Tanning booths have become the number one way for people to keep that year round tanned look. Interestingly, during recent years, a number of alternative methods have started to become popular owing to the rise in skin cancer. One of these newer methods is called sunless tanning which can be carried out at specialist salons or at regular beauty establishments. Whilst sun tan creams and lotions have been popular for many years, the spray system seems to give a more consistent and natural looking color.

There are manufacturers now that offer spray tans that you can apply yourself. Whichever method you decide upon there are some simple but basic steps needed to ensure the best effect. Initially you need to exfoliate which will eliminate all the dead skin cells from your body. What you don’t want is for people to recognize your tan is a fake by noticing paler patches of skin where the dead skin cells have dropped from your body.

To complete this part of the preparation, the skin needs to be moist and ready to accept the tan so a good skin moisturizer will need to be applied all over. Secondly, you always want to wear gloves if you are applying the tanning agent yourself to avoid getting the dreaded orange palms which are a dead give away that your tan is fake. To avoid any other application mistakes that could give away the fact that the tan is not real, make sure those fingers, feet, elbows and knees are only given the lightest of coats as they have a habit of coming out darker. Where a spray tanning system has been used it is quite normal, once it has been applied, to use some sort of towel to wipe any excess so streaking does not occur.

Try to stay as still as possible whilst any self tanning agent dries as it might smear and cause uneven patches. The problem you will have afterwards during this drying time is what to wear because if you wear something expensive that you like, it will probably become stained and won’t come off. The best advice here is to have a change of clothing that is darker than the color of the tan as this way it will not notice. Now that you have this information it should be much easier having a fake tan without anyone knowing.

These days the quick fix for signs of aging like saggy skin and age lines is a course of botox injections; for such a recognized treatment it is surprising how many people haven’t a clue how it works. To understand exactly what it is and does, we first have to look at just how this amazing miracle of modern science came to be. The first research into Botulinum toxin was carried out over five decades ago; It used originally for disorders of the brain.

A few decades later after much research, the FDA granted permission for it to be used medically and the first patients to make use of the drug were those with eye conditions; conditions that caused uncontrollable blinking and crossed eyes were the first people to benefit. In the year 2000 it was approved to treat cervical dystonia; this helps people with contractions in the upper back and shoulder and neck area, plus other eye disorders. The strange discovery they made quite by accident was that botox helps to reduce the visible lines between the eyebrows; after this in 2002 the FDA approved it’s use on the condition that it was a cosmetic procedure.

Botox has a paralyzing affect when it is injected into areas of the forehead which control the muscles that cause frowning; after a number of treatments the lines start to lessen. Continued treatments mean in many cases the lines disappear and now the same treatment is used on other areas of the face like the crows’ feet, laughter lines and other facial wrinkles. The injections are a purified and watered down version of the sometimes fatal Botulinum poison; these treatments are only a fraction of the true strength which, in other forms, could make us seriously unwell.

The problem is that when we laugh, cry or frown for example, lines and wrinkles appear caused by the muscles that have helped create the expression; these injections can help eliminate those lines. These lines are formed on our faces after years of wear and tear; whilst many manufacturers have tried to produce creams that eliminate these wrinkles and creases (unsuccessfully), this treatment can at least for a short period. Muscles in the area of the botox injection become paralyzed temporarily so they cannot move fully; these treatments provide the user with a facial surface that is smooth and often referred to as looking like a dummy or mannequin.

Because frown line, wrinkles and facial creases have all but disappeared, it provides the user with a look of someone much younger. Injections of this very popular cosmetic treatment are still costly; with injections in the low to very high hundreds of dollars each, it looks to remain expensive for some time to come. It may be a few years yet before we see the result of long term use of botox but that doesn’t seem to concern those people who are using it at this moment.

Many people suffer with the skin condition known as acne or Zits; treatments however, are slowly improving. Owing the widespread nature of this condition, scientific research into this area is intense; the result of this effort is new, more effective, treatments are becoming available. We can classify acne skin care products into 3 broad categories:

* Over-the-counter: Preventative

* Drugstore: Relief treatment

* Prescription only treatments

Probably the largest part of the skin care market is products designed to clean the skin and inhibit the formation of acne; for example, special toners and skin cleansers. Many people these days use products like this to maintain their skin; often this is irrespective of whether or not there is a problem condition. There are acne skin care products that are more specialized in there approach; they are formulated to reduce and limit the amount of oil in the pores of our skin. These types of products are reducing the chance of oil staying in the pores and aiding the growth of harmful bacteria which assists the formation of the skin condition.

