Obesity is a worldwide health issue. The World Health Organization reports that in 2008 more than 1.4 billion adults, 20 and older, were overweight. Of these over 200 million men and nearly 300 million women were obese.

But, addressing weight loss with a teen, already in the throes of hormonal surges that upset their emotional balance, can be a touchy subject.

Although important to address, the subject must be approached in a compassionate and patient manner. It is also important to remember that teenagers do not have the emotional and mental developmental level of an adult.

Teenagers can be annoyed with excess fat on their body and they often have a distorted body image. When weight loss is addressed with teenagers these issue must be included in the plan. Without an understanding that teens see themselves differently than they really are, you will not be able to help motivate them to continue to make healthy life choices.

Some teens may need to see a nutritionist to evaluate their eating and determine how to change their habits. Professionals can often give teenagers advice that they accept rather than from their families and friends. Professionals are more distant and they do not have as much invested in the relationship.

Dry itchy skin is irritating and embarrassing. It is often obviously red, irritated, itchy and flaky. It is even worse when the skin over your face is dry and tight. You are uncomfortable all day and feel like everyone can see the skin stretched tightly over your cheeks and lips.

Dry skin can occur at any time of the year, but it is more common during the winter or cold months when the humidity is lower and the environmental factors are more harsh. The low temperatures, low humidity, and dry air from the furnace suck the moisture right out of your skin – from your face and the rest of your body. (1)

During the winter months the oils glands do not supply enough lubrication to the skin; as a result the skin becomes dry and dehydrated. For some individuals dry skin is not related to the environmental factors but to a genetic or hereditary conditions.

Other conditions that contribute to dry facial skin are poor nutrition, underlying medical condition such as underactive thyroid, diabetes or drugs used to treat high blood pressure.

Skin toners are liquids or lotions that have more than one purpose in the care of facial skin. Sometimes toners are confused or mislabeled as astringents, which have another purpose.

Let’s start with astringents. Astringents are designed to cleanse the skin of the final environmental waste and toxins that are deposited on the skin during the day and the dead skin cells that accumulate during the night time hours.

Astringents are usually drying and shouldn’t be used more than several times per week and are specifically designed to fight the effects of oil and sebum on the development of acne and pimples.

Teens and those with oily skin who choose to use an astringent or toner with alcohol or witch hazel should be warned that stripping away too much oil will cause the skin to over produce sebum and make the problem much worse. Alcohol also will help to dissolve the collagen directly below the skin which aids in the effects of premature aging. (1)

On the other hand toner also serves the purpose of cleansing the skin after a good washing but it is milder and designed to be used daily, and even twice daily. Toners tend to nourish the skin and keep them hydrated while astringents are more drying and tend to strip the skin of oils.

The effects of removing dirt, grime, environmental toxins, irritants and excess oil from the face creates a positive environment in the effort to reduce blemishes and prevent premature aging.

Part of this overall process is the use of facial cleansers and facial washes. Gentle cleansers should always be used before any topical treatments are applied, whether for acne treatment or anti-aging treatments, in order to decrease irritation to the skin and remove the environmental toxins you encounter each day.

When searching for a facial wash look for one that is ‘oil free’ or non-comedogenic (meaning it doesn’t aggravate acne or clog pores). Cleansing products should be mild and not over drying which is essential for daily skin care. People who have inflammatory acne, acne that causes the skin to turn red, should avoid any products that have scrubbing agents or beads that can aggravate their condition.

Some products that are designed for individuals who have acne also contain products such as 2% salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. Most of the time, the medication is washed off when the cleanser is rinsed from the face. However, leaving a little on the face and mixing it with another layer of medication you put on afterward can cause more problems than it’s worth. It is always best to use a gentle cleanser and medication afterward.

Did you know that the skin on your face is not the same as it is on the rest of your body? As we age facial skin requires a different set of products and care than does the skin over your abdomen or legs.

The skin around your eyes is even more sensitive and prone to aging than any other part of your body. And, it is your eyes that often first tell the story of your age to those who you meet.

So, instead of just focusing attention to the wrinkles or acne we should also pay attention to the tender skin around the eyes that reflect damage and aging so easily.

Lines, wrinkles, dark circles, sagging skin and puffiness all make us look tired and older than we really are. However, by choosing the right eye cream to nourish and support the cellular structure around the eye we can change that picture.

Eye cream formulas come as serums, gels, creams and lotions and should be chosen depending upon your skin type, color and age. Moisturizers that are produced for the rest of the face are also not opthalmologist tested or formulated specifically to work around or near the eyes. They can cause irritation and damage to the eye itself as the creams migrate over the eyelashes and into the eye.