All About Stretch Marks

July 3rd, 2009

Stretch marks are the outcome of the body growing much more rapidly than the skin is growing or if the skin is being stretched much farther than the skin’s stretching limit. Other names for stretch marks are striae rubra, striae distensae, striae atrophicans, and striae alba.

What Causes Stretch Marks?

Other factors that can increase your risks of getting stretch marks include growth spurts, pregnancy, rapid weight gain and bodybuilding. There are also reports that heavy use of topical corticosteroid creams can cause stretch marks. Those with Cushing’s Syndrome may develop stretch marks as a result of extra adrenal cortical processes.

The Appearance Of Stretch Marks

Stretch marks appear on the skin as long, narrow abnormalities. Stretch marks are red when they first show up, but over time, they gradually take on a light silvery color. Some individuals may have stretch marks that are as wide as 10 millimeters. In general, though, stretch marks are much thinner than that and each is about a few centimeters long. If your stretch marks are mostly wide, or if you have them on your face, they may be symptoms of Cushing’s Syndrome of heavy use of topical corticosteroids.  If you had stretch marks when you were a teen, you may have noticed that those have diminished over time.

Treating Stretch Marks

If you want to reduce stretch marks, you can use such stretchmarks treatments like chemical peel, cream, dermabrasion, laser surgery, lotions, oils, pulse dye laser therapy, and topical retinoid therapy.

Contrary to popular notion about stretch marks, children and men, as well as women, can get stretch marks. Any individual who puts on weight or increases in size rapidly is likely to develop stretch marks.

Maintaining good overall health happens to be a good way to forestall stretch marks. In order to be healthy, you need to exercise regularly and drink a great deal of water. Good nutrition is particularly an important component of healthy, elastic skin. Stay away from drugs (unless they are doctor-prescribed), particularly the common ones: caffeine, alcohol and nicotine. (Yes, these three are drugs.)

Vitamin E, which is mostly thought to be good for any skin health issue, is also thought to be beneficial when put on to stretch marks. If you wish to reduce stretch marks, try putting Vitamin E on the stretch marks every day for a few months.   Many of the better stretch mark products, like Revitol Stretch Mark Prevention Cream, are formulated with this skin-strengthening vitamin.

Are Stretch Mark Treatments Covered By Insurance?

If you want medical treatments covered by your health insurance plan, you’re probably out of luck. Stretch marks are classified as a cosmetic condition, so their treatments are filed as nonessential optional treatments. So OTC stretch mark cream products that are  recommended by a pharmacist are probably the best affordable treatment option for you. These over-the-counter treatments ordinarily works by getting rid of dead skin cells and rejuvenating skin cells.

Hopefully you now understand stretch marks better. This should enable you to better understand any changes that take place in your body.

Hair Sun Protection: The Key to Healthy Sun-Kissed Locks

July 3rd, 2009

Most people do not remember Hair sun protection when they are thinking of sun protection. If you are like most people, you spend most of the year looking forward to summer. However, it’s likely your hair does not. Many people look forward to getting that light, airy sun-glow each summer, but that beach bunny bleach-out can be hard on your hair. Natural sun-kissed highlights can deteriorate quickly into dried-out split ends if you do not protect your hair.

Here are some great tips for effective hair sun protection:

* Be sure to moisturize - Pool chemicals or ocean salt can both be very destructive to your hair. The best hair sun protection is to constantly moisturize. Just like your skin, your hair needs moisture to resist damage. Slick in a leave-in conditioner or spray on a mix of your regular conditioner and water regularly.

* Look out for Octyl Methyoxycinnamate - Generally complicated chemicals are bad news for your hair. But octyl methyoxycinnamate provides serious SPF power to hair products. Also, products that contain the antioxidant vitamins A, E and C will help defend your hair from free radicals. These highly charged molecules cause the cells that they contact to deteriorate rapidly.

* Cover Up - A physical barrier between your hair and the sun is the most surefire way to get hair sun protection. Tie a scarf over your head or throw on a big floppy beach hat for a glamorous and fully protected look. This is most important when the sun is strongest – generally between 10 AM and 3 PM.