General skin care treatments also include special exfoliation products like skin peels; these are easily obtainable in any drug store. They work by reducing oil plus other contaminants from the skin and in the pores; this can reduce harmful bacteria and stop their chance of growth. There are specialized acne skin care products available over-the-counter, they do not require the need of a prescription. These formulations contain the chemical benzoyl peroxide and the naturally occurring salicylic acid; these include creams, cleansers and peels that slow down acne formation.

It is often a good idea to start with a product that has lower concentration of benzoyl peroxide (e.g. 5 percent) to see how the skin responds; a safer alternative to benzoyl peroxide is anything containing alpha hydroxy acid. Because we all have different types of skin, more than one type of acne skin care product may need to be tried; however, if finding an effective remedy it is proving to be a problem then consult with your doctor, or skin care specialist. If you do need to see your doctor or skin care specialist then he may give you a prescription for antibiotics or special ointments.

In some case your doctor may suggest the pustules are drained of harmful contents under local anesthetic; however, sufferers are warned never to attempt this as it could lead to serious skin problems. Another effective course of skin care treatment is hormone therapy; this type of skin care treatment has been very effective in many cases. Constant research has paid off, and whilst they cannot cure the condition, it is becoming easier to treat.

Peoples’ preoccupation with anti-ageing skin care products that claim to make you look younger is not surprising; there is nothing wrong with wanting to continue looking young as you get older, in fact it is quite a healthy aim. This group of beauty products generally works by enabling the synthesis of collagen, the main protein of connective tissue in animals and the most abundant in our body; approximately one quarter of the protein contained in skin is collagen. Collagen is related to other natural substances which help to slow down the ageing process; this group is called antioxidants and apart from their cell repairing ability, they may be able to reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease.

Probably the best known of these anti-oxidants is vitamin C although no-one really knows just how much we should have each day. The problem with vitamin C derived skin care treatments is they can become oxidized when exposed to the atmosphere, often even before they are used.

More stable skin care treatments are now available that are almost as efficient and actually cost less to manufacture. These alternative products are not as effective as vitamin C but vitamin E and lipoic acid are anti-oxidants and are now being used.

The body uses vitamin E as an antioxidant and to increase the natural defense we have against sickness; one particular disease it may help to prevent is certain types of cancer. Another of these is lipoic acid which is found in every cell of our body to help generate energy for us to live; it is also known to combat the signs of aging very effectively by repairing skin damage caused by the aging process.

The use of plants has not been overlooked either with many types able to provide essences called phytochemicals which have proved successful in anti-ageing skin care products. Like lipoic acid, phytochemicals help reduce the occurrence of cancers; for instance:

* Cancer that attacks the Prostate

* Cancer of the Breast

* Cancer of the Colon

These are all on the increase around the world.

It has also been discovered that there are anti-ageing benefits to vitamins B5, B6 and B12. Although the area of anti-ageing skin care products is huge, more is being learnt about the whole ageing process and about natural products that can reduce the effects it has on our bodies as well as our skin. A great deal about the aging process has already been learned and the products available today are already far more advanced than ten years ago; however, research is moving forward rapidly and it is only a matter of time before a new generation of products becomes available.

Hopefully, these challenges will get resolved in due course and better and cheaper anti-ageing skin care products will be produced. It may be time to learn that not every synthetic anti-aging product is going to work; it is doubtful if science can replace natural skin care remedies. You know all these things but how many do you practice? Regular exercise, restful sleep, drinking plenty of water, eating a healthy diet and keeping your stress levels low are all necessary.

The ?orange peel’ effect seen on some people’s thighs and buttocks are fat cells beneath the skin and is known by the general term ?cellulite’; predominantly accumulating in areas below the waist. Most women carry excess fat in thighs and buttocks, but this problem is not confined just to the overweight; the cottage cheese appearance so familiar with this condition can affect slim women as well.

A number of fats collect in the lower areas of skin and push against the connecting tissues forcing the skin to pucker or have a dimpled look which is called cellulite. It may still be some time before medical science arrives at a definitive reason for why some people are more prone to this than others but it may have something to do with how toxins are held in the cells of some people.

This problem usually comes naturally with aging and similar to wrinkles that form in the face, it is actually the result of lower levels of collagen and elastin in the skin. Women are more prone to hormonal imbalances as they age and the fat found in their thighs and buttocks where it forms is different to the fat in other areas, unlike men who rarely suffer with this condition.

It is not uncommon to only see the cellulite when the skin is pinched between the fingers at which pint it can normally be felt as well but it is a very common complaint amongst women. Just how much a person has will depend on a number of factors like, age, gender, genetics and even the thickness and type of skin they have will affect how easily it can be seen.

