Make-Up Tips & Beauty Advice

Peter sams asked:

Pimples occur when excess sebum* and dead skin cells clog the sebaceous gland. The sebaceous gland is usually located under the skin connected to hair follicles (except when it opens directly to the skin, primarily around the corners of the mouth and parts of the reproductive system). This gland has cells that secrete fatty materials that accumulate, making the cells swell and burst. The mixture of fatty material and cellular debris is called “sebum”. Sebum is secreted into the hair follicles, keeping the hair and skin soft, supple, and waterproof. Pimples and blackheads are created when excess sebum is produced and the gland is clogged. Certain bacteria thrive in this mess, signaling the immune system to attack, which causes inflammation and redness (a pimple). And just for clarification, pimples are NOT caused by eating too many chocolate or greasy foods.

How to Remove Pimple Marks from the Face

Dermabrasion is the method of shedding the top layers of skin using an apparatus that resembles a sandblaster. The method physically sheds scar tissue with the intention of giving it a fresher appearance. The technique works best on superficial scarring.

Depressed ice pick scars and deep pimple scars on your face demand a different treatment. Not only do dermabrasion patients need up to two months of recovery time due to burning and irritation but also dermabrasion does not exhilarate the synthesis of collagen and elastin components in the scar site. In order to completely fill in sunken acne scars, new skin elements must be sparked by some source.

Add black holy basil leaves powder in turmeric powder and apply the pack on the face before bath. This removes pimples.

Grind coriander, Lodhra and Koot and apply on the face.

Grind fenugreek leaves and apply the pack on the face, let it dry. Then wash the face, continue this for few days to remove pimples. This also makes the skin soft and smooth.

Remove Pimple Marks from The Face

Eat more of leafy vegetables and fruits; keep your bowels clean, that is more important to reduce your pimples. Consume less of oily and junk food. Drink more water.

Also consuming more of fresh salads will give u relief from your problem.

Wash you face with milk and lemon, mix milk and lemon, wash your face everyday, it makes your skin lighter, can erase the pimple marks on your face

Use his to-calamine lotion (it contains aloe Vera extract) )all see good result in a week or two all drink lots of water n eat lots of fruits. Avoid oily n fried stuff. you can even try a gel called acne sol..

To stop pimples drink coconut water empty stomach everyday, if you have a heat body then it cools down the body from inside and also clenses from inside,because if you have a heat body then pimples wont stop they keep comming again and again, and also drink coriender juice mixed with curds, take some coriander and curds blend in a blender add a little salt and drink this, it is really good coriander is a cooling agent and keeps your stomach cool.

Apply a topical acne treatment containing benzoyl peroxide, glycolic acid, or salicylic acid over your entire face, not just where blemishes have already erupted.

At night, use a drying spot-treatment product and dab oil-free moisturizer on dry areas.

In the morning, apply an oil-free sunscreen gel over the entire face.

Use your first bottle of the blemish remover on that, by spreading the formula onto your blemished skin to moisten it.

Let it all dry on your skin, while your skin absorbs the skin-healing formula.

Gen Wright asked:

of shape do you think you will be in when it comes time for you to retire?

How you fare will depend on the choices you have made for your health and fitness over the years and decades. No matter how far away retirement is you should have concern for what life might look like after you finish your working life. It is something you should be preparing for it rather than leaving it up to chance as if you are robbed of your health and mobility at this time, retirement will not be much fun at all.

Pay attention: Your body’s decline has already begun. Once we get past our early twenties, our bodies start a degenerative process which is long and gradual. The body you once knew starts to behave differently than when you were 20 years old. Along with changing its shape, (for the worse), it doesn’t respond as fast to physical exertion as it once did and if too much food is eaten it reacts by piling on body fat

Along with these physical changes one of the most important adverse effects of this degenerative process is the loss of muscle mass which decreases at the rate of approximately 500 grams per year after age thirty. Then this loss accelerates to a frightening pace after age sixty. That is unless you take steps to halt this process by protecting your strength and preserving your muscle mass. Until recently these changes were thought of as an uncontrollable effect of the aging process.

