Hi, my fellow classmates and bloggers...thanks for all of your thoughtful responses throughout this class. This is our last blog (sad face). Today, I'll be talking about diet pills.
First and foremost, I do not recommend that anyone take any type of diet pill for an extended period of time and more importantly that you do not take diet pills in place of a healthy diet and exercise routine. So, for those of you who make a conscious effort to eat healthy and you're relatively active, but need to lose a few pounds (5-20), I have some feedback on a few products that I've used and found to work great.
I'm forty years old (YAY!!!), so I've been around a little while and over the years, I've tried a few of the mainstream over-the-counter diet pills to include (Hydroxycut, Alli, Xenadrine). I would NOT recommend Alli to anyone! It's EVIL!!! It's successful at scaring the fat-eating-be-Jesus out of you because the consequences of eating fat are uncontrollable, inopportune bouts of unannounced and rude oily visitors. Okay...that's the best I can do on this type of forum...and we'll leave it at that.
I had very real results with Hydroxycut about ten years ago. I lost twenty pounds, but I was also eating healthy and jogging a mile a day. That's not a lot...thank you, I know that. LOL! I should say that I never took more than 2 bottles consecutively, which is about a one-and-a-half to two-month supply.
Overall, I would not recommend diet pills period. You learn nothing in terms of self control and as soon as you stop taking the diet pills, the weight will return. Its sadness and disapointment, in a bottle. Ultimately, you have to have a life-style change regarding what you eat, when you eat, and how you eat. I've maintained my current weight for about four years now by simply eating smarter choices, reducing my portions, drinking tons of water, not eating past 7:30 or 8:00 at night, allowing myself to splurge occasionally and really enjoying it when I do, and substituting when it's tolerable. I know there are certain things that I will never learn to like, such as: diet salad dressing, diet sodas, skim milk, and many raw vegetables (unless drenched in ranch dressing). So, I indulge in my dressings and sodas, but I do it much less often and in moderation. I cut sodas out of my diet with the exception of going to the movies or at a party. I order water when we go out to eat...but on occasion...I'll have a good old' Coke or sweet tea and enjoy the heck out of it! I've found that I can rarely even drink a whole coke anymore...it's soooo sweet.
So bottom line...you will never find a balance with your weight through diet pills. NEVER! You have to lower your calories and increase calories burned. Period. Start by making one or two life changes such as cutting out sodas 5 out of 7 days a week...and not eating that midnight snack. Drink lots of water and take vitamins. Munch on almonds or beef jerky.
Take care of your body...start NOW!
Happy upcoming Holidays!!
Be Blessed!
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Blog 9: Teeth Whitening
This week, I'm going to talk about teeth whitening. I have used everything from the really expensive dentist administered whitening kit ($300) to, Crest White Strips ($35), to the cheapest over-the-counter CVS brand 5 Minute Whitening Kit ($5). I can tell you that I got the same results from the CVS brand gel as I got from the expensive stuff from the dentist. If you don't have a teeth whitening trey and don't feel like buying one or getting a custom one made, the white strips are perfectly good for whitening teeth.
My daughter bought the little bottle of stuff that you paint on each tooth and it was a gross mess. Not the easier thing to use. I think they were attempting to make a product that you can wear out in public with little noticeability. But I find that I either make the time to wear my teeth treys around the house or running errands or when I have worn it to work, it was just for a short time and noone noticed or cared. Note: I do not use a one-fits-all mouth piece (like the ones that come in some products)...I just use my retainer that I got years ago after my braces. It works brilliantly...plus I get a little retainer time in. There are some over the counter kits that have the mouth guard in it that you heat up (boil & let cool a bit) and then put in your mouth--bite down and then it creates a custom mouth trey. I've tried that...it didn't turn out all that great for me...it was loose.
A little tip if you want to get agressive. Put a little gel in your mouth piece and sleep in it overnight. Warning...if you have sensitive teeth, this will exacerbate the sensitivity. Be careful never to overfill as the gel will squeeze out and harm your gums. Plus, overfilling doesn't get your teeth whiter. I'm very conservative with my products. I'm stingy in that way, I guess.
Oh...for anyone with sensitive teeth...get a mouthpiece and put a little bit of sensodyne toothpaste in it instead of the whitening gel and sleep in it between treatments. It really does help with the sensitivity whether you're whitening or not!
My family and I use Shreveport Family Dental on Bert Kouns. They have a program where for a one-time $99 fee, they will fit you with a custom mouth piece (like my retainer) and each time you come in for your cleaning, you get a supply of whitening gel to last until your next cleaning. My husband took advantage of this and his results are good so far. He has sensitive teeth, hence the first-hand knowledge we obtained about using sensodyne toothpaste inbetween. It really does work.
I am completely satisfied with my $5 tube of CVS brand whitening gel. I've had the same tube for about a year. Once you get your teeth white...you only have to do it every now and then (maybe once a month) to maintain it. The CVS kit claims that you only have to leave it on your teeth for 5 minutes, but I always leave mine on for at least a hour, if not overnight.
A bright white smile makes all the difference to me. It doesn't take a lot of money to invest in your beauty. Beauty is not someone else's best...it's your best!!
Happy Whitening!
My daughter bought the little bottle of stuff that you paint on each tooth and it was a gross mess. Not the easier thing to use. I think they were attempting to make a product that you can wear out in public with little noticeability. But I find that I either make the time to wear my teeth treys around the house or running errands or when I have worn it to work, it was just for a short time and noone noticed or cared. Note: I do not use a one-fits-all mouth piece (like the ones that come in some products)...I just use my retainer that I got years ago after my braces. It works brilliantly...plus I get a little retainer time in. There are some over the counter kits that have the mouth guard in it that you heat up (boil & let cool a bit) and then put in your mouth--bite down and then it creates a custom mouth trey. I've tried that...it didn't turn out all that great for me...it was loose.
A little tip if you want to get agressive. Put a little gel in your mouth piece and sleep in it overnight. Warning...if you have sensitive teeth, this will exacerbate the sensitivity. Be careful never to overfill as the gel will squeeze out and harm your gums. Plus, overfilling doesn't get your teeth whiter. I'm very conservative with my products. I'm stingy in that way, I guess.
Oh...for anyone with sensitive teeth...get a mouthpiece and put a little bit of sensodyne toothpaste in it instead of the whitening gel and sleep in it between treatments. It really does help with the sensitivity whether you're whitening or not!
My family and I use Shreveport Family Dental on Bert Kouns. They have a program where for a one-time $99 fee, they will fit you with a custom mouth piece (like my retainer) and each time you come in for your cleaning, you get a supply of whitening gel to last until your next cleaning. My husband took advantage of this and his results are good so far. He has sensitive teeth, hence the first-hand knowledge we obtained about using sensodyne toothpaste inbetween. It really does work.
