From sunburns to dry, flaky skin to germ-laden beauty supplies, summer weather can be tough on your skin and beauty routine. USA TODAY’s Michelle Healy asks skin care experts for advice on keeping your face and skin healthy and protected in the season ahead:

Sunscreen: You should be applying sunscreen all year round but come warm weather and even more opportunities to be outdoors, the most important thing you can do to care for your skin is using “sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen,” says Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, a dermatologist in East Bay, Calif., and clinical instructor at the University of California, San Francisco. She recommends zinc-based sunblocks for best protection and stresses the importance “all skin types and ethnicities” reapplying it every two hours as people become more active.

And all skin types and ethnicities require daily use of sunscreen. “Even darker skin tones are susceptible
to sunburns, skin cancers, brown spots, and wrinkles, just like Caucasian skin,” says Badreshia-Bansal.

If you’re using “photosensitizing topical or oral medications, such as antibiotics or retinoid products it is even more important to practice this basic step,” she says.

A growing number of moisturizers and foundations now contain sunscreen, but users typically put on these products sparingly and do not reapply them regularly, so “you may not be getting the full SPF (sun protection factor) you need,” says dermatologist Jocelyn Lieb, associate director of Advanced Dermatology P.C. in Ridgewood, N.J.

“A moisturizer with a strong SPF of at least 50 can be used without an additional sunblock,” she says.
“But otherwise it’s best to first put on a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more, followed by moisturizer and foundation or base, if you use it.”

Some brands of mineral makeup are promoted as offering UV protection, often because they contain
a high content of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, two ingredients commonly found in traditional sunscreen. But “the jury is still out” on the level of protection they provide, says Lieb.

Neglected places: The chest, back of hands, ears and lips are often neglected when it comes to sun protection, but they also need shielding from the sun’s damaging rays, says dermatologist
Joshua Zeichner, director of Cosmetic and Clinical Research at Mount Sinai Hospital’s Department of Dermatology in New York.

An opaque lipstick (preferably with an SPF rating of 15 or above applied every two hours) or a sports stick with sunscreen are good bets to protect the lips, but avoid wearing plain petroleum jelly or lip glosses that don’t include sunscreen before spending considerable time in the sun, says Lieb. “They can act like baby oil, absorbing UV rays and leading to sunburns.”

To get dry, flaky skin prepped for summer exposure, gently exfoliate to give the skin a smoother and brighter appearance. “You’re not only removing dead skin cells from the surface of the skin, you’re also removing dirt and oil,” says Zeichner. Whether it’s an over-the-counter body scrub or microdermabrasian kit, he recommends limiting the process to once a week and never exfoliating sunburned skin. Exfoliation is also a must if you use a sunless tanning product to help ensure even coverage, he says.

When to toss old makeup: Be aware that germs can lurk in old makeup and beauty supplies. Loofah sponges, for example, may be great at removing dead skin cells, but dermatologist Jocelyn Lieb doesn’t recommend them because they “offer the perfect warm, wet, dark environment for bacteria to grow.”

Mascara, eye shadow or any other eye-area makeup “should immediately be tossed if you’ve had any recent eye infections such as conjunctivitis,” says dermatologist Sonia Badreshia-Bansal.

In fact, old eye makeup goes “off” in texture and color and can also breed bacteria that causes eye irritation or infection, says celebrity makeup artist Sandy Linter, co-author of The Makeup Wakeup: Revitalizing Your Look at Any Age.

Under normal circumstances, manufacturers typically recommend discarding mascara two to four months after purchase, because of repeated microbial exposure during use and the risk of eye infections, according to the Food and Drug Administration. The FDA notes that eye makeup “has a shorter shelf life than other cosmetics.”

Figuring out beauty products’ shelf-life can be difficult, given that expiration dates are not mandatory.
Even when they are posted, they are general guidelines, says the FDA, and products may start to degrade before the expiration date if not stored properly.

Zeichner recommends tossing any product that “doesn’t look right, smell right or isn’t working the way
it did initially.”

Article source: http://yourlife.usatoday.com/your-look/story/2011/05/Expert-advice-on-summer-skin-care/47074654/1

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I believe that no beauty ritual should be viewed as a chore – especially those that have to be done once
a day or more. Which is why the moment I looked at my cleanser and toner bottles and sighed, I knew something had to be done.

