Body Care

The Importance of Moisturizing for Skin

19th August 2016Enozia Vakil Leave a Comment

When it comes to skincare, you’ll find tons of advice online, and often, it can get too overwhelming. Sticking to the basics is the best way to ensure optimum skin health, and that’s exactly what we’ve outlined here!

Keep reading to know a little more about how important moisturization is when it comes to following a skincare routine, and quick tips to do it the right way!

Moisturizing: Why it is I
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Why is moisturization so important you may ask. Well, think about it.

1- If you don’t follow a regular skincare routine, all your skin gets is exposure to chemical products and cosmetics and environmental pollutants, all of which tend to do everything from clogging pores to disrupting the natural pH balance of the skin, leading to breakouts, skin irritation and possibly even infections.

2- Moisturization, on the other hand, keeps the skin hydrated and nourished and creates a sort of protective layer over the skin. In addition, regular moisturization also keeps the skin soft and supple, prevents wrinkling of skin, and thereby reduces premature ageing.

3- What’s more, a lot of skin conditions such as eczema and dermatitis tend to worsen due to dryness of the skin, and that’s when using a good quality, natural moisturizer could help a lot!

Moisturizing the Right Way!

Confused about how to moisturize your face on a daily basis? Follow these quick steps to do it right!

1- Determine your skin type before you choose a moisturizer. Is your skin oily? Choose a water based moisturizer. Got excessively dry skin? An oil based moisturizer would be the best.

2- If you have acne prone skin, a salicylic acid moisturizer could be a good choice.

3- If you have sensitive skin, choose opt for a homemade face moisturizer or choose a brand or product that is crafted using natural and organic ingredients.

4- You could also try using natural oils as a moisturizer. Avocado oil makes for a good choice since it is not greasy and still moisturizes the skin, keeping it soft and supple.

5- Using a good moisturizer right before you go to sleep is the best way to ensure deep moisturization for your skin- it’s like giving your skin a refreshing drink.

6- Another good way to give your skin a little extra dose of pampering is to slather on some moisturizer right after you have a shower- that’s when your pores will be open and the moisturizer will seep deep into it, revitalizing your skin from within.

7- If you have sensitive skin, choosing a moisturizer that packs in natural soothing ingredients such as tea tree oil or chamomile essential oil could be a good idea. Make sure you do a patch test before you use it though, especially if you’re trying it for the first time.

Individual Training vs Group Programs

17th August 2016Roxana Oliver Leave a Comment

So, you’ve decided to get in shape and you want to start exercising, and that’s great. Good for you. The next question is what kind of physical activity you will choose? This will depend on many things, your physique and preferences, among others. If you’re wavering between individual and group training, though, you will have to put performance, motivation and progress into the equation. Of course, both of these programs have their own unique benefits, as well as shortcomings, so making a decision comes down to a list of pros and cons. In order to be able to make that list on firm arguments, first you must know everything you should about the similarities and differences between individual and group training.

One-on-one Model – How Does It Work?

Individual training means working one-on-one with a fitness instructor with a program based on your own physique, needs and capabilities. In some cases, the trainee will come to the gym and perform the program on its own, after they are shown how to do all the exercises properly, while in others, the instructor will be with them throughout the entire workout session. The fitness plan is designed for you, and it depends on your normal amount of physical activity (the hours you spend sitting, some other sport you are playing, etc.), weight, age, etc. You are getting all the details you need, including the list of exercises, the number of repetitions, and the wait time between your sets.

Benefits of Individual Training

Based on this information, you can conclude that personalized fitness training has numerous benefits. Since they are tailored to your strengths, weaknesses and lifestyle, there are highly likely to be more effective than group training. Your individual goals are the main priority both for you and the instructor, so you will probably get a fitness plan that meets your specific needs. If you have suffered from a previous injury or any kind of physical issue, a personalized program will address these problems properly without putting too much stress on those muscles. Individual training is also good for “lone wolves” who prefer to exercise without the “pack”.

Downsides of Going Solo

If you are doing your workouts all alone based on the names of exercises and the number of repetitions you have written down, there’s always a chance you’ll make a mistake that can lead to injury. The lack of competitiveness you would get in a group can sometimes be dull and have negative effect on your motivation. Another con that can make many people give up on hiring a personal trainer is that individual training can be very expensive.

Working Out with the “Pack”

Group training is done with several participants, and depending on your needs you can decide for different classes/programs, such as aerobics, Pilates, interval training, total body workout, Zumba, Les Mills programs, power yoga, CrossFit, tai chi, boot camp, etc. All of them are usually done based on a fitness plan tailored to the average trainee abilities, so they require somewhat uniform tempo from all the participants. Some rely exclusively on your body weight and cardio exercises, while others require use of commercial gym equipment just as individual training.

