The 10 Do's And Don'ts Of Exfoliation - 5 Each

I remember when I was in my teens, I had the usual acne, oily skin, and blackheads.  At the time, you popped any and all zits because that is what everyone else did.  If you invested in any face stuff, it was usually a tonic with lots of alcohol, or an exfoliant with cracked walnut shells that just left your skin looking like it slid along a road.  You just thought that was normal because we didn't know any better. Sometimes I wonder how I got to adulthood with decent skin.

Over the years, I've learned more about exfoliation and using it more effectively so I don't hurt my skin.  You can exfoliate but you have to follow certain "rules" or suggestions. Rather than list the Do's first and Don'ts next, I'm going to do one Do followed by a Don't.  So we're off.

1. Do use a chemical exfoliant rather than a physical exfoliant such as a scrub with walnut shells.  The chemical exfoliant use chemicals such as acids or enzymes to gently remove the dead skin cells from the outer layer of the skin.  The exfoliant breaks the bonds that hold the dead skin cells in place.  Chemical exfoliants are so much more gentle to the skin and much better.

Don't exfoliate every single day.  If you over exfoliate, you can permanently damage your skin's barrier and it can lead to your skin experiencing dehydration, redness, and peeling.  In addition, it can exasperate acne. You only need to exfoliate once or twice a week for best results.

2. Do exfoliate at night only. When you exfoliate, you expose a fresh layer of skin and if you do it in the morning and go out, you are exposing your skin to more sun damage. If you do it at night, you give your skin a chance to heal while you sleep and you are exposing it to fewer environmental issues. 

Don't exfoliate right after a chemical peel or facial. You need to wait a week, otherwise it could cause significant damage and you don't want that. In addition, if you had your body waxed recently, skip the body scrub for the same reason.

3. Do wear sunscreen.  Although it is important to wear sunscreen everyday, it is more important to wear it after you've exfoliated your skin. This is because your skin requires extra protection for a few days after you exfoliate due to the fresh new layer.

Don't continue exfoliating if you experience stings, turns red or flakey, stop and wait a week while researching the ingredients and to make sure you are using the correct method for your skin and age.  What works for someone who is twenty something with oily skin won't work for a fifty something lady with drier skin.  So do a bit of research before trying again.

4. Do continue using your normal face routine after you've exfoliated. This ensures that your natural skin barrier is properly restored and keeps your skin from drying out.

Don't get too rough with your exfoliation because your skin is quite delicate and sensitive.  Always be gentle even when applying your chemical exfoliant.  

5. Do remember to exfoliate your body in addition to your face. Your body needs to have the dead cells removed so plan to exfoliate from head to toe at least once day a week.

Don't rinse your chemical exfoliant off right away because you want to give the active ingredients a chance to be absorbed. Leave it on for 15 to 30 minutes so it has a get rid of all dead skin cells while letting your skin experience it to the fullest effect.

Follow this list of do's and don'ts to have the best experience with exfoliation.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.

Skin Slugging

 

Last week, just before Thanksgiving hit, I wrote on hair slugging. While doing research on that topic, I discovered you could slug you skin too which makes sense since slugging adds and seals moisture into your hair or skin. This is especially important during winter when the elements and the conditions of your house work hard to suck the moisture out of your skin.

Skin slugging is referred to on Tik Tok but it has been around for a long time.  It is one of the basic tenants of the Korean skin care program which is one I use regularly because of how it makes my skin feel and look.

Basically, skin slugging means you slather an occlusive like petroleum jelly on your skin just before bedtime to hold in your skin's moisture.  Slugging also helps prevent water loss so you wake up in the morning with plump, glowey, moisturized skin. 

Let's look at the benefits in more detail.  As stated earlier, the occlusive you slather on your skin forms a barrier that prevents moisture loss.  This is important as you age because your skin tends to become drier and the barrier really helps slow tis down.  It keeps your skin looking younger.

Next, it protects your skin from the hot, dry, air circulating from the furnace or heater.  In addition, the barrier helps provide the protection from dust and other envoirnmental elements found in your house.  Furthermore, the occlusive layer does so much more.  It restores your skin's natural fats known as lipids as you sleep, keeps out bacterias, while helping skin retain its natural elasticity. There is some research that indicates the barrier can help restore the natural fats and repair the skin's natural barrier. 

