Skin Care Secrets

Skin plays a vital role in everyone's life that how one looks and feels, is directly related to one skin. Great skin is the first step towards an excellent makeup also. Making the best choices for our bodies, and ultimately our skin, is achieved through good diet/ food, exercise, regular professional treatments, personalized homecare, and above all, a healthy mental attitude.

Secret solutions for skin care:
As far as your daily diet is concerned, track these three secrets in your routine to have a glowing and sensuous skin.

1. Avoid eating chocolates and foods or drinks that are made with cocoa combination. There is a link between chocolate and skin conditions such as pimples.
2. Avoid fried and fatty foods in general.
3. Avoid starchy foods. No cakes, biscuits, sweets, bread or Jams.

The first and foremost step towards beautiful skin is working out what your skin type is. This is necessary, so that you can move forward how to care for your skin, and what products should be used. Below are the 5 different features of skin types, which you can compare to your own skin type. Once you have decided what type your skin is, you can find out what the best way is to look after your skin.

1. Dry skin
2. Oily skin
3. Combinational skin
4. Sensitive skin
5. Normal skin

Care for Dry skin:

• For dry skin, use a creamy cleanser to melt away dirt. Leave it on your skin before sweeping it away with cotton wool. Splash cold water onto your face to clean and refresh your skin. Use a thick cream moisturizer to seal in as much moisture as possible and have a refreshing feel.

Care for Oily skin:

• To care for oily skin you should start with a gentle, foaming facial wash. This will remove dirt and oil without stripping away moisture. Soak cotton wool in a gentle astringent lotion and sweep it over your skin to refresh and cool it.
• Even oily skin needs a moisturizer, but choose a light, watery fluid; this will be enough for your skin. Allow the moisturizer to sink in well and then absorb the excess with a tissue to prevent shine.

Care for Combinational skin:

• If you have combinational skin use a foaming facial wash in the mornings to cleanse your skin. This will keep the oily areas clean to prevent blackheads. In the evening use a cream cleanser to soothe your dry areas. This will keep a balance between excess dryness and excess oiliness. Use a strong astringent for your oily areas and a mild skin freshener for the dry areas. This is not an expensive option, as you will need a little of each. Use moisturizer on your whole face, but make sure you concentrate on your drier areas.

Care for Sensitive Skin:

• If you have sensitive skin, do not use facial washes or soap; instead use a light, hypoallergenic cleansing lotion. Use a moisturizer to strengthen your skin and provide a barrier against irritants. Make sure you use an non perfumed moisturizer, which will not irritate your skin.

Care for Normal Skin:

• To care for normal skin you should start with a gentle foaming facial wash. Massaging it into your face will give you a rosy complexion. Cool your skin with a refreshing toner, and massage it with your fingers in light upward strokes.

Skin Care for Your Age Group

Adjusting your skin care to fit your age

How to optimize your skin care to fit your age? This issue raises both much interest and much confusion. Some experts declare that the need to adapt a skin care routine to fit a particular age is marginal because the essential physiology of the skin does not change all that much. Others assert that your skin care routine should account for every hormonal change in the body, especially those associated with aging.

The truth is probably somewhere in the middle. The core mechanisms of skin physiology are the same at any age. Yet, many things do change, including metabolic rate, cell turnover rate, hormonal levels, accumulation of damaged cells and molecular garbage, prevalence of inflammation and so forth. Taking those into account is likely to provide extra benefits.

Biological vs. chronological age

The age of your skin should be judged based on biological factors rather than simply your date of birth. Biological and chronological age are rarely very far apart but they are not the same. The rate of aging varies among people due to genetic and lifestyle differences. The variation in the rate of skin aging is particularly high (compared to other tissues) because the skin is more exposed to the environment. When optimizing your skin care, you can use your chronological age as a starting point but you should also take into account biological factors that may have affected your rate of aging. For example, if you are in your twenties but your skin has suffered a lot of sun damage, you may benefit from the anti-wrinkle treatments (e.g. tretinoin a.k.a. Retin A) that are otherwise best used later in life. If you are undergoing early menopause in your late thirties, you might benefit from topical estrogens and/or progesterone even though such treatment are typically contemplated in late forties.

You need the basics at any age

A number of basic practices are essential for optimal skin care at any age. Skipping them is likely to undermine the rest of your routine. Make sure you protect your skin from avoidable damage, particularly sun damage. Establish a sensible basic daily routine matching your skin type. Then determine whether you need any age-specific steps (see below).

Skin care in your twenties

At any age, good skincare starts with protecting your skin from avoidable damage, particularly sun damage, and establishing a sensible basic daily routine matching your skin type. You can further optimize it by taking into account the physiology of early adulthood.

In your twenties, the rate of cell turnover in the outer skin layers is still high. As a result, most 20+ year-olds do not need to exfoliate and may actually make things worse if exfoliating too much. If you feel the need to exfoliate, a mild mechanical exfoliation, such as table sugar scrub, may be optimal. Some acne sufferers see reduction in breakouts when using certain mild chemical exfoliating agents, particularly beta-hydroxy and alpha-hydroxy acids. In that case, mild chemical exfoliation would make sense.

Dry skin is uncommon in the twenties because hormone levels are high and sebaceous glands are still largely undamaged. There is usually no need to moisturize frequently. If you have oily skin you may not need to moisturize at all. In any case, unless you happen to have dry skin, stick to oil-free and low oil moisturizers. On the other hand, your skin's "oil resources" are not unlimited despite what you may have thought in your teens. You should avoid stripping away too much of the oil your skin naturally produces. Therefore, it is best to avoid harsh soaps, alcohol-based toners, and other drying agents.

A significant proportion of 20+ year-olds have some degree of acne albeit most cases are mild. It is best to use oil-free or low-oil, noncomedogenic skin care products. If that is not enough, and your acne needs to be actively treated, try to avoid excessively harsh acne treatment you may have used in your teens. See our article on the effects of acne treatments on skin aging.

In most cases, the 20s is not yet time for aggressive wrinkle treatments that modify skin physiology. It is too early to tinker with cell growth rate or aggressively stimulate collagen synthesis. Therefore, treatments like retinoids (e.g. tretinoin a.k.a. Retin A), hormones, growth factors and the like are generally inappropriate. On the other hand, extra steps to prevent future wrinkles may pay off later in life. You can supplement your basic skin care routine with skin care formulas containing protective ingredients, such as antioxidants and/or anti-inflammatories. Some potentially useful ones include green tea extract, pomegranate extract, vitamin E (mixed tocopherols and tocotrienols), lycopene, and others.

Skin care in your thirties

At any age, good skincare starts with protecting your skin from avoidable damage, particularly sun damage, and establishing a sensible basic daily routine matching your skin type. You can further optimize it by taking into account the physiology of the forth decade of life.

Thirties is the time when physiological changes characteristic of aging begin to manifest. The levels of many hormones and growth factors begin to decline (some faster than others) metabolism and cell turnover rate begin to slow down. Your skin may have accumulated sufficient amount of damage to have some degree of visible roughness, fine lines and discolorations. It is the time to make your skin care more comprehensive.

Ensure hydration
Dryness is another problem that tends to emerge in the thirties. Even though proper hydration alone is insufficient for optimal anti-aging routine, it is needed for all other steps to work properly. See our article on moisturizing; also see skin hydration tips contributed by our visitors.

Exfoliate - if you need to
In the thirties, your epidermis (the outer skin layer) would tend to become drier and thicker than in your teens or twenties because its cells (keratinocytes) are not replaced as quickly as before. As a result, your skin may look dull and have drier, more uneven texture. If you notice these changes, periodic exfoliation may help restore a more youthful feel by removing the excess of dead keratinocytes from your skin's surface. However, it is important not to exfoliate too much. If you exfoliate to the point of chronic skin irritation, you may end up accelerating the aging of your skin. You could start with mild mechanical exfoliating agents (such as table sugar scrub); if those are insufficient and your skin still looks dull, try mild chemical exfoliants, such as alpha and beta-hydroxy acids. (See also exfoliation tips contributed by our visitors.)

Treat emerging wrinkles and fine lines
Many 30+ year-olds start noticing fine lines and emerging wrinkles. This may be a good time to start using skin care agents shown to have wrinkle reducing effects. The agents backed by the most evidence are retinoids (e.g. tretinoin a.k.a. Retin A) and vitamin C family (L-ascorbic acid and some of its derivatives). Additional agents that might help but are far less proven include lipoic acid, copper peptides, and a few others. Each has it pros and cons and may be right for some people but not for others. See our topical treatments section for further details.

