By: Deborah Crowley
How did you get started in FlexEffect?
I began teaching Facial Exercise in 1976. At that time, Isometrics were the only form of facial training known to the public. A year later, still teaching Facial Isometrics, I became interested in weightlifting and soon after stepped into competitive bodybuilding. This move called for a marked reduction in body fat. Consequently, this loss of fat had an aging effect on my face. As a Facial Trainer this was not an acceptable trade-off!
I had no intention of giving up bodybuilding, but determined to remedy my dilemma. On a hunch that resistance training could add fullness to my face in the same way it did to my body, I decided to convert each Isometric exercise into an exercise using resistance. This was the beginning of 'Facial Resistance Training' Est.1979
Knowing what it took to increase muscle density (fullness), I knew resistance training would be far more aggressive than the facial training I had been doing. This took a lot of nerve on my part since I, too, had been duped into thinking any handling of the face could prove detrimental. When I described my new training technique, which I later dubbed ‘FlexEffect’ as ‘an extension of bodybuilding’ or ‘facialbuilding’, fellow trainers thought I was out of my mind. Frankly, I wasn’t so sure they weren’t on to something.
Much to my relief, my hunch paid off. A very short time proved facial muscles to be every bit as responsive to resistance training as the rest of the body. My face was still thin, but with the extra lift and firmness, I went from gaunt to a healthier more athletic look.
Who would benefit?
Everyone. A better question would be: who would get the most out of it? The answer to this question is the person who starts early, before the signs of aging set in. For them, time stands still. However, the majority of testimonials reporting excellent results are not from the early birds; they are from the late starters -- men and women ages 45, 50 and up.
Would you say FlexEffect is better than a surgical face-lift?
FlexEffect is not a magic bullet. There are those with such sun damage and advanced facial aging that they may never be able to achieve all they hope for in training. But that doesn’t mean they can’t get all the benefits that only training can offer.
Cosmetic surgery can alleviate lines and sag but it cannot replace the fullness of the face. In most cases surgery flattens the face, which is why so many women have cheek implants inserted at the time of their surgery. The exact opposite is true of facialbuilding. FlexEffect does a beautiful job replacing fullness, considered to be the most youthful feature of the face.
Those who start facialbuilding while their face is still firm could expect to erase the need for surgery indefinitely. Many late starters with an excessive amount of sun damage and sag may still find they get enough return from their training to forego a major facelift.
Before anyone ops for surgery they should first invest time in training to get as much out of it as they can. Then, if the results of their training stops short of their goal, by that time, electing to have surgery, they’ll find they won’t have the need for as much surgery and their skin will be in far better shape for healing. Once all is healed, they should jump back into their training and not let it happen again!
What are your thoughts on Botox?
The most popular cosmetic procedure today is Botox. This procedure has done much to build my business. I have many clients who decided to give FlexEffect a try after trying a few injections of Botox.
Paralyzing the muscles (corrugators) to prevent frowning also causes those muscles to atrophy: within six weeks as much as half of the muscle is lost to atrophy. Over a period of time, repeated injections will result in hooded lids (drooping upper eyelids). The area of the injection also becomes extremely flat. This is not what I would call a fair trade off.
For every person trying to eliminate a line or furrow through Botox, there is a trainee eliminating the same line and furrow through FlexEffect – without the side effects.
What type of changes should one expect to see?
Initially, the change most Flexers comment on about three weeks into their training is how their face feels different to the touch. They notice increased tautness and thickness in the cheek and mouth area. Lips become more defined, and there is an increase in facial oil production. This is a real bonus since it is natural oil that holds moisture in the skin -- bye bye dry skin! Three months will bring a visual lift in the cheeks, even more firmness, and smooth skin where there used to be fine lines. In six months, friends will be asking you to teach them the exercises.
How does Flexeffect affect the skin?
