Tuesday 24 May 2011

Aging: Causes of Wrinkles and Treatment

Wrinkles, also known as aging changes on the skin, thinning of skin or
creases on the surface of the skin, are the result of aging, so is whitening
or graying of the hair. They are common visible signs and conditions that
inevitably develop as people grow older. Sometimes it surprises me that
people should be fussy about these conditions. There should be
a cause for concern only when these conditions develop in the wrong
individual, at the wrong time and in the wrong place.

INFORMATION

This brings us back to functions of skin, which we saw when we were
dealing with skin diseases and skin care basics. There, we noted that skin
protects from the environment, helps control body temperature and fluid and
electrolyte balance, and because it houses nerve receptors, it allows the
feeling of sensations, namely, touch, pain, and pressure.

We noted that skin is divided into three parts: epidermis, dermis, the
subcutaneous layer.

The epidermis contains pigment, skin cells, and proteins.
The dermis contains blood vessels, hair follicles, oil glands, and nerves, and
supplies nutrients to the epidermis.
The subcutaneous layer contains sweat glands, fat, hair follicles,
blood vessels. At this stage, it's important to note that each of these
layers mentioned above contains connective tissue, collagen and elastin fibers.
Whilst collagen fibers give support, elastin fibers provide flexibility and
strength.

Environment, genetic makeup, nutrition, and others factor in to change
the skin, but the greatest single factor remains exposure to sun.

THE VISIBLE CHANGES

When aging commences, epidermis, that is, the outermost layer of the
skin starts to thin out, even though the number of cell layers does not change.

The number of melanocytes, that is, pigment-containing cells decreases.
As this happens,the remaining ones increase in size, thus making the skin
appear thinner, more pale, and clearer. Large pigmented spots called
lentigos appear in sun-bathed areas.

Changes in the connective tissue reduce the skin's strength and elasticity.
This condition called elastosis produces the leathery, weather-beaten look
common to farmers, sailors, and others whose jobs expose them to sunlight
for a long time.

Bruising and bleeding under the skin start to occur as the blood vessels of
the dermis become more fragile. This is a condition of senile purpura.

Dryness and itchiness develop as sebaceous glands produce less oil, making
it harder to keep moist. As the subcutaneous fat layer thins out, its capacity to
insulate and pad reduces, increasing the risk of skin injury and reducing the
ability to maintain body temperature. Because the natural insulation has reduced,
the person involved can get hypothermia in cold weather.

Some medications are absorbed by the fat layer, and loss of this layer
changes the way that these medications work.

The sweat glands produce less sweat, making it harder to keep cool,
and there'sincreased risk of becoming overheated or developing heat stroke.
Growths such as skin tags, warts, and other blemishes are more common
in older people.

COMMON PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH AGING

Skin disorders are so common among older people
Skin disorders can be caused by many conditions, including:

Blood vessel diseases such as arteriosclerosis
Diabetes
Liver disease
Nutritional deficiencies
Reactions to medications
Stress Heart disease
Obesity

Sunlight can cause:

Noncancerous skin growths (keratoacanthomas)
Loss of elasticity (elastosis)
Pigment changes such as liver spotsThickening of the skin

Exposure to sun has been linked to skin cancers, including basal cell
epithelioma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.

Other causes of skin changes:

Allergies to plants and other substances
Clothing
Climate
Exposures to industrial and household chemicals
Indoor heating
Tobacco smoke


PREVENTION

Prevent sunburn as much as possible.
Use good quality sunscreens when outdoors, and wear protective
clothing and hats
when necessary.Good nutrition and adequate fluids are also usesful. Dehydration
increases the risk of skin injury. Keep skin moist with lotions and moisturizers.
Do not use soaps that are heavily perfumed. Moist skin is more comfortable and
will heal more quickly.


Prevent and Treat Wrinkles

Some people argue that wrinkles aren’t really caused by aging, but by sunlight.
What happens is that UV rays from the sun enter the skin and damage the
fibers in the skin called elastin. As the elastin weakens, the skin becomes
less elastic and loses it’s ability to draw back after being stretched.

Viewed from this angle, anti aging skin care products that focus on wrinkles
aren’t anti aging at all, they are anti sun damage products.

