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Shoulders, arms and
back
Shoulders
Two of the main problems which affect shoulders are sunburn and
spots. Sunburn is a very real risk here simply because the skin
is quite thin, with bones close to the surface; also when the
sun is overhead, and at its most intense, your shoulders are
directly in the 'line of fire'! It's therefore important
to be sure that you are adequately protected from the risk of
burning when you go out in the sun.
Spotty shoulders are especially common in adolescence when they
may be an extension of oily, spotty skin on the back or chest.
for guidance on treating spots.
Back
Is your back beautiful? If your weight is what it should be
then the only other likely problem is one of spots. Backs are
especially prone to oilyness and the blemishes which result
from it. The cure is cleanliness. Be sure your back gets a
thorough cleansing every time you bath by using a long-handled
brush, abrasive sponge, backstrap or loofah. This will remove
surface grease and grime, and help to slough off the dead
surface cells which dull the skin and clog the pores. Clean
clothes daily will ensure that grease is not re-deposited.
Weekly applications of a deep-cleansing mask will help to clear
spotty areas but you'll need someone to help you apply it. When
spots are at their worst, a daily dab of liquid cleanser or
astringent followed by treatment cream will help to clear them
up. Backache is a very common complaint. Try to avoid it by
treating your spine with respect. Most problems stem from
handling weights - lifting, carrying, and lowering
-incautiously. Always bend your knees, rather than bending from
the waist, to lift or lower anything heavy ; and always carry
heavy weights close to your body rather than at arm's length.
For low-down tasks, kneel - don't stoop. And when exercising,
always avoid bending down to touch the floor with your knees
stiff. If your job involves standing all day, walk around
whenever you can (this will also help to prevent varicose
veins) and sit down when possible. If you wake with backache,
try sleeping with one or both knees bent up towards your chest.
If backache is a persistent problem, consult your doctor.
Arms
Arms usually present few beauty problems -particularly from the
elbows down.
If hairs on the forearms are very noticeable, it's better to
bleach them, rather than try to remove them. This will make
them much less obvious, and in time can also have the effect of
weakening regrowth. But most women find that the hairs on their
arms are sufficiently fine to be left alone.
Elbows are an area prone to dry, rough skin. Keep this in check
with regular moisturising. If the skin is very hard, a pumice
stone, or rough skin remover cream will get rid of it. Sallow,
dingy skin on elbows can be 'bleached' with lemon juice.
Upper arms tend to present rather more problems. Excess weight
is often deposited here and can be very difficult to get rid
of. Some people feel that their upper arms are too thin and
this can be an equally difficult problem. A third problem,
which comes with age, is loss of muscle tone, resulting in
flabby skin on the inside of the upper arms. Exercise is the
answer to all three problems as it will improve the muscle tone
in each case and help to give the upper arms a firmer
contour.
The skin of the upper arms may be mottled and blotchy due to
poor circulation here. Exercise is again helpful, and it's also
a good idea to massage the area with a loofah while you're in
the bath, and use a hand or body lotion afterwards. A paste of
coarse salt mixed with baby oil can also be applied to good
effect.
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