So you need money for college.For yourself, your spouse, or your kid who is quite content to live at home for the next 40 yrs.You have the choices of scholarships, grants, or loans from either government or private sources. Naturally the scholarships and grants are the preferred route since neither has to be repaid. Not everyone can qualify for a scolarship or grant, therefore the need for student loans.
Grants are sourced federally, state, or institutional. The federal grants are all based on financial need and tax documents are required as proof of family earnings. The most common of these is the Pell Grant which tops out at $5350. The TEACH grants max out at $4000 and the recipient is required to teach low-income students for a minimum of 4 years. Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants also max out at $4000 and are available to the neediest of the Pell Grant applicants. The Academic Competitiveness Grants only provide $750 for the first year and $1300 for the second. Finally we have the National Science & Mathematics Access to Retain Talent is for 3rd & 4th year students with a GPA of 3 and above who are majoring in the sciences or a critical foreign language.
All states have some kind of financial aid program for college students. You can check the state you're interested in by going to http://www.students.gov/STUGOVWebApp/Public?topicID=25&operation=topic .
Scholarships are far too numerous to list here and they are available to a much more diversified group of people than grants. Many of them are keyed to those with the greatest financial need, but there are those that only require something specific, like left-handed cow milkers. It will take a lot of research and time spent filling in applications, but it is time well spent. You want to be wary of scams that promise to find you a scholarship for a fee. Most of these only provide you with a long list of scholarships and you can get those off the internet for free. Time spent building your profile will reward you many times over. Apply to all that you are elgible for and have a reasonable chance of being considered for.
Whichever financial aid you are after, you will need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You can do that online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov .
Loans can be federally funded, such as the Stafford Loan and the Perkins Loan or there are many sources in the private sector. The Government loans will always be the better deal if you qualify.
If you are saving up be aware that money in an IRA or a 401K is not counted against financial aid qualifications. Just don't cut yourself short when you take money out. Leave some for retirement.You can put up to $55,000 in a Coverdell, but if you can do that you probabnly don't need financial aid. Another thing to do is pay down debt. Credit card debt makes it appear to the decision makers that you have more money than you actually do.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Monday, August 10, 2009
How Do You Feel About Debt Settlement?
You've seen them. Hand scrawled signs claiming to legally eliminate your debt. Its spam for city street corners. The signs are so clumsily made that only the uninformed or the very desperate would consider calling about them, yet what they are advertising is actually a legitimate process. Debt settlement is the last resort before bankruptcy. At first blush it sounds like it couldn't possibly be legal or, if legal, then wrong on a thousand other levels.
Let's look a little closer. Say someone has ran up huge credit card debt in answer to the flood of no interest offers from the credit card companies. Things rock along OK until one day, for some reason, you miss a payment. Suddenly this no interest or low interest skyrockets, in some cases as high as 40%. At one time in this country we had laws protecting consumers from such shenanigans and the laws are most likely still in place. They are either being ignored or the credit card giants have found a slimy hole to crawl through to get around these laws. Now that you've missed a payment, chances are good that you won't even be able to pay the minimum on what you owe. It gets worse. Now that you've missed a payment and have a black mark on what was once a really good credit rating, all other outstanding debts are in jeopardy as well and don't even think of getting credit for a new car or any other purchase of any size. Your choices at this point are credit consolidation, which you've probably already done to get to this point, credit counseling, which will totally destroy any credit rating you still have and leave you with no wiggle room financially, or you can turn to a debt settlement company. These people will gather up a few hundred people just like you until they have a couple of million dollars worth of debt and then they will negotiate with the credit card companies on that lump of debt. They will offer the credit card company a quarter million on that two million to settle immediately. The credit card company will see this as a good deal because all those people wh owed the money stopped paying when they signed up with the debt settlement company. If these debtors should bankrupt, the credit company gets nothing, plus they will have spent a ton trying to collect. Oh, that collection company that the credit card company turned you over to? It's owned by none other than your friendly credit card company. The reduction on what you owe will be related to the percentage of the lump sum that was yours. Now you will pay the debt settlement company your part of what's left plus their fee. If you signed with "Slick Willie" and his roadside signs, you can see there is a lot of room for someone to dabble with those fees.
Debt settlement is not only legal, but considering the actions of the credit card companies, I would think there is nothing wrong with it on any personal level. It does seem to me to be a perpetual motion sort of thing in that it forces the credit card companies to keep getting worse. If you can find a reputable company, debt settlement is and will be the way to handle staggering debt.
