Haut Flashes

What You Can Do to Improve- Though Not Necessarily ‘Cure’ Cellulite

2011-12-08T13:22:00Z

What You Can Do to Improve- Though Not Necessarily ‘Cure’ Cellulite

By: Carrie E. Pierce/Menopauserus.com

Cellulite; until only recently- one of the greatest mysteries of the Universe.

Let’s review what we know about this unsightly condition:

Cellulite, as we all know, is very common in women- but can even be found in some unlucky men and a few teenage girls. Cellulite also seems to profoundly worsen with the onset of menopause.

Cellulite can exist in women who have as little as 15% body fat. Because of this phenomenon it is incorrect to think of cellulite as merely ‘a fat person’s issue’ or that cellulite is just ‘fat’ in general terms.

New findings reveal that PRIOR to menopause, cellulite is actually a condition comprised of two basic issues: Decreased microcirculation deep in the skin tissues- and inflammation caused by free radical buildup and insufficient lymphatic drainage.

There are also other conditions that exacerbate the condition. Some of these factors include: poor diet/sluggish digestion/no exercise and/or undiagnosed food sensitivities.

AFTER menopause however, another factor kicks in to greatly worsen the condition. This factor being: the hormone imbalances accompanying menopause-chiefly excess estrogen.

It’s now thought excess Estrogen can cause the body’s connective tissues- and septae- to weaken. This weakening then allows fat deposits to collect and push to the surface of the skin in bundles. Coupling this excess-estrogen-induced weakening of the connective tissue with poor microcirculation and lymphatic drainage, you have the Perfect Storm scenario for the development and progression of cellulite.

While it’s generally accepted that once cellulite forms it is notoriously next to impossible to get rid of-all is not lost. New research indicates certain things CAN be done to improve- though not necessarily ‘cure’- cellulite.

While not all cellulite treatment products such as creams and/or lotions deliver lasting results, there are some that actually can -and DO-lessen the visible appearance of cellulite. Certain ingredients such as caffeine and several key herbs and botanicals assist in this lessening effect.

Some of the herbs proven to benefit cellulite are:

Cypress: Known to be highly astringent and to have a strong toning effect on body tissues. It should be avoided by pregnant women.

Grape Seed Extract: Causes collagen fibers to strengthen and reinforce. Has also been shown to improve blood vessel elasticity and circulation.

Dandelion: Flushes poisons and toxins out of the body and also serves to detox the liver and gall bladder. Be aware however,if you are Gluten Intolerant, dandelion is one of the highest gluten containing herbs on the planet.

Horse Chesnut: Improves circulation and also knocks out inflammation. Proven to cause the capillaries under the surface of the skin to become more toned, reducing cellulite’s appearance.

Kelp: Stimulates metabolism and causes the body to release fluid accumulation. Used often in full body detox wraps. If iodine sensitive please avoid using Kelp and/or other seaweed topically.

Milk Thistle: Causes the liver to detoxify which then creates less of a toxic burden on the body. Also is known to benefit circulation.

Grapefruit: Very stimulating. A diruetic and also strengthens and tones underlying tissues. Causes the body to release toxins, clearing the congestion from the connective tissues.

Fennel: Very diruetic. Also anti-inflammatory.

Green Tea: Very effective as an antioxidant and is a slight blood thinner.

Ginko Biloba: Boosts circulation and causes cholesterol within the artery walls to remain fluid and resist oxidation.

Juniper: Astoundingly antispetic, toning and stimulating.Classified as being a diuretic. When used as a massage oil it stimulates circulation and flushes accumulated wastes out of body tissues. This is another herb that should be avoided by pregnant women.

Urva Ursi: Diruetic. Stimulates the release of trapped and accumulated fluids within the body. Fights bacteria and strengthens the major organs. Not recommended for pregnant or nursing women.

Gotu Kola: Assists the body in strengthening the underlying collagen fibers found in the skin. It also has been shown to make vein and capillary walls more flexible and less prone to leaking.

Now let’s discuss some massage and lifestyle techniques that have been proven to benefit cellulite:

Dry brush massage: An ancient massage technique. The standard technique of employ: using a natural bristle body brush, such as boar bristle, lightly brush the arms and legs of the body using soft, light, upward strokes toward the heart. This stimulates the lymph system and causes toxins to be moved through the lymph nodes and eventually eliminated form the body.

