What Every Woman Needs to Know About Her Skin and Hair

Book excerpt: The appearance of our skin and hair has a huge impact on our psychological wellbeing and confidence. Women feel pressure to have glowing, blemish-free skin, and thick, luscious hair at all times - in reality, our skin is a dynamic living organ which reacts to hormonal changes across the lifecycle, from puberty to the menopause. When our skin does not look healthy, and when our hair is thin or falling out, we want to understand why, and what we can do about it. We can spend large amounts on different creams and beauty products, or cover the problem with makeup, but ultimately the question most asked by women, and unanswered by skincare regimes, is 'could this be hormonal?' The answer is, of course, 'yes' - and if you read this book, you'll know exactly how and why. By giving you a better understanding of the relationship between your hormones, and common skin and hair problems, Dr Mandy Leonhardt will help you find lasting solutions whatever your issue. Whether you suffer with outbreaks, dry skin, sensitive skin, pigmentation or are concerned about the way your skin is aging in midlife, What Every Woman Needs to Know About Her Skin and Hair will provide you with the tools to find more holistic and effective solutions which don't just scratch (or moisturise) the surface, but which look at the root cause of the problem. Drawing on both the latest research and on her years of experience as a GP and specialist in women's health, Dr Leonhardt offers scientifically proven and practical advice to both understand and better manage the condition of your skin, hair and nails. She will explain which skincare principles (and types of product) are worthwhile, and which aren't; and how you can effectively connect the dots between your skin health and factors like nutrition and lifestyle. She gives clear advice on which non-medical treatments are worth pursuing (and, again, which aren't), and plenty of additional resources to help you find a cost-effective regime which takes both your hormonal stage in life and your bank balance into account.