Bumpy Baby’s Bottom

Saturday, 2012-05-05

Whoever coined the expression “smooth as a baby’s bottom” has probably never had kids, or at least has never encountered diaper rash. While it’s true that baby’s skin is usually soft, glowing, and blemish free, babies often encounter skin conditions that, while not exactly serious, can be quite upsetting for parents. but unfortunately there are some skin care conditions that, while minor in their severity, can still be upsetting for parents.

In this post, we discuss some common complaints about baby’s skin and share some possible solutions (and even preventions). After all, it’s never too early to start caring for your skin, right?

Diaper rash

This is the most common skin care complaint among babies, especially in the first few months. This isn’t too surprising, since babies’ bottoms spend most of their time wrapped tight, sometimes in close contact with wee and poo.

Dealing with diaper rash is simple – just wash baby’s bottom in warm water. If you want, you can put some oatmeal in warm water, then bathe baby like normal. You can also use Diana Stalder Oatmeal Beauty Bar, which works great for various skin irritations, including diaper rash.

If you want to keep diaper rash at bay, you need to change diapers pretty often. The moist environment in a diaper and the ammonia released by baby’s pee have a tendency to irritate baby’s bottom. The downside of this, of course, is that you spend quite a bit more money (and time) changing diapers.

Cradle Cap

If you notice greasy or scaly patches on your baby’s scalp, and possibly behind baby’s ears, it’s probably cradle cap. While it looks alarming, it is quite common, and is a harmless condition. Cradle cap usually starts in the first three months, but usually doesn’t last much longer than a few months.

Many believe that cradle cap is caused by overactive sebaceous glands, likely caused by their mother’s hormones lingering in their system after birth. The extra sebum, or oil, produced causes dead skin cells to stick to baby’s scalp instead of simply falling off.

We suggest applying some olive on baby’s scalp to soften the scaly skin, then gently removing the softened scales with a fine comb or a soft cloth. While this doesn’t treat the condition, it does get rid of the unsightly scales. Simply do this regularly until the condition resolves itself.

Eczema

If you notice scaly patches in other areas of your baby, like maybe the nose, armpits, or others, you might be dealing with eczema. There many possible causes for this, but one thing they have in common is irritation. Whatever the cause, eczema usually goes away on its own, but you can reduce the symptoms of eczema by minimize possible causes of irritation.

Regular bathing with lukewarm water will definitely help. Some people recommend applying moisturizers rich in lanolin or aloe vera, but we believe that’s a personal choice. Consult with your pediatrician if you want, but the most important thing is that you’re comfortable with what you put (or don’t put) on baby’s skin.

You should also make sure to dress baby in soft, natural fabrics like cotton and wool – these are less likely than other fabrics to irritate baby’s skin. It’s also a good idea to keep baby’s hands wrapped in mittens to keep them from scratching themselves. Just make sure you take them off every so often to give baby’s hands time to breath too. Sometimes, mittens can keep sweat from drying off baby’s hands.

The most important thing to remember is that baby’s skin is thinner than your skin and very sensitive. This means that you have to be very gentle to keep baby’s skin soft and smooth. Avoid harsh soaps and cleansing products – they might do more harm than good. Relax too, most of baby’s skin conditions, no matter how alarming initially, will simply go away naturally. Of course, if you have any doubts, you can always consult with your doctor.

The skin on a baby’s bottom is soft, smooth and very sensitive. It’s also thinner than adults’ and has a higher pH level. It has to put up with difficult conditions, spending most of the day and night wrapped tightly in

Infant skin care is a very gentle procedure. Avoid harsh soaps or artificial cleansing products and most of the time the condition will simply go away naturally. However, like anything related to your baby, if you have any doubts make sure that you consult a medical specialist as soon as possible.

Of course, you should consult with your doctor if you have any concerns about these conditions, but generally they are simple to care for and can be easily addressed with some natural home care remedies. Here are the three most common skin care complaints for babies and some simple remedies for them.

