Natural Anti Aging

Unsightly varicose veins and spider veins are caused by either heredity, prolonged standing, hormonal changes, pregnancy, aging, and obesity. Up to 60% of North Americans suffer from one of these vein disorders. Luckily, there are very simple anti-aging procedures which can completely solve the problem of varicose and/or spider veins.  These types of vein disorders usually appear in the legs because the legs carry the heavy weight of the body. The veins in the legs endure the most pressure, both gravity and the task of carrying the body around increases the pressure on the veins in the legs. It is the task of the veins, to carry the blood back to the heart from the bottom of the legs. Prolonged standing, hormonal changes, the effects of pregnancy and aging, all make the likelihood of the appearance of varicose and spider veins more likely.

Varicose veins over time can become unattractive and uncomfortable and cause pain. The legs can begin to throb and cramp at night. The skins around the veins can become itchy or burning. Varicose veins can become a serious problem causing a condition called “venous insufficiency” which is a severe clogging of the vein or a blood clot. It may block the heart and lungs from functioning correctly.

Varicose veins and spider veins can be prevented by:

• Maintaining a healthy weight to save the pressure on your legs

• Protecting your skin from the sun with sunscreen

• Limiting your intake of salt or sodium

• Don’t cross your legs when sitting – this cuts off the circulation

• Avoid standing for long periods of time, alternative standing with walking or shifting the weight from one leg to the other

• When resting, elevate your legs

• Exercise regularly to improve circulation

• Avoid tight clothing

• Eat a high fiber diet.

If varicose veins become swollen, red or tender to touch, contact your doctor. Treatments for varicose and spider veins include:

• Sclerotherapy

• Ambulatory Phelebectomy

• Electrodesiccation

• Laser surgery • Closure treatment

• Surgical Ligation and Stripping

Contact your doctor or cosmetic surgery clinic to find out which of these anti aging treatments is best for you.  Removing varicose veins will improve the appearance of your legs.

No doubt you have heard about all the health benefits of olive oil and noticed that olive oil is often used as an ingredient in many hair and anti-aging skin care products. Well I just found another use for olive oil I wanted to share.

A friend told me a recipe for making your own makeup remover. It involved a mixture of three oils, two of them being olive oil and castor oil. Well, I didn’t have any in the house that night and I decided to give olive oil a try as a makeup remover. Result: it’s soft on the skin, works like a dream and the price is so right, costing about $6 – $8 for a huge bottle from the grocery store. I’ve put some olive oil in a small bottle and it’s now my makeup remover of choice in the bathroom. Also, it doesn’t smell so don’t worry about that

Just wanted to share this tip with our readers!

I had booked an appointment for a repeat visit at the Summerhill Spa at 154 Cumberland Avenue, Yorkville, Toronto to review their anti-aging microdermabrasion treatment with a deep cleansing facial. It’s a repeat visit because we at PureAgeless prefer organic and all natural treatments and these are the kind of products that the Summerhill Spa uses. My esthetician, Jennifer, recommended the frequency for follow-up microdermabrasion treatments for my skin, something I appreciated.

First my face was cleansed with gentle botanical cleansing cream and then exfoliated with their rice grain exfoliator product while the face steamer is blowing on steam to my skin to assist in the cleaning and

softening and opening up the pores. The next step involves an extraction process to remove whiteheads and blackheads. I didn’t realize that, at my age, I would have any of these, but I did, probably the residuals of city living, makeup, etcetera.

A purifying mask was then applied to remove extra sebum. The esthetician then told me that because of the microdermabrasion process which will leave the skin sensitive, she would give a neck, shoulder and scalp massage which was fabulous and left me feeling totally de-stressed.

The actual microdermabrasion process is done with a machine and mineral crystals. It felt like a small vacuum across the surface of my skin. She ask me if I felt okay –e.g., did it hurt and if she could use it in a slightly stronger mode which was fine with me. My skin was left feeling tingly and little hot which was soon cooled down by the cooling botanical mask which followed. This is a special mask which comes after the microdermabrasion process.

While the mask set, I had also booked a pampering session for the feet which including a soak in an organic essential oil foot bath. Then the esthetician used Natural Dead Sea Salts and an essential oil scrub on the lower legs and feet. My feet were then dried and massaged for a 15 minute session of reflexology which is known to improve circulation and energy flow. I was feeling so relaxed, I was almost at the point of slumber. Finishing off, the esthetician then applied a moisturizing foot cream, letting me know that my skin was very dry and I should be using “butters” rather than lotions on my skin to moisturize. She then told me to sit up, something I found almost difficult to do because I felt so relaxed and peaceful. While I was sitting up, she finished off by massaging the shoulders.

The mask on my face had dried and it was gently pried off my face. A toner and moisturizing cream was then applied followed by a light sunscreen. She told me to use a sunscreen because of the sensitive state the skin is left in after a microdermabrasion. In fact, she said, one should always use a sunscreen on the face, something I don’t always do.

My face looked and felt extremely clean after the anti-aging microdermabrasion deep cleansing facial. My skin tone appeared more even, except for my cheeks. My cheeks were slightly rosy, but that had disappeared by the end of the day. The slightly burning, tingling sensation had gone because of the calming botanical mask which had cooled down my face.

This anti-aging microdermabrasion is recommended for reducing the appearance of shallow acne scars, brown spots, hyper-pigmentation (melasma), sun damaged skin, dull aging skin, fine lines and wrinkles, and uneven skin tone. An esthetician should recommend a maintenance schedule for you. My esthetician had recommend follow up treatments every month for the next three months. What occurs with follow up treatments remains to be seen. I am pleased with the results and found it to be well worth the introductory price of $78.

And the wonderful thing is the amazing relief from the stressful world self-pampering allows.  Microdermabrasion is an inexpensive method to use for antiaging skincare that actually works.