Having said that, not everyone can do skin slugging.  If you suffer from clogged pores, acne, or other such problems, then this may not be a good thing.  In addition, if you use retinoids, alpha hydroxide acids (AHA), or beta hydroxide acids (BHA) you need to be careful because the combination of occlusives with these might irritate the skin. 

When you are looking for a night creme to use, look for ones that have petroleum or ceramides because they work the best.  Yes, petroleum jelly is considered one of the best occlusives on the market due to cost and effectiveness. Although ceramides are not actually occlusives, they work in the same way to are often mentioned in the same breath. 

If you want to practice skin slugging, there are two different ways you can do it.  The first way has you cleaning our skin at night but do not apply any face oils, AHA's, BHA's and retinoids.  While your face is still damp, apply a little of the product and smooth it all over the face.  Go to bed, sleep well, and when you get up in the morning, clean your face well.  Instead of a fancy pillowcase, use one you don't mind getting stained and can easily be cleaned.

The other way is to remove your makeup and clean your skin.  While your skin is still damp, smear some of your product of choice all over your face.  Go about doing your normal things and a few hours later, wash the occlusive off your face and gently pat dry.  This is good for a day when you have time and need a little extra something.

Always make sure the occlusive is applied to damp skin.  If you are using OTC or prescription topical medicines for acne or other skin problem, apply them after you've finished slugging because they could irritate your skin. If for some reason you break out, notice an increase in acne, or see blackheads, quit.

So if your your skin is dry or you want to counter all the issues with winter, try skin slugging on a regular basis to improve it.  You want your skin as healthy as possible.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.

Preparing For Tomorrow

 

After Starting To Shop Yesterday.

 Way more packages when done.

Happy Black Friday

 

Happy Thanksgiving

 

Hair Slugging!

 

The other day, I was reading my digital news and came across an article on hair slugging.  The first thing I pictured was hair beating up on itself but a quick search of the internet indicated that was not it.  Apparently, it came to public attention via Tik Tok as a hack designed to help your hair. Apparently, this developed out of a Korean skincare routine called skin slugging.

By definition, hair slugging is a process designed to lock moisture into the hair by using oil. It takes it a step further than just applying oil to your strands, it requires the hair to be covered by a sock or satin bonnet.  This helps the oil penetrate individual strands and when done, your hair looks healthier and shiny.  If you choose a sock, you might want to use a tube sock rather than a fuzzy sock so you don't leave any fuzzy bits in your hair.

To use hair slugging, one needs to wash their hair first so it is clean and has had all the extra moisture patted out so it is damp.  At this point, you apply oil to the hair.  It is recommended one use a light weight hair oil or serum because those are designed to penetrate the individual strands while providing protection but if you don't have any handy, you can use regular oil but you need to wash it out properly at the end.   You want to make sure the oil is well distributed throughout the hair, making sure the ends receive a generous amount and use little around the scalp.  Do not over penetrate the hair or your hair could end up too limp.

Furthermore, do not use a comb to distribute the oil, use your fingers as they do a better job. When your hair is soaked in oil, it can be a bit weaker and your fingers do not cause the hair to break as easily. Once the oil is dispersed throughout the hair, wrap it up in a sock or bonnet. Although some might recommend putting your hair into a pony tail before placing it in the sock or bonnet, a loose bun works much better. It is best to leave it in overnight but if you don't have that amount of time available, the oil can be left in for one to two hours.  

When you are ready, wash the oil out of your hair with lukewarm water and finish off with a cool water rinse to close the cuticles and lock the moisture in. If you use a regular oil like coconut or olive oil, you need to make sure it is throughly washed out otherwise it could lead to clogged pores and buildup. It is recommended one slug the hair at least once a week and up to three times if you have dry hair.   Just to let you know, this is not a "new" thing.  The idea of oiling ones hair has been around for a very long time.  It was used in Southeast Asia and India.  

So if your hair needs a bit of help in the hydration department, give this a try to see if it works for you.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.

Vitamin D And The Winter.

 Today, I'm exploring the question of why we usually get less Vitamin D in the winter. This is an important topic because it helps us stay healthy throughout our lives.   I know I get less Vitamin D in the winter and I end up having to take supplements to get enough.

The best source of Vitamin D is by having your skin exposed to sunlight for a minimum of 15 minutes a day. It is also the best source. In the winter we produce less Vitamin D because we wear more clothing so less of our skin is exposed and we spend more time indoors at the same time. 

