Mar
3
Back To…. Work! Looking Cheery After Minimal Sleep
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Hi everyone!
I’m sorry I’ve been missing out on updating my site, I was relocating and also had a new addition to the family (yes, say hi to a little baby!)
I’ll be looking forward to updating my blog again with all useful information, do come back soon for updates!
In the meantime, here’s some fodder for you… I’ve been thinking of this since my little one came and left me with a new round of sleepless nights!
Nothing takes the spring out of your step quite like being told, “You look tired” — especially when you’re actually feeling well rested. “Dark circles, puffy eyes, and sallow skin can all telegraph fatigue,” says Francesca Fusco, M.D., a New York City dermatologist. So we asked the beauty experts how best to address these tiredness hot spots. Read on for their wake-up tips for eyes, skin, and hair. Your friends will think you’ve just taken a 10-hour nap — or a 10-day vacation.
10 Ways to Fake 8 Hours of Sleep
1. REVIVE SLEEPY SKIN
The easiest way to refresh your complexion turns out to be fast — and free. “Simply splash cold water on your face,” says Dr. Fusco. Coolness constricts blood vessels, giving your skin a smoother, more toned look. Try this while on the go: Tote an atomizer in your purse, such as Avène Thermal Spring Water ($7, drugstore.com).
2. SEAL THE DEAL
Slather on a thick, occlusive moisturizer to lock the water into your skin. “With a face balm, any dryness and flakiness will disappear, and wrinkles will be less obvious,” says Ranella Hirsch, M.D., a Boston dermatologist. Try Vichy Aqualia Thermal Mineral Balm ($32, drugstores).
3. GET EVEN
If skin still looks lifeless, dip a washcloth in a mix of milk and ice cubes, wring out the cloth, and place it on your face for five minutes, then rinse. “The combination of the pH of the milk, plus the cold, makes this brightening,” says Dr. Fusco. To reduce blotchiness, suck on an ice cube, she says. The top of the mouth contains nerves connected to the blood vessels in your face. By touching the nerves with ice, you are sending them a message to constrict (again, helping to even skin tone).
4. DEFLATE LIDS
To counteract puffiness, choose an eye treatment containing a mix of peptides — some of the least irritating anti-aging ingredients — and caffeine, which has a diuretic effect. Try First Aid Beauty Detox Eye Roller ($24, Sephora). Stash it in the fridge before applying under eyes. “Coldness counters puffiness,” says Elise Brisco, O.D., an optometrist in Los Angeles. Or, rest refrigerated 2nd Skin Moist Burn Pads ($8 for six, drugstore.com) on lids for five minutes. They’re filled with a soothing gel that’s 97 percent water.
5. GO LIGHTLY
Skip heavy foundation or powder; it makes dull, sallow skin look even more mask-like. Instead, slather on a tinted moisturizer with SPF, suggests Sarah Lucero, global education director for Stila Cosmetics. It will even out any blotchiness while still letting skin show through. Try Wet n Wild Beauty Benefits Fresh Effects Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 ($10, Walmart). Apply a second layer or a touch of concealer over any still-apparent dark circles around the eyes.
6. OPEN WIDE
“I always travel with an eyelash curler,” says Emily Kate Warren, a New York City makeup artist. “It’s the only thing that perks up my face when I’m sleep-deprived.” Aim the curler as close to the lashline as possible and give a good 10-second squeeze. Then go over the outer lashes again. “I’ve had patients who think they need Latisse [the prescription eyelash growth product],” says Dr. Hirsch. “I show them how to curl their lashes, and they decide to skip it.”
7. REMEMBER TO STRETCH
To further enhance curl, apply two coats of lengthening mascara, adding a little more in the center above each eyeball for even longer-looking fringe. Try CoverGirl LashBlast Length Mascara ($7.49, drugstores).
8. BLUSH BRIGHTLY
Peach cream blush beats pink for a quick pick-me-up. “Peach tones brighten skin and take the focus away from dark undereye rings,” says Lucero. “Cream formulas leave a slight dew on cheeks, like a ‘flush of youth.’ ” Dab color on the apples of your cheeks, and blend well. You can also apply some to lips over balm for a soft hint of color. Try Sonia Kashuk Crème Blush in Petal ($10, Target).
9. SHAPE UP
Adding some deeper contour just below your blush can give definition to a puffy face. Sweep a powder bronzer or foundation one shade darker than your skin directly beneath your cheekbones. “You’ll get an even more sculpted look by dabbing the same formula along the jawline and temples,” Warren says. Then blend, blend, blend with a brush or sponge. The color should almost disappear.
10. GIVE LOCKS NEW LIFE
Revive slept-on strands without washing them by misting roots with a dry shampoo. Try KMS California Hairplay Makeover Spray ($17, kmscalifornia.com for salons). This rice powder–based aerosol absorbs oil and freshens hair. Briefly blast roots with a blow-dryer on high heat to loosen up the powder, says Kaycee Clark, international artistic director for KMS California. Then you can apply your favorite finishing styler to hair.
7 Night Moves
Try these before bed and wake up to more beautiful mornings.
• The single best thing you can do for your skin at night is keep a h
umidifier in your room, especially in winter, says Dr. Hirsch; you’ll hydrate your face (and body) continuously while you sleep.
