Birth Control and Acne

Birth control for acne simplified.

Birth control pills are widely used today and prescribed often as a means to control acne. Most pills can
have the potential to cause acne and weight gain in those susceptible. Typically the pills are divided up as estrogen or progestin dominant and have varying degrees of androgenic (testosterone like) effects.
As a general rule of thumb, pills with the potential for higher androgenic symptoms should be avoided for people prone to acne because they promote breakouts.

As an acne sufferer it is important to speak with your doctor about a selecting a pill that is higher in
estrogen and lower in androgen potency.

The most commonly prescribed pills in this category are:
Yasmin
Diane 35(Dianette)
Demulan(Zovia)
Ortho tri cyclen
Nevicon modicon
Ortho evra
Mircette
Desogen(Apri)

It is best to avoid the following pills that are high in androgen activity and low in estrogen.
Loestrin
Estrotrep Fe
Levlen
Alesse
Ovral
Norestrin
Nuvo ring
Depoprovera shot

Only you and your doctor can determine what pill is right for you. The above is just a basic guideline that should be used to initiate a conversation between you and your physician. If you are considering taking birth control pills, it is important to know that they are associated with a high risk of blood clots, weight gain, nausea, mood changes, depression and breast tenderness. Serious side effects include strokes, digestive issues and embolism.

5 Tips to Stick with your New Year's Resolutions!

5 tips to help you stick with your New Year’s resolutions!



Are you planning on making any New Year’s resolutions for 2011? Are you one of those people who typically gives up on your resolutions after just a few months or weeks? Would you like to increase your chances of following through on your resolutions?

Why is it so hard to create lasting changes in your behavior? It’s because your brain is hardwired to resist change. When your brain tells you to stick with the same old habits, you need to fight back. It takes time to overwrite old neural pathways with new ones. These five tips will help you retrain your brain so you can stick with your New Year’s resolutions.

1. Don’t try to change everything at once. Rather than making a resolution that is so lofty it is virtually impossible for you to achieve, choose one or two specific behaviors you want to change.

2. Believe you can do it. If you don’t believe in yourself, you will never achieve your goals.

3. Reward yourself for the small successes. When you reach a goal or are following through on your resolution, reward yourself. If weight loss is one of your goals for the New Year, find rewards that don’t involve eating or drinking—a warm bath, a good book, a hike with a friend, for example.

4. Don’t swap one bad habit for another. Don’t stop eating cookies but start drinking diet sodas. Don’t quit smoking but start guzzling coffee all day long. Replace your bad habits with good habits.

5. Get back on track—setbacks don’t mean failure. Like I said, change is hard, so don’t beat yourself up if you have a setback. Just acknowledge that you had a setback and get back onto your program the next day.

Personally, I am very guilty of #1...I try to make too many changes at once and end up giving up! But this year I'll try harder to ease into all the changes I want to take on. Wish me luck!

Here are a few of my 2011 goals...

Eat healthier (eat less sugar, drink more water)
Exercise more (usually I only workout during warm months)
Be more organized
Take more time for myself (i.e. facial,massage,etc.)
Learn to say "NO" (that's a difficult one for me)

Here's to 2011, I wish you all the best for a wonderful, happy and prosperous New Year!

Homemade Peppermint Bath Salts

I just found another fun, homemade recipe!! When winter hits and the temperatures drop I have a hard time getting warm. I love to end the day with a relaxing bath, some chocolate and a good book. Why not try this simply, festive bath salt recipe that will help boost your mood and reduce fatigue?



Ingredients ~

1/2 cup Epsom salt
1/4 teaspoon peppermint oil *
1 drop red food color (optional)
The magical creation ~

First grind the salt into a fine powder and pour into mixing bowl. (Hint: A coffee grinder or a mortar and pestle work wonderfully for this!) Then simply add the remaining ingredients. Stir well and let it dry overnight. Store your new bath salts in a sealed jar. Makes 4 ounces.

To use ~
Add 1 tablespoon to bath water and enjoy!

* Why chose Peppermint besides it’s obvious delicious scent? Peppermint oil, originally from Europe, is often referred to as the “world’s oldest medicine.” As hard as it is to imagine, the world has been using the oil for almost ten thousand years! Such uses range broadly from removing ticks to soothing the common stuffy nose. This recipe also makes a wonderful gift for your loved ones!!

I just found this fun homemade recipe for a Peppermint & Cucumber Face Mask. Take a break from the busy shopping season to relax and pamper yourself...you deserve it!!!

Time to thaw out those chilly weather blues by winterizing your skin with this new do it yourself recipe. Peppermint when used as an infusion is much gentler than peppermint essential oil, while cucumber soothes and feeds the skin with silica.



Ingredients ~

1/2 of a fresh medium cucumber
5 ounces (150 ml) filtered tap/mineral water
1 packet peppermint tea
2 oz (60 ml) aloe vera juice
2 drops vitamin E oil
1 oz (30 ml) carrot juice (optional)

First, puree the cucumber using a blender. Next, prepare the peppermint tea using filtered water and allow it to steep for 3 minutes. Then combine with the rest of the ingredients and shake well.

The peppermint, when used as an infusion in this blend, is much gentler than peppermint essential oil, while cucumber will help sooth and feed your skin silica.

When the mixture is ready, you can either rub it on your skin or even add it to your bath water.

Storage ~
Refrigerate the mixture [and keep it away from your beverages for obvious reasons! ] and it will stay good for at least 3 days. You can even toss it in your freezer for a quick skin reviving treatment through the summer months.

Enjoy and Happy Holidays!

December Christmas Special!!!

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Epsom Salts & Ingrown Hairs

Ingrown hairs are a potential side effect of hair removal, particularly in the bikini area. This condition occurs when the hair begins growing out and curls in on itself, growing under the skin instead of outward; this causes irritation, rash and redness. Untreated ingrown hairs can become infected.

Epsom Salt Soaks
An Epsom salt soak can help to draw out the ingrown hair because of the salt's active ingredient, magnesium sulfate. Add 1/4 cup salt to a tub of warm water and soak for 30 minutes.

Epsom Salt Scrub
Add 1/2 tsp. salt to 1 tbsp. body cream or oil and rub into the affected area. This will exfoliate the skin and should draw out the hair

Preventing Ingrown Hairs
Before shaving, thoroughly exfoliate the area with an Epsom salt scrub or a loofah. Alternatively, consider wax or depilatory hair removal methods that are less likely to create ingrown hairs.

Infection
If home treatments are unsuccessful or if the area is red or inflamed, consult your physician.

Cautions
Do not use Epsom salts without first speaking to your doctor if you have high blood pressure, diabetes or a heart condition.

Holiday Special---Lashes!!!

Dashing through the SNOW, Watch your LASHES Show! Holiday Sets will GO, Don't be the last to KNOW!!!



Revitalash Holiday Special!!! Get BOTH Revitalash Lash Conditioner AND Revitalash Mascara.....Only $98!!! Don't miss this Holiday Special! Enjoy fabulous lashes this holiday season and into the New Year! Limited Time Special!

Contact me if you want to order your Revitalash at this once a year price!! Makes a great gift that keeps on giving all year long!!!