Category: Beauty

Encouragement: Ending March with Loving Thoughts

3/29/2019

The green month of leprechauns and shamrocks is almost done. This has been a hard writing month for me. Writing about death during the holidays, empty nesters, and other aging issues is hard enough sometimes, but writing about sex is stretching my comfort zone.

It seems when people talk about sex nowadays, it's in reference to same sex marriages, living together, men's rights, women's rights, etc., etc., etc. I wanted to write about sex within a relationship, hopefully the marriage relationship after the age that most people think sex is the farthest thing from your mind.

It's true many people push sex to the back folder of the file cabinet in their head, the place that nobody opens any more. Some people think that if the child bearing years are over, then sex is over. Some think that if you have aches, pains, stretch marks, extra weight, vaginal dryness, erection issues, etc., that sex is over. Some people just don't want to deal with it anymore and have replaced sex with jobs, hobbies, children, etc. Some have illnesses and the desire has left them.

Hopefully, this month we have learned that sex is more than just for reproduction. We learned that even when physical ailments or issues get in the way of having sex the way we did when we were young, sex is not over. We learned that sex is more than intercourse and our brain is our largest and strongest sex organ. Everything we do starts in our brain. If we say no in our brain, our body will say no. If we say yes in our brain, our body will say yes, as well.

I read a little book about happiness and found that we can change our attitude toward each day in the morning before the day starts. What we think about is what we are about...whether negative or positive. Thank you, Jacqueline Pirtle for 365 Days of Happiness!

There are issues that need to be discussed. Not in scary, inappropriate ways, or in negative ways. These issues surrounding getting older, need to be discussed in a respectful, Godly, and positive way. I hope that here we can feel safe enough to discuss anything.

If you have any questions, please comment. Others may have answers. If you want to email me, please do so. Don't let your questions or comments go unasked or discussed. Through email, we can keep it one-on-one. If you private message me on FaceBook, I will try to get back to you quickly. Maybe we can help each other, I know I need input from others...do you?

Please comment below or on the On Fire and Over 50 FaceBook page .

Or email me here: [email protected]

Do you have thoughts, opinions, or ideas about sex after the age of 50. Do you find it easy to stay happy 365 days in a year? Please email me or private message me on FaceBook if you have any ideas or suggestions for future blogs or if you have any questions. I love hearing from you!

XOXO

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Life: Is Volunteering in Your Future? What are you passionate about? Mine - Hospice!

1/11/2019

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"Volunteers don't necessarily have the time,
they do have the heart."
Elizabeth Andrews

Everyone has a problem...everyone. Some of us struggle with our weight, some with an illness, and others with emotional issues. Everyone also has something they feel passionate about that could remedy someone else's problem.

Giving back and helping someone else, is the fastest and easiest way to overcome our own problems and forget about our own issues.

When we put our thoughts and energies into helping someone else, even if only for a couple of hours a month or a week, we don't think about our own during that time.

It's good for the person or cause you are helping and it's good for you...it's a win-win situation for all.

"You make a living by what you get,
You make a life by what you give."
Winston Churchill

Recently, I became a volunteer for Hospice and Palliative Care of my home county. I was confused about the job I wanted to volunteer for, but after 2 days of training I had a clear picture of where I wanted to spend my time. I want to work with patients who are in their last stages of life.

Most people entering Hospice care are only there for an average of 70 days, that's a little over two months. Many are only in Hospice care for a few weeks or a few days before they pass on. Most have family who check in on them or who stay with them through the dying process, but some don't have anyone or only one person. In my opinion, no one should die alone.

This is an emotional issue for me. I have only begun this journey, time will tell if I am emotionally strong enough to handle death this closely. I feel like I can, but until I actually experience it, I don't know how I will be.

This does not stop me from trying. I intend to be strong and provide the support and encouragement people in the last stages of their life deserve.

I thought about many organizations to volunteer with and will list a few suggestions here, later in this blog post. I thought about animal rescue organizations because I am passionate about dogs and animals. I even considered Wounded Warriors. I have lots of interests and want to help everyone, but I had to choose one.

