Posts Tagged ‘home’

Are There Any Sauna Benefits For Skin Conditions?

Tuesday, May 18th, 2010

There are numerous sauna benefits for skin conditions. It is widely known that a sauna provides relaxation for the body and can eradicate harmful toxins. But many people are unaware of the beneficial effects on the skin.

Saunas, also called sweat baths, have been used by mankind since the Stone Age. Today, they are still used worldwide to maintain peak physical and emotional health. In many cultures, sauna baths serve as social meeting places. Modern day doctors and scientists have acknowledged that induced sweating has benefits. This is something our forefathers knew by instinct.

The skin is the body’s biggest organ. It is constantly exposed to varying temperatures, dangerous pollutants and the effects of sun and wind. A regular sauna bath can rejuvenate, revitalize and invigorate the skin and keep it glowing with health.

During the process of detoxification, around 30% of toxins are eliminated via the skin pores through sweating. The heat of a sauna bath will increase sweating, enabling the pores to enlarge. This promotes the release of even more toxins. After being in a sauna for two minutes, the body heats up and starts sweating, enabling detoxification to start quickly.

The body builds up harmful toxins and free radicals. Some of these are eliminated via the kidneys. However the kidneys cannot get rid of toxins that are stored in body tissue. The only way these can be released is through sweating. Unless you live in a very humid climate, you will not sweat enough naturally, therefore a sauna is an excellent way to promote sweating.

There are two sauna choices – dry or wet. Both produce the same advantages. The temperature in a sauna will step up the heart rate by as much as 50 percent. This enables blood to pump through every organ at an increased rate. Of course, being an organ, the skin also derives benefit from this acceleration.

When blood flow is increased, the skin is able to receive extra nutrients and oxygen. This will leave it feeling rejuvenated and looking healthy. Contrary to what many believe, saunas will also leave your skin soft and smooth.

A sauna can also help clear skin blemishes like acne and eczema, as well as scrapes and cuts. Again, the contributing factor is increased blood circulation. Blood cells also get recharged, making the healing process quicker. If you suffer with any skin problems such as acne, taking regular sauna baths should reveal a significant improvement. The heat can also accelerate the breakdown of cellulite.

In addition to sauna benefits for skin conditions, there are many other physical and mental benefits. For example, a session in a sauna can burn up to 300 calories which can help you lose weight. A build up of physical stress can result in a variety of bodily aches and pains. The heat and humidity provided by a sauna can diffuse pain and relax tired, sore muscles. You can also ease emotional stress by relaxing in a sauna.

If you’re looking for a way to revitalize your body, make sure to try infrared sauna and experience both the sauna benefits and the infrared benefits. By using infrared therapy, it stimulates the body’s natural sweat mechanism, promoting circulation. As a result, toxins will be removed from your body effortlessly, allowing you to not only feel good but look good!

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Waxes for Scented Candles

Friday, May 14th, 2010

The various scented candle waxes

There are numerous types of scented candle available on the market today. The most common is a paraffin scented candle such as Yankee Candles or Price’s Candles. These use paraffin as their fuel and are made from a fast depleting resource, crude oil. Paraffin is a hydrocarbon similar to petrol, diesel and other crude oil derivatives and burns very well (as you would expect). In burning, paraffin releases all manner of toxic substances such as benzene and carbon monoxide. Not good from a health and environmental stand point. More on this later.

Greener waxes are available. Soy wax is natural plant based wax made by hydrogenating soy oil. The soy oil is obtained by crushing soy beans and the waste products from the process are fed to cattle. They in turn fertilise their pasture and so the cycle goes on. The manufacturing process is similar to that used in making margarine. The resultant soy wax is a clean burning creamy soft substance that is ideal for scented candle manufacture. The burning of soy wax has been shown to produce none of the toxic or carcinogenic substances found in burning paraffin wax.

Other natural waxes are available. These include palm wax and beeswax. Both of these do suffer from some disadvantages. Some carry their own scent such as beeswax, others are too unstable at room temperature and the remainder are just plain expensive. These problematic issues render these other natural waxes unsuitable for the vast majority of scented candle making.

Waxes From Crude Oil

Hydrocarbons such as paraffin of course burn very well and produce a strong flame. This is hardly surprising given their origins. They are however unsustainable and produce toxins and carcinogens when burning. It is generally recommended that paraffin waxes are not burnt regularly and that if used indoors, the room should be well ventilated. Surely this defeats the purpose of the scented candle.

The reason that paraffin is used today as a fuel for scented candles is primarily its cost. It is far cheaper to manufacture a paraffin candle than one made from soy. The raw paraffin wax is approximately one third the cost of soy wax. Hey presto, large commercial organisations steer toward this as they can significantly increase profits on each unit manufactured.

