Understanding Cellulite

By Health.Tips.Net
Understanding Cellulite!
Cellulite is not uncommon. In fact, cellulite is so common, it's almost considered uncommon to not have some cellulite somewhere. If you don't know what cellulite is or if you have it or if it's actually a problem, then read on. People have misconstrued ideas of what cellulite actually is, and so the more you understand about cellulite, the more you'll understand your own body and what you can do about cellulite. Understanding Cellulite!

Cellulite is basically the flesh of your lower limbs, pelvic area, and abdomen that dimples as you mature. Cellulite can come at anytime past puberty—it can appear during maturation or even years after adolescence. Chances are that sometime in your life you will develop cellulite, and so you should be assured that it's definitely not uncommon. You should also know that the concerns surrounding cellulite are purely cosmetic. Cellulite poses no health risk and is not a threat to your physical state of well being. Some people may be under the delusion—thanks to the appearance-obsessed media—that cellulite is an actual problem, when really the "problems" with cellulite are simply based on what society deems as attractive. Knowing that cellulite poses no threat to your health, your opinion on cellulite reduction may change. If not, however, there are ways that you can reduce your cellulite to have a smoother, more socially attractive body. Understanding Cellulite!

Reduction methods include simple treatments like prescribed and over-the-counter creams to more extreme methods like plastic surgery. Most cellulite reduction methods have their merits, but all are not purely legitimate. You should know that there is no surefire way to completely eliminate your cellulite, and that fat and cellulite are different things. If you see a product boasting of its ability to rid fat while mentioning cellulite, stay away because it's not telling the whole truth. Some fat and cellulite treatments can help both, but because fat and cellulite are different, the same treatment won't be effective for both. Again, cellulite can never be completely eliminated; depending on the treatment you use—and on how much money you spend—you may be able to quite convincingly reduce your cellulite. However, do keep in mind that to keep that smooth look, you will have to continually treat your cellulite. Without continual treatment, the cellulite will come back. Understanding Cellulite!

Cellulite treatments are usually aimed at taking your money rather than reducing your cellulite. You need to be aware of the scams out there so you can better realize what you're spending your money on, and also so you can determine whether or not reduced cellulite is worth it. Take this information and do further research to decide if reducing your cellulite is right for you. Use caution and always keep your own actual health and well being as your top priority. Understanding Cellulite!

Laser Treatment for Cellulite

By Health.Tips.Net
Laser Treatment for Cellulite...

I'm betting that you would recognize cellulite, even if you don't know its exact definition. Cellulite is that dimpled skin that often appears on your lower limbs, abdomen, and pelvic area. It's not considered very attractive by the media, because the Barbie doll image of perfection doesn't allow for such dimpling. Even though most people have cellulite and it's really not that big of a deal, if you're determined to get rid of your cellulite, there are a few different ways you can do that. Various cellulite reduction methods include creams, electronic muscle stimulation, and plastic surgery
. The most effective of these treatments is plastic surgery.
Laser Treatment for Cellulite...

If you choose to go the plastic surgery route (while it is definitely more expensive), you may want to consider getting your plastic surgery done the laser way. There are a couple of different ways to use plastic surgery to reduce your cellulite, and using a laser is one of those ways. Laser treatment is the most effective way to remove cellulite, but it is also kind of pricey. Laser treatment is also called endermologie and is the new breakthrough in cellulite treatment. Endermologie can be used in conjunction with other forms of cosmetic improvement, but should always be used with care. Laser Treatment for Cellulite...

The thought driving cellulite laser treatment is that the laser will soften the cellulite tissue, smoothing it out over time. With laser treatment, you will have to have multiple sessions to achieve optimal results. So, the theory behind laser treatment is pretty simple and straightforward: soften up the unwanted tissue so it better resembles the "normal" tissue. Laser treatment for cellulite also has fringe benefits. The laser and heat can help rid your body of unwanted toxins and even extra body fat. Remember that cellulite and fat are not the same thing, so reducing cellulite will not reduce your fat—laser treatment for cellulite can benefit your fat by reducing a little bit, but don't count on the cellulite laser treatment to fix both problems for you. Laser Treatment for Cellulite...

