6/19/6

So what about Botox?

Good question. First let's talk about what Botox is. Here is the number 1 definition when you Google the question: A substance derived from botulinum toxin that works by preventing nerve impulses from reaching the muscle, causing the muscle to relax.

So from that we can derive that it probably isn't anything good for you just the mere mention of the word "toxin" gives you a queezy feeling doesn't it? However, many people use it without incident and see immediate improvement in their looks. Unfortunately it is a quick fix that lasts about 3 months and then requires another set of injections. The going rate for each area of the face is between $250 and $500 and believe me, they charge you for each area: forehead, in between the eyes, crows feet and it goes from there.

What can one do to improve their looks and maintain a younger appearance?

Here are some natural ways to decrease the need for Botox:

• Increase antioxidants to help your body protect itself from the damage caused by free radicals
• Avoid the sun
• Drink more water - everybody says that.
• If you smoke - you know what that is doing to your face - making you look older plus think about your lungs.
• Try the Botox-alternative products. The SeneGence skin care regiment has been clinically proven (click here for clinical results)to aid in reducing the signs of aging. Also there is a really great product called Frownies but you must be committed to applying the sticky paper to your face each night and deal with the itchy paper while you sleep.
• Get microdermabrasion to stimulate collagen growth. I tried this but it sure was painful. Scraping off the top layer of the skin wasn't a very pleasant feeling but we can talk about that another time.

The SeneGence regiment is an excellent way to have beautiful healthy skin without injections. Give it a try sometime.

6/10/6

Lip Plumpers:

One of our customers recently asked about some of the new "lip plumpers" on the market, such as DuWop's Lip Venom. She read the ingredients listed for the Lip Venom when a saleswoman approached her to make a pitch. She said politely "thanks, but no thanks." The clerk asked why she wasn't interested and she said all the oils listed, such as peppermint, just seemed far too irritating. The cleark stated that because your lips are membranes and not skin, it was perfectly safe and in fact peppermint oil should be used to keep lips moisturized! Our customer asked how peppermint and orange oil could possibly be moisturizing and the clerk replied that the same "drink" of moisture you get from popping a breath mint in your mouth would have the same effect on your lips. I seriously doubt this, but is there even a hint of truth to it? There are so many lip-plumping options out there, but all of them seem to work by irritating lips, unless there is some miracle product out there to be discovered.

Now that Victoria's Secret and Sephora carry such a variety, some women ask skeptically "do they really work as claimed?"; and others are overly enthusiastic, having fallen hook, line, and sinker for the inflated claims. Personally, I think it is a ploy to get your money, albeit for a one shot deal. The bottom line is that yes, many of them do work, though not quite the way they say they do. Most lip-plumping products that actually have an effect achieve results by one of two methods:

1. One, these balms or gloss-like concoctions contain irritants such as those you described (peppermint and citrus - Cinnamon oil is a great iterant and will cost you a lot less than a plumper will) Or
2. they may contain ingredients such as benzyl nicotinate or nicotinyl alcohol, which dilate blood vessels, creating a feeling of warmth and causing your lips to swell. This is an extremely temporary effect, and it can be quite drying and irritating as well.

The clerk's comment that lips aren't skin but mucous membranes is anatomically incorrect. Lips are a unique structure, but absolutely have a skin covering. Mucous membranes are kept wet (moist) by cellular secretions, notice that lips are never wet on their own. Peppermint as a moisturizing ingredient is even more preposterous. If anything, research shows it is a skin irritant when applied topically and I have found nothing to indicate that it has moisturizing properties. Rub a peppermint on your skin and tell me how that feels (Sources: www.naturaldatabase.com; and Archives of Oral Biology , April 2005, pages 431–438). I am betting you won't respond with words such as "smooth" or "moisturized"! I have stated before and it bears repeating: Lip-plumping products are generally safe to consider, provided you use them infrequently. Repeatedly applying a product that irritates the lips will lead to undesired problems that may seem worse than simply living with lips that are less than full and not in a constant state of poutiness. By the way, regardless of price or claim, none of the lip-plumping products are as effective (and definitely not as long-lasting) as dermal fillers injected by physicians. But that is another topic for another day.

If you try LipSense, you can shape your lip to what ever you desire and thus give the illusion of plumper lips. The moisturizing Shea Butter keeps your lips conditioned and there isn't a signle iritant in it.

6/2/06

Planning your skin care routine:

In order to plan your skin care routine, there are several important steps you should be aware of. By being aware of these steps, you will achieve the full benefits of SeneCeuticals and the SeneDerm with SenePlex 24 hour Anti-Aging Skin Care System.

1. Never wipe off make up, never, ever. Whether it’s eye makeup of face makeup, wiping pulls at the skin and promotes sagging.
2. Never use greasy cleansers. The greasy residue these cleansers inevitably leave behind can clog pores and inhibit normal exfoliation, and often requires an extra step to be removed.
3. Never use bar soaps or bar cleansers. The ingredients that keep these soaps and cleansers in bar form can clog pores, foster breakouts, and irritate skin. Cleansing agents in these are almost without exception drying and irritating for all skin types. Plus bar soaps and cleansers usually have a pH, which can encourage bacteria growth.
4. When wearing long lasting color cosmetics, always use the remover that is specially formulated for the product line to breakdown the color technology before cleansing. This help to avoid unnecessary pulling and tugging on the skins surface.

That being said, here is a 6 step regiment that is sure to improve your skin. Don't take my word for it, click here for clinical results.

Step One: SeneDerm 3-in-1 Cleanser – Normal to Oily and Normal to Dry (Click to purchase)
Available in Normal to Dry and Normal to Oily, the cleanser balances, cleans, tones, nourishes and hydrates your skin.
Step Two: SeneDerm Day-Time-Moisturizer – Normal to Oily and Normal to Dry (Click to purchase) Formulated with a blend of precious botanicals and vitamins, this powerful botanical blend protects skin from environmental changes, lubricating each layer of the skin. It also has a 15 spf equivalent.
Step Three: SeneDerm Evening Moisturizer – Normal to Oily and Normal to Dry (Click to purchase)
The restorative properties of SeneDerm Evening Moisturizer is exceptionally rich in precious oils, vitamins and botanicals to provide intensive hydration, protect the skin from environmental damage, and support the regeneration of healthy cells.
Step Four: SeneDerm Eye Crème (Click to purchase) A rich blend of SenePlex, precious natural oils, and vitamins to protect, moisturize and nourish sensitive areas around the eyes while reducing visible signs of aging.
Step Five: Climate Control Moisturizer and SelPlex (Click to purchase) You need additional moisture for your skin due to seasonal climate changes or travel. Spray on this light, hydrating formula for the precise amount of extra moisture. Ideal for use under your moisturizer – day and night.
Step Six: MakeSense Foundation (Click to purchase) A water proof, smear proof, long-lasting foundation providing maximum coverage throughout your busy day. This product also has a 15 spf equivalent.