Give your face a little more TLC - with home made masks

Cucumber and Yogurt Face Mask
This is the perfect mask to revive your skin

• ½ cucumber
• 1 tablespoon of yogurt

Blend the ingredients in a blender, massage mixture onto skin, leave on for 15 minutes and rinse with cool water

homemade moisturizing face mask 
      2 tablespoons honey
     2 tablespoons flour
     2 tablespoons milk

Take a bowl and mix all the ingredients until a creamy and smooth.

With the help of a brush, spread the mask on the skin to be treated face.

Leave this on for 15-20 minutes and rinse.

Vitamin C Mask
The perfect anti-aging mask

• ½ fresh, peeled, and mashed kiwi fruit
• 2 tablespoons of raw honey
• 2 drops of orange essential oil

Blend the ingredients in a blender, massage the mixture onto skin, leave on for 15-20 minutes and rinse with warm water

When was the last time you looked in your makeup bag? Like really looked inside to see what was there?

Service your makeup bag

It’s easier than you think to let beauty products expire, which can cause skin or eye irritation. It’s a good idea to put a date on items that you don’t use every day. Here are some general guidelines for how long beauty products last below:

• Mascara: Two to three months - With regular, daily use, mascaras are usually good for only about two months.
• Lipstick: One year
• Cleanser: One year
• Powder: Up to two years, but wash your applicator regularly
• Foundation: 12 to 18 months (oil-based products last longer)
• Eye and lip pencils: Up to three years (sharpen regularly) and don't share with friends
• Brushes: Wash every two to three weeks
• Sponges: Wash weekly, discard monthly

Massaging the face for a few minutes a day can instantly reduce puffiness and banish dullness

Using your middle and index finger, firmly massage the skin and underlying muscles under your eyes in a circles. Work upwards and outwards, starting at the chin and moving towards the forehead,

Do this for three minutes twice a day, using facial oil

Carry a spritters with you in the spring to help rehydrate your skin

You'll need :

• Rooibos tea bag
• 125ml hot water
• 125ml rose water
• 250ml spray bottle

 Method:

Take hot water and soak the rooibos tea bag for 20min. Allow it to cool and add the rose water.
Decant into the spray bottle and use when needed.

Peels benefits and contra indications

Peel Info



Timeline of the ageing face - by RegimA

Pigmentation

Sun damage vs Hyper pigmentation

Writen by RegimA

Summer fit

Are you ready to hit the beach or are you dreading going to buy a new swimsuit? We’ll there is still time to tone that body up and make it bikini or swimsuit fit. Here are some of Shaz summer fit list of workouts, diets, and simple steps to shape up and get healthy this summer. Liquored Diet makeover Before you say are you crazy ,No I’m not saying go on a liquored diet. What I mean by liquored diet makeover is watch what you drink! Yes what you drink can make or break thus few extra kilo’s that your trying to get ride of. Avoid : • Soft drinks , if you must drink 1 – 2 glass a week • Coffee , if you need that caffeine bust in morning than have it. Just try an curve your mugs down to 1 -2 • Alcohol , keep it to a minim and try the light versions Tip: if you need your soft drink fix or coffee fix try doing this – soft drink trade your normal soft drink in for diet or zero one. Coffee it take away the sugars and the milk. Increase: • Water in tack – 8 glass a day ( herbal teas count as water ) • Green tea – 2 – 3 cups a day , besides the health benefits it also kick starts the metabolism Great tip is – to take about 15ml fruit juices and add it to green tea in a 500ml bottle , allow to cool and drink it as an iced tea. Busy life style - Shape your body with exercises We all get busy and find 100’s of reason to not go to gym or walk – well here are some ways to help you, get your body into shape the easy way. • Toning machine – exercises while resting or having a facial or pedicure ( multi tasking to get the most out of a busy life) A typical 20 minute stomach treatment is the equivalent of doing 300 perfect sit ups More info see july & august newsletters • Abdominal 1. Sit with an upright spine and your feet on the floor. Make sure the chair is stable. Then tighten your stomach as you lift your feet off the ground. 2. stand with your feet together and then lift one leg off of the floor. Try to keep your back straight and your abdominals engaged. As you extend your leg, you will find that your stomach muscles will feel this exercise. Repeat this activity while balancing on the opposite leg. 3. Stomach vacuum - All you basically need to do is to suck in your stomach as far as you can while bringing your chest outward. This clenches your ab muscles and can help strengthen them enough for they appear more toned and your tummy gets flatter • Bum exercises 1. When walking up stairs make sure to press through your heel as you raise and lower yourself through each repetition. Tap the top of the stairs with the opposite foot for all reps, and then switch legs 2. Stand and hold wall swing one leg out to side, repeat on other side

