Both men and women today who are not necessarily within the “senior” category are experiencing problems of thinning hair and hair loss. Most of hair problems are associated with hair duct condition and activities at the hair roots ( hair follicle) . Both the oil glands and the hair follicle share the same “exit” point on the skin called ostium. Oil glands in the hair follicle secrete sebum (oil) to lubricate the skin and hair. However, the excessive sebum can often plug up the hair ducts. This is how a common pimple develops on the face likewise on the other areas of the body commonly caused by ingrown hair.

The more popular causes of the hair loss problem is a diminished hair follicle activity. This is associated with several factors such as age, illness, stress, environmental pollution, hormonal imbalance, body nutrition, and heredity. According to modern research, the over-abundance of male hormone (androgen) not only stimulates the over-production of sebum but also causes the hair follicle to shrink so much that hair can no longer grow. Hair follicles, if not dead, may be re-activated by opening the sebum plug and enhancing the cutaneous blood circulation around the follicles. According to Dr. Cheng, a biochemist, , "scientific studies have found a number of substances having a follicle stimulating function, such as biotin, polysaccharide, polysorbate, minoxidil, retinoid, etc. Some natural herbs were also found to have such effect. A typical herbal hair revitalizer was 101 liniment, which was popularly used for hair loss problems in many Asian countries. Recently ginkgo biloba extract has been revealed to have a miraculous hair revitalizing power. Dermatologists have reported that plant worm (an Oriental herb) helps revitalize hair as well. In general, the natural herbal approach is better for long-term effects. In contrast, the western biochemical approach is better for fast and short-term results. The union of both approaches is obviously superior and advantageous."

It is for this hopeful chance of reactivating the hair follicles to stimulate hair growth that I am doing the treatment to my husband, who is not excused from the problems of hair loss and who has always been my dedicated model and guinea pig. I thank Rey Fortaleza too for agreeing to take the Hair Regrowth Treatment Program with my husband. According to the manufacturer, the Hair Tonic achieves up to 60% statistical success rate far better than all other products in the market and that an appreciable result within 2-3 months will be seen, depending on the conditions of hair follicles. The biochemist advised to continue the use until a desired degree of hair improvement is observed. In the case where no improvement can be seen after 4 months, it is recommended to discontinue the use of the homecare product. After 4 months of no appreciable hair growth, then the hair follicles may be dead and will be very difficult to reactivate. At least Dr. Cheng is very honest in terms of setting out the realistic time frame to expect treatment success. This Treatment Program has been well sought in Europe because of its success rate and I hope that this treatment will give my husband and Rey the same success.

I will be ready to start the HAIR REGROWTH Treatment Program on 10 men or women this month and if you are interested to take the treatment with these two gentlemen, just let me know right away. The advantage of being in the first batch of 10 clients is being able to get the treatment at a very minimal cost enough to just defray the cost of the clinical treatment products, and the homecare products on wholesale price. My husband is so excited about this and I believe a lot of my clients with thinning & hair loss problems will be happy to know that attempts to stimulate hair regrowth is now available in my studio.

Spider Vein Removal

More information on the services page:
Age Spots Removal & Spider Vein Removal

"Silhouet-Tone has chosen 4 specific wavelengths from the sun’s natural spectrum -each well absorbed by skin tissue & proven to provide extraordinary effects. When applied with necessary power density and duration, each color has a unique and direct impact on the cells responsible for skin problem. By using a combination of pure spectrum colors to optimize results during the treatments."

For more information on Solitone Photo Rejuvenation, see our Solitone Lumifacial/Lumilift Rejuvenation page.

Multitrepannic Collagen Stimulation

Combination treatment of stimulating and/or altering the collagen production/formation in the skin tissue. This treatment of intra-dermal cosmetics is an effective treatment for wrinkles, hypopigmented (white) skin and hypertrophic (raised) scars. Collagen Stimulation treatments often demonstrate a greater than 50% repigmentation within a six week therapy. This includes scars from facelifts, thyroid and chest surgical procedures.

Permanent Eyeshadow

This permanent makeup technique combines the application of makeup artistry skills and micropigmentation. The latest products on the market have the shimmer that conventional makeup have so you will have the natural look of eye makeup highlights and emphasized creases all day long. Say goodbye to expensive and smudgy makeup for good!

British Columbia, Canada
Article #83: April 15, 2009


Funds are low and we tend to tighten our belts or modify our lifestyles to save some money for the "rainy days". But our desire to have healthy skin should not suffer because of hard economic times. Skin is still the biggest organ of the body and should be given attention and care as we do to have healthy internal organs. At times like this, here are some simple steps to remind everyone of how to achieve healthy skin:

Step #1: Under normal circumstances ( no sickness or medication that alters normal body processes) , you are what you eat. This is very true. Eating a lot of processed food along with fast food or fatty foods makes our skin and our bodies suffer. Let us eat healthier; include plenty of fruits and vegetables in our diet. Some nutritionists say we need about 10 servings of fruits everyday. Heww, that is tough to follow! Fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants, which help to repair damaged skin. Some of the best fruits and vegetables for antioxidants are broccoli, artichokes, blueberries, black olives, blackberries and a lot more. Junk food is not good for us internally or externally. Eating chips make my skin show red bumps. Oily food make my stomach growl and right away, my body ejects whatever I ate. Junk food and fast food are actually expensive if you start doing the math. It is always cheaper, but make sure do it healthier, to prepare food at home than eat out. .

Step #2 : Most people are aware that the human body is 70% water. So, then why are we not drinking enough water? It helps to keep our skin hydrated, which prevents it from becoming dry and scaly. It's summertime again and our body uses up more water as we perspire more. Medications like diuretics and birth control pills and beverages with caffeine create dehydration. Why drink pop when water is cheaper , healthier and better for our bodies?

Step #3 : Protect our skin from the sun! This is one thing that is always taken for granted. The sun's ultraviolet rays (UVA & UVB) can cause a lot of damage to our skin including wrinkles, age spots, spider veins, and worst- skin cancer. Have you heard of a sunscreen that serves as foundation, concealer, powder and SPF 20 all in one? That product is Jane Iredale Mineral Sunscreen powder; highly recommended to both my male and female clients because of its proven benefits to the skin, cost effectiveness (lasts 6-8 months- $10/month) and no fuss in the morning application that lasts all day long without the GREASE!

Step #4: Even if you follow all of the steps above, we still need to apply an effective skin cream to help give our skin the appearance of fresh young skin. As we age, our body stops producing vital skin proteins that give our skin its structure and elasticity. This is the reason why, as we age, our skin needs better products to slow down the aging process. If your skin therapist recommends a product and you have proven that the product does wonders to your skin, stick to it because it will, in the long run, help you economize and cut costs on facial treatments. I always tell my clients that using the right products prolong the results of the clinical treatments I provide for them and I don't have to see them more often than what is required. That saves money, right?

