You ARE what you eat

My destiny was set when I was born—or so it seemed.

When my mom looked upon my new born face, to her horror she saw pimples on my chin.
Now, every mother thinks her newborn is a beauty, and although she says I was, she couldn’t help but focus on those little pimples. You see, she had suffered with rosacea for years and dreamed of a clear complexion for her daughter.
Well, it seemed that her dream would come true, for a while.
During my teens I barely had a pimple. I never even thought about my complexion. While many of my friends struggled with teenage acne, I barely had a zit. Then, suddenly in my early twenties I developed adult acne. It seemed to appear out of nowhere, and while my acne was not severe, it made me self conscious. Like everyone, I was staring at my blemishes.
Fast forward, twenty years, (because it took me that long to figure it out), it turns out I had food allergies.
The underlying cause of my adult acne was a food allergy to gluten, dairy, corn and chocolate. This caused an overgrowth of yeast in my system and lead to many health conditions such as chronic bladder, sinus and yeast infections.
I spent loads of money on cleaners and creams with the hope I would wake up one day with blemish free skin. But we don’t need to wait; clear skin can be ours today. 

Here are five tips for clear skin:

1. Determine if you have food allergies. The top food allergens are wheat, dairy, corn, citrus, eggs and chocolate. Try an elimination diet and see if your acne improves.
2. Dairy is often an allergy that aggravates acne. The Nurses Health II study was established in 1989 and followed 47,000 women. The women were asked about daily consumption of dairy when they were teens, particularly about the milk they drank.
They discovered that women, who drank more than three servings of milk per day, were twenty-two percent more likely to have to severe acne as teenagers. Those that drank skim milk were 44 percent more likely to have had severe acne as teenagers. When milk is filled with hormones and antibiotics, it begs the question: does it really do a body good? The decision is yours. My favorite non dairy alternative is almond milk.
3. Give up the processed foods. Yes, that’s right, no more eating food with ingredients that can’t be pronounced. If it has a health claim or comes from a box, don’t eat it. Opt for whole foods instead, such as fruits, veggies and whole grains. These are packed with inflammation fighting ingredients and antioxidants. As Michael Pollan says, don’t eat anything incapable of rotting.
4. Cut out the processed sugar and high glycemic load foods. These spike our blood sugar and drive up insulin, which contributes to acne. Time to eliminate the refined carbohydrates such as breads, muffins, crackers, cookies and pancakes (just to name a few). I know when I eat processed sugar, it causes my Candida to flare up (sugar is fuel for Candida) and out pop the blemishes.
5. Consume Omega 3 fatty acids in, foods such as wild salmon, ground flax seed, chia seed, hemp seed or oil, walnuts. These help to reduce inflammation. I toss hemp hearts and/or ground flax seeds and walnuts on my morning gluten free porridge or in my smoothie.

I have now returned to the glowing skin of my youth—albeit with a few more laugh lines. If I indulge in the foods that I am allergic to, the acne returns and this helps me stay the course.
So, is our food healing or harming us? The solution to clear skin is not in a bottle; it’s in our refrigerators.
We are what we eat, so what are we putting in our bodies?

Cosmetics can be deadly

http://www.elephantjournal.com/2014/01/12-toxic-carcinogenic-compounds-found-in-beauty-skin-care-products-yikes/?utm_source=All&utm_campaign=Daily+Moment+of+Awake+in+the+Inbox+of+Your+Mind&utm_medium=email       

The above link will give a list of potentially toxic ingredients found in most commercial cosmetic preparations.  Although their claims of beauty enhancing creams and makeups sound good, after closer inspection I have found them to contain junk, junk, and more junk. The first five ingredients listed are what you are paying for. Make sure they match the front of the label which is simply advertisement. Also make sure the preservatives listed are safe. Women do not realize that allergic reactions such as burning, rashes and clogged pores are the result of these things. When your skin has an inflammatory reaction chronically it will cause collagen breakdown at a rapid rate. So....the beauty promised of younger skin is actually a lie, because with collagen breakdown it will age faster along with continued aggressive exfoliation. Contact your local skin care professional for an analysis and products.

