Tuesday, 2 September 2008

Vitamin C And Your Skin

How Vitamin C Promotes Healthy Skin

Vitamin C And Your Skin

1 Helps plump up thinning skin by increasing its production of NEW COLLAGEN.

No known risk of allergy, no immune reaction and no injection-induced infection. Just natural collagen being deposited in an orderly fashion...rapidly bringing back with it your skin's softness, strength and elasticity.

2 Vitamin C is an antioxidant.

As an antioxidant, Vitamin C kills free radicals, which irreparably damage our cells and accelerates the aging process.

3 Blood Capillary Strengthener.

Vitamin C strengthens blood capillaries which means fewer broken capillaries visible on your face.

4 Enhance Skin Brightness.

Vitamin C even out your skin tone and helps to remove age spots and liver spots.

5 Prevents Transepiderma Water Loss.

Helps retain moisture within the skin by reducing the water evaporation.

Medications Can Affect Your Skin

What Meds Are You Taking?

Are Your Meds Drying Out Your Skin?


Many over-the-counter and prescription drugs cause dry skin. We need to be vigilant and check the small print -- both for ingredients and the warnings as well whenever we start taking a new drug of any sort. Some of the drugs that can cause dryness are:

1 Some antihistamines

2 Drugs used in chemotherapy

3 Accutane (yes, the acne treatment)

4 Diuretics

5 Anti-cholinergics (a treatment for spasms of the GI tract)

6 Protease inhibitors (treatment for viral infections)

7 Tamoxifen

Botox - The Good, The Bad And The Ugly

Is Botox A Reliable Wrinkle Cure?

Botox Facts

If you're thinking about Botox, check out the following facts first.

1 The costs for Botox runs about $550 per time, 2 to 4 times per year.

2 Botox does NOT work on fine lines, sun damage, skin roughness, acne scars or age spots. Botox only works on the face's motion wrinkles.

3 Botox can only soften DEEP wrinkles but NOT remove them.

4 Regular Botox injections can cause nerve damage

5 The effects of Botox only lasts 3 to 6 months.

6 Botox is injected directly into the muscle causing paralysis (thereby relaxing the wrinkles) which decreases your ability to smile, frown or squint.

How To Remove Wrinkles

Here are some homemade remedies to smooth out those wrinkles.

1 Rub egg white on our face and leave it for 5 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry.

2 Put honey on your face. Wait 15 minutes, then rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry.

3 Apply coconut or castor oil on your face. Leave overnight, then rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry.

4 Papaya Facial Peel Mask

To effectively use this recipe, cleanse face and steam to open pores. The skin will be moist and receptive to the peel.
Papaya Peel Ingredients:
1 cup fresh pineapple
Half-a-cup fresh papaya
1 tablespoon honey
Puree fruit together.
Add honey and mix into a smooth paste.
Leave mask on 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse completely.

Pineapple and papaya contain natural enzymes and alpha-hydroxy acids that remove dead skin cells while the honey moisturizes the skin.

5 Hoeny and Aloe

I mix honey with aloe juice and put it on my face for about ten minutes then rinse with warm water. I'll let you know when someone notices!

7 Main Causes of Skin Damage

Anti-aging skin care starts with you. As you age, your skin changes. It becomes loose, thinner, drier and wrinkled, and slower to heal. The wrinkles occur mainly as a result of the rupture of the elastin fibers and the decreasing production of collagen fibers in the dermis but the diminishing of the fatty cells play a part in this as well as the decreasing bonds between the epidermis and dermis.

The main factors that accelerate skin damage are:
1. Sunlight
2. Smoking
3. Pollution
4. Muscle use
5. Inadequate diet
6. Genetic background
7. Decrease of hormonal levels at menopause.


Sunlight (the UV rays actually) damages the collagen and elastin fibers, and causes the development of some abnormal elastin fiber types. This results in a looseness of the skin and its incapacity to retract after stretching, causing the formation of wrinkles. It further creates a higher percentage of evaporation, making skin drier. Skin care for woman is vital, but before seeking anti aging skin care treatment or anti aging skin care product, you may want to know the basics means of protection.

Thus it is advisable at any age to avoid sunlight at midday and regularly use sunscreen creams with SPF 15 or higher. In addition, it is recommended to drink a lot of water, about 50-60 ounces daily. This intake of water would also be helpful in eliminating toxins through urine, rather than through skin pores.

