21.Neuropeptide - Amino Polypeptide Skin Care Comparison

To determine why neuropeptide products are different from other effective antiaging skin care treatmentson the market, we first have to determine the difference between neuropeptide and amino polypetide ingredients.

Neuro- and pentapaptides are both peptides but 'neuro' refers to the very specific functions of this peptide group, while 'penta' merely refers to the size of certain peptide molecules.? Peptide seems to be the 'IT' word in antiaging skin creams today. We have copper peptides, amino-polypeptides, hexapeptides, pentapeptides and now neuropeptides. And then there are all the variants like acetyl hexapeptide-3 and palmitoyl pentapeptide (a.k.a palmitoyl oligopeptide). The list is virtually endless and very confusing to the non-biochemist. Let me try to help you wade through some of the jargon.

A peptide is simply a small protein which is made up of amino acids. Peptides are active at very small doses, are highly specific and have a very good safety profile when used physiologically ? that is, to assist or change an organism's physical processes. If we take apart some of the peptide labels above, we can begin to discriminate among them.The use of 'amino' in amino- polypeptide is a bit redundant because all peptides are made of amino acids. The 'poly' just means this is a peptide of several amino acids. A 'hexapeptide' is a chain of exactly six (hexa) amino acids; a pentatpeptide is a chain of five (penta). One chemist working with a palmitoylated five-amino-acid-chain peptide named it 'palmitoyl pentapeptide', while another chemist studying the same molecule called it 'palmitoyl oligopeptide'. This is a legitimate, though less specific, label since 'oligo' means 'few'. And so the confusion grows.The term 'neuropeptide' is a bit more helpful in that it actually describes the function of the peptide.

Neuropeptides act as neuromodulators, neurotransmitters, neurohormones, and hormones.

Research into neuropeptides has exploded in recent years to the extent that there is a scientific journal named Neuropeptides whose aim is the rapid publication of original research and review articles, dealing with the structure, distribution, actions and functions of peptides in the central and peripheral nervous systems.What is exciting about neuropeptides is their power and reach. Other neurotransmitters transmit central nervous system signals in one direction and along a path from A to B. Neuropeptides transmit omnidirectionally outward and can even direct transmissions in reverse.

As neuromodulators, they can activate and deactivate other neurotransmitters. The scientific mind boggles at the potential.The names of some of the neuropeptides may be familiar and help you to understand the potential of unlocking the secrets of these peptide molecules.

Neuropeptides are grouped into families based on similarities in their amino acid sequences. There are the Tachykinins; the Insulins; the Somatostatins; the Gastrins such as cholecystokinin used to diagnose gallbladder and pancreatic problems; and the Opioids such as the enkephalins 'the body's own opiates or painkillers.As to how neuropeptides might affect the skin, an abstract in the July/August 2003 Brazilian Annals of Dermatology states: There is increasing evidence that cutaneous nerve fibers play a modulatory role in a variety of acute and chronic skin processes. Local interactions between skin cells, skin immune components and neuronal tissues occur specially through neuropeptides. Neuropeptide-related functions on skin and immune cells, as well as nerve fibers in cutaneous inflammatory responses, hypersensitivity reactions and dermatoses, namely psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, leprosy and alopecia."

Author : ContentMart editor
For reference and full story go to http://www.contentmart.com/articles/28940/1/Neuropeptide---Amino-Polypeptide-Skin-Care-Comparison/Page1.html

20. How do we treat Psoriasis ?

There can be substantial variation between individuals in the effectiveness of specific psoriasis treatments. Because of this,dermatologist often use a trial-and-error approach to finding the most appropriate treatment for their patient. The decision to employ a particular treatment is based on the type of psoriasis, its location, extent and severity. The patient’s age, gender, quality of life, comorbidities, and attitude toward risks associated with the treatment are also taken into consideration.
Medications with the least potential for adverse reactions are preferentially employed. If the treatment goal is not achieved then therapies with greater potential toxicity may be used. Medications with significant toxicity are reserved for severe unresponsive psoriasis. This is called the psoriasis treatment ladder.

As a first step, medicated ointment or creams, called topical treatments, are applied to the skin such as topical corticosteroids, tars, anthralin, calcipotriene (a vitamin D3 analog), or tazarotene (a retinoid).

If topical treatment fails to achieve the desired goal then the next step would be to expose the skin to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This type of treatment is called phototherapy. Treatment with oral psoralens plus ultraviolet A exposure, called PUVA, is effective in most patients, but has been associated with an increased risk of skin cancers after many treatments over several years. Recently, narrowband UVB has been introduced for the treatment of psoriasis. It uses a narrow portion of the spectrum of ultraviolet B around 311nm, the spectrum which is optimal for the treatment of psoriasis. Narrowband UVB is more effective than traditional broadband UVB, but may be somewhat less effective than PUVA. In the few years since it has been available, it has not been associated with the skin cancer risks seen in patients treated with PUVA.

