Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Itchy Dry Skin Lotions

The bone chilling winter months may take a toll on your beautiful skin. Especially people with itchy dry skin look for relief from the unwanted skin type. On the other hand, the stumpy humidity, which occurs as the outcome of indoor heating, also wreaks havoc on your skin’s ability to remain moisturized.

Basically the skin consists of natural oils, lipids and cells of dead skin, which work naturally to protect the skin from toxins and irritants. When this layer of paramount importance strips away, you are left with dry and itchy skin.

Virtually all the cleansers and soaps that contain colorants, fragrances and anti-bacterial agents, strip away all the protective elements from the epidermis or outer layer of skin. But the skin lotions don’t contain harmful properties that could harm the skin. In fact, these itchy dry skin lotions moisturize the skin and replace all the lost necessary oils and moisture into the skin. They generally work on the motto of providing a shield to the skin that keeps the toxins and irritants out and, moisture in. These lotions help you to get the silky smooth skin, which is loved by all and avoid those costly trips to dermatologists.

You can get these lotions in the market and on the wide network of Internet that has a vast array of online companies that deal in itchy dry skin quality products. You can simply order the product from your home through just few clicks of mouse.

There are also some natural remedies that can help you combat the unwanted problem of itchy dry skin. Following are presented some of those valuable tips:

• It is advisable to avoid overdoing of skin cleansing as it takes away the moisture content6 from your skin.

• It is always necessary to avoid long hour’s exposure to sun and always make sure, you use sun block creams before stepping out.

• Drink ample of water or herbal tea as both of them are very good supporters of hydration. They hydrate the body tissues adequately and shield it against the dry skin.

• Always make sure that you avoid the exposure to the wind by covering your face properly.

• Include natural vegetable oils like avocado, olive, and canola in your diet regime as they provide natural strength to the body to fight against the cold.

• Add in your diet regime foods that are major source of vitamin A like cantaloupe, broccoli, apricots, squash, and green leafy vegetables as they act as natural remedies for dry skin protection.

• Avoid the usage of products in your skin care regime like alcohol, glycerin and clay as they contain drying agents. Instead go for those products that contain oiling agents like olive oil, coconut oil so that your skin gets the natural moisture.

• Take a tablespoon of dried herb in a cup of boiling water and stir the herb for sometime. Now drink the mixture, which can reduce dryness in your skin and get you problem free skin.

Post Summer Skin Care

Although autumn has been with us for awhile, the telltale signs of summer fun in the sun still remain on our skin. Exposure to chlorine water in pools can strip our skin of essential oils, leaving it dry. Hours of extra time spent outdoors in the sunshine can also cause dryness and uneven skin tones. A little extra post summer skin care enables you to put your best fall face forward.

- First of all, continue to use a sunscreen. You can choose a moisturizer or foundation that has a sunscreen in it to protect your skin from the harmful UV rays that exist all year round.

- Exfoliate your skin to remove dead skin cells. After the summer season, there is a lot of dry skin left all over your body as a result of exposure to the sun, surf and chlorine water. The top layers of dead skin cells can be gently removed with a clay mask, warm water and a soft cotton washcloth to reveal the healthier, new skin beneath it.

- Choose a richer moisturizer to heal the damage done from the summer, as well as to protect your skin from the upcoming cold, windy weather. Select a moisturizer that will replenish the essential oils your skin lost and allow your skin to build a protective barrier for the winter without clogging your pores. A non-comedogenic moisturizer that incorporates natural ingredients is your best option.

- Continue to drink lots of water, even though you may not be as thirsty. It is natural to drink the right amount of water during the summer season to rehydrate. However, it is essential to rehydrate all year long and drinking six to eight glasses of water a day helps to keep your skin properly hydrated and looking its best. Of course, a healthy diet and avoiding cigarette smoking also shows on your skin.

- Wear a hat. During the summer, it serves to protect your face from the sun. In the colder months, you can wear a warmer hat with a brim to serve two important purposes - protect your skin from UV rays and keep your head warm.

With a little extra post summer skin care, your healthy summer glow can keep its glimmer throughout the colder months. After all, taking proper care of your skin reaps healthy rewards all year round.

Essential Skin Care

The skin is quite an amazing organ. Weighing in at almost nine pounds, on average, the skin is the first line of defense for the body. The trouble is that we are not born with a user manual for our skin. To compound the issue, the most education people receive on the subject come from marketing messages produced by the skin care industry. As you will discover, the skin, although an amazing organ, is not that complicated to take care of. Below are the 5 essential things you should know about taking care of your skin.

1. The purpose of skin is to protect you and to excrete wastes. It takes oxygen and nutrients from the blood (not the air or any topical treatment) to help keep it healthy. It also expels oils, toxins and sweat through its pores. All of this, plus heavy moisturizers and creams and the pores can become clogged.

