Beauty Makeovers

Anorexia Nervosa An Eating Disorder!

2009-11-07T13:42:00.001+07:00

Anorexia can be termed or also mean as person who has lost his/her appetite. It can be seen as a form of disease which is very harmful posing a threat to your life. This is a voluntary starving process wherein people kill their desire to eat and end up starving oneself. There are many components which makes this disease complex such as psychological, sociological and physiological. The weight loss doesn?t happen very rapidly but it is a very slow process and looks like any other weight reducing programme in the beginning. But it is after some months you realize the effect it has taken upon your health.

This affects the personality of the person drastically and the outgoing and extrovert person becomes very introvert and subdued. The level of concentration starts depleting too which proves to be big problem for many young people who are the major victims in this disease. The inability to maintain 15 percent of an individual?s normal weight is one of the very serious matters which have to be handled very delicately. Due to starving process there are repeated practices of binge eating and vomiting. Fear plays a very important part, as it the fear of putting on weight, that they discard the idea of being hungry which can also be said as killing yourself gradually and slowly.

The shrinking body is the number one sign you would see in all the people suffering from anorexia. The minimal body weight of the person is also not maintained which makes it very risky for the person. Body doesn?t get enough supplements in the form of vitamins or proteins due to which the nail and hair becomes brittle and the skin without any source of energy turns yellow and pale. In such kind of health, psychologically the person is traumatized, and depression starts kicking in. Due to the shrinking body there is drop in the body temperature which makes the person more vulnerable to cold. Even with the body remaining 1/4 of its size the person suffering with this disorder find themselves to be fat, which can be maintained as a psychological barrier.

The people who are mostly affected with anorexia are mostly girls or women of very young age. The portrayal of abnormally thin women in advertisements and movies as embodiments of beauty has made young women and teenaged girls want to be like them. This alone cannot be considered as the factor determining the anorexic patients. Other factors like eating disorders, genetics, environment, personalities and bio-chemistry. For many anorexia starts off for activities like dance, sports which require a certain body structure. Such kind of disorders also run in families and girls find themselves at a higher risk of getting affected by this disease.

Treatment for such a disease is reversible. Once it is diagnosed the treatment should begin immediately. Most of these cases if detected early, the success rate is good too. Once detected most of these patients are admitted in the hospital and treated accordingly. There is a weight gain program and it takes time depending upon the individual. A set target for food intake per week is assigned which accordingly is increased so as to get the person back on his/her feet, literally. There are different kind of therapies such as normal, group, individual and family. There is lot of emotional baggage for many people who suffer from anorexia and those feeling have to be dealt with, by some psychological sessions or other therapies.

Kevin Pederson has been managing a number of natural home remedies websites which have information on this would help in knowing anorexia and how to fight it out.

Holistic Skin Care Regrowing The Garden Of Youth

2009-08-10T23:48:00.001+07:00

To win the battle against the effects of time and the environment, we need to do more than just apply lotions and creams to our faces. No matter how sophisticated the ingredients grow, those anti aging creams only improve the appearance of the dead layers of skin on the surface. To reach the deeper, living cells, we need to nourish ourselves from within.

Juices are an great way to get vital antioxidants, phytonutrients, and vitamins in fruits and vegetables we normally would not eat regularly. For example, pomegranate juice has been found to prevent the thickening of the arteries if drunk daily, as well as slow down the oxidation of cholesterol. And new research indicates it may have a much stronger antioxidant effect than red wine and green tea. Beauty foods like these can be a very effective tool in improving the way our skin looks and feels.

Antioxidants are an excellent way to slow down the aging process on our skin. There are a variety of antioxidants found in fruit and vegetables. These include polyphenols, flavanoids, and proanthocyanadins. Proanthacyanadins help capillary walls stay strong, which is important in making sure all the right nutrients and oxygen get to our cells. If our cells are starving because of nutrient transportation problems, they are not going to be healthy, or look good. Blueberries and blackberries are rich sources of proanthocyanadins, so that's a great excuse to make these delicious fruits part of a regular diet. If you can't get fresh berries, or they're too expensive, try frozen berries as they still retain their nutritional value.

Paul Bedson, who utilizes traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in his approach to the body, suggests these juices for good skin health:

Carrot, celery and lemon juice
Cucumber, lettuce, and pineapple juice
Half a glass of cucumber juice with half a glass of water

TCM sees healthy skin function in relation to how well the other organs of elimination function. The skin is considered an organ of elimination as it excretes about one quarter of the body's wastes through perspiration. The other organs of elimination are the kidneys, the lungs, the liver and the bowels. The rationale behind considering the excretory organs as a whole when addressing skin health, is that if one of the organs is overloaded, or not doing its job properly, it throws the whole system of excretion out of balance, placing greater stress on the other eliminatory channels. So juices, food and supplements that support these other channels of elimination should also lead to a corresponding improvement in the skin.

Herbs that support the eliminatory channels, and thus indirectly the skin, include burdock, cleavers, nettles, goldenseal, yellow dock, and milk thistle, or st marys thistle.

References: Paul Bedson, The Complete Family Guide To Natural Healing (Hinkler Books, 2005)
Erica Angyal, Gorgeous Skin In 30 Days (Lothian Books, 2005
http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/news/ng.asp?n=62044-tesco-pomegreat-pomegranate

Do you suffer from acne? Would you like to learn 6 acne nutrition tips to help you manage your acne better? Or an acne diet article that discusses the link between insulin, bread and acne? Click on the links to find out.

How to Make Your Own Beauty Products

2009-05-18T19:42:00.001+07:00

Few of life?s luxuries lift our spirits and promote our self-esteem as effectively as beauty products. This feel good factor more often than not comes with a hefty price tag attached to it. Add the words ?organic?, ?natural? or ?herbal? to the label and the cost is higher still. Or is it? Beauty products need not be costly. You can achieve professional results at home on a shoestring budget.

Skin care products are among the most popular beauty treatments. From cleansers to toners to lotions, the more they claim to do the more expensive they generally are. Many of the store bought products often contain toxic substances, many of which are synthetically derived from petrochemicals. These ingredients have the potential for causing cancer, birth defects, central nervous system disorders, allergic respiratory reactions, and skin and eye irritations. Many chemicals found in cosmetics don't cause immediate visible signs of toxicity, but affect our health negatively over time through repeated use.

Making your own beauty products saves you money and ensures complete control over the ingredients. This is especially useful if you have sensitive or allergic skin. It is surprisingly simple to achieve excellent results with relatively little effort and expenditure. Many every day food items such as honey, eggs, cucumber, fruits, and others have been used as beauty enhancers for centuries. Eggs are very versatile. To tone and tighten skin, apply a beaten egg white to your face and rinse it off after it dries. To remove excess oil, whip an egg yolk and mix it with six tablespoons of honey to make a peel off mask. Masking is the oldest of all the beauty arts. Masks rejuvenate and revitalize skin by removing accumulated dead skin cells and restoring normal epidermal function. Regular use of a facial mask tightens pores and stimulates the circulation of blood to the face, thereby bringing oxygen and other essential nutrients to the skin.

Honey is a natural anti-bacterial agent and moisturizer. It contains trace minerals and amino acids which are beneficial to skin and hair. It may be used on the face as a mask (clover honey is recommended for dry skin, while oily and combination skin benefits from orange blossom honey) and on hair as a conditioning treatment to add shine and moisture. For a honey hair rinse, combine one teaspoon of honey with four cups of warm water and one drop of your favourite essential oil or perfume. Apply this mixture to freshly washed hair and let air dry.

For a refreshing facial, pour boiling water over dried chamomile flowers in a bowl and inhale, holding your face a few inches above the water. You can even use the left over liquid to rinse your hair with afterwards. Apart from the benefits to your skin, this treatment also has health benefits for nose, throat and lungs and is especially beneficial for colds and bronchial infections.

For an all over beauty treatment, add half a cup of powdered milk to a tub full of hot water. It acts as a skin softener. For added benefit and relaxation, add a muslin bag filled with your favourite herbs to the bath. For a soothing effect, try chamomile flowers or rose flowers. Basil, bay, rosemary, or thyme have an energizing effect. Sage and strawberry leaves relieve muscle aches and painful joints. A handful of oatmeal and two teaspoons of sea salt make an invigorating body scrub.

Massage has a relaxing effect on the body and the mind. It loosens tension and blockages and stimulates blood circulation and the lymphatic system, which plays an important role in the body?s immune system. Massage oils consists of a carrier oil (or oil blend) to which essential oils are added. Carrier oils are vegetable oils used to dilute the concentrated essential oils. They help to slow down the evaporation of the essential oils and help absorb them into the skin. For maximum benefit, ?extra virgin? or cold pressed vegetable oils should be used. Popular carrier oils include sweet almond, grape seed, sunflower, sesame, wheat germ, olive and peanut oil. Nut allergy sufferers are advised to avoid nut based oils. Jojoba oil is a very popular oil due to its nutritional properties. Its structure is very close to human sebum so it is easily absorbed. Jojoba oil allows the skin to breathe, unlike other oils. It nourishes the skin and moisturizes it at the same time. Jojoba is actually a liquid wax, not an oil.

Making your own beauty products saves you money and let's you be in control over what goes onto your skin. Even better, it?s easy and fun. Happy mixing!

Katharina Bishop is a freelance writer. She is the owner of Wondrous Gems, a business specializing in crystals and designer jewelry. http://www.wondrousgems.com

Cosmetic Surgery Surgeons: How To Select A Good One

2009-05-15T01:36:00.001+07:00

Making the decision to undergo cosmetic surgery can be an overwhelming and life-changing decision. However, the question of choosing the right surgeon for the job can leave you equally perplexed. There is no dearth of cosmetic surgeons, but it is imperative that you chose a surgeon with loads of experience in the field of cosmetic surgery. You may find an expert surgeon in your vicinity, or you might have to travel a few hundred miles in your quest for the best. But the initial botheration will surely yield fruitful results.

To expedite your search for an expert cosmetic surgeon, it is crucial that you crosscheck their credentials prior to undergoing surgery. Check if they are certified by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons or some other prominent cosmetic surgery board. You could crosscheck your state?s medical board to verify the surgeon?s credentials. Having narrowed down on one or two superlative surgeons it is time for an elaborate consultation.

The most common aspects that you may focus on during an initial consultation are as follows:-

- You may inquire about the cosmetic surgeon?s area of expertise.

- Ensure that the surgeon has performed a substantial number of cosmetic surgery procedures.

- Make sure that the surgeon wields the best technological equipment available.

- If price is a factor, check if the expenses incurred meet your budget.

- Ask the surgeon for pictures of his/her earlier patients, depicting both pre and post-surgery images.

- Cosmetic surgery, like any other surgical procedure, involves risks and complications. The surgeon must not dismiss the risks of surgery, and should be willing to discuss any possible complication of cosmetic surgery.

- Most importantly, ensure that the surgeon will be actively involved in post-operative care.

- And finally, shun away any sales gimmicks or unrealistic bargains.

On the whole, an excellent result largely depends on the expertise of the cosmetic surgeon. Hence, choose a surgeon with discretion, since a successful cosmetic surgery could give you a huge boost.

Nicola publishes an informational site about liposuction surgery, with articles and news, tips and views to help you make the correct choice about Liposuction Surgery at http://lipo.plastic-surgery-info.net

Follow Homemade Beauty Tips ? For Beauty Is In Nature's Grips

2009-05-12T16:06:00.001+07:00

Beautiful people of all ages have maintained that beauty is not as much reflected in the rosy, youthful look of the skin. When questioned about the secret to their beautiful skins, they have always attributed it to a healthy lifestyle and a few homemade beauty tips. Healthy lifestyle and homemade beauty tips are mostly based on the refreshing, detoxifying effects of natural and herbal products with the former fortifying the system?s internal strength and the later protecting outwardly.

Homemade beauty tips, as such, are based on judicial choice of herbal ingredients for external skin care. Some home-based natural skin care tips would be as follows:

?Buttermilk/cream and yogurt make excellent skin cleansers.

?After-bath application of almond oil is undoubtedly a great treat for the skin ? the suppleness and glow it brings to the skin is unmatched by even the very best of moisturizers.

?Regular application of honey or yogurt makes the skin soft and has a gentle bleaching effect.

?Sea salt/sugar mixed with olive oil works as an extraordinary at-home body exfoliation preparation.

?Different natural and herbal products like Aloe Vera, Basil, Chamomile, Lavender, Marshmallow, Neem, Oatmeal, Sandalwood, Tea tree oil, Turmeric, Witch Hazel, etc. used as facial packs often help to dispose dead cells and impurities lodged in the skin to unclog pores. Side by side playing the roles of cleansers, the natural produces and elements strike water-oil balance of the skin.

If you find it too troublesome to go for natural skin treatments, the safest choice will be the TCA peels. The ready-to-be-used medically approved TCA peels have an answer for almost all skin problems ? right from acnes to wrinkles and skin pigmentations to dryness. With long lasting effects, TCA peels give back the skin its natural healthfulness. With no harmful side effects (nearing the gentleness of homemade beauty tips), TCA peels can be safely used for teen-age skin problems.

Two is undoubtedly ?company? but three is not always ?crowd?. TCA peels, balanced diets and a few homemade beauty tips make enviable company when it comes to revitalizing the skin. Therefore, surrender to the cares of the threesome and be the proud possessor of a youthful skin and look!

David Maillie is an alumni of Cornell University and specializes in biochemical synthesis for public, private, and governmental interests and manufactures various skin peels and acne treatments for doctors offices and medispas. He can be reached at M.D. Wholesale: http://www.bestskinpeel.com

How to Eliminate Dry Skin Naturally

2009-05-12T16:00:00.001+07:00

Everyone wants smooth, glowing beautiful skin! How many of us can say that we actually posses it? We purchase countless products, undergo expensive treatments and still suffer with dry, flaky or ?ashy? skin. In order to see a long lasting change, you must examine your lifestyle. Take time to consider what impact your diet, sleeping habits, activity and skin care routine have on your skin.

1. Be sure to include fresh fruit, nutritious vegetables, whole grains and clean water in your daily diet. Your skin is a living organ. Give it what is needed to stay healthy.

2. Start the day with invigorating stretches. Learn basic yoga and practice it for 10-30 minutes each morning.

3. Cleanse your skin with cold-processed soaps. They contain plant oils that nourish the skin cells. Avoid products with Sodium Laurel Sulfate or other harsh detergents.

4. Exfoliate skin weekly to remove dead skin cells and toxins. Use a scrub with plant-based ingredients to restore moisture and elasticity.

5. After the bath or shower, moisturize the entire body with a mineral oil-free product. Be sure to read labels. Even some ?natural products? contain mineral oil. It is a cheap by product of petroleum and does not contribute the health of your skin.

6. Monitor the water temperature when bathing, extremely hot temperatures can be drying as well. 7. Use proper sun protection and limit your exposure to direct sunlight.

8. Retire by 10:00 pm each evening. This allows your body time to heal itself and restore all organ systems. In turn, promoting good skin health.

By following this holistic approach you should experience a significant difference in the health of your skin.

Chanelle Washington, BSN is a Certified Holistic Practioner. She is an honors graduate of Temple University and member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society for Nurses. Ms. Washington is an informative speaker, inspiring author and owner of Indigofera ? Plant Based Body Care Collection?. Contact her at http://www.indigofera.com.

Vitamins that May Affect Hair Growth

2009-05-05T19:57:00.001+07:00

Several different vitamin or mineral deficiencies can cause dry hair. To treat dry hair, try taking a multivitamin with 100 percent of the daily value of the essential vitamins. A multivitamin and mineral combination may provide some added coverage for possible deficiencies.

It's been shown that too little biotin and pantothenic acid (both B-complex vitamins) can lead to dry hair. Shampoos and hair treatment products commonly contain pantothenic acid (or pantothenol).

But evidence supporting the benefits of pantothenic acid for dry hair and hair loss is very weak. Also, some people with hair loss do show low blood levels of biotin. While the evidence isn't strong, it may be worth it to try taking supplements of biotin and pantothenic acid for bothersome hair conditions that are not helped by hair treatment products.

Iron and Zinc also affect hair growth. Iron is an important trace mineral that is found in every cell of the body, including hair, usually combined with protein. Zinc is an essential mineral that is found in almost every cell, including our hair.

It stimulates the activity of approximately 100 enzymes, which are substances that promote biochemical reactions in your body. Zinc supports a healthy immune system, is needed for wound healing, helps maintain your sense of taste and smell, and is needed for DNA synthesis.

Eat right and you will glow from head to toe.

About The Author

Nicole Elizabeth Smith, the author of Healthy Black Hair (2003), is a freelance health and beauty writer and a graduate of Michigan State University. She and her son Zack live in Michigan. Currently, she is beauty editor for www.myhairbook.com.

nicole@myhairbook.com

Skin Care Easy Control For Pores To Look Young

2009-04-28T19:51:00.001+07:00

Skin care and pores-

Pores play a major role as far as our looks are concerned. When we have large pores that look still larger when we reach the mirror, we feel disheartened by what we see. There is no need to feel helpless about the pores. Let me tell you how you can look young with tight looking pores.

Skin Pores- pores are for sebum, sweat and hair

Why do we have pores? We have pores so that the hair can come out of them. The pores are an outlet for the sebum. That sebum helps us in having a healthy skin. Sebum protects skin against microbial infections. Sebum also helps keep skin moisturized. Sweat also comes from the pres. sweat, as we all know is important to keep body temperature constant. A pore is important for that.

Pores- why do they enlarge?

Pores may be enlarged due to two reasons. One - genetic and oily skin, two- they look enlarged but are not so. Many of us inherit enlarged pores. We can do nothing about them, except keeping them clean and using makeup intelligently. Those with oily skin also have enlarged pores that can be controlled to a great extent by keeping the oils under control. Many times the excess sebum and dead skin cells accumulate around the pores and make them look enlarged. This problem can be rectified easily.

Pores- exfoliate and keep them open

Keep the pores open by regularly exfoliating the skin with topical retinoids. Use AHAs to remove the dead cells and use pH-balanced cleansers to keep oil under control. This will help you keep your pores clean and they will not look enlarged. Learn how AHas help our skin by clicking here- AHAs

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.

C.D.Mohatta writes articles on skin problems, skin treatments and skin care. For more information about how to have good skin that looks young and blemish free, please visit- http://www.doctorgoodskin.com/. You will also find solutions to wrinkles, scars, facial rejuvenation, latest laser treatments, skin blemishes and spots, hair care and hair loss and about keeping healthy nails. This site is dedicated to keep you healthy and make you look good. For keeping yourself young and healthy at all the ages find out more about the skin problems and how to cure them

Look Natural Wear Makeup!

2009-04-24T13:06:00.001+07:00

Have you ever considered how difficult it is to look natural? Quite difficult ? isn?t it? Especially if there had been no makeup available to achieve it! Many-a-website points out how ordinary our glamorous celebrities look in real life without makeup on. No wonder then that they are always on the lookout for innovative makeup supplies. Such demands have seen a virtual makeover for the makeup business much to the delight of a demanding population yearning to look good.

The art and science of good makeup.

Makeup is still an art ? supported ably, of course, by science. Gone are the days when good makeup meant just soaps, perfumes and oils carefully selected after word-of-mouth recommendation. Today, your persona comes through in MAC makeup ? or was it Max Factor? Take your pick! Show off your gorgeous eyes - wear eye makeup. Impress your peers with a prom makeup worn specially for the nite.

Make a statement with a tattoo or a strategic permanent makeup. Take expert advice ? makeup tips are available for the asking. Desist from using chemicals which may harm your sensitive skin ? wear mineral makeup instead! Consider this ? you don?t have to wear stage makeup if you don?t need to flaunt your expressions under the arc lights to an audience.

Wear makeup ? an appropriate one. Or better still; don?t wear any ? especially if you are among the lucky few who can carry off that natural look ? naturally!

About The Author

Mike Yeager

Publisher

http://www.beforeandafterpage.com/

Vitamins and Herbal Supplements For Male Pattern Baldness Female Hair Loss and Thinning Hair

2009-04-13T19:12:00.001+07:00

One of the most frequently asked questions about hair loss by men and women is will vitamin and herb treatments help me with my thinning hair?

Without question the answer is a resounding yes. The simple fact is all of your body?s processes require supplementation to maintain optimal performance. No more than you can do without water likewise you body can?t do without the proper nutrients to prevent pattern hair loss and thinning hair. All functions within the body whether it be skin cell renewal, hair growth, or vision require your body to maintain a certain level of health.

The second most asked question is, ?If vitamins and herb supplements will help me with my male and female hair loss problems why can?t I just obtain them with the foods I eat??

Well in theory you can but knowing just what foods to consume to lower DHT and create hair growth is another thing. In reality most people couldn?t name five vitamins necessary for hair growth anymore than they could name five of the ?natural wonders of the world.? Plus if you could name a few of these vitamins, critical to hair growth, could you name the foods that contain them. If you make it this far you would then need to decide what quantities are needed to provide maximum benefits for the hair follicle. As many people soon learn they?re no more familiar what is needed to maintain the nutritional health of their hair, skin, or nails than their doctor?s are. The plain fact is most doctors are trained in dealing with disease not male pattern baldness and female hair loss.

To sum it up one of the many ways for men and women to assure proper hair growth is with vitamins or herbs designed specifically for the scalp. A proper diet can help, just make sure you don?t end up dieting to correct for over-consumption. Even in the worst situation vitamins and herbs encourage continued growth of the hair follicle. Plus in many cases a proper vitamin formula can reduce scalp disorders such as dandruff, seborrhea, and psoriasis. Since few vitamin and herbal supplements are uniquely dangerous to your health checking out a few just might save you an expensive trip to the doctor. Without question this is one of the more natural approaches for accelerating hair growth and we?ll guarantee you?ll notice a reduction in your hair loss. At worst you probably notice the increased sheen in your hair.

Undoubtedly when you pursue these inexpensive natural approaches for dealing with hair loss you?ll probably gain a better understanding of the bodies many processes that enhance your physical well being.

The author of this article has published two books that entail inexpensive and seldom publicized solutions for combating male and female pattern baldness. To learn more visit http://www.thinscalp.com or http://www.thinningscalp.com.

Toxic Cosmetics Exposed

2009-04-12T18:06:00.001+07:00

As a consumer, you must be on the look out for chemicals and toxic ingredients that may be injurious to your skin and your body. You would not even consider eating products that contained chemicals or cancer causing agents, so don?t let these toxins cross the threshold and enter your system through your beauty product either!

