by Q Pro-team | Oct 30, 2013 | 1.1 Resources & Tips
Lycogel Application Tips – Fall 2013 issue of Beauty Next Magazine
Check out these application techniques from our favourite full-coverage camouflage & concealer as featured in the Fall 2013 issue of Beauty Next Magazine!
1. Make sure your skin is well cleansed and apply a moisturizing skin primer. We recommend PCA Skin Hydrating Serum.
2. Once your skin care products are absorbed, you can apply Lycogel Breathable concealer using a sponge and small amount of product on those areas that require a little extra coverage such as scars or blemishes. Make sure to blend thoroughly.
3. Next, start applying a thin layer of Lycogel Breathable Camouflage on one side of the face blending well as you go along. One pump should provide enough product for each side of the face.
4. For fuller coverage, a second layer of Camouflage can be applied using a light patting motion, but only on areas where extra coverage is needed.
Remember less is more! Use very little product on a sponge and apply in light layers – this will achieve a much more effective coverage than slathering on a heavy layer.
by Q Pro-team | Sep 16, 2013 | 1.1 Resources & Tips
What You Need to Know About Fungal Nail Infections
Nail fungus is unsightly and embarrassing, but most of all, it can be extremely painful. At the first sign of an infection, it’s important to have it treated quickly and correctly. If left untreated, you run the risk of a repeated nail infections—nobody wants that.
Nail Fungus Treatment Mistakes You Don’t Want to Make
With that said, here are some of the most common mistakes that people make when treating nail fungus. Most of these are the result of misinformation and do-it-yourself techniques, avoiding them at all costs will be your best bet for clean, healthy, pain-free fingers and toes.
1. Not getting the proper diagnosis
Unfortunately, nail fungus isn’t always able to be diagnosed by the laymen. There are a number of other afflictions that can resemble fungal nail, but actually are other conditions. For example, nail hardening—one of the key symptoms of nail fungus—can occur from a number of other factors such as excessive rubbing in tight shoes, pressure from other toes, trauma to nails and an immune disease. Be certain that you have a fungal infection before beginning treatment to avoid any mistakes that could result in unnecessary pain and damage to the nail.
2. Using an incorrect treatment method
There are many different ways to treat fungal nail infections and not all of them are appropriate for each condition. That is to say, while a topical fungal nail treatment might work on a mild case, it won’t work on an advanced case. In fact, it could make the infection worse. Always be certain of the severity of your nail fungus before beginning treatments so that you can choose the most effective option, be it oral medication, topical lotions, or laser treatment.
3. Being over-anxious
One of the worst parts about fungal nail infections is that even with the right treatment; it can take a very long time to fully heal. Some people get over-anxious assuming that the healing process should be quicker. This could lead to seeking alternative options that would cancel out your treatments. On the other hand, some results seem quick on the surface so the patient discontinues the treatment, only to find that the nail fungus returns a few weeks later. Remember—always finish the full treatment cycle even if you think the nail fungus is gone. Also, understand that new nails take 9 to 12 months to grow out and that your current nail will never improve—a new one needs to grow in. This happens at a rate of 1 mm per month. Your best approach is to keep a positive outlook and have realistic expectations.
4. Not preventing recurrence
Just like mold in a house, where fungus grows once, it will again if left unchecked. You can’t just treat current nail fungus; you have to prevent it from reoccurring in the future. Establish proactive hygiene habits such as sterilizing your shoes, socks and bathroom on a regular basis, wear slippers in the shower, keep floors and carpets clean and use an anti-fungal cream. Don’t leave anything to chance.