I am completely satisfied with my $5 tube of CVS brand whitening gel. I've had the same tube for about a year. Once you get your teeth white...you only have to do it every now and then (maybe once a month) to maintain it. The CVS kit claims that you only have to leave it on your teeth for 5 minutes, but I always leave mine on for at least a hour, if not overnight.
Happy Whitening!
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Blog 8: Scars and Treatments for Scars
This week, I'm going to talk about scars and what products really work to reduce, flatten and fade them. (Note: I work at LSUS in the Rehabilitation Services department. My boss is a PT who specializes in burns and we also have Wound Care. The products that I'm talking about are proven and used on our hospital patients for their scars and burns.)
What is a scar? A scar is you body's natural way of repairing a wound. The difference between normal tissue and scar tissue is simply the fiber composition of the protein. The proteins themselves are the same (collagen). Some animals actually regenerate the exact same tissue as the original tissue, thereby growing back parts of their bodies, so they do not scar at all.
I just recently (4 weeks ago) obtained a scar for which I cannot hide in a baithing suit. Not a big deal, but I was talking to my boss and she asked me why I didn't just use some Topi-Gel that we carry in our department. I order the stuff, but never knew what it was or what it was used for. This opened up a whole new topic of research for me and I immediately googled what it was. She gave me a sheet of it and told me that it would help keep it flat, reduce the redness and fade it.
What I learned: Products like Topi-Gel (and Mepi-form) are silicone gel sheets. You cut a large enough piece to just cover the scar. It is clear and sticky on one side (the side that goes on your scar). The silicone gel keeps the would hydrated and promotes cell turnover. There are over-the-counter products that work well but they mostly come in tubes of silicone gel that you rub on it. The key is to keep the scar tissue hydrated. It's the oxygen radicals in the air that impede healing and encourage the production of collagen production, which in this case, creates the scar.
Quick Facts:
Oxygen and UV rays are counter-productive for the healing of scars.
Scars should be massaged when they're new to break up the fibrous tissue.
Other treatments for scars are steroid injectioins and surgical removal (of keloid type scars).
Aloe vera gel is also good, but not as effective.
Cons: The process is very gradual. Placing the gel patches on your body every day is inconvenient and often times, patients quit doing it before the final results are achieved.
So, I have been wearing the silicone patches every day for two weeks and will continue to wear them for as long as I can. I plan to wear them for several months. In addition to the Topi-Gel, I'm also using Retin-A to promote cell turnover. My little incision scars are still pink, but they're fading. I'm not prone to keloid scars, but they're not raised at all.
Check out the URLs below to read about scars and silcone sheets for yourself.
Ciao!
http://www.ehow.com/about_5576981_scar-reduction-silicone.html
https://www.ncmedical.com/item_1151.html
http://scar-treatments-center.org/?&s_kwcid=TC-23083-4902059906-be-436482375
What is a scar? A scar is you body's natural way of repairing a wound. The difference between normal tissue and scar tissue is simply the fiber composition of the protein. The proteins themselves are the same (collagen). Some animals actually regenerate the exact same tissue as the original tissue, thereby growing back parts of their bodies, so they do not scar at all.
I just recently (4 weeks ago) obtained a scar for which I cannot hide in a baithing suit. Not a big deal, but I was talking to my boss and she asked me why I didn't just use some Topi-Gel that we carry in our department. I order the stuff, but never knew what it was or what it was used for. This opened up a whole new topic of research for me and I immediately googled what it was. She gave me a sheet of it and told me that it would help keep it flat, reduce the redness and fade it.
What I learned: Products like Topi-Gel (and Mepi-form) are silicone gel sheets. You cut a large enough piece to just cover the scar. It is clear and sticky on one side (the side that goes on your scar). The silicone gel keeps the would hydrated and promotes cell turnover. There are over-the-counter products that work well but they mostly come in tubes of silicone gel that you rub on it. The key is to keep the scar tissue hydrated. It's the oxygen radicals in the air that impede healing and encourage the production of collagen production, which in this case, creates the scar.
Quick Facts:
Oxygen and UV rays are counter-productive for the healing of scars.
Scars should be massaged when they're new to break up the fibrous tissue.
Other treatments for scars are steroid injectioins and surgical removal (of keloid type scars).
Aloe vera gel is also good, but not as effective.
Cons: The process is very gradual. Placing the gel patches on your body every day is inconvenient and often times, patients quit doing it before the final results are achieved.
So, I have been wearing the silicone patches every day for two weeks and will continue to wear them for as long as I can. I plan to wear them for several months. In addition to the Topi-Gel, I'm also using Retin-A to promote cell turnover. My little incision scars are still pink, but they're fading. I'm not prone to keloid scars, but they're not raised at all.
Check out the URLs below to read about scars and silcone sheets for yourself.
Ciao!
http://www.ehow.com/about_5576981_scar-reduction-silicone.html
https://www.ncmedical.com/item_1151.html
http://scar-treatments-center.org/?&s_kwcid=TC-23083-4902059906-be-436482375
Friday, October 19, 2012
Blog 7: Drinking Water
This week I'm going to be talking about the benefit of drinking water...and lots of it. There are a multitude of benefits of drinking water. Here are some (but not all):
Regulates body temperature
Detoxifies
Protects joints
Transports nutrients and oxygen into cells
Moisturizes air in lungs
Helps with our metabolism
Protects organs
Helps body absorb nutrients better
Hydrates our skin
It is said that our body is anywhere from 60% to 75% water. Our brain consists of approximately 80% water, muscles approximately 75% water, our blood is about 83% water, and even our bones contain water of about 22%.
Water is an essential part of our very existence. Would you believe that our skin is made up of 90% water?
Here's a little trivia that most people don't know...Ever wonder why your fingers and toes wrinkle when you've been in the pool or tub/shower for a long time?
Answer: The outer layer of our skin (epidermis) has an oily substance protecting it called "sebum", when this oil is washed away after prolonged periods of time in water; our skin is left vulnerable and absorbs the water. Because our outer-skin is attached to our bodies in certain places, a wrinkled/dimpled effects happens. Kind of like cellulite, but not. So, there you have it.
What is my point to all of this? Water is vital to the overall health of our skin, that includes our face. When we're not drinking enough water, our skin is dry and over time starts to appear daunt and splotchy. Here's where I jump on top of my "soap box". If you are drinking lots of water, but your skin is dry...it's because you probably aren't exfoliating your body/face. You have to agitate those dead cells off of your skin either by using a wash cloth, facial/body scrub, or some sort of natural acid (alpha-hydroxy, salicylic, and one of my favorites...glycolic).
Myth Busters: You don't have to get all of your water from literally drinking 8 glasses of water a day. We extract a lot of water from the foods we eat (ie. apples, greens, meat, etc...). However, if you're not eating foods that have water in them (ie. chips, candy bars, etc...) and you're also not purposefully drinking water...that's when you run into issues with dehydration.
