10 Summer Skin Problems To Beware Of

http://www.boldsky.com/beauty/skin-care/2013/ten-summer-skin-problems-032741.html

The warm sunny days of summer are extremely exciting. It is a great time to plan an outing or a pleasure trip. Summer gives you the opportunity to spend more time outdoors doing the things you love. But at the same time, summer brings a lot of skin problems also along with it. It is time to start thinking about getting your skin ready for the hottest season of the year, if you want to enjoy the sun and freedom of summer. Everybody will be looking for ideas to enjoy the summer without any short-term or long-term skin problems caused by the summer effect.

 The cumulative effects of sun exposure leave us at a  high risk of many skin problems. The UV rays cause most of the skin problems including sagging, wrinkles, uneven pigmentation, thickening, and general signs of aging.  UV  light damages the fibres in the skin called elastin and the skin begins to sag and stretch. To get through the summer with healthy and glowing skin is a challenge for all of us, especially for those who have to spend more time in the sun due to travel, site work or other professional demands.

 If you are not feeling to go out and enjoy the summer sun, then the reason may be your concern about skin problems. It is better to prevent the summer skin problems than trying to manage it after getting affected. Take good care of your skin before any skin problem trouble you. This is possible only if you are aware of the most common skin problems that may occur in summer. Ten main summer skin problems are:

1.Sun burns:  Exposure to the ultra violet rays of the sun may result in sunburn. Minimizing sun exposure during peak time of 10am  to 4 pm and using a sunscreen may help resist sunburn.

2.Summer rash: Increased heat and humidity results in heat rashes and skin irritations. Skin rash appears as small pinkish pimples. It is usually found on body areas covered by clothing.

3.Summer acne: The increased sweat and humidity along with the oily skin creams or sunscreen causes summer acne. Cream or dirt when mixed with sweat clog the skin’s pores causing acne.

4.Dry skin: Dehydration due to sweating is the main reason for dry skin. Excessive use of air conditioning will also contribute to this. Drinking plenty of water. Keep your skin hydrated with a moisturizer.

5.Athlete’s foot: This may occur when your feet get sweaty in closed-toe shoes due to heat and sweat. The condition will be worse if you have a minor skin or nail injury.

6.Cracked lips: Cracked lips are one of the main problems of summer. This is due to dry skin from dehydration. Drinking plenty of water and using a good quality lip balm are important during summer.

7. Uneven Skin Tone: Pigmentation of skin in different ratio cause uneven skin tone due to over exposure to UV rays.

8.Fungal infection: This may occur mainly in skin folds due to excessive sweating, tight dress or poor hygiene during summer. Keep your skin folds dry and wear a loose dress.

9.Dry flaky skin: Flaky skin is due to dehydration of skin. Use a water-based moisturizer regularly and drink plenty of water. Do exfoliations using a good quality scrub twice a week.

10.Scaly scalp: Scaly scalp is mainly due to dehydration and the accumulation of dirt on the scalp due to excess sweating. Extra care must be given to your scalp this summer to prevent scaly scalp and hair loss.

Clean Your Home After Holi

http://www.boldsky.com/home-n-garden/gardening/2013/clean-home-after-holi-032752.html

Vibrant colours fill our mind during the festive season of Holi. It is an extremely joyous and playful festival celebrated with fun, music and dance. But without colours, Holi is meaningless. The first and foremost scene that will flash in our mind is throwing coloured powders, playing with water guns or blasting water balloons. 

In this festival use of synthetic colours is very common. And these colours are a mixture of different chemicals like mineral oils, acids, heavy metals or glass powders. When compared to natural colours, it is more difficult to remove these synthetic colours from your floor, wall, furniture or garniture. This may hinder you from enjoying Holi to its fullest. You may be worried on how will be your living room after the celebrations, as Holi colours leaves marks and stains everywhere. But no need to worry as Boldsky brings few tricks to clean your home after Holi celebration.  

