The Belief That Aging Is Inevitable

Although many would like to stay youthful and vital it's obvious that many believe that aging is inevitable. This is obvious given the time, energy and money that many on this planet put out to try to beat this menace.

The menace in my view is the belief that aging is inevitable. Now some of you may be feeling confused after that last statement because as far as you may be concerned aging is a fact and not just a belief.

Well in my experience it is because one holds the belief that aging is inevitable to be a fact and never challenges it that makes it a fact. In other words the belief that aging is inevitable is actually a choice one makes if ones subscribes to it as a fact.

If this is you, then you have stored in your mind and body a program, much like the software on the hard drive of your computer that directs every molecule, cell and organ in your body to follow it. If the program is one that dictates that aging is inevitable then this is how your body will respond.

Is it possible to change the program? Well beliefs are in my experience not hardwired as some may think. They are actually very malleable and changeable. Now here I'm not referring to using things like hypnosis or other forms of brainwashing.

What I am referring to is a new modality which allows you to literally decide what you store in your own mind and body. You didn't know you had such a choice did you?

Beliefs like memories are simply like quanta of information that are stored in your mind and body as a result of past experiences. When you had such experiences the information associated with them left an imprint in you.

This process of recording the so called past is often considered to be a one way phenomenon that one has no control over. In fact, it is possible to release or erase these stored imprints if one chooses to. In other words one has a choice as to what goes in and what comes out of one's mind and body.

Working with a tool called the Mind Resonance Process(TM) (MRP) individuals have been able to release unhelpful beliefs from their mind and body and thereby reclaim their right to their lives. The results are nothing short of remarkable including, spontaneous healing, reclaimed youthfulness and vitality, and feeling more fully alive than ever before.

To experience a short audio example of MRP you can visit the web link below where you can download it free.

Dr. Nick Arrizza is trained in Chemical Engineering, Business Management & Leadership, Medicine and Psychiatry. He is an Energy Psychiatrist, Healer, Key Note Speaker,Editor of a New Ezine Called Spirituality And Science (which is requesting high quality article submissions) Author of Esteem for the Self: A Manual for Personal Transformation (available in ebook format on his web site), Stress Management Coach, Peak Performance Coach & Energy Medicine Researcher, Specializes in Life and Executive Performance Coaching, is the Developer of a powerful new tool called the Mind Resonance Process(TM) that helps build physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well being by helping to permanently release negative beliefs, emotions, perceptions and memories. He holds live workshops, international telephone coaching sessions and international teleconference workshops on Physical. Emotional, Mental and Spiritual Well Being.

Business URL #1: http://www.telecoaching4u.com

Is There A Wrong Way To Wash Your Hair?

It's not as simple as it sounds. There is a difference!

When washing your hair, it is best if you get in the shower. You may give yourself a back-ache and won?t be able to rinse properly if you wash your hair in the sink. Start by rinsing your hair to remove any leave-in conditioner or styling aids. Use a quarter sized dollop of shampoo and rub your hands together to distribute it. Put the shampoo on your scalp, not the ends of your hair. Work up a lather by massaging your scalp with your fingers and scalp brush. Don?t mix your hair all over your head; the more you do, the more tangled it will become.

You may notice that during the first shampoo, you won?t have much lather. That is because your hair is still dirty! Rinse well and then repeat, but this time, let the shampoo sit for a minute (especially if you are using a protein shampoo). Rinse, then press the water out of your hair. Never squeeze or pull your hair when it?s wet. Instead, smooth your hands down from the top of your head down to remove excess water, and important step before adding any conditioner.

Hot or Cold Water?

Honestly, it doesn?t matter because the effects are barely noticeable. However, experts say to wash hair in hot or warm water to help remove dirt and build-up and to rinse hair in cool water to close the cuticle and add shine.

Deep Conditioning

Conditioners penetrate better on towel dried hair so remove excess water first. Be gentle! To protect your hair, smooth your hands down your head from the top of your head down to remove excess water. As your hair grows longer, gather your hair at the base of your neck with one hand, and once anchored, use the other hand to gently press the water out of the ends of your hair. Then, use a generous amount (half-dollar size dollop or more for longer hair) to make sure your hair is completely covered. Concentrate on your hairline, nape and the ends of your hair, where it?s needed most. Massage well, but DO NOT COMB THROUGH; it?s too damaging to your hair. Snap on a plastic cap and sit under a warm dryer for 10 minutes. Rinse well and follow with an instant conditioner.

About The Author

Nicole Elizabeth Smith, the author of Healthy Black Hair (2003), is a freelance health and beauty writer and a graduate of Michigan State University. She and her son Zack live in Michigan. Currently, she is beauty editor for www.myhairbook.com.

nicole@myhairbook.com

Acne Medication Potential Side Effects

Patients with mild or occasional acne may be able to treat themselves without the use of prescription medication. Such remedies may include an alteration in diet and exercise habits, regular cleansing to remove residue and buildup on the skin, choosing the right cosmetics and eliminating stress. But for some individuals, this simply isn?t enough. For those who suffer from moderate to severe acne, a stronger medication may be needed in order for that individual to find relief from their condition.

There are several different types of medication that are commonly used to treat acne, each of which may contain the potential for certain side effects. As is the case with most over-the-counter acne medication, prescription medicines are usually available as gels, creams, lotions or solutions. In determining which is the best choice for the patient, a physician will study the skin type, severity of acne and the patient?s likelihood of having a negative reaction to any medication. Once a prescription is written, the physician will explain how often to use the medicine and how to properly apply it to the skin.

As mentioned previously, it is not uncommon for individuals to have a reaction to strong acne medication. For some it is only temporary, but others may require a change in their prescription. The most widely seen reaction is that of the skin?s condition actually worsening. Many physicians agree that most medications will cause the skin to worsen before it actually improves, which may take 6-8 weeks of using a medication. However, additional side effects may include extreme redness, burning, stinging, peeling, soreness, scaling or a discoloration of the skin. If individuals notice these side effects becoming increasingly worse or if they do not go away after a specified period of use, which should be indicated by a physician, the medication may need to be changed.

Individuals who take oral medications for the treatment of acne may face an entirely different set of potential side effects, including an upset stomach, dizziness and skin discoloration. Certain types of medication can be dangerous to women who are pregnant or children under a certain age, so individuals should report any possible conditions to their physician prior to accepting a prescription.

As with any medication, there are often risks and benefits of it?s use. The best way to learn of these is to speak with a physician, ask about any potential side effects and completely disclose your current medical condition and any medications that you are currently taking. In some instances, medications may negatively react with one another and this can be very dangerous to the patient. Acne medicine is no different and the patient should have a complete understanding of how it operates before using it.

The information in this article is intended for informational purposes only. It should not be considered as, or used in place of, medical advice or professional recommendations for the cause, diagnosis or treatment of acne. If necessary, individuals should consult a medical doctor or dermatologist for information regarding the use of acne medication or other effective treatment methods.

Find more about acne medicine, bacne treatments or read about natural acne treatments on http://www.naturalacnemedicine.com/

What Does Beauty Really Cost?

Yes! We all want to be beautiful no matter what. We are shown what is classed as as beauty on a regular basis by the media. Fashion models who look like bean poles and who cant possibly eat chocolate or cream cakes as this would be the ultimate sin.

In reality they probably eat very little!

We are all made to be beautiful in our own way! it might not necessarily be in the way the media portray.

This is a good thing as it would be a rather boring world if we all looked exactly the same.

Time is also a big factor as we struggle to fight against it,nobody likes growing old, but are we really winning or delaying the inevitable?

What is all of this really costing us? we spend millions of pounds a year in the UK on beauty products and treatments.

How many of us know what we are really using in these products? We heard recently about parabens possibly causing cancer yet manufacturers still produce products containing them which we buy and use!

We need to look at what we are buying and what they contain!

Would you knowingly eat something containing poison or harmful ingredients? I know i wouldn't,yet we regularly buy and use thing to so called make ourselves more beautiful without reading the labels.

Here are some of the many things to look for:

DEA,MEA,TEA(not the kind you drink) are irritants which dry the hair and skin ,also known as allergens
METHYL,PROPYL,BUTYL & ETHYL PARABENS: are food grade preservatives-used to preserve products and extend there shelf-life. considered to be highly toxic and have been found in cancerous tumors ,also allergens.
ISOPROPYL:poisonous solvent used in many products.
IMIADAZOILDINYL UREA:formaldehyde-forming preservatives,known to weaken the immune system.
PROPYLENE GLYCOL: wetting agent and solvent main ingredient in antifreeze and brake fluid.
POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL(PEG): is a caustic substance used to dissolve grease. found in oven cleaner and most skin cleansers.

Are we taking unnecessary risks by not doing a simple thing like reading a label?

Is it worth risking your health for the sake of beauty,when these days there are more and more natural alternatives available in our retail stores,supermarkets and online so we can have a more natural way to enhance our beauty. Without the extra costs!

Alison Jones http://www.pureessenceproducts.bravehost.com

Natural Beauty Products That Don't Cost The Earth.

Massive Weight Loss Causes "Turkey Waddle" for WLS Patients

A friend of mine who recently lost nearly 150 pounds after gastric bypass was sharing her excitement with an acquaintance. She was excited because all symptoms of her Type II Diabetes were gone and she no longer takes any medication ? she feels healthier than ever in her life.

Then the acquaintance, a life-long skinny-minny, burst her bubble, ?But doesn?t having that turkey neck bother you? You know, all that wrinkly skin just hanging there??

What a cruel world. My friend was crushed. It is true, she has a turkey neck. Most people who lose massive weight will have a saggy wrinkly neck so kindly referred to in the cosmetic surgery profession as ?turkey waddle?. A saggy neck is a small price to pay for better health and wellness. Even so, we want to look our best after weight loss surgery and having someone draw attention to this residue of our obesity is disheartening.

There are some surgical options to tighten then neck skin: A neck lift is actually a set of procedures used to enhance the appearance of your neck:

?Cervicoplasty is the procedure used to remove excess skin

?Platysmaplasty removes or alters neck muscles

A plastic surgeon also can perform neck liposuction, which removes excess fat. In some cases, Botox injections may be the answer to your problems if you have fullness or bands.

