Homemade Face Mask for Ashy Skin

Sugar is a preferred exfoliant to salt because it tends not to tear at the skin. When dead skin collects on the surface of skin, it's important to slough it away. This helps clear up clogged pores. When skin isn't exfoliated, it can appear ashy.

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 tbsp sugar
• 3 tbsp warm water

PREPARATION:

Stir sugar into warm water so that it melts.
Make sure granules are dissolved, otherwise they could tear your skin.
Apply to the face.
Gently massage around the skin.
Rinse with warm water OR I like to take a warm washcloth that's steamed in the microwave. Make sure the washcloth is not too hot.

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Anti-Aging Tips From Clinique's Dermatologist

While growing older is inevitable, we can reduce the signs of ageing with a little care. Here are some tips to help you turn back the clock.

• Be vigilant about on-going sun protection. Use sun protection, including sunscreen, UV blocking glasses, and hats. Put on protection prior to leaving the house in the morning, for mid-day activities, and if necessary, again before leaving school or work for home. Remember that the sunscreen you apply in the morning has reduced protection 2 hours after application. Avoid playing outdoor sports at mid-day, when heat and perspiration make it nearly impossible to keep sunscreen on the skin.
• Wear sunglasses for UVA protection in eye area, and eye correction to prevent squinting, which causes wrinkles. Wearing sunglasses may also help to prevent cataracts.
• Don't smoke. In addition to risk of lung cancer and cardiovascular disease, smoking prematurely ages the skin and damages blood vessels. It slows wound healing, and limits the skin's ability to self-repair.
• Eat well. A nutritious diet (we recommend a low-glycemic index, Mediterranean-type diet, rich in fruit, vegetables, nuts, legumes, fish, whole grains, and monosaturated fats such as olive oil) will show in your skin and overall health. Avoid processed carbohydrates and sugars, which cause instability in insulin levels. Avoid saturated fats, trans fats. Staying adequately hydrated is also important to optimizing health and healthy-looking skin.

 Avoid weight gain. Gaining/losing weight stretches the skin, and can contribute to sagging, and has a negative impact on insulin sensitivity.

 Use a daily skin care regime, including cleansing, exfoliating, moisturizing, and additional treatments depending on skin type (retinoids, bleach creams, antioxidants, etc.).

 Meet your sleep requirements. Your skin, health, and mental acuity will show a significant improvement with adequate sleep. The skin's ability to initiate self-repair is greatest during sleep.

 Avoid stress. Stress has a negative impact on many bodily systems. While we have evolved to tolerate stress, modern day living has unprecedented factors creating stress (career pressures, social stress, pollution, etc.) occurring simultaneously. Exercise, meditation or prayer, breathing exercises, and scheduled "relaxation time" reduces stress and therefore improves overall health as well as the appearance of the skin (if you do any of the above outside, use sun protection).

 Add antioxidants and EFA's to your diet. Anti-oxidants have been shown to neutralize free radicals. EFA's found in foods such as fish and flax seeds, support cell repair and have anti-inflammatory properties, anti-proliferative properties, and help to maintain epidermal hydration.

 Exfoliate properly - Use the appropriate (chemical, mechanical or both) exfoliating agents for your skin. Using too many exfoliating products, or products that have an exfoliative action, or using the product too frequently or with too much intensity, can cause sensitivity and irritation. Not exfoliating can leave the skin looking dry and dull, and will worsen acne-prone skin. Start slowly, and let your skin's comfort be your guide.

 Sleep on your back to avoid "sleep creases".

 Be gentle with skin in eye area - avoid excessive rubbing or manipulating eyes, particularly when applying and removing makeup, and applying eye care products. Try to avoid frowning excessively, which creates a wrinkle between the brows and the appearance of being angry. Use an eye cream appropriate for your skin type. Even if you have oily skin, and use moisturizer in no other area, chances are your skin will benefit from an eye cream.

A number of people will not be able to do all of the above for a variety of reasons, such as having small children and not enough time to sleep, exercise, etc., or may have physical limitations preventing them from exercising. Here is a quick "Baare bones" cheat sheet that virtually everyone can follow regardless of health or time constraints:

 Always protect the skin/eyes from the sun.

 Don't smoke.

 Eat well.

 Avoid weight gain.

 Take anti-oxidant/EFA supplements.