Tips to clean your home after Holi celebration:

1.      The most important point to be remembered is to remove the stains as soon as possible. If it is not practical, try to pour some water over the colour stains, so that it will not get dried up fast.

2.      For comparatively small stains, you may use soap-soaked brushes. Scrub the floor taking care not to leave any scratches. Use a nylon brush.

3.      Mild stains of colours can be removed easily. Use a liquid detergent. Allow the colours to get soaked in the detergent for some time and then wash it off. Repeat the process if necessary. To avoid scratching, wrap some cotton in a cloth and use this for wiping.

4.      The colour-stained floors can be cleaned easily with a paste of baking soda and water. Apply this paste over the stained floor and leave it until dried. Wipe off with a damp cloth or a wet sponge. This method may not work on the walls as its paint would get chipped off.

5.      Apply acetone or hydrogen peroxide with the help of cotton or sponge. Wipe the floor with a damp cloth giving some force. But remember not to make scratches on the floor.

6.      Be patient. It may need several washes for the colour to be removed. Nobody wants to leave scratch marks on their beautiful floors just because they celebrated one day with colours. So do not even think about scratching the floor. Consider only wiping. 

7.      If your floor is of white marble, you may use liquid bleach to remove stains. Do not use it on coloured or laminated floors because the bleach will soak up its colour.

8.      If there are pools of wet colour on the floor, first blot them with paper towels. Remove them as soon as possible. Leaving it for too long will make your task more difficult. Use soap or detergent if it remains wet.

9.      If you are a total failure in getting rid of the colours, do not worry, try an attractive carpet or rug over it.

12 Vitamin A Rich Foods

My article in http://www.boldsky.com/health/nutrition/2013/twelve-vitamin-a-rich-foods-032730.html

A healthy balanced diet is essential to ensure that your body is  getting all the necessary vitamins and nutrients for a healthy and beautiful skin. Healthy skin is an indication of overall wellbeing. If you want to improve skin health, then vitamin A is very important to be included in your diet.

Vitamin A has many properties similar to retinoid drugs, which are used to treat inflammatory skin conditions like acne. Carotenoids, a form of vitamin A found in fruits and vegetables, provides antioxidant effects and help improve your body's ability to keep your skin young and healthy. Vitamin A rich food may help prevent damage from toxins and may reduce the effects of aging process. 

Vitamin A will help in maintaining eyes and skin in a healthy condition. Retinoids  boost collagen, which plays important role in keeping the skin firm, there by reducing wrinkles. Vitamin A helps in rebuilding tissue, promoting wound healing and to minimize scarring. Vitamin A can regulate cell growth and are recommended for treating psoroiasis. Healthy and glowing skin adds charm to a person and it is a dream of most of us. Glowing skin is no more a dream.Try these tips and feel the difference.

Ckick here to watch the slide show http://www.boldsky.com/health/nutrition/2013/twelve-vitamin-a-rich-foods-032730.html

Carrots : Carrots are excellent source of vitamin A. Taking raw carrots or carrot juice will help improve the health of your skin and eyes. 100 g of raw carrot has 836 mcg of vitamin A content.

Animal liver: It is a very rich source of vitamin A and minerals. Beef, pork, turkey or fish provides about 6500 mcg of vitamin A from 100 gm. Vitamin A from animal sources is more easily absorbed by the body.

Sweet potato: Sweet potato is packed with generous amount of vitamin A which provides 709 mcg from 100 gm. Sweet potatoes contain beta carotene which can be converted to vitamin A inside the body.

Spinach:  If you're looking for a vitamin A rich food with good effect on your skin, spinach will be a good choice. 100 g of spinach has 469 mcg of vitamin A.

Cheese: Cheese and other dairy products are rich source of vitamin A which can improve the health of your skin.

Cantaloupe melon: This is another source of vitamin A packed with 169 mcg in just 100 g of it. One serving of  cantaloupe will provides more than 100 percent of adults' daily recommended intake of vitamin A. Taking cantaloupe adds extra glow to your skin.

