Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Travel Body Care

It is a real fun getting away from home with your family & friends for a holiday. In fact, holidaying is the best way to relax your mind & body from the stress of your routine work. But traveling long distances can make you feel tired and reduce the joy of a vacation. To keep your body fit, it is always better to avoid junk and switch to healthy foods. Any exertion cannot only spoil your mood, but can also result in dehydration, fatigue and hunger. It's better to be proactive rather than reactive. Given here are a few tips on how to take care of your body and health while traveling.

Eat Healthy Food
Some people don't eat enough while traveling which is a big mistake and some eat a lot of junk food which is even worse. While traveling you should try to eat as much of fresh fruits and vegetables as you can. If fresh fruits are not available then try to have some dried apricots or raisins, which you can even take along with you in your hand bags.

Fruits & dry fruits, such as, apples, bananas, unsalted peanuts, dried apricots, etc, have the nutrients that are necessary for your body and helps in keeping you alert and active. Do not eat food that is high in salt content, as they will result in swollen ankles and feet. Drinking plenty of water and limiting the alcohol consumption can help you feel fresh & active. Try to keep your meal timing constant, eat small portions and try to eat slowly.

Carry Enough & Comfortable Clothing
Make sure that while traveling your clothes should be very comfortable as if they are too tight you will have difficulty to sit & relax. You should also keep in mind that clothes you wear are washable so that they can withstand travel stains.

Have A Sound Sleep
Some people have difficulty in sleeping while traveling. If you face same problem then make sure to keep your own pillow in your bag as you are used to that pillow and it is already adjusted according to the shape of your head and you will feel like home by relaxing on it. You could even wear a sleep mask on the journey. Most of these masks are made from soothing herbs that help reducing puffiness and have a cooling effect.

Exercise Is A Must
Wherever you're, try to exercise. As you're spending most of your time in traveling, your joints and back will get stiff. Probably you don't get adequate gear and machines, never mind and try to walk. Walking is the best exercise for everyone. Prefer taking stairs, than elevator or escalator.

Shaving Tips For Woman


Shaving among women became the rage during World War II when the supply of nylon stockings plummeted. It was then that the trend of bare legs started and to this day is a fashion statement. Today though many women wax their legs, shaving is still the least expensive way to remove your hair. Shaving has to be done carefully or it will result in nicks and irritation. Here are a few shaving tips for women to ensure that they are doing it right.
  • Do not shave dry skin. Wet your skin and let the moisture soften your skin. Shaving is a natural exfoliator and if your skin is dry, your razor will get blocked with dead skin and you are likely to nick yourself as well.
  • Do not waste money by buying creams specially made for women, as they are almost the same as those made for men.
  • To find the perfect razor you will just have to use all those available and choose the one that you like best. You can ask your friends who shave to recommend razors. Look for a razor with lubricated strips, pivoting heads and spring mounted multiple blades.
  • Exfoliate before you shave to ensure that the dead skin cells do not clog your razor and prevent a close shave.
  • For your legs you will have begin shaving from your ankles and then work upwards. For your underarms you will have to shave in every direction as hair grows in every direction under your arm.
  • After you have finished shaving apply oil or moisturizer. The skin on your leg has few oil glands and hence may become dry.
  • When hair curls back under the skin it caused ingrown hairs. To avoid ingrown hairs exfoliate everyday and use a glycolic acid body lotions.
  • If you have a chronic case of ingrown hairs then use a lotion that is specially made for ingrown hairs, that is easily available at the chemists. Apply it in the morning and at night and the bumps will vanish within a few days.
  • If you shave your legs coarse hair will grow back fast. Therefore consider waxing your legs at least.

Self Tanning Tips


Getting a tan in the sun is not the really safe way of tanning yourself. Using a self-tanning product is a safe way of getting a tan. The tan from a self-tanning product not only removes the white areas caused by winter but they also give you some amount of protection against the sun. The tan that one gets from using these products normally washes off easily. Today there is an increasing demand for semi-permanent tanning lotions. Most of these self-tanning products come with additions like vitamin E and aloe vera that softens and moisturizes the skin. In order to ensure that the tan does not look fake choose a tan color that suits your skin color. Most self-tanning products are available in a range of shades.