Through research we now know that this is not correct, it has been proven over and over again, these changes are an effect of inactivity, sedentary lifestyles or simply disuse.

Some people unwisely decrease their activity as they age, assuming it’s proper to start “taking it easy” or “grow old gracefully”. The price for this is they grow old ungracefully, with substantial limits on their mobility, self-reliance, and quality of life.

The body doesn’t know how old it is, but it does know when insufficient activity and movement is taking place. The response to this is an accelerated aging process hastening loss of functional health and mobility and further pushing people into an unhealthy and even more inactive lifestyle. This vicious cycle continues with increased risk of life threatening diseases associated with a sedentary lifestyle such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease

So really it starts now, take heart, you can slow this process down and even reverse it. You can control the rate at which you age by taking the necessary steps to build and maintain muscle mass and prevent further muscle loss to slow the aging process. A higher level of strength and energy is largely in each of our hands with active strength training exercise which no other type of exercise is capable of.

Mere movement, or “any exercise is good enough”, is not really sufficient if you truly wish to be prepared for your later years. Remember, muscles respond to strength training, whether they’re 60-year-old muscles or 20-year-old muscles. This special type of exercise enables the muscles to get stronger by subjecting them to a higher work load than they would normally encounter in everyday life. This is the simple concept behind strength training.

Strength training is such a powerful age eraser it can improve the quality of your life at any age or any physical condition you may be in. There is absolutely no reason to get weak and feeble as we age. The generations before us did not know this so we are the lucky ones as we can take advantage of new information and research to make sure our older years are full of all the activities we enjoy the most.

Get started right away on the anti aging magic of strength training, get some professional help to get started to ensure you get the maximum benefits in a safe and effective manner.

A small investment of 2-3 sessions per week will maintain your strength, mobility and independence far beyond your expectations. There isn’t another investment that could return you so much.

Gerry Restrivera asked:

We normally sweat to release toxins and to control the body temperature but if you are suffering from excessive sweating on the face, this is not normal and you have to know how to deal with this problem. Facial blushing and sweating can be a very uncomfortable and embarrassing condition and you have to find the best treatment to get rid of excessive facial sweating.

Uncontrolled facial sweating is a problem that can give negative impact to the quality of your life. Most people with this problem are often uncomfortable in public and they avoid social situations. They became too conscious and their self-confidence is greatly affected resulting to low self-esteem. They often suffer in silence and do not seek help to get rid of this annoying excessive sweating on the face.

Hyperhidrosis is a condition where the sweat glands are overactive resulting to excessive sweating on specific parts of the body like the armpits, hands, feet and face. There are a number of over the counter products like antiperspirants, powder and sprays especially made to prevent and relieve hands, foot and underarms sweating problems. Unfortunately, these products are not applicable for excessive sweating on the face. It is best to ask your dermatologist if there are prescription topical antiperspirants or cream that you can apply on your face to reduce sweating. Botox injection is another option in treating excessive sweating on the face but its safety is still questionable.

To avoid the side effects of drugs, there are things that you can do to control excessive sweating on the face. Stress and anxiety can trigger excessive facial perspiration and to control facial sweating, you have to learn to manage your stress and anxiety. It is also important to avoid bad habits like alcohol drinking and smoking because these things can trigger your sympathetic nerves resulting to increased perspiration. Excessive sweating on the face is also affected by your diet. Avoid spicy foods and cut down on caffeine to reduce facial sweating.

Natural remedies are also another treatment option for excessive sweating on the face. Overactive sweat glands can be treated using natural methods. To get rid of your sweating problems naturally, visit Cure Excessive Sweating Problem.

To find out more about health and beauty remedies visit Great Discovery-Health and Beauty.

Carol Belanger asked:

Essential oils are the oils obtained from plants by various methods, such as distillation. They are called essential oils because it carries a distinctive scent, or essence, of the plant. The use of essential oils has a history dating back at least a thousand years and has been used for medicinal uses, skin care and aromatherapy.

If you are fortunate enough to have an herb and/or flower garden, or have access to fresh cut herbs and flowers, you can make your own essential oils quite easily. Sweet almond oil with Vitamin E will be the base of all your essential oils. Vitamin E will act as a natural preservative. You essential oils will last 6 to 12 months if kept in a dark, dry, and cool place. Remember to sterilize your containers and start with clean utensils.

