No one would argue that the sun’s rays are unsafe for sun tanning. Warnings abound in the summertime, and a special suntan lotion is recommended. As a result people are turning to spray tans for their summer tans. However, are spray tans safe?

The FDA has approved tanning sprays for external use only. This means they are not to touch the lips, eyes or any area covered with mucous membranes. While the person is in the tanning booth, the tanning spray is sprayed all over their body, including their face. It’s very difficult to keep the spray from reaching the lips, eyes or nostrils. So once again we ask the question, are spray tans safe?

Dermatologists are doing their best to warn people about the danger of tanning beds. At the same time the tanning salons are doing their best to convince the public that it is just a smear campaign by the dermatologists, and that tanning beds are perfectly safe. The truth about tanning beds is that just 20 minutes in a tanning bed is the same as one whole day spent at the beach. Tanning beds are not a safe option for getting a tan.

Is there a perfect spray tan? Are spray tans safe? These are questions that only time will answer. Down the road, the truth will be known when the results of spray tans begin to show, and the people who used them are either healthy or suffering from their bad side effects.

Over the years, many truths and theories about tanning beds have been discussed. Tanning beds, like most anything else, have their pros and cons. The truth about tanning beds is that they do aid in our body’s production of beneficial vitamin D, though too much use of them can be dangerous to your skin and health.

Sun tanning has always been a very touchy subject for many. Some studies show promising results in ultraviolet light therapy for depression, which is why many claim they feel much better mood wise after a visit to a tanning salon or a trip sun tanning. Others feel that the truth about tanning beds is in the damage they can do to your skin. They can enhance lines and wrinkles and make them more prominent long before their natural time.

Also, many think that tanning beds can cause increased chances of melanoma and other forms of cancer. For this reason, many are widely opposed to them. It is true that tanning beds should be used with good judgment, and regular use should be monitored and limited, especially if you have fair skin that may be prone to skin cancer.

Common sense use of tanning beds makes them no more dangerous than actual sun tanning. The truth about tanning beds is that they can be beneficial to many for a variety of reasons, but can also be dangerous if used in a careless and abusive manner. Individuals who are deficient in vitamin D or suffer from depression can use tanning beds for these and many other medical conditions. Eczema sufferers can benefit from regular use of tanning beds as well.

Tattoo removal options can include a number of products and procedures, and each choice can involve pros and cons. Whether you choose to use tattoo removal cream, laser removal, or another of the many tattoo removal options you should make sure you understand all of the factors involved. The right choice will depend on your specific circumstances: budget, the tattoo being removed, and other factors involved. Your tattoo removal options will usually take into consideration the laser tattoo removal cost, which can vary depending on the size and depth of the tattoo. Tattoo removal cream is available from many manufacturers, and some may work better than others. These products come under many different names, and though some may be effective in some cases, they’re not always the best choice in every situation.

In most cases, laser removal is one of the best tattoo removal options, but one factor that can play a big part in this decision is the laser tattoo removal cost. For larger tattoos the cost of these procedures can cost upwards of several thousand dollars with the specific price depending on many factors, including the doctor or medical facility chosen, the size and the depth of the offending ink, and the location of the marks being removed. If you have ink that you do not want anymore, for whatever reason, you do have options and choices. The right choice for you may not be ideal for anyone else and will depend on your specific circumstances and situation. Look at all of your options carefully before making a decision.

• Itchy skin rashes can cause problems because of their irritation and because scratching can make you vulnerable to infection
• Keeping your skin moist is important to preventing these rashes
• Traditional treatments like hydrocortisone cream, calamine lotion, and Aloe Vera are still some of the best available
• Allergy rashes need to be treated with an oral antihistamine

Although most itchy skin rashes aren’t dangerous or caused by some serious disease, they can be extremely annoying to sufferers. Excessive scratching of those rashes can break open the skin and can lead to infections from bacteria and fungi. Plus itching can interfere with your ability to enjoy your life, get plenty of sleep, or even present yourself in a professional way. To help you combat your itchy skin rash, here are five of the most effective ways to alleviate the problem.

5. Moisturizer

One of the main causes of itchy skin rashes is dryness. Your skin gets a bit dry, that causes it to itch, you scratch, and that causes further irritation which leads to more itchiness and scratching, etc. When you first start feeling that itchiness, you should reach for your moisturizing lotion. Now remember that most moisturizers don’t add anything to your skin they only trap the existing moisture so you might want to dampen the area with lukewarm water.

