Health and Fitness » Skin and Hair

Take Care of Your Skin by Following this Diet

kc_curay — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 15:29:41 +0000

Did you think that diet is only used to help people lose weight? Not! There is actually a kind of diet that can help you take care of your skin. So how can you follow it? What you need to do first is to determine what your bad eating habits are. Some of these are the following; drinking too much caffeine and soda, eating processed foods and eating only a few fruits and vegetables. Why do you need to get rid of these habits? It’s because if you love to eat unhealthy foods, this can be damaging to your skin. So that you’re skin can function properly and to give it a wonderful glow, you must eat foods that contain plenty of botanical ingredients, vitamins and minerals.

One good example is Vitamin A. The main benefit of this vitamin is that it assists your skin in healing its wounds. It is known as a potent-free radical scavenger and produces new skin tissue. Moreover, it also has the ability to slow down the aging process and help your skin fight blemishes. Some of the foods that contain Vitamin A are; apricots, squash, beets, peaches, spinach, pumpkin, asparagus, cantaloupe, sweet potatoes and red peppers. If you don’t have enough Vitamin A in your system, you will suffer from dry skin, respiratory infections, night blindness, dry hair and acne. Vitamin C should also be present in the skin care diet. Why do you need this? It’s because it is involved in 300 metabolic functions and is a potent anti-oxidant. This means that it has the capability to repair your tissues and is responsible for tissue growth.

In addition, it can also protect your skin from the bad effects of pollution. Furthermore, it also aids in healing burns and wounds, improve your immune system, lower blood pressure and reduce LDL or bad cholesterol. Some of the foods that are rich in Vitamin C include; broccoli, strawberries, tomatoes, asparagus, pineapple, radishes, avocado, beets, berries, green vegetables, spinach and freshly squeezed orange juice. Other vitamins that should be present in the skin care diet are Co Enzyme Q10 and Zinc. You can find them in foods like; peanuts, spinach, beef, salmon, poultry, whole grains, sunflower seeds, pecans, lamb, egg yolks, fish, seafood, mushrooms, oysters, lima beans and pumpkin seeds. Include them all in your diet and you will surely attain healthy and glowing skin.

A Diet that Can Make You Look Extremely Gorgeous

kc_curay — Sat, 11 Aug 2012 08:27:10 +0000

Do you want to look beautiful while dieting? If you do, then be prepared to know the secret of magnificent skin! There’s actually a kind of diet that can give you glowing skin. It contains healthy foods and fluids that add beauty not only to your skin but your hair and nails as well. With this diet, you no longer need to take in several natural supplements because these are already abundant in nature. Make sure to add these foods in your diet plan so that you will end up looking gorgeous and attractive.

1. Protein-rich foods. – The main purpose of protein is to keep your muscles functioning well, it is also needed by your hair, skin and nails. Did you know that your skin is composed of keratin? It’s the same thing as protein, so if you want to enhance your skin, you need to take in at least 8g of protein per kilogram of your body weight. What types of foods are rich in protein? Some common examples are the following; fish, eggs, dairy products, beans and lean meat.

2. Grapes and Wine. – If you love to eat grapes and drink wine, that is actually good for your health. It’s because they contain trans-resveratrol which serves as an antioxidant and it also has anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, platelet anti-aggregatory properties. What’s good about resveratrol is that it helps keep you young, fights cancer, boosts your metabolism and prevents blood-clotting. If you’re not fond of drinking wine or eating grapes, there are also supplements that contain resveratrol available on the market.

3. Water. – To remove all the toxins and impurities in your body, you must drink plenty of water. The ideal is 8 glasses of water per day but if you can drink more than that, it would be much better.

4. Foods rich in anti-oxidants. – What’s the importance of anti-oxidants in our body? They help repair the damage that is caused by stress, too much exercise, UV rays, unhealthy foods, smoking, etc. These activities and foods can cause your body to produce free radicals which are known to be dangerous reactive compounds. With the help of foods that are rich in anti-oxidants, their dangerous effects can be reversed. There are several foods that contain anti-oxidants and these are just some of them; green leafy vegetables, sprouts, honey, tomatoes, pecans, dark chocolate, blueberries and cherries.

How to Get Rid of Pimples Overnight

admin — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 16:32:06 +0000

To become extremely beautiful, your face must be smooth and free from pimples. Do you have pimples on your face that constantly irritate you and ruin your day? If so, don’t worry because there are so many individuals out there who also have the same problem as you. Are you interested to learn how to get rid of pimples overnight? I’m sure you are. For you to be able to have a fair and pimple-free face here are some simple tips on how you can remove pimples from it.

