Bumps under armpit

An underarm lump can be most probably due to an infective condition. You could have it due to shaving or waxing or using a deodarant. Underarm lump can be caused by viral infection, allergic reaction, a swollen lymph node or a benign tumor like lipoma. It can also be folliculitis due to shaving or waxing.

Underarm lumps are axillary lymph nodes which could be enlarged secondary to infection or even trauma and in rare cases due to malignancy. They are usually enlarged when a new deodorant is used, after shaving or waxing the underarm area.

Perfectly Clean Face

Cleansing is arguably the most important part of your basic skincare routine. Proper cleansing gets rid of old surface skin cells, dirt and dust, grime, make-up and bacteria, and keeps skin pores free of clogs and able to breathe freely.

Cleansing also aids circulation and prepares the skin to receive topically applied nutrients and lipids.

Here are some tips for proper facial cleansing :

1. Cleanse twice a day, no more. Unless you have exposed your skin to excessive dust, grime or pollution, twice-a-day cleansing is more than adequate for any skin type. Cleansing too often strips your skin of precious natural oils. Not cleansing regularly, particularly before you retire for the night, may lead to build-up and eruptions.

2. Choose a cleanser that is appropriate for your skin type. Do not use soap on facial skin: it can be too harsh and drying and damage skin over time. A too-rich cleanser can clog pores, while a too-dry cleanser can irritate the skin. A cleanser for dry skin should contain nourishing herbs and oils. One for oily skin should include herbs that balance oil production and support clarity. Sensitive skin benefits from an ultra-gentle, fragrance-free, non-irritating cleanser.

Traditional ayurvedic cleansers are made fresh with natural ingredients such as ground oats, lentils or chickpeas, complexion enhancing or clarifying herbs such as turmeric, Amalaki, Neem and sandalwood, emollients such as milk, cream yogurt or honey, and floral or citrus waters for pure healing fragrance. You can make your own by mixing the dry ingredients to last a week or two and blending the mix with milk or cream right before use. Otherwise, look for a natural cleanser that’s gentle and fortified with skin-friendly herbs.

3. Always cleanse with tepid water. Hot water dries and damages skin over time, and cold water won’t dissolve and take away embedded dirt and grime as well as lukewarm water.

4. If you use sponges or washcloths, make sure they are clean and soft. They are not necessary for effective cleansing: your fingertips can do just as good a job.

5. Wash your hands thoroughly before you cleanse your face, or you will be working dirt into facial skin. Use a headband to secure hair away from the face.

6. Start by splashing tepid water on your face and neck.

7. Apply the cleanser with your fingertips or a soft sponge, using gentle circular massaging strokes and moving upward on the face and neck. Do not scrub too much…gentle massaging strokes are enough to help improve circulation as well as loosen grime and old surface skin cells. Too much scrubbing will stretch skin and irritate it, especially the delicate skin around the eyes.

8. Rinse with lots of tepid water. Don’t forget to rinse off cleanser from the neck and hairline. Cleanser residue can clog pores and attract dirt.

9. Gently blot off excess water with a soft towel. Do not scrub dry or drag towel along skin.

10. Follow immediately with a water-based toner and a moisturizer appropriate for your skin type to seal in surface moisture and offer nourishment when skin is receptive.

Use lemon juice to lighten your hair ?

There is an old wives tale that putting lemon juice in your hair and spending a few hours out in the sun will cause your hair to lighten.

Sun exposure will lighten your hair, although very slowly. The acid in lemon juice can help it happen faster. It won't turn dark hair blonde, but it will lighten your hair slightly.

Put some lemon juice on your hair where you want it lighter and go out in the sun. If you have dark brown hair, it probably won't turn blonde but will give you red/auburn highlights. It seems to work best on people who have dirty blonde or light brown hair.

Use it on dirty hair, rather than freshly washed hair. That way the oils in your hair will protect it from the drying effects of lemon juice.

