Beautiful Skin At Any Age

 

Beautiful skin can be marred by acne which affects about 85% of teenagers and can be seen in 60% of adults as well. It is most likely to be seen during periods of hormonal changes such as puberty and menopause (or in women starting or stopping birth control pills)

Elevated hormone levels can cause the sebaceous (oil producing) glands to form greater amounts of sebum (oil). These glands are attached, under the skin, to the sides of each hair shaft, and together form a unit called a follicle. The opening of the skin is referred to as a pore. The oil produced is necessary to lubricate the hair and skin. Most of the time the oil glands produce the right amount of sebum, and the pores are fine. When excess oil production is triggered, the pores can get clogged and bacteria begin to multiply, which leads to acne. Sometimes the pore is so blocked that it ruptures the skin and spills the contents into the surroundings. This causes inflammation, irritation and results in the deep "underground" pimple we know as an acne nodule or cyst.

Recent studies have shown that the typical Western diet contributes greatly to the incidence and severity of acne. Our diets are rich in refined carbohydrates and sugars. This triggers our bodies to produce a surge in insulin. It also causes an excess of male hormones which encourage the skin to excrete more oil and subsequent abundant growth of bacteria. Studies have shown that populations not fed on a Western diet are virtually acne-free. Yet when they move to cities and change their diet, they begin to experience acne for the first time ever.

Tips for Clear, Beautiful Skin

Cleanse twice daily. It is not necessary to wash your face every hour, as this can strip off too much oil from your skin and trigger over-production to compensate.

• Maintain a healthy, well-balanced diet.
• Eat organic whenever possible. Your body does not need the extra hormones and antibiotics found in typical meats, chicken or even farm-raised fish.
• Refrain from touching the area.
• Take care to keep hair sprays and gels on your hair but off your face.
• Use a moisturizer if you need one. You don't have to dry out your skin to treat acne.
• Try an over-the-counter homeopathic remedy.
• Some dermatologists offer a new laser treatment (Smooth Beam) which can help to clear acne in a few monthly sessions.

Beautiful skin is pleasurable to behold. Following these steps you can help create and maintain beautiful skin throughout your life.

Skin Care Tips for the winter Months

Harsh winter weather and indulgence over the holiday season are two good reasons to reassess your skin care routine. when the temperature drops and the heat gets turned up indoors your skin is exposed to low humidity both indoors and out, causing "winter itch." It affects people of all ages, with or without other skin problems. Rubbing and scratching these itchy areas can produce rough skin that can crack, especially on the hands and feet. It can even lead to dermatitis, when the skin becomes red and inflamed in addition to being dry and scaly.

The Department of Dermatology at the University of Iowa Hospital describes healthy skin as "a multi-layer cake covered by a single sheet of clear plastic food wrap to keep it fresh. The plastic food wrap prevents the frosting and underlying layers of the cake from drying out by preventing loss (evaporation) of the water from the cake into the air. It is the moisture in the cake that gives it its freshness. The outermost layer of the skin, which acts like the plastic food wrap and is about the same thickness, is called the stratum corneum. The stratum corneum consists of dead skin cells embedded in a mixture of natural oils (lipids) that are made by underlying living skin cells. These natural skin oils keep the water inside our body from escaping into the air and also keep irritating substances and germs from entering the body. Both the skin oils and 421 Sensation the dead skin cells hold a certain amount of water in the stratum corneum and it is this stratum corneum water that helps keep the skin soft, pliable and smooth."

Now imagine that cake was a cheesecake and someone poked holes in the clear wrap protecting it. Very soon it would become dried out and stale. Left for a few days it would begin to crack. That's exactly what happens to your skin. When this protective layer of the skin is damaged you lose your natural moisture and your protective layer can't function properly. Winter weather and indoor heat can damage your protective layer. Too much soapy water, exposure to harsh chemicals and environmental toxins can also affect it. When it is compromised small cracks occur exposing your underlying cells to irritating substances and germs in the environment.

Until recently the only choice you had to treat dry skin was conventional moisturizers, but research into how healthy skin functions led to the development of a new skin care treatment: shielding lotions that mimic this protective layer and help your skin heal naturally.

Ten Winter Skin Care Tips

1. Avoid long soaks in hot, soapy water. Relaxing in a hot bath sounds wonderful when you're cold, but hot, soapy water can remove the protective oils from your skin

2. Use a mild bath product or one that is pH balanced. Look for natural ingredients

3. Pat your skin to dry it don't rub

4. Apply a shielding lotion right after the bath or shower to help the skin's protective layer stay intact

5. Reapply every four to six hours to maintain the integrity of the layer all day

6. Look at the ingredients on any product you buy to treat severe itching. Stay away from those with chemicals that could make the condition worse

7. Moisturize from the inside out. What you eat affects the condition of your skin. Add walnuts, Canola Oil and ground flaxseeds to your diet

8. Eat foods rich in Vitamin E - green leafy vegetables and wheat germ flakes

9. Drink at least eight glasses of liquid - preferably good water. Stay away from sodas or drinks with caffeine, which dry the skin

10. Use a humidifier to increase the level of marsh winter weather and indulgence over the holiday season are two good reasons to reassess your skin care routine. When the temperature drops and the heat gets turned up indoors your skin is exposed to low humidity both indoors and out, causing "winter itch." It affects people of all ages, with or without other skin problems. Rubbing and scratching these itchy areas can produce rough skin that can crack, especially on the hands and feet. It can even lead to dermatitis, when the skin becomes red and inflamed in addition to being dry and scaly.

