Published Sept 24, 2020

Acne is a scourge in and of itself. But it usually fades in time. Acne scars, however, are another story.

You see, it’s pretty easy to treat acne. Most of the time, it even just goes away on its own. But getting rid of acne scars can be an uphill battle. There are home remedies, yes. But in certain cases, you may have to get professional help.

If you’ve already won against acne and are now looking to get rid of your “battle scars”, you’ve come to the right place. But before we talk about acne scar treatments, let’s first dig deeper into the science of acne scars.

Why Does Acne Leave Scars?

Acne scars happen when the acne is severe enough to cause lesions on your skin. As you know, acne is caused by blocked pores that swole and got inflamed. Both the swelling and inflammation stretch out your pores which can lead to breakage along its walls. This, in turn, will create lesions. Some of which can be so deep that it causes prominent scars.

But not all acne leave scars. Mild blemishes may leave hyperpigmentation but they’re not technically scars. They’re your skin’s natural reaction to inflammation and it fades over time. Knowing the difference between hyperpigmentation and a full-blown scar can help you treat acne marks more effectively.

Types of Acne Scars

They may all look the same at first glance but acne scars can be classified into four types depending on their appearance, depth, and color.

Rolling Scars

As the name suggests, rolling scars make your skin look wavy or uneven. The depressions have sloping edges and vary in depth which gives the skin its “rolling” look.

Ice Pick Scars

These type of scars are smaller with narrow indentations that goes deep into your skin. This is usually left by pus-filled acne infections and cysts. Home remedies don’t usually work for this type of acne scar.

Boxcar Scars

Wider than ice pick scars, boxcar scars are set apart by their sharp edges and deep indentations. These scars are often a result of inflammatory breakouts that destroy your skin’s collagen. With no collagen, your skin will lose its structure causing dips in your skin’s surface.

Hypertrophic Scars

Unlike the previous three, hypertrophic scars do not cause skin depressions. Instead, they protrude out of your skin making them much more prominent. This happens when there is excess tissue build-up in the area where the lesion had once been.

Do Acne Scars Ever Go Away?

Contrary to popular belief, acne scars are not permanent and they usually go away over time.

Remember that our body is capable of healing itself. So when acne lesions destroy your skin tissues, your skin will work overtime to repair it. It produces more collagen to build back the skin’s structure and even out the dips and depressions. Depending on the extent of your scars and your skin’s collagen-producing ability, this may take a long time. This is why acne scars can feel permanent even if they aren’t.

Of course, the right treatment can speed up this process.

Published July 31st, 2020

The moment we are born, we inevitably start aging. As time passes, we’re simply bound to get older, which causes worry for many people. Everyone wants to hold on to that fountain of youth and look the same as they did in their prime. This desire to look young has led many cosmetic surgeons and researchers to develop procedures that combat signs of aging.

Some of the biggest enemies, as we grow older, are wrinkles. Simply put, they add unwanted years, especially unto our faces. One solution to that is Artefill.

Artefill is an FDA-approved “synthetic” filler similar to hyaluronic acid fillers. This product consists of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) spheres suspended in bovine (cow) collagen. Their primary purpose is to get rid of wrinkle lines on the face. They do this by adding volume to certain areas of the face that have depressed.

Its main advantage over hyaluronic acid fillers is its longevity. Hyaluronic acid fillers are temporary alternatives to Artefill. Their effects can last a maximum of 18 months, whereas Artefill is a “permanent” filler.

While it is called “permanent,” effects usually last between 5 to 7 years. In some cases, its effects even lasted 15 years. Much research has gone into this product and its possible complications, but is it worth the money?

How much does an Artefill procedure cost?

The product itself costs between $600 to $1,100 for a syringe. What drives the cost up is the handling doctor’s expertise in injecting something permanent. The effects of this procedure can last for years. So if this operation’s results are poor, it will take several years to remedy. If not time, it will take even more expensive procedures to undo its effects.

