Showing posts with label Skin Care. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Skin Care. Show all posts

Monday, 13 April 2015

Pimples – Get To Know All About Them

causes of Pimples
A clean and clear face is a dream for all of us. But if you are gifted with an oily skin, then you will realize the fact that clean and clear face is really a distant dream. One of the major reasons for the same is the number of pimples on your face. Yes, pimples can make your face look dull and full of scars. If you wish to avoid looking dull then you should know all about pimples and try to get a cure for them. Contrary to the popular belief, skin care products might not always cure your pimple problems.

Common causes of Pimples

Here are some of the common causes of pimples listed for you to know:
  • Hereditary
  • Certain medicinal reactions
  • Chemical make up
  • Increased hormones during teenage years
  • Birth control pills
  • Various hormonal changes during pregnancy
Types of pimples

Here are certain types of pimples that you should be aware of so that you know when to contact your doctor and when to take care of them on your own:
  • Blackheads: Also known as "Open Comedo", these are clearly visible and appear on the skin. Normally, they are black in colour and appear on the nose and the surrounding areas.
  • Whiteheads: These are known as "Closed Comedo" and are small in size. They normally remain under the skin. These are also flesh-coloured papules.
  • Papules: These are small, solid, round bumps that normally rise from the skin. They are mostly pink in color.
  • Pustules: These are type of pimples which are clearly visible. They are full of pus and the base is red in colour. Most importantly they have pus on the top.
  • Nodules: These are large papules and are mainly painful. These papules are entrenched deep in the skin.
  • Cysts: These type of pimples are clearly visible on the face. They are pus-filled, painful and causes scars.
Curing pimples

There are some simple ways to cure pimples. Here are some of them:
  • Cleansing: Try to cleanse your face twice a day. Use a good face wash for the same or you can prepare your own face wash. You can go for herbal skin care products for better results.
  • Exfoliating: It is very important to scrub your face at least twice a week. This will help you remove the dead cells and will help you remove the chances of pimple formation. It will also clear the pores.
  • Toning: Once you are done with exfoliating, you should definitely ensure good toning of your skin. A toner will help you reduce the size of the pores and will help you stop pimple formation. So, invest in a good toner!
  • Moisturising: Ensure that you moisturise your skin regularly. This will help you keep your skin hydrated. If you have an oily skin, then you can use a water based moisturiser.
  • Medication: If you are suffering from immense pimple problem, then you will have to take suggestions of a dermatologist. You should go for the prescribed medication religiously rather than skin care products. This will help you keep your pimples in control.
Few natural home remedies for a pimple-free skin
  • Apply lemon juice with groundnut oil on your pimple ridden face for 30 minutes and rinse thoroughly to get a wonderful face.
  • Mix lemon juice and sandalwood powder. Then apply the paste and wash after some time.
  • Mix 3 teaspoon of honey and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder. Apply the paste overnight which helps reducing skin irritations.
Hope now you can easily deal with your pimples!

Tuesday, 17 February 2015

Holi Special – Take Care Of Your Hair Pre And Post Holi

Holi, the festival of colours is knocking at the door! Come March and the weather as well as your surrounding will charm you. You will feel the presence of colours all around you! Of late, the colours of Holi have resulted in health hazards for many of us. Many people face the problem of skin rashes or damaged locks immediately after Holi. Thus, it is important for all of us to take care of our skin and hair pre and post Holi. As far as your beautiful looks are concerned, you need to take special care of them both pre and post Holi. Here are certain steps that can help you in maintaining your hair and preventing any kind of hair damage.

Hair care before playing Holi
post holi
Before you start playing with Holi, you need to take steps to care for your precious locks. You should note here that to survive the chemical colours, you will have to provide your hair with extra nourishment as well as protection. The most effective and simplest method to protect your hair will be to massage it with Jaborandi hair oil. You can do it an hour before you start playing with colours. This oil will form a protective layer on your hair and will ensure that no hair damage takes place. Moreover, once you shampoo your hair after playing Holi, the colours will easily get removed. Apart from this,  mixture of jojoba and rosemary oil can also be the right base oil for your hair. These oils will not allow any harmful chemicals to settle down on your hair. The oil will easily penetrate your cortex.

Moreover, the oil also takes care of the dryness which is caused due to weather and the chemical colours. Thus, your hair will receive the required nourishment easily. In order to get better results, you can also soak a towel in hot water and wrap it around your oiled hair. You can leave it for around half an hour so that you can ensure proper penetration of the oil. Also, while you go out to play Holi, you can cover your hair with bandana or cap. This will help you save your scalp.

