A recent study found that sleeping less than six hours per night makes you 4-1/2 times more likely to develop pre-diabetes (a dangerous condition that often leads to diabetes)

Pre-diabetes, which makes blood sugar regulation difficult, already afflicts 57 million Americans and 25% of them will develop type 2 diabetes.

Researchers say sleep may be crucial in helping manage hormones that control blood sugar.

For more health articles, click here http://www.hormones-beauty-health.com/health-care-main.htm.

Popularity: 1% [?]

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

The skin condition known as sunburn is associated with microscopic changes to your skin. It is a combination of a burn (which is known as erythema) and indicates a reddening of the skin and oedema (which is a swelling). This is caused when you have experienced excessive exposure to the sun’s rays and, more specifically, the ultraviolet UV radiation that is emitted from the sun. The sun, however, isn’t the only producer of UV rays; you could also suffer sunburn from exposure to other UV light sources including solaria or tanning salons.

During the summer months, it’s hard to avoid sun exposure; let’s face it, we can’t exactly hide from the sun and, with so many factors that could increase your chance of sunburn, there has never been more of a need for you to take precautions when out in the sun. So what are these other factors that could increase your chance of sunburn? If you live in regions that are closer to the equator you are at more of a risk, just like you are if you are situated in areas that are at high altitudes - the reason for this is because UV radiation increases 4% for every 300m increase in elevation. Another aspect that could increase your chance of sunburn is when you are exposed to the sun at certain times of the day; 65% of UV radiation reaches the earth between the hours of 10am and 2pm so you are at an increased risk during this time. You should also be aware that UV radiation can be reflected by snow and ice, in fact, as much as 80% can be.

When you look at factors such as the above, you start to get an idea of just how much you are exposed to UV rays, even when the sky is cloudy. With this knowledge in mind, you should do all you can to protect yourself from the harmful rays omitted by the sun etc, especially when someone who has light skin only needs to spend 15 minutes in midday sun to suffer the effects of sunburn. However, signs and symptoms of sunburn usually only occur after 2-6 hours of exposure.

UV rays cause changes to the surface and deeper layers of the skin. It reduces the stretchiness of the skin and can cause premature aging and wrinkling, as well as the formation of age spots - but the effects don’t stop here. These rays can go deeper into the skin and change the structure of cells as well as increase the risk of skin cancer.

Some of the most common sites when it comes to damage to your skin are the neck, ears, temples, lips, face, and nose. One way in which you can reduce the damage done to these areas is by wearing a hat. However, when you are choosing your hat make sure it shades the whole face, neck, ears, and head.

Along with wearing a hat, you also need a decent SPF sunscreen. In order to choose the best one, you need to ensure that it is suitable for your skin type. You need to make sure it still moisturizes and hydrates like your skin care moisturizer cream does but that it is strong enough to protect your skin. So if you have fair skin you need quite a high SPF, whereas if you have brown skin you will only need a mild SPF sunscreen as you are less prone to burning. Just make sure that whatever skin type you are you have the right protection and you apply sunscreen throughout the day to minimize your risk of sun damaged skin.

Popularity: 3% [?]

According to a recent health article, the World Cancer Research Fund and American Institute for Cancer Research have found that we can help prevent thousands of breast and colon cancer cases and maintain our health and beauty by making smart lifestyle choices.  Here are their findings:

1. Take Your Calcium -A recent study of women who took 1,300 mg of calcium per day found they lowered their risk for colon cancer by 28%.  Dairy products (including yogurt and cheese) and calcium-fortified orange juice are good sources.
2. Reduce Your Alcohol Intake - Another study found that just one drink per day (wine, beer, or liquor) increases your risk of getting breast cancer by 12%, and the risk rises with every additional drink.
3. Reduce Your Fat Intake - Researchers at Purdue University found that a high-fat diet may make cancer spread.  One easy way to lower your fat intake is to use cooking sprays instead of oils when preparing food.

Other blog posts on cancer prevention are:
http://hormones-beauty-health.com/wordpress/?p=973
http://hormones-beauty-health.com/wordpress/?p=946
http://hormones-beauty-health.com/wordpress/?p=916

Popularity: 4% [?]

If you’ve lost a lot of weight, you may notice more wrinkles.  Fat actually plumps your skin, so when you lose weight, your wrinkles are more noticeable.  Here is some beauty advice that can help your skin look smoother while rejuvenating it.

1. Look for the most hydrating tinted moisturizer or foundation.  The dewy formulas are less likely to settle into wrinkles than a powder or matte formula.  Look for ingredients such as sodium hyaluronate, petrolatum, and glycerin, which ensure a creamy consistency.
2. Lighten up on face powder usage.  It can easily build-up and make fine lines more noticeable. Apply a light dusting of loose powder to set your makeup.
3. You may no longer need to apply blush or bronzer high on your cheekbones to contour and slim your face.  Applying it directly onto the apples of your cheeks will look more natural now.

