Use of Moducare for Combating Psoriasis

ByAravind Ramesh
Q. I suffer from psoriasis, the skin disease, and wondered what creams or other products you recommend?
A. Psoriasis is a commonly occurring skin condition that affects 2% of the population. Two percent means "two people in a hundred", so, in the whole world that means roughly one hundred million sufferers.
Q. So what is the fault with all these people's skin? Why don't their bodies make perfect skin?
A. The answer lies in a fault in the immune system. In a third of the sufferers there can be a heredity factor and, in 40% of sufferers, it can be induced by stress. Our immune system controls the way we fight off infection, illness, cancer etc and, if it goes faulty, a whole host of problems can arise.
Q. What creams do you recommend?
I am sure you will have seen your G.P. and possibly a Consultant Dermatologist (Skin Specialist) and have been offered, and have used, various creams and ointments on prescription. Depending on the severity of your psoriasis you will have experienced varying degrees of success, and you may have also been given oral treatment as well for the more severe forms of the condition.
Many of the prescription creams/ointments,( with or without oral treatment), often give very good results but there is definitely a large number of people who don't always get a very good improvement that they would really like, and this is where complimentary medicine may be helpful to help to maintain healthy skin.
If we return to discussing the underlying immune system fault we find one of the main factors that keeps cropping up concerns a particular substance, (that we all make as part of our inflammatory process), called interleukin-6. This substance is made in our bones, by our stem cells, and is involved in the purposely initiated production of inflammation. Why would we intentionally cause inflammation to be produced? The reason is, that, if we have, for example, a splinter of wood in our skin then our immune system automatically activates the stem cells to produce the right cells to loosen the wood by making the cells around the wound become inflamed, subsequently breaking down the actual skin allowing the splinter of wood to be pushed to the surface of the skin and fall out, the inflammatory process would then be called off, the skin would then heal, settle down and the wound area would heal and could be practically scar less.
But an over production of interleukin-6 cells, in people with psoriasis, will cause an on-going production of faulty cells, relentlessly. It's as if these faulty cells "think" that after only four days of development, that they are "ready" to take their place in the skin.
Whereas normal, fully developed cells, take twenty eight days to reach perfection. So, these faulty "I'm ready in four days" cells, leads to the typical production of faulty skin, causing inflammation, reddening and plaque. Inflammation, when produced around a splinter, is completely normal and acceptable and will have been initiated to cause the splinter to be pushed out of the body, but, with psoriasis, the production is ongoing.
So, what complimentary products are available to help maintain healthy skin in this condition? I have found the following have helped patients to maintain more normal skin.
Moducare capsules contain plant fats obtained from the sap of a pine tree in South Africa. Professor Patrick Bouic is the Professor of Immunology at Cape Town University and his work, over the last twenty five years, with the ingredient in the sap called sterols and sterolin glycosides, can help to regain the balance between two of the cells produced in our bone marrow called TH1 and TH2.
It is the over production of the TH2 cells which leads to the formation of the faulty skin cells we experience in people with psoriasis and taking Moducare capsules can help to stabilise this production back towards normality.
Omega 3 Fish Oil capsules
Similarly, we can learn from looking at the Eskimo's diet that the omega 3 ingredient found in the flesh of oily fish (and oily fish is a prominent part of their diet leads, once again like the Moducare story, to getting a much better balance in their immune system, and in fact although 2% of the Eskimos also have the potential, genetically, to get psoriasis there is no word in their language for psoriasis!
Calcium Pantothenate capsule
This substance is also known as vitamin B 5,the anti stress vitamin, and amongst the many pathways in our body in which it is involved is the pathway of the production of our own anti stress ingredient cortisol.
Bio -Pycnogenol
This little tablet is made in France from the same pine tree that the Moducare is made from in South Africa, but here they use the bark of the tree, the ingredients of which do three major things to help maintain healthy skin:
(1) It helps to stop the enzyme called collagenase from breaking down our collagen in our skin.
(2)It helps to stop the enzyme called elastase from breaking down the elastin (that gives our skin it's elasticity) in our skin.
(3)It helps in the production of a substance called the endothelium relaxing substance which is needed to maintain a good blood supply to our skin.
Common Milk Thistle capsules
This herb has a very good reputation for maintaining in good health our liver, which is the largest organ in the body, and is the main organ of detoxification.
Finally it's good to take a general vitamin and mineral supplement each day as it is well documented in the literature that many people are low in: Magnesium, chromium, zinc, selenium, vitamin D etc all important for maintaining healthy skin.
Buy Moducare online from the ecommerce store of Dennis the Chemist.