• Go to bed with a clean face, says Dr. Fusco, and be especially meticulous about taking off eye makeup. In the absence of gentle eye-makeup remover, squirt a drop of baby shampoo into a wet washcloth and swipe it over lids, then rinse. “So many people sleep with their makeup on and wonder why they wake up with funky eye gunk in the morning,” says Warren. “That’s why.”
7 Night Moves continued…
• Apply a really good moisturizer after splashing water on your face. Try one containing hyaluronic acid, says Dr. Fusco. This ingredient is a potent natural humectant that helps your skin hold water so it looks smoother in the morning. Try Skinceuticals Hydrating B5 Gel ($65, skinceuticals.com; J).
• Avoid eye creams with irritating anti-aging ingredients or heavy fragrances to reduce morning eye redness and irritation. Instead, opt for a hydrating, fragrance-free formula like Weleda Wild Rose Intensive Eye Cream ($27, Target).
• Cut back on salt and alcohol; you’ll see less puffiness in the morning. “When you consume a lot of alcohol, your body becomes dehydrated,” says Dr. Fusco. “To compensate, it starts collecting natural fluids around the eyes, among other places.” If you do have a couple of Cosmopolitans or glasses of Chardonnay, sleep on two pillows to help drain any puffiness overnight.
• Read the fine print Not all dark-circle treatments are created equal. For discoloration that lies beneath the surface — caused by blue veins showing through — slather on an eye cream containing vitamin K, which pushes unoxygenated blood out of the area and fresh blood in, says Dr. Fusco. Try Vita-K Solution for Dark Circles ($15, drugstores). When the darkness seems more superficial, it’s likely to be the result of excess pigment. Look for lightening ingredients such as kojic acid in your eye cream to fade the spots. Just make sure the product is intended for use around the eyes. One to try: Peter Thomas Roth Power K Eye Rescue ($100, Ulta).
• Sleep on a satin pillowcase It smooths more than just frazzled strands; the slicker surface also softens the look of lines and wrinkles by reducing friction between your face and the case. Try Beautyzzz Natural Silk Pillowcase ($47, beauty.com), which is made from hypoallergenic silk, free of chemicals, pesticides, and dyes.
Originally published on January 22, 2010 in Good Housekeeping
Dec
24
Understanding Skin Aging
Filed Under Beauty Tips, Skincare | Leave a Comment
Tightness, fine lines, itching, and flaking. If you want to avoid these symptoms of dry skin and aging, the time to act is now.
What Makes Skin Dry as We Age?
Fewer natural oils, sun damage, and decreased cell renewal all can lead to dry, rougher skin as we get older, says Sonia Badreshie-Bansal, MD, a dermatologist practicing in California.
Loss of hormones can also lead to drier skin as we age, says Carolyn Jacob, MD, a Chicago dermatologist. “The skin doesn’t produce as much natural moisturizing factor as it used to, and the top layers of skin become dry.”
So what can you do today, to help keep skin supple tomorrow? Here are tips from top dermatologists.
Smooth on the Sunblock to Prevent Dry, Aged Skin
Sun damage is the major cause of unwanted changes to the skin as we age, says the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).
Reflection of the sun’s rays can be as intense in winter as in summer. The damage those UVA and UVB rays cause not only speeds up the skin’s aging process, it can also lead to spider veins, age spots, wrinkles, and melanomas.
To protect your skin every day and all year, use a sunscreen containing a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or greater, suggests Leslie Baumann, MD, director of the Cosmetic Medicine and Research Institute at the University of Miami. Reach for a broad-spectrum sunblock — one that protects against UVA and UVB rays. Be sure to reapply generously and often, at least every two hours you’re outside.
And don’t forget your lips, says the AAD. “Lips get sunburned too, so apply a lip balm that contains sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher.”
Finally, stay out of the sun when it’s at its most intense, which is usually between about 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
To Prevent Dry, Aged Skin, Vitamin A Is Vital
Vitamin A is another weapon in your fight against prematurely aging.
To help keep skin looking its best, “a vitamin A cream is very important,” says Badreshie-Bansal. That’s because creams enhanced with vitamin A can help prevent wrinkles and pigmentation, Badreshie-Bansal says.
Florida dermatologist Andrea Lynn Cambio, MD, FAAD agrees. She considers vitamin A derivatives like retinoids the most important nutrient in maintaining smooth, healthy skin.
Chemically related to vitamin A, retinoids such as retinol, Atralin, Differin, Retin A, and Tazarac slow down collagen breakdown, says Jacob. Collagen, along with elastin, is a fibrous protein vital in keeping skin firm, elastic, and youthful-looking.
“Adding a topical retinoid (over the counter or by prescription) is a great way to undo some sun damage, fine lines and wrinkles, and give a brighter, healthier glow,” Cambio tells WebMD.
You can also give your diet a vitamin A boost by eating foods such as low-fat milk and cheese, eggs, leafy greens, oranges, carrots, and cantaloupe.
To Prevent Dry, Aged Skin, Amp Up the Antioxidants and Healthy Oils
Antioxidants are important to great skin because they slow down — and may prevent — the harm done to your body by free radicals. Free radical damage is one reason behind signs of aging, like wrinkles and dry skin.
