Your Skin Care Tips

Skin Care Tips

Trying to choose the right products for your skin is a challenge faced by many people, most often, women.
In fact, women can end up spending countless hours and a small fortune on products hoping to improve the look of their skin. But according to some skin-care professionals, it doesn't have to be that way - if you do your homework.
"I always tell my clients that less is more," said Dr. Ari Demirjian, dermatologist at the Private Dermatology Clinic of Montreal, located in Town of Mount Royal. "Use sunscreen in the spring, summer and fall, and don't go buy a whole line of cosmetics, keep it simple."
Knowing your skin type is the first step to choosing products that are appropriate, without having to try dozens of different ones.
"You have to choose products accordingly, especially if you have an extreme skin type, such as oily and acne prone, or severely dry skin with eczema," Demirjian said. "People with normal skin usually have a wider range of products that their skin can tolerate and, therefore, just have to pay attention to the look and feel of their skin to know what works best for them."
You can be your own best advocate in determining your skin type, said Lorie Docker, skin care expert and owner of Medispa Jouvence on Sherbrooke St.
"When I have clients come in for a skin assessment, the first thing I ask is what they want to improve about their skin," Docker said. "People say things like, 'Oh I'm too oily, the size of my pores is huge,' or, 'My skin is so tight,' and they don't realize that they're actually telling me about their skin type when they do that."
Docker said paying attention to your skin, and getting a skin assessment at a spa or dermatologist's office is the best way to determine your skin type.
"Once you have that information, you can easily go to the pharmacy and look for products that are designed for your skin," she said. "But there is an overwhelming amount of information and products out there and in addition to knowing skin type, people need to know what to do, and not to do, to treat their skin properly."
Educating yourself is the most efficient way to go about skin care, and can save consumers a lot of headaches, she added.
"There are so many myths out there, like that the more expensive a cream or product is, the better it is," Docker said. "The biggest cost of a retail product is the advertising and packaging, the actual ingredients may not be worth that much."
Advertising for retail products can be very misleading, she continued, as retail products have the least amount of active ingredients of the three types of skin care products - retail, professional and medical grade.
"If you want to treat something on your skin, like acne, age spots or lines, you cannot do it without high levels of active ingredient," Docker said. "The amount of active ingredient in retail products is heavily monitored so that not just anyone can go into the store and use them at will."
Having those regulations in place is a good thing, but it's also misleading for consumers who purchase these products for purposes they can't fulfil, she said.

"If you're just trying to maintain skin that is already clear and beautiful, then you can get by using retail products, of course," Docker said. "But if you want to physically change something on the skin the effect with retail products will never be the same as with professional or medical grade ingredients."
Demirjian points out that people often have unrealistic expectations of their products.
"Moisturizers are the prime example of this," he said. "They don't rejuvenate skin and they don't make lines disappear, all they do is moisturize so if you're using them for anything else, stop, it's a waste."
Same goes for cleansers. "They're just that - cleansers. Don't expect them to remove black heads or white heads," Demirjian said. "There is really no miracle cleanser out there."
In addition to choosing the right daily skin care products, Demirjian said people can dramatically reduce or delay their need for rejuvenating products by following proper sun care.
"Photo-aging is the major cause of premature aging in the skin and it's all due to excessive sun exposure," he said.
"You walk outside, you work in the garden or do sports and you're receiving a good amount of sun; but if you protect yourself you can likely save a lot of lost time and money."

Read more: http://www.montrealgazette.com/health/Skinning+surface/4916478/story.html#ixzz1Ou6pvnXE

Adult acne Skin Care

Adult acne

A new moisturiser targets imperfections, mattifies and hydrates the skin.
ACNE isn’t just a teenage problem. Adults aged 20 to 40 years old can also suffer from acne, pimples and shine due to stress, fatigue and hormonal imbalance.
Even after turning 30, some women have shiny, oily and acne-prone skin. But many are reluctant to resort to excessive drying out treatments usually employed for adolescents as they are worried that their skin may become dehydrated and its condition may worsen.

Clean and clear: Rigorous cleaning of the face will not help clear pimpl es but a suitable toner will help reduce exces s oil.

Weakened adult skin with imperfections, however, needs daily skincare that effectively fights against unsightly skin problems, as well as dehydration.
Rigorous cleaning of the face will not help clear pimples, says consultant dermatologist Dr Ting Hoon Chin. A suitable toner, on the other hand, will help reduce excess oil.
“A combined treatment can target more than one of the causes of acne including excess sebum. And as you clean, you need to hydrate the skin as well,” he adds.
He observes that some people cannot resist pinching their pimples. But note that this may cause the whiteheads to go deeper inside the pore and become inflammed, he says.

