Your complete Skin Care Guide l Information On Skin Care

Friday, February 25, 2011

How To Keep Skin Glowing In Cold Weather

You can keep your skin glowing in cold weather too. Cold weather deprives the skin of moisture and the skin becomes dry. If you want to make the skin healthy and look lustrous, you should follow a skin care regimen. This regimen comprises cleansing of the skin, exfoliating and moisturizing the skin as the essential steps. Particularly during cold weather these steps are very essential to make your skin glow. Simultaneously, you should also avoid skin care products and the routines that can make your skin dry. Otherwise your efforts to have a glowing skin in cold weather may not be effective. The vital steps you have to follow to keep your skin glowing in cold weather are discussed below.

You should drink enough water every day. This can prevent dry skin. Your tissues should be hydrated sufficiently and nourished properly, particularly in winter, to prevent skin becoming dry. Take enough fluid foods but avoid alcohol and caffeine. It is recommended that you take at least 8 – 10 glasses of water every day.

The next step is exfoliation. Once a week you should exfoliate your skin. You can use abody scrub for exfoliation before bathing. Dead skin cells are removed when you scrub the skin. This step is important if you need to keep your skin glowing in cold weather. You can prepare your own scrub too. Mix coarse sugar with coconut oil and apply the mixture on the skin. Now scrub the skin in circular motion, but gently. You can scrub any area of the body like this and then wash it off with lukewarm water.

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends skin brush as a treatment for dry skin. You have to get a special brush meant for this purpose. This is available in drugstores or you can also buy this online. Besides removing dead skin cells, skin brushing also stimulates your lymphatic system. This leads to a healthy circulation in your body. Start skin brushing right from your feet and use circular motions to make it more effective. Then you can skin brush the other areas of your body by moving up. Use short sweeping motions from shoulders and chest, down to your stomach.

Always use lukewarm water for cleansing purposes. The natural oil in your skin will be reduced if you use soapy hot water. Take bath only for a short while, such as 4 - 5 minutes. Do not have bubble baths containing alcohol and chemicals. Organic bath soak or natural bath soak is advisable.

Moisturize your skin with a good moisturizer containing healthy plant extracts and essential oils. Do not use deodorant soaps for washing as your skin may become dry. Moisturize your hands and cover with gloves in the day. Apply moisturizer to feet in the night and cover with socks. Brush your lips with a tooth brush to remove dead skin and moisturize using a lip balm. Vaseline has been found to be good for this. Cleanse your face once a day with a good cream cleanser. After cleansing apply moisturizer. Skip soap in the morning to retain oil in the facial skin. Use a facial lotion with sunscreen for the day. Use a gentle scrub and exfoliate your face twice a week.

Facial Skin Care

What a beautiful face! What is the secret of it?A balanced diet, proper skincare, an extra portion of care on a regular basis, and the right beauty sleep every night. We must remember the needs of our skin: During the day time, it needs protection from the sun and environmental effects, for example. At night, it is in the process of regenerating and therefore needs special care that supports it. Also, the ability of skin to regenerate wanes with time and age. So it especially then needs nutrients and care. Moreover, the skin would be always thankful, for extra care, like a mask.

Facial Skin Care -Face care routine

Cleansing Most women who wears make-up carries out a routine of toning, moisturizing and cleansing each evening, as well as washing the face with cold water in the morning. Cleansing will remove the grime and dust and old make-up that have been accumulated during the day. Always remove mascara with a cotton bud dipped in eye cleansing lotion.
You can clean the make up and eye shadow by gently with a pad of clean cool wool or cotton with eye cleansing lotion. You could also try a little face cleansing cream into the palm of one hand and dab it generously over the chin, nose, cheeks and forehead. For Facial Skin Care, Massage the cream into the skin, using a gentle upward motion, starting under the throat. Continue massaging the cream up to the forehead. Daily Facial Skin Care care would make us look more beautiful and charming. By following easy tips, you can look more beautiful and younger without spending too much of extra money and time. Before beginning on your skin care, find your skin type, is it dry, combination, normal, oily, sun-damaged, or sensitive. After knowing your skin type and tone, you can look for products available in the market for your skin type. However, it is said that healthy skin is confidence and is something from within; avoiding stress and eating healthy food can help you the most in this.

The four basic steps of Facial Skin Care are

Facial Skin Care - Scrubbing

Scrubbing is very useful for removing the dead skin cells of top layer that make your ‘complexion’ dull. You can also go for a gentle scrub with tiny grains and this is the best and ideal for all skin types, as big grains of cheap scrubs can damage or tear your skin and can cause more harm than good. You could also use a half tsp of sugar while scrubbing your face.

Facial Skin Care - Cleansing

Start your Facial Skin Care with cleansing. Get a genuine cleanser that suits and matches your skin type. Stay away of soaps as they make your skin oily or dry; cleansers on the other hand contain water, surfactants and oil. Cleanser will help to remove makeup, dirt and oil from your skin effectively. However, too often usage of cleanser is also harmful; at times washing your face at night is even a good Facial Skin Care.

Facial Skin Care - Use Sun Screen

The Facial Skin Care you're doing would be a waste if you don't use sun screen lotion. The UV Rays of the Sun damages our skin even permanently, in some cases even can cause skin cancer. It is important to have a protection shield for your skin while you are going out. Skin care is not only about doing moisturizing, scrubbing and cleansing, but it's also about caring and maintaining. Apply sun screen lotion daily on possible exposed parts of the body on a regular basis to avoid skin-related problems and tanning.

Facial Skin Care – Moisturizing

Moisturizer is a must for Facial Skin Care and for everyone, no matter what skin type you have. Even oily or dry skin will have benefit from moisturizers. Only the acne type skin should avoid it. Olive oil can be used for required moisture, but it is beat use in the winters.
Facial Skin Care has to be a regular process otherwise all the hard work done will be wasted.
Try all the above suggested tips and get prepared for receiving bunches of compliments for your youthful & glowing skin.

Black Skin Care

It is a well known scientific fact that melanin a protein in the skin provides protection from the ravages of day to day life, stress and aging due to UVL (ultraviolet light). In fact, the melanin as a Black Skin Care for African American skin provides a ideal natural SPF (sun protection factor) of about 13.4 as compared to the 3.4 for white and yellow skin. This natural protection is important for Black Skin Care from the sun and this means less permanent damage to the skin and fewer and even fewer signs of aging and stress. Melanin in the case for Black Skin Care in the skin of ‘African American’ women accounts for the vital medical fact that they appear often younger than Caucasian and white women of the same age. In addition, the daily or long term changes that do occur to African American skin aging are often ideally delayed so they occur at a much later age and stage as compared to the whites. As one would be expected, photo aging in African Americans is more prominent and pronounced in individuals with a lighter skin hue. When aging does occur, the most seen changes are in the texture of the skin-roughness, the growth of small skin growths-dermatosis papulosa nigra, a loss to the volume of the skin-sagging and pigmentation changes- discolorations or dark marks

 
Black Skin Care -Dermatosis Papulosa Nigra

Small benign growths occur frequently to people with African American skin, as it matures. In the most common types of growths of benign type around the world, the seborrheic of the keratoses type is the common that appears. DPN (Dermatosis papulosa nigra), a small set of un-uniform skin, are located on the faces of both African American women and men. They are small, black or brown bumps that are usually mistaken for moles. It is felt that a combination of exposure to the sun, aging and heredity are the main factors in the development of Dermatosis Papulosa Nigra

Since Dermatosis Papulosa Nigra is non-cancerous, they don’t have to be treated. They do, however, increase in size and number as a woman matures and it is for this reason that most women want them treated with Black Skin Care. Black Skin Care treatment involves either cutting the lesions with a special surgical instrument, called a gradle scissor, or burning them with a safe electric needle. The procedures for Black Skin Care are well generally tolerated and the healing generally occurs within a week. Side effects may include a dark or light skin discoloration which usually fades rapidly.

Black Skin Care-Skin Roughness

Usually when the African American skin matures, there will be changes in the texture and skin become noticeable. Skin that was once smooth and soft like a baby becomes bumpy and rough especially on regular sun exposed areas. The roughness of skin is due to the skin cells that do slough and stick together as they normally would. Black skin care is targeted towards exfoliation either with microdermabrasion, chemical peels or topical agents.

Black Skin Care -Pigmentation changes

Changes in the skin’s pigmentation do occur as most people age and this case is very prominent with African American skin. Exposure to both UVA (ultraviolet A) and UVB (ultraviolet B) light stimulates the natural production of melanin which is the most likely reason for darkening of the skin. There are 4 commonly occurring types of darkening.
  • More generalized areas on the neck and face
  • Localized areas on the neck and face
  • Dark lines under eye circles
  • Uneven and rough skin tone
The dark discolorations of the skin can be treated with special skin care creams, gentle chemical peels or small microdermabrasion.
Light pigmentation on the skin occurs as the African American skin ages. Black Skin Care for condition, specific like the ‘idiopathic hypomelanosis’, usually appears on the legs, arms and lower abdomen, is characterized by many white, small, confetti like spots. The spots are painless and round.

Black Skin Care -Sagging

A loss to volume look of the skin occurs as African Americans mature’s. Slow and steady degradation of collagen in the skin’s dermal layer accounts for the loss of volume. This change leads to a sagging of the skin and hollowness of the face.