Tackle deeper problems if needed
Some 30+ year-olds develop problems beyond dull skin, dryness, roughness or fine lines. The most common of such bigger problems is moderate motion wrinkles. These are relatively pronounced wrinkles that develop in the area where facial movements result in skin folding. Over the years, repeated skin folding leads to local degradation of the dermis manifesting as a wrinkle. Motion wrinkles can be dramatically improved by eliminating its cause, the folding movement of the skin. The most reliable way to achieve that is botulinum toxin (Botox) injections. In most cases, Botox dramatically improves horizontal forehead creases, scowl lines between eyebrows, crow's feet, and vertical wrinkles of your upper lip. Its usefulness for nasolabial folds (smile lines) is less clear. Botox is ineffective for wrinkles not caused by facial movement.

Skin care in your forties and fifties

At any age, good skincare starts with protecting your skin from avoidable damage, particularly sun damage, and establishing a sensible basic daily routine matching your skin type. However, in the fourth and fifth decades of life your physiology (especially if you are a woman) changes dramatically. If you are to retain as youthful a look as possible, your skin care will have to change as well.

After 40 skin faces more challenges with fewer resources

The fourth and fifth decades of life are characterized by a marked decline in the levels of various hormones and growth factors. Cell damage has accumulated in many tissues; the skin is one of the most affected. As a result, the rate at which the skin renews and repairs itself becomes much slower.

Women in their 40s and 50s experience particularly dramatic hormonal changes because they either approach or undergo the menopause, which causes a dramatic decline in the hormones produce by the ovaries: estrogens and progesterone. The loss of these hormones causes a decline in the synthesis of collagen, elastin and other components of skin matrix, reduces the production of sebum (skin oil) and thus leads to skin thinning, dryness and other negative changes. Notably, the effects of declining testosterone in men are somewhat similar but not as marked or abrupt.

Another problems of older skin is excessive inflammation. While usually not visible to the naked eye, age-related skin inflammation manifests in higher levels inflammatory mediators (cytokines, prostaglandins and others) and abnormal activity of certain immune system cells. Inflammation increases the production of harmful free radicals and leads to increased cell damage, degradation of skin matrix and other problems.

All of the above results in a number of visible changes:

• Thickening and drying up of the outer layer of the epidermis (stratum corneum) leading to the dull, parched appearance.

• Thinning and weakening of the skin's middle layer (dermis), which is the layer responsible for the skin's strength, firmness and resilience. This leads to the accelerated development of fine lines and wrinkles.

• Progression and deepening of motion wrinkles and creases. Motion wrinkles are those developing in the area where facial movements result in skin folding. Weakened dermis cannot cope with continuous folding of the skin, which leads to a rapid deepening of motion wrinkles.

• Development of uneven pigmentation, discolorations, broken capillaries, redness and other blemishes associated with skin aging.

• Loss of subcutaneous fat and slackening of facial muscles, both of which contribute to tired, haggard look and facial sag.

While aging remains inevitable, you don't have to passively accept all those negative changes in your appearance. Some can be reversed, while others kept under control or slowed down.

What you can do to fight back

The scope of this article is too narrow to cover all possible treatments for the problems common in 40-50 year old skin. Below we list the key skin care steps/treatments potentially useful after forty. (For further information, browse the rest of our site.)

Ensure hydration
Skin dryness is exceedingly common after 40. Even though proper hydration alone is insufficient for optimal anti-aging routine, it is needed for all other steps to work properly. See our article on moisturizing; also see skin hydration tips contributed by our visitors.

Treat wrinkles and fine lines
Wrinkles and fine lines and common after 40. A few agents have been shown in published research to reduce existing wrinkles and fine lines and prevent or slow down the emergence of the new ones. The agents backed by the most evidence are retinoids (e.g. tretinoin a.k.a. Retin A) and vitamin C family (L-ascorbic acid and some of its derivatives). Additional agents that might help but are far less proven include lipoic acid, copper peptides, and a few others. Each has it pros and cons and may be right for some people but not for others. See our topical treatments section for further details.

Topical estrogens and progesterone
Research shows that replenishing skin levels of the sex hormones, particularly estrogens and progesterone, via topical application improves skin hydration, reduces wrinkles, increase epidermal renewal rates and produces other beneficial effect in women near or past menopause. However, since small amounts of topical estrogens are absorbed into the bloodstream, such treatment should be undertaken only under the care and with approval of your physician. Do not attempt this without medical supervision. See our topical treatments section for further details.

Exfoliate - if you need to
In the forties, your epidermis (the outer skin layer) is likely to become considerably drier and thicker because its cells (keratinocytes) are not replaced as quickly as before. As a result, your skin may look dull and have dry, uneven texture. If you notice these changes, periodic exfoliation may help restore a more youthful feel by removing the excess of dead keratinocytes from your skin's surface. However, it is important not to exfoliate too much. If you exfoliate to the point of chronic skin irritation, you may end up accelerating the aging of your skin. You could start with mild mechanical exfoliating agents (such as table sugar scrub); if those are insufficient and your skin still looks dull, try mild chemical exfoliants, such as alpha and beta-hydroxy acids. (See also exfoliation tips contributed by our visitors.)

Reduce skin matrix degradation by inhibiting MMP
One of the reasons skin matrix degrades more quickly as we age is the increase in the activity of the so-called matrix metalloproteinases (MMP). While research into the role of MMP in skin aging is relatively new, taking steps to inhibit their activity might help. See our article on MMP inhibition.

Treat pigmentation problems
Skin pigmentation problems, such as blotchiness and age spots, are exceedingly common after 40. Most are caused by abnormal (usually increased) production of the skin pigment melanin. Oftentimes this problem can be improved by topical skin lightening agents, most of which inhibit the synthesis of melanin. See our article on the treatment of pigmentation problems.

Motion wrinkles are helped by botulinum toxin (Botox) Motion wrinkles relatively pronounced wrinkles that develop in the area where facial movements result in skin folding. They are very common after 40 and tend to resist treatment with topical anti-wrinkles agents or even such procedures as laser resurfacing and chemical peels. However, motion wrinkles usually respond surprisingly well to the injections of botulinum toxin (Botox). The main reason is that Botox reduces or eliminates their cause, i.e. the movement that crumples up the skin. In most cases, Botox dramatically improves horizontal forehead creases, scowl lines between eyebrows, crow's feet, and vertical wrinkles of your upper lip. Its usefulness for nasolabial folds a.k.a. smile lines is less clear (smile lines are often treated by dermal fillers). Botox is ineffective for wrinkles not caused by facial movement. (See our article on Botox).

Stubborn problems may yield to second line treatments/procedures
Many problems of the 40-50+ year-old skin may be stubborn enough to resist topical agents and other simple self-administered treatments. At that time, you should consider second-line treatments/procedures usually performed by medical professionals. It is critical to pick the right treatment for a particular problem and find the right doctor to administer it. Depending on the problem to be corrected, such second-line treatments may include lasers, dermal fillers, chemical peels, botulinum toxin (Botox) injections and others. Many treatments are non-invasive or minimally invasive while others involve incisions or other types of open wounds.

 

Basic Care for Different Skin Types

Normal skin basics

The more normal your skin is, the less basic maintenance it needs. Unfortunately, perfectly normal skin is almost as rare as perfect health. Most people have some elements of dryness, oiliness, acne, seborrhea or other irregularities. If your skin is normal, your basic routine can be very simple.

• Cleanse twice a day with a soap-free cleanser. Avoid cleansers and toners with alcohol, soaps or harsh detergents.

• After cleansing apply oil-free or low-oil/non-greasy moisturizer while the skin is still damp. This step is optional. Not everyone with normal skin necessarily benefits from moisturizing. You have to weight the negatives of applying unnecessary chemicals versus the possibility that skipping the moisturizer after cleansing may contribute to your developing dry skin some day.

• Use sunscreen whenever sun exposure is expected.

• Optionally, use a moisturizing or exfoliating mask once a week.

Oily skin basics

Oily skin produces excessive amounts of sebum, a lipid-rich protective substance. A good thing about oily skin is that it is usually well-moisturized due to its own protective oil. The downside is that it may look shiny or dirty and tends to develop large pores and be prone to acne.

Oily skin routines usually include the following recommendations:

• Wash your skin twice a day with a cleanser containing salicylic acid, a beta-hydroxy acid that reduces sebum production.

• If you skin is extremely oily (e.g. oily even after basic cleansing), you can follow with alcohol-based toner with salicylic acid. Most people should avoid alcohol-based cleansers and toners due to the drying effect of alcohol. However, for extreme cases of oily skin, it may just do the trick.

• Generally, people with oily skin shouldn't moisturize. If you feel you have to, apply nonocclusive, noncomedogenic, oil-free moisturizer after cleansing.

• Use oil-free, noncomedogenic sunscreen whenever sun exposure is expected.

