What You Should Know About Stretch Marks

August 9th, 2012

Our body is an amazing organic machine that adapts to its environment as well as its diet. But even our bodies need to time in order to do so; stretch marks are what happens when your body’s development overrules its ability to adapt to it.

Stretch marks are a common occurrence in women during pregnancy but it also occurs in men. Rapid weight gain or weight loss can also cause stretch marks as they can stretch the skin. The appearance of stretch marks, when new has a dark red or purple hue and gradually takes a more subtle white to transparent hue after a year. Now it is important in taking note of the color as it can ultimately determine what course of action that you should do in terms of treatment.

Determining Course of Treatment

Again, there are determining factors that could deter or increase your changes of successful treatment. Your age, skin tone and dieting can also impact treatment.  Now these means have varying effectiveness and each have their side-effects that you should take note of.

Stretch marks have essentially two types of stages; the treatable stage and the settling stage. The treatable stage has a period of less then a year; as the name suggests, it’s a period that your stretch marks are new and a more responsive to medication. The settling stage on the other hand is the opposite of this; it has healed over time but the marks are still visible. The healing process by your body causes

Over The Counter Medication

The great thing about these types of medication is that they’re accessible. You don’t need to get cleared by your doctor to get treated; you just go to your local pharmacy, find it and pay up. Now what you should be looking are moisturizers as they help with the itching as well as easing its overall look (remember to do your research, read reviews before buying).

Prescription Medication

Although they are not exactly as accessible as over the counter medication, they’re effectiveness more than makes up for it. Tretinoin cream works the same way as moisturizers but to a more effective degree.

Laser Therapy

They are the most expensive in the realm of treatment, but they are by far the most effective forms of treatment. Although they do not necessarily take away the stretch mark, they do make it significantly passable in comparison to topical treatment. it can run you thousands of dollars on repeat visits, but if you’ve got the money and your doctor’s go-ahead, then go for it.

Management

You worst case scenario is letting your stretch marks heal naturally. Now this might seem pretty harmless, it still leaves distinguishable marks – hence the need to treat them before your body fixes it. This is important as stretch marks take years before they completely vanish and they aren’t responsive to topical medication once they hit a certain point of months. So unless you want to pay for laser treatment or therapy, address the problem as soon as it appears.

Hair Loss: Age, Stress and Genetics

August 3rd, 2012

Hair loss can be caused by various factors and genetic factors. First and foremost, it’s naturally occurring process that tells you that you’re getting old and that you’re entering your golden years. Now age itself is not the cause of it, rather the effects of age on certain organs that are the cause of it. Stress, though seemingly psychological can in fact cause your hair to fall out. Genetics is another key that seems to pop up quite a lot in hair loss circles.

Understanding Hair

Before we get into the factors, first we must understand how a works and how these factors directly affect it. a strand of hair is made out of two parts: it’s shaft and its follicle, which is the root that new strands or shafts are made.

We shed somewhere 100 or less hairs a day; this means that a shaft ages and the follicle finally release it from its grasp and begins to create a brand new strand in the process. A good indicator that you’re losing hair is when your hair loses more than it replaces.

Why Hair Loss?

Now that we know how hair works and are replaced, let’s proceed to the factors that cause such things to happen. Again, this can be traced mainly to age, stress and your inherent genetics but it can also be a complication of certain diseases and their treatment.

  • Hormonal Imbalances. Hormonal changes can do a lot to your body; it can either make you fatter or even cause you to become more masculine or even feminine than usual. Testosterone production for example, while functional for weightlifters and athletes, can cause premature hair loss.
  • Hereditary Disorders. Our parents pass along their traits from their genetic pool to ours and along with it certain hereditary conditions. Along with it of course, if baldness. Father can potentially pass it on to their sons while mothers can also pass it on since they can be carriers of this specific gene without suffering from it.
  • Outside factors. Sometimes certain occurrences in your environment push symptoms of hair loss to come forward. Radiation for example can cause temporal hair loss and is an understandable side-effect when you have radiation therapy. This type of treatment tends to have a rather temporal effect and can allow hair to grow back. Stress is also another factor that can hair to fall off. Again, this is only temporary so long as you lessen factors that stress you or change environments completely.

What Can You Do About It?

Alopecia can certainly be troublesome condition but it is not a threatening disease. Either way, alopecia is still treatable. Most people use Rogaine, Propecia or even traditional egg oil in order to treat it. They are effective, but stopping their medication can cause baldness to come back. These types of direct-application cures work only on Alopecia Aereata.

For more serious forms of treatment, there is your hair transplant and your scalp reduction surgery. They are usually worth their money especially if there is extensive hair loss in the scalp.

There are a lot of hair loss treatment out there so make sure you do the research before choosing any product. I have found a website that review top rated hair loss treatment on the market, click here to read their reviews.