So, purpose drinking water in your life! Make it something you do regardless of whether or not you're thirsty. Get in the habit. Find a really pretty glass bottle or a sports jug and fill it up and make it a point to drink it down through the course of the day. I've had the same pretty glass jar for 4 years. It looks like a wine bottle, but it actually came with some fancy water in it. It's only 22 oz, but it looks bigger and I fill it up twice a day from the water fountain at work. When I pour water from it, I feel pampered (even though it's fountain water). Everyone knows me for it and it's inspired many of my co-workers to follow suit!
Happy Hydrating!!!
Lydia
Regulates body temperature
Detoxifies
Protects joints
Transports nutrients and oxygen into cells
Moisturizes air in lungs
Helps with our metabolism
Protects organs
Helps body absorb nutrients better
Hydrates our skin
It is said that our body is anywhere from 60% to 75% water. Our brain consists of approximately 80% water, muscles approximately 75% water, our blood is about 83% water, and even our bones contain water of about 22%.
Water is an essential part of our very existence. Would you believe that our skin is made up of 90% water?
Here's a little trivia that most people don't know...Ever wonder why your fingers and toes wrinkle when you've been in the pool or tub/shower for a long time?
Answer: The outer layer of our skin (epidermis) has an oily substance protecting it called "sebum", when this oil is washed away after prolonged periods of time in water; our skin is left vulnerable and absorbs the water. Because our outer-skin is attached to our bodies in certain places, a wrinkled/dimpled effects happens. Kind of like cellulite, but not. So, there you have it.
What is my point to all of this? Water is vital to the overall health of our skin, that includes our face. When we're not drinking enough water, our skin is dry and over time starts to appear daunt and splotchy. Here's where I jump on top of my "soap box". If you are drinking lots of water, but your skin is dry...it's because you probably aren't exfoliating your body/face. You have to agitate those dead cells off of your skin either by using a wash cloth, facial/body scrub, or some sort of natural acid (alpha-hydroxy, salicylic, and one of my favorites...glycolic).
Myth Busters: You don't have to get all of your water from literally drinking 8 glasses of water a day. We extract a lot of water from the foods we eat (ie. apples, greens, meat, etc...). However, if you're not eating foods that have water in them (ie. chips, candy bars, etc...) and you're also not purposefully drinking water...that's when you run into issues with dehydration.
So, purpose drinking water in your life! Make it something you do regardless of whether or not you're thirsty. Get in the habit. Find a really pretty glass bottle or a sports jug and fill it up and make it a point to drink it down through the course of the day. I've had the same pretty glass jar for 4 years. It looks like a wine bottle, but it actually came with some fancy water in it. It's only 22 oz, but it looks bigger and I fill it up twice a day from the water fountain at work. When I pour water from it, I feel pampered (even though it's fountain water). Everyone knows me for it and it's inspired many of my co-workers to follow suit!
Happy Hydrating!!!
Lydia
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Blog 6: Moisturizer
Hi, and thanks for visiting! This week, I'm covering moisturizers. There are three main things that I always recommend above all else at minimum that anyone do (man or woman), and that is exfoliate, use sun-screen and moisturize! I covered exfoliation in my microdermabrasion blog. I've talked here and there about the importance of sun-screen, but one of the best favors that you can do for yourself, no matter what age you are is to moisturize your skin.
When I was younger (highschool and in my early twenties), I had really oily skin. I had occasional break-outs, but nothing terrible. To counter-balance my oily skin, I refrained from putting anything on my face that even remotely resembled moisture. Consequently, my face became more and more oily. So get this, although my face was really oily, when I'd wash it with soap, it would be so dry...it would crack and be pink and itchy. Later, I learned that because I did not put moisturizer on my skin, my oil glands were over producing to try to hydrate the superficial layer of my skin. So...you can be oily and dry at the same time. Once I started using moisturizer, my skin balanced out and plumped up.
Not only is moisturizer good for the obvious...moisturizing your skin, it also acts like a barrier to toxins from the air and pollutants around us. To boot, most moisturizers now come with a minimum SPF of 15, which is awesome! I have used moisturizers from every category ranging from over the counter cheap stuff to more expensive lines from Merle Norman, to samples of really expensive stuff that you can only get from the dermatologist. Notice...I said, "samples".
I've settled into a small selection of Olay Complete SPF15 & Olay Total Effects 7. I also keep a tube of Merle Norman's Moisture Rich Facial Treatment-Mask, which is a really thick moisturizer that you wipe off after 10 minutes, but I add a tad bit of water and just leave it on my face. I use it every now and then, and the whole thing lasts almost a year.
Here's a huge tip that I learned in my early twenties that I'm so thankful someone told me about. Starting as early as possible...moisturize your neck and decollete' (chest), and hands the same as your face!!! Use a daily SPF moisturizer on your face, neck, chest and hands/forearms. Get into the routine now and hopefully, when you're fifty...you will NEVER KNOW how bad you would have looked!!
Try this...look at a woman in her thirties and fourties. (After that...the disctinction is clearly wrinkles and saggy skin/musculature). Really look at them and then ask yourself what makes them look older than you or someone that is 19 (for example). When my daughter and I sit together (she is 21 and I am 39...until Oct 12th Whoo Hoo!), the difference isn't so much the fine wrinkles that she has (no...JK--"I" have)...it is the spots or freckles that I have that really identifies me as the older one. Using a moisturizer with SPF in it, over the course of years...really goes a long way when you're thirty and fourty.
Does that mean that you can't tan or lay-out? No, I love to lay-out in the sun and before every summer vacation, I tan for 1 month prior. When I lay out in the sun, though, I use a minimum SPF of 30 on my body and at least a 50 on my face. Trust me...I still get a tan!! Then, I exfoliate and moisturize the dickens out of myself daily! After I tan in the tanning bed for the one month, I work hard to undo the damage for the rest of the year until the next summer! Ha!
Take care of your youthful skin!! Don't take it for granted! Invest in good practices now that will certainly pay off later-- YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT!! Drink lots of water!!!!! Eat lots of foods with anti-oxidants in it!
Happy October!!
Happy Fall!!
Happy Halloween!!
Happy PotLucks!!
Happy Crockpots!!
Lydia
When I was younger (highschool and in my early twenties), I had really oily skin. I had occasional break-outs, but nothing terrible. To counter-balance my oily skin, I refrained from putting anything on my face that even remotely resembled moisture. Consequently, my face became more and more oily. So get this, although my face was really oily, when I'd wash it with soap, it would be so dry...it would crack and be pink and itchy. Later, I learned that because I did not put moisturizer on my skin, my oil glands were over producing to try to hydrate the superficial layer of my skin. So...you can be oily and dry at the same time. Once I started using moisturizer, my skin balanced out and plumped up.
Not only is moisturizer good for the obvious...moisturizing your skin, it also acts like a barrier to toxins from the air and pollutants around us. To boot, most moisturizers now come with a minimum SPF of 15, which is awesome! I have used moisturizers from every category ranging from over the counter cheap stuff to more expensive lines from Merle Norman, to samples of really expensive stuff that you can only get from the dermatologist. Notice...I said, "samples".
