Beauty Tips / Spa Experience

When it comes to outward signs of aging, there’s no shortage of theories about the causes. In recent years, several beauty products containing hyaluronic acid (HA) have been introduced into the market, ranging from vitamin supplements to Hyaluronic acid gel injections. However, most people are looking for better ways of keeping a youthful appearance without invasive procedures.

So what is hyaluronic acid exactly?

Beauty is not just skin deep; in fact, the health and beauty of your hair, skin and nails is directly affected by the nutrients that you provide your body with internally and externally. One of these exciting nourishing ingredients is called hyaluronic acid. HA is capable of holding 1,000 times its weight in water. Since it is one of the most hydrophilic (water-absorbing) molecules in nature, HA is often described as ‘nature’s moisturizer,’ providing the body with essential moisture and a viable way to erase wrinkles.

Hyaluronic acid is a key component of our collagen structure, including the joints, skin, veins and eyes. Hyaluronic acid’s lubrication abilities have made it one of the best anti-aging beauty secrets available on the market today. HA’s major role in the skin is to help regulate moisture levels by absorbing water and slowly releasing it as the cells in skin become dehydrated. By drawing in and holding onto water in the outer cell layers, HA enables effective skin hydration, delivery of nutrients and removal of toxins. Without an adequate amount of HA, nutrients cannot be moved into skin cells and waste cannot be eliminated from cells. When HA is taken as a supplement, it moisturizes from the from the deepest layers of the skin to the outer layer, helping to maintain smooth, elastic skin.

Science and hyaluronic acid

Hyaluronic acid supports healthy skin, as noted in a study published by the Journal of Cellular Physiology in 1998. The study showed that HA helped reproduce healthy skin cells. But as we age, the HA content of the skin changes due to two separate clinically proven factors: the body decreases the amount of HA it produces and begins to distribute it differently. So instead of the deepest layers sending HA to the surface layers of the skin, it reverses making skin look dehydrated and wrinkly.

Supplementation is one of the key factors in counteracting the body’s inability to produce HA. This new scientific evidence is paving the road for hyaluronic acid and other important nutrients like grape seed extract, Lutein and Lycopene to become the skin care of the future. Studies show benefits from oral supplementation within one to three months. In fact, the ABC program 20/20 aired a special on the small village in Japan known as Yuzuri Hara, where 10 percent of the population is 85 and older. The show attributed the people’s lack of cancer and heart disease, as well as their increased longevity, to a key component of their diet, hyaluronic acid.

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring protein in the body. It has been used orally with no adverse reaction and incredible results. There is considerable evidence that the loss of HA is directly involved in the acceleration of aging. Nutritional supplementation of HA is an excellent way to help support and protect your body from the negative effects of aging. This ‘internal cosmetic’ breakthrough is allowing more and more people to feel younger and healthier as they age.

 

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Top 5 Ways to Treat Wrinkles

For many people, wrinkles are part and parcel of everyday life. People agonize over the fact that they have wrinkles when they first start getting wrinkles, but after some time, they get used to the fact that their skin is aging and they stop being bothered by it. Most people fail to realize that there are actually treatments available to both avoid and remove wrinkles, and that doing so is not as hard as they believe. This article aims to highlight the top 5 ways to treat wrinkle and to give readers some idea of what these treatments are and how they work to reduce and remove your wrinkles.

The first and most popular treatment for wrinkles is undeniably Botox. This treatment produces instant results and is extremely popular among busy, working women. Botox is essentially a toxin that, when injected into certain muscles, relaxes and paralyses those muscles that typically cause wrinkles, thus removing wrinkles by allowing the skin to relax. Botox treatments are a short-term solution, however, and for continued results you have to continue the treatments indefinitely. Once treatment is stopped, your wrinkles will eventually return and become as they were before treatment started. Many people choose Botox over other treatments, however, because of how fast they get results. Upon injection of Botox, wrinkles take a mere ten minutes to disappear.

Second, and one of the latest and most effective forms of forms of treatment to become available, is a Vitamin C lotion. This treatment has its origins in health spas, where it was commonly used after facials in order to maintain the soft and supple skin that was the result of a good facial. People soon realized that the lotion was effective at treating wrinkles as well, and companies soon began manufacturing for sale as a form of wrinkle treatment. The lotion helps improve the skin´s natural healing ability, as well as reduce the severity of wrinkles and fine lines.

