Showing posts with label skin problems. Show all posts
Showing posts with label skin problems. Show all posts

Saturday

Anti-aging (how to Slow the Aging Skin Process)-2

You saw the 5 'dos' for perfect skin care. Now here are 
B- 5 don'ts:  

1-Don’t pull and rub your skin.
                                                       Aging skin has been under attack by UV rays, stress and carbon monoxide so don't stress it more by pulling on it.

2-Don’t forget to moisturize 

                                               While it's a myth that wrinkles are caused by dry skin, moisturizing can improve the appearance of lines by temporarily plumping them up.
anti-aging-moisturizer

Extra tip: Moisturizers are best used on damp skin. They lock the moisture in. Gross doesn't use tap water when washing skin because of harsh minerals found in many city water sources. 

3-Don’t ignore your neck and chest

                                                     The neck and chest are first to show the signs of aging (they have fewer oil glands than the rest of your body), yet most of us ignore them. 

anti-aging-moisturize-neck-chest

anti-aging-moisturize-neck-chest

Look for moisturizers that have age-fighting ingredients like vitamin A (retinols), kinetin, copper or vitamin C.
   
4-Don’t forget the sunscreen. 
                                        This is a no-brainer. You’ve had it ingrained in your head since youth, but seriously, even in winter it can take just 20 minutes of unprotected sun exposure to damage the skin. . 

anti-aging-sunscreen.


By the way, it's a MYTH that 80 percent of your lifetime sun damage occurs before age 18, according to the April, 2006, issue of O Magazine. Katie Rodan, MD, adjunct professor of dermatology at Stanford University School of Medicine, says in O that this myth stands officially debunked and studies indicate we get only 23 percent of total UV exposure by age 18. Of course it gets worse as we age. So you CAN prevent sun-induced aging by wearing sunscreen. 

anti-aging-sunscreen.


5-Don’t tan.
                             Even if wrinkles haven't shown up yet, you need to stop tanning now because they will.

anti-aging-bad-effect-tan

 Once signs of aging appears, you'll be spending a lot of money to reverse it. So if you do have sun damage? You can reverse the damage with photorejuvenation such as pulsed light treatments. Many spas and dermatologists provide these pricey fixes. 




  • One word of warning: Once you start an anti-aging regimen, you have to keep it up. The effects of acid peels, AHAs, moisturizers -- all the anti-aging products that remove dead skin cells and make skin look plumper -- won't last forever. You have to maintain them. 
  • Tuesday

    Anti-aging (how to Slow the Aging Skin Process)-1

    5 Dos and 5 Don’ts to Help Slow the Aging Skin Process

    Maybe you're in your 20s or early 30s and you think you can't possibly have (gulp) aging skin yet. Well, you're wrong. Your skin's 'youthfulness' has less to do with age than how it's been treated, so if exposed to sun, smoke and stress, your skin will start ‘acting old,’ losing collagen, glow and elasticity. Lines will develop and pores can seem more pronounced.  
    anti-aging

    It's easier to prevent damage than to repair it 
    but the good news is you CAN reverse skin damage.

    Here are 5 dos and 5 don’ts to help slow down and reverse the aging process and leave your skin glowing at any age.

    A- 5 dos

    1- stop smoking
    anti-aging-not-smoke

                                    Ever notice the skin of a lifelong smoker? It can appear wrinkly like a squashed paper bag. The fact is, smoking is the 2nd biggest cause of skin damage after sun exposure. Why? Nicotine constricts blood vessels and decreases the flow of oxygen to the skin. Not good things.

    2-use an AHA or BHA (also known as retinols) every day.
    retinoids_for_anti_aging_skin

                  A daily application of a one percent prescription retinoid lotion (such as Retin-A or even better, Tazorac) can erase years from your face. AHAs used properly not only take off lots of dead skin, but can seem to take 10 years off as well by reducing fine lines. (Keep in mind these products do NOT shrink pores. Your pore size is completely hereditary, so don't believe promises of permanent reduction). Over-the-counter options such as RoC Deep Wrinkle Night Cream are good, but prescription creams work the best. Extra tip: You must stay out of the sun if you use retinoids. You are extra-susceptible to sunburns.

