Anti-Aging and Acne Solutions

As I recently informed my readers, a study was done on aging and how different factors can cause more rapid, obvious aging in one’s skin.  The study was done with twins, identical twins in fact, to see how the differences in lifestyles and lifestyle choices affected their skin.  Here is more information on this amazing study! 

ScienceDaily (Feb. 5, 2009) — Your mother’s wrinkles — or lack there of, may not be the best predictor of how you’ll age. In fact, a new study claims just the opposite. The study, involving identical twins, suggests that despite genetic make-up, certain environmental factors can add years to a person’s perceived age.

Results just published on the web-based version of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery®, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), reveal that factors like divorce or the use of antidepressants are the real culprits that can wreak havoc on one’s face.

"A person’s heritage may initially dictate how they age – but if you introduce certain factors into your life, you will certainly age faster. Likewise, if you avoid those factors you can slow down the hands of time," said ASPS Member Surgeon and study author Bahaman Guyuron, MD, professor and chairman, department of plastic surgery, University Hospitals Case Medical Center. "In this study, we looked at identical twins because they are genetically programmed to age exactly the same, and in doing so we essentially discovered that, when it comes to your face, it is possible to cheat your biological clock."

During the study, Dr. Guyuron and his colleagues obtained comprehensive questionnaires and digital images from 186 pairs of identical twins. The images were reviewed by an independent panel, which then recorded the perceived age difference between the siblings.

Results showed that twins who had been divorced appeared nearly 2 years older than their siblings who were married, single or even widowed. Antidepressant use was associated with a significantly older appearance and researchers also found that weight played a major factor too. In those sets of twins who were less than 40 years old, the heavier twin was perceived as being older, while in those groups over 40 years old, the heavier twin appeared younger.

According to Dr. Guyuron, "the presence of stress could be one of the common denominators in those twins who appeared older." Additionally, researchers suspect that continued relaxation of the facial muscles due to antidepressant use, could account for sagging. And though they do not advocate gaining weight to look younger, researchers note that losing abnormal amounts of weight not only have harmful effects on a person’s health, but on their appearance, too.

"This research is important for two reasons," Dr. Guyuron said. "First, we have discovered a number of new factors that contribute to aging and second, our findings put science behind the idea that volume replacement rejuvenates the face."

According to ASPS statistics, there were more than 1.5 million injectable filler procedures performed in 2007.

Anti-Aging and Acne Solutions brings you the following testimonial on how this author resolved her adult acne issues.

I, too, struggle with adult acne.  I have found some great relief with both over-the-counter and prescription skin care products and antibiotics.  I would urge you to discuss your adult acne with a skin care professional, or your dermatologist.  There are solutions, and finding the right one makes not only a difference in your skin, but in the way you feel about yourself and even the world around you!

Physical appearance is actually important for just about everyone, a fact that research in the social sciences is only now beginning to show us. We are often judged by the way we look. That crucial first impression is very real and is important in business, entertainment, employment, and social situations.
Read more…

Anti-Aging and Acne Solutions presents the following thoughts on aging gracefully.

We know that there are many steps you can take to age gracefully:

1.  Wear sunscreen

2.  Do not smoke, or stop smoking

3.  Take care of your skin, washing your skin, exfoliating and using skin care products that meet your skin needs and your skin type

4.  Try to eliminate stress

What about those people, men and women both, who do NONE of the above and still look fantastic?  What about the genetic component to beautiful skin that simply does not age at the same pace?

Why is it that some people age "gracefully," while others appear tired and worn out in the prime of their life? Does the answer lie in the differences of our genetic make-up?
Read more…

Anti-Aging and Acne Solutions presents the following article about antioxidants and their anti-aging power.  The right antioxidants can certainly have an impact on your skin as well, as I am a big believer in what you put inside of your body shows on the outside. 

All antioxidants are good but there are a few anti aging oxidants you should know about. I know there’s a lot of information out there, so I’ll do my best to make this short, sweet and to the point, so you can quickly change your diet and begin feeling better today (you’ll look better too). The properties of antioxidants cause them to be great protectors of our bodies and this is why you need them. I’ll spare you a dissertation on free radicals and tell you why they fly around your body wrecking tissues as they move, and antioxidants trap them and make their presence benign.
Read more…

From the Herald Sun Australia Acne Causes and Solutions

By Dr Cindy Pan

But the primary causes of acne are a combination of genes and hormones.

