Acne Skincare And Shaving

by Stuart Anselm

Shaving - Shaving for both genders is actually an excellent way of exfoliating or removing dead skin to help with the prevention and spreading of acne instead of leaving the remains to clog pores. And for some light acne cases already in process, shaving can help rid whiteheads and blackheads from the face. A word of caution: for areas with infection or high inflammatory activity (redness, sensitive, open acne, sores, etc.), do not shave. Or at the very least, use a shaving cream for sensitive skin.

For best results with regular shaving, follow these procedures:

First steer away from shaving creams that are oily and choose one for sensitive skin if available. Then moisten facial or other hair with warm water, apply the shaving cream and lather well. Shave with a sharp (not dull) blade. Note when shaving, use gentle swipes instead of heavy pressure ones that can irritate acne-prone areas. And go with the flow or 'grain;' in other words, adapt to downward, lateral, angular or upward swipes, for a smoother shave with less nicks and irritating backward motions. Experiment with different razors, both electric and disposable, with single- double- or triple-edged (mach III) heads to see which works best for you. And try shaving in a warm shower for better results. For after shaving applications, try toning to stop bacteria dead in its tracks before it gets into your open follicles. Here are some suggestions: try antibiotic gel or lotion, witch hazel, Dalacin T, a mild alcohol-free toner, Benzoyl Peroxide in gel form and Salicylic Acid in a gel.

Shaving Tip: Electric razors may not shave as close to the skin; however, they help with the prevention of acne and other skin breakouts and flare-ups better.

Shaving Tip: If a non-electric razor is your choice, a single-edged blade is actually better. Why? Because double- and triple-edged blades grab hair follicles and pull them out from below the epidermis. And in the process, your skin 'heals itself' by closing over these holes, making it difficult for future hair follicles to grow outward - creating inflammation in the tight areas.

Stuart Anselm is the Chief Editor for http://best-acne-skincare-product.com/ You will find a lot of very useful information and interesting articles plus news and many great resources.

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Skin Care: Turn Back the Clock - or Just Your Wallet?

by Rebecca Prescott

Your skin is a very clever organ. No matter which in the arsenal of developments in anti aging skin care products are proudly emblazoned on the bottle and in the marketing literature, your skin knows the truth. And whilst it may play the game for a little while, plumping up nicely to give the appearance of looking younger, more even, and less lined, this is only a temporary, somewhat cosmetic ruse. It is actually a biological trick of the light, a chimeraic nod to the quest for youth. Don't be fooled.

Skin care is big business. And there's nothing wrong with that. But whilst its highly entertaining to browse through the shelves and try out the latest pedigree of skin cream, these foot soldiers in the war on wrinkles meet a somewhat tenacious and uncooperative foe in our skin.

Our skin. This multi-layered emissary to the outside world, bearer of our expressions, our joys, our grief. Guard against the invisible tide of micro-organisms that seek to infiltrate our body's first defence against disease and infection. This complex array of cells that every month regenerate and shed, within the constraints of age and the quality of our diet. Our skin is a hard worker and much unappreciated. Often barely nourished despite the money spent on technological promises, we still hope the dream of youth slipping away will be restored.

There is a way to slow the process of aging. But not by applying high tech anti aging creams. By understanding exactly what our skin is, we can find better ways of giving it what it needs. And consequently, we will find ourselves with what we want - more youthful skin.

Our skin is composed of 3 main layers. The outside layer that we apply our anti aging skin care products to is the epidermis. This in turn has 4 to 5 layers, depending on where it is in the body, and whether there is a lot of hair on it. The top layer of the epidermis, the stratum corneum, serves as a barrier. This is where the cells are continually shedding and where new cells are ultimately pushed up to. These cells have no blood supply, and hence no nutrients or oxygen carried in the blood reach these cells. They are essentially dead in that they cannot engage in the metabolic processes that living cells do. But they do serve very important functions. By creating an impenetrable barrier, they keep out bacteria and other micro organisms, and are thus part of the immune system. But this very function also serves to keep out most of the expensive ingredients in anti aging treatments. And no matter how well an ingredient performs in a laboratory test tube, that does not necessarily translate to reaching the deeper layers of your skin, where the real anti aging work takes place. Most skin care products work only on the stratum corneum, and that is their downfall as anti aging secret agents.

