Five Natural Ways to Prevent Facial Aging

The biological make-up of our skin begins to show signs of aging as early as our 20s. Age shows not only on our face, neck and chest but all over. There are many ways to care for your skin and prevent premature aging. Following are five ways that you can age gracefully. These are things you can do in your daily life that will dramatically reduce signs of aging.

• Don’t smoke. If you do smoke, quit. We all know that smoking is bad for us and affects our body negatively. Smoking contributes to premature aging and many other health problems. The many chemicals in cigarettes influence the skin’s structure and dehydrate the cells, resulting in increased aging.
  

  smoking causes wrinkles

• Get some sleep. Research has shown that people who sleep regularly seven to eight hours a night are healthier than those who lack sleep or over sleep. Sleeping allows the body to repair cellular damage and recharge. To prevent signs of aging on the face, try sleeping on your back. Sleeping on your stomach or side can damage skin by slowing down circulation and weakening the skin’s elasticity, resulting in wrinkles.
• Sunscreen, use it, wear it, and love it. Wear sunscreen everyday-even on cloudy or rainy days, and even if you are just going to be outside a short time. We all know that the sun has harmful affects to the skin. Sun tanning and burning damage the skin, leading to premature aging. Sun exposure over time leads to wrinkles and ugly pigmentation spots. There is no excuse to not wear sunscreen, it comes in all forms and is formulated now to be lightweight and beneficial to the skin as well as giving sun protection.
• Hydrate and Moisturize the skin from the inside and outside. Hydrated skin is healthy and plump, looks moist and shows few wrinkles and lines. As we age our skin loses elasticity; using moisturizers with ingredients such as vitamins, herbs and minerals that help repair the skin is the best way to restore elasticity and prevent its break down. Herbal facial products like herbal masks and toners will also help remove dead skin cells and balance the ph level of your skin. Drink lots of water to hydrate the skin internally and use a good moisturizer. Try intense facial moisturizer or zinc repair by Vivoderm.
  

  healthy foods=good skin

• A healthy lifestyle and healthy diet can dramatically strengthen the skin and prevent premature aging. Fruits, herbs, vegetables, nuts and other nutrient- rich produce give the body strength to fight and repair damage. If you are good to your body from the inside out, you will have less external maintenance. Part of a healthy life style is getting exercise, so get up and get moving. Fit people also tend have less heath problems. Health problems can lead to premature aging of the skin by showing wrinkles and damage earlier than those people who choose to be healthy.

There is no way to prevent aging - it is inevitable, however there are ways to slow it down. Today there is plastic surgery and amazing skin care products to improve the look and feel of skin. But it’s never too late to prevent further damage so you don’t have to take the drastic measures of plastic surgery or spend tons of money on skin care later in life.

By Tiffany Oney

Tiffany Oney is a licensed esthetician, professional makeup artist and natural skincare authority.  She is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Arts in Communications Studies California State University, Long Beach and interning with Vivoderm Natural Skincare in Los Angeles, California.

Herbal Skin Care History and Aloe Vera Plants

HERBAL SKIN CARE was used as far back 1400BC. The ancient Egyptians are known to to have used herbs, and oils. IN Queen Thuthu’s tomb a box was found containing a pumice stone for smoothing rough skin, eye pencils of wood and ivory used for applying kohl and antimony to the eyes. A bronze dish for mixing ingredients such as lapis lazuli powder for eye shadow, along with three cosmetic pots she probably used for making her own skin care henna, scented oils and creams.

The ancient Greek were well known for their use of herbs and oils for making herbal skin care beauty preparations. Even going to the point of making a connection between health and beauty. The science of dermatology was developed by Hippocrates, the famous Greek physician.

The Romans dyed their hair with myrtle and walnut husk, darkened their eyes with kohl, bathed their heads with extracts of myrtle and juniper berries to prevent their hair from thinning and rubbed alkanet root on their ckeek to make them rosy. Back in those times I’m sure they had the freshest of herbs, and used a lot of them.

Aloe Vera is porbably one of the oldest and most-well know of the medicinal herbs.