The bottom line is that there are many mistakes you can make when it comes to treating nail fungus, but only one road to success. Consult a foot specialist to make sure that you’re on the right path to treating your nail fungus and live pain and embarrassment free from today forward.
by Q Pro-team | Sep 3, 2013 | 1.1 Resources & Tips, 2.1 Acne Treatment
Hidden triggers of Acne
Acne can appear without notice on your face or other areas of your body. The sudden flare up may leave you wondering – what caused this unwelcomed breakout? The truth is there are many sneaky culprits in our daily life that can contribute to acne, here’s what you need to know:
1. Cosmetics
Acne caused by topical creams, lotions, sunscreen, and hair and make-up products is known as acne cosmetica. Cosmetic products with talc powder or mineral oil tend to clog the pores and cause acne breakouts. Always go for oil-free and non-comedogenic products. It is also very important to carefully remove any makeup and wash away heavy hair care products before heading to bed.
2. Medications
Avoid medications that have steroids, cortisone, hydrocortisone and prednisone, also watch out for those that contain lithium, lithium chloride, and any forms of iodine. Check with your doctor and make sure he’s aware of your conditions and concerns.
3. Mobile Phone
Your cell phone accumulates all kinds of dirt and bacteria throughout the day. When your phone rubs on your skin, the bacteria and friction can aggravate your skin and lead to an acne breakout. Clean your cell phone with alcohol or Clorox a few times a week and if you’re planning on a long chit chat, consider using an earpiece.
4. Dead Skin
Dandruff blizzard? Not fun, dead skin often causes pimples in the scalp. Wash hair with anti-dandruff shampoo and conditioner and avoid rinsing hair with very hot water.
5. Yoga Mat
Communal yoga mats gather dirt and bacteria after being frequently used by people in the yoga studio. When you drip with sweat and rub your face on the mat, the bacteria there may get in contact with your face, clog your pores, and eventually form acne. Always place a clean towel on the mat during your workout, even if you’re using your personal yoga mat.
6. Dairy Products
Dairy products are said to be one of the leading causes of breakouts. If you are prone to acne you should decrease the intake of dairy products such as milk, ice cream, butter and cheeses that are high in fat.
7. Stress
Studies show that stress raises the level of the hormone cortisol, which increases oil production, and leads to bouts of acne or aggravates existing acne. Research also found that college students experience breakouts the most during their exams, when they usually feel most stressed.
To deflate stress, make sure to sleep well, exercise regularly, and allow yourself time to relax or to do something that you enjoy each day.
There are so many other factors that can also contribute to acne outbreaks, for example, many people experience acne as a result of pregnancy or weight gain. Understanding the various causes can help you get to the root of your acne to prevent and control breakouts, or clear away the condition completely with the appropriate treatments or skin care products.
by Sarah Rutland | Aug 15, 2013 | 1.1 Resources & Tips
Layer of Skin
Between deciding which moisturizer to use, what level of sun protection factor (SPF) you need for the beach, or which makeup will best prevent breakouts, it may feel as if your skin is a constant concern. And since it’s your largest organ, it probably should receive the right amount of attention. Taking good care of your skin is important for your overall health and well-being, as it provides a protective shield against external factors that can cause harm. You know that you need to take care of your skin, but what exactly are you protecting? What is your skin made of?
Skin has many components, including water, lipids, proteins, minerals and chemicals. Your skin has basic three layers: the epidermis, the dermis and the subcutaneous fat layer, or hypodermis [source: WebMD].
The epidermis is the outer layer of skin, comprised of translucent cells that produce keratin, a protein that protects you from potentially detrimental factors in the environment. This is the layer of skin that you can actually see and touch. The epidermis is also home to cells that produce melanin, which is the substance that gives skin its color. Overall, your epidermis controls the appearance of your skin and helps to you to retain water [source: Ohio State University Medical Center].
The dermis is the middle layer of skin, which contains two important proteins that contribute to the skin’s strength and texture: elastin and collagen. These two proteins keep your skin from wrinkling and sagging, but they break down with age, which is why you may recognize them from anti-aging product advertisements. The dermis also contains nerves, blood vessels, hair follicles and sweat glands. When you feel pain after you cut yourself, it’s because of the nerves and receptors in the dermis.