2. To keep your skin healthy, start on the inside first. Eat a healthy diet complete with plenty of colorful fruits and vegetables that a high in fiber, water and antioxidants. In addition to eating properly, avoid excess alcohol and all tobacco products.

3. Keep your skin by cleansing with warm or lukewarm water. Splash the water on your skin gently and never expose your skin to extreme temperatures. Very hot or cold water can damage the tiny blood vessels in your skin, called capillaries. Also, while bathing avoid getting shampoo or other hair products on your skin because they can cause irritation. Remember to include your neck as part of your facial skin care.

4. When trying out products on your skin, always test with a small area. No matter what the claims on the product label (allergy-free, hypoallergenic, etc) you can still have a reaction to a new product.

5. Consistently follow a simple yet effective skin care regime. Cleanse, tone and moisturize.

Cleansing is very important because clogged pores usually precedes acne and blemishes. A cleanser should be slightly acidic to avoid stripping oils from the skin. Work the cleanser into your hands and then gently apply to your skin. Splash plenty of lukewarm water on your skin to remove the cleanser. In certain circumstances, you may need to cleanse twice. An example would include if you were wearing heavy cosmetics and/or cosmetics for a very long time.

Toning is the most important part of the skin care regimen. Toners are composed of mostly water and a little alcohol. They tighten the skin and help prepare it to receive the moisturizer. Make sure to check the ingredients and get one that contains cetyl alcohol. Any other kind of alcohol is too strong for the skin. The best way to apply a toner is with a spray bottle. It does not need to be wiped off either.

The last step is to moisturize. No matter if you have dry or oily skin, you still should moisturize. Make sure the moisturizer you choose is nonalkaline cream, lotion or gel. The type you buy should be based on your skin type. If you have dry skin, you can use a heavier product. If you have oily skin, go with a lighter product such as a gel. It is also good to use one that has UV protection (at least SPF 15). Depending on your lifestyle, you can also you a day cream and a night cream instead of a single product.

Proper skin care doesn't have to be complex, expensive or time consuming. These 5 essential principals will go a long way towards helping you keep your skin looking its best. Of course, some people have more severe skin conditions and they should always consult a dermatologist for professional advice.

Breast Cancer Survival Rate

With very early detection, the breast cancer survival rate is excellent. The American Cancer Society reports a 5-year survival rate of 98% to 100% for Stage 1 breast cancer after treatment.

Stage 1 breast cancer is less than 2 centimeters in diameter and has not spread beyond the breast tissue itself.

Currently, 63% of breast cancer for U. S. white women is detected and diagnosed while it is still localized to the breast tissue as Stage 1 breast cancer. Only 53% of breast cancer in U. S. black women is diagnosed while the breast cancer is still localized.

The difference in early detection rates between white women and black women is usually attributed to economic disparity and the lack of health insurance. It also helps explain the fact that in the U. S., breast cancer incidence for black women is 11% lower than for white women, but the breast cancer death rate for black women is 35% higher (NCI, SEER, 2007). The death rate increases when breast cancer detection and diagnosis are postponed while the cancer spreads.

The U.S. National Cancer Institute predicts that approximately 178,480 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in 2007. The annual death rate from breast cancer is around 41,000 in the U.S. North American white women have the highest rate of breast cancer in the world.

Improving breast cancer survival rates by early detection requires regular observation, monthly self-examinations, and following medical recommendations for examinations and testing.

Monthly self-examinations should be done at the same time each month. Clinical examinations by a health care provider should start by the time a woman is 20 years old and continue at least every three years until age 40. After age 40, the clinical exams should be included in the annual health check-ups. Annual mammograms after age 40 will help detect breast cancer at the earliest stages.

Since 1 in every 8 women will face a diagnosis of breast cancer in their lives, improving the breast cancer survival rate should also include breast cancer prevention by reducing risk factors. Some breast cancer risk factors like genetics and family history can’t be changed, but they account for only a small percentage of breast cancer cases. Factors that have shown an increase in breast cancer include overweight, hormone therapy, and increased alcohol consumption. Factors that may help breast cancer prevention include breast feeding, maintaining a healthy weight, and regular exercise.

Symptons Of Testicular Cancer

If you are a male in the 15 to 40 age range, you should be aware of the various symptons of testicular cancer. As you may or may not know, while testicular cancer can affect anyone (including infants and those aged 60 and over), the 15 to 40 group is hit the hardest. On the bright side, if you do think you are experiencing some of the symptons of testicular cancer, you shouldn't fear going to the doctor and getting checked out. Testicular cancer have a very low mortality rate. Only 10 percent of men who have been diagnosed with the condition end up dying, and those who catch it in the earliest stage have a 95 percent chance of surviving.

