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What You Need To Know About Tanning Beds
USA and Canada in the Top of Indoor Tanning Products
The Advantages of Sunless Tanning Booths
The Art Of Perfume Notes - What Are They?
Dry Skin Prevention Tips
A Thing of Beauty is a Joy Forever! And that can be You!
Liposuction Cost: Worth Every Penny
How to Improve Your Skin’s Elasticity
How To Apply Your Makeup
Cosmetics Giant Touts Beauty, Power of Hyaluronic Acid
Bariatric Surgery Contributes to Rise in Body Contouring Procedures in Michiana
Importance of Your Skins pH
Cosmetic Chin Surgery - The Final Facial Touch
Personal Care Products Can Lead To Cancer
Want to Try on That New Hair Style Before You Get It?
Make Your Pores Behave
Splitting Hairs - What Can You Do About Split Ends
Gray Hair Remedy: Is there Such a Thing?
Rhinoplasty Before and After - Surgery and Recovery
Do You Want To Look Ten Years Younger?
LipoSelection™ by Vaser®
Dead Sea Minerals - Health from the Lowest Point on Earth
Radio Frequency Energy Fans Thermacool
7 Tips to Help You Avoid Buying a Destructive Soap or Cleanser if You Have a Skin Problem
Mini Dental Implants in the U.S.
Vying for Those Desirable Cosmetics Patients
Lip Magic: Tips for Lips
Botox® – Fast And Effective But The Big Question Is Is It Safe?
Wheres The Plastic In Plastic Surgery?
Lanolin for Dummies - Benefits of Lanolin
Spray Tan Basics
What Diet Your Skin Needs: Find Out!
Celtic Tattoos and Their Popularity
Color Contact Lenses - an Easy Way to Change Your Look!
Best Plastic Surgeon for the Money
Wrinkle Buster In Your Kitchen
Tanses Tanning Equipment
Help Prevent Wrinkles Through Dieting
Look Natural – Wear Makeup!
Petroleum and Cosmetics: What are the Potential Health Risks?
Risks Of Tanning Beds - Not All They Are Hyped Up To Be
Houston Plastic Surgeon
Beauty Doesn’t Have To Be Expensive
Handmade Soap Facts
Can We Really Get Rid of Cellulite?
Curls Are Back In for Spring 2005!
Should You Get Plastic Surgery?
SPF? What Does It All Mean?
9 Critical Facts You Should Know Before Committing to Cosmetic Surgery
Using Water to Make Your Hair Beautiful
The Exotic Origins of Hyaluronic Acid Treatments
Contact Lens Prescriptions Explained
How To Wear Contact Lenses In The Allergy Season
Options Available for Cosmetic Surgery in India
Removing Unwanted Body Hair Permanently & Safely?
Tanning Salon Equipment
Cosmetic Surgery Procedures - Buttock Lift
What is Spray Tanning?
Benefits of Spa Treatments
Should I Have A Face Lift?
Cleanse and Stimulate Your Scalp with the Right Shampoo!
Effective Make-up and Beauty Tips and Products: Dos and Donts, Avoid These Most Common Mistakes!
A Cheap and Natural Way to Healthy Skin
Tanning Bed Lotion
Create a Spa Retreat at Home!
7 Essential Beauty Tips
My Teeth are Now Zoom! Whitened
Sunblock. Your Most Important Cosmetic
What is Your Hair Type?
17 Top Tips for Great Holiday Hair
Looking For A Tanning Bed For Cheap?
Frequently Asked Questions About Permanent Makeup
Buying A Wholesale Tanning Bed
The MACS Lift… how it differs from Conventional Facelifts
Beating Dry Skin and Dandruff the Natural Way
Hyaluronic Acid Injections Increase Visibility with Supermodel Spokesperson
Achieve that Perfect Whiter Brighter Hollywood Smile!
Wonderful Foaming Honey Foot Bath at Home
Reducing the Appearance of Wrinkles
Modern SkinCare from an Age Old Source
Get Free Cosmetic Samples Just for Completing Offers
Mineral Makeup: A Natural Sunscreen
A Beautiful Skin is Every Man and Womans Dream!
The Manicure - More than Pretty Nails!
Do You Read Labels?
The Truth About Home Made Facials
Manicure at Home
Is Cosmetic Surgery Right For You?
5 Cheap Tanning Lotion Tips For Summer
Top 4 Sunless Tanning Methods
The 3 Things You are Doing Right Now that are Causing Your Dark Eyes Circles
An Alternative to Liposuction. Lipoliquidation or Lipodialysis
Differences Between Perfume And Perfume Oils
Sunquest Tanning Bulbs
Makeup Tips for Eyes, Lips and Face
Skin Calling: Pure-Plant and Vitamin Topical Solutions for Youthful Skin
Why Tanning Saloons Are The New Beauty Destination
The History Of Aviator Sunglasses
Holiday Hair Style: How to Look Perfect in Summer
Fashion Wigs - Change Your Image in Seconds!

What You Need To Know About Tanning Beds

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Tanning beds and sun lamps provide the ultimate in relaxation and beauty! No more worries about the weather, how crowded the beach is, and if you’ve got enough time to soak up those rays. You can get that perfect tan when ever it’s convenient for you, morning, noon, or night. Now you can enjoy the health benefits and the look good too!

With a tanning bed you can have that luxurious golden tan all year round, and fit it into your schedule with no problem. No more worries about over exposure, or dangerous UVB rays. It’s a great way to supply your body with the essential vitamin D needed to keep you healthy.

There are plenty of bed choices on the market. Most salons offer top of the line beds, to keep you looking gorgeous. There are vertical beds, beds with additional tanning power if you’re ready for that pro tan, beds with extra face lamps, and even beds with built in cooling systems.

It’s simple, 10 to 20 relaxing minutes, a few times a week, will have you looking like you’ve just returned from a tropical island! So relax, get healthy, and enjoy that golden bronze tan that will make your friends green with envy!

M.D. Stracener from Home Tanning Beds has been serving customers for over 20 years, providing valuable information to keep you beautiful and healthy. Please visit us at Home Tanning Beds

USA and Canada in the Top of Indoor Tanning Products

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In United States of America and Canada, indoor tanning products are very usual. Moreover, the indoor tanning businesses have appreciably grown in the last 25 years and are still increasing, getting more and more sophisticated.

It's hard to compete with the global beauty industry. Surprisingly or not, the American population is spending more time and money on beauty than on their education. Thus, regardless of sex, nationality, age or occupation, Americans are extremely attached to indoor tanning salons. The usual surveys reveal the extent of the indoor tanning business in local communities.

Americans and Canadians are satisfied with the fact that indoor salons provide a rigurously controlled tanning process, gradual and under supervision. Thanks to these factors, sunburns and health problems are almost out of the question.

For instance, 85 percent of those surveyed admit that they really believe in indoor tanning safety. A lot of people also appreciate the privacy and the comfort they get in a tanning salon, which offers them a real break from all the daily tasks they have to attend.

The latest surveys reveal a more balanced male/female profile as compared to a few years ago. Unlike nowadays, in 1996, in most cases women were usual clients. But in the recent years men have become accustomed to indoor tanning facilities and tanning tips.

Many Americans have experienced at least one indoor tanning session in the last ten years. It is said that more than 10 percent of the American population will visit an indoor salon facility. On the other hand, women hold the supremacy of ownership.

Surveys point out that more than 50 percent of the indoor salons have female ownership. Neither the age of the tanners nor the nationality is an obstacle for Americans and Canadians. Now, 70 percent of all indoor tanners are over 25 years old. It is no longer a taboo. A lot of people want to cure themselves (from psoriasis, for instance) and to be fit.

Presently there are 25,000 Professional Indoor Tanning Facility Businesses and also 160,000 employees in this industry. The number of clients is encouraging, too: 28 millions. As a matter of fact, a professional indoor tanning salon is operating in almost every town of the USA. There have been reports saying that Hispanic and Afro-American groups share the trend and their number is rising.

About The Author

Dana Scripca writes for http://www.sunlesstanning.ws where you can find more information about Sunless Tanning.

Please feel free to use this article in your Newsletter or on your website. If you use this article, please include the resource box and send a brief message to let me know where it appeared: mailto:danascri@gmail.com

The Advantages of Sunless Tanning Booths

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While many people recall seemingly endless hours outdoors soaking up the sun's rays, sunbathing isn't as carefree an activity as it used to be. These days, there's more to worry about, such as premature aging, scarring, blemishes, and skin cancer. There are three types of ultraviolet or UV radiation: UVC, at 100 to 290 nm, UVB, at 290 to 320 nm, and UVA, at 320 to 400 nm. It is the UVA and UVB rays that are the most harmful to our skin. UVB is easier to protect against than UVA, but both cause very real damage.

There are also those who desire quicker results than what natural sunlight offers. For such people, sunless tanning is an alternative. Sunless tanning refers to the process of attaining the appearance of a tan by using such products as lotions, sprays, powders, pills, and tanning beds. The efficacy and results of these methods vary.

The body has its own way of protecting us from UV radiation. Our skin protects us from UV damage by producing melanin, a substance that absorbs the harmful rays in order to protect our DNA. When the body produces melanin, our skin darkens, taking on a darker appearance. This is how we tan.

A sunless tanning booth is a small room where the client tans by either receiving a spray tan or by using a tanning bed. Tanning beds are controversial, particularly for their use among teens, because of concerns about the risk of developing skin cancer from their use. While the tanning beds used to work using UVB rays, salon owners switched to using beds that emit UVA rays, believing them to be safer. Sadly, it is UVA rays that are associated with development of skin cancer.

Another kind of sunless tanning booth is much safer: The tanning spray booth. Currently, spray tans are found at high-end salons and can run up to $100 for a few one-hour sessions. A sunless tanning booth that uses spray instead of a tanning bed works via use of a spray containing dihydroxyacetone (DHA.)

DHA is applied in a fine mist to the entire body of the customer. DHA reacts with dead skin cells on the surface of the body, causing them to turn brown. Most tanners who use the spray method report good, realistic results and excellent coverage. The spray-on tans last five to seven days, typically.

A good sunless tanning booth can be found by calling local day spas and in particular, tanning parlors. Prices will vary, but many salons offer packages, which might include multiple tan sessions, tanning products, and follow up advice.

Sunless Tanning Info provides detailed information about sunless tanning lotion, booths, sprays, salons, and pills, as well as reviews of best sunless tanning products and methods. Sunless Tanning Info is the sister site of Tanning Beds Web.

The Art Of Perfume Notes - What Are They?

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When people hear the word ‘notes’ they often say “yeah those are the things that make up a song.” Sure this is true, but did you know that notes are also used to describe the various scents of a fragrance? Most people aren’t even aware that there is more than one aroma involved in perfume or mens cologne.

In this article we will take an in depth look at what levels of notes occur in a fragrance, as well as what is involved in each level.

As I mentioned above, there are actually different scents within a bottle of perfume. That’s right, when you purchase your dream bottle of cologne at the local store, it isn’t going to always smell the same. When you wear it, the scent will actually change throughout the day. Evaporation causes different ‘notes’ to come out during this period.

So what exactly are these notes? Let’s take a look.

Top Notes – This is the first scent you smell when sniffing a particular fragrance. Because this is the first scent a person smells, the manufacturer knows that the top notes are very important for a good first impression. The top notes are usually described as fresh or strong. These notes generally last a matter of minutes (10-30) due to them evaporating quickly.

Middle Notes – Also sometimes referred to as ‘heart notes’, these scents are generally much less ‘dramatic’ than top notes. Middle notes last longer than top notes and usually appear 10-45 minutes after applying the perfume.

Base Notes – This is the finale of every good cologne. The ingredients used here hold everything together. Musk is a common ingredient that is used as a base note.

Now that you are “in the know”, next time you go to buy that special cologne, you may be able to give the clueless sales representative a crash course in fragrance study!

***************************************************
Cody Kahl is creator and writer of Mens Cologne Guide – A site
dedicated to providing only the best mens cologne information.
Cody believes in quality, and this free resource proves it.
***************************************************

Dry Skin Prevention Tips

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If you suffer from dry skin your probably always looking for different ways to help improve your condition. There are some different products that can help keep it under control, many of witch don't help that well. You do need to find the right products and know how to apply them. Here are some tips to help you control your dry skin.

The first thing you need to do is make sure that you only take one bath or shower per day. You also should use warm water, not hot. Be sure to not scrub to hard. If you don't follow these steps your skin wont produce sebum like it should. Sebum is what produces oil to keep your skin feeling natural.

Here are some other tips that you should follow to prevent dry skin.

- Apply moisturizer after you take a bath. Many products work best when your skin is still wet.

- Antiperspirants and perfumes can cause dry skin. If you use either one of these be sure to not over use them.

- If you live in a cold climate your house or work place may have very dry air. You will need a humidifier to help keep the air more moist.

- If you are outdoors allot you need to make sure your skin is well protected. Be sure to have sun screen on. Make sure you have a t-shirt on. You don't want your skin to be exposed to the sun to much.

Most dry skin isn't very severe. You can easily keep your dry skin condition under control by applying a good moisturizer and following some of the tips in this article.

Tyler Cassleman runs a healthy skin portal at Healthy Skin 4U

A Thing of Beauty is a Joy Forever! And that can be You!

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It is said that a thing of beauty is a joy forever. That probably explains why possessing beauty and being beautiful is one of the foremost preoccupations of human beings. Over the years, consumerism has transformed such preoccupations into frank obsession. Inner beauty is no longer in – skin-deep beauty certainly is! But what is wrong with that? Cosmetology and the beauty industry have come of age, aided steadily by advances in cosmetic surgery. Daily workouts, gym sessions, visits to beauty parlors and keeping in sync with beauty and fashion tips has certainly become trendy.

Enhancing your beauty.

Beauty is in the eye of its beholder. Perfect beauty is but an illusion, but if you can feel good about yourself by enhancing your looks, you may find more joy in your life. And it is not too difficult to achieve. The media is full of beauty tips and beauty products. Beauty supplies are always at hand – be it at the Shopping Mall or on the Net.

However, it is beautiful to be simple and yet simple to be beautiful. One can surely start from ones home itself.

Maintain a regulated lifestyle.

Six to eight hours of sleep with fixed times for fixed quantity meals, avoidance of "junk" food and high calorie stuff, lots of fluid intake, high priority for vitamin-rich fruits and a rigid regime of self-discipline, would certainly make a good start in ones quest for beauty.

About The Author

Mike Yeager

Publisher

http://www.a1-beauty-4u.com/

mjy610@hotmail.com

Liposuction Cost: Worth Every Penny

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Although the national average cost for liposuction charged by surgeons is $2,224 most patients agree that their liposuction was worth the expense. The benefits of liposuction are that excess fat is removed from deposits in the body, so underlying muscle is revealed, and the incisions for liposuction are small and well concealed so they won’t be seen, in contrast to scars from procedures such as abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) which extend the length between the two hipbones.

Liposuction is a good choice for people who are healthy, in good shape, are an appropriate weight for their age and height, but have areas of fat that don’t respond to diet, exercise or other weight loss methods. Liposuction is also ideally suited to younger people who still have good elasticity in their skin. Skin elasticity allows the skin to shrink to the new size after fat is removed. Skin that has lost elasticity is more likely to remain baggy. In this case a tummy tuck would be a better solution for removal of areas of fat. However, liposuction can be the best solution for older people as well and you should consult with a cosmetic surgeon to make the appropriate choice.

Prior to the operation, patients may be given general anesthesia, which is a common choice if a large amount of fat is being removed, or local anesthesia in addition to a sedative so he or she stays relaxed. Liposuction is done with a small cannula which breaks up and the suctions out the fat using a vacuum or a syringe. The cannula is inserted into tiny incisions made in strategic places so that fat from a wide area can be removed, but the scars will be hidden by clothing or natural creases of the body.

There are different techniques involved in liposuction, many dealing with the loss of fluids that is liked to liposuction. Patients can either remain on IV fluids or have a liposuction process of fluid injection. Here, fluids (salt solution, lidocaine, and epinephrine) are injected into the region before the surgery so the fat can more easily be removed. Different types of fluid injection techniques include tumescent, super-wet, or ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty techniques.

Want more Information about Liposuction Cosmetic Surgery?

Find a qualified Cosmetic Surgeon in Your Area at http://www.sleepingswan.com

How to Improve Your Skin’s Elasticity

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If you are a woman in your late 30's or higher, you have probably noticed your skin’s elasticity is not what it used to be. For most of us this is inevitable. Other body parts begin to sag as we age so why should our skin be any different? Fortunately, there are options available that will help to reverse the effects of age on the skin and also improve elasticity in loose skin that's caused by weight loss. To better understand what exactly causes our skin to sag in the first place, let’s go over a bit of the physical side of the process.

Your skin has two distinct layers called the epidermis and the dermis. The epidermis is on the surface and contains the pigment, epidermal cells, and proteins. The dermis is the layer located underneath the epidermis and contains the dermal cells, blood vessels and nerves, hair follicles, and oil glands plus it is responsible for providing the nutrients for the epidermal layer. It also contains the connective tissue as well as our skin’s collagen.

Although it is located beneath the epidermal layer, it is changes in the dermal layer that cause the outer skin to wrinkle and loose elasticity as we age. As we grow older, the amount of fat found in our lower layer of skin decreases, our glands produce less oil, and collagen and elastin fibers loose their elasticity. The natural process of cell reproduction in the dermal layer also decreases as we grow older, resulting in a slower rejuvenation of our skin cells. So, now that we know just why this happens let’s talk about the part that is more important to those of us suffering from this affliction, the solution.

Although there is no actual magic pill designed to stop this natural aging process, there are options available to slow down and, in some cases, reverse the signs of aging skin. Of course, surgery is always an option and a face lift can take years off your appearance. However, it is a major procedure and recovery is long and can be quite painful. If this is an option you would consider, make sure to do your research and only go to a board certified plastic surgeon with a well established reputation.

For those looking for a less invasive route, there are a variety of products on the market today that offer an easier and less painful solution, though with less dramatic results. Many of these products contain ingredients like copper, Ginseng, elastin, collagen, and HGH (human growth hormone). These are all ingredients that have been proven to have some level of rejuvenating effects on the skin and its elasticity. Most products are geared toward sensitive skin and are generally to be allergy-free.

Brian Fong
http://www.NaturalVisage.com/

There are options available that will help to reverse the effects of age on the skin and also improve elasticity in loose skin that's caused by weight loss.

How To Apply Your Makeup

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How To Apply Your Makeup

STEP 1: FOUNDATION: After Cleansing, Toning and Moisturizing your face apply a small amount of foundation to the tip of your index finger, dot on forehead, nose, cheeks and chin then blend in an upward and outward motion without leaving a line. Be sure to apply foundation over your eyelids and blend without leaving a line. Glance in the mirror to ensure there's no line. You can use a concealer to cover imperfections such as blemishes and dark spots. You can use our NATU-CLEAR to remove dark spots, even skin tone and skin discoloration.

STEP 2: TRANSLUCENT POWDER: Using a Powder Brush apply Translucent Powder in a downward motion for a smooth finish. Translucent Powder helps eye makeup and blush to go on smoother and blend better. It also keeps your face looking fresh and your Makeup will last longer.

STEP 3 EYE MAKEUP: Starting at your lash line, apply your Base Color first, then apply your crease color in the crease area. Apply your Highlight Color in the highlight color area, below the brow bone. Finally, blend the colors with a cotton ball or your fingertip to remove any obvious line. If the colors are too bright tone them down with a little Translucent Powder then apply your Mascara, and dust your entire face downward with Translucent Powder.

STEP 4 BLUSH: Your Blush should go on the apples of your cheeks to radiate when you smile. It should go no closer to your nose, but directly beneath the iris of your eye; below nostril-level and into your temple hairline. A good Blush Brush that's tapered for precise placement, is a must.

STEP 5 LIPSTICKS: Define the outline of your lips with a professional lip brush or lip liner pencil that closely matches the color of your lipstick. Then apply your lipstick and blend the liner with a lip brush. Start from the center working outwards.

For more "HOW TO" Makeup and Skin Care Tips and advice visit http://www.beautysensation.com

Julia Anderson, Beauty Consultant and Makeup Artist
Free Newsletter http://www.beautysensation.com

Cosmetics Giant Touts Beauty, Power of Hyaluronic Acid

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Cosmetics giant Estée Lauder has jumped on the hyaluronic acid bandwagon with the release of its high-end “Perfectionist” skincare products, the CP+ Correcting Serum and the Correcting Concentrate for Lip Lines.

In recent months, several beauty products containing hyaluronic acid (also known as HA) have flooded the market, ranging from vitamin supplements to injections. With its “Perfectionist” skin moisturizer treatments, Estée Lauder is the latest to validate the beautifying effects of hyaluronic acid for your skin.

Hyaluronic acid naturally occurs in human skin and is capable of holding 1000 times its own weight of water. Although the amount of HA in skin decreases with age, supplementing the body’s natural supply can help offset visible signs of aging. The protein acts like an “instant facelift,” retaining essential moisture in the skin layers to reduces wrinkles caused by dehydration and aging.

The cosmetics industry continues to debate what type of hyaluronic acid treatment is best. As injection procedures are still on the rise – in 2004 there were 882,469 performed in the U.S. alone – many beauty enthusiasts are gravitating towards less invasive HA treatments. Leading the pack, Estée Lauder boasts that its “Perfectionist” skin products visually improve clarity and elasticity more effectively and safely than any injection procedure.

Two products in Estée Lauder’s “Perfectionist” skincare line now contain the high-powered humectant. The company’s own tests have shown that skincare products containing hyaluronic acid can reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles by up to 50%. According to Estée Lauder, the exclusive complex reduces fine lines while also improving the skin's suspension. After using the products for a few short weeks, deep vertical lines give way to soft, sensual skin and beautifully contoured lips.

Hyaluronic Acid Resource is dedicated to promoting an understanding of Hyaluronic acid, a major ingredient in many medical and anti-aging therapies and to highlighting places where you can safely purchase Hyaluronic acid products. For more information go to E-hyaluronicacid.com

Bariatric Surgery Contributes to Rise in Body Contouring Procedures in Michiana

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Elkhart, IN — A newly released report from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) details statistics and consumer attitudes toward cosmetic surgery in Indiana, and many of the numbers mirror similar trends in Michiana, according to Dr. Ronald Downs and Dr. Patrick Viscardi of The Centre, P.C.

ASAPS reports that 2003 saw a large increase in the number of body contouring procedures, with liposuction being the number one surgical procedure for both women and men. Other body contouring procedures increased by the following percentages: tummy tucks, 42%; lower body lifts, 127%; thigh lifts, 109%; and upper arm lifts, 68%.

“Some of these increases are attributable to the rise in bariatric surgery,” said Dr. Ronald Downs, a member of ASAPS. Bariatric surgery is a relatively new procedure that helps people lose massive amounts of weight. “Such massive weight loss can leave skin sagging, so people choose these body contouring procedures to remove excess skin and fat. We are seeing that bariatric surgery in Michiana is also on the upswing.”

As Indiana consumers continue to become more focused on looks, the facial procedures are also rising. The popularity of Botox in Indiana, for example, contributed to a dramatic rise nationwide in nonsurgical procedures (a 22% increase in 2003). Surgical facial procedures were also up by the following percentages: eyelid surgery in Elkhart and forehead lift in Michiana, 17% each; facelifts, 1% (the number of facelifts on men increased by 23%).

“We are finding that new techniques that help reduce recovery time for many facial procedures contribute to an increase in their popularity,” said Dr. Patrick Viscardi. “Most people find a lengthy recovery period inconvenient and costly. With these new techniques, people are back to their daily lifestyle more quickly.”

The Cosmetic Surgery National Data Bank, sponsored by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), is the most comprehensive collection of data available on the number of surgical and nonsurgical cosmetic procedures performed in the United States. ASAPS is the only organization providing 7-year multi-specialty data on the 38 top cosmetic procedures in Indiana. To see the complete set of ASAPS statistics go to www.surgery.org. The Centre, P.C. is a comprehensive Indiana plastic surgery practice that delivers expert professional care to patients in the Michiana area. With specialists in the fields of hand surgery and therapy, reconstructive surgery, cosmetic surgery and skin health, The Centre offers a unique variety of services and treatment options, including an Injury Prevention Program for businesses and their employees. Contact The Centre, P.C. at 574.296.9100 or visit http://www.thecentrepc.com, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons at plasticsurgery.org, or the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery at surgery.org. Imagine the Possibilities…™

Importance of Your Skins pH

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One of the most important roles of our skin is to protect our ‘insides’ from the external environment, acting both as a barrier and a filter between ‘outside’ and ‘inside’. In addition, the skin is involved in regulating our body’s temperature, like when we have a fever or we’re physically working hard, we tend to sweat, which is the body’s way to attempt to lower the temperature.

Another important role of our skin is to protect us from harmful substances entering our body, and in eliminating toxins. This takes workload off our Liver and Kidneys to filter out by-products from our body’s metabolism. The skin also breathes!

Hormones, Sweat glands and pH

The pores of our skin are made up of a combination of oil and sweat glands (sebaceous and sudoriferous glands) helping to keep our skin healthy and elastic. An excessive sebum secretion is often associated with oily skin and acne. This is particularly common in adolescents as the increased levels of sex hormones stimulate sebum production and secretion. When in balance, the combined excretion of oil and sweat from the skin’s pores has a pH of about 5.5.

The Acid Mantle, Age and the importance of the skin's pH

This slightly acidic layer, also referred to as the “Acid Mantle”, is our body’s first defence mechanism against bacteria invading it and is not a favourable environment bacterial growth to occur. This defence layer develops at puberty, which is why children are more susceptible to disease, viruses and fungal infections such are ringworm. The pH of children’s skin is closer to neutral (pH 7).

At puberty, however, we start to produce more hair on our bodies. Hair follicles have an associated sebaceous gland or glands which become active as hair growth increases, causing changes in the skin’s pH. The hormones that control sweat also become active and the whole surface of a teenager’s skin is totally different to that of a young child. This is our body’s way to increase our defence system.

The pH of normal, healthy human skin is somewhere between 4.5 and 6. However, this varies with age. Typically, newborns have a pH closer to neutral (pH 7) that quickly turns acidic in order to protect young children’s skin.

In the late teens to early 20’s, our Acid Mantle is well developed and provides good protection against potentially harmful, external environmental factors. Our skin usually looks healthy, heals quickly when injured and seems to take care of itself.

With increasing age however, the skin’s pH becomes more and more neutral, and thus more susceptible to bacterial growth. This reduced acidity kills fewer bacteria than before, leaving the skin susceptible to bacterial growth and infections. The skin weakens as a result and begins developing problems with increasing age. (Interestingly, the pH value rises beyond 6 when a person actually suffers from a skin problem or skin disease.)

The aging process of the skin causes biochemical changes in collagen and elastin, the connective tissues underlying the skin, which give the skin its firmness (collagen) and elasticity (elastin). The rates of loss of skin firmness and elasticity differs from individual to individual, depending on their genetic makeup, general health, over exposure to the sun, skin care regime, or lack there of, and other factors.

As the skin becomes less elastic, it also becomes drier; the underlying fatty tissue begins to disappear resulting in the skin beginning to sag. Our skin is less supple, and wrinkles begin to form. At this stage, our skin is more easily injured, heals more slowly and tends to dry out more quickly.

The role of pH in Acne

As outlined above, the skin’s pH is important and maintaining a slightly acidic pH of around 5.5 is critical.

The skin’s pH value is one of the major contributors to acne and other skin problems. Propionibacterium acnes is a bacteria that normally lives on the skin and is a normal bacteria found in all persons regardless of the presence or absence of acne.

However, in individuals prone to acne, the number of P. acnes is greatly increased. It has been found that the growth of this bacteria is very much dependent on the pH value of the skin and its growth is at its minimum at the normal skin pH of 5.5. A slight shift towards the alkaline pH would provide a better environment in which it can thrive.

Importance of the skin's pH: Do's & Don'ts

One of the major culprits that radically alter the pH of the skin, is soap. Ordinary, commercially available soaps are highly alkaline (pH range 9-11) and raise the skin’s pH to be much more alkaline. This can be adjusted by using products such as Wildcrafted Herbal Products' Wild Herb Toner or Milk of Roses Toner, depending on your skin type. These toners restore normal pH of the skin and thus provide an environment not conducive to the growth of bacteria. In addition, soap dries out the skin, because of its high alkalinity.

Thus if you choose to use a commercially available soap, you must restore the pH of your skin to prevent loss of moisture and the excessive growth of bacteria. It is important to remember that this applies to the entire surface of your skin, not just the face.

Instead of using ordinary soap, you need to use products such as the Skin Renewal Gel from Wildcrafted Herbal Products, which cleanses your skin, removing dead skin cells and leaving your skin’s pH as it is meant to be. Following this with the use of a Toner will close the open pores, preventing blackheads and loss of moisture from the skin.

Other factors influencing your skin's pH

Another factor that helps in regulating your skin’s pH is the presents of microflora on your skin. Staphylococcus epidermis is involved in the breakdown of fatty acids, and is therefore partly responsible for the acidic pH of skin. The use of ordinary soap, not only changes the pH of the skin to be more alkaline, effectively removing the protective acid mantle, but also kills the bacteria responsible for creating, at least in part, the acidic pH of your skin – a double whammy.

It is therefore of great importance to have a good skin care regime in which high quality, natural skin care products are employed. There are a couple of simple steps to take before buying a particular brand of natural skin care products.

  • Identify the skin type(s) on the face. There are usually two or more. One skin type is usually isolated to the T-Zone (forehead and nose), the other applies to the rest of the facial skin.

  • Carefully select your natural skin care products. It is not good enough to choose products, which add natural ingredients to an otherwise non-natural base crème or lotion, as is the case in many supermarket brands. READ the label carefully, ask questions and if you are buying the products on-line, make sure there is a guarantee that allows you some time to evaluate the products before they need to be returned for a refund.

  • Look for manufacturers that have qualified herbalists or naturopaths on staff. These people generally do not support the use of artificial ingredients because it goes against everything they teach their patients, friends and family. – For the most part, it’s a pretty good indication that the products are pure, when natural therapists are in charge of the formulation of the products.

About The Author

Danny Siegenthaler is a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine and together with his wife Susan, a medical herbalist and Aromatherapist, they have created Natural Skin Care Products by Wildcrafted Herbal Products to share their 40 years of combined expertise with you.

Wildcrafted Herbal Products' natural skin care range is suitable for men and women and contains only pure, natural ingredients, formulated according to Naturopathic and Aromatherapy principles.

Join our Natural Skin Care Newsletter – it’s fun, free and Informative and you receive a free eBook on natural skin care.

© Copyright: Wildcrafted Herbal Products 2005

Cosmetic Chin Surgery - The Final Facial Touch

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When either cosmetic or plastic surgery are mentioned to us, our thoughts run immediately to breast implants or liposuction, but there are many other procedures available that although they might not receive the same attention of their more obvious counterparts can have a huge impact upon both the appearance and the self confidence of a patient. One of these unsung heroes is cosmetic chin surgery, which can exert a profound effect that belies the ease with which it can be performed.

Cosmetic chin surgery is a relatively simple procedure that is usually performed in about an hour or so. Scarring is minimal, and though the patient might be limited to a liquid diet for the two or three days following surgery, recovery time is typically fast, and patients are back to their usual routines within a couple of days. Side effects, including the risk of infection or numbness in the area, are rare, making the benefits of cosmetic chin surgery far outweigh the risks.

And the benefits are striking. Those of us with ample chins have probably never noticed how they suitably frame our facial features, creating a sense of balance in our face. A smaller or receding chin can set this balance awry, placing a disproportionate emphasis on other features, such as the nose, particularly if this is already large - in fact, chin and nose surgeries are commonly performed in a complimentary fashion, in order to balance the patient's features, and release their true beauty.

Cosmetic chin surgery involves the simple insertion of an implant through an incision made either underneath the chin or in the mouth. The implant will be custom designed for each patient, insuring that the client achieves precisely the look that they and their surgeon have agreed will be most flattering to their features. The surgery can be performed under either local or general anaesthetic, and is usually done on an out patient basis - meaning that before the day is out, you will be at home again, waiting until your bandaging can be removed so that you can see the new you, in all your glory.

Jeff Lakie is the founder of Plastic Surgery Resources a website providing information on cosmetic surgery.

