It's hard to say whether it's due to the explosion of media outlets or our cultural worship of celebrity, but sometimes it feels like we're all supposed to have flawless skin and fabulous abs (and a fairy tale wedding to someone you just met). Luckily the easiest part, clear skin, is actually obtainable for us regular folks.
The pressure doesn't just come from glossy magazines covers at the checkout stand, there are personal makeover shows on cable in which people practically insist their frumpy friends get a style makeover. Then there are shows like the Biggest Loser which promote healthy living but add to the pressure to look good on the outside.
Male Stars Aren't Helping
And it's not just women. Sure we're used to seeing female models with perfectly clear skin when we peruse the faces on newsstands but we can't forget about the explosion of men's health magazines not to mention certain television personalities shamelessly debuting their Botoxed faces on national TV. What's a boy to do?
"Age" Spots at 30?
It seems age spots aren't for grandmothers anymore. These days it's not uncommon for women (and men) in their early 30s to start showing blemishes on the cheeks, hands and upper lip. The upper lip can be the worst because from a distance a series of small freckles concentrated there can look like a mustache. In light-skinned people big brown spots or heavy groups of freckles are very noticeable against otherwise pale complexions.
And in darker skinned people excessive pigment can highlight old acne scars or expose underlying areas of uneven skin coloration (melasma). Let's "face" it (pun intended), uneven or blemished skin is very un-celebritylike!
Skin "Blotchiness"
Sometimes skin issues show up as patches or light and dark skin instead of spots or freckles. When larger areas of skin are affected it's known as melasma. Sometimes the causes are genetic and affect people with Hispanic, Mediterranean and African backgrounds. And another cause is hormonal which can often be tied to pregnancy or use of birth control pills. With hormone-caused melasma the good news is that it often fades with after the baby is born or if you stop taking the pill.
Wrinkles at Frown Lines and Brows, Oh My!
Wrinkles develop as skin cells age and the collagen in the cell doesn't grow as strong and hold as tight as it used to. Sunlight exposure can help weaken collagen and skin bonds as well. Squinting in bright sunlight can also help makes those temporary furrows into permanent wrinkles and "crow's feet".
So What's the Problem?
The problem is the sun. It's not your friend. It's more like your "frienenmy". On the one hand it makes you look golden and helps the body process vitamin D. But under the surface it is drying out your skin which causes wrinkles; and it's making you squint giving you crows feet. And the melanin in your skin is soaking up the rays like it's supposed to, but when it doesn't do it evenly you get those brown spots that used to be called "Age Spots" (hyperpigmentation).
1 comment:
There are many solutions to have lighten and tighten without the help of Botox. People are free to choose one or another, especially now that laser treatments became very popular, very close to the popularity Botox still enjoys.
When I wanted to remove wrinkles I chose a botox Toronto treatment because it was the most affordable and also effective solution. But now I don't know if this would be my choice right now:)
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