Face Mapping

I always knew that the once-monthly spots that overtook my chin were the result of not-so-stable hormones. However, when my dermatologist took one look at the sudden outcrop of angry zits on my nose and asked me to get my blood pressure checked, it introduced me to a whole new (actually old) science of face mapping, which is pretty much the key to unlocking the mysteries behind problem skin. Face mapping, which is fast taking centre stage at most clinics nowadays, combines Ayurveda and ancient Chinese medicine with cutting edge dermatologists’ prescriptions to explain how certain parts of your face are connected to other areas of your body. Put simply, think of your face as a map and blemishes as X’s on that landscape. Spots in different zones correspond to different problems. So, with this “map” as your guide, you can address the underlying causes of blemishes and not only make the unsightly zits vanish but also treat the underlying health problem in time. Pretty awesome, right? Try it out: Here is how to decode breakouts in the basic areas. face mapping, acne, zits, pimple, spots, solutions, skincare, beauty, skin, face 1 & 2: Digestive System — Eat less processed or junk food, reduce the amount of fat in your diet, step up water intake and opt for cooling things like cucumbers. 3: Liver — Cut out the alcohol, greasy food and dairy. This is the zone where food allergies also show up first, so take a look at your ingredients. Besides all this, do 30 minutes of light exercise every day and get adequate sleep so your liver can rest. 4 & 5: Kidneys — Anything around the eyes (including dark circles) point to dehydration. Drink up! 6: Heart — Check your blood pressure (mine was slightly high) and Vitamin B levels. Decrease the intake of spicy or pungent food, cut down on meat and get more fresh air. Besides this, look into ways to lower cholesterol, like replacing “bad fats” with “good fats” such as Omegas 3 and 6 found in nuts, avocados, fish and flax seed. Also, since this area is chock-full of dilated pores, check that your makeup is not past its expiry date or is skin-clogging. 7 & 8: Kidneys — Again, drink up! And cut down on aerated drinks, coffee and alcohol as these will cause further dehydration. Zone 9 & 10: Respiratory system — Do you smoke? Have allergies? This is your problem area for both. If neither of these is the issue, don’t let your body overheat, eat more cooling foods, cut down on sugar and get more fresh air. Also keep the body more alkaline by avoiding foods that make the body acidic (meat, dairy, alcohol, caffeine, sugar) and adding more alkalizing foods like green veggies and wheatgrass juice. Another thing that most of forget – dirty cell phones and pillow cases are two of the top acne culprits and this area is what they affect the most! Zone 11 & 12: Hormones — This is the signature zone for stress and hormonal changes. And while both are sometimes unavoidable, you can decrease their effect by getting adequate sleep, drinking enough water, eating leafy veggies and keeping skin scrupulously clean. Another interesting point: breakouts in this area indicate when you are ovulating (and on which side). Zone 13: Stomach — Step up the fibre intake, reduce the toxin overload and drink herbal teas to help with digestion. 14: Illness — Zits here can be a sign that your body is fighting bacteria to avoid illness. Give it a break, take a yoga class, take a nap, take time to breathe deeply, drink plenty of water and know that everything always works out! So the next time you break out or notice dark under-eye circles, look to your face map: your skin is probably trying to communicate on behalf of the internal organs. However, do remember that, as with all medical issues, it is always best to see your doctor or dermotologist for a proper prognosis. This is just a general guide to head you off in the right investigative direction – just becuase you break out between the brows doesn’t always mean you have a bad liver!

Invasix Fractora Firm Treatments

Invasix Fractora Firm Treatments



Many questions are asked about Radio Frequency Machines and what they can accomplish in creating better skin. I have personally experienced a couple of treatments and can tell you without a doubt they can improve smoothness and firmness on a temporary basis if you follow the protocol.
The protocol is six treatments at the very least, which can cost you time and money. The improvements are subtle but real. The series typically runs around $2,800, and you will spend approximately an hour in the office for each. The only truly professional machines are authorized to be used under a physicians direction and can be performed by her nurse or esthetician.
The Firm handpiece slowly heats up the subcutaneous tissues and dermis to create a shrinking or tightening effect and new collagen growth.
The Fractora handpiece ablates the epidermis for a resurfacing effect. Fine lines and some scars are improved.
The best age to start thinking about these treatments are when you start feeling the need for fillers and or Botox. Aging faces that are in need of a full on facelift will see a small improvement in the firming, but will not be happy with the treatment for badly slacking skin. The resurfacing treatment along with a facelife around the eyes or mouth will improve the overall surgical effect.
Please contact your professional, and we at Sarasota Wellness and Internal Medicine with Dr. Sherri Weinstein and myself www.aboutfaceestheticsinc.com will be happy to advise.

Dangerous Chemicals Lurking in your Skin Care Products

Buyer Beware!   Many consumers make the price point the decision making process tool in choosing sunscreen, mascara, nail polish, foundation etc. For conscious consumers reading the ingredients on your purchases as I have explained in previous articles will keep your skin safe especially if you are sensitive to these questionable formulations.

Parabens are a preservative that can lead to hormonal disruptions, by preventing the breakdown of estrogen. A buildup of estrogen can wreak havoc on men and women as we have discovered, being possibly the reason for some breast cancers.

Petroleum Distillates are found in mascara, foundations, eye shadows, among others and when accumulated by continued use are irritating at the very least and a neurotoxin for those who are susceptible.

Formaldehyde used in nail polishes, hair straighteners etc. have been linked to some neurological diseases, lesser symptoms are headache, rhinitis and other allergic reactions.

Phthalates are commonly used in cosmetics, and lumped in with fragrances. This group of chemicals are hormone-mimicking and have been banned in Europe. They have been attributed to deformities in the reproductive systems of the animals tested.