Ingredients: Day 1, Repeat for days 2 through 4

1/2 Cup Sweet Almond Oil

couple of drops of vitamin E

1 Cup packed fresh herbs OR 1/4 cup chopped fruit peel, such as orange, grapefruit, lime, lemon, etc. or 1cup freshly cut flowers. Rinse herbs, fruit or flower petals thoroughly.

Day 1

Every day for four days place 1 cup of flowers or 1/4 cup herbs or chopped fruit peel in the plastic bag.

Close the bag securely and lightly tap the materials in the bag. Do not beat them to a pulp, as this is a gentle process.

Add the sweet almond oil and the flowers, herbs or citrus peel into one wide mouth glass jar. Close and shake gently to distribute the almond oil thoroughly. Place bottle in warm place.

Day 2:

Transfer the materials in the jar into a cheesecloth or gauze and strain the oil into the second glass jar. Squeeze as much as possible to extract all the oils. Discard material.

Day 3, Repeat Day 1

Day 4, Repeat Day 2

On the 4th day, when all oils have been extracted into jar 2, strain the oil one last time. Pour into pretty bottle

Below are some fun recipes.

Scented Rocks (A Nice Alternative to Potpourri)

1/2 cup plain flour

1/2 cup salt

1/4 tsp. essential oil in your favorite scent

2/3 cups boiling water

Food coloring, if desired

In bowl, mix dry ingredients well. Add essential oil and boiling water to dry ingredients. (Scent will be strong, but will fade slightly when dry.) For colored stones, blend in food coloring, one drop at a time, until desired shade is reached. Blend ingredients and form balls. Allow stones to dry. Place rocks in a bowl or dish to scent a room.

Oriental Nights Perfume

4 drops sandalwood

4 drops musk

3 drops frankincense

2 tsp. jojoba oil

Mix all the ingredients together and shake well. Allow perfume to settle for at least 12 hours. Store in a cool dry place.

LUSCIOUS BODY POLISHER

2 C. plain yogurt

1 T. wheat germ

1 T. honey

1 T. almond oil

Omit almond oil if skin is acne-prone.

Mix all ingredients. Dampen skin in shower and massage mixture all over. Rinse with warm water. Rinse immediately with cold water to boost circulation.

Lemony Lavender Toner

3 drops lemon oil

3 drops lavender oil

3 teaspoons of distilled water

Use a soft cotton ball to massage mixture into the skin after cleansing. Follow with a moisturizer if desired

For skin care recipes, how to videos, and informative articles about skin care and essential oils, visit Complete Skin Care Therapy

Midi Fairgrieve asked:

Are everyday products affecting your fertility?

by Midi Fairgrieve, D.Th.D, D.N. Med.

 

 

Before heading off to work each day many of us have exposed ourselves to an array of different lotions and potions containing a cocktail of synthetic chemicals. Yet how many of us are aware that these chemicals could be adversely affecting our fertility. The truth is that most of the toiletries we use on our body are made from the same harsh chemicals used in industry! and many of these are hormone disrupting, for both men and women For example, propylene glycol is a solvent used in hair care products, make up and deodorants. It is also the main ingredient in antifreeze and brake fluid (6).

 

At present, only new chemicals by law have to be assessed for their effect on our health, which amounts to no more than 3% of those in everyday use. Although there is pressure to change the law in both Europe and the US, it may take some time before all the chemicals in our bathroom are properly evaluated for safety.  When this happens, several commonly used ingredients will be banned due to their toxicity.

 

Studies show that many of the chemicals found in everyday beauty products may be linked to a variety of health problems including, allergies, skin reactions, endocrine/hormone disruption, and possibly even birth defects.

 

Exposure to harmful chemicals can mount up unnoticed in terms of the quantity of different ingredients that we are using every day. And this is the important fact. It is what we expose ourselves to on a daily basis that if used only occasionally may not harm us, but when used frequently can accumulate in the body and ultimately cause health problems.  For the first time in history we are exposed to potentially dangerous chemicals from the moment of conception.

