Pretty Feet Sans Calluses And Cracks

I was just talking to a girlfriend last night about her feet. She has a stubborn callus under her foot, and she wants it gone. Now. She mentioned Ped Egg which is a little device seen on television that targets hyperkeratosis, or thickening of the skin. In other words, your foot calluses.

A few reviews about Ped Egg turned up good news. But most critics say the product works best on lightly callused feet. As one reviewer put it: Using Ped Egg is like "rubbing a fine cheese grater across the bottom of the feet." Ha ha. In other words, it won't do much to wear away a thicker callus.

Nordstorm's has a new beauty treatment out specifically for stubborn foot calluses. It's by Lippman Collection Get Off Callus Softener ($29, 3.38 oz). Lippman's zeroes in on calluses, cracks, corns, and fissures. It smoothes the skin and helps wear away the hyperkeratosis.

You can also soak your feet, and pumice stone the heck out of them. But that method, too, seems to take forever. Pumice stones work better on elbow dry skin. Probably one of the best items to use on thick calluses is the almost dangerous Callus Razor. You can pick one up for about $10. This beauty foot device actually shaves away dead skin. These razors come with replacable double-edged blades.

A note of caution, callus razors take some practice. We're not kidding here. If you push too hard on the razor device, you can slice off a bit too much skin, and end up with bloody feet. But these razors are your best bet for removing thick, dry skin from under your feet.

After all, it' summer. And a gal's gotta have pretty feet sans calluses and cracks.

Dr. Perricone's Cosmeceuticals Battle Inflammation

What does inflammation have to do with aging?

Everything, according to Dr. Nicholas V. Perricone. The Connecticut-based dermatologist claims his research shows that, "controlling inflammation can help delay and even reverse the signs of aging."

Dr. Perricone is no stranger to the world of skin care and cosmeceuticals. He has authored several books and has gotten attention for his unique approach to fighting wrinkles. It's a 3-tiered philosophy he strongly believes in:

Diet. Anti-inflammatory. Foods like avocado, fresh water fish, nuts, lean protein, and olive oil

Supplements. Omega 3. Alpha Lipoic Acid. Vitamin C Ester. Beauty on the inside.

Topicals. Skin treatments that are formulated with patented sciences.

"We no longer have to age the way our parents did." That's what Dr. Perricone says, and his 3-pronged approach to younger, healthier skin revolves around that theory.

Dr. Perricone has introduced new packaging to his skin care line. The boxes, jars and tubes are now flashier and prettier.

Celebrities like movie star Uma Thurman are gaga over Dr. Perricone's skin care treatments.

His top seller:

The Instant Fix Duo--- Ceramic Skin Smoother ($75.) Ceramic Eye Smoother ($50.).

The skin smoother instantly smoothes and fills in lines and wrinkles. Pore size is reduced. Skin brightens, frims and tones.

The eye smoother instantly fills in lines and wrinkles around the delicate eye area. Discoloration improves.

Dr. Perricone has a topical treatment for just about every skin problem out there. From acne to sagging skin to dry complexions, and more.

The new book from Dr. Perricone:

Ageless Face, Ageless Mind:Erase Wrinkles & Rejuvenate the Brain
"From his vitamin line to his superb skin care products, Dr Perricone has not only helped me look better but has improved my overall quality of life."- Uma Thurman

To learn more: http://www.perriconemd.com/.

Hemp Seed Oil Gives You High Hair

Hemp seed oil is legal, so let's get that out of the way. In fact, hemp oil is now commonly used in a number of beauty treatments---shampoos, hairsprays, conditioners, etc. It's got good properties in it, that can strengthen your hair. And don't worry, your hair will get high in volume, but not high off the THC, because there is not enough of it in there to get you stoned.

Marijuana and industrial hemp both come from Cannabis sativa L, but the plants are cultivated in very different ways. Industrial hemp makes use of the seeds and fiber, whereas pot plants are harvested for their flowering tops and leaves.

When hemp seed oil is extracted from the hemp seed itself, it comprises 35% of the total seed weight. It is full of essential fatty acids.

Naturelle Hemp Haircare, distributed by the Zotos beauty company, offers a lovely line of hemp seed oil hair styling products. I found them at:

http://www.sallybeauty.com/

http://www.harmondiscount.com/.

Naturelle features: Hemp hydrating shampoo, Hemp hydrating conditioner, Hemp volumizing shampoo, Hemp volumizing conditioner, Hemp Firm Hold Shaping Spray. and my fav:

Naturelle Hemp Volumizing Root Lifter ($6.49, 8.5 oz., aerosol can). This stuff rocks! I'm always going on and on about big hair and big volume. The can is shaded a pretty green with a pot, er, hemp leaf on the front.

The root lifter gives you "vital amino acids and proteins to nourish and reinforce your hair against damage." Plus you get volume and thickness, shine, style memory, and a special humidity resistance factor, all-in-one.

You can use the hemp seed root lifter on towel-dried hair or dry hair. Just shake, spray at roots, blow dry, air dry, or use a diffuser for maximum fullness.

Why not try a product that truly comes from nature, where everything, including the seeds and fiber, can be formulated into such wonderful beauty treatments.

Oil Blotting Papers Zap Away Shine And Grease

Oil blotting papers have been around for many years now, and with good reason. There are plenty of brands on the market to choose from. And these tiny squares that resemble tracing paper, are a valuable beauty item.

You know you need oil blotting papers when you have very oily skin. And that's easy to identify. You have greasy skin with lots of unattractive shine, and you feel like washing your face every couple of hours. Some of it is genetics, and some of it has to do with your menstrual cycle. And some of you might just produce too much sebum. In other words, your sebaceous glands are working overtime.

