African-American skin problems

Preventative care needs to be a priority for African- American skin care since treatment of sensitive skin is complicated by the possibility of further trauma.* KeloidsThis is overgrown scar tissue often formed after piercing or surgery. These can be surgically removed with extreme care because of hyperpigmentation.These are stereotypically common after shaving. However although susceptible to problems it is also very beautiful and glowing when looked after.Sourceshttp://www . African American skin has a tendency to lose its elasticity very easily consequently resulting in loose skin, stretch marks and fat globs around the waist, thighs, stomach, breasts and face and neck area.

Cortisone creams, intense pulsed laser treatments or even skin grafting may be needed as treatment. * Hair loss and breakage. Common problems include:* HyperpigmentationThis is where patches of the skin become darker in color this is usually after a cut, graze or burn.* Ingrown hairs/razor bumps. * Pityriasis alba.* Flesh moles.net/nyTimesArticle.

Extra care has to be taken in the treating of acne or eczema because of hyperpigmentation.This is very common among African Americans. Topical medications may help. Dermatologists may recommend different shaving methods to avoid them, but permanent laser hair removal is very popular.brownskin.This mostly occurs in children and it causes round light patches of scaly skin on the face and upper arms. Extra care needs to be taken when choosing hair products and extreme care when buying and using hair straightening products.org .* VitiligoThis is a disorder in which pigment cells are damaged or destroyed and replaced with white patches. html www.

This article has only looked at the problems of African-American skin as the title suggests.aad. All skin types need to be looked after, however African-American skin is highly sensitive and needs extra care. Cortisone injections, laser treatments and other methods remove them, but they do tend to grow back.These are brown or black raised spots and are seen almost exclusively in African-Americans, predominantly on women’s cheeks. Skin conditions ca hair removal laser types and present in every skin type but darker skin is more susceptible. Daily use of sunscreen will help against irregular pigmentation. 

A Comprehensive Carbohydrate List For Dieters

Carbohydrates are one of the most important nutrients your body needs, as it provides the bulk of the energy you use. Here is a carbohydrate list for all of you who are dieting.

Types Of Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are in almost all the food we eat and that can be a good thing because our body needs carbohydrates for energy. Carbohydrates can be broken down, for dieters, into two groups: Good Carbs and Bad Carbs.

Good Carbohydrates

Despite a lot of the information going around, all carbohydrates are not bad for you. In fact, there are plenty of good carbohydrates that should be a part of your diet, as they provide needed nutrition.

1. Fresh Fruit

While fresh fruit is generally high in carbs and sugar (natural sugars), this is a type of carbohydrate that is actually good for your body. Fruits are also high in many nutrients and are an ideal choice for any diet.

2. Steamed or Raw Vegetables

We all know vegetables are good for us, however, boiling them removes a lot of the goodness inside them. When eating vegetables, if not raw, be sure to only lightly steam them, as this will preserve the all the types of beneficial nutrients they have.

3. Nuts, Seeds and Other Legumes

These are tiny powerhouses of energy and good carbohydrates. Not only are they good for you, eating nuts has been shown to help reduce the risk of heart disease because they contain great nutrients and good carbohydrates.

4. Whole Grains

If you have done any cereal shopping lately, you may have noticed that a lot of cereals, especially the types for kids, are using whole grains now. This is because whole grains are another form of good carbohydrates and an excellent source of fiber. Fiber tends to make you feel fuller longer after you eat, and this is perfect for dieters.

Bad Carbohydrates

There are carbohydrates out there you will want to avoid because they are loaded with sugars, fats and other ingredients your body just does not need if you are on a diet. Here is a list of some of the most common and why they are to be avoided:

1. Pastries

This should go without saying but, pastries contain bad carbs and you really want to avoid them as much as possible.

2. Pasta

Pasta, unless it’s a whole grain variety, is a bad carbohydrate-laden meal.

3. White Bread, White Rice

Again, very yummy but, a good plan of attack when deciding if something has good or bad carbs is the color white. White rice, white bread and white pasta are all full of bad carbs because they lack whole grains. The whole grains generally tend to be in brown foods.

4. Low Fiber Foods

Low fiber foods will leave you feeling full when you are done eating, but you will feel hungrier sooner than eating foods high in fiber.

Remember, carbs are good for you as long as you are eating the right types, and not the bad, processed, low fiber carbs you tend to find at every fast food restaurant. Look for whole grain options and high fiber foods, and avoid the white flour.

Raw Honey As A Natural Remedy For Eczema

Many people from all over the globe battle with eczema . It is a severe skin disease that can be quite disfiguring . Some of the symptoms of eczema are: rashes, burning, redness and severe itching which can sometimes be very unbearable. With all these symptoms, people are always on the lookout for natural remedies and one of the question that comes across a lot is : Is eating raw honey good for eczema?

Raw honey has been used all over the world to treat all kind of diseases . However, due to the nature of eczema, so we have to take a deeper look to see the impact it will have on your skin .

Raw honey contains pollens and dust from the ‘bees activities’ . Now when the raw honey is used , it will allow the person’s skin to develop an immunity towards these dust and pollens that causes the eczema to flare up . This means that raw honey actually help eczema sufferes by providing and immunity to external factors that would normally irritate the skin. Note that no straning of the raw honey should be done prior to use .

Aside from ingesting the raw honey, you can also apply it topically to the affected areas . Simply ensure that your skin surface is clean and apply a small amount . You may also want to cover it with a wrapping to reduce the stickiness that may result.

Best Time To Use Raw Honey

Eczema will flare-up terrible at some time . Various factors such as climatic changes can cause this to occur . It is best to try and keep it under control at this time before it gets any worse . You may use the honey at this time but you must also practice other ‘eczema reduction’ habits if you want to remain eczema free.

Eczema Reduction Habits

1. Try to keep your skin clean at all times . Showering twice a day with a gentle soap that will not irritate the skin will help.

2. Stay out of the sun . Yes you need some sunlight but long exposure to the sun can cause severe damage to your skin.

3. Don’t yield to the temptation of scratching your skin . When you scratch, you make even cut the area because the skin will be thin thus causing more problems on yourself.

How To Clear Your Skin Of Eczema

Using raw honey and following the above tips can help you to reduce or even eliminate your eczema depending on how severe it is. What you should do is to attack the problem before it gets worse. So now you have the answer to your question: “is eating raw honey good for eczema?” Follow the above suggestions and watch as your skin clear up.

What Should You Do Now?

Discover How To Get Rid Of Eczema , Banish Your Itching, Stop Redness And Get Your Clear And Beautiful Skin Back in 10 Days or Less Guaranteed!

Take two minutes to Read My Story on the Next Page To See How I Went From Being A Chronic Eczema Sufferer To Finding An Eczema Treatment That Has Ended All My Eczema Problems For Good.

How often should you color your hair?

The strength and condition of the hair is the most important factor when deciding how often you should color your hair.Porosity of the hair is another consideration, as it will affect processing time. Porosity refers to the hair’s ability to absorb moisture. Hair that is overly-porous will absorb color faster than hair that is resistant. In order to test your hair’s porosity, snip a few strands of hair near the ends and place them into a cup of water. Within a few seconds, porous hair will sink to the bottom and healthy hair will float.

The type of hair dye is another important factor. Most permanent colors contain ammonia, which can be damaging to the hair. Temporary and semi-permanent dyes are much healthier for the hair, but they only have the ability to darken the hair, not lighten it. Lightening the hair is always more damaging than darkening the hair. Provided that your hair is healthy, strong, and has passed the porosity test, hair can be colored with a permanent dye every four weeks. A semi-permanent color, sometimes referred to as a color glaze, can be applied every two weeks if desired.