• If the above steps are insufficient and you are still producing too much oil, try treatments that reduce sebum production. They include topical vitamin A creams (retinol, retinal or retinyl palmitate), sulfur creams, azeleic acid and retinoids (tretinoin, tazarotene, adapalene). Retinoids and high-strength sulfur creams require a prescription. If your oil problem is so bad that you are considering prescription treatments, you should probably see a dermatologist anyway.

• Some people with oily skin may benefit from a clay/mud mask once a week.

Combination skin basics

Combination skin means what you would think it does: the skin with areas of dryness and oiliness. Typically, people with combination skin have oily T-zone (forehead and nose area) and dry cheeks. What you may not know is that combination skin is often a manifestation of the skin condition called seborrhea and its cousins, seborrheic eczema and seborrheic dermatitis. The main manifestation of seborrhea is overproduction of oil on the face and scalp. Many seborrhea patients also have yeast overgrowth, especially on the scalp and eyebrow areas, which causes irritation, itching, dandruff and other problems. You may want to see a dermatologist to determine whether you have seborrhea or related conditions.

Combination skin routines usually include the following recommendations:

• Treat oily and dry areas differently. Treat your scalp as well.

• Wash your skin with a mild cleanser twice daily. Get a cleanser free of soap, harsh detergents or alcohol, ideally containing an oil production reducing agent, such as salicylic acid.

• Switch to anti-dandruff shampoos (e.g. pyrithione zinc or selenium sulfide shampoos) and/or anti-yeast shampoos (e.g. ketoconazole shampoo). Use every other day until dandruff and other symptoms are under control; use twice a week after that.

• After washing apply oil-free moisturizer (you can moisturize dry areas only). You can also apply oil-free moisturizer to dry areas throughout the day as needed.

• Use oil-free sunscreen whenever sun exposure is expected.

• Some people with combination skin may benefit from a combination of two masks used once a week. A clay mask is applied to the oily area and a moisturizing mask - to the dry areas.

Dry skin basics

Whereas very little rigorous research has been conducted on the relationship between skin dryness and premature skin aging, most experts agree that chronically dry skin is not a good thing. Dry skin can be caused by such varied factors as dry climate, menopausal decrease in estrogen levels, acne treatments (such as benzoyl peroxide or retinoids) and others. Sometimes the cause can be found and easily eliminated. At other times, it cannot.

Dry skin routines usually include the following recommendations:

• Cleanse your skin once or twice a day with a moisturizing, soap-free cleanser. Never use cleansers or toners with alcohol, soaps or harsh detergents.

• After cleansing apply moisturizer while skin is still damp to help seal moisture.

• It is best to use non-greasy moisturizers. However, as opposed to oily and normal skin types, dry skin moisturizers may contain some oil or similar hydrophobic emollients.

• Many experts argue that it is best to use moisturizers whose ingredients are identical or similar to the skin's natural moisturizing agents, such as sodium PCA and hyaluronic acid

• If your skin becomes dry again soon after moisturizing, you may need a long-lasting moisturizer. Certain ingredients make moisturizers last longer. For example, colloidal oatmeal (used in some commercial moisturizers) is very effective in holding moisture for many hours. Also, the chemicals called siloxanes can create a watertight film on top of the skin and thus lock in moisture. The most widely used siloxanes in skin care are dimethicone and cyclomethicone. Dimethicone and cyclomethicone are chemically relatively inert and are believed to be generally safe and noncomedogenic.

• Some people with dry skin may benefit from a moisturizing mask once a week.

• Use sunscreen whenever sun exposure is expected.

• Drink plenty of water. Eight glasses a day is generally recommended.

• Avoid exposure to harsh detergents, whether directly or via clothing washed in harsh detergents. Sometimes one can improve dry skin by simply abandoning the use of shower gels and/or changing the brand of laundry detergent.

Sensitive skin basics

Many people have reaction to potential irritants, such as harsh detergents, alcohol, acidic skin care products, makeup removers and the like. This does not necessarily mean their skin is truly sensitive. Reactions to known potential irritants are considered to be within the range of normal. True skin sensitivity (i.e. hypersensitivity) is relatively uncommon. Hypersensitive skin would often react not only to potential irritants, but also to generally nonirritating substances as well as heat, cold, wind and so forth. If you think you have hypersensitive skin, see a dermatologist to rule out skin condition with similarities to genuine hypersensitivity (e.g. rosacea or eczema). Such conditions may require specialized treatment.

Sensitive skin routines usually include the following recommendations:

• Use products that contain as few preservatives, fragrances, colorings and other redundant ingredients as possible.

• Avoid toners. Most toners contain alcohol and/or other irritants.

• Avoid (or at least be very careful with) acidic and other potentially irritating skin care, such as alpha hydroxy products or retinoids.

• Avoid harsh detergents, both in your shower and in your laundry.

• Minimize the use of makeup and avoid makeup removers. If you must use makeup, use hypoallegenic, easly-to-remove kinds. You can use a dab of olive or mineral oil to help dissolve and remove the makeup.

• After cleansing apply hypoallergenic, noncomedogenic moisturizer. Do it while skin is still damp to help seal the moisture.

• Clean your skin once or twice a day with alcohol-free, soap-free, moisturizing cleanser.

• Use hypoallergenic oil-free sunscreen whenever sun exposure is expected.

Eye Skin Care Infopack

Not all skin is created equal. For example, the skin of the soles is thick and hard, the skin of the scalp has embedded hair follicles, and the skin of the nose and cheeks tends to have particularly active sebaceous glands. The skin around the eye has its own special traits:

• It has virtually no sebacious glands, which makes it highly prone to dryness.
• It is much thinner and more sensitive than other facial skin.
• It overlies a particularly dense capillary network and has minimal fat padding, which makes the eye area prone to puffiness.
• It is stressed by frequent eye movements and squinting.

All of the above often makes the eye area the first place where signs of aging appear on the face. The faces of twenty five and thirty five year old people usually differ mainly in the eye area. Thirty five year olds are a lot more likely to have fine lines and bags under the eyes; some will even have crow's feet. Not surprisingly, when we try to estimate someone's age, the appearance of the eye area is always one of the key factors. Therefore, if you want to keep looking young as long as possible, it is usually not enough to take care of your skin in general. You need to neutralize a natural tendency of the skin in the eye area to age faster than the rest of your face.

Unfortunately, the area around the eye is rarely given the individualized attention it deserves despite proliferation of so-called eye creams and serums. To help close this gap, we have created the Eye Skin Care Infopack, which includes the following:

• The rationale for special treatment of the eye area skin.
• "Do no harm." The cardinal rule of eye skin care and what it means in practical terms.
• Water accumulation in the eye area a.k.a. morning puffiness. We explain why morning puffiness is such a large contributor to eye skin aging, and the best ways to prevent or reduce it.
• Why moisturizing is particularly important for the eye area skin. Best strategy to moisturize around eyes.
• Toning the eye area.
• How to apply skin care products in the eye area.
• Use of proven wrinkle fighters in the eye area (such as tretinoin or ascorbic acid). Potential benefits versus skin irritation and other risks. Optimal strategy to maximize benefits while avoiding skin damage.
• Non-irritating wrinkles fighters: less proven but also less risky. New developments in non-irritating wrinkle treatments.
• Using antioxidants and antioxindants-plus in the eye area.
• Specific eye area problems: crow's feet, dark circles, bags.

Eye Skin Care

Although our skin is of single and largest organ of our body, not all part of our skin is created with same character. For example, the skin on the scalp has embedded hair follicles, and the skin of the nose and cheeks tends to have active glands. The skin around your eyes is very sensitive and delicate, which needs good care at all age. Weather its summer or winter or any other season, follow some simple steps and guidelines as under, to have healthier skin around your eyes!

     To reduce the dark circles around your eyes, no matter at what age you are, get at least seven to eight hours sleep every night. Sleeping with your head slightly elevated would help you working against gravity; which causes fluid to collect in your lower eyelids resulting in dark circles.

• Use an eye cream around the eyes to keep moisture in the skin.
• When applying cream or make up around the eyes use the ring finger (as it exerts less pressure).
• Don't rub eyes frequently as this can cause an eye infection and in turn causing infection in the skin around eyes. This is because; few of us bother to wash our hands before touching our eyes.

Some more Do's and Don'ts to soften and rejuvenate your eye skin:

Do's:

• Dip cotton pads in chilled milk and place on closed eyes for 10 minutes. Now relax completely. This is to relax the eye skin muscles when they are tired after working with computers.
• Grate a potato with its peel and apply on your closed eyelids for about 20 minutes and relax completely. This is to care your eyes to have firm muscles.
• Put sliced cucumber over your eyes to avoid developing dark circles.
• If your eyes are red and feeling itchy, massage your scalp with curd, to reduce the unwanted temperature around your eye skin.
• Wash your eyes with cold water often to get sparkling feel for your eye skin.
• Give a massage to the eyes, by gentle finger movement always down to up.