What are the benefits?

The greatest benefits of Artefill are its longevity and its natural-looking effects. The collagen found in this product provides immediate correction to wrinkles. Additionally, the PMMA microspheres found in Artefill were shown to induce collagen production. Collagen boosts overall skin health, improving skin elasticity, and reducing visible wrinkles. 

Published July 17, 2020

Over the centuries, we’ve seen an assortment of skincare trends. Some of them were effective. While others did more harm than good.

In the past few years, however, the trend has shifted to natural and organic skincare products. The world has finally learned that using chemical-based products not only harms your skin. It’s also bad for mother nature.

One of these skincare trends that’s currently taking over the world is face serums.

Not to be confused with your regular moisturizer, serums are highly concentrated and are designed to be easily absorbed by the skin. Whatever your skin concern, there’s usually a serum that’s right for you.

But with thousands of face serum brands in the market, choosing one can be a headache. Lucky for you, we did the legwork and scoured the web to give you this quick guide on how to choose the best natural face serum.

The Dark Secret of Most Facial Serums

Many beauty brands are claiming that their face serums are “all-natural”. But upon checking the fine print, you’ll see that it contains ingredients that aren’t so natural. Not everyone, however, will bother to read the fine print which could be dangerous.

You see, most of those “not-so-natural” ingredients can be harmful to both people and animals. Some can even cause allergic reactions in certain people.

Among the harmful ingredients commonly used in facial serums are paraben, mineral oil, fragrances, and formaldehyde.

Parabens and formaldehyde are both used to prolong the shelf-life of cosmetic products. They’re not only synthetic but are harmful to our bodies. Paraben is linked to breast cancers while formaldehyde is highly toxic and is even used to preserve dead bodies.

Mineral oil, on the other hand, is not as damaging as paraben and formaldehyde. But it forms a layer of film over our skin that prevents it from releasing dirt, oil, and other toxins. As a result, they get trapped in your pores and cause acne breakouts.

Some companies also use the term “fragrances” to hide all the other synthetic chemicals they added in their face serums. They’re not required to disclose the ingredients of their fragrances after all. So it’s no wonder they’re taking advantage of it.

If you’re looking for a truly natural face serum, read the label and make sure that the above ingredients aren’t on the list.

Published July 7, 2020

Have you ever watched a Korean series and wondered: how do they get such smooth, pore-free skin?

Apparently, aside from genetics, Koreans have one more secret to their youthful glow: galactomyces.

What is galactomyces?

A by-product of sake fermentation, galactomyces is a type of fungus belonging to the Dipodascaceae family. Yes, you read it right: it’s a fungus. But before you get grossed out, remember that it’s a common ingredient in some of your favorite fermented foods.

Besides, the substance that you put on your skin isn’t the fungus itself. Rather, it’s the filtrate, a filtered extract which is basically the yeast’s juice. The filtration process leaves it free of bacteria and other undesired materials. What remains is a nutrient-dense material that’s packed with amino acids, vitamins, and minerals.

According to legends, galactomyces was first discovered in a sake factory. Visitors noticed that the elderly workers have such smooth, wrinkle-free hands even as their faces look old. Years of research then ensued, and galactomyces was born.

All across Japan, Korea, and most of East Asia, galactomyces slowly gained a loyal following. Thanks to pop culture, that fanbase has now expanded to the rest of the world. It has become a staple in many anti-aging products: serums, creams, facial wash – you name it.

But what makes galactomyces so popular? Simple, because it works. Here are six ways your skin can benefit from galactomyces:

1. It Takes Years Off Your Face

The legend of how the galactomyces was discovered might not be that accurate. But it has some grain of truth to it. Constant exposure to galactomyces can smooth out wrinkles, fine lines, and other signs of aging. As a result, your skin will look much younger for longer.

