An Introduction to Essential Oils and their Uses

Essential oils are extracted from the flowers, bark, leaves and fruits of plants. They are organic volatile compounds in high concentrations. Depending on the plant one drop of essential oil can equate to more than a kilogram of that particular fresh flower or leaf. Because of this essential oils are used sparingly and highly diluted.

Essential oils are extracted through steam distillation, cold pressing and solvent extraction and have been used since antiquity for a variety of purposes. Properties include: antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, relaxant, detoxifying, anti-fungal, healing, etc. Lately Aromatherapy has become very popular with essential oils being added to cosmetics, candles, soaps, etc.

How to apply essential oils

Topical application
Essential oils have a very small molecule, so they can be absorbed through the skin. Some oils are capable of entering the blood stream to treat different areas of the body.

Oral
Some essential oils like peppermint, lavender, lemon, grapefruit, and frankincense oil can be ingested to relieve common ailments. However, note should be taken that essential oils are very powerful and like with any medication it is advisable to seek professional guidance. It is also important to use Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils and buy from a trusted supplier, to ensure they are not adulterated with harmful chemicals.

Inhalation
Essential oils can be absorbed by the bloodstream when inhaled. You can use with a diffuser or humidifier.
Lavender oil is great for relaxation and the relief of stress. Eucalyptus oil helps decongest and clear the lungs and air passageways.

How to buy essential oils

It is not easy to purchase unadulterated essential oils. Steam distillation and cold press are very expensive procedures, hence about 98% of the oils in the market are obtained by using solvents or carbon-dioxide which leave a toxic residue.

To complicate matters, in most countries, there are no standards for testing oils and no regulations in regards to production and labeling.

The quality of the oil will depend not only on the species of plant used, but where the plant was grown, if it was grown organically and at what time of the year.

Price is a good indicator because, for example, to make a drop of therapeutic rose oil you need around 40-60 roses which makes it very expensive.

Having that in mind here are some things you should look for when buying therapeutic grade essential oils:

• The company must use steam distillation
• The company must use organic grown plants
• The oil should come in a sealed dark glass container.
• The label should have the common and scientific name as well as the chemotype of the plant, say that it is 100% pure therapeutic grade oil, usage instructions and company information

Essential oils and what they are good for:

Basil: Good for infections and muscular pain. Clears the mind

Bergamot: Relieves stress, good for colics and arthritis

Cardamon: For a healthy digestive system, helps with diarrhea and gas.

Carrot Seed: Good for digestion and as a natural sunscreen against UVB rays

Clove: Supports a healthy immune system, good for tumors and detoxifying.

Coriander: Supports a healthy digestive system. Good for muscular pain.

Eucalyptus: good for coughs and colds, supports a healthy respiratory system. Eases muscle aches. Natural insect repellent.

Frankincense: it supports a healthy immune system and skin. Anti-inflammatory, reduces scars.

Geranium: Great for a healthy skin, it also have a calming effect and it is good for jet lag.

Ginger: Helps with the digestive system, good for low libido and vertigo.

Grapefrui: Good for weight loss and detoxing

Jasmin: for hormonal balance and relaxation

Lavender: good for burns and insect bites, support a healthy skin, eases stress and helps in relaxation

Lemon: Increased energy, healthy circulatory system, cleansing

Melaleuca (Tea Tree): Great for a healthy skin, also good for the immune system.

Oregano: Helps fight infections and supports the immune system

Peppermint: Great for a healthy digestive system

Rose: For healthy skin, aphrodisiac

Rosemary: Mental clarity and memory. Healthy hair.

Sandalwood: Good for Alzheimer and deep relaxation.

Thyme: Supports the immune system and helps fight infections and tumors

Wild Orange: Helps with digestion and fights anxiety.

For more information:

http://www.experience-essential-oils.com/
https://www.facebook.com/EssentialOilUniversity
https://www.facebook.com/LearnEssentialOils
http://livingtraditionally.com/thyme-essential-oil-shown-kill-98-percent-breast-cancer-cells/
http://www.aromaticscience.com/?s=frankincense%20%2B%20cancer

Disclaimer:
Any information in this site is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or medical condition. Always consult and follow your Doctor's advice.

 

What's New in Dermal Needling

After attending an Advanced Dermal Needling Masterclass with Needling pioneer and top 10 Plastic Surgeon, Dr Des Fernandes, I'm busting to tell you all about it.

What is Dermal Needling?