    3-exfoliate once a week.

    Exfoliate-Your-Skin-to-prevent-from-ageing

                                                    Choose a formulation that's best for your skin type. Chemical exfoliators (glycolic or salicylic acid) are best for oily or combo skin, while scrubs found in microdermabrasives work best for sensitive skin.

    4-use an eye cream daily.

    anti-aging-use-an-eye-cream-daily

                                                        Eyes are one of the first places to show aging. The skin around the eyes is extra thin so you'll want to protect it from the sun with eye cream with SPF.

    5-invest and ingest antioxidants
    anti-aging-inges-antioxidants.

                                                                        'Antioxidants' is a huge word in aging prevention. A huge proponent of antioxidants (found in green teas and beta carotene) is dermatologist Leslie Baumann, MD. To get the best possible protection against free-radical damage, Baumann suggests in Elle magazine that you take both oral and topical antioxidants. Get antioxidants in pill form by taking Heliocare vitamins.


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    Friday

    How to Protect Skin in the Winter

    Skincare is totally seasonal, just like your wardrobe. In summer, you're busy with sun protection (aren't you?) and self-tanners, while in winter you may seem addicted to moisturizers because your skin gets so dried out and flaky (this is called "winter itch"). So why the dry skin in winter? Low temperatures, low humidity and strong, harsh winds deplete skin of its natural lipid layer which keeps the skin from drying out.
    To keep your skin feeling dewy and moist even in the harsh winter weather, follow these tips:

    Keep Water Lukewarm, Not Hot

    Hot water robs skin of moisture, so it's best to shower in lukewarm water. If you can't bear this rule -- I can't -- try to keep your warm showers short and try showering only once per day. This also means skipping the hot tubs in winter (another rule I simply cannot bear). The hot, hot temperature, combined with drying chemicals, is torture on skin.
    The same rule applies to hand-washing: Wash hands in lukewarm, never hot, water (this is a rule I firmly abide by). If your skin turns red, the water is simply too hot. 
    warm-shower

    Moisturize After Showers or Handwashing

    Moisturizer is the key to soft, supple skin in winter. Apply product when skin is slightly damp. For best effect, pat skin dry instead of rubbing with your towel before application.
    Antibacterial soap in public places can be harsh on hands, so I like to keep hand salve in my purse . To keep cuticles soft, I massage in olive oil.
    Extra tip: I love keeping moisturizer and facial water on my desk at work. and then dab on moisturizer. The water locks in moisture and leaves my skin refreshed even in harsh office heat. 
    Moisturize-After-Showers

    Exfoliate on a Weekly or Semi-weekly Basis

    Moisturizer is much more effective on properly exfoliated skin. Use a scrub in the shower and exfoliate facial skin with a mild scrub made for the face. 
    How-To-Exfoliate-Your-Skin

    It's best to scrub skin when it's dry. Apply scrub to dry skin before you turn on the water (mix with lotion if it's not moist enough). Massage the scrub in for a good five minutes for best results
    dry-exfoliation

    Extra tip: Dry brush skin before a shower with a body brush to remove flaky skin (it's more effective than brushing in the shower).

    Invest in a Humidifier

    Furnaces rob air of moisture, leaving very little humidity in the air. I once read that your skin needs more than 30 percent humidity to stay properly moisturized. A room heated by a furnace can have as little as 10 percent moisture. In the winter, consider sleeping with a humidifier in your bedroom. Keep doors closed so the moist air doesn't escape the room.

    Skip the Drying Soaps

    Stick with a creamy moisturizing cleanser that contains glycerin or petrolatum, such as Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Wash, or Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash (my current drugstore pick).
    Extra tip: Simply can't skip the bath? Skip the bubbles, which can contain harsh foaming ingredients and opt for bath oils or oatmeal scrubs, which are great for soothing itchy skin.

