Natural Skin Care Guide

So long we are awake our fingers remain busy in different works – typing on the desktop, opening envelop, chopping vegetables,

scratching the itchy body part and what not. Our fingernails are created in such a way that it can withstand all such abuses and still remain strong. But nails get weaker and brittle as we reach the age of thirty. Though it is very difficult to stop the nails from breaking up altogether but what we can do is to make them stronger. So, here are a few suggestions for you which would be to prevent the nails from splitting.

• Increase your intake of beans, cauliflowers, lentils and peanuts. They are good sources of biotin which is known to strengthen and thicken nails. Since your biotin requirement cannot be fulfilled from food alone so you should supplement your diet with some multivitamin capsules. Go on a rich diet of protein, calcium and iron.
• Include fish in your diet. Fishes like salmon, mackerel have fatty acids which is helpful in strengthening the nails.
• The nails become weak and brittle when they are very dry. So, it is very important to moisturize the nails daily to prevent them from breaking up. Rub some moisturizer on and around your nails twice daily. You can also use some petroleum jelly on the nails which will add flexibility to the nails. Massaging your nails with some olive oil daily also helps in strengthening the nails.
• Our nail expands when it absorbs water and contracts when it dries out. The more this cycle is repeated the more the nails become brittle. Since our nail has enormous water absorbent capacity. Hence it is essential for us to avoid its contact with water as far as possible.
• Avoid exposure to harsh chemicals like acetone an important ingredient of nail polish remover. Acetone removes moisture from nail and makes them more brittle.
• Avoid excessive use of soap and water.
• Don’t be too tough on your nails. Your nails are very strong but that does not entitle you to use them as screwdrivers or staple removers or tweezers. Your nails will grow stronger if you abuse them less.
• If you are engaged in a work which is rough on your hands then the best way to protect your nails is to cover them up with hand gloves.
• Since long nails tend to break easily so trim and clip your nails from time to time.

Botox- Know it

Botox which is the commercial trade name for Botulinum Toxin Type A is derived from the bacterium Clostridium Botulinum. When it is injected into the muscles it freezes or slows down the nerve impulse and makes the muscles nearby weak. Botox is used to treat frown lines, deep forehead wrinkles, crow’s feet, and general facial wrinkles. It can also be used for diminishing wrinkles on the chest, lessening the appearance of neck cords and minimizing the skin sagging of facial skin.

How does it help us?

It is used in the form of an injection to control our frown lines. As we age we get more frown lines or light wrinkles in our face. Frown lines develop as the result of our years of facial expression and thinning of the facial skin. To minimize the frown lines botox is injected into the targeted facial muscles blocking the transmission between the nerve endings and muscle fibers around the injection area. It causes the muscles to become paralyzed. As a result, the contractions of the facial muscles which cause the frown lines gets temporarily reduced and so even when the individual frowns no wrinkle lines form. Anybody who is between 18-65 years of age and want to get rid of wrinkles can go for it. Botox treatment is done by a plastic surgeon. Each treatment session can take from a few minutes to around 30 minutes. Botox is injected directly in to the facial muscle. The discomfort from the injection is minimal and does not require anesthesia. One can notice the improvement within a week of the treatment. Though this treatment is effective, still it is very difficult to alleviate the signs of aging completely. This treatment is not of permanent nature as injected substance gets absorbed by body overtime so it requires some additional treatments after 3-6 months. Generally it is not used on nursing mother or during pregnancy.

Botox treatment is not suitable

• During pregnancy.
• For nursing mothers.
• People with neurological disorders.
• Person who are allergic to its contents.
• Who have infection in the area where botox is to be injected.

A number of medicines can react adversely with botox. So, it is important to consult your doctor if you are under some medication.

Does it have any side effect?

This treatment is not free from side effects. The following side effects can result from the use of this treatment.

• Temporary headache and nausea.
• Numbness and temporary weakness of neighboring muscles
• Drooping of the upper eyelids
• Swelling and burning feeling at the injection point.
• Double vision
• Muscular weakness

Despite their side effects the Botox as a non-surgical cosmetic treatment is becoming increasing popular among the people who want to get rid of the unwanted fore head wrinkles, frowns lines or crow’s feet.

Certain skin conditions are more a cosmetic problem then a medical problem but still they continue to be a cause of concern. Here in this article such skin problems along with their natural remedies are discussed.

To get rid of the blackness of knees, elbows and underarms

• Cut lemon into two halves. Rub one half o the lemon of the dark area for sometime. Then Soak a towel in hot water and scrub firmly. Since, lemon is natural bleach it will help to lighten your elbows and knees. Make it a point to moisturize these areas regularly
• Mix 1 teaspoon coconut oil with ½ a teaspoon of limejuice. Apply and then wash with a hot towel and scrub firmly.
• To get rid of dark under arms make a paste of 1 tspn of Cucumber juice, 1 tspn of Limejuice and a pinch of Turmeric powder and then apply it under arm. Leave it for 20 minutes then wash off with cold water.

To smooth a skin that remains rough round the year

Apply a moisturizing lotion on your face every night before going to sleep. Leave it for 10 minutes then wipe it off with damp cotton. Apply a fresh coat of moisturizer after waking up in the morning.

Mix a few drops of glycerin and -3 drops of lime juice in 1 tsp of warm Olive oil and then apply.

Mix 1 tsp of milk cream with2-3 drops of lime juice. Apply it on your skin 10 minutes before a bath. It reduces the dryness and gives the skin a smooth look.

Apply plain milk on your face and leave it on for 10 minutes before washing it with cold water. This should be done twice a day.

To heal cracked heels

• Make a paste of mashed roasted onion. Then apply it on the heels. Leave it for 20 minutes then remove it. Continue it till the cracks heals.
• Soak your feet in water mixed with corn flour for fifteen minutes. This will smooth the skin of your feet.
• Massage your feet and ankles with a mixture of curd and vinegar and rinse off after five minutes.
• Heat mustard oil and candle wax together and apply it on the cracked area. This is good for cracked heels.

To make your face blemishes free

• Rub your face with coconut oil. Wash your face thoroughly in the morning. Continue it for 15 days before seeing the result.
• Massage the blemished area with water melon juice. Leave it on for 15 minutes before washing it.
• Extract juice from carrot then apply it on the blemished area. Leave it for 15 minutes then wash off. Continue it for 15 days.