Beauty – my.DrugGenius / Fri, 11 Aug 2023 13:17:17 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.2.2 /wp-content/uploads/2023/05/cropped-cropped-dg-yellow-32x32.jpg Beauty – my.DrugGenius / 32 32 Anti-Aging and Wrinkle Reducing Treatments /anti-aging-and-wrinkle-reducing-treatments-2/ Sat, 06 Mar 2021 02:26:43 +0000 /anti-aging-and-wrinkle-reducing-treatments-2/

Most every woman and man on the planet desires a smooth, evenly toned complexion with barely any wrinkles. All skin ages eventually, however, and yes, the process happens to even the most beautiful faces. That is why it is essential to develop an anti-aging and wrinkle reducing arsenal of effective products to also battle the sun’s damage and repair the complexion.

Rejuvenating the skin is a reality when your plan is intelligent and takes advantage of the remarkable strides in beauty science. These days, advanced creams and serums are excellent at deep cleaning the pores, removing dead skin cells, encouraging collagen and elasticity to bounce back and returning a healthy radiance with smooth, taut clear skin.

The finest dermatologists have recommended three skin care products that can transform the complexion over time. Adding this triple threat can result in an enviable complexion that looks youthful and natural and not like it was cut into from a plastic surgeon’s expensive scalpel.

Retin-A Or Retinol: You Need This

If there is one key ingredient that can wipe the slate clean of all the damage one starts to accumulate from daily living, it is derived from Vitamin A. If you prefer over-the-counter to prescription, it’s your choice as long as it comes from the retinoid family.

Retin-A is the prescription form and a bit more expensive, and it is purchased through a dermatologist’s office. Retinol is the form bought at a drugstore, and both retinoids are superb at healing the complexion, fading age and sun spots, creating quick skin cell turnover, etc.

Pensacola facial plastic surgeon Jacque P. LeBeau, MD tells Real Self that retinol products are the “gold standard” for anti-aging.

Vitamin C: And Not Only For O.J.

A serum or cream in Vitamin C ascorbic acid is another incredible skin care product that will brighten the complexion and balance the skin tone. Applying this wonderful topical treatment will also calm down inflamed skin and fade pigmentation problems like age and sun damaged spots.

Vitamin C is a must-have in your anti-aging skin care rotation, but do not put it on the same time you apply your retinol. The two will cancel each other out.

Skin care experts recommend applying your retinol product at night and the Vitamin C in the morning. This rotation delivers beautiful results over time without causing unnecessary irritation, break-outs or itchiness.

The best Vitamin C products feature proper packaging that contains the precious ingredient in a stabilized form. Allure magazine suggests their favorites “Cs” for creating skin with smooth, clear, even tone and a healthy glow.

AHAs: Sting But Smooth Away Lines

The third anti-aging and wrinkle-smoothing treatment that works miracles comes from the family of AHAs or alpha hydroxy acids. Yes, these facial and neck treatments sting, but that means their powerful elements are working to break up and dissolve old, dull skin cells, thoroughly clean pores, soften scarred tissue and rough texture.

AHAs are glycolic acid exfoliants, and they mean business, especially when coupled with the traditional spot fader hydroquinone, says complexion queen Paula Begoun from Paula’s Choice

Glycolic acid is a fruit acid that can be made naturally or manufactured in the lab. The chemical exfoliation AHAs deliver has been well-researched. These strong facial peels can feel like a sunburn on the skin as they go to work smoothing the complexion and improving scars, acne, spots and other imperfections. Once a week, and an AHA can show tremendous complexion improvement. Over-the-counter peels are quite effective when followed per directions.

Never Rushing Skin To Be Beautiful

Patience is probably the best word to describe the attainment of healthy, youthful skin. The trio rotation skin care plan of a retinoid, Vitamin C and AHA is all you need to turn back the hands of time and see a more radiant, brighter, firmer complexion looking back at you.

Beautiful skin takes months to see results, but when you are carefully choosing your treatments, they will gradually deliver a face and neck that look younger and work hard to maintain your attractive appearance.

Three skin care products that are affordable, safe and powerful performers are your ticket to skin repair and beauty.

It’s an excellent plan; you don’t need all those bells and whistles to get there. It’s as simple as one, two, three.

