Why we need to exercise for the rest of our lives.

Fitness is defined as good health or physical condition, especially as the result of exercise and proper nutrition. Before the industrial revolution, it was also be describes as our ability to carry out daily tasks and routine physical activities without undue fatigue.

Meditate at least 10 minutes per day!

However, with changes to our modern lifestyle and automation, fitness is now considered a measure of the body’s ability to function at optimum levels for work and leisure; to be healthy and to be able to recuperate after illness. There is a general consensus that everyone will benefit from activity as it promotes good mental and physical health.

According to the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, adults should exercise at least 150 minutes (2 hours/30min) a week of moderate intensity of 75 minutes (1hour/15min) of vigorous intensity.
The WHO says that a healthy lifestyle is extreme important to improve cardio,respiratory and muscular fitness, bone health and to reduce the risk of disease and depression

What is a healthy lifestyle?
There are different components to a healthy lifestyle. You need to look at the following;

• Regular exercise
If you exercise on a regular basis, not only will your body strengthen and be more resilient to illness, it will also help to decrease your stress levels.

• Balanced diet
This is such an important part of being healthy that I cannot emphasise this enough! Get rid of your bad eating habits and see your body and mind will flourish.

Change your eating habits for long terms benefits

• Manage your external stressors
It is so important to learn how to manage your daily stress. Conditions such as obesity, insomnia and various diseases can be directly linked to our ability to manage stress. Try meditation to help with you stress overload, it really helps!

• At least 7-8 hours of sleep
• This is vitally important! Your body cannot recover and heal itself if you do not get enough rest. Less than 6½ hours of sleep, will affect your hormones and will lead to more health issues.

Sleep is a good thing!

To increase and/or maintain your physical fitness you should look at a combination of strength, cardio exercises and flexibility exercises.

Strength training is a type of physical exercise specializing in the use of resistance to induce muscular contraction which builds the strength, anaerobic endurance, and size of skeletal muscles. It includes gym circuit training, gymnastics, resistance training and martial arts.

Cardio or cardiovascular exercises are  any exercise which involves working your large muscle groups and raising your heart rate for an extended period of time example  running, swimming and cycling. The purposes of this exercises is to improve your heart’s and lungs’ capacity, to make it stronger so that it can work more efficiently.

You do not have to join a gym to get your body moving.

Flexibility training includes stretching exercises for the purpose of increasing one's range of motion. Look at yoga, foam rolling and any other stretching exercises.

Try to exercise at least 3 times a week and slowly build up your time as you grow stronger. Strength training includes gym circuit training, gymnastics, resistance training and martial arts. Cardio,  and look to yoga and stretching exercise for flexibility.

What are the risks of not maintaining our physical fitness?

• Future weight problems
The top 3 killer-diseases in our modern society are heart disease, strokes and chronic lung diseases.  However, for the first time in history, in 2015, more people died from obesity related diseases then those that died from starvation related diseases. Between 1980 – 2000 obesity rates in the USA Doubled This is very concerning and highlight the problem with our obsession with fast foods and unhealthy food.

Yoga is ideal to maintain posture and relieve stress.

• Postural and back problems
Lack of exercise can contribute to our society’s growing number of people who complain about lower back pain and. It is important to be aware of your posture during the long hours in front of your computer. Get up and stretch your body often during your working day and stand and walk tall!


• Reduced mobility and flexibility as we grow older
Our joints lose their flexibility and an exercise routine which includes all the different exercise groups will help to keep you mobile until well into your golden years.

• Health problems
It has been shown over and over, that a strong and mobile body will be much healthier and will be able to fight of diseases.

• Lifestyle diseases
Lifestyle diseases are a ‘modern man” problem as this is directly linked to our lifestyles; too little exercise, bad diet, drug and alcohol consumption, smoking and our social habits of sitting in front of the Television or computer. It is also known as Non-Communicable Diseases. A non-communicable disease is a medical condition or disease that is not caused by infectious agents. Diseases that impact on our lifestyle are heart disease, stroke, obesity and type II diabetes

Life is too short not to make the most of it!

With the advances in nutrition and medical treatments, modern man will far out-live all his ancestors. So, if you do not want to spend your later years sickly and maybe in a wheel chair,you should strive to keep your body in perfect condition to enjoy your life full-on.

Everyday skin care routines for all ages

I received a number of requests to explain the everyday routines one should follow to help one on a path to easier skin care, with optimal results.