When a person does not get enough Vitamin D, it can affect so many different things.  One of its most important roles is to help your body absorb calcium and phosphorus.  It also helps fight depression, muscle weakness, gets right of fatigue, and pain.  When you don't have enough Vitamin D in your body, your risk for cardio vascular diseases increases.  It can also help cut down on illnesses.

In winter, it is important to take specific steps to keep your Vitamin D levels up.  One thing you can do is to go outside every day even if it is cold. Unfortunately during the winter, when the angle of the sun has changed, a person usually needs more time to get the same amount of Vitamin D as one does in summer. It is recommended a person use sunscreen when going outside in the winter.  Research indicates that a SPF sunscreen of 15 protects 93% of UV rays from reaching the skin so this means 7% makes it through to be absorbed by the skin.  That is enough to help your body produce Vitamin D. 

Another thing is to make sure you eat plenty of foods containing Vitamin D during the winter. The few foods that offer a good amount of Vitamin D are fatty fish such as salmon, mushrooms, and eggs but milk is considered one of the best sources because milk is fortified with Vitamin D to prevent rickets in children.  Milk has been fortified since the 1930's. Other sources of dairy include yogurt and certain cheeses so if you are not a milk drinker, there are other dietary possibilities. 

If you aren't sure you are able to get enough Vitamin D via your diet or being outside, it is possible to take a regular supplement. The United States Government recommends that people get 400 to 800 International Units(IU) but most supplements are sold in the 800 to 2000 IU's so go for the lower amounts unless you've been diagnosed with a Vitamin D deficiency and the doctor will tell you what amount is best.

Always make sure you are getting enough calcium because if you do not have calcium available for the Vitamin D to use to add to your bones and circulate in your blood, your body will take the calcium out of your bones to make sure your blood has what it needs.  The same foods that have Vitamin D, also have the calcium so if you eat plenty of them, you should have enough of both Vitamin D and Calcium for your body's needs.

If you are taking medications, talk to your doctor to make sure the medications do not interfere with your body's ability to absorb Vitamin D.  This is important since you want to make sure you have enough Vitamin D so that you stay healthy.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.

It's Even Better When This Is Out

 It is even better when the Aurora comes out to play.  It is always moving around as if it is alive. 

I Love Looking At The Night Sky

 

I love when it is clear enough to stand outside and enjoy the beautiful night sky.

Why Sunlight Is Important In The Winter

 

The hardest thing for me about winter is the lack of sunlight. Where I live in Alaska, there is like 4, maybe 5 hours of sunlight on the shortest days and I miss the bright sun shinning in my window. Even with the sun, it is often gray and cloudy outside so I notice it.  

I've noticed that I tend to be more energetic and happy when it's sunny out.  I pop out of bed, prepared to face the day but in winter, I tend to crawl out of bed, want to nap all the time, but I know spring isn't far away. If you read up on things, you will know that it is important to get enough sunlight even in the winter.  

One big reason that sunlight is important is that the sun helps boost your immune system while preventing disease.  When your skin is exposed to sunlight, the sun helps your T cells move consequently improving your immune system.  In addition, sunlight also helps your body produces 90 percent of vitamin D which is used by your body to build bones, control inflammation, and increase your immunity. Vitamin D also helps protect your body from certain types of cancer and slows down aging.  Yes, it is recommended one use sunscreen but you only need 15 minutes of exposure to the direct rays. This can be done by a short morning outing just before the sunscreen is applied.

Furthermore, sunlight helps improve your mood because it makes you feel good. Unfortunately, the amount of sunlight decreases during the winter and many people undergo SAD (seasonal affective disorder) and certain types of depression. If you can't get enough sunlight, buy a special light to use on days without enough sun.  

Sunlight also helps to improve your energy levels.  It perks you up and keeps you going. When the light hits your eyes, your brain is told to wake up and release the cortisol your body needs to increase your metabolism so you make it through the day.  When your body is exposed to the sun at least 15 minutes every day in the morning, it tells your body to stop producing melatonin which is the hormone responsible for helping us sleep, helping us wake up. 

Research has also found that when you are exposed to sunlight year round, it helps you live longer.  In fact, specific research shows that the women who were exposed to a minimum amount of sun every day over a 20 year period, tended to live much longer than those who didn't.  Furthermore, when the body is exposed to UV rays, the body produces nitric oxide which helps keep your weight down and slows the development of type 2 diabetes.  In addition, being exposed to sunlight helps lower our blood pressure. 

