2009 December | Healthy Skin Topics and Articles

When should I seriously start considering mole removal?

Everyone is born with at least a mole or two and as we grow older we tend to find more of them growing on our body. There is a serious side to moles though and that is because they increase our chances of getting skin cancer, in particular melanoma. So how can you find out if you need to start seriously considering mole removal?

Thankfully there is a 4 step process we can go through which can alert us to any warning signs for melanoma. These steps are called the ABCD of melanoma detection.

Asymmetry

The first thing to check for is my mole growing in a symmetrical fashion? This means that each half of the mole looks like the other. If you don't it means you have an asymmetric mole and you should consult your local doctor immediately.

Border irregularity

The second thing to check for is does my mole have a nice, well defined border which is easy to see or is it all ragged, blurry, notched or irregular? If it's not well defined you should see your doctor immediately.

Colour variation

Thirdly you are going to want to check the consistency of colour for your mole. Ideally your mole will be the same uniform colour. If it is inconsistent, or has shades of different colours this is a concern and you should see your doctor. Also note here that having a really dark mole doesn't matter, it's all about checking for a consistent colour not how dark it is.

Diameter

And finally you want to check the size or diameter of your mole. A typically safe mole will be under 5mm, anything over 6mm and you should see your doctor. Also a mole will generally stay the same size, if you notice that a mole is growing this is something you would want to get check out also.

Summary

The seriousness of melanoma is something that you really want to talk to a doctor about and not just take the mole removal answers you read on the internet as the absolute truth. Your health is something you don't want to mess around with.

Travel Beauty Routine

Travel can disrupt your usual beauty routine and yet you want to look your very best when on vacation. Here are some tips for preparing for your trip, looking after yourself while you are there and repairing the damage after you return!

Before You Go

Book a professional tanning treatment at the salon for a light sun-kissed look.
Have your hair cut and styled just before you go but don't try out anything too radical in case you hate it and it ruins your trip.
Get your unwanted hair waxed away with a professional waxing treatment or use one of the many waxing kits available for use at home. If you have left it more than a few days before you go, it will be too late for your skin to recover from waxing so make sure you take depilatory cream or razors to keep yourself hair free during your vacation.

While You are There

Avoid putting on too much weight by choosing the healthiest, most delicious items from the menu. And go easy on alcoholic and soft drinks full of calories and sugar. You will be pleased you did when you return home to find the scales have not shot up.
Keep your skin and hair in tip top condition by using plenty of moisturizing cream and conditioner and protect both in the sun by using sun screens made especially for your skin and hair to keep out the damaging rays of the sun.
Wear lighter makeup which suits sunnier climates.
Relax and enjoy your vacation. A smile makes you more beautiful than ever.

After you Return

If you have put on a few pounds, take action before they remain there for good. A few weeks of healthy eating and a bit more exercise will soon shift them.
Give your skin and hair plenty of care especially if they have been damaged by sun, sea, sand and swimming pools. Lots of conditioning treatments will help repair the damage.

Top Hand Lotions

A good hand lotion is a powerful tool in your skin care kid, especially as the winter months near and bring the potential for dried out, chapped and chafing skin. In order to avoid discomfort and maintain a healthy moisture level, which will also prevent disproportionate damage to your skin as you age, you must moisturize regularly. The incredibly bevy of moisturizing products may be challenging to navigate, so before heading to the store, go ahead and read the following advice and product recommendations.

The first consideration to take into account when shopping for hand and body lotions is the state of your skin- are you prone to irritation and breakouts? Is your skin usually dry, oily, or what is known as “combination skin,” comprising both in different areas?

For people with sensitive skin, hand lotions with heavy perfumes and potential irritants such as lanolin and formaldehyde can do more damage than good. The best choice for lotions are those that are formulated specifically for sensitive skin, and are non-comedogenic (or non-occlusive) in case you have acne.

