Selasa, 26 Agustus 2008

Taking Care of Acne Prone Skin

Acne is not confined to teenagers and puberty, it also prevalent in adults and in women mostly during pregnancy. Acne is often characterized by pimples and breakouts all over the skin in large numbers, frequently seen on the face and the back. It is caused due to the over activity of the sebaceous glands or the oil producing glands. When it combines with dead skin cells, hormones and bacteria, the oily substances are trapped inside the pores and causes swelling. The lumps often have a crown of a white head or a black head or even red lumps, which are very tender. Acne, if not treated on time, can even lead to scarring. Some acne go so deep inside the skin that they form into nodules and cysts, which leaves scars which may not disappear even after healing. Acne can be caused due to stress, fatigue, and cosmetics and even due to humidity, although nothing has been proved till date.

Do’s and Don’ts on the acne prone skin :

Professional treatment is the best for acne, the earlier the treatment provided, the better. A good doctor will be in a position to treat acne-using medications by controlling the over-active sebaceous glands, hormonal imbalance, or even stress.

It is good not to squeeze or break the pimples and acne, as it will lead to spread the infection and can make the area swell and might even lead to permanent scarring.

Usage of oily cosmetics are also not recommended, as the acne prone skin already is oily enough, usage of such cosmetics will add up to it. Instead of using oily cosmetics, it is better to go for water based ones, which might be less harsh. It is always good to remove make up at night, if left on the whole night might cause irritation to the skin.

The acne prone skin should be pampered with gentle wash and pat dry. Vigorous scrubbing needs to be avoided as it only worsens the condition and may even block the pores.

Regular shampooing is recommended as it may reduce the pimple appearing on the forehead, it is good to avoid hair products like gels and pomades, as they are oily.

Cosmetics which are non comedogenic should be used. Acnes sometimes can make the skin hypersensitive, hence sunscreens can be used to avoid sunburns. It is good to avoid tanning, as it cannot make the skin clearer.

Over-the-counter products containing salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide can curb mild acne.

Natural and Herbal Remedies for Treating Acne

Millions of people are affected by acne all over the world, as the number of skin care products proves it available in the market for treating pimples. Many of the over-the-counter products meant for treating acne contain chemicals, which might deteriorate the skin and might be only a temporary remedy. As the people are now aware of the hazards of the chemical usage, everyone is looking for a natural and herbal remedy to treat acne. Herbal medicines are not harsh because it does not contain any chemicals and are compounded mixtures of naturally available plants and herbs.

Some of the natural herbal treatments for acne :

Natural treatments can be in the form of lotions, creams, home made products or even herbal formulations. Below listed are some ingredients, which can be procured from a herbalist and made to use for treating acne.

Echinacea and tea tree oil are the very common natural herbal remedies known for treating acne and is available widely. Echinacea and Oregon grape can help in increasing the immune system of the body. While tea tree oil consists of terpenoids, which is known for its antifungal and antiseptic property.

Green tea is used in the defense of bacteria lowering the hormone activity, thus acne can be controlled. Almond oil is very good in removing acne scars.

Apricot and citrus juices alleviate the presence of cysts and acts as a natural exfoliate, getting rid of the dead skin cells making the pores free from clogs.

Distilled white vinegar can be applied as a topical solution on the affected area to cleanse the pores. Honey mask helps in the healing process of the skin affected by acne due to its anti bacterial quality.

Green tea, chamomile and oatmeal are excellent herbs for treating inflammation due to its anti inflammatory properties. It helps to soothe the affected part and aids in the release of heat and making the skin to heal properly. When the affected part is washed with oatmeal, the itching sensation is reduced. Ginger helps to reduce redness and inflammation and can be consume in any form.

Licorice is a very important herb used in the treatment of acne since the Middle Ages. Licorice increases mucous secretion, stimulating the adrenal gland function making the natural defense system of the body into overdrive to remove bacteria and germs responsible for acne and pus.

Rabu, 20 Agustus 2008

Skincare Tips That'll Make You Glow

If you want to look great, then having great skin is a necessity. Diet and exercise play an important role when it comes to taking steps to improve the health of your skin beyond simply using good skin care products. Not only will it make you feel good about yourself, but the following steps also have many ancillary benefits when it comes to your health and happiness.


Dry Brush Exfoliation: This should be done in the morning prior to going in the shower. This gets ride of excess dead skin, thus allowing your skin to detox. This will also help with blood circulation and decreases any puffiness. While this is a great way to improve your skin condition it also provides a calming affect through the gentle pressure, which stimulates the nervous system. With the help of a bristle brush you can be on your way to a dry brush exfoliation once a day in no time.

Hydration: This causes your digestion to slow down and in turn leaves your body filled with impurities for longer than it should. You should try to drink 4 litres of water per day, at least. In order to make sure you meet this target have a bottle of water with you at all times throughout the day and you will find it's easy to get through this amount without thinking about it. Don't like drinking plain water? Consider adding flavoring to your water.