Eggs: Eggs are also excellent source of  vitamin A which can act as an efficient food for keeping your skin healthy. The vitamin is present particularly in the yolk.

Avocados:  Avocados are healthy fat sources, which help your body absorb vitamin A from the intestine. Avocados can be taken raw or as juice.

Salmon:  Salmon is another source of vitamin A that may help protect your skin . it is a rich lean protein source with less saturated fat.

Papaya:  Papaya provides moderate amounts of vitamin A, which is effective in preventing inflammations of skin and keeping it healthy and glowing.

Broccoli. You can get 31 mcg of vitamin A from 100 g of broccoli. It will help provide elasticity to skin and thereby reduce wrinkles.

Mango: Mango is considered as the king of all fruits as it is the richest source of all essential vitamins including vitamin A. Mango is effective in keeping your skin healthy.

Post Holi Skin And Hair Care

Holi is the festival of colours. Synthetic colours with mineral oils, glass powder, heavy metals and acids can change the festival to a nightmare if the health hazards associated with the festival are neglected. If proper precautions are taken, it is possible to enjoy the festival without losing its spirit. The same importance is needed for the skin and hair care after getting messed up with colours.

It is fun celebrating the most colourful festival by playing with coloured powder, water guns and water balloons. But when it comes to clearing up the mess, it will leave a big question mark in front of us. The synthetic colours used are difficult to remove from floor, dresses, skin and hair. Unlike floor and dress, your skin and hair needs more gentle and soft treatments. Take necessary steps for precautions even before you play with colours. But cases are such a way that even if the precautions are taken and you will be still in trouble. Remember these tips and enjoy Holi to its fullest.

Click here to watch the slide show: Click here to wathttp://www.boldsky.com/beauty/body-care/2013/holi-skin-and-hair-care-032733.html

1.      Stay away from direct sun: Do not go in direct sun with colours on skin and hair. That will make it difficult to remove the colours. Try to be in shades if you are playing outside.

2.      Use plenty of water: Use plenty of water to bath and wash. Wash away the colours completely from skin and hair by repeated washing.

3.      Use moisturizers: Use moisturizing body lotions to keep the skin hydrated. Remember to apply a moisturizer all over your body after washing it off with mild soap or cleansers.

4.      Use mild soap: Using hard soaps for washing your skin or hair will make it dry and allergic.  Do not wash your face with soap immediately because soap will cause dryness as it is alkaline. 

5.      Apply sunscreen: Apply sunscreen if you are going to direct sun after washing off the colours.

6.      Apply oil: Apply generous amount of olive oil, coconut oil, almond oil or mustard oil on your face and body where colour powder accumulated. Keep it for some time and then wash with mild soap.

7.      Oil massage: Massage your hair from scalp to the tip with olive oil, coconut oil, almond oil or mustard oil. Use a generous amount of oil on hair. It will help to wash out colours more easily.

8.      Remove lip balm: Allowing colours to settle on the lips will cause it to get ingested. Wash off colours if it happens to be on lips as soon as possible.

9.      Wash your eyes: Wash your eyes with large amounts of water. It is better not to use contact lens while playing with colours. If you were using one, it is highly recommended to remove and clean it as soon as possible.

10.  Wear your worst cloths: Wear your worst cloths so that you can throw it. Trying to wash the colours will prolong your contact with it. It is recommended to use washing machine instead of washing with hands.

11.  Remove make-up: Remove your make-up completely as colour powder may stick to it. Chances are more for allergic reaction because of the combination of cosmetics and synthetic colours.

12.  Use cleansing milk: Instead of soap, you can use a cleansing cream or lotion which soothes the skin.

13.  Wash your hair: Rinse your hair with plenty of water and wash off dry colours. Use only mild shampoo.

14.  Use lemon and water for hair: Add the juice of a lemon to a mug of water and use it to rinse your hair. This helps to restore the acid-alkaline balance of the scalp.

