Category Archives: skin

4 Tips to Help You Decide if Plastic Surgery is for You

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plastic surgery

By Casey Haslem

Plastic surgery can help an individual attain greater satisfaction with their appearance. However, before undergoing any type of procedure, you need to take several factors into consideration, so you can achieve the best results.

Discuss Your Options

Before you decide on a particular procedure you need to do some research first. Surgical facilities such as San Diego plastic surgery experts have the knowledge and expertise to be able to give you advice and recommendations based on your particular needs. Finding someone who you can trust and work with is imperative to a successful surgery, so you need to choose them wisely. They will also be able to go over the recovery process and things that you may encounter along the way.

Cost

You may have enough money put aside for the actual surgery, but you need to put some additional funds away in reserve. The extra money will be a financial cushion in case unexpected things should arise. This could include a procedure taking longer than expected or if you need other necessary work to support the original surgery. Many offices offer financing and payment plans, so you don’t have to pay for your treatment all at once.

Good Health

A plastic surgeon will be able to assess your health and do a series of tests to ensure you are in good physical health. Being in relatively good health can speed up the recovery process, especially if you don’t smoke or drink. Mental preparedness is another tip for determining whether plastic surgery is right for you. Your expectations should be realistic, and you should know that although your appearance will change, your attitude and positivity won’t change unless you do something about it. Plastic surgery can have a positive influence over your mental outlook and how you perceive yourself. If you’ve always been uncomfortable with the bump on your nose, plastic surgery can alleviate your insecurities.

Side Effects and Risks

With any surgery comes a variety of risks and side effects. In addition to asking the surgeon about the risks or complications, you need to do your own research. If there are things you need to do ahead of time to ensure a successful outcome such as quit smoking, lose a bit of weight or eat a healthy diet, you can implement a plan to get it done beforehand. Knowledge is power, and you will feel more confident with the surgeon and procedure if you know everything ahead of time.

Secret Ways to Save at the Salon

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By Zoe Williams

Ever wished you had enough money for a professional stylist to dip your hair in buttermilk and honey (or whatever it is they do to get the celebs looking so flawless)? Most of us are guilty of using and abusing our hair: curlers, straighteners, hair dryers…that much heat is too hot to handle! The signs of damage eventually start showing and we have to run down to the local hairdressers to save our poor tresses.

You too could go for up-market stylists, by choosing to save where you can. A pro treatment is affordable when you play your cards right and you too can get gorgeous tresses like the stars. Here’s how:

Budget

Pick up a menu of hair treatments from your stylist and work out a budget at home. If you’ve found yourself on hard times, be honest with your hairdresser about your financial situation and discuss cheaper ways to get your hair looking fabulous. Instead of full highlights, you could opt for partial highlights. Alternatively, choose great styles that need minimum maintenance.

Apprentices

Any hair studio worth its salt usually has apprentices on hand to be trained by the experts in the building. You can volunteer to go under their scissors at a massively discounted charge. You’ll get the same treatment, albeit by slightly less experienced hands, for a fraction of the price.

DIY

Usually stylists charge extra for a wash and blow dry. Turn up to your appointment with already sparkling clean hair and see if you can get your bill knocked down. Depending on your treatment, this may not apply, so ring up and inquire in advance.

A great way to reduce your salon visits is to ask advice from your stylist on home hair care. By keeping your tresses in tip-top condition, you’ll limit damage.

Buy Professional Products In-House

Salons tend to offer discounts on their products for regular customers. Generally this hair care is of higher quality than anything you’ll buy in Superdrug and refills may even come at a reduced price too. Find out your hairdresser’s policy on professional products and keep an eye out for sales around Christmas time; you may be able to buy a whole basketful of treatments at 50% off.

That said, don’t purchase products you really don’t need. When possible, opt for treatments that double duty. Again, consult your stylist about this.

Loyalty Programmes

Now that loyalty schemes are commonplace, it’s likely that your salon has some kind of system that’ll offer you freebies. Ask if there’s a programme in place, and if so, join up to it immediately to start saving money.

Hair Model

Sometimes, salons are on the look for models to show off their work. If you’re asked to pose for a style shoot, say yes, as you’re likely to receive a discount on your next haircut and a new hairdo absolutely free of charge. You’ll also have a pretty fantastic picture of you rocking a rad cut – so win, win!

About the Author:

This guest post has been contributed and composed by Zoe on behalf of http://www.salonsdirect.com.

