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Beauty Tips

Hi Everyone,
I'm going to be your new host for Health and Beauty. If there are any questions regarding any tips you want to see, you can email me, and I'll do my best to research and give you the answers. REMEMBER, I am not a Doctor, so always seek medical advice when in doubt. overthemass@comcast.net

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SKINCARE

New Year, New You: Revamp Your Skincare Routine !
How to fix the grooming habits that can ruin your looks:

The benefits of sloughing your skin smooth and bleaching your way to a gleaming smile can entice you to scrub harder and whiten longer. But when taken to extremes, some beauty practices can have ugly consequences, including damaged gums and dry, brittle hair. Here are a few strategies for solving skin problems, four grooming moves that work best in moderation, plus steps to undo any damage that's been done. Facial scrubs can give your skin a healthy glow. But overzealous or too frequent use can remove the skin's top protective layer, leaving it raw, ruddy, and broken out. To compensate, oil production goes into overdrive, so you'll exacerbate the problems you're trying to treat.

Apply a 1% hydrocortisone cream to soothe inflammation. Use a fragrance-free cleanser and moisturizer, and skip products with aggravating ingredients like retinoids and alpha hydroxy acids.

Switch to scrubs with smooth synthetic beads (look for polyethylene at the top of the ingredients list), which are less likely to tear skin than products with apricot seeds or walnut shells. Gently exfoliate once or twice a week--not every day.

The Feet:
A pumice stone is great for removing dead, callused skin. But going too deep can leave you susceptible to infection and sensitivity. And never use foot razors. "You risk infection by slicing the skin, blisters, or corns.

If skin is bleeding, apply a topical antibiotic such as bacitracin and cover with a bandage. Skip pedicures until the wound heals.

Trade your porous pumice stone, a breeding ground for bacteria, for a stainless-steel file, which can be sterilized. Once a week, buff the top layer of your soles in the shower. "The water helps loosen dead skin so it's easier to take off," says Bank. Follow with a lotion, such as Eucerin Plus Intensive Repair Foot Creme ($5; drugstores). It packs alpha hydroxy acids, which slow the buildup of dead cells and minimize the need for scraping.

Skin doctors have access to everything that's out there--from expensive boutique products to the latest prescription potions and anti-aging treatments. With this vast array of tempting anti-aging skin care options, what do dermatologists choose? We asked an elite group of over-40 female dermatologists for their go-to items, best tips, and insider tricks for looking gorgeous. Here, exclusively, are their favorite anti-aging skin care tips.

Adult acne can be particularly frustrating. Treatment that worked so well during adolescence often is ineffective. Over-the-counter topical medications tend to irritate the skin, making acne worse. Some women try numerous treatments without success. This lack of effectiveness can make one wonder if it really is acne. After all, do adults in midlife and older get acne?

The truth is that acne can persist well into one’s 30s, 40s, and even 50s. Dermatologists call acne that does not clear by one’s mid-20s persistent acne. Often causing deep-seated, tender, inflamed pimples and nodules, this type of acne is more common in women. Persistent acne tends to form on the lower face, predominately around the mouth, on the chin, and along the jawline. Adults also develop late-onset acne. Again, women are more susceptible. People who have not had acne for years can suddenly see deep-seated, inflamed pimples and nodules. Even those who have never had acne get late-onset acne. For some women, acne becomes a problem during menopause. Adult-onset acne generally forms on the chin, jawline, and around the mouth. Lesions can appear on the chest and back.

Why Adults Get Acne
Regardless of age, acne develops when excess sebum (an oil that our bodies produce to naturally moisturize the skin), skin cells, and bacteria accumulate. Researchers have discovered that the following may trigger this in adults:

Fluctuating hormones. Acne is typically associated with the hormonal swings of puberty, but any time hormones fluctuate, acne can flare. Many women are familiar with the once-a-month breakout. Hormonal swings also occur during pregnancy and menopause, causing acne in some women.

Discontinuing birth control pills. Some women get acne when they stop taking birth control pills. The pills may have been keeping their acne at bay.

Taking certain medications. Birth control pills that contain estrogen and progestins often help control acne in women. When a birth control pill contains only progestins, it may make acne worse.

Acne is a possible side effect of other medications as well. These include anticonvulsants, corticosteroids, and sobriety drugs. Never stop taking a prescription medication because acne develops or worsens. Talk with the doctor who prescribed the medication. Ask if a different medication can be prescribed that will not cause acne to flare. If only one medication can be prescribed, talk with a dermatologist about ways to control the acne. Do not stop taking the medication.

Family history of acne. In one study, researchers found that 50% of the adults with acne had a first-degree relative (parent, sibling, or child) who had acne. This suggests that some people may have a genetic predisposition to acne.

Stress. Studies indicate that stress may trigger acne in women. Researchers have found a relationship between increased stress levels and higher levels of acne in women with fast-paced careers. In response to stress, the body produces more androgens (a type of hormone). These hormones stimulate the oil glands and hair follicles in the skin. When over-stimulated such as during times of stress, acne can flare.

Products used on hair and skin. Some products such as oily sunscreens and hair greases promote a type of acne called acne cosmetica. When buying products to be used on the skin or hair, look for ones labeled “non-comedogenic” or “non-acnegenic.” This means that they are less likely to cause acne.

Acne Can Be Warning Sign
Acne also may be warning a woman of an underlying medical condition. When a woman’s acne is accompanied by excessive facial hair, thinning hair or bald patches on the scalp, and irregular periods, it may be a sign of polycystic ovaries (a condition that causes cysts to develop in the ovaries) or adrenal hyperplasia (a group of adrenal gland disorders). It also is possible that the woman has a hormone-secreting tumor located in her adrenal gland or an ovary. It is vital that women experiencing these signs and symptoms see a doctor. Testing can find the cause and allow the doctor to determine the best treatment. The acne will not clear until the medical condition is treated.

Treatment Available
Barring an underlying medical condition, most cases of adult acne can be effectively controlled with acne therapy. Yet, researchers have found that many women do not seek treatment. Most believe treatment is not available. Dermatologists want women to know while adult acne can be stubborn, effective control is possible.

For information about treatment options, read Adult Acne: Effective Treatment Available.

Dry skin is often just a temporary problem — one you experience only in winter, for example — but it may be a lifelong concern. And although skin is often driest on your arms, lower legs and the sides of your abdomen, this pattern can vary considerably from person to person. What's more, signs and symptoms of dry skin depend on your age, your health status, your locale, the amount of time you spend outdoors, and the cause of the problem.

Research from: A.J Hanly
Heidi Waldorf M.D.
Acne.net
Mayo Clinic