Bad News About Stretch Marks

No matter how many creams you rub on your belly, you can never get rid of stretch marks permanently. That's the latest news. And the news is not encouraging.

Today's New York Times featured a story about stretch marks and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (photo by Getty Images)

“There’s not much you can do about these, other than monitor your weight gain,” said Dr. Laura Riley, a maternal fetal medicine specialist at Massachusetts General Hospital and author of “You and Your Baby” (2006). “Various creams and lotions are sold to prevent stretch marks from developing or getting worse, but the jury is out on whether they work.”

But the American Pregnancy Association is saying something else. The APA suggests that women CAN reduce the probability of stretch marks. Note the key word here, 'probability.'

Stretch marks occur when skin loses its elasticity, usually from rapid weight gain — a common occurrence, when a woman is pregant. It's estimated that 85-90% of pregnant women get them at some point during their pregnancy. 'Striae gravidarum'(medical lingo for stretch marks) are caused by tearing in the skin and connective tissue, due to the stretching of the fat tissue. Over time, stretch marks turn almost a silvery color in comparison to one's normal skintone.

So what's a gal to do?

Dr. Amy Derick, a dermatologist in Barrington, Illinois, says you should try and diminish their appearance. And act sooner, than later.

“There’s really not any data regarding creams,” she told the NY Times. “But you can do laser treatments or Retin-A after the fact, especially early on when the lines are red and purple.” Studies have found that topical tretinoin can lighten stretch marks as well as reduce their size. And she is certainly not opposed to pregnant women massaging their bellies with moisturizing oils and creams. “It makes them feel like they’re being pro-active, and if it feels good, why not?” she said. “It can’t hurt.”

By the way, Retin-A should NEVER be used during one's pregnancy and during breast-feeding. Research is still not clear on how Retin-A medication might affect the fetus or nursing baby. Please check with your doctor.

I still hear from women who have had good success battling their stretch marks, by attacking them early on. Here are two popular creams to rub on your belly, to help lighten, smoothe, and fade stretch marks.

StriVectin-SD Intensive Repair ($135, 6 oz.)
Avon Anew Clinical Professional Stretch Mark Smoother (new product. $25, 5 oz.).

Think Hair Removers For Summer

When I think of having to shave my legs, I often smile. I remember being about 11 years old and babysitting three little girls in my neighborhood. All three sisters noticed the dark little hairs growing on my legs, as I sat with them in my shorts. I was embarrassed, but also, too afraid to ask my mother to buy me a shaver. So one summer afternoon, I, and my hairy long legs, took the girls to the corner store. And with my babysitting money, I bought a little, pink bottle of Nair.

Yes, the hair remover lotion stunk like rotten eggs, but the next day I saw Leigh Anne, Laurie, and Leslie, my legs were soft and smooth and my underarms were hair-free.

Boy, have times changed. Yes, there are tons of hair removers on the market. And some, still stink, but the products work. And with the hot summer temperatures on the way, and you in your short-shorts, you have to think hair removers for summer.

What's the big deal? If you're just plain tired of shaving and nicking your legs and getting razor burn, or going for expensive hair removal laser treatments, or electrolysis, waxing (ouch!), or even endless tweezing, then it's time to try the hair removers again. Believe me, these products have improved. Now you can shower them off quickly. And most come formulated with moisturizing benefits, like aloe vera and chamomille. And bare skin lasts for 2-3 weeks.

Just a few reminders:

Be careful in the genital area. Do not apply hair removers too close to sensitive places.
Keep hair removers away from nose and ears, and breast nipples.
Do not apply hair removers to sunburned skin or irritated skin.

Do not use deodorant/antiperspirant for several hours before and after treatment.

Here are three hair removers to try:

New! Sally Hansen, Extra Strength Spray-On Shower-Off Hair Remover ($7.99).

New! Nair Hair Remover Shower Power ($8.50).

Bodybuilders know hair removers! Hair No More Advanced Vanishing Creme ($15.89)
http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/hair/creme.html

Best of luck, and get beautifully bare for summer!

Crayola-Colored Lips & Other Beauty Trends For 2008

They say that art imitates life, and if you look at the beauty trends in makeup for 2008, you know what I mean.

