Friday, February 28, 2014

Have You Heard of Nerium AD Skin Care?



Have you heard of NeriumAD? If you read fashion magazines or beauty blogs, you have probably heard the the latest buzz about "the next big thing" in beauty. Extracted from the oleander plant, Nerium has been heralded by some as the age-defying fountain of youth. The sales of Nerium are certainly through the roof.

However, other doctors are alarmed by some of the claims and lack of scientific proof made by the Nerium company. Others are concerned about evidence oleander extracts may cause chemical burns and skin inflammation. Some have gone as far as to suggest oleander extracts might cause cell death in healthy cells. I wrote about it in "Possible skin care concerns when using NeriumAD" but the Examiner site is no more.

In February, I was contacted by a Nerium rep and given the opportunity to try it for 5 days. The rep asked me to take before and after photos. I never intended to share the before and after selfies with the public, but after 5 days, I thought the results should be shared. My review an mildly embarrassing photos were posted at at: "NeriumAD Age-Defying Day and Night creams not for sensitive skin--a review" on Examiner.com but the article disappeared with the Examiner.

If you have any skin care questions, feel free to ask me!

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Thank you for reading and thank you for sharing the link to this article with others. This article is © Kathryn Darden, all rights reserved,  and is not available to repost on websites, blogs, discussion boards, Facebook, or to translate and post elsewhere without written permission. If you have questions about skin care, email me!


Thursday, February 20, 2014

Ellen DeGeneres Loves the Micro-Needle Roller


Today, the micro-exfoliation roller stepped into the spotlight on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show." Beauty expert Kym Douglas demonstrated how to roll and talked about the benefits of micro-exfoliation as part of her "Oscar Beauty Tips" segment with the popular daytime host.

Find out more at: Ellen DeGeneres Loves The Micro-Needle Roller  or email me.


Acne bacteria spread from humans to grapevines new study reveals - National Skin Care Examiner







Do you have acne? Do you enjoy grapes or wine? Are you a fan of Frank Zappa? If you answered yes to any of those questions, this article is for you!



If you have acne,
drink the occasional glass of wine, are a fan of musician Frank Zappa,
or just like weird science, here's some news you will find intriguing: Italian researchers have discovered a new bacteria that colonized
pimples and now colonizes grapevines. They named it after Frank Zappa.
--
Examiner
 The new studies have exciting possibilities for skin care, especially in the field of acne. As researches study the bacteria, is it possible they might find a cure for acne?

Pimples and blemishes plague millions of teens and adults around the globe. Currently there are some very effective treatments for acne, but a cure has not been found.

Find out what researches have already learned and why they named the new pathogen after Frank Zappa.

Read the entire article at: Acne bacteria spread from humans to grapevines new study reveals - National Skin Care Examiner

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Thank you for reading and thank you for sharing the link to this article with others. This article is © Kathryn Darden, all rights reserved,  and is not available to repost on websites, blogs, discussion boards, Facebook, or to translate and post elsewhere without written permission.

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Does Barbie Doll Promote Unhealthy Body Expectations? Sports Illustrated Barbie Cover Fuels Controversy


It was recently announced that Barbie doll will appear in the upcoming Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition. This has caused a great deal of controversy among those who believe that the slender "fashion model" doll causes little girls to have unrealistic body expectations.

Can you really blame a doll for the fact Americans are eating themselves into obesity?

There is a movement afoot to create fatter role models today, everything from demanding plus-size models to fatter Disney princesses. But which is the better role model? The answer is perhaps neither, but the health odds are stacked heavily in Barbie's favor.

Read more at: 


Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Advantages of hiking sticks & trekking poles for hikers & walkers - Nashville Skin. Health & Beauty Examiner





If you have read this blog recently, you know I started using a walking stick the end of 2013 on all my hikes. Here is more information on hiking sticks and poles:

Advantages of hiking sticks and trekking poles for hikers and walkers

While the terms walking stick and trekking pole are somewhat interchangeable, a hiking stick is
usually a singular device used to assist a walker's balance or used as a crutch, whereas trekking poles have traditionally been used to assist hikers with their rhythm and provide stability on rough terrain.

Continued: Advantages of hiking sticks and trekking poles for hikers and walkers - Nashville Skin Care | Examiner

Also see: Why I Always Use a Hiking Pole on Hikes

Sunday, February 9, 2014

Did You Know? Acne and Sunscreen


Limit sun exposure when using an acne product and don’t skip the sunscreen if you have acne. People often believe that sun helps to clear up their acne because a tan masks the redness of a breakout and in fact, sometimes pimples do dry up a bit faster. However, over time, sun exposure causes more breakouts rather than clearing them up.

With every tan, cell turnover increases, building up more dead cells, blocking pores, causing more
breakouts. On top of that, UV rays will intensify post-acne dark marks. Skipping the sunscreen is not an effective way to treat acne and will often make it worse.

UV exposure worsens both acne and redness and benzoyl peroxide may increase sensitivity. That's why acne sufferers should always use an oil control broad-spectrum SPF sunscreen.

