to Fair and Radiant Skin | Tips and Secret | Make A Change Now!

Sun Protection Skincare | 10 Tips For Gorgeous Skin

2009-06-17T23:47:00.000-07:00

What is the MOST important skin care secret you need to know for youthful skin? If you said "Protecting from the harmful rays of the sun!", you get a gold star.

Sunlight is a major cause of skin aging, according to the National Institute of Health (NIH). We all know a sunburn is obvious skin damage. But, did you know that short, repeated exposure to the sun (also called chronic sun exposure) is a major cause of skin damage too.

With your beauty in mind here are some simple but effective suggestions:

Sun Precaution #1 - As a daily routine, apply sunscreen and wear a sun hat. On a big beach day or playing 3 hours of golf. I am sure you are slathered up with sunscreen and wearing your sun protective clothing. What we are talking about here is protecting against the chronic doses of sun you get from doing things like stopping to pick flowers, walking from your car to the office or driving. Remember sun damage accumulates over time and lessens the elasticity of your skin.

Vitamin D - It is impossible to write about sun protection without talking about Vitamin D. Vitamin D is very important to your good health but the amount of sun exposure is unclear at this time. If you are not an outdoor person, your only exposure to UVB rays (UVB generates Vitamin D, not UVA) may be short stints under the mid-day sun. Be sure to consult with your physician about the proper amount of sun for your body. According to the EPA: Get vitamin D safely through a diet that includes vitamin supplements and foods fortified with Vitamin D. Don't seek the sun.

Sun Precaution #2 - Not every sun hat is equal. Choose a sun hat with a brim of 4" or greater that also has a brim that slants downward. A downward angled brim will surround you face giving you protection for more hours of the day. And, do not even think of wearing a baseball cap. A baseball cap basically shades the forehead and that's all!

Sun Precaution #3 -Don't be fooled into thinking a base tan protects you from additional sun damage. According to the FDA, there is no such thing as a safe tan. A tan is your melanin pigment migrating to the basal layer of your skin to protect your DNA.

Sun Precaution #4 - Keep protected from the sun all year round. Both UVA and UVB contribute to premature aging. In the winter months UVB lessens but the harmful UVA rays are in full force year round.

Sun Precaution #5 - Beware of sneaky reflective rays. UV rays can reflect off of cars, the asphalt, water and other surfaces that "bounce" up and reach your face and neck. Wearing your daily dose of sunscreen will help with these harmful sneak attacks. If you are going to be on the snow or water all day or doing road work, you may want to consider wearing a UV protective Sun Mask.

Sun Precaution #6 - Make sunscreen the first layer of your makeup regimen. Dr. Martin, a prominent San Diego dermatologist, recommends using sunscreen, both zinc/titanium (also called mineral sunscreen) and chemical based sunscreen as the first layer of your makeup regimen. Next apply moisturizer, foundation, powder, blush and any other colored cosmetics. Some experts feel a sunscreen using zinc or titanium should be applied after all makeup has been applied since that formula reflects the sun rays. Dr. Martin believes the makeup layers over the zinc/titanium sunscreen only enhance the UV protection. Additionally, many high SPF mineral sunscreens also include chemical ingredients in their formulas to reach those high SPF ratings. You may want to consider a facial moisturizer with SPF... also a good time saver. (Note: If you are using medication, please consult your doctor to know when to apply)

Sun Precaution #7 - Don't forget to apply sunscreen to the back of your neck if your neck is exposed to the sun. Sun-weakened skin becomes lax and the condition of the skin on the back of your neck will affects the more visible front of the neck.

Sun Precaution #8 - Avoid tanning booths. No matter what they say, sitting under a device that emits UV light is going to have a harmful affect on your skin. Dr. Martin says that he has seen patients in their 20's that have the skin of a 50 year because of tanning booths. So pleeeeease don't do it.

Sun Precaution #9 - Be extra careful when you are in higher altitudes. You would be amazed how fast you get sun damage when there is less atmosphere to filter out harmful UV rays.

Sun Precaution #10 - Regular dermatology and self examinations are important. - Many skin cancers, all though not life threatening, can be very disfiguring if they need to be surgically removed. Catch the culprits before they become a problem.

Don't grow old before your time? Make being sun safe a way of life and enjoy your outdoor life looking good.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gail_Madson

Protecting Skin From Sun Exposure and Ultraviolet Radiation (UV-A & UV-B)

2009-06-17T23:24:00.000-07:00

While exposure to the sun is necessary to ensure adequate Vitamin D production, too much of the sun is not a good thing. It is important, especially during the summer to protect your skin from the sun's ultraviolet radiation. The sun emits energy both that we can see and that we cannot see. Part of the energy we cannot see is termed ultraviolet light (UV light). UV light is arbitrarily divided into UV-A and UV-B.