And while some believe that certain foods such as spice and chocolates can cause pimples and aggravate acne, Dr Ting says there are no actual studies that indicate what you eat can cause breakouts. Heavy and oily make-up, however, can make pimples worse.
Vichy Laboratoires believes that to reconstruct healthy skin, targeting imperfections is not enough. Healthy skin needs to be shine-free, well-hydrated so that the skin can regain its original luminosity and radiance.
The new Normaderm Tri-Activ Anti-Imperfection Hydrating Care by Vichy is said to be different from other moisturisers because it treats imperfections (pimples and clogged pores), mattifies and hydrates the skin.
It integrates three “peeling” active ingredients such as salicylic acid, glycolic acid and lipo hydroxy acid (LHA) to renew the epidermis layer for a healthy, flawless and luminous skin.
LHA works on the surface, and is a gentle exfoliating agent that optimises desquamation and cell renewal, thus preventing the accumulation of cells in the pores. At the pore level, salicylic acid encourages the removal of dead skin cells by loosening the cells accumulated in the sebum duct that obstructs and generates imperfections through clogged pores, resulting in smoother and softer skin. It also boasts anti-inflammatory properties.
Glycolic acid enables penetration deep down into the epidermis to exfoliate and stimulate cellular renewal.
To combat skin’s excess sebum production, silica absorbs and controls skin’s sebum production, while Vichy thermal spa water and glycerin keep the skin hydrated.
The moisturiser has a light, non-oily emulsion texture for fast and easy absorption, designed for all skin types including sensitive Asian skin. It is said to refine skin’s texture for a healthier skin within one month. After four weeks of application, it is claimed that 92% of women found their skin less oily while 73% felt that they had fewer imperfections.

Renaissance Laser and Vein Institute's FDA-Approved Pearl Laser Treatment Relieves the Appearance... -- LOS ANGELES, June 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Renaissance Laser and Vein Institute's FDA-Approved Pearl Laser Treatment Relieves the Appearance... --

LOS ANGELES, June 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Fine lines, wrinkles and discoloration can make a person look years older than they really are. Thanks to the latest in laser skin care treatment, turning back the clock and regaining youthful, healthy skin has never been easier. At leading Los Angeles laser treatment facility, Renaissance Laser and Vein Institute, the Pearl laser treatments have been de rigueur for treating the most stubborn skin care woes for years. Founded by top respected doctors and innovators in the field, the Renaissance Laser and Vein Institute in Encino is one of the first to champion use of the Pearl laser treatment for its patients. With its FDA approval, many more doctors will likely begin using the Pearl laser, but few have the experience and in-depth knowledge of how to best utilize its potential to create youthful, beautiful skin.
The first step to enjoying the amazing anti-aging benefits of the Pearl laser is to visit a leading clinic such as the Renaissance Laser and Vein Institute in Los Angeles for a consultation. Doctors will determine whether the Pearl laser treatment is a viable option for your skin care concerns via an examination and series of questions. The Pearl laser treatment has the power to dramatically improve a broad range of skin concerns including wrinkles, discoloration, and uneven skin texture. For patients whose primary concern is loose and sagging skin, the Titan laser is likely a better option, and is also available at the Renaissance Laser and Vein Institute. Treatments for laser hair removal in Encino are also a popular choice among Renaissance's clientele.
The Pearl Laser treatment is a unique hybrid between the older ablative laser technology, which is ideal for skin resurfacing and retexturizing, and the latest in non-ablative laser technology, which works deep beneath the skin's surface to create powerful, long lasting improvements in elasticity and wrinkle reduction. When combined into the Pearl laser, the results are dramatic for the patient, making younger skin easier to achieve than ever before. For laser hair removal in Thousand Oaks, as well as laser treatments that effectively cure other skin inconsistencies, the Renaissance Laser and Vein Institute is truly in a league of its own.
For more information about laser treatments, including varicose vein and laser hair removal in Los Angeles, at the Renaissance Laser and Vein Institute, please visit online at www.laserandveinclinic.com.
PR submitted by http://www.cyberset.com

End your stress, use anti aging products

End your stress, use anti aging products

Innovations of new and various products within the Anti aging products are at its peak since the invention of the initial product. If an individual visits the market searching for an anti aging product, you find out approximately ten different brands promising you to provide the desired results within days. As the procedure for aging has accelerated prior to time and so do the innovations of products that counter the whole process of aging.

