Healthy Skin Topics and Articles

Is it Possible to Immediately Get Rid of Acne?

Guest Post — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 12:13:23 +0000

For a young, insecure teenager, acne can be a crippling condition. It can deeply affect the mood and make those affected shy away from social situations. There is even a risk of permanent scarring. Thus it makes sense that those who suffer from the condition wish to find a solution immediately removing acne.

Is It Possible?
Sadly, not. There is no quick fix that will immediately get rid of acne. It takes time and patience. However, it is not all bad news. In the last decade treatments have improved drastically, so now, even the most severe cases can be effectively treated.

Finding the Appropriate Treatment
To effectively treat acne, consult your doctor or dermatologist as soon as possible. Starting early will make the whole process easier.

The treatment your doctor will recommend depends on the severity. Very mild cases might be treated with basic skin care and over the counter topical creams. Cases that are more severe might require prescription creams and oral antibiotic treatment. Finally, very severe cases where nothing else has worked can be treated by an accutane regiment. This last option is fairly drastic and should only be undertaken under close supervision of a dermatologist.

What About Scarring?
If, when you have had your acne treated, you find out that the condition has left visible scars, there is also ways to improve the appearance of these. Like treatment of stretch marks it is, however, not always possible to completely get rid of scars.

Options for scar removal include dermabrasion, microdermabrasion, and laser treatment.

Number One Advice?
The number one advice anyone can give when it comes to getting rid of acne is to seek help from a specialist. Once you have the help of a qualified dermatologist, your condition is almost guaranteed to improve. You do need to arm yourself with patience though, it is, unfortunately, not possible to immediately remove acne.

Are Anti Aging Products Better Than Plastic Surgery?

Guest Post — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 01:32:26 +0000

Who doesn’t want to look younger at one point in life? It has been determined that wrinkles in men and women appear when they are 30 years old or more. At first they are very light, and as time passes they become more evident and profound. The age in which wrinkles appear and their severity will depend on different factors such us our lifestyle and the Sun exposure we get. So then we need a solution to cut back years from our life and look young again.

We have basically two options, using an anti aging product or having plastic surgery. You could see surgery at first glance as a drastic measure, since it involves an invasive procedure to directly manipulate your skin. Products will work on a subtle manner by providing the skin what it needs to stay healthy and recover the elasticity from previous years. For this purpose, there are important ingredients used in anti aging products, such as retinoid, antioxidants and peptides. The goal is to bring the skin moisture and volume to erase the wrinkles and fine lines.

These options are not only for women, but also for men, who in the latest years have become more and more interested in the new wave of men skin care information and products.

When we talk about plastic surgery, we are including also some interventions such as botox injection and chemical peelings. These methods have proven very useful in some cases, but the biggest turn-down for a surgical procedure is that it can literally change your face and make you look unnatural. Plus, many plastic surgeons, in the first meeting start by pointing out many defects you didn’t even consider they were wrong, trying to convince you to have additional procedures.

Anti aging products are safer in most cases and you can expect great results in approximately six months.

How to Find Relief From Poison Oak Rash?

Guest Post — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 17:15:19 +0000

When you come in contact with poison oak, there are pretty high chances that you develop contact dermatitis as an allergic reaction. Along with poison ivy and poison sumac, this plant causes the most cases of dermatitis triggered by allergens. Enduring a rash of this type can be a really tough experience, so it is good to know how we can alleviate the main symptoms – itching and blistering.

One of the most simple, yet effective treatments for poison oak rash is the use of cool compresses. For this purpose you can use a towel or a wash cloth, which you will soak in cool water or water mixed with Burrow’s solution. This will not cure you, but believe me when I say applying the compress will feel like Heaven! This will give you a temporary relief from the incessant itching and at the same time will help you remove the dry crusts that come along with the poison oak rash. To help even more, you can use a fan to blow air on the compress.

Another alternative doctors recommend is rubbing an ice cube over the rash throughout the day; this will act as an anesthetic. Do not use a towel to dry the skin, you need to let it air dry.