]]> Sweet Health-Boosting Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar /10-sweet-health-boosting-benefits-of-apple-cider-vinegar/ Sat, 06 Mar 2021 02:03:12 +0000 /10-sweet-health-boosting-benefits-of-apple-cider-vinegar/

Apple Cider Vinegar—or ACV as it’s called today—proves to be much more than just a condiment. In fact, its reputation today as a “health fad” is something of a myth since people have been using it for healing purposes for centuries.

Let’s look at some of the amazing nutritional and health-producing benefits found in this simple, inexpensive natural solution made from fermented apples (and how to use it!)…

]]> What To Do About Hair Loss /what-to-do-about-hair-loss-2/ Sat, 06 Mar 2021 02:21:30 +0000 /what-to-do-about-hair-loss-2/

Hair loss is an embarrassing reality for many adults, both men and women. Dealing with hair loss can be a complicated process because it is important to determine what the underlying cause is for your hair loss. Hair frequently has a genetic component, with male pattern baldness being prevalent among older men; however, women can also suffer from female pattern baldness, a rarer genetic condition. Hair loss can also happen due to disease, infection, hormone changes, or nutritional deficiencies.

Whether you are dealing with the early stages of hair loss or you are in an advanced stage of hair loss, getting the information you need to find the cause of your hair loss will help you define what treatment would be best for your situation.

Is It Male Pattern Baldness?

If you are a man, you might be at risk for male pattern baldness due to the realities of genetics. The chromosome pair that determines a person’s sex is XX for women and XY for men. As a man, you received a Y chromosome from your father and an X chromosome from your mother. The genetic link for male pattern baldness is found on the X chromosome. Since you have only one X chromosome, if you inherited the recessive trait on the X chromosome linked to baldness, it will be expressed because there is no dominant, non-baldness gene to suppress it since the other chromosome in that pair isn’t an X (like women) but a Y. Take a look at the men in your mother’s family to see if baldness is common; if it is, you are likely to be affected as you get older, too.

Is It Female Pattern Baldness?

Female pattern baldness also has a genetic link, but it is not easily linked back to either the father or the mother as both parents can contribute to the condition. Female pattern baldness also presents in appearance differently from male pattern baldness. In men, the pattern includes a receding hairline, or a circular area on the back of the head that loses hair and grows larger, until most of the top of the head is bald. For women, the pattern isn’t quite so straightforward; most women experience thinning and hair loss over the entire scalp rather than in the key areas that men experience. In rare scenarios, a small percentage of women may experience hair loss in a pattern similar to men.

What Else Causes Baldness?

Baldness that has a sudden onset, with patches of hair falling out at once or rapidly thinning hair all over the scalp in a short period of time may have a medical cause that should be thoroughly investigated. Certain infections can cause hair loss as can reactions to medications or side effects of medications, such as inhaled steroids used to treat asthma and other lung diseases. An underlying thyroid disease can impact hair growth, causing loss of hair. Hormonal imbalances or sudden hormonal changes like those that happen during pregnancy and after childbirth, as well as during and after menopause, can cause hair loss. If you experience sudden hair loss or thinning, a visit to your primary care physician is a good first step to determine if there is an underlying cause.

What Prevention Options and Treatments are Available for Hair Loss?

There are different courses of prevention and treatment for hair loss. Understanding the cause of your hair loss will help you and your health care team determine which strategy is best for your unique situation.

Hormone Replacement Therapy

For women dealing with hair loss due to hormonal changes, such as childbirth, postpartum, or menopause, hormone replacement therapy may be attempted to stop or reverse the hair loss. Underlying thyroid disease may also impact your body’s natural ability to produce progesterone and estrogen, the two hormones that are replaced in hormone replacement therapy. This therapy can ease menopausal symptoms but does have potential risks that should be discussed with your physician.

Regrowth Treatment

For patients with thinning hair, the use of a prescription or over-the-counter regrowth treatment may offer some hair regrowth. This treatment does take several months to work and may not work for every patient.

Hair Transplants

Hair transplant treatment uses healthy hair follicles from healthy areas of growth on the scalp and transplants them to the areas in need of new follicles for hair growth. This procedure is done under local anesthesia. Hair that is transplanted may fall out initially; however, the healthy follicle that remains will grow new hair. Hair growth may take anywhere from three months to nine months.