The third step involves the use of medications which are taken internally by pill or injection.. This approach is called systemic treatment. Oral retinoids, cyclosporine, and methotrexate have also been used for treatment of severe generalized psoriasis, erythrodermic psoriasis, and pustular psoriasis. Most recently, biologic agents such as Alefacept, Efalizumab, Etanercept, Infliximab, and Adlimumab have been introduced for the treatment of psoriasis.

Over time, psoriasis can become resistant to a specific therapy. Treatments may be periodically changed to prevent resistance developing (tachyphylaxis) and to reduce the chance of adverse reactions occurring. This is called treatment rotation.

19. Types of Psoriasis

The symptoms of psoriasis can manifest in a variety of forms. There are four classical clinical types of psoriasis
a. Plaque psoriasis (psoriasis vulgaris) is the most common form of psoriasis. It is characterized by sharply demarcated erythematous scaling plaques (as figured) It most commonly occurs on the elbows and knees, scalp and groin. Nail involvement is common, e.g., yellow discoloration, thickening, and lifting of the nail plate off of the distal nail bed (onycholysis).
b. Guttate psoriasis is characterized by numerous small oval (teardrop-shaped) spots. These numerous spots of psoriasis appear over large areas of the body, such as the trunk, limbs, and scalp. It commonly occurs after streptococcal pharyngitis.
c. Pustular psoriasis appears as raised bumps that are filled with non-infectious pus (pustules). The skin under and surrounding pustules is red and tender. Pustular psoriasis can be localised, commonly to the hands and feet (palmoplantar pustulosis), or generalised with widespread patches occurring randomly on any part of the body.
d. Erythrodermic psoriasis involves the widespread inflammation and exfoliation of the skin over most of the body surface. It may be accompanied by severe itching, swelling and pain. It is often the result of an exacerbation of unstable plaque psoriasis, particularly following the abrupt withdrawal of systemic treatment. This form of psoriasis can be life-threatening, as the extreme inflammation and exfoliation disrupt the body's ability to regulate temperature and for the skin to perform barrier functions.

18. Can we cure the melasma ?

While there is no cure for melasma, many treatments have been developed. The discoloration usually disappears spontaneously after pregnancy or stopping the oral contraceptives. Management of melasma requires a comprehensive and professional approach by your dermatologist.
Treatments to hasten the fading of the discolored patches include:
a. Topical depigmenting agents, such as hydroquinone (HQ) either in over-the-counter (2%) or prescription (4%) strength. HQ is a chemical that inhibits tyrosinase, an enzyme involved in the production of melanin.
b. Tretinoin an acid that increases skin cell (keratinocyte) turnover. This treatment cannot be used during pregnancy.
c. Azelaic acid (20%), thought to decrease the activity of melanocytes.
d. Facial peel with alpha hydroxyacids or chemical peels with glycolic acid.
e. Laser treatment. A Wood’s lamp test should be used to determine whether the melasma is epidermal or dermal. If the melasma is dermal, laser (or "IPL") will acually DARKEN and worsen the appearance of the spots. Dermal melasma is generally unresponsive to most treaments, and has only been found to lighten with products containing mandelic acid.

In all of these treatments the effects are gradual and a strict avoidance of sunlight is required. The use of broad-spectrum sunscreens with physical blockers, such as titanium dioxide and zinc dioxide is preferred over that with only chemical blockers. This is because UV-A, UV-B and visible lights are all capable of stimulating pigment production. Cosmetic cover-ups can also be used to reduce the appearance of melasma.

17. What is Melasma ?

Melasma (also known as chloasma or the mask of pregnancy when present in pregnant woman) is a skin condition presenting as brown patches on the face of adults. Both sides of the face are usually affected. The most common sites are the cheeks, bridge of nose, forehead, and upper lip. It is particularly common in women, especially pregnant women and those who are taking oral contraceptives. (However, hormone replacement therapy used after menopause has not been shown to cause the condition.) Ultraviolet light from the sun, and even very strong light from light bulbs, can stimulate melanocytes and contributes to melasma. Incidental exposure to the sun is mainly the reason for recurrences of melasma. Melasma is not associated with any internal diseases or organ malfunction.
Since it is very common, and has a characteristic appearance, most patients can be diagnosed simply by a skin examination.

16. Botox Bag

The Botox Bag is a crocodile handbag designed by Zagliani. According to reports, the line is developed by dermatologist, Mauro Orietti-Carella who injects the bags with Botox to make the skins softer and the texture more even, although other reports say botox is not used but rather silicone.