Medicinal and Cosmetic uses of Aloe Vera

Scientific evidence for the cosmetic and therapeutic effectiveness of Aloe vera has been contradictory unfortunatley. The cosmetic and alternative medicine industries regularly make claims regarding the soothing, moisturizing and healing properties of Aloe vera. But if you are a skeptic, all you have to do is rub a little aloe vera leaf on your stinging burn or bug bite, to immediately feel relief.  You know it works when you use it.

Aloe vera gel is used as an ingredient in commercially available lotion, yogurt, beverages and some desserts. Aloe vera juice is used for consumption and relief of digestive issues such as heartburn and irritable bowel syndrome. It is common practice for cosmetic companies to add sap or other derivatives from Aloe vera to products such as makeup, tissues, moisturizers, soaps, sunscreens, incense, razors and shampoos and facial masks.

Aloe vera juice for ingestion.

Aloe vera has a long association with herbal medicine, although it is not known when its medical applications were first discovered. Early records of Aloe vera use appear in the Ebers Papyrus from 16th century BCE, in both Dioscorides’ De Materia Medica and Pliny the Elder’s Natural History written in the mid-first century CE along with the Juliana Anicia Codex produced in 512 CE. Aloe vera is non-toxic, with no known side effects, provided the aloin has been removed by processing.

Taking Aloe vera that contains aloin in excess amounts has been associated with various side effects.However, the species is used widely in the traditional herbal medicine of China, Japan, Russia, South Africa, the United States, Jamaica and India.

Aloe vera is alleged to be effective in treatment of wounds. Evidence on the effects of Aloe vera sap on wound healing, however, is limited and contradictory. Some studies, for example, show that Aloe vera promotes the rates of healing, while in contrast, other studies show that wounds to which Aloe vera gel was applied were significantly slower to heal than those treated with conventional medical preparations. A more recent review (2007) concludes that the cumulative evidence supports the use of Aloe vera for the healing of first to second degree burns. In addition to topical use in wound or burn healing, internal intake of Aloe vera has been linked with improved blood glucose levels in diabetics, and with lower blood lipids in hyperlipidaemic patients, but also with acute hepatitis (liver disease). In other diseases, preliminary studies have suggested oral Aloe vera gel may reduce symptoms and inflammation in patients with ulcerative colitis. Compounds extracted from Aloe vera have been used as an immunostimulant that aids in fighting cancers in cats and dogs; however, this treatment has not been scientifically tested in humans. The injection of Aloe vera extracts to treat cancer has resulted in the deaths of several patients.

Topical application of Aloe vera may be effective for genital herpes and psoriasis. However, it is not effective for the prevention of radiation-induced injuries. Although anecdotally useful, it has not been proven to offer protection from sunburn or suntan. In a double-blind clinical trial the group using an Aloe vera containing dentifrice and the group using a fluoridated dentifrice both demonstrated a statistically significant reduction of gingivitis and plaque.

Aloe vera extracts have antibacterial and antifungal activities. Aloe vera extracts have been shown to inhibit the growth of fungi that cause tinea; however, evidence for control beneath human skin remains to be established. For its anti-fungal properties, Aloe vera is used as a fish tank water conditioner. For bacteria, inner-leaf gel from Aloe vera was shown to inhibit growth of Streptococcus and Shigella species in vitro.  In contrast, Aloe vera extracts failed to show antibiotic properties against Xanthomonas species.

Commodity uses

Aloe vera is now also widely used on face tissues, where it is promoted as a moisturizer and/or anti-irritant to reduce chafing of the nose of users who suffer hay-fever or cold.

So, whatever your cosmetic or medicinal needs, there are thousands of herbal complements to aid healing and skin regeneration, don’t just rely on the same old chemical brands found in your drugstore. Take the time to learn about herbal plants and their medicinal uses and help detoxify your chemical-laden system in the process!

Skin Cleansers and Facial Masks

Skin cleansers may be an important adjunct to the regimen of those who use cosmetics, have sensitive or compromised skin, or utilize topical therapies. Cleansers emulsify dirt, oil and microorganisms on the skin surface so that they can be easily removed. During cleansing, there is a complex interaction between the cleanser, the moisture skin barrier, and skin pH. Cleansing, with water, soap or a liquid cleanser, will affect the moisture skin barrier. Soap will bring about the greatest changes to the barrier and increase skin pH. Liquid facial cleansers are gentler, effecting less disruption of the barrier, with minimal change to skin pH, and can provide people with a cleanser that is a combination of surfactant classes, moisturizers and acidic pH in order to minimize disruption to the skin barrier.