You don’t have to suffer through hair loss alone. If you have a known genetic family history of male or female pattern baldness, or if you have noticed that your hair is thinning and becoming weaker, take action now to preserve your hair and reverse the tide of hair loss.

]]> Dry Skin Relief /dry-skin-relief-2/ Sat, 06 Mar 2021 02:26:42 +0000 /dry-skin-relief-2/

Dry skin is a common issue for people during the wintertime. Most of us experience dry, flaky, itchy skin regardless of our age. Winter wind, low humidity, dry indoor air and harsh soaps are often the culprits. During the wintertime, there are ways to reduce dry, itchy, flaky skin. You just have to find a method that works for you.

Prepare Your Skin

The first thing you’ll want to do is prepare your skin. You can prepare your skin by clearing away old skin cells. Once you clear away old skin cells, your moisturizer will be able to penetrate in your skin deeper.

Dermatologists’ recommend exfoliating with over-the-counter or prescription keratolytic moisturizer. Before you purchase keratolytic moisturizer, you need to be sure that it contains lactic or salicylic acid. Be sure to exfoliate your skin gently. If your skin is extremely dry or irritated, you’ll want to talk to a doctor before starting a new skin care regimen.

Moisturizer

It’s important that you find an oil-based moisturizer. Once you find an oil-based moisturizer, you’ll want to check if it’s a thick, heavy product. Thick, heavy products will stay on your skin longer, and they’ll prevent water from evaporating from your skin.

If you don’t like lotions or creams, you can help your dry skin by using a moisturizer with basic ingredients such as mineral oil, petroleum jelly or glycerin.

Ointments and Creams Work Better Than Lotion

If you like ointments and creams, you’ll want to use one of those to moisturize your skin. Not only are ointments and creams more effective compared to lotion, but they’re also less irritating. When you look for an ointment or cream, try to find one that contains olive oil or jojoba oil. Shea butter is also a good option. Other ingredients that’ll help soothe dry skin include lanolin, urea, hyaluronic acid and dimethicone.

Baths and Showers

There are a few tips you can use to avoid making your dry skin worse. Follow these tips:

  • Use warm water
  • Close the bathroom door
  • Wash with a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser
  • Gently pat your skin dry
  • Don’t spend more than 10 minutes in the shower or bath
  • Don’t use too much cleanser
  • Apply moisturizer immediately after drying your skin

Taking long, hot showers will only make your skin drier. Taking short, lukewarm baths or showers will help your skin retain its natural oils.

You may like to use soap over your entire body, but you shouldn’t do that. Try to use soap on areas that really need it. These areas may include your face, groin, feet and underarms. Using minimal amounts of soap will help your skin retain its natural oils.

Use Gentle Cleansers

Avoid scented skin care products. Scented skin care products are usually harsh for dry, itchy skin. Using scented cleansers will strip your skin of essential oils that your skin needs. Mild cleansers or soap-free products include Dove, Cetaphil, Dreft, Aveeno and Neutrogena. Avoid skin care products that contain alcohol, retinoids, fragrance and alpha-hydroxy acid as well as deodorant or anti-bacterial soaps.

Body washes with petrolatum will help soothe itchy, dry skin. These body washes will help trap water in your skin.

Wear Gloves

Our hands are usually the driest area of our bodies during the wintertime. You can reduce dryness on your hands by wearing gloves. It’s important that you wear gloves before you:

  • Go outdoors during the wintertime
  • Perform tasks that require you to get your hands wet
  • Get chemicals, greases or other substances on your hands

Wear Lip Balm

If your skin is dry in the wintertime, your lips probably are too. Wearing lip balm will help dryness. Some healing lip balms may irritate your lips. If you feel tingling or stinging after you apply lip balm, you should switch to a lip balm that doesn’t cause a reaction.

Use a Humidifier

Some home heating systems may have a built-in humidifier. If you do have a built-in humidifier, you’ll want to check to see if it’s working. If it’s not working, purchase a humidifier. You’ll want to an indoor moisture level between 40 and 50 percent. A humidity monitor can help you track indoor moisture levels, and they’re inexpensive.

Final Words

It’s important that you hydrate yourself by drinking a lot of water. To keep your skin at optimal hydration, you’ll want to drink between six and eight glasses of water daily.