Insignificant amounts of research are available to provide evidence of the safety or health risks of low-dose repeated exposures to chemical combinations like those in personal care products, but let?s get one thing straight?the absence of data should never, never be mistaken for confirmation of safety.

The more we investigate low dose contact with these products, the more we comprehend that they can cause adverse effects ranging from the subtle and reversible, to effects that are more critical and permanent. On the whole, our research of product safety reveals a cause for concern.

Interestingly enough, 450 ingredients that are used in this country are banned for use in cosmetics in the European Union by the industry. The dictatorial vacuum in the United States gives cosmetic companies enormous leeway in selecting ingredients, while it shifts potentially considerable and unnecessary health risks to the users of the products.

Cosmetics and personal care products are promoted based on the quality and ingredients of their formulas. Numerous products allege to be filled with expensive vitamins, oils, and perfumes. Others profess to use an all-natural formula. How can you be certain that the products you purchase contain the ingredients they claim to have or that they are safe? Read the label? Guess again! Unless you happen to be a scientist or a chemist, the ingredient list on the majority of cosmetic and personal care products will look like a laundry list of monotonous, tongue twisting names that make no sense at all. If you want to educate yourself, there are several books that will really bring you up to speed on what is in your personal care products. One would be, Dangerous Beauty, by Mark Fearer; and the other is called, Drop Dead Gorgeous, by Kim Erickson. Additionally, there are many groups that are pushing for safe products such as WomenandEnvironment.org.

Why should you have reservations about the safety of ingredients in body care products that you spread over your body and hair? There are many reasons, yet here is the most compelling one:

Hongran Fan and her coworkers at the Veteran Affairs Palo Alto (Calif.) Health Care System and Stanford University School of Medicine planned to demonstrate the effectiveness of intramuscular gene injections by comparing them with simply dripping a DNA vaccine solution onto the skin of mice. Well, they discovered that it was possible to distribute the vaccine through the hair follicles on unbroken skin.

So, if you can absorb an effectual prescribed amount of a vaccine simply by having it come in contact with your skin, how much of the toxic ingredients that are in your personal care products are you absorbing through your skin? Think about it?you are literally bombarding your tissues, your organs and your brain with man-made chemicals and their processing residues!

Judy Phillips is the founder of Jash Botanicals, a manufacturer of physicians grade herbal extracts and medicinals. A naturopath and herbalist with over 25 years of experience, her passion for producing herbal formulas of exceptional purity and strength grew from a dissatisfaction with mainstream herbal products. She is an author of various natural health topics, from detoxification to dietary modification, and works to assist the expansion of knowledge to individuals in search of natural treatments. JashBotanicals.com offers a wide range of informative articles, including a monthly newsletter and a natural health blog.

Little Known Method of Successfully Getting Rid of Unwanted Facial Hair

2009-04-02T13:03:00.000+07:00

Women don?t want all that hair in places other than on their head! With either heredity or age, the ladies are bound to get a moustache on their upper lip and it?s never ever welcomed. First there was shaving, and then came the plethora of creams, lotions and potions to remove hair, then there was waxing, and even electrolysis. Now gals, there?s yet another method you may choose to rid that unwanted stache on your upper lip. It?s called Threading.

Threading is done at salons or can also be done at home. The process removes the fine and fuzzy hair right from the root. If it sounds painful, consider the options. If you shave your lip, it?ll come back stubbly, eventually like a man. What wants that? If you use a cream, you?re subjecting yourself to chemical reactions and it doesn?t rid the hair at the root, so it?ll likely just grow back faster and thicker. If you?ve ever had your lip waxed, ripping that sucker off hurts too. Not to mention the bright red upper lip for hours and the small beady blisters for a week. Ick. Ever try plucking your hairs out? Ouch is right! You could bleach that hair, but then you?ll just have a lighter colored moustache. Every method has its drawbacks.

Many women say the best method of hair removal from the upper lip is threading. One of the benefits is that you don?t have to wait for hair to grow a certain length. The concept is that you?re going to get the hair twisted and spun into the thread and thusly yanking, gently yanking it off your face. It might be difficult for you to visualize the procedure, so you may want to have it done in a salon first if you?re not getting the full gist of what needs to happen.

To start take about 24 inches of thread length. Yes, the sewing thread, any kind, nothing special so long as you use a good quality, strong thread. Take both ends and tie them, together in a knot. You?ll have a circle of thread when you?re done tying the ends together. Next hold the thread with both hands and wind them around (loop around) your hands about ten times. Then place the thread around the fingers of both hands. Push the part that is wound up towards one hand by widening the fingers of one hand and at the same time closing the fingers of the other hand. Use an alternating ?open/close? motion with opposite hands.

By opening the fingers of the closed hand and closing the fingers of the other hand, you?re pushing the wound portion in the other direction. It will take some practice. Keep pushing the wound up portion back and forth until you are able to push it back and forth easily. Once you have the hang of it, you might be ready to start practicing on a body part. Don?t use the upper lip as a practice point. Try the leg or some other body part that is easily accessible.

Begin by placing the thread on the portion of your leg or elsewhere that you are going to first try. Place the wound part on one end of the hair, and the thread from the other side should be on both sides of the hair you want to remove. Next, move the wound portion to the other side, making sure that it catches the hair while moving. It will then lift the hair from the root as it moves back and forth.

After you?ve practiced this method and are fairly comfortable with it, move onto your upper lip. It?ll be quick and easy, taking only a couple of minutes every other day. How wonderful will it be to always have a hairless lip!

If all else fails, you may not be an expert threader, but you will at least know what someone is talking about next time they mention threading and they?re not referring to cross-stitching!

The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to medically diagnose, treat or cure any disease. Consult a health care practitioner before beginning any health care program.

Emily Clark is editor at Lifestyle Health News and Medical Health News where you can find the most up-to-date advice and information on many medical, health and lifestyle topics.

Blemish Be Gone!

2009-03-30T13:28:00.001+07:00

I get many inquiries on the topic of blemish prone skin. So, how do you go about trying to reduce the appearance and occurrence of blemishes? Above all the best solution starts with a proper cleansing routine. There are many over the counter skincare products that can help.

My suggestion to start would be:

Start with a Deep Cleanser formulated for blemish prone skin: Use twice per day-morning and night.

Next try a Blemish Control Toner: Start once per day at night. If your skin is not feeling overly dry, increase to morning and night.

Lastly, you must moisturize!! Try an Oil Control Lotion: Use twice per day-morning and night. This will hydrate your skin, yet help control the production of oil throughout the day.

Keep this simple routine for at least a week before adding in any optional products. An example of an optional product would be an Acne Treatment Gel with benzoyl peroxide, no greater than 5%. More benzoyl peroxide isn't always better and it could overly dry out the skin. Over drying the skin often triggers more oil production, making the process counter-productive.

If you find that your skin feels tight, you may need to add an Oil Free Hydrating Gel. And lastly, you may find that a product like an Oil Mattifier, helps to control excess oil production.

So, the routine might look like this:

Cleanse (2x per day)
Treat (with toner and/or benzoyle peroxide)
Moisturize (with an oil-free hydrator and/or oil-control lotion)
End with an oil mattifier

Find a line of Blemish Control products that works for you. If you can, try-before-you-buy, or look for a 100% satisfaction guarantee. This way you are only purchasing the products that actually work for your skin. If these over-the-counter remedies do not work or you experience an adverse reaction, consult a dermatologist immediately, who may suggest other treatments.

Above all, DO NOT squeeze your pimples. This can cause bleeding, infection and possibly scarring. Keep your hands off! Touching your pimples, transfers bacteria from your hands to your face. I don?t mean to sound obsessive, but who knows where your hands have been?the grocery cart, counting change, the ATM machine?? Blah!

Once you find what works best for you, you should notice a relief from those pesky pimples and your skin will feel clean, calm and fresh.

Have a great day!

Dawn Hull
Professional Skin Care Consultant
http://www.MaryKay.com/ShopOnline

Sign up to receive a FREE monthly beauty newsletter: Beaut-e-News - Discover what's new, what's now ? what's changing the face of makeup and skin care! You'll find beauty secrets revealed and tips and techniques that will help you look your beautiful best. Click here to register: http://www.marykay.com/PWS/MyMK/Login.aspx?Moniker=SHOPONLINE

Makeup Makeover

2009-03-29T20:01:00.001+07:00

Do you need a make-up makeover? You can easily spruce up your look by adding a few key seasonal products to your make-up bag. The goal is to have fun and find products that create a look that makes you look and feel great. Many Professional Beauty Consultants will let you try-before-you-buy and will assist you in making smart color choices. Still feeling a little intimidated? Here are some steps you can take to prepare for your first color consultation:

1.Take an inventory of your current makeup bag. Keep in mind that cream and liquid based makeup like foundations and concealors have a shelf life. If your makeup begins to separate, in the bottle or cake and break?get rid of it. Mascara should only be used for one season. Bacteria could develop on the brush. Your products should be fresh and bacteria free, after all, you are putting them on your face! Taking an inventory will also help you determine what you need and what you can live without.

2.Note colors you like and colors you absolutely hate. How many times have you gotten home from the store, so excited about your new lipstick, only to find that you have 3 others in almost the exact shade? Bring your favorite colors with you to avoid duplicating or to match up colors you love that are getting low.

3.Be willing to try. It?s only makeup. The beauty of cosmetics (no pun intended) is that they are temporary. If you don?t like the look, it will wash right off.

4.Have fun. Remember, when you were a little girl playing with your mother?s makeup. You and your best girlfriends crammed in the bathroom, pink, blue and bright purple powder everywhere. Sparkly, glittery pale blue lips with hot pink eye shadow and enough body glitter to light the Lincoln Tunnel. Oh yes?those were the days. Playing with makeup is fun. Sit back and enjoy the ride!

Have a great day!

Dawn Hull
Professional Skin Care Consultant http://www.MaryKay.com/ShopOnline

Yoga For a Beginner

2009-03-27T19:55:00.001+07:00

Yoga for a beginner is an exciting time when you start to discover all of the wonderful benefits that yoga has to offer. When you first begin yoga, there are several things you can do to make your experience positive.

The following are ideas you might want to consider as you begin your yoga journey.

Types of Yoga
It is a good idea when you are doing yoga as a beginner, that you choose a style that matches your fitness level, personality, and health condition. Review what each type of yoga has to offer so you can choose a class that is best suited to you.

Yoga Instruction
Yoga for a beginner is best practiced under the supervision of an experienced teacher. It is important to maintain proper body alignment. A good teacher will make corrections so you don?t injure yourself and can also offer modifications if you have any physical restrictions. A teacher can also help you go a little deeper into a pose so you get the most from your practice.

You can find beginner yoga classes at many studios and gyms. Often the first class is free, so you can try different classes to see which ones you like best.

Yoga Attitude
An important point to realize about yoga for a beginner is that it is non-competitive. You are not trying to stretch farther than other people in the class or even keep up with them. You are paying attention to your body, and while you want to challenge it, you also want to listen to it. If, at any point during your practice, you begin to feel pain, either ease up a little, or come out of the pose. It is more important to honor your body than to try to do a pose perfectly.

Breathing
The most important point in yoga for a beginner is to breathe correctly during the postures. In yoga you breathe in and out through your nose in order to allow yourself to breathe more deeply. Breathing helps you get relaxed and it also helps you move more deeply into the poses. If you feel an area of tension in your body, you can direct your breathe to that spot to help it release. If, at any time during a pose, you find that you cannot breathe deeply, either ease up or come out of the pose. Breathing correctly is one of the most important goals in any yoga practice.

Yoga for a Beginner Kit
You might want to get a beginner yoga kit, which usually includes a sticky mat, a strap, and one or two yoga blocks. Some also include a yoga video so you can supplement your classes with practice at home.

Preparing for Class
Do not eat a heavy meal fore several hours before your class. Yoga is best practiced on an empty stomach. Do drink water, both before and after your practice in order to keep your body well hydrated.

Yoga for a beginner is the first step on a journey of ever increasing self-awareness, a greater level of strength, endurance, and flexibility, and a deeper sense of peace. Have fun and enjoy everything along the way!

Della Menechella is a yoga and fitness enthusiast who has been involved in fitness for over thirty years. Here website http://www.beauty-fitness-yoga-source.com is filled with practical information about how you can make yoga and fitness a positive part of your life.

Beautiful Skin 101

2009-03-26T14:47:00.001+07:00

Most women shy away from being called 'too sensitive.' But when the subject is kin, they're all too willing to wear the scarlet S. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, at least 40% of women believe they have sensitive skin, although most dermatologists report that only a fraction really do. Sensitivity defined as skin that's prone to irritation from products, weather, or stress is a real (albeit misunderstood) condition. It's not the same as an allergy. It means you have a lower tolerance for irritating ingredients, such as fragrances and dyes. The evil twist here is that the more skin reacts, the more sensitive it becomes. Imagine normal skin having a natural barrier like Saran Wrap. People with sensitive skin have a disrupted barrier all the time. But by identifying what disrupts that barrier and protecting it with the right moisturizer, you can develop a thicker skin.

Read Labels: Before applying creams, lotions, or makeup, read the ingredients list. The fewer ingredients on the label, the better. All products and formulas should be free of fragrance, dye, and isopropyl alcohol (commonly known as rubbing alcohol). And beware of botanical ingredients and oils. Test each new product on the side of your neck for a few days before using it on your face.

Cleanse: Wash you face with a milky, non-foaming liquid cleanser or a soap-free bar. Do not use a washcloth or any rough scrubber, which can be too abrasive for sensitive skin. Rinse face well by splashing with lukewarm water and pat with a soft towel, leaving skin slightly damp. There is no need to use a toner, which generally contains drying and irritating isopropyl alcohol.

Moisturize: Dab moisturizer onto damp skin in the morning and night. Look for one that contains ceramides, fatty acids, or cholesterol, all of which help form a protective barrier against irritation. In the morning, when the moisturizer is absorbed, apply a sunscreen (with an SPF 15 or higher). It should also contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which are least likely to cause reactions. Cheat Sheet

Choose the right products. 'Allergy-tested' means it doesn't have ingredients that cause common reactions. 'Noncomedogenic' means it won't clog pores.

Read labels. Not everyone with sensitive skin is troubled by the same thing, but the most common irritants, in order, include fragrance, isopropyl alcohol, dyes, PABA, lanolin, sorbic acid, formaldehyde, and benzoic acid. Don't assume that natural products are safe. Some botanicals (rosemary, sandalwood, arnica) and essential oils (jojoba, tea tree, lavender) may irritate.

Test samples on the neck for several days. If they don't irritate you, they'll probably be fine for your face. Don't try an arsenal of new products at once. Similarly, if skin breaks out, stop using everything, and reintroduce products one by one.

Be as gentle as possible. Use a creamy, liquid cleanser or a soap-free bar and rinse with lukewarm water. Avoid Buf-Pufs and washcloths. Pat with a towel and leave skin slightly damp.

Moisturize with a product for sensitive skin, or one that contains fatty acids, cholesterol, and ceramides. Every day, be sure to apply a PABA-free sunscreen that contains titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. Daily Basics

Wash with a milky, non-foaming liquid.
Use a soap-free formula with oatmeal that calms dry and itchy skin.
For day, use a fragrance-free moisturizer containing a non-irritating sunscreen. At night, smooth on a noncomedogenic formula that helps fortify the skin's barrier while you sleep.
Dermatologists say that sensitive-skin sufferers are more likely to avoid using sunscreens, associating them with past reactions to PABA. Choose one that won't aggravate skin.
It's not just what you put on your face. Hair spray can cause breakouts along the hairline. Use an allergy-tested and keep the hair off the face whenever possible.

Extra Help

To soothe redness, dermatologists recommend using a fragrance-free treatment. A dime-size dab of an over-the-counter 1% hydrocortisone cream also relieves itching.
For dryness on the body, increase resistance to the environment with a product containing lipids, which is safe for sensitive types.
To treat blemishes, start with an irritant-free face lotion that minimizes blotches with vitamin A. Follow with a concealer that won't aggravate acne, which does double duty by helping clear and conceal blemishes.
Dermatologists like products that get their color from iron oxides, which are less likely to cause reactions. They're also talc-free, which means they won't rob skin of the moisture it needs.

Tricks of the Trade

Don't' shower or bathe for more than 20 minutes, or you'll dry out your skin. Use lukewarm water.
Don't start any aggressive treatments during the winter, when skin is dryer and more sensitive because of low humidity and indoor heating. A humidifier helps skin from becoming parched.
Grainy or chemical exfoliants can cause breakouts. Excessive daily scrubbing rubs the sebaceous glands, which can clog pores. Use a clay or mud mask to slough off dead cells instead.
Facials are trouble unless they're simple, steam-free, and employ fragrance-free products.
Avoid chemical peels and laser treatments if you're sensitive to exfoliants and skin-lightening creams.
If acne medications irritate your skin, ask your doctor about taking oral antibiotics or birth-control pills, which can help minimize blemishes.
Keep Retin-A treatments to only once a week. Dilute the strength by mixing it with your moisturizer.
For skin that seems provoked by anything and everything, ask you dermatologist about cleansers and moisturizers that are normally prescribed for hypersensitive postsurgery and postpeel patients.

This article is brought to you by IH Distribution, LLC.

Bringing you health, anti-aging and skin care products from around the world. Shop online: www.ihdistribution.com & www.ihd.myarbonne.com or contact us: sales@ihdistribution.com

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Who Wants Younger Looking Skin?

2009-03-25T13:10:00.001+07:00

If you are like many others on this planet you would like younger looking skin. If so, please read this artice and learn how amazing new products made from microfiber can assist you in achieving this goal.

Never heard of microfiber? Well most people have not, so I will explain what microfiber is. Microfiber is two synthetic materials blended together, then split. The 1st material is polyamide a by-product of nylon, and the 2nd is polyester. You may have heard of or even own microfiber clothes, pocket books, or upholstered furniture. Most microfiber is blended as 80/20, 75/25, and 70/30. The higher number represents polyester, (the cleaning part), and the lower number polyamide(the absorbant part). Hence if you wanted a super absorbant material a 70/30 blend would be your choice, and a 80/30 blend would be a softer one.

Microfiber has been around for years and came to the USA in the automotive industy as cleaning/drying cloths. They worked great and required no chemicals or detergents to clean . They could be used wet with water to clean and used dry to dust, polish and dry. This made them environmentally preferred products and guaranteed their acceptance. Soon, other fantastic products were developed, tested, and made available to the consumer market.

Enough of technical jargon. How do you get younger looking skin? Use the magic of microfiber ! Microfiber require only water to remove make-up, thus eliminating costly creams, etc. Creams may be used if desired but are not necessary. Microfiber also exfoliate and clean the skin which promotes new skin growth, guaranteeing a younger looking you! Microfiber cleans the skin better than any other material and works great in acne areas. Microfiber may be washed by hand or machine using normal detergents or just water. Hang to dry or use a dryer. Microfifiber products are environmentally preferred because only water is required and they are economical because they can be washed and re-used hundreds of times!

Microfiber-Products LTD is a woman owned small HUBZone business located in Dunn, NC. We import and distribute environmentally preferred products to include janitorial and health & beauty products.You can learn more about microfiber at our web site http://www.microfiber-products.com ,email at sales@microfiber-products.com , call toll free at 1-888-412-3078, or fax 910-892-2936. We sell wholesale to resellers and retail to customers. Lewis R. Smith has written several articles for trade magazines concerning microfiber products.

Special Offer: Call or email an order in 2005 and receive free shipping. We ship within 2 days of orders(normally same day)by UPS or USPS. Our products are guaranteed to work as advertised! They Make Great Gifts!!!

Closed Nose Job Procedure

2009-03-24T12:19:00.001+07:00

While it is true that a nose job is one of the most common forms of plastic surgery, there is more than just one procedure. This brings us to the subject of closed nose job.

Closed Nose Job Procedure

When choosing plastic surgery, it is important to have all of the information and options for your type of procedure presented to you beforehand. This is especially important with a nose job. A nose job is a procedure where the surgeon forms or shapes the nose to a desired position. In performing a nose job procedure, surgeons have two choices on how to proceed: open nose job or closed nose job.

An open nose job is by far the most common technique used to cosmetically (and medically) correct issues with the nose. In an open nose job, a small incision is made in the columella, which is the small column of skin that separates the nostrils. When this incision is made, the surgeon is able to lift the skin off of the nose exposing all of the tissue underneath including the cartilage. Surgeons find this easier to work with than a closed nose job, as they are more easily able to see all of the nasal structures. They can also work on the nasal tip cartilage in its natural position, making it easier to see how the final result of the surgery will come out. The biggest disadvantage to this surgery is the little scar left on the outside of the nose in the columella, though it does heal to an unnoticeable size in most people.

A closed nose job, on the other hand, leaves no external scarring. All of the incisions made with a closed nose job take place internally through other openings in the nose, and some feel that it heals more quickly. A closed nose job is better for nasal surgery that requires less extensive shaping and work than someone who would need open nose job. It is not recommended for extensive reconstruction or surgeries that require a lot of work done on the cartilage at the tip of the nose. The two biggest advantages to closed nose jobs are the lack of any scars, and usually, a shorter surgery time.

Only your board certified plastic surgeon will know for sure whether an open nose job or closed nose job is the right surgery for your nasal needs. Be sure to consult with your doctor and weigh the options carefully before choosing a type of nose job. If you have your heart set on a closed nose job and your surgeon feels it is not right for you, a second opinion is always a good option. Just be sure to feel completely comfortable with your choice before proceeding.

Ricardo de Silva is with PlasticSurgeonPractices.com - a directory of plastic surgeons. Visit us to read more plastic surgery articles.

Skin Care Learn the Basics

2009-03-23T10:26:00.001+07:00

Skin types are unique and react in different ways to weather, environment, and creams and/or lotions. In order to keep skin healthy and youthful in appearance it is essential to know your skin type and how to care for it.

Most skin care specialists will advise to apply moisturizers all over the body to nourish the skin. Top of the list in skin care is sun protection to prevent damage to the delicate skin structure. A few other simple steps will help you care for your particular skin type.

Normal Skin: Use a rich cream or lotion to moisturise the skin. Be sure to apply the moisturizer to the neck and d?collet?. Don?t forget to moisturize the elbows and knees. It?s best to apply moisturizers after bathing while the skin is still moist for better absorption.

Oily Skin: There are already plenty of natural oils in this skin type, so use a light moisturizer. A body mist spray is also good for oily skin, as it will sit gently on the skin, without stimulating the glands that product body oils. To avoid breakouts it is important to keep pores from becoming clogged.