Lymphatic drainage: This massage technique is incredibly powerful for moving lymph fluid throughout the body and causing a deep, systemic detox of surrounding tissues. Lymphatic drainage uses incredibly soft stroking movements but is tremendously powerful in result. Prior to undergoing Lymphatic Drainage a detailed health analysis is necessary. If untreated infection or cancer is present, this massage technique can spread the disease process throughout the entire body. It is a very powerful and beneficial tool- used more widely in Europe than the United States.

Exercise: Simply crucial to enhancing overall health, strength and vitality, exercise is a non-negotiable for health and beauty. An excellent way to keep circulation moving and toxins being released, as well as introducing fresh oxygen to body tissues.

Diet/low glycemic and detox: Keeping blood sugar levels stable is critical to overall health and beauty- and is especially important during menopause as doing so takes a huge burden off the adrenal glands.

Standard protocol is to avoid a high-fat diet, sugary foods, highly caffeinated beverages, and instead focus on: fresh fruits and vegetables, lean protein sources, maintaining proper hydration, eating low glycemic index foods like legumes, brown rice, etc. and focus on getting enough of the essential fatty acids, Vitamin B Complex and Vitamin C.

All this being said however: First and foremost if you have cellulite and are peri menopausal /menopausal, it is imperative to get -and keep- those hormones in balance!

Hormone supplementation is being shown to impact- and in some cases reverse- the aging process of the skin and also the formation/worsening of cellulite in some cases.
There is a strong correlation between hormone decline and the onset of visible signs of skin aging.

So then, the best course of action is to do your research, choose wisely- and then discuss your findings with your Physician!

Cellulite, Menopause and You- PART ONE

2011-12-08T05:17:37Z

Cellulite, Menopause and You

By: Carrie E. Pierce and Menopauserus.com

Cellulite; the bane of women everywhere- and until only recently- one of the greatest mysteries of the Universe…

Medical Researchers have just begun to unravel cellulite’s dark mysteries in the past couple years, and the findings are both encouraging- and somewhat discouraging.

Cellulite, as we all know, is very common in women- but can even be found in some unlucky men and a few teenage girls.

Cellulite also seems to profoundly worsen with the onset of menopause- and it is only now becoming clear as to why exactly this is.

During the peri-menopausal hormone bounce of a woman’s 30’s and early 40’s, the female body prepares for the onset of full-blown menopause. What researchers have recently discovered about cellulite- and Menopause-sheds new light on the subject and provides key insights that were missing from the equation entirely prior to this point in time.

It’s long been known that cellulite can exist in women who have as little as 15% body fat. Consequently because of this phenomenon it is incorrect to think of cellulite as merely ‘a fat person’s issue’ or that cellulite is just ‘fat’ in general terms.

It’s well documented that cellulite (also known as localized lipodystrophy) is a condition marked by a very telltale ‘orange peel’ dimpling of the skin on the hips, thighs and buttocks of folks suffering from this condition. What is often not known is that cellulite can also form on the chest, back of the neck, stomach and back of the arms.

But how does this unsightly and unsettling condition begin- and why does it get worse after menopause?

The body contains three layers of fat. It is the top layer of fat (the subcutaneous layer) that is affected by cellulite. This subcutaneous layer is comprised of fibrous connective tissue that resembles fine mesh. These fibers are known as septae.

Septae serve to form chambers in the skin that house fat cells and keep these fat cells tightly compacted. This compact fat then serves to provide insulation and structural support to the body.

New scientific findings reveal that PRIOR to menopause, cellulite is actually a condition comprised of two basic issues: Decreased microcirculation deep in the skin tissues- and inflammation caused by free radical buildup and insufficient lymphatic drainage.

There are also other possible conditions and circumstances that serve to exacerbate the condition during this time. Some of these possible factors include: poor diet/sluggish digestion/no exercise/too much exercise and/or undiagnosed food sensitivities.

AFTER menopause however, another factor kicks in to greatly exacerbate the condition. This factor being: the dreaded hormone imbalances that accompany the menopause process-chiefly excess estrogen.

It’s now thought that excess Estrogen can cause the body’s connective tissues- and septae- to weaken. This weakening then allows fat deposits to collect and push to the surface of the skin in bundles. Coupling this Excess-estrogen-induced weakening of the connective tissue with the earlier mentioned poor microcirculation and lymphatic drainage, you have the Perfect Storm scenario for the development and progression of cellulite.

As hormones become unbalanced, a woman’s skin begins to thin. Collagen and Elastin also weaken. This causes further rupture and structural failure of the septae and consequently a profound worsening of the dimpled appearance of the skin as more and more fat bundles push toward the surface.

Traditionally, Cellulite is believed to form in 5 stages:

Stage One- the beginning of diminished blood circulation.