Skin cleansers are surface-active substances (i.e., emulsifiers/detergents/surfactants/soaps) that lower the surface tension on the skin and remove dirt, sebum, microorganisms and exfoliated corneum cells in an emulsified form. The ideal cleanser should do this without irritating, damaging or disrupting the skin and the moisture skin barrier. Water alone removes approximately 65% of oil and dirt from the skin, but is less effective at removing oils of cosmetic import and some environmental insults. Soaps are the oldest surfactants, and are chemically defined as the alkali salt of fatty acids with a pH of 9.5-10. Synthetic detergents vary in composition and surfactant types (i.e., anionic, amphoteric, cationic, non-ionic, and silicone) and pH. In modern usage, the term “soap” generally refers to any cleansing agent regardless of chemistry.1

Skin cleansers consist of the following:
• Water
• Surfactants (to emulsify the debris)
• Moisturizers (to hydrate the skin and maintain the skin barrier)
• Binders (to stabilize the formulation)
• Lather enhancers (found in some products)
• Fillers (generally used to harden bar soaps and cleansers)
• Preservatives (to prevent the growth of microorganisms)
• Fragrance (generally used to mask the odour of surfactants)
• Dyes or pigments (found in some products)

Skin cleansing may disrupt or disturb the moisture skin barrier, affect the skin surface pH, and irritate the skin. The moisture skin barrier protects against transepidermal water loss, chemical insult and xenobiotic penetration while preserving water to moisturize and maintain the smoothness and flexibility of the skin. A compromised barrier has been correlated with psoriasis, ichthyoses, and atopic dermatitis.2 Moisturizers, both emollients and humectants, within cleansers can maintain skin hydration as well as maintaining and restoring barrier function.3 Emollients impair evaporation of skin moisture by forming a film on the skin surface to impede water loss. Humectants attract and bind water, drawing it up from the dermis into the epidermis. The acid mantle of the skin plays an integral role in skin barrier function as well as regulating bacterial flora.4 Studies have shown that skin barrier regeneration/repair proceeds more slowly at neutral pH (7.2) than at physiological pH 5.5.5 Cleansers may also cause irritant or allergic contact dermatitis and this effect is enhanced if the skin barrier is compromised.

Facial masks:

Facial masks are applied to the skin in a thick layer and are left on for 15-30 minutes, they are otherwise known as facials. It is said that these will produce skin tightening as well as deep cleaning of the hair follicles and pores. They may be used as a preventative treatment for acne. These products cleanse and moisturize the skin as well, they have a cleansing action through superficial peeling of the skin. They will leave the skin feeling moisturized, there is a general feeling of well being for some time after this is done, although it is not possible to fundamentally change the skin longterm with these products.

Some masks are applied and rinsed off with water, these are absorbent masks that are made of insoluble powders, clay, and mud, or gel masks that contain substances such as tragacanth. A mask that is peeled off will be vinyl or rubber based, and will harden, and form into a transparent sheet that will have to be removed. Facial masks that are used for acne will absorb oil from the skin, and some of them can be integrated with sulpha and benzoyl peroxide.

Excessive cleansing with a mask can certainly cause irritation and occasionally there may be a secondary infection. Once these masks are removed, moisturizer should be applied to the skin to minimize the superficial peeling that follows.

Conclusion

The choice of facial cleanser or facial mask is important for people with normal skin, as well as for those people with sensitive skin and skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis, acne vulgaris. Liquid facial cleansers are the best choice for facial cleansing as they have an acidic pH, moisturizers and high rinsibility. Within the liquid cleanser category, the least irritating cleanser will contain non-ionic/silicone-based surfactants combined with moisturizers, as they will cause the least disruption to the moisture skin barrier and the normal skin flora.

Skin Needling Treatment Reduces Acne and Wrinkles

What is Skin Needling?

Skin Needling or “derma rolling” has become quite popular in the last few months. Indeed, one Google search on “dermarollers” returned hundreds of links.