A recent article published in numerous UK national newspapers highlighted the toxicity of the burn emissions from paraffin. The conclusions were that a good many of the chemicals emitted were carcinogenic or harmful to health (in sufficient quantity). The same articles gave soy and other vegetable based waxes a clean bill of heath. A very good reason to steer clear of paraffin candles.

Natural Soy Wax

Soy wax is in the author’s view the most appropriate wax for manufacturing scented candles. Firstly it is a natural product and that has to be a prime consideration in today’s environmentally conscious world. It is from a renewable resource and is virtually carbon neutral. Plant to wax to candle, a similar concept to burning wood to heat our homes (admittedly with a little refining thrown in but not too different to resizing timber for consumer use). It is very pleasant to handle with a creamy texture and ideal burn characteristics. In container candles, soy wax creates a wide and deep melt pool that launches the fragrance into the air. That is very difficult to achieve with paraffin candles due to the higher melting point and wick size required to bring about this characteristic.

Other Waxes

Other waxes such as palm wax and beeswax suffer some problems. The stability of the wax at normal room temperature and the intrinsic scent of the wax can be overcome by costly additives. When these factors are combined with the elevated cost of these waxes and the lack of consistent quality, it no longer becomes viable to consider these waxes in scented candle manufacture.

In Summary

Based on the authors experience and the articles mentioned in the review, soy wax has been clearly found to be the most suitable scented candle base wax. The green credentials, burn characteristics and safety in use all contribute to and support this conclusion.

Learn More

If you would like to find out more about the health issues regarding paraffin and soy candles, go to the Author’s website to read the various articles.

The Author is the owner of Busy Bee Candles, a premium handmade scented candle manufacturer. He has extensive experience and expertise in the manufacture of scented candles, wholesale distribution and retail sales. Go to Busy Bee Candles or go to the On line Shop.

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All About The Shingles Disease

Friday, May 14th, 2010

It is estimated that a million people in America get shingles every year. If you have no idea what shingles disease is, you should ask questions about it. You or a loved one could be at risk of suffering from shingles disease.

What causes shingles?

Shingles disease is often said to be a sister disease of chicken pox. This is because the virus varicella zoster which causes chicken pox is also the cause of shingles disease. In addition, a person can only suffer from shingles if he has had chicken pox in the past. This is because the chicken pox virus lies dormant after patient recuperation and can recur at some point in the person’s life as shingles.

Is it the same as herpes?

The disease is also called herpes zoster sometimes. Some other skin diseases may also carry the name herpes. Shingles disease however and some other skin diseases carrying the name herpes is not the same as genital herpes which is a sexually transmitted disease.

Who is at risk of having shingles?

Those who have experienced chicken pox have higher chances of getting shingles. Most of the time though children and young adults who still have strong immune systems may still be able to avoid the illness. Those who are at high risk of developing shingles disease are those with weakened immune systems. These include the elderly and those who are extremely stressed out or fatigued. Of course, people who are severely sick with cancer, AIDS, leukemia and other illnesses also have a higher risk of developing shingles disease.

What are the symptoms of shingles?

The disease is also often called St. Anthony’s Fire because of the seemingly fiery pain the comes from the nerves and runs through the muscles and tissues. Aside from the pain, one will also develop reddish blisters. Fever, chills, fatigue, headache and stomach pains also accompany shingles. Of course, the rashes or blisters may also feel a little itchy.

Are there any complications that follow shingles?

There are also instances wherein people who have experienced shingles get it again for the second time. In some cases, even if shingles does not recur, an individual may experience post herpetic neuralgia. This is an enduring and chronic pain usually among the elderly that may go on long after the shingles disease has been treated. In rare instances, shingles can cause some paralysis, encephalitis, pneumonia, blindness, ear problems and even death.

Can shingles spread?

People who have never had chicken pox or have not been vaccinated must steer clear from fresh, active blisters. It cannot however, be transmitted through casual, indirect contact. Once the blisters develop a crust, the virus can no longer be spread.

How do you avoid shingles?

Have yourself vaccinated against chicken pox. If you’ve already had chicken pox before, then you can delay the incidence of shingles disease by keeping your immune system strong and healthy. People with shingles should keep blisters covered to avoid transmitting the virus to others.

Do you know what cause shingles? Find facts from medical professionals on shingles disease from its causes to its treatment.

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Tips to Being Successful with a Home Microdermabrasion Kit

Friday, May 14th, 2010

There are affordable options for those who find professional microdermabrasion becoming too expensive and are willing to try at-home, less expensive methods. The benefits of microdermabrasion are becoming more well-known, and those who have considered trying it are tempted by the convenience of using it in the privacy of their own home.

As home microdermabrasion kits increase in popularity and in demand, more information becomes available about the proper use of them. And more cosmetic companies are ramping up production, thus offering a much wider selection of home kits available in the market. So deciding on which kit from which company to buy becomes a problem.