I chose Hospice because they have helped several family members and friends of mine over the years. They manage their funds well, and they do a lot of good for people.

There is a need for volunteers in many organizations that provide much needed help for people and animals. As we grow older and move into retirement, we have time to do other things - including volunteering. Volunteering is a wonderful way to spend your time and gain new opportunities to learn and grow.

Here are a few areas where volunteers are needed just to get you motivated:

Hospitals: they need help in many areas. Some hospitals call these volunteers "the Pink Ladies", "Candy Strippers", and "Grey Ladies". You can do everything from manning the information desk, to running the gift store, to administrative duties for the hospital staff such as make copies, coffee, run errands, etc. They also like older people to volunteer to hold the newborns that may have issues, such as premature birth, failure to thrive, unwanted, or sick. Babies recover and thrive when they have human touch and love, 'foster grandparents' can provide this. Call your local hospital and ask about all the programs they offer for volunteers, then pick one you really like.
Animal Rescue Organizations: this is one area that can always use more volunteers. They need people willing to be 'Foster Parents" for abandoned, mistreated, stray, dogs and cats, birds, etc. The foster home may only be needed for a few days but also may be for a few months until they are adopted. You can Google online 'animal rescue organizations' and you will find several.
Hospice: always needs volunteers. They provide end of life moral and emotional support for the patient and their families, respite duties for caregivers, office support (administrative duties), event/fundraiser support, telephone and receptionist duties. The work they do is valuable to the dying and the ones they are leaving behind. Contact your nearest Hospice House and ask how you can become a volunteer.
Schools: they need and prefer older people to read to children, be a 'lunch buddy', crosswalk monitor, classroom teacher support, and many other important duties. Call your local school and ask what volunteer duties they have available, you will be pleasantly surprised.
Libraries: always need story tellers, shelving books , and other needed duties. Call your local library to find out how to volunteer.
These are only a few areas where you can get started volunteering pretty easily. Remember when you volunteer you are not only helping another person or an animal, but you are helping yourself as well.

Do you volunteer anywhere? Are you considering volunteering? Do you know of other easy to get into volunteering opportunities? Please share your stories so that others my learn.

XOXO

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Encouragement: Ending November with Thanksgiving and Inspiration! Live until you die!

11/30/2018

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Most likely you have over indulged on yummy turkey or ham and all the fixings, including delicious desserts and are ready to shed the gained pounds as quickly as possible. When you are considering those pounds to lose, think about your health and get back on your healthy diet as soon as possible.
.
While you are at it,
think about these lovely women,
who are inspirations to
all women and
are barely even known:

Bridget Riley - 87 year old English painter who had an exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art in Paris ten years ago and has continues to win awards for her artwork. Her work is currently on display at the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, Missouri.

Paula Rego - 83 year old artist who still works up to 12 hours a day, six days a week. She offers this insight to how she feels about working: "Even if I'm tired when I start working, bu the end I have a lot of energy," she says. "It's very important for women to keep working." She adds, "Hopefully (my life) will end at my easel - I'll just fall down sideways. Either that or in a drunken stupor."

An amazing woman, Rego worked on her art while raising a family and taking care of her husband with Multiple Sclerosis. She faced discrimination also, but she never let it detour her from her work.

She made this statement:

“When I first went to art school, I think the women there
were picked on whether
they would make good wives for the male artists,
whether they would have
an understanding of the troubled males.
Women were good either for going to bed with
or making good wives – particularly if they came with their own money and
could support the men.”

Gillian Ayres - abstract English painter, who died this year at the age of 88, made this statement at age 78:

"Old age is a bastard,
really, but it's only when you see a photograph of yourself that it is the most awful thing.
I don't feel any different to how I did when I was 15.
I would like the time again -
I would just paint."

She worked up until her death.

Maria Lassing - Australian artist who died at age 95, never married or had children. She didn't want to give up her art. She worked right up to her death. One of her biggest shows was when she was 89 years old in London.

On not having a family and devoting her life to her art, she commented:

“When I was young,
I was clever enough
to know that
if I got married or had children,
I would be eaten.”

