Posts

THE BENEFITS OF EXFOLIATION

inmyprofessionalopinion.blogspot.com

As we age, it becomes more and more important to take care of our skin. Finding what works for you however, can sometimes be the hardest part to a great skincare regimen. I find that a great tip for keeping skin smooth and healthy is weekly exfoliation.

Exfoliating the skin takes away the build up of dead skin cells on your outermost layer of the skin, the epidermis. As we grow older cell turnover slows down and excess skin can build up, leaving it dry and discolored. Exfoliating your skin twice at week at most, will leave it glowing and looking like new.

Exfoliation is simple and fast. There are two main types, mechanical and chemical. Mechanical or physical exfoliation is when you use scrubs or rough cloth to gently smooth away excess skin cells. This should always be performed in small circular motions all along the face and neck. Avoid using body scrubs on your face, they are too abrasive and will take off too many cells. Over exfoliating can happen if you exfoliate more than twice a week or use too harsh a scrub or cloth. You will notice if you have over exfoliated if your skin looks red and irritated and dry all over. I would suggest using a non-detergent or non-drying cleanser with a washcloth.

Chemical exfoliation does not involve scrubbing, but chemical solutions that work to break down old skin cells and rinse away. Both of these methods are effective and can be performed at home or by a professional. Overall a good skincare regimen consists of a great cleanser, an exfoliator and a moisturizer. Remember, only exfoliate once or twice a week to help facilitate cell turnover and improve circulation for your skin.  Simple weekly routines can make a world of difference!

References:

Please click here for my Huffington Post article on bathing and exfoliation.

/by

Check out Purigenex in Marie Claire!

Not many people are privy to the origins of good skincare products. In fact most people would probably be surprised to learn that some of the best skincare practices come from Korea, but it is true!

Recently Marie Claire did an article featuring skincare methods from Korea, which discusses some of the best products and procedures in skincare. In it, the article consults with many skincare gurus including myself, to discuss what actually works best for our skin. Generally the consensus is to ditch the “peel” route and go for the more nurturing route when it comes to taking years off your skin.

According to the article, popular treatments in Korea include laser treatment, stem cell media skincare, and skin-plumping masks, the latter of which you can get a hold of here in the United States under my brand name Purigenex. It is the only medical-grade collagen sold in the states and comes straight from the labs in Korea.

Skincare expert Mary Schook from New York considers Purigenex “one of the industry’s greatest breakthroughs” because it is the “only topical medical-grade collagen sold in the United States.”  Schook also swears by a few others, including a Blemish Balm Cream that gets rid of zits, protects skin from the sun, and acts as an anti-aging moisturizer all in one. The best part about all of the products mentioned in the article is that they are safer and less scary than getting injections or peels.

If you do not already have a subscription to Marie Claire, be sure to stop by your local grocery or bookstore to pick up the May issue for all of the details!

 

 

 

 

http://purigenex.com/

 

 

/by

Your Sunglasses–Polarized!

Tis the season to wear sunglasses! Although it sounds like the last thing you need to worry about this winter, UV (ultraviolet) rays from the sun can attack us from all sides during our winter activities, and it is important to shield not only our eyes but our skin too. When we spend hours in the snow without sunglasses, the glare reflected from the ground can increase your risk of developing eye diseases like cataracts. Additionally, not wearing sunglasses causes you to squint, resulting in premature crow’s feet! 

The best protection you can give your eyes comes in the form of polarized sunglasses. These protective lenses block 100% of all UV (UVA, UVB, UVC) exposure, which are the rays invisible to the eye that can cause sunburn, wrinkling of skin, cataracts and even cancer. Polarized sunglasses reduce the glare reflected off of horizontal surfaces like snow, water, and pavement, allowing you to distinguish lines and textures clearly.

By far the best polarized sunglasses on the market I have used are Maui Jim sunglasses. Maui Jim’s are polarized sunglasses that protect your eyes from glare on all sides. No matter where you look, your eyes will not be affected by direct, reflected, or bounce-back glare. They absorb 99.9% of all reflected glare and are made with three rare earth elements that enhance the color quality the eye naturally perceives. They are stylish too! I only wear Maui Jim sunglasses whenever I participate in any outdoor activity—simply the best!