Without doubt, Flexeffect is a tremendous benefit to the skin. The supply of blood to a contracting muscle is ten times greater than normal. Resistance Training brings a vigorous supply of blood to the surface. This blood carries vital oxygen and nutrients to the skin and growing tissue, while carrying away old and damaged cells. With this constant flushing of oxygen and nutrients, the skin cells become healthier. Before a cell dies, it clones itself. This newly cloned cell will become healthier before cloning itself -- and so on, and so on. This means better skin tone and better texture. The bottom line: you cannot beef-up muscle without beefing-up its surrounding tissue.
Like any form of fitness training, FlexEffect takes time and discipline. Muscle builds fast but it’s going to take your skin considerably longer (re-cycling of cells) to show the benefit of your training. Give yourself a year. I know a year sounds like a long time, but it’s worth it. Besides, you’ll be watching your face improve from month to month. Can’t get more exciting than that!
About the Author
Deborah Crowley IFA Certified Personal Trainer, former competitive bodybuilder and Founder of 'FlexEffect Facial Resistance Training' This article was a recent interview for Ms.Fitness.
To find out more about FlexEffect you can visit Deb online at www.flexeffect.com
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Better Than Botox -- is there a Safer Substitute?
By: Kamau Austin
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 Author
Kamau Austin is the publisher of... http://www.HealthandFitnessVitality.comfind out more about his health and fitness tips at his site.
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 Author
Kamau Austin is the publisher of... http://www.HealthandFitnessVitality.comfind out more about his health and fitness tips at his site.
How to Select Your Botox Doctor?
By: Peter Lenkefi
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.
About the author:
For more more information about selecting your botox doctor please visit http://www.botox-cosmetic-doctor.com
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.
About the author:
For more more information about selecting your botox doctor please visit http://www.botox-cosmetic-doctor.com
BOTOX vs. ALL-NATURAL SKIN CARE
By: John Russell
BOTOX vs. ALL-NATURAL SKIN CARE
On April 15, 2002, the FDA approved Botox® to treat frown lines. Botox® was first approved in December 1989
to treat two specific eye muscle disorders, “Blepharospasm” and “Strabismus” and subsequently approved in
December 2000 to treat Cervical Dystonia, a neurological movement disorder that causes severe neck and
shoulder contractions.1
To gain the approval for use with frown lines, a clinical study involving 405 mostly women over 50 with moderate
to severe frown lines were injected with Botox® cosmetic and after 30 days frown lines were evaluated. The frown lines were eliminated for approximately 120 days at which time re-injection was required. The FDA guidelines were
injections to incur no more frequently than once every three months and the lowest effective dose should be used.
The study highlighted the following common adverse side effects:
Headache
Respiratory infection
Flu symptoms
Droopy eyelids
Nauseous
Less frequent but adverse reactions in approximately 3% of patients included pain in the face, redness
at the injection site, and muscle weakness. While the adverse reactions were termed temporary, they could last months.
The FDA approved Botox® as a prescription drug, thus, requiring medical supervision. The actual name
for Botox® cosmetic is Botulinum Toxin Type A; it’s actually produced from the bacterium Clostridium Botulinum.
What actually occurs is an injectible form of sterile purified toxin, in a very small dose, is injected into the
affected muscles to block and release the chemical acetylcholine that would otherwise cause contraction in
the muscle. The toxin actually paralyzes the injected muscle.
Interestingly, the Botulinum Toxin has been known for centuries. As early as 1895, a professor (Emile Pierre van Ermengem of Ellezelles, Belgium) identified the original toxin from Bacterium Bacilus Botulinus. It was later renamed in the 1920’s as Botulinum Toxin Type A, generic name Botox®, which is a registered trademark. Dr. Herman Sommer, at the University of California San Francisco subsequently provided the data sufficient for future medical studies.
In the 1950’s, Dr. Vernon Brooks2 discovered that the Botulinum Toxin, when injected directly into an active
or hyperactive muscle included the release of acetylcholine from motor nerve endings, thus, inducing a temporary
paralysis of a targeted muscle.
