Freckles appear early in life, increase in number during summer months and fade in winter. After the age of 40-45 they disappear, but who wants to wait?
Age spots are similar to freckles. They appear later in life and can occur in any skin type.
If you know why the discoloration occurs and take measures to prevent and treat it, you can have an even skin tone at any age.
What To Do
If you want to avoid skin discoloration, the first and the most important thing you need to do is to avoid sun exposure and wear sunscreen. This way your body will not need to produce more melanin (melanin is produced by the body in response to sun exposure).
Since melanin is accumulated in the upper layer of the skin, you might want to consider skin lightening and peeling. There are different products that can be used for this purpose:
Hydroquinone has been a very popular treatment, however it can irritate the skin.
Kojic acid, discovered in Japan in 1989, is a natural product derived from fungi. It is gentle on the skin and very effective in treating skin discoloration. Penetrating upper skin layers, it inhibits the formation of the pigment.
Alpha hydroxy acids help to shed the old cells faster, therefore they will be helpful as well. By removing the outer skin cells, which are usually darker, you will make your freckles or age spots lighter and less visible. If you decide to use any of the above products, extra sun protection is imperative. If necessary, apply an SPF cream several times a day. By using skin lighteners and peels, you affect the upper darker layer. Lower layers are lighter, with less melanin present. If you don't protect your skin, it will launch its own defense mechanism producing more melanin. This will result in darker and more intensive discoloration which can be even harder to get rid of.
Please remember that skin discoloration require consistent treatment. Once you stop using lighteners and protection, the dark patches will be back. But keeping up with your skin regiment is not difficult: all you need is a gentle yet effective lightener and a moisturizer with complete UV protection - against both UVB and UVA rays.
Natural Remedies
Wash your face with sour milk. Lactic acid will provide gentle peeling effect without irritating or drying your skin.
Lemon juice is a time-proven freckle fighting remedy. It is not necessary to rub your skin with a piece of lemon. Applying the juice with your fingers will do the job.
Fruit and vegetable masks (apricots, strawberries, cucumbers, red currant).
Sour cream mask. Do not rinse this mask completely, just remove gently with a facial tissue, then apply a moisturizer. For oily skin - use lemon juice before applying the mask.
Natural parsley juice (or parsley infusion) mixed with equal amounts of lemon juice, orange juice, and red currant juice under your favorite cream will help you keep your freckles invisible.
Increase your Vitamin C intake! It makes your skin less sensitive to the sun. Foods rich in vitamin C include citrus fruits, apples, green onions, black and red currant, rosehip tea.
Start the day with a hot shower... but before you get out switch to cold water for about fifteen seconds. Then turn up the heat a little, and down again to repeat the process for about two minutes. Why would I want to do that?! I hear you cry! This is a simple hydrotherapy technique which revitalizes the skin by stimulating the flow of blood through the body. It is both invigorating and highly beneficial to the skin. So even though you may not really enjoy the process, just think of the all the good its doing you!
Use a good moisturizer. Choose a highly protective day cream which contains zinc oxide, and provides SPF30 protection to form a barrier against the elements. Creamier, water-in-oil emulsions are best. And dont forget about your lips. Chapped lips are often the most noticeable problem for a lady in the winter. Use a highly moisturizing lip balm which provides a protective barrier, with vitamin E for good elasticity.
Exfoliate at least twice a week. This will remove dead cells and allow the skin to absorb extra moisture. The oil which we all complain about in the Summer is no longer being produced because of cooler winter temperatures and central heating. Therefore the skin looses the water which should be retained in the lower dermis of the skin. This can lead to premature aging of the skin and fine lines, whilst your skin can appear puffy and grey. Nice!
Drink a glass of hot water with lemon. This Chinese herbal remedy is a sure-fire method of energizing your body. It will de-tox your entire system, including the liver and gall bladder. This means that your body will be able to clean the blood faster to get rid of toxins responsible for bad skin.
Simply sleep! Money cant buy the benefits of a good nights rest. Your oxygen levels will drop if you dont get enough sleep, meaning that your cells will not be renewed as quickly. This is when degenerative skin aging sets in. Try to get seven, if not eight or nine hours of rest a night to achieve absolutely painless benefits. Its ideal!
When you talk about home remedies for acne and pimple, your mind reverts to the natural ways of living. Wrong living is bound to give you wrong results. Natural growth of the human body and the resultant hormonal changes cause acne. Improper skin care and wrong food habits add fuel to the fire and worsen the conditions of acne.
The great assurance about home remedies is that they are harmless and will not cause you any side effects. For every type of disease, a cure is provided by the Nature. Only you need to make self-assessment for what is good for you and what not. Some of the tried and trusted methods, since time immemorial, are: 1.Take raw milk and grind nutmeg with it. This paste has genuine acne healing qualities. The cure is complete and no marks or scars are left on your face. 2.Make a mixture of one teaspoon cinnamon powder and an equal quantity of lemon juice. and apply it softly on your face, especially the pimple affected area. You will get good results. 3.Take three table spoons of pure honey and mix it with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder. Apply it on the pimples and let the paste remain there overnight. Wash it next morning with lukewarm water. Continue this operation for two weeks. Pimples will vanish for ever. 4.Dry the orange peel and make its paste. Daub the paste on the pimples. You will have lots of relief in the acne and pimples condition. 5.Garlic is a well known remedy for pimples. Crush garlic and apply fresh juice on and around the pimples. Regular application will solve the problem of pimples once for all,. No scars will be left on your face. 6.Lime juice is used with many other combinations. Mix it with groundnut oil. This is a good treatment for blackheads and pimples. 7.Mint juice does much more. The fresh juice applied overnight, takes care of stings, scabies,eczema and other skin infections. 8.Wrinkles on your face may be inevitable at the old age, but why should you have them now? Make the paste of fresh fenugreek leaves and daub it on your face . Let it remain there for about 15 minutes. Wash the face with warm water. Along with wrinkles this will treat your pimples and blackheads. 9.If you have a sharp attack of pimples and if they are swelling, apply the juice of raw papaya for good results.
10.Now, one evergreen remedy for pimples. Mix rose water and lime juice in equal quantities. Apply profusely on the affected area. With lukewarm water wash it off, after 30 minutes. Pimples are bound to disappear and your skin will glow.
All home remedies for acne are enhanced by proper vitamin and mineral supplementation. Drink lots of water. Drinking water will prevent most of your skin problems. For a simple calculation divide your body weight in half and drink at the least that many ounces of water a day. Exercise regularly. Some form of aerobic exercise will bring oxygen to your cells and give you a healthy skin.
blackheads & Acne Home remedies
1. Put toothpaste on your pimple before you go to bed, should help reduce swelling overnight. Make sure it is the paste not the gel. One of the most popular acne home remedies.
2. Wash your face twice a day in warm salty water. This should leave your face oil free without aggravating the acne.
3. Apply a paste of fresh methi (fenugreek) leaves over the face every night for 10-15 minutes and washed with warm water. This will prevent acne, pimples, blackheads, and wrinkles.
4. Place strawberry leaves on the acne, the alkalinity helps to reduce the swelling.
5. Extract juice of one lemon and mix with equal quantity of rose water. Apply this mixture on the face and let it stay for about half an hour. Wash the face with fresh water. About 15 days application helps cure acne, pimples and reduces blemishes and scars.
6. Another method is to massage the face with the skin of lemon before washing with lukewarm water.
7. Apply fresh mint juice over the face every night for the treatment of acne, pimples, insect stings, eczema, scabies, & other skin infections.
8. Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. At least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables should be included in your diet. All acne home remedies should include a healthy diet.
9. A couple of garlic cloves, crushed and dabbed on the face 1-2 times a day. One of the smellier acne home remedies!
10. Home face wash for acne: Mix together 1 or 2mls each of the following: witch hazel, tea-tree and sweet fennel essential oils, adding essential oil of geranium for women and essential oil of rosewood for men. Mix with 300mls of water. Shake before use, as the oils will float on top of the water during storage. Dab affected areas with cotton wool two or three times a day. The oils will clean and unclog giving antibiotic-like protection to the skin.
11. Apply fresh lemon juice on the affected area overnight. Wash off with warm water next morning.
12. Use 2-3 tsp. dried basil leaves to 1 cup boiling water. Steep 10-20 minutes. Cool, and apply with cotton ball.
13. Grind orange peel with some water to a paste and apply on affected parts. One of the best acne home remedies.
14. Clean face with cotton wool dipped in rose water 2-3 times a day.
15. Mix 1 teaspoon lemon juice in 1 teaspoon finely ground cinnamon powder and apply on affected areas frequently.
16. Nettle Tea is another solution, this tea has a herb that has some curing power and really helps work wonders on skin problems. Drink four cups a day to get the full benefit of one of the most powerful acne home remedies.
17. Aloe Vera juice applied twice a day can greatly speed up the healing of acne lesions.
18. Another lotion that uses bee propolis extract may also be effective. Mix eight ounces of water and 11 drops of bee propolis extract. One of the acne home remedies which has been proven effective with many people.
19. Some herbal acne home remedies…
Burdock leaf tea.
Lavender essential oil (mix 1:10 with water)
Tincture of calendula flowers.
