Skin Care News

Facial Hair Removal for Women

Posted on June 11, 2009 with 1 Comment

I know some very beautiful (I think so) who have a bit of hair above their lip and some on their chin.  Being a guy, that never has been much of an issue for me, but for women “it just ain’t good” as several of them have half-joked.

Since we’re in the skin care business, I usually am the person at parties, swim meets and get-togethers that is usually corned for answers.  Candidly, I enjoy the attention and having real helpful knowledge makes me a bit of a hero from time-to-time.

Ideal Hair Removal for the Face

There are a lot of options - electrolysis, laser, waxing, dissolving, inhibitors, and several I’m sure I can’t think of right now.  However, I believe the ideal hair removal products involve first dissolving the follicle, the inhibiting it’s future regrowth. 

Why?  Well first it’s great for home use and effective all over the body.  Second, other most other systems don’t retard growth, so applications or procedures need repeating.  Third, hair removal cream (even in multi-part systems) can be used all over the body - facial, arms, legs, back, bikini, et al. 

Fourth, they are generally inexpensive.  Granted, they require re-application, but we have found the more extended use, the better the results.

I included a link to a product above you might consider.  I’m also including an excerpt from an ezine article that you might find helpful as well for facial hair removal in particular.

A two-step process is not a dance - in so many words. The process refers to the combination of hair removing products or processes necessary to safely and effectively inhibit growth. The first is dissolving or removing of the follicle shaft and slowing or stopping the Anagen growth phase that produces the cortex, shaft and root. The second phase is to retard future development of thick, coarse follicles developed by the root and bulb.

In many cases, even the most extreme retardation leaves the root and allows for future growth. Hair inhibitors should be used following removal to prevent mature follicles from appearing. So, the best procedure refers to first removing the hair, then preventing mature, thick hair from forming.

The best products for unwanted facial hair removal protect and nourish the skin, while removing and inhibiting follicle development. A safe, easy and effective two-step process helps remove hair on the face and keeps it from coming back.

Read more about Products for Facial Hair Removal.

Treating Sunburn with Emu Oil

Posted on May 31, 2009 with 1 Comment

A few posts back I mentioned Dermal Em sunburn treatment.  Having grown-up in Florida and spending lot’s of time on the South Carolina coast has given me more exposure to the sun than I would like to count.  Plus, as I ‘m getting into my 50’s I’m starting to see the results on my skin - a few spots on my arms and reappearing spider veins on my nose and cheeks.

My family returned Friday from a week at Edisto Beach.  Everyone was tan except for my fair-skinned 14-year-old whose nose was burned, peeling and blistered.  All of us have seen the signs of too much sun.  His blistering had turned to scabs (yuk!) and I was afraid he would continue to pick and get some scarring.

We promptly sat him down and used some emu oil I had in the bathroom.  Voila - 3 days have past and his nose is looking great…still burned and a bit scabbed, but you can tell the healing has begun and a lot of repair is in progress.

I have written a lot about emu oil.  Yes, it is generally unknown as a remedy, but it has been in use for many years “down below” in Australia - where the bird is indigenous.  It is a great product for treating burns, scars, stretchmarks, and lacerations from injury or surgery.  Some folks are unfamiliar with it, but it has become widely used in many skin care and hair care products for its’ ability to penetrate deep into tissue promoting healing and collagen growth.

You might ask why I didn’t use Dermal Em, well because I didn’t have any.  There is some at the plant, but it’s a two-hour drive and we wanted to get my son’s nose healing as soon as possible - hopefully avoiding any infection or further complications.  Besides Dermal Em is emu oil with Vitamin E added and blended with menthol that helps cool the skin providing more immediate relief from sun burn.

Anyway, since this just happened Friday, I thought I would pass on some un-scientific, real-world results from just a couple of days application.  With school out and many folks either heading to the pool, beach or at least more outside activities, it is good to know there is a very effective remedy for treating sunburn.

Using Phytotonine® for Rosacea or Spider Veins

Posted on May 28, 2009 with No Comments

StriMedix-K Spider Vein Treatment

The most common non-surgical treatment for bruises, spider veins and rosacea are creams that contain Vitamin K.  Generally they are pretty highly concentrated and are formulated with other actives such as Aloe, Gigawhite, Vitamin E or Panthenol. 

While combined you get many properties and benefits for vein restoration (better said healed), the objective is to help improve circulation via enhanced valve function, improve wall structure to reduce leaking and permeability of capillaries, and aid in nutrition delivery.

This helps fade clear and heal bruises, spider veins, and rosacea; and helping reduce possibility of recurring symptoms.

Recently, an ingredient developed by Croda™/Sederma™ - Phytotonine® - has been used successfully to supplement Vitamin’s K & E and other formulations.

Phytotonine - Veinotonic effect derived from the synergistic effect of three plant extracts, Arnica, Cypress and Soloman Seal.  By toning the capillary walls and reducing capillary permeability, product normalizes circulation to help eliminate fluids and toxins while enhancing the blood supply of nutrients and oxygen to the cells.  Recommended for the treatment of dark circles, puffy eye, heavy legs and rosacea.  Croda/Sederma

As a manufacturer, this opens up a number of opportunites and solutions regarding products for poor venous health and leaking.  As mentioned in the quote above, this can cover severe or deep tissue bruising to darkened circles under the eyes and spider or thread veins.

