February 11, 2009

What Causes Skin Aging?

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Skin aging results in increased roughness, the appearance of new lines or wrinkles, sagging of the skin, irregular pigmentation and a loss of skin elasticity. This occurs when natural antiaging chemicals in the skin are depleted.

Medical scientists suggest there are two basic process that result in aging:

• Genetic programming for the aging process

• Environmental exposure to physical and chemical agents toxic to health:

  • Ultraviolet radiation mainly from sunlight
  • Cigarette smoking
  • Wind exposure
  • Exposure to harsh chemicals e.g. detergents

UV irradiation is a major cause of damage and it overwhelms the body’s natural antiaging chemicals, certain vitamins. Excessive sun exposure results in more rapid degeneration, particularly, in sun exposed areas of the body. The exposure to sunlight has an additive damaging effect especially, in the elderly. The more sun exposure you experience the faster aging occurs.

UV radiation causes damage by destroying the underlying skin collagen and structures that maintain elasticity.

Sunlight and other sources of UV radiation create high energy oxygen particles (reactive oxygen species-ROS). These chemicals include superoxides, peroxides and singlet oxygen particles. These reactive oxygen particles damage the DNA of skin cells and types 3 and 4 skin collagen. Destruction of collagen results in wrinkle formation. Collagen acts as reinforcement rods to give the skin tensile strength.

There is a constant attempt by the skin to repair and prevent damage by naturally occurring antiaging agents. The body has natural antioxidants which include Vitamins A, C and E. Squalene and Coezyme Q-10 also are naturally occurring antioxidants, in the skin.

Aging results in fewer available antiaging molecules in the skin. UV irradiation also results in a loss of these antioxidant molecules in the skin.

UV radiation also affects the chemical bonds in DNA. These UV induced DNA changes result in skin cancer, when the skin can no longer repair such damage. The more the exposure to sunlight the lesser is the skin’s ability to repair this DNA damage.

Many OTC skin antiaging products contain these natural skin antioxidants. The effect of these antioxidants present in creams in preventing skin UV damage has been not studied sufficiently to warrant any dramatic claim. Furthermore, the ability of these chemicals to reverse the damage to skin by UV irradiation remains an open question.

Filed under Skin Care by skinmd

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February 9, 2009

Can cellulite creams work?

Cellulite is a common concern of adult women. It appears as unattractive indentations, especially, in the thighs and buttock regions.

Medical science has little understanding of the causes of cellulite or how to reverse it. Since there have been few scientific studies on this topic, treatments are usually a dismal failure.

An anticellulite cream was used in one study, 2005 that involved 40 women with a "moderate degree of skin indentations". The cream was applied each night for four weeks. These women wore Bioceramic-shorts to sleep. These shorts were used to increase the absorption of the cream through the skin.

There was a 62% improvent observed among these women, in appearance. The application and use of the cream and Bioceramic neopyrene shorts were found easy to use. The average reduction in cellulite size was approximately 2 cm.

The dermatologists involved in this study felt that the anti-cellulite cream used was effective in improving the appearance of skin riddled with cellulite. No side effects to the cream were reported, in this limited study. Most importantly, this study suggests that topical applications of anticellulite creams may be effective with continuous application, nightly.

Other Articles on Cellulite:

Do Anti-Cellulite creams really work? -

Many women resort to anti-cellulite cream to find the answer. But do these creams actually eliminate cellulite. The answer from the medical community is a resounding no. The medical community agrees that there is no ‘cure’ for cellulite

Can You Get Rid Of Cellulite With Surgery? - Anti-Cellulite Answers – Excellent article on cellulite which emphasizes good health practices. I would suggest to start with diet, water, and exercise and do what you can.

Weightloss File » Blog Archive Is There a Cellulite Cure? -

While this article describes some cellulite creams, it does point out that most cream products are used to make cellulite less noticeable as opposed to disappear permanently.

