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Monday, October 5, 2009

Sunburn Skin Treatment and Sunburn Remedy

Sunburn Symptoms



Sunburn is also similar to sun poisoning. In medical terms it's known as photodermatitis which is a allergic reaction by your skin to overexposure to the sun. In the case of sun poisoning, however, the reaction is a bit more severe and the symptoms may become seriously uncomfortable.
Sunburn Skin Treatment

If the symptoms you encounter are mild, then treat your skin like any other sunburn. i.e. drink plenty of water to keep hydrated and your skin moisturized and hydrated. Also use an ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables to ease the swelling and itching.

Aloe is also an awesome ingredient to treat sun damaged skin. It relieves pain and inflammation. Avoid oils or anything that contains potential irritants. This includes exfoliants.
Aloe Treatment of Sun Damaged Skin

* Purchase some leaves
* Refrigerate to chill
* Peel off the top layer with a knife to expose the Aloe flesh which looks like jelly or lychee
* Take long strip of aloe, much like how you would take a filet off a fish, and then apply it directly to your burn.
* When the aloe strip dries out, repeat.

If you prefer to use aloe vera juice, keep the sun damaged area moist with the aloe juice and repeat frequently.These methods should reduce the pain and the amount of peeling.

The most important thing to remember is to keep the sunburn area moist at all times whether the sun damage is mild or severe.
Sunburn Remedies
Aloe Vera Gel

* As mentioned above, there is nothing better than aloe vera gel. It is antibacterial and deeply healing for burns in part because of aloectin B, which stimulates the immune system.

Vitamin E Cream



* Vitamin E is a source of antioxidant which you can find in vitamin E creams, ointments and oils.

Increase Your Vitamin C



* Another great source of antioxidants. Increase your vitamin C to help heal sunburned quicker.

Black Tea



* Tannins contained black tea helps to sooth sunburn. Soak a black tea teabag and you can either use the tea bag itself or moisten a cloth and place it on the sunburnt area.

Baking Soda



* Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to a warm bath or bucket of water and soak. Don't dry the affected area with a towel. Let it air dry instead.

Why backing soda? It cools and helps the skin retain moisture.
Calendula Cream



* Calendula is wonderful healing plant. The flowers are emollient, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antiviral. These plants are rich in carotenoids and immune system stimulants. You should be able to find Calendula creams at a health food or supplement store.

At any point, if you suffer from extreme pain or vomiting or if your fever grows too hot (over 104 degrees Fahrenheit), head to an emergency room.
Prevention with Sunscreen Wipes

Prevention from sunburn is always the best remedy. You don't have to go through the pain, the hassle and the discomfort.

You also have to be aware of the effects of excessive exposure to the sun which leads to skin cancer, deep wrinkled skin, discoloration and pigmentation. Not a pretty sight is it?

One of the best preventive measure is to use a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 that offers protection against both UVA and UVB rays. The use of sunscreen wipes will achieve all this.

If you do really desire a tan , try out tanning towels which match the tone of your skin. It doesn't create a disgusting orange glow that screams self tanner. These sunless tanning towels are the most efficient, cleanest and safest way to a perfect tan.

How To Defeat Male Age Spots and Reclaim Better Looking Skin

In recent years, men have openly admitted that their appearance is important to them. Sales of products to help men look, smell, and feel better have been climbing steadily. This is a good thing! After all, male age spots are just as unsightly as the ones women develop.

Indeed, polls and research conducted recently have shown that now more than half of men believe age spots make them look older than they'd like.

However, because it's still a relatively recent phenomenon that men have been able to admit openly that they care about their appearance, more than half of them also are not even aware that male age spots can be treated!

Luckily for you, you've found the right information here; read on if you're interested in reclaiming not just younger, firmer skin, but actually improving its health as well.

Age spots are the result of hyperpigmentation caused by melanin. This simply means the pigment that gives our skin its color concentrates heavily in a small area causing that area to look darker than the surrounding skin.

Depending on your lifestyle choices and family genes, male age spots can start appearing at different phases of your life. For some men, they start to crop up when you're in your 20's. Others manage to avoid them until their 30's or 40's.

