How to Get Glowing Skin in Just One Week

Having clear, glowing skin can be a great boost to your confidence, but it doesn't always come naturally. Following a strict regime for a week including cleansing and moisturizing your face will help you achieve that glow, but proper skincare is so much more than just washing your face. Getting a glow and maintaining it involves much of your daily habits and keeping those in check will help you maintain radiant skin for a long time.

Steps

Determining Your Skin Type

1. Learn the basic skin types. There are five different types of skin: dry, oily, combination, normal, and sensitive, and it's important to know which one is yours before you begin treating your skin. Every skin type is treated differently, so learning how to treat yours will give you the most radiant glow.^[1]
   
2. Cleanse your skin. In order to test your skin to determine what type of skin you have, it's important to cleanse it with a mild cleanser to remove any excess dirt, makeup, and oils. Then, pat dry with a towel, but do not rub as you don't want to irritate your skin.^[2]
   
3. Press tissue paper or a napkin to the T zone. After you have cleansed and dried your skin, wait about 30 minutes, and then test the skin on your T zone. Taking tissue paper or a napkin, gently press down on your T zone, making sure the entire area makes contact with the paper.
   
   • The T zone includes your forehead and your nose. Picture making a T, with the top of the T above your eyebrows and the length of the T along your nose.
4. Examine the tissue. Remove the paper from your face and look at the dirt and oil left on it from your skin to determine your skin type. Here are some different things you might see:
   
   • Dry: Skin feels stretchy and taut, there are signs of flaky and dead skin after you've cleansed your face, and pores are small. With this skin type you'll need to take extra care in moisturizing it.
   • Oily: Shiny face and oil on the tissue, with large open pores. In order to achieve a glow with this face you'll need to keep the oil production down by using lighter products. You don't want your face to have a glow just from the oil!
   • Combination: The tissue will be oily because of the T zone, but your cheeks and other parts of your face may be normal or dry. This is a very common skin type and can be treated easily.
   • Normal: The tissue will have little oil and there will be no flakes of skin. This really just means that your face is healthy and produces an adequate amount of oil -- not too much, not too little. You'll still want to treat your face daily, though, to maintain its normalcy.
   • Sensitive: This won't necessarily show on your tissue, but it may show on your face after you've removed the tissue. Does your face look red or irritated? Do you often feel a burning sensation on your face after using facial care products? If this is the case, you likely have sensitive skin and will just need to take extra care when cleansing your face to make sure you don't use products that are too harsh on your skin.

Following CTM

1. Learn CTM (Cleansing, Toning, and Moisturizing) and stick to a daily routine. It's important that you follow this routine every day, because it provides your skin with the moisture and cleanliness it needs. Doing this in the morning will help kick start your day by giving you a fresh, clean face and then repeat the routine at night. ^[3]
   
   • People who have more sensitive skin or dry skin should only do this once per day, as cleansing your skin too much can dry it out even more and cause it to be more irritated. If you have dry skin, try following CTM in the morning and then removing your makeup and moisturizing your face at night before you go to bed.
   • Remember that exfoliating is also important. Exfoliate using a face scrub or an enzyme exfoliant two to three times a week for normal or oily skin, and one to two times a week for dry or sensitive skin.
2. Cleanse your face. Buy a soft, gentle cleanser to wash your face with each day. Start by rinsing your face with warm water to help lift dirt out of your skin, and then using a cleanser to remove oil and cleanse your face. Put the cleanser on your fingertips and gently rub onto your face and neck using circular motions and working out from the center of your face. Then, rinse with warm water and pat dry with a towel.^[4]
   
   • Make sure you get a cleanser suited for your skin type. When buying a cleanser there will often be information on the bottle explaining what type of skin type the cleanser is good for. You can also use natural facial cleansers that will probably be less irritating on your face.
   • A cream cleanser is more hydrating so it may feel more refreshing on your face and can be better if you have dry skin. However, you can also use a gel cleanser if you have more oily skin or want to remove makeup.
   • Always remove makeup before going to bed, even if you usually cleanse your face in the morning. Leaving any makeup on your face while you sleep will leave your face feeling more oily in the morning and can clog pores. You can use makeup remover or cleansing wipes to quickly remove any eye or face makeup.
3. Apply toner. Take a cotton ball and pour toner over it, or dip the cotton ball into the toner and then swipe on your T zone and other affected areas. If you have oily skin, toner is great for targeting those problem areas. ^[5]
   
   • If your skin is dry or sensitive, be careful when using toner so it doesn't dry out your skin even more and always test toner out on a small area to see how it affects your skin. Some toners may be stronger than others so you'll want to read the bottles and do some research on what toner is best for dry or sensitive skin.
4. Moisturize your skin. Once you have cleansed your face, you can apply moisturizer to keep your face hydrated and healthy. Moisturizers come in all different types so you should be able to find one suited for your skin. Even if you have oily skin you'll want to moisturize it-- just buy one that is lighter and specifically for oily skin. Buying a moisturizer with SPF is a great idea to prevent sun damage during the day.
   
