It may not always be possible to eliminate acne scars, but it is possible to reduce their appearance considerably if they are treated early and regularly in the right way.Here are five tips for reducing acne scars.
1. Eat a healthy diet. Acne scars are skin damage, but human bodies are remarkably resilient. When scars are new, it is important to eat a diet rich in vitamins and minerals so the body has the fuel to properly heal.
2. Use a scar cream or ointment. Special preparations intended to treat scars are available online and at pharmacies. These contain a variety of skin conditioners that help hydrate and nourish the skin so it heals properly. Petroleum jelly and body lotions are a good substitute if a scar therapy product is not available.
3. Apply aloe vera. While apply aloe vera juice works, an aloe vera gel product is easier to apply. This natural, plant-based solution has been used to treat skin wounds for hundreds of years.
4. Massage in rosehip seed oil. While not something many people keep in their medicine cabinets, this natural oil is remarkably effective in reducing small skin blemishes. A number of commercially available skin lotions contain this oil as well.
5. Smash on some tomato. Tomatoes contain acids and nutrients, including vitamin A and antioxidants. Applying a slice of tomato for five minutes a day may sound like a crazy idea, but it works for many people. It also helps reduce future problems by slowing sebaceous glands in their production of sebum.
Keeping skin clean and applying topical anti-acne preparations when outbreaks occur can keep acne scars from developing in the first place, but reducing their appearance once they happen is also possible. With quick and correct treatment, scars can even go away completely.
(c) 2011 Total Social Solutions. All rights reserved.
Human skin is responsible for not only protecting internal organs from environmental toxins, but also connecting humans to the outside world through its intricate system of nerve endings.Although the skin is designed to withstand years of exposure to the elements, over time this organ begins to deteriorate. Where once vibrant and smooth skin thrived, age causes the elasticity and liveliness of skin to dull and sag. As with other organs, skin health may be improved and maintained by consuming certain natural supplements.
According to a study published in the “Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology,” female patients were instructed to consume the primary active compound found in pomegranate, ellagic acid. At the conclusion of the study, researchers found female participants who consumed 200 mg of ellagic acid experienced a significant reduction in skin discoloration and freckling as well as enhanced skin vibrancy. These results were noticeable in as little as three weeks after supplementation began. Other studies suggest pomegranate supplements may help hinder collagen breakdown in the skin as well as reducing deep-set wrinkles.
The use of evening primrose oil as a skin health supplement dates back centuries as Native American cultures utilized this herb to reduce arthritis pain and improve skin conditions such as eczema. This supplement is rich in fatty acids and according to a study published in the November 1982 issue of “The Lancet” researchers found that internal consumption of evening primrose oil significantly decreased the severity of eczema symptoms.
Selenium is a vital mineral used by the human body to manufacture selenoproteins, which are compounds responsible for the regulation of various antioxidant enzymes. Although human studies are lacking, preliminary research found selenium supplementation reduced negative skin effects due to UV light in hairless mice. Selenium may be found in supplemental form as well as in dietary sources such as Brazil nuts and tuna fish. According to the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements, men and women aged 19 and over should consume 55 mcg of selenium per day to receive its skin health benefits.
Supplementation is an effective means for supporting skin health; however, this method is only one piece in a large puzzle. To keep skin healthy and vibrant throughout the decades, lifestyle alterations must be enacted such as wearing sunscreen, avoiding cigarette smoke and consuming ample water. While genetics and heredity play a substantial role in the appearance of skin, actively protecting the skin may help maintain its beauty for years to come.
(c) 2011 Total Social Solutions. All rights reserved.
What’s something that people use every day…yet rarely gets the proper amount of care???The hands often get neglected in daily hygiene. It is vitally important that the hands are properly cared for throughout the years so that they will be in top shape late in life. Following these five simple tips will ensure that hands stay in the best condition possible.First, hands must be washed daily. It seems simple and obvious but is often overlooked as the daily hustle keeps people busy. Dirty hands can lead to infections if the hands are accidentally punctured. It also keeps the hands properly moisturized and looking healthy.
Second, hands should be moisturized after washing. Moisturizer helps mitigate damage that has been done previously from improper hand care and adds moisture that water alone may not be providing. Proper moisture levels in the hands help maintain a healthy glow and keep the hands feeling soft and welcoming.
