The human body was created to sustain a variety of injuries, including puncture wounds, burn or blunt trauma, etc. All of these incidents set into motion a chain of events that are involved in the healing process. Healing is a beautifully complex and dynamic mechanism that results in the restoration of the skin and body. There are many different factors when it comes to whether or not the damaged skin will be scarred for life and crush the dream of perfect youth-like-skin. One thing is for sure; scar removal is far more difficult than to prevent scarring in the first place.

When an injury happens, many different cells come quickly to the aid of the wounded area and the intricate process begins. The normal functional tissue (skin) is replaced by connective tissue (scar); this is the body’s natural way of protecting itself from infection. The connective tissue is made up mainly of collagen and normally will disappear in time, but if not, a scar remains.

Simple Tips for Scar Prevention

*Don’t clean injuries with hydrogen peroxide. The bubbles make it seem like something beneficial is happening, but hydrogen peroxide is known to destroy the new skin cells that immediately start to grow.

*Don’t treat your skin with Vitamin E. Research done in the University of Miami demonstrated that Vitamin E interferes with wound healing. In addition, one out of three patients tested also developed an allergic reaction.

*Don’t expose new scars to the sun. UV rays can slow down the healing mechanism and excite melanocytes (the cells that produce pigment) that can promote dark coloration. When outdoors, always use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher.

*Cover up the injury. There is a common misconception that wounds need to “breathe” in order to heal, but this isn’t true. As a matter of fact, a great way to safeguard a wound is to cover it with a bandage because it’s able to absorb any fluid from the wound and maintain a natural moisture balance which is ideal for healing. Continue the use of a bandage until the injury is fully covered with new tissue and healed.

*Maintain regular pressure on the wound with special bandages or silicone sheeting pads. Several studies have demonstrated that accessories like these help to compress scars like keloids or hypertrophic scars.

Prevention is worth a pound of cure, but if it’s too late to avert them, there are several organic scar treatments available that are not only non-irritating, but rejuvenate your skin to eliminate scars. Products that use a natural serum gathered from the snail, Helix Aspersa Muller, have proven effective in penetrating and dissolving damaged collagen and scars and reduce post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (redness and dark spots) as it smooths out the skin, leaving it soft and suple like that of a child.

We are blessed with an abundance of natural alternatives available for almost all of our skin care needs, so why would anyone want to use chemical based products that are potentially dangerous and toxic to our sensitive skin? Nowadays, natural treatments are safer and more effective than the chemical alternatives, so we should all be be making a permanent shift to natural cosmetics.

Home Exfoliation: For the Naturalist at Heart

Exfoliation is a process of removing unwanted, dead skin cells by buffing the skin’s surface and is possible to use a natural, abrasive substance that won’t irritate your skin in order to achieve silky smooth results. Almost every kitchen cupboard or pantry contains effective home exfoliates.

Baking soda is probably the most common of such kitchen items. Due to its naturally abrasive texture and neutral chemical base, it contains some of the most balanced properties for exfoliation. However, because baking soda is so effective at removing layers of skin, caution needs to be applied and you should only scrub for 10 - 15 seconds before rinsing.

Salt, another common natural exfoliate, doubles as a natural cleanser and remover of oil. The best methods for using this ingredient is to make a warm seawater wash which should be applied twice a day. If you would like a smooth aroma to the mixture, simple include some coffee grounds to the mix.

Natural Exfoliation Products have Progressed

Previous natural cosmetic products have received poor reviews due to accentuated claims of organic ingredients that sound fantastic but in the end, fail to deliver. Thankfully, times have changed and current natural products are not only matching, but exceeding the results demonstrated by their chemical counterparts.

Natural exfoliation products are such an example, proving time and time again that they are more successful in the removal of acne scarring than the more intrusive chemical peels. While chemical peels are unable to remove stubborn, severe scar tissue, the natural microdermabrasion properties in organic exfoliation products persistently wear away at the scar tissue leaving you with flawless skin without the need of a single visit to a medical expert.

Avoid Side Effects by Choosing a Natural Treatment

One of the biggest benefits of a natural microdermabrasion treatment is the harmonious balance they strike with your skin. Foreign chemical agents such as the acids used in chemical peels are not quite as subtle and many carry a dangerous array of side effects when exposed to the skin. These may include skin irritation, increased redness and swelling to more extreme skin problems such as hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, increased demarcation lines and other pigment irregularities that prohibit new skin from tanning.