Facial Exercises For Jowls - The Benefits Of Jawline Exercises

As a facial exercise instructor, jawline exercises are one of the most popular techniques I teach. It is a common problem area which can be extremely ageing, but you can go a long way to achieving a fabulously defined jawline by practicing specific facial exercises for jowls!
The sagging skin and loss of definition along the jawline is never a welcome sight, and one which, short of having a facelift, many believe they are stuck with.
It couldn't be further from the truth! Although it may just look like hanging skin, jowls are actually a result of the underlying muscular structure of the face losing tone and definition, and succumbing to the force of gravity.
Muscles Stretch & Atrophy As We Age
As we grow older, if our muscles are not exercised and strengthened, they will begin to stretch and atrophy (waste away). There is a reduction in the subcutaneous (fat) layer of the skin and the elastic connective tissues can become brittle through chemical damage i.e. smoking or sun exposure. All these occurrences can drastically affect our facial skin and result in the appearance of not only sagging, but wrinkles and lines, all common signs of ageing.
This weakening of the underlying facial structure is not taken into account when surgical procedures to 'lift' the face are undertaken. Just stretching the skin tight over a failing base structure is often something which rarely lasts and can easily result in a mask-like, unnatural appearance. Continued practice of facial exercises, on the other hand, will produce a natural, more youthful look which will only improve over the long term.
Facial Muscles Are Attached To The Skin
Unlike the muscles in the rest of your body, which are attached to bone, the numerous muscles found in the face and neck are generally attached to the skin, allowing us to pull facial expressions. This means you can improve the appearance of problem areas of your face by working and toning specific facial muscle groups.
The loss of tone and strength in both the neck (which supports the chin area) and the cheek muscles together with the pull of gravity contribute to the formation of jowls and a lack of definition along the jawline. It is common practice to exercise and strengthen all the different groups of muscles as there is often more than one group working and supporting a specific area of the face.
Jawline Exercises
There are a number of quick and easy jawline exercises which can tone and immensely improve the appearance of jowls and sagging jawlines.
I often practice the following jawline exercise at least twice a day as it's quick and easy!
Stand or sit up straightSpread apart your index finger and thumb of one hand and place on your collar bone, pressing firmly. This action will create the muscle resistance vital to increase the effect of any facial exercise.Using your other hand, press the pad of your thumb fairly gently on your throat at the angle where it meets your chin.Keeping your mouth closed, gradually tip your head backwards keeping the pressure of your thumb constant on your throat. Let the weight of your head do the work, don't force this movementHold for a count of 5Slowly bring your chin back up and then down all the way to your chestReturn head to start position. Repeat 10 times
This is just one of the many facial exercises you can practice which will enhance all areas of your face, toning, lifting and brightening to achieve a more youthful, healthy looking you!
For more jawline exercises and further information about other facial exercises please visit us at http://targetedfacialexercise.co.uk

