July 14th, 2009
It’s evident, the earth’s getting warmer, the sun’s getting hotter, and temperatures are rising around the globe.
What has that got to do with skin care?
Well, one thing’s for sure, the harmful UVA and UVB rays of the sun are getting more potent and can do more damage in a shorter amount of time.
So what may seem like harmless sun bathing or playing sports innocently under the scorching sun may have long-term side-effects that could even lead to skin cancer!
It’s important to be aware of what’s happening to our own skin.
For example, if a mole changes color, size or texture, it could be a tell-tale sign of a more serious problem.
While we can’t completely stay out of the sun, bear in mind to not expose our skin to the sun unnecessarily, and always wear sunscreen.
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July 9th, 2009
Botox, or botulinum toxin, can treat more than just wrinkles or fine lines.
Around the world, specialists are either using or testing botox for the treatment of multiple conditions.
Since the way botox works is to relieve spasms of over-contracting muscles, as in the case of wrinkles, then any other condition where over-contracting muscles is an issue can potentially be relieved with some botox.
Presently, the FDA approves botox for 4 types of treatment:
1. Eyelid spasms
2. Cross-eye
3. Neck muscle disorder
4. Excessive sweating
Nevertheless, be wary and do some research if your doctor suggests the use of botox for reasons other than to treat the 4 conditions above.
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July 7th, 2009
The FDA recently placed some sort of “Black Box” warning for the usage of botox and related products.
Confusion among parents has arisen because some children have received botox injections for the treatment of cerebral palsy even though in some cases, there are side effects and even death.
So this black box warning is to warn parents of the potential negative results.
You see, the dosage used for such treatments is typically higher than those used for cosmetics treatments.
That’s where the danger comes in; if a child is not able to withstand the added dosage, then there’s a definite health risk involved when treating spaticity.
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July 1st, 2009
Many people enjoy the summer where they can have fun outdoors engaged in various activities.
While some sunlight is good for the skin, too much may actually damage your skin, especially if you suffer from acne.
Prolonged exposure to sunlight or UVA / UVB rays may increase oil production, damage follicular walls and even cause our pores to clog.
Furthermore, if you’re already on some kind of acne medication, it is likely your skin is more vulnerable; added sun exposure may harm your sensitive skin.
So if you must, do apply enough sunscreen, put on some shades, wear a hat, and adequate clothing.
Posted in Acne Treatments | No Comments »
June 29th, 2009
Many people enjoy sun bathing, and some sun can be good for the skin as it provides Vitamin D.
At the same time, too much sun can do more harm than good; leading to severe burns and even skin cancer.
Here are some tips to take good care of your skin:
1. Reduce time in the sun
2. Apply good sunscreen…even on your lips!
3. Dress enough to cover as much of your skin as possible
4. Have a good pair of shades or sunglasses, preferably polarized
5. Drink plenty of water
Keep in mind these handy advice and you’ll be fine.
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June 18th, 2009
2 new breakthrough laser procedures are now available to help reduce fine lines and wrinkles & provide the benefits of traditional skin resurfacing techniques without significant downtime and risks.
These new aesthetic solutions are the latest technology available in the market today.
Known as Fraxel restore and repair, these procedures can done in the office with minimal discomfort and downtime.
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June 16th, 2009
While acne scars, pimples and blemish may seem like every typical teenager’s rite of passage, the kind of damage may be more than skin deep.
A staggering 83% of teens admit to worrying about their complexion, and more than half felt that how they looked on the outside affected how people treated them.
Naturally, the more severe the condition of acne a teenager suffers, the more likely that his or her confidence is lowered.
It’s essential that the teen and parents understand acne, its causes and the types of treatment available, and approach the issue with the right mindset.
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June 16th, 2009
Recently, a study has been conducted using Fluorouracil that’s applied on the subjects faces for a period of 2 weeks.
Fluorouracil had been used to treat certain types of cancer before this study.
Out of the 20 subjects tested, 13 men and 7 women, all but one showed an improvement in skin texture and the reduction of fine lines and wrinkles at the end of the 2-week session.
Having said that, it is worth noting that the 2 weeks was no walk in the park for the patients either.
In fact, most of them suffered from skin discomfort, itch, redness etc. After examining further, it seemed that their skin was preparing for a new phase of renewal.
So it looks as if the Fluorouracil “encouraged” the skin to renew at a faster rate, thereby making the face smoother and less wrinkled.
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June 15th, 2009
With the mind-blogging variety of skin care products out in the market, it’s hard to tell which ones really works, and which ones are a plain waste of money.
Good skin care or facial products usually have natural ingredients that penetrate deep within the skins layers to do its magic.
Lousy products may irritate your skin, or even make existing conditions worse, much less improve your skin.
More importantly, we need to take care of ourselves internally, so that our skin can be healthy in the first place.
The status of our skin is a reflection of what’s happening inside anyways.
So, drink lots of water, eat healthy foods rich in vitamins, exercise, and of course, don’t smoke or consume alcohol.
These steps may be simple, but they have long lasting, far reaching effects.
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June 13th, 2009
Strange but true, a recent study revealed that Botulinum toxin, better known as the anti-wrinkle treatment Botox, can help people with a bladder condition that causes urinary incontinence.
When injected directly to the bladder, Botox relaxes the bladder muscles, thus reducing the number of times the bladder involuntarily contracts.
This would save people who suffer from an overactive bladder a lot of embarassment.
Although this study is done only on a small group of people, it’s definitely a new step towards treating urinary incontinence.
So other than getting rid of wrinkles and fine lines, who’d have known it can control..well…uncontrollable urge to pee!
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