Numbering Treatment Options for Acne

July 31st, 2012

Have you been way too problematic of the pimples on your face? If this is the case, you might want to start scouting for available treatments for acne. Many have been looking for the perfect solution to remedy acne issues. However, the greater half of the population wanting to get rid of acne is a barely even knowledgeable of what acne is. Most of these individuals engaging in treatments just jump into the solutions because ´they saw their favorite artist use it´ or ´their cliques use it´. Technically, treating acne is a blind strategy as you just get into the remedy without knowing what to cure.

The Basics of Acne

Acne is an umbrella term to many skin diseases associated with hair follicles. It isn´t confined to pimples alone. However, it is colloquially termed as pimples. Acne appears in the forms of:

  • Pimples, boils and cysts – inflammation of hair follicles occurs leading to painful and red lumps noted on the skin surface. A deeper form of pimple is termed as boils while cysts are the ones which extend beyond the dermis layer of the skin.
  • Whiteheads and blackheads – skin pores are free spaces. If they are blocked or clogged by whiteheads occur. A whitehead becomes a blackhead if the clogged substances accumulate too much melanin or become oxidized as they are exposed to oxygen.

Etiology and Predisposition

Acne is a treatable disease. There are many factors, though, which can affect both its development and treatment. Heredity and genetic make-up, for example, are factors which can´t be corrected by a dermatologist. There are some individuals who are more prone to develop acne because of genetic predisposition and this is irreversible.

Other factors related to acne include: stress levels, hygienic practices (though there are evidences that there is no direct association between acne and cleanliness), pollution, nature of work and smoking habits. Eating high-fat and high-sugar foods do not contribute to acne development. A study conducted in the US found out that regular chocolate intake does not increase oil production of the sebaceous glands and does not predispose an individual to acne.

Treatment – Market Availability

Most consumers resort to over-the-counter treatments for acne. These products, usually in the form of creams and cleansers, are designed to prevent acne development and progression. One of the effective ingredients of these products is salicylic acid. These are cheaper alternatives to medical consultations.

If unresolved with traditional treatments, visiting a dermatologist is the most effective strategy. It is important that you know when to seek medical consult. If acne is progressing without evidence of relief even with medications, a physician must be sought. If acne is accompanied by fever, body malaise and a general feeling of being unwell; it is important to check with your doctor.

Preventing acne must always top your priority list. A healthy lifestyle coupled by clean practices and habits is your key to a better skin.

Stretch Mark Treatments: The Truth of Natural Cures

December 10th, 2011

Stretch marks have no underlying disease pinned to them or horrible fleshing-eating viruses that make them one of the more sought after in terms of proper medical attention or treatment; they are mainly cosmetic in nature. They just look bad for your skin.

For men, this might be less of bother but for women it’s a different thing entirely. The pharmaceutical industry wouldn’t be so lucrative if appearance was something that wasn’t integral to a woman’s being. Hence this is why stretch mark removal, cellulite removal is imperative; the problem is that although everyone demands a cure and there are a lot of people who claim to have it, it’s turning into a more dangerous following of unclear “medication” by desperate people who just want to get rid of their affliction. Again, stretch marks HAVE NO health concerns that could turn it into a deadly disease; the danger here is not the disease, it’s the cure for this particular disease.

Herbal Medication’s Truth and Lies

Enter the world of herbal supplementation. Take your pick: ginseng, Echinacea or biloba. They’re ingested, turned into paste, drank and applied to skin. It’s a multi-million dollar industry that has gained more than 12.2 billion in the US alone.

Although we have used plants as medicine for years and has developed, synthesized and turned into more potent forms of medication but not all of it is good for you…no matter what people say. A study at University of Iowa that was published in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings June issue that it has not only become a cocktail of ill-informed forms of cures…but it is also a widespread problem.

Ever wonder why certain “cures” encourage you to do proper dieting and exercise? Well, maybe because it’s placebo. According to this study, about two-thirds of the cases reported that their supplement hasn’t work for them mainly because they didn’t exercise or take care of themselves.

The FDA doesn’t approve of certain medication in order to regulate a safer set of medicine fit for human consumption. All drugs that are cleared by the FDA have undergone tests and clinical trials that make them effective in dealing with the perceived condition with less side-effect involved.

Supplements may boast that they can cure your stretch marks or other cosmetic conditions, but their effectiveness can be a jagged experience. While they work…they are not effective enough to make a contribution to your current plight. Stretch marks, after all, are long-staying scars that will settle in your body unless you make the conscious choice of treating them.

Natural vs. FDA Approved

Although natural medication is…well, natural hence it can work its magic without ill-effects. But that is so in theory and if the herbal medication actually works. Currently natural medication in the form of supplements has yet to see itself be legalized for medicinal use, so FDA approved medication is your only choice in the this matter since you’ll know the effects of the medication and be less at risk.