4. Hydrocortisone Cream

People have been using this over-the-counter itchy skin rash treatment for a long time. But that’s because it works well on most types of causes. You can find various strengths – up to about 5% – of the product in any store and affordable generic versions are widely available. For the best results, you want to apply it as soon as you start feeling the itch and you must refrain from scratching. Hydrocortisone cream can actually make it easier for an infection to get started if you scratch so keep those hands busy doing something else.

3. Calamine Lotion

Although it may not get rid of the problem completely, calamine lotion is effective in stopping the itchiness. That’s why it’s a great choice for insect bites and other types of rashes on almost any part of the body. The lotion is also very soothing to your skin and this can help reduce the inflammation caused by the scratching.

2. Oral Antihistamine

If you are suffering from allergy rashes, the best method of treatment is an oral antihistamine. Antihistamines effectively turn off the immune system response which is overreacting to the allergen and treating it like a dangerous invader. This can provide you with relief from the itchy skin rashes. However, avoid using topical antihistamines. Because of the strength of the medications included in them, some can actually cause an allergic reaction on the skin. That seems to defeat the treatment purpose. Instead stick to an oral antihistamine which you buy over-the-counter or with a prescription.

1. Aloe Vera

One of the best treatments for itchy skin rashes is also one of the oldest: Aloe Vera. The gel from the Aloe plant is well-known for its skin soothing properties, particularly as a treatment for sunburns. However, it is also effective against rashes because it fights against the inflammation. It can also help fight bacteria and fungi that might try to get into your skin thanks to the scratching you’ve done. Plus all of the nutrients contained in the gel provided needed and healthy nourishment for your skin.

• Plantar warts tend to look like califlowers. They have little dark dots which will bleed if cut.
• Sometimes they are easy to remove. Other times, there have to be more intensive treatments.
• Popular ways of removal range from laser surgery to duct tape.

Plantar warts are an embarrassing and often painful problem. The human papilloma virus causes them; the virus attacks your feet. The resulting lesions tend to look like cauliflower. They have little dark dots, which will leak blood after the wart has been cut. Most people who have them want to remove plantar warts right away. Sometimes it is easy to get rid of plantar warts. Sometimes, you will need a more invasive and intensive plantar wart treatment. Whatever the case, check out the 10 popular ways to remove plantar warts.

#1: Laser Treatment

Laser treatment is typically considered one of the final options, simply because it involves so much preparation. The procedure itself, however, is relatively painless. Your doctor will only need to use a local anesthetic.

#2: Cryotherapy

Basically, getting rid of plantar warts in this way involves having them frozen off. Typically the plantar wart will turn black after several days, and then it will fall off of you. However, quite often, this treatment has to be repeated, because the wart is not frozen deeply enough to kill the virus.

#3: Surgical

Surgery is really the last ditch option for a plantar wart treatment. You exercise it when every other option fails. Still, it is an outpatient surgery and, again, the doctor will only need to use a local anesthetic.

#4: Duct Tape

Yes, folks, you read that right. You can use duct tape to remove plantar warts. In fact, a lot of people who have them consider this the preferred treatment. If you want to use duct tape to get rid of plantar warts, all you have to do is put a piece of it on your warts. You have to do it for a number of weeks, but in the end, it may help you build up an immunity to the virus.

#5: Electrocautery

This is another invasive, surgical method. It works around the idea of hot cautery to get rid of the warts. Basically, a needle with an electrified tip gets exposed to the plantar wart, which then kills the surrounding skin cells.

#6: Apple Cider Vinegar and Duct Tape

Of course duct tape gets mentioned twice – it’s duct tape! You can either soak your skin with the vinegar directly or use a cotton swab. After that, put a piece of tape over the soaked area or swab, and just sit back. This way, the wart does not get any oxygen, which will ultimately kill it. It can disappear within a week. You can also just use the vinegar, and swab the affected area with it a few times a day.

#7: Air

Actually, you can get rid of plantar warts with a can of air. It actually works a lot like liquid nitrogen. Unfortunately, however, it can also be colder and more painful. All the same, you just need to spray your wart around five or six times, then cover it with a band aid.

#8: Clear Nail Polish

It can aid tooth aches and it can also help get rid of your plantar wart. Once again, this method can be successful because it keeps oxygen from getting to the source. You just paint the affected area with the nail polish two to three times each day. You should continue this for about a week. If you slap a piece of duct tape over the area, it works twice as well.

#9: Sand

Beach sand can get rid of warts by making them dry out. Rubbing your wart with beach sand or simply by walking through it makes your wart lose oxygen and moisture, which will ultimately make it die and disappear.

