Acupressure is one the oldest Chinese traditions used to cure many of our health problems. It involves use of pressure by your hand, elbow and other means. This form of healing has been in existence for more than 5,000 years. A technique recommended by many and has been used world over. It is a simple method if you know how to do it. Acupuncture is another practice wherein needles are used on the pressure points to cure ailments.

How does Acupressure work?

Acupressure is a plain and simple science which has helped many people. Our body has many different pressure points. By applying pressure on these points, it energizes the necessary organs, which leads to healing of the ailing body. The idea behind acupressure is harmony of mind and soul. The relief it provides by the simple touch and pressure can be turn around in their life.

It helps in resurfacing the lost and blocked energy in the curvatures of your body. There is a belief that our body gets charged by the ‘Qi’ pronounced as ‘Chi’. The energy moves along the surfaces of our bodies known as ‘meridians’. Applying pressure does all trick sending energy to places where it has been stuck for a very long time.

Two common ways of doing acupressure are the ‘Shiatsu’ and the ‘Jin Sin’. Shiatsu is the common therapy which uses immense pressure, whereas Jin Shin is the gentler form of acupressure that uses soft touch and gentle strokes. Irrespective of the techniques of acupressure, the basic aim is to create a relaxed atmosphere.

Benefits of Acupressure

It is a very easy process and can be learnt without much difficulty. The best way to learn acupressure is to try it on oneself. Some of the common benefits which acupressure provides us are:

1. Relaxes your mind and body
2. Increases blood circulation
3. Relieves from stress related problems like fatigue, insomnia
4. Heals injuries
5. Helps with Menopause and PMS
6. Helps in relieving joint aches and pains
7. Acts as a first aid in case of injury
8. Builts in vigor
9. Reduces labor pain
10. Cures common illnesses like cold, sinusitis, migraine
11. Relaxes the muscular tension
12. Helps in improving muscle strength and tone

Precautions

- Learn acupressure from a thorough professional
- While practicing on yourself, have someone around you
- Avoid open wounds, surgery, broken bone, skin infection and other problems
- Prevent specific pressure points during pregnancy
- Avoid acupressure on full stomach
- Avoid cold drinks especially during winter
- Wear comfortable clothes
- Do acupressure for a limited period of time do not overdo it

Acne is a very common skin problem which affects young people at their puberty and few adults till they reach 45. Acne are referred as Youvana pitikas (which means the eruptions of youth) in ayurveda. This shows the prevalence of acne from ages. Ayurveda has described the causes of acne and recommends the best natural herbal acne remedies too.

What causes acne?

A large number of oil producing glands called sebaceous glands are present under the skin on face, back, chest and shoulders. During puberty or menopause due to the influence of the sex hormones, which are produced in male and female, these glands become more active and produce an oily secretion called sebum. The sebum makes the skin more oily .The excessive sebum clogs the skin pore or the pit of the hair follicle forming acne.The blocked pore or acne acts as an excellent habitat for bacteria. The bacterial infection causes inflammation (red, painful swelling of the infected area) of the clogged pore or hair follicle leading to eruption of pimples.

Vata and Kapha are two main doshas, which are involved in eruption of acne and pimples. Rakta dhatu or blood also plays an important role in formation of acne.

Vata when gets vitiated due to unhealthy diet and lifestyles affects other two doshas (kapha and pitta) to aggravate them. Aggravated pitta affects rakta dhatu or blood. The vitiated blood affects the skin and causes excess secretion of oil from sebaceous glands. Kapha has sticky property. The aggravated kapha imparts the stickiness to the oil produced by sebaceous glands of skin. Thus the thick sebaceous plugs are formed in skin pores and hair follicles leading to eruption of acne.

Acne worsens when

1.grease, dirt or other harsh chemicals accumulate on skin.

2.you have Increased stress levels.

3.you indulge in Squeezing or pinching of acne.

4.when there are hormonal imbalances during menstrual cycle, menopause and puberty.

5.you are under medications like steroids or hormonal therapy.

Precautions to be taken to avoid exaggeration of acne eruptions:

Avoid foods which are spicy, dry and oily. These may cause indigestion and lead to vitiation of vata.