In third place are collagen injections, which are a fairly recent development in the fight against wrinkles. This treatment involves injecting collagen under the areas of skin affected by wrinkles in order to ´plump´ up the skin and stretch out wrinkles. When done properly, this treatment can have your skin looking good as new, without any sign of wrinkles.

In recent years, as the fight against wrinkles has gained more attention, many pharmaceuticals companies have various creams and lotions designed to remove wrinkles or to reduce their severity. Most of these creams are available over the counter at local pharmacies or drug stores and they vary in their effectiveness. Most do produce results eventually, and the difference lies mainly in the length of time that you have to continue using the treatment before seeing positive results.

Acid or chemical peels have also been gaining popularity. These sometimes painful treatments involve ´burning´ the outer layer of skin to reveal tighter, healthier skin underneath, thus removing wrinkles and other blemishes on the skin.

 

Related Articles

Skin Basics An ounce of prevention Top 5 ways to avoid skin damage Top Five Regimens for Healthier Skin What is a Medical Spa? What facial factors show your age? Primary Facial Concerns Top 5 Nonsurgical Skin Treatments for Women Spavelous Preferred Facial Treatments Medical Spa Trends for 2008

Claudia Pinkerton, of Bath, is about to get her first Botox injection. She said she wasn’t nervous, nor was she worried about a recent FDA warning that Botox could be deadly.

“Actually, word of mouth is most important to me,” Claudia said. “I mean, you can weigh the pros and the cons, and there are pros and cons in anything you do.”

The FDA warning was issued only after several children with cerebral palsy died after receiving Botox injections to treat leg spasms.

That’s a use of the drug that is not formally FDA approved, and it also requires a much higher dose than cosmetic treatments.

“The kinds of doses used to treat spastic muscles is in the 400-600 unit range, and the dosing used for Botox cosmetic, is 25 units,” said Dr. Vito Quatela, a facial plastic surgeon. “So we’re talking about something that’s one twentieth the actual dose.”

Though the FDA is looking into all types of Botox use, facial plastic surgeons said the only adverse effects they have heard of in their business have been when unlicensed doctors have used a type of Botox not approved for use in the face.

“It’s a fairly expensive product, when you look at it weight, for cost,” said Dr. Quatela. “And so people will try to obtain other forms of Botox that are either used for experimental reasons or veterinary forms, sometimes they’re much more potent.”

Experts also said in recent years, many spas and salons have also begun offering Botox injections. If you want to make sure you’re getting a safe injection, make sure the spa is medically licensed.

Industry Leaders Gathering at Natural Beauty Summit

Leaders of the natural cosmetics industry will gather at the second Natural Beauty Summit in New York, May 15-17th. This high-level summit will bring together founders, presidents, CEOS and senior managers of leading companies to discuss and debate the key issues the cosmetics industry faces in the areas of natural & organic products and sustainability.

High on the agenda for Natural Beauty Summit America is natural & organic standards. Analysts have tipped 2008 to be a defining year for the cosmetics industry. An industry shake-up is envisaged in which the adoption of private standards is to lead to a clear demarcation between pure natural / organic cosmetic and pseudo products.

The exact details of major standards like NSF and OASIS will be unveiled at the summit. The standards session will also feature the new Whole Foods Premium Body Care standard as well as give an update on the harmonized European natural & organic standards. Key executives involved in the development of natural & organic standards will chair a panel discussion that will look at the possibility of global standards harmonization.

Horst Rechelbacher, founder of Aveda and Intelligent Nutrients, will kick off Natural Beauty Summit America with his opening address on ‘Sustainability, Ethics and the Greening of the Cosmetics Industry.’ Key topics in the first session of the summit will look at sustainable business practices in the cosmetics industry like ethical ingredient sourcing, ecological packaging and green marketing issues. Key speakers include Erk Schuchhardt, CEO and president of the global natural cosmetics brand Weleda; Ulisses Sabará, president of Beraca, a Brazilian producer of ethical cosmetic ingredients that was a finalist in the World Challenge 2007 competition; and Dr. Charles J. Bennett, Vice-president of Aveda.

The second day of the summit will start with an opening address on ‘Product Innovations in the Naturals Arena, by the CEO of a leading organic cosmetics company. The third session will focus on market and product developments. Daria Myers, global president of Origins, will look at the complexities of expanding a successful brand into the organic arena. Mike Indursky, chief marketing and strategic officer of Burt’s Bees, will share his experiences in developing a global naturals brand. Top New York-stylist John Masters, founder and president of John Masters Organic, will discuss the specific requirements of the hair salon market. Other presentations in this session will cover nutritional cosmetics, functional skincare, ayurveda, and the spa market.

