How Looking for the Right Facial Cleanser Is Like Dating

Since I was teenager I realized that choosing the right facial cleanser is quite a challenge. It’s almost like dating until you find the right partner. You date some for a few days only to find out they flake out at the last minute. Some you date for a few weeks and just before you think you can call it a steady arrangement, you suddenly get a zit and find it’s been doing more harm than good.

You can try your luck as much as you want with the different brands out there in the market and cast your net wide but it still boils down to one thing: You’ve got to know what you want for yourself—your skin has needs and problems only a few can adjust to. So the next time you’re shopping for the right cleanser, keep the following things in mind.

#1 Stick to a good standard
It is easy to get distracted with the boisterous claims different cleansers have on their labels. Amid those huffing and puffing alpha brands, choose the one which has all the basics dermatologists would approve of. An ideal facial cleanser is hypoallergenic, unscented, void of any artificial colors, clinically proven to cleanse without causing damage, contains no parabens, and is preferably made with organically sourced ingredients.

#2 Avoid getting too harsh
Recently, some cleansers have tapped into our fear of bacteria living in our pores and thus, justifies why they’re upping your facial wash game with antibiotics. But according to dermatologists, using cleansers with antibacterial properties might just harm your skin because the harmful bacteria on your skin will eventually become resistant to the antibacterial properties of your cleanser over time. Only those with serious skin problems should use these kinds of soaps prescribed by their attending dermatologist.

#3 Look for the gentle touch
Antibacterial soaps aren’t the only culprits because even commonplace ingredients in the beauty world such as kojic acid and papaya extract aren’t necessarily always good for your skin. Your facial wash should only have mild ingredients and the least amount of preservatives possible to maintain or restore your skin’s natural balance.

#4 When it’s right, it’s for the long haul
Once you’ve found the cleanser that fits the descriptions we’ve given above, you should be set for a long time. The qualities of a good cleanser apply whether you have oily, dry, or combination skin. Changing cleansers frequently will cause more problems and introduce more substances that your skin might not agree with. Hence, choose a cleanser that’s mild enough for dry skin but effective in removing excess oil and dirt like Savonneux.

Savonneux is a facial foam cleanser that can remove makeup and excess oil and dirt without using harmful chemicals or parabens. Its mild formulation is good for all skin types and when used at least twice daily will leave skin instantly refreshed and revitalized. Even if you have changing needs, Savonneux is the type of cleanser that will still be able to adjust to your problems and bring back your skin to its natural and healthy state.

Savonneux Liquid Cleanser. Available in David’s Salon, Bench Pcx and Spirae Derm Store, G/F Glorietta 3. May also be purchased online via spiraederm.com, Zalora, and Lazada.

source: preen.inquirer.net

How Can You Preserve Your Skin’s Elasticity As You Grow Older?

As we age, fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging slowly catch up on us. Try as we might to avoid them  with moisturizers and other skincare products, we tend to forget that these problems aren’t just rooted in dehydration or too much sun exposure. These are all related to a very important quality in your skin: elasticity.

Skin elasticity refers to two things according to dermatologist Dr. Michael Chua of Imperial Derm Clinic. “Scientifically and literally, skin elasticity refers to the skin’s ability to ‘bounce’ back to its normal form upon mechanical stretching. Cosmetically though, it refers to the sagging of the skin.”

Either way, your skin’s ability to retain its tight and youthful appearance declines and gives rise to dryness and unwanted lines and blemishes. This is normal because  Dr. Michael tells us that there are two major factors of decreased skin elasticity. One of them is intrinsic and normal aging. The other is the one that causes real issues: “Photoaging or aging because of external factors, like excessive sun exposure, chemicals, and smoking, [can speed up the process of sagging skin],” shares Dr. Michael. And this can be the real culprit since some of us aren’t aware of it even if the smallest changes in our routine can reverse the damage.

Here are five ways you can preserve your skin’s elasticity.

#1 Get a head’s start
If you’re still in your 20’s and thinking that you shouldn’t be concerned about this just yet, think again. Dr. Michael tells us that you should start preserving your skin’s elasticity as early as possible. “Skin changes begin to happen in your 20’s and drastically [change further] in your 30’s so this is the best time to start becoming conscious. Prevention is key.”

#2 Be wary when the sun is out
One basic and easy way to prevent skin aging and decreased elasticity is upping your sunblock application.”Not applying sunblock while getting exposed to the sun is still the biggest mistake [people make],” shares Dr. Michael. Another mistake is how we aren’t aware of how some of the  ingredients in our your makeup products can have bad effects on our skin. “Using cosmetic products like makeup with a lot of preservatives and harmful chemicals is also a culprit,” he notes.

