™ Anti-aging and skin care products added with AHA are flooding the market. Alpha hydroxy acids are supposed to smoothen fine lines and surface wrinkles, improve skin texture and tone, unblock and cleanse pores. They also improve oily skin or acne, and improve skin condition in general. AHA or Alpha Hydroxy Acids are not new to skin care. Legends of Cleopatras milk baths are well known in beauty and skin care. Polynesians used sugarcane and fruit juices to soften their skin. The factor common to the properties of these natural products is this group of natural substances found in sugarcane, fruits, milk, molasses, etc., called AHA. What are AHA molecules? To find out if a cosmetic contains an AHA, look on the list of ingredients. AHA ingredients may be listed as: Glycolic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, citric acid, glycolic acid ammonium glycolate, nifty pro alpha-hydroxyethanoic acid ammonium alpha-hydroxyethanoate, alpha-hydroxyoctanoic acid, alpha-hydroxycaprylic acid, hydroxycaprylic acid, mixed fruit acid, tri-alpha hydroxy fruit acids, triple fruit acid, sugar cane extract, alpha hydroxy and botanical complex, L-alpha hydroxy acid glycomer in cross linked fatty acids alpha nutrium (three AHAs). How AHA works? To find out how AHA works for skin care, let us see how the skin grows old, and how to keep it younger. Cells in the outer layers of skin are bound together by inter-cellular fluid. As one ages, this glue-like substance binds the skin cells tighter and denser. Dead skin layers build up and unlike young skin, natural exfoliation becomes difficult. This group of natural acids has the ability to loosen this inter-cellular fluid, and allows the top layer of dead skin to slough off easily. Thus AHA products cause exfoliation, or shedding of the surface skin. The extent of exfoliation depends on the type and concentration of the AHA, its pH (acidity), and other ingredients in the product. Most skin care cosmetics sold to consumers contain AHA at levels up to 10 percent. Side effects of AHA The side effects from AHA containing products can include burns, itching, pain, and possibly scarring. The degree of acidity (the pH) of the product also can affect irritation. Some experts advise that people should purchase products with AHA concentrations of 10% or less and a pH of 3.5 or higher (the higher the pH, the lower the acidity). If any adverse effects occur, the use should be stopped immediately. In any case, people are advised to avoid sunlight or use proper protection when using them. The best way to use AHA products would be to try the product for some time and see the difference in skin. Avoid sunlight exposure while using AHA products and watch for any side effects. Consulting your dermatologist before using these products would be a still better course of action, and the best would be to take Cleopatras recipe for Milk bath, and remain younger. This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.
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™ There is an old story about a town of people who were running for their lives from an approaching asteroid. They ran to the edge of town and were confronted with a cliff and a long drop. Seeing the asteroid behind them, they all jumped off the cliff. On the way down, one person shouted out, “Do you think we’re going to survive the fall?” Such is the case with people and less extreme circumstances, such as when they look in the mirror and see they have wrinkles on their forehead, crows feet and heaven knows what else. They scream in horror saying, “My God! Where is my Botox?” and they head straight for the doctor. Then, after getting the injection, they ask the doctor, “Um, doc, is this stuff safe?” The truth is, up to the present, nobody has proven that Botox is harmful in any way. But one has to ask oneself a few questions and compare the situation to other things in medical history that at first appeared to be perfectly safe and then turned out to be total disasters, resulting in massive lawsuits. To illustrate an example of this one needs to go no further than Vioxx. The lawyers are having a field day with that one. Given that Botox is made from botulism, albeit a purified form, one has to wonder just how safe this stuff really is, especially if taken for a long period of time. To start our suspicions we need go no further than some studies that were done on doctors who perform such procedures as Botox injections. Research shows that many doctors fail to take a person’s medical history before even administering Click for more these injections. That is something that should be standard procedure. Then there are the so called “lunch time treatments” where patients just pop by a doctors office for an injection with no appointment, much like getting an allergy shot. Currently there are attempts to make tighter restrictions on these pop in treatments. Then there are those reports of actual botched treatments where the doctor injected the wrong area of the patient in spite of the fact that it was clearly indicated in the patient’s chart which areas were to be injected for that particular visit. While none of this actually proves that Botox itself is dangerous, it does tend to make a person wonder. If treatments involving Botox are so lax and regulations are so weak or non existent, then certainly there is too much room for abuse by money-hungry doctors who have no concern for their patients’ well being. The simple answer of “It’s perfectly safe” just doesn’t wash with all that is going on and reported everyday. The only thing we do know for certain about Botox is that it can cause side effects such as bruising, headaches, double vision or temporary drooping of the eyebrow or lid. Also, it can leave the face without expression. And the medical profession has admitted that if more than 2000 units are injected it can be toxic. A normal session is about 50 units. Well, at least it’s a start. Now the world just sits and waits for the other shoe to drop just like with Vioxx. ™ Aging is a natural sequence of life, yet many of us cant face it gracefully. Grey hair, sagging skin and ugly wrinkles are by products of the aging process. Every one of us hates wrinkles and wish they would never occur, but aging and wrinkled skin are inevitable. As despairing as it sounds