Hair that is over-porous or dry can still be colored, but less frequently and with more care. Close attention must be paid to processing time, as porous hair can process 5-10 minutes faster than healthy hair. Unless the hair is extremely damaged, dry and porous hair can be colored every 6-8 weeks with a permanent dye and every 4-6 weeks with a semi-permanent dye.

Severely damaged hair should never be colored at home. Only a trained professional will be able to assess the degree of damage to the hair, and will then be able to decide whether or not it is a good idea to apply color to the hair. Signs of severe damage include breakage and excessive hair loss. Applying the wrong type of hair dye or leaving the dye on the hair for the wrong amount of time can result in a hair disaster, which is why it is always best to leave coloring in the hands of a trained professional.

How to stay beautiful all day long

We have all heard the old sayings such as ‘Beauty is in the eye of the beholder’; beauty is only skin deep’; ‘beauty is on the inside’. Whatever. At the end of the day, we as a society are obsessed with physical beauty. It used to just be women applying make up in the bathroom. Now some guys will not venture out of the house without their eyeliner and mascara. Being beautiful is so important to us.

So, how can you stay beautiful all day long? Sure, there are beauty products we can apply throughout the day to look good. But I believe from the bottom of my heart that beauty shines through the eyes. If you have spent a lot of money on physical appearance and are a rotten person, people will notice. Maybe at first they will be attracted by your physical looks. But once they get to know you, they will come to realize that your are below all the gloss an ugly person if you do not treat others correctly.

It is far more important to concentrate on our inner beauty all day long. To bite your tongue when you are angry and wish to lash out at someone. When you are tired and cannot be bothered to be nice to others. When someone has behaved abysmally and you want to retaliate. It is hard, but with practice we can become beautiful people. Initially people will be magnetized by the appearance of a beauty on the outside. But for a lasting relationship, you have to look for inner beauty.

I always believe that you should behave as if you are meeting a new woman you really fancy. You try to impress her with your outstanding behavior, attentiveness, gentlemanly actions, caring attitude, the way you listen to everything she says. Why not treat everybody the same way? Make them feel important and interesting to you. That way you are being beautiful. So, you want to look your best. That is not difficult today with all the products on the market. But never forget that being beautiful is a state of how you are – not a transient. physical thing.

I have dated many women in my time who would consider themselves a great catch because they conform to how society perceives beauty. But many of them – not all – are self-obsessed and have no idea how to communicate. Their only topic is ‘me’. I have always grown tired of them – just as they have probably grown tired of my lack of interest in them!

How to care for oily skin

Oily skin needs attention and care so that you are less prone to breakouts and spots. The advantage of having oily skin is that it ages more slowly than if you had dry skin, so although it can be a nuisance having a shiny nose when you want to look your best, take heart and be comforted by the thought that you will be less susceptible to wrinkles.

The secret of caring for oily skin is scrupulous attention to cleanliness. Avoid soap if possible, as this initially dries your skin, but will then stimulate it to produce more oil, exacerbating the problem. Mix some fine oatmeal with warm water to make a paste and use this instead of soap; it will cleanse your skin thoroughly, get rid of any blackheads and leave your skin soft.

There are several factors that tend to cause oily skin. It can be hereditary; this is an easy cause to pin down as you need only look at other female members of your family to see whether they suffer from the same problem.

Hormonal changes, such as puberty and pregnancy, can also adversely affect your skin, as can birth-control pills. A mild adverse reaction to certain cosmetics or skin care products is another common cause.

Oily sin can be radically worsened by eating an inadequate diet, so plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables are essential in resolving the problem and keeping the balance. You skin is an organ or respiration, so try not to eat too much junk food that leaves you feeling sluggish.

By reducing the amount of toxins in your body, your skin won’t need to work as hard to remove them, resulting in skin that looks healthy and feels soft and supple. You should also drink plenty of water each day to flush your system through to keep it hydrated and working well.

A combination of herbs can be very effective in fighting the causes of oily skin and making sure that you remain fresh and glowing for the whole day.

Vervain

Taken as a tincture, vervain helps to relax you and eases the symptoms of stress and depression that commonly cause the delicate balance of the skin to change. Your skin is a powerful barometer for your emotions.

How to care for permed hair

A trip to the salon can be fun and exciting, especially when having your hair permed or dyed. A new look, a new you, gives you the opportunity to shine. If you are just adding extra body or a ton of curls to you hair, there are a few things you should know about the after care of a perm.

Any time you add chemicals to your hair, it causes damages. Perms cause the most damage to your hair and hair follicles. For this reason the after care of a perm is so important. Perms rearrange the hair follicles and force the follicles to take the shape of a new pattern. The strong chemicals used in perms cause this rearrangement, and cause damage to your hair. You may not notice it immediately, but without proper care, perm damage becomes more and more evident.

If your beautician offers to cut your hair prior to giving you a perm, politely decline. Simply by waiting until after the perm to cut your hair, the amount of split ends a perm leaves you with will be minimized. The most hair damage a perm causes it to the ends of your hair. By waiting until after the perm for your hair cut, you are cutting away most of the hair damaged. This will make your newly permed hair less frizzy and more manageable.

Who hasn’t heard you should NEVER wash your hair immediately after a perm? This is a matter of opinion. If you are happy with the outcome of your perm, waiting one day before washing your hair may not be a bad idea. If your perm is a little tighter than you were hoping, you can immediately wash your hair. The hair follicles may still be open and pliable enough that a good hair wash can loosen the tightness of your perm. By washing your hair, you can possibly relax the tightness of the curl so the perm is more appealing to you. Brushing your hair down after washing can also help this process.

Blow drying recently permed hair can cause frizzing and more split ends. If you must use a hair dryer be sure to attach a diffuser. This minimizes the amount of heat damage the hair dryer causes to your hair. If you can not afford a diffuser, take an old knee high stocking and cover the end of your hair dryer with it. This works in a very similar way as a diffuser but costs much less. Allowing your hair to air dry after a perm is the best way to keep your hair from becoming more damaged.

Sometimes you may hear advice about using conditioner after a perm. You may hear using conditioner will cause your perm to relax and fall out faster. This is not true. You can use conditioner because it helps heal some of the damaged caused by perming. A good conditioner will help with tangles and split ends.

Brushing your dry hair after a perm will cause frizzing. You should use a pick or wide tooth comb for dealing with tangles. These will assist in minimizing the hair breakage.

Proper hair care after a perm allows your hair time to repair from the shock of such a harsh chemical treatment. Follow the simple instructions listed and your perm will last and your hair will be healthier.

Dating Advice for Women ? What Women Need to Know When Dating

Whether it’s your first date or your 100th, a bit of dating advice for women won’t hurt. If this is indeed your first date, at least you know what kind of mistakes to avoid and how to get out of awkward situations. If this is your 100th, well, you’ll want to read more and learn why things aren’t always working well.

During this get-to-know each other stage, you have a tendency to get butterflies in your stomach. You can be excited and yet insecure at the same time. By reading each dating advice for women listed below, you’ll be able to become more comfortable and confident of yourself when the date finally ensues.

No Harm in Preparing.

You don’t have to throw a party to celebrate your date but you do want to be prepared. After all, you want to enjoy every single second of your time together.

In order to avoid all those stereotypical situations you’re afraid of, make back-up plans. When a guy asks you out for a date, he’s usually the one who pays the bills. But just in case things don’t exactly go your way, bring a bit of cash along.

This may sound funny, but nothing puts a damper on the first date more than having to wash dishes. Don’t forget to brush your teeth before your date arrives. Make sure you look presentable and smell good. Preparing starts from the second he asks you out… to the moment of his arrival.

Don’t Be Afraid to Smile and Laugh.

