Why Dark Spots Appear on Your Skin?

It is alarming to see dark spots appearing on your skin and affecting your looks. It is perfectly possible for this skin problem to be treated effectively, but in order for this to happen its causes have to be identified first. Discover the most common causes of dark spots to ensure that you will get clearer and even more beautiful skin.
Sun Exposure
This is the most common reason why dark spots appear on the skin. The UV light of the sun causes damage to the cells in the upper layers of the epidermis. Usually, this damage occurs due to long unprotected exposure to the sun. The cell damage manifests itself in the form hyperpigmentation. The spots usually come in different shades of brown and sometimes gray.
There are three main types of dark spots caused by UV damage. The Melasma spots are typically big and connected to each other to form clusters. They typically appear on the face. They are most common in young people and young women, in particular.
Ephelides, which are informally known as freckles, are perhaps the most common of all dark skin spots. They are small, but typically cover fairly big areas of the skin. Their color ranges from red to brown. They can appear at any age including early childhood. They most often occur on the face and the upper part of the body. The cheeks and arms usually have the most freckles.
The so called age spots which tend to appear on the skin when people get older are called solar lentigines. They are caused by long-term exposure to the sun and are extremely common. Their color typically ranges from light to dark brown. They can have different sizes. Many small spots can form a cluster or there may be several bigger ones fairly close to each other. They appear on the parts of the skin which get the most sunlight such as the forehead, temples, chest, arms and hands.
Hormonal Changes
Changes to the hormonal balance, especially in women, can lead to the appearance of dark spots on the skin. Most often, these occur during pregnancy. They can also be caused by the intake of birth control pills and medications which trigger hormonal changes. The spots usually go away naturally after the hormonal balance in the body is restored.
Medical Conditions
Skin disorders, liver disease and some hormonal disorders such as Addison’s disease can also cause dark spots. When they are properly treated, the skin will get improvement as well. It is also worth noting that it is common for hyperpigmentation to occur after skin trauma which has caused inflammation. Dark spots can appear on the place of healed acne pimples, for instance. The risk of this is lower if the condition has been treated properly.
Finally, you should know that it is fairly uncommon for melanoma, which is the most dangerous skin cancer, to be confused with dark skin spots. Still, it is always best to have such spots checked by a dermatologist who will recommend the most appropriate treatment given the cause of the problem and other factors such as age and overall health.

Why Do Ingrowing Hairs Occur?

Looks are and always have been extremely important. That is why we use all kinds of cosmetic treatments to look perfect. These include shaving and waxing for hair removal. While these have proven results, they may also trigger problems such as ingrowing hair. Find out more about the causes of this issue which has an adverse impact on the skin and may cause great discomfort as well.
What Happens
When a hair is cut or plucked out of the follicle, a new one begins to grow in its place. Normally, the new hair goes up the follicle and its sharper top part goes above the surface of the skin. However, in some cases, the stem does not follow this path. Instead, it goes sideways and cuts through the follicle lining. Basically, the pointy edge causes injury to the skin. This causes the immune system to produce and deliver white blood cells for the healing of the injured spot. This triggers inflammation and swelling.
Due to the inflammation and swelling the ingrowing hairs look like raised bumps which can be reddish, purplish or brownish. They can be tiny or quite big depending on the size of the affected area. Sometimes, there is a pouch of white and yellow pus which can be clearly seen and the top of the bump. In some cases, it is possible to see the hair under the skin.
Ingrowing hairs are not regarded as a serious medical condition. However, they have a variety of negative cosmetic effects. The bumps are unsightly and can lower your self-esteem if they are on a visible part of the body which cannot be covered with clothing. Furthermore, the bumps can cause a great amount of discomfort and sometimes even pain. Other skin problems which can occur include discoloration and scarring.
The Main Causes
Only newly growing hair can penetrate into the skin. That is why the problem occurs soon after shaving or several weeks after waxing and tweezing when the hair is advancing up the follicle. The affected skin areas are the ones which receive the treatments. In men, these are typically the face and neck. In women, these are the legs and the pubic area.
The risk of ingrowing is higher when there is a thicker layer of dead skin cells. There are other risk factors as well. Coarser hairs are more likely to grow into the skin. These grow on the face and the pubic area. In general, regular shaving and waxing work to make hairs thicker and harder and this contributes greatly to the worsening of the problem. Similarly, curly hairs are more likely to cut into the skin because they grow in curved follicles and do not get a straight path up. People who have more body hair are at greater risk of this problem as well.
When you notice the presence of ingrowing hairs on your body, you should resort to appropriate treatment right away. This will help to improve the condition of the skin, to restore its smoothness and to prevent complications such as serious infection. You must avoid picking and squeezing the bumps to prevent scarring.

