FitSugar

Irritated About Bumps on Your Arms?

FitSugar — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PDT

As long as I've known my best friend, she's been complaining about these tiny red bumps on the backs of her arms. She thought they were some kind of acne, like what you get on your back when you workout, so she went to her dermatologist to find out.

It turns out that it was a common condition called keratosis pilaris - a complicated name meaning bumpy skin. Actually 50% of people have it, so if you don't have it yourself, you probably know someone who does. It can be on the backs of your arms, your tush, and your thighs. The dead skin cells that are supposed to just flake off, get plugged up in the hair follicles. They look like tiny red or white pimples that have a dry, sandpaper feel. They don't hurt or itch, but they can make you feel self-conscious about baring your skin.

What can you do about these bumps? Use a good moisturizer twice a day - one containing salicylic acid, urea, or alphahydroxy might be your best bet. You can also take hot showers, let the skin soak a little, and then gently exfoliate using loofah gloves. A dermatologist can also prescribe a topical retinoid cream (made from vitamin A), which may help promote cell turnover and prevent the hair follicles from getting plugged in the first place. Whatever you do, I'm sorry to say that it takes constant maintenance - if you stop, the bumps will come back. Since they're harmless, I wouldn't worry about them too much.

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Beauty Debate: Synthetic vs. Authentic Brushes

Michelle Phan — Tue, 01 May 2012 03:04:00 PDT

YouTube star and beauty guru Michelle Phan always has a new tip or two for making life easier. This week, Michelle tells us how we can choose the right makeup brush:

Hi everyone,

There are some key differences between synthetic and authentic hair makeup brushes, not just in terms of where the hair originates, but in terms of how the hair functions. It's a really fascinating topic and one that I've spent a lot of time working on lately. So in this post, I want to put all ethical debates on the subject aside, and focus strictly on the fundamental difference between these two different kinds of brush hairs, because I think it's something that not a lot of people know about.

Discover rice water's beauty benefits (recipes included)

The main difference between a brush made with synthetic hair and a brush made with real hair is its ability to pick up pigment. Brushes made with real, authentic hair pick up pigment and distribute it in fewer motions than brushes made with synthetic hair. That's because the hair follicle of an actual living thing has tiny little porous holes in it. So when you have a bunch of these hairs brought together and you try to pick up a powder or a substance, the tiny porous holes can actually hold onto and cling onto the pigment. It just picks it up that much better because there are these little spaces where it can be absorbed. Then, once you apply it, it kind of shakes off of the bristles. To learn more about synthetics, keep reading.

What We're Sweet On: Curl Cream That's Not Just For Curls

Miriam Lacey — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 11:02:00 PDT

Moroccanoil is known for its shine-enhancing, hydrating products for all hair types. But practically anyone can benefit from the brand's Intense Curl Cream ($32), a lotion that's an absolute lifesaver for damaged ends and overprocessed hair of all textures. It's especially great for those whose hair is too fine or thin for oils or serums, because the formula combs through looking soft and natural instead of greasy, but still smooths down follicles and makes your hair feel amazing. Our curly-haired tester especially liked how gorgeous her curls looked after blow-drying, even without the use of a diffuser.

A word to the wise, though: use it sparingly, as a little goes a long way. You'll also have to like the scent, which is reminiscent of Johnson & Johnson baby shampoo. Beyond that, we can't say enough good things about this stuff, especially because it's versatile for curly girls or straight sylphs alike.

5 Tips For Getting the Bold Brow Trend

BellaSugar — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 07:02:00 PDT

Over the past few seasons, bigger, bolder eyebrows have been growing in popularity. While we'll save the more outrageous looks for on the runways - Chanel's jewel-encrusted strips or the foiled follicles at Fendi - if you are looking to try the full and filled brow trend at home, be sure to follow these essential grooming tips.

Just How Bad Are Extensions For Your Hair?

Allure — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 15:37:00 PDT

We're excited to present this hair-raising story from Allure:

This week a hair loss expert at the London Centre of Trichology came out and said that in the last two years, he's seen a 15 percent increase in women seeking treatment after damaging their hair with glue extensions - which he now believes should be straight-up banned before they scalp more women. The trichologist told the BBC that the extension-related hair loss is traction alopecia, which is a condition caused when too much tension is regularly placed on the hair roots, pulling out the hairs, and damaging the follicles permanently. Yikes! We asked New York City dermatologist Francesca Fusco, who specializes in hair loss, if hair extensions are going to give us hair reductions in the long run. See her advice when you keep reading.

5 Foods For Skin, Nail, and Hair Health

Anna Monette Roberts — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 14:23:26 PST

Skin, nails, and hair can be outward signals of your overall health and can indicate where you may be lacking in the nutrition department. Having a whole, well-balanced diet contributes to shiny, silky hair with minimal breakage and split ends. In addition, eating lots of antioxidant rich fruits and healthy fats can help clear skin and protect you from skin cancer. Lastly, loading up on nutrient-rich foods enables your body to grow strong, healthy nails without the dints, white spots, or hang nails. Here are the five foods you should eat regularly to start radiating health and natural beauty.

