HELP FOR THOSE SUFFERING WITH ECZEMA AND PSORIASIS

 

As an esthetician I have clients on almost a daily basis with skin issues that require more than an exfoliator, moisturizer or peel.  Certain skin conditions require a whole body overhaul and most doctors and lower level estheticians are not equipped to help you get to the bottom of your skin condition and on the road to better skin.  While you might not always be able to heal your skin condition 100%, my goal is to help you manage your skin condition so it does not interfere with your lifestyle.  Conditions like eczema and psoriasis are two of the most popular skin conditions facing people today.

 

As with all skin conditions the most important step is to make sure you are not exaggerating the condition by using harsh products.  Make sure you are using products that your esthetician recommends or approves.  Unless a dermatologist has been trained in cosmetics, they are usually unaware of how cosmetics act on the skin.  That is why they prescribe medications first instead of starting with the most obvious factors.  Your skin should NEVER be red, dry, itchy or tight after washing.  If this happens, it means the face or body wash you are using is TOO STRONG for your skin type. 

 

Hydration, meaning water, is essential for balanced skin.  If your skin is dehydrated and flaking, it is very difficult to reverse any skin condition that you might have.  Water is essential for repair.  Pump up your daily intake of water to at least 64 ounces a day and add a hydrating serum under your daily moisturizer.

 

ECZEMA

 

Eczema is a term that can also be described as dermatitis.  The problem with dermatitis and eczema is that there could be a million reasons why you have eczema. Eczema is recognized by red, rash-like patches, and dry, itchy skin.  Sometimes swelling, crusting and flaking could be seen.  I would like to reveal a few reasons that might cause these outbreaks and how to prevent or minimize them.

 

Factors that can trigger eczema:

 

Perfumes, cosmetics, rubber, medicated creams and ointments, plants, metals, sunlight, stress, upset of intestinal flora (from antibiotics), hereditary, asthma, dairy, sugar, white flour, fats, fried foods, processed foods, drugs and alcohol, raw eggs, sodium lauryl sulfate, soaps and bar soaps, dust mites, change in formula of clothing detergent or body wash

 

Ways to minimize or eliminate eczema:

 

Daily intake of probiotics as recommended

Use esthetician approved gentle skin care and hydrating oils and exfoliators

Vitamin B6 50mg 3x a day as well as B complex vitamins on a daily basis

Biotin 300mg daily is very important

Essential fatty acids found in flaxseed oil, primrose oil, salmon, mackerel, fish oils

Shark cartilage 1 gram per 15 lbs of body weight daily divided into 3 doses

Low to no fragrance very gentle body wash. Nothing in a bar form.

Hydrate skin while still damp right after shower

Try gluten-free diet for 2 months and see if anything changes

Colloidal oatmeal baths

 

PSORIASIS

 

Psoriasis appears as patches of silvery scales or red areas on the legs, knees, arms, elbows, scalp, ears and back.  Nails can also lose their luster and develop ridges and pits.  The condition can be hereditary and is linked to a rapid growth of the cells in the skin’s outer layer.  There can be flare-ups and then times of remission.  The cause is not known.  It is interesting that psoriasis is rare in countries that have very low fat diets.  It is also linked to a lowered immune system, therefore it is important to build up your immune system with things like green tea, Vitamin C and exercise as well as anything that reduces stress!

 

Factors that trigger psoriasis:

 

Stress, illness, injury, surgery, cuts, poison ivy, viral or bacterial infections, sunburn, overuse of drugs and alcohol, lithium, chloroquine and beta-blockers, medications for hearth disease and high blood pressure, HIV/AIDS, backed up colons, citrus fruits, fried foods, processed foods, saturated fats, sugar, white flour, soaps and bar soaps

 

Ways to minimize or eliminate psoriasis:

 

Flaxseed/primrose oil daily as directed on label

Zinc 50-100 mg daily

Shark cartilage as directed with eczema. Wait a few months to see results

Vitamin A daily as directed on label

Vitamin B Complex 50mg 3 times daily

Vitamin C 1,000 mg broken into 2 doses per day.

Probiotics as directed on label

Glutathione 500 mg 2x a day

2 teaspoons of ginger to bath water

GENTLY exfoliate the skin with a body brush

Pure lavender oil in bath water

Eat a lot of raw vegetables and fruit

Fiber to clean colon and keep colon as clean as possible

Use of gentle skin and body care

Hydrating with good moisturizer and oils

 

Try the above recommendations to control eczema and psoriasis and you won’t have to resort to medicated creams or pills that have side effects and never really correct the problem.  Creams and medications usually mask the problem and the conditions will persist as soon as you stop using the medication.  As with most physical problems, investigate your diet, lifestyle and try the non-invasive solutions first before moving onto more invasive potential cures.

I LOVE MASCARA AND I’M OBSESSED WITH LASHES!!

Here is how I apply almost all mascara’s to get the biggest, longest, lushest lashes around.

First I “roll” the brush through the lashes on the top part of the lashes. This is the part of the lash that is facing the eyelid. Make sure to coat all the lashes and separate them well.

Then I redip the mascara wand and roll the brush through the front of the lashes. This is the side of the lashes that everyone will see when they look at you.

Then I go back and make sure the lashes are all separated and well coated.

Depending on the mascara, I will go back and do another cycle to build up thickness and length.  Never have little clump balls at the end of your lashes.  Thats what makes you look psycho.

I never use waterproof mascara (unless there will be crying) since it is more difficult to remove and pulls on the lashes when you try to wipe it off. I also never use brown and don’t really recommend it. It’s just lame and weak….ewww. Go big or go home!

MY FAV’S

1.Maybelline Define A Lash
Right now I’m obsessed with Maybelline’s Define a Lash. It comes in a green tube so it should be easy to find in the drug store. The brush is a long and narrow, short nubbed rubber-like brush. This makes it SUPER easy to really get in and coat the lashes without clumping or multiple coats. It has won many awards and I totally agree. It doesn’t flake and washes off very easily.

2. Dior Show
Expensive, but I have to admit that every time I wear it, people comment on my lashes! It’s a great splurge but I have found that it dries out quickly. This mascara does give a great curl to the lashes without wasting time curling and breaking your lashes off! The big azz brush is not the easiest to manipulate and I’m not sure why it needs to be so big. Bigger is better. Sorry guys, but I guess size matters even with mascara!

3. Carbon Black Double Extend Mascara by Loreal
Be careful with all the different Double Extends by Loreal. This is the original one and I feel the best. One end has the white fibers to build thickness and length. The other side has the actual mascara. If you’re willing to take the time to build and layer, this mascara is more than worth the cheap price.

4. Sumptuous Bold Volume Lifting Mascara by Estee Lauder
This gives very thick lashes. Be careful of clumping because of the thick consistency. I really like it for quick thick lashes.

THE YUCKY ONES

1. Double Extend Beauty Tubes by Loreal
This stuff is just plain gross. If you LOVE crunchy lashes, then this is the mascara for you. It is the same concept as the Double Extend with the fibers and mascara. The fibers get hard and crunchy right away and putting the mascara over it is not always easy. This stuff is like super glue and not easy to get off. The last thing I want to do is pull lashes out when I’m trying to make them look thicker. I was always finding remnants all over my face after showering. I don’t know anyone who has used this that likes it either.