Pros of Group Programs

If there’s one thing individual training can’t give you that group training can, that is the psychologyof group which is pushing you to constantly exceed your limits. Participants in groups are so persistent because nobody wants to be a weak link in the chain, so they have to step up to meet the demands of everyone else. That competitive edge will boost your performance and instill the desire to work harder and better. Another benefit of group programs is the fact that it’s more affordable, and it’s one of the reasons why they’re so popular. The perks of camaraderie and new friendships make this experience even more rewarding.

Shortcomings of Working out in a Group

Group training is not for everyone, and for some, the seemingly rewarding psychology of group can be very discouraging. The feeling they are not up for the challenge or they are not progressing with the same tempo as the others can make them want to give up on working out all together. On the other hand, the participants that are progressing rapidly, faster than the other members of the group, may feel their needs are neglected while the difficulty of the training is being adapt to the medium-level performers. Workouts are not made specifically for each group member, so they may not address what you actually need. The fact that group fitness training is always scheduled for some specific hours and days, means that you are adapting to them, instead of them adapting to you, can lead you to become inconsistent with your training.

So, what’s the bottom line? Both programs are good for some, and bad for some things. Now all that’s left is for you to put it on paper. Write down your pros and cons list and make a decision. Good luck!

How To Care Your Body While On Your Period

15th August 2016Maria Garcia Leave a Comment

During your period there are some hygiene practices you will need to follow to make this time as comfortable and as healthy as possible for your body.

Your preferred style of sanitation

There are quite a number of means to use such as tampons, menstrual cups and the most common, sanitary napkins or towels. Other women opt for various types of sanitary towels on particular days of their periods and some use different protection methods. However, other women favor sticking to a specific brand and type. You would be better off trying to use one brand or type of protection for a bit so as to determine if it suits your needs. Changing brands frequently can be uncomfortable for you because brands are specially made and suit different people differently.

Regular changing

Menstrual blood becomes contaminated by the body’s native organisms and even vaginal sweat once it has left the body. These organisms tend to multiply when in a moist and warm place for long periods of time, resulting in conditions such as Urinary Tract Infections, skin rashes and vaginal infections. You should, therefore, aim to change your sanitary after every 6 hours and after every 2 hours for tampons. On days where the flow is less you may need to change them less frequently, but make sure the intervals are still regular.

Regular baths or washes

This is important to wash excess blood that may collect around the vagina away and also in the elimination of a bad odor emanating from the vaginal region. Make sure you wash the labia and the vagina before changing into a new pad or wiping with tissue or toilet paper.

Avoid use of vaginal hygiene products or soap

The following are unnecessary because they can kill good bacteria paving the way for infection and the vagina is self-cleaning ensuring it balances out the good and bad bacteria. Just use warm water to regularly wash the area and soap can be used on the external parts, but not inside the vagina or the vulva.

Proper disposal of sanitary products

Used sanitary products should be discarded properly because they can spread infections and smell very badly. Wrap them well beforehand to contain the infection and smell and ensure not to flush them down the toilet to prevent blockage and back up. Wash your hands well after doing so.

Bathing regularly

Even though it may seem like obvious advice, but some cultures believe that women should not bathe while on their periods. Bathing cleanses the body and provides an opportunity for you to sufficiently clean your privates. Bathing also eases menstrual cramps and even backaches and it can also improve your mood and relieve bloating. Cramps and backaches can be relieved by standing beneath a warm shower directed towards your lower abdomen or back.

Be prepared with period stuff on-the-go

Always have extra tampons or sanitary pads stored well in a clean pouch, paper towels or tissues, a soft towel, hand sanitizer among other things. It’s important to have extra sanitary products due to regular changing in the course of the day. Some of the other emergency supplies are essential for sanitary purposes while changing.

Why Your Detox Program Might Not Be Working

11th August 2016Maria Garcia Leave a Comment

Everybody wants to detox so as to remove toxic material from our bodies. Most experts recommend January as the best month to be on a detox program so as to flush out toxins ingested during the Christmas craze. However, many are the times we will go on a detox and become frustrated when the detox is not working. Breaking a single rule in a detox program is costly and can paralyze the detox draining your efforts down the drain.