#3 Know what’s good for you
“When looking for anti-aging products, always look for ingredients like tretinoin or retinol, alpha hydroxyacids like glycolic acic, citric acid, lactic acid, and malic acid,” Dr. Michael tells us. He also makes note of other key ingredients to watch out for in our skincare routines: “Antioxidants like Vitamins A, C, and E are also important.”

#4 Eat right
It is not enough that you load up on essential vitamins and minerals your skincare products; you have to make sure you are consuming them through the food you eat. Dr. Michael reminds us that  “foods that are rich in antioxidants like the usual fruits and vegetables are beneficial.”

#5 Try trusted treatment
If you feel that it’s too late for you in terms of saving your skin’s elasticity, there’s still hope. Dr. Michael advises how there are several different procedures out there that can improve sagging skin. “There are procedures such as lasers, and machines that use radiofrequency, ultrasound and infrared to tighten the skin.” One new procedure you can try is Thermilift from Belo Medical Group which uses injectable radiofrequency to target sagging skin on a deeper level for long-lasting effects. Many more are available out there, all catering to different needs. Just make sure that they are performed by a board-certified skin specialist.

Photo courtesy of Glass Magazine

source: preen.inquirer.net

Dermatologists boost Skin Safety Campaign, warn about ‘beauty experts’

The largest and most visible organ of the body—the skin—remains the most overlooked area in terms of proper education despite the popularity of aesthetic and anti-aging treatments.

The growing number of skin complications caused by procedures performed by unqualified individuals fueled the Philippine Dermatological Society (PDS) to start a Skin Safety Campaign in 2008. Today, positioning itself as the DermAuthority, the organization has expanded its platforms and now uses social media to educate Filipinos about proper skin care and safe and effective treatments for skin, hair, and nail conditions in order to prevent damaging consequences of misinformation.

Uncertified 'experts'

One of the issues raised at a media briefing with PDS in Mandaluyong on Monday was the serious problem of uncertified clinics performing cosmetic and skin treatment procedures.

Furthermore, the organization also warned the public to be mindful about heavily promoted products on TV that promise to address skin issues in a short span of time.

PDS president Dr. Rosalina Nadela reminded the public to consult only eligible dermatologists for skin care and skin diseases.

Licensed dermatologists have undergone three years of training at a hospital or institution approved by the PDS, which prides itself as the only specialty society in dermatology recognized by the Philippine Medical Association. It currently has 11 accredited dermatology training institutions:

1. Philippine General Hospital – UP Manila
2. Skin & Cancer Foundation, Inc.
3. Research Institute for Tropical Medicine
4. East Avenue Medical Center
5. Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center
6. Makati Medical Center
7. Ospital ng Maynila Medical Center
8. Southern Philippines Medical Center
9. St. Luke’s Medical Center
10. Sto. Tomas University Hospital
11. University of the East – Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center

PDS awards the Skin Safety Campaign door decal and the Seal of Excellence to certified dermatologists whose names can be found on their official website.




 App

 One of the developments in the organization’s awareness efforts is the PDS Skin Care App, which is downloadable from iTunes for free. A directory of certified dermatologists and clinics, it also features information about PDS such as its organizational structure and contact details.

A handbook on dermocosmetics

Another product launched by the society at the event is a handbook on acne.

According to the group's data, the 2013 prevalence rate of acne vulgaris was 17 percent.

“Acne is the most common skin condition requiring consultation in the 11 PDS-accredited dermatology training institutions in the country,” said Nadela.

“A Guide on Dermocosmetics in Acne,” distributed to dermatologists and general practitioners for free, contains information about the role of dermocosmetics in acne management, from the nature of ingredients to their mode of action.

However, it is important to note that dermocosmetics is not a primary treatment for acne.

“When used as adjuncts to standard or conventional acne treatment, dermocosmetics may provide a synergistic effect or minimize the side effects of acne therapy and aesthetic problems associated with acne,” said Dr. Ma. Purita Paz-Lao, chair of the handbook's editorial board.

Dermocosmetics include cleansers, topical sebum-controlling agents, corneolytics, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agents, moisturizers, photoprotectives and camouflage make-up.

These products cannot treat acne alone, but with the evidence-based effectiveness of the ingredients, they can help mitigate unwarranted effects of traditional treatment options such as redness and drying and encourage treatment compliance among patients.

Basic skin care is inexpensive

Aside from consulting a certified dermatologist, PDS encourages people to cultivate the following habits for better skin health:

Use correct sun protection. Apply sunscreen and re-apply every 2-3 hours especially when doing outdoor activities. To mitigate the harmful effects of the sun’s rays, one should also wear protective clothing and hats and use umbrellas.