Laser treatment for cellulite is still pretty new and still needs time to be refined. Endermologie is opening up a new cosmetic frontier and may promise socially wanted results. You should approach laser treatment with caution, and you need to make sure that you're dealing with qualified and legitimate doctors; otherwise, you could end up seriously damaging your body. Make sure that you do your research, and always keep your own health—not your appearance—as your top priority. Laser Treatment for Cellulite...

Getting Rid of Cellulite

By Health.Tips.Net
Getting Rid of Cellulite!
Cellulite is a common occurrence in many older people, and frankly, it's not considered very attractive. Cellulite is the dimpling of the flesh in the lower limbs, pelvic area, and abdomen. It's almost uncommon to not have cellulite, but despite the fact it is so common, most people don't like it and would like to get rid of it. There are several ways to get rid of your cellulite, some of them expensive and some of them not no so expensive. Once you know the ins and outs of cellulite reduction, then you'll be able to make an educated decision. Getting Rid of Cellulite!

Some of the more expensive alternatives include electronic muscle stimulation (EMS), body wrapping, and plastic surgery. EMS, as you can probably tell by the name, deals with stimulating the muscles. The idea behind EMS is that the electricity will make your muscles contract, thus getting rid of—or at least hiding—the cellulite. This method is usually based more in commercialism than in actual science, and may work initially, but isn't a permanent solution. You'll have to do EMS multiple times to keep the cellulite from reappearing on your body. This is more of a money drain than anything else—seek other options if you can. Body wrapping is of the same vein as EMS, in that it takes more money than it does cellulite. It's the spa way of getting rid of cellulite, and doesn't really get rid of cellulite in the first place. Plastic surgery is the most dependable way to get rid of your cellulite—it's definitely the most expensive, but also the most reliable. If you want to get plastic surgery, however, make sure that you have a good doctor and that you are getting quality care. Getting Rid of Cellulite!

There are also creams you can try. These creams can be either prescribed or over-the-counter, but either way, the creams are the least expensive way for you to get rid of your cellulite. Cellulite creams utilize special chemicals and compounds to reduce your cellulite, but will never actually get rid of your cellulite. Cellulite isn't fat, and so most of the cellulite treatments won't ever completely get rid of the cellulite. The creams will probably work enough for to give you satisfactory results, but you will have to continually apply the creams. Getting Rid of Cellulite!

So, cellulite reduction methods do have some kind of substantiation, but they will never completely rid your body of cellulite. Do your research, because there are many different scams out there that look to steal your money. Make educated decisions about your body and always remember that having cellulite doesn't mean that you're unattractive. If you can't afford to get rid of your cellulite, then it's really no big deal. Getting Rid of Cellulite!

Tattoo Removal

By Amy Pusey - Health.Tips.Net
Tattoo Removal...
Tattoos have been a popular means of expression for individuals since at least the Bronze Age, which is over 5,000 years. A popular practice all over the world, it is believed that the modern word tattoo originated from the Tahitian 'tatau,' meaning 'to mark something.' It is no surprise everyone has continued to do just that, from Polynesia to New Zealand, India to Africa, Western Europe to the Americas tattooing often became an important element interwoven into the cultural belief system. While tattoos from the period of the infamous Iceman have been attributed to medical therapy, for conditions like arthritis, modern cultures made spiritual connections, as well as used it to identify the lineage and succession of heirs of nobility. Tattoo Removal...

Unfortunately, the people who did not look at tattoos as works of art and the opportunity to tell a story through their selected piece in hindsight see it as a blazing token of stupidity and regret, and just want it gone. Well, with today's ever-developing technology they are able to have it disappear like a bad dream. Increasingly, women are heading to dermatologists' offices to remove their tattoos because they have become embarrassed by the negative attention they receive. This is not surprising because even though tattoos have become popular with mainstream society, in some regions social stigmas still exist. In addition, recent polls have indicated that up to 83% of individuals are happy with their tats, the remainder are not and would like them removed, but on average only approximately 6% will actually go through with it. Tattoo Removal...

If you have come to the conclusion to get your tattoo removed, you will be pleased to learn there are a few options available to you. It is important to keep in mind that each of these procedures must be performed by, and under the supervision of, a medical professional to ensure effectiveness of the procedure and minimize risk of infection. Here are the latest removal treatments available, beginning with the most popular: Tattoo Removal...