Get ready for summer by Shedding that winter skin

It’s time for summer again and it usually the time we start thinking about our bodies and swimming costumes. Of course, if you are just starting to think about getting your body ready and summer is only a few weeks away, it’s a little late but no worries. There are a few things one can do to groom your body ready for summer. They are: • Body toning • Basic body skin care grooming 8 steps step’s to a summer ready body Take control of your body tone and get your body ready for summer with this program and our body toning machine you can confidently bare your new sleek physique in just a few weeks! Lets Start by taking note of what you eat Over a the next three day’s write down what you eat, paying attention to when you eat, portion size, ingredients and calories. The following are great links to see exactly what you are eating : • Pc : - see above link under logo - http://www.my-calorie-counter.com/calorie_counter.asp - http://www.fitwatch.com/caloriecounter.html • smart phone : - App called - Calorie Counter - MyFitnessPal After three days asses how many calories you eat and try and decrease them. Reset your body Detoxing brings your body back into balance so you feel healthier, burn energy more efficiently and reduce water retention-all which help you lose weight. Try the following for at least 3 days, up to 2 weeks: • Squeeze a lemon into warm water and drink first thing in the morning-this stimulates the liver. • Eat as many raw organic fruits and vegetables as your body can handle. If your digestion is weak, you may need to eat some steamed or baked vegetables. • Drink at least one raw fruit or vegetable juice per day. Keep hydrated Water helps us feel full and flushes out toxins– two key factors for weight loss. But most of us don’t drink enough. Try drink 8 glass a day ( herbal tea’s can be included in this) and avoid dehydrating alcohol, coffee and soft drinks. Work up a sweat Aerobic exercise is the best way to burn fat, and intense intervals burn fat up to 3 times faster. Try walking, swimming or aerobics class for 30-45 minutes, 3 non-consecutive days a week. The other 4 days do at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise. Tone and define One could tone and define by doing weights or you could cheat a little and get help from body toning machine – For more info on toning body machine see this month and last months newsletter on Triumph over cellulite The unsightly texture that can appear on legs, hips and stomach is due to fat, water retention, reduced circulation, fibrous tissue and weakened cell membranes. One can improve cellulite, by - eating plenty of healing nutrients . Vitamin C, zinc and silica found in fruits, vegetables, pumpkin seeds and oats improve skin’s elasticity. - Dry brushing

External skin care

You could have the most efficient skincare routine, but without a good diet and limiting your environmental expose it’s unlikely to make a great deal of difference. Yes unfortunately there are a whole lot of factors that affect your skin health. To keep your face looking as youthful as possible, you need to properly cleanse, exfoliate and moisturize your skin while never leaving the house without at least 30 SPF sunscreen. Firstly determine what type of skin you have, knowing your skin type is absolutely necessary in order to make a right decision about a proper skin care or treatment, which is suitable for your particular skin needs. Skin types: • Oily skin • Dry / dehydrated skin • Combination skin • Sensitive skin • Aging or Sun-damaged Skin The Basic 3-Step Skincare Regimen • Step 1: Cleansing Daily cleansing is always vital, even if you don’t wear makeup. The reason for cleaning is to help remove dirt and oils that clog your pores which can lead to blackheads and spots. • Step 2: Exfoliating Is a process of removing the build up of dead skin cells , clear blocked pores and stubborn dirt. The purpose of exfoliating is to remove dead skin as well as to help prevent you looking flaky and spotty. Two methods: • Physical : which is grainy substances that works on the surface • Chemical: which is normally fruity acids which break down the intercellular “glue” that holds dead cells together. • Step 3: moisturising Everyone needs to moisturise, even people with oily skin. By using moisturises one isn’t adding moisture as such but rather raining moisture. A good moisturiser will help retain water and protect it from damaging effects of pollution , sun and other environmental factors. Tips: • Oily skin: oil free but rich in hydrating substances such as micro sponges or propylene glycol. These help bind water to skin. • Dry skin: richer moisturiser will leave the skin protected and adds oil and water to it. (but this does not have to be a thick, oily moisturiser)