Now, I’m sure you’ll agree that every time you lay down for a facial or treatment, you’re automatically on an express train to cloud nine. Is it the candlelit surroundings and soothing ocean music? Or is it simply the care that the therapist takes with your face (even though she’s essentially just cleansing, toning, moisturising for the majority of the treatment)?

Either way, I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve to ensure that your morning routine is far from tedious:

• Take your time. This means not just slathering a pad with cleanser and smooshing it over your face. My trick  is to fill up your sink with warm water, add a few drops of a nice essential oil and take in the scent as you begin your beauty routine.
• Make it comfortable. Don’t rub your eyes with a make-up wipe. Rather, dip your pads into warm water before adding cleanser and pressing the pads over your eyes to remove stubborn makeup.
• Swipe, don’t tug. Your complexion is delicate – you wouldn’t see beauty therapists tugging at that delicate skin – so make sure you swipe your cleanser over your eyes and face in long, graceful motions so you feel as though you’re being seen to by a professional.

Article source: http://www.beautyheaven.com.au/skin-care/cleansers-washes/make-your-morning-routine-more-than-mediocre-5548

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With everyday skincare, rules apply, writes Kate Lovelace.

Rule one: simplify your beauty routine
Do you use too many active skincare products at once?

Why it’s bad
If you’re using several anti-ageing products at once, you could be over-dosing on retinols (vitamin A) and AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), which may cause the skin to react.

If you’re self-prescribing, you might not be using the best formulas for your skin type.

What to do

• Use active ingredients with caution
• Speak with a consultant before buying new skincare.
• Take note of what’s in your current skincare to avoid doubling up on ingredients.
• Test new products behind the ear or under the jawline.
• Aim to use up the whole tub or tube to see if a product is really working for you.

Rule two: don’t over-cleanse
You adore the feeling of squeaky-clean skin and cleanse at every chance.

Why it’s bad
“Over-zealous cleansing actually exacerbates an oily skin problem,” says cosmetic physician Dr Sarah Freilich.

If we strip away surface oils, the skin responds by producing even more oil.
It removes skin-protective bacteria, making you more susceptible to infection.

Over-cleansing and over-exfoliating can make skin prone to sensitivity.

What to do

• Only use a foaming cleanser if your skin is oily.
• Avoid overly astringent toners that dry the skin.
• Don’t cleanse more than twice a day or exfoliate more than twice a week.
• Replace harsh scrubs with a peel-off mask (which removes dead cells) or one with exfoliating fruit enzymes (such as papaya), plus hydrating ingredients.

Rule three: stop squeezing pimples
As soon as a spot appears, you just can’t keep your hands away.

Why it’s bad
“Squeezing pimples damages the skin and makes pimples worse,” says dermatologist Dr Jo-Ann See.

By rupturing the follicle you release irritants into the skin that cause further inflammation, which can result
in scarring.

Some skin types develop permanent hyperpigmentation in the area as a reaction to this kind of trauma.

What to do

• If you’re prone to pimples use specialised skincare.
• When temptation arises, dab on a topical blemish-zapper in place of squeezing.
• If a large pimple appears before an important occasion, ask your GP or dermatologist for a shot
  of cortisone, which reduces inflammation and makes spots disappear fast.

Do you really have sensitive skin?
Does your skin react:

• A every time you use a skincare product
• B sometimes
• C only with a certain product

If you answered B or C , it’s unlikely that your skin is truly sensitive. If you don’t have a history of allergies, it could just be that you’re not treating your skin properly. “Sun damage or over-use of products can weaken the skin’s barrier function,” warns Dr See.

Stop using all products for one month, except a gentle cleanser and a water-based cream sold at pharmacies. Then re-introduce other products, one at a time.

Beauty swaps

• Avoid using soap which dries the skin; instead, choose a mild shower gel.
• Replace harsh scrubs with a gentle peel-off mask or enzyme exfoliant.
• Trade anti-ageing skincare for one item that’s professionally prescribed for you.

Article source: http://health.ninemsn.com.au/pamper/beauty/695440/clean-sweep

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Summer is here, and for many this means holidays, parties with friends, spending time with family and making sure your skin looks healthy, glowing and gorgeous. Unfortunately, sun damage, shaving and your diet all play a role when it comes to a healthy glowing complexion. Here are some skincare tips to help you maintain softer, smoother skin this summer.

Be sun smart
You need to protect yourself from the sun. We all know that UV rays are a hazard all year round, and sun damage is the number one extrinsic cause of premature ageing and skin cancer.