In some cases, lifestyle factors may play a role. When it comes to food, all things are fine in moderation and a well-balanced diet is important for everyone.

Sex does not cause acne, but getting hot and sweaty may tend to exacerbate it in some people.

Hot, humid climates tend to be worse for acne sufferers, too. Wash regularly with a mild cleanser, but avoid excessive scrubbing with abrasive products. Your doctor can assess the severity of your acne and determine whether there is an underlying condition causing the problem.

Treatments may range from lotions and creams to oral medications and are designed to dry out pimples, decrease inflammation and sebum production and rebalance hormones. There are a variety of products, each with their pros and cons. Your doctor can tailor an approach to suit you.

Dr Cindy Pan has had over 10 years of clinical practice. Her books include Pandora’s Box: Lifting The Lid On Life’s Little Nasties (HarperCollins) and Playing Hard To Get (HarperCollins). Her latest book, 100 Little Head Starts, will be published by Allen & Unwin.

The naturopath Leah Hechtman

While most commonly experienced during adolescence, acne is not restricted to the teenage years.

In naturopathy, we look at the location of the pimples to determine the cause. For example, spots on the chin indicate hormonal imbalance, while those on the back indicate a build-up of toxins.

The body tries to eliminate unwanted substances through the bowel, bladder or skin, so it is important to encourage elimination. Poor diets, dehydration and deodorants can restrict these channels.

Simple tactics such as increasing water intake, promoting regular bowel movements and exercise or saunas to encourage sweating can all help. Useful treatments include herbal medicines such as calendula, sasparilla, nettle leaf, burdock and dandelion and chaste tree for women, particularly if the acne is hormonal.

Nutritional supplements such as zinc, vitamins A, C, D and E and essential fatty acids also help. Keep skin clean, use natural make-up and skincare products and wash make-up brushes regularly.

Leah Hechtman is a naturopath and fertility specialist. She is a lecturer, author, researcher and industry consultant and has her own clinical practice in Sydney, NSW. She specialises in fertility, reproductive and psychological health. For more information visit http://www.naturalhealthfertility.com/

Several areas of our face can show our age.  One such area?  Our lips.  And, our lips are a focal point of our face…people gaze upon them when we are talking, admire them when we smile and of course appreciate them when we give big smooches!

As we age, our lips begin to thin, and over time fine lines appear around our mouth.   Environmental factors (like too much sun), bad habits (like smoking) and even stress can age our lips, and consequently, add years to our appearance. 

However, there are very easy steps that we can take to make our lips look sexy, healthy, youthful and turn back the hands of time if we incorporate the following tips into our daily beauty routine.  In fact, if you follow the next seven steps that I present, you will be sure to have luscious lips in time for your Valentine’s Day celebrations!

(image from www.redheadgo.com)

Luscious Lip Tips: This is the last tip is in a series of tips to keep your lips luscious and healthy. Our lips lack the ability to produce natural oils like our skin can. This makes our lips more vulnerable to the harsher elements of weather and even to changes in our health and diet routines.

Luscious Lip Tip #7: Avoid oils and other elements that are often packaged as "natural" or "organic" but can actually be quite irritating. Lip glosses with menthol, peppermint or citrus oils can irritate lips. Many of the lip plumping products have elements in them like these listed and others that irritate the lips making them "look" fuller. This is really not the way you want to care for your lips over time, and that small window in which your lips look fuller, they can often feel quite awful. While I admit that I am lucky to have fuller lips, when I have tried some of those lip plumping products I could not get them off fast enough as they were too tingly, some stung, and many left my lips and the skin around my lips feeling and looking red and irritated.

One great resource that I look to for all kinds of wonderful beauty products, especially products to keep my lips looking their very best, is SpaLook. SpaLook has all of the top beauty brands imaginable, as well as amazing discounts, free offers and samples that stretch your beauty dollars further! Click on the image for  more information or to start shopping now! 

Anti-Aging and Acne Solutions brings you the following article about acne.  I caution anyone that very few solutions to acne can happen "overnight".  However, there are many treatments for acne that you explore with your dermatologist to address your skin concerns. 

