How Not To Get Skin Cancer

Teaching children good habits for being in the sun is one of the best ways to prevent skin cancer for future generations.  Hats, sunglasses and sunscreen are some of the best ways to promote good skin health with youth.  Many Dermatologists encourage parents to send there kids outside with a sunscreen containing nothing less than an SPF of 50.

Those who are fair-skinned and have freckles are usually at a much higher risk of getting skin cancer from the sun than those who are naturally darker-skinned.  Melanin is a pigment in skin that helps protect against UV radiation.  People with fair skin have less melanin, so they are more likely to freckle and burn.  This puts them at higher risk for skin cancer than their darker-skinner counterparts.  Those with many moles or a family history of skin cancer should talk to their doctor or dermatologist about regular skin cancer screenings.

It is also important to do regular exams on your kids and yourself.  Note the shape and size of any growing or new moles and see a doctor if you notice any change.  For more information on how to do a self skin cancer screening or what to look for during a self skin cancer screening, read Tips For Preventing Skin Cancer.

Studies show that children who use sunscreen develop fewer moles, which means it could decrease the risk of melanoma later in life.  Also, a history of five or moresevere sunburns before adolescence more than doubles the risk of developing melanoma as an adult.

Balancing an active life with avoiding the sun’s harmful rays may sound difficult, but it doesn’t have to be.  The American Cancer Society suggests this catch phrase: “Slip! Slop! Slap! and Wrap!” – Slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen, slap on a hat, and wrap on sunglasses.

A hat with a 2″-3″ brim is best because it protects the neck, ears, forehead, nose and scalp.  Use sunscreen and lip balm with SPF 30 or higher, and reapply every 2 hours and after swimming and sweating.  Use sunscreen even on hazy orovercast days, and pit it on about 20-30 minutes before you go outside.

Tips For Preventing Skin Cancer

How To Detect Skin Cancer

Detecting skin cancer requires that one be vigilant and alert.  It is unlikely that a menanoma will be detected without rigorous inspection.

The first thing to look for while on Mole Patrol is a new spot on the body.  Next, analyze it to see if it matches the following criteria:

1. Assymetry: It you were to disect the mole would both halves be identical??  Melanoma spots are NOT symetrical – they are uneven.
2. Examine The Border: The borders of early Melanoma tend not to be even.  They will most likely be notched or scalloped.
3. Color: Is the spot a solid color or a shade of two or three colors??  It is more than 1 color than it is likely to be melanoma skin cancer.
4. Diameter: Melanomas are usually larger in diameter than the size of a pencil eraser (1/4 inch or 6 mm), but may sometimes be smaller when first detected.
5. Evolving: Any change in size, shape, color, or elevation or any new symptom such as bleeding, itching or crusting may point to melanoma.

In short:

Benign (non-cancerous) – Symmetrical, Even Borders, One Shade of Color, Smaller than 1/4 inch.

Malignant (cancerous) – Asymmetrical, Uneven Borders, Several Colors or Shades of 1 Color, Larger than 1/4 inch.

You should also watch for the following skin changes:

If you find a spot on your body and you think it may be skin cancer, do not immediately begin to worry.  First, make an appointment to see a Dermatologist.  Many Dermatologists can tell immediately upon looking at a spot on the body how likely it is to be skin cancer.  You can find a certified physician in your area on the Skin Cancer Foundation’s website: www.skincancer.org.

Mario Badescu’s Drying Lotion Review

Mario Badescu Drying Lotion is a popular product receiving a lot of publicity in national periodicals.  The lotion is intended for pimples and literally dries them up overnight.  The ingredients in this product are extremely drying in nature, even more so than over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide products.  Therefore, be careful in its application and apply only to emerging or existing pimples.

Here’s a list of the ingredients in Mario Badescu’s Drying Lotion and the affect they have on the skin:
Isopropyl Alcohol -  dissolves skin’s natural lipids, therefore very drying.

Deionized Water - Hydration

Calamine – a drying agent

Camphor – an anti-itch agent which can irritate the skin

Colloidal Sulfur – a keratolytic agent which means it can help exfoliate

Salicylic Acid - OTC approved acne fighting ingredient, but can be drying and irritating

Glycerine - humectant to bind moisture to the skin

Zinc Oxide – skin protectant

Titanium Dioxide and Talc - probably used to enhance a powdery feeling on skin. Titanium dioxide can be a sunblock if present in sufficient quantities

The combination of ingredients in the product is amazing.  The product is very drying in nature, and that is why you use such a small amount of the product and apply it directly to the pimple or blemish.  The severe drying properties help to eliminate the pimple and signs that it ever existed literally overnight!!

