Skin Care News

Ladies, watch out for headlines like "No Room For Thunder Thighs In a Bikini," and pitches for dietary supplements and fat absorbing body wraps. They don't work, and you know it.

My first night back in the bars and people are calling me "sir." Maybe it's time for a face peel back a la Burt Reynolds or Men's Formula Hair Care products?

>Sun Screen- the sun does shine here too...I have proof

>Aloe Vera - for those of you who forgot the sunscreen *ouch*

Teens and people in their 20s are starting to get a very common form of skin cancer usually found in people over 50, the Canadian Dermatology Association said on Friday.

WHEN SHOULD I APPLY THE SELF TANNING PRODUCT? – Since most self-tanning lotions have no sunscreen for protection outdoors, the best time to use self-tanners is at night before going to bed. If done earlier, allow a minimum of two hours and test for staining before putting back on your regular clothes. Note that if your lotion contains extra coloring formula or if you’re using a spray, staining could be a major issue and you won’t to go to bed and stain bedding; so use these types of products earlier in the evening or when you have more time...

I decided that it was time for a change in my mind-set. I am now refusing to be critical of my cellulite - it's there, it's not going away, and no one notices it as much as I do. Stretch marks? I don't care anymore - I have two beautiful children and they gave me saggy boobs and scars, so be it. Surgery scars? Don't care about those either - now I can eat dairy and not writhe in pain. Linea nigra? Ignoring that too because obviously if it hasn't gone away after 16 months, it probably isn't going to magically vanish.

I think I look fabulous most of the time. The exceptions would be the times that most normal women do not look good, such as just before going to bed, when I have anointed myself with creams guaranteed to stave off wrinkles and acne (yes - the irony - why am I fighting both at the same time??) and just after waking, when the creams have congealed in my pores and I have morning breath.

Pregnancy is a wonderful time in a woman's life. One aspect of child bearing, however, may not be so welcomed. For 75 90% of pregnant women, stretch marks, or striae gravidum, can appear in the later half of pregnancy. Stretch marks do not pose any health risk to either the mother or child, but can cause anxiety over their appearance for those who develop them.

Heal the Bay released it's annual Beach Report Card yesterday. Their conclusion? It's been a bad year for LA's best natural feature, mostly on account of the record rains. (Rain flushes guck from all over, down storm drains and creeks and out to the ocean.) Happily, when the weather is warm and the sky is clear, we're clear to swim at most SoCal beaches. Time to bring on the sunscreen.

Save money and give yourself a break from the chemicals found in most hair care products by using the following natural home remedies.

Hey, I’m not bitter. I know my weight problems are my problems. I caused them for the most part (can’t blame everything on my thyroid). Maybe for once I’d like for someone to say that I’m pretty besides Zach with his huge bias and always the threat of sleeping on the couch hanging over his head. Someone to say it without always that “but” on the end, Behold The Underlying Truth. Pretty for a fat chick. I’d like to fit into my first prom dress again, because I still have it and nowadays because of the style...

My weekly photos showed a pretty significant jump between week 35 and week 36. And if the photos weren’t proof enough, the stretch marks that appeared from nowhere this morning sealed the deal. I have heard they can just appear overnight and indeed that is exactly what they did. The funny thing is I don’t even care. I was so worried about getting these a few months ago, and now it’s just one more thing to add to the list, along with swelling, heartburn, sciatica, aches, pains, mood swings, fatigue, insomnia…..

Meanwhile the guy is choking down “250 supplements, eight to 10 glasses of alkaline water and 10 cups of green tea” a day. Me, I’m trying to remember my B vitamins and DHA, and I’m having green pea soup and popovers for supper.

Girls were more likely than boys to wear sunscreen (53 percent versus 33 percent) and to say they were at least somewhat careful about protecting themselves from the sun (59 percent versus 36 percent).

No one is suggesting that people fry on a beach. But many scientists believe that "safe sun" - 15 minutes or so a few times a week without sunscreen - is not only possible but helpful to health.

Dermatologists have long preached that sunscreens are needed to prevent skin cancer. Now some scientists are questioning that because vitamin D increasingly seems important for preventing and treating many types of cancer.

Indeed, some researchers think that splashing on sunscreen may actually contribute to far more cancer deaths than it prevents.

I wonder if I loose the 80 pounds that I am wanting to drop if my stretch marks will go away. I seen where they have some stuff that will help red strecth marks disapear, but the older silver colored ones are to bad, which I have on my thighs. My tummy, and under my arms I have red ones which if I work my weight off should be no problem I guess. Anyone have any experience with them, that could shed some light would be greatly appreciated.

In my business career, one of my responsibilities as a Marketing Director was to manage our lines of vitamins and supplements. In this role, I was invited to Roche Vitamin seminars a couple of times where the virtues of Vitamin E and Vitamin C were extolled. This was at the time 30 years ago when Roche was publishing their research papers on the antioxidant properties of these two vitamins. After all, they were the number one producer of the bulk vitamins at that time. May still be today. In any event, there wasn’t...