2. It Shrinks Pores

A study published in the Korean Journal of Aesthetic Cosmetology explored the skin benefits of galactomyces. Twenty volunteers were treated with essence containing 97% of galactomyces ferment. Results showed that the number of large open pores and blackheads were reduced by 15.66% to 21.84%.

Published July 7, 2020

The concept of high-frequency was born through the genius of renowned scientist Nikola Tesla. It was traditionally used to treat strep throat and other infections. But in modern times, it has become an essential part of several cosmetic treatments. If you go to medical spas and posh salons, high-frequency machines are usually a staple.

As their name suggests, high-frequency machines use a high-frequency electric conductor. When applied to the skin, it carries the electrical current through a tube filled with neon or argon gases. Depending on the type of gas, this action produces either a red-orange or blue-violet light.

The high-frequency electric current infuses your skin with oxygen-enriched molecules. This, in turn, creates an antibacterial reaction and a thermal effect. As a result, your skin cells are hydrated and enriched with nutrients. It also helps your blood vessels to push toxins out of your body.

With lesser toxins and more nourishment, your skin is noticeably softer. You can also feel it being instantly refreshed and energized even after just the first treatment.

Here are six other benefits of high-frequency facial treatment you didn’t know about.

1. Treats Acne

Acne is one of the most common skin problems around the world. Almost everyone has had an acne breakout at some point in their lives. Most of the time, it’s caused by a combination of dirt and bacteria that are trapped inside your pores. It irritates the pores causing it to inflame.

As mentioned, high-frequency facials have an antibacterial effect. The high-frequency electric current kills off bacteria that are hiding right underneath your skin. With cleaner pores, the inflammation will subside.

Infusing your skin with oxygen-enriched molecules also help it to heal faster. The acne scars fade easily and your skin’s health is restored in no time.

2. Shrinks Pores

Accumulated dirt and bacteria can stretch your pores making it look bigger. When the high-frequency electricity kills the bacteria, it also empties out your pores. This will cause them to shrink and become less noticeable.

Published July 7, 2020

When you walk around the supermarket, it’s common for you to see “antibacterial” on many soap labels.

According to MedicineNet, the term “antibacterial” is “anything that destroys bacteria or suppresses their growth or their ability to reproduce.”

People want to keep their bodies clean, so they’ll be inclined to choose these products. But what makes soaps and body washes antibacterial exactly?

Antibacterial soaps contain chemicals that regular soaps do not. These chemicals reportedly kill more bacteria than regular soap. 

In this article, we present you with the 8 Best Antibacterial Body Wash for 2020. 

Truremedy Naturals Remedy Soap Tea Tree Oil Body Wash

This soap is an absolute all-star on Amazon. With over 4,700 reviews, it has garnered an average customer rating of 4.5 out of 5. This soap is made with premium, natural, and organic ingredients. And it is perfect for sensitive skin.

It works well against several skin conditions like itchy skin and athlete’s foot. This product is also perfect for those who live an active lifestyle.

Check the product page out here.

Dettol Anti Bacterial pH-Balanced Body Wash, Sensitive

The pH-balance on our skin is essential in keeping toxins and contaminants away from it. Your skin has what is called an “acid mantle,” which maintains its pH-balance.

When you use products with imbalanced pH, it can damage the acid mantle. When that happens, your skin becomes vulnerable to foreign and environmental contaminants.

This body wash isn’t only pH-balanced (5.5) but is also proven to be more effective against bacteria. It has also been dermatologically tested to be mild on the skin.

Check the product page out here.

Derma-nu Antifungal Antibacterial Soap & Body Wash

Like the first product we featured, this one is also made from all-natural, organic ingredients. With several essential oils, this product is not only fragrant but is also proven to relieve skin discomfort.

Capable of eliminating conditions such as body odor and body itches, this is a must-have for anyone with an active lifestyle.

What’s the cherry on top of the delicious cake? It’s all made in the USA!

Check the product page out here.