Some women make the situation awkward for themselves. Don’t fall into the trap of nervousness. Avoid being too stiff and careful with your actions. Smile and show your date how friendly you are.

If your date is acting a little awkward, you can use your smile and laughter to get both of you to relax during the getting-to-know-you stage.

Don’t Talk Too Much About Your Past.

This is especially true for the first few dates. You may not realize it; but suddenly, your conversation’s focus has shifted on your ex-boyfriend. Talking too much about your past can turn off your date.

This dating advice for women has helped many to be asked out on future dates. I’m not saying that your date won’t accept you for who you are. You just want to create something steady for the first few dates so that your date can get to understand more of where you’re coming from.

Dating advice for women can range from simple physical tips to subtle flirting styles. However, the three mentioned above are some of the most basic; they have been tried and tested by a great deal of women all over the world. Hopefully, you’ll soon be added to that long list as well!

Top Acne Products – 4 Consumer Preferred Products

Acne patients are always in search for the top acne products in the market that suits their needs because it’s really hard to find the right acne solution suitable for the patient’s skin type. An acne-affected person should consider different aspects in choosing the right product like knowing if that certain product you’re eyeing is the right one for you or not. This is only possible if you’re knowledgeable enough in knowing the facts about the ingredients of acne products and paying attention as you read the product’s label.

1. In the early days of acne, patients prefer to use topical treatments to cure acne problems. Acne creams are available and can be purchased over-the-counter with a reasonable price everyone can afford. As one of the forms of top acne products, most acne creams are made to immediately heal pimples and breakouts from the first time they appear in the surface of the skin, preventing them to grow and form as another pimple. Daily usage is necessary for acne creams for the immediate treatment of the acne as well as the scar caused by acne breakouts.

2. Another form of the top acne products available is through gel lotion. As one of the topical treatment used by many to cure acne, acne treatment in gel lotion form has its similarity with acne creams when applied. This form of acne products is such a powerful product that could cause your skin to become sensitive to sunlight therefore using sunscreen with the gel is highly recommended. Though it could be a negative side of acne gel products that can be resolved, the power of the product in improving the overall appearance of those who use it is a big fact that it really works wonders.

3. Using products with active acne ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid in the form of a facial wash product is one of the popular and top acne products in the market. Everyday use of this form of acne product thoroughly cleanses the skin without causing dryness or flaking of the skin. Top acne products in facial wash leaves a protective healing film after washing that softens the skin as it protects the surface against bacterial infections acquired from environmental pollution and such. The use of facial wash as an acne product also helps in healing existing pimples, improve texture and effectively prevent future pimple outbreaks. Patients with oily skin truly benefits from using these products as it prevents the primary causes of having acne.

4. Everyone believes that the best way to treat this kind of problem is from the inside out. With the combined use of herbal medicines and active acne ingredients, an acne product in the form of pills is one of the popular acne products available in the market. Patients can see a difference in a span of a normal time frame of natural acne treatments which is about 2-3 months of use. Most herbal acne pills contain anti-oxidant ingredients that help destroy the harmful free radicals that often promote infections to the skin. Herbal acne pills are proven to be safe for both adults and teenagers, making it one of the top acne products ever sold.

What is health?

Health has become a tricky issue. No one really knows what it means to be healthy. Our minds have been bombarded with so much information that we are no longer certain what is good for us and what isn’t. Some people assume health is about being skinny, others that it means living of fruit and vegetables and forget all those yummy treats.

Health is about feeling great on the inside and out. Every day not just some of the time. It’s about having a good relationship with diet and exercise. It’s about finding a balance between natural foods and treats. It isn’t depriving yourself of the things you love to indulge in but taking sensible measures to fuel your body and mind with quality products but still allowing some room for naughty treats in proportion. This is the physical.

Health is an investment and many people forget to invest in their health. It’s not just about the right food thought or getting enough exercise. It’s about rest and reducing stress levels. Health is being happy and finding time to do things that you love doing.

Mental health relates to emotional and psychological well-being. The more emotionally stable a person is, the healthier they are in both the mind and body. A sound education and environment play a large role when it comes to health. The better our environment and surroundings the better our mental and physical health.

Social well-being means being surrounded by family and friends. Having people to love and to love us back, to laugh together and support each other. It means having people around us to share our lives with.

Combined, our physical, mental and social well-being make up our state of health. Each one needs to be balanced and positive in order for us to be in good health. When one is lacking, health deteriorates because we lose balance.

In order to experience good health one must eat right, exercise, surround themselves with loved ones and take care of the environment that we live in. We need to fill our lives with good people, good foods and quality products in order to experience health. With one small thing at a time we can become a much healthier world. All it takes is changing the way we think and becoming more optimistic, fuelling our bodies with fresh and nutritious foods, laughing and smiling rather than screaming and crying, and taking the time to do things we love with the people we love. Then we can experience optimal health.

Priscilla Presleys Plastic Surgery – Is She Plastic Too?

These people are pressured to look good because it is a trend in a society that they want to belong to. They failed to give due importance to their brains thus they end up as empty desperados. Among the lists of celebrities that unluckily jump on the bandwagon of erroneously done plastic surgery is Priscilla Presley who is the former wife of no other than Elvis. She had competed on the famed US show entitled Dancing With The stars. Priscilla Presley’s plastic surgery was done by an unlicensed doctor; rumors have it that she was injected with industrial low-grade silicone often employed by mechanics to grease their car parts. Just think how big the mess that this 62-year old woman did to herself.

Talk about the culprit, it was Dr. Daniel Serrano who was reportedly the same doctor who treated the ex wife of Lionel Richie. It was believed that the man was merely a licensed nurse during the time when he performed the disturbing cosmetic procedure in 2003. Because of this, Serrano was investigated after patients complained that they had paralysis, lumps, and craters on the face following the procedure.

Bad things happen to those that are evil. In the year 2004, the surgeon was arrested and charged with lawful suits in relation to illegal injections. After then, he was sentenced for 18 months imprisonment after pleading guilty over the conspiracy, smuggling, and used of unapproved drugs during the year 2006.

Surprisingly, after Priscilla Presley’s plastic surgery that end up in great failure, she managed to still fix her face again. Talking about what money can do. According to people closest to her, she had the whole feature of her face corrected to hide her age. No one can deny that she became successful over this goal however her faced look excessively Botoxed. If you try to compare her looks when she was younger, it would not be hard to guess that she had implants on her cheeks since only the dummies would believe that it was all because of diet. It was like getting blood over a stone, diet never equaled to fine looks. Originally, her face was sharply shaped, and she has a very distinctive jaw line but when you look at her at present, you will see a face which is wider. The word is out that the look was because of mid face lift which is a surgery that gathered quite a number of controversies since the dangers involved are high. Also, when an unskilled surgeon carried out the procedure then the outcome is expected to be a complete havoc!

Is Laser Hair Removal the Right Choice for You?

And, of course, if you’re light colored, it’ll be very easy to get rid of unwanted dark hair, which is why laser hair removalhair removal.Tired of old, painful waxing that leads only to new hair growth after a week? Forget the pain: as technology advances, you can have unwanted hair removed with LASERS these days. The result: your dark (or light) hair is the only one that goes away after this procedure, leaving normal hair untouched.

Laser hair removalHOW IT WORKS:The laser is configured for a specific wavelength to target certain colors of your hair, which is usually the dark pigment. This damages surrounding tissues and may cause irritation in the area.HOW IT IS BETTER THAN OTHER METHODS:Many people notice that laser removal works better and the effect lasts longer than any other method they’ve used before, which is why it’s definitely a thing to try out for yourself. Designed for areas like chest, legs, arms, bikini lines, etc. laser hair removalThe downside to laser hair removal is the cost: Having a bill for a laser hair removal waxing
round $700/hr.