Keep a habit of emptying bowels regularly this always normalizes vata.

Avoid fast foods and soft drinks.

Wash your face twice daily with mild cleanser.

Put a hair band to avoid falling of hair on face. The sweat and dirt accumulated on hair may fall on facial skin through hair strands

Avoid application of scrubs.

Wash your hair regularly with mild shampoo to keep it clean and avoid dandruff.

Squeezing and pricking of pimples cause scaring. Hence avoid this

Avoid exposure of skin to severe climatic conditions.

Avoid oil based moisturizers. Water based moisturizers are always beneficial.

Drink plenty of water.

Practice a regular exercise regimen

Natural Herbal acne Home remedies :

Wash your face with lukewarm water and mild soap twice a day.

Wash fresh methi leaves (fenu greek leaves) and grind it to make a paste. Apply it on face and wash it off with lukewarm water after 10 minutes.

Grind juicy tender neem leaves with turmeric to a consistency of paste. Apply this paste on acne and pimples. Wash this off after it dries.

Apply a face pack of ripe tomato pulp and wash it off as soon as it dries naturally (preferably after 45 minutes) .

Do not keep the make up while sleeping. Cleanse it with a mild herbal cleanser.

Mix besan flour (gram flour) with rose water and apply a face pack.

Consuming fresh vegetable salads and fresh fruits keeps the skin healthy and resistant to blemishes.

Drink plenty of water (15 glasses a day)

Acne is a skin disorder resulting from the actions of hormones and other substances on skins oil glands and hair follicles. These things often lead to plugged pores and outbreak of lesions more commonly known as pimples and zits. Acne lesions basically occur on the face, back, chest, neck and shoulders. Thus acne is a term for plugged pores [blackheads and whiteheads], pimples and even deeper lumps [cysts and nodules] that appear in different parts of the body.

How does acne develop?

Acne is a disease of the pilosebaceous units [PSUs], which consists of sebaceous glands connected to a canal, called a follicle that contains a layer of fine hair. These sebaceous glands produce an oily substance called sebum that normally empties onto the skin through the opening of the follicles. When the walls of this plugged follicle breaks down, it starts spilling everything like sebum, bacteria and shed skin cells, thereby leading to lesions and pimples.

Factors that make acne worse

Although the exact cause of acne is still unknown, but doctors have a strong belief that they result from various factors. One of the main factors include sudden burst of androgens that occur more during puberty. The factors of acne include heredity or genetics. Children usually have a tendency of getting acne from their parents and often get affected due to usage of drugs like androgens and lithium.

However, there are several factors that can make acne worse:

Changing hormone levels in adolescent girls and adult women
Excess secretion of oil after using of skin products like moisturizers and cosmetics.
Pressure from tight collars, tight sports uniform and backpacks
Environmental irritants like pollution and high humidity
Hard scrubbing of skin
Squeezing or picking at blemishes
Stress and anxiety

Types of acne

People suffering from acne can basically have a variety of lesions that can act as a detriment to the skin.

Following are the types of acne:

Comedo an enlarged and plugged hair follicle that mainly produces whiteheads
Papules inflamed lesions that usually appear as small pink bumps on the skin that can appear to be tender on touch
Cysts deep, painful and usually pus-filled lesions that can cause scarring
Nodules large painful solid lesions that are lodged deep within the skin
Pustules papules topped with white and yellow pus-filled lesions that are basically red at the base

How to treat acne?

Dermatologists normally treat acne but often you can use some homemade recipes to prevent severe acne. You should wash your face at least thrice a day with cold water and a mild cleanser. Using essential oils like lavender, chamomile, calendula, juniper and mint with almond oil on your skin will give effective results. You should also start adding zinc supplements to your diet and avoid caffeine, junk food and salty foods.

Other than these homemade recipes, you can also take prescribed medicines that contain benzoyl peroxide, salicyclic acid, sulfur, Azelaic acid, vitamin A, and OTC topical medicines to recover fast from acne.

