| How to Avoid Adult Acne Posted: 09 Aug 2018 01:00 AM PDT Although adult acne can be an unpleasant and sometimes uncomfortable condition, it's relatively easy to treat. Combat individual pimples and acne outbreaks by spot-treating the area. Prevent acne outbreaks in general by keeping your face clean and oil-free. By learning proper skin cleansing practices, using natural products, and creating a healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced diet, stress control, and exercise, you will be able to minimize acne outbreaks and get any existing acne under control. EditFinding Effective Cleansing Supplies - Pick out a mild soap or gentle cleanser to wash your face with each day. Select a face cleanser that is specifically designed for acne-prone skin. These sort of cleansers will regulate how much (or how little) oil your skin produces, and will be less likely to irritate sensitive skin.[1] They also help to get rid of dead skin cells. Excess dead skin cells on your face provide a place where germs thrive and cause acne to form.
- Try lipid-free liquid cleansers. These cleansers don't contain soap, so they are gentler on your skin. They also don't contain oils or fats, so you are less likely to break out when you use these cleansers. Cetaphil and Aquanil are two different lipid-free cleansers.
- Use synthetic detergents to wash your face. Synthetic cleansers have a pH that is very similar to that of your skin. As a consequence, it is less likely that synthetic cleansers will irritate or dry out your skin, like some soaps do. An example of a synthetic detergent is Dove Sensitive Skin Bar.
- The best cleansers for acne prone skin are those that include benzoyl peroxide. For severe acne, choose the formula with the highest concentration of benzoyl peroxide. However, stick with a lower concentration of benzoyl peroxide if your skin gets irritated.
- Apply benzoyl peroxide cream to your acne as a spot treatment. Benzoyl peroxide helps to reduce the inflammation caused by acne and prevents future acne by reducing the amount of oil that you skin produces.[2] Before applying the cream to your face, wash your hands and face so that your skin is clean.
- Since benzoyl peroxide can dry out your skin, it's best not to spread it across your entire face. Use benzoyl peroxide as a spot treatment to combat persistent or recurring acne breakouts.
- Benzoyl peroxide can also come in gel and wash forms.
- Try topical vitamin A cream. Topical retinoids like vitamin A cream work by unplugging clogged pores. When your pores become unclogged, other topical medicines, like antibiotics, can enter the hair shaft and fight underlying infection. Topical retinoids come in cream, gel, and liquid forms, and can be purchased over the counter at your local drug store or pharmacy.[3]
- Apply the medicine to your skin once a day, usually at night. Wait to apply the cream until at least 20 or 30 minutes have passed after washing your face.
- You will need a prescription to get a higher, medical grade concentration of vitamin A cream.
- Try a cleanser with salicylic acid. Salicylic acid, also called beta-hydroxy acid, is one of the most effective ingredients in acne treatment meds. The acid unclogs your pores, which treats acne outbreaks and decreases the likelihood of recurring acne attacks. Follow the application directions in an over-the-counter tube of medication which contains salicylic acid.[4]
- Exfoliating agents like salicylic acid also help to keep your pores open by helping your body to shed mature, superficial skin cells that can also cause acne.
- Other useful chemicals typically found in over-the-counter acne treatments include: sulfur, which draws oil out of your skin, and glycolic acid, which exfoliates dead cells from the surface of your skin.
- Visit a dermatologist if you have frequent or severe acne. Over the counter and non-prescription acne medications may be ineffective in treating severe cases of acne. If you've tried the suggested acne-prevention steps for a few months and nothing seems to be helping, schedule an appointment with a dermatologist. They will be able to prescribe stronger medications, including an antibiotic, or may have alternate recommendations for removing your acne.[5]
- Your dermatologist—or general practitioner—may also be able to identify a hormone imbalance. If this is the case, ask the doctor about ways to manage and regulate hormones in your body.
- They may be able to recommend dietary or lifestyle changes, or give you a medication to help balance your hormone swings.