A few trusted brands for hand and body lotions that pamper sensitive skin are Eucerin, Aveeno and Kiehl’s. Sensitive skin can also be moisturized with baby products, as they are generally much milder than adult products. Mustela offers baby skin care as well as options for mothers who have sensitive skin, as pregnancy and childbirth are accompanied by hormonal changes that often change the needs of women’s skin.

If you do not have sensitive skin, there a wide variety of other options to choose from as you search for the best hand lotion. People whose occupations involve regular hand washing, such as nurses and doctors, will especially need to commit to regular moisturizing to prevent painful, raw skin.

Aveda hand relief is a highly recommended, all-natural lotion filled with antioxidants and emollients to nurture and protect your skin. Another popular choice is L’Occitane Shea butter hand cream, which derives its rich moisturizing power from shea butter. When using a thick moisturizing cream, it is a good idea to use the lotion at night, so that it does not rub off on door handles and other items you use throughout the day.

For ultra-intense moisturizing, slather on cream at night and wear cotton gloves over your hands to seal in the effects. The same technique, used with socks, is also an effective way to soothe the skin on your feet.

If you are interested in a perfumed hand body lotion, you may want to look into retailers like Bath and Body Works, or websites like bathroomsinkonline.com, which offer a variety of uniquely scented lotions, creams and body butters. Body lotion can be a good substitute for perfume, as the scent will be more subtle and linger on your skin rather than overpower any hapless people within your immediate surroundings. Many stores offer lightly scented lotions as an alternative to their perfume lines, allowing you to wear your favorite fragrance in a more subdued manner. Whichever hand lotion you choose, be sure to use it regularly to gain the full benefits.

How To Choose Acne Products

One of the most irritating skin problems you can ever get is acne. Because this is such a serious problem there are numerous acne products on the market, but how do you choose the best one? First of all it's important to understand how acne occurs in the first place. Acne mainly occurs due to the over secretion of what is called the sebaceous glands. What happens is the secreted oil mixes with dead cells and ends up blocking the hair follicles. Then bacteria can start to grow in addition to blocked sebum below the surface of the skin.

Acne is a very common problem that touches almost everyone at some point, particularly during the teen years. There are numerous acne products and treatments available to help fight acne problems. These include prescription products, over the counter solutions, and holistic or natural products. They come in both oral intake and topical treatment (applying to the skin) and come in various forms such as creams, lotions, drugs and essential oils.

Over the counter acne products are quite popular acne treatments. Some of the common ingredients include salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, resorcinol and sulfur. Two of the most popular over the counter acne products are Oxy-10 and Clearasil.

If over the counter acne products do not solve your acne problem, the next thing to try may be prescription acne products. You will need to get your dermatologist to give you a prescription. What your dermatologist prescribes will depend on your skin condition and severity of your acne problem. Some of the more common prescribed acne medications include Cleocin-T, Benzymycin, Retin-A and Zoderm. These medications are available in the form of gels, lotions and cleansers.

One of the most effective natural acne products is tea tree oil. It doesn't dry out your skin and is an all natural solution.

The Cost Of An Eyebrow Tattoo

When getting any beauty treatment done the question of cost always comes up as an important factor in deciding whether to go through with the procedure or not. If you have come to the conclusion that letting someone loose on your face with a tattoo gun is a good idea then coming up with the money to pay them for the pleasure is all that is left to do.

As with any other tattoo you might get the price will vary greatly depending on the artist you choose, you can expect to pay anything from $200 all the way up to $2000. You have to decide how much its worth to no longer have the hassle of taking care of your eyebrows to ensure you are always looking your best. Remember that in general you are going to get a better job done the more you pay. I always advise clients to save the absolute maximum you can before making their choice. If there is one place on your body that you want to get the best available tattoo, its on your face. You want to get this one done right the first time.

