Mineral Make-Up Basics

By: Barbara Maynard Huffman

You may have seen infomercials about mineral makeup on television, or you may have passed by a store in the mall that sells them exclusively. Some of the more popular makeup companies have even started to integrate mineral products into their product lines, and we see these in the drugstores and “big box” stores now, too. Mineral makeup seems to be everywhere!

Although it seems to be exploding right now, the mineral makeup revolution actually started back in the 1970s in San Francisco. The basis of the products is that they are made of natural, finely ground products from the earth. There are a myriad of products made from minerals, but the most popular are the loose powder foundations and blushes. These light, finely ground products are buffed into the skin using a big, fluffy makeup brush. Like all cosmetics, there is a wide range of pricing on these items, anywhere from $10 or less to $50 and upwards.

Because they are from the earth, are these mineral products better for your skin? There are varying opinions on this claim. Fans of these items love the light and natural glow that they say they don’t get with traditional makeup. Critics of the products say they are drying and can accentuate wrinkles. Also, an ashy undertone is one complaint heard from users with ethnic skin tones.

Most people give these products a try because they are drawn to the claims that it is better for your skin to use the natural minerals from the earth. Some dermatologists say that the ingredients in these mineral formulations, like mica, zinc oxide and titanium oxide have been used in makeup for decades and have no special benefits to skin at all over traditional foundations and blushes in a mineral formulation makeup.

So you have your fans of the products who will use nothing else but mineral makeup, and you have your other consumers who say the products do not work for them. Is this sounding familiar to you? It seems all types of makeup and skincare has varying opinions on its effectiveness.

The best way to know if these products will be a good match for your skin is to go out and try them for yourself. Be sure to do your homework first! Just because a mineral makeup is made of products from the earth does not mean there are not other ingredients in there that are not natural, and some may even be “bad” for your skin! Take a look at the ingredient list, and then visit the various databases online where you can look up cosmetic ingredients to see what they are derived from. You may be shocked at what you find in your “natural” product!

Your skin is the body’s largest organ, and you only want to put safe and high quality ingredients on it at all times. Like all cosmetic products, mineral makeup is comprised of a variety of ingredients. You want to make sure the mineral makeup you purchase is comprised of ingredients that are non-toxic and good for your skin.

A glamour girl’s smile is one of her greatest assets; which can make the difference in a good shot…and a GREAT shot. Along with all the other secrets the glam and stylish use to stay fabulous, the importance of one’s teeth and smile should never be taken for granted.

Much can be done to keep your pearly-whites polished and bright, and the techniques outlined in the following article, should help you understand your options. Yes…that’s perfect; because a Glam Goddess has got to have options!

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Teeth Whitening : What Works and When to Say No

Author: Smile Care

Whitening works if done for :

• General staining caused by exposure to colouring foods and drinks
• Mild tetracycline staining
• Mild fluorosis (mottling)
• Age related yellowing and greying.

When to say no to Whitening :

• Below16 years of age.
• Pregnant or Lactating women.
• Sensitive teeth or gums, including sensitivity associated to gingival recessions or defective fillings.
• Suffering from Gingivitis, Periodontitis, or Advanced Cavities.
• Anterior Restorations.
• Severe Tetracycline Staining.
• Severe Flurosis.

What is In-Office Bleaching all about ?

Today, there are two primary types of in-office bleaching – light-activated bleaching and non-light activated. Light-activated procedures shade improvement in 60 minutes with the use of a laser or LED-powered light.

Non-Light Activated bleaching systems eliminate the light and use advanced bleaching gels with a variety of procedures.

Advantages : There are various advantages to in-office treatment as opposed to other forms of teeth whitening. Dentist-administered whitening procedures permit higher concentrations of bleach and can assure proper bleach contact with teeth – improving the chances of maximum whitening. In Deep Bleaching especially, a new mouth tray technology actually seals the bleaching agent to the teeth overnight, creating the highest bleach/teeth contact in any available method.

Results : The results of in-office whitening can last up to several years. Usually it lasts for about 3-4 years, although Deep Bleaching has been known to last 5 years. Some people have reported the loss of one shade in about 6 months. However, maintaining the color is easy by using recommended toothpastes and mouthwashes.

In-Office treatments are painless for most, but may cause transient sensitivity post whitening. It would last for 2 – 3 days. This can be taken care off by using a desensitizing toothpaste or mouthwash as prescribed by the dentist.

Home Whitening :

Try the whitening technique of Glamour Model Classic Rivers, of Dallas, Tx : "brushing with baking soda...and rinsing at night with hydrogen peroxide. It doesn't taste good, but it works!"

Home Tray Whitening is tooth whitening in a kit that can be used at home. A custom-fitted tray is created to fit each arch of your mouth. When you are home, you fill the trays with a peroxide bleaching gel and place them over your teeth. Use the gel for recommended time by the dentist.. During this period, dentists check for any sensitivity to the gel.