Salmon: Omega-3s contributes to a healthy scalp and keeps the skin lubricated. The protein helps fight against a protein deficiency, which can change your hair color, make your nails brittle, and your skin dull. Whip up some poached salmon with curried yogurt sauce to get your fix.
Cashews: High in zinc, eating cashews in trail mix or as a quick snack will keep your hair shiny, prevent white spots in your nails, and aid in healing acne or scabs on your skin. You could also opt to sprinkle them on top of your favorite veggie dish like this Indian spiced chard recipe.
Beans: Legumes and lentils have lots of biotin, a fatty acid complex that strengthens nails and hair.
Dark leafy greens: Kale, collard greens, and chard are just a few sources high in vitamin A and C, which your body needs in order to produce sebum, the oil that's secreted in your hair follicles. In addition, eating greens at every meal helps your body store more iron, which is essential for healthy hair and giving your skin a healthy glow. Here are seven ways to prepare kale - our fave green of the season.
Whole wheat: Start eating sprouted grain bread, buckwheat, and other variants of the West's favorite grain, because it contains selenium, a key mineral needed for healthy, cancer-free skin. Plus, studies have also shown eating whole wheat leads to clearer skin.

All of Your Most Common Acne Questions - Answered!

Jaime Richards — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 12:07:11 PDT

While 80 percent of teenagers will experience acne at some point or another, it's not uncommon for the condition to afflict women well into adulthood. "The good news is that we have really great treatments, and nobody has to suffer with it," says Dr. Linda Stein Gold, director of dermatology clinical research at Henry Ford Health System in Detroit.

That's why I asked Dr. Stein Gold some of the more pressing acne questions: all the things you want to talk to your dermatologist while you're visiting his office, but either don't have the time to fit in or simply forget to inquire about. So to see Dr. Stein Gold's top acne advice, just keep reading.

Peach Fuzz Removal: Methods That Work (and Ones That Don't)

Jaime Richards — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 03:05:00 PDT

Vellus hair, which is endearingly known as peach fuzz, is the short, fine, lightly pigmented hair that can appear on the face, neck, and other areas of the body. While it's often barely noticeable, many people have their own reasons for wanting to rid themselves of it. As you may know, peach fuzz is a tough thing to remove permanently, but there are a few things you can do to temporarily eliminate its appearance. So to see which treatments work, and which ones don't, just keep reading.

The Pros and Cons of Henna Hair Dye

Miriam Lacey — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 04:05:49 PDT

Henna is one of the oldest and most popular ways to change your hair color, but for such a commonly used dyeing agent, there's comparatively little information around on why, how, and when henna is a good choice and when it isn't. If you're contemplating coloring your hair with henna instead of a peroxide or ammonia-based dye but don't know whether you're making the right decision, here's a quick, easy guide to the pros and cons.

Threading, Sugaring, and Waxing: Health Risks of Hair Removal

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 02:01:00 PDT

Women go through all kinds of hoops when it comes to beauty, especially in the quest for smooth hairless skin. From waxing to sugaring, threading, and beyond, check out the health risks involved when it comes to common hair removal techniques.

Shaving - Probably the most common way to remove hair since it's fast, cheap, and easy to do yourself. With shaving, there is a risk for nicks, ingrown hairs, and the dreaded razor burn. If you forget to change out the blades, dull or rusty metal may cause irritation or infection. Shaving can also cause folliculitis, an infection in the hair follicle usually caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus (staph) or a fungus.

Waxing - A layer of wax is applied to your skin, and a strip of fabric is placed on top. Once the wax is dry, it adheres to the hairs; pulling the strips off of the skin pulls the hairs from the root. Depending on the location of your body, waxing can be extremely painful; it hurts to have your hair pulled from the root, and the wax also adheres to your skin, taking skin cells with it as it's removed. Waxing can cause irritation and inflammation, especially if you have a reaction to the chemicals in the wax, and, if the wax used is too hot, there's also a risk of burning the skin. If your skin is not held taut when pulling the wax strips off, bruising may occur. Some people also suffer from postwax breakouts or scarring if they have sensitive skin. Once the hairs begin to grow back, you may find painful raised bumps (ingrown hairs), especially under your arms or your bikini area since the hairs tend to be coarse and curly. Waxing should be avoided if you are using Retin-A, Accutane, or antibiotics. These medications make the skin thin, which means more than hair will come off during a waxing service. If you are using Renova or alphy hydroxy, check with your aesthetician before scheduling an appointment.

Read on to hear about sugaring, depilatories, threading, and more.