After the laser has been configured with the appropriate settings, it causes thermal reactions to affect the hair follicle during the process. after each treatment is not something everyone can afford. In theory, the laser beam has to be four times as large as your hair is deep, which can be determined before the treatment during the set-up process. Also, blonde and red hairs are no trap for laser technology: 

TRIA hair removal system tips and tricks

I purchased a TRIA Hair Removal System a few months ago and just finished my third and fourth course of treatments. I am excited to see that my body hair is becoming lighter and finer, especially on my bikini line and underarms. I am looking forward to eventual freedom from the hassle and expense of shaving and waxing.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the TRIA system, visit

www.TRIAbeauty.com for more information. In this article, rather than going into the details of how TRIA works, I would like to share some tips and tricks for current or prospective TRIA users that I have discovered from my own use.

#1. Always charge the TRIA laser after every use.

One of the only drawbacks of the TRIA system is that the laser doesn’t hold its charge for that long. When working on a large area, such as your legs, you may have to stop in the middle to charge the laser. However, because treating large areas can become tedious, this is often a welcome break. To help ensure that your laser doesn’t power off while treating smaller areas, make sure to charge it after each use so that it is ready to go the next time around.

#2. Prepare the area well.

Part of the TRIA laser hair removal process includes shaving the area before treatment. I have found that the more carefully I shave, the less discomfort I experience during treatment. Take the time to get a close and complete shave and dry the area well before applying the laser and you should experience minimal discomfort.

#3. Experiment with the different energy levels.

If you are experiencing any discomfort, don’t be afraid to select a lower energy level. While I was surprised to find that the pain involved was much less significant than I expected, I have found that certain areas (such as the bikini line) are more sensitive than others. I may be able to use the highest energy level on my legs or arms, but will go back to level one or two when treating my bikini line or underarms. The benefit of using the highest level is that it is most effective, but I would rather have to perform more treatments at a lower energy level than experience increased discomfort. Remember that some users experience no negative sensation at all and that any discomfort will decrease in future treatments along with the amount of hair.

#4. Track your treatments.

TRIA couldn’t make this step easier for you. Included with your laser will be a handy, purse-sized calendar with stickers so that you can keep track of your treatments.

Acne Treatment Tip: Don’t Skip the Moisturizer

When you purchase an acne treatment, we understand that your first priority is to get rid of acne. The first purpose of Murad’s acne products is to help you clear up your acne! However, it’s important to treat your skin not only to clear up your acne but also to create healthy skin all around. That’s where Murad differs from many other products. Murad acne treatment is the most effective acne treatment because it treats skin with high quality ingredients while infusing skin with essential hydration. A big part of Murad’s 3 step system is the inclusion of a moisturizer.

We’ve found, however, that many acne treatment users skip the moisturizer that’s included in the Acne Complex kit or recommended for separate purchase if you’re buying individual acne products. To get the best results when using Acne Complex or a tailored 3 step regimen, it is important to use a cleanser, a treatment product, and a moisturizer. Murad products are carefully formulated to compliment each other and work best when all 3 steps are applied.

However, we understand why you may think that you should skip the moisturizer. The common statement that we hear being said when we emphasize the need for moisturizer is this: “But my skin is oily enough! I don’t need a moisturizer!”

This is actually a misconception, as is the idea that a moisturizer will make you break out even more. Having oily skin doesn’t mean that you have properly hydrated skin. In fact, often if your skin isn’t properly hydrated it will lead to additional breakouts because the lack of hydration can cause even more oil production to make up for the lack of hydration. Properly hydrating your skin is an essential part of treating your acne.

Part of that hydration solution, obviously, comes from an inclusive approach to treating acne and properly hydrating your body in its entirety (Dr. Murad himself talks about this in his latest book, The Water Secret). However, topical hydration is a key step as well, so it’s important that you don’t skip the moisturizer!

Murad moisturizers are designed to hydrate your skin with natural ingredients, soothing botanicals and high grade pharmaceuticals that are designed to be gentle on your skin. With Murad, you’ll get the topical hydration that you need without the harsh skin aggravation that can cause more breakouts.

So while we understand why skipping the moisturizer seems like a good idea, it’s important that you don’t! Skin that stays clear is healthy skin, and healthy skin needs to be moisturized and hydrated! An acne treatment that doesn’t include an element of moisturizing can’t make your skin truly healthy. Think healthy, think hydrated, and make sure you don’t skip the moisturizer step.

Botox

Strength of toxicity depends on size of the dose. The botulinum toxin is the most poisonous protein in the world if given in a large enough dose, and can paralyze muscles throughout the body. But when Botox is injected in a cosmetic treatment, the dose is so miniscule that it affects only the specific muscle it was injected into. That tiny “toxicity” is the beauty of a Botox injection, and the reason it works.

How Botox Works

Botox injections temporarily paralyze the muscle. It prevents the nerve impulse from connecting to the muscle, so in effect, it makes the muscle deaf, unable to respond to neural messages.

If you have frown lines, it’s because over the years, for whatever reason, the muscles in the forehead have been contracting, and have formed those vertical wrinkles. They tend to make the face look cross or upset when you don’t feel that way. You might have been frowning all those years simply because some lighting was too bright, but the resulting lines cause people to form an inaccurate impression of your feelings.

By paralyzing the muscle, Botox prevents it from contracting. So for the four to six months that the injection is effective, you do no frowning. This tends to smooth out your forehead lines. When you have repeat Botox injections, the muscle starts to unlearn its habit of contracting. So you would end up frowning less often even if you stopped having injections.

Any side effects?

There have been over 200 studies done and over a million people have had Botox injections, but systemic allergic reactions have been extremely rare. You might have some bruising or tenderness at the injection site. This is not because of the Botox itself, but because of the injection. A very fine needle is used, but it can still leave you with bruising for a few days, depending on how easily you tend to bruise. Some people experience some temporary nausea, headache or neck pain, but again, this is very rare.

Botox was originally used to treat crossed eyes and uncontrollable blinking. There are ongoing studies to determine its usefulness in treating other medical conditions that involve muscle spasms.

Its cosmetic effect was discovered accidentally and in 2002 the FDA approved its cosmetic use. It is now the most popular cosmetic procedure in the U.S. and used widely for people aged between 18 and 65.

Anti Aging Skin Treatment Tip: Be Preventative Part One

Anti aging skin products can, without a doubt, make you look younger, healthier and more vibrant. This is especially true if they’re made from pharmaceutical-grade ingredients and natural botanicals like the Murad products are! However, the first trick to anti aging skin solutions is to be preventative so that you need fewer wrinkle creams and topical products later. Start early, treat often, and think of your anti aging skin program as a lifelong commitment. Here are three ways to be preventative about skin aging.

Stay Hydrated

In addition to a good topical moisturizer and eat foods that hydrate you (you can learn about some of these in Dr. Murad’s new book, The Water Secret). “Eating” your water actually helps hydrate your cells better than drinking your water, because fruits and vegetables contain structured water, which is more readily absorbed by your cells. Even if you’re currently treating your skin for acne, be sure to use a moisturizer. The body is ninety percent water, and the skin is the body’s largest organ. Making sure that your skin has enough water will mean that you look younger, longer.

Protect Against the Environment

Whether you live in a country farm setting or a smoggy urban city, we all live in one of the harshest environmental periods ever in recorded history. Our skin gets assaulted by just walking outside into the air! Make sure you’re cleansing your face regularly and working to create a lifestyle that minimizes your exposure to environmental factors. Of course, we recommend eShield, which is our line of products that were specifically developed to combat the harsh, polluted age that we live in.

