Acne Problems

Spot The Problem: Acne
By Joanne Elliott

What's Acne?

Acne is a term that's used to describe whiteheads, blackheads, and pimples. (You may well recognize slang terms like spots, or zits). Most teenagers get the type of acne called acne vulgaris, which can show up on the face, neck, shoulders, back, and chest. Skin pores contain oil glands which naturally lubricate your skin and hair. But sometimes if a pore gets clogged beneath the skin with excess oil and bacteria, the dreaded acne is caused...

Whiteheads happen when a pore gets clogged, closes, and then bulges out. If a pore gets clogged but stays open, the top may darken and you've got a blackhead. A pimple happens when dead skin and bacteria work their way under live skin. This leads to a small infection that makes your skin look red. Get glowing!

What Causes Acne?

Although everyone is different, acne is usually caused by the build up of oil and dead skin in a pore. This build up of oil and dead skin is caused because of:

• Natural hormones. These are particularly active in your teens.
• Plugged skin. Lots of skin cells can close the oil glands or pores, creating blackheads or whiteheads, (as mentioned earlier).
• Bacteria. Bacteria can easily infect oil glands and pores and grow very quickly.
• Family background. If you have acne, your kids are more likely to have it too.

How To Reduce An Acne Problem

• You shouldn't squeeze, pick, scratch, or rub your skin as it makes the problem worse, and it might even cause scarring.
• Regularly shampoo your hair, and try to keep it off your face if possible - especially at night.
• Keep a food diary to work out if you are one of the few people whose acne gets worse if they eat certain things.
• Exercise regularly to get the old blood flowing, and make sure you get a wash as soon after as possible.
• Avoid unnecessarily touching your face.
• If possible, try to minimize your stress levels.
• Avoid getting sunburned.
• Change your wash cloth every day, as bacteria can grow on damp cloth.
• Wash your face twice a day with a gentle soap like Dove or Lever 2000.
• Always rinse really well with lots of water.
• Only wear makeup on special occasions, and then make sure you remove it completely.
• Granular facial scrub can make acne worse by aggravating the skin.

Medication For Extreme Cases

Oral antibiotics
Oral antibiotics have a high success rate, and can be safely used for up to a year. It can take up to six months to fully take effect, but there should be a noticeable difference within six weeks. Oral Antibiotics include erythromycin, minocycline and tetracycline

Antibacterial cream
Benzoyl peroxide kills the bacteria which causes inflammation. It is available over the counter in 2.5%, 5% and 10% creams and lotions. It is available in gels in the same percentages but only by prescription. Clinically, there�s not much difference between the effectiveness of the various strengths and types used.

NOTE: Unfortunately, there can be some side effects of the use of Benzyol peroxide, including hypersensitivity, irritation, and contact dermatitis (although these are very rare). Remember to always keep Benzoyl peroxide away from clothing as it has a bleaching effect.

Problem Hair

Natural Treatments For Problem Hair
By M.S. Beltran

Is your hair dry and brittle? Is the color dull and lackluster? Forget expensive commercial products that can do more damage than good to your hair; treat your hair yourself, using all-natural ingredients found in your own kitchen.

DO-IT-YOURSELF CHOLESTEROL TREATMENT

Would you believe that most commercially bought cholesterol hair conditioners contain alcohol� the very thing that dries out hair? Instead, grab a cup full of mayonnaise, some plastic food wrap and throw a couple of towels in the drier on high.

Work the mayonnaise into your hair, starting by massaging it into the scalp and roots. Then draw it through to your ends until your hair is thoroughly coated. Pile the hair on top of your head. Take a couple of feet of saran wrap and wrap it around the top of your head to contain the mayo.

Take a pre-heated towel from the dryer and wrap it around your head over the saran wrap. The heat will aid with deep conditioning. After about 10 minutes, change to another heated towel and leave that on for another 10 minutes.

Remove the towel and plastic wrap and shampoo your hair as usual. Done once a month, this cholesterol treatment will keep your hair soft and shiny.

* Tip: if your hair ends are very damaged from chemical treatment, you can do this once a week. If your scalp is naturally oily, you might want to only add mayo to the hair ends for weekly treatments.

