Calling All Mamas: How To Treat Post-Pregnancy Stretch Marks Naturally
After you give birth to your beloved baby, you will inevitably notice that your body has changed. One of the most common changes that postpartum women experience is stretch marks. Stretch marks can occur during and after pregnancy due to your changing shape, weight gain, and stretching of the skin. Some women do not mind having these marks, but it is perfectly normal for them to make you feel frustrated or self-conscious. The good news is that you do not have to use expensive solutions with mystery ingredients to reduce or eliminate stretch marks. Below you will find several all-natural options for treating your stretch marks post-pregnancy. Oils For Treating Stretch Marks Vitamin E Oil – Vitamin E is an essential vitamin for overall skin health. It protects against UV damage, reduces scarring, promotes elasticity, and is packed with antioxidants. Applying vitamin E oil to your stretch marks can help heal tissue and fade the marks. Vitamin A Oil – You may have heard of retinol creams before; they are high-end products used to treat all sorts of skin problems. Retinol is derived from vitamin A, and it naturally promotes new skin cell development. Apply vitamin A oil to your stretch marks to boost elasticity and restore your skin. Creams And Gels For Treating Stretch Marks Aloe Vera Gel – Aloe vera has anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. These properties are excellent for nourishing skin tissue, so aloe is often used to reduce pigmentation. To get the best results, you may want to use 100% pure aloe vera gel. If the gel feels too sticky, rinse it off after it sets for about 10 minutes. Cocoa Butter Cream – Cocoa butter cream is full of natural fats that deeply penetrate the skin. It also contains plenty of antioxidants, so it is ideal for treating stretch marks and dry skin. Apply cocoa butter cream daily to help reduce the appearance of your stretch marks. Exfoliating Products For Treating Stretch Marks Coffee Scrub – As most tired mamas know coffee is full of caffeine. When caffeine is applied to the skin, it can boost circulation and blood flow. Coffee grounds are the ideal size and texture for exfoliation, and exfoliating removes dead skin cells. Because of this, a coffee scrub is an excellent way to treat stretch marks. You can make a DIY scrub using wet coffee grounds and olive oil or baby oil. Sugar Scrub – Sugar granules are the perfect size and texture for gentle yet effective exfoliation. You can mix sugar with cocoa butter or coconut oil to create a moisturizing exfoliating scrub. This will help remove dead skin cells while also moisturizing your stretch marks....
read moreFour Mistakes Men Make When Trying To Grow A Beard
Facial hair doesn’t suit all men, but beards are increasingly popular with American guys, especially in certain cities. One study found that 77 percent of men without beards in New York would grow one if they could. Nonetheless, growing a healthy, attractive beard isn’t always easy, as many men discover. If you decide to grow a beard, make sure it looks good, and avoid the following mistakes other men make. Unreasonable expectations A great beard doesn’t grow overnight, and it may take several months before you get the facial fur you want. Patience is vital, but you also need to set realistic expectations. It helps to set a reasonable target. For example, if you have a big party to attend in October, start planning your new facial hair several months earlier. The initial itchiness of a beard can make it tempting to give up, so it’s also a good idea to buy good grooming products to use along the way. For example, vitamin C serum can soothe itchy skin, and this product will also improve the condition of your new facial hair. Choosing the wrong type of beard There are plenty of beard types to choose from, and certain styles suit some men more than others. For example, if your facial hair is thin and patchy in certain places, you might want to choose a style that means you can keep these parts of your face cleanly shaved. Some styles are more extravagant than others, and many beard types need a lot of grooming and styling. Choose carefully before you commit to a style that you won’t maintain and/or a look that just won’t suit you. Failure to groom along the way You can’t grow a great beard by letting your facial hair run out of control. While you grow your new beard, you must continue to regularly trim the hair. Trimming and grooming won’t inhibit growth. In fact, a regular beard trim will make sure the hairs grow in the right direction and in the shape you want. Don’t trim your beard when it’s wet. Wet beard hairs seem longer and fuller than they really are, so if you groom and trim damp facial hair, you may cut off too much. Make sure your beard is properly dry before you get the scissors or clippers out. Poor nutrition Like any other part of your body, your beard will look and feel better if you give it the nutrients its needs. Make sure your diet is rich in protein, take lots of exercise, get plenty of sleep, and drink plenty of water. If you lead a busy, stressful life, you will probably also benefit from vitamin supplements. Hair growth supplements will improve beard quality and speed up growth. Look for supplements that contain biotin, vitamin E and zinc, as these are the natural building blocks your beard needs to grow faster. Look into taking Vitabeard hair growth supplements. A lot of American men love their beards, but it’s not always easy to grow the right type of facial hair. Carefully consider the style that’s right for you, and invest the right amount of time, patience and money to make the beard...