Combination Skin: This type of skin usually refers to just the face. The neck however, should not be forgotten. The neck area tends to dry if you have this type of skin. A light moisturizer that contains sunscreen should be used in order to combat dryness. At night a richer cream will nourish the skin as you sleep, keeping it smooth, supple and youthful.

Dry Skin: A deep penetrating cream will nourish this type of skin. Try an oil-based lotion as an alternative; it will leave the skin silky and smooth. Dry skin is often aggravated by air conditioning, wind and sun. Always use extra moisturizers to keep hydrated when exposed to these elements.

Sensitive Skin: This type of skin often needs special attention. Formulated and medicated creams can be obtained to address specific individual needs. A visit to a professional will help evaluate this type of skin and assist in designing a skin care regime that addresses each particular case.

?Keep your skin protected from the sun at all times.
?Drink plenty of water.
?Get lots of sleep.
?Do not rub the skin - always pat skin dry with a soft towel.
?Consult your aesthetician or dermatologist they can advise you on solutions to most problem skin conditions.

Angie Kocsi is co-founder of Spas in Canada. After many years enjoying the great spas in Europe and drawing upon her experience and knowledge of the corporate world; along with a successful career in Public Relations and International Marketing Spas in Canada was created.
For more information contact the spa team by email: spas@spasincanada.ca

Lay Your Makeup Like a Pro

2009-03-22T16:43:00.001+07:00

Although concealer is one of those ?optional? products, I personally would never leave the house unless well concealed. (Shades will work if you?re in a pinch, but on a cloudy day, it?s a dead giveaway.)

Foundation, what is the purpose of foundation? Simple, the purpose of foundation is to even out your skin tone (not to make it darker, we have bronzing products for that). There are oh, so many types to choose from out there. The sheerest of all looks would be a loose powder. However, you have many more options and today?s formulas are mostly all non-comedogenic (will not clog pores) and safe for sensitive skin. Some even have SPF built right in for extra added protection. Whether you choose cream, liquid, oil-free, powder or cream-to-powder foundation, always choose a color that completely disappears or is a very close match to your natural skin tone. Most cosmetic companies have formulas in a wide range of shades for a perfect match. (You can always look for a 100% satisfaction guarantee to ensure you don?t accumulate several mismatched and unusable foundation products. Mary Kay offers such a guarantee.)

Concealer and foundation lay the groundwork for a well made face. Hide those dark circles that make you look tired, stressed and drawn out. Even out your skin tone for a polished, put together look and a radiant glow. Take pride in your appearance and those around you will begin to take notice. Because, when you know you look fabulous, you feel great about yourself.

Have a great day!

Dawn Hull Professional Skin Care Consultant http://www.MaryKay.com/ShopOnline

Spa Etiquette What You Need to Know

2009-03-21T22:15:00.001+07:00

Spa-goers visiting the spa for the first time often need to know what is expected of them as they prepare for their spa experience. As the spa strives to provide the client with a tranquil and safe environment so too the spa-goer has certain expectations placed upon them. To make the spa experience as relaxing and enjoyable as possible here are a few simple guidelines to follow:

1. Book well in advance and where possible pick up a brochure from the spa that includes prices and treatments. Call 24-hours in advance if you need to cancel or reschedule.

2. Request detailed information on the type of treatment booked.

3. Ask about the therapist assigned to you. Do you prefer a male or female spa therapist? An often missed and important detail.

4. Wear suitable clothes and be prepared to undress according to spa treatment you have booked. Spa robes and slippers are provided for the comfort of the client and spa personnel are trained in proper draping techniques for complete comfort and privacy.

5. Arrive 10 ? 15 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment to ensure you are calm and relaxed before the spa treatment.

6. Always alert the spa therapist to any current or chronic health condition that may need to be addressed before your spa treatment.

7. In consideration of the other spa clientele, cell phones and pagers are not a good idea in the spa ? remember your there to get away from the stress!

8. Allow the therapist to advise and prepare you for the treatment you have reserved. As you relax and benefit from the spa treatment you will be sure to feel the stress melt away.

9. Everyone is different ? so feel free to speak or not during your treatment. Share information and feedback on your personal comfort level or any sensitive areas on the body.

10. Relax you?re at the spa! Enjoy the treatment and reap the full benefits.

11. Take time as you prepare to leave the treatment room, however, remember there may be another client waiting to use the space.

12. Determine the tipping policy in advance and be prepared accordingly.

13. Let the spa personnel know if your experience at the spa was as expected. Your feedback is always appreciated.

14. Now is a good time to ask about any new products to take home. Scented candles or essentials oils will help you to enjoy the spa experience at home.

15. Remember the right way to spa is your way so always have good communication with the spa personnel and make the experience a relaxing and memorable one.

Canadian spas offer many innovative ways to experience spa. For more information please go to Spas in Canada

Contact: email spas@spasincanada.ca

Spas in Canada ?2005

A. Kocsi is co-founder of Spas in Canada

After many years enjoying spas in Europe and drawing upon her knowledge of the corporate world along with an successful career in Public Relations and International Marketing Spas in Canada was created.

Skin Condition Has Nothing To Do With Age

2009-03-17T14:14:00.001+07:00

Getting older isn?t what it used to be! Today it is becoming easier and easier to achieve a youthful appearance. There are loads of ?treatments? out there we can use to achieve a line free, age defying appearance.

LOOK AND FEEL AS YOUNG AS YOU LIKE!

How is this possible? Take steps to improve your overall health and wellbeing. Good nutrition, exercise, sleep, protection from the sun and a good skincare routine can help to maintain your youthful appearance & wellbeing throughout your life. The skin is the most visible indicator of how your general health may be and the condition of your skin can often signal the first signs of illness or nutritional deficiencies. A healthy, glowing complexion is a sign of good general health.

Skin needs protection both inside and out. It makes sense to nourish the body within to obtain the correct balance of nutrients, because a healthy body is reflected in healthy skin. But the skin itself needs nourishing too. Skin needs protection from exposure to sun, wind and pollution. This is why a regular skin care regime is so essential at any age.

THE EYES REVEAL THE FIRST SIGNS OF AGING.

The area of skin around the eyes is the most delicate and is usually the first to show the signs of aging. The eye area is very thin and also contains many blood vessels. As we age those dark ?circles?, ?bags? or puffiness under the eyes can possibly be due to slowed blood flow and the resulting build-up of lymph.

By the time we are in our early twenties, we may be showing early signs of damage and wrinkles could be starting to appear. By the mid-thirties, fine lines and wrinkles will be developing, which by 60 will have deepened into ?crow?s feet?, mainly due to a lifetime of exposure to ultraviolet light.

Therefore it is essential not to forget the delicate area of the eye when you are doing your skin care regime. A good eye cream is a must. Sunglasses will also help to protect our delicate eye area and our eyes from the harsh rays of the sun.

THE IMPORTANCE OF YOUR DAILY SKIN CARE ROUTINE.

It is now known that the rate of skin aging is dependent not only on the genes you inherited from your parents but also upon internal stress factors such as diet, exercise and mental attitude as well as external stress factors such as excessive exposure to the sun, extreme climatic conditions, air and water borne pollution and chemicals. Skin disorders and premature skin aging occur as a result of a decline in optimal skin function due to any one or all of the above factors. Regular skin care routines, involving cleansing, toning and moisturizing, have been shown to be beneficial in slowing the rate of skin aging and in controlling or preventing skin problems.

Although the skin has its own innate ability to protect itself and repair itself, a good skin care regime can assist this process and protect the skin against unnecessary damage.

Lynette works from home distributing a fantastic line of skin care products. By drawing upon the many benefits of some of the earth's finest herbs and botanical extracts combined with the latest technology, we formulate our products to soothe, refresh, cleanse, nurture and moisturize the skin. NOT TESTED ON ANIMALS http://www.trimtheweight.org/shoponline put in your country and browse the products. I may be emailed: lynetted@dodo.com.au if you would like help in choosing the right product for you.

Cleopatra's Beauty Secrets

2009-03-15T19:06:00.001+07:00

The Legendary Queen of Egypt was known for her exquisite complexion. One of her secret beauty treatments, the milk and honey bath are still being used today.

One of the main ingredients, Milk, contains lactic acid, which helps to exfoliate your skin. The lactic acid in milk is an alpha hydroxy acid, which helps to cleanse the deepest layers of the skin.

Honey has an abundance of health properties. First of all, it is composed of sugars like glucose and fructose so it is also a gentle alpha hydroxy acid. It?s made up of both minerals and vitamins to help nourish and heal the skin. Since it also contains phytochemicals that kill viruses, bacteria, and fungus, it?s has a natural anti-inflammatory effect which heals wounds quickly. This makes honey a good substitute for wound dressings.

Here are a couple of ways to enjoy these 2 main ingredients found in her ancient beauty secrets.

Cleopatra Honey & Milk Bath

Ingredients
?1/2 Cup Powdered Milk
?1/2 Cup Raw Honey
?2 teaspoon Jojoba Oil (optional)

Mix ingredients in a large bowl and pour your warm bath. Soak for up to 20 minutes to infuse these beneficial ingredients in your skin. This recipe makes enough for one bath.

Milk & Honey Rinse for Wrinkled Skin

Ingredients
?1 oz raw honey
?1 Cup skim milk
?2 teaspoons aloe vera gel

Combine Ingredients in a jar and shake well. Apply to your face morning and evening with a cotton ball. Store mixture in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.

Incorporating these beauty recipes in your daily regime will help you to experience healthy, vibrant, and ageless skin.

Danielle Sims explored her library of alternative health, herbal books, and aromatherapy books and created a blueprint for making her own body wrap formulas at home. Now she offers this information in an e-book entitled Wrap Yourself Slim: Body Wrap Exposed. Monthly newsletter is also available at her web site. For more information go to Body Wraps Exposed

Miracle Spa In The Palm of Your Hands!

2009-03-15T12:47:00.001+07:00

Dermaglow Miracle Spa, is a NEW range of organic and natural home products that wrap your skin in a luxurious spa sensation. Developed by leading pharmacist Calvin Davies founder of Vital Science skin health in Canada, this exclusive range combines gentle Dead Sea salts and sea mineral exfoliants in delicate blends of the finest essential oils. Inspired by nature Miracle Spa creates a spa good feeling from head to toe taking you a step closer to the skin you were born in!

Miracle Spa Exfoliants
Dermaglow Miracle Facial

Massage this miracle facial scrub into the skin and reveal a softer, regenerated complexion. Using a mild exfoliant Miracle Facial detoxifies and purifies the skin. Rich in natural botanicals and essential oils skin is intensely nourished and hydrated and is ideal for sensitive skins with its anti bacterial and healing properties. Use twice a week for radiant and healthy skin.

Dermaglow Miracle Bath salts
Relax and indulge in a sea of purifying mineral salts. The detoxifying formula speeds up biological healing and skin regeneration with naturally cleansing and toning properties.

Dermaglow Miracle Body Buff
Relieve dry skin instantly with this unique buff containing a blend of dead salts, nourishing botanical oils that stimulate blood circulation, balance skin acidity and reduce water retention. Used once a day this healing and repairing scrub is ideal for the treatment of eczema and psoriasis and can help reduce ingrown hairs and back acne.

Dermaglow Miracle Manicure and Pedicure Scrub
Soften skin on hands and toes with this intensely exfoliating scrub. Massage into the palm of dry hands or sweep over feet, push back cuticles, rinse under water for instant spa luxury. A rich blend of oils such as peppermint and orange oil with antiseptic and antiviral properties care for and the skin and invigorate the senses. Ideal for daily use and suitable for diabetics.

Dermaglow Miracle Manicure and Miracle Pedicure Cr?me
For perfect nails and toes these products relieve dry, rough hands and feet, repair cuticles and cracked heels and heal skin with natural antiseptic and anti fungal properties. Foot care is particularly important for people with diabetes and Miracle Pedicure contain Grapeseed Oil. This healing antioxidant helps fragile capillaries and poor circulation, binding the capillary walls making them less likely to breakdown, reducing the risk of infection and damage.

Dermaglow Miracle Cuticle
Nourish nails with this rich cr?me using Marine Protein that helps skin regenerate and diminishes the signs of ageing. Collagen maintains the skins integrity and strengthens nails. Evening Primrose Oil and Vitamin E nourish the nail and maintain hydration.

For more information on Dermaglow telephone +44(0)800 328 7612 or e-mail info@dermaglow.co.uk; web site http://www.dermaglow.co.uk

Natural Beauty Tip Using Vitamin E To Your Advantage

2009-03-12T20:56:00.001+07:00

Whilst skin care products generally won't deliver nutrients deep into the actual living cells beneath the superficial layers of the skin, the vitamin E in many products is actually useful. Scientists have found that by applying antioxidants to the skin, free radical damage that would normally occur through exposure to UV light (say, from the sun), can be prevented or at least minimized. Vitamin E is a popular ingredient in many skin care creams.

The scientists found that the protective effects of vitamin E from that period of UV exposure were apparent 2 and 3 days later. The group of people who had vitamin E cream applied to their skin had less signs of inflammation than the group who were given the lotion without vitamin E. Inflammation is a sign of cell damage, and was measured in this study by the amount of blood flow to that area as compared to normal. This was a placebo controlled, double blind study, which means that some people received the lotion with vitamin E, some didn't and neither group knew which it was getting. The conclusions these scientists made were that vitamin E was effective at preventing the visible signs of aging on skin.

Whilst vitamin E in creams and lotions will benefit the skin, there is strong doubt on whether it can help in some of the beauty products it is in. For example, when vitamin E is advertised as being of benefit to strengthen or thicken eyelashes, this is something of a misnomer, and is not supported by science. Paula Begoun, the 'cosmetic cop' writes that there isn't a product out there that will strengthen and thicken eyelashes. The best you can do in this instance is to apply an eyelash primer and mascara to make eyelashes appear thicker. Vitamin E is an antioxidant, and the research verifies only benefits that relate to this antioxidant activity.

Another of the promises associated with vitamin E creams is that it helps to heal scars. This is not something that has been verified scientifically. Research quoted in Wikipedia found that when vitamin E was applied to patients who had undergone surgery, it did not reduce the size, shape, or color of scars. In fact, up to one third of patients experienced complications like allergies, dermatitis, and irritation that in fact can make a forming scar worse. Activated manuka honey is a much better option in reducing scarring, and healing skin.

Vitamin E remains an excellent antioxidant. It is helpful when taken as a supplement for a whole host of issues, including protecting the liver, and minimizing the damage smoking does. And it is great for the skin in terms of preventing sun damage from the oxidizing effect of UV light. It is a good 'beauty vitamin' when taken as a supplement. Erica Angyal describes how it protects cell membranes from damage and helps maintain their flexibility, which can diminish as we age. It also works to increase the level of vitamin A in our body. And it is very beneficial for skin problems like acne and psoriasis. She recommends taking 400 to 800 IU of vitamin E a day, to prevent premature aging and improve the lustre of skin.

References:
http://www.cosmeticsdesign.com/news/ng.asp?id=62583
Erica Angyal, Gorgeous Skin In 30 Days (Lothian Books, 2005)

If you'd like to learn more about vitamin E, click here. If you're an acne sufferer, and want some help deciding on either an in salon or at home acne facial, check out this article.

Teen Beauty Pageants Such as the California Teen Scholarship Pageant Can Help Build Confidence

2009-03-12T17:48:00.001+07:00

While beauty pageants have gotten a bad name over the years, there are some great pageants out there that help women further their academic aspirations. The California Teen Scholarship Pageant is one such pageant that isn't all about beauty or modeling, it's about helping women further their education, build confidence, and even give them a leg up on helping in their local community. These pageants really are much different than your traditional teen pageant or beauty pageant and are worth looking into for every woman.

The great thing about scholarship pageants is that they don't focus on beauty alone. Of course, judging does include beauty and poise, but it's not just about beauty. In fact, these scholarship pageants usually do not have a swimsuit or talent judging, which is a load off of most girls' minds. In fact, pageants like the California Teen Scholarship Pageant usually judge on grade point average, poise, beauty, and overall personality and aspirations. This means that every teen, whether she has been in pageants all of her life or this is her first one.

In fact, teen pageants such as the California Teen Scholarship Pageant encourage young women from all backgrounds and all experience levels to get involved. Most of the teens that get involved with these scholarship pageants are first time pageant competitors. California pageants report that many of the girls compete once and come back the next year with a couple friends so that they can all compete and hopefully win a scholarship to help them to go the school of their choice. The great thing about this is that good portions of the teens are on an even playing field, so that anyone truly can win. You don't have to be the most beautiful teen in the state to win this pageant, because it's about so much more than that.

Most of the teen scholarship pageants allow girls to register for the competition online or through the mail. You'll usually be required to send a picture and an essay or completed questionnaire in ahead of time and then a judging panel will determine who will go on to compete in the actual pageant. Teens that do not get into the pageant the first time they apply should not be deterred; instead they should plan to apply again the following year. These scholarship pageants really are a great way to help pay for school, which we all know is extraordinarily expensive.

If there is a teen in your life that needs to build some self-confidence or could use some help paying for college, a pageant such as the California Teen Scholarship Pageant is a great idea. This pageant is all about rewarding the girl that is going places, to make college more affordable and reward her for all of her hard work. The most traditional aspect of these pageants is the evening gown round, which only requires that the teens wear a long dress. The teen can pick any type of dress that she wants, so she feels comfortable and is able to portray her personality. The evening gown round is done to help the judges determine the teen that is able to carry herself well in every situation.

Many teens are looking for a way to get noticed, to pay for college, and help build their resume and self-confidence. Pageants such as the California Teen Scholarship Pageant can help a teen do all of these things, and more. These scholarship pageants really are a confidence builder, and can be the one thing that catapults a young woman to a place where she can succeed and do the very best at whatever it is she wants to do.

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web. Learn more about California Teen Scholarship Pageant or Majon's Health and Beauty directory.

Natural Prescription for Eczema

2009-03-11T14:33:00.001+07:00

-Identify food allergies and eliminate the offending foods from you diet. Eggs, milk, cheese, chocolate, peanuts, soy, potatoes, and the glutens in wheat are common allergenic foods. It will take four to six weeks for the results of an allergen-free diet to be observed, so be patient.

-Investigate the possibility of the food additive tartrazine contributing to the eczema and, if it does, eliminate it from the diet.

-Eat fatty fish like salmon, herring, and mackerel at least twice a week.

Some steps to relieve symptoms:

-Do not use hot water for bathing and showering: Use warm water.
-Use bath oil to soften skin. Use a nondrying soap substitute instead of soap
-Do not use over-the-counter ointments that contain benzocaine or antibiotics.
-Avoid lanolin in skin lotions, cosmetics, cleansers, and the like.
-Try to avoid temperature extremes and any activity that will involve excessive sweating.
-Aerobic exercise is beneficial to eczema and other skin ailments. Just be sure to take a warm shower after exercise to wash away sweat.
-Avoid any oily or greasy ointment that prevents skin from breathing.
-Try to wear cotton and other natural fibers next to your skin with the exception of wool, which you should avoid.
-As stress can exacerbate eczema, practice stress reduction techniques.

This article is brought to you by IH Distribution, LLC.

Bringing you health, anti-aging and skin care products from around the world. Shop online: www.ihdistribution.com & www.ihd.myarbonne.com or contact us: sales@ihdistribution.com

5 Tips for Beautiful Healthy Skin

2009-03-10T14:39:00.001+07:00

Do you want healthy, beautiful skin that glows? Then follow these 5 steps to keep your skin in the best shape possible:

1. Protect your skin from ultra violet (UV) light.

A little bit of sunlight is good for your overall health, but too much exposure to UV rays can quickly cause significant damage to your skin. Overexposure to sunlight actually makes your skin age faster, leading to wrinkles, spots, and even cancer. Be sure to apply a good sunscreen whenever you know you're going to be outdoors for longer than 10 minutes.

2. Stay hydrated with green tea.

You probably already know that drinking lots of water is important for overall beauty and health. But you may not know that drinking unsweetened green tea is much better than water alone. Green tea not only tastes better than plain water (making it easier to drink throughout the day) but it's also loaded with polyphenols. These powerful antioxidants fight free-radical damage throughout the body and help keep your skin, the body's largest organ, young and beautiful.

3. Eat a very clean diet.

A clean diet is one based around raw vegetables, fruits, seeds, and nuts. For protein stick with soy/tofu, eggs and small amounts of fish and lean poultry. Always choose organic and/or grass-fed meat when possible. Also, you may want to increase your intake of high-sulfur foods (e.g., garlic, onions, asparagus, and eggs) as sulfur has been shown to help keep the skin smooth and youthful. Obviously, all sugar, flour, and fried foods should be avoided.

4. Eat plenty of healthy fat.

Unrefined, cold-pressed flax seed oil, extra-virgin olive oil, organic virgin coconut oil, cold water fish oils, and avocado all contain super-healthy fats that support optimum skin health. These powerful fats should make up about 20-30% of your daily calorie intake.

5. Moisturize often.

People who moisturize their skin on a daily basis usually have the best looking skin. Fortunately there are many ways to moisturize. Just find a few you like and always choose natural options when possible. A great way to moisturize and nourish dry skin is to mash up an avocado, mix in a few drops of freshly-squeezed lemon juice, and spread over freshly-cleaned skin. Leave it on for about 20 minutes then rinse off, splashing the skin alternately with cold and warm water.

Jamie Clark is a writer for BeautyWatching.com. For interesting news and useful information about beauty and skin care, visit: http://www.beautywatching.com

Dandruff More Than An Itch

2009-03-09T01:08:00.001+07:00

Big companies have made lot of money by selling shampoos to people who have dandruff problems. Famous actors and sports stars have endorsed these products. The flaking of dead skin which looks like snowflakes can be embarrassing experience.

Dandruff can happen to a person of any age but it is found in people between the ages of 10 and 70. Dandruff is a sign of skin disease which can be categorized as fungal infection. There is constant itching and flaking of the scalp which many times can be controlled by shampoos. Having dandruff will also be termed as not taking care of your hair properly. There are different types of dandruff depending upon the skin type of the person as well as on the basis of personal hygiene. They appear to be white, yellow, patches of dead scales, sometime small and sometimes big lumps of it. Many believe that dandruff is due to dry hair but it is the opposite which is true i.e. generally people who have oily scalps suffer most from dandruff.

Dandruff is mainly caused due to a fungus called Malassezia furfur (or also known as pityrosporum). This is generally and naturally found on the skin surface of all people. When this fungus grows out of proportion then the renewal of cells gets imbalanced making the scalp itchy. This fungus feeds on the oil which is released by the hair follicles leading towards an increased cell turnover. In some cases the skin cells may die and is replaced fortnightly, as opposed to around once a month which usually is the case in healthy people. There are many reasons which trigger the immense amount of flaking and sometimes cause redness and irritation due to constant itching. By having a healthy living and persona; hygiene one can have beautiful and lustrous hair.