How to Prevent Acidity in Your Body by Drinking Clean Water?

The body is a complex fine-tuned system which is affected by various factors from the food which is consumed to the quality of the air in the surrounding environment. When the delicate balance is disrupted, diseases occur. This is the case with the pH balance of the body as well. High acidity, which is defined with pH well below 7, should be prevented effectively. One of the best ways is to drink enough water.
The Optimal pH Balance
There are many reasons why high acidity can occur in the body. This can be due to a medical condition, the intake of certain medications or diet which is poor in nutrients. When the pH balance is distorted, this can lead to constant fatigue, headaches, stomach discomfort and muscle ache. The bones and joints can be adversely affected. The risk of certain diseases and especially ones which affect the kidneys, liver and lungs becomes higher.
Usually, it is perfectly possible to keep the pH balance in the body just by adopting a healthy lifestyle. When you eat healthy hoods and get enough rest, your body will be in good condition and you will feel good too. The most important thing of all is to drink sufficient amounts of clean water. Water not only helps to make the body more alkaline. It removes all toxins from it as well. The overall result is improved functioning of all organs and systems of the body. You will also have lower risk of all kinds of diseases including chronic ones like diabetes type 2 and arthritis and extremely dangerous ones like cancer.
Healthy Water Consumption
The main question is how to get the best results through drinking water. The choice of water is really important. It must be perfectly clean. You should consider drinking spring water or water which has undergone special filtering or purification.
How about alkaline mineral water? It can be quite beneficial for lowering existing acidity in the body. It can help to prevent the problem as well. However, you must not overuse it because the higher concentration of alkaline ions may cause the kidneys to work harder. You can drink alkaline water often, but it is not recommended for daily consumption.
How much water should you drink per day? Most doctors recommend between 2 and 3 liters for men and from 1.6 to 2.2 liters for women. Generally, if you can drink from 8 to 10 glasses of water a day, this will help you to prevent acidity in the body. It is possible to count other fluids as well, but it is best to go for pure drinking water only. It will bring the most benefits. You should stay away from carbonated drinks and from ones which have added sugar as they are not healthy at all. If you are not used to drinking the optimal amount of water, you should start increasing your daily intake steadily to reach the desired level.
Overall, you can go a long way by drinking enough water every day. You will keep the optimal pH balance in the body and stay healthy and strong.

How to Choose Skin Care Product?