If the teeth start staining again, re-touch bleach will help restore teeth to a whiter shade.

Whitening Toothpastes :

Over-the-counter teeth whitening toothpastes are the most popular whitening products. The success of any teeth whitening technology lies primarily in the amount of time the teeth are in contact with a bleaching agent – and the concentration of the bleaching agent being used. Since toothpastes contain a very low concentration of bleach and remain on the teeth for mere minutes – or even seconds – they deliver only a small degree of visible change under ideal circumstances.

The companies that manufacture these whitening pastes do not make false claims, and consequently, promise only modest whitening results.

How do whitening toothpastes work ?

Almost all the whitening toothpastes work on the same principle. They use hydrogen peroxide or other whitening agents in very small quantities to gently remove surface stains caused by tea, coffee, wine, etc.

Reader’s Ideas:

• “Crest White Strips!” – Kayla Simpson, Cincinatti, OH
• “Mix baking soda and lemon juice; (then) mix it to make a paste (and) use it as toothpaste.” – A personal family recipe for a reader in Pittsburg, CA

Whitening strips or paint-on applications :

Whitening strips or paint-on applications and are widely available at stores nationwide.

To know more about Dental Care, please visit http://www.smilecareworld.com

About the Author

Smile Care is a chain of dental clinics providing high quality dental care, dental treatment and dental services by specialised health care professionals in Bandra, Kolhapur, Nashik, Vashi, Mumbai, India.http://www.smilecareworld.com

Title Image Credits:
Model: Corissa Furr
Photographer: Lost for Words Photography
Lost For Words Photography on Model Mayhem: Lost For Words

Kelly Bentzel of Arlington, TX

She says it “Also keeps you from getting clogged pores from lip liner/lipstick.”

Shannon Emary recommends, “Aquafina lip balm” because …”it’s (inexpensive) and soo good.”

In addition to the ones our reader’s mentioned, there are other lip balms on the market today with ingredients to add shine, flavor, fragrance and color…but the most important attribute for a good lip balm is its ability to soften the lips and keep them soft throughout the day.

GlamModelz Magazine’s Beauty Editor explores another option – Making your own lip balm..and add the ingredients that appeal to you for a more “personal” feel to your product. Isn’t that tres Chic!?!

Lip Balm Recipe – Make Your Own Natural Lip Balm Using Three Simple Ingredients

Author:

Kyley Zimmerman

Making your own natural lip balm is easier than you might think. It’s also better for your budget than buying commercial products – and you get the benefit of knowing exactly what you’re putting on your mouth. Add the healing powers of aromatherapy essential oils and you have a winner!

Many commercial lip balms are made with petroleum derivatives. Petroleum products have been banned from cosmetic use in many countries because they contain impurities that can cause cancer and other health problems.

Additionally, commercial lip balms and lotions are often designed so that once the initial moisturizing effect has worn off, they actually dry out your skin (or lips) so you have to keep applying the product (which makes you buy more – good for sales.)

On the other hand, all-natural vegetable-based skin and lip products provide real, healthy hydration which won’t poison you or dry out your skin. You can use a variety of oils and butters to make your own lip balm, and you can even scent them with essential oils for a little extra pizzaz (not to mention strengthening their healing powers!)

Here’s a very basic three ingredient lip balm recipe to get you started.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil or sweet almond oil
• 1 tablespoon grated beeswax (you can use a pure beeswax candle for this)
• 1 Vitamin E capsule (400 IU)

Instructions:

1. Place the oil and wax in a heatproof cup (such as a heavy glass measuring cup.) Poke a hole in the Vitamin E capsule and squeeze its liquid into the oil and wax mixture.
2. Place the heatproof cup in a pot of water on the stove and heat on low just until the wax melts. Remove immediately from heat.
3. Pour the liquid into a small screw-cap jar or lip balm jar or tube. Allow to cool (it will solidify) before using.

Easy!

Next, try these variations to jazz it up a little…

Lip Balm Base:

• Substitute 1 tablespoon shea butter for 1 tablespoon of the beeswax.
• Use unrefined coconut oil instead of olive oil.
• Add 1/2 teaspoon vegetable glycerin for extra moisture.

Aromatherapy Essential Oils:

• Add 2 drops Lavender essential oil to soothe irritation.
• Try 2 drops Peppermint essential oil for a natural tingly freshness.
• Add 2 drops of Vanilla essential oil for a yummy, sweet scent.

A note about essential oils: Be careful which oils you use in lip balms and aromatherapy skincare products – some of them can irritate the skin (such as cinnamon and thyme.) Do your research before experimenting!