Some powerhouse antioxidants that can help skin stay healthy include vitamins C and E, selenium, and coenzyme Q10 (also called CoQ10).
You can find antioxidants in all kinds of good foods, including produce such as tangerines, sweet potatoes, papayas, peppers, citrus fruits, cherries, spinach, olives, and grapes, as well as through light canned tuna in oil, cooked beef, whole wheat pasta, green tea, and sardines.
To replenish your skin’s natural protective oils, be sure to get essential fatty acids like omega-3s and omega-6s in your diet. A few foods packed with essential fatty acids include olive and canola oils, salmon, mackerel, walnuts, and flax. These essential fatty acids encourage smoother skin and may help clear blemishes.
When looking for antioxidants in skin care creams, reach for products with green tea, caffeine, and grape seed extract, suggests Baumann, author of The Skin Type Solution. The AAD suggests adding antioxidant-enriched sunscreens to your arsenal too, because antioxidants also have sun-protection properties.
To Prevent Dry, Aged Skin, Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize
To decrease the look of fine lines and wrinkles, you want to moisturize skin well.
Jacob gives a thumbs up to moisturizers with glycolic acid, but you don’t need to get too stuck on specific types of moisturizers. Many products help trap in moisture and keep skin supple. Petroleum jelly, mineral oil, aloe vera, and glycerin can do the job.
For best results, apply your preferred lotion, cream, or ointment two or three minutes after bathing. First pat skin dry with a towel (don’t rub), then smooth on your moisturizer.
Beware: Moisturizers often contain chemicals meant to help your skin hold water, such as urea, alpha-hydroxy acids, lactic acid, or ammonium lactate, says the AAD. Some of these can cause irritation. Talk to a dermatologist before buying creams with these chemicals if you already have troubled skin.
To Prevent Dry, Aged Skin: Get Smart About How You Clean
The bad news: Long, hot showers should be a thing of the past if you’re eager to discourage dry skin.
The good news: Shorter, warm showers don’t strip your skin of its natural oil barrier like piping hot showers do. Your body can retain more of the moisture your skin needs to look smooth and fresh.
Also, to maintain your skin’s vital oil barrier, wash with non-scented, soap-free cleansers. Lather only the spots that really need cleansing, such as the armpits, groin, face, and back. A simple water-wash is all you usually need for the rest of your body.
Finally, be careful with exfoliants, which can irritate dry skin, says Badreshie-Bansal. Though they can help remove dead skin cells, exfoliants should be used sparingly if your skin is dry or during winter months.When you do exfoliate, Jacob recommends exfoliating moisturizers.
Whole-Body Benefits of Dry Skin Care
Taking good care of your skin has a great side benefit: It usually means you’re taking great care of the rest of your body, too.
Wearing sunscreen and eating a balanced diet rich in natural antioxidants and essential fatty acids will help you stay strong, healthy, and looking good.
Taken from WebMD
Dec
21
Skin Food: Dry Skin Solutions
Filed Under Beauty Tips, Skincare | Leave a Comment
Is the Winter dryness wearing your skin down? Here’s a must watch from WebMD TV! Healthy Skin Food Facts: Combating Dry Skin.
Dec
17
Are Natural Skin Care Products Better?
Filed Under Aesthetic medicine, Beauty Tips, Skincare | 1 Comment
Pomegranates. Green tea. Mushrooms. They taste great, and scientific studies have shown that they may have powerful health benefits as foods. Now, many cosmetics companies are touting these same ingredients in their natural skin care products.
But drinking green tea is one thing, putting it on your skin another. Do these botanically based potions, often labeled “natural,” “green,” or “organic,” live up to the hype?
“The marketing is still ahead of the science for the most part, but there is enough published work to convince me that the antioxidant botanicals will be the next big thing in skin care,” says Richard Baxter, MD, faculty member at the University of Washington School of Medicine and chief medical officer of Calidora Skin Clinics.
Leslie S. Baumann, MD, an expert in the area of cosmetic ingredients, agrees that there is little proof behind most marketing claims for natural skin care products. She is the director of cosmetic dermatology at the Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami, the first university-run cosmetic research center in the United States. If you want to try natural skin care products, Baumann recommends zeroing in on a specific concern and match the ingredient to it. Here are some botanicals she suggests:
- Argan oil, derived from the fruit of a tree that grows in Morocco, has been dubbed “liquid gold.” The vitamin E-rich oil can be found in a Kiehl’s body lotion. Baumann says Argan oil may improve skin ailments such as eczema, psoriasis,wrinkles, and dry skin. She also recommends olive, safflower, walnut, avocado, and evening primrose oils for dry skin.
- Soy can help prevent pigmentation, Baumann says. “Active soy” in Aveeno Positively Radiant and Neutrogena products has been altered in the laboratory for greater effectiveness. Licorice, mulberry, and burberry extracts, along with Vitamin C from citrus fruits — grapefruit, lime, lemon, and orange — can also fade brown spots, Baumann says. Look for products from L’Oreal, La Roche Posay, and Skinceuticals.
