Home Remedies to Fight Skin Pigmentation

Pigmentation can be of two types - Hypopigmentation and Hyperpigmentation. Hypopigmentation (decrease in skin pigmentation) is a condition in which patches of skin become lighter or whiter in colour than the normal surrounding skin.

Pigmentation can be caused due to genetics, sun exposure, stress, fluctuating hormones caused by pregnancy and or by birth control pills, menopause, insulin resistance, damage to the skin due to injury or overly aggressive skin care treatment, frequent use of hair dyes or intake of anti-acne pills. 

Hypo-pigmentation is a loss of colour which is caused due to worms or due to the skin being alkaline. To counter this problem, it is essential you visit your doctor to get a de-worming done every six months. Apart from this mix water and vinegar together in small amounts and wipe your face with the mixture by applying it through cotton wool. If this does not help in removing the pigmentation then mix 2 drops of Bergamot Essential oil in mustard oil. Apply this mixture on the pigmented spots and sit outside under the sun for 5 – 10 minutes, this will help the colour to return. However, if this does not work then we suggest you visit your dermatologist immediately.

Here are some  gave her tips to help remove Hyperpigmentation: 

Potato -It works very well to help lighten pigmented areas, dark spots and blemishes. You can try rubbing a slice of potato on your skin daily; you may also try a mixture of sandalwood paste and potato juice to get rid of dark spots.

Red Onion- It is one of the most effective ways to reduce pigmentation of skin, dark spots, freckles etc. You would need to slice up an onion and rub it directly on the affected areas. Alternatively, you may grate the onion, squeeze out its juice and apply.

Cucumber- Very helpful in reducing skin pigmentation fa des freckles and blemishes. 1 tbsp of cucumber juice is to be used in conjunction with 1 tbsp honey and 1 tbsp lemon/lime juice for best results.

Aloe Vera- Aloe Vera effectively treats pigmented skin, clears dark spots and blemishes, resulting in the older skin cells to slough off, thus leaving us with clearer-looking and rejuvenated skin. Apply the gel half hour before bed; add one or two Vitamin E capsules like Evion to enhance its efficacy. Use it in the marketed gel form or gather the gel straight from the plant.

Radish – Grate radish, put it in milk and heat it. After that apply the heated radish juice on your skin. Leave it on for some time and then rinse it off.  

Sunscreen - Use a Sunscreen Daily to counter the problem of hyper-pigmentation. 

Vit C Serum – Use Vitamin C Skin lightening Serum for lightening the dark spots caused by pigmentation. 

However, before trying any of the remedies it is highly essential that you find out the cause of the pigmentation.

Best Tips For Prevent Dry Skin

Dry skin is a problem that UmuD today to many people. Do not worry, there is a common disorder and is easy to treat and prevent dry skin care tips.

Tips 1: Stay hydrated

The first thing to do to help, drink plenty of water to overcome apathy and dehydration. Not even to bathe in hot water. If you take a shower with hot water helps preserve moisture. After bathing, dry with a soft towel dabbed forever, and it also helps keep the skin fresh, soft and fluffy.

Tips 2: Healthy eating

It is important to exercise for general health. A healthy body and healthy skin. By eating healthy foods, not only the body but a body that is free of dry skin.

Tips No. 3: Avoid using chemicals

Avoid scented creams more chemicals in some cosmetics can aggravate your skin condition. For example, alcohol is a common ingredient in cosmetics. Other names may be ethanol, ethyl alcohol, methanol, benzyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol and SD. All this is very dry and irritate the skin.

Tips 4: Use natural

Most of us at some point, you suffer from dry skin, but to see the skin in a way that we are older. Neck, eyes and hands before giving years and there is nothing you can do can stop the natural aging can help, however, avoid the use of effective skin care are natural.

Natural products contain natural ingredients, which is very effective when it comes to skin care, skin, particularly dry and aging are coming.

Five Effective waysFor Skin Discoloration – Natural Ways To Even Out Skin Tone

Our skin produces more melanin like a reaction to cumulative sun damage. While we are chronically exposed to the sun’s Uv rays, the skin we have could possibly get damaged easily. Moreover, in the event the surface layers of your dermis are chafed by abrasive materials such as your clothes, skin discoloration happens.I know you accept me when i say that having uneven skin tone is unattractive. It makes your skin look unpleasant and old. In case you are prepared to make changes to your skin, try the following remedies:

1. Apply lemon juice to the discoloured areas. Lemon juice has potent bleaching properties. It is among the best remedies when it comes to reducing melanin production. In addition , it works wonders in removing wrinkles. It triggers mild peeling action in the skin. If you continuously use this treatment, every time they visit your skin shine.