Squeeze the juice out of a few lemons, mix it with a third amount of water and put it in one of those cheap plastic spray bottles. Spray it all over your hair before going outside for all over lightening

Just like real bleach, once the hair has been bleached with sunlight and lemon juice it will remain lighter. The roots of your hair will grow out darker, but the lightened hair will remain lighter.

Spring Fashion Tips

1. Spring dresses are definitely the item to have this season. Very much inspired by the 50's and early 60's, you can find vintage or new fashions right on the rack in every major clothing store. Look for little ruffles, flowing fabrics, big buttons and belts.

2. White is everywhere. Be careful with this one as some complexions are not cut out for stark white. If you are nearing middle age, try using white in your accessories instead of brilliant white jackets or skirts. Everyone should be cautious about what we call Minnie Mouse shoes and please don't break out the white pants, skirts and shoes until after Memorial Day. I don't care what anyone says. Some rules are not meant to be broken.

3. Chunky shoes and platform sandals are still the rage this season. Be careful when pairing with your 50's inspired dress or you will look like you came straight from a rummage sale and not the fashionable trendy shops. Of course some might say that is the trend too.

4. Chunky necklaces are still in this season as well. Natural woods and brighter colors play a part in the spring continuation of this fall trend.

5. A line and tulip skirts are all over the spring fashion scene. Watch the length and the belting. A line skirts are great camouflage for larger hips.

6. Tops are flirty with ruffles, cinching under the bust, and belting or gathers at the waist. These looks are great with jeans, loose fitting trouser style pants, and skirts but can also be paired with a tailored jacket and skirt or pants for work to add a little femininity to your tailored work attire.

7. Although many chiropractors and doctors may protest, the handbags are available in big and bigger. As always though there has to be balance between what you are wearing and the size and style of bag you are carrying.

Special K

Basics

Lose up to six pounds in two weeks by eating Special K with skim milk and fruit for two meals each day.

To follow the Special K Diet, eat one cup of one of the Kellogg's Special K cereals with 2/3 cup of skim milk and fruit for breakfast, and again for either lunch or dinner for a total of two weeks. Snack on fruit or vegetables. Special K has also added snack bars, meal replacement bars, and beverages to their diet plans.

Purdue University conducted a study with 28 participants who followed this program and lost up to six pounds over a two-week period. Study participants ate an average of 1,590 calories per day, or 27 percent fewer calories than their usual intake, primarily by cutting their fat intake in half .

Upside of the Special K Diet

Eating Special K cereal with skim milk is a great way to add calcium to your diet, and studies have shown that adequate calcium intake (from food, not necessarily from supplements) helps people lose weight.

Eating breakfast regularly also aids weight loss.

The meal replacements can produce quick weight loss in the first weeks .

Downside of the Special K Diet

It's easy to become bored with cereal.

Special K isn't a great source of fiber, nor is it a whole grain. You'll need to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables throughout the day, as well as one or two whole-grain choices at your non-cereal meal (such as brown rice pilaf or a slice of whole-grain bread) to meet your fiber needs.

Replacing two meals a day with cereal may not promote good changes to eating habits.

Returning to a regular diet may bring back the lost pounds quickly.

Sample Special K Diet Menu

A day on the Special K Diet might look like this:

Breakfast:
Bowl of Special K Vanilla Almond cereal with 2/3 cup of skim milk
Orange or half a grapefruit
Coffee, tea or other beverage

Lunch:
Green salad with dressing
Burger, chicken, lasagna, pizza, steak or fish
Vegetables
Potato, rice or roll
Frozen yogurt
Beverage

Dinner:
Special K meal replacement bar
Blueberries
Beverage

Snacks:
Special K protein water and snack bars (two a day)
Vegetables and fruits

Lynn Grieger, RD on the Special K Diet

The Special K Diet is similar to many other meal replacement plans, and frankly it's not one of the best. There are no guidelines for a healthy non-cereal meal and no suggestions for increasing activity or exercise. Here's a thought: Combine all the different meal replacement plans (Kellogg's, Kashi Go-Lean, Slim-Fast, etc.) and pick and choose among them for two meals per day. That way you can enjoy a wider variety of replacement options.