QUICK SOLUTION FOR OILY HAIR

If your scalp is naturally oil, you probably have to shampoo your hair daily to keep it from looking greasy or stringy. If, however, you are running short on time or need a quick lift in the middle of the day, grab a box of cornstarch and a large, clean blush brush.

Pour some cornstarch out onto a dish and dip the brush into it. Then, with a comb, part your hair in the center and brush the cornstarch onto your scalp and roots. Make another part 1/4 to inch off-center and repeat. Continue this method down one side of your head, then from the center and down the other side.

Go about your business for about 10 minutes while the cornstarch soaks up the excess oils in your hair. Then, take a brush and brush out your hair, ridding it of the cornstarch flakes.

FOR A COLOR ENHANCER:

If your own natural color, or your color treated hair, begins to look drab, all you need are a few ingredients from your garden or local produce store to brighten it up.

Begin by boiling one quart of water. In a piece of doubled cheesecloth, add the following:

• for brunettes: a handful fresh rosemary sprigs (bruise by crumpling in your hand)
• for blondes: a handful of dried chamomile
• for "orange tone" redheads: a chopped-up carrot
• for "berry tone" redheads: a chopped up beet

Tie up the ingredient in the cheesecloth and toss into the boiling water, removing it from heat. Let steep for 10 minutes.

Remove and discard the cheesecloth bag. Shampoo and rinse your hair as usual. Then, pour the warm (not hot) color-enhancing rinse over your hair. As a final rinse, use a quart of cold water. Once a month treatments will keep your hair color vibrant.

BUILD-UP REMOVER

Often the culprits of drab coloring and lackluster hair are all the styling products that we regularly use. They begin to build up and dull the shine and tone of our hair.

Get rid of the build up by mixing 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar with 1 gallon of distilled water. This can be stored in a cabinet or the refrigerator and used every couple of weeks to keep hair squeaky clean. To use it, wet hair with warm water, or shampoo and rinse as usual. Then pour 2 cups over the scalp and let mixture saturate the hair. Finish up with a cold-water rinse.

Homemade Skin Treats

Simple, Effective and Natural Products Found In Your Kitchen

Catherine Solmes

Sept 18, 2007

Use everyday products found in your kitchen to smooth, soothe and soften your skin.

Think of how cashmere, silk and cotton feel against your skin compared with nylon, polyester and rayon. If you've never tried an all-natural or largely natural moisturizer, mask or exfoliator, you're in for the same experience. Natural products have been used for centuries by women attempting to smooth, soften and moisturize their skin, and while it's easy to get distracted by the rows of tempting bottles and tubes at the drugstore or department store, you've actually got plenty of skin treats in your own kitchen! So open that fridge and those cupboards and get gorgeous!

Brown Sugar-Olive Oil Scrub

Don't spend your money on pricey scrubs; make your own with brown sugar and olive oil. It exfoliates away all the dry skin, moisturizes what's underneath, increases your skin's circulation and can improve the appearance of cellulite.

For gorgeously smooth skin, combine roughly three parts brown sugar with one part olive oil (11/2 cups to 1/2 cup; 3 cups to 1 cup, and so on). Before you shower, stand in your bathtub and apply the scrub with your hands to your body and rub. Be gentle, as this is quite abrasive, but you can be a bit rougher where your skin is thicker and drier (i.e. your feet). Rinse off in the shower, and you'll find there's no need to moisturize afterwards.

Yogourt Mask

Used by women for centuries, yogourt works on all skin types to soften skin, soothe redness and tighten pores while gently deep cleaning. Use a natural, unflavoured, plain yogurt (Balkan style tends to be thicker and is easier to apply) and apply to your face as you would a mask, avoiding the eyes and mouth. You may want to let the yogourt warm up slightly before applying it! Leave on for ten minutes and rinse off with warm water. Follow with a honey mask, or apply moisturizer as you would normally.

Honey Mask

Honey is also an ancient beauty product used alongside yogourt to soften, deep clean and soothe your skin. Honey is a natural antibiotic and will help to kill any bacteria in your pores, which in turn helps to eliminate redness. It's also gently moisturizing and full of vitamins. Simply smooth it onto your face, avoiding your eyes and mouth and let it sit for ten minutes. Rinse off with warm water and follow with your regular toning and moisturizing routine.