Stage Two- the progressive rupturing of veins and capillaries and increasing pressure mounting in the tissues where leakage is occurring.

Stage Three-the swelling of fat tissues due to fluid accumulation.

Stage Four-the formation of thick fibers due to congealed/hardened septae.

Stage Five-the formation of steatomes due to lack of circulation in the now-congealed septae fibers.

All is not lost however as new research indicates that certain things CAN be done to improve- though not necessarily prevent- cellulite.

While not all cellulite treatment products such as creams and/or lotions are legitimate, there are some that actually can -and DO-lessen the visible appearance of cellulite. Certain ingredients such as caffeine and key herbs and botanicals when used topically assist in this lessening effect.

Also certain vitamins, minerals and herbs taken internally have been shown to assist in maintaining healthy blood flow and microcirculation.

Body wraps and message techniques also help with moving trapped lymphatic fluid- but without a doubt, taking this newfound understanding of the role hormones play in cellulite formation, and pursuing medical help to balance hormones during peri-menopause -and prior to the onset of menopause –is truly Key in improvement and prevention!

In Part Two of this two part article series we'll take a closer look at some things that really help.... stay tuned!

Words of Wisdom from someone who has seen behind the curtain -and KNOWS...

2011-12-03T00:55:11Z

Stranger and Stranger—

By: Carrie E. Pierce and Menopauserus.com

It’s becoming increasingly apparent to me: I’m a stranger in a very strange land.

Passport for my journey: two Aesthetics licenses, certification in Color Analysis-- and 25
years in the film/ TV, fashion and beauty industries.
-And what a trip it’s been too!

From the salons and spas of Texas to Hollywood film and TV studios, from the offices of Beverly Hills plastic surgeons to my travels educating internationally for natural skin care and cosmetics companies-- I’ve just about seen it all in this crazy business.

I’ve eviscerated women (much to my chagrin- but only on film, thank heavens!), severed heads, slashed faces and created award-winning vomit… and then have turned around and worked on real, severely burned and maimed bodies in an attempt to provide reconstructive makeup procedures for very special folks in need.

I’ve experienced the dark and the light- the good and the bad- the ugly and the surreal and I feel qualified to make the following statement.
Simply put, in my humble opinion:

‘There’s very little that is beautiful about the beauty industry…’

I’m deeply entrenched in the beauty ‘business’ and at times, have really had to struggle to find much beautiful, real -or redeeming about it.
It’s been rather a love/hate relationship for me, and I’ve watched as scads of other women have also done battle with it- and the rather devastating effects it can have on self worth and self esteem.

Now don’t get me wrong. There’s very little that compares to the excitement, tension and stress of being on a film set- just as nothing compares with the joy of teaching a woman how to bring out her very best; and how to lovingly and effectively care for herself.
Why, it can be downright thrilling!

--It can also be heart-wrenching and bittersweet.

Mine is the industry that teaches a woman to believe that her skin is just a shell, and that the chemicals applied to it don’t matter.

Mine is the industry that teaches a woman that she can abuse herself through poor diet and bad lifestyle choices, yet find her ‘cure’ in a $150.00 jar of face cream.

Mine is the industry that tells you an acid peel will make you ‘young’ again- or that you aren't beautiful unless you can successfully mimic the ridiculous images spewed by fashion magazines...

Mine is the industry peddling breast implants and Botox, liposuction and eating disorders- all in the name of ‘Beauty’.

Heaven help us if we don’t fit the ‘ideal’.

--Worse yet, Heaven help us if we DO:
Leaking breast implants, anorexia, bulimia, rising skin cancer rates, plummeting self esteem.

Enough is enough already! How much longer will we feed this craziness?

It is time for real, hardcore, honest education and, as consumers, it’s way past time to replace our inner panic and insecurity with self-awareness and self-respect.

It's time we realized that Aging will happen- but only if we’re lucky.

The simple truth is: Aging is not a disease- or a deformity to be hidden at any and all costs.

Beauty is present- on every level and at every stage of Life- PERIOD.

We must look for it, seek it out- and acknowledge it-- when and where we find it.
The roots of grooming and makeup are tightly tangled with those of psychology and self acceptance.

It’s no coincidence that women- and men, who neglect self-care are usually the first to develop illness.
As a society, we've been taught to crave the quick fix: liposuction instead of exercise and detoxification; Dermabrasion instead of smoking cessation; Vitamins in our shampoos- not in our diets.

The only way to lasting, genuine Beauty, is to work from the inside out.

