Skin Care News

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 relegated 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.

Remedies for a Bad Sunburn

Posted on May 25, 2009 with 1 Comment

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 very 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.

Instant Under Eye Firming Serum

Posted on May 12, 2009 with No Comments

Dark circles, sagging skin and wrinkles are the bane of most women and almost every woman will attest to the fact that the area under the eyes are often the most difficult to treat.The skin under the eye is delicate and wrinkles can start at an early age. The harsh rays of the sun (UVA and UVB damage), free radical damage form oxidization, and thinness of tissue are primary causes of under eye wrinkles.

Huge strides have been made in recent years and there are now several treatments (and viable ingredients) available that will help reduce the bags and sagging.You can now find instant eye firming creams are extremely effective and can help you look years younger.

How Do Instant Eye Firming Creams Work?

Instant eye firming creams contain a combination of special anti-aging and moisturizing agents that work together to tighten the skin under the eyes.Hyaluronic acid is one such ingredient that works to improve skin elasticity and hydration.Low levels of hydration very often the cause excessive wrinkling and dryness.

Other important ingredients include Argireline and Pullalan, both of which help to tighten and firm tissue, including crows feet.Essential oils and herbal extracts are also needs to help provide faster cell rejuvenation and a smoothing affect. Combined, these ingredients (in varying strength formulations) can provide instant firming and wrinkle control lasting up to 6 hours, while providing longer-term benefits of moisture retention, antioxidant protection, and improved collagen and elasticity.

Glycerin from vegetables is also important as it helps to repair the cell membranes.This will help to improve the overall appearance of the skin under the eyes and reduce the wrinkles and fine lines.

Vitamin K for Deep Tissue Bruises

Posted on April 29, 2009 with 2 Comments

Vitamin K has been shown in clinical testing to help improve health and strength of vein walls and valve function in veins and capillaries. It is an effective active ingredient in products such as Capiderm® RX (RegeneVal Labs™) and Red Alert® (medic8™) for treating and clearing spider veins, rosacea, and bruises.

In addition to improving vein health, Vitamin K assists coagulation – accelerating and promoting fading of discoloration caused by superficial and deep tissue bruising.

This property also helps fading of clogged micro-capillaries and veins prominent on the nose and cheeks.

Bruises are far more common than we’d like them to be. No matter how careful we may try to be, there are always bangs, trips, stumbles and falls that could cause bruising. A bruise is essential an external manifestation of trauma or injury caused to blood veins.

Minor bruises will fade away slowly and naturally and within 5 to 10 days it will be just another memory in a long list of bruises. Deep tissue bruises however are more serious. These are essentially deeper bruises and could signify the possibility of muscle damage.

Deep tissue bruising calls for medical attention. It is important that you first get a doctors opinion to rule out any serious internal injury. It is often a symptom of muscle trauma and is often accompanied by tenderness around the affected area.

In addition to medical attention, you can lessen the duration and bruising and can even reduce the severity of the bruise with the help of creams that contain 1% or more formulation. Vitamin K is the substance the body uses to help clot blood and slow bleeding.Since a bruise is really nothing more than pooled and/or seeping blood, Vitamin K cream is the perfect defense.

Vitamin K is fat soluble which means that it can be easily absorbed through the skin.Using a cream form allows it to be applied directly to the affected area where it can be absorbed even into a deep tissue bruise.

Removing Stretch Mark and Acne Scars

Posted on April 26, 2009 with No Comments

Scarring resulting from acne or pregnancy is generally difficult to remove. Torn or damaged tissue is slow to rejuvenate and deep tearing from acne often requires treatment and laser resurfacing. With time many can be healed with proper skin products, the most successful procedure and treatment short of out-patient surgery, is to help prevent scars from occurring.

Pitting, discoloration and marks often occur (related to stretch marks) during periods of rapid weight gain. Most prominantly for women during pregnancy. Breasts, the abdomen and along the upper thighs are most prone – where ther greatest accumulation of fatty tissure resides.

For existing scars, using a microdermabrasion product has produced the greates results. Skin cell “turnover” and replenishment takes time. Encouraging new growth can often be accelerated by sloughing or polishing off old cells. With consistent use, disfigured or poorly aligned cells regenerate and rebuild normalized collagen and elastin fibers – necessary for skin pliability and absorption and retention of moisture.

Products with Hyaluronic Acid, soluble collagen, and Emu Oil have been found effective at working with microdermabrasion products for post-operative scarring (c section, plastic surgery, breast enhancement, et al), and work well smoothing and fading discoloration of potting left from severe acne and blemishes.

Scar creams and products help improve moisture content and retention stimulating healthy collagen growth. Emu Oil, in particular, has been used in Australia during pregnancy to help stave-off marking as prgnancy matures into the second and third trimester when stretching and tearing of dermal tissue is moste prominent.