Archive for April, 2009

Anti-aging Skin Care

Wednesday, April 29th, 2009
Daphne Succes asked:


As each day passes, we age and so does our skin. When it comes to the visible signs of aging, we all look for ways to hide them with the use of anti-aging skin care products. Although we cannot permanently erase them, we can certainly minimize the fine lines and wrinkles that are a very common occurrence with age.

Age is inevitable, but there are ways to effectively combat the early and visible signs when it comes to our skin. One such way is to avoid excessive exposure to the sun, which often results in premature aging. In addition, tanning beds can also promote early aging signs and some even believe that they may be more harmful than the sun itself. Rather than soaking up the rays from the sun or a tanning bed just to get a hint of color on your skin, many experts recommend self-tanning lotions for a healthy glow without exposing your skin to potential damage.

In addition to prescription skin care products, a number of over-the-counter products are available. One of the most popular, Oil of Olay, offers an entire product line for aging skin and is commonly found at both retail and specialty beauty shops. When shopping for any type of skin care product, it’s important to take notice of some important factors that may help you to make a more informed decision as to which regimen will be the most effective for your situation. What, if any, potential side effects do the product carry? How long has the company been in business and what is their reputation? How long will it take for a particular product to show results? Does the company offer a guarantee? These are all common questions that require very important answers.

Primarily designed for the face and neck, anti-aging skin care products are also available for treating other areas, including hands that are bothered with age spots. Regardless of the skin surface to be cared for, it is a good idea to apply the product to a small test area prior to moving forward with the entire treatment. This will ensure that the product is not irritating to the skin, which is rare but often possible with any type of skin care product. If a reaction does occur on the small test area, wash the product off immediately and discontinue use. If there are no signs of irritation, the product should then be applied according to the manufacturer’s directions. It’s important to perform this test prior to each use and even if the product has been used previously.

The information in this article is to be used for reference purposes only. It should not be used as, in place of or in conjunction with professional medical advice regarding the use of anti-aging skin care products. Prior to beginning any type of skin care regimen, you should consult with a dermatologist and/or licensed physician for more information and/or a recommended plan of treatment.



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Body Beautiful

Sunday, April 26th, 2009
Robert Baird asked:


Body Beautiful

To keep your body skin soft and healthy, you need to give it attentive care. If you have dry skin or any skin type during wintertime-practice the following routine. Bathe only once a day and limit showers and baths to five minutes. Use lukewarm water and minimize the amount of soap you apply. Olay complete Moisturizing Body Wash contains petroleum and is good for very dry skin. Concentrate the lather under the arms and in the groin area. Don’t forget to wash the soles of your feet, between the toes, and your ears. If you have sensitive skin, avoid cleansers with fragrances and skip the loofah or any other abrasive sponge. Keep a pumice stone handy and use on the feet daily or weekly depending on the condition of your feet. When you come out of the bath or shower, only pat your skin dry. Apply a moisturizer, such as Avon Moisture Therapy Body Lotion, Eucerin Plus Lotion, or Arnlactin Lotion, to damp skin to trap moisture in the skin.

In summertime or if you have oily to normal body skin-feel free to take lengthier showers or increase the temperature. You can also shower or bathe two times a day. Loofah sponges are acceptable for exfoliation, but be careful not to make the skin raw or irritated.

If you are a plus-size woman, don’t forget to lift your ******* and any abdominal folds and wash underneath. Also, lift each arm to wash armpits and one leg to cleanse the groin area. Pat your entire body dry with a towel and sprinkle the body folds with an absorbent powder like Zeasorb AF, which has antifungal properties.

If you have darkened areas on your neck and under the arms (acanthosis nigricans), dark elbows or knees, or small rough bumps on the arms and legs (keratosis pilaris), do not attempt to scrub the problem away. You’ll only irritate the skin. If, however, you notice peeling skin on your towel, you may need to exfoliate manually (using a loofa) or chemically (using exfoliating acids). The following cleansers for the body offer a variety of options for women in color: Olay or Dove Bar Soap, Avon’s Bath Gels, Olay Cleanser for Dry Skin, and Dove Cleanser.