See how easy it is? With just a few ingredients and few minutes time, you can make your own fabulous natural lip balms. Make them as stocking stuffers or for loot bags at kids\’ parties. Make them for your friends and family. Make them to sell… The possibilities are endless. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to treat, prevent, diagnose, or cure any condition.

About the Author

Kyley Zimmerman works from home and focuses on making her family life happy, healthy and eco-friendly. She shares her love of making natural bath, body and home products at http://www.easy-aromatherapy-recipes.com/ Check it out!

Fillers are very common and popular for correcting scars, wrinkles, creases and other contour problems. In the following video, Dr. Schultz explains the advantages and disadvantages of using fillers so you can begin to consider whether fillers are right for you.

A Day Moisturizer For Soft, Luminous and Healthy Skin

Author: Rachel Hammond

Are you frustrated by all the adverts for a day moisturizer by the latest celebrities, only to buy the cream and find it doesn’t live up to expectations? Discover what to look for to find the ones that really will help to leave your skin younger looking and much healthier.

What To Avoid

Check the labels and you will find that the most common ingredients in a day moisturizer are:

• Parabens
• Fragrances
• Mineral Oil
• Sunscreens

These should be avoided as they can harm your skin and are only used because they are cheap. They have been linked to cancer, rashes and allergic reactions.

All the ingredients in the best creams should be safe enough to eat as they enter your bloodstream and can travel around and cause harm anywhere in your body.

The popularity of using a sunscreen (SPF factor) is quite alarming and unnecessary. It is thought to have led to a large increase in vitamin D deficiencies and these tend to contain harmful chemicals that can dry out and harm your skin with long term use.

What To Look For

• Natural Plant Extracts
• Powerful Antioxidants
• Essential Nutrients
• Special Enzymes
• Natural Oils

These ingredients should be devoid of any harmful chemicals and present in large quantities to provide the maximum benefits.

How do these ingredients help?

These combine to protect your skin from everyday dirt and grime while locking in the moisture naturally. This helps you achieve the optimal moisture and pH balance for your skin.

Natural extracts should also be able to increase your collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acids levels. This results in younger looking skin as they help to increase the elasticity and firmness that is lost with age, putting the snap back into your skin.

Antioxidants are vital for your overall health and that of your skin. By neutralizing the free radicals they ensure your skin is healthy and prevent the signs of aging from creeping in.

The result is softer, smoother and younger looking skin and if you want to enhance this even more, a quality night cream is the perfect complement. This ensures you have round the clock protection and nourishment, especially as your skin heals the most between midnight and 4am.

So there you have it, once you know what to look for and what to avoid, you can confidently select the best day moisturizer possible and restore your youthful appearance.

To discover more about the potent natural substances that help to keep your skin radiant and healthy, visit my website below.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/skin-care-articles/a-day-moisturizer-for-soft-luminous-and-healthy-skin-3723682.html

About the Author

Experience the best natural skin creams available today.

Rachel Hammond is a dedicated researcher of high quality natural skin care. Take a moment to visit her site now at www.best-health-and-beauty.com and discover the very latest and effective anti-aging skin care she recommends after extensive research.

Image Credits:
Photographer – Lost for Words Photography
Model – Heather Cullodena

I ran in to a childhood friend the other day and I instantly noticed how short and damaged her hair was. This was the first thing I noticed because when I met her as a little girl; I was amazed with how long and beautiful her hair was, especially since her skin was as dark as mines. When I was younger, it was rare to see a “full” Black child with as much hair as she had. I was in awe with how long her braids were without having to add extensions like the majority of the little girls did, including me.

As I finished up my conversation with her, I thought about all of the little girls that I’ve known over my lifetime that started out with a lot of hair and either lost it due to damage and breakage, or their hair seemed to just stop growing all together. My own daughter was born with very little hair and then lost the little she had to eczema. She was left with a couple of strands of hair in the very top of her head, but other than that she was as bald as her bottom everywhere else.

During this time I was still looking for hair care products that were gentle enough for her delicate scalp yet effective enough to manage and strengthen my relaxed hair. I had noticed that my friend’s daughter’s hair seemed to be pretty thick and growing steadily, so I asked her what she was using. She gave me the name of a product and of course I rushed out to the nearest beauty supply store to purchase it. When I got to the store I was disappointed with how small the jar was and how expensive it was, but even more disappointed when I read the ingredients; it was full of everything I was told not to use, so of course I didn’t purchase it, so I was back to square one.

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After searching tirelessly, I decided to formulate my own hair care products made of all the healthy ingredients I had read about. The natural ingredients did the trick of not only growing her hair, but completely ridding her of eczema and fixing my hair problems as well. Soon, not only did her hair begin to grow; it began to thicken up and past the other little girl’s hair by double the length; then triple. Within only two years, my daughter’s hair had reached the middle of her back while the other little girl’s hair seemed to remain the exact same length. After conducting a few surveys and further research, I concluded that overtime the mineral oil, petrolatum, paraffin and all of the other ingredients really does gradually stunt hair growth.