Tea tree essential oil (mix 1:10 with water)
Liquefy cabbage leaves with witch hazel, strain and add two drops of lemon oil. Use as a lotion.
20. Ice down the acne before bed, by morning it should be noticeably less swollen. Works best on larger pimples that have not yet formed a head.
21. Take vitamin B5 and zinc supplements daily to strengthen the skin’s resistance to acne.
22. Mix mint juice with turmeric powder and apply on affected area. Leave for 15-30 minutes and wash off with lukewarm water.
23. Mix some vinegar and salt in a bowl. Pour a little bit in your hand and rub it on the pimples. Soak a face towel in it and dab it on the bumps. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes and rinse it off.
24. Blend cucumber and make a paste. Apply this as a mask on your face and leave it for 1/2 hour and then rinse. This refreshes your skin and prevents acne.
25. Mix corn flour with egg white and apply on your face. Let is dry completely for 1/2 hour. Dip your hands in warm water and massage your face and wash off. This when repeated regularly gives you a smooth skin.
26. Mix sandalwood paste with rosewater and apply on the face. Rinse off after 30 minutes.
27. Essential oil face mask for acne: Use a mask base powder, such as fuller’s earth or kaolin powder. Use distilled or filtered water to make a paste. Mix 1 heaped teaspoon of base powder to 3 drops of essential oil. Add approximately 2 tablespoons of the water in, to make a fluid yet balanced paste. Essential oils to add in the mask either separately or try smaller amounts together; cypress oil 1 drop, lemon oil 2 drops, sage oil 1 drop.
28. Mix the paste of tender neem leaves with turmeric and apply of affected area. An eastern approach to acne home remedies.
29. Grind some nutmeg with milk and apply on affected area. Pimples disappear like magic without leaving a mark.
30. Make a mixture of lime juice and rose water. Apply on face and leave it for 15-20 minutes. Rinse off with lukewarm water.
31. Make a paste by mixing 3 tablespoons of honey and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder. Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it next morning with warm water. Repeat for two weeks, pimples will disappear forever.
32. Rub fresh garlic on and around pimples. Pimples will disappear without a mark with regular applications.
33. Mix 1 tsps groundnut oil with 1 tspn fresh lime juice to prevent formation of blackheads and pimples .
34. Ground drumstick pods and leaves and mix mixed with fresh lime juice, and apply on pimples. This is also good for blackheads and dark spots.
35. First wash face and then dab acne with cotton balls soaked in vinegar.
36. Mix groundnut oil with an equal amount of fresh lime juice and apply on face. leave for 10-15 minutes and wash. It may be applied daily to prevent formation of blackheads, acne and pimples.
37. Apply juice of raw papaya (including the skin and seed) on swelling acne, pimples.
38. Apply fresh lime juice mixed to a glass of boiled milk as a face wash for acne, pimples, blackheads, and cracked skin.
39. Apply ripe Tomatoes pulp on acne, pimples and kept up to 1 hour, then wash.
40. Make a paste of roasted & powdered pomegranate skin with fresh lime juice and apply over acne, boils, pimple, blackheads and whiteheads.
41. Apply grated potatoes as poultice to treat skin blemishes, wrinkles, boils, pimples, blackheads, whiteheads , etc.
42. Make a paste of ground radish seeds with water and apply on face to remove blackheads.
43. Apply a paste of ground sea-same seeds with water as poultice for inflammation of the skin due to allergies, skin rashes, and pimples.
44. Large pores on facial skin can be treated with paste of sandalwood powder with masoor dal.
45. Use an oatmeal or almond mask thoroughly to cleanse your face. Mix either oatmeal or almond powder with enough rose water to make a soft paste that spreads easily on the skin. Rub it on your skin with your fingertips, paying special attention the problem areas. Leave to dry for about 15 minutes and then rinse off with cold water. This is very good in getting rid of blackheads.
46. A solution made out of one and a half cups of hot water and half a tablespoon of boric powder is an ideal remedy for blackheads, Saturate a face napkin in this hot solution and press on to the skin, repeat twice. Extract blackheads carefully with a blackhead remover and sterilized cotton wool. Pat on an astringent.
The exercises are very important for weight loss. There have been many schemes developed, but 90% of them require active lifestyle, exercise more and engage in sport. Active people do not receive extra pounds, but it is sometimes very difficult to come to a way of life to another without support.Many experts today say that it does not matter what kind of sport is considered two main factors are: he must bring joy to the participant and exercises should increase the heart rate for at least one hour. Playing tennis with friends during long walks through the park trails, spend time in a swimming pool, weight lifting or aerobic exercises include a DVD recording are perfect for weight loss .
It is also quite right to do different exercises during a workout or to change daily. Change in physical activity helps prevent injuries when a group of muscles works. Moreover, it works different areas of the body, fat burning in all places.
So if you have decided to exercise and regain the beautiful forms, here are some tips that really help a lot of people to start and stay abreast of the activities to lose weight and fitness:
* Sport almost always need a partner. We could not intend to play soccer or basketball, but adds even more fun when done easy jogging with a friend, family member or even nearby. Remember that positive emotions are very important in sport. It is also recommended to have a partner in case of weak days. Everyone has moments where they want to quit smoking or at least skip a workout, this is when a partner is the best incentive to get up and go even in the day seems windy, rainy and dark or the couch feels too comfortable left alone. * The competition is another important factor in the sport and it is also a partner. If you have a friend who has the intention to lose weight too, keep the cards together and see who is doing a better job. Sometimes you can find groups of people working on losing weight together. Competing with them to motivate you to do a better job. * Make a schedule. He worked on several things: schedules are more difficult to do and it is easier to remember the sequence of different activities if they are well written and set. * Achievable goals are easier to make. Perhaps the end result should be 10 or 20 pounds, but this is not what we should start. Think of a book first. The intensity or duration of exercise can also be your goals. Success will help you work towards a greater goal. * Consider a gift for reaching the goal. Food should not be one of them because that is exactly the thing you are trying to reduce. Visit a movie theater, buy a flower, or call your friend and spend a whole evening talking. source:http://www.weightloss786.com/exercise-tips-for-weight-loss/1366.html
There are numerous ways to lose weight fast and in this post we outline the 7 best fast weight loss tips.
1. Exercise is a must for fast weight loss
Everybody knows this; exercise is a must for a fast weight loss. With exercise you achieve a lot of things. First you burn more calories and lose weight faster, second you ensure that you will not gain the weight back and third you provide your health with many benefits. What is important is to exercise frequently and to increase the duration of exercise every couple of weeks. For starters you should aim for 30 minute sessions, 3 times per week. As you become more experienced with exercise you should aim for 45 minutes, 5 times per week.
2. Strength training is also required
Many people when we talk about exercise they think aerobics or cardio exercises. There is another form of exercise that is very beneficial for weight loss. This is strength training exercises like weight lifting and body building. These are also needed for a fast and safe weight loss and you should try and include them in your exercise schedule. Strength training exercises can help you build more muscles, can boost your metabolism and can help you achieve your weight loss goals faster.
3. Food journal
Being able to control what you eat can play a significant role in fast weight loss. To be able to do that you need to know how many calories you consume on a daily basis. It is a proven fact that people when asked about their daily diet, then tend to forget a number of things. One of the ways to make sure that everything you eat is counted in your daily diet calculations is by keeping a food journal. In this you should try anything you eat and drink during a day. Next to each item you can write the number of calories they contain and thus you can arrive at a daily total. By having this information you can then adjust the foods you eat and save the required amount of calories so that you lose weight.
4. Re – set your weight loss goals
Your weight loss goals should not simply be to lose weight. Weight loss is not an exercise you have to do once and then forget about it. A successful weight loss is when you manage to lose weight by changing your lifestyle and eating habits and not by just saving calories and making calculations. Eating healthy should become your second nature and exercising should become your daily friend. So, instead of just setting arithmetic goals concentrate on how to change your lifestyle to match a healthier living.
5. Separate eating from your other emotions
A lot of people have associated eating with their emotions. It is very common for people to eat because they are feeling stress, anxiety, depression, anger etc. This is a bad and very unhealthy habit. Usually the food you eat when in this state is unhealthy and full of fats and calories. You need to realize that food is not the medicine for your emotions. Food is a pleasure and a way to provide your body with the energy it needs to function properly. If you want to lose weight then you should seriously consider this situation and disassociate food with emotions.
6. Get all the support you can get
For long term weight loss results you need to get encouragement and support. The best way to get this support is from friends, family and from other people that are in the same situation. There will be times during the process that you will get bored and willing to quit, there will also be times that you won’t believe in yourself and you need someone to give you encouragement and motivation to continue. Do not underestimate the power and support you can get and do not be shy to share your weight loss dreams with your friends and family.
7. Start slow, plan big
All the weight loss tips explained above are valid and essential for a fast weight loss. It is necessary though to start by gradually making changes both to your lifestyle, eating and exercise habits. Do not rush and do not make too drastic changes from one day to the next. Start slowly and stay focus on your goals. As you become more experienced make more changes until you reach a point that your lifestyle, diet and exercise routine are in accordance with your weight loss goals.
