Archive for the 'SKIN PROBLEMS' Category

The study, conducted by Environmental Working Group (EWG), a Washington-based nonprofit, looked at over 400 peer-reviewed articles on sunscreen ingredients.

It found that many of the most popular sunscreens break down quickly in the sun or are not blocking many harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.

Rankings in the July 2007 issue of Consumer Reports revealed a similar problem: not all sunscreens are created equal.

Rather, they found that sunscreens with the same sun protection factor (SPF) ran the gamut from “excellent” to “poor” in their overall ability to block ultraviolet rays.

SPF measures a sunscreen’s ability to block UVB rays. But it says nothing about its strength against UVA rays, an equally damaging form of radiation that causes wrinkles and, more seriously, skin cancer. And unlike UVB rays that cause sunburns, UVA rays do not leave an immediate mark.

“We don’t have a physical, visible way to know if we’re protected against UVA radiation,” says Jane Houlihan, vice president of the Environmental Working Group (EWG). “Your skin looks fine, you’re not burnt, and you could have a massive dose of UV radiation.”

According to the researchers, topical applications of a naturally occurring fat molecule have the potential to slow down skin aging, whether through natural causes or damage.

Both normal aging process and external factors like UV rays damage your smooth and young skin, making it wrinkled.

The basis of this wrinkling is that time and damage both lower the production of new collagen while increasing the levels of enzymes called MMPs that chew up existing collagen.

In samples of skin cells, three of the lipids could prevent UV-radiation from both reducing collagen expression and increasing the levels of MMPs; they even increased collagen in undamaged skin cells.

Of these three, the molecule phosphatidylserine (PS) seemed the most promising, so the researchers tested it on human skin.

They applied a 2% PS solution to small areas of the buttock in both young and old volunteers; the young skin was subsequently given a dose of UV-radiation to simulate sun damage.

In both natural and UV-induced aging, PS treatment prevented collagen reduction and an increase in MMPs when compared to no treatment.

Source: ScienceDaily

Do you know what exactly astringent is used for the skin? Astringent is basically a toner designed to penetrate through the pores to constrict them, neutralize excess oils, and remove dirt and dead skin cells, giving the skin a healthy effect.

The word is the origin of the Latin word “astringere,” its meaning is “to bind fast.”

When applied to the living tissue, it makes the tissue to bind fast to itself, forming a protective layer of strong tight tissue between the skin’s underneath layers and the elements. This property of astringent is especially useful for various applications.

Astringent as toner

Astringent is a powerful toner because it contains alcohol to purify the skin and to restrain the growth of bacteria. It also reduces the possibility of pimples [Treating pimples], blackheads [Removing blackheads] and blemishes [Causes of blemishes] by controlling the oil, and keeps away from sagging tissues and the appearance of wrinkles.

So, astringent as a toner not only help the skin make soft and supple, but also cleanses and refreshes while controlling the oil production.

A toner makes the skin moist by removing the traces of extra makeup and opening the pores before applying moisturizer. It is more effective on extremely oily skin and dry sensitive skin.

Summertime! Searching for better sunburn relief? Here are excellent ways to get rid of those annoying sunburns.

Summertime, your skin mainly overexposes to sun reluctantly.

This over exposure of your skin to sun is the main source for many kinds of skin conditions like sunburns.

If your skin gets exposed to certain harmful rays, especially UV rays, then it is quite obvious for you to affect with sun burns.

So, don’t worry about these sun burns; there are certain sunburn remedies, which can help you significantly to get better sunburn relief.

Try topical vinegar for your sunburns!

Using plain white vinegar is the most popular way to get sunburn relief. Even though there is no scientific evidence for this folk remedy, most of the people believe that it is very helpful in relieving the pain, when it is applied on skin.

Plain white vinegar is also applied as a compress for your skin. Try to mix equal proportions of water and vinegar in a tub and soak clean towels in this solution. Now, wring these soaked towels and try to apply them on the affected areas on your skin. Always avoid contact of this solution with broken parts of your skin and also under your eye areas.

Facial wrinkles are unavoidable conditions which can be experienced by every one of you, as your age increases.

You cannot avoid wrinkles but there are many methods for delaying the formation of the wrinkles on your face.

Some of the facial wrinkle treatments are given here. Choose the one which is suitable for you.

Wrinkles are mainly caused due to loss of collagen and elastin protein in your skin.

The degree of wrinkling depends up on several factors like genetics, makeup etc. It can get worse due to smoking [Effects of Smoking on Skin] and also due to over exposure of your skin to sun.