Olive Oil

Olive oil is an all-purpose, rich, but non-irritating moisturizer. Try rubbing it onto dry bits like your elbows, knees and heels. Try it as a nighttime moisturizer for your face during the cold months. Smooth it on your body for an extra-nourishing treat and rinse off the excess in the shower – your skin will feel amazing. Or warm it carefully and very, very slightly and use it as a heated deep-moisturizing mask.

Olive oil can also be used as a deep moisturizing hair mask. Smooth it onto warm, damp hair from your ears down (the oldest, most damaged/dry part of your hair). Wrap some plastic wrap around it and then a towel to keep it warm. This is best done at bedtime so the oil has time to penetrate the hair shaft while you sleep, but you can let it sit for a minimum of half-an-hour if you prefer. Then wash your hair as usual and you'll be amazed at the difference.

Baking Soda

Baking soda is an all-purpose, gentle exfoliator and skin softener. To use it as an exfoliator, simply pour a quarter-sized amount of baking soda into the palm of your hand. You can add a tiny bit of your regular cleanser or some warm water to turn it into a paste. You may need to add more to get the right consistency. Apply to your skin, avoiding your eyes, and rub gently with your fingertips in a circular motion. Adjust the pressure of your fingers as you wish for a harder or lighter scrub and then rinse off the paste with warm water. Follow with your regular toner and moisturizer.

You can also sprinkle some baking soda into a warm bath for an extra-softening skin treat.

Homemade Hair Spray

Homemade Hair Spray

Chop one lemon (or an orange for dry hair). Place in a pot with 2 cups water. Boil until half of the initial amount remains. Cool, strain, and place in a spray bottle. Store in the refrigerator.

If it is too sticky, add more water. Add one ounce rubbing alcohol as a preservative and then the spray can be stored for up to two weeks unrefrigerated.

8 Foods You Should Eat Daily for Optimum Health

Our tech nerdie, aka Kelly's husband, is useful beyond words. In addition to keeping us online and in business by keeping up with all of our technical work, he also scans the web for articles that would be of interest to us. I eat most of the items on the list but am now more diligent about all of it. I believe in eating only fresh foods (I do not even own a can opener and am planning to rid of my microwave!) and have raised my soon to be three year old son to love spinach and broccoli. With so many of our friends diagnosed with cancer I feel like the least we can do is control what we put in our bodies. Being youthful and beautiful is just a small perk to the health benefits you'll receive.

1. Spinach - It may be green and leafy, but spinach is also the ultimate man food. This noted biceps builder is a rich source of plant-based omega-3s and folate, which help reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and osteoporosis. Bonus: Folate also increases blood flow to the penis. And spinach is packed with lutein, a compound that fights age-related macular degeneration. Aim for 1 cup fresh spinach or ½ cup cooked per day. SUBSTITUTES: Kale, bok choy, romaine lettuce FIT IT IN: Make your salads with spinach; add spinach to scrambled eggs; drape it over pizza; mix it with marinara sauce and then microwave for an instant dip. PINCH HITTER: Sesame Stir-Braised Kale Heat 4 cloves minced garlic, 1 Tbsp. minced fresh ginger, and 1 tsp. sesame oil in a skillet. Add 2 Tbsp. water and 1 bunch kale (stemmed and chopped). Cover and cook for 3 minutes. Drain. Add 1 tsp. soy sauce and 1 Tbsp. sesame seeds.

2. Yogurt - Various cultures claim yogurt as their own creation, but the 2,000-year-old food’s health benefits are not disputed: Fermentation spawns hundreds of millions of probiotic organisms that serve as reinforcements to the battalions of beneficial bacteria in your body, which boost the immune system and provide protection against cancer. Not all yogurts are probiotic though, so make sure the label says “live and active cultures.” Aim for 1 cup of the calcium- and protein-rich goop a day. SUBSTITUTES: Kefir, soy yogurt FIT IT IN: Yogurt topped with blueberries, walnuts, flaxseed, and honey is the ultimate breakfast—or dessert. Plain low-fat yogurt is also a perfect base for creamy salad dressings and dips. HOME RUN: Power Smoothie Blend 1 cup low-fat yogurt, 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries, 1 cup carrot juice, and 1 cup fresh baby spinach for a nutrient-rich blast.