read moreLooking Your Best By Spring Break: Ideas for You
When the holidays swiftly begin to come and go, your next thoughts often drift to spring break and how you plan to spend your time off from your textbooks, exams, and frustrating roommates. However, while your spring break is still months away, there are some things you can do in the meantime to ensure that you are looking your absolute best by the time your week of freedom rolls around and you are ready to have the time of your life. Get to know some of the steps that you can take to be looking and feeling fabulous and get started as soon as possible. Laser Hair Removal If you are planning to migrate to someplace warm or even tropical for spring break, the last thing you want to be worried about is prickly, hairy legs that need constant shaving to stay smooth and sexy. Because you are planning ahead of time, you can take the time to get laser hair removal to help you remedy this problem. Laser hair removal is a procedure that uses a beam of concentrated light energy to essentially target the hair follicles in your leg. It will disintegrate the hair that is already there and damage the hair follicle so that hair can no longer grow in that spot. This occurs repeatedly as the laser moves over your leg, reaching more and more hair follicles in the process. While this procedure is highly effective and is considered a permanent solution to body hair problems, it is not perfect. This means that you probably won’t get the full results you want in just one session. After each laser hair removal treatment, you will want to wait around a month to get your next treatment. And keep in mind, around a month is also the amount of time you need to heal before your debut your new legs in the sun. So, get started as early as possible on your journey to permanently smoother skin. Try Microdermabrasion While you want your legs to look smooth and beautiful over spring break, you do not want to neglect your face. After months of harsh winter weather drying out your skin as well as months of late night coffee binges to cram for midterms and finals, your face may need an extra boost to look phenomenal for your vacation plans. Microdermabrasion can help with that. This is a treatment you can get at your dermatologist’s office that uses tiny crystals to exfoliate your skin and remove dead skin cells and buildup from the surface of your skin. These crystals are gently massaged into your skin using a machine controlled by your dermatologist. This is to ensure that the crystals are effective but do not damage or irritate the skin unnecessarily. The crystals are then rinsed off of your face and a special moisturizing cream is massaged into your skin. The end result is skin that is fresh and rejuvenated, even glowing. The microdermabrasion process stimulates your skin to produce collagen that plumps the skin so that it looks youthful and vibrant. Now that you know a few ways that you can begin looking your best by spring break easily and effectively, you can get started as soon as possible. You will be enjoying a warm spring break getaway...