You want to use the best skin care product there is, but it is difficult to make a choice given the multitude of products in the market and the flashy and often confusing ads. You have to take the search and evaluation very seriously since a mistake can not only cost you a great deal of money, but have an adverse impact on your skin health. If you are careful and follow the basic rules outlined below, you will make the right decision and enjoy healthy and beautiful complexion.
Skin Type
Before you go shopping for any sort of skin care product, you must know what your skin type is. This has a great impact on the ingredients and the effects of the product. If you have normal skin, you can use most types of cosmetics without hesitation. If you have dry skin, you have to ensure that the products which you choose have pure natural oils for deep and lasting hydration.
If you have oily skin, you need creams which do not clog the pores and which help the epidermis to breathe. While the reduced production of oil is beneficial, it must not stripped of the skin. If you have sensitive skin, you have to use cosmetics with gentle yet potent ingredients which do not cause irritation or redness.
Skin Needs
You need to identify the problems which you have to fight and the improvements which you want to make. This will help you with selecting the ideal skin care products. The products for acne treatment are very different from those for wrinkles or rosacea. The more specific you are the better. There are hardly any products which can fight all signs of ageing at the same time. Some creams stimulate collagen production to add plumpness to the skin while others work to resurface the topmost layer of the epidermis to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
Ingredients and Concentration
You should do your research in advance to figure out which types of chemical compounds have been proven to work for your particular skin problem. Glycolic acid and lactic acid are used for acne treatment while vitamin C is effective for sun spots, ageing spots and radiance improvement. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are preferred for natural sun protection. Coenzyme Q10 repairs damaged cells and makes the skin plumper. Check carefully the concentration of the active ingredients. It should not be below 5%.
You should look closely at all ingredients and not only the active ones and ensure that they are perfectly safe. You should avoid products which contain parabens, petrochemicals, synthetic fragrances, sulfates and chemical compounds which release formaldehyde. Since you will most certainly be using the product for a long period of time, you should not hesitate to research the ingredients just to be on the safe side.
Finally, you should not forget to check the brand before you buy a skin care product. Find out more about its history and philosophy and check what people think about it. You should be completely confident about cosmetics which you get and apply on your skin.

How Can Healthy Nutrition Help with Skin and Nail Care?

There are all sorts of topical treatments which you can use to keep your skin and nails healthy. However, diet is even more important. When you get healthy nutrition with optimal amounts of vitamins, minerals and other valuable compounds, you will feel and look your best. You just have to ensure that you pick the right foods for top results.
Healthy Diet Benefits
Did you know that the skin is the largest organ of the human body? Everything which you eat had great impact on it. When it is properly nurtured, it will be smooth, even and radiant. The risk of problems such as dark spots, pimples, blemishes and wrinkles will be much lower. In the same way, you will have strong, smooth and fabulously looking nails if you get the nutrients which are needed for their proper growth with the food that you eat.
When your diet is healthy, you will enjoy healthy and beautiful skin and nails at all times. You will feel better too. You will have energy and good mood. These are essential for the overall health and for your looks as well.
Eating the Right Foods
What exactly does healthy nutrition involve? The most important thing is to include the right foods in your diet. Vitamin A, which is essential for the normal functioning of the skin cells, is found in low-fat dairy products and fish. Carotene, which is transformed into vitamin A by the human body, is found in carrots, pumpkins and squash. Vitamin C is essential for the production of collagen which keeps the skin and nails strong and gives them their natural radiance. It is found in kiwis, citrus fruit and peppers. Vitamin E protects the cells from free-radical damage which is responsible for all signs of ageing. It is found in nuts, seeds and avocados.
Zinc is an essential mineral for repairing skin and nail damage. It is found in nuts and seeds, leafy greens and lean beef. Selenium helps to protect the cells from oxidative stress and damage. It is found in whole-grain breads, pasta and cereals, in chicken and in Brazil nuts. Iron prevents nail brittleness and improper growth and shaping. It is found in beans, poultry, egg yolk, spinach and nettle.
While vitamin C and E are essential for preventing free-radical damage and ageing, there are other antioxidants which will contribute to their effect. These are found in berries and green tea. The omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are necessary for ensuring that the skin and nail cells get properly nurtured. They are found in fatty fish such as salmon and mackerel and in flaxseed oil. The use of healthy natural oils for preparing food such as olive oil will also give you health benefits. They help to keep moisture inside the skin so that it is plump, smooth and radiant.
Finally, healthy nutrition for skin and nail care is about cooking foods in a healthy way. It is best to consume fruit, vegetables and nuts raw. When you cook food, you should use stewing and roasting rather than frying. Add as little fat as possible.

