I was watching Eddie Izzard the other night and he was asking, why is it when puberty comes along and you are looking at the opposite sex, and instead of going Uugh, you start saying Mmmm.  But just at this crucial point of your life when you want to look you best, your body decides, no, I am going to cover you in zits and pimples?

Of course, it is puberty that has all your hormones in overdrive, and your body is taking many changes, one of which is hair growth.  It is hair follicles which are the root of acne problems, which become blocked, and result in spots and pimples, normally on the face, neck and back, although pimples can be anywhere over the body.  If they remain under the skin, these whiteheads can hardly be seen, but if they appear above the skin, can look black, hence the term blackheads.  If the spots become inflamed, the can look yellow and we know these as a pimple or zit.

So how do you get rid of blackheads and zits?  My best advice is to use an over the counter cleanser twice a day.  Washing more often than this can irritate pores and actually aggravate the problem, so best to wash gently with your bare hands, every more and at night.  There are no overnight treatments for acne, and it will take a couple of weeks to see results, but persist.

If you do need to get rid of a large pimple in a hurry, you can resort to zit popping.  Gently place you fingers either side of the pimple and then move them closer together, squeezing the zit til it pops.  So,what comes out of pimples when you pop them?  Well it’s not an aphrodisiac and should be disposed of carefully.  It’s simply old blood cells which have accumulated in the area infected.  Popping your pimples will reduce the appearance of them but will not make them totally disappear, so you may want to consider a cosmetic solution.

Many of you have asked what home remedies are out there to cure acne and to be honest I can’t recommend these, as they would have to be strenuously tested.  Some ideas of acne treatment that have been put to me include using toothpaste to get rid of pimples, or spreading yogurt or olive oil on the affected area.  I feel these are effective as the other myth of eating nothing but apples for three days to clear acne.

Dirty skin is not the cause of acne.  Nor for that matter is it chocolate, greasy foods, stress, sex, and a litany of other fables and myths.  Bacteria is responsible for acne.  By cleaning your skin and opening your pores once or twice a day you can help keep a healthy and clear skin.

Okay so you’ve come back home after a day of being on your feet, and for once you decide to let them escape your shoes and give them a rub down.  Buy hey whats this?  My heels don’t look right.  The skin is yellow and thick has formed a callus on the heel and is starting to crack.  How did this happen.

Well for most people the causes of cracked heels, or heel fissures as they are sometimes referred as, can be one or a combination of things. If you spend a lot of time on your feet, if your are overweight, this constant pressure on your heel pads.  Or poor fitting shoes or open back shoes will not cup the heel and give it proper support, allowing it to expand sideways, and eventually crack.

For others cracked heels can be symptomatic of their skin type.  Some medical conditions such as diabetes or eczema, lead to naturally dry skin, and the heel are prone to drying out resulting in dry cracked heels.

So what is the best treatment for cracked heels?  Well first lets look at some simple remedies that you can do yourself.   There are a number of cream moisturizers for available which will soften the heel callus.  A pumice stone can be used to wear away the hardened skin, but never attempt to cut the skin off with a sharp razor or knife.  It better to do a little at a time and gentle ease away the problem.  And of course correctly fitted footwear will always help, with a firm heel cup to ensure support.

For most people these remedies will work, but in some cases you may have to see your doctor who will refer you to Podiatrist or possibly a Dermatologist.  If your heels are very painful when standing, your physician wil strap your foot to hold the cracks together while they heal.  And they can advice on prescription moisturizers and alternative foot supports.

But first it is important to understand which type of skin you have – there is no point in using a skin cream or moisturizer for oily skin if you have the opposite.  There are 5 basic face skin skin types, Dry Skin, Oily Skin, Sensitive Skin, Normal Skin, and most complicated of all, Combination Skin. The last can be tricky and will mean using different facial products on different areas of the face.

A good skin care routine should fall into your daily habits just like brushing your teeth. Taking a few moments each day to look after yourself will help maintain a healthy glowing skin.  After cleansing, use a toner which prepares the skin for moisturizer. A daytime moisturizer may contain a sunscreen but all your products should contain as many natural ingredients as possible

Every week or so, try to exfoliate with a facial scrub or cream. this removes dead skin and unclogs your pores and reveals new shiny skin beneath. For those who suffer with acne, pimples, or just oily skin, exfoliating on a more regular basis will reduce and help eliminate these problems.

Sensitive skin is one that is easily irritated by the product ingredients, such as perfumes and dyes, so again look for product with as many natural ingredients as possible.

If you suspect you have ezcema, please consult with your doctor or dermatologist. Recurring dryness or rashes will need to be checked.

