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Monthly Archives: February 2010

Sun Burn and Tan – Protect Your Skin From The Scorching Sun

February 28, 2010 Sophie Parker

Protect Your Skin From The Sun

When it comes to staying safe from the sun’s rays, knowledge is power. Know the facts about how to protect your skin and you’ll be less likely to face wrinkles, brown spots, and skin cancer. For starters, good sun protection isn’t just about avoiding direct sunlight or hot summer sun. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), up to 80 percent of ultraviolet rays can pass through clouds or is reflected off snow. Another surprising bit of info: Just because you’re indoors doesn’t mean the sun can’t find you — window glass blocks the UVB light that causes sunburns, but cell-damaging UVA rays still penetrate. The bottom line: Sunscreen is a must, indoors or out, year-round, every day. Here, 12 tips to help you stay sun-safe:

Choose a broad spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 (some dermatologists recommend 30 or higher). Look for the AAD and/or the Skin Cancer Foundation’s seal of approval.
When shopping, opt for products that specifically say “broad-spectrum UV coverage” on the label (meaning it protects against both UVA and UVB rays) or look for one of the following ingredients: zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, ecamsule (Mexoryl SX), avobenzone (Parsol 1789), cinoxate, methyl anthranilate, octyl methoxycinnamate, octyl salicylate, oxybenzone, and sulisobenzone. (Scientists and the FDA are currently working on standardizing UVA protection ratings, but as of now, you’ve got to know what to look for.)
Check the expiration date. The FDA requires that sunscreens remain effective for at least three years, so that’s how long you can expect yours to work at full strength. When in doubt, toss it out.
Apply sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes before you go outside, and be diligent about reapplying every two hours and always after swimming or “sweaty” activities.
Use a shot glass as your guide — it takes a full ounce of sunscreen to adequately cover the exposed areas of your whole body, says the AAD.
Don’t forget your neck, ears, nose, hands, and toes, as well as the backs of your arms and legs.
Love your lips by protecting them a lip balm with an SPF of 15 or higher.
Limit your time in the sun, especially during the middle of the day (between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.), when the sun is at its strongest.
Remember that water, sand, and snow reflect the sun’s rays and increase your risk of sunburn.
Wear sun-protective clothing, wide-brimmed hats, and sunglasses as an added layer of defense. Keep in mind that the sun’s rays can penetrate light-colored and thin fabrics, so opt for darker-hued, tightly woven fabrics or clothing specifically made for sun protection, such as long-sleeved shirts and long pants or skirts.
Go for the faux! Trade suntanning (including tanning beds) for sunless self-tanners, spray tans, airbrushing, or bronzing powder.
Get annual skin checks. Schedule a yearly screening with your dermatologist and alert her ASAP if you notice any changes in your moles or any new growths or lesions. Caught early, most skin cancers are highly treatable.

Source: Daily Glow Online Beauty Magazine

Art of Aging gracefully- Your Anti-aging Skin Care Regimen

February 28, 2010 Sophie Parker

Art of Aging Gracefully

The foundation for an antiaging skin care regimen is the same as any basic skin-care routine: washing with mild facial and body cleansers, exfoliating on a regular basis, moisturizing early and often, and practicing daily sun protection on a year-round basis. But skin changes with age, and that’s when products specifically designed for maturing skin become powerful tools in your antiaging arsenal. Know the ingredients to look for and how to make the most of the wide array of antiaging products on the market, and you’ll be armed and ready to keep wrinkles at bay.

Fine lines and wrinkles: As we grow older, skin loses its elasticity. That’s what causes those pesky lines and wrinkles to make their unwelcome debut and our youthful, glowing complexion to fade. While this may seem inevitable — and to some extent it is — there are effective ways to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Moisturizing and sun protection are two of the big ones, along with using products that contain antioxidants. Prescription-strength antiwrinkle creams, like Retin-A, or skin creams that contain peptides, are particularly effective, since these ingredients work to thicken and plump up collagen, your skin’s natural youth serum. Glycolic acid-based peels can also be used to stimulate collagen, and so can vitamin C. If you’re interested in pursuing cosmetic procedures, talk to your dermatologist about laser resurfacing, chemical peels, Botox, and fillers.