--Surely this isn’t news!
We must surely know this in our innermost hearts and minds!
Why is it such a forgotten Truth?
We need to quit looking to the glossy pages of fashion magazines for our answers.
They’re simply not there!

We need instead, to look inside; inside our refrigerators, our medicine cabinets, our cosmetic bags - ourselves.
We need to quit changing our hair color every month- and delve into what it is we really want to change about ourselves.
Quit starving ourselves- and begin nourishing our bodies, minds and spirits instead, with good food, vitamins/minerals… a healthy serving of self-acceptance…

--After all, true beauty is comfort in one’s own skin- and skin that is comfortable!

This has been the journey that I’ve had to take, both as an industry professional and also as a woman in today's world.
It’s been a tough and scary journey- yet a deeply rewarding one as well… much like a lone hike into the wilderness.

As I see it: It’s way past time to stand up and say “Enough is enough!”
It’s time to be at peace with ourselves.

About Carrie:
Carrie has worked exclusively in the skin care, health and beauty industry for over 25 years.
She’s a licensed Aesthetician, is certified in Color Analysis and has built a solid, international reputation in the field of holistic, menopausal skin care; specializing in harmful cosmetic ingredients and industry practices.
She’s a recognized speaker and published writer- having written numerous articles in women’s health and beauty publications and she is Founder and President of Menopauserus.com- The ultimate Menopause-related skin care and beauty help and support site for women in need of peri menopause and menopause relief.
It’s her mission to help make menopause ‘The Change for the Better’- for women everywhere!

Carrie Dishes Skin Care and Beauty Info-- Listen In Now!

2011-11-29T03:57:45Z

Carrie was recently interviewed by Gail Edgell, co host of 'Magnificent Menopause & Beyond' and Founder and President of 360Menopause.com.
In this one hour radio show, Carrie answers numerous questions about Menopausal skin care and beauty, what works and what doesn't. Don't miss it!

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN NOW!

Early Menopause and Hysterectomy

2011-11-28T20:33:00Z

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/237699.php

Some Say Dairy Is Good- Some Say It's Not- the controversy continues...

2011-11-23T12:30:00Z

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/237411.php

Self Care- A Non Negotiable on the Road to Recovery

2011-11-22T03:52:12Z

‘Self Care- A Non-Negotiable on the Road to Recovery, Renewal and Restoration’
By: Carrie E. Pierce and Menopauserus.com

Ladies, I’ve an announcement to make:
The truth is: over the course of the last year I’ve struggled to practice what I’ve been preaching…
Pathetic admitting this, it seems the right thing to do.

I’d be lying to you if I led you to believe that I have this Menopause stuff conquered, when I have to wrestle with it every single day just like the rest of you.

Sure, I’ve devoted my life and career to learning everything I can about the process, but that in no way excludes me from having to take each step of the journey myself- right along with you

The past 2 months have been especially trying physically and I’ve reached a place within myself where I realize it’s time for some major changes to take place, way deep in my core.
I’ve been giving it all lip-service, but now the time has come for solid implementation- and I’m finding myself quite frankly TIRED.
Just like the lyrics to that Billy Joel song: ‘We're going wrong, we're gaining weight, We're sleeping long and far too late. And so it's time to change our jaded ways …’

As I go through my daily tasks of home keeping, business dealings, relationship tending and worrying about my aging parents, I’ve been getting little nudges from my Inner Self, and she’s got some serious things to discuss with me. She means for me to shut up, listen and learn.

Menopause is met unfavorably by our youth-driven culture, and is also very often misrepresented.
Magazines, film and television all glorify youth, and women in their prime are viewed in rather unflattering stereotypical ways: as sex starved ‘cougars’ with only have their genitals to offer a relationship, or as hysterical desperate, dried up women sobbing in their kitchens while their husbands frolic with the secretary at the office.

Not terribly flattering. Who in their right mind would ever be able to find good in THAT?

But actually, Menopause truly is the greatest Reset Button life can possibly hurl your way. We just sometimes REALLY have to work to try to see it for what it actually is…

Coming at-what we perceive to be- the worst possible time; Fraught with responsibility, weighed down by cares and burdens, our schedules -like our pantyhose- packed too full and chafing, running like a gerbil on an exercise wheel, all the while longing-longing-longing for some peace… some stillness…a bit of ME Time, Menopause insists that we finally GET IT.