•Laser Treatments. This process uses a high-intensity light source that when applied to the subject area breaks down the color pigmentation. The darkness and complexity of the tattoo will determine how many treatments will be required. Mild-to-moderate discomfort can be expected post-treatment. Although popular, this is not an inexpensive procedure to select, where sessions may run as high as $1000. Tattoo Removal...

•Intense Pulsed Light Therapy. Also known as IPL, this procedure also uses an intense light source similar to that used in laser treatments. In this treatment, the skin in the tattooed area essentially uses a burning technique to remove the upper skin surface. The skin will regenerate, and once it has healed after the final course of treatment, the tattoo should be gone or traces of it barely visible. IPL is not as painful as laser therapy, but the cost of the procedure will vary since it is based on the number of light pulses required to remove the tattoo. Typically, the average cost is around $12 per light pulse. Tattoo Removal...

•Fade Away Creams. Cream-based treatments do not require the use of light-source therapy or abrading the skin. Instead, a chemically-formulated cream is applied to the tattoo continuously for a period of time, and cause the tattoo to slowly fade away. It is important to note that some of these creams can be strong, and may burn the skin, which may then result in scarring. But, it is considerably inexpensive compared to the other treatments, and if you are on a tight budget may be a cost-effective alternative. Tattoo Removal...

•Dermabrasion. After you have been placed under local anesthesia, the doctor will use a sanding tool to abrade the first few skin layers in order to remove the tattoo. The area will be very sore and red, but healing should complete in 2-3 weeks. Dermatologists indicate that if you are inclined to scarring, then an alternate method should be selected. Like laser treatments, dermabrasion can cost over $1000, especially if it is completed in hospital. Tattoo Removal...

•Excision. This treatment is actual surgery. It involves a surgeon removing the tattooed skin, and then suturing it closed, if a small area. For larger areas, once the tattoo has been cut out a skin graft taken from another area of your body is then affixed. Since it is an inpatient medical procedure, it will be expensive. Tattoo Removal...

Be thankful you live in modern times with modern technology because one of the earliest forms of tattoo removal was called, Salabrasion, which literally required the skin surface to be rubbed raw using salt and gauze, left to heal for a day, and then repeated the process. Not only was it the most painful procedure, but it also left horrendous scarring. I bet you feel better knowing that is not a treatment option. Tattoo Removal...

If you have decided to proceed with your tattoo removal, one important fact you need to know is that this process is considered cosmetic surgery. 'What does that mean to me,' you ask? It could mean everything because generally it will not be covered by your medical insurance unless your doctor advises it is being removed for health-related reasons. So, in the end, you could be paying for the entire treatment out of your pocket. For those of you electing to proceed, good luck and play it safe by obtaining your final medical advice and treatment from a board-certified dermatological surgeon. Tattoo Removal...
Tattoo Removal...

http://health.tips.net/Pages/T006368_Tattoo_Removal.html

Effective Acne Treatment

By Health.Tips.Net
Effective Acne Treatment!
Because the presence of acne causes so many negative feelings, as soon as problem areas pop up it's tempting to rush out and try every acne treatment on the market. But don't get out your credit card just yet. First, understand what causes acne. Effective Acne Treatment!

As part of its regular functions, sebaceous glands inside of hair follicles produce an oily substance called sebum. Though you may think that oil could do nothing good for your skin, sebum serves the necessary purpose of keeping hair and skin moisturized. The production of sebum is regulated by certain hormone levels that increase during the teen years, and then drop off during the beginning of the twenties. This explains why acne seems to affect more teenagers than adults. Effective Acne Treatment!

When everything is working properly, sebum leaves the hair follicle and spreads out onto the skin and down the hair shaft. However, in some cases sebum and other substances such as dead skin, dirt, and bacteria become trapped in the hair follicle, and that is where the trouble begins. Effective Acne Treatment!

As these substances become trapped in the hair follicle, pimples such as white heads or blackhead begin to appear, and may be followed by the trademark red and swollen areas that are commonly associated with acne. Knowing this basic information, the first logical step to treating acne is to prevent sebum and impurities from becoming trapped in the hair follicle in the first place. Believe it or not, gently cleansing the area no more than twice a day with a mild over-the-counter face wash is the most recommended way to do this. Now it's time to hit the drugstore. Effective Acne Treatment!