EditPracticing Good Cleansing Techniques - Use your fingers to gently apply the cleanser and wash your face. Wash your face at least two times a day to keep your skin from excess oil that can create acne.[6] When you wash your face, use warm water, rather than hot or cold water. Both hot and cold water can dry out your skin.
- To apply your cleanser, rub your fingers in a gentle, circular motion over your whole face. You want to be careful not to be too rough with your skin because when acne is present your skin can be damaged pretty easily.
- Try not to touch your face too much throughout the day. Your fingers can collect a lot of bacteria by touching things during your daily activities. When you touch your face without washing your hands first, you are unwittingly spreading germs and bacteria on to your face that could ultimately lead to a breakout.[7]
- If you do have to touch your face, try to wash your hands before doing so. Even applying some hand sanitizer to your fingers can help keep your face from breaking out.
- Ignore the urge to pop pimples. While you may see a pimple and immediately want to pop it, it is important to remember that pimples contain bacteria. When you pop a pimple, that bacteria can land on other parts of your skin, creating more pimples.[8]
- Your fingernails can also pose a bacterial threat. When you pop your pimple with your nails, any bacteria that are under your nails could get into the now open pimple-wound, causing further infection.
EditUsing Natural Products - Apply an oat mask to your skin. Oatmeal can prevent adult acne outbreaks—and combat existing outbreaks—by absorbing oil from the surface of your skin. Oatmeal also soothes and skin and prevents itching or discomfort. This means that oats can reduce the inflammation caused by acne, and help prevent it in the future. One great way to use oats is by trying an oatmeal mask.[9] To make an oatmeal mask:
- Cook of regular oatmeal. Pour in of honey.
- Let the oatmeal cool down and then apply it to the spots on your face where you tend to get acne. Wear the oatmeal mixture for 15 minutes.
- Rinse your face with warm water and pat it dry with a clean towel. Repeat this process as necessary.
- Use a baking soda mask or take a baking soda bath. Baking soda contains sodium bicarbonate, which can reduce inflammation and clean out existing pimples. For facial acne, you can try a baking soda mask. If you are dealing with acne on different parts of your body, try a baking soda bath.
- To draw a baking soda bath: Fill your bathtub with warm water. Do not use hot water because hot water can make your skin dry out. Add of baking soda to your bathwater. Soak in the baking soda bath for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Try a baking soda mask: Wash your face with warm water. Take eight teaspoons of baking soda and mix it with a cup of water and stir the ingredients until they form a relatively thick paste. Apply the mixture to your acne and let it sit on your skin for about 15 minutes. Rinse your face off with water and pat it dry.
- Make a homemade face wash from gram flour and turmeric. The gram flour removes excess oil from the skin and turmeric acts as an antiseptic as well as a natural healing agent. Replace gram flour with fine wheat flour, if your skin is very dry. Mix two tablespoon of gram flour, half a teaspoon of turmeric and 2 tbsp. of water. Wash and scrub with this smooth, gentle, antiseptic, natural cleanser.
- Add a teaspoon of olive oil to the mixture if your skin is overly dry.
- Put a cucumber paste on your face each day. Your skin can break out in acne when it gets too dehydrated, as well as when it gets too oily. Cucumber can help to keep your skin hydrated as it has one of the highest water contents of any food. To make a cucumber paste:
- Take half of a small cucumber (skin on) and reduce it to a paste in the blender or food processor. Apply the cucumber paste to your skin and let it sit there for 20 to 30 minutes. Wash it off with warm water.
EditCreating a Healthy Diet and Lifestyle - Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. As stated above, your skin can get damaged and form acne when it becomes very dry. To keep your skin hydrated, try to drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated will also help keep your skin clear and reduce the number of acne breakouts you experience.
- Adult men should drink of water each day. Adult women should drink of water each day.[10]
- Stay away from foods that can make you break out. Certain foods are primarily made up of simple sugars. Simple sugars can elevate your blood sugar levels, which in turn creates a demand for insulin, even if your body doesn't really need it. These excess levels of insulin can make your skin produce more oil and grow pore-clogging cells, leading to pimples. Foods that are primarily made up of simple sugars include:[11]
- Saturated fats like butter and fried food.