In my hair care workshops, I tell this story and each time I would have someone comment that when they were younger they used the “grease” products and they had long hair or that for years their grandmother pressed their hair using these products and they never experienced problems. (Of course just about every one of them were at the workshop because they were having issues growing their hair; so just by that my findings were somewhat confirmed) I would point out to them that maybe they didn’t know their growth was stunted because they had never experienced the full growing potential that using natural products could give them; maybe they had accepted that ten inches of hair was as long as their hair would grow; not knowing they were depriving themselves of fifteen inches, which is exactly what I personally realized once I stopped using products that contained these ingredients. Last year I cut eleven inches of hair off; leaving myself with about three inches of hair, when before I didn’t even know I could grow eleven inches, let alone cut that much off and still have some left.

So, give your hair an opportunity to reach its fullest potential. For six months try using natural products or ingredients; even if you can’t use 100% natural ingredients; at the very least make sure your shampoo doesn’t contain sodium lauryl sulfate and/or sodium laureth sulfate and your moisturizer is void of mineral oil, paraffin gel, petrolatum, and propylene glycol. Just avoiding these ingredients could make a difference as they have been established to cause drying, breakage and stunted hair growth.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eddie_Simpson

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There are over 120 different hair extension shades, different lengths, different density, European straight, straight, silky straight, yaki, jerry curls, deep waves and so the list goes on.

How do you know the difference between Indian and Chinese hair, Russian hair or brands such as Cinderella, Great lengths or Afro?

There are claims of real remy hair, which is often spelt in different ways, virgin hair, and hair just like human and super synthetic hair!

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Hair you can clip in, braid in, stitch in, glue in, attach, hook or just simply put on like a cap!

Then you have ponytails, front lace wigs, full lace wigs and wigs. Women’s toupee, men’s toupee and special hair pieces to disguise bald patches.

Unless you have used a supplier before, or you have had, your hair extensions fitted professionally or by a friend. It is certainly challenging when you venture out into the world of online hair extension shopping with very little experience.

So what should be the guidelines? Moreover, are there any regulations out there to protect you?

Well the answer to that is NO! The supplier might not be protected from the manufacturer in terms of quality, content and descriptions, and the end user could suffer the same fate apart for the normal acts that protect consumers.

So how do you minimise the risk of wasting lots of money when shopping online for hair? The first place to start from is know what you want to achieve. If you want to achieve short term length and volume, a style that can be added or taken off any time, then you could look for temporary systems such as pony tails, clip-on’s or wigs.

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If you are looking for semi permanent fitting that do not use glues or you are visiting a hot country on holiday then perhaps you should consider wefted hair, which is often applied in as a full head weave or integrated.

If you are looking for a solution that will cover up temporary hair loss or thinning hair this could be approached in a variety of ways. I would suggest you go to an expert for advice because just purchasing hair from the internet and applying it to sensitive areas could do more damage than good.

If you want a high fashion look, smooth, flat and free flowing then specialist applications using wefts or bulk hair would be an option. Other tools such as hot or cold bonds, micro rings or hair loop systems would be used to attach the hair.

Colour matching could also be an issue. Viewing colour charts on the internet only gives a sample view that can often be distorted from loading the image up. If your hair has been coloured then the colour matching might be a little more complicated and a technician would need to assist in the colour match procedure, which might involve more than two shades.

When you visit YouTube, there are many candidates who have opted to upload videos on how to do it yourself. This can be very appealing if finances are an issue. However, because hair extensions have become so popular, this has help to drive down the application prices so it is worth shopping around for a hair extension technician that is qualified and can show you some of their work.

For more information on topic such as face shape, lace wigs and the pros and cons of hair extensions visit our website. If you want some general advice on what to shop for, then you can send us an email at the link ‘Ask the experts’ from our webstie.

Diane Shawe is a leading celebrity hair extension technician and trainer. With over 10 years experience in this field she trains students from all over Europe and the UK. Her training school offers over 14 different hair extension techniques.

Diane has also published the first comprehensive ebook titled “What they don’t tell you about getting started in the hair extension business” Visit http://www.ukacademyofbeauty.com for more information.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Diane_Shawe

Drop your attention down equal in distance to your height and consider two of the most mobile, supportive and loyal members of your body – Your Feet. In the summer, feet often get the most attention they’ve had in months, especially for women, but think of those friends that carry us around wherever we choose to walk, and then consider what many of us silently carry around beneath our socks and shoes. Many of us are embarrassed by them; by they way they look, feel, or smell, and most of us forget to thank them by taking care of them.