“Laugh a lot, and when you’re older, all your wrinkles will be in the right places”

-        Anonymous

There are few things as soft and smooth as a baby’s bottom, at least if you believe the expression. With few exceptions, a baby’s skin is soft, clear, and wrinkle-free – and it usually stays that way until early adolescence. After that, however, it usually goes downhill.

You can, however, do something about it. You can’t stop the effects of aging entirely, but there are  ways to help keep your skin looking fresh, clear, and young. All it takes is a little care, and a bit of help from us.

The Teen Years and Hormones

Puberty brings a lot of hormonal changes, and along with this rush of hormones comes a lot of skin changes. Among the most common changes are increased oil production, along with its more annoying cousin: acne.

The best thing you can do for your skin at this age is protect it from the sun. This means staying in the shade as much as possible, and wearing sun protection when you have to get under the sun. Our suggestion, dab on some Diana Stalder Sunblock Cream everyday.

Of course, there’s still the problem plaguing teenagers the world over: acne. Washing your face regularly is a great way to keep your skin clean and free from oil, and a mild scrub like Diana Stalder Oatmeal Beauty Bar does wonders. If you need something a bit more potent to combat pimples, Diana Stalder Tea Tree Beauty Bar has antimicrobial properties that are very effective against acne and fungi.

The 20′s: First Signs of Aging

The first signs of aging usually begin in your 20′s, when the collagen and elastin that have kept your skin soft and supple start to break down. Once again, UV protection is your best bet to control any skin damage. Diana Stalder Skin Moisturizing Lotion contains an SPF 30 sunscreen that protects skin against harmful sun rays, and gently moisturizes your skin, helping prevent premature aging.

The 30′s: Early Environmental Damage

Damage from sun exposure usually begins to show up in your 30′s, but the good news is that sun-induced wrinkles are still barely visible at this age. Your skin’s collagen and elastin continue to lose their spring too, making skin care more important.

On top of protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays, moisturizing skin becomes even more important. A soap like Diana Stalder Collagen Beauty Bar helps restore your skin’s elasticity, as does Diana Stalder Skin Revitalizer.

The 40′s & 50′s: Revealing the Damage

Moisturizing comes to the forefront in your 40′s & 50′s. Dead skin cells start to stick around longer, but a mild scrub like Diana Stalder Oatmeal Beauty Bar can help solve that. Diana Stalder Nourishing Crème  exfoliates your skin as well, and also maintain your skin’s elasticity.

If you haven’t done your diligence protecting your skin from sun damage, this is the time it starts showing up. This is also the when wrinkles, age spots, and spider veins become evident. As always, moisturizers and sunscreen should be a part of your daily skin care regimen, and a product like Diana Stalder SBF-Collagen Cream gives you both.

The 60′s and Beyond: Protection & Pampering Paying Off

When you hit your 60′s, a lifetime of skin care starts paying off. You can’t stop the clock completely, so  your skin probably shows some signs of aging already. Fortunately, if you’ve taken good care of your skin, your wrinkles, spots, and other blemishes won’t be too obvious.

This doesn’t mean you should stop caring for your skin though. A daily dose of moisturizer, a dab of SPF, and continued care should help keep your skin young and fresh. Of course, smiling a lot helps too – if you’re going to have wrinkles anyway, you can at least have your wrinkles in the right places.

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Skin Care 101: Five Tips on How to Simplify your Skin Care Routine

Friday, 2012-02-17

Many of us are guilty of collecting as many beauty products as we can. They do look good on our bedrooms and boudoirs, don’t they? Some of us have our own prized possessions: that limited edition perfume or that certain hand cream which reminds us of our grandmother’s scent.

What we may not realize, though, is that using a lot of beauty products may take a toll on our skin. In fact, this may be the reason behind your acne or your sensitized skin. The rule is simple – the fewer chemicals we have on our skin, the better – and there’s no other way to do this than simplifying our skin care routine.