A neck lift was out of the question for my friend, so we did some research and found a more holistic approach that yielded some improvement. From Bharti Vyas? book, ?Beauty Wisdom? we found the following advice:

?Give your neck a weekly massage

?Hold your head in proper alignment ? imagine that your head is being pulled upwards by a piece of string attached to the crown

?Cleanse your neck night and morning the same as you do your face, starting at the collarbones and working up to the jawline.

?Apply a rich-moisturizing cream at night and moisturize with sunscreen during the day. Cover front and sides of neck and the area around the collarbones.

?Exfoliate your neck weekly.

?For crepey neck, apply almond oil as a nourishing moisturizer.

Ms. Vyas also recommends some simple exercise to tone neck muscles (and *Bonus* these are wonderfully relaxing):

?Hold your head in a central position, then lean it as far over as you can towards one shoulder and hold for a count of 10. Your neck may feel rather stiff to begin with. Repeat on the other side, making sure that your shoulders remain still and relaxed throughout. Do five repetitions.

?Keeping your chin level, turn your head to one side so that the chin is over your shoulder. Incline the head backward in a ?come hither? movement. Repeat on the other side. Repeat the sequence five times.

My friend follows these practices faithfully. Her neck is not flawless, but to me it?s beautiful. She has collarbones and a chin and a beaming smile on her healthy face.

Copyright ? 2005 Kaye Bailey - All Rights Reserved.

Kaye Bailey is a weight loss surgery success story having maintained her health and goal weight for 5+ years. An award winning journalist, she is the author and webmaster of http://www.livingafterwls.com and http://www.livingafterwls.blogspot.com

Fresh & insightful content is added daily, check in often.

To subscribe to the LivingAfterWLS monthly newsletter ?You Have Arrived? click on http://www.livingafterwls.com and enter your details in the subscription box.

Beauty Tips for Luscious Lips

The last step in your makeup regime is lipstick application. Some women say if they could have only one beauty item it would be lipstick. Lip color brings the whole look together to create harmony. To keep your lips looking perfect, have lip color with you at all times and reapply when needed.

When you select a lip color take in consideration your clothing and blush colors. The color of your clothing and blush should complement your lipstick but doesn?t have to be perfectly matched. However, the colors should be in the same intensity and range. Wear cool colors together and warm colors together. Pink lipsticks go with blue and pink colors and corals and russets go with clothing that falls in a yellow/orange range.

Steps to apply lip color:

1.Prepare your lips by applying foundation over them (this will extend the wear).

2.Outline and define the shape using a lip pencil that has soft, pointed top. Start at the V in your upper lip drawing down to the corners. Then, starting at the middle of the bottom lip draw a line to the corners. To help lipstick stay on longer, use your pencil to cover the lips entirely.

3.Fill in upper lip with lipstick or you can use a lip brush.

4.Fill in the lower lip and then blot with a tissue and reapply.

5.Dab gloss in the centre of your lower lip to create a fuller more glamorous look.

When defining the lips with a lip pencil be sure the pencil and lipstick colors are very close. The lip liner should not be noticeable. Lip liners are meant to keep your lipstick in place, keep lipstick from bleeding, define the shape and help them look more natural. Do not try to change the shape of your lips by going outside the natural line.

* Dark lipsticks will make small lips appear smaller.

Sheila Dicks is an image and wardrobe consultant who teaches women how to dress to suit their body type and look slimmer. You can visit her at http://www.sheilasfashionsense.com to download her Image Makeover ebook and get How to Build a Wardrobe free.

Yoke Hatha Yoga with the Raw Foods for Superb Health

Since writing my two books, Beautiful On Raw: UnCooked Creations and Your Right to Be Beautiful: How to Halt the Train of Aging and Meet the Most Beautiful You, about my exploration and acceptance of the raw food lifestyle, I have added another important dimension to my health regimen. Hatha Yoga. I firmly believe that Hatha yoga practice has to be an integrated part of the raw food lifestyle.

I discovered and converted to the raw lifestyle in an effort to gain the peak of health, endurance and healing that I needed to ensure that I would be able to maximize the results of my upcoming surgical ordeal.

I was born in Russia with congenital hip problems that could not be corrected. For 45 years, I lived with one leg shorter than the other. I looked and felt like the Leaning Tower of Pisa. After immigrating to the United States, I prepared for the surgery that would ultimately replace my hips and allow me to walk without a limp. I was so accustomed to my tilt that when I was at last straight, I felt as though I were going to topple over at anytime.

I was thrilled with the results of the surgery and felt that much of my ability to heal from such massive trauma was from being on the raw food diet. I had to take private yoga lessons that worked with my limitations but I have improved tremendously and would not give it up anymore than I would go back to eating cooked food.

Yoga and the raw food diet offer many similarities in the ways they benefit the body. Yoga books describe the same euphoric experiences I have found in the raw food diet. Both purify and heal the body. Both offer powerful therapeutic effects in dealing with physical and psychological problems. Both promote radiant health.

Yoga is a systematic program whose sole purpose is spiritual. However the unhealthy condition of the average human body is a major obstacle to spiritual practices such as meditation, prayer and self-realization.

Running, swimming and weight lifting are great for muscle building but do little for connective tissue. It is the flexibility of the joints and of the connective tissues that gives us the feeling of ease and lightness in the body.

Think about that thin film running under the skin when you peel back chicken skin. It is called fascia. Humans have it, too. It runs under the skin throughout the body and even envelopes each individual cell. All major systems of the body?the circulatory and nervous systems, the muscular-skeletal system, and the various organs are cocooned in connective tissue. Tensions carried through the connective tissues are responsible for all the movements of the body.

Now imagine a young plant. It is pliable and limber when it?s young, but becomes hard, dry, and brittle with age. So with the human body, which tends to stiffen and tighten as we age. The body becomes choked in a net of shrunken and rigid connective tissues like constrictive body armor that is not only solidifying but shrinking by the minute. Every system of the body, every organ, every cell is being subjected to internal strangulation.

Connective tissues are tough and fibrous. Your connective tissue doesn?t respond to brief, repetitious stretches the way muscles do. They stretch best when pulled with steady tension like rubber band. Holding postures for a few minutes with moderate stress will cause the body to develop longer and thicker tissues.

Asanas increase your strength, stamina, and flexibility. Combined with raw food nourishment, yoga postures release tension and relieves pain even more effectively. You?ll find startling the resulting enhancement in your looks, improvement in your posture, and your better skin and muscle tone. You?ll feel your vitality brought by Asanas to a new lofty height.

I owe all of my health-my transformation from distortion to harmony-to a combination of the raw food diet and Hatha yoga. I can now practice 90 minutes of serious stretching everyday. My ability to recover and heal is the result of my raw food diet. I am stretching the scar tissue and since it is stronger and more resistant than regular tissue, I would never be able to practice yoga daily without the miraculous benefits of raw foods.

Yoga postures and the raw food diet make you more alive. Each practice complements the other, bringing many of the same physical and mental benefits. Asanas and the raw food diet are alike liberating, energizing, and exhilarating. As I practice the raw food lifestyle with regular Hatha yoga, my sense of feeling clean, good, and pure gradually becomes so prevailing that it permeates every part of my life. My emotions undergo a deep cleansing and healing paralleling similar changes in my body.

Yoga postures gently stretch the connective tissues that encase our joints, renewing our physical elasticity. Asanas lubricates the body, increasing circulation and flexibility. Stretching, twisting, bending forwards and backwards, vigorously massages various organs. Holding poses combined with proper breathing move stagnated blood that improve the flow of fresh nutrients and drains away impurities. It relaxes tense, pained areas of your body and strengthens weak areas.

Both practices?asanas and the raw food lifestyle?have their limits. For example, if the ligaments or other fibrous connective tissues are shortened as a result of injury or inactivity, raw food will definitely make stretching easier. But your food won?t do your stretching for you. On the other hand, there are many people who practice asanas regularly yet still struggle to achieve their optimal weight. Adopting the raw food diet will make a world of difference in that situation. Great as are the benefits of each, they?re finite benefits. For the best possible results, use them in tandem.

Raw food will make your constriction less rigid, but it is Hatha yoga that will stretch your tissue. Raw food furnishes the body with the best material for optimal health. Hatha yoga helps the body to make the most of it.

This article may be freely reprinted as long as the entire article and byline are included.

Tonya Zavasta is the raw food lifestyle expert, the author of the books Beautiful On Raw: UnCooked Creations and Your Right to Be Beautiful: How to Halt the Train of Aging and Meet the Most Beautiful You, named a 2004 Health Book of the Year Award finalist by ForeWord Magazine. For more information on how to reveal your Rawsome beauty visit her web-site at: http://www.beautifulonraw.com Write to: BR Publishing, PO Box 623, Cordova, TN 38088-0623, USA or Call 866-STAY-RAW

Skin Care The Importance of Prevention and Maintenance

When it comes to skin care, many people don?t think about it until they start to see the first signs of wrinkles, usually some time in their thirties. Although paying attention to skin care is beneficial at any age, it is important to learn the basics of good skin care as early as possible, and make it a routine. Many times, however, people just don?t know where to start. With all of the beauty products on the market, and all of the claims of their cleansing and anti-aging benefits, how can we figure out the best skin care regimens for ourselves? There have been many strides made in the field of skin care, and some of the new skin care products combined with some old, tried-and-true methods of care can help anyone keep their skin in the best shape possible.

1. Skin care from the inside out ? One thing that a lot of people don?t realize is that skin care is more than just keeping your skin clean and applying the right kinds of creams. The skin is an organ ? the largest organ of the body - and all the organs of the body need good nutrition in order to function properly. With today?s fast food diets and busy lifestyles, where many peoples? idea of a meal is grabbing a quick bite on the way in or out the door, it?s no wonder that there is a nutritional crisis going on. When it comes to skin care, proper nutrition should be the first thing that we think of. Eating healthy foods, including plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats like olive or canola oil can go a long way in helping the skin stay healthy and supple. A good quality vitamin and mineral supplement each day can help too, especially for busy people who don?t watch their diets as closely as they should. To be healthy, the skin needs the right balance of vitamins and minerals, especially the B vitamins, anti-oxidants such as vitamin C and vitamin E, and essential minerals like calcium and magnesium. Proper eating habits and vitamin and mineral supplementation should be considered the first and most essential beauty products and anti-aging products on our lists.