Fibre: Fibre will improve your diet and your skin at the same time. Most people know that this will make their skin glow, but few know how to realistically eat their RDA of fibre every day. Here's some tips to make sure you manage:

1. Brown is better than white. Pasta and bread both have up to ten times as much fibre in them when you opt for brown rather than white. This is an easy dietary change for most people, so at least give it a try and see if you can make the shift.
2. Eat apples, and lots of them! Apples are sweet and tasty. More importantly their skins are jam packed with fibre. Try to eat a couple of apples a day as a contribution towards your 5 fruit and vegetables.

Get exercise: If you fail to get exercise then you'll notice your muscle tone turning to flab. This has been said to lead to cellulite, acne and bloating. None of which will do your complexion any favours! That's why you have to consider incorporating an exercise plan into your lifestyle. This shouldn't be a chore, and is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle.

Sugar: Sugar may be sweet, but it doesn't do your skin any favours. This is said to be one of the major causes of ageing in the skin. You can easily tackle this problem through ensuring your not having any more sugar in your diet than you have to. This means that a sprinkle of sugar on your cereal shouldn't be an option. When it comes to tea and coffee, it's easy to gradually reduce whether or not you take sugar. If you currently take 2 spoonfuls, come down to zero half a spoonful at a time.

Deodorant Ingredients

One of my friends had a good theory when it came to food and eating considering the fact that most of our foods are so chemical laden. She refused to eat anything for which she couldn’t pronounce the name of the ingredients.

Having scared myself by reading my deodorant ingredients, I have to say that I whole-heartedly agree with her, only in this case, I have resolved not to put anything on my body that has ingredient names that I can’t pronounce.

Most of the deodorant ingredients that you find these days are bad for you in some way or other, and although some of them might only be used in minute amounts and therefore alright to use, isn’t it true that we use our deodorants every single day, year after year?

Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t it true that even a minute amount of toxins, if taken on a long term basis, will have an effect on our system? And that’s where the confusion and the denials begin, and throw people off the scent. Yes, claim the scientists and other associated people, this is perfectly true, because even a small amount of toxins taken over a long period of time, can add up to something bigger.

But, and this is where the tap dancing begins, it has not been conclusively proven that any of the deodorant ingredients that you find on the labeling are toxic to man (or woman). We need more proof to tell us that the deodorant ingredients we use now can be harmful to human beings.

Need I remind anyone that up until a few years ago arsenic was commonly used in households, and let’s not even go into the whole CFC thing. How many times do we need to be hit over the head with these things before we wise up?

With the turn of the twentieth century however, there has been a positive trend, and people now seem to lean more towards natural products, and to stay away from the chemical laden products that we are bombarded with.

Although the majority of the people have yet to be convinced on the matter either way, it is uplifting indeed to see the numbers of those willing to turn away from these chemical laden products, swell the ranks of those already existing people.

And to think that on my part at least, it all started because I took the time one day to read the deodorant ingredients on something that I had been using ever since I hit puberty. Makes you stop and think, doesn’t it?

Senin, 18 Agustus 2008

7 Steps to Great Makeup

1. Avoid wearing too much

Makeup is meant to enhance features not bring negative attention to you. That's what wearing too much makeup will do; it will bring you unwanted attention. Don't wear too much of anything such as:

i) Eyeliner: dark, thick eyeliner will make you look overdone and will ruin the rest of your makeup.

ii) Mascara: too much mascara looks fake and will flake. It looks especially bad if worn with thick eyeliner or dark blue eye eye shadow.

iii) Foundation: Make sure your foundation is the same color as your skin. Foundation is meant to protect and give the face a smooth look. The magic word is blend.

iv) Powder:The same holds true for powder - not too much. Also, be sure to blend your makeup so there are no obvious lineS

2. Lips

Apply lip liner to completely cover the lips, add color and your lipstick will stay on much longer. Make sure your lip liner doesn't show. Also, your lip color should match your skin tone; wear cool colors if you have cool coloring and warm colors if you have warm coloring. If you want to make your lips look smaller, keep your liner on the inside of your lips. However, if you decide to make your lips look larger, going outside the natural outline of you lips is a mistake. This can look quite messy and unnatural.

3. Appropriate makeup
Wear makeup that is appropriate for the occasion. If you are going to the beach you shouldn't wear the same or as much makeup as you would if you were going dancing. Also, when you are in daylight your makeup should be a lighter than when you are out for the evening.


4. Too little or no makeup

Some women don't wear makeup because they are not sure how to use it and are afraid of being overdone. If you are unsure, start will light colours in your shade. Start slowly and add one product at a time. Maybe start with foundation, add mascara, blush or lipstick. If you are not used to wearing makeup, using a lot a first may be a little too much for you, so start slowly. The bottom line is a little is better than none. If you are still unsure seek professional advice.