Regardless of when you began to develop them, their root cause is the same and, therefore, you need to treat them with products that will help counter the heightened pigmentation that occurred in the areas they developed.

First, make sure you avoid excessive sun exposure going forward, one of the primary causes for age spots, and cleanse your skin daily using ingredients that help with exfoliation to keep it healthy and brighter looking.

When it comes to actual pigment fighting substances, Retinol is a very common one. It can be purchased over the counter or a more powerful prescription only form, known as Retin-A, is also available. There are possible adverse side effects and you should discuss these with a physician.

For example, Retin-A is a derivative of vitamin A, which can produce toxicity in high doses. It can also cause skin peeling and irritation until your skin adjusts to it.

A powerful natural ingredient that helps to smooth the skin out and make its tone more even, and has prized antioxidant properties that help protect it against the sun's damaging UV rays, is called Phytessence Wakame, a kelp from Japan that is now being employed in elite skin care products for men.

Phytessence Wakame also indirectly helps your skin maintain and boost more of its two vital proteins, collagen and elastin, which we gradually lose over time, causing much of the visible aging and winkling that we all see on the exterior.

A great deal of skin's aging is also caused by inflammation. Sun damage, for example, is a major culprit of inflammation. Therefore, you should consider using beneficial substances that fight this inflammation. One ingredient that does this well is called Capuacu butter. It is rich in important essential fatty acids that help the skin maintain moisture and heal.

Years ago, men's skin care consisted simply of drying soap and water and a daily shave; but nowadays ingredients that truly nourish its appearance and protect it are available. Male age spots are also called sun spots so ingredients like the two briefly discussed above can really go a long way in reversing damage that has already occurred and make sure your body's most visible organ remains fresh looking through the years.

The women in your life will thank you for it!

Top Tips Revealed From The Beauty Secrets Of The Stars

Unless you have plenty of money it is unlikely you will have an entire beauty team behind you like Brooke Shields, but you can borrow some of the beauty secrets of the stars and mix them in with a good daily routine for sparkling results.

Did you know that Catherine Zeta-Jones brushes her teeth with mashed-up strawberries which she mixes with baking soda? Strawberries contain malic acid which is a mild astringent. For her wonderful mane of hair she keeps it shiny by brushing in some castor oil. What miracle does she use on her skin to make it look so wonderful? Catherine uses a natural foundation which is made only from pure, crushed minerals from the earth and also has SP15. It "looks like a powder, feels like a cream and buffs on like silk!" This comes from Bare Escentuals from their Bare Minerals range.

Brooke Shields on the other hand likes to mix bronzing lotion with a body lotion and self tanner, which helps you achieve a bronzed, unblemished even skin tone without even putting on foundation. Or what about for the skin all over your body, taking a tip from Teri Hatcher who pours her left over red wine into her bath! The grapes contain resveratrol which is an antibiotic type substance that protects the vines from fungus. It can make the skin surface firm, while stimulating cell multiplication and improving elasticity.

Did you know that regardless of your skin types you should go without makeup as often as possible as it actually interferes with the skins' repairing process. Of course some natural products such as have crushed minerals in them so this is different. However if you just think of it as allowing your skin to breathe it will make more sense to you. It is ideal to do this over a quiet weekend and focus on drinking plenty of water to speed up the process of flushing the toxins out.

Hilary Duff and Jessica Alba both see the same facialist who suggests livening up dull skin with a refrigerated spray bottle of mint tea. This will cool the skin and stimulate the blood flow. But no matter what the stars secrets are your daily routine should include the natural way to care for your skin which is to drink enough water. Keeping yourself hydrated will not only prevent constipation but will literally bathe the cells of your skin.

Eating enough fibre will also helps to keep your system healthy and this will keep your skin healthier. Proper digestion keeps toxins from accumulating, keeping the skin younger looking. Keep your circulation invigorated by some sort of daily exercise. This will help your overall health level and the condition of your skin as well.

Stress is a naughty fellow who plays havoc with our skin and sometimes our health. Find a way to do something if only for 15 minutes per day, like sitting listening to music that calms you , meditation, yoga or stretching, or a brisk walk in nature.