All you have to do is look around to find the Truth of the matter:
Sophia Loren (age 77), Raquel Welch (age 71), Diahann Carroll (age 76), Linda Evans (age 69), Helen Mirren (age 66), Suzanne Somers (age 65), Susan Lucci (age 65), Christie Brinkley (age 57), Iman (age 56), Bo Derek (age 55), Angela Bassett (age 53), Michelle Pfeiffer (age 53), and Jamie Lee Curtis (age 53) are no worse the wear, and these ladies are certainly never perceived as dried up old hags… so why on earth should we see ourselves as any less when we stand alone, naked, dripping and wincing at our reflection in the steamy bathroom mirror?

Granted, you may not have a movie star’s moolah to spend for personal trainers, private chefs, massage therapists, manicurists and facialists- but you don’t really need it. All you need is 10- 15 minutes a day- and the commitment to put YOURSELF on your To Do List, once and for all.
That simple act alone can -and will save your life, yet even I keep forgetting it!

That’s absolutely right. Just 10 minutes a day can change your life, and in profound ways.
This is, quite frankly, a truth I had forgotten in the rush of my days and nights lately, and it is THE message my Inner Gal insists I get clear on ASAP.
Seems strange I would need to be reminded…

Throughout my career I’ve worked closely with burn and scar patients, cancer patients and battered women in DV shelters.
Most of these people have one thing in common: prior to their accident/illness/abusive relationship, they somehow managed to get themselves placed LAST on their list of priorities- if they even made the cut at all.

They allowed the needs and issues of others to knock their own needs and preferences off the list. Most of these folks couldn’t even find 5 minutes to comb their hair, brush their teeth or put face cream on they were so busy doing and being for others… until the big sledge hammer of Life pounded them into the pavement.

Getting these folks to take just 5 minutes per day to put on body lotion began- without fail- a powerful wave of transformation. 5 minutes becomes 10… 10 turns into 20 and before you realize it, you’re getting healthy and becoming free. Self esteem begins to gain a foothold and all of a sudden you’re making healthier choices, placing yourself first and gaining traction in life -and healing.

Are there just a few short tips women can implement in their daily lives to help squeeze in a few minutes of self care each day?

Absolutely! Nothing has to be huge or a big investment in either time or money.
If you watch the news at night or work at a desk during the day, place a small bottle of quality lotion either on the TV table where you keep the remote or in the drawer of your desk and take one to two minutes to stop what you’re doing and apply lotion, mindfully rubbing the lotion into your hands and cuticles while thinking loving thoughts …your hands are important to so many, and deserve to be pampered. Do this daily.
Instead of drinking coffee drinks or sodas all day, carry a small thermos of pure water with you and have some of that on a break instead. The hydration will be great for you.

Buy some facial cleansing cloths, a small jar of moisturizer and a small plastic wash tub. Fill the tub with warm water and a bit of bubble bath or Epsom salt and soak your feet while you cleanse your face and neck with the cloths and then apply your moisturizer. Soak your feet for 5 -10 minutes and gently massage your face and throat while you do so.
After 10 minutes dry off your feet, add a bit of lotion and put on a pair of socks, dump out the water and you’re done!

Even just buying yourself a special bar of soap or a special coffee mug goes a long way toward conveying to yourself ‘Hey- I matter!’
You get the idea: it doesn’t have to be a big deal, but start doing SOMETHING each day to help you feel like you are at least getting placed somewhere back on your List of Priorities!

Once your inner self knows you are listening and you care, it will start revealing more and more ways to pamper yourself in ways that really matter- and you will find your frustration and stress levels declining. This can’t help but be a good thing.

And lastly, it’s imperative to stop measuring yourself by the yardstick of your Youth. The simple truth is: we grow better with age, not worse.
We must embrace how far we’ve come on this life journey and drop all the pop culture hype. We may not have the prowess we did in our 20s but who would really WANT to?

I have a quote on my desk that I read often, and oddly enough it’s from an old Oil of Olay ad.
I quote:
‘How could you know when you were 20 and impossibly sexy- and unable to imagine yourself otherwise, that time would teach you something. That age is not a loss but an exchange: of wisdom for youth, grace for foolishness, love for lust.’

Realize that you are fabulous right here right now- just as you are. The real beauty of life is it makes us REAL.

I really suggest that every middle aged adult get their hands on the child’s classic fairytale ‘The Velveteen Rabbit’ by Margery Williams, sit down with a cup of tea or a glass of wine and read it cover to cover… really focusing on the words and the message.

Another great and important read for women is the classic masterpiece: ‘Gift from the Sea’ by Anne Morrow Lindbergh
Both will turn your head around.

These may seem like silly things, but my Inner self has really been hammering them home to me lately, so I thought I’d share.