Be gentle with your skin. It is not recommended to scrub skin with bath towels and sponges. Instead, use mild soaps and cleansers with no perfumes to prevent irritation and allergy. Dryness of the skin, as well as itching and redness, may result from using products with alcohols.

“Less is more in taking care of the skin.” PDS stresses that allergy and irritation are more likely to develop when you are using a lot of skin care products.

Don’t ignore the importance of a balanced diet. The food a person eats affects the quality of his skin. Eat a diet that includes the right proportions of proteins, carbohydrates, fats and fiber.Furthermore, drink at least eight glasses of water a day to help eliminate toxins that may cause dullness of the skin. — BM, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com

 

Sugaring: A 'sweeter' way to remove hair

Ouch. Whoever said going Brazilian would not be painful is a liar.

Some methods of body hair removal—like the popular Brazilian wax—is like ripping hundreds of Band-Aids off your skin.

But now there's a gentler and more natural alternative for removing unwanted hair down there and everywhere else: sugaring.

Sugaring uses a sticky mixture of lemon juice, sugar, and water that is applied on the skin and then peeled off, taking hair with it.

According to the website of Barenaked Sugaring Salon, sugaring uses 100 percent natural and water-soluble sugar paste, unlike waxing, which uses waxes that contain resin and are difficult to remove, needing solvents and “much effort.”



Sugaring also uses "food-grade sugar," says Barenaked franchisee Tsin Pajaro-Inocian, whose salon is in Glorietta 5, Makati. "Usually what we do is we put it on a spoon and make our customers taste it. It has no chemicals.

"Second, our technique is different. Waxing removes hair in the opposite direction, unlike  sugaring where we make sure to remove hair towards the natural direction of the hair. So we have less breakage, therefore less ingrown hair. It's less painful because we put less stress on the hair when we remove it."

Sensitive parts

In a bikini hair removal treatment, the attendants clean up just the sides and top of one’s bikini line or anything that would show while wearing a bathing suit.

A Brazilian is the removal of all hair around one’s private parts. After getting a Brazilian sugaring service, "you will notice that you smell better, you don't sweat as much," says Inocian.

"I think the reason why girls get this [type of treatment] is because when they have their period then there's no hair na kinakapitan ng blood and you smell so much better," she says. "You feel so clean kasi sugar is naturally anti-bacterial."

Inocian explains that Brazilian sugaring is especially painful for first-timers especially as the skin around one’s private parts is very sensitive.

Dimple, a salon attendant, says that some of their clients make angry noises or even push her away while she's removing unwanted hair.

However, once they see the results, the pleased clients just smile, Dimple says.

Sugaring 101

Barenaked, which is owned by sisters Ces and Emalaine Garcia, who studied sugaring in the US, also advises clients to avoid these for a few hours after a sugaring session:
Perfumes, scented creams/lotions, and deodorant (for those who had their underarms sugared)
Heat (hot baths/steam rooms/sauna)
Direct sunlight
Perspiration
Touching freshly sugared area with dirty hands, and
Wearing tight or restrictive clothing.

The salon also urges its clients not to be alarmed when they experience skin spotting (tiny red spots), which is quite normal after a treatment and which should soon disappear. And to lessen the sting and reduce redness on sensitive skin, clients must apply an ice cold compress for about two to three minutes at a time, two to three times a day.

In between sugaring treatments, clients must exfoliate gently with water-based lotions to prevent breakouts and ingrown hairs, and to keep their skin hydrated in between treatments.

Pros and cons of various hair removal methods

Before deciding to avail of a sugaring hair removal treatment, you may want to compare it with other types of hair removal:

The website ph.ShoppingLifestyle.com lists the pros and cons of some hair removal methods, such as:

1. Shaving: A low-risk, inexpensive, convenient and popular method—not to mention a painless one, save for the occasional nick—that, while it does not cause hair to grow more quickly, will nevertheless mean you will have to deal with the hair growing back the next day.

2. Tweezing: Another inexpensive method that doesn't require the services of a professional, but can take up quite a bit of your time. For many people it can be quite painful as well. According to the site, hair regrowth will take two to three weeks.

3. Waxing: Waxing is quite affordable and will result in less hair growth, said the site, but some people may develop a reaction to the wax. Hair regrowth time is longer than if you tweezed: about three to eight weeks.

4. Chemical depilatories: Using chemicals to remove hair means less pain (for most people) and is quite inexpensive, but some people may develop skin irritations, said the site. Depilatories (the term used for the chemical products used to remove hair) can be gels, creams, lotions, sprays or even powders. Hair starts growing back about a week after the treatment.

5. Laser hair removal: This method is by far the most expensive way to remove hair, and results in either permanent or long-term hair removal. — BM, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com