* Do the Right “Do” - A bun or pony tail protects the majority of your hair during unexpected sun exposure. Smooth it back with a quick dollop of sunscreen for a quick and convenient look.

Keep from damaging your locks in the summer by protecting your hair from the sun. Hair sun protection will keep your hair in good condition all summer and into the fall.

This article was originally featured on http://www.BeautyCtr.com and was republished here by request.

Making Garnier Skin Care Work for You

July 3rd, 2009

Garnier Skin Care Analysis… Historically, if you love your skin you invest in exclusive treatments rather than “drugstore” products. Garnier skin care is changing all that. Garnier products make natural skin care an option on any budget. To this end, Garnier products are tailored to suit every consumer. Garnier offers a wide array of products. These products fall within a wide range of prices. Garnier stresses that the focus of all of these products is “to make beauty shine from the inside out.” Garnier believes that you can feel happier and at ease with others when you care for your own appearance.

If you have been considering Garnier but are not sure how or why the products work, then you need a little more information about the company. Information about the principles and research behind Garnier skin care will aid your decision about Garnier being right for you.

* Garnier skin care’s focus is totally “about taking care.” Basically, Garnier products are focused on the mental and physical benefits of good skin care. Also, they are focused on being easy to use. This is important when you may not have time for an extended beauty routine. Garnier product lines are fast and work with makeup. Nearly every product in the Garnier line replaces an existing step in your routine and does not require more than a few seconds to apply.

* Garnier products are designed with women and their beauty routines as the focus. Confident women are at the heart of every Garnier product. Being designed for women lets the products enhance health and looks. This is why the Garnier line focuses on using natural ingredients that have proven effects.

* Testing is exhaustive. This company makes efficiency a main goal. The products are backed by science. They do not include extra, trendy ingredients that simply make products more expensive. Garnier’s special silicone imprint technology insures that before-and-after reporting is accurate. They also continue customer satisfaction surveys for the life of every product.

* Garnier creates all its products around natural ingredients. Vitamins B3 and B6 play a major role. The basis for the company’s original hair care line, fruit extracts, are also central to all Garnier products. Garnier products can be accommodated by any budget. Often you can find Garnier products for as little as three dollars. If you wish, you can build an entire beauty routine around Garnier skin care. If you would rather, just supplement an exclusive beauty regimen with these affordable products. Garnier skin care products fulfill any needs you could possibly have in a skin care or anti-aging routine.

How to Determine if Your Makeup Will Prevent Sunburn Skin Cancer

July 3rd, 2009

When it comes to preventing Sunburn Skin Cancer, diligence can be the difference between life and death. Your makeup should be your starting point when it comes to sun protection. There are many valuable cosmetic components that can literally save your life if you use them daily. They can naturally protect you from the dangerous rays of the sun that bombard you every day.

Next time you are in your bathroom, grab your makeup bag and take a closer look at its contents. If you do not have the packaging for your makeup anymore, make a list and take it with you to the store. While you are at the store, read the ingredients on the makeup packaging to see if they contain components to protect your skin from skin cancer. Certain keywords and ingredients will clue you in that a product is working to keep you healthy and beautiful. You should be using lip gloss, foundation and body moisturizer that contain these ingredients.

Here are key ingredients to check for to insure that you are protecting yourself from sunburn skin cancer:

* Check for zinc and zinc oxide. These minerals are found in sunscreen. They are also present in mineral makeup. Some mineral makeup foundations actually provide SPF 15 or higher. Check packaging for specifics.

* Check for titanium dioxide. Titanium dioxide can also be found in mineral makeup foundations. It actually creates a physical barrier in between your skin and the sun. If your makeup products contain titanium dioxide they can often double as sun protection.

* Mica Mica also plays a major role in mineral makeup. Flakes of mica also create a physical barrier between the sun and your skin. Also, mica is a natural wrinkle camouflage because it reflects light away from wrinkles.