Don'ts:

• Don't wear contact lenses for extended periods of time or overnight as this makes your eyes feel tiring and hence giving unnecessary strain to your eye skin.
• When you splash water do not do this furiously believing doing this will take away tiredness instead wash gently as splashing may hurtle the smallest dust particles or an allergen which may damage the cornea which will again spoil your eye skin as well.
• Don't use handkerchiefs to wipe eyes, instead use disposable tissues, which are more hygienic to your sensitive eye skin.
• Don't sit near by the television and minimum of 15 feet distance should be maintained from the television and keep your book at least two feet away to strengthen your eye skin muscles.
• Use cream based eye makeup as powdery eye shadows can enter eyes and, cause irritation to the eye muscles and skin near by your eyes.
• Do not handle your eyes and eyelids harsh while using lenses, as the skin will soon loose its strength by handling rough manner.
• Don't use your mascara for more than a year, as it may weaken your eye skin.

Laser Hair Removal

 

The removal of unwanted hair has been the bane of men and women since the dawn of time (or at least since the advent of the bikini). Tedious everyday shaving, plucking, and tweezing has sent many in search of a viable alternative. Until recently, these alternatives were either of poor quality (Nair), of a particularly painful nature (waxing), or unaffordable for the average consumer (electrolysis). Since 1997, however, a new leader has emerged in the fight against furriness. Laser hair removal promises to reduce unwanted hair permanently in just a few sessions. Wave goodbye to the Gillette Venus and the Epilady; there is a better way. But, you may be left wondering, just what is laser hair removal?

To understand the technique of laser hair removal, one must first grasp a couple of concepts about hair itself. Hair is typically in one of three stages: the telogen phase (resting), the catagen phase (transitional) or the anagen phase (growing). Laser hair removal is a process by which lasers are used to create inflammation in the follicles of the patient's hair, which in turn sends a signal to the follicle to go into the telogen (or resting) phase. By doing this, hair growth stops and the visible hair itself is removed.

Because of the three phases of hair growth, and due to the fact that hair grows in cycles, with different follicles being in different cycles at different times, multiple treatments are necessary to ensure the maximum results from laser hair removal. The lasers are only effective against follicles in the anagen phase. Spreading four or five treatments over four to eight week intervals is the only way to procure treatment for the majority of the follicles.

Before heading off for laser hair removal, the cautious consumer may want to consider whether or not they are an ideal candidate for the treatment. For laser hair treatment to be effective, the hair you wish to remove must be darker than the surrounding skin. This means that very tan people with very fair hair are not ideal candidates. In fact, laser treatments can be difficult or impossible for certain people with blond or red hair, regardless of skin tone. People with dark hair, light skin, and course hair are the ideal candidates.

Cost of treatment varies, but one should be cautious about accepting prices that are suspiciously low. Laser hair removal is expensive. Before committing yourself to a treatment, make sure you ask some pertinent questions concerning the quality of the establishment, including the experience of the technician with the system they typically utilize and how long they have used this system. The quality of removal is very dependant on the skill and experience of the practitioner, so it is a good idea to spend the extra money if it means getting the better treatment.

Laser Hair Removal Cost

Per session you can expect to pay $1,000 for legs, and $300 for the bikini area. The average cost is $500 per session, with an average of four sessions required, with a final result of approximately 80% hair reduction in the specified area.

Hot Beauty Tips: get ready for summer

Oh those gorgeous days of summer, days of leisure and perfect time to enjoy nature. During summer, we show more skin and we want to look great doing it. This is a small spa-at-home program to keep looking great on the warm days.

Taking care of your feet
Using sandals and open toe shoes is so comfortable on a warm day. On the other hand, we have no choice but to show nice feet. Of course, a monthly pedicure with nail polish change is ideal, but if you cannot go to the salon, you can do a pedicure at home. And let me also add that even if you have a professional pedicure, it will last longer and look sharper if you regularly take care of your feet at home. 

To protect the nail polish, apply a protective layer of transparent polish every three days or so. The polish on the toes lasts much longer than on the hands.

Use a feet file every time you come out of the shower; this way you will keep the heels really soft. Apply body lotion once or twice a day if you have rough heels.

An alternative to the feet file is a pumice stone. In addition you can use a weekly exfoliation treatment, you can make it at home (see our recipes: Quick Spa treatments) or buy products. 

Your feet will look perfect.

On your back
You probably do not want back acne or little bumps. If you have acne on the back (often-called backne or bacne), do not worry, you just have to treat it. If it is severe acne with inflammation, look for medical help. If you have just a few pimples, then treat them with the creams, such as OXY, that are used to treat acne on the face.

If you have little bumps, they are probably keratosis pilaris. You can improve it buy using a body lotion with alpha hydroxy acids (AHA); there are many with this ingredient.

Exfoliate your body
This will make you skin really soft. Read more about exfoliation. 

Tanning?
The sun damages your skin, so do the self-tanning booths. The only healthy way is to be just pale (that is what dermatologists recommend to minimize the risk of skin cancer), and there is nothing wrong with this, or use a self-tanning product. You can either go to a spa to get it done or use a DIY product. Self-tanners give good results if you apply them right and select the appropriate color for you.

Natural Skin Care

 

 

Healthy skin is the result of several factors: a healthy diet, right amount of exercise, good skin care practices, a positive outlook, and a relaxed mind. Lots of people at present are conscious of their health and are deciding on using the natural, or organic approach in dealing with their health issues. They are now making their own personalized products to treat and take care of their skin. They make use of organic materials to mix their own skin solutions. Actually, it is to their advantage that they are the ones to make them because at least they know what goes in it and how their skin reacts to those ingredients. There are several products in the market that causes an allergic reaction on the skin, and even costs really high. By creating your own product, you lessen the risk of allergy formation as well as save money.

Eating a healthy diet is also vital to having radiant skin. You should at least eat five servings of fruit and vegetable everyday to cleanse the body of toxins that may affect your metabolism. There are a lot of fruits and vegetables to choose from, each with their own contribution. If you are not used to eating these kinds of food, you can try to look for one that appeals to your palate.

Drinking water is also important to keep the skin healthy, supple and soft. Almost all natural skin care recipes require water for externally cleaning the skin and for regular consumption. It helps a lot when the required amount of water, about eight glasses a day, is followed. After using this therapy for several days, you will be noticing differences in the way your skin feels and how your body functions.

Drinking an herb based tea can help hydrate the skin and at the same time get your daily requirement of vitamins and minerals. There are several examples of teas that greatly promote healthy skin and body function. The examples are black alder, used for skin eruptions, bergamot tea which cleanses the body system, burdock, dandelion, horsetail, nettles, oat straw, sarsaparilla, stevia, and yellow dock.

Herbs for the Skin and Hair:
Black alder (for skin eruptions)
Bergamot tea ( cleanses the system)
Burdock
Dandelion
Horsetail
Nettles
Oat straw
Sarsaparilla
Stevia
Yellow dock

Regular exercise enhances blood circulation necessary to maintain healthy skin. Most people find exercise to be a burden. Try to look for a type of exercise that you can enjoy doing since it will be easier for you to do it regularly. Exercise also relieves stress and helps in having a healthy mental disposition. These are the all ingredients you need for better looking skin.

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is a scrub for the skin to penetrate the deep pores using finely ground mineral crystals. It is usually done at a salon although an intensive treatment should be done in the doctor's office. A microdermabrasion machine is also available for use at home to allow you to do the treatment for yourself. There are fewer risks involved since the machine is gentler than those used by professionals. Some skin care treatments offer exfoliating scrubs that also contain mineral crystals. They are called microdermabrasion scrubs, but in reality are still scrubs for exfoliation since they cannot produce the same results.

Your skin will improve temporarily with this treatment since it does not act on removing deeply colored pigmentation. On the other hand, this procedure can help minimize the appearance of fine lines and bring up the turnover rate of skin cells. This procedure is not that labor extensive, needing only 20 to 30 minutes of your time to make you skin healthy and glowing. The recommended number of treatments is five to ten times at two to three week intervals. Results are noticeable usually after the fifth session.

A light glycolic peel can also be done by your aesthetician without having the redness or inflammation. It is frequently done during the lunch hour thus coining the term "lunchtime peel".

Microdermabrasion, if prolonged, may lead to redness and irritation, especially when done with a light glycolic peel. Mistakes can also occur when the skin care technician gets too aggressive with the procedure. Open lesions and scarring may occur. Microdermabrasion should not be used if you are prone to cold sores. Herpes simplex complications can also be triggered by microdermabrasion so it is contraindicated. It should also never be used on open sores or blemishes. If you plan to do the procedure at home using your own device, make sure that you are gentle with your skin and go slowly to get the feel of the instrument as well as your skin. Knowing your skin type will aid you in how you use the microdermabrasion device.