You can find excellent natural, botanical-based skin care products at www.ihd.myarbonne.com that can help to tighten and rejuvenate your skin.

Popularity: 5% [?]

There are two types of sunscreen - physical and chemical.  They both have UV Light protection but different types of coverage. 

Physical Sunscreens contain fine particles of inert properties (i.e. titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and iron oxide) and form a thin film on the skin to reflect the sun’s rays.  Physical sunscreens used to leave a white residue on the skin, however, today’s formulations often leave little to no residue. 

Zinc oxide is a photostable chemical compound that is often considered the broadest-spectrum UVA and UVB filter and has been FDA-approved since 1977.   Titanium oxide is a mineral with high UV-light-absorbing capabilities.

These sunscreens are best for children and those with sensitive skin.  They are not good for people who want only sheer coverage.

Chemical Sunscreens contain synthetic compounds (avobenzone, oxybenzone, mexoryl) that absorb sun rays before they cause damage and often contain more than one ingredient to protect against both UVA and UVB rays.

Avobenzone is an oil-soluble ingredient that absorbs the full spectrum of UVA rays.  It often goes by the name Parsol 1789.   Oxybenzone is an organic compound that absorbs UVB and short-wave UVA rays.  Mexoryl is approved by the FDA for use in the U.S. since 2006.  It blocks both UVA and UVB rays.

These sunscreens are best for residue-free coverage but not good for people with allergies.

The Mayo Clinic suggests the followng skin care tips; for maximum protection from both UVA and UVB rays, you apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen that contains avobenzone, oxybenzone, mexoryl, zinc oxide, or titanium dioxide.

For more information on sunscreens and sun protection, here are some informative articles:
http://www.hormones-beauty-health.com/page03.html
http://www.hormones-beauty-health.com/page04.html
http://www.hormones-beauty-health.com/sunburn-brown-skin.htm
http://www.hormones-beauty-health.com/understand-sunburn.htm

Popularity: 7% [?]

Amino acids are important for the body to function properly, you can get them in foods rich in protein.  Here are 4 different beauty skin care issues and foods that can help repair them!

Skin Inflammation can be fought with melatonin.  You can find melatonin in cherries, bananas, tomatoes, rice bran, and ginger.  Melatonin helps to scavenge damaging free radicals and fight skin inflammation, which can surface as acne, redness, or irritation.

Nails and Hair can be strengthened with biotin, which can be found in nuts, eggs, peanut butter, oats, and liver.  Because biotin helps to strengthen nails and hair, it’s beneficial for those suffering from hair loss or thinning hair.  In fact, a biotin deficiency may increase breakage and cause hair to become dry and brittle.

Sun Damage can be prevented with R,esveratrol, which is found in grapes, blueberries, and red wine.  Resveratrol is believed to play a role in preventing photodamage caused by sun exposure (i.e. sagging, fine lines, and wrinkles) as it protects against sun damage and slows the breakdown of collagen.

Damaged Skin can be repaired with vitamins C and E.  These vitamins can be found in kiwi fruit, citrus fruits, wheat germ oil, nuts, leafy greens, and broccoli.  Where sun damage is concerned, these vitamins are beneficial on their own but, when taken together, are much more powerful.  Vitamin E aids in hydrating skin and protects against free radical damage, while vitamin C stimulates the production of collagen.  Studies show that when taken together, vitamin C & E supplements’ ability to repair damaged skin cells increases.

Here are two more articles where foods can help repair beauty issues:
http://www.hormones-beauty-health.com/beauty-tips-121007.htm
http://www.hormones-beauty-health.com/herbal-supplements.htm

Popularity: 8% [?]

It has been stated that there are five basic skin types. Knowing what your skin type is represents a necessary step in choosing a skin care treatment or routine that provides your skin with everything that it needs. The type of skin that you have is genetically determined, which means you were born with it. There are five basic options when it comes to the skin type that you have so to help you determine not only what type of skin you have but to also help you build up a routine that will help keep it in the best condition read on…

Normal, oily, dry, combination, and sensitive are the five main types of skin. Although, technically, the type of skin that you have is determined by genetics, the health and beauty of your skin later in life largely depends on what you eat and how you take care of yourself. Even stress levels and any medication you are on will act as factors when it comes to the type of skin that you have. So what are the features of these five types of skin and how should you treat them?

Normal - With normal skin you will find that it has a smoother texture, is evenly toned, and has tiny pores. This type of skin has a good balance of water content and oil. To touch it will feel velvety and smooth at the same time. Also, under its translucent surface, you will notice that the skin has a healthy glow. A lot of people with this skin type are under the impression that they don’t really need to do much; however, if this skin type is to last you need to take care of it. The important thing to remember is to follow a routine that involves cleansing, toning, and moisturizing.

If you do have normal skin then you should start with a gentle facial wash and cool the skin with a toner. When the toner has been absorbed into the skin, you should finish the routine with a moisturizer.

