What is “Age Management Medicine”?
Because there are millions of baby boomers who long to feel younger, thousands of physicians are now taking advantage of this fact. Physicians who practice age management medicine make use of unproven treatments for anti-aging including hormone therapies. Hanneke Hops is one of the baby boomers who long to feel younger and therefore opted to undergo treatments from age management medicine. As prescribed by her anti-aging doctor, she injected into her thigh recombinant human growth hormone (HGH) six times in a week.

HGH is the synthetic version of a certain pituitary hormone dubbed as the fountain of youth. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns that taking HGH has significant and serious health risks. But the 56-year old Hops was not aware of this fact and continued with the HGH treatment believing that this is what would stop aging on its track. Hops did stop aging on its track but in a manner that she no longer can enjoy life. After six months of being in HGH treatment, she died. It was found out that her liver was full of malignant tumors.

While proving that HGH therapy caused Hops’ death is impossible, it is worthy to note that HGH has been linked to increase one’s risk of cancer. Today there are already thousands of physicians catering to the estimated 78 million baby boomers who long to feel younger and are willing to spend for it.

What are Cosmeceuticals
Cosmeceutical products are making a huge noise in the anti-aging industry these days. Cosmeceuticals combine the words cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Cosmeceutical products promise to reverse signs of skin aging with the use of scientifically formulated anti-aging creams, lotions and ointments. Cosmeceutical companies happily announce the presence of anti-aging ingredients in their products and how their scientists have carefully studied and formulated them in their laboratories. Although most companies claim to use natural ingredients in formulating cosmeceuticals, one cannot help but wonder how natural the end product really is.

The Good Old Natural Anti-aging Treatments
There are plenty of natural anti-aging products available in the market today. In fact many people are turning back to nature in quest of youthfulness. It is true that nature has given us everything that we need including beauty treatments. The great thing about using natural anti-aging treatments is that they are free from toxic or harmful ingredients which had been known to cause cancer or linked to cancer and cause other serious illnesses. Natural anti-aging products like honey and Argan oil are also much cheaper than most commercially sold products as well as modern anti-aging treatments. The best thing about natural anti-aging products and treatments is that they are just as effective or in most cases even more effective than many commercial and modern anti-aging products and treatments.

What is Eczema

Eczema refers to a group of medical conditions. These conditions cause the skin to become irritated of inflamed. Atopic dermatitis or also referred to as atopic eczema is the most common type of eczema. The term “atopic” points to a group of disorders that often have an inherent tendency to develop other allergic conditions like asthma and hay fever.

Eczema and Its Symptoms

Eczema almost all the time causes the skin to be itchy regardless of which area is affected. In some cases the itch starts even before any rash appears. Most of the time it is the face, back of the knees, wrist, hands or feet that get rashes but they do appear on other areas too. Skin areas that are affected by eczema usually look dry, thickened or even scaly. Fair skinned people with eczema will initially have the affected area looking reddish and then eventually turning brown while darker skinned people will have the areas affected either lighter or darker. This is because eczema affects pigmentation. Infants suffering from eczema can have rashes that produce ooze or may appear crusty. It is usually in the scalp or the face that these eczema patches appear but they can appear in any area of the infant’s skin.

What’s the Cause of Eczema?

Up to this date, the exact cause of eczema is not yet determined. However, scientists believe that an overactive response of the immune system to an irritant plays a major role. It is this response that triggers the symptoms of eczema. It has also been found out that eczema commonly happens to families having a history of other allergies or asthma. It is also thought that defects in the skin barrier plays a role, allowing moisture to escape and germs to come in.

Triggers of Eczema Flare Ups
Here are some of the most common triggers of flare-ups in eczema patients.

• Rough or coarse fabric
• Too hot temperature or too cold temperature
• Detergents and soaps
• Animal dander
• Colds
• Stress

Is There a Cure for Eczema
Unfortunately, there is no cure for eczema yet as of present. However its symptoms can be managed with certain treatments and avoidance of irritants or triggers. There are prescribed medication treatments for eczema and in the form of pills, creams and ointments.

Argan Oil as Eczema Treatment
Keeping the skin moisturized is an effective treatment for this skin condition as well as an effective means to prevent flare ups. The Moroccan Argan oil is great for people with eczema since the oil contains nutrients with great moisturizing properties such as Vitamin E, essential fatty acids and Sterols. It also has anti-inflammatory properties therefore helping soothe and relieve flare-ups. Remember to consult your dermatologist about using the oil as part of your eczema treatment.

