By Sandy Cosser
Of the original seven deadly sins, Christians consider pride (or vanity) to be the most serious. It is the cardinal of cardinal sins, and gives rise to the other six. These days, the seven deadly sins have fallen largely by the wayside, considered more as cautionary guidelines, if they're considered at all. This is good news for the entire population of Earth, because there are very few of us who don't indulge in a daily spot of vanity.
The truth is that vanity makes for very good business. One needs only to look at the booming cosmetics industry, alongside the outrageous wealth and celebrity of cosmetic surgeons, for proof. We are willing to go to any lengths, even to the point of injecting paralysing toxins into our faces, to maintain our fresh, vibrant, and above all, youthful beauty.
When we think of the Chinese people, one of the first associations that springs to mind is their Zen philosophy, which helps them face life with calm acceptance. Even they are not above vanity, however. They have been fighting the signs of aging for thousands of years and so, understandably, their weapons are more refined.
They make use of the subtle manipulations of their hands to relax muscles and increase circulation. Facial massage has long played an important role in a Chinese beauty regime. But it is only now being touted across the Western world as a "miracle" cure to fight wrinkles and restore vitality to tired and aging skin.
There are many things that contribute to wrinkles and puffy or sagging skin. Your genes play an important role, but so does lifestyle. Sedentary ways of life, bad eating habits, shallow breathing and exposure to pollution all take their toll on skin tone. Facial massage improves blood flow and reduces lymph build-up, which results in enhanced skin tone and creates a healthy glow.
Over time our skin loses its elasticity and suppleness, the facial expressions that we most often use become etched onto our faces, and so we get frown lines, laugh lines and lines along our lips. Facial massage gently loosens up the muscles so that they slide back into place more quickly after being tensed into an expression. Regular facial massages relax your skin to such a degree that you look younger, less tense and flushed with good health.
One of the reasons that facial massage has been so slow to take off in the West is that we've held onto the belief that the tissue in our face is too delicate to be manhandled. We now know that so long as treatment is gentle, it can be extremely beneficial to our skin. Not only do we see the benefits of increased circulation and lymph drainage, but our skin's ability to absorb important ingredients in the creams and oils that we use is also greatly enhanced.
Like botox, facial massage requires regular treatments for results to be sustained. So while it may not be as permanent as cosmetic surgery, it is less invasive and offers the chance of beauty by way of pampering. One of the nice things about living in today's global village is that East meets West, which results in more choice for consumers. So if you want to ease your way into cosmetic surgery, facial massage is a good way to start.
Go to http://www.womenfitness.net/beauty/skin/facial1.htm to find out more about facial massage to suit your skin type. Recommended site:
http://www.ellecanada.com/Beauty/face/soft-touch-the-benefits-of-facial-massage-n257415p1.html
Sandra wrote this article for the online marketers MediClinic modern, private medical service provider a modern private medical centre offering a range of services from health screens to psychiatric services to cosmetic procedures.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sandy_Cosser
Friday, April 25, 2008
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Combining Diet And Moisturizer Can Help You Look Younger
By James Schramko
You are what you eat, goes the old saying. You are also what you drink and what you breathe. In the battle against aging skin, it's vitally important to pay attention to what goes into your body. Toxins, dehydration and pollutants are all factors that play a part in making your skin look older.
In addition to modifying your habits, using a good anti-aging, anti-wrinkle product can help.
Free radicals contribute to the signs of aging on the skin. These are tiny unstable molecules that arise naturally and that kill healthy cells. They cause wrinkles and lack of elasticity in the skin. The production of these small but nasty molecules is accelerated by environmental factors such as pollution, chemicals, and exposure to cigarette smoke.
The best way to battle the effects of free radicals is to eat a diet rich in antioxidants. These are found in a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. Anti-oxidants are also key ingredients in anti-aging products. Look for a skin care product that boasts an unusually high percentage of antioxidants.
Good nutrition is tremendously important in the quest for younger-looking skin. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables and low in chemical additives leads to greater overall health, which is reflected in the skin. If your diet is inadequate, the addition of supplements and vitamins will help to keep your skin healthy, making it appear younger.
Avoiding pollutants such as cigarette smoke is vitally important to skin. Toxins in smoke and pollution age the skin, producing fine lines and a blotchy complexion.
For years, healthcare professionals have been encouraging us all to drink enough water. Eight 8-ounce glasses, or three to four pints, is considered an adequate amount for the average adult. It is especially important to replace fluids if you are drinking caffeinated or alcoholic beverages, both of which are dehydrating.
How does your water intake affect your skin? First, it cleanses. Water removes toxins from our bodies. Next, it hydrates. Moisturized skin has fewer fine lines and is firmer. Your cells are made mostly of water, and need it to stay plump and healthy.
Using a high-quality moisturizer is another necessary step in keeping your skin hydrated. Skin that is exposed to sun and other elements is depleted and dehydrated. A good cream locks in moisture, aiding in the disappearance of fine lines and sagging.
So when you eat right and take steps to feed your skin the right nutrients you can slow the effects of aging both inside and out.
Make sure your skin cream has a high concentration of anti-aging anti-oxidants.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Schramko
You are what you eat, goes the old saying. You are also what you drink and what you breathe. In the battle against aging skin, it's vitally important to pay attention to what goes into your body. Toxins, dehydration and pollutants are all factors that play a part in making your skin look older.
In addition to modifying your habits, using a good anti-aging, anti-wrinkle product can help.
Free radicals contribute to the signs of aging on the skin. These are tiny unstable molecules that arise naturally and that kill healthy cells. They cause wrinkles and lack of elasticity in the skin. The production of these small but nasty molecules is accelerated by environmental factors such as pollution, chemicals, and exposure to cigarette smoke.
The best way to battle the effects of free radicals is to eat a diet rich in antioxidants. These are found in a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. Anti-oxidants are also key ingredients in anti-aging products. Look for a skin care product that boasts an unusually high percentage of antioxidants.
Good nutrition is tremendously important in the quest for younger-looking skin. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables and low in chemical additives leads to greater overall health, which is reflected in the skin. If your diet is inadequate, the addition of supplements and vitamins will help to keep your skin healthy, making it appear younger.
Avoiding pollutants such as cigarette smoke is vitally important to skin. Toxins in smoke and pollution age the skin, producing fine lines and a blotchy complexion.
For years, healthcare professionals have been encouraging us all to drink enough water. Eight 8-ounce glasses, or three to four pints, is considered an adequate amount for the average adult. It is especially important to replace fluids if you are drinking caffeinated or alcoholic beverages, both of which are dehydrating.
How does your water intake affect your skin? First, it cleanses. Water removes toxins from our bodies. Next, it hydrates. Moisturized skin has fewer fine lines and is firmer. Your cells are made mostly of water, and need it to stay plump and healthy.
Using a high-quality moisturizer is another necessary step in keeping your skin hydrated. Skin that is exposed to sun and other elements is depleted and dehydrated. A good cream locks in moisture, aiding in the disappearance of fine lines and sagging.
So when you eat right and take steps to feed your skin the right nutrients you can slow the effects of aging both inside and out.
Make sure your skin cream has a high concentration of anti-aging anti-oxidants.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Schramko
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