Its advantages include having a fresher and more radiant skin after several sessions, being able to avail of the procedure either at the salon or at the comfort of your home, and when it is done properly and with a gentle touch, it is quite safe. On the other hand, when it is used by someone with a heavy hand, scarring and lesions may occur. It may also trigger a herpes simplex outbreak when the instruments get in contact with a patient's lesions. It is also temporary and requires much maintenance to get results.

Microdermabrasion has a lot of benefits especially when used properly. It should be avoided when the skin becomes red, flaky or dry after use. Following the correct directions will help avoid any complication when doing the procedure at home.

According to product claims, microdermabrasion:
Reduces sun damage.
Brightens complexions.
Is safe.
Eliminates early signs of aging.
Improves dull, oily, or leathery skin textures.
Contracts large pores.
Reduces fine lines.
Smoothes mild pigmentation irregularities.
Requires no downtime.

The Pros:
After four to five sessions, the skin will appear fresher and more radiant.
The procedure can be done at home or at the salon.
It's safe when used properly and gently.

The Cons:
Aggressive use can lead to scarring and open lesions.
The procedure can trigger a herpes simplex outbreak.
It's temporary and requires maintenance to sustain results.
Microdermabrasion can be beneficial when used correctly. Stop using it if you skin gets red, flaky, or dry. For home use, follow the directions carefully and keep in mind that with this type of procedure, less if often more.

Chemical Peel

Skin is a dynamic, growing organ. Every day cells divide at the basal layer of the epidermis and begin their journey upward to the uppermost layer, the stratum cornea. As new cells continue to grow, old cells from the stratum cornea slough off. This exfoliation of cells from the stratum cornea is a normal daily event.

Chemical peeling is basically an accelerated form of exfoliation induced by the use of a chemical agent. Very light peeling agents induce a faster sloughing of the cells in the stratum cornea, whereas deeper peeling agents create necrosis and inflammation in the epidermis, papillary dermis, or reticular dermis.

Chemical peeling creates changes in the skin through three mechanisms:
Stimulation of the epidermal growth through removal of the stratum cornea. Even very light peels that do not create necrosis of the "living epidermis" can induce the epidermis to thicken.
Destruction of specific layers of damaged skin. By destroying the layers and replacing them with more "normalized" tissue, a better cosmetic result is achieved. This is especially true in the treatment of pigmentation abnormalities and actinic keratoses.
Introduction of inflammatory reaction deeper in the tissue than the necrosis induced by the peeling agent. Activation of the mediators of inflammation is able to induce production of new collagen and ground substance in the dermis. Epidermal wounds are capable of inducing deposition of collagen and glycosaminoglycans in the dermis.

Because deeper peels involve a greater risk of complication and a longer period of recovery, or downtime, the goal is to create as little necrosis as possible while inducing as much new tissue formation as possible. This is the concept behind repetitive superficial and medium depth peels. They have low risk, but they create cumulative benefits that far exceed the results of on lighter peel.

Levels of Peels

Very superficial (exfoliation): These peels thin or remove the stratum corneum and do not create a wound below the stratum granulosum.

Superficial (epidermal): These peels create necrosis of part of all of the epidermis, anywhere from the stratum granulosum to the basal cell layer.

Medium (papillary dermal): These peels create necrosis of the epidermis and part or all of the papillary dermis.

Deep (reticular dermal): These peels create necrosis of the epidermis and papillary dermis, which extends into the reticular dermis.

Classification of Peeling Agents

Very Superficial: Glycolic acid 30% to 50% applied briefly (1 to 2 minutes)
Jessner's solution applied in 1 to 3 coats
Low-concentration resorcinol 20% to 30% applied briefly (5 to 10 minutes)

Superficial: Glycolic acid 50% to 70% applied for a variable time (2 to 20 minutes)
Jessner's solution applied in 4 to 10 coats
Resorcinol 40% to 50% applied for 30 to 60 minutes.
TCA 10% to 30%

Medium Depth: Glycolic acid 70% applied for a variable time (3 to 30 minutes)
TCA 35% to 50%
Augmented TCA (Jessner's solution plus TCA 35%, glycolic acid 70% plus TCA 35%)

Deep: Phenol 88%
Baker Gordon Phenol Formula

Complications of a Chemical Peel

Some of the reported complications from getting a chemical peel are:
Premature Peeling
Infection
Postinflammatory Infection
Hypopigmentation
Allergic Reactions
Scabbing
Scarring
Ecchymoses
Acneform Eruptions
Tears Dripping Onto the Neck

Almond oil for beauty

Almond oil has been used for health and beauty purposes for a long time. In our time it is used in creams, lotions and serum for the face and for the body, as well as massage oil.

The oil is not commonly consumed but it can be eaten. Like almonds, it has good fats, minerals and vitamins like A, B and E. The easiest way to get its benefits is to eat a few almonds. Some experts think that it is best to eat raw almonds that have been soaked in water overnight. 

It is used in skin care because of its nutrients, its anti-inflammatory properties and light aroma and texture. 

Beauty with almonds

For beauty purposes, it can be used directly as a moisturizer by directly applying it to the skin. It is best if mixed with essential oils and other oils such rose hip, evening primrose (dry skin), borage, wheat germ, jojoba, castor and add a little bit more of vitamin E. Many expensive creams have almond oil as an ingredient.

It can be used alone or mixed as massage oil. If you want to give or receive a massage, you can use pure almond oil. It offers benefits to the skin and it is light, but oily enough to help the hands move easily during the massage. 

If you would like to use it as carrier oil for an aromatherapy treatment, mix 4 ounces of almond oil with 50 drops of essential oil for body massage. For face massage, mix 1 ounce of oil with 10 drops of essential oil. 

It can also be used on the hair to add luster and promote healthy hair. It is good for dry or damaged hair. Just put it on the hair and leave it for 15 to 25 minutes; then wash your hair as usual.

Almond oil is also used as a body oil instead of body lotion. You may add other oils or essential oils for fragrance and other benefits.

Adult Acne

Acne that is contracted during adulthood, specifically after eighteen years old is considered adult acne. It commonly appears during the early twenties to even late forties and fifties. Women are the ones frequently affected by adult acne, also known as post-adolescent acne. Hormones are the obvious cause of adult acne since there is no definite pattern to its occurrence as compared to the teenage variety of acne vulgaris. Adolescent girls are often conscious of the growth of this skin condition, especially during their menstrual cycle, although the acne that forms during adulthood comes and goes more easily than the ones contracted during the teenage years.

The appearance of post-adolescent acne differs from that of teenage acne:
Blackheads and whiteheads (comedones) are less commonly seen.
Breakouts are usually mild to moderate.
Significant scarring is unusual.

Lesions more often appear on the lower cheek, the chin, and along and below the jaw line. Although some women may have breakouts on the chest and back, most have blemishes exclusively on the face.

Papules, also known as pimples, zits, bumps, pustules, and small nodules are the most common composition of breakouts. Papules are skin inflammatory elevations that are not suppurative while the pustules are also inflammatory elevations, but are filled with pus. The pustules and papules can be classified as deep or superficial. Superficial papules are those located on the skin surface. The deep papules are described to be palpable, and come from under the skin, since these are probably inflammations that are trapped underneath the skin's surface.

Nodules are described as large papules or cysts. They are firm tender lumps that stay on for several weeks or even months. The largest growth that they can be is about an inch and when healed can leave a noticeable scar. Luckily, nodules are rarely develop in women with adult acne.

There is no exact diagnosis for adult-onset acne since it can be easily confused by a health care provider with other acne-like disorders like rosacea, pseudofolliculitis barbae, keratosis pilaris, and endocrinopathy:
Rosacea: Symptoms of rosacea include facial lesions that consist of acnelike red papules and pustules. Moreover, both rosacea and acne can appear together.
Endocrinopathy: Sometimes what appears to be a simple case of acne vulgaris or adult-onset acne can be due to an underlying hormonal abnormality, called endocrinopathy. At times like this, acne may be difficult to get under control, and other measures such as blood tests to look for higher or lower than normal hormone levels should be evaluated by your doctor.

Women with adult acne do not have levels of androgen that are elevated but may have a amplified response to androgen in its normal levels and to progesterone, a female hormone, although to a much lower degree. On the other hand, estrogen, another main hormone of females, produces an opposite effect on acne production by depressing its release.

Other than the major hormones of women, adult acne may be caused and enhanced by the intake of pills containing hormones and drugs that have hormonal effects like those seen in oral contraceptive medications, food products, steroids and allergy medications.

Scabies

If you've recently been diagnosed with scabies, you might be wondering what it is and what caused the horrendous itching. The name alone is enough to make your skin crawl: scabies. By learning what caused your condition and how to deal with it, you can take charge of the itching and start down the road to recovery.

