Dark circles are not a very grave problem, but can make you look much older than you already are. Dark circles treatment, some people believe is something impossible. But in today’s age where the market is being flooded with anti-ageing, skin lightening creams, it is considered a fashion crime to sport dark circles. Dark circles treatment is not a difficult task and in fact, easier than you have ever thought of.

Here are some natural home remedies for dark circles treatment which helps you get rid of those ghastly-looking dark circles:

• Grate some raw potato. Soak a cotton ball in the potato juice. Close your eyes and place these cotton balls on your eyes.

• Apply crushed mint leaves around your eyes. This should lighten the skin and is one of the best dark circles treatment method.
  

• Applying a mixture of a teaspoon of tomato and lime juice each, twice a day will help reduce dark circles.

• Drink a glass of tomato juice with some mint, lemon and salt. Drinking this twice a day is another remedy.

• Prepare a paste of four to five almonds with some milk. Apply this paste over the eye area for 10 minutes.

• Apply a mixture of fresh pineapple juice with a pinch of turmeric powder on the dark circles regularly.This dark circles treatment is very effective and the result can be seen within a  few days.
  

• Apply creams containing vitamin E and C around the eyes.

All the above remedies for dark circle treatment have been recommended by Ayurvedic doctors and is very safe. So just go ahead and try the one you are comfortable with. Do comment on your experience.

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An increasing consumption of aerated drinks, packed juices and rich creamy coffees instead of water, and fat-rich foods like snacks, pastries, chocolates and fast food is in fact a major culprit that comes in the way of skin care.

There is a school of thought that diet and acne are not interconnected, but I believe that you are what you eat and your skin reflects just how much fat is consumed in your daily diet. Though severe cases of acne may require medical attention, the condition can to a large extent be checked with adequate diet control. So, let’s get to work and clean up the menu.

For starters, advise those in charge of the cooking at home to cut down on the oil that is used. Minimise the use of coconut in cooking and avoid coconut chutney as far as possible. Swap it with roasted channa or green chutney. Avoid red meats; chicken and fish are better food options. Phulkas (dry chapati) and plain rice are better than poori, paratha, pulao and seasoned rices. Milk must be skimmed and food items like deep-fried snacks, nuts, chocolates, ice cream, rich cookies, cakes and other desserts highly restricted.

The trick is to completely avoid this food for two to three months till the skin heals and clears up. Thereafter, you may eat these foods once or twice in a week as long as your skin doesn’t break out again.

But beside all the don’ts, here is a list of must dos for clear skin:

• Fit a walk of 20-30 minutes into your daily schedule. Bad skin can be a result of sitting long hours at a desk in a closed office or in college or at your computer. This results in poor blood circulation. So, whether thin or fat, you have to walk.

• Drink 8-10 glasses of water every day. When you spend long hours just sitting, you hardly sweat and don’t feel thirsty. Most people then end up drinking just 2-3 glasses of water. This is criminal to your body, leaving it dehydrated and with deadly toxins piling up as there isn’t enough water to flush them out of your system. Two glasses of warm water on an empty stomach first thing in the morning is a tonic for good skin.

• Fresh fruits, like an apple and orange, and 2-3 servings of vegetables — a cooked sabji for lunch and a huge bowl of fresh salad for lunch and dinner — are a must in your daily menu.

A thorough following of the above instructions guarentees  a super clear skin which is healthy and enviable.

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The winter brings relief from the sweltering summer days, but can wreak havoc on your skin. One of the common skin problems in the winter are fungal infections. This is obvious as the humidity will be more and fungal activity will be at its peak! To prevent it, avoid wearing damp clothing and socks as this can predispose you to fungal infections.Those who are prone to fungal infections should keep clean and dry, use an anti fungal soap, and use a prophylactic anti fungal dusting powder in the groin areas and feet. Carry an extra set of clothing or keep a spare change at your workplace to avoid staying in damp clothing for prolonged periods of time as this can lead to fungal infections.