Fast Facts:
Retail Price : #3,000 - $11,000
Who has it: Jennifer Lopez, Alex Curran, Madonna

15. What is Psoriasis ?

Psoriasis is a disease which affects the skin and joints. It commonly causes red scaly patches to appear on the skin. The scaly patches caused by psoriasis, called psoriatic plaques, are areas of inflammation and excessive skin production. Skin rapidly accumulates at these sites and takes a silvery-white appearance. Plaques frequently occur on the skin of the elbows and knees, but can affect any area including the scalp and genitals. Psoriasis is hypothesized to be immune-mediated and is not contagious.
The disorder is a chronic recurring condition which varies in severity from minor localised patches to complete body coverage. Fingernails and toenails are frequently affected (psoriatic nail dystrophy) - and can be seen as an isolated finding. Psoriasis can also cause inflammation of the joints, which is known as psoriatic arthritis. Ten to fifteen percent of people with psoriasis have psoriatic arthritis.
The cause of psoriasis is not known, but it is believed to have a genetic component. Several factors are thought to aggravate psoriasis. These include stress, excessive alcohol consumption, and smoking. Individuals with psoriasis may suffer from depression and loss of self-esteem. As such, quality of life is an important factor in evaluating the severity of the disease. There are many treatments available but because of its chronic recurrent nature psoriasis is a challenge to treat.

14. Body and Facial Skin Care during Winter

Are you having trouble with maintaining your skin care during the the harsh winter season? Welcome to the club! But do not fret since there are still very practical ways for a perfect skin care even during winter.The activities of your mind and body are governed by three psycho-physiological energies known as Vata, Pitta and Kapha, as per the philosophies of ayurveda. Having perfet balance of this three energies is important for your good health. Once even one of these energies became imbalanced, your health may suffer.Further, these three energies are associated with a season. Vata, which qualities are dry, rough and cool, rides higher than usual in most people?s physiologies during winter. Once mid-October to mid-February comes, Vata begin to show signs into people?s physiologies. This is the time when we feel that our skin is dry and flaky. We feel the experience of having disappointingly chapped lips and dry, brittle hair. So, once these manifestations begin to annoy you, you will soon experience more aggravating conditions. Your skin may be the worse hit.This is the time when you should be ?armed? with the knowledge of important ways to keep Vata dosha in balance. These ways will prevent Vata-associated skin problems that may occur during the winter season. So take not of the following and be well-guided:1.Do not expose your skin to freezing temperatures and drying cold winds that are usually the elements brought about by the harsh winter. You can prevent exposure by dressing warmly in layers and wearing a hat, scarf and gloves whenever you have to go out during cold weathers. Natural lip balm should be used to protect your lips from drying. If you have none available, a light layer of ghee or clarified better will do.2.Using a rich, natural moisturizer will protect your facial skin from cold winds and dry air of heaters. You can apply this at least twice a day. Remember to apply it after cleansing though.3.If you have a naturally dry facial and body skin, give it additional lipid support by doing oil replenishment about three or four times a week. A nourishing base oil like almond can be a good option. 4.During winter, do a routine pre-bath warm oil self-massage to keep your skin silky smooth and tones the muscles. It will also help to calm nerves and aid in circulation. Almond or sesame oil are very much recommended for use in this kind of massage.5.To prevent the dryness and cracking of your feet?s skin, which tends to occur more during winter, give your feet a relaxing soak at night about three times a week. You can use a large, wide-mouthed bowl with warm water for a quick foot bath. Then, rub herbal lotion, some shea butter or almond oil on your feet after the soak. 6.if your skin is very dry, it is not recommended to bathe more than once a day. Warm water is ideal temperature for a bathe or shower and it is gentler for the skin. Do not use very hot water.Aside from these skin care tactics, eating the right foods that would help in nourishing the skin and drinking lots of water are among the best and original ways of facial and body skin care. By doing a holistic approach in caring for your skin, you will surely get the best results. -30- For comments and inquiries about the article visit http://www.facialskincareproducts.net/
About the Author
Kay Zetkin is the author name used by Lala C. Ballatan. She discovered the pleasure of writing through her daily journals as a teen-ager.