I've settled into a small selection of Olay Complete SPF15 & Olay Total Effects 7. I also keep a tube of Merle Norman's Moisture Rich Facial Treatment-Mask, which is a really thick moisturizer that you wipe off after 10 minutes, but I add a tad bit of water and just leave it on my face. I use it every now and then, and the whole thing lasts almost a year.
Here's a huge tip that I learned in my early twenties that I'm so thankful someone told me about. Starting as early as possible...moisturize your neck and decollete' (chest), and hands the same as your face!!! Use a daily SPF moisturizer on your face, neck, chest and hands/forearms. Get into the routine now and hopefully, when you're fifty...you will NEVER KNOW how bad you would have looked!!
Try this...look at a woman in her thirties and fourties. (After that...the disctinction is clearly wrinkles and saggy skin/musculature). Really look at them and then ask yourself what makes them look older than you or someone that is 19 (for example). When my daughter and I sit together (she is 21 and I am 39...until Oct 12th Whoo Hoo!), the difference isn't so much the fine wrinkles that she has (no...JK--"I" have)...it is the spots or freckles that I have that really identifies me as the older one. Using a moisturizer with SPF in it, over the course of years...really goes a long way when you're thirty and fourty.
Does that mean that you can't tan or lay-out? No, I love to lay-out in the sun and before every summer vacation, I tan for 1 month prior. When I lay out in the sun, though, I use a minimum SPF of 30 on my body and at least a 50 on my face. Trust me...I still get a tan!! Then, I exfoliate and moisturize the dickens out of myself daily! After I tan in the tanning bed for the one month, I work hard to undo the damage for the rest of the year until the next summer! Ha!
Take care of your youthful skin!! Don't take it for granted! Invest in good practices now that will certainly pay off later-- YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT!! Drink lots of water!!!!! Eat lots of foods with anti-oxidants in it!
Happy October!!
Happy Fall!!
Happy Halloween!!
Happy PotLucks!!
Happy Crockpots!!
Lydia
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Blog 5: "Procedures"
Hey there, thanks for visiting my blog. This week, I'm going to touch on procedures. Specifically, Botox, lipo and chryolipolisis. I'll take them one at the time.
Botox- Although I've never personally tried Botox, I'm not against it...I just choose not to afford it. Notice I said, "Choose". Anyone can afford it if they really want to...it depends on their priorities. I know people on welfare who can "afford" cigarettes, but that's not what this blog is about. I'm not against welfare...I'm against cigarettes. Not the people that smoke them...just the cigarettes. Okay, Botox. I have those "quotation marks" between my brows when I squint or frown and maybe one day, I will consider Botox, but for now, I'm not crazy about the idea of paralyzing my facial muscles. I have two close friends who get Botox and they look fine...in fact, they look great! They don't look freaky, they look smooth, so if you can afford it and you're not put off by the paralysis thing...I say knock yourself out!
Liposuction- I love the concept of liposuction. Let me say (so that we can move past it) that lipo is not for weight loss. Most of the surgeons in this area won't do liposuction on someone who's very overweight. It is advertised for its sculpting ability for someone who's close to their ideal weight but who may have some targeted trouble areas that diet and exercise seem to not touch. I have several of these areas!! The great thing about lipo is that it's "near" permanent. So, we're all born with a set number of fat cells. During the first several years of life and especially during puberty, your brain tells each and every fat cell where to go. Once it's there, it doesn't move. My brain evenly distributed my fat cells, or so I thought, until I had children and then I learned that most of them were sent to my thighs and belly. Once fat cells are suctioned out of an area of your body, they are NOT replaced and therefore will never return. The remaining fat cells that were left will respond to weight gain or loss, but for the most part, that troublesome fat is gone forever! I'm committed to be transparent with my blog, so I will tell that I had liposuction about 6 years ago under my chin and on my upper/inner thigh. It was the best thing I ever spent money on that I didn't "need". No matter how much weight I've gained or lost, that area my body has remained problem free. It truly is a problem solver for the area that you have treated. If you can afford to do your whole body...I say, go for it, but be reasonable and don't do it for anyone but yourself. I want to also say that beauty isn't all about the outside. Your true image is what God tells you about you!
Chryolipolisis- Alright, so a good friend of mine told me she was getting chryolipolisis on her tummy, flanks and hips. After researching it and consulting with the same place that she went, I was not convinced that it worked. Basically, a machine is used that has a big oblong suction cup. Inside the suction cup there are two metal plates that are cooled to a specific degree. NOTE: Okay, I should say that this machine was first used to cool the face after laser treatments and then they found that it had an effect on the treated areas. The machine is pretty expensive and it's digitalized and all that, so it looks legit, but it's not yet approved for use for fat reduction although it's not illegal to use it for fat reduction. Alright, so after the suction cup is placed on your targeted area, it's set for about 1 hour. You feel cold and then numb and it's said to be completely comfortable. They advertise that you can read a magazine or text and before you know it, you're done. Then, over the course of a few months, the fat cells just beneath the skin die, are absorbed by your body and excreted through your urine. I also learned that your skin freezes at a much lower degree than your fat, so your skin is not harmed while your fat is being destroyed. So after a few months, you're supposed to see a noticeable reduction in fat in that area. So, my friend who had it done (it's been a month since her treatment) is not happy with her results. Basically, she sees no results yet. I'm really hoping that she does, but I'm thankful that she is honest with me. She's shows me her side and tummy and I don't see a difference. She spent a lot of money (over $1000) and that was a reduced fee since the lady who did it was trying a new machine. It's more expensive elsewhere.
Okay, so if there's a moral to this blog, its wait until things are tried and true. Liposuction has been around for decades. It's been refined and nearly perfected. I've seen the results with my own eyes and have LOTS of friends who've had it and the results are incredible. Botox is relatively new, but the results are instant and I've never heard of anyone having a bad reaction to it. There's a lot of work to be done in the chryolipolisis area. Oh, I didn't mention that they use anti-freeze gel between you and the machine. I'm guessing it's so that it doesn't freeze your skin and give you a burn if the temp get's too cold.
As always, do your research, consult with several local doctors before settling on any one doctor. Ask around and look at before and after pictures. Go to someone reputable and don't be cheap unless cheap is reputable. Don't jump on bandwagons!
Take care of your bodies...you only have one! Love your face! Don't smoke...it's bad for your skin (and lungs). Invest in yourself...You're Worth It!!!
Lydia
Botox- Although I've never personally tried Botox, I'm not against it...I just choose not to afford it. Notice I said, "Choose". Anyone can afford it if they really want to...it depends on their priorities. I know people on welfare who can "afford" cigarettes, but that's not what this blog is about. I'm not against welfare...I'm against cigarettes. Not the people that smoke them...just the cigarettes. Okay, Botox. I have those "quotation marks" between my brows when I squint or frown and maybe one day, I will consider Botox, but for now, I'm not crazy about the idea of paralyzing my facial muscles. I have two close friends who get Botox and they look fine...in fact, they look great! They don't look freaky, they look smooth, so if you can afford it and you're not put off by the paralysis thing...I say knock yourself out!