Formulation and technical issues is the theme of the fourth session. Leading cosmetic ingredient and chemical companies like Cognis, Eastman Chemical and Sederma will share their experiences with natural & organic ingredients. Key speakers in this session also include Michael Bishop, president of Active Organics; Ido Leffer, CEO of Yes To Carrots; and Dr. Ellen Kamhi from Bio-Botanica.

Dedicated workshops on natural & organic standards and sustainable packaging will round up the three-day summit. Judi Beerling, technical research manager of Organic Monitor will give a critical assessment of natural & organic standards, highlighting the formulation and ingredient challenges to cosmetic manufacturers and formulators.

Co-organized by Organic Monitor and Beyond Beauty Paris, Natural Beauty Summit is a series of international conferences that focus on natural cosmetics and sustainability. The aim of Natural Beauty Summit is to create a forum to learn and discuss the key challenges the cosmetics industry faces in the areas of natural & organic products and sustainability. The conferences bring together key stake-holders like cosmetic manufacturers, ingredient suppliers, packaging companies, retailers, industry organizations, and investors and create a forum to discuss and debate these critical issues.

Full Article

Just like your car, your body needs routine maintenance. We asked the experts to help us create this easy schedule for what to do when in your 20s, 30s, 40s

Daily

Floss - 20s, 30s, 40s

Even if you brush twice a day, decay-causing bacteria can still lurk between teeth. That sets you up for gum disease, which raises the risk of heart disease, stroke, and, if you’re pregnant, pre-term delivery. Gingivitis can affect even young adults: More than 50 percent of people over 30 have it.

Step on the scale - 20s, 30s, 40s

Studies show that people who weigh themselves every day are more likely to maintain a healthy weight.

Take a multi - 20s, 30s, 40s

Throughout your 20s, a multivitamin offers an essential boost of iron and folic acid. And no matter what your age, if you’re trying to get pregnant (or already are), you need these minerals to help prevent birth defects. In your 30s and 40s, the calcium and vitamin D in a good multi will help keep your skeleton strong.

Weekly

Get it on - 20s, 30s, 40s

Research has shown that having sex once or twice a week boosts by 30 percent your body’s production of immuno­globulin A, an antibody that sends viruses and bacteria packing.

Every 3-6 months

Open up and say “ahh” - 20s, 30s, 40s

You need to see your dentist at least twice a year to check for cavities, get a professional polishing, and keep up with x-rays. Make sure at least one visit each year includes an inspection of your lips, gums, and tongue for oral cancer: Because the disease spreads fast, early detection is crucial.

Screen for STDs - 20s, 30s, 40s

Most are curable, but if you put off testing, you could compromise your fertility and your health. Certain you’re not infected? Don’t be: Noticeable symptoms often don’t show up for months, or ever. Get screened if you’ve recently had a new partner, if the person you’re seeing has (or you suspect it), or if you’ve never been tested. The big three to check for are chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HIV. You can even order at-home tests through the mail.

Yearly

Show your doc some skin - 20s, 30s, 40s

Melanoma–the deadliest form of skin cancer–is on the rise in women, and 25 percent of those cases occur before age 40. See a dermatologist once a year for a full-body screening. And every couple of months, do a mirror check for moles that are asymmetrical, have irregular borders, change in color, or are larger than a pencil eraser.

See an ob-gyn - 20s, 30s, 40s

Show up for the routine poking and prodding (i.e., a breast and pelvic exam and a Pap smear) every year. If you’re at high risk for cervical cancer, ask your doctor for an HPV test too: Research shows that it’s nearly 40 percent better than the Pap at detecting precancerous lesions.

Have your eyes examined - 30s, 40s

Get tested for glaucoma, macular degeneration, and cataracts starting at age 35–earlier if the guy across the bar starts looking less than high-def.

Get a mammogram - 40s

Do it yearly starting at age 40. If you have a family history of breast cancer, get checked at least five years before the earliest age that cancer was diagnosed in your family. If you’re at very high risk, your doc may also recommend an MRI, which gives a more detailed picture of your breast tissue.

Every 2-3 years

Have a physical - 20s, 30s, 40s

Many women figure that a yearly ob-gyn visit covers all the necessary bases. But lots of health problems–including heart disease, the top killer of women–can’t be detected in your nether regions. In addition to any tests you’re due for, a doc should check your heartbeat, blood pressure, height, and weight.