5. Use eye cream. Because the area under your eye is the thinnest part of your skin, it lacks a lot of moisture. Pat a pea-sized amount of eye cream under your eye around the orbital bone and let the cream soak into your skin. This can also help if you have dark circles under your eyes, wrinkles, or eye puffiness. ^[6]
   

Monitoring Your Lifestyle Habits

1. Think about the stressors in your life. Are you feeling overwhelmed, overworked, or stressed out over something? Stress can cause an increase in acne, so monitor those things that are making you feel overwhelmed and try to find a way to cut them out of your life or reduce their impact to better your health.
   
   • When you are stressed your body releases stress hormones including cortisol, which triggers an increase in skin's oil production, leading to increased acne. ^[7]
   • Stress may cause you to make involuntary muscle contractions that can lead to the formation of wrinkles and frown lines. While this can be treated with Botox or other medical procedures, it is best to keep your stress levels to a minimum.
   • Getting adequate sleep can also lower stress levels. When you lose an hour of sleep your risk of psychological stress increases by 14%. Imagine losing four hours of sleep in one night--- that increases your chances by over 50%! Try to aim for seven hours of sleep so that you don't run the risk of developing acne from stress related to inadequate rest. ^[8]
2. Avoid unhealthy foods. Your diet is one of the most important parts of keeping clean skin. If you are eating a lot of fatty, greasy foods, or junk food, your skin is going to react to that food and be prone to more breakouts. Pay attention to the type of food you have been eating and see if it correlates to your breakouts on your face.^[9]
   
   • A diet that is high in refined sugars, also known as a high glycemic index diet, can also cause breakouts, so read nutritional labels and try to avoid foods that are high in these sugars.^[10]
3. Eat foods high in antioxidants, vitamins, and other good nutrients. Although there are a lot of foods that worsen your skin, there are also a lot of foods that can benefit your skin, giving it the proper nutrients that it needs to maintain hydration and stay healthy. Some great things to focus on when choosing foods for your diet are:^[11]
   
   • Selenium -- It's a mineral that helps protect your skin from gaining free radicals that can cause wrinkling, dryness, and some diseases. You can find these minerals in foods like Brazilian nuts, shrimp, lamb, tuna, salmon, whole wheat pasta, light turkey, and cooked beef.
   • Antioxidants--These also prevent free radicals from entering your body. Colorful fruits and vegetables like berries, tomatoes, spinach, beets, squash, and sweet potatoes all have antioxidants.
   • CoQ10 -- This is a key antioxidant that decreases in your body as you get older. You can find this in salmon, tuna, poultry, liver, and whole grains. Some skincare products also contain this to prevent wrinkles.
   • Vitamin A -- This prevents dry, flaky skin and can be found in carrots, cantaloupes, and oranges along with leafy greens, eggs, and low-fat dairy foods. You can also purchase prescription acne products that contain Vitamin A called retinoids that will help treat wrinkles and brown spots.
   • Vitamin C -- This helps protect you from the sun and prevent sun damage.^[12] Find this vitamin in citrus fruits, red bell peppers, papayas, kiwis, broccoli, and brussels sprouts.
   • Vitamin E -- This is another antioxidant that can help save your skin from sun damage and prevent inflammation. Eat foods like nuts, seeds, vegetable oils, olives, spinach, asparagus, and leafy greens to obtain this vitamin.
   • Healthy fats -- Yes, some fats are good for you! Look for Omega-3s and Omega-6s to help create your skin's natural oil barrier, which keeps away dryness and blemishes while also making your skin look younger and smoother. You can find these fatty acids in olive and canola oils, flaxseeds, walnuts, and cold-water fish like salmon, sardines, and mackerel.
   • Green tea -- This is considered a "magic potion" for your skin because it can help stop inflammation, slow DNA damage, and prevent sun damage.
4. Drink lots of water. Water is so important for your health for so many reasons, and drinking enough water during the day will give your skin that hydrated glow. Increase your water intake to eight glasses a day to help rid your body and skin of toxins.^[13]
   
   • Just like any organ in your body, the skin is made up of cells that, without water, will not function properly. Skin is one of the last organs to be reached by water you have drunk, so make sure you drink an adequate amount so that it hydrates your skin. ^[14]
5. Exercise frequently. Exercising on a regular basis not only helps decrease stress levels, but it also increases your blood circulation which sends more oxygen to your skin cells and carries cell waste away. Keep in mind that sweat can cause breakouts, so make sure you practice proper hygiene after your workout.^[15]
   
6. Use sunscreen.^[16] This cannot be stressed enough. One of the greatest ways to damage your skin is through overexposure to the sun. You may think you're getting that "natural glow" by tanning, but exposure to the sun without protecting your skin increases your risk of skin cancer and can create sunspots on your skin as well as make your acne worse through the inflammation of a sunburn. ^[17]
   
