Freckles, Moles and Other Skin Pigmentations

Wednesday, 2011-12-07

As technology advances, possibilities become endless. Different medical procedures are now introduced to enhance your physique and make you look more beautiful. Gone are the days when we patiently apply different creams just to lighten skin pigmentations.

Moles and freckles seem like beautiful facial assets for other people (take Lindsay Lohan, for instance). However, when things turn out differently, and you’ve become more self-conscious and insecurities start to surface – maybe it’s time to have them removed.

Several surgeries are done to remove these visible spots and other signs of skin aging. These procedures are deemed safe by professionals. Some popular surgical procedures include Shave Excision, Elliptical Excision, and Laser Surgery.

Whatever your choose to do, you will need to use a maintenance regimen that will ensure that the effect of the procedure is long-lasting.

Diana Stalder’s Licorice Beauty Bar can be used as a regimen after the procedure is done. The product  is very gentle as it deeply cleanses and softens the skin while moisturizing it.  It lightens skin tone, and has anti-inflammatory and soothing properties which can alleviate the appearance of mild rashes.

Also, you need to take note of your sun exposure after you’ve done the procedure. Using Diana Stalder’s Sunblock Cream will surely protect your skin from harmful UV rays, prevents sun damage and premature aging of the skin.  It is best for normal to dry skin.  The SPF rating for this product is 15. Diana Stalder’s Black Soap can also help to lighten and even out skin tone for both face and body.  It gently eliminates the appearance of skin pigmentations, age spots, acne scars, blemishes, and other forms of melasma.

Now, if you’re afraid to go through surgery, or you think that the cost to get rid of those skin pigmentations are  just over-the-top, you can always opt to use Diana Stalder whitening products.

 

Leave a Comment » | Diana Stalder products, General ramblings, Skin Care 101, SouthGain.com web store | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by pgesmundo

Common Skin Problems During Pregnancy

Sunday, 2011-09-18

Are you expecting a baby soon? Congratulations! We’ve all heard about the rosy glow of pregnancy, and we’re sure you’re positively beaming with all the compliments you’re receiving.

You’re not glowing? Don’t worry. The truth is that only a lucky few have glowing skin throughout their pregnancy. While most expectant moms do enjoy radiant skin from time to time, they also have to deal with dark patches, acne, itchiness, and a myriad of other skin problems.

With so many restrictions on what expectant moms can ingest or apply on their skin, dealing with all the different skin problems pregnancy brings up can prove difficult. Fortunately, we have some tips that just might help you out.

Radiant Skin
Your blood volume increases significantly during pregnancy, and one result of this is an attractive blush on your cheeks. We know you probably wouldn’t think of this as a problem, but we thinkThe  it would be good for you to know that the radiant skin of pregnancy isn’t just a myth, but a natural result of all the changes going on in your body.

The Pregnancy Mask
With your body producing large amounts of estrogen and progesterone, your melanin cells now produce more pigment. Unfortunately, these cells don’t produce pigment uniformly, giving you blotches, splotches, and patches of dark skin. Because these patches are commonly found on the forehead, cheeks, and nose, the result is commonly called the pregnancy mask.

There really is no way to prevent this, but you can minimize the effects by limiting your exposure to the sun. When you do head out, sunblock with at least SPF 15 , like Diana Stalder Sunblock Cream, will do wonders.

Acne
If you thought your days of dealing with acne were over, think again. Your body’s hormones are fluctuating, much like they did during your teenage years, and this sometimes leads to the same skin problems you encountered during your adolescence.

Anti-acne drugs are out of the question since they might be harmful to your baby. Exfoliant soap is a good way to unclog your pores, but it’s best to avoid the harsh products you used back in your teens. It’s better to go for a milder, oatmeal-based scrub like Diana Stalder Oatmeal Beauty Bar.

Itchy Skin
Two of the most common reasons for skin itching during pregnancy are heat rash and dry skin. Your pregnant body is working overtime, and this causes it to overheat and produce a lot of sweat. Combine this with stretching skin rubbing up against itself or against clothing, and you have a recipe for prickly heat rash.

You’re likely to find this rash in between and under your breasts, on your ever-growing belly, and between your thighs. Diana Stalder Oatmeal Beauty Bar, which is great for acne, works just as well on your heat rash, and your baby’s too.

Treating dry skin is all about keeping your skin moisturized. You’re not drinking for two now, so keep hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Aside from drinking water, you can moisturize your skin by  using products that lock in your skin’s moisture.! What’s ideal for pregnant women is a hypoallergenic soap that softens as it cleans, like Diana Stalder Glycerine Beauty Bar.

We hope next few months are wonderful for you. Your pregnancy may bring about a whole lot of skin issues, but we want to help you deal with these issues so you can enjoy your pregnancy glow. We also hope you receive tons of compliments for that you’re “positively glowing” over the next several weeks.

