The Nitrogen Family Elements at a Glance

Author: Oliver Turner
Source: isnare.com

Sunless tanning, also known as indoor tanning, is becoming much popular these days. As the term implies, sunless tanning is the process of attaining a suntan by sunless means. The main reason behind the popularity of sunless tanning is that there are several people who live in a place where constant sunshine is not available and most of the people cannot afford such a vacation every month to top up their tans. Another reason why people are more attracted with sunless tanning is that the regular and constant exposure to the sun rays increases the chances of contracting skin cancer. Sunless tanning offers several harmless and easy ways for people to achieve the desired result.

Sunless tanning can take the form of tanning lotions, tanning sprays, tanning beds, and tanning pills. The results and efficiency of these methods differs from one another. Let us look on the four main sunless tanning methods:

Sunless Tanning Lotion

Majority of the sunless tanning lotions come with the bronzing ingredient dihydroxyacetone (DHA). DHA is a colorless sugar which can interact with dead skin cells resulting in a color change to that skin. Generally this change in color lasts for five to seven days from the initial application. Using sunless tanning lotions is a well liked method for sunless tanning. However, the only drawback is that, getting an even tan is very difficult.

Spray Tanning

Spray tanning is also the same as tanning lotion; the only difference is that tanning solution used here is a spray. Spray tanning can be done manually by a spray gun. If you wish to use it automatically then you can go for a tanning booth. A recent development in spray tanning is the colorless tanning solution. The solution does not have bronzer and affords a less streaky, more even tan.

Tanning Beds

Tanning beds, also known as sunbeds, feature fluorescent tubesto tan the applicants’ skin by emitting UV (Ultraviolet) Rays. Though, tanning beds are considered as an efficient sunless tanning method, continuous use of this method can cause skin cancer and skin aging.

Tanning Pills

Tanning pills usually comes in three varieties – pills which contain caretenoid pigments, pills which contain tyrosine, and pills with no active ingredients. Tanning pills which contain caretenoid pigments when consumed internally saturates the fat layers just below the skin, which results in the change in skin color. The other two varieties of tanning pills are not proven to have any desired effect on the color of the skin.

The cost of sunless tanning methods differs from just a few bucks to $100 or even more for one or more visit in a tanning salon. However, with sunless tanning you can easily achieve that beautiful bronzed look without damaging your skin.

Author: Leslie Degner
Source: ezinearticles.com

The macular pigment (MP) is found in the macula – the center of the retina with the highest concentration found in the fovea (the center of the macula). It is made up of two pigments or carotenoids, which are phytochemicals found in plants. The two main carotenoids are lutein and zeaxanthin. They are responsible for protecting the eye from the harmful effects of free radicals and for protecting the eye from the damaging effects of blue light. Lutein is the main carotenoid in the peripheral retina, making up 67% or greater of the MP. Zeaxanthin is the main carotenoid in the central macula making up to 75% of the MP.

Increasing the concentration of these pigments in the eye may help prevent age-related macular degeneration. MP can be increased with diet and/or dietary supplements of lutein and zeaxanthin, the body cannot make these carotenoids.

Macular Pigment Density Studies
Currently there are several studies researching supplementation and its effect on MP.

Enhancement of Macular Pigment Density by Oral Lutein Supplementation (EMPOLS)

The purpose of this study in Berne, Switzerland is to determine if there is an increase in MP density after six months supplementation of Lutein 10 mg daily, contained in VitaluxPlus. The completion date of this study is December 2008.

The Role of Macular Pigment in Patients With Age-Related Macular Degeneration

This is an observation study in Berne, Switzerland, with the aim of assessing “the peak MP density as well as the MP distribution in relation to the risk for ARMD.” The completion of this study is December 2009. In this study hey hope to:

1. Assess the relationship of MP density with the occurrence of age related macular degeneration

2. Identify patients with low MP density

3. Improve the early diagnosis of patients at high risk for developing ARMD

4. Develop a basis for dietary supplementation of lutein and/or zeaxanthin in patients with high risk for ARMD due to low MP values

Foods High in Lutein

It is possible to increase your macular pigment by increasing the amount of lutein you get in your diet. Foods like corn, eggs, and spinach all contain lutein. Carrots, cantaloupe, oranges, red and orange peppers, kale and collard greens are also rich in lutein. Lutein is a fat-soluble substance, so it is important to eat some healthy fat with your raw vegetables, such as olive oil, for proper absorption through the digestive tract.