2. The Importance of Prevention in Skin Care ? It is much harder for skin care beauty products and anti-aging products to work when we don?t work to prevent many skin care problems. Good nutrition is one way to do this, but we also need to do more. One of the most damaging elements to the skin is the sun. Not so long ago, people regarded a nice tan as a sign of healthy skin. Today, most of us know that too much exposure to the ultra-violet rays of the sun and even the so called ?safe? UVA rays that come from tanning booths is extremely damaging, and dangerous, to the skin. UV and UVA rays cause premature aging of the skin, and can also cause other skin conditions such as rashes, inflammation, and skin cancer. A good quality sun block lotion is an essential beauty product to have on hand at all times ? with an SPF of 30 or higher. Sun block should be worn all the time when you are outside ? ultra violet rays are still present even on cloudy days ? and should be reapplied whenever necessary. Hats work well for shielding our faces from the sun, as well as trying to always sit in the shade and not directly in the sun.

3. Cleaning ? Keeping skin clean is essential for good skin care. A mild soap that doesn?t dry the skin can be good, and there are several beauty products on the market that focus on safe skin cleansing. Your skin should be cleansed before applying or reapplying any creams or lotions, and any make-up used on the face should be as clean as possible.

4. Creams and Lotions ? Today there are a variety of creams and lotions on the market that are very helpful for skin care. Beauty products and anti-aging products for the skin have been developed over the years that can help the skin renew itself, that can prevent or reduce wrinkles, help prevent or reduce other signs of skin aging, and clear up acne and other debilitating skin conditions. Exfoliating skin creams help the skin slough off old skin cells and produce newer, more resilient skin cells. Certain moisturizers not only keep the skin supple, they can also help the skin rejuvenate itself, and can soften or plump lines and wrinkles, making them noticeably smoother and less apparent. There are creams and lotions for specific areas of the face and body, such as creams for the delicate area around the eyes, the thicker and rougher area of the elbow, or the vulnerable area of the neck. There are non-prescription and prescription creams that can be extremely helpful for clearing up acne and blackheads.

One of the best things that you can do is consult a dermatologist to figure out the best beauty regimen for your skin type. With all of the wonderful beauty products and anti-aging products on the market, as well as some knowledge about nutrition and preventative skin care, your skin can look its best for a very long time.

Kevin DalPorto is the founder of http://www.whatsyourage.com/ , an anti-aging skin care shop and resource site full of informative skin care articles as well as high quality skin care products.

Home Tanning Beds

These are the most popular and best selling home, non-commercial tanning beds that can be found on the market with prices ranging between $1500 to $5000.

ETS SunVision ZX30 Tanning Bed: This tanning bed features a computer-designed Bio-Tech Tunnel Design for consistency. It has 30, 100 watt lamps, and is built with heavy-duty extruded aluminum and steel mainframe with a DuraMax 2000 exterior. Other features include Quick Clip acrylic removal system, digital timer with built in hour meter, glossed aluminum reflectors, 7 foot tanning surface, staggered lamp design, and acrylic sheet. The product costs around $4500 to $5000.

Sunquest Pro 24RSP (120V) Tanning Bed: This Bio-Tech Tunnel Design tanning bed has 24 tanning lamps is designed with a steel mainframe, curved acrylic sheets, DuraMax 2000 exterior housing, Superflow internal cooling system and 20 minute session time. It features a control key lock, backup timer, and Quick Clip acrylic removal system; and requires a 20 Amp Circuit Breaker, 120 Volt Dedicated Circuit, and 20 Amp NEMA #5-20R Receptacle. The tanning bed costs around $1500 to $2000.

Supreme Tan Pearl 16 Plus Tanning Bed: This is one of the smaller and cheaper entry level tanning beds. It is 76 inch long, features 12 Philips Performance lamps, 4 integrated facial tanning lamps, dial timer, canopy with grids, a base reflector system, adjustable gas spring lifts, and a 30 minute tanning session, and costs around $1900.

SOLTECH 16: This tanning bed uses 16 High Powered Phillips 100 Watt tanning lamps and features frosted acrylics for even UV disbursement, 30 minute tanning session time, easy acrylic removal system, Internal fan cooling system, and a 30 minute on board timer. Optional components include a spring timer, front panel base body fan, DualSun Facials, frosted Acrylic, and a free starter Kit. SOLTECH 16 costs around $2000 to $3000.

Wolff Tanning Bed: This product is also manufactured with a Bio-Tech Tunnel Design with heavy-duty extruded aluminum and steel mainframe, with DuraMax 2000 exterior housing. It features 24 high-output 100-watt lamps, glossed aluminum, Quick Clip acrylic removal system, wide curved tanning surface, and acrylic sheets. The SolarMax IFT face tanner is an optional component. You can get this tanning bed for about $2500 to $3500.

Ruby Tanning Bed: The Ruby Tanning Bed comes with 24 lamps of only 120 volts. It has 6 face tan enhancing lamps and 8 arm tan enhancing lamps, and features a 30 minute tanning session, adjustable Gas spring lifts, acrylic click strips, canopy acrylic, matching base skirt, and a dial timer. The product costs somewhere between $2400 to $3900.

SOLSMART 20: This tanning bed uses 20 High Powered Phillips 100 Watt tanning lamps and features frosted acrylics for even UV disbursement, 20 minute tanning session time, easy acrylic removal system, Internal fan cooling system, and a 20 minute on board timer. Optional components include a spring timer, leg base, and free starter Kit. The standard color is silver but you can choose between silver/charcoal, silver/black, silver/blue, and silver/red. The SOLSMART 20 costs around $2000 to $3000.

http://tanninghq.com/ Tanning HQ: articles and information about the tanning and keeping your body looking beautiful.

Natural Beauty: What Is It Really?

Natural beauty is the ideal many people strive to achieve when they purchase make-up, creams, shampoos and other forms of cosmetics. But what really constitutes natural beauty, and how can it be achieved?

Many consumers, in an attempt to cleanse, tone, moisturize, mattify, shine, colour, enhance and so on, have overloaded their skin and their cabinets with too many needless products. Experts have found that 63 percent of all women complain of having developed 'sensitive skin', and many of these complaints can be traced back to an overcomplicated skin care regimen (Fairley, 2001). In contrast, the needs of human skin are simple. They are cleansing, moisture, nourishment and protection. Skin which suffers from burning, reddening, pimples, rashes and other symptoms similar to these may be caused by or made worse from adverse reactions to the cosmetic products overloading many women's cabinets. Often many of these products claim to alleviate or eliminate the very symptoms they are causing (Begoun, 1991).

When selecting skin care, it is best to choose a product formulated for your skin type. Everyone's skin is individual and varied, but to assist in product selection, and in understanding what your own skin needs, the following skin types have been generalized.

- Balanced, which is neither oily nor dry, and similar to the skin type of children.

- Oily

- Dry

- Sensitive, which is a condition involving reddening, burning or rashes when a cosmetic is applied.

- Problem, which is prone to acne and breakouts.

- Combination, which is most skin, containing oily and dry patches.

Beautiful skin can be obtained by making good choices for your skin, such as using cosmetic products and make-up which are truly natural. Eating a diet rich in vegetables, fruit, water and healthy oils (such as polyunsaturated fats, essential fatty acids found in flax seed oil, olive oil, etc.) all assist in achieving and maintaining healthy skin. Lastly, adequate rest, sleep and exercise also contribute significantly to beautiful skin.

Simple Skin Care Steps:

- Gentle cleansing - depending on your skin type or preference, choose a natural soap.

- Toning - use a toner which is alcohol-free, infused with essential oils

- Daytime moisturizing - light or rich skin moisturizer

- Nighttime moisturizing - use facial oils formulated with essential oils

Make-up:

Choose make-up which is made with all natural ingredients and colours, regardless of one's age. All faces look fresh and naturally beautiful when colours which reflect the earth's vibrant range of hues are applied. Rainbow-like colours, or deep, dramatic shades cannot be obtained naturally in make-up without synthetically derived colours. These colours rarely look natural, are often trendy and go out of style quickly.

Great looking skin does not mean flawless, masked skin. Rather, lets reconstruct our notions of what constitutes 'beautiful skin' and 'beautiful faces', because perfection does not exist in the natural world, nor does it exist in human beings. Computers, cameras, lighting and other sophisticated technologies create flawlessness, to create an ideal image no one can attain. Instead, beautiful skin and natural beauty is skin that is free from harmful chemicals, hydrated from within and on the surface, fed with balanced nutrition and wise food choices, and regulated with reasonable exercise. A positive outlook on life and an optimistic perspective also contribute to natural beauty, inside and out.

How The Organic Make-up Company Can Help You Achieve Your Own Natural Beauty

Our products are made fresh for you once we receive your order. We do not stock inventory, so our cosmetics do not require powerful shelf life lengtheners or potent synthetic preservatives. The preservatives we use are natural, such as wheatgerm oil, grapeseed oil, d-alpha tocopherol (vitamin E) and/or ascorbic acid (vitamin C). While our products do not need refrigeration, our creams, as they contain water, are best stored in a cool, dark place, away from steam, light or unnecessary exposure to the air.

Our packaging is simple, without fancy and unnecessary labels, boxes or inserts. We believe very strongly that the purchasing power of your money should be directed towards a natural, high quality product, rather than wasted on packaging.

We invite you to give our natural products a try. We do not make any unrealistic or unscientific claims, such as anti-aging or wrinkle elimination, which are impossible in any cosmetic. We develop our products based on sound scientific principles and the physiology of the skin. Our products will convince you on their own merit, since they are natural, vegan and an excellent alternative to conventional cosmetics and make-up.

If you have any questions, please contact us at http://www.organicmakeup.ca.

Interested in selling our products? Contact us to discuss how we can assist each other to bring our safe, natural cosmetics and make-up to interested consumers.

References:

- Begoun, Paula (1991). Don't Go To The Cosmetics Counter Without Me, Beginning Press, Seattle.

- Fairley, Josephine (2001). Organic Beauty, DK Publishing, London.

- http://www.naturalcosmetics.ca

Lori Stryker has been researching and developing all natural skin care and make-up for the purpose of offering men and women safe, natural cosmetics for everyday use. She brings to her research a specialist in human biology from the University of Toronto, coupled with a professional home economics degree and an education degree from the University of British Columbia, fusing chemical and biological knowledge with food, family and textile sciences.