Have you considered them lately, or, like most of us, are they often forgotten and neglected unless for some reason they start to itch, burn, ache or otherwise begin to irritate us? How about those extra pounds they’ve adjusted to carrying without complaint over the decades? And those shoes we insist upon putting them in! Is it any wonder why they yell back at us with pain? And how about those toenails; are they true ingrowns or compacted debris caught up underneath the corners of them? Until we feel them, we don’t think about them, do we? And if we injure them, can we really get close enough to them to see what might be wrong? Do we need a little help to give these puppies a little TLC? If the answers to the above questions are mostly YES, we are in need a therapeutic pedicurist!

Did you know that a trained therapeutic pedicurist can help you avoid ingrown toenail surgery? Many people are misinformed about how the toenails need to be trimmed, and that the space between the nail and the nail bed, especially in the corners, needs to be carefully cleaned of the little collection of compacted skin cells and other debris removed with each trimming, every two to four weeks. If you don’t know how to do this, you need a monthly therapeutic pedicurist.

Did you also know that the skin only found on the feet and the hands has an extra layer of cells that are designed to thicken when subjected to pressure or friction? It is this layer that often interferes with the sides of the toes, forming a hard layer over the corner of the nail, so when the nail grows, it collides with this thickened skin and causes pain. This problem can be corrected by a therapeutic pedicurist.

Did you know that your shoes can be causing many of your foot problems? Ill-fitting shoes can cause the pressure and friction that causes the skin to thicken and callus, leading to the painful ailments mentioned above. Few are the customer-service oriented shoe stores that employ trained shoe-fitters, but they are still around. A proper style and fit for comfort, wearing your correct size and width and materials that allow for proper circulation and ventilation to your feet can be an investment you almost can’t afford not to make if you work standing on your feet or if your dogs are barkin’ atcha.

Did you know that most smelly feet can be corrected? Dark + Wet + Warm. This combination makes for a fertile playground for bacteria and fungus spores. Add dead skin cells that aren’t properly exfoliated, perspiration and dirt collected on the feet for bacteria and fungus to thrive upon: and you’ve got odor as a result of the byproducts of happy and fed bacteria which are reproducing by the minute. The feet themselves don’t smell, and this rare condition is called bromhydrosis, which is diagnosed by an MD. Whether or not you have been diagnosed with a condition such as this for your feet, proper foot hygiene and your monthly therapeutic pedicure can help correct this condition.

Fungus under the toenails… Do you have problems with yeast infections or jock itch as well? How about those towels and washcloths in the bathroom; are they sour smelling and the only thing you can do to make them smell better is to use fabric softener in the dryer? These can be related and coinciding problems, and if you treat one area, you will need to treat everything else to make it go away and to prevent recurrence. Remember the ‘Dark + Wet + Warm + Add Food’ rule to help keep your fungus and bacteria growing into a large, happy family? Washcloths and towels exfoliate skin cells and remove dirt from the body. These are not removed with a basic ‘rinse the soap out and throw the wet thing into the corner on the floor for a day or two’ method, as the soap used often contains fatty acids that contribute to the problem and that poorly dried cast-off sits in that dark, warm, moist place and grows your magic garden! And if you use fabric softener, even more fatty acid nutrients that feed and fertilize! Mildew spores (the fungus that is causing the sour odor) and bacteria can then migrate into the flooring, sheetrock and behind the tub enclosure to ‘infect’ even more hapless victims!

To help nail this problem, first, treat your laundry (including socks) with a few tablespoons of chlorine bleach stirred into the water before adding the load of towels. Make sure they get at least 10 minutes of agitation to kill mildew spores and bacteria. Double rinse. Do NOT add fabric softener to towels and washcloths, but using those rubber dryer balls really does work to help eliminate static and they ‘beat’ softness into the fabric naturally.

FYI- Did you know that using fabric softener in your towels actually LESSENS the absorbency of your fav Turkish? Using a little more rubbing to get completely dried off? It’s not the towel, it’s the coating of the fabric softener on the outside of the cotton fibers that prevents the fabric from wicking up the water…. Now about those socks: SAME THING GOES! If you can eliminate two of the equation of ‘Dark + Wet + Warm + Add Food’ rule, you will slow down the reproduction of those microbial invaders that are causing all of the problems! Use white, absorbent cotton socks, (cleaned after every wearing in that mild chlorine bleach or enzymatic detergent solution) inside your work shoes/boots if possible. If not, high-quality leather shoes and removable insoles that can be laundered are a must for proper ventilation and hygiene for the feet.

Feet need to be cleaned daily with a fresh washcloth to exfoliate the dead skin cells and perspiration and exposed to the air to dry. The best time for this is either right after work (yeah, put ‘em up for a spell) or just before bedtime. Wear comfy slippers that have good ventilation (cotton terrycloth or flannel inside) around the house to keep them clean and protected.

