Age Spots - Cosmetic Dermatologist Discusses Chemical Peel Treatments

Leading Cosmetic Dermatologist James Fairfield, MD has just released another in a series of free articles on his web site. Age Spots: You Can Lighten Them Up with a Chemical Peel is available for immediate download at www.cmderm.com.

The procedure involves the carefully controlled application of an acid or other solution to the skin Age spots are little dark blotches that turn up like freckles - but when you reach a certain age, you find that, unlike freckles, these guys just won’t quietly fade away. You’ve heard there are treatments. Cosmetic Dermatologist James Fairfield takes a look at the benefits of chemical peel treatments, and the cautions.

First, because age spots can be a result of sun damage, Fairfield stresses that we should all protect our skin from the sun. “Use a UVA/UVB sunscreen marked at least SPF 30,” Fairfield advises, “every day!” But once the unsightly spots appear, it’s good to know that there are effective treatments to fade them.

Chemical treatments offer an advantage over surface procedures like dermabrasion: peels work at a deeper level in your skin. A few people have chemical-sensitive skin, so preliminary testing will make it clear if this treatment is right for you. Fairfield says, “Of course, you’ll want to talk with your own cosmetic dermatologist about the best treatment for your unique needs.”

Chemical peels are very effective at fading age spots, and they have the advantage of acting below the surface layer of the skin. This allows for a longer-term removal of the cells that create too much dark pigment, which is the cause of the age spot. One side benefit of all kinds of chemical peels: they erase fine wrinkles, giving a smoother, softer skin texture.

Fairfield explains how chemical peels work, and also outlines the differences between prescription formulations and natural, fruit-based preparations. “The procedure involves the carefully controlled application of an acid or other solution to the skin,” Fairfield says, “and there’s a range of chemical peel formulations, from heavy-duty to gentler.”

If they run in your family, these spots may be inevitable (just like aging!) It is reassuring to know that there are treatments like chemical peels that can lighten things up and give us younger-looking skin.

James C. Fairfield, MD has established the oldest and most respected dermatology practice in the Delaware Valley. For more free cosmetic dermatology information and resources, visit his web site at www.cmderm.com.

Safe Sun-Kissed Glow in a Pill?

Finally, after a long, cold winter, it’s time to throw open the door, get outside, and bask in the friendly rays of the sun . That is, provided you don’t mind doing your basking from behind a virtual razor-wire fence of long-sleeved tops, big floppy hats, spray-on tan, and SPF 30 sunscreen.

Sun protection, though necessary, can be a real buzz kill. So it’s only natural that people would look for shortcuts, and that companies would try to cash in—a quick Internet search turns up hundreds of offers for sure-thing insta-tans and sun protection in convenient once-daily pills. Unfortunately, most of them don’t work and some can have dangerous side effects. Before you plunk down your dough for a get-tan-quick miracle, there are a few things you need to know.

Not-So-Friendly Mr. Sun

Sun damage happens because of ultraviolet radiation that travels to Earth along with those friendly warm beams. Unfortunately, when it hits your body, UV radiation waltzes right past your skin, causing both immediate and long-term damage, including wrinkles, dark spots, and cancer. There are two types of UV and they have different effects—Type A, which penetrates deep into the skin causing wrinkles and premature aging, and Type B, which damages the topmost layer of skin and is usually the culprit behind sunburns and cancer.

UVA rays reach deeply into your skin, damaging elastin and collagen, proteins that help keep your skin stretchy and full-looking. People who have a lot of Type A damage are more likely to get wrinkles at a younger age.

UVB, however, is usually the culprit behind both sunburns and cancer. According to Dr. David Leffell, professor of dermatology and surgery at Yale School of Medicine, Type B causes mutations in a gene called P53, which keeps cells from multiplying too rapidly and turning into tumors. “P53 is like the brake on a car,” Dr. Leffel says. “When P53 is damaged, any cells that begin to proliferate and turn cancerous get out of control and have nothing to stop them.”