1. Dietary control and exercise. It’s true what they say – all you need to do is watch what you eat, and expend more energy than you consume. It’s really that simple. You can quit reading this list now, you now know everything you need to know and didn’t need to fork over $500 for the privilege of me telling you the secret of losing weight. You don’t need to read a 4,000 page book, you don’t have to buy a tape series, you don’t need to stay up late at night to watch infomercials to understand this basic premise. It’s 100% true. 2. Change your lifestyle. If you’re calling this a “diet,” then you’re going to gain all the weight back (and more) within a few months of losing it. Diets do not work. Diets are temporary. When you change your dietary lifestyle, however, you’re changing your habits – and you’re putting yourself on track for long-term / continued success and weight maintenance. Don’t ever tell anybody you’re on a diet – ever. I’m speaking from experience, here – a reformed low-carber. Worked out well for a while, but ultimately failed because my entire lifestyle didn’t change (permanently). 3. Join an online support group. In my case, I created my own – FatBlasters. It’s essential that you not feel alone, and reaching out to friends (new or old) is typically a smart move. I just heard about PeetTrainer, but didn’t know about it when I began down the road to weight loss. You have to know that others are out there for moral support – they know things that you couldn’t possibly know, and they’ve probably been “in your shoes” at some point in the past (or present). Share stories, laughter, tears, successes, and failures – share them. There are thousands of communities out there, so keep looking until you find the one that fits you. 4. Take before and after photos. I know it sucks to see yourself as a chunky monkey (sorry, that’s what I called myself – if only to get myself motivated to meet my weight loss goal). However, there’s no easier way to illustrate your progress. The “after” photos are far more fun to capture and share, admittedly. Find yourself on Flickr! It’s good to see yourself how others see you. Do you like how you look? In many ways, Flickr helped me lose weight. 5. Hire a substitute teacher. Don’t reach for the brands you know and love immediately – or without thinking first. Eggs are “good” for you, but consider using egg substitutes instead (in fact, many restaurants will let you order lower calorie foods). There are countless “lower” alternatives for you to try. If something different doesn’t taste good, by all means – find a better substitute, or eat less of the original. In some cases, the substitute may be worse for you than the regular version of the product. The good news is, healthier choices are silently replacing their “normal” counterparts – and they taste just as nice. 6. Start reading labels. I know it sucks, but you have to do it – and there’s no way to avoid this tip. If you don’t know what you’re putting in your mouth, you’re flying blind. Don’t assume, either – triple-check the ingredients list and serving sizes. You must rely on yourself for this; nobody else is going to be able to lose the weight or do the math for you. It’s not that complicated a task, but it will require effort. If nothing else, just pay attention to the calorie count. 7. What’s so funny about bovines? If you like cheese, you must buy the Laughing Cow brand, and keep several of the suckers in stock at all times. The individually-wrapped wedges make for excellent snacks, and are wonderful when melted over just about anything edible. I’d be careful about straight-up American cheese, though – it’s oil, but not necessarily as good for you as (say) a slice of cheddar would be. I have yet to find something as calorie-light and filling as Laughing Cow (I don’t know how they do it). 8. Tell your family. You’re not going to lose the weight alone, even if you ARE alone in losing the weight. If you’ve got a family at home, talk to them about it – initially, not incessantly. Let them know what you’re going to do, and that you want (and need) their support. If you don’t let them know, you’re running the risk of them inadvertently sabotaging your efforts. You want them to help you get to your goal(s). You want them to share in your happiness when you’ve made it past a certain mark. Who knows? Maybe some of your new habits will rub off on them and they’ll become healthier people, too? 9. Go public. I didn’t want to admit that I had screwed up, but admitting the problem in public was the first step on the path to eventual success. I was now accountable for my actions, and all my friends knew what I was doing. There was no turning back, otherwise I’d be risk damaging my integrity. I didn’t want to disappoint the people who read me on a regular (or semi-regular) basis. Plus, it’s an easy way to find out which of your friends have gone through the process before – and glean tips from their own experiences. Then, other friends might become inspired to do the same thing you’re doing once they see that you’ve taken the first step. 10. Identify your exercise. No exercise was created equal. You might like running, so run. You might like jogging, so jog. You might like stationary bikes, so bike stationarily. Find the one that works best for you – that isn’t too much of a chore for you to do regularly throughout the week. Don’t pick a routine that you don’t like – or you won’t want to do it, and you certainly won’t stick with it for long. I also wouldn’t recommend buying into that whole “no pain, no gain” mantra. I’ve lost weight without hurting myself, and you probably can, too. 11. Become a Gazelle. You’ve probably seen Tony Little on TV, selling his Gazelle glider – a low impact exercise machine. I can tell you: it works. It’s easy on my legs, and really gives me a workout when I apply myself on it. Some people say it’s awkward to use, but I love mine – and would consider recommending no other home exercise equipment at this point. Then again, I’m a wimpy geek who only wants to burn calories. 12. Zone out. There’s a reason why people exercise to their favorite music – listening to external stimulus takes your mind off of the physical activity. That’s the secret to making “exercise time” fly. If you’re concentrating on what your body is doing, the session is going to drag on for what will seem like days. Buy a portable music player, or situate yourself in front of a television.
[rsslist:http://shop.tagjag.com/products/weight+ebook] 13. Never count on live programming. It’s important to stimulate your mind while your body is exerting itself in other ways. However, never rely on “what’s on TV or the radio” at the time. Instead of zoning out, you’ll find yourself flipping between channels – and that’s going to make the time drag as much as it would if you weren’t keeping your mind busy in the first place. “Live” is a very bad idea. Go with pre-recorded programming or go without. 14. Video games helped me lose weight. I can keep my balance on the Gazelle (which some might find difficult to do). As such, I plugged an Xbox 360 into the TV and started to play it while I was working out. Immediately, I found that I was sweating more than I was when I was only watching TV passively! The reason boils down to a single word: adrenalin. Now, the only way I’m able to work up a sweat is when I play a fast-paced game on the game console. Yes, even game genre is important; avoid any diversions that require long pauses between tasks. Racing games (like Burnout) have worked very well for me. The more mindless the game, the better your burn, the faster the exercise session will go. 15. Set realistic goals. You can lose 50 pounds in a week if you work out 12 hours a day and eat nothing but celery – but not if you’re human. Slow and steady wins the race. Don’t bite off more than you can chew – literally. Make small goals on your way to the bigger goal(s). In the end, you’ll have achieved more (and more frequently, might I add). 16. Avoid trans fats and high fructose corn syrup. I offer this suggestion for a few reasons. First, they’re not good for you anyway. Second, you’ll eliminate a lot of the “bad foods” outright – no questions asked. You’ll have to become more selective in what you eat by avoiding these two nasty ingredients – which are in more foods than you probably care to know. 17. Don’t always listen to your mate. I’ve already suggested that you tell your family – but sometimes members of your family will try to dissuade you from trying to lose weight. It’s simple: they might not want you to succeed where they may have already failed, whether consciously or inadvertently. Your loss is not always their gain. Watch out for statements like: “You’ve lost enough weight.” or “I like you just the way you are.” Fact of the matter is, if YOU don’t like the way that YOU are – then YOU are going to have to do something about it, no matter what anybody says. They still love you, though (in theory). 18. Don’t compare yourself to others. Every body is different. It stands to reason that everybody will lose weight differently. Even if you do the exact same things that I do, you won’t lose weight at the same rate. The key is in finding your triggers. Keep your goal in sight, and do whatever you have to do to meet that goal. When you start looking at someone else’s habits, you’re only going to become discouraged and quit without even realizing that it’s physically impossible to be anybody but yourself. 19. Women aren’t men. It’s been proven that men can lose weight more rapidly than women can, which is likely due to our physiological makeup (women are supposed to have more fat than men, because they’re the birthing gender). This isn’t a sexist statement to make – it’s pretty much the truth. As such, females should expect to set separate goals than males – especially if you’re working on losing weight together, side by side. 20. Take a magic pill. Nonsense! There is no such thing as a magic pill. Don’t fall victim to the hype of the latest fat-burning drug commercial. If you listen or read closely, you’ll see that every single one of these things is effective when combined with proper diet and exercise (which they even state in their advertisements). The side-effects for these drugs are usually worse than your additional weight, anyway. 21. Vitamins are good for you. If you’re going to take any pills, let them be natural supplements (like Essential Fatty Acids or multivitamins). Be careful about overdoing it, though – especially with herbal remedies. Too much of anything is a bad thing. You can consult a nutritionist, but always buy on your own – and keep these supplements to a minimum. Remember, too, that specific vitamins are no good without specific minerals. 