Archive for Gender Issues Tips
May 27, 2008 at 4:27 pm · Filed under Gender Issues Tips
The total number of moisturizers on the market today can be
overwhelming. Which one is the right one for your skin type?
Well, that depends. As we get older, estrogen becomes more
important because of two structural proteins called collagen and
elastin. These two proteins actually give us structure and
elasticity. As we age, the collagen begins to break down. As it
breaks down, we start to notice fine lines and wrinkles
appearing. This is where a good facial moisturizer comes in. If
you find one that contains collagen and elastin, it can help
reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Now if you are
still young, you may not need this type of skin moisturizer. A
growing trend is to use all natural moisturizers. We will
discuss the benefits to that next.
Your skin is your largest organ and can therefore absorb into
your bloodstream certain chemicals found in today’s
moisturizers. There are over 5000 chemicals used in personal
care products and that is one of the reasons people are turning
to natural moisturizers and beauty products. When it comes to a
facial moisturizer, find one that contains vitamin A and E.
These vitamins are great for your complexion and they can help
reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Getting a
cream with an SPF of 15 or greater will provide you with the
protection you need when outdoors. The sun’s harmful rays can
cause some serious damage.
You can use the best, most expensive moisturizer in the world,
but your complexion won’t look its best unless you do some extra
things. First, you must drink between 8 and 10 glasses of water
a day to make sure you stay hydrated. Make sure to exercise and
stay healthy. After a good work out, be sure to apply a quality
facial moisturizer. When out in the sun, wear a hat and a
sunscreen with minimum SPF 15. Remember, you don’t necessarily
have to buy your skin moisturizer. There are a number of recipes
on line that tell you exactly how to make your own us
ingredients such as Aloe Vera, olive oil, cocoa butter and rose
water.
May 27, 2008 at 12:35 pm · Filed under Gender Issues Tips
Most people who think they know all about dry skin, chapped skin, chafing, redness and other signs of skin dehydration really don’t. Take this quiz to make sure you know who your skin’s enemies are.
The answers are located at the end of the quiz.
1. What is *not* one of the three most common skin types?
a.) Moist
b.) Normal
c.) Dry
d.) Oily
2. What is “combination skin”?
a.) Oily to dry
b.) Normal to dry
c.) Oily to moist
d.) Normal to moist
3. Which of the following is not one of the most common locations of dry skin?
a.) Lower legs
b.) Arms
c.) Thighs
d.) Tummy (front of abdomen)
4. Scaling is a symptom of dry skin that is also most commonly called what?
a.) Chafing
b.) Flaking
c.) Cracked skin
d.) Rough skin
5. Which of the following are worst for dry skin in winter (also called “winter itch”)?
a.) Fireplaces
b.) Space heaters
c.) Radiators
d.) Forced-air furnaces
6. The best skin lotions for winter itch are:
a.) Thick and greasy
b.) Light and smooth
c.) Watery and clay-textured
d.) Spray on
7. In order to avoid chafing when drying off, you should:
a.) Only dry lightly; do not dry off all moisture
b.) Dry thoroughly, but pat yourself dry rather than rubbing
c.) Allow as much of the water to evaporate as possible rather than towel-drying most of it off
d.) Dry thoroughly and vigorously to dry as fast as possible
Answers:
1.
a. moist. The most common types of skin are dry, oily, and normal. Knowing your own skin type, you can find out the bath and body lotions that will work best at moisturizing your skin.
2.
c. normal to dry. Combination skin means that you have to use a product that moisturizes your skin without being so strong that it can make your skin oily.
3.
d. tummy. According to Medline Plus, the most common areas of your body to suffer dry skin are the arms, lower legs, thighs and flanks (sides of abdomen).
4.
b. flaking. According to Medline Plus, scaling, also called flaking, is “visible peeling or flaking of outer skin layers.” Some of the worst sources of scaling are psoriasis, lichen planus, and athlete’s foot.
5.
d. forced-air furnaces. According to Medline Plus, dry skin is often caused by the sudden switch from cold to warm air, and in particular the warm dry air of forced-air furnaces.
6.
a. thick and greasy. According to Medline Plus, thick and greasy lotions really do the best job of holding moisture into your skin.
7.
b. pat, don’t rub. You have to dry off thoroughly to prevent losing skin moisture through evaporation, but rubbing the towel against your skin will damage your epidermis.
Joel Walsh is a contributing author to www.Skin-Care–Tips.com?%20dry%20skin%20care%20tips [Publish this article on your website! Requirement: live link for above URL/web address w/ link text/anchor text: “dry skin care tips” OR leave this bracketed message intact.]
April 12, 2008 at 12:36 am · Filed under Gender Issues Tips
Doctors agree that ejaculating earlier than desired is one of most common underestimated sexual problems of male population. This condition is more common than erectile dysfunction as one in four men experience poor control over ejaculation.
