The Truth About Cellulite: What You Need to Know

March 8, 2013 by Leave a Comment

cellulite issuesCellulite is something most women battle at one point or another, but this does not mean that we have to like it. The lumpy, bumpy look is unflattering and can be a total confidence killer. There are things you need to know about cellulite so that you can either work to avoid it or at least cope when you are living with it.

Not a Health Issue

Some people believe that cellulite indicates a health issue, but you can put your fears to rest. This problem is purely cosmetic and is not a medical condition or illness, so no need to run to the doctor once you start noticing cellulite. The dimpling may be very faint or very noticeable depending on the degree of cellulite. You will notice it most on your buttocks and thighs, but it can also occur on the upper arms, abdomen and breasts.

Cellulite Causes

Being a woman automatically puts you at risk because this happens to women far more often than men. Cellulite occurs when fat deposits sit alongside tough collagen fibers. The fatty areas can grow larger or the fibers can pull tight to cause the deposits of fat to bulge out.

It is also important to point out that you can get cellulite regardless of your weight. You can be of a healthy weight and still develop cellulite. If you have thinner skin it will be more visible.

You also need to look at other risk factors, such as being Caucasian, aging, genetics and pregnancy-related hormonal changes. Genetics is probably the biggest of these and you cannot control this. There are some risk factors that you can control, such as:

  • Eating a ton of carbohydrates
  • Being inactive
  • Yo-yo dieting
  • Increase in your overall body fat
  • Being dehydrated
  • Fluid retention

Tanning and Cellulite

Some people think that tanning can actually hide cellulite, and while it may help to reduce the appearance a bit, the effects of the UV exposure outweigh this. When you are frequently exposing yourself to UV light you are damaging your skin. This damage can make issues like cellulite a lot worse.

Treating Cellulite Through Weight Loss

While dropping those extra pounds may help to reduce your cellulite this is not a guarantee. You should always strive for a healthy weight, but do not expect it to be a fix-all for the dimpling. Some women will notice less cellulite, while for others, losing weight could make it look worse.

Body Wraps

These are often talked about for reducing cellulite. Body wraps are warm and can help to draw excess water from your tissues, but if any improvement in cellulite occurs it will be temporary. You also have to be careful because this can be dehydrating. Your actual body fat will not be reduced at all. If you had a wrap before and knocked off a few inches temporarily, then this could be a good idea for special occasions, but do not expect a miracle with this purported cellulite treatment.

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Getting a Smoother, More Comfortable Shave

February 25, 2013 by Leave a Comment

shaving techniques for smooth skinSmooth skin that is silky and free of stubble is what all women aim for. No one wants to feel prickly or have irritated skin because it is annoying and can kill some confidence. There are some things that you can do to ensure you are getting a close shave that reveals nothing, but silky, healthy skin.

How is Your Skin?

Assessing your skin before shaving is very important. If you have razor bumps, excessive dryness or redness then shaving could just make this worse. This does mean that the hair will grow a bit, but it is critical to allow for healing. Once the issues are gone, you can shave without having to worry about worsening your skin.

Take Some Preparation Time

Before you shave take a shower in warm water so that the hairs can soften a bit. This will help to prevent some friction. This also helps to lubricate and hydrate the skin, and skin that is well-hydrated is less likely to become irritated.

Keep it Simple

When you are shaving, you do not want to go over the same area multiple times. The old rule that you should never shave against the growth direction is not true either. You can and will get a much closer shave this way. The key is to go over an area twice max so that the skin does not get traumatized.

Treat Irritated Skin

There are a variety of things you can do to calm irritation. If your skin is really sensitive stick with pure aloe vera. If this still causes discomfort then make an appointment with your dermatologist to get some advice on what you can use. A cool washcloth can help most people with mild irritation. This will provide an immediate soothing of the area.

If you are prone to ingrown hairs, you will want to exfoliate the skin at least once a week and not on a day when you shave. This will help to prevent hair follicles from getting clogged and trapping the hair in them. Benzoyl peroxide can also help with ingrown hairs by preventing inflammation. Before using a topical corticosteroid, consult a doctor. Ingrown hairs will eventually go away on their own as the body works to get them out.

Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize

Every single day you should be applying a moisturizer to your skin and this includes the skin under your arms because you shave here too. Now, if you have sensitive skin and lotion burns and stings on freshly-shaved skin, use an in-shower lotion when you skin is still wet or an oil while your skin is still wet. This significantly reduces burning and stinging on freshly-shaved skin and adds a big punch of moisture. Then, apply lotion after about 12 hours when the hair has started to grow more into the follicle. A good rule of thumb is to moisturize day and night, and always moisturize after a bath or shower because your skin is best able to absorb your creams and lotions at this time.