   • Anytime you go outside, put sunscreen on. Sunscreens are made for different skin types as well, so if you have oily skin, find a lighter sunscreen with ingredients like avobenzone, oxybenzone, methoxycinnamate, octocrylene, and zinc oxide. You can also search for a label that says noncomedogenic, which means it won't clog your pores.^[18]
7. Avoid touching your face. This may seem silly, but acne can be triggered by the oils on your hands. Throughout the day, pay attention to where you place your hands. Are you resting your chin or cheek in your palm? Are you constantly picking at blemishes on your skin or swiping your hair out of your face? All of these things contribute to the oil on your face, which in excess can lead to more acne.
   
   • Your cell phone also carries a lot of germs and oils that can easily attach to your face. The heat produced by your cell phone can multiply bacteria and when you put it to your face to talk on the phone you are being exposed to much of that bacteria. Get into the practice of cleaning your phone with a wipe or hand sanitizer once a day. ^[19]

Wearing Makeup

1. Even out your skin tone. Many people have skin that's discolored or splotchy, so evening out your skin tone to remove redness is an important step to achieve a healthy glow. Apply a tinted moisturizer, blending it in evenly over your skin. Make sure you use one that is similar to your skin tone (you don't want to use one that is bronze if you have ivory skin) and don't cake it on. Look for a tone correcting moisturizer that is relatively sheer.^[20]
   
   • If your skin tone is between two shades, choose the shade slightly lighter than your skin.
2. Apply concealer. Use a concealer slightly lighter than your skin. This will help cover blemishes, redness, and dark circles. Dab small amounts on your problem areas and blend in lightly with your finger. Applying this under your eyes to lighten them up and cover any puffiness or dark circles or anywhere you have redness or uneven skin tone is also a good use of the concealer.
   
   • Make sure to use just the right amount. If you use too much concealer and don't rub it in well, you will only draw attention to your blemishes. On the other hand, if you use too little, you won't be able to cover up your blemishes or problem areas adequately.
3. Brush on a bronzer. Choose a bronzer that is a shade or two darker than your skin tone, and using a kabuki brush, dust your face with the bronzer and then your neck and chest to blend. Dip the brush in the bronzer, tap off excess bronzer, and use circular motions to apply.
   
   • A kabuki brush can be found at most drug stores in the cosmetic section. It has a dome-shaped head for wide, even coverage with short, dense bristles.
4. Add a pop of color. To create a glow on your cheeks, choose a light pink or peachy blush and brush along your cheekbones. Smile in the mirror and applying to the apples of your cheeks, blend the blush towards your temples, only using enough that it creates a small glow. Blush helps prevent your face from looking too flat.
   
5. Apply a cream highlighter. This step is optional, but it can help highlight the contour of your face and creates a pearly radiance. Swipe the cream highlighter on the cheekbones, the tip of your nose, the cupid's bow (the center of your upper lip where it creates a concave), and along the arch of your brow. Then blend with your fingertips to make the highlights look natural. ^[21]
   
6. Admire the results. Once you have finished your makeup, look at yourself in the mirror, and admire your natural glow! This makeup style is supposed to look very natural, as if you aren't wearing any makeup, so if your makeup is visibly noticeable you might consider going a little lighter.
   

What Procedures Can Brighten Skin Complexion?

Video

Reader Videos

Tips

• Changes hardly happen overnight, so be patient in this process and continue to create good habits. Be persistent and constant. Creating good habits like these takes time and consistency, so if you skip an entire week it may be hard to get back on track.
• Sometimes a simple soap bar is good for cleansing, especially if you are reacting negatively to other products.
• If your acne is very bad, visit a dermatologist who might be able to give you other suggestions or prescribe you specific medicine.
• Wash your sheets regularly so that oil doesn't build up too much on your pillowcases.

Warnings

• Never pick at your pimples. This can create scars and you're adding to the oil already on your face by touching it.
• If you find that you're using facial cleansing products but still breaking out, the products may contain harsh chemicals that are irritating your face. Try switching to another product, and you also may try only washing your face with the cleanser once a day.

