Women Skin Care & Beauty Blog

Exfoliating Faces by stevehicks

One of the best methods used to keep the skin radiant and healthy is through regular exfoliation. This is the process used to remove the dead cells and dirt on your skin. This can be done more often according to the kind of exfoliate used, the skin type and the general skin health of a person. Exfoliating is a skin treatment done to slough off dead skin using a sponge or brush. This process is commonly used in the face to remove the dead cells and oil that cause the pores to get clogged leading to the development of common skin problems such as pimples, whiteheads, blackheads and acne. Dead cells when left unattended would create a problem in the sebaceous gland making your skin look patchy and dull.

Facial Exfoliation

Exfoliation will encourage the growth of new skin cells, making your skin feel smoother and look brighter. This will also speed up the skin flaking, shedding and improve your skin complexion. The process is done by first washing your entire face with a mild cleanser to remove residue of make-up and any impurities present in your skin. Wet the surface of your skin and apply an exfoliating cleanser which is designed only for the face or put a small amount in a brush or sponge. Scrub your face in a circular motion and avoid the area surrounding your eyes as this part of the skin is very sensitive to abrasive products. Rinse your face carefully with lukewarm water and pat dry completely with a clean towel.  Apply an exfoliating mask to make your skin brighter and healthier. Finally, apply a nourishing cream and moisturizer to your skin.

Exfoliating Products

Regular scrubs can be used to treat your skin but the result will not be the same as an exfoliator does. The natural fruit based products and the ones containing oatmeal, kernels, apricot seeds and almond meal can be used as an excellent peel. Exfoliating scrub will help increase blood circulation leaving your skin smooth and youthful without irritation.

Nonabrasive and gel-based products are the most effective exfoliating peels which will moisturize the skin. This is also an excellent treatment for acne because it does not contain abrasive ingredients and irritating granules that can damage your skin. Exfoliating astringents will help control excess oil in the face and this is appropriate to all skin types including acne-prone skins.

Exfoliating mask is also designed to get rid of dead skin cells of the face. They can help refresh your skin with the growth of new cells in the skin. If you want to make a homemade exfoliator, you can combine oatmeal and water into a paste. Regular sea salt can also be use while showering and would provide better results. However, if you already have a dry skin, it is advisable to use a moisturizer after.  Sugar is one of the best natural exfoliator used by many people. You can mix two teaspoons of honey and sugar for a daily exfoliation. Add a little oil to the mixture if necessary.

Acne is a skin condition that affects people as they grow up, and is very common since almost everybody has to get in at least once in their lifetime. The most common age for this condition is where people are in their teen age, since at this point there is a lot of hormonal activity. Acne is at times associated with dirty and oily skin, though that is not always the cause of the problem. During this stage, the skin starts to develop pimples, moderate inflammation, severe cysts and starts to break. There are people who however, develop this condition when they are in their adult years.

There are some people with dry acne prone skin, such that they are more likely to acquire the condition as compared to others, and these have to take proper care of their skin so as to reduce the extent to which the skin will be damaged.

For the people with acne prone skin, following some of the steps listed below will help to arrest the situation.

Acquisition of a moisturizer for dry acne prone skin will ensure that your skin is properly moisturized and in good condition. The best moisturizers are those that do not have any oils in them, and those that have anti-bacterial substances. Those that contain benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid are very effective when it comes to clearing the acne sores. In addition, the moisturizer that is light and non-comedogenic reduces the effects of acne.

The people who wear make-up and have a skin that is acne-prone, they must ensure that they use an oil-free foundation. The best facial for acne prone skin is one that does not cover the skin pores, such that they get flared-up because of blockage. The application of make-up should be moderate and the products must be those that help improve the skin.

People with acne at times result to exfoliation, a process where an individual scrubs dead skin from their skin. Exfoliation using rough objects will most likely cause more damage to the skin than good. A gentle cleansing will ensure that the skin will not form ugly scars as a result of the rupturing of sores.