To look for a product that offers the best results and most importantly the specified results is tough especially when you can see renowned brands offering promising results. The vast number of products available in the market causes it to be hard for an individual to decide what things to use and which product will prove to be breath taking for them leading to attaining a youthful complexion. Those who are completely unacquainted with the products or have witnessed failure of the product they bought, go for innovations which have solved perfectly for his or her siblings, friends or relatives. But, selecting an aging product according to other experience is not a suitable or a promising way to reach the desired results of looking young. Remember, items that work for others does not mean that they will are employed by all.

Skin nature differs from an individual from an individual and you’ve got to decide on a product that suits your type of skin texture. For this, you ll either need to experiment different products onto the skin after having great knowledge on such products, or you can consult your family doctor, more appropriate, a skin specialist to help you which product to use.

Product variety ranges from day-night skin creams to skin serums to drinking potions to Botox injections. Choosing between what things to use can best be based on a doctor. Remember, there are numerous companies with false attractive advertisements giving assurance with their product to be the very best one out of the market. Don t be fooled by such companies who aim simply to make profit. You have to realize that your skin layer is precious before you purchase any random product or a product that has showed extraordinary results on another person.

An alternative choice to all the artificial anti aging products are 100% natural creams comprised of natural herbs providing your skin layer with all of those vitamins which it have to stay young and healthy. Such 100% natural herbal products have no negative effects and tend to be suitable for all skin types. However, whether the technique is natural or artificial, it truly is to supply certain quantity of vitamins and proteins for the skin that assists it reach the young skin level.

Any anti aging product that guarantees significant results need to have to be able to provide primary protein to skin, collagen. Hence, the very basic part of interested in an anti aging product is searching for a cosmetic that provides high rate of collagen. If this very primary protein is offered, the next thing would be to search for vitamins which can be essential to the skin to appear younger. The easiest way to discover such vitamins is via a physician to get a appropiate product for best results.

Choosing an anti aging product is crucial; remember to not select a product which showed significant results on another person as all skins differ naturally. Above all make sure go with a product that provide large quantities to collagen and finally, don t be fooled through the high attractive advertisements via the companies, as these advertisements just aim for high sales and finally high profits.

Your Guide To Buying Safe Anti-Aging Products

Let`s face it! We all cannot boast of possessing `the face that launched a thousand ships` but we can certainly do all we can to keep our face looking as flawless as possible and keep the ravages of aging at bay with anti-aging products. Aging is a natural process but that does not mean that we should not take care of our skin. Modern medical science has worked wonders in all almost aspects of our lives and skin care and its accompanying products are not lagging behind.
In fact, so many anti-aging skin products flood the market that it becomes difficult to select the genuine from the fake. Certain manufacturers may not be above exploiting the desperation of most people to look as young as possible and all of the products need not necessarily be good. Results vary and while some may show tangible and positive results, others may cause havoc with your skin.
Even if we cannot turn back the clock we can still try and conceal the effects of aging with the help of anti-aging products. Since wrinkled, dull skin is the first sign of aging, the skin is the primary focus. Fine lines commonly appear near the eyes, on the forehead and lips and eventually turn into wrinkles. Two long nasal lines appearing on either side of the nose is also a sign of aging. The anti-aging products try and address these problems of the skin.
Skin which has become drier than normal and is unable to retain moisture from the usual creams and lotions requires more high-intensity moisturizing. Anti-aging skin care products concentrating on rejuvenating the skin which has lost its natural moisture leading to wrinkles and blemished skin contains a higher level of moisturizing properties than that found in normal lotions or creams. They may also contain anti-oxidants like Vitamins A, C, E and D which help counter the adverse affects of aging and contain the deterioration of the skin cells.
Many of these products contain specific ingredients to boost the production of collagen in the skin which is responsible for the skin`s elasticity and suppleness and gives it structure. Using a high-intensity moisturizing cream on very dry skin helps in allowing the skin to combat the moisture loss which is common with age.
Using exfoliating products on a regular basis also helps in keeping the skin look young as the process sloughs all dead skin cells from the surface and encourages the growth of newer cells. It also helps in increasing the blood flow to the skin which in turn results in better moisture retention and collagen production.
One should be very careful while choosing anti-aging products as those of inferior quality can seriously damage the skin. Both natural and chemical-based anti-aging products are available in the market and it depends upon the individual to decide which one to favor. Chemical-based products sometimes cause side-effects in certain users, especially those who may have pre-existing allergies. In such cases, it`s always better to consult a dermatologist first before trying out any and every product in the market. Natural products are free of adverse side-effects to a certain extent. But many unscrupulous manufacturers are exploiting the fad of natural products by calling even those products with chemicals in them `natural` products. So, one has to be careful and avoid randomly picking up these natural anti-aging products and to stick to reputed brands.
Lastly, remember, all the anti-aging products in the world will not give you that glow if you are not happy from within. So, live positively and nurture happy thoughts; that`s the best anti-aging remedy!