13. Concepts Of Skin Care

The concept of beauty itself has undergone such a transformation, that it is little wonder that the change has been felt in the field of cosmetology as well. The emphasis has gradually shifted from camouflage of defects, to a more comprehensive art, which involves both preventive and corrective care of the skin. It is founded on the idea that many skin problems can be avoided by taking a few simple precautions; believing in other words, in the maxim that 'prevention is better than cure.' Attention is also being paid to the ingredients in cosmetics, to achieve the best results. Refer http://www.cosmeticsdiary.com/skin-care.htm for complete skin care routine and tips. Skin care concept #1. Growing old, Staying youngOne factor that has influenced the modern approach to beauty is the human desire to delay all signs of ageing for as long as possible. And no other organ of the body reveals age as much as the skin does. For complete detail on dry skin (see http://www.cosmeticsdiary.com/dry-skin-remedy.htm) , for oily skin ( http://www.cosmeticsdiary.com/oily-skin-remedy.htm ) , for sensitive skin ( http://www.cosmeticsdiary.com/sensitive-skin-care.htm ) . Modern skin has changed all this. Today, a person whose good looks have proved durable, need not depend on heredity or a substantial bank balance. Skin care is now within the reach of everyone. All one needs is an awareness of the methods and products that are available, and relate them to individual needs.Skin care concept #2. Moisture is LifeAs knowledge about the skin and its cosmetic needs have grown, it has been found that aged and prematurely aged skins have one thing in common - a lack of moisture. A youthful skin, on the other hand, is soft and moist, proving how important moisture is to the skin. The amount of moisture that the skin holds determines its texture to a great extent - weather it is soft and smooth, or dry, rough, creepy and covered with fine lines. The skin loses moisture to the environment, when humidity is low, or is lowered by artificial means. Make your own homemade moisturizers easily learn how - http://www.cosmeticsdiary.com/homemade-moisturizer.htmSkin care concept #3. Essential 4-step Skin care routine Learn it here http://www.cosmeticsdiary.com/skin-step.htmSkin care concept #4. Prevention is better than CureBetween prevention and corrective care, the former is much simpler and less time-consuming. Corrective skin-care, of course, spells hope for people with specific problems that detract from beauty. With preventive care, the earlier you start, the better and longer lasting are the results. The texture of one skin is different form another and so are its other characteristics. Get all information on skin types at http://www.cosmeticsdiary.com/skin-type.htm . Therefore, its needs are also different. For the detail and depth knowledge of all skin problems and their treatments refer http://www.cosmeticsdiary.com/skin-disorders.htm . Cosmetics Diary - http://www.cosmeticsdiary.com is comprehensive guide to skin care and skin disorders information. Garima JainFor http://www.cosmeticsdiary.com
If you wish to reproduce the above article you are welcome to do so, provided the article is reproduced in its entirety, including this resource box and LIVE link to our website.
Copyright Garima Jain - http://www.cosmetiocsdiary.com

12. Acne Skin Care Tips that Work

How should people go about acne skin care? This article enumerates some basic guidelines to go by. For example, you should clean your skin gently, avoid frequent handling of the skin, avoid sun tanning, and lastly, women should choose their cosmetics carefully and men must shave carefully for good acne skin care.
People with acne may try to stop outbreaks and oil production by scrubbing their skin and using strong detergent soaps. However, scrubbing will not help acne skin care; in fact, it can make the problem worse. Most doctors recommend that people with acne gently wash their skin with a mild cleanser for acne skin care, once in the morning and once in the evening.
Patients should ask their doctor or another health professional for advice on the best type of cleanser to use for acne skin care. Acne skin care also means washing your skin after heavy exercise. Patients should wash their face from under the jaw to the hairline; rough scrubs or pads should not be used. It is important that patients thoroughly rinse their skin after washing it. Astringents are not recommended for acne skin care unless the skin is very oily, and then they should be used only on oily spots. Doctors also recommend that patients regularly shampoo their hair as part of acne skin care. Those with oily hair may want to shampoo it every day for proper acne skin care.
People who squeeze, pinch, or pick their blemishes risk developing scars. Acne lesions can form in areas where pressure is frequently applied to the skin. Frequent rubbing and touching of skin lesions should be avoided if you take your acne skin care seriously.
Men who shave and who have acne can try electric and safety razors to see which is more comfortable for acne skin care. Men who use a safety razor should use a sharp blade and soften their beard thoroughly with soap and water before applying shaving cream. Nicking blemishes can be avoided by shaving lightly and only when necessary.
A suntan or sunburn that reddens the skin can make blemishes less visible and make the skin feel drier for a little while. But the benefits are only temporary and cannot take the place of proper acne skin care. The sun can seriously damage skin, promote aging of skin, and cause skin cancer. Furthermore, many of the medications used to treat acne make a person more prone to sunburn.
People being treated for acne often need to change some of the cosmetics they use. Acne skin care demands that all cosmetics, such as foundation, blush, eye shadow, and moisturizers, should be oil free. Patients may find it difficult to apply foundation evenly during the first few weeks of treatment because skin may be red or scaly, particularly with the use of topical tretinoin or benzoyl peroxide.
Lip products that contain moisturizers may cause small, open and closed comedones to form. Hairstyling products that come in contact with the skin along the hairline can cause burning or stinging in people with acne. Acne skin care products that are labeled as noncomedogenic (do not promote the formation of blemishes) should be used for acne skin care; in some people, however, even these products may cause acne.

Mike Spencer is committed to helping people promote and protect their health, and has been doing so for many years. Here Mike talks about some help tips and techniques to combat acne. Read more about Mike?s Acne Prevention Tips here Acne Prevention Tips Mike Spencer http://www.acne-products-reviewed.com http://www.best-buy-acne-treatments-that-work.com