Let's look a little closer. Say someone has ran up huge credit card debt in answer to the flood of no interest offers from the credit card companies. Things rock along OK until one day, for some reason, you miss a payment. Suddenly this no interest or low interest skyrockets, in some cases as high as 40%. At one time in this country we had laws protecting consumers from such shenanigans and the laws are most likely still in place. They are either being ignored or the credit card giants have found a slimy hole to crawl through to get around these laws. Now that you've missed a payment, chances are good that you won't even be able to pay the minimum on what you owe. It gets worse. Now that you've missed a payment and have a black mark on what was once a really good credit rating, all other outstanding debts are in jeopardy as well and don't even think of getting credit for a new car or any other purchase of any size. Your choices at this point are credit consolidation, which you've probably already done to get to this point, credit counseling, which will totally destroy any credit rating you still have and leave you with no wiggle room financially, or you can turn to a debt settlement company. These people will gather up a few hundred people just like you until they have a couple of million dollars worth of debt and then they will negotiate with the credit card companies on that lump of debt. They will offer the credit card company a quarter million on that two million to settle immediately. The credit card company will see this as a good deal because all those people wh owed the money stopped paying when they signed up with the debt settlement company. If these debtors should bankrupt, the credit company gets nothing, plus they will have spent a ton trying to collect. Oh, that collection company that the credit card company turned you over to? It's owned by none other than your friendly credit card company. The reduction on what you owe will be related to the percentage of the lump sum that was yours. Now you will pay the debt settlement company your part of what's left plus their fee. If you signed with "Slick Willie" and his roadside signs, you can see there is a lot of room for someone to dabble with those fees.
Debt settlement is not only legal, but considering the actions of the credit card companies, I would think there is nothing wrong with it on any personal level. It does seem to me to be a perpetual motion sort of thing in that it forces the credit card companies to keep getting worse. If you can find a reputable company, debt settlement is and will be the way to handle staggering debt.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Vitamin A- Skin Care or Careless?
Among the more effective anti-aging skin care products, we find Tretinoin, Retinol, and Retinyl Palmitate. These are all forms of vitamin A or derivatives thereof. The most significant of them is Tretinoin (retinoic acid). It is found in vegetables such as carrots and spinach. Tretinoin is used extensively in the treatment of acne and increasingly used in anti-aging regimens. Vitamin A is readily absorbed by the skin and stimulates production of new skin cells and as a result increases collagen production. Collagen being responsible for the fuller, firmer, and younger looking skin.
Being the strongest of the Vitamin A treatments, Trentinoin can treat some of the most stubborn skin conditions, but is also the most irritating of the products. When using any of these vitamin A treatments, if your skin becomes irritated, stop using the product to avoid further damaging the skin. Vitamin A in all its forms increases sensitivity to the sun. Don't forget the sunscreen!
Retinol, while not as strong as Tretinoin is found mostly in anti-aging or skin rejuvenation products. It is found in the same vegetables as any other Vitamin A treatment, but is not as easily absorbed into the skin. Its popularity among anti-aging products is due to the fact that one can start with a mild form of it and gradually increase the dose, thereby avoiding the irritation encountered with the stronger forms of vitamin A.
Retinyl Palmitate has not been as extensively tested as the other two, but shows promise of being a preferred replacement for Tretinoin since it can be formulated as a non-irritating alternative.
It concerns me that so many of the available skin care products are irritating to the skin. It sounds like a loud statement in favor of the natural products. I have trouble using the terms "skin care" and "irritation" together. It seems to me the two should be mutually exclusive. Too many people have the attitude that it has to hurt to be any good. Personally, I think if it is any harsher than soap and water, it doesn't need to be in contact with your skin. I know that when people are desperate to change something, they will try anything. Unfortunately, too many of the things they try are strictly experimental. Some of the experiments turn out to be beneficial, but all to often the results are unpleasant. That's to be expected when acting without information.
Stay informed! Moderation in all things(even moderation).
Being the strongest of the Vitamin A treatments, Trentinoin can treat some of the most stubborn skin conditions, but is also the most irritating of the products. When using any of these vitamin A treatments, if your skin becomes irritated, stop using the product to avoid further damaging the skin. Vitamin A in all its forms increases sensitivity to the sun. Don't forget the sunscreen!