Scabies Photo:

Symptoms of Scabies

Common areas for scabies rashes and blisters are the webs of your fingers and toes, insides of wrists, armpits, inner elbows, shoulder blades, around the waist, around the breasts, knees, groin, buttocks, and occasionally on the pubic area. You might see pimple-like bumps, blisters, rashes, or tiny, thread-like "burrows" found in the folds of skin.

One of the most common symptoms is a relentless itch that starts out minor and gradually becomes more intense, especially at night, making sleep nearly impossible.

Causes of Scabies

So what caused this horrible itch and how did you get infected? Scabies is caused by a microscopic mite. Yes, you have parasites. The female mite deposits eggs in tunnels under your skin. In about 21 days, these eggs hatch producing a new lifecycle and further irritation. As they mature, they spread to other areas of your skin or hop on over to another person with whom you have close skin-to-skin contact. Your body reacts to the mites, their waste, and their eggs causing the itchiness and rash.

It's important to note that anyone can get scabies and it's not a reflection on your personal hygiene. It spreads through close contact with infected individuals and sharing bedding and clothes with those who have the condition.

The mite can quickly infect the entire household or facility such as a nursing home, daycare center, or prison. When this happens, everyone should be treated and all clothing and bedding thoroughly laundered at the same time so that the chances of reinfestation are minimized.

Scabies Related Complications

Not only do you have an unbearable skin condition, you could also be at risk for a secondary bacterial infection. Vigorous scratching breaks the skin and makes you more vulnerable to a staph or strep infection. Those with weakened immune systems such as people suffering from HIV have a more difficult time dealing with scabies.

How to Get Rid of Scabies

Once you've been diagnosed with scabies, your doctor will prescribe lotions or cream and in some cases oral medications. If you have a secondary bacterial infection, you will likely receive antibiotics. In addition, antihistamines are often prescribed to help relieve the itching.

Treating your body isn't enough. You must also treat the rest of the household and others you have close contact with as well as kill the mites where they hang out when not burrowed on your body. This means laundering bedding and clothes as well as vacuuming the rugs.

Getting Relief

Your treatment will need to be repeated to catch and kill any hatching eggs and the itching can take several weeks before it eases up. Soak in cool water or apply cool compresses or washcloths to the affected areas to minimize itching. You can also apply Calamine lotion to the areas to relieve the pain and itching. Ask your doctor about taking over-the-counter antihistamines such as Benadryl for relief.

Reduce Wrinkles

It is inevitable to develop wrinkles as we age. We can only do so much to slow down the process. There are several procedures employed that can help diminish the effects of aging such as microdermabrasion, chemical peels, and laser resurfacing, each with its own advantage and disadvantage.

It is always best to consult your skin care professional or dermatologist as to what procedure is best for you to achieve encouraging results on your skin. Reactions to the various procedures differ for each person. The positive effect that one may achieve with a certain procedure may instead aggravate your condition. Your doctor should know what is best for you and it is imperative that you trust them completely.

To repair prematurely aged skin, most specialists will recommend several nutritional supplements which have antioxidants and other vitamins and minerals that revitalize the skin. Aged skin can cause wrinkles since they lack the flexibility of the cells found in younger skin. This causes it to sag and wrinkle. Thus, the goal of this type of treatment is to remove the old skin layer to be able to make room for the new skin layer to surface. This is achieved by increasing the rate of cell turnover until it is consistent with the turnover rate of healthy skin which is 21 to 28 days. Then, when the top layer of dead skin cells is removed and indentations occur, removers are relaxers or fillers such as botox, restylane, and collagen.

Consult a skin care expert for advice on how to fix aged skin and which supplement is best for your body and skin's metabolism. Ask for advice on nutritional supplements that contain antioxidants and revitalizing vitamins and minerals.

The purpose of any skin treatment program will be to increase the cell turnover so that it's rate is more consistent with that of healthy skin.

Wrinkle Treatments

The rate of healthy skin turnover is every 21 to 28 days. Here are some suggestions:
A rejuvenating facial employs deep cleansing with the addition of antioxidants and serums made for the reduction of the visible aging signs.
A glycolic acid peel removes dead skin cells through the exfoliation of the skin which in turn stimulates the production of new collagen for the growth of new cells.
Microdermabrasion is the mechanical way of shedding the old layer of skin by using a machine to exfoliate the dead skin cells, thus increasing cell turnover.

Skin treatments should be made a regular habit, practiced every four to six weeks which is as often these skin cells turn over. Nothing will be gained with just one treatment. It should be a constant thing and done with the supervision of your skin care specialist because if not, then it is useless to even start treatment.

Reading your face: using Oriental techniques

Are those bags under your eyes due to lack of sleep or problems with your kidneys? Should you put an eye cream or treat your kidneys? In Oriental medicine, it is believed that our face reflects the health status of our vital organs.  

Our beauty is a reflection of our health, both physical as well as mental. According to face reading experts, you can correct some aspects of your skin by treating the organs that are affecting it. 

There are a few versions of the face reading technique. The following pages explore the interpretation of face reading by Dr. Haushka and traditional Oriental medicine. 

The forehead

Represents the nervous system functions. The lines and wrinkles in this area indicate that the person spends a lot of time thinking, instead of acting on instinct. Thinking is from the mind, instinct is from the heart. 

Pimples in this area also indicate excessive thinking that takes a lot of energy from the digestive system. In Oriental medicine the forehead is related to the following organs: the gall bladder, liver and stomach. If there is no proper elimination of toxins by the gall bladder and intestines, this will produce pimples.

Lines between the eyebrows correspond to the liver. According to Jon Sandifer in his book "Oriental Face Reading," if this area is prone to develop pimples or is oily, or has deep lines, it indicates liver imbalance. To correct the imbalance, Sandifer recommends reducing consumption of animal products, alcohol and spices, eat more vegetables as well as to do yoga or Tai chi. 

In order to have a healthy forehead, the most important thing is to stop obsessing over your thoughts and be more joyful; this will strengthen the organs. 

Food is also important to strengthen the organs. Dr. Hauschka recommends eating more whole grains, green/root vegetables, drinking enough water, avoiding processed foods, decreasing caffeine and engaging in some artistic expression.

The mid face

This is the area from the eyebrows to the bottom of the nose. The organs that dominate this region are the heart and the lungs. Kidneys, stomach and liver reflect in areas around the eyes 

If the lungs are healthy, this reflects in healthy, clear, rosy cheeks. Shallow skin in this area indicates lung's congestion or poor oxygen levels. According to Dr. Hauschka, pimples in this area indicate an excess of fat and sugar in the lungs.

In order to improve the skin in this area, according to face reading experts, you may: 

• Stop smoking, reduce or eliminate greasy and fatty foods, and eliminate trans fats or hydrogenated oils found in a lot of baked products. 
• Eat more green vegetables, especially cruciferous such as broccoli and cauliflower. 
• Exercise or walk daily to eliminate toxins from your body.

Puffiness, redness, rashes and broken capillaries on the cheeks also indicate lung's imbalance. 

The eye bags are related to the kidneys. Swelling occurs when the kidneys are weak. To improve the kidney function, it is recommended to reduce or eliminate alcohol, coffee and sodas, and drink more water. 

The kidneys are also taxed with high consumption of animal products and high levels of salt.

The nose is associated with the heart. If the bulb of the nose is red and swollen, this indicates that the heart is overworked. To have a healthy heart, eat less saturated fats found in dairy and meats, eliminate trans fats (often found in plenty in fast food and processed foods) and eat more vegetables and whole grains. Exercise daily and reduce stress. 

The lower region 
This is the area from the nose down to the chin. It is related to the digestive tract. The chin is related to the functioning of the kidneys and gall bladder and reproductive organs.

If there are pimples or blemishes in the chin region, this indicates accumulation of fat and hormonal imbalance in the reproductive organs. 

The lips are related to the intestines; swollen lips indicate congestion in the digestive tract. 

A healthy lifestyle including diet, stress reduction, soul nurturing through art or a hobby help to balance the organs and to have a healthy, glowing face according to this theory.

Face reading also includes many other aspects such as personality and there are many books on the topic. 

Flawless Makeup Tips

No professional make up team on standby? No problem. Just a few simple techniques yield a fresh and flawless face to put forward. A good make up look radiates class, sophistication, and enhances the wearer's natural pleasing features. In addition to bringing out the best of the face, make up works double duty in disguising any blemishes or break outs. With so many brands, shades, and types of cosmetics flooding the market, it can be a Herculean task to correctly apply make up. Use the following tips to create a polished, practiced, and new make up look for any occasion.