You may be a candidate for this product if you have teen acne, adult acne, periodic breakouts before a monthly period, or just an occasional pimple.  Anyone wanting to rid themselves of an unsightly whitehead can safely use this product.  I go through phases of wonderfully clear skin, and having a pimple here and there, so I keep a bottle of Mario Badescu’s Drying Lotion handy at all times.  Just a little dab, that’s all you need.  Apply it to a pimple you see that has just begun to break the surface, and it will be gone or ALMOST gone by morning.

The drying lotion is to be applied TO THE PIMPLE ONLY before going to bed and after you have cleansed, toned and moisturized the area.  Simply put a small amount of the lotion on the pimple.  A cotton swab works great as an applicator.  Do not rub the lotion in.  Just let it dry and rinse it off the next morning.  NOTE:  Special care should be given to NOT shake the bottle; the pink colored sediment is what you want to apply to the pimple.

As an added benefit, the drying lotion can be applied to itchy skin as a result of insect bites and irritated skin caused by razor burn.

If you suffer from any type of acne, this is the product for you.

Learn more about Mario Badescu’s Drying Lotion.  CLick HERE.

Spring and Summer Skin Care Regimen

April showers bring May flowers.  The old adage is definitely true.  We suffer through the rain falls of early Spring to be greeted by the cheery blooms that follow.  However, May flowers are not all that comes from April showers, but so does hot, humid weather.  And this sudden spike in temperature and humidity is a sign that our skin care regimens need a change.

Cleanse, exfoliate, tone and moisturize – these are the absolute basics of good skin care, and the importance of each step will shift significantly depending upon the season.  In winter months moisturizing is key because having adequate moisture in the skin not only helps the skin to repair any damage, but it also helps to prevent damage caused by severe dryness.

In the summer months, however, our primary skin care focus switches from moisturization to exfoliation.  This is due to the spike in temperatures causing our body temperatures to rise and our oil glands to become more productive, producing excess amount of pore-clogging sediments.  Here is a fail-proof Summer skin care regimen to keep the skin of your face and body glowing well into the fall.

Step 1 – Cleanse.  Cleansing is always the first step to beautiful skin. Dirt, pollution, and oil produced by the body cling to the face and not only clog pores but create a dull residue.  Cleansing with an alcohol-free face wash is the best was to remove the garbage and prep the skin for steps 2-4.  In the winter months cleansing becomes less important, and one can get by with only cleansing every other day, due to the lack of humidity.  But in the Summer, cleansing becomes priority, and should be done at least once a day for dry and normal skin and twice a day for oily skin.

Step 2 – Exfoliate. Exfoliation is the way in which dead skin cells, which cause dullness, blotchiness, and variations in skin tone, are gently removed from the epidermis and allow the fresh new skin underneath to be exposed.  Be careful when exposing this newly exposed skin to the damaging rays of the sun.  By removing the protective, but unattractive layer of dead skin we are removing a natural protective shield.  Be sure to use sunblock at all times, whether you plan to be exposed directly to the sun or not.  The sun’s rays have a mysterious way of penetrating almost everything we think to be a “barrier”.

Exfoliation does not have to be a daily step in your skin care routine, as individuals skin cells die at different rates.  People with normal skin tones can get by with exfoliating two times per week in the spring and summer.  Also, if you have sensitive skin or are prone to acne breakouts, exfoliate at your own risk!!  Consider using an exfoliant made specifically for acne or sensitive skin.  Maky times the exfoliant property will be smaller more granulated than those for normal to oily skin, which tend to be larger pieces of sand or ground walnut.  The best type of exfoliant for all skin types is one that contains micro beads.

Check out Mario Badesuc this Spring and Summer for some absolutely flawless skin care products perfect for any climate.  He offers skin care packages perfect for each and every skin type.  Click HERE to visit his website!

Step 3 – Tone. Always, always, always tone your face after cleansing or exfoliating. Whichever step is last in your routine, tone when finished.  A great non-alcoholic toner will not only balance the ph (acid) levels in the skin, which can be askew after cleaning and exfoliating, but it will also close the pores, which were opened by cleansing, and they will be less suseptible to foreign pathogens being allowed to enter.  Toner can also be carried around in the summer to the beach, the pool, or an outdoor picnic, and applied as desired to ass moisture to the face.  It also has a cooling effect, which is always a nice break from the heat.

Step 4 – Moisturize. As mentioned earlier, moisturization in much more important in winter months than summer, however this is a step that absolutely cannot be skipped.  Be sure that your summer moisturizer contains a sunscreen with a high SPF, and one that is free of paba, jojoba oil, and lanolin oil.  These products will only clog pores causing breakouts and infections.