Anti Aging and Anti Wrinkle Skin Care Products
Lots of products are out there that claim to reduce and prevent
wrinkles. Most of them don’t work and most of the claims haven’t been
scientifically proved. Of course, the labels on the products will incorporate some
complex false jargon about antioxidants, vitamins and other puffs that supposedly
make your skin lookyounger. Most of these claims are scientifically unverifiable,
and at best, an exercise in deception

The NIH (National Institutes of Health) and the American Academy
of Dermatology has said that most over-the-counter anti aging skin care
products that target wrinkles merely soothe dry skin and do not reduce
those wrinkles at all.

Tretinoin cream (Renova) is an anti aging skin care product created from
vitamin A and available with a prescription to treat sun damage and wrinkles as
well as age spotsand roughness by stimulating the skin to produce collagen.
This cream is usually prescribed for people who have sun damage even after
taking normal precautions to limit their exposure to UV rays.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids for Wrinkle and Sun Damage Removal
Some studies hint that alpha hydroxyl acids can help eliminate the signs
of aging such as wrinkles, age spots and sun damage. The trick is that when
a person uses alpha hydroxyl acids, they become more sensitive to UV light
and risk even more sun damage. People using alpha hydroxyl acid are told to
minimize their exposure to sunlight through using sunscreen and avoiding the sun.

Beta Hydroxy Acid
Treating Wrinkles With Beta Hydroxy Acid - Salicylic Acid
With increasing research into what causes wrinkles and the effects
of photoaging, the use of hydroxy acids has increased greatly in
popularity.

How Beta Hydroxy Acid Works
Beta hydroxy acid works mainly as an exfoliant. It causes the cells of the
epidermis to become unattached, allowing the dead skin cells to slough off,
making room for regrowth of new skin. Beta hydroxy acid is reported to
improve wrinkling, roughness, and mottled pigmentation of photodamaged skin
after at least 6 months of daily application. Beta hydroxy acid found in
skin-care products works best in a concentration of 1% to 2% and
at a pH of 3 to 4.

The Difference Between Alpha and Beta Hydroxy Acids
The main difference between alpha hydroxy acids and beta hydroxy acid is their
oil solubility. Alpha hydroxy acids are water soluble only, while beta hydroxy
acid is oil soluble. This means that beta hydroxy acid is able to penetrate into
the pore which contains sebum and exfoliate the dead skin cells that are built up
inside the pore. Because of this difference in properties, beta hydroxy acid is
better used on oily skin with blackheads and whiteheads. Alpha hydroxy acids
are better used on thickened, sun-damaged skin where breakouts are not a problem.

Saturday 21 May 2011

Hair Loss: Causes and Treatment

Hair Loss

Hair loss (alopecia) occurs naturally in all hair-bearing animals. Humans
lose about 100 scalp hairs every 24 hours. Loss of hair can become an
emotional and a cosmetic problem to an individual when it occurs in the wrong
place and time. A woman wakes up in the morning to be greeted by several
strands of hair on the pillow. Or she runs a quick comb through the hair
and observes to her chagrin a thick mass caught up in the teeth.

There are three cycles of hair growth: growing, resting, and shedding.
In humans, each follicle cycles at its own individual rate. In animals,
all hairs cycle at the same time, and change with the season. This is why
animal fur grow thicker in the fall and thinner in the spring and why human
beings do not shed hair.Unlike most animals, in humans, each hair has its own
pattern of growing, resting, and shedding. Each person sheds hair and regrows
hair every day.When this balance is disturbed and more hairs are shed than are
regrown, alopecia or hair loss results.

However, it is to be noted that true hair loss is distinct from ordinary damage
to the hair shaft. This kind of damage is usually caused by external chemicals
used to alter thephysical structure of the hair shaft.

Cosmetically significant hair loss can be divided into two categories, namely:
scarring alopecia and non-scarring alopecia.

In Scarring Alopecia, the skin that houses the hair follicle is irreversibly
damaged, and the resultant scarring has destroyed the hair follicle and
its ability to regenerate. When visual examination is not sufficient to diagnose
this problem, a biopsy may occasionally be necessary. Some skin diseases,
accidents, as well as physical trauma mayproduce this kind of damage.

In Non-scarring Alopecia, there is no irreversible physical damage to the scalp.
This type of hair loss is very common and can be completely reversed by treatment.
This hair loss can be as a result of a lot of things, including certain diseases,
drugs, aging, crash diet, as well as a genetic susceptibility to hair loss called
androgenetic alopecia (common balding).