Personal Care Products Can Lead To Cancer

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Our skin is a two way membrane. During perspiration toxins are eliminated from our body through it. Recently scientists have found that some chemicals when applied to the skin can penetrate the body and be absorbed by the body in significant amounts. Many personal care products contain chemicals which are considered hazardous by EPA. National Institute of Occupational safety and health found 884 chemicals used in personal care products and cosmetics are known to be toxins. The numbers of products used by adults and children that contain potent carcinogens are very high. It was reported recently that 500 dangerous chemicals have been found on a single fat cell in a healthy looking British woman. Another report was of 350 man made chemicals and residues used in personal care products found in breast milk.

Ammonia derivative DEA-Diethanolamine,TEA- Triethanolamine and MEA-Monoethanolamine when combined with products containing preservative nitrates form notrosamines which are carcinogenic. FDA urged the companies to remove them from shelves but even now almost 37% if products tested contained nitrosamines.

If Alcohol content in mouthwash rises to more than 25% it is known to cause mouth, tongue and throat ulcer.

FD&C or D&C color pigments are from coal tar and are carcinogenic.

Mineral oil made from petroleum ingredient found in baby oil and skin care can hinder skin respiration and can age skin prematurely. Baby oil is almost 100% mineral oil.

Phthalates exposure through hair mousse and hair spray can cause genital abnormality. It can be absorbed into the body through skin and also through inhalation.

Propylene glycol used in hair conditioners deodorants cosmetics baby products body lotions skin care and tooth pastes and even added to human and pet food can cause eye irritation, skin irritation, headaches and nausea.

Scientist recently found paraben in breast cancer tissue. It is used as a preservative and is considered to increase oestrogen levels in women and can drive the growth of breast tumors.

Methylisothiazolinone –M.I.T found in anti microbial soap, shampoo and other personal care products can cause nerve damage. It is chemically identical to Agent Orange used in Vietnam War.

SLS- Sodium laureth sulphate found in shampoos, toothpaste, gels, and cleaners used as a foaming agent can cause permanent impairment of eyes and corrodes hair follicles and impairs the ability to grow hair.

These are some of the harmful chemicals added to our personal care products. There are much more chemicals added to these products and scientists are discovering more chemicals to be harmful. Even many of the so called natural and organic products have these harmful chemicals added to them. Try to use chemical free and organic products.

Anita Cherry is a health enthusiast who offers informative tips on health. For more information about Network marketing and chemical free certified organic products and health information visit http://www.healthinfoforyou.com/a/real_organic.htm

You can reprint this article on your website as long as you do not modify any of the content, and include our resource box as listed above with all links intact and hyperlinked properly.

Want to Try on That New Hair Style Before You Get It?

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Hair Styles Cuts And Dos Review:

Description: Hair Style Editor, Photo Uploading, Hair Style Gallery with 3,950 photos of short, medium, long, and updo photos for women.

Subscription Price: $9.99

Subscription Term: Annual

Payments Accepted: Visa, Mastercard, Secure connection

Current Number of Members: 25,291

User-Friendly: Yes

Guarantees: Satisfaction guaranteed! If you don't like it, you get a refund! If for any reason within 30 days, you are not satisfied with your membership we will refund your money, no questions asked ! There's no risk involved, don't like it then just ask for your money back. It's that simple!

Strengths Extensive Hair Styles Galleries, Ebook on hair advice, 1 year membership, Satisfaction Guaranteed, Very quick- find a new hair style in 5 minutes

Introduction

Advertising and promotional material for this website focuses on uploading a photo and trying on various hair styles. When I first logged in to the members area, the first thing that got my attention was the incredible amounts of hair style photos for very short, short, medium, long and updo hair styles. An immediate sense of relaxation came over me. If I couldn't find a good hair style among the thousands, well then there there just wasn't any hope.

There is also an extra E-book included in the membership that is barely mentioned on the web site. This E-book is great! It is a list of hair care tips and advice from a top hair designer in England. It covers all sorts of topics, such as how to select a hair designer, how to select a new hair style, various styling tips and tricks and what to do when your home hair color didn't turn out so great. This E-book has valuable information that everyone can use. I read every page of it--almost 100 pages total.

Hair Style Galleries

I quickly browsed through all the galleries, looking at all the different hair styles with different hair colors, textures, volume and even highlights. There are no photos of men's hair styles, ethnic or african-american women hair styles. The photos are all optimized to load quickly, so there is no time wasted waiting for photos to load. If you find a photo that you like you can click on it to enlarge it and even print a copy to take to your hair stylist. Printing the updo photos are especially helpful if you are looking for prom, bridal or formal hair styles. There is also the option to save the hair style photos that you really like in your favorites so you can play a slide show of them later.

Hair Style Editor

After browsing all the hair style photos, I move on to the hair style editor part of the website where I am told I can upload a photo of myself and try on some hair styles. The instructions to upload are very straightforward and I upload a photo of myself within minutes (it might have even been seconds). The photo that you upload should be taken against a plain white background and you should probably pull back most of your hair so it doesn't hang in your face.

Once you have uploaded your photo, you enter the hair style editor where there are four tools at your disposal.

Color Palette - allows you to change the color of your chosen style

Mask Pad - allows you to mask the undesired details on your photo prior to trying on different hair styles. For example, you may want to remove long hair that appears in a photo or the background of the photo

Size Tool - allows you to modify the size and proportions of the hair style you select

Trash Tool - allows you to remove the modifications that you just made without having to start over

First, I masked my photo so that only my face shape was showing. By the way, this is a great way to figure out your face shape! The masking takes a little bit of expertise with the mouse. If you are switching categories, for example, going from medium hair styles to long hair styles, you must re-mask your face again. You can change the width of the mask tool to make it a little easier closer to the face. After masking, I went to the category selector which allows you to browse thru and try on hair styles in the five categories, very short, short, medium, long and updo hair styles.

Once you find a hair style you want to try on, you just click on it and drag it to your photo. It automatically loads. Then you can move it around a bit to make it fit right on your head. After you are done adjusting the size and color of the hair style, you can print it or save it as one of your favorites to view later. The photo that you get with the selected hair style is obviously computer-generated, but it does give you a glimpse of what the hair style would look like on you. For example, I have been wanting to add some bangs to my current hair style. When I tried on the hair style with bangs, it didn't look very good at all. I think I have decided to skip the full bangs for now and maybe go with just a few long whispy looking bangs.

Conclusion

Hair Styles Cuts and Dos is an immediate relief for anyone desperately looking for examples of any type of hair style. You can literally find a new hair style in 5 minutes!! The hair style editor is also a great tool to try on various hair styles and get an idea of how they will look on you. The extra E-book is full of tips and advice for hair, tons more than you would find in any magazine.

Typically a lot of women go and buy a bunch of magazines when they want to find a new hair style. If you consider the price of a magazine alone- between 3-5$-- and the fact that you don't always find the style you want in just one magazine, the price for admission at Hair Styles Cuts and Dos - currently $9.99 for a whole year ---is well worth it

The Hair Styler Review

Description: Online virtual hairstyling with over 2000 hairstyles and 53 color choices to try, online hair consultation, face shape info

Subscription Price: $14.99

Subscription Term 6 months

Payments Accepted: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Bankcard, Diners, Secure transactions

User-Friendly Yes

Guarantees:TheHairStyler.com guarantees* that upon the fee being paid to us, a member will be able to use TheHairStyler.com website for a total period of 6 months to view all available hairstyles using their own uploaded image or a Model image supplied by TheHairStyler.com. Strengths: Celebrity hair styles, men hair styles, description and maintenance routine of hair styles, hairstyle articles, face shape information

Introduction

There is a demo version of the software on the site for you to try out. The demo shows a selection of hair styles and how you can try them on. Also available to visitors for free is the hairstyles consultation. You answer some basic questions about your face, age, height, skin color, hair density, generer, eye color, etc. and then the hairstyle consultation comes back with some recommendations for you to try out. It also has several styles to avoid. Several hairstyle articles are also free for visitors to the site. Some of them cover celebrity hair styles, recent trends and other hair related articles. The freebies on the site are very useful.

Membership

Once you become a member, you have access to the entire selection of hair styles and you can load your own photo into the hair styler software. Be sure to upload a good photo with your hair pulled back off your face and a white background. If you are unable to upload photos on your computer, you can send your photo to The Hair Styler and they will do it for you. Uploading a photo takes about 10 seconds and you are allowed to upload as many photos as you want in the six-month membership. Once your photo is there you can go and try on hair styles in the 7 different categories Celebrity, Everyday, Formal/Bridal, Classic, Mens, Alternative and Dreadlocks.

After you upload your photo you go to a section where you determine your face shape. The face shapes are Oval, Round, Oblong, Heart, Square, Diamond and Triangular. The example face shapes are very easy to place on your photo. Determining your face shape is a breeze!! After your face shape is determined you have to line up the eyes in the diagram to your own eyes and adjust the color of the photo as needed. Next you move on to try on different hair styles

The Celebrity category is broken down further into various female, black female, classic female, various male, black male, classic male and celebrity search. There is a large list of celebrity hair styles to choose from and if this is what you are after, The Hair Styler is your place!! Descriptions for the different hair styles are very useful. They include info on how long it will take to style that particular hair style, what hair care products you will need and what face shape and hair texture the style is suited for.

Everyday hairstyles are broken down into texture- with straight, wavy and curly as choices, and length- short, medium and long are choices. Formal/Bridal categories include UpCurls, UpSmooth, DownCurls, and DownSmooth. If you are looking for prom or bridal hair styles, this section will give you quite a few ideas for your special event. The descriptions for the hair styles are very helpful, giving you suggestions on styling, hair care products to use and how long the style will last.

The Classic and Dreadlock categories are not broken down any further and the Mens hairstyles choices are short, long and conservative. The face model for the mens hairstyles is still the women model, but if you upload a mans photo you will get a good idea of how the hair style will look.

In every category there is the option to save or print the hairstyle photo that you like. When you print the hairstyle it prints not only the hair style you like, but also the directions, hair care products to use, what face shape the style is recommended for and the time required to style that particular hair style. This is all very useful info that you can bring to your hair stylist.

Conclusion

The Hair Styler has many features that are helpful for selecting a new hair style. The hairstyles are realistic looking when they are loaded on your photo and the site is constantly updated with new hair fashions. The system is easy to use and no complicated sofware is needed, only an internet connection. Since The Hair Styler goes into face shapes and has many different categories, it may take you a little time to find what you are looking for. But the time is well invested with lots of useful hair style information that will help you with your hair style now and in the future.

Stellure Review

Description: 3D Hair Style Studio, Photo Uploading, Face Shape Info, 3D Model of Your Face

Subscription Price: 3 Levels

Sampler: Free Trial

Figure: $19.95 6 months

Reflect: $34.95 12 months

Lifetime:$49.95 Never pay again!

Payments Accepted: Visa, Mastercard, Delta with Secure connection

User-Friendly: Yes

Guarantees: Satisfaction guaranteed! If you don't like it, you get a refund! If for any reason within 30 days, you are not satisfied with your membership we will refund your money, no questions asked ! There's no risk involved, don't like it then just ask for your money back. It's that simple!

Strengths Realistic 3D Models, Can get customized 3D face model, Satisfaction Guaranteed, Monthly Newsletter, Value pricing, Articles on hair styles, Oscar fashion, prom hair fashions

Introduction

Stellure is a relatively new site that offers hair imaging in three dimensions. It differentiates itself from other imaging programs because of the very realistic 3D aspect. Currently they have the first batch of 151 hair styles loaded in the system. They are adding a lifelike color tinting system soon and they have just negotiated a deal that will give them access to large volumes of top quality fashion and classic hairstyles. As more and more hairstyles are added, the membership prices will be going up. The best value at this time is the lifetime membership as it gives you the benefits of the increased catalogue at a much lower price. And, let’s face it, examining your hair style and trying to find new ones is a lifelong activity.

The Hair Style Studio

Joining Stellure is quick, easy and secure. Depending on what type of membership you have selected, you can view hair styles on a stand in model or upload photos of yourself for Stellure to create your own 3D model to view hair styles. For the purposes of this review, we went with the customized 3D model. There are detailed instructions on the site for taking the photographs. You will need a front view and a side view. If you have scanner it is very easy to take a regular photo and scan it in for uploading. If you don’t own a scanner, you could probably go to your local photo processing center and have it done for you.

Before you get started with the hairstyles, you are directed to the face shape wizard to help you determine which one your face fits into. The wizard loads very quickly and asks you several questions about the dimensions of your face. After you have answered everything, the wizard tells you your face shape. This is important information since all of the hairstyles come with descriptions that detail which face shape they are suited for. There is also a link to style advice in the members area to specific style advice for your face shape.

We opted for the Reflect membership where we would get our own customized 3D face model. We had two photographs taken of one of our staff members, one front view and one side view. Once we uploaded the two photos in the Stellure member area, we received an Email in less than 24 hours that the 3D model was ready. (They do state on the website that the 3D models will be finished in 48 hours or less). Once your 3D model is finished, you will get a list of recommended hair styles for your face shape and then you can go to the hair style studio to try them on.

To try on a hair style you simply click on the style and it will show up on your face model. You can set the face model to spin clockwise, counterclockwise or you can click on any of 12 different angles to view the hair style. The hair styles and face models are very realistic looking and the 3D view gives you a very good idea of what the selected hair style will look like from the back. The back view of a hair style is probably the most often ignored view of any hair style and the 3D spinning face model allows you to see the back from a very different perspective.

As you try on different hair styles, you can get styling information by selecting the small i on the menu, you can print the hair style and you can save it in your favourites to view later. When you print a hair style, you will get a front view, back view and a view from each side. The detailed description is included in the printout. Information such as suitable lengths, length descriptions, suitable densities, face shapes, trim period, texture description, styling instructions, maintenance level and styling time. These are all very important factors to consider when considering a new hair style. If a hair style you like requires 30 minutes to style every morning and you do not have that kind of time, then you will probably not be very happy with your results.

There is a search function that will allow you to search by category, face shape, hair density and hair length. Categories include: Latest, Classic, Glamour/Evening, Formal/Bridal, Easy Care and Updo. Face Shapes include Oval, Rectangle, Square, Round, Heart, Pear and Diamond. Hair Density includes Thin, Medium, Thick and Hair Length selections are Short, Medium and Long.

In addition to the hair style studio, you will receive a monthly newsletter that discusses the most current hair style fashion and how to get it. This is great info if you want your hair to be in fashion. And, if you can't find the hair style you are looking for, you can actually request it.

Conclusion

The fact that the technology used to develop the 3D Hair Style Studio at Stellure is patent pending says a lot about the high quality of the program. Most hair imaging programs offer just the front view of the hair style and Stellure offers a 3D look at selected hair styles with either a stand in model or your very own face model. It factors in your face shape information and offers suggestions for selecting a new hair style The results are very realistic and as more and more hair styles are added to the Hair Style Studio, this subscription based program will be the place to go if you want to find a new hair style and see how it will look on you.

Perriann Rodriguez is the author of the recently published 2005's Most Popular Hair Extensions, available at http://www.hairresources.net. She is also the founder of http://www.hairresources.com, the center for World Class Hair Styles + Beauty Salons. Perriann is listed in the 2004 Who's Who of Executives and Professionals and the U.S. Register of American Writers.

Make Your Pores Behave

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Smooth and soft skin, even tone, rosy glow, pores invisible to the naked eye... Perfect complexion. Isn't that what we hope to see when coming to the mirror?

But the reality is harsh and mirrors don't lie. The pores are there, perfectly visible, and seem to get bigger and bigger.

Why would Mother Nature put the most visible ones where you can't hide them? Life would be so much easier if we could keep them out of sight (and out of mind). I bet Nature had no idea people would consider pores a problem and, of course, had the best reasons in mind.

Pores are tiny (oh well, comparatively tiny) passages for oil that is produced in sebum glands to reach the surface of the skin. There are approximately 300 000 oil glands in human skin, the highest concentration is on the face, chest and back. The glands produce up to one ounce of oil daily!

The oil forms a protective layer over the skin that prevents moisture loss and helps to keep the skin soft and resilient and prevent injury and environmental damage. Given the fact that skin on the face is thinner than in other body areas and is constantly exposed to sun, wind, cold and heat, we desperately need this protection.

The challenge is to maintain the right balance between the activity of sebaceous glands and the actual needs of your skin. Problems start when pores have to deal with more oil than they can handle. Pores expand under the pressure of excessive oil flow and become visible. Once they enlarge, they don't shrink back. There are no muscles around pores that could contract and close the opening.

More and more pores can become visible with age. This is due to the loss of skin elasticity and sagging. As skin is drawn down by gravity, pores become more obvious.

Keeping pores clean is the first thing you need to do if you want to make them less noticeable and prevent their size increase.

When oil binds with dirt and dead skin cells, pores become clogged and - again - stretch. To prevent this, keep oil under control, use gentle and effective cleansers and exfoliate regularly.

After cleansing, use astringent toner. Astringents cause slight swelling of the top skin layer, which temporarily closes pores. There are two things to be cautious about. First, don't overdry your skin or it will react by producing even more oil. Second, if your skin is sensitive, be extra careful as it might not tolerate some of the ingredients used in astringents.

Mature skin will benefit from thorough cleansing and gentle exfoliating followed by a face-lift mask. When done 1-3 times a week, this regiment will produce visible improvement in just a few weeks.

The pores don't shrink permanently. We have to accept it, just as we accept that fair eyelashes can't get dark and straight hair don't curl. Yet, we learned to live with it and still get the look we want. The same thing is with pores: you can improve the way they look when and if you want to.

(C) Natalie Katsman, 2004

About The Author

Natalie Katsman is a co-founder of http://www.natural-aid.com, where you can find fine quality aloe vera products for beauty and well-being and subscribe to HealthySkin Newsletter filled with beauty tips, recipes and information on herbal healing, skin care and cosmetic chemistry.

info@natural-aid.com

Splitting Hairs - What Can You Do About Split Ends

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Isn't it a shame when you have to worry about covering split ends (or trichoptlosis)-the bane of every self- respecting woman's life! They happen when the protective cuticle has been stripped away from the ends of hair fibers. Split ends are more likely to develop in dry or brittle hair, and typical causes of damage include excessive dying or vigorous brushing.

Once the hair cuticle is removed, it is impossible to replace. Typically, the hair splits into two or three strands, and can be as long or two to three centimeters in length. The best treatment is to cut off the split end of the damaged fiber.

But you don't necessarily have to go to the salon every week to keep your split ends in check. Back in the sixties and seventies, women used to burn off their split ends! Sure that's a little excessive. And there are easier ways to get rid of those dead ends before they split further... do-it-yourself hair trims.

These do-it-yourself trimming tips are for women who are happy with their hair; for those who don't need a restyle, but simply want to freshen things up with a 'homegrown' sort of look. If you are in any doubt, leave it for the professionals!

To Remove Split Ends:

* Take small sections of hair and carefully twist them in a gentle downward motion. Any split ends will automatically stick out.

* Carefully snip into the twist with sharp scissors. Don't cut right through; just cut into the thickness to remove the damaged cuticles and give a natural layered effect.

* Be careful to cut roughly the same amount from each twist. Remember, sometimes the simplest, and least expensive, ideas are the best. So get trimming! You'll not only save a bundle but also time that will ease your life.

Jane Preeter is a hair stylist who has great interest in her profession. She has studied many hair loss treatments, different methods of hair removal, and a wide variety of hair treatments.

Gray Hair Remedy: Is there Such a Thing?

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None of us want to go Gray but we have to accept some of us will at some stage be affected by it. Your hair will go Gray for several reasons:

• Heredity: If there is a history of family members going Gray then you may find you will follow and go Gray as well.

• Smoking can cause your hair to go Gray.

• Lack of B12 and Omega 3’s in your diet.

So how do we go about finding a remedy to combat the onset of gray hair? There are a few options open to us. The first is diet. A lot of what we eat contributes to how our bodies produce healthy producing cells in our hair. As gray hair is usually dry and brittle it may be that you are not eating properly. As mentioned before the lack of B12 and Omega 3’s are major contributors to your hair going Gray.

Even if we are on a good diet it does not necessarily mean you will be immune to gray hair. As mentioned if it is heredity then your best bet is to use a very good shampoo that will treat the hair and keep it in good condition. Some Shampoos are designed specifically for the treatment of gray hair and contain things like Omega 3’s such as Emu oil. These oils actually treat the hair follicle and rejuvenate the pigment generating cells called Melanocytes. After repeated use you may find that your hair will revert back to its original color. If you are happy to stay Gray then make sure you treat your hair as no one said that gray hair can’t look good.

You can always dye your hair. This is the most common. You can use dyes that will gradually change you hair color over time or you can go for an immediate effect. This usually works better for women. As they do look great with different hair colors.

If you do want to prevent or reverse your gray hair then you can take a tablet called Melancor. This is a new product on the market and works in two ways. Firstly when you get gray hair you have a genetically based tendency to produce less melanin as body pigments. Melancor triggers Melanocytes which helps overcome this tendency by increasing you body’s ability to produce melanin pigments.

Secondly Melancor exerts a profound “Mleanocytes” action whereby it mobilizes stored melanin, moving it out of the hair cell and thereby increasing the number and size of the hair strands and pigments in your natural hair color.

Melancor also stops male pattern baldness by blocking increased levels of DHT. This is the hormone that is responsible for male development in the early stages, and is a major contributor in hair loss as men get older. DHT shrinks the hair follicle until it no longer produces visible hair.

Do your research, find out why you may have gray hair and find the best solution to remedy it.

Grant Marwick is a freelance writer and owner of http://www.no-gray-hair.com that provides solutions and advice on the treatment of gray hair and suggestions for a Gray Hair Remedy

Rhinoplasty Before and After - Surgery and Recovery

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Now that you have made the decision to undergo rhinoplasty and have prepared for your surgery, the next step is the rhinoplasty surgery itself and the after affects.

Rhinoplasty can be performed in the surgeon's office-based facility, an outpatient surgery center, or a hospital. Usually the surgery is performed on an outpatient basis but if it is a complicated rhinoplasty then you may be required to stay in the hospital.

You will either be under local or general anesthesia. Local anesthesia is when you are lightly sedated and your nose and the surrounding area is numb. You know what is going on but cannot feel what is happening to your nose. General anesthesia is when you sleep through the surgery and do not know what is happening.

Rhinoplasty surgery normally takes one to two hours unless it is a complex rhinoplasty. The rhinoplasty itself consists of the skin being separated from the bone and cartilage. The bone and cartilage are sculpted into the desired shape and the skin is then draped over the new nose framework. Most surgeons make the rhinoplasty incision inside the nose in the nostrils, but some surgeons prefer the "open" procedure where the incision is made in the middle part of the nose nearest the upper lip. There is a scar left but the scar is hardly noticeable in that area of your nose.

When your rhinoplasty is complete, the surgeon will place a splint on your nose to help it maintain its shape. Sometimes nasal packs or splint may be place in the nostrils as well.

After the rhinoplasty your face may be puffy, you may be experiencing pain, or you may have a dull headache. Take the medication prescribed by your Doctor as needed. Stay in bed with your head elevated for the first day after your rhinoplasty. There will be some swelling and bruising around your eyes and this swelling will reach its highest peak at 2-3 days after surgery. Cold compresses will reduce the swelling and make your eyes and face feel better. In a few days you will feel much better than you look as most swelling and bruising takes at least two weeks to disappear. A little bleeding is common after a rhinoplasty and you may have a "stuffy" feeling nose for a few weeks. Any nasal packing or stitches will be removed after a few days.

You will be up and feeling somewhat better within two days after your rhinoplasty. You should be able to return to school or sedentary work after a week or so. The Doctor will give you specific guidelines as to what you can return to and when during your follow-up visits. Follow the Doctor's instructions and keep your follow-up visits to ensure that your surgery is successful!

Cosmetic surgery is becoming tightly linked with good health as it helps promote a persons feeling of well being – when you look good you feel good. Here, Mike talks openly about rhinoplasty and how to best prepare yourself before and after the surgery. Get the full details on Mikes site here: http://www.rhinoplasty-reviews.com

Do You Want To Look Ten Years Younger?

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Do you want to look ten years younger?

Here are twelve beauty tips that are guaranteed to work, if you follow them *all*. There's no point eating fresh fruit and vegetables, and then smoking like a chimney!

1. Moisturise.

This is a misnomer, you can't actually put water in your skin. You can, however, oil it up (like leather!), and trap water next to the skin.

After every wash, put an inert oil on your face. Johnson's Baby Oil is good. Put it especially on your laughter-lines (around the eyes), your forehead, around the mouth and on the neck.

You don't need expensive ointments; independent studies show these are a con.

2. Eat Good Food.

Eat plenty of fruit, fish and vegetables, drink water. A healthy diet makes for a healthy body, and health makes you look younger.

3. Sleep.

MOST IMPORTANT.

At least eight hours. A good night's kip will make you look years younger.

Go to bed before midnight, as early as possible. You've had enough when you bound out of bed in the morning, full of energy. If you don't, you need more, or you're depressed, or you went to bed after midnight.

Lack of sleep is very ageing. If you don't get enough sleep you look haggard i.e. old. Sleep deprivation is akin to being a zombie; your IQ is less, memory poorer, and your reactions slower. You become more prone to disease.

4. Don't Smoke.

Smoking constricts the capillaries in your face. This is why smokers look pale. It ages the skin. It makes your hair lank.

A smoker is essentially in a constant state of ill-health; weaker immune system, less energy, less stamina. In time smoking can lead to serious disease. It lenghtens recovery time from other diseases. Doctors tend to write-off smokers; they know their work is being wasted.

Cigarettes contain poisons like formaldehyde, ammonia, arsenic, and benzene. The reason people crave them is because they also contain nictotine, which is more addictive than heroin. You can kick heroin in five days; nicotine can take weeks.

5. Don't Drink Alcohol.

Again, alcohol is a poison. Drunkenness is a mild form of poisoning; hence its alternative name: intoxication.

I once knew some Australian girls when I first came to in London. They used to 'party hearty'. One of them was very pretty. After 6 months she looked like she'd aged fifteen years; 20 going on 35.

When I was very young I used to wonder why adults looked so old, tired and fed up. Certainly life has its disappointments, but we help death mark our card early on.

6. Don't Sunbathe.

In neolithic times men used to cure animal hides by exposing them to the sun. This was the earliest form of tanning; they were making leather.

This is what's happening to sunbather's skin. That's why 35 year-old sunbathers look 45, and 45 year-old sunbathers have skin the texture of a leather armchair.

Sitting in the sun for hours is weak-minded. Look at the great beauties, the older ones. They kept well out of the sun; their skin is milky white. You don't see their sisters in magazines, who, for a season's healthy glow, sacrificed their looks forever.

7. Don't Dye Or Bleach Your Hair.

Unless your hair is grey or mousey, leave off putting chemicals on it. If you are healthy, your hair will reflect this. Bleaching is bad for your hair, and you may damage the follicles. If the dye doesn't suit your skin tone, it won't make you look good anyway.

8. Don't Wear Formal Clothes.

Dress younger, look younger!

9. Don't Wear A Beard Or Moustache, Or Long Hair (for men).

If your hair is thinning and long, or you have a beard or moustache, you'll look older by ten years. Conversely, a short hair-cut and a clean-shaven face takes years off you. Cut off your sideburns; voila! instant youth.

10. Don't Have Cosmetic Surgery.

This is a trap. Because a man has M.D. after his name doesn't mean he has the skill of a Michelangelo or Da Vinci. That's what you need to remodel a human face.

Why? Because our perceptions of human beauty rely on very subtle clues in another's face; small lines, dimples, contours, expressions.

A cosmetic surgeon cuts these out, and you are left with a mask. You lose some of your personality. You become a type; a Hollywood social x-ray, a waxen-faced thing. Don't do it, girls!

We are not machines; cut us, take a part out, replace it, and we are never quite the same again.

11. Don't Over-diet, Over-exercise.

This makes you look scrawny and haggard. A slightly fleshy face looks younger; the wrinkles fill out a bit.

A bit of exercise gets the blood flowing, and reminds your muscles they exist. Too much intense exercise (more than two hours a day), a low carbohydrate diet, and you look haggard; worn out, old, under par.

12. Don't Worry!

If you have problems, resolve to deal with them, or deliberately avoid them; but decide, and then put them out of your mind. Stress and worry make you haggard, and pre-dispose you to disease. They keep you awake at night, and ruin the quality of your sleep.

Meditate. Resolve your problems before you go to sleep at night. Observe your thoughts and emotions dispassionately. You may be surprised to find how crazy most are!

In short, youth is a combination of factors; one cream or regime won't do. Address your entire person, body and mind.

Here's to your good health!

T. O' Donnell (http://www.tigertom.biz) is the author of 'The Black Book Of Power', a free personal development ebook, and lives in London, UK.

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Notifying the author is not required, but doing so is appreciated, at http://www.tigertom.com/contact.htm.

LipoSelection™ by Vaser®

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Vaser® LipoSelection™ is a revolutionary advance in ultra-sonic liposuction. People with fatty areas of the body, resistant to diet and exercise, can now enjoy a gentle and quick body contouring solution with results that are far more predictable than those of traditional liposuction. The key to LipoSelection is the ability to target only the unwanted pockets of fat for removal, leaving the surrounding areas of the body, such as nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues, relatively undisturbed. This is an exciting breakthrough, so gentle that it originated from the treatment of brain tumors!

Liposuction by Vaser®, called LipoSelection™, accomplishes this selective tissue removal by using a combination of surgical elements. First, the targeted area is filled with a numbing saline-solution that liquefies the fat pockets. Then, only the fat cells are removed with a gentle combination of suction, dispersed ultrasonic energy, and massage. Because the probes used in LipoSelection™ are smaller, 3.5mm to 4mm, the necessary entry incisions are extremely small.

Vaser® LipoSelection™ surpasses traditional liposuction in a number of ways. The lesser invasion of the body promotes faster healing, meaning less bruising, less pain, and a faster recovery. Imagine getting the smooth and shapely look that you’ve always wanted and being able to return to your normal activities in only days!

Dr. Downs at The Centre PC is the first cosmetic surgeon in Indiana to offer Vaser® LipoSelection™. For more information email us, or call ….

Disclaimer: LipoSelection was approved by the FDA in September 2002 for the removal of fat from the human body. The new procedure carries a reduced risk of complications such as contour irregularities, lengthy periods of swelling, blood clots, seromas, skin discoloration and prolonged numbing. When complications do occur with LipoSelection, they are often less severe than when they are associated with typical liposuction. As stated before, the recovery period after LipoSelection is typically measured in days, however the recovery time depends on the extent of the surgery performed.

Dead Sea Minerals - Health from the Lowest Point on Earth

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A study involving a European occupational therapist suffering from psoriasis who had obtained compensation from her health insurance in order to undergo therapy at the Dead Sea has lead to great interest in health funds in Denmark, Germany and other European Countries. This has resulted in their subsidizing treatment from the Dead Sea for people suffering from both Psoriasis and other skin conditions. If Health Insurance companies can be considering coverage of treatment at the Dead Sea for relief and treatment of skin disorders, then it seems reasonable to advocate usage of products manufactured from the Mud and minerals of the Dead Sea.

Healthy skin and

Assisting to replace or remove electrolytes enables the body to maintain a good fluid balance thereby improving a feeling of relaxation, health and well being. Below is a list of the therapeutic physical and mental well being is dependent on the correct sodium and potassium or fluid balance in the body. This is regulated by the Adrenal gland, which in turn affect healthy function of the kidneys. The kidneys are responsible for controlling 28 chemicals in the body. An imbalance of these chemicals or electrolytes can result in certain skin or other symptoms and over an extended period of time results in various illnesses. benefits of the Dead Sea products together with the conditions or symptoms they alleviate.

The Dead Sea Salts differ from regular sea salt in 2 important ways.

1) They contain 10 times more minerals than sea salt.
2) The Dead

Sea salts absorb essential oils with ease, which enables them to be released into the bath water as they dissolve.

This is beneficial for those wishing to benefit from the Dead Sea in the privacy of their own home. Some of the minerals found in the Dead Sea are listed below together with their functions or benefits to health. This provides some insight as to why these minerals assist in cleansing, de-toxing and restoring a healthy status quo of the body, especially the skin and muscles.

Minerals and Chemicals found in the Dead Sea


Sulfur-is found in the amino acids cysteine, and methionine; as well as in cells, hemoglobin (of the blood), collagen (of the muscles), keratin (required for skin), insulin, heparin, biotin, co-enzyme A, (required for healthy hair, skin, nails, among many other biological structures). Sulfur is necessary for synthesizing collagen. It is required for the adequate digestion and absorption of carbohydrates and a number of vitamins e.g. thiamin, biotin and pantothenic acid; It is also essential to enable cells to breathe Sulfur is necessary for the secretion of bile from the liver and for converting toxins into non-toxins.