Symptons of testicular cancer to be aware of include constant, dull pain in the lower abdomen or groin areas. Even if it comes and goes, you'd be better off safe than sorry going to get it checked out by your primary care physician. Also, if you notice that one testicle unexpectedly grows or shrinks you should be concerned. If sex is painful, there is blood in your semen or if you don't have much interest in sexual activity anymore, definitely talk to your doctor about it.

Nowadays, there is a wealth of information on the internet. If you're experiencing any symptons of testicular cancer, do a bit of research. Don't try to talk yourself out of visiting your doctor, and absolutely don't rely on the advice of internet strangers over your physician, but read up on it a bit. You might be surprised at what you can learn from visiting different forums and reading what people have to say. Up to 1 in 250 men in the United States will be diagnosed during his lifetime. Since the odds are already stacked against you, protect yourself

Saturday, September 27, 2008

The Best Skin Care For Oily Skin

Oily skin can be really tricky to take care of because one wrong move can spell disaster for the skin. One must remember that among the basic skin types, oily skin is perhaps the most sensitive and easily triggered.

Although having oily skin will lessen the possibility of developing wrinkles and lines early in life, one will compensate by being prone to acne, pimples and all sorts of blemishes. This is because over-activity of the sebaceous glands make it more likely for the pores in the skin to get clogged. Clogging of pores with grime, dead skin cells and bacteria trapped inside, can result to swelling and red bumps.

Below are some of the tips that will help you take care of your oily skin.

1. Choose what you put in your face

Oily skin can be very sensitive to irritation. This makes choosing the products that will not irritate the skin all the more difficult. For despite having products that are made especially for oily skin, there are skin types that are very allergic to some ingredients.

It is also recommended that people with oily skin refrain from using cosmetics and skin care products that are oil-based or those that are oily. Using oily products will only add to the oil already on the skin. They should instead use water-based products that are easily removed.

2. Wash your face

Another solution to a problem is the frequent washing of the face. This is done to prevent the build-up of oil on the skin which in turn will prevent the occurrence of acne. Basic hygiene is the single best solution to acne problems in oily skin.

3. Remove Make-up

Another reason why pores are clogged is the interaction of chemicals and oil on the skin. To prevent this, avoid sleeping while there is still make-up on your skin. This is actually a no-no for all skin types but all the more important for people with oily skin.

4. Be consistent with your treatment

In taking care of oily skin, it is important that you are consistent with your treatment. Most people with oily skin will probably be asked to use cleansers and then toners. Astringents are also popular as it helps exfoliates the skin and remove dead skin cells on the surface. Moisturizers are sometimes forgone because the skin is oily and moisturized as it is.

Skin Care Tips For Dry Skin

If you are among the many people who suffer from dry skin, you will be eager to learn the best methods available for keeping your skin hydrated for as long as possible. Dry skin is especially a problem during the winter months where the lack of moisture causes the skin to itch and makes skin care a more difficult challenge. Women who have dry skin cannot wear make-up the way they would like to, as this would lead to further drying of the skin. However, with a little care and a lot of patience, dry skin can be maintained as beautiful and supple as moist and normal skin.

The 1-2-3 Method of Skin Care For Dry Skin

1. Cleanse and exfoliate the skin – The first step in any skin care regime is to start by cleaning the skin. Since the dry skin will have a lot of dead cell accumulation on its surface, it will also require exfoliation along with the cleansing. It is only after the dead skin cells are removed, that any cream make-up can be applied.

2. Moisturize the skin – Because dry skin lacks moisture, wrinkling of the skin is likely to occur. In order to keep the skin smooth, moisturizer will need to applied regularly. You will notice that after a few hours, the moisturizer tends to disappear and your skin becomes dry again. To prevent this, you may need to use a little glycerin; just a few drops can make a huge difference in helping to keep the skin moisturized.

3. Nourishing the skin – The dry skin is always starving. This is why its skin care will have to include a fair amount of rich nourishing night cream. This will help to restore its health and keep it nourished. This is best applied at night before going to bed because it is at this time that the skin is free from dust and other pollution particles, and it can absorb sufficient nutrition.

If you would like to have youthful looking skin in spite of having dry skin, you will need to stick to this routine religiously. Avoid wearing cosmetics as much as possible, since this will further dry and damage the skin. If you do need to apply cosmetics, be sure that they are removed before you go to bed at night. Also, remember to add a sufficient amount of moisturizer to compensate for the loss that occurs during the day. During the day, try to keep your face out of direct sunlight. Wear a sun visor and use a sunscreen with an SPF rating of 30 or higher to keep your skin protected from the UV rays of the sun.

Having healthy, moisturized skin, will require a great deal of care on a regular basis. But, if you stick to a routine maintenance schedule, you can overcome the problem of dry skin.