Or course its not just what you put on your skin that counts. You are what you eat, and a healthy diet will improve skin tone. Drinking plenty of water, eating fresh fruit and vegetables, and more fish and less red meat, will not only have you feeling better, but looking younger.

And finally, for the gentlemen. More and more men are now taking care of their looks and often have just as much product in the bathroom as their girlfriend or wife. These poor men have the discomfort of having to shave their face every day, but the best advice is if you can go every other day betweem shaves, do, as this will allow your face some time to recover. Daily cleansing and toning instead of shaving will further help reduce irritation, give an easier shave, and keep you looking good.

There are dozens upon dozens of anti-aging skin creams available, but rememeber also the practable advice. Avoid the sun, wear sunscreen and sunglasses. Stop smoking, reduce your alcohol intake and keep a healthy diet. There is much more to looking younger than applying some cream.

Taking care of your teeth is a lifelong commitment, and one that needs to be practised from a very young age.  Your primary teeth, or baby teeth may only be around for a few years, but teaching children good oral hygiene practice establishes good habits thathopefully they carry on forever.

There are not many people who do not want a white smile full of dazzling teeth.  With the combination of daily brushing, the odd flossing and regular checkups with the denist, you can make sure that not only do your teeth looks good, but stay healthy.

Healthy teeth are not naturally bright white.  Enamel is a natural soft white colour but it is becoming increasingly popular to have your teeth professionally whitened by your dentist, or to buy a tooth whitening kit to do at home.

Remember to always use a good quality toothpaste, or perhaps you’d like to learn how to make your own toothpaste.  Daily brushing will help prevent tooth decay and keep gums healthy and your mouth fresh.

The importance of healthy gums cannot be overstated.  Gums are the foundations and without good oral hygienge, gum disease can result in the loss of many teeth, as well as embarrassing bad breath or halitosis.

There are preventive measure you can take to help your teeth stay in shape for longer.  Talk to your dentist or oral hygienist about fissure sealants, which prevent cavaties from forming.  It can be a costly procedure, and can only be done on teeth which have not been treated previously for a filling or crown, but should ensure further longeviety of your teeth for many years.

Of course no one can guarantee that by regular maintenace alone, that you will not encounter problems with your teeth and at times your denist will recommend braces, fillings and other dental repairs.  And, as a last resort, extractions and eventually dentures.  Now may be a good time to consider dental insurance.

These days it is popular to display what is going on in your mouth.  There are those who look at cavaties and lost teeth as an opportunity to decorate their mouth with gold fillings or complete a gold tooth.  And orthodontic braces which were not so long ago a cause of embarrassment, are now proudly worn by teenagers, although there are some who prefer invisible braces.

For the sports enthusiasts, it is recommended to wear a mouth guard for protection if the is a chance of an injury to the head.  Having spent a lifetime looking after your beautiful smile, take a second to put in a mouth guard.

Most of us will not escape life without experiencing some kind of problem with our feet, and if smelly feet were the only thing we had to worry over, then life would be so much easier.  Our feet are stuck away into dark holes from one end of the day to the other, carrying our weight around, so it’s not unreasonable that from time to time they need a little care.  How many of you have a foot bath in the cupbaord never used?  When is the last time you had a foot rub? Have you ever bought foot massage creams?  The is a multitude of aromatherapy products for feet so why not look after them today?

Parents often take the time to have a baby’s first shoe professionally fitted but as the child develops, shoe fitting becomes less and less of importance.  the truth however, is that the bones in a child’s foot are developing right through up to adulthood, and properly fitting shoes are essential to reduce the likelihood of foot problems later in life.  Simple aids like heel grips and heel cups  as well as small lifts or arch supports, can give feet support as they develop.  And a good quality leather shoe helps the foot breath and reduces foot odur.  Often times, foot problems like fallen arches or flat feet, pronation and even bad foot odor can be traced back to poor footwear or bad early habits.

Almost everyone will at some time experience some disorder of the foot.  Smelly Feet, Athlethes Foot, Ingrown Toenails, or the dreaded Verruca are all very common, but are all very treatable.  Be it a simple Blister, Corn or Callus, to the more painful Hammer Toes (sometimes called claw toes) there are helpful tips and remedies here.  And if you were fit enough to cause yourself a sports injury, we will be discussing various supports and strappings and splints that are available.

We will cover a range of Medicimal Treatments, including Antifungus and Antiseptic creams and ointments, moisturisers for dry skin and cracked heels, and a variety of nail treatments.

Of course prevention is always better than cure, and, with the guidance of your local medical practicioner, a suitable foot orthotic or insole, together with good quality footwear,  can support your feet properly.  Of course insoles, are not just made for medicimal puposes, as there are a variety comfort insoles with extra cushioning, or fleece lined for warmth, or sports performance insoles, deigned to reduce heat and sweaty feet.