Sun's coming! Save your skin

by Jennifer Rothacker - May. 23, 2010 12:00 AM
McClatchy Newspapers

As the heat and sun settle in for summer, the calls to protect your skin from damaging rays intensify. But with so many choices of sunscreens, sunglasses, hats and even sun-protective clothing, it might seem easier to hide out in a dark closet.

Go ahead, break out the bathing suit. We have the skin-care basics from two experts in the field: doctors
Nancy Thomas, associate professor at the University of North Carolina's Department of Dermatology Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Kelly Nelson, assistant professor at Duke University Medical Center's Department of Dermatology.


Who needs protection?

Everybody, both doctors agree. The sun can damage your skin throughout your life, from immediate harm, such as sunburns, to longer-term effects, such as age spots and cancer. Although dark-skinned people are slightly less sensitive to the sun, they, too, can fall victim to its damaging rays. A tan means skin damage. Use a spray-on tanner to get your glow.

UVB, UVA, SPF?

UVB rays are ultraviolet rays that penetrate the upper layers of the skin. They cause the more immediate sunburn effect.

UVA rays penetrate deeper and contribute to aging the skin.

SPF is a measuring system for how long a product protects the skin against the sun.

What to use

Look for the words "Broad-spectrum sunscreen" or "protects against UVA and UVB rays." From there, you basically have two types of sunscreens to choose from: chemical-based and physical blockers.

Chemical-based sunscreens are plentiful, easy to put on and effective. There is concern about parabens, preservatives that some scientists feel may have estrogen-mimicking properties. For small children, it may be prudent to seek out paraben-free sunscreens. There are organic sunscreens, but reviews of those aren't overly positive.

Physical blockers include the ingredients zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which physically reflect the sun off your face. They have no problematic chemicals, but they can be more bulky to deal with.

SPF choices

The FDA recommends a 15 SPF or higher, but both doctors say to go with at least a 30, if not a 45. Higher is better, because most people put their sunscreen on too thinly, which makes a 30 SPF turn into something like a 10 SPF.

If you're going to be active and sweat a lot, or plan to be in the water, get a waterproof version.

Rules for using

The longtime rule still stands: about 2 ounces, or the equivalent of a shot glass. (Few of us actually accomplish this.)

If you're going to be active and get sweaty or wet, reapply about every two hours.

Put your sunscreen on about 20 minutes before going outside.

Antioxidants

The most popular antioxidants that are used for skin care products are the vitamins A, C and E.

Scientific tests have shown that they help to improve the condition of the skin and reduce additional damage occurring that causes the aging effect that we are seeking to eliminate.

The damage to the skin is caused by free radicals and antioxidants help to fight off these free radicals and thereby improve the condition of the skin.

Antioxidants are in no way harmful to the skin and not only can they protect the skin from damage but they have been to shown to actually reverse some of the damage that has already occurred to the skin of many people.

This has an anti aging effect and the publicity that has surrounded the discovery of this information has resulted in antioxidants being included in almost all skin care products to meet the demands of the consumer.

Sun damaged skin in particular has been shown to improve in condition when antioxidants have been applied directly to the affected area.

There are various different sources of antioxidants and some of the more popular ones are grape seed extract and green tea extract.

Grape seed extract has shown to reduce inflammation of the skin and in addition it helps to strengthen the capillary walls. It is a popular inclusion in many skin care products due to these properties.

Green tea on the other hand has shown to reduce the size of pre-cancerous skin lesions in various tests due to the active ingredient catechins.

With the use of these naturally occurring antioxidants the damage that is caused to the skin by the free radicals that degrade the collagen and elastin is reduced and the positive effect that they have in assisting the skin to renew damaged cells has the desired anti aging effect that people are looking for.