Chlorine is necessary to maintain the correct balance of alkaline and acid in the body, together with being vital for cell metabolism


Iodine is necessary for the production of the hormone thyroxin, and is also vital for both energy and cell metabolism is necessary to maintain the water balance in order for cell metabolism to take place, assisting the cells to absorb nourishment and expel waste products. An imbalance in potassium often leads to water retention.


Potassium also plays a vital role in regulating muscle contractions and the nervous system.


Sodium like potassium plays s a vital role in assisting the cells to absorb nourishment and expel waste.


Calcium is necessary in strengthening cell membranes and cleansing the pores. In addition it is vital for production and maintenance of healthy teeth and bones, together with regulating the heart muscles and nerves.

Magnesium is necessary in assisting the body to utilize other essential nutiens and in cell metabolism.


Bromine helps with the natural repair of the body together with cell metabolism and can be sued as a natural antibiotic. Saunas often use Dead Sea salts to evaporate the bromides thus creating and environment similar to the Dead Sea. Having a hot bath with Dead Sea salts and allowing the steam to collect in the bathroom will have a similar effect. Other than the benefits listed below for bath salts, steaming and using these salts in the bath can be beneficial for respiratory conditions e.g. asthma.


PELOTHERAPY The main healing property of mud is humic acid, which comes from concentration of organic matter. After the Ice Age the earth experienced a compression of plant and animal life resulting in transformation of various rocks and hence, muds. The parts of the earth, which suffered the most erosion, have higher deposits of humic acid. One of these areas is the Dead Sea, which has the largest concentration of humic acid, chloride salts of magnesium, sodium, potassium, calcium, bromine and various other minerals. Since the Dead Sea Mud (also known as Pelloid) has a high concentration of minerals together with an ability to hold heat, the mud can be used for certain healing benefits. Smearing the Pelloid onto the body in a process known as Pelotherapy provides cleansing and detoxing of the skin which has proved beneficial for skin, muscle pain and arthritic or rheumatic conditions.


BALNEOTHERAPY

Is an ancient healing form using water, usually with added salts, thereby distinguishing it from hydrotherapy, to condition, relax and revitalize the skin, body and muscles. Its benefits are seen in improving circulation, strengthening the immune system, reducing pain, stress and insomnia.

Yoav Cohen is an author for AHAVA Dead Sea products site.

Radio Frequency Energy Fans Thermacool

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I guess you wouldn’t think that radio frequency energy would be making waves in the beauty industry? But, it is. A device that uses RFE is being used in the Thermalcool procedure. If you don’t know what Thermacool is, then you haven’t had your ear to the station. Thermacool is the new non-surgical procedure that gives men and women a healthy alternative to surgical facelifts. The process tightens your skin by contracting the deep layers of skin. Thermacool is also known on the market as Thermalift and Thermage. Let’s call it Thermacool because it sounds hip.

Two thumbs up! That’s the rating The Food and Drug Administration is giving Thermacool. The FDA’s approval is leading to the procedures widespread use. Doctors and their patients believe Thermcool irons out wrinkles and reduces sagging skin. The face is the best place to use Thermacool, however it is used on the neck and arms as well. It is a good treatment anywhere there is loose skin. Some folks are using it under the arms and to treat stretch marks on the abdomen and hips.

60-Year Old Lynn Shores had a treatment six months ago and is looking forward to having another one in about three more months. She says, “I was looking twice my age! I had the procedure done because I wanted to look younger and prettier in my face.” Shores began to see results about two months after having the treatment. She is among a growing number of people who believe the benefits of Thermacool far outweigh the risks. Thermacool may cause some discomfort but the risk of surgery, anesthesia and scarring are less than with surgical procedures. In fact, some people say the procedure really doesn’t hurt that much at all.

So you may be wondering how does it work? It takes anywhere from thirty to forty five minutes to complete the Thermacool procedure. Most patients’ only need a topical anesthetic cream placed on the face. Your technician will do that about an hour before the treatment is scheduled to begin. Other people may need Valium or some other kind of oral sedative. “I was just so jittery about having it done, says 35 year old Marc Thompson. I didn’t know if it would improve my appearance or make it worst. I guess men are just not supposed to try these things, but I took my wife’s recommendation.” Thermacool is not any different from any other surgical procedure if you need a stronger sedative, you’ll need an anesthesiologist to administer the dose.

As I mentioned, Thermacool uses radio frequency energy to apply heat under the epidermis or top layer of the skin. The heat is applied directly into the dermis layer. The dermis layer is right under the epidermis. I could feel a warming on my face. It felt unusual. I couldn’t do anything but lay still,” says Tonya Morgan.

You’ll want to lay still too as the heat causes the tissue in the dermis layer to warm up. This controlled heating of deeper layers of skin and tissue causes the skin to contract and tighten. This is known as volumetric tissue heating. There is some pain every time there is a pulse, but a cooling spray brings some relief after each pulse.

The volumetric tissue heating causes the collagen underneath the skin tissue to contract and shrink. At the same time, the top layer of the skin is kept cool by cryogen cooling. Cryogen cooling keeps the temperature on the surface of the skin cool while the dermis tissues are heated up. The heating action causes two reactions. The first result is an increased thickness in the top layer of skin. It’s the heating that actually causes works to reduce the wrinkles.

The second result is collagen remolding and the production of new collagen. The skin continues to tighten over time as the skin heals. You may be able to see a difference in your appearance immediately. However, it takes most people up to six months to see a difference. It is possible for the procedure to be repeated again after six months. You should let your technicians take before and after pictures to help you see any subtle changes.

Now, you’re probably wondering whether Thermacool, Thermage and Thermalift are right for you. Patient’s who live on a pacemaker cannot undergo the procedure; it’s just too risky. You may want to pass on the procedure if your skin is really, really loose. Surgery may be your only hope. However, Thermacool works best in combination with laser treatments, Botox, resytlane, and collagen injections. Traditional eye, forehead and eyebrow surgeries also work well with Thermacool.

Research shows Thermacool works! If it didn’t the FDA wouldn’t have given it a nod. Patients wouldn’t have issued a strong endorsement either. “I’ve never felt better about myself. I know most people would be afraid to try a procedure like this, but not me! I’m all for looking younger and healthier. The best part is how good I feel about me,” says Shores.

About The Author

Barry A. S. Lycka is an internationally known cosmetic dermatologist and surgeon who practices in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada where he has worked from 1989. Recently, Dr. Lycka was chosen as Alberta's Dream Makeover Doctor. For more information you can visit his website at http://www.BarryLyckaMD.com.

7 Tips to Help You Avoid Buying a Destructive Soap or Cleanser if You Have a Skin Problem

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Psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema, and any other skin problems are irritated very easily by most soaps. As a former psoriasis sufferer I would estimate I tried at least 30 different soaps hoping that would cure my psoriasis. I later discovered I was wrong and my psoriasis was only irritated from soap, but soap was not the cause of it.

If you have any form of a skin problem you may have feared taking a shower or bathing because of the dry, painful itch, and film left by using a commercially produced bar soap. Why is that? What causes the itch left by a bar soap and is there any way to cope?

Here are some tips to buying a better soap or cleanser that may not irritate your skin:

1. Glycerin is a good moisturizer. Glycerin is known to moisturize from the inside out, pulling in moisture from the outside environment. It's typically found in better quality, more expensive soaps like a hand made soap or good cleanser. Lower grade, commercially produced soaps usually remove the glycerin and use more cost effective chemicals which are much more destructive to the skin.

2. Avoid any soaps that are granular. Granular soaps are terribly too abrasive for the skin of acne, psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis sufferers. This abrasive soap may be okay to wash motor oil off your hands but not to scrub the acne-prone skin on your face.

I had acne as a teen and believed I could scrub long enough to remove dead skin cells to let my pores "breathe". It took little time to discover this was only irritating my skin. If you have beautiful, blemish-free skin a granular soap may not be harmful. However, gentle is the key for anyone who has any form of blemish or sensitive condition like psoriasis, eczema, or dermatitis.

3. Tea Tree Oil and Eucalyptus are terrific for cleansing. Tea tree oil is considered to have some of the best natural antiseptic / antifungal properties in the world. Eucalyptus oil has been shown to fight infection-causing bacteria, fungi, and viruses very effectively.

The reason I have found tea tree oil and eucalyptus to be so powerful in helping my psoriasis was because both were natural and complemented my skin. Far too many chemicals are added into many commercial soaps today that do their job of cleaning but strip away the skins natural moisturizers as well.

Although I no longer have psoriasis, I still use a specific blend of aloe, eucalyptus, and tea tree oil in a concentrated cleanser. Email me and I will tell you what it is and where to purchase it. (I don't personally sell it but can tell you where to find it)

4. pH balance of you skin is critical. Normal skin is naturally acidic with a pH in the range of 4.2 to 5.6. Most traditional soaps considered "mild" have a pH of around 9.5 - 11 which is too alkaline and may cause excessive dryness and irritation. These soaps traditionally remove the natural acid protection and extract the fats from the skin as well.

If you have eczema, psoriasis, or dermatitis your skin may be even more alkaline than normal in those affected areas. Using a low-grade commercially produced bar soap, which may be more alkaline, could lead to infection. If you prefer a bar soap try a hand made soap. It will be more expensive but it would be worth it if you saw results, wouldn't it?

Most cleansers may be more gentle because they are made not to disturb your skin's pH level. The skin is designed to protect itself by maintaining a more acidic pH level. Many commercially made soaps may rob the skin of it's natural acidic state, leaving it unprotected.

5. Frequency of washing - don't overdue it. If you have acne you may have a difficult time with this one. If your skins excessively oily in your facial area it's could be because you are using a poor quality soap that's highly alkaline. By washing too much you may be stripping away the skins natural oil, forcing it to produce more.

I wash my skin once a day. I often see others recommending washing the skin up to three times daily. Washing this much is incredibly excessive for those of us with sensitive skin.

6. Pure Aloe Vera - the absolute best moisturizer. If you've ever had a severe sunburn you would know not to take a very hot shower. Don't consider your psoriasis, eczema, or dermatitis to be any less severe than sunburn.

If you find yourself in a situation where you're in terrible pain from skin lesions this may help. Before I found my psoriasis cure I used Fruit Of The Earth® Aloe Vera 100% Gel. This is the closest thing to a pure moisturizer that you will find. While I don't need this anymore because my psoriasis is gone, it helped tremendously when my psoriasis was very painful.

7. Natural. Most commercial "soaps" today are really detergents loaded with chemicals that irritate the skin and upset it's natural balances. I only use and recommend hand-made soaps or very mild cleansers. The best place to find these hand-made soaps and cleansers are alternative medicine retailers, health food stores and the internet.

The skin is no different than life in that you need balance to be at peace with yourself. You need effective solutions that will not cause extreme side effects. If you want to see an example of extreme un-balance examine chemo therapy. Many patient's undergoing chemo loose their hair, many get brutally sick, etc., because the body is not meant to go thru this type of intense therapy.

More on that next issue...

-- This information is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. You should seek prompt medical care for any specific health issues and consult your physician or health practitioner before starting a new supplement regiment, herbal therapy, or other self-directed treatment. --

Michael Hrenko is the founder of ePsoriasis, LLC. The company specializes in teaching how he and others have overcome psoriasis and eczema without a doctor, prescriptions, expensive treatments, and difficult fasting diets. Claim your free copy of The Lazy Person's Guide to Beating Psoriasis at http://www.epsoriasis.net/promotion.htm as a one-time-only promotion.

(c) Copyright 2005, ePsoriasis, LLC

Mini Dental Implants in the U.S.

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The concept of mini dental implants is a revolutionary method for supporting replacement teeth that used very small titanium alloy implant screws that would function free standing or in combination with natural tooth supports. The concept was pioneered over 20 years ago by a Dr. Victor I. Sendax, but not developed until 1997 after collaborating with a colleague, Dr. Ronald A. Bulard.

Mini dental implants were formally introduced to the dental industry at a conference in 1999 and today represent one of the fastest growing and most successful segments of the dental product industry.

In most cases, mini dental implants are used as a stabilization method for a lower denture. Over 50,000,000 people lacking teeth in the U.S. alone, and many of them experience frequent pain and discomfort as a result of loose-fitting dentures. With the aid of mini dental implants, the stability of the denture and subsequently the confidence of the wearer can be significantly improved.

For those seeking mini dental implant procedures, many dental offices in New York City and other large metropolitan areas boast decades of experience in dental implant research and surgery. Such offices make it possible to tighten and stabilize a loose-fitting denture in just one visit to the center.

The best offices cite shorter recovery times, lower cost and a lack of significant invasive surgery as the main benefits to those electing to seek mini dental implants as opposed to the standard variety. Implants can be set by of professional in just one hour and patients will leave with an increased confidence, ready to eat, smile and speak like they would with a full set of natural teeth. With virtually no discomfort on the part of the patient, mini dental implants are an attractive option for those individuals seeking cosmetic surgery.

Top-notch dental implant offices are located throughout the country, from Las Vegas and Los Angeles to New York City, including several mini dental implant centers in New Jersey, Boston, Chicago and Canada.

Dental Implants Info provides comprehensive information on the procedure and cost of standard and mini dental implants, and focuses on the Las Vegas, Los Angeles and New York regions. Dental Implants Info is the sister site of Rhinoplasty Web.

Vying for Those Desirable Cosmetics Patients

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Dentists going for the “gold ring” of cosmetic dentistry practice might find the reach may exceed their grasp.

Just about any dental practitioner answers to the title, “Cosmetic Dentist.” But placing the C-word on a shingle may not automatically impress today’s patients. A barrage of media accounts of vanity healthcare adventures has created a new consumer in dental care that is also well informed via the Internet.

And now that a young, healthy smile is a “must-have” among patients of all ages, this savvy public can more easily detect the “wannabe” from the real thing. So, dentists aiming to attract patients with “smile makeovers” in their eyes better make sure they measure up:

Training, training, training.

Dentists operating at the top of the cosmetic heap continually attend seminars and workshops to remain at the forefront of research, materials and techniques.

“Dentistry has changed more in the last five years than in the last 20 years,” says Dr. Daniel Deutsch, at the Washington Center for Dentistry, in Washington, DC. “So, we can’t get away with just reading professional journals. It means regular hands-on training with top specialists in the field.”

Speaking with authority. A fine cosmetic dentist will speak with honesty, clarity and authority about options to improve a smile. They will be upfront and map out an organized plan of dental services, including phases of treatment, how much time it will take and how much it will cost. These dentists know better than to try to sell a “quick fix.” They have respect for the patient and the process.

Good Taste in Smile Design

A dentist needs refined taste and artistry when it comes to teeth, because patients are entrusting them with a critical esthetic responsibility—their smile.

“A smile change is a self-esteem matter,” says Dr. Marc Doctors, also of Washington, DC.

And a session to review a smile design outlines the direction the treatment will take. This is the moment patients expect an impressive display of knowledge about the well-engineered smile.

· The Sophisticate These teeth sport evenly aligned edges and usually mark a more mature smile.

· The Celebrity The prominent central front teeth are longer than their next-door neighbors and convey a “sexy” image of youth, warmth and vigor.

· The Sport This design falls between mature and sexy, with central front teeth still somewhat longer and prominent than the lateral neighbors, but it is softer, connoting health more than age or youth.

· Skin tone, lips, height and body type determine which features should go into a smile.

· Computer imaging or mockup materials and photos are used to give an idea of a result.

Experience!

There’s nothing like experience to help convince patients that they are in good hands in their quest for a new smile. Good cosmetic dentists doing a lot of successful cosmetic dentistry ooze experience when they talk.

“While every smile is different, every smile design covers similar territory,” says Washington Center for Dentistry’s Dr. Bernard Lynch,

Photos are everything

Fine cosmetic dentists will pull out books of photos showing before-and-after images of their own work. These photos easily provide the chance to see other patients with similar problems and their results.

Testimonials

And of course a dentist needs endorsements to demonstrate that others have been happy with their work. Many docs have books of letters from former patients.

With a lovely office to match

It’s the image thing here. A good cosmetic dentist provides a refined environment for patients. The psychology at work is that an immaculate, well-designed office enhances the image of the dentist’s taste in teeth.

Look the part

And the cosmetic docs also take seriously the importance of their own meticulous physical image. Immaculate grooming speaks volumes about the care doctors will take with their work. Today’s cosmetic dentists have their work cut out for them. The bar is set high. And with keen competition for patients, dentists should prepare to always aim high and reach for that “gold ring.”

For more information regarding cosmetic dentistry and cosmetic dentistry procedures in Washington DC, http://www.washdent.com or please click here.

Lip Magic: Tips for Lips

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As we get older our lips get smaller and thinner – it’s a fact of life, but it need not be the end of the world or our attractiveness. If you don’t have the money or the inclination to run off and get collagen injections there are ways you can keep your lips looking great and desirable. By using simple techniques you can create illusions of larger, pouty and more balanced lips.

Lipstick looks best on smooth lips. To keep your lips smooth use a lip exfoliant and always wear some type of lipstick or lip balm, especially wintertime or in the sun.

To start creating wonderful lips use lip liner. Lip liner is a great tool that will keep your lipstick in place, define the shape of your lips and can make your lips look larger or smaller. Use a lip liner color that is lighter than your lipstick and keep the pencil sharp.

Use lip liner to outline the natural lines of your lips and then fill in the lips with a color that blends with your lipstick. This little trick will keep your lipstick in place. Never go outside the natural lines of your lips in an attempt to make your lips look larger. Lip liner will keep your lipstick away from the fine lines around your mouth, which will keep your lipstick from bleeding.

Start by defining the V using feathery, short strokes that are not too sharp. After you have defined and filled in the lips with liner, fill with color using either a lip brush or a tube. Blot with a tissue and reapply lip color. For a fuller look use a lighter color in the middle of the lip.

Tips for Lips:

* Matte is the longest lasting lipstick but can be dry

* Gloss makes lips look fuller

* For extra definition line lips once again after you have applied lip color

* Balms have SPF’s

* Sheer lipstick won’t last long

* Neutral shades will match everything

* Lips will look larger with a medium color

* Moist lipsticks are more likely to bleed

Copyright© 2005 Sheila Dicks

Sheila Dicks is an Image and Wardrobe consultant who helps women learn how to dress to suit their body type and look slimmer. You can reach her at http://www.sheilasfashionsense.com to download her ebook, "Image Makeovers" and get "How to Build a Wardrobe" ebook free.

Botox® – Fast And Effective But The Big Question Is Is It Safe?

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Women are constantly seeking products to look younger and often they are digging deep into their pocket books to try new products. Some have had laser treatments, some have spend exorbitant amounts on new face creams, some have tried holistic or natural approaches. Woman and I might add men are always on the quest for a more youthful appearance. Many have turned to Botox® .

What we know for certain is the Botox® anti-aging treatment works. In 2003 in the US 8.3 million cosmetic procedures where done. Of that 8.3 million 78% of the procedures did not involve surgery such as injectables to ease wrinkles.

Botox® ® is the trade name for botulinum toxin A.What Botox® does is “paralyze muscles and soft tissue fillers” which are derived from natural collagen and restore plumpness. Originally Botox® was used to treat uncontrollable blinking. Doctors soon discovered the patients being treated for blinking were obtaining a more youthful appearance – thus the future of Botox® took a turn down the cosmetic road.

The protein compound of Botox® actually causes botulism which can result in paralysis. When it is injected into the skin the muscle stops contracting it causes the skin to relax and the wrinkle to soften. Botox® works best on individuals who have deep set highly visible wrinkles. It is mostly used on the forehead, between the eyes, and on crow feet. It takes 3-5 days after the injection for the effects to occur which last 3-4 months.

Some people are having “Botox® Parties” where everyone gets together for cocktails and their Botox® injection. We strongly recommend you do not partake in these parties. Seek medical advise if your are considering a Botox® treatment. If you are thinking about a Botox® treatment make certain your Doctor uses FDA approved Botox® and only get treatments form a licensed Doctor. Dermatologists or Plastic Surgeons are the most expert in administering Botox® so if either of these are an option I would recommend taking that route. Get a few recommendations for doctors and check each one out thoroughly. Check if they are board certified, get references if at all possible, schedule an appointment for a consultation which will give you a better indication if you are comfortable with your choice. Ask your doctor to show you before and after pictures of procedures he has done.

Some of the potential problems that can occur

  • Some people experience a pinching or burning sensation when the needle enters the skin. Ask your doctor for a numbing cream prior to your treatment
  • Minor post treatment headache may occur
  • Red blotching can occur for around 15 -30 min. Wait to leave the doctors office until redness fades.
  • Droopy eyelid results when there is seepage of Botox® into the muscle that keeps the eye open. It can occur anywhere from immediately to two weeks after the injection.
  • Some may experience an expressionless face. Use a lower dose of Botox® next treatment
  • BOTOX® ® has been approved as an anti-wrinkle remedy by the American Food and Drug Administration (AFD). Since this is a public and federally funded institution, they are primarily concerned with public safety one would assume they would not approve BOTOX® ® for general public usage without conducting all the sufficient and necessary tests to determine whether or not it is safe.

    The use of Botox® is truly a personal choice and we recommend you do your research before making a decision.

    © Copyright Sher Matsen, All Rights Reserved.

    About the author: Sher has been serving customers for over 20 years, providing affordable estate jewelry, and a wealth of information on jewelry, fashion, designers, and beauty with on staff industry professionals. Please visit us at Estate Jewelry International.

    Wheres The Plastic In Plastic Surgery?

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    Don't be looking for the Dupont Company sales rep the next time you visit a Plastic Surgeon's office because, despite popular belief, there's no "Plastic" in Plastic Surgery. The name is taken from the Greek word "plastikos" which means to "mold or shape."

    Initially plastic surgery procedures were limited to facial and body reconstruction caused by accidents, trauma, illness or birth defects. As people began to see the purely cosmetic possibilities, many surgeons expanded their services to include facelifts, rhinoplasty (nose jobs), breast augmentation and liposuction.

    It's important to know the difference between plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery, especially if you're planning on having your insurance company foot the bill for your procedure.

    Cosmetic surgery is performed solely to improve a person's outward physical appearance and self-esteem by correcting naturally occuring conditions that the patient is unhappy with. Cosmetic surgery may be performed by either a Plastic Surgeon or a Cosmetic Surgeon. Cosmetic surgery is generally not covered by health insurance.

    Reconstructive plastic surgery is performed to correct or reduce the effects of congenital defects, accidental trauma injury, infections, tumors, and other health-related conditions. It's primary purpose is rarely to simply improve appearance except for extreme cases involving major facial or bodily damage resulting from automobile accidents, etc. Plastic Surgery may only be performed by a Plastic Surgeon.

    In most cases insurance does pay for plastic surgery although there are some cases where your claim may be reduced or denied completely. That's why it is always important to coordinate the planned procedure with your health insurance provider BEFORE you get the procedure.

    Often times the difference between whether or not your insurance company will cover the bill is the REASON for the procedure. If, for example, you are having your nose reshaped because you're unhappy with your profile -- no deal. You're on your own. However, get that same nose job because your doctor has diagnosed a chronic breathing problem that results in the potentially dangerous condition known as "Sleep Apnea" and you could end up with a new nose courtesy of your health insurance provider!

    If you are planning to visit a Plastic Surgeon, keep the following items in mind:

    Your plastic surgeon should be "Board Certified" by the American Board of Plastic Surgery;

    If your doctor will be using anesthesia then make sure that only a licensed Anesthesiologist administers the medicine and make sure that the facility where the procedure is being performed is accredited by at least one of the following organizations:

    American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities(AAAASF)

    Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC)

    Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO)

    Although making sure that all of these certifications are present is no guarantee of a trouble-free experience, NOT having these certifications means that both the doctor performing plastic surgery, as well as the people who run the facility, have a serious lack of regard for your health and well being! You should NEVER use an uncertified plastic surgeon or facility. The risk is simply not worth it.

    Credit: Mike Jones of BodyFAQ.com, the health, body & beauty information site. Click here for related information on Cosmetic Surgery: http://www.bodyfaq.com/cosmetic-surgery.html

    Lanolin for Dummies - Benefits of Lanolin

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    Lanolin n.Fatty substance obtained from wool. [German : from Latin lana (wool) + oleum (oil)]

    Wool oil, also referred to as ‘wool grease’ and ‘wool fat’, originates as a unique substance, similar to wax, secreted from special glands in sheep’s skin. This substance migrates to the wool and offers natural protection to the animal against harsh weather and climatic conditions.

    Wool oil is washed from the sheep’s wool during the scouring (cleaning) process. This takes place after the sheep has been shorn (similar to us having a haircut), a completely harmless process that takes place once a year meaning this natural wool fibre a renewable resource.

    The raw oil obtained through the scouring process is then refined into lanolin, an organic, non-toxic, non-hazardous, biodegradable product. Pure lanolin contains less than 3 parts per million of all impurities. The lanolin used in the production of our Lanocreme skin care range is considered to be more pure than most foods we consume. The chemical make up of lanolin is fascinating, demonstrating nature’s ability to create a protective coating which, to this day, chemists have been unable to duplicate in performance or composition.

    Lanolin is entirely safe and included in all medical pharmacopoeias and the EEG Cosmetics Directive Second Amendment, which allows lanolin to be used freely in cosmetics without restriction.

    Lanolin plays a major role in the production of our Lanocreme range of skin care products due to its well-deserved reputation of being the ultimate natural substance that gives a soothing and moisturizing effect when applied to the skin. Lanolin closely resembles the oil produced by our own oil glands and is easily absorbed by the outer, protective layer of our skin reducing excessive moisture loss and thereby restoring softness and elasticity.

    Kim Bright has over 15 years experience with skin care products, having been involved in extensive market research throughout that time. She is currently employed as a marketing/customer services representative for Lanocorp Pacific Ltd who have been in the business of producing and distributing Lanolin based skin care products since 1987.

    Spray Tan Basics

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    I miss summer! I think I suffer from season depression disorder (and it’s only November). You know what would make me feel better? A healthy glow! No, I don’t want to be one of those tanning booth tanorexics. Those days went out for me in college when, after a steady month of tanning booth visits, a really cute football player told me I was starting to look like an oompa loompa.

    I decided to try the new wave, the professional spray tan! I just didn’t want a Ross from Friends situation (he forgets to turn around and ends up looking like an oompa loompa too.) I did end up having such a positive experience I want to share with you some tips to ensure you end up with a beautiful healthy glow.

    First step, find a reputable shop. Word of mouth is always a good idea, if you know of no one who has done the spray tan check out www.mystictan.com for a location near you. Mystic Tan is very reputable, I would consider them the leader in spray tan technology.

    After you have found your salon book an appointment. If you are tanning for a specific event then I suggest a trial run maybe two weeks before the event. If you are pleased with the results then book another appointment about 3 or 4 days before the actual event. This will allow the color to "settle in".

    On the day of your appointment shower and exfoliate. Use a loofah and shower gel OR try a body scrub. This will ensure an even application.

    At the salon you will probably be given an instructional video to watch but just in case, check out the online video at Mystictan.com. The video explains the whole procedure and what you need to do. Some important steps the video will review: hold your breath when the spray is going off (for about 14 seconds and it’s very challenging), when spray stops turn around and more importantly where to apply the lotion to block the spray (feet and hands). The reason you block the spray from these areas is that due to the excess wrinkles and creases the spray will settle around those areas and cause tell-tale white veiny looking areas in the creases. You will be screaming "Spray Tan". In fact, next time I go I will be more thorough with the cream, I had some of those white creases.

    When you leave the spray booth you will be given towels to wipe down and remove any excess spray. Make sure you wipe not blot. This is also important so that you do not ruin your clothes, though I would not wear anything too nice anyway. You won’t see any color at first, it takes a couple of hours to emerge. The color lasts 4-7 days and to stretch it as far as it can go moisturize, moisturize, moisturize.

    I can’t tell you the boost it gives me to have a bit of a tan in the cold days of fall and winter without the worry of cancer. Don’t get me wrong– this is not a weekly pick me up. This is a special treat I will do when I’m really down in the dumps or if I have a special event. The treatment is pricey $30 - $40 a visit. Many places offer package deals but still they are not cheap. I purchased a package of 3 for $75 and plan to stretch it out over a long New England winter.

    About The Author

    Valerie is mother of 2 and co-founder of http://www.million-dollar-mama.com a website devoted to helping mothers rediscover their favorite hobbies like travel, fitness and girls night out.

    val@million-dollar-mama.com

    What Diet Your Skin Needs: Find Out!

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    There is no denying the fact that appropriate diet not only benefits your health, but also your SKIN. A stressful life (inadequate care) and unhealthy eating are two major reasons for poor skin and various skin problems like rashes, dry skin, black circles under your eyes, pimples, acne, pigmentation etc. There are other secondary reasons too which can affect your skin like at the time of pregnancy when there is hormonal change or genetic problem i.e either you have oily or dry skin because of your genes. But more than 70% of the affected skin is due to the primary reasons and one of the major primary reason is inappropriate diet.

    Different skin needs different type of diet. But there are few general rules for healthy skin which are universal for everyone.

    Here is the list of the rules:

    a) Water, the magical drink, acts as the best medicine for the skin. It not only refreshes you and make your skin glow but also purifies your body which makes the body run most effectively. Read the benefits of water and how it helps your skin glow just a click away at http://www.weightloss-health.com/Water_Benifits.htm.

    b) Vitamins are as essential to skin as oxygen to body. Some vitamins do a world of good to your skin. These vitamins are mandatory for glowing and healthy skin.

    List of Vitamins essential for your glowing skin and their sources (natural):

    1) Vitamin C : It can be easily found in all citric fruits like orange etc.

    2) Vitamin A : Sources for Vitamin A are papaya, orange, egg yolk etc.

    3) Vitamin B : It is found in all leafy vegetables along with fruits. Other sources are Whole grains , brewers yeast etc.

    4) Vitamin E : It is found in oilseeds, vegetables like broccoli , nuts etc.

    Trust me, it isnt that difficult to maintain a healthy skin. All you need to take care of it properly and make sure you eat well. You can always consult your skin specialist for the right diet and simply follow it.

    More on healthy food ( http://www.weightloss-health.com/healthy%20food.htm ) and free healthy recipes ( http://www.weightloss-health.com/Recipes.htm ) of all kinds .

    About the Author

    Jasdeep: for http://www.weightloss-health.com your complete and most comprehensive family guide on Health.

    Also get free tips and tricks on weight loss, diet and muscle Building at Healthy Diet Tips, Myths and Facts

    If you wish to reproduce the above article you are welcome to do so, provided the article is reproduced in its entirety, including this resource box and LIVE link to our website.

    Celtic Tattoos and Their Popularity

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    The history of the Celtic peoples goes back thousands of years. The early Celts displayed their skills in complex artwork particularly metal, jewelry and weapons as they were regarded as fierce warriors by the Romans. Evidence of celtic crossses and celtic artwork can still be found all over Ireland.

    Modern Celtic peoples have evolved symbols for themselves, and in the North American people of Celtic descentoften wear these symbols to show that they are of Celtic descent. The ancient Celts passed knowledge down through an oral tradition of storytelling and didn't keep many written records, consequently, there is little evidence of their tattooing remaining even though celtic cross tattoos and celtic know tattoos are very popular designs.

    Most of Celtic tattoo designs are taken from the Irish Illuminated Manuscripts 'The Book of Kells', on display in the library of Trinity College in Dublin, my home town. This is a much later time period than the height of Celtic tattooing. Designs from ancient stone and metal work are more likely to be from the same time period as Celtic tattooing.

    Celtic knot tattoos are usually loops with no end or beginning symbolising the never ending cycle of death and rebirth. Celtic animal (zoomorphic tattoo designs) designs are similar in construction but the cords terminate in feet, heads, tails. Pure knots are usually unending, unless the end of a strand is stylized into a zoomorphic element or a spiral.

    Celtic knotwork’s meaning defies literal translation and is to be found at a deeper level. The repeated crossing of the physical and the spiritual are expressed in the interlace of the knots. The never ending path of the strands may represent the permanence and the continuum of life, love and faith and for these reason celtic tattoos have become so popular.

    For people who have a Celtic heritage, whether Irish, Scots or Welsh , getting a Celtic design can be a way of expressing pride in their heritage by reaffirming an affinity the indigenous artistic style of their ancestors. They are usually not easy designs to do, and it is strongly recommended to anyone contemplating getting one to make sure that the artist they are considering has experience in designing Celtic tattoos. Not all tattoo artist have the eye for detail and exacting line placement needed to draw the intricate patterns particular to Celtic art.

    Tattoo Designs & Tattoo Galleries http://www.tao-of-tattoos.com

    Color Contact Lenses - an Easy Way to Change Your Look!