You may use this article but any modification or publication of this article for fiancial gain must be approved of by the author. The author's name, Lori Stryker and her company's name, The Organic Make-up Company, needs to by noted when used.

Aloe Vera Skin Care

1. Silky Aloe Vera Skin Care Body Lotion
1 cup Aloe Vera gel 1-teaspoon lanolin 1 teaspoon Vitamin E oil 1/3-cup coconut oil 1/2 to 3/4 ounce beeswax 3/4 cup almond oil 1 ? teaspoons essential oil Use a blender (or food processor) to mix the Aloe Vera gel, lanolin, & vitamin E oil. Microwave coconut oil & beeswax in a glass container on high 30 seconds, and stir. Repeat heating in 10-second blocks until fully melted. Stir in almond oil, reheating if necessary. Run blender or processor at low to medium speed, and then pour in melted oils in thin stream. As the oil is blended in, the cream will turn white and blender's motor will start to grind. As soon as melted oils are added and you've achieved mayonnaise-like consistency, stop the blender; add essential oil and pulse-blend. Do not over blend. Transfer cream to glass jars while still warm - the lotion will thicken quickly. This lotion really absorbs well and leaves no residue on skin. This recipe makes two cups.

2. Oats & Aloe Vera Exfoliant for your skin
1 tablespoon finely ground oats 1 tablespoon finely ground almonds 1-teaspoon honey 1-tablespoon Aloe Vera gel Combine ingredients in a bowl and stir until well mixed. Apply to face and neck skin after cleansing and before toner is applied, using gentle circular motions. Rinse well with warm water and gently pat excess moisture from face. Follow with facial mask.

3. Aloe Vera Face Mask for Healing and Soothing
(Great for sensitive and dry skin, especially after sun bathing) Ingredients: -3 TBS pure and certified organic aloe Vera juice -1 drop Helycrisum essential oil -1 drop Rose essential oil Combine all ingredients and apply mixture evenly on face and neck. Leave it on for at least 7 minutes and rinse with warm water. Pat dry, and apply the following healing and soothing aromatic blend, prepared in advance in a 10-ml bottle filled with vegetable oil: -1 drop Neroli essential oil -3 drops Lavender essential oil

4. Aloe Vera Skin Toner
Soak a cotton pad with pure aloe Vera gel and use it to freshen your skin and remove excess oil. Use daily, following with moisturizer. This is especially good for normal and oily skin and is a great overall toner. Dilute the gel 50/50 with spring water if you have sensitive skin. You can also use the juice of a leaf from your aloe plant. Cut off the amount you are going to use, and put the remainder of the leaf in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. The leaf will keep for about 3 days.

5. Floral Aloe Vera Gel
1/2 cup Aloe Vera gel (available in most natural food stores) 1 tbsp. dried lavender flowers or 3 tbsp. fresh. 1 tbsp. dried calendula flowers or 3 tbsp. fresh. 1. Mix together the aloe Vera gel with the lavender and Calendula flowers in an ovenproof glass container, then heat the container gently by sitting it in a hot water bath on the stovetop. 2. Let the mixture cool completely, and then pour it through a clean, fine strainer (to remove all of the solids) into a clean container.

6. Exfoliating Foot Mask
1/2-cup oatmeal 1/2-cup cornmeal 1/2-cup coarse salt 1/2 cup unscented body lotion 4 tablespoons Aloe Vera gel in a large bowl, combine all ingredients. Slide feet into mixture and rub, beginning at toes, working up to heel and ankle. Do one foot at a time, rinsing in a separate bowl of warm water.

7. Exfoliating Aloe Vera Face Mask
4 Tbsp. Pumpkin puree 1 Tbsp. Honey 4 tsp. Cornmeal 2 tsp. Aloe Vera gel 2 tsp. Pineapple, diced 1 tsp. Green tea 1/2 tsp. Sunflower oil 6 drops frankincense essential oil (optional) 4 drops cinnamon extract (optional) Directions Steep green tea in boiling water. Set aside to cool. In blender or food processor puree pineapple and place in medium-sized mixing bowl. Add pumpkin, honey and aloe. Mix well. Stir in sunflower oil, green tea and cornmeal. Discard the remaining green tea. Add frankincense and cinnamon. Stir. Apply small amount of pumpkin mask to cheeks, forehead, chin and neck. Massage in circular motions gently buffing skin. Repeat. Apply more product as needed. Leave a thin layer of pumpkin mask on face and neck for 15-20 minutes. Rinse with tepid or cool water and pat dry with soft towel. Follow with appropriate moisturizer. Store remaining mask covered in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Benefits: Pumpkin enzymes dissolve dead skin cells while the cornmeal sweeps them clean. Honey has antimicrobial properties as well as moisturizes and softens. The result is a beautiful glowing complexion. Use this mask as often as you like.

Kevin Pederson has been managing a number of natural home remedies websites which have information on home based natural cures and remedies for some of the most common illnesses and health problems.

Want Healthy Glowing Skin?

Are you struggling with skin problems like acne, eczema, psoriasis etc.? Various factors such as toxins, vitamin, mineral, protein deficiencies, long-term exposure to sun light, dehydration etc. might be the cause of your skins unhealthy state. Would you like to have beautiful glowing skin again? Luckily there are several options that can help you restore your skins healthy glow.

Stay hydrated- drink 8-12 glasses of water a day.

Avoid direct sun light- by wearing protective clothing, staying on the shade and applying sunscreen daily.

Avoid or limit your toxins intake this includes alcohol, coffee, spicy food, drugs, limit sugar intake etc.

Get rid off dead skin cells; exfoliate regularly at least once a week.

Maintain a cleansing routine- remove makeup daily (do not wash more than two times a day), and get a facial every 7-10 days.

Exercise regularly, to reduce stress and brings more oxygen to your skin resulting in firmer and nourished skin.

Maintain a healthy diet, eat foods rich in essential fatty acids, vitamin C, vitamin A, and vitamin B this include fruits, vegetables, fish, liver. Take supplements if necessary.

About The Author

Kenia Morales is the publisher of online magazine http://kpatra.com For Every Aspect of Today's Woman. Visit her site to find a variety of women related issues and topics.

keniamorales@kpatra.com

Do You Really Need To Wear A Moisturizer?

You just may be able to get away without using a moisturizer.

?Not everyone needs or should use a moisturizer, especially women with oily, combination, or acne-prone skin!? Paula Begoun, author of Don?t Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me, writes on her website. But what if you just can?t part with your favorite day and night creams? What should you be looking for when shopping for a moisturizer?

According to Paula, a good moisturizer should contain emollients (essential for making skin not feel dry), water-binding agents (ingredients that attract water to the skin and help keep it there), anti-irritants and antioxidants. For daytime, it must contain a well-formulated sunscreen.

If you have an oily t-zone area (forehead, nose and cheeks) and your skin is normal to dry elsewhere on your face, you have combination skin. Most of us will have combination skin at some point in our lives. Use an oil-free moisturizer in the t-zone and a light moisturizer on other areas. In order to normalize your skin, it may be necessary to apply two different types of products on the different areas of your skin. Alternatively, you can skip the moisturizer for your t-zone entirely and just moisturize the cheeks and eyes.

If you have dry skin, your skin may feel dry and itchy and wrinkles are more obvious on your skin than other skin types. Although the use of a moisturizer can help to temporarily smooth out wrinkles, none of them can turn back the clock. Choose one which makes your skin look smooth and feel supple. A water-based moisturizer is preferable, although it won?t last as long as an oil-based moisturizer. However, emollients in water-based moisturizers such as plant oils and shea butter can help to provide your skin with essential moisture. (Tip: Apply moisturizer on damp skin to lock in moisture.)

If you have sensitive skin, you may have red patches on your face and/or are easily irritated by using certain products. It can be difficult to find a product which doesn?t aggravate your skin and cause breakouts or unsightly rashes. Look for moisturizers which do not contain fragrance and ingredients which you know can be potentially irritating to your skin. Even something as harmless as Aloe Vera can cause skin irritations!

Sunscreens are essential for daytime wear to protect your skin from the sun?s harmful UVA and UVB rays. There are plenty of sunscreens on the market which hydrate the skin as well as protect the skin from the harmful rays of the sun. Why not skip the moisturizer and wear a sunscreen instead? The fewer products on your skin, the less likely your skin will develop an irritation to any of the ingredients.

Tara Sabeti is Vice-President of Marketing at http://www.BeautySteals.com, an online retailer of cosmetics, skin care and fragrances. A graduate of Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, she has spent more than five years researching and working in the cosmetics and fashion industries. Her in-depth knowledge of all aspects of the cosmetics industry, from product development to e-marketing, as well as cosmetic applications for women of varying backgrounds, makes Sabeti an authority women can trust.

MultiVitamin Health Benefits and 100% Fruit Juices

Keep hydrated

Make sure that you do not become dehydrated. Your body needs a constant intake of water to be healthy. You can be hydrated by drinking plenty of water and other fluids such as herbal teas, multi-vitamin, health benefits and 100% fruit juices. Soups also contain water and count as a liquid. Indication that you are well hydrated is your urine being clear and not yellow, and not feeling thirsty throughout your day. Multi-vitamin, health benefits and 100% fruit juices.

Vitamins

Take a multivitamin per day to get the vitamins and minerals you may not get through your food. B6 is a member of the B vitamin family, and helps in stress reduction. Vitamin B6 converts tryptophan into serotonin, the chemical which makes us feel less stress and more relaxed. B6 also helps lesson pre-menstrual syndrome. Food sources of B6 include tuna, chicken, beef, prunes and bananas. Before taking B6 supplements, consult with your physician as too much B6 can result in irreversible nerve damage. Multi-vitamin, health benefits and 100% fruit juices.

Exercise

Should be a part of everyone's life as the health benefits are numerous. Get healthy for your wedding day by doing a form of exercise that you enjoy. Many types of exercise will be good for your heart, lungs, muscles and bones, such as working out at a gym, walking, biking, hiking or even gardening. Moving your muscles and remaining active with proper rest periods is beneficial to your overall health. Exercise creates endorphins, chemicals in our brains that act as natural anti depressants. When we exercise we sleep better. Check with your physician before starting any exercise program. Multi-vitamin, health benefits and 100% fruit juices.

