Female Care

Vitamin E is essential to healthy skin care. It is often a key element found in many skin care products. Clinical studies have shown that the use of Vitamin E can reduce the effects of scarring as well as reducing the appearance of stretch marks. Regular use can also diminish the appearance of wrinkles and results in smoother and more supple skin.

Vitamin E is beneficial to health in a variety of ways. Taking Vitamin E supplements each day can help to reduce the risk of heart disease and prevent abnormal blood clotting. Vitamin E is also credited with protecting the nervous system, lowering the risk of certain cancers and reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. It is said to protect the immune system, aid in healing skin injuries and even helps to prevent cataracts. Vitamin E is also important for healthy red blood cells. Continue reading »

When I was pregnant with my first child, I tried my hardest to prevent stretch marks by using all of the cocoa butter and vitamin E creams I could find. But it was no use. I had horrible, reddish-purple stretch marks across my whole abdomen…I looked like a striped beach ball!

Stretch marks are not just limited to pregnancy however. They can be caused by rapid weight fluctuations (weight loss or weight gain), growth spurts, overzealous exercising…and there is no way of telling who is going to get them. Whether or not you get stretch marks will be determined by how elastic your skin is. The supportive tissue underneath your skin isn’t as “stretchy” as it is in some people, then the tissue can develop micro-abrasions (very small tears) that change the color and the texture of your skin. So, unfortunately, it is all genetics! If other members of your family are stretch mark prone, you probably will be too. (Gee, thanks Mom!)

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One of the most impressive natural agents that has been shown to combat aging, reduce risk of degenerative disease and help optimize health and well-being is the daily ingestion of ground flaxseed.

Flaxseeds are the richest source of a wondrous bioactive substance known as SLD (secoisolariciresinol diglycoside) that provides the body with a multitude of benefits. In fact, flaxseeds contain 800 times more SLD and related compounds (mammalian lignan precursors) than any other food on earth. Ingesting the equivalent of two heaping tablespoons of ground flaxseed (flaxseed powder) or approximately 40-50 gm of flaxseed is of great value in protecting female reproductive organs, and the male prostate gland from disease processes, keeping cholesterol within a safe range, supporting liver and gallbladder function, improving large bowel health, reversing fibrocystic breast disease, possibly supporting bone density and improving the texture and smoothness of the skin (an effect that almost everyone notices within the first few weeks of use). Here’s how and why flaxseed should be part of your daily wellness plan whether you are a woman or man.

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OTC topicals are available in pharmacies, drugstores, supermarkets or directly from the manufacturer without a doctor’s prescription. They come in many different forms. Two active ingredients, salicylic acid and tar, are approved by the FDA as treatments for psoriasis.

Salicylic acid is classified as a keratolytic, or peeling agent, and works by causing the outer layer of skin to shed. It is a common and effective treatment for a wide variety of skin problems. As a psoriasis treatment, it acts as a scale lifter, helping to soften and remove psoriasis scales.

Strong salicylic acid preparations can cause irritation if left in contact with the skin too long. The body may absorb too much salicylic acid if used over large areas of the skin. Salicylic acid may also weaken hair shafts and make them more likely to break, leading to temporary hair loss.

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What does your diet do for your skin’s health? If you are eating a well balanced diet, you may be impressed with the quality of your skin. The two interact with each other, just like every other organ in your body performs only as well as the nutrients it is provided. When it comes to eating healthy, there are several things to keep in mind in terms of what you should eat to help improve your skin quality. In fact, your skin is a direct reflection of the quality of foods you do consume.

Hydration Is Number One
Before looking any further, remember this. In order for your body to have healthy skin, each of the skin cells needs to provided with enough water. There is no easier way to do this than to just drink enough water each day. What you may not realize, too, is that water plays an extra role in the process of keeping skin looking young. It aid in flushing away all of the cells that have died. This helps to keep your outside layer of skin as healthy as it can possibly be.

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You may have heard that your skin is an outward reflection of what is going on inside the body.  It’s true.  The skin is your body’s largest organ, and what you put into your body can determine how your skin reacts.  Changing your diet can improve the appearance of your skin.  However, it will not cure ALL of your skin care problems.  That’s why it is still important to have a healthy diet AND a good skin care routine that matches your skin type.  Together, you will get the best results.  Here are a few small changes you can make to your diet to get YOUR best results.

