29 Apr Is there a RIGHT sort of water retention?

There are pages and pages of information on the Internet and in magazines on how to get rid of water retention.

However, it’s important to remember that whilst the type of fluid retention that causes bloating and puffiness is the last thing anyone wants, using water to hydrate the cells in your body needs to be right at the top of your health and beauty regime!

Boost hydration from within

In addition to the important job of flushing out toxins, having the right balance of water in the soft tissues under your skin helps to keep it looking plump and youthful.

Whilst keeping your skin hydrated begins from the inside out is key, findings from a scientific study conducted by the Aichi Medical University in Japan suggest that you can also hydrate skin effectively from the outside too.

The answer is not to slap on thick moisturising creams or expensive serums, but to spray your skin with good old fashioned water!

The study found that spraying a fine mist of water onto the faces of 17 women aged between 30 – 46 years old improved the moisture levels and elasticity of their skin. The misting technique allows tiny particles of water to pass through the small gaps between skin cells. The report stresses that distilled water is best, as the distillation process means that all impurities have been removed, so you don’t risk clogging up your pores.

Of course, spraying water onto your skin may help keep it hydrated, but it is equally important to consider hydration from the inside too by eating plenty of hydrating foods and drinking lots of clear fluids.

Choose water for a clear complexion

Everyone knows that the recommended level of fluid intake is 6 – 8 glasses of water per day.

Whilst clear fluids are best to hydrate tissues and flush out toxins, if you struggle to down that much water, other drinks such as tea, coffee or fruit juice can count towards your daily allowance when consumed in moderation.

Fruit juice or sodas can be packed with calories or nasties such as sugar or chemical sugar replacements and if you drink a lot of coffee, it can actually dehydrate you rather than contribute to hydration. NHS guidelines state that fluid intake from fruit juice, vegetable juice, or smoothies should be no more than one small glass a day.

Whilst water is vital, it is possible to overdo it – although you would have to take it to extreme levels to put yourself at risk. Drinking too much H2O is called ‘water intoxication’ and can be very dangerous, causing sickness, nausea, severe headaches or swelling of the brain.

How do you know if you’re properly hydrated?

A quick way to test if you are properly hydrated is to assess your skin’s ‘turgor’ or bounce factor: lightly pinch the skin on the back of your hand for half a minute or so and see how long it takes to go back to normal when you let go. If the pinched skin is very slow to return to normal, you need to take steps to up your hydration.

Of course, as we age, skin loses some of its natural elasticity, but it is a good idea to know how your skin reacts when you know you are fully hydrated so that you can keep an eye on your hydration levels.

The next time you’re thinking about how to get rid of water retention, remember that when it comes to your skin, retaining moisture is actually a good thing and can be achieved by making sure your skin is hydrated from the outside and the inside.

If drinking more water helps your skin, but doesn’t solve problems with unwanted fluid retention and puffiness, why not try a popular natural herbal remedy containing Dandelion Root and Leaf such as HRI Water Balance to help relieve the problem?

It really is all about balance!

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