Lutein Capsules

Studies have also shown that you can increase your macular pigment through supplementing with lutein capsules. There are many different companies that offer lutein supplements.

To learn more about how much you should take and some of the research on this topic go to: http://www.WebRN-MacularDegeneration.com/lutein-for-macular-degeneration.html

Leslie Degner, RN,BSN

Better Health For Better Vision

http://www.WebRN-MacularDegeneration.com

Author: Nicholas Friend
Source: articlecity.com

The Canon imagePROGRAF iPF9000 is Canon’s launch into the 60″ wide format printer market segment. The Canon ipf9000 serves to fill a needed void in the marketplace for a high quality, production-friendly wide format inkjet printer that is larger than 44″ and still affordable. The release of the Canon ipf9000 60″ printer and Canon ipf8000 44″ printer began a direct attack on the already well established Epson printer market.

One of the major criticisms on Epson to date has been their reluctance, whether through choice or contractual boundary, to release an inkjet printer wider than 44″. The market has been demanding such a printer for some time since the only models available were from lower quality brands such as Roland, which were slow and used old ink sets. Canon’s decision to release the Canon ipf9000 immediately expressed their determination to fulfill this void in the race to establish a base of users. The release of the Canon ipf9000 should have happened years ago. Unfortunately for Canon, word on the street is that Epson is due to release a 64″ wide format inkjet printer some time in July 2007 that is expected to seduce the market into forgetting that the Canon ipf9000 ever existed in the first place. We will have to wait and see.

Until then, we should analyze the Canon ipf9000 and its unique features because some very notable advancements have been made. In this article we will analyze the different features and advantages of the Canon ipf9000.

Canon iPF9000 Photo

Further Information – Canon imagePROGRAF iPF9000

Exceptional 60″ production has arrived. Enjoy borderless reproduction and jaw-dropping print quality with Canon’s flagship iPF9000. Featuring a new 12-colour pigment ink system, it guarantees the productivity to beat the toughest schedules.

12-Color Pigment Ink System – New LUCIA inks expand the range of color reproduction by providing a wide color gamut.

Automatic Switching Between Black Inks – utilizes automatic switching between Regular Black and Matte Black Ink, helping to eliminate wasted ink and time of swapping out ink tanks.

New Print Head System – dual print head system with a total of 30,720 nozzles.

Efficiency & Speed – The Canon imagePROGRAF iPF9000 built-in 40 GB HDD processes jobs fast, and maintains productivity and enables easy unmanned printing.

Borderless Printing – 4-sided edge to edge printing, only with roll media.

Non-firing Detection and Compensation Function – when clogged or non-firing nozzles are detected; print head cleaning cycle is automatically executed. If the nozzle remains obstructed, the Canon imagePROGRAF iPF9000 will automatically compensate by rerouting the ink to functioning nozzles.

Superior image quality using the Canon imagePROGRAF iPF9000

The iPF9000 incorporates Canon’s new 12 ink full colour pigment ink system. A new one-inch dual print head gives jaw-dropping reproduction of 2400 x 1200 dpi, a 4 Pl droplet size and a total of 30,720 nozzles. Additional RGB colours ensure a wider colour gamut; grey and photo grey ensure better gradation, reduced granularity and high colour accuracy and consistency; whilst pigment ink ensures output is light fast.

Canon imagePROGRAF iPF9000 delivers outstanding production for print-for-pay and print bureaus

Eye-catching print quality makes the iPF9000 perfect for professional performance:60″ printing with precise colour calibration produces posters and signs that turn heads.Fine art productions never looked better with exceptional colour stability.Photographic works come to life thanks to an ultra-glossy feel and no graininess.Superb pigment ink colour reproduction makes for perfect longer lasting and stable proofs with less graininess than conventional pigment ink devices.

The Canon imagePROGRAF iPF9000 gives Flexible media handling

You can work with a wide variety of media types. Plain paper, CAD, recycled, glossy, proofing, synthetic, poster, fine art, sign media ? they’re all handled effortlessly with the iPF9000.

The Canon imagePROGRAF iPF9000 is always productive

Connection is either via the latest-generation, high-speed USB 2.0 interface, or Ethernet. Combined with the dual-head pigment ink system, you can expect superb production at twice the level of some competitor devices.

