The Patch Test for Sensitive Skin

Some skin care products turn my face red (left)

Skin care products, especially those purchased from drug stores and department stores, often contain ingredients which can irritate people with sensitive skin (irritant contact dermatitis) or cause allergic reactions in an individual with an allergy to a specific ingredient (allergic contact dermatitis).

For those who either have sensitive skin or who have had a bad experience with skin care products in the past, a skin test before trying new products out is essential. Fortunately, a do-it-yourself skin test is free and easy to do at home.

1. Pick your testing area.

For testing body cremes, lotions, scrubs, soaps, oils, etc., testing is usually done on the inside of the wrist or inside of the elbow. Products for the face are usually tested on the jawline or right below the jawline instead of directly on the face.

2. Make sure the area is clean and free of other products.

3. Apply a small amount of the product to your testing area. Leave it on for 24 hours without wetting, washing or rubbing it off.

3. Monitor the spot to see if any irritation occurs in the form of rashes, swelling, soreness, redness or stinging on the spot.

4. If a reaction occurs, gently wash the product off with water and leave the spot alone until it clears up. If a more serious reaction occurs, see your doctor or dermatologist.

5. If no reaction occurs in 24 hours and you want to be extra careful, reapply the product on the same spot the next day and test for another 24 hours.

If no sign of reaction -- itching, redness or swelling occurs after 48 hours, the product should be safe for you to use.

You can also fax or email your doctor or dermatologist the list of ingredients for a 2nd opinion.

Surprising facts: Why an apple a day keeps the doctor away - Skin, Health & Beauty Examiner

Surprising facts: Why an apple a day keeps the doctor away

The famous quote "An apple a day keeps the doctor away" has been attributed to Benjamin Franklin's "Poor Richard’s Almanack" which ran from 1732 to 1758. Others claim it first appeared as "A Pembrokeshire Proverb" in 1866. Others believe the saying dates back to the seventeenth century appearing in John Ray’s proverb collection of 1670, while others point to ancient Rome as the source of the old saying.

Wherever the proverb originated, 21st century research has proven it true -- an apple a day really is exceptionally good for your health.

Article at: Surprising facts: Why an apple a day keeps the doctor away - Nashville Skin, Health & Beauty Examiner

Top 7 tips for healthy winter skin in the New Year - National Skin Care Examiner

Top 7 tips for healthy winter skin in the New Year

The New Year is upon us and that brings the coldest weather of the year to Nashville and other temperate climates. The days are shorter, the nights are longer and temperatures are dropping. Extreme low weather temperatures present special challenges to skin care and the need for added skin protection. Snow, ice, strong winds and the harsh winter climate can wreak havoc on the complexion, causing chapping, windburn, drying and flaking of the skin.

Article at Top 7 tips for healthy winter skin in the New Year - National Skin Care Examiner

Jessica Simpson to continue as Weight Watcher's spokesperson during pregnancy - Skin, Health, Beauty Examiner

Jessica Simpson to continue as Weight Watcher's spokesperson during pregnancy

Although Jessica Simpson will continue to be the official spokesman for Weight Watchers, during much of 2013 she will not be on the plan herself thanks to her pregnancy. Simpson confirmed her second pregnancy on Christmas Day.

Article at: Jessica Simpson to continue as Weight Watcher's spokesperson during pregnancy - Nashville Skin, Health & Beauty Examiner.

Dr. Shapiro: New Year, New You - Meeting Your Weight Loss Resolution

Diet tips from Dr. Howard Shapiro, NYC-based weight loss specialist and NY Times bestselling author of Dr. Shapiro's Picture Perfect Weight Loss 30 Day Plan and the Picture Perfect Weight Loss series. Dr. Shapiro's past clients include then-Archbishop Timothy Dolan, Barbara Walters and Mariah Carey.

New Year, New You - Finally Meeting Your Weight Loss Resolution

Due to the very different lifestyles people lead, every individual faces separate challenges when it comes to being healthy and losing weight. This new year, choose the meal substitutions that best fit your lifestyle to ensure the best dieting results. Although I have not read his book, the press releases claim that using Dr. Shapiro's side by side comparisons, you will learn to stick to new, healthy habits and finally overcome your weight loss resolutions in 2013. 

Here are some weight loss tips from Dr. Shapiro:

• Tied to a Desk. Most people who spend a lot of time in the office have fairly inactive lifestyles. Often times, food choices are limited and snacks are all too available-no farther than the desk drawer or office fridge. This new year, stay energized all day long: 
• Substitute your breakfast bagel with an English muffin with jam 
• Replace a turkey sandwich during lunchtime with a filling cup of soup and a baked potato
• Instead of the usual afternoon pick-me-up of cookies, reach for a couple of pretzel rods and a lollipop. 
• In doing so, you will cut out a whopping 610 calories and feel energized by the time the 5 o'clock whistle blows.

• Home with the Family. Stay-at-home moms (and dads) often have big snacking problems. When the kids leave food on their plates, parents hate to see it go to waste, so they take a little bite but it all adds up. To stick to your resolution and lose weight: 
• Substitute some junk food such as coffee cake and cheese crackers with a banana and a few slices of pineapple instead. 
• For lunch, have a salad with light ranch dressing and a piece of chocolate cake instead of a salad with oil and vinegar and a corn muffin. 
• You will go from consuming 1380 calories to only 770 calories, including those extra bites of the kids' mac and cheese. 

