Yesterday one of my older client's told me she didn't appreciate her good looks when she was young...her nose was too big, her lips too thin, etc... In her eyes there was always something to improve. What a waste she said... Embrace your beauty now and ALWAYS...
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Scientific research suggests that elevated levels of estrogen and progesterone can result in an increased growth of yeast in the body. Yeast is primarily housed in the digestive tract and may be culpable for as many as 30 percent of the acne cases seen on an annual basis. We can also increase yeast levels by eating sugar, which provides yeast populations with fodder to propagate. This propagation can then lead to imbalances in flora (healthy bacteria) that line our digestive tracts. This, in turn, allows for further yeast overgrowth.
The most common yeast population among Americans (relevant because of diet) is called Candida albicans, commonly referred to as Candida. Candida in associated with vaginal yeast infections and thrush. It may be a surprise but yeast infections originate in the intestine. When Candida levels fall out of balance, the yeast emits toxins that travel through the body via the body (via the blood stream) and result in a variety of physiological imbalances. If left unchecked, toxic yeast may rise up and disturb hormone production, impair immune function, and generally wreak havoc on many organs with the skin being the common victim. The use of antibiotics to treat acne (used to counteract the bacteria that feed of the sebum in the skin) can cause an additional suppression of the immune system plus negatively affect digestive health which will inevitability exacerbate the development of acne. In my opinion, the colon and its related toxin build up is the primary source of acne. Suffice it to say that acne could be greatly reduce to changes in one's diet, colonics and detoxes (do your research and consult your physician as appropriate). You may not know this...not all wrinkles are created equal. While wrinkles from sundamage and intrinsic aging can be improved, those from a process known as glycation cannot.
It is less widely known that blood sugar has an important bearing on the aging process. Unfortunately, in addition to being a vital cellular fuel, glucose is also a substance that can cause damage to cells and tissues by randomly reacting with proteins, DNA and other vital molecules. In the process called non-enzymatic glycosylation or glycation, glucose molecules attach themselves to proteins, setting in motion a chain of chemical reactions that ends in the proteins binding together or crosslinking, thus altering their biological and structural roles. The process is slow but increases with time. Advanced Glycosylation End products (AGEs), is the term given to Crosslinks of proteins like collagen and elastin, which seem to toughen tissues and may cause some of the deterioration associated with aging. AGEs have been linked to stiffening connective tissue (collagen), hardened arteries, clouded eyes, loss of nerve function, and less efficient kidneys. These are deficiencies that often accompany aging. AGEs exert their harmful effects on two levels. Most obviously, they physically impair protein, DNA and lipids, altering their chemical properties. They also act as cellular signals, triggering a cascade of destructive events when they attach to their cellular binding sites. The main binding site for AGEs is appropriately called RAGE (receptor for AGEs). The binding of AGEs to RAGE induces cellular activation and intracellular oxidative stress, AGE binding to RAGE tends to be self-amplifying, since the more AGEs bind to RAGE, the more RAGE binding sites develop. This creates a "positive feedback loop" leading to spreading waves of cellular activation and tissue damage. One happy finding is that the body has its own defense system against crosslinking. Just as it has anti-oxidants to fight free-radical damage, it has other guardians, immune system cells called macrophages, that combat glycation. Macrophages with special receptors for AGEs seek them out, engulf them, break them down, and eject them into the blood stream where they are filtered out by the kidneys and eliminated in urine. The only apparent drawback to this defense system is that it is not complete and levels of AGEs increase steadily with age. One reason is that kidney function tends to decline with advancing age. Is there an answer to glycation? Treatment is best started with prevention by diet control, reducing total calories, avoiding high sugar foods and not cooking at high temperatures. Supplements such as aminoguanidine, pyridoxamine, carnosine and benfotiamine are excellent glycation preventors. Carnosine levels decline with age, and now that many people are cutting down on meat - the main dietary source of carnosine - supplementation becomes expecially important. Expect to see carnosine in the 'new generation' of actives of the future. References: Beautymag Online, Glycosylation and the Ageing Process Peter T. Pugliese, MD, April 14, 2008, from the April 2008 issue of Skin Inc. magazine. Q - Is there a difference between fragrance and essential oils? A - Yes, Fragrances are routinely toxic, while essential oils usually have a neutral effect on the skin. Some essential oils are irritating, but some can provide health benefits. On labels you may see "fragrance: essential oils" or something similar. __________________________________________________ Q - What are the top 10 ingredients to avoid when buying skincare products? A - Parabens Chemicals sunscreens Propylene glycol Retinoic acid Glycolic acid Benzoyl peroxide Hydrogen peroxide Artificial colors Artificial fragrance ___________________________________________________ Q - What can worsen the effects of sun exposure? A - Smoking, drinking, copious food intake, exfoliating, over-cleaning, sun-enhancing oils, and the use of too much topical oil in general. ____________________________________________________ Q - Is lactic acid bad? A - Not at doses of less than 5 percent. Lactic acid is the only AHA recognized by the skin. Our muscles make it along with other cells, and it is frequently deposited in the skin. In fact, it is a natural moisturizer. Like so many ingredients, the best result come from small doses. When used daily at concentrations above 5 percent, it starts to burn the skin, triggers exfoliation, and promotes skin starvation just like glycolic acid. by Dr. Ben Johnson