In order to eliminate the level of skin dryness as well as the probability of an increased case of acne, an individual must not wash their face too many times during the day, since this leaves the skin dry and more sensitive. When it comes time to wash the face, using moisturizers that have the qualities of reducing flaking, skin redness and irritation will assist in dropping the high level of acne.

Since acne is worsened by the lack of moisture on the skin and even in the environment where an individual is, using a vaporizer will go a long way in ensuring that acne and its effects are greatly reduced. In addition, keeping the body hydrated will also ensure that the amount of water available in the skin is enough to allow the skin to have enough moisture which prevents dryness of skin.

A dermatologist will give the best advice when it comes to the best products to use for a particular skin type, the best concealed for acne prone skin, the best cleaning practices and the best way to care for the skin.

Curling your eyelashes could make a difference in the way your eyes would look. It is also one way of emphasizing the shape and size of your eyes. Eyelashes curlers are the best tool to use for curling straight eyelashes and make it more realistic. This usually made from metal, plastic or the heated type in which the effectiveness of the three doesn’t show a significant difference. It can only be determined through the ability of the user and quality of the pads.

The best way to curl your eyelashes

Clean up the traces of old make-ups in your eyelashes to avoid creating a messy appearance. Make sure that the pad is disinfected and free from dirt like the sticky mascara that would easily get into the eyes and cause irritation. For better results, you can heat the eyelashes curler with a hair dryer or hot water. You can either blow it dry or dip the curler in a hot water and make sure the heat wouldn’t be too much when you use it. Gently grab your eyelashes from the roots and squeeze it for a few seconds. See to it that the upper lashes are in between the edges of the curler. Then open the curler completely while releasing it. Repeat the same procedure if necessary. The heat will curl up your lashes easily and would last longer than necessary.

Take a brush, look down in the mirror and slowly stroke your lashes upwards using the tip of the brush and make sure the mascara is just enough to use. Some people would prefer applying mascara after curling and others are doing the other way around. The only drawback of applying mascara before curling is that it may stick on the pads causing the lashes to clump together while doing the curling process. Finally, comb the lashes to remove extra mascara and separate each lashes making it more natural.

Resulting issue for incorrectly used eyelashes curlers

Cleaning the eyelashes curler pad is very important for a person who wishes to achieve better curling results. This can be done effectively with soap and water or eye make-up remover. It is also recommended to change the pad every couple of months. Some eyelashes curlers are designed to have a built-in warming device that enhances its effectiveness. Curling dry eyelashes will also provide better results than using a curler on wet lashes.

Curled eyelashes will add brighter appearance to your face as it makes your eyes wider. Mascara is normally added to improve the look of your tired eyes. It is very important to emphasize those eyelashes curlers if used incorrectly may result to eyelid injury. If it is held closely to the roots, there will be a tendency for it to pinch the eyelid which might cause tissue injury and possible infection. To prevent this issue from happening, a person who has less experience in doing the procedure should avoid doing it closer to the roots.

Quality eyelashes curlers can be purchased in grocery chain retailers, drug stores and your nearest beauty supply stores. Inexperienced in eyelashes curling can learn from demonstrations and instructions from experts in department store cosmetic counters.

Wrinkles are inevitable part of the aging process. However, with proper skin care, they can be delayed. To make this happen, it is necessary to identify the factors that may lead to or accelerate the entire process. Awareness on these factors, which include aging, production of collagen, fibrous scleroproteins and elastin, smoking as well as sunlight, is helpful to take the right measures to prevent the early occurrence of wrinkles.  With just small efforts and every day commitment, you can keep your skin wrinkle-free and young.

When you go out, use sunscreen and hat to protect your skin from the sun. Keep in mind that your smooth skin will be destroyed easily as you extremely expose it to the sun. You can avail of a lot of sunscreen that health food stores sell. Sunscreens are made of chemicals that won’t make your skin greasy.