The cotton gloves provide a barrier between your hands and the rubber gloves, which contain ingredients that can trigger an allergic reaction. Cotton gloves also absorb perspiration, preventing irritation and rashes. Try to avoid wearing latex or vinyl gloves for long periods of time and never wear them overnight. Carry a rich hand cream (Neutrogena Hand Cream or Avon Hand Cream) in your purse and apply it many times throughout the day, especially in cold weather. Be sure to wear cold-weather gloves throughout the winter to avoid dry, cracked hands. If you develop cracks in your fingers, apply a glob of Vaseline to the area several times a day. If they do not heal after a few days, then see your dermatologist for medicated ointments.



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A Look at Some of the Characteristics of Finger Tip Eczema

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009
Muna wa Wanjiru asked:


Eczema also known as atopic dermatitis is a common skin disorder. People with dry and sensitive skin are more allergic to this disorder. Coin sized red watery patches are formed on the skin. These rashes can be prominent on the hands but can spread on the other parts of the body also. It can also restrict its spread on the fingertips, which is called fingertip eczema. Adults and the children can suffer from this disease regardless of the age and the gender. The eczema in the infants and the babies can get cured with the growing age.

Eczema is not a contagious disorder and can be cured by taking care of the skin. Keeping the skin lubricated is essential for the people who are suffering from eczema. Finger tip eczema, as the name says, is an eczema in which the tips of the fingers get affected. There is a feeling of numbness on the tips of the fingers. Stiffness in the fingers is the prime symptom of this disorder. You cannot bend or move this finger as the stiffness is accompanied by pain and burning sensation. Cracking of the fingertips is prevalent in such cases.

However, as the fingertip eczema begins to heal there is a tingling sensation in the affected areas. After a few days’s the skin start to peel off. The peeling of the skin continues until the whole portion is peeled off, thus giving a fresh and a new look to that finger. This cycle may reappear after few months but on a different finger of the same hand. There is no specific cure to this disorder but can be certainly controlled by taking preventive measures.

Using the soaps only when necessary can help prevent the irritation to the affected skin. Wipe the hands dry with a clean towel after washing them. If you are required to frequently, put your hands in water use plastic or vinyl gloves. Wearing a pair cotton gloves inside the plastic gloves will keep the sweat off the palms while working. Take regular gaps in between your work to remove the gloves to avoid the sweat to get accumulated on the palms. Gloves will protect the hands from extreme climatic changes and will prevent them from drying.

Things that can elevate the eczema should be avoided. Use mild soaps like Oil of Olay, Dove etc to calm the irritated skin. Take bath once a day, as bathing may wash away the essentials oils of the skin. Maintain the level of the temperatures of the house, cars and the work place as extreme climates may irritate the skin. Avoid the use of harsh chemical detergents for the laundry purposes. Sensitive skin is allergic to the synthetic fabrics; use natural fabrics like cotton that give a soft feeling to the skin. Pat the skin dry, with a soft towel, instead of rubbing it that might make the skin flaky. Gently massage the skin with the moisturizers as frequently as possible to retain the moisture of the skin. Taking care of the skin with small changes in the lifestyle will help eliminating the disorder.



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What is a business idea worth?

Saturday, April 18th, 2009
Jaime Brugueras asked:


Businesses have been using online surveys for a while now to measure customer satisfaction and conduct market research. They know that success in business always involves listening to customers. But a few forward-thinking businesses have taken this listening process one step further. They are using online systems to solicit product ideas from both their customers and their staff.

A Different Kind of Questions

Most online surveys ask customers to evaluate a product or service. For example, a hotel might ask, “How would you rate our check-in process in terms of convenience?” A survey intended to solicit news ideas might ask a different kind of question, for example, “How can we improve our check-in process?”