The integrated cutting device won’t let you down either and keeps on performing for years to come, without ever needing replacement.

The Canon imagePROGRAF iPF9000 is easy-to-use, yet powerful

A large LCD panel aids operation and a rich set of software application plug-ins are incorporated. The Canon developed Poster template tool – PosterArtist, enables you to produce head-turning posters – with no experience whatsoever! It will even make professionals more productive.

To aid productivity further, we have 2 sizes of ink tanks (330ml or 700ml) and you can even replace the ink tanks whilst printing so that print deadlines aren’t affected. If you are not interested in a 60″ wide printer, you should definitely look into the Canon imagePROGRAF iPF8000 which is a 44-inch wide format inkjet printer and is much less expensive.

For more information on the Canon ipf9000 click here – http://www.breathingcolor.com/bc/catalog/includes/sts_templates/canon_imageprograf_ipf9000printer.html

For information, articles, and reviews on the Canon ipf8000 click here – http://www.breathingcolor.com/bc/catalog/includes/sts_templates/canon_imageprograf_ipf8000printer.html

Author: Charlie X Smith
Source: ezinearticles.com

Bioflavonoids

A bioflavonoid is a pigment within plants and fruits that acts as an antioxidant to protect against damage from free radicals and excess oxygen. In the body, bioflavonoids enhance the benefits of vitamin C and are often formulated with this vitamin in supplement form. Orginally called vitamin P (until 1950), these vitamin C “helper” substances include citrin, hesperidin, rutin, quercetin, epicatechin, flavones, and flavonols. When taken with vitamin C, bioflavonoids increase the absorption of vitamin C into the liver, kidneys, and adrenal glands. Acting as antioxidants, they also protect vitamin C from destruction by free radicals. Bioflavonoids also have a unique ability to bind and strengthen collagen structures, which are vital for the integrity of connective tissue in cases of allergy-induced arthritis.

There are more than 4,000 classified bioflavonoid compounds occurring in different types of food. The bioflavonoid called anthocyanidin give the deep red or blue color to blueberries, blackberries, cherries, grapes, and hawthorn berries, increases the release of the anti-inflammatory prostaglandins in the gastrointestinal system; this could prove useful in fighting leaky gut syndrome and gastrointestinal reactions.

Food sources: fruits such as grapefruit, lemon, oranges, apples, apricots, pears, peaches, tomatoes, cherries, blueberries, cranberries, black currants, red grapes, plums, raspberries, strawberries, hawthorn berries, and other berries; vegetables such as red cabbage, onions, parsley, rhubarb; herbs such as milk thistle and sage; grape skins, pine bark, red wine, and green tea. Supplementing with all types of bioflavonoids is recommended for allergy and sensitivity sufferers; however, quercetin has shown particular promise in reducing symptoms.

Quercetin

A bright yellow pigment, quercetin has outstanding anti-inflammatory properties useful in treating allergic inflammation. A natural bioflavonoid and antioxidant, quercetin stabilizes mast cells and basophils, thus suppressing the release of histamine, leukotrienes, and other substances that cause inflammation in an allergic response. Quercetin is useful in helping correct intestinal permeability (leaky gut syndrome) and associated food allergies. It has also been found effective in treating nasal/eye symptoms of allergic rhinitis, as it corrects metabolic impairments in essential fatty acid, and other fats needed by lymphocytes. Quercentin also supports the function of vitamin C.

Food sources: onions and green tea. Supplements: quercetin works best when combined with the enzyme bromelain. Therapeutic dose: 200-1,000 mg daily.

For more information about allergies and natural allergy cures, please check out: http://naturalallergycures.blogspot.com/

Author: Dwain Berlin
Source: isnare.com

Leather Care

When buying leather, the best thing you can do is ask the people who you buy it from, what the manufacturer recommends for leather care and cleaning. Don’t forget to ask what other products may work well for leather care too, as there may be something you’re more comfortable using. Also ask what the product does to and for the leather.

While still alive, leather on the animal, fish, or fowl is maintained in situ. (It’s their skin) The oils that keep leather conditioned and help remove dirt and grime from the skin of the animal are produced naturally by their body.