You can apply emu oil to your skin as a means to prevent wrinkles and soften your skin. Emu oil works to nourish your skin better than other oils and creams because they contain triglyceride lipids. Your skin will absorb emu oils easily and will be left looking beautiful, healthy and wrinkle-free. Moreover, you can also take supplements like omega acids which you can get from fish, seafood and nuts. Omega has a high content of antioxidants, which is helpful in removing harmful free radicals. Antioxidants also treat the inner part of the skin.

It is also ideal to form a face mask by mixing equal parts of yogurt and fresh cucumber. Set it for fifteen minutes before your rinse and dry your face. Cucumber is known to have skin cleansing and nourishing properties without stripping the skin of the acids and oils it needs to keep a young tone. Yogurt, on the other hand, contains lactic acid which is helpful in preventing wrinkles and reducing those that are already in your face.

Eradicate toxins from the foods that you consume every day as these will harm your skin and your health generally. These toxins include refined sugar, caffeine, alcohol and tobacco. Drink a lot of water and natural juices that you can get from raw vegetables and fruits. Fluids are helpful in eliminating body toxins that cause skin problems, acne and premature aging. Consuming fresh juice will guarantee that you provide your body with essential minerals and vitamins that it needs to maintain your good health and younger look.

The use of home-made remedies is beneficial to you because they won’t cost you too much. Utilizing them is not the same as going to skin specialists or a beauty salon where you have to use expensive cosmetics to look good. When you apply home-made mixes on regular basis, you can expect to maintain the youthful appearance that you have been wishing for at a price that you can afford. You just need to spend few minutes to apply these preparations and you will see the difference after a few months. Apart from their cheapness as skin treatments, home-made mixes are proven effective in preventing wrinkles and treating those that have started to appear in your skin.

Maintaining a healthy, young-looking skin takes more than just a miracle. You will need to consult with dermatologists, take the appropriate formulations and the most efficient and effective way to provide vitamins to your skin. You will also need to utilize the best supplements for the skin available.

Antioxidants keep free radicals from destroying the walls and structures of the skin as well as the DNA. Free radicals are the products of the oxidation of oxygen molecules; however, they can also be formed through exposure to different environmental factors, ultraviolet radiation and smoking. Free radicals also have the capability to accelerate the aging process.

Vitamin E – This vitamin is the most significant body antioxidant that gives protection to cell membranes and prevents destruction to membrane-related enzymes. This can be obtained from vegetables like sunflower oil, whole grains like wheat germ, oats and brown rice as well as dairy products, meats and nuts. According to new studies, vitamin E is helpful in deactivating free radicals. There are also studies that reveal the potential of the topical vitamin E named d-alpha-tocopherol to minimize sunburn cell production, lessen the production of cells that cause cancer and chornic UV-induced damage. Studies in the past showed that typical vitamin E supplements, consumed together with Vitamin A supplements, were related to 70 percent decreased risk of basal cell carcinomas.

Selenium – This mineral is important to glutathione peroxidase, an antioxidant, that helps protect the body from cancers like skin cancer. Selenium also helps in preserving the elasticity of tissues and slows down the hardening and aging of tissues through oxidation. This mineral can be obtained from seafood, whole grain cereals, eggs and garlic.

When selenium is taken orally every day in 50 to 200 micrograms, this mineral protects the skin from the damaging sun rays.  Latest studies made on animals have revealed that when applied topically through L-selenomethionine or orally, selenium showed protection against excessive and daily UV damage with less exposure to burning. The study also demonstrated a delay in the onset and a reduction in the incidence of animal skin cancers.

Vitamin C – This vitamin is the most abundant antioxidant in the skin. This can be obtained from citrus fruits and vegetables. This also repairs free radicals and prevents them from becoming cancers and speeding up aging.  Topical vitamin C prevents consequences of extreme sun exposure which may lead to cancer of the skin. A study made recently showed that the application of topical Vitamin C to the skin, 15 to 30 minutes after exposing the skin to UV rays, will cause a decrease of sunburn cells and start of repair work on the damaged skin. This vitamin is commonly found in L-ascorbic acid, a highly active form of antioxidant that breaks down instantly when exposed to oxygen. This means that this will easily lose its stability and become less effective.

