Tag Archive for: Antioxidants

Breast Cancer-Get the facts!

October is Breast Cancer awareness month and a perfect time to learn the facts about this very common and potentially deadly disease. Below are some facts from Breastcancer.org, where you can find out more information if you or a loved one is fighting this cancer.

  • 1 out if 8 women will get breast cancer during their lifetime (12%)
  • A man’s risk for breast cancer is 1 in 1000
  • In 2015 – 231,840 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed
  • In 2015- over 40,000 women are expected to die from breast cancer
  • Breast cancer has the 2nd highest mortality rate for cancers with the exception of lung cancer in women
  • 2nd to skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common diagnosed cancer for American women
  • Under the age of 45, African American women are at higher risk than white women
  • Hispanic, Asian and Native American women are at lower risk of developing breast cancer at any age
  • Risk doubles if a woman has a first degree relative (mother, sister, daughter) that had breast cancer
  • Only 5-10% of breast cancer can be linked to having the genes BRCA1 and BRCA2
  • If you have BRCA1 you risk goes up to 45-55%
  • BRCA2 the risk is 45%
  • 85% of breast cancer occurs with NO family history
  • Top risk factors are gender and aging

 

While exercise, eating a healthy diet, not smoking and maintaining a healthy weight all contribute to staying cancer free, the best weapon against breast cancer is a mammogram. There are two main types of mammograms available today, film or digital, talk to your doctor to see which is most appropriate for you. Film mammograms and digital both take two pictures of the breasts. The difference is how they are printed and stored. The actual process is the same but the storing of the results is different. Film is on film and digital is on a computer. The benefit to the digital is that they can be shared between doctors easily and blown up to see closer if something looks suspicious. There is also a 3D mammogram, which is available in 48 of our 50 states. The 3D mammogram takes images form various angles of the breast in ‘slices’, which allows for a deeper more accurate view. However, 3D mammograms are not always covered by insurance and are costly at $150 and up.These mammograms are good for younger women, women with dense breast tissue or implants. Studies have shown that 3D mammography may help up to 40% more to detect cancer. They also lessen the ‘call backs’ because they are so precise.

Knowledge and early detection saves lives. Mammograms take 10-20 minutes and while they can be uncomfortable they do not hurt. If you have a family history of breast cancer, mammograms are being recommended at an earlier age than 40. Talk to your mothers, sisters, daughters, aunts, grandmas and friends. Urge them to get tested and have yearly mammograms. Another great way to help fight this disease is by raising money and participating in a Breast Cancer walk/run. Think Pink!

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The Eye Notes part 1

During the month of February we are going to take a deeper look (no pun intended) at the eye area and why it often shows the first signs of age. Below are the common complaints and issues everyone struggles with, how to prevent and battle them. Take a look…

Image via About Style

Puffiness

What causes it?

The skin of the eye region is much thinner and more delicate than facial skin and contains less collagen to begin with. Thinner skin is more prone to filling easier with fluid, thus causing puffiness. As we age so do the muscles of the eye regions. The muscles in the eyelids will begin to sag from normal aging and gravity and may appear hooded, adding to the puffy appearance of the eye.

Solutions:

Use anti-inflammatory ingredients such as caffeine, Red Tea, oatmeal, caffeine, and cucumber. Try and eat a diet low in salt and sleep with your head slightly elevated to ward off edema.

Dark circles

What they are?

The break down of the fibrous network composed of proteins, elastin, and collagen, resulting in thinner skin in the eye region as you age. Facial expressions like laughing, frowning or rubbing further contribute to the destruction of the skin proteins and stimulate the formation of wrinkles (crow’s feet), dark circles, and bags under the eyes. Dark circles usually mean there is lack of microcirculation.

What causes them?

Dark circles can be hereditary, from allergies and rubbing the eye area. Dehydration and lack of sleep can sometimes cause them as well.

Solutions/prevention:

Retinoids (Vitamin A), brightening ingredients such as Vitamin B, Vitamin K, Arnica, Soy and Rice Bran Peptides. Riboflavin and protein heavy ingredients such as Quinoa can help tremendously.

Under eye wrinkles

What causes them?

Facial expressions like laughing, frowning or rubbing further contribute to the destruction of the skin proteins and stimulate the formation of wrinkles (crow’s feet).

Solutions?

Always wear protective eyewear/sunglasses when outdoors. Always wear SPF. Try not to pull or stretch that area of the eye, particularly when removing or applying makeup. Hydrate and treat the eye area with Retinoids, Vitamin C and protein rich ingredients such as quinoa extract.

 Crows feet

What causes them?

