Anti-Aging

December 26, 2007

Testing The Effectivity of Anti-Aging Products

Anti-aging products are those products that you apply to your skin or hair that can help reduce the signs of aging and can make you look younger and maintain a youthful glow. While its true that the market is invaded with so many anti-aging products, it doesn’t mean that all of these products are safe and effective to use.

Some of the products can put dark spots and add other lines on your skin while others are effective in concealing blotches, blemishes and wrinkles while moisturizing the dry skin. While other anti-aging products protect the skin from external factors and environmental stresses that increases the process of aging, others bring altering and damaging effects to the skin cells and can lead to various skin disorders and diseases.

Today, there are so many anti-aging cosmetic products available on the market, but before you finally decide to buy or use them, here are some tips that can help you test the effectivity of a specific anti-aging product:

1. It is best to listen intently and carefully to the effects and possible side effects of the anti-aging products that are being advertised.

2. Don't hesitate to ask questions about the anti-aging product in order to find out what its advantages and disadvantages are.

3. It will pay to conduct some research on the anti-aging product before you finally decide in using and buying it. You can do this by surfing the Internet to know more about the product, talking to a professional cosmetician or by calling the Better Business Bureau to find out if there are people who have complained about the product after using it.

4. Don’t take into consideration the anti-products that have "Secret Formulas" or "Breakthroughs of the Century" on their labels because more often not, these are the products that can bring further damage to your skin.

5. Watch out for products that claim that they can cure various illnesses.

6. Don’t rely on testimonials and endorsements of celebrities because these are often misleading and fabricated by the manufacturer.

7. Don’t buy products that claim 100 percent guarantee. All products have side effects in one way or another that is why it is advisable not to opt for anti-aging products that market themselves as having no side effects because this is one promise that is hard to believe.

8. Don’t be afraid to question the ant-aging products that advertise the need not to consult or visit a physician or a registered dermatologist.

9. Make sure that you consult a doctor before taking any dietary or nutritional supplements or any products that are marketed to lessen the signs and effects of aging.

10. Make sure that you are honest with your doctor about dietary or nutritional supplements that you have or you are taking before you undergo any operation or surgery to avoid further complications.

By : Kaysa Aulia R

December 20, 2007

Five Simple Ways To Prevent Aging

People don’t always have to apply creams, go to the gym or undergo surgery to look young. This is because everything we need is right in front of us and all we have to do is make the most of it. Here are a few simple ways to prevent aging.

1. Studies show that exercise allows you to stay fit and strong. But did you know that sweating allows the body to exfoliate bacteria hidden in the pores? This is the reason you should bring a towel to the gym or while jogging so it can be wiped off.

2. The human body just like the planet earth is composed mainly of water. Every time we exert energy, this element is used and has to be replaced. This is the reason that doctors advise us to drink at least 8 glasses a day. Of course, there is nothing wrong with drinking more than the required volume especially after an exercise.

3. Exercise isn't enough to control anti-aging if nothing is done to improve the diet. When kids grow up, most of the food should be high in carbohydrates. Adults should substitute that with those that are high in proteins. You can do research on the web or read books about this to know which ones should be part of the lifestyle change.

4. We have always heard health experts say that people should get at least 8 hours of sleep but despite this advice, there are those who rest for only 4 to 6 everyday. One way to increase this is by reducing the time watching late night television or partying till the early morning so the body will be ready for the challenges of the following day.

5. Stress contributes to aging and the best way to control it is by being organized. You can jot things down on note pads instead of remembering important details in the head. Studies have shown that doing this aids in memory retention and lets the subconscious work on ideas that will just pop up in the morning.

Some young professionals look old. There may be nothing wrong with the physical features on the face or skin but others will think differently because of the clothes being worn. You can ask friends about your wardrobe or read up on it by getting copies of some fashion magazines.

By : Kaysa Aulia R

December 12, 2007

External Factors That Contribute To Skin Aging

Aging is a natural process. People, when they grow old, will developed puny bones and wrinkled skin. All will eventually grow old but not necessarily all at once.

Some people will develop wrinkles early in their lives while others will remain young looking even when they are approaching their 40s. The aging process is different for everybody. Some will develop faster while for others it is a slow process.

Experts believe that aging is largely dependent on the genetic make-up of the person. There are genes that gift individuals with skin that is elastic, and not as prone to wrinkles and sagging. This is the reason why there are families who all look young.

Still, aging isn't just a function of one’s genes. There are also outside factors that contribute to its development. Some can be naturally seen in the environment while others are part of the lifestyle that people lead. For some of these external factors, read on.

Smoking

In addition to weakening our lungs, smoking can also result in wrinkled and mottled skin. This is partly because components of cigarettes deplete the body of its stored vitamins, particularly Vitamin C, which is needed in the renewal of skin cells. It is also a key ingredient in moistening the skin, which prevents wrinkling.

Solution: Avoid smoking even second hand smoke.

Exposure to the sun

This is perhaps the single most important contributor to skin aging. Perhaps, because the sun has UV rays that can be damaging to the skin. Not only will the sun burn the skin, it will also result in extreme dryness, which will eventually result in wrinkles. Freckled people are also in danger as their spots can turn into sun spots. In addition, the rate of skin cancer is greater.