Retinol, while not as strong as Tretinoin is found mostly in anti-aging or skin rejuvenation products. It is found in the same vegetables as any other Vitamin A treatment, but is not as easily absorbed into the skin. Its popularity among anti-aging products is due to the fact that one can start with a mild form of it and gradually increase the dose, thereby avoiding the irritation encountered with the stronger forms of vitamin A.
Retinyl Palmitate has not been as extensively tested as the other two, but shows promise of being a preferred replacement for Tretinoin since it can be formulated as a non-irritating alternative.
It concerns me that so many of the available skin care products are irritating to the skin. It sounds like a loud statement in favor of the natural products. I have trouble using the terms "skin care" and "irritation" together. It seems to me the two should be mutually exclusive. Too many people have the attitude that it has to hurt to be any good. Personally, I think if it is any harsher than soap and water, it doesn't need to be in contact with your skin. I know that when people are desperate to change something, they will try anything. Unfortunately, too many of the things they try are strictly experimental. Some of the experiments turn out to be beneficial, but all to often the results are unpleasant. That's to be expected when acting without information.
Stay informed! Moderation in all things(even moderation).
Friday, June 12, 2009
Poecelain-From Pots to Potties
Once I started selling porcelain figurines, it became painfully obvious that I needed to learn a lot more about them than I knew at that time. It was quite a revelation to find that porcelain's roots go back tens of thousands of years. Not real porcelain; the roots of porcelain.
At first it was just clay.Then clay cooked under an extremely hot fire. Then glaze was added. Millenia would pass as these developments were refined.The addition of two elements was required before the ceramics were to become porcelain. the white clay used for the finest ceramics had to be combined with feldspar and then be subjected to even higher heat than before. Heat between 1250 degrees Celsius and 1450 degrees Celsius was required to turn ordinary ceramic into a magnificent piece of porcelain.
While it was discovered in the 6th century AD during the Tang dynasty, it was not until the 9th century during the Song dynasty that porcelain achieved the status of decorating royal habitats.Like anything that has been coveted by the rich and powerful, porcelain spread to Korea, Japan, and eventually to Europe.Porcelain reached its peak during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing(1644-1912) dynasties.
While fine porcelain has been made in other countries, none has been able to equal the efforts of the Chinese. European porcelain or "china" made its debut in Meissen, Germany and the story behind that is worth a read of its own.English porcelain was individualized by the addition of "bone ash" and came to be known as "bone china". This kind of porcelain is sometimes referred to as "soft-paste" porcelain.
Outside of the Orient, Italy seems to garner the most respect for their porcelain. The Capodimonte product demands attention anywhere porcelain is discussed, though there are others that are arguably equal. While there is a huge market for porcelain, the really fine pieces are in museums for everyone to enjoy. While such pieces demand prices in the many millions if at all, there are fine pieces readily available in the thousands or even the hundreds. Of course I'm speaking of the works of art by names such as Santini and Sabadin, not your dinnerware.
Unless one is educated in such matters, it is best not to speculate on the worth of porcelains. With modern technology most things can be copied to a degree of faithfulness indiscernible to even an experienced eye. If you should opt for a porcelain piece of artwork, be certain to get a certificate of authenticity from a well-known manufacturer.
One salient piece of porcelain not mentioned so far in this article is the toilet. I was not able to discover whether that vital utility was actually made from porcelain.
At first it was just clay.Then clay cooked under an extremely hot fire. Then glaze was added. Millenia would pass as these developments were refined.The addition of two elements was required before the ceramics were to become porcelain. the white clay used for the finest ceramics had to be combined with feldspar and then be subjected to even higher heat than before. Heat between 1250 degrees Celsius and 1450 degrees Celsius was required to turn ordinary ceramic into a magnificent piece of porcelain.
While it was discovered in the 6th century AD during the Tang dynasty, it was not until the 9th century during the Song dynasty that porcelain achieved the status of decorating royal habitats.Like anything that has been coveted by the rich and powerful, porcelain spread to Korea, Japan, and eventually to Europe.Porcelain reached its peak during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing(1644-1912) dynasties.
While fine porcelain has been made in other countries, none has been able to equal the efforts of the Chinese. European porcelain or "china" made its debut in Meissen, Germany and the story behind that is worth a read of its own.English porcelain was individualized by the addition of "bone ash" and came to be known as "bone china". This kind of porcelain is sometimes referred to as "soft-paste" porcelain.
