Great eyelash tips are something that everyone should have in their makeup bag. Learning about what the right cosmetics for your skin color and eye color are is something essential. From the right dye to the right tools for improved growth of your eyelashes, there is plenty to learn. The potential for beautiful eyelashes is out there if you only look for the right tips and ideas to help you to get the look you want. There is a whole world that you gcan look into when looking through improved eyelashes. Add glamour to your look by paying attention to your eyelashes.


Thin Eyelashes

If you are looking for thicker, longer eyelashes, there are several things that you can do. The eyelash frames the eye and draws the attention into your eyes as they move. This is a key place to consider adding a bit of thickness for added benefit.

To do this, you have several options. You can select to use a mascara to do the work. Apply the same color as your eyelashes and do so in one sweeping movement from the base of your eyelash line to the tips of the lashes. Mascara is a great way to make eyelashes longer too. Select the type of mascara that does this for beautiful, naturally looking length.

Another option that you have is to apply false eyelashes. If you go this route, consider individual eyelashes rather than full lashes. They are much more natural looking. They do take a bit longer to put on, but are well worth the extra work.
An Additional Tip. In addition to these treatments, to thicken eyelashes and eyebrows, you should apply the correct color and amount of eye make up. Applying good quality products will result in a more natural look. Using eyeliner, eye shadow and mascara will improve the thickness of the eyelashes and the eyebrow.
There is no reason for you not to have the gorgeous eyelashes and eyebrows that you would like to have. All you need to do is to apply the right types of makeup to your eyes and within just a few seconds, you have beautiful looking eyes. Thicken eyelashes and eyebrows for a dramatic effect.


Eyelashes are like every other hair on your body. They have a specific growth cycle that keeps them growing regularly. Like each other hair, they will grow to a specific length and then stop. Although most do not realize it, all of the hair on your body will replace itself every few years with new hair, including your eyelashes.


Understanding Eyelash Growth

There are a few things to realize about eyelashes. For example, consider the fact that each hair on your body has a specific length that it will grow to. Even the hair on your head will stop growing at a specific length. That is why not many people have hair that grows past their middle backs. Your eyelashes are a prime subject to consider for this. It is rare to find very long eyelashes that would cover your eyes! Still, some people have longer lashes than others. It’s all about the genetics!


Eyelashes Regrow

How do eyelashes regrow, then? When your eye lash falls out or you pluck it out, it will grow back. The eyelash growth cycle takes about four to eight weeks to fully replace an eyelash. If you lose a large clump of eyelashes, it is likely to take longer for them all to be replaced as it can take up to four weeks for replacements to come in fully.


Stimulate Eyelash Growth

There are some that believe that they can stimulate eyelash growth. There are a few problems with this. For one, eye lashes are on the growth cycle and will only come back according to that. If you pluck an eye lash out, it will take several weeks to grow back. Some people mistakenly believe that if they cut the tips of their eye lashes off, that they will somehow continue to grow. This is not true and will not help you to get long, beautiful eyelashes.

Eyelash growth products are available on the market, but none have been proven to work scientifically, even if they promise that they will. One product that’s worth a look is Lilash Eyelash Stimulator.

One thing to note is that if you apply large amounts of eyelash glue to your false eyelashes, you are likely to pull out several lashes at a time, which can have you looking a bit sparse. Instead of doing this, make sure that you follow the manufacturers directions for removing false eyelashes.

Although you may not be able to stimulate eyelash growth, eyelashes usually will grow back. Those that do want those long lashes will have to hope that they are in their genetic code or will need to resort to false lashes instead.



A thick and curly eyelash is an enviable feature indeed. But not all of us have bestowed with such a cosmetic credit .So what? We can always get anything if put our minds into it. With the improvement in technology everything is possible.The artificial eye lashes are boon for those who are beauty conscious.


Artificial Remedies for Eyelash Enhancement
Eyelashes and in particular long eyelashes make the eyes look bigger, and ‘open’ the eyes up. Heavily made up lashes or eyelash extensions give a more dramatic look suitable for evening make up and can look great on people with smaller eyes. A heated eyelash curler can be used before applying eyeliner or mascara to maximize the effect.


Enhancing The Eyelids
Eyelids can be enhanced with make up (a light shade of make up will make the eyes more prominent) to make the eyes sparkle. False eyelashes or heavy mascara can be applied for a dramatic look that extends the eyelid and creams can be used on the eyelid and skin around the eye to create a glowing healthy look and reduce lines and minor wrinkles.


Eyelash Curlers And Extensions
Cold (metal) eyelash curlers create the same effect as electric heated eyelash curlers, they gently bend the lashes creating a fresh and open look. The procedure has to be applied every time that make up is applied and is not permanent. It is possible to have the eyelashes curled permanently and even to have them dyed with safe eyelash dye. These procedures all have to be repeated after 4 to 6 weeks.

Curling the eyelashes has to be undertaken with the greatest of care. Especially people with short or very little eyelashes have to make sure to not get burned when using a heated curler, as the curler is used so close to the skin of the eyelid. After excessive curling eyelashes may break or get damaged in the same way that hair that gets styled and blow dried too much, breaks and possibly falls out.

If you tend to curl your eyelashes a lot it can be a good idea to use eyelash oils (applied just like mascara) to feed and repair the eyelashes in between curling treatments. These nurturing treatments are available in any good beauty shop.

Eyelash extensions are small clumps of hair that can be stuck in between the real lashes. The fake eyelashes are longer than the natural ones, creating a fuller look. Extensions can be purchased in any possible colour and gold and silver, to create a special festive look.

Applying these lashes may take some practice, as it can be difficult to handle the very small bits of hair. The best way to go about it is to use a pair of tweezers to hold the fake eyelashes, gently apply just a little bit of eyelash glue at the very tip of the lashes and then apply them to the eyelid (while pulling the eyelid skin taunt).



Isabella ♥




What is tanning?