read moreDry Skin Before Your Wedding? Try These Quick Fixes
While many women fear they will wake up the day of their wedding with an acne breakout, dry skin in the days before your wedding can be just as concerning. It’s hard for even the most talented makeup artist to do a nice job on a face that’s as dry as a desert. But don’t despair. If you find yourself suffering from dry skin on the days leading up to your wedding, there are a few quick fixes you can try. Microdermabrasion If you have a couple of days before your wedding, this is an excellent treatment to try. Just don’t try it the day before or the day of your wedding, since it can leave some women’s faces a bit red and puffy for a little while. Microdermabrasion is a treatment that involves using a special buffing tool to exfoliate the outer layers of your skin, removing dead and dry skin. Patients generally find that their skin feels much softer and smoother afterwards, especially if they are careful to apply a rich moisturizer after the treatment. A microdermabrasion treatment performed at a spa or dermatologist’s office is your best bet, since an experienced professional will be able to tailor the treatment to your needs. However, an at-home kit, used according to the included instructions, can also yield good results if you’re careful not to go overboard and be too rough on your skin. For more information, contact Babich Skin Care Center or a similar location. Coconut Oil Sugar Scrub If it’s the day of your wedding or the day before your wedding, you need a gentle solution that won’t cause any lasting redness. Coconut oil is chock full of the fatty acids your skin needs to repair itself. Combined with some sugar for texture, it makes for a scrub that both exfoliates and moisturizes at the same time. Make your own coconut oil scrub by combining 1 tablespoon coconut oil with 2 teaspoons brown sugar. Apply this to your face, massaging it in circles with your fingers. Then, wipe off the excess. Wait about 20 minutes before washing your face, as this gives the oil an opportunity to sink deeper into your skin and impart more moisture. Then, rinse your face with a gentle, non-medicated soap. You can repeat this process up to twice a day in the day or two leading up to your wedding. Don’t let dry skin ruin your wedding day. With the treatments above, you’ll be looking bright and glowing again in no time. Also be sure to tell your makeup artist you’ve been suffering from dry skin so he or she can choose products...
read moreNatural Alternatives To Traditional Antiperspirants: Smelling Good Without The Aluminum
When trying to decide what the best natural deodorant is for men, it’s essential to understand what causes body odor in the first place. The potential hazards of using traditional deodorants have people concerned that they are risking their future health for the sake of not having body odor. Aluminum is the main ingredient in antiperspirants today, and some believe that aluminum is a toxin for the body that should be avoided at all costs. The Causes of Body Odor While human sweat itself is odorless, when sweat comes in contact with bacteria, the bacteria will multiply rapidly. This quickly growing bacteria will break down the sweat into acids, which causes the smell. This is why antiperspirants work to suppress body odor. Without sweat, the bacteria doesn’t multiply and is therefore not broken down into acids that smell. When you suppress a person’s sweat, they don’t have body odor. Reducing Body Odor Naturally There are ways to help reduce your body odor naturally, without the use of traditional antiperspirants. The first way is to keep your body very clean. When you take a shower, you are washing away sweat and any bacteria that may be on your body. It will take time for bacteria to accumulate, so even if you sweat you won’t have body odor right away. Once you clean your body, dry off thoroughly so that bacteria doesn’t start multiplying from the moisture. It will also help you to smell less if you keep your clothes clean, and avoid wearing clothes that you have worn already. Natural Alternatives to Traditional Antiperspirants There are a number of natural alternatives to traditional antiperspirants that all aim to reduce body odor. Ingredients such as tea tree oil, vinegar, and witch hazel all help reduce body odor because they work as an anti-bacterial on the skin. When no bacteria are present, there is no body odor, even if you are sweating profusely. While it may take time to find the natural product that works best for you, it is possible to get rid of body odor using natural alternatives. You can also try shaving your arm hair because hair creates an environment that traps moisture. Bacteria begins to grow fast when their is moisture around and it is harder to keep your arm pits dry when there is hair involved. When you are ready to switch from traditional antiperspirants to the best natural deodorant, try out one of the many products on the...