Hair care after Holi

Once you have finished playing Holi, you will also have to take steps to complete the hair care procedure. As you wash your hair, ensure that you rinse it first with plenty of water. This will help you wash away the dry colours as well as particles of mica. It is better to use a mild shampoo to wash off your hair after playing colours. You can also go for a home-made shampoo consisting of shikakai, reetha and amla or Indian gooseberry soaked overnight, boiled and strained in the morning. You should massage your scalp gently with this shampoo and rise it off with water. Apart from this, add lemon juice into a mug of water and use it as a last rinse. This will restore the acid-alkaline balance of the scalp. You can also apply henna to your hair. Make a paste of henna powder with lemon juice and coffee and enough curd. You can apply it on the hair and wash it off after an hour.

If you follow the above mentioned steps, you will be able to avoid any kind of hair damage due to Holi colours.  In case, if there are any complication, you should immediately contact a trichologist.

Thursday, 22 January 2015

Dark Circles – Simple Ways That Can Help You Remove Them

remove dark circlesMany of us have the problem of shallow, dark circles under our eyes. Its a botheration for all of us as it affects our appearance negatively. Dark circles can be hereditary, can result due to stress or can develop due to the ageing process. However, it should also be remembered that dark circles can occur at any age. One of the best ways to prevent dark circles is to consume a nutritious diet which should include salads, yogurt, fresh fruits, vegetables, sprouts, dairy products, unprocessed milk, lentils and beans. Apart from this, daily exercise, especially breathing exercises, can help a great deal in reducing dark circles.

Quick and simple ways to remove dark circles

Here are some of the quick and simple ways to remove dark circles:

Look out for home remedies: Dark circles can be easily cured through home remedies. You can apply a mixture of tomato juice, lemon juice, turmeric and gram flour and apply the mixture under your eyes. Keep it for some time and wash it off. Regular application will remove dark circles. Application of cucumber and potato juice can also help you in removing dark circles. Apart from this, eat fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins and iron. Regular application of these home remedies will help you in reducing the dark circles to a great extent and they will also have a beneficial impact on your overall face.  

Exercise regularly: You should indulge in daily exercise along with breathing exercises. This helps to improve blood circulation, oxygenation and controls stress. With this healthy lifestyle, you will be able to reduce the chances/occurrences of dark circles. Apart from this, one should gently massage the under eye area with an under eye cream or gel to remove the darkness.

Dark circle treatments: Chemical peeling is one of the effective treatments to get rid of dark circles. It is also known as chemosurgery. A dermatologist and an anesthetist will help you with the process. Apart from this, Intense Pulse Treatment also reduces dark circles by destroying pigment cells. Laser treatment is another way out to treat the dark circles. You can opt for any of these options depending upon your choice and affordability.

Creams and gels for dark circles: In order to cure dark circles to a great extent, a lot of beauty creams have come up in the market. Depending upon the suitability and the affordability of the creams, you can use them. Various national and international brands of cosmetics have come up with under eye gels and creams. You will have to buy any of these creams and gels and massage your under eye with these creams. Use soft hands to massage your under eye or else you can develop lines and wrinkles. It will be better to massage your eye at night time and then go off to sleep. This will have better impact on your under eyes and will reduce dark circles.

The above mentioned ways will help you get rid of dark circles to a great extent. However, whichever technique you follow, you should consider doing it regularly in order to get the best results. Once you are able to get rid of the dark circles, your overall face will glow and look good. Thus, you will not have to use a concealer on a regular basis.

Monday, 19 January 2015

Causes Of Dark Circles

Causes Of Dark Circles
“The soul fortunately, has an interpreter – often an unconscious but still a faithful interpreter – in the eye.” - Charlotte Bronte

So, keeping your eyes beautiful and noticeable is your prime responsibility. But, as all of you know, dark circles can be a barrier to your lovely eyes. Before you try to cure dark circles, let us find out the factors which cause them. Heredity, stress or a part of the ageing process can be few factors behind the formation of this disease. Dark circles are a problem that occurs irrespective of your skin colour and type. They make you look much older than you actually are! Dark circles are much more prominent because the skin around your eyes is very thin & delicate. As this region does not have oil glands, it needs special care and attention. Dark circles are characterized by the blood vessels present underneath the skin's surface around the eyes. The blood leaks out from the capillaries making the vessels visible through the skin. Though, few are mentioned above, but, there are actually numerous causes of dark circles. Information about the different causes of dark circles will help you choose a better treatment plan. Here are some of the most common causes.

Hereditary – Heredity can be one of the major causes of dark circles. If your parents suffer from dark circles, you are also likely to develop the same. It happens because your family might have a tendency of having thin skin layer around the eyes or having more blood vessels than the average lot. Even, both the cases can be present. These can be the reasons for awfully bad dark circles.