Care for your skin, you'll be glad you did.

There are such a huge variety of skin care products available, that it is very easy to get confused and discouraged to start a skin care routine.  This as a simple step-by-step routine that anyone can follow, no matter what your age, skin type or concern.

Assuming that you already have established what you skin type and skin concerns are, you need to ask your beautician to recommend the following products, suitable for you:

Basics: Cleanser, toner, day cream, night cream, sun screen and eye cream.

This is the basics that you will need. Yes, everyone needs and eye cream and a sun screen, no matter what your age. Please note that your day and night cream can be the same, it does not need to be two different creams, as long as it does not contain a sunscreen or products that you should not be wearing during the day, ex Vitamin A.

Optional extras: Make-up remover, exfoliator, face mask, serums and oils.

If you are just starting a home-care routine, you may not want, or be financially in a position, to buy everything that is in the salon for your skin type immediately- these are nice to have, but it will not be a disaster if you cannot buy it as well.

 If you can afford it, regular visits, once every 4-6 weeks, to your beautician, will be awesome for your skin, and use the best products that you can afford.

Basic routines that everyone can follow:

Morning routine:

Cleaner, toner eye cream, day cream, sunscreen.

Evening routine:

Cleaner, toner, eye cream, night cream.

Once a week: Clean , exfoliate, mask, tone, eye cream, day or night cream-depending on what time you do this.

Teens to Thirties

This is the stage of your life where you want to keep your skin hydrated and protected. Whether you have normal, oily/acne or a combination skin, you can keep your routine simple.

Daily Skin Care Routine For Teens to 28/30 Years of age

 Thirties to Forties years of age

This is the time to start with an anti-aging routine. Yes, anti-aging! It is not too soon as we all are exposed on a daily basis to environmental aggressors that create havoc with our skins.

Most good skin ranges will have products that are formulated to be used as an early prevention against ageing. You do not need to use all the anti-ageing products, but it is a good idea to change your eye cream and night cream to an anti-aging range. You can now also look at a hydrating serum or oil to add to you products, as it is then very easy to customize your routine a bit more. Add  the serum and oil in the morning and/or night, depending on how dry your skin are in either of those times.

How to incorporate your serum or oil into your routine:

Morning routine:

Cleaner, toner, eye cream, serum or oil, day cream, sunscreen.

Evening routine:

Cleaner, toner, eye cream, serum or oil, night cream.

Once a week: Clean , exfoliate, mask, tone, eye cream, serum or oil, day or night cream-depending on what time you do this.

Daily Skin Care Routine For Thirties to Forties

Forties and upwards

At this stage on our life, our skin texture and oil/water ratio changes and all of a sudden your normal skin products are not just doing the job anymore.

It is now time to ask your beautician to re-evaluate your skin concerns and your product range.  You will most likely have to start using a richer day and night cream and please change all of your skin products over to the anti-ageing range.

You will have to start looking at products with ingredients such as Vitamin A (retinols), collagen synthesis stimulating ingredients, Hyaluronic acid, Vitamin E, etc that have powerful anti-ageing and anti-wrinkle properties.

You can also incorporate an exfoliator that contains Alpha Hydroxy Acids in your weekly routine.  It will stimulate cell-turnover, which can slow down as we age.

Please contact Gerda at; gerda@agbeautysalon.co.za or 082 398 9817 for more inforation or to book an apppointment for a free-of-charge skin consultation 

Exfoliations and Gentle Peeling Products for home use

Absolutely Gorgeous Women

As a child I read about Cleopatra’s milk baths and Marie Antoinette’s red wine baths. I found it extremely peculiar, but it was only during my time at Beauty College that I realised they were not mad after all! They were probably the pioneers for fruit acids treatments.

We get lactic acid from milk and tartaric acid from red wine, so their baths had a wonderful exfoliation effect and I’m sure they were as smooth as butter afterwards.


Before I get carried away about their ingenuity, let me get back to basics.

Basics on skin cells
Our skin has five different layers and each layer has a specific purpose and lifetime. New skin cells are created in the lower or first skin layer and thereafter all the cells move upwards through the different layers while changing shape and eventually die and fall off.  This whole process is called desquamation.

The cell-life from birth to death usually takes 28-32 days.  As we grow older, this process slows down and it can then take up to about 45 days.  As the dead skin cells take longer and longer to shed, the skin starts to look dull and lifeless.  This is then when a good exfoliating product is a lifesaver.