- Soda.
- Refined bread.
- Sugar.
- White rice.
- Try to avoid stress as much as possible. Stress can cause you to break out. Look for practical ways that you can de-stress each day, and keep your overall stress levels low.[12] This could include meditating and taking a few deep breaths, or getting outside for a 20-minute walk. De-stress further by spending some time with friends, read a book, or take a long drive.
- Stress can make your body produce more cortisol. Cortisol has been linked to acne breakouts so if you are concerned about adult acne, try to limit the amount of stress you experience each day.
- Getting plenty of sleep each night will cut down on stress. Having slept well will help you feel less stressed during the day, which in turn will cut back on the amount of acne you have.
- Daily exercise can also decrease levels of stress in your body. If you can, try to exercise for at least 30 minutes, three to five days a week.
- You can use natural tea-tree oil as an acne spot treatment. The oil will not clog up your pores, and has natural astringent properties.[13]
- Putting cosmetics on your existing acne will only make the outbreak worse. Many cosmetics contain oils that can actually make your acne worse. While you may want to cover up your acne, it is best to avoid oil-based cosmetics. If you would prefer to use cosmetics anyway, buy cosmetics that say they are oil-free.
EditRelated wikiHows EditSources and Citations
Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found
|
| How to Let Go of Control in a Relationship Posted: 08 Aug 2018 05:00 PM PDT Being controlling often stems from a simple desire to feel secure and happy with how things are going. Unfortunately, trying to take too much control ends up having the opposite effect, especially when it comes to relationships. To let go of control in a relationship, start by learning to live in the moment instead of worrying about the outcome of a situation. When it comes to conflicts, try to have more faith in your partner and allow things to unfold rather than controlling every aspect of a situation. EditLiving in the Present - Take a few deep breaths when you feel anxious about losing control. Focusing on breathing is one of the best ways to bring yourself fully into the present moment. When negative situations arise with your partner, try taking a slow, deep breath in as you count to 5. Exhale as you count to 5 once more. Focus only on your breath as you take it in and push it out of your lungs.[1]
- Consider learning meditation, which focuses on mindfulness, breathing, and centering.
- Step away for a moment before you react. When you feel like you're losing control of a situation with your partner, a natural reaction is anger -- from there, things tend to escalate. Before reacting angrily, step into another room. Give yourself a few minutes away from your partner to think about why you're reacting so negatively.[2]
- Use positive self-talk to calm down. Remind yourself, "I have control over my body, my reactions, and my perception." When negative emotions are triggered by a situation with your partner, you may even find it helpful to repeat to yourself, "I do not have control over that, and that's okay."[3]
- Accept that you cannot control the outcome of every situation. Micromanaging a situation might make you feel like you're in control, but in reality, you aren't. No matter how much you obsess over details, the outcome of a situation may still be out of your hands. Remind yourself that no matter what the outcome is, you're going to be okay.[4]
- No one is omnipotent or all-powerful. The future is unknown, and no amount of planning can change that.
- When you feel yourself getting anxious about an unknown outcome, take a few slow, deep breaths. Stay focused on your breathing and remind yourself that you can't control everything -- no one can.
- See a therapist if you're having trouble letting go on your own. Struggling with letting go can be difficult, especially if it affects your well-being and your relationship. If you've tried letting go on your own and haven't had much success, consider talking to a therapist. They might help you understand yourself and your behaviors in a more positive way.[5]
EditTrusting Your Partner - Let go of the need to be right by considering your partner's viewpoint. You may find that many arguments with your partner revolve around who's right and who's wrong. It's normal for a controlling person to feel like they are always right in every situation. Allow for the possibility that your partner is right about something. Have faith in them.
- Instead of focusing on being right, focus on listening to your partner and understanding them better.
- For example, instead of demanding that you drive to a destination because you know the route and your partner doesn't, let your partner drive and take the route they had in mind to get there.