Ken and Deidre are successful authors and publishers of Health and Beauty information specified for you. http://www.weddingdresses-gifts-flowers.com and look under Bride Health.

Lady Godiva Hair

I love long hair! Especially mine.

Yes, I live in a hot coastal town with 95% humidity and 95 degrees all summer long. So what? I refuse to cut my gorgeous hair for 3 months out of the year. That just doesn?t make sense. I can?t grow it back in the remaining 9 months, not to past my waist where it belongs. Sorry.

Yes, I have friends, both male and female who seasonally crop their beautiful locks to get their hair off their shoulders and necks for the summer. I hate that. Have they no sense of esthetics? What is wrong with putting it up for a couple of months? I ask you!

But no, they have to go and cut it. I don?t even let my friends say the words, ?cut? and ?hair? in the same sentence around me. I don?t. Ask them. We trim our hair. We do not cut it. That goes double for my boyfriend. I don?t look twice at these guys whose hair doesn?t even extend below their earlobes. What fun is that?

My sweetheart has the most beautiful waist-length blonde hair on the planet. I can tolerate the fact that he puts it in a ponytail for work. Can?t have those suits getting all annoyed that their programmer fellah ain?t dressed right, now can we?

The minute he hits the door, though, I want those silky tresses out of their hair tie and back where it belongs: in full sight. I?ll never forget the first time I saw him. We met at a party. The first thing I saw was that hair! I immediately asked a friend nearby who the new guy was. She said she didn?t know, but Angel would. So I wandered over to Angel and inquired.

Angel said he was new here. He had just arrived from Michigan. Well, isn?t that nice? Next thing you know he has my phone number. Isn?t life sweet? Now that we live together, he promises never to cut his hair. I?ll hold him to it, too. If he ever wants to break up with me, all he has to do is cut that hair and I?m outta here. He won?t, though. I was careful. He loves his long hair as much as I love mine.

We go out to the beach and put those tresses up in a ponytail. Slide it aside to apply suntan lotion and we are set. We?ll wash it later. I?ll sometimes put mine up in a bun, okay, but it comes down the minute I?m off the beach.

Are you one of us? Do you love your long hair summer or winter? I see that you are. It?s really beautiful that way.

About this author -
Christy Mettarod went into hair styling right out of college. She has been styling hair for 30 years. You can read more articles about hair at Your Hair.

When Beauty Tries to Compensate For Self Esteem

We all strive for a beautiful and healthy body. This not only makes our hearts come alive but it keeps us alive and vibrant.

Unfortunately, there are some individuals who strive for beauty for reasons that not only are unhealthy but which in time actually detract from the over all attractiveness of the individual. One of the main unhealthy reasons to try and look beautiful is out of a need for attention or need for validation. Such needs usually stem from a fear of being alone and this is most often associated with low self esteem.

Using beauty to try to compensate for low self esteem is like trying to make your old broken down car attractive with a new paint job in order to get it sold when the engine no longer works. Sooner or later the truth will come out and any perceived gains will be lost. In the process there will also come a great deal of heart ache.

Attractiveness is more than skin deep. It is something that can only emerge from a fully self respecting and self confident human being. All of this can only come when an individual truly loves or esteems themselves in every way. Now many feel this is a distant and unachievable reality so they look for a quik fix from a good make over. A lot of organizations are making a lot of money feeding off of the poor self esteem of individuals.

What price do you pay when you buy into such easy solutions and pretend to yourself that this is the road to happiness? Well, what happens is that you go into a state of denial about what you really feel inside and then these feelings need to be kept suppressed. Where do they go then? Well, they actually go into your body and turn up sooner or later as some form of emotional or physical illness.

So in the end you're left with a reminder of the problem that you tried so hard to forget. The worst part about all of this is that once the illness stage emerges the tendency is again to find a quik fix in the form of some medication or drug prescribed by a physician. Most medications come with numerous side-effects. Staying on one or more long enough will cause you to likely experience some of these side-effects. The solution? Well, another medication of course, and so on.

Now if you are a young person you may think that this is all sounding a bit too pessimistic. Well my 20 years as a psychiatrist has given me enough experience to know that this is an ever recurring scenario. I'm presenting it to you here so that you will reflect carefully on your situation and make a wise and self respecting decision to take what ever feels like the truly right course for yourself.

Self esteem is something that can be improved more easily than one thinks these days, and in the right way. So I challenge you to strive for the true lasting beauty that can only emerge from a heart that is truly alive and open. It's the only way to be truly attractive!

Dr. Nick Arrizza is trained in Chemical Engineering, Business Management & Leadership, Medicine and Psychiatry. He is a Key Note Speaker, Author, Stress Management Coach, Peak Performance Coach & Researcher, Specializes in Life and Executive Performance Coaching, is the Developer of a powerful new tool called the Mind Resonance Process(TM) that helps build phyiscal, emotional, mental and spirtual well being by helping to permanently release negative beliefs, emotions, perceptions and memories. He holds live workshops, international telephone coaching sessions and international teleconference workshops on Physical. Emotional, Mental and Spiritual Well Being. Personal URL: http://www.telecoaching4u.com

Beauty Today: All Smoke and Mirrors?

Did you ever notice that the bar is continually being raised on exactly what physical characteristics define beauty? As I sit in front of the TV, I am bombarded by beauties with pouty lips, perfect bone structure, flawless skin, more voluptuous upper regions, size 2 waists, and hair that resembles spun silk. Take these same beauties and plop them back in time 20-30 years, when the advent of modern cosmetic technology had not even begun to reach its full potential. Do you think they would have had those same attributes you find yourself longing for when faced with these images? My guess is probably not, or at least not to the same extent.

True, genetics play a role in physical beauty, but with the likes of total extreme makeover reality TV (The Swan, Extreme Makeover, Dr. Beverly Hills) and abundant publicity, we see that beauty and cosmetic improvement can now be achieved by a few thousand dollars and a good plastic surgeon. Not only that, but cosmetics in general are now so technologically advanced, you can improve your looks by personal makeup application and home treatments.

There are now do-it-yourself cosmetic treatments such as home microdermabrasion kits, chemical peels, botox creams and gels, teeth whiteners, hair removal treatments, cellulite treatments, professional hair straighteners and colors, self tanners, lip enlargers, acne treatments, and the list goes on and on. Cosmetics marketers and science have joined forces to give women everything they ever wanted to be their most beautiful, and feel better about themselves. Women are benefitting by so many companies competing for a piece of these fairly new markets by lower, more competitive prices.

Not only are there new breakthroughs in the world of cosmetic science, but there are constantly new studies and discoveries in the field of nutrition, fitness, and wellness. Combine this with the new wave of technologically advanced cosmetics, supplements, and treatments, and you've got a recipe for a healthier, longer, more satisfying life for those of us who decide to take advantage of the advanced knowledge of our time.

So, does your desire to be your best and most beautiful self make you shallow, less credible, or somehow jeopardize your feminist agendas? Unless you've somehow compromised your integrity, morals, or core beliefs along the way, the answer is ABSOLUTELY NOT! As long as you are not putting yourself at high risk for physical harm, obsessing endlessly, or spending your life savings, investing time and money into your beauty ultimately is an investment in your well being, self esteem, and many times, mental and physical health. Feeling beautiful is part of what makes us women. Come on, it's just plain FUN to experiment with different looks and different products! It feels good to be noticed, and when you feel beautiful, you tend to radiate confidence and power. It is inherent in our nature to want to feel feminine and look and feel our best, and there is nothing wrong with it, as long as it is not all-consuming.

As a self-proclaimed product junkie, I can attest that many of these newly engineered products really do work, as I have tried nearly all of them in the quest to look and feel my best. I can't wait to see what they'll come out with next, as every new product seems to top the last. Hey, women have come a long way, and we deserve to feel sexy and confident - beyond smoke and mirrors!

Danna Schneider, Webmaster
Provides unbiased cosmetic and beauty product reviews, along with sophisticated beauty and makeup advice, through her website CosmeticsGalore.com Cosmetic Product Reviews and Comparisons

5 Myths About Protecting Yourself from Skin Cancer

Sara spends much of her summer near the beach. She lives in a mild climate and is very athletic. She loves to swim, bike and play games outdoors. Sara knows the dangers of the sun and so she opts for tanning salons to get her 'golden glow' while being sure to apply sunscreen every day before heading out.

Joseph lives in a cooler, northern climate. The summers can be very humid, but most of the year is mild or even below freezing during the harshest winter months. The beach has never been much of a draw for him and he spends most of his time doing indoor activities or at his job. Joseph doesn't worry about sunscreen and only had one sunburn that he can remember and that was when he was a child.

--------------------

Which of these examples do you most associate yourself with? Did you know that Sara and Joseph are both at risk of developing skin cancer? We have all heard the warnings about the dangers of sun exposure. We know all about the importance of wearing sunscreen and hats. But are YOU protected from skin cancer? Consider these myths and facts:

MYTH ONE: Tanning Beds are Safer than the Sun

20 minutes of exposure in a tanning bed is roughly equivalent to four hours in the sun. Although sun beds use UVA rather than UVB rays, 'The Skin Cancer Answer' states that UV-A penetrates more deeply into the skin than UV-B, can cause skin cancer, and may suppress the immune system.

MYTH TWO: Wearing Sunscreen at the Beach is Protection

85 percent of UV rays can even make it through on cloudy days. That means you are equally at risk in the car, walking the dog or letting your children out to play at any time of year - even when you're not at the beach. Of course, you are usually less attired at the beach and so covering up is recommended even when wearing sunscreen. Sunscreen also wears off with sweat and water and should always be applied every two hours or after getting wet.

MYTH THREE: Taking Care Of Your Skin Now Will Protect You

Sadly, skin cancer can take 20 or more years to develop. The Skin Cancer Foundation states that most people receive about 80 percent of their lifetime sun exposure before the age of 18. Just one blistering sunburn in childhood is estimated to double the risk of melanoma later in life. Taking better care now will reduce the risk, but not eliminate the damage already done.

MYTH FOUR: Having a Tan Means You're More Protected

Dark skinned individuals are less likely to develop cancer, but tanned skin is actually damaged skin. Repeated tanning injures the skin and increases the risk of skin cancer.