The next layer down from the top is the dermis. This is the layer where wrinkles develop. The dermis consists of living cells, and they are responsible for the structure, integrity and elasticity of the skin. Here collagen is regenerated whilst existing collagen is broken down in the monthly cellular cycle. The production of collagen slows with age and factors like smoking, sun exposure, stress and inadequate nutrition. Other skin nutrients like elastin and hyaluronic acid are found here. Hyaluronic acid for example, helps hold water. As the dermis is composed of living cells, it has a blood supply, which transport nutrients and oxygen to the cells. These capillaries also transport cellular wast like carbon dioxide away. Here you'll also find lymph vessels, sebaceous and sweat glands, hair follicles, and nerve endings for heat and cold.

Fibers from the dermis extend down and into the next main layer, the subcutaneous layer. They anchor the skin to it. The subcutaneous layer in turn attaches to organs like bone and muscles underneath. Here are nerve endings that are sensitive to pressure, blood, lymph vessels, fat cells, collagen and elastin. The subcutaneous layer thins as we age, which creates a more angular appearance.

Moisturizers achieve their temporary effect by trapping water already in the skin. They essentially act as a seal, they do not provide additional water or 'moisture'. The few products that actually work on the deeper layers of the skin are the Retin-A skin care treatments. Vitamin C, though popular, has not conclusively demonstrated that it can reach the deeper layers, the dermis. And even if it did, there is not enough evidence that it actually does anything there.

But the news is not all bad. We can do something, and its not rocket science. If we supply the skin with the nutrients it needs, with good, fresh fruit and vegetables, and good quality fats and protein, or even supplements as a boost. Then, and only then, will we stall the clock at a more agreeable hour.

References:
1. Tortura & Grabowski, Principles of Anatomy and Physiology, 7th Ed. (Harper Collins)
2. E Angyal, Gorgeous Skin (Lothian Books)

Acne sufferers, this article covers TCM acne treatments versus acne natural cures, for a great insight into how they view skin conditions. And if you want a deeper understanding of why we get sick, check out this article on supplements and herbal medicine.

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For more News, Articles, Guides, Tips, Tricks and various Cosmetics and Skincare Products information... visit our site at http://www.cosmetics-n-skincare.com/.

Advancements in Medical Skin Care Provide Hope for Those With Sun Damaged Skin

by Ken Oleszek, MD

Sun exposure is the leading cause of photo-aging, the premature aging of the skin. Sunlight has a broad spectrum of light wavelengths, with the ultraviolet wavelength damages the skin the most. Colorado's high altitude provides less protection against these harmful rays, and this leads to more intense sun exposure. The high altitude also is drying on the skin. This dryness increases the appearance of wrinkles and fullness of the skin.

Ultraviolet light exposure over longer periods can lead to sun spots (brown spots), texture irregularity, facial redness/vessels and thinning of the skin, which causes wrinkles.

The mainstay of treatment is daily or multiple daily applications of adequate sunscreen.

Many medical treatments are used to treat photo-aged skin. Retinoids (retin A micro) smoothes the skin and makes the skin more healthy overall. A regular regimen of microdermabrasion and chemical peels improves texture, tone and can reduce brown spots and fine wrinkles.

Photofacials are the most popular treatment for brown spots (also age spots or sun spots) and facial redness. After a series of treatments, a dramatic improvement can be seen in skin texture and brown spots and redness.