It is easy to forget about getting enough sun during the winter due to the temperature drops, snow, storms, wind, and other things.  I don't always get outside but I do have a window open I sit by so I can get some sunlight.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great weekend.

Why Is It Important To Exercise In Winter.

 

As I look out my window, the ground is covered in snow.  I don't know what the temperature is but I know it snowed more last night because the car is covered in it.  With the colder temperatures, the shorter days, and longer nights, I find I have to push myself to exercise.  It's hard to get enthused to go to the gym when you have to prewar the car, put on your coat, shoes, etc to protect you and head off when it is so much easier to just say "I'll do it tomorrow" but as we know tomorrow never comes.  It's even hard to get motivated to exercise at home some days because we get into the snuggle up with a hot drink mentality. 

There are some important reasons to keep exercising through winter.  One is that it helps us work on the body that we want to have during the summer.  It also helps us keep over eating under control and get air into our lungs.  In addition, some of the benefits are more noticeable in winter.

First, when we can exercise outside, we expose ourselves to the sun, our bodies get Vitamin D because the sun provides that.  There are very few foods that provide you with vitamin D so when you expose your bare skin to the sun, you are bathed in it.  I live so far north, it's too hard to exercise outdoors so I have to take a supplement but if you have decent weather, get out there and enjoy the sun.

Second, participating in a workout helps warm your body up naturally.  When you workout, your core temperature helps sooth and calm your body.  It does it in the same way as soaking in a hot bath. Furthermore, regular exercise helps makes your immune system stronger because exercising makes your blood pump through your body circulating your immune cells throughout.  This helps your body fight infections and you stay healthier.  Although the effects only last a short time after the workout, it is important to exercise regularly to enjoy the long term effects of protection.

In addition, when you work out daily, your body releases chemicals that help you feel good, helps destress you, and eases depression.  When you workout, your brain releases serotonin and dopamine so you feel better and if you do this daily, you feel better the whole winter.   The best thing is that exercise helps keep the traditional winter weight gain especially when combined with proper eating.  

Now if you live in a place where you can exercise outside, there are some advantages to that.  You get direct exposure to the sun, are able to breathe in fresh air, and so many other things.  It is shown that exposure to the cold can help improve your endurance because your heart doesn't have to pump as hard, you sweat less and your exercise becomes more efficient.  There is also research to indicate that exercising outdoors in cold weather can help turn your stubborn white belly fat into calorie burning fat. 

If you decide to exercise outdoors, be sure to warm up properly, protect your head, feet, and hands, wear sunscreen, and stay hydrated.  In addition, check with your doctor if you have certain conditions.  I do not exercise outside in super cold temperatures because it can trigger my asthma so I stay inside but once it has warmed up, I'm off walking. It doesn't matter if you work out indoors or outdoors, just do it regularly. Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.

Keeping All Your Skin Beautiful And Hydrated In Winter

 It is winter time when the cold and wind does a job on our hair, face, and overall skin. I often forget about my skin until I discover it is flakey and dry.  I sometimes get so busy, I just shower, take care of the face but don't bother with my skin.  Even if your skin does not get to the rough, flakey stage, it can become dull due to the temperatures, indoor heat, wind, and low humidity levels.  

Not all signs of dry skin are obvious.  In addition to dry flakey skin, your skin might turn red, become rough, itch like crazy, become raw and irritated, have cracks, or you might experience a stinging or burning.  These symptoms can range from mild to severe depending on the person.  Dry skin is referred to as Xerosis in the medical community.   I also realize that most of the suggestions are similar to those recommended for your face but we still need to be reminded to take care of the rest of the skin properly.

Although it seems as if dry skin is always around in winter, there are steps you can take to make it easier to have beautifully hydrated skin throughout the season.  As soon as you are done with your shower, slather a moisturizing lotion or cream all over your body because when you shower, you wash away your natural oils and they need to be replaced.  

We've talked about protecting your face with sunscreen throughout the winter but you also need to apply it all over the exposed areas of the skin even if you wear a coat or sweater.  The sleeves can ride up, exposing your skin to the sun and cold.  Any time UV rays hit your skin, the barrier helping to keep your skin hydrated can be disrupted and this can lead to dry skin. Always apply the sunscreen on top of the moisturized skin and use one rated at least 30 SPF.

