Three Signs of Premature Aging and How To Fight Them

Article is excerpted from Image Skin Care

Everyone thinks of fine lines and wrinkles as just evidence of aging. In fact, unprotected sun exposure, the weather and lack of skin care can all lead to skin aging. There are three major signs of aging. Learn how to combat their effects for skin that looks well cared for and youthful.

Fine Lines and Wrinkles One of the first signs that women in particular notice is fine lines around the eyes. The thin skin around the eyes is especially vulnerable to lack of moisture and sun damage. Anti aging products such as Image MAX Eye Creme and Ageless Total Eye Lift Creme can help tighten the skin around the eyes. I can help you choose an eye cream that contains moisturizing and natural ingredients to prevent future lines.

Skin Tone and Texture Another sign of skin that is aging prematurely is dull skin tone and rough skin texture. As we age, our cell turnover rate declines. This can lead to uneven coloration and dry spots. Choose anti aging products such as a daily face cleanser and face cremes that can resurface your skin. Ageless Total Facial Cleanser gently exfoliates to remove dull skin. Ageless Total Retinol A Creme works to rejuvenate skin texture by restoring collagen and moisture. Sagging Skin Sagging skin is often associated with aging, but it can occur earlier due to sun damage or weight loss. Preventing and repairing this damage is accomplished by using anti aging products that contain glycolic and retinol compounds to restore elasticity. Retinol (Vitamin A) is essential for aging skin as it helps to stimulate the fibroblasts which produce collagen. It is a key ingredient of the Ageless Total Repair Creme, which works to firm skin by combining both hydrating hyaluronic acid and Shea butter.

Overall Care The best defense against preventing the signs of aging is to begin a daily skin care regimen. Daily exposure to the elements and loss of collagen are unavoidable, but using the right cleansing and moisturizing products can maintain your skin’s radiance. Schedule a consultation so I can help you choose a cleanser, anti-aging and repair cremes that work in combination to provide rejuvenation, resurfacing and repair.

How Sleep Can Save Your Skin

The concept of “beauty sleep” isn’t an old wives’ tale. Experts say sleep does affect your skin and has a variety of benefits.

Sleep increases skincare’s efficacy. Vitamins, retinoids and other ingredients lose potency after exposure to sunlight, rendering them less effective. Because there’s no sunlight at night, the products’ “anti-aging ingredients stay active longer,” according to Prevention. Consequently, they might provide more anti-aging benefits for your skin.

Sleep promotes cell turnover. Cell regeneration is the process where fresh, new skin cells replace old, dead skin. This happens quicker at night compared to daytime, Alex Khadavi, M.D., associate dermatology professor at the University of Southern California, tells Prevention.

Sleep cleans up daily damage. During the day, skin is bombarded with UV rays, pollution and other harmful environmental elements. These culprits can cause damage like dehydration, lines, wrinkles and sun spots. At night, skin repairs itself to reverse this damage.

Using an antioxidant-rich night cream boosts this repair process. “If the night’s work is done more efficiently, the skin is better able to protect itself the next day,” Lise Jorgensen, vice president of global product development for Estèe Lauder, tells Notebook. Help your skin reach its protective potential with BABOR Advanced Biogen Night Cream. Loaded with antioxidants and moisturizers, it hydrates, encourages cell renewal and delivers a glowing complexion.

Tips for a Good Night’s Sleep

Many factors are crucial for getting enough sleep. Below, some advice to get you started, according to the National Sleep Foundation:

Create a sleep-friendly environment. This involves creating a space that’s dark, cool and free from distractions — yes, that includes the TV and laptop, which are actually stimulating to the brain and wake it up.

Leave work out. You want to designate your bedroom as a place for sleep and relaxation, so taking in work materials only sabotages your sleep. For many of us work also can be anxiety-provoking, which inhibits sleep.

Sleep on a comfortable mattress and pillows. Try a medium-firm mattress, which promotes greater comfort and better sleep than a firm mattress, according to Ladies’ Home Journal. It’s especially ideal for people with shoulder and back problems. Also, keep in mind that good mattresses last about nine to 10 years.

Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. Though it’s tough to keep a consistent schedule, particularly on the weekends when we love to catch up on sleep, it’s an important part of fostering healthy sleep habits.

Take a warm bath. This helps your mind and body unwind after a long, stressful day. Don’t use hot water — it will dry your skin and zap natural oils.

Read a book or listen to relaxing music. These kinds of activities right before bed are “an automatic cue to become sleepy, making it more likely that you’ll fall asleep,” notes Janis Graham in Ladies’ Home Journal.

Don’t eat right before bedtime. If it’s possible, finish eating several hours before you plan on going to sleep.

Don’t smoke. Because cigarettes and other tobacco products are stimulants, they lead to poor sleep. (Another reason to avoid them: cigarettes are bad for your skin, causing dehydration and wrinkles.)

