Click here to add text.
INFORMATION SHARING CENTER
For The Body Soul And Mind
Product Review
in Health / Skin Care (submitted 2009-11-26)
Skin Culture Peel 4000 treatment and Aftercare Products are essential to every beauty spa and home. In fact, these are facial treatment both male and female should consider adding to their home facial kit. For a methodical review of Skin Culture Peel 4000 treatment and Aftercare Products,let's assess the benefits and functions of each and every ingredient it's made of.
Glycolic Cleanser and Facial lotion:- Glycolic acid which is found in some sugar-crops,is an acid primarily used in various skin-care products. It has an excellent capability to penetrate the skin, and because it has a strong ph,it does an excellent job in completely removing the dead cells from the epidermis. This layer of the epidermis known as the stratum corneum, is made up of 15-30 layers of keratinized cells. The dead cells in each layer remains tightly interconnected. However, because of the relative strength of Glycolic acid it easily removes these dead cells. It is also used to improve the skin's appearance and texture, and may reduce wrinkles, acne, scarring, hyper-pigmentation and improve many other skin conditions.
Advanced Protection--SPF30:- This is commonly known as sun-block or sun cream. It absorbs or reflects some of the sun's ultra-violet radiation on the skin, on exposure to sunlight and helps to prevent sunburn. The American Cancer Society recommends the use of sunscreens, because it helps to prevent various forms of skin cancer.
Sage and Citrus Moisturizer:- This is a combination of fresh citrus and botanical herb sage. Sage and Citrus moisturizer rehydrate the skin to give it a much younger and firmer appearance.
You can purchase this skin culture peel 4000 treatment and aftercare products @: http://www.skinculture.com/#a_aid=0000000
Article:By W.McFarlane
5/4/10
Enlarged Pores- How to make Pores smaller
Main purpose of Pores
Pores are essential to your skin’s health. They allow oil to get to the skin to lubricate it and keep it soft and hydrated.
Causes of Large Pores
There are three main factors that contribute to large pores:
1.Genetics
Large pores are commonly seen in individuals who have a predisposition or a hereditary tendency towards large pores
2.Age
Skin damage from the sun along with a decrease in the skin’s elasticity as we get older can cause pores to dilate.
3.Clogged Pores
Blackheads, dirt, bacteria, oil accumulation of dead cells build up within pores cause pores to stretch or expand beyond normal size. When pores are dilated, they are more prominent and tend to appear larger than they are if they are clogged.
How to Treat Large Pores
Based on findings, dermatologist have suggested several approaches in dealing with large pores:
•By using a low-strength topical medication or face wash containing retinol or vitamin C. It is believed that these antioxidants help to increase the skin’s collagen and its elastin production while simultaneously loosening dirt and oil from the pores.
•Exfoliating with oil-free gels containing salicylic or alpha hydroxy acids.
•Using light chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and lasers to strengthen the collagen surrounding the pores allowing them to stay tighter so that they don’t dilate
•Another suggested approach is to consider getting a Benzoyl Peroxide cleanser or a salicylic cleanser. Cleansing Products containing one of these two active ingredients will help to empty out the pores. Using a gel or lotion is also recommended. The gel or lotion should also contain one of the active ingredients: salicylic acid, Benzoyl Peroxide or glycolic acid.
My suggestion however, is that you should always discuss these treatment options with a dermatologist before taking any of the above approaches.
Acne Information - Acne Causes, treating acne and Acne control.
W.McFarlane 5/4/10
Based on findings, carbohydrate rich foods can be classified in terms of their potential to elevate blood glucose levels; we call this their Glycemic Index (GI). A high GI food first elevates glucose and then elevates insulin significantly. Low GI food raises glucose at a slower rate. However, some high GI foods may naturally contain a type of starch or sugar that has a high GI.
Acne Causes
Recent studies have shown that high Glycemic-Load diets have been associated with the cause of acne, due to their ability to elevate the body’s insulin demand and other factors connected with insulin resistance.