Post Pregnancy Skin Care Advice

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Any woman who has experienced pregnancy knows just how much their hormones can be affected. These hormones can greatly affect the way our skin looks and feels. Some of the more common problems that women have to deal with after pregnancy are loose skin, melasma, an increase or decrease in acne or blemishes, and dilated capillaries. These changes to your skin may be hard to deal with during pregnancy, and can continue to affect your skin even after you have had the baby. This article will outline some of the most common skin problems and what you can do about them after pregnancy.

1. Diet and Exercise

Your diet has a lot to do with the general condition of your skin. Eating a healthy diet that is packed with antioxidants can help you to restore your skin’s health. Drink plenty of water. Water helps to speed up your metabolism and give your skin a soft, supple look. Another important step is to build lean body mass. This will help your skin fill out. Exercising will increase your metabolism as well, which will help you shed the extra pounds and loose skin gained during pregnancy.

2. Schedule a Professional Facial or Chemical Peel

Being a new mother comes with its own set of challenges, and nothing is better than leaving the hard work to a professional. A licensed professional can help you by performing soothing problem skin treatments. They can also give you some tips that are aimed at helping your skin in particular.

3. Use Skin Care Products Containing Salicylic Acid.

Products that contain salicylic acid are great for the skin because they have the dual benefits of preventing blemishes and penetrating the pores to help clear out impurities. This terrific ingredient confers proven results, and prevents blackheads after a deep pore cleansing facial.

4. Massage Away Loose Skin After Pregnancy

In the battle to fight loose skin, massage therapy is an invaluable ally. Massages promote skin regeneration by stimulating blood flow and circulation to the skin. Additionally, massages will help to get rid of stretch marks. You can let your partner massage you to help you get back in the mood after pregnancy or simply use a luff in the shower.

5. Avoid Using Harsh Products That Leave the Skin Feeling Dry and Irritated

Many cleansers and toners, in an effort to dry out breakouts, will dry areas of the skin that are not broken out, resulting in dry skin cell buildup. This layer of dead skin cells will, in effect, cause a buildup of oil and, perhaps, bacteria, causing more breakouts! Make sure to avoid products labeled sulfate-free and avoid the ingredient Sodium Laureth.

After pregnancy it is important to get your skin looking as it did before pregnancy, so make sure that you identify the type of blemish you are experiencing so that you can give it the appropriate treatment. There are many different products on the market today, but not all of them are as effective as others or used for the same type of blemishes as others.

About the Author:

Melissa is young but fearsome lady with painfully good sense of fashion and fashion streams and also interested in beauty and health topics. She currently writes for Cosmos Clinic covering various , health, beauty topics and everything that can make you prettier, but at the same time – healthier.

The Key To Naturally Glowing Skin

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Most women wish that their skin were more healthy. They look at adverts and even some of their friends and wonder how they manage to achieve the ever-elusive healthy glow. The truth is that there is no miracle product; healthy-looking skin is actually a reflection of just a few outside elements and how well you look after yourself on the inside. These six tips will have your skin looking healthier in no time.

Choose Your Products Carefully

Women are often sucked in by the many outlandish claims made by beauty companies, but the truth is that simple is almost always better. You want natural products that contain as few chemical ingredients as possible, as these can be harsh and dry out your skin. Choose fragrance-free products where possible as added fragrance is often the cause of skin irritation and allergic reactions.

Stay Balanced

It is very important for women to maintain pH levels, but most do not realise that this is equally important for the skin. Taking care to choose pH balanced products will ensure that the skin maintains its elasticity and stays healthier for longer.

Chuck the Heavy Duty Products

Many women believe that it is very important to use cleansers and toners, but this is actually not the case. Most cleansers are guaranteed to dry out the skin and, when used to scrub the face, can be extremely harsh on the skin, causing more damage. If you need to use a cleanser, choose a soft, moisturising, milk-based cleanser and follow the directions carefully. There should be no need to scrub as with an exfoliator.

Toner is also an unnecessary product if you follow all of these tips. The purpose of toner is to restore the pH balance that is disturbed by the use of soap and cleanser, so if you choose pH balanced products as outlined this is no longer required.

Moisturize

Few women manage to moisturise on a regular basis. Choose a simple moisturiser and ensure that its application finds a place in your routine. A good time to do this is before bed and, if you don’t already have a set routine for bedtime, use this to establish a regular night-time routine as this should also help you sleep better.

Get Enough Sleep

Getting a good night’s sleep is vital for your skin, especially the skin on your face. Sleep deprivation causes dark circles and puffiness around the eyes and can lead to other health problems that will further exacerbate any issues with your skin. Most adults require somewhere between six-and-a-half to eight hours’ sleep every night, so get in touch with your needs and make sure they are met.

