Gorgeous Gallery

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 Gul Ahmed Top Winter Selection for Women

 Stylish Winter Gathering from Gul Ahmed for 2011

 Gul Ahmed Trendy Winter Collection for Function

 Gul Ahmed Brilliant Winter Dress Photo Gallery

 Gul Ahmed Black Winter Kameez with Jeans Pent

Trends in Fashion among the Teenagers

You can find hundreds of articles or may be more on the internet dedicated to men, women, and kids regarding the latest fashion trends. But very few articles mention about the growing awareness of fashion among the teens. Teenage is an age when you try out different things to create an identity for your self in the society. Teenagers consider clothes as a strong medium to reflect their attitude and emotion. Teenage is the time when you experiment with different types of clothes to set your own style. During teenage there will be constant change in the physical and emotional stage of a person. When it comes to the aspect of clothes, it indicates the mind and thought of a teenager.

Teens fashion is not something childish or playful. It is a very serious business. There are numerous fashion designers in the world who concentrate especially on designing clothes for teenagers. It is certainly not easy to design clothes for the teens. There is constant change in the trend. Teen fashion is getting very popular among the teenagers these days. How important is fashion for the teenagers? Most of the time teenagers are confused about what to wear. Teenage is a stage when you are neither a child nor an adult. So, confusion is bound to happen. In this stage you won’t know whether you should dress like a child or an adult. You can see that teens are enthusiastic about trying various types of attires.

This keen interest is the key factor that sets trend in teens’ world of fashion.
Fashion industry is showing more interest in designing clothes especially meant for teens. When you enter a showroom you will find separate section of apparels meant for teens. Cool and flashy colours, innovative and creative designs make this part of the showroom lively. There are various styles for teens such as emotional style, hip-hop style, gothic style, bohemian style, etc. The latest of them all is the emotional style which is suited for those who love bright colours. All of these dressing styles are widely popular among teens.

Designers find it difficult to create a fixed style of clothing for the teens. To dress up a teen is not an easy job. You have to be well aware of the mind set of your targeted audience in the first place. Only then can a designer create excellent apparels for the teenagers.  The taste of teenagers tends to change so often. You won’t find the same dress this week that was so popular in the store last week. This constant change provides an opportunity for the designers to be innovative and creative. Teenagers want their attire to reflect their character and provide them an identity. The uniqueness in design, colour, and shape will help them to a great extend. Today fashion industry is concentrating more on teenage fashion trends than it used to earlier. They are well aware of the scope of unexplored business prospects and opportunities in sales in this category.