Here are several reasons on why your detox program might not be working:

1. Starving yourself

One of the main reasons for a detox is to maintain a clean eating program. Most of us tend to think that starving ourselves is the ultimate way to flush toxins out of our bodies but sadly that is not the case. Any diet under 1200 calories is dangerous as it will cause the body to starve. In turn, pangs of hunger will chip in and you will tend to overeat so you end up gaining more weight.

2. Not eating enough vegetables and fruits

Fruits and vegetables are the keys to a successful detox program. Not taking enough fruits and vegetables complicates the detox program as these are essential in aiding digestion in our bodies. Fruits and vegetables also help in minimizing our hunger pangs. Nutritionists highly recommended taking five portions of vegetables a day.

3. Not taking enough water

Water is an important ingredient for a successful detox program. Nutritionists recommend taking about 8 to 12 glasses of water every day. To most people this might sound a bit hard, but there is an easy way of achieving that. The best way to hit the 8-12 glasses watermark is to keep a bottle of glass water on your desk and take a sip after every 10 minutes. You will be surprised that by the end of the day you will have taken close to 12 glasses in total. Some people are so bent on hitting the 12 glasses mark by taking four glasses of water at a go, 3 times a day. This will help you achieve the 12 glasses mark, but unfortunately the water will not perform as it should.

4. Animal protein

Nutritionists always advice on maintaining a balanced diet during our detox. Proteins must be included in the detox. When detoxing, vegetable proteins are recommended as they are low in fats and calories. On the other hand, animal proteins contain high cholesterol and fat. Replace milk, eggs and meat with vegetable proteins such as soya beans and nuts and you will be surprised at how fast you will lose those calories.

5. Taking alcohol alcohol and caffeine

Detoxing nutritionists highly advise us to stay away from alcohol. Alcohol is high in calories. Taking a glass of wine once in a while would be better as wine contains fewer calories. Caffeine is also not healthy when detoxing and that’s why nutritionists advise us to take herbal tea instead of coffee and tea.

What You Need To Know About Diet For Teenagers

9th August 2016Maria Garcia Leave a Comment

Teenagers go through so many changes emotionally and especially physically and these developments need to be reinforced by a healthy and balanced diet. Having such a diet enables them to get plenty of the nutrients and the energy they’ll need permitting their bodies proper development and growth.

It also has to be noted that junk food and fast food consumption regularly makes teenagers more prone to adding weight as compared to having it every so often. It is important to incorporate nutrients such as calcium for the development of strong bones, iron, which needs to be restored from blood loss during monthly periods, and vitamin D which aids in improving the health of teeth and bones.

Having a good diet will give room for occasional guilty pleasures like junk food so you won’t have to feel like you’re limiting yourself. They’ll just have to be eaten in minimal amounts and less often. The last thing a growing teen needs to be doing is skipping meals, especially breakfast, which is not good seeing as they may lose out on relevant nutrients. Breakfast enables you to attain a few of the minerals and nutrients that are required for optimum health.

Ensure that you have a minimum of 5 portions of vegetables and fruit every day because they are an excellent source of minerals and vitamins needed for the relevant growth and development required by teenagers’ bodies.
Reduce intake of foods that have high fat, salt and sugar levels like sugary soft drinks, sweets, cakes and other junk food. These foods have a high number of calories or energy which can bring about weight gain and eventually become overweight when consumed in large quantities.

Keep yourself hydrated by taking up to 8 glasses minimum of fluids per day, water being the most obvious and low-fat milk can work as healthy options. Fruit juice has some sugar in it so there is no need to add more and so a glass of fruit juice or a smoothie per day will suffice to keep you hydrated enough while still providing some energy.

If you ever feel like you are low on energy often this may be a sign of reduced iron levels, especially for teenage girls who lose blood monthly via menstruation. Sources of iron vary between different foods such as red meat, spinach and even bread.

Teenagers, especially girls, fall victim to a lot of peer pressure and pressure from external sources such as magazines to be thinner and to live up to certain standards body wise. This means they are more prone to eating disorders like bulimia and anorexia, which are health conditions stemming from the mind and entail one having an unsound association with eating and food and an excessive concern on becoming overweight. Diets that assure hasty weight loss more often than not are not balanced nutritionally so you will end up losing out on the essential nutrients. One thing to also note is that they have a tendency to target results that are short-term, hence you might end up piling on the weight again.

Acne and Acne-Related Skin Care

3rd August 2016Maria Garcia Leave a Comment

Acne is a common skin condition that can be managed and normally develops when sebum and dead skin cells clog the pores and these manifests on the skin as blackheads, pimples, greasy skin and whiteheads which may bring about blemishes on the skin.