#10: Wart Freeze-Off

Wart Freeze-Off is, of course, just one method to remove plantar warts which is available over the counter. Basically, it works to freeze your warts. However, it is not as intense or as invasive as having them professionally frozen. Thus you may need to use Wart Freeze-Off for quite a while after all, you want to make sure you freeze deep enough to kill the virus.

• Scar tissue is the connective tissue that forms the scars we see on the surface of the skin
• To surgically remove a scar, all of the scar tissue must also be removed
• Surgical scar tissue removal carries some risks so the decision to have the procedure should be made carefully

Many of us are plagued by unsightly scars that make us feel less confident about our appearance. While most of these scars can be removed, scar tissue removal can be difficult and expensive. Depending on the how the tissue is removed, the results could vary, as could the discomfort and cost involved. Below is some information to help you learn more about scar tissue removal.

What is Scar Tissue?

While the scar is what is visible on the skin, the scar tissue is the connective fibers that are responsible for forming that scar. Basically, after an injury to the skin, these fibers are formed to help replace the damaged skin cells. However, they are no replacement for fresh, new skin so they end up forming the marks we know as scars.

Methods of Removing Scar Tissue

There are several methods of scar tissue removal. For some types of scars, surgical removal is the only effective option. In these cases, the patient usually has a local anesthetic. The surgeon then cuts out not only the upper layer of skin where the scar is visible but also all of the underlying scar tissue. After the scar tissue removal is complete, the area is sutured. Because these wounds are also likely to causing scarring, most surgeons will take precautions and provide strict wound care recommendations to minimize the risk of scarring. Even if scarring down occur, the scar will be lighter and will be easier to eliminate through less invasive techniques, such as chemical peels or microdermabrasion.

Sometimes when a scar must be removed surgically, a process called expansion is used to help minimize scarring. First, a balloon-like device is implanted under the skin near the scar site. During the course of several visits, a fluid is added to the balloon so it swells. As the balloon swells, so does the skin over it. Once the skin has reached a certain level, the scar is removed surgically and the balloon is removed. Because of the skin expansion, the area where the scar removal area is covered by healthy skin.

Understanding the Risks

With any type of surgical scar tissue removal, risks are going to be involved. One of the risks is usually going to be pain. Even though a local anesthetic is used to numb the area, you will still feel pressure and some other sensations that may be uncomfortable. Once the anesthetic wears off, you will likely have soreness in the treated area. This discomfort is worse with abdominal scar tissue removal than with facial scar removal in most cases.

There are also other risks, including complications from the anesthetic and infection. Following your physician’s orders before and after the procedure can help minimize the risks of both of these problems. Also, choosing a reputable surgeon to do the work is important. Otherwise, you may not be satisfied with the results and may be at greater risk from these complications.

The bottom line is that you have to decide whether surgical scar tissue removal is worth the risk. And the best way to make that decision is by consulting with a plastic surgeon or dermatologist.

• Severe cases of sweaty hands and feet can be treated surgically or with mild electric shocks
• Medications can be prescribed to stop the body from sending out sweat signals
• Products containing aluminum chloride can be useful at controlling some amounts of sweat on the hands and feet
• A home remedy using black tea might be the best choice for milder cases

All of us sweat. It’s our body’s natural cooling system hard at work. Of course, some of us sweat more than others and sometimes that excessive sweating can be more than just a mild inconvenience. If you suffer from very sweaty hands and feet, you might be relieved to know there are a number of ways to overcome your problem. Below are five ways that you might want to consider.

5. Surgery

While surgery might sound like an extreme measure for someone suffering from sweaty hands, there are people who have become so frustrated by the problem that they will resort to desperate measures. The process is called Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy (ETS). The surgeon uses a tiny camera to identify the nerve which is prompting the overproduction of sweat. That nerve is cut to permanently stop the signal and to put an end to the excessive sweating. While this is a permanent solution, most physicians want to try less invasive options before recommending it.

4. Electricity

If you’re thinking that sweaty hands and electricity don’t seem to make a good combination, you’re right in some ways. However, one of the FDA approved treatments for sweaty hands and feet is a process called Iontophoresis. Basically, your hands and/or feet are placed in water along with a mild electric charge. You’ll feel a tingle from the electricity which will actually stop the nerve from sending the signals to the sweat glands temporarily. The procedure needs to be repeated but only takes about 20 minutes to complete. Blisters can appear on the treated area but that’s the only serious side effect of the treatment.

3. Drugs

Before the above treatments are tried, most physicians will prescribe anticholinergic drugs. This is a class of drugs that stop impulses that travel along the sympathetic nervous system (this is the part responsible for sending sweating signals). The drugs are used for the treatment of lots o disorders, including Parkinson’s disease, but can be helpful in preventing sweaty hands and feet without the skin irritation caused by Iontophoresis.