Protection from sunlight is important for many reasons. UV exposure, both from sun and tanning beds, is the most common and avoidable risk factor for skin cancers including basal cell skin cancer, squamous cell skin cancer, and melanoma. In addition to skin cancer risk, sun exposure can cause in increase in the aging process. Long term exposure to sun can cause age spots, some of which can progress to skin cancer. UV exposure also decreases the amount of collagen in the skin and increases the amount of elastin. Collagen and elastin are opposing components in the skin which contribute to skin tightness. Collagen is good and helps to keep skin tight, while elastin is a major component in loose, baggy skin and wrinkles.

Sun exposure in the northern hemisphere is greatest during the summer months, particularly between 10am and 4pm. Just because you are inside does not mean that you are protected. Most glass windows only protect against a part of the ultraviolet spectrum. Interestingly, basal cell skin cancers are more common on the left side of the body and this is thought to be due to sun exposure while driving a car.

There are simple steps which can be done to decrease your sun exposure and protect your skin, the largest organ of the body.
· Wear sunscreen
· Wear long sleeve shirts, even in the summer
· Wear jeans and not shorts
· Wear a cap or large bandana to protect from sun exposure
· Sit in the shade, not out in the middle of the sun
· Beware of reflected sun exposure from concrete and other reflective surfaces
· Limit your outdoor activities between 10am and 4pm during the summer
· Avoid ultraviolet tanning beds and booths - these are as harmful as sun exposure

When choosing sunscreen, it is important to wear a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and an additional UV-A protection. The sun protection factor (SPF) is only a measure of protection against UV-B radiation, not UV-A radiation. It is also important to reapply every 90-120 minutes, sooner if there is excess sweating or swimming which can remove the protection.

As always, if you have significant sun exposure or notice a spot on the skin which is concerning, consultation with a physician, possibly a dermatologist, is always warranted. For patients with extreme sun exposure, yearly consultation with a dermatologist is a good idea to ensure that there are no concerning moles.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=D.J._Verret

How To Avoid Dark Spots Easily?

2009-06-09T23:57:00.000-07:00

There are two ways to avoid dark spots: microdermabrasion and skin lightening products. If you take a look at what they can do for you, it will be easy to make the right decision.

Microdermabrasion is a process used by many for removing any dark spots from the skin. It can also be used in the case of acne or other skin defects. The entire process can take around 8 sessions, which means a minimum of 4 months and a maximum of 8 months. It all depends on the situation of your skin and the progress. The visible problem with this way of losing dark spot is the time. However, there is a much bigger issue.

The price of microdermabrasion is sometimes beyond the reach of everyday people. It can easily go up to several thousand dollars. There are some home kits, but the results will never compare to those of the real procedure. After you get the treatment, you will have to be the one who keeps an eye for another problem. A skin cream is necessary if you want to prevent dark spots from returning.

But if you are obligated to use a cream after microdermabrasion, why not use a lightening cream for the beginning?

Such a product is the perfect way to avoid dark spots or make them disappear. The process shouldn't take more than the one of microdermabrasion and it will surely cost a lot less. Even better, the problem can be solved permanently.

The most important advantage of the skin lightening cream is that you can get much more than you pay for. These creams will not only make your skin tone even all over your body, but it will also make your skin softer and healthier.

Nowadays, instead of using chemicals, most people recommend the search of natural creams. There are many ingredients which can change your skin forever and keep it safe from further damage.

In conclusion, the easiest way to avoid dark spots is to get a lightening cream. The risks involved with microdermabrasion are simply too severe and no one should even consider taking them.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jean_Helmet

5 Foolproof Tips For Preventing Aging Skin

2009-03-18T23:26:00.000-07:00

The world of skincare products is a confusing place. Here are 5 guaranteed foolproof tips for preventing aging skin. You need not spend hours and hours to get visible results in short order if you follow these simple directions. The key is to do yourself a favor and get in a regular routine. This will deliver the best results in the least amount of time.

1. Don't over think. Just get started. Everyone's skin ages and every day that you delay makes you that much farther behind in this important fight against the signs of aging skin: wrinkles, bags, sags and dark circles.

2. Avoid weather extremes such as midday sun, arctic winter air, and dry airplane cabins as much as possible. Moisturize often to protect against these damaging conditions. Preventing aging skin is about prevention, protection and pro-active nourishment with clinically proven ingredients such as Manuka honey. This ingredient has been shown to increase collagen production and stimulate the immune system.