Broken Blood Vessels – If the blood vessels which supply blood underneath the eyes break, it leads to limited blood supply. When the haemoglobin level, oxygen carrying molecule, within the blood is reduced, the result is skin darkening.

Anaemia – Shortage of oxygenated blood caused due to iron deficiency often lead to dark circles. Therefore, the capillaries under the eyes supply insufficient oxygen. But, it doesn't mean that dark circles alone signifies that a person is suffering from anaemia. There may be other reasons as well.

Hyperpigmentation – A condition called Perorbital Hyperpigmentation may occur in which the production of melanin around the eyes is more active than average, thus resulting in dark circles.

Nutritional causes – Lack of proper, balanced diet can be a major cause of dark circle. Deficiency in some nutrients, like iron & Vitamin E can lead to dark circles. Also, the type of medications which dilate blood vessels & make them more apparent, cause the emergence of dark circles.

Allergies – Allergies like hay fever, dust allergy and mild allergy not only cause itchy eyes, but can also cause skin discolouration which appears as dark circles under the eyes. Some allergies can be treated with medicines, but most of these drugs cause dehydration, which may cure the itching, but leaves behind dark circles around the eyes.

Dehydration – Dehydration can be another feather in the cap behind the formation of dark circles. In mild cases, drink electrolyte rich beverages and consume adequate sodium, which might solve the problem.

Smoking – Smoking leads to vascular problems constricting the blood vessels. This leads to poor circulation of blood which makes the under eye darkness more prominent.

Lack of sleep – Lack of sleep can lead to stress causing health related problems like pale, fatigued skin and hollows under the eyes making the dark circles more noticeable. Take a minimum 8 hours good sleep which will help to fend away exhausted looking eyes.

Thursday, 25 September 2014

Skin Care Routine – How to start off with it

Feeling jealous as you look at the amazing skin your friend has? Well, you should know that it takes a lot of effort to get a radiant skin and your friend might have been following an effective skin care regime for a long period of time! If you wish to get a bright and glowing skin, then you should also start following an effective skin care routine. Worried about how to start an effective skin care regime? Well, read on to know more.

Skin care routine to follow

Here are some of the basic steps which will help you start off with an effective skin care routine:

Know your skin type: Before you start following a regular skin care regime, it is essential for you to know what type of skin you have – dry, oily, normal, combination or sensitive skin. You can contact a dermatologist who can help you know your right skin type.

Cleanse your skin thoroughly: As a part of your skin care regime, make sure to cleanse your face regularly. Various cleansers and cleansing foams are available which will help you in this process. You can get these skin care products in different price range. Choose the one that suits your skin type. Cleansers formulated for oily skin won't work well on dry skin!

Exfoliate your skin: To get a smooth skin, it is essential that you exfoliate it at least twice a week. Exfoliation will help you in getting rid of the dead skin cells that accumulate on your skin due to pollution, dust, stress, etc. Removing the dead skin cells will help you get a soft and supple skin.

Toners are a must: As you exfoliate your skin, the pores on your skin will open up. If you do not use a good toner after exfoliating, it can lead to break outs and pimples due to opened up pores. The toner will help you in closing the pores. Thus, when you are shopping for skin care products, do not forget to buy a good toner that suits your skin type.

Never forget to moisturise: Whether you have a dry skin or an oily one, never forget to moisturise! This will help you keep your skin hydrated and ensure that you get a soft and supple skin all throughout the year. Moisturising your skin only during winters will not be of much help!

Avoid touching your face: Your hand can contain a number of bacteria as you hold various things with it. If you touch your face with your hands, the bacteria and other germs will get on it leading to pimples and break-outs. So, it will be better to avoid touching your face with your hands.

Never forget to apply sunscreen: When you are buying skin care products, make sure that you buy a sunscreen which has SPF value of more than 30 at least. Apply sunscreen whenever you decide to step out in the sun irrespective of the season. This will help you avoid the negative affects of UV rays. Also, it will help you avoid tanning.

If you follow the above mentioned rules for skin care, be assured to get a radiant and blemish-free skin soon!
skin care regime, it is essential for you to know what type of skin you have – dry, oily, normal, combination or sensitive skin. You can contact a dermatologist who can help you know your right skin type.

Friday, 19 September 2014

How Men Can Enhance Their Beauty Using Ayurveda

ayurvedic grooming for menIndia is famous for the use of ayurveda from time immemorial. Infact, the use of ayurveda in India has become so famous all over the world that the western countries are also adopting this therapy to have fit and healthy life style. Ayurveda gives emphasis on the use of herbal products and yoga for the benefit of health. Uses of fruits, vegetables, flowers are common in ayurveda. It is always best to use natural skin care products rather than those made of chemicals for a healthy skin. For this purpose ayurveda is the best option.

