Showing posts with label back care. Show all posts
Showing posts with label back care. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

How to Treat and Prevent Acne on your Back and Bottom

11 Tips to Banish Acne on Your Back & Bottom


As if breakouts on our faces aren’t enough, so many of us are also plagued by acne
on our backs and bottoms (fondly referred to as “bacne” and “buttne”, respectively).

Acne can occur anywhere on your body where you have hair follicles and oil
secreting glands, not just on your face. Accumulation of dead skin cells or buildup
from products like lotions and body washes can clog these glands and pores.
When the pore becomes clogged, bacteria get trapped, causing acne to form. The
face, chest, back and bottom are the prime acne areas (and if you have acne on
your face, you’re also more likely to have it on your back or bottom). Hormonal
imbalances may also contribute to the formation of body acne, which is why if
you’re experiencing severe breakouts, it’s best to visit your dermatologist to rule out
other possible health problems.

If your back and bottom acne is mild to moderate, consider trying these at-home
remedies. Like with acne on your face, your approach to treating the acne on your
back and bottom should be multifaceted and should also include adopting habits
that help prevent breakouts from happening in the first place.

To help clear up and prevent acne on your back and bottom, check out these 11
expert tips below.


Shower Regularly & Use The Right Cleanser
First, make sure that you are showering regularly, and if you have oily skin, you
need to shower daily. Also, after a workout, resist the urge to hang out in your
workout clothes and instead hop straight into the shower to wash off the sweat and
bacteria on your skin.

When showering, use a body cleanser that contains an acne-fighting ingredient like
benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid that will work to treat your acne while preventing
new acne.


Exfoliate 
Exfoliating two to three times per week when you shower will help reduce the
buildup of dead skin cells that can clog pores and lead to breakouts. Gently exfoliate
using an acne-fighting body scrub like one containing salicylic acid. For extra
benefit, you can wear exfoliating gloves when doing this, just be sure your gloves,
loofahs, sponges are nice and clean so you’re not spreading bacteria as you go.


Use a Body Brush
Sometimes we fail to properly cleanse our back in particular because it has lots of
hard to reach areas. So when cleansing or exfoliating your back, use a soft body
brush with a long handle or use another device designed to help you cleanse hard
to reach areas. Be mindful to scrub gently; scrubbing too hard can cause further
irritation and breakouts.


Topical Treatment
After showering, gently towel off and then apply a gel or cream containing benzoyl
peroxide or sulfur to help treat the acne. Keep in mind that benzoyl peroxide and
other acne treatments can permanently bleach or stain fabrics so it’s best to let the
treatment dry completely for 10 minutes or so and then to sleep in loose-fitting
light-colored clothing.

If your breakouts are on areas of your skin where you cannot reach, opt for a spray
skin treatment—Neutrogena and a few other acne brands have products on the
market.


Avoid Picking 
It goes without saying, but avoid any and all scratching, picking or prodding of
breakouts on your back and bottom (and your face, too). Picking at acne can easily
cause scarring and can introduce new bacteria to the area, making the whole
situation even worse.


Avoid Textured Fabric
Having lace or textured fabrics directly pressed up against the skin on your back and
bottom can cause friction against the skin, and lead to irritation and acne breakouts.
So think twice before you wear a thong, go commando, or wear rough fabrics up
against your skin. Opt for soft, smooth cotton fabrics to provide a protective barrier
between your skin and clothing.


Avoid Certain Body Lotions 
If you’re prone to body acne, be mindful of the lotion you’re applying when you get
out of the shower. For most people, you don’t even need to be applying lotion to
your back or bottom. If you have dry or rough skin and do want to apply lotion to
these areas, look for a non-comedogenic or water-based body lotion.


Avoid Fabric Softener & Choose the Right Laundry Detergent

For many, fragrances and other chemicals can react with sensitive skin and cause
breakouts. If you’ve recently started breaking out after trying a new detergent, it
might be to blame. Opt for fragrance-free, unscented detergents and use dryer balls
in lieu of fabric softener. This will help prevent a layer of chemicals from sticking to
and irritating your skin throughout the day.


Wash Your Sheets
Once you’ve got the right type of laundry detergent, wash your sheets with it at
least once a week. Even when they look spotless, your sheets are actually harboring
bacteria, skin cells and other germy microorganisms that are just waiting to stake
claim on your skin while you’re sleeping.


Eat Healthy
Don’t overlook the effect a healthy diet can have on your skin’s health. Eating certain
foods can help clear up your skin and give it a healthier, prettier tone.









Reducing Acne Scars 
After getting a breakout under control, you’re often left with the unsightly telltale
scars acne can leave behind. And back and bottom acne tend to scar worse than
acne on other parts of your body.

Acne can cause different types of scarring, which require different types of treatment.

In addition to the treatment and prevention tips above, if your back or bottom
acne is more severe, your dermatologist may recommend prescription oral and/
or topical medications or laser and cosmetic procedures that target the skin’s oil
glands to reduce the acne.

Schedule your appointment with us today by calling 831-373-2273 You can also book online at www.montereydayspa.com
Like our Facebook page HERE Follow us on Twitter HERE

Visit our website HERE
View our pins on Pinterest HERE


Article source: ChickRX

Monday, July 15, 2013

What is a Hot Stone Massage?

Don't Get Burned With This Warming Treatment



stone massageHot stone massage uses heated basalt stones to soothe and relax.
Specialty massage where the therapist uses smooth, heated stones, either as an extension of their own hands, or by placing them on the body while they massage other parts of the body. The heat can be both deeply relaxing and help warm up tight muscles so the therapist can work more deeply, more quickly. 


Hot stones warmed by fire were used by Native Americans to treat aching muscles, but the modern revival of hot stones in massage is generally credited to Mary Nelson, a native of Tucson, Arizona. She trademarked her style of hot stone massage, called LaStone Therapy, which has a Native American spiritual component and requires training and certification. 

Most spas offer their own versions of hot stone massage (they might call it lava stone massage, river rock massage, warm stone massage and so on.) A hot stone massage, however, takes a lot of skill and sensitivity on the part of the therapist. 

What Happens During a Hot Stone Massage?

Before you arrive, the massage therapist sanitizes the stones and heats them in bath of 120 to 150 degree water. The stones themselves are usually basalt, a black volcanic rock that absorbs and retains heat well, and have been smoothed by natural forces in the river or sea. 

You usually start face down, with the therapist working on your back. First, the therapist warms up the body with traditional Swedish massage, then massages you while holding a heated stone. As the stone cools, the therapist replaces it with another. The therapist uses many stones of various shapes and sizes -- big ones on the big muscles, smaller ones on smaller muscles. 

The therapist might also leave heated stones in specific points along your spine, in the palms of your hand, on your belly, or even between your toes to improve the flow of energy in your body. Many therapists believe that the stones themselves have an energetic charge and that needs to be maintained by placing them in a spiral pattern, placing them in a full moon periodically. 

Be sure to speak up if the stones are too warm or the pressure too intense. And you can always ask them to stop using the stones if you don't like how it feels.

Who Shouldn't Get Hot Stone Massage?

Hot Stone massage is not appropriate if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, or are on medication that thins your blood. You shouldn't get a hot stone massage if you are pregnant or have a sunburn. You also may want to reconsider if you are menopausal, as it may trigger a hot flash.

Schedule your appointment with us today by calling 831-373-2273
You can also book online at www.montereydayspa.com


Like our Facebook page HERE

Follow us on Twitter HERE

Visit our website HERE

View our pins on Pinterest HERE

Resourse: online