Wednesday, March 26, 2008

OH NO!!! IS THAT A ZIT ON MY FACE???

Dear Friend…

Ever look into a mirror and see a zit appear out of nowhere? And have you watched it getting bigger and redder by the minute?

Here’s the simplest, fastest and cheapest way to keep that pimple from becoming Mt Everest.

Apply ice to the spot for five minutes then remove it for 15 minutes before reapplying for another 5 minutes. Repeat this process for up to an hour. I swear that the zit will shrink before our eyes! I’ve used this myself and recommended to clients who have had equally good results.

It’s really important to give your skin that 15 minute rest before reapplying the ice because prolonged use of the ice may cause damage to the lower layers of your skin where new cells are generated.

How Do Pimples Form?

Attached to the base of each hair follicle is an oil gland that secretes lubricant to keep our skin moist and supple while making our hair shiny and healthy. Inside every hair follicle are millions of bacteria whose only purpose in life is to digest excess oil produced by this gland as well as the dead skin cells that shed from the lining of the follicle. (I really hope you’re not eating while reading this!)
When the dead cell layer on the surface of our skin thickens, even a little; it can form a cap over the follicle causing a backup of the oil. The bacteria, presented with this ‘all you can eat buffet’ start reproducing faster to keep up with the supply. As the bacteria levels increase, however, the lining of the follicle is irritated.

Guess what happens next! Yes, the oil gland starts churning out more oil to soothe the irritation. Then our busy bacteria start to reproduce even faster.

Happily this cycle doesn’t go on forever otherwise we’d be walking around with pimples the size of turnips on our face. (I know you sometimes think your zit is the size of a turnip but let’s be real here!)

How Does It Work?

Using ice breaks the cycle because bacteria hate cold. First, the cold slows reproduction and then it kills the remaining bacteria.

As a side benefit the cold also reduces the inflammation that is caused by our white cells fighting the infection. Yes, a pimple is a localized infection. Ewww! Anyway the swelling and redness will diminish quickly, too!

Please try this remedy a time or two. I’d love to hear about your results as well as your comments.


Hugs,

Carolyn