- Give your partner the benefit of the doubt. It's easy to assume the worst, especially when you feel like you've lost control of a situation. Try to manage your expectations and refrain from judging a situation until you know all the facts.[6]
- For example, if your partner went out with friends and they haven't texted you back in hours, remind yourself that that doesn't mean your partner is doing something behind your back.
- In the meantime, instead of worrying and doubting, get involved in one of your hobbies or make some phone calls to catch up with friends.
- Let go of jealousy by figuring out the source of jealous feelings. Jealousy can result from lots of things, yet what's important is how you respond to it. Often, jealousy results from your own insecurities and not from a partner's actions. If there's no reason to doubt your partner, be willing to let your jealousy go. It's not worth holding on to negative feelings or being suspicious if your partner is honest and upfront.[7]
- Ask yourself if you feel jealous because your partner is acting suspiciously or because you've been hurt in the past and don't want to be hurt again.
- Forgive your partner and move forward together. If something happened in your relationship that you're struggling to let go of, be willing to move forward with trust and hope. Talk to your partner about moving forward and stay away from discussing the past if it doesn't help your relationship. Live each day as it comes.[8]
- For example, if you want to forgive your partner for cheating, be willing to believe them when they say it won't happen again and that you can trust them. If you constantly doubt them or think they are lying, this will not help you let go.
- See a couples' counselor if you need help dealing with trust issues. If you and your partner can't find a good dynamic or you're really struggling to trust them, consider seeing a counselor. A counselor can help you navigate how to communicate and understand your partner better. If you or your partner have struggled to let a past experience in the relationship go, therapy can help move you through this process.[9]
- Seek a therapist who specializes in working with couples.
EditBeing Flexible - Let go of your ideal relationship. There is no perfect person or perfect partner. Both you and your partner have flaws and must live with those imperfections. If you look at other couples and think they are perfect, remember that they have flaws, too. Be willing to love and accept your partner as they are.
- Stay calm when plans change. Even when you plan every detail of something, outside forces can cause those carefully laid plans to change in an instant. When this happens, try to avoid assuming that all of your plans are ruined. Stay calm and focus on ways to navigate change to achieve your original goal.[10]
- For example, if you and your partner are planning to go hiking, but then your partner's parents show up for a surprise visit, stay calm. You can reschedule your hike for the next weekend, or even invite your partner's parents along!
- Be willing to compromise. Most controlling people want to do things their way all the time, which belittles their partner's needs. Try to find solutions that legitimize the needs of both parties. Listen to what your partner wants, explain what you want, and then try to find a way to meet in the middle.[11]
- For instance, if you want to see a foreign film and your partner wants to watch a big-budget action movie, find a different movie that you are both interested in seeing and go with that.
- You can also enjoy activities that your partner doesn't like with your friends. For example, you could see the foreign film with your friend so that your partner doesn't feel pressured to go.
- Don't compromise your values. Your personal values are the core of who you are. It's true that compromise is important for every relationship, but there are some things you don't have to be flexible about. If going along with what your partner wants means sacrificing beliefs that are fundamental to who you are, don't feel that you have to compromise in that situation.[12]
- For example, if your partner thinks it's fine to date or sleep with other people when they're traveling out of town but you want a monogamous relationship, you shouldn't have to compromise on that.
EditSources and Citations
Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found
|
| How to Cut T‐Shirts for Craft Projects Posted: 08 Aug 2018 09:00 AM PDT T-shirts are a staple in many people's closets. Sometimes they become too old and stained to be worn. Instead of discarding the T-shirt, however, you could cut it up and use it for other crafts. How you cut the T-shirt depends on what sort of project you will be doing. With the right technique, you can ensure that you get the job done quickly and with minimal waste. EditCutting T-Shirts into Squares - Spread the T-shirt you want to use on a flat surface. Smooth out any ripples or wrinkles from the shirt, and make sure that the hems are aligned. If you are using a printed T-shirt, keep the design facing up so that you can see where you are cutting.