    Baby Your Hands & Feet

    Hands and feet can suffer terribly in winter. Put on moisturizer and gloves BEFORE you head outdoors, and consider lathering up your feet in thick moisturizer and sleeping in cotton socks at night.
    Extra tip: Cover feet in a thick moisturizer, wrap feet in Saran Wrap, then pull on a pair of socks for a couple hours. Try to sit or lie down while the moisturizer soaks in or risk sliding into a full split and pulling your groin muscles. The same treatment can be done on hands, except try plastic bags and keep hands in a pair of socks. A half-hour should do you.

    Stay Hydrated But Don't Go Overboard

    Many people believe if they drink more water, they'll hydrate skin. But I've read time and time again that this is a myth and you simply cannot moisturize skin from the inside out.
    That said, a small study recently published by the University of Hamburg (and reported in Allure magazine), suggests people who drink relatively little water could see a significant benefit in skin hydration if they started drinking nine eight-ounce glasses of water per day. What does this mean? Probably that dehydration does affect skin, but a normally hydrated person isn't going to see major benefits by drinking even more water. My advice: don't expect bottled water to save you from winter itch.

    Don't Forget Your Lips

    Licking your lips will not moisturize them and instead will help dry them out. Lips retain less moisture than other parts of the body, so they tend to dry out more quickly. A simple lip balm helps, as does my all-time favorite lip trick learned in high school from "Seventeen" magazine: moisturize your lips with Vaseline. Take a toothbrush and "brush" your lips in a circular motion. This will remove dead flakes and leave your lips soft and supple. 
    lip-moisturizing

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    Skin Problems

    skin-problems

    how to detect and get rid of many skin problems such as


    1-Acne (back acne) & (Adult Acne)

     2-Stretch Marks & Pregnancy

    3-Cellulite


    4-Undereye circles


    5-Dry Skin Fixes 




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    Thursday

    Make Yourself a Homemade Salt Scrub ( treatment for dehydrated skin in winter )

    Winter is a harsh time for skin. Excessively cold air coupled with lack of humidity in indoor spaces caused by heating can leave skin dehydrated, scaly & patchy. Head to a posh spa & you can treat yourself (for a mere $100-$300) to an all-over body salt scrub. Or why not do-it-yourself for next to nothing? All you need is liquid body soap, a coarse salt & a nice, warm bath.
    Difficulty: Easy
    Time Required: 10 minutes

    Here's How:

    1. Run a warm bath & soak for a good 10 minutes (you can also skip the bath & do this in the shower)
    2. Put on loofah mitts (the softer, the better)
    3. sprinkle a palmful of sea salt on a mitt
    4. mix in liquid body soap
    5. rub mitts together so the salt & soap are mixed together
    6. rub the mixture all over your body, rubbing in a circular motion. Rub harder on tougher areas such as the bottom of your feet, elbows & knees. Avoid your face.
    7. Rinse thoroughly
    8. Follow with a thick moisturizer (we like Shea butter). Avoid alpha hydroxy products

    Homemade-Salt-Scrub


    Keep-Skin-Hydrated-Winter

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    Skin Problems (dry skin)

     

     fix of dry skin 
                If you suffer from dry skin, consider this remedy: Skip the cleanser (which can be drying) and opt for a bit of Omega-3 oil or Pure Almond Oil (you can find these in any health food store or shop online below). Put a few drop in your palm, mix with warm water (never wash your face in hot water) and then massage into your face & neck. Let sit for a couple minutes then gently wipe face clean with a damp washcloth. (Tip: Never use a washcloth more than two days in a row, they are a breeding ground for bacteria). Follow up with a moisturizer. 