Basic step Skincare

Step 1: Cleansing Simple is key here. You need to find a good cleanser that your skin responds well to, and stick with it. (I list the best cleansers for skin types in this article ).

Avoid bar soaps as they tend to dry out the skin. According to Rona Berg, in her book, "Beauty" a French cosmetics executive once told her "soap should only ever touch your skin from the neck down." We agree. According to Berg, most cleansers contain oil, water and "surfactants." The oil dissolves oil on your face, surfactants dissolve dirt and makeup and the water washes it all away. The secret is finding the right mix of oil. (Makes sense to us). Too much on your skin will clog pores, while too little will dry it out. This is why you need to know your skin type.

Be careful not to cleanse too often. Washing at night should do you. While some skincare experts swear you should cleanse skin with creamy cleansers that you wipe off with a tissue, never letting water touch your skin (some hard waters are especially hard on skin), we prefer the water method. In the morning, a splash of lukewarm water is all you need (we find it's great for removing excess oils from your nightly moisturizing). Never wash your face with hot or cold water (both can cause broken capillaries). Also be careful about overcleansing skin.

Here's the best way to wash your face: Use warm water to loosen dirt and clogged pores. Use a dime sized bit of cleanser, then rinse with cool or lukewarm water. You'll also want to take off your makeup with a proper makeup remover.

Step 2: Exfoliate Exfoliation is the step most people skip in their weekly skincare routine. But trust me, if you start properly exfoliating your skin, you will notice an almost immediate difference. According to Berg, one of the reasons men's skin looks more youthful than women's is because men tend to exfoliate daily when they shave. There are several ways to exfoliate skin: Microdermabrasion, chemical peels and retinoids.

Scrubs work by removing the top layer of dead skin cells that tend to dull your complexion. We find exfoliating skin once a week with a microdermabrasion kit keeps skin glowing year-round. Make sure you use a gentle scrub with tiny grains. Big grains in cheap scrubs can tear skin and cause more harm than good. My favorite microdermabrasion kit is made by Lancome.

In the hour it takes to get a chemical peel, you can take off five years from your face. Can't afford the pricetag for a monthly peel ? Try some over-the-counter peels that work over the course of a month. I prefer MD Skincare's.

Retinoids (such as Retin-A) also work by removing the top layer of dead skin cells while also generating collagen in the skin. "Collagen is the skin's structural fiber" dermatologist Dennis Gross said in the October 2005 issue of O Magazine. "As we get older, it breaks down, creating lines and large pores." Skincare experts disagree on all sorts of things, but most of them consider retinoids to be a miracle skin saver.

Should you use a toner ? Some people swear by toners, but many beauty experts do not (I once read a skincare expert claim, 'toners are only for copy machines'). Toners are meant to remove all remaining traces of oil, makeup and dirt, but a good cleanser should do this. I firmly believe it's up to you. If you like the way your skin feels with a toner. Buy it. Use it. Enjoy it.

Step 3: Moisturize While I know of at least one famous beauty editor who swore skin doesn't need moisturizer, basically everyone else I've read disagrees and is an adamant believer in it. A basic law of beauty is that everyone, no matter her skin type, should moisturize. Even if your skin is oily, it will benefit from moisturizers. (The only exception is those with acne). Why? Moisturizers seal moisture into skin (Berg calls this the 'Saran Wrap effect'). So how much should you moisturize ? Your skin will tell you. When your skin is tight, it's crying out for moisture. Be careful not to overmoisturize -- this can cause clogged pores. For the skinny on great moisturizers for your skin type, check out this article.

Step 4: Applysunscreen 'O' magazine ran an article in November 2006 featuring interviews with several top skin care experts and dermatologists (check it out here ). Every single one of them said sunscreen was the most important part of your skincare regimen. It was the secret they would pass on to their daughters.