Treat your skin right in the winter months and you'll have healthy glowing skin to put on show once summer arrives.

NO MAKEUP LOOK

Winter 2011 makeup trends seem to be characterized by two main key elements: Smokey eyes & stunning colored lips. However, besides these two trends, there is another one that proves to be timeless & able to reinvent itself every season: nude makeup. Take a look to some tips on how to use winter 2011 nude-makeup trend in order to enhance your natural beauty.

This season, makeup trends have the main purpose of exuding femininity & naturalness. Whether we are talking about Smokey eyes, bold red lips, or nude makeup, it should reflect one's personality & lifestyle. Yet hide flaws & emphasize qualities. Even if it might seem easy to make, getting a flawless nude look can become a real challenge. In order to obtain the perfect result you must pay a lot of attention to many details that can totally make the difference. However, nude- makeup will seem the easiest trend with these next simple tips. Nude-makeup could be increasingly spotted on the catwalks.

It is more than obvious that if you want to get the flawless nude look, your skin should be adequately taken care of this rule is applied not only when it comes to nude makeup, but for every makeup you choose. It is one of the essential steps in all the makeup process & it consists in using a moisturizing cream appropriate for your skin type. If you want the cream to be better absorbed, try to apply it on damp skin. Then, wait for about 10 minutes before starting the makeup process.

Well, less is more is totally true when it comes to foundation. Remember that the foundation you use has to make your skin complexion look even & not to cover it completely. If you apply it in a thick layer all on the entire face, you might end looking rather ridiculous, just like you were wearing a mask. Therefore, it is enough if you apply foundation on the T-zone & lighter on the sides & of course, on the neck. If you have an oily skin, choose a foundation one shade lighter than the color of your skin, as due to the fact that the sebum comes in contact with the foundation its color might become darker. This way, you'll only make your problems become even more visible.

Use a concealer in order to hide dark circles under the eyes. The concealer is considered as a part of the foundation & therefore it should be with maximum one shade lighter than the skin. When applying it, you need to make sure that you don't draw the attention on the flaw you want to hide. You can use concealer before or after the foundation. Start by applying a small amount of concealer on the finger & gently blend the concealer in. Make sure you choose the right concealer color & try the shade on the wrist.

As for the powder, this is that special product that offers a matte/flawless appearance to your skin & sets the whole makeup. However, remember to apply it in a light, even, thin layer in order to avoid a rather unaesthetic look.

A blush can totally change your facial features. Therefore, it is very important to pay a lot of attention when using it on your cheekbones. If you want a fresh-looking face, smile & apply blush in a circular motion on rounded cheeks going up towards the temples. Complete the aspect of your cheekbones using a bronzing tone applied at the base of the cheek.

A no makeup look requires a natural eye shadow in tones of pink with slight shades of brown, light peaches, & even light blue or gray can look natural on certain types of skin. In order to avoid that the eye- shadow to settle into the creases, you can use a special product for fixing.

Black can be considered as being too much for a nude makeup. Therefore, brown mascara is the best choice. For the lower lashes you can u e transparent mascara in order to elongate the eyelashes. When applying mascara, be careful not to use it in excess & try to apply it more on the ends & not on the base.

For a perfect, flawless look & smooth lips, exfoliating is a must. For a nude, fresh & light makeup, lipstick is not necessary - a lip balm would work great too. However, if you want to use a lipstick, go for sandy shades that can offer luminosity & complete the look in an amazing natural way. You can also choose a lip gloss especially if you want to make your lips look fuller.

Diabetes and Life

 

 

 

Having type 1 diabetes can increase the risk of dysfunction for both men & women. The good news is this may be preventable & should it occur, there are treatments that can help.

 

The cause of diabetes-related dysfunction In women is also due to poorly controlled blood glucose levels leading to nerve damage, reduced blood flow & hormonal changes.

 

It is estimated that up to a quarter of women with type 1 diabetes experience such dysfunction, often due to hardened blood vessels. Problems can include dryness, pain or discomfort, decreased drive & reduced response; there may be difficulty becoming aroused, reduced sensation & inability to reach climax. Women with type 1 diabetes may also experience an increase in yeast infections.

 

Controlling your blood glucose levels is the best way to avoid dysfunction related to diabetes. Follow your doctor's recommendations on how to monitor & regulate your blood glucose levels. Your doctor may find that your blood sugar needs to be better controlled.

 

Your doctor could find that the problem stems from something unrelated to diabetes, like medications you're taking, smoking, or other health conditions. In these cases, alternate medications, lifestyle changes, or treatments may help alleviate the problem.

