Slowing Down the Look of Aging

As I grow closer and closer to 50, I worry more and more about my skin. I thought my skin was bad when I was 30 – if I had only known then what I knew now! But, there are some things you can do (or not do) to help your skin not look as old – even at my age. Some things you can do are rather obvious. One is put on sunscreen every day. Yes, I said every day. Not just when you are gardening, not just when you are going to the beach – every day. That’s … Continue reading →

FDA Changes Rules for Sunscreen

When I was a kid, I don’t remember having sunscreen. Oh, we had tanning oil, so I could try to cook my skin and make it a deep brown like my friends (that never worked). Today, most parents don’t send their children outside unless they are slathered in sunscreen. But, the labeling has gotten confusing. It’s like the manufacturers thought “If SPF 30 sounds good, let’s release SPF 100!” Some are waterproof, some say “broad spectrum” – what does it all mean? The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) finally decided to put some rules on what manufacturers can and can’t … Continue reading →

Spending Time in the Sun

Warmer months are upon us and so that means many of us will be spending more time outdoors. I especially enjoy early mornings out on my deck sipping coffee and late afternoons sitting in my chair reading a good book. Of course, being outdoors means exposure to the sun. I certainly wouldn’t mind a little color but the sun can be very damaging so there are precautions that need to be taken. You can Enjoy Sunshine Without Sun Damage by following some important tips. Now that I am in my early 40’s, I am especially careful about the way I … Continue reading →

At Home Laser Treatment For Wrinkles Approved By FDA

Many women, myself included, would like to look as youthful as we can for as long as we can. Although we can’t do anything about gravity, by exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet, and taking advantage of the latest anti-aging products, we don’t have to look old before our time. I have no desire to look 20 nor act 20, but I do want to feel confident in the fact that I’m doing what I can to hold back the hands of time. My kids think I’m a bit OCD when it comes to wrinkles, but I grew up in … Continue reading →

Turn That Frown Upside Down And Look Younger Instantly

I’m a people watcher. I guess it comes with the territory of being a single mother and an author. Many times I’ll get ideas for characters just by sitting and observing people while at my local coffee shop, doctor’s office, or wherever I happen to be that day. Something I’ve noticed is that people who smile more tend to look younger. We use approximately 17 facial muscles to smile yet 43 to wear a frown. Is it no wonder that people who constantly wear a grim look on their faces tend to age years before happier people? I’ve heard some … Continue reading →

Six Winter Skin Savers

Many people have a harder time with their skin during the winter months than any other time of the year! Here are some tips to help keep your largest organ happy during cold weather. Number one: keep up with your moisturizer… especially in the places where you tend to have problems. For me, I find my winter problem spots are the forehead, the knees and elbows, and the feet. And I’m good about applying lotion to my face after I shower… I’m not always so good about the other spots. And they show it! Number two: keep wearing your sunscreen. … Continue reading →

Touch Sensitivity

Sensitive skin is a topic near and dear to my heart — when I was little, I would break out in hives every time my mom changed laundry detergents! My skin is very sensitive when it comes to cleansers and scents. But that’s not the only kind of sensitive skin out there. Touch sensitivity is a kind of malfunction in the tactile sensory system. Sensations that might be meaningless background noise (like the feel of the seams in your shirt) might be uncomfortable or even painful to a person with touch sensitivity (also known as tactile defensiveness). A person with … Continue reading →

Warts

While kissing a frog MIGHT turn him into a prince, it won’t leave you with warts. Warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) — a virus that isn’t transferable between human and amphibian. So kiss all the frogs you want! Warts are incredibly common. They’re one of the top skin complaints, right up there with acne. Take a look at ten of your friends or coworkers; chances are, one out of the ten has a wart right now. Look… but don’t touch. Warts are contagious. If the virus comes into contact with your skin and causes an infection, you’ll … Continue reading →

Stretch Marks

Your skin is pretty elastic. In many circumstances, your skin can bounce back relatively well from cuts, bruises, scars, or stretching. But when the skin is constantly or too quickly stretched, you may end up with stretch marks. Weight gain and pregnancy are two of the top causes for stretch marks. The dermis — the stretchy middle layer of skin — is where stretch marks occur. At first, stretch marks may appear red or purple in color. With time, they will fade to a pale shade of pink, white, or silver. Stretch marks are most often seen on the stomach, … Continue reading →

Beware The Scabies Mite!

Scabies is a condition that affects the skin making you itch uncontrollably. These little mites burrow under your skin and spread from person to person. It can affect the very young to the very old. It is passed along through close contact with the infected person, towels and linens that are shared, as well as their other belongings. The symptoms are pretty clear when you are afflicted with scabies. The itch is terribly annoying and uncomfortable and often strikes worse during the nighttime hours. The people that this itching affects most severely are children or the elderly. The first sign … Continue reading →