SKIN CARE (Twachya)

Introduction | Causes | Symptoms

Prevention | Ayurvedic Treatment

 

Introduction to skin care

The skin is considered to be the most important organ as it is the first and foremost layer of the human body

Apart from plenty of its functions there are some amazing facts about skin:

The skin plays vital role in our life. This is the most powerful and protective membrane as it guards deeper tissues against the loss of water and salts. This guards against the invasion of millions of pathogens every day. The skin works as glandular secretions as for sebaceous glands which secrets sebum that works as surface lubricant and sweat whose evaporation aids body cooling.

This is the great receptor for the sensations like it allows the adjustments to environment through pressure, pain, temperature touch etc. The skin also regulates the temperature in the body. This gives massage to the brain – hypothalamus gland regarding increasing or decreasing the temperature.

This allows certain medications to work as topical drugs. We apply plenty of lotions and creams to get rid of skin diseases or itching or nourishing the internal organs.

It supports the body and is considered to be one of the main physical attractions in the society. It has

Since the skin carries social, mental and physical importance it has to be protected by any means. It gets damaged by many ways and so protections. In Ayurveda, the skin is having seven layers with different names and structure. This is considered generally as the by product of rakta dhatu & mamsa dhatu (the blood and the muscles).

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Causes of skin damage

There are as many as hundreds of diseases of the skin. The causes vary from disease to disease. Whatever the reason, one must protect the skin to get diseased or getting damage.

Usually it is difficult to hide any skin lesions and they also produce more mental disquiet. Skin blemishes like blotches and pimples are common among all skin ailments. These can be found on any part of the body though as a rule they usually appear more prominently on the neck, chest, face and back. at the time of puberty, the skin lesions in terms of either pimples or black-white heads make this age group worried a lot. During the adolescence there is a huge change in the glandular activity in the body like there will be more oil formed in the oil-glands of the skin and the same time, there will be little or nor restriction of appetite which again give raise to skin lesions.

Apart from the pimples, the most common skin ailments are simple dermatitis and eczema. They result from the non-specific infections of the skin. The pimples are nothing but the chronic inflammatory changes in which there are few or many skin lesions varying from minute to large in shape.

Ayurveda believes that when the digestive system is poor and the food is not being digested properly, the bad or waste material is formed and leads to skin problems. The Pitta Dosha that governs the skin gets disturbed and produces the skin lesions or skin diseases.

Other than the internal infections, any cut or wound may give rise to skin diseases. If the pores are getting blocked the sebum (secretions under the skin to keep them moist) starts getting accumulated and produces swelling. Furthermore the body’s defense mechanism in the form of blood cells rushes to the affected site where the microorganisms have seated with the swelling and this give rise to pimples.

Many cosmetics which are muddy or greasy in nature block the openings on the skins and produce the skin lesions. Environmental changes may also contribute producing the skin lesions. The dust particles, smoke, pollens and dander also stuck to the skin and produce the skin trouble. Unhygienic conditions and improper way of bathing with harmful chemical soaps or shower gel also result into the skin lesions. The allergy due to drug, food, drink or any other factors are known to produce the skin disorders.

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Symptoms of the skin problems

However the symptoms depend on the disease or the condition one has. From the small lesions to huge patch, the skin diseases always trouble people. In pimples people may suffer from black or white heads initially. Some pimples may develop pus within it and may bleed sometimes.

In urticaria the skin has rashes and can occur anywhere in the body. The intensity is more on hands and back. In purpura there will be purplish discoloration on the skin that is produced by small bleeding vessels just nearer to the outer surface of the skin. This may also present in the mucous membrane as in the lining of the mouth and sometimes also in internal organs.

In scales there are visible flaking or peeling of outer layers of skin. Skin abscess refers to the elevated skin lesions in which there will be collection of pus due to infections. Skin flushing or blushing is something fulminant reddening of the neck, face and occasionally upper chest.

The patchy skin or irregular discoloration is caused by variations in pigmentation caused by melanin density. Mottled or mottling skin refers to especially to vascular changes on the skin which may appear like patch.

The clammy skin is usually pale, moist and cool to touch. The skin affected by sun burn appears swollen and reddish. The bluish color of the skin refers to lack oxygen supply known as cyanosis.

The scar appears like zigzag as in herpes infections. There are innumerable infections that affect the skin giving different signs and symptoms.

Ayurveda describes many types of the skin diseases. When the skin is affected by Vata Dosha, it appears slight brownish or blackish and becomes cool to touch. The Pitta Dosha affected skin appears yellowish and there will be sensation of burning. The Kapha Dosha affected skin is fleshy and sometimes producing itching. The skin affected by all the doshas will have all the mix symptoms.

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Prevention and protection for skin

The skin care is important for the social as well as physical maintenance of the body. There are certain points to be remembered while taking care of skin. They are mentioned below

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Ayurvedic treatment for skin care

Ayurveda approaches skin in a very unique ways. There are many herbs that work on the skin and make it healthy. The drugs that work on the skin are usually Pitta Dosha pacifier.

Ayurveda has plenty of herbs and formulas which are time tasted and proven for their efficacy.

Certain formulas which works on purifying the blood and hence gives better look to the skin are mentioned below.

• Triphala churnam (triphala powder, to be taken at bed time to correct bowel movements)