Kevin Pederson has been managing a number of natural home remedies websites which have information on home based natural cures and remedies for some of the most common illnesses and hair problems such as dandruff.

Health Benefits Of Celery Juice

2009-03-08T02:10:00.001+07:00

There are various health benefits derived from celery and its juice. The medical virtues of celery were first described by the Greeks Discorides and Pliny. In the early middle ages celery juice was very beneficial for curing ailments such as stones, constipation, menstrual problems and for health disorders of the liver and gall bladder.

The green leaves and stem and the bulbous root of celery are all extremely rich in active ingredients that make celery a very important medicinal plant and very beneficial to health. There is a well balanced content of the basic minerals, vitamins and nutrients, but in addition there are important concentrations of plant hormones and the essential oils that give celery its strong and characteristic smell. These oils have a specific effect on the regulation of the nervous system, and have a great calming influence. It is the presence of the essential oils which makes celery special. These are also found in the seeds and, if available, they too can be added to the juice.

Celery is used for its strong stimulating and beneficial effect on a weak sexual system, but as is usual with plant therapies the normally active person does not have to fear an uncontrollable upsurge. Plant therapy tends to make the system normal. Like beet there is also a general health tonic effect.

The strong diuretic (water removing) powers of celery enable it to be used in the control of health problems such as arthritis and rheumatism. Sufferers cannot have too much and may consume the vegetable cooked or raw, or in juice form which is the most health effective treatment of all.

A tablespoonful of honey in celery juice, sipped slowly, will very effectively reduce the appetite if taken before a meal, and makes a delightful drink. You can take the same mixture as a nightcap when it will help you to relax into a soothing and restful sleep.

Those who take the juice who have in the past suffered from a tendency towards stones in the gall bladder or the kidneys usually find that these painful deposits do not form again. It seems likely that this effect is related to the anti-arthritic properties of the juice.

Kevin Pederson has been managing a number of natural home remedies websites which have information on home based natural cures by the usage of juices extracted from vegetables and fruits like celery.

Aloe Vera And Acne Is There A Relationship?

2009-03-07T02:41:00.000+07:00

Aloe vera has some important medicinal qualities that are very effective in the treatment of acne. Aloe Vera has been used in a wide variety of medicinal ways both historically and in modern time. It is used to treat burns, wounds and infections to regenerate skin and provide the building blocks needed to rebuild scarred or damaged skin areas. In addition it aids in treating acne by acting as an anti-inflammatory agent and an immune booster.

Aloe Vera Solutions

Acne can be treated by either soaps containing aloe vera or aloe vera gel. Soaps should be used at least twice a day and the skin should be patted dry following the wash. A topical gel or cream application of aloe vera can then be applied to the inflamed or infected areas. Acne is not cured by aloe vera but the symptoms of redness, flaky skin, and swelling will be rapidly decreased with consistent use.

Aloe vera, in liquid form, can be applied to the facial area to remove excess oil. The face should then be washed with a soap containing aloe vera and then a commercially prepared aloe vera cream can be applied. This treatment uses all the medicinal components of the aloe vera to help keep skin looking soft and breakout free. The mild astringent qualities of the allow vera will prevent future acne outbreaks and help reduce redness and swelling.

Medical Findings

As far back as 1750 B.C clay tablets were written addressing the medicinal properties of aloe vera. A Greek physician wrote in 74 B.C about using aloe vera to cure infections of the skin, burns and to decrease hair loss.

In 1935 the first medical report was published describing the medical use of aloe vera in burn patients. It has since been the focus of many studies addressing the healing properties of aloe vera for all skin conditions, including acne. As with all herbal and medical treatments individual responses will vary with most users indicating a decrease in the redness and flaky skin around the acne blemishes.

There are no known side effects to using aloe vera externally. If any irritation occurs simply discontinue use.

Mike Singh is the publisher of http://www.stopping-acne-now.com/ On his website, he provides articles about the best acne medication and fast removal of acne scars.

What the Peat Bog People Can Tell Us About Beauty

2009-03-07T00:50:00.001+07:00

Over the past centuries, remains of many hundreds of people-- men, women, and children--have come to light in peat bogs in northwestern Europe, especially in Ireland, Great Britain, the Netherlands, northern Germany, and Denmark. Peatlands are most extensive in northern regions. They develop where drainage of water is blocked, precipitation is retained, and decomposition of organic matter is slowed. Because of their highly acidic nature, wetness, low temperature, and absence of oxygen, northern bogs have become a repository of past life.

The bog people are amazingly well-preserved with fingernails, hair, and teeth in excellent condition. How is this possible when the dates range from 8000 B.C. to the early medieval times?

The peat (Moor Peat) contained in the bogs has amazing preserving properties which contribute to its ability to both combat aging and enhance health. Peat has excellent moisture- retaining qualities which improves skin elasticity.

When peat is applied to the skin, penetrates partially between the epidermis cells of the skin. A, producing an exchange reaction of ions is produced when the binding process with albumin in the skin occurs. The harmful positive ions in the skin tissues are exchanged for the rejuvenating negative ions in the moor peat. These particles are captured by the blood vessels in the system, carried throughout the body to help healing.

The rejuvenating benefits can be attributed to the abundance of essential oils, fatty acids and lipoids. These penetrate into the skin re-establishing the skin's natural pH balance. When you apply the moor peat to your skin, the increased flow of blood to the skin can be seen by the flush of color seen on the skin when the peat is rinsed off. This characteristic of Moor Peat makes it most effective as an addition to any anti-aging and beauty treatment for the skin.

The soluble organic and inorganic active ingredients leave the skin detoxified, purified, and toned. It's naturally hypoallergenic and powerful and yet gentle.

The anti-inflammatory, bactericidal astringent and its bioavailability properties of Moor Peat make it an excellent skin treatment both for healthy and problem skin.

It has been found to be helpful in treating acne, eczema, psoriasis, burns, scars, stretch marks, and cellulite.

For Cellulite, an inflammation of the subcutaneous tissues caused by a build up of toxins, poor blood circulation and fluid retention due to weak lymphatic flow, Moor Peat improves both the inflammation and its causes, making it an excellent treatment for cellulite and an aid to weight loss.

In fine spas Moor Peat (or Moor Mud) is regularly used as bath, body wrap, and facial treatments. Cost for these treatments can be as high as $150 for a body wrap, $100 for a bath, and $85 for a mud mask or facial mask. These spa treatments can be done successfully at home for fraction of the cost by purchasing fine quality Moor Peat from a quality supplier such as Moor Mud Baths (http://www.moormudbaths.com).

Danielle Sims explored her library of alternative health, herbal books, and aromatherapy books and created a blueprint for making her own body wrap formulas at home. For more information visit Danielle's website http://www.wrapyourselfslim.com

Beauty Style And Magnetism Start With SelfEsteem

2009-03-06T21:35:00.001+07:00

Beauty, style, fashion, attractiveness, magnetism and sex appeal aren't just skin-deep. They start with your self-image ? the way you see yourself.

Do an Internet search, and you'll find advice on clothes, style, skin-care, hair and lots of other ideas designed to help to make you irresistible. Many of them are excellent, and well worth using.

That makes it easy to believe that's all there is to being beautiful, but the truth is that whatever you put on the outside is just the icing on the cake.

What really makes the difference, and puts the kind of spring in your step and sparkle in your eyes that gets you noticed, is what's inside... that means, the way you feel about yourself.

Even for a supermodel or a movie star, without the ability to project superb self-confidence, all the designer clothes and make-up in the world would be a total waste of time.

Well, the great news is that all that poise and confidence, that radiance and inner sparkle, all the qualities that draw attention and admiration like a magnet, are available to everyone ?- including you.

More than that, they're actually your birthright, simply as a part of being human!

The keys to expressing the radiant beauty you were born to show are very simple ones:-

1. Get rid, right here and now, of any idea you might have that you're less attractive than other people. You can be as radiantly beautiful as anyone alive ?- and it all starts with believing that you can;

2. Practice deep relaxation for at least half an hour, once or twice a day. This gets rid of stress and boosts your energy and sparkle;

3. Get plenty of sleep. Partying's great fun, but if you don't recharge your batteries sufficiently it can take a powerful toll on how you look (and feel about yourself);

4. Have a healthy lifestyle. Cigarettes, or too much alcohol, junk food and illegal substances will ruin your looks as surely as they'll wreck your health;

5. Take some exercise. Yoga or t'ai chi will tone your muscles, change your shape (you get to choose the changes that you want to make), and give you much more poise and gracefulness;

6. One thing the most attractive people have in common is the ability to make the person that they're talking to feel like the most important person in the room. The way to do that is to focus on that person, not yourself. Make eye contact, and really listen to what they have to say. Their reaction will make you feel so good you'll really sparkle;

7. Choose a style that works for you. You will always look and feel much better in a style that suits your personality than one that doesn't, no matter which designer's name is on the label;

8. Make good use of color. Again, what matters is what suits you, not what the High Street shops are trying to sell you;

9. Hold your head up high, and walk tall. It makes you feel a lot more poised and confident, and that will show. People who feel good about themselves and how they look don't need to blend into the crowd and hide themselves away; and

10. Keep a definite picture in your mind of exactly what you want to look like, and the graceful poise and radiant, magnetic beauty that you want to show the world. If you hold that picture strongly enough, your inner mind will help you to achieve it, and hold on to it, as quickly and effortlessly as possible.

Aislinn O'Connor is a motivational writer and personal development consultant. You can find more tips on improving your self-image on her website at http://www.Access-Your-Peak-Performance-Zone.com

Spoon Nails

2009-03-06T02:18:00.000+07:00

Spoon shaped nails are very common. Nail technicians can not usually recognize one when they see one. When it can be seen, it might mean that there may be a serious underlying disease. If it's only an aesthetic deformity a simple overlay can solve the problem. Spoon nails are caused by a trauma to the nail matrix. This results in a deformity of the nail. The edges of the plate curl up which then is called the spoon nail deformity.

What Is this?

Spoon nails are a deformity of the nail. Usually it will grow out in a few months, but if it does not, it could be a sign of a more serious problem. Clients who have spoon nails should seek medical attention before seeing a nail technician. If a technician knows the client, she can easily determine how to proceed with her nails. For example the nail technician knows that it is a hereditary condition. If it is new client for the nail technician and the nail seems unhealthy, it can indicate a fungus infection or even a more serious problem.

How does it look like?

The nail looks exactly like a spoon. In minor cases, the nail only has a little wave in it. In more severe cases, the nail becomes brittle and usually cracks inside the wave. It may even crack to the very end of the nail plate. The skin around the damaged nail is usually dry. Fungus infections can develop within these splits and may discolor the nail to a green or yellowish color.

Causes

The deformity can be hereditary, and in this case the nail seems completely healthy. Biting and an unhealthy diet (the lack of iron and nutrition)can also cause this kind of deformity. Different forms of trauma to the nail plate can also be the reason of spoon nails, but in this case the shape will sooner or later grow out, and can be filed off. If the nail technician recognises some kind of change on the clients? nails they should suggest the client to seek medical advice.

Treatment

In milder cases the problem can be solved by just letting the nail grow out. In other causes such as a iron deficiency or improper diet, taking some form iron supplementation or changing the diet may help. During the treatment the skin around the nail should also be looked after. for Nail Techs

If you think your client has spoon nails ask him or her and find out how long your client has this condition. If you do not know the client and see that the nails are unhealthy or discoloured send her to a doctor before doing the clients? nails. However if the nail seems clean you can safely put an overlay on it. Extra precaution should be taken to make sure that nail and edges are carefully cleaned. Apply the overlay just the same. Try not to miss any part of the nail. Make sure you properly fill in the wave (the overlay will be a bit thicker there)!

Remember that if a client appears with this condition, it is better to first refer them for medical advice than to be sorry later.

The biggest resource for nail technicians: http://www.nailart4me.com

Dry Skin Care

2009-03-06T01:34:00.000+07:00

Your skin is said to be dry when the sebaceous glands in the skin are not actively functioning. Therefore your skin easily erupts due to the outdoor exposure such as heat, cold or any type of climatic odds.

People with dry skin must not excessively use hot water to moisturize the skin. Mineral water is best suited because it turns the face fresh. During the morning time as soon as you get up from sleep, splash some amount of mineral water on your face with a sprayer. Leave it to dry for sometime.

The usage of soap on dry skin should be minimal because it strips the natural oils from the skin and leaves the skin dry. Instead of using toilet soaps, moisturizers should be used because they add water content to the skin. A gentle and a thorough massage is required for the dry skin to turn moist. Preferably avoid using commercial products such soaps that contain harsh chemicals in them. The alkaline content is highly harmful to the skin so do not use alkaline soaps or washing sodas. Every night before going to bed a homemade nourishing cream should be applied on your face.

The best method to nourish your dry skin is by dampening your face first. Afterwards apply a single coat of moisturizer to your skin to turn your skin supple.

The below mentioned therapy is to be tried before having a bath.

Mix 1 egg yolk along with the 1 teaspoon orange juice, 1-teaspoon olive oil and, a few drops of rose water and 10 drops of limejuice and apply it to your skin.

If the above-mentioned tips are followed you will quickly restore your skin condition to normal.

Paul has been providing answers to lots of queries through his website on a wide variety of subjects ranging from satellite phones to acne. To learn more visit http://www.askaquery.com/Answers/qn1677.html

You are welcome to republish the above article only if you add our hyperlinked URL.

Winter Skin Care Strategies

2009-03-05T22:36:00.000+07:00

As the cold weather approaches, it may be time to consider your skin care strategy for the winter months ahead. Dry air and cold wind can have a significant effect on the health of your skin, and you will want to do everything you can to protect your skin from the harsh winter elements. Give some serious consideration to the following information, and be proactive about the health of your skin.

Even though you will be bundled up in winter clothing, you should still consider using a sunscreen of some sort. For daily use, it may be a bit extreme to cover yourself in sunscreen in the winter months. Instead, try to use a moisturizer or makeup with an SPF of 15. If you are going to be out on the slopes, you ought to use a sunscreen with an SPF as high as you would use in the summer. The snow on the hills reflects an incredible amount of sunlight. Don?t forget to use a quality lip balm, too.

Try to avoid taking long, hot showers this winter. We all know how wonderful a hot shower can feel on a cold day, but try to resist the urge as best as you can. Hot showers can strip your skin of its natural moisturizers. Instead take a short, warm shower. Try to pat your skin almost dry, and apply a moisturizer while your skin is slightly damp. This is a great strategy to help you avoid dry skin.

Another thing to consider is your home heating system. As your furnace will be in constant use in the colder months, the air in your home can become extremely dry. If you do not have a humidifier built into your heating system, you should invest in a portable humidifier. Using a humidifier can prevent your skin from drying out, and it can help you avoid dry nasal cavities. If you do suffer from a dry or bleeding nose in the winter, apply some petroleum jelly for short-term relief.

In my opinion, the best way to deal with dry skin is to hydrate from the inside out. Drink as much water as you possibly can, regardless of the time of year. Drinking the recommended 8 glasses of water per day, will flush countless toxins from your body and will help keep your skin healthy and fresh. By following these suggestions, you can have beautiful skin all year round.

Alisha Burke loves spending time with her family and friends. She enjoys going for walks in the park with her dog and shopping for vintage clothes with her friends. When she finds herself with some free time, she writes for yourskin101.com ? an online resource dedicated to helping you care for your skin, with information including Skin Care Facts, Skin Care Basics, Getting Rid of Acne and more.

Body Care In Fall Nail Care

2009-03-05T18:13:00.000+07:00

As the weather becomes colder, proper nail care becomes more and more important. Here is the list of do?s and dont?s that will make your nail care procedure easier:

DO?s & DON?T?s for nail care:

Do not put your hands into any kind of washing up liquid

Think about a leftover bowl of a chicken casserole and what happens when you squirt one bit of detergent on that. Now consider what that?s doing to the natural oils in your hands and the natural oils in the fingernails which is the only part holding the finger nails together. It?s totally destructive!

It?s dangerous to cut the cuticles of your nails

The cuticle is a natural seal where the skin bonds with the nail. If you open a cuticle up, you allow bacteria to have access straight into the blood system.

The cuticle solution

Cuticles should be removed with cuticle removing solution. Also, every time your hands are in the bath for a long time, rubbing the cuticle and moving it back removes the dead cells. They must be very soft to do that and be in the water for 15 minutes.

Beware of fast drying nail polishes

Fast drying nail polishes today have a high percentage isopropyl alcohol (IPA). This tends to make nails dry and crumble. Once the polish dries up it become brittle, flaky and begins to chip off. A nail polish that bonds really well is also the type that takes a while to dry. So it?s a trade-off.

Be square!

People tend to point their fingernails when they?re filing, which leads to filing away the sides of the nail. Because the sides is what gives the fingernail strength, pointed nails will tend to give you splits in the sides. Pointed nails break much easier. They should grow until there is at least an eighth of an inch of free edge before you start to point them. People started to wear their nails square (particularly in the USA) out of necessity because they needed the side wall of the nail to give it strength.

Every thing you touch

... is an emery board. If you have the slightest snag on the ends of your nails, it will cause your nails to rip. Every time you touch something, fingernails bend. Fingernails are meant to bend but every time you do, that snag will open up more and eventually turn into a split. How do you avoid this calamity? Use a very gentle file, never a metal file.

Best beauty tip in the world

Use a thick hand cream, smother your hands in it, wear cotton gloves, then rubber gloves and then do the washing up. The heat will melt the cream, releasing the natural oils and in two weeks even the roughest hands will look like a baby?s bum. The transformation is amazing.

And it?s a way to beat the household blues! It will make the fingernails grow too. The natural oils in the fingernails is what holds them together!

http://allwomenstalk.com

Hair Analysis The Roadmap to Wellness

2009-03-05T02:08:00.001+07:00

Did you know that your hair has the advantage of long-term memory? Hair is a permanent record, like tree rings. A three-inch strand of human hair will give a six-month history of what's going on in the body since head hair grows at a rate of about a half an inch a month.

A hair analysis determines exactly what chemicals are inside of you, including radiation, heavy metals like mercury, food chemicals such as aspartame, pesticides, bacteria and more. The hair analysis is the best roadmap to view a history of what's going on inside of you.

What Is a Hair Analysis?

The protein in hair fiber holds the composition of the body tissues for a permanent period. By analyzing the hair fiber composition, a trained eye can tell what toxins have accumulated in the body tissues and what vitamins and minerals are depleted or too abundant causing an imbalance in body function.

By detoxifying unnatural chemicals like mercury and lead, and by replacing specific vitamins individual to your needs, proper health can be restored using nutrition. The human hair analysis can detail these levels.

It can be overwhelming to walk into a vitamin store and wonder out of the thousands of bottles on the shelves, ?Which ones do I need?? The hair analysis specifies which supplements your body is lacking, and which, if any, you are too high in. It saves time and money to know exactly what your body needs, or doesn?t need, nutritionally.

My own hair analysis was an important part of my natural healing from Grave's Disease in 1991. I discovered through my personal recovery, I couldn't fight what I couldn?t see. The hair analysis is an excellent tool to identify specific toxins, and vitamin and mineral deficiencies caused by them. As with any chemical in solution, food chemicals like aspartame and MSG saturate the body with toxins that penetrate the brain and infuse the bloodstream. Human beings are polluted with over 14,000 food chemicals we are exposed to daily. The hair analysis allows you to ?see? what damage these toxins may be causing.

Is the hair analysis really accurate?

The hair analysis is as credible as a standard blood or urine test ? maybe more. The key to a good hair analysis is the capability of a credentialed laboratory and the expertise of the practitioner interpreting the results. The American government and law enforcement agencies have depended upon hair analyses for decades to provide conclusive evidence in crime investigations and for drug testing for prison parolees. The cause of death by poisoning can only be determined conclusively via a hair analysis, as in the case of President Andrew Jackson.

A hair analysis is not understood in traditional medicine, but is highly respected in the world of forensics, scientific research, and drug testing. A hair analysis works the same as a soil or water sample to a geologist and engineer - it leaves a permanent imprint of the body's ?environment? within the protein in the hair follicles.

If you want to determine if your well or tap water is polluted, you have a water test performed, right? If you?re drilling for oil, you have a soil test done. So, it is with the human body. If you want to know if toxins are within your tissues, have a hair analysis performed.

Do Medical Doctors Use The Hair Analysis?

One of the shortcomings of the American Medical Association (AMA) is the lack of nutritional education required for medical students. American medical schools promote more of the pharmaceutical philosophy of healing by drugs opposed to a nutritionally based curriculum of natural healing.

Blood and urine tests have value, of course, as those results can identify disease present within the body and they help your doctor determine the amount and kind of drugs and medications needed.

The hair mineral analysis on the other hand, identifies long-term nutritional deficiencies that can be at the root of disease, along with identifying toxic metals within the body that can cause disease. Most traditional medical doctors do not know how to interpret a hair analysis, and therefore, discount them as an important tool in natural wellness.

You can read more information about the hair analysis and Dr. Hull?s hair analysis program by visiting the link below: http://www.hairanalysisprogram.com/

About The Author

Dr. Hull discovered the value of the hair analysis when curing herself from an ?incurable? disease. It was her ?roadmap? to wellness, and she uses her knowledge to help others discover the root of their health symptoms.

Dr. Hull's counseling expertise is based on her professional background. She has counseled numerous celebrities, professional athletes and sports figures, lawyers, and other medical practitioners, doctors and dentists. She works internationally with clients, and continues her research and development into perfecting the detoxification of toxins within the human body.

Dr. Hull writes a monthly newsletter covering a wide range of important health topics including Government Safety Alerts, Q and A's, and more! To sign up for her newsletter or to view past articles visit the link below:

http://www.sweetpoison.com/newsletter/

Perfect Lips

2009-03-04T02:28:00.000+07:00

Nothing impresses your friends more than a perfect lip line, because it is the hardest makeup application to do.To get it, avoid applying the lip pencil too heavily, which will be difficult to blend and soften into the lipstick. Keeping your mouth closed lightly trace the lip line with the lip pencil so it can barely be seen, but can be used as a guide line.

Hold the brush horizontally to trace along the lip line, and do a little bit at a time, backing up and going over it again. Don't try to get the whole line in one stroke. The best lip brush is a sable with a slightly tapered edge, not straight one.