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A Look at Skin Rejuvenation Techniques

Cosmetic products can go only so far in improving the appearance ofwrinkles,acnescars, uneven pigmentation, broken blood vessels andage spots. Anyone seeking more dramatic improvements will have to look to other remedies -- some performed by aestheticians, but most by dermatologists and plastic surgeons.

Today there's a wide choice of facial rejuvenation techniques, making it possible to tailor therapies to the exact needs of the client. A variety of methods are used to remove the topmost layers of the skin (epidermis) to reveal clear, unblemished skin below. These methods are called exfoliation or skin resurfacing. Newer techniques penetrate to the layers beneath (thedermis) to boostcollagenproduction, which gives the skin a fresher, plumper, more youthful appearance. The medical term for these techniques is nonablative, which simply means that they work without destroying tissue. "Doctors often combine procedures so patients can get the maximum benefits from each," reports Tina S. Alster, M.D., a dermatologic surgeon in Washington, D.C.

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What's a Wrinkle in Time?

What are they? Wrinkles are caused by a loss of collagen and elastin-- the tissues in the skin that make it firm and elastic -- as we age. The degree of wrinkling depends on your genetic makeup, but smoking, dry skin and sun exposure (especially sunburns) make it worse. Dynamic motion -- making facial expressions -- also causes permanent creases over time.

Treatment

• Tretinoin(Retin-A), otherretinoids.
• Laser resurfacing. This process burns away the outer layer of skin, bringing a less wrinkled layer to the surface.
• Alpha hydroxy acids(AHAs). These slough off dead skin cells and stimulate collagen production, making cells look plumper.
• Collagen injections.
• Chemical peels.
• Botox injections.
• Fat transfer. Fat is taken out of the buttocks and injected into the creases in the face.

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What Speeds Up The Aging Process?

For the most part, skin that you perceive as being old is probably sun-damaged. It's true that skin gradually breaks down as you age, but if your skin had never been touched by the sun, the look and feel of old skin wouldn't show up until very late in life. Protecting your skin from the sun is the most significant thing you can do to prevent wrinkles, sagging and discoloration. Smoking also ages your skin before its time -- it reduces blood flow to the skin, which leads to wrinkles -- and interferes with the skin's natural defense againstfree radicals.

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Dealing With Age Spots

Age spots usually begin to appear on sun-exposed areas such as the back, chest, arms and hands in your early 30s. Although they may look similar to moles, the two are very different. Moles are genetically predetermined; age spots are the result of cumulative sun exposure throughout your life.

There are several over-the-counter and doctor-prescribed treatments for age spots. Before treating your spots, see your dermatologist first to rule out skin cancer. If you've gotten enough sun to develop age spots, you are at a higher risk of developing skin cancer. Once your doctor has given your skin a clean bill of health, discuss with her which options are right for you.

Remember, though, that with whichever method you choose, results will vary depending on how severe the spots are, how much time you spend in the sun and how consistently you follow treatment. It is essential to protect against new age spots and prolong the results by wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen on all exposed areas every day, even in the winter.

Fade Creams
What they are: Over-the-countermoisturizerscontaining 2 percenthydroquinone, a bleaching agent.

What they do: Gradually lighten age spots over a couple of months. They work best when used in conjunction with a glycolic acid moisturizer, which smooths out the skin.

Drawbacks: It will take a few months to see a difference, and they don't have much effect on darker, more stubborn spots.

Retinoids
What they are: Prescription-strengthvitamin Acreams such asRetin-AandRenova.

What they do: Fade discoloration while stimulating the growth of new, healthy cells. They are often used with prescription-strength hydroquinone for a stronger bleaching effect.

Drawbacks: Retinoids can be drying and harsh for some skin types, and it will take two to three months to see results.

Chemical Peels
What they are: Dermatologist-administered peels that use 30 to 70 percent glycolic acid to remove hyperpigmented skin, wrinkles andfine lines.

What they do: Smooth and firm skin and lighten age spots gradually. The treatment can be done during your lunch hour, and there is no recovery time.

Drawbacks: A series of several peels done once a month is needed before you'll notice any fading.

Laser Resurfacing
What it is: An in-office treatment where age spots, wrinkles and lines are burned off with a laser.

What it does: Removes most traces of age spots and discoloration, usually in one treatment.