- Maitake mushrooms, found in Origins’ Plantidote, may help people with sensitive skin who suffer from rosacea and redness, she says. Chamomile, oatmeal, aloe vera, licorice, and cucumber extracts all have soothing properties; check out Jurlique products. Feverfew, a member of the sunflower family, also has calming properties. It’s an ingredient in Aveeno’s Ultra-Calming line.
- Rhodiola (or rhodeola), known as golden root, is native to the high Himalayas. In a recent study of people with sensitive skin, those treated with rhodiola extract reported improved skin sensation and less skin dryness. Origins’ Youthtopia skin-firming lotion contains extracts.
- CoffeeBerry is harvested from the coffee cherry, the outer, fleshy casing of the coffee bean. It is said to possess antioxidant activity greater than pomegranates, berries, and green teas. In studies sponsored by Stiefel Laboratories, which owns the proprietory name, CoffeeBerry treatment improved the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and pigmentation. Look for the Revaleskin brand.
- Resveratrol, a polyphenol from wine and grape skins, serves as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Animal studies suggest that resveratrol applied to the skin may help protect against harmful UV damage. The Caudalie line contains resveratrol.
- Green tea is rich in antioxidants, especially one that may curb UV skin damage, some studies have shown. Pomegranate products may also help protect against UV skin damage, according to other research.
- White tea is unfermented and uncured; only the young tips are used.Origins has a line called A Perfect World featuring white tea. In an industry-sponsored study, white tea extract was also shown to limit sunlight-incurred damage in human skin.
Keep in mind as you try these natural skin care remedies that many of them may not contain enough of the ingredient to make a difference.
“A drop of an extract in a two-ounce product is most likely not enough. Unfortunately, products containing only such ‘trace amounts’ of active ingredients for marketing purposes are still the majority on the market,” says Thomas Bombeli, MD, a Seattle-based member of the International Society of Dermatology and founder of the Shenui, Inc., a line of cosmeceuticals.
Also remember that labels such as “green” and “natural” are marketing labels that are not regulated by the government. And just because something says it’s natural doesn’t mean it works better than synthetic products. Some natural skin care products can actually aggravate skin conditions, Baumann says.
“Many natural essential oils such as rosemary, bergamot, and peppermint can irritate or inflame sensitive skin,” Baumann says. “Coconut oil, a popular natural ingredient, can cause acne.”
Although many natural skin care products make anti-aging promises, experts say these products are probably better at preventing aging than improving existing signs of aging. If you want to treat the wrinkles you already have, you may have to turn to synthetic products.
“Antioxidants can prevent future wrinkles, but they can’t treat existing wrinkles,” Bauman says. “If you want to restore youthfulness, retinoids and vitamin A products derived from red and orange fruits made in the lab are what you need. They work better than if you just put carrots on your skin.”
Dec
10
Giving Your Best Smile
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Plaque. Since childhood, we’ve been trained to resist that dreaded enemy of teeth. Regular brushing and flossing are sure bets for dental health. What else could you be doing — or avoiding — to keep plaque off your knockout smile?
“Keeping plaque off your teeth isn’t complicated, but consistency is key,” says Richard Price, DMD, spokesman for the American Dental Association. “Good habits make for healthy teeth — for most people, it’s that simple,” Price tells WebMD.
What Is Tooth Plaque?
Plaque is a sticky mix of bacteria and the substances they secrete. Bacteria produce adhesive chemicals called mucopolysaccharides. The bacteria then live in this film on teeth, called a biofilm.
At first, this slimy layer is fragile and easily removed by tooth brushing. “Think of the film on a fish tank wall. It’s easy to wipe off with a washcloth, if you’re vigilant,” says Price.
And if you’re not? The bacteria in tooth plaque are free to release acids that damage tooth enamel. Regular acid assaults on enamel can wear holes in teeth, commonly called cavities.
If left alone, plaque buildup also gradually hardens, creating tartar or calculus on your teeth.
“Tartar is petrified plaque,” Price tells WebMD. “Once it’s there, you need a dentist’s help…tartar can’t be brushed off.” Tartar above the gum line also contributes to gingivitis, or gum disease.
The secrets to avoiding plaque buildup aren’t so secret. You’ve probably been hearing most of them since before you lost your baby teeth. But bad habits have a way of sneaking up on us. Make sure you’re pushing back against plaque by avoiding these five bad habits for tooth health.
Plaque Habit No. 1: Not Brushing Regularly
No one else might notice if you don’t brush your teeth twice a day, every day. But your teeth will.
“Plaque is a little like bees in the summertime,” offers Price. “One or two won’t really bother you, but if you let them build a beehive in the backyard, you’ve got a problem,” he tells WebMD.
Brush your teeth gently twice a day, using a fluoride-containing toothpaste. The exact technique isn’t so important as concentrating to make sure you’re softly brushing all the surfaces of your teeth.
Plaque Habit No. 2: Not Flossing Daily
Brushing doesn’t reach the spaces between teeth, but plaque does. A simple daily flossing between teeth clears away plaque before it can cause damage.
“Flossing also cleans plaque at the gum line, another area that brushing doesn’t reach,” says Price. If left alone, plaque past the gum line can lead to periodontal disease.