Basic Skin Care

Your skin tends to be oily in this humid season and basic skin care products may need to be modified to suit the season.
Use a medicated face wash suited for oily skin as it is beneficial to prevent acne break-outs

1. Use oil-free moisturizers as your skin still needs hydration, but avoid heavy, oily creams in this humid season
2. Use oil-free sunscreens
3. If your skin tends to be too oily, use an astringent or toner
4. A mild exfoliating scrub may be done gently once or twice a week

Excessive sweating can also occur in the rainy season.This can promote the growth of fungus and often can cause a seat rash or prickly heat. Synthetic fabrics are avoidable and cool cotton fabrics that allow the skin to breathe are ideally suited for this climate. For some, the skin may still appear dry and shriveled in this season and often needs moisturising with a light moisturising lotion. If you are using a cream, consider changing to a lotion-based product in this season. Peeling of the skin, especially over the palms and soles, can occur in this season. Avoid prolonged or excessive water contact to prevent this.

For any persistent skin problems, it is always advisable to consult your dermatologist who will treat your complaint and also advise you on the best skin care products suited to your individual skin type.You can then take care of your skin and enjoy the rainy season.

Sunscreen

Even though the sky will be overcast, the UV rays are still penetrating and can affect your skin. Therefore, you must still use a sunscreen.Your sunscreen may need to be modified to an oil-free or gel-based one to avoid a sticky feeling. Regular application 2-3 times a day needs to be continued despite the fact that the sun may not be as visible.

Hair care

Make sure your hair is cleansed and dried thoroughly.Those whose dandruff increases in this season need to take extra care to keep the hair clean and dry. A medicated anti dandruff shampoo needs to be used regularly through this season.

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Remember, you are a healthy, sound sleeper only if:

• You have a good sleep cycle
• You sleep on your back for most part of the night
• You do not wake up often in the night
• You wake up feeling fresh

QUANTITY

Many workaholics believe that sleep is a waste of time. But the signs of fatigue will be too obvious to ignore. Problems also occur when you shift your sleep hours to day time or spread them out with breaks.

THREATS

With studies pointing to the risk of improper sleep, we suggest you take these threats to your wellness seriously:

Sleeping stomach-down: Is not advisable as it indicates improper respiration.

Sleeping sideways: Is often a result of emotional disturbances. Your body’s chakras only align when you sleep supine. But, if there’s discomfort, it’s alright to sleep on your side.

Obstructive sleep apnea: This occurs due to the repetitive collapse of the upper airway resulting in obstruction to breathing. Snoring and daytime sleepiness are prominent symptoms. Treatment includes positional therapy, oral appliances and surgical options.

Sleep deprivation and insomnia: These are products of urban lifestyle and have an impact on your moods, eating habits and blood pressure. Treatment includes writing sleep diaries.

MANTRAS

1. A regular sleep time.
2. Don’t plan the next day while going to sleep.
3. Avoid watching TV before you sleep. Exposing your mind to engaging content and eyes to bright light doesn’t help.
4. Have a warm cup of milk just before sleep.
5. Don’t use too firm or too soft a bed.
6. Use a pillow that you like, however, the more you elevate your head, the more respiratory problems you face.
7. Avoid alcohol. It disturbs sleep.

Having a good sleep is very essential to maintain your health and your beauty as well. I hope this article has helped you with your sleep problems. Please leave your comments and feedback.

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Some of the new options in treatment of acne scars include:

Pixel laser

This is a new and effective treatment available for darker skins.There is little or no downtime and one needs anything from 4-6 sittings for effective improvement in the scars.The results are noticeable over 2-3 months and there is gradual sustained improvement.
It is always advisable to undergo laser treatments with dermatologists familiar with them for the best results. In these procedures, there are areas of normal skin left behind to enhance and increase the healing process so that there are no complications from the laser treatments.

Dermaroller

This is an instrument which you roll over the skin. It creates pin point punctures in the dermis. This is perceived by the body as damage, which stimulates the release of growth factors that trigger the production of collagen and elastin with a consequent improvement in scars.This treatment often needs to be used in combination rather than as a single treatment for effective results.

Microdermabrasion

This is the use of a diamond instrument or aluminium oxide crystals to remove the surface of the skin. A new layer of skin comes up to replace the surface of the skin that has been worn down. This is a simple and effective treatment. It is a mild treatment with no downtime. It removes scars by 80%-85%  and proves to be very effective for people who have less number of scars or marks.

Chemical peels

They can help improve superficial acne scars. This form of acne scar treatment is usually used when the acne is not very severe. Multiple sittings are required in order to see an improvement.