Almost everyone has suffered from acne at one time or another in his or her lives. It is primarily a disorder of the sebaceous gland (glands in the skin that secrete an oily substance) of the face, the neck and back. When the sebaceous glands become clogged with the oily substance they create, the accumulation results in pimples. There are several forms of acne, but the most common is acne vulgaris, found primarily in adolescents.

The exact cause of acne is not known, but factors that contribute to this condition include heredity, oily skin and androgens. Additional factors include allergies, stress, the use of certain drugs, nutritional deficiencies, liver dysfunction, exposure to industrial pollutants, cosmetics and the monthly menstrual cycle.

In addition, the skin functions to eliminate a portion of the body’s toxic waste by sweating. If the body contains more toxins than the kidneys or liver can effectively discharge, the skin takes over. In fact, some doctors call the skin the 3rd kidney. As toxins escape through the skin, they can disrupt the health and integrity of the skin, creating issues.

Recommendations for Wellness

Note: Some of these recommendations may take 2-4 weeks before any results or improvements are experienced.

Apply distilled white vinegar (can be diluted if too strong) to the face and affected areas. Allow this to sit for 5-10 minutes before rinsing off with cool water.

Lemon or any citric fruit works great as a natural exfoliate, removing dead skin cells that may clog the pours. As with the white vinegar, apply the juice of a lemon (or desired citric juice) to the face. Allow it to dry for about 10 minutes, then rinse with cool water. You may feel a mild sting or burn when the lemon juice is applied. If so, diluting the juice is acceptable.

Increase water consumption. Water helps flush toxin out and help transport nutrients in the body.

Eat a properly balanced diet to ensure proper nutrition. Take a high quality multiple vitamin and mineral supplement to make up for nutrients missing in today’s foods.

Echinacea or Oregon grape can be used to boost the immune system and fight acne-causing bacteria.

Dandelion, Burdock or red clover can help to keep the liver clear of toxic overload.

Herbal combinations such as Natures Sunshines Ayurvedic Skin Detox, and BP-X can also be used to cleanse and detoxify the liver and reduce acne.

Large quantities of vitamin A have been successfully used to treat severe acne. Large amounts, however, can be toxic and should only be used when working with your health care provider.

Consider adding additional zinc to your diet. Zinc aids in the healing of tissues and assists in preventing scarring. It is also important for the body in resisting infection and inflammation.

To clear and heal the skin, try a homeopathic Acne remedy. It can help to dry up pimples & prevent future outbreaks.

Take a stroll along any beauty or skin care aisle and you will be bombarded by products claiming that they are all-natural or organic. The high demand for organic skin care products had drive major skin care product and cosmetic producers to mass-produce. Unfortunately, while this seems like a good news, mass producing skin care products and cosmetics is not practical unless manufacturers use preservatives and other chemicals to increase the shelf like of their supposedly organic products. As such, care must be taken in choosing organic skin care products to ensure authenticity and quality. Here is a guide to help you in choosing authentic organic skin care products:

1. Look for the USDA organic seal of approval.

The USDA has imposed several requirements for organic skin care products. Every product claiming to be organic must bear the USDA organic seal of approval. This means that the product has been tested and had met the quality standards set by the USDA for safety. The USDA sign means that the product and its components has passed tests conducted by the USDA for antibiotic and hormone use in livestock and crops.

2. Check beyond face-value.

Do not take the manufacturer’s word for what it is. Instead, read the label to get a thorough idea of the ingredients used for the manufacture of the product. When manufacturers put organic or all-natural labels on their products, they might be stretching the truth a bit. Some unscrupulous manufacturers may have used an organic ingredient but this does not make their products organic. Instead, check and read labels thoroughly to ensure that the product you are going to buy is indeed organic. Whenever possible, take note of some ingredients you don’t understand in the label and look it up online prior to your purchase to ensure that they are not preservatives or chemicals.