Living a healthy lifestyle is surely the most economical way to beat recession. It's beneficial for the body and definitely easy on our pockets.

Halitosis is a scientific word that refers to oral malodor or bad breath. Some people may not be aware that they have halitosis and others may have suffered from psychosocial problems because of a lingering, uncured chronic bad breath. This is one particular condition that is so embarrassing to point out to another person, unless the painful truth will be coming from a small child who could not tell a lie or worry about being tactful or mindful of her/his manners.

What causes bad breath? One common cause of bad breath is the drying of the mouth and slowing down of the salivary flow, which occurs when we sleep. Because we don't swallow as much, eat, and drink during our sleep, the mouth dries up and thereby promoting bacterial growth. So the bacteria that survive in the absence of oxygen multiply into colonies. This is the reason why we have morning breath, though in different levels of malodor. In some cases, the reason for bad breath may obviously come from dental cavities, gum disorders, plaque buildup on the teeth, and other inflammatory conditions of the mouth. These are suitable conditions for the bacteria to multiply as they live off unhealthy and dead tissues. Inside the mouth especially on the tongue are millions of other microorganisms including bacteria, yeast, sometimes protozoa, which may cause infection. These bacteria, whether beneficial or not, metabolize proteins for food. As a result of that chemical process, volatile sulfur compounds (vsc) are produced as byproduct. These gaseous sulfur particles smell bad and resemble the smell of rotten egg, which is quite disgusting if coming from the mouth. Other conditions like digestive upsets (including hunger) sinus conditions; postnasal drips and inflammation in the throat or lungs are less obvious sources of trouble but can surely cause oral malodor. Clearing up the source of inflammatory condition may help lessen halitosis. But even chronic diseases such as diabetes, deep abscesses or malignancies and certain medications can contribute to some sort of breath odor as some researchers say.

Certain lifestyles like smoking tobacco and drinking alcohol obviously causes a distinct breath malodor. Both of these habits cause a decrease in saliva production that encourages bacterial growth. And of course certain foods that you eat will definitely leave some odor in the mouth.

I remember a very talented hairdresser I met 6 years ago who had halitosis. No matter how good he was with his craft, each session with him was such an agony because I could smell his breath from an arms- length. He had a persistent smoker's cough and I could really say he needed a strong antibiotic because his halitosis smelled like some upper respiratory tract infection already. Ugh! And no matter how much I loved his technique, I just had to move on and find another hairdresser because his bad breath was killing me.

Some professionals recommend a diet of low fat, low sugar, high fiber foods and lots of colorful veggies. A lack of carbohydrates in the diet forces the body to burn fat. The chemical breakdown of the fat therefore produces acidic ketones which smells bad when exhaled in the breath- so make sure you don't leave out carbohydrates. B vitamins, as well as Vitamin C and zinc in your diet are also good.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and keeping a healthy mouth are very common approach to preventing halitosis. But lots of healthy people with healthy mouths and no underlying medical problems have challenges with breath odor. Where there is no underlying condition, occasional bad breath would only require controlling it on a case-to-case basis. I discovered that yogurt is a natural way to neutralize occasional or situational bad breath because the lactic acid deters growth of more anaerobic bacteria.

Hundreds of commercial products are being advertised to stop bad breath. Just like the beauty industry, breath products formed a multi million-dollar industry as well. But take note that some products available to cure bad breath may be the ones causing bad breath in the first place. I read on the Internet that an ingredient called Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) found on most major brands of toothpaste is the foaming ingredient that causes dryness in the mouth creating a perfect breeding place for bacteria. There is nothing wrong with SLS in toothpaste; it is the drying of the mouth that can contribute to the problem. There are some mouthwash formulations that I tried but made me feel my breath smelled worse. The product probably had some sugar in it to achieve the sweet minty taste. I personally do not favor flavored toothpaste because I feel some sort of a lingering after-taste that makes me feel I do not completely have fresh breath after my oral care routine. Yes I say "routine": starting off with a Listerine pre-brushing gargle/wash, thorough flossing, then brushing with a mechanical toothbrush for a min. of 2 minutes using Sensodyne Brightening toothpaste, cleaning the tongue with a tongue scraper and finally an occasional Steri-sol gargle (at night) when my throat does not feel right to prevent further bacterial growth.

If you are trying to control halitosis by masking it off with breath mints and gums, think twice because the sugar in the mints is an excellent source of food for the bad breath bacteria. Mints and chewing gums never worked for me. I would rather brush my teeth 4-5 times a day than rely on mints or gums to give me the confidence that I am not offending anyone with my breath. If you are suffering from halitosis, or just plain conscious about your breath, you may check this site for their products: www.therabreath.com. But most importantly, see your dentist on a regular basis to maintain oral health. Your dentist can help you determine other underlying causes of bad breath. Remember, even your best friend will not tell you that your breath stinks!

There are so many expressions to show disgust : "eewww", "yucky" , "gross", "ugh", "gosh" and a lot more. A feeling of disgust is typically associated with objects that are seen as dirty, inedible, contagious or in some way offending. The sense of taste, either perceived or imagined is usually primarily involved but it could also create a similar feeling by the sense of smell, touch, hearing, or vision. Disgust is not all sensorial; there is moral disgust when certain manners or proper behaviors are not met. I guess this particular disgust is very subjective and could spark an endless exchange of contradicting views.

Let us dwell on the actions that cause sensorial disgust, which in my opinion will be easier for most people to relate to. I am talking about certain habits, which are offensive most especially if done in public. These habits are usually unconsciously done, I am positive they are, and could place a person, unfortunately, to a certain level of social standing or the formation of a first impression that is usually irreversible.

Picking fruits or flowers is fun but picking facial bumps, zits or blackheads in public is a no-no. Not only are you spreading the acne bacteria on other areas of the face but also you also run more risks of infection by bringing in more dirt to your skin from your dirty hands.

There is nothing wrong with growing nails. I find well maintained & manicured fingernails (on female hands) very feminine but when you use your long nail to pick food particles between your teeth at mealtime, then you create loss of appetite among the people seated with you. Yucks! Some people put the particle back in and munch on it as if the food tastes yummier while scooping under the nail to get more particles to nibble on. That's double yuck!!

Do you observe some men grow their nails only on their pinkies? It took me a while to understand why. I have yet to witness a disgusting use of the pinky to know. There are probably hundreds of reasons for the long pinky nail but I know for sure that men use the pinky nail to pick cerumen or ear stuff out. Please use cotton tips or disposable ear picks to harvest bunny rabbits off your ears! Eeewww! Do cotton tip ear cleaning everyday, after bath, so that the stuff is soft and easy to remove.

