9 SECRET SIGNS SOMETHING’S WRONG

Cracked lips or bloodshot eyes? Here’s what your face may be revealing

You probably inspect your face in the mirror for lines and wrinkles, but do you know what to watch out for when it comes to your health? While blemishes and imperfections don’t make us feel particularly good about ourselves, some of them may also be a sign of a bigger problem. We look at what to keep an eye on and how to fix things fast.

Skin

1 FLUSHED CHEEKS

And not just after exercise or a glass of wine? This could be due to the perimenopause or menopause. Less likely, it can also be a sign of the autoimmune condition systemic lupus erythematosus, which causes a butterfly-shaped rash over your cheeks and nose. Very rarely, it can be a sign of a heart condition, where the valve doesn’t work properly.

FIX IT: If it persists or is uncomfortable, see your GP for blood tests.

2 ACNE AND SPOTS

Pimples are a pain, whatever your age. ‘For women in their middle years, the reason is often hormone imbalance,’ says nutritionist Louise Lewis.

FIX IT: ‘Hormones are made from cholesterol, so we need good fats – from nuts, avocado, seeds, olive oil – and the right nutrients, which we can get by eating a wide variety of fruit and vegetables, for our bodies to make use of them,’ says Louise.

3 DOWNY HAIR