This provides more control and a cleaner line.If you are really pressed for time, apply lipstick only on the bottom lip and press your lips together. Then, blend out to the lip line with the edge of a lip brush, not the tip, for a precise line, or use a dampened cotton swab for a soft, natural lip line.

When finished, instead of blotting the lips by biting a tissue, lay the tissue across both lips while your mouth is closed. This will imprint your lips, including the edges of the mouth where lipstick usually bleeds. Perfect!

Mina Dimakis-Lev
BeautyImagebyMina.com

Does Anti Wrinkle Cream Really Work?

2009-03-03T22:31:00.001+07:00

Wrinkles are signs of old age and for anyone who gives great value to beauty, wrinkles are simply upsetting. The first thing one would want to do is to get rid of those ugly lines and creases on her skin. If you are one of those who want to counter natural aging process and maintain a youthful glow on your face, you are probably thinking of buying an anti-wrinkle cream by now.

Anti-wrinkle cream and other anti-aging products are saturating the market nowadays and lots of people are patronizing them?men and women alike, young and old. Who doesn?t like to look younger and more beautiful, anyway? Even men now are conscious about the way they look and so many anti wrinkle cream advertisements nowadays aim at the men, too. They are usually marketed as part of grooming and skin care kits for men.

Apart from good looks, however, people use anti wrinkle creams for many other reasons. For one, an anti-wrinkle cream may be one?s solution to finding a job that demands an attractive and youthful appearance. Perhaps you?re dreaming of Hollywood but are less confident because of those ugly wrinkles that appeared too early in your life?an anti-wrinkle cream can do the trick for you. Moreover, it?s a lot cheaper to buy an anti-wrinkle cream rather than to avail of expensive cosmetic treatments like plastic surgery or even botox injection.

With all the anti-aging products available in the market though, it?s so hard to pick one that can give you your desired results. Each product promises to reduce or prevent wrinkles caused by aging, but then again, you can never be too sure which one really works?or do they all really work?

The answer is yes; however, effects of each anti-wrinkle cream vary. Some anti wrinkle cream and other beauty products may provide major changes to your skin while others only have a very little effect on the skin. Also, there are products that work effectively and quickly while others don?t. But in reality, no anti-wrinkle cream has really given a permanent rejuvenating effect as aging is a natural process nothing can really totally defy.

What an anti-wrinkle cream really does is it hides those ugly wrinkles and moisturizes your skin so you can achieve a more beautiful face. It has ingredients like oils, collagen and silicon dioxide whose molecules are smaller than those of the skin. They penetrate through the wrinkles and deflect light; thereby, making the wrinkles invincible to the naked eye.

An anti-wrinkle cream actually makes the aging process more pleasing and agreeable to you. It helps you cope with aging more gracefully by making you feel beautiful. And that great feeling about oneself actually does the work of making you look good. Remember that real beauty shines from within, so whatever kind of anti-wrinkle cream or anti-aging product it is that you use, always feel good about yourself and wear a smile no matter what life brings?only then you can be beautiful in every sense of the word.

Dave Poon is an accomplished writer who specializes in the latest in beauty care. For more information regarding anti wrinkle cream, please drop by at http://beauty.answerwisely.com

Luxurious Hair After Pregnancy

2009-03-03T17:56:00.001+07:00

During pregnancy period, especially on late terms, hairs often make a woman glad. They become strong and shining. You just cannot believe that, while looking at comb, you can see no hairs on it. This happens due to your organism?s satiation with vitamins, nutritive substances and favorable hormonal background. However, 3-4 months later you can see a reverse process: hairs fall out sometimes, suffer from fragility and look lifeless. Don?t panic! Your hairs soon will gain beauty again, but you definitely should help them. ?Delicate? life of a hair

One loses about 60-80 hairs per day. At the same time new ones come to take their place. On average, a hair grows 1-1,5 cm per month. When a new hair is formed in a bulb, old one falls out.

What do we know about our hair?

- Female hairs live up to 10 years, while male ones only ? 3 years

- Blondes have most thick hair ? about 140 thousands of hairs. Brunettes ? 102 thousands, brown-haired women ? 109, red ? 88 thousands.

- Nationality, place of living influence thickness of hair. It is known, that natives of South have richer scalp, than natives of North.

- During day time hairs grow quicker, than during night.

- In spring-summer time hairs grow significantly more actively, than in autumn and winter.

- Speed of hair growth depends on age. The most active growth takes place between 15 and 30 years, any by 40 years speed of hair growth begins slowing down significantly.

Business-ladies are in danger!

Unfortunately, not all women can boast of wonderful chevelure in modern conditions of life. According to statistics, by 2010 year alopecia threatens to 70% of men and 10% of women in Europe.

First of all, business-ladies are in risk group. The matter is, that in strong women?s blood there?s an excess of male hormone testosterone, and it contributes to ?business? pelade.

Why do hairs fall out?

When conditions of head skin and blood circulation are normal, there is no excessive falling out of hairs.

Sudden falling out can start because of:

- significant decrease of quantity of estrogens (female sexual hormones) after pregnancy, childbirth;

- taking of some contraceptive preparations, containing substances, increasing level of androgens in blood;

- bad blood circulation;

- lack of nutrition for hair roots;

- operations with usage of general anaesthetic, inflectional diseases of head skin;

- excessive greasiness;

- poor nutrition (lack of vitamins and microelements);

- stresses;

- chronic not getting enough sleep.

Young mother may have several reasons for hair loss: from hormonal ones to problems with sleep, you know, not every baby will sleep 5-6 hours per night since first months, especially if he is on free feeding and is put to breast upon request.

Recipes to keep your hair

In fact, you will not find such advices, like ?you need to sleep at least 8 hours per day?, or ?forget about stresses and be always calm? here. We have to repeat again, that full-value sleep and soul balance are almost unique events for a young mother.

Another obstacle: constant lack of time for yourself. So try not to refuse from your relatives? help: it will be good, if someone of them takes care of a baby during 15-20 minutes, while you will take care of yourself.

One of our readers writes:

- Hairs started fall our strongly 4 months after childbirth. And during following 3 months I lost, probably, 30% of my hairs, they definitely became thin. If I had enough time for myself, I would not lose so much hair. However, when I got tired, during first time I always chose an opportunity to take a nap for another 30 minutes, than doing something useful. When I sounded alarm, I started using tried remedies for hair treatment, and process of falling out slowed down, I saw fewer hairs on my comb. And 2 months later I noticed that my hairs were back to normal again. Sometimes my husband helped me to steal moments for myself, sometimes it was my mother, and I?m very grateful to them for this.

It is important to note, that anyway, you should not panic, as falling out of hair stops on average in 4-6 months simultaneously with hormonal reconstruction of organism. But the question is about how much hair you can lose. While correct care you can prevent excessive hair loss, and renew damaged hair and head skin.

So, try one of following effective methods of struggle against hair loss:

1. Apply steamed out rye-bread on wet hair, rub in skin slightly and wrap up your head with a warm towel. 30 minutes later, massaging head skin and wiping hair, wash out bread and rinse with one of herbal extracts, for example, nettle or rosemary extract.

2. Rub egg yolk in moistened hair, massaging head skin, wrap up head warmly and in 30 minutes wash your hair the way you wash them with shampoo.

3. You can wash you hair with warm buttermilk, rubbing it carefully in head skin.

Wrap up head for 30 minutes, and then rinse with warm herbal extract or decoction carefully, according to following receipts:

- Prepare a decoction of honeysuckle stalks (6 table spoons for 1liter of water, boil 10 minutes, draw for 30 minutes, filter) and use for washing your hair, if you suffer from shedding, during 3 weeks every other day.

- In German folk-medicine they use extract of nasturtium leaves and small nettle for rubbing in head skin while hair shedding.

- If you suffer from itch while dandruff and hair shedding, then you should wash your hair with a strong decoction of equal parts of willow rind and burdock roots.

- Take 20 roots of calamus, 20 g of burdock root, 25 g of great nettle, 10 g of calendula flowers, boil everything in 1 liter of boiling water on slow fire during 5 minutes. Decoction should draw in warm place for 2 hours. After you filter it, use it for smearing your hair and slight massage, after washing your hair. Repeat the procedure 5-6 times during month.

- One of effective remedies against hair shedding is washing hair with calamus and burdock roots 3 times per week during month. To prepare it take 2 table spoons of both roots, add a couple of handfuls of hop cones, pour with 1 liter of boiling water, boil during 5 minutes, draw.

- Take 3 table spoons of nettle leaves and 3 table spoons of coltsfoot leaves, brew in 1 liter of boiling water and 1 hour later filter, wash your hair 3 times per week during month, massaging head skin.

- If you can stand garlic smell well, try to rub garlic juice, mixed with honey in proportion 1 : 2, in your head skin. Carry out this procedure every other day during month. With this procedure completed, rinse hair carefully with one of herbal decoctions with deodorant qualities, for example rosemary.

Here are some other receipts from our readers:

- Carry out a course of hair treatment, consisting of 10 procedures: once a week you need to do masks, containing: egg yolk, 6 drops of appropriate for you oils and 1 mL of vegetable oil. Jojoba or avocado oils are better. Camomile, rosemary, sage, lemon, ylang-ylang, clary, lavender ? these are essential oils, most popular while hair shedding treatment. Jojoba oils are used while dandruff. If you have no jojoba oil, then you can replace it by some other one. You should spread this mixture on your hair evenly, cover head with a cap, leave for 40-90 minutes, and then you need to wash your hair.

- If you have no allergy on onion, then you can mix onion juice and honey in equal parts and rub in hair 30 minutes before you wash your head. Use hair conditioners for sure and comb hair very cautiously. You also can cut your hair shorter, so that to renew an intensive growth of stronger hair.

- Another ?onion? receipt: add onion peel to an oak rind decoction. Boil during 5 minutes. This receipt is especially useful for greasy hair.

- Massage salt in head skin during 2-3 minutes, then wash hair with shampoo.

What are other ways to help to your hair?

- During post-natal period take polyvitamins for nursing mothers.

- Eat less salty, smoked and pickled food. It is easier to observe this recommendation for nursing mothers: this is one of the conditions of a diet for nursing women, to avoid baby?s allergic reaction.

- Use hair-dryer seldom ? hot air deprives hair of moisture and makes them fragile. You should better create a turban of a towel, and then allow your hair dry naturally.

- Change combs more often, micro-cracks on them ? are niches for reproduction of microbes that damage head skin.

Yana Mikheeva is the creator of Baby Health Directory - Pregnancy, Birth, Parenting and Baby Care resources. Are you going to get pregnant? Visit our friendly resource and read information on pregnancy and parenting, painless childbirth, growth and development of a baby, baby health, safety, signs of pregnancy. She also has All about women site where you can find articles on various subjects, such as: diets, receipts, health, cellulite, figure, aromatherapy, wholesome food, psychology of relationships, pregnancy, parenting, fashion and many others.

A Portable Sauna Surely Not

2009-03-02T22:46:00.001+07:00

It sounds like a dream, a sauna that can be taken anywhere to enjoy at your leisure, the best thing about this is that it is a reality, not a dream.

There are many different options available when you are deciding to buy a sauna, but many people are opting for the portable infrared sauna because of its abilities to be moved easily and the fact that infrared heating is a great, easy and quick way of heating your sauna.

How easy is a portable infrared sauna to move?

You would think a portable sauna would be fairly heavy and difficult to move, but it is very easy. What you need to understand about the portable infrared sauna is it?s size and how you move such an item.

Size

A more expensive portable infrared sauna is about the same size as a large wardrobe and is also made by wooden paneling, sometimes with glass windows, the only difference being the depth of a sauna is greater than that of a wardrobe.

The portable sauna also comes in a smaller version, which is even easier to move. This sauna is made for a single person and is a tent made from special material surrounding a simple chair.

Moving the sauna

The larger saunas are made in a do it yourself way so they can be easily assembled and disassembled, this means they can easily be carried in smaller parts and stored away in an easier fashion.

The other saunas made in the form of a tent are even easier to move than their larger brothers, as they are smaller and created from a foldable material; you simply fold this sauna away and carry it under your arm.

Summary

Overall you can make any choice you wish in purchasing a sauna, but it is worth investigating the possibilities of a portable infrared sauna as they have so many advantages over other types of sauna.

If you?re interested in reading about the new Infrared Sauna , or you want to know more about Infrared Sauna Health Benefits please visit Infrared-Sauna-Health-Benefits.com

Antiaging Skin Creams That Kill

2009-03-02T16:47:00.001+07:00

Your skin is the largest organ in your body. It easily absorbs many of the fat soluble chemicals that you place onto it.

How natural are these chemicals i.e. how nontoxic are they?

Where do they go once they have been absorbed into your body?

What is their overall or long term impact on your health and on your longevity?

Well firstly if you look at the ingredients of most skin creams you'll find that most have synthetic chemicals in them. Synthetic equates: not natural to this planet and therefore toxic to the planet and therefore to you.

Secondly, all chemicals that enter your body eventually wind up in your liver for processing and elimination. As many chemicals are of such a nature that the liver does not recognize them as natural they often cannot be broken down or eliminated. When this happens they often get walled off in various parts of your body i.e. liver, fat, joints, skin, arterial walls, and other organ systems.

So what do you think happens then? Well when there is something toxic stored within the body somewhere the immune system does its best to deal with it. This sets up an antibody response to the toxicity and that means that an inflammatory response is initiated in those areas that harbor the toxicity i.e. liver, fat, joints, skin, arterial walls, and other organ systems.

So where does all of this take you? Well to illness, aging and death!

Wait a second here. Didn't you purchase that skin cream to make you look younger?

Well if so you have allowed yourself to fall into a state of unconsciousness and therefore have chosen to become a victim.

If you would like to change this then you may wish to begin taking responsibility for the choices that you are making in your life.

If you would like some assistance with any of this kindly visit the web link below.

Dr. Nick Arrizza is trained in Chemical Engineering, Business Management & Leadership, Medicine and Psychiatry. He is an Energy Psychiatrist, Healer, Key Note Speaker,Editor of a New Ezine Called Spirituality And Science (which is requesting high quality article submissions) Author of Esteem for the Self: A Manual for Personal Transformation (available in ebook format on his web site), Stress Management Coach, Peak Performance Coach & Energy Medicine Researcher, Specializes in Life and Executive Performance Coaching, is the Developer of a powerful new tool called the Mind Resonance Process(TM) that helps build physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well being by helping to permanently release negative beliefs, emotions, perceptions and memories. He holds live workshops, international telephone coaching sessions and international teleconference workshops on Physical. Emotional, Mental and Spiritual Well Being.

Web Site: http://www.telecoaching4u.com/IntroConsult.htm

Understanding Laser Hair Removal

2009-03-02T01:20:00.001+07:00

If you have heard about laser hair removal, then you are likely to be one of the many that believe it is an easy way to get rid of unwanted hair. Although many people do find great success with the treatments, others will need several to succeed. And, there is no real way to know how you will react to the laser treatment until you have it.

Who Should Have It?

The ideal candidate for laser hair removal is the person who has dark colored hair. The darker the hair the more likely it is that the laser can remove it permanently. With that goes the pigment color of the skin. Individuals who have a dark complexion will not be ideal candidates because the hair is harder to see. Light skin, dark hair is the best situation to find yourself in.

You will also need to have a good budget. Sessions of laser hair removal can last upwards of several hours and will require several thousand dollars to complete. If you need multiple treatments, that too can become even more costly. The average is four visits per person.

Melanin is the pigment that gives hair color. You will need the melanin to be able to absorb the energy from the laser and then incorporate the heat into the follicle. The heat will actually kill off the follicle, making it impossible for hair to re-grow. Also, those who have a dark colored skin tone have more melanin, it is necessary to insure that the process will still work well. To help this, a cold compress will be used to keep the affected area cool. The laser will not target the cold areas which are important for it to work properly.

The skin can be kept cool in another way as well. This is multi pulsing laser technology. Laser energy is pulsed or interrupted, rather than streamed. That means there is less heat which helps to cool and at the same time, protect the skin. Other laser removal devices include: Alexandrite, a long pulse laser; Diode, which generally is used on darker skin; Q-Switched Nd:YAG, which delivers two wavelengths that work on both deep and near-surface follicles; and Ruby, that as the name implies, consists of red laser beams capable of targeting melanin.

There are a number of excellent resources on the internet that will help you to discover why or why not laser hair removal is the right solution for you.

As a beauty consultant Nicola is always evaluating new products. Visit her site at http://www.epilator.info for resources, views and information about hair removal.

Reduce Wrinkles Prevent Aging Skin With A Scientifically Proven Approach

2009-03-01T22:34:00.001+07:00

Many skin products that claim to reduce wrinkles and/or prevent aging skin generally consist of static chemicals that prop up the skin temporarily or give it a more appealing appearance.

Healing and/or reversing the effects of skin damage must go deeper than that if one is to achieve more effective results. It must actually strive to repair the damage itself.

Damage to skin is often the result of persistent assaults to the DNA of cells that sustain and support the organ we call or skin. The damage is most commonly the result of exposure to harmful sunlight and/or toxic chemicals applied to the skin in the form of skin care products over one's life time.

The effects of such factors on the skin can include a change in the overall texture, a decrease or unevenness in the tone, thinning, the development of age spots, wrinkles all of which undermine overall appearance.

This process which many accept as the aging process is also accompanied by a decreased ability to produce collagen, a protein that is responsible for the integrity of the top layer of the skin, also known as the epidermis and thus leads to thinning of the skin. Collagen is normally produced by cells called fibroblasts under the skin. These fibroblasts tend to produce less collagen as one ages. Aging as you likely also know is in large part related to the overall integrity of the functioning liver (please see my article: If You Look After Your Liver You Will Live Forever).

The liver's function is to detoxify the body regularly. If it starts to under function toxins can accumulate in various organ systems, including the skin, and disrupt their normal functional capacities. This along with the damage done to the skin directly by factors mentioned above are in part the reason that fibroblasts under function with age. Much of this under functioning is the result of damaged DNA fragments in the nuclei of these cells.

Unless skin care products can repair or reverse this damage in some way one is being fooled into believing that any real benefit is being afforded by them.

A new scientifically tested product known as ART developed by Gary Young N.D. has been designed to specifically address this very issue.

Two enzymes in ART i.e. Photolyase and Endonuclease act to a) replenish damaged DNA fragments and b) repair damaged sections of DNA with these replenished fragments respectively. The net effect is to restore fibroblast activity and collagen producing capacity.

These enzymes are also supported by the presence two Essential Oils that have been used to address skin cancers: Frankencense and Sandalwood

The benefits shown to accrue from this approach have been documented wrinkle reduction, increased elasticity of the skin, softer skin, increased and more even skin tone, and a firmer appearance to the skin. All of this in under two months of using ART.

To view before and after photos or to get more information on ART you can visit: http://art.youngliving.com/science.html

Alternately you can visit my web site below.

Nick Arrizza M.D. is trained in medicine and psychiatry. He is also an international healer and coach as well as the developer of the powerful Mind Resonance Process(TM) MRP.

Web Site: http://www.youngliving.org/arrizza

Commercial Acne Treatments vs. Home Remedies

2009-03-01T19:43:00.001+07:00

There are a number of both commercial and home remedy acne treatments, which are designed to help treat acne. The most popular of home remedies is the recommendation to wash your face twice each day, with the best times to be in the morning and before you go to bed at night. Keep in mind that it is best to avoid scrubbing too hard as this may aggravate, or even result in, acne.

There are many benefits to both commercial acne treatments and home remedies. Among them, commercial or prescription acne treatments are often medically recommended. On the flip side, home remedy acne treatments are not medically tested, but they are natural, free and usually contain ingredients that are not harmful. This is not always the case with commercial or prescription acne treatments, which often carry the potential for serious side effects. In addition, they can be quite expensive.

No matter which acne treatment you use, be careful of possible irritation. The last thing that you will want is to aggravate an acne-prone area with a treatment product as this would defeat the entire purpose. The best way to begin with any cream or lotion treatment is to apply the product to a small test area of skin in order to make sure there are no incompatibilities with your skin. In addition, make sure to read any warning or cautionary product labels to make sure that you are using the contents properly. In order for acne treatment medication to work, it has to be used correctly.

If you are searching for popular over the counter acne treatments, you are likely to find a variety of choices. Among them, medicated pads for wiping over the face, lotions, face wash, etc. Prescription acne treatments are often provided to those who need a more aggressive approach at acne treatment and may include the same product categories at a higher level of medication. Home remedy acne treatments include lotions containing aloe vera, a facial mask consisting of 4 tablespoons of honey and one grated apple, an oatmeal and water paste, etc.

This article is to be used for informational purposes only. The information contained herein is not intended to be used in place of, or in conjunction with, professional medical advice regarding the use of any commercial or home remedy acne treatment. Prior to beginning any treatment regimen, the patient must consult a licensed medical doctor or dermatologist for advice and/or to determine the best course of action for his/her individual situation.

Find amore about Witch Hazel acne treatments, bacne scars and many other acne natural treatments on http://www.TheAcneMedicine.com

Cosmetics Tips

2009-03-01T16:00:00.001+07:00

Looking your best is easy with these simple cosmetics tips!

Keep your cosmetics fresh

Makeup does have an expiry date! It might not be written on the packaging, but there will come a time when your cosmetics won't be as vibrant, smooth or nice to wear as they used to be. Not only is it a good sign that you're possibly in the wrong season, it's also important if you want to be looking your best! Keep your makeup rotated every 6 months or so.

Make sure you're wearing the right cosmetics for your skin tone

The tragic flaw many people make when buying cosmetics is not matching them to their skin tone. This makes it almost impossible when trying to find the right foundation and concealer, but it also affects the lipstick and eye shadow you should be wearing. There are ways to determine skin tone, and you should base your cosmetics selections around the right tone:

Ruddy skin tone is associated with burning easily, but also with becoming easily flushed or pink-cheeked.

Yellow skin tones respond poorly to yellowish foundation and concealer and make the skin look more flawed than it did before.

Yellow-olive skin tone is easily identified because it's mainly found in people who tan easily and don't burn often. So if you come in from the beach a shade other than bright red, yellow-olive is you!

Olive skin tones are slightly gray or ashen, do not burn easily and have greenish undertones.

Neutral skin tone has no obvious yellow, olive or ruddy tones, nor any features of these skin tones.

Cosmetics counter assistants will be able to assist you in determining your skin tone, and also offer you the best options for cosmetics and colors. Similarly, you will find great tips just by looking through fashion magazines: ruddy skin responds well to earthy colors such as browns, greens, corals and reds; medium yellow and ruddy skin tones go well with both light and dark browns; darker olive skin looks great in more vibrant shades of ruby and cherry; and dark skin tones love more natural, soft pinks, corals and browns.

