Thursday, July 14, 2011

5 other ways to protect your skin


Stashing a bottle of sunscreen in your purse or beach bag is key to protecting your skin. So is wearing a wide-brimmed hat and washing your face every day. But there are several other serious skincare steps that you might be overlooking. Here are five essential ways to keep your skin healthy and safe that you might not think about — but should.

Check your medication.
Do you take any medications? (Yes, the occasional aspirin for headache and pain relief also counts.) If so, it may be making you extra sensitive to the sun, which could put your skin at risk. According to Reader’s Digest, the following medications can make you photosensitive:

  • NSAIDs like aspirin and ibuprofen
  • Oral contraceptives
  • Skin treatments with vitamin A
  • Antibiotics
  • Beta-blockers
  • Saint John’s Wort
  • Diuretics

Even if your medication didn’t make the list, talk to your pharmacist about whether your medication might be increasing your vulnerability to the sun. Be especially diligent with your sun care routine, and apply sunscreen with SPF 30 at a minimum every few hours. Also, check out these 10 lesser-known facts about smart sun protection.

  • Use antioxidants. Various vitamins can deliver vital nutrients to your skin and keep it healthy. One effective way to foster healthy skin is to fortify your skin’s outer protective barrier. Vitamin B3, for instance, helps to boost the production of ceramides and fatty acids, which are components of your skin’s barrier. Specifically, a brawny barrier helps skin retain moisture and keep irritants out, Leslie S. Baumann, M.D., director of the University of Miami Cosmetic Medicine and Research Institute, tells Prevention. When searching for skincare products with B3, look for the ingredient niacinamide.
  • Also, seek out formulas with vitamin C, which defuses skin-damaging free radicals. Other skin-protecting antioxidants include coenzyme Q10 and alpha lipoic acid. If you’re not sure what type of product you’d like, consider investing in a serum. Serums are usually highly concentrated and can sink deeper into the skin. Here’s more information on how various antioxidants can help your skin.

  • Beware harmful bacteria. According to Dr. Baumann on The Skin Guru, her Yahoo! Health blog, bathrooms are a breeding ground for cosmetic contamination — and in some surprising ways.
  • Do you keep your cream in the shower? Have acne and use a loofah? The humidity can harm your products and your skin. In fact, humidity fosters fungi growth and can even decrease a product’s effectiveness. Instead, keep your products in cool, dark locations. Using the same loofah when you have acenic skin can spread the acne to other spots of your body. Rather than cleansing with a reusable loofah, Dr. Baumann suggests using Pond’s Cleansing Towelettes.

    Other ways to prevent contamination concerns? According to Dr. Baumann, avoid sharing makeup with others, don’t use your saliva to remove eye makeup (it can cause an eye infection) and wash beauty brushes once a month and makeup sponges once a week (be sure they’re thoroughly dry before using).

  • Know when products expire — and ditch them. You might be surprised to learn that both skincare and beauty products can spoil, and keeping them around any longer once they’ve expired can actually harm your skin. You may feel guilty about throwing away a half-used product, but beauty products that’ve gone bad can cause everything from eye infections and recurrent cold sores to skin irritations and allergic reactions. Check out ourcomprehensive guide to expiration dates on when to pitch products — and how to prolong their shelf life.
  • If you have a skin condition, be cautious at the spa. Do you have eczema, rosacea or psoriasis? Some spa treatments can worsen these skin conditions, according to dermatologist Susan Evans, M.D., on her blog, Healthy Skin, on WebMD. Before scheduling an appointment, Dr. Evans suggests asking the spa if they specialize in your skin condition.
  • If you have rosacea, avoid getting microdermabrasion or chemical peels, she says. Go to a dermatologist for these treatments instead. Also, avoid facials with “alcohol, eucalyptus, fragrance, menthol, peppermint or witch hazel,” she says, along with potentially triggering “hot towel treatments to the face, facial steaming, steam baths and saunas.”

    If you have moderate to severe acne, avoid spa treatments, like facials, altogether. For instance, estheticians should never perform extractions on inflamed acne lesions like nodules, according to About’s acne guide Angela Palmer, M.D. If you’re using a retinoid formula, exfoliation is also prohibited. Overall, it’s best to make an appointment with a dermatologist. And if you’re thinking about having a spa treatment, consult the dermatologist about that, too.

    In general, it’s a good rule of thumb to research any spa you’re thinking about attending and to inquire about the esthetician’s experience. Here are some general tips on selecting a spa.