None of these women did not let age slow them down or stop them. They continued to work up until they passed from this world. Of course, they were doing things they loved.

Just because you are working now in a job that you hate or dislike, doesn't mean that you should work at it until you die. It means that you may have to work at it until you are able to retire and then start your next career doing something you love.

The message here is to keep active,
keep working,
keep living – live until you physically die,
don't die
before your dead.

Have you started a second career? Are you over the age of 50 and doing a job you love and never want to leave? Are you staying engaged in life? Please share your stories, others will be encouraged by them – I know I will!

XOXO

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Product Review: Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers - Beef Merlot

9/21/2018

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Another long day and dinner alone. I don't like cooking when it's just me, but I want to eat healthy.

Most prepared, frozen meals have a lot of sodium and other unhealthy ingredients. Most have few nutrients and average flavor.

When I find a good fast frozen meal I like to let you know.

Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers - Beef Merlot is a pretty good choice for a fast frozen meal. It has more pluses than minuses.

DESCRIPTION ON BOX: Tender beef strips with red potatoes and a vegetable medley in a rich Merlot wine sauce.

The biggest minus is 600mg of sodium.

The pluses are:

15g Protein
4g Sugar
1.5 g Saturated Fat
No Artificial Flavors
180 Calories per meal
4-5 minutes from frozen to eating
720mg Potassium
Lots of Vitamins: A (45%), Calcium (6%), Thiamine (8%), B12 (20%), Magnesium (10%), C (4%), Iron (8%), Riboflavin (6%), Folic Acid (8%), Phosphorus (20%), Zinc (15%), and Maganese (15%).
On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being Extremely Delicious and 1 being Catfood Tastes Better, this is an 8. Pretty good for a frozen meal.

This is a good choice in a pinch meal and won't eat up your daily caloric allotment.

Do you find it hard to motivate yourself to cook when you are home alone? What quick fix do you turn to most often? Do you have any recommendations for the rest of us?

XOXO

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Encouragement: Another milestone for me! Stationary bike - 5 minutes - tonight!

8/10/2018

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In my garage is a beautiful "new" bike that has never been ridden (well, it was new two years ago when I bought it). Anyway, it has been sitting there in my garage collecting dust.

Every time I pull into the garage I see it and I feel defeated.
When I bought it for myself a couple of years ago, I took it home and then a couple of weeks later finally got the courage to try to ride it. The first attempt, I ended up falling off the bike onto the concrete floor of my garage, avoiding hitting my hip on the hard concrete with the use of my left arm (it really hurt afterwards, too).

The second attempt at least I didn't fall, but I also couldn't even get my bad knee to make one complete revolution on the pedals. It just didn't like bending that far back. So, I decided I needed to do some more knee work before I get back on it again.

Tonight at the YMCA, after an hour of Zumba and an hour of walking, I decided to try the stationary bikes again. I had tried them before, so that I could work up to riding my own bike, and couldn't get my bad knee to make the revolution of the pedal.

I got on the bike and I was able to pedal for five minutes! I was the only one in the room, so I didn't get a picture of me actually on the bike, but trust me, I did it! I left out of that room feeling so good.

I have been working on strengthening my knee for almost three years. My left knee has arthritis in it and sometimes I hear the bone rubbing together, but it doesn't hurt. It just doesn't want to bend back like it used to. So, tonight was a beginning. Tonight was the start of me, one day, getting on my new bike and taking off like I did when I was young. I loved riding my bike.

Sometimes I see bikers flying down the road in groups, all decked out in their riding gear and I think to myself that I wish I could do that. Well, that may never happen, but at least I know it may be possible if I work at it.

If there is something you used to do that you don't anymore and you would like to do again - work up to it, but do it! At least give it a try. You may have to modify it some in order to do it, but just do it!

Do you like to ride bikes? Do you still ride a bike? If you don't, why not? Is it due to an injury, inactivity, or something else? Have you ever thought about doing it again? If you do ride a bike, where do you ride? Have you ever ridden in a bike race? Is there something you used to enjoy doing, but stopped? Would you like to do it again? What is it?

