Saturday, February 14, 2009

Dark Neck Discoloration Treatments

We all know that having a dark neck is very embarrassing and frustrating.

I have seen so many men and especially women who covers their neck just to hide the dark skin pigmentations that is sticking on the surface of the skin and also the big contribution of pollution and dirt to make it more become discolored.

Let’s admit this that sometimes we tend to forget to take care of our neck and we are mostly concern with our face’s appearance.

I have that same mistake as well.

We have forgotten that our face is also connected to our neck and vice versa. And so since majority has a common problems like this, let’s not waste time and start pointing out some ways of what you can do on treating them.

Are you ready? Sit back and relax.

Sunscreen

The very first thing you need to do is by applying a good sunscreen with SPF 30 or more. Whenever you apply some sunscreen into your face just make sure that you don’t stop at your chin area. Continue to go down right into your neck and massage.

If you are wearing some sexy plunging neckline or V-tops, make sure that you cover it up with a sunscreen as well to even out the tone from your face to your neck and to your chest.

It’s like face-neck-chest cycle application.

Collagen and Elastin

If you want to spend a little bit more, start using products that can boost the elasticity and collagen production on your neck to prevent from sagging. Also, it will help you restore its beauty and fight against early aging while having a long battle of dark neck discoloration.

A very famous brand like SkinCeutical’s C E Ferulic which increases collagen production and Relastin Skin Revitalizer is a way to go.

When applying this certain kind of topical vitamin C serums, it might cause irritation most especially if you have sensitive skin. What you can do is to skip every other day until your skin gets used to it.

Simple.

Skin Whitening Soaps

You can try or buy some skin whitening soaps and concentrate to apply it into your neck to whiten its appearance. By doing that, make sure that you use moisturizer and a sunscreen to keep it from hydrated.

Skin Whitening or Bleaching Creams

By applying a reasonable amount of skin bleaching or whitening creams containing kojic acid, you can see a great improvement in lightening the appearance of dark neck. But make sure you use sunscreen on top of it so that it will protect you for more unwanted skin hyperpigmentation.

I am not yet done!

As I was researching, I came across with this term - “Acanthosis Nigricans” which is also related of having dark neck skin pigmentation and this kind of disorder starts at any age and gender. It will appear as light brown to black discoloration usually in the neck, under your arms and in the inner thigh part.

So what causes it?

Having too much of junk foods or unhealthy foods especially the sugars and starches, it can cause an increase insulin resistance forcing some skin receptors to grow abnormally. But if you keep healthy and watch out for the foods you eat, it can lead to improvements of whitening back your neck.

Friday, February 13, 2009

Fad Diet Popularity

A common question among weight loss professionals...

If fad diets don't work,
why are they so popular?

People are often willing to try anything that promises to help them lose weight because they want to look or feel better. Regardless of what professionals would like to think, dieters want one thing...to fit in the clothes they wore two years ago. It rarely has anything to do with improving health. Fad diets exploit this fact and drive a multi-million dollar industry.

Quick and easy weight loss appeals to all dieters. The quick fix of a fad diet draws the attention of dieters almost effortlessly, while professionals struggle to spread the word about weight loss through long-term changes in eating habits and regular exercise. What can we do?

We continue to educate the public on the real science of weight loss and dieting. The diet basics of healthy weight loss must continue to be supported and taught by physicians, nurses, nutritionists, and other health care providers.

The Diet Basics of Healthy Weight Loss


Lose weight by losing fat (which excludes all quick weight loss plans)

Gain Muscle (keep the resting metabolic rate from dropping)

Practice good eating habits (that can keep you thin) Fad diets also become popular because many of them do work for a short time. In many cases, this is because when you stop eating certain types of food or eat ?special? combinations of foods, you are getting fewer calories than you normally would. You are also paying more attention to what you are eating.

However, it?s likely that much of the weight you lose is from water and lean muscle, not body fat. Also, most people are not able to keep up with the demands of a diet that strictly limits their food choices or requires them to eat the same foods over and over again. People who use fad diets usually end up gaining back any weight that they lost.