Although home kits are completely safe to use, some can also induce minor side effects while working to achieve the astonishing end results. Sometimes consumers aren’t prepared for the possible side effects. Also, consumers who may have special skin conditions should take advanced and advised precautions. A common oversight for most consumers is not gaining prior knowledge on how microdermabrasion works. Before using any home kit you should learn about how the treatment works, what end results can be accomplished using the kit, and what the products contained within the kit are, especially what ingredients are contained within the special application creams.

So the pertinent question is, which home kit is right for your skin?

If you have indeed decided that you want a clearer complexion, yet you don’t want to go the professional route so that you can save money, then you will need to buy an at-home kit. This requires purchasing the correct kit for you and your needs. Many different kits are available on the market today. Individual kits vary in range from expense to features available. While for most consumers, price is the main factor, it is wise to research all aspects of the kit before making any decision.

Be aware that results my vary for each home dermabrasion candidate. The promises made are many, ranging from the fading of acne scars and the reduction of wrinkles and fine lines, to reducing redness while improving the tone of your skin. Dermanew and Neutrogena are among the more prominent name brands able to deliver on these promises. When making these purchases, you’ll find that crystallized creams which form the basis of these treaments will come with their own application tools. Those kits which do not use an applicator, like the Olay Regenerist Microdermabrasion and Peel system and Mary Kay TimeWise, do not guarantee the same results. With these kits, the cream is applied not be applicator but by hand.

Something else you must take into consideration is your skin sensitivity. These at home kits have been known to cause breakouts, so some home kits like Dermanew will provide kits made just for people with sensitive skin. Some will even offer a kit for people who are apt to get acne.

The thing to remember is that the most important piece of the kit is the cream. Professional dermatologists use creams that contain aluminum oxide crystals. So when looking to purchase a kit, look for kits that are made with those same ingredients. The individual crystals are important, as the peeling needed for proper microdermabrasion comes from the crystals. The harder the crystals, the better peel your skin will get.

The information contained within this article will help you to be able to pick out the right home microdermabrasion kit for your skin needs. The article also provides information needed if you are new to the world of home microdermabrasion, so that you can avoid common mistakes. You will also learn about who should not partake in at-home kits and instead see a dermatologist.

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Learn About The Health Benefits Of The Infrared Sauna Vs Traditional Saunas

Thursday, May 13th, 2010

Most people are concerned about their health, and if you are one of them that are, or have health issues, then a sauna might be the option for you to get healthy. The discussion of which type to use depends on the need or personal likes too. Infrared sauna vs traditional saunas should be tailored to the to need and desire.

The use of saunas is not a new thing, it has been used by many people from different cultures for hundreds of years. Today saunas are as popular as ever, and infrared technology has made possible the infrared sauna. Competition exists in the market between which one is better. It is really all for nil because each one has their own unique health benefits.

The sauna that uses infrared technology can help the body in different ways as opposed to the hot rock traditional method. The heating apparatus will gently warm the air and you, but it does not cause humidity and higher heat. There is not a problem with sweating profusely, like the traditional sauna provides.

A variety of different kinds of diseases and illnesses are known to be helped or even cured with infrared saunas. Loss of weight and pounds of cellulite can be gotten rid of. Also, different skin issues are helped, such as eczema, or acne. Lung problems with bronchitis, is certainly helped too. There are many different types of disease that is helped with using these saunas.

The steamy rock sauna will help many types of problems, such as weight loss, and it cleans the blood to of many impurities. Fat loss occurs because the steam makes the body sweat, and it cleans out the kidneys, and releases extra water. It is a form of exercising without exercising. That is a very neat way to exercise, and being able to just sit back and get the full benefit too.

Muscle aches and pains are helped with the use of saunas. People with fibromyalgia and other types of inflammatory diseases get a lot of relief. Any type of stiffness or joint ache can be helped with the its regular use. The increase in blood flow throughout the body will enable it to fight off the pain, and provide actual physical relief.

Stress and tension will produce pain in the body. Headaches are reduced, or in some cases eliminated. Also, individuals with severe sleep problems can find sleepy comfort after using them. Stress is a major problem for many people, and the use of both kinds of saunas give out a lot of comfort to people every day. A good nights sleep is necessary for everyone because without it the body loses it ability to remain healthy.

Physical and emotional pain can be mediated by using saunas, but if you find that you need to switch sauna types then go ahead and do it. Again, consult with your doctor if need be, and most of all enjoy the best solution for a host of problems that you have been dealing with for a very long time. There are many sauna benefits and it is a wonderful pain reliever.

If you’re looking for a way to revitalize your body, make sure to try infrared saunas. By using saunas you stimulate the body’s natural sweat mechanism, promoting circulation. As a result, toxins will be removed from your body effortlessly, allowing you to not only feel good but look good!

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