Naturally, you will also want to verify an SPF number for every product. Consult your dermatologist about whether or not you need more than cosmetic sun protection. In the end, you will best avoid sunburn skin cancer by always incorporating sun defense into your beauty routine. In this manner, you will protect yourself each day as part of your daily routine.

Cosmetic Surgery Prices - How to Find the Best Deal

July 3rd, 2009

Cosmetic surgery prices vary from clinic to clinic around the country, depending on location. If you are considering a cosmetic surgery procedure one of the most influential factors in your decision is likely to be price.

It is essential to do some research thoroughly before you decide to go ahead with a procedure and this should include prices, standards and locations. Look for well-known, reputable clinics that allow you to visit for a free consultation and a look around. Do not necessarily search for the cheapest clinics but instead search for special deals and discounts.

Almost all types of business suffer during a credit crunch and cosmetic surgery is no different. There are lots of cosmetic surgery clinics and surgeons all competing for a slice of the same pie as people tighten their spending habits. Therefore they are willing to offer discounts and promotions to get the business.

The best place to look for discounts and special promotions on offer is the internet. Pretty much all cosmetic surgery companies and clinics have websites, so it’s worth spending time looking around. Not only will you find promotions on offer but also most will display some testimonials from previous customers (although bear in mind they will only show happy customers of course!).

Most cosmetic surgery websites do not advertise specific prices as they may differ for each individual requirement. They also want you to pick up the phone or email them so that they can capture your details and try to sell you some procedures. Some cosmetic companies offer a discount if you register or make an appointment online.

The best thing to do at this stage is to make an appointment for a free consultation, which gives you the opportunity to gather more information. Do not feel pressured into making a snap decision during a free consultation, feel free to go home and weigh up all the information you have gained first.

Although the price is one very important factor to consider in your decision it should not be the only one to influence you. Just remember that the cheapest is not necessarily the best option. You should always weigh up your budget with other factors, such as location, standards and reputation.

Inhibit the unwanted body hair with Revitol Hair Removal Cream

July 3rd, 2009

Revitol hair removal cream not only is it the tops of facial hair removal creams, but it can be used a pubic hair removal cream or back hair removal cream.

 Revitol Hair Removal cream gets rid of hair in just minutes, pain free. When you compare it with other products, Revitol clearly come on top. Is Revitol Hair Removal Cream better then Laser treatments? Though rare, laser hair removal burns occur more frequently on patients with darker skin, as skin with darker pigment absorbs the laser more readily. While most instances of laser hair removal burns are mild, there have been a number of severe burn cases.It is very difficult to claim that laser hair removal is permanent: most people will experience some regrowth within a year.

Anyone who says that laser hair removal is permanent, is lying. The FDA has approved it for permanent hair reduction, and it is a big difference. The Revitol Hair Removal Cream is not a permanent solution, but with ongoing and pain free maintenance you can have hairless skin, while the hair regrowth is slowed down for good. The choice is really yours!

 Revitol hair removal cream review: Revitol is better then other depilatories. Regular depilatories act like a chemical razor blade,  they contain chemicals–usually calcium thioglycolate–that dissolves the protein structure of the hair, causing it to separate easily from the skin surface. Revitol on the other hand has special ingredients to prevent the irritations.

 Using depilatories is fast, relatively cheap and easy, the only problem is how to know which one is the best. Revitol not only gets rid of unwanted hair but also has proven active and natural ingredients that inhibit hair growth.

 Depilatory hair removal creams can be found at the local drug store, for a couple of dollars and you can use it in your own home. With depilatories the follicle hasn’t been removed from the root, only removed at or slightly below skin level. You will see hair above the skin surface the next day, or in a couple days at best. Revitol hair removal cream can only be purchased at the Revitol online store, and has plant extracts that inhibit the hair growth, which other products don’t have.

 Revitol Hair Removal Cream is an advanced hair inhibitor system that painlessly eliminates unwanted body hair with a protective natural barrier and pro-vitamin, anti-oxidant complex containing, aloe vera and natural plant extracts. Revitol hair removal will be absorbed quickly and is removed safely from the body. It can be used by both men and women to effectively remove excess hair from the skin.