I particularly find licking such a disgusting habit. It is almost a crime for me. (LOL). Licking envelopes to seal the letter is one top grosser. When I migrated to Canada in 2001, I observed one particular habit most people do around here. A lot of people have the casual habit of licking the fingers to turn the page of documents, magazines, newspaper (?!), bills (?!) or anything for that matter that required moisture at the tip of the fingers. What if the person leaking the page is sick with colds or cough, or worse, HIV, Hep A or C? This abominable habit gives me nightmares especially when it is done right in front of me. I find myself frozen at times when the stuff is handed to me afterwards.

KFC has a slogan about their fried chicken as "finger-lickin' good!" My goodness, in my household, licking fingers always turns on my "stress button" and raises my blood pressure. Use paper napkins to wipe your fingers clean. Would you use your tongue to clean your counter after eating? When I attend parties, I get offended when I see people lick their fingers and hold service spoons at the buffet table. Please don't use the fingers you just licked to pick up foods, which are not finger foods in the first place, from the serving dish. I avoid getting food from that dish instantly! Pardon me, but it simply grosses me out and I know that some people share the same disgust. The tongue is such a perfect breeding place for bacteria. These bacteria are not always the "villains", because they are normal part of our oral environment and digestive process. They live in large numbers on the surface of the back of the tongue, and also in pockets and folds in the gums, and between the teeth. But the same useful bacteria can multiply beyond healthy levels, and this overgrowth, caused by more anaerobes from air, water, food, unhygienic licking habit, and from mouth disorders can cause diseases. Remember that some life threatening diseases can be transmitted via the oral route including the most dreaded swine flu.

Spitting any substance or expelling mucus from the nose on any street or any public place will cost you a fine of S$500.00 in Singapore! In Singapore, they call people who spit on public areas uncivilized. Why can Singapore implement this ban to spit in public and the other countries cannot? Avoid making other people miserable by stepping on your gunk. If it's inevitable that you have to clear your lungs, do it in the toilet, flush it away, or just do it with a piece of paper napkin, discreetly of course, and throw it away in the rubbish bin.

There are hundreds of disgusting habits to enumerate but the newspaper pages would explode with them. I apologize if you read my article before mealtime but I felt a lot of us need to know that our unconscious habits stigmatize and offend other people. There is a saying that people judge us not by what we put in our mouth but what comes out of it. Crude language could be very offensive too. Let's try our best to be mindful of our habits because it only take 3 seconds to create a first impression.

Virus is everywhere and always ready to infect anything that has life. It is unable to grow or multiply outside of a living host and it needs another cellular entity in order to thrive. Any living unit including plants, animals, especially humans can be infected by virus. It could be sitting on any surface for a few hours waiting for unsuspecting victims or could simply be contacted then transmitted to another person due to personal lifestyles and habits.
Viruses spread in various ways: plant viruses often spread in the plant kingdom by insects that feed on sap or "plant fluid ", while animal and human viruses can be carried by blood sucking insects like mosquitoes, bedbugs, head lice, and free living- disease bearing worms like the slimy leeches in the tropics. Humans, being the biggest carriers of viruses, transmit the virus easily by coughing and sneezing. Some viruses are actually transmitted by the oral-fecal route. The virus, present in fecal particles, contaminate the hands, food or water and find their way to the mouths of the unsuspecting potential host. The viruses (Hepatitis A & E) make the host sick and infect organs like the liver. Rotaviruses, which are responsible for severe diarrhea among infants and young children, develop immunity in each infection, making it less severe the next time around or as the host gets older from a series of diarrhea episodes. This virus resulted in more than half a million deaths among children below 5 yrs old. Many teenagers and adults may not be aware that certain unconventional sexual practices can transmit gastro intestinal viruses and parasites. As I mentioned, the oral-fecal route transmits this virus... Use your imagination and go figure...
Another nasty virus, which has become pandemic, is HIV, Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It attacks the immune system to fail and opportunistic infections occur leading to life threatening situations. Infection with HIV occurs by the transfer of blood and bodily fluids such as semen, vaginal fluid, breastmilk, and the "pre-cum" or the fluid that comes out during sexual arousal. The modes of transmission maybe from contaminated needles, breastmilk, infected mother to her child at birth and unprotected sexual intercourse. Therefore, in my opinion, a sexual act, as simple as "fondling or touching" can transmit the virus present in the "pre-cum" of an HIV positive person to another person if the hand (or whatever part of the body) that touches the fluid has a broken skin!
Now here comes the Swine Influenza! Another dreaded flu virus that has caused high mortality rate in Mexico. According to science author Philip Boffey, "the swine flu is likely a descendant of the infamous Spanish influenza that caused a devastating pandemic in humans in 1918-1919." Descendants of this virus have persisted in pigs; they probably circulated in humans until the appearance of the Asian flu in 1957, and re-emerged in 1977. Direct transmission from pigs to humans is rare, with 12 cases in the U.S. since 2005."
Medical researchers worldwide say that the swine flu virus, originally not transmitted to humans, might have mutated and has become a reassortment of influenza virus strain endemic in humans, 2 strains endemic in pigs and the bird influenza. This is really scary because the influenza virus is the trickiest virus according to medical research. It changes, transforms, and mutates every 3 years or so in order to avoid the antibodies that human bodies develop overtime from exposures or vaccines. And before we know it, the virus comes back with such a lethal sweep that could wipe out a big chunk of the population.
Symptoms of the Swine Flu include seasonal flu-like symptoms such as fever, lethargy, cough, sore throat, body aches, headaches, lack of appetite, runny nose, chills and fatigue. If these symptoms are accompanied by diarrhea and vomiting, please see your doctor immediately and get yourself tested for swine flu especially during the first 5 days of the onset of symptoms.Swine flu in humans is most contagious during the first five days of the illness although some people, most commonly children, can remain contagious for up to ten days.
In any case of flu viral infection, transmission is through coughing, sneezing, and touching surfaces with virus on it. The hands then touch the face and the virus finds its way through the body crevices such as the eyes and mouth. According to the Center for Disease Control And Prevention, pork products cannot spread Swine flu, since the virus is not transmitted through food.
Every time there is an outbreak, people tend to be conscious, cautious and careful. But when everything seems to be smooth sailing, people tend to not care about their responsibility of preventing the virus they have from spreading. I see a lot of people who are very sick and still out and doing their thing in public.
Recommendations to prevent spread of the virus among humans include using standard infection control against flu. This includes frequent washing of hands with soap and water or with alcohol-based hand sanitizers, especially after being out in public. My usual beauty commandment, which my clients should follow, day in and day out: "THOU SHALT NOT TOUCH THY FACE" comes in as a good habit to fight the flu!
Social distancing is another logical strategy. It means staying away from other people who might be infected and can include avoiding large gatherings, spreading out a little at work, or perhaps staying home and lying low if an infection is spreading in a community. My brain tells me and I have to say my very own opinion : avoid confined spaces especially public spaces like theatres, gyms, and airplanes (most especially). Think ahead and imagine the quality of air in a specific area, if you feel grossed out by the stuffiness of the air, then by all means leave the area. My husband is scheduled to fly to Manila but I am persuading him to avoid airplane rides at the moment. Flights to Asia are tiring. The confined space inside the plane allows easy transmission of viruses. Fatigue, lack of sleep and dehydration during the flight, lowers the body's resistance, making it too vulnerable to viral infections.
To maintain a secure household during a pandemic flu, the Water Quality & Health Council recommends keeping as supplies food and bottled water, portable power sources and chlorine bleach as an emergency water purifier and surface sanitizer.
Anyone with flu-like symptoms such as a sudden fever, cough or muscle aches should stay away from work or public transportation and should see a doctor to be tested. Please stay home and confine yourself to your private quarters. You will do other people so much good for being conscientious and responsible.