Human Growth Hormone

HGH is a hot topic and has been for quite some time as more and more people are looking for ways to retain or reclaim their youth.

There are many products on the market now that are catering to people who have read about the advantages that HGH can give them in their anti aging quest.

So what is HGH?

It stands for human growth hormone and is the hormone that is produced by the pituitary gland in the brain. This is the gland that is also responsible for the production of estrogen and testosterone.

HGH is important for healthy cell growth and for muscle building and bone development.
HGH, along with the liver and other tissues in the body stimulates the production of IGF-I which is insulin-like growth factor I.
Correct levels of HGH will help children to develop at an acceptable rate and when this isn't happening doctors will sometimes prescribe HGH supplements to make up for the deficit.

It has often been used by sportspeople and particularly bodybuilders seeking additional muscles mass.

After the age of 30 or so the production of HGH peaks and the ability for the body to maintain the same levels of healthy cell growth diminishes.
This reduction in the supply of HGH affects many areas of the body's development and as a result the aging process begins to increase with various factors being affected.

Hair loss becomes more prevalent and nails and bones become more brittle.
The skin begins to become thinner and loses its elasticity which causes it to become loose.

Muscle mass is harder to maintain and begins to decrease and along with the reduction in muscle mass there is a tendency to store more fat.

These are all areas of aging that we want to stop and the more we can lessen the effect that this drop in Human Growth Hormone production can have on the body the younger we will look for longer.

Obviously people have looked towards Human Growth Hormone therapy as a way to reduce the symptoms that are inevitable.

The general procedure is for HGH to be injected beneath the skin. Another option is to ingest HGH releasers that help the body to produce more of its own HGH by combining with amino acids and vitamins.

Many people now market natural products that are available at reasonable rates that are designed to assist the body in creating more of its own HGH.

Simply Stay Younger

Simply Stay Younger

It's not all that hard to live longer if you follow the simple steps that are required.

It seems obvious but the majority of people will never do what is required to live longer.

By simply staying hydrated every day, drinking sufficient water so you never feel thirsty you can add years to your life with better health and reduce chance of illness and disease.

By simply exercising a few times a week moderately and on a regular basis you can also add many years to your life.

You can add years to your life by choosing to eat the correct foods and getting in the habit of having a good diet more often than not.

By having a relaxed and happy lifestyle you can also add years to your life.

These are all simple things that you should make as lifestyle choices that will not only help you to live longer but they will also help you to enjoy your life more along the way with increased energy and all the potential for success that it brings with it.

Generally people who are more positive will not only enjoy a longer and happier life but they will be more successful at what they do. This will help them to become more financially secure too which will also help to maintain a higher standard of health.

Even small changes in any of the areas mentioned above can help to make other changes more easily and the effect that these small changes will have over the course of a lifetime can bring big benefits in your later years.

By making a decision to change one small aspect of your life today you will be on the way to a longer and more fruitful life. Once you get the process in motion there will be no stopping you.

Benefits of Plastic Surgery

Benefits of Plastic Surgery

For most people plastic surgery won't be an option in their anti aging quest.

For those who want to live longer they might not see any benefits in plastic surgery simply because it appears to be only a change of the external picture of the person.

It's true that changes that will affect your inner self will have a greater affect on your ability to live longer than an external makeover whether in the form of plastic surgery or more simply by less intrusive forms of 'upgrade' such as makeup, hair color and styling and so on.

One thing that many people don't seem to understand is the fact that plastic surgery can also have a huge impact on the inner self.

Plastic surgery can give a person newfound confidence with the way they look. It can be enough to inspire them onto greater goals where they decide to make lifestyle changes that will help them to live longer.

It can remove the stress and anxiety than can be associated with having to live with a part of yourself that you aren't happy with.

Anything that can make a person feel and act more positively, provided it doesn't harm their health in any way can also have a positive effect on their lifespan.

Fortunately with the major progress that has been made over the years with plastic surgery you can expect better results and the techniques that are used allow for less time for recover and more options to get what you desire.

A lot of this surgery is more affordable and even though it shouldn't be of any concern what other people think, plastic surgery is more acceptable with the general public as a greater proportion of people are getting plastic surgery now than ever before.

If you have done your research and know what you want then provided you get a good surgeon it can do wonders for you in many different ways.

Restrict Your Calories

Restrict Your Calories

There is no doubt about the fact that far too many people eat far too much food.

