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By freeing our skin of impurities that have accumulated over the winter, we help it gently awaken its natural renewal mechanisms to welcome the season of light and warmth.
Our skin does not meet spring in the best shape: winter was marked by a lack of fresh air, sun, movement, and we often eat at this time of the year not in the most optimal way. “As a rule, in winter we eat more carbohydrates and fats, less fresh vegetables and fruits, we don’t have enough light, our immunity decreases,” says cosmetologist Olga Petrunina, Biotherm expert. – Therefore, when the transitional time comes, the skin becomes especially vulnerable, sensitive, loses its balance. It’s kind of stressful for her.” In such conditions, it is difficult for the skin to function without failures, and the consequences are not long in coming. “This organ serves as a barrier for our body and performs protective functions,” explains dermatologist Olga Ganelina, Vichy expert. – On the one hand, it does not allow potentially harmful elements to enter the body, and on the other hand, it removes processed substances from it, which are commonly called toxins. This is a perfect mechanism, but it also has its own power limit.”
The rate of skin renewal slows down in winter, it becomes more dull and lethargic. Plus beriberi, plus lack of movement, which means possible difficulties with blood circulation … The skin is waiting for a regeneration course that will allow it to find a new breath. However, before that, it’s good for her to arrange a short pause for rest so that she can get rid of all that is superfluous. Important advice: do not give in to the temptation to do a “general cleaning” under the well-known motto “to the ground, and then …”. At this time of the year, our skin will appreciate only soft, gentle care.
Gently flush out toxins
“Toxins that accumulate directly in the skin are formed under the influence of aggressive environmental factors or negative internal processes, such as the body’s reaction to stress or an unbalanced diet,” says Olga Petrunina. – Gas pollution of urban air, smoking, lack of sleep also create conditions for skin intoxication. Cells become vulnerable, cellular immunity decreases, and as a result, metabolic processes in the skin are disrupted.” If the skin fails to fully remove metabolic products, it accumulates them.
How to help her get rid of toxins? To create such conditions under which the skin can work in full force, and allow it to perform its functions on its own in order to find a truly spring freshness. One of the most effective detox practices is a bath, hammam or sauna. There, the pores open, along with abundant sweat, toxins leave the body. Blood rushes to the face, brings oxygen and nutrients to skin cells. And along with massage and those exfoliating procedures that traditionally accompany a session in the steam room, the skin is freed from dead cells and begins to breathe.
Where to get lymphatic drainage massage
- Clinic of Dr. Ionova t. (495) 649 6249, www.welcomediet.ru
- Osteopathic clinic “OstMed” t. (495) 225 7854, www.ost-med.ru
- Osteopathic clinic of Dr. Artemov tel. +7 (343) 242 8442 (in Yekaterinburg), www.osteopatia.ru
Read more:
- Do we need detoxification?
Cleansing masks with natural absorbent ingredients (for example, with clay – blue, pink, green) help the skin get rid of toxins, renew and smooth its surface. Soft gommages work in the same way. The release of dead cells not only returns the skin to a healthy, fresh look, but also accelerates the process of its renewal.
But, we emphasize this again, helping the skin to part with the old and open up to the new is worth it with all delicacy. Excessively diligent and deep cleansing can harm – make the skin sensitive, dehydrated, break its protective barrier. “The skin has its own microflora that protects it from external aggression,” says Olga Ganelina. These beneficial bacteria that live on the skin can also suffer from too radical procedures. The rules for gentle cleansing are simple: it is better to remove a few dead cells daily than a lot – but once a week or two. And do not try to deceive nature: it is better to follow the natural rhythm of the life of the skin, which is completely renewed on its own approximately every four weeks.
Detoxification of the skin cannot be complete if it is carried out exclusively from the outside, on its surface. A good habit is to start the day with a glass of warm water with a little fresh lemon juice. This drink activates digestion, which means it helps to remove toxins from the body. And besides, it gives the body a portion of antioxidants, and antioxidants in early spring are very necessary for the skin.
Read more:
- Spring equinox: time for change
Set in motion
One of the most effective detox treatments is lymphatic drainage massage. It activates the lymph flow, and with it – accelerates the cleansing of skin cells from toxic decay products and improves immunity. The skin receives more oxygen and gets rid of edema, which leads to stagnation of lymphatic fluid in the tissues. With the onset of each spring, it is good to conduct a course of manual lymphatic drainage with specialists, but this massage can also be mastered for independent home performance. His secret is short, sliding pressure: first on the lateral surfaces of the neck, then behind the ears, around the eyes (special attention to their inner corners), in the center of the superciliary arches and, finally, on the temples. Each pressure, which in the terminology of masseurs is called “surging”, must be repeated three times with the pads of the thumb and forefinger. Our body perceives such a rhythm as the breath of the surf and remembers it: thanks to this, lymphatic drainage calms emotions and has a cumulative effect. The delicate lymphatic vessels are shallow, so surge can be quite easy.
Blood microcirculation can also be improved by massage, namely by Jacquet massage, the technique of which is light pinching. Pinch the skin with the pads of your thumb and forefinger as deep as possible – but try not to move or pull it. Do these vigorous and quick tingling (as if you are “pecking” the skin) all over the face, focusing on its contours. It is necessary to perform this massage without cream, on dry skin – so that the fingers do not slip. Olga Ganelina also recommends massage of the cervical-collar zone: this will help normalize the respiratory processes and facilitate the access of oxygen to the face.
More ease!
Throughout the winter, we plentifully “fed” the skin with dense creams and regenerating masks – and in the spring it’s time for a little unloading. What the skin will now appreciate are light textures, such as serums offer us. They have a concentrated formula and at the same time do not carry anything superfluous with them, do not overload the skin, do not allow its metabolic processes to be “lazy”. Serum can be used as a single product without adding anything to it – there is no need for additional care, unless the skin is completely dry. Encouraging the skin to work on its own can improve its natural defenses and make it easier to breathe. And one evening a week (namely, the evening, because at night the skin actively removes toxins), try not to use any care products at all. And this will also be a step towards detoxification.