Questions like these are bound to produce many useless answers. Some will be impractical, and some will be just plain silly. But for every hundred unusable responses there might be one or two that could lead to worthwhile new products or improved services.

P&G Asks Customers for Ideas

Procter & Gamble, the world’s largest consumer goods company, takes this approach to customer surveys seriously. P&G has created an online program called Connect + Develop that allows customers and other interested parties to submit ideas about anything related to their business — packaging, design, marketing, engineering, etc.

Businesses take part in the program in hopes of partnering with P&G. Individuals take part because they would like to see new products or because they would like to have a chance to influence a corporate giant. Connect + Develop has generated an impressive variety of product ideas, from new ways to apply Olay skin cream to new shapes for Pringles snack foods (sticks rather than chips).

P&G says that external collaboration plays a key role in nearly 50 percent of its products. A.G. Lafely, chairman and CEO, states, “Our vision is simple. We want P&G to be known as the company that collaborates — inside and out — better than any other company in the world.”

Using Social Media to Solicit Ideas

This interest in asking customers for ideas fits nicely with the growing popularity of social networking sites such as Facebook. When a company creates a page on Facebook, people who are interested in the company’s products become “fans” rather than just customers. The idea behind this distinction is that fans feel a special affinity for a company and its products. They think of themselves almost as partners. This type of relationship makes it more likely that people will feel free to offer suggestions and other comments. And Facebook makes it easy for “fans” and businesses to interact.

But a company does not need to use a social networking site to let customers know that is open to new ideas and eager to receive them. An online portal such as P&G’s Connect + Develop can foster the sort of collaborative spirit that will lead people to think of themselves as partners in the process of innovation. Putting a Dollar Value on Ideas

A new idea many sound promising, but will it actually lead to increased profits? That is the calculation that business managers have to make. In the case of a new product, this calculation can be fairly straightforward. A manager has to estimate two things: what it will cost to implement the innovation and how much the innovation will yield in new sales. If the expected benefits outweigh the costs significantly, a manager will probably give the innovation a green light, then monitor costs and sales figures to see if things turn out as expected.

What about an idea that is expected to increase customer loyalty? The value of such an idea can be easier to estimate than you might think. For example, a medical organization discovered through an online survey that doctors wanted an online portal where they could ask questions and help other physicians. The organization implemented this idea, and it proved to be a huge success. After the portal was launched, member renewal rates increased by ten percent. Each new member brings an average revenue of $1,000 per year. With about 100,000 new members each year, it is reasonable to say that this idea has a value of $100,000.

Marketing strategists have come up with formulas that attempt to place an accurate value on customer loyalty. One interesting approach is to measure the “Lifetime Value of a Customer”. This approach uses revenue and cost figures to calculate the average profit per customer per year. If, for example, the average profit per customer is $36, then an idea that improves customer retention by 1,000 customers a year generates gross profits of $36,000. If the idea cost $10,000 to implement, then it produced net profits of $26,000. The same kind of calculation can be done for ideas that attract new customers.

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The Latest Anti-Aging Treatments

Friday, April 17th, 2009
after glow asked:






The anti-aging treatment market is an enormous one, and there is always a great deal of research going on, in hopes of finding new and better ways to abolish wrinkles.  Below are some of the newest and best anti-aging treatments.

Some of the typical signs of aging include nasal ****** folds, feather wrinkles and thinner lips. Fortunately, there is something new that can help to treat these.  Hylaform is a new FDA-approved fiber that plumps the skin.  It can be injected to add fullness back to areas that have wrinkled and folded with age.

Another promising new procedure is fat transfer.  Fat is taken from a part of your body where you don’t want it, and injected into areas of the face where it’s needed.  It’s used to bolster sagging areas and highlight bone structure.  It has been shown to be particularly effective for sagging skin, which is great news for those who thought that surgical lifting was the only way to remedy this.  As it turns out, fat transfer actually causes the injected area to lift.