• Wined and Dined Business Traveler. To a person who travels a lot on business, eating is often an integral part of work; from new business lunches to office dinner parties, most important meetings and conferences take place at mealtimes. For fear of not having time to eat while traveling, business travelers often over compensate and eat too much. 
• For breakfast, grab a banana, half a melon, smoked salmon and a pumpernickel roll instead of a bran muffin, scrambled eggs and bacon strips. 
• During lunch time, opt for a large tossed salad with shrimp instead of a caesar salad with shrimp. 
• At dinner time, have pasta primavera and large Manhattan clam chowder instead of penne a la vodka and a roll with butter. 
• More than 1500 calories will be cut from your diet, leaving you feeling healthier and fuller longer. 

With Dr. Shapiro's healthy meal substitutions for the new you in new year, you can have your cake and waistline, too!

Why sugar is bad for your skin - National Skin Care Examiner

Why sugar is bad for your skin

Eating dessert can be hazardous for your skin because sugar can cause wrinkles and other health issues. Sugar is found in in many foods besides desserts including bread, pasta, potatoes, rice, beverages, salad dressing, crackers, packaged foods, and even fruits and vegetables.

Article at: Why sugar is bad for your skin - National Skin Care Examiner

Also see: For a sweet, healthy life, avoid sugar - Skin, Health & Beauty Examiner
 

For a sweet, healthy life, avoid sugar - Skin, Health & Beauty Examiner

For a sweet, healthy life, avoid sugar

The holidays are here, and that means fruitcake, cookies for Santa, egg nog, candy canes, and lots and lots of sweets. Unfortunately, sugar is a hidden killer.
We all know some foods are bad for us because of fat, cholesterol, calories and toxins, but did you know sugar is at the top of the list of bad foods?

Article at: For a sweet, healthy life, avoid sugar - Skin, Health & Beauty Examiner

Also see: Country Star Glen Campbell Battles Alzheimer’s Disease | Skin Health Beauty

Jimmy Peña Releases PrayFit 33-Day Total Body Toning System DVD

Prayfit 33-Day Body Toning System

In follow-up to the Prayfit: 33-Day Total Body Challenge DVD that debuted at No. 1 on Amazon’s Hot New Releases (Faith & Spirituality section),  best-selling author and founder of PrayFit.com, Jimmy Peña has unveiled the latest DVD in the PrayFit series: Prayfit 33-Day Body Toning System. The new disc is a 33-day complete workout and motivational system designed to tone, tighten and sculpt the body targeting resistance training and high-intensity, interval-style cardio. Available nationwide on DVD, Digital Download and On Demand from Lionsgate Home Entertainment, PrayFit is available for the suggested retail price of $14.98.

"When it comes to fitness, faith works,” says Peña. “But that’s the only way it works. That’s why I’m so excited about this project because if someone is looking to target every single body part in order be fitter and leaner, while also challenging the heart, then this DVD is exactly what they need. After all, faith is only faith when exercised, and this DVD gives them the chance to prove it.”

Peña’s PrayFit 33-Day Body Toning System strengthens the viewer’s faith and reshapes the body, focusing on toning the legs, shoulders, chest, back, arms and abs in just 33 minutes a day. The instructional DVD also features the popular “PrayFit Minutes,” weekly devotionals to inspire men and women to improve their life by giving his/her best effort. Also included is the PrayFit Workout Journal enabling viewers to track their goals on a daily basis.

Ideal for any fitness level, the exercise physiologist leads viewers through a workout that builds lean muscle with targeted exercises and blasts through body fat with several bouts of high-intensity cardio, so people will see results faster than by doing cardio alone.

Peña whose clients have included Tyler Perry, Mario Lopez and LL Cool J, started PrayFit in 2008 as a daily blog with the simple intent of getting people to understand that their health can also be a means of praise. The PrayFit brand also includes the Amazon best-selling book, PrayFit: Your Guide to A Healthy Body and A Stronger Faith in 28 Days. PrayFit’s ultimate goal is to reinforce the idea that we are wonderfully and fearfully made and that our bodies deserve our attention. 

PrayFit 33-Day Total Body Toning System is available for in stores and online now. For more information on PrayFit, please visit www.prayfit.com.

Losing Weight Is Easier than You Think!

I went to the doctor last week and discovered to my delights I weigh 10 lbs. less than I did last year at this time. I have  never owned scales and keep up with my weight just be how my clothes fit.

The weight loss is due to better eating and much more walking, hiking and light jogging over this past year. Now that the holidays are here, the challenge will be to keep it off.

Here are a few of the things I have done right this year:

• Substituted water for at least one sugary beverage a day
• Walked, hiked or jogged 5 or more times a week
• Snacked on natural walnuts and almonds instead of chips and other salty-fatty snacks
• Read the fat and cholesterol labels on all foods before I buy, avoiding high fats and cholesterol

In many ways, I am now in better shape than I was 20 years ago. It is wonderful to be looking ahead to my my senior years planning to stay fit and in good shape.

Between good diet, exercise and skin care, I plan to tackle my older years head on!

Also see: 
Full moon hikers get in shape and enjoy smallest full moon of the year Nov. 28