Protect yourself from the sun by generously applying sunscreen daily to all exposed skin (avoiding the eye area) at least 15 minutes before heading outdoors to help prevent sunburn and sun damage, and use a sunscreen with SPF 30+ broad-spectrum protection. You should wear sun protection daily to help avoid premature ageing and skin cancer. Remember to reapply every two hours spent outside as well as, after swimming, exercise and towelling dry. Avoid prolonged sun exposure and wear protective clothing, hats and eyewear. QV Face Moisturising Day Cream and QV Face Lip Balm not only moisturise, but also provide SPF 30+ protection.

Cleansing
No matter what the season, it is ideal to cleanse your face twice a day. When cleansing, use QV Face Gentle Cleanser, a mild soap-free cleanser that leaves your skin feeling fresh and soft, not tight or dry.
The pH balanced formulation allows the skin to be cleansed without stripping off the natural protective oils, which can exacerbate the feeling of dryness.

Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate
Your body sheds dead skin cells every day. Use a gentle exfoliant to slough off dead skin and help prevent your skin from looking dull and dry. Gentle enough to use everyday, QV Face Exfoliating Polish dual-action helps exfoliate and cleanse your skin from impurities and dead skin cells; while the added Avemide 15™ calms and soothes skin and safflower oil replenishes moisture levels leaving your skin feeling silky soft. Continue to do this 2 – 3 times a week for year – round beautiful skin.

Hydrate your skin
Probably the most important beauty regime is moisturising. If your skin is only a little dry, you can use lotion, and if it’s very dry, you can use a cream. Moisturise after you exfoliate, shave, and shower to help seal in the skin’s moisture.

During the hot and humid summer season, you really want to make sure that whatever moisturiser you choose, it is also non-comedogenic, meaning that it won’t clog your pores. QV’s range of Body and Face moisturisers are gentle enough for sensitive skin and are also non-comedogenic.

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It has been implicated in a range of diseases from cancer to diabetes, but just how important is vitamin D?

Most of us feel naked outdoors without wearing a hat or sunscreen, but some doctors are now cautiously recommending doing just that: going sans protection, to combat rising vitamin D deficiency.

Research shows vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption but it could help to prevent some cancers,
in particularly breast, prostrate and colon; as well as osteoporosis, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure.

While vitamin D has been linked to aiding this increasing list of illnesses, researchers do not agree on how significant its role is.

“The best evidence is that it can help bones and prevent falls. For cancer diabetes and inflammatory disease there is some suggestive data, but it still has a way to go before it’s proven or part of treatment,” Associate Professor Jackie Center from The Garvan Institute says.

Around 30 per cent of Australians are thought to be vitamin D deficient by the end of summer. This figure increases to 40 per cent by the end of winter. Most people with a mild vitamin D deficiency are not unaware of the problem, nor would they feel any different after taking supplements or sitting in the sun.

Vitamin D is produced when a compound in the skin, called 7-dehydrocholesterol, is exposed to the high end of the UV spectrum. It is measured by a simple blood test. If a person is found to have low levels, a GP will prescribe vitamin D supplements to build up stores. A blood test is often repeated several months later to determine further treatment.

The signs of vitamin D deficiency
Those with a high level of deficiency may complain of muscle aches and pain.

People with dark skin, who may remain covered for religious reasons, and the very elderly are at a greater risk of low vitamin D levels.

But worryingly some children are not getting enough sun, leading to rickets, a condition causing softening of the bones commonly seen as bowing of the legs.

Even people in the 20s and 30s – a generation bought up on the Slip, Slop, Slap sun protection message – are showing low levels of vitamin D.

The problem for doctors is how to ensure their patients get enough sunlight without putting them at risk of skin cancer.

“I think twenty minutes of direct sun exposure in the early morning or afternoon will help [with vitamin D deficiency]. And in some people that is enough,” says Associate Professor Center.

The health benefits of vitamin D
While researchers are still determining the importance of vitamin D, there appears to be a strong link between the deficiency and gestational diabetes.

Research conducted at Westmead Hospital found pregnant women with lower levels of vitamin D are at greater risk of developing gestational diabetes.

Mothers deficient in vitamin D can have an affect on the bones of the unborn baby, with some children born with lower bone mass and calcium levels.

Doctors are recommending expectant mothers to have their vitamin D levels checked during pregnancy to monitor the risk.

Vitamin D food sources
A small amount of vitamin D is found in our diet from foods such as egg yolk, liver and some margarines, butter and milk. The best sources however are found naturally in fish such as salmon, sardines and mackerel. Although these sources of vitamin D are unlikely to boost a person’s levels on their own.