Just Like Mom Told You, Stay Out of the Sun

Always use a sunscreen. Even if you think you won’t be getting much sun exposure, it is important to protect yourself every time you go outside. Plus, the suns rays penetrate windows, so your skin is still vulnerable sitting in your car or by a window. Think of sunscreen as your basic Murad step 3. Apply to your face, neck, chest, and even hands. Even the best anti aging products will not be able to un-do the damage caused by UVA/UVB rays. Unprotected exposure to the sun will cause your skin to age (as well as make you vulnerable to many other risks). We love the beach, too. Just make sure that when you hit the lounge chair, you’ve protected your skin (and your health) with sunblock.

Where to find laser hair removal treatments

There are many clinics, medical spas, and doctor’s offices that are now offering laser hair removal treatments all over the world. As a former engineer for a laser manufacturer, I can honestly say that I’ve actually installed lasers in people’s houses and even in their basements and that these people actually ran hair removal clinics from these locations. This may sound scary, but believe it or not, the technology is so advanced that it is certainly not as unsafe as it may sound.

Still, you may wonder what are some good resources for finding a reputable hair removal clinic in your area. Well, my first recommendation is to go to: www.laserhairremoval.com. This is a great resource for not only locating a clinic, but answering any questions that you may have. You can even ask questions and have them answered by knowledgeable people who can then refer you to a clinic in your area.

As a laser engineer and clinical laser technician I can say without any bias, that Candela makes the ideal hair removal lasers. They are preferred due to their superior epidermal cooling system (computer-controlled cryogen spray), and their larger spot sizes. The large spot size means fewer pulses and less time spent getting treated; and less time means less pain. The cooling system is best because it is the only epidermal cooling method that has parameters that can be charted, so every treatment session produces the same results. It is also the safest method due to the fact that it does not vary with the operators speed or technique.

In order to find a clinic that uses Candela lasers, you can go to the Candela website, and click on the “Locate a Practitioner” link at the top-right of the page.

It has been my experience that these are the best resources available for locating a good, reputable laser hair removal clinic in your area, however it is important that you still do your research, ask questions, and compare them to find the best. Google each clinic that you find and see if there are online user reviews or complaints, but most importantly learn about the particular laser or light-based devices they use. Remember some clinics offer “Laser hair removal” and they don’t even own a laser, but an Intense Pulsed Light device or IPL. Ask them for the make and model of the hair removal device they use and research it. For hair removal, is should either be a diode laser such as the “Light Sheer”, an alexendrite laser, such as the Candela GentleLaser, or a long-pulsed Nd:Yag laser, such as the Candela GentleYag. If you are not familiar with the device or the manufacture, check it out on the internet and make sure it’s an actual laser before proceeding. IPL devices are not very effective at all for removing hair.

How much does laser hair removal cost?

Generally speaking, professional laser hair removal is a fairly expensive process. In order to be completely free of unwanted hair, it can take as many as six to eight treatments, which can cost up to five thousand dollars each depending on the particular facility and the area of the body that is being treated.

That said many people don’t realize how much money they invest into hair removal in other forms over the years, such as waxing or shaving. Recent studies have shown that the average American woman spends between $3,000 and $10,000 over a ten-year period to remove unwanted hair from their legs, underarms and bikini line. Of course, laser hair removal can also be done on other areas of the body and is growing in popularity among men as well, especially for the removal of unwanted back or chest hair. Considering the cost that most women put into waxing and/or shaving and the time and hassle involved in the hair removal process, it isn’t surprising that many people are opting for laser hair removal despite the intimidating price.

One possible alternative to professional laser hair removal is the TRIA at-home laser hair removal system. It provides the same technology used by professionals but in the comfort of your own home at just a fraction of the price. For $795-$995 you can purchase the TRIA laser for use at home. It is easy and safe to use with no goggles or other safety precautions necessary. There are some limitations however. For example, it can’t be used on your face or genitals and the technology will only work for people with darker hair and lighter skin tones.

The TRIA system also requires more work on your part than an in-office treatment. You can’t just lie down and let the physician do all the work. Instead, you have to prepare the desired area by shaving and then tediously apply the laser. The laser is very small, so treating a larger area like your legs or arms can take a very long time and be more difficult to accomplish when you are treating your own body. You also should not expect immediate results. Just as with professional treatments, you will still have to treat each area up to eight times, which means a lot of time spent on at-home hair removal over the course of up to one year. This is due to the fact that hair grows in cycles and some hair may be missed from one laser application to the next. However, after that, you can expect to be virtually hair free for life, so for most the trade-off is worth it if you can afford the initial investment. And at less than $1,000, you can rid nearly your entire body of hair, for a savings of up to $15,000.

Beauty regime: Best beauty products

Every woman has her own idea about the best beauty products out there. I mean you have those who swear by Mary Kay and some who swear by Avon. I personally swear by Neutrogena. But beauty is not only skin deep. The best beauty product out there comes from the heart and is worn as a smile.

I live in the great state of Texas. People are extremely friendly here. I grew up in New Mexico and people are not as friendly there. In addition, if you look at their faces, they are sad and angry looking. In Texas people seem to have permanent smiles glued to their faces and are stereotyped as being “larger than life.” Why? Because they are always happy and smiling! Don’t believe me? Check out the wrinkles on their faces. They have permanent wrinkles on their faces that show where their smiles form.

Wrinkles are everyone’s dreaded “growing old” indicator but they are inevitable. Even if you get plastic surgery it eventually catches up to you. Wrinkles also tell your age and how your life has been in the past. You all know someone who is happy all the time, and I’m sure you might know someone who is sad all the time. Look at their faces. Watch them smile. Those who smile a lot have wrinkles that form a permanent smile and those who frown have wrinkles that look angry and sad all the time. The one thing I love about my fianc’s handsome face is the wrinkles around his eyes and mouth. They hold so much happiness and comfort in them. They also contribute to his handsomeness. I knew him back in high school and was in love with him. I look at pictures of him from high school and realize he was inexperienced and young. He looks older now and experienced and thankfully the past years have made him smile. He always looks happy and beautiful. Thank God for those wrinkles!

Keep up that beauty regimen, because taking care of you also contributes to beauty and happiness, and embrace those wrinkles! Take care of those beautiful smiles (I suggest Colgate), moisturize that beautiful skin on your face (I suggest an oil-free moisturizer-doesn’t have to be expensive), and most of all, SMILE!

Skin care tips for men

Though they may not talk about it as often and you do not find nearly as many skin care products targeted toward men as women, men have skin to care for, too! In fact, men are even more predisposed to conditions such as acne because the production of male sex hormones, androgens, can produce acne. Men and women produce androgens, but men produce more, especially during puberty. These hormones affect the sebaceous glands and hair follicles and can begin the acne sequence. There is a theory that those who experience the most severe forms of acne also secrete the greatest amounts of the male hormone.

What can men do?

Keep hands off your face and avoid squeezing the pimples, which can spread infection and cause permanent scarring. Avoid the use of oily moisturizers and creams. Eat a balanced diet. Choose a hairstyle that keeps your hair off your face, because the oil in your hair will transfer to your face. Wash your face twice daily to remove surface oils, dead skin and dirt. Do not scrub your skin. Change your sheets and pillowcases often, even as much as every night for the pillowcases, until you get into maintenance mode. Remember that acne may get worse before it gets better and it takes at least 1 month of any type of treatment or therapy to evaluate its effectiveness.

What kinds of acne treatments are effective?

In general, look for products that contain Benzoyl peroxide, Salicylic acid, Tea Tree Oil, Resorcino and/or Sulfur for best results. In severe cases, your doctor may prescribe a prescription medication such as tetracycline, erythromycin or clindamycin. Other treatment options include: Vitamin A/Retin A (the acid form of vitamin A retinoic acid or isotretinoin), isotretinoin (Accutane), hormone therapy, dermabrasion, plastic surgery (skin grafts), collagen treatments and Ultraviolet (UV) Therapy. There is no limit to treatment options. Eat fruits and veggies, drink lots of water, exercise regularly, develop and use a skin care regime, keep your face clean and untouched by oil-makers. Remember that oily skin usually slows the formation of wrinkles and smile!