 

For this reason alone, when preparing for pregnancy, it is worth seriously considering a well structured detox programme first, to give your whole system a chance to eliminate accumulated toxins. Detox not only helps the body to mobilize stored toxins, but revitalizes the whole body at cell level. Organs and systems are rejuvenated and become more efficient in their function. Hormone balance can be restored and sperm health is greatly enhanced. The value of this level of preparation cannot be underestimated in today’s toxic world.

 

Have a think about which products you normally use on any given day. Which brand of toothpaste do you use? Do you also use a mouth wash? Which shampoo or conditioner do you use, and how often? What about hair gel, hair spray, hair thickener! How about your underarm antiperspirant deodorant, have you any idea what it contains? Have you ever checked the ingredients of your body lotion, shaving foam, moisturiser, or make up?

 

As we know from the successful use of HRT and nicotine patches the skin is an efficient and absorbent medium for the transfer of chemicals into the blood stream. It’s the largest organ in the body and acts as a two way membrane, allowing toxins both out and in. The skin can absorb up to 60% of what we put on it, so we should never put anything on our skin that we wouldn’t put in our mouth!

 

So what kind of chemicals are we exposing ourselves to and what effects can they have, especially on fertility and reproduction?

 

In 1989 the Australian Occupational Safety and Health Administration analysed nearly 3,000 chemicals used in personal care products. 884 of the ingredients were found to be toxic, and of these:

 

218 can cause reproductive problems.

314 can cause biological mutation

778 can cause acute toxicity

146 can cause tumours

376 can cause skin and eye irritation

 

With 218 chemicals that can cause reproductive complications there are major concerns regarding fertility and pregnancy. Yet few people are aware of the facts.

 

Have a look right now at some of the products in your bathroom. You’ll find a long list of chemical ingredients in minute writing on the label. Even with perfect eyesight you may need a magnifying glass to read the small print. Have you ever considered exactly what these ingredients are for and what effect they may be having on your health and fertility?  

 

Given that reproductive health in both men and woman can be so negatively affected by synthetic chemicals in everyday use it is vital to switch to using chemical free alternatives if you are planning to have a baby or currently have fertility problems. These are just a few of the most commonly found chemicals to look out for and avoid.   

 

Parabens are used by the cosmetic industry as preservatives and are found in most body care products. They have been detected in human breast tissue and evidence suggests they can act as oestrogen making them a hormone disrupting chemical in both men and woman. Propyl paraben has been shown to adversely affect male reproductive functions. At the daily intake level currently acceptable by EC law, it was found to decrease sperm production (8). 

 

Phthalates are insidious hormone disruptors and worse still they are exempt from any labelling requirements. They are often used as one of many ingredients in fragrance which makes them hard to spot since the complete list of ingredients which make the fragrance don’t have to be labelled individually. If your products contain ‘fragrance’ or ‘musk’ or ‘parfum’ then it will most likely contain phthalates. Phthalates are implicated with low sperm counts and also causing sexual abnormalities and deformities. A survey by the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention of 300 women found high levels of phthalates in them all, with the highest levels found in the women of reproductive age. Phthalates are common plasticizing ingredients found in products from hair spray, perfume, make up, nail polish, shampoos and soap. In tests they have been found to lower sperm motility in men (3) and are linked to reproductive and fertility problems in women at high levels of exposure (4). They have been linked to birth defects in the reproductive system of boys at exposure levels typical for about ¼ of woman using common body care products (2). Studies have also shown Phthalates to damage adult reproductive organs, and also the liver, adrenals, and kidneys (5).

 

Triclosan is another endocrine disruptor.  It is found in toothpaste, soaps, body washes and antibacterial handwash.

 

Talc is found in baby powders, face powders and body powders as well as on some contraceptives such as condoms. It is a known carcinogen and a major cause of ovarian cancer when used in the genital area.  It can also lodge in the lungs, causing respiratory disorders.

