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Do you think of your skin as a beautiful feature to be bared when the weather warms up? Or is it simply a protective shell. an instrument for touch. or a telling clue to your age? While your skin may be all of these things. especially during the summertime. when UV levels can wreak havoc on exposed skin. While those killer rays may feel sensational. the effects of sun exposure may not be as agreeable over time. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). one in five Americans will develop some form of skin cancer during their lifetime.
Prolonged ultraviolet exposure may also lead to cataracts. which affects more than 20 million Americans over age 40. reports the National Eye Institute. Then there's premature aging of the skin. The National Institute on Aging has pointed to sunlight as a major culprit of wrinkles. and age spots.
The best way to avoid trouble? Block harmful rays when you're out during the day; even during cloudy days use sun protection. Sun rays can penetrate light clouds. and fog. The danger exists in all seasons. and the damage builds up each year.
'The fall. and spring will account for at least 20 percent of the [UV] exposure that we have.' says Ron Shelton. a board-certified dermatologist. and assistant professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. 'Yet. there's no doubt that the bulk of the sun damage happens in the summer months.'
Whether you're driven by medical concerns. gear up with WebMD's Summer Skin Survival Guide before hitting the beach. or even the back yard -- and keep your skin glowing with good health all year round.
Sun Shields Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the U.S. There's strong evidence that excessive sun exposure raises the risk of melanoma. the deadliest form of the disease. According to the American Cancer Society.000 will die of the ailment.
Sunscreens. Sunscreen is a highly recommended defense against sunburn and skin cancer. It is now available in lotions. and spray. Some have glitter and tint. That depends on you. 'It's nice to use a product with a higher SPF. but it's more important you find a sunscreen that you like because you'll use it more.' says Andrew Kaufman. a dermasurgeon and a member of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.
Make sure to apply sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes before you go out. Put on enough so that it takes a full minute to rub in. If at the beach. spread at least 1 ounce -- enough to fill a shot glass -- on your face and entire body. Use more if you need to for good coverage. If you swim. or are outdoors for a long time. reapply every two hours. Your sunscreen should also have the following qualities:
--It has SPF of 15 or higher. According to The American Academy of Dermatology. sunscreen-SPF rating is calculated by comparing the amount of time needed to produce a sunburn on sunscreen-protected skin to the amount of time needed to cause a sunburn on unprotected skin.
For example. with an SPF 2 sunscreen a person who normally (without sunscreen) would turn red after 10 minutes of sun exposure would take 20 minutes to turn red. A sunscreen with an SPF of 30 would allow that person to multiply that initial burning time by 30. which means it would take 30 times longer to burn. However. SPF should not be used to determine time in the sun.
Skin damage can happen even without a burn. Plus. higher SPF numbers do not give proportionate protection. SPF 15 deflects 93 percent of sun-burning rays. whereas SPF 30 deflects 97 percent. reports the AAD.
--It provides broad-spectrum protection. which is in sunscreens containing benzophenones (oxybenzone). cinnamates (octylmethyl cinnamate and cinoxate). and avobenzone (Parsol 1789).
Unless it has these agents. the sunscreen may filter only UVB light. the major culprit for sunburn and skin cancer. Yet. protection from UVA is important. too. It is responsible for premature aging and the development of skin cancer.
Clothing. Start with a hat. because those harmful rays reach your scalp and your ears when you leave your noggin unprotected. And remember. baseball caps are not nearly as effective as hats with broad brims. because they leave your ears exposed.Garments designed to ward off skin-cancer-causing rays are now available in specialty stores. These are given an Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) rating. indicating how much of the sun's rays are absorbed by the fabric. Articles with UPF 30. allow only 1/30 of UV light to penetrate.
These clothes are a foolproof way of shielding against skin damage. says Cyndi Yag-Howard. a dermatologist and SPF clothing entrepreneur in Naples. Fla. 'They basically act like a really good sunscreen. noting most people don't apply enough sunscreen for it to be effective.
At the same time. there's no need to buy special products for sun protection. Try your closet. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation. clothes with certain qualities can prevent harmful rays from reaching the skin.
--Garments made of unbleached cotton. high-luster polyesters. satiny silk can absorb or reflect UV radiation. preventing damaging rays from reaching the skin.
Lip balm. The lip is a common site for skin and lip cancer. primarily because of extended sun exposure. Cracked. scaly lips that aren't helped by lip balm or petroleum jelly may be signs of actinic keratoses. The condition can be the earliest stage of the development of skin cancer. and has the potential to progress to deadlier forms of the disease. People either forget to put sunscreen or balm in the area. or lick it off. To fully protect lips:
--Look for lip-specific products that have SPF 15 or higher. recommends Shelton. Use a lip balm with SPF 30 or higher if you have a history of lip and skin cancer.
Sunglasses. Oversized sunglasses are in again this year. with the likes of Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton sporting their large shades. Even aviator styles for men are rounder and bigger.
The trends have no better fan than Neil Hodur. professor of optometry at the Illinois College of Optometry. 'The more of the eye you can cover. the less the intensity of light ' to reach the back part of the eye.' he says.
Prolonged UV exposure can redden the whites of eyes. just as the sun can burn skin. Over time. this can cause eye problems. such as cataracts and macular degeneration. To prevent eye damage. choose sunglasses with the following qualities:
Cosmetics. Can makeup protect against the sun's harmful rays? The answer is a qualified 'yes.' While any kind of coating on your face can help block UV light. cosmetics by themselves do not have enough protection to prevent sunburn or skin cancer.
Mineral makeup. darker foundations. and eye shadows do have better sun-protective qualities than other cosmetics. Yet makeup can be applied unevenly and wiped off during the course of the day. losing its ability to effectively block UV light. For surefire protection. Shelton recommends wearing sunscreen first. and then applying makeup on top.
Makeup that contains broad-spectrum SPF has UV-filtering qualities as well. However. Shelton says that makeup with SPF is not as effective as sunscreen by itself. Makeup doesn't bind to the skin as well as sunscreen. Plus. when you combine sunscreen with something else. he says it often does not retain all of its UV-filtering properties.
Think children are immune to the ravages of the sun? They are actually more susceptible. The AAD estimates that kids get 80 percent of their total lifetime sun exposure by the time they turn 18. If a blistering sunburn is a part of that childhood. the risk of deadly skin cancer doubles later in life.
In general. it's a good idea for both you and your kids to stay out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. To shield children from UV damage. the basic rules of using sunscreen. wearing sun-protective clothing. and sunglasses apply. But there are some exceptions and additions to the rules.
--Babies younger than 6 months should be kept out of the sun. If they are outdoors. a wide-brimmed hat. protective clothing. and sunglasses are recommended. Be sure to ask the pediatrician before using sunscreen on an infant. as the products have not yet been tested on them.
--Kids over 6 months should always wear sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher. SPF 30 or higher is suggested for kids who spend a lot of time outdoors. and who have fair skin. light-colored eyes and hair. Ask camp counselors or guardians to reapply sunscreens for children after active play or swim.
--Teenagers who spend a lot of time working and/or playing outdoors can be at special risk for sun damage. All the basics of sun protection apply to this group as well.
