Beauty Fact: Hairy Legs Are OK in Brazil

I was surprised to learn this (culturally shocking for many of us) fact on J.Simpson’s show “Price of Beauty”. It appears that in Brazil some women do not shave but bleach hair on their legs. They consider it sexy! After some surfing online I did find several discussions on this topic and apparently it is true and is mostly done by those very tanned beauties with beach bodies.

This interesting fact made me wonder once again: when did it all begin? When and why did the body hair become inappropriate? How did women end up shaving, depilating and eradicating hairs on their bodies? I’ll share what I’ll find out in my next “beauty fact” post.

Beauty Fact: Stress Does Cause Gray Hair

Wondering what exactly causes gray strands in your hair? Researchers from UK’s Bradford University recently held a study and revealed that oxidative stress can cause hydrogen-peroxide build up in the hair bulb. This appears to be a cause for gray hair. Unbelievable as it may sound, hair simply gets bleached as it grows out of scalp.

Source: Marie Claire, July 2009

Beauty Fact: Pale Skin Ages Faster than Darker Skin

Darker skin has more melanin which naturally protects it from sun damage. That’s why darker skin won’t show signs of aging as early as fair skin. Another incentive to wear that sunscreen regularly!

However, there are many other factors that determine the rate at which we age. Take a look at my post Age Factors

Photo by musZicluvher at Flickr.com

Beauty Fact: Red Enhances Men's Attraction To Women

Now we have one more reason to wear red lipstick. And this time it’s scientifically supported!

A study by two University of Rochester psychologists looked at a relationship between color and behavior. It was revealed that the color red makes men feel more attracted to women.

In the course of the study researchers analyzed men’s responses to photographs of women under a variety of color presentations. In one experiment, for example, men looked at women’s photos framed in red or white and answered various questions regarding woman’s appearance and attractiveness. In the final study, woman’s shirt in the picture was digitally colored red or blue. In this experiment, men were also asked about their intentions regarding dating. In all of the experiments, the women shown framed by or wearing red were rated significantly more attractive and sexually desirable by men than the exact same women shown with other colors. Amazing but men are completely unaware of the role the color plays in their attraction. Andrew Elliot, professor of psychology says, "It's fascinating to find that something as ubiquitous as color can be having an effect on our behavior without our awareness."

By the way, the “red effect” extends only to males and only to perceptions of attractiveness.

One more interesting fact. The authors of this study note that men's response to red may stem from deep biological roots. According to research male primates are noticed to be particularly attracted to females displaying red. Female baboons and chimpanzees, for example, redden when close to ovulation, sending a clear sexual message designed to attract males. This could mean that human males’ attraction to red has subconscious animal instincts to it.
Hmmm… so now what do you think about society’s infatuation with red? Red hearts at St.Valentine’s, red lipstick, Red Lights Districts and red lingerie? I bet, red will always be in fashion ;-)

Photo by Ammar Abd Rabbo at Flickr.com

Related Posts:
Beauty Fact: Lipo Fat Can be Turned into Lipo Diesel
Beauty Fact: Best Anti-Aging Treatments
Beauty Fact: Lipstick Theory
Beauty Fact: Smoking can be Worse for Your Skin Than Sunbathing

Copyright: by Skin Care and Beauty Blog

Beauty Fact: Lipo Fat Can be Turned into Lipo-Diesel

Photo by Petname at Flickr.com
Did you know that fat from your thighs and love handles can be used to fuel a car?

Fat contains triglycerides and can actually be turned into diesel. That’s exactly what Beverly Hills doctor Craig Alan Bittner did with the fat he removed from his patients. With the amount of fat he had, he managed to fuel his and his girlfriend's cars.

“Going green” didn’t work out so well for Dr.Bittner. Several of his patients sued him for allowing his unlicensed girlfriend to perform an operation on them and apparently removing too much fat and disfiguring them. Dr.Bittner is now under investigation by California’s public health department.

Amazing, kind of weird... but a fact. I learnt this from The Dermblog. You can find a couple more details there and at Forbes, news.com.au

Copyright: by Skin Care and Beauty Blog

Beauty Fact: Best Anti-Ageing Treatments

A review published in Archives of Dermatology named the tree most effective skin anti-agers.
1. Topical retinols
2. Fractional CO2 Laser resurfacing
3. Hyaluronic-acid-based fillers


We all know about Retinol. It is the best non-invasive anti-ager up to date. Retinol is a form of vitamin A which when applied topically increases cells turnover and stimulates production of new collagen in both naturally aged skin and skin damaged by ultraviolet radiation.
Many women resort to topical retinol treatment to rejuvenate their skin, get rid of or improve appearance of wrinkles or age-spots. Topical retinols are not always well tolerated. There are certain side-effects such as irritation, dryness, susceptibility to sun damage or even a ‘retinoid dermatitis’. However currently it appears to be the most effective non-invasive anti-ageing treatment.

