How You Can Deal With Ageing Skin

No one can avoid it! You can cover it up with makeup, you can peel away the layers with acid and chemical treatments, you can turn back the clock with surgery but, it will happen. It happened to your parents, it will happen to your children and it will happen to you! It’s inevitable. You will age and your skin will age with you. But healthy aging is a natural process, something that can be accepted and embraced. With so many quick fixes out there it’s easy to forget the most important element of skin aging and that is skin health.

You could have a full face lift, eye lift, and neck lift at the age of 55 but if after the surgery you continue to abuse your skin, you continue to drink a bottle of wine every day, you continue to smoke, you continue to lie out in the sun, and you continue with the same homecare routine of just soap, water and a moisturiser, how long do you think the effects of that surgery will last? Not long. After all, its only superficial, just because you had a facelift does not mean your skin will produce more collagen or more elastin. Yes, your skin is pulled tight so you can’t see the wrinkles, but for how long?

If you focus on keeping your skin healthy it will always look good, whether you are 15, 25 or 65. It is possible to age gracefully, and what, may I ask is wrong with that.

There are two different types of aging. Intrinsic aging is the natural process of physical change over time, it is more about genetics then your lifestyle. This process begins in your mid 20s but will not begin to show on your skin until decades later.

It is premature aging (extrinsic aging) that you can control. Premature aging refers to the unnatural acceleration of the natural aging process it is induced by daylight exposure and lifestyle choices such as smoking , diet and stress.

The Sun
The sun is responsible for a litany of skin issues, and more importantly skin cancer. Scientific studies have shown that repeated ultraviolet exposure breaks down collagen, impairs the skin’s ability to repair itself, and attacks our elastin. In fact, 90% of premature aging is caused by ultraviolet rays from the sun. The damage caused by these damaging rays can be seen through deep wrinkles, age spots (hyper pigmentation), spider veins, a rough, blotchy complexion and the dreaded ‘leathery’ look!

Everyone seems to be aware of the dangers of lying out in the sun and most will use sun protection but it’s the daily exposure to these UV rays that we should be equally aware of as cumulative damage will also cause extensive damage. Fifteen minute walks outside and occasional lunches outdoors can add up to weakened collagen and elastin, and of course, skin cancer. It’s important to remember that even if you don’t see pink or red skin after being in the sun, that doesn’t mean that the damage hasn’t been done.

Lack of sleep / stress
Skin is the first place to be effected by lack of sleep – the immediate effects of exhaustion are represented through dark circles under the eyes and sagging skin.

Stress is inevitable – just like aging! But it also contributes to premature aging. Often when we are stressed we furrow our brow, place our hands on our faces and pull it in every which way and direction and twist our faces around, performing repetitive movements that impart permanent damage.

Exposure to the elements
Cold winds and low temperatures can dry out skin, depriving it of balanced levels of sebum (oil) that keeps skin lubricated. Without these oils, skin becomes dry, and is more prone to premature aging because of the lack of protective oils. This goes for forced air heating as well such as air conditioning. Warm and dry air acts like a giant sponge, soaking up moisture from everything it touches, including your skin.

Lack of exercise / poor diet
Lack of exercise can contribute to prematurely aging skin, as exercise keeps muscles toned and stimulates blood flow. A poor diet leads to a lack of nutrition for the cells and possible exposure to chemicals and preservatives. Fried and burnt food can also cause oxidation (free radicals from vitamins help counteract oxidation), leading to weaker cell structure.

Smoking
Smokers are more likely than non-smokers to develop wrinkled, leathery skin, as well as a yellowish hue in their complexions. And even if you are not a smoker, being around a smoker can still cause damage to your skin.

So what can be done?

Sun protection as your first line of defence

If the sun is your skin’s worst enemy, then sun protection is your first line of defence. And with new sunscreen technology that won’t clog pores, won’t cause irritation (redness and burning) and won’t feel chalky or greasy, it’s much easier to comfortably make sunscreens a part of your daily skin care routine.

When selecting sun protection, look for sun protection factors (SPF’s) that are combined with stabilized antioxidant vitamins. Research shows sunscreens formulated with antioxidant vitamins provide enhanced protection against damaging UV light and free radicals. With this increased protection from antioxidant vitamins, there is no need to add more potentially irritating sunscreen chemicals to create a higher SPF level.

Dermalogica’s solar defence system delivers this antioxidant technology through UV smart booster technology, a microcapsule containing antioxidant vitamins that burst open upon contact with UV light, releasing the antioxidants onto the skin, providing protection when it’s needed most.