2. The most effective remedies you can test is pearl powder. Many people have observed major improvements in their skin because of the amino acids in pearl. It is possible to directly put it on on your skin. Mix just a pinch of the powder and you’ll add it which has a bit of apple cider vinegar treatment and vitamin e antioxidant oil. Put it on on the pigmented areas of your skin. Let it stay there for about 20 minutes before washing it well.

3. Drink vitamin c capsules daily. Ascorbic Acid can stabilize the unwanted creation of melanin. Which promotes healthy regeneration of collagen and elastin. You may also drink freshly-squeezed orange juice daily to boost skin complexion.

4. Search for lightening moisturizers incorporated with Extrapone Nutgrass, CynergyTK and Phytessence Wakame. Extrapone Nutgrass has often been found in Ayurvedic medicine as a treatment for rashes. But this too has bleaching components that can reduce blemishes and spots by as much as 45% through the first couple of weeks of use.CynergyTK retains skin strong and flexible. That is comprised of functional keratin. Keratin is the protein necessary for skin for your manufacture of collagen and elastin. Phytessence Wakame is exactly what you have to preserve healthy amounts of hyaluronic acid. This acid is vital for collagen oiling.

5. Scrubbing your skin twice each week causes it to be look soft, smooth ad unblemished. You have to exfoliate the skin using natural exfoliants. Mix powdered almond with honey. Experts say, walnuts contain whitening properties that may reduce pigmentation spots. Honey has healing properties that will also inhibit melanin production. This prevents skin hydrated. Gently apply this scrub in your damp skin.
For more info on skin discoloration visit our website at Discoloration of skin

http://discolorationofskin.com

How to Remove Spots on Your Face at Home Read more: How to Remove Spots on Your Face at Home

Exposing unprotected skin to the sun may leave you with dark spots on your face. Once they appear, spots on your face will not vanish on their own -- you will need to treat them regularly to see results. However, you can fade spots on your face at home, without visiting a dermatologist.

Instructions

1. 1

   Wash your face with a cleanser and clean cloth daily. This will wipe away dirt and old skin cells. Rinse the cleanser from your face with lukewarm water. Leave your face damp.

2. 2

   Squirt a dime-sized amount of microdermabrasion exfoliant on a dampened cloth. Scrub at the spot for 30 seconds to 1 minute.

3. 3

   Rinse away the microdermabrasion exfoliant with lukewarm water. Pat your skin dry with a soft towel. Do not scrub at the skin with the towel.

4. 4

   Apply nourishing facial lotion to the spots. You only need a small amount for this. Dampen the tips of your forefinger and index finger with the lotion. Give your spots a microdermabrasion treatment twice a week to lessen the appearance of spots.

5. 5

   Dip a cotton swab into 1 Tbsp. of fresh lemon juice.

6. 6

   Rub the wet swab over the spot. Leave the juice on your skin for one hour before rinsing it away. The acid in the lemon juice gently burns away top layers of your skin. Repeat the lemon juice treatment every day until the spots fade.

Tips & Warnings

• Apply sunscreen to your face before heading outdoors. Sun exposure can make spots look darker.
• Have suspicious looking spots checked by a doctor. Black, gray or green spots could be a sign of a serious underlying issue.

How to Fade Dark Spots on Skin

Do you know how you can fade dark spots on skin? More importantly, are you aware of the reasons why those dark spots are populating your dermis? These are the things you have to be privy about in order to successfully have blemish-free dermis.

Those dark spots are also called age spots if they have just appeared at a later point in your life. People experience this as soon as they hit the age 40. It happens because of the abnormal melanin production in our dermis triggered by overexposure to the sun's UV rays. This also happens because of the loss of skin integrity.

The best way to fade those dark marks is to start avoiding direct sun exposure. This will prevent abnormal pigmentation. The sun's UV rays can damage connective tissues and can zap up lubricating moisture which triggers the appearance of various unwanted skin diseases.

Also, this is the best time to start looking for beauty products such as moisturizers and lotions that can help eliminate those marks permanently. You are better off with products that contain only natural ingredients. Look for the following ingredients and find out why:

Extrapone Nutgrass

You will consider this an ally when it comes to inhibiting melanin production. When this process is successfully carried out, those dark blemishes will start to fade. Extrapone Nutgrass targets the darker areas in the skin and evens them out with the rest of your skin tone. The result is an even skin complexion devoid of dark spots. In addition to that, it is also efficient in softening skin up. It has natural properties that moisturize the dermis effectively.

Manuka honey

If you need a super hydrating ingredient in addition to a lightening ingredient, this is also a good choice. You know that honey is abundant in all sorts of vitamins and minerals. Those nutrients can be transferred to your dermis effectively. With the natural bleaching property of Manuka honey, you can safely reduce the appearance of those dark blemishes.