11. Acne Skin Care For You

A high percentage of individuals have been tormented by skin problems like blemishes, rashes, pimples, blackheads and acne. These problems are commonly experienced during puberty or an early stage in life where people tend to be most socially insecure. Aside from being physical, the effects can also be psychological. It can drain an individual's self-esteem and confidence. Some individuals may continue experiencing acne related skin infections decades later and it may eventually diminish during early adulthood for most people. There is now way of predicting when it will gradually decrease or fully disappear. Pimples, blackheads, and blemishes are among the most common skin infections caused by acne. The infection is a result of excessive secretions of oil from the skin glands and its buildup when a skin pore is blocked. Upper regions of the body like the face, chest, back and upper arms are commonly infected.
Acne can be irritating for most people since it can almost be unpredictable and uncontrollable once it strikes. The exact causes of this skin disease are not known and there have been no guaranteed measure in averting it. Diet, hereditary reasons, vitamin deficiency and stress are among the factors that have been closely attributed to acne infections. Still, it is best to find a good acne skin care regimen to ease and control its growth. An average person can make use of typical acne skin care methods. For severe forms of acne, consulting dermatologists is advisable in finding ways to lessen swelling and prevent scarring.
Perhaps the best acne skin care regimen is to regularly wash your skin twice a day. Using a mild natural facial cleanser and warm water in washing your skin regularly can help remove dirt and pollutants. Using strong detergent soaps and scrubbing your skin can only worsen your acne problems. Too much scrubbing can aggravate acne and it can also open up blemishes. Popping pimples can make the blemishes to spread up causing more infection. Some astringents are too strong and can cause more skin irritation. Using astringents are only advisable for oily skin. Washing your hair regularly can also help in acne skin care. Washing hair, especially long ones, can help remove excess oil and dirt that might come in contact with the skin.
Proper acne skin care also involves shaving and using the right razor. Choosing and testing for a comfortable safety razor is important when you have acne. Before applying the shaving cream, the beard can be softened by washing it with soap and water. Using a sharp blade and shaving lightly helps avoid cuts and rupturing pimples. Many acne skin care products and medicines for treating skin diseases can make your skin more prone to sunburn. Exposing your skin for a while to the sun may help dry up acne blemishes in the surface. Too much exposure to the sun can cause rapid skin aging, skin cancer and can make your skin drier.
Individuals that are prone to acne and are being treated for it should use oil free cosmetic products. Benzoyl peroxide and other acne skin care treatment can redden the skin so applying regular cosmetics products might be difficult. Regular cosmetic products usually contain more fatty acids that are harmful to acne prone individuals. Looking for organic and acne skin care products that will match your skin tone can help avoid more infections.
It is still best that one should consult a dermatologist before applying any acne skin care product or using different methods. Exerting more effort is needed for serious cases of acne infection to keep it from recurring. Observing proper acne skin care is important especially for younger individuals since blemishes and rashes tend to heal faster at a young age. Keeping a healthy lifestyle and diet can help restore the body's vitality easily.
About the Author
Kirsten Hawkins is a freelance writer specializing in skin conditions such as acne and rosacea. Visit http://www.acnesolution411.com/ for more inform

10.Five Easy Guidelines For Acne Skin Care

Are you having acne problem? Have you done something about it? No need to worry, almost everyone has a problem with acne. Nearly all of high-school-age girls to older women, even including men, experience this skin care problem. Acne may not be a dangerous skin disease, but the common appearance, especially if it becomes worse and severe, can become a very serious problem. Thus, you?re going to need a significant acne skin care.Before going further to acne skin care, it will be best to get to know more about acne. It is a skin disorder caused by hormones on the skin?s oil glands. This leads to open skin pores and cause some spots, annoying ones, to emerge. These spots are called acne and usually occur on the face, neck, back, and chest.A permanent blemish and scar caused by acne should be treated seriously. Besides it may distress the people who are affected, it can also lead to a worse skin condition. Here are some easy guidelines how to treat the acne - and to give care to your skin in general:1. The first and most important to do is gently wash your skin, especially your face, at least twice a day. Use a mild cleanser and after that, clean your skin with water. Ask your dermatologist about what kind of cleanser to be used according to your skin type.2. Use appropriate acne products, which you can get by asking your doctor. Allow some time for the medicine to work as suggested by the doctor or as said in the instruction. You?ll see the improvement later, which usually takes several weeks.3. Be careful when using cosmetics. You should use ones that are oil free, since oily skin is believed to be one of the factors that contribute to the emergence of acne.4. Take vitamins for your skin. Vitamin E is the best one for a good skin. You can consume it through some fresh foods (fruits and vegetables) or simply just take vitamin E tablets available at drug stores.5. Start a new healthy lifestyle by doing a balanced diet. Eat healthy foods, namely the low-fat and fresh ones. Don?t forget to drink a lot of water since it helps bring out toxin from the body.You see from the above guidelines that there?s no difficulty at all in acne care, right? You just need to live clean and healthy to have a good skin. So, why not start a new lifestyle today? And buy only quality products - for a long-lasting healthy skin ever.

About the Author
Loraine Lesley is editor for some Website concerning women. She wants to help women to look beautiful, thats why she offers practical articles and tips on Skin Care, Hair Care, and more. To discover her advice, visit http://www.myskincareonline.com and http://www.myhaircareguide.com

9.Better Than Botox -- is there a Safer Substitute?