Forget dangerous sun worshipping and tanning booths. Sunless tanning products are better than ever with streak-proof varieties. They come in lotion. and spray form. With the active ingredient dihydroxyacetone (DHA). dead skin cells are safely coated with color. The tint disappears when the cells are either washed off or sloughed off. Some cautions:
--Find the right sunless tanning product for you. Since some self-tanners can turn some skin orange. test the product first in a small area of your body.
--Self-tanning preparations do not necessarily contain sunscreen. Read labels carefully. The FDA requires tanning products without sunscreen to contain a warning statement indicating it does not protect against sunburn.
Which skin care products work best? It depends on your skin type. says Leslie Baumann. a cosmetic dermatologist. and author of The Skin Type Solution. In her book. she classifies skin as dry or oily. sensitive or resistant. pigmented or nonpigmented. and wrinkled or tight. Mixing up the four options yields 16 different combinations such as the dry. wrinkled type (DRPW). wrinkled type (DSPW). Different skin types call for different treatments.
--Oily skin. You don't have to use a cream or moisturizer. says Baumann. In fact. she recommends products with salicylic acid such as Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash or Skin Medica Acne Toner with Tea Tree Oil and Salicylic Acid. Benzoyl peroxide is also ideal for people with sensitive and acne-prone skin. Recommended products include PanOxyl Bar 5% and Proactiv Repairing Solution.
--Dry skin. Look for barrier repair creams or moisturizers that contain cholesterol. and fatty acids. Examples include Dove Sensitive Essentials. and Atopalm. Avoid foaming detergents and soaps as they can strip your skin of necessary lipids.
--Sensitive skin. Anti-inflammatory ingredients work best for you. Try chamomile. the licorice extract licochalcone (Eucerin Redness Relief products). feverfew (Aveeno Ultra Calming line). quadrinone (Cutanix). and selenium (Thermal Spring Water).
--Resistant skin. You can apply any kind of skin care products without trouble since your skin has a solid skin barrier that protects deeper skin layers from allergens and irritating substances. However. many products may not work as well because they are not able to penetrate your skin.
--Pigmented skin. Solutions that contain hydroquinone (EpiQuin Micro or Tri-Luma). kojic acid (Kojic). arbutin (PCA Skin pHaze 23 A &C Synergy Serum). and mulberry extract (DDF Intensive Holistic Lightener) can improve dark spots. Vitamin C and retinoids work. particularly if you are also the oily/dry. and wrinkled type.
--Wrinkled skin. Use prescription retinoid and antioxidants such as idebenone (Prevage). ferulic acid (SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic). and vitamin C (Active C). Oral antioxidants such as Polypodium leucotomos extract (Heliocare) and pomegranate (Murad Pomphenol Sunguard Supplement) are also recommended.
When putting it all together. wrinkled type (DRPW) and an oily. wrinkled type (ORPW) would thrive with high concentrations of retinoids. which will improve pigments and wrinkles. However. the dry skin type would need a barrier-repair moisturizer. while the oily skin type would do well with salicylic acid.
All the fancy. futuristic-sounding skin care ingredients have you scratching your face instead of admiring it? It's no wonder. With the cosmetics and toiletry industry a $45 billion business. there are hundreds of products vying for customer attention.
So-called cosmeceuticals claim anything from removing wrinkles to firming up skin. Many of the claims are based on preliminary scientific research. but there is no evidence that they will deliver. says Kaufman. To figure out what product is right for your skin's needs. he recommends a visit with a skin care doctor.
SOURCES: American Academy of Dermatology. National Eye Institute. National Institute on Aging. Ron Shelton. board-certified dermatologist; assistant professor of dermatology. Mount Sinai Medical Center. New York City. American Cancer Society. Andrew Kaufman. dermasurgeon; member of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. Cyndi Yag-Howard. dermatologist; SPF clothing entrepreneur. Fla. Skin Cancer Foundation. Neil Hodur. professor of optometry. Illinois College of Optometry. Leslie Baumann. cosmetic dermatologist; author. The Skin Type Solution. The New York Times: "Smart Enough to Understand Your Moisturizer? L. Skin and Allergy News.
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Beaver's shop at 607 Providence Road has offered fine and funky jewelry. evening wraps and other divine accessories.
Beaver also had a rep for showcasing local talent. She often worked with local designers such as Dan Haga. Kym Motley and Merissa Jones.
"You reach a time in your life when you want more freedom." she said Thursday. She had just finished saying goodbye to a customer of 15 years. "You can't run a business like this. and not be here a lot. People like to see the owner. see the pieces you've bought and know why you chose them."
The quest for more freedom isn't new. Beaver hired Linda Martinez as Montanna's manager more than three years ago. Martinez took on a lot of the responsibility of working with customers and vendors. "That left me with the very boring book work. parking had become a major source of frustration. she says. In recent years. the small shopping center. which everyone calls the Manor Theater Shops. has shifted to fewer retailers and more restaurants.
Montanna customers liked to bring in outfits so they could pick out the perfect accessories. "They like to park in the front and not have to schlep clothes in the car when they park around the corner or out back." she says.
Beaver isn't totally out of the retail biz. When she was looking at her options of closing. she had heard that the owners of Sloan boutique were looking to add more accessories.
For Courtney Sloan. it's a good fit. "When a woman buys a dress or outfit. they would always say. `Now I need earrings or a necklace.' " Sloan says. "We sent so many people over to Carol and Montanna that it made sense. ... Now. you can complete the outfit with shoes and jewelry.
Beaver's current inventory -- and she has lots of new stuff from a May buying trip with Courtney Sloan -- moves to the Dilworth boutique June 15. Montanna is open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
By the way. if you haven't been by Sloan or Step by Sloan recently. you should check out their roomy new digs at the Shops at Twin Oaks shopping center. 1419 East Blvd.
Neiman Marcus announced the charities that will benefit from its exclusive opening gala Sept. 14 at the SouthPark mall store. Those splitting the proceeds are the Charlotte Symphony. Levine Children's Hospital. Opera Carolina and the Speedway Children's Charities.
Bella Tunno. the Charlotte-based baby and children's accessory line by Michelle Buelow. was scheduled to showcase its bibs and pacifier holders Thursday and today at the MTV Style Lounge. the celebrity gifting suite associated with the 2006 MTV Movie Awards. The awards will be taped Saturday and air at 9 p.m. Thursday. (MTV is Channel 43 on Time Warner Cable/Charlotte.) Buelow's products were featured at a Golden Globes gift lounge in January.
Everyday Essentials. a natural skincare boutique in NoDa. has added the Jane Carter Solution line for dry hair. It's been featured in magazines such as InStyle. Essence and the now-defunct Suede. Everyday Essentials is at 3464 N. Davidson St.; (704) 334-4245; everydayessentialsnoda. For more on Jane Carter Solution: janecartersolution; (877) 424-7227.
Hyperbaric oxygen facials are available in Charlotte. despite what an April 21 article about the popular treatment stated. The O2 Intraceuticals facials favored by Madonna were the focus of the New York Times piece. The Hunstad Center in the University City area offers the Bio 2 hyperbaric oxygen facial treatment that's infused with Vitamin E and other good stuff. "It's good for sunburn and acne." says Marti DeCoste. medical aesthetician and spa leader. Cost varies. More info: hunstadcenter; (704) 549-0500.