- Plain T-shirts work great for rags as well as scraps for other sewing projects, such as toys. Printed T-shirts work great for bags, quilts, and patches.
- Cut across the T-shirt with fabric scissors, just below the sleeves. If you need to, use a ruler and a marker to draw a horizontal line across the front of the shirt first, then cut along the line that you drew. Set the top part containing the sleeves aside.[1]
- Alternatively, you can use a ruler and a rotary cutter to cut across the shirt.
- If you are using a printed T-shirt, cut the sleeves off first, then cut straight across the shirt, above the design.
- Turn the shirt inside-out and cut the side seams off. Turn the shirt inside out first, then set it down on a flat surface. Smooth out any wrinkles, then cut the side seams off along the stitching. Set the 2 pieces aside when you are done.[2]
- Use fabric scissors or a rotary cutter to do this.
- If you want to, you can cut the bottom hem off too.
- Use fabric scissors to cut a rectangle from the top part of the shirt. Go back to the top part of the shirt that you set aside earlier; it's the part with the sleeves. Use a ruler and marker to draw the largest rectangle you can between the sleeves, bottom of the collar, and cut edge.[3]
- To save more fabric, do the front of the shirt first, then the back. The collar is usually bigger in the front than in the back.
- Cut the sleeves apart with fabric scissors to make rectangles. Cut the sleeves off the remaining fabric first. Next, turn them inside-out, then cut the seam off. Spread the sleeves flat, and cut across the top (shoulder) edge to make them more rectangular.
- You can leave the bottom edge hemmed, or you can cut the hem off. You can use a rotary cutter for this.
- Use the scraps. These rectangular pieces are perfect for sewing together into a quilt or blanket. Make them easier to work with by ironing fusible interfacing to the back.[4] You can also cut the pieces up further to sew into a simple doll, teddy bear, or cat toy.
EditCreating T-Shirt Yarn - Get a plain T-shirt without any side seams. If the shirt has side seams, they will come apart once you go to cut the T-shirt into yarn. Also, do not use a T-shirt that has an image printed onto it, like a band logo or a comic book character, as this will prevent the shirt from stretching.
- Cut the top of the shirt off below the armpits. Spread your T-shirt on a flat surface. Place a ruler across the shirt, just under the armpits. Cut across the shirt with a rotary cutter, using the ruler as a guide. Discard the top part of the shirt, along with the sleeves.[5]
- If you don't have a rotary cutter, use the ruler and a marker to draw a horizontal line instead, then cut across the line with fabric scissors.
- Cut the hem off of the shirt. While not absolutely necessary, this will help make your yarn more consistent in thickness and texture. Simply cut straight across the bottom hem just above the stitching. You can do this with a ruler and rotary cutter, or with fabric scissors.[6]
- Discard the hem when you are done. You don't need it.
- Fold the shirt in half, leaving a gap between the left and right edges. Take the left side of the shirt and pull it towards the right. Stop when there is a 1-inch (2.5-cm) gap between the left side edge and the right side edge. This will reduce the amount of cutting that you have to do.[7]
- Cut 1-inch (2.5-cm) slits into the side of the shirt, stopping at the gap. Begin cutting on the left side of the shirt, and finish cutting from the right side. If you were to unfold your shirt, you would see 1-inch (2.5-cm) wide strips running across it, and stopping from the right side edge.[8]
- Unfold the shirt and spread it so that gap in the right side edge widens. Unfold the shirt first. Next, open it up and spread it out so that the 1-inch (2.5-cm) gap widens into a 2-inch (5.1-cm) gap. You may have to move the loops formed by the cut left side of the shirt out of the way.[9]
- Cut diagonal lines across the 2-inch (5.1-cm) gap to separate the strips. Begin cutting at the bottom-left corner of the gap. Cut across the gap at an upward angle towards the next horizontal strip. Repeat this process, cutting from the bottom-left to the upper-right until you reach the top of the shirt.