Hair Care 101: Preventing the Losses

February 5th, 2011

Hair is an asset. Having a healthy, shiny hair brings about more life to your stance and appearance. What happens, then, when you start losing them? This is a frustrating condition – one which makes you question why you. To those who are granted with plush hair, hair fall and hair loss might be temporary hair issues. However, to those who are not blessed with the abundance of hair, even minimal hair fall can cause severe anxiety. Extreme hair loss can damage esteem and self-worth.

Hair Loss – Normal?

Hair loss, by principles, is a normal body process. It is the body’s way to get rid of the old hairs and replace them with new ones. It is approximated that an individual loses 50-100 hair strands in a day. More than 100 hairs lost by combing, shampooing or even at rest are considered abnormal. If these things occur, consulting your doctor is the wisest decision.

Causes of Hair Loss

There are different factors which can cause hair loss.

  • Medications such as chemotherapeutic agents can induce hair loss as they prevent cells from dividing. These medications thin hair shafts inducing easy breakage and non-recovery.
  • Inadequate intake of protein can cause hair loss. Remember that hair is composed mainly of protein. When there is protein malnutrition, the body conserves protein and decreases allotment for hair growth and integrity causing hair breakage and loss.
  • Genetics. Some men and women are more prone to hair loss. Androgenic alopecia is the common cause of hair loss. This is hereditary in nature.
  • Diseases affecting hormone regulation can induce hair loss.

Preventing Hair Loss

Some factors, such as genetic predisposition, are not reversible and preventable. However, other risks such as those which are nutritional in nature can be revised and modified to prevent hair loss.

Here are some tips you might want to ponder on to lessen, if not prevent, unnecessary hair loss.

  • Pamper yourself with a healthy diet. Adequate amounts of vitamins, minerals and nutrients are needed for healthier hair. Consume a diet rich in protein. The primary component of hair is protein. Adequate amounts of protein would mean adequate nourishment for your hair.
  • Wash your hair on a regular basis. Clean hair is less likely to fall. Buy hair-care products which are compatible with your hair. Concentrate on the scalp and hair roots when shampooing and concentrate on the root ends when applying the conditioner. The ends of the hair are more prone to breakage.
  • Avoid bad hair habits such as wearing tight hats or caps, pulling or tugging the hair, hairstyles which require pulls and tangles, chemical treatments such as perming and combing the hair while wet. These habits and practices can cause extreme hair fall.

You might not totally prevent hair fall, per se. However, you can always resort to measures which can, at least, give you even temporary solutions.

Without It: Acne Prevention Tips

September 13th, 2009

Flawless skin – that´s what everybody is aiming for. Acne is a no-no especially to those whose careers rely on skin value. To the general population, it might be of minimum issue. However, to some, getting rid of acne is an ongoing and serious endeavor. It is not something taken lightly.

Acne is a common skin disorder affecting almost the whole human population. Though it peaks during puberty, where hormonal interplay becomes a feisty stimulus, it is not uncommon to experience acne even in the later stages of life.

Stress, exposure to irritants and pollutants, hormones and genetics are common associated causes of acne. Even lifestyle measures are associated to development of acne. However, studies are still conducted to provide evidence on these claims.

Why prevent when you can cure?

True that acne is a curable disease. Although it might take time, effort and money; it is treatable by all available means. Then, why prevent it? The stereotyped remark that ´prevention is always better than cure isn’t an understatement. Prevention, by every inch, is way better than cure for various reasons.

  • It is cheap and less tedious. No matter how many times you might claim that over-the-counter medications are as cheap as the moisturizers you use on a regular basis, treating acne isn´t a one-stop magic. You will need to invest on it.
  • Accessible at the comfort of your homes. Treatment measures aren’t always present in your homes. More so, they aren’t typically a part of your daily routine. Preventive practices, on the other hand, are habits which you are pretty much acquainted with.

What are the preventive practices you do?

Most of the prevention strategies you can do are habitual and directly associated with your daily routine.

  • Keep clean. Keep your face and everything that touches it clean, if possible. Observe hygienic practices. Although there are no strong evidences linking dirt and acne development, by basis of logic, a cleaner skin is of lesser risk to develop any type of disease. It is not advised, though, to wash your face more than twice daily. Studies show that too much washing can cause alterations of the normal flora on the skin, predisposing you to develop acne.
  • Eat a healthy diet. The foods you eat compose a big part of healthier skin. Enrich your meals with foods high in vitamins and minerals. These compounds are important in maintaining skin integrity by increasing skin cell growth, regeneration and protection.
  • Use skin-friendly moisturizers and cleansers. Even though they are over-the-counter, some skin products are composed by high concentration chemicals which might damage your skin. It is important that you oblige yourself to read labels and choose products which suit your skin type most. If you are doubtful of the products in the market, read reviews or seek an expert´s opinion.

Even after an acne treatment, prevention is a big step. It assures recurrence at the least percentage.

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