Many dermatologists agree that whatever creams or solutions that are used, it's good to look for a products that contain benzoyl peroxide, an antibiotic, and a moisturizer. The peroxide helps to break apart oil repositories, while the antibiotic fights bacteria. A moisturizer is also key because it will help replace the moisture that was stripped away by the cleansing agents. Effective Acne Treatment!

Just as important as what should be done to treat acne is what shoudn't. Excessive washing will only dry the skin out and stimulate sebaceous glands to produce more oil. The more oil there is, the more likely it will become trapped in the hair follicle. Scrubbing your face will irritate infected areas, and may cause the walls of infected hair follicles to break down under pressure, thus causing bacteria to spread to other areas on the face. Effective Acne Treatment!

And of course, the golden rule for any skin care regimen is to never, ever pop those pesky pimples. This may not only make the problem worse, it will more than likely lead to permanent scarring. Though you may be in a rush to see blemishes disappear, patience is a key factor in the fight against acne. Effective Acne Treatment!

http://health.tips.net/Pages/T007503_Effective_Acne_Treatment.html

Dealing with Rosacea

By Health.Tips.Net
Dealing with Rosacea...
Some people think rosacea is no big deal, but many who have it think quite differently. Having the condition tends to incite a kind of war between a person and his or her skin. And it can be downright embarrassing when you want to look your best and you have great big red blotches or what appears to be acne on your face. So how do you deal with it? Dealing with Rosacea...

One way of reducing rosacea is to identify what makes it especially apparent in your skin. There are many different things that trigger it in people and it is often a lot easier to avoid the causes than treat the condition. Some examples of things that cause rosacea are sun exposure, high temperatures and/or heat in general, alcohol, and smoking. These things are all fairly straightforward and all you would need to do to avoid all these triggers is to wear sunblock, stay out of the sun and heat as much as possible, and restrict your use of alcohol and cigarettes. Dealing with Rosacea...

Another thing those affected by rosacea can do is to see a dermatologist and get recommendations for skin products that are gentle enough for their sensitive skin. These can include anything from topical medications, to sunblocks, to makeup. Avoid products with ingredients that will irritate your skin. Some people who have rosacea and think it is acne and needs to be treated roughly will get alcohol pads with acne medication in them or try home microdermabrasion kits and make the problem so much worse than it has to be. Remember to be gentle with your skin and you will find that it will not react as badly as it did before to what you do to it. Do not scrub hard at your skin with a washcloth, for example. Dealing with Rosacea...

Another thing you can do is to try homemade facial treatments. Sometimes they will be gentler than what you find at the store. But be aware that they can still cause flare-ups. Some may find that their skin can take more than others who have rosacea. Perhaps you can make a mask of dry milk and water and spread it on your face as a gentle exfoliant. But that might not work for others with your condition. Try to do patch tests on other parts of your body that have the condition but that will not be as irritated if they flare up before trying anything on, say, your face. Eventually, you will find what works for you. Just give it time. Dealing with Rosacea...

http://health.tips.net/Pages/T006881_Dealing_with_Rosacea.html

Eczema Overview

By Health Tips & Technics

A rash like inflammed skin conditon with a itchy sensation is called Eczema. It is generally known as "dermatitis". The skin although dry is very itchy and most of the treatment for Eczema involves in reducing the itch. This is caused due to lack of moisture. Although the very exact cause of Eczema is not known. It is not contagious and can be controlled. Too much of heat and sweat also aggrevate the skin condition, hence its recommended to avoid sweat and heat. Fortunately, it disappears with age in children.

Although it appears different from person to person, its normal symptoms are dryness and extremely red patches. It is often known as the itch that rashes as the rashes appear due to itching. The place of occurance in the body is usually the forehead, scalp,elbow, knees, neck etc., Scientists believe that eczema is inherited, so there's is no preventive measure.

Treating baby's eczema can be relatively simple. Since eczema tends to rob the affected skin of moisture, keeping the skin adequately moisturized is the most important aspect of treatment. Use very mild soaps. Pat the skin dry, never rub, and immediately apply a thick moisturizer. Many doctors recommend that lotions be applied four or five times daily to help keep the skin moist.


