The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1906-09-08
CARE OF THE SKIN.
TOO MUCH SUN is QUITE AS BAD
As TOO LITTLE.
Some Valuable Suggestions from an
Authority on the Proper Care Of
the Complexion-The Ef
feet of Lotions.
By G. Elliot Flint.

BY G. Elliot Flint.
(Author Power and Health Through
Progressive Exercise)
The tan craze, so prevalent last
year, Is abating. A fine coat OF tan
bespeaks a love of athletics, and it
makes one look healthy. But now the
fair ones are discovering that too long
exposure to a summer sun rathe.
coarsens the skin.
The change, from a beauty view
point, Is not wholly bad one; and yet
the face may be too assiduously pro-
tected as we'll as too much exposed.
Nothing more beauties the complex.
ion than judicious exposure to sunlight
and fresh air. The truth of this is
recognized when we observe the pale,
sallow compilations that prisoners ac-
quire after even short confinement,
says the Chicago American. Plants
that grow in dark places are almost
colorless; whereas those exposed to
the suns rays are yariegated with the
brightest lines.
1t is good occasionally to anoint the
entire body with oil or glycerin. The
application Of vaseline, camphor les
or cold cream to the hands, lips and
face at night, especially in winter, will
keep the skin of those parts soft and
pliable and prevent chapping. Exer
else, by inducing perspiralion and thus
getting rid of noxious secretions, does
much for the skins health. In fact
anything that tends to raise the gen.
eral body tone, such as proper diet.
plenty of fresh air, etc, conduces to
beauty. Clogged pores and deficient
respiratory action are common causes
of colds, fever and diarrhea.
Sunbaths are extremely beneficial
to the skin; they first redden it, and
then it peels, disclosing the new, deli.
cate membrane underneath. But
there Is a mean in the duration Of sun
baths beyond which one should not 60
Constant exposure to torrid sun de-
stroys the skins natural sensibility,
coarsens and roughens 1t, and, by
causing the obstruction and rupture
of it's capillary arteries, imparts to it
the streak, ruddy, weather-beaten ap-
pearance that we see in the coun.
tenances of most mariners.
the importance to health of expos
ing the body for few hours, however,
each day to the sunlight cannot be
too strongly insisted on. The sun,
having remarkable germicidal power,
destroys all disease germs; and rooms
into which 1t occasionally enters are
more healthful than those into which
1t never enters. The suns actinic or
chemical rays are great beautitiers.
When the complexion Is coarse, GOV.
cred with blackheads, and of sallow
color, it is because the epidermis is
of undue thickness. The rosy lips
parts where the outer skin is thin-of
many yellow-complected persons show
how essential to beauty is a thorough
though not excessive, desquamation
of this first layer. Rubbing the face
vigorously with coarse washcloth
wet with soap and water will make
one as rosy as baby. Still another
way to thin the epidermis is by dry
friction with coarse towel. If never
rubbed even metals become incrusted
and dull-looking.
And friction has more than a super
ficial effect on the skin. By bringing
blood to the surface it enlarges the
capillaries which, as l have said, the
arteries supply to the derma, and this
permanently heightens the skins col
or. Again, the increased flow of blood
effects a more thorough destruction
of fat; that is characteristic Of youth.
While massage has somewhat the
same effect, 1t Is not so pronounced
as when it is combined with friction.
The claim has been made that scrub
bling the body daily with flesh brush
prolongs life, the argument being that
friction, by rousing and accelerating
the circulation in the minute vessels
Of the peripheral parts, which are es-
pecially prone to decay in old age,
energizes them and thus conduces to
longevity. Friction was recommend
ed by some eminent physician as a
panacea for premature decay. At all
events simple rubbing with the had,
or preferably with glove, will restore
tone and color to the most lax and
pallid skin.
To remove the freckles that often
appear on fair-skinned persons who
have been exposed to the sun, the
frequent application OF dilute spirit, or
lemon juice, or lotion formed by add
ing acetic hydrochloric, nitric or sui.
phuric acid, or liquor of potassa to
water, until it is just strong enough
to slightly prick the tongue" has been
recommended.