How to Identify Your Skin Type and the Best Products for It

ByJocelyn Saurini
The key to finding your own unique skin care treatment plan is to first determine what your skin type is. Everybody falls into three kinds of categories: oily, dry, or combination. Once you find out what skin type you have, you can tailor your own skin care regimen to your individual issues and needs for your face and body. So what are the different complexion types and how to you figure out a skin care treatment plan for each one? We've got advice from experts.
Oily Skin: Shine and Acne Breakouts
People with oily skin probably notice that their face tends to get shiny as the day wears on. That's because the body produces too much oil which can sit on the surface of the face. Acne breakouts tend to occur all over the face and aren't just relegated to one area. While the prevailing myth is that drying the skin out will fight off breakouts, it's just that: a myth. Over-drying the skin can lead to irritation and leaves dry, dead cells on the surface, which can clog the pores. Also, if you skin is too dry, your face and body may try to overcompensate by producing more oil that could lead to breakouts. If you have oily skin, look for products that are oil free and don't contain harsh chemicals that can irritate and dry you out further. While you'll want to control oil and shine, you won't want to do it by causing you to become dry and unhealthy.
Dry Skin: Redness and Irritation
No matter what time of the year it is, and no matter the weather, people with dry skin never seem to feel properly moisturized. Dry skin can leave dead cells on the surface that can clog pores and lead to future acne breakouts. Those with a dry complexion can also experience redness and irritation as well as a feeling of tightness that can be actually painful. Cleansers that can gently exfoliate the face or body while locking in moisture will keep your complexion clear, comfortable, and hydrated. Also, cleansers that are specially designed to target sensitivity will negate redness and irritation. People with dry skin should choose cleansers that are formulated to reduce redness and irritation, not makes it worse. Of course, if your body is dry by nature, you should also use a hydrating facial moisturizer or lotion as well as drink and eat a significant amount of water during the day.
Combination Skin: Oily T-Zone, Dry Patches
Most people have combination skin, making it the most common of all the types. People with combination skin tend to have oily areas in their T-zone (on their forehead, nose, upper lip, and chin) and break out more in those areas, while they tend to have drier patches on their cheeks and neck. Treating combination skin can be tricky because of all the types of face and body products on the market made for specific skin types. For people with combination skin, a gentle cleanser as part of their daily and evening routine will make sure that they won't over-dry and end up with clogged pores. Using facial products that are packed with antioxidants will also help the face and body stay hydrated and protect from environmental damage.
So which type is your complexion? Once you've determined which type of skin you have, you can determine what you need your products to do. Then, go and seek out products that meet your unique needs.
Jocelyn Saurini is a skin care specialist who works with some of the best skin care products available for dry, oily, and combination skin, including acne treatment products with proven results. A beautiful you starts from the inside, but glowing skin certainly helps.

How Do I Tighten My Sagging Skin Is the Question

ByBeverly L. Johnson
The question is, How do I tighten my sagging skin? It might sound so general so let me be more specific. What you mean is you are worried of the fact that over the years something has happened to your skin and you are thinking that age is responsible.
Let this reading illuminate you about the natural bodily processes that go with skin health maintenance.
Some of those who are in the habit of learning about health and youthfulness say that the problem has something to do with the food that people eat.
To that idea you might subscribe to believing that part of your body is what you normally eat. For example, if one often eats oily foods, in the process he must be dumping harmful oils in his body.
The natural body chemicals collagen and elastin can help to enlighten you about your question "How do I tighten my sagging skin?"
The production of collagen and elastin that are part of the normal bodily processes of skin health maintenance should be supported with the right nutrition.
Should your body lack the nutrients needed for the production of collagen and elastin, the skin deteriorates prematurely. To help you, natural food supplements which are carefully prepared to arrest premature skin aging are out in the market.
To tell you frankly, there is nothing that most skin care products can do to help. They are there most especially because of their commercial value. You are urged not to fool yourself by believing in the myth exposed through certain skin care products.
At best, these products can make your skin appear alright but underneath the damage is left untreated.
The answer to your question... How do I tighten my sagging skin? is best explained by analyzing the functions of collagen and elastin.
First, collagen acts as the building components of your skin cells.
Most of this substance is within your cells while some can be found at your cells immediate surroundings.
Therefore, collagen provides the structure of the skin. Without collagen, your skin will simply fall apart.
Elastin, on the other hand, provides elasticity for the skin. Without elastin, there is no way for the skin to naturally stretch and return to its youthful shape and form.
Food supplements have become the answer of many people due to undernourishment caused by the fast-paced lifestyle and the deterioration of food quality. You are asking in particular, "How do I tighten my sagging skin?" then you need not look very far for the remedy.
Away with the thoughts of using ineffective skin care products and undergoing medical procedures, you must look for the most complete food supplements that will guarantee long-lasting and healthy skin.
This way you will no longer have to ask how do I tighten my sagging skin.
Beverly L. Johnson is a passionate advocate and user of natural skin care products and food supplements.
Visit her site now where you can subscribe to the highly popular free 5-part series on Secrets of Skin Care and discover cutting edge, safe and highly effective skin care products she recommends after extensive research at:

Younger Looking Skin - 3 Tips to Great Looking Skin You Need to Learn About

Taking care of your skin is one of the most important things you should do every day. However, most people tend to take this for granted. Skin care should not have to be a difficult task, but most people make it seem that way. If you are able to find good products and implement an easy skin care routine, then you would be amazed at how easy it is to achieve younger looking skin in no time at all.
If you have been struggling with keeping your skin healthy and younger looking here are three great tips to achieving awesome skin in a matter of weeks.
1. Healthy Lifestyle - A healthy lifestyle will reflect positively on your skin. Eating healthy nutritious meals is one way of ensuring your skin remains free of blemishes and acne. Eating foods free of sugar and grease will help your skin remain smooth and healthy. Foods such as green leafy vegetables, broccoli, spinach, and fresh fruits will not only have your skin clean and clear, but will help you maintain your ideal body weight. So you will not only be doing your skin good, but you will also look great too. Another important food for healthy skin is fish. Fish provides you with essential fatty acids. Essential fatty acids can be had from fish such as mackerel, salmon, sardines and tuna. Eating generous amounts of these each week will give your skin lots of antioxidants and keep it smooth, supple and looking younger.
2. Exercising - Is also another important part of healthy skin. Exercise helps to tone and tighten your skin. It also helps to eliminate toxins as you sweat so it will keep your body clean and free from toxins. There are special exercises for facial skin. These exercises will help lift drooping jaw lines and other areas of your face that needs toning. Exercise helps relieve stress and as you might know stress affects the appearance of your skin. With lower stress level you will be better able to keep your skin looking glowing and radiant.
3. Using Natural Skin Care Products - Using skin care products made from natural ingredients is one of the most effective treatments for achieving younger looking skin. Natural ingredients will help keep your skin naturally moist and hydrated. Natural products made from natural herbs and extracts which contain natural oils such as grapeseed, jojoba and avocado will work with your body's own natural oil to keep your skin refreshed and rejuvenated. Also, some natural ingredients will help restore collagen and elastin supply in your skin which will make it even easier to firm and tone.
Achieving younger looking skin will be so much easier now that you know exactly what to do.
Here is what you need to do! Incorporate a healthy lifestyle routine which includes taking care of your skin is one of the most effective ways to achieving younger looking skin which will make you look and feel great all the time.

Itchy Scalp Remedy - The Cure That Beats Every Other Solution for Chronic Head Itching

ByJacob Bowman
If you suffer from a persistent head itching problem, I'm pretty sure by now you're on the verge of insanity. You have most likely tried a wide range of scalp products, all of which caused you nothing but pure disappointment and continued pain. And now you're ready to jump off a cliff because the scalp irritation you endure on a daily basis is just too much.
When dealing with scalp itching diseases/conditions, the products most people often run to for help are shampoos, ointments, soaps, pills etc. And while these products can be very helpful to some people, there is a legion of others that these types of products usually provide absolutely no relief to.
If you're like most people suffering from severe scalp itching problems, you have probably tried all these remedies, solutions and supposed cures, only to be heavily heartbroken when they fail to deliver. Your scalp continues to itch, and you wonder when will it finally stop?
Well, I have good news to share with you. There is a cure for your scalp itching infection! Yes, I do understand that this is a claim that runs rampant on the internet. However, I can actually back it up. You see, I'm not just some ordinary person that is writing about this scalp itching topic. I write from the standpoint and perspective of a person who once use to suffer from extremely itchy scalp problems that lasted for 3 long years. Yes, three long aggravating years!
My scalp problem (when I dealt with it) wasn't just about the itching. That was just one part of the misery I endured. On top of the constant scalp itching, I also developed some highly visible embarrassing symptoms on my head. The names of the symptoms are irrelevant because they tend to be called a variety of names, based on how they appear to the doctor.
To make a long painful story short, it was through the Grace of God that I found the potent cure that got rid of these hideous symptoms and released me from the clenched fist of discomfort that had held me down for what seemed like eternity.
What is this cure, you say? The solution for severe scalp itching is not just one medicine. You need 4 separate medicines. Yes, you do. Don't be discouraged though. They're not hard to get at all. The medicines you need are:
1. Medicated Scalp Lotion
2. Medicated Scalp Solution (not the same as the lotion)
3. Medicated Scalp Cream
4. Oral B-Lactam Antibiotic
When you obtain all four of these scalp medicines, here's what you need to do:
1. You take the medicated lotion, solution, and cream and you apply them all at once to your scalp.
a. Do this morning, and night for 7 straight days.
2. During the 7 days, you also orally take the antibiotic pills. Once in the morning, once at night.
For detailed information on these medicines and instructions on how to use them effectively to eradicate your annoying scalp problem, please visit the page below:
http://www.ScalpSkinDoctor.com