Related wikiHows

• Get Beautiful, Glowing Skin
• Get Healthy, Glowing Skin (Men)
• Have Flawless Skin in a Week
• Make Your Skin Glow in Minutes

References

Quick Summary

1. ↑ https://www.siumed.org/blog/how-determine-your-skin-type-and-why-it-matters
2. ↑ https://www.thewomens.org.au/health-information/staying-well/tips-for-staying-well/caring-for-your-skin
3. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/routine/healthier-looking-skin
4. ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/skin-tips.html
5. ↑ https://www.gundersenhealth.org/health-wellness/aging-well/why-you-should-add-toner-to-your-skincare-routine
6. ↑ https://www.nm.org/healthbeat/healthy-tips/do-you-really-need-a-skin-care-routine
7. ↑ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0889159123003768#:~:text=Stress%20can%20also%20affect%20the,dermatitis%2C%20acne%2C%20and%20urticaria
8. ↑ https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2013/sleep
9. ↑ https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/go-red-get-fit/unhealthy-foods
10. ↑ https://skinhealthinstitute.org.au/healthy-skin-guide/nutrition-for-healthy-skin/
11. ↑ https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/antioxidants
12. ↑ [v161454_b01]. 2 July 2020.
13. ↑ https://www.uwhealth.org/services/cosmetic-surgery
14. ↑ https://accesshealthla.org/top-5-benefits-drinking-water/
15. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/benefitsofexercise.html
16. ↑ [v161454_b01]. 2 July 2020.
17. ↑ https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/sunscreen-and-your-morning-routine
18. ↑ https://www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/causes-and-prevention/sun-safety/about-sunscreen
19. ↑ https://dermnetnz.org/topics/acne-vulgaris
20. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HT1-vp71mW4
21. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-truth-about-exercise-addiction/201606/the-surprising-psychology-behind-makeup

How to Ask Better Questions

Learn how to impress everyone with more thoughtful questions

Asking questions is essential to communication. But many people don’t always ask the right kinds of questions, and as a result they miss out on a lot of important details. Fortunately, asking questions, like anything else, is a skill that can be cultivated. Seeing the world around you more clearly starts with having an understanding of what you’re looking for when exchanging the sort of insights that lead to real discoveries. Before you ask a question, it’s worth thinking about what you hope to gain and how you can present it to arrive at the information you’re lacking.

How to Ask Great Questions: Quick Tips

1. Have a purpose for asking each question and what you want from the answer.
2. Choose the person with the most expertise to ask your question.
3. Keep your question brief and to the point.
4. Listen with your full attention when the person answers.
5. Ask follow-up questions based on their answers to deepen the conversation.

Steps

How to Ask Questions That Have Weight

1. Be willing to ask.^[1] Many people are hesitant to ask questions because they’re afraid it will make them look uninformed. When you request an explanation or clarification, however, it only furthers your understanding. Think of good questions as tools for making sense of the world around you.^[2]
   
   • If you're embarrassed to ask a question in front of others, consider doing it through an impersonal format like email, or wait for a time when you can do it privately.
   • Asking the right questions at the right time is a characteristic of strong leaders.^[3]
2. Have a clear purpose in mind. Before you pose a question, consider what you hope to gain by asking. Are you gathering information in order to make a critical decision, or looking for feedback on something you’ve done? Thinking about exactly what you want to accomplish will help you refine your line of questioning, which will in turn result in more satisfying answers.^[4]
   
   • Ask yourself, “What do I hope to learn by asking this question?” This will help you formulate the question more effectively.
3. Ask relevant and appropriate questions. There may be certain times when it’s better to keep your questions to yourself. It may be that the question could cause confusion or offense, or that the answer is something you could figure out on your own with the right context clues. Mull your question over carefully and consider what, if anything, it will add to the conversation.^[5]
   
   • If the question you’re about to ask is one you wouldn’t feel comfortable answering yourself, it might be better to let it go.
   • Redundant or obvious questions can distract from the big picture, and may make it seem like you’re not paying attention.
4. Ask the right person. Not everyone has the same feelings, experiences or expertise. If the answer you receive is to be of any use to you, it needs to come from an authoritative source. Address your question to someone who you think might be able to offer the insights you’re looking for, or who has a direct connection to the subject you’re inquiring about.^[6]
   
   • You wouldn’t ask your spouse how to treat acute bronchitis, just as you wouldn’t ask your doctor how you can be a better listener during arguments.
   • By directing your questions judiciously, you stand to make the discussion more enriching for both parties.

How to Ask an Effective Question

1. Ask the question as soon as it comes to you. It’s usually best to get your question out there while it’s still fresh on your mind. That way, you won’t forget it or feel bashful about asking later. You’ll also be given a chance to clarify key information before moving on to other concerns.
   
   • In most cases, you can simply raise your hand or wait for a pause in the conversation to fire off your question.
   • If you’re not in a position to ask a question immediately (such as late at night or in the middle of a presentation), make a note of it so you can bring it up the first chance you get.
2. Word your questions carefully. Ideally, they should be phrased in such a way that they point to the information you’re lacking. You might know what a thing is, but not how it works or why it’s important. How you frame the question can determine the kind of response you get.^[7]
   
   • Stay away from complicated jargon or overly technical terms. Aim to speak in a way that anyone can understand.
   • Avoid influencing your listener with your own judgments. Rather than asking, “Isn't David a great candidate?” try the more neutral, “What did you think of Mr. Miller's proposal?”^[8]
3. Keep it brief. Don’t use any more words than are strictly needed to articulate your question. If you ramble on at length or add lots of qualifications or other extraneous details, your listener can easily get bogged down. For the sake of clarity, each question should boil down to one central theme or idea.^[9]
   