3. Be familiar with USDA organic ranking.

The USDA grants its organic seal of approval to products that passed its organic standards. In addition, the USDA also implements a system that designates a product as purely organic or not. Being familiar with this system ensures that you won’t be fooled when it comes to choosing an organic product. First, only products that used purely organic substances in their manufacture can be labeled 100% organic. Second, products with 95% or more organic ingredients can be labeled organic in their primary label. Third, products with 70%-95% organic ingredients can only be described as made with organic ingredients with three of these organic ingredients listed on the label. Lastly, products with only 70% organic ingredients or less can only use the word organic in their ingredient section.

By understanding what the manufacturers mean when they label their products as organic, you can minimize the risk of purchasing scam products masquerading as organic skin care lines. Better yet, research on the Internet for reviews and recommendations on the best organic skin care products around to make your choice easier.

With so many people wanting a great tan without exposing themselves to the many dangers of UV rays, science has developed new ways to get your suntan without exposure to the harmful UV rays of the sun. It wasn’t long ago when many people considered indoor tanning beds a safer alternative to traditional sunbathing, we all know now that these too can cause serious damage to your skin. Sunless tanning lotions and creams have now become a popular alternative to give you that golden tan without damaging your skin.

Sunless tanning is growing in popularity and is one that health-conscious people as well as doctors can agree on. Your fake tan or tan in a bottle can save your life. You are avoiding skin cancer from harmful UV rays. You will also look better as you age because your sunless tan requires no exposure to UV rays which are known to accelerate wrinkles and aging.

Sunless tanning products are designed to be easy to apply although it may sometimes be a little time-consuming. If you do it regularly, you will find that it gets faster and easier. The tan lasts for about 8 or 9 days with most porducts, and you will have to reapply to maintain a tan. While it may seem like a lot of trouble, it is well worth it to protect your skin and your health. If a tan is really that important to you but you dont want to increase your risk of sun damage, then you should not mind taking the extra time to apply sunless tanners.

If you havent tried sunless tanning lotions recently, you may not know how improved and advanced they have become. You no longer have to worry about turning yourself orange or looking like you need to bathe. Spotty, splotchy and orange sunless tanners are a thing of the past. Sunless tanners take about 3 to 4 hours to start developing and will reach peak coloration 24 hours after application. You get a great golden tan that appears natural as well. If you do use the tanning bed occasionally, you can use the sunless tanning products to maintain that tan so you spend less time in the damaging rays.

Sunless tanning is a great option for people who cannot tan in traditional sun UV rays. For example, people with fair skin, freckles, red hair or very light blonde hair can have difficulty tanning in natural sunlight. You should also avoid it if you have had sun damage in the past, a family history of skin cancer, are taking medications that increase your sensitivity to the sun and for several other reasons. Sunless tanners let these people get the look they want with no risk to their health.

The most important benefits to sunless tanning are the health benefits. It is a fact that exposure to UV rays causes skin cancer and creates signs of early aging with wrinkles and sun spots. Most people who are concerned with their looks enough to want a great tan will also be concerned about not getting early wrinkles and other signs of aging. Sunless tanning products are a great alternative to tanning beds and can help to maintain the look of a a healthy tanned appearance year-round without the associated risks and aging effects.

Overexposure to the sun and UV rays is rarely obvious at the time, — and on many occasions, probably quite unintentional. However repeated exposure has rather more adverse long-term implications for our bodies and our health.

Were all well aware of the more obvious and painful symptoms of sunburn including hot, red, tender skin which in the case of a more heavy burn can also include blistering, peeling and dehydration.

The damage that occurs beneath the skin as a result of sunburn is considerably less obvious at the time of exposure, and may in fact take years to produce symptoms visible to the naked eye.

The fact that damage caused to skin cells during sunburn can not only accelerate the aging process, but also increase the risk of cataracts and skin cancer, should certainly demand our attention.

When faced with the potential risk of having to treat more than just the temporary symptoms and pain of sunburn, doesnt it make more sense to avoid the risk in the first place?

Seek prevention rather than cure!

So before you venture out into the sun again, remember these important tips to protect yourself from overexposure of UV rays and sunburn, and its associated risks:

1. Wear protective clothing, including a long-sleeve shirt and a hat. Consider the additional protection of an umbrella or shade where appropriate.