Liposuction- I love the concept of liposuction. Let me say (so that we can move past it) that lipo is not for weight loss. Most of the surgeons in this area won't do liposuction on someone who's very overweight. It is advertised for its sculpting ability for someone who's close to their ideal weight but who may have some targeted trouble areas that diet and exercise seem to not touch. I have several of these areas!! The great thing about lipo is that it's "near" permanent. So, we're all born with a set number of fat cells. During the first several years of life and especially during puberty, your brain tells each and every fat cell where to go. Once it's there, it doesn't move. My brain evenly distributed my fat cells, or so I thought, until I had children and then I learned that most of them were sent to my thighs and belly. Once fat cells are suctioned out of an area of your body, they are NOT replaced and therefore will never return. The remaining fat cells that were left will respond to weight gain or loss, but for the most part, that troublesome fat is gone forever! I'm committed to be transparent with my blog, so I will tell that I had liposuction about 6 years ago under my chin and on my upper/inner thigh. It was the best thing I ever spent money on that I didn't "need". No matter how much weight I've gained or lost, that area my body has remained problem free. It truly is a problem solver for the area that you have treated. If you can afford to do your whole body...I say, go for it, but be reasonable and don't do it for anyone but yourself. I want to also say that beauty isn't all about the outside. Your true image is what God tells you about you!
Chryolipolisis- Alright, so a good friend of mine told me she was getting chryolipolisis on her tummy, flanks and hips. After researching it and consulting with the same place that she went, I was not convinced that it worked. Basically, a machine is used that has a big oblong suction cup. Inside the suction cup there are two metal plates that are cooled to a specific degree. NOTE: Okay, I should say that this machine was first used to cool the face after laser treatments and then they found that it had an effect on the treated areas. The machine is pretty expensive and it's digitalized and all that, so it looks legit, but it's not yet approved for use for fat reduction although it's not illegal to use it for fat reduction. Alright, so after the suction cup is placed on your targeted area, it's set for about 1 hour. You feel cold and then numb and it's said to be completely comfortable. They advertise that you can read a magazine or text and before you know it, you're done. Then, over the course of a few months, the fat cells just beneath the skin die, are absorbed by your body and excreted through your urine. I also learned that your skin freezes at a much lower degree than your fat, so your skin is not harmed while your fat is being destroyed. So after a few months, you're supposed to see a noticeable reduction in fat in that area. So, my friend who had it done (it's been a month since her treatment) is not happy with her results. Basically, she sees no results yet. I'm really hoping that she does, but I'm thankful that she is honest with me. She's shows me her side and tummy and I don't see a difference. She spent a lot of money (over $1000) and that was a reduced fee since the lady who did it was trying a new machine. It's more expensive elsewhere.
Okay, so if there's a moral to this blog, its wait until things are tried and true. Liposuction has been around for decades. It's been refined and nearly perfected. I've seen the results with my own eyes and have LOTS of friends who've had it and the results are incredible. Botox is relatively new, but the results are instant and I've never heard of anyone having a bad reaction to it. There's a lot of work to be done in the chryolipolisis area. Oh, I didn't mention that they use anti-freeze gel between you and the machine. I'm guessing it's so that it doesn't freeze your skin and give you a burn if the temp get's too cold.
As always, do your research, consult with several local doctors before settling on any one doctor. Ask around and look at before and after pictures. Go to someone reputable and don't be cheap unless cheap is reputable. Don't jump on bandwagons!
Take care of your bodies...you only have one! Love your face! Don't smoke...it's bad for your skin (and lungs). Invest in yourself...You're Worth It!!!
Lydia
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Blog 4: Henna Tattoos
Hi Everyone, thanks for reading my blog! Today, I'm talking about henna tattoos. There are several types of natural inks that are used, but henna is the one that I'm familiar with. Henna is a dye found in plant leaves and has been used to dye hair and skin since the Bronze age (whenever that was). Henna tattoos are a great alternative for people like myself that don't want a permanent tattoo. They last for two to three weeks, then they're gone. When my family and I go on vacation to the beach, we always get henna tattoos. I usually get mine on my foot/ankle. It's fun and perfect for the beach. The downside, is that they're expensive and you have to let it dry for about two hours and nothing can touch it or it smears. So, a tattoo the size of the palm of your hand may cost $25...something really small like a flower on your shoulder may cost $18, or really big one that covers your back could cost $45 or more. It's worth it for me because I don't want it to stay on. Letting it dry can be a pain because depending on where you get it, getting into a car afterwards can be impossible until it's dried.
So after getting henna tattoos every summer for years, I decided to order the henna ink (powder form) online and do it myself. I ordered the kit which came with several small clear packages of henna and the bag and tip. The tip is just like the one that's put on the end of a cake decorating bag, but smaller. Mixing of the henna is pretty simple, you mix it with lemon juice or water and let it sit until it's the consistency of mustard and then you fill the small bag. You should have your tattoo drawn out or have a picture of it...or you can freestyle it, if you're that good. You can use transfer paper and trace it, then flip it over on you hand, wet it and then trace the design on your skin. There's a slight learning curve to keep the flow of the henna from being broken, but if that happens, it's easy to correct. You'll quickly learn the angle to hold the applicator. The hardest part is letting it set without messing it up. The longer you leave it on, the darker and longer it will stay on your skin.
If you're really wanting to get a tattoo, but don't know if you'd really want to live with it for the rest of your life...I'd really recommend that you find a henna artist. Pay a little money for a lot of peace of mind. I guarantee you, you'll fall in love with the versatility of having different tattoos in different places without the lifetime commitment. And, NO, I don't have commitment issues...I have permanent tattoo issues!!
Thanks again for visiting!
Smartkookie
So after getting henna tattoos every summer for years, I decided to order the henna ink (powder form) online and do it myself. I ordered the kit which came with several small clear packages of henna and the bag and tip. The tip is just like the one that's put on the end of a cake decorating bag, but smaller. Mixing of the henna is pretty simple, you mix it with lemon juice or water and let it sit until it's the consistency of mustard and then you fill the small bag. You should have your tattoo drawn out or have a picture of it...or you can freestyle it, if you're that good. You can use transfer paper and trace it, then flip it over on you hand, wet it and then trace the design on your skin. There's a slight learning curve to keep the flow of the henna from being broken, but if that happens, it's easy to correct. You'll quickly learn the angle to hold the applicator. The hardest part is letting it set without messing it up. The longer you leave it on, the darker and longer it will stay on your skin.
