Enhancing your Performance through Skin Care

Enhancing Your Performance through Skin Care
By Nadiyah

The audience loves to watch you radiate with your natural beauty and inner zeal as you perform the dance. What a shame it would be if they were transfixed upon a skin care problem and missed the entire performance. If it is serious enough, a skin problem could be a serious distraction.

The Basics
Some people are blessed with perfect skin; their “normal” skin appears flawless even when they do little to care for their skin. Others, however, are not so fortunate and must take care to move their skin to a more balanced state. To neutralize any extremes in the skin, these people must first be aware of the different skin types and where their skin fits in the spectrum of oily to dry skin types. Here are some questions to ask when determining your skin type:

1. Does the skin shine during the day? Is the shine all over or only in the T-zone (eyebrows-to-nose area)?
2. Does the skin have oily and/or dry patches?
3. Does the skin flake easily?

If the tendency is to shine, then the skin type is “oily.” Cleansing, toning, and moisturizing products specifically designed for oily skin types would be most appropriate. If the products make your skin feel thirsty or too tight, then they are too harsh and a gentler formula would be better. Oily skin should be washed with the hands, not a wash cloth. Rubbing a cloth against the face could cause the skin to excrete more oil. Beware of the ‘spot’ products that are sold to shrink pimples. Depending on how they are formulated, they may kill the collagen in that location and replace the pimple with a wrinkle or even worse -- a scar.

If the skin shines and flakes, then the skin is type “combination.” A gentle, non-greasy cleanser, a gentle toner, and a face moisturizer designed for combination skin are suggested. If the cleanser or moisturizer leaves your facing feel too tight or too heavy, then adjust the combination accordingly.

If the skin flakes easily, then the skin type is “dry” and a moisturizing cleanser, toner, and face lotion are best. If the skin quickly drinks up the lotion and still feels too tight, then a face cream would be more appropriate. Some people have had best luck with a face lotion during the day and a cream at night.

No matter what the skin type is, a gentle eye cream should also be applied under the eye. The skin there is 1/7th the size of the rest of the skin and needs special care because of its frailty. Be sure to apply the cream with the ring finger or pinkie’s tip by patting the cream onto the area. Avoid rubbing, tugging, or pulling this area if possible. It is critical that the eye cream is not placed on the eye lid. The cream can melt into the eye and cause great havoc by clogging the tear ducts.

Finally, once a week, a gentle exfoliant should be utilized to remove the dead skins cells and the hardened sebum (blackheads). Plenty of glycolic acids and alpha hodroxy acids, such as Avon’s Anew line and Arbonne’s Nutrimin RE9 C line, are on the market. Depending on the concentration contained in the lotion or cream, these acids reduce the need for exfoliating. These acids provide a mild chemical peel, so the cells are already being lifted. (Note: If considering these products, please do a spot check to make sure they are right for you. I know someone who tried a lower-priced brand and encountered 9 ingrown pimples overnight. It took her about one month to recover. Test one item in the product line at a time as well. The cleanser may be too harsh for your skin, but the lotion feels great.)

Beyond the Basics
Even if the skin’s type has been correctly determined and the corresponding products are applied, the skin may still show some complications. The problems could arise from transitioning, from allergies, from lack of internal hydration, and/or from the external environment.

When switching skin care products, the skin may flare up. It could become pimpled, red, heated, or break out in a rash. If the skin pimples even though the new product makes your skin feel good, then it may be transitioning itself for the new product. This is a normal reaction and it may take two to four weeks for your skin to adjust. If after four weeks, the skin is still pimpled, then the product is probably not the right formula for your skin. (Before you toss out the skincare, make sure it isn’t your fingernail polish that is causing the problem. To avoid any confusion, you may want to keep your hands nail-polish free during the transition period.) If the skin burns or responds with the other symptoms as noted, then wash the face immediately and avoid using the product anymore. Cool the face with cold water. Apply aloe vera if necessary.

No matter what your skin type is, drinking several glasses of water a day helps to clean out the toxins within the body while hydrating the skin from the inside out. Toxins may get trapped in the skin if not flushed out appropriately. Thus, the clogging of the pores and pimples abound. Likewise, maintain a healthy diet. The skin needs the essential vitamins and minerals to maintain its natural beauty. Moreover, deep-fried foods and chocolate appear to cause some people to break out.

If you are following the proper skin care regimen, maintain a healthy diet, and still have skin break outs, then look at your work and home environment. Stress and pollution can cause great harm to your skin. Do what you can to lower the effects upon your body and your psyche.

Tending to the Extreme
Whether it stems from allergies, genes, diet, stress, pollution, or a combination of things, talking with a dermatologist would be appropriate when contending with extreme skin complications. For excessive acne, scarring, or wrinkles, the doctor may prescribe Retina-A or other Vitamin A derivatives. These are chemical peels, so the first month of use can be painful and embarrassing. These products may also lead to sun sensitivities. In conjuction with the treatment creams, the doctor might also prescribe tetracycline or oral contraceptives to reduce pimple breakouts. Some people have reported teeth sensitivities with the use of tectracycline, but they also noted an improved skin condition. Another treatment for acne and wrinkles involves the laser. This feels like a gentle electrocution and leaves bruises. Depending on the amount of skin damage, three or four laser treatments may be necessary over a 24 week period.

Other Things to Note
Read the product labels carefully. If the product label states that you must avoid sun exposure, pay attention. The product may have an ingredient that could cause you to have an adverse reaction to the sun such as excessive burning or an enraged rash. This article only reflects general care and is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. If you are unsure as to how to approach skin care, please see a dermatologist.

Conclusion
By taking good care of your skin, you are more able to focus on your belly dance performance. If you know you look your best and feel good, that internal glow of confidence radiates externally. Your audience not only sees your dance skill and talent, but the beautiful energy that you emit. In turn, your presentation moves from good to spectacular.