    Keeping skin healthy and safe means following a few important steps: checking your medication to see if it boosts your sun sensitivity, using antioxidants to fight free radicals, ensuring your skincare products are safe and still effective and taking precautions when visiting the spa.

    What happens when you turn 40?


    When you enter your forties, you might start noticing more wrinkles and fine lines around your eyes, mouth and forehead. On top of that, your complexion may start looking duller. However, if you practice a good skin care routine and care for your skin you can enhance your complexion and diminish the appearance of the signs of aging. Here are some tips to care for your skin during your 40's and maintain its good health.

    Re-evaluate your skin type

    As we grow old, our skin ages and looses collagen and elastin fibers. As a result, the skin tends to become dry and saggy. Even if you had normal skin throughout your life, you will start noticing that your skin becomes drier as you age; this is a signal that you need to change your skin care products and use ones that cater to dry skin types.

    Upgrade your skin care regimen

    Up till now, you may have been practising a regular skin care regimen of cleansing, exfoliating and moisturizing which was working fine. However, once you enter your forties, you need to re-evaluate your skin and upgrade your skin care regimen to suit the changing needs. Your forties are a time when you start to see the results of how you have treated your skin so far - this will further decide how much you will need to adjust your skin care regimen. If you have always worn sunscreen and practised preventive care, then your skin probably will not show much of a difference. However, if you have been neglecting skin care all these years, you will see wrinkles and fine lines become more prominent as you approach your forties.

    Use anti aging skin care products

    It is high time to start using anti aging skin care formulations. These skin care products contain specialized ingredients that help soothe the skin and fight against the signs of aging. Look for ingredients like alpha hydroxy acids and retinoids. They not only stimulate the collagen production within the skin cells but also help diminish the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.

    Treat acne

    Acne is a common skin concern during the forties because of the hormonal fluctuations that the body goes through. Adult acne is a serious skin concern. Therefore you need to use special acne skin care products that identify the root cause of acne and treat it from the roots.

    Go low on make-up and cosmetics

    When women hit their forties, they generally end up using heavier make-up in order to camouflage the aging signs and make their skin look radiant. However, this has a detrimental effect on the skin; heavy foundation and excessive compact powder can actually create a cakey impression and highlight the wrinkles and fine lines on your face. Moreover, the harsh chemicals contained in these products may seep into your skin and further degrade the internal tissues. Instead you should use creamy and hydrating skin care products that don't highlight the age lines but makes the skin appear smooth and supple. Look for ingredients like petrolatum and glycerin in your cosmetics.

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    Thursday, September 3, 2009

    What is Hyper Pigmentation?

    Hyper pigmentation refers to skin that has turned darker than normal where the change that has occurred is unrelated to sun exposure. Hyper pigmentation is caused due to excessive production of melanin. Melanin is the pigment that is solely responsible for the color of the skin. Hyper pigmentation occurs due to the excessive secretion of melanocyte stimulating hormone that enhances the production of melanocytes. The melanocytes produce the pigment melanin. Hyper pigmentation affects the areas that are not exposed to light like the genital areas, armpits etc.

    Hyper pigmentation may be caused by internal and external causes. Internal causes include hormonal imbalances such as pregnancy. An external cause for hyper pigmentation is sun exposure. Sots of brown may appear with sun exposure without the use of a sunblock.

    There are a few types of hyperpigmentation that is based on the cause of the excess melanin and its appearance on the skin. These include melasma, age spots or liver spots, freckles, and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. It is also related with a number of diseases such as Addison's disease and other sources of adrenal insufficiency, in which the hormones induce melanin synthesis.

    Hyperpigmentation treatment


    •Topical Whitening / Bleaching creams - Although Hydroquinone is one of the best-established topical agents for reducing skin pigmentation it is now a banned substance in most countries around the world. Their are excellent alternatives however, Arbutin, Kojic, Licorice, Vitamin C to name but a few. Most creams will take several weeks to produce results because even though the synthesis of new melanin is blocked quickly, the existing melanin takes a relatively long time to migrate out of the skin in the process of natural exfoliation.


    •Hydroxy Acid Peels - They increase cell renewal rate and correct hyper pigmentation marks. Alpha hydroxy acids are water soluble acids and can help remove hyperpigmentation.