22. Deck your desktop. In the beginning, some of my friends sent me complicated spreadsheets to help chart progress. Uh, no – not for me; I’m the kind of guy who likes taking the easy route. As such, I scoured the Web for the best desktop tool and remembered CalorieKing. You won’t find anything easier to use. Trust me, this is the one; I can keep track of everything I eat and expend (without hassle). While the statistic-addicts will love CalorieKing for its thoroughness, the utility was truly designed with non-geeks in mind. The CalorieKing Web site and service are fine on their own, but the downloadable client is what you really want to get. Pay the registration fee, man – how much is your health worth to you? 23. Identify your ideal weight. If you’re 5′5″ with a certain build, there’s an ideal weight that matches your body type. Find it – and make that your goal. And if you don’t know what that might be, try searching the Web for a calculator (though results and calculations will vary by a small margin). Now you have a weight goal to shoot for. 24. Consider the source. I’m going to make a gross generalization here, but… why would I trust an overweight doctor or nutritionist to give me proper advice on weight loss? “Do as I say and not as I do” is not a maxim I’m willing to accept from anybody who would be qualified to tell me how to do something. Talk to people who are doing it, or who have done it and been successful. You don’t have to mirror their regimen, but at least you’re getting help from someone who’s really been there. Or, as they said in the Christmas episode of “Two and a Half Men,” people who live in fat asses shouldn’t throw waffles. 25. Ignore Ronald McDonald. You don’t have to eliminate fast food completely, but you should avoid it at all costs. Most of it is nasty, bad stuff anyway – if you’d even go as far as to call it food. If you’re looking for convenience, find a more convenient meal source. Besides, most of what they serve would be considered “food product,” not food. There’s a gigantic difference as far as your body is concerned. Your bloodstream does not have taste buds, need I remind you? 26. Scale up. If your measurement tool sucks, upgrade it. If it’s analog, dump it. I’ve talked to many geeks about their choice in scales, and most of them (myself included) recommend something in the Tanita family. They’re high-quality, rugged, accurate devices. Make sure you set your scale on a hard surface, too (as carpet foundations do not make for accurate weight measurements). 27. Watch your weight. Some people say that you shouldn’t weigh yourself more than once a week. I’ve been much happier charting my progress every day. No matter what, you need to weigh in at the same time, every time. For me, that’s 10am every morning (or somewhere thereabout). If you decide to weigh yourself every single day, understand that your weight will fluctuate by one or two pounds – and that you should only keep a serious eye on the lengthier trends. 28. One pound a week. If you’re not losing at least one pound a week on your chosen weight loss regimen, you’re (a) stalled, or (b) finished. You might need to push yourself even harder, or (in some cases) let up a little bit while your body plays catch-up. If you lose more than one pound a week, then you’re doing better than average. Expecting to lose five pounds a week just isn’t realistic, though. 29. Maintain your priorities. Sure, your sandwich would taste amazing with an extra tablespoon of mayonnaise… but do you really need it? Rather, is it more important for you to reach your weight loss goal quicker – or have this sandwich taste marginally better? What’ll happen the next time you’re faced with this decision – will you cave again? It’s a slippery slope; don’t lose sight of what’s most important to you. 30. All weight is not equal. Muscle weighs more than fat, but the last thing you want to lose is muscle! For this reason alone, it’s important to have a regular exercise routine somewhere in your schedule. Without exercise, your body is going to burn through muscle first – and you’ll wind up more imbalanced than you were to begin with. You want your body to burn fat, not muscle. You want to lose weight, but you want to lose “fat” weight – not muscle mass. 31. Counteract the “Rainy Day” principle. If you decrease your calorie count without necessarily increasing your physical activity level, your body is going to crash. It’s going to say to itself: “Holy sh*t! I better store these calories as fat, because I’m not getting enough of them – and I don’t want to die.” When you exercise, you set your body’s process to “burn” instead of “save.” 32. Don’t overdo it. If you change something in your lifestyle, you’re probably going to see results – but there’s a law of diminishing returns at play. You can exercise for an extra hour a day for a week and still lose the same amount as you had when you were only exercising half as much. Give your body time to adjust – don’t push yourself too hard or you’re just going to spend your energy on something that’s not necessarily going to give you immediate and direct benefit. This, of course, only applies to those of you wanting to lose fat – not for those who are training for a triathlon. 33. Patterns are good. Once you’ve found your workout groove, do your best to stick with it. Exercise no less than three times a week for 40 – 60 minutes each time, but don’t feel the “need” to do it more than five times over a seven day period. Your body will likely appreciate a burn-off in the morning more, but if you need to relieve stress in the evening – don’t be afraid to adjust your workout schedule accordingly. Schedule making and keeping are important for other areas of your life as well. 34. Sleep it off. To be an efficient fat-burning machine, your body requires at least eight hours of sleep a night. If you think that you’re doing yourself a favor by sleeping less, you’re mistaken. Give your body time to rest itself, both mentally and physically. Sleep is very, very important (if only for mental alertness for the following day). If you feel tired, that’s likely your body’s way of saying: “Shut your eyes, stupid!” 35. Remember that the fork is not a shovel. I eat fast (I swear I can’t help it). Even if I’m not hungry, I want to shovel everything into my mouth in less than a minute. But my brain doesn’t know that my stomach is full until twenty minutes after it actually is. As such, I could stuff myself silly before realizing I didn’t need to consume as much as I did. Try eating half of what’s on your plate, wait ten minutes, then continue to eat if you’re still hungry. You never want to feel full – ever. That’s when you know you’ve eaten too much. If you want a real hunger-stopper, try an Omega 3 and Omega 6 supplement (EFAs) twenty minutes before a meal. 36. Become your own snack fairy. It’s okay to snack between meals, really. Small meals throughout the day are enough to keep you satisfied, as (much like the sensation of being full) you never want to feel hungry. Let your body know it’s going to get a regular regimen of calories. Plus, if you starve yourself for the regular meals, you’re probably going to eat more before your brain tells your mouth to stop. Think about it: breakfast, lunch, and dinner are social constructs at their very core. 37. Love the oil companies. Just like your car needs high-quality oil, so too does your body. Not all oils were created equal, though it’s hotly contested which ones are better for you than others. Personally, I love a good olive oil – it’s 100% natural and is rich with Omega 9 fatty acids. Enova is another one that we’ve found to work quite well in our lifestyle at home. Choose your oil wisely, though – your weight loss goal should be more than simply cosmetic. It’s a good rule of thumb when it comes to food: the more natural something is, the better it is for you. 38. Fat is where it’s at. If you think you can lose weight and keep it off by avoiding all fats, you’re sadly mistaken. In fact, if you think that low fat eating is the only way to go, you might as well just quit now. Your body (and your brain) needs fat to survive! This is why the scientists call “them” essential fatty acids – Omegas 3, 6, and 9. These fats have been stripped from many supermarket shelf items, and it’s your responsibility to put fat back into your dietary plan. Don’t avoid eating fat, embrace it – equally. 39. Bring balance to the force. If you eat the same foods over and over again, you’re going to get bored – unless they’re foods you really, really like. Feel free to change it up – keep your tongue happy. Balance carbs with proteins with fats, though. If you have more of one nutrient for one meal, try more of another nutrient for the next. And for heaven’s sake, don’t just shop in the “diet” section of the store. You can still (likely) eat the same things you’ve always eaten, just not so much of them at any one time. 40. Know your daily calorie limit. When I was in the process of losing weight, it was suggested that I stay under 1700 calories a day. Knowing that number was half the battle. I could eat anything I wanted throughout the day, so long as I would stay at or beneath that number. While I couldn’t track 100% of the items I ate, I was able to make intake estimates – and adjust my schedule and ration my remaining calories accordingly. In this sense, you’re given extreme freedom – so long as you stay at or beneath that suggested calorie level for your plan. If you don’t know how much you’re supposed to take in, how are you supposed to know how much you’re supposed to take in?! Sounds redundant, but it’s a situation that many “dieters” are in (which is why they fail)! 41. Fiber good. When you start to lose fat, you’re probably going to get constipated. Yeah, it happens more frequently than we care to admit (or share). You should have a good amount of fiber every day, anyway. Fiber is very important to your health (and your weight loss goals). Try the Metamucil snack wafers for a quick fiber infusion. Then, magnesium citrate for those… “stuck” moments, in which you’ll find yourself from time to time. Stick a bottle or two of that in your fridge for safe keeping, and don’t plan on going anywhere for 24 hours after taking a dose (trust me, trust me, trust me). 42. Walk the walk. You burn calories when you walk, did you know that? Certainly, you don’t expend as much energy as you do when you run, but you burn it nonetheless. Consider picking up a good pedometer, if only to gauge how many steps you take in the average day. According to others, the Omron HJ112 Premium Pedometer is the one to beat. If nothing else, knowing how many steps you take on the average day will give you a better idea as to your regular activity level – around the home and/or the office. Plus, you can count those steps as calorie deficits in certain programs (like CalorieKing). 43. Train wrecks will happen. One of these nights, you’re going to go out with friends and eat your weight in steak (likely blowing any kind of progress you had made for that day). Instead of repeating the overindulgence, just put yourself back on track the next day. You’re allowed to “mess up” every now and again, so long as you don’t make a habit out of consuming an excessive amount of food. Right the dining injustice immediately. You’ll be okay. You’ll be fine. Just don’t do it again. And again. And again. And again. 44. Satisfy cravings with extreme prejudice. If you’re hungry for something, eat it. Don’t deny yourself the simple pleasures. If it’s possible, eat only half of what you want. Is your craving satisfied, or are you addicted to the flavor? Losing weight shouldn’t be torture for anybody. You have to ask yourself: Is it more important for me to eat this entire case of fudgesicles, or to look good for my brother’s wedding? Only you have the answer to that question, and if you ignore logic, you’re going to hurt yourself in the long-run. Just take a nibble or two – I won’t tell a soul. 45. Water you waiting for? If you’re not drinking enough water, your body will let you know. Thirst is an amazing sensation – quench it. If you’re not hydrated, your body won’t be working at peak levels. Most of your body happens to be water, by the way. If you’re worried about “water weight,” remember that you’re likely to retain more water when you’re not giving your body enough of it in the first place. Besides, that’s what those workout sessions are supposed to help with every other morning. I’m not going to dictate how many glasses you should drink, though – as that’s going to vary from person to person. 