How to avoid lines and wrinkles around the lip area

Have you ever wondered why some people despite being only in their early 30's show a large amount of lines and wrinkles in the skin around the lips?

When you are talking to another person your eyes are drawn to movement and the mouth is one of the main focal points, second only to the eyes. In other words, if you have deep lines around the lips it will be the first thing the other person will notice about you, that is why it is so important to keep your mouth looking it's best.

There are many factors, all avoidable, that contribute to lines around the lips.

1.  The main culprit is smoking. Smoking cigarettes will damage your skin in two ways:
• The actual cigarette smoke contains many toxins that dry and kill the skin cells and the lips are the most exposed area. 
• Puckering the lips when inhaling makes your muscles overwork in the same expression creating wrinkles around the lips.


2. From about two decades ago, we are seeing carrying our water bottles around everywhere we go. Initially confined to the gym and excursions the water bottle has now become our constant companion, with the average person taking a sip every 5-10 minutes.
   
   You should be aware that this health icon is one of the worst habits that cause lines and wrinkles around the mouth. The constant puckering of the lips, dozens of times a day, cause deep lines over time. So, next time, when you sit at your desk with a water bottle, also grab a cup and drink from the cup instead.
   
   If you are out and about you can try squirting the water into your mouth or drinking with the whole lid off, rather than sucking it.


3.  Avoiding the sun whenever your can or using a broad spectrum sunscreen will prevent the formation of fine lines around the mouth. The sun causes premature aging causing the collagen in our skin to break down and the cells to dry increasing deep lines in the lip area and our face in general.
   


4. Drinking alcohol dehydrates our skin contributing to wrinkles around the mouth, so minimise alcohol intake.


5. Clean and moisturise your skin twice daily: morning and night. Don't use soap. Use a cleaning lotion that is gentle to the skin and will balance your PH. Follow it by applying a good moisturising cream that will hydrate your skin diminishing fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth and the whole face in general.


6. Drink plenty of water, specially during the summer months. Water will hydrate your skin keeping it supple thus diminishing unsightly deep lines.
   
   
   

REMEDIAL MASSAGE

I have suffered from lower back pain for years and have been to heaps of beauty spas and massage parlours for massage. I kept searching for someone that could help ease away my lower back pain without much success. I have tried many types of massage and different massage therapist but still not much help on my pain. I felt good for about two to three hours after the massage but later my pain would return. Two months ago, I went to a remedial massage and it totally changed my life even after the one treatment. I could feel a huge difference immediately after the treatment, it not only eased my pain but I was pain free for a week. After 4 treatment sessions, I am thrilled to say that 80% of my pain is gone!

Remedial massage is greatly beneficial and can reduce symptoms by relaxing the tension in the muscles, stimulating the flow of blood through the muscles, breaking down and eliminating toxins, enhancing the oxygenation of the brain and relaxing the nervous system and mind. Remedial massage holistically treats the whole body and traces the discomfort as far as possible back to the original cause, healing both the causes of the disorder as well as the symptoms. The healing treatment can be gentle or strong, deep or shallow and usually using a lubricating medium (oil) directly to the skin to ensure that the muscles associated with the disorder and mobilisation of the joint are deeply treated. Passive stretching moves are also used.

Many remedial massage therapist have attained additional training, which usually includes more in-depth study and qualifications in anatomy and physiology. This extra knowledge and understanding will enable the massage therapist to carry out an assessment and provide appropriate treatments. The remedial massage therapist uses skilled manipulation combined with thorough knowledge to bring about pain relief, correcting and normalising the body's muscles and soft tissues.

The accredited remedial massage therapist honours the professional practice protocol to bring about the specific individualised therapeutic change with clinical reasoning. During treatment there is tenderness in areas that are being treated, which indicates what muscle and tendons are injured. The therapist uses the patient's feedback to pinpoint the damaged tissue and regulate pressure. The results are usually immediate, certainly within three sessions a big improvement will be seen with a skilful practitioner. Most patients feel a difference after one session.

Some common conditions that can be successfully treated by a remedial massage therapist are Achilles Tendon, Tendinitis, Shin Splints, Groin Strain, Hamstring Injuries, Plantar Fasciitis, Scar Tissues, Whiplash, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Repetitive Strain Injury.

What is Rosacea? and ... Is it affecting you?

www.rosacea.org

Most people don't know what Rosacea is. Many people even have it without knowing. So what is Rosacea?

Rosacea is a skin condition that affects mainly people of north-western European descent, however it is found on all segments of the population. It usually starts with sporadic blushing or flushing of the face. Overtime the redness becomes more persistent and intensifies. Red bumps like pimples and broken capillaries may develop. In severe cases the eyes can get irritated and bloodshot and the nose may grow swollen and bulbous from excess tissue.

Regrettably there is no cure for Rosacea and its causes are unknown. There are, however a number of treatments to reduce the symptoms and keep the condition in check. Early diagnosis is recommended because if left untreated it worsens over time.

Rosacea develops primarily on people between the ages of 30 and 60 and affects more women than men.

There are 4 subtypes and most people develops symptoms of more than one subtype:

Rosacea Subtype 1 - Erythematotelangiectatic Rosacea

This subtype is characterised by permanent redness, the skin can become dry and flaky, there is frequent blushing and there can be a burning sensation. Often capillaries close to the surface of the skin dilate and become visible.

Rosacea Subtype 2 - Papulopustular rosacea

Characterised by permanent redness and transient red bumps, sometimes with pus. It is often confused with acne.

Rosacea Subtype 3 - Phymatous rosacea

In this subtype the skin thickens, specially in the area of the nose, although it also appear in the forehead, chin, cheeks, ears and eyelids. There can be some nodularities and enlargement due to excess skin, small broken capillaries can also be visible.

Rosacea Subtype 4 – Ocular Rosacea

The eyes are often dry, itchy, red and watery. The eyelids are also irritated and swollen, and often develop cysts. This condition can cause vision loss due to corneal damage.

What causes Rosacea?

Although the exact cause of Rosacea is unknown there are many trigger factors that increase blushing and may play a part in the development of Rosacea:

- exposure to extreme temperatures or quick changes in temperature

- wind

- strenuous exercise

- sun exposure

- caffeine

- drinking alcohol

- spicy foods

- some vegetables and fruits

- dairy products

- hot baths

- some cosmetics and harsh skin care products

- humidity

- medical conditions and some medications

- stress and anxiety

- Demodex mite

How to manage Rosacea

While there is no cure for the condition a number of treatments can control or reverse some of the symptoms. It is also important to avoid trigger factors and use gentle skin care products.

Rosacea is very individual dependant, so treatments and products have to be tailor to the individual patient. A treatment that may work very well for one person may not work for another.

Antibiotics as well as number of drugs are available to treat the condition. It is important to consult your doctor or dermatologist to get a diagnosis and any prescription medicines you may require.

Intense Pulse Light(IPL) as well as lasers have proven effective at treating redness andbroken capillaries and maintaining the disease under control.

For mild eye irritation or dryness artificial tears, and the daily cleansing of the eyelashes with a mild shampoo may be recommended.

In the case of Rosacea Subtype 3, surgery may be required to remove excess skin.