Previously, only women were interested about beauty regime. However, now-a-days men have also become health and beauty conscious. In this respect they are taking up ayurvedic products for a better and ever lasting effect. Ayurveda not only makes the outer surface of the skin beautiful, but also helps to make the body healthy from inside. If a person uses the skin care products made of natural ingredients, he or she can actually feel the change in the skin condition. Many ayurvedic grooming products for men are available in the markets which are hot favourite among all.

Tips for fair and clean skin for men
It is a myth that men cannot get fair and clean skin. Infact, using ayurvedic products can help them get fair and clean skin. Use of ayurveda should not be only limited to skin care products, but must be taken as food as well to have a healthy body. A healthy body is a boon of nature and a gift of God. So proper care of the health is required to enjoy life to the fullest. Some tips are given below which can be used for getting a healthy body and skin as well.

Papaya can make the skin glowing
Eating papaya is good for the liver. If the liver is healthy, the skin also looks glowing. Papaya can be mashed and used as a face pack. This helps to remove the dead cells of the skin and gives a glow to the skin.

Tomato reduces sun tan
Cut a slice of tomato and rub on the face and neck daily. This will help to reduce the tan and darkness caused due to the exposure to the sunlight. Tomato also makes the skin look fair as this also helps to remove the dirt from the skin.

Use of natural scrub is always better
A natural scrub can be made using nuts like cashew, almond and pistachio along with rosewater, wheat germ oil, chickpea flour, red lentil and the cream of the boiled milk. Using all these ingredients a paste can be made and used as a scrub. Apply this paste on the face and let it dry for about twenty minutes. Wash off the dried paste from the skin using water. This will make the skin glowing and fresh.

Use milk as a cleanser
Dip a cotton ball in milk and rub it on the face and neck. Milk acts as a magnet and pulls out all the dirt and dust from the skin, thus making it free from pimple and rashes. This may be the reason that in olden days babies were bathed with milk just after birth so that they can get glowing skin.

Yoga helps to have a healthy body
In the ancient times people used to engage themselves in physical exercises as there was less use of technology at that time. However, with the advent of technology, physical exercise has reduced. So, yoga can be a healthy option to have a healthy body. Yoga not only makes the person look beautiful but makes him fit and healthy from inside. A healthy body means an automatic healthy glow on the skin.

Use herbal products for shaving
While shaving, using herbal products is a safer option. Infact, chemical products can make the skin rough. First wipe the cheeks with a towel soaked in warm water, and then apply vegetable oil on the cheeks. A natural soap made of ayurvedic products can also be used to make the lather. At last, shave off the whiskers using a new razor. It is advisable not to use old razor for shaving.

Now-a-days, it cannot be said that beauty and skin care products are used only by women. Infact men are equally conscious about making themselves presentable to all. They follow different regimes for this purpose. Uses of herbal and ayurvedic products are preferred by all to get a fair a clear skin without causing any damage. In addition to this, be satisfied with the life and be happy. This is the most important factor which helps to have a beautiful skin condition.




Thursday, 18 September 2014

Take Care Of Your Aged Skin With Ayurvedic Remedies

ayurvedic remedies
Your skin can turn aged either with time or it can age prematurely. Well, premature ageing of skin is a common problem for many of us. Normally, people turn to costly cosmetic products in order to stop or reduce premature ageing of the skin. However, these costly skin care products might not have much impact on the ageing of your skin. Rather, it will be better if you could opt for ayurvedic products or remedies in order to take care of your aged skin and give it a new lease of life!

Ayurvedic remedies to avoid skin ageing

Here are some ayurvedic remedies which can play a great role in helping you avoid skin ageing:

Reduce age spots with lemon juice: One of the common symptoms which predicts that your skin is ageing is the presence of the age spots. Rather than using cosmetic skin care products in order to reduce skin ageing, it will be better if you could try ayurvedic remedies. Lemon juice is an important part of various ayurvedic remedies and will play a great role in reducing the age spots. Apply this juice regularly on the age spots and keep it for 10 minutes. Then wash it off. With regular usage, you will find that the age spots are slowly reducing.

Moisturize dry skin with coconut milk: One of the symptoms of aged skin is that it becomes dry with time. Rather than using cosmetic moisturizers, it will be better if you could use coconut milk on your skin. Various ayurvedic products are available which utilize coconut milk to prepare moisturizers for dry skin. You can use those products and ensure that your skin is not dry. A hydrated skin will help avoid getting prematurely aged.