Tanning is the skin's reaction to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. When skin is exposed to UV rays, cells called melanocytes produce the brown pigment melanin, which darkens the cells of the epidermis. This darkening of the skin cells is the skin's natural – if imperfect – defense against further damage from UV radiation.


Is tanning bad for you?

The sun's UV rays damage the DNA of the skin's epidermal cells, triggering enzymes that race to repair the damage. However, these enzymes do not always repair the DNA successfully, and all this unrepaired damage can lead to mutations that increase the risk of skin cancer. Also, repeated unprotected sun exposure can cause photoaging – wrinkles, sagging skin, and spots associated with sun damage.


Does all UV radiation harm my skin?

Scientists divide the solar UV spectrum into three wavelengths - UVA, UVB and UVC. Once, UVA and UVC were thought harmless, and only UVB was believed dangerous. UVC is still deemed no threat, since it is absorbed by the ozone layer. But UVA accounts for up to 95 percent of solar UVR reaching Earth. Though far less capable of causing sunburn than UVB, UVA is present during all daylight hours year round, while the amount of UVB in sunlight varies by season, location and time of day.

By the 1990's, scientists knew that UVA exacerbates the cancer-causing effects of UVB, and is the main wavelength behind photoaging. Recently, an Australian-U.S. study found that UVA may be more carcinogenic than UVB. It penetrates more deeply and causes more genetic damage in the skin cells (keratinocytes) where most skin cancers arise. The National Institutes of Health and the World Health Organization now designate both UVA and UVB as causes of cancer.


Doesn't the melanin acquired through tanning actually protect my skin?
Darker skin does offer greater protection than light skin against sunburn and skin cancer. However, that applies only to people with naturally darker skin. Tanning, like sunburns, attacks the skin's DNA, producing genetic defects that may cause skin cancer.


Isn't getting sunburned more dangerous than getting tan?

Both are dangerous, because both result from DNA damage to the skin cells. It is true that sunburn has been directly linked to melanoma – one blistering sunburn more than doubles a person's chances of developing melanoma later in life. It is usually thought that lifetime sun exposure is responsible for increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma, while both intense, intermittent sun exposure – the pattern that is traditionally linked to melanoma – and lifetime exposure are believed to be involved in the development of basal cell carcinoma. However, studies have also shown a marked increase in melanoma incidence in people who have developed either squamous cell carcinoma or basal cell carcinoma. Scientists are still trying to determine the exact exposure pattern behind the development of the different types of skin cancer, but it is safe to say that both burning and tanning play major roles in skin cancer.


Are tanning beds safer?

Tanning salon owners say tanning machines are safer than outdoor tanning for two reasons: 1) they mainly use UVA rays, and 2) they offer more "controlled" UV exposure. However, we know now that UVA is a carcinogen, and studies have revealed that tanning salons frequently exceed "safe" UV limits. Study after study has shown that sunbed tanning increases the risk of both melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers.

The facts bear out: There is no such thing as a safe tan. However, there are safe alternatives in sunless tanners. Being informed about how to protect yourself from unwanted sun exposure is the best defense against skin cancer and photoaging.


Safer Tanning Options for Sun Goddesses

Use these safe tanning tips to sun tan safely in the glorious sunshine. Take special care of your skin against the potential dangers of sun damage.

Besides sun tanning, consider other tanning options available to help you achieve that glorious golden tan.

There are 3 ways to achieve a tan:

Sun Tanning

Salon Tanning

Fake Tanning


Let's look at each of them in greater details.



SUN TANNING

So if you are heading for the beach, don’t forget your sun block in addition to your shades, your towel and your sandals. This is the first and most important sun tanning tip.

Studies have shown a strong correlation between sun tanning and skin cancer. More and more people are being diagnosed with the disease.

Contrary to popular misconception, there is no such thing as a “healthy tan”. Tanning is, in essence, the skin’s reaction to damage already done, and a defensive attempt to protect itself from further harm.

The sun’s ultraviolet rays are the most threatening component of a natural suntan.

Two types of UV rays, UVA and UVB, negatively affect the skin by deeply penetrating our skin and potentially damage gene composition.

UVA rays is the predominant type and tends to cause skin cancer after prolonged periods of time.

Sunburn and the redness associated with sun exposure result from UVB rays, which are also a strong risk factor for skin cancer.


SAFE SUN TANNING TIPS

If you simply cannot avoid going out in the sun on a gorgeous day, read the following safe sun tanning tips carefully.


SAFE SUN TANNING TIP #1C
onsider using a sun block with a low SPF. This will still allow tanning, but the skin will receive at least a small degree of protection from the powerful rays.


SAFE SUN TANNING TIP #2
Be especially cautious when in or on the water, as the sun may badly burn the skin without any warning signs.


SAFE SUN TANNING TIP #3
Hats and t-shirts can provide a degree of protection when one is enjoying the weather, playing sports or simply relaxing on a nice day.


SAFE SUN TANNING TIP #4
Some individuals should exercise extreme caution when exposed to the sun, including those with very fair skin, those who burn often or tan poorly, those who have many freckles or moles, those under age 16, and those who have a history of skin cancer themselves or in the family history.

Even if these conditions do not apply to you personally, it is still very important to be smart about your own exposure to the sun.


SAFE SUN TANNING TIP #5
Apply sun block before you go into the sun and before you dress, to ensure that you don’t miss any areas.


SAFE SUN TANNING TIP #6
Gradually build up the time you spend in the sun. Never be tempted to burn – it’s a sign of skin damage.


SAFE SUN TANNING TIP #7
Stay out of the sun between 12 noon and 3 o’clock when the sun is at its hottest. Move into the shade or cover up with a T-shirt and broad-brimmed hat.


SAFE SUN TANNING TIP #8
If you’re playing a lot of sports or swimming, choose a special sports formula or waterproof formulation.


SAFE SUN TANNING TIP #9
Lips need a good lip screen to protect them from burning and chapping.


SAFE SUN TANNING TIP #10
Like skincare ranges, there are hypoallergenic suncare products around, so ask at your pharmacist.