MYTH FIVE: You Can't get Burned on Overcast Days

Just because the sun is hidden by some cloud does not mean that you don't need protection from the harmful effects of the suns rays.

So how do you plan to protect your family this year? Some suggestions are to limit exposure to the sun - especially for infants. Examine your skin for early signs of damage. Use a sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher and apply it at least 30 minutes before exposure and every two hours after that. Teach your children good safety habits and be sure you and they are covered up when outdoors. Have fun and be safe.

The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to medically diagnose, treat or cure any disease. Consult a health care practitioner before beginning any health care program.

Emily Clark is editor at Lifestyle Health News and Medical Health News where you can find the most up-to-date advice and information on many medical, health and lifestyle topics.

How To Do Body Wrap AtHome

The body wrap is a beauty treatment that helps you tone up and tighten your body, improve your body circulation and detoxify your body. There are many spas that offer different types of body wraps like chocolate, aloe Vera, seaweed body wrap, etc. Body wraps basically work in two stages through absorption and squeezing. By wrapping the body, the pores get opened and fluids are extracted or absorbed by the wrap. This stage is called the absorption stage of the body wrap. Once the fluids are extracted, empty pockets are left in between the cells that when squeezed together, makes the body thinner and leaner than before. This is called the squeezing stage.

Now, not everyone has the time and the patience to go to the spa to get a body wrap done. This is when you should give yourself a partial or full body wrap in the privacy in your home with the help of home body wraps. Not only do you save time in this way, you also save money as the kit basically costs about 1/3 of what a salon may charge for the same wrap!

When applying a body wrap at home, it is necessary to choose a place in your house where you will not be disturbed for an hour. You need some space where you can lie down comfortably. To do this, you can put a camping mattress on the floor, or a plastic sheet to avoid any. Once this is ready, keep some towels handy to wipe yourself after the body wrap and a blanket to wrap yourself warm, if needed.

The next step lies in mixing the body wrap and smearing in onto the body, as you would a suntan lotion. Then the blankets have to be wrapped around your body. Sit in this wrap for half an hour to one hour, and then when you wash yourself, you are sure to be happy looking at your body that has become more slimmer and compact. However, there are some tips to be kept in mind when applying a body wrap.

It is always better to have a warm shower before applying the wrap as this opens the pores of the body and facilitates better absorption of the body wrap. The thermal blanket can be used to keep yourself warm if you feel cold with the body wrap on. It is always better to drink lots of water both before and after the body wrap helps in flushing the toxins out. It is also advisable to stay away from caffeine, soda drinks, sugar, fried fatty foods and alcohol for 48 hours after the body wrap, to experience a better effect from the body wrap.

This article is to be used for informational purposes only. The information contained herein is not intended to be used in place of, or in conjunction with, professional body wrap advice.

Find more about infrared body wrap, mud body wraps and many other bady wrap and spa resources on http://www.alldayspas.com/

Botox The Temporary Wrinkle Solution

Botox has made a huge splash in the health and beauty market because of its ability to erase and minimize wrinkles. The stunning success of the BOTOX solution has had beauty enthusiasts lining up to receive their wrinkle treatments. Are botox treatments safe? After all BoTOX is a protein toxin produced by clostridium botulinum bacteria. This is the first cousin to the deadly botulism bacteria.

Botox has been safely used by opthamoligists for over a decade without any serious side effects being reported. This drug has actually been around since the early 1960?s. Originally it was used as a treatment for crossed eyes. The manner in which botox works is that it is injected into the muscle where the wrinkles appear. When the botox is injected into the muscle the frown lines, crow?s feet and laugh lines temporarily disappear. I stress the use of the word ?temporary? because a botox treatment normally lasts about 3 to 6 months. Botox treatments were approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a treatment of muscles that produce frown lines.

Botox injections have quickly become the fastest growing cosmetic procedure and are anticipated to be used on over 4.5 million patients in 2006. They are more popular than breast augmentation. Current botox patients report that after several treatments that the effects of this wrinkle cure last much longer. It is important to note that Botox is ineffective for fine wrinkles because fine wrinkles do not appear because of facial expression caused by facial muscles. On the flipside, the one negative of botox treatments is a slight and temporary drooping of the eyelid. At the present time this appears to be the most important side effect of botox treatment.

While botox has been safely used by millions of patients, it is recommended that pregnant women, or women who are breastfeeding their babies as well as patients suffering from neurologic disease should never use botox.

Botox treatments do not work for everyone. However, over 90% of patients who have been surveyed are extremely happy with this procedure. This temporary cure for wrinkles has created quite a bit of excitement in the health and beauty field. This procedure is administered by qualified plastic surgeons. The average cost for a simple botox treatment is about $200 - $400 for each area that it is applied to.

Ricardo Sanchez Gonzalez is an active health and beauty enthusiast and the webmaster for http://www.more-answers-now.info. He is also a botox patient who is very enthused by the results that botox treatments bring about.

Your Simple Guide To Healthy Younger Looking Skin

Limit your skin?s exposure to the sun. Excessive UV exposure leads to wrinkles, discolouration, loss of tone and dehydration. Always use a sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15.

Always drink plenty of water. This assists in flushing out impurities, fostering the development of new cells and improving circulation. Drink six to eight glasses of water a day.

Plenty of sleep at night time is essential. This is when cells renew themselves and repair the day?s damage. Seven to eight hours of sleep a night is ideal. Any less will result in your skin showing signs of fatigue.

Eating the right balance of foods is vital. You are what you eat. A healthy diet comprising of fresh fruits, vegetables, lean meats, fish and complex carbohydrates is recommended for most people. The better your diet the better your skin will look.

Exercise on a regular basis keeps your heart and muscles fit. It also helps your skin by improving your circulation, which eliminates toxins giving your skin a healthy glow. At least twenty minutes of aerobic exercise is recommended daily. Walking, running, swimming, cycling and dancing are all excellent aerobic activities.

Do not smoke as it destroys the underlying structure of the skin, leading to premature aging. It results in wrinkles and destroys elasticity. Over time smoking causes skin to thicken and discolour and creates lines around the mouth.

Make sure that you do not drink too much alcohol or caffeine. Moderation is the key e.g. a glass of wine is relaxing but too much wine dehydrates your system, robs you of vital nutrients and may interrupt healthy sleep patterns.

Try and reduce the stress in your life. Anxiety gives rise to a number of surface manifestations, including blemishes, hives, impaired circulation, itching, irritation and under eye circles. The key is to relax! Adopt sensible time management strategies. Participate in stress busting activities such as jogging, yoga or meditation. If stress gets the upper hand consult your doctor or a counsellor.

While all these steps will help with providing healthier, younger looking skin, it is also important to get a helping hand by getting access to quality anti aging products and vitamins and minerals with traceability.

I would be delighted to send you free information about the leading anti aging products on the market.

Aled Evans has a great interest in health and beauty issues which will help people lead a healthier, happier life.He is also an official distributor of Artistry beauty products and Nutrilite health products.

Makeup and Skin Care

?Make up and skin care? is generally regarded as women?s forte. Men seldom indulge in ?Make up and skin care?. Many men do care for their skin but make up is really alien to most men. Treating make up and skin care as different topics wouldn?t make sense; after all, make up will work only if the skin is healthy. So how do you exercise make up and skin care, together? Here are some tips for make up and skin care:

1. Always have skin care on mind, whether you are buying products for make up or actually applying them onto your skin after you have bought them. So what you are buying is a ?make up and skin care? product, not just a make up product. Check the ingredients to see if it contains things that you might be allergic to. Also check if it contains high concentration chemicals that can harm your skin.

2. ?Make up and skin care? is also about testing the products before using them. So, apply the make up on a small patch of skin e.g. earlobes and check how your skin reacts to it.

3. Keep track of expiry date on your make up products and never use them beyond the expiry date. In fact some products (e.g. vitamin C based products), if not stored properly, get spoilt much earlier than the expiry date.

4. Cleanliness is an important part of make up and skin care procedure. Sharpen your eye-liners regularly and keep all your makeup equipment clean at all times. You might fix a date, each month, for overhauling of your equipment. As part of cleanliness, your make up and skin care procedure should also include keeping your hair clean at all times.

5. Nail care is another important aspect of make up and skin care. Use a good quality nail polish and always keep your nails clean. Once you are done with cleaning and polishing your nails, you should rub in cuticle oil at the edges of the nail.

6. If you have deep-set eyes, you should use a liquid eye liner instead of a pencil one. This will prevent smudging at the deep edges of your eye-lid.

7. If you have a skin disorder e.g. acne, you should not apply heavy or chemical based make up. Consult your dermatologist if you are not sure about the make up products that you can use while you have acne or other skin disorder. Never try to squeeze pimples/ acne. Remember that make up and skin care should not conflict each other.

8. Use a mild make up remover (instead of just washing it away).

9. Another important ?make up and skin care? procedure is the following golden rule: ?Never sleep with your make up on?

10. While applying a deodorant, make sure that you maintain the recommended distance between the nozzle and your skin (as mentioned on the deodorant pack).

So, make up and skin care should always go hand in hand. Do not try to treat make up and skin care differently.

Your guide to makeup tips and tricks.

Tania for ultimate-cosmetics.com . Do you want to get rid of puffy eyes? or need to tackle those ugly blackheads?

The Secrets of Looking and Feeling Younger and HGH Supplements

The mankind has never stopped searching for the scerets of youth ever since the dawn of intelligence. The tales date back to at least the time of the Alexander Romance in the West. In the East, the efforts of searching for permanent youth were recorded in the Huangdi Nei Jing (the Yellow Emperor's Canon of Internal Medicine) - the earliest medical classic in China, written 2000 years ago. Gerontology now reveals that the secrets of youth are the Human Growth Hormones (HGH) and the genes inside every man and woman's body.

Hormones are chemical messengers that help your body perform functions necessary for health and well-being. One such hormone that is much talked about is the human growth hormone (HGH). Produced by the pituitary gland in our brain, this hormone is responsible for the health and vitality associated with youth.

Several studies show that the body produces roughly 15% less HGH with each successive decade. Therefore, as you get older and your body produces less HGH, you start to notice that you look and feel older. The original belief was that the pituitary gland simply didn?t have the capacity to produce large amounts of HGH as you grow older. However, recent studies report that aging pituitary glands are actually capable of producing as much HGH as a young pituitary gland; only it has to be adequately stimulated. Now, this is where the HGH supplements come in.