Here are some simple guidelines for recognizing a fad diet:

Diets that claim to help you lose weight very quickly (more than 1 or 2 pounds per week). Remember, it took time for you to gain unwanted weight and it will take time to lose it.


Promise that you can lose weight and keep it off without giving up fatty foods or exercising on a regular basis. If a diet plan or product sounds too good to be true, it probably is.


Base claims on before and after photos, instead of solid evidence from clinical trials.


Offer testimonials from clients or experts in weight loss, science or nutrition. Remember that these people are probably being paid to advertise the diet plan or product.

If you want real testimonials, ask to read the reference page used when writing the diet.


Draw simple conclusions from complex medical research.


Limit your food choices and don't encourage you to get balanced nutrition by eating a variety of foods.


Require you to spend a lot of money on things like seminars, pills or prepackaged meals in order for the plan to work.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

How To Deal With Hyperpigmentation

Those with darker Asian, East Indian, middle Eastern, Hispanic, or African skin color are susceptible to hyperpigmentation especially if they are not protected from the sun.

I don’t think anyone feel comfortable with hyperpigmentation. Don’t be disheartened as there are many options to treat this skin disorder. Some treatments block the body from producing melanin by using topical medications such as Retin A. This type of treatment causes the body to exfoliate the skin, removing the hyperpigmentation. Others use laser therapies to suppress the output of melanin. Another option is to use skin whitening cream such as Meladerm. It contains natural ingredients that can reduce the production of melanin. Visit Meladerm review to learn how it works.

Some other ways to treat hyperpigmentation may include hydroquinone, kojic acid, azelaic acid, ascorbic acid, tretinoin, topical glucocorticoids, and licorice extract. Some opt for surgery to remove the affected skin. This procedure is effective if the causes of hyperpigmentation are hormonal irregularities, sun damage, skin trauma, and medications.

However, after the treatment, the hyperpigmentation may come back again if you are exposed to the sun for just a day. So make sure you take certain precautions such as using sunscreens to prevent hyperpigmentation from recurring. Remember that your treatment will depend on the cause of hyperpigmentation and your skin type.

If you are considering Meladerm cream, then head on to Meladerm review. You can find what the users are saying about the product.

Posted by announcer in Health

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Skin Problems And Treatments

Skin rejuvenation and wrinkle reduction, these are the most commonly seen phrases used in skin related products and treatments. Every now and then we come across to them, while watching television, reading news paper, seeing a magazine or while surfing the net. This is also a reference to their massive presence amongst us.
Skin is one of the most receptive parts of human body. Receptive in the sense, that it is the shield that is affected first with weather, touch, scratch, scars and all that. It is a cover that is a protection for our body parts, provided to us by Nature. Though calling it a shield might give the impression of strength too, but this shield is a delicate one.
We need to give it a lot of care and attention. If not taken care of, skin loses its juvenility. Many skin problems occur in intense weather conditions and also with the passage of time and advancing years.
The numerous skin problems include skin tightness, prominence of facial thread veins, acne, rashes, skin allergies, redness, red spots, dark circles, pigmentation, dry patches, sun burn and most common, skin wrinkles.
Not to forget, most of the skin problems also occur due to self recommended medicines and toning creams. One should be very careful in selecting cosmetic brand too. Substandard cosmetic items are one of the major causes of skin afflictions. There are numerous treatments available to the problems according to their condition.
Skin rejuvenation is done through the technique of light absorption in hemoglobin and melanin. The excess of these substance cause age spots to appear, when targeted with IPL light, they immediately disappear. It is a renowned safe technique for skin rejuvenation.
Skin wrinkles are treated through oral medications, surgical procedures and other techniques. Medications include topical Retinoids and wrinkle creams, and surgical treatments include dermabrasion, Microdermabrasion, Laser, light source and radiofrequency treatments , Chemical peel, Botulinum toxin type A (Botox), Soft tissue fillers and Face-lift.
It is noticeable that treatment results vary in patients depending on their skin conditions and the affected area. Another factor that effects the treatment is diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure which become a hurdle in cure of any disease.
Do take extra care of your skin and do not ignore any slight changes which you figure on your skin. Prompt treatment saves from drastic results, as it is said ‘a stitch in time saves nine’.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Dark circles: Causes and Cures