Stores on my "check it out soon" list: Rouge: A Makeup Studio in the Cotswold area. 4401 Colwick Tower. a plus-sized lingerie store. at Carolina Place mall. Pineville. The store is an offshoot of Lane Bryant. The name is pronounced "ka-SEEK. 739 Providence Road. It's a new consignment option for designer goods in the Myers Park area.
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a pharmaceutical company developing and commercializing products in the field of dermatology. today announced that Al Altomari. Chief Operating Officer. is scheduled to present to the investment community at the FTN Midwest Health Care Conference.
The conference will be held at the Four Seasons Hotel in New York on June 6-7. 2006. Mr. Altomari is scheduled to present on Wednesday June 7. 2006 at 3:40 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time.
The presentation will be available live via a webcast that can be accessed through Barrier Therapeutics' corporate website at: barriertherapeutics.
Barrier Therapeutics. Inc. is a pharmaceutical company focused on the discovery. development and commercialization of pharmaceutical products in the field of dermatology. The Company currently markets two pharmaceutical products in the United States. and 81.35% white petrolatum) Ointment and Solag'? (mequinol 2.0% and tretinoin 0.01%) Topical Solution. The Company also markets its Solag'? product in Canada. along with VANIQA? for which it is the exclusive distributor in Canada. Barrier's Sebazole(TM) (2% ketoconazole) product candidate. for the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis. is currently under FDA review. Barrier has other product candidates in various stages of clinical development for the treatment of onychomycosis. psoriasis and fungal infections. The Company is headquartered in Princeton. New Jersey and has wholly owned subsidiaries in Geel. Belgium and Ontario. Canada. Web site: barriertherapeutics
acne treatment
without it our skin is not able to produce new skin cells. generate collagen or properly heal from wounds. In fact. the use of oxygen to speed the healing process of surgical wounds and topical burns has been used in the hospital setting for years. Today. the same principle used for oxygen therapy. which is the rapid delivery of pure oxygen gas to the skin. in hospitals is being applied to the treatment of active acne with the Echo2 Plus? Oxygen Acne Treatment Facial.Pure oxygen provides tremendous healing benefits to the skin. especially to complexions suffering from active acne. 'Active acne is believed to be caused in part to bacteria found under the surface of the skin.' said Debra Thomas. R.N. and Clinical Administrator for The Skin Center Medical Spa. 'The Echo2 Plus ? Oxygen Acne Treatment Facial is effective for active acne because pure oxygen has proven to be a potent anti-bacterial agent.' In addition to the delivery of pure oxygen to the skin. Oxygen Acne Treatment Facial combines proven acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid and lactic acid to cleanse pores and remove impurities associated with acne outbreaks. Echo2 Plus? Oxygen Acne Treatment system utilizes a four-step process designed to cleanse. nourish and revitalize every skin cell through its revolutionary use of pure oxygen. First. the skin is gently exfoliated to remove dead skin cells. A cleansing solution is then applied to tone and condition the skin. Once the skin is cleansed. a unique process known as Osmotic Hydration is performed. This process requires that an intense topical vitamin mask be massaged into the skin. drawing moisture to the skin cells just beneath the outer layer of skin. or epidermis. Once the hydration process is complete pure oxygen gas. along with vitamins A. enzymes and amino acids are propelled deep into the lower or dermal layer of skin through a soothing vapor mist. Following treatment. the skin appears softer. more supple and revitalized. For optimal results. it is recommended that a series of Echo2 Plus? Oxygen Acne Treatments be performed in conjunction with the use of the OXYCEUTICALS? Oxygen Acne Treatment advanced home care kit. The Echo2 Plus? Oxygen Treatment is not limited to people experiencing active acne. Oxygen therapy is beneficial to all skin types and is gentle enough to be combined with other facial rejuvenation treatments such as chemical peels. microdermabrasion and facial surgeries. In addition to non-invasive medical treatments. The Skin Center Medical Spa specializes in a number of surgical procedures including upper and lower eyelids. chin augmentation. breast augmentation. abdominal tucks and the QuickLift?. For more information about the The Echo2 Plus? Oxygen Treatment or additional services provided by The Skin Center Medical Spa with locations in Pennsylvania and Ohio.
acne treatment
without it our skin is not able to produce new skin cells. generate collagen or properly heal from wounds. In fact. the use of oxygen to speed the healing process of surgical wounds and topical burns has been used in the hospital setting for years. Today. the same principle used for oxygen therapy. which is the rapid delivery of pure oxygen gas to the skin. in hospitals is being applied to the treatment of active acne with the Echo2 Plus? Oxygen Acne Treatment Facial.
Pure oxygen provides tremendous healing benefits to the skin. especially to complexions suffering from active acne. 'Active acne is believed to be caused in part to bacteria found under the surface of the skin.' said Debra Thomas. R.N. and Clinical Administrator for The Skin Center Medical Spa. 'The Echo2 Plus ? Oxygen Acne Treatment Facial is effective for active acne because pure oxygen has proven to be a potent anti-bacterial agent.' In addition to the delivery of pure oxygen to the skin. Oxygen Acne Treatment Facial combines proven acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid and lactic acid to cleanse pores and remove impurities associated with acne outbreaks.
Echo2 Plus? Oxygen Acne Treatment system utilizes a four-step process designed to cleanse. nourish and revitalize every skin cell through its revolutionary use of pure oxygen. First. the skin is gently exfoliated to remove dead skin cells. A cleansing solution is then applied to tone and condition the skin. Once the skin is cleansed. a unique process known as Osmotic Hydration is performed. This process requires that an intense topical vitamin mask be massaged into the skin. drawing moisture to the skin cells just beneath the outer layer of skin. or epidermis. Once the hydration process is complete pure oxygen gas. along with vitamins A. enzymes and amino acids are propelled deep into the lower or dermal layer of skin through a soothing vapor mist.
Following treatment. the skin appears softer. more supple and revitalized. For optimal results. it is recommended that a series of Echo2 Plus? Oxygen Acne Treatments be performed in conjunction with the use of the OXYCEUTICALS? Oxygen Acne Treatment advanced home care kit.
The Echo2 Plus? Oxygen Treatment is not limited to people experiencing active acne. Oxygen therapy is beneficial to all skin types and is gentle enough to be combined with other facial rejuvenation treatments such as chemical peels. microdermabrasion and facial surgeries.
In addition to non-invasive medical treatments. The Skin Center Medical Spa specializes in a number of surgical procedures including upper and lower eyelids. chin augmentation. breast augmentation. abdominal tucks and the QuickLift?.
For more information about the The Echo2 Plus? Oxygen Treatment or additional services provided by The Skin Center Medical Spa with locations in Pennsylvania and Ohio.
acne treatment
Memorial Day services in Sarasota will be celebrated with a parade beginning at 10 a.m. at Main Street and Osprey Avenue. west along Main Street to Chaplain J.D. Hamel Park on Gulfstream Avenue.Marching units will include the veteran's services organizations. law enforcement agencies. fire departmetns and color guards. civic organizations. The theme of the Sarasota parade and ceremony is "All Heroes are Local." For more information. access scgov.
