Showing posts with label Beauty. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Beauty. Show all posts

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Health and Beauty Care | Beauty Sleep

Do you know what's the best solution for individual Health and Beauty care?

“Zzzzzzzz” ---->> This is an international language which i think everyone knows --->> Sleep!! Or should I say Beauty Sleep for women!

In this new age, where there are lots of night activites, How many of us are able to catch enough sleep daily?

Even though this is one of my favourite past time, but i can never seem to get enough of it. Quality but no Quantity.

But again, how much is enough?

From my own opinion, i will be fresh and alert only when i am able to sleep when i am tired and woke up when my body and brain tells me to, not due to the shrilling sound of the alarm clock. = )

Why do we need to Beauty Sleep?
By now, everyone would have already know that sleeping is needed for rest, repair and restoration of the mind and body. It is also likely that memory and learning are consolidated during sleep. When we do not get enough sleep, we become very sleepy, irritable, brain function is slowed and affecting performance in tasks that requires close attention, and our mood is also affected.


What exactly is the big Zzzzz (Sleep) about?
Normal sleep consists of cycles of Non-Rapid Eye Movement (NREM) sleep alternating with rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. NREM sleep consists of light and deep sleep. REM sleep is also known as “dream” sleep.

Normal adults need an average of 8 hours of sleep (range 6 - 10 hours). It is normal to fall asleep within 10 to 20 minutes of going to bed, to wake up spontaneously once or twice in the night then fall back to sleep readily, and wake up feeling refreshed. Children need more and tend to have aquired more deep sleep, while the elderly have more frequent awakenings and less deep sleeping.
Good sleepers generally have a regular sleep-wake schedules and sleep at least 6-7 hours a night. A good sleeper feels refreshed upon awakening and is able to maintain alertness throughout the day, without the need for an afternoon nap or sleeping in on weekends

How do getting too little sleep affect our health and beauty?
When we do not get enough sleep, our memory, concentration, alertness and mood are affected.
The most evident consequence of getting too little sleep is sleepiness. Not only does this impact upon work and school performance, it is potentially life threatening when driving or operating machinery on the job. The most profound impact of sleep deprivation in the body is felt in the brain. Neurological disturbances range from the subtle such as cognitive impairment and memory lapses, to frank hallucinations, blurred vision, ptosis, disorientation, incoordination of body movements and slurred speech. Mood disturbances are also common, with depression being more common in sleep deprived individuals.

Are Napping (Beauty Sleep) good for your health?
In the majority of people who do not get enough sleep regularly, a short 20-30 minute nap in the afternoon, when there is a natural mid-afternoon “dip” in alertness, can be refreshing and help recover some lost sleep. Sleeping in for an hour or 2 on weekends can have a similar catch-up effect. Naps however are generally discouraged in people who have chronic insomnia, with difficulty falling asleep at night. The reason being that long afternoon naps, by discharging some of our daily sleep need, reduce the drive to sleep at night. Blunting the pressure to sleep through daytime napping will add to the insomniac’s typically high nocturnal arousal state, and exacerbate the inability to fall asleep.

So make sure you have enough quality and quantity sleep everyday and it will sure benefit you health in the long run. And for women, sleeping is the best beauty care you can ever have.

Health and Beauty Care : Beauty Sleep

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Skin Care Products | Good Service from Clarins


Good Skin Care Products with Good Service.

Finally, i have time to write this entry, the need to rave on the wonderful service i've received from Clarins is almost bursting out of me! Though i've already relate this story to many gal friends, but still, is not enough! ;p
I've purchase skincare products from many different cosmetic brands over the years. I can say, their service is only so-so to lousy.. It might be that they only see us as One Time customer, maybe they forgot that Singapore is a small country, how many one time business can you get right?!?
As i, myself used to be in the service line, i've got my own standard of what is "good customer service"..