How to Get Rid of Ingrowing Hair?

Many men and some women have to deal with ingrowing hair literally every week. The problem can have a great negative impact on the overall condition of the skin, on the looks and on the self-confidence. Complications such as acute inflammation can also occur. That is why the issue must be addressed timely and resolved fully with appropriate treatment. Find out what you have to do to get rid of this problem.
Complete Treatment
In most cases, the ingrowing hairs find their way to the surface of the skin without any special treatment. You simply need to keep your daily face washing and showering routine. The dead skin cells which block the way of the hair will go away and it will come out. The natural resolution to the problem typically takes a day or two.
If the problem persists after a few days and the bump is getting bigger, you should visit the office of a dermatologist to receive medical treatment. The doctor will use a needle or make a small cut with a scalpel to take the hair out. The treatment is perfectly safe and does not cause pain or serious discomfort. The risk of scarring is extremely low.
In case the skin is inflamed, the doctor will prescribe topical antibiotic treatment. When the inflammation is severe, oral antibiotic may have to be taken for dealing with the problem completely. If the area is painful, topical steroid medication can be prescribed for quick and effective relief.
Effective Prevention
You need to take special measures in order to get rid of ingrowing hair for good. The first step involves the use of a more effective and safer method for hair shaving or removal. If you shave, you should use razor technology which first picks the hairs up and then does the cutting. You must avoid shaving too close to the skin. After you are done, you should apply an appropriate product for soothing the skin and for keeping the pores open. If you wax, you should consider laser hair removal instead. With this procedure, the hairs are removed at a deeper level of the follicles and this slows down their regrowth and reduces the risk of ingrowing.
Frequent cleaning of the skin with a scrub is equally important as it works to remove the dead skin cells which block the hairs’ way out. You have to use a product which is suitable for your skin type and does not cause irritation. The optimal frequency depends on the severity of the problem and the condition of the skin. Sometimes, weekly cleaning with a scrub is sufficient while in other cases it has to be done every day.
It is best if skin cleaning is combined with the use of a retinoid-based cream. The cream provides for even more effective exfoliation. It reduces the risk of hyperpigmentation as well. It helps to keep the skin clear and smooth. You should ask your dermatologist to recommend a cream which is highly effective for preventing ingrowing hair yet fairly gentle to the skin.
With the right treatment and care, you will never have to worry about ingrowing hair again.

How Does Carboxytherapy Work?

You want to receive only the best treatment for your skin. Ideally, it would be non-invasive and produce good results fairly quickly. Could carboxytherapy be the right treatment for you? This treatment has become extremely popular in modern beauty salons across the globe. Find out everything which you need to know about it to make a decision.
The Treatment
Carboxytherapy involves the injection of small amounts of carbon dioxide right under the topmost layer of the skin. This gas is naturally present in the body. It is a waste product of the metabolic processes in it. We take it out of our system every time we exhale. Since the injected carbon dioxide is treated as waste product by the body, the oxygen supply to the treated area is increased. The red blood cells deliver more oxygen and pick up the present carbon dioxide which is then processed by the lungs and breathed out.
The increased oxygen supply to the treated skin area nurtures the cells. It stimulates the natural processes in the skin including healing, circulation and collagen production. Given this, the therapy with carbon dioxide has a wide variety of applications. It is used for the treatment of dark circles around the eyes and for scar healing. It is also utilized for the reduction of stretch marks and cellulite. Another one of its applications is body sculpting.
Effectiveness and Safety
It is common to see improvement after the first session of carboxytherapy. The darker skin around the eyes gets lighter and lighter until it regains its natural tan color back. The scarred skin becomes smoother, softer and plumper. Stretch marks are reduced and the smoothness of the skin is restored. The skin affected by cellulite becomes tighter as well as smoother. When it comes to body sculpting, the fat deposits, which appear as bulges, are reduced over time and the silhouette is leaner yet attractively curvaceous.
In order for the best possible results to be achieved, a number of treatment sessions will be required. In most cases, therapists recommend that ten sessions are done, but this is generally strictly individual and depends on a variety of factors such as the severity of the problem, the age of the patient and her overall health condition. It is important to note that it is up to the patient to make effort to retain the achieved results. In order for your skin to remain cellulite-free for instance, you will need to do exercise, drink plenty of water and provide messages and exfoliation. Similarly, in order to keep the eye contour healthy, you should wear sunglasses and get sufficient rest.
As a non-invasive procedure, carboxytherapy has a high level of safety. It is not known to have any serious side effects which may have adverse impact on the overall health of the patient. Some discomfort may be felt during the injection. Bruising may also occur, but this is generally rare since the procedure is performed by a trained therapist. After the treatment session, you can go on with your daily life. No special care is required.
Use the information provided here to decide if carboxytherapy is the right treatment for your skin problems.

