Skin Care Hub

We all have heard age spots. Age spots are sometimes called “liver spots”. However, they have nothing to do with the liver. Do you know that these flat, brown spots are actually caused by years in the sun. They are bigger than freckles, and flat. They can appear on all areas such as the face, hands, arms, back, and feet. Even though age spots are harmless, talk to a dermatologist about removing them if they start to bother you. Always wear a sunscreen or sunblock to prevent more sun damage.

Unlike age spots, skin tags are small, usually flesh-colored growths of skin that have a raised surface. They are associated with aging, especially for women. You can find them on the eyelids, neck, and body folds such as the arm pit, chest, and groin. Skin tags are harmless, however, a doctor can easily remove them if they bother you.

Source: National Institutes of Health

As we age, our skin changes. It becomes thinner, loses fat, and no longer looks as plump and smooth as it once did. We normally notice the sign of wrinkles and fine lines between the age 30 to 35.

Even though over the counter wrinkle creams all claim to reverse wrinkles, they don’t really deliver the result. However, they can moisturize and nourish your skin. Limiting your exposure to the environment is probably the most helpful thing to do to avoid premature skin aging. Limiting Sun exposure is the single most important factor in skin protection.

Have you wondered why older people get wrinkles? Over time, our skin begins to wrinkle. Exposing ourselves to the ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun makes our skin less elastic. Therefore, wrinkles appear on our faces and bodies. The other big factor is gravity. Gravity can cause skin to sag and also wrinkle.

If you laugh a lot and smile a lot, such habits also wrinkle the skin. There other one is like frowning. Some of these habits are easier to change than others. You can’t really control how you use your facial expressions, especially when you sleep. But you can avoid other factors such as smoking.

Many research has been done to reverse wrinkles. Some work and others don’t. Some of them require surgery and procedure done by a doctor. Talk to a dermatologist if you are really concerned about your wrinkles.

Source: National Institute of Aging (NIA)

To most people’s surprise, skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. About one million Americans get it each year. However, unlike many other kinds of cancers, very few people die directly from skin cancer. It is pretty much 100% curable if caught early and treated quickly.

There’s a simple preventive thing you can do to avoid skin cancer. Avoid direct sun light. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is the main cause of skin cancer. But there’s another cause that most people are unaware of,  sunlamps and tanning booths, can also cause skin cancer.

Most skin cancer patients get them after the age of 50. But the damage has been done way before that. You should start protecting your young children at early age. And if you’re in your 20s and using tanning beds, think long and hard.

Everyone can have dry skin. But more older people suffer from dry skin, often on their lower legs, elbows, and lower arms feeling rough and scaly. There are many reasons, but not drinking enough liquids, extended exposure in the sun, living in a very dry climate, smoking, excess stress are the mostly likely ones.

Dry skin also can be caused by health problems, such as diabetes or kidney disease. Using too much soap, antiperspirant, or perfume and taking hot baths will make dry skin worse.

To ease dry skin and the common itchy, you can use lotions, creams, and ointments.

Moisturizers like lotions, creams, or ointments can soothe dry, itchy skin. They should be used everyday. Take fewer baths and use mild soap and warm water.Use humidifier during winter time.

Edelweiss extract comes from Edelweiss flowers, which are short lived perennials.  Edelweiss is a German word which means noble and white.  The Edelweiss flower is found at altitudes which range from 1,700 meters to 2,700 meters, general in areas with light soil, good drainage and southern exposure.

In ancient times the Edelweiss flower was sought after by men who wished to prove their bravery.  Because the flower grew at such heights and was often on cliff sides and in dangerous areas many people were known to have been injured, or even killed in pursuit of this flower, which led many men to wear it in the lapel as sort of a badge of honor.  Of course, the fact that the Edelweiss flower was the favorite of the Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph and his wife, the Empress Elizabeth also gave it prestige.  The flower became so popular among hikers that the governments of Austria, Germany and Switzerland took steps to protect it in certain parts of the Alps.  Today Edelweiss is grown on many continents and is no longer in the danger it once was.  It became even more popular however the 1960′s when a song called Edelweiss in the popular stage play and film The Sound of Music sang its virtues and beauty.