Revitol Cellulite Cream Review | Bercle George -

Revitol would not work as well as it does without caffeine. Many people’s favorite drink is now proven to have great benefits for reducing cellulite. But drinking more coffee will not give you the results that you will see with Revitol …

Anti-cellulite creams: Do Anti-cellulite creams actually work? -

One thing that women find most challenging about treating cellulite is the myriad of cellulite creams, treatments and therapies that are available. Open a.

Does Anti Cellulite Cream Really Work?– personaltrainerreport.com - Speak to your doctor or even a dermatologist more about the different anti cellulite cream products and on what you can do to treat your cellulite and not only that but as well prevent it from recurring in the future. …

How do cellulite creams work? -

These days, there are more researches done on cellulite products and cellulite creams. The concern over unsightly cellulite has been around for a very, very long time now. So do anti cellulite creams really work and are they all worth …

Aromatherapy Cellulite Remedies | Anti Aging -

Whilst even the most expensive store-bought creams and treatments won’t eliminate cellulite permanently, the appearance of cellulite can be improved with regular treatments, and this extends to in-home remedies. … Not only do they have a nourishing effect on their own, but some oils can be irritating when applied directly to the skin. This is especially true of sensitive skin types. Another point to consider is that the essential oils are usually quite thin compared to …

Anti Cellulite Creams: Why They Work -

If a product claims to do miracles, then it’s probably too good to be true. So do cellulite creams work? In general yes, but the real question is which ones are the most effective ones. Some creams do work, but cause severe skin …

Does Cellulite Cream Really Work? -

One of the most important things about cellulite that many people do not realize is that cellulite can affect people of all body types. It is not only overweight people who have to deal with cellulite, but in fact even the healthiest …

Filed under Skin Care by skinmd

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February 7, 2009

How moisturizers help the skin appearance?

Moisturizers act primarily to restore skin hydration. Hydration appears to be essential to healthy appearance. Poor hydration results in dryness. And dryness results in skin flakiness, dryness and roughness. Only a few skin moisturizers have been scientifically studied.

Petrolatum the most commonly used occlusive substance, is able to decrease water loss by about 50%. However, petrolatum does not produce any increase in hydration. Cells in the skin called corneocytes prevent water loss and help the to act as a barrier to the outside world. These cells or corneocytes also contain natural moisturizing factors that help hold water molecules.

Moisturizers are made with:

  • Occlusives
  • Humectants
  • Emollients.

Occlusives prevent water loss and are made of oils or fats such as petroleum, lanolin, mineral oil, vegetable oil, or waxes.

Humectants are low-molecular-weight substances that attract water. Natural moisturizing factors are naturally occurring humectants. Common humectants used in moisturizers are glycerin, propylene glycol, and urea.

However, there have been few clinical studies demonstrating the hydrating effects of humectants. Gloor and Gehring demonstrated that a topical application of 85% glycerol emulsion for 3 weeks in volunteers with normal skin resulted in significant reduction in total water loss from skin.

Emollients have no hydrating properties, but they are often used in moisturizers to act as a filler between dead corneocytes thus making the skin smoother.

Scientific studies of moisturizers have been inconsistent. A study that used a moisturizer containing 20% glycerine showed no improvement hydration.

A vitamin B analog called nicotinamide has been shown to improve hydration. Nicotamide appears to work by stimulating corneycyte cells to make ceramid, glucosylceramide and sphyingomyelin. These are fats important to maintaining hydration in normal skin.

Filed under Skin Care by skinmd

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February 5, 2009

Chemicals in skin creams and facial moisturizers may affect fertility

Fluorine containing creams may affect fertility in women.

 

Products containing these compounds:

  • Skin creams
  • Facial moisturizers
  • Dental floss
  • Non stick frying pans

A recent study by Chunyah Fei from UCLA suggests that women with above average levels of fluorine containing compounds, in their blood may take longer to achieve pregnancy. These chemicals are absorbed via the skin when creams or moisturizers are applied.