The greatest benefit in the world of skin care, is that it gives us (consumers and manufacturers) an additional “leg on the stool” for solutions and treatments.  Phytotonine, with its properties of minimizing or reducing fluid build-up, make it an excellent additive for treating puffiness (and associated darkened circles) under the eyes as well as helping or accelerating healing of bruises.

I believe, however, the greatest gain can come from its’ use in spider veins cream.  Why?

1. Treatment options are relagated to sclerotherapy or lasers.  Both are effective, though I consider both limited in treatment area; with lasers, in particular having the side effect of needing some post-treatment healing.  Though considered moderate relative to other cosmetic surgery, cost is high - I believe (~$250-500/visit).
2. Spider veins are prominent, afflict a large population (men and women) and can have a profound affect on a person’s appearance (whether on the legs, nose, face, et al).
3. Many Vitamin K creams and solutions have been proven effective, but it’s nice to have another “bullet in the gun” for improving the breadth and level of efficacy.

Rosacea and spider veins share similar causes and any formula or ingredient that improves a large surface area while addressing the root causes is welcomed.  Increasing capillary health, helping strengthen or repair broken capillary walls or increasing circulation can have a wide-reaching positive effect on the treatment of numerous dermatological ailments.

What Causes Spider Veins?

Posted on May 27, 2009 with 1 Comment

While there are several underlying reasons and causes of spider veins, the consensus seems to agree on pressure. Pressure from increased weight gain, pressure on the legs and thighs from fatty tissue or fluid build-up, pressure from plastic surgery (as in breast augmentation), or pressure related to being on your feet all the time (as in work-related).

How does pressure play a role?

Spider veins are considered the result of leaking through the vein walls which then coagulates leaving reddish, fine lines; poorly functioning or blocked valves which causes circulation “mis-direction” or blockage and swelling; or protrusion up and to the surface of the skin increasing visibility.

Presssure is considered a cause for many of these symptoms and ailments.  Why?  The first is the most obvious.  Standing on our feet all day because of work or home chores can increase blood pressure to lower extremities - our legs, thighs, calves, etc. - pushing capillaries closer to the surface making them more visible.  It can also increase pressure applied to the vein walls and structure increasing the propbability that leaking or malfunction can occur.

Similarly, weight gain - especially if related to cellulite build-up, can squeeze tissue and surrounding muscle making capillaries more visible and prominent while adding the risk of damage.  It is also considered a valid cause that natural aging and associated free-radical damage complicates appearance.  Many experts believe that free-radical damage caused by oxidization damages organs and tissue.  UV rays, smoking, and alcohol use accelerate free-radical damage causing cell membranes to become weak.  This can lead to leaking and poor circulation - giving rise to spider veins on the nose, cheeks, and underneath the eyes, as well.

In our next related post, I’ll discuss available spider vein treatment - sclerotherapy, laser and surgical removal and the use of vitamin k creams.  Follow this link for more information on what causes spider veins.

Remedies for a Bad Sunburn

Posted on May 25, 2009 with 7 Comments

I just got back from 3 days at the beach, and as usual and am looking for remedies for a  bad sunburn on my nose. 

Finding relief for the burning and peeling go back to when I was a kid growing up in Orlando.  My Dad, who was a dentist, always had an Aloe plant in the backyard and sent us scrambling to peel open the leaves and wipe the gooey insides on our face.

It felt soothing and seemed to make everything OK until it started to dry - making our skin tight and dried-out.  Aloe and lidoocaine have since become popular ingredients helping soothe and cool sunburns all over the planet in OTC products.  And, while the healing effects have become widely known, we have found there are options to heal and treat you can consider, especially of the burn is severe (which mine is borderline!)

I have written several times about emu oil.  It is a ver popular remedy in Australia and somewhat in New Zealand.  It is one of the few oils used in skin care products that is considered a “carrier” oil - meaning it is capable and has properties to penetrate to the subcutameous layer of the skin.  While this may not seem too important, many creams and lotions do not have a carrier oil - primarily because of expense (it’s not cheap).  The benefits, as they say, out way the costs.  The ability to penetrate deep greatly improves it’s - and other ingredients its formulated with - efficacy or effectiveness.  Especially when considering sun burn remedies, getting to the lower layers of tissue is paramount.

With that said, emu oil, does several other things.  First it is widely used to treat burns in general.  It is a natural anti-bacterial, helping wounds to remain sterilized and fighting off infection, a primary concern to fight infection.  It is a natural moisturizer, antiseptic and promotes healthy skin cell and collagen renewal.  This helps prevent scars and improves elasticity and pliability of tissue.

If combined with vitamin e and menthol, as with my favorite remedy for bad sunburn, Dermal Em, you you get the soothing and cooling relief with the benefit of the healing power and regenerative qualities needed to avoid tightening, itchy or excessive peeling.

While there is plenty of discussion as to the difference between “bad” and “severe”, the fundamental premise of treatment is the same:

• Drink plenty of fluid to avoid dehydration and to maintain body fluids
• Provide no open wounds, keep the affected area moisturized, clean and sterilized, if possible
• To relieve pain, itchy and soreness, products based with with emu oil, lidocaine or menthol (peppermint, spearmint) can help with the “heat”.

The best remedies for a bad sunburn I have found combine emu oil, vitamin e and menthol.  The skin gets some relief with a light cooling sensation to burned tissue (I like the smell also), and the vitamin e and emu oil do a great job helping heal the burn.