Onychomycosis, also known as Tinea Unguium, is a scientific name of a fungal infection of the nail caused by Candida and moulds . This nail disease is commonly known as nail fungus and it constitutes half of all nail abnormalities. A lot of people have this nail disease, in different severities, but they may or may not be aware that this particular nail disease should be given attention and medicated as soon as possible.
How do you detect a nail fungus? Nail moulds or fungus are often common on toenails but fingers nails can also be infected. Nails may become rough and crumbly, separated or "lifted" from the nail bed. Usually, the plate may be thickened and may have turned yellow and cloudy in color and appearance. There may be no pain or other bodily symptoms associated with the nail disease unless it is severe. Infected nails which did not get medical attention for a long time may have significant discoloration from yellow to green, resembling the color of bread moulds, and emitting foul smell.
If you see these symptoms, seek medical help as soon as possible because this particular nail disorder is quite difficult to cure and could spread to the other fingers or other people .Once fungus gets into the nails, it is very difficult to treat. People with nail moulds may experience significant psychosocial problems due to the appearance of the nail. Ladies may "hide" the disturbing appearance with the application of nail color but men have no way of making them less noticeable especially when fingernails are infected. Treated nails can experience recurrence of the infection and removing the nail may or may not insure complete riddance of onychomycosis. When the new nail grows in, it almost always becomes reinfected.
This nail condition is not ‘hereditary' as some people say. One may get it by touching surfaces or objects touched by other people who have nail fungus. Avoid walking barefoot in public areas such as showers or communal changing rooms.Another possible way to contract the disease is by getting manicure or pedicure from salons that do not practice good sanitation protocols. Rate of getting it is higher among ladies who get artificial nails because when the real nail is not properly sanitized prior to the gluing of the artificial nails, the fungus can get trapped between the real and fake nails making it a perfect breeding ground for the fungus. It is always a good practice to be very cautious of sanitation because it is one's body that suffers from other people's lack of hygiene. Sometimes trauma or damage to a nail predisposes to the development of onychomycosis. Another thing that one has to observe is keeping one's feet clean and dry and avoiding sharing shoes and socks. My imagination is really far off when I visualize nail fungus and athlete's foot fungus in shoes from the shoe store racks, rental shoes in bowling centers, and rental ski boots in ski resorts. Staff tells me the shoes get sanitized, but because of my paranoia, I always wondered how well, eh?
Treatment is challenging and the treatment duration may be long. Pills are available but side effects are inevitable aside from being expensive. There are so many treatment products on the internet but consulting the doctor is the best way to go.

Are you starting to experience "summer surges" or "tropical sweat attacks" even if it is below freezing temperature? This is not funny because you could be approaching a new phase of womanhood which is the menopausal stage! It's estimated that anywhere from 50 to 90 percent of American women of a certain age experience hot flashes. But according to an interesting article on the internet, hot flashes are not as common in some Asian countries or Mexico where only about 10 percent of menopausal women suffer from it. There is a theory that Japanese women have such low rates of hot flashes due to their high fiber, low fat and high consumption of soy diet.
The reason why I am tackling this topic is because a lot of my clients complain about changes in their skin, mostly unfavorable, and I want to explain how menopause or near menopause stage can contribute to many skin problems. Typically, menopause begins sometime in the late forties or early fifties. Women know this and a lot of women have experienced it already. However, the monthly periods can start to be sporadic, starting from late thirties to early forties, and women wonder what is happening to them. Some women get diagnosed with something else, while others simply are in the peri-menopausal stage. When the skin starts to become a concern most especially if the person knows that she is honestly taking care of it, then hormonal imbalance is really the culprit!
As a woman heads into peri-menopause, the reproductive system is actually preparing to "retire". As this occurs, everything begins to change. For early menopause to begin, the production of two hormones estrogen and progesterone begins to slow down and the egg supply decreases. This results in the body ovulating less and less until the time comes when there is no production at all. Other common symptoms associated with menopause include anxiety, breast soreness, lower desires to engage in _ _ _ (you know what I mean) and probably the two worst symptoms - hot flashes and the sweat attacks at night.
So what happens when the female hormone production drops? The female hormones other than truly being responsible for child bearing functions, help transport vital enzymes throughout the system, maintaining positive levels of cholesterol, and triggering calcium activities. Estrogen helps improve blood flow and increases the level of certain chemicals in the brain (serotonin) which is known to improve mood. Husbands or partners should know this in order to understand why a woman, nearing peri- menopausal stage, experiences mood swings. Being patient with your partner as she experiences an emotional roller coaster will greatly help. This is the time women need to be assured that they are loved and needed despite the ‘many changes' that nature will unfold. Hey ladies, don't make this an excuse to be regularly grouchy, eh! (lol)
Now, the unfortunate truth: menopause may go hand- in- hand with skin problems! Majority of my clients have the same problem of aggravated skin conditions when they used to have flawless or better skin when they were younger. Being exposed to harsh winter conditions, stress, incorrect lifestyle habits, plus the fact that there is a decreasing level of estrogen production, all contribute to skin problems or adult acne. Be aware, though, that not everyone suffers from the same skin problems and should not expect the same levels of skin aggravations. Typical skin conditions to expect are dry skin, acne, tiny veins/ broken capillaries, and sometimes melasma or hyperpigmented masks on the face, mixed with the existing sun damaged spots, warts, cholesterol pads and a lot more making us look old and aged. (OMG!)
These skin conditions which create anxiety to most of us vary according to how early and how well we pay attention to the care of our skin. Please don't whine about your skin problems and look for "miracle" treatments when you insist on using body soap on your face! There are a lot more things to do and avoid doing. There will definitely be modifications in your skin care habits for sure! I always recommend using the proper products for your skin and as I perseverate on saying : Wear SPF and DRINK LOTS OF WATER !!

Consultations are complimentary, so take advantage! I will be more than happy to suggest skin treatments to improve your skin conditions.