Better Than Botox -- is there a Safer Substitute? By Kamau Austin
Rejuvinol Product Purported to have Great Anti-wrinkle Promise.
Women since time immemorial have always looked for ways to enhance and prolong their beauty. This of course becomes more difficult as they age. As women are living longer more productive lives, it is understandable that they want any advantage to put their best face forward.
Exuding confidence and success for today's women seems to also include looking one's best . This interest in radiating ageless beauty has given birth to a burgeoning beauty industry focusing on ways to ease the effects of aging skin.
But at what cost is the yearning for the timeless beauty? I once heard my mother tell us that achieving beauty was painful. But are today's women enduring a range of procedures like plastic surgery, chemical peels, and Botox far beyond the bounds of their predecessors?
Botox has become all the rage because of its ability to smooth out some wrinkles. Nevertheless, Botox has recently come under question because of concerns about its toxicity. Furthermore, many women don't want to undertake the injections necessary in Botox treatments.
Moreover, havoc and health problems are being widely reported in the media recently in association with Botox. A get deal of concern is focused on Botox treatments in the hands of unqualified, unscrupulous, and misleading professionals.
- New Topical Treatment with Anti-wrinkle Benefits Emerges - - without the Controversial Side Effects of Botox Treatments -
Is there a safer way to have a more youthful facial appearance without risky face lift surgery, chemical peels or Botox Injections? Some women are sharing their success and positive experiences with a topical treatment featuring high quality anti-aging ingredients known as Rejuvinol.
What is Rejuvinol?
Rejuvinol is an anti-wrinkle cream with premium products developed by a company known as Optimal Therapeutics. The ingredients of Rejuvinol are widely purported to have significant wrinkle smoothing and anti-aging effects. From reports that I have read Rejuvinol utilizes a morning and evening treatment to insure optimal results.
For instance many leading doctors open to natural herbal supplements suggest that products like green tea, ginseng derivatives and sun screens may be very beneficial with anti-aging properties. Upon checking the ingredients of Rejuvinol I noticed these products were present.
Perhaps even more significant is the widely noted active ingredient in Rejuvinol known as Argireline. Argireline is reported as having properties resistant to the process of skin wrinkling -- especially on the face.
Is Rejuvinol the Answer for Safe Anti-wrinkle Facial Smoothing?
For some like Andrea M. a 37 year old triathelete, living in South Florida, Rejuvinol is a welcome alternative to Botox. She claims.

About the auther : Kamau Austin is the publisher of... http://www.HealthandFitnessVitality.comfind out more about his health and fitness tips at his site.

8.Botox Alternative - Moisturizer Wrinkle Cream Thats Works !

How if i tell you can Look as much as 20-years younger, without using Botox Treatment ?
The most natural ingredient for anti wrinkle cream is made from something called "emu oil". This is the best triple-refined emu oil in the world. And, an extra ingredient is added to it while it is being made into a cream. This extra ingredient is a suspension of superfine silicon dioxide nanoprisms (from the fractionated silicon dioxide) which has been "fractionated" instead of powderized. That means instead of turning into flakes when it is processed turns into billions of Microscopic Three-Dimensional Nanoprisms. This effect will last until you wash your face and the invisible silicon dioxide is removed, it turns out emu oil is probably the best cosmetic ingredient in the world. That's because its molecules are much smaller than the molecules in human skin.
What is Emu Oil and how its related to wrinkle cream ?
Emu oil was discovered by Aborigines many thousands of years ago as a skin moisturizer, antiseptic, and as an aid in the relief of sunburn, muscular aches and joint pain, as well as aiding in the healing of injuries. The emu oil is rendered from a thick layer of fat on the back yielding 5 - 7 liters of unsaturated, non-toxic, highly penetrating oil. Over ten years of research done at Global Canyon Ranch (Texas) has revealed that the emu oil has unique thermodynamic properties. Combined with other ingredients, the oil can be used to machine stainless steel much more rapidly, thus considerable savings in labor results.
The combination of Emu oil and Nanoprisms can penetrate down through Seven Layers of Human Skin! This makes it the best moisturizer in the world.
Do most of people who've used Botox say it has given them a "Herman Munster" type face!
Reference :http://www.contentmart.com/articles/18377/1/Botox-Alternative---Moisturizer-Wrinkle-Cream-Thats-Works-/Page1.html

