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Archive for the ‘Beauty’ Category
Friday, January 6th, 2012
The sun emits ultra violet rays. The sun rays are beneficial to us in many ways. They are the vital source of vitamin D. They have also proved good for treating many diseases. Insufficient exposure to sun rays may lead to the disease called Rickets.
Though these rays are very useful to us excessive exposure to UV rays [sun’s rays] results in increasing pigmentation and melanin. As a result, it leaves a dark coloration [skin tan] or skin tanning.this will lead to dark patches on the part of the body exposed to sun rays. So we should always avoid excessive exposure to sun.Not only this excessive exposure to sun rays may lead to skin cancer.
Simple ways to prevent Sun Tanning:
1. Cover up your body as much as you can. Reduce the area exposed to sun.
2. Use umbrella while going out in sun. Umbrellas not only protect us from rain but also prevent us from getting tanned.
3. Avoid moving in sun between 10am to 3 pm as it is this time when the maximum amounts of ultra violet rays reach the earth’s surface.
4. Always prefer using a sunscreen lotion. Make sure that you go out in the sun only after 15 minutes from the time of applying a sunscreen lotion. The SPF (sun protection factor) of the sun screen lotion should not be less than 15.
5. Apply the sunscreen lotion to all the parts which are exposed to sun. Don’t restrict it to your hands and face.
6. Drink plenty of water
Herbal treatment to Sun tanning:
• Keep cool tea bags, cucumber slices, or a soft cotton towel dipped in cold milk over your face.
• Mix sandalwood powder with coconut oil and almond oil to make a paste. Apply this paste on your skin and leave it for half an hour before washing off with cold water
• Make a paste of an egg white and a tea spoon of hazel and honey. Apply this on the affected area and then leave it on for a few minutes. After 5-10 minutes, wash it gently with lukewarm water
• Grate a potato and extract some fresh juice. Apply this to the affected area. Rinse with tap water after 15 minutes.
• Mash the papaya pulp and massage the sun tanned area.
• Make a paste of sandalwood with milk and little turmeric. Apply it on affected area.
• Rinse skin everyday with coconut water.
• Make a thick pate of turmeric powder with yoghurt and honey. Apply this paste on your skin for about 15-20 minutes and rinse it off in cold water.
• Mix grounded powdered almonds, oatmeal, plain yogurt, milk and allow it soak for few minutes. When they are mixed well apply to your face. Leave it for 30 minutes and when fully dried wash it warm water. Repeat it twice in a week
Tags: dark skin, ultra violet rays
Posted in Beauty, Body care | No Comments »
Monday, September 26th, 2011
Soaking up the sun is a major priority for many when the warm weather finally arrives. Little do we realize that sun damaged skin ages faster than skin which is not exposed to Ultra violet rays of the sun. UV skin damage makes you look way older than your years. When it comes to the sun burn, prevention is the best method.
There are many ways by which we can reverse the skin damage caused by sun rays.
The first and fore most things to be kept in mind if you want to protect your skin from harmful sun ray is to apply sun screen. Sunscreen comes in different forms with the most popular being lotions, spray and gels. These have different SPF (sun protection factor) levels to suit your needs. Moisturizers are also available in the market which have sun protector factor in them. Even if you apply them it is beneficial.
Even if you are to stay outside in the sun during summers try to stay in a tree shade or under a covered patio. This will protect your skin from the harmful ultra violet rays of the sun.
If you have already burnt your skin by the sun rays you will have to pay extra attention to your skin. You have to keep the burnt area moisturized and cool. This will reduce the pain of burns and help in healing of skin faster. When the burnt has healed a little, remove the damaged skin cells so that new cells grow in their place.
Protecting your skin from the sun is essential year-round and particularly important during the summer months.
Herbs which help in to reversing sun damaged skin
Green tea: Green tea contains compounds called polyphones. These help in getting rid of damaging free radicals that tend to cause sun damage in your skin. Using green tea orally and topically can help to protect and heal your sun-damaged skin. Applying green tea extracts on the burnt skin reduces the burnt skin.
Aloe Vera: Aloe Vera is a popular topical remedy for treating sunburns and typically offers soothing effects on the skin.