Third, hands must be properly protected. If someone is working in the garden, they must wear gloves. This is true for all situations. Any time that the hands might be injured or punctured, proper protection should be used. Not only do cuts introduce foreign bodies into the hands but they also give the hands a less pleasant look and feel.
Fourth, exercise is a must for both of the hands. A proper grip is vital as the body ages and if the hands are not exercised they can lose the ability to maintain a good grip on objects. If the hands no longer perform properly, it does not matter how pretty they look as they have become useless.
Finally, take care of those nails. Improperly cared for nails can become ingrown and cause unwanted cuts and infections.
Certainly, if these tips are not working for you, you should consult with a medical professional to discuss a laser, chemical peel, or injectable treatment to restore the youthful hands that you remember!
(c) 2011 Total Social Solutions. All rights reserved.
It’s obvious what other skin care products do for you. Cleansers clean, moisturizers moisturize and sunscreens screen the sun. But what do Toners do??? They don’t really ‘tone’ anything, and your skin can survive without them. However, a well-chosen toner does so much to balance your skin’s oil content that it should be a part of your regular beauty regimen.Most toners are designed to follow your cleansing regimen and precede your moisturizer or sunscreen. They’re typically fluid enough to apply with a cotton ball, but some toners skip the cotton and come in a spray pump. Their original intent was to remove residue that washing left on your face; old-fashioned cosmetics were tenacious, while bar soaps often left a film. While you shouldn’t need a toner to cleanse your skin — if you’re seeing excess makeup on your cotton ball, you may want to switch facial cleansers — the right toner adjusts the amount of oil on your skin’s surface.
Perennially oily skin loves mildly astringent, drying toners. A quick swipe of a toner-soaked cotton ball leaves skin feeling clean and looking de-greased. Removing excess oil helps your makeup stay in place and limits shine. Choose the mildest toner that’s still effective for cutting the oil. A too-strong toner will simply strip your skin and parch it. Trading oily skin for flayed, flaky skin is no bargain.
Dry skin takes an entirely different kind of toner. Instead of choosing something with alcohol, witch hazel or other drying agents, pick something with a moisturizing component. Glycerin-based toners draw moisture from the surrounding atmosphere to your skin, hydrating it. These toners may also help your makeup glide on more evenly.
One important note about toners: they do not affect pores. They don’t shrink, minimize, clean or otherwise change them. Pore size is genetic, and a few drops of liquid on a cotton ball can no more shrink pores than it can make you an inch taller. Toner is a wonderful addition to your facial skin care regimen, but it isn’t magic. Use toner for the right reasons, not the one manufacturers hype.
(c) 2011 Total Social Solutions. All rights reserved.
Keeping your skin healthy while traveling can be a hassle; however, it does not have to be. Simple steps can be taken to help maintain the health and beauty of your skin while abroad. These three tips will have your skin looking and feeling its best while you travel!
1) Keep a travel sized hand lotion in a purse or other piece of conveniently accessible luggage. By keeping a cream handy, it will be easier to apply when needed. If used frequently, it may be worthwhile to pack a couple small bottles.
2) Remove any makeup before going to sleep. This allows the pores of the face to breathe naturally. Be sure to pack any moisturizers or other facial creams that are generally utilized at home.
3) Pack a hat or visor and be sure to wear ample sunscreen; especially if traveling or visiting an area that there will be long periods of exposure to the sun, Although sun does provide Vitamin D, too much of a good thing can wreak havoc on healthy skin. Using sunscreen allows the Vitamin D to be soaked up without the harmful UV rays.
Keeping skin healthy while you travel does not have to be a difficult task. Simple tricks make it a breeze. Most of all enjoy the trip while keeping your skin looking and feeling its best.
(c) 2011 Total Social Solutions. All rights reserved.