To ensure that your tan lasts longer, use the following tips to prepare your skin:
  • Exfoliate your skin with a body scrub to remove loose flakes of skin. This will ensure that the tan does not look patchy and it will last longer.
  • Moisturize the areas you want to tan. This will allow the self-tanning lotion to spread smoothly and reduce the chances of streaking.
  • Apply the self-tanning product with long firm strokes on your legs and arms. Rub the lotion using a circular motion into your stomach, buttocks and checks.
  • Apply self-tanning lotion carefully to the dry areas of your body, as they will absorb more color. Pay special attention to your knees, elbows and heels.
  • To ensure that you have an even tan around your eyebrows and hairline, use a cotton bud to remove any tanning lotion that gets accumulated. Use this along the side of your nose and along laughter lines, as tanning lotion normally clogs around these areas and tans the areas more.
  • Do not apply self-tanning product on your nails, as they will turn orange.
  • Wash your hands well after applying self-tanning lotion, especially wash your cuticles and under your nails.
  • Do not wear clothes or sleep on your bed cover for about half an hour at least. This will stain your clothing and bedcovers.

Perfumes


Both men and women use perfumes or fragrances. Everybody likes to smell nice and pleasant and nobody wants to stink of body odor. Women have a wide range of perfumes to choose from. There are perfumes specifically meant for the day and those that are specially meant for the night. Many people do not know how to buy perfumes. Here are a few pointers as to how to choose a perfume:
  • Try the perfume before you buy it.
  • Try buying new perfumes. While buying new perfumes limit yourself to three perfumes, as your nose will not be able to differentiate between the perfumes if you try too many.
  • The same perfume will smell different on different people because it will react differently to each person's body.
  • Wait for 10 minutes after applying the perfume, it will give you the right smell after it reacts with your skin.
After buying the perfume of your choice your would like to get the most out of the perfume. Here are a few tips on how to get the best out of the perfume:
  • Do not expose your perfume to extreme temperature and sunlight. After the perfume bottle is opened the perfume will change and exposure to sunlight will disturb the delicate smell of the perfume. Store it in a cool dark place to keep the fragrance intact.
  • Use shower gel, body lotions and body sprays of the same fragrance as your perfume it will last longer if you do this. Use your perfume as a highlight on your pulse points finally.
  • Perfumes should be used throughout the day. Even concentrated perfumes do not last for the whole day. You will have to re-apply every 3-4 hours.
  • Use a different perfume for the morning and a different one for the night. Choose a perfume according to your mood.
Here are some interesting facts about perfumes:
  • Women have a keener sense of smell than men.
  • The sense of smell is affected by your medication, diet and lifestyle.
  • Perfumes react differently on blondes, brunettes and redheads.
  • Our ability to remember smell is greater than the ability to remember things that we have seen.
  • Our sense of smell is sharper in the latter half of the day.
  • The older you grow the less sharp your sense of smell is.
  • Perfumes rise and if worn only on the face or behind the ears, it will rise and vanish quickly.
  • Oily skin holds perfumes better than dry skin.
  • Perfume once opened will fade with time.
  • Increase in altitude reduces the lasting ability of a perfume.

Cellulite Reduction at Home


Cellulite is caused due to the swelling of sub dermal fat cells which push around the connective tissues that hold the cells together. The less fat you have, the less noticeable cellulite is. Markets are crammed with expensive creams, lotions, and injections; but these products are not the right choice to get rid of cellulite. The medical profession is also taking full advantage of the people's disliking for the cellulite development by offering different types of surgeries. In fact, diet and exercise can help the most in reducing the appearance of cellulite.

Eat High Fiber Food
The best remedy for cellulite is possible even at home. To reduce cellulite, you are required to detox your body, particularly your liver and colon. Steer clear of nicotine and caffeine and reduce your extra intake of salt or fat. Also drink plenty of water and eat foods rich in nutrients like soy, blueberries and nuts. Prefer to include healthier food in diet such as whole grain foods containing barley, rye, millet, or oats. All these grains contribute to fight against cellulite buildup. The secret for reducing cellulite is a food which has high fiber & low fats. So, it is recommended to rely more on fresh fruit, vegetables and whole grains. Ensure to get the nutrients glucosamine, B vitamins and essential fatty acids. Indeed onions work wonders to combat cellulite.

