Wash — one of the procedures for the care of the body and face that we have been mastering since early childhood. Why do so many questions arise with this simple hygiene procedure? When and how to wash properly and is it worth it at all? Elena STOYANOVA, dermatologist-cosmetologist says:
While conducting a cosmetic appointment, I always ask my patients how they do this procedure. The answer is always the same: "I do it like everyone else." But when you start asking in detail, it turns out that "everyone" they do it differently. Some people wash and shower incredibly thoroughly several times a day, others believe that if they did not go out into the street, then there is no need to wash.
Both of these — extremes that will lead to dermatological problems associated with a violation of the basic functions of the skin — from bacterial infection to allergic dermatitis. Let's try to figure out how to properly wash your face in the mornings and evenings and what processes in the skin it will affect.
Why is it good to wash your face in the morning and evening
We all know that skin — it is the largest organ in the human body and there are many currents in it that we are not aware of. Despite this, it is worth knowing what happens in the skin during the day. After all, she constantly works with us: both when we work and when we rest.
These processes do not stop even for a minute and ensure the good condition of the whole organism.
Therefore, it is necessary to understand why it is so important to wash your face properly and how we help our skin with this.
The protective function of the skin — the most powerful in the body
Mechanical protective function. The skin protects our entire body from any rough mechanical influences.
Protection from surrounding microorganisms — one of the most powerful defense mechanisms of our body. The invisible water-lipid mantle of the skin is a cocktail of secretions from the sebaceous and sweat glands. If all proportions are correctly observed in it, then we are not afraid of any viruses, bacteria, chemical aggressive factors.
Electric current protection. The electrical resistance of the skin is measured in tens of kilo-ohms. The change in electrical resistance decreases with increased skin moisture. This happens in people who have hyperhidrosis.
Sun protection. Due to the fact that there are special cells in the skin — melanocytes that produce melanin and absorb ultraviolet rays, — we can sunbathe and not suffer from sunburn.
Excretory function of the skin: getting rid of toxins
The most important excretory organ in our body is definitely the kidneys. Skin is second in importance. It is through it that our body gets rid of a large number of toxins. Very often, in kidney diseases, it is the skin that takes on most of the burden of removing waste products from the body and compensates for this deficiency.
If the rules of hygiene are not observed, it is this function that will suffer greatly, which will lead to disruption of the body as a whole.
Thermoregulatory function of the skin: constancy within the body
Our skin maintains a constant temperature inside our body. No matter what the temperature is around us, what season and how we are dressed, inside us the temperature always remains around 36°C. Our body can function at temperatures between 34 and 42°C. How does this happen?
• Change in skin heat transfer. When the ambient temperature drops, cold receptors send the appropriate signal to the brain. In response, the brain sends impulses to the capillaries of the skin to constrict.
Thus, heat transfer stops and the body works in an energy-saving mode. When the temperature rises, the skin's heat receptors send other signals to the brain, and as a result, the capillaries dilate.
• Change in production, generation of heat in the body.
Why do you need to wash your face often with oily skin
Oily skin is characterized by increased secretion of the sebaceous glands, which causes a change in the pH of the skin-lipid mantle. The transformation of the chemical composition of the sebaceous glands leads to the fact that the secret secreted by them becomes thicker.
At the same time, the stratum corneum of the skin is poorly exfoliated. All this contributes to the formation of comedones, to which the bacterial flora then joins, and purulent rashes appear.
Washing rules for oily skin
The oiliness of our skin is controlled by hormones that stimulate the activity of the sebaceous glands. The skin at the same time becomes dull, with increased luster and gray color. Many black dots create an untidy look. In addition, hair quickly becomes oily. And this whole set is aggravated by an unpleasant smell, which the person himself does not always feel, which causes social discomfort. Knowing these features, we can seriously help our skin with simple hygienic washing procedures.
Rules for hygienic skin care for every day
• Wash your face two or three times a day.
• Always use foams or gels for washing. Apply cleansers to a damp face, then do a little self-massage to help lather your face. Leave the foam on the face for 1-2 minutes, then rinse with plenty of water. These cosmetic products should not remain on the face, as, when dried, they will aggressively act on the top layer of the skin.
• You can wash your face with soap only in case of pustular rashes with further use of therapeutic creams and gels. If there is no rash on the skin, washing with soap may dry out the surface layer of the skin too much.
• When washing, you must take into account the temperature of the water. It should be at room temperature, comfortable for your skin. Do not wash with cold water or too hot. Contrasting washes will stimulate the sebaceous glands and lead to increased oiliness of the skin.
• Use fruit acid facial peels two to three times a week. This will change the pH of the skin to a more acidic side, and increase the protective function of the skin.
Washing rules for dry skin
Dry facial skin is due to the lack of two components. On the one hand, she lacks moisture, and on the other — nutrition. These features must be remembered when choosing cleansers.
Very often, owners of dry skin refuse to wash, because after it they experience a feeling of discomfort and tightness. This — an indicator of a gross error that should not be made.
In order for dry skin to fully receive all the beneficial components from creams, it must be prepared with proper washing.
How to prep dry skin with face wash
• It is necessary to wash your face in the morning and in the evening.
• For washing, you need to use a special milk or make-up remover. Apply milk to the skin with light massage movements. Often girls apply milk to cotton sponges, and then wipe their face with them. It is not right! Washing milk — also soap, which has a creamy form, and it should be treated in the same way.
Apply the milk properly on the face, spend 1—2 minutes self-massage, and then use a facial washcloth or cotton swabs to wash it off well with water.
• For very sensitive skin, you can use a cleansing milk.
• Dry skin loves contrast washes. Prepare two bowls of hot and cold water. You can throw a few ice cubes into cold water (it is better if the ice is made from a decoction of herbs with lemon juice). Dip your face alternately in cold and hot water. Such contrasting washes will improve blood circulation in the skin, which will favorably affect its protective properties and appearance.
• After washing, wipe the skin with tonic. You can use both professional and homemade tonic. They soak cotton sponges and wipe the skin of the face and neck.
• Instead of a regular peel, use gamma or enzyme peels. They will help to exfoliate the stratum corneum of the skin.
• If you have dry skin, exfoliating too often can cause it to dry out. Using these products once a week, you will improve the condition of the skin and do not harm it.
Having dealt with all the features of the skin, it becomes clear that this is an incredibly hardworking organ that protects and protects us throughout our lives, every 24 hours a day. You need to be attentive to the skin, love and care for it, and then the skin will reciprocate, and you will look beautiful and well-groomed! Wash your face in the morning and evening! Be happy and beautiful!
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