 

These scientists from the University of California at Los Angeles, did a study with 1,2400 women. The results suggest that compounds known as perfluroinated chemicals or PFCs affect hormones, in women, that are essential to pregnancy. The study has been published in Human Reproduction, a reputable medical journal.

 

 

Furthermore, these scientists did find that sperm many also be affected by PFCs.

 

These compounds, PFCs are used in a wide variety of everyday household products, including skin creams.

 

PFC’s remain in the body for several years. They are fat soluble compounds and are stored in the body fat. Therefore these compounds may have long term affects on fertility, in both women and men.

Filed under Skin Care by skinmd

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What you need to know about skin creams?

Most of us believe that skin creams are tested like common medications before sale to the public. Often, a number of misleading terms are stated such as "clinically proven" to imply the skin cream components, in its product form has been tested. Frequently, the term "clinically proven" is used to mean that one to a few of the ingredients in the cream have been tested scientifically. The ingredients that are listed in the labels usually have not been tested for results when present in the final product. It’s a scary fact to realize that most skin creams have not been clinically tested for efficacy (the ability to treat the skin condition stated) and even worse the side effects of such untested creams remain unknown. Yet these creams are used daily on a wide scale. Frequently, the safety of skin cream use for long periods is unknown.

What do we know about OTC Topical Anti-Aging Products?

Today there is a general trend to look younger by reversing the effects of aging by the use of antiaging skin creams. The trend is so widespread that today even younger individuals seek these products to prevent the effects of ageing. Thus the (OTC) anti-aging products have become a billion-dollar industry. Many OTC products claim exaggerated results, with little little scientific evidence to prove these claims. From a review of the medical literature of ingredients generally found in OTC anti-aging creams, it appears clear that the claims are unsubstantiated by scientific proof.

Treatment of infant skin has not been studied to any meaningful extent, to date. Moms are advised unknowingly to use emollient creams for which little or not evidence exists for benefits to children. What we know from a recent study of 173 infants on the use of skin treatment in infants is that treatments with olive oil had less side effects (dermatitis) that treatments with emollient creams. In this study neonates were treated regularly for periods of up to 4 weeks. The use of skin creams in children requires much further medical research.

Are there any promising Results from Skin Cream Studies?

There have been some promising scientific studies. Vitamin C and alpha-hydroxy acids are among the most widely studied skin cream products. There is some scientific proof that their anti-aging effects are possible.

Vitamin A and vitamin B derivatives also hold promise.

Moisturizers have been shown to increase skin hydration and improve the overall appearance of skin. Studies also indicate that pentapeptides can be effective in decreasing facial wrinkles and roughness. However, botanicals, which have become popular over the last few years, require significantly more research to formulate any positive conclusions for their topical application. As aesthetic surgeons, it behoves us to educate ourselves on the most common ingredients found in topical anti-aging products and their efficacy. (Aesthetic Surg J 2007; 27:402-412)

Other Interesting Articles:

The Best Cream For Wrinkles-Straight Facts You Need To Know … - The Best Cream For Wrinkles-Straight Facts You Need To Know. By Sabrina Fox on February 20, 2009. by Sabrina Fox. Trying to find the best wrinkle cream can often leave you scratching your head. So many products all claiming they are the best. … The best cream for wrinkles will contain all natural plant based ingredients that work to heal your skin and help get rid of wrinkles. Superior wrinkle creams, beauty creams, and eye creams will not use any ingredients that might …

The Best Cream For Wrinkles-Straight Facts You Need To Know … - The Best Cream For Wrinkles-Straight Facts You Need To Know. By Sabrina Fox | February 20, 2009. by Sabrina Fox. Trying to find the best wrinkle cream can often leave you scratching your head. So many products all claiming they are the best . … Top of the line wrinkle creams, beauty creams, and eye creams will not have ingredients in them that may cause your skin to become irritated or pose a health risk. The best cream for wrinkles use all natural plant based …