Exercise Regularly
Regular exercise is another home remedy which is very effective for the reduction of cellulite. Exercise does not mean to pump iron and become a body builder but in this case motion exercises like speed walking, cycling, climbing stairs, yoga and aerobics will work more, as these exercises help in burning off the excess fat cells, which are the main reason for the cellulite development. Choose exercises that help you loose weight on your legs and buttocks. Avoid the consumption of alcohol as alcohol slows down the digestive process and makes the body store more food as fat. It has been seen that giving up smoking and seeking a less stressful lifestyle also helps to slows down cellulite development.

Indulge In Massaging
Massaging the cellulite areas can also help in increasing circulation and breaking the fat cells. You can use a body brush, a body wash or exfoliating product, while bathing, as these products also increase circulation. Aromatherapy oils like sage, cypress and juniper also helps in cellulite reduction. If you want to go for special treatment, there are a few Spa Cellulite Reduction methods which are safe and natural.

Wear Pantyhose
Wearing pantyhose works to reduce cellulite as they press the fat and help circulation. Pantyhose, specially made to help reduce cellulite, are also available in the markets. There are a number of commercial products too, that you can use to reduce cellulite. Cellulite may never completely disappear but you can minimize it by doing regular exercise and having healthy diet.

Hair Removal Information & Techniques


For decades now, women have been removing unwanted body hair, using different techniques. Not only does it add to the woman's beauty but it is better for her personal hygiene as well. Today getting rid of unwanted hair has become easier than ever. There are a number of easy techniques that you can use at home or you can visit a beauty parlor for professional treatment. Given below in some information about the different techniques that are available today.
  • Shaving: Shaving is a popular technique as it can be done at short notice and gives you instant results without much effort. Most women still continue to shave inspite of alternate techniques being available. This method is quick and cheap, though the hair grows back rapidly and when the hair grows back it is very coarse. You should soften the hair by washing the area with warm soapy water. Use light gentle strokes in the direction of the hair growth, to remove the hair. After you finish moisturize the skin. There are different kinds of razors, electrical, disposable, with twin blades and moisturizing strips. Choose one that suits you the best.
  • Hair Removal Creams: These creams are manufactured in such a way that they dissolve the hair. These creams have an ingredient called keratolytic that will damage the skin if it is left on for a long time. Use a patch test the first time you are using a cream. But there is no doubt that they make the skin hair free, smooth and soft.
  • Waxing: Though this method is a little painful, it is good to remove hair from the arms, legs and bikini line. Hair re-growth after waxing is slow and may take as much as two months. It is best to do a patch test for waxing as well. For best results one should continue waxing on a regular basis. Hair is removed from its root and when it re-grows it is finer. The problem with waxing is that the hair has to grow a little for waxing to be efficient. It helps to dust a little talcum powder on the area before waxing.
  • Sugaring: This technique is similar to waxing. Here the removal solution is warmed and then applied on the area required with the help of a palette knife. The solution is applied in the direction of the hair growth. Then a cotton strip is used to cover the solution and torn away in the opposite direction and thus the hair is removed. Hair re-growth takes about six to eight weeks and it is fine.
  • Electrolysis: This is a salon treatment and is expensive, but last longer and could be permanent as well. This requires a series of sittings if the results are to be good. A fine needle passes a very low electrical current into the hair follicle. After a session there will be slight swelling, redness and scarring which will take a few days to disappear.
  • Laser treatment: This is another salon-based treatment that is expensive too. You need a few sessions for good results. Black activating lotion is applied over the area, to enable the hair follicle to absorb the laser energy. In this technique the best results are got from people with thick body hair.

Bathing


Bathing is much more than just sitting in a tub. One of the most important ways through which you take care of your body is to by having a good bath. A bath cleans and refreshes your body and is relaxing for the mind as well. It is important to have a bath everyday, in order to maintain good personal hygiene as well. Having a bath early in the morning refreshes you and makes you ready for the whole day. On the other hand, bathing in the evening or night removes all the dust, grime and sweat that you have gathered throughout day and ensures that you are able to get a good and peaceful sleep.