Luckily, though, most humans come equipped with melanocytes, cells that produce a pigment called melanin. When skin is exposed to ultraviolet radiation, melanin can cluster over the part of cells where DNA is stored, protecting P53 from damage. As they kick into action, skin appears darker. We call it a tan. People whose skin is always dark have melanin working for them 24/7 and, as a result, are better protected against sun damage. But it doesn’t mean they’re immune. “Having more pigment does protect you,” Leffell says. “But you could take anybody and expose them long enough to UV that it would damage their cells.” Everyone, no matter how dark their skin, should wear a sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays.

The Easy Way To Sun Protection?

Here’s where the so-called miracle pills come in. Currently, there are dozens of different brands available and, while none have been approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, some are more reliable than others. We’ll focus on the three most-common active ingredients: Carotenoids, Polypodium leucotomos extract, and melanocyte stimulating hormone.

Ingredient: Carotenoids

What Is It?: Pigments derived from plants. They include beta carotene, the thing that gives carrots their orange hue. Beta carotene and another carotenoid called canthaxanthin are often used in sunless tanning pills.

What’s It Do?: Basically a temporary dye for your skin, carotenoids build up in the fatty tissues, where they can change skin color. But the results vary. According to Dr. Robert Brodell, spokesman for the American Academy of Dermatology, carotenoid use can lead to orange-colored skin and can also produce a streaky effect, concentrating in palms and feet while leaving other areas pale.

Is It Dangerous?: Yes. For one thing, carotenoid dye isn’t the same as a tan. It doesn’t do anything to protect you from the sun. And, because it isn’t quickly flushed out of your system, you can actually end up “overdosing.” According to the Mayo Clinic, too much carotenoid can cause crystals to form in your retinas, damaging your eyesight.

Bottom Line: Avoid all carotenoid-based sunless tanning pills. You’re better off getting a spray-on tan.

Protect Yourself from Skin Cancer

By Lauren Brown
Provided by WorldNow

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in U.S. It is important that you understand how to control your exposure to the sun and subsequent risk of skin cancer. Everyone's risk factors are different, but with the following information you can minimize your chances of facing skin cancer.

DANGEROUS TANNING

All tanning is dangerous for your skin. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, a suntan actually comes from the damage that occurs when UV rays reach the epidermal layers of the skin. They cause skin cells, called melanocytes, to produce melanin which is a pigment that darkens the color of the cells. UV rays actually damage the DNA in skin cells and require an enzyme to repair that damage. Damage that is not repaired correctly can lead to mutations and potentially skin cancer.

The Skin Cancer Foundation also points out that tanning booths are not a safer alternative to natural tanning; they also emit harmful UV radiation. If you are looking for safe tanning alternatives look into sunless tanning sprays, lotions, and makeup.

REGULATING YOUR SUN EXPOSURE

There are many factors that determine how much UV radiation you are exposed to: geography, altitude, time of year, time of day, weather conditions, and reflection. Higher altitudes and locales closer to the equator get more UV exposure and the sun's angle to the earth is more direct during summer months. Peak UV exposure is between 10 am to 4 pm, so try to remain indoors during this time of day.

Also keep in mind that you can get sunburned on a cloudy day; UV rays still come through the ozone layer, despite the absence of sunshine. They are also reflected from sand, water and snow, so always use sunscreen and wear protective clothing.

One tool to help you control your exposure to UV radiation is the UVI index. This rating scale forecasts the amount of damaging UV rays that will hit the earth's surface by noon, when the sun is at its peak. You can track this on the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) website.

The Skin Cancer Foundation has paired up with Aveeno and Rite Aid to present a Road to Healthy Skin Tour the East Coast. They will provide free skin cancer screenings from May through October. Check out their site to see when they'll be in your neck of the woods: http://www.skincancer.org/content/view/293/69/

RISK FACTORS

People with light skin and fair hair, a personal or family history of skin cancer, skin that burns easily, and particular types of moles, should be extremely vigilant about protecting their skin. Severe sunburns as a child increase your risk as well as increased exposure over the years.