Use the thicker emollients at night because they take so much longer to be absorbed.  This gives your skin a chance to absorb all the oils and nutrients it needs.  If you use oils or emollients on your hands or feet, think about wrapping them in plastic or gloves to help protect the bedding while helping the absorption rate increase.  Think about using products that have shea butter, cocoa butter, reship or jojoba oil because these ingredients help provide a protective barrier to lock in the moisture and oils.

If you notice your skin is more sensitive or irritated in the winter, you might want to simplify your routine with just a moisturizer and sunscreen in the morning, perhaps a gentle cleaner for the body instead of the usual body wash.  In addition, the irritation could be due to the fragrance in your body wash.  Pull out the humidifier to use all winter long.  Too often the air inside the house loses moisture and that in turn can make your skin drier.  When you run a humidifier all winter long, it keeps the moisture in the air, which helps keep your skin in better shape. 

Instead of taking a hot, hot, shower, switch to a lukewarm temperature because the hot water strips away your natural oils, leaving your skin drier.  When you are done with the shower, don't forget to pat your skin dry rather than rubbing it dry because that helps the skin stay hydrated.  Furthermore, watch the amount of exfoliation you use.  If your skin is drier, you might want to switch to a chemical exfoliant as they are more gentle to the skin than using a physical one.

As stated before, many of these steps are the same you'd do for your face but you have to remember to take care of your whole body.  Purchase a few small tubes of a good creme to carry with you at all times so you can take care of any issues while you are on your way.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.

By Myself

 By myself.

Getting Away

 Need to get away from here.

Veterans Day - A Day To Remember

 Thanking all those who fought to keep our country free.

Avoiding Weight Gain During The Holidays.

We are already into November, heading into the holiday season when everyone pulls out all stops.  This is the time when everyone has cookies, pies, big meals, and so many other goodies that it is easy to gain weight. The good news is that most people do not gain the mythical 5 pounds over the holidays.  Instead, they only gain a bit under a pound, possibly as much as 2 pounds.  It is hard to turn down the sweets when your aunt insists on you trying her dish, or going out to dinner at others houses.

Fortunately, there are things a person can do to keep their weight gain down or off entirely.  Rather than sitting down to catch every special, or game, get up and move around.  Get together with the family to walk around the neighborhood.  Participate in organized community events such as working out at the local gym before the thanksgiving meal in exchange for canned food or go on one of those 10 km runs.  

Instead of enjoying cookies, pies, or cakes for snacks, look at either not snacking or enjoying fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, or seeds because these are healthier for us. In addition, watch your portion sizes so you don't indulge too much.  A trick my mother always used was to go for the salad plate rather than the dinner plate because it was smaller and she couldn't put as much on it.  If you have to use a dinner place, do not go back for the second spoonful because you do not want too much food on your plate.  Many of us grew up learning to eat everything on our plates so we will eat everything we put there.  In addition, do not go back for seconds because that is more calories you don't need, even if the food is fantastic.

Another way to keep weight gain down is to slow down, put your electronics away, and enjoy a conversation.  When you are multitasking while eating, it is extremely easy to over eat due to being distracted. When you sit down, take a few breaths before taking your first forkful of food.  Then chew every single bite so that you recognize when you are actually full so you stop. 

It is also important to get enough sleep every night.  When you go out to parties, you are likely to stay up later and sleep less causing you to eat more and exercise less.  In addition, your metabolism tends to slow when you don't get enough sleep.  You also need to watch your stress levels.  Let's face it, planning a dinner for the whole family can be quite stressful.  When you are stressed you are more likely to eat junk food and have higher levels of cortisol which is not good.

Furthermore, make sure you serve protein with every meal.  Many of the dishes served at this time of the year tend to be rich in carbohydrates but don't have a lot of protein.  When you serve enough protein, you are less likely to be hungry and over eat.  In addition, do not eat as many desserts as you want to due to the excessive amount of sugar and you also want to watch the amount of alcohol and soda you indulge in.  Both of these have lots of empty calories which can lead to a weight gain.

One other thing is to make everything from scratch rather than relying on highly processed foods. Boxed stuffing mix, or mashed potatoes often are high in unhealthy fats, salts and sugar also known as hidden calories.  Its the extra calories that can cause the weight gain.  Always find time for yourself to exercise, keep an eye on what you eat and if you mess up, move on.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.   Have a great day.