Look for “ACE”.  Vitamins A, C, and E are the most important for your skin.  Vitamin A helps prevent the signs of aging, Vitamin C helps promote clear skin and repairs it, and Vitamin E helps protect your skin from the environment.  Did you know that Mary Kay was the FIRST brand to add Vitamins A, C, and E to its mineral makeup line?  Talk about ahead of the trend!

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Sweating

You might think that you are only supposed to sweat when you are hot, but once you hit puberty, you also will sweat when you are nervous. Your sweat glands (which make sweat) become more active during the teen years, causing both more sweat and also some smell. You actually have 2 million to 4 million sweat glands all over the body. Most are on the soles of the feet, the palms, forehead, cheeks, and in the armpits. Don’t panic, though. Sweat and smell are normal parts of becoming an adult. Sweating also does an important job – it helps to cool your body down when you are hot.

How to help keep sweat from smelling badly:

• Shower or take a bath every day.

• Use a deodorant (covers smell) or an antiperspirant (decreases sweating), or a product that has both.

• Talk to your doctor if these things do not work or you are worried.

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Skin cancer is the most common of all cancer types. More than 1 million skin cancers are diagnosed each year in the United States. That’s more than cancers of the prostate, breast, lung, colon, uterus, ovaries, and pancreas combined. The number of skin cancer cases has been on the rise for the past few decades.

The good news is that there is a lot you can do to protect yourself and your family from skin cancer, or to catch it early enough so that it can be treated effectively. Most skin cancers are caused by too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays. Much of this exposure comes from the sun, but some may come from manmade sources, such as tanning beds.

This document discusses how skin cancer develops and some simple steps you can take to help protect yourself from getting it. It also describes how to look for signs of skin cancer on your body. Finding possible skin cancers doesn’t require any x-rays or blood tests – just your eyes and a mirror. If skin cancer does develop, finding it early is the best way to ensure it can be treated effectively.

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Acne is a disorder of the skin caused by inflammation of the skin glands and hair follicles. The cause of acne is not completely understood, yet some factors, which may contribute, include heredity, hormones & bacteria.

What are the signs and symptoms?

Defined by severity, there are two types:

• Mild Acne – (“whiteheads” and “blackheads”) is caused by a plug of dead skin cells and oil in the canal that contains the hair, under the surface of the skin. Because the plugs are underneath the skin surface, scrubbing will not get rid of them. In fact, rubbing the skin or using harsh or abrasive soaps can irritate the skin and make the acne worse. Mild acne does not usually leave permanent marks on the skin.

•  Moderate to Severe Acne – causes large bumps (nodules) and cysts, which may lead to permanent scarring of the skin. With early and consistent treatment, however, such scarring can often be prevented.

What is the treatment for acne?

The treatment varies and depends on the type of acne. Appropriate and regular skin care is the 1st step.

•  Using the tips of your fingers (no washcloth or sponge, etc.) wash your face and other affected areas with a mild soap such as Purpose, Basis or Neutrogena, or with alcohol-free cleansing cream. Pat dry (DO NOT RUB) with a soft towel.

•  Avoid moisturizers and cosmetics. If they must be used, choose an oil-free or water based “non-comedogenic” and “non-acneogenic” cosmetic.

Medications prescribed will depend on the type of acne you have. Topical medications and oral antibiotics may be used alone or together. A topical medication might be an antibiotic lotion or gel (Clindamycin, Erythromycin, Tetracycline, Doxycycline or Minocycline) or a liquid or cream containing Benzoyl Peroxide or Retin A.

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If you’re a woman it can be annoying and embarrassing to find you’re growing unwanted hair in places such as the abdomen, chest, and face. Not only is unwanted hair unsightly, it can sometimes be indicative of an underlying medical problem. What causes unwanted hair in women and what can be done about it?

Unwanted hair in women is the product of a group of hormones known as androgens. These are the hormones that give men their “manly” characteristics such as a deep voice, muscle mass, and, sometimes, hair on the chest. The best known androgen is testosterone. Women also produce a certain amount of androgens, although usually not as much as men. If too much androgen is produced by a woman or if her body is unusually sensitive to the effects of androgens, it can cause dark hair to grow on places it wouldn’t normally grow, a condition known as hirsutism.

Unwanted hair in women is not always a sign of a medical problem. Sometimes there’s a genetic basis for excessive body hair. Some medications can also cause hirsutism, including steroid based medications, as well as certain anti-seizure and anti-hypertensive medications. Your doctor should be able to tell you if the medications you’re on may be contributing to the problem.

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