Once leather is processed, these “living” components cease to exist although they do retain many of their physical characteristics such as leather’s porous nature and chemical reactivity. Leather is naturally acidic so anything alkaline is bad. For proper leather care, you want to mimic some of these natural processes. If you sift through all of the mythology, home recipes, and good ol’ folk lore about leather care, you are left with the two basic tasks that all those natural processes accomplished: cleaning and conditioning.

Any leather care enthusiast will tell you that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and if you want to protect your investment keep it in top form. Leather care is relatively easy but you need to be consistent. Leather can be restored, but regular maintenance is highly recommended. If cared for properly, your leather will last and stay in good shape for years.

You want to know the type of leather you have, as well as the way it was processed during tanning. For example, were any anti-mold finishes applied or was a sealant used, and how was it colored, if it was. Keep in mind that aniline, suede, and nubuck are not as robust as pigmented leather because they do not usually have a protective surface coating.

Pigmented leather is the most durable, full grain pigmented leather has intact grain, and corrected grain pigmented leather refers to whether or not the leather has been sanded to remove imperfections.

Aniline

This top-grain or full-top grain leather is not pigmented, just dyed whereas semi-aniline treatments combine pigment with dye, usually to even out the grain because the leather has some imperfections. The result is that the leather has a more consistent color and some stain resistance qualities.

If you lightly scratch the surface of aniline, it will turn a lighter color. Some nubuck leather will do the same thing. To correct the problem, wet your finger lightly and rub it into the leather. It should darken slightly, but dry the same color.

Antiqued / Marbled / Two-Tone

A second pigment may be rubbed over the original pigment to give the leather an aged or antique appearance.

Nubuck

This is aniline leather that has been brushed to give it the texture of velvet. In fact, nubuck is often mistaken for suede. Nubuck is stronger because it is brushed on the grain side, which is the side where the animal’s hair was, where suede is made from the flesh side. If you apply the wet finger test to nubuck, it will darken slightly and dry darker so be sure if you do this that it is done in an inconspicuous area.

Pull-Up

Pull-up, also referred to as waxy or oil pull-up is leather that lightens in color when stretched during wearing, creating a broken-in appearance.

Suede

Suede leather is made from the fleshy side of hide. For leather care of suede, it is important you make sure any product you use won’t damage it. Find out as much as you can about the active ingredients in the products you buy and the action involved. You might want to bring your jacket with you or a swatch if you can, and ask what would work best for it.

If you schedule leather care and cleaning you won’t end up with a jacket that looks like someones cast off. I suggest scheduling a cleaning at least once a year or so. (Mark it in your daytimer)

Author: Dagfinn Rognerud
Source: download

Tattooing is a widely practiced method of body decoration in which markings such as signs, symbols and letters are applied to the body by puncturing the skin’s outer layer and inserting color into it. Whether ancient or modern techniques are used, the skin is punctured with a sharp instrument, now usually an electric moved needle. In earlier times and other cultures, Tattooing required one or more needles fixed to a stick and driven into the skin by slight tapping, the very process that has led to the term Tattoo via the early Polynesian sound – equivalent of the tapping action: Tau Tau.
A variety of methods were used to create tattoos. In a classic example of tribal tattoo evolution, among the Sioux, for example, women would draw a circle or line on a person’s skin with clay, punch the design with an awl, and then rub the blue clay over it. By the time the clay was dry it would have penetrated beneath the awl holes. Among California natives, an old woman would scratch the skin of a subject and rub charcoal dust or plant juice into the scratches for color. Following the contact with Europeans, the Ojibwas drew on the skin with a stick dipped in gunpowder dissolved in water. The figure was then pricked with needle dipped in vermillion and the skin was seared with punk wood to prevent festering. The area would then be treated with an antiseptic herbal wash. These processes often took number of days.
Concerning all tribal tattoo styles, the division in black and white is important. Not only of what has been tattooed must have a good shape but also the parts that have been left Blanc must also be well shaped. Besides, it is more beautiful that the shapes follow your body contours. The balance with tribal and Ornamentals are very important. For this reason, it is important to have a tattoo done by someone who understands the different styles.
In technical terms, tattooing is micro-pigment implantation. Tattoos are a type of body modification. A tattoo is a design in ink or some other pigment, usually decorative or symbolic, placed permanently under the skin.
The origin of the word Tattoo is usually traced to the Tahitian taut or tatau, which means to mark or strike. The term tattoo is now universally used, even if it is referred to, in any specific language by some other word.
The most popular scientist Thomas Edison designed the pioneering electric engraving pen, which was developed further by Samuel O’Reilly in 1891. Today, the most common method of tattooing is with an electric tattoo machine. In this procedure, ink is inserted into the skin via a group of needles that are soldered onto a bar, which is attached to an oscillating unit. The unit rapidly and repeatedly drives the needles in and out of the skin, usually 50 to 3,000 times a minute. Tattoo machines operate on an electromagnetic principle.
All these forms of tattooing are generally of permanent type.
Henna tattooing is a temporary form of tattooing. Henna, a type of herbal plant is made into a paste along with coffee or tea, lemon Juice and sugar and applied on to the skin in various areas. These applications may stay for a few days or months – depending on the Henna quality and the application followed.
This article is written by Dagfinn Rognerud, former Norwegian officer. This article may be reproduced as long as all Live links are included. Dagfinn has several pages about tattoos: http://www.flower-tattoo.info/ http://www.henna-tattoosite.com/ http://www.lower-back-tattoo.com/