Drawbacks: It's expensive. One treatment can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000, depending on how big the area being treated is. Your skin will be red and peeling and most likely scab in the days after the procedure. Expect recovery time of about a week.

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Botox: Know The Facts

We may love our expression lines because they speak of our experiences, but let's face it, they can make us look tired when we're not. And they can make us look older than we feel.

More and more people are having their deep lines injected with Botox to wipe them away. But do results stand up to the hype? Apparently so. In 1997, about 65,000 Botox procedures were done; in 2001 1.6 million were performed. To determine if it's something you'd like to try, check out the facts we uncovered with help from Dr. Bruce Katz, Director of the Juva Skin & Laser Center:

What is Botox? "To be precise, it's a purified protein derived from clostridium botulinum bacteria," says Dr. Katz. "When injected into a muscle, it acts as a nerve impulse blocker; in other words, it keeps muscles from contracting, which makes them appear relaxed or smooth." He says this temporary paralysis literally freezes the expression muscles so that, depending on how much is injected, your ability to move your muscle will temporarily disappear along with your wrinkles.

Who can benefit most from these injections? "Botox works best for what are known as dynamic wrinkles, those that appear when you frown, smile or laugh," says Dr. Katz. Some doctors even inject it into neck muscles to tighten folds and some say they have good results with injections into lip lines.

Are the results permanent? "No. They last from 3 to 6 months and the procedure must be repeated to maintain results." Costs can range from $300 to $700 per treatment depending on how many injections you have.

How long does the procedure take and does it hurt? "Injections take a few minutes each. If a topical anesthetic cream is applied to the area prior to the procedure, the area becomes numb and there is no pain. Otherwise, patients just feel a needle prick." Additionally, injections can cause redness and swelling at the injection site and possibly bruise the area. Dr. Katz advises his patients to stay vertical for several hours after being injected so the Botox doesn't travel. In rare cases, Botox injections too close to the eyelid muscles can cause the eye area to temporarily droop.

How soon will I see results? Results take from 3 to 5 days to appear."

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Lines, Wrinkles & Crow's Feet

Can anything short of surgery eliminate wrinkles?

An aging face is characterized by both wrinkling and sagging. In order to have a more youthful appearance many times we turn to the cosmetic surgeon to correct the sagging aspects of the face. We also look to other invasive procedures for the wrinkling aspect such as laser resurfacing, deep acid peels and Botox injections. As we are all aware, these aggressive procedures carry risks. Also, they can often leave us with an unnatural appearance.

How else can I get rid of frown lines, wrinkles and crow's feet?
Recent research using topical anti-inflammatories such as alpha lipoic acid, DMAE and Vitamin C Ester indicate that significant correction of both the wrinkling and the sagging component of the aging face can be corrected. Topical DMAE causes immediate increase in the appearance of skin tone and with continued use significantly lifts and contours the sagging face. It is especially important to apply liberally and often to the chin area, jaw line and neck as this area is particularly susceptible to sagging. When combined with either alpha lipoic acid or Vitamin C Ester surface defects such as fine lines, large pores, discoloration, lack of radiance, as well as dark circles and puffiness under the eyes are significantly improved.

Is there any treatment for those deep lines that run from the nose to the chin?
Those deep lines are called the nasolabial folds, and they are just that -- they are more than lines, they are folds. This means that those are caused by sagging and elongated facial muscles. Twice daily application of a DMAE lotion can significantly improve the appearance of these defects. In a recent study, a DMAE lotion combined with electrical stimulation of facial muscles over a 12-week period showed even more improvement.

Recommended Products:

Prescription Products, For the Face

• Retinoids

For Wrinkles and Sagging of the Face

• Alpha Lipoic Acid Face Firming Activator with DMAE
• Vitamin C Ester Concentrated Restorative Cream with DMAE
• Phosphatidyl-E Face with DMAE
• Products containing Copper Peptide
• RoC products containing Proteint

For Wrinkling and Sagging Eyes

• Alpha Lipoic Acid Eye Area Therapy with DMAE
• Vitamin C Ester Eye Area Therapy

For Wrinkling and Sagging Lips and Lip Lines

• Alpha Lipoic Acid Lip Plumper with DMAE

For Wrinkling and Sagging Body

• Alpha Lipoic Acid Body Toning Lotion with DMAE

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DMAE Supplements On Skin?

