Some people have heard that sun protection is causing Vitamin D defeciencies in Americans. Here's the bottom line on that: your skin only needs 15 minutes of unprotected exposure to the sun, before 10:00 am and just a small area of skin, like your elbow, to get what the whole body requires in Vitamin D a day. Liquid or Spray application of Vitamin D3 in 1000mg dosage is superior anyway and pretty inexpensive. For all age groups, 1 dose per 35lbs body weight is recommended by experts like Dr. Amen and Dr. Mercola. Do not risk deadly skin cancer when the alternatives are easy and cheap. Sept. 4, 2010 - jmp
Sun screen products are not the place to save money in your cosmetic budget - this is health care. Just be sure to read labels and not purchase any products with hazardous ingredients like the parabens group (petroleum byproducts linked to cancers and hormone disruptors, "fragrance/parfum" -this phrasing hides Phthlates and heavy metals from consumers reading labels in the USA due to loopholes the FDA gives the cosmetics industry, and others listed at the Environmental Working Group online (see www.ewg.org)
Smoking
May Worsen Psoriasis A new study shows people who smoked more than a pack of cigarettes per day
were twice as likely to have severe psoriasis as those who smoked 10 cigarettes
or less per day.
Heavy smokers may be putting their skin at risk.
Researchers say the
results suggest that cigarette smoking may exacerbate existing psoriasis, and
highlights the need for people with the skin condition to quit smoking. Smoking
is a risk factor for many other diseases, such as lung cancer and heart disease,
but little is known about its relationship to psoriasis.
Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease that is not contagious or life-threatening, but it causes itchy and sometimes embarrassing red, scaly patches on the skin. Psoriasis can also affect the nails and joints
In the study, published in the Archives of Dermatology, researchers compared smoking history and severity of psoriasis in 818 adults with psoriasis. The results showed that people who smoked heavily had twice the risk of severe psoriasis compared with light smokers. In addition, an increasing number of cigarette-years (a measurement of both the intensity and duration of smoking) also raised the risk of severe psoriasis. Researchers found that the effect of cigarette-years on psoriasis severity was stronger for women than for men. This means that present women smokers and recent quitters had a higher risk (72%) for worse psoriasis.
In an editorial that accompanies the study, Mark G. Lebwohl, MD, of Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York, says the study shows researchers still have a lot to learn about psoriasis. For example, the study does not answer whether psoriasis leads to smoking or smoking exacerbates psoriasis.
SOURCES: Forte, C. Archives
of Dermatology, December 2005; vol 141: pp 1580-1584. News release, American
Medical Association.
By Jennifer Warner, December 19, 2005
The fact no one should overlook is that smoking is bad for us and the skin shows the effects first. If you want clear, smooth, radiant skin from head to toe, the first thing you make sure is that you do not ever smoke. Oh, missed that information? Stop it now and you will see results begin in just days. Your lungs, by the way, will make remarkable recoveries in less than a year - if you haven't already been diagnosed with lung cancer. Then I just can't make any predictions - no research to go on. JMP
The brands we carry include corrective products and soothing therapeutics for a wide range of skin types,ages and conditions. While the products cleanse, exfoliate, clarify, hydrate, and soften the skin, they also promote healing, nourishment, and regeneration. In the skin care industry for over 35 years, founder Joy-Marie Peterson, licensed esthetician, has had ample opportunity to survey customers for product satisfaction and results, to work with chemists and research dermatological studies for the newest information. She takes time to personally test ingredients and formulas herself, in order to offer the highest quality, high performance, FDA approved natural cosmetics she can find. We do not sell or recommend prescription products to the public as we are not a medical facility and we strive to assist people who have unsuccessfully tried pharmaceutical products. If you are experiencing chronic complexion problems and have not found satisfaction in prescription or "drug store" cosmetic creams or salves, department store mass market brands, we offer alternatives that have served our facial salon clientele very well over the years!
To peruse our web catalog more thoroughly, we have brand names outlined with their products and there are pages for specific skin problems with new information and the products we recommend to treat them. If you are concerned with a skin lesion or rash or any other acute or on-going symptom, we always suggest you see a doctor (MD or ND with special training in dermatology), nurse or other healthcare professional for an evaluation before you self-treat. On that note, we do recommend acupunturists using Chinese herbs as we have found this to be helpful ourselves, in treating health and pain issues satisfactorily over the years! In addition to a comprehensive range of products for normal and dry skin, Joie de Vie - Expert Skin Care also offers products for menopausal skin; acne-prone; skin with discoloration, fine lines, and wrinkles; skin prone to Rosacea, broken capillaries and varicose veins, sensitivities, pigmentation issues and more. With a range of products for men and women of all ages, ethnicities, and skin types - our customers can have a specialized and customized treatment program of their own. Looking for environmentally responsible, certified organic, highly effective skin care products? See our newest brand by clicking here!
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Are Soft Drinks Endangering Your Health?
Which item in your diet contributes to diabetes, weight gain, inflammation and worsening of PCOS symptoms? If you answered "soft drinks", you're absolutely right! Which item in your diet is the single largest source of calories in your diet? If you answered "soft drinks", you're right again.