Foundation
Foundation should only be applied to healthy, clean skin. Never test a color on the back of your hand to determine the right tone, a hand is typically a few shades darker than a jaw line. The perfect foundation shade will disappear when applied, and shouldn't be used to conceal blemishes. Instead, find a concealer one shade lighter than your skin tone and apply it in a blotting motion with a small make up brush. This technique ensures the concealer covers all three dimensions of a blemish, and doesn't just skim the surface like a sponge would.

Beauty Tools
Utilize make up brushes for application when possible. These can easily be washed, spritzed with disinfectant, and safely used over and over again. Sponge applicators quickly harbor a breeding ground for bacteria. Keep separate brushes for products to prevent dark color residue from destroying an intended lightening effect. Greater blending can be accomplished with a 100% cotton ball, swab, or pad. Poly blend cotton products will only smear. True blending requires the cotton to absorb the excess cosmetics which a synthetic fiber will not do.

Eyes
Branch out from black and brown eyeliner. Buying an eyeliner brush, a firm and narrowly angled bristle brush, will allow you to use your darker eye shadow as eyeliner. Simply dampen the tip of the brush and run it through the eye shadow. Try lining with a lighter shade for the inner corners of your eyes to open them up. Be sure to use at least three tones of shadow gradually blended from eye lid to brow. Using only one color is very unflattering and fake. To prevent bold colors like purples from appearing harsh or theatrical, try blending with a coppery brown to diminish the contrast.

Lips
Exfoliating lips of dead skin cells can bring a natural lush red only needing clear lip gloss coverage. Also, by removing the bumps and creases, lipstick applies more evenly and is less likely to seem blotchy. Full-bodied lips come from using a slightly darker lip liner around than the lipstick selected. Improve the richness of a shade and longevity of the color by filling in the entire lip area with liner before applying lipstick. Prevent lipstick from moving to areas it does not belong with a coat of lip moisturizer or lip gloss. A plumper pout can be simulated by only applying a high sheen gloss on the middle of your lips, directly where your finger crosses if you were to motion someone to be silent.

Finishing Touches
Blush should never be applied only to the cheeks. Brush it liberally along the cheek bones, upper forehead, the narrow of the nose, and lightly on chin to create a natural bloom. Follow with a loose powder to "set" the look. Loose powder is an imperative fighter against oil shine and keeps make up from wandering from your face to your clothing. Save mascara for your final step to prevent any powder or blush from becoming trapped on your lashes before it dries. Unless you are going out for the night, stick with brown or brown/black mascara for a more natural look. Try using mascara more heavily on the outer third of lashes for a flirty look, or on the bottom lash line to open eyes up.

Make Up Expiration
Before using and applying make up, check its condition for quality. Mascara that is constantly clumping the brush is trash, as it is only going to clump even worse on your eyelashes. Eye shadows with oil spots in the center from frequent use are likely ripe with bacteria growth. All make up should be kept out of direct light or heat higher than room temperature. These products are chemicals, and heat or light exposure can cause unwanted reactions or experiments with color you never intended! Any sign of ingredient separation such as watery layer on top, or stratifying pigmentation also indicates the product should be tossed out. Best rule of thumb is if you can't remember when you purchased a cosmetic product, then its shelf life is probably up.

Use these tips in addition to normal make up application techniques to make a drab look sparkle. Increase the ease of make up selection by remaining within one brand- you won't have to worry about interactions among products and complimenting color palettes are more likely to be offered in the same season. Experimenting with color, products, and designs can open up new make up looks. Just remember to concentrate on exclusively one or two features at a time. Even starlets follow this rule- as you glance at any red carpet photo immediately one feature will pop out screaming "Look at me!" Finally, keep your face looking simple and natural. Very few people think "My god, that person should wear more make up." But so often we are all guilty of privately urging a woman to go wash the make up off her face.

Cellulite

Cellulite is misshapen fat cells due to restrictive connective tissue. These misshapen fat cells have a tendency to create ripples in the skin, especially in the upper arm, thighs, and abdominal area of women. This skin appearance is often referred to as "cottage cheese". As much as the advertisers for miracle fat creams or fad diet supplements want to tell you otherwise, the presence of cellulite is not a sign of poor health or even obesity. But to understand the truth of cellulite, we have to look closer than skin deep.

Cellulite Photo:

First, fat is good. Without it, or even with low quantities your body will cease to function and begin using muscle and organ tissue for energy needs. This is literally a body eating itself, and what happens to people suffering from malnutrition, starvation, and eating disorders. All things in moderation, fat levels in the body must be kept in proportion to the rest of it.

Women are more likely to develop cellulite because of hormone levels and tight connective tissue "plumping" fat cells. At a healthy weight and total body fat percentage of 15-25%, cellulite is frequently present. It may not please our aesthetic sensibilities, but from a health perspective it is perfectly okay. While men are not immune to cellulite, their skin thickness, lack of hormonal changes, and lower total body fat percentage for health makes the effects of cellulite less noticeable.

Cellulite Treatments

People concerned with the amount of cellulite on their bodies can consult with their doctor or licensed nutritionist about their body's fat percentage. It may look ugly, but those fat cells are your body's strategic energy reserve should the unthinkable happen-- you run out of food. There are many services and products out there to reduce the sight of cellulite and they fall into four basic categories:

Surgical
Liposuction and other surgical procedures may not remove cellulite since it is not always caused by an abundance of fat, but simply fat cells that are in an odd shape. Bodies must keep a healthy level of fat at all times.

Cosmetic
Sunless tanning products can help diminish the contrasts of the skin's dimples, but most creams and lotions can't change cellulite under the skin. Some people have found success in cosmetic services such as endermologie and laser treatments, but there is a high cost for possibly minimal results.

Nutrition and Diet Changes
Vitamin supplements won't affect cellulite, but proper hydration will keep skin supple and reduce the pronounced ripples in the skin. Also, controlling any hormonal disorders through prescribed medication may also reduce the appearance of cellulite.

Exercise
While exercise is vital for healthy and beautiful bodies, again cellulite is caused at the cellular level. Toning may help improve body shape, but exercise can't and shouldn't remove all of the fat cells from the body.

The biggest threat cellulite poses to people is that of increasing insecurities about body image. Concerns about a healthy weight and fat percentage are unrelated to the presence of cellulite, which can show up on the skinniest of bodies due to oddly-shaped fat cells. As women age, the likelihood of cellulite increases and they may become worried about their partner's reaction. First, talk to your partner about any insecurities as his reaction may surprise you. Second, think about yourself, what are your thoughts about changes to his body that he can't control?

Cellulite is controlled by genetic predisposition, hormone levels, and physiological characteristics. The presence of cellulite is not a sign of poor health or necessarily obesity: those of a healthy weight and fat percentage can have cellulite. Remember advertisers and companies make money when they sell you their product, even if they must make you insecure and feel bad in the process. Most of these products and services will not change the appearance of cellulite, so the best way to handle the "cottage cheese" thighs is to compromise: You won't obsess over the appearance, and cellulite will make sure you won't die or suffer from a lack of energy.

 

Mineral Makeup

Ever been baffled by the ingredient list on a shampoo bottle or lipstick? Unless you have a degree in chemistry, the oxides and isopropyls might as well be a foreign language. A movement in cosmetics to simplify matters has hit the shelves: mineral makeup. Touting a back to basics ideology, mineral makeup typically advertises "natural" or "organic" ingredients. Ingredients aside, mineral makeup also takes a slightly different application technique, and can be a suitable alternative for certain skin types aggravated by traditional cosmetic lines.

For a significant portion of the population, department store cosmetics are not an option. Various skin conditions such as acne, rosacea, and allergies to specific ingredients limit cosmetic product selections. Mineral makeup is often purported to be a solution for those usually unable to wear makeup. The main draw is the lack of chemically altered ingredients, in hope that this will reduce any irritation or allergic flare up. Mineral makeup is also lighter, and can grant a more sheer sensation. Before trying a new mineral makeup product line, a small amount of research should be done to improve chances of success.

Stick with a reputable company for mineral makeup products. A quick check on the Food and Drug Administration website or the Skin Deep safe cosmetic database can help identify potentially sham companies or dangerous ingredients. Be sure to read company provided literature and information on the product carefully. Look for substitutes of "natural" for "organic" and any asterisks leading to notes at the bottom. A big red flag is if there is an exception to a promise or results statement saying it has not been evaluated by the FDA. While most products will not give you any problems, complications from harsh chemicals or mislabeled cosmetics can cause serious harm, especially those used in the eye area.

The color palette available in mineral makeup lines is as varied as the world around you. Hues in bright blues, deep purples, and soft pinks can be found in a variety of products, such as lipstick, eye shadow, and blush. Some mineral cosmetics contain metallic components, which can cause an unintended shine. Look for products promising a matte finish if shine is not the style desired. Color selection is similar to traditional cosmetic color lines, based on a warm or cool skin tone.