In the 1960’s and 1970’s, Dr. Alan Scott, M.D. of the Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Foundation began effectiveness
testing with monkeys to determine if the drug might have effective therapeutic modalities.
For the next 20-30 years, Dr. Scott collaborated with Dr. Schantz of the University of Wisconsin to
further develop product samples.3
In the late 1970’s, Dr. Scott formed a company named Oculinum, where he continued to study the drug
with monkeys and in 1978 received permission from the Food & Drug Administration to test on human clinical studies.
In 1988, Allergan acquired the rights to distribute Dr. Scott’s Botox® Toxin Type A product. The current manufacturer, Allergan Inc., is located in Irvine, California.
Current side effects in actual applications are as follows (as a % of total side effects):
Upper Respiratory Infection – 11%
Neck Pain – 11%
Headache – 11%
Drooping Eyelids – 21%
Eye Dryness – 6%
All others – 40%
While Botox® is the rage today, alternatives for professional skin care, such as the all new NutriMinC RE9
anti-aging skin care system from IH Distribution LLC, is an excellent alternative. More information can be seen at www.ihdistribution.com. IH Distribution’s products are all-natural, botanically-based, pH correct, hypoallergenic,
dermatologist tested, NEVER tested on animals, contain no animal products or by-products, made without
mineral oil and formulated without dyes or chemical fragrances.
The idea of injecting your face every three months, at a cost of up to $1,200 per injection, with toxins,
given known side effects and the significant discomfort of the injections, from a product continually tested on
monkeys should drive consumer’s research to other alternatives.
Webster’s dictionary confirms toxins are “any of various poisons produced by microorganisms and
causing certain diseases” or “any poisons secreted by plants or animals”.4
Copyright © IH Distribution LLC, 2004
No material may be use without the expressed permission of IH Distribution LLC
1. FDA T02-20 April 15, 2002
2. Schantz, EJ, Historical Perspective EDS. Therapy with Botulinum Toxin New York, New York, Marcelle Dekker Inc. 1994
3. Schantz EJ, Johnson EA, Botox® Toxin Persp Biomed 1997; 40 (4) 317327
4. Webster’s New World Dictionary and Thesaurus, Copyright © 1966 by Simon & Schuster, Inc.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
About the Author
Pure. Natural. Beautiful
from IH Distribution.
IH Distribution specializes in health areas such as acne skin care, anti-aging cream, anti-wrinkle cream, hormones and natural hormone replacement therapy, natural progesterone cream and skin care cream. We offer beauty care products such as natural cosmetics, facial products, skin care products, eye make up and dermatologist approved cleansing products.
BOTOX vs. ALL-NATURAL SKIN CARE
On April 15, 2002, the FDA approved Botox® to treat frown lines. Botox® was first approved in December 1989
to treat two specific eye muscle disorders, “Blepharospasm” and “Strabismus” and subsequently approved in
December 2000 to treat Cervical Dystonia, a neurological movement disorder that causes severe neck and
shoulder contractions.1
To gain the approval for use with frown lines, a clinical study involving 405 mostly women over 50 with moderate
to severe frown lines were injected with Botox® cosmetic and after 30 days frown lines were evaluated. The frown lines were eliminated for approximately 120 days at which time re-injection was required. The FDA guidelines were
injections to incur no more frequently than once every three months and the lowest effective dose should be used.
The study highlighted the following common adverse side effects:
Headache
Respiratory infection
Flu symptoms
Droopy eyelids
Nauseous
Less frequent but adverse reactions in approximately 3% of patients included pain in the face, redness
at the injection site, and muscle weakness. While the adverse reactions were termed temporary, they could last months.
The FDA approved Botox® as a prescription drug, thus, requiring medical supervision. The actual name
for Botox® cosmetic is Botulinum Toxin Type A; it’s actually produced from the bacterium Clostridium Botulinum.
What actually occurs is an injectible form of sterile purified toxin, in a very small dose, is injected into the
affected muscles to block and release the chemical acetylcholine that would otherwise cause contraction in
the muscle. The toxin actually paralyzes the injected muscle.