If you're really wanting to get a tattoo, but don't know if you'd really want to live with it for the rest of your life...I'd really recommend that you find a henna artist. Pay a little money for a lot of peace of mind. I guarantee you, you'll fall in love with the versatility of having different tattoos in different places without the lifetime commitment. And, NO, I don't have commitment issues...I have permanent tattoo issues!!
Thanks again for visiting!
Smartkookie
Monday, September 17, 2012
Blog 3: Chemical Peels
Today, I'm talking about chemical peels. Specifically the TCA (Trichloroacetic Acid) peel. This peel is a medium depth peel and is typically done in a clinic, medi-spa or dermatologist office. However, you can buy TCA (or any other acid--for that matter) online and do it yourself at home.
In my arsenal of age defying beauty products, the chemical peel is by far the most productive for a nearly instant reversal of the clock....and by instant, I mean in about 7-10 days. That being said, I've only done it once on my face. I will ellaborate on this further, in a moment.
I first purchased a small bottle of 30% TCA about two years ago. As with anything I've ever done in the name of beauty...I always research, research, research and test, test, test!! Then, research some more! Once I'd researched it to death, I tested it on the back of my hand to make sure it wasn't some crazy acid. Here's what happened. It acted exactly as the instructions and the certified aesthetician that I knew, said it would. It stung, I fanned it, it stung more, it "frosted" over, I neutralized it (with baking soda and water), it turned pink for a few minutes and all was well. The first test run, I left it on for about 2 minutes (you can leave it on for much longer...up to 10 minutes for a clinical medium depth peel). The second test run (on my other hand), I left it on for 5 minutes. Over the next few days, it wrinkled up and was very dry...like dried elmers glue. It looked like a 90 year old lady. It didn't scare me, because I knew it would do that. About the 4th day, it started to crack and then it just peeled off. Amazingly, brand new, peachy skin was revealed. No wrinkles, no freckles. Naturally, I couldn't wait to do it on my face. Here's the downside...unless you just don't care what people think...you look pretty disgusting for the first 4-7 days. I didn't think about that before I applied the TCA peel to my face, so I went to work looking rediculous!
NOTE: You're not supposed to assist the peeling process. No peeling it off manually like you would a sunburn. It prematurely exposes immature skin to the damaging sun. The newly exposed skin is premature enough after it peels on its own and you MUST wear sunblock during and after the entire process.
Okay, so after my face peeled, the results were incredible. The tiny fine lines around my eyes were greatly reduced and my freckles had faded more than 75%. Truly, this is a highly effective treatment if you're not too scared to do it yourself at home and if you have time to stay inside for about a week or two. That's why I've only done my face once. When I'm off from work long enough to do it, it's always on a vacation going to the beach or something, so I have not yet had the opportunity to do it again. I've also changed departments and my office is grand central station...there's no way I'd come to work like that.
I used the rest of the bottle (tiny bottle, like 1/2 ounce) over the next year on my chest which was really freckled from years of sun exposure. I chose to do it in the winter because you shouldn't be in direct sun while doing the peels. Oh, you'd probably want to know this: A TCA peel in a medi-spa costs anywhere from $500 to $1200. A 1/2 once bottle of TCA costs about $26 and will be enough for about 10 peels. CRAZY, I KNOW!!! The level of peel that I'm willing to do on myself, however, would probably cost around $250 at a spa. I've got balls, but I'm not crazy enough to do a deep peel at home without a licensed aesthetician.
Recently, I purchased a bottle of 100% Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) which I've diluted to a strength of 50%. This is significantly stronger, but will give me a deeper peel. I have the flexibiilty of dilluting it further, if I need to. I will use it on my hands and chest (maybe my face) this winter.
WARNING: I would not take this blog and run out and buy acid online and pour it on your face. I am responsible for whatever harm I cause myself. Thankfully, I'm cautious and a nut about researching and getting the advice of professionals. I waited a year from the time I thought about doing it, to the time I actually used it. I'm not interested in disfiguring myself in the name of beauty. That would be dumb! So, please do your own research, ask professionals your own questions and use caution!!
The resutls of a peel are lasting. Unfortunately, they don't last forever. We continue to age, our skin cells continue to turn-over, and with additional sun exposure, we damage new skin. You can do a medium depth peel once every 3-6 months. There are deep peels that last years. These must be done in a medical center and you are put under general anesthesia. They are no joke! Your face crusts over like a major burn, but when it's done peeling...WOW...the results are incredible. Literally, it takes 10 years off of some people! It's expensive and painful...but in my opinion, worth it! I'm not there yet, thank goodness!
It should be said that there are lighter peels such as the glycolic peel. Glycolic acid is found in over the counter face washes and lotions. There is also a glycolic peel kit at CVS, by Skin Effects for about $24.99 (It's on sale right now for $19.99) and has 8% glycolic acid. You're not going to get much bang for your buck unless you use this type of product often and it will be superficial at best, as opposed to a medium depth peel where your skin crusts over and peels off.
Well, I hope I've covered everything! If you have any questions, ask!
Thank you for reading my beauty blog!
Lydia
In my arsenal of age defying beauty products, the chemical peel is by far the most productive for a nearly instant reversal of the clock....and by instant, I mean in about 7-10 days. That being said, I've only done it once on my face. I will ellaborate on this further, in a moment.
I first purchased a small bottle of 30% TCA about two years ago. As with anything I've ever done in the name of beauty...I always research, research, research and test, test, test!! Then, research some more! Once I'd researched it to death, I tested it on the back of my hand to make sure it wasn't some crazy acid. Here's what happened. It acted exactly as the instructions and the certified aesthetician that I knew, said it would. It stung, I fanned it, it stung more, it "frosted" over, I neutralized it (with baking soda and water), it turned pink for a few minutes and all was well. The first test run, I left it on for about 2 minutes (you can leave it on for much longer...up to 10 minutes for a clinical medium depth peel). The second test run (on my other hand), I left it on for 5 minutes. Over the next few days, it wrinkled up and was very dry...like dried elmers glue. It looked like a 90 year old lady. It didn't scare me, because I knew it would do that. About the 4th day, it started to crack and then it just peeled off. Amazingly, brand new, peachy skin was revealed. No wrinkles, no freckles. Naturally, I couldn't wait to do it on my face. Here's the downside...unless you just don't care what people think...you look pretty disgusting for the first 4-7 days. I didn't think about that before I applied the TCA peel to my face, so I went to work looking rediculous!
NOTE: You're not supposed to assist the peeling process. No peeling it off manually like you would a sunburn. It prematurely exposes immature skin to the damaging sun. The newly exposed skin is premature enough after it peels on its own and you MUST wear sunblock during and after the entire process.
Okay, so after my face peeled, the results were incredible. The tiny fine lines around my eyes were greatly reduced and my freckles had faded more than 75%. Truly, this is a highly effective treatment if you're not too scared to do it yourself at home and if you have time to stay inside for about a week or two. That's why I've only done my face once. When I'm off from work long enough to do it, it's always on a vacation going to the beach or something, so I have not yet had the opportunity to do it again. I've also changed departments and my office is grand central station...there's no way I'd come to work like that.