The human sloughs off millions of dead skin cells everyday, roughly 2 pounds each year. In the evening as we rest on our comfy beds and nestle warmly under the sheets, microscopic organisms that are related to the eight legged arachnids (spiders) feed on the human skin flakes. Some of which are on the sheets and some still attached to the body. Aside from the disgusting fact that we coexist with these microscopic bugs that feed off our skin, these tiny creatures leave a trail of feces or droppings, which causes allergy. It is estimated that nearly 25% of North Americans are allergic to dust mites and 50% of the asthmatics suffer wheezing because of dust mites poops. Dust mites not only survive by eating human dead skin but also animal dander. An animal dander does not only pertain to fur or hair but old skin scales, which constantly shed. Dust mites are everywhere and can be airborne because of their microscopic size. They are in the carpet, the sofa, the bedding, and the curtains, even a child's stuffed animals. Pets have them too.
There are no ways to totally eliminate them in our household but we can certainly minimize them. When my husband starts to sneeze in the morning indicative of an allergy attack, my brains always tells me, it is time to change the linens.
Doctors recommend making sure our home is dry enough to prevent the survival of mites. This may be very unfriendly to our skin but I guess we have to make things work for the good of the majority. According to Dr. Thomas Platts-Mills, a professor of medicine and microbiology, and the chief of the division of allergy, asthma and clinical immunology at the University of Virginia Health System. "Basements are almost impossible to keep dry, so don't work in basements and don't live in basements if you're mite allergic." Dr Platts-Mills recommend that we encase our mattress, duvet and pillows in mite-proof covers like plastic or tightly woven fabric covers. Though many people have stayed away from feather bedding because feathers automatically get linked to "allergies", Dr. Platt-Mills says it actually is a better option. The material used to keep the feathers from poking through the fabric casing also acts as a barrier to mites. I personally prefer to buy the tight woven fabric covers because I hate the smell of feather in my beddings! If your choice is the same as mine, then cloth beddings should be washed weekly in very hot water. He also recommended putting snuggly stuffed animals in the freezer every 8 weeks or so to kill the mites, follow up with a spin in the washer and dryer. It may or may not be an expensive option, depending on the budget, but replacing the carpet with hardwood, tile or vinyl flooring which you can mop on a regular basis will control the population of these pests. Mites spend their two or four months of life eating and reproducing. Each female lays 100 eggs in her lifetime so it is possible that we share our bed with 100, 000 to 10 million and still multiplying creepy crawlers every night. Let us not forget the millions of crawlers on the carpet and furniture, which cannot be removed with a vacuum cleaner because mites have sticky feet which cling to carpet fibers and upholstery.
What else can we do about the sickening fact of being "food" to dus tmites? Aside from what were recommended by Dr. Platt-Mills, I suggest that we do a regular "scrub" on our body when we take a shower. A simple face towel can be a scrub, wet and slathered with soap to produce the "slide" which will prevent abrading the skin. A mitt can be an option but I personally find them too rough for my skin. One may use ordinary salt mixed with baby oil rubbed onto the skin with a gentle pressure. Avoid using salt alone because it could be very drying to the skin. Moisturize the skin after a shower so that we minimize the amount of dead skin we shed off at night for dust mites to buffet on.
There are products like dust mites killer machine that emit UV light, killing bacteria and dust mites at the same time. If you want more info about this topic, go to : http://www.allergicliving.com or http://www.asthma.ca.

It's getting warmer, as we close in to springtime, and we can't just wait to put on our sandals and expose our toes. But do our feet look healthy and ready for "exposure"?
Taking care of our feet demands equal attention from us. Have your toes nails cleaned on a regular basis, done from home or at the spa. If you have special conditions like bunions or fungus, seek medical help to alleviate the discomfort. Apply petroleum jelly on dry soles before going to bed and then wear socks to cover them. You will observe that they are softer in the morning. Avoid applying lotion between the toes, as it can lead to fungal skin infections. Avoid using razor on your calluses. Use foot file instead to exfoliate the dry skin. When getting your pedicure, never cut or dig too deep into the sides of the nails to avoid ingrown nails. Back home , when I was younger, the big toenail on my right foot almost got surgically removed because of this. I did not know any better back then! This is the reason why avoid working on feet because it brings back the memories of traumatic experiences.
Relax your feet after wearing heels for an entire day. It is too hard for our feet to be walking or standing on heels for more than an hour. It only takes me a good 10 mins on heels to walk properly. After 10 mins, I would be walking funny. I have suffered for almost 43 years with painful pressure points until I was introduced to "orthothics". The orthotics are a bit expensive but believe me, it is worth every penny! My husband refused to believe that orthotics eradicated the pressure points on my feet. He always complained of lower back ache but did not want to take my suggestions about getting a pair of orthotics. But because of my persistence, he now realized that his lower back pains gradually disappeared when he started to wear the orthotics in his shoes. One rule for the feet: choose the right shoes for you because finding the proper ‘sole mate' will prevent damage to your feet and avoid bad posture and back aches.
Get professional foot massage or reflexology massage to improve your health. I got one, for the first time, last week from Cherry, a kababayan well trained for this line of expertise. She looked at the feet and ‘read' the challenges or health issues I have in my body. What she enumerated were really occurring in my body and it was remarkable! She said, and I believe her, that foot reflexology treatments can really improve our health. Guess what, it is going to be a regular treatment for me because I invited her to do the service for my clients at Bonnie & Clyde!

During the Golden Globe Awards, one of the presenters commented on the celebrities looking like "Benjamin Button" as most celebrities look younger and younger as the years go by! The Benjamin Button movie depended on computer technology to erase the lines of Brad Pitt but in real life, most people are addicted to Botox and fillers as the answers to ‘wrinkle disappearance".

This is quite remarkable how medical breakthroughs can slow down the appearance of facial aging, dependent of course, on how many thousands of dollars you have in your bank. It used to be a celebrity thing, but not anymore. It may be very expensive to "maintain" the look, but average people nowadays get it done notwithstanding.

What are the Botox treatment options? Botox erases facial lines and wrinkles (frown lines, crow's feet, smile lines and worry lines on the forehead). It is used for brow lifts, excessive blushing, hyperhydrosis (excessive sweating), jaw and calf reduction and chin dimpling. Most Botox treatments deliver rapid results and unwanted lines disappear for at least 3 months. This is the downside of the treatment because you have to keep on getting the injections to maintain the look.

On Jan. 16, 2009, CTV news announced that British Columbia is the first province that allowed administration of Botox injections in dental clinics. This raised an issue between some doctors and some dentists. Dr. Carruthers, who pioneered the use of cosmetic Botox, is concerned that many dentists won't have adequate experience with the procedure and mistakes could happen.