Wearing the 'wrong' cosmetics for your skin tone can result in you looking washed out, accentuating blemishes and otherwise causing flawed skin.

Learn to apply your cosmetics properly

Make sure you don't look like a ... well, clown ... after you put your makeup on in the morning. Most of us learn how to put on our faces from our friends in junior high or our mothers, and that's all well and good until we have to go to an important business meeting and we realize we actually don't know how to apply eyeliner!

Many makeup artists will actually visit you in your own home or as part of a cosmetics party and teach you how to do it properly, or you can visit a cosmetics counter and have them take you through the process. There's more to a great look than just throwing your makeup on, but there are simple and easy tricks that will have you looking gorgeous in no time!

Foundation: don't forget to blend foundation into your neck, or you'll end up with an unsightly line around your jaw; apply concealer after foundation!

Eye shadow: apply your base color from the inside out, then define your eyes with a darker shade in the crease of your eyelid; for extra definition, use a light shadow on your brow bone.

Eye liner: steady your hand by resting on a flat surface, and always apply from the inside to the outside of your eye; extending the liner beyond the end of your eyelids will give a great exotic look!

Mascara: two layers is best; apply the first layer downwards from the roots, then again upwards from the midway point of the lashes; apply a finer layer to the bottom lashes so you don't look like a panda, then leave for a couple of minutes and repeat.

Lipstick: the way you apply your lipstick depends on the shape of your mouth, but make sure your lip liner (if you use one) matches the color of your lipstick, use a base or primer, apply color with a lip brush and remember to blot; finish off with an application of lip gloss for perfectly luscious lips.

Accentuate your best features, improve the rest.

Barb S - your personal beauty expert. See our name brand salon hair products makeup and cosmetics at http://www.Stuff4Beauty.Com

An Intimate Approach to Beauty

2009-02-27T12:50:00.003+07:00

An Intimate Approach to Beauty

In this article we return to a time when beauty was defined in natural terms. An almost time-forgotten sensual approach to self-care, with simple rituals that will pamper you from the inside out. Where beauty was within every woman and man?s reach and where sometimes, just sometimes less is more.

Dare to be Bare

From time to time leave your skin bare. No make-up, foundations or facial care products that contain chemicals. Know your Skin

Maintaining your skin's moisture balance is essential for overall skin health. However, generally, moisturizers do not replace the essential water needed in skin cells. It is therefore important to leave your skin damp to help your moisturizer or cream penetrate deeper into your skin.

If your skin is oily, you may discover that you do not even need a moisturizer. Even acne prone individuals should not over-wash their skin. Dry skin can actually make the condition worse.

Furthermore, most cleansers and toners with alcohol tend to dry the skin, creating the sensation of needing a moisturizer.

Something as simple as drinking more water will help your skin, nails, your whole well being feel better. All natural, soaps should also be an important element in your skin care regime. These handcrafted soaps maintain its glycerin, which is a water-binding agent. Water-binding agents keep water in the skin, which aids skin damaged by sun and dehydration.

Good Cleansing

Soaps and scrubs should not strip the natural moisture from the skin; instead, these products should help the skin to find its balance as well as enhance your skin?s natural inner glow.

The ideal formulation should help to hydrate the skin so that during cleansing your skin can absorb adequate molecules of water into the cells.

Organic Oats Honey Lavender Facial Scrub is a classic quartet for the face. Its formulation contains organic oats to gently slough off dead skin cells, organic honey to nourish the skin while organic lavender essential oil helps to reduce inflammation.

Create a Bathing Ritual

Water has a healing power for many of us. Just the thought of the vast expanse of clear blue water will tend to relax the inner you. Creating a bathing ritual can offer you the same many physical and mental benefits.

Even cool summer baths can let a fresher you emerge. Surround yourself with nothing but soft candlelight, soothing sounds of nature and sink deep into cool relaxation. Select Citrus bath fizzy to sharpen the senses and restore energy or Lemongrass bath fizzy to relieve exhaustion and fatigue.

The Healing Power of Touch Include a full-body massage with warm oil to your bathing ritual. A body massage can help to increase the firmness of the skin and can even reduce physical and mental fatigue.

A warm Spirit Body Oil will help lift your spirits and nourish the layers of your skin. Spirit Body oils are nothing more than pure plant oils that purify the skin; enhance the complexion and make you feel more attractive.

http://www.anaturalperspective.com is The Place for natural, holistic and organic skincare products.

http://www.anaturalperspective.com sources different skin care products with an emphasis on promoting your well-being. A Natural Perspective brings you all-natural beauty products especially formulated to help bring back your skin to its beautiful, natural balance. You will feel the difference!

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Hand Care Tips and Recipes

2009-02-27T12:50:00.001+07:00

For those of you who are do-it-yourself fanatics like I am, our hands are always getting rough treatment. Between gardening, cleaning, painting and puttering around they get exposed to a lot. What can we do to make sure they don?t look like they?ve through a boxing match without gloves? Gentle care is the key. Wear gloves whenever possible so your hands aren?t exposed to cleaning products, dirt and paint. Now that I?ve said that, I?ll admit this is a hard one to do 100% of the time, but do try.

Hand cream is another must have for your hands. Keep it in the bathroom, the bedroom and the kitchen. Use it!

Take care of your nails too. This starts with drinking enough water and eating a healthy diet. But here are a few more tips:

NEVER cut your cuticles. Keep them from drying out by using a good hand cream and hand soaks, then push them gently back with a cuticle/orange stick. Once you do this if you notice any white residue you can gently rub the area to remove this, but no cutting.

When you do cut your nails or hang nails make sure the clippers and other tools are very sharp so they don?t tear as you trim. Always trim neat and clean-not too deep. Once you get them cut, try filing weekly instead of cutting. Use the file in one direction to avoid splitting and use a good quality file. If you maintain your nails this way you may not have cut them. Use gentle hand treatments to soften your skin and your cuticles. Here are a few you can make yourself:

Rosewater Hand Massage

You?ll need:

1 tsp. glycerin
1 tsp. lemon juice
5 drops rose water
Mix together and keep in a small bottle. Use to massage your hands for 15-30 minutes. Don?t forget the cuticles!

Nail Soak

You?ll need:

1 cup bottled water
juice of one lemon
1 tablespoon aloe vera gel
10 drops lemon essential oil
Mix all together and use as a finger soak for about ten minutes on each hand.

Nail Manicure Treatment

You?ll need:

1 Tbsp. distilled water, slightly warmed
1 Tbsp. witch hazel
1 1/2 tsp. honey
1/2 tsp. alum powder
Mix above in a glass bowl. Soak nails for 10-15 minutes, occasionally massaging cuticles gently. Rinse with cool water. Use for both hands, then discard.

Some more articles about hand and nail care:
Sexy, Beautiful Hands
Women's Blog - All Women's Talk Hand & Nail Care

How To: Quick and Easy Natural Massage Melts

2009-02-27T12:40:00.001+07:00

Massage melts are a unique body product because they stay solid at room temperatures, but when applied directly to your skin, start to soften and melt due to body temperature. Their main purpose is to moisturize dry skin, as well as, relax and soothe tight muscles.

Essentially, massage bars are composed of natural butters and oils. Most recipes for this type of product call for the use of cocoa butter. Even though it has great moisturizing properties, I feel this butter produces too hard a product. Therefore, I recommend using such butters as shea and mango, which create a silkier, luxurious feeling to your melts.

For oils, I highly recommend using sweet almond and jojoba. Sweet almond oil is light and penetrates easily making it well-suited for dry skin conditions. Plus, it is effective on all skin types. Jojoba oil, which is not actually an oil but is a liquid wax, is similar in composition to the oil your skin secretes, which is known as sebum. Jojoba is a quickly absorbed oil that soothes the skin, as well as, extends the shelf life of other oils.

Other ?light? oils you can substitute, for the above, are apricot kernel, grapeseed, sunflower, safflower, or soybean. Rounding out the rest of the ingredients are beeswax, vitamin E, and essential and fragrance oils.

Beeswax helps formulations keep their shape, as well as, act as a humectant. Vitamin E oil protects your product from rancidity and is also a great natural antioxidant. Essential oils are natural ingredients that are the very essence of the plant itself. Extracted from the flowers, fruit, leaves, bark, and roots of the plant, the oils are used for scent and therapeutic purposes. A word of caution, due to their volatility, research any essential oil before use. Fragrance oils, though synthetic in nature, do provide an inexpensive and easy way to achieve a scent that might not be possible with essential oils.

Ingredients:
3 ? oz. of shea butter
3 ? oz. of beeswax
2 oz. of jojoba oil
2 oz. of sweet almond oil
? tsp. of Vitamin E

Equipment:
Mold(s) of your choice
1 digital cooking thermometer
2 Pyrex glass measuring cups
1 small digital postal scale
1 set of measuring aluminum spoons
Wax paper for measuring on the scale
Plastic wrap to cover Pyrex cups

Directions:
Step 1: Gather all equipment onto a clean, sterile surface. Place a sheet of wax paper over the small digital postal scale to measure out the shea butter and beeswax base. Place base in a Pyrex cup and cover with plastic wrap. Melt ingredients, completely, in the microwave.

Step 2: While the base is melting, use the second Pyrex cup for your jojoba, sweet almond, vitamin E, and essential/fragrance oils (if used). Mix, cover with plastic wrap, and set aside.

Step 3: Once the base has melted, mix thoroughly. Pour the Pyrex cup from step 2 into the base Pyrex cup, mix together, and pour into your mold(s). Set aside for a couple of hours to cool and set. When soft, transfer the melts to the fridge until they are really hard. They should just pop out of the molds easily. Massage into skin and let product become absorbed. Due to melting properties, keep unused portions out of direct sunlight and store in a cool place.

Note: If you plan on using essential and/or fragrance oils in your recipe, place a digital thermometer in the melted shea butter and beeswax base. Wait for the temperature to drop down to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Anything higher will burn off the fragrant oils. After the temperature has reached this point immediately dump your Pyrex cup from step 2 into the Pyrex cup with the base, mix quickly, and pour into your mold(s). Follow the rest of step 3 instructions.

Muscle Relief Essential Oil Blend
? tsp. of Eucalyptus
? tsp. of Peppermint (do not use if pregnant)
30 drops of Rosemary

Tropical Fragrance Oil Blend (Substitute shea butter with mango butter)
? tsp of Heliotrope fragrance oil
? tsp of Coconut Milk fragrance oil
30-50 drops of Tahitian Vanilla fragrance oil

All recipe ingredients, listed above, can be found by searching Google.com.

Mindy Schwartz is a writer for the handmade beauty industry, as well as, the owner of a handmade bath and body business called Grayson?s Apothecary of Beauty. For more information, go online to http://www.graysonsco.com.

Sensitive Areas Hair Free for Weeks? A Beauty Consultant Reveals How

2009-02-27T00:35:00.001+07:00

Epilady epilators are made with the woman in mind. Their wonderful epilators were created for the contours and curves of your body that will leave even those sensitive areas hair free for four to six weeks and remove the small ugly hairs that all women hate.

Epilady's most popular new design is the New Discrette Compact. This is the smallest and most efficient epilator on the market today in my opinion. It is fast, smooth and quieter than others that you may have tried in the past. It really shows how epilators have improved over the years. The design is great for removing unwanted hair at practically any angle. You will be amazed at how this compact epilator will remove even the finest of hairs right from the root. The wide epilating head will remove hair smoothly and comfortably. It has two operating speeds, has an ergonomic design for easier handling, and come complete with its own carrying case, cleaning brush and power cord.

Many women I know prefer the Epilady Duet, 2-in-1 Epilator and Shaver. This 2 in 1 system gives you the ability to change from epilator to shaver by just flipping it over to the other side. This is the newest design that gives you all the hair removal system you will ever need in one handy design. It has 40 tweezer discs on the epilator head that will give you a faster and more efficient hair removal system. This system is safe to use all on your sensitive skin including face, legs, underarms and your bikini line. The ergonomic design provides a non-slip design hold to aid in the comfort of removing unwanted hair.

Keep watching Epilady for new designs for comfort and pain reducing ways to remove unwanted hair for longer periods of time. They are constantly finding new ways to improve these wonderful products so we can feel confident and wear anything we want without those ugly small hairs growing back quickly.

As a beauty consultant Nicola Kennedy is always evaluating new products. Visit her site at http://www.epilator.info for Epilator Resources, Views and Information to help you choose the Best Epilator for you.

Live to 102 Years Old!

2009-02-25T00:55:00.001+07:00

Whether you are 20, 30, 40 or 50-something, staying youthful into your 70s, 80s and 90s requires incorporating some of the exciting nutritional information that has come to light in the last few years. There are no short cuts that will ensure longevity, but researchers have determined that changes in diet, lifestyle and the addition of some special supplemental anti-aging nutrients can eliminate or significantly delay the diseases that prematurely claim the lives of 80% of Americans.

?Foods? You Can Live Longer Without

Your dietary strategy for a long, healthy life begins by recognizing, then reducing or eliminating foods that steal your youth.

Eat Less Sugar. The average American consumes 60 teaspoons of sugar every day, an amazing 155 pounds a year. Your pancreas must produce a tremendous amount of insulin to transport all that sugar into your body. The more sugar you eat, the more insulin you must produce. Once considered to be age-related, life-shortening conditions such as atherosclerosis, high cholesterol and triglycerides, high blood pressure and adult-onset diabetes now appear avoidable by, among other things, lowering your insulin levels. An occasional sweet won?t kill you, but if you want to live to be 102 make sugary foods the exception rather than the rule.

Watch Out for ?Bad? Fats. Rather than restricting all fats in your diet, cut out the fats that can make you grow old. Trans-fat, also known as hydrogenated fat, is found in margarine and many processed foods and may be the most dangerous fat of all. This man-made non-food is unrecognizable to the body and triggers a torrent of free radical activity. Free radicals are destructive, unbalanced molecules that are now thought to be responsible for many degenerative diseases and premature aging in general. Add years to your life by replacing bad fats with the fats that keep you young; olive oil, flaxseed oil, canola oil and fish oil.

Be Careful of How You Cook Meats. Depending on the type of meat and how you prepare it, meat can promote health or accelerate the aging process. Recently discovered heterocyclic amines (HCAs), created during the browning process, can put you at risk for developing both heart disease and cancer. Research studies have shown HCAs to be powerful free radical activators that damage our cells? DNA and cause colon, breast, pancreatic, liver and bladder cancer. They also attack heart cell mitochondria, the cell?s energy factory, and can cause heart attacks.

It appears that subjecting meat and poultry to very high temperatures during frying, broiling, grilling and barbecuing generates an especially high amount of HCAs. Roasting or baking meats produce less HCAs, and stewing creates almost none. To preserve your youth, eliminate bacon, which is the worst offender, and limit your intake of red meat.

What type of animal protein is good for you? Fish is thought to be extremely beneficial and should be eaten 2-3 times a week. Sardines, mackerel, salmon, tuna and herring are all high in protective Omega-3 fatty acids.

Lower your animal protein intake in general by replacing some of it with vegetable proteins like raw nuts and seeds, sprouts, peas and beans such as garbanzo, kidney, pinto, black, white, northern and lentils. Soybean foods, high in antioxidant protection, are especially good.

Eat for The Long Haul

The amount of food you eat has a tremendous effect on the number of years you live. In laboratory studies, researchers found that animals fed less calories lived longer than control groups. If these findings hold true for humans, and scientists see no reason why they would not, the average American could live to be 102 years old by lowering his or her caloric intake 30%.

Of course, the quality of these calories matters a great deal. Foods should be eaten in their natural state whenever possible. Avoid processed and refined grains, which have been stripped of many nutrients and actually rob your body of vital elements you need to stay young. Don?t buy packaged foods that use the word ?enriched? in their list of ingredients. These foods are marketed for profit, not health. They are nutritionally challenged and will not sustain you.

For optimum health and longevity, eat a moderate amount of whole grains and rotate them in your diet. Some good choices include wild or brown rice, millet, buckwheat, barley, corn, oats, amaranth, and quinoa. We Americans eat way too much wheat. To decrease the amount of wheat you eat, eliminate your bread, pasta and cereal made from wheat for a week. Then have wheat no more than once or twice a week. No grain should be eaten more often than that or you run the risk of developing a sensitivity to it.

Increase vegetables and fruits to 40-45% of your total food intake and buy organic produce when possible to avoid the chemical pesticides and fertilizers used to grow commercial produce. The antioxidant protection of fruits and vegetables is an absolute necessity to avoid the degenerative diseases that shorten life. Some amazing fruits and vegetables are the avocados, berries, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, citrus fruit, grapes, onions, spinach and tomatoes.

Get Sleep

If you want to live an extra long life, sleep is a MUST! For millions of years, before the light bulb was invented, we humans were asleep or at rest during the dark hours. The body is genetically designed to take advantage of that down time to do its repair work. Optimum regeneration and rejuvenation of cells and recharging of the immune system can only take place when you are asleep, allowing the body to channel its energy inward. Without sufficient sleep (most people need 6-8 hours), you wake up each morning a little older than you would with adequate rest.

Use Sunscreen (Active ? SPF is great)

10 Ways to Live to Be 100

*Exercise regularly.
*Eat frugally and emphasize high-fiber foods. Reduce salt, fat, fried foods and refined sugars and avoid artificial preservatives and food coloring.
*Drink pure water with a high mineral content.
*Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.
*Avoid loneliness.
*Cultivate positive, mutually supportive relationships with family and friends.
*Emphasize homeopathic and herbal medicines to prevent disease and treat conditions.
*Enjoy regular sex--even into old age.
*Rarely drink alcohol or smoke.
*Put more emphasis on enjoying life rather than pursuing wealth.

Bratis Peralta (Co-written with Helena Pae, Co-Founder of Active Skin Formulas)

Brat is a Master Esthetician, Workout Fanatic and Co-Founder of Active Skin Formulas, www.activeskinformulas.com

Originally from sunny Mexico, Bratis now lives in Park City Utah, and developed Active Skin Formulas for the Active Baby Boomer population because it?s:

1. Light on the frills, heavy on the results
2. A price point that the masses can readily afford
3. An easy system that is sustainable for long term results? especially for Active Skin!!

The Milky Way to Beauty

2009-02-25T00:46:00.001+07:00

For years, goats milk has been a staple in most culture. Nutrinionally it is superior to cows milk because it contains more nutrients, vitamins, proteins and minerals. Its fat globules are smaller than those of cow's milk, makng its absorption in the skin and digestive system faster and easier.

Scientists are learning that these remedies have a solid basis in scientific fact. Cosmetic chemists call goat's milk nature's liposomes because it is so easily absorbed into the skin, bringing with it moisture and restorative proteins, minerals and vitamins.

Goat's milk also contains over 50 nutrients, including the vital vitamins of A, C and B-complex, minerals and other elements that nourish and rejuvenate dehydrated skin. Vitamin A slows down the effects of aging, as well as prevents age spots and thickening of the skin. Zinc contributes to the reconstruction of collagen fibres, encouraging moisture retention and maintaining the skin's elasticity/ Riboflavin or Vitamin B-2 is another anti-oxidant and is essential for healthy skin, nails, hair and general good health.

Alpha-Hydroxy acid(AHA) naturally exfoliate skin. Goat's milk has AHA components that contribute to the micro-peeling process, gentry scrubbing off dead skin cells. Goat's milk helps nourish the newly-grown skin and may encourage the production of elastin. New skin emerges smooth, healthy and younger looking.

Now you can enjoy all these benefits in a goat's milk, bath daily with goats milk cream bar because it will help rejuvenate your skin naturally.

Jerome is an author of different websites. He conducts research in technology, auctions, health and more and put it into an interesting article. He is an avid reader and during his spare time, he watches tv and enjoys the normal life.

For your health concerns, visit http://www.bearyhealthy.com/

Tips for Transitioning Your Skin Care and Looks from Summer to Fall

2009-02-20T22:26:00.001+07:00

Fall's the time to repair the price paid for ?fun in the sun? and prepare for cooler, dryer air. Then experiment with the season's new looks!

As healthy as being outdoors can feel, the ultraviolet rays of the sun can damage skin cells through sunscreens and sun blocks.** Chlorine and other chemicals in hot tubs and pools, salt water at the beach, and super-conditioned air can leach away nutrients and cause dryness. What to do? Have some fun ... create a ?spa? environment in your bath area and follow these simple steps.

Step one in reversing the effects of summer is to remove the dead surface skin cells that have built up. For your face, select a mask or microdermabrasion product that?s appropriate for your skin type (dry, normal, combination, oily, blemish-prone). Also pick an exfoliator made specifically for the lips. For your body, choose a scrub or buffing cream. If you have sensitive skin, avoid scents and perfumes since they can be irritants. Then follow the product directions for application and use, massaging gently.

Step two is to moisturize the newer, younger skin you've revealed. Liberally apply a facial moisturizer (paying special attention to the neck and d?collet?), eye cream, lip balm, and body lotion (or cream), allowing time for the products to be absorbed into your skin. You want to replace the moisture that?s been stripped away during cleansing, restore what?s been lost during the summer and start to protect against cold weather and dry indoor heat.

Now, after each cleansing, apply moisturizers and, if necessary, increase the intensity of the products. At night, use a specially formulated product for your face that works while you sleep. For problem areas such as elbows, knees, hands and feet, put on extra lotion or cream (wear mitts and footies to bed, as needed). During the day, continue to wear sunscreen or sun block to protect your skin from ultraviolet rays.

As sun exposure or a tan fades, adjust your foundation and/or powder to a lighter shade. Test the shade along your jaw line to blend with both your face and neck; watch to see if it ?disappears? into your skin.

The lighter, sun-kissed colors of summer typically transition to darker, earthier colors in fall. If you?re trying to adapt the season's shades or find the hues that work best for you, try these tricks.

For eyes, eye shadows with a base or elements of color opposite that of your eyes (on the color wheel) will make your eyes stand out the most. Consider a wide spectrum of the colors that are in style. If teal?s fashionable, experiment with different tints of blues and greens and blue-greens. Mix colors or tone them down with neutrals until you find the ones that complement your face and wardrobe.

For cheeks and lips, the most flattering colors are usually the ones that pick up the natural warm tones in your face.

Once you're ready, enjoy the season!

**For skin abnormalities, please consult a board-certified dermatologist.

Charlotte is an experienced independent beauty consultant with Mary Kay Inc.