Smoking and other air polluting factors produce free radicals in the cells of the skin, altering these cells and their genetic material. It is important to emphasize the importance of quitting smoking because smokers get wrinkled at an younger age than non-smokers, which is increased with the years and the number of cigarettes smoked daily.

If you want to improve your physical and mental health by stopping some of the processes which lead to aging, consider researching anti-aging programs. You will discover a whole world that is focused on slowing down many of the effects associated with aging, skin care for women, anti aging skin care treatment, anti aging skin care product and more. This will lead to increased energy, a better outlook on life, and a marked improvement in your health.

Six Common Skin Problems

Our skin is the largest organ in the body and can reflect our general health. In addition, our skin is probably the most abused organ on the body from environmental factors, stress, dehydration, sun exposure, etc. Our skin needs to be protected and nourished.

Problem #1: Fine Lines and Wrinkles

The major factors responsible for lines and wrinkles are mostly due to over-exposed skin to the sun. In addition, stress, hormones, heredity, and environmental factors also play a significant part. In order to reduce more fine lines and wrinkles from forming and demishing the ones you have, exfoliation is recommended as well as a rich moisturizing cream. Exfoliation removes dead skin cells and stimulates new skin cell growth.

In addition, to eliminate additional fine lines and wrinkles from forming, you should wear a sun screen of SPF 15 or higher everyday. Most people believe that because they are not baking in the sun, a sun screen is not needed; however, most people do not realize just how much sun they are exposed to on a daily basis

Problem #2: Enlarged or Distended Pores

Enlarged or distended pores (blackheads) are due to trapped debris in the pores. The debris is a combination of dead skin cells and sebum (oil). The debris causes the pore to stretch or buildup and produce blackheads. Facial cleansers with an exfoliate are recommended for enlarged or distended pores. The exfoliating ingredient will open the pore and the cleanser will clean out the pore(s). In addition, after cleansing a skin toner should be applied to tighten the skin and close the pores. A moisturizer should only be applied after toning and closing the pores on your skin. If you do not have a toner, apply cold water to close the pores before applying any moisturizer.

Problem #3: Brown Spots aka Age Spots

Brown spots are caused from over exposure to the sun. The sun causes the cells that produce melanin to react and protect the inner layers of the skin. Melanin is the product that the body produces to get a tan. It is a protective reaction for the skins inner layers.

There are remedies on the market to remove brown spots such as laser surgery or use of retinoids or alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA) combined with bleaching agents such as hydroquinone and kojic acid. In addition, natural ingredients such as lemon or other fruit juices will lighten brown spots and at a fraction of the cost of the above therapies.

Again, as indicated above, sun screen is imperative to avoid brown spots on the skin.

Problem #4: Blemishes

Blemishes are usually due in part to the over production of sebum (oil) which can be attributed to stress and hormonal changes.

Mild to moderate breakouts, characterized by less than seven pimples a month, can be treated with over the counter products. This may include those treatments containing glycolic acid or retinol, which is potent for unclogging skin pores. Also, benzoyl peroxide, which is an antibacterial agent, can be applied. There is one specific ingredient that is particularly effective in treating blemishes รข€“ salicylic acid. This is actually an efficient exfoliate that dissolves skin oil.

In addition to over the counter remedies for blemishes there are a number of natural make at home products that are quite beneficial and not as harsh. A mild home remedy is listed below:

Mask with Baking Soda
(not baking powder)
Wash face thoroughly with a mid cleanser. Mix baking soda and water together to form a paste. Apply the paste to you face and leave on about 10 minutes. Rinse face and feel the difference.

Problem #5: Redness on the Skin

Rosacea is a condition that first appears as a flushing or subtle redness on the nose, cheeks, forehead and chin. It then progresses from intermittent mild redness to persistent ruddiness as well as permanent, dilated blood vessels and acne-like bumps.

Rosacea is not curable, but it responds well to treatment. Dermatologists usually recommend prescription topical and oral antibiotics. In addition, treatments such as Vbeam are available. Vbeam is a technique that repairs the broken capillaries and reduces the need for topical applications. Furthermore, there are over-the-counter treatments available and natural home remedies that reduce redness.

Problem #6: Dullness of the Skin

Dullness of the skin typically occurs around age 30. During this stage, the natural ability
of your skin to slough off dead cells from the surface slows down. When the dry and dead cells build up, the skin becomes dull. To freshen your skin and bring back a natural glow, consider regular exfoliation to slough off dead skin cells and improve circulation. In addition, set-up and follow a good skin care regime and your skin will thank you for it by its natural glow.

Article From Article Health And Fitness