As you know, i'm still under the recovery stage of "Eczema", have to be very careful with products that i'm using or consuming. Previously, i bought one of Clarins latest product, "Clarins HydraQuench Intensive Serum Bi-Phase".
Sadly, i had Eczema just before i had a chance to try this new product! Recently, i've been trying to start my usual skincare product one at a time, so i thought, hmmm.. is time to try the serum, as my usual mositurezer is not hydrating enough.
To play safe, i went through the ingredient contents again, and just my luck, they have this ingredient "Inca peanut oil", which i'm not sure if i can use.. Because the specialist at NSC told me not to touch peanut at all..
I was so dissappointed, at the finding but not wanting to accept my "fate", i went to one of Clarins Counter on a Saturday, and told the beautician consultant about my problem. She say she will help me check with her head office whether will "Inca peanut oil" aggravates my Eczema and let me know on Monday. It so happens that Monday was a public holiday, so the nice lady called me on Sunday just to let me know that she will let me know on Tuesday as Monday was public holiday.
No. 1, how many sales assistant will bother to call and inform about the reschedule?

On Tuesday, the same beautician consultant from Clarins called me, and told me that "Inca Peanut Oil" is derived from the Peanut Plant, but they can't be sure if it will cause any allergy to me. So they told me to make a trip to their counter and they will give me a sample to try. If i'm allergy to it, they are willing to exchange my unopen "HydraQuench Intensive Serum Bi-Phase" for another product of my choice.
No. 2, how many cosmetic counter are willing for an exchange of product especially when the exchange is not due to products defect? Sometimes even when it is dued to products defects, consumers might have a hard time negotiating as well.

On Friday, i made a trip to the Clarins Counter to meet up with the same Beautician Consultant,
she gave me a bottle of the sample and told me to apply on my underarm to test for allergy.
With a friendly smile, she told me that if i have any problem, i can feel free to look for her.
She even gave me her mobile no. so i can text message or call her to make sure she is working on that day before making a trip down.
When i told her, her service is good, she reply with a smile says, it is their job to put their customer's needs in the first place.
No. 3, how many beautician consultants offer such personal service?

I have not done my allergy test yet, as i think i ate something yesterday that cause my Eczema to trigger again.. = ( So till then~~
By the way, did i mention that some of Clarins products are Fragrance Free and almost all are Allergy Tested and Non-comedogenic..
Now, i feel even happier when buying their products, as i'm not only paying for their good products, i'm also enjoying their wonderful friendly customer service! = )

Skin Care Products: Good Service from Clarins

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Skin Care | Which skin type do you belong?

When you are choosing skin care products, have you ever wonder which cleanser or moisturezer you should pick?

If you know your skin type, choosing the right products will be a breeze for you, and not only that, applying the right effective products, will keep your skin looking radiant, healthier and younger looking!

There are 5 types of skin : Normal Skin, Dry Skin, Oily Skin, Combination Skin and Sensitive Skin.

Normal Skin:
The
clear skin is soft, supple and smooth. with fine even texture. It has a nice glow and never feels oily or dry. It is moist with proper balance of oil and moisture. It has no spots and blemishes. Skin pores are barely visible and fine and reflects good health. Normal skin has no problem of acne but have occasional pimples, which occur before menstruation in women. No matter how wonderful the skin is, neglecting it can lead to early signs of aging and wrinkling.

Dry Skin:
This type of skin has a fine texture and is transparent looking. Dry skin is unable to retain moisture and even produces insufficient amount of sebum by its sebaceous glands. It requires constant protection as is prone to wrinkles and lines. It feels tight and drawn without moisturizer and tends to have fine lines around the eyes and mouth. It feels especially dry after washing and may have whiteheads around the eyes and dry patches. The skin looks dull mostly around eyes and on cheeks with expression lines around the corners of the mouth. Dry skin ages faster than normal and oily skin.

Oily Skin:
Oily skin is result of over secretion of sebum which makers skin surface oily. It is prone to white heads, black heads, pimples and spots. This skin attracts dirt and dust from the environment and is never clear. It needs to be cleaned thoroughly after every few hours. Oily skin has enlarged pores and looks thick and dull colored. The biggest advantage of oily skin is that it ages at much slower rate than other kind of skin type.

Combination Skin:
This type of skin is oily in the T zone and the rest of the face is dry. The
T zone is the forehead, nose and chin.
This kind of skin needs different kinds of treatments for different zones, as dry zone needs high moisturizing and oily portion requires heavy cleaning.

Sensitive Skin:
Sensitive skin is usually oily and has a course texture and is subject to acne. It has large pores, blackheads, red blotches and may become more irritated under stress. With changes in climate, the skin sensitivity reacts differently and is prone to some of the major allergies.If the problem is serious it will require the assistance of a
skin care dermatologist.