In the heat of the summer the best thing we can do for our complexion is to keep it as clean as possible. Breakout levels are higher in spring and summer months because our sebaceous glands are much more active then in the fall and winter.  Was your face often, and be sure to tone and use a moisturizer that contains sunscreen.  Apply is lightly to the skin.

Apply these tips, and miner changes to your daily skin care regimen and you will have a flawless, glowing complexion all summer long.

Check out Mario Badesuc this Spring and Summer for some absolutely flawless skin care products perfect for any climate.  He offers skin care packages perfect for each and every skin type.  Click HERE to visit his website!

Facelift Capsules – Tripeptinon by AminoGenesis

Product review of TRIPEPTINON from AMINOGENESIS.

Tripeptinon by AminoGenesis is a new anti-again skincare product to the stars which uses the power of seventeen (17) essential amino acids that your skin needs in order to strengthen and heal itself.  Comprised of a tiny capsule, Tripeptinon was originally formulated for professional use in a clinical setting, but is now available to the public.

Tripeptinon by AminoGenesis actually works by strengthening the deep connective tissue of the face, rather than simply focusing on the surface skin.

Tripeptinon by AminoGenesis works in three (3) ways:

1) Hydrates.  Tripeptinon provides maximum hydration to the face.

2) Nourish.  Comprised of 17 essential amino acids, Tripeptinon provides the face the nourishment that it needs to repair itself.

3) Defend.  The AminoGenesis antioxidant defense system provides maximum protection to the face, to defend against free radicals.

Personal Review:  I gave this product to my friend Laura to try for 14 days to see if the product was worth the hype.  She reported back to me that Tripeptinon is a wonderful moisturizer.  Her face has never been more soft and supple.  From it’s morning application, Tripeptinon stayed with her all day, nourishing the deep layers of her face.

Laura went on to tell me that she was not thoroughly impressed with the anti-aging results after only 14 days, but she was willing to continue using the product.  After 45 days of use Laura told me that the product worked wonderfully!!  Still moisturizing, Laura loved the product and compared it to the expensive, department store products she used to use.  Laura recommends the 14 day trial with 4 stars.

Tripeptinon has been called a “Facelift in a Capsule“.

TRY Tripeptinon by AminoGenesis FREE for 14 days.  Click HERE to learn More.

The Truth About Wrinkle Creams

By Christina Smith

There are many people who will go to the four corners of the earth looking for the Fountain of Youth, or for a magic new serum that will turn back the hands of time.  Almost all of us know someone like this.  The person who would rather sit in a doctors chair and be painfully injected with artificial ingredients, with the hopes of never having a natural smile again.

While some people take things to the extreme, others of us are looking for very similar results, but without all of the pain and side effects associated with medical cosmetic procedures.  Many times, searching for an alternative means spending large sums of money on high-end skin care products that tout themselves to do such miraculous things, such as:

1. Immediately reverse the signs of aging.
2. Visible look 10-15 years younger after just 1 application.
3. Return elasticity to the skin of the face and neck.

I know that there are people who are willing to spend $100+ for a single jar of miracle cream from the counters of Barneys and Saks because I was one of them.  And it always seemed that as much as I would hope and pray that the ingredients inside of that tiny little bottle would do to my aging skin what the marketing professionals who were hired by the company said they would do, to my deep disappointment they never did.

A couple of years ago I was visiting a dermatologist friend of mine who told me something profound.  She said exactly what I had thought for years, “There is usually no difference between a $10 bottle of wrinkle cream and a $100 bottle of wrinkle cream.  The only difference is that packaging.”  And she is so right.  It amazes me how many skin care companies in existence today sell the same product, which they purchase from a manufacturer, and simply replace the label with their own.  The ingredients are the same, but the packaging is a little different.

However, what I have discovered is that many things in life truly are free.  And that is one reason that I created this website.  There are so many companies out there who stand behind their products enough to have you try them before you buy them.  Here are a couple of offers that you can have delivered right to your door, free of charge, just by paying for the shipping.  I have tried each and every one of them and I stand behind them.

Try them for yourself.  What do you have to lose?  Except the wrinkles.

About the Author: Christina Smith is an anti-aging product enthusiast, and frequent contributor to SkinCareHelp.me.  She lives in New York.

Acne Free in Three Days

My friend Aaron sent me an e-mail the other day telling me about a new acne product he tried that actually worked!!  He asked that I put it on the site so that others may read it as well.  His success is due to a new three-step system by iQ Derma called “Clear Remedy”.