Author: Debra Tan
Source: articleage.com

A glossy golden brown tan to set off toned limbs – that’s the stuff which the young fashion-conscious dreams are made of. The pursuit of that bronzed, sun-kissed look has led to an influx of sun worshippers in bikinis, board shorts, and bare chests congregating at the beaches. But just how much do they know about the dangers associated with excessive sun exposure?
A lot of youths are adventurous, fun loving and are passionate about sports. This may just cause them to overlook the necessity of proper sun protection. While many outdoor sports like soccer, wakeboarding, windsurfing etc are undoubtedly beneficial to health, the risks of excessive sun exposure to the participants are also very real.
Sun Damage
The sun emits 3 types of ultraviolet (UV) rays: UVA, UVB and UVC. Only UVA and UVB rays reach the earth’s surface because UVC is filtered out by the ozone layer.
UVA penetrates deeply into the skin and triggers the production of melanin, which is a pigment in our body that causes skin to tan. UVB primarily affects the skin’s outer layer and causes sunburn. UV rays are thought to be responsible for chronic photo-aging (cluster of skin conditions like hyper pigmentation, wrinkles and sagging skin), and skin cancer.
Sunburn is one of the short-term damages of sun exposure. It ranges from redness and pain to redness and swelling, and in some serious cases, blisters can occur.
Frequent sunburns have been associated with increased risks of getting skin cancers. There are 3 common types of skin cancers: squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and malignant melanoma.
Most SCC and BCC cases are caused by chronic exposure to sunlight. These tumors appear most commonly on sun-exposed areas like the face, hands, back, shoulders and lower lip. SCC tumors are irregular and fleshy growths that can enlarge and break down into ulcers.
BCC tumors are often shiny and pigmented, with raised borders. The Skin Cancer Foundation (SCF) in New York, USA, estimates that some 800,000 and 200,000 Americans suffer from BCC and SCC annually respectively.
Malignant melanoma is cancer of the skin’s pigment cells. It may form in pre-existing moles, where pigmentation is heavily concentrated. The tumors are presented as large, thick and colored (red, blue or black) patches that grow rapidly, with irregular outlines. The SCF estimates that about 51,000 new cases of malignant melanoma are reported annually in the USA.
On a less fatal note, exposure to bright light can also trigger migraines and headaches, for up to 24 hours. Melasma is another UV-related skin disorder characterized by symmetrical brown pigmentation patches in UV-exposed areas and affects women 90% of the time.
Block Out the Sun
Much as knowledge of sun exposure dangers is important, knowing how to minimize risks is even more essential. Techniques to minimize damage from sun rays can be divided into those to do with behavior and those to do with fabrics.
Behavior wise, sun-lovers can refrain from carrying out high-risk activities between 10am and 4pm, when the sun’s rays are the strongest. On a general note, try to keep in the shade while going about normal activities.
Fabrics that are sun-protective have tight weaves and are dark-colored. To test for a tight weave, hold the garment about 7 inches from your eyes towards a light source. If visible light can penetrate holes between the threads, so can UV rays. Dark colors absorb harmful UV rays better than light-colored clothes and hence protect the skin better.
To protect the face, sunscreen is essential, preferably one with at least Sun Protection Factor (SPF) 20. Reliable brands include Sunkiller, La Roche-Posay and Coppertone. If sun exposure time is expected to be long, then a sunscreen of higher SPF of 45 or 60 is recommended. One often-neglected directive is to reapply sunscreen frequently throughout the day, as sweat or friction may have washed it away. For the eyes, sunglasses with UV-protective coating are advised.
Alternative Tones
Fashion-conscious youths who covet a tan but are afraid of increasing their skin cancer risks have started to frequent tanning salons. This misguided attempt only reduces the incidence of sunburn and not skin cancer, warns Dr Wong, an associate consultant dermatologist with the National Skin Centre of Singapore.
“In fact, by going to tanning salons, you are exposed to unnecessary excessive UVA, which may increase your risk of getting skin cancer as it is primarily UVA-mediated.”
One relatively harmless alternative to sun tanning is to use self-tanning lotions. These contain dihydroxyacetone (DHA), which reacts with proteins in dead skin cells on the skin surface to result in brown pigmentation, which becomes the tan. While self-tanning lotions, like other topical products, have been known to cause skin irritation, no adverse long-term effects have been recorded.
As we welcome the warm, sunny weather, do keep in mind the relevant risks and precautions. Being cautious when young may just save you lots of heartache and pain in later years.
Debra Tan is a senior product development consultant at ~SkinWhite Research Labs. Equipped with a team of experienced cosmeceutical researchers, SkinWhite Research Labs is a company that specializes in the formulation of skin whitening products that help to rectify sunburn and pigmentation problems. Please visit their official website for more information on sunscreen and how to protect your skin from sunburn.