2. Avoid sun exposure between 10 am and 3 pm if at all possible.

3. Remember that UV rays are present even on cloudy days.

4. Remember that sunlight is strongly reflected from sand, snow, ice, water and concrete, which can intensify your direct sunlight exposure.

5. Apply sunscreen containing a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15, at least 15 minutes before going out into the sun.

6. Reapply sunscreen at regular intervals while out in the sun, especially if you are perspiring heavily or swimming.

7. Remember that UV overexposure is not limited to sun exposure. Sunburn can also occur as a result of UV exposure from other sources including tanning beds/lamps, welding arcs etc.

Prevention is a far better treatment than cure. In the event however, that you discover any unusual moles or growths on your skin (particularly if theyre irregular in shape, bleed, itch, or appear to be changing) – consult your healthcare provider as soon as possible.

When it comes to overexposure of UV rays and sunburn that result in skin cancer, early detection will certainly assist in providing you with more effective treatment. But considering your options beforehand what will provide the best outcome for your health? Prevention or Cure? I know which one Id choose…!

Sunlight is essential in the improvement of one’s health. An adequate amount of sunlight is one of the primary sources of vitamin D which, in turn, helps protect against bone loss. However, overexposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays may cause certain skin ailments like sunburn. Sunburn is an inflammation of skin tissue due to overexposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Chronic sun overexposure and burning may cause the skin to become rough and wrinkled. In the long run, overexposure also increases the risk of skin cancer. However, there are many skin care products that might be used to treat this skin condition. But before deciding to use these products, the causes, symptoms, and treatments of sunburn should be well understood.

Sunburn develops when a person receives excessive sunlight or other sources of ultraviolet rays. It occurs because the body is not able to make enough protective pigments that are designed to protect the skin. Less than 15 minutes of sun exposure may lead to sunburn for light sensitive persons. Long-term excessive exposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun may destroy the epidermis, or the outer layer of the skin and damage the tiny blood vessels underneath. When the skin is burned, protein production in the skin may be hampered because of the blood vessels are dilate and leak fluids. This condition may lead to Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) damage. DNA contains are essential in the functioning of all known living organisms. Chronic damage in the DNA may lead to cancer. Sunburn may cause the skin to turn red and blister. Signs and symptoms of sunburn may appear a few minutes or hours after exposure. Severe cases of sunburn may be accompanied with vomiting, fever, and collapse.

Treatment for sunburn may include the following:

Aspirin, acetaminophen and ibuprofen can help combat pain
Anesthetic creams or sprays containing benzocain and lidocain provide temporary relief
Antibacterial and antimicrobial soaps and antiseptics help prevent infection
Aloe-based skin care products soothe and cool overheated skin
Moisturizers can help keep your skin from drying out and tightening up

Sunburn and other skin ailments can be prevented with the use of water-resistant sunscreen which contains sun protective factor (SPF) and other skin care products. An ounce of sunscreen should be applied 15-30 minutes before getting exposed to the sun. Skin experts advice individuals to reapply this product every two hours.

Other things that should be remembered to prevent sunburn may include the following:

Limit sun exposure to 15 minutes the first day, even if the weather is hazy, slowly increasing exposure daily;
Re-apply sunscreen every two hours (more often if sweating or swimming);
Re-apply waterproof sunscreen after swimming more than 80 minutes, after toweling off, or after perspiring heavily;
Avoid the sun between 10 A.M. and 3 P.M.;
Use waterproof sunscreen on legs and feet, since the sun can burn even through water; and
Wear an opaque shirt in water, because reflected rays are intensified.
Skin care these days has become an essential part of a health regimen because of the health threats to the skin like sunburn. Taking care of the skin is essential in preventing the development of skin ailments like psoriasis, skin cancer, and other skin conditions. Understanding proper use of skin care products and maintaining appropriate sun exposure is essential in maintaining healthy skin.

Several medical studies have proved that tanning is beneficial to the human body. The major benefit is the strengthening of the bones. That is, the absorbed ultraviolet radiation activates substances in the skin the much needed vitamin D, and vitamin D is important in making the bones tough.