46. Join the soda club. Like most people, I love carbonated beverages. However, unlike most people, I love unflavored carbonated beverages – and if your tongue is attune to sugary-sweet drinks, you’re also the kind of person who believes that club soda tastes salty (even when it contains no sodium). Make the move to an unflavored drink sooner rather than later. If you need help along the way, lemons and limes can be your best friends. If you’re going to drink something more than water, at least make sure it’s not going to hinder your progress. If you’re a sugary-soda drinker, dropping it from your daily routine altogether will help you drop ~5 or more pounds in a single week (WITHOUT doing anything else). 47. Sugar is evil that tastes good. You probably don’t want to hear this, but sugar is a bad thing. The more refined it comes, the more your body is going to react negatively to it. Sugar, sugar, sugar is in everything, everything, everything. If it’s sweet, it’s got sugar in it. There are all sorts of sugars out there, and all of them are ultimately metabolized by the body. It’s a good bet that the sugars in an apple are better for you than the sugars in a candy bar, though. If you’re addicted to sugar, this is going to be a horrible hurdle to overcome. 48. Sugar substitutes are just as evil as sugar itself. Do you really think your body knows how to handle something that was man-made? Seriously. These chemically-adjusted products do not occur in the wild; there are no Splenda trees in warmer climates, nor are there NutraSweet plants in the Arctic. In some instances, taking in sugar substitutes may actually increase your levels of hunger! Let’s not forget about all the health issues that might arise from these unnatural substances. If you’re given a choice, it’s almost better to go with something your body knows how to deal with (real, unprocessed sugar). No, it’s much safer (and healthier) to stay away from blue, pink, and yellow packets entirely. Do a Web search for “Artificial Sweeteners May Damage Diet Efforts.” Then sit there and tell me they’re okay? No way. 49. White bread can’t jump. Did you know that white bread isn’t good for you? Oh, it’s true – just ask any diabetic. Research has shown that people who eat more refined products (like white bread) are more likely to have belly fat. Why? It’s simple: your body isn’t getting what it needs. The food industry isn’t the health industry, okay? You can’t trust that they’ve got your best interests at heart (despite all their marketing efforts). If you want the flavor of white bread, please eat the whole grain white bread instead? Sara lee makes a wonderful loaf, as I can personally attest (even though I like rye more than white or wheat). Repeat after me: whole grain white bread, whole grain white bread. 50. Hasta la pasta, baby. Much like its cousin, white bread, refined pasta can damage your health and pinch your weight loss plans. I’m not saying you should quit pasta altogether, but I will suggest that you change your pasta pusher to Barilla. They have a new wheat pasta that’s a dead ringer for the ol’ crappy white stuff you used to eat. “Barilla PLUS” is absolutely fantastic, as well as a good source of fiber and protein. You’re usually going to be better off with a “wheat” option, although traditional wheat pasta has a texture that you might not like (even though I find it perfectly acceptable to my palate).
Now, once you’ve achieved your weight loss goals, what are you going to do to keep the fat at bay? The worst thing you can do is something I’ve done countless times over: get lazy. I’ve conveniently forgotten about all of the aforementioned rules a few times, and it’s put me back in the same situation I don’t want to be in – ever again. While I don’t have to be as careful as I was during the weight loss period, I’m still measuring myself and recording my daily activities. This may turn into a weekly weigh-in soon enough, as it’s easier to correct yourself at 5lbs than it is at 50lbs. Good luck!
All of us have faced those ugly blackheads peeping out around the nostrils and we have thought extensively about how to get rid of blackheads at some point or the other! How and why do these blackheads raise their dark heads and of all places around the delicate curves of the nostrils? How to get rid of blackheads on your nose? A dermatologist or an aesthetician would say it's because we've not been cleaning the face properly around those areas. If the blackheads are playing truant on the face of a teenager, then of course blame the hormones! At puberty when all the hormones are being secreted at full force, several by- products are produced and one such by-product is the DHT or the Dihydrotestosterone which produces excessive oil. This extra oil clogs the pores of the skin. When the face properly around is then exposed to the sunlight, this oil turns black and thus is born the blackhead!
Dermatologists believe that the blackheads are the second step to the growth of acne. If the black heads are not effectively cleaned then as more and more oil is secreted by the sebaceous gland, higher quantities of oil is collected which will eventually lead to infection and the formation of acne. So you are wondering about how to get rid of blackheads? Then the best way to get rid of blackheads is to follow these simple steps.
Wash your face with plenty of water. How to get rid of blackheads by washing with water?! Refresh the skin with splashing water and using a mild face wash to cleanse the skin. Do not scrub or cleanse intensely, it would only stimulate those oil glands and would lead to higher secretion of oils. Follow this up with giving your face a steaming and then use a sterilized blackhead remover to tease out the blackhead from the pore its blocking. If the blackhead is due to hormonal changes as at puberty, do not get cross.
It is just a passing phase and very soon you will have spotless clear skin, if you follow a regular routine to cleanse, tone and protect your skin. Try not to experiment too much with chemical topical lotions during this phase, in your try to find out how to get rid of blackheads. These may not entirely remove the blackheads, but they will leave lasting scars.
Blackheads on the face has never been in fashion nor will it ever be. Anyone will surely look better without blackheads. So... try the natural Blackheads cures and look better
Having acne especially in the face is really irritating. And there are those people that very prone to acne. If you are suffering from this annoying skin problem, there are many skin care products for the treatment of acne available in the market. Depending on the degree of the acne, the following are the three major classifications of acne products.
1. General acne products. These are only used to prevent the occurrence of acne. Preventive measures for acne are those that form part of your everyday skin care routine. It includes cleansers, exfoliation, make-up removers and the like.
Though most of these products are for general use, which remove dirt and excess oil from the skin, there are those that are really designed for acne prevention.
These acne skin products help prevent oil from blocking the pores of the skin by reducing the production of sebum or oil that causes bacteria to develop leading to acne. Exfoliation products such as skin peels help remove dead skin cells and thus prevent the clogging of pores and growth of bacteria.
2. Over-the-counter products. These are specialized products for the treatment of acne that do not need doctor's prescription to buy them.
Examples of these are vanishing creams that work by extracting the excess oil in the skin. Most over-the-counter products contain benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, which fight bacteria that cause acne.
When using these types of products for the first time, start with a low concentration; say 5%, of benzoyl peroxide to check if it works for you. Other popular acne skin care products are moisturizers that are alpha-hydroxyl-acid based.
Try using a few different products and observe which is the most effective on your skin. If these products seem to have no effect, it is best to consult a dermatologist.
3. On-prescription acne skin care products. These products are those that are prescribed by a dermatologist and it includes ointments, oral antibiotics, and some other topical treatment. Some acne problems may require surgical procedures to remove pustules in the pores.
Do not squeeze the affected area by yourself as it may leave permanent scars on your skin. On-prescription products also include acne treatment that is hormone-based which is prescribed by dermatologists. In some cases, hormone-based are effective since hormonal changes can also cause acne.
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There are many acne scars' medications available, but not all people are keen on using synthetic ingredients and products on regular basic. They use home remedies for acne scars as they are concerned that the skin may be affected.
Natural remedies can reduce the acne scars' intensity and improve the tone and the texture of the skin, but they may take time to work. They may take between three and six months before noticing that acne scars are reduced markedly. Natural remedy may work effectively for you, but be ineffective on someone else. You need to try another natural remedy, until you find one, which works for your skin.
One common home remedy for acne removal that many patients find effective is to apply a face mask of tomato juice and cucumber mixture. Tomatoes help prevent the skin from damaging, and they are anti oxidants. Tomatoes also improve your skin tone and help strengthen your immune system. The mixture is very effective at tightening up your skin pores.
You need to wash your face with water to make sure there isn't any trace of ointment or make up left on the face. Apply the mixture in a form of a mask. Then keep it for half hour before removing it.
Another home remedy for acne is a paste of black gram and sandalwood. You can use rose water or milk as a base for this paste. You can apply it in the affected area or over your whole face. Wash your face with water after leaving the paste overnight. Sandalwood reduces skin irritation and inflammation as it has a cooling effect.
There are other useful acne remedies such as Indian neem paste and Australian tea tree. They prevent acne infection and treat acne scars because of their bactericidal properties.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mezo_Ahmos
Doctors think acne results from several factors, although the exact cause of it is unknown. Increasing male sex hormones ( androgens ) are the main factor of acne. It increases in girls and boys during puberty and causes the sebaceous gland to secrete more sebum. Starting or stopping of birth control pills and pregnancy hormonal changes may cause acne in ladies.