SALON TANNING

Personal tanning methods available today attempt to eliminate the UV rays from coming in contact with the skin, yet you have to wonder how safe you are when shutting yourself in a tiny tanning booth for 30 minutes at a time!

Popularity of tanning beds tends to soar as teens strive for the prom-perfect hue and women of all ages aim to avoid the pasty white complexions they suffered long enough through the winter.

Though they are thought to be only slightly more protective than getting a natural tan due to the controlled environment, risks are still associated with tanning beds as the exposure to UV rays is still present.

Do you know there is a recommended allotment of time that one should not exceed in the course of a year when using a tanning bed?

According to the British Photodermatology Group (BPG-a branch of the British Association of Dermatologists), one should not surpass 10 sets of 30-minute sessions twice a year, or in other words, 10 hours of exposure per year.

Have you exceeded this recommended amount of sun exposure?


FAKING TANNING

The safest tan of all is one that comes out of a bottle. There are 3 main ways to fake a tan:


Bronzing Powders

Wash-off tanners

Self Tanners



BRONZING POWDERS

Use powders on your face in the same way as a blusher. Make sure that the one you use is not peralized, or you’ll really shimmer in the sunshine.

WASH-OFF TANNERS

This is the simplest way to create an instant tan on your face and body. You simply smooth on the cream and then wash it away at the end of the day.

SELF TANNERS

A safer method of tanning than sun tanning and visits to the salon, self-tanning products have taken leaps and bounds in technology-far beyond the “orange tone” so many worry about experiencing.

Self-tanning products come in several forms-lotions, gels, wipes, sprays, and now, even a pill! The pill stimulates the pigment to change without any exposure to the sun, which is actually thought to be a positive preventive alternative to harmful sun exposure.

For those who still enjoy the trip to the salon but don’t feel the need to visit a tanning bed, a new tanning-spray treatment is available at some salons. It is quick, about a 30 second application with instant results.

All of these tanning options involve the active ingredient dihydroxyacetone (DHA.), which is absorbed by the surface skin cells and turns brown in the presence of oxygen – which creates the “tan”. This process usually takes three to four hours, and the effects last until these skin cells are naturally shed – which can be from a few days up to a week. Self tanners are acceptable alternatives to the real thing.

Many of the products available also contain moisturizers and vitamins to help the skin remain healthy and soft while not exposing the body to any UV rays. Looking for some fake tanning products? Click here and type in “fake tanning” in the search box to search for what you are need.


Here are some self tanning tips for your consideration:

SELF TANNING TIP #1
Use a body scrub first to rub away the dead flaky skin that can soak up colour and create a patchy finish.


SELF TANNING TIP #2
Massage in plenty of body lotion over the area to be treated. This will combat any remaining dry areas and give a smooth surface on which to apply the tanning lotions.


SELF TANNING TIP #3
If there’s a shade choice, go with the lighter one, because you can always apply a second layer later on.


SELF TANNING TIP #4
Work the product firmly into the skin until it feels completely dry. Any excess left on the surface is likely to go patchy.


SELF TANNING TIP #5
If you’ve applied self tanner to your body, wipe areas that don’t normally tan with damp cotton wool pads (cotton balls) – armpits, nipples, soles of feet and fingers. On the face, work the cotton wool around the eyebrows, hairline and jawline.


SELF TANNING TIP #6
While there are self-tanning products that offer some protection from the sun until you wash your skin, it’s best to use them in conjunction with the best sunscreen for your skin type.


Even with an artificially produced tan, it is vital to practice protective measures to prevent sun damage. A simple sun block will do, in addition to monitoring your exposure to the sun.

No matter which tanning option you settle for if you simply must have that glowing tan, use caution when you bask in the rays at the shore or wherever.

Keep these important safe tanning tips in mind whenever you are exposed to the sun for a significant duration of time:


SAFE TANNING TIP #1
Do your best to avoid falling asleep while tanning. We all know how tempting it is to take that relaxing nap to the sounds of the surf, but you could wake up fried to a painful crisp!


SAFE TANNING TIP #2
Even if you are determined to go home with some color, try a very low SPF level sunscreen. Something as low as SPF15 will do more good for your skin than bare exposure!


SAFE TANNING TIP #3
When you do experience sunburn, keep aloe and cocoa butter on hand. Aloe is known to soothe the skin, while cocoa butter helps in keeping skin soft and smooth while also repairing it and preventing peeling after sun damage.



Isabella ♥






Face Mask remove dead skin cells from the surface and help to tighten pores and make the skin appear smoother.




How to apply Facial Masks


Most homemade mask recipes are extremely easy to make either by hand or using a liquidiser/blender. Homemade facial masks containing natural ingredients such as fruits, vegetables, dairy products, honey, egg, clay powder and oats. We provide some homemade facial mask recipes for all type (oily skin, sensitive skin, dry skin, combination skin, normal skin, and aged skin) of skins.



Strawberry and cream mask:



The honey, with its many trace elements, combines with the cream to nourish tired skin and prevent it from drying too quickly. The salicylic acid in the strawberries cleanses by removing impurities and dead cells.




INGREDIENTS:


3-4 medium-sized, ripe strawberries 1 tablespoon fresh double cream 1 tablespoon honey METHOD : Mash the strawberries with the back of a fork or puree them in a food processor or blender. Add the cream and honey to the puree to form a thick mixture. Add a little more cream if the mixture is too runny or 1 teaspoon of clay. Apply to the cleaned face and neck, avoiding the area around the eyes, and leave for approx. 10 minutes. Rinse off with water, and finish with a little rosewater, leaving it to dry naturally.




VARIATION


Substitute live yoghurt for the cream to balance the pH of the skin. You can also use raspberries instead of strawberries. The yoghurt/raspberry variation is suitable for sensitive skin, and it is also less likely to cause minor irritation for anyone allergic to strawberries.