Brushes are the recommended applicator for mineral cosmetics. Cosmetic brushes, not sponges or pads, allow the wearer to "tap" off excess before applying, an important step before blending mineral cosmetics. Colors are usually more concentrated, but blending should be more agreeable to the skin than synthetic products. Also unlike heavily processed products, the natural elements of mineral makeup can make it far easier to remove at the end of a long day.

Mineral makeup products are an appropriate alternative for those allergic or sensitive to other cosmetic lines. Just take care to effectively research and educate yourself about any new cosmetic product used on your skin. Because mineral makeup is a smaller movement gaining momentum, it is easier for unscrupulous businesses to hide amongst the legitimate ones. Use online resources to verify credentials and FDA approval. Finally, enjoy the richer coloring and coverage mineral cosmetics can afford, all with a pure feeling many synthetic products can't deliver.

Anti Aging Skin Care Treatment

Baby
A baby's skin is the best example of a perfect organ in a human body. The skin is amazingly resistant. A child's skin derives its shine and smoothness from the abundance of collagen and elastin that exists in the body. A child has a very fertile system in place that creates and recreates the same with unerring frequency. All that the child needs to be assisted with is a simple water wash with a mild soap to wipe off any dirt and he or she still maintains the lovely skin texture.

Because children's skin is so new, the skin cells turn over and renew themselves naturally every 21 to 28 days. The most important aspect of skin care in this decade is sun protection. Apply sun protection whenever your child goes outside. Make applying sunscreen nonnegotiable. It is essential to the health of your child. Avoid serving junk food to your child. Be sure to feed your child vegetables and fruits filled with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Healthy eating habits established early in life will be the good habits in the future.

Teen
Skin starts changing and keeps on changing through the teenage years. There are two changes occur in this period. The first is increased hormone production while moving through puberty. The second is a teenager's is a desire to have perfect skin. Hormonal changes are the beginning of adulthood. While the hormones change, the skin produces more oil due to sebaceous glands being overactive, and this causes breakouts. Acne type skin can develop acne that can range from slight to severe.

1. It is now time to find reliable skin care products and start using them twice a day for cleansing, toning, and moisturizing.

2. Exfoliate in between them one to three times a week, based on the skin type and how often the breakouts occur. Use salyclic acid exfoliants for breakouts and acne type skin. They are known to have antibacterial qualities and go inside the pores to control bacteria.

3. The most important thing to know for the teenage years is no picking. The risks of picking are serious and may cause permanent scarring and spreading to other areas of the body.

4. Be faithful to your routine and be sure not to overdue it. Never go to sleep without washing your face, and never go to bed without removing your makeup. While you sleep your skin renews itself and releases waste products and toxins. This process gets backed up when you don't remove makeup and wash your face before bed.

5. Avoid sunbathing or tanning beds. Tanning ruins the internal structure of your skin.

6. Whenever you are outside use sunscreen or sunblock. Make it a fact of life. be sure to apply enough so you protect your skin and don't burn or tan.

7. Avoid junk foods, heavily processed foods, and foods heavy in sugar. Instead, choose vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, meats, fish, and poultry. Learn all about low glycemic foods and make them the important part of your diet. High glycemic foods create inflammation, which shows up as breakouts and aging on the skin.

8. For unusual skin problems, visit a dermatologist.

Twenties
Hormones begin to balance out by the age of twenty. Normally your skin needs typical care for great results. You may notice a couple of lines around you eyes when you squint, but they are not considered wrinkles. Your skin's oil production has slowed down and your skin is starting to change. The cell renewal cycle of 21 to 28 days is also starting to slow down. If you've had acne breakouts as a teenager, they normally slow down as well. Enjoy your skin now and start adopting a lifestyle that will keep your skin healthy for the rest of your life.

1. During this time, at least by the age of 25, you need to be on a daily skin care ritual of cleansing, toning, and moisturizing twice a day. Never go to sleep in your makeup or without washing your face.

2. Be sure to apply sunscreen every morning immediately after your skin care routine. Reapply often if you are outdoors during the day.

3. To keep your skin healthy, try to get regular exercise into your day. Take a vitamin mineral supplement to assure that you are getting the nutrition you need.

Thirty to Forty
Skin in your 30's can easily look great. Lines and wrinkles in your thirties depend on the amount of sunscreen you used or sun exposure when you were younger. Your level of facial animation can also make a difference. Those with more expressive faces will have more lines. At some point in your 30's, your skin experiences a major turning point. This starts with the time when your metabolism starts to slow down, partially because muscle mass starts to decline. Skin cell turnover is slower, maybe even as slow as every 40 days. Your skin starts to wrinkle, particularly around the eyes. Sun damage from earlier in life starts to show up as sagging and skin discolorations.

1. Continue your daily skin ritual of cleansing, toning, and moisturizing.

2. Now is the time to start using glycolic acid exfoliation products regularly. Start with once a week, and gradually add one more treatment per week, up to two to three times a week, based on need. Glycolic acid has been shown to assist the skin in rebuilding collagen.

3. Consider getting a chemical peel once a month from a professional skin care specialist. At the very least, consider a professional facial and skin treatment at the change of seasons.

4. Get checked for skin cancer by a dermatologist or medical doctor yearly.

5. Get plenty of rest, exercise, and sleep. In your 30's and beyond, dancing into the wee hours in the night shows up the next morning. Your face may swell and bags and dark circles could develop under your eyes.

6. Continual high stress levels result in inflammation, wrinkles, and sagging.

7. When eating, choose foods that keep your skin healthy such as low glycemic carbohydrates, essential fatty acids, and complete protein. Avoid cortisol inducing foods and beverages, such as coffee, caffeine, and alcoholic beverages, which can cause inflammation and irritation.

Forty to Fifty
Great skin in this decade has minimal sun damage and few expression lines, although you can expect to have some lines around your eyes. Many men have a new skin care concern in their 40s, a receding hairline. Care for the balding areas around your face just as you care for the rest of your facial skin. Any serious health challenges, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or autoimmune disorders affect the health of your skin. The skin condition rosacea could begin in this decade. For women, the 40s usually signal the start of perimenopause. At this time, skin oil production slows, leaving skin drier, and may start to become thinner and more translucent.

1. Cleanse, tone and moisturize twice a day.

2. Apply sunscreen faithfully every day.

3. Continue your daily skin care ritual, taking into consideration that you may need to switch products or skin care lines as your skin becomes drier and more sensitive.

4. Start doing chemical peels once a month to encourage more rapid cell turnover.

5. Exfoliate at home two or three times a week with AHA's, scrubs, or enzymes.

6. Use cosmeceuticals, vitamin C, and alpha lipoic acid to help reverse the visible signs of aging.

7. Consider asking your dermatologist for a prescription for Retin A or Renova to assist your skin with rejuvenation.

8. Check your skin regularly for skin cancers and have your dermatologist or medical doctor check as well.

9. You may want to consider such medical procedures as botox or collagen injections to improve your appearance and to temporarily melt away lines and wrinkles. Laser resurfacing can destroy deep brown pigmentation and enlarged or broken capillaries.

10. If you haven't already, become more conscientious about your eating habits. Get plenty of exercise.

Fifties
If you've been good to yourself and your skin, by now you are enjoying the rewards. Your skin has an even tone, with perhaps some slightly darker pigmentation spots. If you've used sun protection regularly, your skin has enough collagen and elastin to remain plump and smooth. You may have some sagging, but not much. By your 50s, expression lines are a fact of life, especially if you have dynamic facial expressions.

Men's skin is more robust than women's because men don't lose their reproductive capacity through menopause. Men's skin sags less because men have more vital collagen and elastin, provided they've stayed out of the sun or used good sun protection.

1. Stick to your daily skin care ritual.

2. Be aggressive with encouraging skin cell turnover by using glycolic peels and frequent exfoliation. If you've spent time in the sun, the damage is showing as sagging skin from collagen and elastin damage. Deep brown pigmentation spots are another result of sun damage. You can reverse some of this damage by the use of cosmeceuiticals, vitamin C, and alpha lipoic acid. Both glycolic peels and Retin A or Renova assist the skin in rebuilding collagen.

3. Eat the foods that nourish your skin, including essential fatty acids (EFAs) and plenty of vegetables and fruits daily. Avoid all junk food, alcoholic beverages, caffeine, and sodas.

4. Get outside more and often using plenty of sunscreen. Regular massage and lymph drainage will help perk up your skin.

5. Now is a good time to consider a surgical face lift. This proves to be a good investment because the results can last up to 10 years.

Sixties and Beyond
Your skin in thinner, with heavier wrinkling. Lifestyle and genetic diseases and disorders, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and heart disease can affect the radiance of your skin. This is when lifestyle makes the biggest difference in the quality of your skin skin.