For centuries Edelweiss extract has been believed to have positive health effects.  Edelweiss teas have been popular as well as use of Edelweiss extract in hot milk, often sweetened with honey.  Diarrhea and dysentery were two ailments that it was believed Edelweiss extract could cure.  People also believed that it could help fight ailments such as diphtheria  and tuberculosis.  Today research by the pharmaceutical industry indicates that there was something to these ancient beliefs.  Used in high quality anti aging and anti wrinkle cosmetics.

Edelweiss extract is an ancient folk lore remedy that modern science is making popular once again.  They have also discovered that the ultra violet light absorbing chemicals this plant has developed from high altitude growth makes it a good additive to sun blocks.  Pharmaceutical researchers also are interested in the way some chemicals in the plant prevent amplification  of oxides, which are tied to the aging process.

The future of research into Edelweiss extract looks as bright as the high Alpine sun, and the popularity of Edelweiss extract as an ingredient in high quality cosmetics means the plant will remain popular for many years to come.

For more information visit: http://www.revitol.com/

Despite what most people think, deep, dark circles and bags under your eyes are not primarily caused by being tired or stressed. Instead, dermatologists and plastic surgeons agree that this is caused by capillaries that leak blood close the skin’s surface. When this blood begins to oxidize, it turns a bluish red color, similar to an ugly bruise. And since the skin under the eyes is very thin, this leads to the appearance of the embarrassing bags and dark circles. The more transparent your skin and the more blood that pools under it, the darker the circles appear. And what’s worse, this discoloration over time can become permanent!

Aging skin requires some extra care. Continue to wash your face with a mild cleanser twice daily. In the morning use a light moisturizer with a sunscreen and at night use a hydrating moisturizer.

Pay special attention to the skin around the eyes by patting the moisturizer into the skin with your ring fingers. There are numerous creams, peels, toners, firming lotions available for your use but less is more. When I was young, I heard a woman talk about applying makeup. She said after you apply, take a cotton ball and wipe some of it off. That advice has stuck with me and I am now 58 years old!

As for cosmetic surgery, if you can afford it and need it, then go for it! Personally, I like my wrinkles and have earned everyone of them.

Many older people suffer from dry skin, particularly on their lower legs, elbows, and forearms. The skin feels rough and scaly and often is accompanied by a distressing, intense itchiness. Low humidity — caused by overheating during the winter and air conditioning during the summer — contributes to dryness and itching. The loss of sweat and oil glands as you age also may worsen dry skin. Anything that further dries your skin — such as overuse of soaps, antiperspirants, perfumes, or hot baths — will make the problem worse. Dehydration, sun exposure, smoking, and stress also may cause dry skin.

Dry skin itches because it is irritated easily. If your skin is very dry and itchy, see a doctor. Dry skin and itching can affect your sleep, cause irritability, or be a symptom of a disease. For example, diabetes and kidney disease can cause itching. Some medicines make the itchiness worse.

The most common treatment for dry skin is the use of moisturizers to reduce water loss and soothe the skin. Moisturizers come in several forms — ointments, creams, and lotions. Ointments are mixtures of water in oil, usually either lanolin or petrolatum. Creams are preparations of oil in water, which is the main ingredient. Creams must be applied more often than ointments to be most effective. Lotions contain powder crystals dissolved in water, again the main ingredient. Because of their high water content, they feel cool on the skin and don’t leave the skin feeling greasy. Although they are easy to apply and may be more pleasing than ointments and creams, lotions don’t have the same protective qualities. You may need to apply them frequently to relieve the signs and symptoms of dryness. Moisturizers should be used indefinitely to prevent recurrence of dry skin.

A humidifier can add moisture to the air. Bathing less often and using milder soaps also can help relieve dry skin. Warm water is less irritating to dry skin than hot water.

Source: http://www.niapublications.org/agepages/skin.asp

by: Donna Kelly

Skin is living tissue. It needs regular care and attention to remain smooth, tight and vibrant. Some signs of aging are inevitable, however there is a lot you can do to influence how quickly your skin ages. How fast your skin ages is significantly influenced by the health and lifestyle decisions you make every day. Making unhealthy choices can cause premature skin aging.