Common causes of hair loss

Male-pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia), is determined
genetically. The hair follicles in the center of the scalp and over the temple
of the afflicted individualbegin to thin out, producing small, fine hairs
which are barely visible. This is what results when testosterone is metabolized
by an enzyme in the hair follicle. And because the hair follicles over the
ears and back of the scalp do not possess this enzyme a fringe of normal
hair is maintained.


Female-pattern baldness is very similar to its male counterpart
although it is rarely as complete, more diffuse, and often a frontal
hairline is maintained.


Alopecia areata, a non-scarring alopecia, is an autoimmune disease
characterized by a spontaneously marginal loss of hair over an area.
At extreme, this can result in the loss of 100% of all body hair.

Uncommon causes of alopecia


Infections such as syphilis and fungal infections, poor nutrition,
skin diseases such as lupus and lichen planus, skin cancers, hormonal
disorder, kidney failure, liver failure, thyroid disease, can cause hair loss.



Treatment for Hair Loss

Finasteride helps stop hair loss in about 60% of men, and minoxidil
decreases hair loss in about 50% of men and women.
The best prevention of hair loss is early treatment. Research has shown
that minoxidil is most useful for people who have been losing hair for less
than five years.A doctor who can help determine if the medications are
working and who can watch for side effects of the medications should
follow up with people who are being treated with minoxidil or finasteride.


Medical Treatment

Androgenetic alopecia
Finasteride (Propecia): a pill taken once daily that blocks the activity
of an enzyme that metabolizes testosterone. Any regrowth is not
permanent, however. Finasteride is not currently used for the treatment of
hair loss in women.

Minoxidil (Rogaine, Loniten): This medication is rubbed directly onto the scalp.
It enlarges hairs and makes them grow for a longer period.
This works for both men and women.
It is active for balding at the top and back of the head and less active for the front
area of the scalp.

Warning: Stopping this medication can result in loss of the hair that
grew during its use.

Alopecia areata
Injection of steroids directly into the areas of skin affected can lessen the
hair loss for some time.


Hair loss in Women
Situations like pregnancy, crash dieting, or severe emotional trauma
can definitely result in thinning hair. In such cases its recommended that you
get on Rogaine Foam or Tricomin Therapy Spray or both, to help re-start the
hair growth process.

Female Androgenetic Alopecia

Androgenetic Alopecia in women is characterized by thinning freely
spreading throughout the scalp. This has been noted to be very similar to mens
Androgenetic Alopecia (Male Pattern Baldness). In both cases, the reason you
are losing your hair is a sensitivity of your follicles to the hormones in your scalp.
To be sure, the enzyme in the hair follicle metabolizes the hormone known as
DHT, or Dihydro-Testosterone changing it into a substance that does not
hair growth. This is why treatments for women's androgenetic alopecia include
DHT blockers, and antiandrogens, just like with men. Some typical treatments are
Topical Spironolactone (S5) cream, Revivogen, and
(with the consent of your doctor only), Propecia.

Female Androgenetic Alopecia is just one kind of diffuse hair loss experienced
by women. Some common causes of Female Androgenetic Alopecia are: starting
or stopping birth control, the postpartum period, and pre and early post
menopausal periods. With Female Androgenetic Alopecia, women rarely
go completely bald. The end result of the condition is a visible decrease in
density of hair in the affected areas.


Are you suffering from temporary hair loss (Telogen Effluvium)
or Androgenetic Alopecia?

Please always remember that Telogen Effluvium is temporary both
in cause, and duration. How do you determine whether you have
Androgenetic Alopecia, or Telogen Effluvium? Appropriate blood tests
should be able to revealwhether there have been any underlying hormonal
imbalances. And on your part you should beable to determine if you've had
any extremely traumatic experiences or conditions in the past.
If the blood tests reveal no imbalances, and you do not have any significant
life changing events to point to, and your hair has been thinning for a prolonged
period of time, then it's time to safely conclude that you are dealing with
Androgenetic Alopecia.

If however you can specify a traumatic event
(pregnancy, birth control pills, etc), your hair loss has been
short lived, or you identify a thyroid or other imbalance,
this can be called Telogen Effluvium.


Common Causes of Telogen Effluvium in Women

The following are the most common causes of telogen effluvium
(temporary hair loss) in women:

Birth Control: Starting or stopping birth control.

Postpartum Period: After pregnancy it is common to lose hair. It is typically
restored on its own or with the help of Rogaine Foam or Tricomin Therapy
Spray or both.