The impact of premature ejaculation on men and their partners can be devastating for a relationship. Due earlier ejaculation the pregnancy is organic impossible to achieve unless artificial insemination is used. This situation and lack of sexual satisfaction can generate tension, stress and breaking of relation.
There is no perfect treatment for premature ejaculation. Specialists claim that the problem is more in man’s mind, so they propose some techniques to improve the psychological side of sexual process.
1. The process in more important than objective, doctors say. Sex must be a whole experience and man should focus on pleasure in sex rather than the performance.
2. Without expectations men are out of disappointment. Patients must not assign goals, they must see sexual experience as a learning process and discover new things step by step.
3. A quiet mind can avoid fear and anxiety. If man try to concentrate his attention to a complementary activity, like his own breathing, then there is no place for thoughts that might interfere. To create a mutual enjoyment of the sex, men can focus to synchronize his breathing with partner’s.
4. Going slow is a way to fully experiencing every moment in sex. Breathing, feeling, foreplay, kissing and intercourse are all parts of the sex act that do not need to be rushed.
5. Let sex flows naturally, there is no shame or blame in it. Man must adjust his picture around sex to reflect only positive aspects.
Valerian D is a freelance writer specialized in men issues like lasting longer in bed
April 9, 2008 at 7:36 pm · Filed under Gender Issues Tips
A good night’s sleep may be elusive once women reach their 40’s and beyond. Fluctuating hormone levels, a mind that doesn’t turn off when you turn in, and getting up to use the bathroom all contribute to sleepless nights and yawn-filled days. If you’re tired of counting sheep when you should be snoozing, the following answers to sleep questions can help:
What can I do about night sweats?
In perimenopause and menopause, declining estrogen levels can cause hot flashes while you sleep, called night sweats. These can be relieved with hormone replacement therapy (HRT), but because studies have linked long-term use of synthetic HRT to increased risk of serious illnesses, including breast cancer and heart disease, the latest recommendation is to use the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time. (For complete study results go to http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/whi/). Bioidentical hormonesnatural HRT–also keep night sweats at bay, but their long-term safety has not been well researched.
Some women swear by alternative remedies, including soy products (soy milk, tofu, tempeh, soy nuts), herbs such as black cohosh and dong quai, and vitamins B and E. Before you add more soy to your diet or try herbs, though, talk to your doctor. Soy and some herbs mimic estrogen, so their safety for use by women with breast cancer is questionable. In addition, the FDA does not regulate herbal supplements.
After a typically too-full day, how can I get my mind to stop racing and go to sleep?
It may help to get problems off your mind by writing them down before bedtime. You can also try learning a relaxation technique, such as meditation or progressive muscle relaxation (tensing and releasing all your muscles, starting at your feet and working up to your head). Listening to soft, slow music before bed may also ease you off to sleep; a recent study showed that it slows heart rate and breathing.
I get up to go to the bathroom two or three times a night. Help!
As we get older, the hormone system in the brain that normally suppresses the urge to urinate during sleep is disturbed. For some women, a few lifestyle changes solve the problem. Try limiting the amount of liquid you consume for 4-5 hours before bedtime, and steer clear of caffeine and alcohol late in the day. Don’t eat a large meal close to bedtime. And losing weight, if you’re overweight, will relieve pressure on your bladder. If these don’t solve the problem, talk to your doctor.
Will working out help me sleep better?
Yes, according to a recent study at Seattle’s Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, which found that women age 50-75 who started taking brisk walks for 30 minutes in the morning improved their ability to fall asleep at night by 70%. Working out in the afternoon is good, too. Just avoid exercise within three hours of bedtime, because it can make it harder to fall asleep.
My husband tells me I snore. How do I stop?
Snoring becomes more common in women after menopause. Try sleeping on your side or stomach instead of your back. To keep from rolling onto your back, sew a pocket into the back of your p.j.s and put a tennis ball in it. If your snoring is loud and persistent, interrupted by pauses in breathing, and your feel excessively sleepy during the day, you may have a more serious disorder called sleep apnea. Talk to your doctor, who can recommend lifestyle changes and other treatments that can get you (and your husband) back to sleep.
Might the problem be my bed?
Could be, especially if your mattress is over 10 years old. When mattress shopping, lie down on each mattress for at least 15 minutes in various sleeping positions, with your partner if you sleep with a partner. And play it safe: buy from a company that lets you sleep on the mattress at home and return it at no cost. Don’t forget your pillow. When you fold it in half, if it doesn’t spring open by itself, it’s time to replace it. Whether you prefer synthetic or down filling, go for comfort.
Sweet dreams!
Carol Weeg writes and edits “Finding Our Way: Wit and Wisdom for Adventurous Women,” the newsletter for thinking women in midlife. Carol inspires women to explore their lives today-from work, to relationships, to dealing with perimenopause and menopause (is it hot in here?). Visit Carol Weeg on the Web at www.findingourway.com to download a free sample issue of “Finding Our Way.”