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These were a few latest scar removal treatments. If you have found this to be useful, do share it with your friends through Digg, Stumble Upon and the likes. Provide your feed back and share your ideas by commenting on the article.

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“How to take care of your nails” – its an important issue because, they can make all the difference to your look. While acrylic and gel nails can make even the most horrid hands look pretty, what you must not forget is that your nails can give out warning signs about your body that you might otherwise not realize. According to dermatologist Dr George Dake, the most common causes of fingernail or toenail problems include trauma, ageing, infection and skin disease. “Splitting of the nail plate is caused when hands are constantly wet, when one uses and removes nail polish very frequently and at times when artificial nails aren’t applied properly. Painful ingrown toe nails result from clipping nails too short and wearing ill-fitting shoes,” he says.
Nail problems occur due to infections, injuries, inflammation, growths or even a deficiency. “In order to handle nail problems, we need to diagnose the problem. Most can be diagnosed by examination, but some cases may require blood work-up, a nail scraping, or nail biopsies.

Dry, weak or brittle nails need to be greased immediately often during the day. Oral iron, calcium and biotin help in improving the structure of the nail,” says Dr Amanda Brown, another Dermatologist. “For healthy nails, avoid biting the nail or damaging the cuticle or the nail fold at the base of the nail.  If there is constant immersion in water, dab dry and apply a cream or petroleum jelly. And lastly ensure that your diet is rich in iron, calcium and B complex vitamins. Have adequate quantities of milk and milk products, dark green vegetables like spinach, broccoli, mint, cereals and grains.”
A diet rich in Vitamin A, E and biotin is believed to make nails stronger. Vitamin A is found in green, yellow and orange vegetables. Vitamin E includes nuts and green leafy vegetables. Biotin is a B vitamin found in eggs, almonds, soya beans and sweet potatoes. Drinking eight to ten glasses of water daily helps keep nails from drying out and slathering some moisturiser on hands and nails will make your nails healthy and strong.

Common nail problems

• Thin, pale concave nails occur due to iron deficiency.
• Thick, discoloured misshapen nails occur due to fungal infections.
• Pincer or ingrown toenails occur due to wearing narrow closed shoes or after a nail injury.
• Stained, discoloured nails occur due to chronic nail-varnish use.
• Ridged, discoloured nails occur due to constant wetting of the hands.

You’d be surprised to know that more often than not your nails can be a window to the problems in your body:

• An anaemic person may have pale, concave nails.
• A person with jaundice will have yellow nails.
• Increase in curvature can indicate a respiratory problem
• Multiple transverse white bands may be seen in patients with arsenic or thallium poisoning, or those with acute or chronic renal failure.
• Bluish discolouration occurs in patients with cyanosis or carbon monoxide poisoning.
• A diabetic patient may have the entire nail white with only the last 1-2mm pink color.

Now, we do understand that nail care is an essential practise to stay healthy. Do leave a comment to appreciate or even contradict this post as it will be useful to all others who will read it

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The right diet and nutrition play an integral part in ensuringstrong teeth and healthy gums. Avoid sugar as it is your teeth’s deadliest enemy and is the prime cause of tooth decay. Retentive sticky foods (such as raisins, caramels,toffees, slowly dissolving hard candies, etc) that are not quickly diluted by saliva also pose a major risk in the formation of
dental cavities. Wafers/chips when retained on the tooth for a log period of time and eventually broken down into carbohydrates and sugars lead to decay.

Bread, pastries, areated drinks, doughnuts, sweet rolls and processed cereals, one of the biggest causes of tooth decay,
should be avoided. Beverages like butter-milk and home-made squashes should be encouraged.

The longer  the food remains in your mouth, the greater the chance for decay. Rinse your mouth immediately after eating,
especially if you’ve just had something sweet, to prevent the formation of plaque. Remember, rinsing after meals and brushing teeth at least twice daily is essential to keep tartar and plaque at bay. Use effective, clinically tested toothpaste that provides long time protection between brushings.