XOXO

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Beauty: Sunscreens - A Necessary Evil If You Want Your Skin to Stay Youthful!

6/15/2018

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Of all the things we do that hurt our skin, exposing to sun without a sunscreen is probably the worst. Even one sunburn can cause harm to our precious skin.

However, even if you have never used sunscreen in the past, it is never too late to start and prevent more damage and possibly improve the effects of past damage.

There are many brands and types of sunscreens on the market so how are we to know which one is for us? There are some considerations in choosing a sunscreen.

Let's look at a few considerations and try to make sense of all the choices:

Sunscreens come in many forms. Choose the one that you like best because you will be more inclined to use it regularly:

Lotions
Creams
Sticks
Gels
Oils
Butters
Pastes
Sprays

Sunscreens have expiration dates and they are important!

If a sunscreen product does not have an expiration date, then you must consider it expired after three years according the FDA.

If a sunscreen has an expiration date then discard it after that date. It means that it may not protect you from the sun or it may even be harmful to you. Toss it after the expiration date, don't take chances.

Sun screen must be used year round. A cloudy or snowy day does not prevent sun damage. A sunscreen must work well in all types of weather.

Sunscreen for face is different than sunscreen for body. While a spray may work for your body, you should use a moisturizing lotion or cream for your face, neck and chest.

Chemicals vs natural vs a combination of ingredients? That depends. If you have sensitive skin then a natural product may be necessary. Usually with a natural product you have to apply it more often and replace more often as it usually doesn't have a long shelf life.

Chemicals can be harsh to our skin and sometimes even dangerous. A combination could be the best solution for most people.

Look for:

To Avoid: (These are approved by the FDA and American Academy of Dermatology.)
Retinyl palmitate - a derivitive of Vitamin A, Retin-A is good for wrinkles and some sunscreens add this to boost anti-aging, however, Retin-A and sun exposure do not go well together. Not only does the sun reduce the effectiveness of Retin-A, many dermatologists believe that the combination of Retin-A and sun boosts your chances of getting skin cancer. So just avoid this in your sunscreen. Use Retin-A (or Retinyl palmitate) at night on a clean face, just to be safe.

Questionable, but no reason to panic:

Oxybenzone - a common UV filter has been shown to interact with hormones in animals that were fed this ingredient in large amounts. However, dermatologists say this is not a good reason to toss your sunscreen.
Nanoparticles - such as Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide provide broad-spectrum protection in "mineral sunscreens." People who find chemical sunscreens irritating may find these mineral forms a better choice. However, there is a wide spread debate as to their safety. Many places have banned nanoparticless because they are showing up in the liver and in the bloodstream. The FDA considers them safe. You choose.
Waterproof, Sweatproof, Sunblock: The FDA has ordered sunscreen labels to stop using those terms. You'll may still see "water-resistant" or "sweat-resistant" and just "sunscreen" rather than "sunblock." Labels will also have to tell you if the product is water- or sweat-resistant for 40 minutes or 80 minutes. After that length of time, you'll have to reapply.
Spray Sunscreens - The FDA is looking at the safety of spray sunscreens. First considering the coverage. It is recommended to spray and then rub into skin and spray again, as spraying alone may not cover every area completely. Secondly, never to spray on face and never inhale the spray. It is not known, yet, if this results in health issues. Just don't do it until further studies can be done.

What to choose:

SPF: Sun Protection Factor - The higher the number the more protection. For example, SPF 15, means it would take your skin 15 times longer to get red than if you were wearing no protection at all. So if your unprotected skin begins to redden after 10 minutes in the sun, then with a generous coat of SPF 15, it would take 150 minutes for your skin to begin to turn red. We may soon not see labels that promise protection over 50 because the FDA doesn't believe that a product can provide such high levels of sun protection. With that, there's no need to go higher than SPF 50. You must also reapply every two hours if you expect solid protection no matter what the SPF number is.
Broad-Spectrum Protection: Beginning in 2012, that phrase was reserved for products offering UVA and UVB protection. Not all sunscreens have broad-spectrum protection. We need to wear sunscreen everyday in any type of weather but also indoors or outdoors. UVA rays can come through windows and clouds. They are responsible for skin damage including wrinkles and skin cancer.