Taking Care Of Your Hair In Winter

It is definitely winter in many places in the United States.  The temperatures have dropped so it's cold outside, the wind may be up, and there is snow on the ground. Winter can be a challenge for hair, especially if it drys out easily.   Winter weather can be quite damaging to your hair, the indoor heat can dry it out, and static electricity loves to play havoc with it.  Fortunately, there are certain steps you can take to protect your hair from winter damage, so it stays soft and healthy.

One easy thing to do, to protect your hair is to wear a hat whenever you go outside. By covering your hair, you are protecting it from the dry air, snow, wind, and rain. All of these can rob moisture from your hair causing it to become dry and easily break. In addition, make sure if your hat is made out of wool, cotton, or other such fabrics, you line the hat with satin or silk to help protect your strands because the wool, cotton, etc can cause breakage. We all know you often experience static electricity when wearing a hat, so apply a bit of dry oil spray before putting it on. 

If you do not own a humidifier, buy one and use it during winter to add moisture to the air.  The air tends to dry out due to indoor heating and the humidifier really helps with keeping your hair hydrated.  In addition, keep up with regular trims.  It is recommended you get a trim every four to eight weeks so the ends don't develop split ends.  Once the ends split, there really isn't much you can do to have them return to normal other than trim them.

Even though we love nice hot, steamy showers in winter, do not wash your hair in it.  When you wash hair in super hot water, it can take moisture out, making the hair more brittle.  Instead, choose to wash your hair in lukewarm water so your hair stays more hydrated.  Instead of blow drying it or using hot temperature tools, let your hair air dry.  Unfortunately, blow drying your hair can suck moisture out and make your hair prone to breakage, so air dry it.  If you are used to washing it in the morning, wash it at night to give it more time to air dry.  Furthermore, never, ever go outside with wet hair because the cold temperatures can possibly cause the water on the hair to freeze and make the hair break off.  

Winter is a great time to use oil on your hair to keep it soft and hydrated.  Look for a light weight oil such as argon to leave in so the hair instantly improves and apply a good oil to the ends to keep them hydrated and so they don't split. If you are out and want to use something, keep some anti frizz sheets with you.  Just run them over your hair to tame flyaways from static electricity.  Don't forget to give your hair a deep conditioning at least once a week to help return moisture to your hair.  In addition, use leave-in conditioners as an extra layer of rehydration.  

If you suffer from dry hair no matter what, use a rich hair mask at least once a week because it can help reverse the effects of dry hair and keep the damage to a minimum.  Furthermore, try to wash your hair less often because washing your hair can strip the hair of its natural oils and make it dryer.  Instead of washing every day, do it every three to four days.  If you feel your hair needs washing more frequently, look at using a dry shampoo between washes to refresh your hair.  Speaking of shampoo, look for a shampoo that moisturizes or hydrates your hair to help keep it healthier.  If you feel as if your hair products are accumulating in your hair, use a clarifying shampoo to remove the residue like once a month.

Follow these suggestions to help your hair stay beautiful and healthy throughout the rigors of winter.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  have a great day.

Sea Dragons Are Real!

 Sea Dragons exist.  I saw several at the Waikiki Aquarium. 

Beautiful Sea Horse

 They come in so many different colors.

Preventing Sunburn In Winter.

I find it interesting that most people associate sunburn with summers only.  They think that when the temperature drops and the snow hits, they don't have to think about sunburn but they are wrong. People think that you can't get sunburned in the winter but you can. Although the UV index is usually lower in the winter, especially as you go further north, the sun is still powerful enough to cause damage to your skin, just like you can get sunburned on a cloudy day in the summer.  Remember, the UV rays are based on temperature as the rays come from the sun and the temperature is based on the earth's condition.

Unfortunately, many people mistake the redness in the winter.  They see the redness and decide it is actually windburn when it is really a sunburn. Another notion that many people subscribe to is that if they have a base tan, that will provide them protection from sunburn but in reality, a base tan only has an SPF of around 3.  In addition, many people get their base tan using a tanning bed which exposes your skin to higher rates of UV rays.