New studies believe that the development tendency of acne may be inherited from parents. There are other acne factors such as tension, stress, environmental factors ( dirt, pollution and grease ) and cosmetics which make the cells stick together by altering them of the follicles and giving rise to plug pores.
Does acne cause scar?
Cystic acne and other forms of acne can cause scars in some people. You may help reduce scarring by avoiding scrubbing your skin and not squeezing blemishes. If you do get acne scars, treatment is available.
How to treat your acne?
Acne is treated by dermatologists ( skin specialists ). The goal is to minimize the emotional pressure, prevent scarring, prevent erupting of the new lesions and cure existing lesions. Medications are used to reduce problems, which play a part in causing acne:
1- Inflammation
2- Bacteria
3- Increased oil production
4- Abnormal clumping of the cells in follicles
Depending on the problem extent as well as the acne type, the doctor recommends some OTC ( over the counter ) medications and prescription medicines. Some may be oral and others may be topical.
Examples of home remedies for acne scars:
1- Methi paste ( fenugreek ) leaves applied on your skin overnight and washed off next day controls the problem
2- Drinking water can flush out your body toxin. It is imparting a healthy glow to your skin tissue.
3- Rub the pimples with a fresh garlic clove
4- Grated cucumber pieces to be applied on your skin
5- Dried orange peel pounded with water. Apply it to your affected areas like a mask.
Blackheads - those little black dots that clog up your pores - can happen to anyone, and can sometimes stubbornly linger long after your acne has cleared up. Blackhead removal can be a tempting endeavour, but is removing them really the best thing to do? Blackhead removal may be more trouble than it's worth.
Blackheads can be more resistant to cleansers and topical treatments than pimples, making them infinitely more frustrating, and so much more tempting to remove. Blackhead removal can be a long and tedious affair, as unlike pimples, they can sometimes seem to inhabit every pore on your nose, chin and forehead, so before taking out that blackhead remover and getting started, consider whether going to the trouble of removing them is really worth it!
Blackheads, like cellulite, are one of those things that everyone has - yes, even celebrities! - but no one really wants to admit to. While there are undoubtedly some great cleansers out there that can reduce their numbers, a certain amount of them might always remain. But unlike spots, they are almost invisible to the naked eye, and they are not sore and uncomfortable as some of those pimply pustules can be.
Blackhead removal can actually damage the skin if done improperly. Squeezing the blackhead often causes the material that is clogging the pore further into the skin, where it can become a pimple. Over enthusiastic blackhead removal can also cause unsightly scarring. Maybe it really is better to leave them where they are.
If you must remove your blackheads, always use a proper blackhead remover, as this can help limit any potential damage. Using steam to open the pores before squeezing can also help, but never force a blackhead that doesn't want to be removed. This will simply damage the skin, while the frustrating blackhead remains exactly where he is.
Blackhead removal can help the appearance of your skin if done correctly, but can damage your skin by causing scarring or pimples. Try to reduce your blackheads by sticking to a simple cleansing plan, and using a mask or scrub once or twice a week. But for the ones that remain? Consider whether it's really worth whipping the blackhead remover out - or is blackhead removal worth the trouble?
Blackhead removal, worth it or not? Maybe not.
Find out more about Acne as well as Home Treatment for Acne and Adult Acne, Acne Skin Care Products, the Best Acne Treatments and more at Peter’s website, Acne All Gone.
As cold days are coming, the skin is the main barometer of sudden changes of temperature. It is the skin that represents our first barrier against so many aggressive factors, like wind, snow, temperature changes, and cold. Therefore, we all should pay a lot of attention and upgrade our skin care habits in order to maintain its health and beauty. Take a look to some winter skin care tips
The sun-kissed skin we obtained after our holidays doesn’t only have an aesthetic effect, but also very noxious consequences upon the tegument structure. Our skin is made from several layers and it reacts when faced with the aggressive environmental attacks. In time, the negative results can be observed: wrinkles, the appearance of freckles, premature aging of the skin, DNA modification with the risk of developing melanoma even 10 or 30 years after the sunburn. In order to avoid cutaneous aging, it is advisable to take care of your skin on a daily basis. And everything starts with a good hygiene. Cleansing the face is a must whether it rains, snows, or it's sunny. As harsh elements can really damage your skin, check out some winter skin care tips.
# Water is a vital element for our body, especially for our skin. Deprived of water, the skin dries, turns red, becomes rougher, ages more rapidly, and is not able to face the external aggressions. Hydration is the main objective when it comes to skin regeneration, both by using dermatocosmetics rich in multivitamins, and by ensuring a daily amount of minimum 1,5-2 liters of water, which facilitates the elimination of toxins and the strength of the epidermis. Therefore, the first important gesture that can help you avoid damages is to drink water.
# A beautiful, smooth, luminous skin is a very-well hydrated skin. Just for the record, the skin of a baby contains 80% water. During cold winter days, our skin tends to dry out. Some of the symptoms of a dry skin are: discomfort sensation, the skin turns red, and it even becomes irritated. Therefore, we should slow down water loss by making a barrier that stops the water molecules from getting away. Choose suited moisturizing creams with rich textures, which are perfect for winter, that nourish and recharge the skin. Apply hydrating, nourishing and regenerating masks, two times a week, in order to repair the skin and prepare it to face external aggressions.
# As we have said before, there are certain moisturizing creams that act at skin level by applying a protective layer and therefore avoiding excessive water loss.The best thing you can do in order to prevent any damage is to choose a moisturizer that is oil-based, or products containing humectants, like glycerine.
# If you are prone to acne, it is very important to see a dermatologist, especially if the problem becomes even worse in winter.
# It is already well-known the fact that sunscreen is not just for summer. Weather conditions change, but winter sun and snow glare can become real enemies of your skin. This is why, it is important to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a SPF of 30 or higher to the face, hands, and any other skin area exposed.
# Another essential thing you can do during winter in order to maintain your skin healthy is to use exfoliants. If you exfoliate your skin periodically, all dead cells are removed, and moisturizers are better and faster absorbed, and are more efficient. However, remember that too harsh products can only cause damage to your skin.
# In case your skin turns red, thyme and lavender are the best allies due to their calming and soothing properties. These are very efficient ingredients that can help you fight against this problem that attacks skin during winter. Apply them especially if you have a very sensitive skin.
# It is also advisable to apply, every morning and every evening, an eye cream. Use it just like a treatment for sensitive and fragile areas that are attacked by harsh elements.
# Don't forget to protect your lips too, using lip balms, as this is a very fragile area. If you have crack lips, apply a thicker layer several times a day. Also, you must protect your hands, as the skin on your hands is thinner and gloves don't always offer enough protection. Use a cream containing petroleum jelly, shea butter, vegetable oils, silicone, as they confer a protective screen. In case of cracking and itchiness, apply a very thick layer of cream on the hands and leave it during the night. When going outside, make sure you wear gloves to keep your hands warm.
# Diet is also very important if we want to maintain our skin healthy, as long as we are aware of the fact that we are what we eat. The quality and texture of the skin are visibly improved by a diet based on dairy products, fish, chicken meat, fish and olive oil. Minerals, proteins and vitamins from fruits and vegetables consumed daily confer firmness, elasticity, brightness, and a velvet-like appearance to your skin.
# Foods with a strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effect are apples, watermelon, melon, bilberries, strawberries, avocado, oranges, bananas, kiwi, grapes, pomegranates, nectarines, plums, fennel/caraway, oregano, parsley, coriander, tomatoes, carrots, peppers, radishes, beans, cabbage, broccoli, garlic, cauliflower, spinach, whole meal cereals, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, yeast, barley and oats. These are important elements for a strong immune system and they are amazing sources of minerals, like magnesium, selenium, zinc, and Q10 coenzyme, and essential vitamins. Moreover, they protect the skin, prevent premature aging, and they help fight acne and wrinkles.
Home Remedies For Sunburn Bring Quick Relief By Susan M Keenan Published July 26, 2007
The sun is shining as you walk along the beach - with the glorious feel of sand between your toes and the fresh smell of salt water in the air. Before you realize it, hours have passed, and the sun has risen high in the sky. All too late, you realize that you neglected to put sunscreen on. Although you still have a few hours before you begin to feel the pain of fresh sunburn, you know it's coming. Fortunately, a wide variety of home remedies can assist your efforts to relieve sunburn misery. How to Relieve Sunburn with Milk Home remedies for sunburn include the use of milk to relieve pain and discomfort. The milk should be at or close to room temperature. Using a clean bowl, pour a small but sufficient amount of milk into the bowl and allow it to reach room temperature. It is acceptable for the milk to be slightly cooler than that if you feel you cannot wait longer. However, you should never use the milk straight from the refrigerator since that is much too cold.
Take cotton gauze and dip it into the milk. Apply it to the sunburn and allow it to sit for 20 minutes or so. After this time, remove the milk compress and gently rinse your skin to remove any milk residue. If you do not rinse your skin, the milk residue will develop a sour odor (and so will you).
This home remedy is also suggested for other types of burns as well. Repeat this scenario every two to three hours for as long as the pain of your sunburn persists. How to Relieve Sunburn with Vegetables Although not the best home remedy to relieve sunburn pain, placing a bag of frozen vegetables inside a clean towel and placing it gently upon the sunburned area can offer some minor and temporary relief. This home remedy helps to cool down the sunburn.
