Smooth ways to beat wrinkles
There's no makeup that can compete with the radiance of glowing skin and if you haven't done so before now, this is the time to get serious about skin care.
The face has some of the most delicate skin on the body. It is exposed to the environment almost 100% of the time and, depending on the owner's preferences, can be either scraped with a razor or coated with cosmetic chemicals daily. All in all facial skin has a long and hard job, but you don't hear it complaining, you just wake up, take a look in the mirror one day and you notice you got old.
In the film 'A taste of Honey', it was said, "Every wrinkle tells a story". Wrinkles are a part of the ever changing state of skin along with acne, pimples, dryness, rashes etc and skin can indeed tell a tale or two. Skin is an indicative organ; it can give light to minor problems as well as more serious issues relating to heart, liver and bone health. Traditional Chinese medicine relies partly on diagnosis through looking at the state of the patient's face.
Even if you are not living like a saint, you can still make your skin look like you do as long as you take care not to overdo it and follow some simple rules.
Some important skin don'ts...
Overexposure to the sun - Stay in the shade and use sun heavy cream
Too much make up - Try to have a few days free of make up every week to let your skin breathe. Chemical called Parabens in makeup can be bad for the skin so read the ingredients before you buy.
Stay away from the cigs - Smoking is also really bad for the skin
An orange glow is not healthy - Sun beds and the UV rays they radiate are definitely not good for the skin
Don't burn the candle at both ends - Lack of sleep does not give the body enough time to build and repair the skin
...and what you should be doing
Use a skin product that contains peptides and amino acids. These stimulate the skin to synthesize its own collagen, the substance that keeps your skin firm and elastic. Twice a day for a month will have a substantial impact on your skin.
Food can have a huge effect on skin and a poor complexion may be a sign of problems in the gut. If you are having problems it may be a good idea to keep a note of everything you consume for a few weeks to see whether any particular food shows a reaction. Honey has long been recognized for having skin-softening and moisturizing qualities and one of its constituents, inhibine has mild antiseptic properties, good for treating acne-prone skin.
Vitamin C also helps the body produce collagen. Daily use of a topical L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C) product will minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. L-ascorbic acid is an anti-oxidant which neutralizes the oxygen-free radicals which damage and destroy skin tissue when stimulated by ultraviolet radiation.
Vitamin A is essential for replenishing skin cells. It is best taken by eating vegetables that contain large amounts of beta carotene, which is turned into vitamin A by the liver. An important antioxidant, it is vital for skin health and can be found in green leafy vegetables such as broccoli, carrots and dried apricots.
Relax! Facial massages can help the face shed old skin and are great for stress, which is one of the more obvious causes of the lines on the forehead!
Iris Chen M.D.
Iris is a Canadian trained physician who has been involved in the nutritional world for over 15 years and has interests in holistic healing, alternative therapy and traditional Chinese medicine. Iris currently works as a medical advisor to mitamins.


Prescriptions by Dr. Balch