You may require being treated for a few months in order for the spots to clear and once the acne becomes irritated it demands that you treat it beforehand to prohibit the formation of scars. Once the spots have cleared you will want to sustain the treatment for a considerable number of years to control reappearance of the spots.

If you have acne, you will want to adopt certain skin care practices so as not to worsen the situation.

First and foremost, washing more than twice a day (which is considered so for most people) is not recommended. Use of a gentle cleansing agent like soap with lukewarm water is strongly suggested because water that is really cold or really hot could aggravate acne.

When washing skin that is affected by acne don’t scrub vigorously, but use your fingers or a soft washcloth instead of abrasive exfoliating mediums, cleansing agents, and soaps. Avoid use of excessive force when washing the skin and also scrubbing as this can make the skin even more inflamed and worsen the acne. Some people think that blackheads can be cleaned off, but this is quite the opposite because the blackened tip of blackheads is in fact melanin and as such it can’t be eliminated by cleaning or even scrubbing.

Another product that may prove to be helpful is an antiseptic wash and a few of the topical treatment options for acne can dry out your skin, thus the use of a cream that’s moisturizing, scent-free and water-based is necessary. Creams or ointments that are rich in oil can congest the skin pores.

Some people may need to opt for other forms of treatment in addition to changing up their skin care routines and these alternatives aim to inhibit scarring while clearing spots in the process. The treatment you are recommended and prescribed by your physician will usually banks on the type of acne you’re suffering from and the degree of severity of your acne.

Treatment may either be in the form of tablets or topical form for direct skin application. If you have mild acne which is more prevalent, you may opt not to treat it seeing as it disappears with time and leaves no scars. Nonetheless, scarring will occur when the acne becomes inflamed so your best option would be to treat the condition as early as possible and whichever treatment you’ll receive if properly used, will clear up a majority of the spots.

For topical treatment options, there are creams, gels and lotions and various products work differently but it is imperative that you follow the instructions accorded and apply the treatment to the entire affected area and not just one specific spot.

Lemon Detox

29th July 2016Maria Garcia Leave a Comment

Sometimes there could be several side effects such as muscle loss, fatigue therefore if you decide to apply lemon detox, you should discuss first with a doctor. Most common side effects of lemon detox are fatigue, muscle loss, vitamin deficiencies.

How is Lemon Detox Applied?

Juice of 1 lemon
Juice of 1 maple
Cayenne pepper (more or less according to preferences)

The ingredients are mixed in a tea glass and consumed 8 cups in a day along 10 days.

What are the losses of Lemon Detox ?

As mentioned above, you could face water loss in the body, fatigue, headache, diarrhea, dizziness and nutrient deficiency after lemon detox. You should stop applying lemon detox when you face these symptoms.

Lemon detox has been used to clean the body, to lose weight or used for these both but people who apply to lose weight, could gain weight quickly back after given.

Lemon detox that is not allowed to everyone to apply, provides benefits but on the other hand gives damages to body in large amounts.

To lose weight in a quick way might create negative factor in this process so you might gain back weight in same fast way as losing period.

Useful Advices for Lemon Detox

You should apply lemon detox definitely with specialist after you have decided to apply lemon detox to cleanse your body.

You need to require and follow a dietician nutrition program to apply lemon detox to lose weight,

To apply lemon detox with an experts who is selected according to purpose is very important to lose weight in a healthy way or get rid of toxins without serious damage.

Preventing Sun Damage: A Guide To Your UVs

27th July 2016Maria Garcia Leave a Comment

Sun damage is responsible for a major part of skin aging. For Korean women, their major skincare tip is to avoid coming in direct contact with the sun, no matter what. Even with that, they slather their bodies with products to prevent any damage from the sun rays.

There are two types of sun rays that get to us here; the UVA and the UVB. The UVA is responsible for skin aging while the UVB is responsible for skin burning. The worst part is that these rays can penetrate through clouds, glass windows and most clothing. That means that cloudy days don’t stop the sun from getting to your skin and neither does staying indoors or covering your body.

How To Protect Yourself From Sun Damage

• Wear spf daily irrespective of season or weather. Make sure your sunscreen is labelled ‘broad spectrum’; this means it can protect you from both harmful rays.

• Avoid coming in direct contact with the sun rays as much as you can. The general rule is between 10am and 2pm when the rays are strongest.

• Re apply your sunscreen as often as you can, preferably every two hours. This is even more important if you’re sweating or swimming.