REMEMBER:

It is best to avoid the sun between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm. This is when the sun's rays are the strongest.
Wear hats, shirts, shorts, etc., to provide even more protection from the sun's rays. This does not take the place of wearing sunscreen but rather to be included.

The following list of ingredients have been determined to be safe by the FDA. They are considered good sunscreens. However, they are studying many of them further to see the effects on our health when absorbed through the skin. So be careful and choose sunscreens with a limited number of ingredients and chemicals:
Aminobenzoic acid
Avobenzone
Cinoxate
Dioxybenzone
Homosalate
Menthyl anthranilate
Octocrylene
Octyl methoxycinnamate
Octyl salicylate
Oxybenzone
Padimate O
Phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid
Sulisobenzone
Titanium dioxide
Trolamine salicylate
Zinc oxide

Sunscreen should not be used on infants less than six months old. Keep them out of the sun or completely covered up. Everyone of 6 months old till we die needs to wear sunscreen. Not only does it protect us from skin cancer, it also helps it to retain it's youthfulness. It's never too late to start using it and reaping the important benefits!

Do you use a sunscreen everyday, even if you are not going outside? Do you prefer lotions, sprays, oils, etc.,? Do you have a sunscreen that you really like and is safe that you would like to share with the rest of us?

XOXO

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Beauty: Unwanted Hair! What's a girl to do? 12 Options to Get Rid of Unwanted Hair.

6/1/2018

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Every woman on the planet, if she lives long enough, will experience the dreaded stray hairs on the body and face. It can range from one or two hairs that keep coming back to many hairs in various locations on your body. How do you deal with this? What are the options for hair removal? What are a woman's options to get rid of unwanted hair? Wild and stray hairs are not just a problem for older women, younger women get them, too. The choices for removing these strays are the same no matter what your age.

There are several options for unwanted hair removal. I have tried all but the laser (and laser related treatments), threading, and sugaring, so I feel I can give you a good idea of each option. The results and my opinions are based only on how they worked for me, they may work better or worse for you. Hopefully, this information will help you.

There are a lot of home hair removal recipes and techniques out there to be found. In all honesty, I haven't found one that works all that well. I have seen some things remove some hair, but not a lot of hair and certainly not for very long.

Below you will find all of the options that I am aware of. I have reviewed almost all based on my experience. However, I have not done laser, threading, or sugaring, so I can't give you my thoughts on those treatments. Also, this is only my experience and your experience may be different.

Maybe this will help someone with unwanted hair to find their own personal treatment method:

Tweezing: hairs are tweezed, or pulled out, with tweezers or with fingers. This is temporary. The hair returns usually within a week.
Waxing: a hot or cold layer of wax is applied and then removed with a fast pull of porous strips from the skin in the direction of the hair growth. This can irritate the skin and at times be painful. It is temporary and the hair returns within a week or two.

1. Shaving: You can shave with a regular razor and shaving cream, or you can use smaller shaving devices such as battery operated shavors or electric shavors. This is temporary and usually the hair returns within a week or two.
2. Cream Removers: chemicals that dissolve or break down the hair so that it can be “wiped” away with a cotton ball or cloth. They generally have a strong smell of chemicals and sometimes can irritate the skin. This is a temporary treatment as the hair will return in a few days or within a week.

1. Bleaching: applying a treatment that bleaches the color from the hair will not remove the hair but it will make it less noticable. Bleached hair is still there, only lighter. These bleaches can irritate the skin and only lasts for a few days until the hair grows longer.
2. Electrolysis: This method (after several sessions) produces permanent hair removal. The technician inserts a tiny rod into a hair follicle and an electric shock is delivered to the hair root. The cost of electrolysis is usually charged per hour or half hour, and the average cost is $80 for an hour and $60 for half an hour in my area (you will need to check for the cost in your area). While this is a permanent solution to unwanted hair, it takes at least a year in the same area to get rid of all the hair as it grows in stages. Maintenenance is as needed.