- Envision the gaps as 1-inch (2.5-cm) tall rectangles. You are cutting from the bottom-left corner to the upper-right corner of each rectangle.[10]
- Pull on the T-shirt strip to make the ends curl in. Hold the T-shirt strip loosely in 1 hand, and use your other hand to gently pull it through your hand. This will cause the edges of the T-shirt to curl inwards and form a tube-like shape. You may need to do this a few times.[11]
- Roll the yarn into a ball. Wrap the end of the yarn a few times around your index and middle fingers. Slide the wrapped yarn off your fingers, then wrap the yarn across the loop a few more times to form a ball. Continue wrapping the yarn around the ball, changing direction often, until you run out.[12]
- Use the yarn to knit or crochet. Because of how thick and bulky this yarn is, it probably won't make very good socks, hats, or scarves. It is great for making items that will see a lot of wear-and-tear, such as dishcloths, pot holders, and rugs, however.
EditMaking Crafts with T-shirts - Cut the collar and sleeves off, then sew or tie the bottom to make a tote. Cut the sleeves off first, then cut a deep U-shape into the collar. Leave the shoulders intact to create the handles. Turn the shirt inside-out, sew across the bottom hem, then turn it right-side-out again.[13]
- Alternatively, cut a fringe into the bottom edge, then tie the fringe together.
- Turn an old shirt into a fringy scarf. Cut the top of a T-shirt off, just below the armpits. Next, cut 2-inch (5.1-cm) strips across the shirt. Start at the left side and stop from the right. Pull on the strips to make them narrower, then gather the right side together. Wrap and tie a strip of fabric around the right side to hold it together.
- Cut the thin strips from the leftover material of your shirt. It can come from the hem or sleeve.
- Cut the printed image out, then use it as a punky patch. Find a T-shirt with a cool printed image, such as a band logo. Cut down the side of the image, and halfway across the top and bottom. Fold the cut side of the in half, then use it as a guide for cutting the rest. Hand sew the patch to your desired item with a simple running stitch.[14]
- A running stitch is where you weave the needle up and down through the fabric.
- Use thread in a color that matches the patch for a seamless look. Use embroidery floss in a contrasting color for a punky look.
- Complete the punky look by adding safety pins and/or studs to your item.
- Great items to add patches to include: plain T-shirts, backpacks, shoulder bags, totes, and jean jackets.
- Turn several cut T-shirts into a cozy quilt. Using the square cutting method, cut several T-shirts apart into equal-sized squares. Sew the side edges of the T-shirts together to make a larger rectangle. Cut a large rectangle out of cotton fabric, then sew it to the back of the quilt, leaving a gap for turning. Turn the quilt right-side-out, then sew the gap shut.[15]
- The T-shirts can be plaint, printed, or a combination of both. The cotton fabric can be woven (plain) or jersey (T-shirt material).
- Make sure that you are sewing the fabric with the right sides facing in.
- Press the seams between the T-shirt squares with an iron before turning to reduce bulk.
- Topstitch down the seams between the T-shirt squares to complete the quilted look.
- Make a latch-hook rug from cut-up T-shirt strips. Cut several plain T-shirts into 1 by 4-inch (2.5 by 10.2-cm) strips. Pull on the strips to make them narrower and easier to use. Use a latch-hook to weave these strips onto a latch-hook mesh canvas.[16]
- You can find latch-hooks and latch-hook mesh canvases in craft stores.
- For a nicer finish, fold and sew bias tape around the edges.[17]
- If you are using a rotary cutter, be sure to cut on a piece of cardboard or a cutting mat so that you don't ruin your table.
- Make sure that the T-shirts are clean before you start using them.
- If you won't use the cut T-shirt squares right away, fold them up and put them away.
EditThings You'll Need EditCutting T-Shirts into Squares - T-shirt
- Fabric scissors or rotary cutter
- Ruler
- Marker
EditCreating T-Shirt Yarn - T-shirt, plain without side seams
- Fabric scissors or rotary cutter
- Ruler (if using a rotary cutter)
EditCutting T-Shirts in Other Ways EditSources and Citations }
Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found
|
Nenhum comentário:
Postar um comentário