Detoxification: It’s not Just for the Partiers in Hollywood

American industry continues to pump wastes into the air, water and ground. Food producers continue to package our diet staples with artificial preservatives, refined sugars, and rancid vegetable oils. Our water is teeming with bacteria and waste. Our air is polluted. And our food is manufactured and fake.

Picture a car running on watered down gasoline and oil that never gets changed. It may limp down the street as it tries to get energy from the substandard fuel, but sooner or later that engine is going to grind to a halt as the wastes and sludge in the oil tear the components apart. That’s what the combination of toxins in the air, water, and our food do to us. And sooner or later, that sludge in our body will lead to issues such as cancer, heart disease, obesity, and/or mental clarity degeneration.

Let’s examine some of the sources of these toxins. You’d be surprised how pervasive they have become in our everyday life.

Chemical Clouds

The air we breathe is polluted by exhaust emissions from cars, buses, planes, trains, and industrial processes. Carbon monoxide, which has been closely linked to increased risks of heart disease, makes up approximately 50% of air pollutants. If the air we breathe is contaminated with carbon dioxide, smog, chemicals, and other pollutants, then those toxins are being inhaled through the nose and mouth, absorbed into the lungs, and pushed into the bloodstream, where the heart will pump it through every cell of our body.

Incinerators, industrial plants, and waste disposal sites put out enormous amounts of volatile chemicals. Benzene, vinyl chloride, carbon tetrachloride, formaldehyde are just a few of the typical substances permeating the air we breathe. Many of these are linked to higher risks of cancer.

Office Fumes

Surprisingly, newer office buildings being built are far more toxic than the ones constructed in years past. Volatile chemical substances including benzene, styrene, carbon tetrachloride, and formaldehyde, can be over 100 times as strong in newly constructed buildings as compared to outdoor levels.

Modern building materials emit gasses into the air over their lifetime. Paints release solvents. Carpets and pressed wood furniture release formaldehyde. Other fumes can originate from common fabrics, curtains, and glue used in industrial outfitting.

Pesticides

You would be amazed at the number of common products that contain anywhere from trace to substantial amounts of pesticides, such as diazinon. The chemicals can be found in shampoos, soaps, mattresses, disposable diapers, and carpets. We are being exposed to unhealthy levels of these organic toxins everyday. They are easily absorbed through the skin, inhaled, or swallowed.

Our body is designed to combat a reasonable inflow of these type of poisons, but at today’s levels, there’s no way the body can keep up, so they accumulate inside us over time. This accumulated residue can lead to depression, memory loss, Parkinson’s Disease, mental psychosis, and hormone-related cancers such as the strains that attack the breast and prostate.

Dietary Poisons

Pesticides are still used in the majority of our crop growing soils. Thus these harmful chemicals become a part of the food supply. Fruits, vegetables, and meats tainted with pesticides will cause these chemicals to become lodged in our fatty tissues, including the breasts, prostate gland, and the brain.

In addition, the increased use of artificial additives to preserve our food, refined sugars to flavor our food, and rancid vegetable oils to package our food, has led to a new class of poisons that our bodies were never designed to handle.

Toxic Love Handles

Anyone who is overweight, even a little has an excess of stored body fat. When all the poisons we ingest are not able to be eliminated, they wind up lodged in the fatty tissues of the body. Those love handles become a three car garage for the accumulated toxins. And since your brain is roughly 60% fat, there’s another place for the poisons to set up house.

Fortunately there are ways to help your body deal with these accumulated toxins. There are detoxification programs and products that can provide the guidance and resources needed to facilitate a cleansing of the body. If you want to keep your engine running, look into detoxification as a routine part of your health and wellness regimen.

Choosing An Anti Aging Skin Care Product That Really Works

We all want to stay looking young! Throughout time people have continued to search for the fountain of youth. The secret to a youthful appearance is simple! Keep your skin soft, supple and wrinkle free. Maintaining beautiful, clear skin is a multi-billion dollar industry. Anti aging skin care is a huge industry competing for your dollar. Manufacturers of anti aging skin care products know we will spend large amounts of money trying to make ourselves look younger and better. So, how do we select a product that is effective and a good value and not simply let unscrupulous companies sway us with their fancy market techniques? I have some really good tips I would like to share to help you select an anti aging skin care product of the highest quality.

 1. Collagen and elastin are two major proteins in connective tissue. They are instrumental in keeping your skin younger by providing elasticity and pliability. Many anti aging skin care treatments boast their product contain collagen. Unfortunately, collagen is not useful applied directly on our skin, as in a cream, because its molecules are too large to penetrate the skin. Therefore, any skin product claiming it contains Collagen as a desirable ingredient is just exploiting the public’s ignorance. I do have some good news! Collagen is effective in improving your skin’s appearance when it is produced by your own body. Collagen production by your own body can be stimulated by the use of special substances like Phytessece Wakame and Coenzyme Q10.

 2. Avoid products which contain fragrances. Although fragrances may smell nice they contain chemicals which have toxins in them! These toxins can enter your skin, since it is porous, and even go into your bloodstream which can cause long term harm. Steer clear of any anti aging skin care treatments which contain fragrances. Alternatively, just a spray of body spray, perfume, or cologne will not only smell nice but would limit your exposure to impurities. Many anti aging skin products contain fragrance which you do not want to be spreading over a larger part of your body.

 3. Buy the highest quality product at the best cost. Be weary of buying any product endorsed by celebrity. Why? They cost more! Look for example at Proactiv Solution, the number one selling acne treatment system. This product is endorsed by Jennifer Love Hewitt and other famous people. How much money do you think it costs to pay Jennifer in upfront money and royalties? Most likely MILLIONS of dollars! All the other celebrities get paid an equal amount of money. You bet this added cost is being passed on to you, the consumer. A company would have to mark up the price of its product and you would be the one who has to pay more. Smaller, less known companies can keep their costs lower by spending less on advertising and actually spend more of their money on developing a quality anti aging skin care product.

To sum it up, don’t be fooled into paying more to get a skin care product containing collagen, adding fragrances, or using a well known, expensive celebrity to promote their product. Go find yourself an anti aging skin product that has components proven to stimulate your own body’s production of collagen.

Facial and body hair removal techniques for men and women

We are a society obsessed by excess hair. There are a multitude of products available at stores for the do-it-yourself crowd who prefer the privacy of their own homes. There are razors, waxes, depilatories, sugar strips For those of us not so inclined, there is the local salon, day spas, people who work out of their homes, and even doctors doing it as a side line, that normally offer everything from eyebrow waxing to the dreaded Brazilian wax. Waxing tends to be the most popular method of hair removal, because it’s fast, inexpensive, not that painful (I imagine the Brazilian doesn’t belong in the not-so-painful column) and it lasts a couple of weeks.

Other popular methods of hair removal are shaving, electrolysis and laser treatments. Shaving is simple, inexpensive but must be done frequently. Electrolysis, which involves injecting a small needle into each hair follicle of the area you want to get rid of can be both expensive and time consuming. Laser treatments work over a series of treatments, such as 5 or 6 for underarms, but can be very expensive. Laser treatment also works better on people with darker hair, such as brunettes, because of the pigment in their skin.