Essential skin oil

Surprise Surprise fat is good for you, well the right fat that is. The right kind of fat is totally essential for optimal health, as well as good skin tone and texture. Yes that’s right fat is good for you – so keep an eye out on the amount of polyunsaturated fats or oils as theses help give you your omega 6 and 3 intake. The key to your omega intake is to try and get both in at a balanced amount. Studies have shown that diets rich in the omega-6 fatty acid linoleic acid are associated with less skin dryness and thinning. Omega 3 Important omega-3's include α-linolenic acid (ALA) {found flax and pumpkin, as well as walnuts}, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) {found in fish oils}, and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). EPA are essential for healthy skin and hair, and helps regulate oil production in your skin. Having plenty of this essential fatty acid in your body keeps your skin hydrated and prevents it from drying and flaking. Omega-3 fatty acids can also help protect your skin from damage, by means of acting as an antioxidant that protects your body against these substances. Omega 3 not only protect against sun damage, they actually help repair it. When you're exposed to the sun's harmful UV rays, EPA can help prevent the release of enzymes that destroy collagen, warding off sagging skin and wrinkles [source: Health Magazine]. Omega 3 have great anti-inflammatory properties, omega-3s can also help relieve skin conditions like rosacea, psoriasis, and eczema. While you're using omega-3 fatty acids to keep your own hair and skin looking radiant. Omega 6 omega-6 helps to promote hair growth, support skin health, improve nerve and vascular function, and acts as a natural antioxidant Although we need these essential lipids, omega-6 fatty acids are far too plentiful in modern diets. Omega-6 fatty acids can be found in leafy vegetables, seeds, nuts, grains and vegetable oils (corn, safflower, soybean, cottonseed, sesame, sunflower). How to improve your skin with the omega’s Step 1 Determine the recommended amount of omega-3 fatty acids you should consume daily. According to MayoClinic.com, average adults with no history of heart disease should consider consuming between 0.8 to 1.1 grams daily. For youth under the age of 18, there is no established amount, so you should consult a physician for a suitable dosage depending on the age and weight of the child. Step 2 Consume fish and plant sources of omega’s. Fish – omega 3 - Herring - mackerel - salmon Amount 2 servings a week Plant –omega 6 - Flax seed oil or seeds - Soya bean - pumpkin seed oil or seeds - walnut seed oil or seeds Adding a tablespoon of seeds or nuts to your diet daily Precautions If you are taking certain heart medications or suffering from a bleeding disorder (such as hemophilia or von Willebrand's), you should not be taking DHA/EPA supplements except under the advice of a physician. Supplements containing EPA are not recommended for infants or small children without healthcare provider surveillance because they can upset the balance between DHA and EPA during early development. This suggests that pregnant women should also be cautious about taking fish oil supplements and clear their use with their OB/GYN or nurse midwife. Fish oil may be associated with side effects such as abdominal discomfort and loose stools. In addition, they may lengthen bleeding time slightly. Those taking blood-thinning medications should discuss the use of fish oil capsules with their medical professional. Consumption of DHA/EPA may also increase antioxidant requirements in the body. Taking extra vitamin E along with omega-3 may be helpful. Consult your healthcare provider before adding any new herbs or supplements to your existing medication regime.(http://www.dermaharmony.com/skinnutrition/omega3.aspx)

Skin Saviours

Part 1: Understanding Antioxidants Ones cells are under attack by free radicals day in and day out Over the last few years more and more research has confirmed that many common diseases are associated with deficiency of antioxidant nutrients and can be eased by taking antioxidant supplements. So by giving yourself optimum antioxidants protection, you can slow down your visible ageing and also reduce your risk of developing disease. Firstly what are antioxidants ? Antioxidants are chemicals that protect cells by neutralizing external forces (such as damage from the sun, pollution, wind, and food intake) and internal factors (for example, emotions, metabolism, and the presence of excess oxygen). Common antioxidants are Vitamins A, C, E, and beta carotene.