Photo by DACshots at Filickr.com

There has been a lot of talk about the fractional CO2 laser this year. Dermatologists are very excited about this recently launched laser and the anti-aging effect it produces. Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser works by creating millions of microscopic wounds that cause the skin to go into a repair mode and increase collagen production. As a result skin is firmed, fine lines and wrinkles are reduced, skin tone is evened out. Another thing dermatologists are so happy about is that the time needed for a recovery is not as long as compared to other similar laser treatments. According to Elle (US, August 08) one needs a week for a full recovery, while some may experience “slight redness” for up to a month. However in another Elle article in December issue three women undergoing this procedure give a feed back on their recovery which seems a bit longer than just a week. Their skin looks burnt till it peels off only around 14-15 days after treatment and a month later they describe their skin being “marbled shades of red, extremely sun sensitive”. Only four months later they can report seeing positive results of younger looking skin, smaller pores, reduced pigmentation, lines and acne scarring.

Photo by Andreas Rueda at Filickr.com

And finally something that has been there for quite some time and now will definitely get more attention: Hyaluronic-Acid-Based fillers (such as Restilane, Juviderm). It appears they offer much more than just instant plumping effect. Hyaluronic-Acid-Based fillers also stimulate collagen production in the skin by stimulating fibroblasts. The exact mechanism behind this effect is not yet fully understood.

Related Posts:
Are you afraid of ageing?
Glycation - number one cause of ageing

Read More:
Anti-Ageing Skin Care and Anti-Ageing Strategies
Anti-Ageing Makeup

Beauty Fact: Lipstick Theory

Did you know that lipstick sales are linked to the state of the economy? But not in the way you might think!!

This is called Lipstick Theory. The first to suggest the relation between beauty products sales and the state of the economy was the former head of Estee Lauder – Leonard Lauder. If you expect lipstick sales go down during the hard times, you are wrong. On the contrary, they go up! And “the thinking behind the theory is that consumers turn to inexpensive luxury goods such as lipstick to console themselves” when the higher priced pleasures are out of their reach (www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com).

Another surprising statistical fact has been recently revealed by Kline, a consulting & market research company. "Our data shows that for every 1% increase in the unemployment rate, women buy $25 million more lipstick during the year." (see this article)
Kline analyzed 50 years of lipstick sales and confirmed that the Lipstick Theory is real.

Beauty Fact: Smoking Can Be Worse For your Skin than Sunbathing

Did you know that one puff of a cigarette subjects your body to more free radicals than a UV-dose needed for a suntan?

Most of us know smoking is bad for your health on the whole and for your skin as well. Inhaling tobacco smoke results in restricted blood vessels and, subsequently, reduced amount of blood flow to the skin. As a result your skin is deprived of the vital oxygen and nutrients and soon smokers develop this grey or yellowish complexion.

Another fact related to the nasty habit may make some smokers finally quit. According to German Vogue (Apr 2008), one puff of a cigarette creates over 100 times more free radicals than a UV dose enough to get a suntan. In an interview to Vogue, Professor Dr.Leonhard Zastow, Senior VP of Coty in Monte Carlo, explained that smoking also brings down body’s ability to protect itself against sun damage. Another striking fact is that only 8 hours after your last cigarette oxygen flow in the body comes to normal and only 48 hours later nicotine is completely out of your system. You will have to wait for two more weeks to get back a healthy skin color!

If a smoker is reading this post and has not yet decided to quit, let me rub it in. According to some studies quoted by skincarephysicians.com, statistically smokers develops premature signs of aging much sooner than a non-smoker and even in 20 year old smokers “facial wrinkling, while not yet visible, can be seen under a microscope.”

Wow! I am glad I am not a smoker!

Read more about skin damaging factors you shoud try to avoid.

Beauty Fact: Sebum Contains Squalene and Vitamin E

Did you know that sebum contains such potent anti-oxidants as Vitamin E and Squalene?

It is already a known fact that Squalene IS (the one used in cosmetics as a natural moisturizer) a major component of sebum. However Vitamin E presence in sebum is still being researched. Several experimental studies show that sebaceous glands and sebum serve as a transport mechanism taking “the lipophilic antioxidant vitamin E from the blood to the skin surface.” In human skin, the highest level of vitamin E is found in sebum. So it appears that sebum is not only beneficial for the skin due to its coating effect, but it also acts as a natural anti-oxidant substance.
That is why people with oily skin stay looking younger longer. Just look at Posh!

PS: Gals with oily skin stops using harsh cleansers now, do not strip your skin of the vital anti-aginers!

Some Scarce InfoSources on Vitamin E in Sebum:
Sebaceous gland secretion...

Sebaceous glands as transporters of vitamin E

Beauty Fact: Exfoliating Fish With Big Appetite

Did you know that there is a type of fish that is used for exfoliating purposes?
You read right! Garra rufa, also called a nibble fish and doctor fish, is originally found in the Northern and Central Middle East. Garra rufa just happens to like to munch on flaky dead skin and appears to have a special passion for calluses. Garra rufa appetites can be experienced in numerous Turkish and Asian spas. Spa guests are reassured that the fish is actually toothless! Mostly Spa guests sit on an edge of a big pool with their feet in the water getting a fish pedicure. However, you can also get your whole body nibbled on if you wish.

There are some claims that this fish can cure psoriasis and other skin conditions. Some facilities offer psoriasis treatments and packages based on hungry Garra rufa. People swear that after they had a doctor fish treatment their psoriasis was fully gone. However, experts suggest it is just temporary symptoms relief.

Can you imagine having a new regular beauty routine of soaking feet in your aquarium with Garra rufa!?

In this video you can see how the fish munch away.