SKIN CARE

Sunless Tanning – A Brief Overview

Tanning is one of those things that you simply can’t go without nowadays if you want to look good. No matter how naturally handsome you are, or how hard you’ve been hitting the gym – darkening your skin by a few shades will always boost the effects of your appeal dramatically. A few decades ago however, scientists began to realize the dangers that the Sun’s UV rays hold for us.

You see, lying out on the beach under the bright Sun can do wonders for your looks, but it can also lead to many health complications in the long run – the most serious one being skin cancer. Also, everyone’s probably experienced the terrible effects of overestimating your tanning timing – being unable to fall asleep at night because you don’t know which side to turn to, the burning sensation even when putting on clothes – these can easily deter anyone from Sun tanning.

There’s a safer alternative to lying under the Sun – tanning booths – but those don’t really eliminate the health risks associated with UV rays. The benefits they provide are that they’re more convenient (you don’t have to rely on the weather to get tanned), and you can monitor your time more efficiently. But if you’re afraid of skin cancer, you should avoid those as well.

What does that leave us? Sunless tanning is the cosmetic industry’s answer to those problems. It involves various procedures which can alter your skin color without exposing you to harmful UV rays.

Sunless tanning products generally work by applying chemicals to the skin, which then cause reactions that lead to color changes. There are several kinds of sunless tanning products, all of them with their own advantages and disadvantages.

DHA-based products are currently considered to be the best, as they can be very efficient and completely harmless. DHA stands for dihydroxyacetone, a chemical which interacts with the amino acids in your skin’s uppermost layer – the “horny layer”. The reaction causes color changes in the skin, a process similar to one that is commonly used in the food industry. The tan fades quickly though, lasting about 3-7 days. This is because the skin’s dead cells are continuously shed off, and they’re the ones affected by DHA’s effects.

While DHA-based products are the most effective you can buy right now, there are others which can be used to further increase the effects and make them more prominent and/or quick-acting. There are various tanning accelerators, most often sold in the form of pills and lotions, which are normally based on the acid tyrosine. Tyrosine is known to stimulate your body’s natural melanin production, which in turn boosts the tanning process.

There are other methods available too – if you need a quick fix that only lasts one day or so, you may find the perfect solution in temporary bronzers. Those products work by actually staining your skin, and therefore they last until they’re washed off. Be careful though, bronzers can leave marks on your clothes, so avoid wearing light-colored clothes after bronzing yourself.

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Articles, tips and reviews on treatments, products and the general care for acne, rosacea, eczema and more. We also have information for anti aging, natural and men's care. Please also be sure to check out our forums to discuss any and all aspects of the care for you skin including what works best for you.
Skin Care Tips
Wear a sunblock every day... The primary cause of premature aging is exposure to the sun without adequate care and protection. Don't wash your skin too often... Washing strips oil and moisture. Besides, tap water contains chlorine which causes oxidative damage. Washing your face twice a day is sufficient. Do not smoke... Smoking can cause the skin to age prematurely, as well as take on an unflattering sallow tone. Nicotine will reverse your anti aging routine quicker than anything else. Wear sunglasses... This will protect the eyes as well as the delicate skin around them. Take care in checking the products label and make sure they provide UVA and UVB protection. Warm water over hot... When bathing choose warm water over hot. It is not as drying and is more natural. Get ample sleep... Most of the body's repair and rejuvenation occurs while you sleep. Follow a nightly regimen... Apply products 1 hour before bedtime to allow ample time to penetrate the skin. Exercise regularly... It increases the flow of nutrients and oxygen to the skin, which will give skin a natural, healthy glow. Choose products carefully... Everyone's skin is different, so try several to see which products work best for you and which produce an anti effect. Never sleep with makeup... Sleeping with makeup is not natural for your skin. It may also have an adverse effect with your anti aging routine.

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Good Eating Habits

* Drink water, little and often throughout the day.
* Eat something in the morning – it does not have to be first thing as you jump out of bed, but eating something when you get up will replenish your blood glucose levels and fuel your brain and your body.
* Eat at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day – they’re great as snacks and if you have at least 1 serving per meal, you’ll easily make this target.
* Go for colour. Check you are eating a variety of colourful fruit and vegetables – think yellow, red, green and orange.
* Eat as wide a variety of foods as possible. If you can count up the number of different foods you eat on your 10 fingers, you need to add more kinds to your diet. This will help you get a greater choice of nutrients and fibre sources.
* Avoid long periods without eating. This will help stabilise your blood glucose levels and make you less likely to over-eat, or grab an unhealthy snack, later.
* Rate your food hunger. On a scale of 1-5 (1= starving, 5= stuffed). Aim to eat before you reach “1” and stop eating before you reach “5”.
* Take time to eat. It sounds obvious, but it will help you eat more balanced diet and avoid excess calorie intake. Studies show that individuals eat up to 15% more calories when they are in rush at meal times.
* Chew your food. Proper chewing can aid your digestion, and has been shown to reduce symptoms off irritable bowel syndrome.
* Avoid fad diets. There are no miracle foods – good health requires you to eat a variety of quality food in moderation.

Eating with awareness

"If we eat wrongly, no doctor can cure us;
If we eat rightly, no doctor is needed."

--- Victor G. Rocine

Good eating habits are a strong foundation to good health. It's important to eat what you like and also to experiment with a variety of new foods.

You also need to set aside enough time to sit down and enjoy your meal. Don't get into the trap of eating in front of the open refrigerator, rushing down the street or driving the car.

Eating slowly will allow your body's natural enzymatic mechanism to tell you when you have had enough. When you eat with awareness, you enjoy food more fully.

You notice how food affects you and you are less likely to overeat.

Eating with awareness also means eating whole, pure, natural foods. Without the proper balance of a variety of nutrient-rich foods on a continuing basis, good health cannot be achieved and maintained.

Remember, if you neglect your health through poor eating habits, it spills over into every aspect of your life. Eating with awareness will make you aware of other aspects of your inner life, including your emotional and spiritual side.