Oil massage for a supple skin: A supple skin will remain healthy and young for a long period of time irrespective of your age. In order to get a supple and glowing skin, it will be better if you could go for a regular oil message. Different types of body oils are available in the market which will help you get a lovely skin. Sesame oil or ayurvedic oils can be of great help in getting a beautiful skin.

Enjoy sipping a cup of youthful skin tea regularly: Skin can become prematurely aged due to accumulation of toxins in the body. These toxins gets deposited on the skin. In order to enjoy a youthful complexion, it is important to remove these toxins from the body. A simple tea can help you remove these toxins. All you need to do is boil 4-5 cups of water and add ½ teaspoon of whole cumin seeds, ½ teaspoon of whole coriander seeds and ½ teaspoon of whole fennel seeds. Continue to let it boil for 5 minutes with the lid on, strain it and drink it in small sips throughout the day.

If you follow the above mentioned ayurvedic remedies, you will be able to enjoy a glowing skin and also be able to reduce the risk of premature ageing of skin. Thus, you can enjoy a tight, bright and beautiful skin all throughout your life!

Wednesday, 10 September 2014

Skincare – How To Establish An Effective Routine

skin care routine
Everyone will love to have an amazing skin, especially if you are a woman. But in order to get an amazing skin, you will have to follow an effective skincare routine. There are various products available in the market which claim to help you in getting an amazing skin. But, before you buy any of these products, you should set a simple but effective skincare routine. Different routines are available for oily, spot prone skin as well as dry or combination type skin.

Establishing an effective skincare routine

Here are some of the major steps which will help you set up an effective skincare routine:

Try not to touch your face much: To get a glowing skin free of pimples and other rashes, the first step that you should take is to stop touching your face much. Constantly touching your face can transfer bacteria from your hands to your face leading to pimples and rashes. If you are in need to touch your face, wash your hands thoroughly. Following this regime will help you get a better skin.

Determine your skin type and buy products accordingly: A lot of skincare products, available in the market, claim to make skin better. However, before you buy any skincare product, you should first check out your skin type. Right skincare products will have better results on your skin. Normal skin will be smooth and firm with small or medium sized pores. It is neither too oily nor too dry. Dry skin, on the other hand, will be extremely tight and will be noticeably flaky. It might be caused due to lack of hydration or malnutrition. It will look quite rough. Oily skin is easier to identify as it will be shiny and wet. It is more prone to blemishes. Combination skin has everything including in it – nose, chin and forehead are oily, cheeks are dry and other parts of the face is normal. Sensitive skin can lead to severe irritations easily. So, choose the products as per your skin type.

Do not pop, pick or squeeze pimples: Though it is tempting to pick, pop or squeeze a pimple, it can have a worst impact on your skin. It will not only hurt you more but will also look worse and will also leave behind a scar. Thus, it will make your skin look worse.

Cleanse, tone and moisturize regularly: In order to get an amazing skin, make sure that you cleanse, tone as well as moisturize your skin regularly. It will be better if you could do this twice a day. If you cannot manage to do so twice, then make sure to do so at least once a day. This will help you remove the dead skin and make your skin glow.

Exfoliate your skin at least twice a week: To bring that amazing glow to your skin, make sure that you exfoliate your skin at least twice a week. This will not only help remove the dry skin but will also reduce the chances of pimples by controlling oil secretion on your face. While you scrub, do not be harsh on your skin.

Apart from the above mentioned points, ensure that you apply a face mask twice or thrice in a week to enjoy a healthy skin!

Monday, 8 September 2014

Pimple And Its Home Made Remedies

home remedies for pimplesPimple is a serious problem mostly among youngsters. Although, pimple may not cause any major health issue, still it be a cause of uneasiness for any individual. If a youngster faces problem of pimple regularly, he or she can be a topic of discussion and joke among his or her friends. So youngsters are scared of pimple and they often prick it using their nails with the desire of getting rid of the problem quickly. However, this not only enhances the problem, but also leaves behind a mark of the pimple on the individual's face.

Home remedies for pimple

Pimple is caused due to impure blood flow in any body part and can be cured easily and quickly by following some homemade remedies which are discussed bellow.

Use of garlic

Garlic helps to purify the blood flow in the body. Consuming raw garlic regularly helps in blood purification. If the blood is purified, it will automatically reduce the chances of having pimple. Garlic can also heal the pimple if it is cut and rubbed over it for about five minutes. The face should be properly and thoroughly washed with water following this to remove the pimple as early as possible.

Honey also helps to reduce pimple

Honey not only tastes good but also helps to fight pimple problem. A clean piece of cotton is to be dipped in honey and the liquid is to be applied directly on the pimple. After about fifteen minutes it should be washed using Luke warm water. This will help in reducing pimple and its marks.