1. Threading: A thin (cotton or polyester) thread is doubled, then twisted. Then it is rolled over areas of unwanted hair, plucking the hair at the follicle level. Unlike tweezing, where single hairs are pulled out one at a time, threading can remove short rows of hair. Cost varies.
2. Lasers: This treatment is more expensive, but it's considered one of the most effective methods to permanently remove hair. It can be used on any part of your body. The cost for this treatment can be $100 per half hour or $500 plus. Large areas, such as legs, can be done in one session. One side effect for some people is irritation or redness on the area where the hair was removed. Applying ice packs to these areas will ease the pain somewhat. Laser hair removal can remove dark hair, but will not remove lighter hair.
3. Epilators: mechanical devices that rapidly grasp hairs and pull them out. This is temporary and the hair returns within a few weeks.
4. Sugaring: hair is removed by applying a sticky paste to the skin in the direction of hair growth and then peeling off with a porous strip. This is temporary and can cause minor skin irritation.
5. Intense Pulsed Light (IPL): similar to laser with the same effectiveness.
6. Diode epilation: high energy LEDs. Similar to, but not laser diodes, with the same effectiveness.

If you are plagued with unwanted hair on your body, the first thing you should do is have a doctor rule out an illness or condition. There are some cysts and diseases that can cause hair growth in unwanted places. Get tested and evaluated before deciding on a treatment. The doctor will need to see where and how much hair you have before they can offer a diagnosis.

Let me know if you have any experience with any of these treatments and share in the comments with other readers. I wish I had known when I was younger what I know now, I could have saved myself a lot of trouble and expense.

How do you deal with unwanted hair? Do you use the same treatment for your face as you do your body? What are your thoughts about the treatments I wrote about today? Please share your information and experience.

XOXO

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beauty: Beauty As We Age – What Does It Look Like?

9/8/2017

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"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" is the common saying. As true as that statement is - how does the beholder determine what they believe to be beauty? Is it a natural standard or one created by the world (media, TV, trends, fads, etc.)?

As women, we are constantly being judged and appraised by our outward appearance - our beauty. People (men and women) determine our beauty based on outward appearance without ever speaking to us. They have no idea who we are only the way we look and yet, they make judgements based on only that.

Outward beauty can be deceptive. A woman can look beautiful on the outside and be ugly in her heart. Does that change our perception of her physical beauty? If she is beautiful on the outside, can we overlook or excuse her ugly heart?

Common traits of what the world sees as beauty in a woman are:
- a slim figure
- hourglass body shape
- clear skin, no wrinkles, stretch marks, flawless
- bright clear eyes
- full, plump lips
- soft flowing hair
- smiles

It helps if she dresses in such a way to expose her "assets" to the world by wearing short skirts, short shorts, bikinis, low cut tops that reveal cleavage, etc. All of these physical attributes of beauty are temporal. If we live long enough, they will fade in time.

Inward beauty, on the other hand, is a lasting beauty:

- a kind heart
- compassion
- selflessness
- honest
- generous
- caring
- even tempered
- humorous
- loving
- happy
- smiles

Here are some of my thoughts on true beauty:

As we age, out bodies change. We may, for example, gain weight, have scars, develop facial wrinkles, etc., but we should never give up on trying to look our best. God blessed us with our life, our bodies, our hearts, our minds, and our souls. It is ungrateful to God if we allow ourselves to not take care of our physical appearance at all stages of life. There is physical beauty at all ages of life...but it does look different at various times.

Inward beauty should be valued more than outward beauty. Inward beauty has the potential to remain beautiful for our whole lives and not subject to change. Inward beauty affects our outward beauty. It's the beauty that God sees - He loves us regardless of our physical beauty.

In my experience regarding romantic relationships (in and out of marriage), I have found that if someone really loves another person, the outward appearance becomes less valuable. They tend to overlook the flaws in the physical beauty of their loved one. This applies to men and women alike. However, this does not give us the license to let ourselves fall into the abyss and not try to maintain our appearance. We should try to always look our best for our mate and also for God. Also, if your outward appearance is more important to your loved one than your heart and personality, then you are probably in the wrong relationship (just a thought).