If you just can’t stand flossing your teeth, consider using one of the many other ADA-approved products to clean between your teeth daily. They’re available in any supermarket or drugstore; ask your dentist if you’re not sure which one to use.
Plaque Habit No. 3: Avoiding the Dentist
Even if you brush and floss your teeth daily, you’ll miss some plaque. Over time, that plaque hardens into tartar that needs to be removed at your dentist’s office. Yet more than a third of people surveyed haven’t seen their dentist in more than a year.
“Even dentists don’t like to go to the dentist,” jokes Price. But studies show that in general, people who neglect regular dentist visits get more cavities and have a higher chance of losing their teeth.
Once a year teeth cleanings are considered the minimum. Twice a year teeth cleanings may be better for many people. “Most dentists recommend twice a year cleanings or more,” according to Price.
Plaque Habit No. 4: Neglecting Nature’s Toothbrushes
Long before toothbrushes and fluoride toothpaste existed, certain foods played a role in keeping plaque off our teeth.
“Eating crunchy vegetables or fruits with the skin on can scrub off plaque,” Price tells WebMD. Carrots, apples, cucumbers, and many other raw fruits and vegetables are teeth-friendly, despite the sugar they contain.
In addition, eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables and low in processed foods helps protect you from obesity, heart disease, and cancer.
Plaque Habit No. 5: Indulging Your Sweet Tooth
Bacteria love simple carbohydrates like sugar. Eating candy or drinking sugary soft drinks lets sugar stick to our teeth, giving bacteria something to munch on. As the bacteria create a film of plaque, they digest sugar into acid, which damages teeth.
“All sugary candy, and most junk food in general, contribute to plaque formation,” warns Price. “High-sugar foods or drinks that are also soft or sticky are especially problematic. … Sugary soft drinks might be about the worst thing you can put on your teeth,” he tells WebMD.
Avoiding these five bad habits can help you keep plaque in check (and keep your teeth). There are other steps you can consider to prevent plaque, tartar, and cavities, too:
- Sealants. The pits and fissures on molars can be difficult to keep clean in some people, even with good dental care. Dental sealants are a clear plastic coating that covers the tooth surface, barring bacteria and acid from entering. Sealants are safe and effective in blocking plaque and preventing tooth decay.
- Mouth rinse. Some people may benefit from adding a therapeutic mouth rinse to their daily routine. Several ADA-approved mouth rinses with fluoride have been shown to help prevent plaque and tooth decay. No mouth rinse can substitute for brushing and flossing, however.
“No one’s teeth can stay plaque-free 24 hours a day, it’s just not possible,” says Price. But good habits over a lifetime will help you beat back plaque and save your smile.
Taken from WebMD
Dec
7
De-wrinkle Yourself
Filed Under Aesthetic Procedures, Aesthetic medicine, Beauty Tips, Plastic Surgery, Skincare | Leave a Comment
We’ve all heard the clichés: Wrinkles are a roadmap of your life. But many of us would rather not be reminded of the distance we’ve traveled. What can you do? First, understand what causes wrinkles. Then, if you still want to reduce wrinkles, explore your treatment options.
What Causes Wrinkles?
The following factors are the most significant:
Aging
Wrinkles are a by-product of the aging process. With age, skin cells divide more slowly, and the inner layer, called the dermis, begins to thin. The network of elastin (the protein which causes skin to stretch) and collagen fibers (the major structural proteins in the skin), which support the outer layer, loosen and unravel, causing depressions on the surface. With aging, skin also loses its elasticity, is less able to retain moisture, oil-secreting glands are less efficient and the skin is slower to heal. All of these contribute to the development of wrinkles.
Facial Muscle Contractions
Lines between the eyebrows (frown lines) and lines jutting from the corner of the eyes (crows feet) are believed to develop because of small muscle contractions. Smiling, frowning, squinting and other habitual facial expressions cause these wrinkles to become more prominent. Over time, the expressions coupled with gravity contribute to the formation of jowls and drooping eyelids.
Sun Damage
Exposure to ultraviolet radiation (too much sun) can result in premature aging of skin. Premature aging of the skin is called photoaging. The ultraviolet sunrays that cause photoaging damage collagen fibers and cause the excessive production of abnormal elastin. When ultraviolet light damages skin tissue, an enzyme called metalloproteinase is produced. This enzyme creates and reforms collagen. During the process, however, some healthy collagen fibers are damaged, resulting in a disorganized formation of fibers called solar scars. Wrinkles develop when the rebuilding process occurs over and over.
Smoking
Healthy skin perpetually regenerates. While old collagen is broken down and removed new collagen is produced. Researchers have found that smoke causes a marked reduction in the production of new collagen. A lack of new collagen results in the development of wrinkles.
What Are the Treatment Options for Wrinkles?
There are numerous over-the-counter treatment options for wrinkles, including various creams and lotions. Prescription treatments, including the retinoid cream renova, are also an option.
Removing skin layers to reduce wrinkles or irregular depressions is an effective way to regain smoother, more youthful looking skin. Dermabrasion (scraping layers away) and chemical peels (dissolving skin away) are two of the traditional methods used in skin resurfacing. Laser skin resurfacing with an ablative laser (such as an erbium or carbon dioxide laser) is another technique that, like dermabrasion and deeper chemical peels, may require some downtime during the healing process.