I was unfamiliar with this new anti-aging tool, so, I decided to research it further. At a recent beauty expo, the cosmetic representatives I spoke to claim these new facial rollers could increase collagen production and reduce wrinkles.

The process of skin needling uses a very small rolling device that contains 192 micro points made of surgical steel. Studies show that when this device is rolled over the skin, it creates small puncture wounds that cause the body to produce collagen in an attempt to heal the skin. Our collagen production falls dramatically after about age 35 or so.

This puncturing will then cause a type of wound-healing reaction for the dermal layer to begin production of collagen fibers, elastin, and other skin cells that helps to fill in lines, wrinkles, remove stretch marks and fill in deep pitted scars – also allowing the derma roller to be a great acne scar treatment. In addition, the derma roller allows for optimum absorption of any anti-aging cream you may use afterwards.

While it goes by different names, ‘skin needling,’ ‘dermaroller,’ or ‘meso roller,’ among many others, it appears to be a simple and natural method that promises to prevent skin aging, restore collagen, smooth out scars, pitted skin, and stretch marks - or your money back in some cases.

Research on Skin Needling

The skin needling device is used along with your normal skincare routine to remove acne scars, stretch marks, wrinkles, fine lines. Representatives say it can even help with big pores, black heads, and white heads. This micro needling or skin needling anti-aging technique is also used to perform collagen induction therapy (CIT). Skin rejuvenating results with skin needling are similar to laser treatment, dermabrasion or chemical peels but much less expensive, less invasive, does not damage the skin, and can be done at home for pennies.

Celebrity Endorsements

More than a few sites claimed famous celebrities used derma rollers or a type of skin needling technique to keep their skin look young and healthy and reduce acne scars. The London Daily Mail Online, reported, “ It looks like an implement of torture, but this spiky roller is thought to be the secret to Angelina Jolie’s plump, glowing skin.”

The Rachael Ray show hosted a segment titled ‘The Human Lab,’ where Rachael selected members of her audience to test several anti-aging creams and devices and report a few weeks later on their results. See the You Tube clip here.

The Studies

Study results by plastic surgeons and dermatologists claim in that addition to reducing the appearance of sun damage and wrinkles such as crows feet, skin needling can help lessen or remove stretch marks, cellulite, acne scars, surgical scars and smooth out pitted skin and dimpling.

Dr. Philippe Simonin, a Swiss Dermatologist, performed a study on 600 people divided into two groups — the skin aging group and the scar reduction group. Published results found that - in the skin aging group there was a 40% significant improvement and an impressive 60% improvement in scar reduction group. And this was only after 5 to 6 treatments!

See the link here: http://www.scar-reduction.com/needling.html

Another doctor, Dr. Andre Camirand, a plastic surgeon from Canada, found that skin needling improved the texture and depression of scars and also improved over-all skin color and texture. The best part is this remodeling process can go on up to 12 months from each treatment.

Other benefits of the skin needling are:

• Dramatically increases the effectiveness of your hair & skin products through increased penetration.

• Stimulates blood flow through directly massaging the scalp, face and body.

• Gentle exfoliation of dead skin cells accumulating in the hair follicles, face and body.

• The process is not painful (a tickling sensation).

• Medical grade stainless steel makes the needles non-allergenic to human tissue.

• Cost effective compared to expensive commercial treatments

• It can be used on all areas of the scalp, face, neck and body. Can be used on all skin types.

• It can be used anytime at your own convenience (no restrictive treatment session times).

• Removes old collagen fibers and rapidly stimulates new collagen growth.

• Clears blocked pores and stimulates blood flow.

• Natural process requiring no lasers or chemical peels.

• Does not induce sun sensitivity.

• Does not damage the skin.

• No risk of hypo– or hyper– pigmentation.

• Short healing time.
There are many skin rollers on the market with different needle lengths, so do your research if you do decide to purchase one of these new tools.

Skin needling devices range in price from $25-$200 depending on where you purchase them and the type of device you choose.

Professional sites advise using a skin needle length at 0.5mm for use on the face, a 1.0mm for most of the body and a 1.5mm for very fleshy areas such as the stomach, thighs and backside.