If you do find you need a face-lift, there is a new procedure for this as well.  It’s called a thread lift, and it’s a non-invasive procedure whereby tiny threads are inserted under the skin and attached to ****** tissue.  During the procedure, the strings are stretched, pulling the skin.  It’s a great alternative for those who aren’t sure they want to go as far as a face lift.  If you have a little looseness in the neck, or have some jowling, you could be an ideal candidate for this procedure. Another advantage is that the threads stay under the skin, and can easily be tightened up later as the skin ages further natural makeup.

If you wish to take the non-surgical route, anti-aging creams are constantly evolving, due to ongoing research.  While most doctors agree that creams won’t bring quite the same results as more invasive procedures, they can still provide plenty of benefits.  The most effective creams boost the skin’s collagen production.  This works through a topical application by combining peptides with a fatty acid. Some popular examples are Olay Regenerist and Strivectin-SD.

These types of creams go beyond just collagen production however.  They are also packed with vitamins and herbs that have anti-aging properties.  Some creams were originally developed to combat stretch marks and it was found that the same collagen-producing properties that helped eliminate stretch marks could help create younger-looking skin as well.

Yet another type of cream, “Wrinkle Relax” appears to mimic the effects of a Botox and collagen injection simultaneously.  Botox works by destroying a protein that causes a neurotransmitter to release, diffusing tension that would otherwise cause a wrinkle to form.  A compound known as argireline, found in wrinkle relax, mimics this action. It doesn’t actually destroy the protein, but keeps it from connecting to the cell and creating the muscle contraction.

Even though doctors can’t agree on how effective these creams are, there are several studies under way that will hopefully provide a measure of their effectiveness, so you will have more information to help you decide which ones might be best for you.

http://www.afterglowcosmetics.com/



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Ageing | Anti Ageing Products | Get Rid of Wrinkles

Wednesday, April 15th, 2009
Alien asked:


Anti Ageing Products And Wrinkles

Ageing process is speeding up nowadays, particularly as the dead set against nature progress, developing harmful chemicals that harm our skin.

Arbonne

Arbonne is one of the anti ageing products that would be uncertain of purchasing, because it costs around $265. According to one critic, it was excellent and reduced wrinkles about the mouth region in a few days, and improved crowfeet, the price is outrageous according to few.

One woman claimed the product had a reverse effect. The product actually comes in a kit, which includes cleansers, toners, serum, night and day creams. The woman claimed she tried Oil of Olay products, which did nothing for her wrinkles and lines.

One critic on the same anti ageing products claim endured an adverse effect, and wasn’t sure of any advantages. The person claims you can label the product a Swindle, since it did nothing to minimize the wrinkles. The product obviously is expensive.

Apparently, the company that sells the product practically begs their clients to start their own hosting parties. Thus, the majorities of reviewers therefore have links to the site where the product is sold; therefore carry on with caution when comparing this anti ageing product.

One person managed to purchase some of Arbonnes products for around $40, yet she claim no obvious results came from its use, however it was a nice product for moisturizing the skin, however the pricing should be cheaper to make her buy again.

To help you decide about this anti ageing product, we can review the ingredients in the product together. You can get a call from a consultant on the anti ageing product, receiving a free kit to try, and a 45-day guarantee.

The anti ageing product has natural ingredients can the kits are customized to suit your skin type. It seems there are a variety of products available and specialist similar to Avon and Mary Kay consultants sell the products.

Arecoll

One person spent $500 on Arecoll, which is undeviating Injection filler that minimizes skin wrinkles. As for side effects, since it hasn’t been tested that extensively at this time there are no guarantees. The person used the anti ageing product to curve the lips, since ageing causes the lip area to shrink.

However, the product produced results for a short time, and seems to wear off later. Thus, the anti ageing product may be best for wrinkles, particularly deep wrinkles verses improving the thinness of the lips.

Aubrey Organic Lumessence

One of the anti ageing products available today is Aubrey Organic Lumessence. According to one critic the product gave satisfactory benefits, since it moisturizes the skin.