Men are now using salon and spa services to get rid of their unwanted hair, whether through waxing, shaving or laser treatments. There are other methods of hair removal but the above mentioned are the big 4. All of them have advantages, such as shaving being quick and inexpensive and disadvantages, such as the price and the limitations of the laser. Waxing is smack dab in the middle – mildly painful and moderately useful. Depending on how much you hate your body hair, you should be able to find a method of hair removal that suits both you and your budget.

Makeup Artist

Every girl (and some guys) knows that good skincare and makeup techniques can turn a tired, unsightly face into a bright and beautiful one. So, I thought I’d go to an expert and find out how she helps the stars keep their skin looking great. Meet Jo Baker, makeup artist to Queen Latifa, Eminem, Will Ferrel, Sarah Chalke and more….

Jennifer: How long have you been a make-up artist? 

Jo Baker: 10 years. Makeup and color have always been my most useful tools for expression, an endless opportunity to create looks and trends. I also love the transformation of mood and confidence that can be created when a little makeup is applied.

Jennifer: What are some of the most common celebrity
skincare concerns?

Jo Baker: The high demand of celebrities means they are always on the go—jet setting and long hours on set can easily create a skincare crisis—overly tired eyes and breakouts seem to be the most concerning!

Jennifer: What is your favorite Murad product and why?

Jo Baker: I am a HUGE fan of Dr Murad! Not only am I addicted to the facials in his gorgeous spa, but I have seen remarkable results with my own skin. My favorite product is the Sensitive Skin Soothing Serum. I use it on all my clients. It glides onto the skin and sinks in immediately, creating smooth and healthy looking skin!! It’s the first thing I grab, and often whip it out during flights, and make sure clients apply it before they fall asleep!

Jennifer: What are your favorite skincare ingredients?

Jo Baker: I’m a big fan of pomegranate. It’s fantastic to eat and use in skincare. And its antioxidant properties rank as some of the highest nutritional value in the world.

Jennifer: What are some skincare & makeup products every girl should carry in their purse?

Jo Baker: Energizing Pomegranate Lip Protector—Its gorgeous sheer pink gloss is full of conditioning properties and it has a glam glossy finish without the sticky feeling you can find with other lip treatments. SPF—I can’t express enough to all my clients that even if their skin tans well they need to protect it from premature ageing and sun damage. SPF 30 is on my face before I leave my house everyday. I have one in my car, purse and gym bag. Sheer Lustre Day Moisture SPF 15—Mix it with a couple of drops of your chosen foundation and you have a gorgeous glowing alternative finish on your skin!

Jennifer: Any final thoughts?

Jo Baker: Everyone thinks their skin could be better and we are always looking for that one product that will fix it all! When really being healthy and happy, exercising regularly and eating a balanced diet of fresh fruits and vegetables are the most important things! Head to toe glow starts with a positive attitude towards yourself!

Skin care tips

Stress, lack of sleep, and the foods we eat can cause the skin to age prematurely and break out. Not only is it important to take care of the skin on the outside but it is also essential to pay attention to what we take into our bodies. What we take into the body can affect the appearance of the skin. What can be done to prevent aging of the skin, how can premature aging and skin problems such as acne be improved?

There are many solutions for skin care in the market so it can be difficult to know what will work and what won’t. However there are some things to consider that can help in your choice of skin care products.

The first thing to consider is your skin type. There are usually four skin types: oily, dry, combination, and sensitive. This aspect of skincare is important to consider because not all products will work for certain skin types.

What is your skin type? Here are some indicators:

Oily Skin

1. Your skin becomes oily by noon even after washing it in the morning.

2. You consistently produce adult acne or other break outs. 3. Your pores are bigger and noticeable all over your face.

3. Skin is oily all year round.

Dry Skin

1. Your skin entirely dry.

2. You observe fine small lines when you look at yourself.

3. Your skin is flaky in the winter.

4. Soap causes the skin to be extremely dry.

5. Pores are barely visible.

Combination Skin

1. Skin is greasy in the T- zone, forehead, nose, and chin spots but a little dry on the cheeks.

2. Your pores are large around the nose parts but normal everywhere else.

3. Skin is dry in the winter and oily in the summer.

Sensitive Skin

1. Facial soap irritates your skin.

2. Some types of skincare products cause your skin to break out in rashes.

3. Your skin produces spotty or reddish breakouts.

What Works for Your Skin Type

Oily Skin Care

People with oily skin should look for cleansers that contain alpha and beta hydroxy acid to cleanse and unplug dirt in the skins pores. The cleanser should not be harsh or irritating. A mild skin tone bar or refining gel is best. Always use a mild toner preferably one that contains water and glycerin. Moisturizers should contain antioxidants to protect the skin.

Dry Skin Care

Those who have dry skin should choose products specially made for dry skin. Creamy cleansers that are mild and will not leave residue are best in the winter. Otherwise, use cleansing gels. 

Using Henna tattoos as a test run before getting a real tattoo

Henna tattoos look amazingly like true tattoo which was emblazoned on your skin. There are major differences between the two though. Getting a real tattoo usually requires some degree of pain, depending on the area of your body that you choose to get it. A henna tattoo is painless to get in all respects. The second most outstanding difference between the two is that you can easily remove a henna tattoo. Removing a real tattoo involves a very painful process and is usually not an option for most people.

 That is a good advantage to have when you are placing something on your body that will be there for the rest of your life. The henna tattoo will easily come off with soap and water. They don’t last very long and have been known to peel rather quickly. It does however give you a chance to see if you will like the location of the tattoo of if you want to get a tattoo at all.

Getting a real tattoo is a major life decision whether people want to admit that or not. If you think about it, your views change through the years on things. Therefore, getting a tattoo of a skull on your bicep might seem like a good idea when you are 18, by the time you are 35, you might wonder why you ever did it to start with. That is where getting a henna tattoo first can come in handy. There are several questions you should ask yourself before deciding on whether to get a real tattoo or not. One of those questions is how my may feel about that same tattoo when you turn 60. Is it likely that you would still have made the same choice at that age as you would at 18. In far too many cases, the answer is no.

Getting a henna tattoo as a test run gives you to opportunity to look at it in the mirror to consider questions like this when you are thinking about getting a real tattoo. Asking yourself important questions about a tattoo can save you many regrets in the years to come. That isn’t to say that getting a real tattoo is a bad thing. It just means that you should consider all the possible consequences in your future because of them before you get a real one.

Using henna tattoos as a test run before getting a real one is a good idea. It can give you a clearer image of what you might want or not want when you go for the real tattoo. It can also give you a clearer picture of whether you actually want to get a real tattoo. Once you get the real tattoo, you can never turn back. Be sure it is what you want before you head to the tattoo shop.

How Your Body's Cortisol Changes with Age

Responding to difficult stimuli, such as daily stress, is why your body’s release of cortisol is front and center. Cortisol is a natural steroid hormone. It is released from the adrenal glands when the brain tells the body it will need an immediate response to outside stress. When you are young, your response is quick and manageable given the body’s youthful resilience. As you age, cortisol can create memory loss and weight gain, as well as some beneficial factors, too.

Memory

It is no surprise that the older you get the more your memory can suffer. Some of this is due to a deteriorating body unable to handle signals the way it used to, and some is due to a long life of stress. Stanford University researchers found that over time continued release of cortisol, due to stress, affects the hippocampus. The hippocampus is part of the limbic system which is found in the brain and is associated with memory and learning. When cortisol is released, this area suffers diminished glucose energy which is diverted to the muscles instead. As you age, this cycle of stress related cortisol release eventually compromises the creation of new memories.

Studies have found that as you age your brain loses approximately 20 to 25 percent of its hippocampus cells. Because of this it cannot give proper feedback to shut off cortisol production. In turn, this causes continual damage to the hippocampus, continued cortisol release and more potential memory loss. This is known as “degenerative cascade.” According to neurologists at the Mayo Clinic, in many older people between the ages of 60 and 85, the hippocampus shrinks due to degenerative cascade, which can lead to Alzheimer’s disease.