Each brand is slightly different. Certain features make different derma roller brands suitable for different needs. The more expensive brands benefit from superior build quality, narrower needles and a better overall look and feel. As with any product though, the results you achieve are not necessarily dependant on choosing the most expensive model.

~ R. Dupree

Cleanse and Tone Daily for a Great Complexion

By Van Le | Beauty may only be skin deep, but having a great complexion makes life a lot more pleasant. The key to having great skin is finding a skin care regimen that tailors to your skin’s individual needs, and following this regimen daily. It does not have to be complex and complicated—in fact, simpler is better since you will need to follow the same steps twice a day.

The first step is to do your homework. Determine what your skin type is, and find a product line that works well for you. There are many resources you can use either online or through your local library to help you determine your skin type. Look for published works by dermatologists or skincare experts who have created their own skin typing quizzes or online calculators such as this one: http://www.biobalance4women.com/skin_type.html. There are even sunscreen and UV calculators to help you find the best sun protection for your skin type. A product that works perfectly for your friend or sister may not produce the same results for you. Luckily, most products now specify which skin type it works best for. Also, there are several herbal skin care lines on the market whose products contain all-natural ingredients that work well with most skin types. When experimenting with new products, keep track of those that are effective and more importantly, those that irritate your skin so you can stay away from other products that contain similar ingredients. Ultimately, creating and maintaining a great complexion comes down to three simple steps: cleanse, tone, moisturize.

Cleanse

Finding a cleanser that works well for your skin is the foundation of having great skin. Some prefer to use a heavier cream cleanser during the winter months and a lighter cleanser through the summer, while others use the same product year-round. Wash your face twice a day, massaging the cleanser in a circular motion to remove dirt and excess oil, which can clog your pores. Proper cleansing at night also removes all traces of makeup and allows your skin to breath freely. Remember to change your pillow cover regularly, since the dirt and pollutants can transfer to your face while you are sleeping.

Tone

Even after washing your face with a cleanser, some traces of dirt and stubborn makeup may remain on your skin. A toner will completely remove any leftover dirt or residue left by the cleanser, reducing the chances of infections. Some cleansers may change the skin’s pH, and a toner will help bring the skin back to the proper level. Toners are also excellent in prepping the skin for the next step, moisturizing. Dip a cotton ball into your favorite toner and apply across the surface of the face, being careful not to get too close to the eyes.

Moisturize

Moisturizing daily will help the skin stay hydrated and produce a healthy glow. Lack of moisture can lead to wrinkles, fine lines, and can produce premature signs of aging. A moisturizer will restore the skin of all the natural oil stripped throughout the day and during the cleansing and toning process. The right moisturizer depends on your individual skin type, and will help your skin produce a natural glow.

Weekly, bi-weekly and monthly skin care products and processes such as masks, peels and facials are great to help revamp and rejuvenate your skin; however, a great complexion starts and ends with a proper daily skincare regimen.

Van Le is a staff writer for the CSU Daily Titan and writing intern for Vivoderm Laboratories in Los Angeles, California. She is currently pursuing a Journalism degree at California State University, Fullerton.

For the latest findings on natural skincare you can also link to http://herbalfacialskincare.com

What to Expect When Receiving a Facial

By: Van Le

Proper skincare goes beyond wearing sunscreen in the morning and taking off all your makeup at night.  Your skin is constantly exposed to internal and external elements, and needs extra help in order maintain a healthy glow.  Getting facials can be one way to revamp your skin while pampering yourself.

Along with pure relaxation, facials provide not only beauty benefits but also health benefits.   According to New Life Journal’s article, “A facial, it’s more than meets the eye” by Julie Pagano, “the major health benefits of regular facials are regulation of the immune system, detoxification, reduction in fluid build-up, exfoliation, and stress relief. These benefits are achieved in a facial that incorporates lymphatic drainage, exfoliation treatments, acupressure, and aromatherapy.”
The health benefits are just the icing on the cake.  What really lures us in is the relaxation and pampering we receive when getting a facial.

Never had a facial before?  Consider this Facial 101.