Finally, there’s the subcutaneous layer of skin, made up of fat and collagen cells. This layer helps you retain heat, and it also absorbs shock and protects your internal organs from injury. If tissue in this layer begins to deteriorate, your skin may start to sag.
by Q Pro-team | Jul 26, 2013 | 1.1 Resources & Tips, 2.1 Acne Treatment
4 Best Home Remedies for Acne Treatment
Are you looking for all-natural home remedies to cure your acne fast? If so, you’ve made the right decision. Many over-the-counter creams and medicines don’t really work—if they did, you wouldn’t see people walking around with pimples! The problem is our diets and lack of healthy practices for our bodies and skin cause acne and once it’s there, it’s super-hard to get rid of. Thankfully, there are home remedies for acne that are quite effective.
Let’s see what acne-fighting alternatives Mother Nature has to offer that can help get rid of your acne for good.
The Four Best Home Remedies for Acne
We’ve put together the four most effective (and 100% natural) ways to get rid of your acne at home:
1. Baking Soda
Baking soda is used for acne by making a mask that cleanses and reinvigorates the skin. Not only that, but the baking soda will reduce inflammation around your existing acne and your dead skin cells will be exfoliated. This is a key step in good skin health and vital to maintaining an acne-free complexion. Further, thanks to the powerful exfoliation benefits of baking soda, existing pock marks and acne scars are reduced as well.
To get started, simply place three teaspoons of baking soda in 1/2 cup warm water and mix until it becomes a paste. If it’s too watery, add more baking soda—too thick, add more water. Then, apply the baking soda paste to your face and let it sit for about 15 minutes at first. Over time, you can build up to leaving this baking soda acne mask on overnight, but remove it at the first sign of discomfort. You should start to see results in a few days.
2. Egg Whites
When most people hear egg whites, they think of healthy omelets. When it comes to egg whites for acne and your skin, you don’t eat them, but rather use them to make a facial mask. Egg whites contain oil reducers that draw out impurities from your skin and then contracts your pores to make sure they close up afterward. This means that dirt, makeup, sweat and other pore-clogging debris has a harder time getting back into your skin, resulting in less acne.
To use egg white masks for pimples, simply crack the egg in half and separate the yolk from the clear part (the egg white). Then, apply the egg white with a cotton ball to the affected areas and after a few minutes, you’ll feel your skin tighten up—this is a good thing. You can leave this home acne remedy mask on for about thirty minutes, wash it off, and enjoy the immediate glow your skin takes on.
3. Honey
Honey is another great moisturizer for your skin that contains antiseptic properties which works extremely well on acne. For an added effect, mix nutmeg with some honey to create a facial mask and apply it to your skin for thirty minutes each day. For severe acne, you can do this once in the morning and once at night.
After the time is up, rinse the mask off with warm water and then cold water, since honey is pretty sticky. Within a few days, you’ll see amazing results and have soft, smooth skin straight from nature.
4. Eating foods that are rich in Vitamin B5
Our final home remedy for acne is more of a lifestyle adjustment that changes the environment that acne thrives in. While the rest of the home care tips for pimples we’ve given have stayed on the surface of your skin, this will help attack the problem from the inside out. After all, acne comes from underneath your skin, not above it.
Vitamin B5 is called Pantothenic Acid and can be found in eggs, bananas, oranges, whole grain breads and products, poultry, meat, fish, seeds and mushrooms.
by Roy G. Geronemus Galen H. Fisher | Jun 24, 2013 | 1.1 Resources & Tips, 2.2 Scar Treatment
Causes of Hypopigmentation
Mature scars often appear hypopigmented compared to surrounding normal skin. The most common explanation of the hypopigmentation is that the areas affected have decreased melanocyte numbers compared to the surrounding skin. However, recent immunohisto-chemical analyses by Velangi et al demonstrated preservation of epidermal melanocytes within scar tissue. Their findings raise the possibility that hypopigmentation of scars may not simply be due to a decrease in melanocyte number but rather an optical effect due to alterations in collagen and microvasculature. These studies also laid the theoretical foundation for using lasers and phototherapy devices to repigment scars.