It is important to stay active in winter and if you are outside, you need to wear sunscreen, even in the middle of winter. When you go up in elevation, you expose yourself to more UV rays.  For every 1,000 feet you go up, your UV expose increases by 10 percent.  Furthermore, the snow reflects the sun and can double the amount of UV rays you are exposed to and this means you could be experiencing the same amount of UV rays as you do in the summer. The snow can reflect up to 80 percent of the sun's rays and you are exposed to this during skiing, snowboarding, sledding, skating or ice fishing.

In addition, UV rays will go through glass so if you are sitting in a glass enclosed facility, you can still receive enough sun to burn.  Remember, every time you get sunburned, your skin is damaged and the damage could lead to melanoma so you want to do everything you can to protect yourself year round.

Some of the ways to protect yourself is to wear a daily moisturizer with an SPF of at least 30 or a regular sunscreen of at least 30.  I, myself, wear a sunscreen designed for the face with an SPF of 50 and I wear it every day to protect my skin.  Wear clothing so all your skin is protected from the UV rays. Be sure to wear wrap around sunglasses or goggles that have 100 percent UV ray protection.  The reflected rays can be quite hard on your eyes in the winter. Stay out of the sun during the peak sun hours or use an umbrella or some sort of additional protection if you are out for long periods of time.  Don't forget to wear a hat with a large brim even in the middle of winter to keep you warm and to keep your scalp from becoming sunburned. . 

Don't forget to reapply the sunscreen every two hours or so just like you do in summer.  It is important to have continual protection. Plan to continue with the regiment all through the year regardless of the season because you can be sunburned at anytime.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a good day.

How To Clean False Eyelashes

 

This past Friday, I wrote on the different types of false lashes.  If you keep them clean and take good care of the false eyelashes, you can wear them more than once, so today, I'm going to let you know how to properly clean them. After all, you aren't going to throw them in the washer with your clothing. 

In addition, with the amount of inflation going on, you want to reuse your false eye lashes as long as you can so you don't have to buy as many new ones.  When you use the right method to clean them, they end up looking as good as the day you bought them.

The process of keeping your false eyelashes in good shape begins when you remove them from the eyelids. You do not want to use tweezers, pick at them, or yank them off. The best way to remove the lashes is to begin by washing you hands with soap and water so they are clean.  Then grip the outer edge of the strip of eyelashes between your thumb and forefinger and peel them off slowly and gently. If you are wearing small clusters of lashes, remove each individual cluster with your fingers. Remember to do it gently so you don't accidentally take off your real lashes. Finally, use a cotton soaked with makeup remover to take any adhesive from your natural lashes and eyelid.

Next one should clean the false eyelashes but the method used depends on whether they are synthetic or natural lashes.  In addition to getting rid of adhesive, most women use mascara on the lashes to make them all look like they are one.  So let's start with cleaning synthetic lashes.  You will need cotton or reusable swabs, cotton towels, and either oil free eye makeup remover or rubbing alcohol. To clean, begin by placing the fake lashes on the clean towel. Wet the cotton or reusable swab with the makeup remover or rubbing alcohol and squeeze out the excess liquid. Then gently rub the left over adhesive, makeup, and mascara off the lashes and focus on the bands where they get the gunkiest. When you have most of it off, then dip the swab in warm water to remove the last of the makeup and mascara. Finally, gently peel off any remaining glue.  Shape the lashes and let dry on the cotton towel.  Do not squeeze or rub the lashes. 

If your false eyelashes are made of mink or are natural, then you want to use a different method to clean them.  Since mink eyelashes do not generally need mascara, apply the mascara to your own lashes before you apply the false ones. At the end of the day, gently peel off the glue and do not use the rubbing alcohol or oil free makeup remover as they can damage the lashes. If there is something left on the lashes, dab a bit of water on a swab and dab the spot without soaking it. 

For magnetic lashes, hold the lashes by the band and make sure it is not sticking to another lash. If you spot any dried magnetic liner on the lashes, carefully use your thumbnail to scratch off as much as possible. Then run a swap dipped in oil free makeup remover along the lash band including the magnets before setting them out to dry.

One part of cleaning false eyelashes is to store them properly so they retain their shape.  When you buy a new pair of lashes, keep the box and store your cleaned lashes in the box so they retain their shape and are ready for the next wear. Remember, reuse of lashes is for personal use only.  You should not reuse your eyelashes more than one or two times after the initial wearing otherwise you open yourself up to possible infection for synthetic lashes but mink lashes can last up to 20 wearings. Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.