2. Aluminum Chloride

Some of the stronger antiperspirants on the market include an ingredient known as aluminum chloride. This ingredient actually is very effective at drying up that excessive sweat so your hands and feet will feel drier. Look for a product that contains at least 20% aluminum chloride then use it every night after you’ve washed and dried your hands and/or feet. Repeat every night until you start to see results which might take up to a week. Make sure to wash off the residue in the morning and never use aluminum chloride if you have open sores or injuries on the affected area.

1. Black Tea

Although drinking a delicious cup of tea might help you forget about your problem for a bit, the real solution is to soak your hands and feet in the tasty beverage. Black tea contains a compound known as tannic acid which basically works like a good antiperspirant. Add five tea bags to one quart of boiling water and prepare just like ordinary tea then soak your hands and/or feet in the liquid for about 30 minutes every night. This can be particularly useful if your condition isn’t severe enough to warrant surgery or medications but annoying enough to call for some type of action.

In this article you will learn:

• How to treat ant bites, naturally
• Using items from around the house to treat ant bites and other common bites from insects
• What to do about the pain of ant bites

Many of the best ant bites treatment methods are totally natural. They are made from things you routinely have right in your own home. Many of the methods listed below are insect bites treatment methods which work for all types of insect irritation. All of them are unequivocally helpful in dealing with ant bites.

Ants are annoying little critters – except for when they bite. For such tiny insects, they certainly can cause a lot of discomfort! Fortunately there are a number of different ant bites treatment options available, many of which are completely natural. Sometimes, natural insect bites treatment methods are the best. After all, with ant bites, bee stings, or any other type of insect bites, it typically happens at home, and you may not have time to go running to the store to get some relief. The ant bites treatment options listed below are completely natural, comprised of items you likely just have lying around the house!

Treatment Method #1: Fruits and Vegetables

That is something of a catch all cure, because there are quite a few fruits and vegetables which can be helpful with ant bites – or at least their extracts and juices can be beneficial. For instance, you can put lemon juice, straight, onto the bite of an ant. The acidity can neutralize and counteract the acid found in the bite. Similarly, a poultice made from lemon balm – its leaves, crushed – and water can soothe the bite of an ant. You can also simply place a slice of cool cucumber onto your ant bite. Likewise, you can cut a clove of garlic or an onion and place it on the site of your bite. Then, after you have done so, squeeze on some cucumber juice for added soothing.

Treatment Method #2: Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is used in a number of insect bites treatment methods – actually, it is also beneficial with a number of general painful skin conditions, such as sunburns and rashes. It can help with bee stings and bites from those pesky little ants. The juice of the plant in particular is soothing. All you need to do is cut one of the plant’s leaves open and then squeeze the juice out onto your bite. You can also get the gel from the plant, which will draw out any lingering infection.

Treatment Method #3: Baking Soda

Making a paste out of baking soda and water is probably the most common and well know ant bites treatment. Literally all you have to do is make a paste, and then apply it directly to your bite. In addition to dealing with the pain, it will also make the wound itch less. As many of us know, this is also a preferred treatment option for bee stings.

Treatment Method #4: Clay

Mixing clay and water is also an effective ant bites treatment. All you have to do is make a paste of water and clay and spread it directly on the site of your ant bite. It will soothe the pain and burn of the bite. It will also relieve the itching.

Treatment Method #5: Tea Bags

As mentioned, the bite of the ant is quite acidic. Tea – or, more correctly, tea bags – is another effective ant bites treatment which works to neutralize that acid. Tea contains tannic acid, which works as the neutralizer. Most people say that black tea works best. All you have to do is place the tea bag against the bite.

There are any number of things that affect your skin, some negatively and some positively. Without a doubt, the negatives probably outnumber the positive. The only way you can make sure to stay away from such affects is by learning to recognize them. In the long run, keeping yourself informed can keep you save from skin diseases and conditions.

Ant Bites and Acne Rosacea

First of all, we are going to discuss some things which will negatively affect your skin. Most of us know a lot of these. Unfortunately, some of them probably come as a surprise. You hear a lot about acne rosacea, for instance, but teen dramas like 90210 and the OC never really dealt with things like ant bites. However, both things can have a negative impact on your skin.

