Posted by admin on January 27, 2009 under AHA, nails | 
Are they Nail Worthy for both Spring Plantings and Parties?
Brittle nails affect over 20 percent of the women in the U.S.
It too often seems that the prettiest, healthiest nails accent the hands of others – rarely our own. How do they prevent the inevitable breaking, chipping and splitting?
Fingernails that remain cracked, broken, and peeling at the tips – catching and tearing more easily on panty hose and those favorite sweaters – are nails starved for health.
This is an ongoing battle for many but there are some things that can be done to improve the odds of a long, lovely set of nails.
Brittle nails affect over 20 percent of the women in the U.S. While the cause of brittle nails is unknown, it is thought that a loss of water content or moisture in the nails plays a major role. And the dry air of the winter months may aggravate this condition.
Brittle nails are also more common in those who frequently wash their hands and use soaps and detergents – as well as those with under active thyroids.
Also, frequently removing nail polish with nail polish remover strips away the moisture in the nails. However, leaving the nail polish on the nails slows the loss of moisture.
To improve the nails, keep hands away from water, minimize exposure of the nails to soaps and detergents, and wear gloves when washing dishes or gardening. Moisturize the cuticles with a moisturizer that contains alpha hydroxyl acids (AHA). Avoid acrylic nails and frequent use of nail polish removes. A vitamin called biotin can also be taken to make the nails grow faster.
Posted by admin on January 20, 2009 under Uncategorized |
Food Choices Affect Health and Well Being … Inside and Out
For those starting a weight loss and exercise plan, certain healthy food choices that have the added benefit of improving skin as well
As resolutions in the new year have individuals reassessing their diet and exercise plan, we thought it would be a good time to introduce certain healthy food choices that have the added benefit of improving skin as well.
Soy
While soy is commonly used as a substitute for milk, popularized by soymilk in a morning cup of Starbuck’s latte, ISoy has soybean trupsin inhibitor (STI), which can lighten the skin. STI prevents melanin uptake in the skin. Studies are finding that the larger proteins in soy offer a moisturizing effect, while the smaller proteins such as soybean trypsin inhibitor and Bowman-Birk inhibitor may work to inhibit skin pigmentation.
And fermented soy found in tofu and roasted soy nuts has phytoestrogens like genistein and diadzein (a natural alternative to estrogen replacement). When in the form of vitamin supplements, not only does it improve the symptoms of menopause, but it also improves the collagen in the skin.
Mangosteen
The mangosteen, also known as the “Queen of Fruit,” is a red fruit that is juiced and sold as an oral liquid supplement. It is high in antioxidants (polyphenols, xanthones within the rind). The drink has been applied to the skin and reports indicate that the appearance of the skin is improved as a result. Today, many moisturizing creams are adding mangosteen - claiming its antioxidant properties.
Green Tea
Green tea contains polyphenols such as epicatechin and epigallocatechin, both of which are antioxidants. These antioxidants attack the “free radicals” in the body that are responsible for aging and creating environments conducive to disease. In fact, health studies conducted with both humans and animals have found the catechins of green tea to reduce atherosclerotic plaques and carcinogenesis. It is believed that as part of a healthy diet and exercise routine, they have the potential to reduce the risk of four of the major health problems: stroke, heart failure, cancer and diabetes.
The green tea catechins have also shown to possess antibiotic properties. And again with exercise, they have proven to decrease the oxidative stress contributing to the aging process.
Posted by admin on January 12, 2009 under AHA, BHA, Glycolic and Wrinkle Reduction, Mature Skin, Skin Care General |
Learn How to Effectively Use Alpha and Beta-Hydroxy Acids
AHA’s like glycolic acid work on the upper layer of the skin called the stratum corneum
Alpha- and Beta-hydroxy (AHA, BHA) acids are commonly seen in many creams sold over the counter and in the doctor’s office. They work to improve the moisture content and the appearance of fine wrinkles of the skin. AHA’s like glycolic acid work on the upper layer of the skin called the stratum corneum, in order to dissolve the “cement” that holds the dead skin cells together. This helps to eliminate dead skin cells and allow new skin cells to come to the surface. New cells not only look better, but also hold moisturizers better. BHA’s do the same but are absorbed by the oil glands as well to help oily skin.
Many people have sensitive skin and are unable to tolerate the AHA and BHA products. It can cause redness, irritation and flaky skin.
To minimize the side effects of AHA and BHA-hydroxy products try the following tips:
- Use hypoallergenic products.
- Start slowly, two to three times a week. And, if tolerated, gradually increase the number of applications.
- Use on dry skin, as wet skin allows the substance to penetrate deeper and has, as a result, a higher risk of irritation.
- Use a low-pH facial cleanser.
- Protect skin daily with a nonirritating sunscreen.
Posted by admin on January 5, 2009 under acne |
Emerging New Acne Treatment Hits U.S. Market in 2009
A new product is expected to emerge into the U.S. market, which is believed to offer the most hope yet to those suffering from stubborn acne.
Long time acne sufferers are among the first to try the latest acne treatments to hit the market – exhausting one by one without achieving their desired results. Well, by the beginning of 2009, a new product is expected to emerge into the U.S. market, which is believed to offer the most hope yet to those suffering from stubborn acne.
Aczone Gel 5% is a new topical dapsone gel that will clear the skin of inflammatory lesions such as the red tender bumps and cysts on the face.
Dapsone is an antimicrobial medication, which clears the bacteria responsible for acne. More importantly, it is an anti-inflammatory, which reduces the inflammation and swelling of the sebaceous glands seen in acne.
Oral dapsone has been used to treat skin diseases such as pemphigus vulgaris, leprosy, and dermatitis herpetiformis. But the use of dapsone is limiting, because of its life- threatening side effects on the blood system. Patients with a G6PD deficiency (detected with a blood test) have a high risk of developing methemoglobinemia, a serious condition of the blood. At this time, the use of topical dapsone twice a day for acne does not increase the risk for developing methemoglobinemia, even in patients with G6PD deficiency. Therefore, there are no systemic safety concerns with the topical use of dapsone (Aczone gel) for acne.
Dermatologists are excited to have this new treatment option on the market, particularly when the medication has the potential to be so effective. Studies have shown that by two to four weeks of use, there was a significant reduction in the inflammatory lesions (reduction of red bumps on the face). This improvement continued for six months. Topical dapsone was well tolerated, since there was very little irritation and worked best when used with topical adapalene Differin (Galderma Laboratories), another prescription cream.
The new year may now bring beautiful clear skin with this relatively safe medication.
Tags: acne, acne medication, acne treatment, Aczone gel, adapalene differin, adult acne, dapsone, dermatitis herpetiformis, Galderma Laboratories, leprosy, pemphigus vulgaris, skin problems, stubborn acne, topical dapsone gel