Loofah to use on body

What is exfoliation?
Exfoliation is the removal of dead skin cells on the outermost surface of the skin, without causing trauma.

Until about 15 years ago the most popular exfoliating products on the market were granular-based. These granules were usually obtained from apricot pips or walnut shells, which were finely ground and then added to a cream or gel base.

The formulators for the beauty products then started to use different kinds of plastic micro-beads as well as finer granules obtained from various plant-based materials.

However, these micro-beads were found to be extremely harmful to marine life, and will be banned in the UK and US during 2017 as per this article
(https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/sep/02/uk-government-to-ban-microbeads-from-cosmetics-by-end-of-2017)

Due to newer technology, the latest offering from the beauty industry is fruit enzymes in gel and cream bases. These products are much gentler on the skin and my preferred products, with the exception of Wesson Therapeutics’ Micro Exfoliant, see comments below). The ingredients that are used in these formulations are for example, pineapple enzymes or bromelain, papaya enzymes or papain and tomato enzymes.  These enzymes only need gentle friction or heat to activate it so it is a good idea to use it while relaxing in the bath tub.

The granular formulations tend to be a bit harsh on the skin, especially in the hands of clients with oily/acne skin, as they tend to overdo the process a bit

What does it do?
A good exfoliator gently removes dead skin cells to reveal a smoother and more refined complexion. It should stimulate cellular activity while enhancing firmness, radiance and younger looking skin.

One should never exfoliate more than once a week in the case of oily/acne skins, and once every two weeks for all other skin types. This is probably not the advice that you have read, or heard all your life, but trust me, this is the way to go. If you exfoliate too much, you irritate the skin and overstimulate the oil glands in your skin and it then just produce more oil. You exfoliate again and the vicious cycle begins…….

Any exfoliating product should be removed with lots and lots of water.

Exfoliation for sensitive skins
Clients with sensitive/reactive skins usually are very wary of exfoliators. However, there are some product ranges specially formulated for sensitive skin like Wesson Therapeutics. I am in love with the Micro Exfoliant as it contains cactus saccharides (sugars). These granules are gentle on the skin and dissolve with the application of water and then wash away.


A Bit More Punch………..Fruit Acids please

Fruit Acid mask being applied

If your skin is still looking dull and lifeless, even if you are following a good skin care routine, it is time to look at the role that different fruit acids can play in getting that glowing, youthful looking skin.

Fruit acids are classified in two different categories; Alpha Hydroxy Acids and Beta Hydroxy Acids.

Alpha Hydroxy acids (AHA’s) that are normally used in cosmetics and cosmeceutical products are glycolic acid (derived from sugarcane or grapes), lactic acid (derived from milk), malic acid (derived from apples or beries), citric acid(derived from citrus fruit or from fermented sugar solutions),  as well as a myriad combinations with other ingredients.

There is only one Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA), namely salicylic acid and its related substances, esters and salts, salicylate, sodium salicylate.

All these fruit acids may be used alone or in combinations in beauty products, depending on what the formulation will be used for.

In fruit acid exfoliators these ingredients will act as follows:
• Decrease the cohesion between surface skin cells-dissolve the”glue” that hold the cells together.
• Increase superficial skin exfoliation
• Increase cell turnover (the skin cells will move quicker between the layers)
• Stimulate collagen production-exceptionally good for anti-ageing results.

A word of caution
Fruit acid exfoliators give better and quicker results as those mentioned earlier, but come with a couple of cautionary notes:
Please follow your beautician’s instructions on how to incorporate this into your daily skin care routine.
Please do not overuse as it can cause skin sensitivity.
Please do not use it if you skin is sun burnt or show any other sings of damage.
Please use a SPF 30+ everyday, no matter what the weather looks like.
Please stop using it if you experience any adverse effects

In spite of the caution, these are highly effective ingredients that will deliver on its promise.

Be gentle with your skin

The following exfoliators and home care fruit acids treatments are available from the Beautique:

Vitaderm Skin Polishing Cream R 285/60ml

Active ingredients-Extracts of peppermint, lavender and sandalwood, apricot seed powder.
 This product is suitable for all skin types except ultra-sensitive. It stimulates circulation and revitalise the complexion.