Interestingly, the Botulinum Toxin has been known for centuries. As early as 1895, a professor (Emile Pierre van Ermengem of Ellezelles, Belgium) identified the original toxin from Bacterium Bacilus Botulinus. It was later renamed in the 1920’s as Botulinum Toxin Type A, generic name Botox®, which is a registered trademark. Dr. Herman Sommer, at the University of California San Francisco subsequently provided the data sufficient for future medical studies.
In the 1950’s, Dr. Vernon Brooks2 discovered that the Botulinum Toxin, when injected directly into an active
or hyperactive muscle included the release of acetylcholine from motor nerve endings, thus, inducing a temporary
paralysis of a targeted muscle.
In the 1960’s and 1970’s, Dr. Alan Scott, M.D. of the Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Foundation began effectiveness
testing with monkeys to determine if the drug might have effective therapeutic modalities.
For the next 20-30 years, Dr. Scott collaborated with Dr. Schantz of the University of Wisconsin to
further develop product samples.3
In the late 1970’s, Dr. Scott formed a company named Oculinum, where he continued to study the drug
with monkeys and in 1978 received permission from the Food & Drug Administration to test on human clinical studies.
In 1988, Allergan acquired the rights to distribute Dr. Scott’s Botox® Toxin Type A product. The current manufacturer, Allergan Inc., is located in Irvine, California.
Current side effects in actual applications are as follows (as a % of total side effects):
Upper Respiratory Infection – 11%
Neck Pain – 11%
Headache – 11%
Drooping Eyelids – 21%
Eye Dryness – 6%
All others – 40%
While Botox® is the rage today, alternatives for professional skin care, such as the all new NutriMinC RE9
anti-aging skin care system from IH Distribution LLC, is an excellent alternative. More information can be seen at www.ihdistribution.com. IH Distribution’s products are all-natural, botanically-based, pH correct, hypoallergenic,
dermatologist tested, NEVER tested on animals, contain no animal products or by-products, made without
mineral oil and formulated without dyes or chemical fragrances.
The idea of injecting your face every three months, at a cost of up to $1,200 per injection, with toxins,
given known side effects and the significant discomfort of the injections, from a product continually tested on
monkeys should drive consumer’s research to other alternatives.
Webster’s dictionary confirms toxins are “any of various poisons produced by microorganisms and
causing certain diseases” or “any poisons secreted by plants or animals”.4
Copyright © IH Distribution LLC, 2004
No material may be use without the expressed permission of IH Distribution LLC
1. FDA T02-20 April 15, 2002
2. Schantz, EJ, Historical Perspective EDS. Therapy with Botulinum Toxin New York, New York, Marcelle Dekker Inc. 1994
3. Schantz EJ, Johnson EA, Botox® Toxin Persp Biomed 1997; 40 (4) 317327
4. Webster’s New World Dictionary and Thesaurus, Copyright © 1966 by Simon & Schuster, Inc.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
About the Author
Pure. Natural. Beautiful
from IH Distribution.
IH Distribution specializes in health areas such as acne skin care, anti-aging cream, anti-wrinkle cream, hormones and natural hormone replacement therapy, natural progesterone cream and skin care cream. We offer beauty care products such as natural cosmetics, facial products, skin care products, eye make up and dermatologist approved cleansing products.
The Truth About Beauty
By: Janice Wee
What's with this fascination with beauty?
The demand for beauty services in spite of the economy?
Even when there is a recession, beauty parlours still flourish. Beauty products still fly off the shelves.
There is this saying that beauty is skin deep.
Then again, first impressions count.
Put it this way. Beauty is power. That was true centuries ago. That is true today.
When a beautiful woman walks into a bar, men flock to her and offer to buy her drinks. When an unattractive woman walks into the same bar, chances are, she would have to buy her own drinks.
A beautiful salesperson, man or woman is more likely to win the sale. Between a beautiful job seeker and an unattractive one, all other things being equal, the employer is likely to choose the good looker.