But perhaps the best way to alleviate poison oak rash itching naturally is by soaking in a cool water bath. I’ve found great results by adding an oatmeal product, since it helps soothing the itching even more. Avoid hot water and hot baths at all costs, even if the weather is cold, you can opt better for a lukewarm bath. Hot water will add inflammation on top of the rash and that is something I’m sure you don’t want. After your bath, you can complement your treatment with a lotion named calamine , that reduces itching and helps drying up the blisters.

Detox and Feel Great – It’s Good for Your Skin

Guest Post — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 23:30:44 +0000

If you want to have more energy, to aspire to a cleaner skin, to lose or search longevity secrets, I suggest you do a detox your body twice a year. Healthy skin depends on your overall health.

Spring and summer are the best times to lead a detox program. The important thing is to clear your schedule for the next 7-10 days, no dinner invitations and whatever else takes a lot of energy and causes stress. Your energy levels will drop significantly for several days while your body uses all the energy to detoxify. This is not the time to be superwoman or work at your physical tone. A light half an hour walk will stimulate the lymphatic system and will be beneficial, but more exercise is not the best idea.

Ideally, you should give up coffee, cigarettes and alcohol a week before starting the rehab program. If you do too much, prepare for some nasty headaches! But soon they should pass and you will feel great.

When you start your detox program: leave out coffee, tea (including green tea), alcohol, sugar, salt, dairy products, white rice, pasta, bread, dough. No medicines prescribed by your doctor. Any stimulus will inhibit your efforts to detoxify. Every morning start the day with a cup of boiled water and a slice of squeezed lemon to stimulate digestion. Days 1, 2 and 3 are to eliminate all the above foods and meals must be three, with three small meals between, which will consist of: any vegetable except potato and any fruit except grapefruit (it contains naningerin, which inhibits an important enzyme for detoxification). Drink at least eight glasses of water a day.

Remember you must do this at least twice a year or before any major rapid weight loss can happen. This actually prepares the body and allows it to better take in nutrients like vitamins and minerals. Your skin will thank you with a healthy glow.

How Juicing Can Help Acne

Guest Post — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 12:10:00 +0000

It has been found that drinking the juice of green vegetables, and even eating them raw, can help with acne. To understand this more it is important to first look at the underlying causes of acne to put us in a position to help with its treatment.

It is an imbalance of hormones in the body that causes acne. As a result of this imbalance, the oil glands within the skin start to produce too much oil. This is due to the food and drink that we are putting into our bodies. Also, though this may seem rather obvious and simplistic, it is important to remember that large companies are making a lot of money out of making this seem more complicated than it needs to be.

One of the problems, in the treatment of acne, is the advertising from big pharmacy companies. They would have us believe that, in the majority of cases of acne, we needs lots of different medications.

Using natural remedies to heal the skin and body is worthwhile exploring rather than buying expensive creams, lotions and medications.

Restoring the underlying hormonal balance is the secret to how natural remedies treat the underlying cause of acne. You are also putting additional nutrients into the body. There is no problem with additives or chemicals which can cause further imbalances within the body.

Drinking the juice from green vegetables is the perfect way to kick start the healing process. Even in their raw state, green vegetables are excellent at detoxifying the body and removing impurities. Vegetables such as celery, cucumber, basil and oregano not only work particularly well but also have additional antiseptic properties. Ever since those early television adverts for the Jack Lalanne Juicer, many people have discovered some of these benefits of juicing.

In many health food stores you can also find probiotics. People have found these to actually work better than antibiotics. Not only can these natural remedies help heal your skin they can also make you feel healthier in the long run. Investing in a good juicer is all you need to do to get going.

Treating Wrinkles around the Sensitive Eye Area

Guest Post — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 02:39:18 +0000

Are you looking for a good wrinkle cream for the eye area? Have you developed wrinkles under your eyes which show your age or make you look even older than you actually are? This article will help you sort through the many products that are available on the market today and find the one that is right for you. Don’t forget that whatever product one you choose, make sure to use it consistently to obtain the maximum benefits possible.