It’s time to BE Ladies- and there’s no time like the present!
So, take 2 minutes –and call me in the morning…

(for your convenience here are the links to both the Velveteen Rabbit and Gift from the Sea)
Velveteen Rabbit: http://amzn.to/oYUNAh
Gift From the Sea: http://amzn.to/nqGfKA

Alcohol and Breast Cancer Risk-an incredibly interesting new study

2011-11-22T03:29:25Z

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/237148.php

Estrogen, Your Weight & Your Brain

2011-11-11T12:36:00Z

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/236321.php

Obesity and Cancer Risk -new hormone connections discussed

2011-11-08T14:34:00Z

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/236474.php

NSAID Use and Colorectal Risk in Post Menopausal Women-new findings

2011-11-05T14:29:00Z

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/236475.php

Vitamin D Deficiency During Menopause-- it's worse than you think!

2011-10-31T21:25:45Z

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/236349.php

The Truth About Midlife Acne-- everything you need to know...

2011-10-28T14:44:00Z

The Truth about Midlife Acne-

By: Carrie E. Pierce and Menopauserus.com

I don’t watch much TV, but the little I subject myself to lately has pointed to a rather disturbing trend in advertising. More and more it seems, everyone is jumping on the Midlife Acne Bandwagon, and whipping peri menopausal/ Menopausal women into a buying frenzy in an effort to overcome this problem.

During news shows and prime time ‘entertainment’ I’m bombarded with ads for skin care products, birth control pills, topical chemical and laser treatments- all geared at addressing and ‘curing’ peri menopausal/Menopausal acne.

The simple fact of the matter is- and always has been: If you’re tackling your midlife acne using any of these treatment options alone- you’re barkin’ up the wrong tree and are destined to not only fail- but end up worse than you started!

For years I’ve educated women about not only midlife acne, but acne in general.

There’s so much more to it than ‘fighting it all over again’, exactly as we did in our Clinique-tinged youth.

If you read my articles regularly, you’ve heard me say over and over and over again ad nauseum: focusing just on the outer surface of the skin is sheer folly. If you wish to have healthy, radiant skin- you MUST start deep within.

There’s no way around this truth and it’s all the more crucial to your success when midlife acne rears its ugly head.

The skin is the largest organ of the human body. How is it then, we so often choose to believe that: our inner health, hormone balance- or lack thereof, bowel function, liver health, level of hydration- or lack thereof, diet and lifestyle have no bearing on what we find staring back at us in the mirror each morning?

In the case of midlife acne there are several mitigating factors—all of which are internal. They all must be addressed if the condition is to be cured successfully.

No skin care line, no birth control pill, no professional aesthetic service will obliterate this problem, unless the inner issues are addressed right along side the topical treatment plan. PERIOD.

Far too many women consult with me about this issue- and nearly all of them have fallen for the advertising tricks;

They’re using heavy, alcohol-laden skin care products in an attempt to rid their skin of the ‘acne-causing’ oil- burning their skin and superficially dehydrating it during its most vulnerable time of life. They’re trying birth control pill after birth control pill- each one promising it’s been formulated to give the user ‘glowing and gorgeous skin’, yet all the while placing women at greater risk for stroke, heart attack and cancer development…

Not a good trade off in my opinion.

Ladies, let’s stop the panic, take a breath and step back to pull focus for a moment:

The human face- in some cultures- is considered to be a health road map of sorts. Practitioners can ‘read’ the health and vitality of a person simply by looking for certain health indicators in the face:

Circles under the eyes indicate sluggish liver, weak kidneys, allergies, anemia… discolorations often indicate disease conditions well before medical tests can pick up the developing illnesses- and how and where a face develops the pustules of midlife acne is also tremendously indicative of a woman’s true health picture.

The advertisements on TV fail to mention this now don’t they?

When a 30-40 Something woman begins to break out around her chin, jawline and neck it is always and without fail, a very telltale sign of hormone imbalance.

It is NOT a wakeup call that you need to start stripping oil out of your skin with heavy acne treatment products- nor is it a sign that you need to race to your Aesthetician or Dermatologist.

What it DOES indicate is this: it’s time to get your hiney to your ND or MD ASAP for a hormone assessment, and also a closer look at your thyroid and adrenal health.

All too often, women with midlife acne end up on hefty doses of either antibiotics or hormone treatments that, over time, make their imbalances even more severe.