Like it or not, looks do count.
In the past, when women were dependent on men to support them, beauty was everything to a woman. A beautiful woman would have more suitors. She would be able to marry up. To marry a rich man who could take care of all her financial needs and that of her children. Long before commercial cosmetics existed, mothers would instruct their daughters on traditional beauty remedies. Simple beauty remedies like using mayonnaise as a moisturizer, or egg white as a firming mask were often used by women in the days before commercial cosmetics.
Then along came women entrepreneurs like Estee Lauder and other women from around the world. They converted traditional beauty recipes which worked for themselves into beauty creams that they sold to other women. Every woman has a right to look her most beautiful and these women were selling others their beauty secrets.
Women all over the world are willing to suffer for the sake of beauty. Long ago, in China, women in wealthy families would bind their feet. The Chinese back then view tiny feet as beautiful, so little girls have their feet bound, to prevent them from growing big and ugly. Now that long legs are considered beautiful, some women go through a very painful medical procedure that breaks their legs, and stretches their legs by a few millimeters a day through a painful device until they attain the height they want. With their newfound height, these girls can look forward to a wealthy, glamorous future as an international model.
In Europe, centuries ago, wasp waists and curvy bodies were considered beautiful, so corsets were worn to make the waist look much smaller. These were tied so tightly that women faint easily. All for the sake of beauty. Now, corsets are in again. These days, women and men subject themselves to surgery to attain the beauty they desire. Liposuction to remove the excess fat to contour the body. Breast augmentation for bigger breasts that are considered beautiful. Nose jobs, face lifts, the works.
Both men and women even have poison (botox) injected into their faces to paralyze their facial muscles in order to erase the expression lines we know as wrinkles.
There is also a return to natural beauty remedies. This time, commercial cosmetics use natural ingredients that women have used in centuries in the home beauty preparations.
With modern advances, beauty preparations are more effective than ever. Even doctors have developed their own skin care ranges. Acne can be a thing of the past with some of the latest acne treatments. Some doctors, both dermatologists and general practitioners offer facials which treat most of today's skin problems very effectively. After all, beauty is skin deep. Healthy skin is beautiful.
There is wisdom in the old ways women took care of their looks. Fresh food, exercise, plenty of water, plenty of sleep, soap and water. That's all the women in the olden days had in their beauty routine. These days, add a good sunscreen worn every day to protect your skin from the sun. A good toner, cleanser and moisturizer, a regular scrub and mask and you are done.
About the Author
The writer is the webmaster of Cosmetics Online , where you can find cosmetics, skincare, makeup and all the beauty products from your favourite beauty brand.
What's with this fascination with beauty?
The demand for beauty services in spite of the economy?
Even when there is a recession, beauty parlours still flourish. Beauty products still fly off the shelves.
There is this saying that beauty is skin deep.
Then again, first impressions count.
Put it this way. Beauty is power. That was true centuries ago. That is true today.
When a beautiful woman walks into a bar, men flock to her and offer to buy her drinks. When an unattractive woman walks into the same bar, chances are, she would have to buy her own drinks.
A beautiful salesperson, man or woman is more likely to win the sale. Between a beautiful job seeker and an unattractive one, all other things being equal, the employer is likely to choose the good looker.
Like it or not, looks do count.
In the past, when women were dependent on men to support them, beauty was everything to a woman. A beautiful woman would have more suitors. She would be able to marry up. To marry a rich man who could take care of all her financial needs and that of her children. Long before commercial cosmetics existed, mothers would instruct their daughters on traditional beauty remedies. Simple beauty remedies like using mayonnaise as a moisturizer, or egg white as a firming mask were often used by women in the days before commercial cosmetics.
Then along came women entrepreneurs like Estee Lauder and other women from around the world. They converted traditional beauty recipes which worked for themselves into beauty creams that they sold to other women. Every woman has a right to look her most beautiful and these women were selling others their beauty secrets.