Another girl was trying to lose 50 lbs and had done wonderfully to lost 38! She had lost hers through diet and exercise the right way. The part that struck me is how everyone was always trying to get both these girls to cheat. Someone was always holding a snack and asking,"do you want some?" Why do people do that!!! It is like that want them to fail and gain the weight back. People ALWAYS do that to me and why? That is so annoying!!

The talk so impressed the American Cancer Society's chief epidemiologist, Dr. Michael Thun, that the society is reviewing its sun protection guidelines. "There is now intriguing evidence that vitamin D may have a role in the prevention as well as treatment of certain cancers," Thun said.

So, while agencies conduct extensive (and expensive) studies, we recommend moderation.

"The skin can handle it, just like the liver can handle alcohol," said Dr. James Leyden, professor emeritus of dermatology at the University of Pennsylvania, who has consulted for sunscreen makers. "I like to have wine with dinner, but I don't think I should drink four bottles a day."

Ladies and Gentlemen, of the class of ’97. If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it.

The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists, whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience.. I will dispense this advice, now..

Now, being of Eastern Europe descent, my fair skin doesn’t take too well to the massive amounts of sunshine that comes during the summer here. I’ve tried to find a large brimmed straw hat, but they are all too large for my little head, and it’s hard to put sunscreen on myself, so the back of my neck and face have turned a fine shade of pink.

Which brings me to my promised post on Mikey’s method for long term diet and exercise lifestyle change.

I've never quite understood the appeal of those facial mists - people squirting Evian in their faces (straight from the bottle or the brand's own cosmetic product) never really made sense to me. Even if you've got extremely dry skin, spritzing water on it seems to be as clever as licking chapped lips during winter. Wouldn't it only make things worse? Nevermind looking like an idiot, spraying oneself in the face with water - beauty means adopting practices which tend to border on the silly-looking (toe dividers, anyone?).

For oily skin, try Aveeno's Clear Complexion Bar or Burt's Bees Garden Tomato Soap, followed with Burt's Bees blemish stick. For dry skin, there's nothing better than Cetaphil for both cleansing and moisturizing.

The meal replacement industry was a multi-million dollar industry in the year 2000. Ranging from weight loss products like Slim Fast to muscle builders like Myoplex, everybody is using them. The only problem with them is that they can become so expensive. Myoplex costs about $40, and has 20 servings. That’s $2 per serving! So if you drink 2 Myoplex meal replacements per day, that’s $60 per month just on meal replacements. Then add in the cost of your other supplements like Creatine and Glutamine and you’re spending over $100 per...

Anti-aging guru Roizen and celebrated heart surgeon Oz combine their popular approaches to patient-centered care in this assessment of how much, or more to the point, how little, readers know about their bodies. After taking the quizzes in the book, readers may feel shocked by their ignorance of basic anatomy and the processes required to maintain physical and mental functioning. Each chapter focuses on a body part or system (heart, brain, digestive, reproductive, etc.) and discusses diseases associated with it; genetic and lifestyle influences on its aging process; and foods, supplements and habits that can prevent or reverse related illnesses. The book has an entertaining feel: friendly elves guide readers through illustrations of the body and cartoons feature alien creatures that enter the body and cause illness. The humor is irreverent (e.g., muscle cells surrounding dead heart tissue "start fighting with each other, like Jerry Springer's guests, instead of supporting each other, like Oprah's" [incidentally, the authors will appear on Oprah in May to promote the book]). Despite a 10-day, 30-recipe food plan and a less-is-more exercise regime, however, readers may have trouble using the information to create a lifestyle that will fulfill the authors' promise of weight loss, disease prevention and longevity. Even the recipes target one specific area of the body and weaken the overall conceptual framework. This lighthearted book will be most useful to those who like their health lessons served with a side of humor.

Anyway the study by the researchers from Harvard did find that people taking vitamins lived longer than those not taking vitamin supplements, but then people with better nutrition generally do live longer than those that are malnourished… nowhere does it mention that ARV’s are toxic. A Randomized Trial of Multivitamin Supplements and HIV Disease Progression and Mortality A Randomized Trial of Multivitamin Supplements and HIV Disease Progression and Mortality

I went to the beach on Saturday. It was off and on with the sun too. But you can get sunburnt when it's cloudy!!! I sure did...on my knees and back of my legs-it hurts :( Wear that sunscreen, cloudy or not!! It'll save your skin! Have a great time at the beach!

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued warnings about the dangers of tanning beds and skin cancer, especially for young people (www.who.int). The American Academy of Dermatology (www.aad.org) endorses the WHO recommendation to restrict tanning bed use.