CynergyTK

In order to vamp up the process of the skin, you need the help of CynergyTK that supplies keratin to this largest organ. This can protect you from the future appearance of various signs of skin aging such as dark spots, wrinkles, and saggy skin.

With these methods, you can fade dark spots on skin effectively. Incorporate them in your beauty regimen and experience the results you have not seen before.

Skin Pigmentation Causes and Home Remedies

What Causes Skin Pigmentation?

Skin pigmentation is a condition that is brought about by the appearance of dark, discolored patches on the skin. This condition does not pose to be any kind of a serious health threat, but it may often lead one to feel self conscious and de-motivated. Let us look at what causes this particular condition. Our skin consists of a pigment known as melanin. This pigment is responsible for giving our skin its color. People that have a darker skin tone have an increased amount of melanin in their skin as compared to fair or lighter toned skin. Now, hyperpigmentation is brought about when, due to some reason there is an increase in the production of melanin within a person’s skin. When there is an excess amount of melanin being produced, it gives rise to discolored areas on the skin. Sun spots or age spots are one of the most common examples of hyperpigmentation.

Home Remedies For Skin Pigmentation

Here are a few home remedies that can help in treating this condition effectively. Make a thick paste by mixing together a teaspoon each of freshly squeezed tomato juice and oatmeal, with half a teaspoon of yogurt. Apply a generous layer of this paste onto the concerned area and let it air dry naturally. Wash the application off after about 15-20 minutes with some lukewarm water. This remedy has to be performed regularly on a daily basis till you begin to notice visible results. Aloe vera gel has been found to be beneficial for several different skin ailments, this one included. Slice an aloe leaf into half and scoop out the rich gel. Apply a thin film of this gel onto the darkened area 2-3 times a day. Leave the application on for a 15-20 minutes and then rinse it off with cold water. You could also add 2-3 drops of vitamin E oil to this gel; it will be an added advantage.

Mix together a teaspoon of lime juice and half a teaspoon of turmeric powder. Apply this mixture on to the pigmented skin and let it dry for 15 minutes, after which rinse it off with cold water. Take care not to step out into the sum immediately after implementing this remedy, as it will cause the skin to darken further. This remedy is thus best performed at bedtime. Mash one ripe avocado and apply the thick paste all over the affected area and rinse it off after 10 minutes.

What Exactly Is Acne And What Causes It?

Acne is a very common skin condition that generally affects people during their teenage years. More commonly known as pimples, it most often appears on the face but can affect other parts of the body such as the back, neck and shoulders.

While it is usually associated with teenagers, acne does affect adults as well. Plus, it's a universal problem - it affect men and women almost equally and occurs in every race.

The full name for acne is Acne Vulgaris. The visible symptoms are lesions that break out on the skin. These lesions may be whiteheads, blackheads or cysts which are formed out of clogged pores.

The reason it's commonly seen during puberty is because at that age the body produces a larger amount of an oily substance called sebum. Sebum keeps the hair and skin soft and lubricated, but during puberty it is overproduced. This excess clogs pores and will often leave the skin feeling oily.

Another change during puberty that can contribute to acne is higher production of follicle cells. The cells that are dying can build up quickly, combine with sebum and form whiteheads.

This mixture provides a breeding ground for bacteria - resulting in the swelling and redness commonly called pimples.

Acne affects roughly 85% of people between 12 and 24 years old. About 25% of those affected develop acne on other areas than just the face, the most common being the back and neck. 40% of people suffering from acne seek medical attention to help deal with severe outbreaks.

The most common area that is affected by acne is what is known as the T Zone on the face. This is made up of the forehead, nose and chin. Acne does form on other facial areas however, such as the cheeks.

The second most common part of the body to be affected is the back followed by the neck, chest and shoulders.

For most people, their acne will clear up by the time they're in their 20's. There are some cases where it will continue throughout their adult life however, and some people experience it for the first time as an adult.

Breast Augmentation Or Reduction - What Are The Implications?

People often tend to beautify and, at times, exaggerate the alluring portions of their body. A worthy example of this is breast plastic surgery, which contemporary women opt for in order to enhance their appearance. Breast plastic surgery has several forms, namely breast implant or enhancement, breast lift, and breast reduction. Each type has its own significance and is employed under different circumstances. While breast implant (also known as breast augmentation) is used to enlarge the size of a woman's breast, breast reduction is often necessary when abnormally huge breasts result in orthopedic pain.

Breast implant has two primary types, namely saline implants and silicone gel implants. However, advanced research is bound to make other filler types available. A staggering fact is that breast augmentation is the third most popular cosmetic surgery procedure in the United States. Unequivocally, this is an absolute evidence of women's obsession with their looks, and also a substantial proof as to the safety and efficacy of the procedure.

