Onions

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A natural treatment for abrasions: Skip the high cost creams and ointments and rub the cut side of half an onion on your abrasions. Not only will this take the sting away, the skin will heal very quickly. In Italy my husband slid down the side of a large rock causing a huge abrasion on his arm. It looked really bad. He went into a little restaurant to wash it off. Instead of being directed to the bathroom, the Italian woman cooking took out a knife sliced a white onion in half and started rubbing it on his arm. We thought she was crazy but to our amazement his abrasion was gone the next day.

March is National Nutrition Month

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What you put in your body affects your skin as much (if not more) as what you put on the outside of your body. March is National Nutrition Month. There is not a better time to start eating healthier for your skin. By adding the following three foods to your diet, you can transform your skin.

Mangos- If your skin is dry and dehydrated, eat mangos. Mangos are a great source of Vitamin A. Vitamin A helps reduce wrinkles by increasing retention of water, collagen production and skins ability to withstand injury.

Cottage Cheese- Cottage cheese is a great source of Vitamin E and calcium. Vitamin E is a powerful anti-oxidant that boosts immunity and heals the skin. Studies also show that Vitamin E helps improve acne challenges and decrease the affects of photo aging. Calcium is important for cell renewal and improved lipid barrier function (keeps skin young and hydrated).

Mushrooms- Mushrooms have B Vitamins and selenium which help decrease the skins anti-inflammatory response and calm and decrease redness. Selenium (obtained from food sources) may help decrease sun damage and skin cancer. In addition, selenium is needed to maintain skins elasticity. (Note selenium obtained from supplements has been shown to increase the risk of type 2 diabetes and other cancers). As a bonus, according to Self.com, mushrooms that have been exposed to UV light have large quantities of Vitamin D. Great news if you are a vegan being this is the only natural non-animal Vitamin D source.

Indoor UV Rays

As an esthetician I am asked “what can I do to help my complexion look better?” The first thing I ask my clients is to tell me about their current skin care regimen. I always pause when I do not hear them mention that they use an SPF. I respond to their question by saying if you only change one thing about your skin care would be using SPF everyday. Yes, most of us use SPF when we are going to be outside but not everyone uses it when we are indoors. UV rays damage the skin, age it prematurely and increase the risk of developing skin cancer. While UVB rays do not usually penetrate windows, UVA rays are present indoors. Fluorescent light bulbs contain mercury vapor that emits UV rays. Computers, copiers and halogen lights emit UV rays at lower levels. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends using no less than a SPF 15. This will provide 5 hours of indoor UV exposure protection. I recommend to my clients the use of SPF 40 will provide 13 hours of indoor UV protection.
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Sugar

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Sugar. Have you every thought that sugar consumption can be bad for your skin?  According to dermatologist, Nicholas Perricone, sugar and foods with a high glycemic index (foods that convert rapidly to sugar) have destructive effects on skin. He believes that the basis of aging in caused by inflammation. When we eat sugar or food high on the glycemic index (pasta, rice, bread, potatoes), blood sugar spikes causing biochemical changes in cells. This results in accelerated aging. Every organ in your body (heart, skin, brain, etc.) is affected by inflammation.  Our diet is the biggest cause of internal inflammation.  Sugar also harms collagen, the protein that supports that body’s tissues and holds them together both internally and externally. Sugar can attach to collagen making the skin stiff and causing it to loose it elastic ability thus causing deep wrinkles. 

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