Introduction:
We all know that getting perfect, spot-free, and flawless skin is impossible. However, we can maintain the texture of our skin with the right skincare products and without giving up our daily routine. Unfortunately, in our day-to-day life, we expose our skin to harmful substances unknowingly, resulting in various skin problems. Still, there are some tips to maintain smooth skin which have to be taken seriously to obtain the best results.
What Causes a Dull, Rough, and Aged Skin?
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Lack of sun protection.
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Chronic exposure to irritants.
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Damaged skin barrier.
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Over exfoliation.
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Stress.
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Ingredients in skincare products may cause dryness.
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Menopause in older individuals.
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Genetic conditions like psoriasis, eczema, and keratosis pilaris.
How Can You Achieve Smooth Skin?
It may not sound possible to revitalize the dull skin into a smooth one. But that does not mean one should give up. There are some tips recommended by dermatologists to achieve smooth and glossy skin.
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Diet Modification: Taking in processed foods, refined carbohydrates, and alcohol can cause the destruction of good bacteria in the gut, thereby manifesting inflammation in the skin. So certain modifications in the diet are to be done to achieve a smooth skin. Diet should contain vitamins and antioxidants, which boost the skin's defense potential against free radicals. They can be gained through vegetables and fruits. Omega-3 fatty acid in fish is good for the skin. A diet containing vitamin A, C, and zinc helps repair the skin.
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Take Rest: In our busy day-to-day work, we are piled up with lots of work, stress, and anxiety. In such a situation, we do not allow our body to rest which stands as one of the reasons for premature aging of the skin. Lack of sleep can lead to sunken, dry skin, wrinkles, and under-eye darkness. To avoid these skin conditions, sleep well for about seven hours to eight hours a day and feel the change.
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Regular Exercise: Working out regularly increases the blood volume on the face, thereby providing micronutrients and healing properties to the skin of the face. It helps in reducing inflammation in the skin and prevents free radical damage.
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Cleansing and Exfoliation: Cleanser allows the removal of pores clogged with dirt, and makeup while maintaining the moisture content in the skin. It thus gives a smooth, radiant appearance to the skin. Exfoliation aids in the removal of dead skin cells from the top layers of the skin. It can be done physically as well as chemically. Chemical exfoliation involves the use of peels and scrubs which comes under the usual skincare routine. Physical exfoliation involves the use of dry brushes, exfoliating gloves, etc. Exfoliation can be done also for lips. Gentle brushing of lips with a toothbrush immersed in warm water prevents cracked lips by eliminating the dead cells on the lips.
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Use Moisturizers: Whatever the skin type, it is essential to use a moisturizer to keep the skin moist, balance the sebum production, and prevent dryness of the skin. Lotions and creams are oily products that remove the dead cells and form a smooth oily coating on the skin. It is essential to note the skin type before purchasing a moisturizer, and for best results, a moisturizer should be followed by oil to seal the moisture.
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Stay Hydrated: More one drinks water, the more hydrated the skin appears. Water helps in flushing out the toxins and enhances its metabolic activities. Drinking eight glasses to ten glasses of water and eating five servings of vegetables and fruits would help the skin get hydrated.
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Sun Protection: Chronic exposure to the sun is one of the major reasons for skin damage. It destroys the collagen production that makes up the connective tissue of the skin. So a broad-spectrum sunscreen is required to build a defense against the ultraviolet rays of the sun.
What Are the Methods of Deep Exfoliation for Skin Smoothing?
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Chemical Peeling: Chemical peeling is one of the best methods for skin smoothing. It helps tighten the skin, maintain the tone, brighten the skin, and minimize the age spots, fine lines, and wrinkles. There are different types of chemical peels, such as glycolic peel, lactic peel, pigment balancing peel, vitamin C peel, and revitalization peel each of which has different actions. Some people can notice improvement even in a single peel-off procedure.
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Microdermabrasion and Dermabrasion: Microdermabrasion uses a fine abrasive tool or a cream containing abrasive particles which renew the skin cells. It aids in the removal of the top layers of the skin and can be used on the face, neck, and body. Dermabrasion is a skin-resurfacing procedure that acts deeper on the skin and it is not recommended for all skin types.
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Laser Skin Resurfacing: In this method, a beam of light is focused on the skin to improve the skin tone and texture, and reduce the fine lines and wrinkles. It also helps in treating redness and pigmentation. It increases collagen production and also eliminates unwanted hair and scars.
What Are the Ingredients to Look For to Achieve a Smooth Skin?
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Alpha hydroxy acid and beta hydroxy acid help in the exfoliation of the dead cells from the skin and clear the dirt from the pores and are effective against acne.
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Retinol prevents premature aging of the skin by increasing the turnover rate of the skin cells.
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Azelaic acid is an exfoliating agent used in combination with beta hydroxy acid to exfoliate dead skin cells. They are also active against acne and have skin-smoothing properties.
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Urea keeps the skin hydrated and maintains the skin barrier.
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Vitamin C reduces the pores and gives an even skin tone.
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Ceramide enhances the barrier properties of the skin and prevents skin from further damage.
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Niacinamide helps in treating pores, fine lines, acne, and wrinkles.
Conclusion:
Staying focused on the daily routine is the first and foremost step in achieving smooth skin. It is the responsibility of the individual to spend some time apart from daily activities to attain the perfect skin they expect. The individual should not lose hope if not able to notice any changes in the skin. They should be patient enough, which would reflect the benefits later.