The natural aging process causes them due to expressions like laughing, smiling and frowning. Facial expressions like laughing, frowning, tugging and rubbing can contribute to the destruction of the skin proteins and stimulate the formation of wrinkles (crow’s feet).

Solutions?

Try to limit the amount of tugging and rubbing on this area. Be particularly careful when applying or removing makeup. Do not over expose this area to sun, always wear sunglasses and a hat along with SPF for protection. Try and get an ample amount of sleep, eat a low salt diet, use topical Retinoids and peptides, Vitamin C and protein-rich ingredients to aid in the rebuilding of the skin. Sleeping on a silk pillowcase may also reduce the tugging of your skin on cotton.

 Crepey + Sagging skin

What causes it?

Not unlike wrinkles, crepey and sagging (a natural part of aging), skin is due to a loss of collagen and protein fiber breakdown. As we age our body produces less collagen thus skin begins to lose elasticity and plumpness and becomes more susceptible to the tug of gravity. Crepey and sagging skin can occur on both the lids and under the eyes.

Solutions?

Try to limit the amount of tugging and rubbing on this area. Be particularly careful when applying or removing makeup. Do not over expose this area to sun, always wear sunglasses and a hat along with SPF for protection. Try and get an ample amount of sleep, eat a low salt diet, use topical Retinoids, Vitamin C and protein rich ingredients to aid in the rebuilding of the skin. Sleeping on a silk pillowcase may also reduce the tugging of your skin on cotton.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Best multi-dimensional products for glowing clear holiday skin

December is all about holiday skin health. Too many cocktails, sugary treats and fatty hors d’oeuvres can lead to breakouts, redness, inflammation, eye puffiness and overall skin pollution. Instead of giving up all the festive treats, reach for multi-dimensional products to keep skin looking healthy, clear and bright. A few easy steps everyday can turn back the hands of time and holiday overindulgence.

Holiday culprits:

  • Alcohol seems almost unavoidable during the holiday season. Small amounts in moderation are okay and if possible try to stick to red wine (at least you get the resveratrol bonus). Alcohol contains a ton of sugar, which causes glycation (the breakdown of the proteins in the skin (collagen and elastin), ultimately causing skin to sag and age. Glucose also causes cells to be malformed and irregular thus creating free radicals.
  • White Sugar (which is in everything) also causes glycation. When choosing a holiday treat to either eat or bake, try adding Honey or Cacao, as they are great alternatives to white sugar and they are both super foods. Cinnamon can also be substituted and it helps with inflammation!
  • Fried food also causes glycation and in some cases breakouts. Regular exercise and exfoliation can prevent and reverse these issues.

 Best Multi Dimensional products to reverse damage:

Dr. Goldfaden really is the ingredient guru when it comes to formulating and combining effective and innovative ingredients. Not only do all his products have a reason for being but they contain multi dimensional ingredients which work in tandem to deliver numerous results.

Doctor’s Scrub

Exfoliation is the best method for ridding pores of pollutants. Scrubs can get into the pores and clean them while also removing dead skin cells, bacteria and prior free radical damage. Our Doctor’s Scrub exfoliant combines spherical ruby crystals, to remove dead skin cells and bacteria, and hydrating emollients jojoba oil, hyaluronic acid and apricot oil. The end result is glowing, smooth, and hydrated skin.

Plant Profusion Supreme Serum

After removing all the dead skin cells your skin can accept and absorb a treatment serum. Our Supreme Serum is an anti-aging serum that is made up of plant stem cells and other supercharged anti-oxidants. The specialize complex, PURFLORA, found in the entire Plant Profusion collection consists of Raspberry Leaf Extract, Comfrey Stem Cells, White Tea Leaf Extract, Garden Crest Sprouts and Birds of Paradise extract. The benefits result in skin tone and texture improvement, overall brightness, the appearance of reduction of unwanted pigmentation and increase of the skin barrier function.

Bright Eyes Dark Circle Concentrate

Arguably the first place over indulging appears is the eye region. Darkness, puffiness and overall sagging will improve with an appropriate brightening and de-puffing eye cream. The eye region gets dehydrated very quickly as we do not create the same type of oil as the rest of face and the delicate nature of the skin. Bright Eyes triple action eye concentrate will not only make the eye area look and feel more hydrated, but it can double as a makeup primer! Powerhouse ingredients, soy and rice bran peptides have been shown to reduce venous blood clotting. They have also been shown to have a localized effect on the hemodynamic properties of blood vessels and to increase blood supply to the superficial tissue of the eyelids. This means they help with circulation and distribution of blood flow, avoiding clotting and dark circles. Moreover, these two peptides have been shown to inhibit elastase and collagenase, which degrade collagen and elastin in the skin, thus helping the skin retain its natural firmness.

Cheers to clear, glowing holiday skin!

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