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May 4th, 2006

Don’t Be a Flake – Remedies for Those with Dandruff

Dandruff can be an embarrassing problem for anyone at any point of their life. Millions of people suffer from dandruff, which is considered a chronic scalp disorder. The main symptom of dandruff is an itchy, flaky scalp. If you have dandruff, you will likely notice excess white flakes in your hair or on your shirt throughout the day. Although it is annoying and humiliating, you can control your condition with a few helpful tips.

If you have mild dandruff, the answer to your problem may simply be finding a good shampoo. There are many dandruff shampoos on the market that are great at controlling mild dandruff. Just pick one up at the store and give it a try. If you see no improvement in at least two weeks, try another variety. If you still see no improvement, try a shampoo with a tar extract in it. This is particularly helpful to dry scalp conditions. They do not smell as great as regular shampoos, but they will get the job done. You may also find that tar shampoos are a bit more expensive, but they are worth the extra cost.

There are a few behavioral steps you can take to control your dandruff. Researchers have found that stress is a major factor in many conditions, including dandruff. If you are experiencing dandruff, take a look at your life and your schedule. If you can do anything in your schedule to lessen your stress load, then by all means, do so. Not only will your dandruff likely improve, but you will probably feel better as a whole.

Many people are confused about dandruff. Some may think that dandruff occurs because you shampoo your hair too often. The opposite is true however, especially if your scalp is oily. Oily scalps need to be shampooed often to remove any excess oil. The excess oil may make your dandruff problem even worse. Be sure to use your dandruff shampoo when you wash your hair and you will see a great improvement.

Styling products are often the cause of oily scalps. They tend to build up on your scalp, causing the scalp to produce excess oil. Hair spray, waxes, gel, and mousse are all to blame in this case. If you are experiencing dandruff, try cutting back on your usage of these products. You could even be having an allergic reaction to these products that is taking a form similar to dandruff.

One thing that may trigger dandruff is taking really hot showers. If you have any type of skin problem, you should keep your showers moderate in temperature. Hot water tends to cause the body to dry out or produce more oil to compensate, which are two problems associated with dandruff.

New studies are showing that natural sunlight may be good for dandruff. Researchers warn that you still should not spend a great deal of time in the sun, due to its cancerous waves. You should simply spend short amounts of time with your scalp getting exposure. Not only will the sun help your dandruff but it will provide the Vitamin D your body needs to keep you happy.

If none of these tips help control your dandruff there are a few things you can do. First, schedule a visit with your general practitioner. He or she will access your condition and may even prescribe a prescription treatment for your dandruff. The doctor will likely only do so if your dandruff is moderate or severe. Most of the time the prescription is a shampoo or a scalp wash. Your doctor may decide to refer you to a dermatologist however. The dermatologist will likely diagnosis you with dandruff and may or may not take a sample. The sample may be sent off to confirm you have dandruff instead of an allergic reaction to something else.

If you have dandruff, don’t worry about trying to prevent it, because it is not a preventable disorder. Focus instead on controlling it and not letting it control you. There are many things you can make a part of your daily habits that will help you control your dandruff. If you have questions, be sure to consult your doctor, as they can confirm that it is actually dandruff you are dealing with.

Posted by Administrator as General, Skins, Skin, Skin Problems, Skin Tags, Skin Diseases at 7:43 PM PDT

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April 30th, 2006

Who was that Masked Woman? The Facial Mask for You

Choosing the right face mask for you can be difficult. What is in the mask? Will you have an allergic reaction to something in it? Which one will work best for my face and skin type. The answer is to not choose one at all. Give yourself a quick and simple do it yourself beauty treatment by making a facemask at home right in your kitchen. It will be natural and you will know exactly what you are putting on and into your skin.

Though you can certainly put together your own facemask based on your knowledge of your own skin care, there are some ideas out there you can use. Whether you use the ideas here or make up your own, you will be sure you are avoiding additives and preservatives. If you like, you can even strive for a 100 percent organic facial mask.

The first will work best for dry skin. Take 2 ounces of fresh avocado, an ounce of orange juice, a teaspoon of acacia honey, and a teaspoon of molasses and 5 drops of chamomile essential oil and put them in a blender for blending or a large bowl if you prefer to mash them by hand. If, for some reason, the mixture comes out too thick, go ahead and add another ounce or so of orange juice. Once you have your paste together, use your fingers to spread the mixture over your entire face and neck. Leave the mask on for at least 30 minutes, but longer would be better. A warm flannel is best to rinse the mask off your face and will help exfoliate and clean your face as you wash off the mask. If there is some left over, it can be kept in the refrigerator for a day or two. You will find your face moisturized and feeling healthy after this homemade facial mask.