    How to Exfoliate the Body

    How Much Should I Exfoliate?Women should exfoliate using a scrub once or twice a week. You want to be sure not to overexfoliate or use a product with granules that can tear at the skin (I'm thinking of those hard, rocklike exfoliators you can buy over the counter, avoid those at all costs). Rub the product in a circular motion for 30 seconds & then wash off. If you have oily skin, large pores or acne-prone skin, you can try an at-home microdermabrasion system.

    Causes of White Bumps on the Backs of Armshose little white bumps are actually very common & the result of clogged pores in the hair follicles. You'll notice them mainly in winter because of the low humidity in the air. Common spots include arms, buttocks & the backs of legs. So how to get rid of these suckers (actual name is is keratosis pilaris, better know as 'chicken skin')? Exfoliate. Try a loofah or washcloth in the shower or do like our friend Janine and opt for a professional scrub




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    Friday

    Skin Problems (Adult Acne)

    If you noticed the acne you had when you were 15 has returned in your 30s, rest assured, you're in good company. One in five women between the ages of 25 and 40 suffer from adult acne. Here are a few facts about adult acne and how to rid your skin of it:

     Fact #1: Acne usually begins with blackheads 
                          Blackheads are not dirt, they're actually the result of oil and dead cells getting trapped in a pore where they block the duct and mix with bacteria. They then turn black when exposed to air. Red pimples develop when blackheads become inflamed and they spread when touched with dirty hands. When the pimple becomes infected, it develops a whitehead or pustule. These can break and cause scars. So how to banish blackheads? Gently, according to San Francisco Seth Matarasso to InStyle Magazine. People tend to scrub too hard which causes inflammation, he says. Instead of a grainy scrub, Matarasso suggests trying an exfoliant with alpha-hydroxy acids. You can also use a salicylic acid cleanser . These chemical products clean out pores better than scrubs. For a great quick fix.

     Fact #2: There are several causes of adult acne                     
                          These are: Stress, bad cosmetics, hormones and birth control pills. Stress causes your oil glands to overcompensate. Bad cosmetics lead to bacteria-laden pores. Hormones cause the sebacuous glands to overact and birth control pills with androgen in them can cause breakouts. To keep breakouts at bay, look for oil-free, non-acnegenic products

     Fact #3: Cheese and chocolate have nothing to do with your acne 
                                Your skin, however, WILL benefit from a good facial. Why? Because acne is not a disease, rather it is a condition of the skin and a good facialist knows exactly what your skin needs: Sulfur, zinc and camphor masks, exfoliation, blackhead extractions and at-home follow-up.

     Fact #4: Don't treat adult acne like the teen kind           
                  The products you used as a teenager won't work on adult skin. Here's a 2-step program for cleansing and treating your blemished skin: Step 1: Pick the right cleanser. Look for medicated cleansers with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Step 2: Exfoliate with a salicylic acid treatment, which will clean out pores. Just don't exfoliate too much or scrub too hard (see the blackhead section above). Two to 3 times a week is perfect.

     Fact #5: Treatment systems have completely cleared up skin on many people
                                   Proactiv Solution 3-step System ($40 at proactiv.com) is a classic kit that has worked wonders on many. L'Oreal Acne Response Daily Adult Acne Regimen is a 3-step program that is highly recommended.

     Fact #6: The dermatologist will clear your skin up fast
                                       Too many women wait to see a doctor for their skin problems. If you have basic acne, over-the-counter treatments with salicylic acid (there's that magic word again) to unclog pores and benzoyl peroxide to reduce bacteria on skin should do you, but for serious acne, a dermatologist has an arsenal of products to clear up your skin. Retinoids, antibiotics, azelaic acid and birth control pills are all options usually covered by insurance. You might consider laser treatments, but these are more costly (about $500-$2,400). Severe cases are best cleared up by Accutane, which is a 5-month course that is considered the most effective treatment available. It can, however, cause serious birth defects if taken during pregnancy. 