If at any time you notice a sun burn, apply aloe vera gel to it immediately. You can use a gel or the juice squeezed directly from the aloe plant. A sun burn that isn’t treated can expose you to even worse skin issues.

How to Help Your Stressed-out Skin?

22nd July 2016Zara Lewis Leave a Comment

When we’re born, our skin is like tabula rasa without any trace on it. As we grow old and face a lot of mental and physical challenges, some dots and lines start appearing on it, and it seems like we have this great story written on our skin. Still, some marks on our skin don’t happen naturally. They’re caused by lack of sleep, dehydration, stress, air pollution, harsh makeup, and other issues. These marks may appear in the form of premature aging, fine lines, dryness, redness, acne breakouts, puffiness around your eyes, flare-ups, etc. Luckily, there are ways to help your stressed-out skin to “get back on its feet” and regain its old glory.

Keep Calm
Easier said than done, right? Of course, you can’t avoid bills, family arguments and other unpredictable problems, but you can face them in a more peaceful way. This will help you prevent acne breakouts, inflammations, etc. Learn to cope with such situations by breathing deeply, meditating or practicing yoga. You can also try aromatherapy and massages, or something as simple as listening to music or reading a book.

Avoid “Comfort Food”
A bad day won’t disappear after a double cheeseburger and a bowl of vanilla-chocolate ice-cream. Instead, even sneakier consequences will appear – oily skin, acne, irritation, poor complexion, etc. If you are a stress-eater, consider some healthier snacks, such as almonds, walnuts, berries, carrots, or something similar.

Stay Hydrated
Your body is up to 65 percent water, so it’s no wonder that the effects of dehydration are so visible on your skin. Try to avoid dehydration by drinking plenty of water (at least 8 cups per day). One of the causes of skin dehydration is the dry air which is typical for winter months. However, the air-conditioning during summer can also dry-out the air in the room. It’s important to keep the skin moisturized by applying a nourishing night cream, but also to minimize the bad effect of dry air in an air-conditioned room by using an air humidifier.

Sleep Well
Our grannies were right; there’s nothing a good night’s sleep can’t solve. There’s a reason why we have the “beauty sleep” phrase, because no sleep means poor complexion and dark and puffy circles around the eyes. Also, while you are asleep, your skin produces collagen, which prevents sagging. Your blood flow is enhanced during your snoozing hours, and as a result, your complexion becomes glowing.

Be Active
Regular exercise has many benefits beyond achieving physical fitness, especially for your skin. The first of many is breaking a sweat, and thus detoxifying, which leads to smoother and more radiant skin. The less obvious is treating stress and anxiety, which are often the very roots of your skin troubles.

Adapt Your Skincare Routine
Desperate times call for desperate measures, and when you notice something going on with your skin, you should start using the appropriate products to address these issues. This doesn’t mean that you should forget all about your regular skincare routine. Since dryness is very common sign of stressed-out skin, it is very important to use moisturizer. If you have problem with redness too, opt for the one with anti-inflammatory ingredients. Other products that can be helpful are OTC and topical creams and acne lotions.

Embrace the Gifts of Nature
Organic skincare and makeup products are much gentler for your skin, and they don’t cause allergies or inflammations. You can also go for at-home beauty routine. Exfoliation with sugar and honey can be just as effective as with store-bought products, and some DIY face masks are far more nourishing than synthetic products.

As you see, there’s no reason to stress out over your stressed-out skin. Just take good care of it inside out, and everything should be fine.

Important Tips For Taking Care Of Your Hands

21st July 2016Maria Garcia Leave a Comment

The daily tasks we do affect the skin cells in our hands and cause skin aging there. From washing the dishes to gripping a steering wheel, we know the hands are the powerhouse of the body, they do the most. That is just for the palms though. The skin on the back of our hands is very light and can start showing signs of skin aging before any other part of the body.

To keep your hands healthy and youthful, apply these tips daily:

Protect Your Hands

If you’re already at an age where skin aging is a concern for you, start wearing gloves when you do cleaning chores. Use moisturizing bar soaps to wash your hands and avoid using hot water. Tepid water is best.

Wear Hand Creams with SPF

UVA rays are responsible for most skin aging signs, so protect your hands from the sun. Use a hand cream with at least SPF 25 in it and remember to apply every two hours whenever you’re outside.

Keep Bottles of Lotion Everywhere

At every sink you usually use, keep a small bottle of lotion. Washing your hands is a quick way to dry them out, you need to replace the hydration immediately.

Hand care can be a tasking routine to build, but if you stick with it long enough, it’s only a matter of time before you begin to see it as just another thing you do every day.