One thing for sure is that technology has not as yet devised a miracle potion or treatment that can eradicate it completely. One method that hides the cellulite quite well by puffing the skin is deep massage and an increasing number of clinics are now offering this therapy.

Other treatments involve liposuction (to remove fats) and mesotherapy (injection of drugs into the affected areas) which is expensive and out of reach of the majority of women. Liposuction is rarely that effective with surface based fat like cellulite and is more proficient at removing deeper fats from the body which are not trapped in the cells but none of these treatments offer anything but short term relief only.

Whilst the creams that claim to burn the fat deposits away may not be very successful, the latest generation is designed to hide the condition although once again this is a short term answer. So far the best method is back to basics combining a healthy diet with exercise that gradually burns off the fat but not the connective tissue where it is found.

Many toxins that accumulate in the body can be flushed out with regular amounts of water which some believe is still an effective way to keep the body free of harmful substances including the toxins which help with the formation of cellulite.

The secret to having beautiful skin is available to everyone not just the rich and famous; a regular skin care maintenance routine is part of the secret but there is more than just this to learn. Although it still happens in the West, women are beginning to learn that beautiful skin does not come at the end of a knife but with other more natural methods. But more natural beauty care products are the order of the day now and whilst they may take a little longer to produce results, they are longer lasting and have other health benefits.

When we think of beauty care products for the skin we typically picture cold cream and anti-aging formulas but there are countless items that promote healthy, youthful skin and these may be some of the most important beauty care products on the market. The skin that covers our entire body has an important role to play in continuing our health and beauty so should not be overlooked when it comes to regular maintenance.

Part one in your daily skin care regime is to use a cleansing agent to remove all the pollutions like smoke, dust and make-up that our skin has to put up with on a daily basis. Gently massage your cleanser into your skin in circular motions using your fingertips and then rinse off with warm water but only pat your skin with a soft towel to dry it.

The cleanser can affect the PH balance of your skin so the nest step is to use a toner which will restore this balance. Lotions and moisturizers massaged into the skin help to reduce the effect of wrinkles and ensure the skin is more supple. This beauty care product step helps to seal in your treatment and to lock in the natural moisture in your skin.

Once or twice weekly you should treat your skin with an exfoliant or natural peel to remove dead skin cells and to deep cleanse your skin as part of you skin care routine. On days when you are treating your skin you should cleanse, treat and then tone to make sure that you remove all traces of the exfoliant or peel that you are using.

Skin around the eye is very delicate and needs to be looked after so special beauty care product creams help alleviate the dark rings and puffiness that some people suffer ensuring the sin is much more supple and youthful looking. Taking some form of daily exercise and drinking plenty of water are two things you don’t need to spend a fortune on but will really improve the skin tone and feel. Many people may feel that these products are just about plain old fashioned vanity but we rely on our skin to protect us and should not take it for granted.

Tanning of the skin occurs due to the action of different kind of cosmic rays. Most commonly, the culprit is UV ray (both A & B). It reacts with the Melanocyte glands present in the skin causing release of Melanin. This gives the skin a dark appearance.

Those having a job that demands moving under the sun, are more prone to get dark. You can follow these simple homemade techniques to reduce the tanning-

Use facial scrub twice a week. You can go for a costly scrub from the market. Alternatively, you may make it in your house. Make a mixture of curd (yogurt) with rice flour. Apply it over the tanned area with light touched circular movements. Keep it for five minutes. Thoroughly wash with cold water.
A mixture of 1 tsp honey with 1 tsp lime juice is equally effective. Apply over the face and keep it for 20 minutes daily. Wash thoroughly.

Make a pulp mixture of ripened papaya and tomato, 1 tsp honey, 1 tsp curd, 4 tsp oatmeal powder. Apply over the tanned area. Let it dry for half an hour. Wash with cold water.

Most women spend a large portion of their income trying to get just the right look at the salons. True, a professional job makes you look and feel great and if something goes wrong, you do not have to pay extra to fix it, but professional jobs can be pricey.

Discount salons or beauty schools are a great way to get a high quality haircut without paying the high quality price. Rather than paying for a color job, a variety of dye kits are available to the person who wishes to dye their own hair at home. If you must splurge on a professional dye job, get your hair cut somewhere else. The common advice may be to get your haircut at the same time, but the hair can be cut later and often more cheaply somewhere else. Cutting your own hair is not recommended.

It may be tempting to go all out and make it look like you spent a million dollars on your appearance, but with a little shopping around you can look like a million by spending only pennies.