Acne scars cream that contains Helix Apersa Muller glycoconjugates, an ingredient taken from snail secretions, is not only effective as a natural microdermabrasion but as a cell regenerator and moisturizer, making it the only option when looking to get rid of acne scars.

Just when you thought facial acne wasn’t bad enough, zits started to surface on other parts of your body, too. They can erupt on the shoulders, chest, back and even the buttocks. Acne of the back, also called “backne”, affects both men and women, teens and adults and isn’t dependant on skin type or even race, however, men seem to be more susceptible to the problem for unknown reasons. Back and chest acne can be more stubborn to treat because of the location, but the backne battle can be won.

Like your face, your back has more sebaceous glands per square inch than other areas of the body, and they produce an ample supply of oil. The oil along with dead skin cells become confined within the pore, and if bacteria enters the picture, the obstruction causes pimples and inflammation. If the situation is not treated early, the problem can develop into cystic acne, which is not only unattractive and painful, but it can also result in acne scarring.

Sweat and friction are believed to be the main factors in backne. Unlike the face, the back is clothed for most of the day providing a warm environment for bacteria to grow. Back acne can also be further complicated by wearing tight clothing that doesn’t allow the skin to breathe, trapping the microorganisms next to your skin and attacking your pores. Friction can add to the problem by aggravating the skin and causing another breakout. Some sources of friction might include: tight collars, backpacks, purse straps or athletic pads or gear.

After exercising or other physical activities, you’ll want to make sure that you wash your back immediately to remove the sweat and bacteria and put on a clean shirt to avoid re-contaminating the area. Use a mild soap to eliminate the acne-causing bacteria and wash gently without scrubbing the already sensitive back area. If you have back acne, you can prevent bacteria build-up by changing your shirt twice a day, whether you exercise or not.

Many people resort to using harsh back acne medication, but now there are several natural body acne products that contain antioxidants, antimicrobial and skin regeneration properties to heal skin lesions within the follicles, control acne bacteria and prevent and get rid of acne scars. The best body acne treatments use Helix Aspera Muller Glycoconjugates, an anti-inflammatory that triggers skin repair and skin regeneration for both facial acne and chest/back acne.

Like facial acne, back acne can fill its sufferers with shame and humiliation. They go to great lengths to cover affected areas, revealing as little as possible. Don’t let back acne control your life by telling you what you should or shouldn’t wear, what summer pastimes to enjoy or which social events to attend. FIGHT BACKNE AND WIN!

We don’t like to admit it, but we many times judge the book by its cover when meeting new people. Men are not excluded from these pre-judgments, and they too feel the pressure of looking good. Within the past few years, skin products for men have become more popular and with that sometimes it’s difficult to choose which is the best skin care product to use. Most men don’t want a skin care regime that’s complicated, so that’s why we’ve come up with a short list of easy to use men’s skin care products.

Male skin is normally 20% thicker than that of women and has larger pores that not only produce more sweat and oil but also collects more dirt and grime. It’s extremely necessary for every man to clean his face daily to prevent breakouts and to portray a clean and healthy face. Facial cleansers are usually customized by skin type (normal, dry, or oily) and don’t have to be harsh or strong to do their job. Yes, you want to clean your face, but you don’t want to strip it if its natural moisture in the process.

Aftershave lotions, or facial toners, should not burn or tingle after use but the skin should feel hydrated, soothed and smooth. There are many different toners with added ingredients that give added benefits and should be purchased according to the specific need. When choosing an aftershave lotion, men should stay away from those that have an alcohol base because it will only dry out and irritate the skin more.

As men age, their skin becomes less elastic and more susceptible to dryness and wrinkles. There are several different men’s skin care lines that have moisturizers that are unscented, non-greasy and many have the added bonus of sunscreen. By using a good moisturizer (also normally sold by skin type) as part of a daily skin care routine, the skin’s texture will be smoother, wrinkles will be prevented and he will look younger longer.