Dermatologists divide skin into six different types going from fairest to darkest or most sensitive to least sensitive to the sun. People with naturally darker (not tanned) skin are less sensitive to the sun. It is still important for people with darker skin to use sunscreen because they are not immune to the dangers of the sun and are susceptible to malignancies.

Age and health also play a role in determining the risk of skin cancer. Generally those younger than five or older than 50, and people with compromised immune systems, are at greater risk to UV damage.

Also be aware that certain oral and topical medicines such as antibiotics, birth control pills, and benzoyl peroxide products, and even some make-ups, make eyes and skin more sensitive to UV radiation. Check with your doctor before exposing yourself to the sun while using these medications and products.

SKIN CANCER

Skin cancer may be the most common form of cancer in the U.S ., but it is also one of the most treatable if it is detected early.

The two most common forms of cancer are basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas. Basal cell carcinomas occur when there are malignancies in the deepest layer of the epidermis. These malignancies most often occur on exposed skin on the face, neck, ears, scalp, shoulders and back. An open sore, reddish patch, shiny bump, pink growth, or scar-like area are all warning signs of basal cell carcinomas. Because these symptoms could be another non-cancerous skin condition it is important that you go to a doctor to be certain.

Squamous cell carcinoma occurs on the uppermost layer of the skin. With regard to both basal and squamous cell Carcinomas, most can be fully treated if caught early and will not metastasize. However, a small percentage of carcinomas that do not respond well to treatment or go undetected can become more serious.

Those same melanocytes, skin cells with pigment which give you that tan that so many love, are also the site of the most dangerous form of skin cancer: Melanoma. Most melanomas are black or brown in color. Melanoma can usually be 100% cured if treated early. It is not the most common form of skin cancer, but it is the most fatal.

Melanoma usually begins as a mole. Watch for moles that are asymmetrical, the borders are uneven, the color is not uniform, and the size of the mole is larger than a pencil eraser. The more moles that you have the greater your risk increases. The easiest and safest way to check your skin or any suspicious moles is to go to a dermatologist. They can take pictures and track any suspicious moles in order to see change over time.

8 tips for eating well

by mulanol.com

These practical tips can help you make healthier choices. The two keys to a healthy diet are eating the right amount of food for how active you are and eating a range of foods to make sure you’re getting a balanced diet.

A healthy balanced diet contains a variety of types of food, including lots of fruit, vegetables and starchy foods such as wholemeal bread and wholegrain cereals; some protein-rich foods such as meat, fish, eggs and lentils; and some dairy foods.

1. Base your meals on starchy foods

Starchy foods such as bread, cereals, rice, pasta and potatoes are a really important part of a healthy diet. Try to choose wholegrain varieties of starchy foods whenever you can.

Starchy foods should make up about a third of the food we eat. They are a good source of energy and the main source of a range of nutrients in our diet. As well as starch, these foods contain fibre, calcium, iron and B vitamins.

Most of us should eat more starchy foods - try to include at least one starchy food with each of your main meals. So you could start the day with a wholegrain breakfast cereal, have a sandwich for lunch, and potatoes, pasta or rice with your evening meal.

Some people think starchy foods are fattening, but gram for gram they contain less than half the calories of fat. You just need to watch the fats you add when cooking and serving these foods, because this is what increases the calorie content.

Why choose wholegrain foods?

Wholegrain foods contain more fibre and other nutrients than white or refined starchy foods.

We also digest wholegrain foods more slowly so they can help make us feel full for longer.

Wholegrain foods include:

• Wholemeal and wholegrain bread, pitta and chapatti
• Wholewheat pasta and brown rice
• Wholegrain breakfast cereals

2. Eat lots of fruit and veg

Most people know we should be eating more fruit and veg. But most of us still aren’t eating enough.

Try to eat at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and veg every day. It might be easier than you think.

You could try adding up your portions during the day.