Crash dieting can affect your teeth more than your figure. Teenagers have been known to start that Monday morning crash diet without even realising that this may in fact be the incorrect way to diet. These crash dieters who excessively fast, or diet on an on and off pattern, tend to have a lack of or decrease in certain vitamins, most notably Vitamins D, B-12 and
calcium. They also tend to lack certain minerals and proteins in their diets. These are very important vitamins especially for the health of the teeth and gums. Dieters also tend to take diet pills that may cause a decrease in saliva flow as a side effect. This decrease in saliva flow tends to increase the acid levels in the mouth, which may cause an increased level
of cavity formation. What may be recommended is that dieters consult with their health care provider or nutritionist to determine what type of diet they should be on. Vitamin levels and a balanced diet with all food groups should be evaluated.  As always, sound oral hygiene and regular visits to the dentist help decrease oral health problems.
Supplements, together with good oral hygiene. can aid in decreasing the incidence of dental cavities, bad breath and gum disease. Vitamin C is vital for the production for collagen –the main protein building block for fibrous framework of all living tissues–which in turn, makes it more resistant to bacterialpenitration. Vitamin C also promotes healthy capillaries,
which aids oral tissue in staying healthy. Insufficient consumption of vitamin C may lead to oral health problems like swollen and bleeding gums and even loss of teeth.

Tongue cleaning is very important. It helps reduce bad breath and improve oral hygiene status because a large number of
bacteria reside in the rough corrugated surface of the tongue. mOst dental professionals advice that poor oral hygiene, such
as not brushing, not flossing, or not rinsing enough is the primary cause of gum disease and tooth decay.

Smoking, chewing beetle nut and tobacco are also factors that adversely affect oral hygiene. these habits can cause bad breath, decay, gum diseases, damage to tooth enamel, eventual tooth loss and in many cases even lead to oral cancer.

Try these healthy snacks that don’t attack your teeth:

• Celery and carrot snacks with hommous or avocado dip.
• Vegemite crackers with cheese.
• Plain yogurt, fresh fruits and nuts.

When  you do eat or drink a high-sugar snack, these are tricks to minimisethe damage to your teeth. After your snack, rinse
your mouth with water, eat a small piece of cheese or chew some sugar-freee gum. Cheese provides calcium to replace the minerals lost by the bacteria produced acid, and helps to even up the bacterial balance in your mouth. Chewing gum stimulates the flow of saliva. If you choose to have a soft-drink, use a straw. This will limit the amount of sugar touching
your teeth.The best drinks for teeth are pain water or milk. Drinking coffee and tea will stain your teeth and dry your mouth out. Drinks high in caffeine inhibit your saliva’s ability to combat tooth decay. Acidic fruit juice, such as orange juice, can also attack your teeth. To avoid damaging your teeth, remember to wait at least an hour after consuming acidic food or drink before brushing your teeth. With a little awareness and knowledge on the subject of oral care, there could be some prettier smiles around the world and less misery from tooth decay.

For brighter, whiter teeth

• Drink plenty of water
• Eat a variety of healthy foods from the five major food groups.
• Cut down on snacking in between meals.
• Limit snacks and drinks especially those high in sugar.
• Brush twice a day with the correct technique which can be learnt from any dental professional. Avoid aggressive brushing.
• Floss daily.
• Visit your dentist for regular check-ups and professional clean ups. Recommended at least once every six months. Simple preventive steps can prevent the further complicated treatment processes.
• Rinse thoroughly after every meal.
• Get all existing dental problems like bleeding gums, missing teeth, cavities, etc, treated immediately as they lead to further complications.

A facial exercise programme is scientifically based on anatomy and physiology. The face has more than 10 bones and 12 prominent
muscles, with numerous branches of nerves, arteries, and veins. Lines, wrinkles, folds and bags are not really wrinkles and lines, they are the supportive facial muscles going soft.

Here are some facial exercises to maintain a youthful look with a non-invasive method. Facial exercises dont take much of your time as these exercises are simple and easy to perform
and it can be done anywhere, even while you are caught up in traffic jams. the best way is to include these facial muscle strengthening exercises at the end of your daily exercise regimen.

Do’s And Don’ts:

Use the pads of your fingers, not the tips to avoid scratching the skin. Take care not to stretch or pull at your skin while exercising as they can lead towrinkling. Avoid face exercises if you have acne, eczema, sunburn or any other inflammation. It is advisable to do these exercises everyday until you get used to them, then you can cut to thrice a week.