Exfoliation
Exfoliation will help to remove dulling skin cells from the skin’s surface while improving penetration of beneficial ingredients. There are many different types of exfoliant available but the most effective form for reducing the appearance of the signs of aging is an alpha hydroxy acid based exfoliant. With this type of exfoliant you apply it as you would a masque, leave it on your skin for approximately 10 minutes and then remove. An alpha hydroxy acid based exfoliant will dissolve the inter-cellular glue that holds your skin cells together, thus loosening dead skin cells and removing them. Using this type of exfoliant reduces the amount of stimulation on your skin, as you don’t need to rub it over your skin as you would if you were to use a scrub based exfoliant.

Emollients
Emollients (such as Shea Butter and Organic Silicones) will help maintain soft, smooth, pliable skin and will act as a lubricant, helping to reduce flaking and moisture loss while improving appearance.

Topically-applied vitamins
It has been scientifically proven that topically-applied vitamins do improve the health of the skin. Vitamin A helps inhibit collagen breakdown while stimulating collagen production, vitamin B aids in wound healing, vitamin C is an antioxidant that inhibits melanin, and vitamin E is an antioxidant that provides a barrier protection while smoothing the skin. An excellent product to try is Dermalogica’s Multivitamin Power Concentrate, which will give you a daily dose of all the vitamins that your skin needs.

Finally…

It is also imperative to recognize that the success of your skin treatments will be heavily influenced by your professionally prescribed at-home regimen and the wearing of sunscreen anytime the skin is exposed to daylight. Also important is proper homecare skin products and techniques. Do not use hot water when cleansing, don’t use excessive or abrasive movements (instead, go for gentle, upward circles), keep your surrounding temperature as moderate as possible, and stay away from products that contain artificial fragrances or colours. In addition, ask your skin therapist about products containing peptides. Peptides act as cellular messengers that regulate cell repair while stimulating collagen production. Peptides also help improve skin elasticity and tone while fighting the appearance of fine lines.


Author : Suzie Bell
Source : http://www.articlecity.com/

Laser Scar Removal

Like any other medical procedure, with laser scar removal, you must carefully select the right clinic if you want excellent results. Although cost is a factor for most people, do not just go with the lowest bidder. Otherwise you may end up with a clinic that is more interested in your payment than in your health or the results of the treatment. Understandably, cost will be a consideration when choosing, but consider quality as well as cost when choosing a clinic with whom you will entrust your skin. Do not choose your clinic lightly or base it solely on the cost quoted for the procedure. Once you find a clinic, ask about payment plans, and also offer discounts for purchasing multiple treatments at once, which can save you money without compromising on quality.

Consider only board certified dermatologists with a staff of fully trained nurses or technicians. Although some spas or salons offer laser procedures, these are often performed by non-medical personnel, and should be avoided in favor of a laser clinic with extensive training in the lasers they will be using on your skin. Laser beams are very powerful, so trust your skin to the professionals when undergoing laser scar removal. To avoid the risk of complications, choose a trained professional who can explain your risks and how to avoid them.

Before making your final selection, schedule a consultation appointment with several doctors who offer laser scar removal. Each doctor will evaluate your skin and the scar you want removed. Then, they will recommend a specific course of treatment, using a specific laser system. Your doctor should be able to explain in detail the various types of lasers offered for laser scar removal in their office. There are several different types, and they are not all the same. Make sure your doctor is fully trained on the specific type of laser he is recommending for your treatment.

Avoid any doctor who tries to pressure you into signing up right away. Reputable doctors understand that you'll need some time to think about the procedure, and will not try to get you to commit without fully explaining the procedure and its risks. Unfortunately, because laser scar removal can be expensive, a few clinics are more interested in the money than in ensuring you have a good experience.

Like any other medical treatment, there is a risk of complications. However, you can greatly reduce your risks if you choose a quality clinic with an experienced doctor for your laser scar removal procedure.

The Use of Herbs For Sex

Herbs and plants are undervalued today. Not a lot of people understand their powerful effects on our health. Herbs can impact all parts of our health and that includes our sexual health. Unlike commonly used drugs like Viagra, natural herbs have little side effects and are just as efficient, if not better. Therefore, it is time to switch from drugs to health foods that are more natural. Here are some that can help boost sexual health.

Ginseng. It is a great herb recognized by doctors and is a valued component of traditional Chinese medicine. Ginseng boosts energy and can be taken in to boost health generally. Ginseng can boost sexual stamina and increase the potency of sperms. Ginseng may come in its original form or other forms, such as powdered, in many health food stores. However, any patient of high-blood pressure, heart diseases or asthma should consult a doctor before consumption.

Ginger is a common spice used in food, especially Chinese food. It is also used as an aphrodisiac. It is a good stimulant because it increases blood flow to the genitals. Blood circulation is important for sex and therefore anything that can improve blood circulation is good as an aphrodisiac. Ginger can be consumed by users of both gender and effects will be felt by both. Ginger can be taken in as food, as soup or as a form of tea. Extracts and pill forms are also sold at health food stores, for those who do not like the taste of ginger.