   • If you need to touch on multiple points, do it in a follow up question.^[10]
   • In general, it’s best to stick with short sentences that don’t beat around the bush. Otherwise, your listener may be forced to guess at your meaning.
   • Even a question as difficult to unpack as, "How can we create a more tolerant society?" can be phrased in a simple, straightforward manner.
4. Listen attentively to the answer.^[11] As you’re receiving an answer, be respectful and focus on what the person is saying without interruption. Let them finish explaining themselves before you present a rebuttal or ask a related question. Any uncertainty you feel will likely be cleared up by their response.^[12]
   
   • Maintain eye contact, nod or offer a vocal agreement periodically to let the person know you’re listening.^[13]
   • Now is not the time to interject with doubts or opinions. After all, the whole point of asking was to find out something you don’t already know.
5. Ask follow up questions. The answer you receive may raise further questions, or it may hint at new information. Once you’ve asked your initial question, you can zoom in to get a clearer sense of the ideas that are being conveyed. Give the other person a chance to explain their viewpoint more thoroughly, or shift the discussion from stating facts to coming up with practical solutions.
   
   • It can be advantageous to approach the topic from different angles. If your first question is, “What is the biggest obstacle facing this project?,” the next one could be, “How can we resolve the issue quickly and efficiently?”^[14]
   • Narrow down subsequent questions as you deliver them—start by presenting an overview of the subject, then work your way into the nitty-gritty details.

Types of Questions to Ask Questions

1. Request specific information. When there’s something you need to know, asking directly is often the best way to find out. Your question might be as simple as, “What time is it?” or as complex as, “How is ribosomal RNA produced?”, but in either case, you’ll be better off once you ask.^[15]
   
   • Arriving at the right answer promptly will be most useful in situations where your ability to succeed depends on having all the facts, like when you’re studying for an exam or in need of directions.
   • Developing a habit of asking thoughtful questions every day is one of the first steps to becoming a lifelong learner.^[16]
2. Find out someone’s thoughts or opinions. Sometimes, our most striking ideas are the result of other people’s observations. Whenever you can, encourage your listener to give you their reading of a particular issue or event. Asking someone how they feel allows them to share their unique perspective, which could bring things to your attention that you hadn’t previously considered.^[17]
   
   • Asking inclusive questions that get the people around you involved and thinking is essential for building camaraderie, whether they’re a coworker or a casual acquaintance.^[18]
   • These types of questions also have a positive effect on relationships because they show that you care about what the other person has to say.
3. Ask open-ended questions. Try not to limit your questions to a set of prescribed options (“Is holistic medicine a good or bad thing?”). It’s better to keep them abstract to make room for a wider range of possible responses. Open-ended prompts are useful for sparking deep discussions that have the potential to lead to enlightening breakthroughs.^[19]
   
   • Whereas “Did you like my painting?” invites a simple “yes” or “no” response, “What did you think about the exhibit?” invites the listener to elaborate on their impressions freely.^[20]
   • Abstract questioning challenges listeners to draw their own conclusions rather than being guided toward a conventional answer.

Video

Tips

• Familiarize yourself with the six common question words (“who,” “what,” “when,” “where,” “why” and “how”) and use the one that’s most appropriate for the situation.
• Don’t be afraid to put your questions out there when they arise—the more you ask, the more you’ll learn.
• Be ready to accept answers with an open mind. If you’re stubborn or treat the answer with disinterest, you won’t benefit from what you’re being told.
• Assume you know less than you do. You may discover that you were misinformed about a certain subject.

Warnings

• Avoid asking questions that might be interpreted as rude or insulting. This is likely to alienate the listener, which will only hurt your chances of reaching a place of mutual understanding.

References

1. ↑ [v161440_b01]. 11 June 2020.
2. ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaellindenmayer/2013/06/18/ask-great-question-leadership-skills-of-socrates/#3d6002259879
3. ↑ https://bigthink.com/think-tank/want-to-lead-learn-to-ask-the-right-questions
4. ↑ https://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/how-amazingly-good-asking-questions.html
5. ↑ https://www.thindifference.com/2016/07/ask-better-questions/
6. ↑ https://www.inc.com/kat-boogaard/5-mistakes-youre-making-when-asking-questions.html
7. ↑ https://www.dummies.com/careers/find-a-job/interviews/ten-tips-for-asking-good-questions/
8. ↑ https://www.inc.com/jeff-haden/5-ways-to-ask-the-perfect-question.html
9. ↑ https://www.inc.com/jeff-haden/5-ways-to-ask-the-perfect-question.html
10. ↑ https://www.dummies.com/careers/find-a-job/interviews/ten-tips-for-asking-good-questions/
11. ↑ [v161440_b01]. 11 June 2020.
12. ↑ https://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/how-amazingly-good-asking-questions.html
13. ↑ https://www.mindtools.com/CommSkll/ActiveListening.htm
14. ↑ https://michaelhyatt.com/asking-more-powerful-questions.html
15. ↑ https://globaldigitalcitizen.org/ask-good-questions-infographic
16. ↑ https://trainingmag.com/how-become-lifelong-learner
17. ↑ https://michaelhyatt.com/asking-more-powerful-questions.html
18. ↑ https://www.fastcompany.com/3043487/how-to-ask-better-questions
19. ↑ https://www.dummies.com/careers/find-a-job/interviews/ten-tips-for-asking-good-questions/
20. ↑ https://www.thindifference.com/2016/07/ask-better-questions/