15.  Do a henna treatment: Apply henna on hair and wash off after an hour; it will help your hair to restore its natural health and strength. 

Face Packs To Remove Holi Colours

http://www.boldsky.com/beauty/skin-care/2013/face-packs-remove-holi-colours-032718.html

Playing with colours is always a fun of Holi, but getting rid of these colours is always difficult. It needs more care because, there are chances of skin problems like skin irritation, dryness, and blemishes. There will be a lot of options to select a face pack and remove Holi colours. But the important point to be remembered is the nature of your skin. Always prefer a face pack which is suitable for your skin type. 

More care should be taken by those who have dry skin because these synthetic colours will make your skin dry. If you are going for a wrong face pack, it will give an opposite result. When we are trying to get rid of those artificial colours, there is no need to apply a face pack with artificial ingredients again. Here are some simple natural face packs to remove those colours from your body.

 Homemade face packs to remove Holi colours: 

·         Cleansing: Before applying any face pack, it is important to remove as much colour as possible. Using generous amount of water, coconut oil or a mixture of lemon juice and aloe Vera may help. The choice depends on your skin type and the amount of colour accumulated on your face.

·         Mix one tablespoon almond powder, one tablespoon honey, two drops of lemon juice and a bit of milk to make smooth paste.  Apply it on your face and let it dry. Wash after half an hour.  If you have dry skin, this will be a good choice.  

·         For oily skin, a mixture of one tablespoon soaked masoor dal, dried orange peel, one tablespoon rose water and 2 to 3 drops of lemon juice can be used to make a paste. Apply it on your face, let it dry. Remove with cotton wipes.

·         Mix 2 tbsp besan (gram flour), ½ tbsp turmeric powder and 2 tbsp rice flour with little rose water to make a paste. Apply this pack and wash it off with lukewarm water after half an hour .This is very effective for removing colours and to get soft and clean skin.

·         Mash a banana in a bowl and add two spoons of milk and honey into it. Apply the pack on your face and if needed, all over your body and let it dry. Once the pack has dried, remove it by gently scrubbing with your hand after moistening with water. Repeating this more than one time will give better results.

·         Lemon juice and aloe Vera mixture which act as cleanser can be used as a face pack as well.  Lemon juice removes colours whereas aloe Vera act as a natural moisturizer.  Together this will give you a clean face without drying out your skin.

Read more at: http://www.boldsky.com/beauty/skin-care/2013/face-packs-remove-holi-colours-032718.html

How To Treat Scar Tissue In Scalp?

My article in http://www.boldsky.com/beauty/hair-care/2013/treat-scar-tissue-scalp-032707.html

Scar tissue is a fibrous connective tissue that usually develops from a cut, injury, surgery or from skin conditions like acne. A scar is formed as a result of the healing process carried out by our body. The scar can be internal or external. External scar tissues are usually referred  as on-skin scar tissues. It appears as a raised mark, and will be numb. Because of the limited flow of blood, a scar tissue can become hard and firm and has neither sweat glands nor hair growth. Hair follicles may be destroyed along with skin tissue due to any injury or disease and hair will not be able to grow back.

The most common causes for scalp scar are acne, psoriasis and head injuries. If the scars are small and are surrounded by healthy tissue, it may not be visible to others because of hair growth from the surrounding hair follicles.

A scar can form at any part of your body from head to toe based on the site of injury or disease. But when it occurs on the scalp it will affect not only your health, but also your beauty. But don’t get depressed. You have alternate methods for hair care and to make your scar less noticeable. Try these tips. It really works.

Try Hair implants:  If you have a large area of scar,one option to grow hair over scar tissue is to get hair implants. Doing this will not remove the scar but will make the scar less visible due to implanted hair.

