Nanoparticles commonly contained in zinc oxide based sunscreen formulations could prove potentially toxic if taken orally accidently.

Particles smaller than 100 nanometers are marginally more toxic to colon cells than conventional-sized zinc oxide particles, the report in the ACS’ Chemical Research in Toxicology states, documenting a study conducted at the University of Utah.

“Manufactured nanoparticles are being marketed as having unique properties due to their size, shape, surface area, and composition as compared to bulk material, but there remains concerns regarding toxicities associated with these novel materials,” the report states.

The team of six researchers led by Philip Moos also found that solid zinc oxide was more toxic than equivalent amounts of soluble zinc and that direct particle-to-cell contact was required to cause cell death.

Eating nano sunscreen endangers colon cells

Direct contact with colon cells is likely to be triggered even if a small amount of zinc oxide nanoparticle containing sunscreen is inadvertently consumed orally. The scientists said their report particularly flags up the dangers of children eating sunscreen containing zinc oxide nanoparticles, particularly as smaller infants.

“Unintended exposure to nano-sized zinc oxide from children accidentally eating sunscreen products is a typical public concern, motivating the study of the effects of nanomaterials in the colon,” the report states.

The scientist’s experiments compared the effect of conventional zinc oxide powder on a culture of colon cells compared to the effect from a zinc oxide nanoparticle formulation.

Nano formula had twice the toxicity

This procedure found that the nanoparticle formulation was twice as toxic to the colon cells as that of the formulation with the larger cells.

Likewise, the experiments also concluded that the concentration of nanoparticles that were toxic to the colon cells was the equivalent of eating 2 grams of sunscreen, an amount that would normally provide enough sun protection for the face.

Daily skin & facial care is essential for maintaining a charming and beautiful look. One should forever need to pay attention to daily needs and address the factors that challenge us.

Here are some beauty care tips that can be done daily to have a youthful look

1) A facemask of egg white and honey gently remove the tan from your face.
2)  Mix oats with honey, yogurt and ground almonds. Affect this in your face, leave it for five minutes and wash with lukewarm water.
3)  Cucumber is a natural cleanser. Mix cucumber juice with milk and use it instead of a purifier.
4)  For oily skin, apply a mixture of grapes, lemon and egg white. Leave it for 20 minutes and rinse with temperate water. While lemon acts as a normal cleanser, grapes will soften your skin and egg whites will tighten it. Don’t be worried if your skin tingles.
5)  Cut the lemon and rub the wedge all more than your face. Leave it for about 20 minutes, then rinse off among cold water. This will refresh your face. Avoid responsibility this if you have dry skin.
6)  Mix honey, lemon and vegetable oil .This combination is a good moisturizer for dry skin. Apply this mask for 10 minutes.
7)  Apply the of honey and milk on the face . This will make your skin glow.
8)  Prepare a mask by mixing a slice of pumpkin with egg yolk and milk. Let this mask set on your face for 30 minutes for a shimmering skin.
9) Mash banana with milk and apply it on face . Leave it for 20 minutes and clean with cold water.
10)  Make a well paste of one teaspoon of walnut powder, lemon juice and honey. Scrub the body with the paste. Leave it for 20 minutes and clean with cold water.
11) Make a paste of turmeric powder and orange juice. Scrub it on the area that is extensively exposed to sun or cold weather. Leave it for 20 minutes and rinse it with cold water.
12) A part of papaya when applied to the face can do a similar magic.
13) Boil cabbage in water and let the water cool overnight. Wash your face with this water early in the morning.
14) Make a paste of powdered mango peels and 1 teaspoon of milk powder. Scrub it over the area that is widely uncovered to sun or cold weather

Cellulite is formed on different areas of the body, mainly on the thighs, buttocks, hips or stomach. The cellulite is made up of several layers of fat and connective tissues with poor circulation. As a result, the area gets the orange peel dimpled aspect. The massage aims at improving the circulation in the area and also breaks down some fat tissue, to get a smoother appearance.

The massage for cellulite treatment focuses on the areas that are affected by cellulite. It is important to isolate these areas.

One massage technique involves pinching and pulling the skin. The fat and the connective tissue should be gently pinched and then lifted. The massage therapist also applies some pressure, in varying intensity, depending on the sensitivity of the skin. After 5 minutes of pinch and pull, the massage therapist will also add some wiggling to impact different layers of tissues. This separates tissue layers and makes skin softer. Once the skin is warmed up, the massage therapist squeezes and applies pressure on the skin, so as to separate the tissue layers.

An anti cellulite treatment may take up to 40 minutes per session. The massage should be performed with a lotion, which may be an anti cellulite cream that will intensify the effectiveness of the treatment; never massage without a lotion or a cream, as the skin may become irritated and it is also more difficult to perform the massage. It is also important not to apply too much pressure on the skin, as this will cause the sensitive capillaries to break.

The massage therapy is very effective at reducing the appearance of cellulite. The results may vary depending on each patient in part, the length of the treatment and on the amounts of cellulite.

Massage cannot eliminate the cellulite, but it may improve the appearance of the skin. The massage does not address the underlying cause of the orange peel skin but it only provides cosmetic relief.

