Sometimes I feel flaky.....

photo by Cherrie Hanson

Dry skin happens every winter, for some it starts in the fall with weird patches on the scalp, body, or face. A doctor can label the type of dry skin, psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis, etc, but they rarely diagnose the source of the problem.
Your 15 minutes affords you medication recommendations, or removal of body parts for your symptoms. For some, this is equal to care. For chronic problems it is a temporary fix.

You must foster a keen relationship with your body, and become your own doctor.
It’s absurd not to understand the basic mechanics of your body, the
logical functions installed in its programming, ready to heal and regulate.
The brain that governs your body guides the whole organism like
the President of a great country. (Sorry, I am watching the Inauguration right now) Empower yourself with knowledge, take pride and responsibility for the miracle that is your body, and never underestimate the possibilities to change it.

I will simplify the sources of dry skin so you can determine which behaviors or habits you can change to alleviate the symptoms for good.

DEHYDRATION
Are you simply dehydrated? In the summer when we feel thirsty, it’s easier to
get the water we need. In his book, “Your body’s many cries for water” F. Batmanghelidj’s recommended daily dose is half your body weight in ounces per day.
If you drink coffee, alcohol, or eat too much salt, you will need to be diligent about water because these items seriously dehydrate.
Debate exists about the best water, however, my studies have concluded,
that which quenches your thirst, and is agreeable to taste, is the best choice.
I love electrolyte water. It is collected steam, minus the problem chemicals, enhanced with vitamins and minerals that help absorption. Remember this: Water washes your system, carries the bad stuff out, especially thru the skin and bladder. Wash your insides! Shower them daily to cleanse, purify, and keep the engines running happy.

A recent article in “Energy Times” stated, “Drinking pure water is a no-brainer but
installing a chlorine filter to shower under and fill your tub with is critical”. I agree!! Many years ago I added a triple filter to remove chlorine, heavy metals, and micro-monsters like cryptosporidium. My hair and skin changed dramatically. I also use this filtered water to cook and drink. I make filters available to my clients so they can avoid minerals like iron that damage hair and adversely affect its beauty. Installation is fast, easy, and the cost is about $70. The filter can last up to 2 yrs. depending on how many showers per day.

DIET
I found an interesting cause for the dry skin problem - too much sugar in the diet.
The chemical process called glycation causes premature wrinkling and inflammation.
Reduce the sugar and add some essential fatty acids. The hype of the Omegas is valid,
especially for the skin.
Included in the bevy of good skin-o-mins is vitamin E, sulfur found in MSM, and
vitamin A. I notice a softness in my skin when I eat avocadoes regularly.
A small change can make a big difference.

SKIN PRODUCTS
What are you putting on that skin? What is the ph of your shampoo? Is there petroleum
in your lotion or moisturizer? Now that you are a super agent investigating your body, you must consider these external culprits.

A major determinant of choosing shampoo should be its ph. The ph of your skin can be
altered by the product you apply to it, therefore pick products close to your natural ph. The skin is around 7 and the scalp is 4.5 to 5.5
If it is not listed on the bottle, call the company. If it’s labeled, then the company is choosing to make it a priority. I only retail shampoos with skin friendly ph.

As I wrote in my article “The Golden Elixirs” jojoba is a perfect, all encompassing moisturizer. Check other moisturizers for mineral oil or petroleum ingredients. You may feel better using these products, but what you don’t see or feel can be damaging. Petroleum oils build up on the skin like saran wrap. Eventually this coating blocks the release of hormones and other toxins through the skin. It’s a false remedy because it masks the problem, leaving more in its quake. The cost effectiveness up front, will cost more in the end. Don’t be stingy with your body!

ROUTINES
A small, but important factor, is heat. Reduce the temperature of your shower water, and temperature of your blow-dryer, or purchase one with a variable control.

If you take prescription drugs, dry skin may be unavoidable to some degree, so consider the other options to hydrate and moisturize to find some balance.

In summary, you will have dry skin again, but now you are ready and armored to “weather”
the moments in life when you are feeling flaky….