For example, you could have:

• a glass of juice and a sliced banana with your cereal at breakfast
• a side salad at lunch
• a pear as an afternoon snack
• a portion of peas or other vegetables with your evening meal

You can choose from fresh, frozen, tinned, dried or juiced, but remember potatoes count as a starchy food, not as portions of fruit and veg.

3. Eat more fish

Most of us should be eating more fish - including a portion of oily fish each week. It’s an excellent source of protein and contains many vitamins and minerals.

Aim for at least two portions of fish a week, including a portion of oily fish. You can choose from fresh, frozen or canned - but remember that canned and smoked fish can be high in salt.

What are oily fish?

Some fish are called oily fish because they are rich in certain types of fats, called omega 3 fatty acids, which can help keep our hearts healthy.

How much oily fish?

Although most of us should be eating more oily fish, women who might have a baby one day should have a maximum of 2 portions of oily fish a week (a portion is about 140g). And 4 is the recommended maximum number of portions for other adults.

Examples of oily fish
Salmon, mackerel, trout, herring, fresh tuna, sardines, pilchards, eel

Examples of white or non-oily fish
Cod, haddock, plaice, coley, tinned tuna, skate, hake

Shark, swordfish and marlin
Don’t have more than one portion a week of these types of fish. This is because of the high levels of mercury in these fish.

Anyone who regularly eats a lot of fish should try and choose as wide a variety as possible.

For more information on fish and for advice - including recommended limits - for children, women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or trying for a baby, see the link below.

4. Cut down on saturated fat and sugar

Fats

To stay healthy we need some fat in our diets. What is important is the kind of fat we are eating. There are two main types of fat:

• saturated fat - having too much can increase the amount of cholesterol in the blood, which increases the chance of developing heart disease
• unsaturated fat - having unsaturated fat instead of saturated fat lowers blood cholesterol

Try to cut down on food that is high in saturated fat and have foods that are rich in unsaturated fat instead, such as vegetable oils (including sunflower, rapeseed and olive oil), oily fish, avocados, nuts and seeds.

Foods high in saturated fat

Try to eat these sorts of foods less often or in small amounts:

• meat pies, sausages, meat with visible white fat
• hard cheese
• butter and lard
• pastry
• cakes and biscuits
• cream, soured cream and crème fraîche
• coconut oil, coconut cream or palm oil

For a healthy choice, use just a small amount of vegetable oil or a reduced-fat spread instead of butter, lard or ghee. And when you are having meat, try to choose lean cuts and cut off any visible fat.

How do I know if a food is high in fat?

Look at the label to see how much fat a food contains. Generally the label will say how many grams (g) of fat there are in 100g of the food.

Some foods also give a figure for saturated fat, or ’saturates’.

Use the following as a guide to work out if a food is high or low in fat.

Total fat - what’s high and what’s low?

High is more than 20g fat per 100g
Low is 3g fat or less per 100g

If the amount of fat per 100g is in between these figures, then that is a medium level of fat.

Saturated fat - what’s high and what’s low?

High is more than 5g saturates per 100g
Low is 1.5g saturates or less per 100g

If the amount of saturates per 100g is in between these figures, then that is a medium level of saturated fat.

Remember that the amount you eat of a particular food affects how much fat you will get from it.

Try to choose more foods that are low in fat and cut down on foods that are high in fat.

Sugar

Most people in the UK are eating too much sugar. We should all be trying to eat fewer foods containing added sugar, such as sweets, cakes and biscuits, and drinking fewer sugary soft and fizzy drinks.

Having sugary foods and drinks too often can cause tooth decay, especially if you have them between meals. Many foods that contain added sugar can also be high in calories so cutting down could help you control your weight.

How do I know if a food is high in added sugar?

Take a look at the label. The ingredients list always starts with the biggest ingredient first.

But watch out for other words used to describe added sugars, such as sucrose, glucose, fructose, maltose, hydrolysed starch and invert sugar, corn syrup and honey. If you see one of these near the top of the list, you know the food is likely to be high in added sugars.