Hormonal: Changes in hormone levels or thyoroid imbalances are common
reversible causes.

Nutritional: Crash dieting, e.g for weight loss, severe nutritional deprivation,
alcoholism, zinc or iron deficiency can all be causes of TE. (Fever): 2 to
5 months after severe fever related illness, TE can begin.

Systemic Illness: Conditions such as Crohn's or Hepatic Disease, Syphilis,
Lymphoproliferative disorders, and inflammatory bowel disease.

Medications: A large number of drugs have been reported
to cause or possibly cause, diffuse Alopecia.

The treatment is the same for both Androgenetic Alopecia and Telogen
Effluvium. A growth stimulant is highly advised as a foundational course
of action, whether it be Rogaine Foam or Tricomin Therapy Spray or both.
Those with Androgenetic Alopecia should however begin to look into the
available antiandrogen treatments.

Saturday 14 May 2011

Acne No More: Book Review

Why Is Acne No More The Best Selling Holistic Acne Book In Internet History, With Thousands Of Satisfied (And Now Acne Free) Users In 131 Countries Worldwide?

Acne No More is the #1 best selling acne ebook in the history of the Internet for a reason...

Thousands of women and men of every age have completely cured their acne condition and achieved lasting clear skin naturally, without drugs, over the counters, creams or "magic potions," simply by using the clinically proven, scientifically-accurate step by step method found inside this amazing acne freedom guidebook.

Mike Walden, a certified nutritionist, health consultant and author has not just pumped out yet another "acne cure program" into an already over-saturated market. Mike's Acne No More can be more accurately described as an "Acne Bible." It is quite simply one of the most comprehensive, complete, and precise guides to acne freedom you will ever read. What makes it so much different than other clear skin publications on the market?

Well first of all, it's not just a "acne relief" or "skin care" program, it's a holistic acne cure program. This may seem like semantics or wordplay at first, but once you've read just the first chapters, there will be no doubt in your mind that pursuing "acne relief" is not only the wrong goal, it may be the reason that you've failed to stop and maintain your 'acne free internal environment'. Acne No More shows you exactly why you should fix the internal problem that's causing your acne, not just masking the symptoms or getting relief and then goes on to show you exactly how to do it.

Secondly, what makes Acne No More different is the amount of attention that is paid to each and every element required to achieve permanent freedom from acne symptoms and from hormonal and toxic overload disorders. Acne No More not only thoroughly discusses the lies, myths and fallacies surrounding a very confusing subject, it is simply the most detailed book about acne, blackheads, and hormonal health and inner balance ever written.

The Acne No More book is quite extensive (223 pages of rock solid content) which focuses on 100% natural acne treatment. That means there aren't recommendations for harsh prescription drugs with nasty side effects. In Acne No More core formula section (The 5 pillars) - Nothing is held back. In this section, Mike gives a detailed overview of each step, and then dives into the specifics in a perfect chronological order. There are also outstanding charts and checklists which make it very easy to know where you are at in the program and follow it.

Because the Acne No More program is not a quick fix ‘fairy tale’ cure but a complete holistic solution aimed at eliminating the root cause of acne and digestive disorders (regardless of their severity) and ensure your will permanently be acne-free, it does take work and persistence to complete. "The dictionary is the only place success comes before work" says Mike, as he emphasizes the "no quick fix" philosophy behind the entire book.

If there is any drawback to the Acne No More ebook, it's that it contains so much information, that some readers may find it a bit overwhelming. Those who are looking for a quick start type of acne program, might be a bit intimated at first. The good part however, is that even these types of readers can feel confident and assured that it will be worth the effort because this will literally be the last book they ever have to buy on the subject.

Who will benefit most from Acne No More?

In the broadest sense, anyone and everyone who needs to cure their acne and regain their natural inner balance will benefit from Acne No More. This ebook is honestly for everyone. Even people without acne. This is a total health rejuvenation program better than 98% of the nutrition and alternative health books on the market.
Click here to learn more about Mike Walden's Acne No More

In terms of graphic design, Acne No More is a clean and professionally formatted PDF e-book. It is well organized and ideal for printing and reading in the comfort of your own home.

This impressive and unique publication has changed many lives and the hundreds of inspiring testimonials and success stories are found on the Acne No More website archives as proof.

The Bottom line?

Anyone looking for a quick fix solution to acne, anyone looking to be told fairy-tales, and anyone looking for a "magic bullet", acne pills, over the counters, 'acne freedom in 3 days' hyped up programs should not waste his or her time with Acne No More.