3. Tomatoes - There are two things you need to know about tomatoes: Red are the best, because they’re packed with more of the antioxidant lycopene, and processed tomatoes are just as potent as fresh ones, because it’s easier for the body to absorb the lycopene. Studies show that a diet rich in lycopene can decrease your risk of bladder, lung, prostate, skin, and stomach cancers, as well as reduce the risk of coronary artery disease. Aim for 22 mg of lycopene a day, which is about eight red cherry tomatoes or a glass of tomato juice. SUBSTITUTES: Red watermelon, pink grapefruit, Japanese persimmon, papaya, guava FIT IT IN: Pile on the ketchup and Ragú; guzzle low-sodium V8 and gazpacho; double the amount of tomato paste called for in a recipe. PINCH HITTER: Red and Pink Fruit Bowl Chop 1 small watermelon, 2 grapefruits, 3 persimmons, 1 papaya, and 4 guavas. Garnish with mint.

4. Carrots - Most red, yellow, or orange vegetables and fruits are spiked with carotenoids—fat-soluble compounds that are associated with a reduction in a wide range of cancers, as well as reduced risk and severity of inflammatory conditions such as asthma and rheumatoid arthritis—but none are as easy to prepare, or have as low a caloric density, as carrots. Aim for ½ cup a day. SUBSTITUTES: Sweet potato, pumpkin, butternut squash, yellow bell pepper, mango FIT IT IN: Raw baby carrots, sliced raw yellow pepper, butternut squash soup, baked sweet potato, pumpkin pie, mango sorbet, carrot cake PINCH HITTER: Baked Sweet Potato Fries Scrub and dry 2 sweet potatoes. Cut each into 8 slices, and then toss with olive oil and paprika. Spread on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes at 350°F. Turn and bake for 10 minutes more.

5. Blueberries - Host to more antioxidants than any other popular fruit, blueberries help prevent cancer, diabetes, and age-related memory changes (hence the nickname “brain berry”). Studies show that blueberries, which are rich in fiber and vitamins A and C, boost cardiovascular health. Aim for 1 cup fresh blueberries a day, or ½ cup frozen or dried. SUBSTITUTES: Açai berries, purple grapes, prunes, raisins, strawberries FIT IT IN: Blueberries maintain most of their power in dried, frozen, or jam form. PINCH HITTER: Açai, an Amazonian berry, has even more antioxidants than the blueberry. Mix 2 Tbsp. of açai powder into OJ or add 2 Tbsp. of açai pulp to cereal, yogurt, or a smoothie.

6. Black Beans - All beans are good for your heart, but none can boost your brain power like black beans. That’s because they’re full of anthocyanins, antioxidant compounds that have been shown to improve brain function. A daily ½-cup serving provides 8 grams of protein and 7.5 grams of fiber, and is low in calories and free of saturated fat. SUBSTITUTES: Peas, lentils, and pinto, kidney, fava, and lima beans FIT IT IN: Wrap black beans in a breakfast burrito; use both black beans and kidney beans in your chili; puree 1 cup black beans with ¼ cup olive oil and roasted garlic for a healthy dip; add favas, limas, or peas to pasta dishes. HOME RUN: Black Bean and Tomato Salsa Dice 4 tomatoes, 1 onion, 3 cloves garlic, 2 jalapeños, 1 yellow bell pepper, and 1 mango. Mix in a can of black beans and garnish with ½ cup chopped cilantro and the juice of 2 limes.

7. Walnuts - Richer in heart-healthy omega-3s than salmon, loaded with more anti-inflammatory polyphenols than red wine, and packing half as much muscle-building protein as chicken, the walnut sounds like a Frankenfood, but it grows on trees. Other nuts combine only one or two of these features, not all three. A serving of walnuts—about 1 ounce, or seven nuts—is good anytime, but especially as a postworkout recovery snack. SUBSTITUTES: Almonds, peanuts, pistachios, macadamia nuts, hazelnuts FIT IT IN: Sprinkle on top of salads; dice and add to pancake batter; spoon peanut butter into curries; grind and mix with olive oil to make a marinade for grilled fish or chicken. HOME RUN: Mix 1 cup walnuts with ½ cup dried blueberries and ¼ cup dark chocolate chunks.