I am taking supplements including DMAE, will this help my wrinkles? Can I break them open to apply them to the skin?

DMAE is a wonderful supplement to take as it has been found to enhance mental cognition and clarity. Supplementation is an important aspect of health and skin care as it can often provide things that your body is lacking. Supplements can contribute to an overall program that can help the skin from the inside out.

That results will be found by breaking open capsules and applying the contents to the skin is something of an old wives' tale. Doing so is similar to rubbing aspirin on an injury -- it does nothing. The molecules are often too big to be absorbed by the skin. I recommend instead trying products that contain DMAE immersed in a vehicle that is readily absorbed by the cells.

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Quick Wrinkle Fix?

How can I get The Wrinkle Cure in a bottle?

There are ways to fight the signs of aging -- many of which do not simply come in a bottle. While topical applications of Alpha Lipoic Acid, Vitamin C Ester, and DMAE are a wonderful start in approaching aging skin, they are only a component of the proverbial "big picture". Proper diet (including salmon), moderate exercise and nutritional supplements help to complete the regime and send you on your way to a healthier overall being; healthy young skin is a by-product of a healthy body.

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Do Skin-Firming Products Work?

Avon claims it has found a rival to collagen injections in its ANEW Clinical Line and Wrinkle Corrector. Exhibit A: The "after" photo shown here was taken 12 weeks after this model began using the product all over her face every night.

ANEW Clinical contains what Avon calls Derma-3X Technology, which claims to stimulate the production of all three key dimensions of skin: They say it helps rebuild collagen to create a firmer foundation for less-lined skin, recreates elastin for improved resilience so skin is less prone to wrinkling and regenerates hydro-proteins for increased skin density and minimized creasing.

There are 10 natural active ingredients in the Derma-3X Technology, including coconut and pomegranate juices and extracts of olive leaf, carrot root, alfalfa, fennel fruit and apple root.

Avon claims the product will help smooth fine lines and wrinkles in just one overnight use, and says that after one week 82 percent of women agreed their skin felt "rebuilt and renewed."

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Stop Wrinkles Before They Happen

Good habits and good genes can only take you so far when you're competing against the biological clock. Like it or not, there will come a day when you'll look in the mirror and realize that some of those "smile lines" are sticking around. You probably know that day can be delayed if you eat right, exercise and guard against the sun. But if you, like the rest of us, don't always succeed with the healthy-lifestyle approach, turn to this list of fallback options from Charlene Haines of Euphoria Day Spa.

 Oxygen Facials

 Botox Injections

 Facial Fillers

 Epifacial

 Thermage Non-Surgical Face-Lift

Oxygen Facials

A truly blissful option, this facial cleanses, hydrates and exfoliates the skin while it pumps in plenty of fresh air, improving circulation, stimulating cell rejuvenation and killing any blemish-causing bacteria hiding in pores. Ever wonder how celebs like Jennifer Aniston look so luminous even without makeup? Now you know.

Botox Injections

This common procedure involves using small needles to inject traces of a substance that "paralyzes" the muscles underneath, where lines are forming — usually around the mouth and eyes and on the forehead. It temporarily freezes the muscles that form these expression lines, cutting down on the repetitive movements that help create wrinkles. It's fast, easy and relatively painless, but make sure to pick a doctor with experience, and undergo an allergy test first. You'll have to get Botox shots every few months, but the results are dramatic and, over the long haul, can delay the formation of wrinkles.

Facial Fillers

Gone are the days of lumpy, bumpy injections to plump up lips and sagging cheeks. Now it's all about Restylane or Radiesse, two natural fillers made of hyaluronic acid a natural substance already present in the human body) that are injected right into creases and wrinkles to make them disappear. The effects last for about six months and are less prone to infection and clumping than previous treatments. Britney Spears uses Restylane to give her bow-tie lips a slightly fuller look.

Epifacials

A highly effective procedure that's one step below a laser treatment, this is actually nothing like a facial. Doctors turn an intense, pulsating light on your skin (officially known as nonablative rejuvenation) that fades pigmentation, reduce large pores, clears up acne and really does a number on fine lines and wrinkles. It's quick and fairly painless (you might feel a slight zap) and can take 10 years off your skin in a matter of minutes.

