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.

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


www.cosmaprof.net

cs@cosmaprof.net

The first impression is very important. Blemished skin with wrinkles is not everyone want. If you feel your skin is no longer elastic, then wrinkles may already develop. But is there any way to erase wrinkles.

In fact, you can only slow down the development of wrinkles. You can depend on the modern dermatological products and home remedies to help you reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

1. Exfoliating your skin promotes the body to produce new skin cells since it gets rid of dead and dry skin cells. Therefore doing it twice weekly benefits your skin. The hydration also increases the skin absorption of the cream.

2. You can avoid fines lines the natural way by cutting a piece from an aloe vera plant and then place this to the skin. It contains malic acid that can help prevent wrinkles. Another natural remedy for wrinkles is use papaya. It has enzymes that can shed off the top layer of the skin.

3. Keep your skin moisture all the times. Always apply a moisturizer after washing every morning. The harmful sunlight can cause fine lines to form. So, protect your face with a sunscreen of at least SPF 30. You can also try another natural way that is using fresh avocado since it contains vitamin E, an antioxidant.

4. In addition to using moisturizers on your face, fine lines can also be prevented by drinking lots of water and eating nutritious foods. Including foods which are rich in Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids help in your daily diet can make your skin looks younger.

5. If you want to maintain overall health, then you can exercise regularly since it improves the blood circulation to the skin. If you don't want all your efforts to be put into waste, then don't smoke or drink alcoholic beverages.

6. Stress forces you to over use your facial muscular tissues. That is why stressed people usually have noticeable fine lines on their faces. The development of wrinkles can be accelerated when you frown or raise your eyebrows too often. Therefore, you should try to do them less often.

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

You don't have to resort to laser surgery or collagen or Botox injection. If the above tips don't help, then you should check out Cosmaprof's many Anti Wrinkle solutions or here.

http://www.cosmaprof.net/

cs@cosmaprof.net

As we age, the reduced turnover of our cells means we can lose control over how our skin ages. Epidermal stem cells needed to create healthy new skin are significantly reduced and function less efficiently. A discovery based on promising plant stem cell research may allow you to regain control.

Scientists have found that a novel extract derived from the stem cells of a rare apple tree cultivated for its extraordinary longevity shows tremendous ability to rejuvenate aging skin. By stimulating aging skin stem cells, this plant extract has been shown to lessen the appearance of unsightly wrinkles. Clinical trials show that this unique formulation increases the longevity of skin cells, resulting in skin that has a more youthful and radiant appearance.

Stem Cells
Cells in our bodies are programmed for specific functions. A skin cell, a brain cell, and a liver cell all contain the same DNA, or set of genes. However, each cell’s fate is determined by a set of epigenetic (able to change gene expression patterns) signals that come from inside it and from the surrounding cells as well. These signals are like command tags attached to the DNA that switch certain genes on or off.

This selective coding creates all of the different kinds of cells in our bodies, which are collectively known as differentiated (specialized) cells.

Although differentiated cells vary widely in purpose and appearance, they all have one thing in common: they all come with a built-in operational limit. After so many divisions, they lose their ability to divide and must be replaced. This is where stem cells come in.

Your body also produces other cells that contain no specific programming. These stem cells are “blank,” so your body can essentially “format” them any way it pleases. Two universal aspects shared by this type of cell are: (1) the ability to replenish itself through a process of self-renewal and (2) the capacity to produce a differentiated cell.

In animals and humans, two basic kinds of stem cells exist: embryonic and adult stem cells. Embryonic stem cells have the power to change into any differentiated cell type found anywhere in your body. Adult stem cells, on the other hand, are generally more limited. They can only evolve into the specific type of cell found in the tissue where they are located. The primary function of these adult stem cells is maintenance and repair.

But certain adult stem cells found in nature retain the unlimited developmental potential that embryonic stem cells possess. These cells have become the main focus for an exciting new wave of regenerative medicine (repairing damaged or diseased tissues and organs using advanced techniques like stem cell therapy and tissue engineering).