Learn the 3 must know tips to get rid of acne overnight. If you have ever been on a date with a big pimple, then this is for you!
Read more…

Several areas of our face can show our age.  One such area?  Our lips.  And, our lips are a focal point of our face…people gaze upon them when we are talking, admire them when we smile and of course appreciate them when we give big smooches!

As we age, our lips begin to thin, and over time fine lines appear around our mouth.   Environmental factors (like too much sun), bad habits (like smoking) and even stress can age our lips, and consequently, add years to our appearance. 

However, there are very easy steps that we can take to make our lips look sexy, healthy, youthful and turn back the hands of time if we incorporate the following tips into our daily beauty routine.  In fact, if you follow the next seven steps that I present, you will be sure to have luscious lips in time for your Valentine’s Day celebrations!

(image from media.superpimper.com)

Luscious Lip Tips: The following tip is sixth in a series of tips to keep your lips luscious and healthy. Our lips lack the ability to produce natural oils like our skin can. This makes our lips more vulnerable to the harsher elements of weather and even to changes in our health and diet routines.

Luscious Lip Tip #6: If you smoke, quit now. If you do not smoke, don’t start. Without a lecture on the "evils" of smoking, it is very simple what smoking does to your skin and to your lips. Smoking dries them out which irritates them, the chemicals in the cigarette also irritates lips and the constant "pulling" in of smoke can and will cause lines and wrinkles around your lips and mouth. Years of nicotine can stain your lips and the chemicals you exposure your lips and mouth can cause cancer.

One great resource that I look to for all kinds of wonderful beauty products, especially products to keep my lips looking their very best, is SpaLook. SpaLook has all of the top beauty brands imaginable, as well as amazing discounts, free offers and samples that stretch your beauty dollars further! Click on the image for more information or to start shoppping now!

Anti-Aging and Acne Solutionsoffers the following thoughts and opinions on what is the very best skin care regime for aging skin.

This is a complicated answer as aging skin on one person, is not the same aging skin on another.  We are unique beings, with unique skin types.

Personally, I am struggling with not only fine lines and fighting off freckles and sun damage, but I am also dealing with acne and roscea.  Many products that I try seem to address the fine lines, but may cause my acne to flare up.  If they are not gentle enough, my roscea gets out of control and I am left ruddy and bumpy.  No fun. 

Talk to you dermatologist about what is the best skin care regime for your aging skin issues and your skin type.  There are amazing solutions, topical and otherwise, and when you find the right combination, you will be pleased with the results and happy knowing that you are on a skin care regime that is long term.

You may be at that stage in life where you are asking yourself, "What is the best skin care for aging?" Perhaps you just had your 35th birthday and want to prevent the aging of your skin, or perhaps you are noticing too many lines and wrinkles on your face and too much dryness of your skin. How can you take care of yourself so that your skin retains or gets back its youthful luster?
Read more…

I was watching the news this morning, and caught a very interesting segment on twins and aging, mostly related to their skin.

This study showed that identical twins do not necessary age, or show their age on their skin, in the same way.  One would think if they were identical, their skin would age identically, no?

No, not at all!  In fact, they showed side by side comparisons of twins, and some of the pictures were really amazing.  What had aged the skin of one twin over the other?

1.  Sun exposure.  When one twin was more of a sunbather than the other, the twin that got more sun exposure had more wrinkles, freckling and other skin damage. 

2.  Smoking.  When one twin smoked and the other one did not, the smoker appeared much older.  And, truly, without a huge lecture on smoking, but the difference was quite remarkable.

And the surprising third reason?  Drum roll…

3.  Weight.  The twin that was more "full figured" than the other looked much younger.  The doctor questioned on the segment said that…of course…this is not a reason to gain weight (duh!).  However, the issue is more pronounced when a woman loses a lot of weight in her 40′s or older, or is underweight for her height and frame.   As we age, we lose the fullness in our face, and being extremely thin or losing a great deal of weight later in life can make your face even thinner, making fine lines and wrinkles more pronounced.

Interestingly, the twin that was only a few pounds heavier than her sister looked more than 5 years younger, according to the doctor!

The true "moral of the story" is that one of the best things you can do to fight aging is to live a healthy lifestyle.  Avoid excessive sun exposure, and always wear sunscreen.  Avoid smoking, even second-hand smoke.  And, maintain a healthy and consistent weight to avoid the yo-yo AND aging affect of rapid weight loss or excessive weight loss can have on your skin.