Whiteheads Comedones, blemishes, zits — these terms all describe the same unwelcome phenomenon. The good news is that there are some simple things that you can do at home to help fight these nasty imperfections.Whiteheads are classic dome-shaped pimples, rising above the surrounding skin in a dramatic bulge of pimply majesty. Whether you’re prone to a small breakout of an occasional whitehead or cope with chronic bumper crops of pimples, a different skin care regimen may help.Before you try to get rid of whiteheads on your own, seek your skin care professional’s advice. Pimples aren’t the only things that trouble your skin. Milia, tiny grain-like white bumps, do not result from bacterial overgrowth as whiteheads do. A dermatologist will tell you what’s really causing those bumps and help you eradicate them.If you do have whiteheads, clean your face as gently as possible. Overzealous scrubbing will only make the problem worse. Harsh scrubbing breaks the skin and spreads bacteria elsewhere on your face, leading to future breakouts. Choose a cleanser formulated for troubled or acne-prone skin. Be wary of products that strip oil from your skin; overly drying products cause more trouble than they heal.Whiteheads sometimes succumb to the same ingredients that give anti-dandruff shampoo its power. Try washing your face with a shampoo designed to combat dandruff; you may find that it works better than any commercial facial cleanser. This method is especially good if you have pimples with dry skin.
An aspirin mask can clear even the mightiest whitehead, but it can also dry your skin. Use this technique with caution. Dissolve two or three aspirin tablets in just enough water to form a paste. Apply the paste thinly to the affected areas of your skin and leave the mask until it dries. Rinse your face thoroughly in lukewarm water and pat your skin dry. Aspirin reduces inflammation, dries the whitehead and acts as an antibacterial agent.
As tempting as it is, do not pop, pick or squeeze. You run the risk of causing permanent scarring if a popped whitehead becomes infected, and scars are much harder to fix than whiteheads!
(c) 2011 Total Social Solutions. All rights reserved.
BedBugs. Lice. Scabies. Fleas. Spiders. Ticks. … All can cause rashes, itching, and a lot of worry. The recent surge in bedbugs in eastern cities has everyone talking about how to find and kill bed bugs. But if you have a new rash or itchy red bumps, how do you know if bed bugs are the cause? Maybe your skin problem is not even related to insects or bugs and is caused by something different altogether.
If you are concerned that you have been bitten by bugs, or you fear that you have bed bugs, you should know what bed bug bites look like, where they tend to bite the skin, and how they compare to other bug bites.
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There are several common causes for itchy, red bumps or patches on one or more skin areas. The causes discussed here are typically limited to just a few bumps or to small areas of the body. Some of these disorders, however, may also involve large body areas, but these are covered specifically under the Itchy Rash section.
The location of the bumps can sometimes provide a clue to their cause. Itchy bumps on the genitals may indicate lichen planus, molluscum, pubic lice, or scabies, while itchy scalp may be caused by head lice, folliculitis (inflammation of the hair follicle), psoriasis, or a form of eczema called lichen simplex. Bumps of acne will usually involve the face, neck, or trunk of the body, while certain forms of eczema (dyshidrotic eczema) and psoriasis will affect the hands or feet. Insect bites are usually only found in areas not covered by clothing or hair. In addition to the scalp, folliculitis can involve any area of hair that experiences injury, friction, or moisture (such as the buttock and inner thigh and areas that are typically shaved, such as the legs and beard area).
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The word “rash” or “skin rash” is used quite frequently to describe a variety of skin conditions.
Rash is a generic term however and most people use the word rash to mean an eruption of skin lesions that covers areas of skin. In contrast, a single small lesion, like a pimple, mole, tumor, or growth, is not usually called a rash.
Properly diagnosing and treating a skin condition requires a more detailed understanding of the true cause of the condition.
In most situations simply using the term “skin rash” is not adequate.
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There are many types of skin rashes. A rash is an outbreak of many red bumps or patches on the body. Many conditions can cause an itchy rash. In adults, several types of skin inflammation, various allergic reactions (contact dermatitis), and sometimes infection with a mite or virus can be the cause of a new rash on the skin. Determining that the skin change is recent (generally happening for the first time and lasting less than 1-2 weeks) helps to narrow the possible causes for the rash. The location on the body and the extent of the rash can also help determine a cause. Limited areas of involvement may indicate shingles (zoster), a poison ivy rash or other allergic and irritant contact dermatides, while widespread distribution is typical of drug reactions, hives (urticaria), viral infections, and scabies.
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