Eliminating as much sugar from your daily food intake as possible will do wonders for the health of your skin. Sugar will take its toll and make the skin sag and wrinkled over time. Basically it will speed up the aging process of the skin. Add natural oils to your diet by including the essential fatty acids that your body needs. Good sources of essential fats are Salmon, flaxseed oil or walnut oil combined with vinegar as a dressing for your salad and possibly fish oil supplements. Combine some of these ideas and enjoy the results as you will feel more beautiful. There are always shortcuts such as Bare Minerals from Bare escentuals.

Effective Skin Care For Problem Areas

Skin problems often tend to occur over and over again around the same area of your face. This is primarily because they are the 'problem areas' of your face and in order to take charge of the situation, you would need to follow an effective skin care regimen.

Here are some problem areas and effective skin care tips.

Forehead



The forehead is generally prone to dehydration. Therefore fine lines are a common occurrence. In addition, many people tend to breakout along the hairline and across the forehead as well.

Skin Care:



In order to prevent this, make sure you drink lots of water throughout the day in order to prevent the fine lines caused by dehydration.
Also, you may consider using hydrating skin products that help to hydrate the skin intensely and eliminate fine lines.
Avoid cosmetics and shampoos that contain comedogenic ingredients like mineral oil, artificial fragrances, Isopropyl Mysirtate and S.D. Alcohol. These ingredients irritate the skin and lead to breakouts along the hairline.
Yet another important thing that you should do is cleanse your skin regularly to ensure that your skin is free of all impurities and make up residues.

Between Eyebrows



The appearance of vertical lines is a common concern in the area between your eyebrows. The reason being that people tend to frown a lot more in that area. Moreover, since women regularly tweeze or thread their eyebrows, this region becomes very prone to redness and flakiness.

Skin Care:



While threading or tweezing your eyebrows make sure all the equipments are clean and sanitized. Avoid too much touching with the fingertips as it will lead to increased oil production. Also, make sure you wash your hands before starting the process.
Because this area is prone to excessive oiliness, consider applying a mask or oil control skin care products.

Eyes



The skin around your eye contours is especially thin and fragile. That is why it is the first place that displays the signs of aging like wrinkles and fine lines. Moreover, the eye contours have to face a variety of other problems like puffiness, under eye dark circles, milia and so on.

Skin Care:



Drink plenty of water. This ensures that your body is properly hydrated and reduces puffiness.
Use eye creams that contain beneficial ingredients that help heal specific skin problems around the eyes.
Use a special eye make-up remover to remove all the particles of eye make-up. Since eye cosmetics contain more stubborn particles, regular cleansers and make-up removers would not be able to remove them efficiently.

Product Suggestions:



Obagi ELASTIderm Day Eye Gel
uses a bi-mineral complex to crosslink elastin fibers and boost collagen production to regain a youthful appearance to your eye contours.

Obagi Nu-Derm Eye Cream
is especially formulated to prevent dryness around the fragile and sensitive skin around the eyes. It is recommended for daily use so that the sensitive area around the eyes can be supplemented with adequate moisture and soothe the skin altogether.

Cheeks



The skin on the cheeks tend to become sensitized in due course of the day. And if you don't take good care of your face, then your cheeks often have breakouts and broken capillaries.

Skin Care:



Make sure that your cosmetics and make-up products do not contain comedogenic ingredients.
One of the most common reasons of acne breakouts is keeping the phone or mobiles too close to the face. This leads to transfer of bacteria to your face that further leads to breakouts. So make sure, your mobile is clean and wash your face regularly.

Nose & Chin



The forehead and the nose together form the T-zone of your face. So both areas have more or less the same problems. The nose region also suffers from ugly blackheads and whiteheads.

Skin Care:



If you are extracting blackheads at home, be very careful because if you don't do it efficiently, you might end up damaging the skin tissues and cause broken capillaries.
Use only non-comedogenic make-up and cosmetics
If your skin feels extremely oily, then consider using a strong cleanser or astringent.
Avoid resting your hands on the chin area.

Skin Care For Spring

Spring is the perhaps the most pleasant of all seasons It is no excuse to compromise on your skin care. Your skin may be in a slump after the cold and harsh winter months. So, it is important for you to get it prepared for the spring with the proper skin care.