We sincerely hope you no longer consume any soft drinks, but if you do, please read further.
Another analysis of the Nurses Health Study revealed that soft drink consumption is directly related to diabetes and obesity (to say nothing of other health problems). The women who consumed the fewest sugar-sweetened soft drinks or who reduced their consumption were less likely to have weight trouble and develop diabetes. Part of the problem is the high level of calories in many beverages. In general, women who drink soft drinks and similar beverages do not reduce calories in other parts of their diet, so they end up taking in more total calories than they can handle. It's estimated that drinking one 12-ounce sugar-sweetened beverage per day could result in a weight gain as high as 15 lbs. per year.
In addition to calories, soft drinks contain nothing more than a brew of unhealthy ingredients and additives, which we describe in considerable detail in our book. For example, we cited a study of mice where those drinking cola instead of water developed DNA damage in eight weeks.
Many soft drinks are also very high in phosphorous, which binds magnesium and increases urinary loss of calcium. You need magnesium for many things, including reduction of diabetes risk. You need calcium for many things, including weight control. You definitely need these minerals to prevent bone loss (osteoporosis).
If you value your health, there is absolutely no reason to ever drink a soft drink or similar beverage.
Sources:
Shculze, MB et al, Sugar-sweetened
beverages, weight gain, and incidence of type 2 diabetes in young and
middle-aged women, JAMA. 2004 Aug 25;292(8):927-34.
Apovian, CM, Sugar-sweetened
soft drinks, obesity, and type 2 diabetes, JAMA. 2004 Aug 25;292(8):978-9
4/22/2011: Please refer to Dr. Mehmet Oz information on the dangers of High Fructose Corn Syrup in our soft drinks.
Hormonal Challenges Are A Major Issue
In 2007, over one third of American women (about 50 million!) were in 1 of the 3 stages of menopause (peri-menopause, cessation of menses and post menopause) - the largest group in our history. No longer shrouded in mystery, our generation speaks out and wants answers and many of us want natural, non-invasive remedies to relieve the discomfort as our bodies go through this cycle of life! With the decline of estrogen and other hormones, the skin goes through many changes, some of them can be very uncomfortable for many women. We find the cosmetics we have used for many years just don't seem to work as well, or perhaps they seem to irritate our skin. Dr. Howard Murad, dermatologist-researcher-pharmacist in Los Angeles, remarks " As a dermatologist, I frequently see patients concerned about maturing skin and the unwanted signs associated with the aging process. After careful evaluation, I discovered that there are 3 key components that affect the skin's aging process in women: Intrinsic Aging (genetics), Environmental Aging (sun damage, pollution, stress, poor diet, alcohol...) and Hormonal Aging (decline in estrogen). I've developed the first comprehensive skin care regimen targeted to the specific needs of the menopausal woman - featuring topical products using a combination of plant derived phyto-estrogens". (Scroll down for more information on these products.)
If you are over 35 and experiencing any of these symptoms, you may want to consult a specialist for hormone testing to see if you are peri-menopausal: dry, itching skin perhaps feeling like "ants are crawling under the skin!"; hair loss; rosacea; migraines; weight gain; mood swings and irritability; problems concentrating and "fuzzy" thinking; memory loss; PMS; irregular menses; heavier or lighter flow during or between menses; vaginal dryness and infections; urinary tract infections; incontinence; irritable bowel; heart palpitations; fatigue and insomnia.
If these symptoms are not related to menopause, but you have a history of them, research "Estrogen Dominance" and experiment with natural progesterone body creams, eat soy based foods, flax seeds, fish and try other dietary changes. Many women are voiding red meat, dairy, wheat and caffeine to see if there is any relief. Read Dr. John Lee's book: "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause", and Dr. Christiane Northrup's book "The Wisdom of Menopause". Ask your doctor about taking a blood test to determine if your hormone levels are out of balance because one new fact we've discovered: many doctors treat obese women as "estrogen dominant" based on a theory that fat cells produce estrogen. However, new findings show that these women may in fact have low levels of estrogen! Women we have talked to at Joie de Vie over the years confirm this.
Many women have been misdiagnosed so seek a second opinion if you feel your doctor "doesn't get it"! One doctor (a woman!) told me my symptoms were Angina, a serious heart problem, when in fact I was just having my first hot flashes - at 42!! She prescribed Nitro Glycerin to "take at onset of symptoms", after she sends me to a heart specialist for several expensive, time consuming tests - by the way, the heart specialist didn't get it either, even though he said "why did she send you here - you're in great health?!". Even Oprah Winfrey was misdiagnosed - 5 times! Get pro-active with your health care now! Get regular check ups and talk to your doctor about even the most innocent seeming symptoms you experience. Also, go to your appointments with no make up on: your face exhibits important clues to your health!
To view products for hormone issues related to PCOS To view products related to Menopause To read about pigment disorders like Melasma To read our Rosacea page... About our professional skin treatments Certified, Plant based Products for Your Skin The Gentle List of Products Great, Safe Camoflage Make Up
Expert Skin Care with Joy-Marie located in Portland, Oregon We specialize in problem skin! (503)310-4649 by appointment only About...