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    Want to change something about your appearance? How about your eye color? You would be amazed how eye color affects your image. Find out what color contacts can do for your appearance and see how to get the best out of them

    Color contact lenses options

    Enhancement contact lenses are designed to enhance the color of light eyes. They don’t change your color, but give your eyes a light blue, aqua or green tint. Enhancement color lenses make your eye color brighter and more defined.

    The most popular enhancement color contacts are Acuvue 2 Colors Enhancers by Johnson & Johnson and Freshlook Dimensions by Ciba Vision. Freshlook Radiance is also a very interesting design; these lenses create an illuminating effect. Enhancement color contacts only work on light eyes; on dark eyes they will not have any effect at all.

    Opaque color contacts completely change the color of your eyes. They work equally well for light and dark eyes. Even if you have a very dark brown eyes, opaque color contacts like Freshlook Colorblends can transform your color into sapphire blue or jade green.

    The color of an opaque color lens isn’t solid - it has an imprinted pattern that simulates the natural pattern of a human eye. High quality opaque color contacts like Acuvue 2 Color opaque or Freshlook Colorblends look very realistic. People would be amazed by what beautiful blue, green or amethyst eyes you have.

    Costume color contacts are always Halloween favorites. While the contacts mentioned above are designed to give your eyes a different but realistic looking color, costume lenses can give you cat’s eyes or werewolf eyes, while complete whiteouts are perfect for the effect of blind eyes. And who said that you can only wear costume color contacts for a costume party? It can be a real fun to wear them when going to the club, or just at school or work with otherwise ordinary clothes. With a pair of cat’s eyes, you are guaranteed to be noticed.

    Most costume contacts only cover the color area of your eye. However, there are also scleral color contacts that cover the visible portion of your eye. Scleral lenses can produce unbelievable effects. The most popular costume contacts are Crazy Lenses by Cooper Vision and Wild Eyes by Ciba Vision.

    All brand-name color and costume contact lenses are available with corrective powers as well as in plano (no correction) This means that if your eyesight isn’t perfect and you wear corrective contact lenses anyway, you can get color lenses with corrective powers and kill two birds with one stone.

    Color contact lenses wearing advice

  • You should follow the same rules as for regular contact lenses - wash your hands before putting color lenses in, clean the lenses each time you use them and store them in a contact lens case in a special solution.
  • Color lenses are like your tooth or hair brash, and should not be shared with other people
  • You should put your make-up on after the lenses are in. If you use hairspray, do it before you put the lenses in, or shut your eyes very tightly while spraying.
  • Use only a mild multipurpose solution for cleaning your color contacts; never use
  • peroxide based solutions. And don’t rub the lenses - it can damage the color
  • If you don’t wear your lenses often, change the solution they are stored in at least once a week
  • Don’t wear your color contacts for longer than 8 hours at a time
  • Your eyes and your hair are probably the two things most people notice first. And with color contacts you can have any eye color you want. Try them, and I am sure you will see many men turning their heads when you pass.

    Tanya Turner is a contact lens expert and a founder of Contact Lenses Consumer Guide, which provides you with information about all types of contact lenses including color contact lenses photos and reviews

    Best Plastic Surgeon for the Money

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    If you have made the decision to undergo cosmetic surgery, then you have clearly done a cost benefit analysis and decided that the large expense of having a plastic surgery operation done does not outweigh the benefits to be accrued from the plastic surgery. If you are so unhappy with some physical feature that you think about it all the time or it inhibits you from living a full, successful life, or if you have a special occasion coming up and want to enhance your appearance for it, or you are in pain that could be alleviated through plastic surgery, then the benefits of plastic surgery could be great.

    Now you want to get the most bang for your buck. You want the best doctor to perform your surgery. You want a board certified plastic surgeon so you can trust that the person operating on you has had training and experience. You also want to find a surgeon who specializes in the area of plastic surgery that you want a procedure. Some return patients may want to find a single doctor to trust who can do all of the procedures that they may want done over the course of their life. Others may want a specialized doctor because if, for example, you want botox treatment, a plastic surgeon who focuses only on skin and facial procedures will be better practiced and perhaps a better choice than a doctor who performs a wide range of procedures and perhaps spends more time doing breast augmentation than botox.

    Cosmetic surgery is expensive, and prices vary according to region and . On average procedures run:

    Forehead Lifts: $3000

    Facelift, Neck Lift: $3000 – $12,000

    Blepharoplasty (Eyelids): $1500 - $7000

    Eyelid Ptosis: $3250

    Lip Enhancement: $300 - $5000

    Rhinoplasty (Nose): $3000 – $12,000

    Otoplasty (Ears) $2800 - $4500

    Torn Earlobe Repair: $450 - $650

    Inverted Nipple Sculpture: $1400

    Breast Lift: $2800 - $9000

    Breast Augmentation: $5000 - $7000

    Breast Reduction: $4200 – $10,000

    Gynecomastia: $2700 - $9000

    Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck): $3800 - $9000

    Naval Surgery: $1800

    Thigh Lift: $3500

    Arm Lift: $2750

    Liposuction: $1800 – $10,000

    Find a qualified Cosmetic Surgeon in Your Area at http://www.sleepingswan.com

    Wrinkle Buster In Your Kitchen

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    Many cosmetic companies are capitalizing on on our need to fight the signs of aging. Prices for these "miracle" concoctions can run as high as $200 for a cream! So what is in these small jars of hope and promise? Looking through the ingredients and deciphering the scientific names, you may discover that some of the ingredients are derived from fruits and vegetables that we regularly buy in the Produce section of our favorite grocer.

    A simple fruit, grapes, has been used in anti-aging treatments as an antioxidant and a skin rejuvenator. Seed or Seedless? With Seeds! An added benefit is provided when you use the grapes with seeds. The seeds contain proanthocyanidin which is considered to be a very potent antioxidant. A study shows that grapeseeds can be a potent healer of the skin. In addition to being a potent healer, it also makes a wonderful skin softner as well as improving the skin's texture.

    Want an easy way to put grape skin conditioning and healing properties to the test?

    Open a white grape and rub the mashed grapes over your face and neck. Leave it on for 15 minutes or until dry and rinse with lukewarm water. Repeat daily. In a week or two, you may be hard pressed to find those tale-tell signs of aging when you consult with your mirror!

    Danielle Sims explored her library of alternative health,herbal books, and aromatherapy books and created a blueprint for making her own body wrap formulas at home. For more information visit Danielle's website http://www.wrapyourselfslim.com

    Tanses Tanning Equipment

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    Tanses tanning equipment is well known in its field. Tanses tanning equipment has developed a very good reputation.

    Tanses tanning equipment that features high pressure high intensity quartz lamps has been engineered since 1985. Tanses tanning equipment eliminates UVB, UVC and IR elements from the tanning process.

    Tanses tanning equipment allows the tanner to tan in a shorter amount of time. When you use Tanses tanning equipment you will achieve that deep tan sooner.

    If you own a salon the use of Tanses tanning equipment will mean you can turn an even greater profit because your clients will not need as much time in the tanning cabin.

    The Tanses tanning equipment does not require the tanner to turn or flip while tanning. When using Tanses tanning equipment you will have an entire full-body tan without having to turn half-way through.

    Tanses tanning equipment features individual fan cooling of the lamps and filters. This means comfort for the person tanning.

    Tanses tanning equipment have no external boxes. Tanses tanning equipment offer swing out individual cassettes which means you will be able to clean the filters easily and replace the lamps quickly.

    When you buy Tanses tanning equipment you will be assured of a hygienic stainless steel floor and ceiling. The doors on Tanses tanning equipment swing out and make entering and exiting convenient.

    Tanses tanning equipment is made with an all metal construction. This provides strength, durability and makes repairs easy to handle.

    When you purchase Tanses tanning equipment you will not need to worry about high maintenance costs. These tanning units are made with high quality materials. Tanses tanning equipment is easily put together.

    Consider Tanses tanning equipment if you are in the market for new tanning units.

    Timothy Gorman is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Tanning-Bed-Solutions.com. He provides more tanning bed information on tanning bed bulbs, tanning bed lotions and home tanning bed information that you can research in your pajamas on his website.

    Help Prevent Wrinkles Through Dieting

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    How many times has your mother told you, you are what you eat? As you probably know, Mom knows best. So it’s no surprise that what we feed our bodies does affect what the final product is. For healthier, younger skin it’s no different. But what should we eat in order to have the radiant skin we all covet? Here is a list of simple things we can all incorporate into our diet to help fend off wrinkles.

    Fish Meat. Salmon especially. Fish meat is stock full of protein. Consuming more good protein like fish meat will give cells the fuel they need to repair themselves.

    Dark-green, leafy vegetables. Another thing you’ve most likely heard from Mom: eat your vegetables. Again, she’s right. Foods such as romaine lettuce or kale will help prevent your skin from ageing. Rich in iron and vitamin A, these vegetable will assist in healing damaged skin.

    Nuts. Nuts are a valuable source of iron and zinc, and are an easy add on to most desserts and dishes. Almonds are replete with zinc which also will boost skin restoration.

    Berries. The most fun food for last. Berries (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries – yummy!) have hundreds of different recipes for dessert time. A healthy-skin diet doesn’t have to be a boring one. Berries are rich in strong antioxidants which will aid skin defense.

    Just remember these easy things the next time you’re strolling through the grocery aisles. Eating these foods will arm your skin cells with the necessary tools to help preserve and keep your skin looking young.

    Daniel Vang is publisher of

    Look Natural – Wear Makeup!

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    Have you ever considered how difficult it is to look natural? Quite difficult – isn’t it? Especially if there had been no makeup available to achieve it! Many-a-website points out how ordinary our glamorous celebrities look in real life without makeup on. No wonder then that they are always on the lookout for innovative makeup supplies. Such demands have seen a virtual makeover for the makeup business much to the delight of a demanding population yearning to look good.

    The art and science of good makeup.

    Makeup is still an art – supported ably, of course, by science. Gone are the days when good makeup meant just soaps, perfumes and oils carefully selected after word-of-mouth recommendation. Today, your persona comes through in MAC makeup – or was it Max Factor? Take your pick! Show off your gorgeous eyes - wear eye makeup. Impress your peers with a prom makeup worn specially for "the nite".

    Make a statement with a tattoo or a strategic permanent makeup. Take expert advice – makeup tips are available for the asking. Desist from using chemicals which may harm your sensitive skin – wear mineral makeup instead! Consider this – you don’t have to wear stage makeup if you don’t need to flaunt your expressions under the arc lights to an audience.

    Wear makeup – an appropriate one. Or better still; don’t wear any – especially if you are among the lucky few who can carry off that natural look – naturally!

    About The Author

    Mike Yeager

    Publisher

    http://www.a1-beauty-4u.com/

    mjy610@hotmail.com

    Petroleum and Cosmetics: What are the Potential Health Risks?

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    What is petroleum?

    Crude oil, sometimes called petroleum, is a fossil fuel that was produced deep in the earth through a process that took millions of years to complete.

    Millions of years later, almost all of us come into contact with a derivative of petroleum every day. Through a process called fractional distillation, petroleum refineries break petroleum into many of its smaller components. Each of these smaller components is made up of molecules called hydrocarbons.

    The world is full of products that come from petroleum. For example, gasoline, styrofoam, lubricating oils, and many other items are all derivatives of this raw material. How are petroleum and cosmetics related? The two seemingly unrelated items, petroleum and cosmetics, are indeed closely related in our modern world.

    Mineral oil and petroleum are the basic ingredients in many cosmetic products today. Both mineral oil and petroleum have the same origins in fossils fuels. Cosmetics such as foundations, cleansers, and moisturizers often contain mineral oil. By locking moisture against the skin, mineral oil sits on the skin’s surface and can potentially block pores. This may cause the appearance of pimples because the skin cannot properly ‘breathe’.

    Fragrances in lotions, shampoos, and many other cosmetic products are composed of aromatic hydrocarbons. Perfumes and products containing fragrance can contain many hundreds of chemicals to produce a distinct scent. A significant number of these aromas are derived from petroleum.

    One popular chemical additive that carries moisture in cosmetics is propylene glycol. It is also a derivative of petroleum. Some products that list propylene glycol as an ingredient include:

    - anti-freeze

    - laundry detergent

    - paint

    - shampoo

    - conditioner

    Past research links propylene glycol to serious health problems as liver and kidney damage as well as respiratory irritation or nausea if swallowed.

    An antiseptic, isopropyl alcohol, kills bacteria on the skin. You can find it on the ingredient list of cleansers, toners and other cosmetic products. Unfortunately, this derivative of petroleum dries the skin and may cause miniature cracks in the skin that allow bacteria to enter, potentially causing irritations or pimples.

    Do these petroleum-derived products affect your health?

    Your skin covers your body and acts as a physical barrier to many of the pollutants in the atmosphere. When you use products on your skin such as cosmetics, lotions, and shampoos, the ingredients in these products come into direct contact with your body’s largest organ; your skin. You may ask yourself, where do the ingredients in the products go? Modern research at the Herb Research Foundation found that the skin absorbs up to 60% of the chemicals in products that it comes into contact with directly into the bloodstream. Today, hormone therapy treatments and smoking cessation medications are often prescribed as patches that you apply directly to the skin. The medication passes through the skin and directly enters the bloodstream.

    For pregnant women, the risk is not only for her body but also for the developing fetus. If the chemicals found in cosmetics readily enter the bloodstream when applied to the skin, then they will also reach the developing baby. Researchers at the Brunel University in England are looking closely at a family of preservatives called parabens. Their research has recently linked parabens to the possibility that male babies will have lower sperm counts. These preservatives are derived from petroleum and help to maintain the freshness and integrity of the product. Currently, many manufacturers add parabens to cosmetics to allow a minimum of 3 years shelf life. Therefore, the parabens kill any bacteria that could potentially enter the product. If these chemical ingredients can kill the bacterial cells, what are they doing to your skin cells? In most cases, there is no conclusive answer to this question. However, the research mentioned strongly suggests that the synthetic ingredients may have a significant impact on our bodies.

    In many cases, the long-term effects of many of the chemical additives in our cosmetics are not known. However, other chemical additives are known carcinogens. These types of chemicals can cause cancer in humans. Such chemicals include some artificial colours in cosmetics. The effects of chemicals and other synthetic ingredients in cosmetics may lead to mild allergic reactions causing rashes and minor skin irritation to more significant problems such as lesions on the skin.

    What are your alternatives for cosmetics?

    Luckily, there are alternatives to cosmetics filled with synthetically produced ingredients. Increasingly, cosmetic manufacturers are answering the public’s demand for alternatives to the chemically loaded beauty and grooming supplies. The Organic Make-up Company is one such company that is leading the way in producing high-quality, organically manufactured cosmetics! As a consumer, you have the ability to decrease the number of preservatives and chemical additives your skin comes into contact with and therefore, that may enter your body. To avoid using the synthetically derived fragrances, look for products containing essential oils. These are pure oils derived from flowers and other plants in nature.

    All you have to do is make the simple choice of purchasing cosmetic products with all-natural, organic ingredients. Whether you continue using cosmetics that contain petroleum-based ingredients or not is a personal choice. What is the most important is to get the facts and to know that you have a choice when it comes to buying organic or synthetic cosmetic products.

    References:

    - Fairley, Josephine. Organic beauty: look and feel gorgeous the natural way. Dorling Kindersley : London, 2001.

    - http://www.hans.org/web_articles/h07drugschemicals/h0799whatisreallyinyourhbprods.aspl, accessed Oct. 3, 2004.

    - http://www.naturalmakeup.ca

    Lori Stryker has been researching and developing all natural skin care and make-up for the purpose of offering men and women safe, natural cosmetics for everyday use. She brings to her research a specialist in human biology from the University of Toronto, coupled with a professional home economics degree and an education degree from the University of British Columbia, fusing chemical and biological knowledge with food, family and textile sciences.

    You may use this article but any modification or publication of this article for fiancial gain must be approved of by the author. The author's name, Lori Stryker and her company's name, The Organic Make-up Company, needs to by noted when used.

    Risks Of Tanning Beds - Not All They Are Hyped Up To Be

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    The risks of tanning beds aren’t all that it’s hyped up to now-a-days. For example, all of the skin cancer horror stories that you hear about all came from people who went about tanning the wrong way 20 to 30 years ago. You see, skin cancer has a latency of about 20-30 years. That long ago almost everyone that that getting a sunburn would fade into a nice looking tan, so most people would go to the beach and keep up with a pattern of getting sun burnt. This is what causes skin cancer, the repetitiveness of getting sun burnt. So there is common misconception of the risks of tanning beds. It's not all cancer in a box as many people say.

    Some other risks of tanning beds are your eyes. There is some risk if you choose not to wear safety eyewear, or the goggles. This is a requirement for all tanning salons to provide safety eyewear, but no one can actually make you wear them. Without wearing them, the risks of tanning beds increase. You can get an early form of cataracts and you could even have temporary or complete blindness. Although using the safety equipment can leave almost unnoticeable white circles around your eyes, the risk of not using them does not make up for it.

    You can reduce the risks of tanning beds by not staying in them for to long. If you notice that after your tanning session that you got burnt, then the next time you go you need to reduce your time a little. Getting sun burnt is the worse thing you can do to your skin. Also, to reduce risk, be sure to wear the goggles for your eyes.

    This is one of many articles posted weekly on http://www.tanning-beds-resource.com/

    About The Author

    Adam Murray is currently the webmaster and author of several websites, http://www.tanning-beds-resource.com/, is one of his newer additions.

    Houston Plastic Surgeon

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    If you live in Houston Texas and you are looking for a plastic surgeon, then you’re not alone. Houston is one of the major cities where people go to enhance their appearance. In Houston, there is a range of experienced and innovative doctors you can choose from who will best fit your needs.

    Some clinics focus on a single area of body enhancement while others have a broader selection, but no matter what type of surgery you want done, you will be sure to find a good cosmetic surgeon in Houston. Top rated Houston plastic surgeons include

    • Capriotti Laser Cosmetic Surgery Center

    • Ermosa Centre

    • Franklin A. Rose, M.D.

    • Freeman Center for Cosmetic Surgery

    • Gerald W. Johnson, M.D.

    • Thomas C. Weiner, MD, FACS

    • R. Scott Yarish, M.D.

    Common work done by Houston plastic surgeons includes abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), liposuction, rhinoplasty, breast augmentation and reduction, facelift, botox, ear reshaping, and skin treatments such as tattoo removal.

    Several Houston cosmetic surgery centers are staffed by people who not only have a sound medical background but a thorough appreciation for the aesthetic of the human form. Many of these plastic surgeons have backgrounds not just in medical practice but in art as well. They can approach your cosmetic surgery not just from a clinical standpoint, but from an artistic one as well achieving better overall body enhancement for you.

    Find a qualified Cosmetic Surgeon in your area at www.sleepingswan.com.

    Beauty Doesn’t Have To Be Expensive

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    Where do you buy your beauty supplies? If you buy them from a department store- you are paying way too much! I was a department store buyer for many years. I was hooked on a particular brand, and I thought that the products were only available at the department store. I was wrong. With a little bit of time and research, I was able to shave off 50% of my beauty supply bill. Imagine what you could do with the extra money. The process is actually really simple. All you have to do is find the right websites.

    Many of us are hooked on a particular brand of beauty supplies. We have used them for years, and love the way that they make us look and feel. The price tag however isn’t very pretty. Try doing a search online for your favorite beauty products. You may find that auction sites such as EBay.com have really good deals. Make sure to find out about shipping and return policies. I am a sucker for a free shipping deal, so try to find them whenever possible. You may also be able to purchase the product directly from the manufacturer’s website. Look for online promotions that will give you discounts on the items you buy most. Coupon sites can give you even better discounts, so shop around.

    If you are feeling adventurous and want to try a new cheaper brand, have no fear. Most websites will include a list of ingredients for all of their products. You can then compare this list with products that you have tried before. Look for products that have natural ingredients. If you can’t produce anything on the label, chances are its not a good deal. There are many companies that focus on creating cheap designer knock-offs, so you may get a fragrance or cologne for much less than the name brand.

    Buying beauty supplies online can be a lot of fun. You will be amazed at the level of savings, and pleased with the final product. Try getting together with friends and family members to compare beauty regimens. You may find a new product or item that you cannot live without. Always remember- beauty doesn’t have to be expensive!

    Melanie Breeze, avid online shopper and user of CouponChief, is always shopping around for the best deals. You can find beauty supply bargains and savings available around the web at CouponChief, all in one location. Always find an online coupon 1st before making ANY purchase!

    Handmade Soap Facts

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    How many people know what soap really is? Several of the cleansing bars that you buy at the store, for example, are detergents-and not soaps at all. They are called syndet bars, or synthetic detergent bars. They are made from synthesized chemicals and are usually much harsher than soap. Detergents contain petroleum distillates rather than oil. On the other hand, true soap is made from natural oils (such as olive, coconut and palm) and is a gentle cleansing product more appropriate for use on skin than is detergent.

    Soaps, unlike detergents, are made by combining sodium hydroxide or lye, oils and water in a process known as "Saponification". Some people may question the use of lye in handcrafted soap. The fact is that all soap is made with lye. What needs to be made clear is that once the process of saponification is complete, the lye and oil molecules have combined and chemically changed into soap and glycerin. There is no lye present in the finished bars of soap.

    The oils in our soaps are put there for a specific purpose. The coconut oil creates a wonderful lather. The olive oil is used for a high quality, long lasting bar. Canola and Palm oil carry nutrients to the skin, and the safflower oil make a creamy bar.

    Glycerin is a skin soothing emollient that adds to the goodness of handmade soap. In commercial soaps the glycerin is removed for sale to the cosmetic industry to sell separately, sometimes at a higher price than the soap itself! Glycerin is important to skin care because it is a humectant. Humectants draw moisture from the air, which in turn moisturize your skin. A whole 1/5 of a bar of our soap is glycerin.

    Most soaps have artificial ingredients to scent or color. Some handcrafted soap is scented with fragrance oils. These are synthetic chemicals that are mixed together to imitate a particular scent. They have contributed in many cases to chemical sensitivity in some people. They also have no aromatherapy benefits. The scents in our soaps should come only from essential oils, which are steamed or pressed from plants. Essential oils are the fragrance emitting components of plants and are at the heart of aromatherapy. Not only do they smell good; they have many beneficial effects on the body, mind and spirit.

    The coloring in our soap should come from nature as well. The petals of Lavender and Rose can be used. Earth Pigments can also be used, which are simply finely ground rocks. This makes the colors rich and earthy, rather than artificial looking.

    About the Author

    Yvonne Takhtalian, C.N.H.P, H.I. spent the past 10 years developing and improving Vita-Myr Natural Products helping thousands like you heal gum disease and gingivitis. She just released a new line of 100% Natural Vita-Myr Soaps to compliment her Vita-Myr Mouthwash & Toothpaste. Find out more about effective natural relief of gum disease at http://www.vitamyr.com/ or email questions/comments to Yvonne at mailto:vitamyr@mindspring.com Copyright 2004 Vita-Myr International Inc All rights reserved. Natural Products For Healthy Living

    Can We Really Get Rid of Cellulite?

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    It has been the bane of every women's existence since the dawn of time - the affliction known as cellulite. We all have it to varying degrees, and it seems to get worse as we get older in many cases. So, should we just resign ourselves to the fact that it is here to stay, or is there a way to fight and get rid of cellulite?

    Thankfully, the answer is yes, we can fight cellulite, or at least the appearance of cellulite, through several therapeutic treatments that are available on the market today. It is not, however, a one-time deal. Once you stop the treatments, the cellulite will inevitably return. So, the treatment of cellulite is an ongoing commitment, and it should be incorporated as part of your daily beauty regimen for consistent and lasting reduction in it's appearance.

    Some of the over-the-counter cellulite treatments actually do quite a good job of significantly reducing the appearance of cellulite. In order to achieve maximum effectiveness with these products, it is imperative that you massage the affected areas vigorously for a few minutes when applying the treatment. In addition to the smoothing and tightening ingredients in the treatment, the massaging stimulates circulation and helps break the collagen bands that have constricted and resulted in the "puckered" look of the affected areas. The most effective ingredients, and what gives these products their smoothing effects, are caffeine and aminophylline. Many also add seaweed extract as well, but this is not the most effective ingredient in the product.

    In addition to the cellulite creams, lotions and gels, there is a procedure called endermology that has many women reporting extraordinary results. It is actually a large mechanical pressure device that uses a technique similar to the process of a rolling pin rolling out dough to make cookies. This action kneads the problem areas with substantial pressure to break down the aforementioned collagen bands, and smooth the sponginess and puckering out for an even and toned appearance. Drawbacks are it is expensive and does require return visits for maintenance, it can be an uncomfortable and even slightly painful process, and it may result in some temporary bruising.

    Another option is oral herbal or medicinal remedies for cellulite. Beware though. There have not been significant studies or proof verifying whether these products actually produce results. I cannot recommend investing in or experimenting with these newer products until substantial findings or proof are published regarding their effectiveness.

    So, what else causes cellulite? This question is still the subject of scientific debate. We definitely know that it mostly affects women, so there is much speculation that the underlying cause is hormonal in nature. Many other studies suggest it is related to age, diet, genetics, and fitness/level of activity. It has been noted that strength and toning exercises, as well as steady weight maintenance will help with the appearance of cellulite. Frequent weight fluctuation, high fat diets, and even excessive carbonated beverages have been some of the suspected culprits as well.

    Whatever the cause, if you want to minimize these unsightly dimples, there are options out there for you that are effective and affordable. New breakthroughs are being made every day in the field of cosmetic enhancement products, so we may soon see another product that blows them all away. It may be tomorrow, for all we know!

    Danna Schneider is the webmaster of the beauty and makeup product review and advice website CosmeticsGalore.com http://www.cosmeticsgalore.com and her new dedicated natural breast-enhancement and breast implant alternatives site http://www.natural-breast-guide.com. - providing reviews and research on everything from natural breast enhancement products and cellulite treatments to self tanners, acne treatments, and makeup. She is a cosmetics and beauty product researcher and enthusiast.

    Curls Are Back In for Spring 2005!

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    Whether you have loose curls or tight coily locks you will definately be the talk of the town this spring!

    We can see the evidence of the popularity of curls at the recent Golden Globe Awards. There were many celebrities sporting curls at this years gala event.

    Halle Berry wore a loose French twist lightly curled in an updo. A very simple, yet elegant style. The list went on of celebs taking their straight hair and adding a little flare with curls. Best supporting film actress Natalie Portman's shoulder-length, naturally beautiful curls with bangs made her a star that night.

    Our lovely "Desperate Housewives" Teri Hatcher, Eva Longoria, Felicity Huffman, Marcia Cross and Nicolette Sheridan of Desperate Housewives looked lavishing in their loosely tousled waves. 2005 is said to be the Year of the Curl! No straight styles were seen at this years star studded event. Curls are back with a vengeance!

    If you need some assistance maintaining the shiny glow of your curly ques, here are some tips:

    Using the right hair cutting technique is extremely important when cutting curly hair. It's important to cut the hair in a way that creates the right amount of volume without the frizzies. It is also very important to go to the right salon and to a stylist who is experienced in working with curly hair.

    To create a sassy hairstyle, simply wash hair and towel dry or use a diffuser. Once the hair is almost dry use a moisturizing product that is not too heavy and run fingers through hair to add more volume. Let hair air dry and style as desired with your fingers. If you use a brush or comb you may add too much frizz.

  • Give your curls a hot oil treatment every 2-3 weeks to add moisture to the hair. It is especially necessary to do this during the colder months where hair can become dry and brittle. Counter it with a hot oil treatment. The heat opens up the inner cortex and penetrates the hair shaft. You can find this product at your local drug store. A good hot oil treatment is Alberto VO5 Hot oil treatment. Each tube is 14 ml. It claims that if used regularly, it will lead to 55% stronger hair.
  • Get regular trims every 8 weeks to rid your curls of unsightly, stringy ends. Ensure that you visit a stylist that knows how to cut and style curly hair.
  • Add a touch of essential oils like avocado, coconut, jojoba or olive oil to your hair. This can be a great conditioning regimen to do prior to shampooing the hair. Place any of the above mentioned oils into the hair and place the hair in a bun for about 20 minutes. You can even wrap your hair under a plastic cap covered by a heat cap for added conditioning. You’ll find that your curls will be more revived and manageable.

    Love your curls and they'll love you back!

    Janice Johnson is the founder of the http://www.CurlyHairSalon.com website. An online multi-ethnic curly hair magazine that offers information, tips and advice to care for curly hair.

    Should You Get Plastic Surgery?

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    These days, plastic surgery is often much maligned, and while the apparent levity with which it is sometimes undertaken and its almost epidemic-type spread can seem rather worrying, the benefits of plastic surgery can easily be overlooked. While there is an overwhelming array of various plastic surgery horror stories reported in the press, the quiet stories of success often remain untold. For the right candidate, plastic surgery can truly be a life-enhancing procedure.

    It would be wonderful to live in a world where everyone is truly accepted, regardless of their physical appearance, and while this type of world might one day evolve, these days, being different is undeniably difficult. For those people who suffer under the weight of a single feature that seems to swallow the rest of them whole, plastic surgery is simply the door to a new life. One of the first things that many patients notice after surgery is how the correction of this feature can bring a sense of balance to their whole appearance. For the woman with big breasts or the man with prominent ears, the hated feature can dominate their self perception, and its alteration to a state that blends in more easily with those of others, truly allows the rest of their self, both physically and spiritually, to blossom.

    The most important element of the plastic surgery picture is the surgeon who will perform the procedure. A good plastic surgeon will first evaluate the patient's suitability for treatment, both physically and emotionally, and will help them to approach the surgery with realistic expectations. A good surgeon will adapt the problem feature to match not only the patient's physical appearance, but their personality also, allowing the person who has been hiding behind the perceived imperfection to really shine. Because this is what plastic surgery does, at its best - it does not have the power to change the way a person feels about themselves, but in changing something that has been oppressive to the patient, it allows them to find their confidence again.

    Jeff Lakie is the founder of Plastic Surgery Resources a website providing information on cosmetic surgery.

    SPF? What Does It All Mean?

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    Spf or sun protection factor, is the amount of increased protection a sunscreen provides. If you are like most people, you will begin burning after 15 minutes without protection. An SPF helps protect against sunburn, and does not "stop" the tanning process completely!!! It's the burning that you want to omit, that is what causes skin damage! it's not the tan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Determine your protected sunning time by multiplying the SPF number by the amount of time it normally takes you to show signs of burning if unprotected.

    For example: Spf 8: 8 x 15 = 2 hours of increased protection.

    Spf 15: 15 x 15 = 3 3/4 hours protection.

    If you burn in 5 minutes (usually very sensitive skin) with an spf 15: 15 x 5 = l h 15 increased protection.

    Most common sunscreen ingredients are: titanium dioxide, zinc oxide and avobenzone (also called parsol 1789) and butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane.

    Avobenzone (also called Parsol) is less pore clogging than titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, but some people do experience irritation (rash or little red bumps) from avobenzone. Titanium Dioxide and Zinc oxide are natural products but can be more pore clogging as they sit on the skin's surface and deflect back the UV rays, rather than absorbing into the dead layer of the epidermis.

    A combination of Avobenzone and titanium dioxide or zinc oxide may be less clogging then td or zinc alone for some people. But in the end they all block the pores to a certain degree because of there texture.

    Remember the lesser the spf in your cream or lotion the less chances your skin will react!! for example an spf 8 in your cream will give you minimal to no skin irritations or pore clogging!!! So it comes down to choose what works or is best for your skin or what you feel more comfortable with!

    spf 2 blocks: 50%
    spf 8 blocks: 86%
    spf 15 blocks: 92%
    spf 30 blocks: 96%

    Spf 8-15: Is sufficient to give your skin ideal protection against the harmful effects of light for normal exposure to the sun like at home, at the office, in the city, day to day errands,. but the more sun you are exposed to (an entire day at the beach, for instance) the higher the SPF should be to give your skin optimal protection.

    Sunscreen: Is usually a cream or lotion. It is a chemical protective product works by absorbing a minimal amount of the uv rays and filtering them. Many people have allergic reactions to the chemicals in sunscreen seen as a rash...

    Sunblock: Is usually an opaque cream or paste. Provides a physical block that functions by reflecting rays. sunblocks contain natural minerals. Sunblock protects you by reflecting the uv rays before they penetrate your skin. Makeup with spf in it do not offer enough protection against the sun you are better to skip those entirely and splurge on a good moisturizer with sunscreen or a sunblock.