3. Drink lots of pure water, not sodas or coffee or alcohol. Moisture, or rather the lack of moisture, is among the important early warning signs of aging skin. When you are well hydrated, the use of natural oils such as grape seed oil, olive oil and avocado oil will seal in this moisture to nourish and protect your skin.

4. Find and purchase skincare products with no preservatives, fragrances or alcohol. The use over time of damaging ingredients such as parabens, mineral oil and other petroleum based synthetics in cosmetics will undo whatever good you hope to achieve with their use. Natural ingredients like Japanese sea kelp, Canadian algae and New Zealand honey never contain synthetic preservatives or alcohols. Only use these effective products to further your foray into the complex arena of preventing aging skin.

5. Treat your skin gently. Do not use force or abrasives in excess. These are very injurious to your delicate skin, especially around your eyes. Natural ingredients such as mineral clays from New Zealand and rice bran are extremely effective against the signs of aging skin. They can gently exfoliate, pull out grime and leave a new rejuvenated surface of healthy skin cells exposed to the light of day. Kaolin, a mineral clay from New Zealand is also a mild disinfectant that will deal with inflammation and irritation.

Preventing aging skin is a long-term project that will yield great results if you just get down to it and do it. Daily attention will result in a new, smooth, supple skin that will make you feel as good as you look. Today is the day to get started on your personal renovation project. Enjoy!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Melissa_D._Logan

How to take care of your skin

2008-08-07T22:44:00.000-07:00

Knowing what type of skin you have is very important because everyone has a different skin type and will need to care for their skin in a different way. That is why one type of acne medication or treatment may not work well for you and another will do wonders.

If you have fair skin, get sunburn easily of have a history of skin cancer you need to be especially careful when out in the sun and make sure you are well protected by using the proper sunscreen and wearing caps, hats and staying covered up.

If you have a dark complexion or are of Asian heritage, you may also have very sensitive skin and may not be able to use many of the different topical acne medications on the market today.

Daily Face Cleaning

Many people wash their face two, three or more times per day and a great majority of these people do it wrong.

When I was a child I was taught to vigorously wash my face and scrub my hands with lots of soap and water until they were immaculate. Then when I became a teenager, I was told to use soap, soap and more soap to get my face clean and clean up my oily skin to help prevent acne. In my early adult years I followed basically the same program that I did as a teenager but had different results because my skin had changed.

Now in addition to the wide range of soaps available for the skin, there are many different types of skin cleansers as well. Some of them only clean, others exfoliate the skin (remove dead skin) as well as clean and still others contain various concentrations of medications like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. If you wash too often and use these types of soaps in addition to any topical acne medications, you can unnecessarily irritate and dry out your skin.

It should be noted that washing more than twice a day, regardless of the type of facial cleanser used, will have very little beneficial impact on your acne. If your skin is already inflamed and red from acne, then washing too often will only make your face redder and more irritable.

I have tried many different types of soap from the medicated ones to the fancy wonderful smelling moisturizing and exfoliating soaps. However, after a lot of trial and effort on my part I have found that the simple basic types of soaps can work wonders. I have listed some soaps that I fully recommend for the different types of skin. They are not as expensive or have the fancy fragrances of many types of soaps on the market, but they do work and when used regularly will provide good results.

Oily Skin: If your skin is a bit oily, then Ivory soap is a very good as well as economical soap for your skin.

Dry Skin: If you notice that your skin is often dry, then try Dove moisturizing soaps.

If you have very sensitive skin or have an allergic reaction to most soaps, you may want to try some of the non-soap cleansers like Cetaphil, Aquanil, or Neutrogena's Extra Gentle Cleanser.

Once you have the soap that fits your skin type, it is good to develop a regular face washing program. The following steps are ones I use on a consistent basis and I feel really help my skin.

1. First get your soap wet with warm water and lather up a soft washcloth.
2. Using the washcloth to apply the soap to your skin by gently rubbing it in circles all around your face. Lather up the washcloth as needed and make sure you go over your entire face.
3. Apply a light pressure and gently massage your face as you wash.
4. One thing I do is I count to three in each location before moving the washcloth an inch and counting again. This allows me to make sure I give each area of my face the care it deserves.
5. Once you have covered your entire face, splash some warm water on your face to remove the soap. Keep doing this until all the soap is gone.
6. Use a soft cotton towel gently pat your face (don't rush and rub it) until your skin is dry.