A child having eczema should be bathed daily in lukewarm water. Do not bathe your child in hot, or even very warm water. Hot water causes skin to release histamines that make the skin red and itchy. The bath should not be for very long. . Avoid using soap and do not scrub skin with washcloth. Dress Childeren in loose fitting cotton clothes only. Apply lavish coats of moisturisers. If you child is found itching an area continously then dappen that area first with water and then apply moisturiser. Eczema can aggrevate due to stress too. Some severe eczema may also be treated with ultraviolet light under the supervision of a dermatologist to help clear up their condition. Try to eliminate any known allergens such as certain foods, dust, or pet dander from the surroundings. Anytime you feel that the symtoms are annoying the child take the child to the doctor.

There are many causes of eczema, the most common is allergic over-sensitivity, called atopy. This sort of eczema is known as atopic eczema. Eczema occurs in both children and adults, but usually appears during infancy. Atopic dermatitis often affects people with a family history of allergies. Doctors may sometimes, depending on the severity may prescribe ointments containing steroids which may tone down the itching to a greater extent. Steroids of different strengths are available but the lowest that is bearable by the skin without side effects is prescribed. Once you find some rashes on your childs body it is adviced to contact the doctor immediately.

http://www.healthtips.in/eczema.asp

Skin Cancer, Melanoma - Treatment Overview

By Bets Davis, MFA

Treatment Overview
Surgical removal (excision) of the affected skin is the most effective treatment for melanoma. Excision involves removing the entire melanoma along with a border (margin) of normal-appearing skin. Additional treatment may be needed based on the stage of the melanoma.

Staging for treatment of melanoma
Staging is a method of describing how far a cancer has progressed. It is done after excision of the melanoma and assessment of lymph nodes and other parts of the body to determine whether the cancer has spread. Staging helps doctors determine the best possible treatment. Staging evaluates:2

■Tumor thickness and depth.
■Ulceration of skin over the melanoma.
Initial treatment
Melanoma may be cured if caught and treated in its early stages when it affects only the skin. If melanoma is confined to the skin (primary melanoma), you will have surgery to remove the affected skin. If the melanoma is thin and has not invaded surrounding tissues, excision may cure the melanoma. In more advanced stages, melanoma may spread, or metastasize, to other organs and bones, making cure less likely.

Initial treatment will depend on the stage of the melanoma.5, 6

■Stage 0 melanoma or melanoma in situ invades only the outer layer of skin. Surgery to remove the lesion or mole is usually all that is needed.
■Stage I melanoma is generally less than 1 mm (0.04 in.) thick. Surgery to remove the cancer is usually all that is needed. Some advanced stage I melanomas may be treated like stage II.
■Stage II melanoma is more than 1 mm (0.04 in.) thick, but does not spread to the lymph nodes. Surgery to remove the cancer is most common. Other treatments your doctor may consider are a lymph node biopsy, a medicine called interferon, observation, or enrolling you in a clinical trial. Reconstructive surgery may be needed to repair the scar left by surgery, especially if it is on the face or hands. Some advanced stage II melanomas may be treated like stage III.
■Stage III melanoma has spread to the lymph nodes. Treatment includes surgery to remove the primary melanoma and all of the lymph nodes near the primary melanoma. This is usually followed by immunotherapy with interferon. Interferon is a protein similar to proteins made by the white blood cells. These proteins act in two ways—by weakening or killing cancer cells and also by boosting the body's immune system to fight the cancer. Your doctor may also talk to you about enrollment in a clinical trial.
■Stage IV melanoma is cancer that has spread far from the initial cancer site, perhaps to the liver, brain, or bones. Treatment may include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy with drugs such as interferon. Most treatment in stage IV is to treat the symptoms caused when the cancer spreads to other areas, such as bone pain if the cancer spreads to the bone.
Treatment for melanoma that develops in other places in the body depends on the site. Sites can include:

■The eye (ocular melanoma). In the past, melanoma of the eye often required removal of the eyeball (enucleation). Sometimes it is still necessary to remove the eye, but there are now alternative treatments for some of these cases. Treatment may include radiation, laser treatment called photocoagulation to seal off the blood supply to the cancer, and surgeries that do not remove the entire eyeball.7
■The skin of a finger or toe or under a nail. Melanoma in these sites is treated by removing (excising) diseased tissue. Often the entire finger or toe will have to be removed.4
Ongoing treatment
Regular follow-up appointments are important once you have been diagnosed with melanoma.8 After surgery to remove melanoma, you will have follow-up appointments every 3 to 6 months for 5 years, then once a year. You will continue to have follow-up appointments every 3 to 6 months if you have:

■Abnormal moles called atypical moles (dysplastic nevi). These moles are not cancerous. But their presence is a warning of an inherited tendency to develop melanoma.
■Familial atypical mole and melanoma (FAM-M) syndrome, which is an inherited tendency to get melanoma.
Treatment if the condition gets worse
Swollen or tender lymph nodes may be a sign that the melanoma has spread. Any enlarged regional lymph nodes should be removed and checked for melanoma.

Stage IV (metastatic) melanoma responds poorly to most forms of treatment. The 5-year survival rate for stage IV melanoma is less than 50%.8 The goal of treatment of metastatic melanoma is to control symptoms, reduce complications, and increase comfort (palliative care). It is not intended to cure the disease. Metastatic melanoma may be treated with:

■Surgery.
■Radiation therapy.
■Chemotherapy with dacarbazine (DTIC). The main side effect from DTIC is nausea and vomiting, which usually can be controlled with antinausea medicines. Another drug called temozolomide is being studied for treating melanoma. Temozolomide may be used to treat cancer that has spread (metastasized) to the brain.
■Immunotherapy with drugs such as interferon.
If you have metastatic melanoma, you may wish to be part of a clinical trial. Check with your doctor to find out whether clinical trials are available in your area.

What To Think About
After removal of a primary melanoma, a skin graft or other reconstructive surgery may be needed for cosmetic reasons or to restore function. This is most likely if the melanoma was large or was a late-stage tumor.

Melanoma can come back after treatment. Learn to do a skin self-exam and to check for swelling in your lymph nodes, and report any changes to your doctor.8 It's a good idea to get in the habit of doing this skin and lymph-node check at the same time every month.

There is no "normal" or "right" way to react to a diagnosis of cancer. There are many steps you can take to help with your emotional reaction to cancer. If your reaction interferes with your ability to make decisions about your health, it is important to talk with your doctor. Your cancer treatment center may offer psychological or financial services. You may also contact your local chapter of the American Cancer Society to help you find a support group. Talking with other people who may have had similar feelings can be very helpful.

End-of-life issues
If you have advanced (metastatic) melanoma, you may choose to stop curative treatment and focus on care that ensures your comfort (palliative care). Making the decision about when to stop medical treatment aimed at prolonging life and shift the focus to palliative care is difficult.

All-Natural Tips to Alleviate Acne

By Dr. Maoshing Ni

Many desperate teenagers and young adults with severe, scarring acne have been helped by prescription medications, but those treatments are not for everyone. Luckily there are natural alternatives that are effective and safe for remedying acne. At my practice, I recall a teenaged girl who had such severe acne on her back and face that she refused to go to the beach or to swim. I treated her with diet and nutrition, topical and internal herbal therapy, and acupuncture. Her condition cleared up substantially after six months of treatment. I saw her mother not long ago and she happily reported that her daughter is back to her outgoing self and has quite a social life now. To her credit, she stuck to the diet I recommended.

There are many steps you can take on your own to help heal your acne conditions.

Eat the right foods
For acne relief, I encourage eating plenty of squash, cucumber, celery, carrots, cabbage, dandelions, papaya, cherries, pears (especially the Asian or Fuji variety), watermelon, persimmons, raspberry, mung beans, Lentils, split peas, alfalfa sprouts, millet, brown rice and buckwheat.

For those with acne, I suggest avoiding sugar, dairy products, chocolate, caffeine, soda, red meat, nuts and seeds, fatty, fried and processed foods until your skin clears up. Make sure you are not constipated as toxins can accumulate and aggravate your acne. Eat plenty of fibers and drink at least 8 glasses of water every day.

Get some exercise
Here is one more reason to get active: Cardiovascular exercise can help increase circulation and boost skin immunity. Perspiration can help unblock pores and follicles, allowing the sebum to be discharged. Just make sure to wash your face and affected skin areas after exercise to keep your skin clean.