Why do we need them? Antioxidants protect skin by limiting the production of free radicals, which can damage skin cells. Antioxidants in skin care products can do a lot for the health and appearance of your skin, including reducing the signs of aging. From calming inflamed skin to tightening and toning, antioxidants offer great benefits from natural sources. Top 5 reason for antioxidants and skin care are: 1. Anti - Inflammation : calming of inflammation. Antioxidants, such as alpha lipoic acid and others found in pine bark and green tea, produce valuable anti-inflammatory results by increasing circulation and cell metabolism. Reducing inflammation promotes more even skin tone and helps keep acne and wrinkles at bay. 2. Skin firming: Antioxidants may actually reverse the effects of aging by improving skin health and rejuvenating its appearance. Coenzyme Q-10, or CoQ-10, is a common skin-firming antioxidant. 3. Reduced appearance of wrinkles: Although it is nearly impossible to make wrinkles disappear, skin-care products with antioxidants can help plump out the skin and make it appear more youthful. Most antioxidants are great for reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, but vitamins C and E are especially beneficial. 4. Scar treatment: Reducing the appearance of scar tissue is another important benefit of antioxidants in skin care. Scar tissue has a different cell structure than that of healthy skin, making it rigid. Many types of antioxidants, including those found in aloe and an onion extract called allium, increase blood flow to scar tissue, minimizing the look of the scar and blending in the development of new skin. 5. Repair of sun damage: We all know that too much sun is dangerous, but it can also be bad for your skin's appearance, drying it out and damaging cells. Antioxidants that stimulate blood flow in the skin can help encourage the growth of new cells and make sun-damaged skin appear younger. Tropical applications are not a 100% reliable and that Their effect depends on skin permeability, other ingredients in the cream and many other factors. It appears that increasing oral intake of some antioxidants may additionally protect skin from free radicals. A combination of an antioxidant rich diet along with topical antioxidants will help prevent free radicals from damaging your cells and will encourage more beautiful skin. By making an effort to include more antioxidant rich foods in your diet ( red/orange/yellow vegetables and fruits ; purple foods; green foods and seeds ) and applying topical antioxidant to the surface of your skin you will be one step ahead of those pesky free radicals One can also take a broad spectrum antioxidant supplement daily: Recommended vitamins: • Vitamin A 2500 -6600 mcg • Glutathione (reduced) 25 – 75 mcg • Vitamin E 66-660mg • Vitamin C 1000 – 3000mg • Co – Q10 – 10-50mg • Lipoic acid 10-50mg • Anthocyanidin source 50-250mg Please remember to refer to you health consult before supplementing. Next week – skin saviours – essential oils (omega’s 3,6,9) Ref : http://www.overstock.com/guides/Top-5-Benefits-of-Antioxidants-in-Skin-Care http://technorati.com/lifestyle/article/what-can-antioxidants-do-for-your/ http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2001/09/010903092015.htm P.Holford - solve your skin problems

Detox for clear skin

Clear, radiant skin requires more than lotions and potions and to simply put, what you put into your body comes out on your face. The body eliminates about one-third of its bacteria, viruses, and toxins–through the skin. When the organs of elimination become overwhelmed, the skin picks up the slack. The body pushes toxins through the pores to the surface of the skin, where they do less harm systemically. Overall that’s good news, but at skin level, those toxins can clog pores and cause irritation, leading to breakouts, redness, and inflammation. Testing your detox potential Skin problems are just one sign of poor detox potential, the following detox capacity questionnaire is based on Bland’s research. (P.Holford – solving your skin problems). Score 1 point for every symptom you occasionally have, and two for frequently Head headaches; faintness; dizziness; insomnia _____ Eyes watery or itchy eyes; swollen; red or sticky eyelids; bags of dark circles; blurred vision _________ Ears itchy ears; ear ache; ear infection; drainage from ear; ringing in ears; hearing loss ____ Nose stuffy nose; sinus, hay fever, sneezing attacks,excessive mucus ________ Mouth chronic coughing, gagging, loss of voice, swollen tongue, mouth ulcers _________ Skin acne; hive; rashes; dry skin; hair loss; flushing or hot flushes; excessive sweating ____ Heart irregular or skipped heartbeat; rapid; chest pain ____ Lungs chest congestion; asthma; bronchitis; shortness of breath; difficulty in breathing _____ Digestion nausea or vomiting ; diarrhoea ; constipation ;bloating feeling ; belching ; passing gas ; heartburn ;stomach pain ____ Joints/muscles aches or pains; arthritis; stiffness; feeling of weakness or tiredness ______ Weight binge eating / drinking; craving certain foods; excessive weight; compulsive eating; water retention; underweight _____ Energy fatigue; sluggishness; apathy; lethargy; hyperactivity; restlessness _____ Mind poor memory, confusion, poor comprehension, poor concentration; difficulty in making decisions; slurred speech; learning disabilities _____ Emotions mood swings ; anxiety ; fear ; nervousness ; anger ; irritability; aggressiveness ; depression ____ If you’re total score is: • above 25 – you may have a detox problem and you should Improve your diet. • Above 50- your detox potential is under par • Above 75 you should consult a health practitioner Detoxification – a two step process Is a complex process called biotransformation were complex set of chemicals processes or pathways that can recycle toxic chemicals and can turn harmless? In a nut shell detoxification can be described as the garbage men of the body and can be split into 2 stages: Phase 1: getting your rubbish ready for collection Phase 2: putting the rubbish out and collection of it

