Rich people more likely to have skin cancer

If you are wealthy, this piece is for you. A recent study has revealed that wealthier people are more than twice vulnerable to the deadliest form of skin cancer, than those financially lesser lucky.
The study conducted by Queen’s University Belfast and Royal Victoria Hospital on 23,000 cancer patients in Northern Ireland revealed that those lucky in terms of finances are unlucky when it comes to health. Those who live in affluent areas are two- and-a-half times more likely to develop malignant melanoma compared to the less well offs.
The study places middle classes in the greater risk category next to the higher classes. Rate of the risk of basal cell carcinoma, a more common but easily treatable type of skin cancer, caused by prolonged exposure to sunlight, was 41 per cent higher in middle-class males and 29% more likely in middle-class females than in working-class people of a similar age. The researchers put the blame on the middle classes taking more holidays in sunny places and being more likely to develop sun-damaged skin due to excessive exposure to the sun.
The disease is more common in women than men. Malignant melanoma affects more than 8,000 Britons a year and annually claims 1,800 lives.
Research now shows a clear link between wealth and the cancer. However, no link was developed between income and squamous cell carcinoma, another form of skin cancer, which became more common with age.
Dr Susannah Hoe, co-author of the study, published in the British Journal of Dermatology, believes that although some sections of society face greater risks than others, yet, the ’safe sun’ message to halt rising skin cancer rates is for all and not just for one community.
Researchers also lament the rising number of caner patients every year and put the blame on youngsters who ignore advice on safe tanning.
Whereas, Rebecca Russell of Cancer Research UK, clarifies that the study clearly answers the number of rising cancer patients in Britain for their habit of holidaying abroad under the sun.
Earlier studies have linked wealth to breast cancer, which is more likely to attack middle class women.
However, as the study propagates safe sun measures, people at large whether rich or less rich should pay heed and try to lessen their exposure to the sun. Most careful must be the most vulnerable section.

Shade your kids!

All of us are aware of deadly skin cancer. But, a new study has urged parents to shade their kids from harmful UV rays. The warning comes as a result of a study that has found strong evidence that overall sun exposure in childhood results in deadly skin cancer.
The news comes as the Food and Drug Administration department is finishing long-awaited rules to improve sunscreens. The department wants sunscreens to be rated for the protection they give against deeper-penetrating ultraviolet-A rays that are linked to cancer and wrinkles.
The department has warned parents to be aware of the weather forecast for the day’s UV index in their town, to learn when to stay indoors or in the shade. In doing this, parents can better shield their children against harmful UV rays of the sun.
Dr. Nancy Thomas, a dermatologist at the University of North Carolina who led the UV research, says that sunscreen is imperfect and skin cancer is on the rise, therefore one should schedule activities outside when UV irradiation is not quite so high because.
Melanoma, the most fatal skin cancer, has already affected almost 60,000 Americans this year, and killed some 8,100. Earlier studies found that it usually strikes in the 40s or 50s, but cases are on the rise among the younger people.
The study is being conducted on Americans and Australians. Scientists are working to find the interaction of genes and UV exposure in skin cancer patients. With the initial results suggesting that overall sun exposure in childhood results in deadly skin cancer. Therefore staying in the shade in early life. Though, the reason behind isn’t that clear yet, but scientists feel that young skin is more vulnerable to damaging UV rays, especially as moles are developing.
In adults over 50, another melanoma subtype, characterized by alteration in a gene called NRAS, is strongly linked to UV exposure. Scientists say that sunscreens have proved effective for mostly UVB rays that cause sunburns, not UVA rays, therefore adults who depend only on sunscreen to prevent skin cancer are under a false sense of security.
Until now, sunscreens made their way into the markets very easily, but now as per the soon-to-come FDA proposal, the sunscreens would be rate as per their SPF, or sun protection factor. That means sunscreens and lotions having both UVA and UVB protection would be allowed access to markets.
But, the best way is to protect sun as much as possible, be it during childhood or adulthood. Sun rays are harmful for both classes.

Via: Msnbc

Overnight Body Treatment

Heat your heart center. You may have heard of "hot stone massage" -- available in exclusive spas and resorts. Emily Voth, who created the line of aromatherapy products Indigo Wild explains how you can benefit from hot stones at home. You'll need a smooth flat stone, about the size of a human hand, which you can find on the beach, or purchase at a skin care boutique. Here's what to do:
Boil a pot of water.
Add rosemary, clove and peppermint.
Place the rock in the water until it's heated.
Turn off the heat and wait until the rock is nicely warmed -- but not too hot.
In a softly lit or dark room, lay down and place the rock on your chest in the place between your breasts. Stay quiet and allow the warmth and aroma of the stone to soothe your very being. You're sure to drift off into a deeply restful sleep.

No Scars and No Dry Skin!

Prevent dry skin. Running a humidifier in your bedroom will keep the air moist, and skin loves moist air. If you add essential oil of eucalyptus to the water it will clear your breathing passages and enhance your sleep. Add five or six drops of eucalyptus to clear the sinuses.

Make scars go away. Mederma is an over-the-counter gel formulated to help new and existing scars appear softer and smoother. It includes botanical extracts, the key one called cepalin, derived from onions. Over a few weeks time, the scar's appearance will be softer and smoother. In many cases, the flexibility of the skin will also improve.

3 more ways to pamper your body!