Adult acne: Your teenage years may be well behind you, but apparently no one told those pimples that keep popping up! So while it doesn’t seem fair that acne can still rear its ugly head — that is, both its blackheads and whiteheads! — the truth is that adult acne is very common. Dermatologists typically recommend a combination of therapies, including topical treatments, such as creams, lotions, gels, and solutions. At the drugstore, look for products that contain salicylic and/or glycolic acid, or talk to your dermatologist about prescribing something stronger. More serious conditions may call for an oral antibiotic.

Sun damage: Sun exposure can create any number of problems for aging skin. Some — like sunspots and leathery texture — are unsightly but harmless. But others, like basal or squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma, can be more serious or even life-threatening. Your best defense: Minimize your exposure to the sun and wear sunscreen, which is the most effective antiaging product available, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). The AAD recommends practicing smart sun protection year-round by liberally applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen that fights both UVA and UVB rays with an SPF of at least 15 — though some dermatologists encourage a minimum of 30 for better protection. Regular moisturizing can also help improve the appearance of sun-damaged skin.

Spider and varicose veins: Whether they’re thin and purple or thick and blue, visible veins are at the top of many a woman’s “hate” list. What cause spider and varicose veins? Less-than-perfect circulation, which taxes the veins, causing them to swell and bulge, or burst, leaving a “spidery” trail. The condition is often hereditary and/or or sensitive to hormonal fluctuations. The best way to prevent varicose or spider veins is to promote good circulation with regular physical activity, particularly cardio exercise like walking, jogging, cycling, or swimming. If you choose to seek medical treatment, ask your doctor about sclerotherapy, a common procedure during which veins are injected with a solution (typically saline) to collapse them. Treated veins should disappear over the course of several weeks or months. (Keep in mind that some advanced varicose veins may require more serious medical treatment or even surgery to relieve potential complications, such as blood clots, inflammation, or ulcers. And be sure to alert your doctor if you experience persistent or severe muscle cramping, swelling, or tenderness in your legs.)

Words of wisdom – These commonsense antiaging skin-care strategies will promote overall health as they help you maintain younger looking skin.

Eat a healthy, fiber-rich diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and other foods that are high in antioxidants and omega-3s.
Make exercise that combines cardio with strength training a regular part of your daily routine.
Quit smoking and avoid excessive alcohol, as well as exposure to environmental pollutants, including secondhand smoke and air pollution.

Source: Daily Glow Online Beauty Magazine

Face Polishing and Exfoliating – How does scrubbing help in improving your skin’s texture.

February 28, 2010 Vivian Marshall

Face Scrub

It may sound gross, but scrubbing off dead skin cells is actually a key part of a healthy skin-care regimen. Exfoliating has tons of benefits, like evening out skin tone, keeping pores clean, improving your skin’s texture, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and preventing acne.

There are plenty of ways to exfoliate, from loofahs and scrubs to cleansing cloths and over-the-counter masks. And if you want to kick it up a notch, ask your dermatologist or a licensed aesthetician about a chemical or enzyme-based exfoliation or peel. Generally speaking, if you’ve got normal skin, it’s fine to manually exfoliate daily, but if you have sensitive, oily, or dry skin, you should limit exfoliation to a few times a week. Talk to your dermatologist about which type (or types) of exfoliation is right for your complexion, and whichever product or method you choose, be gentle, avoiding the thinner, sensitive skin around your eyes. Ready to start scrubbing? Choose your weapon:

Loofah: This natural, dried, fibrous sponge makes a spectacular sloughing tool. Whether you choose an actual sponge or a loofah-infused cloth or mitt, wet it with warm water and liquid body wash or soap, then gently scrub in a circular motion. (Loofahs are generally too scratchy to use on your face, but if you must, be extra gentle and keep the sloughing session brief.)
Over-the-counter scrubs: There are tons of choices for body and face containing a vast array of exfoliating ingredients, like oatmeal, cornmeal, sugar, salt, coffee, almonds, and microbeads, along with moisturizing and toning/detoxifying ingredients. Depending on your preferences and budget, you’re sure to find one you like at your local drugstore or department store.
Homemade sloughers: Do it yourself (and save money in the process) by raiding your pantry for natural exfoliants. Make your own scrub by combining skin-friendly scrubbers like those mentioned above with moisturizing and toning/detoxifying ingredients such as yogurt, honey, olive oil, avocado, strawberry, citrus fruits, herbs, and essential oils.
Microdermabrasion: Sandpaper for your face? Well, kind of. During this painless procedure, a dermatologist or licensed aesthetician uses a handheld device that simultaneously sprays fine crystals onto the skin as it vacuums them up, exfoliating dead cells and deep cleaning pores. Cosmetic companies have jumped on the microdermabrasion bandwagon, offering an array of cleansing cloths, polishers, and at-home tools you can try as a milder alternative.
Chemical exfoliants: Chemical exfoliants like alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) are more effective than manual exfoliation alone because they change cell growth patterns and may help promote collagen production. A good first step: Try at-home superficial chemical peels that’ll gently exfoliate by penetrating skin’s outer layer and stripping away dead surface cells. (Always consult your dermatologist before trying a peel on your own, and get a recommendation for the type of peel that’ll be right for your skin.) Prescription-strength Retin-A is another popular choice among dermatologists, since it’s effective at unclogging pores and sloughing off dead skin cells around acne-prone areas. Retin-A is generally applied once or twice a day (remember to be extra careful about sun protection if you’re using Retin-A as part of your skin-care routine).

An Important Tip: Exfoliation is a great way to prep your skin before you use a self-tanner. It helps the tanner go on more evenly to prevent that telltale streaking, and it’ll help that (almost) natural glow last a little longer.

Source: Daily Glow Online Beauty Magazine

Facial Skin Care – How to choose your moisturizer

February 27, 2010 Grace Hampton

Importance of Moisturizer

At the very least, you need one moisturizer specifically formulated for the face and another for the body. (An eye cream or serum is really important too!)

With literally hundreds of ingredients to choose from, there’s a moisturizing formula for everyone, depending on your preferences and needs. You might opt for a moisturizer with sunscreens that protect or humectants that absorb water from the air and seal in moisture, or antioxidants to help fight the effects of pollution. Or you could choose a moisturizer that does all of the above! Here are a few rules of thumb to go by when shopping:

Look for noncomedogenic, fragrance-free moisturizers that won’t clog pores or irritate sensitive skin.
For normal skin, use a light, water-based moisturizer.
If you have dry skin, choose an oil-based moisturizer or one that contains glycerine, lactic acid (found in U-Lactin) or urea (found in Carmol 20), all of which do a better job of holding moisture in your skin.
Got oily skin? Stick with an oil-free formula to help prevent breakouts.
If your skin is sensitive, choose a fragrance- and dye-free product that says it’s for sensitive skin right on the label.
For wrinkles and fine lines, choose an antiaging formula that contains peptides (look for Matrixyl or Argireline) or vitamin C with magnesium ascorbyl phosphate (MAP). These ingredients may help thicken collagen, the body’s natural skin plumper.
Remember, expensive moisturizers are not necessarily better than drugstore brands — it could just be the fancy fragrance and pretty packaging that bumps up the price.

Not Just Moisturizing Folks!

Don’t rely on your moisturizer to do all the work. Make this a team effort by incorporating other beauty products that help promote soft, supple, younger- looking skin. In the drugstore or department store, shop for moisturizing versions of:

Soap
Face wash
Body wash
Scrubs
Masks
Shaving cream
Sunscreen

Source: Daily Glow Online Beauty Magazine

Facial Skin Care Tip – When To Moisturize

February 26, 2010 Teresa Hampton

When To Moisturize

Using good moisturizers on a daily basis will help keep your skin healthy, soft, and supple. Learn when to moisturize and how to choose the right moisturizers for your skin type.