read more3 Options For Dealing With Hair Loss
According to the American Hair Loss Association, almost two-thirds of American men will have some sort of hair loss by the age of 35. If you suffer from hair loss, you have several options available to you to help with the replacement. Before making a decision on which method of hair replacement is best for you, here are some of your options. Hairpiece One of the most commonly preferred methods of dealing with hair loss is to wear a hairpiece. A hairpiece has greatly evolved from its earlier days and in many cases, is undetectable to others. The hairpiece consists of more than just the hair, but also features a base and a thin fabric to which the hair is attached. The type of fabric that is used to create the hairpiece is important. Some fabrics, such as mesh, help to make your hairline appear more natural. The addition of real hair, as opposed to synthetic, can also boost the quality of your hairpiece. It is important to note that additions, such as real hair and a mesh, could result in a higher price for the hairpiece. Finasteride Finasteride is an over-the-counter medication that has been recommended to help treat hair loss. The drug works by blocking the production of hormones that are known to shut down the hair follicles. The hair follicles are then unable to produce hair, which results in hair loss. Finasteride is generally considered to be a safe and effective method of treating hair loss. One downside to taking the medication is that the hair growth you experience while taking it can be lost if you stop using it. Laser Light Therapy Another possible non-surgical treatment for hair loss is laser light therapy. The therapy works by stimulating the blood flow in your scalp. The increased blood flow results in the hair follicles once again producing hair. It is performed in your dermatologist’s office. You might have to attend multiple sessions to see the results that you want. Laser light therapy is generally considered to be safe. There are at-home devices available, but it is important you consult with your dermatologist before using one. There are many other non-surgical options available to deal with hair loss. It is important that you seek help as early as possible so that you do not inadvertently limit your options by waiting until it is too late. Remember to always consult with your dermatologist before trying any holistic or non-traditional methods of treatment. For more information, talk to a professional like L J Hair...
read moreA Guide To Chamois Cream For Cyclists
When you start to get serious about riding your bike, you probably will want to seek that gratification and great workout by riding it more often. However, the more time you spend cycling, the more chance you’ll have of creating skin irritations from the bike seat. With this in mind, you can use chamois cream for cyclists in order to prevent and soothe this potential skin irritation in your buttocks, leg, and groin regions. What is chamois cream and how does it work? This cream is designed to create a barrier between your skin and the material of the seat. That way, your skin will not become raw due to friction as you ride your bike more often. It was originally designed to help riders because cycling shorts used to have a strip of animal skin included in it for cushioning. Today’s cycling shorts do not have that strip of animal skin, but many people still prefer to use this cream in order to provide protection and lubrication from the potential friction of the leather bike seat. Men and women alike can use this cream in order to prevent inflammation and even bacterial issues. You can purchase this cream from a number of cycling shops that provide such equipment and remedies. What types of chamois cream can I buy? There are many different brands of this cream that manufacturers sell that are typically sold in two main types — the Euro style and the natural style. The Eurostyle cream typically has menthol or other substances found within it to create a cooling effect. The natural cream does not contain these properties. This cream will be absorbed into your skin as time goes on, so make sure that you use a great amount in order to get the full effect. What should I know about finding and using the right chamois cream? According to a survey, 20% of riders say that they always use this cream, regardless of what type of ride that they are going on. There are plenty of different brands that you can choose between, so try a few out to see which works best for you. You might find one that comes in the form of a more butter-like product and others that are found in lotion-like bottles. It is completely a matter of preference, so make sure that you shop around to find the absolute best product for your skin. Take this information in mind and reach out to a company that can sell you chamois cream for cyclists to preserve and protect your skin as you ride your...
read moreWhat Can You Do To Prevent Skin Cancer?
Many people mistakenly believe that skin cancer only develops due to consistent exposure to the sun. Unfortunately, some people develop cancerous cells in areas of the body that are usually not exposed to the sun. To help lower your risk of developing skin cancer, it is important that you know and practice prevention methods. How Is Skin Cancer Prevented? Even though skin cancer is not always directly related to sun exposure, it is a contributing factor in many cases. It is because of this, you need to develop safety measures to use when you are exposed to the sun. For instance, it is important that you use sunscreen year-round. Sunscreen of at least 30 SPF can help to block UV radiation that can increase your risk of having skin cancer. The sunscreen needs to be applied generously to all of your exposed skin. You even need to include your ears and lips. To protect your eyes, you should wear sunglasses while outside during the daylight hours. Look for glasses that have UV protection. Prevention also includes trying to limit the amount of time that you spend in the sun. If you have an outdoor activity planned, try to schedule it for a period of time in which the sun’s rays are the strongest. Be sure to wear protective clothing, such as long sleeves, to limit your sun exposure. A major part of your plan to reduce your chances of developing skin cancer is to focus on cancer screenings. What Cancer Screenings Are Necessary? Cancer screening does not necessarily start in your doctor’s office. It should start at home. It is imperative that you self-exam your skin on a monthly basis. Check for abnormalities, such as new moles and bumps. You also need to ensure that your existing moles have not changed in color or shape. Any changes should be immediately reported to your dermatologist. You should also be screened in your dermatologist’s office (like Vail Dermatology). Your doctor will help determine how often you should be screened. If you have a family history of skin cancer, have had it in the past, or have risk factors for the disease, your doctor might require you to be screened more frequently. Risk factors can include having more than 50 moles. The earlier that skin cancer is detected, the better your chances of survival. By taking precautions, such as using sunscreen and being screened, you can help protect...
