Microscopic section of the skin show two distinct parts. Epidermis is the top most layer.The upper layer of epidermis contains dead cells which gradually cast off. These cells are gradually replaced by freshnew cells produced by basal layer which is the lower layer of epidermis. The Dermis lies below epidermis. Dermis consists of net work of collagen fibres which is responsible for elastic properties of skin. Sebaceous glands associated with hair follicles and sweat glands, are all present in dermis and get blood supply from the subcutaneous tissue present below dermis. Sebaceous glands get activated during puberty and produce an oil like substance called sebum.
Ayurveda's Description About Normal Skin
Even though skin harbors Tridoshas it is mainly dominated by Vata. Vata is responsible for the perception of touch, secretions from glands (sweat, sebum), blood circulation and movement of nutrients between cells and interstitial fluids.
Acharya Charakahas said
“Kupitastu khalu shareere shareeram nanavidhairvikaarairupatapati
balavarnasukhaayushaamupaghaataaya”
"This means - Vata when aggravated afflicts the body with various types of diseases and affects the strength,
complexion, happiness and span of life." ”
For a healthier skin the Vata should be always in normal balanced condition. The balanced Vata keeps all other tissues and remaining two doshas in healthy condition. The imbalanced Vatavitiates the tissues of skin and leads to numerous skin problems."
The Inner Physiological Processes And Skin
The inner physiological processes like digestion, metabolism, elimination of waste products etc directly affects the beautyof skin.
The process of digestion is carried out by agni or fire which is present in our digestive system.
(Agni is the body fire, which is responsible for transformation of one substance to another. It breaks down the food substances, eliminates toxins and wastes, maintains body temperature, and resists the invasion of microbes by maintaining strong body immunity)
The body fire, which is assisted by balanced doshas, digests the food completely to form Pakwa Anna Rasa(the liquid form of food which is completely digested by digestive enzymes), which is ready to get absorbed by body tissues. According to ayurveda Pakwa Anna Rasa nourishes the body and its components to keep the body devoid of diseases. But when body fire is impaired
there will be an incomplete digestion of food forming Apakwa Rasa
(indigested food). The indigested food fails to nourish the body components leading to lowered body resistance. Due to indigestion toxins start accumulating in body.)
An unhealthy diet and life style imbalance doshas and the imbalanced doshas impair agni. Due to impaired agni toxins accumulate in body. These accumulated toxins affect the health of skin and the skin loses its luster and glow, acne and pimples start appearing, wrinkling of skin starts in an early age.
Hence a well nourished diet, a healthy life style and regular detoxification is very important to keep our skin healthy.
Special Tips To Keep Doshas In Balance To Keep Skin Healthy
Use herbal body cleansers to expel the accumulated toxins in body
Choose a proper herbal body cleanser which gives multiple benefits like
- Expelling toxins. (detoxification)
- Regularizing bowel habbits
- Rejuvenating body and skin
- Dark skin due to excess oil
- Balancing body fire (agni)
Massage your body daily with ayurvedic herbal oil. This process is called as“Abhyanga”. Massaging body with herbal oil has many benefits. In great Ayurvedic classics Ashtanga Hridaya it has been mentioned as follows
"Abhyanga aachare nityam sa jara- shrama – vataha |
Drushtihi prasada pushtyaahu swapna sutwak daadarya krit ||”
This means
- The aging symptoms appear very late in life
- Skin becomes soft and glowing
- Skin looks fresh and healthy
- Skin becomes resistant to diseases
- Sharp eyesight and attractive eyes
- Body becomes stronger and well nourished
- The body and mind gets relaxed
Choose herbal oils, which satisfy the following conditions.
- It should have sesame oil base
- The herbal ingredients should rejuvenate the skin and as well as balance doshas
Practice Yoga and Meditation regularly. This helps in management of emotional upheavals. And this avoids aggravationof doshas. (The doshas get imbalanced due to psychological disturbances. The imbalanced doshas disturb metabolism and supply of nutrition. The effect of disturbance immediately surfaces on skin. The skin of an emotionally disturbed person looks dull and lifeless. Dark circles and black patches start appearing. Hence physically and psychologically well balanced person will have an attractive glowing skin).
General Tips For Healthy Skin
Avoid
- Harsh cosmetics and soaps
- Any food, which leads to constipation
- Soft drinks and choclates
Consume
- Sprouts, variety of grains
- Little quantity of ghee and oil
- Plenty of water ( 10 –12 glass every day)
Practice
- Sufficiently long hours of sleep