Licorice is also a great energy booster. Regular consumptions help for an active sex life. Men who use them regularly have an obvious increase in sex drive. For women, it stimulates her sex glands. Licorice is also a general health tonic and can be bought in the form of extracts in most health food stores. However, licorice may spell problems to patients of high blood pressure. They should consult a doctor before consuming licorice.

Some Information About STD

There is a wide variety of sexually transmitted diseases and sexually transmitted infections that can put us in danger and we intend to use this standard guide to tell you a little more about them. In addition, we will also provide advice on how to protect yourself from them, as well as advice on treatment.

Sexually transmitted diseases or STIs are taken by many types of sexual contact, which includes anal sex, relationships oral and vaginal intercourse. The only way to be 100 percent safe from sexually transmitted diseases and sexually transmitted infections is to refrain from such activities altogether. However, if you are sexually active, you can help protect your sexual health by being ordinary STDs and STD testing, especially if you change your sexual partner. In addition, condoms are also essential.

There are many different sexually transmitted diseases and sexually transmitted infections, which we have written on one of two main below. If you need further advice, please feel free to contact a doctor or nurse sexual health.

Do not use this guide to sexual health instead visit your doctor or clinic for sexual health. If you have concerns about any bit of your sexual health, please make sure you go to one of these places immediately.

The herpes is a sexually transmitted infection that most people suffering from May not know they have. However, even if the person they do not show symptoms, they are still capable of transmitting the infection to others. An attack of herpes can vary from a slight pain in painful blisters on the genitals of men and women who are suffering. The first attack symptoms may last 2 to 3 weeks attacks and other symptoms can also occur from time to time. Unfortunately, herpes can not be cured, but there are several treatments that will relieve the symptoms.

Syphilis is a very serious sexually transmitted infection, which is caused by a bacterium known as Treponema pallidum. Syphilis is usually transmitted during sexual intercourse. However, it can also be transmitted by skin contact with someone who had syphilis, wounds or syphilis, a rash or a blood transfusion. The symptoms are similar among women and men, but they can be difficult to recognize. Without treatment, syphilis can cause serious long-term damage and death in certain cases.

What if you have an STD or IST

If you think you have an STD or STIs, there are many sexual health clinics that you be able to offer tests and offer treatment. To find out where your clinic is the closest contact your health authority nearest who will gladly help you. Otherwise, you can go to your doctor who will also be able to help you. Do not be nervous about the nature of your problem - Dr. often see sexual health issues.

Lose Weight and Stay Healthy

There are so many expensive weight loss plans out there, in our endeavour to find one that works fast, we often sacrifice our health. It is time to find the plan that works right and keeps working so that we don't experience the yo-yo diet effect.

In this day and age of fast food, super information at our fingertips and media overload, we have become a society of instant gratification seekers. Nobody has the time or patience any more to "wait and see", we want our results now. The only problem with that is we often have to do things over and over, and end up paying twice as much.

When it comes to our health and diet, most people like to have it done for them, need to lose weight? Just take a pill or order food and have it delivered. The only problem here is that when you stop paying for it, and the program is over, the weight comes back.

If we would just take the time to learn the proper way to lose the weight, change our way of thinking, and change the way we buy and prepare food altogether, the weight will stay off.

Lose the excess weight and keep it off.

That extra weight on your body didn't get there overnight, so you shouldn't expect it to disappear overnight either. If you want your body to remain healthy, then proper weight loss should be ongoing and slow enough for your body's system's to get use to it.

You need to change the way you think.

Old habits die hard, it takes courage to break free from those old patterns and move forward. However, it is important to do so in order to make permanent changes.

Do some research

Every single day, folks like me and you are working toward changing their lives. Some will succeed because they are focused and have the drive and determination to do so. Many of them are willing to share their success stories as well as the "how" of it. There are many different ways, some will suit your needs and lifestyle, some will not - this is something you will need to determine as you go.

I have tried to make it easier.

I have compiled a list of resources for you to browse at your convenience, these are people who have had the success that you seek and have documented their formula for you to use. There are many in the list because we are all unique individuals who have different body types and requirements.

Stay motivated!

There will very likely be some setbacks, but these are only small bumps in the road to success. Don't let obstacles bar your way, just keep going and use them as lessons, they will make you stronger and wiser. When you look at the big picture, they are just tiny blips that are barely visible on the whole radar screen.

The time is now, you know you need to change and you want to be healthy and happy for the rest of your life, so don't keep putting it off...make that move break that old way of thinking that has kept you from who you want to be. Just go for it.