I recently attended a meeting for the WA Electrologists Association and one of our guest speakers was a Dermatologist and she gave a tip that I want to pass onto you all because it is a great FYI:

IF for any reason you experience any tenderness or redness around the toenails after a pedicure (manicure, too!), there is something you can do right away to avoid it getting worse: soak your foot in this solution: 1/4 c. apple cider vinegar to 1 quart very warm water (not hot, though) proportionately. The vinegar is effective against the bacteria that can cause inflammation. After about 10 mins., dry the toes with a clean paper towel and apply a triple-antibiotic cream/ointment to the affected area and cover with a bandage. Do this at least once a day, more often if it gets soiled, until it returns to normal. If it doesn’t improve, please see your Dr.

Our feet need the tender loving care of a therapeutic pedicurist to help them take us through to the end of our journey here on earth. Choose a pedicurist that uses sterilized implements (they will be stored in and taken out of paper or plastic wrappers in which they were sterilized in) and single-use, disposable containers, wraps, paraffin booties, wipes, scrubbers etc., that come into contact with the skin and cannot be properly decontaminated between clients. If you have a chronic problem with fungus on the feet, avoid common use pedicure chairs with the water tub or foot baths to soak in. Watch your pedicurist clean up after and set up before each client; are they really decontaminating that soak tub? If what is being used to clean with isn’t chlorine bleach or ‘hospital grade’ on the label, it isn’t effective against many microbes that cause infections. For those slow-healing, circulation-impaired feet, you need special care and caution taken in your professional treatment. Let’s raise the bar for quality care for your feet, those loyal friends!

SPIDER VEIN TREATMENT

My Skincare treatment focus this issue is in explaining the treatment for facial spider veins.

Spider Veins are very small capillaries which have become permanently dilated and have surfaced to the epidermis. These start to appear sometime in the late 30′s or early 40′s. There can be a variety of causes for them among them:

-Long-term exposure to quick changes or extremes in temperature, such as going inside from frigid winter weather or participating in winter sports with the face exposed.

-Trauma to the skin, such as friction, pressure or other injury.

-Heat applied to the facial skin, such as hot water in showers or steam used on the face over a period of time.

-Sinusitis or allergies which have resulted in a history of constant nose and/or upper lip rubbing.

-Possible early sign of Rosacea, a skin and vascular disorder, most likely inherited from a parent.

Many of my clients have expressed concern about these and the good news is this: most are treatable! A tiny probe no larger than a hair is placed on the skin at the site of the capillary. Then, a split-second amount of high-frequency micro-current is applied with the Apilus SX500, which causes the blood cells within the capillary to coagulate or clot. Immediately the capillary disappears, and within a few days of the treatment, the skin shows no signs of capillaries or treatment.

Model #1:

Spider Veins on left cheek and nostril, before treatment:

Spider veins on left cheek, immediately after treatment:

Model #2:

Spider veins, right cheek before treatment

Spider veins, right cheek, after treatment

If these persistent and annoying capillaries cause your appearance to look ruddy and constantly flushed, I’d be happy to consult with you. Treatment cost is $3 per minute and an estimate of total treatment time (usually within the time frame of one hour, completed in several visits) is given with the consultation. Sorry, no leg veins; only minute surface facial veins are within my scope of practice. This treatment is ideal for both men and women.

]]> http://glammodelz.com/glam/glamwellness/glambeauty-focus-treatment-for-facial-spider-veins/feed 0 http://glammodelz.com/glam/glamwellness/glam-esthetics/comedogenicity-aka-pore-clogging http://glammodelz.com/glam/glamwellness/glam-esthetics/comedogenicity-aka-pore-clogging#comments Sat, 17 Jan 2009 15:19:37 +0000 Linda Cowin http://californialansystems.com/glammodelz/glam/?p=885

“Comedo, or comedone” are two clinical names for what we call a “blackhead” which is a form of acne. The word ‘comedo’ is derived from the Latin which means ‘glutton.’ Interestingly enough, it hasn’t been explained exactly why this word came to mean ‘blackhead,’ but if one thinks about it, it makes sense. ‘Blackheads’ are a hardened plug of sebum which is one of the fats the body produces to lubricate the hair follicle and is believed to help form the skin’s protective ‘acid mantle” or protective barrier, of the skin. This oil is secreted by the sebaceous glands (oil glands) just underneath the epidermis, or outer layer, of the skin. I like to think that the root meaning of ‘glutton’ comes into play when two things happen within that hair follicle: First, when the sebum secreted fills the follicle up, it can form a fatty, gummy substance which collects dead skin cells and other debris. This then starts to oxidize, turning it dark in color. This plug or blackhead is usually barrel-shaped and over time it can enlarge, harden and get so deep within the stretching follicle that it is almost impossible to remove by a novice without obvious injury to the skin and can potentially leave a permanent large ‘pore’ opening or acne scar.