8. Oats - The éminence grise of health food, oats garnered the FDA’s first seal of approval. They are packed with soluble fiber, which lowers the risk of heart disease. Yes, oats are loaded with carbs, but the release of those sugars is slowed by the fiber, and because oats also have 10 grams of protein per ½-cup serving, they deliver steady muscle-building energy. SUBSTITUTES: Quinoa, flaxseed, wild rice FIT IT IN: Eat granolas and cereals that have a fiber content of at least 5 grams per serving. Sprinkle 2 Tbsp. ground flaxseed on cereals, salads, and yogurt. PINCH HITTER: Quinoa Salad Quinoa has twice the protein of most cereals, and fewer carbs. Boil 1 cup quinoa in a mixture of 1 cup pear juice and 1 cup water. Let cool. In a large bowl, toss 2 diced apples, 1 cup fresh blueberries, ½ cup chopped walnuts, and 1 cup plain fat-free yogurt.

How To Shake Dandruff Flakes Away

How To Shake Dandruff Flakes Away
By Anna Lynn C. Sibal

If you have dandruff, do not worry about being alone with your problem. With one out of every two people in the entire world having, or having had, that same problem as yours, you are definitely not alone with it. Dandruff is a common hair problem. Embarrassing indeed, but a very, very common problem nonetheless.

What causes dandruff? Well, you see, our entire skin, from our scalps to the soles of our feet, sheds dead skin cells on a daily basis. We get a complete coating of new skin every 28 days or so, but we hardly even notice it.

Our bodies also play host to a lot of microorganisms like bacteria and fungi, feeding off on the sebaceous oils that our skin produces. Our scalp in particular is home to a kind of fungus called malassezia fungus, and its food is the oils produced by the hair follicles of our scalp. Dandruff happens when, for some reason or another, the malassezia fungus goes crazy and irritates our scalp, causing the dead skin to shed a lot faster. So, instead of shedding the dead skin cells of our scalp for a month, the shedding happens in less than two weeks, and the oil that our hair follicles produce cause these dead skin cells to clump together and become dandruff. Until now, the factors that trigger this phenomenon with the malassezia fungus are still the subject of research.

Dandruff is an embarrassing hair condition, and it can recur despite your best efforts. But with proper hair care, the recurrence of dandruff can be controlled. The best way to keep the flakes at bay is to shampoo your hair every day - picture perfect hair.

Dandruff can, of course, become stubborn, so if washing everyday with your regular shampoo does not stop the flakes from becoming haywire, the next best thing to do would be to start using anti-dandruff shampoos. Look for anti-dandruff shampoos with zinc pyrithione, selenium sulfide, salicylic acid or ketoconazole as the active ingredient. To keep your scalp from developing immunity to these shampoos, go ahead and rotate brands at least once a month.

For optimum results, you can lather your hair with the shampoo of your choice twice. The first wash will clear the scalp of the flakes and the oil buildup. The second one would let the chemicals in the shampoo get absorbed by the scalp - haute hair.

You can also try homemade remedies to wash the flakes away and to keep the dandruff from recurring. What is considered the best homemade remedy to dandruff is a vinegar wash. Mix two teaspoons of vinegar with six teaspoons of water and rub it against your scalp before you go to bed, then wrap your head with a towel. Apply the same solution to your hair once again in the morning when you wake up, then rinse it with water. You do not have to worry about the smell of vinegar in your hair, as the smell of vinegar does evaporate eventually.

Whatever you do, never, ever scratch the clumps with your fingernails. It will cause wounds on your scalp.

Dandruff is an embarrassing hair condition, but it is not unmanageable. Just take good care of your hair and the flakes will go away.

Eating for stress reduction

Women’s Health Magazine has a new article on foods that help to reduce stress. I was very excited to read their article on this topic because so many people are suffering from stress and reach to food for comfort - especially during the holidays. Stress increases your risk for high blood pressure, obesity, and heart disease. The great news is that we can avoid guilt and eat the following foods that actually help your body stay calm and counteract the damage that stress causes.

Almonds, Pistachios, and Walnuts - almonds are packed with B and E Vitamins which help boost your immune system, and walnuts and pistachios help lower blood pressure. Tip: Try almond butter instead of peanut butter on a high-stress day, or just eat the nuts plain if you’re craving something crunchy.