Breast lift is a surgical procedure designed to reshape sagging breasts, in order to give them a more appealing look. Primarily used to improve breast drooping, breast lift procedure can be combined with breast augmentation to improve volume as well. The procedure typically involves incisions around the base of the breast and, therefore, results in scarring.

Breast reduction is another surgical procedure which entails the reduction of the size of breasts by removing fat, glandular tissue, and skin. Breast reduction is primarily used for women with huge, sagging breasts, as the weight of their breasts may cause orthopedic, circulation, and breathing problems. Though relatively rare, obese men with women-like breasts may also opt for breast reduction surgery.

Whatever be the type of breast plastic surgery, people are increasingly opting for it. Since aesthetics play a major role in the choice of people we hang out with, women see no harm in enhancing the alluring portions of their body if it were at the cost of minimal scarring.



About the Author
Nicola publishes articles and news, tips and views to help you make the correct choice about Liposuction and Lipoplasty at http://lipo.plastic-surgery-info.net

This article may be reprinted in full so long as the resource box and the live links are included intact. Copyright Plastic-Surgery-Info.net

Eating Foods for Healthy Skin

How to Get a Healthy Skin from Inside Out

Eating a healthy diet will surely help promote healthy skin. Particularly, antioxidant-rich foods are good for the skin.

Good foods for healthy skin include:


- Fruits: cherries, berries, melons, apples and pears
- Vegetables: spinach and other green leafy vegetables, eggplant, asparagus, celery and onions
- Legumes: broad and lima beans
- Fish
- Nuts
- Olive oil

On the other hand, certain foods can cause skin damage. For example, skin wrinkling can be caused by a higher intake of meat and full-fat milk.

What else to eat for healthy skin?

Whole-grain breads and pasta, low-fat or fat-free dairy products, trade red meat for fish and limit sweets.

Source: MayoClinic.com

4 Basic Skin Care Needs

by mulanol.com

Here we show you tips on how to properly care for your skin, from the right way to wash your face, to the best moisturizers and UV protection.

Before we start with the proper daily 3-step skincare routine, you’ll need to know your skin type. How you care for your skin is utterly dependent on the type of skin you have: oily, normal/combination, dry, sensitive or sun- damaged. Check out this article to figure out what skin type you have.

# Step 1: Cleansing Simple is key here. You need to find a good cleanser that your skin responds well to, and stick with it. (I list the best cleansers for skin types in this article ).

Avoid bar soaps as they tend to dry out the skin. According to Rona Berg, in her book, ‘Beauty,’ a French cosmetics executive once told her ’soap should only ever touch your skin from the neck down.’ We agree. According to Berg, most cleansers contain oil, water and ’surfactants’. The oil dissolves oil on your face, surfactants dissolve dirt and makeup and the water washes it all away. Who knew? The secret is finding the right mix of oil. (Makes sense to us). Too much on your skin will clog pores, while too little will dry it out. This is why you need to know your skin type.

Be careful not to cleanse too often. Washing at night should do you. While some skincare experts swear you should cleanse skin with creamy cleansers that you wipe off with a tissue, never letting water touch your skin (some hard waters are especially hard on skin), we prefer the water method. In the morning, a splash of lukewarm water is all you need (we find it’s great for removing excess oils from your nightly moisturizing). Never wash your face with hot or cold water (both can cause broken capillaries). Also be careful about overcleansing skin.

Here’s the best way to wash your face: Use warm water to loosen dirt and clogged pores. Use a dime-sized bit of cleanser, then rinse with cool or lukewarm water. You’ll also want to take off your makeup with a proper makeup remover.

# Step 2: Exfoliate Exfoliation is the step most people skip in their weekly skincare routine. But trust me, if you start properly exfoliating your skin, you will notice an almost immediate difference. According to Berg, one of the reasons men’s skin looks more youthful than women’s is because men tend to exfoliate daily when they shave. There are several ways to exfoliate skin: Microdermabrasion, chemical peels and retinoids.

Scrubs work by removing the top layer of dead skin cells that tend to dull your complexion. We find exfoliating skin once a week with a microdermabrasion kit keeps skin glowing year-round. Make sure you use a gentle scrub with tiny grains. Big grains in cheap scrubs can tear skin and cause more harm than good. My favorite microdermabrasion kit is made by Lancome.

In the hour it takes to get a chemical peel, you can take off five years from your face. Can’t afford the pricetag for a monthly peel? Try some over-the-counter peels that work over the course of a month. I prefer MD Skincare’s.

Retinoids (such as Retin-A) also work by removing the top layer of dead skin cells while also generating collagen in the skin. “Collagen is the skin’s structural fiber,” dermatologist Dennis Gross said in the October 2005 issue of O Magazine. “As we get older, it breaks down, creating lines and large pores.” Skincare experts disagree on all sorts of things, but most of them consider retinoids to be a miracle skin saver.