For best results, the massage should be performed for a long period of time. Two sessions of anti cellulite massage may make a difference, but it takes months of sessions to visibly reduce the appearance of cellulite.

Every skin is different and hence, requires different care:

Oily Skin: The cleansers for oily skin should rinse off well. Many of the soap gels and stronger liquid cleansers are helpful for oily skin. Because the skin on the face, chest and back is oilier than the rest of the body, it may be necessary to use one product on these body parts, and a more moisturizing product on the arms, legs, hands and feet. Many of the cleansers suitable for acne-prone skin are appropriate for oily skin.
Dry Skin: Hard-milled face soaps and gentle synthetic detergents are suitable for dry skin. It may be necessary to only use cleansers on the face and body folds, when the ambient humidity is low for example, in the winter or in the south-western United States.

Normal Skin: Most people can cleanse with bar soap daily. The synthetic detergent soaps react better with hard water. Liquid cleansers and soap gels are popular nowadays. The cleansing sheets may be used for normal skin as well; the petrolatum is suspended in the water by crystals that dissolve in the last rinse leaving the skin feeling smooth and moist. People with normal skin may enjoy using a loofah-type sponge to clean themselves; these have been sold with some liquid cleansers.

These products were introduced 50 years back and have remained popular. They initially contained photosensitizers, which have since been removed. Triclosan is currently the most common active ingredient. For persons in occupations, which demand extra precautions, these products have been helpful. However, these products are very drying to the skin and they often contribute to hand and body eczema. Various antibacterial cleansers are available that are of benefit to acne patients, such as Tersaseptic.

Cellulite is a rolling, lumpy appearance to the surface of the skin that most women and even men suffer from and is considered unattractive. Individuals with Cellulite have skin which looks dimpled, similar to the outer surface of an orange. Cellulite is caused when the layer of fat under the skin increases and pushes to the outside while the fibrous bands that bind the fat to the underlying muscle push inward to keep the fat in position. The fat pushes up through these cords, causing the rippled appearance under the skin. Although cellulite is not of concern medically, it sometimes causes a loss of confidence and insecurity.

Here are few logical yet often neglected tips that can be valuable for a beautiful skin:

1. Avoid Sun: Harmful sun rays cause many skin problems like premature ageing, skin darkening and even skin cancer. Wear a high-SPF sun block and protective clothing, and try to avoid direct exposure between 10am and 2pm, when the sun’s rays are strongest.

2. Quit smoking: Smoking inhibits circulation, and as the body’s largest organ, the skin needs all the oxygen-rich blood it can get.

3. Adequate sleep and nutrition: Plenty of sleep, good nutrition, and reducing stress are important to your overall health and skin. Doing yoga relieves stress.

4. Know your skin: Understanding your skin type is important to finding the right skin care products and meeting your skin’s needs. Consult a skin care professional.

5. Cleanse regularly: You should wash your face and moisturize twice daily to maintain clean, balanced skin. Be sure to choose a gentle cleanser and moisturizer appropriate for your skin type and save the soap for below the neck, otherwise you’ll get too dried out.

6. Hands off your face: Never prick acne and pimples as they may lead to permanent scarring and infections.

Healing diets are not a cure in themselves but what they do is support the body’s own healing system.

Some naturopaths view Acne problem this viewpoint. They contend that acne is caused when regular organs of elimination, the kidneys, intestines, and lungs, are unable to eliminate all the toxic waste matter produced in our body. Modern diet placed a great stress on human body’s digestive system and the ill effects are manifested in problems such as acne. Change in diet can clear up even worst cases of acne.
 
Acne can be caused when fat; protein and excess sugar is consumed. In such cases eliminate foods like milk, cheese, ice cream, fatty meats, nuts and peanut butter.  In some cases deficiency of or excess of minerals can also create problems. Excess minerals and vitamin supplements lead to an increased need for the macro nutrients protein, fat and carbohydrates. Salt is also in this category. The idea is that these vitamins and minerals, taken out of the context of the food itself, will lead to the body craving actual food to create a sense of balance. If we have a multi vitamin at mealtimes, within the RDA, then supplements are not a problem. Especially given that our foods are often depleted of the range of essential nutrients that they would normally have if they were grown organically and in nutrient dense soils. But it is certainly an argument in favor of approaching nutritional supplements in a balanced way also. Some people mistakenly overdose on mineral thinking more is better. This clearly illustrates it is not.

Acne problems do not just trouble teens but can be embarrassing for adults also. A large number of adults suffer from acne at some point in their lives – up to 25% of men and 50% of women. Some adults who never had acne during their teens suffer it when they grow up. For women especially, acne occurs around changes in their hormonal cycle, and during or after pregnancy. Many women with severe acne may use certain types of birth control to help deal with it.

So, what steps can you take to avoid developing acne and break out problems?

If you have sensitive or dry skin, be careful about using harsh skin care products. When the skin dries out too much, it compensates by secreting more oil. This can even be true for people with oily skin and large pores.

