A9

Lorraine Cormier

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Summer is over (I'm not sure if it even started), and our skin has paid the price. With too much sun (and not enough protection), junk food and alcohol consumption that replaced our required eight glasses of water we shouldn't wonder where we went wrong.

It really doesn't matter, because we still go through summer with the same zest for life and enjoy all that comes with it, including me. But now that I have noticed a couple of extra lines on my face (and I don't do the sun) it's time to do something to eliminate them and slow down the aging process.

Of course, the first thing to do is increase the amount of water that I drink. It still is eight glasses, but depending on the amount of exercise you do it may be more. One way that I can tell if I'm not drinking enough water is when my lips start to get dry and chapped.

Then we need to remove the dead skin so that our moisturizer can penetrate better. There are different methods of exfoliating our skin; this also includes the whole body. Find yourself a mild exfoliating product that is not to aggressive for your face.

Products that you should beware of are the ones that contain pulverized shells because they can scratch your skin and cause more damage. Be sure to read the directions, and ensure that the exfoliater applies to your skin type.

There are also treatments that your aesthetician can do for you, such as exfoliating products that are more aggressive, peels and microdermabrasion.

Exfoliating products that are made for your body should not be used on your face. They are more aggressive and the skin on your body can tolerate it better. One product that I swear by and that everyone should have is a Renaissance Glove, which works to gently exfoliate your skin. It removes dead skin and is also good for ingrown hairs.

Last but not least, moisturize from head to toe, with the appropriate products. Water feeds your insides and moisturizer feeds the outside.

Growing old is not all it's cracked up to be. Sure, the kids are gone and we are supposed to be financially secure. We still feel young inside and wish the outside would match how we feel inside.

It all comes down to taking care of ourselves right from the beginning. It's never too late, but the later you start the more difficult it will be to repair.

When I used to teach aerobics I would tell the girls "the day you stop putting on your lipstick is the day you stop caring for yourself". So take a few minutes a day to exfoliate and remove the dead skin (and a few lines) and always remember to put on your lipstick.

* Lorraine Cormier is an esthetician who also has years of experience in the medical field. She now operates In Our Hands, a skin care and beauty consultation company. She can be reached at 855-4264 or nrhands@nb.sympatico.ca.