Eyebrow Threading

Threading is a beauty treatment that used to be hard to find in salons. Now it is a staple treatment, and getting your ‘brows done is a standard lunchtime activity for many women. I’ve put together some facts about how threading compares to plucking and waxing, plus where to search for a qualified threader in your area.

Read the full article...

Here’s yet another condition that seems to be a license to print money for skincare companies. I once spent 4 weeks indoors in the height of summer as my acne was so bad so I feel really depressed at the time and money I wasted trying out all the magic solutions. However I eventually worked out what needed to be done, and so far everyone I have advised has seen a big difference.

First of all, you need to split your cure into two phases. First you need to heal up your skin, second you need to prevent further spots. If you try to do both at once it just won’t last.

So first, you need to dry up your skin as much as possible to stop the P acne bacteria feeding off your skin oil (gross!) Also, you need to heal up any broken skin as these keep getting reinfected. Now I always used to think that strong remedies such as 10% benzoyl peroxide were best because more = better. However I realised that you have to be incredibly gently with skin, even if you feel like taking a wire brush to it sometimes! Skin heals rapidly, and if you keep treating it harshly then it’ll start creating scar tissue and pockmarks.

So I stopped using moisturiser, kept skin wipes with me to wipe away any grease throughout the day and started using mineral foundation instead of greasy cosmetics. This is where I accidentally found out how good mineral foundation is for acne. Because it’s pure pigment it simply sits on the skin and does not clog the pores. Also, it absorbs grease too so there’s a double bonus. You just put it on with a blusher brush and maybe touch up once or twice a day if you have REALLY bad marks. You need to get a good quality one, not the so-called mineral makeup sold in the shops. The best (and for once the cheapest) I ever found is from www.mineralpuremakeup.com One pot lasts for 3 months and has great coverage.

I also used a low% salicylic acid gel at night to prevent any pores clogging up. The best one I found was the P8N8 sensitive skin serum along with the facial wash and toner, but they may be too pricey for some. So I’d say just buy something that has 2% salicylic acid and NO MOISTURISER to use at night.

So after a few weeks my skin had healed up nicely, but there were still some yucky spots that didn’t go away. These were pores that were infected internally, so they needed to have the infected stuff taken out. It’s important to learn how to pop zits properly, otherwise you leave behind the infected stuff and it creates another zits. First you need to clean your hands. Next just pop it as you normally would to get rid of the pus. Now here comes the important part; you need to get out the hard ‘plug’ of infected stuff that is creating more and more spots. So pinch the skin together a little bit and squeeze the BASE of the spot. It takes a little time but eventually you’ll get the hang of it. You’ll know if you did it correctly if you don’t get a spot the next day in the same place.

So after almost a year of this regime my skin had cleared up considerable, but I still had very dry skin as I was still not using a moisturiser. I slowly stopped using the skin wipes and started cutting down on the P8N8 serum. I just used a basic cleanser and slowly began using a little shea butter in the dryer patches. I sometimes get a few zits now and again (usually when I have eaten Poptarts for some reason) but the really bad acne has gone and the skin marks are all but faded.

I did try prescription remedies but since none of them address the problem (the bacteria and the clogged pores) they don’t cure the problem.

Read the full article...

As with losing weight, eczema is one of those conditions where there is a lot of money to be made by companies selling remedies and potions. Again, I think it’s important to do your research in a library and try everything to see what works for you.

My eczema disappeared when I was 17 as that is when I became a vegetarian, but in retrospect I think it wasn’t cutting out meat that stopped it but rather not being able to eat takeaway food anymore. The fats used in fast food are high in omega 6, which disrupts the balance and makes the skin break out.

I realised this when my eczema came back with a vengeance after my operation. It covered my arms and torso, and just plain did not respond to any creams. I found out two interesting things when I did a little research:

a) Cholesterol is what holds our skin cells together, so if the cholesterol in your body isn’t being converted into the ‘glue’ that holds the skin cells you can end up with high blood cholesterol levels AND very dry skin. Since dry skin cracks it’s not surprising eczema can arise, so a cholesterol test is a good idea.

b) Some types of moisturiser actually make things worse. The more expensive it is the worse it is for your skin. The ones that attract moisture to keep your skin looking smooth are actually drawing water OUT of your skin, and are especially drying if you have an air-conditioned office or home. So sticking with cocoa butter, shea butter, medical grade lanolin, Astral cream and very basic cold creams helped me a great deal. Aqueous cream is best used as a soap rather than a moisturiser.