Another way to get an idea of how much sugar is in a food is to have a look for the ‘Carbohydrates (of which sugars)’ figure on the label. But this figure can’t tell you how much is from added sugars, which is the type we should try to cut down on.

High is more than 15g sugars per 100g
Low is 5g sugars or less per 100g

If the amount of sugars per 100g is in between these figures, then that is a medium level of sugars.

Remember that the amount you eat of a particular food affects how much sugars you will get from it.

Sometimes you will only see a figure for total ‘Carbohydrates’, not for ‘Carbohydrates (of which sugars)’, which means the figure also includes the carbohydrate from starchy foods.

5. Try to eat less salt - no more than 6g a day

Lots of people think they don’t eat much salt, especially if they don’t add it to their food. But don’t be so sure!

Every day in the UK, 85% men and 69% women eat too much salt. Adults - and children over 11 - should have no more than 6g salt a day. Younger children should have even less.

Three-quarters (75%) of the salt we eat is already in the food we buy, such as breakfast cereals, soups, sauces and ready meals. So you could easily be eating too much salt without realising it.

Eating too much salt can raise your blood pressure. And people with high blood pressure are three times more likely to develop heart disease or have a stroke than people with normal blood pressure.

How do I know if a food is high in salt?

Check the label to find out the figure for salt per 100g.

High is more than 1.5g salt per 100g (or 0.6g sodium)
Low is 0.3g salt or less per 100g (or 0.1g sodium)

If the amount of salt per 100g is in between these figures, then that is a medium level of salt.

Remember that the amount you eat of a particular food affects how much salt you will get from it.

6. Get active and try to be a healthy weight

It’s not a good idea to be either underweight or overweight. Being overweight can lead to health conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure or diabetes. Being underweight could also affect your health.

Check if you are the right weight for your height using the link below.

If you’re worried about your weight, ask your GP or a dietitian for advice. But if you think you just need to lose a little weight, the main things to remember are:

• only eat as much food as you need
• make healthy choices - it’s a good idea to choose low-fat and low-sugar varieties, eat plenty of fruit and veg and wholegrains
• get more active

It’s also important to eat a variety of types of food so you get all the nutrients your body needs.

Physical activity is a good way of using up extra calories, and helps control our weight. But this doesn’t mean you need to join a gym.

Just try to get active every day and build up the amount you do. For example, you could try to fit in as much walking as you can into your daily routine. Try to walk at a good pace.

Whenever we eat more than our body needs, we put on weight. This is because we store any energy we don’t use up - usually as fat. Even small amounts of extra energy each day can lead to weight gain.

But crash diets aren’t good for your health and they don’t work in the longer term. The way to reach a healthy weight - and stay there - is to change your lifestyle gradually. Aim to lose about 0.5 to 1kg (about 1 to 2lbs) a week, until you reach a healthy weight for your height.

7. Drink plenty of water

We should be drinking about 6 to 8 glasses (1.2 litres) of water, or other fluids, every day to stop us getting dehydrated.

When the weather is warm or when we get active, our bodies need more than this. But avoid drinking soft and fizzy drinks that are high in added sugar.

Alcohol

There is nothing wrong with the occasional drink. But drinking too much can cause problems. Alcohol is also high in calories, so cutting down could help you control your weight.

Women can drink up to 2 to 3 units of alcohol a day and men up to 3 to 4 units a day, without significant risk to their health.

A unit is half a pint of standard strength (3 to 5% ABV) beer, lager or cider, or a pub measure of spirit. A glass of wine is about 2 units and alcopops are about 1.5 units.

For good health, it’s a good idea to spread your drinking throughout the week and avoid binge drinking. Drinking heavily over a long period of time can damage the liver.

8. Don’t skip breakfast

Breakfast can help give us the energy we need to face the day, as well as some of the vitamins and minerals we need for good health.

Some people skip breakfast because they think it will help them lose weight. But missing meals doesn’t help us lose weight and it isn’t good for us, because we can miss out on essential nutrients.