A simple way of doing this is to choose a week when you are off work and go to sleep each night without an alarm set. This will help you work out what your body needs to feel refreshed. Try to stick with this amount of sleep, adjusting your routine as necessary.

Drink Plenty of Water

This is vital for overall health and can have an incredible impact on your skin. Taking in more water means your skin will be naturally moisturised, plump, soft and healthy, so make sure you get the recommended two-and-a-half litres per day.

This guest post has been contributed by Zoe, a professional blogger who is currently writing on behalf of Archers Sleep Centre.

Light Therapy for Acne

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New scientific break throughs now offer blue light therapy as a way to manage and eliminate acne. Not only teens can benefit from this treatment, it works for adults as well.  this simple to use blue light therapy has been proven effective in the fight against acne for all ages. See the infographic below for a short lesson on skin care and acne prevention.

Acne Light Treatment

Via: Tanda Skincare for more information about blue light LED skincare.

IPL laser and why it’s good for spring

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If you’re looking to revamp you complexion in time for spring – why not check out IPL laser? This non-surgical procedure can improve your complexion, so let’s find out more about this innovative treatment.

How does IPL laser work?

IPL laser uses intense pulsed light technology to successfully treat skin problems including acne, rosacea, sun-damage, fine lines and wrinkles, broken capillaries, age spots, blemishes, birthmarks and port wine stains. Bursts of red or blue light are shined onto the skin and these penetrate the tissue – stimulating your body to remove the injured cells. This process is known as photorejuvination and is available at numerous skincare clinics across the UK and the world.

IPL laser can also improve the tone and texture of your skin and is able to even out pigmentation. It can hydrate your complexion and requires very little, to no down time (depending on the strength of the laser) making it very popular with people of all ages. Flushing of the skin and acne scarring can be rather embarrassing, but this treatment will help reveal you natural luminosity.

When will I see results?

Dramatic results can usually be seen within a relative short period of time, although a course of treatments is usually recommended – to make sure all problem areas are taken care of. IPL treatment packages can be put together by experienced practitioners who will advise you on the best type of treatments for your skin type, so don’t hesitate to visit your nearest clinic.

If you’re desperate for a flawless complexion you might want to try additional treatments such as microdermabrasion. This non-surgical procedure polishes the top layer of the skin and helps to open your pores. Similarly, chemical peel can improve your appearance, by removing dry or damaged skin cells. Different peel formulas are available, so you can choose something that suits your skin type and complexion.
Why is IPL ideal for spring?

There are many ways to look beautiful throughout spring, but IPL laser will help you stand out from the crowd. It will leave you with skin to be proud of and should boost your confidence throughout the warmer months. You won’t have to hide away in baggy clothes and can show off your beauty in fashionable clothes. Come summer, you’ll even be able to don shorts without worrying about the broken capillaries on your legs and can walk around with pride.

Learn more about IPL laser today and get ready for the warmer months.

How to Stay Wrinkle-Free

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Let’s play a skincare version of “Would You Rather…”

Would you rather immerse your body in a bathtub of cockroaches or have wrinkles?

Many women would choose the cockroaches.  Good thing we don’t have to choose…right?

Wrinkles are the nemesis of the aging process and unfortunately NO ONE is immune to them.  NEWSFLASH!  You WILL eventually get wrinkles.  I hate being the bearer of bad news, but, if you prepare (likening it to preparing for a cat. 5 hurricane) you might come out on the other side unscathed.  And without the use of cockroaches!

There are a few key environmental activities that cause aging that we can control.  And some we can’t.  (Insert frowny face here).

Let’s start with can’t.  Gravity.  Can’t control it.  Newton said it exists and our skin, over time, proves it.  We sag…and we sag south…some more rapidly than others.  But unless we live on the moon, we need to just accept that gravity helps with aging.

Muscle use.  Let’s all cheer for facial muscles!  They are a double edged sword.  They allow us to embrace our facial expressions.  They help your kids know when you’re not happy.   It’s those two lines that form between your eyebrows that insure that yes, they are in BIG TROUBLE!  Facial muscles also let your bestie know when you’re happy to see her by the deep commas around your nose and mouth area.  And the other side of the sword?  There is almost no controlling habitual facial expression.  Sorry.

Hormones.  Ahhhhhh, the culprit for everything bad and evil in the world.  You can blame your wrinkles on them too.  Yup, the decrease of the production of estrogen can have effect on the speed of chronological aging

Deep cleansing breath.  No more losing sleep about what we can’t control when it comes to collagen loss and and thinning skin.  Gravity, muscle use and hormones.  Check.

