All About Open Pores , Clogged Pores.

The follicle leads from within the skin to the surface of the skin and may contain a hair within it.The “hole” on the surface of the skin through which the hair emerges is the “pore” and oil flows on to the skin surface through this pore. Pores do not have doors that “open” and “close”,but this is a descriptive way of describing how they work.The diameter of the tubule forms the pore and when the tubule dilates(widens) it gives the impression of being wide open.When the tubule contracts,it gives the impression of tightening and “closing”.The excessive production of oil and its flow causes the oil glands to enlarge and cause an enlargement of the tubule which in turn causes the pore to appear larger and crater like.This causes the skin to look and feel coarse and thick in texture.

Since the size of your pores is inherited,it cannot change.You can make them appear smaller by keeping them empty of plugs that are formed by the accumulation of sebum,dead skin cells and Bacteria, so that the oil can flow freely.Regular exfoliating can help keep the pores deep cleansed and empty.

Clogged pores,Blackheads and Pimples.How to keep pores unblocked

Under normal conditions,the sebum flows on to the surface of the skin freely and everything functions well.However,if for any reason the follicle or tubule through which the oil flows is blocked,this can lead to the pore getting clogged up,leading to a Blackhead and eventually spots and pimples.Accumulation of dead skin cells,oil and bacteria in the tubule leads to a sticky plug being formed and this causes accumulation of any further oil production which cannot flow on to the skin surface.This causes widening and enlargement of the tubule and so a large pore.The plug is black in colour due to the pigment Melanin found in the skin cells.It takes up to nine months before a blackhead appears on the surface of the skin.Blackheads are common on the face but can also be found on the back and chest.Excessive cleansing will not remove the blackhead once it has appeared.This is due to the fact that it is made of compacted dead skin cells,oil and Bacteria and deeply embedded in the follicle(tubule).

It is not possible to dissolve or melt the blackhead with any product.It has to be physically removed or “pulled”out of the tubule.Some dermatologists will perform this procedure using special instruments,but it is advisable not to try pressing them out as this causes the plugs to enter deeper layers of the skin leading to inflammation and infection and eventually to spots and pimples. The best approach is to prevent the formation of blackheads in the first place by eliminating the causes.Examples: removing of sebum,dead skin cells and bacteria by daily washing and regular exfoliating. This is best achieved by using an effective peel-off face and body mask regularly to exfoliate and remove the source of blackhead forming material.

All About Acne

What Is Acne ?

Acne is a skin condition where our skin's oil glands produce too much sebum (an oily substance) that leads to clogged pores and outbreaks of lesions commly known as pimples or zits .Besides that, the rapid production of bacteria can also create acne . Acne lesions usually occur on the face,neck , back , chest and shoulders. Although it is not a serious health threat, severe acne can lead to permanent scarring , which may eventually impact on our lifestyle and quality of life.

3 Stages Of The Acne

Life Cycle Stage 1 : Acne begins when hair follicles are plugged up by sebum, causing cellls to clump and form a plug -this indicates the phase one of a blemish.

Stage 2: Occurs when bacteria , which desire the air tight environment created by the plug , start feeding and breeding inside the pores.

Stage 3 : When the body responds by sending white blood cells to fight these bacterial invaders, inflammation -small pink bumps , pimples, and sometimes nodules and cysts - commences. This inflammation results in scarring , dark marks, discolouration.

On Treating Acne

Unfortunately, acne is more than just a temporary concern . Acne is an inflammatory condition that can result in scarring and discolouration from past acne that eventually lead to a future acne. A total approach to fighting acne includes addressing issues presented by past , present and future acne :

• Past Acne

Treatment should address the effects of past acne , such as textural damage , hyperpigmentation, and acne scars. To diminish these remnant marks, powerful antioxidants like alpha lipoic acid is added as a free radical fighting ingredient to stimulate the skin's nutrient intake , promotiong healthy skin cell renewal and scarred tissue repair .

• Present Acne

Treatment should address the issues of present acne , such as redness , irritation , breakouts, oiliness, and black heads. This is accomplished by opening the pores and reducing bacteria , oil production, and inflammation . Ingredient such as Salicylic acid penetrates oily , enlarged pores to eliminate most blemishes. As for minimizing the redness associated with most blemish-prone skin , licorice extracts is excellent in soothing skin.

• Future Acne

An effective acne treatment program not only works to clear the signs of past and present breakouts, but also helps to ensure the future healthy look of your complexion . Other then keeping the skin clean to prevent oil build-up and future breakouts, the prevention of future acne breakouts,scarring , and inhibiting discolouration are also crucial . In the current markets, very few acne product address these concerns. To ensure the future health of the skin , active ingredients such as Hexapeptide-2 and Lactic acid are very effective . Hexapeptide-2 helps to reduce the potential development of dark spots while supporting the skin's natural resistance to the aging effects of environment . Lactic acid , a form of Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) speeds up the skin's natural process of exofliation to remove excessive dead skin cells to reveal a smoother, clearer skin .

Skin Care Essentials

Do you know how to meet the needs of your skin?

Determining and meeting your skin's essential needs with a comprehensive skin care regimen is critical to maintaining skin's healthy function and beautiful appearance .