There is some evidence to suggest that eating breakfast can actually help people control their weight.

So why not go for a bowl of wholegrain cereal with some sliced banana and a glass of fruit juice for a healthy start to the day?

ANALYSE YOUR SKIN TYPE

by mulanol.com

The key to developing a skin care routine that works for you is to analyze and know your skin type before buying any skin care products.

Regular re-analyzing, about once every 6 months, is necessary as the nature of your skin will change over a period of time. Adjust your skin care routine accordingly.

To analyze your skin, do the following:

" v:shapes="圖片_x0020_1" border="0" height="11" width="10">Wash your face with a mild lathering facial cleanser
" v:shapes="圖片_x0020_2" border="0" height="11" width="10">Wait for at least half an hour to allow oil time to return to the skin
" v:shapes="圖片_x0020_3" border="0" height="11" width="10">Examine your skin in a mirror under good daylight or a white-light
" v:shapes="圖片_x0020_4" border="0" height="11" width="10">Check your skin condition against one of the following skin types as outlined below

NORMAL SKIN TYPE

A normal skin looks clear and is even in color. It is soft and supple to the touch. It is neither greasy nor tight.

A normal skin would usually have most of the following characteristics:

" v:shapes="圖片_x0020_5" border="0" height="11" width="10">You will feel smooth and comfortable after cleansing, regardless of the facial cleansers used. You can either use facial wash with water or cleansing bar with water or cream cleanser.
" v:shapes="圖片_x0020_6" border="0" height="11" width="10">Your skin still looks fresh and clean by midday.
" v:shapes="圖片_x0020_7" border="0" height="11" width="10">You will only experience occasional outbreaks of acne and pimples, perhaps before or during your period or when you are under a lot of stress.
" v:shapes="圖片_x0020_8" border="0" height="11" width="10">You will have no problems using a facial toner.
" v:shapes="圖片_x0020_9" border="0" height="11" width="10">Your skin feels very comfortable after applying rich night cream.

" v:shapes="圖片_x0020_10" border="0" height="15" width="15">DRY SKIN TYPE

The skin is continuously losing moisture to the atmosphere. During winter, when the humidity is at its lowest, it will lose even more moisture. When water is lost faster than it can be replaced, the outer layer of the skin dries out.

Dry skin looks old, is pale in color. It feels flaky and rough. It feels tight after washing. It is easily irritated and may even feel itchy. There is a tendency to develop fine dry-lines, especially around the eyes. Dry skin rarely suffers acne outbreaks.

A dry skin would usually have most of the following characteristics:

" v:shapes="圖片_x0020_11" border="0" height="11" width="10">After cleansing with facial wash or cleansing bar and water, your skin feels tight, as though it is too small for your face.
" v:shapes="圖片_x0020_12" border="0" height="11" width="10">Your skin feels relatively comfortable after cleansing with cream cleanser.
" v:shapes="圖片_x0020_13" border="0" height="11" width="10">Flaky patches starts to appear by midday.
" v:shapes="圖片_x0020_14" border="0" height="11" width="10">You will hardly experience any outbreaks of acne and pimples.
" v:shapes="圖片_x0020_15" border="0" height="11" width="10">Your skin will sting after applying facial toner.
" v:shapes="圖片_x0020_16" border="0" height="11" width="10">Your skin will feel very comfortable after applying rich night cream.

There are a number of causes for dry skin type.

" v:shapes="圖片_x0020_17" border="0" height="11" width="10">Incorrect use of cosmetics
" v:shapes="圖片_x0020_18" border="0" height="11" width="10">Incorrect way of washing the skin
" v:shapes="圖片_x0020_19" border="0" height="11" width="10">The condition of your thyroid gland
" v:shapes="圖片_x0020_20" border="0" height="11" width="10">Skin Aging
" v:shapes="圖片_x0020_21" border="0" height="11" width="10">Genetic predisposition

" v:shapes="圖片_x0020_22" border="0" height="15" width="15">OILY SKIN TYPE

An oily skin gives a shiny complexion. It has a thick epidermis and open pores. It has a tendency to develop whiteheads and blackheads.