The number 1 cause of wrinkles is sun damage, so it's important to use sunscreen from your early years on even in winter and on cloudy days. A great trick is to purchase two moisturizers: one for night and one for day that includes UV protection. Don't use moisturizers with sunscreen at night, the ingredients are not meant to be used 27/7 and can aggravate skin. When choosing a sunscreen, make sure it contains 1 of 3 ingredients as an 'active ingredient': titanium dioxide, zinc oxide or Parsol 1789 (avobenzene).

Dry skin makeup

Makeup can worsen dry skin conditions therefore dry skin should be prepared for makeup before applying it. It is essential to understand and follow the right methodology to apply makeup for dry skin.

Exfoliate, Exfoliating the skin will remove the dead cells. Therefore exfoliate face, neck and lips before applying makeup.

Moisturize, Moisturize your face after cleansing. Use a rich moisturizer that is non-greasy as oily formulations can clog the pores of the skin.

Primer, Apply a speck of makeup primer specially formulated for dry skin. Start applying from the center of your face outward.

Foundation, Use a liquid foundation, apply small dots and blend it into your skin using a makeup sponge. A base with very fine light-reflective particles will give a natural-look and dewy finish. Foundations with a reasonable degree of oil will retain moisture in the skin.

Concealer, Concealers that are liquid or creamy suit dry skin. Concealers can be used to hide birthmarks, dark spots, pimples and scars. Do not apply concealer under the eyes as it might highlight the dark circles. For dry skin makeup, choose a concealer that is a shade lighter than the foundation you use.

Eye makeup, Select creamy eye shadows and eyeliner. Use mascara and brow cosmetics of your choice.

Blush, Use a creamy blush as gels, powder and cheek stains do not suit dry skin type.

Lip makeup, Use a balm or salve. Over this, apply lip gloss or moisturizing lipstick.


Makeup application tips for dry skin
- Always use cosmetics designed specifically for dry skin.
- Before applying makeup, apply moisturizer and wait for a few minutes. This will soften the dry skin and bring out the best of your makeup.
- During summer you can use a tinted moisturizer in place of a regular foundation as it is very light when compared to foundations.
- Exfoliating the skin at least once a week helps the skin to absorb the moisturizer better.
- Use an eye cream as the skin around the eyes is very delicate and eye creams are absorbed better when compared to moisturizers.
- Use a foundation brush to apply foundation, this will help you use very little foundation thus avoiding a caked appearance. Apply foundation in downward strokes.
- Apply the cream blusher high on the cheek and blend well. Choose pink blush if you have a blue or pink undertone to the skin, peach color if you have a golden undertone to the skin.
- Use peach or neutral pink eye shadow all over the eyelid.


Choose the right makeup
- Choose products that can cover the blemishes of dry skin.
- Make sure that the creams and cosmetics have a water-based combination.
- Creams and cosmetics made from water based fruits such as watermelon are best suited for dry skin makeup.


Makeup products for dry skin

For dry skin choose oil based or water based products. Avoid makeup products that are oil free, avoid matte products too. Do not use powders, as they will dry the skin further.

Foundation, Use moisture rich, oil based, hydrating, light reflecting or silicone based liquid formulas. You can try cream or mousse foundations and tinted moisturizer too. Each of these products offers a special degree of coverage and finish.

Concealer, Use cream or liquid based forms.

Eye makeup, Use cream and silk-textured powder. Use soft, creamy pencils and cream eyeliner.

Face Powder, Dry skin people need not use powder as it will make the skin further dry.

Darker eyebrows

Dark complexioned women may wonder what they can do to draw more attention to the eye area and enhance their facial features.