Parades in Venice begin at 10 a.m. at Veteran's Park at the West end of Venice Avenue in Venice. The events are coordinated by the Venice Area Veterans Council and Sarasota County's Veterans Benefits Unit.Guest speaker is Gregory Putman. commandre of American Legion Post 159.The public is invited to bring chairs to the ceremonies. Water will be provided. Following the ceremony. a grand opening and open house for American Legion Post 159 will be held at 1770 E. Venice Ave.. beginning at 11 a.m.
North Port's Memorial Day services begin at 11 a.m. at Veterans Park at the corner of U.S. 41 and South Biscayne Drive next to the North Port Area Public Library.Guest speaker for the services will be Joe Wills. service officer for the local chapter of Disabled American Veterans.For this occasion. the North Port People for Trees have made improvements to the Veterans Park retention pond. which will be rededicated following the service.
SARASOTA 'C A female driver crashed into James Tanner's car. leaving him with a gash on his head. back injury and broken thumb. She was arrested on a DUI charge that night. and Tanner went to three of her court hearings. hoping to hear her version of what happened.He never got the chance. The three hearings were short and lawyers did most of the talking. Prosecutors failed to notify Tanner about a fourth court appearance in March. where she pleaded to a lesser charge of reckless driving."I got left out. of Bradenton. "The prosecutor called me at home and apologized about it."The same thing has happened recently to about a dozen other victims of DUI crimes in Manatee and Sarasota counties. said members of Mothers Against Drunk Driving. MADD officials say prosecutors are cheating victims of their right to see justice by not following Florida's victim notification law."It's been happening a lot." said Denise Salerno-Jackson. president of the group's Manasota chapter. "It seems like in DUI cases it's starting to happen more and more."Leaders of MADD have complained to State Attorney Earl Moreland and have threatened to protest outside the courthouse if things don't change.Moreland said he wasn't familiar with the cases MADD was upset about. but added there's no excuse for not notifying victims."That was a mistake. they should have been notified." Moreland said.State law requires prosecutors to notify victims of judicial hearings and give them a chance to address the court.Cheryl Henrion. a victim's advocate for MADD in Pinellas County. said victims can't completely recover until the criminal part of the offender's case is behind them."Getting to speak at a sentencing is so very important to a victim because that's the only time they have had a chance to address the court about the pain the crime has caused them." Henrion said."Our criminal justice system is not set up to take away somebody's pain ... but it does give them a sense of justice."DUI victims in Manatee and Sarasota counties who did not get that opportunity include a Pennslyvania couple hit by a drunk driver during their stay in Sarasota for the winter. MADD advocates say. Prosecutors had told the couple they would call them immediately and pay to have them travel to speak at the offender's sentencing. said Christina Ammendola of MADD."They were still in Florida when sentencing happened and they were never notified." Ammendola said.Another victim was notified of an important hearing by U.S. Mail -- postmarked three days after the hearing occurred.Earl Varn. the chief of the state attorney's misdemeanor department. says prosecutors do their best. but can't always ensure that the notices get to every victim of every crime. So far this year. there have been more than 500 DUI arrests in Sarasota County alone.Court dates may change and court activity may happen without time to notify victims. For instance. a defendant wanting to plead to a charge can sometimes get a hearing in about three hours."There's times we just can't." Varn saidplaints such as MADD's are taken seriously and the state attorney's office will look at its notification system to make sure it working as well as it can. the MADD advocate in Pinellas County. said sometimes a change of plea will be totally unexpected. One time a hearing was set for a DUI defendant to get a new attorney.It surprised everyone when she instead told the judge she wanted to plead to the charge. Henrion said.Tanner. the Bradenton victim. said he feels like he missed out on something important."I just wanted to hear the truth." Tanner said. "I wanted to do whatever I could do ... And I didn't have a chance."
The longing to see my family. friends and boyfriend finally set in this weekend. but an impromptu drag show and fondue with a Brazilian family helped ward off any sadness which may have resulted from it.The lovely director Molly planned a get-together at our house for Friday; the guest list included any of her Brazilian friends who spoke English well enough to communicate with this (mostly) Portuguese-ignorant American. It was a 'normal' party at first. with a good deal of cheap beer and loud music. until Molly's gay friend Alexandre Cruz Souza decided to put on a drag show. He and Molly left the house to get the proper attire and. after Alexandre dressed himself in my room. a beautiful drag queen walked down the stairs toward the living room; the audience was a mixed bunch and included Alexandre's fellow gay men. a pregnant woman and her boyfriend and an Alaskan Portuguese-speaker named Calvin. The diverse crowd made it an even better experience. and I have to note that I never thought I would see my first drag show in Brazil.Saturday seemed as though it would turn out to be a dreary. rainy day at first. but Molly's father Dan received an invite for himself. Molly and the volunteers to a fondue dinner at a Brazilian family's home. Beef. bread and about six different sauces made up the main course. The sauces were something I had never experienced at the Melting Pot in Sarasota and included such flavors as mint. cherry and one sauce which was a mixture of ketchup. mustard and mayonnaise. The second course was chocolate fondue with fruit. including honeydew melon. and a fruit which I've seen in the supermarket here that looks like a underripe tomato. It is pronounced (I'll spell it phonetically. since I don't know how to spell it in Portuguese) 'cock-EE' and it is a sandy-texture. eternally-sweet fruit. I love it.In fact. I like it so much I am going to the supermarket to buy some right now. Maybe on the way back. I'll stop at the goods market near the house to buy gifts for my parents. Ciao!
A tropical storm watch is in effect for the Sarasota. Manatee and Charlotte counties. which could see 3 to 5 inches of rain. according to SNN News 6 Meterologist Justin Mosely.
TAMPA. the first named storm of the 2006 Atlantic hurricane season. developed Sunday in the Gulf of Mexico and appeared likely to soak parts of Florida and Cuba with heavy rain. forecasters said.On Sunday afternoon. the storm had maximum sustained winds near 45 mph. up 10 mph from early in the morning. but was not likely to strengthen into a hurricane. according to the National Hurricane Center.Most of Florida's west coast is under a hurricane watch."The satellite presentation of the storm is not very impressive ... so not much additional strengthening is anticipated." said hurricane specialist Richard Pasch.Forecasters said up to 30 inches of rain could fall over the western half of Cuba. creating a threat of flash floods and mudslides. and 5 to 10 inches could fall over the Florida Keys and the state's Gulf Coast.The prospect of a wet storm without hurricane-force winds was welcomed by firefighters who have been battling wildfires for six weeks on Florida's east coast."A good soaking rain would do a lot to help stop the fires in our area. a spokeswoman for Volusia County Fire Services. "It has been a hard fire season. We've had several fires a week here."The storm's outer rainbands swept across Florida from Miami to the Tampa Bay area Sunday afternoon. said National Weather Service meteorologist Richard Rude.Patricia Haberland. whose back porch in St. Petersburg was flooded by 12 inches of rain in March. put a few valuables in plastic bins this weekend just to be on the safe side."Other than that. we're carrying on as usual. 52. "It doesn't look like it's going to have a major impact on our area."Though the storm was not expected to cross the Florida Keys. some tourists were not taking any chances in the low-lying island chain."I had a bunch of people check out this morning because of the massive tropical storm that was supposed to swamp the island." said Nikki LaMarca. front desk manager at Courtney's Place in Key West. "It's amazing. People are actually leaving."At 5 p.m. EDT. Alberto was centered about 375 miles west of Key West and about 400 miles south-southwest of Apalachicola. forecasters said.It was moving northwest at 7 mph but was expected to turn toward central or northern Florida. where it could make landfall early Tuesday. forecasters said.The tropical depression that produced Alberto formed Saturday. nine days after the official start of the hurricane season. in the northwest Caribbean. which can produce typically weak storms that follow a similar track this time of year. forecasters said."They can also meander in the Gulf for awhile. and we've seen some dissipate before reaching any land areas." Pasch said. "There is no guarantee (Alberto) will make landfall."Scientists predict the 2006 season could produce up to 16 named storms. six of them major hurricanes.Last year's hurricane season was the most destructive on record. Hurricane Katrina devastated Louisiana and Mississippi and was blamed for more than 1.570 deaths among Louisiana residents alone.The season was the busiest in 154 years of storm tracking. with records for the number of named storms (28) and hurricanes (15). Meteorologists used up their list of 21 proper names _ beginning with Arlene and ending with Wilma _ and had to use the Greek alphabet to name storms for the first time.Meteorologists have said the Atlantic is not as warm now as it was at this time in 2005. meaning potential storms would have less of the energy needed to develop into hurricanes.Last year. the first named storm of the season was Tropical Storm Arlene. which formed June 9. and made landfall just west of Pensacola in the Florida Panhandle _ the first of two tropical storms and four hurricanes to target Florida last year.The Atlantic hurricane season ends Nov. 30.Associated Press writer Jennifer Kay in Miami contributed to this report.