Things like Accutane, Retin-A, Erythromycin, Tetracycline, birth control pills (Yasmin/YAZ brand especially has been in the news quite a bit re: lawsuits due to increased stroke and blood clot risk), BenzaClin, and Spironolactone (a blood pressure medication that is now used to flush free testosterone from the body) are all too routinely prescribed to treat midlife acne development in women, while no one bothers to look at DHEA levels, cortisol output, general liver health, thyroid function, estrogen/progesterone ratios…

a dangerous game plan and one that leads to frustration and worsening breakouts.

Except in cases of PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome), midlife acne can- and should- be treated more holistically, at least in my humble professional opinion.

There is much that can be done to help a woman suffering with acne development during Menopause- but it requires spending time getting to know the woman in question; how she lives her life, what she eats, how she rests and how she feels in her day to day life. All these things have bearing on her overall health and beauty picture, and we as professionals are remiss when we fail to take an in-depth look and choose instead to prescribe quickly, be it a pill or a beauty service.

Got midlife acne around your jawline and chin/neck? Then here are some pointers:

1) The most important place to begin is to meet with your MD/ND and take a look into your hormone picture. Sex hormones, DHEA/insulin levels, cortisol, and thyroid.

2) Hydrate yourself properly each day so that your body has not only what it needs to handle its many duties- but so it can detox itself sufficiently. (The formula they say is the most accurate to assess your individual body’s needs is this: take your body weight and divide that number on half. That number then becomes the number of ounces of high quality water you need per day to stay properly hydrated.)

3) Pay close attention to your bowel health. How is your diet? How is your elimination? If you detect sluggishness then consider digestive enzymes and pre and pro biotics.

4) Omega 3, 7 and 9 are especially important and beneficial during the Menopause transition and you should discuss them with your health care provider.

5) Pay close attention to your overall liver health. Has your liver become sluggish? The poor thing has zillions of duties to perform on a daily basis and once we start dumping antibiotics, alcohol, prescription drugs and synthetic hormones into our bodies, its workload doubles -and in some cases triples. If your liver isn’t healthy- YOU won’t be healthy- and midlife acne will gain an easy foothold as your liver struggles to break down and synthesize hormones.

6) Make your diet as clean and pure as possible, and eliminate as much garbage as you can; caffeinated sodas and beverages, trans fats, sugars and artificial sweeteners, non organic meats and animal products.

7) Exercise and oxygenate as much as possible.

8) Rest and renew as much as possible and greatly eliminate stress as much as you can.

9) Treat your skin well from the outside too: cleanse, tone, exfoliate and moisturize regularly, using all natural skin care products whenever you can.

(For your convenience, we’ve created a very reasonably priced, easy to understand guide to help you professionally care for your skin. Click here to access it now: http://shop.menopauserus.com/product.sc;jsessionid=F5377B91743D6069B95B04A253528916.qscstrfrnt02?productId=8&categoryId=1)

-and finally-

10) If you find yourself dealing with midlife acne, first and foremost, do not stress.

It’s a symptom, and if you treat it as such you will be ever so much better for the experience. Don’t panic. The condition didn’t develop overnight and it may take some time to resolve itself- but if you follow the guidelines above and talk with your healthcare provider you will soon reap the rewards of your body’s attempt to get your Midlife attention!

Obesity and Cognitive Decline- a surprising new study

2011-10-26T20:42:00Z

Obesity and Cognitive Decline- not what they expected to find

Estrogen and Severe Asthma-- It's a Bad Combo

2011-10-23T14:39:00Z

Estrogen Therapy and Life Threatening Asthma Attacks-- a disturbing report

This is Your Brain on Estrogen. Any questions?

2011-10-21T18:36:00Z

Estrogen and Brain Function- a new study reveals surprising findings

Hormone Therapy and Breast Tenderness. New Link to Breast Cancer?

2011-10-18T20:32:26Z

Combination Hormone Therapy and Breast Tenderness- a new study re: breast cancer

Estrogen and Stroke Risk- New Thinking on the subject.

2011-10-18T13:33:00Z

Estrogen, Younger Menopausal Women and Stroke Prevention- new findings!

Estrogen and Weight- another connection discovered

2011-10-02T21:28:00Z

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/236321.php

Hair Loss During Menopause-What It Means and What To Do About It

2011-09-19T13:56:00Z

By: Carrie E. Pierce and Menopauserus.com

‘Crowning Glory’… throughout the centuries, a woman’s head of hair has been romanticized the world over, and for good reason.

Not only does a woman’s hair represent sexuality, passion, beauty and lust- total unadulterated Femaleness; it also provides an accurate and very public picture of her innermost health, and a glimpse into her personality as well.

On a sad note, it’s now estimated that 1 in 5 Menopausal women experience significant hair loss.