Well Groomed Eyebrows

Well groomed eyebrows can draw lots of positive attention to the eyes. Some dark complexioned women may think that they do not have to worry about grooming their eyebrows, but if they take just a few minutes each day, they can achieve a stunning look. A good pair of tweezers and a mirror is all that is required to help shape thick, bushy eyebrows. Or if you do not feel confident plucking your own eyebrows, have your eyebrows shaped by a professional who can either wax, pluck or use the eastern threading procedure to help you achieve the look that you want. Once you have worked on grooming your eyebrows, you can proceed to eyebrow make up that can help bring out your natural beauty.

Old Mascara wand

When your mascara is no longer any use to you, do not throw it away. Keep it for a little while longer. The dried up mascara is just the right consistency to use when brushing your eyebrows into shape without smudging and leaving clumps of mascara on your eyebrows. As you use the mascara wand to brush your eyebrows in an upward direction, use this opportunity to trim any of your eyebrows that are starting to get long. A good, sharp pair of cosmetic scissors is just what you need to trim and tidy up eyebrows.

Eyebrow Pencil

Choosing the right shade of eyebrow pencil may seem easy enough. If you have black eyebrows, you may naturally choose a black eyebrow pencil. This can work well for some dark complexions, but it does not always bring the best results. Black hair, eyes and eyebrows can all be a bit much. Try to experiment with a softer tone that matches your eye shadow or is slightly darker and see how you feel with the look. If you do not feel comfortable, then use a black eyebrow pencil, but soften the lines and look of the black shade by blending in any harsh lines so that it looks natural rather than pencilled in.

With a little extra time and attention to detail, dark complexioned women can achieve a stunning look just by spending time on their eyebrows. Well groomed eyebrows can draw more attention to the eye area and enhance a woman's beauty.

Propecia & Rogaine

Propecia, or finasteride, is the oral drug treatment that works to stop hair loss. The way it works is that it limits the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestoterone, or DHT. It is DHT that is often to blame for causing hair loss; therefore by limiting the amount of DHT in the body, it works to stop hair loss. Rogaine, or minoxidil, is the topical drug that works to promote new hair growth, as opposed to stopping hair loss. Some people like the convenience of taking Propecia because it is an oral drug, while others have difficulty with its side effects. Some prefer to take Rogaine, however others do not see the desired results from the topical medication

Some ask if the outcome would be better if they combined the use of both drugs. The combination of Propecia and Rogaine is safe for use. There has not been a lot of research done on the use of both medications together, therefore if you are planning on trying this combined therapy to treat hair loss, it is suggested that you consult with your physician to try and find the appropriate dosages of each drug.

Coconut care for hair

Hair is our crowning glory and to keep it healthy and beautiful just include coconut in your daily life. Have you ever observed women from south India, they have long, thick, dark black hair and flawless complexion. The secret behind this is the liberal use of coconut and its oil in their food and beauty regime. Oiling hair with coconut oil is an age old tradition in India. Coconut oil nourishes the hair from the roots to ensure healthy growth. It has cooling effect on the scalp and is an excellent conditioner, rather a pre-conditioner before shampooing your hair.

Regular use of coconut oil arrests hair fall and strengthens the hair. It also adds gloss and shine to the hair, coconut oil makes the hair softer thereby making it manageable. Coconut oil has the property to penetrate the hair shaft, unlike other oils that remain on the surface of the hair, this oil penetrates three times more than any other oil.

It reaches the hair fibre right upto the cortex, which is like the heart of the hair fibre. Mineral oil and Rice bran oil should be completed avoided since they do not penetrate the hair shaft at all. For Olive oil users there is some bad news, while coconut oil can penetrate 90%, olive oil can only penetrate upto 25% in the hair shaft.

Some other oils that penetrate less than olive oil are sunflower oil and sesame oil, they penetrate just 5%. So the next time you want to oil your hair, you know which oil you should choose. Scientific studies prove that continuous use of coconut oil can reduce hair fall by 50%. Just warm coconut oil a bit and apply it on the roots and tips. For best results, leave it overnight and then shampoo your hair the next morning.