 

Anionic Surfactants. Anionic refers to the negative charge these surfactants have. They may be contaminated with nitrosamines, which are carcinogenic. Surfactants can pose serious health threats including adversely affecting reproductive hormone health. They are used in car washes as garage floor cleaners and engine degreasers – and in 90% of personal-care products that foam. They can be found under the following names. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (ALS), Ammonium Laureth Sulfate (ALES), Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Sodium Cocoyl Sarcosinate, TEA (Triethanolamine) Lauryl Sulfate, Lauryl or Cocoyl Sarcosine, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate and Disodium Dioctyl Sulfosuccinate.

Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) is a known oestrogen mimic linked to breast and endometrial cancer and low sperm counts (7).

 

Over the past 20-30 years, in the developed world, infertility has been on the increase, bringing with it much sadness to those who deeply desire a child. Although infertility and miscarriage can be caused by many factors including a poor diet, environmental toxins, deficiency of specific vitamins and minerals, accumulation of toxic metals, emotional blocks, and general ill health, everyday body care products play a vital role in the overall toxicity picture. What you chose to put on your skin can also play an important role in decreasing your toxic load.

 

As important as eating an organic whole food diet when preparing for a pregnancy is reducing the amount of toxins that you’re exposed to. When it comes to body care products and make up this is something you can have control over and there are many chemical free alternatives on the market. The growth of natural body care products is testimony to the fact that people are looking for safer and healthier alternatives, making it easier to switch to health friendly products.    

 

Apart from affecting fertility adversely, we know that chemical toxins are also passed from mother to baby during pregnancy. Babies are therefore directly affected by the toxins present in their mother’s choice of personal care products.  The problem with chemical toxins is that they persist in the body and are difficulty to eliminate without extra help.  To illustrate the point, studies have found more than 350 synthetic contaminants in human breast milk. Not all of these are from personal care products; however we take in toxins from a variety of sources, and body care products are a significant source. Under normal circumstances the body cannot eliminate all of the chemicals it takes it, which is why a committed detox programme is an important step towards achieving optimum health and fertility prior to conception.

 

The good news is that one thing all prospective parents can do right now is to replace the worst chemicals with safer alternatives.  Just taking this one step towards a less toxic lifestyle will reduce the overall toxic overload on the body. The world health organization has warned of the dangers of exposure (particularly pre-natal exposure) to certain hormone disrupting chemicals (1) and reducing your overall body toxicity can make the difference for some people between fertility and infertility.

 

What can I do?  –  Quick guide

 

Carry out an audit on you and your partner’s body care products. Look through all the products in your bathroom and check the labels. If it isn’t a genuinely natural product then it will definitely contain several synthetic chemical ingredients.

 

Check the websites listed below for information on specific ingredients. Find out what the ingredients do and what their effects might be on your health. 

 

Examine your daily routine and make a list of all the products you use and when.  See how much you can either reduce or eliminate the use of a product or change it to a healthy alternative.

 

Have a look through your other household products, such as air fresheners, bathroom cleaners, bleach etc. Question how toxic they are. Look for natural alternatives which are sold in health food shops and supermarkets; for example, brands like Ecover and Green Care.

 

Do some research into alternative natural based products. The internet is a good source of information. Investigate what’s on sale in health food shops and supermarkets.

 

 Consider a detox programme to rid yourself / partner of any accumulated toxic load. This is especially important when planning for pregnancy.

 

 

References

 

(1) World health Organization IPCS Report (2002)

 

(2) Environ Health Perspect, 2006. 114(6): p.805-9

 

(3) Duty, S.M., et al., the Relationship between environment exposure to phthalates and computer-aided sperm analysis motion parameters. J Androl, 2004. 25(2): p 293-302.

 

(4) Eisenhardt, S., et al., Nitromusk compounds in women with gynaecological and endocrine dysfunction. Environ Res, 2001. 87(3): p. 123-30.

 

(5) CERHR, NTP-CERHR expert panal report on di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP). 2000, Centre for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction.

 

(6) What Doctors Don’t Tell You. Vol 10 no. 7. 10/99

 

(7) Day, P. The ABC’s of Disease, Credence Publications, 2003.

 

(8) Oishi, S., Effects of propyl paraben on the mal reproductive system; Food and Chemical Toxicology, 40:1807-1813 (2002).