 

Simple remedies may easily correct problems related to diabetes: For women with dryness or pain or discomfort, using a lubricant may help; Regularly performing Kegel exercises, which strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, can improve a woman's response.

 

Type 1 diabetes is a challenging condition, but doesn't have to interfere with or limit your love life. If you are experiencing anxiety about performance, consider counseling to help relieve stress & other emotional issues that are hampering your love life. It's important to explore all possible solutions with your diabetes medical team to be sure that you are able to enjoy your life

Cosmetic Essentials

 

Essential Cosmetic products for a travel makeup it include moisturizer, concealer, bronzer, mascara & lip gloss products

 

 

With busy careers, active children, relationships & other responsibilities it is no wonder that many women do not have the time to do a full makeup look. Having some essential cosmetic products in a Travel Makeup Kit will help keep a polished, professional look.

 

These cosmetics products can be kept on hand easily in a small makeup bag & stored in a purse or desk drawer. Many of the products can be applied with the fingers & require minimum mirror use. Plus, they will fit into every woman's makeup budget.

 

Prep the Face with Tinted Moisturizer & other Cosmetic Products

 

Tinted Moisturizer

is a great staple for an easy makeup look. It can be applied quickly & error-free. The moisturizer will help keep the skin hydrated & will provide a nice hint of color giving a healthy, glowing complexion. Most contain an amount of sunscreen, usually around 15 to 30 SPF. Most cosmetic companies carry tinted moisturizers making it easy to find one that is affordable.

 

Concealer

may be the one step that some women can skip, but for many of us it is an essential makeup product. Using a concealer that is in a stick form or a pot will make it easy to apply quickly & with the fingertips.

 

Pressed Powder

Apply a light layer of pressed powder to set the makeup & to keep shine/oil to a minimum. Powder will also help keep makeup on longer.

 

 

Easy Makeup with Minimum Cosmetic Products

 

Bronzer

is a perfect cosmetic product for easy makeup. It helps bring beautiful color to the face, can be used as a blush & also easily applied to the eyelids for eye-shadow. It will be easier to use bronzer with a tapered powder brush, using the full brush to apply the bronzer to the face & the tapered edge to apply to the eyelids.

 

Black Mascara

No matter how much makeup is applied, mascara will help draw attention to the eyes & give a more dramatic appearance with one simple coat.

 

Lip Gloss

can easily be applied throughout the day to keep lips looking fresh & moisturized. Light pink works well for the office & daytime, keeping a richer berry color on hand for evening.

 

Although life may seem too busy to focus on such a minimal task of makeup, keeping these few products on hand will help have a simple easy makeup look that still looks professional & put-together.

Smart Toes

 

Everyone's nails grow at different speeds, so there's no set time frame for how often you should trim your toenails. Just keep an eye on how long your nails are & give them a trim before they start rubbing against your shoes & causing pain. Clean, well-cared for & neatly trimmed toenails mean comfortable, healthy feet. Your feet take a beating during the day, so keep toes in tip-top shape with proper, regular trims to prevent foot problems.

 

Trimming:

your toenails may seem simple enough, but it isn't something to be done carelessly. While most people don't need to visit a professional to take care of their toes - people with diabetes are an exception they need to be sure they're clipping their nails properly to reduce the risk of future foot problems.

 

You depend on your feet, so make sure you give them the care they deserve. Before you break out the nail clippers, you should understand why it's so important that toenails be cut the right way. Ingrown toenails, (that become lodged in the skin instead of growing normally) are a primary reason for foot pain & can lead to serious infection.

 

Some nails just naturally grow in & no matter what you do conservatively; it's not going to address the problem. Instead, it needs to be addressed surgically. But if you learn how to cut your toenails properly in the first place, you may be able to protect your feet from ingrown toenails.

 

Cut Straight Across:

The nails shouldn't dig down on the sides. Guide the clippers straight across the nail of each toe & avoid cutting nails into a curved shape.

 

Use Appropriate Toenail Clippers:

These larger clippers are meant for larger nails & will be easier to cut toenails with than fingernail clippers. Keep clippers & any other tools you use on your toes disinfected (cleaning them with rubbing alcohol before & after using them will do the trick).

Leave Nails a Little Long:

Don't cut nails too short, as it's another reason ingrown toenails occur. It can also leave your toenail susceptible to infection - plus, it hurts!

 

Cut Nails When They're Dry:

Wet nails may be likely to tear, bend, or not cut smoothly because they're softer when wet. Cutting dry nails will give you a cleaner, smoother cut.

Make a Few Small Cuts:

Don't try to clip each toenail in one shot. Make a few small cuts across your nail.

 

Try Filing:

If you prefer to file your toenails (or just to smooth them out after you clip them), don't drag the file or emery board back & forth. Gently move the nail file in one direction across the top of your toenail until smooth & the appropriate length.

Don't Cut Cuticles:

If you want to tame cuticles on your toenails, use a cuticle stick (an orange stick, which you can buy at a beauty supply store, drugstore, or similar store) to push them back. Cutting them can cause bleeding or infection, but pushing them out of the way gives feet a neat look without unnecessary damage.