HEALTH

HERE COMES THE SUN

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SUMMER HEAT WAVES: ARE YOU GETTING ALL THE FACTS?

There are three kinds of dangerous rays. UVB, or “burning,” rays are the primary cause of skin cancer and are the most intense in summer. UVA, or “aging,” rays pose a risk in any season and penetrate deeper into the skin, causing wrinkles, sagging, sunspots and cancer. A third kind of light, infrared radiation (IR), can also cause both premature aging and cancer. To protect yourself from all three, you must wear sunscreen every single day, even when it’s cloudy. It may sound like a chore, but once you’ve become an expert on everything from SPF to the powers of vitamin C, safeguarding your skin will, and should become second nature.

How long can you stay in the sun without burning? Do the math. Multiply the SPF number on the label by the number of minutes it takes you to start burning without protection. For example, if you start to burn after ten minutes of exposure, SPF 15 has been shown in lab tests to protect you for 150 minutes. If you burn in five minutes, SPF 15 will shield you for 75 minutes. As SPFs go beyond 30, the effectiveness is less dramatic, but since most people don’t apply as much as they should, a higher SPF is always a safe bet.

SCREEN SAVERS:
• Do not burn. Seek the shade, especially between 10 AM and 4 PM.

• Avoid tanning and UV tanning booths.

• Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day. Cover up with clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.

Apply 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every two hours, or immediately after swimming or excessive sweating.

• Keep newborns out of the sun. Sunscreens should be used on babies over the age of six months.

• Examine your skin head-to-toe every month. See your physician every year for a professional skin exam.

Tuesday, June 29th, 2010 ANTI-AGING, HEALTH, SKINCARE 7 Comments

BURN, BABY, BURN!

ARE TANNING SALONS SAFE?

No! No! No! Tanning beds are extremely dangerous. Studies have shown that they increase the risk of cancer. Tanning lights mainly contain UVA and sometimes also UVB rays. Both those wavelengths can contribute to melanoma and the intensity of energy from light bulbs is many times stronger than natural light.

Tanning is also skin damage! Although skin cancer has been associated with UVB radiation and sunburns, scientists say that even tanning in moderation produces the same harmful effects, as would a burn. Tanning causes premature aging, causing the skin to appear leathery and wrinkled, and also damages the immune system. So think twice, before you lather up your activating tanning gel! Is is worth sacrificing your health and beauty for a semi-permanent color?

Sunday, February 8th, 2009 ANTI-AGING, BRONZING POWDER, HEALTH 11 Comments

LOOK YOUNGER

STEPS TO AGING WELL

1. Consume enough calories. With too few calories in your diet, the appearance of skin, hair and posture can suffer. In particular, foods rich in antioxidants, like berries, leafy greens and soy products, and those with omega-3 fatty acids, such as certain fish (salmon and sardines), olive oil and some nuts, may help ward off wrinkles.

2. Eat five servings of fruits and vegetables a day. They contain antioxidants, which fend off free radicals. (Free radicals build up in the body through daily living, are increased by pollution, smoking and sunlight, and breakdown cell membranes, contributing to aging.)

3. Cut back significantly on refined sugars and sugar packed soft drinks. Sugar causes reactions in your body that can contribute to the breakdown of collagen. Sometimes, I’ll have a craving for something sweet, like chocolate, instead I’ll find a substitution. I’ll have a bowl of blueberries instead.

4. Drink ten to twelve 8-oz. glasses of water or green tea a day. Inadequate hydration can lead to dry skin, which can make wrinkles more obvious. I love iced green tea, unsweetened of course, with a slice of lemon.

5. Limit yourself to no more than five to seven alcoholic beverages per week. Over time, excessive alcohol consumption will leave your skin looking sallow.

6. Take a multivitamin daily. Your supplement should have at least 400 IU of vitamin E; 25,000 IU of beta-carotene; 2000 mg of vitamin D; and other antioxidants. Among other positive effects, these antioxidants, combined with sun avoidance and protection, help skin wrinkle-free.