Naturopath Deborah Draffin from Sydney Wholistic urges all her patients to be tested for vitamin D through their GP and recommends supplements.

“If levels are deficient or in the marginally deficient range then I find supplementation essential to bring levels up, along with educating them on how to maintain adequate levels.”

How much sun is enough?
Dr Rachel Neale from the Queensland Institute of Medical Research is fearful promoting the vitamin D message threatens to undo years of sun safety education. “We are risking our safe sun message for something that we need to know a lot more about,” she warns.

Neale believes the link between vitamin D and other illnesses is more to do with lifestyle factors.
For example, the obese tend to have low levels of vitamin D from spending more time indoors.

While sun cream will physically stop vitamin D penetration in a laboratory situation, research shows most of us to do not apply it thickly or evenly enough to completely block out the sun’s rays, says Professor Rebecca Mason, President of the Australian and New Zealand Bone and Mineral Society.

The amount of direct sunlight that is needed to make enough vitamin D varies from a few hours a week
to a few minutes per day, depending on the season and location.

Anita Catalano, in her early 40s, suffers from vitamin D deficiency
“I decided to get my levels checked after a study at my work found 42 per cent of the workers at our head office were vitamin D deficient. It made me curious about my own levels but I was shocked at the results.
It was 28 nmol per litre, meaning I was quite deficient. I have been on three supplements a day since December and will be having a follow up blood test soon. I have always worn sunscreen and still do, despite having low levels of vitamin D. But now when I have a break at work, I’ll go to the nearby park and roll up my sleeves and my pants and get a few minutes of sunshine. I know vitamin D deficiency has been linked to many illnesses and as you get older, I think it’s important to take as much preventative action as you can.”

A guide to getting vitamin D
Sydney, Perth, Canberra, Melbourne
June-July: Two to three hours per week, around midday, baring as much skin as possible.
Summer: A few minutes on most days, outside peak UV  times. Mid-morning or mid-afternoon are best. Expose the face, arms and hands.

Darwin, Brisbane
All year round: A few minutes on most days, outside peak UV times. Mid-morning or mid-afternoon are best. Expose face, arms and hands.

Adelaide, Hobart
May-August: Two to three hours per week around midday, baring as much skin as possible.
Summer: A few minutes on most days outside peak UV times. Mid-morning or mid-afternoon are best. Expose face and arms.

Who is at risk of vitamin D deficiency?

Those with very fair or very dark skin
Being overweight or obese
Anyone over 65 years
Stomach problems affecting their ability to absorb nutrients
People with low calcium intake

Article source: http://www.bodyandsoul.com.au/health+healing/news+features/whats+so+big+about+vitamin+dr,14701

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For women who have a ‘severe lack of time’ or are ‘more honest’ and admit they may be ‘slightly lazy’, here is a simple daily beauty routine you can learn and do with flair and ease.

Zoe Foster’s time-saving beauty routine: step 1
First, cleanse your face. Why? To get rid of all that rich night cream you put on last night. Next, apply skin care products – you can get away with only one but it needs to be a face cream with very high sun protection every single day, right down to the boobs.

Zoe Foster’s time-saving beauty routine: step 2
Use either a tinted moisturiser all over the face and apply a little loose powder on top to set it so it lasts,
or if you prefer more coverage, apply a liquid foundation. (Liquids and crème products are generally faster and easier to apply than powders.) But do use some base – even if it is just a tint, it does wonders for making your face look alive and even toned. Apply some concealer under the eyes to brighten and conceal any blemishes.

Zoe Foster’s time-saving beauty routine: step 3
The fastest make-up route to looking ‘done’, in my opinion, is using your fingers and simple items that give big results, so that you look like you expended more effort than you did. (If you have oily skin, you will probably prefer to use powders over crèmes.) Here’s the most basic make-up routine I can come up with, and it looks great! It really does!

• Mascara. (More is better if you’re wearing little else on the face.) Curl your lashes first, preferably.
• Crème blush on the apples of the cheeks. (Try Max Factor Miracle Touch Creamy Blush in Soft Copper – suits everyone.)
• Lipstick or gloss. (Try a soft baby coral – it’s universally flattering.)

If you want to add a little more:

• Wash of taupe eye shadow over the eyelid.
• Brown or black eyeliner along the upper lashline.
• Bronzer.