(http://www.google.co.za/imgres?q=detox+pathways&num=10&hl=en&biw=1192&bih=568&tbm=isch&tbnid=FBYu9QBYttqNYM:&imgrefurl=http://www.leakygutcure.com/blog/detoxification/detoxing-your-body/&docid=1w6KFkbsbkB0tM&imgurl=http://www.leakygutcure.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/liver-detox-pathways1.jpg&w=300&h=228&ei=RJz0T7aZCcuJhQei5JjOBg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=540&vpy=266&dur=1241&hovh=182&hovw=240&tx=115&ty=122&sig=111600216878004967654&page=1&tbnh=114&tbnw=148&start=0&ndsp=21&ved=1t:429,r:10,s:0,i:103) Detox diet A full body cleansing detoxification addresses the root of congested skin. Signs that the skin is overburdened include: • sallow skin • age spots • adult acne • redness and inflammation • wrinkles and sagging skin • dark circles and puffy skin around the eyes • chronic dry skin • chronic bad breath or body odour Step 1: remove or lessen the toxic load for about two weeks. Step 2: beneficial foods • Fruits – have the highest detox potential. However go easy on the bananas and avoid dried fruit for the two weeks. • Vegetables – all are great, especially peppers, beetroot, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, red cabbage, carrots cucumbers, cauliflower, kale, sweet potato, spinach, tomato & watercress. - White potatoes & avocado eaten in moderation - And the vegetables should make up the bulk of your two weeks diet • Limit : The following foods should make up no more than 1/3rd of two week diet. Grains, fish, white meat, nuts & seeds • Avoid – for the two weeks - Gluten grains ,red meat and dairy , refined foods, sugar ,salt,alcohol,caffine drinks Detox supplements Supplementing the nutrients that help your body to detoxify is a great way to speed up the benefits of this rejuvenating diet. There are certain supplements that are required in phase 1 and phase 2 see figure 1. Help support detoxification by supplementing your detox diet with following: - Multivitamin - Antioxidant – vitamin A,C,E ,selenium ,zinc - Vitamin c 1000mg - Milk thistle 100mg - MSM – 1000mg Please remember to consult your health care therapist about supplements, especially if you are on other medication.

Beauty is more than skin deep - Digestion – the key to health

Your skin is a remarkable reader of your body’s health. Your skin shows signs of what going on in your body such as a red face when hot and sweaty after exercise. It’s not only what you put on your skin but what you eat that affects the skin, as most skin problems are linked to digestion. While an insufficient intake of the right nutrients can affect the health of your skin so can poor digestion and absorption. Whoever said "You are what you eat" is right. However how do you know whether or not your digestive system is working right? The most obvious symptoms of one’s system not working right would be the following: • stomach upset • Bloating • Gas • abdominal pain • rumbling noises • Nausea • Vomiting • Burning sensation after eating • hemorrhoids Another common sign of digestive issues are breakouts along the jawline. If you break out regularly on or beneath the jawline, or red sensitive skin and it is very possible that all you need is to detoxify and support your digestive tract. How does all of this affect the skin? Food that lingers in the digestive tract any longer than necessary will produce toxic by-products. The build up of toxins in an unhealthy colon has been linked to skin disorders such as psoriasis, acne and skin sensitivity to name a few. A speedy digestion is step one to maintaining optimal health and optimal skin health. Here are some suggestions which can get you started. These tips are just the beginning, keep an eye out for next week’s skin health newsletter for Bodytique’s skin detox diet to learn more. Tips: • Filter your drinking water and your shower and bath water, to avoid absorbing the chlorine. Believe it or not, for some people, this completely clears up their skin problems! • Increase your intake of Omega 3 fatty acids which can be found in organic, cold pressed oils and fish. Walnuts, flax seeds and salmon are good sources. • Increase your intake of raw vegetables and fruits, or supplement your diet with enzymes to reduce inflammation and improve digestion. Such as : o Bromelain – found in pineapples and is used reducing inflammation and swelling as well as activates a chemical that promotes the breakdown of fibrin. As a supplement take 500-750 mg per day. You can also add pineapple fresh in your diet because it is rich in fiber and other nutrients. break down proteins, which may help with promoting digestion, states the American Cancer Society Please don’t take without consulting your physicians or health shop consultant. o Serotonin Here are a few of the ways we can develop low serotonin: • Smoking cigarettes • Alcoholic beverages • Too much caffeine • Aspartame and other artificial sweeteners (use stevia or xylitol instead!) • Not enough sunlight • Inactivity and lack of exercise • Digestive problems • A low protein diet Some natural foods that include serotonin are - dates, papayas and bananas or one can take 5-HTP - 50 mg o Antioxidants such as vitamins C, E, and A and beta-carotene can help reduce the damage caused by unstable molecules known as free radicals • Consider supplementing your diet with probiotics (friendly bacteria) to improve digestion and elimination, or with foods such as yogurt and sauerkraut which contain beneficial bacteria. • Avoid or limit sugar and alcohol which deplete the immune system and create inflammation in the body. These are never helpful when you have skin problems! • Don't overstimulate the skin with massage, rubbing or over cleansing. Other things besides diet that can affect skin health: • STRESS: emotional unhappiness, work-related anxiety. • DRUGS: Recreational or prescription reaction, allergies to detergents and household products. • SYSTEM OVERLOAD: especially liver exhaustion, adrenal malfunctions, nervous system, and bowel sluggishness Lastly, remember that when you start making changes to your diet, lifestyle, or skin care routine, you shouldn't expect to see changes overnight. The key is to be patient. It may take three months to a year to really see an improvement in your skin. Please remember that supplements are best taken under guidance of health practitioner. Next week Detox for clear skin.