Adding Levulan's photodynamic therapy to a Photofacial treatment has been a revolution for sun damaged skin, like so many have here in Colorado. Levulan will treat sun damaged skin by improving texture, minimizing oil glands and actually treating pre-cancerous skin lesions. Meaning, we can treat skin cancer before it appears to the naked eye. Anyone who has had skin cancer before can attest to the benefit of treating the skin cancer before it arises, thus preventing unsightly biopsy scars or excision scars.

For advanced cases of photo-aging, Rhytec's plasma skin regeneration is the treatment of choice. This treatment will take away the top layer of skin and allow new skin to regenerate, with better texture, fewer wrinkles and brown spots and some skin tightening as well.

Another option, Plasma regeneration, is commonly used for upper lip wrinkles, cheek wrinkles and advanced crow's feet.

Though the types of skin problems associated with sun damage can vary, there are many exciting treatment options to greatly improve your skin's look and texture. Check with your local medical spa to find out which of these treatment options are right for you.

Dr. Ken Oleszek is a Board Certified physician, Fellow in the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, and is an expert in treating sun damaged skin. Find out more about Dr. Oleszek and his medical and dental day spa, La Fontaine Aesthetics Fusion Spa, by visiting his web site at www.DenverFusionSpa.com

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For more News, Articles, Guides, Tips, Tricks and various Cosmetics and Skincare Products information... visit our site at http://www.cosmetics-n-skincare.com/.

My Simple Antiaging Skin Care Treatment Program To Delay The Aging Process!

by Dean Caporella

Why is the human race so hung up these days in maintaining their youthful looks for as long as possible? Antiaging skin care treatment is big business today and a major reason is the voracious appetite the baby boomer generation have in defying the aging process.

Responsible for just about every major trend in the last 50 years from fast foods to real estate, the baby boomer generation has embraced the concept of health and wellness during the past two decades and driven skin care treatment and health related products through the 'profit roof' for those savvy enough to 'catch this enormous wave' and ride it for all it's worth. What's it worth? Literally billions and still on an upward spiral!

Meet Antiaging Head On!

So, can we defy the antiaging process? Sure we can! As a forty something health fanatic I think I haven't done too badly and have fooled more than the odd person about my real age. There's no secret; just a simple skin care treatment program combined with regular nutritional intake.

As a professional broadcaster, I became conscious of my appearance and the need to maintain a youthful appearance for as long as possible. I was already exercising regularly: jogging and gym work but it wasn't until I discovered the drop in nutritional food value several years ago and the cell damage occurring within our bodies due to lack of proper nutritional replenishment that the light finally went on. And the irony was, while I was exercising, I was also speeding up the aging process. Strenuous exercise is a major contributor to free radical promotion within our bodies and unless one is taking optimal amounts of nutrition, then these damaging marauders will continue to 'chip away' within us and cause more and more cell damage.

An Antiaging Routine

So what is my simple daily antiaging skin care treatment program? Here it is:

1. Optimal amounts of antioxidant and mineral intake. You'll need to do a bit of homework here and find the best antioxidant products on the market. Here's a tip. You'll need to look a little deeper than the mainstream market.

2. A morning skin care treatment includes a facial daily cleanser, hydrating toner, a daytime protection emulsion and eye cream.

3. At night, the process is repeated with the cleanser and toner, a night renewal cream and the eye cream.

That's it! It's an antiaging skin care treatment program recommended to me several years ago and the key has been I've followed it 'to the letter.' The result? A very happy forty something!

Antiaging skin care treatment to this author means a combination of outer and inner body maintenance. You'll need to find what works best for you and when you do, stick to it!

Dean Caporella is a professional broadcaster. Follow a successful antiaging skin care routine and keep the aging process at bay. Get the latest antiaging news and reviews at:http://www.anti-aging-solutions.com

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For more News, Articles, Guides, Tips, Tricks and various Cosmetics and Skincare Products information... visit our site at http://www.cosmetics-n-skincare.com/.