Body and Beauty and Living-Naturally

As the sun begins to peep out it’s time to start to consider sun protection.I don’t believe in slathering on the sunscream all the time. First of all, let’s get something out of the way, Suncreams work by blocking the rays of the sun. Anything that does this isn’t something you want to have on all the time. What I suggest is that you keep your usual regime and use sunscreen when you are actually going into the sun, actually about a half hour before you go in the sun. You should also reapply if you come in contact with water or when you sweat as you would on a hot day. Don’t rely on just the suncream. Use sun protection in the choice of what you wear. Keep in the shade, use hats, and protective clothing. If  you are trying to get a tan, don’t get it on one day by maximum exposure to the sun and then burning.I read an article in the paper this morning about tomato paste being used to protect against sunburn and premature wrinkles.  There had previously been a study in 2003 . The results of that study suggested  that lycopene may protect against UV light-induced erythema and, presumably, against sun damage to the skin, as well[1]. More recently, researchers at Manchester and Newcastle universities carried out another study and the results from this also suggest that adding just five table spoons of tomato paste to the daily diet significantly improved sun protection. This is attributed to the presence of  lycopene  in tomatoes. As well as improving the sunprotection properties o the skin, “The tomato diet boosted the level of procollagen in the skin significantly. These increasing levels suggest potential reversal of the skin ageing process.”Other research has shown lycopene may protect against prostate cancer, as well as the lung, bladder, cervical and pancreatic forms of the disease; it may also boost heart health by combating artery-clogging cholesterol. [2]It is worthy to note that Lycopene levels are highest in cooked tomatoes, so bring out all the pasta sauces and the like. It’s good to know that all the ketchup my daughter eats is also doing her some good!

It is also worth noting that pure and unrefined sheabutter is reputed to have some sun protection properties.

[2] Presentation: “Lycopene protects against biomarkers of photodamage in human skin”; M. Rizwan, I Rodriguez-Blanco, A. Harbottle*, M. Birch-Machin*, R.E.B. Watson and L.E. Rhodes; Dermatological Sciences, University of Manchester and *Dermatological Sciences, Newcastle University.

Published in collaboration with the British Association of Dermatologists.

(http://www.ncl.ac.uk/press.office/press.release/content.phtml?ref=1209390017)

Tags: The Gist by admin
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On my way from the day job on Monday, I heard an ad on the radio that this is National Psoriasis InformationWeek, My ears of course twitched, and as soon as the kids were settled that night I logged on to the website to see if there was anything of interest on it.

The site says: “The purpose of National Psoriasis Information Week is to create public understanding about psoriasis and to encourage patients to visit their Doctor or Dermatologist for treatments rather than suffer in silence.” It is a new website so there isn’t really any significant amount of information on it yet but it looks promising. I was disappointed to see in the treatments section that there was nothing about alternative treatments, hopefully once the site is fully operational, that will be addressed. You can see the site yourself here 

As some of you may know, I have struggled with psoriasis and excema for a good while now. It’s a heck of a lot better and more manageable now but I don’t take things for granted, for instance, I wouldn’t even think of not moisturizing my skin. I am also too terrified to get back into the swimming pool after the last time where it felt as though my skin was on fire! Wish there was a salt water pool in a spa nearby…like the one in Inchydoney…ah bliss….

Anyway,my choice to use “alternative”  treatments rather than continuing with conventional medication was borne of the realisation after a lot of research that none of the medication I would get off the doctors would cure it but rather they controlled it, and then also I wasn’t prepared to put up with the side-effects or at the time give up breastfeeding.Without much ado, here are the things that work FOR ME. Note that every case of psoriasis is different, even, my own psoriasis seems to mutate and become resistant to different things after I have used them a while , so I tend to alternate. The important thing is with psoriasis as with most other things ,is try to keep it simple. I have only used topical treatments and this is what I describe below. I also try to take some form of omega-oil in supplements-emphasis on TRY.I also have a relatively good diet- i.e. junk free.These things listed below are the staples in my arsenal. I have tried other ingredients but these work the best for me.

1. Virgin Coconut Oil: VCO is just brilliant. There are numerous articles on the web regarding the use of virgin coconut oil for various ailments. I am not quoting them because my listing it here is not based on what’s out there but on my own personal experience.
2. I have used VCO as an after shower moisturiser.
3. I ‘ve mixed in some dead-sea salt with the vco and slathered it on for about 30mins before the shower( remember that fake tan ad with the girl holding her arms wide so as not to rub off?) The dead sea salt stung me but I was prepared to bear  that, the results were worth it. I use this as a body scrub as well. This is also great for excema. If you buy the dead-sea salt from boots, you might have to run it through a coffee grinder to make it a bit smoother.If  you are a bath type person, you can put some vco and dead-sea salt in your bath water and soak in it.
4. Another option which works well is to mix in salicylic acid (available from your chemist, also ask them for the quantity to mix with your VCO). This is also great for removing those plaques. Again, you’d leave this on for about 15-30mins before washing off in the shower.Most of the Virgin Coconut oil you’ll find is from Fiji, the scent of this is sweeter than the African variety, and it is whiter as well. Other than this, as far as I can tell both are as good as each other.  
5. Neem oil: Pure Neem oil mixed with nothing else is available from most health food shops in Ireland. Neem oil is good for the itch and I actually experienced some remission after using this. It has a foul smell though, and I couldn’t even mask the distinctive smell(not scent). However, it worked. In Nigeria, Neem is called “dogoyaro” and is used to treat a myriad of ills-used both internally and externally. I once had some neem bark off a girl here in Dublin and made it into a soap-I loved it.
6. I also use an exfoliating sponge at every shower. Yep every shower. Exfoliation is generally the main part of a bath or shower for me and if you have plaques, it’s even more important, and when you are done use your emollient/moisturiser. I use one of my butters or plain VCO depending on where my skin is at. 
7. Another thing that helped the itch is aloevera. Good ol aloe-vera. I simply break off a leaf and mix with some VCO in my palm and rub this all over the affected area. This has on many occasions enabled me get an itch-free night.

If you have any questions, send them through and as always, if I don’t have the answer, I’ll find someone who does!

Tags: Recipes,Tricks,Tips by admin
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