Here are a few things to avoid when looking for an eye wrinkle cream

Acids: With few exceptions, acids are irritating to the skin around the eye. Try to avoid products with an ingredient that has the word acid unless you are confident that it will not irritate the sensitive eye area.
Mineral Oils: These chemicals can leach out the natural moisture in your skin leading to more wrinkles over time.
Parabens: Like the mineral oils mentioned above, parabens will also suck out the moisture in your skin which can make wrinkles even worse than they already are.
Heavy creams: Using a heavy cream under your eyes may lead to acne elsewhere on your face - often some of the cream will find its way onto other parts of your face and cause break outs.

Now that we've covered what you should avoid, lets look at a list of preferable ingredients to look for in a Anti Wrinkle Cream for the eye area.

Vitamin C: This is a great antioxidant to look for in an eye wrinkle creams. However, you won’t want to use Vitamin C around the eye at very high concentrations. Look for it on the list of ingredients and make sure its not at the very top of the ingredients list. Also since this ingredient can oxidize which makes it less effective, make sure the product comes in a sealed container which is dark in color.
Peptides: There are different kinds of peptides, but in general these are good for your skin and help it repair itself and maintain collagen and elastin production.
Antioxidants: This is a very general group of ingredients to look for in a good eye wrinkle cream. Antioxidants help neutralize free radicals in your skin. Free radicals cause skin cells to age which can lead to wrinkles and other skin issues.
Coenzyme Q10: This ingredient is a great non irritating product which is very popular among those seeking to minimize eye wrinkles.
Moisturizer: Another great thing to look for is a good moisturizer. Moisturizing your skin will help keep your skin cells plump and healthy thus reducing the appearance of wrinkles.

Hopefully this guide will help you find the right product to use in your nightly Anti Eye Wrinkle Cream regimen. In general, remember to avoid irritants and to look for products that will be gentle on the sensitive area around the eye.

Bring Out Your Natural Beauty With Asian Makeup Tips

Guest Post — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 22:39:15 +0000

Every ethnic group has notable features that set them apart and make them beautiful. One of the most special aspects of human beings is the fact that each ethnicity is beautiful in unique ways, but that below skin level, every human is the same. Makeup and fashion have begun to celebrate the differences in women by coming out with products that highlight and emphasize different features and colorings. The following article will focus on some Asian makeup tips and products, intended specifically to accentuate and celebrate the features of Asian women.

Before proceeding any further, it is important for readers to understand that the trick to finding the right types and shades of makeup for a particular group or ethnicity can, to some degree, involve making generalizations about the physical attributes of that group, but lies more in determining the specific features that make an individual face glow. There are a few Asian makeup tools and tricks that work more or less across the board, but most makeup tools cater to specific colorings and skin types, as opposed to making generalizations about entire ethnic groups. As a result, every woman may have a slightly different method of highlighting her best features, based on the attributes that make her special.

Generally, Asian women are blessed with beautifully dark and almond-shaped eyes, and high cheekbones. These are two features which should be emphasized when considering Asian makeup application techniques. Tools that will help women to accomplish this highlighting include several different types of eyeliner, eye shadows that are designed to bring out the undertones in dark eyes, and shimmery blushes intended to highlight high cheekbones.

To accentuate the shape of the eye, choose a liquid eyeliner in black or dark brown. Asian women with cool skin undertones could also choose to opt for a deep purple or bluish-black liner shade, which will serve to emphasize the color of their eyes at the same time. Trace a line that starts from the inside of the top lid and thickens as it extends to the outer corner. This line may be as subtle or as dramatic as suits the occasion or the individual. It will serve to open the eye, while bringing out its unique shape and coloring.

Brushing Off Cellulite

Guest Post — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 20:34:00 +0000

Almost every woman has it, those ugly orange peel appearing skin patches on thighs and buttocks. It's called cellulite. Weight doesn't matter, even skinny women can have it. There are many different schools of thought about what causes cellulite, poor diet, lack of exercise, but all agree on one point, the main reason is poor circulation of the skin. Since circulation of the skin is important in ridding the body of cellulite, numerous skin authorities suggest women use a dry brush on their skin as a daily routine. Although there is no quick fix for cellulite the use of a cellulite dry brush is proven to be effective.