Many people are aware that this treatment is available but many people are still skeptical about it. Most of my clients in the healthcare profession say no-no to Botox but some of my clients are asking about it. Their decision to get or not to get it done is a matter of personal choice and my role is to just to share with them what I know and what I have experienced. Last year, I had it done once between my brows just to satisfy my curiosity. I paid a discounted price of $375, which I find very expensive, from a reputable plastic surgeon. I had headache right after the injection but I was very happy after 2-3 days for 3 months. Then the frown lines came back and that was it for me. I am one of the "skeptics" so I think once is enough for me.

Let me share with you some information I found on the internet, why people have mixed feelings about Botox treatments. On Feb. 05 2008, ctvbc.ca featured an article about Dr. Sidney Wolfe, from the consumer watchdog group Public Citizen and he says "Botulinium toxin is certainly one of the deadliest toxins out there.Public Citizen found that 16 people died after injections with Botox or Mybloc, four of them children under 18. The group analyzed nine years of doctor reports to the FDA and found some of the reactions were from unapproved use of the drug. Dr. Sidney Wolfe adds, "Of the 16 deaths we know that at least one who was getting for cosmetic reasons. For others we don't know but cases we don't, it was usually for spasm of neck." The group wants Botox and Myobloc bottles to carry a warning about a risk of hospitalization or death. But Dr. Leslie Baumann, who researched the safety of the botulinum toxin in clinical trials, says the drug is completely safe, as long as your doctor is well trained. "You need to be very careful about what doctor you go to, make sure they are board certified. I've been safely using this on hundreds of patients for many years."

While Botox injection will satisfy your hunger for immediate but temporary youthfulness, let us not forget that any type of invasive treatment can manifest all sorts of side effects. In cosmetic use, this means that the client will complain of inappropriate facial expression such as drooping eyelid, uneven smile, and loss of ability to close the eye. Headaches, focal facial paralysis, muscle weakness, and flu-like syndromes may be experienced as well. Some non- cosmetic treatments may have side effects which may range from paralysis of the wrong muscle group . When injecting the masseter muscle of the jaw, loss of muscle function will result in a loss or reduction of power to chew solid foods. An allergic reaction can occur whether it is a cosmetic treatment or not. Bruising at the site of injection is a side effect not of the toxin, but rather the manner in which the injection was done.
I had a client in her late 20s, who had been on Botox® maintenance treatment for quite some time. She had some filler done on the cheeks and lips and I observed that her face was uneven. One eye was droopier than the other. My best guess was that she overdid it, decided to take a break from the injections, and side effects were starting to show. She is a very pretty young woman and I did not understand why she had to do fillers and Botox. I was very frank with her and told her that her skin was all she needed to work on, because healthy skin is what gives a youthful look. She was very receptive with my advice; she agreed that her skin needs some work, and most likely realized that what I professed was sincere.

Don't be afraid to try Botox if you would like to, as long as you make sure you are ready for the overwhelming results you might experience, enough to get you hooked and addicted. The results of all Botox and injectable cosmetic treatments are of limited duration, and can be as short a period as six weeks, or from 3 to 8 months. This means that you have to allocate specific budget for this by working overtime, or taking more shifts (for some individuals).

Remember what I told my client: that it is still a healthy skin that will take years off your age on a long term basis. There may be an injectable "shortcut" to looking young but the health of the skin can never be discounted as a source of youthfulness.

The proliferation of clinics doing cosmetic surgery procedures created more awareness and increased popularity among people and the treatment are no longer for the super rich ( as it used to be). But I still believe that the treatments are still expensive so affordability is still an issue most especially for a common Manila-based folk. Here in North America, since the price of the treatments are almost twice or thrice the cost in Phil. Peso, getting it done here may also be an issue to some individuals. But, as a fact of life, cheaper is not always better.
Are the cosmetic surgery procedures the same as "plastic surgery"? Plastic surgery is the branch of medicine concerned with the reconstruction and repair of defects in the body. The term plastic surgery comes from the Greek word "plastikos," which means to mold or to shape. Reconstructive plastic surgery repairs deformities or disfigurements caused by injuries, disease, or defects since birth. Its purpose is not only to make a person look more "typical" but to function better as well. Cosmetic plastic surgery on the other hand, is performed solely for the purpose of improving the appearance of the body of an otherwise healthy person. Those procedures are categorized in general as "elective" procedures, because from a doctor's point of view, they are not necessary. It is quite common for a doctor to say to a client, "Leave it, if it's not bothering you." Elective procedures are usually paid for by the patient himself, and is not covered under Canada's MSP (Medical Service Plan). Examples of such operations would be Blepharoplasty (corrective eye surgery), Rhinoplasty (nose jobs), Rhytidectomy (face lifts), Breast enlargement, reduction, lift or augmentation, Liposuction (fat-suctioning procedures), Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), Brachioplasty (arm lift), Buttock Lift and Hair implants. Hair transplants and eye surgery are the most popular procedures with men. Some doctors put the aggressive chemical skin peeling and other invasive skin treatments as cosmetic plastic surgeries. While these procedures may be elective, some individuals, because of medical reasons get the procedures for free under the medical insurance. If you are considering going under the knife to improve whatever feature is bothering you, I recommend that you do a substantial research on good plastic surgery practitioners in your area, neighboring cities or provinces. I was introduced to a plastic surgeon based in Vancouver and New Westminster and his name is Dr. Kimit Rai. I have seen is work on my client and , boy, I am so jealous of her tummy tuck!! I then discovered the Dr. Rai travelled to the Philippines to do medical missions. He worked in the remote provinces stricken with poverty and operated on poor children with cleft lips. I personally thanked him for the gesture and I promised myself that I will recommend Dr. Rai to Filipinas as a token of appreciation for the free surgeries he extended to our poor ‘kababayans'. Let us support his practice to reciprocate his dedication to help poor Filipino children. You may reach Dr. Rai at the False Creek Surgery Clinic in Vancouver.

During the Golden Globe Awards, one of the presenters commented on the celebrities looking like "Benjamin Button" as most celebrities look younger and younger as the years go by! The Benjamin Button movie depended on computer technology to erase the lines of Brad Pitt but in real life, most people are addicted to Botox and fillers as the answers to ‘wrinkle disappearance".

This is quite remarkable how medical breakthroughs can slow down the appearance of facial aging, dependent of course, on how many thousands of dollars you have in your bank. It used to be a celebrity thing, but not anymore. It may be very expensive to "maintain" the look, but average people nowadays get it done notwithstanding.

What are the Botox treatment options? Botox erases facial lines and wrinkles (frown lines, crow's feet, smile lines and worry lines on the forehead). It is used for brow lifts, excessive blushing, hyperhydrosis (excessive sweating), jaw and calf reduction and chin dimpling. Most Botox treatments deliver rapid results and unwanted lines disappear for at least 3 months. This is the downside of the treatment because you have to keep on getting the injections to maintain the look.