Zoe Foster’s time-saving beauty routine: step 4
Add perfume, pull your hair back loosely into a low bun and add some spangly ear candy. I buy earrings from Topshop or Sportsgirl (very cheaply) and they always make me look like I’ve spent more time on my outfit than I have.

Zoe Foster’s time-saving beauty routine: step 5
Check the time. It should be around 5–7 minutes after you started this routine. Which, you will note, is less than 10 minutes. Which, you will also note, means A) my heading wasn’t a lie, and B) you walloped it.
Well done!

Article source: http://www.kidspot.com.au/MySpot-beauty-The-daily-beauty-routine-for-time-deprived-women+5987+176+article.htm

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There are a variety of ways to help you maintain a more youthful appearance. In the area of skin aging there is some useful information available on the internet, however there is also a vast amount of unproven and possibly unsafe treatments and product claims advertised. Many ‘natural’ remedies can still cause harm. Consider consulting your doctor or dermatologist before taking any new medication or buying an expensive product for skin rejuvenation (reversal skin aging).

This page summarises information from the scientific literature. There are some newer approaches of unproven value. Some of the more promising of these approaches are discussed.

Cosmetic Dermatology treatments and procedures are also used to reverse the visible signs of aging. These are covered in the cosmetic dermatology section.

What Causes Skin Aging?
In Australia and much of the world, sunlight plays a major role in the accelerated appearance of changes that we normally associate with skin aging. Chronic sun exposure is probably responsible for over 90% of the visible signs of aging in Australians. These changes include wrinkles, lines and creases, uneven or blotchy colour changes such as brown spots and freckling, ‘broken or burst capillaries’, other irregularities of the skin surface and even acne-like ‘black heads’ and cysts. Compare your skin in more sunprotected sights such as your buttocks to that on your face, ‘V’ of neck and arms to get a rough idea of some of the ageing affects the sun has caused on your skin.

Gravity, repeated movement of facial muscles, smoking and genetic characteristics also influence the appearance and severity of these changes. Some people are blessed with a genetic makeup that partially protects them from many of the changes associated with skin aging.

How Does Sunlight Damage the Skin?
Sunlight can dramatically increase skin changes associated with ‘aging’. Damage to the top layer of the skin (the epidermis) leads to an uneven, scaling surface along with many growths or bumps. Damage to the pigment cells in this top layer also causes mottling colour changes, brown spots and freckles.

Damage to cells, collagen and elastic tissue of the dermis (the middle layer of the skin) contributes to wrinkles, which range from fine wrinkles to deeper creases and lines. It also reduces the skin’s elasticity (ability to bounce back after stretching or movement of the skin), and can cause lumpy yellowish changes deep to the skin surface due to a process called ’solar elastosis’.

Sunlight can directly damage cells, and the other components of the skin. It leads to the generation of free radicals which can cause ‘oxidant’ damage to the skin. This leads to damage to the genetic material of cells, along with other components of cells and the skin.

Prevention
Sun protection is the most important measure you can take to maintain more youthful looking skin.

Ongoing excessive sun exposure can inhibit your immune system from removing damaged cells, along with other repair mechanisms. Therefore, making sun protection part of your daily skin care regimen, will also give your skin a chance to repair some (but not all) of the damage.

Photoaging is a chronic ongoing process. Low (and high) levels of sunlight exposure add up over the years. Even in Winter and on overcast days you can still receive significant levels of damaging UV light.

Visit our sun protection page, for ways to reduce sun damage. Avoid sunlight in the middle of the day, seek shade, wear a hat, protective clothing and make the application of sunscreen part of your general skin care regimen. The addition of a strong anti-oxidant to sunscreens and skin care products may also be of additional benefit in reducing the deleterious effects of ultraviolet light, time and other environmental stressors on the skin.

Smoking also accelerates skin aging and the damaging effects of excessive sunlight. Smoking contributes by damaging several parts of the skin including its elasticity and support. It is particularly associated with wrinkling, acne-like changes (comedones), and drooping of the face, these visible changes may take years or decades to occur. Never smoking or giving up smoking will help you age more gracefully.

Good Skin Care, Moisturisers and the Role of Water
Treating or preventing dry skin will usually smooth your skin’s surface, reduce flaking and scaling changes, and assist the removal of dead cells from the top layers of the skin. The beneficial effects of treatments that preserve the skin’s moisture may entirely reverse when they are stopped.