1.    Organize and keep clean
Allot some time to take inventory of every beauty product you own. How often do you use each one of them? Retain the products which you use on a regular basis, especially those that have really worked well with your skin. Throw out the following: those that are nearing or have already gone beyond their expiration dates, those that cause you to break out, those that simply have no effect on your skin, those which you keep only because of their pretty packaging, and those which you keep because of their sentimental value.

2.    Look for the multifunctional
What better way to simplify your skin care routine than using multipurpose products? You don’t need to spend more money on these products; you only need to hone your label-studying skills. For example, instead of applying moisturizer and sunscreen separately, why not buy moisturizer with a good SPF, such as the Diana Stalder Skin Moisturizing Lotion with SPF 30? Or, to raise your simplifying act one notch higher, how about buying a tinted moisturizer with SPF? That way, you can ditch your moisturizer, sunscreen and foundation for just one product, like the Diana Stalder SBF-Collagen Cream.

3.    More is not always better
We already know how damaging it is if we try to exfoliate our skin daily. We only need to do so once or twice a week to avoid irritations. Aside from that, we can also lessen the frequency of our other beauty rituals. If you wash your face twice a day, you can reduce it to just once a day by using cleanser only at night before going to bed. You should use a good cleanser, such as the Diana Stalder Facial Wash. In the morning, just wash with water, as over-cleansing can cause your skin to dry.

4.    Invest on the essentials
Don’t try too hard and get real. Do you really need to apply three or more products on your skin every single day? Unless you have some major skin problems to take care of, all you need to apply daily are a good cleanser and a moisturizer (possibly with SPF). If you don’t have really oily skin, skip the toner as the cleanser is good enough in removing excess oils and dirt. You will also need to keep an exfoliator (a bottle of Diana Stalder Facial Scrub perhaps) on retainer, but remember that this is not meant for daily use.

5.    Be a critical shopper
Only buy products that are skin-friendly and effective. Know your skin thoroughly. What irritates your skin? Be vigilant in studying the product’s components. If it contains even one irritant, don’t buy it. What’s your skin type? Buy products that target your skin problems and, as much as possible, avoid those that are made for all skin types. Do not be dependent on hearsays or other people’s reviews when buying a product – a product that is effective for others may not necessarily be effective on your skin.

 

These are only five tips you can follow to get you started with your simplified skin care routine. However, we still have one bonus tip: prevention is better than cure. To maintain healthy and young-looking skin, it is important to always stay hydrated and eat a balanced diet. It is also equally important to remain active and stop unhealthy vices such as drinking and smoking.

Remember that what goes inside your body reflects on the outside. Sometimes, they even affect our skin more than the products we apply. We may have already simplified and perfected our skin care routines, but ultimately, it is our overall health that we need to look out for.

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Skin Care 101: How Skin Ages

Monday, 2012-01-30

“Laugh a lot, and when you’re older, all your wrinkles will be in the right places”
−    Anonymous

There are few things as soft and smooth as a baby’s bottom, at least if you believe the expression. With few exceptions, a baby’s skin is soft, clear, and wrinkle-free – and it usually stays that way until early adolescence. After that, however, it usually goes downhill.

You can, however, do something about it. You can’t stop the effects of aging entirely, but there are  ways to help keep your skin looking fresh, clear, and young. All it takes is a little care, and a bit of help from us.

The Teen Years and Hormones

Puberty brings a lot of hormonal changes, and along with this rush of hormones comes a lot of skin changes. Among the most common changes are increased oil production, along with its more annoying cousin: acne.

The best thing you can do for your skin at this age is protect it from the sun. This means staying in the shade as much as possible, and wearing sun protection when you have to get under the sun. Our suggestion, dab on some Diana Stalder Sunblock Cream everyday.