A professional clinic is obviously going to cost more than your local tattoo studio and the total will depend on what you are asking them to do. A simple eyeliner and tattoo eyebrows package should be attainable from a high quality artist for around $1500 in most cities and in large towns you might get the same quality of work for as little as $900. Of course if you live outside the US then you are going to get an even better deal, with Asia being the best place to get it done on a budget. Hong Kong is a good place to find the best eyebrow tattoo studios and for $500 you can find yourself with a tattoo that will not fade for years.

The Link Between Toothpaste And Facial Eczema

In the case of facial eczema, what you may not know is definitely hurting you. Everyday, doctors learn more of the countless everyday items that may be causing your eczema. You may be surprised to learn that your toothpaste may be the main cause of your problems.

Most commercial toothpastes contain almost no natural ingredients, which in itself tends to be toxic to your body. However, commercial toothpastes also contain fluoride. Most dental experts agree that fluoride is necessary to prevent cavities. Unfortunately, not all fluoride, or toothpastes were created equal.

Many toothpaste manufacturers are using a chemically created form of fluoride in their toothpastes. Often, this kind of fluoride is a byproduct of farming fertilizer. It is highly toxic and very harmful to your body. Needless to say, it is a very strong eczema trigger.

When you brush your teeth with toothpaste that contains this kind of fluoride, the damage begins immediately. As you brush, froth forms around your mouth. Frankly, the better you brush the more froth build up you will probably have.

This froth exposes your skin to the dangerous fluoride. While you rinse your mouth, you may only be wiping away the external toothpaste. If you are not thoroughly cleaning your face, including your lips, after brushing then you are setting yourself up for an eczema flare up. Your toothpaste can cause eczema anywhere on your face, even eczema eyelids, because tiny particles of froth can be flung rather far over the face during the brushing motion.

If you want to avoid toothpaste-related eczema, there are two things you can do. First, always make sure you cleanse your face after you brush your teeth. Secondly, and more importantly, try to find better toothpaste.

It is not necessary for you to give up fluoride if you suffer from eczema. The better alternative is to find toothpaste that contains naturally derived fluoride, along with other natural ingredients. This kind of toothpaste will be gentler on your skin and healthier for your entire body.

Acai Berry Drink Gives You Healthy Skin

The acai berry is a small, round, dark purple fruit from the acai palm. The acai palm is native to Central and South America. The dark purple color of the berry is an indicator of the high antioxidant content contained in the fruit. There has been some movement towards creating a skincare regimen from acai berries, but studies demonstrate that eating the berry can also have the same result. The berry has also been popularized as an acai berry drink juice.

The high antioxidant levels in the acai are one of the primary reasons that it is so effective at being a natural remedy for the skin. The acai berry has ten times as much antioxidant strength as a red grape. Antioxidants enhance the body’s healing powers by counteracting free radicals, which are harmful to the skin. Free radicals are a by-product of the body using oxygen, so everyone encounters them every day. Antioxidants have the effect of counteracting the free radicals. Free radicals are often said to speed up the aging of the skin, so using the acai berry in a skin care regimen can slow the appearance of age on the skin.

In complement to the antioxidants, acai berries contain phytonutrients (nutrients from plants) and vitamins that are helpful for skin regeneration. Acai also contains phytoserols, which have been shown to increase the skin’s moisture and also to defend the collagen which provides structural support to the skin. Another helpful side to the acai berries are the flavonoids that it contains. Flavonoids (also known as Vitamin P and citrin) are known to have anti-inflammatory properties and to defend the skin. There are also high levels of silicon in the berry which can help with collagen production.

In short, this natural antioxidant-rich berry can be added to your skin care regimen to help reduce the look of aging and to improve the health of your skin.

When should I seriously start considering mole removal?

Travel Beauty Routine

Top Hand Lotions

How To Choose Acne Products

The Cost Of An Eyebrow Tattoo

The Link Between Toothpaste And Facial Eczema

Acai Berry Drink Gives You Healthy Skin

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