If you have dry skin, you should minimise the time you spend in hot showers (have shorter, warm showers instead). Use an emulsifiable bath oil, body washes with ‘neutral’ pH or ’soap’ substitutes. All of these measures can help preserve the skin’s natural moisturising factors.

Apply a moisturiser. This is usually more effective if used immediately after washing. Moisturisers work in several ways. ‘Humectants’ draw and hold water in the skin, while other moisturising factors help seal in the water. A large variety of moisturisers are available, try a few to decide which one feels best for you. Your local doctor or dermatologist can give you advice on suitable products for you skin. If you have acne or acne prone skin, moisturisers can worsen pimples, and many people with acne do not require a moisturiser as they have more than enough natural moisturising factors in their skin.

Drinking ‘plenty’ of water is good for the kidneys, and is especially important in hot weather, however, the skin’s ability to hold the water is more important than the amount of water you drink for maintaining more youthful skin.

There are many face products that contain moisturisers and broadspectrum sunscreens. This is an ideal combination for a daily face cream. Daily face creams with microfine titanium dioxide and masking pigment can also cover up some of the signs of skin aging.

Don’t forget to also protect your neck, chest, arms, or hands, which are also common sites of premature photoaging.

Should I use Anti-Oxidants and Vitamins?
The role of anti-oxidants in preventing or treating skin aging still requires more research. There are several reasons why they may reduce many of the changes we associate with skin aging, however these all remain largely unproven. Antioxidants have been shown experimentally to reduce some of the harmful effects of ultraviolet light, and theoretically may be beneficial in reducing many other changes associated with aging.

Anti-oxidants include: vitamin E (alpha tocopherol), vitamin C, coenzyme Q (ubiquinone), lipoic acid, along with a new generation of potentially more strong anti-oxidants on the way.

Although of unproven benefit, anti-oxidants may prove to be useful, particularly some of the newer and stronger agents. The main risk with these products is the rare occurrence of allergy, causing skin rashes. Many creams contain these products. You should talk to your doctor before taking high dose oral vitamins and anti-oxidants.

Some vitamin derivatives have beneficial effects / actions other than their role as anti-oxidants. The effects of some vitamin A derivatives (retinoids) are detailed below.

Creams That Reverse Some of the Signs of Skin Ageing
Creams are often useful for milder changes of aging including fine lines, wrinkles or roughness. Tretinoin creams (vitamin A derivative or retinoid) and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) are commonly used. They may also improve minor colour changes.

Tretinoin creams can provide long term benefits if used regularly. Tretinoin creams have been shown to improve facial wrinkles, and are especially useful for fine lines, and minor changes in colour. They can be successfully used on the face and also the back of hands. Their main disadvantage is they can cause skin irritation, redness, itching, dryness, or flaking and increased sensitivity to sunlight. Stringent sun-protective measures are required, as a sunburn could negate the cream’s beneficial effects.

There are many formulations available, your doctor or dermatologist can recommend one most suitable for your skin. Tretinoin creams are only available by prescription in Australia. Your doctor can give you instructions on how and when to apply a tretinoin cream. Once you stop using a tretinoin cream, all its beneficial effects will potentially disappear with time.

Alpha hydroxyacids (AHAs) cause superficial peeling of dead skin cells, moisturise the skin, and possibly provide other benefits to rejuvenate the skin’s appearance. These can be used as a cream and/or a chemical peel. Many over-the-counter products are available. It is usually recommended to start with a low concentration, and as the skin builds up tolerance, use increasingly stronger preparations for maximal benefit. A wide variety of AHAs are available. They may cause irritation and redness, along with a burning or stinging sensation shortly after application. Stronger AHAs are available from your doctor, along with AHA facial peels. Your dermatologist can give you advice and suggest an appropriate regimen, strength and formulation for your skin. There are AHA formulations for use on different parts of the body.

As AHAs, and topical tretinoin thin the top layer of the skin, they also make you more sensitive to the adverse effects of sunlight (the top layers of the skin are important for ‘filtering’ ultraviolet light and form your skin’s major barrier or protective layer against environmental insults). Thus stringent sun protection is important if you use AHAs or tretinoin creams.

Hydroquinone cream is also known as fading or bleaching cream. It can be used to treat some pigment changes associated with aging and sunlight. It must be combined with stringent sun protection for maximum benefit. The down side is hydroquinone may irritate some people’s skin and should only be used for short periods of time. Weaker preparations are available over-the-counter in Australia. Stronger formulations require a prescription and medical advice and assessment for their safe use. Inappropriate use may cause darkening or blotchiness of the skin.