Register on Charlotte's Mary Kay Inc. web site to receive a monthly email newsletter, Beaut-e-News(tm), with tips & techniques and a seasonal mailing of the The Look catalog with free samples plus the latest in skin care and color looks (complete privacy ensured).

http://www.marykay.com/charlottemaddox

Six "Sexy Lips" Tips

2009-02-19T10:53:00.001+07:00

Full, soft, inviting lips. Want them? We all do, and now we all can have them. Here?s the kiss and tell on luscious lips.

#1 Hands off. Let?s start simple, with a line you may have heard in your youth. Mom always told you and so will we ? stop biting and licking your lips. It smears your color and irritates your lips. Keep utensils and pens away from your lips. It?ll keep your pucker pretty and keep lipstick off your teeth.

#2 Hydrate yourself inside and out. Water, water, everywhere. Be sure to drink your share. You know you need to drink at least eight glasses of water a day. Here?s another reason to do it. Water is vital to tissue health.

#3 Protect your lips from wind and sun damage. Always wear lip balm with a SPF of 15 or higher. Always. And, don?t forget your lip balm. It moisturizes your lips and serves as a base for your lip color. Wear it in place of lip color on no make-up days. Worn under your lipstick, it?ll even help extend the life of your color.

#4 Lip liner can be a lifesaver. Lip liner serves two main purposes. It solves size and shape problems. It reins in your color. Thin lips? Following the lip line, outline your natural lip shape slightly beyond the edge of your lip. Thick lips? Lucky you. If you think they?re too thick (is there really such a thing?), try the opposite. Following your lip line, outline your natural lip shape just inside the edge of your lip.

Lining your lips helps keep your lip color from seeping out to the skin around your mouth. So, if your lipstick seems to migrate, then lip liner can keep it in place. One caveat to using lip liner: Your lip liner should not actually be visible once your lipstick is applied. So, choose your lip liner carefully. If the world sees an outline around your mouth, you?re using the wrong liner.

#5 Lip color sends a message. The color you choose says something about how you view yourself and how you want others to view you. What does your favorite lip color say?

Pale pink: pretty and sweet.
Red: chic or daring.
Coral: fiery and adventurous.
Brown tones: classic and timeless.

In fact, browns are a universally great choice. Every mouth can wear brown.

#6 Get glossy. Lip gloss is not just for teens. A little gloss worn on low-key days brightens up your face. Lip gloss applied over your daytime makeup transforms you into a party girl. Lip gloss dotted just in the center of your lips creates a pouty look.

Your lips are ready? are you? You?ve pampered, primed, lined and colored yourself all the way to a perfect pair of lips. So pucker up ?

--------------------------------------------------------------

Allison Saunders is a MAC qualified Make-up Artist and the author of an amazing new course, Hollywood Makeup Secrets a step-by-step simple video system for maximizing your inner and outer beauty potential. You can learn more about Allison, and subscribe to her free newsletter by visiting:

http://www.hollywoodmakeupsecrets.com/dt/s.php?id=9

The Science of Skin Care

2009-02-19T10:43:00.001+07:00

Research and development departments of many cosmetic companies use the science of aging skin to come up with state-of-the-art products that address many of the reasons why skin appears to age as well as taking into consideration the proper daily procedures necessary to maintain healthy, radiant skin.

The first step is determining the essential steps in one?s daily routine that maintain healthy skin:
?Cleanse - remove makeup and impurities.
?Exfoliate - remove the dead surface cells that dull the skin.
?Freshen - refine the pores as well as tone the skin.
?Moisturize - keep your skin hydrated, soft and supple.
?Protect - your skin from the environment (sun and pollution).

Then they develop products that address all the factors in the aging process:
?The breakdown of collagen and elastin in the skin.
?The chronic loss of hydration and the skin?s diminishing ability to retain moisture.
?Protection from the most damaging factor of all ? the sun.
?And lastly, providing antioxidants that protect the body against free radical damage.

So, why does skin age?
Many people watch (for the most part) what they eat? Why? ?Because, they know that proper nutrition and a balanced diet help maintain a healthy weight and provide their organs with the ?Fuel? they need to function properly?Right?

That?s great, but what about your body?s largest organ? The only organ visible to the eye?YOUR SKIN! It?s amazing, but the skin is your largest organ and it is largely ignored. Well, your skin needs to be properly cared for, for it to function properly as well!

Your skin is an ever growing organ that keeps the good things in and the bad things out. Formation of new, healthy skin cells requires good nutrition, protection from harmful environmental stress, and proper daily skin care.

As we grow older the proteins in the skin called collagen and elastin begin to diminish. Collagen is a tough protein that protects the skin against tearing and elastin provides the skin with its ability to return to shape after pressure is applied, in other words, its elasticity. Therefore, in our quest for more youthful looking skin, it is essential that we use products that help protect and replenish these proteins.

A second reason why skin appears to wrinkle has to do with the loss of hydration. As we age, our skin loses its ability to retain moisture. Therefore it is critical that we replace the lost moisture and use products that help the skin retain the new moisture we have just given it. Many people tend to confuse oily skin with moisture in the skin. The two are not the same. It is possible and even common to have oily skin that is improperly hydrated or even dehydrated.

The third element that acts as a major factor in the aging process of the skin is, of course, the sun. Excessive sun exposure damages the immune system in the skin, destroys both collagen and elastin production and kills normal skin cells. Heat and cold also damage skin and reduce its functionality. It is highly recommended that both men and women use a sunscreen product specially formulated for your face area with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or greater on a daily basis. This will help protect your skin from everyday, incidental sun exposure as well as give you necessary summer-time protection. We all know it is important to use sunscreen during the summer months. However, the UVB rays of the sun that cause the more subtle long-term breakdown of the skin are present in full force from sunrise to sunset, 365 days a year. It is, therefore, important to use sunscreen products daily, during the entire year.

The last element that has become more and more of a danger to the skin as well as the rest of the body, both inside and out, is pollution. With more and more pollution in the air, the body is increasingly exposed to nasty chemicals called free radicals. A free radical is a chemical with a very reactive chemical bond. The chemical bonds, which hold atoms together to make molecules, contain pairs of electrons. A free radical essentially has no pair, therefore it will steal an electron from other molecules in order to gain a pair for its? lone electron. The structure of the molecule that loses the electron is then changed, thus causing damage resulting in speeding up the aging process of the skin. Antioxidants such as vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E help protect your body's cells, including your skin cells.

I personally use Mary Kay's anti-aging skin care system because it works. The research and development team has has taken all of this into consideration and developed a product line that when used all together significantly improves the natural aging process, helps bring moisture balance back to the skin and protects the skin from environmental stress factors that damage and thus pre-maturely age the skin. And this is the system that I recommend to my clients as well.

Have a great day!

Dawn Hull Professional Skin Care Consultant http://www.MaryKay.com/ShopOnline

Treatment Options for Hand and Foot Eczema

2009-02-19T10:31:00.001+07:00

There are many kinds of eczema, and too few people who can tell you how to cure them. Scientists are trying get a better handle on the causes of such eczema as hand and foot eczema, but they may still have years to go before they find a tested and sound way to prevent the condition.

In the meantime, your best bet is to follow the latest advice that health experts offer on the problem.

To get relief from hand and foot eczema and other forms of the condition, it is important to make key lifestyle modifications. These may not necessarily be an eczema cure, but they can help to prevent flare-ups.

First, see your dermatologist regularly for treatment. Second, use the medication that he or she prescribes. They may not be quite as reassuring as an eczema cure, but these steps, can be the difference between keeping the condition at bay, or letting it ruin your life.

What You Can Do First To Help Yourself

Start your assault on your hand and foot eczema by avoiding the many things around your home that can irritate the condition.

Things that can irritate your skin include household cleansers, detergents, aftershave lotions, soap, gasoline, turpentine, and other solvents. Try to steer clear of these things that make your hand and foot eczema flare up.

Of course, it?s also essential to wash your hands only when absolutely needed. Soaps and wetness can cause skin irritation. Dry your hands completely, as well, after you wash them.

The Importance of Wearing Gloves

Other ways to experience a temporary eczema cure involve all the methods under the sun to protect your hands. These include wearing gloves to protect the skin. Put on vinyl or plastic gloves for work it it requires you leaving your hands in water for long periods of time.

Wear gloves and shoes, too, when you think your hands will be exposed to anything that can irritate your skin and bring on hand and foot eczema.

Another potential temporary eczema cure are cotton gloves underneath plastic gloves, as well as cotton socks in plastic or leather shoes. The cotton can soak up sweat from your hands and feet. If even this cotton is getting drenched, then take frequent breaks from your activities or work.

Remove your gloves and shoes to prevent a buildup of sweat inside them. Don?t forget your gloves when you go outside during the winter either. Cold air and low humidity are enemies of your skin and can easily bring on hand and foot eczema by drying out your skin.

Other Eczema Triggers You Should Think About

Besides cold and dry air, stress and other psychological factors can also be an eczema trigger. Learning how to manage your emotions can be an eczema cure all to itself. You may not be able to get at the root cause of eczema by cutting back on the stress in your life.

But controlling your emotions and avoiding stressful situations can be a potent way to reduce the frequency and the intensity of your eczema attacks. Your behavior, then, can be a powerful eczema cure until doctors come up with the ultimate one.

About The Author

Mike Long is a successful web publisher and health afficionado providing valuable tips, advice, and info at http://www.FlourishingHealth.com

His many articles provide the reader with well researched products, money saving tips, and valuable topical insight on topics such as hand and foot eczema.

Rosehip Seed Oil A Foundation for Beauty

2009-02-19T01:16:00.001+07:00

Rosehip seed oil has become widely recognized as an effective skin and beauty care agent in the last decade, with great interest surrounding its scientifically-validated beauty-enhancing effects. The oil has been heralded as a miracle cure for skin, useful for a great myriad of conditions, from premature aging and sun damage to scarring and other damage. What is this wonderful red liquid, where does it come from, how does it work, and most importantly, can it work for you?

Rosehip seed oil is extracted from the seed within the fruit of the wild thorny rose bush. Native to Chile, the plant is now cultivated elsewhere in South America with many countries producing the oil. Also found under the name 'Rosa Mosqueta', the oil has been used by native people for hundreds of years, but only recently became known to the rest of the world.

The red colored oil can be either solvent extracted or 'cold-pressed' ? pressing is the really way to go, as there is no chance of any solvent residues remaining in the final product, and it is easier on the environment. The cold-pressed oil is the closest to nature; it has a high essential fatty acid content, and is considered more delicate than other seed oils. For this reasons, pure rosehip seed oil should be kept in a cool place, out of direct light, and should be used within 1 year of purchase. Otherwise the more fragile of the fatty acids could begin to turn bad, and your skin might not be so fond of them.

Rosehip seed oil is an excellent source of natural vitamin E and natural vitamin A, or 'trans-retinoic acid'. Retinoic acid, the acid derivative of vitamin A, is the active ingredient found in Retin-A or Tretinoin. Retin-A (a pharmaceutical preparation) has been heralded as a wrinkle cure because of its ability to increase skin cell proliferation ? or speed the time it takes for your skin to regenerate. In fact, rosehip seed oil has been extensively studied for many of the same actions attributed to Retin-A, and has been shown effective without side effects (like over-drying and peeling ? though unlike Retin-A, it should not be used to treat acne).

The first major study on rosehip seed oil was performed in 1983 by a team of researchers at the University of Santiago, Chile. The study's participants included individuals with diverse forms of skin damage: deep wrinkles and other premature aging, UV damage, radiation damage, acne scarring, burn scarring, dermatitis, and other problems of this type. Rosehip seed oil was shown to have significant, noticeable effects in regenerating the skin, reducing wrinkles and scars, and helping the skin to regain its natural color and tone.

Another later study was conducted on women ages 25-35 with extensive premature aging of their skin. Again, rosehip seed oil significantly reduced the appearance of wrinkles and sun spots after daily application for four months. Research has continued on the oil, with one study noting: On some skin troubles like superficial wrinkles, chestnut spots and ephelides, good results have been obtained. After 16 weeks of treatment, wrinkles and spots become imperceptible. The oil has been used to successfully treat a long list of skin related conditions, including: age spots, wrinkles and premature aging, sun damage, scars from acne, burns, and surgery, eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, hyper-pigmentation, brittle nails, and even dry and damaged hair.

Besides its regenerative properties, rosehip seed oil is also an excellent moisturizer. This is most likely due to its high essential fatty acid content (fatty acids that the body cannot produce itself), which are necessary for healthy skin. The oil penetrates the upper layers of the skin quickly and, being known as a 'dry' moisturizer, does not leave the skin feeling greasy or oily.

As for daily use of rosehip seed oil, it is considered extremely gentle and can be applied undiluted to the skin. It may also be blended with other oils like jojoba and sweet almond, and will still have wonderful effects at 10% of the total concentration. Further, rosehip seed oil makes an excellent carrier oil for aromatherapy ? blends with essential oils having skin regenerative and soothing properties are highly recommended.

For improvement of scarring, a simple blend of 20 drops of Helichrysum Italicum per 1 ounce of rosehip seed oil, applied daily to the area, can be helpful. Helichrysum is known for its content of regenerative 'ketones'. For a more luxurious beauty blend, try the following in 4 ounces of rosehip seed:

5 drops Helichrysum
5 drops Lavender
3 drops Sandalwood
3 drops Neroli
3 drops Carrot Seed
3 drops Geranium
2 drops Roman Chamomile
2 drops Jasmine
1 drop Palmarosa
1 drop Ylang Ylang

Even simply the Helichrysum and Lavender will go a long way ? Lavender oil is very gentle, and is also known to have regenerative properties.

So, whether using rosehip seed oil for healing your skin, or simply giving it a little nourishment, you will almost certainly be happy with the results. This luscious oil, with its broad range of positive effects, is sure to take a prominent place in your natural beauty botanical collection.

Misty Rae Cech ND is a naturopath and yoga teacher practicing in Boulder, Colorado. She utilizes many natural therapies in her practice, including aromatherapy and flower essence therapy. She is the founder of the Ananda Apothecary Flower Essences and Ananda Aromatherapy Essential Oils.

Anti Aging Skin Care and Treatments Dermatologists Use and Recommend

2009-02-17T18:34:00.001+07:00

?Mirror, mirror on the wall, who?s fairest of them all? might have been the uttering of one of the most hated characters we have come across, but this concern for outward good looks is too deep-rooted in the human psyche. The basic concept of beauty has been and remains to be soft, flawless, glowing skin. Advancing age, however, takes its toll and the skin becomes blotchy, rough and dull. Seen from this angle, the topic ?anti aging skin care and treatments? calls for sincere reflection. The sagging and sinking skins have had enough of natural beauty tips that do really well unless scars and wrinkles steal appearances and the once healthy skin falls an easy prey to advancing age. It is time now that they get some insight into the steps being taken in anti aging skin care and treatments.

A number of aesthetic or cosmetic plastic surgery like face-lifts, thread lifts, fat transfer and a host of non-surgical skin refinishing treatments are now available to fight back the impacts of aging and the harsh treatments meted out to skin. Given the wide selection of skin-rejuvenating treatments, it is preferable that a reliable dermatologist be entrusted with the responsibility of working out the ideal anti aging skin care treatment to eliminate and soften the effects of aging.

The recommended skin care regimen prescribed by the skin specialist may be a singular or a combination cure, depending on the seriousness of the condition, age and other health related issues. The surgical part of the treatment is handled by the skin specialists but the follow-up skin care program necessitates total patient involvement.

The following section elaborates some of the anti aging skin care treatments, which can be used at home:

Glycolic Acid ? Glycolic or ?fruity acid? treatments are good for pigmented aging skin. The bleaching-cum-moisturizing action of this anti aging skin care treatment removes the skin blotches and smoothens the rough, sun-damaged skin, reviving its natural freshness. Available in two forms (cream and face wash), Glycolic Acid should be applied to the face twice daily or as recommended by the skin specialist. There are no serious medical problems associated with the usage of glycolic acids other than causing temporary skin irritation and redness sometimes. It is regarded as a safe anti-aging skin treatment. Caring for the rejuvenated skin involves use of sun block creams too.

TCA Skin Peels ? The TCA skin peels are the most sought after anti-aging skin care treatments, because these medium strength peels are perfectly safe and essentially effective. They fight back the ravages of advancing years by removing facial lines and wrinkles and give back the skin its lost elasticity, suppleness.

The best thing about this easy-to-apply, home-based anti-aging skin care treatment is that its effect lasts up to a year or so. Twice a year application of TCA peels will certainly benefit the skin and are now available for at home use (see the website below for more on this).

Adding some natural skin care tips like hydrating the body inside out, going for a balanced diet (containing anti-oxidants), a little meditation and other health tips summarize a full-fledged anti aging skin care program.

David Maillie is a chemist with over 12 years experience in biochemical research and clynical analysis. He is an alumni of Cornell University and specializes in biochemical synthesis for public, private, and governmental interests and manufactures various skin peels for plastic surgeons, medispas, and in home use. He can be reached at M.D. Wholesale: http://www.bestskinpeel.com

AntiWrinkle Lifestyle Tips

2009-02-17T18:14:00.001+07:00

Experts say that, when it comes to getting wrinkles, 10% is genetics -- but the other 90% is environment and lifestyle. This is great news! Why? Because it means that you have A LOT of control over your skin and how badly - and quickly - it wrinkles. In fact, you can begin today to make lifestyle changes that will literally save your skin and prevent wrinkles as long as possible. Specifically, the following lifestyle tips are proven to protect and nurture your skin:

1. Protect your skin from the sun - Without a doubt, the sun is your skin's worst enemy. The ultraviolet radiation in sunlight causes the collagen and elastin in your skin to break down, which leads to premature wrinkles. One of the best lifestyle changes you can make is to wear a good sunscreen, everyday.

2. Don't smoke - The harmful toxins in cigarette smoke do all kinds of bad things to your skin, especially your facial skin. Not only does it break down collagen and elastin, just like sunlight does, but it also destroys your skin from the inside. You can't inhale toxins all day and expect your skin to be healthy. If you smoke, do whatever you have to do to quit. If you don't smoke, don't even think about starting!

3. Don't drink - Alcohol is not good for your skin. One or two drinks occasionally probably won't hurt. But if you're drinking every day, your skin definitely isn't going to be as healthy as it could be. Besides containing toxins, alcohol also dehydrates your body, which is never good for the skin. Old drinkers almost always have more wrinkles and uglier skin with more blotches than non-drinkers.

4. Get enough sleep - When you don't get enough sleep, for even one night, you look and feel horrible. But when you are chronically sleep-deprived your skin can literally begin to breakdown. Why? Because you aren't letting it repair itself. Your skin is your body's largest organ, and your body repairs its organs while your sleeping. Try going to bed earlier and at the same time every night. Also, you may want to try the natural supplement melatonin. Recent research shows that you only need about .3 mg to fall asleep and wake up without feeling groggy, much less than the 1 - 3 milligrams contained in most melatonin supplements.

5. Lower stress - Doctors have long known that stress has many negative effects on the body. Chronically high stress levels hurt the skin without a doubt. First, if you're always stressed out, you're probably not getting enough quality sleep (see above). Second, the stress hormones that are produced in a high-stress state are very damaging to your skin. Third, when you're stressed, your skin receives less blood flow because your body directs more of its blood to your internal organs, in an effort to prepare itself for flight or fight - the reason stress exists in the first place.

6. Eat antioxidants - Antioxidants boost your body's ability to fight free radicals and protect the skin from damage. Many of the new anti-wrinkle skin creams contain tons of antioxidant ingredients. Colorful fresh fruits and vegetables are some of your best sources of antioxidants. But you should also consider supplementing with extra vitamin C and vitamin E. Also, some people have gotten great healthy skin results with the new OPC dietary supplements.

Janie Roberts is a writer for the Anti-Wrinkle Guide. You can learn more about fighting wrinkles effectively by visiting: http://www.anti-wrinkle-guide.com

Exercise Your Face to Look Healthier & Younger

2009-02-15T16:53:00.001+07:00

Do you have a problem area on your face that you would like to change? Double chin, droopy eyes, jowls, pouches, crows feet or marionette lines? Aging is as sneaky as sun damage and it seems that in a twinkling of an eye, your face can look so different that you might wonder just who is that person staring back at you in the mirror?

Could facial exercise be the answer to the age old question ??Can I maintain a youthful appearance?? Must I spend my children?s inheritance to stave off Mother Nature?s footprints across my face?

You can certainly turn back the clock with facial exercise that employs resistance and isometric contractions of the muscles using the thumbs and fingers. This doesn?t mean that you will look sixteen or even twenty again but shaving off ten or fifteen years from your appearance with exercise rivals the results of most plastic surgery procedures.

Plastic surgery techniques do not stop the aging process; muscles in the face continue to make their downward slide dragging the skin unnaturally, creating the need for more and more surgical procedures. With exercise, the muscles become stronger, the skin looks revitalized and lifted. Most importantly, facial exercises can be performed inexpensively at home.

The muscles of the face elongate just like the muscles in your arms, thighs and buttocks; in fact, the muscles in the face will have elongated about one-half inch by the time most people have reached the age of 55. The elongation is the result of atrophy of the muscles and gravity. Even though we talk, sing or laugh, the muscles continue to soften and become lax; it?s only when the facial muscles are specifically exercised do they begin to plump up and support your skin better.

The elongation of facial muscles affects every area of your face. For instance, the ?apples? in your upper cheeks may not be positioned prominently, in fact, when a smile is made, rather than seeing fullness high on the cheeks, the muscles may appear flat and midway between the nose and mouth.

If you add one-half inch to the length of your forehead, your eye area suffers because the downward motion compresses into the brows. What happens if you add one-half inch or more to the area under the chin? The dreaded wattle is developing. One-half inch added to the jaw line means jowls are forming.

Beginning a facial exercise program to sculpt and contour the face may seem daunting at first because the movements and positioning feel somewhat awkward. Remember when you first learned to ride a bicycle? It was so scary! But after a few days of lumps and bumps, you were pedaling like you were a pro. It?s the same with facial exercise, once you become familiar with the movements, you will marvel that these simple steps can easily produce a younger looking face.

You will want to take beginning photos before you start a facial exercise regimen so that you can track your progress and you will want to update your photos at the end of every third week. In about three weeks friends and colleagues will begin noticing that something is definitely different about you. They may think you have changed your hair in some way or that you are sleeping better but you will know what they?re seeing is your pretty face returning.

In hardly any time at all, you will notice how smooth and refreshed your skin looks; your face glows with radiance from increased oxygenation to the muscles and those sagging, droopy muscles are now portraying a more youthful looking you. Without surgery, drugs or anything harmful you can turn back the clock and look at least 10-15 years younger.