Should you use a toner? Some people swear by toners, but many beauty experts do not (I once read a skincare expert claim, ‘toners are only for copy machines’). Toners are meant to remove all remaining traces of oil, makeup and dirt, but a good cleanser should do this. I firmly believe it’s up to you. If you like the way your skin feels with a toner. Buy it. Use it. Enjoy it.

# Step 3: Moisturize While I know of at least one famous beauty editor who swore skin doesn’t need moisturizer, basically everyone else I’ve read disagrees and is an adamant believer in it. A basic law of beauty is that everyone, no matter her skin type, should moisturize. Even if your skin is oily, it will benefit from moisturizers. (The only exception is those with acne). Why? Moisturizers seal moisture into skin (Berg calls this the ‘Saran Wrap effect’). So how much should you moisturize? Your skin will tell you. When your skin is tight, it’s crying out for moisture. Be careful not to overmoisturize — this can cause clogged pores. For the skinny on great moisturizers for your skin type, check out this article.

Are eye creams necessary? Well maybe. Some beauty experts strongly recommend eye creams. Why? The skin around the eye contains no fatty tissue and is therefore very thin and susceptible to wrinkles. Special eye creams are formulated to ‘thicken’ this area and keep it sturdy. Yet other experts (including the beauty editors of Allure in their new book) claim your daily lotion works around the eyes just as well.

# Step 4: Applysunscreen ‘O’ magazine ran an article in November 2006 featuring interviews with several top skin care experts and dermatologists (check it out here ). Every single one of them said sunscreen was the most important part of your skincare regimen. It was the secret they would pass on to their daughters.

The number 1 cause of wrinkles is sun damage, so it’s important to use sunscreen from your early years on even in winter and on cloudy days. A great trick is to purchase two moisturizers: one for night and one for day that includes UV protection. Don’t use moisturizers with sunscreen at night, the ingredients are not meant to be used 27/7 and can aggravate skin. When choosing a sunscreen, make sure it contains 1 of 3 ingredients as an ‘active ingredient’: titanium dioxide, zinc oxide or Parsol 1789 (avobenzene).

Look Younger in Just 8 Simple Steps

Here we show you tips on how to properly care for your skin, from the right way to wash your face, to the best moisturizers and UV protection.

Before we start with the proper daily 3-step skincare routine, you’ll need to know your skin type. How you care for your skin is utterly dependent on the type of skin you have: oily, normal/combination, dry, sensitive or sun- damaged. Check out this article to figure out what skin type you have.

# Step 1: Cleansing Simple is key here. You need to find a good cleanser that your skin responds well to, and stick with it. (I list the best cleansers for skin types in this article ).

Avoid bar soaps as they tend to dry out the skin. According to Rona Berg, in her book, ‘Beauty,’ a French cosmetics executive once told her ’soap should only ever touch your skin from the neck down.’ We agree. According to Berg, most cleansers contain oil, water and ’surfactants’. The oil dissolves oil on your face, surfactants dissolve dirt and makeup and the water washes it all away. Who knew? The secret is finding the right mix of oil. (Makes sense to us). Too much on your skin will clog pores, while too little will dry it out. This is why you need to know your skin type.

Be careful not to cleanse too often. Washing at night should do you. While some skincare experts swear you should cleanse skin with creamy cleansers that you wipe off with a tissue, never letting water touch your skin (some hard waters are especially hard on skin), we prefer the water method. In the morning, a splash of lukewarm water is all you need (we find it’s great for removing excess oils from your nightly moisturizing). Never wash your face with hot or cold water (both can cause broken capillaries). Also be careful about overcleansing skin.

Here’s the best way to wash your face: Use warm water to loosen dirt and clogged pores. Use a dime-sized bit of cleanser, then rinse with cool or lukewarm water. You’ll also want to take off your makeup with a proper makeup remover.

# Step 2: Exfoliate Exfoliation is the step most people skip in their weekly skincare routine. But trust me, if you start properly exfoliating your skin, you will notice an almost immediate difference. According to Berg, one of the reasons men’s skin looks more youthful than women’s is because men tend to exfoliate daily when they shave. There are several ways to exfoliate skin: Microdermabrasion, chemical peels and retinoids.

Scrubs work by removing the top layer of dead skin cells that tend to dull your complexion. We find exfoliating skin once a week with a microdermabrasion kit keeps skin glowing year-round. Make sure you use a gentle scrub with tiny grains. Big grains in cheap scrubs can tear skin and cause more harm than good. My favorite microdermabrasion kit is made by Lancome.