Thermage Non-Surgical Face-Lift

Non-Surgical Face-Lift One of the newest anti-wrinkle options to hit the market, this medical device uses radio-frequency technology to eradicate lines and wrinkles that formerly could be reduced only with a surgical lift. It works by chilling the skin and then applying tightening energy from radio frequency. It's not entirely without discomfort, but the results are worth it. Dermatologists prep patients with a topical anesthetic and a strong painkiller before getting busy.

Unless things are really headed south, Charlene advises, don't go under the plastic surgeon's knife. Radical procedures like face-lifts will yield disappointing results if they're done too early, she says. Better to prevent problems today so you won't have to fix them tomorrow.

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Top 10 Anti-Aging Tips From Bobbi Brown's Living Beauty

Just in time for her 50th birthday, makeup guru Bobbi Brown has written Bobbi Brown Living Beauty(Springboard Press, February, 2007), a book that redefines beauty — and aging — for women over 40.

In the book, Brown celebrates female faces that have laugh lines. She encourages women to "age gracefully" without unnecessary plastic surgery and offers makeup tricks to cover problems older women face. Here, she shares 10 simple anti-aging tips you can incorporate into your life.

Renew skin with a retinoid cream. Retinoids are vitamin-A derivatives that help stimulate collagen production and reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles. Retin-A Micro and Renova are available by prescription from the dermatologist.

Erase brown spots with laser resurfacing. Ablative lasers target skin melanin (the pigment that gives color to the skin). Small scabs form after the treatment and when they fall off, they reveal spot-free skin.

Layer skin-care formulas. Try a wet, hydrating cream under a rich, dense balm to give skin a plumped up, cushiony look. Use the warmth of your fingers to help blend the creams.

Use concealer to brighten and lighten the under-eye area. Pair a pink- or peach-toned corrective concealer with a yellow-toned concealer. Be sure to apply concealer close to the lashes and to the inner corner of the eye as well.

Add a pop of color to cheeks. Dust blush high on the apples of your cheeks to give the face a more lifted look.

Define eyes with liner. When lining eyes, extend the liner slightly at the outer corner of the eye. Make sure the liner is thick enough and visible when your eyes are open.

Brighten your face with hair highlights. Most people are born with natural highlights which fade and darken with age. Highlights can have the same lifting and brightening effect on your face as makeup or a good night's rest.

Get your teeth whitened. You need to counteract the yellowing that comes with age. When I tried BriteSmile I was hooked because it brought out the whites in my eyes and my entire face look younger and brighter.

Camouflage bulges with a body smoother. Try a tank or T-shirt-style top if you have love handles. A boy-cut short helps control stomach and hip bulges and can be worn under both pants and skirts. BodyWrap and SPANX make good ones.

Liven up your face with jeweled earrings. I received a pair of pink pearl earrings for my birthday and fell in love with them because of the way the pink tones of the pearls magically brought out the natural pink in my cheeks

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Makeup Situation: Foundation Exaggerates Wrinkles

I'm over 40 and beginning to wrinkle slightly just around the eyes and mouth, and my foundation seems to exaggerate the wrinkles. But I don't want to give up foundation, because it evens out my complexion. What can I do?

I so know! And I'm always getting excited with new promises of age-defying or age-erasing foundations, but I must be honest: None seems to stand the test. Foundations of all kinds seem to accentuate my wrinkles. Hey, makeup companies, prove me wrong! In the meantime, here are my thoughts:

Don't give up foundation. It's a great tool for evening out the complexion (and a shout out goes to Make Up For Ever Face & Body Liquid Makeup— it's my absolute favorite), but I have to concede that, in my experience, you're better off not using it above your mouth and around your eyes and your nasolabial folds (the lines that run from the bottom of the nose to the chin, also called the "marionette lines"). Wrinkles in these areas seem to stand out the most when foundation is applied. Just make sure your foundation matches your skin color exactly, so it's not noticeable. If your foundation is darker or lighter, it will look strange if you avoid certain areas of the face!

As an alternative to foundation, I love the new "glowing" moisturizers. They give just a hint of impressively uniform color and don't enhance wrinkled areas at all. Use them just like you would a moisturizer. I especially like Olay’s Touch of Sun Moisturizer, which I use about twice a week, alternating with my regular moisturizer.