Skin care Regime For Teenagers

After puberty, every teenager faces a similar problem- due to changing hormones; their skin starts to break out due to an increase in the production of oil. If the skin is not taken care of properly during this stage, it could cause a number of problems in the long run. Therefore, keeping a few tips in mind should prove to be extremely beneficial.
1-If teenagers are able to catch breakout in their early stage, it can help matters to a large extent. During the stage before pimples have a chance of spreading across the face, taking care of them will make their treatment much easier. Acne usually begins on the nose and spreads to other parts of the face.

2-If you notice the onset of acne, it is necessary that you start treatment immediately. This will help you get rid of this problem faster.

3-One of the easiest and best tips for skin care for teenagers is cleansing. Cleansing the skin before bed can prove to be extremely beneficial in the long run. However, using a gentle cleanser over a hard cleanser is recommended as the latter can add to the problem instead of solving it.

4-In case you notice that the pimples are becoming harder, you must switch over to a stronger cleanser. This must then be applied onto the face twice every day. However, this may cause the skin to get dry- which can create its own problems. Therefore, applying moisturizer after every wash is a must.

5-If you suffer from inflamed or red breakouts on a regular basis, a cream that consists of benzoyl peroxide is recommended. This chemical kills the bacteria that stimulates the skin to breakout.

6-The easiest way to prevent further skin problems is to keep your hands away from your face and existing pimples. Popping pimples is the worst idea and can lead to a number of other problems, such as, infections, inflammation and permanent scarring.

7-In case none of the above mentioned tips work for you, consulting a dermatologist is the answer to your skin problems.
Choosing the right skin care products For Teenagers

1- Skin care products that are created with the help of natural herbs or organic compounds will help to sooth sensitive skin. After the onset of puberty, almost every teenager has extremely sensitive skin which can be damaged by the application of harsh chemicals.

2-A large number of products are created with compounds that hold only astringent properties. These products must be avoided because it keeps the skin from getting enough moisture.

3-Aloe Vera is considered to be excellent for the long term maintenance of skin. For teenagers, aloe, chamomile and lavender are considered to be the best.

A few more tips for daily care Of skin For Teenagers

1-Washing the face too often can cause further problems. Scrubbing, too, is not recommended as this leads to the secretion of excess oil, leading to further breakouts. Instead, a gentle cleanser with foaming properties must be used.

2- Before you wash your face, wash your hands.

3-In case you have skin that is excessively oily, washing and cleansing may not prove to be beneficial. Instead, use tissues or blotting papers for the purpose of removing excess oil.

4-A majority of teenagers use make-up on a regular basis. However, it is extremely important to remove every trace of it before going to bed. In case you fall asleep with full make-up, the pores of your skin will not be able to breathe and will consequently get blocked, causing increased breakouts.

5-In case you have long hair or hair that tends to touch your face almost all the time, keeping it tied back and clean can solve a number of skin problems. The reason being the oil from the hair tends to get deposited on your face and therefore, clogs pores.

Even though a number of teenagers hardly ever get pimples, even during the onset of puberty, it is definitely beneficial to take care of the skin on a regular basis. This will help to avoid skin problems in the long run and keep the skin glowing. The above-mentioned tips will help you get rid of the pimples that do appear and keep them away for good.

Monday, February 21, 2011

How To Choose The Right Color For Your Skin Tone

Choosing the right colors for your skin tone is an essential requirement for a lot of things. Knowing how to choose the right color for your skin tone is important while selecting a hair color or while applying make up. Using a color like mauve for your make up can be a good decision if you’re fair skinned, however, it’s disastrous if you’re dark skinned. Like wise, not all colors suite everyone. Finding out how to choose the right color for your skin tone is the key to looking beautiful.

IDENTIFYING UNDERTONES

Identifying your complexion’s undertones is the key to know how to choose the right color for your skin tone. There are two kinds of undertones; warm tones and cool tones. Warm tones usually have gold in their complexion, while cool tones are usually classified by the pinks and reds in their complexion.

IDENTIFYING YOUR SKIN TONE

If you’re thinking on how to choose the right color for your skin tone, it’s important that you identify your skin type. Firstly, observe what color of undertones your skin has. It can either be blue or pink, or golden. If you have pink and blue undertones, then you can be further classified as the ‘winter’ or ‘summer’ complexions. Brunettes with dark eyes are usually winters. On the other hand, natural blonde’s or brunette’s with dull eyes are summers.
Similarly, if you have golden undertones, your complexion can be classified as ‘spring’ or ‘autumn’. Autumns are usually brunettes with golden brown eyes. On the other hand, spring complexioned people have freckles and red hair with green or blue eyes.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT COLOR FOR YOUR SKIN TONE
WINTERS

People with this kind of a skin tone should avoid using pastel shades as far as possible. Pinks, reds, whites and blacks go well with this skin tone. Subtle shades like silver, gold and beige should be completely avoided.

SUMMERS

People with this kind of a skin tone are usually fair skinned. As discussed before, summers have pink or blue undertones, so the best options for summers are pastels with blue or pink undertones. Soft floral colors such as rose-pink and lavender suit summer skin tones. Black is a strict no for people with this kind of a complexion.

AUTUMN

People with autumn skin tones have golden undertones. The colors that suits autumns best are different shades of gold and brown, such; beige, dark brown etc. Pastels and pinks are a strict no for people with this skin tone.

SPRINGS

The spring skin tone has golden undertones. Springs usually have complexions similar to cream and roses, and are strikingly fair skinned. People with this kind of skin tones should avoid black and other dull colors; instead they should go for colors like peach, camel, lavender etc.

WHY MATCH HAIR COLOR WITH YOUR UNDERTONES?

The three colors that create the contrast in everyone’s face are; the color of their eyes, the hair color and their complexion. Having the right hair color can make a huge difference in the way you look. Now the question arises, how to choose the right color for your skin tone. Make sure that the hair color you opt for matches your skin’s undertones, if you’re far skinned with pink undertones, you can get pink highlights or you can simply color your hair strawberry red! Similarly, if you have golden undertones, you can try colors like bronze, copper and light brown.

COORDINATING COLORS FOR CLOTHES

Last but not the least the most important problem, how to choose the right color for your skin tone while shopping for clothes. Use different shades of your undertones. This is the simplest way to find shades that suit you best. For example; if your complexion is cream and peaches with pink undertones, then you can use different shades of reds, pinks and lavenders. Use colors that accentuate your complexion and features. Avoid contrasting colors that ruin your undertones, for example; avoid blacks if you have pink undertones. It makes your fair skin look parchment white, and ruins the effect of the pink in your cheeks.

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Skin Care In Your Thirties

Even though a large number of people today are claiming that being thirty is not all that different from being twenty, the fact is that you must be more careful with your skin in your thirties. The reason being that as we grow older, so does our skin and changes in terms of texture as well as quality. Therefore, it becomes more sensitive. Naturally, it is important to take a number of measures to ensure that you have beautiful skin in your thirties.

In case you didn’t sunblock when you were younger, your skin may already be damaged. Avoidance of sunblock for a number of years makes the skin weaker and therefore, leads to premature aging. In other words, fine lines and wrinkles appear before their time. The skin also becomes sallow and dry.

However, in order to avoid further damage, it is necessary to apply sunscreen before stepping out of the house. The reason being that the UV rays of the sun tend to harm the skin and lead to a number of problems. Therefore, you must apply sunblock 20 minutes before leaving the house. In case you plan to exercise outdoors for the better part of the day, you must keep applying it every 4 hours.

In case you have very sensitive skin, you must consider clinical sunscreen that offers greater protection against the harmful rays of the sun. The biggest benefit of such sunscreens is that it is suitable for every skin type.

Using anti-aging skin products during your twenties may have seemed unecessary, but it becomes a requirement when you are in your thirties. These include skin care products which are formulated for the purpose of enhancing skin quality and improving skin texture. Such skin care products are created with the help of ingredients like Alpha Hydroxy Acids, Retinol, Vitamin K, Kojic Acid and Vitamin C. These ingredients focus on the elastin fibers and collagen, stimulating them and making sure that they are adequately nourished. The result is that there is a reduction in wrinkles, fine lines and minimized dark circles as well as puffiness under the eyes.

Recommended anti-aging skin products

Clinical Youth Complex is a skin care product that makes sure that your skin is given the best care in the short and long run. As soon as you apply it, the fine lines and wrinkles on your face get filled. It is considered to be the best treatment for wrinkles that refuse to disappear. If you use this skin care product on a regular basis and follow the instructions properly, you will notice an improvement in the quality and texture of your skin.

Obagi ELASTIderm Night Eye Cream- This skin-care product targets the skin that surrounds your eyes. Upon regular application, you will notice that the texture of your skin has improved. It is a night cream which must be applied before bed so that the skin has enough time to absorb it. The result is that there is a definite reduction in wrinkles, fine lines, dark circles and puffiness under the eyes.

Obagi ELASTIderm Day Eye Gel- This skin care product offers the same benefits as the Obagi ELASTIderm Night Eye Cream. The only difference is that it must be applied during the day. The ingredients target the elastin and collagen fibers, making sure that the quality of the skin around the eyes improve.