Another thought, my granddaughter told me once that I would always be her grandma and she loved me no matter what I looked like. This came after a discussion about how people sometimes get sick as they get older and may not always look like they do now or be able to do what they do now. I was explaining about loving people for their hearts not their physical bodies. She got it, she understood and she had her own words to express it. Love that in children, they see what adults can't see a lot of times – what's really important in life.

BOTTOM LINE: We should never give in to the number of birthdays we have had and use that as an excuse to can for our physical appearance We should try to always look our best no matter what that looks like. If you are living another day – you are blessed!

When was the last time you took a good long look in the mirror at yourself? What did you see? Where you happy with it? Do you do all you can to make your outward appearance to be the best it can be? What about your inward appearance? Do you cultivate a kind, compassionate, loving, caring, and beautiful heart? What do you see when you look at others? Are you more attracted to their physical appearance or their personality and heart? If a person's outward beauty has faded, does the inward beauty still shine?

SPECIAL QUESTION FOR YOUR COMMENTS:

How do you feel about what the world says is beautiful in a woman?

(NOTE: The person who is commonly credited with the original saying in its current form
is Margaret Wolfe Hungerford (née Hamilton).
She wrote many books, often under the pen name of 'The Duchess'.
In the 1878 Irish novel Molly Bawn, which was turned into a movie in 1916,
there's the line
"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder".)

XOXO

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Beauty: Retinol vs Retin A vs Retinoids vs Tretinoids??? Clarity, please!

7/14/2017

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Vitamin A has become the holy-grail of anti-aging products, but not without some confusion. There are several forms of vitamin A for your skin. How do you know what is best for you? How do you know what works? How do you know if they are safe? What about side effects?

The main thing to do when choosing a product with vitamin A as an ingredient is to read the label - all of the label, the ingredients, what it promises to do, who tested it, anything and everything on the label. There are certain ingredients you should consider eliminating right off the top. Certain ingredients may be weaker, have serious side effects, or may be dangerous to your health.

(As with everything, you are the only judge as to what you use. I am not an expert, I only know what I would choose or myself and I am willing to share with you the information I have gathered on the matter. You must make your own decision on whether to use these products or not.)

Here are the major forms of vitamin A and a little information on each:
1. Retinol
2. Differin
3. Retin A
4. Tretinoid
5. Retinoid

Each does well for what they do, but none of them are perfect. Some you can purchase over the counter in the beauty department of your local store. A few require a prescription from your doctor. Cost vary and so does effectiveness.

Dana Sachs, an associate professor of dermatology, at the University of Michigan Medical School says:
"In off-the-shelf formulas,
the ingredient called retinol
is the only derivative of vitamin A worth using."

A few facts about Retinol from www.allure.com:
1. Non-prescription alternatives of vitamin A needs to be converted into retinoic acid by the skin at the cellular level.
2. Daylight breaks Retinol down, so it is recommended that you use with a sunscreen or void sunlight after treatment.
3. It is also recommended to apply to dry skin.
4. May take as long as 12 weeks to work, with continued improvement for up to a year and in some cases longer.
5. While these forms do workn to a certain degree, they are weaker than other forms: Pro-retinols, Retinyl Palmitate, Retinyl Aetate, and Retinyl Linoleate. (Check the ingredient list for these)
6. Retinol is a form of Vitamin A — it's the kind people get when they consume animal products like eggs or milk.

According to http://www.health.com/beauty/best-retinol-cream these are the best over-the-counter Retinol creams by dermatologists:
1. Neutrogena Ageless Intensive Deep Wrinkle Moisture Night Cream - $22 Walgreens
2. CosMedix Serum 16 - $80 www.dermstore.com
3. Neocutis Nouvelle Plus Retinol Correction Intensive Anti-aging Cream - $150 www.dermstore.com
4. ROC Retinol Correction Deep Wrinkle Night Cream (highest strength retinol you can get before a trip to the dematologist office) - $20 Target (Best)
5. Amarte Wonder Cream - $120 www.dermstore.com
6. Hydro Peptide Anti-Wrinkle Polish & Plump Peel - $78 www.dermstore.com
7. Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Moisturizer SPF 30 - $18 Target
8. Skin Medica Retinol Complex .25 - $62 www.dermstore.com (mildest)

What are some of the side effects of retinol? According to http://www.wisegeek.org/what-are-retinol-side-effects.htm the following are known side effects. I recommend you visit their website for the details.