Solution: Wear sunscreen all the time even if the sun isn't so hot or even if you are staying indoors most part of the day.

Coldness

Believe it or not, it's not only the heat of the sun that speeds up aging. People exposed to extremely cold weather may also develop wrinkles. This can happen even with artificial coldness like those supplied by the air-conditioner. Cold weather can leave the skin so dry that it chafes.

Solution: Putting on moisturizers can help solve this problem. You can also use a humidifier in your room just in case it gets too humid inside.

By : Sulis

December 9, 2007

Effective Anti-Aging Tips

In order to avoid aging or adjust to the inevitable results of aging, here are some anti-aging tips that are believed to be effective:

1. Try to stick to a diet that is low in fat but high in complex carbohydrates.

2. Maintain your body's endurance and strength with regular exercise or a programmed workout.

3. As mush as possible, maximize your intake of antioxidants such as vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E that can be sourced from food supplements, vegetables, and fruits.

4. Wage an all out war against the sun's deadly rays. Protecting yourself from the sun's deadly and damaging rays is indeed one of the most effective ways to fight aging. Make sure that you apply complete sun protection with sunscreen and sun block with high SPF content.

5. To avoid prolonged exposure to the sun's rays, try not to go out outdoors during high-intensity hours— from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.—because this is the time when the sun's rays are most damaging.

6. Another way to protect yourself from the sun's deadly rays is by wearing protective clothing. By covering your skin with articles of clothing like long-sleeved shirts, long pants and wide-brimmed hats, you can keep your skin away from UV rays. Also, opt for fabrics that are can offer better protection form the sun.

7. Don’t smoke. Or if you are a smoker, try to quit. Studies say that the nicotine derived from smoking greatly accelerates the skin's normal aging process.

8. Make sure that you take time to wash your skin gently. Cleaning your skin contributes to delayed aging. Aside from being an essential part of taking care of the skin, washing it can lessen the risk of having skin diseases from the pollutants in the environment. Try using warm water during baths and try to limit the time spent on bath time.

Also, avoid strong soap that can lead to a dry skin and stop using products that contain irritating additives such as perfumes and dyes. If you're using make up, make sure that you remove it carefully after a day's work. Lastly, learn how to pat your skin dry gently to keep it moisturized.

9. Choose a gentle moisturize. Moisturizing regularly can help you maintain a youthful glow. By using moisturizers, you can help maintain the skin's natural moisture levels. Make sure that you choose a moisturizer that is suited for your specific skin type.

10. Learn the art of shaving gently and carefully. Although shaving is the most common means of removing unwanted hair, it doesn’t have to be done on a daily basis. But if you shave often, make sure that you press a warm washcloth on the skin before shaving to soften the hair and apply a shaving cream, lotion, or gel before shaving to protect and lubricate the skin.

By : Kaysa Aulia R

December 3, 2007

Distinguishing The External Factors That Affect Aging

Aging is an inevitable process all people go through. In fact, the aging process is considered a natural cycle that everything and everyone must face.

Aging is most evident on your skin. When you age, the skin loses its elasticity and that is why wrinkles and fine lines start to appear especially on the face, neck, and hands.

Today, the most common solution people find is through the use of anti-aging products that can minimize—if not eliminate—the signs of aging. These anti-aging products are marketed and advertised to encourage people to control the early signs of aging such as wrinkles, crow's feet, and other visible fine lines.

Avoiding The Causes Of Signs

The 21st century paved the way to the emergence of so many anti-aging products and services. Since the effectivity of these products isn't always 100 percent guaranteed, you shouldn't use them until you have consulted a physician or a professional. If you are thinking of using anti-aging products in order to lessen the effects of aging, it is a must that you conduct some research about the product you're planning to use and its possible side effects.

And, before finally deciding whether to use these products or not, you must first know the external factors that contribute to aging in order to avoid them. Listed below are the major external factors that cause skin aging, it is up to you how to avoid these in order to maintain young looking skin.

1. Sun. This is the major external factor that causes aging. Experts say that aging caused by overexposure to the sun's ultra violet rays is called "photo-aging." In this process, the sun's rays break down the collagen and elastin in your skin that leads to the development of premature wrinkles and other facial lines.

You can protect yourself from the harmful rays of the sun by applying sun block and sun screen that has a high SPF content, wearing proper articles of clothing that help protect your skin from the damaging rays and by lessening the time you spend outdoors especially when the sun is in its peak hours.

2. Gravity. Science tells us that gravity pulls everything towards the earth. As people age, the effect of gravity becomes visible on the skin and affects its elasticity.

3. Smoking. Nicotine indeed plays a big role in skin's aging. Studies show that smokers form lines and wrinkles sooner compared to those who don't smoke. Skin is affected by nicotine because it narrows the blood vessels in the outer layers of your skin that is responsible for the reduction of blood and nutrients.

4. Various facial expressions. People have a lot of facial expressions. These expressions are quite inevitable depending on the situation they are in. Since facial muscles are used when people make facial expressions, this can lead to the formation of lines on the face and neck.

5. Sleeping position. Although it may sound absurd, improper sleeping positions contribute to aging of the skin because it results in the visibility of wrinkles. It is advisable to adopt a sleeping position that can veer you away from forming lines on the face or even on your body.

By : Sulis