How and Why Allergies Occur?

Statistics show that one in every five people suffers from a certain type of allergy. These conditions can affect people of any age and cause a variety of symptoms ranging from runny nose to anaphylactic shock, which can be life threatening. When the process and its trigger or triggers are well understood, effective treatment can be applied. Even though allergies cannot be cured, they can be managed with the right kind of therapy. Find out more about their nature and causes.
The Allergic Reaction
An allergic reaction occurs when the sufferer is exposed to the respective allergen. The allergen is a substance which is perfectly harmless to most people. However, it is dangerous for the sufferer because his immune system reacts differently to it.
When the body of the sufferer gets into contact with the allergen either through inhalation, touch, ingestion or a sting or bite, the immune system treats the substance as a pathogen. Basically, it recognizes it as something which is dangerous for the body. As a result, it produces antibodies which work to destroy this potential threat.
The reaction of the immune system is characterized by the release of chemicals such as histamine. They cause inflammation and swelling of the organs and tissues which have got into contact with the allergen. The most commonly affected parts of the body include the skin, the lining of the nose, the sinuses, the airways, the eyes and the digestive tract. The symptoms range from congested and runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing, cough and rash to swelling of the face, the eyelids and the throat. If the symptoms are severe, medical care must be sought right away.
The Main Causes
There are various types of allergies depending on the allergens which cause them. The airborne allergies are among the most common. They are caused by tiny particles or microorganisms carried in the air and found on various surfaces such as pollen, dust mites and mold. The pet allergies also fall into this category as they are triggered by the dander of the animals.
The insect allergies are among the most serious. They are caused by the chemical compounds which are transferred from the insect to the skin through a sting or bite. While most bites can cause only minor skin redness and irritation, a was or bee sting may trigger face and throat swelling and lead to suffocation.
The food allergies are becoming more and more common. They can be caused by a wide variety of foods from peanuts to shrimp. Some medications such as penicillin can also trigger allergic reactions. In rare cases, chemicals, which are found in products for skin and hair treatment, and some materials like latex can also cause allergies.
It is still not know why some people have allergic reaction to substances which are generally safe for everyone else. This is the main reason why there is still no cure for allergies. However, this does not mean that sufferers cannot take measures to deal with the problem. The most effective method for prevention is for the respective allergen to be avoided.

How Is Skin Cancer Caused by Sun Exposure?