 For those of you who don't know, Dermal Needling (also called Skin Needling, Dermal-rolling, Collagen Induction Therapy (CIT), Percutaneous Collagen Induction (PCI), and Mesotherapy), is a treatment involving the use of micro needles to puncture the skin and create microscopic breaks in the blood vessels immediately beneath the surface of the epidermis.

This procedure stimulates the natural regeneration of the skin encouraging the release of the body's own growth factors without damage to the skin.

The results of needling were first observed by Dr Des Fernandes through the cosmetic tattooing of face lift scars. After more than 20 years perfecting the technique it is widely recognised as one of the best rejuvenation treatments, specially for the treatment of scars.

What are the benefits?

• The formation of new collagen and elastin
• Thicker epidermis
• Improves skin appearance, texture and quality
• Diminishes scarring including acne scarring
• Reduces stretch marks
• Reduces skin laxity
• Reverses sun damage
• Helps with vascular conditions
• Diminishes fine lines and wrinkles
• Safe on all skin types and ages
• Short healing phase 2-3 days 
• Improves penetration of serums and 
• It is one of the safest procedures.

Contraindications

• Active skin infections
• Rosacea
• Skin cancers, warts, solar keratosis
• Severe keloid scaring
• Pregnancy
• Untreated diabetes
• Taking certain medication: inti-coagulants, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, corticosteroids, roaccutane
• Botox - allow 10 days
• Fillers - allow 14 days

What's new?

 Skin needling will always offer an improvement of the skin, however after long study Dr Fernandes have been able to prove that for optimal results the treatment should be carried out as per the following guidelines:

• The skin should have been previously prepared with vitamins A and C for a minimum of 3 weeks before the procedure.
• A series of 4-6 treatments, spaced every 4-7 days will offer the best results
• Immediately after each treatment wash the skin and apply a thin layer of a gentle lactic acid cool peel for 4 minutes to sterilize and speed up the healing process
• After removing the peel apply a peptide rich serum to enhance the treatment results. At this moment any products applied to the skin will go right into the deep layers hydrating and firming the skin.
• Follow up with vitamins A & C
• Continue with a daily routine of vitamins A & C rich skin care

Exfoliation!

It's not all about scrub, scrub, scrub!

Too much exfoliation can damage the skin, so how much is too much?

Exfoliation is the process by which you remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin. By removing dead skin cells you unclog pores avoiding the build up of bacteria and allowing the skin to breath. Serums and moisturisers can penetrate to the deep layers of the skin and promote the healthy development of the cells.

 

Mechanical Exfoliation

Exfoliation can be mechanical or chemical. Mechanical exfoliation involves scrubbing the skin with sponges, salts, products containing microbeads, microfiber clothes, pumices, etc.

Chemical Exfoliation

Chemical exfoliation is carried out by acids, such as citric acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, alpha & beta hydroxy acids, and fruit enzymes.

The skin

The skin is made out of many layers and they all have a function. The outer layer of the skin protects us from the environment: the sun, wind, bacteria, pollutants, etc. Overdoing exfoliation can leave us exposed, specially in very sunny or cold climates. Without this protective layer the sun rays would penetrate more deeply causing photo aging: pigmentation, wrinkles, collagen breakdown.

How to get it right

What you want to eliminate is the pile of old skin cells on the surface, to achieve this a gentle approach is important. These are redundant dead cells that dull the skin blocking pores and causing breakouts.

Gentle masques won't affect your live cells leaving their water-proofing barrier intact. We recommend the following Environ products for a gentle exfoliation:

AVST Hydrating Exfoliant Masque
It contains Kaolin that is a very fine clay used to absorb excess oil from the skin while acting as a micro-exfoliant. It will leave your skin hydrated with a radiant glow. Use once or twice a week.

ß-Active Sebumasque
It hydrates and refines the skin, clearing impurities and removing excess oil. Suitable for congested and oily skin.

Ionzyme C-Quence Energising Masque
Specially formulated for clients with mature skin, sun damage, wrinkles and acne scars; this masque energises the skin brightening the complexion.

Peels, the ultimate exfoliation

Environ's cool peels use lactic acid to gently remove the dead skin cells leaving the skin radiant and encouraging the skin's natural exfoliation process. Peels are ideal during the Autumn and Winter to renew and re-energise dull skin while increasing hydration.

Peels are recommended in winter only because after a peel your new skin is very susceptible to the sun. It is also important to protect your skin with sunscreen everyday, even if cloudy.



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