EFFECT


nourishes, cleanses, balances pH if substitute live yoghurt


SKIN TYPES


all (see VARIATION for sensitive skin)


FREQUENCY OF USE


once a week


SHELF LIFE


5 hours in refrigerator


PREPARATION TIME


5 minutes


TREATMENT TIME


10 minutes




Almond and egg white mask


Nourishing vitamins, fatty acids, trace elements and enzymes in almond and honey combine with the astringent action of egg white to make a very effective mask for dry or ageing skin.


INGREDIENTS:


50g almonds 1 large egg white1 tablespoon honey


METHOD :


Blanch the almonds in boiling wafer for 4 minutes and leave to cool. Beat the egg white lightly. Peel the almonds and give them in a blender until you have a coarse granular texture. Add the lightly beaten egg white and the honey, and blend again to form a smooth paste. If the consistency is too thick to spread easily, stir in some rosewater, a little at a time. Apply evenly to the cleaned face and neck and leave for approx. 20 minutes. Remove with water, and pat dry. Dab on a little rosewater and leave to dry naturally.


EFFECT


nourishes


SKIN TYPES


dry or aging


FREQUENCY OF USE


two or three times a week


SHELF LIFE


6 hours in refrigerator


PREPARATION TIME


5 minutes


TREATMENT TIME


20 minutes


Banana Wrinkles Facial Mask or Anti-Aging Mask :


Bananas are one of the most nourishing fruits available because they contain large quantities of magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc and iodine, and vitamins A, B (folic acid), E and F. Here they are teamed with double cream used to prevent wrinkles, and organic honey in a recipe crammed full of nutrients.


INGREDIENTS:


1 small banana approx. 0 2 tablespoons fresh double cream1 tablespoon organic honeyapprox. 1 tablespoon potato flour


METHOD :


Mash the banana, using the back of a fork, and then add 2 tablespoons of fresh double cream, 1 tablespoon honey and 1 tablespoon of potato flour. Stir to mix well. You may need to add a little more cream or potato flour to obtain the consistency of thick cream or yoghurt. Apply the mask to the cleaned face, including the area around the eyes, and the neck and leave for approx. 30 minutes. Rinse off with water and dab on a little rosewater leaving to dry naturally.


EFFECT


nourishes


SKIN TYPES


dry, ageing


FREQUENCY OF USE


2 times a week


SHELF LIFE


6 hours in refrigerator


PREPARATION TIME


5 minutes


TREATMENT TIME


30 minutes



Blemish free face mask : 1 tsp carrot juice,1 tsp yougurt ,1 tsp sweet almond oil,1 tsp honey stir to mix well. Apply this to face and neck and leave for 20 minutes. Remove with water. Blend 2 tsp oatmeal, 2 tsp milk and 1 whole egg. Stir well. Leave on face 10-15 Minutes and rinse with warm water, then with cold water. Mash fresh or frozen unsweetened strawberries, smooth the puree over the face, and let it dry for 10 minutes and rinse with cold water.


Strawberries are time-tested skin improvers that clean pores, tighten skin, help clear blemishes,and postpone wrinkling. Turmeric facial mask : Mix 5 tsp besan (gram flour), 2 tsp of turmeric powder, 2 tsp of sandal wood powder, 2 tsp of ghee or almond oil, add some water to make a paste. Apply to face and body and leave for 5-10 minutes. And then wash with water.



Yoghurt and carrot juice mask:


This is an excellent mix for improving the elasticity of a dry skin. The yoghurt has a good balancing effect on the pH. Carrot contains precious rejuvenating minerals, and honey's moistening action is invaluable for a tired skin.


INGREDIENTS:


1 large carrot or 1 tablespoon carrot juice approx. 2 tablespoons yoghurt1 tablespoon sweet almond oil1 tablespoon honey


METHOD :


If making your own carrot juice, prepare 1 tablespoonful. An alternative, if you don't have a juicer, would be to use grated carrot, in which case you need 2 tablespoonsful. Mix the yoghurt with the carrot, and stir in the sweet almond oil and honey. Apply to the cleaned face and neck and leave for approx. 20 minutes. Remove with water and pat dry. Finish with a dab of rosewater left to dry naturally, if you wish.


VARIATION


Use wheatgerm oil instead of sweet almond oil for an even more nourishing effect. Wheatgerm contains vitamin E, which has a powerful healing, regenerative action.


EFFECT


nourishes, balances pH


SKIN TYPES


all, especially dry, ageing or damaged



FREQUENCY OF USE


once a week


SHELF LIFE


6 hours in refrigerator


PREPARATION TIME


5 minutes


TREATMENT TIME


20 minutes



Fresh milk and lemon mask


You need fresh full-cream milk for this mask, which helps to balance the pH of a dry or ageing skin. The lemon juice is astringent, and therefore toning, but it also supplies a little vitamin C.


INGREDIENTS:
½ lemon 100 ml fresh full-cream milk

METHOD :


Extract the juice of the half lemon and add to the milk, stirring to mix thoroughly. Apply the resulting mixture to the cleaned face and neck, using cotton wool balls, and leave to penetrate the skin. When the skin is dry, approx. 20 minutes, clean gently, using rosewater and cotton wool balls. Leave to dry naturally.


EFFECT


nourishes, cleanses, tones, balances pH


SKIN TYPES


all, especially dry or aging


FREQUENCY OF USE


once daily for 7 days


SHELF LIFE


5 hours in refrigerator


PREPARATION TIME


5 minutes


TREATMENT TIME


20 minutes


Avocado and Cream mask:


This extremely rich mask is packed full of vitamins: avocados alone contain A, B and C, plus essential amino-acids.


INGREDIENTS:


½ very ripe avocado 2 tablespoons fresh double cream1 tablespoon wheat germ oil


METHOD :


Peel the stoned, halved avocado and mash the flesh with the back of a fork. Add the double cream, and wheat germ oil, stirring well to mix. Apply evenly to the cleaned face and neck and leave for approx. 20 minutes. Rinse with tepid water and pat dry. Dab on a little rosewater and leave to dry naturally.