In the hour it takes to get a chemical peel, you can take off five years from your face. Can’t afford the pricetag for a monthly peel? Try some over-the-counter peels that work over the course of a month. I prefer MD Skincare’s.

Retinoids (such as Retin-A) also work by removing the top layer of dead skin cells while also generating collagen in the skin. “Collagen is the skin’s structural fiber,” dermatologist Dennis Gross said in the October 2005 issue of O Magazine. “As we get older, it breaks down, creating lines and large pores.” Skincare experts disagree on all sorts of things, but most of them consider retinoids to be a miracle skin saver.

Should you use a toner? Some people swear by toners, but many beauty experts do not (I once read a skincare expert claim, ‘toners are only for copy machines’). Toners are meant to remove all remaining traces of oil, makeup and dirt, but a good cleanser should do this. I firmly believe it’s up to you. If you like the way your skin feels with a toner. Buy it. Use it. Enjoy it.

# Step 3: Moisturize While I know of at least one famous beauty editor who swore skin doesn’t need moisturizer, basically everyone else I’ve read disagrees and is an adamant believer in it. A basic law of beauty is that everyone, no matter her skin type, should moisturize. Even if your skin is oily, it will benefit from moisturizers. (The only exception is those with acne). Why? Moisturizers seal moisture into skin (Berg calls this the ‘Saran Wrap effect’). So how much should you moisturize? Your skin will tell you. When your skin is tight, it’s crying out for moisture. Be careful not to overmoisturize — this can cause clogged pores. For the skinny on great moisturizers for your skin type, check out this article.

Are eye creams necessary? Well maybe. Some beauty experts strongly recommend eye creams. Why? The skin around the eye contains no fatty tissue and is therefore very thin and susceptible to wrinkles. Special eye creams are formulated to ‘thicken’ this area and keep it sturdy. Yet other experts (including the beauty editors of Allure in their new book) claim your daily lotion works around the eyes just as well.

# Step 4: Applysunscreen ‘O’ magazine ran an article in November 2006 featuring interviews with several top skin care experts and dermatologists (check it out here ). Every single one of them said sunscreen was the most important part of your skincare regimen. It was the secret they would pass on to their daughters.

The number 1 cause of wrinkles is sun damage, so it’s important to use sunscreen from your early years on even in winter and on cloudy days. A great trick is to purchase two moisturizers: one for night and one for day that includes UV protection. Don’t use moisturizers with sunscreen at night, the ingredients are not meant to be used 27/7 and can aggravate skin. When choosing a sunscreen, make sure it contains 1 of 3 ingredients as an ‘active ingredient’: titanium dioxide, zinc oxide or Parsol 1789 (avobenzene).

by mulanol.com

Cleansing The Skin

Cleansing is quite essential to avoid acnes and other skin problems. Wash your skin often using a mild face wash and wipe off with a clean washcloth. It is quite important to get rid of any impurities such as dirt particles and makeup before going to sleep so that your skin can breathe properly at night. Use mild cleanser at least twice a day but make sure that it rinses away easily, does not cause skin irritation and do not wash away natural oils too.

by mulanol.com

German Shepherd Coat Colors And Patterns Vary Greatly

Genetics of German Shepherd Coat Colors

Concerning the GSD and German Shepherd coat colors, the breed standard from the SV specifically states: "The color of the GSD is in itself not important and has no effect on the character of the dog or on its fitness for work and should be a secondary consideration for that reason. The final color of a young dog can only be ascertained when the outer coat has developed."

Of all undesirable things to try to eliminate and to consider in a German Shepherd Dog, coat color should be at the bottom of the list. Good pigment should be sought after but many factors such as health and temperament, to name a few, should be much more important than coat color which should always be subordinate to structure, gait, type, and character and should never take precedence over the working ability of the dog. Eye color should be dark and nose pigment should be black as well.

Concerning the coat coat of the German Shepherd, the SV breed standard states the following: "The normal (stock) coated GSD should carry a thick undercoat and the outer coat should be as dense as possible, made up of straight hard close lying hairs. The hair on the head and ears, front of the legs, paws and toes is short. On the neck it is longer and thicker, on some males forming a slight ruff. The hair grows longer on the back of the legs as far down as the pastern and the stifle, and forms fairly thick trousers on the hindquarters. There is no hard or fast rule for the length of the hair, but short mole-type coats are faulty." "No good dog is a bad color" -- Max von Stephanitz (breed founder of the German Shepherd Dog) concerning German Shepherd coat colors

Ask just about anybody to describe a German Shepherd Dog and they will almost always mention the "saddle Back" markings. It is also just as possible for the GSD to be one solid color such as black (solid white is considered a conformation disqualification for showing by the AKC) or sable. Sable German Shepherd coat colors are easily identified by multi-colored individual hairs all over the body. Sable GSD's may also be masked by dark or black guard hairs.