With hot colors like coral and pink in style, and electric blue eyeshadow on the runway, and bright floral material flowing on the catwalk, makeup is definitely an art school delight these days. And even the cosmetics items you are buying, resemble art supply store paints and pencils. Fashion, makeup, and the art world have become one.

The March issue of Vogue, really brought it to my attention:

...."Makeup was similarly inspired: 'Surrealist eyes' elaborately lined in chalk blue and black at Rodarte, paint-by-number lids at Michael Kors, Crayola-colored lips at Vuitton. And spring's new cosmetics? They look as though they came straight from the art-supply store, with products resembling tubes of oil paint (Clarins) and calligraphy pens (Styli-Style's precision felt-tip eyeliners). Rimmel's color-block shadows recall a Rothko canvas; Sally Hansen's nail polish pen looks more like the kind of graffiti marker Keith Haring would have loved...."

Spring/summer 2008 has a color for everyone. From red lips to navy blue nail polish, the makeup palette is endless. Experiment. Have fun. Let the Picasso in you run wild. And if you're a bit timid on the makeup scene, that's fine, too. Nude lips are back in vogue.

How To Get Thicker And Bigger Hair

Whoever created the first hair volumizer, you are a genius! Volumizer isn't even a real word in the dictionary that I know of, but salon companies sell tons of hair volumizers. And beauty writers constantly mention 'volumizers' for the hair.

Simply speaking, a hair volumizer is a serum or lotion that gives great body and thickness to hair. It plumps up each hair strand. A volumizer is usually applied to damp hair that has been shampooed. Massage in, and then blow-dry for amazing big hair.

Volumizers are wonderful for fine, limp locks, or even for those of you who have lots of hair, but hair that isn't thick. Volumizers get rid of fly-away strands and also lend you a bit more control over your crowning glory.

Here are some tried and true hair volumizers:

Bumble and Bumble Thickening Spray ($26.99, 8 fl. oz.)

Frederic Fekkai All Day Hair Plump ($95.00, 3.5 fl. oz.)

Kiehl's Super Thick Volumizer ($18.50, 8.4 fl. oz.)

Paul Mitchell Volumizing Spray ($11.50, 8.5 fl. oz.)

KMS AMP Volume Reconstructor ($15.95, 25.4 fl. oz.)

There are many, many hair volumizers out there, and all with unique body-building properties. From sunflower seeds to soy beans to peptides of sorts, all designed to pump or plump up the volume. Some work better than others. Try a few. And watch your hair get bigger and bigger!

7 Reasons To Take Care Of Your Skin

It's never too late to begin taking care of your skin. If you're in your teens or early 20s at the moment, then this advice might seem a bit extreme or silly. But get over the 30 mark and beyond, and you will see how your skin changes in texture and appearance.

Let's face some facts. We all age. There is no way around it. Some of us look better than others, and some of us do not. But it isn't merely good DNA. If you recognize what is happening and where it's happening on the face, then you can react, and make it better.

Here are 7 reasons to take care of your skin and develop a smart routine in battling the signs of aging:

Skin
Jaw/Neck
Upper Lids
Under Eyes
Lashes
Brows
Lips

Skin. Wrinkles. These are permanent residents. They set up house on your face, and like to dwell especially near the eyes, around the mouth, and on the forehead. Your skin is thinner and probably drier. Years of sun exposure has broken down your melanocyctes. These are the skin cells that produce melanin. Without strong melanocytes, you develop uneven pigmentation and dark spots. Cell turnover is much slower, and that creates a rougher complexion. Brightness disappears.

Jaw/Neck. Blame it on gravity. Elastin and collagen are also produced at a more reduced rate. The contours of your face become softer, more square-like.

Upper Lids. Puffy eyes. You've been awake for 15 minutes now. And the puffiness is still there. As we age, this is normal. Loss of elasticity and circulation are also factors to blame.

Under Eyes. Notice your dark circles getting even darker? The skin is thinning. Loss of fat under the eyes. Both cause veins to locate to the surface. Shadows reflect off the hollows, causing the dark areas.

Lashes. Your lashes used to be so long and thick, right? General aging causes lashes to get skimpier.