The main reason for premature aging is a reduction in the elastin and collagen levels. When these components of the skin are not nourished enough, the skin becomes loose and dry. Therefore, it is necessary to moisturize and keep the skin hydrated. The best solution is to apply a serum that holds hydrating and moisturizing properties and is absorbed by every pore of the skin. The skin will naturally become healthier.

The best skin care product in this case is NeoCutisHyalis. The benefits offered by this skin care products are same as that of drinking 8 glasses of water on a regular basis. It is oil free and nourishes the skin deeply and adequately.

Another recommended skin care product is Clinical Hydra Cool Serum which not only hydrates and nourishes the skin, but also keeps acne at bay.

How To Take Care Of Skin While Travelling

You may be travelling frequently either for your business needs or any other compelling reasons. Many a times your schedules may be so hectic that you are not able to take of your skin. Still, you should bear in mind that travels definitely have their own impact on the skin. Whether your journey is by air, road or rail, it is certain that your skin undergoes changes proving the negative impact of your travel on it. There are many causes that contribute to these negative effects over the skin, particularly the facial skin. When the other areas of your body remain covered, your face is exposed, unless your cover it with a cloth when you sleep during the journey. However, covering the face deprives you of adequate oxygen, and the tissues that lack enough oxygen are going to deteriorate in their condition. This ultimately is manifested through the skin.

Your skin reacts while you are on journey, when you land and even after reaching your destination. If you happen to fly for more than two hours, avoid prolonged use of headphones. This can prevent sore on your ears. If inevitable, use the headphones for short duration, like for watching a movie. Wipe off your ear skin and try to keep it dry during the flight. You can apply a little amount of lotion on your face which always remains exposed. Keep your hands clean and an antibacterial lotion can help you for this. You may be shaking hands, touching doors or handrails, which can infect your hands and when you touch your face the facial skin may be infected. Have your own tissue papers. In case you suffer with cold, make sure that the tissue you are using is compatible to your skin.

It is important to have an idea on the climatic conditions prevailing at your destination place. If it is a warmer location, you should have a sunscreen to protect your skin. Otherwise sunburns may occur on your skin, which you will notice only you are back at home. Protect your lips with chap-stick, irrespective of the climate. Chap-stick will protect your lips from any extreme temperature, cold or hot. Chap-stick is a necessary item for lip care during travels. Take your own shampoo when you are on tours or travels. The shampoos provided by the hotels may not of an acceptable standard. Having your own shampoo is particularly advisable when you have a very sensitive skin. Your facial skin is especially very delicate and it may react to different shampoos and soaps.

Snatch some time during your tight travel schedule for caring your skin. Try to maintain your skincare programs even during your travel. Your sleeping hours and your foods differ when you are on travel. You may have to follow different hygienic techniques in different places. This is the reason why you should have your own set of skincare products when you make trips. Face is exposed to different temperatures in different places. Wearing a hat to protect your facial skin from sunrays and cold weather as well is of utmost importance.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Detox Diet For Glowing Skin

Health of your skin indicates your body health. Healthy diet can provide a healthy body with a lustrous skin. Balanced diet provides sufficient energy for your everyday activities. It also enhances the look of your skin. A healthy diet should contain proteins, essential vitamins and minerals, besides carbohydrates and fatty acids. The sources for getting these vital components are vegetables and fruits. However, your intake should also include nuts and grains, milk, honey, yogurt and required amount of seeds. The nutrition provided by the food containing the above components makes your skin healthy and radiant.

Natural Raw Food Detox Diet

You should try to consume food in the natural state, so that you can get a glowing skin. This also implies that you should minimize consuming processed foods. Junk food of any kind should be avoided. Foods containing antioxidants can improve the tone and texture of your skin. The effects of vitamins and antioxidants will be high if you take multi-vitamins and antioxidants regularly. These components will enhance the freshness and radiance of your skin. You should include all types of vegetables and fruits in your diet. The green foods especially are rich in calcium and hence you should not miss these items in your food. Skimmed milk can be taken. Whole grain bread, small amount of rice and cereals should be included in your diet. You can consume white meat as it has only low fat.

Vitamins play a key role in improving the texture and tone of the skin. Among these vitamins, vitamin B helps your skin to be healthy. The circulation of blood improves if your diet contains vitamin B1. Adequate supply of blood to the skin can improve its texture. Lack of vitamin B6 can cause skin diseases such as eczema, in which condition the skin is affected with inflammation. Lack of vitamin B3 can also cause eczema and also lead to brown pigmentation. This usually occurs on the face, legs and forearms. This is also called niacin deficiency.

Detox diet is mostly confined to raw vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds and adequate water intake. This diet excludes all meats, fish, alcohol, stimulants, eggs, dairy products, sugar and processed foods. Normally the period of detox diet is for about a week. Detox dieting also is associated with daily saunas, scrubbing the body and massaging to help detoxification. At the same time, it is also believed that detox diet lacks enough calories. Some people on detox diet have also become lethargic after a week of this process. They have also suffered side effects such as tiredness, headache, and irritability due to withdrawal of caffeine.
However, you can use milk thistle as a supplement that aids detoxification. Silymarin, an antioxidant, is available in milk thistle. This helps liver regeneration and detoxification. Yogurt contains probiotics which also is an antioxidant. It improves the health of the immune system. Detox diet involves eating adequate fruits and vegetables. The problem is only with restrictions stipulated for detox diet.

A restricted diet can make you lose weight. Therefore, it is for you to decide what kind of diet system can be less restrictive, but more effective at the same time.

How Do I Figure Out My Skin Type

Before you decide on definite skincare routine, it is essential that you know what your skin type is. This is a relatively easy process and should not take time. Some people have skin that is constantly flaking, some have skin that shines all day long while others have skin that itches and is always red. A rare group of people suffer from all there problems while others don’t complain about any. Basically, the sensitivity level of a skin is directly related to how the skin will react to a particular environment and its tolerance level. The level of its lipid content implies how soft and healthy the skin is. Last but not the least, the amount of water in the skin determines its moisture content which in turn implies the comfort level.

In brief, the following skin types exist:

1-Normal skin is one which boasts of overall health. The pores on the skin are not visible and no major imperfections can be seen. Naturally, the water as well as lipid content is at a balance and the skin is not too sensitive. The overall texture of the skin is smooth without any visible bumps.

2-Dry skin has a dull appearance and if often red. It tends to flake and show visible signs of roughness. Even though the pores are hardly visible, the skin oscillates between being normal and overly oily. Dry skin is extremely sensitive and has zero tolerance for extreme weather.

3-The T-zone is that part of the face that consists of the chin, nose and forehead. This area of the face tends to get shiny if one has oily skin. The appearance of blemishes and blackheads is also common. The pores on the skin are large. The amount of oil secreted by the pores changes if the weather changes. Oiliness may also increase due to hormonal changes. Naturally, due to excess oil, the skin tends to look waxy.

4-Combination skin combines a little bit of all the above mentioned skin types. While the cheeks may be dry and rough, the forehead will be oil or vice versa. This type of skin fluctuates between dry and oily skin.

5-Sensitive skin is one which has no tolerance to environmental changes and reacts badly to a majority of skin products. Those with sensitive skin often complain of excessive redness, painful stinging and itchiness caused by dryness. Those with extremely sensitive skin may also suffer from eczema.

Therefore, based on the above factors, figuring out one’s skin type is easy due to visible indication. For example, if you have any oily T-zone, your skin type is oily and if you have flaky skin, your skin type is dry and so on. However, to be completely sure, one can carry out a test at home.
First, wash your face with lukewarm water. Then apply a cleanser with mild properties.
Once your skin is dry, press rice paper onto your cheeks, nose, forehead and chin.
Now, if the paper has to be pulled of with some effort, your skin is oily. It will stick to the above mentioned areas of your face and will have a transparent quality.
On the other hand, if the rice paper comes off without any effort and remains as it is, without getting transparent, your skin is dry.
Last but not the least, if you have normal or combination skin, the paper will stick to parts of your skin and not to other parts.

This home test will not show results if you have sensitive skin. However, if your skin tends to show no tolerance for extreme weather and breaks out after applying any skin product, you can be sure that you have sensitive skin. Those with sensitive skin find it hard to figure out what skin product to use as mild products produce extreme results as well. Artificial chemicals like alpha hydroxy acid, alcohol, retinoids and those added for fragrance generally irritate sensitive skin. Therefore, organic ingredients are recommended if you have sensitive skin.

In most cases, some people are sensitive to a few ingredients and not to the others. It is recommended to try the product onto a patch on the arm or leg before applying it on the face.

Tips for Fawless skin care

An adage says that beauty is skin deep and that can be protected with care and some effort for skin care. Everyone dreams of a smooth, glowing and flawless complexion. Our skin is one of the most sensitive parts of our body and can easily get affected by even a tiny bit of carelessness. Even if you have a good skin it should be maintained properly to keep it flawless and glowing. It is common knowledge that the secret of a flawless skin is the simple mantra: Just Cleanse, Tone and Protect. Some others may vouch that eat and drink your way to a flawless skin. It is actually a combination of all these. To put it in a nutshell, flawless skin is the result of a well balanced diet, drinking plenty of water, restful sleep every night and keep toxins away.

 
Let’s face it. No amount of emphasis is not enough when it comes to skincare. So make sure you take the time solely dedicated to skincare. The invaluable reward – a glowing, flawless skin, plus a bonus of overall relaxation for you! Skin care consists of a few processes such as cleansing, exfoliating and moisturizing.