Skipcaffeine. Caffeine in coffee, tea, soda and even chocolate can disturb your sleep. On the other hand, a cup of decaf tea before bed can promote relaxation.

Say no to alcohol. Sure, a glass of wine might relax you or make you drowsy at first. But it can lead to disrupted sleep later in the night.

This article originally appeared on skincarenews.com

A Good Night’s Sleep – Reflexology Could Help

if you  are trying to loose weight here are four good reasons to get a good night’s sleep – every night.

1. If you wake up after too little sleep, exercising is usually the least appealing thing on your mind. Even if you find the motivation to exercise, you likely won’t perform at your best and will risk injuring yourself because of poor focus on what you are doing.

2. When you’re tired you tend to crave foods that will give you a quick boost in energy. These tend to be sugar or caffeine based, and the last thing your body needs when you’re trying to lose weight is sugar!

3. Inadequate sleep also interferes with the delicate balance of adrenal and thyroid hormones in the body. This imbalance includes a reduction in leptin production (which tells your body to stop eating) and an increase in ghrelin (a hormone that triggers hunger). A perfect formula for weight gain.

4. Most growth hormone secretions (which aid in fat-burning) occur during Phase 4 and REM sleep. These are the phases that are most disrupted by sleep deprivation.

Reflexology can help to balance the system and relax for better sleep. Check it out

Vacation Travel Skin Care Tips

As we embark on the holiday travel season, the change in climates, unpredictable weather and indoor heating can wreak havoc on our skin. While the holidays are full of celebrations, they can also be the culprit of stress, late nights and irregular schedules. Straying from your skincare routine can cause breakouts, dry patches and irritation. Keeping skincare essentials at your fingertips and maintaining a regular skincare routine will be your savior throughout the festive season.

Avoid extra hot showers
When your vacation spot boasts freezing temps, a super hot shower sounds like a dream come true. The scalding water may banish any chills, but it can also dry and irritate your skin. In addition, high altitude and cold air can cause sensitivity and flaky skin. Turn down the heat and opt for a warm shower – once your body adjusts to the temperature, you will still feel nice and cozy.

Get squeaky-clean
Whether you’re in 32 or 82-degree weather, washing your face is a must. Your holiday jubilees may run into the wee hours, but, if nothing else, cleanse your face and remove makeup before hitting the sack. Facial cleansing wipes are ideal for traveling – some come in easy-to-carry packaging, so you won’t need to worry about that pesky TSA liquid requirement. Manycleansing wipes cleanse, refresh and nourish skin – even removing waterproof mascara so you will have refreshed and healthy-looking skin.

Moisturize
Beautiful, soft skin doesn’t happen overnight – you have to put the time and effort into keeping your skin and body hydrated when traveling. Recycled airplane air will dry your skin from the moment you take off. The old wives’ tale of drinking eight glasses of water a day to stay healthy is not a myth. Water replenishes the body’s cells and keeps you functioning, especially when you are traveling to higher altitudes or hot climates. Also, apply a rich moisturizer to maintain (or recapture) that fresh-faced, morning dew look. Try a moisturizer to help smooth and soften skin. If you have sensitive skin, try a hydrator with bisabolol, which is known to have calming and soothing properties.

Calm Down!

Photo courtesy of Karin Quirk

Stress shows on your face. If you hadn’t already guessed, it causes acne breakouts. And grimaces in time lead to worry lines. Learn to meditate, practice yoga, breathe deeply, or find a stress-management technique that works best for you.

Reflexology Endorsed by the National Foundation for Women Legislators

After four years of education and demonstration the Reflexology Association of America is thrilled to have received the following document from the National Foundation for Women Legislators. The resolution is a much-needed and much-deserved endorsement of the power of reflexology to support women’s health and an important step towards national recognition of the health benefits of this modality. Pleases share or forward this post with everyone you know that would be interested in celebrating with us. This is a BIG deal.

THE POWER TO MAKE THE DIFFERENCE FOR YOU WWW.WOME N L EG I S L A T O R S .O RG * RO B I N RE A D , PR E S I D E N T & CEO * E V E N T S@WOME N L EG I S L A T O R S .O R G 910 16TH STREET, NW, SUITE 100 WASHINGTON, DC 20006 202-293-3040 FAX 202-293-5430 The Foundation qualifies as a tax-exempt organization under 501-c-3 of the Internal Revenue Code, Tax ID number 52-1480785

NFWL National Policy Committee on Health & Empowerment

Resolution: Encouraging the use of Reflexology as one approach for women’s health care and wellness issues, in conjunction with the support the Committee has previously shown for a holistic, comprehensive, and patient-centered approach to care.