Here are some effective skin care tips that'll help you sport gorgeous skin all through the spring season.

Exfoliate Regularly



Exfoliation is a quick-fix solution that delivers instant results. It removes all the dead skin cells that get accumulated on the skin surface and gives your skin a dull and dehydrated appearance. There is an extensive range of mechanical and chemical exfoliants available onthe market that helps you to remove dead skin cells and reveal the fresh new cells from underneath. As a result, the skin becomes smooth and soft and your complexion looks brighter. Moreover, you can also get rid of the wrinkles and fine lines with consistent exfoliation..

Product Suggestions:



Obagi Nu Derm Exfoderm Forte
This is a great exfoliating lotion that contains alpha-hydroxy acids .Thisspecial base makes the skin smooth and soft and also tones damaged skin. It is suitable for normal to oily skin. It exfoliates the dead skin cells from the skin surface and also accelerates the absorption of treatment ingredients of the system by the skin.

Obagi Nu-Derm Exfoderm


It contains phytic acid that helps to make the skin smooth and supple and also tones the skin texture. It is suitable for normal to dry skin.

Nia 24 Physical Cleansing Scrub


This is an efficient scrub that removes dead skin cells and calmsand hydrates as well as soothes the skin. It contains Pro-Niasomes that wash away visible imperfections caused by the sun and aging.

Spring Clean your Skin Care Cabinet



Skin care products and cosmetics generally have a shelf life of about 2 years, after which they lose their effectiveness. Moreover, they can collect bacteria and therefore damage the skin. Spring is a good time to go though your skincare products cabinetand do some cleaning. Throw away products that you have stored for years or anything that has acquired an odd smell or color along with the ones that are past their expiry dates. Be especially careful withskin care products that contain salicylic acid or SPF.

Moisturize Effectively



It is important to keep your skin moisturized during the spring season. This could be especially beneficial if you use a moisturizer with SPF. If you tend to spend a lot of time outdoors it is important to keep your skin protected against the ill effects of the sun. Even on a cloudy day there is no excuse to avoidSPF. Though the sun's rays are very dim when it is cludy, they do reach your skin surface. Even when you are driving in you car, the sun affects you. This is called 'incidental sun exposure' and contributes a great deal towards premature aging.

Product Suggestions:



La Roche Posay Anthelios SX
This is a great non-greasy moisturizer that provides sunscreen benefits as well and offers broad spectrum protection against the UVA and UVB rays of the sun. It contains Mexoryl SX, which is photostable against UVA rays so it does not breakdown and lasts longer than most sunscreens. Is is also the first sunscreen approved by the FDA! It does not contain any fragrances or parabens.

Wear Protective Clothing



When you go out take along a hat and sunglasses. It will not only look good but also help to keep your skin protected from the sun rays.

Stay Hydrated.



Drinking water is very important to keep your skin hydrated in the warm weather. Your internal organs get the benefits of water first and your skin is the last organ that gets its benefits. So, make sure you drink lots of water to get good skin care benefits.

Treat Eye Puffiness


Your skin may be especially prone to allergies during the spring season. As a result, your eye area may look tired and puffy. Calm your eye contours by keeping your skin hydrated. There are a variety of eye creams that can help solve the problem.

Product Suggestions:



iS Clinical Eye Complex
This is a great formulation by Innovative Skincare that soothes, brightens and tones to reduce puffiness. It alsohydratesand protectsagainst free radicals. In time it will also reduce fine lines and also reduce dark under-eye circles.

Treatments of Acne Scars: Learn How Your Acne Scars Can Be Removed Effectively

People who experienced severe attacks of acne probably have lots of acne scars on their faces and other parts of the body. These scars are very unsightly and may cause low self-esteem to one who has them. Even if her acne has already been treated, the scars will remain unless the scars themselves are remedied.

However, for one whose acne is still active, the acne will have to be addressed first before doing any scar revision treatments by a dermatologist or plastic surgeon in the Philippines. This is because any treatment will obviously be ineffective if the root of the problem is not addressed head on. Moreover, the acne can only get in the way of the scar revision process which can prevent successful treatment or worse, make the case more severe.