Treat acne on the scalp:  Acne is one important cause of scar. Treat it with acne wash containing salicylic acid. Apply it to the scalp two to three times daily.

Use a steroid ointment to minimize itching: In most cases, itching is responsible for making scar than the original cause. Consult a doctor and with their prescription, steroid ointments can be used to reduce itching. Keeping your scalp clean is also important.

Massage your scalp: This will help to remove the dead skin accumulated on the scar and will make the scar less visible. This will promote blood flow and thereby reduces scar tissue build-up.

Surgical Options: If the scar tissue does not cover a large area, stitching together the surrounding healthy tissue that has follicles with hair growth may help. But it will depend on the severity of the scar. Consulting a surgeon is important for this.

Hair extensions: Because there are no hair follicles to stimulate on a scar, medication may not help you more than scar management. In such cases, you can hide the bald patch by using a hairpiece.

Plastic Surgery: Plastic surgery offers ideal treatment solutions to extensively large scars. But this will not remove the scar, but will definitely help to make it less noticeable.

Take Vitamin E: Taking vitamin E supplement or foods rich this will help you to increase the rate of wound healing leaving  a very light scar  Vitamin E help produce collagen.

Chemical peel: Depending on the type of scar, a chemical peel can be suggested by your dermatologist.  It reduces the size of scars by removing the top layers of skin.

Laser treatment:  Laser treatment is the most widely used technique to treat scar tissue. This removes the outer layer of skin and replaces them with fresh layer of skin.

How To Get A Thick Moustache?

My article in http://www.boldsky.com/beauty/hair-care/2013/how-to-get-thick-moustache-032692.html

Fashion and trends will come and go. But the appealing title of moustache will remain the same. Youth are interested in experimenting various new styles on their moustache and beard these days. The moustache is a symbol of masculinity that many women will find attractive. While some men have thick moustache that grow without any hindrance, some others have to struggle to get it. Growing a moustache requires perseverance and patience.

The rate of growth of moustache is individual specific and in most cases this will be not under your control. It is greatly controlled by genetic factors. There is no single secret for getting a thick moustache. But there are some tips that will enhance your its growth to certain extend. Try out these and find out which one will work for you.

• Healthy diet: Since the growth of moustache is closely related to your overall health, having a well balanced diet is very important. Consuming more protein-rich foods such as beans, eggs and fish will give your body more nutrients which will support hair growth.

• Resist the temptation to shave: It probably will take at least one month for a moustache to grow. Resist any itching or irritation that occurs due to stubbles and wait for the hair to get softened eventually.

• Castor oil: Massage with castor oil is an effective way to increase the growth and thickness of moustache. Massage stimulates the hair follicles in that area, and increase blood circulation which will accelerate hair growth.

• Testosterone: Testosterone is a male hormone, basically controlling the rate of hair growth. Testosterone supplements may work for some but should be strictly under medical supervision.

• Drink water: Drink at least eight glasses of water each day to flush the toxins from your body. This will allow the transportation of nutrients to your hair follicles instead. 

• Get enough sleep: All the repair and restore works of the body is carried out during sleeping which includes hair growth as well.

• Herbal treatment: Mix 50 drops of rosemary essential oil with apple cider vinegar, jojoba oil and aloe Vera and rub on hair roots. Rinse after ten minutes.

Men can try out these grooming tips to sport a thick and dense moustache. Find out which one will work for you. Temporarily, the small gaps in the moustache hair growth can be adjusted by colouring the portion with an eyebrow pencil.

Read more at: http://www.boldsky.com/beauty/hair-care/2013/how-to-get-thick-moustache-032692.html

Foods To Reduce Bad Cholesterol

http://www.boldsky.com/health/nutrition/2013/foods-reduce-bad-cholesterol-032675.html

What you eat is what you are. If your diet can give you high cholesterol, it can lower it, too. But taking heart healthy foods to decrease your bad cholesterol levels will guarantee you a healthy heart. 