Effects Hormones have on the skin

Hormones have a considerable effect on our bodies, in particular our skin. Hormones influence the development and function of human skin which also produces and releases hormones. Hormones levels affect the skin in your 20s, 30s, and 40s and beyond can affect a woman's skin. What are hormones? Hormones are chemical messengers that have specific effects on certain cells of the body. Hormones, which are produced by endocrine glands, are released into the bloodstream where they are carried to all parts of the body. But they will only affect cells that have specific receptors for that particular hormone. The tissue acted upon by each hormone is known as the TARGET TISSUE. The cells that make up these tissues have receptors in their cell membrane or within the cytoplasm to which a specific hormone attaches. The purpose of the receptor is to recognise the presence of the hormone. Once it is attached it then conveys the message to the nucleus, where the required action takes place through the regulation of the manufacture of proteins and enzyme synthesis. Hormones can only have an effect if they are able to bond to a receptor. If they cannot bond it will not matter how high the hormone levels are, they will have no effect. The more receptors in a certain area the more sensitive that area will be to that particular hormone. The skin contains receptors for different types of hormones: • Oestrogenic Hormones Female-like effect • Androgenic Hormones Male-like effect • Progesterone A precursor hormone to both androgens and estrogens. Oestrogen and the skin Estrogens are a group of hormones that play a key role in regulating many aspects of a woman’s overall health, and benefit s the skin in many ways, such as: • Increases the rate of cell turnover in the basal layer of the epidermis. • Reduces the size and activity of the sebaceous glands. • Keeps sebaceous secretion thin and less fatty. • Slows the rate of hair growth. • Increases the action of the enzyme hyaluronidase, which produces hyaluronic acid. • Keeps the skin metabolically active. • increase in collagen and elasticity content Androgenic and the skin Androgens, which are male sex hormones, regulate the production of sebum, or skin oil. When your sebum levels are increased, it makes it more likely that your pores will become clogged, which leads to acne. As well as: • Increase the rate of cell turnover in the basal layer of the epidermis. • Increase the size and activity of the sebaceous glands. • Increase collagen production through the stimulation of fibroblast cells to produce the proteins needed for collagen synthesis. • Increase hair growth. When Things go wrong many endocrine diseases and disorders affect the hormonal balance of our bodies. This can result in an imbalance of sex hormones, which can affect the appearance of the skin in the following ways: • Too much androgen causes the epidermis to become coarse and thick. The sebaceous glands enlarge and acne can develop. The hairline of both males and females can recede. • Too little androgen results in a dull, thin epidermis that becomes finely wrinkled. The skin can become dry and there is no facial, pubic or axillary hair. The skin can have pallor due to fewer blood vessels and decreased pigment levels. • Too little oestrogen in women causes changes to the skin that are very similar to a lack of androgens but not to the same extreme. The skin will appear dull, thin and finely wrinkled with some loss of tone. • Too much oestrogen causes pigmentation changes and the appearance of spider nevi. Stress can also disrupt the delicate hormonal balance, upsetting the menstrual cycle or even stopping it completely. That stress can be emotional, as in the break-up of relationships, exams or moving away from home. Stress can also be physical, such as serious illness or extreme physical exercise. Often women who are involved in such physically demanding sports as triathlons or bodybuilding can develop acne conditions because of the effect this has on their bodies’ endocrine system. References Pugliese, P. (1996). Physiology of the Skin. Allured Publishing Corporation. Trickey,R. (1998). Women, Hormones & Menstrual Cycle. Allen & Unwin.