    One should never go to bed with sunscreen on your face, not to mention all the chemicals that will sit there causing irritation and blocking your pores. At night your skin heals and renews itself taking in nutrients from the air and your treatment creams. The skin's optimal renewal action takes place between the hours of 10 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. this is a time to nourish the skin not block the pores...... Please wash off your sunscreens as soon as you can.

    Again I stress my view on spfs use - apply them when you need them do not abuse there use...... they are meant to be used when you are outside....

    When you need protection from the sun especially during summer time, or whenever you are out in the open, for day to day use in the summer while doing errands, in and out of the home/car all day then an SPF 8 to 15 is sufficient... You can apply 30 when you will be outside for a longer period of time. In my opinion high spf lotions are not to be used daily all year round if you are not working outside or if you will be inside most of the day.....

    If you really feel the need to wear a cream with spf daily stick with the ones that have a low spf... like an spf 8 and use an spf of 30 on areas (spot treat) where you need extra protection such as discolorations spots..... In my opinion if you are inside most of the day you do not need a cream with an spf in it!!!

    Best protection is to wear a hat whenever possible and stay out of the sun during the peak hours of 10/11 a.m. - 3/4 p.m.

    Note: If you have pigmentation spots (discoloration) and are worried about them you can spot treat them with an spf 15-30 if you wish!!! instead of putting an high spf all over the face.

    Did you know that Vitamin C,Shea Butter, Aloe Vera, Carrot Oil and Vitamin E help support the skin's natural defences against uva/uvb! Vitamin E protects the cells against the adverse effect of free radicals, it protects skin during sun exposure!

    Many studies have shown that antioxidants may be a very important strategy for preventing skin cancer.!

    Aloe Vera was used 1000s of years ago as an essential protection against the rays of the sun.!

    If you will be spending time out in the sun please always apply a sun block/sunscreen over your serums or creams containg vitamin A or C.!!!!!!!!!!

    My tips for this summer!!

    - First time you go out in the sun, go for no longer then 30 minutes - fairer skin less time and find a shade place you can go too after the initial 30 minutes then increase gradually through the summer always protecting the skin!

    - Go out between the times of 9-11 am and after 3-4 p.m.

    - Prepare the skin properly and treat the skin after being out in the sun!

    To prepare the skin properly apply your moisturiser under your sunscreen or sunblock, the layers help to protect the skin! After your time in the sun wash off your sunscreen or sunblock and apply a moisturiser or product designed for after sun!!

    Please try and stay away from tanning beds, in my opinion they are not safe for your skin!

    Professional Esthetician
    Elle's Esthetic Studio
    http://www.ellesestheticstudio.com

    9 Critical Facts You Should Know Before Committing to Cosmetic Surgery

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    Cosmetic surgery is now so common, it’s almost commonplace. Cosmetic surgical procedures are used to correct everything from disfigurements that are the result of an accident to physical features that are perceived to be less than perfect. In some cases, cosmetic surgery can help to correct not only a physical trait but help to raise a person’s self-esteem as well.

    There are a number of different cosmetic surgery options. The most common cosmetic surgical procedures involve redefining some aspect of the body, while others involve enhancing the skin through a variety of measures. Liposuction is a very popular cosmetic surgery option. This procedure allows the physician to suction the fat off various portions of the body to reveal slimmer and trimmer physique.

    Rhinoplasty is a cosmetic surgery procedure in which the nose is reshaped. Some patients request this surgery because they perceive their nose to be either too big or an unattractive shape. In other cases, the procedure may be necessary to help a patient breathe better.

    Implants is a term that is used frequently in regard to cosmetic surgery, however; besides it’s obvious application to the breast area implants are also used to enhance other body parts. The chin and cheekbones are two areas where are implants are frequently used to redefine a patient’s profile.

    There are a variety of cosmetic surgery procedures that can be done to enhance the breast area. Implants are used frequently to increase a patient’s bust size. While the subject of breast implants received much bad press several years ago due to the fact that silicone breast implants were proven to be unsafe, the products used today are considered to be much safer. Lifts are often necessary to correct breasts that sag and droop. Augmentation may be utilized in order to align the breasts so that they are the same size when there is a situation where one breast is smaller than the other.

    While some patients wish to undergo cosmetic surgery in order to increase their bust size, others have a breast reduction in order to reduce their breast size. This is often necessary when a woman has very large breasts that may cause health issues such as back pain and strain on the neck and shoulders.

    The cosmetic surgery frequently referred to as a tummy tuck is similar to liposuction in that it removes excess fat from the area around the stomach and waist. Patients who have lost significant amounts of weight may find it necessary to have this procedure performed as well as an arm lift or buttock/thigh lift. When an individual loses large amounts of weight, particularly at a rapid rate, the skin generally begins to sag and no amount of exercise is able to tone the sagging skin. These types of cosmetic surgical procedures can tighten the skin.

    While there are a variety of cosmetic surgery options available today that can correct almost any skin or body problem, it is important for patients to have realistic expectations. First, some cosmetic surgeries will leave permanent scars. The prospective patient must weigh the advantages and disadvantages of having a permanent scar against living with the issue that drove them to consider surgery. Secondly, it is very important that the patient realize that cosmetic surgery does not produce overnight results. Some surgeries will not produce optimal results until at least a year after the surgery was performed. Finally, as with all surgeries, cosmetic surgery does come with inherent risks and dangers.

    The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to medically diagnose, treat or cure any disease. Consult a health care practitioner before beginning any health care program.

    Emily Clark is editor at Lifestyle Health News and Medical Health News where you can find the most up-to-date advice and information on many medical, health and lifestyle topics.

    Using Water to Make Your Hair Beautiful

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    We tend to think of hair problems as being an external thing.

    In other words, we think that if we only wash with the right shampoo, condition with the right conditioner, or whatever, our hair will be beautiful. If only it were that easy!

    The secret to luscious, beautiful hair is internal. In other words, it’s what you put in your body that determines 90% of what your hair will look like.

    Hair grows out of the scalp, which is part of your skin. And when your skin is healthy, most of your hair problems are taken care of.

    A regular hydration program (our “20 glasses of water a day” in addition to the other liquids you’re drinking) helps to keep the body free of toxins and other waste products. When the body is not getting enough water, poisons can accumulate in your system. Even if those poisons are not enough to cause you to be noticeably sick (although I would argue that you still won’t be as optimally, vibrantly healthy as you could be) they can still cause your skin, hair, and complexion to be not as beautiful as they could be. So, get going on your water program today!

    It’s especially important to maintain a large amount of fluids during warm weather, when your body will secrete a larger than average amount in sweat. And if you’re going to be out in the sun, bring a water bottle along! It sounds elementary, but it’s something that’s easy to neglect, and you’ll neither feel your best, nor look your best if you do.

    But I wouldn’t want you to neglect the external uses of water for your hair as well. Water cleans the daily grit and grime from the hair. It especially cleans the pores and follicles of the scalp, enabling them to “breathe.” And again, during warm weather, you might want to wash your hair more frequently. That goes double for times when you’re out in the sun, or when you’re exposed to a lot of salt water at the beach.

    If salt is allowed to accumulate in the hair, it will leave the hair looking lifeless and dowdy. Remember what I said earlier about washing. Water is the primary ingredient for washing. Soaps and shampoos can help, but water is what you need the most, and you should be liberal in your use of it. If you’re on the beach, and there’s a public shower, for example, rinse your hair frequently. You don’t have to always use shampoo -- just make sure you rinse it well! (The same goes for any time you use shampoo: make certain all of the shampoo gets rinsed out).

    The shampoo you use should be gentle and easy on the hair. Baby shampoos can be good at such times, because they are obviously designed to be less harsh than some adult shampoos. The primary thing you’re looking for is a very gentle soap to remove dirt you’ve got in your hair.

    Conditioners can be useful in helping to revitalize the hair, too. They are especially useful when the hair has been damaged. Damage can come from a lot of factors. Prolonged exposure to the sun can be a biggie. But coloring the hair can do it, too, as well as other chemical exposure.

    There are many conditioners to choose from, but one of the simplest and gentlest on the hair is plain vinegar. Before you think I’m nuts, give it a try. The process is easy.

    After washing your hair, and thoroughly removing rinsing out any shampoo, pour over your hair a mixture of 1/4 cup of white or apple cider vinegar and 3/4 cup of warm water. (The vinegar should be pure vinegar, without additives. If it’s food grade vinegar, it’s fine to use for this). A warning: close your eyes tightly before pouring this over your hair. While it won’t really hurt your eyes, they will sting if it gets in them.

    After putting the mixture into the hair, massage it into your scalp. Then rinse it all out. Your hair will be bright and lively, and will feel wonderful.

    The important thing to remember, though, is the water. Make use of it. And your hair will thank you for it.

    Jim Huffman, RN specializes in natural and alternative healing therapies. His first book is 'Dare to Be Free: How to Get Control of Your Time, Your Life, and Your Nursing Career,' and is aimed at helping other nurses find satisfying, dynamic careers. His website is http://www.NetworkForNurses.com and his health blog is at http://www.shababa.blogspot.com

    The Exotic Origins of Hyaluronic Acid Treatments

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    While hyaluronic acid has exploded in popularity among the cosmetics community, most people are unaware of the molecule’s exotic history.

    Hyaluronic acid, also known as HA, naturally plays an important role in tissue hydration and lubrication. Simply put, the protein compound takes years off skin, helping to make it moist, vibrant and supple. HA's name derives from "hyalos" – the Greek word for glass, which accurately describes its transparent, glassy molecular appearance.

    Most recently HA has skyrocketed to fame as a wrinkle-remover and youth restorer, with new treatments appearing every week. While facial hyaluronic injections continue to be the treatment of choice for many women, most would prefer less-invasive procedures. For this reason, more and more attention has gravitated to treatments such as oral supplements.

    Interestingly, the inspiration for hyaluronic acid oral supplements first came from the obscure Japanese village of Yuzuri Hara, not far from Tokyo.

    Enjoying the nickname "The Village of Long Life," residents of Yuzuri Hara have historically restricted themselves to a rather unique diet of locally-grown white and sweet potatoes and root vegetables. Local doctors attest that nutrients in these starches aid the body’s natural creation of HA, thereby allowing the people of Yuzuri Hara to fend off the aging process. Such higher concentrations of hyaluronic acid help skin cells retain their moisture, keeping eyes bright and skin vibrant and smooth.

    The findings in Yuzuri Hara encouraged a Japanese pharmaceutical company to develop the first hyaluronic acid pills. That company’s rigorous testing showed that more than 50% of test subjects experienced better eyesight, smoother skin, and decreased fatigue after taking hyaluronic acid oral supplements. Better yet, no known side effects have resulted from taking the HA pills.

    While the benefits of oral hyaluronic acid treatments were first discovered in this Japanese village, they are now recognized the world over. Deriving its name from the Greek word for glass ("hyalos"), hyaluronic acid promises a clear path towards health and vitality.

    Hyaluronic Acid Research is dedicated to promoting an understanding of hyaluronic acid, a major ingredient in many medical and anti-aging therapies and to highlighting places where you can safely purchase hyaluronic acid products. For more information please visit E-hyaluronicacid.com.

    Contact Lens Prescriptions Explained

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    Don’t let the name fool you. Nonprescription contacts do require a prescription regardless of what is advertised online or in the circular you received in the mail last week. Sounds confusing? Don’t worry. I’ll explain.

    Nonprescription contact lenses are cosmetic lenses that do not require the wearer to need contacts for vision correction. You can have perfect vision and wear nonprescription contacts. These lenses are strictly for cosmetic purposes.

    However, federal law classifies contact lenses (both traditional and cosmetic) as medical devices. As such, both nonprescription contacts and traditional contacts need a prescription in order to legally purchase them.

    This means if you don’t require vision correction, but you want to purchase a pair of nonprescription contact lenses, you must still make an appointment with an eye doctor. Once the optician is informed of the reason for your visit, there will be an eye examination, a fitting of contact lenses on your eyes, and then a prescription will be given for a pair of cosmetic lenses.

    Outside of the legal ramifications, the main purpose for seeing an eye care practitioner even though you don’t have vision problems is because you need to be professionally fitted for cosmetic contacts. Not all contact lenses are the same size and posses the same curvature. If you were to wear a pair of contact lenses that were not specifically matched to the shape of your eyes, you could end up of severely damaging your eyes.

    So why bother with contact lenses if you don’t need them? Primarily people do it to change the color of their eyes. Nonprescription colored contact lenses are extremely popular for not only teenagers and those self-conscious about their looks, but also for those who want to change their appearance for a special occasion.

    Practically all visual effects pertaining to the eyes in movies, on television, or on stage are achieved through special effect nonprescription contact lenses. They really are that popular.

    Remember, if you want to change or enhance your natural eye color then nonprescription colored contacts are definitely the way to go. However, it is important to remember that due to the uniqueness of every individual’s eyes, you should never swap or share your contacts with another person. Only purchase cosmetic contact lenses with a prescription from an eye care practitioner.

    Mike Schwartz is the owner of the popular web site Best Contact Lenses Online His site provides useful tips, resources, and reviews to help you make the best decision when purchasing contact lenses on the Internet.

    How To Wear Contact Lenses In The Allergy Season

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    The allergy seasons are a real challenge, especially if you wear contact lenses. A chronic allergy to mold, pet dander or other environmental allergens can create a year-round dilemma. No matter what the cause, seasonal allergies make your eyes hypersensitive and irritated. Ordinary soft contact lenses often make them feel even worse.

    There's a lot you can do to reduce the misery of allergy season. Keep your contacts as clean as you can whether you have to use lubricating drops to rinse your eyes out regularly. Remove your contacts and clean them in a solution throughout the day, if they are not 'one-per-day' type lenses.

    Allergy induced conjunctivitis, a condition that causes painful swelling and redness of the eyes, can make wearing your contacts a real pain. If this becomes a real issue, it's best to consult your optometrist. Disposable lenses allow you a more comfortable lens that you can trash at the end of the day. You'll have no more worries about making sure all the dust and pollen has been removed or cleansed.

    Other ways to get relief are simple. During allergy season, contact lens wearers should close the windows in their cars and houses and use the air conditioner. Air conditioner filters often remove most of the annoying pollens and dust from the air. Avoid doing a lot of lawn work or outdoor activities in the mornings and early afternoon, because pollens are usually at their highest levels at that time.

    Don't mow or rake the lawn without protective eyewear and a dust mask when your allergies are at their worst. If you've been outside or doing similar work, wash your hands frequently to avoid transferring pollens, dusts or molds close to your eyes.

    Washing your hair everyday and your face two or three times a day also helps reduce the amount of transferable pollen and dust.

    Allergies are an unfortunate condition for some people and there are a number of allergy medicines that can help reduce and in some cases even eliminate the symptoms. When contact lenses are involved, a little prevention can help reduce the amount of irritation or discomfort you might be feeling. If it doesn't, remember to always speak to your doctor for a diagnosis or prescription that could help.

    Discover important advice and information about contact lenses. Are soft or hard best ? What's the best cleaning solutions ? For a comprehensive guide, Click http://www.contact-lenses-special.com/disposable-contact-lenses.html

    Options Available for Cosmetic Surgery in India

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    Medical Tourism is a new and developing concept worldwide and one of the major surgeries for which patients opt for Medical Tourism is Cosmetic Surgery, and what better place to get this done than India. Advantages include low cost, no waiting lists and a high quality holiday.

    A new dimension of the medical field taking off in India is cosmetic surgery which utilises some of the latest techniques in corrective procedures. Some disfigurations corrected include hair restoration (hair implants, hair flaps, and scalp reductions), rhinoplasties (reshaping or recontouring of the nose), stalling of the aging process (face life, cosmetic eyelid surgery, brow lift, sub-metal lipectomy for double chin), demabrasions (sanding of the face,) otoplasty for protruding ears, chin and cheek enlargement, lip reductions, various types of breast surgery and reconstruction and liposuction.

    Non-invasive surgical procedures like streotactic radiosurgery and radiotherapy for brain tumours are practised successfully.

    A recent report by 'The Independent' last Sunday stated that over 10,000 Britons travel to India every year for tummy tucks, breast enlargements and facelifts with a recuperation beach holiday thrown in. A tummy tuck can cost up to 6,500 pounds in Britain but only 1,500 pounds abroad with a full holiday deal included.

    To receive an approximate idea of cost and other information regarding treatments and holidays, please contact us - click here for Cosmetic Surgery options in India

    More Medical Tourism Information available at India Medical Tourism website

    Removing Unwanted Body Hair Permanently & Safely?

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    Both males and females have unwanted hairs in their body. Everybody wishes to be fresh and energetic. It can be done in a many number of ways according the level of hairs in the body. It is found that around 80% of the women and around 50% of the men are going for hair removal in some form or the other. Facial hair removal is more popular among men and women.

    Hair removal in the hands, legs, arms, underarms, bikini area, face, and eyebrows are commonly practiced these days. Sports persons go for hair removal since it will cut down the wind resistance and improve their competitive speeds. There is a report saying that hair removal salons are getting more and more men customers for removing hair.

    Different devices are used for hair removal in different parts of the body. Waxing, sugaring, and electrolysis are the most preferred methods for permanent body hair removal. Laser treatments are also used for permanent body hair removal. Waxing is a method of hair removal in which wax is applied over the hairs and then a cotton strip is rubbed on the wax in the direction of the hair growth.

    Waxing and sugaring are done for male body hair removal. Waxing removes the hairs from the roots and hence the regrowth of hairs in the removed area takes between 6 to 8 weeks. After hair removal through waxing even if the hair grows it is thinner and is sparser in the area. There are not many hairs in that area. Upon further hair removal the hair may go off permanently. Usage of a hair growth inhibitor after male body hair removal through waxing is usually done to reduce the growth of hairs in that area.

    Then the cotton strip is removed in the opposite direction of the hair growth for permanent body hair removal. Sugaring is also a method that is used for hair removal permanently. The difference is the sugar paste instead of wax for removal. Whether a person is using waxing or sugaring he is advised to use a hair growth inhibitor after the removal of hairs to prevent hair growth or to slow down the growth of hairs.

    Most of the sports persons who are involved in the sports like swimming and cycling opt for permanent body hair removal, since permanent body hair removal would improve their speeds by reducing the air friction. There are many devices that are used for permanent body hair removal. Each device comes with its own functionality and ease of use with a price tag that is affordable.

    Electrolysis and Laser treatments remove the hairs permanently from the skin. In these methods the hair follicle is destroyed so that the hair does not grow again. Electrolysis method uses needles to supply electric current to the hair follicles. This electric current creates some chemical changes or generates heat to destroy the hair follicles. In Laser treatment the laser beams are directed towards the hair follicles to destroy it. Laser treatments are costly when compared to other methods of hair removal.

    If you need more information about body hair removal pls visit : http://www.natural-treatment-guide.com/hairremoval/hairremoval-intro.html To learn more about various methods used to remove body hair permanently & safely, kindly visit: http://www.natural-treatment-guide.com/hairremoval/permanent-hairremoval-system.html

    ** Attention Webmasters / Website Owners **

    You can reprint this article on your website as long as you do not modify any of the content, and include our resource box as listed above with all links intact and hyperlinked properly.

    Tanning Salon Equipment

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    Tanning salons continue to be extremely popular in all areas of the country, during all seasons. Both men and women alike frequently purchase tanning services at their favorite tanning salon.

    Tanning services, often sold in packages, allow clients to visit for a specific number of tanning sessions. This is a better value than purchasing individual tanning sessions. Prices of tanning packages and individual sessions may vary, according to the specific tanning salon equipment that a client chooses to tan in.

    Typically, tanning salon equipment includes stand-up tanning booths and tanning beds. Stand-up tanning booths allow the client to tan while standing up. Tanning bulbs mounted behind Plexiglas safely surround their body. Most booths feature a cooling fan and also speakers that allow a client to listen to music during their 5-20 minute tanning session. Booths may have 48, 54 or 60 UV lamps. Booths are typically made of steel, plastic, or wood and most accommodate a large capacity to comfortably fit various body types.

    Tanning beds in which the customer lies down in are also available in different size frames to accommodate various body types. A tanning bed is typically made of a steel frame and features 100-160 watt tanning bulbs. The client lies down on a bed of Plexiglas, which features a pull down cover that also encases the tanning bulbs behind Plexiglass. Lay-down beds typically feature 24-46 bulbs that may vary in watts. The number of bulbs and the watts they carry, in combination with individual skin type, will determine how long a tanning session should last.

    All tanning salon equipment operates on a timing mechanism that allows the equipment to operate for only a predetermined tanning session. Safety cut-off mechanisms are also built into tanning salon equipment to allow a client to quickly power down the equipment in case of emergency or malfunction.

    Used Tanning Salon Equipment is a popular choice for new salon owners who are on a strict budget. Many veteran salon owners who choose to upgrade their tanning salon equipment offer used tanning salon equipment for a great price. All tanning beds feature bulbs that are easily replaced. Used tanning booths and beds that have sturdy frames and properly working electrical systems are a great option for the tanning salon owner looking to save money.

    Salon Equipment Info provides detailed information about beauty, hair, nail, tanning salon equipment, as well as wholesale and discount salon equipment. Salon Equipment Info is the sister site of Hair Extensions Web.

    Cosmetic Surgery Procedures - Buttock Lift

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    Every patient has their own individual needs for plastic surgery. Reshaping the buttock to the region of one’s body can be performed by a procedure called the buttock lift. Depending on the patient, sometimes liposuction and implants are also used to compliment the procedure and produce a more desirable shape.

    Patients who have a large amount of loose skin on their buttock region are perfect candidates for a buttock lift. The operation will remove the extra skin and lift the buttock which results in an optimal position with tighter skin and a better texture. Although incisions are made during the procedure scars can be placed so that they are hidden beneath a swimsuit.

    Occasionally buttock lifts are performed on patients who have also undergone tummy tuck or liposuction procedures. This procedure helps remove excess fat from the body but will sometimes leave behind loose skin that has lost its elasticity. On the other hand, some patients desire a fuller buttock shape which requires the use of implants. These implants are made of a material that can’t rupture, deflate or spill. This procedure is referred to as buttock augmentation.

    Buttock lifts have gained popularity in the United States as of late. There has been a 152% increase in these procedures between 2002 and 2004. In 2004 there were approximately 4000 buttock lift procedures performed.

    To learn more about Buttock Lifts and other cosmetic surgery procedures please visit http://www.resource4cosmeticsurgery.com. This article may be freely reprinted as long as this resource box is included and all links stay intact as hyper links.

    What is Spray Tanning?

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    Spray tanning is a relatively new method of sunless tanning. Technically spray tanning method is something between self-tanning cosmetics and tanning beds. You go into the spray-tanning booth where you are sprayed by a special mist. After a few minutes the process is over and in a short time you’ll the kind of suntan you want.

    How does it work?

    The mist used in spray tanning contains DHA, a chemical reacting with the outer layer of skin and dyeing it brown. Technically it works just like tanning lotions, but the booth and sprays assure that all the body will be equally covered with DHA. Spray tanning does not require any additional sessions – one visit is enough to get a suntan you need.

    How long does it last?

    Because spray tanning works only in the outer layer of the skin (the “dead” one), the effects can last only as long as a week, and they usually disappear in four or five days. As you see spray tanning is an excellent method to look very good for a short time. But of course, you can visit a spray tanning saloon once a week and retain your skin color almost indefinitely.

    Can I make it last a little longer?

    Well, the skin replacement process is unavoidable, but you can increase the lifespan of you tan if you do a few things before beginning the spray tanning process. Here are they:

    (1) Moisture your skin with some water-based moisturizer prior to spray tanning. It will help DHA to propagate itself into your skin and will add to tan’s lifespan.

    (2) Exfoliate - clear your skin’s outermost layer from those dead cells that are already about to fall off. The mist will dye only those cells that are supposed to last longer than a few hours.

    What about the tan color?

    Due to the chemical processes caused by DHA, it is impossible to get an improper tan color – it will be always a shade of brown. Of course, spray tanning lets you choose the right shade – by spraying the right kind of mist, you can acquire all the palette of browns – from very light brown to almost black ones. It does not change the session time.

    Can spray tanning be dangerous for my health?

    Spray tanning eliminates most health hazards typical for UV-tanning methods, so skin aging and cancer are no longer problems. The only possible hazard of spray tanning is an allergy for DHA, but as with kinds of allergy, this does not usually threats your life, like cancer does.

    Is spray tanning dangerous for my clothes?

    No, it isn’t. Spray tanning method rely on chemical reactions in your skin and DHA isn’t by any means paint! Even if mist has been used in excess, spray tanning does not create any stains and remains perfectly safe for your clothes (and people you shake hands with J).

    Does it leave any odor?

    It depends. While most waterborne sprays are odorless, many spray tanning saloons use oil-based mist and it leave some starchy odor, so it is not recommended to go to spray tanning saloon right before a date. The scent vanishes completely after a few hours.

    Linda Smith owns Luxury Tanning.com, a site devoted to the latest in tanning

    Benefits of Spa Treatments

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    Ladies, when was the last time you were treated like a queen? Whether it was in this millenium or the last, spending the day at a Spa guarantees the Star Treatment. Day Spa’s are like hair and nail salons, only better. In addition to hair and nail services, they offer relaxing muscle massages, pedicures, manicures, deep cleansing facials and even body scrubs, all in a comforting, soothing environment. Most offer gift certificates and will combine services into ‘packages’ at a reduced price.

    Winter weather wrecks havoc on our skin, especially our hands and feet, leaving them dry and cracked. I don’t know about you, but my lotion just ain’t getting it! Dead skin cells on your body can prevent your oil and lotion from soaking in, leaving you with a bad case of winter itch. Get rid of all that dead, dry (ashy) skin with an invigorating sea-salt body scrub. Your face can get ashy, also, and feel dry and tight. Contrary to popular belief, Black women and men needs facials too! A good facial will deep clean your pores – removing black heads, acne and even hair and shaving bumps- and leave your face smooth and hydrated.

    If nothing else, get a massage, especially if you have children. They are great for your body and spirit; they can tone muscles and are ultra relaxing. Massages can be purchased by the hour (full body) or half hour (back only). During a massage, you will be asked to remove all of your clothes. Don’t be shy, but feel free to leave your underwear on. You will be covered by a sheet at all times. So, lay back, enjoy the candlelight and listen to soothing sounds while being massaged with warm oil. Or better yet, learn how to massage each other in a class you can take together.

    About The Author

    Nicole Elizabeth Smith, the author of "Healthy Black Hair" (2003), is a freelance health and beauty writer and a graduate of Michigan State University. She and her son Zack live in Michigan. Currently, she is beauty editor for www.myhairbook.com.

    nicole@myhairbook.com

    Should I Have A Face Lift?

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    Good question! A face lift is major surgery and surgery means blood, mess, discomfort, stitches and time out to recover. A face lift is expensive too.

    There are risks to consider, one is hematoma when the blood collects under the skin and has to be surgically removed. Damage to the nerves that control your facial muscles is another although this is less common. Slow healing time can also be a problem although this is found mainly in smokers. Oh! and don't forget the usual risks that are involved with anesthesia.

    On the plus side, the effects of a face lift are quite dramatic. It is without a doubt the fastest and most permanent way of shedding your 'old' face and regaining some of that youthful beauty you were born with..

    If you've considered these things and decided that the final outcome is worth it, then proceed, but first please ask yourself these questions.

    Why do I want a facelift?

    Am I doing this because its going to help me find the job that I really want? This is a valid reason for going ahead. It shouldn't matter to those that hire people how old the applicant is or what they look like, but in the real world we know that these things do play a part. If you have a job that has a lot of public exposure, this may also be a good reason to proceed.

    Am I doing this because my partner wants me to? Red alert! Never let anyone else talk you into having a facelift. It is a very personal decision and one only you should make. Ask yourself why are you with someone who values you only for your appearance. Honor yourself, you are more than your face! Perhaps you should be working on your relationship and leaving your face alone!

    I'm thirty five and have lots of wrinkles around my eyes and cheeks, and my neck is all mottled

    A face lift won't help this situation. You are better off exploring the avenue of laser resurfacing or even chemical peels, they will strip the old layer of skin off and reveal a smoother younger appearance. It sounds like you have a lot of sun damage, get educated on the use of sunblock! Its everybody's most important cosmetic.

    I'm depressed and don't feel good about myself. Maybe a facelift will help me feel better?

    It may for a little while, but it sounds like you have a self esteem problem. Learn to love yourself the way you are first. Then if you still feel a facelift would give your morale a boost, go ahead.

    I'm in my early fifties and notice my face is starting to sag quite badly. I can afford the surgery and reckon I might just do this for myself. A good idea, you've thought it through and decided its something you want not something you need.

    Find a professional surgeon in your area and follow all his/her advice on how to prepare for your face lift. Don't forget to mention any medication you are taking and if you are a smoker, stop two weeks before surgery is scheduled. It will speed your recovery time. Good luck!

    =========================================================================

    Wendy Owen has had a lifetime interest in skin care, skin health and general health. She is in her fifties and still has a great skin. Advice on skin care may be found at: http://www.holistic-facial-skin-care.com

    Cleanse and Stimulate Your Scalp with the Right Shampoo!

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    Shampoo contributes to good hair care. In our quest for the perfect makeup, the vital importance of good hair care is mostly ignored. Your hair is usually the first thing people notice about you and gives you away in many ways. Is it dull, dry and damaged, or is it shiny, vibrant and healthy? Well-groomed hair contributes to that perfect look and the confidence in your personality. There are so many shampoos, conditioners and other hair care products available today. One needs to find out which one is best for ones hair.

    Don’t take shampoos for granted.

    Don’t take shampoos for granted. Unfortunately, it is difficult to tell a good shampoo from a bad one, especially when cost, fragrance and foaming are the main purchasing criteria. In fact, good foaming virtually means too much shampoo was used, or rather, wasted. Ideally, the head should have just enough lather to help your fingers massage the shampoo into the scalp and lubricate the hair. This allows sebum and other oils to destroy foam quickly. Today, different shampoos are available for dry hair, permed hair, color treated hair, limp hair, and of course, normal hair. Then there are shampoos which are not typically found in store bought products. For these contain quality ingredients that contribute to the cost of the product.

    For example, salon shampoo classically contains higher quality protein based conditioners or moisturizing conditioners, thus enabling the conditioner to penetrate deeper into the hair shaft and lock in moisture.

    About The Author

    Mike Yeager

    Publisher

    http://www.a1-beauty-4u.com/

    mjy610@hotmail.com

    Effective Make-up and Beauty Tips and Products: Dos and Donts, Avoid These Most Common Mistakes!

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    With the amount of importance given to make-up these days, many women just tend to do a bit too much. Getting the right make-up for the particular occasion is the call of the entire womanhood. But beauty shouldn't be misinterpreted as just by carrying a beautiful face. A overall healthy body reflects eternal beauty which one should be longing for. The idea is to look younger and FEEL YOUNGER.

    Here are some precious makeup Do's and Dont's which one should know very well before applying make-up.

    * Find the formula that meets your skin's needs and your lifestyle. Though, it isn't that hard also to get it right. Generally, we apply make-up in a hurry and we tend to ignore this vital part.

    * Women generally don't wash their brushes as they are always busy applying their makeup.(Hey, Nothing against women :-), relax!). Brushes should be washed properly and allowed to be dried naturally.

    * Special care should be taken, while applying and even after applying lipstick. Don't stain your teeth with lipstick. It really looks gross!

    * Never use your mascara more than twice. It will definitely look clogged.

    * Last but not the least, don't forget to take off all the make-up from your face once you go to bed specially from and near your eyes.

    Jasdeep: for http://weightloss-health.com/ your complete and most comprehensive family guide on Health.

    Also get more informative skin care tips related to various skin related issues at Anti Aging Skin Care(Tips) Treatment and Products

    A Cheap and Natural Way to Healthy Skin

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    Healthy skin happens when we eats good foods, have enough exercise, minimize stress and protect our skin from the harsh environment.

    Certain foods are especially beneficial to the skin. Garlic is one such food. It contains sulphur compounds (which give it its rather strong odor) which are beneficial to your skin. It also acts as a natural antibiotic and cleanses the whole system. If you like garlic, eat it as much as you can. If the smell worries you, chew a piece of parsley afterwards and this will neutralize it. Odorless garlic tablets are available if this is all too hard.

    Vitamin C is probably the most important skin vitamin in my opinion. Not least because the human body can neither make it or store it. This vitamin helps collagen formation which keeps the skin looking young and plump. This could be why smoker’s skin can look older than a non smoker’s. Smoking also uses up the oxygen in the blood. Give it up if humanly possible or at least cut it down.