In recent studies conducted on animals, oral vitamin C was shown to minimize UV-reduced tumors while when it is applied topically, it reduces low-level UV-exposure to mouse skin.

Most women were able to preserve their youthful looks even if the age is more than 40. Surprisingly not all of them had gone to surgeons. As not all people can afford the expenses that it would cost. Each woman have their beauty secrets they used to keep ourselves looking young and feeling good about it.

Secrets for a younger looking skin

If money doesn’t matter for you, try the following beauty secrets as the celebrities do to have a younger looking skin. Injectable fillers are used to treat forehead wrinkles, crow’s feet and deep smile lines, hyaluronic-acid fillers like Juvederm and Restylane A professional should perform the procedure. It cost $600-$1000 per needle and results will last up to six months.

Botox has been used by most celebrities and it remains the gold standard for wrinkles and crow’s lines treatment. It works by paralyzing the muscles underneath the wrinkles. It becomes so obvious if used too mush. Procedure cost $300-$500 per area treated. Result lasts three to six months.

Laser skin resurfacing is used to increase the collagen production in our body. Given the fact that as we go older, the production of the collagen decreases making our face to be gaunter and appear thinner. Laser fraxel is the currently used to treat skin damage. The laser produces some microscopic teardrops that penetrates deep into your skin and generate the body to naturally produce a great number of collagen while on the healing process. Treatment cost $1000 per session. You needed three to five sessions a month.

Chemical peels are the producer used to remove damaged skin cells on the outer layer of the skin. A mild glycolic and chemical peel cost $150-$300 but the same results can be achieved using over the counter peels. Buy whichever you think is more effective for your skin

Simple ways for younger looks

These are a few of the tips and secrets that is somehow too heavy for your budget however there are also more simple and easy way to maintain a fresh and youthful appearance. Moisturizers when use regularly will make the skin appear younger by retaining the moisture of the skin which in turn increases circulation and plumps up fine lines. The right moisturizer could make your skin feel comfortable and soft. Keep out of the sun. Too much exposure to the heat of the sun can cause not only skin damage but leads to premature aging as well. Drink a lot water. Water helps naturally moisturize our body. Don’t leave home without a little make up but don’t use too much as it will make you look old. Try luminizing product, as concealers and foundation to blur fine lines and imperfections. Make sure your hair looks young. The hair adds beauty to your looks. Take care of your neck. Losing the elasticity of the neck add years to your appearance. Always keep a smile with your pearly white teeth. Make an appointment to your dentist to maintain nice and healthy teeth.

Whether a woman approaches 30 or nearly 90, everyone wants to find a way to look young. There has never been secret miracle to stop aging but these simple steps could make yourself better than you used to be.

As medical science advances rapidly it also adapts the best that other sciences have to offer. If you want an example, look no further than cryotherapy, using a cryogenic chamber. You may or may not have heard much about this novel form of medical treatment, but the fact is that it is rapidly gaining popularity due to the health benefits it has to offer.

In this therapy, a patient is placed in a cryogenic chamber for a short period of time, which can be enough to relieve pain at the nerve-level, without actually killing tissue due to the extreme cold. During the procedure, you are given socks, gloves and ear muffs to protect you from frost bite, but you wear nothing but a bathing suit other than that.

Since the chamber is cooled to a temperature of -120 degrees centigrade, you need this protection for survival, even if this is for just three minutes (the optimal time for this therapy).

The benefits of entering the chamber, start with a rapid drop in the temperature of the skin. Usually the temperature of the skin is 12 degrees centigrade on an average while the coldest areas may reach 5 degrees. This results in the release of endorphins, which are hormones which relieve pain fast. This is why the single biggest benefit of a cryogenic chamber is immediate pain relief.