Sun your skins enemy

There are various theories on why so many of us want to roast ourselves in the sun, even though for many years now, we have been aware of the need to stay out of the sun and use sunscreens. Vanity and fashion however still win as well as the fact that most of us feel better when we have a tan. Don’t get me wrong the sun has it’s Importance’s to our body’s like the production of vitamin D. Understanding A,B,C of ultraviolet The sun emits different kinds of light: • the visible light you see, • the infrared light you feel as heat, • and invisible ultraviolet (UV) radiation. It is the UV radiation part of light which affects our skin the most. It is important to know about the sun’s UV rays in order to know how to protect your skin and prevent skin cancer. There are 3 types of UV rays: UVA: A stands for Aging. UVA radiation penetrates deep into the skin and is responsible for premature aging of the skin and skin cancer. Tanning beds can emit 2 to 5 times more UVA radiation than the sun. UVA rays cause skin tanning, age spots, and wrinkling of the skin, as well as contribute to the development of skin cancer. UVB: B stands for Burning. UVB radiation is stronger than UVA radiation. It mainly affects the outer layers of the skin, causing sunburns, premature aging of the skin, and skin cancer. These rays are strongest during the summer months – especially between 11 am and 4 pm. UVC: C stands for critical. UVC radiation is the strongest, most dangerous form of UV light. However, they are stopped by the earth’s atmosphere and do not reach earth’s surface. Although direct sun exposure can cause irreparable damage, your skin is also exposed to UVA and UVB rays at home and at work on a daily basis. UVA rays can actually pass through windows in your home and cars. Both UVA and UVB rays can reflect off of sand, water, and pavement, exposing you to UV radiation even in the shade. In addition, some indoor office light bulbs emit UVA and UVB rays, though at much lower levels than sunlight. The effects of such chronic exposure can be minimized with makeup and moisturizers that contain sunscreens. Overexposure to the UV rays can cause several types of skin damage. Sun Tan • A tan is not “healthy.” A tan is a sign that damage has been done to your skin. • Your skin’s melanocytes produce melanin, the dark pigment that creates a tan. Melanin is your first defense against the sun. It absorbs dangerous UV rays before they do serious skin damage. • A tan is your skin’s attempt to prevent UV rays from doing any further damage to the sensitive skin cells in your epidermis. Sun Burn • Sun burn develops when the amount of UV exposure is greater than our melanin can protect us. Dark skin can also get burn too, if you stay outside in the sun for long period of time. • A severe sunburn causes skin tenderness, pain, swelling, and blistering. • There is substantial evidence that sunburns can lead to DNA damage. Repeated sunburns dramatically increase your risk of developing skin cancer because of this damage to your DNA. (American Academy of Dermatology) Freckles and sun spots • True freckles (ephelides) are the little brown spots (spots of melanin) we inherit from our parents. They tend to disappear as we age. • False freckles (solar lentigines) are made of melanin that caused by UV rays. They are the skin’s attempt to defend itself from the sun. They do not fade by time. They get worse. • Lots of solar lentigines mean you have sustained sun damage, which make skin more vulnerable to sun-induced skin cancers. Wrinkles • Wrinkles are directly related to sun exposure. • UVA rays from the sun can penetrate deep into your skin and damage collagen, which is the protein that holds your skin together in a firm and smooth way. And results in accumulation of abnormal elastin. Which inturn result in the breaks down the collagen structure which results in wrinkles. • Once collagen is damaged, it cannot re-build itself. • Up to 80% of skin aging is caused by the sun. Texture Changes Caused by the Sun - UV exposure causes thickening and thinning of the skin. - Thick skin is found in coarse wrinkles especially on the back of the neck that do not disappear when the skin is stretched. A condition called solar elastosis is seen as thickened, coarse wrinkling and yellow discoloration of the skin. - A common effect of UV exposure is thinning of the skin causing fine wrinkles, easy bruising, and skin tearing. - Uv exposer can result in scaly red patches, called actinic keratoses, thought to be the beginnings of skin cancer. Break the UV Ray Cycle You can help protect your skin from wrinkles and other sun damage with the following steps: • Use sunscreen. Every day, generously apply sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15, choosing products that provide what’s called “broad spectrum” protection against both UVA and UVB rays. When you’re in the sun for prolonged periods of time, reapply sunscreen every two hours. • Avoid peak sun hours. Stay in the shade during the hottest part of the day, usually from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., when the sun's rays are at their most intense. • Follow the UV Index. The UV Index is a daily indicator of how much UV radiation is expected to reach the earth — think of it as a pollen count reading for your skin. Developed by the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Weather Service, it’s usually broadcast along with your local weather report. http://www.koolasun.co.za/sa-uv-index.html. While the sun may feel warm and inviting, exposure to UV rays comes at a cost. Take steps to protect yourself from the havoc that sun damage can wreak on your skin. Are there any sunscreens that are better or worse for certain skin types? Of course, everyone should use sunscreen, regardless of their skin type, but some products are better for some than they are for others. A lot of people with oily, sensitive skin don't like to wear sunscreen because it makes them break out. But it's still important for them to use sunscreen. Oily Skin Types I personally prefer gels and oil free lotions over creamy lotions for people with oily skin. A sunscreen mist suited for oily skin Acne Prone Skin Those with frequent skin allergies may react to sunscreens due to the high incidence of allergies to sunscreen ingredients. Avoiding products with the chemical UV filters PABA, benzophenone and avobenzone can help; they can all irritate skin and lead to acne flare-ups. Physical blocking sunscreens micronized zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are a better choice. People with darker skin should choose a tinted sunscreen to avoid the chalky, violet cast that physical sunblocks can cause. Is there any way to increase your sun tolerance from the inside out,through diet or supplements? There is some interesting new data suggesting that antioxidants found in food can have a preventative effect in protecting against sun damage. For example, lycopene, as found in cooked tomatoes and tomato paste, can help tame the harmful free radicals that damage skin. So by eating things high in anti oxidants such as Red wine, pomegranate juice, oregano, green tea and chocolate are also rich in antioxidants and might help increase your skin's natural protection against the sun. As far as supplements go, fern extract (polypodium leucotomos) is a powerful antioxidant that has been shown to protect against UV damage. Vitamin C, Coenzyme Q10 and green tea extract can also be beneficial. However, none of these can replace sunscreen.