Chamomile: Prepare a bath remedy by boiling 1 lb chamomile flowers with 5 its water and steep covered for 10 minutes. Strain and add infusion to bath water. This will help in reducing the skin irritation. The tea prepared from Chamomile leaf is an excellent wash for sun burn.
Tags: anti aging, sun burn
Posted in Beauty, Body care | 1 Comment »
Tuesday, August 2nd, 2011
Brown spots, also known as age spots, dark spots, sun spots, liver spots or lentigines. Lentigos are concentrations of melanin trigged by unprotected exposure to the sun over a long period of time. These brown spots are also called “hyper pigmentation” – patches of the skin that become darker in color than the normal surrounding skin. Hyper Pigmentation can be shortly defined as increase in the natural color of the skin. It occurs usually when an excess of melanin forms deposits in the skin.
Brown Spots are one of the five main signs of aging from the sun. Most of the aging skin is caused not by the passage of time and chronological aging, but from the sun. The brown spots are also because of sun exposure. The five signs of skin aging caused by the sun are brown spots, wrinkles, enlarged pores, sagging skin and spider veins.
What Are Brown Spots?
They are black, grey or brown spots and patches that appear on the skin especially on your hands, arms and face, and other places that have been exposed to the sun a lot. They are usually harmless growths and there is no need to get rid of them for other than aesthetic reasons.
If however, you start noticing that your spots become dark, multi-colored or start to bleed, you should contact your dermatologist or doctor.
What Causes Brown Spots?
- The biggest cause of age spots is sun exposure, as it increases the amount of melanin in the skin. When there is enough of this pigment in the skin it accumulates at the surface and forms spots of darker skin.
- Age also causes brown spots. As you get older often the amount of melanin is increased and more spots appear as they pass mid age.
- Genetics is also one of the causes of age spots. Heredity pretty much dictates your predisposition to getting these unsightly blemishes. Usually, those with fairer skin are more prone to age spots
- They can also be caused by things like oils and chemicals in skin care products and the UV lights in tanning booths.
- It may also be caused due to liver infection
- They are also caused by a combination of sun damage and a decline in the hormones that regulate the production of melanin. Prolonged sun exposure causes the skin cells to produce more melanin and cause surface pigment changes. Melanin is a pigment that gives color to the skin and hair. It helps protect the skin from the harmful sun’s rays but increased amount of melanin pigment often result in formation of dark, brown spots.
How to Get Rid of Brown Spots?
1. Laser Theraphy:It is the simplest and easiest way to remove these spots. A laser generates and intense beam of light. The emitted light is absorbed by oxyhemoglobin-bright red blood cells carrying oxygen and melanin causing decomposition or destruction by heat of unwanted cells while leaving healthy cells intact.Treatment with the laser is more comfortable and requires less recovery time.
2. Chemical Theraphy: A chemical peel is a safe and effective form of treatment for many pigmentation problems. Here an acid is used to remove the surface of damaged skin with light peeling. The chemical peel will lighten the brown spots and even out the irregularities to give skin its natural color.
Some natural treatment to Brown spots:
- Use sunscreen lotions whenever you go out in the sun to prevent brown spots.
- Prepare an infusion of chopped parsley. Add two tea spoon of lime juice which is a natural bleaching agent and will help to fade the brown spots.Apply the mixture on the spots regularly.
- Grate an onion and squeeze it through cheese cloth so that you have 1teaspoon of onion juice. Mix it with 2 teaspoons of vinegar and massage the brown spots with this liquid. Apply it regularly till the spot vanishes.
- Make a paste of honey and turmeric powder. Apply it on the spots. It will get lightened and finally vanish away.
- Rub fresh Aloe Vera juice on the spot for about 2 months. The spot will slowly fade away.
Tags: age spot, hyper pigmentation, liver spot
Posted in Beauty, Diseases | 1 Comment »
Thursday, May 12th, 2011
Most of us take time out of our busy schedule to see that our face looks younger and radiant. What we forget is that other parts of the body also need the same attention and care. Next to the face, our hands are the most visible part of our body. And they are the body parts which show the earliest sign of aging!