When it comes to keeping skin healthy and glowing, one word is key: moisturize! Using the right moisturizers on a daily basis not only prevents dryness by locking moisture into your skin, it’ll also help plump up fine lines and reduce the appearance of wrinkles — and who doesn’t love that? So how do you get the most out of your moisturizer? Simple — just know what type will work best with your skin and the right time to use it.

When to moisturize

On a damp skin – One of the biggest misconceptions about moisturizer is that it “hydrates” the skin, says the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). In reality, moisturizers help the skin retain its own moisture by “locking” moisture in. The best time to slather on your hydrator is when skin is still damp — in other words, within three minutes of your bath, shower, or washing your face.

On dry skin – Stash a travel-sized bottle or tube in your purse so you’re ready to rub in a little moisture anywhere, anytime. And remember, plane travel can be especially dehydrating, so be sure to pack a FAA-allowed bottle of lotion or cream (three ounces or less) in your carry-on bag.

After Morning rinse – Apply your daily moisturizer after your morning rinse-off and before you put on your makeup. Opt for a lighter day formula, preferably one that contains a minimum SPF 15 broad-spectrum sunscreen. (If your moisturizer doesn’t contain sunscreen, it’s a good idea to apply a thin layer over your moisturizer before you put on your makeup.)

Evening time Moisturizing – Once you’ve thoroughly washed away the day’s makeup, dirt, and leftover sunscreen, it’s time to apply a thicker, richer moisturizer, a.k.a. night cream. An eye cream or serum is an added bonus for the thin, sensitive skin around your eyes.

During Summers – Warmer weather calls for lighter moisturizers that allow skin to breathe, especially when you’re perspiring.

During Winters - As the temperature plunges, so does the moisture content in your skin. To the rescue: thicker, more emollient moisturizers that penetrate and protect against outdoor elements and indoor dryness. Cold-weather ingredients to look for: petrolatum, mineral oil, linoleic acid, ceramides, dimethicone, and glycerin.

Basic Facial Cleansing Technique

February 25, 2010 Grace Hampton

Basic Facial Cleansing Technique

Basic Facial Cleansing Technique

Make sure your hands are clean before you begin. If they’re not, wash them first.
Wrap your hair in a towel or use elastics, barrettes, or a headband to keep your hair out of your face while cleansing.
Use lukewarm water and a good facial cleanser to wash your face.
Gently rub the cleanser into your face using circular motions.
Massage your face with your fingers to promote good circulation.
Use a washcloth or loufa to help gently scrub and exfoliate your skin.
Rinse well with lukewarm water. Make sure all the soap is off your neck and ears, and has been cleaned from around your eyes and nose, and your hairline.
Splash cool water on your face to refresh your skin and close your pores.
Pat your skin dry with a towel, but leave some moisture on the skin.
Moisturize immediately so that your moisturizer can seal the moisture into your skin.

If you have a skin condition, talk to your dermatologist about the best techniques and types of products to use when washing your face. For example, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends that people with rosacea let the face dry thoroughly before applying any topical medication or moisturizers. They should also steer clear of facial cleansers that contain alcohol, witch hazel, salicylic acid, fragrance, and certain oils, according to the National Rosacea Society. On the other hand, the AAD acknowledges that products containing alcohol and acetone, salicylic acid, or benzoyl peroxide are likely to benefit people with acne. For people with inflammatory skin conditions, like eczema, the AAD warns against excessive washing and encourages people to pay special attention even to mild cleansers, since they can irritate the skin and worsen eczema symptoms.

Washing your face properly with a mild cleanser will help remove makeup and clear away the day’s dirt and excess oil build-up, leaving your skin fresh, clean, and beautiful.