Outside of the Orient, Italy seems to garner the most respect for their porcelain. The Capodimonte product demands attention anywhere porcelain is discussed, though there are others that are arguably equal. While there is a huge market for porcelain, the really fine pieces are in museums for everyone to enjoy. While such pieces demand prices in the many millions if at all, there are fine pieces readily available in the thousands or even the hundreds. Of course I'm speaking of the works of art by names such as Santini and Sabadin, not your dinnerware.
Unless one is educated in such matters, it is best not to speculate on the worth of porcelains. With modern technology most things can be copied to a degree of faithfulness indiscernible to even an experienced eye. If you should opt for a porcelain piece of artwork, be certain to get a certificate of authenticity from a well-known manufacturer.
One salient piece of porcelain not mentioned so far in this article is the toilet. I was not able to discover whether that vital utility was actually made from porcelain.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
A Brief Look At Alpha and Beta Hydroxy acids in Skin Care
Of all the products on the market today for skincare, the most readily recognized are the alpha and beta hydroxy acids. One of the reasons for their success, excluding an incredible marketing push, is the fact that they actually do what they claim to do. They both act as chemical "peels" for the skin.
Alpha-hydroxy acid is derived from fruit (citric, glycolic, tartaric and malic) acids or dairy (lactic) acids while Beta hydroxy acid is salicylic acid which is derived from aspirin. Neither of these products is new. Both have been around and in use for thousands of years. The difference is in the amount of research and marketing that has gone into the modern products.
While these acids do what they claim, that does not mean they are without their drawbacks. Sun sensitivity and irritation are the worst and most common side effects. So while they do reverse the effects of sun damage to the skin, at the same time they make the skin more susceptible to further damage from the sun. Unfortunately a sunscreen mixed with hydroxy acids is not very effective at the ph levels required for the hydroxy acids to be effective. You have to give the acids a little time to soak in and then apply a sunscreen.
Consumers are restricted to solutions of 10% or less. Trained cosmetologists are allowed to use solutions of 20% to 30% and physicians can handle 50% to 70%. Remember that as the concentration goes up so does the intensity of the side effects. While a doctors treatment may last much longer than your home treatment, it could take a full month to recover from the treatment.
The big difference between alpha-hydroxy and beta-hyroxy acids is that beta-hydroxy acid is oil soluble while alpha-hydroxy acids are water soluble only. This makes the beta-hydroxy acids the preferred solution to treating problems with oily skin such as acne, whiteheads, and blackheads. Beta-hydroxy acids also are less irritating since they are derived from aspirin and retain the anti-inflammatory properties of aspirin.
Be wary when buying products proclaiming alpha- hydroxy as part of their makeup. They work best with concentrations of 5% to 8% and a ph of 3 to 4. This information is rarely, if ever placed on the labels. Obscure manufacturers have nothing to lose by playing loosely with these figures, while the better known producers have a reputation to protect. But the bottom line controls everybody's actions.
A few pearls of wisdom:
Alpha-hydroxy acid is derived from fruit (citric, glycolic, tartaric and malic) acids or dairy (lactic) acids while Beta hydroxy acid is salicylic acid which is derived from aspirin. Neither of these products is new. Both have been around and in use for thousands of years. The difference is in the amount of research and marketing that has gone into the modern products.
While these acids do what they claim, that does not mean they are without their drawbacks. Sun sensitivity and irritation are the worst and most common side effects. So while they do reverse the effects of sun damage to the skin, at the same time they make the skin more susceptible to further damage from the sun. Unfortunately a sunscreen mixed with hydroxy acids is not very effective at the ph levels required for the hydroxy acids to be effective. You have to give the acids a little time to soak in and then apply a sunscreen.
Consumers are restricted to solutions of 10% or less. Trained cosmetologists are allowed to use solutions of 20% to 30% and physicians can handle 50% to 70%. Remember that as the concentration goes up so does the intensity of the side effects. While a doctors treatment may last much longer than your home treatment, it could take a full month to recover from the treatment.
The big difference between alpha-hydroxy and beta-hyroxy acids is that beta-hydroxy acid is oil soluble while alpha-hydroxy acids are water soluble only. This makes the beta-hydroxy acids the preferred solution to treating problems with oily skin such as acne, whiteheads, and blackheads. Beta-hydroxy acids also are less irritating since they are derived from aspirin and retain the anti-inflammatory properties of aspirin.