When parts of your body are sore, you apply an ice pack, because the sudden cooling creates a numbing sensation which overrides the pain. Entering the chamber can also work in the same way. If there is a nerve in your body which is causing a lot of pain, it can be desensitized by the effect of the cryogenic chamber. This is why many athletes and pro sportspersons use cryogenic chamber therapy in the process of recovering from injuries or recuperating after a hard season.

This can help in various conditions such as muscle and joint pain due to excess wear and tear and activity, fibromyalgia and psoriasis. The release of endorphins has a long lasting beneficial effect on the body and even inflammations have been seen to reduce quickly.

On the other hand, people suffering from age related problems such as rheumatism or chronic joint pains, can also benefit from spending time in a cryogenic chamber. They are reported to feel reinvigorated and more mobile after therapy in a cryo chamber.

Destruction of cells which may lead to cancer is also a possibility, because the cell cytosol crystallizes at such low temperatures. However, that is usually done by local cryotherapy and not in a cryogenic chamber.  Yes, there are various forms of this cryogenic treatment, other than the chamber.

You should note that despite the evident benefits of cryogenic chamber therapy, there are a lot of question marks and risks surrounding this unique treatment method. Hypothermia is a distinct possibility and so is the loss of motor skills due to nerve-numbness. So, if you plan to go in for this therapy, make sure to take the best available medical advice beforehand.

Stretch marks may appear on your skin due to various reasons, but they sure are not a pretty sight! Rapid weight loss or weight gain, increase in muscle size and pregnancy are some of the common reasons why stretch marks develop on your skin. These marks stand out from the rest of your skin and often prevent you from wearing sleeveless clothes or expose your upper body. So, it is important for you to know what options you have for removing stretch marks.

Chemical peels are a really popular option when it comes to the removal of stretch marks. In this process a chemical solution is applied on your skin, which causes the skin to peel off. The new skin exposed by the removal of the old layer may appear less affected by stretch marks.

But do keep in mind that chemical peels require an intensive skin care regime post the procedure, to help revive the skin from the exposure to harsh chemicals.

Then there are laser treatments which are done by cosmetic dermatologists with specialized equipment. Though these treatments can be a lot more effective than chemical peels, do not expect your stretch marks to disappear completely.

The doctors who conduct this procedure admit that lasers can reduce stretch marks to a great extent but cannot make them disappear. But if you have deep red or white stretch marks, laser treatments can make them look much better and improve the texture of your skin. Lasers can also induce the formation of collagen which in turn reduces stretch marks to a great extent.

If laser surgery does not appeal to you, you can always go in for the conventional cosmetic surgery to remove stretch marks. This is in fact, the only way in which stretch marks can be permanently removed from your body. The procedure involves the replacement of skin affected by stretch marks with normal skin from other parts of your body. Do, bear in mind that this is a permanent change and a rather expensive option too!

If you are going in for a surgery, choose the best possible dermatological surgeon in your area.

The process of microdermabrasion can also be of help, if you do not want to spend much on removing stretch marks. The idea here is to cause abrasion on your skin, artificially, to remove the layer of skin affected by stretch marks. You can do this at the dermatologist’s chamber or at home with a skin abrasion kit.

Keep in mind that this will work only on mild stretch marks, because deeper scars will not be affected by abrading the top layer of skin. But once the scar tissue is broken up, new skin starts forming and stretch marks fade considerably.

Nowadays, you will also find a host of creams and lotions being sold as a cure for stretch marks. Of these, only collagen and alpha-hydroxy based products work effectively. They do so, by expediting collagen formation.

A combination of these methods should help you say goodbye to stretch marks. All the best!

Acne is perhaps one of the most common skin problems. But do you know that acne can also appear on your back. This is called bacne and prolonged and severe cases may result in bacne scars, just as scarring happens with acne on the face. Thankfully, you can fight back with some effective bacne scar treatments. Though these bacne treatments will not magically erase all unsightly scars, they can definitely improve the way your back looks.