On the other hand, anyone searching for the truth about acne and his natural inner balance and who is ready and willing to put in some work and make the lifestyle changes necessary to achieve acne freedom, will find Acne No More to be one of the best investments they ever made in their lives.

Click here to learn more about Mike Walden's Acne No More:

Acne and Pimples: Causes and Treatment

The difference there is between acne and pimples is a matter of
semantics and dwells only in our minds We tend to say we have
pimples when we have a solitary or scanty breakouts, and when
we have several of these breakouts we say we have acne. It's just
one and the same thing. Some people say pimples are the initial stage of whiteheads. To get a clearer picture from this school of thought,
one needs to understand the developmental stages of acne and pimples.

The location of acne and pimples are on the pores. When I was
explaining the structure of the skin
(see: "A Little About Your Skin" in my blog,
http://skincaretip-4u.blogspot.com), I did mention that the
subcutaneous tissue is the third layer of the skin and contains
fat and the larger blood vessels that supply blood to the skin.
This is where you find the sebaceous glands.

The location of acne and pimples are the pores on the skin. Sebum,
which is the natural oil produced by the sebaceous glands flow from
the hair follicles onto the skin via the pores.

Generally the sebum is deposited on the hairs inside the follicles
and is brought up to the surface of the skin along the hair shaft.
In hairless areas, the sebum surfaces through pores. Sebum lubricates
and protects the hair and skin and prevents drying and irritation of
membranes. Sebum may collect excessively as a result of poor hygiene,
a diet rich in fats, or accelerated glandular activity, hormonal changes, especially during adolescence, microscopic dust particles. Excessive
secretions of sebum may be related to acne , certain forms of baldness,
and other skin disorders.

At any rate, excess sebum may result in the pores getting clogged.
The sebum will then start to accumulate behind the blockage and may
either break out of the skin, in which case they will be called blackheads,
or they will be unable to break out of the skin in which case they will
be called whiteheads.

Practically speaking, at the initial stage of development, the
individual has already suffered an acne infection. The whiteheads that
are formed when the sebum originally starts to clog up the pores are
pimples, and are often referred to as mild acne.

So you see it's a matter of semantics.

Be that as it may, acne is much broader. It includes not only pimples, but also
whiteheads, blackheads, rosacea.

Home Remedies for Acne and Pimples

Here are a few stay-at-home remedies for pimples and acne.

1. Mix a tablespoon of groundnut oil with 1 tablespoon of fresh
lime juice. This will help prevent the onset of pimples and blackheads.

2. For the treatment of pimples, apply the juice of a raw pawpaw or
pawpaw seed over the lesion.

3. Make a paste ground orange peel and water and apply this to the
acne infected area or pimple.

4. Make a mixture of 3 tablespoons of honey and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
powder
and apply this paste to the pimples before sleeping and washing it off
the next morning with some warm water. Follow this routine for about 2
weeks and the pimples should disappear.

5. Stop washing or scrubbing your face. Washing your skin to often or
scrubbing it will only cause more breakouts.

6. To make pimples go away, mix some water with baking soda or crush
up an aspirin pill and mix it with water. Both will dry out the pimple
and clear away any excess dead skin, helping it heal faster.

For an infallible and a far more reaching solution to your acne problem,
please check out the review at http://skincaretip-4u.blogspot.com
Or Click here to learn more about Mike Walden's Acne No More

Wednesday 11 May 2011

Skin Diseases

Skin Diseases

Skin disease is a broad term which describes several conditions. Some skin diseases
are serious and deadly, whilst others are plain irritating. Some skin diseases can
disfigure a person, whereas others just sit there.

Acne
Acne is the commonest skin disease handled by physicians. It is a chronic condition
that affects over 90% of adolescents and adults. There are different types of acne
that respond to different types of treatment.

Dermatitis
The term dermatitis describes many classifications of rashes. The most common
dermatitis is atopic dermatitis or eczema.

Herpes
Herpes simplex virus is the cause of oral and genital herpes. An infection with
this virus is life-long. There's no known cure for herpes. But the rash itself can be controlled
with medication. Herpes infections in pregnant women can cause serious infections for the baby.

Seborrheic Keratosis

Seborrheic keratoses are often known as benign lesions, even though they don't look
exactly benign. They can have various colors, grow quickly, itch, and sometimes bleed.
Fortunately, they are fairly easy to distinguish from skin cancers.