Another alternative to cream foundations are loose powders made from ground-up minerals that lie evenly and lightly on the face. In my experience, these work best on normal to dry skin and do not increase the look of wrinkles as much as liquid and cream foundations do, but I still maintain you should skip the distinctly wrinkled parts of your face; the powder can settle into creases.

If you have areas of darker pigmentation that you'd like to cover, you might consider trying a product with hydroquinone, which is a lightening agent. Hydroquinone works by increasing the breakdown of melanin pigment granules in the skin's pigment cells (melanocytes). Murad makes a good one, which I've recommended below.

I know I've said this a hundred times, but foundation (or foundation alternatives) will only lie as smoothly as the skin underneath it, so to look its best, skin must be well moisturized and exfoliated regularly — you might like to look for a moisturizer with light-diffusing properties; they'll reflect light to make the area appear brighter and smoother.

Olay Touch of Sun UV Facial Moisturizer
This is a great, great product that imparts a smooth, even, heightened color to the skin — plus, it's easy to blend, smells nice and is lightly moisturizing.
Price: $11.99

Olay Regenerist Microdermabrasion & Peel System
Wow! I love this product. I couldn't stop stroking my face afterward, which felt as smooth as a rose petal! It's a two-part procedure: an exfoliating mask with fine crystals, over which you apply an activating serum. Highly, highly recommended.
Price: $29.99

Murad Age Spot & Pigment Lightening Gel
This awesome preparation contains hydroquinone and glycolic acid, which help to fade unwanted pigmentation while exfoliating the skin to even out skin tone.
Price: $55

Murad Eye Treatment Complex SPF 8
Dr Murad's wonderful treatment lotion with glycolic acid and antioxidants (vitamins C and E and grape seed extract) gently exfoliates, and in doing so reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Price: $55

Perricone Concentrated Restorative Cream
Dr. Perricone's glycolic treatment cream combines a high concentration of vitamin C Ester with his patented NTP Complex and is one of the highest-quality creams available.
Price: $95

Elizabeth Arden Allergan Prevage
Elizabeth Arden coupled with Allergan (the pharmaceutical company that makes Botox and the original Prevage, available only in doctors' offices) to create this version, which contains the same special ingredient, Idebenone, but at a lower percentage than the product you can get at your dermatologist's office.
Price: $150

Make Up For Ever Face & Body Liquid Makeup
This is the best, the lightest and the most fluidly blending foundation I've ever tried, and I've tried a lot (though I still skip the wrinkled areas of my face).
Price: $38

Bare Escentuals BareMinerals SPF15 Foundation
This natural mineral foundation (free of preservatives, talc, oil and fragrance) has an extremely light texture and evens out the complexion.
Price: $25

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Look Younger By Morning

During the day, you know what it takes to keep your skin looking youthful: sunscreen, sunscreen and more sunscreen. (Experts recommend using one with an SPF of at least 15 every day of the year.) But what you may not know is that there are things you can do at night to look younger, to make your skin glow and to actually repair your skin.

Stubborn fine lines, enlarged pores and even puffy, tired eyes can be erased (or reduced) by morning if you take the proper steps at night, says Monique Klein, owner of Monique K. Skin Care Boutique. And if your complexion is already practically perfect, nighttime is the right time to indulge in some preventive care.

• Always thoroughly wash your face before you go to bed. Never hit the pillow without removing the day's grime as well as sunscreen and other products from your skin.
• To look younger, apply a quick-drying mask twice a week. If you want to tighten your pores, Monique recommends using an exfoliator like Aveda's Deep Cleansing Herbal Clay Masque. For dry skin, she suggests Aveda's Intensive Hydrating Masque. Let the mask sit for 10 minutes or until it's dry, and then gently remove it with warm water and a washcloth.

 Liberally moisturize your face and your neck with an overnight cream containing alpha-hydroxyls or retinols. Monique likes Clinique’s Repairwear Intensive Night Cream (good for really dry skin) and Intensive Night Lotion (better for oily or acne-prone complexions). You shouldn't use these creams in the daytime, because they increase your skin's sensitivity to the sun's UVA and UVB rays.

 Shore up the vulnerable skin around your eyes by slathering on a collagen-filled cream like Lancome’s Oligo Minerale, a multimineral, multivitamin, fortifying serum that combats the signs of aging caused by stress and pollution.