Methyl Cellosolve is also lumped in with fragrances found in body products, cosmetics, deodorant etc. and is a known neurotoxin which is destructive to nerve tissue after time.

Butylated Hydroxyanisole  (BHA) is used as a preservative, it affects the environment especially aquatic animals and interferes with hormone activity and in some susceptible persons increases liver enzymes.

Hydroquinone  used very effectively to lighten skin and is a proven danger to a persons liver function. Tumors of the liver and poor lung function have been reported after long time use.

Octinoxate is used in suncreen and foundations claiming to have sunscreen properties. Can be an endocrine disruptor to people predisposed and have shown to reduce testosterone in laboratory animals.

Quaternium-15 used in cosmetics particularly eyeshadow and have been documented as an allergen to some skin, eyes, or lungs. Organ system dangers are a concern as it acts as a formaldehyde releaser.

For consumers wanting "clean" products may I suggest Mineral Makeups from companies willing to share a full ingredients list. Contact your skin professional for more help.

Hormones that drive you

 
A Note from ATH Supervising Editor, Sherri Carter: Dr. Sara Gottfried offers 4 simple steps to "help you get out of your rut and feel better fast with a few small actions you can implement right away to begin balancing your hormones and seeing results."

Whether you're 30 or 50+, you don't have to feel cranky, tapped out, and chronically sleep-deprived. Old-school medical thinking tells us that these “conditions” are all just a part of growing older as a woman and prescription medication can cure most of our ills.

Furthermore, we are conditioned as women to live in ways that get our hormones (like thyroid, cortisol, progesterone, and estrogen) to work against us, putting us in a bad mood and causing stress, weight gain and overall unhappiness.

But, it doesn’t have to be that way. You can take steps to adjust your hormones naturally so they are allies and they work together to get you feeling better than you have in years. I know from suffering in my 30s with PMS, belly fat, and low sex drive--I figured out that my problem was my hormones. I fixed mine in one month and wrote my new book The Hormone Cure (Simon & Schuster, 3/12/13) to explain how you can too.

I'm going to help you get out of your rut and feel better fast with a few small actions you can implement right away to begin balancing your hormones and seeing results.

To amplify your happy brain chemicals and get your hormones playing on your team again here are 4 actions you can take:

1. Get Your Sleep On 

One of the top reasons I see women stall with their weight goals or fail to heal their thyroid or adrenal glands is that they run a chronic sleep debt. All of your hormonal systems run on a circadian rhythm, and if you want to keep them happy and healthy, you must do your part with winding down and getting to bed by 10 p.m. Yes, that's right...10 p.m.!

2. Be an Architect

Take the evolutionary perspective. As you age you are wired, as described by author Barbara Sher, to shift from the life you were born into the life you create. So, become the architect of your best life. Women who are clear about the kind of life they want to create — women who constantly learn how to tap into what brings them the greatest meaning and have the energy to sustain it—have it.

3. Take Tiara Time

Women need help to reclaim their "me" time and a tiara can serve as a visual cue for

your family that you are not endlessly available to satisfy their every whim. So, purchase (or dig out) your tiara and wear it 3 times this week. When you are wearing your tiara, do something nourishing, such as taking a hot bath, talking to a girlfriend on the phone for 10 minutes, practicing yoga, or listening to a meditation CD. Taking those minutes to relax, will de-stress you, lower your heart rate, and tell your brain to ease back on the cortisol it’s pumping through your system. Click here to watch Ricki Lake and me share tiara time.

4. Go Barefoot

There's actually some compelling science that shows you can reset adrenal function by connecting to the earth directly. No wonder gardeners are so happy! Walk on the beach, hike for 10 minutes in your bare feet--it’s been shown to help rebalance your hormones.

If you want happier hormones, listen to your body. Taking action to adjust your lifestyle is more simple than you think.

What are you waiting for?

Skin Luminosity

Antioxidant Serums

     Damage from free radicals is one of the primary causes of fine lines and uneven skin tone. Free radicals are deposited on your skin by UV rays and pollution during the day.To minimize future wrinkles and uneven skin tone with antioxidants, apply a serum or cream that contains a free-radical fighter such as Vitamin C, phloretin, idebenone, green tea or coffee berry  morning and evening. One way to improve the delicate eye area is to massage a small amount of product around the eye for 10 minutes while you shower. Keep your serum in the fridge for freshness and to combat puffy eyes and shrink blood vessels for circles when you wake.
   
    Now that you are good to go on topicals, don't forget to feed your body with antioxidants. Fresh fruits and vegetables, ya-de-ya-de so you have heard so many times, but it's true! Blueberries with your yogurt for breakfast, fresh leafy salads at lunch, saute colorful peppers for dinner.

     Luminosity makes you look younger, go on your bike ride, drink your water , eat correctly and use your Antioxidant Serum!