7. Botox Alternatives: How to Avoid a Botox Injection

Facelift RhytidectomyA facelift will lift your sagging cheeks, smooth your jaw line, and eliminate jowling. Plastic surgery of the face will also tighten the loose skin of your neck, remove excess fat from under your chin, and correct the turkey-gobbler appearance of your neck. A facelift will NOT eliminate your wrinkles and other skin problems. Skin Care, Laser Resurfacing, Chemical Peel, and Dermabrasion complement a facelift because they address these problems.Brow Lift Forehead LiftBrow lift (forehead lift) is a plastic surgery procedure which will raise your eyebrows to a higher and more aesthetic position. It will also improve lateral hoods (which are the droopy flaps of skin that hang over the outside corner of your eyes. Plastic surgery of your forehead will also soften your horizontal forehead wrinkles and the scowl lines between your eyebrows. A brow lift will NOT improve baggy eyelids, puffy eyes, or crows feet. Consider eyelid surgery or wrinkle treatments for these problems. Collagen WrinkleFillersHow Wrinkle Fillers Work Wrinkles are visible because they are lower or deeper than surrounding skin. Light casts shadows into them, making them visible. When you see wrinkles, you are actually looking at the shadow, not the wrinkle. If wrinkles can be brought to the same level as surrounding skin, their visibility will diminish because the accompanying shadows will be nonexistent. This can be accomplished by either lowering the surrounding skin or raising each wrinkle. Chemical peel, Dermabrasion, and Laser Resurfacing lower the surrounding skin. Fillers aim to raise the wrinkle.Laser Resurfacing Laser Treatments for WrinklesLaser resurfacing is the most common treatment used for wrinkles and acne scars today. Like many things in plastic surgery, laser resurfacing goes by several names: wrinkle laser, lasabrasion, laser peel, laser surgery, laser vaporization, laser desurfacing, and several others. Realize that all of these terms mean the same thing: they refer to the use of the laser to treat wrinkles and acne scarring.
Reference :http://www.contentmart.com/articles/18378/1/Botox-Alternatives-How-to-Avoid-a-Botox-Injection/Page1.html

6.How to Select Your Botox Doctor?

Credentials: Selected surgeons should be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). Any doctor (even one from a nonsurgical specialty) can legally perform surgery. On the other hand, certification by the ABPS ensures at least five years of surgical training, including two years of training specifically in plastic surgery. Patients undergoing a cosmetic procedure should select a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) to help ensure that their surgeon has extensive cosmetic surgical experience and has met ASAPS requirements for continuing cosmetic surgery education. Hospital privileges: Cosmetic plastic surgery is often performed outside the hospital in an office-based surgical facility. Wherever the surgery is to be performed, selected surgeons should have hospital privileges to perform the specific procedure in an acute care hospital. Facilities: Published data show that accredited office-based facilities have a safety record comparable to that of hospital ambulatory surgery settings. Ambulatory or office-based facilities should be accredited by a nationally or state-recognized accrediting agency, or be state licensed or Medicare certified. Health: Candidates for cosmetic surgery should be in generally good physical health and must be candid with their physician about any drugs they are taking. The medical history should include hormones (oral contraceptives and estrogen replacement) and even aspirin, vitamins, and herbal medications since these substances can interfere with blood clotting or interact with medications used during surgery and could increase surgical risk. Patient education: Before surgery, patients should be educated about all aspects of the planned surgery, including whether to discontinue certain medications and stop smoking. Postoperative care should be thoroughly discussed with the surgeon, as surgery is not truly over until the patient is ambulatory and has returned to a relatively normal routine. Risks: Most cosmetic surgery is extremely safe in the hands of surgeons certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. However, even with the highest level of care, every surgery carries risks as well as benefits, and these should be discussed thoroughly before surgery is undertaken. For example, multiple procedures performed at the same time may increase the risks of surgery. There are risks associated with anesthesia, analgesics and antibiotics. Smokers are at greater risk of complications including delayed wound healing, skin loss, scarring, and poor surgical outcome Other risks include deep vein thrombosis (DVT) [formulation of blood clots in the veins] and pulmonary embolism (PE) [a blood clot that goes to the lungs preventing the lungs from exchanging air]. Factors such as general anesthesia and prolonged operating time appear to increase the risk of DVT. Both DVT and PE are unpredictable and can occur outside the surgical setting, as the result of certain medical conditions or from immobilization; for example, individuals have developed DVT following long airplane trips. Postoperative monitoring and home care: In the immediate postoperative period, any patient undergoing cosmetic surgery should be monitored by qualified medical personnel and discharged from the surgical facility only after evaluation by the surgeon. Usually, cosmetic surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure; occasionally, the surgeon may recommend an overnight stay. Patients should arrange to have someone available for assistance for the first day or two following surgery.
Reference : http://www.contentmart.com/article/17842/1/How-to-Select-Your-Botox-Doctor/Page1.html

5. Botox, The No-Surgeon Solution to Wrinkles

Despite the fact that Botox is a toxin it's been safely and widely used by ophthamologists for more than ten years. Botox has been used for for wrinkle treatment since the early 1990's and no serious side effects have been documented.Botox works by relaxing the muscles that create the wrinkles and that way lessening the appearance of frown lines, crow's feet or laugh lines. Botox is injected in the muscle and after the botox injection you'll no longer be able to frown, eliminating the lines created by frowning. Botox eliminates the wrinkles that appear because of facial muscle overuse, it's a protein toxin produced by clostridium botulinum bacteria.Botox has been regarded by many as "the ultimate fountain of youth", botox injections are more popular than breast enchancement and are probably the next blockbuster. More than 1.6 million patients received botox injection in 2001 with almost 50% increase over 2000. According the ASAPS, botox injections are the fastest-growing cosmetic procedure.In order to work, a small amount of Botox is injected in the muscles that create the wrinkles. The botox toxin works by inactivating those muscles and that way causing the wrinkles to disappear or diminish a lot.The botox treatment lasts three to six months and it's quite quick to take. After the effect dissapears you can return for a follow-up injection. It's been reported that after a number of injections the effect lasts longer and it might last several months.There is one common complication is a slight and temporary drooping of the eyelid. Because botox is used in very small amounts and it doesn't spread in the body you won't have to wait for any healing, you'll be able to return to full activity immediatly.Although botox can be used by a lot of people, almost anyone, the breastfeeding or patients who are pregnant or have a neurologic disease should not use botox.