Published June 10, 2020

Epilators have been getting a lot of buzz lately. And while there are certain advantages to it, many people still have doubts about whether they should use one.

But before we discuss it’s pros and cons, let’s have a little backgrounder on epilators.

You probably have used tweezers to pluck your eyebrow or any other hairy parts of your body. Epilators work the same way. The small teeth-like metal contraptions open and close as you roll it over your skin. This open-and-close motion pinches the hair and pulls it out from the roots – just like a tweezer does.

It works faster and requires less effort than a tweezer though. So you can use on large areas like the legs and even your back.

If you’re wondering whether you should use one or stick to good old waxing, we’re listing the pros and cons of epilators to help you decide:

Pros

1. Semi-Permanent Results

Since it pulls out hair from the roots, they take longer to grow back. On average, you only need to use epilators about once or twice a month.

2. Works Best on Really Short Hairs

If you’re a fan of waxing, you’ll know that it only works with hairs that are a certain height. So you need to wait for your hair to grow a few millimeters before you can wax them again. This downtime doesn’t apply to epilators. In fact, they work best on really short hairs. So you can have smooth, hair-free skin every time.

3. Less Painful Than Waxing

Most of us would grimace at the thought of waxing. Mostly because the mere mention of the word takes us to one of the most painful moments of our life (literally). With epilators, you don’t have to worry about that especially if you’ve been using it for a long time.

4. Reduces Hair Growth Over Time

Yes, epilators don’t give permanent results. Your hair will still grow back but over time, you’ll notice that it thins out. The longer you use epilators, the finer the new hairs will be until they’re not any more noticeable.

5. Can Be Used All Over the Body

Since its relatively small and works on short hairs, you can use it in almost all parts of your body.

6. Environment-Friendly

Epilators don’t need creams, lotions, or any topical applications. It also requires very little energy to run on. This makes it a more environment-friendly option than most hair removal methods.

7. Leaves No Mess

Since it requires no lotion and creams, you won’t have to worry about leaving a mess. Or ruining your favorite towel with chemical drips. This gives you more freedom to do it anywhere as you won’t need water to rinse.

8. Can Save You Money in the Long Run

Yes, epilators can be expensive. But it’s a one-time investment that you can use for a couple of years at least.

Think about this: waxing usually costs around $30 per session. If you’ll do it once every two weeks, that’s $60 per month or $720 per year. The best epilators, on the other hand, costs no more than $200. You can even buy really good ones at $50. Compared with waxing, it no doubt saves you money in the long run.

9. Ideal for Dry and Sensitive Skin

If you have dry or sensitive skin, the epilator is your best friend. It works gently and doesn’t dry up your skin. You can even use it in sensitive areas of your body like the armpits and chin.

10. Works on All Types of Hair

Whether you have long, curly hair or fine, straight ones, there’s an epilator for you. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and types to suit all types of hair.

11. Doesn’t Affect Your Skin Color

Since it works just like tweezers, it won’t affect your skin color. Nor would your skin color affect its ability to pull out hair.

12. You Can Use It Anytime

Epilators can be used at any time of your convenience. You can use it at night before bed or in the morning before heading up to work. There’s no need to adjust your schedule to your waxing salon’s opening times or availability.

13. Offers More Privacy

Since you can use epilators in your room, you will have more privacy. You won’t have to lay almost naked before your waxer and bare out your body, warts and all. It’s definitely more comfortable.

14. Easy to Use

With epilators, there is no learning curve. You just have to switch it on then roll it out over any unwanted hair. It takes getting used to, yes, but most people usually get the hang of it the second time.

15. Portable and Convenient

Most epilators are small enough to fit in your handbag. So you can bring it anywhere, whether you’re traveling or attending a conference. It’s a convenient way of keeping your skin hair-free wherever you are.

Published June 5, 2020

We all want to have that picture-perfect, glass-smooth skin. Unfortunately, if you have oily skin, that would be quite a feat.