In the past, not much was known about this hair loss condition but more genetic research has been done and continuously being carried out to find out more about this condition and create new ways to fight it. The future of alopecia areata treatment is looking bright giving people who suffer from this condition a new hope.

Thinning Hair and Alopecia Areata
As we get older it is common for us to experience thinning of the hair. It is also important to note that it’s not just men who experience this. Women as well do experience thinning hair as they get older. In most cases this is nothing to worry about as this is just normal. However in the case of alopecia areata, thinning of hair and even hair loss can occur at any age. The emotional toll of the symptoms of this condition can be very devastating emotionally.

Most people who are diagnosed with alopecia areata experience shock and go through a grieving period. The condition can get worse over time causing all the hair to fall out or it can get better. This is according to Angela Christiano, Ph.D., professor of dermatology and genetics and the vice chair of Columbia University’s Dermatology Department. Angela Christiano is among the millions of people in the United States alone who suffer from this autoimmune disease. According to NAAF or National Alopecia Areata Foundation, there are 4.7 million people in the United States living with this condition.

Alopecia areata can either cause small patches of hair loss or complete baldness. This includes loss of hair in the nose and ears, eyelashes and even eyebrows. In the past years, doctors were still in the dark about what’s causing this condition or how far the disease progresses. Treatment for this disease also only had a few options back then.

New Knowledge on Alopecia Areata
Years of study have brought light into this autoimmune disease. Before, most researchers and medical experts believed that alopecia areata is somewhat similar to skin conditions like psoriasis. However new studies revealed that this condition is more similar to other autoimmune disorders like diabetes, arthritis and celiac disease.

In autoimmune disorders, something in the tissue makes the brain think that it has been damaged or has been attack. For alopecia areata it’s the hair follicle, for rheumatoid arthritis it’s the joint while for celiac disease it’s the gut and for type 1 diabetes it’s the pancreas. Because the tissue believes it has been attacked or damaged, as a coping or defense mechanism, a signal is turned on which recruits a “danger” response. For normal people, this immune response turns itself off while in people with autoimmune disorders the response just keeps going.

Because of the new knowledge about this autoimmune disease, researchers are closing in on understanding alopecia areata better and eventually finding a cure for it.

Any DIY manicurist should know how to file their nails the proper way since the shape of the nails impact the appearance of your manicure. Here are some tips.

Pick the Correct Nail File
The first step to shaping the nails properly is having the right tools in hand. Your best choice in nail files is those made from emery boards. Avoid using metal nail files as they are too harsh to your nails and can even cause peeling and chipping. Not only do emery board nail files prevent your nails from getting brittle and having frills but they are inexpensive too.

Clip Your Nails
Allowing your nails to grow too long can only cause chipping and breakage. Plus it’s quite uncomfortable when your nails snag or get caught on everything. Use a clean and sharp pair of clippers when you trim your nails. Remember to leave a square edge having enough length so you can start shaping your nails using a file.

Your Choice in Nail Shape
You have plenty of shapes to choose from. You can shape your nails to oval, square, round, pointed almond and squoval. One of the most popular nail shapes is the squoval or square oval. The squoval allows you to wear the elegance of the oval shaped nails and the modern look of the square shaped nails. The squoval shape is best for people with a wide nail bed while the oval is best for short and low-maintenance nails. Those who have narrow nails are best going with the square shape. When picking which shape of the nails you want to go with you should also consider the manicure design you want to wear. Remember that whatever the shape may be, you should always start from the sides then work your way to the top or center. Remember to always use the natural curve of your cuticles as your guide.

One Direction Filing Only
When filing your nails, you have to remember to only file in one direction. Many people make the mistake of filing their nails like their sawing on something, moving the file back and forth against the nails. The back and forth saw like motion actually causes the nails to chip and break. Don’t file too deeply at your nail’s edges as this can lead to your nail wall weakening.

Additional Nail Care Tips

• File only when your nails are completely dry to avoid getting chips and breaks.
• Nail polish can offer protection to your nails when filing. If you have any old polish left on your nails, file first before removing the polish.
• There may be soft nail tissue left after filing. To remove the soft nail just file under your nails in a gentle manner.
• After filing your nails buff them so they become smooth and shiny. It is however ideal to buff your nails only once in a month.