If you haven’t heard about iQ Derma or Clear Remedy you can read more about it HERE. And for those who would like to try iQ Derma’s Clear Remedy FREE for 30 days, Aaron forwarded the free trial offer to me that he tried.  Click HERE to take advantage of the FREE acne treatment offer.

Here is what Aaron had to say….

“I have struggled to clear my moderate acne for years.  I’ve tried creams, washes, medications and scrubs, only to still have acne; sometimes worse than when I started.  About two weeks ago I received a spam e-mail that sounded too good to be true…’See clearer skin in only 3 days’.  Yeah right, I thought.  But for some reason I didn’t delete the e-mail.  Instead, I continued reading.

The products information was all there.  It compares itself to Proactive, but without the dry skin Proactive leaves you with.  And let’s face it, when you have been trying as long as I have to get rid of acne you will try anything at least once.

Well, it’s been two weeks and my acne is completely gone!!  I am so excited.  I no longer have to worry when I look in the mirror in the morning.  Please forward this free iQ Derma offer to those who visit your site.  I’m sure they will love it too.”

I did some research into iQ Derma’s new three-step Acne clearing system Clear Remedy, and this is what I found:

All three products contain iQ Derma’s secret, patented ingredient “iQ 101″ which works by fighting the three causes of acne -

1. It uncloggs pores and keeps them clear.
2. It normalizes over-active oil glands.
3. It reduces acne-causing bacteria.

Lear more about what causes acne and more about iQDerma’s new three-step acne solution Clear Remedy, featuring the patented ingredient iQ 101 HERE.

Also, find out how you can get a FREE 30 day trial of iQ Derma’s Clear Remedy HERE.

You will receive:

1. The Purifying Cleanser – with multifruit BSC, Pheohydrane & Botanesse.
2. The Acne Treatment Lotion – with iQ-101, Farnesol, Flavenger Complex & Phytic Acid.
3. The Hydrating Lotion – with Advanced Moisture Complex, Willowherb Extract, BioCalm Complex & ClariPlex Technology.

All designed to give you the most beautiful skin you have ever had!!

Martha Stewart Skin Care Products

The AHA Body Soap is a liquid soap with a wonderful citrus smell to invigerate the body in the morning shower or late afternoon soak in the tub.  And don’t worry, this product does not leave a soapy or filmy residue behind, either in the tub or on your skin.

3. Mario Badescu’s Citrus Body Cleanser is a wonderful addition to the AHA Body Soap.  It is great for all skin types, and perfect to use any time of the year.  It is often difficult to decide which Body Soap to choose from Mario’s teriffic line up.  I use both and alternate throughout the week.  Each has a wonderful, distinct fragrance, which I love.  And at only $10.00 per bottle, why not indulge in both?  Only a small drop is all you need to cleanse the entire body, so a little bit goes a long way.

4. Mario Badescu’s Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater is a wonderful pick-me-up anytime you feel drab, or your skin feels dry and tight.  I keep a bottle in my desk at the office in a spray bottle, and spritz a little on my face every day around 3:00, or after a stressful meeting or phone call.  Mario’s facial spray provides a great boost to both your compexion and attitude.  The herb combination and rosewater fragrance act as a relaxing aromatherapy to help make the day just a bit easier.  You can pick up an 8oz. bottle for only $10.00 or a 16oz. bottle for $18.00.

Rejuvenate Your Skin In 2009

Tips to Healthy, Glowing Skin.

Is your skin dull and listless?  Do you need a little boost to bring your skin back to the glory of years past?  If you have answered yes to either of these questions, you may not need costly or painful surgical procedures, or even a trip to the Dermatologist’s office.  All you may need is a little R and R, and a skin rejuvenation.

Step 1 to a wonderfully successful skin rejuvenation is knowing your skin type.  There are five very different skin types, and knowing which one you have is crucial to selecting the ingredients for your rejuvenating facial.

Normal Skin:
Has even skin tone, good elasticity and is smooth and firm to the touch. Pores are small to medium-sized.

Oily skin:
Is characterized by a shiny appearance. Pores may be larger and more visible and due to excess oil production, there’s more of a tendency toward pimples, blackheads and whiteheads.

Dry Skin:
This type of skin is sensitive to hot and cold weather, and can feel tight or have visible flaking — especially after cleansing. Dry skin has a matte finish, small pores, and tends to become drier and more wrinkled with age compared with other skin types.

Combination skin:
Most of us have this kind of skin, with an oily center area or a “T-zone” across the forehead, nose, and chin, and areas of dryness on the cheeks, and around the eyes and neck. Acne will be more active in the areas that are oily.