Here are 10 lifestyle tips to help you avoid premature skin aging.

Don’t smoke: Whether you smoke, or you spend time with a smoker, cigarette smoke is damaging and aging your skin. Exposure to cigarette smoke significantly increases skin wrinkles and dryness. Cigarette smoke depletes your body of Vitamin C which is a key ingredient for keeping skin plump and moist.

Manage sun exposure: The sun’s UV rays penetrate deep into skin tissues contributing to wrinkles, dryness, sun burn and, in the worse case, skin cancer. When spending time in the sun protect yourself with a sun screen. A sun screen with an SPF 15 rating, or higher, is recommended. Remember to continuously reapply your sun screen if you are outside for long periods of time, or have been swimming or exercising. Don’t forget clouds do not protect you from ultraviolet ray exposure. You need to protect yourself from the sun, even on a cloudy day. Don’t forget your eyes, wear sun glasses. Long term sun exposure can lead to serious health issues with your eyes.

Contrary to popular belief sun beds are not a safer way to tan. Sun beds also emit UV rays contributing to premature skin aging. For a “skin friendly” tan consider self tanning creams.

Exposure to cold weather: If you live in cooler climes cold winds and low temperatures can also contribute to premature skin aging by drying out your skin. If you venture out in the cold make sure to use a good moisturizer.

Eat healthily: One of the most important influences on our skin health is the quality and quantity of food we eat. A balanced diet is a good barrier against premature aging. By eating fruits and vegetables, especially brightly coloured fruit and leafy greens, we are giving our bodies vitamins and antioxidants that combat the breakdown of collagen and elastin in our skin. Collagen and elastin helps keep our skin tight and youthful. It is also important is to make sure you drink plenty of water every day.

Manage stress: To help reduce premature skin aging due to stress be aware of your stress level. Stress and worry cause frowning and, over time, the muscles in the face actually “remember” the stressed and worried expressions. A good anti aging skin care program should include meditation, yoga, gentle exercise or other relaxation techniques. Keeping stress in check will help you look and feel younger.

Exercise regularly: Exercise has a positive impact on muscle tone and blood circulation contributing to skin health and a more youthful appearance. The benefits of a regular exercise program will show on your face, having a bright smile and lots of energy will help you look younger, at any age.

Think about your beauty products: As you age you should use both lighter coloured cosmetics and hair colours. Lighter colours will be more flattering to your skin lightening skin tone.

It is also worth considering AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid) based moisturizers and skin care products. AHAs are natural fruit acids found in fruit, sugarcane, and milk. As skin ages natural exfoliation becomes more difficult and dead skin layers build up. AHAs allow the top layer of dead skin to be exfoliated more easily and help to unblock and cleanse pores. AHAs also loosen inter-cellular fluid smoothing fine lines and surface wrinkles and improving skin texture and tone.

Did you know that your lipstick or lip gloss can help your lips not only look great but can also protect them from the sun at the same time ? When choosing your lip products look for lipsticks or lip glosses that contain Sesame Oil and Vitamin E.

Moderate alcohol use: Alcohol contributes to skin aging by dilating small blood vessels in the skin and increasing blood flow near the skin’s surface. Over time these blood vessels can become permanently damaged and broken.

Moisturize: Think of all the hot showers and baths you have taken; sure, they clean your skin, but they also dry it out. Our skin also gets drier as part of the aging process. The best thing to combat dryness is, of course, to moisturize. Your local drug store or beauty spa sells a great variety of moisturizers, and one of them will be just the right for your skin type. Ask the beauty advisor or pharmacist for assistance if you’re not sure which one to buy.

Get enough sleep: While we sleep our body, including our skin, recharges and prepares for the next day. Take time to get some sleep – at least 7 to 8 hours per night.

About The Author
Donna Kelly is a trained makeup artist with her own beauty business. As both a business woman and a mom with 2 children Donna understands the time pressures on women today and through this, and other articles, has endeavored to take the complexity out of looking great with some “busy women friendly” beauty tips and advice. If you would like to read more of Donna’s articles check out her website: http://www.coloursandscents.co.nz