     Fact #7: Yes, those new machines that target acne do work  
                            We were surprised to hear this as well, but the reports are out on machines like Zeno Acne Clearing Device and they are good. They won't help blackheads or deep cystic acne, but they do work for your general run-of-the-mill pimples, according to the April, 2006, issue of Glamour. So how do they work? The Zeno, which is a handheld machine that looks like an iPod, works by driving heat through a pimple. The heat kills the bacteria and supposedly improves blood circulation to the affected area so it heals faster. Clinical trials show 90% of pimples treated with Zeno disappeared or were significantly reduced within 24 hours. 

    Skin Problems (back acne)

    ‘Bacne’ is another term for back acne or body acne. It tends to form on the back and the buttocks and can take several forms: pimples, blackheads, pustules and cysts, which are painful and form deep under the skin's surface. 
    What_Causes_Back_Acne_and_How_Can_You_Get_Rid_of_It

    What Causes Bacne? 

    What_Causes_Back_Acne_and_How_Can_You_Get_Rid_of_It

     

    There is no scientific evidence for what causes back acne.
    According to an article on the Acne Resource Center back acne tends to occur around puberty when the sebaceous glands, which produce sebum, start functioning. When too much sebum is produced pores and hair follicles can become clogged attracting bacteria. This can lead to acne.
    Stress, oily or fatty foods, excessive sweating and even heredity do not seem to play a role in the causes of back acne, according to the Acne Resource Center. There is also no proof back acne is developed from tight clothing, excessive sweating and heavy backpacks (although it is possible 'bacne' is exacerbated by this).

    How to Treat Back acne?

    For milder versions of back or body acne a topical 10 percent benzoyl peroxide cream or gel will suffice. Cysts should be treated by a dermatologist.
    To treat mild back acne: 

    Step 1 
                Wash the back with an anti-bacterial cleanser formulated for the face, Stay away from regular soap. Let skin dry.
    Step 2 
                Follow with a 10 percent benzoyl peroxide gel or cream. Let dry.
    Step 3 (optional) 
                                 Some experts suggest using the benzoyl peroxide in tandem with an alpha hydroxy treatment such as Alpha Hydrox Enhanced Lotion is optimal.
    For severe back acne, consult a dermatologist for prescription treatment. Cysts can be treated in the office.

    How to Prevent Back Acne

    Exfoliation is a great way to get rid of dead skin cells that tend to build up on the back, buttocks and back of the arms. Use a sugar scrub (milder than salt scrubs) in the shower on a weekly basis.


    Skin Problems(Stretch Marks causes and treatment )

    Stretch marks are at best, fine pink lines that appear around the fourth month of pregnancy. They can appear on the arms, thighs, buttocks, breasts and most commonly the abdomen. 
    stretchmarksstretchmarks


    They occur in 50 to 90% of women for a variety of reason and can range from the silvery pink color mentioned above to bright red or purple lines.

    *So what causes them to form in the first place? The weight gain is stretching the dermal collagen and elastin beyond breaking point and what you see are the scars formed as the fibres separate.
    *As I mentioned above, stretch marks are forming deep within the skin, so massaging the skin with oils and creams will make you feel better, but unfortunately, you can't prevent them from occurring. 

    How to get rid of stretch marks


    Technically, no.  However, there are things you can do to greatly fade their appearance. 
     Ways to fade stretch marks:
     
    + Laser therapy 

                                        uses intense wavelengths of light to help grow collagen, elastin or melanin in your skin.
    dtretch-mark-laser-removal

    + Tretinoin cream 
                                           (also called Retin-A, Renova, Avitaca) can help rebuild collagen and make the stretch marks look more like your normal skin. Just make sure you are treating the stretch marks early on, when they are still pinkish or purple.