Be wary when buying products proclaiming alpha- hydroxy as part of their makeup. They work best with concentrations of 5% to 8% and a ph of 3 to 4. This information is rarely, if ever placed on the labels. Obscure manufacturers have nothing to lose by playing loosely with these figures, while the better known producers have a reputation to protect. But the bottom line controls everybody's actions.
A few pearls of wisdom:
- Buy alpha-hydroxy formulated with a moisturizer
- Do not buy alpha-hydroxy combined with a sunscreen
- Do apply sunscreen liberally after your alpha-hydroxy has had time to soak in.
- If practical, test the product with a ph test strip(available at pool, pet, and drug stores)
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Anti-Aging Skin Care's Roster of Players
In a previous article I addressed the factors contributing to the aging of our skin. In this article I want to address the more popular topic of stopping and/or reversing the aging of our skin. Of course there is no such thing as the long sought-never found Fountain-of-Youth, but that doesn't stop the claims of the modern day snake doctors.
There is no lack of products available to treat our skin. Some are "clinically proven" while others that have been around for ages have been proven through repeated use over long periods of time. Among the "clinically proven" we have alpha-hydroxy and beta-hydroxy acids; probably the best known of the bunch and both used as "peels". Almost all of these products are acids,but I'm not sure that is relevant. Several of these substances act as bleaches to "whiten the skin. Some act as fillers. Some such as Retinol and the vitamins C, E, and K enhance the bodies ability to produce new skin and produce collagen and elastin. All of these work and most are safe except you do need to check the allergy info on any product you use, "clinically proven" or not.
"Clinically proven" excludes some really good stuff. Most everyone has heard of the enzyme CoQ10. The absence of this enzyme is a marker for aging so it makes sense to me to supplement it as we grow older. Collagen is used extensively by those seeking their elusive youth. Estrogen makes the news weekly. DHEA is one I have heard of ,but have found no research that impresses me. There is a lot of hype about green tea, but if it was good for your skin, seems to me all orientals would have great skin since they drink so much of it. Aloe Vera is a plant whose pulp has incredible healing power, especially in the case of burns. Tamanu oil is the South Pacific's answer to Aloe Vera and the Melanesians invented pretty skin. Mexico has a tree that produces a similar product, but I would never attempt to spell it. Coconut oil is a great moisturizer and smells as good as anything out there. Try a little Melanesian skin care and and dream of sandy beaches in exotic places.
I often wonder what the ancient Egyptians did to their dead. Imagine having great skin thousands of years after you're dead and buried. All natural substances for sure. Their living had to look fabulous.
There is no lack of products available to treat our skin. Some are "clinically proven" while others that have been around for ages have been proven through repeated use over long periods of time. Among the "clinically proven" we have alpha-hydroxy and beta-hydroxy acids; probably the best known of the bunch and both used as "peels". Almost all of these products are acids,but I'm not sure that is relevant. Several of these substances act as bleaches to "whiten the skin. Some act as fillers. Some such as Retinol and the vitamins C, E, and K enhance the bodies ability to produce new skin and produce collagen and elastin. All of these work and most are safe except you do need to check the allergy info on any product you use, "clinically proven" or not.
"Clinically proven" excludes some really good stuff. Most everyone has heard of the enzyme CoQ10. The absence of this enzyme is a marker for aging so it makes sense to me to supplement it as we grow older. Collagen is used extensively by those seeking their elusive youth. Estrogen makes the news weekly. DHEA is one I have heard of ,but have found no research that impresses me. There is a lot of hype about green tea, but if it was good for your skin, seems to me all orientals would have great skin since they drink so much of it. Aloe Vera is a plant whose pulp has incredible healing power, especially in the case of burns. Tamanu oil is the South Pacific's answer to Aloe Vera and the Melanesians invented pretty skin. Mexico has a tree that produces a similar product, but I would never attempt to spell it. Coconut oil is a great moisturizer and smells as good as anything out there. Try a little Melanesian skin care and and dream of sandy beaches in exotic places.
I often wonder what the ancient Egyptians did to their dead. Imagine having great skin thousands of years after you're dead and buried. All natural substances for sure. Their living had to look fabulous.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Factors in the Aging of Your Skin
Scientists have divided the aging of our skin into two parts. One, called intrinsic aging, is beyond our control at this point, because it is hereditary. As they continue to study the human genome, no doubt solutions will eventually be found. For now we will have to concentrate our efforts on the other type of aging, called extrinsic aging. This is the aging caused by external factors such as sun exposure, smoking, gravity, lack of exercise, alcohol use, stress, and sleep loss. All of these are factors under our control, though most of us will not exercise that control.