On Jan. 16, 2009, CTV news announced that British Columbia is the first province that allowed administration of Botox injections in dental clinics. This raised an issue between some doctors and some dentists. Dr. Carruthers, who pioneered the use of cosmetic Botox, is concerned that many dentists won't have adequate experience with the procedure and mistakes could happen.

Many people are aware that this treatment is available but many people are still skeptical about it. Most of my clients in the healthcare profession say no-no to Botox but some of my clients are asking about it. Their decision to get or not to get it done is a matter of personal choice and my role is to just to share with them what I know and what I have experienced. Last year, I had it done once between my brows just to satisfy my curiosity. I paid a discounted price of $375, which I find very expensive, from a reputable plastic surgeon. I had headache right after the injection but I was very happy after 2-3 days for 3 months. Then the frown lines came back and that was it for me. I am one of the "skeptics" so I think once is enough for me.

Let me share with you some information I found on the internet, why people have mixed feelings about Botox treatments. On Feb. 05 2008, ctvbc.ca featured an article about Dr. Sidney Wolfe, from the consumer watchdog group Public Citizen and he says "Botulinium toxin is certainly one of the deadliest toxins out there.Public Citizen found that 16 people died after injections with Botox or Mybloc, four of them children under 18. The group analyzed nine years of doctor reports to the FDA and found some of the reactions were from unapproved use of the drug. Dr. Sidney Wolfe adds, "Of the 16 deaths we know that at least one who was getting for cosmetic reasons. For others we don't know but cases we don't, it was usually for spasm of neck." The group wants Botox and Myobloc bottles to carry a warning about a risk of hospitalization or death. But Dr. Leslie Baumann, who researched the safety of the botulinum toxin in clinical trials, says the drug is completely safe, as long as your doctor is well trained. "You need to be very careful about what doctor you go to, make sure they are board certified. I've been safely using this on hundreds of patients for many years."

While Botox injection will satisfy your hunger for immediate but temporary youthfulness, let us not forget that any type of invasive treatment can manifest all sorts of side effects. In cosmetic use, this means that the client will complain of inappropriate facial expression such as drooping eyelid, uneven smile, and loss of ability to close the eye. Headaches, focal facial paralysis, muscle weakness, and flu-like syndromes may be experienced as well. Some non- cosmetic treatments may have side effects which may range from paralysis of the wrong muscle group . When injecting the masseter muscle of the jaw, loss of muscle function will result in a loss or reduction of power to chew solid foods. An allergic reaction can occur whether it is a cosmetic treatment or not. Bruising at the site of injection is a side effect not of the toxin, but rather the manner in which the injection was done.
I had a client in her late 20s, who had been on Botox® maintenance treatment for quite some time. She had some filler done on the cheeks and lips and I observed that her face was uneven. One eye was droopier than the other. My best guess was that she overdid it, decided to take a break from the injections, and side effects were starting to show. She is a very pretty young woman and I did not understand why she had to do fillers and Botox. I was very frank with her and told her that her skin was all she needed to work on, because healthy skin is what gives a youthful look. She was very receptive with my advice; she agreed that her skin needs some work, and most likely realized that what I professed was sincere.

Don't be afraid to try Botox if you would like to, as long as you make sure you are ready for the overwhelming results you might experience, enough to get you hooked and addicted. The results of all Botox and injectable cosmetic treatments are of limited duration, and can be as short a period as six weeks, or from 3 to 8 months. This means that you have to allocate specific budget for this by working overtime, or taking more shifts (for some individuals).

Remember what I told my client: that it is still a healthy skin that will take years off your age on a long term basis. There may be an injectable "shortcut" to looking young but the health of the skin can never be discounted as a source of youthfulness.

It is winter time again and the first thing that tells us the season is here is the condition of the skin. Skin happens to be the reflection of how we are affected by changes in our environment.70% of the Filipinas who come for treatments have the same observation. Their skin became problematic when they came to Canada. Brown spots or solar damage, acne flare-ups , extreme dryness, and eczema are some of the common skin problems. These conditions are caused by a lot of factors such as lifestyle, hormones and the effects of the environment. Life in Canada is very stressful. The cost of living is high, and personal circumstances dictate how "fast" you should move around to perform our daily grind. Because of this hectic pace, our lifestyle, in different degrees of healthiness, has a huge effect on our skin. Compound this with the vicious attack of the atmosphere, and you are most likely faced with different skin problems.
Winter is very harsh on the skin. After the summer heat spells, our skin may still be recovering from the UV assaults. We know very well that during the hot moisture-deprived summer days, drying effects of chlorinated pool water and dehydrating effects of air conditioning have caused a great deal of stress and damage to the skin. We might think that winter will finally give our skin a break to rest and rejuvenate but the reality is, winter makes our skin work harder as it prepares for the demanding task of protecting itself against the forthcoming aggravations of the winter weather chills. The sudden change of seasons can leave our skin extremely dry and chapped. Indoor heating and the scarcity of humidity in the winter atmosphere give our skin "dehydration" shocks. This is the reason why eczema flare ups become a major problem among people who suffer from eczema dilemma. The worsened dehydration effects of the winter atmosphere results in faster "deaths" of the skin cells so you will see flaking of the skin, grayish complexion and more visible fine lines. This is a disaster! Can you imagine your biggest asset becoming your biggest source of worry?
How then do we prepare our skin for winter?
The most important aspect of winter skin care is keeping the whole body properly hydrated. Drink up and be not afraid to consume more than the required water intake. Water doesn't give you any hang over! Water is so beneficial to the skin and most of all to the overall health of the body. Limit caffeine and alcohol intake (my regular clients know how I dread coffee drinking though I used to be a coffee addict!) More so if you are taking diuretics because these pills together with caffeine and alcohol will release fluids from the body thereby causing dehydration. Unfortunately, the skin suffers the most from the lack of water and you will hate how your skin responds to dehydration.
Use an appropriate moisturizer for your type of skin. I have always repeated myself on this, wear sun protection!! Sun reflection is usually 17% on sand 80% or more on snow. On a snowy day, make sure your skin is adequately protected with a good sunscreen. Remember, cream sunscreen needs to be reapplied every 2 hours. But if you are using Jane Iredale Sunscreen powder like majority of my clients, then you are assured that you are protected!
It is a good idea to exfoliate once a week with a gentle non- abrasive product to get rid of the dead skin flakes. You can have diamond peel microdermabrasion to make sure you get a professionally done exfoliation.
The doctor may recommend going to the shower only once a day but some people simply can not go to bed without taking a shower and taking a complete bath the next morning. With this habit that I share with the majority of Filipinas, the skin will tend to dry up more. The use of moisturizing body soap and lotions after taking a bath, applied on a damp skin, will help lessen the dryness.
It might also be good to invest on a humidifier to place some moisture in the air. Dry air from heaters can make our skin very dehydrated and itchy.
Allow the skin to breathe by wearing cotton fabrics next to your skin. Layering may be a solution to keeping the body warm. Wearing layers allow you to remove the clothing to prevent sweating and overheating. When you overheat your body, the skin starts to trigger the scratch/itch cycle.
I hope with these simple tips, your skin will be better equipped to minimize the harsh effects of winter!

