| Skin: Ayurveda describes the skin as one among | | | | "VATA" , "PITTA" and "KAPHA". Treatments |
| the "PANCHANHANENDRIYAS". We feel with our | | | | such as "VAMANA" or emesis, "VIRECHANA" or |
| skin. The skin is the most exposed part of our | | | | purgation are recommended. These treatments |
| body and is hence the most affected area of our | | | | help in detoxifying the body. |
| body. It is more prone to diseases since the dirt, | | | | The changes in lifestyle: The changes in the |
| grime, polluted air and exhaust from the vehicles | | | | lifestyle and the use of chemicals affect the skin |
| all gets accumulated here. Hence skin is to be | | | | a lot. Extensive use of soaps, shampoos and the |
| given proper care. | | | | like causes dryness. The skin of some people is |
| The things that affect the skin: | | | | extremely sensitive and bleaching and other |
| Changes in weather: Often we have to go out. | | | | beauty therapies cause blemishes on the skin. We |
| The summer takes the toll on the exposed part | | | | do not have the time to take care of the skin |
| of the skin and heat tends to darken the skin. | | | | these days and hence the skin looks old very |
| Tan is often good. But overexposure to sun can | | | | easily due to the lack of proper care. Extensive |
| cause even small-scale burns and blackening. | | | | use of makeups results in premature ageing. Our |
| Hence the part that is more often exposed to | | | | grandmothers knew how to take good care of |
| sun becomes dark whereas that part of the skin, | | | | the skin with oils and other natural herbs |
| which remains under the dress, retains the original | | | | Food: Use of fried food is on the increase now |
| color. People often complain about this change in | | | | days. People have no time for a regular meal and |
| color especially on the face. Lot of sunscreen | | | | they often end up eating junk food from the |
| lotions is available in the market and is prescribed | | | | roadside. Often children take these fries, which |
| for this problem. Winter poses another problem- | | | | comes in packet for their snacks to school daily. |
| dryness of the skin. The skin becomes dry during | | | | The use of these may cause eruptions on the |
| the winter season, which often leads to the | | | | skin. To have a good skin one must include a lot |
| ageing. The skin looks old due to the dryness. | | | | of leafy vegetables, fruits etc in their menu. |
| Companies manufacture and market lot of lotions | | | | Tension: Stress and tension has become a part of |
| specially made for this purpose. | | | | our modern day life. Hypertension is the most |
| Atmospheric pollution: Since we are living in an era | | | | common disease. This leads to numerous ailments, |
| of pollution, many diseases which were not heard | | | | which can also affect the skin. |
| of earlier are very common nowadays. As | | | | Remedies: Ayurveda recommends "ABHYANGA" |
| mentioned in the introduction, the exhaust fumes | | | | or oil bath. Oil bath is the most effective medicine. |
| coming out from the vehicles and dirt and grime | | | | It acts as a tonic for the skin. Massaging the body |
| affect the skin. The skin loses its glow after | | | | with oil and then washing it off with herbs like |
| some time. It is a very difficult task to preserve | | | | gram flour, besan, rita, amla etc can work |
| the glow and texture of the skin. | | | | wonders on the skin. This will help to have a |
| Ailments: Various skin ailments are on the rise | | | | glowing skin and also acts as a precaution for skin |
| these days. Of these the most common ones are | | | | ailments. From childhood itself it is recommended |
| Luekoderma and Psoriasis. Both were very rare | | | | to use oil on the baby and have a herbal wash. |
| earlier but are quite common now days. In | | | | Including leafy vegetables is essential for good |
| Luekoderma , the body is not able to produce a | | | | skin. Drink lot of water and wash the face with |
| pigment called "MELANIN" which gives the skin its | | | | water as many times as possible. Fruits like |
| characteristic colour and thus certain parts shows | | | | pappaya, cucumber etc can be pulped and applied |
| white patches which is prominently seen. It looks | | | | to get a glowing skin. Honey prevents ageing of |
| like disfigurement in some cases especially when it | | | | the skin and it also helps in easy healing of |
| is seen in the face. This has become common | | | | wounds. Turmeric is an antiseptic and also |
| irrespective of the climatic conditions or the places | | | | enhances skin colour. Henna leaves pasted with a |
| we live in. Equally seen is Psoriasis. The number of | | | | little turmeric and betel leaves were used for |
| patients suffering from these diseases is on the | | | | applying mehendi on the hands and feet before. |
| high. People suffering from psoriasis often develop | | | | Apart from beautifying purpose, this also was |
| allergy like itching and blemishes on the skin. These | | | | good for the skin. This paste when applied on the |
| are often seen as small spots, which gradually | | | | feet helped to control fungus infection during rainy |
| spread to other parts of the body. Treatment | | | | seasons. |
| would be more effective if started in the initial | | | | There are numerous remedies mentioned in |
| stages. These have no effective cure in Modern | | | | Ayurveda for skin care but above all, a healthy |
| Medicine other than intake of steroids. Ayurveda | | | | mind is necessary for a healthy skin. |
| relates these to the vitiation of humors like | | | | |