We’ll have more nail care tips for you! Like our Facebook page !

Early detection of skin cancer generally leads to a good prognosis. By performing self-checks on your skin on a regular basis, you would learn what is normal and not normal for you.

• The most ideal time to look your skin over and give it a thorough check is after you have taken a shower or bath.
• You should do your regular self- checks in a room with plenty of light. You should also use a full length-mirror and a hand held mirror in doing so.
• Immediately schedule an appointment with your doctor should you find anything unusual.

Checking for Skin Cancer

You should perform a head to toe check. Here’s how you should go about the self-examination of the skin.

• With the help of a mirror, look at your face, neck, ears and scalp closely. You can also use a comb or a blow dryer so you can move around your hair and see the skin better. You can ask a loved one, relative or a close friend to do the visual check for your scalp since this would be particularly hard to do on your own.
• Take a look at the front and back of your body in your mirror then start raising your arms and give your left and right sides a good check.
• Bend your elbows and carefully examine your fingernails, palms, forearms (don’t forget about the undersides) as well as your upper arms.
• Check your legs, from the front, back to its sides.
• Don’t forget to give the skin on your buttocks and genital area a good look over.
• Pull up a chair and sit down then closely take a look at your feet, toenails, the spaces between your toes and the soles of your feet.
• You should remember where your moles are at and familiarize yourself with its usual look and feel.

Skin Cancer Check: Your Moles

Check for anything new like the following:

• A new mole which looks different from the rest of your moles.
• A new flaky, red or darker patch that’s a bit raised.
• A mole that’s changed its size, shape, color or texture.
• A sore that seems to not heal.
• A new firm bump that is flesh-colored.

Remember to jot down the dates of every self-check you do on your skin and note down descriptions of how your skin looks and feels. It may be also ideal to take some photos so you can visually compare how your skin looked before and at present and notice any changes.

Pass this information around.

Like our Facebook page.

Touch is an instinctive form of communication between you and your baby from the moment he is born and placed in your arms. Actually, this bond had already started in your womb and is just confirmed when he was born. When your baby is upset, he will immediately hush and relax when you hold him. When he is sleepy, he will cuddle up to you as if seeking a comfortable zone. And when he learns to walk and run, he will run up to you when he falls and you will always kiss and rub the area where he is hurt to soothe away the pain.

What better way to make your bond stronger but through touch! Ever thought about giving your baby a massage? Massage banks on the human need for touch. Simply put, baby massage is a method that reinforces the power of touch, a practice handed down from the ancient times of different cultures around the globe.

When you massage your baby, it helps you to understand and listen to his non-verbal communication while at the same time, through your touch he is reassured that he is safe and secure, laying down the foundations of trust that will guide him through growing up and last even into his adulthood.

Massage is beneficial all babies of any age. You can start massaging him as soon as you get home from the hospital.

What are the benefits of giving your baby a massage?

• It helps to relieve discomfort or pain from colic, gas and constipation. Massage will help your baby release gas, relieve spasms and promote digestion.
• Studies show that massage helps your baby gain weight faster.
• Medical evidence support the theory that massage helps in the development of the nervous system and boosts the immune system
• Relieves infants from stress by promoting relaxation and the feeling of security
• Encourages self-esteem and confidence and promotes bonding between parent and child. You love is very thoroughly communicated to your baby.

Baby massage with Argan oil

Rich, pure and 100% natural, Argan oil is safe and gentle enough for your baby. Pressed from the nuts of the rare Moroccan argan tree, the oil is loaded with essential fatty acids, vitamins and nutrients that will nourish and protect your baby’s skin when used as massage oil. The oil is 100% natural and does not contain any harsh chemicals that can harm your baby. It is also non-greasy so you don’t have to worry that your baby feeling all greasy and attracting dirt.
Put one to two drops of Argan oil on your palms, rub hands to warm oil a bit and then massage baby’s arms, legs, feet and stomach with long, gentle strokes, after every bath or before bedtime.

By massaging your baby you’ll be able to tighten the bond between you and your baby while using Argan oil for the massage helps relieve and soothe your baby.