The first thing you that you should do before you sleep at night is to wash your face. Once you are done washing it, slowly pat it dry. Be sure not to scratch your face too hard because the skin on your face is very sensitive. If your face is now completely dry, get some plain white toothpaste and place a small amount on your pimples and let it stay overnight. When you wake up the next day that is the time for you to wash it off.

Another effective method of removing the pimples on your face is by applying fresh lemon juice to them. It is highly suggested that you do this before you tuck yourself to bed each night. This is to give the treatment some time to dry those pimples.
Have you ever heard of the good effects of lavender oil? This is one of the pimple remedies that you shouldn’t miss out. This type of oil is said to be effective for some people only but still, there’s no harm in trying so why don’t you try it for yourself? Same as the other methods, you must apply this oil to your pimples before going to bed and let it stay overnight.
Many skin experts reveal that a cinnamon-honey mixture can help eliminate pimples. For you to know if it really works, make your own by mixing cinnamon and honey together to form a paste. But before you can apply it to your face, make sure you wash it thoroughly first. After that, start applying the mixture to the areas on your face that have pimples on them. Do not remove what you had just applied on your face until you wake up the next morning. To prevent the mixture from creating a mess on your pillow, place a towel on your pillow before laying on it.

One good way on how to get rid of pimples is by applying egg white to your face. To do this, get an egg and remove the egg yolk. Apply the egg white to infected areas and leave it there until morning comes.

The tips listed above are just some of the easiest and most effective ways on how to get rid of pimples overnight. However, there are also some things that you need to keep in mind before treating yourself with these remedies. Here are just some of them. Never squeeze your pimples because they will become worse.

Before you apply any form of treatment to your face, wash your face first and don’t forget to pat it dry. Wash your hands thoroughly before you touch your face to avoid irritations. Try other treatments or remedies if the first one you’ve tried doesn’t work for you. If after trying all these methods and none of them worked, set an appointment with your dermatologist and seek professional help.

Beauty is Skin Deep

admin — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 08:21:56 +0000

Accept the fact that everyone’s body is built different and when God created you, He did not make a mistake. When you see the models and Hollywood stars on the cover of those glamour magazines, keep in mind that every one of those photographs have been airbrushed, meaning they really do not look like that. While they make look fantastic either way, you are not those people – you are you! Always love yourself for who you are inside. As long as you are eating right, exercising, and doing the best for yourself, then you should be happy. You may never reach that model appearance and to be honest, you do not want to. Do the best you can and love the inside beauty more than the outside beauty!

Sunscreen, Protect Your Self From The Sun

admin — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 13:33:50 +0000

Most people know that sunscreen is important for shoulders, backs, legs, and arms when out in the sun but there are other parts of the body that are often overlooked. When enjoying the beautiful sun, be sure to use sunscreen on your ears, slips, and even the tops of your feet as well!

Hair Loss

admin — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 08:54:17 +0000

Our culture places great importance on hair and its appearance. Hair loss can cause embarrassment and loss of self-esteem. Your hair grows continually for 2 to 6 years, then rests for 2 or 3 months before falling out naturally. Shedding 50 to 100 hairs each day is a normal process, and each shed hair is replaced by a new hair that begins to grow out of the same follicle. Your hair grows about a half inch every month, but, as you age, your rate of hair growth slows.

There are many different types of hair loss, with a number of different causes. A high fever or severe infection can produce hair loss, as can an overactive or underactive thyroid gland. Other causes of hair loss include an inadequate amount of protein in your diet, iron deficiency, or cancer treatment. Certain prescription medications—such as those for gout, arthritis, depression, heart disease, or high blood pressure—can cause hair loss in some people. Large doses of vitamin A also can cause hair loss. If you notice that your hair is falling out in large amounts after you brush or comb your hair, see your doctor as soon as possible to determine the cause.

For men, the most common type of hair loss is male pattern baldness, in which hair sheds from the top of the scalp and the hairline at the same time. Most men will experience some degree of hair loss as they get older. Thinning hair and baldness in men are usually inherited. Hair loss can be treated and controlled. Some men compensate for their hair loss by styling their hair differently or by wearing hairpieces, but there are now a number of effective methods for treating male pattern baldness.