Women all over the world are willing to suffer for the sake of beauty. Long ago, in China, women in wealthy families would bind their feet. The Chinese back then view tiny feet as beautiful, so little girls have their feet bound, to prevent them from growing big and ugly. Now that long legs are considered beautiful, some women go through a very painful medical procedure that breaks their legs, and stretches their legs by a few millimeters a day through a painful device until they attain the height they want. With their newfound height, these girls can look forward to a wealthy, glamorous future as an international model.
In Europe, centuries ago, wasp waists and curvy bodies were considered beautiful, so corsets were worn to make the waist look much smaller. These were tied so tightly that women faint easily. All for the sake of beauty. Now, corsets are in again. These days, women and men subject themselves to surgery to attain the beauty they desire. Liposuction to remove the excess fat to contour the body. Breast augmentation for bigger breasts that are considered beautiful. Nose jobs, face lifts, the works.
Both men and women even have poison (botox) injected into their faces to paralyze their facial muscles in order to erase the expression lines we know as wrinkles.
There is also a return to natural beauty remedies. This time, commercial cosmetics use natural ingredients that women have used in centuries in the home beauty preparations.
With modern advances, beauty preparations are more effective than ever. Even doctors have developed their own skin care ranges. Acne can be a thing of the past with some of the latest acne treatments. Some doctors, both dermatologists and general practitioners offer facials which treat most of today's skin problems very effectively. After all, beauty is skin deep. Healthy skin is beautiful.
There is wisdom in the old ways women took care of their looks. Fresh food, exercise, plenty of water, plenty of sleep, soap and water. That's all the women in the olden days had in their beauty routine. These days, add a good sunscreen worn every day to protect your skin from the sun. A good toner, cleanser and moisturizer, a regular scrub and mask and you are done.
About the Author
The writer is the webmaster of Cosmetics Online , where you can find cosmetics, skincare, makeup and all the beauty products from your favourite beauty brand.
To Dye or not to Dye?
By: Teresa Proudlove
"To dye or not to dye?" ... that is the question. At least that was the question I began asking myself a decade ago as I grew weary of dyeing my grey-streaked hair. Back then, upon presenting my dilemma to my hairdresser I chose to follow his self-serving advice, "You'll have plenty of time to go grey!"
Giving up the quest for a glamorous, youthful look was especially difficult for me as I had been the fashion queen; owning fashion boutiques, doing image consulting and writing a fashion column for ten years. I had felt pity for my sister-in-law years ago, when she decided not to dye her hair. At that time I vowed to never "let myself go," and remain as youthful and glamorous as human powers would permit.
Held Hostage to the Beauty Industry
Yet, rather suddenly, more years of dying my hair passed and I found myself resenting being held hostage every six weeks to grey roots, chemicals soaking my scalp, dark stains along my hairline, and fumes in my eyes and lungs. More and more I begrudged the societal message clouting us: "Women lose their value, beauty and worth as they age and must do their utmost to hide the fact." Proof of this message drives the multi-billion dollar beauty/anti-aging industry which goads us into defying nature and negating the beauty, vitality, sexuality and worth of aging, grey-haired women.
Now it is commonplace to perpetually dye greying hair; surgically nip, tuck and lift aging faces; Botox worrisome wrinkles away; lyposuction fat off thighs; enlarge small breasts; pluck "inappropriate" hairs (then draw eyebrows back on!); wear make-up with toxic ingredients; and keep wearing current clothing that was in style when we were teens.
Unwittingly, we have been drawn into an anti-aging war being battled upon our bodies. Each of us has to draw the line between wanting to look good and becoming a slave to twisted societal demands. Where do we say "Enough is enough?"
The Road Less Traveled
Letting our grey grow is the "road less traveled." The idea that we must be beautiful, youthful and lithesome to be acceptable and of worth is deeply ingrained within each of us. It can be an unnerving, shocking journey dumping our societies' shallow values, and coming to accept our bodies as they are: grey hair, no hair, overweight, wrinkles and all.