Now let’s talk about what we CAN control!  Raise your hand if you’ve ever been in the sun without sunscreen on?  I know you are ALL guilty!  Now stop it!  Never ever ever ever do it again!  The effects of ultraviolet rays on the skin are the biggest aging culprit that we can control.  It breaks down collagen fibers, it causes cancer and 90% of the symptoms of premature aging in the skin come from UVA, UVB or Ultraviolet light.  Use sunscreen.  Get a hat.  Protect your skin.  You get one shot with your skin…make it count!

Now, who smokes?  Drinks alcohol? Live in a city with any air pollution?  Another huge contributor to wrinkles is free radicals.  Each of these free radicals cause damage to the layers of the skin, which in turn,  breakdown the fibers of the skin, and cause the “W” word…wrinkles.  Reduce or stop bad habits and your skin will thank you!

Water.  Drink it or you will look like a dried up old saddle bag eventually!  Drinking water adds to the suppleness of the skin.  It makes it look plum, which will fill out the fine lines and wrinkles from within.   Oh, and an added benny?  It will help with your dark circles under your eyes too!  P.S.  Drinking Alcohol dramatically dehydrates the skin.  Moderation peeps!

There are a few other urban legends that claim to age the skin quickly such as husbands, jobs, kids, in-laws and stress.  However, studies are inconclusive to the severity of these stressors on the skin. 

So what can you do now, this very second, to keep the wrinkles from cropping up, or at the very least slow everything down a little bit?  Repeat after me.

“I solemnly swear to use sunscreen every time I leave the house.  I will drink at least 64 ounces of water a day.  I will reduce or eliminate free radicals from my life including, smoking (includes second hand smoke) alcohol use, pollution and ultraviolet lighting and in-laws and maybe even my husband.”

All punning and arthropods aside, utilizing these few suggestions will dramatically lessen the effects of the environment on your skin.  Check out the following links to some natural skin products that will protect your skin from the aging process.  Leave a question or two and I’ll even put your name into a drawing for a PRIZE!

Sensaria Daily Moisturizing Sun Protection SPF 28:

What I love about the Daily Sun Protection SPF 28 is that it soaks into the skin without leaving your skin oily or slick.  Perfect for under makeup for everyday use, or at the beach.

Sensaria SPF Lip Balm Trio:

Three yummy flavors.  One spectacularly silky lip balm formula. 

Sensaria Skin Perfecting Treatment:

Put a barrier between your skin and the environment while building back the moisture in your skin.  Doubles as a makeup primer and your skin will feel like silk.

Exfoliate Your Way to Smooth, Sexy, Unbelievable Skin!

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So have you ever looked in the mirror and really (no really…?) liked what you saw looking back?  Wish you had celebrity skin?  Who doesn’t!  As women, when our skin is rockin’, we feel unstoppable.  And almost nothing gives us more confidence than great looking skin…well, maybe other than a new hand bag.

But you CAN have rockin’ skin and you can achieve it by using a skincare treatment that EVERYONE is talking about.  And that my friend is…Exfoliation.

Exfoliating is the process of removing dead cells from your top layer of skin.  But did you know that there are two ways to exfoliate?  Yup!  Chemical exfoliation and manual exfoliation.  So get ready for your Exfoliating 411.  Chemical exfoliation uses acids such as BHA (Salicylic Acid), AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid) or benzoyl peroxide that eat away the dry skin.  Manual exfoliation uses small granules or abrasive particles, usually suspended in a soothing cream, which scrubs off the dead skin.  Easy peasy!

Now for the hard part…which do you use?  It’s up to you!  I prefer a more natural approach, so I always recommend manual exfoliation.  Exfoliating benefits most skin types; however those with rosasea or very sensitive skin should go easy.  No worries though, most skin types can tolerate some form of mild scrubbing.

Exfoliating the skin on a regular basis (twice a week), can help improve many skin issues such as clogged pores, black head, white heads, hyper pigmentation and dry, dull skin.  And it’s not just for your face!  Scrubbing the skin on your bod will help with clogged pores or rough skin there as well.

Check out Sensaria’s Microdermabrasion Crème with volcanic pumice that’s suspended in a soothing cream with azulene from the chamomile plant for the face, and for the body, go for the Rejuvenating Salt Mud, which detoxifies the skin, as well as exfoliates it, using volcanic silt, a blend of Japanese mushrooms and wasabi.

Use both twice a week and you’re almost guaranteed to barely recognize the woman with gorgeous skin looking back at you!