The most common irritants that affect the human skin are detergents, environmental facts like wind, rain, cold, heat and sun. The word atopic and eczema dermatitis are used for sensitive skin in medical language. Those with sensitive skin should avoid trying new skin products or cosmetics. Treat your skin gently and use hypoallergenic products.


Skin Care: Which Skin type do you belong?

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Beauty Care | Twinkle Wrinkles

Twinkle Wrinkles little lines...Learn to beat those lines of wisdom with good Beauty Care.

I had such difficulty typing this entry now, cause I fell down while alighting the bus yesterday...

My whole body is aching like hell now, lots of blue black and when I type, I can’t even rest my elbow and palm (the wounds are all over) on the table and use the mouse properly. But still, I’m feeling lucky, coz it might have been more serious, with my head or chin hitting the curb... then you won’t even see this entry... hahaha... ;p

Life is a Gift, Is great to be Alive!!!

Ok, now let’s get to the topic of today! One of the greatest enemies of woman is ----- "Wrinkles"!!

Why do Wrinkles form?
Ageing is the most obvious cause of wrinkles. As we get older, our cells take longer to regenerate and so our dermis (the inner skin) starts to become thinner. With age, we also produce less collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid, natural substances that give our skin the structure, stretch, volume and bounce it needs to remain youthful. But that's not all. The skin's ability to hold moisture diminishes. The skin becomes dry and scaly, loses its elasticity, sags and forms furrows and wrinkles.

How are Wrinkles forms?
Persistent small muscle contractions, which happen when our faces form expressions, cause wrinkles and expression lines to form. Of course, the older we get, the more deeply ingrained in our skin these lines are. Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun (photoageing) is also a big cause of premature ageing! Cigarette smoke and pollution also hasten the ageing process by producing free radicals which attack the skin. Rapid weight loss is also a cause of wrinkles as the volume of fat cells that cushion the face is drastically reduced. This causes the skin to sag.

Wrinkle Prevention
- Researchers have found that many dietary factors can play a role in aging of the skin. It is highly recommended that you include antioxidants in your diet, such as vitamin C, A, D, E, and beta carotene.
- It is advisable to use sunscreen creams with SPF 15 or higher when you are out in the sun.
- Drink 2 litres of water a day; this water intake is also helpful in eliminating toxins through urine, rather than through skin pores.
- Do not smoke and moderate your alcohol intake
- Avoid stress and learn to relax- Eat a healthy diet


Beauty Care: Twinkle Wrinkles

Friday, October 17, 2008

Spider Veins & Telangiectasia

I came across an article about Spider Veins and Telangiectasia, which is a common problem among women.

I used to think that spider veins are caused only by prolong standing or tends to happens more to pregnant women, but it seems that there are more factors then i thought.

Spider Veins
They are small unsightly clusters of pink and purple thread like veins that lie near the surface of the skin. It is caused by blood pooling from excess pressure. They are commonly found in the leg but can also appear in the face and other parts of the body.

Causes of Spider Veins
* Heriditary , Some people are born with a weaker set of veins and this can be inherited in the family. These weak veins will enlarge to form spider veins when subjected to pressure.

* Pregnancy, Due to surging hormones, larger blood volume and pressure from an enlarging uterus all contribute to enlargement of leg veins. Usually within three months after pregnancy these veins will start to dissappear.

* Prolonged standing and sitting exert pressure on the leg veins as gravitational forces encourage blood to stay in the leg.

* Tight clothing can cause constriction around the waist and leg and impede blood circulation. High heel shoes restrict calf muscle function and circulation.

Telangiectasia
They are mainly found on the nose and cheeks, these vessels can be reddish if they are short and close to the surface or bluish for the deeper ones. These facial "broken" capillaries are the result of damage to the vessel walls caused by sun exposure, excessive heat and chronic inflammation such as rosacea. Genes are play a part.

How to prevent it
* Alcohol may weaken the capillaries, so drink less.

* Lack of Vitamins C & E cause capillaries to deteriorate.
Make sure your diet includes lots of bio-flavonoids found in brightly coloured fruits and vegetables like citrus peels, peppers, blackcurrant and cherries. Bio-flavonoids work with vitamin C to protect and preserve capillaries.



Friday, October 3, 2008

Skin Care | Eczema Treatment 3

Thus post is a follow up on my previous on Eczema Treatment.