Many treatments are available for wrinkles. Some of the major facial wrinkle treatments which are commonly used include:

• Retinol anti wrinkle treatment: This type of facial wrinkle treatment is more effective in restoring the firmness and elasticity of your skin. This night cream is very useful in restoring the youthful glow of your skin by releasing pure and active vitamin A below the surface of your skin and also reduces the signs of aging.
• DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) restoration therapy: This is the hormone which can preserve the youthfulness and glow of your skin and is considered as very effective for facial wrinkle treatment.

Are you worried about the scars on your face? For most of the people, scars can be embarrassing and feel a low self esteem while moving with others.

Don’t worry about the scars; here are some of the most important home remedies for scar removal, which can be very helpful for you.

Though they cannot give permanent results, you can get rid from these unwanted scars to some extent.

Few home remedies for scar removal:

Though there are many techniques in the treatment of scar removal, home remedies are always best suited for any kind of treatments.

These home remedies are mainly involved with naturals which we use in our daily life and these methods are very simple and also easy to follow. So, try these home remedies for your scar removal.

• Lemon juice: Try to apply lemon juice directly on the affected areas or simply rub the lemon on the affected parts of skin by making it in to two equal halves. The citric nature of the lemon is very helpful in the scar removal and also useful in cleaning the pores of your skin.

Worried about protecting your skin from harmful UV rays? Sunblock is very helpful in protecting your skin from UV rays emerging from sun.

A sunblock can physically block the absorption of UV rays of your skin.

It is usually categorized into two types: one is physical sun block and other is chemical sunblock. The most popular chemical sun block is zinc oxide.

Don’t get confused with sunscreen and sunblock.

Most of the people get confused with sunblock and sunscreen and more often use the words interchangeably. Sunblock is different from sunscreen.

Sunscreen protects your skin from the absorption of UV radiations where as sunblock physically blocks the rays of ultra violet, penetrating into your skin.

Sunblocks like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are very effective in protecting your skin from several sunburns and skin cancers. They are often visible and appear white on your skin. On the other hand, sunscreens are invisible and absorb the UV rays of sun falling on your skin.

Sunscreens usually contain benzophenones, which are very helpful in the protection of UVA radiations. Cinnamates and salicytes are very useful for protecting your skin from UVB rays.

Did you observe any redness on a particular area which is changing the texture of your skin?

Then it can be surely a skin lesion which is mainly caused due to psoriasis.

Psoriasis is an inflammation in your immune system in which scalp, skin and also finger nails are infected.

What are these red swollen rashes?

Skin lesions are mainly identified with a superficial growth or patches on the skin which does not resemble like the area which is surrounding the patch.

Most of the skin lesions include warts, moles and cysts. Almost all of the skin lesions are benign and it is very painful to remove these benign skin lesions.

Skin lesions can be the results of a wide range of conditions and diseases. It is a condition or tendency of developing moles, cysts, and also freckles on your skin. Bacterial, fungal or other germs and parasites can cause these type of skin lesions.

Some of the skin infections which can cause skin lesions include acne, warts, and athlete’s foot. In some cases, scabies can also cause skin lesions.

Wrinkle free skin care is very essential for every one to look younger than existing age and it mainly involves maintaining healthy diet and protecting your skin from harmful sunrays.

Wrinkle free skin care should actually begin from your teenage and is mainly based on the lifetime protection of your skin from polluted environment and sun.

Wrinkles are mainly caused due to long time exposure of your skin to sun.

Apart from sun, certain other important factors which play a major role in the formation of wrinkles include wind, environmental pollution, tobacco smoking and following unhealthy diet. [Causes of Wrinkles]

You will experience wrinkles when your skin loses elasticity, strength, fat and also moisture. This type of skin damage mainly involves breakdown of elastic fibre network within the cells of skin.

As a result, the collagen protein in your skin, which is mainly responsible for youthful look, tends to reduce gradually.

Your skin can lose fat cells as your age increases and as a result, your skin fails to retain the moisture and leads to wrinkles on skin.

Diet tips for wrinkle free skin:

• Add a spoonful of honey to your hot drink, which you take in the morning.

Growing age is always a scary thought for every one. As your age increases, your skin will become loose and can lead to wrinkles.

Mostly women are very much worried about wrinkles which can make them to look older than their age.

With proper care and treatment you can avoid wrinkles.

If you really want to look more stunning in your old age, then just follow guide lines given below for wrinkle treatment.

The first and fore most thing you need to do is, avoid exposure of your skin to sun, to avoid UV rays, which can cause damage to your skin. Do not neglect to apply sunscreen lotion while going out. Try to cover your body as much as possible without exposing it to sun and pollution.

Drink lots of water. It removes the unwanted materials like fat and other oily substances and helps to keep your skin hydrated always. In cooler or dry atmospheres, apply moisturizing cream to your skin.

Home remedies to avoid wrinkles:

• Olive oil shows better results in wrinkle treatment. Massage your skin with olive oil gently and regularly. Always massage in opposite direction of wrinkles.