Three years ago, when I decided to stop dying my hair, with the support of my husband and young boy, I faced deep fears. Being mid-forties and grey-haired would I lose my man to a younger, prettier woman? Would they see me "on the way out" in my professional career? And what was I to do on those days the mirror reflected an old, unsexy, grey-haired woman?
It's interesting - I had to dig to the depths of my roots - in order to grow-out my roots. To grow grey I had to find the courage of my convictions and move against the mass belief. I had to go beyond my fears to find my own beauty and worth inside. Now, having experienced grey hair for three years, I can say it is incredibly freeing and comfortable to be who I am, just as I am.
To rise above societal beliefs and find our own intrinsic worth, beauty, vitality and sexuality let us begin with accepting, and caring for our bodies and our precious selves. Given the toxicity of many beauty products and treatments perhaps the question of - "To dye or not to dye" - should read… "To die or not to die, that is the question."
Teresa Proudlove is the publisher/editor of http://www.yourlifework.com offering support and inspiration for your work and life. Teresa has been inspiring, supporting, and mentoring over 3000 people upon their lifework path for fourteen years through leading workshops and authoring many internationally published articles.
About the Author
Teresa Proudlove is the publisher/editor of www.yourlifework.com: support and inspiration for your work and life. Teresa has been inspiring, supporting, and mentoring over 3000 people upon their lifework path for fourteen years, leading workshops and authoring many internationally published articles.
"To dye or not to dye?" ... that is the question. At least that was the question I began asking myself a decade ago as I grew weary of dyeing my grey-streaked hair. Back then, upon presenting my dilemma to my hairdresser I chose to follow his self-serving advice, "You'll have plenty of time to go grey!"
Giving up the quest for a glamorous, youthful look was especially difficult for me as I had been the fashion queen; owning fashion boutiques, doing image consulting and writing a fashion column for ten years. I had felt pity for my sister-in-law years ago, when she decided not to dye her hair. At that time I vowed to never "let myself go," and remain as youthful and glamorous as human powers would permit.
Held Hostage to the Beauty Industry
Yet, rather suddenly, more years of dying my hair passed and I found myself resenting being held hostage every six weeks to grey roots, chemicals soaking my scalp, dark stains along my hairline, and fumes in my eyes and lungs. More and more I begrudged the societal message clouting us: "Women lose their value, beauty and worth as they age and must do their utmost to hide the fact." Proof of this message drives the multi-billion dollar beauty/anti-aging industry which goads us into defying nature and negating the beauty, vitality, sexuality and worth of aging, grey-haired women.
Now it is commonplace to perpetually dye greying hair; surgically nip, tuck and lift aging faces; Botox worrisome wrinkles away; lyposuction fat off thighs; enlarge small breasts; pluck "inappropriate" hairs (then draw eyebrows back on!); wear make-up with toxic ingredients; and keep wearing current clothing that was in style when we were teens.
Unwittingly, we have been drawn into an anti-aging war being battled upon our bodies. Each of us has to draw the line between wanting to look good and becoming a slave to twisted societal demands. Where do we say "Enough is enough?"
The Road Less Traveled
Letting our grey grow is the "road less traveled." The idea that we must be beautiful, youthful and lithesome to be acceptable and of worth is deeply ingrained within each of us. It can be an unnerving, shocking journey dumping our societies' shallow values, and coming to accept our bodies as they are: grey hair, no hair, overweight, wrinkles and all.
Three years ago, when I decided to stop dying my hair, with the support of my husband and young boy, I faced deep fears. Being mid-forties and grey-haired would I lose my man to a younger, prettier woman? Would they see me "on the way out" in my professional career? And what was I to do on those days the mirror reflected an old, unsexy, grey-haired woman?
It's interesting - I had to dig to the depths of my roots - in order to grow-out my roots. To grow grey I had to find the courage of my convictions and move against the mass belief. I had to go beyond my fears to find my own beauty and worth inside. Now, having experienced grey hair for three years, I can say it is incredibly freeing and comfortable to be who I am, just as I am.