In Europe the process of dry brushing the skin has been used for centuries. It is believed to not only help diminish cellulite but also strengthen the immune system and stimulate hormone and oil producing glands. These brushes can be found in most stores or online. Many women purchase the brush but wonder how to use a cellulite brush and what exactly is a cellulite brush?
A cellulite brush has very firm bristles to assist with the reduction of the appearance of cellulite. Some brushes have bristles on one side and massage nubs on the other. The brush is intended to be used directly on dry skin helping to slough off affected skin and generate new cell growth. Cellulite is usually concentrated in one particular area of the body; hips, thighs and buttocks. It is believed the whole body is affected by low circulation, cellulite in particular, so the entire body should be massaged with a cellulite brush.

There are several different ways of how to use a cellulite brush. The best time is right before your shower. Take the brush and start moving it over the skin in a circular pattern. Do not brush too hard as this will cause irritation. Massage the brush over all areas of your body but spend particular time on the affected cellulite areas. The dry brush can cause slight skin irritation so always apply lotion after your shower. You can also use the cellulite brush first thing after you wake up in the morning. Your skin is at its driest and the circular motion applied will help get your circulation going.

Since the skin is the largest organ of our bodies, we need to take time to have good skin care. Once you learn how to use a cellulite brush you can get this important organ into proper working order.

How To Get Rid Of Pimples Quickly

Guest Post — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 19:49:15 +0000

Pimples, acne it is all the same when you are trying to learn how to get rid of pimples. Acne is a common skin condition that causes pimples to develop around the upper torso and face.

What causes acne
Acne is caused by an interaction amid hormones, bacteria, and skin oils, which causes inflammation of the hair follicles.

Most people get acne on the back, shoulders, upper chest, and face. It is embarrassing for them so they often look for solutions in how to get rid of pimples. Some people get pimples while others get cysts or boils. Abscesses often are puffed-filled. Usually abscesses are usually deeper and larger in size.

To treat the condition is very simple unless the person has severe acne problems. Doctors recommend that you gently wash the infected areas once or twice daily. You should use mild soaps to wash the infected area.

Some people use alcohol pads thinking it will dry up the pimples, but doctors recommend that you avoid using alcohol pads, abrasive soaps, or other heavy scrubbing tools to eliminate acne. It could cause irritation to the skin.

Women should wear water-based cosmetics to avoid irritating the skin further. Wearing greasy cosmetics can infect the acne and make it worse. You don’t have to worry about restricting foods, but it is recommended that you plan a healthy diet. Eating pizza and chocolate contrary to beliefs will not cause acne.

These are the basic treatments for acne. In severe cases there may be a need for medications. Topical ointments can be used to treat mild acne conditions. Ointments with antibacterial aids will work to kill the bacteria. The ointment will also dry up or unclog pores.

If you have severe acne problems you will need to consult with your doctor to figure out how to get rid of pimples.

How To Get Rid Of Body Acne

Guest Post — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 19:22:34 +0000

Body acne is a tough problem to have to deal with, but the good news is that it doesn't take much to get rid of it. There are a few simple things that you can do that will start to clear up your body acne quick. It won't go away over night, but it will certainly start to clear up fast. This post will offer up some ideas that you can easily incorporate into your life.

The first step is to get an acne body wash. These are medicated the same way that face wash is, but are scented and diluted to be used on your entire body. They have the same active ingredients that other acne treatments do. You have to be careful when using a body wash like this when you are also using a medicated face wash. If you get the body wash and the face wash mixed, there's a good chance that you're going to over medicate your skin and dry it out really bad. An acne body wash isn't going to clear your skin up right away, but it will work to get rid of your body acne.

Another tip that's a bit harder to follow is to not pop any pimples that spring up. This will lead to scarring and more acne. If you're suffering from lots of blackheads, you can get a simple metal tool that's designed for blackhead removal. It pushes it out without damaging the skin around.

The easiest thing to do is to sleep without clothes on. Your skin needs to breathe to clear up, this will improve the moisture balance of your skin. Also, frequently washing your sheets is important because as you sleep they will soak up the oil in your skin and spread it around your body, causing more acne.

Taking care of your body acne isn't tough to do at all, just don't get discouraged when it doesn't clear up right away. It takes time for your body to fight off the acne, so be patient and let it do its job!