A diet rich in protein, antioxidants and fiber, along with decreased high-fat and high-carbohydrate food will is ideal to keep cholesterol levels under control. 

High levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) can trigger several health problems especially related to heart so, it is very important to control the rising bad cholesterol levels in the body. Fried and fatty foods increase LDL levels in the body. If not controlled, this can block blood circulation in the heart and lead to stroke. You can lower your bad cholesterol levels by adding these foods in your diet.
Click here for a slide show: http://www.boldsky.com/health/nutrition/2013/foods-reduce-bad-cholesterol-032675.html

Lessons We Get From Romantic Movies

http://www.boldsky.com/relationship/love-and-romance/2013/lessons-romantic-movies-teach-us-032670.html

As cinema is an art which conversate with viewers directly, romantic movies or romance-based movies are increasing in popularity. They remind viewers about the experience of love, and let them forget about the extreme  reality that romance is different in the real world. Even though the main plot of  romantic films are always love stories,  watching it will take you through many other emotions as well. Out of these, what remained in your mind after watching a  film,  is what you experienced . This will be the message you have picked from the film. That can be sometimes any of the following.

Relationship building: Romantic films can have both good and bad effect on you. These movies teach you to be loving, forgiving, understanding as well as cooperating. It can influence the thoughts of a viewer while taking any steps to solve their hardships. The exaggerated presentations are strong enough  to convey the value of love.

Gives alternate ideas in real life situations: Romantic films can give best solutions and  ideas from films that can be implemented in your life if you are facing almost the same situation. It will let you know how it is going to end since the sequences are already reviewed in the film.

Teach the value of love: Romantic films will give chance to realize the value of love for all those who consider love as a very silly emotion. In some cases it will remind you not to allow stupid fights to break your love. It may give you some ideas to make your love a success. 

Cultivate positive thoughts: No romantic film will proceed in a straight line. There will be unexpected twists. These hardships faced by the lovers to get united will induce that same positive energy in you. Most of the romantic movies have happy endings which teaches us to become optimistic.

Will make you practical: Romantic films will teach you how stupid people are, when they are in love. Realizing this will make you turn practical and realistic,  instead of living in a dream world.

Shape your attitude: The happy ending of a true love and the sad ending of a blind love will leave marks in your thoughts. When it comes to your life, your subconscious mind will help you take wise decisions after thinking about the pros and cons.

Experience euphoria: Romantic film can make you romantic if you are really into it and you can experience love in the air.It encourages soft feelings and help you to be in a state of euphoria and in turn help you to pursue your passion.

Remember to be smart enough to pick the best message from any film you are going to watch next time.  

10 Places Women Don't Wish To Visit

http://www.boldsky.com/insync/life/2013/places-women-dont-wish-to-visit-032658.html

A city is said to be safe for a woman, if she can travel at any time, do what she want to do or wear what she feel comfortable in. But the condition is such that even a female child is not safe to live without boundaries and restrictions. Even in metro cities that are ranked higher among best livable cities in India, women feel unsafe and do not wish to travel there. 

A new survey by TrustLaw, a legal news service of the Thomson Reuters Foundation, ranked India among the top five countries in the world that are considered as 'most dangerous places' for women because of health threats, sexual violence, non-sexual violence, cultural or religious factors, lack of access to resources and trafficking. Google Trends, reported that India is one of seven countries that most frequently type the word "sex." In an article of International Herald Tribune, India was ranked the worst place to be a woman. All cities have its own pros and cons, but a bad minority can bring the title of ‘being notorious' to the city and it will be highlighted over anything else.

 India has to go a long way for a woman to sigh ‘wow..Incredible India'. Since personal safety has become an issue of importance for women, these are some places in India women don't want to visit.. What actions do you think authorities should take to make these least preferable cities for a visit, the most demanded destinations?

Click here for the slide show: http://www.boldsky.com/insync/life/2013/places-women-dont-wish-to-visit-032658.html