To rise above societal beliefs and find our own intrinsic worth, beauty, vitality and sexuality let us begin with accepting, and caring for our bodies and our precious selves. Given the toxicity of many beauty products and treatments perhaps the question of - "To dye or not to dye" - should read… "To die or not to die, that is the question."
Teresa Proudlove is the publisher/editor of http://www.yourlifework.com offering support and inspiration for your work and life. Teresa has been inspiring, supporting, and mentoring over 3000 people upon their lifework path for fourteen years through leading workshops and authoring many internationally published articles.
About the Author
Teresa Proudlove is the publisher/editor of www.yourlifework.com: support and inspiration for your work and life. Teresa has been inspiring, supporting, and mentoring over 3000 people upon their lifework path for fourteen years, leading workshops and authoring many internationally published articles.
What is Botox and What's the Use
By: Ispas Marin
Botox is an injectable substance that is a medical grade form of the botulinum toxin, most often used to soften and relax forehead/scowl lines as well as crows feet around the eye area.
Botulin toxin or botox is the toxic compound produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. It is an enzyme that breaks down one of the fusion proteins that allow neurons to release acetylcholine at a neuromuscular junction. By interfering with nerve impulses in this way, it causes paralysis of muscles in botulism. The toxin is a two-chain polypeptide with a 100 kDa heavy chain joined by a disulphide bond to a 50-kD light chain. It is possibly the most toxic substance known, with a lethal do
Botox is most commonly used to smooth out wrinkles but can be used to help in many other cases. It's been found that botox injections can help children with cerebral palsy from agravating and suffering some other side effects. Muscle tension that often occurs with cerebral palsy has been seen to ameliorate while using botox. A side effect is a dry mouth, but in the case of neurological conditions, such as cerebral palsy, where excessive drooling is a problem, this is actually helpful.
It's been found that BT, the botulinum toxin, injected into the prostate reduces the levels of prostate-specific antigen and the prostatic hyperplasia symptoms while being well tolerated. These results have been observed in a preliminary trial that was placebo controlled. The trial went great with no systemic adverse effects or any complications.
The botulinum toxin type A can be deadly, paralyzing muscles needed for breathing, but only very small doses are given in medical or cosmetic treatments.
Botox works by blocking the signal that nerves are trying to pass to the muscles.
About the author:
For more information on botox treatment or botox doctors please visit : http://www.botox-cosmetic-doctors.com
Botox is an injectable substance that is a medical grade form of the botulinum toxin, most often used to soften and relax forehead/scowl lines as well as crows feet around the eye area.
Botulin toxin or botox is the toxic compound produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. It is an enzyme that breaks down one of the fusion proteins that allow neurons to release acetylcholine at a neuromuscular junction. By interfering with nerve impulses in this way, it causes paralysis of muscles in botulism. The toxin is a two-chain polypeptide with a 100 kDa heavy chain joined by a disulphide bond to a 50-kD light chain. It is possibly the most toxic substance known, with a lethal do
Botox is most commonly used to smooth out wrinkles but can be used to help in many other cases. It's been found that botox injections can help children with cerebral palsy from agravating and suffering some other side effects. Muscle tension that often occurs with cerebral palsy has been seen to ameliorate while using botox. A side effect is a dry mouth, but in the case of neurological conditions, such as cerebral palsy, where excessive drooling is a problem, this is actually helpful.
It's been found that BT, the botulinum toxin, injected into the prostate reduces the levels of prostate-specific antigen and the prostatic hyperplasia symptoms while being well tolerated. These results have been observed in a preliminary trial that was placebo controlled. The trial went great with no systemic adverse effects or any complications.
The botulinum toxin type A can be deadly, paralyzing muscles needed for breathing, but only very small doses are given in medical or cosmetic treatments.
Botox works by blocking the signal that nerves are trying to pass to the muscles.
About the author:
For more information on botox treatment or botox doctors please visit : http://www.botox-cosmetic-doctors.com
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