Finding The Best Lotion For Dry Skin

Dry skin is probably the most common skin complaint, especially between the months of October and April. But is there such a thing as the best lotion for dry skin? There's no shortage of products on the store shelves to choose from, but it's the ingredients you need to look for that will get you the best lotion for your dry skin. Beyond that, you need to treat this very stubborn problem by doing more than just . The problem is best approached from all directions!
Active ingredients in dry skin products are there to enhance moisture levels in some way. For instance, "occlusives" will preserve these moisture levels by slowing the rate of transepidermal water loss. Ingredients such as petroleum, oils and silicones are examples of occlusives. "Emollients" act as lubricants, increasing the skin's flexibility and encouraging a smooth texture and appearance. Among them - isopropyl palmitate, shea butter and jojoba oil. "Humectants" will draw water from the dermis or draw it in from the air and hold it in the surface layers of the skin. These include hyaluronic acid, propylene glycol, sorbitol and glycerin urea.
Treating dry skin effectively requires exfoliating dry skin cells from the surface of the skin on a regular basis. Without this step, your moisturizers or other dry skin treatments are not getting into the deeper layers of the skin. Exfoliants range from a gentle physical scrub to a much stronger glycolic acid and should be selected carefully based on the part of the body you're treating (the face requires something less harsh than your feet for instance) and the results you're seeking.
Therefore, the steps to treating dry skin externally are to
(1) cleanse,
(2) exfoliate, and then
(3) moisturize!
Cleanse and exfoliate in the shower or the bath, moisturize as soon as you emerge, after you towel dry, while your skin is still damp. On days when you may skip the shower or bath, I highly recommend a dry brush treatment, which you can then follow with your favorite moisturizer.
Age-old recommendations are still extremely important.
(1) Drink plenty of water!! You'd be surprised how many people still need reminding. Your skin wants that water to function efficiently, plump up skin cells, and shore up your skin's natural moisturizing factor ("NMF"s, compounds essential to the skin's flexibility and water-holding capabilities).
(2) Reduce the length, frequency and temperature of your showers and/or baths. This will keep NMFs from being leached from your skin. These compounds will not only hold water, but attract moisture from the air. They are, however, water-soluble, which is why lengthy showering, swimming, bathing, etc. will cause skin to dry out.
(3) Avoid harsh detergents, soaps and hand sanitizers, which remove the skin's acid mantle, increasing the rate of transepidermal water loss. Look for glycerin soaps and alcohol-free hand sanitizers. Do not use regular soap on your face. Use facial cleansers on your face! Men should be encouraged to use the proper products on their face as well. Lastly,
(4) a humidifier where you sleep and work to maintain proper humidity levels will help slow the rate of transepidermal water loss and maintain hydration. Even a bowl of water near a heater vent will do the job.
These suggestions demonstrate that you can best go about combatting dry skin by attacking the problem from all directions: internally, externally and within your environment. Be well!
Becoming a Skin Care Therapist in 2003 was embarking on my second career having spent 20 years in the business world and 15 years self-employed with my husband in his contracting business. Shortly thereafter I was operating my own small spa on Whidbey Island, WA and carried there a wonderful, but quite expensive, well-known product line. I've always loved beauty, products and business so when I found it difficult to sell products to clients that were on the expensive side, my business head said to look to private label. I knew by cutting out a middle man that I could do so much better for my clients - and so PUR Botanicals Skin Care became my next passion in life. When it seemed the obvious next step to offer these extremely well priced, high-tech products on the internet, I built http://purbotanicals.com. As I developed this website, I found that I wanted to reach further and share more. I've always enjoyed writing so it was wonderfully convenient for ezine to come into my life and give me this outlet. Enjoy browsing my site, and you'll save a bundle on the best skin care available!