Tips:

* One thing you can do to help is to have a few hand towels set aside that you use just for washing and drying your face. (Don't use the same hand towel that everyone else in the household uses after they wash their hands before leaving the bathroom.)
* Also, when you wash these hand towels, avoid using a large amount of detergent or heavy amounts of fabric softener. You want them clean and soft, but not laden with detergents or fragrances.
* This may sound a little off the wall to some people but I feel it helps. When you are washing your face, visualize having clear beautiful radiant skin. This helped me to stick to my program and look forward to my face cleaning as a welcome daily diversion rather than a chore.

Well, that is it. Take a few minutes for yourself and your skin twice a day - once in the morning, and once in the evening - to properly wash and care for your face. After a while, you will notice that your skin feels better and is more radiant and then you will start to feel better as well.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amanda_D_Robinson

Skin Whitening

2008-04-14T23:29:00.000-07:00

What is Skin Whitening?

In the history of Japan, geisha's are known for their painted white skin which represents beauty, grace and high social status. In today's changing modern society, the perception of fairer skin is evolving, where some say fair skin is white skin while others would argue that fair skin is just that: fair skin.

But how does one get fairer skin then?

Do you hide under the shade? Apply skin whitening products? Or do you make your own remedy?

In the world today, skin whitening products are available in various forms. Be it creams, soaps, pills and lotions, all of them serve only one purpose, to help our skin become fairer. There are of course simple remedies and courses that can be taken to whiten our skin.

Resources taken from Guardian - The one you trust.

What you eat reflects on your skin

2008-04-14T23:18:00.000-07:00

There might be no particular food that will be able to lighten your skin instantly but a balanced diet will definitely help by giving your skin a healthy glow!

Here are some recommendations regarding diets:

- Drinking an optimum amount of water will hydrate your skin and keep it blemish free.

- Drink at least 4 to 5 liters of water every day. The water washes out toxins from the body.

- Try to stay away from fried food. Opt for steamed or grilled dishes.

- Consume more whole cereals, fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet.

- Excessive consumption of alcohol can aggravate and dry up your skin.

Resources taken from Guardian - The one you trust.

Tips and Tricks to avoid getting Dark Skin

2008-04-14T23:08:00.001-07:00

Dark Skin or Complexion could be cause by:
- Hyperpigmentation - Skin produces too much pigment melanin which causes the skin to become darker

- Skin Disorders - Skin disorder such as Lichen Simplex Chronicus causes severe itching that leaves skin thick, dark and patchy.

- Sun Rays - Over exposure to sun causes skin to tan. To protect itself from the harmful UV rays of the sun, the skin produces more pigment melanin which shields the penetration of UV rays into the skin.

Every Little Thing Counts:
- Use sunscreen lotion with SPF factor of at least 30 which offers protection against both UVA and UVB rays.

- Bring an umbrella along whenever you go out. Look for an umbrella with a reflective surface for better effect!

- Exercise! It will help your skin by increasing blood flow and unclogging your pores.

- Avoid the sun when it's at its peak between 10 am to 2 pm.

- Cloudy weather does not mean you are safe from UVB rays as it can still burn your skin.

- Apply sunscreen at least 15 to 20 minutes before heading out.

Resources taken from Guardian - The one you trust.

Skin Care and Sun Protection - Test Your SPF IQ

2008-04-14T20:45:00.000-07:00

We tend to spend more time outdoors during the summer, especially with our kids. But the sun's warm rays transmit danger in the form of skin cancer-causing ultraviolet radiation. The ultraviolet light in the sun's rays begins to damage unprotected skin from childhood. It results in an increased risk of skin cancer in adulthood, and the destruction of collagen and elastin in our skin which causes thinning, wrinkling and skin spots (texture and pigment irregularities).

Skin cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in the United States. Skin is the body's largest organ and our greatest defense against the environment. As such, it's important to protect it from the sun's damaging rays.

Following is a true/false quiz to test your Sun Protection Factor (SPF) IQ:

1. SPF is a measure of a sunscreen's ability to protect my skin from cancer.

False. SPF measures only UVB protection. Light from the sun contains different wavelengths of ultraviolet light. UVA is most closely associated with cancer and aging, whereas UVB rays primarily cause burning.

2. If I use sunscreen labeled "broad spectrum" then I will be protected from UVA and UVB.

False. "Broad spectrum" is not regulated. Read the labels and look for products containing avobenzone or helioplex. The best overall blockers also contain zinc oxide and titanium oxide.

3. I can avoid burning by developing a good base tan.

False. Research on one of the most lethal skin cancers, melanoma, shows that overall sun exposure since childhood causes an increase in cancer risk.

4. Avoiding beach vacations will lower my risk of cancer.

False. Where you live is the most important factor in assessing the risk of skin cancer. Altitude, sunny days and the effects on the ozone are the most significant variables.