Thinly slice a raw cucumber, potato, or apple. Gently place the pieces on your sunburn. Not only is the coolness of the vegetables soothing to your skin, but also, it is possible that they will help reduce any inflammation occurring from your sunburn.
Another one of the remedies for sunburn involving vegetables involves lettuce. Wash some lettuce leaves and place them in a pot of water. Bring the water to boiling for several minutes and then allow the liquid to cool. Strain the liquid and discard the residue. Place the liquid into the refrigerator and allow it to cool for several more hours. Use large cotton balls to apply the cool liquid to the affected areas of your skin. The coolness is soothing to your skin and it should help to relieve any inflammation.
How to Relieve Sunburn with Vitamin E Relieve sunburn pain with vitamin E. Eating foods that are rich in vitamin E can help to reduce the inflammation caused by sunburn.
Foods rich in vitamin E include but are not limited to: products made with whole grains, vegetable oils and nuts. Vitamin E supplements can also be taken. However, whenever you use a vitamin E supplement, it is best to ingest the natural form only. As with any supplement usage, consult your physician first.
How to Relieve Sunburn with Tea Another one of the suggested home remedy cures for sunburn is to use tea compresses. Boil a pot of strong tea and allow the tea to cool in the refrigerator for a few hours. If you need to cool the tea more quickly, keep the tea bags in the pot of water as you cool it with ice cubes. Use cotton gauze or a clean cotton towel or cloth to make a tea compress. Since whatever you use to apply the tea is going to become permanently stained, use something that is dark in coloring or that you simply do not care about.
Gently place the tea compress on the sunburn to draw the heat out, relieve inflammation and to set the burn to a tan. Typically, the sunburn will still result in peeling of the skin. The tea compresses should remain on for at least half an hour. Repeat this procedure as desired every two hours or so. Additionally, one can place some of the cold tea in a spray bottle and spray it directly on the affected areas of the skin. The tannic acid in the tea is the essential ingredient for this cure. If desired, the teabags can be placed on closed eyelids to relieve the discomfort of sunburn in that area.
How to Relieve Sunburn with Vinegar Sunburn relief can be achieved with a nice, long soak in a tub of cool water laced with vinegar. Add approximately one half cup of vinegar to the bath water before getting in. Additionally, one can make up a solution of water and vinegar in a spray bottle and spray it directly on the affected areas of the skin. The vinegar will remove the sting from the sunburn however it does give off a distinct smell.
How to Relieve Sunburn with Baking Soda or Oatmeal Sunburn relief might be attained with cold compresses made with baking soda or oatmeal that have been dissolved in cool water. Additionally, you can take a bath in a tub full of cold water to which one pound of baking soda or oatmeal has been added. The mixture will cling to the sting that the sun has left behind.
How to Relieve Sunburn with Aloe Vera The leaves of the Aloe Vera plant contain a thick, sticky substance that can provide relief from sunburn discomfort. Gently remove one of the thickest leaves from the plant. Split the leaf open and gently place the inner substance on your sunburn. It should provide a coolness to your sunburn that is soothing and offers you some relief from the pain.
Preventing Sunburn Avoid exposure to the sun during the peak hours that tend to burn us more quickly than any other times of the day.
The hours between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm are notorious for providing the strongest and most harmful UV (ultraviolet) rays of the sun. If you stay indoors or limit your exposure to the sun during those hours, you will reduce your risk of getting a sunburn. Rather than worrying about trying to find cures for sunburn, the best thing is to simply try and avoid it in the first place.
If you must be outdoors during the peak hours of daylight but cannot wear sunscreen, you will have to rely on natural cover to protect your skin from sun damage and sunburn. The obvious first step is to choose protective clothing with long sleeves and either a long skirt, or long pants. The goal is to cover as much skin as possible while remaining cool in hot weather. Choose light colors of fabric, such as white, tan, cream, or beige. Avoid dark colors, which tend to attract the sun’s rays and hold heat close to your body. Even flowery prints or colorful plaids can draw heat, which is the last thing you want on a hot summer day.
In addition to selecting clothing in light or neutral colors, make sure the fabric’s texture is tightly woven so it can help to prevent the sun’s rays from piercing through lightweight fabric and reaching the skin beneath. The clothing need not be heavy or thick, but it should not be a light weave that allows light to readily pass through. You might even wear a tank top or tube top under a lightweight shirt for added protection against the aggressive sunlight.
Don’t forget to wear sun-resistant accessories. Sunglasses will help to protect your eyes. Get the kind that gently wrap around your temples to shield eyes from peripheral sunlight. Make sure the lenses are UV-proof. Wear a hat to protect your scalp from damaging rays, especially if you are prone to skin lesions or have a history of pre-cancerous moles. Full foot coverage in the form of complete shoes, rather than sandals, will protect feet from sunburn and related sun damage. You might need to wear socks to protect ankles above the shoe line.
Caught By the Sun During the times when you happen to get caught outdoors unprepared, seek shelter from the sun so you don’t have to spend a lot of time under its hot glare and risk a sunburn. Look for shade under a tree or clusters of shrubs. If you are at a sports event and sitting in the bleachers, try to get a lower seat beneath someone’s shadow. At events where lawn chairs are allowed, place yours out of the direct path of sunlight, even if that means you have to sit a little further back from the field. If you simply cannot shield your skin from sunlight, at least shift your position frequently so the sun doesn’t hit the same place continuously for a long period of time. You’ll still get a sunburn, but it might not be as intense as if you had left it burn in the same place on your skin without moving.
These steps should be followed even on cooler days in the early fall months of September and October, as the sun can still be very warm at that time, with a few warm days possible even in the winter, depending on the climate where you live, and you could unsuspectingly get a bad sunburn by failing to protect your skin from the sun’s potent rays.
Additionally, the application of a good sunscreen product with an SPF (sun protection factor) of 30 or more offers adequate protection from sunburn in most cases. If you must be outside during the sun’s most intense hours wear a hat, lightweight clothing with long sleeves and sunglasses. Important Steps to Take in Addition to the Home Remedies for Sunburn Although this is something that you should be doing anyway to live a healthy lifestyle, always drink plenty of water if you are experiencing sunburn. This will help you to remain hydrated. Continue to eat a balanced meal despite the pain of your sunburn. Although this is not going to relieve sunburn pain, it is going to give you the energy and nutrition that you need to heal quickly.
Always Consult Your Physician First Although it is helpful to get health information by reading and talking with friends, make sure you consult your doctor first before trying any new treatment or changing your diet. Remember that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate the strength, purity or safety of herbs and supplements. Be sure to always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, speak with your doctor before taking medical action or changing your health routine. This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. LifeScript disclaims any liability for the decisions made by its readers based on the information provided.
Healthy Glow: Good Nutrition = Healthy Skin
By Lisa Mosing, MS, RD, FADA, Special to LifeScript
Published September 06, 2004
Everyone is seeking health and vitality. Skin is no exception and we want healthy glowing skin. Good nutrition and healthy skin often go hand in hand. Although it will not prevent the evolutionary process of aging skin, you can shine from within from healthy eating.
Eating foods causes the nutrients to be absorbed into the body. In addition, eating health promoting foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, unsaturated fats found in natural foods like olive oil and fatty fish, and drinking plenty of water is a common suggestion of many medical professionals. Another option is making sure you have the right supplement program. However, eating “fun, pleasurable foods” like chocolate will not cause acne.
If you have ever suffered from acne, you know that many creams contain a form of vitamin A. Although oral supplements of vitamin A have been shown to help prevent skin cancer and treat acne, the large doses needed, and the potential for liver toxicity of the large doses required, makes the topical creams the best avenue for many physicians. Scientists have also been exploring whether topical nutrients may help slow the aging process. Today, you can find many anti-aging creams that have antioxidants that may be helpful when applied outside the human body.
The focus has been on antioxidants since they can provide protection against the sun and other environmental damage. Antioxidants are found in many vitamins, minerals and other phytochemicals, which protect against the harmful effects of free radicals that can damage cell membranes. Moreover, antioxidant nutrients, such as vitamins C and E, and phytonutrients have associated with reduced risk of diseases. Since your skin provides a protective barrier, enhance your protection with a good nutritional defense plan. Scientific studies have also shown that individuals that had a history of skin cancer who ate a lower fat diet had reduced rates of further precancerous and cancerous skin growths than those people who ate a higher fat diet.
Further benefits of a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, yogurt, legumes, eggs, vegetable oils, whole grains, tea and water was seen in a study of individuals over 70 years of age living in three European countries. Those who ate these foods had less had less photo-aging and skin wrinkling than those who ate a diet primarily of red meat, whole milk, butter, sugared products and potatoes.
Until more is known, choose foods and supplements to help prevent skin cancer, photo-aging and wrinkles. Besides the recommendations to stay out of the sun, wear sunscreen daily when outdoors, and stop smoking, we suggest that you also drink plenty of water. Nutritionally, your best protection is with a family diet full of plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and monounsaturated fats – found in such as olive oil, fish and nuts – along with Smart Supplementation.
