Avoid the Dark Lips from Smoking

Smoking has a number of side effects. One of the most common complaints is darkening of the lips, which has been noted in many individuals. Nicotine found in cigarettes is the prime factor behind the lips getting stained. Although there are a number of treatments to control the darkening, it takes some time for the lips to retain their original pink colour. The following are some tips which can be useful to lighten the discoloured tinge formed on the lips:

Best Lip balm for smokers- Zyban

1. Beetroot known as a natural bleaching agent is very effective. Take a slice of beetroot and rub it on your lips or apply beetroot juice to lighten the lips.

2. Almond oil can be massaged on the lips daily to reduce the darkening. It is proven to have produced tremendous results and is recommended by many.

3. Choose your cosmetics carefully. Always check which of them suit your skin the best. Lipsticks with moisturisers will keep the lips nourished and also hide the dark spots.

4. Keep a check on your daily consumption of tea and coffee. Excessive intake tends to darken the lips.

5. When you apply sunscreen before heading out, make sure you smear your lips with an adequate amount of lip balm with a SPF of at least 15, to protect your lips from darkening further due to sunrays. It can also be applied before sleeping.

6. Two other agents, known to have natural bleaching properties are lime juice and apple cider vinegar. Dip a cotton ball into the juice and dab it on your lips daily to get rid of the dark skin.

7. In case of chapped lips, Vaseline is very helpful. It can be applied as many times as you like, to nourish the lips and also soften them.

8. Vitamin C, essential for the production of collagen is reduced by smoking. It should be included in your diet since it helps in building new tissues. Adequate intake will keep the lips healthy by replacing the old stained lip tissue with new skin cells.

9. Apply a mixture of glycerine, lime juice and honey on your lips every night before going to bed. Alternatively, you can also apply a mixture of crushed rose petals and glycerine to lighten the lips. Rose petals have been found to be effective in getting rid of the tinge on the lips caused due to smoking.

10. Maintain a healthy lifestyle by exercising regularly and consuming a balanced diet consisting of fruits and vegetables. Fresh fruits like oranges, guavas, strawberries, papaya, etc. contain a good amount of Vitamin C to lighten the skin. Needless to say, drinking 2-3 litres of water every day is equally important to flush out the harmful toxins from the body.

11. It might sound surprising, but your toothbrush can be a great exfoliator to get rid of the dead skin cells on your lips. Every morning when you brush your teeth, gently brush your lips so that the dead skin peels off and makes way for growth of new lip tissues. For best results, apply Vaseline or Vitamin E oil once you are done, for soft lips.

Avoid Dark Lips from Smoking

Dark lips are easily noticed and tend to be embarrassing many a times in spite of having an otherwise flawless complexion. The best way to deal with this problem is to quit smoking not just to regain the natural colour of your lips but also to protect yourself from the other side effects this habit is responsible for. However, till then you can try the remedies mentioned to prevent further damage and you will certainly note a difference.

Using Zyban to Stop Smoking

Zyban’s development as an anti-smoking aid is a curious one: it was originally designed as an anti-depressant, and during clinical trials of the drug is was discovered that as a side effect, many smokers participating in the trails lost interest in cigarettes and found it very easy to quit. Further research revealed that the drug was an effective stop-smoking aid, and it was approved for use as such in 1997 by the FDA.

Herbs for Pigmentation

Hyperpigmentation is a skin condition which develops when there is an excess of melanin in the skin. This creates patches of skin which are darker as compared to the

How To Lighten Skin Pigmentation

surrounding skin. Melanin is the brown colored pigment which is present in the skin. It is the substance that is responsible for giving

the skin its color. Melanin absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiations as well as protects the skin. However, in doing so it darkens the skin

tone. With an increased amount of melanin present in the skin, it becomes darker. When the skin generates too much melanin, it results in a condition known as Hyperpigmentation and when the skin lacks or perhaps has very little melanin, it is called hypo pigmentation. Solar lentigos or sun spots, is also a common form of skin pigmentation. This skin pigmentation which is caused due to exposure to sunlight is not cancerous and usually appears on the areas of skin which are often exposed to the sun.

An extremely common reaction with regards to skin pigmentation is to reach out for skin whitening products. However, there are

many herbal remedies that help fade the dark patches or spots on the skin. Mentioned below are some herbs and natural remedies for pigmentation.

Herbs for Pigmentation:

• Fenugreek is a widely used herb which contains diosgenin. Diosgenin is a chemical constituent which helps reduce the formation of melanin in the skin and lighten the skin.

• Gingko is another herb which is used for the treatment of Hyperpigmentation. Tyrosinase is an enzyme which is responsible for discoloration of the skin. Gingko works by way of reducing this enzyme.

• The dried leaf extract of Mulberry can also be used in the diet to treat this condition. The mulberry plant contains a compound called Mulberroside F which works to inhibit tyrosinase activity. It also contains super oxide scavenging activity that works to lighten the skin tone.