Another benefit of using fruits to get beautiful, glowing and healthy skin is that they are safe and pose no risk on your health and are known to have no negative side effects. They are as well very affordable. Not only will you get clear complexion from eating fruits, your overall health is also benefited.

Here are some of the fruits that can help make your skin healthy, beautiful and youthful. Include these fruits in your daily meals unless of course by some rare circumstance that you have an allergic reaction to any of them.

Bananas

Bananas are loaded with nutrients known to be anti-aging agents. These nutrients are Vitamin A, Vitamin B and Vitamin E. They are also packed with fiber, minerals, magnesium as well as potassium. Bananas are known to aid in promoting good blood circulation therefore needed oxygen and nutrients can reach the skin. They also strengthen the immune system.

Lemons

When life gives you lemons, be thankful! Lemons are high in Vitamin C which is one of the most potent antioxidants we know. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals, which are the main culprit of skin aging, before they can do damage. Lemons also make a great cleanser and lightening agent as they have natural bleaching properties. Aside from helping lighten blemishes, acne scars and spots, lemons also help fight cellulite. Simply start the day with a glass of warm water mixed with a teaspoon of honey and a dash of lemon juice to take advantage of its skin benefits.

Oranges

Just like lemons, oranges are also loaded with Vitamin C. Include oranges in your daily diet as they help in removing blemishes and naturally slow down skin aging. Don’t throw away the orange peels as you can dry them up then crush them into powder form to use as your natural scrub. Scrubbing the skin with the powdered orange peel at least once or twice a week can help achieve a clear and glowing skin.

Apples

An apple a day does not only keep the doctor away, it also helps delay the process of skin aging. Because apples are packed with antioxidants, they help prevent cell and tissue damage due to free radicals. By including apples in your daily diet you will soon see that your wrinkles and fine lines are minimized and no longer that visible. As an added bonus, apples also help keep your bowels clean.

These are just some of the fruits that bring great wonders to the skin!

Keep on sharing our posts and ask everyone you know to like our Facebook page.

The United States holds the largest market for cosmeceuticals as of the moment but Europe is not too far behind. Because of the fact that many still want to hold on to their youthful look, the love for cosmeceutical products is quickly spreading all across the globe. Even with the economy crashing down in 2008, it has been noted that the skin care industry continued to keep growing and its consumerism did not suffer much rather still on a high note.

With the high popularity of cosmeceuticals, many are and may immediately be drawn to buying these products. Before you go ahead and buy cosmeceuticals there are certain things you should keep in mind.

Its Safety

In North America, the Food and Drug Administration or FDA and Health Canada do not strictly review cosmeceuticals. Some cosmeceutical companies have started claiming in their campaigns that the cosmeceutical products they have are better than Botox and most anti-aging products and procedures. It may be noteworthy that these companies were warned to tone down their advertising campaigns on such claims. When Botox was the newest fad in anti-aging, numerous middle-aged women and some even teenagers felt inclined to have Botox treatment. The Botox mania was due to many celebrities and reality TV shows endorsing the procedure. Most procedures are not that perfect and some found their new look even less unpleasant and undesirable. While cosmeceuticals are not as invasive as Botox treatment since they are only topical applications, one should remember that they do carry some risks. Should you have any allergic reaction on any cosmeceutical product that you are using, you should stop using the product. Most cosmeceutical companies actually offer refunds should an allergic reaction occurs.

Its Effectiveness

As with everything else, one should always try to find out as much as possible about any purchase. Don’t be swayed with advertisements and mania so easily. You should also be careful about claims of any product. Don’t buy a skin care or anti-aging product just because it says “Miracle Cream”. Truth be told, there aren’t any magical potion or shortcut in fighting skin aging. There are however preventive measures and certain products that can help. One should also note that protecting the skin requires dedication and a whole lot of discipline. Most cosmeceutical products designed to fight skin aging are laden with antioxidants. By fighting free radicals, which are the culprit of skin aging, they help maintain the youthfulness of the skin.

A Natural Alternative

Although cosmeceutical companies claim to use natural ingredients in manufacturing their products, one should note that these products are produced in laboratories. Nature has already provided us with beauty remedies. Argan oil for example is a natural extract of the Argan nuts. The beauty wonders of the oil come straight from Mother Nature. The oil is packed with antioxidants that fight free radicals, which are the main culprit of aging. The Argan oil also comes with nutrients with moisturizing properties and nutrients that help promote collagen production therefore effectively fighting skin aging.