The statistics on obesity and diabetes confirm that but a walk in public will soon make you aware of the fact that there are many people who are overweight and the consequence of that is a reduction in their lifespan.

Most people eat too much, even those who think they have a reasonable diet. By reducing our food intake many factors change that will help to increase life expectancy.

Imagine the reduction in the workload of the digestive system if we ate 40% less food which just happens to be the figure that has been determined as the excess food consumed by the average person in the western world.

Other body parts would also have less work to do including the liver, and the arteries would become less clogged allowing the heart to do less work.

We would age slower as every part of the body would be functioning more easily and the net effect of that would be an extension of life.

Tests in laboratories with rats and other animals have shown tremendous improvements in many areas of their health, energy and memory when they have been fed a diet with restricted calories.

These signs of aging such as energy and memory loss can all be improved just as they were for the laboratory animals with changes to our diet.

Even small changes can have a large effect over time.

Replacing foods that are high in calories, such as anything containing sugar, or foods that are full of fat such as fried food and takeaways, with more nutritious foods will not only lower your calorie intake but will be more satisfying where you won't feel hungry as often and that will help to stop the habit of overeating.

Dump the Baggage

Dump the Baggage

Imagine carting a big bundle of baggage around with you day and night for the rest of your life when there is nothing worthwhile in it and you have the choice to leave it on the sidewalk at any time and move on without it.

Consider the benefits to your health if you didn't have to cart that 'weight' around all the time. You wouldn't be so tired would you?

Throughout the world a big portion of the people have the burden of unwanted baggage that they just can't seem to offload.

It is unfortunate because by hanging on to that baggage they are not only shortening their life but they are not enjoying the life they have nearly as much as they could.

Emotional turmoil is very destructive for your health; for your mental health and for your physical well-being.

If you want to live a long time and enjoy the journey then you need to travel light and emotional baggage always weighs heavy on those who choose to keep it.

Do you want to look back when you are old and think of how stupid you were to waste all that mind time on something that never had a solution? Something that didn't matter anyway?

How will you feel if you realize that you could have had another number of years of fulfilling life if you had dumped the baggage way back then?

If you are currently hanging on to any baggage then today is the day to get rid of it and move on. If you can't do that without help - then get some help as soon as you can.

You will live healthier. You will live happier. You will live longer.

What could be better than turning a negative into something positive where you decided today that baggage was the reason why you decided to make the changes that will help you to make the most of the life that you are about to extend for more years than you were heading?

Action for Health

Action for Health

There can be no improvement in your health and no expectation of living to 100 if you don't take action.

You know that eating the right food will make you healthier and if you are healthier you will be less inclined to succumb to illness and disease.

You know that you will be more likely to live longer if you don't become ill or diseased.

You know that smoking makes you ill and for many people it is an early death sentence. You know that the sun can cause skin cancer and skin cancer can result in death.

We all know many things that we intend to do something about but more often than not, after the initial inspiration to improve our lives or increase the length of our life we fall back into the same old habits where we eat the wrong food, go without sufficient water from one day to the next even though we know we are feeling lethargic most of the time, smoke cigarettes, get too little sleep or eat too much food and many other vices that we know are wrong.

So what does it take to get started in the right direction and make the changes that can totally transform your life? Action - that's all you need. Just a little action to get started doing one thing that will take you in the right direction to better health and a longer life.

Once the initial step has been taken and you begin on that path more positive steps will follow.

Where you are today is a direct result of your beliefs and actions. If you change your beliefs and take action you can change your life.

The action that needs to be taken is often so small that there is no pain - you won't feel that you are missing out on anything and the upside of this is there are so many more things in life that you WILL be able to enjoy with better health.

Take action today and feel pleased that you did when you look back in the distant future.

The Air that We Breathe

The Air that We Breathe

The quality of the air that you breathe will affect your health and in doing so have a direct bearing on your lifespan.

Everyone knows of the damage that cigarette smoking can do to a person's health and similarly by breathing in the second hand smoke from other smokers.

If you are a smoker then quitting smoking will help to reduce the damage that has already been done from the smoking and will certainly help to extend your life. If you are living or working in an environment where there are other people smoking then you need to decide what you can do to ensure that you are breathing fresh air all the time.

You should do all you can to encourage other members of the household to quit smoking or if not make them smoke outside so they aren't polluting your living space and effectively reducing your life.