Hives
When an allergic reaction in the skin releases the chemical histamine,
hives can occur in the skin. Acute hives can usually be treated with medications
but chronic ones, lasting longer than 6 months, require an investigation as to the cause.

Infections
Organisms that cause infection can be bacterial, fungal, or viral.
Infections are caused when these organisms get into the skin from the
outsde world.

Warts
These are a common skin condition caused by the human papillomavirus.
There are many effective treatments, and yes, duct tape is one of them.

Psoriasis
Changes in the immune system cause this lifelong skin condition known as
psoriasis. The rash of psoriasis is very distinctive. In recent times, giant strides achieved in the use of biologic medications have been able to make psoriasis less of an emotional problem.

Rosacea
This is a common skin condition characterized by redness of the face.
It's not exactly clear what causes rosacea, but there are effective
medications and treatments that keep it under control.

Seborrheic Dermatitis
Seborrheic dermatitis causes a characteristic rash on the hair-bearing
areas of the face. Sometimes it can be controlled with dandruff shampoo.

Skin Cancer
Skin cancer ranges from the slow-growing basal cell
carcinoma to the potentially fatal melanoma.

Skin Care Basics

Skin Care Basics
Every cream or lotion in the market today will claim to make you look so much
better.And to an average person, the choice of which one is best for his or her
skin can be an overwhelming experience.

The Good News About Skin Care

The good news is skin care can be as simple as you want it to be. Washing
your face doesn't have to be a 10-step ritual, and you don't have to max out your
credit card;neither do you need to fill up your medicine cabinet with shelves
of products.The fact is, good skin care involves 3 basic steps:

Cleansing
Getting rid of grime and chemicals while limiting the stress of daily cleansing

Moisturizing
Hydrating and replenishing the skin

Using Sunscreen
Protecting the skin from harmful UV rays

Step 1 - Cleansing
Most of us know that cleansing is an important part of good skin care. The
purpose of acleanser, or soap, is to surround, loosen, and make it easy to remove
dirt, stains, debris, germs, excess oils, and left-over products applied to the skin.
Unfortunately, some cleansers are harmful to the skin.

Many people get dry skin from their cleansing routines, which means that their
skin is notnormally dry. Some people mistakenly think that their skin isn't clean
enough until it feels dry or tight, or both, after they wash it. People get used to the
way their skin normally feels. They cometo expect that their skin will change
depending on the seasons. For example, they expect to have dry, rough patches
on the backs of their hands, itch and dull complexion in winter. 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
understandyour 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

Step 2 - Moisturizing
Moisturizing is an essential step in good skin care. A good moisturizer can
stop the dry skin cycle from spiraling into cracked, thick, flaky skin.
An effective moisturizer will have a combination of ingredients that:

Replenish the skin's natural ingredients that help maintain its structure
Cut down on damage from free-radicals
Help the cells function more normally

Good Moisturizer Ingredients
In the past, moisturizers were essentially water and wax mixtures that worked by
trying to hold water in the skin. The only real difference between these moisturizers
was how they "felt" to the consumer. Now there is complex science behind the new
state-of-the-art moisturizers that are available. Some ingredients that you'll find in
a state-of-the-art moisturizer are:

Glycerol
Helps water and other moisturizer ingredients penetrate
the skin to get where they are needed.

 Ceramides
Help replenish the skin's natural oils.

Hydroxy Acids
Help with exfoliation of dead skin cells

Niacinamide
Helps the skin produce more natural oils, and may also help reverse the
signs of sun-damaged skin, like brown spots and blotchiness

How to Choose a Moisturizer
Not all skin is the same, and not all moisturizers are the same. Picking out the
best moisturizerfor your skin depends on what your skin needs. Consider the
following skin conditions whenchoosing a moisturizer:

Moisturizers for dry skin
Moisturizers for oily skin
Moisturizers for normal skin
Moisturizers for acne-prone skin
Moisturizers for red skin
Moisturizers for eczema, atopic dermatitis, or sensitive skin
Moisturizers with sunscreen

Moisturizer Bottom Line
Don't settle for your grandmother's old cold cream. Pick a moisturizer with good
ingredients for your skin, and enjoy your healthier skin.


Step 3 - Sunscreen
The final step in a good skin care program is using sunscreen, but it's the most
forgotten.It's easy to tell if your skin is dirty or dry, requiring a good washing or some
addedmoisture. We can see or feel that our skin needs some extra care. Unfortunately,
most of thedamage to the skin from UV radiation is beneath the surface and happens
so slowly that wedon't realize how much damage is being done.