Because many skin problems are not limited to only one gender, men usually have the same issues like eczema, acne, scars and age spots, and they can occur during all stages of life. There are many all natural skin care products available to help with these problems, so don’t wait to make an appointment with a dermatologist to not only help the healing process but to prevent the situation from getting worse. First impressions are important and taking care of our skin should be of equal significance.

Even though men’s skin problems and skin care products don’t get a lot of media attention compared to that of products designed for women, it doesn’t mean that it’s not an important topic because male skin has needs too. Your skin is your biggest organ and the first line of defense against many harmful diseases and it needs to be respected in a worthy manner. Men’s skincare doesn’t have to be a lengthy process with a ton of different products; a simple skin care regime is all that’s needed to keep you looking your best.

Here’s the low down on men’s skincare:

1. It’s important to have a balanced diet that includes plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables and water; avoiding the use of drugs, cigarettes or other tobacco products and the excessive use of alcoholic and artificial drinks. What you put in your body directly affects your skin and how it appears to the world.

2. Using sunscreen will protect your skin against dangerous ultra violet rays from sunlight. The sun doesn’t discriminate against male or female when damaging your skin and causing pre-mature aging or worse yet, skin cancer.

3. Even though to some it sounds a little girly, cleansing, moisturizing and exfoliating are very important to your skin’s health. Daily cleansing is necessary to remove the dirt and grime that has accumulated on your skin’s surface during the day. Moisturizing will help your skin stay hydrated and elastic, meaning fewer wrinkles in the future. Including a body scub or exfoliating within your weekly skin care routine will help eliminate dead skin cells, leaving your skin smoother and younger looking.

4. When shaving, you should always go with the grain, not against it, to avoid razor burn and ingrown hairs. Don’t use alcohol-based products, such as shaving creams or after shave lotions, because they’ll dry out your skin.

5. When choosing men’s skin care products, select products according to your skin type (normal, dry or oily). Replace your synthetic or chemical based products with all natural skincare products to prevent skin irritations or allergic reactions.

If you want great looking skin, following these tips obsessively will ensure you a healthy and handsome appearance.

Even though getting old or looking older is a very natural process and part of each of our lives, we all try to postpone it as long as possible. The first sign of aging is most identified with the wrinkle. There are so many different wrinkle treatments and wrinkle creams to choose from, but many people are allergic to or sensitive to the many different chemicals used in these wrinkle potions. Professional wrinkle treatments (Botox, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, laser treatments, collagen injections) are costly in both time and money. For these reasons, so many are looking for natural, home remedies: WRINKLES BE GONE!

Whether you have laugh lines, crow’s feet, frown lines or just plain ol’ wrinkles that have formed around your mouth, eyes or forehead, these tips can help prevent and diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Exfoliate:  By using an exfoliating scrub, the dead skin cells are removed, allowing your skin to not only feel but look refreshed. For maximum results, exfoliate two times a week and use a good face moisturizer afterwards to hydrate your skin. Try using a basic salt, sugar or oatmeal scrub to expose newer, younger skin.

Eatable Remedies:  Not only is it good to eat a well balanced diet including lots of fresh fruits and vegetables for their vitamin content, but also for their antioxidants. You can also use these natural products as topical wrinkle treatments. Avocado, which is rich in moisture and Vitamin E, can be used as a facial mask to hydrate and gently remove wrinkles. Both papaya and Aloe Vera gel can be used as a facial peel to remove old looking skin, reducing the appearance of wrinkles. Milk contains alpha-hydroxy acids, known to work against free radicals and help with collagen growth to fill in the fine lines of your face and neck, and can be applied to the wrinkled area with a soaked towel.

Stress seems to be blamed for everything these days, but with good reason. A study done at the University of Pennsylvania found “that tension can affect cells located beneath the skin surface resulting in a decrease in elasticity and deeper facial lines”. To prevent wrinkles, you need to find a time to relax and rejuvenate yourself. A habit of daily exercise can be an effective stress reliever, not to mention, a great way to stay fit and healthy; looking and feeling younger longer.

After hundreds of years, we’re still looking for the fountain of youth and trying to hide our true age. The cosmetic industry has given us a wide variety of different products to eliminate wrinkles, unfortunately, with an even wider variety of chemicals. If wrinkles are a natural dilemma, shouldn’t we look to natural wrinkle products to war against these unwanted signs of aging?

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