Cynthia Rowland is widely recognized as an expert in all natural facial fitness with over thirty years experience in health & beauty related fields. She has appeared on The View, Fit TV, HGTV and other popular shows. This author, speaker and television personality is leading the crusade to keep men and women looking vibrantly younger through natural techniques without spending their children?s inheritance.

Cynthia Rowland, Anti-aging Expert I Save Faces http://www.Facialmagic.com

16 Tips to Looking + Feeling Great

2009-02-14T00:55:00.001+07:00

Do you want to improve the quality of your life? Do you want to look and feel better than you have in years ? maybe better than you ever have before? Do you want to protect yourself from disease and injury? And do you want to live a longer, more vital life?

I?m confident that you answered YES! to each of those questions, just as the hundreds of individuals I?ve counseled, coached, and trained in my career as a Certified Personal Fitness Trainer and Rehabilitation Specialist.

I?m now going to reveal to you the 16 essential strategies that have enabled my clients to achieve the health and fitness goals they always wanted!

16 Essential Weight Loss and Fitness Strategies

1. In the beginning, your fitness program should not be overly aggressive. One of the biggest problems people encounter when starting a fitness program is rapidly depleted motivation after only a few weeks due to an overly ambitious fitness program. Attempting to do too much too fast is worse than doing nothing at all! Because then you feel like exercise is too hard and it?s just not for you.

Start out slow, maybe just shooting for 1 or 2 workouts a week. Once you have successfully added that to your normal routine, then attempt to slowly add to your fitness program. Plus, most people don?t need to exercise more than 3-4 times a week. That doesn?t mean you can?t exercise more; it?s just not necessary.

2. Always have a detailed plan! In order to reach your health and fitness goals, you must have a road map to follow. I can?t stress this enough. If you are unsure of how to put together a fitness plan, or if you?re uncertain of the effectiveness of the one you have, I highly recommend you consult a professional fitness trainer. With a well thought out plan you are much more likely to be successful!

3. Set realistic, attainable goals. You must have tangible, quantifiable, short and long-term goals so you can measure and assess your progress. Too many people have totally unrealistic expectations of what to expect from an exercise and nutrition program. The best way for you to understand what is realistic and attainable is to talk with a fitness professional ? not to buy into the ?hype? of infomercials and diet and fitness products that are blatantly misleading.

4. Keep a journal! This is one of the most important things you can do. If you?re not tracking what you?re doing, how will you know what worked? There are quite a few great exercise and nutrition logs I?ve come across. You should keep track of all your exercise and also each day?s food intake.

There?s a company called NutraBiotics that makes a great 90-day journal that can be used to track strength training, cardiovascular exercise, and daily nutrition. If you would like more information on this journal, please feel free to call me at 240-731-3724.

5. You must be accountable! Set exercise appointments with yourself if you?re not working with a personal fitness trainer. Use your appointment book to set aside times for exercise, just like you do for meetings or events. Don?t let things get in the way. Nothing is more important than your health! If you don?t have your health you can?t effectively do anything. I often have mothers tell me that they can?t find time to exercise because they have to take care of their children. I have 4 daughters myself, and a baby on the way, so I know exactly how hard it is. Whatever your situation is, making the commitment to exercise and your health IS possible, and very important. Plus, it sets a great example for the children!

6. Remember the benefits of exercise. Being physically fit affects every aspect of your life: you sleep better, eat better, love better, overcome stress better, work better, communicate better, and live better! Remember how good it feels to finish a workout, and how great it feels to meet your goals!

7. Exercise safely and correctly. So much time is wasted doing, at best, unproductive exercise, or at worst, dangerous exercise. Educate yourself on how to exercise correctly. The best way to do that is to hire a personal fitness trainer. It could be for just a few sessions to learn the basics, or it could be for a few months to learn everything. It?s completely up to you. But statistics prove that those who understand how to exercise correctly get better, faster results. And that?s what you want, right?

8. Enjoy your exercise! For example, if you hate doing strength training, try to find ways to make it more enjoyable. Circuit training might be a more fun and exciting way to fit this important part of fitness into your program. The key is you should enjoy it, and if you don?t you need to look for other exercises or activities to replace whatever it is you don?t enjoy.

If you don?t enjoy it, how do you expect to stick with it?

9. Make time to stretch! It has so much benefit and takes very little time. So many people suffer from various aches and pains of which most can be eliminated by basic stretches! Try to spend at least 5 minutes after each workout stretching. For more information on stretching and how it eliminates aches and pains, please call 240-731-3724 to request a FREE copy of my special report ?No More Back Pain?.

10. Don?t think you need to exercise 5 days a week! I touched on this earlier. Many people feel they?re getting fat because they?re not exercising. Totally not the case! Exercise is not the answer! It?s all in your eating habits. However, exercise can aid in burning body fat, plus there are numerous health benefits. Think of exercise as a bonus.

How many people do you know who exercise 3-5 times per week, but still fail to meet their weight loss and fitness goals? I?ve met hundreds!

First look at your eating habits, such as: when you eat, what you eat, how much you eat, where you eat, and how often you eat.

11. Never skip breakfast, or any meal! If you want to maximize your fitness or fat-loss efforts you?ve got to eat breakfast! So many people skip breakfast, and it?s the worst thing you could ever do when it comes to fat-loss. Skipping meals throws your blood sugar all out of whack and it sets you up to store your next meal as fat, almost guaranteed!

12. Eat fat to lose fat. Healthy fats are necessary to your body for numerous reasons: regulating hormonal production, improving immune function, lowering total cholesterol, and providing the basics for healthy hair, nails, and skin.

The key is to eat the right types of fats. The ?good? fats are monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats like olive oil, canola oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil, and avocados, to name a few. The ?bad? fats are partially hydrogenated oils, and trans fats. Most processed foods contain large amounts of these bad fats. For more information on the different types of fats, please call 240-731-3724 to request a FREE copy of my Healthy Eating Guidelines.

13. Drink plenty of fresh, clean water. Yes, I know that you have probably heard this one over and over again. But there?s a reason for that ? it?s that important! The recommended daily intake of water is 8 glasses, or 64 oz. You should even be drinking even more if you are active or exercise regularly.

And no, soda, juice, coffee, and tea DON?T count! Nearly every chemical process place in your body, takes place in water! Proper blood flow and digestion are both affected by how much water you drink, and poor blood flow and digestion can be linked to numerous health conditions.

14. Stabilize your blood sugar! If you want to burn fat and prevent your body from putting it back on, you must stabilize your blood sugar. In order to do this you need to eat small, balanced meals or snacks every 2-3 hours.

Fasting, skipping meals, and overly restrictive diets will enable you to lose weight ? in the short run. The weight you lose is primarily water weight and muscle tissue, and in the long run has opposite effect of what you want. When you restrict your diet, your body instinctively thinks it?s being starved and shifts into a protective mode by slowing down the metabolism and storing nearly all calories as body fat. Plus, losing muscle tissue is the last thing you want to do. Muscle burns calories, even while you sleep. You should be focused on increasing, or at least maintaining muscle tissue.

15. Focus on increasing muscle tissue. As I mentioned previously, muscle burns calories, so if you want to increase your metabolism, you have to increase your muscle. The best way to do that is with progressive strength training. That doesn?t mean you have to join a gym, buy expensive fitness equipment, or follow some bodybuilding workout program; it simply means you need to challenge your muscles! You can do that at home in just 15-20 minutes, 2-3 times a week.

16. Get the help of an expert! Obviously, meeting your health and fitness goals is important to you, so why not eliminate the guesswork and start seeing the results you have always wanted? With the help of a qualified professional you can!

If your car breaks down, where do you take it? Mechanic, right? How about if you have a cavity? Dentist. So why is it that so many people attempt to solve their health and fitness problems without consulting an expert? I don?t know exactly, but I encourage you to make the investment in yourself- in your life- by hiring a professional to educate you and help you meet your goals.

So there you have it. The 16 essential strategies for an effective weight loss and fitness program that will have you looking and feeling great!

About The Author

Jesse Cannone is a certified personal trainer and author of the best-selling fitness ebook, Burn Fat FAST. Be sure to sign up for his free email course as it is full of powerful weight loss and fitness tips that are guaranteed to help you get the results you want. http://www.guaranteed-weightloss.com

info@guaranteed-weightloss.com

Sun Smarts: How to Safeguard Your Skin This Summer

2009-02-12T00:18:00.001+07:00

Like many abusive relationships, America?s love affair with the sun is littered with the wrecks of romantic images. From Coco Chanel?s Deauville glow to Farah Fawcett?s sun-kissed skin, bronzed beauty was de rigueur for generations?until scientists in the 1980s exposed it as a destructive trend with irreversible, DNA-altering effects.

?Photodamage and skin cancer can, in part, be attributed to the belief that tans are fashionable,? says Dr. Andrea Lynn Cambio, a New York?based dermatologist and fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology. Equally insidious is ?the notion that having a tan is being healthy,? notes Dr. Alison Ehrlich, director of clinical research and assistant dermatology professor at George Washington University. The fact is, a ?healthy? glow is anything but; it?s the visible manifestation of skin damage.

Light Trap
Today some Americans are still lost in a tan warp, but most are aware of the sun?s dangers, including burning, premature aging, and skin cancer. Sunscreen sales are at an all-time high, but so too are rates of UV-related illnesses. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 1 million new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in the United States each year. The depleting ozone layer, earlier detection, and the aging population have all been cited as factors, but many dermatologists believe the greatest culprit is human behavior?the fact that people aren?t adequately protecting themselves.

?Many people believe the myth that sunscreen allows them to stay outside all day without accumulating sun damage,? says Dr. Susan Sweeney, fellow of pediatric dermatology and dermatologic surgery at UMass Memorial Health Center. Although it?s important to wear sunscreen, she also stresses that these products offer just one layer of defense. Moreover?and contrary to what?s often printed on product labels?dermatologists emphasize that there?s no such thing as ?sunblock.? And similarly, no sunscreen is capable of guaranteeing all-day protection; even a sweat- or water-resistant formula must be applied repeatedly over the course of the day.

Equally unsettling is the fact that most people select a sunscreen based solely on its SPF (sun-protection factor)?a number that only tells part of the story. According to Sweeney, ?SPF refers only to protection from UVB light? (the wavelengths that are primarily responsible for sunburn). Although scientists once believed that UVB was the sole wavelength to blame for long-term skin damage, studies have now shown that UVA is also a dangerous carcinogen.

Saving Your Skin
There?s no safe haven from the sun (even daylight in indoor spaces can be harmful). But with a little diligence and a preventative plan, you can take significant steps toward safeguarding your skin.
Broaden your horizons: ?Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with both UVB and UVA protection, an SPF of 15 or higher, and ingredients such as titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, which scatter and absorb UV light,? Cambio suggests. According to Sweeney, sunscreens that contain avobenzone (Parsol 1789), such as Jan Marini Antioxidant Daily Face Protectant SPF 30, may also be helpful in protecting against UVA rays.
An ounce of prevention: All too often, people don?t apply enough sunscreen for the product to be effective, or they opt to spot-protect just their faces or shoulders. Sweeney recommends using at least a full ounce of sunscreen to cover the entire body.
Make it a habit: ?Many people remember to wear sunscreen at the beach, but they should be wearing it every day,? says Sweeney. For best results, incorporate it into your morning routine.
Over and over: Because sunscreen loses its efficacy throughout the day, it must be smeared on again and again. ?Apply it 30 minutes prior to exposure, then reapply every two to four hours,? says Ehrlich.
Run for cover: Clothing, hats, and sunglasses are potential lifesavers outdoors, Ehrlich explains. If you?ll be outside for an extended period of time, Cambio suggests seeking out shady areas.
Watch the clock: The best way to screen out the sun is to circumvent it, especially during peak exposure times (from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.). When possible, Cambio recommends avoiding the midday sun.

Safer Screening
Today's sunscreens are giving women what they want?greaseless, broad-spectrum protection in clever, convenient packages. In some cases, they?re even doing double duty as moisturizer, foundation, or lip gloss.

For lightweight, full-body coverage, try Phytomer Og?nAge Protective Anti-Aging Cream Sunscreen SPF 30, Hampton Sun SPF 30 Lotion, or Clinique UV Response Cream SPF 50. For faces, look for vitamin-rich formulas that moisturize and protect, such as Cellex-C Sun Care SPF 30, MD Formulations Total Protector SPF 30, or Clinique Super City Block Oil-Free Daily Face Protector SPF 40. To protect the delicate skin around the eyes, try a specially formulated sunscreen such as Carita Paris Eye Control Suncare SPF 15 or Clarins Sun Wrinkle Control Eye Contour Care; for lips, BeneFit and Kiehl?s each offer SPF moisturizing lip balms in sheer and tinted formulas. And for a safe sun-kissed look, self-tanners such as Biotherm Sunfitness Protective Self-Tanner Tinted Cream SPF 15 impart an instant-gratification glow, while DuWop Revolution Tinted Body Moisturizer with Shimmer SPF 15 offers both UV protection and a hint of sparkle.

Tara Mattarazzo is the editor-in-chief of Beauty Addict Magazine http://beautyaddictmag.com For more articles on beauty, hair care, skin care, makeup, fashion, shopping, fitness, women's health, and more, visit Beauty Addict Magazine at: http://beautyaddictmag.com/

Rhinoplasty ? The Most Common Of Nose Jobs

2009-02-12T00:12:00.001+07:00

There is no denying that the nose is a defining feature on the human face. This brings us to the subject of the most common form of rhinoplasty.

Rhinoplasty ? The Most Common Of Nose Jobs

Besides liposuction, the cosmetic reformation of the nose, known as rhinoplasty, is a hugely popular cosmetic surgical procedure. Many people, both male and female, are unhappy with the look of their nose. Whether it is an inherited flaw or a crooked nose from an accident, plastic surgeons are able to correct abnormalities in your nose and make you feel better about how it looks. This, of course, translates to more confidence on your part.

One of the biggest complaints that plastic surgeons hear from patients is not the size of breasts, butts or stomachs, it is the size and appearance of the tip on the nose. Rhinoplasty is the method used to correct the tip. If you feel that the tip of your nose is too round and full, you may think that it detracts from the rest of your face. Rhinoplasty can work to correct this and refine it so that the tip of your nose looks in proportion to the rest of the nose and therefore, to the rest of your face.

If you have complaints about your nose and rhinoplasty is your choice to correct it, there are different techniques that your plastic surgeon may use. Some doctors choose to use sutures, as they do not require the cutting and removal of any tissue. The tip is literally sewn together to make a skinnier, more refined looking end of the nose. Another technique that your surgeon might use is cephalic resection; where a portion of the cartilage in the tip of the nose is removed to make it smaller and less full looking.

No surgical procedure is without risk, and that includes the various surgical methods of correcting the tip of your nose. Anesthesia will need to be used in these procedures, and there is the risk of bruising, swelling and infection at the incision site, just as there is with any surgical procedure. Be sure to consult thoroughly with your doctor and surgeon before deciding to have any rhinoplasty procedure done.

The only way to correct the tip is rhinoplasty. If you feel that the tip of your nose is really off-balance, and you think that a change in your appearance would make you feel better, speak to a board certified plastic surgeon. They will know the best course of treatment for your nose, and if you will be able to get a more aesthetically pleasing look by having rhinoplasty performed.

Ricardo de Silva is with PlasticSurgeonPractices.com - a directory of plastic surgeons. Visit us to read more plastic surgery articles.

DIY Skin Savers: The Aspirin Mask

2009-02-11T01:00:00.001+07:00

What is the aspirin mask? The aspirin mask is a homemade BHA mask available to each and everyone of us, totally inexpensive and highly efficient, made of salicylic acid or tablets of aspirin. BHA is known to help tremendously with cleaning pores from deep inside and therefore contribute to keeping our skin blemish-free. BHAs are efficient on existing blemishes as well, by helping them heal faster and keeping pores clean afterwards.

Indications: all skin types, especially normal to oily and combination skin, acne-prone and clogged skin.

Basic preparation: 1/4 tsp. salicylic acid (ask for it at pharmacy, if you cannot find it, then crush 3-5 tablets of plain aspirin instead), distilled water. Mix the powder with the water until it becomes of a creamy consistence, apply on clean dry skin (focus on T-zone and sides of the nose). Keep it on until completely dry. Take a small cotton pad, wet it lightly and begin scrubbing the areas covered with the mask, making small circles. Finally, rinse with plenty of water. It would be excellent to apply a calming mask or a hydrating mask first, followed by your regular moisturizer. Skin will be left completely smooth and even.

There are practically unlimited versions of this mask. You can add yoghurt for an astringent effect, aloe vera, honey. You can also make the mask using a basic moisturizer mixed with salicylic acid instead of water, as it will be less harsh on the skin and will be more easy to use. Another option is to mix salicylic acid / crushed aspirin into a mask: into a clay mask, a hydrating mask or a soothing mask. My personal favourite is aloe vera mask with a hint of salicylic acid - application is much better, skin is less irritated and dried compared to aspirin with water, the feeling left after this mask is absolutely unique so smooth and clean!

If you use powdered salicylic acid, it is advisable to limit the quantity to 1/4 tsp. for the whole face, too much will burn the skin. If using aspirin tablets, you will probably need somewhere between 3 and 10 tablets depending on the area where you apply it.

Do not apply it near to eye zone, as it would be extremely drying and irritating for the sensitive skin there.

Refrain yourself from over-using it. For very oily skin and for severe blemishes, every 3 days would be more than enough in order not to stress the skin and obtain maximum efficiency. Other skin types should use it once a week or twice a month (dry to very dry, sensitive skin).

Antonia is an independent beauty consultant, editor and publisher of BeautySofa.com - make-up, style and skin care articles and resources online.

Sugar Sweet Beauty

2009-02-03T22:30:00.001+07:00

In the self-care and beauty industry, the latest craze is to include sugar in skin care products. If you search the internet you will find everything from sugar body scrubs to sugar hair removers. The prices can range from $8.00 to $35.00 for each product. How?s that for a product in which the main ingredient can cost you a no more that $3.00 for a 5 pound bag!

To enjoy all of the benefits of a sugar based product without shelling out the big bucks, trys these recipes:

Orange Cream Sugar Body Scrub

This recipe is great to remove dead skin and give your skin a healthy glow. The sugar contains glycolic acid and the cream is a source for lactic acid. Avoid irritated or broken skin areas.

Ingredients: ? cup sugar, 2 TBSP cream or whole milk, 5 drops orange oil, and 1 cup olive, jojoba, or almond oil

Mix sugar, oil and cream together. Add orange oil after main ingredients are completely mixed.

Apply to your body by starting at the feet and working your way up. Massage in a circular motion and leave it on for 10-15 minutes, then shower it off. This recipe is enough to make one full body treatment.

Lemon Head Sugar Body Scrub

This recipe is both cleansing and detoxifying. Lemon is very detoxifying to the body and will also help brighten the skin.

Ingredients: ? cup sugar, 10 drops lemon oil, or ? a lemon freshly squeezed, and 1 cup olive, jojoba, or almond oil

Mix all ingredients together. Apply to your body by starting at the feet and working your way up. Massage in a circular motion, then shower it off. This recipe is enough to make one full body treatment.

Facial Cleanser

Ingredients:

white or brown sugar, your favorite facial cleanser, witch hazel, and water

Using your favorite daily facial soap, an easy, inexpensive facial scrub can be made by adding sugar. Simply add a teaspoon of either white sugar or brown sugar and massage it gently on your facial skin. Rinse with cool water and spritz your face with a ? witch hazel and ? water mixture.

Sugar is a natural and inexpensive way to include alpha-hydroxy acids in your skincare program. It produces glycolic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid, which is included in many skincare product lines. Today?s pricey beauty products that include sugar or alpha hydroxy acid, can be created inexpensively right at your kitchen table. You can experience all of the benefits without the inflated price.

Acne Not Just A Pimple

2009-02-03T15:30:00.001+07:00

It was known that acne was basically caused when the pores are choked by sebum. These sebum oils which in the normal context would drain to the surface get blocked and bacteria start to grow. These bacterial formations could be termed as whiteheads and blackheads. Whiteheads are formed when the bacteria and sebum are trapped below the skin surface. In the same manner blackheads are formed when the trapped sebum and bacteria are slightly open to the surface and turn black due to the melanin, the skin pigment.

The most common type of acne is the acne vulgaris and the other types of acnes are known as comedones, papules, pustules, nodules, cysts. Acne is formed also due to the hormonal changes which are very common during puberty. During the developing years the hormones stimulate the sebaceous glands which makes excess sebum and with this sebum there is clogging of the pores which leads to acne. It can also happen during pregnancies when the mother goes through hormonal changes. After a period of time, may be by the time one reaches twenties, acne disappears. Other reason for developing acne is by eating oily and greasy food. Too much of aerated water as well as chocolates can be harmful for the skin.

It is also believed that another factor which causes acne is heredity or genes. As these genes are passed on from the parents to the child the conditions of acne are also passed on from the parents. In many cases school aged boys and girls have acne problems as it is part of their family history. Use of various numbers of drugs also causes such problems. Make-up which has not been cleaned properly leads to creation of acne. It has affected people of the age-group of 12-24 which would sum up most of the adolescent and teenage years of the person.

A change in hormonal patterns in adolescent girls as well as adult women leads to acne. For some it starts before the menstrual cycle and acne starts showing up on your face or any other part of the body. Constant rubbing and squeezing can lead to some of the worse forms of it. Tight sweaty clothes and many environmental changes also lead to acne. Skin itching, burning, steroids also cause acne.

The proper skin care would mean a total no-no for all the acnes in the world. Healthy eating and exercise helps in maintaining the body and to give glowing skin. It is recommended that people with acne should use a gentle cleanser and avoid all the strong soaps and rough scrub pads. Avoiding sunburn and suntan may be temporary benefits. Excessive exposure to sun is not good which might lead to other problems like dryness of skin as well as skin cancer. If you are using cosmetics, see to it that you use the proper ones so as to not to accelerate the level of acne. There are ingredients used in it which may be harmful and should be checked before using it.

If the acne you have is very chronic then you should get treated by dermatologists who can help you clear all the acne. The extremely severe cases are the ones which are taken to the dermatologists. The treatment would help in taking out the scars and lesions and prevent new lesions from forming. The treatment would help in removing the bacteria which is settled under the skin. This would not be needed if proper skin care is taken. The unwanted use of hormonal pills, maybe from steroids to increase your weight is not needed.

Kevin Pederson has been managing a number of natural home remedies websites which have information on home based natural cures and remedies for some of the acne related problems