Skin Care & Makeup
Rejuvenating Your Skin after Weight Loss Surgery by Virginia
Alexander
Weight loss surgery creates an entire new person--not just in
size, but also in body chemistry. Individuals that had dry skin
may have oily skin after weight loss; people with oily skin may
just find their skin dryer than usual. The most common skin
problem after surgical weight loss surgery is large pores and
dull-looking skin. Of course, their pores are large when you
consider because the skin had been stretched. If you are
experiencing this problem, it is vital that you work on
minimizing the pores and bringing the elasticity back into your
skin. I know this better than most, since I lost over 140 pounds
with weight loss surgery. There are just three basic steps to
take for beautiful rejuvenated skin. First, determine your skin
type. Second, choose a skin-renewing treatment. Third, maintain
your skin by following a quick and easy daily care skin routine.
1. Determine your Skin Type Most of us fall into the following
categories: normal-combination skin, dry-sensitive skin, or oily
skin. Some of us battle with acne or occasional breakouts. Acne
is usually associated with oily skin, but hormonal changes can
cause an acne condition in even normal skin types. We need to
use products designed for our skin type in order to have
flawless-looking skin, regain elasticity and minimize pores.
Simple skin-type test: In the morning, wash your face. Do not
apply toner, moisturizer or anything else to your skin. Wait
about an hour. Then, take four pieces of white tissue paper;
gently press one piece on forehead, one on your chin, one over
your nose and one on your cheek. The results: DRY/SENSITIVE: No
oil will appear on the tissue. Skin feels tight after you wash
it and can appear flaky or dull. OILY: Oil on every piece of
tissue paper, skin will appear shiny. Skin may also be crusty or
flakey around nose. NORMAL/COMBINATION: If the tissue you placed
on your forehead, nose and chin has a little oil, but your cheek
area is dry, then your skin type is combination. Once you know
your skin type, choose products designed for your skin's needs.
ACNE: acne is a skin condition, not a skin type. It can be
caused by many factors, we usually think acne is "caused" by
extremely oily skin, in reality any skin type can get acne. Acne
can be caused by hormonal changes in the body as well as
external factors .It is a skin condition that generally have
bumps and eruptions under the surface of the skin. Sebum and
debris get trapped under layers of dead skin cells causing
eruptions and redness. Depending on the severity of the
condition, Your Physician should be the one to determine what
type of acne you are experiencing, as well as your specific
treatment.
2. Choose a Skin-Renewing Treatment The very best thing you can
do to improve your skin texture and moisture balance is to use
Resurfacing and Rehydrating (R&R) treatment system such as
microdermabrasion. Microdermabrasion will help minimize your
pores, release blackheads and help bring back the elasticity of
your skin. It exfoliates the dead or dying cells, leaving behind
new cells that we need to keep our skin hydrated. There are
Professional Microdermabrasion treatments; these are usually
done by a skin care expert. They use a Microdermabrasion
compound with a machine to aggressively resurface your skin.
They should only be done in a Doctors office, by a professional.
There are spa treatments, done by a professionals as well,
people specifically trained in the compounds and with a
resurfacing machine. Unless you have extremely distressed skin
(determined by a Doctor) I suggest a home treatment. I like
having the control of the product, you can feel the
microcrystals rolling off the dead skin .I do not like the hand
held machines they sell for home use, I feel they are a gimmick
to sell what you really need, the Microdermabrasion! You should
not overdo the treatments. Twice a week is the standard
suggested use for most products out there; always follow
manufactures directions. It gives the skin time to regenerate in
between the treatments. Look for a good quality product with
Quartz crystals. As we age, we lose our moisture balance. That
is why wrinkles, fine lines and flaky dry or dull looking skin
form. Our body chemistry plays an important role in how we age,
as does the environment. Sun damage, pollution, and stress play
a very important role in how our skin looks. We need to regain
the moisture balance we had naturally when we were younger. By
following a simple R&R system, we can bring back and maintain a
more youthful and resilient look. A resurfacing treatment should
be done once or twice a week only. More is not better, since the
collagen bonds need to reform in-between treatments. After you
resurface, be sure you moisturize your skin. It is important to
remember that this treatment is best done at night before going
to bed. At night your body is in repair mode, giving you a great
look when you wake up in the morning. I do an R&R over my entire
body at least twice a month. After all, it is all skin!
Perform Daily Skin Care Proper skin care, to me, is no different
than brushing your teeth. You brush your teeth twice a day, so
perform your skin care routine at the same time. It only takes
two minutes and will make a huge difference in the way you look.
Simple Daily Skin Care Process: 1. Cleanse: to remove all dirt
and debris from your skin .Choose a cleanser designed for your
specific skin type .Dry sensitive skin will respond to calming
compounds like Azulene or chamomile. Normal skin look for a
product that has a ph of 5.5, this will help the skin retain a
healthy balance. Oily skin I like a produtst with a lactic acid
compound. 2. Tone: to remove oils and the left over cleanser
that is still in your pores. Follow the same rule as with a
choosing a product for your specific skin type. Remember the
cleanser will continue to do its job. When it starts coming out
of your pores, it will eat through your makeup application.
That's its job. That is why a lot of women think base or
foundation will not work on them or the reason your base or
foundation appears streaky.
NOTE: stay away from any alcohol based toners; they dry the top
layer of the skin, snapping the pores shut fast, trapping debris
under the skin, only for your pores to reopen naturally an hour
or so later to release what looks like an oily looking skin
condition. When in reality it is a condition caused by alcohol.
3. Moisturize: It is the primer for your base. Even if you have
oily skin, moisturizing is extremely important. There is a
difference between oil and moisture. Apply moisturizer with your
sponge: where you are dry, it will be absorbed; where you are
oily it will jet over, our skin will absorb what it needs.
Always choose a moisturizer that is specifically designed for
your skin type! And remember there is a difference between oil
and moisture, there are products on the market today designed to
be oil free, for oily skin!
Start with these basics and you will be on your way to healthy,
resilient skin in just a short time! Please take the time for
you--you are all so very beautiful!
Note: Specific skin conditions, like ,acne, exzema, psoriosis,
rosacea or other abnormalities should be addressed by a
physician before starting any type of skin care program or
treatment.
Virginia Alexander is a production stylist for Film &
Television. She has successfully worked in her profession for
over 25 years. She educates celebrities on skin care, makeup,
and wardrobe style. Five years ago, she began working with
individuals that have had WLS; she has created skin care
programs, make-up looks and restyling post operative's wardrobe.
You can learn more about Virginia and her services at
www.ipcosmetics.com "Making the world more Beautiful, One woman
at a time"