Skin Disease and Skin Burns

Skin diseases can be caused by such things as a high UV index and even some skin burns. Both of these are things which can do serious damage to your skin. Concerning UV rays, you really need to have sun screen on when you go outside – no matter what, and even in the winter time. It sounds crazy, sure, but there really isn’t an ozone layer playing interception anymore. Naturally, you should also stay away from tanning beds and UV lamps, two more things which can damage your skin. If you absolutely have to have a tan, honey, just spray it on!

Smoking, Alcohol, Wrinkles, Dark Circles under Your Eyes and Rashes

There is no question that smoking affects skin too. If you drink a lot of alcohol, it can have a negative impact as well. Both acts can lead to wrinkles and dark circles under the eyes. If you have acne rosacea or standard acne, then smoking and drinking can also exacerbate the skin condition. Of course, acne rosacea is only one type of skin condition – and remember, conditions are much different from skin diseases. However, both can cause serious skin redness and even skin rash. In fact, rosacea can look quite a bit like a skin rash. Still, your face is not the only place that a skin rash can show up.

High UV Indexes, Sweating, and Age Spots

A high UV index can lead to dark circles under the eyes and wrinkles as well, not to mention a loss of elasticity, sagging skin, and a leathery looking complexion. In fact, a high UV index can also lead to instances of extreme skin sweating, which can in turn lead to dry, scaly skin, plus there are also age spots to consider. You also have to contend with skin burns. Smoking affects skin in a way that dries it out; skin burns do the same thing. That is why it is important to wear sun screen when you go out – to prevent even the smallest risk of skin burns.

Freckles, Facial Warts, Moles, and Scars

Now, naturally, there are some more important things to worry about that the superficial problems caused by dark circles under the eyes and the manifestations of how smoking affects skin. Other negative skin problems include things like freckles, facial warts, moles, surgical scars, and a number of other problems.

Whiteheads, Blackheads, and Zits

Facial warts in particular can be embarrassing and devastating. After all, they aren’t like whiteheads and blackheads. You can’t make them go away by cleaning your skin, like you can with pimples or an excess of oil. Like moles, facial warts need to be watched very closely.

• Many female skin issues you have no control over
• Some skin issues are preventable
• There are many different treatments available

There are many, many things which cause female bad skin problems – a lot of which you actually have no control over, which hardly seems fair at all. Once you identify all the women skin problems you might have to deal with at some point in your life, however, it is possible to either treat those problems or to prevent them from occurring at all. Whether you are talking about pregnancy acne, hormonal acne, stretch marks, or melasma, there are ways to treat and prevent everything.

#1: Hormone Fluctuations

At many times during a woman’s life, the hormones produced by her body begin to fluctuate. It must be said, however, that this is a broad, general, blanket issue. There are many things which cause these fluctuations, in other words, and they are some of the most important female issues associated with bad skin.

#2: Pregnancy

Pregnancy acne is the result of one of those causes – which would, of course, be pregnancy. A lot of us have heard of baby acne; more often than not, their mothers will suffer from some form of acne after pregnancy as well. It is one of the most common female bad skin issues. When you are pregnant and after you have given birth, your hormones are going crazy. As a result, they might instruct your sebaceous glands – those are just your oil glands – to produce too much sebum (which is just a fancy word for oil). That is the main crux of what causes acne.

#3: Menopause

Your pre menopausal and menopausal years are actually characterized by fluctuating hormones. Acne is not the only thing you will have to contend with as you move on towards the post menopausal stage of your life – but it is common. A great many women skin problems occur during this stage in a woman’s life. Your skin will dry out more easily and it will lose its elasticity, causing sagging skin and wrinkles. You may begin to get age spots as well.

#4: Menstruation

Your hormones also go crazy when you’re on your period. This is the most common cause of hormonal acne.

#5: Birth Control

If you are taking birth control pills, then you run the risk of getting breakouts when you stop taking them. Yet again, it is a hormonal thing. Birth control pills affect your hormones. When you stop taking them, it causes an imbalance.

#6: Medications

Certain kinds of medication can cause skin problems, especially when you go off of them.

#7: Side Effects

Often, skin problems like rosacea, acne, and even rashes can occur as a side effect of a medication.

#8: Stress

When you are stressed out, it can also have an effect on your hormones. It can manifest in many female bad skin problems, depending on your stress level and the way your body handles it. Acne is, of course, the most common.

#9: Depression

Like stress, feelings of depression can seriously affect your hormones. In addition to mood swings and symptoms like that, depression can cause acne, rosacea, and other skin problems.

#10: Environmental Factors

Outside factors can also affect your skin. For example, prolonged exposure to the sun, especially if it includes frequent sunburns, can cause melasma – hyperpigmented spots, in other words, like sun spots and age spots.