I used the rest of the bottle (tiny bottle, like 1/2 ounce) over the next year on my chest which was really freckled from years of sun exposure. I chose to do it in the winter because you shouldn't be in direct sun while doing the peels. Oh, you'd probably want to know this: A TCA peel in a medi-spa costs anywhere from $500 to $1200. A 1/2 once bottle of TCA costs about $26 and will be enough for about 10 peels. CRAZY, I KNOW!!! The level of peel that I'm willing to do on myself, however, would probably cost around $250 at a spa. I've got balls, but I'm not crazy enough to do a deep peel at home without a licensed aesthetician.
Recently, I purchased a bottle of 100% Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) which I've diluted to a strength of 50%. This is significantly stronger, but will give me a deeper peel. I have the flexibiilty of dilluting it further, if I need to. I will use it on my hands and chest (maybe my face) this winter.
WARNING: I would not take this blog and run out and buy acid online and pour it on your face. I am responsible for whatever harm I cause myself. Thankfully, I'm cautious and a nut about researching and getting the advice of professionals. I waited a year from the time I thought about doing it, to the time I actually used it. I'm not interested in disfiguring myself in the name of beauty. That would be dumb! So, please do your own research, ask professionals your own questions and use caution!!
The resutls of a peel are lasting. Unfortunately, they don't last forever. We continue to age, our skin cells continue to turn-over, and with additional sun exposure, we damage new skin. You can do a medium depth peel once every 3-6 months. There are deep peels that last years. These must be done in a medical center and you are put under general anesthesia. They are no joke! Your face crusts over like a major burn, but when it's done peeling...WOW...the results are incredible. Literally, it takes 10 years off of some people! It's expensive and painful...but in my opinion, worth it! I'm not there yet, thank goodness!
It should be said that there are lighter peels such as the glycolic peel. Glycolic acid is found in over the counter face washes and lotions. There is also a glycolic peel kit at CVS, by Skin Effects for about $24.99 (It's on sale right now for $19.99) and has 8% glycolic acid. You're not going to get much bang for your buck unless you use this type of product often and it will be superficial at best, as opposed to a medium depth peel where your skin crusts over and peels off.
Well, I hope I've covered everything! If you have any questions, ask!
Thank you for reading my beauty blog!
Lydia
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Blog 2- Retinol (AKA Retin-A)
Greetings and thanks for visiting my blog. Read on for more awesome insight into tried-and-true beauty products. Today, I am going to be sharing information about Retinol or Retin-A. Originally indicated for use on acne, it was soon discovered that as a secondary effect, retinol stimulted the production of collagen and cellular turnover. The product that I use is labeled Tretinoin Gel .05% (Tretinoin is retinoic acid or vitamin A acid). What do I use it for? I'm glad you asked. I use Tretinoin gel to help exfoliate my skin and restore collagen loss due to my age (I'm turning 40 this year). My skin has always been uneven, blotchy, and thick. Using the Tretinoin gel a couple of times per week (at night) helps to keep my skin fresh and smooth.
This product is a prescription only product and costs over $150/ tube in the US. However (comma), you can purchase it online from Canada or India for far less. No, it's not illegal! I think. I bought six tubes for $80, but you can buy just a single tube.
As with most prescription medications, there are warnings associated with using this product. The main warning is not to be in direct sunlight while using it. That's because the product is so effective at exfoliating your skin that it leaves you with less mature skin (not raw or anything like that) which in direct sun light is more susceptible to the UVA rays which are the biggest culprits of skin cancer. So, use sun screen!! Also, it can irritate your skin if you use it too often or put too much on. I've gotten it down to a science and use it in cycles for about two days at a time every other week. I always use an SPF of at least 15 in my daily moisturizer. I also have SPF of 15 in my tinted moisturizer/foundation, so I keep my face protected for quick spurts in and out of the sun. Note: I use a much higher broad-spectrum SPF if I'm outside for long periods of time doing yard work or at a sports game, etc...a minimum of 30, but more often a 50SPF.
As a nice perk, it also keeps my face pimple free. After all, it is marketed for acne.
So, in addition to the hydroquinone cream that I use for hyper pigmentation issues, the Tretinoin gel is a nice weapon against early aging from sun damage. It’s worked wonders on the tiny crow’s feet and laugh lines that are creeping into my life.
Thanks again for visiting my blog. Please ask your questions, I’ll be happy to answer them!
Until Next Week,
Smart Cookie
This product is a prescription only product and costs over $150/ tube in the US. However (comma), you can purchase it online from Canada or India for far less. No, it's not illegal! I think. I bought six tubes for $80, but you can buy just a single tube.
As with most prescription medications, there are warnings associated with using this product. The main warning is not to be in direct sunlight while using it. That's because the product is so effective at exfoliating your skin that it leaves you with less mature skin (not raw or anything like that) which in direct sun light is more susceptible to the UVA rays which are the biggest culprits of skin cancer. So, use sun screen!! Also, it can irritate your skin if you use it too often or put too much on. I've gotten it down to a science and use it in cycles for about two days at a time every other week. I always use an SPF of at least 15 in my daily moisturizer. I also have SPF of 15 in my tinted moisturizer/foundation, so I keep my face protected for quick spurts in and out of the sun. Note: I use a much higher broad-spectrum SPF if I'm outside for long periods of time doing yard work or at a sports game, etc...a minimum of 30, but more often a 50SPF.
As a nice perk, it also keeps my face pimple free. After all, it is marketed for acne.
So, in addition to the hydroquinone cream that I use for hyper pigmentation issues, the Tretinoin gel is a nice weapon against early aging from sun damage. It’s worked wonders on the tiny crow’s feet and laugh lines that are creeping into my life.
Thanks again for visiting my blog. Please ask your questions, I’ll be happy to answer them!
Until Next Week,
Smart Cookie
Thursday, August 23, 2012
BLOG 1: Best Skin Care Products that REALLY WORK!!! (Fade Cream)
In my budget conscious journey (twenty years) towards aging gracefully (I'm turning the big FOUR-O this year), I have learned a thing or two or three about beauty products, procedures and the dreaded gimmicks. In my efforts to find that miracle fix and fountain of youth in a tube, I've won some and lost more. My losses included my time, my hope and a lot of money. In my blog, I'm going to give some tips and advice and hopefully save you a little grief.
Today, I'm going to talk about freckles, age spots, hyperpigmentation and other pigment oriented concerns and how to get rid of them and obtain and overall even tone and glow. Although I do a combination of several products (microdermabrasion, Retinol, alpha-hydroxy, salycilic acid, hyaluronic-acid, etc...)...Whoa...stop....GEEEZE...I just made myself look like an addict. Before I continue, let me clarify that I don't use all of these products together and I don't use them everyday! It is skin care "regemin" that is a process over days -- weeks -- months -- years -- and decades and that will continue for as long as my feeble little hands are able. Okay, so maybe "gracefully" was a bit strong...how about, "I'm not going down the inevitable road to looking OLD without a FIGHT!!!!