 

Fighting Off Skin Cancer with Your Everyday Cosmetics

July 3rd, 2009

One of the most common types of cancer is skin cancer. It is among the most deadly forms of cancer not because it is difficult to treat, but due to the difficulty of spotting it. When caught in time, skin cancer rarely results in mortality. But when it is overlooked, skin cancer spreads quickly to other areas of the body that are harder to treat.

Of course, you would be wiser to focus on preventing skin cancer rather than treating it. Wouldn’t it be better to simply avoid the issue entirely rather than spend thousands of dollars on treatments and potentially risk your life? Naturally it would. However, lots of people mistakenly believe that protecting themselves from skin cancer can take lots of time and be extremely expensive. In reality, you will be able to simply protect yourself from the sun each day without adding seconds or pennies to your beauty routine. You have a bunch of cosmetic options when it comes to protecting yourself from sun damage. These cosmetic options contain SPF variables to filter out dangerous UV rays from the sun. These are probably all items that you already use in your skin care regimen, and by making a simple switch you can protect your entire face and body without having to slather on the sunscreen each day and spend all day smelling like a coconut at work and wishing you were at the beach. Here are 3 cosmetic items that are probably already a part of your daily routine that you can easily purchase in a sun protection form:

1. Sun protection lip gloss. Often you will find that your lip gloss is already SPF 15. Often people believe that sunscreen glosses are by nature dull, but they actually come in a variety of designer shades. Also, you can always opt to slick on a layer of SPF gloss beneath your favorite shade.

2. Mineral Makeup Options If you use mineral makeup foundation – and some surveys indicate the majority of women who wear makeup today do – then you almost certainly already have the advantage of totally natural SPF protection thanks to their mineral makeup. Minerals like zinc create a translucent screen to improve your look and protect you from skin cancer in the bargain.

3. Sun protecting moisturizer Do not worry – this is not the same as a bottle of sunscreen. Sun protection lotions are intended for use on the entire body. They may double as collagen creams, tanning glow creams or just plain body lotion. They are not scented like sunscreen, but rather are traditional body lotions with an SPF factor added in. Using these moisturizers more than once a day will protect you from the sun all day.

Working SPF sun protection into your daily routine will help you fight skin cancer each day.

How to Cut Men’s Hair - The Basics

July 3rd, 2009

So you want to become a hairdresser? But how to get started. If you are a potential hairstylist you should be aware of some things. Cutting hair can be an art form, and every artist needs a nice clean canvas. If hair is greasy or dirty the first step would be washing it. Doing this is very helpful for moving on with the second step which is to make the hair wet. Wet hair is much easier to cut than dry hair. To remove any tangles and knots, comb through the hair thoroughly. One tip: have a water spray bottle beside you, because this will be a great aid when hair gets dry while styling. So how to cut hair?

The tools are the hairdersser’s most valuable assets. One of the basic things you need ot do if you want to cut hair is to invest in a pair of scissors that is made specifically for cutting hair. While someone can find a decent pair of scissors at the drug store fairly cheap, keep in mind that cheap scissors dull easier and dull scissors will give a dull cut. It is important to never use the scissors for anything besides cutting hair which can wear down the edge. Other tools to stock up on for cutting hair would include combs, electric hair clipper, razors, hair clips, and a blow-dryer. To make sure that no infections occur, it is advised to sterilize all tools used when cutting hair.

Ok, now take some clips and section the hair off; there should be a total of 8 sections with 4 sections on the top layer and 4 on the bottom layer. It is advised to only cut a little at a time and this rule is true for every hairstyle cut. You should keep in mind that you can always cut off mor elater; but there is no way to do anything if it’s cut to short. The easiest cut for beginners would be an all over one length cut. For this cut start at the section closest to the nape of the neck. After releasing it from the clip, comb through all sections.