How to Prune Tomatoes

Plus, the benefits of trimming tomato plants

Pruning is an important part of keeping your tomato plant productive and healthy, and fortunately, it’s super easy to get started! In this article, we’re providing the ultimate guide on pruning tomatoes so you get the largest, juiciest fruit. We also talked to plant and gardening specialists about why you should prune and the best type of soil to grow tomatoes in.

How to Trim Tomato Plants for the Best Yield

Prune the suckers (the small shoots between the main stem and branches) below the lowest flower cluster on your plant. You can leave 1-2 thicker suckers near the top to maximize growth and fruit production. Remove any low, yellowing, or diseased leaves, and top your plant 30 days before the first expected frost.

Steps

How to Prune Tomatoes

1. Determine your variety and only prune indeterminate tomatoes. According to edible gardening expert Erin Hostetler, “you don’t want to prune determinate tomatoes...because you [reduce] your yields by doing that.”^[1] Determinate tomatoes only grow to a certain height and are more compact, while indeterminate tomatoes keep growing throughout the season and are more vine-like.^[2]Here are some common varieties of each:
   
   • Indeterminate: Beefsteak, Big Boy, Brandywine, Sungold, Sweet Million, Cherokee Purple, and most cherry, heirloom, and dwarf varieties.
   • Determinate: Roma, Rutgers, Early Girl, Patio, Zebra Cherry, Celebrity, San Marzano Nano, Amish Paste, Marglobe, Amelia, Better Bush, Heinz Classic, and Mountain Pride.
2. Remove all suckers below the first flower cluster. A “sucker” is a tiny branch sprouting between the main stalk of the tomato plant and an established branch, usually growing at a 45° angle from the plant. If the sucker is less than 2 inches long, you can simply grab the base between your thumb and forefinger and pinch it off. If it’s longer, use sanitized garden shears to make a clean cut as close to the main stem as possible.^[3]
   
   • It’s best to remove suckers when they’re small. Once the suckers grow thicker than a pencil, they will leave a large wound behind when removed.^[4]
   • You want to remove all the suckers below the lowest flower cluster so they don’t take away energy from fruit production. Removing the suckers ensures that most of the nutrients are sent to the fruits, instead of being wasted on the growing tips.^[5]
   • If you live in a warmer zone, however, follow the “Missouri pruning” method and pinch off the leaflets on the end of each sucker, leaving the 2 base leaflets in place. They can help shade the fruit and prevent sunscald.
3. Leave up to 4 suckers on the tomato plant to increase your yield (optional). If you have the space and support for a multi-vine system, you can keep a few suckers higher up on your plant. These suckers will act as secondary stems to support more growth and fruit.^[6] Generally, people keep 1-2 thicker suckers near the top of their plant, but you can leave up to 4 suckers—any more than that will yield smaller fruit.
   
   • If you decide to keep a sucker, treat it like a second main stem. Prune its own suckers regularly and make sure it's supported with a stake or tie.
4. Trim lower leaves that touch the ground to prevent disease. Removing the lower 6-12 inches of leaves can prevent blight and soil-borne diseases from splashing onto your plant when raindrops hit the ground.^[7] Just bend each leaf upwards and then downwards until you hear a soft snap. If the leaves only bend and do not snap, use a sharp knife or pruning shears to cut them off close to the stem.^[8]
   
   • If you live in a warmer zone, you can keep some lower leaves on your plant to shade the ground and prevent sunscald. Just remove damaged or yellow leaves, as well as leaves that touch the soil.
   • If your plant is in a humid environment, such as a greenhouse, remove everything below the first flower cluster to improve ventilation. Humidity can make it easier for sicknesses to flourish, plus cause the wounds created while pruning to dry up more slowly, making the plant vulnerable.^[9]
5. Top your plant about 30 days before the first expected frost. To speed up ripening of the remaining fruit, you need to “top” your plant, or remove the growing tips of each main stem. This forces your plant to stop making flowers and redirect its energy into growing larger fruit. Just take clean gardening shears and cut right above the flower cluster.^[10]
   

When to Prune Tomatoes

1. Start pruning when the plant is 12-18 inches tall. Wait for the first tomato flowers to open and for the plant to be established. This usually happens in late June or early July. During the first 6 weeks, you may need to prune the suckers once or twice a week since they grow quickly.^[11] Afterwards, continue pruning every 10-14 days.^[12]
   
   • Stop pruning 1-2 weeks before your first harvest so the plant can produce canopies that protect its fruits from sunscald.

