Beauty Is More Than Skin-Deep
How to get a beauty makeover without going broke.
Written by Suzy Cohen, R.Ph.
Prepare yourself for a beauty makeover that won’t break the bank.
Q: What can I take or apply to help me grow hair? I’m embarrassed because it’s thinning so much, and now my scalp is visible.
A: When you run low on thyroid hormone, you can lose your hair, so allow your doctor to test you and restore your levels. Next, take a look in your medicine cabinet because certain meds can deplete nutrients needed for hair growth. Antibiotics, estrogen-containing hormones and acid blockers are three common drugs that deplete the B vitamins, and when you run out of Bs, your luxurious locks may start to fall out. Also, as women age, we make less estrogen compared to testosterone. When your body’s hormones tilt out of healthy balance, you get more production of DHT (dihydrotestosterone). Too much DHT hanging around in your scalp spells trouble because it makes you more likely to lose hair. Many hair-care supplements help reduce DHT in your cells. Here are some other products you can use.
► B-Complex: The Bs protect against prematurely graying, greasy hair, dandruff and slow hair growth. Incidentally, Bs help with nerve pain, muscle twitching and dry skin.
Take: 1 tablet once or twice each day.
► Vitamin E: This nutrient lubes up dry, dull hair and skin. Not only is it a wonderful moisturizer, it might thicken hair and minimize scar formation.
Take: 400 to 800 IU daily with food.
► Nu Hair DHT Blocker: These are tablets that women (and men) can take to control their DHT levels. They work by using a natural herb called saw palmetto along with some zinc, selenium and lycopene.
► Women’s Rogaine Solution: Applied to the scalp, Rogaine works because it contains minoxidil. In the pharmacy, minoxidil is sold as a tablet for blood pressure, but one of its side effects sparks hair growth.
► Regenetresse Thinning Hair: This three-step kit includes shampoo to clean out your hair follicles, solution to stimulate hair growth, and another formula to block DHT and correct levels of estrogen hormone.
► Doo Gro Stimulating Growth Oil: Specifically formulated to nourish dry hair follicles for women of African-American descent, this product stimulates hair growth utilizing botanicals and vitamins A, D and E. It adds shine, stops dandruff, and can relieve an itchy, dry scalp.
Q: My nails are very brittle, and the edges crack easily. Is there something I can do (or apply) other than the acrylic nails I get at the salon?
A: As with skin, nails often reflect your nutritional status. Here are some products that can help.
► Silica (or Horsetail Extract): It promotes hair growth, and toughens nails. Another plus with silica is that it may relieve hemorrhoids and prevent varicose veins. It is often included in formulas for hair, skin and nails. Follow label directions.
► Vitamin D: Get sunshine every day because your skin makes vitamin D from the sun, and you need it for strong nails, bones and teeth. Daily, get 15 minutes of midday sun or take 1,000 IU of D3 (cholecalciferol).
► Sally Hansen Clear & Restore: Use this cool pen applicator to rub tea tree oil and lavender extract on your nails. Within a few weeks, the treatment softens and removes thick yellow or dark keratin build-up.
► Nutra Nail: This liquid nail solution contains green tea extract that penetrates your nail surface to add moisture and protection.
► Sally Hansen Nail Nutrition Daily Growth Treatment: This product contains about 11 natural extracts, including red tea (rooibos), mushroom, Panax ginseng, willow bark, alfalfa and eucalyptus. Apply the gel to your nails, and massage it in.
► Sally Hansen Nail Essentials Dietary Supplement: Taken by mouth, this contains a lot of biotin, MSM and cysteine, three powerful nutrients that nourish cartilage, bones, tendons, skin and nails.
Q: For several years, I’ve had a lot of hair growth on my face. Is there something I can do aside from shaving?
A: Ask your doctor for a prescription of Vaniqa. It’s the best defense against granny hairs on your face. You get results in 30 to 60 days (more information at Vaniqa.com). It’s a little pricey, but sometimes insurance covers it. ?
Q: My skin has fine wrinkles on the forehead and around my eyes. I am 33 years old and not willing to do Botox, but it really bothers me. Can you help?
A: Stop consuming so much processed canned foods, alcohol, coffee and artificial sweeteners. Get choosier about cleaners, and toss out harsh, drying or chemical-laden products. Try Burt’s Bees Soap Bark & Chamomile (which removes dirt and oil using aloe and chamomile) or Be Fine Skin Cleanser, which contains oat bran and peppermint. Here are some supplements and products to help minimize the signs of aging.
► Vitamin C: C helps make collagen, which is needed to keep your skin attached properly so it won’t sag or droop. Eat more citrus fruits, or supplement with about 500 mg daily.
► 24/7 Skincare Targeted Wrinkle Treatment: This diminishes laugh lines, deep furrows and forehead wrinkles with such ingredients as GABA and hyaluronic acid. It feels drying because it “freezes” skin, giving you a more youthful appearance over time. Compared to the pricey Freeze 24/7, this brand gives about the same bang for fewer bucks.
► 24 Hour Facelift: A topical alternative to injectable Restylane, a skin filler, it contains hyaluronic acid, a natural skin filler that is released slowly over the course of 24 hours.
► Therm-Active Deep Wrinkle Serum: It’s thick; you put it on your forehead and around your eyes, then apply a hot towel. The oat, soy, hibiscus and pea extracts work to minimize deep lines.
► ActiFade: This cream utilizes hydroxyquinone (also sold by prescription) to lighten blotchy skin and age spots on your hands and face. It actually bleaches the skin safely.
Q: I have really dark circles under my eyes. I’ve tried about $500 worth of creams and lotions from the cosmetic counters at department stores. My husband says I look like an owl. What do you suggest?
A: Your first line of defense is a good concealer—don’t leave home without it! Knowing why dark circles occur in the first place is also important. Simply put, the darkness occurs when tiny capillaries break and blood leaks out. Under thin and delicate skin, you suddenly get the appearance of reddish-blue darkness. It’s hard to repair these capillaries, so making sure they are flexible and less likely to crack is important. That’s why vitamin C is crucial. Take it every day in order to form elastic, flexible blood vessels and arteries. It’s not just for your eyes, it’s for your entire circulating pipeline. C can also help regulate cholesterol, how beautiful is that? In addition, consider the following products.
► L’Oreal Dermo Expertise Eye Defense: It contains caffeine and Ginkgo biloba extract to really get the blood flowing underneath your eyes.
► PreVentin-AT Dark Circles With Glyloxane: This is an inexpensive knock-off of the pricey department store Hylexin. The cream uses vitamins and silica to help diminish dark circles and puffiness.
► Be Fine Eye Blossom Miracle Eye Serum: This lightweight product contains passionflower extract, flaxseed oil and cucumber antioxidants to lighten dark areas under the eye and improve elasticity.
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Suzy’s Secret From Behind the Counter: |