It’s well documented that Menopause dramatically alters the texture of hair follicles, at times completely altering the wave patterns and structure of the hair, aside from the usual color changes so often associated with the passage of time and the onset of the Menopause process.

While yes, it is correct that some of these changes can be genetic and perfectly normal- many of these Menopause-related hair changes take place because of:

1) ever increasing hormone imbalances; chiefly the loss of estrogen and the imbalance of testosterone an/or androgen

-and-

2) underlying health issues that either accompany the Menopause process or are

unrelated but serve to greatly exacerbate and complicate the process.

To better understand, let’s take a closer look at just how Menopause affects hair…

Menopause often triggers dramatic changes in the skin and its appendages, the hair and nails.

With Menopause, androgen/estrogen rations become skewed. Androgen is produced by the adrenal glands, ovaries and also fat cells to help women during Menopause but can cause problems if not kept in check.

Estrogen is required to keep a woman’s hair and skin healthy, radiant, moist and resilient. As estrogen levels decline, membranes and tissues begin to dehydrate, thin and become parched.

With declining hormones, comes declining sebum production. Less sebum production equals more dryness.

When talking Skin Health, one needs to look approximately 28 days in the past to determine what has worked well for the skin- or has damaged it, because the cellular life span of a skin cell is approximately 28-32 days.

What you ate and drank, what medications you took-or didn’t , what skin care products you used- or didn’t, all have bearing on the skin that now resides on the surface of your face at this very moment in time.

When talking HAIR Health however, one needs to look farther into the past. It’s believed as hair grows at a slower rate, a more accurate assessment is provided by looking as far back as three months into the past to gauge what has negatively- or positively- impacted hair growth/hair loss/hair health in general. Simply put, the hair you have now, you either took care of, properly hydrated and nourished for the past three months- or didn’t.

Aside from the natural hormone decline that occurs during Menopause, there are several other conditions that a woman should seriously consider if she’s experiencing hair loss.

Conditions such as: thyroid problems, anemia, stress, excess insulin production, drug use, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, ovary issues such as PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome), and adrenal issues all contribute to hair loss/female pattern baldness in women.

Once you’ve gotten your hormones checked and brought in to balance, it’s very wise to check into one or more of the above listed medical conditions if hair loss continues, just to be on the safe side.

And as with almost every single health condition on the planet: do everything within your power to get your stress levels under control and minimized. Yes it matters, especially where beauty is concerned!

Now a word about sulfate containing shampoos and conditioners:

Sodium Laureth Sulfate and also Sodium Lauryl Sulfate are foaming agents routinely used in grooming products like shampoos, bath soaps, shower gels, and toothpastes.

Both of these ingredients are known to be highly irritating and toxic to human tissues and also have been shown to greatly damage and parch hair follicles. If hair loss is a concern, make a switch to more natural hair products.

Using moisturizing deep conditioners weekly and getting regular hair trims – approximately every 4-6 weeks- will also help keep your follicles happy.

Those folks who know me, know that I’m a redhead whose mane has more than developed a mind of its own. To be clear: my curls have become Medusa-esque in nature. Just the other night, my hair was referred to as ‘Whimsical’. ( I’m still not sure this was a compliment but will take it as such…)

So, that said, it’s with great fanfare that I now do something I never do, and that is: endorse a product.

Much to my sheer delight and amazement, last month I discovered a hair iron that is a godsend to Menopausal women. This is no ordinary hair iron but is in fact one that leaves Menopausal hair feeling like silk and imparts moisture into the hair follicles- if used properly.

This Implement of the Heavens was purchased through HerStyler.com, is called the Cobra and has given me a new lease on life.

The Tourmaline plates of this particular hair iron produce negative ions which eliminate frizz, moisturize the hair follicles and provide fabulous shine. Coupled with the Argon Oil Serum, after a few treatments, my Menopausal hair is better looking and feeling than it was in my twenties!

For the record I do NOT receive any kickbacks from this company and they aren’t even aware that I’m endorsing them here so please, take my words to heart safely.

If you’ve ruled out underlying health issues, have had your sex hormones balanced and are still struggling with dehydrated or falling hair, take my best advice and:

1) eliminate or work to control stress

2) nourish yourself well and wisely

3) stay hydrated because yes it matters

4) change to more naturally based shampoos and conditioners

5) indulge in scalp massages, regular trims and deep moisture masks

6) try the Cobra hair iron and Argon Serum

In this fast paced world, a woman’s mane is still the ultimate force to be reckoned with- and we all should reconnect with the sensuous joy that is our Crowning Glory!