The only reason our skin breaks down collagen is because the collagen is damaged and must be disposed of. The skin identifies bad, or damaged, collagen, and it knows when and how to digest this collagen while preserving the surrounding tissues. Collagen removal is a good because it disposes of unhealthy matter. Unhealthy or damaged collagen collapses which makes the skin appear older. However, if we stop at that conclusion we never understand why our collagen is damaged in the first place. This is where we have to reconsider the adage that beauty is only skin deep... If we want to stall skin breakdown (aging) we have to stall collagen breakdown. We have to stop collagen breakdown BEFORE it starts. Healthy nutrition can help (kale, fish, avocados, blueberries, etc...). So can avoiding inflammation (chemical peels, Retin-A, ablative lasers, AHAs, etc...). We can also add collagen peptides or collagen powders to aid with skin moisture and elasticity. One major study showed that older women improved their skin moisture and elasticityThey also reduced skin dryness by taking 2.5-5.0 grams of collagen protein powder per day. This double-blind, placebo-controlled study also found no side effects. The study’s results suggest collagen for skin tightening and anti-aging works wonders. This finding is not shocking. Older women experience lower collagen production. Naturally, this leads to loose skin and the formation of wrinkles. Hydrolyzed collagen peptides can keep your skin looking new while feeling firm. One study suggests that oral supplementation is more effective than topical creams. Retinoic acid is a popular for its purported anti-aging properties, but here we see a major disconnect: Retinoic acid increases damage to collagen by affecting the epidermal barrier. Then it reduces the skin's ability to fix that collagen. This likely explains the main reason retinoic acid has been such a disappointment. Another naturally occurring substance, ceramides, which are lipids the skin produces to protect its outer layers. Generally, ceramides are a good thing, so it's not outrageous that skincare manufacturers have seized upon them to promote skin products. However ceramides figure into the skin's secondary feedback loop. If you add a ceramide moisturizer to the epidermis, the skin registers those additional ceramides and slows down the epidermal rate specifically in response to a confusing signal from their introduction into the skin. The resulting artificially slowed exfoliation cycle likely only adds to the frustration with the skin's function and appearance rather than protecting and rejuvenating the skin, as so much marketing propaganda will promise. Instead of adding retinoic acid or ceramides to the skin, we should use ingredients along the lines or retinaldehyde in our skin care products. Retinaldehyde prompts the skin to begin a chemical conversion to create its own retinoic acid. The skin only modifies what it needs of the retinaldehyde molecules, which prevents it from becoming irritated or damaged by excess retinoic acid. What the skin doesn't need, it stores so that an integrated balance of naturally occurring chemicals can work in harmony in the skin. Compare this to slathering on a dollop of Retin-A cream. Only a small percentage of the critical ingredients ever reach the target areas of the dermis. The rest build up in the epidermis, creating fodder for oxidation and skin irritation. Common Skin Questions and Answers
Q - What causes melasma? A - The exact cause is unknown, however research links the causes to liver or yeast related issues. Such as, when hormone levels rise in pregnant woman, those who are on hormone replacement therapy, and those who take birth-control pills. It is known fact that elevated estrogen and progesterone can lead to overgrowth of candida and other fungi. Based on the fungal looking pattern melasma has on the skin, the likelihood that increased hormones fuel yeast growth in the body, and the fact that the skin often maintains melasma even after the hormone imbalance has been removed, it is reasonable to assume there is a correlation. A few ways to help combat melasma; anti-fungals and liver cleanses for those who have suffered damage from hormonal supplementation. (Always consult your physician.) __________________________________________________ Q - What is beneficial about putting caviar on the skin? A - Nothing, really. There may be some minerals that can be utilized but, for the most part, there is a mild plumping effect and not much else. ___________________________________________________ Q - Why is my skin dry? A - Americans are about 20 percent dehydrated normally, so it will help to address that problem first. Secondly, the skin cannot hold onto water well if you over-cleanse your face or use exfoliants or exfoliating devices. Essentially, anything that removes parts of your protective barrier is going to allow the loss of hydration to occur. ____________________________________________________ Q - Can anything that makes wrinkles disappear in five minutes be good? A - Not really. Perhaps there is a temporary plumping which may be nice for an evening out. Egg proteins are an example of a topical that tightens the skin but does not trigger inflammation. Most other plumpers work primarily by creating an inflammatory event in your skin that makes the lines appear diminished. This can be done with a variety of ingredients: glycolic acid and L-ascorbic (vitamin C) are two commonly used options. If it works that fast it is not rejuvenating the skin. If you use plumpers don't spend too much money because they are not worth the money. by Dr. Ben Johnson It is often noticed that after menopause women begin to age faster. Wrinkles increase rapidly, akin quickly loses elasticity and smoothness. This seems to be a result from diminished levels of estrogen. Among the hormones whose levels decline with age, estrogens have the most dramatic effect in the skin. Estrogens are known to protect women from heart disease, and now it seems that they also slow down skin aging. Several studies indicate that postmenopausal woman on estrogen replacement therapy develop less wrinkles, better skin texture |
Welcome...to dermagrace cosmetic rejuvenation blog and information center. If you're looking for dramatic and long lasting skin improvements…look no further. My goal is to provide the most authoritative skin care protocols, research and articles. Everyday I search for relevant and reliable information. I look forward to any comments or questions. Archives
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