EFFECT


nourishes


SKIN TYPES


dry, ageing


FREQUENCY OF USE


twice a week for dry skin; daily for ageing skin


SHELF LIFE


6 hours in refrigerator


PREPARATION TIME


5 minutes


TREATMENT TIME


20 minutes


Avocado and Cream mask:


This extremely rich mask is packed full of vitamins: avocados alone contain A, B and C, plus essential amino-acids.



INGREDIENTS:


½ very ripe avocado 2 tablespoons fresh double cream1 tablespoon wheat germ oil


METHOD :


Peel the stoned, halved avocado and mash the flesh with the back of a fork. Add the double cream, and wheat germ oil, stirring well to mix. Apply evenly to the cleaned face and neck and leave for approx. 20 minutes. Rinse with tepid water and pat dry. Dab on a little rosewater and leave to dry naturally.



EFFECT



nourishes



SKIN TYPES


dry, ageing



FREQUENCY OF USE



twice a week for dry skin; daily for ageing skin



SHELF LIFE



6 hours in refrigerator



PREPARATION TIME



5 minutes


TREATMENT TIME



20 minutes



Isabella ♥







There are a variety of ways to help you maintain a more youthful appearance. In the area of skin aging there is some useful information available on the internet, however there is also a vast amount of unproven and possibly unsafe treatments and product claims advertised. Many 'natural' remedies can still cause harm. Consider consulting your doctor or dermatologist before taking any new medication or buying an expensive product for skin rejuvenation (reversal skin aging).

This page summarises information from the scientific literature. There are some newer approaches of unproven value. Some of the more promising of these approaches are discussed.

Cosmetic Dermatology treatments and procedures are also used to reverse the visible signs of aging. These are covered in the cosmetic dermatology section.

What Causes Skin Aging?
In Australia and much of the world, sunlight plays a major role in the accelerated appearance of changes that we normally associate with skin aging. Chronic sun exposure is probably responsible for over 90% of the visible signs of aging in Australians. These changes include wrinkles, lines and creases, uneven or blotchy colour changes such as brown spots and freckling, 'broken or burst capillaries', other irregularities of the skin surface and even acne-like 'black heads' and cysts. Compare your skin in more sunprotected sights such as your buttocks to that on your face, 'V' of neck and arms to get a rough idea of some of the ageing affects the sun has caused on your skin.

Gravity, repeated movement of facial muscles, smoking and genetic characteristics also influence the appearance and severity of these changes. Some people are blessed with a genetic makeup that partially protects them from many of the changes associated with skin aging.

How Does Sunlight Damage the Skin?
Sunlight can dramatically increase skin changes associated with 'aging'. Damage to the top layer of the skin (the epidermis) leads to an uneven, scaling surface along with many growths or bumps. Damage to the pigment cells in this top layer also causes mottling colour changes, brown spots and freckles.

Damage to cells, collagen and elastic tissue of the dermis (the middle layer of the skin) contributes to wrinkles, which range from fine wrinkles to deeper creases and lines. It also reduces the skin's elasticity (ability to bounce back after stretching or movement of the skin), and can cause lumpy yellowish changes deep to the skin surface due to a process called 'solar elastosis'.

Sunlight can directly damage cells, and the other components of the skin. It leads to the generation of free radicals which can cause 'oxidant' damage to the skin. This leads to damage to the genetic material of cells, along with other components of cells and the skin.

Prevention Sun protection is the most important measure you can take to maintain more youthful looking skin.

Ongoing excessive sun exposure can inhibit your immune system from removing damaged cells, along with other repair mechanisms. Therefore, making sun protection part of your daily skin care regimen, will also give your skin a chance to repair some (but not all) of the damage.

Photoaging is a chronic ongoing process. Low (and high) levels of sunlight exposure add up over the years. Even in Winter and on overcast days you can still receive significant levels of damaging UV light.
Visit my sun damage page, for ways to reduce sun damage. Avoid sunlight in the middle of the day, seek shade, wear a hat, protective clothing and make the application of sunscreen part of your general skin care regimen. The addition of a strong anti-oxidant to sunscreens and skin care products may also be of additional benefit in reducing the deleterious effects of ultraviolet light, time and other environmental stressors on the skin.

Smoking also accelerates skin aging and the damaging effects of excessive sunlight. Smoking contributes by damaging several parts of the skin including its elasticity and support. It is particularly associated with wrinkling, acne-like changes (comedones), and drooping of the face, these visible changes may take years or decades to occur. Never smoking or giving up smoking will help you age more gracefully.

Good Skin Care, Moisturisers and the Role of Water Treating or preventing dry skin will usually smooth your skin's surface, reduce flaking and scaling changes, and assist the removal of dead cells from the top layers of the skin. The beneficial effects of treatments that preserve the skin's moisture may entirely reverse when they are stopped.

If you have dry skin, you should minimise the time you spend in hot showers (have shorter, warm showers instead). Use an emulsifiable bath oil, body washes with 'neutral' pH or 'soap' substitutes. All of these measures can help preserve the skin's natural moisturising factors.
Apply a moisturiser. This is usually more effective if used immediately after washing.
Moisturisers work in several ways. 'Humectants' draw and hold water in the skin, while other moisturising factors help seal in the water. A large variety of moisturisers are available, try a few to decide which one feels best for you. Your local doctor or dermatologist can give you advice on suitable products for you skin.
If you have acne or acne prone skin, moisturisers can worsen pimples, and many people with acne do not require a moisturiser as they have more than enough natural moisturising factors in their skin.
Drinking 'plenty' of water is good for the kidneys, and is especially important in hot weather, however, the skin's ability to hold the water is more important than the amount of water you drink for maintaining more youthful skin.

There are many face products that contain moisturisers and broadspectrum sunscreens. This is an ideal combination for a daily face cream. Daily face creams with microfine titanium dioxide and masking pigment can also cover up some of the signs of skin aging.
Don't forget to also protect your neck, chest, arms, or hands, which are also common sites of premature photoaging.