SARASOTA ' Nubiel "Bill" Perez leaned forward in his chair as he talked about his maintenance job at Renaissance condominiums. and why he believed he was fired.Housekeepers and maintenance workers at the upscale condominiums were forbidden from speaking Spanish in public areas because it made some of the residents uncomfortable. Perez said he and other Latino employees felt stifled and discriminated against."I believe in my heart I did everything to keep this building running and clean." Perez said.As he testified. members of the city's Human Relations Board scribbled notes and listened quietly. This was the first case the 3-year-old board had ever heard. and they wanted to get it right.Set up in 2003 to investigate and solve complaints of discrimination. the board has seen scant action. Only a dozen discrimination cases have been filed. and most of those were settled before the need for a hearing. City officials say the low number of cases means that the board is largely accomplishing its goal: to solve these cases before they end up in court. But even some of the board members wonder whether all the people who have been discriminated against are truly coming forward.Board member Manuel Chepote. worries that illegal immigrants are especially reluctant to complain."Maybe they don't come forward because they are afraid of their status. an insurance agent. Chepote added that the city does not ask any questions about legal status when a complaint is filed."We need to spread the word more." he said.About 12 complaints so farPerez's case was the the very first to be heard since the board was first set up in 2003. when the city passed a celebrated anti-discrimination ordinance modeled after similar rules in places like Tampa.The city prohibits discrimination in employment. housing and public accomodation. Those who use the system can claim discrimination based upon things like disability. race or sexual orientation. About 100 people have inquired about the ordinance. One man said he was fired from a local McDonald's because he was gay.A woman claimed discrimination after she was ejected from a singles dance for "unladylike behavior." A group for the hard of hearing complained that a local television station did not provide captioned information about hurricanesMany of the 100 inquiries have not qualified for consideration by the board because the alleged act of discrimination happened outside of city limits. In those cases. the complainants were referred to the the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in Tampa. More than a dozen official complaints have been filed. and most have been resolved by conciliation and end up in confidential settlements."The purpose of the ordinance was to create an opportunity to air complaints." said Kurt Hoverter. Sarasota's director of human resources. "Conciliations have worked in virtually every case."Several citizens have been satisified with the board."It cuts out a lot of hassle with the courts." said George Richardson. who complained to the board that he was fired after filing a workers compensation claim. Richardson would not talk about the details of his settlement. but said coming to the human relations board meant "no more lost sleep and no more agitation."First hearing a tough onePerez. who is from Colombia. said he thought he had a good case when he brought forward his complaint about the Renaissance.Representing himself. Perez told the board that he worked hard during his five years at the Renaissance. He was sure that race played a part in his firing. which happened when a new condominium association board took over last year.Attorneys for the condominium association. painted him as a hothead who routinely berated coworkers and created a negative workplace environment.Before rendering its decision. the human relations board heard 10 hours of testimony. some of which hurt Perez's case.Spanish-speaking coworkers said they never felt discriminated against at the Renaissance. Some described Perez as a man who lost his temper and frequently spouted obscenities.The new condominium association president said he fired Perez because he stopped doing his job well. an opinion also voiced by another of Perez's bosses."The idea that this is related to race is disconcerting." said the association president. Brian Geery."I'm sorry that you feel that way." he told Perez. "I really am."It was Geery who explained the board's policy about requiring employees to refrain from speaking Spanish around residents. some of whom became uncomfortable because they thought the workers were talking about them.An attorney for the Renaissance argued that the policy "facilitated the comfort level of residents and the smooth functioning" of the building.At the end of the case a few weeks ago. the five-member board concluded that discrimination did not contribute to Perez's dismissal.But several members said they were disturbed by Renaissance's policy toward Spanish-speaking employees.Even Geery. the condominium association president. admitted that prohibiting Spanish may have been part of a misguided effort to comfort residents."In hindsight. was that a good thing to do?" he said.Slowly gaining steamBoard members also wonder how widespread it is for employers to prohibit Spanish.Chepote has heard of several such places.Lottie Swann-Crawford. the woman who helped found the board and now serves on it. said she thinks the board would be more effective if members had the power to investigate discrimination themselves. rather than simply waiting for complaints to be filed and then hearing from both sides.She and others are now trying to set up a similar board in Sarasota County government.B.J. Branson. a former city administrative specialist who handled the discrimination complaints. said the city has worked hard to make the city program visible. setting up a booth at the farmers market and making presentations at functions.Swamm-Crawford credits the low number of cases to a few things. One of those things is "apathy.""When people have been beaten down and discriminated against. they don't have the will to get up and do things." she said.She said Sarasota is a place that has largely segregated black and white communities.About six months ago. a man yelled racial slurs at her outside an Albertsons in Sarasota.She says black people who live here are still hesitant to shop and eat on Main Street. and that discrimination is "still well and living.""Of course it's going on." she said. "It's just a little more subtle than it used to be."
