Battle Plan for Senitive Skin

Step 1: Soothe inflammation by:

Eating more anti-oxidant-rich foods (citrus fruits, spinach, broccoli, red fruits and vegetables) and drinking green tea.

Cutting back on omega-6 (corn, canola and safflower oil) which increases inflammation.

Avoiding cosmetics that contain a string of ingredients if your skin is playing up. The fewer the ingredients, the less the chance of a reaction.

Boosting vitamin B. Not only will a vitamin B supplement help your body cope better with stress, it's also necessary for beautiful skin.

Step 2: Boost the barrier of your skin by...

Including more omega-3 in your diet (supplement or increase the amount of flaxseed oil and oily fish).

Avoiding cleansing products that strip all the oil from the surface of the skin; rather use a cream cleanser or cleansing balm.

  Protecting your skin from the elements. Wear a good day cream and always wear a physical sunblock (that contains titanium dioxide or zinc oxide as a   barrier to the sun, rather than a high concentration of chemical sun-blocking ingredients).

  Step 3: Hydrate the skin by...

Ensuring you have enough omega-3 in your diet (to keep moisture in the skin).

Drinking more water (at least 1 and a 1/2 litres water per day).

  Eating plenty of fruit and vegetables.

  Step 4: Listen to your body by...

Managing your stress levels with exercise or an activity that relaxes you.

Noticing when the wheels fall off. If your skin regularly reacts, make a note of when it does so that you can pick up on the cause and prevent it from happening again.

  Getting more sleep. Sleep is a miracle healer. If your skin is out of sorts, try to get a few early nights; you'll be amazed at the difference it makes.

  1. How is a facial done?
  The procedure differs from salon to salon and depends on the type of facial you have chosen to have. A standard facial consists of analysis, cleansing,   secondary cleansing (exfoliation), massage, sometimes extraction (removal of blemishes and blackheads), application of a facial mask and aftercare (usually a   moisturising cream or gel). The whole treatment should take between an hour and an hour and a half.

2. What extras should be included with a good facial?
Caroline Magrath, owner of Constantia Wellness Centre in Cape Town, says that eyebrow plucking, and hand and foot massage may also be included. 'The therapist must maintain contact with the client during treatment. While the face mask is on, for instance, the therapist can give the client a hand or foot massage.'

3. Does a facial treatment include the décolletage area?
Yes, it traditionally includes the neck, shoulders and décolletage to just above the breasts.

4. What attributes should I look for in a salon?
The South African Association of Health and Skincare Professionals (SAAHSP)stresses that the following hygienic measures are very important: a new set of sponges should be used for each client, tweezers must be sterilised before each treatment, towels must be clean and the therapist herself should be hygienic.

The association also recommends that salons have floors that can be washed rather than carpets. Because having a facial should be a soothing experience, you should choose a salon with a relaxing atmosphere where you will feel pampered.

5. How should a good therapist conduct herself?
Caroline says that a good therapist will listen carefully to the needs of her client, particularly if it is her first visit to the salon. During the treatment, the therapist should take special care to analyse the skin properly. A long-term course of treatment for the skin is very important, therefore knowing something about the lifestyle of the client will help her draw up the right treatment plan, she says.

The SAAHSP requires that the therapist respect the privacy of the client and not allow other therapists to wander into the treatment room, for instance. Caroline says it is also important that the therapist be innovative and tell the client about the range of treatments she offers to keep the client interested. There may be new developments in technology that the client is unaware of and the therapist should inform her client about these so that she can choose whether to include them in her treatment.

Tips
    It is best to wait a few hours between having a facial and applying your make up.
    Leave your jewellery at home when you go to the salon. You usually have to remove it before having any treatments and it could get lost.
    Don't have a facial the day before or on the day of a special occasion. Do it at least three days before the event to give your skin time to recover.

  Article from Woman24