Skincare
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138. Adequate intake of water/fluids flushes out impurities from your skin through sweating, leaving you with a young looking clear and glowing complexion. Thus water is the best medicine for skin problems as it cleanses and detoxifies the body. Water keeps the skin cells hydrated, assists the nutrients to flow in and the toxins to flow out of the cells, giving you a healthy and clean looking skin. The right amount of water is necessary for skin’s elasticity, texture and suppleness. Even without sweating the body is losing water through the skin and this needs to be replaced. Water has the power to hydrate, revitalise, detoxify and oxygenate the skin. So, the importance of drinking at least 2½ – 3 litres of water/fluids (more in hot weather and if you exercise) daily can never be emphasised enough. (Caffeinated or sugary beverages like tea, coffee, alcohol, colas etc do not count towards daily requirement, as they throw the thirst mechanism out of gear). Drinking water at regular intervals will keep your face healthy and as a bonus will also protect you from many other diseases. Increased warm water intake regulates the excess oil present in an acne-prone skin. If you don’t like the taste of water, add some lemon juice. Alternatively, drink herbal teas, like basil (tulsi), ginger, chamomile, mint etc without sugar and milk.
Avoid Excessive Sun Exposure
139. The sun is responsible for about 90% of the appearance of skin ageing. Overexposure to the sun damages the facial tissues. It also produces blemishes like freckles, ageing spots and pigmentation. A person can help minimise wrinkling by avoiding excessive exposure to the sun, especially during mid-day. The rays of the sun are strongest between 10 AM to 4 PM as the shortwave, ultraviolet rays (UVB), which causes wrinkling peaks during this time of the day. In simple terms, if your shadow is shorter than your height, the risk of sunburn is much higher since the sun is directly overhead. Sunrays are stronger at higher elevations (mountains) and low latitudes (near the Equator). Frequent shade breaks are recommended when the sun’s rays are strong. Carrying an umbrella might look dowdy to some, but it will provide you protection from the strong rays of the sun and in turn reduce wrinkles, roughness, blotches and other signs of ageing from your face. Therefore, do make it a habit to carry an umbrella – it cuts down the sun’s rays by about 30% – and wear protective clothing.