Of course, there’s still the problem plaguing teenagers the world over: acne. Washing your face regularly is a great way to keep your skin clean and free from oil, and a mild scrub like Diana Stalder Oatmeal Beauty Bar does wonders. If you need something a bit more potent to combat pimples, Diana Stalder Tea Tree Beauty Bar has antimicrobial properties that are very effective against acne and fungi.

The 20′s: First Signs of Aging

The first signs of aging usually begin in your 20′s, when the collagen and elastin that have kept your skin soft and supple start to break down. Once again, UV protection is your best bet to control any skin damage. Diana Stalder Skin Moisturizing Lotion contains an SPF 30 sunscreen that protects skin against harmful sun rays, and gently moisturizes your skin, helping prevent premature aging.

The 30′s: Early Environmental Damage

Damage from sun exposure usually begins to show up in your 30′s, but the good news is that sun-induced wrinkles are still barely visible at this age. Your skin’s collagen and elastin continue to lose their spring too, making skin care more important.

On top of protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays, moisturizing skin becomes even more important. A soap like Diana Stalder Collagen Beauty Bar helps restore your skin’s elasticity, as does Diana Stalder Skin Revitalizer.

The 40′s & 50′s: Revealing the Damage

Moisturizing comes to the forefront in your 40′s & 50′s. Dead skin cells start to stick around longer, but a mild scrub like Diana Stalder Oatmeal Beauty Bar can help solve that. Diana Stalder Nourishing Crème  exfoliates your skin as well, and also maintain your skin’s elasticity.

If you haven’t done your diligence protecting your skin from sun damage, this is the time it starts showing up. This is also the when wrinkles, age spots, and spider veins become evident. As always, moisturizers and sunscreen should be a part of your daily skin care regimen, and a product like Diana Stalder SBF-Collagen Cream gives you both.

The 60′s and Beyond: Protection & Pampering Paying Off

When you hit your 60′s, a lifetime of skin care starts paying off. You can’t stop the clock completely, so  your skin probably shows some signs of aging already. Fortunately, if you’ve taken good care of your skin, your wrinkles, spots, and other blemishes won’t be too obvious.

This doesn’t mean you should stop caring for your skin though. A daily dose of moisturizer, a dab of SPF, and continued care should help keep your skin young and fresh. Of course, smiling a lot helps too – if you’re going to have wrinkles anyway, you can at least have your wrinkles in the right places.

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Posted by pgesmundo

Old Beauty Tales We Believed to be Truthful

Tuesday, 2011-12-20

“A woman’s asset,” according to author Alex Comfort, “is her beauty.” Different beauty tips have been passed on from one generation to another. I’m pretty sure some of the beauty rituals you religiously follow have been taught by your mother, that’s been told to them by their mothers. It’s simply an endless cycle.

However, some beauty tales are misguided. Despite the lack of evidence that chocolates make you break-out, or that dry skin can cause wrinkles, we still believe them. After all, they’re told by our mothers, who also learned it from their mothers, and so on.

Want to learn other fascinating truths about these old beauty tales? Read up and we’ll give you straight answers.

Eating chocolate and greasy food makes you break out

Don’t go blaming that greasy pizza or chocolate bar you ate yesterday for the pimple you spotted today! According to dermatologists, the only foods that may heighten acne are sushi, shellfish, and soy sauce. These foods contain high amounts of iodine which has been linked to inflammation and break-outs.

If you don’t want your acne to get worse, or prevent that pimple from happening, you can try using a milder soap like, Diana Stalder Lemon Soap it’s formulated with an acne-fighting ingredient (salicylic acid) that is not harsh to the skin.  It is particularly good for oily skin and helps prevent the formation of pimples.

Dry skin causes wrinkles

Wrinkles form when collagen breaks down far below the surface of the skin where dry skin occurs. The number one cause of collagen degeneration is due to too much sun exposure. Moisturizers can improve the appearance of wrinkles by temporarily plumping the parched skin around them.