 Monique's favorite trick to look younger involves how you lie down on the bed — or, more accurately, how not to lie down. She suggests getting several firm pillows (not goose-feather ones, which can get lumpy) and stacking them so that you can recline while keeping your upper torso slightly elevated, as if you were sleeping in the first-class cabin of an airplane. It may sound wacky, but it prevents fluids from gathering around your eyes. You'll wake up without a trace of puffiness— honestly.

 Avoid sleeping on your side. Not only will it cause puffiness, but it will also create creases in your face that, over time, could turn into fine lines and wrinkles. Sleep on your back whenever possible, Monique counsels, and especially the night before you want to look your best.

 In the morning, gently wash your face. Avoid using soaps or harsh astringents that are drying. While your skin is still damp, apply a moisturizer, and make sure this one contains sunscreen. You've got to protect your newly rejuvenated skin from the sun's harmful rays. Gently pat on an under-eye firming cream, and let everything settle in for at least 20 minutes before you put on the rest of your makeup.

 For special occasions, says Monique, give your complexion extra zest by following this special skin-friendly diet for 24 hours: Drink plenty of water (at least 8 ounces at a time), snack on spinach and fresh berries — strawberries, blackberries or blueberries are best — and have a nice healthy piece of salmon for lunch or dinner. The antioxidants and omega-3s in these foods plump up skin cells, and the water restores elasticity.

source from http://beauty.ivillage.com/skinbody

Stop Wrinkles Before They Happen

Good habits and good genes can only take you so far when you're competing against the biological clock. Like it or not, there will come a day when you'll look in the mirror and realize that some of those "smile lines" are sticking around. You probably know that day can be delayed if you eat right, exercise and guard against the sun. But if you, like the rest of us, don't always succeed with the healthy-lifestyle approach, turn to this list of fallback options from Charlene Haines of Euphoria Day Spa.

• Oxygen Facials

• Botox Injections

• Facial Fillers

• Epifacial

• Thermage Non-Surgical Face-Life

Oxygen Facials

A truly blissful option, this facial cleanses, hydrates and exfoliates the skin while it pumps in plenty of fresh air, improving circulation, stimulating cell rejuvenation and killing any blemish-causing bacteria hiding in pores. Ever wonder how celebs like Jennifer Anistion look so luminous even without makeup? Now you know.

Botox Injections

This common procedure involves using small needles to inject traces of a substance that "paralyzes" the muscles underneath, where lines are forming — usually around the mouth and eyes and on the forehead. It temporarily freezes the muscles that form these expression lines, cutting down on the repetitive movements that help create wrinkles. It's fast, easy and relatively painless, but make sure to pick a doctor with experience, and undergo an allergy test first. You'll have to get Botox shots every few months, but the results are dramatic and, over the long haul, can delay the formation of wrinkles.

Facial Fillers

Gone are the days of lumpy, bumpy injections to plump up lips and sagging cheeks. Now it's all about Restylane or Radiesse, two natural fillers made of hyaluronic acid (a natural substance already present in the human body) that are injected right into creases and wrinkles to make them disappear. The effects last for about six months and are less prone to infection and clumping than previous treatments. Britney Spears uses Restylane to give her bow-tie lips a slightly fuller look.

Epifacials

A highly effective procedure that's one step below a laser treatment, this is actually nothing like a facial. Doctors turn an intense, pulsating light on your skin (officially known as nonablative rejuvenation) that fades pigmentation, reduces large pores, clears up acne and really does a number on fine lines and wrinkles. It's quick and fairly painless (you might feel a slight zap) and can take 10 years off your skin in a matter of minutes.

Thermage Non-Surgical Face-Lift

Non-Surgical Face-Lift One of the newest anti-wrinkle options to hit the market, this medical device uses radio-frequency technology to eradicate lines and wrinkles that formerly could be reduced only with a surgical lift. It works by chilling the skin and then applying tightening energy from radio frequency. It's not entirely without discomfort, but the results are worth it. Dermatologists prep patients with a topical anesthetic and a strong painkiller before getting busy.

Unless things are really headed south, Charlene advises, don't go under the plastic surgeon's knife. Radical procedures like face-lifts will yield disappointing results if they're done too early, she says. Better to prevent problems today so you won't have to fix them tomorrow.

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