While there are several ways to determine your skin's essential needs , the key to optimal skin health and beauty is to meet your skin's basic needs with a comprehensive skin care system. You can maintain beautiful skin and slow the rate at which it ages with a regimen that both supplements and protects the structure and function of the skin .

Basic and Advanced Skin Care Needs

Your skin has up to 10 essential needs for optimal health and beauty. These needs can be divided into 2 categories : basic and advanced needs.Your skin's basic needs are the minium , daily needs or regimen steps all skin types require. Advanced needs are those that address specific concerns of your skin and that can be met by incorporating additional regimen steps as needed. Starting in our late 20s, our advanced needs steadily increase. Together , basic and advanced needs form the essential needs of the skin.


Basic Needs

Although the skin has 10 essential needs to maintain optimal form , meeting the basic , daily needs with four regimen steps creates the foundation of daily skin care. The four essential steps are cleanse , tone , protect and hydrate. A look at each step individually will help to clarify how it specifically addresses the essential needs of your skin.


1. Cleanse: This step meets the skin's basic need to be free of excess oil , dirt and pollutants. If theses impurities are not removed , you may experience dull , sallow skin , clogged , inflamed pores that can discolour and scar ; or free radical oxidation that can damange cells , affecting healthy cell renewal, irritation of the skin ,and initiate hyperpigmentation. To avoid these negative effects, cleansing should be performed twice daily.

2. Tone: Toning fulfils a basic daily need by preparing the skin to receive the benefits from other products and should be performed twice daily , after cleansing. Toning works in several ways. It calms and soothes the skin ; toning also minimizes the appearance of pores and balances the skin's pH.

3. Protect : The protect step meets the skin's basic needs for a morning moisturizer with SPF to guard against harmful UV rays and environmental stressors. Sun damage degrades the moisture barrier and structual proteins and promotes discoloration - all signs of premature skin aging.

4. Hydrate : The hydrate step provides vital lipids, replenishing moisture , and key repair components for optimal night time recovery . Night time hydration should be applied once daily in the evening.

Advanced Needs

In addition to the basic daily needs , your skin also has advance needs . When specific skin concerns such as discoloration , acne , free radical damage , and aging exist , addressing these concerns is critical for skin health and beauty. Incorporating regimen steps to target the skin's advanced needs gives your skin the needed advantage of advanced skin care. Consider some of the following advanced needs :

• Nourish : For protecting skin health and maintaining skin youthfulness, the nourish step is essential . You can nourish the skin with powerful antioxidants to neutralize free radicals that damage and prematurely age the skin.

• Treat: The treat step meets an essential advanced need of the skin when key components , functions, or structures within the skin are compromised, leading to signs of premature aging . Treatment products are specially formulated to target those key skin components.

• Refinish : The refinish step focuses on skin that has become dull and rough. Refinishing helps to resurface and polish the skin for a fresh glowing complexion.

• Exfoliate: When environmental stressors and intrinsic aging begin to interfere with healthy cell renewal, the exfoliate step becomes important. Exfoliation helps remove dead cell and build up for smoother, more youthful looking skin and can stimulate the cell renewal skin processes.

• Mask: The mask step meets an essential advanced need of the skin when the skin requires a concentrated application of key ingredients for an extended period of time . Masks are excellent way to meet the skin's various need . Some masks delivery key ingredinets to the skin, while others draw out impurities.

• Revitalize: Tired , stressed skin requires the essential step revitalize to restore vibrancy and promote cellular energy . This need be met once per wek after cleansing.

By understanding both the essential , daily needs and the advanced needs of your skin, you can easily create a regimen that meets those needs. You can do this by incorporating specific regimen steps and specially formulated products into your daily routine. It is important to remember that the best skin care products are designed to work synergistically to meet the essentials needs of the skin . As they do this , they maintain and enhance the health and natural beauty of the skin.

First Posting For Secret Beauty Services

Secret Beauty Services has been around for about 3 years and this is the first time that Secret Beauty has made its debut on a blog !

Services that Secret Beauty Services offer:

• Facial Package For Shy Guys
  
• Student/NS Men Rate Facial Package
  
• Spa Facial Treatment For Ladies
• Eye Brow Plucking
  
• Make up for Ladies
• Wedding Planning
  

Normal Facial - $50

• Skin Analysis
• Consultation
• Cleansing of face
• Scrub
• Mask
• Removal of black heads
• Tone
• Moisturize

Acne Treatment Facial - $60

• Skin Analysis
• Consultation
• Cleansing of face
• Scrub
• Mask( Clay)
• Removal of black heads
• Tone
• Moisturize

Herbal Acne Treatment Facial - $ 70

• Skin Analysis
• Consultation
• Cleansing of face
• Scrub
• Herbal Treatment Mask
• Removal of black heads
• Tone
• Moisturize

Deep Cleansing Treatment Facial - $ 70

• Skin Analysis
• Consultation
• Cleansing of face
• Scrub
• Deep Cleansing Treatment Mask
• Removal of black heads
• Tone
• Moisturize

All services are based on house call basis and appointment basis at shop . For more enquiries, you may add me in msn at this email address: skin_analysis@hotmail.com