What Is The Best Wrinkle Cream For You. - Ladies who don’t start young will find that their skin also has specific needs. Obviously you need to keep up your strict sunscreen regimen but there are anti aging creams that are targeted to your specific needs with the ingredients … With this knowledge in this article, you are better equipped to find the right wrinkle cream for you. As skin is the most prominent part of your personality, make sure you take the best care of it. About the Author:. Know more about the …

Super Natural Ingredients In The Best Cream For Wrinkles | Health … - What these producers fail to tell you about their so called best cream for wrinkles is that they contain chemicals that can be toxic. These chemicals can be very harmful to you. Not only that, but any beneficial ingredients they do contain … The best cream for wrinkles will contain all natural plant based ingredients that work to heal your skin and help get rid of wrinkles. Superior wrinkle creams, beauty creams, and eye creams will not use any ingredients that might be …

Women Healthy Blog: The symptoms of menopause with Progesterone Cream - All that means is, a little cream on the skin daily, and no strict timetable for medicinal products in question. You do not need to make every time you leave home, to know if you take your medicine. The use of a cream phytoestrogens …

Mary Kay Cosmetics - Tips For Anti-Aging Creams? | Health Journal … - As of today, anti-aging creams are very popular in women who are really concerned of their aging skin. These anti-aging creams can actually help women whose skin is already aging. Anti-aging creams can actually reverse the signs of aging and can give solutions to problems related to aging such as … Thus, before you go and shop for an anti-aging cream, be sure first that you already know what to look for in an anti-aging cream so you won’t be wasting your time and money. …

Super Natural Ingredients In The Best Cream For Wrinkles | Health … - … Natural Remedies for Under Eye Circles · Hydroderm vs. Other Skin Care Products. CLICK HERE! What Are The Causes Of Clinical Depression? Family Tips - Building A Healthy Home · Best Wrinkle Creams, What You Need to Know …

Review Articles » Organic Skin Care for Babies - In one alarming study, babies who have been using traditional shampoos, lotions and creams showed a high concentration of phthalates in the urine. Phthalates are chemicals that are added to give plastic more flexibility and can be … The fist thing you need to do is throw your baby oil away! Mainstream baby oil is made with 100 percent mineral oil, a crude petroleum product which can actually clog the pores. Since the skin needs to be able to ‘breathe’ to release toxins, …

The Health Care Blog » The Best Creams For Getting Rid Of Dry Skin … - Its a bit like a diet, you know that fresh leafy greens and fresh fish is good for you and you also know what foods you should avoid Well you need to think about skin moisturizers in the same light because when you apply it to your skin …

BEAUTY LIFE: Don’t Buy a Beauty Night Cream Unless it Meets These … - By the time you finish reading this article, you’ll know exactly what to look for in an effective beauty night cream. Now a days, you can’t just walk into a store and expect to find a beauty night cream that works. But with a little bit of guidance and education, … In today’s skin care world, you simply cannot trust what company says about a product. You need proof! If they don’t provide any proof that their products works, then you may want to be cautious about it. …

Thinking of Having Cosmetic Surgery? - AOL Hot Searches - I’ve also heard that microdermabrasion is a great procedure to rejuvenate your skin, minimize wrinkles and hide sun spots. I guess it’s a risk you have to take if you want to have a cosmetic procedure done. … I have always been very afraid of aging, you know, becoming old and useless and unattractive. When I turned 50, I decided to do something about it. I’ve spent fortunes on face creams and anti-aging serums… but using GenFX is the first time I’ve tried turning back …

What Is The Difference Between Natural And Organic Skin Care? - You need to know the difference between plain natural skin care and organic natural skin care. The fact remains that both these skin care products are essentially natural which means their source is the nature. The only difference is that Organic products are … Pure organic skin care creams are a much better option because your skin will not experience any secondary effects and the natural nutrients will be easily absorbed , helping to heal and restore damaged skin. …

Filed under Skin Care by skinmd

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