Plan to arrive at the location five to ten minutes before your appointment.  Most places will ask you to fill out a short questionnaire about your skin type and skincare habits.  This would also be the right time to let the aesthetician be aware of any allergies you may have.   The spa will provide you with a terry top so that it is easier to massage your neck and shoulders.  You will also be given a headband to keep your hair out of the way.

The aesthetician will clean your face of any leftover makeup and analyze your skin under a magnifying glass light.  Some will use a steam mist to open your pores.  Depending on the type of facial you are getting, he/she will massage a wide variety of different cleansers, exfoliating creams, and masks on your face.  Some creams and masks will be left on your face for several minutes, which can be a very blissful and relaxing experience.

Most places will also extract blackheads and pimples, which can be a bit painful but not overwhelming.  (If you are afraid it will hurt, you should take a pain reliever before arriving at the spa).  Afterward, the aesthetician will continue to apply masks and creams, as well as massaging your neck and shoulders.  At the end of the facial, he/she will give you a breakdown of the products used during the session, make recommendations for at-home practices, and answer any questions you may have.

Essentially, all facials are designed to cleanse the deep pockets in your pores, however, depending on your specific needs, there are several types of facials available, including anti-aging, aromatherapy, and acne facials.  The cost and length of time can vary from $50-$250 and 30-90 minutes.

For the period in between visits, check the site archives for several at-home remedies available to help rejuvenate your skin and keep it looking healthy.

Facials are meant to help you relax and a great way to help relieve the stress created from between the time you put on sunscreen in the morning and the time you take your makeup off at night.

Van Le is a staff writer for the CSU Daily Titan and writing intern for Vivoderm Laboratories in Los Angeles, California. She is currently pursuing a Journalism degree at California State University, Fullerton.

For the latest findings on natural skincare, you can also link to http://bestorganicnaturalskincare.com

Can We Prevent Aging?

People are living longer. In 1970, the average life expectancy at birth was 70.8 years; in 2000, it was 76.9 years; and by 2030 is it estimated that the “oldest-old,” age 85 and older, could grow to 10 million people.Views on aging are also changing. It no longer necessarily means physical decline and illness—in the last two decades, the rate of disability among older people has declined dramatically.

The National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the Federal Government’s National Institutes of Health (NIH), investigates ways to support healthy aging and prevent or delay the onset of diseases that disproportionately affect us as we age. These studies not only may increase what is known as “active life expectancy”—the time of advancing years free of disability—but also may promote longevity. NIA’s research includes hormone and dietary approaches, including calorie restriction.

Results from NIA-sponsored studies and others are likely to improve our understanding of the benefits and risks of hormone supplements, calorie restriction, and other interventions to promote healthy aging. This tip sheet provides an overview of what we know about hormone supplements and calorie restriction and the research needed to learn more. Until we have a better understanding, it is a good idea to be skeptical of claims that hormone or other supplements can solve your age-related problems. Instead, focus on what is known to help promote healthy aging: healthy eating and physical activity.

What Is a Hormone?

The word “hormone” comes from the Greek word, hormo, meaning to set in motion. Hormones are chemical messengers that set in motion different processes to keep our bodies working properly. For example, they are involved in our metabolism, immune function, sexual reproduction, and growth. Hormones are made by specialized groups of cells within the body’s glands. The glands—such as the pituitary, thyroid, adrenals, ovaries, and testes—release hormones into the body as needed to stimulate, regulate, and control the function of other various tissues and organs involved in biological processes.

We cannot survive without hormones. As children, hormones help us “grow up.” In teenagers, they drive puberty. As we get older, some of our hormone levels naturally decline. But what does that mean? Scientists do not know exactly. In order to know more, NIA investigates how replenishing hormones in older people affects frailty and function. Many of these studies focus on hormones that decline with age, including:

• Growth hormone
• Melatonin
• Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
• Testosterone
• Estrogen and progesterone (as part of menopausal hormone therapy)

How Hormones Work

Most hormones are typically found in very low concentrations in the bloodstream. But a hormone’s concentration will fluctuate depending on the body’s activity. Like a key that unlocks a door, a hormone molecule is released by a gland and travels through the blood until it finds a cell with the right fit, a “receptor.” The hormone latches onto a cell’s receptor and a signal is sent into the cell. These signals may instruct the cell to multiply, make proteins or enzymes, or perform other vital tasks. Some hormones can even cause a cell to release other hormones.