 
Cleansing: Make cleansing your daily habit in the evening. Wash your skin at the end of the day with a mild soap that can remove perspiration and dirt and not the nutrients and moisture of your skin. This will remove the blockages of the pores of the skin. Make up should be removed without fail. The pores can get blocked due to the polluted air, sun, dirt, air-conditioning and grime from our own hands.

 
One way to cleanse facial skin is to wipe your face with a piece of cotton wool dipped in raw milk. Almond oil can be used to cleanse the skin under the eyes.

 

 
A part of cleansing is exfoliating helps to get rid of dead skin cells. This can be done twice a week carefully. Using clay masks is the best way to draw out the impurities from underneath the skin and make it soft. Use a body brush to exfoliate your skin. Applying a body lotion helps to soothe the skin.

 
Toning: Rose water is the best skin toner and an important ingredient in skin care.. Use it after cleansing to improve your skin tone. Brushing with a body brush helps in toning and stimulating the skin.

 
Moisturizing: Moisturizing is nothing but hydrating your skin. This can protect your skin from pollutants in the atmosphere. A face mask of mashed banana mixed with white cosmetic clay is ideal for this purpose. A mixture of yogurt, orange juice and lemon juice can be used as a moisturizer for normal skin. The face mask made with cooked oatmeal and honey will suit those with a dry skin. Water provides the natural hydration for the skin.

Tips for Maintaining Flawless Skin
  • Coconut oil has been used for ages to achieve a flawless, spotless and ageless skin. It fights against toxins powerfully as it has anti bacterial and anti microbial and anti fungal properties. A few drops of coconut oil should be taken in the palms and rubbed on the skin thoroughly. This daily massage can expel all the toxins out of the body in a few weeks. This is a proven way to get a flawless skin naturally.
  • Mashed banana, lemon juice and honey can be mixed and used for massaging the skin for about 15 minutes. Rinse with cold water and repeat for getting a flawless skin care.
  • If you have oily skin use this face pack made by blending cucumber, Aloe Vera gel and egg white. Apply this all over the face and neck and wash it off with warm water after it dries.
  • Research has shown that a diet consisting of proteins, fruits and vegetables is the best way to maintain a flawless skin.
  • Rub a sliced raw potato on the face to remove blemishes and scars.
  • Strawberry mask made with mashed strawberries and yogurt can be applied on the skin for about 15 minutes daily and then rinsed with water to get a flawless skin.
  • Strictly avoid refined white carbohydrates such as white bread, pasta, rice and sweets. They cause the insulin levels to shoot up and cause break outs in the skin.
  • Avoid fish which is a good source of fatty acids known as EFAs. They clog the skin pores and cause acne. Almonds, hazelnuts and flaxseed also rich in EFAs.
  • If you have scars on your face, blend sandalwood and Rose water to make a paste and apply it on your face at bed time. Leave it overnight and wash with cold water.
  • Honey is good for skin care and massaging the face with honey helps in removing wrinkles.
  • Mix mashed avocado and honey and apply this to the skin. Wash it with warm water after about 20 minutes. This is an effective skin care method for dry skin.
  • Mix turmeric powder to milk and apply this on your face to remove tan or for getting rid of facial hair.
  • Make a mixture of dried orange peels and curd and apply on your face to remove tan.
  • Take a piece of lemon and add a hint of sugar and rub it on your face. It can be applied on the elbows to make the skin smooth and removes pigmentation.
  • Make a mixture of Rose water, honey, jajoba oil and Rose essential oil and apply on your face and leave it for 20 minutes. Wash off with warm water. This is another good way to achieve a flawless skin.
Healthy Diet for Flawless Skin

 
A healthy diet for skin care forms the basis of a flawless skin. Fresh fruits and vegetables and juices of fruits and vegetables are wonderful agents for a flawless skin. They provide the essential nutrients for a healthy skin. Avoid junk food and fried and artificial foods and aerated drinks like colas. Water is essential for keeping the skin hydrated so it is important to drink at least ten glasses of water per day as a skincare regimen. Regular exercise and restful sleep are must for having a healthy body and this helps the skin to remain healthy. Stress can make the skin dull so avoid stress. Beat stress with yoga and meditation and keep the skin glowing and flawless.

Things to Avoid for flawless skin care

Avoid over exposure to sun as it can harm your skin. Use sun screen to protect your skin when going out in the sun. Avoid excessive use of cosmetics on the skin as they contain dangerous chemicals that can harm the skin.

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Breast Cancer

What is Breast Cancer

When the cells in the breast tissues start growing abnormally and into huge numbers then there is the possibility of breast cancer. Breast cancer can also stem for abnormal growth in the ducts and lobules. Symptoms, indications and treatment will vary for different types of the cancer. If diagnosed and treated effectively at an early stage the symptoms and ill effects of this problem can be set in abeyance.

Prevalence of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer seen in women. Most cancers start in the ducts and some types are named as invasive ductal carcinoma. It is also the second most significant reason for death from cancer in women, the first being lung cancer. If a woman is aged between 20 and 39, it makes sense to get a breast examination done every 36 months by a professional health care giver in order to contain the illness, if it occurs, in the initial stages.

Causes of breast Cancer

1. General: Gender is the biggest bias for breast cancer as it occurs mostly in women. Age also is an important risk factor. The older a woman is the more the chances of being affected by cancer. While a 30-year old woman is at a 0.35% risk to be affected by breast cancer in the next 10 years, a 60-year old woman is at a 3.3%risk for the same disease. Studies show that breast cancer is more prevalent among fair-skinned woman than in Afro-American women in the US.

 
2. Other risk factors:
  • A woman who already has been treated for cancer in one breast has a significantly higher chance of being affected by cancer in the other breast, or in another region of the affected breast
  • Genetic factors: When there is a history of cancer in the family
  • Hormonal factors: Hormones play an important role in deciding breast cancer risk. For instance a woman who started periods early and/or has menopause at a later age, is a t a higher risk
  • Child factor: Having a child before reaching the age of 30 reduces the risk of breast cancer while not having children increases the risk
  • Lifestyle: Indulging in a fat rich diet that leads to obesity; regular intake of alcohol are both high risk factors for the disease. Meanwhile exercise reduces the risk
  • Environment: Women who have taken radiation treatment in the upper region of the body are at an increased risk for breast cancer
Symptoms of breast Cancer
  • There are no symptoms in the initial stages
  • A mammography showing a lump in the breast region
  • A persistent lump above the collar bone area, or in the armpit
  • Inversion of nipple
  • Discernible changes in the skin on the breast
  • Discharge from the breast
  • Painlessness, hardening of the breast and difficulty in its movement
  • Change in size of breast
Most of these symptoms may be indications of other less harmful health problems. However, they should not go undiagnosed.

Treatment Of Breast Cancer

There are various factors to be considered before opting for the most effective treatment against breast cancer. They are
  • The age of the patient
  • Whether the patient has menstrual periods
  • The symptoms and indications of the cancer. Treatment depends on the type of breast cancer that the patient has. The different types of breast cancer are
  • Invasive ductal carcinoma (Prevalence: 7 out of 10 breast cancers are of this type)
  • Invasive lobular carcinoma (when the cancer starts in the lobules of the breast; prevalence: 1/10)
  • Medullary carcinoma (prevalence 3/100)
  • Paget’s disease : This involves cancer of the areola and nipple (Prevalence: 3/100)
  • Inflammatory breast cancer: (Prevalence: 1/100)
  • Mucinous (Prevalence: 3/100)
  • Tubular (Prevalence 1/100)
  • Papillary (Prevalence:1/100)
  • Adenocystic (Prevalence 4/1000)
  • Carcinosarcoma (Prevalence: 1/1000)
Generally there are four types of treatment for breast cancer. They are surgery, hormone therapy, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

 
There are two types of surgery for breast cancer:
Lumpectomy: This is a surgical procedure that removes the tumor
Mastectomy: The removal of the whole of the breast that is affected

 
Hormone Therapy: This involves medication and treatment of a patient in a manner to improve the hormonal functioning or the removal of the entire organ that releases hormones that increase risk and symptoms of cancer.

 
Chemotherapy: Treating the patient with those drugs that destroy the cancer cells

 
Radiation: When X-ray radiation of high potency is directed on the cancer cells to destroy them
It is however heartening to know that death due to breast cancer is on the decline thanks to the increased awareness among the people and the sophisticated methods of diagnosis that allow for early intervention and treatment.

Home Remedies For Dark Skin

Many people have dark skin by nature, but hyperpigmentation could be one among the various reasons that causes dark skin. Melanin, the skin pigment, is responsible for the color of the skin. When melanin is more this skin is also darker. Exposure to sun proves this. A person with fair complexion can develop dark skin due to exposure to sun light, as melanin is produced more to shield the skin against UV rays of the sun. There are certain skin disorders such as Lichen Simplex Chronicus that can leave the skin dark. However, there are home remedies to lighten your skin tone. These remedy measures should be included in your daily schedule, so that best results can be achieved.