Diana Stalder SBF Collagen Cream is formulated for older skin as a makeup foundation.  It contains a sunscreen (SPF 30) to protect the skin from harmful UV rays that cause premature aging of the skin.  It also nourishes and moisturizes the skin, helping maintain elasticity and preventing dryness.
Cold water will shrink your pores

Cold water constricts blood vessels so skin only feels tighter. Your pore size, however, is something you get from your parents. Pores look bigger when they are clogged with oil and dead skin. Pores also stretch out when you lose collagen.

Using a toner like, Diana Stalder Surely White SW Skin toner, will do a much better job than an icy splash will. This product is specially formulated to minimize pore size and keep the skin smooth.

If you have anything to add to this mythbusting article, do not hesitate to leave us a comment! :)

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Skin Care 101: Dry Skin No More

Saturday, 2011-09-17

Dry skin can be caused by several factors such as lack of water intake or extremely cold surroundings. It is characterized by red, scaly and itchy skin and the most common areas affected are the face, hands, arms and legs.

The most common cause of skin drying is long hours in the shower and also using soaps that are harsh to the skin. Unfortunately, there are many people with this habit and are not even aware about the drying effect it does to the skin.

Try cutting down shower time so that you don’t strip off skin’s natural oils. In addition, use moisturizing bath soaps such as Diana Stalder Glycerine Beauty Bar which is made of mild, hypoallergenic, natural ingredients that effectively moisturize the skin. In addition, when drying the skin after bath, just dab the towel, don’t rub. Follow-up with body moisturizers such as Diana Stalder Surely White Lightening Lotion while skin is still damp.

For the face, it is recommended to use moisturizing cleansers, such as Diana Stalder Facial Wash, especially for the face. This helps strike a balance between cleansing and protecting the skin from dryness at the same time.

As people age, there is a natural tendency for skin to become dry which can also cause skin wrinkling. This is because as a person grows older, there is also a decrease in sebaceous glands that give out essential oils for skin moisture. The skin’s ability to hold water decreases too due to the diminishing fat presence in the epidermis.

Therefore, moisturizing must be doubled inside and out. Drink plenty of water while nourishing and protecting the skin with moisturizers and sunblock. A very good product that gives both benefits would be Diana Stalder SBF-Collagen Cream which nourishes and moisturizes the skin, helping maintain elasticity and preventing dryness.

Moisturizing and hydrating are essential in keeping skin smooth, soft and never every dry.

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How Sunscreen Works

Wednesday, 2011-05-11

Many of us may already know the importance of protecting the skin against the sun by putting on sunblock or sunscreen. But how exactly do these products work?

Why use sun protection?

Sunblocks are composed of chemical agents that prevent the sun’s ultraviolet or UV radiation from getting to the skin. Now why would you want to protect your skin from the sun when it gives you that bronze tan afterwards? It is because UV rays not only cause your skin to pigment or darken, these harmful radiation cause skin wrinkling and sagging and also results to age spots and dryness. In short, sun causes premature ageing of skin. In addition, too much exposure to the sun may lead to skin cancer.

What are the types of sunscreen?

Sunscreens are normally categorized according to their SPF or sun protection factor. SPF simply means the length of time your sunblock can keep your skin protected under the sun. That is why, sunscreen with higher SPF is more recommended especially for extended hours of sun exposure such as when going to the beach or playing outdoors. Nonetheless, it is recommended to reapply every two hours of sun exposure.

Apart from the duration of protection, as the SPF increases, the percentage of protection from UV rays, particularly UVB rays, increases too. Example, SPF 15 blocks 93%, 97% for SPF 30 and 98% for SPF 50. There is no such thing as 100% blockage that is why it does not make sense if any sunscreen brand takes this claim.

Which sunscreen type suits me?

There are two factors to consider when choosing the sunscreen that’s right for you. First is the frequency and length of sun exposure you get and second is your skin type. For everyday protection from a few minutes of sun exposure, topical products that already have SPF will suffice. An example for this would be Diana Stalder SBF-Collagen Cream which is a makeup foundation and moisturizer with SPF 30.

