Looking Like Myself Again

If you are dedicated to your skin's health and appearance, you almost certainly follow a regiment that combines both at-home and professional dermatology procedures. Did you know that some of the very treatments that you use, including dermabrasion, phototherapy, and bee products, have roots that are thousands of years old and traceable to ancient Egyptian skin care? These tried-and-true methods have proven skin care benefits, and the ancient Egyptians were more than ahead of their time.

Sandpaper for the Rough Stuff

As early as the year 1500 B.C., Egyptians were conscious of scarring on their faces and bodies. At that time, ancient Egyptians frequently used sandpaper to construct pyramids, create sculptures, and make tools. Sandpaper's fantastic utility did not go unnoticed by the Egyptian doctors of the time, and these doctors developed a way of using sandpaper to reduce the appearance of scars with sandpaper.

The use of sandpaper to reduce scarring has, over centuries, evolved and improved into the cosmetic procedures you know and love today as "microdermabrasion" and "dermabrasion." The process is the same--the top layer of skin is removed, leaving your face smoother and more radiant., and acne scars, pox marks, and other irregularities less visible.

Natural Light for a Natural Glow

Wall carvings show that the ancient Egyptians also used natural sunlight for the treatment of various disorders, including aesthetic skin conditions like discoloration. This may seem like a rudimentary technology, but even the Greeks and Romans noticed its effectiveness and also adopted natural sunlight into cosmetic procedures. 

The Egyptian's harnessing of the sun's rays, as simple as it may sound, serves as the basis for the modern procedure "phototherapy." This procedure is particularly effective in managing psoriasis, eczema, jaundice, and vitiligo. Like the early Egyptians, today's cosmetic dermatologists use directed light, although today's phototherapy usually uses an artificial light source instead of the natural sun.

Bees, Bees, Bees!

Cleopatra is one of Egypt's most well-known and celebrated rulers. She is also said to have captivated the hearts of some of the most powerful rulers of the time, including Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. Perhaps one of the most compelling reasons behind her ability to captivate, Cleopatra was staunchly dedicated to her skin care. The aspects of her regimen, including her bath, her facial mask, her exfoliating scrub, and her emulsion, all heavily incorporated either beeswax or honey.

Modern skin care products incorporate beeswax or honey still today. There is actually more to Cleopatra's secret than products that merely smell and feel good, however; her reliance on bees' products is actually scientifically validated. Both honey and beeswax boast anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial properties, so skin care products that use these two ingredients are effective against acne, dry skin, scarring, and poor skin condition.

For more information on aesthetic dermatology techniques, contact a professional such as Appearance Dermatology.