    + Microdermabrasion 
                                                   involves a device that blows tiny crystals onto your skin.  These crystals gently polish your skin’s surface.  This is an option for older stretch marks that have faded to white.
    Are there natural ways to reduce their appearance?
    Yes! But it’s not cocoa butter – even though it’s been commonly associated with getting rid of stretch marks, this study proved it’s ineffective in preventing and treating stretch marks.   Try vitamin E instead – this study showed that pregnant women who used a cream with a form of vitamin E in it developed fewer marks than those given a placebo. Here’s a great homemade recipe to reduce and prevent stretch marks:

     
    DIY Stretch Mark Reducing Oil:
    Ingredients:
    2 tbsp vitamin E oil
    ½ cup jojoba oil
    ½ cup almond oil
    ¼ cup sugar

    Instructions:
    Pour oils into a container and shake vigorously.  Add sugar and gently massage over affected areas daily.  This works best for prevention or right after they develop!

    Vitamin E promotes skin elasticity, jojoba oil is full of fatty acids that easily penetrate deeply into the pores, almond oil gives a big dose of moisture and sugar exfoliates. 

    *Actually, the amount of stretch marks you will have is genetically decided for you. If your mother and grandmother had stretch marks, chances are, you will too. 


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    Thursday

    Skin Problems(Cellulite causes and treatment)

    what is it with getting older?
    how-to-reduce-cellulite

    how-to-reduce-cellulite

     Cottage cheese pops up first on the backs of thighs, shows up later on the arms and eventually even on the calves (we saw a picture a couple years ago in US Weekly of Uma Thurman's cellulite calves!). 

    So what is cellulite and how to get rid of it?
    cellulite-formation


    Contrary to popular belief, cellulite is not caused by excess weight. It's all in your genes, which explains why even skinny women can have it (hello Uma!). Cellulite is caused by clumps of fat cells that push up against surrounding fibrous connective tissue. "The inherent thinning of skin's support structure makes fat cells more obvious," according to *David J. Goldberg, MD, in the September, 2007, issue of Elle Magazine. This is what gives you dimples and what appears to be clumps of fat under your skin.

    So how to get rid of it? 
     Unfortunately, there's not much you can do ... for now. Much research is currently underway on laser therapies, but none of have proven completely viable (or we'd be lining up at our local dermatologists, with me heading up the line).
    Until a "cure" is found, there are some options which some swear are minimally successful: 

    1. Exercise.
                        Some personal trainers claim exercise can cut down on cellulite. Others suggest building up the muscles in the back of the leg and in the buttocks can mask cellulite. 

    2. Caffeine.
    applying-cellulite-cream

                      Caffeine, the active ingredient in many cellulite creams, works by pushing water out of fat cells, temporarily reducing the appearance of dimples. 

    3. Treatments.
    cellulite-treatment

                             Some people have found minimal success with Endermologie (not cheap at about $100 a session). This spa treatment rolls and suctions the skin breaking up fat tissue. The results can be significant, according to InStyle Magazine, but short-term. 

    4. Camouflage. 
                                 Hide dimples with a fake tan. Self tanner darkens skin, effectively camouflaging dimples. 


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    Sunday

    1 - Cleansing of skin

    Most of us know that cleansing is an important part of good skin care
    The purpose of a cleanser, or soap, is to surround, loosen, and make it easy to remove dirt, debris, germs, excess oils, and left-over products applied to the skin. Unfortunately, there are harmful effects of cleansers on the skin. 
     Cleansing of skin

     Cleansing of skin

    Many people have dry skin because of their cleansing routines, not because their skin is normally dry. Often people think that their skin isn't clean unless it feels dry and tight after they wash it. People get used to the way their skin normally feels. They come to expect that they will have dry, rough patches on the backs of their hands, itch in winter time, and sometimes have a dull complexion. They don't know that their choice of cleanser could be hurting their skin.
    How do you know what type of cleanser to use and where? The first step is to understand your cleanser options:
    • Bar soaps - The most irritating cleansers but the best to get rid of dirt and grime
    • Liquid cleansers - A wide variety of tolerability - good for cleaning all but the oiliest skin
    • Facial cleansers - The mildest cleanser but may not remove oil and dirt as well.

    Cleansing Bottom Line

    • You don't have to feel dry to be clean
    • You have good options
    • Use the mildest cleanser possible that still removes dirt, oil and debris 


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