Guest Article by Ella James: Everyone wants to look young and beautiful forever. Unfortunately, nature is not kind enough to meet all our aspirations. The constant wear and tear of life coupled with a slowdown in the production of skin cells and collagen as we age cause fine lines and wrinkles to appear on your skin, thereby making us look old.
In the fight against signs of aging, you most likely have heard about laser treatments. The term refers to medical grade devices that use light-based energy for skin care in cosmetic and medical practices. What you may not realize is that many people use the term for any skin care device, even if they are not technically a laser. Here are several different anti-aging options available through spas and clinics.
In India neem tree leaf, bark, sap and flowers are used to cure infections, skin diseases, diabetes, and all sorts of bugs inside us and the garden. It is antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral. The leaf can be added to complexion oils and creams. Here is a beauty serum made in Florida using neem.
Coconut oil in Asia often called “goddess oil” named for Guan Yin, the Chinese goddess of compassion, is highly nourishing, anti-viral, and rejuvenating for both gods and goddesses. A recent book, Coconut Oil Secret Exposed, has brought to light uses of coconut oil to heal conditions, including skin rashes, paralysis, cancers, and obesity.
While celebrating Passover and Easter, I have enjoyed renewing my skin. Winter vacation’s tan faded and became blotchy. So I used several high tech solutions for age old complexion problems. One machine I bought is a LED light (light emitting diode) which are red and blue lights of a high frequency that support new collagen production and reduce complexion inflammation. The result is a more refined, even skin color and tone. The lights remind me of Christmas lights and I do recommend using the LED light panel especially on dreary gray days. Extra light lifts the spirits. Another thing I am trying is a laser for skin rejuvenation. The machine is made for laser hair removal, but can be used for spider veins, acne, wrinkles, which require longer treatment. It is refreshing to begin anew with this season. As usual, I am eating a detoxifying, slimming diet: breakfast is green tea, rice cakes, Tibetan goji berries to protect the liver, boost immunity and energy, nuts, and delicious crispy okra chips, an excellent source of minerals for my joints. When I need to increase Qi, I have adzuki bean soup cooked with kelp laminaria digitata seaweed for breakfast.
You may not smoke but breathe city air. Pollution, stress, hormonal changes, and bad habits increase the damage. We all know smoking causes mouth, throat, and lung cancers. Smoking is bad for your heart, lungs, brain, and even your sex life. But few people take into account the disastrous effects smoking has on beauty and vitality. Here are common signs of smoking damage: bags under the eyes; psoriasis; icky teeth, yellow nails, premature aging and wrinkles, thinning hair, warts, scarring, tooth loss, slow-healing wounds, stretch marks, tummy fat, dull complexion, skin cancer, and cataracts to name a few. June 2, 2010, CDC news: American cigarettes are even more cancer-provoking than those smoked around the world. What can you do?
Photos of the Moroccan evergreen argan tree (Argina spinosa) sometimes show goats perched on its branches. In Morocco’s Sahara desert, Berber women have made argan oil and argan paste from argan nuts for generations. The argan tree remained their health and beauty secret. Recently discovered by the modern cosmetic industry, argan oil has been called an all-in-one beauty miracle. The Hammam is the traditional Moroccan bath house and spa treatment for men or women usually done once a week. In the Hammam, after washing with soap made from black olive oil, women rubbed on argan paste, made from finely crushed argan nuts, to remove dry skin. They applied Rhassoul, a clay from the Atlas mountains, allowing it to dry. The fine clay, extraordinarily rich in minerals, including silica, magnesium, potassium, and calcium, reduces dryness, improves skin clarity and elasticity, and removes impurities. After removing the clay, they applied the precious argan oil.
Beauty faces more than the usual challenges these days. Besides dry skin, rashes and wrinkles, we should consider the ill effects of flu season, chronic infections, skin allergies, and menopause. HIV also poses specific threats to immunity, energy and, therefore, appearance. The Golden Rule for beauty in difficult times is: “Don’t make things worse.” We require extra vitality during flu season and cold weather. However, few of us consider the effects of beauty treatments beyond the surface of skin. Beauty products have a profound effect on health: Everything you put on your skin or inject into muscles eventually passes through the blood and liver. Avoid BOTOX! People with low immunity have been known to develop upper respiratory tract infections, and a couple of children have died of lung troubles after receiving injections aimed to relax facial muscles. Right between the eyes, at the squint marks and the 6th chakra, is an acupuncture point, yintang, used for directing energy downward, passing through the lungs.
I just ordered a pound of amla powder online. I’ll take 1 tsp. in water daily to help prevent colds and flu. It is a potent source of immune-boosting vitamin C and important tannins. Even if flu were not an issue, amla is a great health and beauty tonic. It prevents/treats thinning hair, wrinkles, and obesity. AMLA Fruit (AKA Emblica officinalis, Indian Gooseberry, amalaki)
Following a 40-year career as a beautician, a good part of it with Dior and Guerlain, Japanese beauty expert Chizu Saeki set up her own salon in 2003, at age 60. She advocates simplicity such as honey, recommended for chapped lips. To increase the effectiveness of lotions, she suggests wearing a shower cap over the face as an instant “steam sauna.” Of course, cut out breathing holes first. She recommends thinking about attractive men, which she says promotes the secretion of hormones beneficial to the skin. She says, “A bit of heart-throbbing excitement makes a great supplement for healthy skin.” Three million copies of her books are in print in Japan, and treatments at her salon, which run from 31,000 yen to 48,300 yen ($313-$487), are fully booked months in advance. She has said, “When I look at a person’s face, I know everything about them.” Here are simple, natural ways to relax and rejuvenate your face.
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