    Vitamin C is best consumed together with bioflavonoids, the way it is normally found in nature. The two have a synergistic effect. They can be found in Citrus fruit, berries such as strawberries and blueberries and vegetables such as broccoli.

    Broccoli also contain vitamin A, an important vitamin for skin as it helps it fight infection from the inside out. Great for those with acne! Have some every other day if you can.

    Carrots are a great source of carotenoids such as "beta-carotene" which your body converts to vitamin A . Beta-carotene is absorbed into the skin and can also protect it from the sun's harmful UV rays. Carrots also contain "alpha carotene" which protects against free radical damage. Carrots are a great way to get your vitamin A as excess carotenoids are expelled by the body. Too much vitamin A is toxic to the body.

    Dark leafy green vegetables, particularly kale and spinach are a good source of zinc and iron. Iron will make sure your skin gets enough oxygen and zinc is a great pimple fighter. Eat some every day if you possible can or include some in a fresh juice.

    Parsley deserves a separate mention as it is rich in just about all the skin boosting nutrients. It contains beta carotene, chlorophyll, vitamin B12, folic acid (great for firm skin), vitamin C and iron. Parsley can be added to juices, casseroles, sprinkled over any savory dish or simply chewed by itself. Its great for fresh breath too. Parsley is easy to grow, pop some in a pot and keep it near the kitchen door.

    Olive oil is fabulous for dry skin and wrinkles. Use it for cooking - it contains monounsaturated fats and anti oxidants- or slather it on your skin after a bath.

    Flaxseeds and flax oil (also known as linseed) contain the essential omega 3 oils not found in many foods. (Fish also contains omega 3). Flaxseeds contain fiber and phytoestrogens which balance the body's hormones and are vital for younger looking skin. Sprinkle some on your cereal or use in soups and stews.

    Avocados give skin (especially dry skin) a boost. Although fairly high in fat, its the healthy monounsaturated kind which makes dry skin supple. Avocados contain glutathione which is one of the most powerful antioxidants around and will prevent cell damage in all skin types. They are also high in potassium.

    Drink as much water as you can, this flushes out toxins and helps to hydrate the skin. If you can’t drink eight glasses a day - I can’t unless its 40 degrees - then just drink as much as you can without being uncomfortable.

    Skin needs sufficient protein to replace and repair itself. Most of us have plenty of protein in our diets but a lot of it comes with a lot of fat attached. If you can substitute low fat items e.g. milk, peanut butter, cheese etc, then do so. You’ll still be eating the same amount. Lean meat is fine, fish is even better as it contains natural omega 3 oils which are great for your skin and your health.

    Try and add as many fruits and vegetables as possible to your diet. If you ‘re a committed junk food “junkie” this may seem impossible, but if you tackle it in small bites (pun intended!) It will be easy. Commit yourself to healthy foods on certain days of the week or drink water instead of soda in the afternoons. When this becomes comfortable, expand it to every day. Its just breaking old habits and replacing them with new ones. After a while you’ll be comfortable with it. And you’ll feel better and loose weight too.

    The purists tell us that all vitamins and minerals can be obtained from foods and there is no need for us to take supplements. In theory this is true, however the stress of life today probably robs our system of vitamin B. Smoking uses up about 35 mg of vitamin C per day.

    Added to this, the practice of storing fresh produce for extended amounts of time, can’t help but deplete the natural vitamins in these foods. The pollution in our cities and some of our bad habits like eating junk and smoking (who me?) leads to the production of free radicals in the body. For this we need an antioxidant which contains among others beta carotene (a precursor of vitamin A), vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, lycopene (found in tomatoes) and zinc.

    Healthy skin loves exercise! It doesn’t matter what kind. Walking, jogging, all types of sport, aerobics, thumping around in the gym, whatever you enjoy try and fit it in three times a week. If you don’t enjoy any exercise, find one! Join a group of people or find a walking buddy, you will get to enjoy it I promise!

    Stress is bad for you and bad for your skin. Stress will slow the circulation of blood to the skin causing a shortage of oxygen to the cells. It will also deplete certain nutrients from the body - for example vitamin B. It can ruin your sleep thus preventing the repair and regeneration of skin cells. It will put worry lines on your face and will make you look old before your time! Who needs it? No-one! check out this page on stress to see how you can deal with this incapacitating disorder now!

    As you may have gathered from all this, having a healthy skin is the same as having a healthy body, it’s worth maintaining a good diet and lifestyle so you not only look great but you feel great too!

    Like to have better looking skin? http://www.holistic-facial-skin-care.com will give you detailed information on all facets of skin care. The author, Wendy Owen has had a lifetime interest in general and alternative health and skin care.

    Tanning Bed Lotion

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    Apply a tanning bed lotion an hour before and immediately after every tanning session. Tanning bed lotions protect your skin and help to accelerate the tanning process.

    Tanning bed lotions contain tyrosine, an amino acid that stimulates production of the skin pigment melanin. Tyrosine assists the UVB rays in stimulating melanin production. UVA rays oxidize the melanin, producing color.

    Many tanning bed lotions contain Vitamin E. The anti-oxidant effects of Vitamin E, as well as those of tyrosine, work to prevent wrinkles and fine lines, especially on your face.

    Copper, another common tanning bed lotion ingredient, works to reduce the visibility of scars and other minor blemishes. (Incidentally, copper also assists tyrosine in the production of important brain chemicals. This could help explain the mild euphoria experienced by regular tanners. Research into the possible anti-depressive applications of the tanning industry continues to this day.)

    All tanning bed lotions have a moisturizing element, which magnifies the tanning effects of UVA rays, while counteracting the drying and peeling effects of UVB rays.

    As if all this weren’t enough, many tanning bed lotions contain hempseed oil, aloe vera, or any of a number of other nutrients to guard your skin from the relentless ravages of the natural environment.

    Different types of tanning bed lotions exist for different purposes. Some are formulated as “tan accelerators” that contain ingredients amplifying the effects of the tyrosine. Others are used mainly as an after-tan to replenish lost moisture.

    Be sure to choose one that is suited to your skin tone. If you are light skinned or do not yet have a base tan, choose a Type I or II. For moderate skin tones, choose a Type II, III or IV. For darker skin tones, a Type IV or V should be OK.

    Tanning bed lotions come in thousands of scents for your olfactory pleasure. Do you have a thing for cappuccino? Key lime pie? Chocolate? There’s a tanning bed lotion just for you. Your salon should have a full array of products for you to choose from. If you own your own tanning bed, ask your distributor whether they sell tanning bed lotion. Oftentimes they will pass their wholesale discounts on to you, as an incentive to purchase their equipment. For the best deals, however, scour the Internet.

    Tanning Beds Info provides detailed information about home, commercial, and wholesale tanning beds for sale, as well as tanning bed lotion and other products and accessories. Tanning Beds Info is the sister site of Sunless Tanning Web.

    Create a Spa Retreat at Home!

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    In today’s high-stress world, a visit to a spa can provide a much needed renewal for your mind, body and soul. If you don’t have the time and/or money to head to the nearest spa or resort, consider creating your own. Experience the benefits of a day at the spa by creating a near-professional spa in your own home. Here are some ideas for transforming you bathroom into a relaxing spa retreat.

    SPA TREATMENTS
    Widely used in spas, bath salts or salt scrubs made with sea salts are wonderful for their detoxifying properties. The Romans, Greeks and other European cultures have long believed in the benefits of healing through bathing in hotsprings.

    SPA TOOLS
    If you’re giving yourself a body treatment, have a body brush, loofah or sponge within easy reach. One of the best ways to revive skin is to exfoliate before you get in the shower. The ancient spas of Japan were known for their dry brushing techniques. Gently brush your body using circular motions with a soft body brush, starting at the feet and working your way up. This light brushing technique removes dead skin cells while stimulating circulation.

    DRY OFF
    Pamper yourself with classic and elegant spa garb – a luxuriously thick white terrycloth robe. If you don’t have a robe handy, find your fluffiest, softest towel. For an unmatched toasty treat, heat your robe or towel in the dryer before using.

    MOISTURIZE
    Water from the bath has a drying effect on the skin. To make the most of your skin replenishment, keep a special body lotion for spa days – one with an aroma that you enjoy.

    Chere Deshayes is the president of Bath Plantation, a company that specializes in handcrafted bath and spa products. Subscribe to her FREE newsletter at http://www.bathplantation.com/newsletter.html or visit her site at http://www.bathplantation.com.

    7 Essential Beauty Tips

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    Beauty

    Beauty is defined as the phenomenon of the experience of pleasure, through the perception of balance and proportion of stimulus. It involves the cognition of a balanced form and structure that elicits attraction and appeal towards a host, creature, inanimate object, scene, music, idea, etc. It's as well seen as An assemblage or even graces or even properties pleasing to the eye, the ear, the intellect, the aesthetic faculty, or even the moral feel.

    Beauty is the quality that gives pleasure to the mind or even senses and is associated with such properties as harmony of form or even color, excellence of artistry, truthfulness, and originality.

    A common understanding of the word beauty suggests that it's the appearance of things and people. For illustration, we call miss globe or even miss universe the virtually all beautiful female on earth. Also a fully blossomed rose is as well called a beauty. Beauty can't be measured, not can it be counted. It's purely subjective in nature, and its comprehension changes based on data from perception set of individuals.

    Beauty has always been revered from the time individual kind had developed basic senses. We've heard of umpteen number of stories in history when wars utilized to be inflicted upon for the desire of beautiful females. Beauty is all pervasive in nature and rises above any discrimination of race, caste, religion, etc.

    Many theorists and scientists have tried to deconstruct beauty into even more understandable parts. 1 idea is to look at it from the point of see of how much symmetry is discovered in the object. A few of the main contributions in this regards are - The inborn inclination of people to be attracted to symmetry coupled with the natural want or even pursuit of happiness leads to the premise that symmetry is indeed the symbol of beauty.

    Mortal beings are so engrossed with beauty that it's taken a awesome shape in economy in the form of beauty industry. There are many enterprises and organizations taking part in selling beauty products. These range from your next door beauty salon to a multi-billion premium branded marketing organization spread across 150 countries in the globe.

    Beauty care is a outstanding act time and pastime for mortal beings, especially women. Beauty is perceived to offer attractiveness and confidence. Beauty care includes hair care, face care, skin care, nail care, proper diet, vitamins, etc.

    There are many therapies dedicated to the cause of beauty care. Even more crucial among it is aromatherapy, cosmetology, laser coarse of action, hair coloring, slimming techniques, etc.

    Many authors have written on beauty. A select few of the wonderful quotes are "a thing of beauty is a joy forever" by John Keats. "True beauty lives in deep retreats, Whose veil is unremoved, Till heart with heart in concord beats, And the lover is beloved" by Wordsworth. And "We all know that a thing of beauty is a joy forever and that beauty lies in the eye of the beholder. Is not it interesting how the perception of beauty" by Anon.

    Helen Keller sums it all "The virtually all beautiful things in the globe aren't seen nor touched. It is felt with the heart".

    Codi Bellezia is the owner of a beauty z which is a premier resource for beauty information. for more information, go to http://www.abeautyz.com

    My Teeth are Now Zoom! Whitened

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    Let me tell you about my Zoom Whitening experience. For those of you who are unaware about teeth whitening products, the Zoom product is professional use only. Works rather quickly as opposed to the every night crest whitestrips. But it does cost more.

    I went to the dentist’s office and was setup with the dental assistant. She went over my teeth to remove and plaque or residue to have a clean tooth surface to apply the zoom gel. They put something on my gums to protect them from the gel. It felt like rubber, but it was a gel that was in a tube. They had an appliance to hold my mouth open so I didn’t have to hold a terror scream position the entire time I was there.

    Cotton ball rolls were used to hold my lips off my teeth. They basically want your teeth exposed, only your teeth, and to just let them hang there in the air while they apply the gel. She painted on the gel, which is a hydrogen peroxide gel. Then they used a Zoom light to enhance the whitening. It looked like a black light. She told me that it made the peroxide act quicker and faster, and after researching, I found that using the light helps by over 33%.

    They did my six front teeth, top and bottom, 12 total. First, they applied the gel, did the zoom lamp, and then they wiped off the gel, and applied more gel. They did this 3 times to the same set of teeth. So, overall, it took about an hour and a half before I was ready to go. I got to catnap in between whitening.

    What happened after I left?

    The zoom whitening continued to whiten my teeth for 12-18 hours after the procedure. So, I couldn’t drink any heavy staining drinks like coffee, cokes, or tea. But wait, I’ll miss my caffeine rush. You might need a caffeine pill or take an Excedrin migraine pill. I think they have caffeine.

    It was uncomfortable to have my mouth propped open for so long, and the chemical gets into the enamel, dentin or pores of the teeth so they were sensitive to everything. But, about 20 hours later, I was good as new. The whitening had taken effect and my teeth were no longer sensitive. I heard some people it takes up to 3 days to get back to normal, but I was fine.

    I wanted to share my experience with you if you were thinking about the zoom whitening in office treatment. They also had a home treatment you could use, but I wanted to take advantage of the 33% more whitening with that zoom lamp they used. I can tell they are whiter. Suppose to get up to 8 shades whiter. I don’t know how much I got, but it does look better.

    Cost? Mine was about $250 total. I’m sure it varies depending on where you go.

    Stuart Simpson
    http://www.teeth-whitening-review.com

    Sunblock. Your Most Important Cosmetic

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    Your Most Important Cosmetic? Sunblock by a mile!

    Are you a skin care junkie? Is your bathroom closet overflowing with bottles and jars? Does the content of these bottles and jars actually do anything to improve your skin?

    My guess is "sometimes". We all get seduced by promises of younger looking skin or banish wrinkles overnight. But the sad fact is a lot of the pretty looking products out there do not do what they promise and the wrinkles, acne, broken veins or whatever ails you is still there the next morning.

    There is one cosmetic that stands head and shoulders above the rest - Sunblock.

    Sunblock is the best preventative of aging skin you can buy in a bottle. It won't make you look younger in a few applications, you need to use it regularly - like every day - but over time it will make a tremendous difference to the appearance of your skin.

    Sunblock can be found as lotion, gel, roll on, or spray. If you're on a tight budget you can usually buy a bottle for just a few dollars from a supermarket or drugstore. Test it on an inconspicuous part of you first in case you have an allergy to it! This is more important for the cheaper brands.

    Use sunblock even if its cloudy outside. Ultraviolet (UV) rays can penetrate clouds by up to 80%, yes even if its raining. If you're driving, UV rays can penetrate glass, they can also be reflected off glass or water.

    And don't just use sunblock on your face. Put it on your hands, feet, arms or whatever bits of you that are not covered up. This is not just for appearances, sunblock can prevent potentially fatal skin cancers and melanomas from developing.

    Even if you have never used sunblock and you've already developed premature aging, its not too late! Regular use of sunblock and staying out of the sun can actually reverse some of the damage.

    Make sure you use a sunblock which has a sun protection factor (SPF) of over 15 and apply it fairly generously for best results. Its also best to apply at least 20 minutes before venturing out.

    Remember - prevention is better than cure!

    Like to have better looking skin? http://www.holistic-facial-skin-care.com will give you detailed information on all facets of skin care. The author, Wendy Owen has had a lifetime interest in general and alternative health and skin care.

    What is Your Hair Type?

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    Everyday you see people with all color and style of hair. But did you know that you have a hair type? Yes! Not all hair has been created the same.

    Lets start with the basic structure of hair:

    1) Hair grows from the follicle, which is long and bulbous. If you were to pull out a strand of hair you would see the bulge at the tip of the hair. The cells at the base of the follicle divide rapidly and is where you get your hair growth.

    2) Each strand of hair consists of three layers, the first being the innermost layer called the medulla. This is only present though in thick hair though.

    3) The middle layer is known as the cortex. This layer provides the strength, color and texture of your hair.

    4) The outer most layer is called the cuticle and this is what protects the cortex. It is completely colorless.

    5) The entire strand of hair is made up of a protein called keratin. And that is hair!

    There are 2 basic kinds of hair:

    1) Terminal hair is the hair that grows thick and long and is found on the head, armpits, pubic hair face and chest. (Face and chest on men)

    2) Vellus hair is soft short hair that you will find over the rest of your body.

    The type of hair you have seems to have to do with geography.

    1) If you are of Asian descent, then the hair strands are round and thicker than all other types of hair. With the exception of the red head who has the thickest hair of all.

    2) If you are of European descent with blonde or dark hair, then your hair strands are thinner. The strands are round to oval shaped.

    3) If you are of African descent, then the hair strands are flat and that is the reason for the frizziness and curl.

    It’s interesting to see when you get a mix of Asian genes with African genes or Caucasian with African. I am a white girl with blonde, curly frizzy hair. My parents came from Holland where there is a high concentration of people with African descent. So it’s not hard to see where I got my hair type, which I personally love.

    So you can now figure out why your hair is the way it is. You just need to do a bit of research into your family tree and there you’ll have it.

    Enjoy!

    About the Author

    Willie Jones
    http://www.hairfactor.com

    Willie is a researcher and freelance writer who enjoys sharing her views with others. Hair Factor

    17 Top Tips for Great Holiday Hair

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    When you are away from home in a different climate your hair will be subjected to weather it is not used to.

    Your hair needs to be protected in the same way that you do with your skin. UV rays are very harmful to your hair affecting the pigment, strength, shine and vitality.

    For your skin you take with you cleanser, moisturizer, sunscreen and after-sun lotions so for your hair take shampoo, conditioner, hair sunscreen and styling products.

    Cold Climate

    1. Cold temperatures weaken your hair and susceptible to damage. Flyaway hair tends to be subject to static. Hair should be well conditioned and protected by wearing a hat.

    2. If you have frizzy hair use a leave-in conditioner and take a deep moisturizing mask with you on holiday. All hair types will benefit from using a heat protection spray and serum to keep the elements out and keep the moisture in.

    Humid climate

    3. Hair expands just like it does when it is wet in a humid climate. This will make your hair fluffy or if it is curly, frizzy.

    4. For all hair types, a pre-holiday deep conditioning treatment is a must to nourish the hair and seal the cuticles, as you want to prevent excess moisture from entering the hair shaft.

    5. If you have fine hair use a light leave-in conditioner from mid-way down the hair to the ends and use a serum to seal the ends after blow-drying, being careful not to overdo the serum on fine hair.

    6. If you have curly and/or frizzy hair then you need to seal the cuticle (the outside of your hair) to minimize the additional frizziness that results in humid weather.

    7. Use a leave-in conditioner very morning. Use an anti-frizz serum to coat and seal the cuticle.

    Hot and dry climate

    8. The sun strips the hair of its natural oils and dry heat increases this effect. UV rays attack your hair and the resulting free radicals damage the hair. The weakened cuticle causes the hair to become dehydrated, allows the bleaching and fading of the color pigment as well as split ends.

    9. To protect your hair 100% from sun damage wear a hat!

    10. Deep conditioning your hair before your holiday is essential.

    11. If you have fine hair use a wash your hair with a gentle shampoo and use a light leave-in conditioner with UV protection. Use a sun-protection spray containing a UV filter to screen your hair from the effects of the sun and seawater and re-apply after going in the sea.

    12. If you have curly hair use a moisturizing shampoo and a leave-in conditioner to minimize dryness. Apply a nourishing hair mask whilst you are away to deep condition your hair. Use a sun-protection spray containing a UV filter to screen your hair from the effects of the sun and seawater and re-apply after going in the sea.

    13. If you have frizzy hair use a sun-protection spray containing a UV filter to screen your hair from the effects of the sun and seawater and re-apply after going in the sea.Use a rich leave-in conditioner with UV protection each morning and apply a hair mask every other day during the holiday.

    14. When you have been swimming in the sea always wash the salt out afterwards.

    15. Chlorine from the swimming pool is extremely damaging when combined with the effects of the sun, wet your hair in the shower before hand and protect your hair with a leave-in conditioner preferably one containing a UV filter. Wash your hair thoroughly after swimming.

    16. Hair grips and bands are an extremely useful item to have on holiday and offer a quick-fix solution for hair care problems.

    17. Don't forget your travel plug to ensure that you can still use your hairdryer and other electric hairstyling equipment whilst abroad.

    Bon Voyage!

    Copyright © Skye Irwin, Haircare-made-easy.com, 2005 This article is copyrighted. Please feel free to use it in it's entirety including copyright information and information about the publisher. Skye Irwin operates the website HairCare Made Easy, you can get her Hair Care Made Easy book from http://www.haircare-made-easy.com

    Looking For A Tanning Bed For Cheap?

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    If you want a tanning bed for cheap there are different ways to go about the project. A tanning bed for cheap may not be as difficult as you think.

    One way to find a tanning bed for cheap is to check tanning bed salons and see if they are ready to upgrade. You may be able to find a tanning bed for cheap if the salon is getting rid of the older models.

    Another suggestion if you are looking for a tanning bed for cheap is to put an ad in the paper. Sometimes you can put an ad in the local paper and get calls for a tanning bed for cheap.

    If you want a tanning bed for cheap you could also check the ads in the paper and see if any are for sale. There might also be ads for a tanning bed for cheap in the section that lists garage sales. Sometimes you will even find a tanning bed for cheap in the listings for auctions.

    You can look online for a tanning bed for cheap. Tanning bed sites often have good prices. Maybe you will find a tanning bed for cheap on a site that offers bidding for items.

    If you have friends that are looking for a tanning bed for cheap you could pool your money and buy one together. That way you will spend less money and really get a tanning bed for cheap.

    There are lots of ways to find a tanning bed for cheap you just have to know where to look!

    Timothy Gorman is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Tanning-Bed-Solutions.com. He provides more tanning bed information on tanning bed bulbs, tanning bed lotions and home tanning bed information that you can research in your pajamas on his website.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Permanent Makeup

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    Frequently Asked Questions About Permanent Cosmetics

    Q2) What is the recovery time for permanent makeup?
    A2) Everyone is different, but a general rule would be 3-7 days on the surface, and another 10-14 days below the surface. It is common for a person to return to work the same day. Lips will have some residual swelling and will chap. There may be slight swelling after the eyeliner; brows may look darker than usual – all of which softens in a few days.

    Q5) Can I still wear traditional makeup over the tattooed area?
    A5) Yes, after the area has healed. Permanent makeup is designed to be only an enhancement to your natural features. Wearing additional cosmetics is a personal choice that enhances your permanent makeup.

    Q6) What if I decide to have cosmetic surgery?
    A6) Plastic surgery has no affect on properly placed permanent makeup. However, if you’re contemplating plastic surgery, you may opt for the surgery before the permanent makeup.

    Q7) What reaction is common regarding permanent makeup?
    A7) Women are usually amazed at how awesome, natural and subtle permanent makeup is. They wish they had done it a decade ago. No more smudged makeup, daily hassle, etc. Life has become simpler!

    Q8) Who would benefit?
    A8) Active women and men ... those needing feature correction; people with allergies to make-up ... athletes ... the vision impaired ... alopecia sufferers ... those looking for a natural look - or those looking for something more dramatic.

    Q9) How is it done?
    A9) A sterilized, disposable needle is used to implant hundreds of tiny dots of colored pigment beneath the basal (top) layer of the skin enhancing natural features.

    Q10) Does it hurt?
    A10) The topical numbing anesthetic creams used today are much stronger than in years past. If you follow the simple rules beforehand of: no alcohol, aspirin, blood-thinning medications, Vitamin E, garlic or herbal supplements 3, preferably 5 days prior to your appt. will greatly reduce any discomfort associated with the procedure. Also, have no caffeine the day of the procedure. Following these guidelines greatly increases your comfort level during your permanent makeup procedure.

    Q11) How long will it take?
    A11) Most of the procedures require approximately 2-3 hours. The most important part of all the procedures is the artwork and choosing colors, both of which require approval by the client.

    Q12) How soon will the results be visible?
    A12) Within seven days you will notice a visible difference. We require all of our clients to come in for verification 30 days after creation at which time any adjustments will be made (if necessary).

    Q13) How long will it last?
    A13) Normally one to five years maybe longer. Re-enhancements otherwise known as “touchups’ or “refresher color boosts” are recommended for maintenance. You must remember that permanent makeup is a “low”, not a “no” maintenance procedure. You eventually will need a color touchup when your color fades. Once the color lightens you will know that you are ready for your refresher color boost! You cannot avoid this fact – everything fades with time, especially anything out in the sun.

    Q14) What about allergies?
    A14) Those with allergies are particularly good candidates to permanent makeup. If you are prone to allergies, you may ask the technician about an allergy test. The allergy test will be done using a red pigment. The red pigment is usually the one that will cause the most noticeable allergic reaction if there will be a reaction at all. Reactions are rare.

    Q15) What does it cost?
    A15) Fees vary according to the creation required and will be determined at a free consultation. But remember, you get what you pay for. You can expect to pay anywhere from $300-$600 per procedure, depending on your technician and your location. The smart thing to do is to for sure not to choose the cheapest artist, but you need not choose the most expensive artist either.

    Q16) What if the shape isn’t what I want?
    A16) The eyebrows are drawn on with semi-permanent marker prior to the start of any procedure, so you will see exactly what is going to be done before anything permanent is applied.

    Q17) What about removal of pigment?
    A17) We call removal “pigment lifting” which is available and works very well if the technician is trained in the process. Typically only small areas should be attempted to be lifted with either a salt/saline mixture or a similar “lifting” product, used for this purpose only– trying to removal larger areas of permanent makeup pigments will require more extensive treatment, such as a laser. Under these circumstances, contact a dermatologist.

    Nancy is Board Certified by the American Academy of Micropigmentation and remains active in the Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals. See her website:http://www.alwayslookyourbest.com

    Buying A Wholesale Tanning Bed

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    The tanning industry is showing no signs of stopping. If you ever wanted to open a tanning salon, now is the time to buy wholesale tanning beds. Many retailers sell tanning beds at wholesale costs. The best place to buy wholesale is online, since there are no warehouses or sales staff to pay. Online vendors have special buying relationships with manufacturers because of the high sales volume they generate. (Furthermore, even if you want to buy a single bed at wholesale cost, just contact a web vendor and ask whether you can piggyback on another customer’s large order.)

    Another way to buy wholesale is to contact the manufacturer. They are always looking for free advertising by selling to potential commercial tanning bed salon entrepreneurs. You can save even more money by proposing an agreement whereby you would market a manufacturer’s products exclusively.

    Used Tanning Beds

    There are some used tanning beds out there that are as good as new, at a fraction of the cost. When considering purchasing a used tanning bed, find out the year, make and model, just as if it were a car. Is there built-in obsolescence? Why is the owner selling? Is the bed in violation of FDA rules? Is it malfunctioning? Has the warranty expired? How deep is the discount?

    Discount Tanning Beds

    You can buy discount tanning beds without giving up quality. Every so often, tanning beds are replaced by newer models, prompting manufacturers to get rid of their slightly out-of-date overstock brand new, at a used price. These out-of-date models can still include a full warranty.

    Cheap Tanning Beds

    Consider buying a tanning bed at auction. Sometimes salons go out of business and their equipment is auctioned off to pay off any outstanding debt. Keep an eye on online auction houses such as eBay as well as foreclosure notices in your local newspaper.

    Otherwise, you can opt for a smaller tanning device known as a solarium. And not only do solariums cost one-tenth as much as tanning beds, they are easy to move and you can store them in a small closet.

    Tanning Beds Info provides detailed information about home, commercial, and wholesale tanning beds for sale, as well as tanning bed lotion and other products and accessories. Tanning Beds Info is the sister site of Sunless Tanning Web.

    The MACS Lift… how it differs from Conventional Facelifts

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    Background

    The MACS lift (minimal access cranial suspension lift) was described as a modification of the S-lift by a Belgian group in 2001. It was reported in the Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery journal, which is the main scientific journal for plastic surgeons.

    Essentially, it differs from a regular facelift in the following ways:

    1. The incision is limited to the skin hairline junction above the ear and anterior to the ear. There is no extension behind the ear.

    2. The area of undermining, unlike a conventional facelift, is much smaller and essentially involves a portion of the cheek. Because there is less undermining, the blood supply to the skin is much more robust and the technique is therefore safer in smokers. There is much less risk of any skin necrosis, unlike other lifts.

    3. Permanent suspension sutures are used to elevate the underlying tissue. These pass down to the neck, jowls and malar fat pad. Unlike many other facelifts which do not include significant mid face elevation the MACS lift elevates the malar fat pad reducing the naso labial folds.

    4. Because there is no undermining under the SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system) there is very little likelihood of damage to the facial nerve.

    5. Because the undermining and dissection is much more limited the post operative swelling and oedema is much less than in normal facelifts and recovery is therefore quicker.

    6. Because the malar fat pad is elevated it combines very well with lower lid blepharoplasty, as can be seen in the illustrations. It essentially reduces the height of the lower eyelid giving a more youthful, smooth appearance.

    7. In nearly all cases liposuction is performed to the neck area below the angle of the mandible, both to remove excess fat here and also to free up the skin to allow it to be re-draped by the suspension sutures.

    8. In my opinion the MACS lift produces results at least equivalent, or in most cases, better than a conventional facelift. It is ideally suited to the younger patient with a sagging mid face. In patients with really excess skin facility in the neck region, it may be necessary in some cases to make an incision posterior to the ear to take up this slack, but in most cases this is not necessary.

    DETAILS OF PROCEDURE

    The operation is performed under a general anaesthetic and most patients stay in hospital for two days post operatively. The operation generally takes about three hours and in nearly all cases should be combined with lower lid blepharoplasty, as lifting up the malar fat pad also lifts up the lower eyelids and it is relatively simple to remove the excess skin. Usually no additional work needs to be done to the fat pads because of the suspension of the malar area.

    During the post operative night, the patient is placed in a firm bulky woollen bandage and two small non-suction drains are inserted behind the ear. The bandage is removed the following day, along with the drains. Following this, a light chin-up bandage is worn for one week. Following this, the patient normally looks fairly reasonable, although there may be some residual bruising, particularly around the eyes. This is treated with Arnica cream and massage on a twice daily basis.

    Stitches in the lower blepharoplasty incision are removed at three days, those in front of the ears and alternate stitches in the hairline are removed at five days and the remaining sutures in the hairline at ten days.

    In my opinion the MACS lift is a significant advancement in facial rejuvenation surgery as it involves relatively little undermining and consequently the recovery is quicker. It also has the significant advantage of improving the mid face and malar area which other facelift techniques do not tend to help.

    I use this type of facelift now exclusively, and as I mentioned, in patients with really severe neck skin excess I would do a posterior skin excision, but this is not necessary in 90% of patients. This lift is ideally suited to the younger patient with mid face ageing changes and moderate changes in the neck.

    Author Bio

    Mr Richards is a full member of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (B.A.A.P.S) and the British Association of Plastic Surgeons (B.A.P.S) as well as a being a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS) and registered on the specialist register of the GMC for plastic surgery.

    Adrian Richards and Associates has a series of clinics and accredited hospitals across the mid shire counties and at 10 Harley Street London and offers a complete range of cosmetic surgery and non surgical procedures using the most advanced techniques available.

    For further information or to find your nearest treatment centre visit http://www.arandassociates.co.uk or call the information line on telephone number (UK) 0800 3285743 for specialist and sympathetic advice.

    Mr A RICHARDS MSc FRCS (Plas) Consultant Plastic and Cosmetic Surgeon http://www.arandassociates.co.uk Suite 3, Samuel House Chinnor Road Thame Oxon OX9 3

    Beating Dry Skin and Dandruff the Natural Way

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    For most of my life I've struggled with dry skin and dandruff. I've gone through every cream and shampoo available on the market without any acceptable results. I started to look to diet and more alternative practices for help. I've realized that it is possible to find solutions to dry skin and dandruff through diet, in combination with other health models, such as the Eastern practice of Ayurvedic medicine.

    Ayurvedic is an ancient medical system from India which empasizes more natural paths to healing through diet, massage and holistic remedies. It classifies individuals according to a metabolic body type or dosha. Each dosha is characterized by a combination of the earth's elements like fire, water, wind, etc. When your doshas are out of balance, ill health can occur. The three doshas are Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.

    Depending on what body type you are, you could be more prone to dry skin and dandruff. For example, a person with an imbalance in their Vata dosha is prone to dry skin. Various herbal rememdies and oils can help to restore balance to specific problems. With Vata, a regular body and scalp massage with sesame or sweet almond oil is recommended. For Pitta the oil would be coconut and for Kapha try olive oil. These can all be found in health food or grocery stores if you don't have a store that specializes in Ayurvedic remedies. You can also gently heat the oils in the microwave for a more intense moisturizer. Another great natural moisturizer is a mixture of egg yolks and honey. Thick and messy, but it works!