Comedones can be open or closed. Open comedones are what we see as ‘blackheads’ with the top part of that plug exposed to the air and can be seen at the opening of the follicle or ‘pore.’ Closed comedones are called ‘milia;’ these are small white bumps, sometime like grains of sand, under the skin. These should not be confused with a pustule caused by acne.

The second play on this word ‘glutton’ is that there are also bacteria living within the hair follicle; and under the right circumstances, some of these little guys are the ones which cause the skin to produce inflammatory acne lesions. One group that produces acne is called Propionibacterium acnes or p. acnes; when the air is cut off from the inside of the follicle, these critters feast on the growing plug of sebum and they reproduce themselves. The waste by-product of these growing bacteria colonies contains fatty acids which irritate the skin, and in turn, this irritation signals the body to go to battle against and to expel the foreign matter and produce a “pustule.”

A pustule is a white ‘blister’ surrounded by a thin, red ring of inflammation. The pus on this classic ZIT is a combination of the dead p.acnes bacteria, fallen soldiers of our immune system’s mast cells, and the matter which the little follicle had once contained, including the hardened sebum plug. At this stage, the body has done its job of fighting off the small and local bacterial infection by bringing it to the surface and encapsulating it. Often it begins to itch at this point, and the natural inclination is to scratch, causing it to open up and drain. This must be properly cleansed with an antibacterial cleanser for acne and allowed to heal without scratching or picking, which can cause scarring. If it doesn’t heal within 4-5 days, produces more pus and/or minor inflammation in the area, there will most likely be some of that original comedone within the lesion that must be removed for proper healing to take place.

Comedogenicity is the “beginning of comedones.” Why do some people get blackheads and others don’t? Why is it that sometimes when a different product is used that it causes breakouts? Several things need to be considered with comedogenicity. Obviously the first place to start is the gene pool. Families can inherit a trait for acne. But what about those who never had one pimple when they were teenagers and then break out when they or older? Or what about the time there was a switch in makeup or other skin care product that caused anguish and weeks and weeks of pimple lesions? Around us are ads and labels which claim the phrase: “Non-comedogenic.” What does this all mean?

There are combinations of factors involved in comedogenicity. Comedogenic is the clinical term for anything that can cause the pores to clog. In order for this to happen, there needs to be a combination of several things:

• A person’s skin may be oily (but not necessarily so), lacking in proper exfoliation, has overgrowth of bacteria

• Skin has a tendency to clog or has inherited the trait for acne

• Ingredients in products which have properties that can cause the follicle to fill and clog, and

• The amount of time the comedogenic ingredient(s) remain on the skin where the acne occurs affects the degree of comedogenicity

Red D&C Dyes

Red D&C Dyes additional culprits for comedogenicity. Guess where these are most likely to be found? Blushers and Bronzers! How about those acne scars or little bumps under your skin where you’ve applied these for years?

Not ALL finished products necessarily cause comedones, but this is the first place anybody affected by this can check and correct by the process of elimination.

Here are some things you can do to benefit and improve your skin and its care:

• Examine the labels of ingredients in anything that goes onto your facial skin.

• Do a little online research and compare theories and ingredient charts concerning comedogenicity.

• Avoid fabric softeners on your pillowcases and washcloths/towels.

GlamModelz Esthetician, Linda Cowin and her daughters at the Touch of Excellence Salon

• Remove the offenders from your skin care regime but if this cannot be completely avoided, ensure that ALL makeup is completely cleansed off of the face before bedtime and follow with an acne treatment if necessary, recommended by your Skin Care Professional.

• Visit your Esthetician for advice, professional extractions of comedones and milia, acne treatments and new ingredient technology in professional products they offer. Proper and professional home care and professional treatments work in tandem to produce optimal results for your skin’s health.

• Check in with your skin care professional if you have any questions while the situation resolves and the skin heals, or if there are any new situations that may arise. Professional care can even potentially reduce the occurrence and appearance of scars produced by acne.

• Your Esthetician is your first line of defense; they will be able to refer you to a physician should treatment be needed for certain conditions which may fall beyond the skin care professional’s scope of practice in your state.

Not all Estheticians are equal in their skill or knowledge. Look in your area for your NCEA Certified Skin Care Professional. You will find more details and a list by state at www.ncea.tv

Standing in front of a magnifying mirror in good light and with your ring finger placed on your cheekbone, gently lift up toward the outside of your eye. Now place it at the corner of your mouth and lift up gently. Does the skin above and around your finger remind you of the crêpe-paper birthday streamers you’ve used for decorating for the party? This is a simple skin test that reveals what your body is trying to tell you: If you see the minute wrinkles, you just might be dehydrated.

Dehydration is a lack of water, not a lack of oil when it comes to the skin. Oily skin can be dehydrated and skin lacking in oil can be dewy and plump with water and vice versa. A lack of water not only affects your body functioning properly, but it can also contribute to how you feel and how you look, even how we feel about how we look. Have you ever felt like you were hungry even after eating? Or that you “need” or “crave” something?

