Total Skin Solutions

Varicose veins are twisted, bulging veins, typically found in the legs and feet, and are the result of excess pressure on the veins from prolonged periods of standing. They are typically dark blue to purplish in color, and may itch or throb.

Occasionally, varicose veins can signal a more serious medical condition such as blood clots, ulcers or phlebitis therefore, the sudden appearance of varicose veins should be examined by a doctor immediately.

For many people, removal of varicose veins is a cosmetic decision; the appearance of the veins is unappealing when wearing shorts or skirts. For others, medical conditions may necessitate their removal but in either case, follow these guidelines to delay the appearance of any new varicose veins. Refrain from standing or elevating the feet for prolonged periods of time, wearing support stockings and adopt a daily exercise routine to maintain healthy circulation.

Using concealer or an anti-aging cream with SPF, you can hide varicose veins and continue to have a youthful look to your legs.

“The way your neck ages is about 20 percent genetics… and 80% skin care habits,” writes dermatologist Leslie Baumann, M.D. And what’s a simple, yet powerful anti-aging step in your routine? Slathering on the sunscreen, of course.

Every time you head outdoors, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen to your neck and dècolletè (and all exposed areas) 20 to 30 minutes before leaving the house.  You can also add a product specifically formulated for the neck and dècolletè areas.

If you’re already noticing sun damage or aging skin, know that many treatment options are available. Because of their exfoliating properties, alpha hydroxy acids, particularly glycolic acid, are ideal for helping damaged skin.

After exfoliating, follow with an anti-aging moisturizer; a rich moisturizer will drench the skin with invigorating antioxidant protection and help restore vitality to lackluster or tired skin.

Known universally as a bright and sunny bitter fruit, lemon is a member of the citrus family along with orange, lime, grapefruit and tangerine. Prized for its acidic quality, lemon has long been a household staple and the lemon’s fragrant essential oil (found in the rind) can be used for cooking, perfumery, cleaning, cosmetics and even healing.

Lemon has many cosmetic uses and can be found in a remarkably large number of skin care beauty products, especially glycolic acid treatments. Containing up to 8 % citric acid, lemon is a potent source of natural glycolic acid, along with apples, grapes, sugar cane and milk, making it an ideal chemical exfoliant and skin smoother.

Using natural anti-aging products offers up more pros than cons.  The synthetic chemicals used in most commercial products will often worsen skin problems.  Many of these products that you find at big box retailers and drug stores that are not organic will contain harsh chemicals, dyes and fragrances that will aggravate the skin.  Using natural products will not harm your skin like many other of their commercial counterparts.

What do broccoli, carrots and milk have in common? They are all an important part of nature’s arsenal to protect your skin from the effects of aging and the environment. The common element in these foods is that they are all good sources of Vitamin A, which act as an anti-aging agent.

Many people equate only eyes and vision with Vitamin A. But the health of our epithelial tissue — skin and the lining of passageways that open to the outside of the body, such as the throat and sinuses — is directly dependent on the amount of Vitamin A in our diet. Vitamin A acts as an antioxidant to neutralize harmful elements in our skin, helping to prevent wrinkles, resist infection and keep our skin youthful.

Vitamin C is typically recommended to fend off colds and sickness, but it’s also great for your skin.  Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that not only stimulates collagen production but contains the skin damaging activities of free radicals.

Consequently, citric acid can actually improve the health of skin cells which in turn promotes healing and the ability of the skin to protect itself against harmful environmental factors.  Vitamin C is an active ingredient in AHA, which is present in several anti-aging products.

Over the last few posts, we’ve mentioned the dire effects of alcohol, excessive tanning and smoking on your skin.  But there is something that you already may be doing that will help keep your skin looking youthful.

One of the best anti-aging methods is to use creams that use Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA).  You can also find these in some foods (such as yams).  By having a skin care regimen and diet that contains AHA, you can continue with your youthful look.

Last month, I received the AdvanSkin Ultimate Treatment Serum as a birthday gift.  Honestly, I was a bit reluctant, but having tried it for the last three weeks, I can say that it’s probably the best product that I’ve ever used.  My skin now has a healthy glow and it reduced the bags around my eyes.  Even though I’m nowhere close to running out, I may buy another one just so I don’t forget.

 Skin rejuvenation is any cosmetic or medical procedure used to increase or restore the appearance of a younger age to human face. The specific term, however, refers to a set of surgical procedures which try to restore facial geometry and skin appearance which are typical of youth, by using a combination of brow lift, elimination of eye bags, eyelids lift, elimination of senile spots, skin aging, facial sagging and wrinkles by face lift and rhytidectomy and physical or chemical peeling, chin lift (reduction of double chin), restoration of facial hairline, etc. These procedures are usually successful and in some cases achieve striking results.

DMAE (Dimethylaminoethanol) is an organic compound that is often used as an agent in skin care products.  It has curing properties and short-term studies have shown that it causes alertness and positive influence in your mood.  It has also been shown to increase the lifespan of animals it has been tested on.  There are several anti-aging products that utilize the properties of DMAE.