Most people know that exposure to UV radiation can cause sun damage to the skin,
including sunburn, photoaging, and increased risk of skin cancer. But did you know
this damage also occurs when you walk from your house to your car or sit next to
a window during the day? Even those little bits of exposure add up over the years
and can cause wrinkles, dark spots and skin cancer.

Sunscreen Decisions
There are several factors to consider when picking out a sunscreen:

How sunscreens work
Everyday sunscreen vs out-in-the-sun sunscreen
Using a sunscreen alone vs sunscreen plus moisturizer
Understanding the UV-index
 How to be safe in the sun

Sunscreen Bottom Line
You've worked hard to take care of your skin by cleansing and moisturizing it. Don't
undo all those benefits by exposing it to UV radiation. Find a good broad-spectrum
sunscreen and make its application a part of your daily routine like brushing your
teeth and bathing


Skin Health

Question: What's the Difference Between Healthy and Unhealthy Skin?
Whether you know it or not, the health of your skin is being judged everyday. You do
it yourself when you look in the mirror for blotches and bumps. Other people are also
looking at your skin to determine how attractive you are.

Is your skin healthy or unhealthy? How do you know the difference? What are the
components of healthy skin? Knowing the answers to these questions is the first step
in determining how you should be taking care of your skin. The following are
components of healthy skin.

Even Color
Consistent color is a sign of youthful, healthy skin. Studies have shown that consistent,
even skin tone is a main element of attractiveness. As a matter of fact, the consistency
of skin color is considered more attractive than having a uneven skin color.
Examples of uneven skin color are, but not limited to:

Blotchiness
Dark, light or red spots
Dark circles under eyes


Smooth Texture
Healthy skin looks smooth and feels smooth. This does not mean that the skin is
smooth like glass. The skin has tiny peaks around hair follicles and pores, and tiny
valleys in between the peaks. However, these peaks and valleys are consistent
throughout the skin, giving it a uniform appearance. On the other hand, unhealthy
skin does not have a uniform texture. Examples of texture skin problems include:

Bumps
Acne
Blackheads, whiteheads
Wrinkles
Scars

Hydration

Healthy skin is well moisturized. The skin cells slough off but this removing is
not noticeable.If too many skin cells remove at the same time, this surely creates
problems that we call:


Flaking skin
Scaly skin

Many a time we blame these conditions on dry skin.

Normal Sensations
Normally, your skin doesn't give you a sign that it's healthy, unless,
perhaps you're looking at it in a mirror. Healthy skin doesn't have any
unusual sensations. Only unhealthy skin gives you signs! Signs of
unhealthy skin sensations include:

Itching
Burning
Stinging
Pulling

Tuesday 10 May 2011

A Little About Your Skin

A Little About Skin

Skin is the largest organ of the body and weighs about 6.6 pounds.
It is a very complicated organ and performs many functions.
Basically, the skin is composed of three layers, namely: epidermis, dermis,
and subcutaneous tissue. Each layer is made up of complicated structures
that contain many specialized cells.

 Epidermis:
The epidermis is the outer layer of the skin and in turn contains 5 layers.
The outer layer of the epidermis is called the stratum corneum and it's job is to
act as a screen against outside forces.

Dermis:
The dermis is the second layer of the skin and it is the framework of the skin.
It's collagen and tissues give the skin its structure.

Subcutaneous Tissue:
The subcutaneous tissue is the third layer of the skin and 
contains fat and the larger blood vessels that supply blood to the skin.
For this reason, it is responsible for regulating the temperature of both skin and body.

 Functions of Skin
Apart from making you look beautiful, skin performs many functions.
The working of the skin is still not very clear to the scientists.
This accounts for the inability of scientists to provide solutions to all skin problems.

Shield:
Simply put, skin shields your body and prevents foreign bodies from entering
and binds your body together.

Protection:
Skin keeps bacteria, fungi, and viruses from damaging itself and entering the body.

Sensation:
Skin helps you sense the world around you.

Renewal:
Skin repairs wounds.

Regulate Temperature:
Skin helps keep our body temperature within an acceptable range.

UV Protection:
Skin keeps UV rays (sunlight) from damaging your body.

Attraction:

Skin signals others as to the state of your health and helps you attract a mate.