The source further stated that the high prevalence of acne that has been observed in:
1.women with polycystic ovary syndrome -- a condition associated with insulin resistance
2.individuals with excessive level of insulin circulating in the blood, and
3. individuals with an excessive production and/or secretion of androgens, also support the role of insulin in the cause of acne. An increase Gl of the diet leads to higher and prolong sustained elevations in blood insulin levels, which in turn trigger changes in two distinct pathways leading to acne.
Adolescents tend to be affected by this high Gl diet in particular, because of these two following reasons:
A)Adolescents have a tendency to eat a lot of carbohydrate rich high GI snack foods.
B)Because they are actually temporarily insulin resistant due to an elevation in growth hormones levels, their bodies tend to produce more insulin when eating high GI foods.
Two Physiological Pathways Leading to Acne:
Pathway1
Step1. First the level of an hormone known as insulin like growth factor-1 ( IGF-1) is elevated by the presence of high insulin levels in the blood.
Step2. This insulin like growth factor promotes cell growth and is very active especially in follicular ducts in the skin ( the ducts through which hair grows out and oily sebum is secreted on to the hair and skin)
Step3. Finally, these follicular ducts become overgrown and, become blocked by excess free levels of IGF-1 that have been triggered by high levels of insulin in the blood.
Pathway2
Step1. First, high insulin levels cause an elevation in the levels of free Androgens -- a testosterone related hormone found in both males and females. Free levels of these Androgens are also very active in the skin sebaceous glands where they attached to hair follicles.
Step2. These high free levels of Androgens attaching to hair follicles produce more sebum.
Step3. Finally, blocked follicular ducts and this additional production of sebum cause this oily substance to be trapped under the skin where it becomes a feeding ground for microorganisms that are always present on our skin and in follicular ducts.
The subsequent overgrowth of bacteria or microorganisms results in infection.This infection activates the production of cytokines and other inflammatory molecules in the skin. This process is the body's natural defense system usual way of attempting to limit the spread of the infection.
Acne Solutions /Control
Recommended Diet
•Avoid all foods that add to a high GL diet, which include high GI foods and those that contain high carbohydrate levels.
•Try to raise protein and lower carbohydrates intake by consuming a more natural diet of unprocessed foods, such as lean meat and fish whole grain type cereals, and some pasta and basmatt rice. However, you should try to keep these as low level as possible.
*Eat lots of non-starchy vegetables and fruits, and low fat diary foods.
• Avoid sweetened drinks, potatoes, white bread, baked goods and snack foods in particular.
Source:Acne cause : New England Journal of Medicine(NJM)
Famous Quotes on Aging
"The age of a woman dosen't mean a thing. The best tunes are played on the oldest fiddles."
....Ralph Waldo Emerson...
"Old age is the most unexpected of all the things that happen to a man."
....Leon Trotsky...
"The Problem with beauty is that it's like being born rich and getting poorer."
....Joan Collins...
"Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it dosen't matter."
.....Mark Twain...
"Age is an ugly thing, and it goes on getting worse."
.....Diana Cooper...
" You can't help getting older, but you don't have to
get old!"
.....George Burns...
"Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been."
....Mark Twain...
Humor on Aging
A little piglet once asked his mother "Mom why is your mouth so long and your face so wrinkled?" His mother replied "You are growing up my son, very soon you will figure it out. In fact, I use to ask my mother the same questions, my dear son."
Skin Fade - How Safe is Hydroquinone ?
Hydroquinone is one of the most widely used ingredients in just about every skin lightening product on the market. If you closely examine any label on a skin lightening product, most often you will see the ingredient hydroquinone. For years, this ingredient has been considered the most effective skin lightening treatments. However, in 2006, the FDA publicly announced the ban of over-the-counter cosmetic products containing hydroquinone.
The FDA made their decision to ban the use of this product after they were informed that hydroquinone acts as a cancer-causing chemical when orally administered. Although tests done on rodents have shown these results, none has yet to be conducted and proven in humans.
Other studies done in the United States, Britain and South Africa have shown that patients who used skin lightening treatments with hydroquinone reported abnormal adrenal gland functions and high levels of mercury in the body. Hydroquinone has also been linked with a medical condition in humans known as ochronosis (skin darkening and disfiguration) when it is applied topically.