Weight Gain

Physical activity such as running or lifting weights signals your body to replenish itself with carbohydrates and fat. A similar thing happens when you experience stress. Your body reacts as if it is needed to be used for exercise. Your heart rate and blood flow increase, as does your adrenal gland secretion. The adrenals will release cortisol as if it were working out. In turn, you will usually crave carbs and fats after a stressful experience. When you are young your body can handle a high calorie intake due to its fast metabolism. However, when you age, your metabolism slows down, making it harder to burn off certain foods. Because of this, as you age, you will more often than not be prone to gain weight.

Attributes of Cortisol as You Age

Cortisol helps the body in many ways. The trick is to limit as much stress as possible. Some attributes of cortisol release that can enhance age related ailments are:

Blood Sugar – Cortisol will keep your blood sugar levels in check.

Heart Maintenance – By maintaining good blood flow, cortisol will keep your heart strong.
Blood Pressure – Age can really affect your blood pressure. By keeping the heart jolted when dealing with a fight or flight response, cortisol will make sure your blood pressure does not get out of sync.
Fat and Protein Breakdown - Age is often associated with a sluggish digestive system. Cortisol makes sure that these chemicals are broken down so as not to impede a stress related response.
Immune System – With age can come a compromised immune system. When stress is dealt with, the immune system gets a booster shot from cortisol release.

Instaflex Scam

The primary energetic ingredients are listed for Instaflex with comprehensive explanations as to how they assist with joint pain and inflammation. The complete ingredient list isn’t shown nevertheless, and because it is really a proprietary blend no individual ingredient quantities are known meaning it might not contain the suggested doses. Nevertheless, the mixture of Glucosamine, MSM and Hyaluronic acid contained within the blend means that the item should not just repair current cartilage harm but also help to construct stronger joints, decreasing the quantity of friction and in turn, lessening inflammation. The latter component also offers a lubricant that coats the cartilage, offering important shock absorption.

Instaflex contains some organic substances such as Ginger, Boswellia Serrata and Turmeric for reducing inflammation, plus White Willow Bark and Cayenne pepper, two organic discomfort relievers.

Instaflex is to become taken at a dose of three capsules daily and includes a cumulative impact meaning it gets much more efficient more than time.

Instaflex – Positive Functions

    * Clinical studies have been carried out about the main active ingredients

    * A 14-day free of charge trial is offered

    * Instaflex has celebrity endorsement

    * The item is accessible without having a prescription

    * The main elements are explained in detail

    * Company contact info is supplied

Instaflex – Damaging Functions

    * No component amounts are proven

    * The free of charge trial might not be sufficient time to test the product

    * Not all the ingredients are listed

    * Instaflex is costly and clients are subject to enrolment within the auto-ship program

Instaflex – Conclusion

It does appear that Instaflex has all the correct ingredients to help relieve a particular amount of joint discomfort, but there is nothing about it that makes it unique from most other brands, or to justify the high cost. If the joint pain is only mild and does not require a prescription medication, there are superior brands accessible from retail pharmacies that will also likely price a lot less.

Skin care: Why it is important to dry your skin well

When it comes to skin care, most people focus on the importance of washing the skin.  And indeed, washing is very important for sloughing off oil, dirt, and dead skin.  But what sometimes gets left out of the equation is how important it is to dry skin thoroughly.

Wet skin can actually cause acne.  One of the reasons for acne is bacteria living on the skin and clogging pores.  A wet environment fosters the growth of bacteria.  This is especially dangerous on areas like the back, where sometimes people get dressed before they are completely dry.  The wet skin trapped in clothes, especially in non-natural fibers like polyester or rayon, can not breathe and dry properly.  The skin then becomes a breeding ground for acne-causing bacteria.

In fact, if you have problems with acne on your back of the variety that are small, clustered blemishes, it is likely that at least some of it is caused by skin that hasn’t been dried properly.  This can lead to confusion; it may seem as though the acne is persistent despite regular or even increased cleaning.  But if every time the area was cleaned it wasn’t dried properly, those extra cleanings may actually be making the problem worse.

The good news is that this problem is very easy to correct.  Simply make sure to rinse all soap off of your skin before you’re done with your shower or wash, and to dry your skin thoroughly.  One danger that might not be so obvious to those who shower and dress without thinking is wet hair.  For women especially, wet hair can get your back and chest wet even after you’ve already dried them once.  This can be misleading, because you might believe you have dried your skin thoroughly only to have it dampened by the water clinging to your hair.  One way to resolve this problem is to dry and style your hair before you get dressed.  That way you will be able to give your skin one last towel-off before you put your clothes on.

The importance of washing skin thoroughly is well-known.  But the fact is that drying skin thoroughly is just as important, even though its importance is often overlooked.  If you have problem acne, especially on your back, make sure that you are drying your skin thoroughly every time you shower, bathe, or wash.

2008: Best in hair care

Baldness treatments

Yet, fear not, there are many aids in the treatment of baldness: medical and surgical. In the realm of medicinal treatment there is the option of purchasing the over-the-counter medications Rogain and Monoxidil which are both popular and prove themselves as ways to regrow hair that has diminished with time.

Laser therapy

Sure, everyone knows about laser hair removal but what about at-home laser treatment with the HairMax Laser Comb which encourages hair to be thicker, and healthier looking. Still awaiting its FDA approval, the HairMax Laser Comb could revolutionize your hair.

Ultra Hair Away

Tired of shaving off your hair? Want to just roll out of bed and go somewhere without wondering what’s going on under your arm or on your back? Men and women can both experience that relief in Ultra Hair Away cream that stops the annoying costs and time put into shaving and waxing, and enjoy the feeling of ending hair growth rather than just removing it temporarily.

Hair growth

Hair Energizer is a company and a website that offers shampoos, conditioners, vitamins, and follicle sprays for all types of hair that need growth, and not just the cases of hair loss. These products aid people who do not have the right nutrients to grow hair, who have hair breakage, who want to strengthen their hair, and who want to reverse hair aging. No matter what’s causing your disappointment in your hair, men and women can both be aided by these products which have been around for over a decade.

Rene Furterer

Rene Furterer and the Paris hair care offers a new product designed to fight the effects of exposed hair, whether altered from sun or water. This product can add life back into your hair. As well there are also products that stimulate essential oils to encourage growth and healthiness of the hair.

Tweezers

Unwilling to spend tons of money for just a tiny bit of hair, why not just grab those tweezers out of the cupboard? Tweezers are dated tools which provide desired results. Although a slower process, success is guaranteed by the preciseness of every piece of hair selected. When there’s no second chances after it’s done, perhaps slower is better.

Hairpieces

Unlikely to commit to taking a vitamin or washing with special creams as much as you need to in order to grow your hair? Try a hair piece. Hair pieces are available from Revlon, Raquel Welch, Eva Gabor and more. Explore the styles and pick one that suits your own so that you don’t have to wait for your hair to grow.

Men’s laser hair removal

Whether it be the unwanted hair on your back or the constant attention that facial hair requires, men are into laser hair removal too. Find an FDA approved laser treatment clinic in your area and check it out. A reduction of hair in unwanted places is sure to put a smile on your face.

Hair shampoo

It seems that the hair product aisle in stores continues to get longer and longer. There is shampoos for everything; for softness, for straightening, for volume, for poofing hair, for split ends and so much more. Find the treatment that’s right for you and mix it up with your favorite brand whether it be Fructis, Sunsilk, Dove, or Pantene Pro-V.

Nioxin hair products

Nioxin products have been designed to cleanse, provide therapy, and treat problems of the hair in order to create and maintain an escape from thinning hair.