This is the time of the year when pollens give you hay fever and your nose is running like crazy. But now, a new photon-based anti-hay-fever technology is available to help, at least if you live in Central Europe. A small Hungarian company, Rhinolight, has developed a new technology using light cannons to help you. Its special lamps, which illuminate your nose with high energy light, have been installed in about 20 medical centers. After two weeks or about six sessions, the company says that you have a 80% chance to be cured -- at least for the current year. But as I haven't read any reports about the efficiency of this method, don't book a flight to Budapest before talking to your physician and read more...

Another way to help this out is by eating Whole Grains. They recommend at least 3 servings of whole grains a day. It can't be just wheat...it's gotta be whole grain. Supposedly steel cut whole grains are great. They have a crunchy texture, low in calories and help drag your stuff out of your system. I've never had them...but they are supposed to be the ultimate whole grain. Whole Grains are also supposed to help prevent heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. They say that whole grains help flush fat and cholesterol out of your system and provide powerful antioxidants that help you stay healthier, look younger and live longer.

And then obviously Fiber (25 grams a day) and Magensium (400 mg a day), especially for women who take calcium supplements.

Don’t wear anything off the shoulder or a tank shirt or undershirt UNLESS YOU WEAR SUNSCREEN. You’re inviting a nasty sunburn, and a few days underarm hair growth is not anything you want to share.

This is a letter from your mommy. I just wanted to let you know how loved you are already, even if you do give me stretch marks and a fat ass. Daddy and I are working really hard to save up $$ so that we can give you a good life. Though, we’ll never work so much that we don’t have time for you – we love you and want to spend as much time playing with you as we can. Daddy is very excited about getting your room all ready for you. Usually mommy has to nag him to get him to do work around the house, but in this case daddy is nagging mommy!...

Just a side note, for anyone who’s concerned with acne or pimple on the face, use Proactiv. It really works. If you don’t believe me, stop me in the hallway and stare at my face if you want living proof. Oh wait, that wouldn’t really work; because you haven’t seen my face before I started using it. There’s still stuff on my face though; but hey, I’ve only used it for a week.

“Only 14 percent of “superlosers” had ever signed up with Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, or another commercial diet program, according to results of the survey. A mere 6 percent in that category used dietary supplements or another non-prescription weight loss aid, such as Metabolife or Dexatrim.“

The Food and Drug Administration has not approved aesthetic breast augmentation for patients less than 18 years of age. Adolescents may not have the physical and/or emotional maturity to choose plastic surgery; they may have unrealistic expectations, a misunderstanding about potential complications, and may have not yet reached full physical development.

I cannot tell anyone how hard it is to not scream and be completely girly, as I am in the case of most insects, when you’re wet, sometimes soapy, and a bug is trying to take a gander at your glistening girl flesh (the perverts!). I’ve got more bug guts on the bottom of my shampoo bottle than I care to admit. I really should contact the makers of the Redken hair care products and tell them that their items double as flyswatters.

The question is, what to do about it? Fight off impending - and inevitable - follicle doom with an array of pricey hair care products? (Which would, I might add, seriously impinge upon my ability to accumulate Xbox games. Hey, I might play something other than Halo 2 someday. Really.) Or should I accept my fate, and go for the Ken Wilber look?

Favorite body lotion: Johnson's 24-Hour Softlotion - I have dry skin and this moisturizes for a long time and is not greasy. (drugstores)

It turns out that one Industrious Mister Who Wishes to Have Less Dry Skin turned, like the good techie he is, to Google to solve his skincare problems. (About.com is said to be particularly helpful, by the way. Take notes, ladies!) He now knows his skin type - combination! - and has decided that he should probably exfoliate with a bath scrubbie a few times a week to keep things looking soft and smooth. After I got the giggles under control - what is more adorable than a cute boy being a bit ernest and a bit concerned about skincare for the first...

Since I would need superpowers just to convince them to go out to the beach or do anything, I had decided to do some things on my own so I could at least have a modicum of fun. When you’re there, you don’t stay indoors! You slather on the sunscreen (or tanning oil, whichever you prefer) and enjoy whatever this beautiful strip of beach has to offer. I ended up hanging with the gays and the guys who were oodles of fun to be with. We watched the sunset, swam for hours, ogled at beautiful men when I was with the gays, ogled at the beautiful women...

- Never neglect your ears and the tops of your feet when applying sunscreen. Rookie mistake.

I think I have contracted Trichotillomania, or TTM for short. For the few of you not in the know, TTM is a compulsion to pull ones hair. Even though I have not been examined by a professional, a home test kit purchased over the internet confirmed that I had the symptoms. I hoped I was fine after getting around some of the preliminary questions like, “Are you using an inordinate amount of hair care products?” I had been, but believed that perhaps I was the victim of a series of break-ins by a thief with a penchant for mousse and pomade. However,...

According to the American Academy of Dermatology 85 per cent of pe