To firm up the neck:

• In seated position tilt your head back, press your tongue into the roof of your mouth to tighten up all the muscles at the front of your neck. Count to 10, release tongue and bring your
  chin down toward your neck, you will feel tightness under the chin and in the front of the neck. Repeat 10 times.
• Lift your chin and place both your hands at the top of your throat. Now lift your jaw without flinging your head back. Push your jaw forward to feel the stretch. Swallow in this position to see how tight the neck muscles are. Reapeat 10 times.

Exercises for the forehead:

• Sit in upright position and bring down your eyebrows and wrinkle your nose 10 times. Repeat this 5 more times.
• Lie flat on the bed and stare right up at the ceiling. While staring, lift your eyebrows and repeat this exercise for about 10 times.

Exercise for the cheek:

• Close your lips in a relaxed manner and move them into a pout. Repeat 10 times.
• Smile and when doing so count to about 5 and then relax.

Exercise for spare chin:

• As it is mostly the excess fat stored there, its good to include a 40 minute cardio workout everyday.
• Sitting upright, tilt your head back to stare at the ceiling and bring your lower lip up over your upper-lip as far as possible. count to 5 and let your head come back to its normal position. Repeat 10 times.

Exercise for bags under the eyes:

• Using your fingertips under your eyebrows, gently lift your eyelids and while holding them this way, press your upper lids down and count to 5 and relax.
• Move your fingertips to the outer corner of your eyes. Then move your fingers upwards as you move your eyelids down and count to 5 and relax. Repeat 5 times.

Exercise for lines around the mouth:

• Draw air into your mouth; keep it in there counting to 10, then release suddenly.
• Move your tongue in circles around the inside of your mouth.

These facial exercises strengthen and tone the muscles and the skin is revitalised. The well developed muscle brings increased nutrient-rich oxygenated blood into the skin which covers these muscles and speeds up lymphatic drainage.

I hope these exercises would be of some help to the readers who are facing the above mentioned problems. Please do suggest if you have more or better methods to do the same and I will publish those in this article.
And remember exercise is a cheap anti-ageing solution for your body and your skin, so go for it!

Forget the expensive creams and lotions. Go natural and let your skin glow…

• Rub lemon rind over your face if you have oily skin ad this will lessen grease and whiten your complexion.

• Mix the juice of one lemon to tablespoons of milk or cream. Apply this on your face and neck and massage for a few minutes. Then rinse off. Do this daily before going to bed. It helps to bleach your face and keep your hands soft and supple.

• Mix lime juice,  glycerine, and rose water in equal quantities, and apply preferably at night wherever required. it is effective on pimples, blackheads, and scars.

• Apply a mixture of tomato juice (50ml) and one teaspoon of lemon juice for smooth and glowing skin, free of pimples.

• Blend cucumber juice, rose water and lime juice in equal quantities and apply it overnight. Rinse it off in the morning for a clear complexion and a healthy skin.

• Mix the extracts of coconut, manjishta (root of Rubia cordifolia), and sandalwood oil to form a good under0eye lightening cream.

• Mix one teaspoon of carrot juice, orange juice and a little honey. Apply on the face and leave it for 15 minutes, then rinse. this is good for skin lightening.

• Mix grapefruit, lemon juice, a hollowed apple, approximately two egg whites, and seedless grapes in a blender. Apply this mixture on the face and leave for 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water. This is good for oily skin as it unclogs the pores, acts as an astringent, and tightens the skin.

• Whip honey, egg white, and glycerine with flour to produce a thick paste. Apply on the face and rinse after 15 minutes. this helps to smoothen and moisturise the skin.

• Take a teaspoon of lime juice and stir in half a tea spoon of honey and a few drops of milk.  Mix well and apply over your face and neck 15 minutes before you take your bath. This lotion will have a mild bleaching effect on greasy skin.

• Cut tomatoes in half and rub over the face. This is useful for toning your face muscles and whitening the skin and refining the pores.

• Grate and squeeze juice out of a small piece of watermelon. Apply it and leave it on your face for about 15 minutes. Wash off with hot water and dry your face with a soft towel.

These are some really nice methods that do not involve much money and gives the best results. Do try them out and leave your comments here so that it will prove to be helpful to a lot of other readers.

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