So here are some ways in which you can get rid of bacne scars:

1. Do not use ordinary soaps when you are struggling with bacne. They can dry out your skin which in turn leads to the production of more sebum and hence oily skin and scarring. Use deep skin cleansers such as those with glycolic acid, which can moisturize your skin and prevent further clogging. This acid helps in shedding the upper layers of skin and also promotes the growth of new skin cells. It also reduces fine lines and creates the effect of a better complexion. This, in due course of time will also reduce scars.

You can also use cleansers with Aloe Vera, Allantoin or salicylic acid for best results.

2. When you are having a bacne problem, keeping your skin clean is of paramount importance, particularly if you already have scars. For clearing pores and removing dead skin cells, exfoliation is a great option.

But regular exfoliation will not be as effective because you are dealing with sensitive or semi-damaged skin here so, the best thing is to do is to use specific body wash for acne. These body washes contain active ingredients which help in cleaning the skin pores thoroughly and also soothing scarred areas of the skin.

While exfoliating, try not to use a regular loofah, because it may be too rough for your bacne affected skin. Instead use a pair of exfoliating bacne gloves which can clean your skin thoroughly without being too harsh. There are several good brands of these gloves available and you can get a pair quite cheaply too!

3. Skin creams with niacinamide, vitamin B3 and niacin can also help reduce bacne scars. Niacinamide is in fact a derivative of the vitamin niacin and is actively used in the manufacture of bacne and acne scar removal creams. These creams are safe for all skin types and can also help in removing fines lines and giving you younger looking skin. However, you should not use these creams unless your dermatologist gives you the go-ahead.

4. Tretinoin, which is a derivative of vitamin A, can also act effectively in removing bacne scars. It works by removing dead cells from the scarred area and also hastens the growth of new cells. Retin-A is a product which contains Tretinoin and is one the better topical medications available. However, you may have to use it for months in order to find the desired results.

Bacne scars, though quite an eyesore, can be got rid of if you try these treatments. All the best!

Exfoliating dull skin can result in wonders beyond your imagination. Yes, this is not an exaggeration and you will know this if you have ever used a body scrub for exfoliating your skin. But selecting the right scrubs may be quite a headache for you. How will it react with your skin? Will it cause any allergies or eruptions? Which scrub is the best available? If these questions are bothering you a lot, you surely need to read on.

There are a lot of considerations before choosing a body scrub and frankly, what suits hundreds of others may not suit you. For example a salt scrub is harmful for sensitive skin and so, if you have this type of skin, you have to more careful and choosy than a person with normal skin. The key is to know your skin type and allergies, if any. Only then can you use a scrub without worries. Of course your preferences and budget also play a role in the selection process, albeit a minor one.

So, with that sorted out, lets have a look at how you can choose a body scrub.

1. The most important ingredient of a body scrub is the granules in it. These are what help in the actual process of exfoliation. So, you can make your selection based on the type of granules you are looking for. The size of granules in scrubs can vary from fine particles to large grains. Needless to say, the larger grains provide a thorough scrubbing whereas the smaller granules aid a mild exfoliation.

The common substances which supply these granules are sea salts, oatmeal, strawberries, white sugar, pumice and coffee beans. Synthetic granules are also found in some scrubs these days. Generally fine granules with blunt edges are the best bets, because they cannot harm your skin in any way, even if you scrub too hard. Coarser granules can be better for areas of your body where the skin is thicker, such as the knees and joints.

2. Your skin type should also influence your choice of scrub. For example, if you have dry skin, go for a scrub that has a moisturizing cream as its base. Even ingredients such as chocolate, honey and almond oil can help improve your dry skin.

If you have oily skin, avoid scrubs with oils as important ingredients. Instead go for scrubs with oatmeal, papaya or lemon for best results.

By now you may have got a fair idea about what to consider before choosing a scrub. So, keep that in mind when you go out to buy a scrub the next time.