Share this information!

Keep liking our Facebook page.

What Causes Acne?

Although acne is not a life-threatening condition, it can have its strong negative impacts especially on one’s self-confidence. Acne primarily affects teenagers. However, just because you are passed your teen years, this does not mean that you are immune from ever having acne. There are various factors that cause acne and some of these factors are beyond your control. Hormonal imbalance is one of the things considered to be a major player. Other things considered to play a role in acne are lifestyle choices, grooming habits and stress management.

Preventing the Onset of Acne

The great news is there are certain things that can help prevent the onset of acne. We have listed down some of the things you can do to avoid dealing with breakouts.

Remember to Clean Your Body Regularly

Acne can appear on any area of your skin but it is most prevalent on the face. To prevent acne breakouts, remember to wash your body including the face regularly. By washing your face and body, you are removing dead skin cells, excess oil and dirt on your skin surface. Grime, dirt, dead skin cells and other impurities make your skin a good breeding ground for the acne-causing bacteria that naturally live on the skin. In washing your face, it is best to use warm water and a mild facial cleanser. You should remember that the skin on your face and neck is more sensitive than the rest so avoid using loofah and strong soaps when cleaning as they can cause irritation.

Exfoliate Weekly

Why should you exfoliate weekly? When you exfoliate you are actually sloughing off dead skin therefore unclogging your pores. Don’t overdo exfoliation though. Just do this once a week. There are exfoliating products sold in many beauty stores and even in your local drugstore or you can easily make one yourself. You’ll see the drastic improvements on your complexion if you follow this tip.

Exercise Regularly

Exercising regularly brings a lot of health benefits. It keeps you in shape and strengthens your immune system and helps prevent the onset of various illnesses. It also gives you the energy to do your daily tasks and make you focus better. Exercising also helps beat stress and helps you get a good night sleep. But did you know that regular exercise can help prevent acne? When you give your body a workout, circulation is improved therefore oxygen and needed nutrients can reach the skin. However, you should remember to immediately wash your body and face after exercising as sweat can clog up pores which may contribute to the development of acne.

Prevent acne breakouts with these tips. Pass along the information!

Like our Facebook page for more beauty tips.

Fish and Nuts for Healthier Hair and Scalp

If there are two things that you need to always include in your daily diet, they are fish and nuts. Fish and nuts are packed with protein and omega 3 fatty acids which not only promote a healthier body but also a stronger and healthier head of hair. Protein and omega 3 also aids in making your scalp healthier. Leafy greens, carrots as well as beans are also wonderful for your locks. It is always best to stick to a balanced diet. If you are trying to lose weight, beware of getting into fad diets aimed at losing weight fast as most of these diets starve the body of essential nutrients which can cause your hair to turn brittle. Hair loss is another possibility with weight loss fad diets.

Keep Your Hair Shiny with Lukewarm Water

You’ll need to take down your water temperature a notch or two if you love taking hot showers or baths. Hot water can strip the hair of its natural protective oils which serve as its conditioner. With these oils stripped off, your hair will start looking dull and feeling dry. If you want to keep the shine and softness of your locks, use only lukewarm water in washing your hair. While shampooing your hair, gently massage your scalp for a good pampering.

Repair Split Ends with Argan Oil

Styling your hair too often with hot tools can cause damage to the protective layer of your locks resulting to split ends. The same is true when you often color, bleach or perm your hair. There are various products that can help repair the splitting of your hair and one of these products is the Moroccan Argan oil. Coat your hair regularly in the oil and allow its nutrients to repair split ends and make the locks stronger.

Boost Hair Volume with Mousse

It is true that the thickness of your hair relies mostly on your genes. But how you style your locks also play a role. If you are a natural redhead, your hair comes with a natural thickness. However if you are a natural blonde, you naturally have the thinnest hair even though blondes have the greatest numbers of hair. But of course, there are ways to give your hair some volume no matter what your natural hair color may be. All you need is a leave-in conditioner or mousse. Apply on your hair and start drying the root area first. You’ll need to flip your hair upside down as you dry to get that extra volume boost. For fine hair, use a hot tool in low heat when drying.

Follow these tips to keep your hair beautiful and healthy!

Like our Facebook page for more hair care tips!