An oily skin would usually have most of the following characteristics:

" v:shapes="圖片_x0020_23" border="0" height="11" width="10">Your skin feels fine and quite comfortable after cleansing with facial wash or cleansing bar and water.
" v:shapes="圖片_x0020_24" border="0" height="11" width="10">Your skin feels quite oily after cleansing with cream cleanser.
" v:shapes="圖片_x0020_25" border="0" height="11" width="10">Your skin will appear shiny by midday.
" v:shapes="圖片_x0020_26" border="0" height="11" width="10">You will experience frequent outbreaks of acne and pimples.
" v:shapes="圖片_x0020_27" border="0" height="11" width="10">Your skin feels fresh after applying facial toner.
" v:shapes="圖片_x0020_28" border="0" height="11" width="10">Your skin feels very oily after applying rich night cream.

There are a number of causes of oily skin type:

" v:shapes="圖片_x0020_29" border="0" height="11" width="10">Aggressive cleaning with cosmetics that contain irritating ingredients
" v:shapes="圖片_x0020_30" border="0" height="11" width="10">Overactive sebaceous glands
" v:shapes="圖片_x0020_31" border="0" height="11" width="10">Stress
" v:shapes="圖片_x0020_32" border="0" height="11" width="10">Hormonal disorders
" v:shapes="圖片_x0020_33" border="0" height="11" width="10">Genetic predisposition

" v:shapes="圖片_x0020_34" border="0" height="15" width="15">COMBINATION SKIN TYPE

A combination skin has oiliness in the T-zone and dryness on the cheeks. There are occasional acne outbreaks in the oily areas.

A combination skin would usually have most of the following characteristics:

" v:shapes="圖片_x0020_35" border="0" height="11" width="10">Your skin feels dry in some areas and smooth in others after cleansing with facial wash or cleansing bar and water.
" v:shapes="圖片_x0020_36" border="0" height="11" width="10">Your skin feels oily in some areas and smooth in others after cleansing with cream cleanser.
" v:shapes="圖片_x0020_37" border="0" height="11" width="10">Your skin will appear shiny in some areas, especially the T-zone, by midday.
" v:shapes="圖片_x0020_38" border="0" height="11" width="10">You will experience frequent outbreaks of acne and pimples, especially in the T-zone.
" v:shapes="圖片_x0020_39" border="0" height="11" width="10">Your skin will feel fresh in some areas but stings in others after applying facial toner.
" v:shapes="圖片_x0020_40" border="0" height="11" width="10">Your skin will feel very oily in the T-zone and comfortable on the cheeks after applying rich night cream.

Uncovering the reason for overabundant oil production in some areas and dryness in others is an important step towards improving combination skin. One of the main causes of combination skin is the misuse of various cosmetic products. Aggressive washing with skin care products containing irritating ingredients can stimulate excessive oil production in the central portion of the face and dry out the skin on other portions.

" v:shapes="圖片_x0020_41" border="0" height="15" width="15">SENSITIVE SKIN TYPE

A sensitive skin would usually have most of the following characteristics:

" v:shapes="圖片_x0020_42" border="0" height="11" width="10">Your skin feels dry and itchy in some places after cleansing with facial wash or cleansing bar and water.
" v:shapes="圖片_x0020_43" border="0" height="11" width="10">Your skin feels sometimes comfortable, sometimes itchy after cleansing with cream cleanser.
" v:shapes="圖片_x0020_44" border="0" height="11" width="10">Flaky patches and some redness may appear by midday.
" v:shapes="圖片_x0020_45" border="0" height="11" width="10">You will experience occasional outbreaks of acne and pimples.
" v:shapes="圖片_x0020_46" border="0" height="11" width="10">Your skin will sting and itch after applying facial toner.
" v:shapes="圖片_x0020_47" border="0" height="11" width="10">Your skin will sometimes feel comfortable, other times irritated after applying rich night cream.

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