Aging Skin | Health And Wellness Tips

Spray Tanning On The Rise Not Just Celebrities

Probably thanks in no small part to celebrities, the appeal of spray tanning seems to be on the rise. As with most things, there can be pros and cons to getting this type of tan.

In this article I will give you both the pros and cons to spray tanning as well as a general overview of how it’s done and some things you can do to prepare your skin so the results are more effective and attractive.

Tanning this way means that you are literally being sprayed all over your body, with a compound that is comprised of an element that darkens your skin, DHA. DHA has been declared safe by the FDA for this type of use, which is one of the biggest “pros” to this type of tan.

Even so, you do need to be very careful around the eyes.

Since this is basically just a temporary stain you are adding to your skin, it does not have the same long lasting, harmful effects that UV rays have. Whether you get those rays in a tanning bed or at the beach, UV rays can lead to pre mature aging of the skin and possibly even skin cancer.

Even a little exposure to UV rays can cause problems. There really is no “safe” amount of rays though it is generally accepted that moderate amounts over a lifetime, particularly if you don’t ever get sun burnt, is probably not too big of a cause for alarm for most people.

Of course, there are those people who have a pre disposition to cancers of all types, not just skin cancer, and for those individuals even more caution is needed.

Anyway, back to spray tanning. You can do it at home or at local tanning salon. If you do it at home you will probably want to enlist the help of a friend since it can be tough to target all parts of your body on your own.

To increase the effectiveness here are some tips:

1. First of all pick the proper shade for your skin tone. If you are very fair skinned and you try to go ultra dark you may find it looks weird. Instead, try to take your skin up a few steps in color only.

2. Shaving before you get your tan may be a good idea since it is recommended that you don’t shave for at least 24 hours after the tan is applied.

If you get rashy after you shave, you may want to shave at least 24 hours prior to your tanning session to make sure that the rash settles down first.

2. Use an exfoliating wash prior to your tan. Getting rid of as much dried skin as possible and moisturizing afterward can make your skin smoother and less susceptible to looking “blotchy”.

Pay particular attention to those parts of your body that are rough such as elbows and feet. Making these as smooth as possible will also help ensure that they look good after the the tan is applied.

3. Be prepared to repeat the process every week or so. The tan does wash off and will fade over time. That is one of the biggest “cons”; tanning this way can end up being time consuming and costly to keep your tan looking good all season long.

Spray tanning is not without it’s issues, but for anyone who likes that “sun kissed” look it may be a better way to get that look then spending countless hours damaging your skin in the sun.

How To Age Gracefully-Getting Older Is A Fact Of Life

Getting older is a fact of life. From the time you are born, you are getting older, and there’s nothing you can do about, at least not when it comes to your chronological age. You can, however, do a lot to slow down the aging process, but at the same time, you will be much more content when you discover how to age gracefully.

An endless series of plastic surgeries is not what aging gracefully is all about. Perhaps you are familiar with a few actors and actresses who have had so much plastic surgery that they now look awful. Despite their best attempts to look younger, they still look older, but they also look worse than if they would have let themselves age the way nature had intended. Does that mean you should never get any form of plastic surgery? Not at all, but you should be very choosy about what you get done, and be sure that you don’t overdo it.

Another key aspect of aging gracefully is acting your age, or at least close to it. Few things are more unsettling than somebody trying to dress and act like they are decades younger than they really are. You may think that you are fitting in with younger people by doing this, but you will make yourself look ridiculous. Now, it’s okay to dress well, and to hang around with younger people, but don’t be phony about it; be yourself.

Your skin is one of the most important aspects of your appearance. Having younger looking skin is fair game when it comes to aging gracefully. Your skin needs to be properly moisturized for it to be healthy. You can use moisturizing creams on the outside (look for those that contain humectants) of your skin, but remember to drink plenty of water so your skin gets moisturized from the inside. Using a toner will help to tighten your skin, but avoid those which contain alcohol. Exfoliating removes dead skin cells that have accumulated on the surface. However, don’t exfoliate too often, and use a product that is gentle.

If you smoke, quit. Period.

How you look is only a part of aging, so don’t forget to take care of yourself spiritually as well. Frequent prayer, attending worship services, reading holy books, and meditation all help to give your life a sense of purpose. Having a sense of purpose as you get older is vital because it lets you enjoy each moment with a fuller sense of what life is all about. You are no longer fighting life, but rather embracing and enjoying it for what it is.

Yes, we are all getting older, but this isn’t a bad thing when you know how to age gracefully. Taking it all in stride and doing a few basic things is all it takes to not only look better, but to feel better too.

Battle Scars

The fight against acne is an arduous battle and like any battle, you may survive but not be left unscathed. Yes, the struggle with acne does not end with the treatment and eradication of the situation because acne often leaves unsightly residual scars that affect levels of self esteem as well as leave a tangible and visual reminder of a painful ordeal.

The good news

Fortunately, with advancements in science and technology, acne scar suffers won’t have to live with this situation any longer. There are a host of solutions available for acne scar removal that actually work. However, it is important to remain realistic in expectation and to learn which procedure will benefit you because there are no one size fits all remedy for acne scar removal. Acne scar removal procedures will depend on one’s age, skin type and severity.

When abrasiveness works

One type of acne scar removal is dermabrasion and this entails the use of an electronic machine that will remove the top layer of the skin to even out the surface and produce, clearer, smoother skin. Although if you think about it, the procedure is much like sanding stone or wood down, this has proven to be quite successful. After the procedure the skin is red and raw but when it heals, smoother, more even skin is yours to have. This however does not work on thin skin, which may not have enough layers to begin with.

Feel the peel

Chemical peels work much like dermabrasion except that instead of a mechanical machine, chemicals are used in contact with the skin to be treated to prompt it to shed off the top, scarred layers to make room for smoother skin. This procedure may not be an option for individuals with overly sensitive skin which may react adversely to the chemicals.

Injectibles and laser treatments

Although primarily used to treat aging skin, collagen injections and laser treatments are also effective in acne scar removal. These techniques are use to transform depressed areas formed by scars to create a smooth and scar free skin surface.

Punching and transferring

Punch grafts and fat transfers are also used to treat deep scars caused by acne. Punch grafts entail punching holes on scars and replacing the skin with an unscarred source elsewhere in the body. Same goes for fat transfer where fat from another source of the body is transferred onto depressed skin surfaces to raise and level off scars.

For more detailed information on procedures, which one is right for you and where you can get them, visit the sites below and begin your journey toward getting rid of battle scars caused by acne.

All about acne

For your complete acne online resource, point your browser to acne-resource.org Its page on acne scar removal is a complete information sheet about getting rid of unsightly scars caused by acne. This site will also help you find out where to get procedures done and more importantly, where you can find qualified professionals to help you find out the best process for your acne scar removal needs.