(Ratified November 2012)

WHEREAS, Reflexology is a non-invasive complementary discipline involving the use of alternating pressure applied to the reflexes within the reflex maps of the body located on the feet, hands and outer ears; and

WHEREAS, the art and science of Reflexology is based on the work of three 20th century medical doctors: William FitzGerald, M.D. (USA); Joe Shelby Riley, M.D. (USA); and Paul Nogier, M.D. (France); and physio-therapist Eunice Ingham (USA); and

WHEREAS, Reflexology is recognized by many state governments as beingseparate from the profession of massage therapy or any other type of licensed Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) profession; and

WHEREAS, Reflexology distinguishes itself from other disciplines in that training is conducted through separate and unique educational programs; Reflexologists use distinctive Reflexology charts or maps, and clients remain clothed during a session; and

WHEREAS, the efficacy of Reflexology is documented by over 300 global research studies including a 3.1 million dollar grant from the National Institutes of Health’s National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NIH-NCCAM) to study the effects of Reflexology on women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy and is being considered for renewal; and

WHEREAS, the efficacy of Reflexology is documented by over 300 global research studies including a 3.1 million dollar 5 year grant in 2005 from the National Institutes of Health’s National Cancer Institute (NIH-NCI) to study the effects of Reflexology on women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy, which was renewed for 2.9 million in 2011 for a second 5 year study; and

WHEREAS, anecdotally and with one Israeli study (1997) Reflexology has been shown to have a positive effect on post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from military service and other traumatic situation such as spousal abuse or acute and chronic physical conditions; and

WHEREAS, frequently reported benefits by clients include stress reduction, relaxation, pain management, health enhancement, and improved quality of life; and

WHEREAS, many members of the National Foundation for Women Legislators have personally experienced the benefits of Reflexology through participation in NFWL’s Annual Health Fair Day; now

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Foundation for Women Legislators’ National Policy Committee on Health & Empowerment joins the state and national organizations in encouraging the use of Reflexology as one approach for women’s health care and wellness issues, in conjunction with the support the Committee has previously shown for a holistic, comprehensive, and patient-centered approach to care.

Article courtesy of the Reflexology Association of America

Healthy Lifestyle Choices for Great Skin

Don’t have time for intensive skin care? Pamper yourself with the basics. Good skin care and healthy lifestyle choices can help delay the natural aging process and prevent various skin problems. Get started with these five no-nonsense tips.

1. Protect yourself from the sun

One of the most important ways to take care of your skin is to protect it from the sun. A lifetime of sun exposure can cause wrinkles, age spots and other skin problems — as well as increase the risk of skin cancer.

For the most complete sun protection:

Use sunscreen. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. When you’re outdoors, reapply sunscreen every two hours — or more often if you’re swimming or perspiring.

Seek shade. Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun’s rays are strongest.

Wear protective clothing. Cover your skin with tightly woven long-sleeved shirts, long pants and wide-brimmed hats. Also consider laundry additives, which give clothing an additional layer of ultraviolet protection for a certain number of washings, or special sun-protective clothing — which is specifically designed to block ultraviolet rays.

2. Don’t smoke

Smoking makes your skin look older and contributes to wrinkles. Smoking narrows the tiny blood vessels in the outermost layers of skin, which decreases blood flow. This depletes the skin of oxygen and nutrients that are important to skin health. Smoking also damages collagen and elastin — the fibers that give your skin its strength and elasticity. In addition, the repetitive facial expressions you make when smoking — such as pursing your lips when inhaling and squinting your eyes to keep out smoke — can contribute to wrinkles.

If you smoke, the best way to protect your skin is to quit. Ask your doctor for tips or treatments to help you stop smoking.

3. Treat your skin gently

Daily cleansing and shaving can take a toll on your skin. To keep it gentle:

Limit bath time. Hot water and long showers or baths remove oils from your skin. Limit your bath or shower time, and use warm — rather than hot — water.

Avoid strong soaps. Strong soaps and detergents can strip oil from your skin. Instead, choose mild cleansers.

Shave carefully. To protect and lubricate your skin, apply shaving cream, lotion or gel before shaving. For the closest shave, use a clean, sharp razor. Shave in the direction the hair grows, not against it.

Pat dry. After washing or bathing, gently pat or blot your skin dry with a towel so that some moisture remains on your skin.

Moisturize dry skin. If your skin is dry, use a moisturizer that fits your skin type. For daily use, consider a moisturizer that contains SPF.

4. Eat a healthy diet

A healthy diet can help you look and feel your best. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins. The association between diet and acne isn’t clear — but some research suggests that a diet rich in vitamin C and low in unhealthy fats and processed or refined carbohydrates might promote younger looking skin.

5. Manage stress

Uncontrolled stress can make your skin more sensitive and trigger acne breakouts and other skin problems. To encourage healthy skin — and a healthy state of mind — take steps to manage your stress. Set reasonable limits, scale back your to-do list and make time to do the things you enjoy. The results might be more dramatic than you expect.