Summary
Skin rejuvenation is an area attracting considerable ongoing interest. The cosmetic industry, dermatologists and the pharmaceutical industry are all actively researching new treatments and approaches. More scientific studies are required to help establish which treatments are most effective and which therapies are a waste of money and effort. Many claims by manufacturers remain unsubstantiated. By making sensible sun protection part of your daily skin care regimen, you will age more gracefully, and be in a better situation to benefit from new treatments and therapies.

Consider consulting your doctor or dermatologist before taking any new medication or buying an expensive cream for skin rejuvenation.

Article source: http://www.dermcoll.asn.au/public/a-z_of_skin-maintain_youthful_skin.asp

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With an average of 25 party invites a week, Shelly Horton, editor-at-large of S in Sydney’s Sun-Herald, has an impressive little black book. Here, she dishes up some mingling know.

Get out of a boring conversation graciously
Rather than ending the chat awkwardly, make an excuse to mingle. “I’d better network or my boss will be on my back” always works, or blame time restrictions: “I need to make sure I catch so-and-so before they leave.”

Introduce yourself to a group with aplomb
Target small groups and pay them a compliment. “I just had to come over and find out where you got those earrings.” They’re flattered and you have a talking point. If you can’t fake flattery, ask the bar staff for drink recommendations, then turn to the person next to you at the bar with, “You have to try this new cocktail.”

Get over an embarrassing gaffe
If you find yourself at a formal sit-down dinner and suddenly spill wine all over the table, use it to your advantage and opt for a healthy dose of self-deprecation. “Hi, I’m Shelly, how do you like me so far?”
Making light of your actions gives guests an excuse to laugh instead of feeling embarrassed for you.

Cover yourself when you’ve forgotten someone’s name
Have a buddy system in place with your plus one. If you bump into a guest whose name escapes you, squeeze your friend’s wrist to indicate you’ve forgotten their name. Your clued-in friend can then introduce themselves directly and extract their name. If you’re travelling solo, come clean: “I’ve had a brain freeze;
I know we’ve met before…”

Avoid eating your body weight in canapés
Never party on an empty stomach. Grab a salad sandwich or have a piece of fruit with a handful of nuts before you leave the office. Then, limit yourself to two of your favourite – and most filling – canapés.

Avoid drinking too much
Go for quality, not quantity – think one cocktail or a glass of wine. If you can’t stick to one, follow the classic “one for one” rule and alternate alcohol with water.

Feel human in the morning
Post-party, gulp down a few glasses of water. When you wake up, have eggs (they’re packed with an amino acid that mops up toxins), cheese (the protein will make you feel better) and fruit juice (fructose helps the body process alcohol faster).

If you do only one thing…order a mineral water first. It will quench your thirst and give you a hydrating head start. Then, have your alcohol and drink it, too – just keep your poison light-coloured. Hangovers are caused by toxic by-products called congeners, and the darker the drink, the more of them, so opt for drinks like white wine, vodka and gin.

NB: More than half of us have texted or called our ex while drunk, or called a family member and said something “inappropriate”, while 10 per cent have kissed someone we shouldn’t have – with the photographic evidence turning up on the internet.

Article source: http://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/marie-claire/all-about-you/life/article/-/8239222/how-to-survive-the-party-season/

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Find out which foods can help your health.

Can you eat your way out of a hangover? What about foods that fight belly fat? Nutritionist Kathleen Alleaume looks at foods that offer surprising health benefits.

Hangover
Feeling blurry eyed from a few too many glasses of wine? Research published in the Journal of Inflammation proved the best defence for a hangover is to get cracking – literally. Researchers found cysteine, an amino acid found in eggs, counteracts the poisonous effects of acetaldehyde, a chemical that causes the headaches and nausea associated with a hangover. To avoid the excess calories, eat your eggs boiled or poached. Another tried-and-true hangover-fighting tip is to alternate your drinks with a glass of water to prevent dehydration. As boring as that might sound, it works.

Glowing skin
We’ve all heard that vitamin C can keep the sniffles at bay. However, scientists have uncovered a new role vitamin C plays in protecting the skin. A natural part of the ageing process is a decrease in collagen and elastin fibres of the skin. Yet according to researchers at the University of Leicester, vitamin C, can not only “mop up” free radical damage (oxygen fragments that attack and damage collagen cells), but can help remove the DNA damage they form. Since the body cannot store vitamin C, we need to top up levels with our diet. Foods rich in vitamin C include citrus fruits, strawberries, kiwi fruit and vegetables such as capsicum, tomatoes, broccoli and sprouts.