Vitaderm Skin Polishing Cream

Vitaderm Enzymatic Gel Exfoliator R295/60ml
Active ingredients-Papaya and pineapple enzymes, citrus fruit extract.
This product is suitable for all skin types except ultra-sensitive. It revitalise a dull complexion by gently and effectively remove dead skin cells, enhancing the skin’s radiance.

Vitaderm Enzymatic Gel Exfoliator

Vitaderm AHA Active Gel 465/50ml
Active ingredients- lactic acid, glycolic acid, citric acid.
This AHA Active gel is rich in fruit acids which work actively to smooth the skin’s surface and flush excess pigment. It restores radiance to all skin types and assists in reducing fine lines and wrinkles. In the case of oily/acne-prone skin types, the gel encourages fewer breakouts by replenishing the acid mantle of the epidermis. By restoring the natural acidity, the skin is able to protect and heal itself more effectively.

Vitaderm AHA Ative Gel

Wesson Therapeutics Micro Exfoliant R 180/50ml
This product contains an ultra-fine grade of cactus sugar ( trehalose) to gently polish away dry epidermal cells. It is fragrance free and hypo allegenic.

Wesson Therapeutics Micro Exfoliant

Skin Doctors Gamma Hydroxy R890/50ml

Active ingredients-
A powerful one-step resurfacing cream that can be used every day. The continual renewing action of powerful poly0hydroxy acids, works 24 hours a day like a time-released peel, continually shedding the epidermal layer. Skin Doctors Gamma Hydroxy can be used to achieve instantly glowing skin with long term results on the appearance of wrinkles, freckles, age-spots and even acne scarring.

Skin Doctors Gamma Hydroxy

TheraVine™ Grapeseed Exfoliator R286/50ml
Active ingredients-Crushed Grape Seeds, Walnut shell beads, Neroli, Sweet orange
A gentle cream containing crushed Pinotage grape seeds, which sloughs off dead skin cells and makes skin look younger.

TheraVine™ Grapeseed Exfoliator

TheraVine™ Pinotage Exfoliating Enzyme R307/50ml
Active ingredients-Grape seed extract, pineapple and papaya extract, Sweet Orange.A highly effective deep cleansing serum based gel which effectively exfoliates the skin.

TheraVine™ Pinotage Exfoliating Enzyme

Please feel free to look at our website at AGBeautysalon for more information on these and other products.

Prices correct at time of publication, but may change without any notification.

The importance of cleansing your skin

When cleansing you skin, you are removing any make-up, impurities, dead skin cells, sweat, and sebum that have accumulated during the day. Our skin is also a very easy-to-reach dumping ground for dust and other environmental pollutants.

Remove your make-up

If you forget to remove your make-up before going to sleep, it will be more difficult in the morning to remove that stubborn mascara and stay-on-forever lip colour.

 At night, the skin also secretes sebum and sweat and if you are in the habit of sharing your bed with your furry friends, you will probably have some pet hair and other scary stuff on your skin as well. Water alone will not successfully remove this.

Your daily cleansing and make-up removal routine need to start with good products which are suitable for your skin type and lifestyle.

Your skin should always feel clean, soft, and balanced (not too dry or too oily) after any cleansing routine.

The routine usually follows 3 basic steps: cleanse, tone and moisturise.

Please read our article “What is in a good cleanser?” for guidelines about choosing the correct cleanser for your skin.

How to get the best results from your cleansing routine.

Start with your eyes. Always use damp cotton wool, as some of them feels like abrasive pads on the skin when dry. Soak the cotton wool in the make-up remover and place over the eyelids. Wait 5 to 10 seconds for the make-up to softens, then gently stroke the eye lashes from base to tip to remove the mascara. Then, using clean cotton wool in need, stroke from the inside to the outside corner of the eye until all make-up has been removed.

Move on to the rest of your face. First wet your face slightly with tepid water. Place some of the cleanser in your hands and gently apply to your whole face and always include the front and back of your neck, as well as you décolleté area. . Work from the center of you face and with your fingertips perform small circular movements. Remove with water, damp cotton wool or a face cloth. Tone and moisturise.

No matter what products you use, or how you go about cleansing your skin, always be gentle, do not over cleanse, do not rub and scrub and you should reap the benefits by having a clear complexion and soft, glowing skin!

Some of my favourite cleansers:

Vitaderm Pre-Cleanse 150ml R 255

This popular Pre-Cleanse is essential for a deep pore-cleansing effect without leaving a taut feeling on the skin.