A nonprescription medication called minoxidil is somewhat effective for regrowing lost hair. The drug does not produce results right away, but after about 4 to 6 months you may be able to see soft, downy hair in the bald areas of your scalp. The new hair may become the same color and thickness as your existing hair. Minoxidil is not effective for treating hair loss caused by anything other than hereditary male pattern baldness. If you stop using the drug, the hair loss will begin again.

Another drug, called finasteride, has been shown to be effective against male pattern baldness. Available only in pill form, the drug was originally used as a treatment for an enlarged prostate gland. During such treatment, doctors noticed that some men regrew hair in balding areas of the scalp. The drug appears to increase the number of hairs in thin or balding areas while also slowing hair loss. You will need to take finasteride every day for at least 6 months before seeing any results. The predominant, although rare (for fewer than 2 percent of men who use the drug), side effect is impaired sexual function. Neither finasteride nor minoxidil is effective for replacing lost hair in a receding hairline. As with minoxidil, if you stop using finasteride, you will continue to lose hair. (Warning:Women who could become pregnant must never use finasteride because the drug has been shown to cause birth defects.)

Hair replacement surgery can restore lost hair.

Dandruff

admin — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 08:45:05 +0000

Dandruff (known medically as seborrheic dermatitis), the scaling and sloughing of the skin on the scalp, usually occurs during adolescence and adult life, reaching its peak severity at about age 20. In a person with dandruff, small white or gray scales accumulate on the surface of the scalp. The scales detach from the scalp, falling among the hairs and on the shoulders. Doctors once suspected that a yeast infection may have been the cause of most cases of dandruff, but current evidence shows that no microorganisms have a role in its development.

The best method of treating dandruff is shampooing with an antidandruff shampoo that contains selenium sulfide, zinc, or tar. After removal with a shampoo, however, the scales often form again in 4 to 7 days. If your dandruff is severe, see your doctor, who may prescribe an antidandruff shampoo. Daily shampooing will help prevent dandruff. Ask your doctor to recommend an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream or ointment to help relieve itching and redness.

Warning Signs of Malignant Melanoma

admin — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 08:40:37 +0000

Melanoma is the most serious and dangerous form of skin cancer. It quickly spreads to other parts of the body and can be fatal. The incidence of melanoma is increasing faster than any other type of cancer in the United States. The first sign of melanoma is often a change in the size, shape, color, or feel of an existing mole. Melanoma also can appear as a new black, blue-black, or red-bordered mole. Learn the warning signs of malignant melanoma so you can detect any changes in a mole early. Think of the letters “ABCD” to help you remember what to look for.

• A—Asymmetry. Half of the mole does not match the other half.
• B—Border. The mole’s edges are often ragged, notched, blurred, or irregular in outline. The pigment (color) may spread into the surrounding skin.
• C—Color. The color is typically uneven. Multiple colors—black, brown, tan, gray, red, pink, or blue—may be present.
• D—Diameter. The mole usually increases in size. Melanomas are typically larger than a pencil eraser (half an inch).

Melanomas vary greatly in appearance. Some have all of the above features; others may have only one or two. The most important thing to remember is to tell your doctor about any change you see in a mole as soon as possible so he or she can make a definite diagnosis. When detected and treated early, melanoma can be cured before it has a chance to grow and spread to other parts of the body.

Skin Cancer

admin — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 08:35:10 +0000

Skin cancer is the most commonly occurring type of cancer in the United States. Experts estimate that 40 to 50 percent of Americans who live to age 65 will eventually develop some form of skin cancer. The risk is highest for people who have red or blond hair, light-colored eyes, and fair skin that freckles easily.

The two most common forms of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma, which accounts for more than 90 percent of all skin cancers, and squamous cell carcinoma. Basal cell carcinoma is a slow-growing cancer, found in the base of the outer layer of skin, that rarely spreads to other parts of the body. Squamous cell carcinoma, which affects cells in the surface of the skin, also spreads infrequently, although it does so much more often than basal cell carcinoma.

A less common type of skin cancer, malignant melanoma, is the most serious form of skin cancer. It spreads quickly and can be fatal. The number of people with melanoma has more than doubled in the United States since about 1980, giving melanoma the fastest-growing incidence rate of all cancers. Melanoma begins in skin cells known as melanocytes, which produce melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color. When exposed to the sun, melanocytes produce more pigment, causing the skin to tan. Melanoma occurs when melanocytes become abnormal and begin to divide without control. The cancer cells then invade surrounding tissue and, in some cases, enter the bloodstream or lymph system to spread to other parts of the body. The first sign of melanoma is often a change in an existing mole. In men, melanoma often appears on the trunk, head, or neck.