5. Overall look

When your makeup is completed it should look natural. That means avoiding colours that clash. If you have dark skin and hair you will look better in darker shades; light colours will make you look washed out. If your hair and skin tone are light, light colours will look better on you. Dark makeup will make you look older and harsh. If you have oily skin, first use oil control moisturizer and foundation. Then be sure to wear loose powder, keeping pressed powder with you for touch ups.

6. Hair color

Your hair color should also be in harmony with your skin. If you have dark hair and you want to add color, keep it close to the same shade. If you have light hair, use light colors. As you age your skin will lighten, so should your hair color. One last thing about hair color - if you do color you hair be sure you keep it up, don't let your roots show.

7. One last thing

Keep makeup looking fresh all day by doing regular touch ups. Don't let your makeup fade or crease. Smile!!!

Choosing & Applying The Perfect Make-up Foundation

Beautiful makeup requires the perfect make-up foundation.

Foundation creates a blank canvas on the face to which colors is added: eye shadow, blush & lipstick. It is also the setting agent. It is also the setting agent for these products acting as a barrier between the colour & the skin's own natural oils, which would otherwise dissolve the make-up. But because it covers the largest area of the face, foundation needs to blend seamlessly with the skin.
Makeup Foundations for differing Skin Types
Before buying new foundation there are two areas of concern that need to be addressed.
Firstly, the foundation must complement your skin type.

Oily Skin; For oily skin that is prone to shine, an oil-free formulation will hinder the production of excess oil, and most contain extra powder particles to dry any oil produced.

Normal Skin; Normal skin can take pretty much any formulation, but a liquid will give ample coverage without looking caked or heavy. Dry skin needs make-up foundation with extra moisturisers to keep it supple, and to prevent the skin from drinking in the makeup. A cream make-up formulation will last longer and also hydrate.
Foundation Colours
The best time to pick a colour is when your skin is at its most natural shade. So, after your holidays or morning after self tanning applications are not the best time. The best place to try make-up is on the jaw line.
Basically, foundation colour falls into two categories;
• Foundation bases with yellow tones
• Foundation bases with pick tones
The most common yellow-toned skin types are Asian, sallow and black skin, whereas fair skin has generally has pink tones. It is important to choose a foundation that matches your skin's base, otherwise the make-up will not blend well, no matter how you apply it.
Applying make-up foundations
Oily Skin; With oily skin, the application of oil-free formulas needs to be fast, as they dry speedily. Using clean fingers to apply small does to the areas most in need of coverage is the best way; simply do each area at a time until the face is complete.

Normal Skin; For normal skin, the choice of cream-to-powder liquid or powder foundation can change how much time you spend applying it. Cream-to-powder is best applied with a sponge, starting in the centre of the face and working outwards; its done in a matter of moments. Liquid foundation looks more natural applied with a foundation brush. Again work the brush outwards, taking care to use less around the eye area. Powder or mineral make-up foundation should be applied with a large powder brush; while it will not give the same level of coverage as a liquid, it is a great makeup for those who are pressed for time.

Dry Skin; For dry skin, cream foundation moves well around the face, and a little goes a long way. Dry skin tends to have few blemishes, so concentrate on areas that need coverage, and leave clear areas bare: this is why getting the right colour match is vital

Nose Plastic Surgery

The places where this reconstructive work will be done can usually be found in hospitals. There are however private surgeries where you can also have nose surgery performed. As you are planning on having a part of your body changed and not in line with nature you should take the time to hunt for plastic surgeons that are known for their reconstructive work.
The patient care and after care of these locations where you are looking into getting nose surgery from should also be investigated. This is important as you may end up being taken under the care of an inexperienced surgeon.

To prevent this from occurring you should do a background check on the medical facility and the staff. This investigation of your should also reveal how the past patients rate this facility as towards their satisfaction for the nose surgery that they have paid for.

You can use the internet if you feel comfortable to find the location and address of a medical center where you can have a nose surgery performed. Once the pertinent information has been received you should see about making a consultation reservation. At this consultation you will need to ask needed details.

These details should include the surgeon’s fees, the stay in the hospital, and the aftercare from the nose surgery and of course the consultation fees for the operation itself. In the interview that you are going to conduct about the nose surgery you should ask to see the different types of reconstructed new nose shapes that you can think about having.

While getting a nose surgery may seem frivolous for some people, there are others who will need this operation. In these serious cases the patient needs the expert care of highly trained medical personnel. These medical staff can prevent the patient in question from having trouble breathing if the nose surgery is very difficult.

For the many people who are looking forward to getting their noses fixed for whatever reason, a nose surgery can be of great help. The surgeon in whose hands you are placing yourself in is an artist. It is thanks to people like this that nose surgery can be performed so well.