This water-soluble, oil-based gel is incredibly effective in dissolving all oil-soluble impurities on the skin. With the addition of water, this formulation turns into a milky cleanser and rinses away impurities.

It is suitable for all skin types and may be used prior to normal cleansing.

For oily skin types, it is recommended to use one of Vitaderm’s Gel Cleansers afterwards. For dry skin types, the Pre Cleanse may be used instead of the normal cleanser. This formulation is preservative free.

Vitaderm Gentle Eye Make-up Remover 50ml R 85

A mild formulation which gently removes eye make-up.

It contains no aromatic extracts and is therefore highly recommended for sensitive eyes and is ideal for contact lens wearers.

It contains Vitamin B5, which keeps hair healthy! It will not damage your false eye lashes either!

This product is ideal for the removal of water resistant and smudge proof make-up. It is not recommended to remove water-proof make-up. 

If you need any further information on how to choose your home care products, please contact us at 082 398 9817 or agb111@mweb.co.za for an appointment.

If you want to know more about the products that we stock in the salon, please visit our website @ http://www.agbeautysalon.co.za/

Get your Bikini Body Now with NuContour Diamond Pro!

NuContour Diamond Pro-Contour your dreams.

This treatment can be used in conjunction with Lipogon Lipolysis Mesotherapy.
Suitable for men and women.

This is a  mesotherapy lipolysis product that enables the breakdown of fat and helps with skin firming. It is an innovative, gentle non-surgical method to target specific regions of the body, improving the effect of diet and exercise.

The science behind NuContour Diamond Pro

A mixture of Phosphatidylcholine (PPC), a component of Soy Lecithin and Deoxycholate (DC), in powerful combination with L-Carnitine and Orthosilicic Acid for the most effective treatment of the problem areas of your body.

The NuContour Diamond Pro difference comes into play due to the fact that L-Carnitine may increase the fat burning capacity of the body and Orthosilicic Acid stimulates the production of collagen and elastin, leading to firmer and smoother skin, the repair of scar tissue and the improvement of the appearance of stretch marks.

It is necessary to emphasise that this procedure is not an alternative to a healthy diet or exercise, but helps to target areas not easily affected by regular exercise and dieting.

Who is eligible for Nu-Contour Diamond Pro Treatments?

Anyone with excess skin after pregnancy of weight loss.

Anyone who wants to improve the appearance of stretch marks.

Who should not use it?

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding

Anyone who is allergic to soy

Anyone who has medical histories of;

Stroke, cancer, blood clotting, heart disease.

How long does the treatment take?

The initial consultation takes about 30 minutes, followed by the administration of the mesotherapy treatment.

How often should one have it administered?

4-6 sessions in the salon every 3-4 weeks.

For maintenance we recommend one session every 4-6 months.

Which areas can be treated?

What is the cost per injection?

It is R120 per injection.

What makes NuContour Diamond Pro different to ordinary Lipolysis?

The exceptional mixture of ingredients could contribute to the reduction of fatty deposits and may also improve skin firmness. With our optional NuContour Diamond Pro Homecare Kit, perfect results should be achieved with a once weekly treatment at home on its own, or faster results may be obtained in combination with a once monthly salon treatment.

Ingredients:

Note: We, at NuContour, believe that these ingredients may have the following beneficial abilities. We are not making any medical claim.

NuContour Diamond Pro is made up of:

Phosphatidylcholine (PPC)- It may have the following beneficial abilities:

To thin the membranes of the fat cells in the treated zone, dissolving the fats and toxins.

Making the membrane permeable

Leading to the outpouring if the dissolved contents into the interstitial fluid surrounding the fat cells.

Deoxycholate (DC) saline:

Keeps the PPC in a soluble state

L-Carnitene- It may have the following beneficial abilities:

Increased fat metabolism

Increased fat burning

Pure Orthosilicic Acid: It may have the following beneficial abilities:

With its anti-oxidant effects it fights premature ageing

Stimulates the formation and up-keep of elastin and collagen fibres.

Firms and strengthens the skin.

Enables the breakdown and removal of fat without disturbing cell metabolism.

It stimulates and improves micro-circulation.