Imagine a day of your life without the hand! They play an important role in communication.While speaking or communicating with others you use your hands to express yourself, emphasize a point etc It is a part of the body that you use the most, you cook with them, get dressed with them, write with them, empathize with them and shake others hands when you meet them. But unfortunately it is the most neglected part of the body as we take it for granted!
Some facts about hands:
1. The skin on the back of your hands is extremely delicate.
2. The skin at the back of your hand is very thin, without any fat(which is why the veins are so visible)
3. As we grow older, any fat that is there lessens and the skin becomes dry and loose, exposing the veins even more.
4. Our hands have a very few oil glands and they get dry easily and very often as well.
5. Hands tell you how you lead your life.
6. Hands tell you take care of your body and skin.
7. Hands tell you how old a woman is.
8. Hands tell an observer a lot about you as a person.
How to take care of hands:
1. Moisturize your hands at least four times a day.
2. Use your face exfoliator on your hands once a week.
3. Rub cornmeal on them after washing, if your hands are greasy.
4. Wear rubber gloves while working at home and in the garden.
5. Protect your hands from the ravages of changing weather.
6. Apply Sunscreen lotion or sun block at the back of your hand while going out in the sun
7. Use a mild soap while washing them
8. Keep your cuticles clean.
9. Have manicures done once a while
Home and herbal treatment for hands:
1. Soak your hands in warm water and add some lemon juice to it. This will get rid of all the grime and keep the skin soft.
2. If you have dry hands after washing your hands, use some salt and wash them again under water. Once done, dry them and use a land lotion.
3. If you have rough hands, rub them with a mixture of sugar and olive oil for 1 minute. Then wash it off.
4. Massaging helps to increase the blood circulation in the hands and thus helps in doing away with the loss of feeling, numbness and coldness.
Tags: dry hands, rough hands
Posted in Beauty | 4 Comments »
Tuesday, February 1st, 2011
Sound sleep is the best ever beauty treatment you can give to yourself. Neither the facials nor any amount of makeup can give you the glow, fresh and relaxed look that a sound sleep provides. If you do not have a sound sleep, your skin will look older, drier and glow less. Your eyes will also be swollen.
The skin renews itself during your sleep. Not only this. the immune cells also get charged up and recover the disease fighting capacity, On an average, the sleeping hours required by a person is 8 hours; but it varies from person to person. You can identify the sleeping hours required by you by the way you feel when you get up. You should feel fresh and energetic when you get up in the morning.
Some of the reasons for not getting a Sound Sleep
1. Watching T.V. in Bed: Some people are in the habit of watching TV while in the bed. Such people suffer from lack of sleep.
2. Intake of Caffeine: Too much of coffee intake in the office hours can also result in lack of sleep. It is always advisable to avoid drinking coffee after noon time.
3. Improper Food Habit: If you intake food at irregular intervals, your body starts craving at night also and results in sleeplessness.
4. Uncomfortable Mattress: Even an uncomfortable mattress or pillow can bother your sleep. So be very particular while selecting mattresses for your bed to have a good sleep.
5. Late night parties: Today’s youth, in a bid to capture the lucrative lifestyle miss on a sound sleep due to either work or late night parties
Effects of Sleeplessness
Sleeplessness will not only result in diseases but also land you up in some awful situation. Some of the effects of sleeplessness are listed below.
• Short Memory
• Low concentration and alertness
• Diabetes
• High Blood Pressure
• Lowered speed of repairing tissue
• Stoutness
• Sleep walking
• The body immune system weakens leading to which results in body becoming vulnerable to common flues, infections.
How to get a sound sleep?
• Go to bed only when you feel sleepy.
• Avoid sleeping on couches or settee and choose a cozy bed while sleeping.
• Keep away from caffeine and alcohol, as they can give rise to lack of sleep.
• At bed time read books that are both empowering and relaxing.
• Maintain a consistent bed time routine.
• Listen to Soft Music before going to bed.
• Yoga Exercise before bedtime can be of enormous value. Sitting quietly in a room for 15 minutes can calm and prepare your body for relaxation.
Herbs that help to get sound sleep:
- Lavender oil or a lavender sachet on your bedside table may help you feel sleepy and more relaxed
- Add a tea spoon of honey to warm milk and drink it just before going to bed. It will induce sleep
- You can even drink warm milk. It also activates the sleep process.