Should I use Anti-Oxidants and Vitamins? The role of anti-oxidants in preventing or treating skin aging still requires more research. There are several reasons why they may reduce many of the changes we associate with skin aging, however these all remain largely unproven.
Antioxidants have been shown experimentally to reduce some of the harmful effects of ultraviolet light, and theoretically may be beneficial in reducing many other changes associated with aging.

Anti-oxidants include: vitamin E (alpha tocopherol), vitamin C, coenzyme Q (ubiquinone), lipoic acid, along with a new generation of potentially more strong anti-oxidants on the way.
Although of unproven benefit, anti-oxidants may prove to be useful, particularly some of the newer and stronger agents. The main risk with these products is the rare occurrence of allergy, causing skin rashes. Many creams contain these products. You should talk to your doctor before taking high dose oral vitamins and anti-oxidants.

Some vitamin derivatives have beneficial effects / actions other than their role as anti-oxidants. The effects of some vitamin A derivatives (retinoids) are detailed below.
Creams That Reverse Some of the Signs of Skin AgeingCreams are often useful for milder changes of aging including fine lines, wrinkles or roughness. Tretinoin creams (vitamin A derivative or retinoid) and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) are commonly used. They may also improve minor colour changes.

Tretinoin creams can provide long term benefits if used regularly. Tretinoin creams have been shown to improve facial wrinkles, and are especially useful for fine lines, and minor changes in colour. They can be successfully used on the face and also the back of hands. Their main disadvantage is they can cause skin irritation, redness, itching, dryness, or flaking and increased sensitivity to sunlight. Stringent sun-protective measures are required, as a sunburn could negate the cream's beneficial effects.

There are many formulations available, your doctor or dermatologist can recommend one most suitable for your skin. Tretinoin creams are only available by prescription. Your doctor can give you instructions on how and when to apply a tretinoin cream. Once you stop using a tretinoin cream, all its beneficial effects will potentially disappear with time.

Alpha hydroxyacids (AHAs) cause superficial peeling of dead skin cells, moisturise the skin, and possibly provide other benefits to rejuvenate the skin's appearance. These can be used as a cream and/or a chemical peel. Many over-the-counter products are available. It is usually recommended to start with a low concentration, and as the skin builds up tolerance, use increasingly stronger preparations for maximal benefit. A wide variety of AHAs are available. They may cause irritation and redness, along with a burning or stinging sensation shortly after application. Stronger AHAs are available from your doctor, along with AHA facial peels. Your dermatologist can give you advice and suggest an appropriate regimen, strength and formulation for your skin. There are AHA formulations for use on different parts of the body.
As AHAs, and topical tretinoin thin the top layer of the skin, they also make you more sensitive to the adverse effects of sunlight (the top layers of the skin are important for 'filtering' ultraviolet light and form your skin's major barrier or protective layer against environmental insults). Thus stringent sun protection is important if you use AHAs or tretinoin creams.

Hydroquinone cream is also known as fading or bleaching cream. It can be used to treat some pigment changes associated with aging and sunlight. It must be combined with stringent sun protection for maximum benefit. The down side is hydroquinone may irritate some people's skin and should only be used for short periods of time. Weaker preparations are available over-the-counter in. Stronger formulations require a prescription and medical advice and assessment for their safe use. Inappropriate use may cause darkening or blotchiness of the skin.

Summary
Skin rejuvenation is an area attracting considerable ongoing interest. The cosmetic industry, dermatologists and the pharmaceutical industry are all actively researching new treatments and approaches. More scientific studies are required to help establish which treatments are most effective and which therapies are a waste of money and effort. Many claims by manufacturers remain unsubstantiated. By making sensible sun protection part of your daily skin care regimen, you will age more gracefully, and be in a better situation to benefit from new treatments and therapies.

Consider consulting your doctor or dermatologist before taking any new medication or buying an expensive cream for skin rejuvenation.

Anti Aging Nutrition
Your body is your temple, and what you give it nutritionally can have a vast impact on your health. As the body ages, many changes take place, and by taking in the proper vitamins and minerals, you can minimize the negative health effects that you experience as you grow older. In this article, we'll mention some of the important nutrients that one needs to intake as they age to help keep in proper health.

As you age, your body's ability to properly process the vitamins that you eat decreases. For that reason, it is important to increase the amounts of vitamins that you intake. Since osteoporosis occurs in those of an older age, it is of the utmost importance to ensure that your body gets enough Vitamin D. While those in their twenties only need to take in 200 IUs of Vitamin D per day, those aged 60 and above are recommended to take in about 600 IUs. The B-Vitamin Complex is also an important vitamin that our body loses the ability to process over time. A lack of B vitamins can lead to a risk for heart disease and possible memory loss, and for that reason, those of an older age need to make sure that they get all the B vitamins that they can get. Calcium is also a particularly important nutrient when it comes to aging; along with Vitamin D, it helps the bones to mineralize properly, warding off the effects of osteoporosis.

When it comes to actual foods that you should eat to avoid aging significantly, a diet that is high in both fruits and vegetables is recommended. Those who indulge in these types of foods often are found to have lower rates of disease as well as higher levels of energy and a healthier appearance. There are many reasons that these types of foods are recommended; most fruits and vegetables have no cholesterol, fat, or sodium, which are three harmful compounds that have a negative effect on health. In addition to the lack of bad substances found in fruits and vegetables, they are also rich in the vitamins and minerals that your body needs. Practically every essential vitamin and mineral can be found throughout the fruit and vegetable world, and a minimum of five fruits and vegetables per day are recommended by the National Cancer Institute.

Anti-oxidants are also important when it comes to aging; this type of compound is useful in the way that it helps the body to protect itself against the harmful effects of free radicals, which are rogue cells that attack the cell membranes of your body, causing premature cell death. Many fruits and vegetables include anti-oxidants, including carrots and tomatoes.
Following these basic principles is a great way to get your health on track as you age, helping you to ensure that you will live a healthy life.
Anti-Aging Skin Care Tips
Anti-aging skin care is possibly one of the most sought after remedy in the market place today. But unfortunately, there are two things that you will never be able to escape as you get older… the effects that aging does to your health and the noticeable effects aging has on your skin. The first causes you to feel the effects of aging, and the second causes others to notice your age. And especially for women the second plays a large role in the way they view themselves.