In-salon administration- NO NEEDLES

Non-Invasive Mesotherapy with the Inojex 30

Virtually painless

No scar tissue or nodules which can be experienced with needles

Without risk of injury or infections from needle injuries

Fast, easy and safe

Eliminates cross-contamination

 People who are committed to a healthy lifestyle of regular exercise and a balanced diet should experience long term improvement.

After Care

No strenuous exercise for 72 hours after the treatment.

Avoid extremely hot showers and baths for 12 hours after the treatment.

No sun bed session for 72 hours after the treatment.

Drink 2-3 litres of water daily

Take Lipogon Tincture twice per day

Use Lipogon Liniment an all major lymph nodes daily

Use Nu-Contour Diamond Metaboost once a week at home

Take NuContour Diamond Metatone twice per day

NuContour Diamond MetaBoost Retail Kit

At home care

Take control of your body contouring needs in the privacy of your own home.

Includes;

Bag with 1mm Dermo Roller and 10ml NuContour Diamond Metaboost

Not a certified medical product.

Additional Retail Products to enhance the effects of the Nu-Contour OR Lipogon Mesotherapy Treatments.

NuContour Diamond Metatone

May enhance metabolism.

Diamond Metatone Capsules

NuContour believes that these ingredients may have the following beneficial abilities. We are not making any medical claims.

Due to modern day stresses the natural weight loss hormone of the body (cortisol) is increased and results in the storage of excess fat.

The following ingredients mat help to reactivate the metabolic system to ensure fast slimming results.

Ingredients: Guarana, Citrus Aurantium, Yerba Mate, Alpha Lipoic Acid, L-Tyrosine, Vit B1(thiamine HCL), Vit B6 (pyridoxine) Green tea, Willowbark White Bark, cayenne Pepper, Ginger Root, Chronium Picolinate, Vanaduim ACC, Dandelion Root.

Recommended dosage: Take 1 capsule twice daily after meals.

For best results use together with NuContour Diamond Pro or NuContour Diamond Metaboost treatments.

Please read about all the other treatments and products that are in the Lipogon Range or contact me at gerda@agbeautysalon.co.za or on 082 398 9817 for more information.

Stretch Marks- one of the most frustrating skin care issues-Essel HumanKind CelluStretch Serum

What is stretch marks?

Enjoy the beach

Stretch marks (striae) are a form of scarring (indented streaks) that often appear on the abdomen, breasts, hips, buttocks and thighs.

Stretch marks occur when skin is abnormally stretched and expanded for a period of time. Commonly it happens during pregnancy, weight loss or weight gain, or during periods or rapid growth in teenagers.

How is it formed?

Stretch marks are formed from the inside out rather than scarring that forms on the outside after an external skin injury.

Recent findings have shown that the initial stage in stretch mark formation is primarily an inflammatory process and at that stage it is still invisible on the surface of the skin. The inflammation then triggers the mast cells to degranulate, which damages the elastin and collagen fibres in the skin. This results in the thinning of the outer skin, which then leads to atrophy of the skin. It then appears as indented streaks or lines in the skin than can be pink, red, black, blue or purple streaks.

The following factors can accelerate the problem:
·         The excessive use of topical or systemic glucocorticoid drugs (steroids),
·         Cushing's disease (overproduction of glucocorticoids by the adrenal gland), 
·          Marfan's syndrome
·         Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
·         
It is estimated that 90% of women who are or have been pregnant, 70% of adolescent females and 40% of adolescent males, have stretch marks!

Stretch marks rarely are a sign of a significant medical problem and are generally painless.

How does one treat it?

Since damaged collagen fibres are at the root of this problem, it stands to reason that any treatment option should include a way of stimulating new collagen fibre growth. One of the easiest and cost effective treatments is Collagen Induction Therapy.

Collagen Induction Therapy has the incredible power to naturally stimulate elastin and collagen production in the top layers of the skin and is an almost side-effect free concept for skin (facial and non-facial) rejuvenation. It can be used by men or women of all ages and is used to improve stretch marks, the signs of aging, acne scars, surgical scars, pigmentation,  lines and wrinkles. Used in conjunction with an excellent Anti-Stretch Mark Cream it will lessen the visibility and size of the scars.

Essel HumanKind Cellu-Stretch Serum R560 for 200ml

This anti-stretch mark serum has been formulated to suit all skin types, and is SAFE during pregnancy! It not only helps to reduce the appearance of stretch marks, but may also prevents them from appearing on the skin.