Have you ever wondered why you have rough bumps on your upper arms or thigh that do not go away? Annoyingly, these chicken skin-like bumps can also be found on the cheeks, back and buttocks. They are ugly, chronic but really very common. You might not have it but I am pretty sure you know somebody who has it.
This condition is called "Keratosis Pilaris" (KP). Keratosis Pilaris is hereditary and affects more than 50% of children. KP affects 4 out of every 10 adults and women are slightly more prone to developing the skin condition. Men who have it might not care at all simply because they don't wear spaghetti straps!!
People with KP may also at times find themselves battling with eczema, dry scaly skin, asthma or hay fever. Just like eczema, KP is not contagious. KP is medically harmless although I know for a fact that it is not aesthetically pleasing to the eyes and can create stress to people who have them, especially the ladies who are wanting to expose their upper arms in their sexy black dresses.
Keratosis Pilaris manifests as raised, rough, and bumpy with abrasive texture. The bumps are actually excess skin cells, which build up around individual hair follicles. Sometimes a hair is unable to find its way out to the surface and get trapped underneath the layers of dead skin. If millions of skin cells die each day, can you imagine the layers of dead skin that form on the surface that prevent the hairs to grow out? Some of the trapped hairs become "ingrown" hair with tiny heads of pus. Among teenagers, this condition triggers follicular acne making Keratosis Pilaris bumps uglier and looking nastier than ever.
Since Keratosis Pilaris is hereditary, cure may be far fetched but there are ways to improve the appearance of the skin. Some doctors recommend creams with Vit A but mind you, this will make you susceptible to solar damage especially if you are not applying sunscreen on your arms. Some doctors recommend AHA treatments (glycolic and lactic acid), and creams with urea and green tea. Trained professionals should perform these treatments and you should remember to wear SUNSCREEN if you decide to take these treatments.
When my clients come with KP, what I suggest is to gently exfoliate the skin with wet soapy baby face towels. I personally do not like using loofahs or the cheap exfoliating mitts because I find them too abrasive, especially bad for bumps with pus! If not properly sanitized, the loofahs and mitts can promote bacterial and fungal growth, which can spread to the skin. You might then end up with more skin problems without realizing it! Jane Iredale has a "Magic Mitt" that you can use to gently exfoliate the skin. It doesn't breed bacteria because of the micro fibers that dry up fast in between usage. It is originally used as a makeup remover mitt that does not affect the skin's natural acid mantle. The microfibers are many times thinner than a human hair and are non-abrasive. After the exfoliation step, apply creams or body lotion most especially on the areas where you have the "chicken skin".
Microdermabrasion (Diamond Peel) treatment for the arms is definitely an option to make the arms a bit smoother. But you have to remember that since Keratosis Pilaris is chronic, microdermabrasion does not cure KP. There are milder forms of facial AHA creams, which can definitely be used to smoothen the arms. You can pick up a free sample if you want to try the product.
And just as I am writing this article, I figured out that if skin tags are excess skin cells and are removed by electrocautery, then maybe zapping the KP bumps can possibly level off or smoothen the surface and get rid of the ugly bumps. If you are traumatized with KP, feel free to experiment this treatment option with me. I am positive this is worth a try!

The causes of eczema have been obscure and nobody can really tell how a person gets it. What we only know is that the skin with eczema looks different than the usual normal skin. One thing for sure is that eczema is not contagious.
The skin normally functions, being the largest organ of the body, as the body's "armor" that protects the body from environmental damage, repels bacterial infections and helps regulate body temperature surges. The skin "confines" the water that the body needs to function well. Without our waterproof skin, all body fluids will just evaporate and the body becomes susceptible to all bacterial invasions, which will make the body sick. Can you imagine what UV rays can do to the body without the skin?
Skin with eczema manifests as dry and cracked. Because of these cracks, the skin loses a lot of water or moistures, which the body needs during the natural healing process. The cracks on the skin are actually traumas, and the body senses that there is something wrong with that particular area of the body. As the body naturally responds to traumas, the immune system sets of its "natural healing actions" by releasing substances. These substances fight microorganism, which might have invaded the body through the cracks. When I say cracks, I don't refer to just the large and obvious ones. Cracks could also be microscopic crevices or cuts on the skin. The substances released by the immune system can cause redness or inflammation and itching. The itching is what aggravates the condition of the eczematous skin because the automatic response to itching is scratching. Scratching gives relief and a glorious experience to a lot of people but the skin becomes more chapped, irritated and severed. Itching can be so severe to cause irritability, stress, pain, and sleeplessness. Blood may ooze from the cuts and further infections may occur.
The course of the eczema episodes is unpredictable. Symptoms may come and go and reappear as "flare ups'. The real causes of eczema are unknown but certain things are considered as "triggers" to the condition. Triggers or irritants may be substances, which the skin comes in contact with like detergents, fragrances, abrasive clothing materials (wool and synthetic fibers), dust and mites, and harsh chemicals. Overheating, low humidity and even excessive sweating can trigger flare-ups. Food allergies can also trigger and aggravate flare-ups as the symptoms of food allergies are quite similar to eczema. Eczema flare-ups and food allergies both cause itching of some sort and it is the scratching response that makes it difficult to prevent aggravations.
Eczema can affect adults and children. Childhood eczema is very frustrating and stressful for the whole family. The child may be fussy and irritable because of the itch that agonizes them day in and day out. Eczema severed by rubbing and over scratching creates disfigurement. This then poses social and emotional stress especially when the child experiences nasty teasing from other students because of the appearance of the skin.
There are ways to manage eczema. Adults and children alike can practice the following tips:
~Use cool, light cotton beddings, loose cotton clothing and make sure you wash the linens often with hot water to reduce dust mites infestations. Remember to avoid harsh detergents, bleach, and fabric softeners. Rinse clothing twice.
~Keep the skin moist and well moisturized, even without the rash. Using thick creams can help create a barrier against water loss. Make sure the product doesn't have any alcohol which dries the skin..
~Avoid contacts with fur and feathers. Keep the room allergen and dust free as much as possible. Having a hardwood floor can help.
~Keep fingernails short and clean and use cotton gloves to prevent scratching during sleep.
~Keep away from food that you are allergic to.
~Bathe in tepid, NOT HOT, water for 5-10 mins. Use perfume free cleansers and moisturize the skin right after while the skin is still moist.
~Cosmetic products can trigger flare-ups so be wise to check the ingredients before you use them.

I understand the dilemma that people with eczema have to deal with everyday or during flare-ups. My husband has an everyday battle with eczema and my daughter, who suffers from occasional flare-up episodes, gets stressed each time she has it.