- A nice oil massage in the hair at night may induce drowsiness.
- Pipplomool Churna can be taken with water at bed time for sound sleep.
- Using a blend of aroma oils in the bed room creates a calm and relaxing environment and helps in balancing the mind and body well after falling asleep
Natural tips for a sound sleep:
- Go to bed with a feeling of thankfulness of all the good things in life
- Wear comfortable clothing for sleep
- Keep your bed room well ventilated.
- Deep breathing in the bed helps you to get a sound sleep.
- Sleeping with your head to east promotes a meditative sleep.
Tags: insomnia, Sleeplessness
Posted in Beauty | No Comments »
Monday, November 22nd, 2010
Fresh and glowing skin acts as a mirror reflecting your youthfulness and good health. Some people are born with it, while others spend loads of bucks on it and endless trips to the beauty parlors and of course put in a lot of time as well.
Your natural beauty need not always be enhanced with the help of cosmetics and visits to the parlor. To bring out the natural beauty in you and make your skin have a healthy glow, all you need to do is to maintain a healthy body.
If you follow the simple steps given below you will surely see the positive results on your skin.
- Eat healthy food. The foremost thing to have a healthy and glowing skin is to have a healthy diet. Healthy diet includes a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables, a balanced diet consisting of all the vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, proteins necessary for a body. You should also give away with the processed and canned food even though they are easy to prepare as they have a lot of sodium content in them.
- Drink plenty of water: Water helps in balancing the body. So you should try to drink at least 4 to 6 liters of water a day. If you have less water then the body will absorb water from the skin to carter the needs of major organs, resulting in dry skin.
- Cleanse your skin: Cleansing your skin regularly. If you are in habit of applying make up make it a habit to remove it before you go to bed. In the morning, always make it sure that you splash your face with water and cleanse it with any cleanser that suits your skin. Rub the cleanser gently in a circular motion on your face, jaw and neck.
- Have a good night’s sleep: Deep sleep is very essential for a healthy body. Good sleep will help you to have a glowing skin or else you will find dark patches around your eyes.
- Do not use hot water for bathing as it will take away the natural moisture from your body.
- In winter season you must take extra care to keep your skin glowing as it is quiet natural that your skin gets dry faster. Start applying the moisture twice daily. If you have a dry skin never use toner, use a moisturizing cream instead.
Some herbal and homemade packs that helps your skin to glow:
- Take equivalent quantity of turmeric powder and cream of milk {the cream formed over boiled milk) and mix well. Apply this paste on your face and let it be there for 1/2 an hour. Wash your face gently using fresh water.
- Take two tablespoon of papaya pulp and apply it on your face. Leave it for ½ an hour. Rinse it with normal water. (You can mix 2 drops of lemon water in it if you wish)
- Make a mixture of a table spoon of cucumber juice, mint juice and half a spoon of Peppermint extract. Apply it on the face and neck. Wash it with Luke warm water once it dries off.
- Take two lettuce leaves. Dip these in some olive oil. Sprinkle a few drops of lemon juice over it. Place these leaves on both sides of your face. Cover this with a towel dipped in cold water. After 15 minutes, wipe your face with cotton soaked in milk. Rinse with warm water.
Tags: herbal packs, natural beauty
Posted in Beauty | 3 Comments »
Monday, September 27th, 2010
Nails take lots of abuse and wear-and-tear from daily tasks. We use them to open, pry and scratch with out giving a second thought for it. We expose them to chemicals and detergents. So it’s no surprise when our polish chips, or worse, our nails become weak and damaged. We generally do not give enough time to our nails as we feel they don’t perform any useful work.But it is entirely wrong. It is the nails which protect our skin and help in the firm grip holding things. They also help the doctor to diagnose the disease properly. They also say a lot about your attention to personal grooming.
How quickly do the nails grow?
