From Ear Piercings to a Swan-like Neck
Ear piercings? Mmmm... I fear I am going to disappoint my reader here because this is not an article 'specifically' about getting your ear pierced. Beauty is clearly in the eyes of the beholder but my approach to this topic is purely from the point of view of the health of your skin and therefore the appearance - whether you have ear piercings by the dozen ...or none at all! Bearing this in mind you may think that in including these two, the neck and the ears, I have gone over the top a bit. But just because we cannot view with ease our own ears does not mean that we should not take trouble over their care. Similarly the neck is most often overlooked. But I begin with the ears..
The most difficult thing with the ear is cleaningI was once told by a doctor that nothing smaller than your elbow should be placed into the ear. I am sure this is true, however, cotton buds sell very well and their foremost use is cleaning the ear. Although you will never see them marketed for that purpose. I am guided by advice given by my mother which was to only clean what you can see… well obviously not very much unless you have a set of movable mirrors. But I think the message is clear, great care must be taken not to push anything into the ear canal.Cleanse the creases and curves of the outer ear as well as behind it thoroughly with a natural soap. If the creases have not been cleaned properly for some time there can be a build up of yellowish oily deposits that are very hard to remove. An application of vegetable oil on damp cotton wool is usually enough to return the skin to normal. Always take care to clean your earrings after wearing as neglect contributes to dirt accumulating at the edge of the ear piercing (back and front). Some people are prone to black heads in the lobe of the ear, especially at the back, meticulous attention to cleanliness and the help of a good friend to remove them with gentle squeezing may be required. Massage the area with a little vegetable oil first and then with clean fingers covered with tissue gently squeeze either side of the black head. If they do not yield at first then persevere with the treatment over several days and they will eventually come out.
The Neck
This is an area that is often totally forgotten. Once our parents have stopped scrubbing behind our ears or checking our necks for tide marks we tend to leave this area gratefully alone, but alas, it is the one sure give away of age or neglect. Cleansing of the neck is very important, when using gentle soap on the face extend it to the neck area but always cleanse in an upward motion, any dragging downwards will encourage a saggy neck in later life. Black heads can accumulate around the hairline at the back so it is prudent to find a close friend to check for you and remove them. A little oil and a gentle neck massage around the area and then some gentle squeezing in the same manner as for the earlobe should do the trick. Do not spray perfume directly onto your neck, perfumes are mostly alcohol which is very drying to the skin. Put your perfume onto your shoulders or lower down in to the hollow of your neck, or in the cleavage. Unless, of course, you are using a pure perfume oil rather than a cologne type spray. Be sure to moisturise your neck as regularly as you do your face. Time will tell if you forget - it may well do even if you don't... the neck is generally the first place to show signs of aging. The choice of moisturiser should be the same as for facial use. Once again always apply with an upward sweeping motion. And don't forget a night cream or serum could make a huge difference to your neck. Remember that the jewellry you wear in those wonderful ear piercings will draw the eye towards your neck too! Return from Ear Piercings to Problem Skin
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