MIAMI (AP) -- Tropical Storm Alberto. the first named storm of the 2006 Atlantic hurricane season. developed Sunday from a poorly organized tropical depression in the eastern Gulf of Mexico and appeared likely to carry heavy rain to Florida. forecasters said.By midday. the storm had maximum sustained wind near 45 mph. up 10 mph from early in the morning. the National Hurricane Center said.It was expected to continue growing but without developing into a hurricane."The satellite presentation of the storm is not very impressive. so not much additional strengthening is anticipated." said hurricane specialist Richard Pasch.At 11 a.m. EDT. Alberto was centered about 400 miles west of Key West and about 445 miles south-southwest of Apalachicola. forecasters said.It was moving northwest at about 9 mph but was expected to turn toward central or northern Florida. where it could make landfall early Tuesday. forecasters said.The tropical depression that produced Alberto formed Saturday. nine days after the official start of the hurricane season. in the northwest Caribbean. which can produce typically weak storms that follow a similar track this time of year. forecasters said."They can also meander in the Gulf for awhile. and we've seen some dissipate before reaching any land areas." Pasch said.Forecasters said up to 30 inches of rain could fall over the western half of Cuba. creating a threat of flash floods and mudslides. and up to 8 inches could fall over the Florida Keys and the state's Gulf Coast.Scientists predict the 2006 season could produce up to 16 named storms. six of them major hurricanes.Last year's hurricane season was the busiest and most destructive on record. Hurricane Katrina devastated Louisiana and Mississippi and was blamed for more than 1.570 deaths in Louisiana alone.The season was the busiest in 154 years of storm tracking. with records for the number of named storms (28) and hurricanes (15). Meteorologists used up their list of 21 proper names _ beginning with Arlene and ending with Wilma _ and had to use the Greek alphabet to name storms for the first time.This year. meteorologists have said the Atlantic is not as warm as it was at this time in 2005. meaning potential storms would have less of the energy needed to develop into hurricanes.Last year. the first named storm of the season was Tropical Storm Arlene. which formed June 9. and made landfall just west of Pensacola in the Florida Panhandle.
Heavy rainfall is headed our way tonight and tomorrow as Alberto gains winds speeds to a maximum of 45 mph. according to SNN News 6 Meteorologist Justin Mosely.
WASHINGTON -- A sun shines on Dan Yu's back. alongside a swimming koi fish. A tree soon may grow on his arm. "Your body's an empty canvas. so you almost want to continue to add to it. as he showed off his tattoos.A generation or two ago. Yu's tattoos - to say nothing of his pierced nose - probably would have placed him in a select company of soldiers. bikers and carnival workers. But no longer: The American University employee is among about 36 percent of Americans age 18 to 29 with at least one tattoo. according to a survey.The study. scheduled to appear Monday on the Web site of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. provides perhaps the most in-depth look at tattoos since their popularity exploded in the early 1990s.The results suggest that 24 percent of Americans between 18 and 50 are tattooed; that's almost one in four. Two surveys from 2003 suggested just 15 percent to 16 percent of U.S. adults had a tattoo."Really. the people who don't have them are becoming the unique ones." said Chris Keaton. a tattoo artist and president of the Baltimore Tattoo Museum.But body art is more than just tattoos.About one in seven people surveyed reported having a piercing anywhere other than in the soft lobe of the ear. according to the study. That total rises to nearly one in three for the 18-to-29 set. Just about half - 48 percent - in that age category had either a tattoo or piercing.Given their youth. that suggests the percentage of people with body art will continue to grow. said study co-author Dr. Anne Laumann. a Northwestern University dermatologist."They haven't had time to get their body piercing. They haven't had time to get their tattoo. They are just beginning to get into it and the number is already big." Laumann said.So why has body art become so popular?Laumann and others believe it allows people to broadcast to the world what they are all about. Others call it sign of rebellion or a rite of passage. The survey found nearly three-fourths of the pierced and nearly two-thirds of the tattooed made the leap before 24."It's a very easy way to express something that you think represents part of your identity - that you don't have to tell someone but you can just have seen." said Chelsea Farrell. an American University senior from Albany. N.Y. Farrell has a tattooed fish on each hip and a Celtic knot on the small of her back.The survey also found that what your mother may have told you about who has tattoos is true: People who drink. have been jailed or forgo religion are more likely to be tattooed.The same holds for piercings. though rates do not appear to vary with education. income or job category. In that sense. they appear to be "different animals. who has traditionally pierced ears but no tattoos.One obvious difference is that piercings can be easily removed. unlike tattoos."I guess I liked the way they looked and the rush of getting them pierced. as well as them not being permanent. I can take them out and the holes will close up." said Simah Waddell. of her pierced nose. belly button and ears.Waddell. who is entering her senior year at American University. said she suffered no side effects. other than the anger of her parents. The survey suggests that is not always the case for others with piercing. Nearly one in four reported medical problems. including skin infections. Among those with mouth or tongue piercings. an equal proportion reported chipped or broken teeth.For tattoos. 13 percent of respondents had problems with healing. Generally. the Food and Drug Administration receives few reports of complications from tattoos.The industry is regulated by state and local officials. and there is no such thing as an agency-approved tattoo pigment or ink. The FDA is considering more involvement. said Dr. Linda Katz. director of agency's Office of Cosmetics and Colors."If you look at the fact that a quarter of adults have a tattoo. it's amazing how safe the industry is. a Harvard Medical School dermatologist and tattoo removal expert. None of the survey respondents had ever had a tattoo removed. though 17 percent had considered it.Freedom-2 LLC. a Philadelphia company co-founded by Anderson. hopes to launch the first of two lines of not-so-permanent tattoo inks next year. though without FDA approval.To create the ink. pigments would be encapsulated in a polymer and the microcapsules injected into the skin. A tattoo would be permanent only as long as its wearer wanted it to be.It would only take a few pulses of a laser to break open the capsules and release the ink into the body to be safely absorbed. said Martin Schmieg. the company's president and chief executive officer.A second ink. would rely on the same technology. except the capsules would dissolve on their own. Depending on the version. the tattoos would naturally vanish after six months. 12 months or 24 months."It will be like wearing a tattoo like it's jewelry. where you will be able to take it off. It will just fade on its own." Schmieg said.The telephone survey on tattoos included 253 women and 247 men and was conducted in 2004. It has a margin of error of 4.5 percentage points.Associated Press writer Chhayal Parikh contributed to this report.
It looks like we may be in for some drought busting rainfall over the next few days.Tropical Depression One is moving northwest into the gulf. and even though the forecast from the National Hurricane Center has the center of the depression staying to our west. there is plenty of rain extending east of the system to bring us a potential of 3 to 5 inches of rain at least it moves by. The biggest threat to us from this system would be flooding. We are currently under a flood watch. and the chance for heavy rain through Tuesday is 70-90%.The depression is forecast to pass us to the west. but than recurve and make landfall comewhere near the big bend portion of the state.If this system continues to develop. it could (and is forecast to) bexome our first tropical storm of the 2006 season. If that happens. its name would be Alberto.-David Karnes
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Related NewsStudy 'confirms' lignan dose for menopause supplementsAcatris cuts deal with ADM on isoflavone marketing rightsNew data supports lignans' potential for men's healthLinnea launches low-dose. high-bioavailability lignansMaximum flax - higher concentration from AcatrisAcatris develops men's health product
- A dietary supplement of flaxseed. a rich source of lignans and omega-3 fatty acids. could prove useful to reduce lung inflammation and oxidative stress. if results from a mice study can be expanded to humans.
Flaxseed contains high concentrations of both omega-3 fatty acids and lignans. particularly secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG). which is converted into enterodiol and enterolactone in the colon. There is some evidence that enterolactone. may have a beneficial effect on bone health. with the main focus being for prostate and menopause health. and as an antioxidant.
If the preliminary results from the mice studies can be applied to humans. this could be open up a new outlet for flaxseed. The North American market for flax lignan-containing specialty supplements saw growth of 8.1 per cent overall in 2004 over over the previous year. and annual sales were over $2.9bn.