You often hear about the 'T-zone,' when it comes to oily complexions. The 'T' area involves the forehead, nose and chin. That zone has the most oil-producing ability on the entire face. And many of you probably notice more breakouts and or acne in the T-zone.

The best oil blotting papers to buy, are the ones with flaxseed oil in them. Linen and rice paper are also wonderful oil absorbers. These three are able to mop up the shine and grease, and leave your face looking matte and pretty again. It would be wise to stay away from oil blotting papers made of mineral oil or powder, because those can clog your pores.

Oil blotting papers usually come in a little compact. You take one out at a time, and simply press these small sheets against your face, and watch the oiliness lift away. They're convenient, too, easy to tuck away in a purse or pocket to be used throughout the day.

One to try is Jane Iredale's Natural Facial Blotting Paper Compact made with flax seed ($11, for 100 sheets). Fore more information, visit:

http://www.janeiredaledirect.com/product_Facial+Blotting+Paper+Compact_8797.htm.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids To The Rescue

There are so many skin care words being floated around these days, that it really gets dizzying to the average customer. AHA, tretinoin, glycerin, alpha lipoic acid, DMAE. And on and on.

Today, we are going to concentrate on AHAs or Alpha Hydroxy Acids. The AHAs are commonly referred to when re-building skin. In other words, these chemical formulations are designed to improve roughness, uneven pigmentation, lines and wrinkles. But these AHAs can also do a number on your skin, if you aren't cautious. Alpha hydroxy acids are not for the faint of heart.

Alpha hydroxy acids are actually made from gentle ingredients like fruit and milk sugars. The beauty of using an AHA on your face is quite appealing. These acids are able to penetrate deeply into the skin. Their main focus is to exfoliate, or remove dead skin cells, and increase cell turnover. In the end, AHAs return the skin to a smoother texture, firmness, and healthy appearance. The skin is rejuvenated, and the big bad wrinkles and sun damage start to slowly fade away.

There are five major AHAs found in skin care treatments (use concentrations of 10% or under). Higher concentrations are best applied by dermatologists, since the side effects can be tough going:

Glycolic Acid....made from sugar cane
Lactic Acid.......made from milk acid
Malic Acid........made from pears and apples
Citric Acid........made from lemons and oranges
Tartaric Acid...made from grapes

AHAs are great for thickened, oily, pimpled, and sun-damaged skin. When applied, their formulations can dry out the skin, but can also cause burning, itching, peeling, redness, and even scarring, if the acid is too harsh. You must be very careful when applying an alpha hydroxy acid because of the irritation and sensitivity to sunlight. If you don't arm yourself with a good sunscreen, you will turn red, and yes, even your face can hurt with a stinging senation.

If you can get through the nasty side effects, your face will love you back. Alpha hydroxy acids can work wonders and rescue damaged skin, as long as you gradually work up to their applications, be smart in the sun, and let your dermatologist work along with you.

Here's one of the more popular AHAs to try:

M.D. Forte® Skin Rejuvenation Lotion I ($55).

It combines Alpha Hydroxy Acid with a boost of Vitamins A and E to renew and rejuvenate the skin reducing the visible signs of skin aging. Helps diminish the look of fine lines and wrinkles, defend against future skin damage, and promote healthy looking skin. Consult your physician prior to use.

Artefill Is The Hottest New Injectable For Wrinkles

It's quick and somewhat painful, so they say. And it lasts longer than Restylane and Juvederm. It's called Artefill. And it's the hottest new injectable for facial wrinkles and folds. Artefill was launched in February of 2007, and so far it's been clinically tested and labeled safe by the FDA. It was formulated especially for its staying power. Patients and physicians have been hoping for a longer lasting wrinkle filler. That way you save money, stay wrinkle-free months longer, and maintain your youthfulness.
Artefill is an injectable made of purified collagen with some tiny, smooth microspheres in a gel base. According to information from http://www.artefill.com/, the gel becomes absorbed by the body while these tiny microspheres provide a permanant backbone or support structure for your skin to keep it smooth and wrinkle-free. Artefill is actually injected under the wrinkle, deep into the skin and right above the fat layer. Results are immediate. And your skin gets better and better with each passing month. Wrinkles, like smile lines, iron out to a smooth surface.

A skin test is required before receiving an Artefill injection. Doctors want to make sure you are not allergic to bovine collagen gel.

How safe is the hottest new injectable around? So far, a 5-year follow-up study has been conducted by Artes Medical. And independent experts concluded that, "Artefill safely maintains significant correction of smile lines at least five years post-treatment."

For more information, visit http://www.artefill.com/, and speak with your dermatologist about this new injectable for wrinkles.

Wii Fit Balance Board Helps You Lose Weight

This game disc is huge in Japan. And now it's gaining by leaps and bounds here in the United States, since it was launched by Nintendo at the beginning of June. We're talking about Wii Fit, the $90 video game package that comes with a game disc and a sturdy, 10-pound platform that you stand on and choose from 40 virtual activities to do. You CAN lose weight with Wii Fit.

You can row, squat, ski, and hula hoop your way to fitness. Even leg-extension exercises! In addition, the really cool aspect to Wii Fit, is its technological ability to weigh users and calculate their body mass (BMI) .

The platform or Wii Balance Board, allows the user to stand on and shift their weight from side to side, to control their in-game characters.

Training falls into four fitness categories:

Strength Training
Aerobics
Yoga
Balance Games

What a fun and fit way to play! Get off your couch and off your butt! And that's exactly what Wii Fit enables the user to do---move, exercise, lose weight. Young and old can use the video game and it's family-friendly. Bonding physical activity to video games is a challenge for game companies, but this time, Nintendo has scored big. And with more than 40 physical activities to select from, you won't be bored easily.

For more information, visit: www.nintendo.com/wiifit