Take ½ tsp of almond oil, 1 tsp of lemon juice, 1 tsp of milk powder and 1 tsp of milk powder and mix them. Apply this mixture on the face and leave it there for about 15 minutes. You can then wash it off. This makes your skin shinier and removes the tan from your skin. Take some amount of tomato juice, curd and oatmeal and mix them. Apply this on your face. Leave the mixture on your face for about 20 minutes and then use cold water to wash it off. This lightens the skin and also removes the tan.

Take potato and cut into slices. Place these slices on your face. This can reduce blemishes and other marks on your face. Using lime juice will give a bleaching effect. Or, you can apply turmeric powder together with lime juice on your skin to remove the tan.

Do not throw out orange peels and have them dried. You can mix these peels with curd and use them for reducing scars and blemishes. Allow this mixture on your face for about 15 minutes and then wash off with cold water. For a glowing skin, you can take the help of almonds too. Have some four almonds soaked in water in night. In the morning of the following day, make a fine paste of these almonds with milk. Apply this paste on your skin in night. Wash it off with cold water only after getting up from bed in the morning. You should follow this for about a fortnight on daily basis, after which you can do it twice a week.

One more simple home treatment is there for dark skin. You can apply a mixture of gram flour with raw milk and small quantity of lime juice. Let the mixture remain on the skin for about 15 minutes. Wash it off then. Repeat this procedure for four weeks. After this you can do this once a week. This works well for lightening of the skin.

Take some fresh ground mint leaves and grind them to a paste. Apply this paste on the skin and leave it there for about 20 minutes and then wash it off. You should do this for two weeks on daily basis. You can also make a mixture of grated tomato with few drops of lime juice and apply on your face and leave it for 20 minutes. You can then wash it off. For best results you should do this twice a day for about a fortnight.

How To Look Younger Than Your Age

Everyone wants to look fresh and young these days. Maybe it is because of our fast paced lifestyle that people face stress and tension which directly reflects on their face and skin. Stress does cause early ageing and it can’t be avoided these days. Even men are not that far behind as far as looking young is concerned. Men these days take extra care to make sure that they look fresh every morning while leaving for office. For this they visit parlors and spas every week or fortnightly. There are many anti-ageing products available in the market which promises to remove ten years off your face. However very few can be trusted and that too don’t give complete results.

Two-Three decades ago if a man visited the parlor he would be considered feminine and girly, but now opinions have changed completely. Men these days even end up waxing their chest to look smooth and clean.

However looking young is not an overnight process and is not as simple as washing your hair and brushing your teeth.

There are many natural as well as artificial or medical ways of looking young. Natural methods are highly recommended as they do not have any side effects and can be easily adjusted into your daily lifestyle.

Here are some steps that might help you in looking younger than your age:

Sleep Well: A good night’s sleep is extremely important for every person. 7-8 hours sleep is a must because the muscles in our body need rest to recover and grow. Going off to sleep before mid-night is important because then you can get up early in the morning. Sleep replenishes all the energy that you have used in the previous day. If possible slip in an hour of sleep in the afternoon. Lack of sleep causes dark circles which are in turn signs of ageing. Plus the eyes look droopy if a person doesn’t sleep properly.

Maintain a Good Diet: Maintaining healthy eating habits ensures that you get proper nutrition. Plenty of fruits, fresh green vegetables and fish should be included in the diet. Also 4-5 liters of water should be consumed every day so that all the toxins are flushed out of the body.

Smoking and Drinking should be Avoided: Smoking causes constriction of capillaries on the face, due to which every smoker looks pale and weak. The hair roots also tend to become weak. Smoking and Drinking weakens the immune system due to which that person is more prone to diseases and other illness. Both smoking and drinking take a hell lot of time to quit. Hence it’s better to stay away from it. Smoking can also cause cancer.

Balance Exercising and Eating: If you are a little overweight and have decided to loose weight by exercising and dieting, never ever go on a crash diet i.e. skip meals and eating less. This will only make you weaker and you won’t get the energy to exercise. Too much exercising may damage your muscle so always consult a trainer while exercising. Remember to strike a balance between your diet and your exercise regime.

Protect yourself against thesun and UV Rays: Extra care should be taken to protect the skin from harmful ultra violet rays as the harmful radiations coming from the sun can damage your skin and accelerate the ageing process. Even if you are sunbathing apply a moisturizer and then sit out on the sun. Too much exposure to the sun can cause sunburns.

Don’t color or Dye your hair: Avoid coloring and dyeing your hair. Hair colors are made of chemicals and may have many side effects on your hair. The texture of the hair can go bad. Hair dyes tend to damage the hair follicles which in turn lead to hair fall.

Stay away from cosmetic surgeries: Cosmetic surgeries make u look like someone you are not, so stay away from it. Surgeries like Botox, Nose job etc. though highly popular gives the face a plastic look, more like a puppet. Surely no one fancies looking like a puppet.

These are some of the methods that can be adopted to look young and that too naturally.

Skin Care Regime In Your Twenties

Taking extra measures to ensure that you have glowing skin in your twenties is easy and ensures that you have good skin forever. Integrating a few tips into your life will make sure that wrinkles do not find you before time.

A large number of people in their twenties believe that using ant-aging products will slow down the aging process. However, this is not true as anti-aging creams are formulated keeping a particular kind of skin type and age group in mind. Therefore, it will not work on your skin and you will just be wasting money.


The best way to take care of your skin during your twenties is to take a few preventive measures. The best part is that while you are in twenties, you are still young enough to boast about that fact that your skin is not completely damaged.

Whether you are in your teens or your twenties, a few basic tips must always be kept in mind. The first being that you must cleanse and moisturize once on a daily basis. In case you have not been doing this in your teens, you must incorporate this tip into your life as soon as possible. Buying expensive skin products will not ensure good skin for the rest of your life- you must buy that skin product that not only has a good reputation but is also created for your skin type. In case you are not sure, you must consult a beautician or a family member.

The best preventive skin care measure that you can take in your twenties is applying sunblock. The reason being that the strong rays emitted from the sun stimulate the melanin that is present in the skin. Consequently, the individual may suffer from discoloration, pigmentation, wrinkles and skin cancer. It also leads to aging before time and naturally, makes you look older than you are. Therefore, using sunscreen on a regular basis will definitely benefit you in the long run.

Even though it may be hard to hear and a large number of people choose to ignore it- the fact is that drugs, smoking and consumption of alcohol leads to premature aging. Smoking on a regular basis leads to the appearance of lines around the lips as well as visible crows feet. Smoking also makes the skin look paler and papery. If you consume alcohol on a regular basis, your skin will get dry and wrinkles as well as fine lines will appear around your mouth and eyes. Giving up things that you enjoy is never a good idea but doing everything in moderation will ensure that you not only have beautiful skin but also a longer life.

The skin produces extra oil during puberty. However, this production slows down during your twenties and therefore, it is around this time that you have the most beautiful skin. If you have suffered from acne in your teens, it will definitely disappear in your twenties. However, keeping the following tips in mind will make sure that this beautiful skin remains as it is in the long run

1-Many people make the mistake of falling asleep without removing every trace of make-up. This clogs the pores and keeps the skin from breathing and lead to red, inflamed skin. Therefore, you must always remove your make-up before going to bed.

2-Make sure that you do not leave the house without applying sunblock. It will keep your skin protected from the harmful UV rays of the sun and prevent wrinkles.

3-Making sure that you consume at least 9 glasses of water on a daily basis will ensure beautiful skin. Including fresh fruits and green vegetables into your diet will ensure that your skin gets all the nutrients it needs. Staying away from food that is high in trans fat and sugar is another great tip that should be followed.

4-Excercising on a daily basis will keep your skin glowing

5-Take supplements that are high in vitamins and minerals

Integrating these tips will make sure that your skin stays healthy and sag free for as long as possible. One must always remember to choose such products that are suited for one’s skin type. Maintaining radiant skin is not as difficult as people think and keeping basics in mind will definitely benefit them.

Home Remedies For Glowing Skin

Many people do not have glowing skin by nature, but hyperpigmentation could be one among the various reasons that causes dullness of the skin. Melanin, the skin pigment, is responsible for the color of the skin. When melanin is more this skin loses its brightness. Exposure to sun proves this. A person with fair complexion can develop a dull skin due to exposure to sun light, as melanin is produced more to shield the skin against UV rays of the sun. There are certain skin disorders such as Lichen Simplex Chronicus that make the skin non-lustrous. However, there are home remedies to lighten your skin tone. These remedy measures should be included in your daily schedule, so that best results can be achieved.

Take ½ tsp of almond oil, 1 tsp of lemon juice, 1 tsp of milk powder and 1 tsp of milk powder and mix them. Apply this mixture on the face and leave it there for about 15 minutes. You can then wash it off. This makes your skin shinier and removes the tan from your skin. Take some amount of tomato juice, curd and oatmeal and mix them. Apply this on your face. Leave the mixture on your face for about 20 minutes and then use cold water to wash it off. This lightens the skin and also removes the tan.

Take potato and cut into slices. Place these slices on your face. This can reduce blemishes and other marks on your face. Using lime juice will give a bleaching effect. Or, you can apply turmeric powder together with lime juice on your skin to remove the tan.

Do not throw out orange peels and have them dried. You can mix these peels with curd and use them for reducing scars and blemishes. Allow this mixture on your face for about 15 minutes and then wash off with cold water. For a glowing skin, you can take the help of almonds too. Have some four almonds soaked in water in night. In the morning of the following day, make a fine paste of these almonds with milk. Apply this paste on your skin in night. Wash it off with cold water only after getting up from bed in the morning. You should follow this for about a fortnight on daily basis, after which you can do it twice a week.