Do you get annoying headaches during the day that come and go?

Do you suffer from midnight hunger or do you get drowsy during the afternoon just when you need to function at your best? Does your skin look ‘flat’ and lifeless? These can all be your body’s signs of dehydration.

There has been a lot of discussion on how much water one needs per day. The best way to find out is to determine what you are feeling and experiment with what happens within 20 minutes of drinking water and gradually adding a few ounces every hour until you sense a change in what’s happening to you, in your sense of self-awareness, how you feel and how your body responds. Make a note of how many ounces it may take to feel better. That headache goes away. You don’t feel that knot in your stomach. Your joints feel lubricated. Your skin glows.

In one case study done over a period of three years with 10-year-olds at a four-day outdoor education camp away from home, by day three, at least 10% of the children were going to the camp nurse complaining of having headaches and being “homesick,” inconsolable, wanting to call a parent to pick them up. After an understanding hug, a tissue for the tears and a 12-oz. bottle of Gator-Ade diluted with water, a 10-oz. cup of diluted punch or a 12-oz bottle of filtered water, they were allowed to rest on a soft couch. Within 10 and up to 20 minutes, the children recovered from their dehydration and went back to rejoin their groups. The reason for the dehydration: the mineral-rich water from the tap “tasted like rotten eggs” and the kids avoided it.

Fruity punch and fresh fruits and water-rich veggies were then offered frequently as snacks during each day in following years and the “homesickness” dropped to a mere 1-2 per cent from that point on.

In another case study, a woman in her early 20’s came in for a lower leg wax. She drank coffee, tea and soda-pop all day long, but never water. The skin on her legs had not been exposed to the sun and the hair was about 3/16 of an inch long. She was extremely uncomfortable with the procedure and had to muffle her complaints into a pillow. She insisted on finishing. After the waxing, her legs were not smooth as one would expect. They were covered with stubble, now too short to remove. The reason: dehydration. The skin, being dehydrated, wasn’t soft and pliable to allow the large bulbs of the hair underneath the skin to pass through easily. And the hairs on her lower legs, a large percentage of them being in the telogen, or “resting” phase of hair growth, each having a large, white and compacted ‘ball’ of dehydrated and keratinized hair cells, were breaking off just under the surface of the unyielding skin. That is why she ended up with stubble. We discussed this and she was asked to help with a hydration experiment. Even though she hated to drink plain water, she agreed to try something before her next appointment.

Six weeks later, she returned for a leg wax. She informed us that she had been drinking flavored bottled water since her last appointment, and had gradually increased her intake to at least 48 ounces per day. The wax went on and came off incredibly easy, and she was able to relax almost to the point of resting during the procedure, not complaining once. Afterwards the skin was smooth, with a very small percentage of hairs that had broken off and which could be removed easily with a second pass of ‘spot waxing.’ We couldn’t believe it was the same person in the same skin!

In another incredible instance, a young woman not even thirty years old came in for a facial. She was complaining of all the wrinkles and fine lines around her mouth and eyes. She didn’t smoke and was not yet showing signs of sun damage at her age. Her daily water intake was 12 oz. if she remembered to drink it along with coffee, tea and the occasional cocktail. After the ‘dehydration test’ revealed the ‘crêpey’ skin, she agreed to a hydration facial.

She was amazed at the results which revealed how just adding water and water-attracting ingredients topically to her skin during her facial had improved her appearance, and she committed to gradually adding 8 oz. of water to her daily water intake per week over the next month, working up to a daily goal of 2 quarts. She was advised to continue with the same skin care routine she always used, not changing that for our experiment. When she returned in two weeks, she wasn’t the same person. Her skin had a dewy glow, the wrinkles and fine lines had disappeared, and she remarked how good her body felt and that the afternoon headaches she’d suffered had waned. She was amazed that she noticed the change after drinking only 40 oz. of water per day, still short of her 2-quart goal.

A few anti-aging tips:

• Alcohol and caffeine can both cause the body to lose internal water. Try drinking water along with the cocktails, wine and coffee; your body will thank you. An added plus: water is amazing for avoiding hangovers!

• Take a bottle of water to bed with you and if you wake up hungry, drink a few sips and rest; most likely your body woke up needing water, not food.

• During the day, sip, don’t guzzle, as with more frequent, smaller amounts the body can use it rather than send it straight to the kidneys and bladder.

• If you feel ‘fuzzy-brained’ at 3pm, get up for a water break at work.

• If you see those wrinkles and fine lines on your face and you are afraid of looking older, drink your daily dose of quality H20 and watch the transformation!

By Linda G. Cowin, NCEA Certified Skin Care Professional

Instructor of Electrology, Esthetics, Cosmetology and Manicuring