There is nothing like the promise of a new year to put into place habits that will return healthy, beauty-enhancing dividends all year. Detoxing your body of the unwanted by-products of the previous year is a productive way to give yourself a clean slate for your new and improved ways. There are plenty of things you can do, and not do, head-to-toe to aid or enhance the process, and to reveal a fresher you.

RID YOUR SKIN OF DEBRIS

You skin does a good job of sloughing off dead skin cells, but a sluggish turnover can make the process fall behind. What you're left with is dead skin cell build up. That debris doesn't reflect light as well as the nice new plump skin cells below so your complexion can appear dull and lifeless. If your skin is oily or acne prone, the wreckage can clog pores leading to enlarged pores or pimples.

To cleanse your skin of this glow-busting debris, a gentle but thorough exfoliation is in order. For your face, start by steaming it either with a commercial facial steamer or over a pot of water that has boiled and been allowed to cool a bit (definitely don't do this over a pot of boiling water which will burn your skin!). Hold your face over the steam and let the moist heat loosen up clogged pores and unhinge dead skin cells. After a few minutes, gently massage your face (skip the delicate eye area) with an exfoliating scrub. One to try: DERMAdoctor Physical Chemistry Facial Microdermabrasion + Multiacid Chemical Peel. It has the advantage of combining the chemical removal of the dead skin cells (ingredients break the bond the cell has to the fresh new skin below) with the physical removal of the debris by the granular quality of the scrub so you end up with a rejuvenated skin surface.

If you're pretty good about exfoliating regularly, or your skin is sensitive, grind up some dry oatmeal in a blender until its texture is fine, combine with warm water to form a paste, and gently massage into your skin to help slough off dullness. Rinse with tepid water.

Treat your body to a smooth start to the new year by using a body scrub in the shower or employing a natural bristle brush to "sweep" your dry skin before bathing. Use gentle strokes and a light hand while working in small circular motions to refresh your skin. This process also increases circulation to the skin which gives it a rosy glow.

FLUSH TOXINS FROM YOUR SYSTEM

Your colon, kidneys, lungs, and liver filter toxins from your bloodstream via bile, the mucous membranes, and your sweat glands. Your lymph system handles toxins like bacteria and miniscule particles of the chemicals like those found in pollution. To keep your whole system running efficiently, the American Dietetic Association advises you drink half as many ounces of water each day as your body weight (For example, if you weigh 140 pounds, you should down 70 ounces a day. Up the amount if you are physically active). Staying hydrated helps all of your organs function properly and helps keep your lymph system flowing. Don't guzzle endless ounces of water thinking you can speed your body's natural rhythm, though. Too much water is dangerous since it can dilute electrolytes and crucial minerals in your system.

There are also two home remedies to try to help flush out toxins and help to eliminate excess fluid build-up associated with those added holiday pounds. One, simply add a handful (approximately 1/4 cup) of chopped fresh parsley to your salad daily. Parsley works due to its diuretic effect. Note that chopping the parsley very finely works to reduce much of the bitterness of this herb.

A second home remedy is try a shot of apple cider vinegar (no more) a day, taken with a meal. If you can't tolerate taking the vinegar in this manner, try sprinkling it liberally in place of salad dressing on your salad or freshly cooked vegetables. Apple cider vinegar helps draw toxins from the liver, a helpful way to detox post holidays.

Flax seeds and flax seed oil help flush the colon, working to, you know, clean things out. Taken in whole seed form, (such as Go Lean Creamy All Natural Instant Hot Cereal by Kashi, it's a great source of fiber. Taken in its pressed oil form, (such as VitaMedica Flax Seed Oil Capsules), it functions not just to help with colon health, but also offers a more concentrated way to obtain an adequate level of Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids.

One way you can improve lymphatic drainage is by having a lymphatic drainage massage. The specially trained masseuse will use light strokes along the branches of you lymph system to release congestion in the interstitial spaces so toxins can be moved out and nutrients and lymphocytes can move in to battle and neutralize toxins.

WORK UP A SWEAT

When you exercise, muscle contractions help massage the lymph system pushing out built up toxins. Breaking a sweat also helps move toxins out through the sweat glands. Regular exercise also revs up circulation which delivers nutrients to the skin. An added bonus is that when your skin heats up and get sweaty, it's a great time to do some exfoliation! And who doesn't look better with a little color in their cheeks after a brisk walk?

STOKE YOUR ENGINE

A steady diet of martinis and fatty buffet foods over the holidays doesn't do your skin any favors (and just in case you think we forgot smoking, that nasty habit will wreck your skin by suffocating it, constricting blood vessels, and giving it a nicotine-stained pallor). Alcohol dehydrates you so skin can lose some of its moisture content causing fine lines and wrinkles to be more pronounced. Fatty foods gunk up your circulatory system slowing down the delivery of nourishment to your skin. And let's not forget coffee and other caffeinated beverages. They too can add to the dehydration of your system so make sure you compensate for your daily habit with water.

Reform your wayward dietary ways and add healthful, skin enhancing foods to your diet. Salmon, broccoli, berries, and melon all contain nutrients that feed your skin from the inside out.

DEEP CLEAN YOUR HAIR

All that gelling, mudding, spraying, and playing with your hair can leave it with product build-up that not only dulls shine leaving you with lackluster locks, but can weigh down your tresses making styling more challenging.

To give your hair a fresh start you need to clarify it of the build up. Pick up a clarifying shampoo and use it for two weeks (yes, even your shampoo and conditioner can build up on the hair shaft) to restore perfectly clean hair. The ideal option: Warren-Tricomi PureStrength Strengthener (Close) - For All Hair Types which helps seal the hair cuticle and restore shine. Or mix up some apple cider vinegar rinse to use after you shampoo. Combine half of a cup of apple cider vinegar with a quart of warm water and rinse your hair with it. The alpha hydroxyl packed apple cider vinegar cuts through build up and returns hair to its shiny former self.

Karmen B. Saran
DERMAdoctor Staff Writer

(Any topic discussed in this article is not intended as medical advice. If you have a medical concern, please check with your doctor.)

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