One more simple home treatment is there to get a glowing skin. You can apply a mixture of gram flour with raw milk and small quantity of lime juice. Let the mixture remain on the skin for about 15 minutes. Wash it off then. Repeat this procedure for four weeks. After this you can do this once a week. This works well for lightening of the skin.

Take some mint leaves that are fresh and grind them to a paste. Apply this paste on the skin and leave it there for about 20 minutes and then wash it off. You should do this for two weeks on daily basis. You can also make a mixture of grated tomato together with lime juice and apply on your face and leave it for 20 minutes. You can then wash it off. For best results you should do this twice a day for about a fortnight.

Secrets To Flawless Skin

Everyone desires to have flawless skin because the state of your skin defines how you look and how good you look. But, very rarely do we come across with anyone with a flawless skin and complexion. Those few who do posses this feature are lucky to be God-gifted. Because, most of us will show some sort of skin trouble, ranging from mild to severe. Some suffer from acne, pimples, boils, hyper pigmentation and so on. Though these are not serious or life-threatening conditions, they sure can have a lot of negative psychological impact on those who are suffering from any such conditions.

So, it is important to follow a proper skin care regime to prevent or even keep such conditions in check. One can resort to different skin care treatments and facial products for your skin. But remember every one’s skin type and sensitivity varies and is never the same among any two persons. So, identifying of one’s skin type is a very important step to achieving flawless skin. Some of us might exhibit oily skin whereas others might have dry skin lacking in moisture. Some also exhibit highly sensitive skins and thus the treatment for each skin type varies as per suitability. A treatment which might work on you might prompt the other’s skin to react in a completely opposite manner.
You must take care of your skin and maintain the basic hygiene to keep your skin dirt and germ-free. Resort to a particular type of a facial treatment and get it done regularly thereby, keeping your skin vitalized at all times. The basic skin routine involves certain very simple and basic steps like cleansing, exfoliating, moisturizing and sun protection. Though everyone knows these easy steps, how many of us actually treat our skin with these treatments regularly?
Cleansing helps remove all the dirt and excess oil from the skin. Cleansing is done using cleansers which are easily available in any beauty and skin care store. Exfoliation helps you get rid off all the unnecessary dead skin cells which if not removed makes your skin look lifeless and dull. Exfoliating your skin will make it look younger and fresher. The right amount of moisture is vital for a healthy and lively looking skin. Irrespective of whether your skin is oily, dry or normal, moisturizing your skin will provide your skin with the much needed moisture. Dry, peeling skin is a clear sign of “thirsty” skin.
Sun exudes harmful radiations like the UV rays and also a lot of heat which could repair your skin irrevocably. It is very important, especially, to protect your skin from UV rays. Easiest way of doing this is by applying sunscreen creams in the daytime when getting out into the sun. Sunscreen shields your skin and exposes it to minimal UV ray damage.
But, before resorting to use any of the facial products, ensure that it suits your skin type. And finally, eat right and healthy, exercise regularly and consume lots of fluids to have that enviable and flawless skin.

Men Skin Care Products

Times have changed – in this time and age when men are getting metrosexual, skin care for men is becoming quite a need for them to match with the opposite sex in terms of style, grooming and their personal presentation. The daily skin care for men now does not only include bathing daily with soap but also work towards getting the desired look he is looking for to compete with the fairer sex.

The daily skin care for men should begin with some basics of the body care.

Most of the men feel that going to the saloon is the best way of taking care of their skin, but then there are other ways to take care of men’s skin. They should work on removing stress and worried look on their face and should first work on removing the stress. This is the basic layout of taking are of men’s skin and also the foundation to work towards improving the quality of the skin in return taking care of their skin.

Men skin care – Tip I -Men must understand that their skin is more oily then women’s skin and therefore to take care of their skin they should keep cleaning their face with a cleanser after back from outside to clean the pollutants which might just stick to the skin making it dull.

Men skin care – Tip II – Men should also make it a point to apply sunscreen on their face whenever they are moving out in the heat keeping their skin fresh, wrinkle free, clean and young. They should also wear clothes which absorbs sweat so that their skin avoids rashes and sunburns leading to skin cancer. Men skin care products also helps in protecting direct rays of sun on the skin.

Men skin care – Tip III – Men skin care products also includes no soap cleanser for oily skin which will not cause further damage to the skin, protects irritation of skin, eruption if any and should only use cleanser without alcohol for a cool and rejuvenating feel of the skin.

Men skin care – Tip IV – Since men have a very rough skin due to shaving and use of razor everyday, they should protect their skin from exfoliation. There are lots of scrubs to protect their skin from exfoliation. Men skin care products are very important in today’s age as there is so much of pollution which does not leave their skin flabby, hanging and full of wrinkles. Men skin care products also include some sponges that they can use to scrub their elbows, heels. These sponges should not though used for face cleaning as it might leave some pigmentation if exposed.

Men skin care – Tip V – The most important tip used for men skin care is they should make it a routine to first cleanse and then shave and then again tone with aftershave. Men with Oily skin can avoid moisturizer. The men who have beards should clean their beard with a moisturizer or a toner during the evenings.

Men skin care – Tip VI – We have seen that men often shop for clothes, hairstyle and accessories like shoes; they mostly overlook their skin care. Men skin care needs specialized skin care products that are good, fast to use and not difficult. There are lots of men skin care products available in the market which fulfills these requirements. Its just that men have to be conscious enough to understand that from their younger days they have to be very conscious of taking care of their skin, using and selecting the right skin care products for men so that as they start growing older they do not have to pay extra attention to care their skin as they have been doing so in their early years.

Men skin care – Tip VII– Sometimes men start having this extra hair growth problem like extra hair on chin, face, back and shoulders which requires care. There are 2 methods of solving this problem. One could be, to keep shaving these hairs regularly which is a problem, as it might cause irritation, cuts or patches which is not a very good proposition. The second and a better way of taking care of their skin and stopping growth of extra hair in unwanted areas is to go for laser treatment which solves permanent hair growth problem.

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Natural Skincare For Dull Skin

A good complexion can give you a good social status. It can fetch you even good jobs, or if you are already in service, can help your career prospects. This is absolutely applicable in the case of women particularly when they are employed. There are many artificial methods to improve the look of skin, but they are much expensive and also, with some products side effects are not avoidable. At the same time, there are many natural skin care techniques to make you look better. It is always safe for you adopt the natural care to get a sustained effect without spending a lot on that.

If you need to have an instant shine, you can apply apricot on the face. Take some amount of water and mash spearmint leaves with it. You can apply this both in the morning and evening on your face. Within a week you can observe improvement. If you need to turn your rough skin into soft skin, you can apply the flour of gram pulse every morning. This can also help in getting a fair complexion. You can keep almonds soaked in water for about 8 hours; peel them off, grind them with some quantity of milk and apply this paste at night. You can wash your face with cold water in the morning and continue this procedure for about a fortnight. You can get fair complexion with this procedure.

You can apply fresh milk on the skin to make the skin a fair one. You can prepare a paste of gram pulse with raw milk and apply on your face. Allow it to remain on the face for about 20 minutes and then wash your face. However, you should not have washed your face with soap prior to applying this paste. Twice or thrice a week you can do like this to get a fair complexion.

Besides the above, you should eat diet containing enough fiber content. Eating green leafy vegetables can retain freshness and youthfulness. You should drink sufficient amount of water every day. About 10 glasses of water are needed to keep your secretion systems healthy. This also changes your dull complexion into a fair one and cures certain skin conditions. Walk every day in the morning. Do exercises for five days in a week. If you are more inclined to yoga, it is a better proposition. Doing meditation can relieve you of stress. These steps ultimately will result in an overall good health and provide a fair complexion too.

Keep yourself away from pollution, sun rays, chemicals and above all, stressful conditions. You can derive a natural glow by following the above procedures. When you are providing a natural care for your skin, you should avoid certain habits which will nullify the good effects caused by this care. These habits include drinking alcohol and smoking. They should be stopped unconditionally so that you will be able to achieve your goal of getting a fair complexion. Alcohol dehydrates the body and smoking can constrict your blood vessels. Dehydrations take away the minerals from your body and constriction of blood vessels reduces blood supply to tissues. Therefore, smoking and drinking can largely your skin health.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Home Remedies For Glowing Skin


Glowing Skin

Everyone would like to say “My face is my fortune” like the Pretty Maid of the popular nursery rhyme. Earlier, it was considered that a flawless complexion was the prerogative of a fortunate few. Not so today! There are several thousands of products in the market that claim to create a younger and more beautiful you. Many of them do bring about an aesthetic change to your looks. Yet, there is nothing to beat the fact that home remedies for a glowing skin work well and are harmless.

 
Skin care, whatever the type of skin, involves three steps, cleansing, toning and moisturizing.

 
Cleansing
  • For older people the cleanser should have more moisture content
  • Cleansers meant for sensitive skin are suitable for those who are prone to allergic breakouts
  • Those with acne prone skin should use cleansers that are especially formulated to fight acne
Toning the skin shrinks pores.

There are several toners and you should carefully choose what suits your skin- whether you want an anti aging formula or a toner formulated to fight acne.