    In addition to topical remedies, you can also work on your body from the inside out. Diet has a great impact on dandruff. Try these following dietary tips:

    -Cut back on sugar and yeast. Foods that contain high levels of these ingredients can encourage fungus growth that causes dandruff. Unfortunately, that includes beer and wine!

    -Pack your diet full of B-vitamin, Omega 3 fatty acids, and zinc rich foods like egg yolks, fish, whole grains, bananas, avocados, nuts, seeds, flaxseed, and spinach. These nutrients help maintain healthy hair and skin and zinc is actually found in many anti-dandruff shampoos.

    -Use a tea tree oil shampoo on your hair. This is a very popular natural product from Australia, and has been used as an antiseptic, antibiotic and antifungal agent. This is the only anti-dandruff shampoo that has worked for me!

    These are only a few tips that can help to restore your body to optimal health. Ayuvedic medicine is as vast as the Western model requiring years of study and knowlege. I hope to have simply provided an introduction to a wide range of help available.

    Find out what your dosha is by visiting: http://www.ayurbalance.com/explore_articlethreedoshas.htm

    Jane Arnold is a freelance writer and part-time beauty buff. You can get more health and beauty tips at her website at: http://www.girlyside.com/girlyside.html The website is a girl's guide to health, beauty, love and leisure. Sign up for the free newsletter at http://www.girlyside.com/newsletter.html

    Hyaluronic Acid Injections Increase Visibility with Supermodel Spokesperson

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    Hyaluronic acid products are poised to continue their fast growth, particularly in the form of hyaluronic acid injections, according to E-Hyaluronicacid.com. The latest reason behind this growth is Medicis’ recent announcement that it has appointed supermodel, Frederique van der Wal to be the new face of Restylane. Frederique, one of modeling’s most recognizing stars, has appeared on nine Cosmopolitan and in several other publications including Victoria’s Secret, Harpers Bazaar and Vogue.

    Frederique’s image will appear on the company’s website and on its information brochures. Van der Wal will additionally serve as the product’s spokeswoman for the firm’s public relation campaign. Frederique’s visibility, along with her personal endorsement of the product, is sure to increase the growing popularity of Restylane. Restylane which is primarily composed of hyaluronic acid, is already the number one dermal filler on the US market, and many plastic surgeons predict that it will eventually surpass collagen and botox © as the most popular non-surgical cosmetic treatment.

    In accepting her new position, Frederique stated, “Restylane is a product in which I truly believe…Maintaining a youthful appearance is vital to my career, so I was excited to find a natural, non-invasive treatment that can safely erase some of the fine lines I’ve recently started to notice.” Jonah Shacknai, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Medicis responded with, "[Frederique’s] enthusiasm for the product coupled with her immense success in the modeling and entertainment industries and great personality make her a natural choice for us."

    The hyaluronic acid product Restylane is the first and only dermal filler made of crystal-clear gel called NASHA (Non-Animal Stabilized Hyaluronic Acid). Restylane uses a dual mechanism of action to correct wrinkles and folds. Upon being injected beneath the skin's surface, the NASHA gel adds natural volume and lift to smooth wrinkles and folds. The NASHA gel integrates into dermal tissue, then attracts and binds to water molecules to help maintain volume. Restylane is gradually degraded by the body's own mechanism and disappears without any residue. In addition, Restylane is the only FDA approved filler with clinical data supporting its efficacy for as long as six months.

    Restylane does not require any allergy or skin test prior to injection. In addition, the reported hyaluronic acid injection side effects have been limited to temporary redness and swelling at the injection site. As such, Restylane appears to be one of safest and most effective options on the anti-aging market.

    E-Hyaluronicacid.com is dedicated to promoting an understanding of Hyaluronic acid, a major ingredient in many medical and anti-aging therapies and to highlighting places where you can safely purchase Hyaluronic acid products. For more information go to Hyaluronic Acid.

    Achieve that Perfect Whiter Brighter Hollywood Smile!

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    So you are looking in the mirror this morning and what did you see?? Was it white bright beautiful teeth, or like the best part of the population were they looking a little dull?

    Like most things in life teeth gradually fade to yellow in color. If you are an avid coffee, tea or red wine drinker then this will accelerate the process and may also stain your teeth.

    It seems that almost every cosmetic company has tried to monopolize this industry with everything from whitening toothpaste to whitening strips. But there are only really two main options.

    Take-home whitening systems using trays and whitening gel or in-office, for immediate whitening results using a light activated gel to brighten teeth.

    How are the procedures used?

    Take Home whitening kits

    Take-home whitening has become wildly popular in recent times due to its flexibility and lower cost to in-house teeth whitening. The trade off is that it takes slightly longer to achieve the desired results (anywhere from 3 days to 2 weeks)

    This is accomplished by using a custom-made tray that is then layered with a prescription whitening gel 30mins to several hours at a time (dependent on how sensitive your teeth are).

    Your dentist will make an appointment with you to take a custom impression which will then be used as a mold to make custom trays.

    Once the whitening trays are ready you will have another appointment with your dentist where he will test them for a proper fit. Also the dentist will show the patient how to use the trays in conjunction with the whitening gel.

    The whitening trays are quite comfortable to wear and can easily be placed in before bedtime and taken out in the morning.

    Usually you will also be given a tooth mouse which you apply after using the trays to help alleviate sensitive teeth that some people get when using the gels.

    In-Office Whitening.

    There are several in-office whitening systems on the market but for the scope of this article we will only discuss Zoom Tooth Whitening

    The Zoom! Whitening Procedure

    The Zoom! Whitening procedure is simple and painless. It begins with a short preparation to isolate your lips and gums. The Zoom! Clinician then applies the proprietary Zoom! Whitening Gel, this is activated by a specially designed light. Teeth typically become at least six to ten shades whiter, sometimes more. A five-minute fluoride treatment competes the procedure. You'll be amazed with the results. In most cases, teeth get even whiter the first few days after the procedure.

    How The Zoom! Works

    The Zoom! Light activated gel was developed after years of research by Discus Dental, the leaders in professional take-home tooth whitening. The gel is a scientifically formulated, pH balanced Hydrogen Peroxide that, when activated by the Zoom! Light, gently penetrates the teeth to remove deep stains and discoloration. With proper care and an occasional touch-up at home, your whiter smile will sparkle for years.

    Who is eligible for tooth whitening?

    Well that is just a matter of preference really, anyone who would like to whiten their teeth by up to ten shades. It is very common among wedding parties for nice white bright wedding photos. But it really does appeal to everyone.

    Cost

    The cost can vary from place to place but for take-home whitening this can be around $450 and in-house whitening using zoom can range from $500 - $1000 depending on the procedure used.

    There are many different ways to obtain that beautiful whiter smile but if you want to get the best value for your money visit your local dentist and ask about it.

    Marc Lindsay runs a site dedicated to Zoom Teeth Whitening please visit the site here Melbourne Zoom teeth whitening

    Wonderful Foaming Honey Foot Bath at Home

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    I imagine you can tell me at length about how tired your feet and legs get after your busy day. When’s the last time you got to treat yourself to a day at the spa? Even if you had the time, it’s not too often you can afford the $100 cost of a simple, relaxing, foot soak.

    Doesn’t that sound nice? A relaxing foot soak at a spa. So I put together this simple recipe so you can have that soothing soak with ingredients you probably already have at home, and can whip up immediately.

    ***

    Step 1. Create this wonderful foaming honey foot bath at home.

    Here’s what you need:

    1 tablespoon Honey
    1 tablespoon Liquid Soap (I used dish soap)
    1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
    2 tablespoons Sweet Almond Oil

    The almond oil was the only things that sounded like it was tough to find, but my wife and I found it at the chain drugstore at the corner of our street. Just take a look in the beauty/cosmetic aisle.

    Mix all these ingredients together in a bowl and its ready for your foot bath. Note: If you want to make this stuff in a large quantity to save for later, you can bump up all the ingredients to something like this:

    ½ cup Honey
    ½ cup Liquid Soap (I used dish soap)
    1 tablespoon Vanilla Extract
    1 cup Sweet Almond Oil

    Now you can save this in a bottle and save some time for next time.

    Step 2. Find yourself a foot bath

    These days you can get a fancy, space-age, foot bath for about $20. They promise they do all sorts of things like vibration, bubbles, and heat. I haven’t tried one myself, but for $20 that probably isn’t a bad experiment.

    My wife however didn’t need one as she had me volunteer to provide all the scrubbing and massaging for her.

    Wait! Hon, I don’t recall you ever offering me a foot bath?

    So anything around the house that can submerse your feet just above the ankle is going to work here. We ended up using a disposable aluminum roasting pan.

    Yes it was brand new and didn’t have roasted meat in it!

    Step 3. Fill up your foot bath

    Put your mixed up concoction from Step 1 into your foot bath and fill with warm water.

    Please be real careful with the water temperature. Do this by triple checking the temperature of the water with your hands when it’s done. And if you are doing this for a spouse make sure you understand their taste in temperature.

    I speak from experience here. I got a little lazy, and didn’t judge the hotness of the water. Although my wife was a trooper and tried to go along anyways. I could tell from her grimace and refusal to dip more than like a toe into the water, that I made it too hot.

    Step 4. Soak for 10 minutes

    After I got the temperature of the water right, we soaked her feet for 10 minutes. There is all sorts of good stuff going on now during this soak.

    The soap is obviously cleaning all sorts of impurities from your feet. I can’t even explain how many things the honey is doing. Here is a short list:

    1) Apparently honey forms hydrogen peroxide which is a great anti bacterial agent. So there is goes cleansing your feet some more.

    2) Honey contains antioxidants. Health news constantly revolves around us getting more antioxidants. So without me getting all biologist on us, I’ll just confirm that getting more antioxidants on our skin and in our diet is really super great!

    3) Honey is also a terrific humectant. All that means is it makes a great moisturizer.

    ***

    Just knowing about this foot bath, you can get started on your at-home foot spa. So take 15 minutes tonight and pamper yourself. Those feet are going to feel so soft, especially in a comfy pair of flip flops.

    Another great way for women readers to treat their feet is to slide them into a pair of ultra-comfortable flip flops. Get a pair at http://www.yourflipflops.com.

    Or if you’d like our FREE newletter with more articles about pampering your feet, send a blank email to mailto:flipflops@aweber.com

    Reducing the Appearance of Wrinkles

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    Wrinkles. One of the most dreaded words in the dictionary. At the first sign of a wrinkle, our reaction is pretty much universal. Horror! After we calm down, we begin to wonder just what we can do to eliminate this much dreaded effect of aging and how do we keep other newer and deeper wrinkles from following. If we already find ourselves with wrinkle mania in full bloom, we look for solutions to turn back the hands of time and restore our skin to its once youthful state. Fortunately, there are options available to us to reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

    Let's take a moment to discover what causes these wrinkles. First and foremost, aging. As we grow older our skin naturally looses collagen and eslastin that help to keep our skin firm and taunt. Also, our skin cell reproduction slows down and the rejuvenating effect that new skin cells have on our skin’s appearance diminishes. These types of wrinkles are known as intrinsic, they cannot be avoided. It is Mother Nature at her best (or worst!). Other factors, like the environment and sun damage, can also cause skin to wrinkle. Smoking also causes the skin to produce less collagen, inevitably leading to an increase in wrinkles. These types of wrinkles are called extrinsic. They are life style choices that are, for the most part, under our control. These extrinsic influences are the leading cause of pre-mature aging patterns in our skin. Now that we know why we have wrinkles let’s talk about how to reduce them.

    One of the more popular ways to reduce the appearance of wrinkles is plastic surgery. Not only are face-lifts an option but also there are now less invasive procedures, like chemical peels, laser treatments, and collagen injections. The number one procedure for reducing wrinkles used today by women of every walk of life is Botox® injections. Botox® works by relaxing the injected muscle and allowing those awful furrow lines and other deep wrinkles to all but disappear. This is temporary, though, and has to be repeated every few months.

    Coblation is also an option for reducing wrinkles. Less invasive than surgery, radio waves are used to remove the top layer of the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and sun damage. Although this procedure does leave you with newer, younger looking skin, it is not as effective as laser treatments. It is safer, though, and the healing process is considerably shorter since the radio waves do not go as deeply into the lower layers of skin.

    Although all of the above mentioned remedies are good options, they are also expensive. There are a large variety of wrinkle reducing creams on the market today that contain ingredients like Retinal. These will help to firm your skin and lessen the look of fine lines, but not necessarily the deeper set wrinkles.

    Brian Fong
    http://www.NaturalVisage.com/

    There are options available to us to reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

    Modern SkinCare from an Age Old Source

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    Beauty from the Inside Out

    - The Rooibos plant Aspalathus linearus contains a host of natural antioxidants, the new buzzword for a healthy lifestyle. The antioxidant in Rooibos helps to neutralise damaging free radicals and therefore protects the body against diseases and premature ageing.

    - Currently there is tremendous interest in antioxidants and their role in helping to reverse and prevent free radical damage and it has been the topic of various scientific studies over the past 15 years.

    - The natural age fighting properties of the Rooibos plant makes it excellent for use as an all-natural ingredient in skin and personal care products. It restores and retards the ageing process. Skincare products containing an extract of Rooibos tea are worldwide sought after for the amazing results achieved on Dry, Sensitive and Problem skin It can accelerate the healing process for a variety of skin ailments such as eczema, sunburn, acne and allergies. Rooibos Skincare has been tried and tested for more than 30 years and helps to improve the skin’s own ability to retain moisture.

    - The Anti-Allergic properties and exceptional healing qualities of the Rooibos plant means that it is an excellent choice for all ages. These products are therefore suitable to be used on babies right from birth,

    - Because of the Rooibos plant’s unique anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-allergic properties, these products are terrific additions to the gym bag.

    - A South African mother with an allergic baby stumbled on the unique properties of the plant by accident in 1968. Her findings sparked off a flurry of international scientific research. She received the Best Woman Inventor of the Year Award from the World Intellectual Property Organisation in 1997 for her discovery as well as for her application of the Rooibos Extract in skin and healthcare products. Today, exported to every corner of the world, Rooibos tea and skincare products are revered by many for its internal and external benefits.

    Ansie Earle UK Distributor of Annique Rooibos Tea and Skincare Products. To find out more about these wholesome products visit http://www.AnniuqueUK.co.uk

    Get Free Cosmetic Samples Just for Completing Offers

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    There's almost nothing more irritating than buying a lot of expensive cosmetics and finding out after you get home that you don't like them. You can protect your wallet from this drain by trying out free cosmetic samples first.

    You don't have to throw money down the toilet any more. Trial offers for free cosmetic exist online. With just a little investment of your time, you can get freebies to help you better choose what's right for you.

    Cosmetics companies and other manufacturers want you to have freebies so they can build a fiercely loyal customer base. It does a company no good if you get home and find out your perfume stinks or the color on the package didn't match the shade inside. What's even worse for them and for you in this situation is that most stores won't take the items back once they're opened. But, thanks to trial offers for free samples online, those worries could be a thing of the past.

    Why not try before you buy? Go ahead and take advantage of the offers available online from manufacturers. Even better, you can receive great free stuff or make extra money for completing the offers!

    To take advantage of free cosmetic samples online or other offers for free product samples, just look at the list below and decide what you're interested in. To get the good freebies, you might have to invest a little bit of your time by completing offers, but the money savings in the long run makes the time investment pale in comparison.

    You can:

    Get free cosmetic samples, learn more about other freebies, find out about offers that reward you for completion with free money or free merchandise, learn how to get free stuff and/or money for shopping online.

    The only thing standing between you and getting free stuff online including free cosmetic samples is a little bit of your time. Manufacturers want to know what you think and they want you to become a customer for life by providing you with products that make you happy.

    So, sign up with a rewards program today and get paid cash or receive free stuff for accepting offers including free cosmetic samples.

    Sherri Lonon is a successful author and publisher of http://www.1st-in-rewards.com

    Great tips on receiving free merchandise and money from top online rewards programs.

    (c) Copyright 2004, http://www.1st-in-rewards.com. All rights reserved.

    Publishing Guidelines: You may freely distribute or publish this article provided you publish the whole article and include the copyright notice and links in full. A courtesy copy is requested upon publication.

    Mineral Makeup: A Natural Sunscreen

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    Mineral makeup is the thing to wear this summer if you're looking for an all natural makeup with safe and effective sunscreen. The fact is that two of the main ingredients in mineral makeup are natural sunscreens that not only reflect light but protect your skin from harmful and cancer causing UV rays.

    The ingredients, Titanium dioxide and Zinc oxide, both natural and very safe minerals are found in almost every sunscreen on the market. Titanium dioxide is so effective because of it's ability to reflect light. It has one of the highest refractive indexes in the world at (n=2.4). In fact this refractive index is surpassed by only one other mineral in the world-diamond.

    Titanium dioxide is also inorganic so it keeps the skin from gathering moisture that could feed bacteria and cause or worsen acne. This is great news for acne sufferers looking for an effective makeup and sunscreen product that won't worsen their condition.

    The second natural sunscreen mineral in mineral makeup is zinc oxide. Zinc oxide was not chosen as an ingredient because of it's sunscreen qualities however, it was chosen for it's vast array of colors and indeed is elimental in providing a large array of colors for makeup artists to work with when formulating different foundaitons, blushes, and eyeshadows.

    Zinc oxide is a natural UV blocker just as titanium dioxide is. It also has the same very water resistant quality of titanium dioxide and wards of bacteria. Zinc oxide is as widely used in sunscreen lotions as titanium dioxide. These two elements together give most brands of mineral makeup an spf of 15.

    Sure, almost any sunscreen touting makeup you buy has these minerals in it, so what's the big deal? For acne and rosescea sufferers, believe me it's a big deal. Mineral makeup is known world wide as the skin care makeup because no matter what skin care conditions you may suffer from it is a makeup that is totally safe for your skin. Recommended around the world by dermatologists and plastic surgeons it is actually so pure that you can sleep in it without worrying about acne flair ups or any adverse reaction.

    Talc based makeups, although they may contain these two natural sunscreen minerals also have other additives such as dies, chemicals and oils. Talc itself is organic and can help feed bacteria which worsens acne and rosascea. Almost all makeup on the market is talc based. Another drastic difference is the way mineral makeup is processed and worn.

    Minerals used in the makeup are finely milled until they are too fine to clog pores. Talc is not milled this fine and it can clog pores worsening or causing skin problems. If you're looking for a sunscreen makeup that is natural and safe mineral makeup is definately the way to go.

    Find more Mineral Makeup information at http://www.bare-mineral-makeup.info Get the facts, ingredients, and benefits as well as advice about which brands are the best.

    A Beautiful Skin is Every Man and Womans Dream!

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    She was so upset that day. She could not concentrate on her work in office. Her friends started asking her what happened to her. Anything amiss? They wondered.

    It was a conversation during breakfast when her husband remarked “Honey, my friend introduced his wife yesterday.” “How does she look?” “She is slim and a bit fairer than you.” Now she has started pondering on how can she can make her skin fairer and make it glow.

    Beauty is an obsession of women of all ages for many centuries but how many women realise that beauty is skin deep?. External beauty does matter but the beauty of the inner soul obtains that extra glow in the skin. A not-so-looking-good violin produces wonderful music than a flashy new violin. Similar is the case of a beautiful woman who looks extremely beautiful with a make over.

    Not all know that women who participate in beauty pageants have to pamper themselves for many number of days with creams and lotions and also be strict on diet and live on warm water and lemon juice most of the time. The make-up artists do an excellent work on the faces of the contestants by carving and chiseling a work of art on their faces to make their skin glow. But only when the show is over, and the artificial “everything” is removed from them do they realise how naturally beautiful they are.

    The natural glow just happens if a woman has a beautiful smile, a kind heart, maintaining a good body and eat a proper diet and keep the inner soul beautiful and clean.

    “If you're lookin' for a lover
    don’t judge a book by its cover
    She may be fine on the outside
    but so untrue on the inside."

    Or it might be vice versa where she might not be fine on the outside but can be wonderful inside!

    Not only women. Even men are becoming more conscious of their looks because women these days consider external beauty as one of the characteristics of a lover. The increase in the number of family saloons worldwide proves that the entire family wishes to appear good.

    At the same time a value education on inner beauty is also needed to make them realise that a beautiful soul glows more than a beautiful skin!

    HPriya Sivan

    The Manicure - More than Pretty Nails!

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    Pretty and well cared for hands are more than a delight to the eye. In the business world the two things often considered the most important in presenting yourself, are a good pair of shoes and well-groomed hands. Our hands say a lot about us and well-groomed hands make a good impression. Business and social occasions often require us to meet and greet colleagues and acquaintances. The first thing we do when we met someone is hold out a hand to greet the person.

    Taking care of your hands with a regular manicure will add more than style to your appearance; it will also keep your hands well-groomed and prepared for all occasions. Whether you choose a full spa manicure or opt for an at-home treatment you need to follow a few guidelines to ensure that your hands are your best assets.

    The manicure: Ultimate pampering at home or at the spa

    1. At home or at the spa start with a comfortable place to sit. Soak each hand in a bowl filled with warm water and perhaps a few drops of your favourite aromatherapy oil.

    2. Remove hands from the water and dry with a clean towel. Carefully clip and file the nails and clean gently around the cuticle area. Rinse hands and gently pat dry.

    3. While the hands are still moist apply a light scrub to exfoliate the dead skin. Rinse the hands again in the warm water and wipe completely dry.

    4. Apply a good moisturiser or lotion to the hands and wrists. This is a good time to enjoy a relaxing hand massage. Allow the moisturiser to penetrate.

    5. Leave fingernails natural or apply nail polish.

    Handy Notes: One of the very best ways to care for your nails is to eat a healthy diet. Boitin rich foods such as eggs, soy, whole grains and liver are reputed to promote healthy nails. Foods rich in sulphur minerals like apples, cucumbers, grapes, garlic and onions are also a must for strong nail growth. The essentials oils in salmon, seeds, nuts and tuna all help to keep nail shiny and pliable. A daily moisturiser will prevent those ragged cuticles and hangnails.

    Spas in Canada Copyright 2005

    Angie Kocsi is co-founder of http://www.spasincanada.ca After many years enjoying spas in Europe and drawing upon her knowledge of the corporate world along with an successful career in Public Relations and International Marketing Spas in Canada was created.

    The Spas in Canada website provides a place where premier spas and industry professionals offer useful information and links for all spa lovers everywhere.

    Do You Read Labels?

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    The first ingredient of any product is what makes up the majority of that product. For example if the first ingredient of your cleanser is water, than the majority of your cleanser is nothing but water. That is why it is important to know what is in your products. Are you interested in knowing what you are applying to your skin? Just as there are healthy and unhealthy foods the same applies to skincare products.

    Here is a list of skincare ingredients to avoid.

    • Mineral Oil- A liquid mixture of hydrocarbons obtained from petroleum, mineral oil can attract dirt and causes blackheads and eruptions. It can accelerate free radical damage, thus speeding up the aging process, because it causes toxins to build up in the skin.

    • All waxes such as PARAFFIN, BEEWAX, CANDELLIA WAX, CARNUBA WAX- Waxes are widely used in cleansing creams, eye creams and moisturizers. Waxes clog pores creating blackheads and whiteheads. They also smother the skin, which over a period of time, creates an enlarged pore problem.

    • Lanolin- A yellow, semi-solid, fatty secretion from sheep’s wool is widely used in skin and beauty care products. It can cause an allergic reaction in some people, as well as enlarged pores.

    • PETROLATUM- This familiar semi-solid mixture of hydrocarbons is derived from petroleum. Literally, “paraffin jelly” or “petroleum jelly” – it is not absorbed by the skin and suffocates pores. All petrochemicals pollute our water and destroy marine life-avoiding them is essential for humans, animals, fish, water, land and air.

    • ACETONE- Used in nail polish and nail polish removers, this colorless, volatile liquid is often used in astringents, fresheners or clarifying lotions. It is extremely toxic and will dehydrate the skin while speeding up the aging process.

    • BORAX (Sodium Borate Boric Acid)- Used in baby powders, eye creams, skin fresheners, and protective creams as a preservative- it is rapidly absorbed by the skin. And it is still widely used, despites repeated warnings from the American Medical Association.

    • ALCOHOLS SUCH AS ISOPROPYL ALCHOL, SD ALCOHOL 40,

    • ETYL ALCHOL- Alcohols dissolves the body’s own natural moisturizers and strips the skin of its own protection, leaving it vulnerable to infection. Alcohols destroy the skin ph balance and since they absorb water they speed up wrinkling of the skin.

    • FD&C- When this abbreviation precedes the name of a color, it means that the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has certified it as safe for use in drugs and cosmetics, but not in food. D&C colors are usually synthetic, coal tar colors; they’re toxic and should be avoided when at all possible.

    I challenge you to read labels, to find out what is safe and effective and would benefit you and your skin the most. There are many safe products on the market today and they are not expensive and easy to use and will have your skin looking healthy and radiant.

    Marylee Evans
    Independent L'Bri Consultant

    Commited to solving your skincare and beauty issues http://www.naturalskincaresolution.com

    Make your living in the world of beauty! http://www.beautybusinessopportunity.com

    The Truth About Home Made Facials

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    I started making facial masks after reading several books on natural cosmetics. Common ingredients used in home made facials are eggs, lemon, milk, honey, cucumber, tomato, essential oils and lots more fruits, herbs and other ingredients.

    The assumption I had was that home made cosmetics, being all natural and preservative free were much safer than the commercial masks you found in stores. A wrong assumption. You know the saying. Never assume anything. It makes an ASS of U and ME. Did you know some of the deadliest poisons on earth are 100% natural?

    There are complaints about preservatives irritating the skin and all that. That may be true especially for a person with very sensitive skin. But preservatives actually make cosmetics safe to use. Preservatives kill or at very least, inhibit the bacteria, mold, viruses and nasty things that would otherwise thrive in the cosmetics we use. Commercial preparations usually contain some preservative or other to make these products safe for use. Some of the very high end cosmetic formulations are packed in sterile capsules to do away with or at least, minimimize, the need for preservatives.

    If you make your own skin care for use later in the week, chances are, unless you are anal about sterilizing everything and freezing every batch once it has cooled, thawing it only when you are going to use it, and keeping your cosmetics away from the raw meat in the freezer, eventually, you could find yourself using contaminated home made cosmetics, which could lead to a skin irritation.

    I used to make my own skin care but found all the precautions I had to take such a hassle, now I buy mine off the shelves.

    Even if you make your facial products for immediate use, you have to be careful about using only the freshest ingredients. A mouldy fruit or anything that is spoilt can lead to disastrous results on your skin.

    Then there is the safety of the ingredients used in your skincare products.

    I once told a pharmacist about the lemon remedy I was using on my pimples. She was horrified. Lemons are highly acidic. Lemon juice is pH 2. Sulphuric acid is pH 1. Lemons can cause a nasty acid burn if you are not careful.

    We had a discussion about this. She told me about a customer who showed up with an acid burn. Turns out, she had a sunburn. Back in Australia, she would soothe that sunburn by rubbing cut cucumber over her skin. The juices would ease the sunburn. This time around, she was unlucky. The cucumber she used was more acidic than the ones she was used to and she ended up with a really nasty acid burn.

    Though cucumber is soothing, cucumber contains Alpha Hydroxy Acids as do most fruit and some of the other ingredients used in homemade beauty recipes.

    You see, in home made skin care, the exact chemical makeup of the ingredients you use may vary, leading to unpleasant results if you are unfortunate. That is why, everytime you make any facial mask, test it on the inside of your wrist first, before you let that mask touch your face.

    I was lucky. The lemon facial I did helped clear my skin by killing the bacteria, without burning my skin. The pharmacist said I was fool hardy. As did my cousin who has been making her own beauty products for years already.

    Lemon can thin the skin. It is so acidic. The pharmacist thought the other things, like the almond meal I mixed with the lemon juice helped neutralize the extreme acidity. Also, when I used freshly squeezed lemon juice directly on my face, I would dilute it with water first.

    Yet the books I read with home made beauty recipes often include lemon in their recipes. After all, lemon has lightening properties. Lemon juice is often used to lighten freckles. Lemon was even recommended in a book by a former model, for use as a toner.

    Not all ingredients are that dangerous though. Oats is an excellent ingredient for use in soothing facials. That was recommended to me by a doctor. For my toddler's rash. Cooked oats in a bag in the bath water is a home remedy to soothe itchy skin. Here is a facial that uses oats and rose water. http://www.womanht.com/facials/RoseOatsFacial.htm

    A home made face mask can be as simple as putting some mash fruit your face. Fruity facials tried and tested outlines such experiments with fruit.

    Different skin types require different ingredients. Dry skin can use richer, nourishing ingredients. Really dry skin would love the moisturizing effect of sweet almond oil or olive oil. Oily skin, on the other hand would break out in pimples if you try massaging these oils on your face. What works for your best friend may be disastrous on you.

    The easiest thing to do nowadays is to simply buy a great mask for your skin type off the shelf for your home facial. I use commercial masks these days after some disastrous experiments trying to find new ingredients for new home made facial masks for my site. The successful facials were published with at http://www.womanht.com/facials/.

    The writer is the writer of the articles in Home Made Facials.

    Manicure at Home

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    Required items to perform manicure:

    • Bowl with warm soapy water

    • scrub lotion

    • petroleum jelly or any other moisturizing lotion

    • cuticle pusher

    • Favorite nail polish and clear polish

    • Nail polish remover (if your nails have color)

    • clean white towel

    Steps to a manicure:

    Before starting make sure you remove your nail polish and have all the required items mentioned above. Also remove any jewelry on fingers.

    First trim or shape nails.

    Soak both hands in warm soapy water for 3 to 5 minutes.

    Push cuticles back gently with towel or cuticle pusher " stick".

    Rub hands with a homemade scrub or any other scrub lotion to exfoliate skin.

    Apply petroleum jelly or any other moisturizing lotion on hands. Cover with gloves and leave on for about 5 minutes.

    Paint nails. Make sure to apply at least to coats of nail polish and a top coat of clear nail polish to give it more shine. Give it enough time to dry.

    Try giving yourself a manicure at least once a week to for great looking hands.

    About The Author

    Kenia Morales is the publisher of online magazine http://kpatra.com "For Every Aspect of Today's Woman. Visit her site to find a variety of women related issues and topics".

    keniamorales@kpatra.com

    Is Cosmetic Surgery Right For You?

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    For many of us, we go through most of our lives paying minimal attention to our skin. Sure, we moisturize and hopefully use our SPF30 on a regular basis but pampering our skin on a daily basis is not practical for most people.

    Then one day we wake up and notice that the face we’ve paid little attention to over the years has just started looking a little worn. We might begin to see a few more noticeable lines or we might look a little tired with bags under our eyes. Our eyelids may look a bit droopier and our cheeks might sag a little more than they use to.

    Ten to twenty years ago there weren't many options to droopy, saggy, wrinkled skin but today we have lots of them and cosmetic surgery is looming to the top of the list as one of the most popular remedies around.

    Did you know that according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, men accounted for 1.2 million cosmetic procedures in 2004? It's a known fact that men don't want to look any older than women do.

    According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) the top 5 cosmetic procedures were:

    For women:
    1 Liposuction
    2 Breast Augmentation
    3 Eyelid Surgery
    4 Facelift
    5 Chemical Peel

    For Men:
    1 Nose Reshaping
    2 Eyelid Surgery
    3 Liposuction
    4 Hair Transplantation
    5 Breast Reduction

    The new five-year trending data shows cosmetic procedures are up 24 percent from 2000.

    Also in the running are the non-surgical procedures which have increased as much as 7% in 2004. They include such procedures as:
    - Botox
    - Laser hair removal
    - Chemical peels
    - microdermabrasions

    So is cosmetic surgery right for you?

    Well, I can't speak for everyone but there are a few things to consider and some questions you should ask yourself before going under the knife..

    First and foremost, cosmetic surgery is ‘surgery’ and it hurts - ouch! As with any surgery, there is a healing period and there is swelling and puffiness immediately afterwards. Don't expect to look beautiful right out of surgery. It's going to take some time and patience.

    Understand that a nose job or a face lift won't necessarily make you beautiful and it probably won't change how the world feels about you. In fact, patients have been known to feel a sense of disappointment after their procedures and for this reason it’s important to understand how significant the changes will be, they may only be very subtle.

    If you're considering plastic surgery ask yourself these things first:

    Why do I want cosmetic surgery? Who am I doing this for?

    If it's because your friend says you have a big nose or if you think looking more beautiful for your husband he will pay more attention to you then,you're a poor candidate. Hoping to impress your friends or hoping your husband will be more attentive are poor reasons.

    A new face, nose or body won't change how others feel about you and if it does, it will only be temporary.