Some Natural Remedies:

Aloe Vera has been used for a long time to treat skin disorders. It contains anti fungal and anti-inflammatory properties which work to cleanse, moisturize and soften the skin. Aloe vera also contains anti-aging properties which help to fade or prevent Hyperpigmentation. Topical application of aloe vera gel can inhibit the enzyme tyrosinases and prevent discoloration of the skin. Furthermore, Aloe vera stimulates the formation of new skin, and removes dead skin cells as well as tightens the skin.

Sandalwood or Santalum Album is another healing plant which has been used for a long time in many cultures. The Sandalwood plant is a stimulant,blood purifier and cooling agent which can be used for treating various skin problems including Hyperpigmentation. These properties protect the skin from the sun and smoothen it. Liver spots or age spots are a very common form of Hyperpigmentation which can benefit from this plant. The Sandalwood plant has anti-aging as well as antiseptic properties which provide a natural youthful skin tone.

These are some herbs and natural treatments used for treating skin pigmentation. However, it is always advisable to consult a doctor before using these herbal treatments.

Although herbal treatments provide effective results, using some allopathic medications like Melalong can also prove beneficial.
Melalong cream is a de-pigmenting agent which has proved effective in treating skin pigmentation. Tretinoin is one of the ingredients of Melalong Cream. Tretinoin is known to effectively treat acne, wrinkles and stretch marks. Another ingredient present in this cream is Hydroquinone. These ingredients destroy the pigment cells which in turn result in skin de-pigmentation. But, it is advisable to consult a doctor before using Melalong or any other medication.

Dark Circle Treatment

Dark circles under the eyes commonly affect many Americans and can make you look older than wrinkles or gray hair. While it may come as a surprise to find out that this condition will age you more than many other cosmetic issues commonly associated with getting older, you should take comfort in the fact that dark circles under the eyes are easily treated at our Denver Med Spa.

There are a variety of reasons why you may develop dark circles under your eyes. Stress, genetics and fatigue are common causes. Often they are a result of a chronic lack of sleep. Other common causes of dark circles include:

• Iron or vitamin deficiency
• Pigmentation irregularities
• Illness
• Smoking
• Weight loss
• Thinning skin and loss of collagen, allowing blood vessels under the eyes to be more visible
• Allergies
• Chronic alcohol use
• Rubbing or scratching your eyes
• Sun exposure
• Fat loss, causing your eyes to have a sunken look

Depending on the cause of your dark circles, you may be able to get rid of them by making a few simple lifestyle changes. Getting more rest, eating a balanced diet, drinking more water, quitting smoking, and reducing alcohol consumption can often reduce the appearance of dark circles. However, in some cases these lifestyle changes may not be enough. In these situations, we can provide you with a variety of treatments to eliminate the circles under your eyes so that you look more youthful and refreshed.

Decrease Melanin Production With These Key Skin Care Ingredients

If you have hyperpigmented skin or are dealing with an uneven skin tone, it's likely that your skin has been overproducing melanin. Melanin is produced by the body to protect the skin from sun damage, and the amount of melanin you produce naturally typically depends on your complexion and heritage. Some people are predisposed to developing freckles, age spots, and experience hyperpigmentation after trauma to the skin more readily than others. If this sounds like you, you'll need to seek out skin care products that work to decrease melanin production and brighten up your skin tone.

Types of Products That Decrease Melanin Production

The most readily available product that can decrease melanin production is hydroquinone. Unlike harsh bleaching agents that can cause all sorts of adverse reactions on the skin, hydroquinone works to lighten the skin by preventing the production of melanocytes, the melanin-producing cells located on the bottom layer of the skin's epidermis, so that the skin doesn't become darker. Products such as the DDF Fade Gel 4 Hydroquinone 2% Skin Lightening Gel, $58.50, on Amazon.com, contain hydroquinone and kojic acid, as well as glycolic acid, which helps the product sink deeper into the cells.

Hydroquinone products typically contain between 2% and 4% of the compound. The lower concentrations are available over the counter, while the higher concentrations are available by prescription only. It's important to keep in mind that hydroquinone can irritate the skin and may have adverse side-effects when it's used with other prescription-strength products.

Another ingredient that helps to decrease melanin production and lightens the skin is arbutin. Pure forms of arbutin can be very effective for treating sun-damaged skin and freckles. If you tend to get sun spots quickly, using products with arbutin may reduce the chances of developing hyperpigmented patches of skin and will keep your skin looking clear.

Kojic acid is often labeled as a "natural" skin-lightening agent because it is derived from a fungus. This skin lightening ingredient can be an effective alternative to hydroquinone in some people. If you have a negative reaction to hydroquinone, you may still enjoy some skin-lightening benefits by using products that contain kojic acid.