Moisturizing the skin is done for three reasons

To protect the skin from harmful UV rays (the SPF should be at least 15 for good results), to keep the skin smooth and even and to retain its moisture and prevent drying up. Moisturizer should be applied both in the morning and in the night on a clean dry skin for best results.

 
While this skin care regime should be followed for maintaining a healthy skin, there are several home remedies that can help you skin glow. The tips are easy to follow and the results remarkable.

Tips for a glowing skin

A simple and very effective formula to fight problems of oily skin: In a tablespoon of warm milk squeeze a freshly cut lemon until the milk curdles. Apply this milk to your face and keep it on for 15 to 20 minutes before washing it off. Do this everyday for best results

 
Apply a mixture of honey and milk on your face for 20 minutes, for a naturally glowing skin.

 
The juice of a carrot applied regularly works wonders on blemishes. Rubbing a potato peel on your face is effective against blemishes too

 
Placing thin cotton pads (dipped in cold juice of the cucumber) on closed eyes will take care of dark circles around the eyes and also refresh the eyes

 
Mash orange peel with milk to prepare a natural bleach

 
Pure sandalwood paste is a natural skin conditioner. Apply it for few hours twice a week for a glowing skin

 
Mix yoghurt with finely ground rice flour to make a paste. Use it as a face pack. This removes the excess oil from the skin

 
Papaya paste and banana paste make excellent face packs too

 
Prepare a face mask out off honey and eggs to combat undue tanning

 
A mixture cucumber juice and milk makes a great cleanser

 
Cotton pads dipped in chilled cucumber juice will reduce dark circles under the eyes.

 
Diets rich in fluids, fruits, and vegetables that are rich in anti oxidants will keep your skin looking young glowing naturally.

 
A glowing skin is an asset coveted by all women. It is easy to achieve a great complexion today with all the resources and knowledge available. There is a three step regime to keep the skin well conditioned, cleansing, toning and moisturizing. There are several home remedies to have a glowing skin.

How To Brighten Dull Skin

Skin may become dull in the area where blood circulation is slow or inadequate. Over-drinking and smoking can cause dullness of the skin. If you are not taking diet with essential vitamins, it can cause dullness of the skin. Stress can change the skin to become dull. Exposing the body to extreme temperatures, staying in the sun for prolonged periods and humid conditions can affect the brightness of the skin. If you expose your body to the wind carrying dirt and dust, your skin becomes dull. However, the look of the skin can certainly be improved if it looks dull. One of the best ways to improve a dull complexion is by exfoliation. The dead skin cells are removed by exfoliation, but this has to be done regularly. At least you should exfoliate twice a week. Regular exfoliation removes the oil and dead skin cells in the skin and improves the look of the skin. The dead skin cells can also clog the pores of the skin and cause any type of acne right from blackheads. The steps for improving the brightness of the skin are as follows.

To rejuvenate your complexion, you should stay well hydrated first. The skin loses its natural glow due to dehydration. You should drink enough water every day, to say at least eight glasses of water, so that your skin tissues remain well hydrated. You should avoid taking excess alcohol, or try to stop alcohol consumption, as alcohol causes fluid loss, dehydration and many other problems that can contribute to dullness of the skin. Alcohol also causes excretion essential minerals from the body.

The next important thing is that you should stop smoking. Tobacco contains nicotine. Nicotine causes constriction of the lumen of the blood vessels. This results in reduced blood flow. Finally the skin cells are deprived of oxygen and nutrients. Therefore the skin begins appearing with grey undertones. It looks lifeless and dull. Particularly, if smokers had started this habit in the early stages of their life, collagen synthesis in their body reduces, causing dry skin. It is therefore very necessary to quit smoking if you are really serious about the look of your skin.

Moisture is another factor which can affect the look of the skin. During the winter and monsoon seasons the harsh climate breaks down the sebum barrier causing the skin to look dull. This leads to loss of moisture and dull skin. To tide over this difficulty, use normal water for cleansing your skin and not hot water. Instead of soap, you can use a cleansing cream. Apply moisturizer to compensate the loss of moisture. You should do this immediately following the facial cleansing. Allow the moisturizer to stay on the skin for sufficient time so that maximum absorption of the moisture can take place.

Exfoliate your skin regularly to give a healthy look to your complexion. You can also dramatically improve the look of your skin if you can undergo microdermabrasion which a dermatologist or aesthetician can do. These procedures may be costly, but give good results.

Monday, February 7, 2011

Skin Lightening Creams


Skin Lightening Creams
 Are you looking for skin whitening / lightening cream, you should keep few points in mind that whatever cream you choose should be safe and also effective.

It is observed that common skin spots are caused by overexposure in the sun. When we go out in the sun, the body produces a substance called as melanin and when it reacts with the sun it makes the body tan. Overexposure of the skin in the sun causes skin burn too, as the upper layer of the skin peels of and the new skin gets more susceptible to heat causing skin burn.

When you apply a skin lightening cream it increases the risk of skin burns. Therefore, one needs to seriously limit his skin exposure for a long time in the sun. When you move out of the house please apply zinc oxide which prevents sun burn.
One can also consult their dermatologist which skin whitening and lightening cream he/she should use to keep their skin protected from the sun. The dermatogist will be able to decide how sensitive your skin is and the severity of discoloration.

Normally use a good skin lightening and whitening cream which is quite safe and powerful. Substances like steroids, mercury should be an absolute no and it has already been banned in the west. If these products are not used with proper guidance and advice they can also lead to skin cancer.

Normally go in for skin lightening cream which is safe with herbal substances in it. The skin lightening and whitening cream made of herbals are mainly plant extracts and are much safer than the other which are synthetically made.

There are a lot of skin lightening and whitening creams that are cheaper and produces good results:

Use of Skin Lightening / whitening cream

Skin lightening and whitening creams is normally used to treat skin problems that include dark spots, discolorations in the skin.

People suffering from acne, scars or age spots, benefit most from the Skin lightening cream. There is Skin lightening products normally available in the form of a cream or lotion.

Skin lightening and whitening creams are so made to provide a person with an even and clear skin complexion. The skin lightening creams work very fast and some show results in 2 weeks time.


When purchasing a skin lightening / whitening cream one should be very careful about the ingredients it contains and how it is applied.
It is better to try different skin lightening / whitening cream to see which cream works best with your skin type.

One of the most popular and good skin lightening / whitening cream is Meladerm. This product if applied reduces pigmentation in the skin. This skin lightening / whitening cream is the best cream for people suffering from pigmentation, dark spots and pigmentation on the skin. A very comprehensive research was carried out and it took around four years for the scientists to create this skin lightening / whitening cream.

Other type of Skin lightening/ whitening cream is made for people who have scars and age spots. A person should decide what type of cream suits whom and also the skin type. Then there are other skin lightening / whitening cream which is used to reduce freckles. This skin lightening / whitening cream should not be used by people suffering from pigmentation.

The price of skin lightening / whitening cream depends on the brand and what treatment is it going to be used for. Someone who has lot of skin disorders will have to go through the physician and might have to pay more to cure it. General skin lightening / whitening cream can be purchased off the counter.

The skin lightening / whitening cream is available everywhere from grocery store to departmental store to any boutique. Do not be in a hurry because someone suggested you to buy a particular skin lightening / whitening cream. Read the instructions and ingredients properly before buying the product because if the product does not suit your skin it might cause irritation and might lead to chemical burn. The best option is do a skin test before buying skin lightening / whitening cream.
All said and done, with the invention of skin lightening / whitening cream the problem of discoloration, age spots, freckles will be the issue of the past.

How To Get Rid Of Dead Skin Cells

The skin having dead cells in it loses its luster and looks dull. It is therefore necessary to remove these dead cells from the skin. The actual look of the skin is revealed only when the dead skin cells are removed. After removal of the dead skin, the radiant cells and the new cells are exposed, giving a good fresh look to the skin. The most effective way to get rid of dead skin cells is exfoliation. The word exfoliate itself has vital meaning to that effect. Exfoliation is very easy and simple. It will not consume much of your time. You can exfoliate any area of skin of your body, even though usually this procedure is adopted for giving a bright appearance of the facial skin.

In winter times, particularly, dead skin cells can start building up. Spring time is the season for renewal, and suits for doing exfoliation. Sloughing off the dead skin and leaving the healthy skin intact is the main aim to get a bright skin. Therefore, abrasive products should not be used on the skin. Abrasive products may remove the good skin too. This implies that you should not lose the good skin together with the dead skin. Varieties of products are available in the market for skin exfoliation. You should look for a scrub that contains sugar or fruit acids. There are scrubs containing both sugar and fruit acids.

You can apply the body scrub or facial scrub gently on the skin and then rinse it off. Body scrubs are somewhat harder when compared with facial scrubs. However, you should exfoliate with a scrub on a regular basis. You can exfoliate once a week during warmer months. If possible you can increase it to twice a week. Following the instructions displayed on the pack of the scrub is necessary before using it, so that you will not miss the main benefits that the product can provide. Be gentle when you apply the scrub on the skin. You cannot produce quick results and hence rubbing the scrub heavily on the skin is futile. Improvement can be found only in the long run.