Lemon reduces the rate of pimple

Lemon is a rich source of vitamin C. As we all know, lemon contributes towards a better hair, skin teeth and nail condition. It also helps in reducing pimple. If a little bit of lemon juice is applied on the face before going to bed, then pimple can be kept at bay. Additions of lemon juice to homemade face packs also makes the skin clear, clean and glowing. A healthy skin is always free from pimple problem.

Ice stops pimple

Applying ice on the pimple affected skin can be of great help. Ice can be wrapped in a clean cloth and pressed against the face to lessen the risk of pimple. Ice helps to improve the blood circulation, removes the dirt and germ from the skin surface and thus cures the pimple affected area of the skin.

Toothpaste is a ready and instant remedy for pimple

We all know that toothpaste cleans our teeth, but how many of us are aware of the fact that it can be a remedy for pimples also? Well, you read it correct. Toothpaste can be applied on the pimple and left overnight. This should be washed properly with water the next day, only to experience the magical improvement.

Pimple can also be avoided by exposing the face to a large bowl of warm water. This opens the pores of the skin and stops pimple. In addition this makes the skin glowing. Pimple can also be removed by using different face washes, ointments and lotions which are easily available in shops which sell cosmetics. You can also buy them through different online digital pharmacies.

Thursday, 28 August 2014

Skin cancer - The surprising symptom that your doctor shouldn’t ignore

skin cancer
Different forms of Cancer have become prevalent in the recent times to a great extent. In order to avoid or prevent skin cancer, it will be better to know the symptoms and take immediate action. Depending upon the intensity of the symptoms, your doctor will suggest you required medications.

Recently, an analysis has been done by medical researchers at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Centre found a suprising symptom related to skin cancer – itchy skin. In the research, it was found that amongst the patients on which the research was conducted, 37% of them had the urge to scratch the skin and were later on diagnosed with skin cancer. This symptom was even more common than pain, which was considered to be a common symptom for skin cancer. Pain affected only 28% of the research participants.

However, this does not mean that all itchy moles are a breeding ground for cancer cells. Studies conducted by research experts have stressed on two major implications through which skin cancer is diagnosed as well as treated. It should also be noted here that different symptoms found in different individuals can be a indication of the type of skin cancer one might be suffering from. Different types of skin cancer include melanoma, basal cell or squamous cell. This will also help the doctors know whether a particular mole requires to be biopsied or not. Many a times, a simple bedside assessment in order to test the intensity of the pain or itch is an easy tool for the doctors to judge the skin lesions.

Apart from itching and pain, there are various other symptoms of skin cancer. There might be various suspicious spots on your back which might need the attention of a dermatologist. Apart from this, you should check out if there has been a noticeable change in size, shape or colour of the moles. These can be symptoms of skin cancer. Also, if the moles start to bleed, then it can also be cancerous and might be a cause for your concern. In some cases, you might find skin lesions which can have an irregular shape as well as crusty exterior. This can be a cause for concern to you and your doctor.

It will be better if you could go for complete body check up every month if you are concerned with your blemishes. While examining the skin, be thorough. You should be careful about often overlooked areas. This might include checking spaces between your toes. You should also try to check inside your mouth. Apart from this, you should also keep an eye for symptoms of melanoma like asymmetry, colour variability, border irregularity, change in shape, size and colour, etc. If you find any of these symptoms, you should immediately consult a physician.

Cancer has always been perceived as an incurable disease. However, cancer medicines have come up in the market and further research is going on in order to improve these cancer medicines so that they can be of better help to the patients.

Tuesday, 26 August 2014

Skin care – 10 myths that you should be aware of

If you wish to look good, then the most important thing that you need to be concerned about is your skin. We find a lot of information about skin care in various beauty magazines as well as on the Internet. However, not all the information is factual. There are various myths associated with skin care. Unless you know about the myths, you will never be able to take proper care of your skin and choose the right skin care products.

10 skin care myths uncovered

Here are some of the major skin myths uncovered only for you! Let's take a look at them:

skin care
1. Cleansing, toning and moisturizing: It is a common myth that cleansing-toning-moisturizing is the best routine for skin care. This myth has been busted. The skin care routine should change as per the changes in weather, climate and skin type. If you apply moisturizer on an oily skin, it will lead to breakouts. On the other hand, too much of toner on a dry skin will make it further dry and itchy. Use the products as per the needs and requirements of your skin.

2. No sunscreen on cloudy days: Its a common misconception that there is no need to use sunscreens on cloudy days. However, the fact is that sunscreens are necessary on every single day as the ill-effects of UV rays of the sun can be harmful for your skin even on cloudy days.