there are solutions available to delay the advent of aging and wrinkles. What are wrinkles? Wrinkles refer to those thin and creased lines that appear on the softer portions of our body like the face, neck and hands and results in sagging skin due to decreased elasticity of the skin. Are you susceptible to wrinkles? Along with the natural aging process, exposure to sun, wind and environmental elements cause the appearance of wrinkles in many people over a certain age. But there are others, who are more prone to the attack of wrinkles at an early age because of genetic factors, lifestyle and behavioral choices. Individuals exposed to UV radiation from sunlight, either due to their profession or location of residence as well as heavy smokers are especially Get more info prone to the early development of wrinkles. Individuals with lighter complexions experience premature appearance of wrinkles, while those with darker complexions are less prone to their development. Due to the larger presence of melanin, the skins of the latter group suffer a reduced level of penetration of UV rays from sunlight. Rapid weight loss over a short time span also causes development of wrinkles because of the loss of fat cells. Free Radicals and the Occurrence of Wrinkles Free radical damage is considered one of the most vital source of skin damage and appearance of wrinkles. These free radicals severely harm the skin by breaking down the skins support structures. They diminish elasticity of skin and the resilience of skin is lost and the aging process sets in. Antioxidants are meant to reduce the damage caused by free radicals. When antioxidant protection is inadequate in our body, free radicals cause damage. The activities of free radicals can be neutralized through antioxidants abundant in vitamins A, C, and E, beta carotene, selenium, zinc and more. Thus by consuming foods and vitamins rich in antioxidants and through the application of skin care products rich in antioxidants, you can stall the process of wrinkling of skin. How to combat wrinkles NOTE: Always consult your physician first before implementing any new diets, therapies and/or implementing any skin care regimen or procedures, especially if you have existing skin conditions and/or are prone to rashes and/or have sensitive skin and/or are allergic to certain ingredients that may be included in any skin care formulations or are allergic to any components natural or synthetic that may be mentioned. There is more than one way to combat unwanted wrinkles and creases on your skin. As mentioned above, topical creams and lotions rich in antioxidants, vitamin A and retinol produce greater results in concealing wrinkle lines. Also, supplements particularly rich in vitamin E and vitamin C work wonderfully in returning some of the lost resilience of the skin. Vitamin K (caution if youre taking blood thinners) is also popularly used in the treatment of wrinkles. Also, hormone replacement therapy helps regain healthy skin in postmenopausal women. Wrinkle Prevention tips Prevention is better than cure. – Use Sun block lotions every time you go out in the sun. – Wear sunglasses and use an umbrella or wear a hat. – Wear protective clothing. – Eat plenty of antioxidant rich fruits and vegetables. ™ Theres more to keeping you pearly whites precisely that than a bit of brushing and the odd visit to a dentist. Take a look at these dental dos and donts. #1 Avoid Fizzy Drinks Carbonated drinks (including the diet variety and sparkling water) can cause your teeth to look older than they really are. These drinks are so highly acidic that they can actually dissolve the upper layers of the tooth. They contain high amounts of phosphorus – a mineral that can leach calcium from your bones if you consume too much and some scientists believe they can weaken your jawbone, increasing the chance of losing teeth. Some researchers believe calcium is first robbed not from your hips or spine but from your jaw, leading to tooth loss. We see a number of young people who have the jaws of much older people, because of poor dietary habits such as drinking soda, along with not getting enough calcium. #2 Chew your Food Foods that work on the teeth like detergents are foods that require chewing. Apples, celery and carrots clean teeth naturally and foods such a spinach, lettuce and broccoli prevent staining by creating a film on the teeth that acts like a barrier. Major strainers will take their toll on your smile sooner of later, so steer clear of tea, coffee, red wine, and highly pigmented foods such as cherries and blueberries anything in fact, that will stain a white shirt. #3 Dont take Drugs Ecstasy causes jaw clenching in users. A study found that 60 per cent of ecstasy users examined had worn their teeth through the enamel and into the underlying dentine, compared with only 11 per cent of non-users. As for cocaine rubbed on gums, it restricts blood flow, traumatizes the tissue and inhibits nutrition of the gums. Remember gums keep teeth in place. #4 Quit Smoking Smoking causes staining of the teeth and bad breath and increases the risk of oral cancer and gum disease, as it constricts blood flow to the gums. In fact, some gum specialists feel its not worth providing advanced treatment for gum disease in smokers, as there is very little chance of improvement. Smoking one pack a day for 10 years can cause a 10 per cent loss of bone support. Long term studies reveal that most tooth loss in 19 to 40 year olds is associated with smoking more than 15 cigarettes a day. #5 Beware Bleaching A professionally applied whitening system will not damage teeth. But some over the counter bleaches are so acidic; they can cause surface loss and sensitivity. #6 Stop Biting Nails Habitual nail chewers damage more than Informative post their cuticles; they can damage their teeth, too. If you have weakened enamel, you end up with an exposed, dented, soft area in the center of the tooth. And thats when the problem occurs. The denting is much softer than the enamel and if exposed to bad habits such as chewing nails, opening beer bottles, it will wear down. Often the middle part dissolves quicker than the outside and the brittle enamel is very prone to chipping, making the teeth look uneven and unattractive. |
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