Body is shedding dead skin cells every day. These cells but stick to the body and do not fall off on their own. We have to only remove it manually as otherwise they can hide vibrant cells and new cells of the skin, causing dull look of the skin and even clog the pores of the skin to form acne. Wrinkles also can form on the skin due to dead skin cells, when they build up excessively.

There is one more procedure for exfoliation. You can brush the skin gently before showering using a dry brush. This can loosen the skin cells and exfoliation is thus helped out. For the heels you can use a pumice stone and calluses can be prevented this way. You have to only soften the feet with water before using pumice stone.

In conclusion, like you remove dirt and dust from your body through routine baths, it is also essential to get rid of the dead skin cells for giving a good look.

Are Acne And Dandruff Related

The medical name for dandruff is Seborrheic Dermatitis. Dandruff often accompanies acne the reasons of which are not yet known. This happens especially in adolescents. Bothering skin conditions follow acne vulgaris in many cases. Dandruff is one of them. Like in the case of acne, dandruff also can be caused by hormonal changes, heredity, stress and diet too. Sometimes dandruff is associated with small pimples on the scalp. As for treating acne, salicylic acid can be used for eradicating dandruff also. Shampoos available over-the-counter contain salicylic acid, zinc or coal tar. For persistent problems of dandruff, your doctor may prescribe strong shampoos. Shampoo can be used on daily basis, as over-washing will not cause dandruff. However, scratching the scalp can worsen the situation. The itching symptom is common to dandruff and acne.

The cause of occurrence of dandruff is similar to that of acne. The pores in the scalp are clogged with the dead flakes from the scalp. Dermatologists usually prescribe dandruff medicines first, if you have both dandruff and mild acne. Dandruff can be caused if scalp is not maintained well. Hypersensitivity to smoke and dust can cause dandruff. Hormonal imbalances, mental stress and malnutrition can lead to dandruff. Exposure to extreme weather conditions, using harsh shampoos and hair colors can also cause dandruff. As keeping the skin clean can prevent acne, maintaining a clean scalp can prevent dandruff. Excess accumulation of oil on the scalp should be avoided. Greasy food, much of sweet and oily food should be avoided to prevent dandruff.

Dandruff can transform into pimples like acne forming on the skin. Dandruff can lead to infection of facial skin too. Proper natural herbs can be used for solving the dandruff problem. Ayurveda describes herbal remedies which are effective for getting rid of dandruff. Nutritional supplementation is essential for preventing dandruff and acne as well. Topical treatment for dandruff with natural products is similar to that of acne. Vinegar solution can be used to clean the hair and scalp to relieve dandruff as skin is cleaned for acne. The contrast with acne for dandruff is that homeopathy medicines are effective in treating dandruff. Diet regulation is more or less same for dandruff and acne. Alternative therapies for dandruff include Detoxification Therapy, Oxygen Therapy, traditional Chinese medicines and also Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy. The oxygen therapy for dandruff involves using external ozone to control fungal growth.

Acne may affect the quality of life to a considerable extent. However, dandruff has only mild implications on the quality of life. Prevention of dandruff can also prevent hair loss as has been observed in most of the cases. Hair loss certainly affects the look of a person. Therefore equal attention should be given to dandruff and acne. The commonness between dandruff and acne is that these conditions develop due to interaction of a yeast organism with a host immune response. Medical experts opine that secondary immune reaction results in seborrhea and dandruff. In a nutshell, excess sebum production and clog of the hair follicles are the main causes for both acne and dandruff.

Armpit Hair

A large number of people think of armpit hair as unattractive. Naturally, removing it is up to every individual even though a few customs may not allow it. If not done in the manner that suits your skin and skin type, it may lead to further problems and serious skin irritancy problems. Therefore, knowing which method to use is extremely necessary as it can help avoid a large number of problems.

One may first discover armpit hair around the age of thirteen, i.e., when puberty sets in. However, depending on genetic other factors, the rate at which this hair grows and develops varies from person to person. While some people have a large amount of hair that is scattered all over the armpit, others may only have a small quantity. This hair is usually a different texture and has a longer length when compared to other pubic hair. Naturally, these factors again depend and vary from person to person. This hair tends to get darker over the years.

Even though the reason for the existence of armpit hair is not known for sure, one believes that initially, it provided comfort and prevented chafing during grueling tasks.
A large number of people believe that if they shave their underarm hair, it will grow back with a coarser texture. However, this is not true as this method of hair removal does not bring about any change. The reason for this belief may be because when the hair grows back after shaving, it is usually darker and ingrown hair might appear from time to time.

Armpit Hair

When the technique was first discovered, removing this particular type of body hair was considered to be an act committed by loose women. There is no concrete fact that supports this belief as women have always been expected to be hygienic and clean.

The method of removing armpit hair varies from person to person and the reasons differ as well. Out of all the methods available, shaving is avoided the most as it can result in painful cuts and even rashes. Skin irritability is another major disadvantage.

Many women prefer shaving as it is an easy method of hair removal and comparatively less painful as well. If one’s job requires one to wear clothes that tend to show their underarms, such as a model or an actress, shaving is recommended. Some cultures do not allow the removal of body hair. Women belonging to such cultures are expected to trim their armpit hair on a regular basis.

A large number of people who suffer from extremely active sweat glands are advised to remove their armpit hair as this keep body odour at bay. Several men remove their armpit hair as well for hygiene reasons. Swimmers, in particular, tend to remove excess body hair.
Undoubtedly, shaving is the most popular method used for hair removal

A few tips for the removal of armpit hair
  • Taking a warm bath allows the excess body hair to soften. This makes for easy hair removal.
  • Before one starts the procedure, one must make sure that instead of soap, they use shaving cream so that skin rashes can be avoided.
  • It is of common knowledge that hair grows in different directions and that for easy removal, the razor must be used in that direction that is opposite to that of the hair growth.
  • In case one relies on electric shavers more than regular razors; one must make sure that the one they use allows the application of lotions.
  • For effective hair removal, one must keep the skin tightly pulled.
  • The blades that are attached within the razors must be cleaned on a regular basis so that the growth of ingrown hair can be avoided.
  • The application of deodorant must be avoided at all costs as this can lead to skin irritations and extreme pain. Baby oil or powder is recommended instead.
If one is not too keen on shaving for the purpose of hair removal, they can opt for waxing. Even though this method is painful, the hair is pulled out from the roots and this prevents it from growing back for at least 15-30 days, depending on your growth rate. Depilatory creams are also used. However these creams remove the hair from the surface only.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Ayurveda For Fair Skin

The skin is considered as the mirror of health both external and within. The skin is exposed to pollution, dust and dirt present in the atmosphere. According to Ayurvedic principles, the external body reflects whatever happens inside and that includes emotions.

 
Ayurvedic Skin Care

 
Ayurveda remedies are of many different approaches to skin care and include herbal creams and facial scrubs for external use, therapeutic facial massages, breathing techniques, hydrotherapy and aromatherapy. The treatments given depending on the constitution and condition of the person are aimed at cleansing, nourishing and restoring the harmony of the body with the nature. Thus by addressing the internal components of our physical and emotional life we can be assured of the health of the skin. Ayurveda recommends the use of herbal medicines and remedies to protect and improve the fairness of the skin.

 
Pigmentation of skin

 
The major reason of the skin losing its fairness is the imbalance in pitta dosha in the body. The aggravation of Bhrajaka pitta can cause pigmentation or darkening the skin. Exposure to sun for long duration, irregular eating habits and sleeping habits and consumption of incompatible foods are the main factors that contribute to the aggravation of pitta leading to skin disorders. The skin color can be restored to normal by nourishing and rebuilding healthy tissues and strengthening the immune system to bring back the right dosha balance of the body.

 
Ayurveda Herbal Remedies for Fair Skin

 
Saffron has the skin lightening property and helps in improving the complexion of the skin. So it is used in most of the Ayurvedic medicines that are prescribed for fairness. Apple is useful in giving nourishment to the skin with its rich nutrients. Papaya is know to rejuvenate the skin and makes it young and glowing. Strawberry is another natural ingredient that improves the skin color.

 
Application of a mixture of milk, turmeric and saffron is used as a face pack for achieving a fair and glowing skin. Turmeric works under the skin to nourish the damaged skin to remove pimples and other blemishes while saffron improves the complexion and renders a fair glow to the skin. This cream gets into the skin quickly and makes it soft and radiant.

 
Home Remedies to Protect Fair Skin
  1. A facial of fresh herbs like fruits, vegetables and gels once in a week is good for maintaining the skin fairness. Papaya, water melon, sandalwood paste, turmeric, cucumber, carrot and honey etc are effective in improving the skin complexion.
  2. A piece of cotton wool dipped in milk can be used to wipe the face to remove the hidden dirt under the skin.
  3. Drinking a glass of water to which a spoonful of honey is added on the empty stomach everyday helps in cleansing the impurities in the body.
  4. For a clear complexion a facial scrub made with equal quantities of cucumber juice, rose water and lime juice should be applied on the face and should be left overnight and rinsed off in the morning.
  5. Milk, curds and butter milk are good for maintaining health.
  6. Doing Pranayama, the yogic breathing exercise for about 15 minutes on a daily basis helps in making the skin healthy and glowing.
  7. Avoid too much exposure to sunlight.
  8. Drink plenty of water to flush out toxic wastes from the body. It also keeps the skin hydrated and supple preserving its elasticity.

Skin Care Video

Blog Archive