Avocados - homemade guacamole can satisfy cravings for something creamy and high-fat. The monounsaturated fats and potassium in avocados help lower blood pressure. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute says that one of the best ways to lower blood pressure is to consume enough potassium (avocados have more than bananas). Tip: Make your own avocado salad dressing with one medium avocado, two tablespoons of lemon juice, and a little cayenne pepper.

Skim Milk - calcium helps ease muscle spasms and soothes tension. A glass of low-fat or skim milk can reduce the stressful symptoms of PMS like mood swings, irritability, and anxiety.

Oatmeal - eating carbohydrates helps your brain produce serotonin (the relaxing, feel-good chemical) and when carbs are absorbed slowly, serotonin levels flow at a steady pace. So, reach for high-fiber carbohydrates like oatmeal because it takes longer for your stomach to digest it. If you have time, make the old-fashioned steel cut oats to avoid highly-processed foods.

Oranges - a German study in Psychopharmacology found that Vitamin C helps reduce stress and return blood pressure and cortisol (stress hormone) to normal levels after a stressful situation. Vitamin C is also well-known for boosting your immune system.

Salmon - diets high in omega-3 fatty acids protect against heart disease. A study from Diabetes & Metabolism found that omega-3s keep the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline from peaking. Try to eat fatty fish at least twice a week.

Spinach - magnesium in spinach helps to lower stress levels. A deficiency in magnesium can cause migraine headaches and a feeling of fatigue. One cup of spinach provides 40% of your daily needs for magnesium. Tip: Swap out lettuce for spinach in sandwiches and salads.

Read the entire Women’s Health Article, “Eat to Beat Stress”.

Honey can ease your cough

Cold and flu season is in full swing and you or your family may be plagued with a nasty cough. Reuters wrote about a new study from Pennsylvania State University that found honey helps ease a nighttime cough and improves sleep. The researchers compared buckwheat honey to the cough syrup ingredient dextromethorphan, and honey was the clear winner in easing a cough and catching ZZZs! I don’t know about you, but I would much rather ingest a spoonful of honey than the nasty bright red or green chemical cough syrup. Yuck!

The study’s authors said the sweet and syrupy characteristics of honey are soothing on the throat. In addition, the high antioxidant content and antimicrobial effects of honey could also be responsible for relieving coughs.

Honey has even more benefits! MSNBC reported on a study that revealed buckwheat honey prevents LDL cholesterol from forming plaque in your arteries. In addition, there is tons of evidence proving that you can reduce your allergy and asthma symptoms by eating local honey.

chop and crush garlic

Women’s Health Magazine says research from the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry proves you need to chop and crush garlic in order to activate the enzymes (allinase) that give you the heart-healthy benefits. Crushing garlic before cooking allows enzymes to create the healthy compounds that help prevent blood clots.

Avocados help you absorb nutrient

A study from Iowa State University and Ohio State University found that eating avocado with a meal helps your body absorb more nutrients from your food. Here are the details of the study:

First part: Six males and five females were given 300 grams (g) of tomato salsa to eat. Half of the group ate salsa with 150g of avocado in it, and the other half ate salsa without avocado. Then later, the test was repeated and the subjects were given the opposite salsas.

Second part: The same group ate a salad containing carrots, spinach, and lettuce. Half of the group ate the salad with 150g of avocado, and the other half ate the salad without avocado. Then later, the test was repeated and the subjects were given the opposite salads.

To get the following results, the researchers took blood samples “from each subject several times after each meal to determine changes in nutrient levels for up to nine and a half hours after the meals” (Natural News):

* Salsa — Those who ate the avocado salsa absorbed almost 4.5 times more lycopene than subjects who had no avocado.
* Salad — Those who ate the avocado salad absorbed 13.6 times more beta-carotene, 8.3 times more alpha-carotene, and 4 times more lutein than subjects who had no avocado.

OSU researcher Dr. Steven Schwartz said, “Many fruits and vegetables are rich in beneficial carotenoids, but most fruits and vegetables are virtually fat free, which may limit the body’s ability to absorb some of these nutrients. Our latest research shows that the natural fat content in avocados increases carotenoid absorption, which offers nutritional advantages over other sources of fat like salad dressings.”