Looking younger for a woman means feeling younger also. So, conquering the second effect of aging can reverse the first. And what better way is there to anti-aging skin care than an all natural approach! Some of these anti-aging skin care tips are effective now and others will be effective on the long term approach.
The first step to anti-aging skin care is knowing your skin type. Is it dry or oily? Sensitive or thick? Try to first pinpoint your own skin type before choosing the best method to anti-aging. And if you currently have a skin care routine, ask yourself if you are satisfied. If you are not satisfied, look for higher quality, natural products that will help improve the condition of your skin. Some of your dissatisfaction could be a result to your current petroleum (chemical) based products. Also, if you do not feel comfortable about judging your own skin, see a skincare expert like a dermatologist.

After determining your skin type, begin searching for products that are directed towards your particular type. Some of your current problems could just be from using the wrong products. Next step would be to begin hydrating your skin by drinking more water. Many people suffer from dry skin because they simply do not consume enough water throughout the day. Drinking 6-8 glasses of water can keep your skin looking healthy and hydrated.
Hydrating your skin can help you fight against the ever devastating damage that the sun’s ultra violent rays does to your skin.
Of course, there are many other ways to help block these harmful rays. You could wear sunscreen with a high SPF number, wear long sleeves and pants, or limit your time outdoors between the hours of 11am and 3pm when the sun is at its worst. A combination of all these would be the best natural remedy for avoiding sun damage to the skin.
Another tip to avoid premature aging, wrinkles, or skin discoloration is to avoid using tanning beds.
Try rub on tanning creams or lotions that help bring out your natural glow without exposing your skin to more harmful rays. Let’s face it, healthy glowing skin looks better than dark, aged and dry skin!

A final tip for anti-aging skin care is to clean your skin gently. Many people fall victim to over cleaning their face which causes more damage. Scrubbing your face with a cleanser is not necessarily needed. Rub lightly and let the foaming actions do its part and then rinse. Or if you use an all natural skin care product, try to use them when needed and not over do it just because you are seeing excellent results. Reading the directions thoroughly on any product can help you get the best results.
The Fear of Aging Not So Gracefully
We start to think about anti aging products because when it comes to aging, many men and women feel that they will not age so gracefully. Time spent in the sun with no sunscreen as a kid, those late night parties as a young adult and the never ending nights spent worrying about financial troubles, trial and tribulations can all wreak havoc on the skin and the body. This leads the aging person to the use of antiaging products in hopes of combating Mother Nature.

Anti-aging products work in one of two ways, either internally or externally. The internal products are often offered in supplement form while the external antiaging products can be purchased as lotions, and creams. These lotion and creams work in a very similar manner to the internal antiaging supplements and often contain many of the same ingredients.
Internal antiaging products are formulated from vitamins, minerals and nutrients known to have a negative effect on free radicals in the body. These free radicals collect over time due to environmental pollution and internal cellular processes. Vitamins and minerals can be used in supplement form to negate the effects of these free radicals and thus repairing the skin at a cellular level. This skin repair may make the skin appear fuller and more youthful in appearance.

External anti-aging products often use the same vitamins and minerals prepared in lotion or cream form. These products are much more pronounced in that they are often marketed toward a certain area of the body. There are facial creams, eye creams, hand creams and all over body creams that claim to hold antiaging qualities. These products have often not been tested by the FDA, but have shown a positive effect on overall skin health in studies held by the manufacturers of the products.

When it comes to antiaging and fighting that fear of aging brought on by the adding years in our lives, there are many choices for renewing the look and feel of the skin of the body. The skin is often the first part of our bodies that is seen and thus the part that tends to be the one focused on when anti aging products are produced and marketed. Anti aging products will certainly hydrate the skin and lessen the effects of the appearance of aging through a renewed outer layer of protection.


Isabella ♥




What is Exfoliation?


Exfoliating is skin treatment where the upper layers of dead skin cells are sloughed off by a loofah sponge, sea salt, brush, or by other means. You can exfoliate any area of skin. When exfoliating your face, use products that are designed for your face.


Why Exfoliate?


Exfoliation helps to speed up the process of skin flaking and shedding, by taking off the uppermost, dead layer of cells to expose the finer, more translucent tissue underneath.
The average human generates a new layer of skin every two to four weeks. At the end of the cycle, the old, dead cells on the surface are shed. You can improve your complexion tremendously by exfoliating and sloughing off the old, dead skin cells. If the old, dead skin cells are not removed, they can clog the sebaceous pores, leading to superficial spots or blackheads.


Types of Exfoliators


There are two main types of exfoliators: mechanical and chemical.
Mechanical exfoliators contain minuscule pieces of grit that, when rubbed on your skin, dislodge the dead skin cells. The most common grit comes from walnut shells and apricot pits.
Chemical exfoliators do the same task as their mechanical siblings but by using mild acids in place of shrapnel. Exfoliating products usually contain alpha-hydroxy acids, beta-hydroxy acids, or salicylic acids.


How to Exfoliate


Wet the area of skin you want to exfoliate. Use a synthetic scrubbing sponge, exfoliating gloves or a body loofah. Apply an exfoliating cleanser to your skin or sprinkle it onto your sponge. Making circular motions, scrub the exfoliating cleanser over your skin using your sponge or loofah. Be gentle over sensitive parts of the body, like delicate neck and thigh tissue. Rinse skin thoroughly. Follow up with a good moisturizer.

When exfoliating the face, use products specifically designed for the face. Products designed for your body may be too abrasive and irritating for your face. Your skin may tingle after using alpha or beta hydroxy acids. The tingling should stop within 15 minutes. If you exfoliate regularly, keep moisturizer on your face at all times. Exfoliating causes the skin to dry out, and dry skin is an invitation for skin to wrinkle.