Brows. Yes. Brows, like lashes, are thinner, too. All hair thins with the passing of time. And if you have been a constant brow plucker or brow waxer, those routines can cause brows to thin even more. Your eyebrows might seem like they've lost a little bit of elevation, too. You're not imaging this. Brows lose collagen and elastin, and that equals sagging.

Lips. Maybe that's why so many women over 30 love to get collagen shots. The natural fullness of our lips reduce in time. Also, the lips' definition, or outline of our lips, fades because of sun damage and loss of elasticity. And some women develop vertical lines around the mouth.

All scary thoughts, and some unavoidable as natural aging takes place, but a solid skin care routine can make a difference. Simple procedures, like wearing sunscreen, and limiting hours in the sun, help significantly. Not smoking, helps keep deeper wrinkles at bay. And getting into a nighttime habit of applying skin care serums targeted at your specific facial needs, all help battle the signs of aging.

Best And Worst Sunscreens For Summer 2008

Consumer Reports did all the testing and lab work on a number of sunscreens. And they found, that we sun-worshipping bathing beauties, are making some wrong choices when we grab a bottle of sun protection off store shelves.

Before you buy your next sunscreen for the summer of 2008, read this:
Most people just look for a sunscreen that shows a high SPF, or skin protection factor. Okay, that's good. However, more importantly are the UVA and UVB rays. As one dermatologist explained it, "Remember UVA rays are the aging rays, and UVB rays are the burning rays."

Scientifically speaking, UVA stands for ultraviolet A radiation. And UVB stands for ultraviolet B radiation.

Most people do not apply enough sunscreen to protect themselves, according to the recent Consumer Reports study. You've got to cover your body and really get every inch of exposed skin.

More advice from Consumer Reports: Choose your sunscreen with the highest protection against both UVA and UVB rays. Make sure the sunscreen is very water resistant or waterproof. And select an SPF of at least 30.

Consumer Reports' 3 Best Sunscreens for the Summer of 2008:

#1. Neutrogena UltraSheer Dry-Touch, 45 SPF. Score: 86/100.
Excellent protection all the way around. Cost: $4.33 per fl. oz.

#2. Hawaiian Tropic Ozone Sport, 30 SPF. Score: 84/100

Very good protection. Cost: $1.50 per fl. oz.

#3. Hawaiian Tropic 15 Plus, 15 SPF, Score: 83/100.
Excellent UVA protection. Average UVB protection. Cost: $1.00 per fl. oz.

Consumer Reports' 3 Worst Sunscreens for the Summer of 2008:

#1. Coppertone Sport Continuous Spray. Score: 31/100.
Scored the poorest out of the bunch for UVA and all-around protection.
Cost: $1.67 per fl. oz.

#2. Banana Boat Kids, 30 SPF. Score: 38/100.
Does not provide adequate UVA protection for children. Cost: $1.00 per fl.oz.

#3. Bull Frog Sport Spray, 36 SPF. Score: 45/100.

Excellent UVB protection, but poor UVA protection. Cost: $2.13 per fl. oz.

For more information, visit: http://www.consumerreports.org/.

Ivory Simplement Body Wash Is Baby Soft

Here is one of my new, favorite beauty items. I guess, I just love the clean, fresh scent and the light feel of this body wash. It isn't heavy and greasy like some of the more expensive body washes. And yet it lathers up supremely. One of my friends says it's so gentle, she bathes her 16 month old in it. It is truly baby soft. Nothing harsh in the ingredients, either.

I stumbled upon it in the drug store. And it's a great buy. Under $5.00 for 24 fl.oz. That's huge, as far as body washes go.

Ivory Simplement Moisturizing Body Wash in Fresh Snow.

I know, a long title, but it's worth the money. Like all Ivory products, it's pure and mild with a rich, creamy lather, and yet rinses away completely, and smells like fresh laundry. You will feel as soft as a baby. And if you wish to enjoy a bubble bath, this Ivory wash can create a magical tub full of bubbles. The scent is heavenly....not girlie. Just fresh and clean. Your man will like the Ivory, too.

I have two big bottles of Ivory Simplement. And I haven't grown tired of the product yet. Give it a try.