HumanKind CelluStretch serum helps reduce stretch marks and prevents them from appearing on the skin.
200ml

Description
CelluStretch combines an exclusive ingredient Dermastril™ which consist from:
• A green bean extract (Phaseolus lunatus) inhibits cutaneous degradation and repairs a damaged extracellular matrix, antagonizes the enzymes trypsin and chymotrypsin.
• Rutin –bioflavonoid, that is found in certain fruits and vegetables, has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, antagonize elastase and stabilize mast cells.
• Bio-peptides in the serum stimulate the neosynthesis of the extracellular matrix.
• An enzymatic exfoliant based on a protease obtained by fermentation helps to promote skin renewal.
• Vitamin A (Retinyl Palmitate) speeds skin renewal and repair the tissue.
• Allantoin has soothing, anti-inflammatory effect.
• Ethoxydiglycol is a trans-epidermal penetration enhancer of actives to ensure their high efficacy.

Essel Anti-Stretch Mark CIT Treatment

The treatment consists of 1 CIT Treatment plus application of Essel Cellu-Stretch Serum

1 Treatment  R550

3-Month  Essel Anti-Stretch Mark CIT Treatment   R 2 210

You pay for 3 x CIT treatments plus a 1x 200ml Essel Human Kind CelluStretch Serum for home use. You get 1 x AHA Intensive Exfoliations on the affected areas to the value of R300 FREE.

6-Month  Essel Anti-Stretch Mark CIT Treatment   R 3 860

You pay for 6 x CIT treatments plus a 1x 200ml Essel Human Kind CelluStretch Serum for home use. You get 2 x AHA Intensive Exfoliations on the affected areas to the value of R600 FREE.

Puffy eye syndrome & Under eye bags

Puffy eye syndrome is probable the number one irritation to all of us. You all must have experienced it some or other time. You wake up one morning, and there they are! For some it will be a temporarily problem, for others it may last a few days or weeks, but fortunately there is a cure somewhere that should work for you.


What causes puffy eyes?
There are all manner of reasons why people develop puffy eye syndrome. Here are some typical causes for the puffy eyes that you wake up to:

Everyday causes of Puffy Eyes:

The good news is that puffy eyes are cause mostly by fluid retention due of any one of the following reasons:

• Fluctuating hormone levels.
• Oedema or fluid retention throughout the body. Pregnancy also causes increasing oedema.
• Certain medication.
• Allergies, which may also result in itchiness and redness of the eyes and surrounding tissue.
• Inflammation.
• Smoking.
• Diet
• Your genes can also help this along!

Under eye bags:
Please note that there is a huge difference between “puffy eyes” due to day-to-day causes and huge bags that rest on the top of your cheeks. Most bags under the eyes are the result of accumulated fat in the eye area. This happens when the septum surrounding the eyeball weakens, causing the outer layer of fat within the socket to sink forward – making it look like you have literal “bags” under your eyes.

Unfortunately, the only cure for bags under the eyes is a surgical procedure called blepharoplasty, which is designed to remove excess fat, skin and muscle around the eyes. However, there are some treatments that will reduce the appearance of under eye bags.

Sometimes a more serious medical condition can also be the problem:

• Kidney disease: In some cases, bags under the eyes are a sign of kidney problems.
• Hypothyroidism. A slow thyroid affects 2 in 100 women or 2% of the female population. Your slow thyroid may be causing those bags under your eyes too.
• Poor Diet. An excess of sodium in your diet will cause you to retain water
• Accumulation of Toxins. Sometimes a slow digestive system can add to the overall problem. When the intestines get clogged with bile and mucous, they can't function properly. Try detoxing for a couple of days with fresh fruit, vegetables and lots of water.

What to do about puffy eye syndrome and under-eye bags:

• The simplest way to reduce puffy eye syndrome that is caused by water retention, is to drink more water!
• Gently tap with your finger tips around the eye to drain the fluid
• Apply cold compresses to the eye area like a wash cloth soaked in cold water or gel filled eye pack that you can keep in the freezer*
• Reduce your salt intake
• Get enough sleep-at least 8 hours
• Wear sunglasses when outside to reduce sun light glare and protect your eyes against wind, dust etc
• Try sleeping on your back with your head elevated; this will encourage drainage.
• Apply a good eye gel, specifically formulated for puffy eyes, sparingly every morning.
• If you suspect a more serious medical condition, please see you GP.

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