'To our knowledge. our study shows here the first supporting evidence to indicate that dietary supplementation with flaxseed can ameliorate oxidative tissue damage and inflammation in certain forms of experimental acute lung injury.' wrote lead author Paul Kinniry in the Journal of Nutrition (Vol 136. from the University of Pennsylvania and North Dakota State University. supplemented the diet of female mice with five and ten per cent flaxseed (Purina Mills) for up to ten weeks. The mice were divided into two groups; one group received the supplemented diet (test group) while the other received only the standard AIN-93G diet (control group).
Vitamin E was removed from the diet mix and. because flaxseed contains a small amount of the vitamin. each diet was standardised to contain a constant 3.35 mg per kg. attained by adding appropriate amounts of dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate.
The mice were further divided into four different groups; three groups had induced lung damage by acid aspiration. administration of lipopolysaccharide solution (LPS). or hyperoxic (excess oxygen in the tissues) conditions. The fourth group was untouched and used as control. The degree of lung damage was evaluated by measuring malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations. a reactive carbonyl compound.
The researchers. led by Professor Melpo Christofidou-Solomidou. found that both doses of flaxseed supplementation resulted in decreased levels of MDA after acid aspiration and hyperoxia. but not LPS conditions.
Supplementation with ten per cent flaxseed. reduced MDA levels by a significant three micromoles per gram of lung tissue. compared to unsupplemented mice exposed to acid aspiration.
MDA levels also decreased in lung tissue of mice eating the ten per cent flaxseed diet after hyperoxia. falling from 7.5 micromoles per gram of lung tissue in the untouched mice. to 5 micromoles per gram of lung tissue in the hyperoxia mice.
'Acid aspiration results in a dramatic increase in lung permeability.' explained the authors. 'Aspiration of gastric contents [which are acidic] is one of the most common causes of acute injury or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). and is reported to be associated with a 25 to 35 per cent incidence of ARDS.'
Over 150000 Americans are diagnosed with ARDS every year. which is equivalent to 17 people per hour. according to the ARDS Foundation. The syndrome is defined as an acute process that leads to moderate to severe loss of lung function.
Since flaxseed contains both omega-3 fatty acids and flax lignans the authors were unable to determine which were the bioactive components. But the researchers did suggest that the possible protective mechanism could be due to the antioxidant activity of the flax lignans.
'The flaxseed lignan SDG and its metabolites (enterodiol and enterolactone) have known antioxidant activities. shown both in vitro and in vivo systems. that are exerted mainly through the inhibition of lipid peroxidation.' said Kinniry.
Lipid peroxides can then undergo further decomposition to produce compounds like MDA. said the researchers. adding to the oxidative stress on the tissues. This by inhibiting the lipid peroxidation process. oxidative stress on the lungs may be reduced.
Further study should focus on determining tissue lignan levels. Prof Christofidou-Solomidou told NutraIngredients that work was continuing in this field with 'even more exciting data with dietary flaxseed in additional. clinically relevant disease models (in mice).' already generated.
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acne treatment
a US-based skincare line dedicated to solving skin problems through natural ingredients. is one of those brands that have silently and steadily penetrated the market until. almost everyone's using it. There has been no high-impact marketing to help propel its renown. People who have tried one or several of its 200-plus products would simply tell about a 'miracle story' or two to their friends. like how their zits were zapped overnight by its Drying Lotion.
As one of the first few able to try some of its unguents when they were introduced to the country exactly a year ago. I am a big fan. My favorite Badescu product is the Hydrating Serum. a moisturizer that feels light on the skin'leaving no icky. Mario Badescu has developed two new ones that will be the boon of the acne-prone: the Acne Facial Cleanser and the Anti-Acne Serum. Simon Abadi. Mario Badescu vice president who recently dropped by to the country. said they were motivated to develop these products because acne. is a grave concern among its customers.
Explaining the products. Abadi described the Acne Facial Cleanser as containing 'salicylic acid that removes the dead skin build-up that causes acne. but at the same time. we manage to incorporate some ingredients that don't strip the skin as a lot of acne cleansers do.'
The Anti-Acne Serum. is 'for areas that (the customers) find to be eruptive. Over the course of time. they would see a much clearer. better skin.' The serum is also meant to be a preventive a measure. 'If you experience breakout on the chin area for example. you can apply it there and lessen (the incidence of breakout).'
One of the attractions of Mario Badescu is that they are simple to apply'no long literature you have to read just to use its products right. Even their bottles'clear and with clean simple. lines'look simple. This brand of simplicity seems to be working well for the company started by a Romanian immigrant to the States'yes. the chemist guy after which the company was named'who was tinkering with plants in a basement in Brooklyn.
'One of the main strenghts of our line is that our products are very simple in terms of their ingredients and their compositions.' Abadi elaborated. 'They are a part of what we believe in. Simple. natural products will work best for the customers in the long run.'
Abadi clarified that a well-observed skincare regimen will spell the difference between a glowing and 'just okay' skin. 'Consistency is extremely important. just like in exercise.' he said. 'You can't exercise one day and expect results a month later. You have to do it on a regular basis. the same thing you do for your skin regimen.'
For Mario Badescu. cleansing/toning and moisturizing are the most important steps in the regimen. Right now. I'm using Mario Badescu Seaweed Cleanser (a rich. non-foaming wash) and the Seaweed Toner (a refreshing. no-alcohol solution). 'It's also important to exfoliate. at least two times a week. is the basis of beauty. which is the main and sole concern of the company. Mario Badescu is not about to expand to cosmetics. Said Abadi. 'We are only born with one skin. That's all we have. You want the skin to look natural. You don't want to look fake. We don't believe in a lot of makeup.'
The Philippines is one of the only two Asian countries where Mario Badescu is present (the other one is Hong Kong). Abadi is very optimistic about the market. 'We are looking to grow the scope of the brand. Make awareness a lit bit more as far customers are concerned. Again. the products are affordable enough that most people would be able to purchase them.'
That's what Naomi Campbell. after a Mario Badescu facial. Now. I did sometimes wonder how it would feel to experience the facial care and pampering at a Mario Badescu salon located only in New York. You see. it's where celebrities like Sarah Jessica Parker go each time they need a zit popped or maintain their Hollywood- or catwalk-worthy skin. I heard that to get into the waiting list is as cutthroat as getting a job for Vogue!
Abadi said that the salon gives them an idea of the skin problems their customers face. 'We have very good rapport with our customers in the States so they give us a lot of feedback to what they want to see. he said. 'Because of the salon. we see a lot of problems people are encountering so that gives us a lot of information as far as what we need to add to our line that we currently have.'
Recently. I was able to experience the fabled Badescu touch. No. I didn't fly to the Big Apple. a facialist from the MB salon. flew here recently to pamper the biggest fans of the brand and select members of the press. She was garbed in a white robe. curly-haired darling'in fact. a worthy endorser of the Mario Badescu brand. was porcelain.
There's really nothing out-of-the-ordinary with the facial except for the products which. when used in combo. would give you a knock-out skin'looking poreless. luminous and firm. Megan assessed my skin as 'Dry and Combination' to which she prescribed a bevy of products. Aside from the cleanser and toner I'm already using. she also suggested Ceramide Gel when I complained about the dark skin under my eyes. To conclude the routine. I would have to use the Aloe SPF 15 for sun protection. As for my nighttime regimen. she recommended the same cleanse-purify procedure except that I have to apply Hydrating Serum'my favorite!
acne treatment
TOLEDO -- Nowadays. people are in hot pursuit of that perfect. golden tan. They say it makes you look good and feel good. And if they're not outside. soaking up the sun. women and many men are tanning. indoors. So what's the problem? They may be sun bathing in a festival of germs.