Other lasers, known as non-ablative lasers, may also be beneficial in treating wrinkles. These lasers work by heating the dermis and stimulating collagen growth. This process, which leaves the outer layers of skin intact, has no downtime associated with it. However, the results are not as dramatic as the ablative lasers which actually remove the surface layers of skin.
Botox collagen and other injections are the addional techniques available to help minimize wrinkles.
If you are considering treatment for your wrinkles, ask your doctor which procedure is right for you. There is no replacement for your doctor’s professional advice. Each person has his or her own individual needs; similarly, each procedure fulfills its own specific need.
Taken from WebMD, Reviewed by the doctors at The Cleveland Clinic, Department of Dermatology.
Nov
2
Makeup Tips For Aging Skin
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As you age, you experience many things — puberty, pregnancy, menopause, pollution, sunlight, dry winters, humid summers, stress. Your aging skin experiences them too. And even if you take good care of your skin, life takes a toll on it.
But you can turn back the clock, at least a little, with makeup. By skillfully applying makeup, you can hide wrinkles, age spots, and sun damage and also play up your best features. Here are some tips from the professionals: makeup artists.
Hiding Fine Lines and Wrinkles
In trying to conceal fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes, lips, and forehead, many women make the mistake of accentuating them instead by overdoing makeup. Too much makeup settles and cakes into lines, making wrinkles more noticeable.
Prevention begins with a moisturizer. “After you wash your face in the morning, apply moisturizer while the skin is damp, which will plump it up and even it out, helping makeup glide on,” says Billy Lowe, celebrity hairstylist and beauty expert for television shows such as Extreme Makeover and TLC’s 10 Years Younger.
Don’t forget to moisturize around the eyes. “Start with a silicone-based eye serum that will gel to the concealer and prevent it from slipping,” says Lowe. And, he says, “Packing on the makeup to cover lines or dark circles will cause it to crepe and bring out creases.” To avoid a cakey look around the eyes, don’t use heavy concealers.
“Learn your bone structure and features of your face,” advises Bridget Winton, makeup instructor at the Bellus Academy of Beauty & Spa in San Diego. “Focus on your bone structure to lift the face. Give yourself a youthful look by using lighter and darker shades to make hard lines soft and soft lines hard.”
For a sagging chin, for example, work with a foundation that is one or two shades darker than your facial foundation. Cover the darker area with a translucent powder.
How to Brighten Aging Skin
A dull, gray complexion can be a sign of dehydrated skin, but skin also loses its rosy glow as it thins with age. While you work to replenish dry skin with moisturizers, you can also brighten color lost through thinning with lighter makeup.
Use warm colors to brighten the appearance of shallow, dull skin. Experts suggest using a foundation that is a half shade lighter than your skin tone.
To diminish dark circles under the eyes, apply foundation that’s a shade lighter than your facial foundation to the area. Top it with a concealer and then add a loose powder to set the makeup and hide the color difference.
Illuminators and bronzers can also add a sun-kissed glow, but don’t overdo it; a fake tan can add years to your face. Instead, blend the bronzer into your moisturizer or foundation and then apply it evenly to your face. Or use a loose powder just one or two shades darker than your skin tone.
To give skin a dewy look, Winton recommends spritzers and remoisturizing sprays to set makeup and add glisten.
Soften Your Colors
Ruby red may have been your signature lip color since your 20s, but as you mellow with age, so should your color palette. “You don’t want bright, vibrant colors that call attention to the eyes, lips, or cheeks because they will draw attention to damage and not blend with the skin,” says Winton. “You can still stay with the harmony of your hair and eye color, just do it with softer colors.”
Lowe says, “I’m a sucker for soft tones. I use them on everyone. I like neutrals and pastels and find they complement aging skin well.”
Around the eyes, black mascaras and eyeliners are appropriate if your hair color hasn’t grayed. When your hair color fades, so should your mascara; opt for a soft brown or gray.
Eyelashes also tend to lose their volume and thickness over time. A volumizing, defining mascara will plump them up. To make them even fuller, “apply a very fine layer of translucent powder to the lashes in between two coats of mascara,” says makeup artist and former model Jemma Kidd. Or consider having your lashes and brows tinted with semi-permanent color at your local hair salon.
Plump Lips
Thinning lips are another downside of aging skin. But a few tricks can make them look full again.
Choosing the right color for thinning lips is as important as how it is applied. Again, avoid strong colors like red. They can make lips appear even thinner, while peach and beige colors, lip glosses, and tawny liners make them appear fuller and more defined.
Liners can help complete the illusion of fuller lips. Draw just on the outside of the lips and fill in with color, but be careful not to make them appear too rigid. “Most people use the pencil to outline the lips first,” says Lowe. “This creates too much definition in the lining of the lip. Instead, use color first and then line the lip. It gives it a softer line that is still defined.”
Feathery lines also appear around lips as you age. To stop lipstick from bleeding into them, use matte lipsticks and lip liners. Kidd recommends mixing a good quality lip balm with your favorite lip color for a glossier or subtler look.
Prevent Further Skin Damage
Makeup can make a temporary difference in your appearance, but it’s most effective if you start with the best base possible — well-tended skin.