The best means of elevating HGH levels is to stimulate the body to produce more HGH. Instead of introducing more of the hormone into the body, the role of HGH supplements would be to stimulate your pituitary gland to produce more HGH. HGH supplements eliminate the worry of side effects because you will not be introducing foreign HGH into your body. Also, your body is adept in self-regulating, so it?s not likely to produce an excessive amount of HGH which could be harmful.

You have probably heard enough about HGH to know that there are a lot of HGH supplements available now. Besides making you feel and look younger, they are also known to make you lose weight, gain lean muscle, lower blood pressure, boost your immune system, and improve your memory and mood. Could HGH supplements indeed be the miracle pill that everyone says it is? There?s only one way to find out.

Copyright @2005, Natalie Aranda

You have permission to publish this article electronically free of charge, as long as the bylines and links in the body of the article and the bylines are included.

Natalie Aranda is a freelance writer. She writes about family, online dating, health, beauty and HGH supplements.

Healthy Aging Suggestions

Youth is transient and aging is a natural process. However, it is also true that we all wish to remain youthful and healthy forever. All of us dislike the sufferings and miseries of illnesses of aging. Yet we all will age in the course of time. So, the amicable solution to the reality of aging and the cherished desire to stay fit always is to age gracefully while remaining fit, fine and healthy. Practicable steps for promoting the health and well-being should be adopted while the process of aging continues.

Criteria for healthy aging

Healthy aging involves promoting of all round care for ensuring the well-being of the individual. This comprises of physical fitness, social well being, financial security and mental fitness. This ascertains that you, the individual concerned, is never feeling bad or let down with the progress of years leading to your aging.

Promoting health and physical fitness

Regular exercising, maintaining a healthy diet with adequate balance of all nutrients- vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates and fats, and leading a stress free life are the essentials for maintaining good health through all ages. Morning walks, consumption of fresh fruits, vegetables, vitamin and mineral supplements, participation in recreational activities, games etc. and adequate rest and sleep are suggested. An occasional visit to a qualified physician for checkup needs to be made and suggested tests are to be carried out. In case any major illness is suspected, proper and thorough diagnosis needs to be done and treatments undertaken accordingly.

Fostering social well being

Old age and a retired life is the ripe time for socializing and participating in various activities of social interest. You can join clubs, associations and even political parties as per your aptitude. You can pursue traveling if it interests you and wander about in the world extensively to meet various people and expand your knowledge and mind. You may even take up some freelance work if you wish. Involving yourself in various community welfare programs will also keep you occupied while promoting well being of society.

Ensuring financial security

Retired life or old age cannot be enjoyable if financial security is not there. This serves as a support for everything you do. However, this often needs to be planned and carried out beforehand, in advance. Some measures can, however, even be taken after retirement and senior citizens may conveniently avail of several plans and programs which may be especially provided by various authorities for them. These plans and/or programs need to be thoughtfully and judiciously carried out or opted for.

Maintaining mental fitness

Staying mentally healthy and youthfully is very important. The very thought of aging makes you feel old. You must never let depression take the better of your sensibilities. Indulging in hobbies, recreation, intellectual pursuits, social services etc. keep the mind fresh and young. Exercising both body and mind regularly and eating healthily will go a long way to keep you free from serious mental diseases like Alzheimer's disease. Thinking positively and actively seeking variety and challenge in day-to-day life will definitely maintain a young mind in an aging yet healthy body.

For more infomative health and beauty articles or to browse our wide variety of quality herbal supplements visit http://www.natural-health-4-life.com

Straight Hairstyles Are Easy

The patented ultra smooth ceramic plates on flat iron hair straighteners produce a smooth straightening motion that eliminates potentially damaging snagging or pulling, resulting in salon quality hairstyles.

Whether your hair is fine, coarse, dry, oily, or damaged, a good flat iron ceramic hair straightener will help you to finally obtain the hairstyles you have been looking for without the addition of chemical treatments or the expense of a salon visit.

Women of ethnic background who have had difficulty obtaining straight hairstyles will love what a ceramic hair straightener will do for them. The adjustable heat setting of the better flat irons provide the control needed to create hairstyles on even the coarsest of hair.

The better ones available use infra-red heat technology, sealing in hair?s natural moisture, resulting in hairstyles that are considerably smoother and silkier. No matter what your hair color, natural or dyed, a good ceramic hair straightener delivers consistent hairstyling results.

The better quality flat irons produce results twice as fast as those obtained by other hair straighteners, with hairstyles that last a long, long, time.

Satisfied users of some flat iron ceramic hair straighteners have commented repeatedly on how well their hairstyles have held up through changing weather conditions and various levels of physical activity, noting that their hairstyle looked as good at the end of the day as it did before they left the house that morning.

Creating flat or straight hairstyles is easy with a ceramic hair straightener. Simply insert two inches of hair between the heated ceramic plates and squeeze the handle closed. Glide the flat iron slowly from the roots of the hair to the tips, while following it with a fine tooth comb.

Adding soft curl and flip hairstyles to straightened hair is straightforward.

Soft curl hairstyles begin by straightening your hair as described above. Next, insert a small section of hair, including the tips, into the flat iron and gently squeeze the handle. Use a rotating motion to wrap the desired amount of hair around the hair straightener, hold for a short period of time, and release.

Flip-in and flip-out hairstyles are created in a similar manner to soft curl hairstyles except that hair is inserted into the hair straightener two to three inches up from the tips, depending on the results you desire. While squeezing the handle, rotate the flat iron toward the neck for flip-in hairstyles, and away from the neck for flip-out hairstyles, stopping just short of allowing the hair to wrap completely around the flat iron. Hold this position for a short period of time before releasing pressure on the handle and removing the flat iron away from your flip-in or flip-out hairstyle.

Scott Hendison is the webmaster for http://www.sedu4u.com He is also the owner of Portland Technology Consultants. His main website is http://www.pdxtc.com

Understanding Laser Hair Removal

If you have heard about laser hair removal, then you are likely to be one of the many that believe it is an easy way to get rid of unwanted hair. Although many people do find great success with the treatments, others will need several to succeed. And, there is no real way to know how you will react to the laser treatment until you have it.

Who Should Have It?

The ideal candidate for laser hair removal is the person who has dark colored hair. The darker the hair the more likely it is that the laser can remove it permanently. With that goes the pigment color of the skin. Individuals who have a dark complexion will not be ideal candidates because the hair is harder to see. Light skin, dark hair is the best situation to find yourself in.

You will also need to have a good budget. Sessions of laser hair removal can last upwards of several hours and will require several thousand dollars to complete. If you need multiple treatments, that too can become even more costly. The average is four visits per person.

Melanin is the pigment that gives hair color. You will need the melanin to be able to absorb the energy from the laser and then incorporate the heat into the follicle. The heat will actually kill off the follicle, making it impossible for hair to re-grow. Also, those who have a dark colored skin tone have more melanin, it is necessary to insure that the process will still work well. To help this, a cold compress will be used to keep the affected area cool. The laser will not target the cold areas which are important for it to work properly.

The skin can be kept cool in another way as well. This is multi pulsing laser technology. Laser energy is pulsed or interrupted, rather than streamed. That means there is less heat which helps to cool and at the same time, protect the skin. Other laser removal devices include: Alexandrite, a long pulse laser; Diode, which generally is used on darker skin; Q-Switched Nd:YAG, which delivers two wavelengths that work on both deep and near-surface follicles; and Ruby, that as the name implies, consists of red laser beams capable of targeting melanin.

There are a number of excellent resources on the internet that will help you to discover why or why not laser hair removal is the right solution for you.

As a beauty consultant Nicola is always evaluating new products. Visit her site at http://www.epilator.info for resources, views and information about hair removal.

Copyright Epilator.info. All rights reserved. This article may be reprinted in full so long as the resource box and the live links are included intact.

Searching for Permanent Laser Hair Removal

Shaving daily or several times per week can be a tedious and even painful task, and is not a permanent way to get rid of unwanted body hair. Waxing can be more painful, expensive, and though the hair grows back more slowly, is not a long-term solution for hair removal. That is why many people looking for a permanent or long-term way to remove unwanted body hair are looking to laser hair removal. Those who perform this procedure promise to quickly remove your hair at the root, and guarantee that your hair will grow back very slowly, and in some cases, result in permanent hair removal. However, if you are looking to laser hair removal as a permanent solution to your unwanted body hair, it is important that you know all aspects of the procedure, along with knowing how what to look for in a reputable practitioner to carry out the procedure for you.

Laser hair removal works by aiming a series of light beams at the dark pigments in your body hair. Using a handheld machine, the technician or physician presses it onto the areas of the skin where you want hair removed. The device is intended to cause damage to you hair follicles without harming any surrounding tissue. There can be pain involved, despite some claims to the contrary. But respectable laser hair removal practitioners will employ several pain relief methods including cooling with gels, fine mists of water, and cool air.

Of course, there are quite a few plusses to having a laser hair removal procedure. Foremost is the long-term removal of your unwanted body hair. Though laser hair removal is not considered a permanent solution, the permanent reduction in appearance of your hair is entirely possible. Often, your regrowth actually comes back a lighter color and softer texture, which is a much more appealing alternative. Laser hair removal is a safe procedure as long as it is performed correctly and carefully. Laser hair removal is most ideal for those who have a large area on the body with more hair on it than the average person, such as the back, chest, or legs. For these people, laser hair removal might be a preferable option to something even less permanent like waxing. Those people with fairer complexions along with darker body hair usually get the optimum results with this procedure.

Of course, the idea of permanent laser hair removal might be too good to be true. There are several drawbacks to the procedure that you should be aware of before deciding to go through with it. There has been no durable evidence that suggests laser hair removal is completely safe and is completely effective in what it claims to do. And, because every body is different, it is difficult to establish a set standard of regrowth rates. What is known is that the procedure does not work as well on gray, red, or blonde hair, and it must be approached with caution by those people with darker skin tones or on people who tan themselves. There is also a risk of burns, abrasions, or skin discoloration as a result of the procedure. And because it can take several sessions to complete the desired effect, the procedure can be quite expensive. Some people do not react to the process, therefore the decision to receive laser hair removal is one that requires great consideration of the factors involved.