Generally, the nails grow “an eighth of an inch per month,” writes Michele Bender in Good Housekeeping. However, hormonal fluctuations, temperature or seasonal changes, diet, age and nail trauma or infection can influence this rate. It’s also found that different people’s nails grow at different rates,
Nails and Health:
Medical conditions can also affect nail health and appearance. Thin nails, ridges and changes in nail color shows the signs of iron deficiency. Heart conditions may result in reddish nails. Thyroid problems can cause nails to become dry and brittle. Lung, kidney, liver or other conditions can also lead to changes in nail color and texture,
However, not everyone with these health problems will develop nail symptoms, and usually other non-nail symptoms will show up first. On the other hand, having nail problems doesn’t necessarily mean that you have one of these diseases,
How to have strong& healthy nails?
- In order to protect the nails from dehydration you must moisturize them regularly. In fact, many nail problems — dullness, roughness, weakness, softness, splitting and peeling — result from dryness and dehydration. Moisturizing creams, oils or vitamin E capsules restore hydration, so nails become strong and healthy.
- Not only the nails you must take care to moisturize the cuticles too! Cuticles are the starting point from which new nails grow. “If the cuticle is supple, the new cells can push through more easily, so they arrive at the nail bed in the best of health. If the cuticles are dry, they may lead to tear, split and crack, leading to painful hangnails and infection
- Do not soak your hands in hot water for a long time. This will suck out natural moisture from your skin and nails
- Harsh cleaners and detergents may result in rough skin and weak nails. So wear gloves while cleaning or washing dishes. Also apply cream or lotion to the palms after completing the work. This will help in replacing the lost moisture.
How to care for nails naturally?
1. If you want your nails to grow fast, be sure that your diet is rich in Vitamins A, B-Complex, C,D, E, iron, calcium, sulfur and fatty acids.
2. Proteins also help to build up calcium in the nails. So at least have 8 ounces of protein in a day.
3. To strengthen fingernails silica containing herbs like horsetail, oat straw and nettle should be included in the diet
4. Biotin which is water-soluble Vitamin B and iron help in curing the brittle nails.
5. Inclusion of Zinc in the diet will remove the white spots from the nails.
Tags: nails and health, strong nails
Posted in Beauty | 6 Comments »
Thursday, February 25th, 2010
The eyes are called “the windows of the soul” and, as such, they deserve the best treatment that we can possibly give. Eye includes eyebrows. Eyebrows tell people a lot about you and are very important feature on a person’s face.They help to balance facial features.. If they are not properly groomed, they draw attention to themselves. They give the face an unbalanced and comical look. But it but it is a sad sight to see that it is the most neglected part of the human body.
Our eyebrows tell others about our feelings. Raising a brow shows one emotion while dipping one shows something else altogether. They telegraph our emotions to those who are looking at us. More than that, they show how much respect we have for ourselves. Unruly and untamed brows say we don’t really care how we look, while well-arched, carefully tamed brows say that we hold ourselves in high esteem.
To stress the importance of a well-shaped brow, many of Hollywood’s finest makeup artists say that women with good brows and skin often need little or no make-up at all!
How to have well groomed eye brows?
* Take a long handle brush and align it with the side of the nose and the inside corner of the eye .The eyebrow should begin from the place where the brush meets the eyebrow area.
* The brow should end where, when the brush is aligned with the edge of the nostril and the outside corner of the eye ends on the eyebrow area.
* The brow should be balanced. It should begin and end at the same level. To be sure align your brush such that it is vertical and lie at the beginning and the end of both the brow. Make sure it is straight.
* Align your brush with the outside rim of your iris (the colored part of your eye). This is where the arch should be.
” The brow should be of the same thickness throughout and taper slightly at the end. Align your brush handle with the highest points of both brows to indicate this.
Methods of eyebrow grooming: Though there are several methods by which one can groom her eyebrow the most common methods are Waxing, threading and electrolysis.
Eyebrow waxing has been in use in America for decades and stays quite well for three to ten weeks. You can use both hot and cold wax. But if your skin is sensitive, you may feel some irritation, burning or itching sensation in the area where the wax has been applied. It can be smoothened by applying moisture.
Threading, though new in America has been in use for many decades in Asia. Threading uses a strand of cotton thread, which is twisted. It is pulled along the skin anywhere that stray hairs exist. It can pull one or many hairs up from the roots in a single pass. A single threading may capture all of the unnecessary hair if it is clumped together in the same spot. However, for shaping purposes, it may take between six and eight passes to complete the technique. It does not leave any irritation on the skin.