So with a combination of cocoa and shea butter, low junk food intake (I was on the Pritikin diet) and taking a turmeric supplement to help the skin use the cholesterol properly (not sure if that worked but it made me feel better!) the eczema healed up and went away after about 4 months.

Read the full article...

Micropigmentation is also known as semi permanent or permanent makeup. It is similar to tattooing except the pigments are finer and are not inserted so deeply into the skin.

There are two methods used; machine and hand tool. Machines are well established and are a fast way of implanting the pigment. Hand tools are still pretty fast, and some micropigmentation artists feel they have more control with them. A well known brand is Softap.

Micropigmentation is often used for eyeliner, lip colour and eyebrows. Although the colour is long lasting, and even permanent for some, it will often require a touch up treatment to keep the colour fresh.

With lip colour it’s important to realise that the finished look will be matte, so you will need to apply balm or gloss if that’s the look you are after.

Never let cost be a deciding factor for this treatment. Ask to see a portfolio of previous treatments before parting with your money. If you want a cheaper treatment and you allow a student to practise on you remember that the results will probably not last very long if she/he is just starting out.

Read the full article...

Nail extensions involve sculpting and building upon your own nails to create a more esthetically pleasing version. This is done using several ‘systems’ such as acrylic, fiberglass or gel. Some are more hardwearing than others but the important thing to remember is to take care of your nail extensions between visits and not to assume they are harder than your normal nails.

Nail art has become more mainstream, especially the type that blends in with a traditional french manicure.

Remember that nail extensions mean you will have more germs under your nails than normal (a research paper was published on this recently) so be care to clean your hands well before eating.

Read the full article...

The traditional manicure or pedicure involves improving the appearance of the nails and surrounding skin. Manicures are a staple of most nail bars and there is no need to go into too much detail.

Pedicures come in several different categories though. It can be a simple footbath, scrub, buff and polish or it can be a more thorough removal of dead skin. If it is the latter then make sure to use a reputable salon as infections such as athletes foot can be spread easily if instruments are not sterilised. Also if the skin is cut then a verruca can develop.

If you have diabetes then avoid pedicures altogether.

Read the full article...

Ultrasonic or ultrasound therapy is used to good effect for aching muscles, back pain, stiffness and other ailments. The sound waves reach deep down into the body and increase blood flow where it is need, plus it stimulates the surrounding tissue.

Despite the simplicity of this treatment it is very effective for relaxation and as a natural pain reliever.

Read the full article...

Microcurrent (often called a CACI treatment after the most popular brand) is a more modern form of the old faradic current treatment. It involves tiny pulses of electricity to stimulate the muscles and skin. The muscles are toned and, hence, the appearance of the face or body improves.

Microcurrent is incredibly popular and yields the kind of results that are comparable with surgery. In fact it is often known as a non-surgical facelift. Although you do need to keep up the treatment, this can be done with home use machines such as Cleo if you cannot visit a salon regularly.

If you are feeling ‘jowly’ or want to lift your cheekbones then this is a highly recommended treament.

Read the full article...

Body wrapping is often touted as a ‘magic inch loss’ treatment. While it certainly does make you lose inches all over your body it is temporary and will not last more than a few days. Therefore it is best used sparingly for special occasions.

The treatment often uses mud or lotion all over the area to be wrapped, followed by firm elastic bandages. This squeezes the body into eliminating fluid, especially from the gut. Once the bandages and mud/lotion are removed you may sometimes have a final massage or body scrub to finish off.

Again, this is not a solution for everyday weight loss and should be kept for occasional use.

Read the full article...

Our body has two circulatory systems; blood and lymphatic.

We know about the blood system well, however the lymphatic system is just as extension and important, yet because it relies on muscle movement rather than the heart to pump fluid around it doesn’t have such a high profile.

You will have seen lymph form when you have squeezed a zit or had a skin infection. The clear fluid that appears is lymph, rushing to the site of injury.

There are lymph nodes situated around the body that clean up the lymph as it goes around you. That’s why you get hard lumps on your neck when you are very unwell, because the lymph nodes there are working overtime to get unwanted substances out of your body.

Sometimes lymph can stagnate in your body, such has collecting around your ankles or legs to give a heavy feeling. This is why it’s important to be fit and active. Occasionally you may find a lymphatic drainage treatment helpful to get things flowing again. This is not quite as relaxing as a body massage but it leaves you feeling invigorated. It can sometimes be hard to track down a therapist but since it is a useful treatment for certain cancer sufferers there is a network of experienced therapists out there.

Read the full article...