The Role of Stem Cells in the Skin
The basal (innermost) layer of the skin’s epidermis comprises two basic types of cells: (1) the slowly dividing epidermal stem cells (that represent about 2-7% of the basal cell population) and (2) their rapidly dividing offspring that supply new cells to replace those that are lost or dying.1-3

The slow self-renewal process of epidermal stem cells, however, creates a problem. Because each epidermal stem cell only lasts for a certain number of divisions, and because each division runs the risk of lethal DNA mutation, the epidermal stem cell population can become depleted. When this happens, lost or dying skin cells begin to outnumber their replacements and the skin’s health and appearance start to decline.

So what can be done? Scientists turned to plants for the answer.

Planting a Seed of Hope
Plants also have stem cells. Like humans, plant stem cells depend on epigenetic control and signals from surrounding cells for their development. Unlike humans, however, each plant-derived adult stem cell possesses the ability to generate a whole new plant.4 Scientists have found a way to harness the power of plant stem cells by growing plant tissues in culture.

The technique is a relatively simple one. First, viable tissue is obtained from a source plant. This material is called an explant. Next, a small cut is made in the explant. New cells form on the surface of this cut in an attempt to heal the wound. This colorless mass of cells is called a callus. The slowly dividing cells of a callus are undifferentiated cells that lack the characteristics of normal plant cells. They are essentially unprogrammed and full of potential.

With this technology, it is theoretically possible to propagate any plant cell in a liquid culture, opening up a whole new realm of possibilities. This fact started scientists thinking—what would happen if an extract of genetically long-lived plant stem cell tissue was applied to human skin?

Comparing Apples to Apples
Today, apples are cultivated primarily to enhance their appearance and flavor. But before the rise of refrigeration, an apple’s ability to stay fresh for a long time was its most sought-after characteristic.

For this reason, a special variety of apple was cultivated in the middle of the 18th century that could be stored for a greatly extended period of time. In essence, it was the genetically modified, longer-living stem cells of this tannin-rich variety of apple, called the Uttwiler Spätlauber apple, which were responsible for its unique storage longevity.

In a certain isolated area of rural Switzerland, a few of these hardy apple trees still survive today. Scientists obtained an explant from the leaf of one of these trees to produce a special anti-aging stem cell extract.

The Amazing Results
In order to test the theory that this unique plant extract would produce anti-aging effects, scientists at Mibelle Biochemistry first obtained human stem cells from the blood of an umbilical cord. Their first in-house study on cell viability showed that, at a concentration of only 0.1%, an extract of Uttwiler Spätlauber stem cells stimulated the proliferation of human stem cells by an astounding 80%!

In a second experiment, these scientists irradiated the umbilical cord blood stem cells with UV light. Nearly 50% of the stem cells cultured in growth medium alone died, but the cells grown in the culture containing the special apple extract showed only a small decrease in the number of living cells.

Another in vitro experiment conducted by the scientists involved fibroblast cells. These are the most common of all cells in the connective tissue of the skin. They manufacture the collagen, glycosaminoglycans, reticular and elastic fibers, and glycoproteins that make up the extracellular matrix (connective tissues providing support to cells). Fibroblasts not only help provide a structural framework for the skin, they also play a critical role in wound healing.

In their experiment, the scientists treated fibroblast cells with hydrogen peroxide for two hours until the cells began to show classic signs of aging. In scientific terms, this means that several genes essential for cell proliferation and growth were significantly down-regulated. However, after incubating these cells for 144 hours in a 2% Uttwiler Spätlauber extract, this down-regulation of genes was effectively neutralized, and in some cases, it was actually reversed! In addition, the scientists noted that the expression of an important antioxidant enzyme called heme oxigenase 1 was also stimulated.

Finally, the scientists conducted a human study to determine the anti-wrinkle effectiveness of a special cream containing a 2% Uttwiler Spätlauber extract along with lecithin liposomes. This patent-pending cream (called PhytoCellTec™ Malus Domestica) was applied twice daily to the crow’s feet area of 20 participants. Wrinkle depth was reduced by an average of 8% after just two weeks, and by 15% after four weeks—thus reducing the signs of aging!