"I go tanning to prevent being burned from the sun most often." said Audrey Berenstein. "I go (tanning) mostly because of acne. Even in the winter months. pasty white is no good." said Mick Trzcinski. Berenstein and Trzcinski--both nursing students--said they slip into a tanning bed once a week.
But how clean and safe are they from coming in contact with bacteria and germs? News 11 went inside four local tanning salons. Tanlines in Oregon. Aloha Tanning in Perrysburg. Sun Goddess in Sylvania. and Tan Pro Mega Tanning in Toledo. With a hidden camera. we did some investigating.
After sterilizing her hands. our tester slipped into a pair of gloves and took several samples at each location. After sealing them. she wiped down the beds. The samples were then taken to a local lab to be analyzed. News 11 found bacteria; the organisms gave off a foul odor.
The microbiologist handling our samples said it shows the salons we tested are doing a poor job of cleaning. "If properly disinfected. the sampling sites should have contained very little to zero bacteria. Based on the level of bacteria recovered. the surfaces were not properly disinfected." said the microbiologist.
Dr. Haig Donabedian. an infectious disease doctor with the Medical University of Ohio. agreed. "They probably haven't been cleaned as they would like so that doesn't surprise me." said Donabedian. He said bacteria is everywhere. but if tanning salons are following the rules under the Ohio State Board of Cosmetology. the signifcant amount of bacteria we found is too much.
Under "Tanning Rules." the board's website says. "No article or equipment shall be used or offered for use by a patron unless that article has first been sanitized with a viricidally (destroys viruses) effective product."
Lee Ann Nearhood with Miracle Salon and Spa in Temperance. MI explained how they clean. "When somebody leaves. we come in and we spray the top shields and the body shields of the acrylic and we let it sit for about a minute." said Nearhood.
Once our results were in. News 11 went back to the salons we tested. looking for answers. An employee with Tan Pro in Toledo stressed that their facility is sanitary. She also said. "I believe no matter where you go. you're going to find a lot of bacteria. Every place is dirty. You touch a handle. your hand is going to have bacteria." Tan Pro owners said they clean their beds after every use. even tear down equipment for a thorough. detailed cleaning.
News 11 tried to talk to an employee at Sun Goddess Tanning in Slyvania. She said. "do you clean in between each session?" The employee answered. would you please leave?" State inspection reports show the Sylvania location had "no violations."
By phone. News 11 talked with an employee at Tanlines in Oregon about the bacteria we found there. She said "oh yeah. Okay. "does that surprise you?" The employee answered. "and why does that surprise you? actually it doesn't. Well. we clean every time somebody's done tanning." Board of Cosmetology records show Tanlines went under new ownership in February and hasn't had any recent inspections.
Our tester also found a towel in a bed at Aloha Tanning in Perrysburg. An employee told us. "I am actually surprised at that. because I know that we thoroughly clean each room." Inspections indicate they received a verbal warning last year for having no viricidally effective solution in the entire facility.
Tanning bed users are generally healthy. young people who resistant to infections. That may be why. according to Dr. Donabedian. the risk of catching an illness from a tanning bed is low. However. he said if they're not being cleaned effectively. be careful what you touch. "If I had really bad acne or if I had breaks in the skin then I would certainly consider the wisdom of using such public conveyances." said Donabedian.
Knowing a significant amount of bacteria exists at area tanning salons. would you think twice about climbing into a tanning bed? "I'll probably go spray tanning. Spray tanning or the standup tanning.000 licensed tanning salons. and hair and nail salons across Ohio. and in northwest Ohio. about 1200. The Board of Cosmetology says one person is responsible for inspecting those 1200 locations. twice a year.
The board's executive director. said it's more of a preventative inspection. and that they look to see if the facility is clean by the eye only.
Count on News 11 for a followup. The bacteria we found at local tanning salons is currently being tested. Soon. we'll be able to identify the bacteria and let you know.
acne treatment
Visible ethnic differences include two main characteristics: the colour of your skin and specific structural features of the face. But whether you're Asian. Middle Eastern or Mediterranean. there is one common thread among the ethnicities - everyone ages.
Dark skin: People with darker skins age differently due to the photo-protective role of melanin. the substance that gives skin its colour. Melanin acts as a built-in sun filter and stalls the signs of aging.
While darker skin types ultimately do develop wrinkles. these conditions occur 10 to 20 years later than in people with lighter skin. However. this doesn't mean that dark skin doesn't need to be properly cared for. Sunscreen and antioxidants (vitamins A. C and E) are necessary to protect the skin from collagen breakdown that results from the free radical damage caused by sun exposure.
Darker skin may resist wrinkles longer because of its colour and thickness. but people with darker skin are predisposed to dynamic wrinkles. These wrinkles are apparent when expressions are made. but are not visible when the face is at rest. The African-American and Asian skeletal support systems often do not effectively hold up the thicker skin in the mid face. leading to earlier signs of ageing in this area - namely in the nasolabial folds.
When it comes to treatments for skins of colour. darker skin has a higher risk of keloid (red. so carefully consider non-surgical options for rejuvenation.
When it comes to fillers. stick to clear hyaluronic acid fillers. which will not alter skin tone. Those with darker skin must be very cautious when considering laser treatment. Most non-ablative lasers (and IPL) can be used safely. but it's imperative to find a provider experienced in treating skin of colour. Ablative lasers (those that remove the upper layers of skin) or mechanical resurfacing (like dermabrasion) are not a good choice for darker skin types. due to increased risk of pigmentation changes.
Fair skin: Fairer ethnicities anatomically have thinner skin than those with darker complexions. Because fair skin is thinner and lighter in colour. it allows for UV rays from the sun to penetrate more easily and deeply. As a result. skin loses moisture more readily and collagen breaks down more rapidly than in thicker skins of colour. The breakdown of collagen causes lighter skin to develop more static wrinkles (those that are visible regardless of facial expression) at a younger age and also contributes to the skin's loss of firmness.
The key to preventing ageing in fair skin is defending it from environmental aggressors with daily sun protection. antioxidant use and proper moisture maintenance.
Without these protections. fair skin is prone to texture and pigment changes that result from UV damage. These defects in the skin can be treated with an ongoing skin-care programme provided and monitored by a knowledgeable professional as well as with IPL. chemical peels and laser treatments. Fair. thinner skin is also more likely to show defects like acne scarring. liver spots and even dark shadows. These are all treatable conditions. but the best treatment is prevention.
As easily as fair skin shows sun damage. it is also more prone to visible bruising after the use of injectables or redness after light-based treatments. Non-ablative lasers and IPL are a great solution for improving visible pigmentation irregularities and other defects. but beware: Some fair skin types can produce excess melanin (hyper pigmentation) in response to light-based treatments.
Marie Kuechel is an editor of New Beauty. a semi-annual magazine about cosmetic enhancement. Robert Singer is a medical doctor. Reach them at editors (at)newbeauty.
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