According to the ban, only products that contain 2% hydroquinone in its formula are allowed for sale in the United States without a prescription, and 4% for those prescribed by a physician. For those who rely on this ingredient for their skin lightening treatments, the good news is that hydroquinone hasn’t been completely eliminated from the market.
Examples of prescription products containing hydroquinone are Lustra, Tri-Luma, and EpiQuin Micro. An example of an Over The Counter (OTC) product containing hydroquinone is Palmer’s Skin Success ( Eventone Fade Cream) For Dry Skin.
The FDA believe that the NTP studies are necessary before they can conclude as to whether or not hydroquinone is safe and effective when used as an ingredient in OTC skin bleaching drug products. According to the FDA, until these negative claims are proven in human studies, they believe that hydroquinone should remain available as an OTC drug product.
The National Toxicology Program (NTP) consists of scientists who test substances for a variety of health-related effects. They then provide the study results to Federal Regulatory Agencies such as the FDA. These findings are used to make better informed regulatory decisions.
The FDA believe that additional studies, such as dermal toxicity and carcinogenicity, are needed to better understand if topically applied hydroquinone may be harmful to humans.
Wrinkles and Premature Aging - The Main Cause
Studies reveal that even the smallest doses of sunlight can add up to a greater risk for skin cancer and premature aging. Ultraviolet B rays (UVB) cause stinging sunburn which is also thought to be the main cause of premature wrinkling, skin aging, roughened, leathery sagging skin, and skin cancer. It is for this reason people with sensitive skin in particular are advised to avoid sun exposure between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
According to researchers, the damage may not become evident until up to 20 years later. Studies reveal that individuals with skin that has less exposure to the sun tends to remain smooth and unblemished, and, over time, shows less evidence of aging when compared to the skin of individuals that have been exposed to the sun more frequently.
Anti-Aging Products Market - The Deceptions and The Truths
The anti-aging product market is one of the biggest markets in the United States. Consumers continue to spend billions of dollars annually on anti-aging products, in an attempt to slow down the aging process. However, a vast majority of these products have not been tested. According to one source on Anti-Aging, “With so many companies making blatantly misleading or untrue statements about their products, it's hard to know who to trust.”
Currently, the FDA is limited in its ability to oversee and investigate the claims made by manufacturers in regards to most of these anti aging products. Funding and political concerns are the two main factors that have been preventing the FDA from independently conducting the large studies that are sometimes needed to validate the claims made regarding these products.
It is therefore, the responsibility of consumers to find the evidence that support the claims made by manufacturers about products they might be interested in, and be able to validate them.
Unfortunately, if you're looking for medically tested anti aging products, you won't get much help from the government. According to one source, herbal products are very much under regulated in the U.S.
Therefore, if an anti aging product is marketed as a dietary supplement instead of a medicine, it is not subject to FDA review. As a result, millions of Americans have been using anti-aging products that have not been medically tested.
According to Medical Editor, Dr. Jay W. Mards, once you've identified an anti-aging product you're interested in, you should do some research on the Internet, especially the UK sites. He believes the United Kingdom is much more aggressive about testing and also much more open about revealing test results on all kinds of health products, including anti aging products.
He further went on to say, that they are much more liberal and progressive about posting test results of not only licensed medicines, but unlicensed medicines and herbal products as well. After you have searched the UK sites you may search the U.S FDA sites for each of the products that have been recently approved.
The Editor believes that although this is not really a great site to start searching for medically tested anti-aging products. However, in general, it is an ok site!
Tanning - The Danger and The Solution
Tanning of the skin is considered the body’s natural reaction to permanent and irreversible damage from overexposure to the sun.Studies reveal that even the smallest doses of sunlight add up to a greater risk for skin cancer and premature aging. The tan fades at the end of the summer season, but the underlying skin damage does not disappear.
It is recommended that people with sensitive skin in particular should avoid sun exposure between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Ultraviolet B rays (UVB) cause stinging sunburn which is also thought to be the main cause of premature wrinkling, skin aging, roughened, leathery sagging skin, and skin cancer.