German Shepherd coat color patterns may include any of the following: black & tan, black & red, black & cream, solid black, solid white, (considered a conformation disqualification), sable (also called agouti or wolf gray, in various colorations), black & silver, liver (rare - conformation fault) and blue (rare - considered a conformation fault).

Richer pigmentation is preferred, color wise. While I won't delve deeply into the science of genetics (feel free to do that on your own if interested), just know that the liver color comes as the result of matched recessives in the black series and the blue color happens as the result of matched recessives in the dilution series.

German Shepherd coat colors and inheritance in the GSD is very complex and controlled by several series of genes. Following is a very brief description and summary of the various gene series in the GSD responsible for color based on information from "The German Shepherd Dog: A Genetic History" and "Practical Genetics for Dog Breeders", both by Malcom Willis. Both of these books should be considered as required reading for any serious German Shepherd fan and even more importantly for breeders. Another suggested resource is "The German Shepherd Today" by Winifred Strickland and James "Jimmy" Moses.

THE AGOUTI SERIES

The basic body color of the German Shepherd is controlled by the genes. The order of German Shepherd coat colors dominance is as follows: golden sable, grey sable, saddle marked black and tan, bicolor* black and tan (bicolor is where the dog only has tan on the legs and face, not on the body), and black.

Additionally, know that the black gene is recessive to all the other colors in GSD's.

Solid black German Shepherds bred to solid blacks German Shepherds will only produce blacks. The sable colors are dominant over the other colors and patterns in the German Shepherd breed.

THE BLACK SERIES

This gene controls the black pigment formation on the GSD, not the hair color. The German Shepherd coat colors order of dominance is exactly as follows: Black pigment including nose, eyerims and pads; Carrier for liver color; Liver color - brown black colors, brown nose, eye rims and pads.

Note: most GSDs are considered black pigment including nose, eyerims and pads.

THE WHITE SERIES

White coat color in the German Shepherd Dog is recessive to all other colors. In order to get a white coat color in the German Shepherd, both parents must carry the white gene (either be white themselves or be carriers.) The order of dominance is as follows: Melanin is produced. (Standard GSD's colors have this); Partial albinism (not seen); White coat with dark eyes and nose (not albino); Yellowish coat collar (proposed).

THE COLOR SERIES

This controls the intensity of the non-black coloration. The order of dominance is as follows: Lightest tan (cream); Intermediate tan (tan); Darkest tan (red).

The intensity of the color series determines whether GSD's with color (i.e. not all- black or all-white recessives) will be black & cream,black & tan or black & red.

Coat Lengths in GSD's

Short-coated German Shepherd's maintain a short coat, which lies close to the body.

These dogs usually have less undercoat.

"Plush" Coated GSD's have a medium length coat with a thin, fluffy under coat.

These dogs do not have any feathering as in the long coated GSD's.

Long coated German Shepherd's have much longer fur around their ears, on the backs of their legs, chest and tail (feathering) than other German Shepherd's.

THE DILUTION SERIES

This controls how intense the black pigment will appear on your German Shepherd.

The order of dominance is as follows: Dense pigment; blue dilution.

Black pigment combined with blue dilution will produce a blue coated German Shepherd which looks as though it has a dusty or flour sheen.

THE MASK SERIES

This controls whether or not a mask appear on your German Shepherd.The order of dominance is as follows: a black mask on the face; dark coat with no mask; Brindle (rare, will be seen as striping on the legs); clear tan.

All these genes put together determine your own German Shepherd's coat colors.

How to Make Homemade Natural Skin Brightening Toner

It's Christmas time. That usually means it time to spend your cash buying gifts for others. Well if you can steal a way minutes from your "ta-dah" list, you can fashion yourself an exquisite natural skin lightening toner. Better yet, you could give it away as a present.
You can locate natural skin whitening agents like soy, licorice, vitamin E and vitamin C at your local grocer or drugstore. Moreover, you can combine these active skin brightening ingredients in innumerous ways to craft a skin care product unique to your taste and skin brightening needs.

Here's some basics steps for formulating your own spot removing toner:

Step 1: Gather natural ingredients and utensils


Skin lightening ingredients

4 ounces of dried licorice or

4 ounces of dried soybeans

3 ounces of citric acid

Fragrant ingredients

(These herbs are typically available at the herb and/or tea section of most health stores in jars where you can purchase only as much product as you need)

Select one of two herbs that appeal most to your senses:

1 ounce of dried peppermint leaves

1 ounce of dried rosemary

1 once of dried hibiscus

1 ounce of dried lemongrass

1 ounce of dried grapefruit rinds or a potpourri of dried citrus rinds

Alcohol for creating herbal infusion:

10 ounces of grain alcohol or

10 ounces of ethanol

Mixing and storage:

16-ounce Mason jar with lid and screw cap

8-ounce dark colored plastic bottle or glass

1 Cheesecloth

1 Small funnel

2 stick-on labels

Step 2: Grinding


In a coffee grinder, roughly grind the soybeans or licorice with the fragrant herbs you have selected.