7 Day Plan to a Healthier You!

In today's face paced world were a faced with many challenges to maintaining a healthier lifestyle. In this article I want to share a feel simple, affordable ways to launch a new commitment to a better you in just 7 days. The tips are fun, practical and easy to do. Once you try them, you'll be more likely to make them a part of your lifestyle. The plan promotes relaxation, better nutritional choices, activity, improved digestion, glowing skin, and self-reflection. Enjoy...

Day 1: Pamper the Skin You're In
Indulge in an Aromatherapy Bath Soak
- 2 cups Dead Sea salt, regular sea salt
- 1 cup or Epsom salt,
- 1/2 cup Baking Soda
Relaxing and unwind by adding the following essential oil blend to your bath 6 drops of Lavender, 2 drops of Sweet Orange, and 2 drops of Ylang Ylang. Mix the Soak thoroughly and add to warm running water. Next moisturize your skin with pure coconut oil blended with 2 drops of lavender.

Day 2: Daily Detox
Drink a glass of very warm water with freshly squeezed lemon juice (1/2) upon rising. This will flush you liver and help your body balance it self.

Day 3: Herbal Dreams
Sip an Herbal Cleansing Tea before bed. Look for teas with sienna, psyllium, dandelion, and rhubarb. Plan to experience extra elimination the following day.

Day 4: Let's Get Moving
Stimulate your emphatic system by "skin brushing in the shower". Cleanse with a plant based peppermint soap or shower gel. You will feel invigorated and renewed. Next, take a vigorous outdoor walk for 10 minutes.

Day 5: Anti Aging the Natural Way
Let this sweet dream help you fight aging naturally.
"Taste of the Tropics" Skin Smoothie
1 rip papaya, peeled, pitted and chopped
1/2 fresh pineapple, peeled and chopped
2/3 soy or almond milk
1/4 cups of soy yogurt
1 teaspoon of honey
Place all the ingredients in a blender and process until smooth.

Day 6: Eat to Live
Make your own high fiber snack mix.
In a bowl combine 1/4 cup of any 8 of the following items:
Unsalted pecans, cashews, or almonds
Sunflower seeds
Dried cranberries
Dried plums chopped
Dried apricots
Raisins
Kashi Go Lean Crunch Cereal
Granola

Store the stack mix in an airtight container.

Day 7: Reflect Learn, and Grow
Today start a journal. Put your dreams, triumphs, and failures down on paper. Use your journal as a creative and emotional release tool. Reflect, learn, and grow.

What Can Women Do To Gain Weight

Some women are underweight. If they want to reach their ideal weight, they will have to work hard in the coming days and months as this will not become a reality overnight.

For that, there are two things that the woman has to do. The first is to eat right while the other if they have not tried it yet is exercise.

When we say eat right, we don't mean sitting on a couch and eating junk food the whole day. It means that we have to practice good nutrition. This is achieved by getting the right amounts of fat, carbohydrates and proteins.

A good source of healthy fat comes what is known as omega 3 fatty acids. They are very special because it cannot be produced by the body. You can get this from eating fish and other marine life such as algae and krill. It can also be ingested by consuming certain plants like purslane and walnuts.

You can get protein from lean meat, poultry products, legumes and seeds. This is also important because it builds and repair tissues that are torn down from a workout. They also produce enzymes, hormones and other body chemicals.

Good nutrition should also have carbohydrates. This is the fuel that gives us energy to do our daily activities. So, if you want to remain active, you have to get a sufficient amount that can be found in fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

You can also get these three from food supplements that are available in the form of pills or drinks. This can be purchased over the counter as you don't need a medical prescription.

Eating is just one thing women have to do to gain weight. The other is to exercise. Although working out increases your metabolism, it can also make you want to eat more afterwards. It can also change your body structure as you will soon develop muscles.

Women can gain weight by engaging in exercises such as aerobics, cycling, jogging, running and walking. Some may do weight lifting but not too much to make you look like a man. You can work 3 to 4 times a week for about an hour or two each day and don't forget to bring water or any energy drink to replenish what you sweat.

If you have never exercised before, start with something easy before increasing the tempo. A physical trainer can help out since they have the authority on this matter. But before you do anything, don't forget to get check if this is safe to do from your doctor.

Once you are able to reach your ideal weight, the only thing you have to do now is maintain it. This means sticking to the diet plan you have been using for the past how many months and adding a little variety every now and then as well as making some changes in the exercises that you do either at home or at the gym.

Some say it is easy to gain weight rather than lose it and women are no exception. For those who don't want to be underweight anymore you just have to you eat and exercise because there is no short cut to looking and feeling good.

This can only be achieved with sweat and hard work that is difficult but not impossible regardless of your age

Author: Paul Hata
Source : http://www.articlesbase.com