Welcome to blacknets Health and Beauty pages here you will find  tips on how to improve your  health, hair and skin, although our articles are primarily aimed at African and Caribbeans some of them will be useful to Europeans and   other none blacks. If you have any tips that you think will be useful to others please feel free to submit them through the article submissions button on the left hand side of the page.  

 

SKIN CARE

Myth #1:  Black skin cannot burn:

Despite popular beliefs, black skin is just as susceptible to elements of weather, sun and pollution, as any other skin type.  As a matter of fact, black skin is very delicate and becomes damaged easily.  Using sunscreen is important as black skin does burn. The melanin which gives black skin its color offers some level of protection, but like all skin types long exposure to the sun can result in painful burns.

Myth #2: Skin Cancer does not affect black skin

Excessive exposure to the sun can also result in skin cancer, so African and Caribbeans also need to heed the warnings on how to protect themselves from the sun’s rays.

Myth #3:  Black hair is strong:
Again this is not true; the natural curls of the hair of African and Caribbeans make it weak and susceptible to damage

The following information will provide some beauty tips that can serve as guidelines for the African and Caribbean woman.

Face Cleaning/Washing

The first step is to have a good cleaning regimen as part of your daily beauty care routine. Firstly, you do not need wash your face more than two times or a maximum of three times per day, one of which should be at bed time.  The more you wash your face, especially if you have oily skin, the more oil it will produce to replace that which was removed. It is important to remember to never use soap to wash your face.  Soap dries the skin and leaves a film on it, giving it an ashy undertone. Whatever cleansing agent you use, read the ingredients and avoid any that is too alkaline.

A word of warning, black skin is very delicate and should not be scrubbed too harshly. Exercise caution when using exfoliation products as they can cause microscopic tears on the skin. The best exfoliation products for black skin are clay masks and gentle cleansers. Another simple cleansing option, which also serve to exfoliate is sea salt; this can be combined with cornmeal or oatmeal and a liquid such as water or milk to form a paste.

The following guidelines are particularly useful for varying skin types:

   1. Oily skin is best cleaned with a gel cleaner
   2. Normal skin can be cleaned with most facial cleaners

Once your face has been washed, follow up with a good toner and finish off with a moisturizer.

Moisturizer and sunscreen should be used everyday, even if you are at home.