References:

http://www.mauijim.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/TechnologyView?storeId=10001&catalogId=11601&langId=-1

http://www.hdosport.com/tips.php?id=148

/by

The Slant Board for Drooping Skin

Did you know that most of us will spend 75% of our lifetime in an upright position? We do lie down to rest and sleep, but majority of the time, our bodies do not get any relief from daily stresses caused by natural gravity. The best way to alleviate the gravitational pull on our body and organs is to use a slant board; a piece of equipment commonly used by many to increase blood flow back to the brain, eliminate fatigue, and even restore the elasticity in our skin.

The moment you lay on the slant board (18 inches off the ground or more) with your feet higher than your head, you will experience the blood rushing into to your face and head. After a few minutes on your back, you will notice a slight movement of your lower abdominal organs gently shifting up towards the diaphragm and flattening. Practicing this angulated supine position, will give the ligaments and connective tissue that hold up the abdominal organs an opportunity to restore back to its more youthful state. Also known as “Inversion therapy”, it will help eliminate common problems below the waist like hemorrhoids and varicose veins in the legs. It is great to use after giving birth, to help guide the uterus and bladder back to its optimal position. A daily regimen of 5 to 10 minute increments on the board is all you will need to increase blood circulation to the brain and over time- tighten up abdominal muscles and eliminate lower belly pooch, drain lymph glands and reduce swelling in the legs, and even reverse sagging and drooping skin of face and body.

Every fitness gym will have a slant board; most of the body builders use it to get their six-pack abdominals. Next time you are there, finish your work out by resting on the slant board or better yet, get one from Amazon and you can use it in comfort of your own home!

References:

http://www.shanti.com.au/equipment/slant_board.htm#Why%20use%20a%20slanting%20board

Dr. Jensen’s Nutrition Handbook: A Daily Regimen for Healthy Living

/3 Comments/by

Can Too Much Sugar Cause Wrinkles?

Research tells us that we the average American consumes half a pound of sugar every single day. We know it can lead to conditions like diabetes and obesity, and sometimes, the latter precedes the former. Unfortunately though, the risk of diabetes and other diseases is not enough to get us to stop. However, did you also know that sugar can affect the collagen and elasticity of your skin?

A complex group of compounds called “Advanced Glycation End Products” better known as AGE’s, are major contributors to the aging process. They are part of a chemical chain reaction that occurs when sugar and proteins bond improperly called “cross-linking”. When a sugar molecule like fructose bonds with a protein and no enzyme is present to control the reaction, AGE’s are formed. This can lead to damaged tissue within the skin and prevent the formation of skin-tightening agents like collagen.

AGE’s come from the foods we eat, especially those cooked without water at high temperatures. Water prevents these sugars and proteins from bonding, which is why it is always best to steam or boil raw vegetables and avoid browned or processed foods. Browning foods increases the level of AGE’s!

As a promising area of research, AGE’s have been associated with the vascular damage of diabetes, as too much sugar in the bloodstream can greatly hasten the reaction between sugars and proteins in the body. AGE’s are also known to be a primary cause of cellular aging, and has been implicated in diseases like Alzheimer’s, rheumatoid arthritis, and end-stage renal disease for its effects on body tissue. Fortunately, a peptide found in animal tissue and powerful antioxidant called carnosine has been known to offset this destructive reaction between sugars and proteins. Carnosine helps prevent cross-linking of collagen in skin. As skin age, cross-links form between adjacent collagen fibers causing the characteristic wrinkling and loss of elasticity. Carnosine is one of my favorite “anti-aging” nutrients; it is available in supplementation and has been used in many topical creams to reduce wrinkles and fine lines.

In order to prevent the negative effects of AGE’s from creeping up on you, I suggest keeping the blood sugar low by reducing your sugar intake and eating raw, natural foods. Also, avoid well-done meats at high temperatures, such as grilled or BBQ meats, which have higher levels of AGE’s than do slower, cooked meats. Meat and poultry in soups and stews is a great way to prevent the AGE’s process. Making small changes in your diet every day can go a long way!

References:

http://www.springerlink.com/content/h0lyk91w88lj5j1q/fulltext.pdf

/by