It is also inevitable for sunblocks to feel greasy on skin which is the problem for people with oily skin. There are sunscreens especially formulated for those with active oil glands such as Diana Stalder Sunblock Gel with SPF 15. This way, your skin does not feel and look shiny but still protected from the sun. Meanwhile, for those with dry skin, put on a cream based sunblock such as Diana Stalder Sunblock Cream so you need not apply a separate moisturizer.

For extended hours of sun exposure, it is ideal to use water-resistant sunblocks with higher SPFs since these are don’t wear off easily and are not prone to drip into the eyes when playing and perspiring under the sun.

It always is better to understand the product, its components and how it works before putting it onto the skin. Not only will this ensure safety of ingredients, this will also let you know which one is just right for you among the many variants available out there.

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Collagen Injection

Tuesday, 2011-04-12

Collagen injection is another skin procedure introduced to help keep skin firm and young-looking. Collagen protein is naturally present in the body and is very much essential in keeping skin supple and elastic.  However, as people age, the natural process of cell and collagen renewal slows down thus causing skin to wrinkle and sag.

To help the skin keep its collagen reserves, collagen protein is injected. This plumps up the skin, making it free from lines, creases and wrinkles. Collagen injection has also been used widely to enhance lip volume. Most collagen injection patients combine this with face lift and laser skin resurfacing for a total skin enhancement.

There are several types of collagen protein being used for this procedure and they differ in terms of longevity of effect, cost and source. One of the most commonly used is bovine collagen which is a sterilized and liquefied protein extracted from the skin of cows. Bovine costs around USD 250 to USD 800 per session and the firming effect can last from six weeks to a year.

Autologen, the second type, is obtained from a patch of the patient’s skin that is also sterilized and liquefied for injection. Since this is derived from one’s own skin, there should less allergic reactions. Autlogen costs around USD 800 to USD 1000 per session but it promises longer-lasting results as compared to bovine.

Isolagen is quite the same with Autologen because they both came from the patient’s skin. However, the process of making isolagen is a bit more complicated. The collagen-making cells behind the ears are cloned and injected in sessions with two weeks intervals, resulting to steady improvement. Due to the complexity, isolagen is much more expensive, around USD 1000 to USD 1500 per session. The last type of collagen protein is dermalogen which is taken from deceased human donors and its effects last longer than that of bovine. Dermalogen costs around USD 500 to USD 1000 per session.

Collagen injection is gaining popularity because it is economical in terms of cost and time spent as each session would require no more than an hour. It is also less invasive, less risky and it delivers quick results. To know which type of collagen suits you and to avoid any negative side effects, always consult your dermatologist first.  If you’re looking for topical alternatives that can help keep the skin wrinkle-free, use vitamin A and collagen enriched products such as Diana Stalder Vitamin A Beauty Bar and Diana Stalder Collagen Beauty Bar.

Reference:
“Collagen Injections.” DocShop

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Skin Care 101: Foundation and Skin Types

Wednesday, 2011-01-05

Make-up foundation, apart from evening out your skin to create a smooth palette for make-up, should give a finish that makes your skin look supple and glowing. In choosing your make-up foundation, it is important to consider three things, your skin type, which will help you determine the amount of coverage that you need, and your skin color.

LIQUID FOUNDATION

Liquid foundations offer light to medium coverage. These are often packed in bottles for easier application to achieve a smooth light sheen. These normally come in two forms: oil-based for a matte finish that is ideal for dry skin or water-based for satin finish that is good for oily skin. For application, you can use either a damp make-up sponge or a small lip brush for more control.

TINTED MOISTURISER

You may mistake this as liquid foundations because of the similarities in the packaging but these two are very different. Tints provide minimal to no coverage which is almost like a bronzer. This is ideal for clear and blemish free skin since no heavy coverage is required.  Tints even out skin tone and relieve dry skin to give that fresh look.