Sensitive Skin:
A person with sensitive skin has a lot more trouble with environmental factors than the average person. Skin burns more easily in the sun, there may be frequent reactions to cosmetics and rashes or a burning sensation can even develop from weather conditions. Problem skin often accompanies this skin type as it is very reactionary.

Next, select the recipe that works with your skin type:

For Normal Skin

Combine 1 tablespoon honey, 1 egg yolk, 1/2 teaspoon almond oil and 1 tablespoon plain yogurt. Honey stimulates and smooths, egg and almond oil penetrates and moisturizes, and yogurt refines and tightens pores. Apply evenly to face and let sit for 15 minutes.  Then rinse with warm water.

For Oily Skin

Combine 1 egg yolk, 1 tablespoon of honey, 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1/2 a cup of oatmeal.  Apply evenly to the face and allow it to sit for 15-20 minutes, then rinse with warm water.

For Dry Skin

Avocado is a naturally rich moisturizer. Mash 1/2 an avocado into a creamy texture and then massage into the face and neck. Leave on for 15 minutes and gently rinse off.  If you do not like the texture or smell of avocado then combine 1 teaspoon of butter in 1 teaspoon of water. Massage thoroughly into the face and allow it to site for 15-20 minutes. Then rinse with cold water.

For Combination Skin

Combine 1 egg white, 1/2 cup of cooked instant oatmeal and 1 teaspoon of olive oil, mix until smooth.  Apply evenly to face and neck and let sit for 15 minutes.  Then rinse with  and rinse with warm water or chamomile tea and pat dry.

For Sensitive Skin

Combine 1 cup of plain yogurt and 1/2 a cup of oatmeal.  Apply evenly to the face and neck and allow it to sit for 15 minutes.  Then rinse with cool water and pat dry.

Most of the masks can be repeated once weekly to achieve the desired results.  Others can be repeated twice per week.  Use discretion and pay attention to the results you are receiving.

Dr. Perricones Wrinkle Cure Kit

Change Your Lifestyle and Stop Aging!

Dermatologists and plastic surgeons have been helping people adjust to the aging process with various serums, creams, peels and surgical procedures for decades.  And in spite of all of these treatments, we still continue to age.  Could it be that there is a way to reverse or possibly “cure” the aging process, rather than just masking the symptoms?  Well, that is just what Nicholas Perricone, MD suggests in his new New York Times best-selling book The Wrinkle Cure, and corresponding treatment system “The Wrinkle Cure Kit“.

If you have not yet heard of Dr. Nicholas Perricone and his wonderful line of cosmetics, or one of his New York Time’s best selling books, perhaps you have seen him during one of his many appearances on Oprah.  Dr. Perricone is an honors graduate of Yale Medical School, after which he completed his Dermatology Residency at Ford Medical Center.  He is a world-renowned educator and weight loss and anti-aging expert to the stars.  So when Dr. Perricone says he has discovered something new, people listen.  And guess what?  Dr. Perricone has discovered something NEW!!!

Dr. Perricone has developed a new medical theory called the “Inflammation Theory of Aging”, which states that cellular inflammation and irritation of the skin at the microscopic level are the ultimate cause of wrinkles.  According to Dr. Perroicone, it is this irritation to our cells that leads not only to wrinkles, but to breakouts, redness, and loss of firmness and elasticity as well.

Dr. Perricone has a holistic approach to his treatment of aging in that he treats the body as a “whole” unit, and focuses on the multiple ways the body ages.  Dr. Perricone believes that aging is truly a “process” and dependent upon many factors, including diet and lifestyle.  The aging process is all about what is going on inside our bodies, and the wrinkles we have on the outside is evident of what is happening inside.

To reverse the effects of how our bodies age internally Dr Perricone has introduced a new system called “The Wrinkle Cure Kit”, which attacks the visable signs of aging from the inside out in three (3) ways:

1. Diet
2. Neutraceutical Supplements
3. An Award-winning line of cosmeceuticals.

With this treatment the cellular inflammation can be stopped, essentially haulting the aging process, and skin tone and structure is improved with the proven cosmeceutical regemin.

Treating aging from the inside out has many benefits.  Not only will you look younger, but you will feel younger as well, and live better.

For a limited time only, receive the entire five-piece Perricone Wrinkle Cure Kit at 50% OFF.

Dr. Nicholas Perricone’s new Wrinkle Cure Kit attacks aging with 5 steps:

• Advanced Face Firming Activator :

Diminishes fine lines, wrinkles, and visible pores with DMAE and Alpha Lipoic Acid.

For a limited time only, receive the entire five-piece Perricone Wrinkle Cure Kit at 50% OFF.