Oily - If you suffer from oily skin, you will notice that skin tends to be shiny with enlarged pores and will often be prone to blackheads and blemishes. With this skin type, however, you may also experience some tightness. If you do suffer from oily skin, then the way that you should deal with it is by starting with a facial wash. This will remove oil and dirt from your skin without taking away any of the moisture. You should also choose to use an astringent lotion on your skin and then choose a light-watery fluid as your moisturizer.

Dry - If you have dry skin, you will know how tight it can feel, especially after you have cleansed it. This is why, with this skin type, you need to use creamy cleansers in order to take away the dirt. You should aim to leave this on the site before you wipe it away using a soft cotton pad. It is important, after doing this, that you wash the skin with cold water as a way of refreshing and cleaning the skin. Lastly, you should use a thick moisturizer cream that is designed to seal in moisture. Taking care of dry skin in this way is important due to the fact that if you have dry skin you will have a tendency of fine wrinkles and flaking skin.

Combination - The reason this is called combination is because it contains both oily and dry skin. It has medium pores, a smooth texture, and healthy circulation; however, you will notice dryness on the cheeks while your T-zone is oily.

In order to combat the effects of combination skin, it is advised that you use a cream cleanser on the dry patches and a strong astringent on your T-zone and general oily area. It is, however, advised that you use a moisturizer all over your face but concentrate on the drier parts.

Sensitive skin - This skin type tends to be thin and delicate as well as feature fine pores. This type of skin flushes easy and may become irritated in certain temperatures. With sensitive skin, the best way that you can care for it is by looking for products that are hypoallergenic and scent free to stop any irritations or reactions occurring. It is also a good idea to perform a patch test with a product before you try it. You should leave the product on overnight and if there is no sign of irritation then you will know that the product will be safe to use in future.

For natural, botanical-based skin care products, check out the NutriMinC brand at www.ihd.myarbonne.com.

Popularity: 11% [?]

Blackheads and pimples are two major signs of acne and most of us will suffer this skin condition at some point within our lives, what a lot of us don’t expect is for this to happen when we are in our adult lives. Acne is most commonly seen and associated with teenage years; however adult acne affects 25% of men and 50% of women at some time in their adult lives.

One of the major causes of adult acne are……. click here to read the entire article http://www.hormones-beauty-health.com/middle-age-acne.htm.

Popularity: 8% [?]

Lori Loughlin, the 44 year old star of 90210 and mother of 2, shares her own personal health and beauty tips for staying fit.  Let’s see what she says:

“If I don’t exercise, I don’t function as well.  I respond energetically and emotionally to exercising, whether it’s yoga, going for a hike, taking a treadmill class, or doing Pilates.  But I like to mix it up so I don’t get bored.”

“I tailor my workout times (and choices!) to whatever my kids are doing.  There’s a treadmill class right after I take the girls to school.  And last summer, my kids were at camp down at the beach, so my girlfriend and I would both drop off our kids there and do a 5-mile walk through the Palisades.”

“The minute I tell myself I’m on a diet, I want to eat everything in front of me - I’m starving!  For me, it’s more about portion control and cutting out foods that have a lot of fat.”

“The older I get, the more I pay attention to what I eat.  I used to eat cookies, but now if I eat that I just crash.  I find I have more energy with whole grains, vegetables, and fruit - the complex carbohydrates.”

“When I’m on set, I’ll bring a little bag of almonds or grab an apple.  There may be tempting dessert there, but I know if I eat that, I’ll be exhausted afterward.”

Her anti aging secret is “regular facials.  I’ve been getting galvanic current, which was once used to rejuvenate the muscles in people who’d had strokes, since I was 30.  It stimulates your facial muscles almost as if you’re getting a workout.”

“I apply vitamin C gel, a vitamin A oil, and a moisturizer morning and night.  And I never go to sleep with makeup on my face.  I always try to keep my skin clean, so I make sure I wash off all that heavy powder and makeup.”

Popularity: 13% [?]

Here are 3 inexpensive beauty secrets that will help brighten your skin:

Lip Gloss - Dab a neutral metallic gloss onto your cheekbones, eyelids, and below your eyebrows, then blend.  This will give your face a sexy look.

Facial Mist - Mist your skin after you wash your face, then follow with moisturizer.  Here’s a DIY recipe - Brew a cup of green tea, then cool it in the fridge.  Pour the chilled tea into a spray bottle and dilute with water.  This will give you a quick radiance boost.

Reduce Undereye Bags - Cut 2 thin slices from a chilled potato and place them over your eyes for 10 minutes.  No one is sure why this works, but they cool the skin to constrict blood flow, which decreases puffiness.

Have your own beauty secrets?  Please share them with us.  Or, click here for some celebrity beauty secrets http://www.hormones-beauty-health.com/tips_advice.htm.

Popularity: 10% [?]