Why should I prune my tomatoes?

1. Pruning improves airflow and increases your fruit production. Pruning allows your plant to “put energy into a way that it can be most productive,” says Hostetler.^[13] Removing extra growth forces your plant to focus on producing larger, healthier tomatoes, which also helps the fruit ripen more quickly. Getting rid of dense, crowded leaves in the center of the plant also improves airflow and prevents diseases, such as blight and mildew.^[14]
   
   • You can also “strategically prune horizontal growth on the plants to increase airflow, which increases fruit production, and overall health,” says Hostetler.^[15]

When is it too late to prune tomatoes?

1. It’s never too late to prune, but avoid heavy pruning late in the season. Generally, you can always trim small suckers near the base and yellow or diseased leaves, but you should avoid removing lots of suckers (especially thick ones) if your plant is fully grown and loaded with fruit.^[16] Heavy pruning at the end of the season can stress your plant and interfere with your harvest.
   

Video

Tips

• Make sure the indeterminate tomatoes are tied to supports after flowering occurs. Otherwise, the vine will grow along the ground and won't produce healthy tomatoes.
• In most cases, you should not prune determinate tomatoes. However, you can remove dead or yellowing leaves to prevent disease, or lightly trim the center to improve airflow.
• Capanelli recommends planting your tomatoes in Fox Farm Ocean Forest Soil because it “has worm castings in it, which are magic for container gardening in any kind of blooming or high demand producing plant.”^[17]

Warnings

• If you find disease on your tomato plant, disinfect all of your tools with rubbing alcohol, especially garden gloves and pruning shears.^[18]
• If you smoke, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water, and disinfect your pruning equipment before handling tomato plants.^[19]

Related wikiHows

• Grow a Tomato Plant
• Grow Tomatoes from Seeds
• Grow Tomatoes in a Greenhouse
• Grow Tomatoes Upside Down

References

Quick Summary

1. ↑ [v162336_b01]. 4 April 2023.
2. ↑ https://www.gcfb.org/pruning-tomato-plants/
3. ↑ https://www.gcfb.org/pruning-tomato-plants/
4. ↑ https://rvpadmin.cce.cornell.edu/uploads/doc_346.pdf
5. ↑ https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/tomato-pruning/
6. ↑ https://youtu.be/q4IUhZMA9O0?t=515
7. ↑ https://durham.ces.ncsu.edu/2020/06/pruning-for-healthier-more-productive-tomatoes/
8. ↑ https://rvpadmin.cce.cornell.edu/uploads/doc_346.pdf
9. ↑ https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/tomato-diseases-disorders/#:~:text=The+fungus+is+most+active,some+weeds+related+to+tomato https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/tomato-diseases-disorders/
10. ↑ https://www.uvm.edu/extension/news/how-prune-tomato-plants
11. ↑ https://rvpadmin.cce.cornell.edu/uploads/doc_346.pdf
12. ↑ https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/tomato-pruning/
13. ↑ [v162336_b01]. 4 April 2023.
14. ↑ https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/tomato-pruning/
15. ↑ [v162336_b01]. 4 April 2023.
16. ↑ https://rvpadmin.cce.cornell.edu/uploads/doc_346.pdf
17. ↑ [v161590_b01]. 22 September 2020.
18. ↑ https://ucanr.edu/site/uc-master-gardeners-napa-county/tomato-pruning
19. ↑ https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/pruning-tomatoes-home-garden

How to Keep a Girl Interested over Text Examples

Texting a girl is a great way to get to know her and learn more about her. Thinking of what to say and making sure your conversation is interesting can be tough, though, especially if you tend to overthink things. We’ve compiled a list of ways you can keep your text convo interesting and never run out of things to say.

Steps

Give her a compliment.

1. It will make her feel good about herself. Plus, you can tell her how cool she is so she gets the message that you like her. If your conversation is getting a little boring, flatter her with something about her personality. Stay away from anything about her looks, since that might make her uncomfortable. Try things like:^[1]
   
   • “I love talking to you. You always know how to make me laugh!”
   • “You have the best taste out of anyone I know. Could you help me pick a birthday gift for my sister?”
   • “I can’t believe you got the best grade in our class. You’re so smart!”

Ask open-ended questions.

1. Pick questions she can’t answer with “yes” or “no.” It will keep your conversation flowing well, and you can answer the questions as you go along, too.^[2] If you think of anything to ask her, try rephrasing it so she answers with a full sentence or a paragraph. Try things like:^[3]
   
   • “Which do you prefer: dogs or cats?”
   • “If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?”
   • “What’s your favorite video game?”

Follow up on something she told you about.