There are many laser hair removal establishments in operation that make untrue and potentially dangerous claims, and they might not be fully qualified to perform the procedure at all. Many of these experts claim that their procedures are totally pain-free, which is absolutely not true. They also make claims that the hair removal is completely permanent, and they might go so far as to guarantee absolutely no hair regrowth. Permanent laser hair removal has not been proven thus far. There is no governmental regulation of who can purchase the laser hair removal machines or requirements for training or any kind of quality control standards, therefore take heed that there is a great risk for physical injury and loss of a substantial amount of your money. There are some who believe that making laser hair removal more widely available by opening the procedure to not just physicians. They feel this will make it more affordable. But, it is not worth the possible health and financial risks to you by doing business with someone who might not know what they are doing. They best thing to do is consult a reputable physician, and ask many questions before you make a commitment. Know that laser hair removal will probably not result in the permanent removal of your unwanted hair. Rather, it will probably help to diminish the hair, and ease any embarrassment you might feel.

Learn the essential information for picking the right beauty clinic for your treatment. Permanent Laser Hair Removal

A Portable Sauna Surely Not

It sounds like a dream, a sauna that can be taken anywhere to enjoy at your leisure, the best thing about this is that it is a reality, not a dream.

There are many different options available when you are deciding to buy a sauna, but many people are opting for the portable infrared sauna because of its abilities to be moved easily and the fact that infrared heating is a great, easy and quick way of heating your sauna.

How easy is a portable infrared sauna to move?

You would think a portable sauna would be fairly heavy and difficult to move, but it is very easy. What you need to understand about the portable infrared sauna is it?s size and how you move such an item.

Size

A more expensive portable infrared sauna is about the same size as a large wardrobe and is also made by wooden paneling, sometimes with glass windows, the only difference being the depth of a sauna is greater than that of a wardrobe.

The portable sauna also comes in a smaller version, which is even easier to move. This sauna is made for a single person and is a tent made from special material surrounding a simple chair.

Moving the sauna

The larger saunas are made in a do it yourself way so they can be easily assembled and disassembled, this means they can easily be carried in smaller parts and stored away in an easier fashion.

The other saunas made in the form of a tent are even easier to move than their larger brothers, as they are smaller and created from a foldable material; you simply fold this sauna away and carry it under your arm.

Summary

Overall you can make any choice you wish in purchasing a sauna, but it is worth investigating the possibilities of a portable infrared sauna as they have so many advantages over other types of sauna.

If you?re interested in reading about the new Infrared Sauna , or you want to know more about Infrared Sauna Health Benefits please visit Infrared-Sauna-Health-Benefits.com

Beauty Wrinkles and the Science of Laughter

When most of us think of ?memory? we think of our brains, but the brain is not the only organ that has a memory. If skin is regularly positioned in a certain manner by reoccurring facial expressions, lines will ultimately form where the skin has been folded.

Just think of sailors and many others who work outdoors for a living. It?s almost a given that most have lines around their eyes from squinting at the wind and sun.

Although these ?crow?s feet? are the ultimate result of environmental factors, it is clear that squinting and other undesirable facial expressions are prompted by many factors.

Stress and depression resulting in facial tension can also be major culprits in the development of permanent facial lines. If we want to prevent the development of these lines, we need to reduce our facial tension.

There is much talk in our high pressure world about how to reduce stress, and there are many wonderful suggestions supported by studies and experts on the subject. In reviewing these studies however, one simple suggestion resounds throughout most. And, amazingly, it is the most effortless suggestion of all.

Laugh! Laughter reduces stress hormones, which in turns relaxes your muscles and frees facial skins from undesirable contortions.

Some people may think they have nothing to laugh about and the technique of laughter is something they have totally lost. But nothing could be further from the truth.

Laughing is programmed into us as a part of our genetic make up. We do it spontaneously as babies without ever being taught. Although events in our lives sometimes make us sad and other natural emotions suppress our desire to laugh, this doesn?t mean the ability to laugh has evaporated from within us.

One way to revive our laughter is to use an outside stimulus? like a watching a funny movie or reading a funny book; however the simplest way to laugh is merely use our thoughts.

Some people can remember a funny event in the past or imagine something funny they would like to see in the future. If you find it hard to do either then think of a silly action and act it out ? like making a silly noise or walking liking an orangutan.

Being silly can lessen your stress, cause you to relax, thereby reducing wrinkle-causing tension in your face. So deep dig inside and find the laughter within you. Not only will you feel more beautiful, your skin will be more beautiful too.

Copyright ? 2005 Alpha Ward-Burns.

Alpha Ward-Burns, a cancer survivor and co-founder of Skin Solved, a skincare company devoted to beautiful, healthy skin, is currently working on a book concerning her treatment and recovery from cancer. You may contact Alpha at http://www.skinsolved.com

AntiAging Skin Care Products: The Evolution

During the last 10 years more attention is paid to the anti aging skin care. Developments within this category were influenced by such factors as competition among the major brands, introduction of new technologies and new ingredients, as well as worldwide increase in demand for the so-called rejuvenating cosmetics. People have no intentions of putting up with aging. Today they are turning to alternative therapies and anti aging products; however, they will not spend money on products which do not produce the wished results.

First anti aging skin care products appeared during the late 1980s. The first liposome ingredient delivery system was part of first generation anti aging skin care.

David Jago, an expert in the market analysis for MINTEL, evaluates the changes, which have taken place since then: At present, the special properties, ingredients and benefits of the products are clearly shown on the label. In the late 1980s, it was only said that those products were firming, softening the skin, reducing lines etc., but their functional ingredients were usually not disclosed. Today?s press often informs us of specific ingredients and their benefits, thus contributing to the consumers? education. As a result, there appeared a category of skin care products intended for specific age groups or needs. Usually, women aim at making their aging skin look younger, or their young skin - healthier.

In the beginning of 1990s, many anti aging skin care ingredients have been studied. The most important of those, Alpha Hydroxyl Acids (AHA), became the first ingredients to affect the aging skin. Sally Penford, of the International Dermal Institute, a postgraduate training school for therapists, comments: It stimulated women to start considering cosmetic surgery, glycolic acid peels and laser skin treatments.

Another great revolution in anti aging skin care has been in the use of A, C and E vitamins, as well as group B vitamins and main fatty acids ? they all have a special role of agents preventing premature aging. Of course they do not make miracles, but can support the good condition of the skin. As skin ages and is repeatedly exposed to harmful UV rays, the level of vitamin A, produced in the body, constantly decreases. The skin renewal processes slow down and the epidermal layer becomes progressively thinner. Some of the research of the ingredients, such as vitamin C, was held in 1990s. Further, scientists identified two key chemical helpers to assist in the delivery of vitamin C through the skin.

The formulations derived from it led to the development of anti aging skin care products, containing vitamin C and products, which contained a combination of vitamin C and pure Retinol (until recently, it has been extremely hard to combine both Retinol and vitamin C together in a stable formulation, as both ingredients are easily oxidized, when exposed to the air, and become inactive). In 1990s this type of skin care was already produced all over the world.

Further on, a great deal of interest in the anti-oxidants has been shown. A lot of studies have been done which show that protecting the skin can delay the onset of aging. The SUVIMAX studies in France showed that the use of anti-oxidants on the skin slows down the aging process. It is also possible to reduce lines and improve skin firmness.

Benefits of anti-oxidants were detected in grape seeds extracts. After that, cosmetic companies started using these benefits in their skin care products. Grape polyphenols are natural compounds derived from green grape seed extract which have been shown to have a powerful anti-oxidant effect. They shield the skin from the aggression of a wide range of free radicals and are known to help maintain the skin's moisture levels.

In the middle of 1990s Estee Lauder has completed research into understanding more about skin cells losing energy. Dr. Maes, Vice-President Research and Development, Estee Lauder Worldwide, explains: We cannot make the skin look like when it was in youth. Technologies can decrease the lines by 50%, but we will never decrease them by 100%. We have studied skin samples and found that its thickness is already decreasing from the age of 20. In biological terms, if the cells are losing energy they will also lose their ability to protect themselves against the environment.

He compares this loss of energy to that of a battery running low which needs to be recharged. Thus, to slow down aging and protect the skin cells, manufacturers started using anti-oxidants, sunscreens and skin energizing technologies to ?recharge? cells. They are described as a next generation skin nourishers that enable skin to tap into a fuel source of bio-available micro-nutrients.

The scientists have studied different types of skin aging and it means that they are capable of developing skin care which will effectively abate aging. It is recognized that 90% of skin damage is caused by external environmental aging. This includes smoking, wind, chemicals, and, most importantly, UV radiation. The level of pollution increases so quickly that skin cells can not develop self-protection mechanisms. Free radicals or oxidants are naturally generated in the body as a reaction to the aggression of external, environmental factors as well as internal factors such as stress and tiredness. A consequence of this aggression is an acceleration of the skin's aging process. Most of skin damage is done in the early years and people do not see the results of this until they are in their forties and fifties.

The reason for this is due to the skin's chronological aging, which we can do nothing about. Internal, chronological aging is largely a consequence of genetics and affects skin all over the body.

Modern scientific research in skin care and the growing knowledge of the skin's physiology mean that it is possible to stop and even repair skin damage which occurs later on in life. Thus, the latest thinking and research is focused on developing skin protection not from a plain Sun Protection Factor but from the cells themselves. The case in point is a new area of cosmetology (allocosmetics) and skin care products of modern generation of late 1990s, which are based on cell extracts that have lately drawn much attention of scientists. Cells can segment themselves and reproduce identical copies, replace old skin cells by new ones of the same type, take part in biochemical skin processes. This is what we call lifetime self-rejuvenation.

The strides made in anti aging technology over the past decade have been astounding and clearly show no signs of abating. We can be certain that there will be many more exciting achievements in anti aging skin care technology to come.

Plazan youth-enhancing placenta cosmetics is a proven way to rejuvenate your skin and keep it looking great for year.

We offer:

• Facial Care Products
• Natural Body Care Products
• Professional Skin Care Products Line
• Skin Care Products for Men

All Plazan natural skin care products are clinically proven to be safe and effective.

Please visit Plazan Skin Care web site (http://www.plazanskincare.com) to find out more about our anti aging skin care products.