Beware of medications
Watch out for medications like birth control pills, steroids, and some psychotropic drugs, which can trigger acne or make it worse.

Relax and don't stress
Manage your stress because stress hormones can upset your hormonal balance, contributing to aggravated skin conditions.

Be mindful of your face
Avoid the activities that introduce baceteria to your skin: resting your chin in your hands, picking and touching your face, biting your nails, pressing a cell phone to your face, or nesting your face in your pillow at night.

Acne Home Remedies
Below are a few other tips that I recommend trying:
■Drink an all-greens juice. Make a tea with dandelion, carrot, and beet tops. Boil one bunch each of fresh dandelion greens, carrot tops, and beet tops in 4 - 5 cups of water for 20 minutes. Strain and drink 3 cups a day.
■Yogurt brings relief. Just apply 2 tablespoons of plain organic yogurt to the affected area of your skin, 3 times a day. Leave it on for 20 minutes, then wash off with warm water.
■Treat premenstrual acne with B6. Vitamin B6 can be used to treat the kind of acne that becomes its worst right before a woman's menstrual period or at mid-cycle. You may take up to 100 milligrams of B6 daily.
■Try Chinese herbal therapy. A Chinese herbal formula from my family medical tradition that we routinely use for our patients with skin conditions is called Exquisite Skin. It contains tribulus fruit, peony root, astragalus root, Siler root, and rhubarb root—herbs that have traditionally been used to support healthy skin.
I hope these natural recipes will remedy and beautify your skin! I invite you to visit often and share your own personal health and longevity tips with me.

--Dr. Mao

The Dirt on Soap

By Beth Shapouri

Everybody thinks they know how to wash their face, right? Well, a lot of us are choosing products that don't quite work with our skin chemistry, stripping it of precious moisture and triggering some serious skin freak-outs. The good news is not only will choosing the right product make for happier skin right now, but since irritation over time can cause inflammation (which means faster aging), you can actually save your skin some grief down the road. So I turned to Joshua Fox, M.D., founder of Advanced Dermatology and a spokesman for the American Academy of Dermatology, to help sort out the everything you ever needed to know about the whole skin-cleansing process.

First up, make sure you're sudsing up the right way since he warns. "Sometimes our soap habits can be more of a culprit in drying or irritating the skin than the soap itself." The solution? He says the face should be washed twice (morning and night), with just enough lathering to clean the skin surface and without excessive rubbing or sloughing. Then rinse twice with lukewarm (rather than hot water), getting off those last traces of the product itself so you make sure it's not sitting on your face all day, drying it out.

Now on to choosing the right product. His recommendations by skin type:

For oily or acne-prone skin: Reach for a wash with salicylic acid (a beta hydroxy acid) to slough off pore-clogging dead skin cells, or benzoyl peroxide, an ingredient that dries up pimples. You can find either add-in in different percentages, so if your face is sensitive, stick to a low level (.5 to 1 percent in salicylic acid or 5 percent in bezoyl peroxide).

For dry skin: Go for a mild "superfatted" soap or wash with moisturizing ingredients like shea butter, glycerin, and vitamin E. Hint: Just look for words "moisturizing." These products are great because they actually deposit moisture into the skin while cleaning it, so you don't get that tight, harsh feeling afterwards.

For sensitive skin: Look for something marked "hypoallergenic," which means it's free of common skin irritants known to spur allergic reactions. And in general something that's fragrance-free (as opposed to unscented, which simply means the products doesn't have a scent) is a good way to go since perfumes can be grating on sensitive types. Dr. Fox also advises to lay off the scrubbing and make sure to rinse well.

For normal skin: For the most part, you can wash with a gentle cleanser and be set. But when your skin swings one way or the other, Dr. Fox says to look to any of the variety of botanical and organic soaps available on the market to address those temporary fluctuations. When you get a little irritation, try soothing lavender When skin needs some light exfoliation, go for something with organic oatmeal. And in the winter months, you may need something with some more moisturizing ingredients to keep your face happy.

That's it-all the basics of keeping your skin sparkling, clear and pretty. So tonight, practice all you've learned. Your skin will most definitely thank you.