7. Always wear at least SPF 30, even indoors. Tanning robs the skin of collagen and leads to loss of elasticity. Even some indoor lighting emits damaging UV waves. If I could drink sunscreen for maximum protection, I would. I never go outside without a generous layer.

8. Use products with anti-aging ingredients. By your mid to late twenties, you need skincare with anti-aging ingredients: alpha-hydroxy or glycolic acids and vitamin-rich serums. Additionally, moisturizing daily will help keep wrinkles from becoming more dramatic.

9. Consider microdermabrasion or a chemical peel. These dermatologist-performed procedures can help erase the appearance of some sun damage.

10. Stop smoking. Smoking creates vertical lines around your lips and robs your skin of oxygen, muddying your complexion and undermining collagen production.

11. Exercise at least four times a week. A cardio workout will help keep your weight down and your energy levels up, and will improve circulation.

12. Reduce stress daily. Try yoga or meditation. Exfoliating is a simple stress reducer for me.

13. Get at least seven hours of sleep nightly. Less sleep may undermine the immune system and further stress the body by keeping it from repairing and replenishing cells.

Wednesday, October 15th, 2008 ANTI-AGING, GREEN TEA, HEALTH, SUN PROTECTION 11 Comments










Beauty Talk



Deep Gray Shadow
It's an aggressive heavy black smoky eye. The perfect wash of gunmetal over the lids and a streak of glittery dark charcoal at the top and bottom lashes. For the perfect shade, try Make Up For Ever Diamond Shadow in Diamond Black, ($20.00, makeupforever.com).
• Blend a creamy vanilla shade on the brow bone for a highlight and pile on mascara for extra thickness and definition. With this look, soft pink-neutral lips and cheeks will keep it balanced.







Beauty Secrets



MAKE UP FOREVER - HD Microfinish Powder ($30.00, makeupforever.com)

A universal translucent finishing powder to be applied over foundation or worn alone. Sets the foundation and slightly mattifies skin without changing its natural contours. This 100% mineral silica powder softens the appearance of imperfections. Completely evens out the complexion for a glowing, radiant look. One universal shade for all skin tones:
• It's completely translucent and goes on any skintone. Its talc-free formula does not dry the skin and is formulated with 100% silica. Dermatologically tested.





NARS - The Multiple ($38.00, narscosmetics.com)

The original all-in-one, cream-to-powder, multi-purpose makeup stick. With fingertip application, The Multiple highlights, sculpts, and warms eyes, cheeks, lips, and body in an array of shades from sheer accents to mauve and bronze.





YVES SAINT LAURENT - Touche Éclat Radiant Touch ($40.00, yvessaintlaurent.com)

A luminizing pen that brings light and radiance to the skin, immediately erases any signs of fatigue, and brightens the complexion. The award-winning product is like eight hours of sleep and an instant pick-me-up in a magic wand. With a few strategically placed strokes, the complexion immediately looks rested, rejuvenated, and radiant:
• Banishes shadows and tired-looking eyes by adding light and creating an instant lift to the eye area.
• Widens eyes when used between the eyebrows and along the sides of the nose, and creates fuller looking lips when used in the hollow of the chin and around the contour of the lips.
• It's formulated for all skin types and for anyone who wants instant radiance, luminosity, and lift.





SMASHBOX - Photo Finish Foundation Primer ($36.00, smashbox.com)

This product creates a perfect canvas for foundation application. The silky blend of vitamins and antioxidants smoothes and perfects skin, while the unique formula helps to inhibit the destruction of collagen, and fills in fine lines and pores for a flawless finish:
• Use after moisturizer and before foundation for complexion perfection.
• This skin-soothing blend of antioxidants, which can be worn alone or under foundation, works overtime to fill in fine lines and even out skin texture.