If none of these tips are helping you, you’ll want to visit a dermatologist. A dermatologist will be able to prescribe stronger treatments to help soothe your dry, itchy skin. A dermatologist will also be able to help you create a skin care regime for your individual needs.

]]> These Life Hacks Will Make Your Life Easier /these-life-hacks-will-make-your-life-easier/ Mon, 17 May 2021 17:31:35 +0000 /these-life-hacks-will-make-your-life-easier/

We don’t know about you but 24 hours seem so short to fit everything in one day. That’s why we came up with some handy life hacks to make things easier and hopefully quicker for your day-to-day to-dos.

From tips that apply to household-related matters to beauty tricks that will save you time and money, these hacks should help you get the most out of your 24 hours each day and live a better, healthier life.

]]> 10 Handy Uses for Activated Charcoal /10-handy-uses-for-activated-charcoal/ Sat, 06 Mar 2021 02:02:27 +0000 /10-handy-uses-for-activated-charcoal/

Can’t seem to go anywhere without hearing about the magic of activated charcoal? There’s a reason for that: research suggests this substance really can work wonders.

However, in order to understand how you can use activated charcoal to your advantage, it first pays to know a little bit about the substance itself.

What is “activated” charcoal, anyway?

Activated charcoal (also known as activated carbon) is created by burning carbon-rich materials, such as:

  • bamboo
  • coconut husks
  • olive pits
  • bone char
  • wood
  • lignite
  • willow peat
  • petroleum pitch

Now, there are a few steps to take to transform this burned material into useful activated charcoal.

  1. Carbon-rich materials must be burned at around 1,500 degrees Fahrenheit (about 816 degrees Celsius) to create a charcoal powder.
  2. This powder is then charred with additional materials such as chloride salts to create a porous structure.
  3. A diluted (“watered down”) acid is then used to wash away any excess material, leaving pure carbon.
  4. Finally, the charcoal is treated with an oxidizing gas, such as steam or carbon dioxide, to create extremely fine pores.

Why is this extra surface area so important?

This final step maximizes the surface area of the activated carbon, allowing it to be more effective. How much extra surface area? According to a study published by the British Journal of Pharmacology:

so much additional surface area is created during the activation process that 50 grams of activated charcoal (which is about the weight of 20 U.S. pennies) has 17.5 times more surface area than a full-size football field.

This extremely high surface area allows activated charcoal to act as a “sponge” for harmful materials. In other words, more surface area means more space for activated charcoal to attract and trap harmful substances. So, it’s no wonder its uses vary widely!

What are the uses of activated charcoal?

One place many people might not expect to find activated charcoal? In emergency poison treatments…

]]> Most Shocking Celebrity Weight Transformations /most-shocking-celebrity-weight-transformations/ Sat, 06 Mar 2021 01:40:19 +0000 /most-shocking-celebrity-weight-transformations/

There seems to be a certain amount of pressure that is put on all of us when we’re talking about weight – be it on health or just to look good. Sadly, the brightest of stars get the most amount of pressure and the slightest change in weight is magnified, turned into headlines.

Although we see celebrities as flawless beings, we tend to forget how hard they work on their bodies to stay in shape. And, the whole show business industry doesn’t help in smashing these stereotypes. We, as fans, need to do our part by reminding celebrities that they are loved no matter what and that we’ll always be here to support them.

]]> A Closer Look at The Culprits Behind Yeast Infections /a-closer-look-at-the-culprits-behind-yeast-infections/ Wed, 31 May 2023 02:13:34 +0000 /?p=6802

Yeast infection is a common fungal infection caused by the Candida fungus overgrowth. This fungus is naturally present in different parts of the human body, such as the genital area, mouth, and intestines. The presence of the beneficial bacteria and the immune system of the body help keep the growth of Candida in check. But this can lead to the development of an infection and an overgrowth of yeast since certain factors can disrupt this balance. 

Depending on the affected area, yeast infection symptoms can vary, but common signs may include a burning sensation, itching, and swelling. Studies have delved into yeast infections’ impact on an individual’s relationships, psychological well-being, and overall quality of life. The recurrent nature of yeast and physical discomfort can significantly affect one’s daily activities. To learn more about how yeast infections can affect your body, here are 10 potential causes of the condition:

]]>