Chemical Peel Aftercare Means Protecting Your Skin

September 25th, 2011 by admin No comments »

Chemical peel aftercare involves protecting the skin from the sun and using a good moisturizer. If you have decided that peeling is the right choice, this article will help you learn how to best protect your skin following the procedure.

Sun Protection

The use of a good sun block is a must. Your skin will be more likely to burn and more sensitive to sunlight. Burning or even moderate exposure to the sun can undo the good done by the treatment.

Not all sunscreens are effective. Some sunscreen ingredients may actually cause free radical damage, according to recent studies. The Environmental Working Group publishes a list of best and worst sunscreens. The most effective ones contain titanium dioxide and zinc oxide to block both UVA and UVB rays.

Sun block is currently used by the industry to describe opaque, rather than transparent sunscreens. A sun block should provide more protection, but it must still be reapplied regularly in order to get the maximum benefits.

It is important not to rely too heavily on sunscreens. You can best protect your skin by staying in the shade, wearing large sunglasses and using a hat with a wide brim. You should also avoid being outside when the sun’s rays are at their maximum strength. Those are times when your shadow is shortest. » Read more: Chemical Peel Aftercare Means Protecting Your Skin

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate – Skin, Hair and Scalp

September 25th, 2011 by admin No comments »

What is sodium lauryl sulfate, (SLS),? It’s a coarse powder used as a foaming agent, produced by combining sulfate and lauric acid. It’s used in many commercial products including: detergents, soaps, shampoos, shower gels, bubble baths, cosmetic cleansers, toothpastes, deodorants, mouthwash, candy, aspirins, laxatives, engine degreasers, garage floor cleaners, car was soaps, beauty and skin care products. There are arguments on both sides relating to the dangers or safety of this compound. Marketing companies have gone to great lengths to exploit, misguided, consumer beliefs for a profits, throughout history. So, what should a consumer do? What is the truth about sodium lauryl sulfate?

For years the public has perceived SLS as a carcinogenic risk. On the contrary, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, ( OSHA), the National Toxicology Program, (NTP), and the International Agency for Research on Cancer, (IARC), have all rated SLS as non-carcinogenic. So why the confusion? When this compound is absorbed into the body, it mimics the activity of the estrogen hormone. Breast cancers in women, PMS problems and drop in male fertility have been linked to high estrogen levels. Some claim that SLS reacts with ingredients forming nitrates, potential cancer causing carcinogens. In the 1970′s some shampoos were contaminated with small amounts of nitrates due to ethanolamine lauryl sulfates, not sodium lauryl sulfates. The manufacturers took corrective action. » Read more: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate – Skin, Hair and Scalp