The product jar apparently is small, and costs around $23. This anti ageing product works to remove lines around the ****** area, including wrinkles supposedly. According to one critic, this non-greasy solution does nothing to minimize wrinkles.

However, it will moisturize the skin. The pumping dispenser is idea since it helps to minimize germs. The ingredients include of this anti ageing product include

* Rose MOSQUETA

* Vitamin A

* Vitamin C

* Primrose

* Vitamin E

* Oat Proteins and so on

Thus, the only advantage it appears is that it is a good moisturizer, but who wants to pay $23 for a moisturizer, particularly when you can purchase cheaper products that do the same thing.

Rosa Mosqueta

Rosa Mosqueta according to few sources is an EFA or fatty acid that helps to keep the skin looking healthy and young. The ingredient comes from “wild rose” bushes, and the Southern America people according to the reports used the Rosa Mosqueta Oils to prevent dryness of skin, reduce untimely ageing signs, fade blotches, including pigmentation spotting, acne scarring, stretch marks, and spots caused from the sun.

The ingredient apparently works wonders to treat burns and scar tissue, while improving quality of skin, texture and coloration. It greatly help to minimize stretch marks.



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What Are the Essential Last Minute Skin Care Products You Need to Have

Wednesday, April 8th, 2009
Julia Elorriaga asked:


Men and women nowadays are more knowledgeable and careful in choosing the best skin care products for them. They have been well-informed by the help of media, the television and the internet as well.

We have been very conscious of how we look and how healthy our skin is. Before, only women are considered vain but time made men somewhat conscious of their skin and how they present themselves in front of other people. Men are more fortunate over women in terms of their skin. Men’s skin is at least 20% thicker than that of women’s (technically speaking). They enjoy the benefit of getting fewer wrinkles than women, that’s why men tend to look younger through the years more than women do. Today, there had been more and more skin care products specifically made for men. Some men think that skin care is a girl thing though. On the other hand, men should be equally aware of how their care for their skin as women.

Attention, all men out there or women who cares for their men: here are some must-haves for men for a better and healthier skin:

1. Use Sunscreen. Exposure to the sun certainly is healthy but an overdose of which may cause burns, early aging and even cancer. An ample amount of sunscreen before you go out would do the job.

2. Cleansers. Keeping the skin clean, dead skin-free and free of oil also makes your skin free from acne and irritations. For men with oily and sensitive skin, special cleansers may be needed, although most men opt for the simple soap.

3. Retinoid. Using retinoid helps keep your pores unclogged and it may even help out with skin aged by excessive sun exposure.

4. Use Razors. Razors nowadays have 3 or more blades which when used shave away all the dead skin cells from your face. For some though, these razors may cause ingrown hair which is unsightly on your face. In this case, use of electric shavers may be considered.

5. Aftershave. Use of aftershave is essential to men. The best aftershave is the one that has no alcohol content as it dries off your skin. Choose those with disinfectants and moisturizers to keep skin soft and smooth and prevent you from having blackheads or ingrown hair.

For women, there are a lot of products to choose from, considering everything from price range to the effectiveness of the product. Here are some suggestions which you might want to consider:

Face Cleansers. Cetaphil is one product most dermatologists recommend because it has no harmful chemicals, fragrance that irritates the skin. If you are looking for something with shea butter, try Clarins Gentle Foaming Cleanser. It leaves your skin clean and moisturized. For oily skin, Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash is for you as this is soap and oil-free. You may also try Clinique Wash-Away Gel Cleanser and Lancôme Clarifiance Oil-Free Gel Cleanser. I you have normal to combination skin; try Dove Essential Nutrients Self-Foaming Cleanser. It combats oil and removes dead skin cells. For aromatherapy lovers; Bloom ****** Cleaners is for you. It has the scent of lavender and grapefruit oils. For sensitive skin; on a tight budget; Avon Clear Skin Foaming Cleanser is best or the Aveda All-Sensitive Cleanser. Blemished skin? Neutrogena Pore-Refining Cleanser is for you, it does not dry your skin. If budget is not a problem, try Murad Acne Kit. It has a cleanser, a pore-cleansing gel, an exfoliating lotion and a spot treatment.