The leading cause of all types of skin cancer is excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun, sunlamps, or tanning beds. The cumulative amount of exposure to UV radiation that you have had during your life determines your risk of developing skin cancer—the more exposure, the greater your risk. Most skin cancers appear after age 40, but the sun’s damaging effects begin much earlier, in childhood. The most important thing you can do to reduce your risk of skin cancer is to limit the amount of time you spend in the midday sun.

The most common warning sign of skin cancer is a new growth or a sore that does not heal on your skin. The area may look like a small, pale lump or be firm and red. The lump may bleed or develop a crust. Skin cancer also can begin as a flat, red spot that is rough, dry, and scaly. Skin cancer typically appears on parts of the skin—such as the face, neck, hands, and arms—that have been repeatedly exposed to the sun, although it can appear on any part of the body.

Early detection and treatment increase the chances for a cure. That is why it is important to examine your skin regularly for any changes. The best time to perform a skin self-examination is after a shower or bath, using both a full-length mirror and a handheld mirror. Look for anything new—such as a change in a mole or a sore that will not heal. Check all areas of your body, including your face and neck, back, scalp, palms, forearms and upper arms, the backs and fronts of your legs, and your feet. Also check your genitals and the area between your buttocks. Use a comb to part your hair so you can examine your scalp. Examining your skin regularly will help you to become familiar with the normal moles, birthmarks, and blemishes that are present on your skin so you can tell if there is a change in them. Your doctor will check your skin for any “suspicious” growths during a routine physical examination.

Treatment for skin cancer usually involves some form of surgery and, in rare cases, may also require radiation therapy or chemotherapy (treatment with powerful anticancer drugs). Many skin cancers can be cut out of the skin easily in a doctor’s office. After numbing the affected area with a local anesthetic, the doctor scoops out the cancer with a spoon-shaped instrument called a curette and then controls bleeding and kills any remaining cancer cells by using an electric current. Most people are left with a flat, white scar. Small skin cancers or precancerous conditions such as actinic keratoses can be treated using cryosurgery, in which the area is frozen with liquid nitrogen and then peeled away. Doctors can use laser treatment on cancer that has affected only the outer layer of skin. Laser treatment uses powerful, concentrated beams of light to destroy cancerous tissue.

When a large area of skin has been removed, the person who has been treated for skin cancer may need a skin graft to close the wound and fill in the area of missing tissue. To perform a skin graft, the doctor will take some skin and tissue from another part of the person’s body and use it to replace the skin that was removed.

Doctors often use radiation therapy for cancers that appear in areas—such as the eyelid, ear, or tip of the nose—that are difficult to treat with surgery. Radiation therapy is very effective for treating skin cancer, especially in older people, who are less likely to experience any long-term effects. Doctors may treat cancers that are limited to the top layer of skin with creams that contain anticancer drugs such as fluorouracil. Intense inflammation can follow such treatment.

Follow-up care is extremely important because skin cancer can recur in the same general location. About 40 percent of people who have had skin cancer will develop a second skin cancer within 5 years. If you have had skin cancer, examine your skin regularly for any changes, see your doctor for regular checkups, and follow your doctor’s instructions about preventing a recurrence. Also remember to stay out of the sun as much as possible.

Common Noncancerous Skin Growths

admin — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 08:25:14 +0000

A variety of spots or growths can appear on the surface of your skin—especially as you get older—but most are harmless and do not require treatment. The most common noncancerous skin growths are actinic (or solar) keratoses, cherry angiomas, skin tags, age spots (also called sun spots or liver spots), moles, seborrheic keratoses, and warts.

Actinic Keratoses
An actinic keratosis is a skin growth that has a rough surface and can be red, skin-colored, or white. It is also called a solar keratosis because it is caused by excessive exposure to the sun over time. Actinic keratoses usually develop on fair-skinned people during middle age or old age. They most commonly appear on the face, hands, forearms, and upper chest. In a small percentage of cases an actinic keratosis can develop into a form of skin cancer known as squamous cell carcinoma, so even though it is a noncancerous skin growth, your doctor may remove it. Actinic keratoses can be permanently removed with surgery, including laser treatment.

Cherry Angiomas
A cherry angioma is a bright red spot that may be raised or flat and is composed of a collection of tiny, closely packed blood vessels near the surface of the skin. Cherry angiomas can develop on any part of the body but are most often found on the trunk. They increase in number after age 40. However, they do not become cancerous. Cherry angiomas that appear on the face can easily be removed for cosmetic reasons, but most are left untreated.