    •Laser resurfacing – Normal laser skin resurfacing works by evaporating the first few layers of damaged skin to leave behind a fresh, evenly toned skin. Hydroquinone or mild chemical peels are often recommended before laser resurfacing for best results.


    •Intense pulsed light – IPL is a type laser that leaves no scares, can sometimes heals freckles or other mild sun spots without using peels or hydroquinone creams beforehand.



    Skin hyperpigmentation is not a life threatening condition. Nevertheless, you should consult with your doctor to confirm that it is not melanoma, a form of skin cancer. In addition, you should see your doctor if you experience unexplained darkening or lightening or any skin sore or lesion that changes the color of the skin.

    * published by www.articlesbase.com


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    Saturday, August 8, 2009

    Cosmetics and Their Ingredients

    Cosmetics play many roles as they are more than just blush and mascara. They can protect you from the sun, change or protect your appearance. Cosmetics like perfumes and deodorants are part of your everyday life. Learn more on www.DermatologyCare.ca including tips and facts about your skin and your skin health.

    Cosmetic or Cosmeceutical?
    Skin products are either classified as drugs or cosmetics. A drug can alter the function and structures of the skin while a cosmetic just changes the appearance. The term cosmeceutical describes products that use ingredients that have some biological effect on the skin but are not classified as drugs. It means that these products cannot make claims about improving the skin function only that they improve the appearance.

    Natural doesn't mean non-allergic
    Just because a product contains natural ingredients, doesn't mean that it won't be potentially irritating. Products with rosemary, tea tree oil, lavender and chamomile can provoke an allergic reaction. Before using any new product, it's wise to apply a very small amount first to make sure that it's safe for your skin.

    Caution when buying cosmetics
    Sample the makeup - not the germs! If you're trying out makeup samples at the cosmetics counter, be sure to use a disposable applicator to decrease the risk of contamination. For the same reason, you should never share your friends' makeup either.

    Is a natural ingredient really natural?
    The botanical or plant sounding components that are in products labeled "natural" are usually synthesized in a laboratory rather that extracted from plants. These natural ingredients may still cause allergic reactions.

    Does perfume-free always mean no perfume?
    Perfume free products can sometimes have perfumes in them to block the chemical smell of a cosmetic but they are labeled as preservatives. The only topical preparation that does not need a preservative is pure petroleum jelly.
    Sunday, August 2, 2009

    Precautions with Botox Injections

    Botox injections for wrinkles is causing a stir in the skin care industry. Many people claim that it is a safe wrinkle treatment. Anyway, the FDA has approved it for reducing the fine lines around the brows.


    Botox Injection Video

    Botox Training Botox Injections

    However, you need to take certain precautions to avoid any unnecessary mishaps. You must know what to avoid after the treatment, who you should seek for, and the dangers of off-label use of Botox. With this information, you can make a good judgment in determining if your should opt for this cosmetic surgery..

    You don't to stay overnight at the hospital after the procedure is complete. You can return home and continue with your regular activities. However, you may experience headache which can last for several hours. Furthermore, you should not lie down or lean over. You also must avoid any strenuous activities for at least six hours. You should avoid rubbing the treated area These are precautions that you must take to prevent the toxin from spreading to other nearby tissues which can eventually paralyze them. That is why some patients encounter temporary facial weakness or drooping when they don't follow the doctors' instructions.

    Botox today is a profitable business. A treatment can cost up to $400. You can find cheaper versions at Botox parties. However, you should not attempt to have the injections done by unprofessional people. The medicine needs to be administered by a qualified doctor. Misuse or improper handling of such drug can cause serious problems even death.

    Most doctors use Botox as off-label applications especially for cosmetic procedures. They have some freedom to use the drugs for unapproved areas. Now the FDA only approved Botox for wrinkle treatment between eye brows. Thus, if you allow the doctors to use it on other areas, you could encounter danger.

    There are precautions that cannot be ignored when you opt for Botox injections for wrinkles. By making sure you understand the risk involved, you can reduce the incidence of side effects that is related to the treatment. However, this article only covers part of the precautions. Nonetheless, the procedure has been widely accepted as you can see the increase of the number of surgeries fro year to year that have been taken place despite the fact that 16 deaths have been reported so far. Is there a safer alternative to Botox?

    What has not been reported in the media is that more than four in ten patients who undergo the Botox injection suffer unwanted side effects. Do you want a safer option to wrinkle treatment? Try our B-Tox like anti aging facial and eye creams.


    Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Beckie_Ingram


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