4. Botox Cosmetic Explained

BOTOX , also known as Botulinum Type A, is derived from a bacterium, Clostridium Botulinum.Botox is a trade name for botulinum toxin A. In this way, Botox is related to botulism. Botulism is a form of food poisoning that occurs when someone eats something containing a neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Botulinum toxin A is one of the neurotoxins produced by Clostridium botulinum. The most serious symptom of botulism is paralysis, which in some cases has proven to be fatal. The botulinum toxins (there are seven -- types are A through G) attach themselves to nerve endings. Once this happens, acetylcholine, the neurotransmitter responsible for triggering muscle contractions, cannot be released. A series of proteins, VAMP, syntaxin and SNAP-25, are essential for the release of acetylcholine. Certain botulinum toxins attack these proteins. Botulinum toxin A (Botox) affects the SNAP-25. Basically, the botulinum toxins block the signals that would normally tell your muscles to contract. Say, for example, it attacks the muscles in your chest -- this could have a profound impact on your breathing. When people die from botulism, this is often the cause -- the respiratory muscles are paralyzed so it?s impossible to breathe.
Reference : Contentmart editor http://www.contentmart.com/article/18379/1/Botox-Cosmetic-Explained/Page1.html

3. Eleven Questions to Ask Your Dermatologist

To start this blog, I wonder what I should post or suggest. Googling the web, I found these interesting eleven questions from Ophra's website. These questions were suggested by Dr.Neil Sadick, MD, clinical associate professor of dermatology at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University in New York City. He mentioned that asking the right questions at your first consultation with a dermatologist will get you better results and here are his suggestions:
1. Looking into a mirror with the doctor, point out of your concerns. Then ask if he or she agrees with your assessments.
2. The doctor should be board certified (is he/she?). How experienced is he/she with the proposed treatments?
3. What's the science behind the recommended products? Have they been shown to be safe and effective in scientific studies? Are they FDA approved?
4. How many patients were not satisfied after having this treatment?
5. What are the common side effects or complications? What are the infrequent ones? How long might any of them last?
6. Will there be anything in the near future that may be more effective than the recommended treatment?
7. If you're considering a procedure: What is the preoperative preparation?
8. How and for how long will activity be restricted postprocedure?
9. What kind of maintenance program will be required? How long will results last?
10. Are there photographs available of patients pre- and posttreatment?
11. What's the fee for the procedure? Does it include physician's fee, anesthesia, and other related costs?

Hope these help!!

2. Skin Type Classification

Fitzpatrick devised a description of skin types known as the Fitzpatrick skin type classification. This classification denotes 6 different skin types, skin color, and reaction to sun exposure.
(Ref. www.skinandhealth.com/details/skin_type)

Evaluation of skin type is essential if you would like to have laser surgery or any invasive skin operation procedure. If you are not sure what skin type you are. It is helpful if you can print out the table below and circle the appropriate response to each of the items and arrive at a total, which will give the type of your skin in the last table. (Ref.- http://www.reflectionscenter.com/skin_type.htm)

1. What is skin ?!

Skin is the largest organ of the integumentary system made up of multiple layers of epithelial tissues that guard underlying organs. As the interface with the surroundings, skin plays the most important role in protecting (the body) against pathogens. Its other main functions are insulation and temperature regulation, sensation, and synthesis of vitamin D.

The skin is a complicated structure, made up of 3 layers : epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue.

1. Epidermis - is the outer layer of skin. It contains 5 layers. From bottom to top the layers are named: stratum basale, stratum spinosum, stratum granulosum, stratum licidum, and stratum corneum. The thickness of the epidermis varies in different sites and types of skin. The thinnest is on the eyelids (.05 mm) and the thickest is on the palms and soles (1.5 mm). The top layer of the epidermis, the stratum corneum, is made of dead, flat skin cells that shed about every 2 weeks.

2. Dermis - is composed of three types of tissue that are present throughout - not in layers. The types of tissue are: collagen, elastic tissue, and reticular fibers. It also has specialized dermal cells such as hair follicles, sebaceous glands, eccrine (sweat) glands and apocrine (scent) glands.Blood vessels and nerves course through this layer. There are also specialized nerve cells called Meissner's and Vater-Pacini corpuscles that transmit the sensations of touch and pressure.

3. Subcutaneous Tissue - is a layer of fat and connective tissue that houses larger blood vessels and nerves. Its main function is to regulate temperature of the skin itself and the body. The size of this layer varies throughout the body and from person to person.