Author: CD Mohatta -
Source: articledashboard.com

When acne resolves, it leaves a mark on the skin. That is most commonly PIH. PIH is Post Inflammatory hyper- pigmentation. This color is due to natural healing process of the body. It fades in about a year. The color of PIH depends upon the individuals skin color. PIH is not a scar. A true scar does not fade away, but PIFH fades away. How to hasten the fading away of the PIH? Let us find out about the acne treatment that hastens this process.

Acne Treatment -

Any medication or product that multiplies the skin cell turnover will remove the darkened skin in shorter time. Molecules such as Retinoids increase the turnover of skin cells. They are therefore useful in resolving PIH fast. Retinoids are derivatives of Vitamin A. Adaplene, Tazarotene and Tretinoin are common retinoids. Retinoids can cause dryness of the skin and may also cause itching in some individuals. Sun protection is a must while using retinoids because they make the skin more sensitive to sun.

AHAs and PIH-

Alpha Hydroxy Acids are very useful in skin rejuvenation. AHAs remove the dead skin cells on the skin. They loosen the bonds between the skin cells and remove the dead cells. This increases the speed of growth of new cells. AHAs are also called as fruit acids. They are also found in milk. Now days, AHAs are chemically synthesized. Glycolic is one of the common AHAs and many formulations are available with Glycolic Acid. Use of these formulations will remove the dead skin cells and help resolve the PIH fast.

Sun exposure-

PIH have higher density of melanin the skin color pigment. The sunrays selectively darken such spots more than the other skin. It is therefore important to protect the darkened spots from sun. A good sunscreen must be used till the color fades away.

Bleaches- Skin bleaches such as Hydroquinone, Azelaic Acid are very useful in removing the excess skin color. They should be used carefully otherwise they may lighten the spot compared to the surrounding skin.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.

Author: R. Kalpana
Source: ezinearticles.com

It may surprise you to learn what an age spot cream can do to improve your skin. The brown spots that show up on our skin are not always on the face. Some may be on the hands or even your back. Often the result of sun damage they show up more as we age.

There are some types of spots which we may mistake for age spots that could actually be a skin cancer. That is why it is important to have them checked to make sure. Actually age spots do not have anything to do with your age. They really are a result of how many years you have spent soaking up the sun.

Many people call them liver spots but sun spot sounds so much better. Luckily for all of those suffering from this problem there are skin lightening creams that can reduce age spots. Finding one that will work is the next order of business. There are many that say they have the latest ingredients to combat the spots, but do they really work.

The ingredient found in skin care products that have shown effectiveness at reducing age spots is extract of the nutgrass plant. This is a plant that is native to India. The roots have been used for many years in different types of medicines. The research showing this plant is very effective at lightening the skin is very recent.