Step 3: Create and herbal infusion


Create a label that reads "Skin lightening herbal infusion" and place today's date on it.

Pour 10 ounces of alcohol into the Mason jar.

Now add the mixture of herbs and skin lighteners that you created in step two to the alcohol. Tightly place the lid and screw cap on the Mason jar. Gently shake the jar.

Place the label on the jar.

Now store the jar in a dark closet or cabinet for eight days. Check the jar once a day to make certain that all the herbs are still cover in the alcohol. If not, add just enough alcohol to cover the herbs, reseal the jar, and store it again until day eight.

Step 4: Straining


Place a cheesecloth into the funnel. Place the funnel into a bottle. Now slowly pour the herbal infusion you made in step three through the funnel to separate the herbs. Place a cap on the bottle to store the surplus.

Step 5: The final product


To finish your natural skin lightening toner, add five ounces of your herbal infusion to a plastic bottle. Next, add three ounces of concentrated, or fresh squeezed lemon juice to the herbal infusion.

To enjoy the benefits of your skin lightening toner, use it at least once or twice daily. First, cleanse your skin with a mild soap. Next saturate the toner with a cotton square. Smooth the toner over your entire face, avoiding the eye area, and leave on the toner for five to ten minutes then rinse it off.

Tip:

If the alcohol content of your finished products seems drying to your skin, add four to eight drops of vitamin E to your eight-ounce toner. This will boost the skin brightening effects of your homemade beauty product while preventing dryness.

Skin Rejuvenation: For A Younger Looking Skin

If a patient wants to get a youthful appearance, skin rejuvenation or resurfacing should be considered. It can be achieved in a number of ways, such as with facials micro dermabrasion, and chemical peels, all achieve results in basically the same way. Ultimately, a healthier-look emerges. Skin rejuvenation is a treatment to resurface or to improve the texture, clarity and the overall appearance of the skin. Conditions that can be treated include visible wrinkles, dynamic wrinkles, pigmentation problems, scars, vascular conditions, or loss of skin tone. While, it is not as involved as surgical cosmetic procedures, such as a face lift, skin rejuvenation is a medical procedure. If you are physically healthy and do not smoke, you may consider this procedure to get a juvenile look. Your plastic surgeon should explain in detail, the risks associated with the procedure, and brief you about pre and post surgery complications, if any. Also you will be asked to sign consent forms, to ensure that you fully understand the procedure and any risks and potential complications such as infection, pigmentation irregularities, textural changes or irregularities, burns and scarring,. Laser skin resurfacing treatments provide relief to the patients, from fine lines and wrinkles by removing damaged outer layers, to reveal those that are, softer, smoother, and younger looking. Your physician will analyze your face to determine, if the procedure is right for you or not. Patients with darker skin tones may be at risk of unwanted pigmentation changes. Furthermore, patients who have active skin infections or who are prone to scarring may not be considered as a good candidate for this procedure. An experienced physician can help you determine, if you are a good candidate for it or if other laser treatments are better suited for your needs. Laser treatments are typically performed with a laser, which can vary in their strength and treatment usages. Some lasers are stronger than others and can provide a more powerful treatment, that can be used to treat frown lines and wrinkles that are deeper and more pronounced. With a guidelines of a qualified and moreover board certified cosmetic surgeon, these treatments can be a safe and effective to correct fine lines, wrinkles, and other skin imperfections. The procedure has the possibility of resulting in heat injury, activating cold sores, lightening, darkening or scarring the facial surface. Your cosmetic surgeon should fully discuss the risks associated with the procedure with you, before performing it. Recovery time varies between few days to a few weeks. After laser skin resurfacing, patients typically experience redness for several weeks. Other temporary side effects depend largely on the extent of treatment. It can sometimes result in temporary swelling and discomfort. It is advisable to avoid straining, bending and lifting post treatment. However, your cosmetic surgeon can help you move through this phase of treatment as comfortably as possible, by prescribing the proper pain medication. As the temporary side-effects subside, patients begin to see the procedure's amazing results, and a juvenile look with wonderful wrinkle-free, smoother face.

Author Resource:- Cosmetic surgeons Baltimore offers various skin resurfacing treatments, to help erase wrinkles and other skin imperfections. At Cosmetic Surgery Center of Maryland, the board certified surgeons guide you to achieve desired results. To know more, visit http://www.drcohenplasticsurgery.com/