Get a Pap smear - 30s, 40s

If you’re over 30 and have had two or more consecutive normal smears and no new sexual partners, it’s safe to reduce the frequency of your Paps.

Screen for diabetes - 40s

Get your blood glucose levels checked once you hit 45. Go earlier if you’re overweight, have a family history of diabetes, or are trying to get pregnant.

Every 5 years

Get a full lipid profile - 20s, 30s, 40s

Beginning at age 20, have your LDL, HDL, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels checked. If your levels are high, you may need to be screened more frequently.

Get a thyroid check - 30’s, 40’s

More than eight out of 10 thyroid disease patients are women, and since the symptoms tend to be common complaints that are easy to dismiss (aches, fatigue, weight gain), you may not even realize you have a problem. Start having your thyroid hormone levels screened when you’re 35.

If you are facing up to the fact that, for whatever reason, the lines around your eyes are becoming deeper and more settled you need to do a little research into the masses of anti-wrinkle treatments on the market today.

The first obvious treatment for all of us is Prevention

Protect your skin from the harmful rays of the sun by using a daily sun protection cream and sunglasses.

Get a good nights sleep

Keep hydrated with adequate amounts of water

Stay out of harsh winds

Remove eye makeup nightly and do it gently, ie never pull, drag or tug at your skin

Eat a diet rich in vitamins A, C and E.

Now the lecture is out of the way lets take a look at anti-wrinkle creams.

Whatever brand you choose you should use it everyday. There is no getting away from the fact that to help keep wrinkles at bay the delicate eye area needs special protection and moisturizing.

Top sellers

Evolution Skin Therapy DeCrease Deep Wrinkle Smoothing Creme 15ml

This product was developed for the treatment of deep wrinkles and expression lines and claims to:-

Provides instant and long term reduction in the signs of aging.

Reduces deep wrinkles and fine lines.

Lifts and fills without surgery or injections with exclusive InstaLift Technology.™

Firms, tones and increases skin elasticity.

When applied under eyes, eliminates puffiness.

Not cheap at about $95 but has had some good reviews.

The old favorite StriVectin SD Eye Cream 1.3oz

This is a stretch mark removal cream that is showing great results when used on the face to get rid of fine lines, wrinkles and crow’s feet. In fact it sells as much as an anti-wrinkle cream as a stretch mark reducer.

This is a great seller and offers a 60 day money back guarantee. Can’t be bad!

N.V. Perricone Ceramic Eye Smoother 0.14oz

At the slightly cheaper end of the market for $50 this oil free gel claims that you will visibly see the instant improvements in your eye area as a result of ceramic microspheres that fill in and improve the look of fine lines. Ceramic Eye Smoother contains an invisible light-reflecting tint that brightens the shadows and creates a luminous effect around the eye area. Effective anti-aging and anti-inflammatory ingredients improve firmness and protect against environmental damage.

Moving on to more drastic wrinkle removal treatments.

Minimally Invasive Therapies

Botox continues to be the favorite, if not the most controversial method, with many celebrities regularly topping up in an effort to keep the years at bay. Unfortunately overuse of Botox can leave the patient with a smooth but very plastic looking face.

Restylane is an injectable filler that contains hyaluronic acid. This occurs naturally in the body and seldom causes a reaction as the body will absorb it. This temporary treatment, though costly, will improve the contours of the face and around the eyes. It will help to plump up the hollows under the eye and minimize wrinkles. The downside is that it is not long term and must be repeated at regular intervals to maintain the desired effect. However, it is suitable for those who do not relish the thought of more invasive surgery.

There are other treatments which include laser and radiofrequency energy but all minimal invasive therapies should be regarded as merely costly ongoing maintenance.

More Invasive Procedures

Eyelid surgery, commonly known as Blepharoplasty , is the only sure way to remove excess skin, fat and puffiness from the top or bottom eyelid. Blepharoplasty can improve the whole look of the face by brightening up the eyes and stop the ‘look tired all of the time’ look.

If you are going to opt for this treatment it is essential that you choose your surgeon with care. One of the best ways is word of mouth. Alternatively you should do a thorough on line research.

Related Articles

 

• • Skin Basics
  • An ounce of prevention
  • Top 5 ways to avoid skin damage
  • Top Five Regimens for Healthier Skin
  • What is a Medical Spa?
  • What facial factors show your age?
  • Primary Facial Concerns
  • Top 5 Nonsurgical Skin Treatments for Women
  • Spavelous Preferred Facial Treatments
  • Medical Spa Trends for 2008