There are various kinds of baths in the present day world, including private baths, public baths, Turkish baths, public swimming pools (also known as swimming baths), steam shower baths, sponge bath, hot baths and cold baths, each suiting a different need. Today, the concept of luxurious bathing has also caught on. Making the right kind of arrangements in the bathroom and adding the right kind of accessories can go a long way in making your bath not only enjoyable, refreshing and soothing, but luxurious as well. In the following lines, we have listed the best tips for luxurious bathing, which will ensure the perfect beauty and a really beautiful body for you.

Luxurious Bathing
  • First of all, you need to prepare the bathroom and the bath.
  • Create a soothing and peaceful environment in the bathroom.
  • Light aroma candles or scented candles and play some relaxing music in the background.
  • Arrange a comfortable bath pillow, which will help you relax.
  • Now, turn off the phone and switch off the answering machine, to avoid any disturbance.
  • Fill your bathtub with warm, not hot water. It will help you relax.
  • Add bath salts and essential oils to your tub.
  • Lie down in the tub and soak yourself for 15-20 minutes. Let your mind and body relax.
  • To clean yourself, make use of a fragrant soap, along with body sponge, loofah or brush.
  • Massage your skin in a circular motion.
  • Rinse off your body with water
  • Pat your skin partially dry with a towel. Please do not rub.
  • Immediately after drying yourself, apply your favorite moisturizer while the skin is damp. Doing so will lock in the moisture from your bath.

Body Care

After an exhausting day your body needs to be relaxed and pampered in order to get a good night's sleep. You must take care of your body not only in the day but in the night as well. While you sleep at the night, the body is resting and replenishing itself. There are a few things that you can do to relax the body to help in the replenishing process. Here are a few ideas for bath and body care in the night:
  • Take a warm, soothing bath. Fill your bathtub with warm water and some lavender that helps in calming and relaxing the body and reduces muscle tension. You can add chamomile, which is a skin soother and helps in reducing swelling and pain in the skin. Lie in the bath for some time and let these herbs relax your body and mind.
  • If you want to wake up with a tan you can use a self-tanning lotion overnight. Exfoliate your skin with a scrub and moisturize. Once the moisturizer is fully absorbed spread the self-tanning lotion evenly all over your body, working on one portion of the body at a time. Use wipes to wipe the tanner off your palm and fingers as you apply the lotion. Today there are many self-tanning lotions that dry in five minutes.
  • Your hands are the first to show signs of aging and often neglected as well. Give your hands a new lease of life. Apply a generous amount of rich hand cream to restore lost moisture. This is an important part of night body care.
  • While sleeping in your bed, ensure that your neck is properly supported through the night. Buy a good quality people to help keep the stress off your neck. Your sleep should rejuvenate you so ensure that every part of your body is taken care of properly.
  • Ingrown hairs block pores and can cause bacteria to develop, resulting in redness and swelling. Use a cream that has glycolic and salicylic acid that removes the bacteria. Make it a part of your night care routine for a few nights and you will get rid of ingrown hairs.
  • Your feet support the weight of your entire body. Find time to take care of them. If they are callused and cracked moisturize them well. If they are cracked use a foot cream that has glycolic acid. Apply this cream before you sleep and slip on a pair of clean cotton socks. This should be another important part of your body care routine every night.
  • Light aromatic candles in your bedroom. These candles will provide a soothing atmosphere and relax your senses. Just remember to blow them out before you sleep.
  • Keep the humidifier running in the bedroom to keep the air moist. You skin will glow and be replenished by the moist air through the night.
  • Use a "hot stone massage" to heat your heart. This treatment that is common in spas can be done at home too. You need a smooth flat stone as large as the human hand. You can find one on the beach or buy one in a skin care boutique. Follow the instructions given below:
· Boil water in a pot.
· Add rosemary, clove and peppermint into the water.
· Put the rock into the water and let it stay there till it is heated.
· Put off the heat and allow the rock to turn nice and warm.
· Lie down in a dark or softly lit bedroom and place the warm rock between your breasts, on your chest. Allow the warmth and aroma of the stone to relax you and soothe you into a deep peaceful sleep.