No matter how old you are, your skin still needs moisturizer and protection from the sun.
Makeup artists stress the importance of keeping the skin hydrated and clean, and warding off additional sun damage.
Exfoliate the skin every day, says Lowe: “Pollution builds up on your skin and will prevent moisture from getting into it. Exfoliation removes the build up and speeds up cellular turnover, bringing new, brighter cells to the surface.”
Apply moisturizer and sunscreens as a base each morning, and reapply sunscreen throughout the day. Make a point to wash makeup off every night and repair the day’s damage by applying heavier, nighttime moisturizers.
“You know the saying, ‘an ounce of prevention,’” says Lowe. “Take care of your skin at any age.”
Sep
28
Save Time Without Scrimping On Beauty!
Filed Under Beauty Tips, Skincare | Leave a Comment
Save time on your beauty regime without compromising on yourself! Try these tips from Good Housekeeping Magazine!
1. You Want: Smooth, Even Skin
Skip the heavy foundation. “In summer your face already has a nice dewiness,” says Gretchen Monahan, style expert on TV’s Bravo Channel andRachael Ray Show. To lighten up, blend equal parts face lotion and foundation in the palm of one hand, then press both palms together and apply the mixture like moisturizer. Get even better staying power by combining base one-to-one with water-resistant sunscreen. “The viscosity ensures it won’t slip off,” says Monahan. We like La Roche-Posay Anthelios 60 Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid ($27.50, drugstores), a water-resistant matte formula with broad-spectrum protection.
2. You Want: Melt-Proof Makeup
Opt for feather-light formulations (the less makeup you put on, the less you have to worry about it sliding around). “In steamy weather, you’ll sweat through most makeup, even powders,” says Meredith Baraf, a makeup artist for Victoria’s Secret. Her advice: Switch to tinted moisturizer, or simply disguise any discoloration with a concealer or stick foundation. Try Prescriptives AnyWear Multi-Purpose Makeup Stick SPF 15 ($35, department stores) — it comes with two minis you can keep handy in your purse and desk. To enhance lashes without smudges, use waterproof mascara, or try Clarins Double Fix’ Mascara Waterproofing Seal ($21, department stores), which forms a clear, watertight seal over your favorite brand. If you’re fair or just a low-maintenance gal, lash tints safely darken eyelashes for up to four days, even through showers and swims. (However, they won’t add volume or length.) Try Tarte 4 Day Stay Lash Stain ($18, Sephora). On lips, try a sheer stain, such as CoverGirl Outlast Lipstain ($7.29, drugstores). Dab away excess shine with blotting paper or a tissue. “Face powder can look cakey on sweaty skin,” says Nicky Kinnaird, founder of Space NK beauty shops in the U.S. and England.
3. You Want: To Fake a Tan — Fast
Brush on a believable shade of bronze. “Pick a color within a couple of shades of your skin tone,” says celebrity makeup artist Mally Roncal. If you’re fair, try a tan shade with peach tones like Physicians Formula Bronze Booster Pressed Bronzer in Fair to Light ($15, drugstores), which has vitamins and moisturizers designed to enhance your color. If you’re medium-toned, go for caramels like Victoria’s Secret VS Liquid Bronzing Brush in Light to Medium ($22, Victoria’s Secret), a gel bronzer with a built-in brush. For already-tanned or brown skin, choose a deeper bronze: Lorac Tantalizer Baked Matte Satin Bronzer SPF 15 ($28, Sephora) can be applied wet or dry, depending on the color intensity you’re after. “Use a big, fluffy brush to apply the color around the perimeter of your face, then work it in toward the center,” says Roncal, who recommends adding a touch of blush on cheeks.
4. You Want: A Better Way to Tame Your Frizzy Hair
Silicone serums are the gold standard for reducing frizz, but they can weigh hair down and make it greasy. Living Proof No Frizz ($24; Sephora) claims to prevent humidity from penetrating the hair, via a lightweight, moisture-repelling, friction-reducing molecule (PolyfluoroEster) that was developed by an MIT professor and his team of scientists and hair experts. To see if it works, the Good Housekeeping Research Institute tested it against the leading frizz serum. In the lab, frizz-prone women applied one of six Living Proof products (each is for a different hair type and straightening or curl-defining effect) to half their wet hair and the control product to the other half, then styled as usual. They then spent 20 minutes in a climatology chamber set to 80 degrees and 80 percent relative humidity. The volunteers also used the frizz product at home as their sole styler for one week. The results: In the lab, the Living Proof products tamed frizz better than the control for half the testers, and at least as well for all but one of the rest. Over half the women also said Living Proof prevented frizz and improved the look and feel of their hair more than their current product. The highest marks came from volunteers who wanted to maintain their waves.
5. You Want: Sun-Kissed Strands
Shampoo your way to beachy-blond highlights: John Frieda Sheer Blonde Go Blonder Lightening Shampoo and Conditioner ($9 each, drugstores) both contain lactic acid to gradually brighten natural and color-treated blond strands without ammonia or peroxide, the traditional bleaching agents. You should notice a change after about two weeks of daily use, though you can keep using the products until you reach your desired shade. Two caveats: You’ll see a difference only on hair that’s already in the blond family, and you should skip it if your hair is prone to dryness, because lactic acid can further dehydrate it, according to New York City trichologist Philip Kingsley.