Dark circles are round and uniform area of pigmentation under eyes. They make you look tired, unhealthy and older. There are many causes for dark circles:

1. Heredity
Very thin, transparent skin is an inherited trait. This makes blood vessels under your eyes visible, accentuating dark circles. Another inherited trait is deep-set bone structure, which casts shadows underneath your eyes, making the dark circles look worse.
What to do: use a concealer to cover everything up.

2. Aging
As we age, skin becomes thinner showing the blood vessels underneath and causing the dark circles.
What to do: use a moisturizer loaded with anti-oxidants and always use sunscreen to fight the aging process.

3. Saggy skin
If your skin is saggy, it can cast shadows that accentuate the appearance of dark circles.
What to do: again, concealer is the best way to hide the problem.

4. Lack of sleep
Lack of sleep causes skin to be paler. This makes the bloodstream beneath you skin more visible, accentuating your dark circles.
What to do: go to bed early and get at least 8 hours of sleep a night.

5. Sun exposure
Prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause hyper-pigmentation, making dark circles appear darker.
What to do: use skin lightening products.

6. Dehydration
If you don’t drink enough water during the day, inadequate hydration occurs, making dark circles appear more pronounced.
What to do: drink at least 6 or 8 glasses of water a day.

7. Allergies
Skin conditions that causes skin to itch, making you rub your eyes, (like allergic contact dermatitis or hey fever) can accentuate the appearance of dark circles.
What to do: treat the allergy. Consult your doctor for an accurate diagnosis and best treatment.

8. Medications
Some medications make blood vessels dilate, accentuating dark circles.
What to do: again, the best treatment is concealer.

9. Nutrition
If your diet lacks nutrient or is unbalanced, it can cause dark circles.
What to do: eat healthily.

If you’re not sure what is causing your dark circles, the best thing to do is consulting your doctor. He will determine the cause of the problem and suggest the best treatment.

Monday, February 9, 2009

Natural Skin Care Tips 10 Skin Care Tips Women Must Know

1) Wake up your looks: Tossing and turning all night can show on your face the next morning. But you can look rested even when you are not. Try these quick-picker-uppers to wake up your looks.

. Shower ‘up’: Take a shower with an energizing body scrub and a nylon loofah. Let the spray massage tension away. Switch to cool water for the final rinse.

. Wear an energizing fragrance: Try scents with hints of lemon, jasmine, bergamot, lily of the valley, hyacinth, basil, and geranium.

2) For Dark Circles: Grated potatoes can lighten under-eye circles. Potatoes contain an enzyme called catecholase, which is used in cosmetics as a human skin lightener. Put the potatoes in a food processor and stuff the raw mash into a piece of cheese cloth. Apply to the area directly beneath your eye- dont let the potato juice come in contact with the eye itself - and leave for 15 to 20 minutes. Wipe away the starchy residue.

3) Fixing Dark Circles: Other traditional and well known remedy is to place cucumber slices on eyelids while relaxing in hot bath. This will be like pampering yourself to the acme, treating yourself like a queen.

4) Soft Hands: So your hands dont feel soft anymore? Before you go to bed, lavishly apply vaseline and then pop on a pair of cotton gloves. Your hands will be incredibly soft by morning.

5) White nails: To whiten your nails, try these:

. Use a common whitening tooth paste. Try scrubbing your nails with toothpaste, its just as easy as achieving a pearly white smile and will take away any stains and shine up your nails.

. Soak your nails in water with lemon juice or lemon slices. The lemon acts as an astringent and will strip away stains.