Skincare and Beauty

Overview Among the long annals of folk remedies, the bilberry fruit makes for an interesting story. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC), World War II British pilots ate bilberry preserves to increase their night vision. Although science…
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Overview Ringworm is a fungal infection of the skin—not caused by any type of worm—that is transmitted by skin-to-skin contact with an infected person or through contact with a surface that an infected person has touched. Ringworm can affect any…
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Most of us have played the game “telephone,” which helps us understand how difficult it can be to verbalize a simple message to another person. Sometimes during verbal communication, a message can get translated incorrectly by the receiver. Mind Tools…
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Drinking water straight from the sea can be unsafe, especially when that water is polluted. However, according to The Natural Ingredient Resource Center, drinking clean and purified sea water has numerous therapeutic benefits. Europeans have used salt and sea water…
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Spas use body wraps to allow ingredients and botanicals to penetrate deeper into the skin. The body is usually dry-brushed or exfoliated, ingredients are spread all over the body and then the body is wrapped, producing heat for better product…
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Allergic contact dermatitis can strike anyone from rustic outdoorsmen who tangle with poison ivy, to urban fashionistas with a yen for nickel jewelry. The objects to which certain individuals respond with allergic sensitivity vary, but the symptoms of allergic contact…
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Honeybees produce propolis, a natural resin that includes beeswax and other secretions from bees, as well as sap and related substances collected from trees and plants. Herbalists and folk healers have long prized propolis for its reputed medicinal properties. A…
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According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), effective acne treatment products target one or more of the four parts of the acne cycle. The cycle begins when you produce too much of the skin oil known as sebum. Next,…
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An exfoliant removes dead skin cells to allow for new ones to emerge to the surface. This causes the skin to appear brighter, younger and smoother. The main ways that you can exfoliate are manually and chemically. The active ingredient…
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Acne scars develop when your skin repairs itself after acne blemishes clear up, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, AAD. There are a number of treatments for scars raised above the surface of your skin as well as those…
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Brittle, cracked and discolored fingernails don’t make a good first impression and can be downright embarrassing. Although certain medical conditions can result in unhealthy nails, the appearance of your fingernails isn’t just a matter of luck and good genes. You…
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Overview Our bodies absorb a large percentage of what we apply to our skin. Babies’ rapidly developing bodies and sensitive skin are especially vulnerable to toxins. And because their hands and feet often end up in their mouths, what you…
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Overview Psoriasis is a lifelong disease that affects millions of people in the United States alone. The most common symptom includes an inflamed rash covered in silvery white flakes of skin that eventually shed. It commonly develops in the late…
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Allergic reactions result when the body responds to a typically innocuous foreign substance, called an allergen, as if it was a potential threat. An allergic response involves the release of histamines, chemicals that flood from cells that are reacting to…
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Diabetes is a disease characterized by too much glucose or sugar in the blood. All parts of the body, including the skin, are affected by diabetes. People with diabetes are more susceptible to common skin conditions, such as bacterial and…
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Oily skin occurs when the sebaceous glands produce excess oil. According to MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, genes and hormones play the most important role in an individual’s susceptibility to oily skin. Contrary to popular…
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Dry saunas, more traditionally known as Finnish baths, are wooden enclosures that provide heat therapy at high temperature and low humidity. Saunas have been used in Finland for approximately 2,000 years, according to researchers, and many users swear by their…
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Rosacea, an inflammatory skin problem characterized by facial redness, pimples, visible blood vessels and watery eyes, affects 16 million Americans, according to the National Rosacea Society. Although causes and cures for rosacea are unknown, certain triggers, such as alcohol, caffeine,…
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Overview Citric acid is found in a variety of fruits and vegetables, but is most concentrated in citrus fruits such as lemons and limes. Used as a natural preservative, it is also added to sour the taste to foods and…
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Overview Psoriasis is a chronic disease that causes unsightly rashes to appear on the skin. The sores, which can bleed or weep, can cover large areas of skin. Itching and pain can occur with the rash and a specific form…
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Contact dermatitis can mean many things to many very itchy people. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology describes this condition as having a “broad ranges of reactions.” Allergic contact dermatitis is caused by the direct contact of the…
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Overview Brown spots on the skin are caused by overexposure to the sun and environmental toxins. These factors cause excessive melanin production in the skin, worsening as we age. Brown spots are referred to as liver spots or age spots…
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If the natural course of aging leaves you with loose skin around your face and additional wrinkles, a rhytidectomy or “face lift” may be effective at tightening your skin, minimizing wrinkles and helping you recapture your youthful appearance. Before undergoing…
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Overview Psoriasis is a skin disease that causes rapid buildup of cells on your skin’s surface, creating thick, silvery scales and itchy, rough red patches on skin, as well as painful cracking. Psoriasis can occur anywhere on your body, and…
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Overview Whether you are getting your nose pierced for aesthetic or spiritual reasons, the procedure may seem daunting to you. Once you are in the piercing room, a professional piercer will explain breathing techniques to help you deal with the…
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Massages consist of rubbing and manipulating muscles, ligaments, tendons and skin. They are often performed using hands and fingers but can also be performed with feet or elbows. Leg massages can be light or deep and are sometimes used as…
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Doctors prescribe growth hormones, such as the E. coli-derived somatropin, for children or adults who experience conditions such as Noonan syndrome, idiopathic short stature, growth hormone deficiency and chronic kidney disease. Such synthetic growth hormones as the brand-name drug Tev-Tropin…
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Overview According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), the acne cycle starts when extra oil blocks the pores leading to the surface of your skin. Bacteria grow in the oil deposits and irritate the surrounding tissue. If oil accumulates…
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Skin does not become dry because of lack of moisture. It dries out as a result of insufficient sebum, the oil created by sebaceous glands to protect and lubricate hair and skin. Without sebum, skin can tear and crack, causing…
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Overview Age spots are flat, darkened areas on the skin. They most often form in the places that get the most sun, including the face, shoulders, forearms and hands. People who get them are usually older than 40. If they…
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