Sun exposure tops my list of the biggest danger to your skin. Results of sun exposure range from darkened freckles to melanoma with wrinkles, sagging, and dry leathery appearance falling in between. If sun exposure is one of your concerns regarding your skin health then you are already late for an appointment with your dermatologist. If you have not yet overexposed your skin to the sun, do not avoid the sun, but take a few common sense measures when enjoying the dangerous but health giving rays. Always wear sunscreen outdoors. Limit the length of time you are exposed. It has been reported that taking CoQ10 gives some protection from the suns rays.
I place cigarette smoke as culprit number two in the skin aging process. It would hold first position except people seem to be getting the word about the dangers of smoking and when they quit smoking most of the effects are self-reversing. That's assuming no smoking related cancers.
Alcohol abuse dilates small blood vessels in the skin thus increasing blood flow near the surface where most of the small vessels are. These vessels become permanently damaged and cause the flushed appearance of those using alcohol in unhealthy quantities.
I lump lack of exercise, stress, and sleep loss all together for the simple reason that regular exercise will usually eliminate the other two. Exercise is also the only tool you have available to fight the effects of gravity. Lack of sleep causes far more problems than the circles around the eyes and a general droopy appearance. Lack of sleep may be a cause as well as an effect on the presence of stress. Stressed people usually wear a worried frown that becomes permanent over time. A regular exercise regimen coupled with meditation such as yoga can relieve stress and promote a healthy night of sleep.
Prevention is always far better than any cure or treatment. But if you are reading this article, odds are you have neglected prevention and are seeking a remedy for the damage already done.
The beginning point for any skin treatment program is cleanliness. Wash your skin daily or in some cases twice a day with warm(not hot) water. Follow the washing with a liberal application of a good moisturizing cream or at least a moisturizing lotion. Creams are as a rule more effective than lotions, but if a lotion is your preference go for it. You are more apt to stick with a program if you use products you personally prefer. For smokers and sun-lovers, a liberal application of your favorite lotion several times during the day is the recommended course of action.
Sun exposure tops my list of the biggest danger to your skin. Results of sun exposure range from darkened freckles to melanoma with wrinkles, sagging, and dry leathery appearance falling in between. If sun exposure is one of your concerns regarding your skin health then you are already late for an appointment with your dermatologist. If you have not yet overexposed your skin to the sun, do not avoid the sun, but take a few common sense measures when enjoying the dangerous but health giving rays. Always wear sunscreen outdoors. Limit the length of time you are exposed. It has been reported that taking CoQ10 gives some protection from the suns rays.
I place cigarette smoke as culprit number two in the skin aging process. It would hold first position except people seem to be getting the word about the dangers of smoking and when they quit smoking most of the effects are self-reversing. That's assuming no smoking related cancers.
Alcohol abuse dilates small blood vessels in the skin thus increasing blood flow near the surface where most of the small vessels are. These vessels become permanently damaged and cause the flushed appearance of those using alcohol in unhealthy quantities.
I lump lack of exercise, stress, and sleep loss all together for the simple reason that regular exercise will usually eliminate the other two. Exercise is also the only tool you have available to fight the effects of gravity. Lack of sleep causes far more problems than the circles around the eyes and a general droopy appearance. Lack of sleep may be a cause as well as an effect on the presence of stress. Stressed people usually wear a worried frown that becomes permanent over time. A regular exercise regimen coupled with meditation such as yoga can relieve stress and promote a healthy night of sleep.
Prevention is always far better than any cure or treatment. But if you are reading this article, odds are you have neglected prevention and are seeking a remedy for the damage already done.
The beginning point for any skin treatment program is cleanliness. Wash your skin daily or in some cases twice a day with warm(not hot) water. Follow the washing with a liberal application of a good moisturizing cream or at least a moisturizing lotion. Creams are as a rule more effective than lotions, but if a lotion is your preference go for it. You are more apt to stick with a program if you use products you personally prefer. For smokers and sun-lovers, a liberal application of your favorite lotion several times during the day is the recommended course of action.
The short version:
- Always wear sunscreen!
- Quit smoking!
- Get plenty of exercise!
- Stay clean and moisturize!
For your cleansers, soaps, exfolliates, toners, and moisturizers go to http://www.melanesianskincare.com/
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