If you are working in an environment where there are pollutants in the air then you should consider looking for a different job that won't kill you as one that has bad air will do.

Even living in or near to major cities will probably mean that you will be breathing air that is full of pollutants for much of your life and a change to a location where there is no pollution will do wonders for your health as well as helping you to live longer.

If some of these suggestions aren't possible at the present then you will have to make the most of your current situation until you can make changes and you should at least get out and about in the weekends to places that are more environmentally friendly where you can breathe some fresh air and restore a little health to your body.

Walking, exercising or just sitting amongst trees will help to improve your well-being and the more you can do that the better.

Sugar Your Life Away

Sugar Your Life Away

Sugar is one of the biggest causes of ageing.

It is the problems that the consumption of sugar causes that are shortening the life expectancy of a vast number of people in the Western world.

Excessive sugar consumption causes insulin resistance which in turn causes diabetes. Diabetes, apart from having a restricting affect on a person's lifestyle can also reduce life expectancy and bring with it many other health problems such as loss of eyesight, heart disease and arterial problems amongst other things.

Obviously these problems are going to reduce life expectancy so the need to reduce the consumption of refined sugars that are found in low value foods such as breads, cakes, biscuits, sweets and other such products is necessary.

When you consume excessive amounts of sugar the body stores the extra as fat and the weight gain that this causes places more demands on the organs of the body.

Many products are labeled as sugar free but they contain sweeteners such as aspartame, saccharin and sucralose and these ingredients when included in any of the products you buy will still cause problems with the burden they will place on the liver thereby accelerating the aging process.

Another problem that sugar causes due to the process whereby the glucose binds to other proteins rendering them less flexible is with the wrinkling of the skin. Yes, most people don't realize that sugar consumption will make their skin wrinkle faster as the process of glycosylation affects the collagen. Not only will it affect the collagen in the skin, it will also affect anywhere else in the body where there is collagen and that includes the arteries, lungs and tendons.

The affect that it has by making the arteries less flexible is increased hypertension and all of the problems that are associated with that health problem.

Caring for your Skin

Caring for your Skin

Exfoliating your skin will remove the dead skin cells that get blocked in the pores. These dead cells can often fool people into believing that their skin is dry and will give a dry appearance if they aren't removed.

Once the skin has been exfoliated and a good moisturizer applied the complexion will look alive and give the skin a refreshed look that will help you to look younger.

Finding the correct exfoliating products and moisturizers can take some time until you find ones that are compatible with your skin type.

Get advice from people who understand the various requirements of the different skin types and then test small samples of these products to see how they react with your skin. If you have sensitive skin then you will need to be particularly careful with the products that you choose.

Once you find products that are suitable and use them on a daily basis you will find that the condition of your skin can improve quite considerably and this will make you look healthier and younger.

Regular skin treatment will also help to keep your skin in top condition for a lot longer so you will tend to age slower than you would if you didn't use these products regularly.

The sooner you start using good face care products the better your skin will cope with the environment and that will auger well for your future youthful appearance. Consider skin care products as your insurance against the ravages of time and they are one of the best investments that you can make aside from maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

By caring for your skin when you are younger you will save a lot of money on more expensive treatments to repair damage and aging later in life and there is nothing better than care and maintenance to ward off the signs of old age.

Enjoying Life

Enjoying Life

Some people get all too concerned about aging and some to the extent that it becomes and obsession.

What is the net result of this? Well you might look a little younger but you still need to enjoy life along the way.

Most of the ways that you can use to make yourself look younger such as stopping smoking, or limiting your exposure to the sun, or fitness training and maintaining good health and nutrition will not only make you look better but they will also make you feel better and get more out of life.

Your energy levels should increase and you will have more time to do more of the things that you like.

You should enjoy your life all the more while looking better as an added bonus. If you do anything other than in moderation then you will negate the positive effects that are available to you.

Even over training can make you look older and leave you susceptible to injury.

Finding a balance in all that you do will keep you young in mind and body and that is why yoga is so effective at helping you to stay young.

I recall reading a book on a husband and wife team who focused their life on longevity. This book detailed all that they did with their extreme exercise and nutritional regime. While their steps might (or might not) add to their life expectancy they certainly didn't look very young for their age. In fact their 'extreme' lifestyle made them look considerably older than the average person of the same age so it just goes to show you that more is not always better when it comes to anti aging programs.

Enjoyment and happiness will show on your face and the more you smile the more beautiful you will become, and besides, smiling does wonders for your face muscles.