    Can I afford This?

    Most cosmetic surgery is not covered by health insurance unless it is health related. If you have to scrape money together to do this you're better off looking into non-surgical or less invasive treatments.

    What if the results are not what I expected? Again, there's a chance that expectations won't be met. Be sure you are ready financially and emotionally to undergo more treatment if you're results are underwhelming.

    As with any high cost, risky procedure, think it through. Don't act on a whim. Discuss the procedure with relatives and friends. Get some outside opinions.

    If you're still interested in pursuing cosmetic surgery be sure you are in good health. A good candidate doesn't smoke, is emotionally stable and does not experience any major health disorders such as heart disease, diabetes or blood pressure issues.

    Elizabeth McGee is an online skincare consultant who reviews skincare products and their benefits.

    Visit Elizabeth's website: http://www.fine-skin-care-products.com and receive your free 'Beauty and Weight Loss Tips Guide'.

    5 Cheap Tanning Lotion Tips For Summer

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    With summer approaching, it's time to pull out the tanning lotion yet again. It's not cheap though, is it? So here are a few tips to help make your bottle of bronze stretch a little further this tanning season.

    Pay attention to application. To apply tanning products most effeciently, begin working on a small area. Then, softly and in an even manner, rub in the product - but not too generously.

    If you work your way out to other areas in a swirling, but still gentle and even rub, rather than going in an up-and-down direction, you will stretch your product further and still have the same level of effectiveness.

    Getting to those hard to reach areas like your back may require an extra hand.

    Diluting is OK. When using these lotions on more sensitive areas like your knees, feet, hands and elbows, either dilute first with a moisturizing lotion or use very small amounts when gently rubbing in.

    Rubbing with a make-up sponge applicator works well for these areas, too. Doing this will help prevent build up, irritation and waste.

    Remember to use sunblock too! Many tanning lotions do not contain any level of SPF protection. Remember the basics, long and light clothes and high SPF sunblock to protect your skin at the same time.

    If you make an effort and follow these tips, a little bit of lotion will go a long way, so slow and steady does it.

    James Allen offers the best sunless tan information anywhere on the internet for free at: http://www.BestSunlessTans.com.

    Top 4 Sunless Tanning Methods

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    Tanning products, both sunless and sun, go to work on the epidermis, or the outside layer of your skin, and not the dermis or inner layer. However, the layer of epidermis that is affected by sunless versus the layer affected by sun tanning products differs. Sun tanning lotions, sprays, gels and other assorted items, go to work on the stratum basale or deepest layer. And sunless tanning items go to work on the stratum corneum or outermost layer.

    Method 1 - Sunless Bronzers

    Some sunless tanning products come in the form of moisturizers (as lotions and crèmes) and powders and are referred to as bronzers. Basically you simply apply these to your skin as you would make up products for a temporary "tan" appearance, similar to the effects of applied makeup leaving a "tint."

    Then you just wash the bronzers off with soap and water; the "tan is removed with washing. Caution is needed so that the products do not stain clothing or other fabric. And care needs to be taken so that the applications do not streak or run when wet, similar to the results of mascara running. And finally, make sure that if you wear these products outdoors, they contain sunscreen in the ingredients; otherwise wear protective clothing, eyewear, etc.

    Method 2 - Sunless Tanning Booths

    Sunless tanning booths are becoming more popular. With an air compressor and an airbrush delivery system in one of these booths, skin receives a "tan." What happens is that pistons in the compressor quickly press or force air out via a nozzle in an airbrush or spray head. This air mixes with a tanning solution containing DHA that's inside compartments within the airbrush, and sprays this in a fine mist over the outer skin layer.

    Some tanning booths have up to 36 of these airbrushes connected to the compressor and they are all either in fixed positions or moving. Thus tanning clients then either move under fixed sprayers so that skin is covered all over. Or else the tanner parts move to spray the different body parts (these types pose more mechanical maintenance issues though.)

    Method 3 - Tanning Accelerators

    For a speedier tan, you might elect to try a tanning accelerator. Generally sold as lotions or pills, these products list an amino acid called tyrosine in with the ingredients. This amino acid is reported (but not proven) by some users to increase the production of melanin, speeding up the tanning process. Again, these are not FDA-approved solutions or drugs.

    Method 4 - Tanning Lamps

    Tanning lamps, unfortunately, can have the same bad effects on the body as direct sunlight. The equipment emits UV rays that are just as damaging as the sun's. Some measures to take towards safety when using this type of equipment are closely monitor sessions, keeping to the minimum number and timed lengths that are recommended, don't book sessions closer than every-other day, ALWAYS wear recommended safety eyewear, follow safety and other directions that come with the equipment or are (or should be) posted near it, and do place some sort of protection like a thin piece of acrylic between your body and tanning lamps. (Check for this possibility with booths, too, by asking the host or reading the equipment's instruction booklet).

    In conclusion, when looking for a tanning solution, check out the variety of products available. Sunless-tanning products offer safer tanning and many choices of forms and formulas for everyone across the board from young to old. And sunscreen products are definitely needed outdoors and also come in a variety of choices for everyone.

    So be prepared. Be safe. And have fun in the sun!

    Tony Newton publishes the popular health and wellness website - http://www.1st-for-health.com With lots of informative articles on low carb diets, hair loss, arthritis pain relief, obesity and lots more.

    The 3 Things You are Doing Right Now that are Causing Your Dark Eyes Circles

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    When I started searching for a solution for dark circles under the eyes I thought that it was going to be easy to find something that really worked. I tried several products just to end up empty handed. As you probably know there are some products out there to camouflage dark circles, others are topical lotions to place under your eyes. All of which offer very little improvement.

    The question is… why?

    Why do these products that you apply to your skin offer very little help?

    The answer I found was simple yet very illusive. The problem lays somewhere else in your body and the solutions are inexpensive if you have the right information (more on this in a minute).

    First, we must face the fact that some of the products out on the market are shameless fakes and scams, products designed to take your money living you empty handed and feeling cheated.

    Now I don’t think of myself as difficult to satisfy but paying $90.00 for a cream that produces this result it’s simply a waste of your hard earned money.

    This proves to you that products offered to cure dark circles only treated the surface of the skin and not the real problem.

    So you are probably thinking that by going straight to the professionals might clear everything up and give you an honest solution. Don’t be so sure.

    I did just that and the more I asked the more confused I became. Almost every respectable professional that I talked to gave me different answers: some told me that dark circles are hereditary, others claimed that the only solution was Laser surgery, there were the ones that believed that dark circles are caused by allergies, a few disregarded the problem and simply blamed it on lack of sleep, and I could go on and on.

    When I asked Dermatologists and Cosmetic doctors about how to remove dark circles, one of the answers I got the most was that dark circles can only be removed by laser surgery. When I researched this version deeper I found a sickening truth.

    The fact is that Laser surgery is in vogue and cosmetic doctors are making huge profits performing these procedures to remove dark circles. A simple case of dark circles can cost you a few thousand dollars.

    No wonder most of these professionals recommend this treatment, how could they recommend anything else when they know that these procedures bring money by the truck load.

    This really made me furious, I consider this unethical and misleading and so should you.

    The other problem with surgeries is that sometime they produce undesirable results, burning of the skin; scarring and discoloration are some of the complications caused by eye lid surgery.

    See some examples below

    Get the rest of this article at: http://www.homemademedicine.com/home_remedies_for_dark_under_eye_circles.html

    Charles Silverman N.D.
    Is the author of ¨How to Remove Dark Circles Naturally Report¨ and owner of http://www.homemademedicine.com/home_remedies_for_dark_under_eye_circles.html

    e-mail: darkcircles@homemademedicine.com

    An Alternative to Liposuction. Lipoliquidation or Lipodialysis

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    Even though liposuction methods have been greatly refined and simplified since the initial onset of this method of plastic surgery, there still remain however a large amount of people who, had they had an alternative choice of dealing with their fatty deposits other than the method which is currently and most widely used by plastic surgeons, they would have done so.

    If you are one of those people who would have liked to have dealt with your stubborn fatty deposits but, who just can’t quite come to terms with conventional liposuction methods and all that that entails, the surgery (sometimes under general anesthetic), the corsages (usually worn for one to two weeks), and the inevitable bruising then, one the methods outlined below may just very well be the one that suits you.

    Lipoliquidation is but one of the newest and, most revolutionary areas of cosmetic surgery which does not entail the use of a lancet. The basic concept regarding lipoliquidation pertains to the use of certain medicines which are injected directly under the skin, and which are designed to fight the problem of stubborn fatty deposits right at the root. The medicinal solutions which are injected into the problem areas ruin the lining of the fatty-cells releasing, in turn, the fat, thereby allowing the body’s natural excretion mechanisms to expel the fat and toxins from the body. There are a variety of solutions which are available to the plastic surgeon who undertakes lipoliquidation as a method of dealing with fatty deposits. Below are outlined the various solutions available, how they are used and, for what kind of areas of the body they are recommended for.

    HOMOTOXICOLOGICAL MEDICINAL INJECTIONS

    This refers to a ‘cocktail’ of vegetable substances which are used primarily in the field of homeopathy in order to stimulate the body’s self-repair mechanisms. Homotoxicology is based on the theory that ‘ an illness is the body’s attempt to defend itself from the toxins which have entered it’. The homotoxicological solutions used, reinforce the body’s defence mechanisms enabling thus, the body to cure itself. Method of application: a form of injectional therapy is undertaken. Firstly, the dermatologist inserts needles with the substance to be used in the area with the problem and, following this he undertakes a ‘systematic’ approach by way of placing needles on the patients’ foot acupunctional energy points. The homotoxicological substance is then transferred to the fatty tissue causing lipoliquidation. Areas of use: the homotoxicological method is used for thighs, buttocks and calves. There are no side-effects. Furthermore, parallel to the injectional therapy, inversional pressure massage is also undertaken as this assists in the channeling of the lymph through the lymphic route allowing it to be carried out of the body along with the fat.

    THREE-SOLUTION COMBINATION

    This pertains to the use of three different solutions which have been found to undertake a ‘chemical’ attack against the fatty tissues gradually ruining them. The first step is to issue into the body a medicine which tones up the fatty tissues’ micro-circulatory system. The second medicine is very drastic and is widely used to counteract high cholesterol levels on people who are hyperlipidynamic. Once the fat has been dissolved, a third medicine, aminophiline which is a diuretic is issued assisting the body in expelling the fat.

    Method of application: The medicines used in this form of lipoliquidation are administered alternatively. Injections are undertaken once a week on the various parts of the body. The therapy is repeated on average twelve times meaning that it takes up to three months to undergo the full cycle of therapy. Upon the completion of the therapy the patient sees a 50% improvement and, in two months following the results of the therapy reach the capacity of 100% improvement.

    Areas of use: this form of therapy is used to combat local fatty deposits and cellulite on thighs, buttocks, calves, arms and stomach. The injections which the patient undergoes in view of this form of therapy also contain anesthetic so as to minimize pain which may be felt.

    ARTICHOKE HEART EXTRACT INJECTIONS

    Considered as being nature’s ‘heavy artillery’ in the fight against fatty deposits, the artichoke’s heart is gaining more and more fans amongst those who want to address their problem in the most natural means as possible. The artichoke’s heart extracts are already being used to counteract high cholesterol levels and have also been found to have miraculous lipoliquidation results. The solution which is injected into the patient’s body contains artichoke heart extracts, vitamin B1 and anesthetic.

    Method of application: The artichoke heart extract is injected by means of very fine needles directly under the epidermis forcing thus, the lipocells to release their fat and toxins and to expel them from the body. Injections are undertaken fortnightly for a span of six months. The patient undergoing treatment begins to see results after two months since the commencement of therapy. Final results are seen eight to ten weeks after the completion of therapy. If the therapy is supplemented with a correct eating regime and exercise, results will last up to tree years. Areas of use: Artichoke heart extract therapy is especially suited in counteracting fatty deposits on thighs, buttocks, calves and stomach areas.

    LIPOLIQUIDATION THERAPY WITH OZONE AND OXYGEN

    The solutions used in this form of lipoliquidation therapy contain ozone and oxygen which, are currently being used in medicine to deal with problems pertaining to circulatory and neurological disorders and hepatitis to name but a few.

    Method of application: The oxygen/ozone solutions used in this form of lipoliquidation therapy affect the fatty tissue’s lipid acids by way of transforming them into water soluble combinations. They are then expelled by the body through the urinary system. Furthermore to this, the oxygen/ozone solution used in the lipoliquidation therapy also assists in enhancing the general health, elasticity and texture of the skin. It also, it has powerful anti-inflammatory effect, tones the body’s circulatory system, activates the cells’ enzymes, enhances the oxygenation of tissues and, fights free radicals.

    Areas of use: oxygen/ozone therapy can be undertaken on every part of the face, on knees and calves and is highly recommended in treating cellulite. There are no side effects to this form of treatment and results are visible from the second week of therapy onwards. Also, if the patient is careful in his/her dietary habits and undertakes regular exercise the oxygen/ozone lipoliquidation therapy will have permanent results.

    Charles Kassotis is the Owner and Webmaster of http://www.PlasticSurgeryOrg.com and Many Other Personal Health and Wellness Websites. With a Strong Interest in Personal And Overall Health, he has Invested 100’s of Hours in Research, and Published countless Health Articles aimed at Better Educating the Public to their Choices when it comes to Personal Health and Wellness.

    Differences Between Perfume And Perfume Oils

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    The history of perfume oils dates back to ancient Egypt when these fine scented oils were presented to royalty as gifts. In modern times, however, when the word "perfume" is said, most people think of department store fragrances, which consist mainly of the concentrated oil and alcohol solution. Nevertheless, as more and more people are finding out about them, perfume oils are experiencing great popularity. Here are some interesting facts about perfume oils:

    1) Strength of smell - Perfume oils are highly concentrated and up to ten times more concentrated than department store perfumes. This quality allows oils to last longer than their eau de perfume counterparts.

    2) Alcohol - Perfumes have alcohol in them, which creates different smell effects. Most body oils use carrier oils like jojoba or grapeseed oil in place of alcohol. In some fragrances, the smell can change as the alcohol evaporates different scent notes through time. With oils, the scent is more constant.

    3) Price - A noticeable difference between perfumes and perfume oils is price. Perfumes have a very high markup and great profit margins, which is perhaps why many celebrities have embarked on the trend of creating their own perfumes and colognes. Perfume oils can be sold very cheaply, or even more expensively than the perfumes, depending on how they are positioned in the market.

    4) Body chemistry - Just because a perfume or cologne smells good on you, doesn't mean that the oil version will. Perfumes only have a small percentage of oil, so they are quite different than pure body oils. This interaction between the fragrance and your body may produce a different scent perception altogether.

    5) Packaging - Clearly, department store perfumes are very nicely packaged and thus make great gifts for friends and family. Many perfume oils are sold in less attractive containers, which is part of the reason for their lower price.

    6) Uses - Perfumes are only intended for use on the body, but perfume oils can be used to create a variety of scented products, like soap, candles, bath oils, air fresheners, and many other types of scented products. Be aware that there are different types of fragrance oils and that pure uncut oils are not safe for use on the skin.

    In summary, whether you choose to use perfume oils or not will depend on the factors above. Try out a small sample first and who knows, you might just discover a delightful new product to add to your personal inventory.

    Criss White is a professional web writer on baby and new mother topics for baby and pregnancy websites. See Body perfume oils and Designer Perfume Oils for more perfume oil information and supplies. Note: If you find this article useful, you may reprint it on your website, e-zine, or in your newsletter as long as the credits and resource box remain in tact and the hyperlinks are active.

    Sunquest Tanning Bulbs

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    Sunquest tanning bulbs are a good choice for tanning beds. When you buy Sunquest tanning bulbs you can be assured of a high quality product.

    Sunquest tanning bulbs are made by a group of people who are dedicated to their jobs. Sunquest tanning bulbs have been manufactured since 1998.

    You can find Sunquest tanning bulbs in many sizes including 44, 48 or 60 inch full-length tubes or 188 tubes (44 full-length tubes and 144 x 15 watt booster tubes). These Sunquest tanning bulbs are fitted with 160, 180 or 200 watt high power tubes. Because of the longer length of the Sunquest tanning bulbs even the tallest tanner will be satisfied.

    Sunquest tanning bulbs are various prices. You can find prices for Sunquest tanning bulbs online.

    There are certain models that use the Sunquest tanning bulbs in a way that gives the tanner an optimal tan while also keeping the tanner cool and comfortable.

    Sunquest tanning bulbs are made to last. These bulbs are made with the latest tanning technology in mind. Sunquest tanning bulbs are made to live up to maximum bulb life expectancy.

    When it is time to replace the tanning bulbs you will be happy with Sunquest tanning bulbs. Sunquest tanning bulbs are available at unbeatable prices and in different sizes.

    The age and type of bulbs will determine tanning efficiency. When you use Sunquest tanning equipment equipped with Sunquest tanning bulbs you will be able to attain optimal tanning.

    Obtain information about Sunquest tanning equipment and Sunquest tanning bulbs and you will be very tempted to give this fine company a try.

    Timothy Gorman is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Tanning-Bed-Solutions.com. He provides more tanning bed information on tanning bed bulbs, tanning bed lotions and home tanning bed information that you can research in your pajamas on his website.

    Makeup Tips for Eyes, Lips and Face

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    When I hit my 30's, I decided to get more serious about skin care and makeup. I've become a regular at Department Store 'Bonus Days', when you buy an item and get a bunch of samples for free! Cosmetics and makeup can be fun, easy and inexpensive if you follow these tips!

    Your Eyes:

    1. For great looking eyes make sure to use powder shadows for a natural look and a eyeliner pencil for drama at night. Make sure the liner has a smudge tip at one end to get that smoky eye look. Only line the top of the eye is you're looking tired. You don't want to bring more attention to dark circles under the eyes. Neutral tones with a hint of color are flattering on everybody.

    2. For sheen on the eyelids, dab a bit of Vaseline for a pretty reflective quality, as well as moisture.

    3. Open up the eye with a gold/beige shimmery high lighter onto the brow bone.

    4. Don't throw away cash on an expensive eye makeup remover! Find a pretty glass bottle and fill it with baby shampoo.

    5. If your cream eye shadow dries out, use a few drops of water or mineral oil to soften it up again.

    5. Potatoes, like cucumbers, will reduce the appearance of dark, under-eye circles.

    Your Lips:

    1. Use blush as a lipstick, then use clear gloss or lip balm over it. Longer staying power.

    2. Natural ingredients have been used for centuries as makeup: apply beet juice to lips and cheeks as a stain,or mix it with melted bees wax to make your own lip balm! Cayenne pepper can plump the lips, but use with caution!

    3. Use eye makeup remover to treat super dry, chapped lips. It's a great nighttime lip treatment!

    Your Face:

    1. For a longer lasting foundation try a product with silicone. The silicone creates a sweat-proof and smudge resistant second skin. For me, I find it helps with my rosacea because the live yeast extract has healing powers.

    2. A powder bronzer under blush can really even out skin tone. I dab my brush in the bronzer, then into the blush and lightly cover my whole face.

    3. For a new bronzer, use a foundation that is two to three shades darker than your skin tone and apply where you would use your bronzer. In a pinch you could use a brown eye shadow.

    4. Papaya mixed with plain yogurt into a paste makes a great exfoliating mask for all skin types!

    5. Use an egg white mask for a quick fix for diminishing the appearance of pores.

    Jane Arnold is a freelance writer and part-time beauty buff. You can get more health and beauty tips at her website at: http://www.girlyside.com/girlyside.html The website is a girl's guide to health, beauty, love and leisure. Sign up for the free newsletter at http://www.girlyside.com/newsletter.html

    Skin Calling: Pure-Plant and Vitamin Topical Solutions for Youthful Skin

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    In today's busy, stressful and at times rat race world, women and men are aging before their years. The next time you reach for that cigar or ette, try reaching for your skin care regimine instead. It not only satisfies your hand to face auto-reflexes but it satisfies your oral fixations as well. You'll be smiling alot more and probably kissing more face!

    Antioxidants:
    Scientists believe we all can prevent disease and aging by attacking the issues (or tissues) at the cellular level. Serial, these guys know what they are talking about. They truely know more than anyone else on this planet. This is their life... scientific research. Day-in and day-out. Many hours, months and years are spent in their laboratories. What they find most and report in their findings are the need to focus on health, wellness and the preventative measures (avoiding all costs)and are winning the battle on degenerative diseases. Simply, they know the answers to fighting and detroying the "free radicals" (harmful cellular by-products) we face on a day-to-day basis.

    No matter what you do or don't do, they get ya. Those damn freebies! Scientific research has proven that antioxidants provide a very effective and powerful tool to our on-going beauty system. As we age our metabolism's slow down and so do our renewal of healthy cells. Old and dead cells slowly build up. Vitamins and nutrients become vital necessities. You will see Vitamin-C in many skin and beauty products on the market today. ie: Lancome'Paris. The Make-Up of France are one of the first to add Vitamin-C to their product lines and famous brandings. True product knowledge.

    Enriched Pure-Plant Extracts:
    Everyone would like a life full of enrichment. Start enriching your life, today. Really, Who faces your life every day? Your face. So take care of it. Now. Or at whatever age you are. It's never too late. The natural flower botanicals, leaves and olive oils of pure-plant extracts when combined with the above antioxidants is purely perfected skin.

    Exfolliating Loofah Gloves:
    Imagine embarrassing acne most of your teen years and it's still hanging around in adulthood? Yikes! You have to try these gloves out. They are softer on your skin then the spa's (rough and ready) versions and you can do it at home every night. Loofah Gloves are designed with a special mesh material that grooves and gets under all your different facial cells and fine lines removing dead cells and rejuvenates your skin like new. Kiss acne good-bye, forever.

    Hydrating Toners & Perfecting Cremes:
    1+1=2. Daily vitamins and nutrients inside you, plus vitamins and nutrients outside you equals total beauty in and out. Revolutionary dermal products can both soothe and hydrate plus moisturize, soften and combat harsh environmental effects.

    Gina Bucci has finally found success in beautiful skin. Living at the beach for 30 years she has learned there is way more to do for your face then sunscreen! Gina highly recommends: "Sense'~ Beautiful Science!" All natural products. Order Sense' Today and Look Hella Good Tommorow! http://www.olivegrapes.usana.com

    Why Tanning Saloons Are The New Beauty Destination

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    Tanning is so much in fashion that tanning saloons are mushrooming everywhere. Young men and women frequently visit tanning saloons and use their tanning beds much more often than they did earlier.

    Due to its popularity and the health issues related with it, government has laid down many regulations for tanning saloons and tanning beds. While home tanning is convenient and readily available, tanning saloons have some unique advantages including variety and safety.

    There are five advantages of a tanning saloon over home equipment. These are:

    1. Tanning saloons follow government regulations: Tanning saloons seek the approval from FDA for the tanning procedures and use of tanning beds and strictly follow them. They keep client's record and history.

    Tanning salon operators ascertain client's ability to tan, history of sunburns, history of skin infections, rashes or other conditions and use of certain medications or cosmetics to prevent phototoxic and photo-allergic reactions. A tanning expert will use this information while planning your tanning exposure on the tanning bed of tanning saloon.

    2. Use of Equipment Under Expert Guidance: At the tanning saloons, you use tanning beds and machines under the guidance and care of tanning experts. Well-trained tanning bed operators have thorough knowledge of the equipment and they can program the tanning bed according to individual client's need. They will indeed control your dose of ultraviolet light and save you from its harmful effects.

    3. Better Tanning beds: Tanning Saloons are equipped with sophisticated commercial tanning beds. Commercial tanning beds are more comfortable and safe. They have programmable knobs to control the amount and intensity of ultraviolet light.

    You also have control on the tanning bed, especially to switch and open it, when feeling uncomfortable. Tanning salons also have additional equipments like an Oxygen Bar. This releases oxygen, which reacts with the skin and enhances the production of melanin for a better tan.

    4. Various tanning modes: Tanning Saloons offer many tanning options. Besides tanning beds, they offer tanning booths, tanning lotions and tanning spray. These alternate methods are for the people who dislike the tanning beds. These alternate tanning options are often a better choice, especially if you are in a hurry.

    5. Safety and Style in tanning saloons: Safety devices such as protective goggles are available in tanning salons for safe tanning. They also have tanning accessories such as tattoos and protective clothes. Tanning tattoos create stylish designs on the body by excluding the tattoo area from tanning.

    It is therefore evident that while home tanning may be easier and simpler, professional tanning is more effective, safe and flexible. You may like to keep this in mind while weighing your tanning options and use the tanning beds.

    ===========================================================

    Find out all you need to know about tanning beds. Are they safe? Do they work? Why should you use tanning beds instead of normal sunshine... ? Click http://www.tanning-beds-101.com/

    Rachel Stepsen is a lifelong user of tanning beds. She has researched and tested numerous different beds, and investigated all the important safety issues. Now she's written a series of article to share her knowledge and experience.

    The History Of Aviator Sunglasses

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    Have you ever wondered where those cool big lenses and signature frame originated from? Maybe you are a little curious as to how aviation shades have gotten so big in recent years?

    In this article I will discuss how “pilot glasses” began, as well as how they got where they are today. After reading this you may just decide on getting a pair for yourself!

    The shades we know today were first created way back in 1936 by none other than Ray Ban. The reason they are known as “aviator sunglasses” is because they were developed specifically for pilots back in 1936. Pilots needed a good pair of anti glare sunglasses, and Ray Ban’s design satisfied this requirement perfectly.

    The design that Ray Ban came up with was actually modeled directly from the goggles being worn by the U.S. military at the time. Since the aviator’s debut, they have remained largely unchanged in design and are still standard issue for military pilots the world over.

    Maybe even more interesting is how aviation shades have literally taken off with the general public (no pun intended).

    Ray Ban started selling aviator sunglasses to the public a year after they were created; in 1937. During the years many different companies have now started making their own pilot shades -- Both name brand and no name sunglasses.

    Different technologies have also come into fashion… Some of them stay and some of them go. For instance, have you seen those mirrored aviator glasses that were popular in the movie Top Gun? Those are a technology all their own.

    Even different lenses are sometimes used, but glass is still the most popular. Perhaps the biggest change has been all the different colors coming out. Blue, purple, and pink are just a few of the colors you can now find being sported on aviation glasses.

    Celebrities have also been boosting these shades reputation as of late –- Many of the biggest stars can be seen wearing them.

    All of the above combined have contributed to the huge success of aviator sunglasses. We can only expect them to get even more popular in the near future.

    ***************************************************
    Cody Kahl is creator and writer of Aviator Glasses Guide – A site
    dedicated to providing only the best aviator sunglasses information.
    Cody believes in quality, and this free resource proves it.
    ***************************************************

    Holiday Hair Style: How to Look Perfect in Summer

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    Keeping your holiday hair style under control isn't just about keeping your expensive up-do from falling down while you're dancing. It's about healthy-looking hair during those wet, hot, and sticky months of summer, whether at home or on vacation.

    Those who live in areas where the sun and humidity get downright unbearable during the summer know how difficult it is to keep their hair looking good. But if you aren't familiar with the potentially damaging effects of humidity, salt water, sand, chlorine, wind and dry air, you might not know how to properly care for your holiday hair.

    It's easy to breathe new life into it by following a few simple summertime tips.

    Hair that's full of split ends looks bad so the first thing you should do even before the summer months set in is give your hair a good trim to remove those damaged ends or try a new hair style. Hair looks instantly better after it's been cut.

    If you plan to color your hair, remember that chemically treated hair is more vulnerable to environmental conditions such as sun, water and humidity. Plan your hair coloring three weeks before your trip so your hair has time to regain its natural balance and is more resistance to damage.

    Another thing you can do is ask your stylist for a deep conditioning treatment prior to your vacation. This will help to smooth the hair, repair damage and make the whole hair structure stronger.

    Depending on your destination climate, you might also need to bring a surface conditioner with moisturizing qualities for hot, dry weather or frizz control cream for a humid climate. Unlike deep conditioners, these products coat your hair with a protective layer while adding gloss and making your style more manageable.

    It just wouldn't be a summer vacation without time in the water. Although swimming and other water activities are a lot of fun, they can wreak havoc on your holiday hair. Whether you're swimming in the sea or at the hotel pool, always rinse the sea salt and chlorine out of your hair with plenty of fresh water.

    Chlorine dries out the hair, making it brittle. It also fades the color and with some hair colors, can turn hair an unsightly shade of green. It's not the chlorine that turns your hair green but the presence of heavy metals like copper. The chlorine initiates the process by damaging the hair cuticle, which allows these metals to enter the inner structure of hair.

    It also wouldn't be a summer vacation without spending as much time as possible in the sun. We know how damaging the sun's UV rays are to our skin, but these rays also damage the hair's structure. They break down the keratin which results in dry hair that breaks easily. So look for hair care products that contain UV protection and use them as directed to help your holiday hair style look as healthy as your holiday tan.

    Lots of people with fine hair apply too much anti-frizz serum to their scalp and hair, which makes it look greasy and weighed down. Instead, apply a light conditioner beginning at the middle of the hair strand and continuing down to the ends. Then finish your hair style with anti-frizz serum applied only to the ends to seal off the tips so water can't enter the hair shaft.

    When you're packing your suitcase, be sure you include a mild shampoo, a mild conditioner, an anti-frizz serum (especially if you have naturally curly hair), and hair spray for those times when your holiday hair needs extra hold. And check to make sure all these products contain UV protection. Just remember: using UV products doesn't mean you can stay out in the sun indefinitely. Your hair and scalp can be damaged if exposed to too much sun so don't forget to bring a sun hat.

    Nancy Faizabadi is a professional hair stylist and the founder of http://www.short-hair-style.com where you can find free tips on short hair style and color ideas, hair color trends, hair products and much more. Whether your hair is fine, thick, curly, straight, processed, colored or in need of a new style, short-hair-style.com has a section for you.

    Fashion Wigs - Change Your Image in Seconds!

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    Do you want to be a blonde one day and a redhead the next? One way to do this is to dye your own hair and restyle it, but you can achieve the same effect with much less effort - just buy a wig. To select a wig that would be indistinguishable from real human hair and become your favorite fashion accessory, though, you need to know a few insider tips.

    First of all, if you’re worried that a wig will not look natural on your head, never fear! A properly made wig - even the quality synthetic varieties - can look totally realistic.

    Which is best - synthetic or human hair wigs?

    Wigs can be synthetic or made from real human hair. Synthetic wigs are cheaper, but the very cheap ones you can find online don’t look real enough. On the other hand, high quality synthetic wigs like Revlon, Raquel Welch or Paula Young wigs look very real. Also, synthetic wigs are easier to care for, as you don’t need to restyle them every time you wash them.

    Real human hair is in limited supply, so human hair wigs are much more expensive; typically they several hundred dollars. Human hair wigs look and feel very natural. However, it is important to know that the quality of your wig depends on the origin of the hair used. The cheapest hair comes from Asian countries, but their texture is different from the hair of European women. The best human hair wigs are made from European hair but, unfortunately, they cost a small fortune.

    What wigs styles are available?

    You can get ¾ wigs as well as full wigs. A full wig covers your entire head, so none of your own hair is visible. This type of wig is great when you want to try a color different from your own.

    A ¾ wig is clipped to the top of your head. Because your original hairline is visible, the wig looks very natural. Also, your head doesn’t get ”toasted” under a wig cap. On the downside, though, three quarter wigs have to match your hair color very closely, otherwise it won’t look convincing. It is best not to buy this type of wig online because the colors on the color charts are usually not very accurate.

    A very interesting style of wig is the headband wig. A headband wig is a full wig with a headband attached to its front. It is especially useful if you are always in a hurry, because the headband ensures that none of your own hair is visible. This style is recommended if your natural hair is a dramatically different color from the wig.

    Wigs come in all shapes and styles - from very short to 30 inches long, in straight, curly, wavy, braided, layered, spiky or ‘the wet look’. It is important that you look at many styles before you decide which one your heart desires.

    It is a good idea to have your wigs customized, too. If you can find a hair salon that can trim your wig to make it fit your face shape, go for it. Customizing a wig isn’t cheap, of course, but it will make your new wig look more realistic and suitable for your face.

    If you feel like a change, get yourself a wig. It is amazing, how much having a different hairstyle can transform a person. And for a woman it is always important to vary her image and look fresh.

    Tanya Turner is wig and hair extensions expert and a founder of http://www.WigsGuide.info, where you can find unbiased information about all types of wigs and hair extensions with pictures of most popular wig styles

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    4 tablespoons glycerin
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    Combine ingredients in a clean glass bottle. Shake well and refrigerate.

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