Today is the 7th day of medicine free, and tiny rashes start to develop on my hands n legs, is like an army of ants crawling all over, i can only apply medicine and lots of moisturezer to stop the itchyness...

On my 5th day, i was so worried as i woke up with lots of tiny little pimples all over my nose and forehead area, i couldn't tell whether is it Eczema or pimples outbreak due to poor removal of makeup (currently i can't use my makeup oil remover).. .

Ok, now you must be wondering how come i apply makeup when doc ask me to keep a "clean face". I must confess aside from the ICM aqueous cream (a kind of emoillent cream for the face)dat doc told me to apply religiously day and night, i've been secretly applying skincare for my eye area every night and eye makeup and light loose powder on my nose and cheek during the day to work. ;p

Ok... Ok... i know i don't deserve any pity for the outbreak, but my eye area was starting to feel tight after a few days of no skincare, the tightness was uncomfortable 18hrs a day, to a point that i can feel my skin stretch when i smile, it was very uncomfortable, and i can't possible go out "naked face".

Anyway, now i'm using my mildest skincare for the eye area, so i dun cause too much irritation.
These past 2 days i'm also using "Avene Extremly gentle cleanser makeup removal", it is paraben and fragrance free so is suitable for atopic skin condition like mine,
(You may view this link on their list of products. http://www.avene.com.au/products/)
and i've been applying the cream medicine from National Skin Centre, so now the little pimples are all gone.

I came across and article on line by Dr Sundardas DA Natural Therapies Centre (Singapore)
about Causes of Weight Gain According to Mainstream Medicine : (i think the steriod medicine they mention, could be the one i'm taking for my Eczema. = ( )

Hypothyroidism: Affects mostly women where the thyroid gland, found at the bottom of the neck, isn't making enough thyroid hormone. "Hypothyroidism slows the metabolic rate. It can also cause fatigue, and sometimes when people are tired, they think if they have something to eat, they might feel better," says Lorraine Watson, associate professor in the faculty of nursing at the University of Calgary and a weight management expert.

Polycystic ovary syndrome
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal imbalance that is associated with cysts, or sacs filled with fluid, in the ovaries, affecting women mostly during their childbearing years. While it can complicate ovulation; it is also associated with weight gain and associated with insulin resistance and thus Type 2 diabetes.

Cushing's syndrome
Also known as hypercortisolism, this rare condition means there is too much of the hormone cortisol in the adrenal glands. Cortisol normally helps regulate blood pressure and metabolism. While both children and adults can develop hypercortisolism, it's more common in women aged 25 to 45 years.

Oral contraceptives
This medication combine two hormones - progestin and estrogen - and together they prevent ovulation with an almost 99 per cent effectiveness rate. While they're generally used to prevent pregnancies, they are also prescribed for conditions such as severe acne or to regulate heavy or irregular periods that come with conditions such as endometriosis.

Steroids
Not to be confused with anabolic steroids (the kind weight lifters and athletes take), corticosteroids, the kind you inject or swallow, are used for conditions to generally lessen any painful inflammation. Steroids can make one very hungry, making one pack on the pounds. Catabolic steroids, such as prednisone gives the impression the body is burning itself up and wants to replenish itself of more energy through food.

Anti depressants
Prescribed antidepressants alter the chemicals in our brain to relieve symptoms of depression (includes decreased energy, insomnia, irritability, etc). There are different generations of antidepressants, and the newest - selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) - reportedly are more effective at treating depression, but they come with side-effects such as weight gain.


If you have miss out on the previous post of this topic, here's the link for your reading pleasure.

Skin Care Eczema Treatment 1
Skin Care Eczema Treatment 2
Skin Care Eczema Treatment 3

Monday, September 29, 2008

Skin Care | Eczema Treatment 2

Omigosh!!!! Help!! Help!! Think i spoke too soon yesterday, this morning, while bathing, i notice my chest area start to have peeling skin n getting slightly dry again!! Eczema! Eczema!
No wonder is itchy the whole night, i hope i didn’t scratch it when i was in dreamland.. = s

Today marked the 3rd day of medicine free, i can only hope and pray that the flareups won’t reoccur.. and the slightly dry flaky skin will go away soon... **shoo.. shoo**


In the mean time, i have to watch my diet very carefully...