Healthy Eating

Healthy Eating

You've often heard the saying 'you are what you eat' and there is a lot of truth in that statement.

The choices of foods that you eat will go a long way in determining the condition of your body and skin and naturally this will reflect on your appearance and the age others assume you to be.

You can't hope to look young and healthy if you live on a diet of burgers, fries and soda drinks. Your skin will be lacking the essential nutrients that are necessary for it to look in top condition.

You will probably be overweight and while there are many (far too many) young people who are overweight it is a state that many people associate with aging.

The condition of your skin is affected by the food and drink that you consume and it is essential that you get all the necessary nutrients required and in the correct balance to maintain optimum health. If there are any aspects of this lacking in your diet then the imbalance can affect your skin making it appear lifeless and dry. A lack of essential elements in your diet can also cause blotches and discoloration on your skin and that is something that many people experience with aging so it will also make you look aged.

Your skin will lose its elasticity and will begin to sag sooner than necessary and this in turn will make you look older than you should.

A lack of the correct nutrition will also affect the condition of your hair and nails. Your hair will go gray sooner and that will make you look older unless you have it colored and your nails will become brittle and be harder to maintain in good healthy condition.

What goes on inside your body is shown to the entire world on the outside so you had better watch your nutrition if you want to look younger for longer.

The Power of the Mind

The Power of the Mind

Studies by Scientists at Yale University in America have shown that one of the most powerful methods of increasing your life expectancy is through the power of your mind.

Simple by thinking positively you can add years to your life expectancy. How many years?

Well surprisingly enough they have determined that you can add up to eight years to your life due to the fact that you will be happier, have a more fulfilling life and make better choices throughout your life due to your positive attitude. We are often taught that you will get what you expect and people with a positive attitude tend to think they will live longer and in fact they actually do.

It has also been proven that the stress caused by negative attitudes that result in constant or long term worry will reduce your life expectancy. When you consider the benefits of worry, or lack thereof, you will wonder why we ever worry in the first place. 90% of what you worry about will never come to fruition and most of the other 10% you can't do anything about anyway so you should look at your attitude honestly and make a concerted effort to let matters 'float on by' without causing you to worry and you will live longer by doing so.

Meditation is an excellent method of helping you to break the bad habit of worry and also for reducing other forms of stress.

Add as much fun and laughter to your life as this will also help to enhance your immune system thereby slowing down the aging process.

Laughter helps to release pain relieving and muscle relaxing endorphins and that reduces the amount of stress hormones cortisol and adrenalin in the body. Anything that you can do to reduce or eliminate stress will help you to live longer.

Even refraining from watching the news on television or reading about it in the newspapers or on the Internet can help you to live longer because much of the news that we hear everyday is negative. A study was done on newsreaders that showed they died younger than comparable people who were in alternate professions and it was suggested that the cause of this was the fact they were constantly reading negative news reports on a daily basis.

Be positive and live longer and the best way to start is by laughing and smiling right now and understanding that whatever you are currently worrying about right now can't be changed by simply worrying.

Resistance Training

Resistance Training

Resistance training is the best form of exercise you can do for the anti aging process.

Contrary to what many people mistakenly believe resistance training is suitable for people of all ages. Even elderly people can get a lot of benefit from resistance training although as expected they will be using a lot less resistance than their younger counterparts.

Resistance training helps to increase muscle mass. Women often show concern when this is mentioned fearing that they will look like the female equivalent of Arnold Schwazzenegger but there is no fear of that happening. The average women will never be able to add bulk muscle without extreme weight lifting and considerable supplementation of specific muscle building products. The women who compete in the professional bodybuilding competitions use steroids to get their extreme muscles mass.

The amount of muscle mass that the average women will gain from resistance training will be sufficient to tone the body and reduce the percentage of fat in the body that will benefit overall health and give a more youthful appearance.

Men will be able to gain more muscle mass and they will also benefit from the fat loss associated with more muscles but they too have no fear of gaining excess muscle.

When working out with weights and other resistance training machines all the muscles of the face are also constantly being tensed and relaxed and this helps to tone and lift the muscles of the face having the effect of a mild face lift. Obviously this will have an anti aging effect as the face 'lifts' and looks more youthful.

Energy levels will also build over time as the effects of the resistance training exercises help to improve the functioning of the body and the skin will also look better and 'younger' as the exercise stimulates blood flow and improves circulation to the skin.