3. No sunscreen required because products have in-built sunscreen: Various make-up products are available in the market which have in-built sunscreen in it. But this does not mean that you will not apply sunscreen. The in-built sunscreen in your make-up products do not have high SPF levels. Given this situation, it will be better if you could apply sunscreen separately along with your make-up products.

4. Higher SPF gives better protection: It is a common misconception that higher SPF will provide better protection against the sun. Sun protection factor (SPF) ranges from 2-50. The SPF rating is decided comparing the time required to produce sunburn on sunscreen-protected skin to the time required to cause sunburn on unprotected skin. Thus, there is no reason to think that a SPF 45 sunscreen will provide 3 times more protection than SPF 15.

5. Get an acne free skin with soap: You cannot get an acne free skin by washing/scrubbing your face regularly with soap. Rather, it will be better if you could use a good soap-free cleanser or a cleanser which is especially made for acne.

6. Pop the pimple and get rid of acne: Many people believe that popping the pimple will flatten it and help them get rid of acne. On the contrary, this can lead to infection. It is better to use natural products like sandlewood powder or turmeric to get rid of pimples and acne.

7. Regular facials for glowing skin: Most women consider that regular facials are a great way to get a glowing skin. However, that is not always the case. It may reduce the natural oils present in your skin. Also, you might develop rashes or infection on your skin. It is better to go for mild exfoliating cleansers.

8. Expensive skin care products work best:
This is a common misconception. Many a times, products which cost below Rs.500 can be quite effective for your skin. Rather than checking the price, check out the ingredients present on your make-up products. This will help you choose better skin care products.

9. Erase wrinkles with anti-ageing skin care products:  Many anti-ageing skin care products claim to reduce wrinkles and people use them as well. But it is not true. These creams smoothen the skin and erases the wrinkles temporarily. No creams can actually erase the wrinkles irrespective of its price.

10. Use separate creams for day and night: Many women consider using day and night skin care products very effectively for their skin. But one single effective cream can be better. However, you will have to choose this effective cream for your skin depending upon the ingredients.

Stay away from these myths and enjoy a healthy skin!

Tuesday, 15 July 2014

How To Keep Skin Healthy During The Rains

Rains have hit most places of the country! The recent rains have helped in dropping the mercury levels.   Thus, people all over the country have received respite from the severe heat and humidity. However, our skin may react differently to the change of this weather. Thus, it is very essential to take special care of your skin and keep it healthy during the monsoons. Unless you take proper care of your skin, it will lose its glow and radiance.

Steps to keep your skin healthy during monsoons

Apart from using skin care products, you need to follow certain regular beauty regime to keep your skin healthy during monsoons. Lets take a look at some of the steps that you need to follow:
    keep skin healthy during the rains
  • You should always keep your skin clean. In order to do so, you can use a face wash. This is one of the important skin care products as it will help you keep your skin clean and remove impurities.
  • As the humidity levels are quite high at times during the monsoon months, it will be better to wash your face at least 4-5 times in a day. 
  • Facial scrub is another important skin care product as it will help you exfoliate your skin and keep the dead cells away.
  • The next important thing is to moisturize your skin properly. This will help your skin to get the lost moisture. Apart from this, after moisturizing, put a base and then put on cosmetics. You should moisturize your skin as many times as you wash your face.
  • When you step out during the day time, do not forget to put on sunscreen. This product is equally important in the monsoon months as it is during the summer months. During the monsoons, you should go for a sunscreen which is water resistant, oil free and full of Vitamin-C. People with normal skin should go for a high SPF sunscreen whereas those with oily skin should go for sunscreen which is full of mineral fillers.
  • Keep oil absorbing tissues handy with yourself always during the monsoon months. This is one skin care product which will help you remain fresh all through out the day.
  • During the monsoon months, try to use fruit based face packs twice a month. Such skin care products are available in the stores or else you can prepare the same at home. Apart from this, multani mitti face packs are also quite helpful and easy to make. You can mix multani mitti with rose water, curd and besan and apply it to get a glowing skin.
  • You should use deep cleansers time to time if you have oily skin. This is because oily skin aids in accumulating more dust and grime. If you do not deep cleanse it, the dust and grime may lead to closing of pores resulting in pimples and acne.
  • At night, make sure that your skin is free of any kind of makeup. This will allow your skin to breathe. So, use an oil free makeup remover to remove the makeup, dirt and grime from your skin.  
Hope the above mentioned tips will help you maintain a healthy skin during the rains!

Thursday, 26 June 2014

How to choose your make up kit for summer

skin care products
All of us have a fixed routine for our skin and skin care depending upon our skin type. However, with the change of the season, there is a change in the overall texture of the skin. Given this situation, it becomes essential to change your skincare regime and update your make up kit. For summer, you need to choose your make up kit and skin care products accordingly. These products should be such that they can deal with the dirt and sweat of the summer days. 