1. Peeling skin is one of the most common retinol side effects.
2. Dryness, redness and itching
3. In some cases, the higher cell turnover rate retinol causes can result in breakouts.
4. Sun sensitivity, retinol increases a person's sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation, so it often is easier to get a sunburn after using it.
5. Drug interactions, a wide range of drugs interact with retinol, including anticoagulants, tetracycline antibiotics, hepototoxic or liver damaging agents, orlistat and oral medications.
6. General toxicity symptoms, it is not common for a person's retinol levels to reach toxic amounts, but it is possible, and certain drugs, such as those used to control cholesterol, can make overdose more likely.
7. Birth defects, even though a fetus needs vitamin A to develop and be healthy, medical professionals think that retinol might cause birth defects when used in amounts exceeding the recommended daily allowance (RDA).

Retinol and Retin A is considered the fountain of youth aside from surgical procedures such as mini-face lifts, brow lifts, lip implants, or full face lifts. While it does improve the skin, it also comes with a few side effects that may not be desirable.
In my next blog post on Vitamin A I will look at Retin A.

Do you use an over-the-counter Retinol product? Have you had good results using an over-the-counter Retinol product? Have you experienced any side effects, good or bad?

XOXO

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Beauty: Olay Pro X Advanced Cleansing System --- ??

6/23/2017

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There are many facial cleaning products on the market today. Costs run from reasonable to very expensive. The effectiveness of each varies just as widely.

Before I started my skincare regime a couple of years ago, I spent many years washing my face with plain soap and water. I was just happy to have time and energy to wash my face every night with my busy schedule. There's nothing wrong with using plain soap and water, the most important thing is to always wash your face at the end of the day. Never sleep in makeup or with a dirty face. Always remove not only makeup but also the dust, sweat, etc., from each day's activities.
However, plain soap may be drying to most skin types.

Dry skin is the enemy if you are trying to avoid skin problems. Also, over the years we have learned how important "gentle exfoliation" is to the health of our skin.
Women have used everything from bare hands to wash cloths, sponges to brushes, to clean their faces. This system uses a "rotating brush".

Using this system as it comes in the box is really good. The Olay Pro X Advanced Cleansing System comes with a tube of Olay Anti-aging exfoliating renewal cleanser. The cleanser is gentle, but exfoliating. It did not dry out my skin and it felt really good.
The rotating brush was gentle, but it also cleaned more than any of my previous other methods.

Here are a few additional points to consider:

- Uses batteries: While I wish it were rechargeable, this is not a big deal. I have used the brush for over a year on one set of batteries. (Requires 2 AA batteries included in system)

- It has 2 speeds: You have a choice!

- The brush is water resistant: Great feature, no worries about getting it wet. I have occasionally used it in the shower when I was in a rush.

- The brush head is replaceable: After a year of use, I have not had to replace the brush head. This may be due to my habit of always rinsing it clean under running water after each and every use. I may replace yearly anyway...haven't decided, yet. 🙂

- Gentle enough to use everyday: You can use this every day, however, I only use it two to three times a week.

- Cost is very reasonable when compared to some other systems: The average cost is $30.

The cleaner your face, the better your moisturizers will be absorbed. However, treating your facial skin gently is very important. You don't want to use harsh brushes or systems that pull or push on your delicate facial skin.

My personal thoughts on this system? I love it!

What is your current skincare routine? What do you use to clean your face each night? Has that changed since you reached the age of 50? 60? 70+? If you have used the Olay Pro X Advanced Cleansing System, what are your thoughts on it?

XOXO

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Beauty: Olay Pro X Advanced Cleansing System --- ??

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