One hormone may fit with many types of cells but may not affect all cells in the same way. For example, one hormone may stimulate one cell to perform a task but it might also turn off a different cell. Additionally, how a cell responds to a hormone may change throughout life.

For more information on health and aging, contact:

National Institute on Aging Information Center
P.O. Box 8057
Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8057
800-222-2225 (toll-free)
800-222-4225 (TTY/toll-free)
www.nia.nih.gov

Removing Age Spots

The Sun. The term ‘age spots’, or lentigines, refers to the brownish spots on your nose which come from being out in the sun unprotected too long. As we age our skin is subjected to more and more sun damage. Our skin has melanin pigment which absorbs sunlight and helps naturally protect our skin from UV rays. However as we age, our skin’s natural ability to fend off UV rays from the sun begins to deteriorate, and we see the development of age spots.

Currently, there are four different methods that have proven to be successful at removing age spots quickly and easily.

IPL Treatment

IPL, also known as photorejuvenation, stands for Intensed Pulsed Light. This treatment for age spots is a non-ablative which simply means it doesn’t damage the surface of the skin. With IPL, intense light is sent to the deeper layers of your skin (dermis) without touching the superficial layers (epidermis). This innovative method is good for removing age spots because it uses the pulsed light to stimulate new collagen growth while fading discoloration and evening your skin tone.

The only drawback about IPL is that it has to be performed by a trained medical professional. The procedure can be quite expensive, too. You’d have to have 4 to 6 IPL treatments to see real results. At $300 to 600 per session, you could easily end up spending $1200 to $2200 to reach your goals.

Laser Resurfacing

Laser resurfacing is still a fairly new procedure, but it’s relatively safe. Laser resurfacing is most popular as a procedure for minimizing fine lines, but it’s also effective as a treatment for age spots. This procedure must be performed in a doctor’s office because it call for some sedation. Laser resurfacing is a popular treatment many plastic surgeons offer to help with removing age spots and other deep blemishes.

Like IPL, laser resurfacing can be quite expensive. The national average for this procedure is nearly $3,000 but many doctors offer financing so patients can take advantage of monthly payments.

Bleaching Creams

Bleaching creams are great for bleaching large areas of discoloration. However, as a treatment for age spots, bleaching creams tend to bleach the areas surrounding the spots more than the spots themselves. You can either purchase bleaching creams from your dermatologist or get them over the counter at your local drug store. Some people say bleaching creams are slow at removing age spots while others swear by them. Either way you can see some results.

Home Chemical Peels

A home chemical peel is perhaps the most cost-efficient and effective treatment for age spots available. It works by removing layers of dead skin over a period of several days (usually less than a week) in order to reveal fresh, new skin that is both younger looking and more supple. Lighter chemical peels only penetrate one or two layers of skin while deeper peels can go as many as three or four layers deep.

Many home chemical peel kits provide dermatologist-quality results at a fraction of the cost. As a result, they tend to be one of the most sought after solutions for removing age spots. The average home chemical peel kit will cost you about $80 for a basic kit and $660 for a more advanced kit. This is significantly less than the $300 to $2000 you would pay to have the same treatment done in a dermatologist’s office.

Moisturizers - Are they really needed?

The truth is that moisturizers are a growing component of daily skin care and account for one of the most common over the counter products sold in the world.

This growth is partly due to the fact that what started as a simple moisturizer has become a sophisticated vehicle for delivery of complex nourishment and regulatory molecules to the skin.

The moisturizers are mostly used for one of the following reasons:

1. To repair the skin’s ability to provide effective barrier against outside pollutants, toxins, bacteria, viruses, fungi and to prevent the essential components of our skin and tissues from escaping our bodies.
2. To increase the water content of the skin in both dermis and epidermis.
3. To reduce skin vulnerability against trans-epidermal (through the skin) water loss.
4. To rebalance the skin’s composition of lipids (fats) both inside and outside the skin cells.
5. To deliver nutrients and regulatory substances to the viable portion of the dermis and epidermis.