1. Show her that you remember your previous conversations. If there’s anything you two talked about previously that you want to talk about again, bring it up in a funny, casual way. You could also ask her how a specific event went or how her hobbies are going. Try something like:^[4]
   
   • “So, you said you’re Drake’s biggest fan? What’d you think of his latest single?”
   • “You said you had a swim meet yesterday, right? How’d that go?”
   • “Have you been rock climbing a lot this summer? It’s been so nice out!”

Tell her a cool story.

1. You don’t have to brag, but try to show her that you’re interesting.^[5] Maybe you just went on vacation, bought a new car, or got a new pet. If there’s anything cool that just happened to you, tell her about it over text to keep her interested in you. Say something like:^[6]
   
   • “OMG, the craziest thing just happened to me. I went to Starbucks and I saw Jenna Fischer ordering a latte! I was way too nervous to say hi.”
   • “I just adopted a new dog! His name is Rocky, he’s the cutest thing ever.”

Ask her deep questions about herself.

1. Get to know her personally over texts. You can ask about her childhood, her goals, and her aspirations in life. The more you talk about deep things like these, the more you two will form a connection. Ask questions like:^[7]
   
   • “Who are you closest to in your family?”
   • “What’s a happy memory from your childhood?”
   • “Where do you see yourself in 10 years?”

Create an inside joke with her.

1. If you know her IRL, make fun of something silly that’s happened. Maybe you have a math teacher who’s never on time to class, or maybe you saw a really bad movie together last week. Remind her of it and make her laugh by saying something like:^[8]
   
   • “Uh oh, I’m running late today. You might as well call me Mr. Brown.”
   • “Saw a dog today that totally reminded me of the movie we saw. I can’t believe how terrible it was!”

Start a fun debate.

1. Bring up something silly that you two can “fight” over. Pick something totally random, like whether or not a hot dog is a sandwich. It will pique her interest, and you two can disagree over text while having a funny conversation. For instance:^[9]
   
   • “Is Santa Claus evil? Why or why not?”
   • “Being a dog mom is a full time job. Agree or disagree?”
   • “Can soup be a drink?”

Text pics of what you’re up to.

1. Spice up your conversation with a few fun pics. If you’re out and about, text her about what you’re doing and send along a photo to show her your perspective. You can also send her these over Snapchat, but there’s something a little more special about messaging them to her directly.^[10]
   
   • For instance, if you’re watching a football game in person, you might send a pic of the field at half time.
   • Or, if you’re at a water park, take a quick selfie in front of the slides.

Avoid sending one-word responses.

1. This can really throw off a conversation. If she’s asking you questions or sending you messages, don’t reply with just “yup” or “okay.”^[11] She might think you’re not interested, and she could even stop texting you all together.^[12]
   
   • You should also try to avoid texting her more than twice in a row. Sending double texts can seem a little desperate, and you don’t want to come on too strong.

Ask her to meet up in person.

1. Texting is nice, but an in-person convo is even better. If you can, try to steer the conversation toward meeting up in real life as soon as possible.^[13] You can suggest a place to get the ball rolling and see what she says.^[14]
   
   • Say something like, “I’ve had a ton of fun talking to you over text. Would you want to grab coffee this weekend?”
   • Or, “I know you like hiking—wanna show me a trail this weekend?”
   • Instead, wait until you see her in person to dive into serious topics!

Questions and Compliments to Keep a Girl Interested over Text

Sample Questions to Keep Someone Interested over Text

Sample Questions to Keep Someone Interested over Text

Sample Compliments to Keep Someone Interested over Text

Sample Compliments to Keep Someone Interested over Text

Tips

• It’s hard to text somebody 24/7. You can text her as often as you’d like, but try to save some conversation for when you two meet up in person.

References

1. ↑ https://www.seventeen.com/love/dating-advice/g23841958/how-to-text-a-girl/?slide=4
2. ↑ [v161232_b01]. 5 November 2019.
3. ↑ https://www.cosmopolitan.com/sex-love/a34719771/how-to-flirt-over-texts/
4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=320&v=7FgH_sx0Ujs&feature=youtu.be
5. ↑ [v161232_b01]. 5 November 2019.
6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42ZYH0hR4Po&t=467s
7. ↑ https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/flirty-text-messages-examples#slide-8
8. ↑ https://www.seventeen.com/love/dating-advice/g23841958/how-to-text-a-girl/?slide=6
9. ↑ https://www.cosmopolitan.com/sex-love/a34719771/how-to-flirt-over-texts/
10. ↑ https://www.seventeen.com/love/dating-advice/g23841958/how-to-text-a-girl/?slide=8
11. ↑ [v161232_b01]. 5 November 2019.
12. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=165&v=rPegBFyeS4E&feature=youtu.be
13. ↑ [v161232_b01]. 5 November 2019.
14. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=530&v=7FgH_sx0Ujs&feature=youtu.be