Electrolysis isn’t new in America. But the fact is that it has now become affordable and an average woman can afford it now! Electrolysis involves the use of a special electrode that delivers a minor electrical shock current to the hair follicle. The current kills the follicle at the same time as it removes unwanted hair.
We can conclude that Eyebrows provide a frame to your face. They are the part, which play very important role in giving the desired look to your face. The purpose of making up your eyebrows is to create a beautiful frame to the face, which will certainly help you improve your overall look. The shape and grooming of your eyebrows will make your eyes look bigger and open up your face more naturally.
Tags: electrolysis, threading, Waxing
Posted in Beauty | 2 Comments »
Friday, February 19th, 2010
Everyone wants to look good. Everyone wants to look young. However, as a person grows old, the skin tends to loose its elasticity and wrinkles appear on the skin along with blemishes and other skin related conditions and it is one of the signs of aging.
Over the years, people have been trying to figure out ways to look younger for a longer period of time. Several creams and ointments, along with oral medication, as well as surgical treatment options have come up in this regard, which can help your skin look younger for a longer time. But they are costly and do not give a permanent solution to look young. So what should you do? Leave it as such and allow the skin to show the sign of aging? No, not at all!
Why more care for skin is required after forties?
Good skin care is necessary at any given age but special care is required by the time you approach forties as this is the period when your physiology changes dramatically! This is more visible in women than in men.
- As you reach forties there is a decline in the level of hormone and growth factors in the body. This decreases the speed at which the skin renews and repairs itself. Women at this age experience a dramatic hormone change as they either approach menopause stage or undergo it. This in turn reduces the production of sebum, the skin oil leading to the thinning and drying of skin.
- Another problem of older skin is inflammation. Though this is not visible with the naked eyes, it increases the production of harmful free radicals and leads to increased cell damage, degradation of skin matrix and other problems
The following skin tips can help you keep your forty something skin looking as youthful as possible.
- Identify the type of your skin: Generally with age the skin tends to become drier. This is because the skin tends to lose collagen and elastic fibers as it grows old. So it becomes a necessity to evaluate the type of skin and change the skin care products.
- Cleanse your skin regularly: It is very important to remove the make up and dirt on your skin. Use the cleanser that does not irritates your skin.
- Limit the usage of scrubs: Exfoliating scrubs can be helpful to physically remove dead flaking skin. But it is advised not to do it more than once in a week.
- Moisturize regularly: AS the skin gets drier as it ages, it is better to start using richer emollient moisturizing lotions.
- Protect your skin from sunshine: Even though you have not used the sunscreen lotion in your youthful days, it is better to start using them now!
- Ensure hydration: Proper hydration of skin is necessary for optimal anti aging routine.
- Use less of make ups and cosmetics: People generally end up using heavier make-up in order to hide the aging signs and make their skin look young and radiant. However, this has an adverse effect on the skin; heavy foundation and excessive compact powder can actually create a cakey impression and highlight the wrinkles and fine lines on your face. Moreover, the harsh chemicals contained in these products may seep into your skin and further degrade the internal tissues. Instead you should use creamy and hydrating skin care products that don’t highlight the age lines but makes the skin appear smooth and supple.
How to keep your skin look radiant naturally?
- Barley grass is one of the most incredible products of this decade. It improves the skin texture and the dryness associated with aging
- Wheatgrass juice helps in cleansing the lymph system, building the blood, restoring balance in the body, removing toxic metals from the cells, nourishing the liver and kidneys and restoring vitality
- Naturally absorbent and extremely gentle on the system, bentonite clay can treat various skin and internal ailments Many beauticians state that clay has no equal as a facial conditioner
- Adding bee pollen to the diet will give you the glow of health. Blending it into magic potions help to smooth soothe and rejuvenate every inch of the outside body.
- Drink 10 to 12 glasses of water every day. It will keep your skin glowing.
- Apply the peel of the fruits and vegetables that are cut to your face and rinse after 15 minutes. With tap water. This will help you look younger and the skin softer.
Tags: Radiant skin, young look
Posted in Beauty | 9 Comments »
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