You see, oil is produced by sebaceous glands in your skin. The more sebaceous glands you have, the oilier your skin is. Aside from producing oil, these glands also have hair follicles. On the surface, these glands appear as these tiny openings we refer to as “pores”.

Our pores tend to accumulate dirt, oil, and dead skin cells. As they get filled with dirt and oil, these pores expand and stretch. This is why some people have really large and noticeable pores.

Aside from making you look old, large pores also lead to various skin problems. The accumulated oil and dirt can cause blackheads and whiteheads. It can also cause inflammation which often results in acne breakouts.

The bad news is, there is no way to get rid of your pores. You are born with it. The good news is you can minimize its appearance.

Proper hygiene, regular exfoliation, and eating healthy foods all help reduce the appearance of pores. But if you are genetically predisposed to pores, these are usually not enough.

If you are sick and tired of having to deal with large pores, don’t worry. You are not alone. This is why pore-tightening serums are very popular nowadays.

To help you choose the best pore minimizing serum, we combed beauty review sites and forums to look for feedbacks. Here are the most recommended pore minimizing serum brands we found:

1. Caudalie Vinopure Natural Salicylic Acid Pore Minimizing Serum

Harnessing the power of salicylic acid, this gel-based serum claims to address blackheads, pores, breakouts, and excess oil problems. It also contains grapeseed and other essential oils. This formulation helps purge your pores of excess oil and dirt.

User rating: 4.3/5 (Sephora and Influenster)

2. La-Roche Posay Effaclar Pore Refining Serum with Glycolic Acid

Formulated for oily skin, this serum uses the combined power of glycolic acid and hyaluronic acid. Aside from microexfoliation, it also tightens pores and refines your skin texture. It’s recommended for sensitive skin but may also increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun. So you need to wear it with sunscreen.

User rating: 4.2/5 (Amazon) and 4.7/5 (Laroche-Posay Site)

Published May 22, 2020

Aging is a normal part of life, but looking older than your age isn’t.

Admit it or not, premature aging is a nemesis many of us have to contend with. With our hectic lifestyles and increasing levels of environmental pollution, it can be inevitable. Before you know it, your wrinkle lines have become too obvious that even the best concealers can’t hide it.

So what’s a girl got to do?

Undoubtedly, one of the best ways to fight off premature aging is taking extra care of your skin. And if you’re following the latest beauty trends, you’d know that hyaluronic acid and vitamin c serum are all the rage right now. Beauty gurus and skincare experts swear by it. But are they really effective against aging?

Definitely. But to really understand how they work, let’s first dig into why we age prematurely.

Causes of Premature Aging

As you grow old, your skin gradually loses some of its moisture and structure. This causes unsightly changes in your skin’s surface including wrinkles, sunspots, and sagging skin. But if these changes appear earlier than it should, it might be because of the following:

• repeated exposure to UV radiation
• smoking
• sedentary lifestyle
• weakening hormones
• drug and alcohol abuse
• medical conditions such as diabetes, depression, schizophrenia, multiple sclerosis, cancer, Chron’s disease
• genetics
• sleeping habits
• stress
• pollution
• high-sugar diet

Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid

For those who are not familiar with hyaluronic acid, it’s a clear, gooey type of sugar naturally produced by your body. It’s commonly found in your skin and holds the water that keeps it hydrated and plump.

The older we get, the less hyaluronic acid our body produces making our skin dry, dull, and saggy. Applying hyaluronic acid serum to your face regularly brings back its natural moisture level. It also continually keeps your skin moisturized throughout the day.

Other benefits of hyaluronic acid serum on your skin include:

• promotes healthy, youthful skin
• reduces fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots
• strengthens the skin’s barrier against harmful toxins
• speeds up wound healing
• tightens skin
• gives skin a smoother texture
• promotes skin cell regeneration
• prevent and reduce dark spots
• prevents acne breakouts