Leave a Comment » | Diana Stalder products, General ramblings, Skin Care 101 | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by pgesmundo

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/

Back to post

Leave a Comment » | Diana Stalder products, eBay, General ramblings, Skin Care 101, Wholesale | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by pgesmundo

Skin Care 101: Melasma

Thursday, 2010-11-25

Melasma, a.k.a. chloasma or mask of pregnancy, is a skin disorder that is characterized by patches of skin discoloration which can be brown, tan or blue-gray. It is usually found in the facial area, specifically in the upper cheeks, jaw area, upper lip, forehead and chin. There are also rare occasions of appearance in the forearms.

Women, ages 20-50, with brownish skin stones are at greater risk of developing melasma. The occurrence is associated with the following: intermittent sun exposure, increased level of progesterone in the cases of pregnancy, usage of birth control pills and postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy, family history and sensitivity to the sun as a reaction to certain medications and cosmetics.

The most common diagnosis of melasma can be epidermal, dermal or mixed. Epidermal melasma is the presence of excess melanin in the first layer of the skin while dermal melasma is the proliferation of cells that ingest melanin throughout the dermis. From the outside, the epidermal blot is darker and has a more-defined border as compared to the dermal type. While epidermal is more noticeable than dermal, it responds better to treatments than the later. There is also another unlabeled melasma type that is found in dark-complexioned persons with extreme pigment-producing cells.

To avoid the occurrence of melasma and to further the efficacy of melasma treatments, usage of sun protection products is a must. Use hats or umbrellas to shield yourself from the sun. Sunblocks with at least SPF 15 should do for daily protection but higher SPFs will be required for those with extra sun-sensitive skin. For more practicality, choose a moisturizer and a make-up with sun protecting ingredients. E.g. some foundations have sunscreen just like Diana Stalder SBF-Collagen Cream with SPF 30.

Treating melasma requires utmost patience (as it responds slowly to medication) and consultation with the dermatologist. Among the topical treatments known for melasma are creams containing hydroquinone. While there are safe dosages of hydroquinone, it is also known for its negative side effects such as skin thinning, darkening (when used with certain ingredients), abnormalities in adrenal glands, certain blood diseases and even cancer.

Fortunately, there are other known safer alternatives that are equally effective in treating melasma. Products containing tretinoin, azelaic acid and kojic acid, such as the Diana Stalder Papaya Kojic Soap, have been proven effective to ease out the symptoms of melasma. Another natural lightening agent is called alpha-arbutin, an extract from the Bearberry plant and is also the main ingredient in several Diana Stalder products such as Diana Stalder Surely White Whitening Cream and Diana Stalder Surely White Lightening Lotion. These natural ingredients are free from side effects and are often cheaper.

To make sure that the ingredients will not conflict with each other and will not harm the skin, most melasma products come in kits. This is to ensure that you keep your skin protected and the melasma treatment consistent for an optimum lightening effect.

Apart from finding the right medication, avoid the melasma triggers. If it’s cause by the sun, keep yourself protected. To do away with hormonal changes, find alternatives for birth control pills and hormone therapy. If a certain drug or cosmetic causes uneven patches on your skin, discontinue use.

For severe cases and only upon consultation with the dermatologist, melasma can be addressed through chemical peels using higher concentrations of hydroquinone, tretinoin, corticosteroids, or glycolic, salicylic and lactic acids, laser resurfacing and microdermabrasion. There is also a device called “intense pulsed light” that destroys the pigment through laser treatment. Oral supplements can also be taken to reduce the signs of melasma.

1 Comment | General ramblings, Skin Care 101 | Tagged: , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by pgesmundo

Skin Whitening vs. Skin Lightening

Wednesday, 2008-12-17

One of the questions we are most often asked is “what is the difference between your skin ‘whitening’ products and your skin ‘lightening’ products?”  The truth is, these terms are often used interchangeably.  But with Diana Stalder skin care products, these terms have a very distinct meaning.

In short, Diana Stalder “lightening” products–the Surely White Lightening Cream and the Surely White Lightening Lotion–are specifically formulated to even out skin tone.  These products are ideal for melasma, hyperpigmentation, dark spots, age spots, and even lightening freckles.

The Diana Stalder “whitening” products–Surely White Whitening Cream and Surely White Body Whitening Lotion–are designed for overall skin whitening.  You should use these products when you want to transform your skin to a new, whiter shade.

It’s really that simple!  Remember, the creams are primarily intended for your face and neck, while the lotions are primarily to be used on the rest of your body.  If you would like to whiten your skin, but you are also suffering from melasma or other forms of hyperpigmentation, we suggest first using the lightening products to even out your skin tone, then switching to the whitening products.

Of course, all these products are available in our store.  If you have any questions, feel free to drop us a note or use the comments feature below.

Leave a Comment » | Diana Stalder products | Tagged: , , , , | Permalink
Posted by SouthGain

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.