Exfoliation - Removing Dead Skin Cells


The average human generates a total new layer of skin every two to four weeks. At the end of this cycle the old dead cells need to be shed. If they are not removed it can lead to pores being clogged and the creation of pimples and blackheads

Exfoliation can make your skin look radiant and feel silky and smooth. It also stimulates skin cell renewal.

If we exfoliate on a regular basis we can look forward to a vibrant and healthier complexion.
Exfoliation should not be limited to just the facial area. All parts of the body other than the sensitive areas can benefit from exfoliation.


Find out how to exfoliate your skin with these tips and hints


When exfoliating your face you must only use products suitable for facial skin. Products used on other parts of the body may be too harsh for your face.

Always follow up your exfoliation with toner and moisturizer.

Removing the old dead cells enables other products to be absorbed into your skin better.
If you have dry skin you can try exfoliation only once a week whereas oily skin can be exfoliated more frequently.

Mix 1 tablespoon of medium grain polenta with 1 tablespoon of sorbolene. Store in the fridge as this doesn't keep well - hence the small amounts of ingredients used. Polenta is a corn product and it is available from supermarkets and health food stores. Sorbolene is a cheap moisturizer that can be purchased for as little at $5 for a large bottle from pharmacies.

Make up a mixture of 1/3 cup olive oil and 3 teaspoons of salt. Shower as you would normally using warm water. Rub the oil/salt mixture all over your body whilst still standing in the shower. Rinse off with warm water. Please note: I feel salt is far too harsh to use on the face so use this scrub on the rest of the body excluding delicate areas.

Mix one teaspoon of bi-carbonate of soda (baking soda) with two teaspoons of your favourite cleanser until it forms a paste. Gently rub into your skin with circular motion. Rinse off. The bi-carb will polish your skin, making it visibly radiant.

For silky smooth hands pour 1 tablespoon of vinegar in the palm of one had. Into the vinegar tip a large teaspoon of sugar. Rub all parts of the hands with this mixture for 2 minutes. Rinse off and apply moisturizer. This works so well.

For a very gentle all-over exfoliation add a couple of teaspoons of sea salt to your bath water.

For facial area - Mix 1/4 teaspoon of salt with 1 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda in a saucer. Mix in a small amount of water and very gently rub your face with this mixture using a circular motion. Rinse face with warm water. If you have delicate skin you should swap the salt with caster sugar. Salt is very abrasive.

For rough elbows cut a lemon in half and gently squeeze out some of the juice to form a hollow in each half. Rest each elbow in the lemon halves for about 10 mins. The lemon juice acts as an exfoliator. Add a cup of powdered milk to your bathwater. It has lactic acid in it and that acts as a dead skin remover.


Body exfoliation

When the summer comes, every woman prepare yourself for the beach and summer parties remove the unwanted hair, buy special products, sunscreens, bronzers, protective face creams etc., but there is something that you shouldnt forget full body exfoliation. When exfoliating you remove the dead skin cells accumulated through the year. The clean epidermis is something necessary in order to achieve great and even complexion.Exfoliation is a technique aimed to improve the skins appearance by removing the dead skin cells from the surface of the skin.


Exfoliating your body twice a week is recommended in order to get rid of any dry skin, as it stimulates circulation and increases your skin’s absorption of any nourishing or moistrurizing ingredients. If you dont remove these cells your skin will look dull, older, rough and lusterless. Regularly exfoliating the skin will help you maintain the skin in its optimum condition and accelerates the skin renewal process.Exfoliating the whole body is also an effective and easy way to further eliminate the toxins in your body. A weekly full body exfoliation will stimulate the lymphatic system and encourage the release of toxins through skins pores. It is also especially effective on ageing skin as cell turnover slows and skin begins to retain less moisture.


For a body exfoliation you will need:
Exfoliating gloves - pat them dry and gently rub the exfoliator around your body. The gloves revitalize your body by massaging, stimulating blood circulation and cleansing the body.


Exfoliating sponge - it works the same way as the gloves, but are also appropriate for exfoliating the face. They not only cleanse and exfoliate your skin, but also gently massage your body.


Body brush - the brush is works perfectly when exfoliating the body. The bristle body brush is especially good for exfoliating the back.


Pumice stone - it removes the dead skin from the soles of the feet by gently abrasion.


Exfoliators - they eliminate the dead skin cells and purify the skin. The exfoliators contain small particles for very gentle and precise smoothing to even the skins texture. There is a wide range of exfoliating products, some of them containing granules, sea salts, fruit seeds. The exfoliating gels and creams eliminate easily the dead skin cells. It should be applied on wet skin and is appropriate for delicate and sensitive skins. Apply it as if it is body milk, but in larger amounts.

The exfoliators containing granules sometimes may irritate the skin. They should be applied on wet skin, following the instructions written on the pack. They are appropriate for those with normal or combination skin.

A full body exfoliation should be done not more than two times a week.

Step 1
In the shower, take small amount of the exfoliating product and gently rub it onto your already cleansed skin. Begin by exfoliating the feet and ankles up to the entire leg to the abdomen. Exfoliate your feet with a pumice stone and a little bit exfoliator. For the legs use the gloves, as they are less abrasive.

Step 2
Use the exfoliating gloves or the body brush. Apply exfoliating cleanser to the brush or to the gloves and gently scrub all over your body in circular motions. Exfoliate your back with a long-body brush and then your chest and abdomen but scrub more gently, because the skin on these areas is more delicate.Nobody likes cracked hands, thats why a hands exfoliation is essential. It will keep your hands looking great, soft and smooth.

Step 3
Rinse your body lavishly first with lukewarm water and then with cold water. Use a shower gel to soften your skin. Let your body dry and then apply a nourishing lotion or body moisturizer.

Tips:
Over exfoliating can seriously damage your skin If your skin is sensitive or dry, use less abrasive products and avoid using products containing sea salts


Use exfoliator only on wet, clean skin


Exfoliation should be done with caution on dry or sensitive skin, in order to avoid irritation


Never use body exfoliating products for your face as they are too abrasive


Never exfoliate of your skin is sunburned or has open wounds


Always use products of high quality

Isabella ♥