Alright, back to healthy, even-toned skin. I will break down many of the products I use and why I use them in future blogs, but today, I'm going to focus on Hydroquinone. Hydroquinone is a cream or gel that comes in an over-the-counter 2% or a prescription strength 4% mixture and is used most commonly as a "fade" cream. Hydroquinone is the most recent product that I've added to my arsenal of beautifying amo...and I do mean arsenol!!! Mwaaahh!!! (That was my evil laugh). I had noticed over the last five years that I'd developed some hyper pigmentation along my jawline called malasma. It looks like a concentrated area of freckles, but to the point that it appears like a mild birthmark. You can't really see it when I wear makeup, but sans makeup, it is noticeable. Kind of looks like my face is a little..."dirty". I remembered a girl-friend of mine at work mentioned to me that she had malasma and she used a products called OBAGI Nu-Derm Clear with 4% hydroquinone ($85) and it completely went away. So, I went to CVS (because I'm skeptical and want to save money if at all possible), and stumbled across an over-the-counter version of fade cream with 2% hydroquinone and was labeled for fading freckles, sun spots and malasma. So, for $40...I bought it. I've been using it now for three weeks and I am starting to see a very noticable reduction in the malasma around my jawline and the uneven pigment on my forearms. Yes...I'm a woman and I CARE about my forearms!!!!!! (Eye Roll) If you're a guy, you may not ever be able to relate, and if you're a woman under the age of twenty-five, please don't judge me now. In order to be fair you must wait until you're at least thirty-five...then take a hard look in the mirror and THEN you can judge me. If you're a woman close to fourty or above...I believe that somewhere inside of you, whether you care what people think or not...there's a tad bit of vanity!! Don't deny it!
Okay, so the moral of this blog is that the 2% hydroquinone product that I bought at CVS to reduce my malasma, freckles and uneven skin-tone is working and I'm planning on getting the 4% product online. I use it on my chest too. I said, "chest"...not... "breasts"...there's a difference!!! What's more interesting is that my husband who has dark circles ALL THE WAY AROUND his eyes has now been using it for two weeks and we can both see a difference.
Disclaimer: Do a little of your own research before putting anything on your face. Some of the products that I use required caution and a little background checking to make sure it is safe for me. I recommend you do the same. By "caution" I don't mean gloves, fire extinguisher, or 9-1-1 on my speed dial, I just simply mean that I had to learn which products would make me more sensitive to exposure to direct sun or might dry my skin out...things like that.
Tickler: I can't wait to discuss chemical peels! This one is exciting for me!!
Future topics to look forward to are:
Chemical Peels
Retinol
Sun Damage
Moisturizer
Make-It-Yourself Potions, Masks and Scrubs...Useful?...or a Hoax!
"Procedures" aka "Botox, Lipo, Chryolipolisis"
Microdermabrasion
Henna Tattoos - The ONLY way to go in my opinion!
Today, I'm going to talk about freckles, age spots, hyperpigmentation and other pigment oriented concerns and how to get rid of them and obtain and overall even tone and glow. Although I do a combination of several products (microdermabrasion, Retinol, alpha-hydroxy, salycilic acid, hyaluronic-acid, etc...)...Whoa...stop....GEEEZE...I just made myself look like an addict. Before I continue, let me clarify that I don't use all of these products together and I don't use them everyday! It is skin care "regemin" that is a process over days -- weeks -- months -- years -- and decades and that will continue for as long as my feeble little hands are able. Okay, so maybe "gracefully" was a bit strong...how about, "I'm not going down the inevitable road to looking OLD without a FIGHT!!!!
Alright, back to healthy, even-toned skin. I will break down many of the products I use and why I use them in future blogs, but today, I'm going to focus on Hydroquinone. Hydroquinone is a cream or gel that comes in an over-the-counter 2% or a prescription strength 4% mixture and is used most commonly as a "fade" cream. Hydroquinone is the most recent product that I've added to my arsenal of beautifying amo...and I do mean arsenol!!! Mwaaahh!!! (That was my evil laugh). I had noticed over the last five years that I'd developed some hyper pigmentation along my jawline called malasma. It looks like a concentrated area of freckles, but to the point that it appears like a mild birthmark. You can't really see it when I wear makeup, but sans makeup, it is noticeable. Kind of looks like my face is a little..."dirty". I remembered a girl-friend of mine at work mentioned to me that she had malasma and she used a products called OBAGI Nu-Derm Clear with 4% hydroquinone ($85) and it completely went away. So, I went to CVS (because I'm skeptical and want to save money if at all possible), and stumbled across an over-the-counter version of fade cream with 2% hydroquinone and was labeled for fading freckles, sun spots and malasma. So, for $40...I bought it. I've been using it now for three weeks and I am starting to see a very noticable reduction in the malasma around my jawline and the uneven pigment on my forearms. Yes...I'm a woman and I CARE about my forearms!!!!!! (Eye Roll) If you're a guy, you may not ever be able to relate, and if you're a woman under the age of twenty-five, please don't judge me now. In order to be fair you must wait until you're at least thirty-five...then take a hard look in the mirror and THEN you can judge me. If you're a woman close to fourty or above...I believe that somewhere inside of you, whether you care what people think or not...there's a tad bit of vanity!! Don't deny it!
Okay, so the moral of this blog is that the 2% hydroquinone product that I bought at CVS to reduce my malasma, freckles and uneven skin-tone is working and I'm planning on getting the 4% product online. I use it on my chest too. I said, "chest"...not... "breasts"...there's a difference!!! What's more interesting is that my husband who has dark circles ALL THE WAY AROUND his eyes has now been using it for two weeks and we can both see a difference.
Disclaimer: Do a little of your own research before putting anything on your face. Some of the products that I use required caution and a little background checking to make sure it is safe for me. I recommend you do the same. By "caution" I don't mean gloves, fire extinguisher, or 9-1-1 on my speed dial, I just simply mean that I had to learn which products would make me more sensitive to exposure to direct sun or might dry my skin out...things like that.
Tickler: I can't wait to discuss chemical peels! This one is exciting for me!!
Future topics to look forward to are:
Chemical Peels
Retinol
Sun Damage
Moisturizer
Make-It-Yourself Potions, Masks and Scrubs...Useful?...or a Hoax!
"Procedures" aka "Botox, Lipo, Chryolipolisis"
Microdermabrasion
Henna Tattoos - The ONLY way to go in my opinion!
Monday, August 20, 2012
Here Goes Nothin'!
Okay, I'm calling this post a "test" as I am entering unchartered territory. Until today, I considered myself, "simplifying" my life by not delving into the world of blogging and now I find myself intrigued by the cracking open of the shell that was my ignorant bliss. I'm scared! Silly, huh?
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