Sun lamps and tanning salon provide mainly ultraviolet A rays (UVA). Recent studies have shown that these methods of tanning that we once thought were safe, are also damaging and have been linked to melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer. It has been proven that as little as 15 to 30 minutes of exposure to UVA can be dangerous as a day spent in the sun.
For protection against ultraviolet rays, it is advised that sunscreen lotion should be applied approximately 30 minutes before you tan or prior to lengthy exposure to the sun, because the skin takes that long to absorb the protective ingredients.
A Sun Protective Factor (SPF) of at least 15 is recommended. All sunscreens lose strength when they are diluted. Therefore, when participating in outdoor activities that will make you sweat and during swimming, waterproof sunscreens should be reapplied more often.
The bottom line is however, if you enjoy tanning, the next time you tan, you might want to do it the safest way. Protect your body from premature aging and wrinkles by using sunscreen lotions with a large SPF(15 or greater) or you may want to try a bottle of "Beautiful Sunless Tan" a natural alternative to sun tan.
Defining Terms:
SPF : Sun Protective Factor
- SPF 15 means that the skin takes 15 times longer to burn than with no lotion.
- If you usually get a mild sunburn after spending 20 minutes in the mid-day sun, an SPF 15 allows you to stay in the sun for approximately 300 minutes before burning.
- The higher the numerical value of the SPF, the more protection it will give you. For example, a lotion with a SPF of 20 will offer more protection than one with a SPF of 15.
Drugs
OTC : Over The Counter
- You need no prescription to buy these drugs
- You simply pick up these drugs off the counter
- These are also call nonprescription drugs
- Example: lots of cough medicines, face creams, painkillers and more or on display on shelves in the pharmacy or a local store. You choose which one you want and pay for it at the cashier
- Unlike prescription drugs, your healthcare provider has to write a prescription in order for you to obtain these drugs. These drugs are kept behind the Pharmacist Counter.
Acne Vulgaris - Cuases and Treatments
Acne Vulgaris
Acne Vulgaris is perhaps the best known and most common among the skin disorders that present as eruptions of follicular pustules. The primary lesions of acne are small flesh-colored papules known as microcomedones. They can change into inflammatory red pimples and small inflammatory swelling containing pus (whiteheads) or noninflammatory (blackheads). Severe acne leads to cysts and scarring.
Most affected persons have acne on their face, chest, and back. The use of skin preparation or cream may clog your hair follicles (follicular orfices) and cause your acne to get worse. Certain medications such as lithium, prednisone, and even some oral contraceptives may cause acne to flare up. A person with Cushing syndrome and other endocrine disorders may experience severe case of acne. Usually acne vulgaris does not continue beyond teen years, but sometimes it persists well into adult years.
Acne Rosacea
Acne Rosacea is a facial eruption in adults, characterized by small inflammatory swelling containing pus pimples, and an enlargement of the capillaries( small blood vessels) usually along the nose and central face. Patients with rosacea often complain of flushing. Drugs such as oral tetracycline and topical metronidazole or sulfur-containing preparations have all shown good results for this condition.
Source: Skin disease and internal medicine; Benjamin K. Yokel,MD, Antonette F. Hood, MD
.
.
Control Hair Loss -- But First See Types of Hair loss That Are Uncontrollable
In the U.S alone, the number of people(male and female)desperately looking for a miracle drug to treat or control hair loss has risen dramatically over the years.
To date, the few medications that have been manufactured to treat hair loss in general have all proven to be somewhat ineffective. Although not all types of hair loss can be controlled, some can be controlled or avoided if a few simple recommendations are followed. It’s also important that people who have experienced hair loss know the underlying causes before spending their hard earned money on products that can be considered useless.
Alopecia(hair loss) may be a localized condition or may be associated with
underlying systemic disorders. In nonscarring alopecia, which is known to be the most common cause of hair loss, the follicular orifice is preserved. On the contrary, in scarring alopecia, the follicle is destroyed.