There is, however, another documented benefit of tanning. Tanning helps the skin protect itself from further exposure to ultraviolet radiation. This was reported in the September 1999 issue of the Journal of Investigative Dermatology. The report was authored by Dr. Barbare A. Gilchrest and Dr. Mark S. Eller. Both worked at the Department of Dermatology at the Boston University School of Medicine.

The journal report stated five important points:

1. The UV radiation produces the protective melanin pigments.

Why are melanin pigments considered protective? The melanin in the skin helps the body expel excess energy from further ultraviolet exposure. The excess energy can cause harm but, with the aid of melanin, this is removed from the body in the form of heat. The melanin can also deactivate the free radicals, which are infamous for their destructive action on the body.

2. Tanned skin prevents UVR injury.

Related to above findings, the authors reported that a tanned skin is less prone to blisters and sunburn. Blisters and sunburns are UVR damages that a skin sustains when the skin can no longer tolerate the UV it receives. A tanned skin has a higher tolerance of UV rays. Thus, having a tanned skin is similar to wearing a sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor of 3-5.

3. Tanning provides photo-protection.

When a person undergoes the tanning process, the stratum corneum layer of his skin is considerably thickened. With this thicker layer, the skin becomes less sensitive to the ultraviolet radiation. Such is called photo-protection. A person with pale white skin may not attain the dark olive color that he desires but his stratum corneum has achieved a certain thickness that gives him photo-protection.

4. Tanning elevates the skins repair capacity.

One of the greatest fears of people when they face tanning is the disease called skin cancer. But skin cancer only happens when a person abuses the tanning process. That is, he stays in the tanning bed longer than what is recommended by the manufacturer or the tanning salon professional. Skin cancer happens when too many damaged and abnormal cells are produced. With gradual and responsible tanning, the skins capacity to repair itself is actually enhanced. When the skin repairs itself, it gets rid off abnormal cells and fixes damage cells.

5. Both natural tan and acquired tan gives the same skin protection.

All the above-described protection obtained from a tanned skin is not limited to a natural tan. An acquired tanned skin can also provide the same protection.

People enjoy the relaxing experience of tanning. And they also love its result, a fabulous bronzed skin. But exposure to the ultraviolet radiation, whether from outdoors or from tanning beds, will cause the skin to age considerably. The tanning process takes away skin oils that make the skin elastic and young. Tanning can lead to the appearance of lines and wrinkles. And frequent tanning may make a person look older than his or her age. To prevent this undesirable effect of tanning, one should consider skin care products.

Skin care products are made up of cleansers, masks, toners, moisturizers, and sun blocks. The cleansers, which come as creams and gels, deeply clean the skin. The masks, which are also known as mud packs or exfoliants, peel off old skin. The toners, which should be non-stringent, remove stubborn dirt lodged in the pores. The moisturizers return the protective skin oils. Moisturizers should be different for various types of skins. And the sun blocks shield the skin from the damaging radiation from the sun or tanning bulbs. Then, there are also specialty skin care products such as eye creams that are meant to lessen facial lines, and lip protectors (for lips are special skin) that are used to prevent the lips from chapping due to freezing or scorching temperatures. Women have cosmetic foundations that have SPF (Sun Protection Factor), which range from SPF 5 to 15.

The range of skin care products seems overwhelming. But all these are important to give maximum protection for the skin. Professionals, such as models, actors and actresses, and salon owners, invest in such skin care products because the condition and age of their skin is vital to their jobs. As for regular guys and gals, the use of skin care products will enhance the beauty of their skin and slow down the process of aging. These products also contribute to the health and suppleness of the skin.

The skin care products preferred by most consumers are those made from naturally occurring substances. Synthetically produced substances for skin care products and cosmetic products may create detrimental side effects. This is why most skin care products are composed of extracts from leaves, roots, flowers, and fruits. These botanicals are known to be safe.

Taking care of your skin may seem to take a lot of effort. But you only have one skin. You spend money on it so that it will have a perfect tan. But you must also invest in skin care products to protect your skin from the aging process caused by tanning and to keep your skin health and younger looking.