The anatomy of most moisturizers encompasses at least one of the following components: emollients, occlusive agents, humectants as swell as additives designed to add extra benefits to the traditional functions of the moisturizers.

Emollients improve the visual aspect of the skin by sealing the tiny splits between the components of stratum Occlusive agents block trans-epidermal water loss. Because of the powerful occlusive properties, these agents have to be used carefully on the face as acne related to the use of cosmetics can result. Humectants are designed to attract water either from the environment or from the underlying dermis to the epidermis.

The era of newer, much more sophisticated moisturizers is upon us where scientifically formulated delivery systems can offer additive benefits of supplementing and modulating skin cells for their optimal function and differentiation. As such, these new moisturizers offer a cutting edge frontier where therapeutic benefits are combined with the moisturizing qualities of topical products. Vitamins, minerals, growth factors, peptides, enzymes and co-enzymes are some of the few categories of molecules currently in use in the latest fight to prevent skin deterioration and optimize its functioning.

About the author:
Mariusz J. A. Sapijaszko, MD FRCPC is the Director of the Western Canada Dermatology Institute located in Edmonton, Alberta. He is also the Clinical Assistant Professor at the Division of Dermatology, University of Alberta, in Edmonton. His areas of expertise include cosmetic and laser surgery.

Organic Skin Care

The market today is flooded with beauty products. Everywhere you look, another new product is on the shelf (or on the website). So, how does one choose which is the best product for them? If you are inclined to treat your skin naturally-meaning without harsh chemicals-then organic or natural skin care may be the best for you. Not only do these products help your skin in a more balanced, natural way, they are also much less harmful to yourself and the environment.

Below are five basic steps in keeping skin healthy, along with the use of organic skin care products.
Eat and maintain a balanced diet. Fruits and vegetables contain vitamins and minerals that help you maintain a healthy skin the natural way. Avoid processed and greasy foods. Familiarize yourself with healthy, organic food that you enjoy and will promote better health. Supplements will also provide assistance in keeping your whole body healthy. Keeping the entire body healthy is the primary key for healthy cells. This is the most important organic skin care tip. Skin can only look as good as the nutrients you feed your body. The skin is the primary conduit for the liver to process toxins.

1. Drink plenty of water. A huge percentage of the body is composed of water. Water intake will help you clean the body. Water also hydrates the body and helps prevent dry skin. Well-hydrated cells function well. Cells that function well can help maintain youth. The more active a person is, the more water he/she needs. Eight glasses of water a day is the recommended amount of water intake, however, as for athletes and energetic people, more is needed to replace the fluid they excrete through perspiration. There is no replacement to drinking plenty of water and this is not only a great organic skin care rule but a great habit to adopt.

2. Exercise. Aside from a boost in energy, moderate work outs promote blood circulation and increase oxygen in the blood stream. Both help in maintaining the youth of your skin.

3. Wash your face with mild cleansing products. Cleansing products with strong substances can harm cells. Ensure that you use clean water when washing the cleansing products off your skin. Don’t rub your skin vigorously with the towel - it irritates the skin. Wipe gently with soft cloth. Organic skin care products are milder than those with synthesized or processed ingredients and don’t need to be scrubbed off.

4. Use organic skin care products when possible. Products with natural ingredients will clean you r skin just as well as those full of chemicals. The closer the ingredients are to their natural state, the less harmful for your skin. Most organic products work with the body’s natural process in fighting harmful elements and potential diseases as opposed to chemically forcing the skin to respond to treatment.

5. Moisturizers are recommended for all skin types. Even oily skin loses its natural moisture after using harsh cleansing products. If your skin is not properly moisturize, it will dry and age faster. Toners help in cleaning traces of dirt and cosmetics not easily removed with the use of cleansers. Try to use a product containing zinc or a natural sunblocking agent to protect your face from the harmful UVB rays of the sun.

Organic skin care gives you the greatest opportunity to have a healthy skin, without using harmful ingredients. The appearance of your skin indicates the state of your health. If you are suffering from acne or any other skin condition, try treating it from the inside out first. Give your body a chance to balance itself with healthy foods and supplements before you spend hundreds of dollars on topical treatments. Your skin is your body’s armor, protecting your from the elements. Help it do its job.

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