Over the past decades, the number of skin cancer cases has grown dramatically. In many countries, this is the most common type of cancer. The main cause of this condition is frequent exposure to the sun. Find out how the process works.
UV Damage to Skin Cells
The sun produces ultraviolet radiation which reaches out planet. The most harmful rays of radiation are blocked by the atmosphere and the sunlight which reaches through it is crucial for the life on this planet. Generally, it is good for the health to soak up some sun. However, when you get too much of it, this can be quite dangerous.
In case of frequent and prolonged exposure to the sun, the UV rays can cause damage to the skin cells. More specifically, the UV radiation damages the cells’ DNA. This is how healthy cells are transformed into cancer cells. The cancer cells multiply and form a malignant tumor. If the tumor is not treated timely, skin cancer can spread to other parts of the body via the lymphatic system.
It is important to note that manmade sources of UV radiation can also cause damage to cellular DNA and consequently skin cancer. The list includes tanning beds and certain types of professional equipment. While professionals wear protective gear to shield themselves from UV radiation, it is a personal choice to stay away from tanning beds for the purpose of protecting your health.
Sun Exposure and the Types of Skin Cancer
Recent research studies have found that different types of UV damage are responsible for the different types of skin cancer. Regular exposure to the sun over a long period of time leads to cumulative damage to the cells. The cumulative damage causes basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma. These types of skin tumors typically appear on the parts of the body which are directly exposed to the sun and get the most UV light such as the face. People who work outside and professional and amateur athletes who train outdoors are at higher risk of developing these types of skin cancer. The people who love sunbathing and do it regularly fall into this category as well.
Melanoma, which is the deadliest type of skin cancer, is more likely to be caused by severe sunburns incurred at a young age rather than by exposure to the sun on a regular basis over a years and decades. Researchers have discovered that the sunburns suffered during childhood and adolescence put people at greater risk of melanoma. The malignant melanoma growths can appear on any part of the skin including the inner thighs and the pubic area which normally do not get directly exposed to sunlight.
It is important to take all possible steps for lowering your risk of skin cancer. These include staying in the shade during the hours of the day with most intensive sunlight and applying sunscreen on all exposed parts of the skin when going outside. You should wear a hat and a pair of sunglasses for complete protection. Regular skin exams are also among the main preventive measures.

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The purpose of an organic cleanse is to help the body to get rid of all the toxins and impurities which clog it. It is true that there are natural bodily functions which are responsible for this, but their effectiveness can be adversely effected by lifestyle factors such as poor diet, lack of proper rest and high stress levels. That is why many women choose to go for cleansing. It has a beneficial effect on all organs and systems of the body including the skin. It rejuvenates the body and slows down the aging process. In order to get top results, you need to select the right cleanse.
Comparing Cleanse Options
There are two main types of cleanses that you need to consider. The first one is colon cleansing. It typically involves drinking special teas and taking supplements. In some cases, the teas are replaced with enemas. This treatment can produce good results, but it puts a considerable amount of stress on the body.
The more popular option as present is the use of cleanses which are based on fruits, vegetables and small amounts of dietary fiber. These come in the form of juices which you get to drink every day. The juices are made from organic ingredients only. They must not contain any additives or preservatives.
There are different levels of cleansing which you can choose from with the juices. The highest level involves drinking only the juice and water without consuming any other food. This regimen is typically kept for five to ten days. The intermediate level, which is preferred by most people, includes the consumption or raw fruit and vegetables as well. The basic level is about quitting one or more types of foods which are not healthy for the set period of time, eating more fruit and vegetables and drinking the juice. You can readily remove processed foods, meat, sugary foods or dairy products from your diet or all of them together.
Making the Best Choice
Since juices are the more effective organic cleanses, you should focus extensively on them. You have to select the product which is ideal for you. You must confirm that all ingredients are organic. The use of organic ingredients must be properly certified. You should look into the beneficial compounds present in the juice. These must include vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber. The latter is really important for regulating the processes in the body and for cleansing the gastrointestinal system. It can help to lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
You have to check how the beneficial compounds which come from the fruit, vegetables and other ingredients are preserved. Pay close attention to the processing of the ingredients. It is best if the pulp goes into the bottles as well since it is extremely rich in nutrients. Make sure that you know how long you can keep the juices for in the fridge.
Finally, once you select the right organic cleanse product, you should prepare a program which to follow. It must be based on your level of experience in cleansing, on your overall health condition and on your goals.