By Dr. E. Xavier Tinsley, M.D.
PART 1
Society only recently began to accept the fact that Black skin really is different. This includes doctors as well. Black skin not only looks different it is different. Those differences are biochemical in nature and DNA driven. If you have any doubts ask yourself does the sun affect Blacks and Whites differently. Do Black and Whites heal and scar differently. How often have you seen a White person with a Keloid and how often have you seen a Black person with Skin Cancer? Now that we established that Black skin is different lets not make the mistake of assuming that all Black is the same. Black skin can be oily, dry, combination, acne prone, sensitive, etc. Regardless of the individual specific skin type Flawless Black skin be achieved by everyone.
Science supports these findings and as a result products, services and procedures geared toward our specific needs are rapidly becoming available. The other part of the issue is us. We are far more sophisticated about our hair care then we are about our skin care. There are four sequential steps to achieving flawless beautiful skin. Imagine no blemishes, no pimples, no moles, no scars and no makeup. I support glamour makeup but I am strongly opposed to camouflage makeup. In every church I have ever been in there are always some 60-65 year old women that just as good as the 40-45 year old women. Everybody is cute at 25, the trick is being competitive at 65. They have two things in common, one they are close to ideal body weight (whose ideal body weight these days), two they have beautiful skin. You don’t get beautiful skin at 60 if you start taking care of it at 59. Do you want to turn heads or break necks? By the way, I am a Plastic Surgeon and Black skin researcher, not a Dermatologist.
If you follow these simple steps in sequence you will be very happy. If you don’t follow these steps in sequence you may spend a lot of money and many frustrated days in the mirror putting on camouflage makeup. The steps; 1 water 2 Colon 3 Products 4 services. Note that products are not the first step. I know many will disagree with me including some notable physicians. For those that disagree, please refer to the text “Ethnic Considerations in Facial Plastic Surgery”. Yours truly wrote the chapter on Black skin. The chapter on the Asian eye was written by an Asian Plastic Surgeon. The chapter on the Mediterranean nose was written by a Mediterranean Plastic Surgeon. You get the picture?
Water
I recommend the consumption of 64 ounces of water a day. That’s 8, 8 ounce glasses or 4 average 16 ounce bottles. There are a lot of equations out there, most based on body weight. Math really isn’t necessary. If you don’t like water I have to encourage you to still drink it. Yes high Ph water is best but not necessary to achieve Flawless skin. It takes the body about three weeks to get used to the water. During those three weeks you will urinate a lot. That will eventually stop and the opposite will happen, you will get thirsty very easily. If you have a job that will make this three weeks difficult focus on getting your water after work. Drink 16 ounces as soon as you arise. I’m not particular about the temperature of water. I prefer it cold but will drink it room temperature. Put a bottle on your night stand to remind you. Hopefully you will “go” before you leave him. Then catch up on the 3 remaining bottles after work. You will never have that youthful glow and texture if your skin is dehydrated.
PART 2
In Part 1 we established the sequence to achieving flawless beautiful skin. This sequence is true for all ethnic groups. The focus for varies for each skin type but the sequence does not vary. The order is as follows; 1water, 64 ounces a day recommended step 2 colon (the condition of the colon has a lot to do with the condition of the skin) step 3 products step services. Part 1 covered the background and step 1 in great detail. We will now review the remaining steps to achieving Flawless skin.
Colon
The condition of the colon has a lot to do with the condition of the skin. You should have a bowel movement with every meal. We accept one a day as normal but in actuality it isn’t. If you have ever changed a diaper, you know in one end out the other. That’s normal. When you eat the stomach distends activating the gastro-colic reflex which should result in elimination shortly thereafter. Your colon is the source of toxins. A Clean Colon and a dirty diet are much better than a clean diet and a dirty colon. If you are not having elimination with each meal you are accumulating toxins and there is nothing you can put in your mouth to eat that’s worse then what’s already in your system in your colon. If this is you, you should consider a 30 day detox. The ideal detox both cleanses and strengthens the colon. The 30 day detox must be done only after the body is well hydrated. This is step 2, if you haven’t been well hydrated for a full month you are not ready for the detox. It makes a difference be patient you will be so very happy.
Products
The very best way to choose products is to first have a skin analysis performed by an esthetician. To choose wisely you must first know your skin type. When changing products you want to do so gradually. If you stop the product your skin is accustomed to and start a new product abruptly you may breakout. I recommend that you introduce your skin to a new product by using it initially at night time only and your usual products in the morning. Black skin is very sensitive to dehydration and very sensitive to inflammation. You want to use a product that hydrates, and contains natural anti-inflammatories. An effective cleanser will also control oil.
Services
Facials: A deep pore facial once a quarter by an aesthetician familiar with Black skin.
Exfoliation: exfoliate once a week at home. You can use your night time cleanser to exfoliate by using it to make a lather in a loofa glove and massaging your face and neck gently for 4-6 minutes. Cells should mature then fall off, as we age they tend to stick creating layers of dead cells not visible to the naked eye.
For more information visit www.flawlessbydrtinsley.com