CREAM FOUNDATION

This one offers light to medium coverage which is slightly heavier that the liquid form. Cream form is great for dry skin because of the moisturizing properties of the oil and cream. It is easy to apply and blend and gives a glossy powder finish that lasts all day. Cream foundations are usually packaged in tubes or in compacts just like Diana Stalder SBF-Collagen Cream.

MOUSSE FOUNDATION

Mousse foundations can be mistaken as creams. The difference is mousse type has a whipped consistency and offers a lighter coverage. Since mousse does not settle in skin creases, it is ideal for older skin. This comes in aerosol-type cans or compacts.

STICK FOUNDATION

This type is more solid and is more suitable for oily skin because of its drying effect. Because of its heavy coverage, stick foundations are ideal for scars and blemishes. Since it is very effective in making flaws disappear, this is commonly used for photographic and stage appearance purposes rather than everyday use. However, the modern gel and powder finish sticks are not as heavy and greasy as the old versions.

POWDER FOUNDATION

This type gives a sheer to medium coverage. The powder ingredient has shine-control properties which is helpful for oily skin. It leaves a light feeling when applied, making it practical for summer days. Much more, most powder foundations come in waterproof formulas with natural SPF so you get to protect your skin at the same time.

SPRAY FOUNDATION

This form comes also in aerosol bottles and can be sprayed on sponge or directly to the skin. Spray foundations are mostly medicated that’s why it is preferred for skin with pimples. It lasts for long hours so less touch up is needed.

An additional reminder, coat your skin with a moisturizer such as Diana Stalder Skin Moisturizing Lotion before putting on your foundation, at least 15 minutes before to let the skin absorb. If you immediately follow the moisturizer with a foundation, the later will wear off easily.

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Bizarre Alternatives

Tuesday, 2010-12-14

Fish Pedicure

This treatment is done by soaking your feet (or any part of your body) in a tank of water with Garra Rufa. These are tiny toothless fish that nibble off dead skin to reveal a healthy and soft dermis. Garra Rufa is also known as doctor fish for it can relieve various skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema.  The nibbling may feel a bit ticklish and may cause slight tingling. After the procedure, your feet will definitely feel softer and smoother.

Fish pedicure is assumed to be safe because the fish only eats up the dead skin cells. However, there is also an argument that the skin-eating fish can be a tool for passing on of bacteria from one client to another which may cause infection. These little skin-doctors are also kept in non-chlorinated water which could be a source of bacteria and fungi. Spa owners contest this by saying that the tank of water has an ultraviolet filter which keeps it sanitized.

In addition, some impostor salons are substituting the expensive Garra Rafu with a cheaper one with teeth called “chin chin”, which means they can cause tiny wounds. While there have been no reports of infection due to fish pedicure, people are advised to be extra meticulous if trying out this treatment. Individual tanks are of course safer than one big tank for all. Also, make sure that they thoroughly clean your feet before asking you to soak.

Leech Detox

Wonder how Demi Moore manages to look way younger than her age? She recently divulged her new cleansing beauty secret, leech detox. She talks about the procedure. First, you are prepped up by shaving your body and bathing in turpentine. Then, the highly trained medical leeches are placed on your skin so they could suck the blood. It hurts initially but after the first bite, you can relax and wait for the little creature to become full and crawl out. These invertebrates are said to detoxify by releasing an enzyme to the blood.

Such claims of the leech detox are however negated by Dr. Ed Zimney in his report 1. Dr. Zimney says that an enzyme is indeed released but only to inhibit-blood clotting so that the leech can continue to suck until it’s full. This enzyme acts only on the bite-site and is not absorbed into the bloodstream so no detoxification occurs. He also mentioned possible risks associated with this therapy such as excessive bleeding, allergic reactions and infection.