6. You Want: Sandal-Ready Feet
Try this express “spa” pedicure: Shape uneven nails by filing them straight across the tops, then smooth feet with a mixture of salt and lotion or olive oil — or try Barielle 60 Second Mani-Pedi ($25, barielle.com), an exfoliating treatment combining hydrating oils and Dead Sea salts that smells like a day at the beach. Rinse and dry thoroughly (push back cuticles with the towel as you dry). To get out the door faster, use shimmer polish; any mistakes won’t be quite as obvious, and the mica in shimmer adheres better, says CND cofounder Jan Arnold. Try N.Y.C. In a New York Color Minute Quick Dry Nail Polish in Bryant Park ($2, drugstores).Originally published on May 13, 2009 Related content on goodhousekeeping.comGet Ready for Summer Outsmart the Sun See the 5 Best Hairstyles of All Time Get a Virtual Makeover Find Makeup That Does MoreTry this express “spa” pedicure: Shape uneven nails by filing them straight across the tops, then smooth feet with a mixture of salt and lotion or olive oil — or try Barielle 60 Second Mani-Pedi ($25, barielle.com), an exfoliating treatment combining hydrating oils and Dead Sea salts that smells like a day at the beach. Rinse and dry thoroughly (push back cuticles with the towel as you dry). To get out the door faster, use shimmer polish; any mistakes won’t be quite as obvious, and the mica in shimmer adheres better, says CND cofounder Jan Arnold. Try N.Y.C. In a New York Color Minute Quick Dry Nail Polish in Bryant Park ($2, drugstores).
Originally published on May 13, 2009
Aug
17
Making Glasses Work For Your Face Shape
Filed Under Beauty, Beauty Tips, Fashion | Leave a Comment
Many of us wear glasses out of necessity, but did you know that you can make the most out of the design to enhance the shape of your face? Here are some tips on the type of spectacles you can get according to your face shape.
OVAL
The balanced, oval face is considered the ideal shape, and lends versatility and many options in terms of hairstyle, makeup, spectacles and accessories. Most shapes and styles of glasses will fit you, except extreme geometric designs.
SQUARE
You have a wide forehead, a square jaw, and your cheekbones are in line with your jaw. To create a more balanced face shape, look for a lightweight oval or rounded styles, and draw attention to your cheekbones. Avoid square or rectangular shapes which will emphasize the angles of your face.
RECTANGLE
You have a long, narrow face with a squarish chin. You will need to give an illusion of widening and shortening the face, and softening the jawline. Lightweight, wider frames will counteract a narrow face and close set eyes. Avoid angular frames as well which will only serve to accentuate the angles of your face even further.
TRIANGLE
If you have a broad forehead and cheekbones, which taper down to a small chin, you have a triangular face shape. Try not to get frames which extend beyond your temples. Frameless spectacles are an excellent choice, and the arms of the glasses should be lightweight.
CIRCLE
The round face needs to create illusion of angles and vertical lines, so frames that are slightly wider than your face should be your top pick as these will make your face seem smaller. Square or rectangular frames balance a round face, but avoid round shapes and full, frameless lenses.
Jun
17
Bridal Beauty Secrets
Filed Under Beauty Tips, Skincare | 1 Comment
My wedding anniversary is coming up, and I was looking through my old photos. Thinking back, I was like all other brides, wanting to look her best on the biggest day of her life. I was pleased with my makeup and the day went rather smoothly, but now I start thinking back and wished I had known of some beauty secrets, tips and products before my wedding to look naturally radiant even without makeup for my big day! Here’s some things for brides to pamper themselves with before the big day looms!
For a radiant, clear face, start using a face illuminating cream, such as Philosophy’s Hope In A Jar. This award winning face cream is said to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, skin discoloration, rough texture and dehydration. It contains anti-oxidants to stave off aging effects, moisturises, gently exfoliates, and calms irritated skin.
For longer, thicker lashes to define and enlarge your eyes, eyelash stimulators will be useful. For example, Revitalsh was developed by an ophthalmologist for his wife who had lost her lashes to chemotherapy. Use it for at least 4 weeks continuously to see a difference! More on eyelash stimultors here.
Banish dark circles with StriVectin-SD Eye Cream ! This top rated eye cream delivers results. Initially formulated as a stretch mark cream, it quickly demonstrated benefits to the skin, and soon the stretch mark cream was reformulated to deliver the best results to your skin. It helps not only to lighten dark circles, it also diminishes fine lines and wrinkles.
Get kissable lips and a sensuous pout for the big moment of your life! Use FusionBeauty LipFusion XL to get the sexy bee stung look. I also swear by nightly lip balm under a layer of Vaseline to get soft well hydrated lips!
Get your pearly whites ready for your wedding- you’ll be smiling like you never did before! Its best to have it done professionally by a dentist. But if you want to do some teeth whitening by yourself at home, get Crest Whitestrips Premium. It can lighten your teeth by three to five shades. Whiter teeth makes you look healthier, and younger as well instantly!
Do any of you have any other beauty secrets to share for blushing brides to be?
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