Taking fish oil or flaxseed oil supplements really help improve some people’s skin. They are certainly an excellent way of dealing with chronically dry skin, and essential fatty acids like flaxseed oil are used by naturopaths in treating acne. For adults and women in particular, some of the acne treatments meant for teenagers can be too harsh for the skin. This are generally which are benzoyl peroxide based, which really dries out the skin even more. As well as contributing to the development of wrinkles, by weakening the skin, they don’t support the function of the skin as a barrier.

Stress can also be a big contributor in the types of hormones our body produces. Researchers have found that a hormone called corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) is released into the sebaceous glands (which produces oil in the skin), which sets the foundation for acne. Corticotropin-releasing hormone is a stress related hormone. Reducing stress in your life can lead to an improvement in your skin, especially when combined with other approaches.

As for the diet, food items, like dairy products and refined carbohydrates like bread and flour products (including pasta), can be avoided since these are harder to digest, and many people are in fact lactose intolerant.

Plant nutrients play a key role in protecting our skin anti aging. Fruit, vegetables, and plant extracts have an array of enzymes and chemicals, called phytochemicals or phytonutrients that are hugely advantageous to skin health and beauty.

In plants, phytochemicals bestow characteristics like color, which may help the plant by providing an attractive beacon to passing bees to help in pollination. Or they offer a protective effect to the plant to prevent insects from harming it, or repel grazing animals. But they have also often been found to have benefits for humans. It is these chemicals in plants that make fruit and vegetables so much more valuable than simply the macro nutrients like vitamin A and C.

Antioxidants are one class of phytonutrients, though there are many. Antioxidants work by supplying an extra oxygen molecule to those molecules that are missing one, called free radicals. If antioxidants don’t provide the missing oxygen molecule to free radicals, the free radicals will take an oxygen molecule from another compound in the body, making one that was previously healthy and intact itself a free radical. Free radicals are unstable chemical molecules, but the effect they have on the body is negative, as they can damage cells and ageing. Free radicals are produced as a normal by product of the metabolic processes of our cells, as well as by our immune system as it counteract the effects of pathogens and the environment.

Free radicals affect the skin in three main ways. They can change the fatty layers in your cellular membranes. These fatty layers give structure to the cell, and manage which nutrients and other agents can pass in and out. They can modify the DNA within cells, which apart from the potential to develop into serious illnesses; can make your skin prone to wrinkles and sagging before its natural biological time. Altered DNA creates a blueprint for collagen and elastin fibers that don’t function as healthy, normal ones would. And to make matters worse, the skin’s pores need healthy collagen and elastin fibers to stay tight and small. So another undesired result is open, large pores.

Free radicals also lead to a process called the cross-linking of collagen fibers. This occurs in the skin’s dermis, as a result of collagen and elastin fibers becoming hard, thick, and then binding together. Cross-linked fibers produce wrinkles, skin sag, and cause your regular expression lines to become etched in your face as a permanent fixture. With healthy collagen and elastin fibers these expression lines would simply disappear once you moved your facial muscles in a different way. And enzymes that metabolize collagen are encouraged by free radicals, which, given the importance of collagen in youthful looking skin, is best minimized.

Other phytonutrients in plants that are of significance to skin are carotenoids and flavanoids. Flavanoids are great for the health of blood vessels. They reinforce the capillaries that supply important nutrients to the skin’s cells, as well as supporting cellular membranes. Healthy cell membranes regenerate quickly, and slow the aging process. Carotenoids also strengthen cell membranes. It seems carrots are not just good for eyesight! And flavanoids help diminish inflammation, as well as rising levels of glutathione, which is an antioxidant.

Changes in skin coloration are a normal part of the aging process. But many people get afflicted with brown spots, also known as “liver spots” or “age spots”. These are quite ugly and can make a person very unattractive. These spots that often appear on the back of the hands are caused by sunlight exposure or chronic bruising of the skin.

If you want to prevent age spots then apply sunscreen to your hands, arms and face every day, whether you plan to go outside or not. Sun damage comes in two forms: UVA and UVB. Ultraviolet A rays are known as “aging rays”; UVA sunlight makes up 90-95% of all sunlight that reaches the earth’s surface. It even penetrates windows of houses and cars, it is even present during cloudy days. In fact, it’s present 365 days a year. Even more troublesome is the fact that UVA exposure is “silent”. You don’t get a tan or sunburn from UVA exposure. UVB rays, also called “burning rays,” causes tanning and burning of the skin.

A way to get rid of spots is laser. A laser generates an intense beam of light. This beam targets energy to a specific site. The laser light is absorbed by oxyhemoglobin (bright red blood cells carrying oxygen) and melanin/pigment (black or brown pigment found in the skin) causing decomposition or destruction by heat of unwanted cells while leaving healthy cells intact.

Microdermabrasion is highly effective way to remove brown spots. By gently scarping the skin with ultra-fine crystal particulates, this technique can reduce unwanted pigmentation and age spots.

The face, neck, chest and hands are the most troublesome areas. A progressive series of 5-8 sessions performed 2-4 weeks apart can help in getting rid of age spots. Peels often combined with microdermabrasion produce even better results.