Cactus and Tequila Massage

Before you panic, you must know that the cactus paddies used in this massage, called nopal, are without thorns. Cactus is known for its healing properties because it contains anti-oxidants which is essential to delay skin aging. Antioxidants help flush out toxins and rehydrate the skin, thus giving a skin the feeling of rejuvenation after a cactus massage.

The use of cactus as a medicinal plant started way back from the Mexican Indian Tribes. Studies have revealed that cactus contains phytochemicals which is a cancer-fighting nutrient. There were also experiments which prove the healing effects of cactus. It prevented scar formation and inflammation of the wounded areas.

Together with the cactus paddies, the body is also massaged with a scrub made with tequila, salt and fresh lime juice. This combination brings healing, detoxifying, cleansing, nourishing and conditioning altogether.

Golden Facial

Historians say that Cleopatra slept in gold mask every night to keep her skin youthful looking. Today, there is a modern version of Cleopatra’s gold regimen. It is a mask of gold leaf of 24 karat gold applied on to face and massaged until the gold disappears completely. Other salons use a facial gold cream or gold gel which contains 24-karat gold, aloe vera, wheat germ oil and sandalwood.

Gold as a soft metal is easily absorbed by the skin. Once it has penetrated the skin, it rejuvenates skin by removing wrinkles, banishing blemishes and erasing age spots. It is also known to work for both dry and oily skin types. Gold facial also assists in improving blood circulation and cell renewal.

It’s both amazing and amusing to know the means people are willing to do just to keep their skin at its finest. It’s true that we cannot attest to the effectiveness of such procedures, we can only guarantee you the efficacy of our products because, once, we understand how they are made; there are studies that support the efficacy of the ingredients used and, of course, our continuously growing clientele serves as the best testimony.

1 http://www.everydayhealth.com/blog/zimney-health-and-medical-news-you-can-use/demi-moores-leech-detox-therapy-a-scambuster-report/

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Skin Care 101: Beauty by the Beach

Thursday, 2010-12-02

While it is a must to protect our skin from the harmful UV rays of the sun, we must admit that the only way to fully enjoy a beach vacation is a carefree splurge into the water, walk by the shore and sun bathe. The good news is you can savor the beach without the guilty feeling for your skin.

Protect
If sunscreen is a must for everyday exposure to the sun, it’s much more important when you’re barely naked right under the heat. Before sun exposure, put on waterproof sunscreen and let your skin absorb it for at least 30 minutes. The SPF or sun-protection factor tells you how long your sunscreen takes effect by multiplying it to the length of time your skin burns without sunscreen (e.g. For Diana Stalder SBF-Collagen Cream and Diana Stalder Skin Moisturizing Lotion with SPF 30 x 10 min for example = 300min or 5 hours). However, you should also consider the water and the sand wearing it off so re-apply every two to three hours to be sure.

Hydrate
You can never get enough water and fruits while at the beach because of the heat, walking and swimming which causes you to sweat a lot. Be sure to pack a water bottle that you can sip from time to time. Apart from this, keep a water-based moisturizer on a spray bottle. You can sprinkle this on your skin once in a while to avoid drying. Better if your moisturizer also has sun protection qualities just like Diana Stalder Surely White Whitening Cream.  Don’t forget your lips! Use a balm or gloss that has SPF too. Cleanse and hydrate your eyes too with sterile eye drops.

Repair
If you’re the type who washes your skin with hotel soap- time to change! Especially when heavily exposed under the sun, your skin needs extra care to be able to recover from the sunburn. You can cleanse, moisturize and revitalize your skin all at the same time by choosing the right soap. Diana Stalder Oatmeal Beauty Bar, for example, has smoothening and exfoliating qualities plus it relieves skin from irritations caused by sunburn. Help your skin heal as you sleep by putting on an exfoliant  that works as you sleep so you wake up with a fresh look.

So go ahead and enjoy the beach! Just remember to keep all these essentials in your beach tote to avoid the hassle of going back to the hotel room.

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