Presently, there are already a lot of procedures being offered to treat acne scars. These procedures include dermabrasion, laser resurfacing, chemical peel treatments, punch techniques, and augmentation. These treatments can be had separately or combined with each other to get the desired results. The decision of which among these treatment options is to be performed should be based on the severity of the acne and the resulting facial topography of the patient, as the acne scars vary from person to person.

It would be useful to discuss the procedure for each of the treatments to help one in deciding which of these treatments will best suit his or her skin. The first treatment, dermabrasion, is different from the treatment known as microdermabrasion. The latter procedure is intended to reduce the signs of aging, such as fine lines and skin pigmentation or discoloration, and not for removing acne scars. On the other hand, dermabrasion operates to remove the surface of the skin which is already damaged with acne. Afterwards, new skin is allowed to replace the damaged skin. This process is now performed through the use of modern equipment which contains diamond edged wheels which rotate quickly to scrape the skin off. The effect of the procedure on the skin will depend on the coarseness of the diamond edged wheel.

Laser resurfacing is similar to dermabrasion in that it also causes the skin underneath to replace the surface skin which contains the scars. In fact, dermabrasion and laser resurfacing are the ones competing in the market as regards treatment of minor imperfections resulting from acne.

Chemical peel, on the other hand, as its name suggests, uses various acids to strip the thin outer layer of the skin to remove the traces of mild acne scars. This will result in a smoother skin surface.

Punch techniques and augmentation are treatments reserved for the most severe cases of acne scarring, such as deep scars similar to chickenpox scars. These involve a more complex process utilizing different substances such as collagen to improve skin surface.

Before undergoing any cosmetic procedures from a plastic surgeon, make sure you consult with your dermatologist first and get the best advice for your skin.

Saturday, February 21, 2009

A Natural Approach To Managing Acne

Almost everyone has suffered from acne at one time or another in his or her lives. It is primarily a disorder of the sebaceous gland (glands in the skin that secrete an oily substance) of the face, the neck and back. When the sebaceous glands become clogged with the oily substance they create, the accumulation results in pimples. There are several forms of acne, but the most common is acne vulgaris, found primarily in adolescents.

The exact cause of acne is not known, but factors that contribute to this condition include heredity, oily skin and androgens. Additional factors include allergies, stress, the use of certain drugs, nutritional deficiencies, liver dysfunction, exposure to industrial pollutants, cosmetics and the monthly menstrual cycle.

In addition, the skin functions to eliminate a portion of the body’s toxic waste by sweating. If the body contains more toxins than the kidneys or liver can effectively discharge, the skin takes over. In fact, some doctors call the skin the 3rd kidney. As toxins escape through the skin, they can disrupt the health and integrity of the skin, creating issues.

Recommendations for Wellness

Note: Some of these recommendations may take 2-4 weeks before any results or improvements are experienced.

Apply distilled white vinegar (can be diluted if too strong) to the face and affected areas. Allow this to sit for 5-10 minutes before rinsing off with cool water.

Lemon or any citric fruit works great as a natural exfoliate, removing dead skin cells that may clog the pours. As with the white vinegar, apply the juice of a lemon (or desired citric juice) to the face. Allow it to dry for about 10 minutes, then rinse with cool water. You may feel a mild sting or burn when the lemon juice is applied. If so, diluting the juice is acceptable.

Increase water consumption. Water helps flush toxin out and help transport nutrients in the body.

Eat a properly balanced diet to ensure proper nutrition.

Take a high quality multiple vitamin and mineral supplement to make up for nutrients missing in today’s foods.

Echinacea or Oregon grape can be used to boost the immune system and fight acne-causing bacteria.

Dandelion, Burdock or red clover can help to keep the liver clear of toxic overload.

Herbal combinations such as Natures Sunshine's Ayurvedic Skin Detox and BP-X can also be used to cleanse and detoxify the liver and reduce acne.

Historically, large quantities of vitamin A have been successfully used to treat severe acne. Large amounts, however, can be toxic and should be used when working with your health care provider.

Consider adding additional zinc to your diet. Zinc aids in the healing of tissues and assists in preventing scarring. It is also important for the body in resisting infection and inflammation.

To clear and heal the skin, try a homeopathic Acne remedy. It can help to dry up pimples & prevent future outbreaks