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Winter Dry Skin: Cold Weather Complexion Protection

February 13, 2013 by Leave a Comment

tips for winter dry skin treatmentsLower temperatures are related to dry, itchy skin. This is almost inevitable for every woman. However, you do not have to deal with the itching, cracking and dryness anymore. There are things that you can do to beat Old Man Winter and maintain your soft, healthy summer skin all year long.

Moisturize a Lot More

If you are moisturizing once per day like most people can get away with in the summer, then you need to step it up. It is not uncommon for a skin care routine to need to change with the seasons. For your face, you want to stay with an oil-free moisturizer, but with the rest of your body an oil-based cream or lotion can work to your benefit in the winter months.

Don’t Skip the Sunscreen

Just because the sun is not noticeably shining does not mean that it is not able to do some damage. Regardless of the season, you need to ensure that your skin is protected from the sun. While you will likely not have to do your entire body as you are probably covered up from the cold, you do need to make sure that any exposed areas, such as your hands and face, are well-protected.

Give Your Hands a Hand

Your hands dry out easier than other areas of your body due to the fact that the skin is thinner on them. When the weather is cold, it makes keeping hands moisturized even more difficult. One good tip is not to expose them. Wear gloves when you are outside to maintain some heat. You should also moisturize frequently. A good rule of thumb is to apply lotion or cream every time after you wash your hands. This will eventually become a habit and you will notice that your hands are far less dry.

Humidify Your Home

The lack of moisture in the air is exactly why your skin dries out in the winter. You cannot control the outside temperature, but you can control the temperature in your home. If you can only do one then put one in your bedroom at night. Your skin is repairing itself as you sleep so having a humidifier in your bedroom will be to your greatest benefit. Be sure to apply lotion or cream before bed and then sleep in a humid room. You will wake up with skin that is softer and healthier than when you went to sleep.

Skip Hot, Long Showers

When it is cold outside it is very tempting to take long showers with the hottest water that you can stand, but this is counterproductive. Hot water actually parches the skin and causes further dryness. You should limit your showers to 15 minutes maximum and then only use lukewarm water. You want the temperature to be comfortable, but as cool as you can comfortably stand it.

Grease Your Feet

Your feet, like your hands, need some extra love in the winter months. A good idea is to use a pair of cotton socks and petroleum jelly at night. This should be done after using a file or pumice stone to help remove calluses and excessive dry skin.

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Eat Your Way to Younger Skin

February 7, 2013 by Leave a Comment

eating for younger skinYou are what you eat. You have surely heard this before and it could not be more true. How you feed your body is directly reflected on the outside. The condition of your skin can be helped or harmed depending on your diet. It is important to know which foods from each food group can help you on your way to glowing, youthful skin.

Vegetables

The two top vegetables for your skin are Romaine lettuce and tomatoes. Yes, tomatoes are technically a fruit, but they are also very closely related to vegetables. Romaine lettuce is number one in terms of these two vegetables. Just six leaves gives you 100 percent of your vitamin A every day. Vitamin A is critical for cell turnover and this is necessary to prevent dull, aging skin. It also contains potassium to help with increasing circulation, oxygen and nutrients in the skin.

Tomatoes have an interesting effect on the skin. This red vegetable actually helps to calm redness on your skin. This can help to defend against issues like rosacea and even sunburn (though this is not an excuse to skip the sunscreen). Tomatoes are also high in antioxidants which help to fend off furrows and fine lines.

Fruits

If you love fresh strawberries then you are in luck. Just a single cup of these sweet, red berries has 130 percent of the vitamin C you need each day. This helps to firm and smooth the skin, as well as increase collagen production to help prevent wrinkles and lines. While research is still pretty new, some promise is shown in strawberries helping to reduce your cancer risk, so if you have sun damage this is good news for you.

Apples come in as a close second for skin-protecting fruits. In the peel of an apple lies quercetin which is an antioxidant that helps to protect your skin from burning when you are exposed to the UVB rays responsible for cancer. So, you still need sunscreen, but an apple a day could help to keep skin cancer away.

Proteins

Soy has fallen under scrutiny recently in terms of how it could affect hormones, but its benefits to the skin remain uncontested. This is known to help with skin firmness and fine wrinkles. You only need to get a little bit each day to reap the benefits.

Eggs are another food that is just being widely accepted again because people feared the yolks for so long. However, you want to eat the entire egg so that you can get the zeaxanthin and lutein. These antioxidants are known to aid in preventing skin cancer, fine lines and brown spots by protecting against the UV damage that causes them. An egg a day also tends to lead to firmer, softer and more hydrated skin.

Fats

You are going to love this because dark chocolate is good for your skin. Some spas actually have chocolate face and body facials due to how well this food helps the skin. Just a little dark chocolate every day can increase circulation and improve your overall complexion. Long-term use results in smoother, softer and more hydrated skin.

Extra-virgin olive oil is another good fat for your skin. The essential fatty acids are known to help in protecting you against UV damage. They can also help in keeping skin supple and hold in moisture.

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