There are no known side effects and it has also been shown to reduce freckles. This is good news for those who have hated having freckles all their life. This naturally lightening plant root is also an anti-aging product. When the nutgrass root is mixed with glycerine and water it increases the whitening effect.

Although there are alternative methods to rid yourself of age spots, the cream method is preferred because it replenishes the skin as it lightens the spots. When you start noticing the age spots cropping up on your skin, the normal reaction is to think you are getting old. You figure this is just something you will have to live with. Do not resign yourself to the appearance of these spots and think there is nothing you can do about them.

Light complexions are more prone to developing age spots. The lack of melanin pigment is one cause of age spots. This is what the skin uses to protect itself from the sun. When there are virtually no melanin pigment, your skin cannot do the job and the spots begin to pop up.

Learning what age spot cream you should use to take care of dark spots is a matter of doing a little research. Finding the right product to help your skin lose the age spots and feel much smoother will make you feel better about yourself. When you take care of the signs of aging you will be amazed at how much younger it will make you look. Not only that but it will make you feel younger as well.

You are encouraged to visit the author’s website which will educate you on how to take care of your skin more effectively.

Kalpana is an educator by profession and she is also experienced in homeopathy and natural remedies. She strongly advocates natural skincare and beauty products to protect your skin, avoid harmful reactions and enhance youthful looks. To know what are the beauty and skin care products that she highly recommends, please visit her website ==> http://www.NaturalBeautyAndSkincare.com

Author: Heather Colman
Source: isnare.com

Melanoma is a malignant tumor predominantly found in the skin but can be found elsewhere, especially the eye. The vast majority of melanomas originate in the skin.

Melanomas are the most lethal form of skin cancer. As with most forms of cancer, earlier detection gives patients a better chance of survival.

Epidemiologic studies from Australia suggest that exposure to ultraviolet radiation is one of the major contributors to the development of melanoma. Occasional extreme sun exposure resulting in a sunburn is causally related to melanoma. Those with more chronic long term exposure (outdoor workers) may develop protective mechanisms.

Melanoma is most common on the back in men and on legs in women (areas of intermittent sun exposure) and is more common in indoor workers than outdoor workers (in a British study). Other factors are mutations in or total loss of tumor suppressor genes. Use of sunbeds with deeply penetrating UVA rays has been linked to the development of skin cancers, including melanoma.

Possible significant elements in determining risk include the intensity and duration of sun exposure, the age at which sun exposure occurs, and the degree of skin pigmentation. Exposure during childhood is a more important risk factor than exposure in adulthood. This is seen in migration studies in Australia where people tend to retain the risk profile of their country of birth if they migrate to Australia as an adult. Individuals with blistering or peeling sunburns especially in the first twenty years of life have a significantly greater risk for melanoma.

Fair and red-headed people are at greater risk for developing melanoma. A person with multiple atypical nevi or dysplastic nevi are at a significant risk. Persons born with giant congenital naevi are at increased risk.

A family history of melanoma greatly increases a person’s risk. Certain ‘melanoma families’ display features of mendelian inheritance of cancer causing genes. It is critical that individuals with family members who have been diagnosed with melanoma be checked regularly for skin cancer. Patients with a history of one melanoma are at increased risk of developing a second primary tumour.

Do you suspect that you may have Melanoma?

Any mole that is irregular in color or shape should be examined by a doctor to determine if it is a malignant melanoma, the most serious and life-threatening form of skin cancer. Following a visual examination and a dermatoscopic exam (an instrument that illuminates a mole, revealing its underlying pigment and vascular network structure), the doctor may biopsy the suspicious mole. If it is malignant, the mole and an area around it needs excision by a surgeon or dermatologist.

The diagnosis of melanoma requires experience, as early stages may look identical to harmless moles or not have any color at all. Where any doubt exists, the patient will be referred to a specialist dermatologist.

How to Prevent Melanoma

Minimize exposure to sources of ultraviolet radiation (the sun and sunbeds).

Wearing long-sleeved shirts, long trousers, and broad-brimmed hats offers the best protection.

Use a sunscreen with an SPF rating of 30 or better on exposed areas.

Disclaimer – The information presented here should not be interpreted as medical advice. If you suspect you have Melanoma, please consult your physician as early as possible for diagnosis and treatment options.