I’ve notice that many people doesn’t know what Eczema is, except for those who suffer from them... so let me explain...

First thing first before i begin, i need to highlight, it is NOT CONTAGIOUS, though the appearance of the ugly rashes might mislead others into believing that it is some kind of skin disease...

Eczema aka Atopic Dermatitis
Atopic Dermatitis or eczema is an itchy, dry hypersensitive skin disorder affecting many people. It is common in children but can occur at any age. It is not infectious or contagious. The exact cause of atopic eczema is still unknown. It may be hereditary. The patient or some family members may have other hypersensitive conditions like asthma or hay fever. The rash may appear red, wet and weepy or dry, thickened and scaly. Scratching often aggravates the rash. The skin thickens and becomes darker. It is a chronic condition. It can affect any part of the body, particularly the elbow bends, back of the knees and the neck.
Sadly, currently, there is no cure for Eczema, it can only be control by medication and a change of lifestyle.

Helpful Skin Care Tips for Eczema flareups :
See your dermatologist. Try to relieve itching by eliminating these aggravating factors:
-Emotional upsets. (Try to think positive and maintain a happy mood.)
-Rapid changes of temperatures, strenuous exercise and hot weather.
-Rough, scratchy, tight & woolen clothings. Wear light, smooth, soft, non-binding clothing.
-Use mild detergents for your clothes and rinse the clothes thoroughly during washing.
-Do not increase the skin’s dryness by having long showers, bathe using luke warm water (not hot), Use mild soaps or ‘soap-free” soaps or try to use cleanser that are fragrance-free and non-comedogenic. Towel dry using gentle patting motion on your body, try not to rub or scratch.
- Apply emollient cream or moisturizer for sensitive dry skin immediately after bath,
- When the itching is severe, try to relieve it by dabbing or applying cloths soaked in iced water.
- Avoid shell type seafood and all types of nuts.
- take up some indoor hobbies, so it can be a source of distraction from the itchiness.

In the mean time, my quest and research for a healthier ME to fight Eczema goes on... ;p


If you have miss out on the 1st part of this post, here the link for your reading pleasure

Skin Care Eczema Treatment 1
Skin Care Eczema Treatment 2
Skin Care Eczema Treatment 3

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Skin Care | Eczema Treatment 1

I just learnt that the first thing we should do when we set up a blog is to self introduce and say a big "HELLOo" to the blogging world and welcome to Womens Health Beauty Care! On my first post, i would like to touch on women's skin care. It will be a interesting topic as it is based on my own experience on a skin problem that i have developed recently. So make yourself a cup of coffee and read on.

Another celebration to call for is, today is my 2nd day of being medicine free, and no flare ups! = )
I've been suffering from Eczema for the past 4months, it was the most down and traumatic period of my life..

The Eczema was all over my body and face. I always feel people are staring at me due to the ugly stinging red scaly marks on my face and body, and thoughts like "Is it contagious?", is running thru their mind..

During this period, i was very short temper, and negative, partly also because i suspect i might have paget's disease (a women's disease that can lead to breast cancer) as some of the symptoms are similar to what i was having... this has make me realise how important skin care really is.

After seeing countless GPs, i went to National Skin Centre (NSC) for consultation, and was assured that it was not paget and was under going steroid medication for 3 weeks, and there has been many changes to my lifestyle ever since..

I've even start to eat healthier, more veges n fruits daily for me.. (previously i only eat meat), i start to take note of what i put into my mouth.. reading the ingredients label and nutrients level on every packet has become a basic routine for me, as doctor has warned me not to take seafoods and nuts for the time being.

Sometimes i feel this Eczema could be a good thing, it could be God's way of tapping me on the shoulder to inform me that I'm not living a healthier enough life.. I've also feel grateful to have my family support and my bf is always there to encourage me, and remind me that I'm pretty, even though i know I'm not.. it makes me appreciate life even more now.. The only down side is, til now i still can't do my daily skincare routine, and no makeup for me for the time being til my next appointment at NSC.. Just have to keep my fingers cross and hope that my face will not be too dehydrated and develop wrinkles.. ;p

If you have Eczema before, feel free to reply my post, we can exchange experiences and remedies..
In the mean time, my research for ways to improve health and beauty goes on....

Skin Care Eczema Treatment 1
Skin Care Eczema Treatment 2

Skin Care Eczema Treatment 3