Nonscarring Alopecia or Androgenic alopecia (male-pattern balding) is an inherited condition that can affect both women and men. It is also as a result of hormonal changes in body, mainly higher levels of male hormones androgens.
Since both sexes have androgens, they both can experience this type of baldness.
It is recommended that women with significant androgenic alopecia should be evaluated to rule out an underlying endocrine disorder. Fungal infections of the scalp are also other causes of non scarring alopecia. Diffuse, nonscarring alopecia can accompany systemic illnesses such as secondary syphilis, hypothyroidism, and systemic lupus erythematosus.
Scarring Alopecia
This type of hair loss is caused by inflammation severe enough to destroy the hair follicle. A common cause is chronic cutaneous (discoid) lupus erythematosus, which generally also produces scalp atrophy, erythematic, scale, and pigment alteration. Scarring Alopecia can also develop due to localized forms of scleroderma(morphea). Other causes include severe bacterial or fungal infections, and less common inflammatory disorders such as folliculitis decal vans and lichen planopilaris.
Alopecia Areata - More Sever Cases of Alopecia
Alopecia Areata presents as loss of hair from one or more discrete patches on the scalp. It’s an immune-mediated process; Immune system often times mistaken hair follicles for foreign substances and attacks them. Affected patients should be evaluated for autoimmune thyroid disease. Although this kind of alopecia usually runs a definite limited course without treatment, it can progress until the patient has no hair on the scalp(alopecia totalis)
Telogen Effluvium
Any major physiologic stress, including illness and pregnancy can lead to the simultaneous conversion of multiple hair follicles into the telogen (resting ) phase. Individuals with this type of hair loss will experience relatively sudden onset of widely spread scalp hair loss. However, since the loss is transient the hair will re-grow.
Medications/Supplements Causing Hair Loss
Certain types of medications may cause hair loss, such as chemotherapy agents, and drugs used to treat: gout, arthritis, depression, HTN, and heart conditions.
High doses of Vitamin A, can also lead to hair loss, so does birth control pills and pregnancy. However, after a discontinuation of the pills for at leas 6 months, or after delivery, there is usually a re-growth of hair with no long-term issues.
Other Drugs Causing Thinness of the Hair
Catatonic agents -- can cause complete alopecia because of their ability to stop the cell division process on rapid proliferation hair follicle cells.
Other conditions could lead to reversible hair loss include the following:
- Low-protein diet
- Low levels of iron in blood(common in women with heavy menstrual cycles)
- Diabetes
- Major surgery
- Chronic illness
- Chemicals and heat treatments such as coloring and perms can weaken hair resulting in hair loss
- Tightly braided hair
- Tightly fitted wigs
Present Treatments and Recommendations to Control Hair Loss
Although current treatments for(alopecia) common baldness are not very effective, however, below are some of the approaches and recommendations to treat or control hair loss:
- Minoxidil lotion improves blood circulation/supply to follicles and papillae to treat baldness slightly.
- A pill known as finasteride is also used to treat common baldness. It is designed to block the effect of Androgens on hair follicles. However, it can lead to birth defects in pregnant women. It may sometimes take months before lotions or pills produce any benefits
- Most Specialist suggest using baby shampoos
- People with hair loss should not use blow drier and should only comb hair after it dries, because wet hair will break easier than dry hair.
- Adding protein or iron to diet could control hair loss or re-grow hair.
- Avoid getting your hair too tightly braided
- Avoid regular wearing of tightly fitted wigs
- Avoid chemicals and heat treatments such as coloring and perms as they can weaken hair and cause hair loss
- Try to consume the daily recommended intake of protein
Present Alopecia Areatea Treatments
Steroids pills/(oral)/injection/topical cream may be used on affected areas. A lotion or a substance called anthralin cream may help. Other commonly used treatments are local and systemic steroids and also ultraviolet light.
Conclusion
For anyone who has been experiencing significant hair loss, you should consult your health care provider or a hair specialist as soon as possible as this could be the result of a serious health issue. Your health care provider should be able to inform you also whether your hair loss is genetically related or not.
Sources: 1.Medline 2.The Principles and Practice of Medicine 23rd Edition