5. The windshield on my car blocks ultraviolet rays.

False. UVA penetrates through glass and damages skin not protected with sunscreen.

6. When it's sunny, I need to protect my skin from sun exposure between the hours of 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM.

True. But, even when it's cloudy, we get significant exposure to UVA. And, unless clothing is densely-woven or is treated to be sun-blocking, we still accumulate damaging radiation. A t-shirt tends to provide an SPF of 5 to 8. It's best to apply sunscreen before getting dressed in the morning and before applying makeup to get the best protection.

For optimum protection, apply at least a shot glass full of sunscreen a half an hour before exposure. Reapply as specified on the label depending on your activity level (swimming and sweating reduces the effects of sunscreen). Keep sunscreen with you. Small sunscreen sticks, sprays, wipes and sunscreen contained in makeup products are easy to carry in your pocket, purse, backpack or car.

Hilary Basile is a writer for MyGuidesUSA.com. At MyGuidesUSA.com (http://www.myguidesusa.com), you will find valuable tips and resources for handling life's major events. Whether you're planning a wedding, buying your first home, anxiously awaiting the birth of a child, contending with a divorce, searching for a new job, or planning for your retirement, you'll find answers to your questions at MyGuidesUSA.com.

Find tips and resources on exercise and fitness programs, exercising with health conditions, children's fitness, skin care, and more at http://fitnessandexercise.myguidesusa.com, and tips for skin care and children at http://becomingaparent.myguidesusa.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hilary_Basile

SPF! Sun Protection Factor

2008-04-14T20:11:00.000-07:00

Sun Protection Factor (also known as SPF) is a measure of the effectiveness of sunscreen. The higher the SPF of a sunscreen, the better it is against UV-B. SPF indicates how long a person can be exposed to sunlight before getting a sunburn with sunscreen applied, compared to how long a person can be exposed to sunlight without sunscreen. But this also depends on other factors such as:
- User's skin type.
- Amount applied and how frequent.
- Activities which they engage with sunscreen applied.
- Amount of sunscreen their skin absorbs.

SPF number on a package can range from between as low as 2 all the way to as high as 60. These numbers refer to the product's ability to block or screen out the sun. For example, a fair-skinned person would normally turn red after 10 minutes under the sun. Hence ten minutes will be their "initial burning time". If the same person were to use a sunscreen with SPF 2, it will take 20 minutes under the sun for the person's skin to turn red!

Again, if the same person were to use SPF 15 sunscreen; the "initial burning time" will be multiplied by 15. Hence it takes 150 minutes or an equivalent of 2 hours and 30 minutes for that person's skin to turn red. Multiply your "initial burning time" with the SPF number stated on the sunscreen to get an estimate of how long the sunscreen will last. But be warned, as other factors such as water will also affect the effectiveness of the sunscreen.

Sunscreens with SPF 15 or higher are generally known to provide useful protection from the sun's ray. It is hence recommended to at least use a sunscreen with SPF 15. Below is a chart of recommended times of exposure based on skin complexion and suggested SPF to avoid sunburn:

Skin Complexion	Sun's Impact on Skin	1 Hour	2 Hours	3 Hours	4 Hours	5 Hours
Very Fair	Burns Easily, Never Tans	SPF 15	SPF 30	SPF 30	SPF 45	SPF 45
Fair	Burns Easily, Tans Minimally	SPF 15	SPF 15	SPF 30	SPF 30	SPF 45
Light	Burns Moderately, Tans Eventually	SPF 15	SPF 15	SPF 15	SPF 30	SPF 30
Medium	Burns Minimally, Tans Well	SPF 8	SPF 8	SPF 15	SPF 15	SPF 30
Dark	Rarely Burns, Tans Readily	SPF 4	SPF 8	SPF 8	SPF 15	SPF 15

Resources taken from Guardian - The one you trust

Disclaimer

2008-04-14T19:41:00.001-07:00

1. The articles presented in the site are for informational purpose only and we do not take any responsibility or legal liability resulting from the use or misuse of the information presented in the articles.

2. An Article author's view do not necessarily represent the views of this site.Nor does we endorse any of the views or products found on this site.

3. Comments on this site are the sole responsibility of their writers and the accuracy and completeness of comment content is not guaranteed.

4. All trademarks, service marks, collective marks, design rights, personality rights, copyrights or registered names used or cited by this site are the property of their respective owners.

5. This site does not endorse linked site(s), cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information found on said sites or the correctness of any analysis found therein and should not be held responsible for it or the consequences of a user’s use of that information.