What Aloe Vera can do for your skin

For many years the skin was seen as God's Gore-Tex, the wrap around the package of the body,'' he says. ``But it has been quite evident for the last 30 or 40 years that the skin is a functioning organ. It plays a role in immunity and it plays a role in protection that goes beyond just being a barrier. The better we can maintain the skin and the happier we can keep it, the better it is for our general health.''

Some Factors that affect the skin.

External

* Exercise

As well as being good for overall health, exercise can improve the appearance of the skin because it improves circulation and encourages better quality sleep.

* Humidity level




Dry air, inside and outside, can dry the skin.

* Smoke

Smokers have drier, more wrinkled skin than non-smokers.

* Sun exposure

The sun's UVA and UVB rays are responsible for photo-aging and lead to the wrinkling of the skin. About 90 per cent of skin aging can be attributed to sun exposure.

* Wind

Strong winds whip moisture away from the skin.

Internal

* Age

As people age, the production of collagen, a protein associated with healthy- looking skin, slows down and wrinkling and sagging increase. Menopause also affects the strength of collagen and may cause changes in pigmentation.

* Genetics

If your parents looked young for their years, chances are that you will too (depending on your lifestyle.) It's likely the DNA you inherited will mean that your skin has similar characteristics to that of other family members.

* Hormones

Hormonal changes affect the condition of the skin, often making it oilier and more prone to spots, e.g. teenage acne.

* Nutrition

A healthy diet helps to keep the body, including the skin, looking healthy.

* Stress

Stress can leave the skin looking drier and duller.


Sun damage (photo-aging) is a major factor in aging the skin prematurely. Dermatologists advise:

* Avoid tanning deliberately.

* Seek the shade.

* Stay out of the sun especially when the rays are strongest, between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.

* Cover up with loose, lightweight clothing and wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses outside during the day.

* Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 30 or higher year-round 20 minutes before going outside. Reapply after swimming or perspiring heavily.

* Be aware that UV radiation levels increase by four per cent with every 300 metre increase in altitude.

- Information drawn from the Canadian Dermatology Association Sun Awareness Week website at www.dermatology.ca.



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