Fabulous and essential products in your make up kit for summers

Here are some of the fabulous and essential skin care products which should be in your make up kit during the summer months. Let's take a look at them: 

Tinted moisturizer: In the summer months, rather than going for a foundation, it is better to go for a tinted moisturizer. Foundation will not be the right type of coverage for you in the summer months. Due to excess sweat, foundation can clog your pores and will not give you any sun protection. On the other hand, tinted moisturizers are quite light and will not make your skin oily. Moreover, they have an SPF protection.  

Waterproof Mascara: You should put aside the regular mascara during the summer months and keep a waterproof mascara in your make up kit in the summer months. This will help you in avoiding the dreadful raccoon eyes. These mascaras are splash proof as well as sweat proof but you will not face much hassle to remove it. It is a perfect product for the summer months. 

Mineral Powder: Put aside the compress powder and go for the mineral powder. If you layer your skin with a heavy powder over any kind of foundation, then you are surely going to face breakouts on your skin because of the sweat and oil. Mineral powders are lightweight and are known for their semi-sheerness. This will help you set up your make up and will also allow your skin to breathe. 

Tinted Lip Balm: You might be in love with the heavy lipsticks but during the summers, it will be better to fill your make up kit with a lip balm. In the summer months, the heavy lipstick will tend to dry  your lips and will make them look parched. On the other hand, the lip balm will give a glossy look to your lips. Moreover, your lips will remain hydrated for a long period of time. 

Dry Shampoo: Rather than live-in skin care products, it will be better if you could go for a dry shampoo. During the summer months, your hair will be more prone to oiliness and attract dirt. With the help of a dry shampoo, you will be able to sop up any excess oil present in your hair. Not only this, it will help you keep your hair smelling fresh and not sweaty. Apart from this, you will also be able to get extra bounce in your hair. 

Sunscreen: This is a must during the summer months. Choose sunscreen which are of high SPFs. Apply it on your face and other body parts half an hour before stepping out in the sun. Reapply it if you are constantly roaming out in the sun. 

Make sure to keep these skin care products in your summer make up kit and face the summer easily.

Friday, 20 June 2014

Natural remedies – Know their effectiveness for a comprehensive skincare

Considering the pollution that we face in our everyday lives, it is very essential for you to consider a comprehensive skincare regime. If you take help of natural remedies for your skin care, then it will leave your skin clear, soft and hydrated. It is up to you to decide what will go on your skin and what will not. Thus, you can formulate a routine regime using homemade skincare products with ingredients from your grocery items or kitchen.  The effectiveness of the natural remedies lie in the fact that they are economical and do not involve any kind of preservatives. Apart from that, these natural products will not be irritating or harmful for your skin.

How can natural remedies be effective for your skin?
Natural RemediesRather than using cosmetic skincare products, using natural products for skin problems can be helpful in many ways:
  • Natural remedies are better than other skincare products as they will leave your skin clear, hydrated as well as healthy irrespective of your skin type.
  • Natural remedies are a great way to reduce acne issues. 
  • There are various natural ingredients like Aloe Vera, Lemon, etc. which will help you in slowing the process of skin ageing. 
  • Olive oil, one of the popular products in the kitchen in recent times, plays a great role in improving the texture of your skin. 
  • The dead sea salts, a natural product, has various therapeutic minerals which is effective for better skin.
  • You will be able to get a clear and glowing skin with the help of apple cider vinegar.
  • Regularly exfoliating your face with natural products like oatmeal, honey, lemon or sugar can help you get rid of acne scars.
  • All the natural ingredients are safe and non-toxic. Moreover, they are environment friendly. They will help you keep your skin glowing for many years.
  • Natural ingredients are easy to find. You can find them in the local market, kitchen or your garden.
  • Potato is an excellent natural product for removing marks, blemishes as well as pigmentation on your skin. You will also be able to reduce fine lines with potato juice. Put two slices of potato on your eyes in order to reduce dark circles.
  • The oil derived from fresh coconuts will help you reduce wrinkles and pigmentation on your skin. It will also help you lighten your complexion.
Common natural skincare products

Some common natural ingredients used as skincare products include: Aloe Vera, Olive oil, Sugar, Egg, Honey, Lemon, Cucumber, Potato, Tea Tree Oil, Lavender Oil, etc. Apart from this, you can even add various other essential oils and other natural items in order to add power to your formulations. All these will make you feel wonderful and beautiful.

However, it should also be noted here that before you try any natural ingredient, you should always do a 24 hour patch test. This will let you know if you are sensitive to that natural ingredient or not. Thus, you can well understand how beneficial the natural products are in respect to your skincare!