Moisturizers. Moisturizers when applied should feel smooth, smell and feel good. It should not be irritating and you should not feel any burning sensation when applied. If you have dry skin, look for the presence of glycerin, dimethicone and hyaluronic acid in your moisturizer. Dove Sensitive Essential Day Lotion is very light and is free from dyes and fragrances. For those who want natural ingredients, try Lancôme Absolute Night Treatment. It contains sea algae, soy and wild yam extract. Crème de la Mer is the best in this category. If you have oily skin, look for a moisturizer that is oil-free not non-pore clogging. Some products in this category include: Olay Complete All Day Moisture Lotion UV Defense Combination/Oily, Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisturizer SPF 15, and Lorac Oil-Free Moisturizer. For those who have normal/combination skin, a gel type is best like the Aveeno Positively Smooth ****** Moisturizer and the Clarins Hydration-Plus Moisture Lotion SPF 15.

So, before buying any kind of beauty product; first, know your skin type then remember all the harmful ingredients you should look out for.



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Body Moisturizer Reviews Are Just One Tool For Finding Moisturizers That Are Safe and Effective

Wednesday, April 1st, 2009
Yu Morita asked:


You can use body moisturizer reviews as a tool for finding something safe and effective, but you also need to do a little more research. Reviewers often do not list the ingredients in a product. But, that is the only honest information on a product’s label. Let’s look at a few examples.

Nivea Creme typically gets a rating of “average” by consumers. It is described as a thick emollient cream that works well on knees, elbows and feet. It is relatively inexpensive, which is understandable, since the primary ingredient, other than water, in all Nivea products is mineral oil. You may as well use baby oil.

Olay Age Transform Body Creme Serum was listed in body moisturizer reviews done by Health magazine editors in 2007. The editors were impressed with the list of ingredients, because some of them protect against free radical damage and “ensure lasting moisture”.

While it is true that the product contains some good ingredients, it also contains some that are not so good. The good ones include glycerin, grape seed oil, amino acids and vitamin E. The ones that are not so good include petrolatum, ethyl-paraben, propyl-paraben and several petroleum-based alcohols.

One that is questionable is niacin-amide, a form of vitamin B3. While it may be beneficial for conditions like acne, there are no proven benefits. It may be effective for whitening, which is probably why the ingredient is included. It does not protect against free radical damage. There are better products on the market.

One of the things that you will commonly see in body moisturizer reviews is average price. The products mentioned in this article and most others that are out there are relatively inexpensive. Anyone can afford them. There are some very expensive lotions on the market that most people cannot afford. I’ve seen products that cost $50 or more per ounce.

Effective ingredients are more expensive, as are naturally occurring ones, as opposed to synthetics, but there are affordable creams that contain natural, safe and effective ingredients. You can easily identify them if you learn to read the label. You may have to pay a little more than it costs for the supermarket brands, but you don’t need to pay $50 per ounce.

It is sometimes hard to find body moisturizer reviews, because most people don’t expect much from them in the first place. But, judging by what I’ve read, the most effective ingredients are jojoba, grape seed oil, vitamin E, coenzyme Q10 and keratin.

Vitamin B5 is more important to the skin’s health than vitamin B3. Wakame kelp extracts contain a variety of the B vitamins, as well as minerals that are important for sustaining the skin’s moisture balance. Wakame, coenzyme Q10, vitamin E, keratin and grape seed all have antioxidant activity. So, they do provide real protection against free radical damage.

Jojoba is known to fade stretch marks and provide many other benefits to the skin’s health. Instead of reading more body moisturizer reviews, why not just look for those ingredients. You are more likely to be satisfied with the results.



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