Also see:

Saturday, February 8, 2014

Tough Love on Losing Weight


If you are not willing to exercise several times a week; drink water instead of sugary beverages; eat fruits and vegetables instead of burgers; give up processed foods, bread, sauces, toppings, and deserts; as well as eat smaller portions, please don't bother to tell your friends you don't understand why you can't lose weight. They already know why you can't lose weight.
If you frequently post pictures of food and recipes on Facebook; if you can't make it on time to meet your friends because you have to stop for a snack; if you don't have time to exercise but you have time to eat out; your friends are not at all puzzled by why you cannot lose weight.

Did You Know? Sun Damage, Melasma & Sunscreen




It doesn't matter if you are a hiker or gardener or if you are only in the sun going to and from your car and driving to work -- the aging rays in the UVA spectrum are present from sun-up to sun-down, 365 days a year, summer and winter, rain or shine. The sun's rays penetrate clouds, window glass and thin clothing. Twenty minutes of daily unprotected sun exposure over the course of a  year is equal to spending 8 hours a day for 2 weeks sunbathing without protection. That's why it is important to always wear UVA/UVB sunscreen.

Heat (even cooking over a hot stove), hormones, and sunlight can cause brown spots on your skin. Keep cool and reapply sunscreen every 2 hours when exposed to the sun. Birth control pills or hormone replacement can make you sun-sensitive, so never be stingy with the sunscreen. Remember, no sunscreen lasts all day.

If you are treating your skin for age spots and melasma, a single day of unprotected sun exposure can virtually undo months of treatment. Don't forget the sunscreen, summer or winter!

Related: Sunscreen not just for summer: Why you should protect your skin in winter - National Skin Care Examiner

Friday, February 7, 2014

Why I Always Use a Hiking Pole on Hikes



November 2013 was not just a season of Thanksgiving; it was also the month I injured my hip.

A friend who also leads beginner hikes had joined me to check out a portion of the greenway off Old Harding Pike. After we had walked for about half an hour, it began to get dark, so we turned around to head back to our cars. I don't know if I turned too fast or did an awkward pivot, but within a few steps, I was in such pain I could barely move.

I would take three steps and have to rest. I tried stretching it out; I tried walking in different positions to take the stress off of different points, but nothing helped until we got to a bridge with a handrail. Then I was able to take several more steps before having to rest.

After we crossed the bridge, I soon realized if I had a walking stick to bear part of my weight on the right side, that might help. Before too long, we found a suitable stick in the woods to our right. From that point on, I could take 10 steps before resting as opposed to 3, and the steps were longer and faster than the slight shuffle I had managed before.

When I got home, I immediately began researching walking sticks and hiking poles online. I discovered they come in a variety of styles and prices. For my personal use, I wanted something lightweight and inexpensive.

I found the best price per stick was to buy a pair like the Hikker HP-5 Anti-shock Hiking Pole, 2-pack. The aluminum is lightweight and easy to carry. The extensions allow me to grip the poles at my perfect angle. I usually carry just one, and sometimes I have set it short and used it as a cane, and more recently I have it almost fully extended and just use it as a walking pole. At $25 for the set, each pole cost me just $12.50.

An unexpected bonus was as my hip healed, I was a bit clumsy as my body tried to protect the injured hip. The pole/s help me maintain my balance and keep from turning or falling awkwardly.

Most serious hikers would recommend something more along the lines of this Leki Corklite Trekking Pole, but for my beginner hike needs, I think an inexpensive aluminum stick is just what the doctor ordered. I recommend them highly to those who are injured, out of shape or approaching their senior years, and I plan to carry one when I go hiking for the rest of my hiking days. You don't want to be out in the middle of nowhere and pull a muscle and not be able to get to safety. A hiking pole can make all the difference.

Look for my beginner hikes at HikeNashville and Tennessee Hiking Group.

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Sunday, February 2, 2014

Should Disney create an overweight princess? Experts say no - Skin, Health & Beauty Examiner



A diverse group of Disney princesses with moon-faced Merida


Should Disney create an overweight princess? Experts say no



With obesity now a national health case crisis,  and with 17% of children and adolescents now obese in America, does Disney really need to create an overweight princess role model for girls? Don't they already see enough obesity around them? Aren't Merida and Snow White round-faced enough? Do we need fatter princesses?



Article at: Should Disney create an overweight princess? Experts say no - Nashville Skin, Health & Beauty Examiner

Saturday, February 1, 2014

Are You Dating a Con Artist? Find Out Here! - Yahoo

 
Are you headed to the alter or toward bankruptcy?


Are You Dating a Con Artist? Find Out Here!

Part of good mental health is choosing healthy relationships. Do you know how to tell if you are dating a con artist?

Here is a timely article for Valentine's Day to help you discern if the romance is real or if your sweetheart is in the process of conning you.

Do you know someone in a relationship with a con artist? Feel free to share this article with them.


Find out more here: Are You Dating a Con Artist? Find Out Here! - Yahoo

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