read moreQuestions To Ask Yourself When Choosing A Facial Toner
If you are choosing a facial toner, you are trying to get the best looking and feeling skin possible. Facial toners are designed to smooth out your skin and make it feel softer and more supple. There is a dizzying array of different products that are currently on the market, so you might feel overwhelmed when trying to choose just one. In this case, you have two options. The first is to choose one at random and then continue trying different ones until you find the one that you want. The second is to pick one right the first time. Here are some questions to ask yourself to do just that. 1. Do I Have Super Dry Skin? The answer to this question can vary for you depending on what time it is during the year. You might have amazing skin during the summer but super dry skin during the winter. Regardless of when you have it, you need to choose a toner that will adapt to your dry skin and not dry it out further. Look for facial toning products that say that they moisturize your skin, contain nourishing ingredients such as shea butter, or are hydrating for your skin. This will allow your skin to feel a little bit less taut and dry, Check the ingredients and make sure that there is no alcohol included because this will cause your skin to dry out further. 2. Do I Have Super Oily Skin? The next question to ask yourself is whether or not every picture of you involves your face looking shiny or if you get pimples easily. If you answer yes, look for toners that don’t have any moisturizer or any other oils in them because they will clog your pores further. Instead, check the ingredients and make sure that your toner has salicylic acid or other ingredients that will help you fight the war on zits. 3. Does My Skin Look Dull? Most people are not going to have the same radiant glow as people in magazines, but it is totally feasible to make sure that you have some glow to your face. If you feel like your skin looks dull and lifeless, try to find a toner that includes caffeine among its ingredients. The caffeine will essentially wake up your skin and make it more likely to have that glow. For more information, talk to a company that provides private label skin care...
read more3 Fun Events To Wear A Beard T-Shirt To
While beards have been around for ages, they seem to continue to be a sign of manhood. For this reason, beard t-shirts seem to be more and more popular. These shirts advocate that men should in fact have beards, and that they are a great sign of manhood. While you can wear your beard t-shirt wherever you would like, there are some events and activities where wearing your beard t-shirt is even more appropriate. This article will discuss 3 fun events/activities where you can wear a beard t-shirt. A Bachelor Party Since a bachelor party is an event where a man is together with all of his guy friends, this is the perfect place to wear beard t-shirts. The groom can have a specially made beard t-shirt that says he is the groom-to-be, and all of his friends can have their t-shirts as well to wear for the night. Their shirts can have personalized beard sayings like, “the only person who shouldn’t have a beard is a woman”, and “a beard is sign of manhood”. The t-shirts will not only be fun and creative, but will be a great way to keep track of everyone in the party when they are in a crowded area. As A Sports Team If you belong to an all male sport’s team, and if you are in charge of coming up with a name and a logo for you sport’s team, you can choose to go with a beard theme. It can be something like “real men have beards”. This is fun and creative, and is likely a name that no other team will have. You can then have the custom beard t-shirts made with your team name and a picture of a bearded man on them. You can also have the number of each player and their name placed on the back of each jersey. The Gym Since the gym is a place where some men like to prove just how manly they are, what is more appropriate than wearing a beard t-shirt. The t-shirt will be casual and comfortable for gym attire, allowing you to get an excellent workout in. Anyone who sees the shirt will likely get a good laugh, and will appreciate your sense of humor. They even have some beard tank tops and muscle shirts, if you want to show off your biceps as well as your awesome facial...
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