Grab a one inch thick piece of the freed and comb through it. Grab the section between your index and middle finger - it shoud be around about 1/4 inch from the end - before releasing the comb. It is a good idea to start cutting of pieces of about 1/8 inch; continue to cut until you have reached the desired length. Once that piece of the section is done release it. After you have done this comb another piece of hair oyu already cut into a inch-sized piece; you should grab it about 1/4 of an inch from the bottom. Use the cut pieces as a reference and cut the rest of the combed section.

Continue doing this until all hair has the same length. To start a new section, release a new section adjacent to an already cut section and use the cut hair as a reference. You will have to do this with all section so fthe hair as long as the whole head is even; in this way you will cut hair well.

Learn How To Cut Hair For Beginners - Learn How To Cut Hair Step By Step CLICK HERE

Affordable Tooth Whitening Guide

July 3rd, 2009

If you ask most people, they’d tell you that the whiter the smile, the better - as shelves of tooth whitening solutions in stores will attest to. Go for low cost teeth whitening if you’ve got less money to spend but still want the benefit of whiter teeth. Continue reading for a number of ideas that will give you a fabulous, healthy-looking smile without spending a fortune.

There are quite a few cost-effective systems to choose from.  A wide selection of methods, including kits that come with strips, pre-filled or reusable trays, and/or whitening gels.  However, teeth whitening strips are always one of the most popular and effective ways to whiten your teeth inexpensively. Whitening strips are adhered to your teeth and must remain in place for up to an hour for the most benefit. Although you can get some moderate results within the first 3 days, expect to wait about a week or two to see the most benefit from teeth bleaching kits. It makes a perfect method for tooth whitening that’s quick, easy, and most of all - low cost. Get in the habit of using teeth whitening tooth paste to enhance the whitening effects of the white strips - and a brighter smile will be yours sooner than you know it.

Another option is hydrogen peroxide for teeth whitening. This is a true DIY tooth whitening system.  It’s not going to give you the very quick results of whitening strips, but it’s a great option for those on strict budgets.  Overall, it’s is a simple way to start whitening your teeth on a modest budget. This method is comprised of a combination of regular baking soda with drugstore hydrogen peroxide. Once combined, this forms a thick paste that is then brushed onto teeth just as you would with regular toothpaste. Rinse your mouth with a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution for an extra teeth whitening boost. While hydrogen peroxide teeth whitening may not produce the quickest results, it is an effective way to whiten your teeth over time.  It can also be a great way of maintaining a white smile following the use of other whitening methods.

For those who have a more forgiving budget, talk to your dentist to compare teeth whitening systems that are available within your price range. Other options include a specialty whitening tray that’s formed to your mouth structure, as well as laser whitening.

These ideas will get you on your way to having a mouth full of bright, dazzling white teeth!

Protect Your Beautiful Smile From False Advertisting Claims…

July 3rd, 2009

I recently saw a product for gum disease that had a testimonial that said, “My gums look better after one brushing”. That is total nonsense - sorry to say.

There is not a miracle cure that works after one application. I would RUN, not walk, away from any website that promises such nonsense.

As a matter of fact, when it comes to gum disease, there is not a single product that will work for everyone who tries it. Every body’s chemistry and ever body’s situation is different.

This is the same reason that medicine is an art and not a science. There is no medication that works for everyone hands down. There are always exceptions.

Sometimes it requires products in combination to do the job. Or perhaps the right training and techniques are needed. At any rate, gum disease is not really a problem that is so easy to solve. Try Ora Md as one possibility

I’ve studied this subject for a while due to the need to solve my own problem and now I study it because it interests me. The body is a complicated organism and what works for one may not work for another.

I’m definitely an advocate of products that I have personally found to be useful, such as an ozone generatorfor ozonating water. But there is also some basics that need to be understood about gum disease. You need to understand what you are fighting so that you can be sure that it doesn’t come back. You should also wish to be effective in what you are doing.

Sure you can throw a board over a broken window. But a bit more skill is needed to repair that window properly. Look to the links below for more information on what you can to do to stop gum disease and prevent it from coming back. Some products, like therabreath may have more value than others. Again, one size does NOT fit all.

Be advised this article is for information purposes only and does not intend to offer diagnosis or treatment advice. There is not a miracle cure that works after one application.