Skin strength & Suppleness

The strength and suppleness of your skin is dependent on two things that are based in the Dermis - Collagen & Elastin. Together, collagen and elastin make up about 70% of the dermal layer. Collagen Collagen the most abundant tissue in the body and is a fibrous protein that gives the skin form and strength. Collagen makes up 3/4 of the skin's dry weight so keeping it healthy is vital to having good skin. If you look at Collagen as the glue of the skin that holds together all the various structures of the skin and gives it it's plumpness and firmness. Tip to help keep your collagen fibers healthy: *Keep your skin moisture - by means of the correct skin care as well as the correct water intake *Keep sun exposer to a minimal *Weight fluctuation to a minimal as the skin loses its tone and suppleness. * Stress management *Vitamin C is essential for the formation of collagen. (Recommended allowances is 1000mg per day)- help to strengthen the body's ability to manufacture collagen *Soy products such as soymik and cheese contain an element known as genistein - this helping to block enzymes that tend to break down and age the skin. *Dark green vegetables - They are packed with an antioxidant called lutein.(10mg a day in order to see results , so about 114g of spinach or cabbage) * Beans help your body produce a vital anti-aging substance called hyaluronic acid. Aim for at least 2 tablespoons of beans each day * Red fruits and vegetables also are excellent sources to up the collagen content of foods in the diet. The presence of lycopenesl in these types of foods helps to act as antioxidants, which in turn increases collagen production. * Omega Acids also help to create an ideal environment for collagen production, fish and nuts. * Flaxseed is a major sources of the healthy fat omega-3 - this helps to plump up the skin. The lack of collagen results in wrinkles and sagging. As well as thinking of the skin. Elastin Is like an elastic band - after you have used it , the spring and tightness lessens.It helps to keep skin flexible but tight, providing a bounce-back reaction if skin is pulled.Elastin tends to deplete as people age, resulting in wrinkled or stretched out skin. Elastin constitutes about 25 percent of the total protein count in your body. Here are a few methods you can apply to help replace the elastic in your skin: * Vitamin C is needed in the production of elastin.(Recommended allowances is 1000mg per day) * Eat foods high in protein. The elastin in your skin as well as your muscles is made up of proteins. Include two to three servings daily of healthy foods high in protein. *Apply sunscreen, and keep sun exposer to minimal * Conclusion: As you can see that a healthy skin is not only what you put on the skin but what you put into your body as well. In house treatments that can help with improving Skin strength and suppleness : * Caci non surgical face lift * MDA * Skin peels Consult with your Somatologist about treatments and products.