Remove feet calluses. Slather your feet in moisturizer. If your feet are rough or cracked, look for a product that contains glycolic acid. Apply right before bedtime and sleep with your socks on. Burt's Bees has an excellent foot balm and Get Fresh makes a wonderful grapefruit-scented intensive foot repair cream called Rescue Me.
Light a soothing candle. There's nothing more tranquil than the wavering glow of candlelight, and aromatic candles make the experience even more calming. Try Lavender Harvest by L'Occitane to create a truly relaxing and soothing atmosphere, -- but do remember to blow it out before you fall asleep.
Create a spa environment. The key ingredient to a spa atmosphere has to be room fragrance. Aromatherapy clay rings fit around the base of light bulbs -- the warmth of the bulb diffuses the scent you choose into your bedroom. Apply a soothing essential oil such as lavender to the ring at least one hour before bed.

source- ivillage.com

Pamper your Body!

Honor your neck. When you're lying in bed, your neck should be properly supported so the natural arch between the back of your neck and shoulders is not compromised. If, for example, the chin is falling forward too close to the neck, or conversely, arched too far backward, the muscles will crunch and neck stress will occur, and you won't feel rested in the morning. Invest in a high-quality pillow which keeps the stress out of the neck.

Get rid of ingrown hairs. When individual hairs grow backward into the skin, they clog the pores and bacteria can form, resulting in redness and swelling. Cindy Barshop, owner of New York City's Completely Bare spa, recommends clients use her Bikini Bump Blaster pads at night containing glycolic and salicylic acid which work by exfoliating the dead layer of skin and removing the bacteria. Use the pads for five nights successively to reveal a smooth bikini line.

Overnight body treatments

Take a bath. For the ultimate, soothing pre-bed ritual, fill the tub with warm water and lavender, which induces feelings of calmness by relaxing the body and relieving muscle tension, and chamomile, an excellent skin soother and anti-inflammatory agent, also acknowledged to bring down swelling and pain in the skin and mucous membranes. For added benefits, smooth your skin with a scrub like Luxury Lavender Foaming Body Scrub by de-luxe.
Renew your hands. You hands are the first to show signs of aging and are often the most neglected. Soothe them by slathering on Nivea Body Restorative Night Creme, to replenish lost moisture. Round it off with Nivea Body Renewal Night Creme for all-over soft, smooth skin.
Wake up with a tan. For the most even tan, exfoliate your skin in the shower first, using a grainy scrub or loofah. Dry well and apply moisturizer to rough patches like knees and elbows. Once the moisturizer has fully absorbed, spread the self-tanning product evenly to one portion of the body at a time. Keep baby wipes handy as you apply the product to wipe tanner from your palms and between your fingers as you go. You should apply most self-tanners at least a half hour before bedtime, but L'Oréal has a great new one called Sublime Bronze which dries in only five minutes.

Different types of Moisterizers

There are many types of moisturizers. The choice you make is a personal one, depending on how dry your skin is and what you like to use on your face and body.
It is very important to understand how to prevent dry skin. Hot water and soap dissolve the skin’s natural moisture, so if your skin is dry, keep your daily bath or shower short and water temperature moderate. While bathing, gently rub your body with a washcloth to exfoliate the skin, but don’t scrub too hard. Gently pat your skin dry. If you rub too hard at either point, you may remove too much skin and contribute to further dehydration. While the skin is still damp, apply a moisturizer. Moisturizers may not last all day, so reapplication may be necessary.
In general, the greasier the moisturizer, the better it works on dry skin. Ointments and creams are good for isolated areas such as hands, feet and face. Examples of these types of moisturizers include Cetaphil cream, Vaseline petroleum jelly, Eucerin cream, Aquaphor and other hydrated-base products. Lotions are generally good for all over the body. They are often preferred over ointments and creams because they are lighter and they apply and absorb more easily. But they are less effective as moisturizers than ointments or creams. Popular brands include Vaseline Intensive Care, Nutraderm, Lubriderm, Moisturel and Curel. Oils are effective and easily absorbed when applied to slightly damp skin after you pat dry. Don’t use oils in bathwater since they make the tub slippery and may coat the body, preventing water from entering the skin during the shower or bath. Oils can often be less moisturizing than ointments, creams or lotions.

source- ivillage.com

Why dry skin itches

Dry skin itches when your skin has developed cracks and fissures (which you may not even see) and bacteria, chemicals or other irritants have entered it. For immediate relief, try 100 percent aloe vera gel or calamine lotion. Benadryl creams, which contain antihistamines, temporarily stop itching.
What you really need is to allow your skin time to heal. Use a good
moisturizerthat contains oils that will lay on top of the skin and act as a barrier -- preventing moisture from leaving your skin. Petrolatum, cocoa butter and baby oil are known as excellent barriers. One study has shown that if you coat your skin with petrolatum and wipe it off immediately, you will retain enough barrier protection to make a noticeable difference.

source- ivillage.com

Preparing your face for Summer!

What's the best way to keep skin balanced all summer?In summer you are often dealing with oilier skin because heat tends to stimulate your sebaceous glands, which produce more oil. Add to that sweating, dust and pollution and suddenly your pores are larger. It's important to keep pores clean. In the morning, wash your face with a good cleanser. Look for ingredients that cool the skin, like extracts of menthol, eucalyptus and cypress. Younger women in their 20s might need chlorophyll extract, which is also an antiseptic, to help prevent acne. Follow the cleanser with a light moisturizer that contains SPF 30.
At night add nutrients to your face. First exfoliate skin with a mild, deep-cleansing scrub to get rid of dead skin and help unblock pores. Then use a light moisturizer and an eye cream.
On a weekly basis, apply a mask to balance the pH of your skin, which will improve its texture. For a nice cooling pick-up during the day, use an aerosol facial mist that contains botanicals.
By- Sonya Dakar