Skincare

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carcinogens. Chemicals inhaled from cigarette smoke constrict blood vessels, including in the skin, reducing the oxygen and nutrient supply to delicate facial tissues. Thus smoking causes premature facial wrinkles. Long-term smokers can often be identified by their face alone from the little furrows that spread out in the upper and lower lips and by the crow’s feet around the eyes as well as wrinkle lines around the cheeks and jaws. It is said that heavy smokers in their 40s often have as many facial wrinkles as non-smokers in their 60s. Excessive alcohol consumption messes with blood circulation. Blood vessels are made to expand and are damaged in the long term. This causes broken blood vessels to be seen on the skin’s surface.

 Environmental Pollution

37.     Have you noticed the grey haze that drifts around just above your head as you walk down the streets or are driving next to one of those smoke-belching tanks. As the day progresses, uncovered skin, like your face and arms, is coated with a thin film of dirt which clogs the pores. Since it is unlikely that you’re going to dash off for a shower in the middle of your sales meeting, the film slowly builds up till you wash it off. Pollutants are, hence, one of the main contributors to early ageing of the skin.

Chemical Pollutants

38.     Harsh chemicals in skincare products and excessive use of cosmetics, shampoos and soaps makes the skin to become dry and rough. The chemicals attack the membranes of the cells and the cell structure disintegrates as a result. This finally leads to fine lines and collagen damage. Strong preservatives and antibacterial agents also destroy enzymes that trigger absorption and maintain lubrication. Be cautious on a number of “herbal” products being sold in the market for skincare, as how much herbal they are nobody knows. Chemicals like chlorine, a gaseous greenish-yellow chemical, used as a disinfectant in most public and private swimming pools can damage your skin. Skin, while basically waterproof, can absorb some contaminants in water like chlorine. Chlorine in water can end up irritating the skin. The irritated skin then becomes dry and itchy. This can affect the skin covering the entire body, including the skin on the head and the scalp.