If you have sensitive skin this homemade honey face mask will likely work best for you. Start off by warming a small pot or crock of honey in a double boiler. Periodically check on your hand to make sure the honey gets warm, but it not hot. Once it is at a comfortable temperature, rub the honey onto your entire face generously. Leave the mask on for 15 minutes before rinsing thoroughly with warm, then cool water. You will feel refreshed and your face will look healthy after this simple home facial treatment.

Oily skin can be a problem with facial masks, but a homemade egg white mask will work great for your oily skin. Whisk one egg white in a bowl until the peaks are stiff. Add 6 drops of witch hazel and 6 drops of lemon juice to the whites. Then, gently put the mixture on your face but be sure to keep it out of your eyes. Leave it on your face for about 15 minutes before rinsing well with warm water. This will help with your oily skin without drying out your face.

If you have sensitive, sunburned, or damaged skin you may want to try a butter face mask. You will need a tablespoon of unsalted butter that you have softened, and a large mashed up strawberry. If you have normal to dry skin use a 1 inch slice of cucumber pushed through a sieve, use a tablespoon of lemon juice for oily skin, or try adding 1 egg yolk if you have very dry skin. In a bowl, beat the butter and your chosen ingredient. Apply the mask as soon as it is combined and leave it on your face for 10 to 15 minutes. With a wet, warm washcloth, remove the mask. With butter being a great source of vitamin A, this mask will really help your sunburned or damaged skin.

Facial masks can be fun and very helpful for skin care. There are times, however, that it is difficult to tell which one is right for you. So, by making one of the face masks offered here or designing your own, you will know what is in the mask and can custom make it for your skin type and needs. Kitchens aren’t just for meals any more; it can be your own private beauty spa.

Posted by Administrator as General, Skins, Skin, Skin Problems, Skin Care, Skin Tags, Skin Diseases at 7:35 PM PDT

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April 27th, 2006

Beauty and the Breast — Tips for the perfect fitting bra

Most women have two types of bras: everyday use bras and sports bras. No matter what type of bras you wear, however, there are few things more uncomfortable than a bra that fits poorly. The key to being comfortable in your own skin, and feeling confident when you leave the house, is having a bra that fits correctly and comfortably; this can be achieved simply by knowing how to find a bra that fits.

Everyday bras

Getting proper measurements is the best way to begin. Most lingerie and some department stores offer this service upon request. When you know your measurements, you can begin by looking for bras that most closely fit women of your general size.

Next, you should try on a variety of bras. Do not just choose one style of bra and then “go with it.” Find a style that you think fits your personality and provides superior comfort. Under wires add to the support of the bra, while thicker padding adds inches. Take into account how you will wear the bra, and what kind of clothes you have to ensure that the bra will not cause discomfort when worn with other clothing.

When trying bras, lean forward from the waist and use the straps to pull the bra away from your breasts so that the breasts fall into the cups in a natural fashion. Make sure the band is snug, but that it does not dig into your flesh. This is the same rule for the straps. You want them snug for proper support, but you do not want them digging into your skin. Remember that bras stretch out over time. So, buy a bra that fits correctly when on the loosest clasp and with lengthened bra straps. Then as the bra stretches you can tighten straps and move to the tight clasps.

Oddly enough, it is a good idea to swing your arms, walk around, and jump in order to test support and comfort. These are all activities that you will be participating in while wearing the bra, and so it is important to ensure that you will be comfortable no matter what you are doing.

Sports bras.

The first thing to do is to select the size that is closest to your proper size and then try the bra on. Sports bras often go over the head, but some also fasten in the back or the front. You should sense for comfort, making sure that the band and the straps are not digging into your skin. If you are rather large-breasted, you need to make sure your bra has adequate support without adding pressure to the shoulders.

Most of the comfort with a good-fitting sports bra has to do with construction and material. Make sure that all liners and metal parts of the bra have plush linings to prevent irritation from exposed metal or plastic pieces. Additionally, find out the fabric content. You want something with a lycra lining to wick sweat away from your skin, and also something that provides adequate support. A cotton/polyester/lycra blend is a good choice for bra materials because it will wick while being supportive (while straight cotton is supportive, it does not wick sweat away from the skin).

Finally, as with a regular bra, make sure that you jump around to understand movement. When one is a size D cup, a compression bra is a good idea, as it will help keep from causing discomfort. Women with full D cups and large should look into encapsulation bras to better contain the movement.

And, no matter what sort of bra you are looking for, there are a few general tips:

Try on all bras, as manufacturers have different sizes. You might be a 34C with one bra maker but only a 32B with another.

Allow your bras to air dry. This will keep them from shrinking in the dryer or having the padding shifted into odd lumps. You should also use a delicate cycle or lingerie bag when using a washing machine to wash your bras.

Buy several bras when you find one you like in order to avoid finding yourself out of luck if the style is discontinued.

Make sure that you can return the bra if there are problems, especially if you are purchasing the bra online.

Posted by Administrator as General, Skins, Skin, Skin Tags, Skin Doctors, Skin Caring at 4:17 AM PDT

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