Belly fat
To lose the love handles, start dosing up on omega-3 rich foods. Research published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows eating fish at mealtimes can prevent us from overeating. In the study, fish eaters consumed less at their next meal compared to those who ate beef. Researchers believe this
is due to the fish proteins taking longer to digest. The best sources of omega-3 fatty fish include salmon, herring, sardines and mackerel. Or if you don’t like fish, try flaxseed oil or walnuts.

Beat acne
It’s often believed that eating greasy food or chocolate can cause the skin to breakout. Recent research, now suggests the root cause of acne could lie in the consumption of typically high-GI sugary foods. A study conducted at RMIT University in Victoria followed two groups of teenage boys for 12 weeks. One group ate low-GI, high protein foods, compared to the other, who ate a diet consisting of white bread, potatoes, and sugary drinks and snacks. The researchers found the sugar overload caused a rapid release in insulin, triggering the over production of skin cells, leading to acne. To keep breakouts at bay, keep blood sugar levels stable by eating a diet high in fresh fruit and vegetables, unprocessed grains, low-fat yoghurt, nuts and legumes.

Boost metabolism
Good news for non-chilli fans. New research published in the Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism shows that eating sweet chilli peppers provides the same metabolism-boosting effects as the fire-hot variety. Researchers say that the sweet chilli peppers’ fat-burning capability is due to boosted levels of adrenalin
(a fat-burning hormone) that increases with exercise to help break down fat for the body to use as fuel.

Better sleep
Looking for something other than a sleep-disrupting night cap? A study at the University of Texas found that consuming a daily serve of sour cherries may help increase melatonin, a potent antioxidant that helps improve the body’s circadian rhythms and natural sleep patterns. The research noted melatonin works best when consumed one hour before sleep time. Rather than reaching for an after-dinner sweet treat, try fresh or dried cherries as a refreshing palate cleanser before bedtime.

Article source: http://www.bodyandsoul.com.au/food+diet/nutrition/foods+with+surprising+benefits,14689

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Here’s an article explaining some of the reasons why skin gets flakey. If your skin changes or if you are worried about the flakey-ness (is that a word? You know what I mean!) of your skin, head to your GP
for a diagnosis.

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THE body constantly renews the skin, making more skin cells as the top layer dies and sloughs off. It’s normal to have a few flakes of skin on the scalp, face or other parts of the body. However, excessively flaky skin may be a sign of dehydration or an underlying medical problem.

Dry conditions
Living in an arid environment can make it hard to stay hydrated and can lead to dry, flaky skin. This can occur in hot, arid climates such as deserts, but colder climates are often low in humidity, too, especially
in the winter. Drinking plenty of water and using a home humidifier can help.

Swimming or Excessive Bathing
Hot showers or baths or the chemicals in swimming pools strip the naturally occurring moisturizing oils from the skin. Showering more than once a day, or taking long, hot baths and using harsh soap can cause skin to dry out and become flaky. Athletes and others who spend a lot of time in chlorinated pools may also experience dry, flaky skin. To reduce the problem, shower no more than once a day with warm–not hot–water, and use mild cleansers. Swimmers should rinse chlorine from their hair and skin with warm water only or with a mild cleanser.

Diabetes or hypothyroidism
People with diabetes tend to have poor circulation, causing skin to become dry, flaky or scaly. Diabetes can also change your blood vessels, causing a condition called “diabetic dermopathy” which causes brown patches of flaky skin, often on the legs. Having an under-active thyroid also can cause dry skin that can become rough or flaky.

Eczema
Eczema is not one condition but rather a term that covers several skin conditions. Eczema is thought to be an issue of the immune system. An overactive immune system can make the body react strongly to allergens, leading to outbreaks of dry, itchy skin, which can also become scaly or flaky.

Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition, meaning that the body’s immune system turns against its own tissue. Those with the condition experience a buildup of excessive skin tissue, which can cause scaly,
flaky patches on any area of the body.

Medication Side Effect
Flaky skin is a side effect of some medications. Perhaps the most common drugs to cause flaky skin are medications meant to control chronic acne, such as isotretinoin, often found under the brand name Accutane, or tretinoin, sold under the brand name Airol.

Article source: http://www.ehow.com/about_5076680_causes-flakey-skin.html

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