Courtesy of Gary Goldfaden, MD

http://www.cosmaprof.net/

cs@cosmaprof.net

You can minimize the development of wrinkles around your eyes by applying sunscreen (but remember, not too close to your eyes), and wearing protective eyewear (such as wrap-around sunglasses) or a hat. Some wrinkles are produced by the repeated movement of the skin through facial expressions, others occur as a result of sun damage.

The regular use of a quality moisturizer is the first basic step to reducing the look of existing lines. When selecting a product, remember that price is not a reflection of quality. Well hydrated skin appears noticeably smoother and even textured.

Continued regular use of a moisturizer in combination with daytime application of a sheer foundation will vastly improve your overall complexion. Implement a nighttime eye treatment just before bed to allow your skin to soak up the nourishing ingredients and help regenerate your skin’s appearance. Also, try incorporating daily sun protection with an SPF-rated moisturizer to reduce further photodamage to your skin.

Published by :

Sugar is not sugary anymore. Apart from contributing to your inches all over, it is suspected to speed-up the process of wrinkling.

And this is being stated by the world-famous dermatologist Dr Fredric Brandt, also known as the The Baron of Botox, a very unlikely author to say so.. In his new book he explains why sugar is not good for the skin; “Sugar hastens the degradation of elastin and collagen, both key skin proteins and finally actively ages you. The sugar triggers a process in the body called glycation, whereby, the sugar molecules bind to protein fibres (which are springy and resilient) collagen and elastin fibres (which are the building blocks of skin). Collagen has been compared to as skin’s mattress and the elastin fibres as the coils holding it together. The sugar attacks these fibres, making them less elastic and more brittle so they break. As a result the youthful skin starts to sag and look old.”

More worse, “the glycation process causes these proteins to mutate, creating harmful new molecules called Advanced Glycation End products (AGEs), which accumulate and cause further inflammation and damage to collagen and elastin. In a normal, healthy collagen and elastin, the skin will snap back to its original position, but if the collagen and elastin have been made brittle by glycation and so is prone to breaking, the skin can’t snap back, and then the fine lines and wrinkles appear - and don’t go away. “
So, before you put those treats into your mouth, think again, for your skin’s sake.

Read the full article here: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/lifestyle/2007-06/11/content_891416_2.htm

www.cosmaprof.net

cs@cosmaprof.net

Your skin is more than just your face, although that's what most people pay the most attention to. Your skin is actually the largest organ in your body and weighs probably more than you think. Below are some interesting facts and tips that may surprise you about your skin.

To get more skin care tips and facts, click on www.dermatologycare.ca. Skin Care Tips and Facts:Your skin is your body's largest organ! The skin of the average woman weighs three kilograms, while that of the average man weighs five kilograms.

What's the secret to great skin? Not surprisingly, the state of our skin is affected by genes, nutrition, general health, emotional well-being and exercise. How you care for your skin also plays an important role in ensuring you look your best.

You've probably heard that skin is made up of skin cells. But did you know that you have approximately 19 million skin cells on every square inch of skin!

Eat your veggies! Eating a wide range of vegetables - particularly those high in vitamins C and E (such as spinach, carrots, red bell peppers and tomatoes) - will ensure that your diet is rich in antioxidants, compounds that are believed to play an important role in maintaining the health of both your body and your skin.

We're all thin-skinned, in certain areas! The thickness of our skin varies considerably, depending on its location and the role it plays: it's thinnest on our eyelids and thickest on the palms of our hands and soles of our feet.

Not sure of your skin type? Try this simple test. About 15 minutes after washing your face and patting it dry, press lens-cleaning paper on different parts of your face. In those areas where you produce a lot of oil, the paper will stick or pick up oil. If it doesn't stick anywhere, you have dry skin. If it only sticks on your forehead, nose and chin, you have normal or combination skin. If it sticks everywhere, you have oily skin.

Need to look after your skin? A dermatologist is a medical doctor who specializes in treating diseases and disorders of the skin. Your family physician may refer you to a dermatologist, who can help you select the treatment options that are best for your particular condition.

By SkinCareGuide.ca

www.cosmaprof.net

cs@cosmaprof.net