SHISEIDO - White Lucent Brightening Cleansing Foam ($33.00, shiseido.com)

A gentle, purifying foam that effectively lifts away impurities and surface cells to help reduce surface melanin buildup and leave skin clean and bright:
• Removes impurities and excess surface oil with a fresh creamy lather. Helps exfoliate surface melanin, smooth skin, and minimize dullness.
• Formulated with Asian plant extracts to improve moisture balance. Leaves skin feeling dewy and smooth. Recommended for all skin types. Use morning and night.





YVES SAINT LAURENT - Volupté Sheer Candy ($30.00, yvessaintlaurent.com)

A glossy lip balm. This balm dresses your lips in a sheer veil of brilliant color boosted with vitamin- and antioxidant-rich fruit extract. Its ultra-light, sensual texture leaves lips feeling soft and hydrated for up to eight hours and is ideal for year-round use.





GUERLAIN - Orchidee Imperiale Eye & Lip Cream ($185.00, guerlain.com)

The protective and regenerative benefits of the orchid extract restore firmness, suppleness, density and hydration to these particularly delicate areas:
• Targets under-eye puffiness and dark circles with autofocus reflectors that light up the eye area.
• A tightening agent creates an instant rested look around the eyes.
• Crow's-feet are immediately smoothed.





SHISEIDO - Extra Smooth Sun Protection Cream SPF 36 PA+++ ($28.00, shiseido.com)

A highly nourishing cream-formula sunscreen for the face that defends against the powerful UVA/UVB rays that cause cell damage, dryness, roughness, and the premature signs of aging such as fine lines:
• Formulated with the retexturizing ingredient Xylitol to counteract roughness and keep skin looking soft and healthy. Contains Thiotaurine, an antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals.
• Can be applied easily and absorbs quickly, leaving no visible white residue or feeling of heaviness. Very water-resistant. Perspiration-resistant. PABA-free.
• All Shiseido sun products proudly display the Skin Cancer Foundation seal of recommendation.





Beauty Bites



YOU SAY "TOMATO," I SAY "TOMAHTO"!

They're packed with lycopene, which protects skin from the oxidation that results from sun damage and leads to wrinkles. Adding a little olive oil helps you absorb lycopene even better. Numerous studies have shown that eating foods high in lycopene is beneficial in warding off heart disease and several types of cancer such as lung, prostate, cervical, digestive tract and breast. Good sources of lycopene are pink grapefruit, guava, watermelon, and rosehips, but the most common and perhaps most powerful is the tomato.





ALMONDS, IT'S IN THE CRUNCH!

They're brimming with vitamin E, which neutralizes free radicals in your muscles and nervous system and enhances speed, coordination and balance. They also have good amounts of magnesium, potassium, zinc, iron, fibre and are a good source of healthy monounsaturated fat. They contain more calcium than any other nut which makes them great for vegetarians who do not eat any dairy products.





FEELING A LITTLE BLUE?

Blueberries have highest antioxidant capacity of all fresh fruit: being very rich in anti oxidants like vitamin C, B complex, vitamin E, vitamin A, copper, selenium, zinc and iron. They neutralize free radicals which can affect disease and aging in the body. Been proved to preserve vision: Blueberry extract, high in compounds called anthocyanosides, has been found in clinical studies to slow down visual loss. They keep you fresh, active, fit, sharp, close to nature and in a good mood, as they are very good anti depressants.





BEAUTY BENEFITS OF GREEN TEA

Green tea contains antioxidants that combat free radicals. Free radicals are byproducts of the human body and cause damage to cells and tissues. The antioxidants neutralize free radicals so they cannot cause any harm. Free radicals are one of the causes of many illnesses and they are one of the reasons for our aging. Green tea drinkers appear to have lower risk for a wide range of diseases, from simple bacterial or viral infections to chronic degenerative conditions including cardiovascular disease, cancer, stroke, periodontal disease, and osteoporosis.

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