A woman’s delicate skin is often one of her best features after her gorgeous head of hair or her shapely body. Unfortunately, a woman’s skin does not always retain its perfect, baby soft look or feel. Time and the forces of Mother Nature often wreak havoc upon a woman’s skin, diminishing its glow and appeal. Fortunately, a number of manufacturers carry products containing natural ingredients that refresh and rejuvenate a woman’s skin, bringing it back to a renewed vibrancy. Learning how to care for sensitive skin and following through with the strategies that you learn are all it takes to promote healthy, glowing skin.
What is Sensitive Skin? Sensitive skin is more delicate than normal skin and requires special care. Typically, sensitive skin reacts quickly to any number of circumstances including sun, wind, cold, and heat. Additionally, a number of ingredients that are often used in laundry detergents, soaps, and skin products can create a negative reaction with sensitive skin. Most skin irritations cause the skin to turn reddish in color. Additionally, sensitive skin can turn blotchy, rough, dry, or flaky.
The topmost layer of a person’s skin or epidermis is known as the stratum Corneum. This is the layer that undergoes the most damage or trauma. This layer protects the underlying layers of epidermis unless it becomes damaged. Once it is damaged, it is essential to remove it and allow the skin to heal properly. Caring for Sensitive Skin The best way to deal with sensitive skin is to treat it properly in the first place by using the proper products.
Learning which ingredients are best to use with sensitive skin is the first step when dealing with sensitive skin. Taking the time to read the labels of every product you purchase is the second step. Making sure that you purchase only products with natural ingredients is also part of the strategy.
Natural ingredients generally treat your skin gently rather than harshly. Therefore, if you want to maintain the delicate condition of your skin, it is important to seek out products with natural rather than man-made concoctions. Avoid scented products as well as artificially colored products. For individuals who have sensitive skin, even inadvertent uses of a skin care product, an unintended exposure to chemicals, or overexposure to sun and wind can create skin damage. Once damage occurs to the skin, it becomes a matter of vigilant care and rejuvenation. Using the correct products is critical to healthy recovery of your skin. Therefore, if your skin has undergone a great deal of damage, it might be necessary to visit your physician. Caring for Dry, Sensitive Skin Caring for dry sensitive skin places an even greater emphasis on moisturizing ingredients. The best time to use moisturizers is at night, once you have retired for the evening. You should apply a generous amount of moisturizing skin cream, body butter, or lotion on a nightly basis. Although you can apply moisturizer throughout the day, doing it at night generally provides the most advantageous hours of uninterrupted moisturizing.
Additionally, with sensitive skin that also tends to be dry, soap products with added moisturizers work best. Soaps without moisturizers can dry the skin out more than it already is. The label of often indicate whether the product has added moisturizers or not. Mild soaps for sensitive skin are also more readily available than in the past.
Cosmetics and Sensitive Skin Most cosmetics contain specific chemicals that can cause irritation to sensitive skin. Unfortunately, it is a matter of trial and error to discover the products that cause skin irritations for most women. Therefore, women with sensitive skin should attempt to use cosmetics containing natural ingredients only. Theses products clearly indicate that they have been manufactured with natural ingredients, making them easy to locate. Moreover, some manufacturers have introduced cosmetics designed for women with sensitive skin. In general, these products contain natural ingredients that do not react harshly with a woman’s skin. In some cases, these products will be slightly more expensive than cosmetics that contain man-made ingredients and fragrances. Healthy Ingredients for Sensitive Skin A number of essential oils are very gentle on a woman’s skin and should be one of the ingredients in any type of skin product that a woman uses. Among these are lavender, chamomile, neroli, sandalwood, primrose, and rose. Primrose oil promotes your skin’s health. Plus, the application of primrose oil on a regular basis can lead to softer skin with fewer wrinkles.
Skin-softening agents such as lanolin, glycerin, and Vitamin E will help to soften the skin and cuticles of the nails. In addition to maintaining fresh looking skin, the use of skin-softening products can help eliminate potential problems with hangnails.
Refreshing agents such as grape seed oil and aloe vera juice can protect the softness of your skin from the harsh elements of dry air and the sun.
Silk proteins are also essential ingredients of a woman’s daily moisturizing routine. Not only will silk proteins help to accent and enhance the moisturizers that you use on your skin, they also help protect your skin form potential damage by UV rays.
Sensitive Skin and Sunscreen Products Sunscreen products should be used on sensitive skin to protect it from the harshness of the sun’s rays, including UV rays. However, it is important to select a good sunscreen with the right ingredients for the best results. In most cases, it is best to steer away from sunscreens that include fragrances, since these are potential allergens. Additionally, sunscreens that contain PABA should be avoided.
Remedies for Preventing Dry Skin Problems Common sense tips can be used to help prevent the worsening of dry skin problems. Avoid beverages that contain caffeine, especially coffee. Caffeine tends to dehydrate a person, creating dryer skin. Use an additional treatment of moisturizer if you have spent a great deal of time outdoors in the cold, dry air. Additionally, using a sunscreen with moisturizer will help to minimize any damage that your skin experiences.
Avoid long, hot soaks in the bathtub, especially with scented products that might contain allergens. A quick shower is less harmful to your skin.
A mild soap with no fragrance or color additives is the best type to use. Towels should be soft to the touch. Always dry your face and body with a patting motion to avoid creating any damage.
If you are using a product for the first time, test the product by placing a small quantity on your wrist. Observe your skin’s reaction, if any. If no reaction occurs, you can assume the product is safe to use on your skin.
Sensitive skin can quickly turn into wrinkled and damaged skin. Therefore, you should follow a daily beauty routine that will keep your skin fresh and young looking as long as possible. Moisturize your skin to keep it supple, soft, and glowing in a pretty picture of health. Use a generous supply of body butters to lock in moisture and help maintain a youthful glow. Sensitive skin requires a bit more care, but it is worth every second of it. Are You Skin-Care Savvy? The skin is a living, breathing organ, and what you don't know about taking care of it could keep your complexion from looking fantastic. If your skin-care knowledge could barely fill a pillbox, you need a refresher course. Do you know how to put your best face forward? Find out now with our skin care quiz.
Quality skin care for wrinkles will reverse the signs of aging.
There are many ways to approach skin care for wrinkles
that will reduce lines and age spots without medical
procedures. However, in order to take advantage of
these kind of anti wrinkle creams, it is important to
understand how over-the-counter skin care for wrinkles
works, and what kind of results you can expect from
them. There are many new ingredients and formulas
available that are much more advanced than they used
to be. Much more dramatic results can be expected from these kind of anti wrinkle
creams if you follow some simple skin care tips along with using a good wrinkle
cream.
Visit www.antiagingskincareproductreview.com for the latest wrinkle care
advice and FREE one month supply of a Top Anti Aging cream
Skin care for wrinkles means avoiding the sun.
Skin care for wrinkles starts with a wrinkle cream that has an SPF of at least fifteen.
This kind of anti wrinkle cream should be generously applied in the morning on the
face and neck area in order to prevent collagen depletion from the sun as well as to
diminish age spots.
You can start preventing further wrinkling and age spots by applying an anti wrinkle
cream in the morning, but hydration of the skin before you go out in the sun will
also boost collagen production. This is because exposure to the sun robs your skin
of collagen. Collagen is the protein that makes up eighty percent of your skin. It is
also the protein that makes your face look fuller and more youthful. So if you take
in too much sun, you will eventually wind up with crow’s feet and facial sagging
skin.
Eating healthy will help with skin care for wrinkles.
Skin care for wrinkles will work better if you eat healthier. All dermatologists
recommend a diet of fresh fruits and vegetables to reduce the appearance of
wrinkles. As well, drinking plenty of water will help flush toxins out of your system,
which in turn reduces the signs of aging. In combination with quality anti wrinkle
creams, you can expect noticeable results within a short amount of time. Eating
dark green vegetables and also fruits with anti oxidants are the best way to help a
quality wrinkle cream work faster.
Skin care for wrinkles means avoiding alcohol and cigarettes.
Drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes will always speed up the process of aging.
This means that skin care for wrinkles means cutting down on smoking and
alcoholic beverages. This is because cigarette smoking and drinking alcohol deplete
the collagen from the base layers of the skin. Collagen at the base layer prevents
the skin from sagging as you age and is the support system for the skin on your
face and neck. Many wrinkle creams will reverse this process, but a healthier
lifestyle is important too. What to look for in products that promise skin care.
Products that promise skin care for wrinkles are much different than they used to
be. Scientists, researchers, and cosmetic companies have made great strides in the
field of products that promise skin care for wrinkles. This is because there are many
new ingredients that are not only approved by the FDA for skin care for wrinkles; but
they are also available without a prescription and are proven to work. These anti
wrinkle creams are also affordable and readily available. Anti wrinkle creams that promise care for wrinkles are proven to work.
Skin care for wrinkles used to make unbelievable promises. However, with new
ingredients, improved manufacturing, and widespread distribution through the
Internet, you don’t have to pay $300.00 for an anti wrinkle cream that works. You
also don’t have to go to a dermatologist for a nonsurgical facelift or a Botox
injection. Skin care for wrinkles is as easy as getting on the Internet and finding
the product that is right for you.
Visit www.antiagingskincareproductreview.com for the latest wrinkle care advice
and FREE one month supply of a Top Anti Aging cream