Skin Tags
Small flesh-colored or light brown flaps of skin that protrude from the surface of the skin are called skin tags. They most often occur on the neck, upper chest, and underarms and around the eyes. Skin tags are harmless but can be irritating if they are persistently rubbed. Doctors can easily remove skin tags that are irritating or unsightly by cauterizing (burning) them with heat, chemicals, or electric current, or by freezing them with liquid nitrogen.

Age Spots
Age spots (known medically as lentigines) are brown spots on the skin that resemble freckles and result from long-term exposure to sunlight. They are a sign that the skin is trying to protect itself from the sun by producing a pigment to help absorb the damaging sunlight. Age spots, also sometimes called sun spots or liver spots, appear in almost everyone as they get older, although they occur most frequently in fair-skinned people. Even people in their 20s or 30s can develop these spots—especially if they have fair complexions and have been exposed to excessive amounts of harmful sunlight. The spots most commonly occur on areas of the skin—such as the face, arms, hands, and tops of the shoulders— that are frequently exposed to the sun.

Treatment is usually not necessary unless you want to improve the appearance of your skin. You can purchase a nonprescription skin-bleaching cream at your local pharmacy to help fade the spots. There are a number of treatments available for age spots, including laser treatment to break up the pigment (color) in the spots, prescription skin creams, freezing with liquid nitrogen, or a chemical skin peel that uses a mild acid to remove the top layer of skin.

Moles
Moles are common skin growths that can appear on virtually any part of the body. Moles usually first appear as brown or black spots that enlarge slowly over time, becoming elevated and lighter in color. Moles can become flesh-colored, pink, tan, brown, or bluish black. Some eventually sprout hairs. Moles may darken with exposure to the sun.

Moles that are present from birth are known medically as congenital nevi. Moles that are larger than average or irregularly shaped or that have uneven color are called atypical or dysplastic moles. These types of moles have an increased likelihood of developing into the most serious form of skin cancer, malignant melanoma. Any mole that changes, is asymmetrical, has an irregular border, displays an uneven color, or is larger than a pencil eraser should be examined by a dermatologist.

Most moles are harmless and require no treatment. However, some men may want to have a mole removed because of where it is located or because it is unsightly. A doctor can remove a mole by shaving or cutting it away and then stitching the nearby skin closed. Repeatedly shaving a mole will not cause it to become cancerous, but you may want to have a mole in the beard area removed because it is constantly irritated. Moles are usually removed in the doctor’s office.

Seborrheic Keratoses
As they age, many people develop seborrheic keratoses, which are tan, brown, or black; raised; crusted; or waxy spots that have a “pasted-on” look. They most often appear on the chest, back, scalp, face, and neck and can occur alone or in clusters. Seborrheic keratoses are harmless and do not develop into skin cancer, although black seborrheic keratoses may be difficult to distinguish from skin cancer. A doctor can easily remove a seborrheic keratosis if it occurs in a location that affects your appearance. Doctors treat seborrheic keratoses by one of several methods: freezing them with liquid nitrogen, scraping them from the surface, burning them off using an electric current, or cutting them off with a scalpel or scissors.

Warts
Warts are skin growths caused by a viral infection. Warts usually are raised, rough, and flesh-colored but can also be dark, flat, and smooth. There are several different types of warts, including common warts, plantar (on the sole of the foot) warts, flat warts, and genital warts. Common warts typically grow on the hands and fingers. They occur in areas where the skin has been broken, such as near bitten fingernails or picked hangnails. Plantar warts can be painful when walking. Flat warts are small and grow in clusters of 20 or more. They can appear anywhere, but in adult men they usually occur in the beard area and are thought to result from skin irritation from shaving. Genital warts are a sexually transmitted disease that occur on the genitals and anus or inside the rectum. They have been linked to the development of cervical cancer in women and other genital cancers.

Warts are contagious, which means that the virus that causes them can be passed from person to person. A doctor usually can diagnose warts based on their appearance. Warts should be treated promptly to prevent spreading them to another person. In some cases, common warts may clear up on their own or may be dissolved with an over-the-counter medication. The preferred method of removal for common warts is freezing with liquid nitrogen. Plantar warts may need treatment with acid plasters, liquid nitrogen, or medicated creams. Flat warts are removed by using a chemical skin peel or medicated creams. Genital warts can be treated with imiquimod cream or podofilox gel or may require freezing, acid treatments, or surgical removal.