Hyperpigmentation is a common sign of aging among Asian individuals

 

In certain individuals, the signs of aging show on the face in the form of fine lines around the eyes or a less-than-defined jawline. But for women with ethnic skin, physical manifestations of getting older sometimes appear as hyperpigmentation, which is a discoloration of dark complexions.

Cosmetic dermatologist Jessica Wu recently told Skin and Allergy News that the patchy spots are a common sign of aging in individuals of Asian descent.

"Asian patients are more likely to seek help with pigmentation than wrinkles, so [dermatologists] should become familiar with hyperpigmentation disorders," said Wu, quoted by the news source.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports that hyperpigmentation is the result of excess amounts of melanin in the skin. The condition can be caused by a number of factors, including sun exposure and inflammation.

In some cases, foundation or concealer may help blend the complexion. The NIH also recommends creams, such as Asian skin care products or fade creams for black skin, in order to minimize the appearance of hyperpigmentation.

It's important to note that products containing hydroquinone are potentially carcinogenic and have been associated with unsightly skin conditions.

Beauty tips before an office presentation

 

Before heading into a big meeting, do you check to make sure your African American skin care product is keeping your complexion flawless? If not, then you may be walking into a room full of people who are more distracted by the lipstick on your teeth than the important business you are talking about.

Recently, Skincare-News.com made some suggestions for things you should do before a big meeting.

First, the news source pointed out that those long days in the office can take a toll on the complexion, since workplaces often have dry air. The night before a major meeting, you may want to moisturize and exfoliate to ensure that your skin is fresh.

Next, the beauty website said that you should remember your nails.

"Polished nails are probably the last thing on a woman's mind as she prepares that last PowerPoint slide, but ragged nails and chipped polish are a faux pas in the professional world. Just as a job interview candidate should come into the office with neat, manicured nails, so should a professional woman during any big event," stated the beauty news source.

Finally, be sure to get a good night's sleep and use makeup to cover any dark circles you have under your eyes. While you want it to be clear in your work that you had many sleepless nights coming up with this presentation, you don't want it to show on your face! 

New York Times explores the new generation of skin lighteners

There was a time when fade cream for black skin was aimed at lightening the complexion overall, resulting in an unnatural appearance, discoloration and lesions due to the harsh chemicals that these African American skin care products contained.

But black skin care products have come a long way. They allow men and women to flaunt their gorgeous complexions while evening out dark spots on black skin and reducing the appearance of scarring.

Recently, the New York Times ran an article about some of these products and how they're being marketed worldwide.

"In Asia, there are a lot of whitening products, and that's what the category is called, which is in reference to the pearl-white skin that they aspire to have. In the U.S., it's different because it's more about evening the complexion, and it's for all ethnicities. We call it brightening. It's not about the color of the skin," said Christine Dagousset, an executive vice president for Chanel cosmetics, quoted by the news source.

In decades past, many skin lightening products for African Americans contained a chemical called hydroquinone. According to the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, the chemical is a potential carcinogen and has been linked to a number of skin conditions, including ochronosis, which results in thick, dark patches of skin.

How does Kim Kardashian get her glow? With foundation primer

 

Ever wish your brown skin care products could transform you into Kim Kardashian or one of the many other beautiful celebrities that you see on the covers of magazines and on TV? Well, while your makeup may not put you in the magazines, there are certainly tips and tricks you can take from celebs that may help your skin look camera-ready.

According to The Daily Mail, the secret behind Kardashian's glowing skin is foundation primer. The news source published a picture of the star with yellow primer all over her face. This product is used underneath foundation to help even out the color of your skin.

Oprah Magazine offers some tips for how to apply cosmetic primer.

"A light gel or lotion, primer makes foundation go on more evenly and last longer by creating a smooth base for the pigment to adhere to. Massage a pea-size amount onto your face. Let it absorb before you apply foundation," according to the news source.

The information provider also recommends that if you use a concealer, apply it after primer but before foundation. The news source said this is also a good way to conceal black skin dark spots. 

Liquid vs. Powder: Which foundation works for you?

 

When you're choosing an African American skin care product you might, like many women, wonder if you should go for a powder or a liquid foundation. As with most other makeup choices, this one comes down to your skin type and personal preferences. Makeup.com offers some things to consider while making this decision.

According to the news source, either choice holds the potential to give you a smooth and even look, but it all depends on how you apply the product. Liquid foundation should be applied using a damp sponge or a brush for the best results. If you do use a brush, then be sure to blend well to make sure that you don't leave any spots.

If you have oily skin, then avoid liquid foundations that have a dewy finish, and set the foundation with a translucent powder to avoid shine.

Powder foundation can be applied using a dry sponge, and tends to take less time than liquid. However, women with dry skin should avoid this type of foundation, since it will settle into areas of dryness on the face.

Oprah.com recommends using a powder foundation if you have a combination of dry and oily skin because it "allows you to distribute more of the oil-absorbing makeup where you need it and less where you don't, without leaving visible lines."

Fight off skin's worst enemies

 

If you use the best African American skin care products and moisturize every night, then you are already doing a lot for the health of your complexion. Recently, Hive Health Media ran an article explaining what your skin's worst enemies are and how to protect against them.

First, sun exposure is the number one thing that causes damage to the skin. The National Institutes of Health states that wearing sunscreen and staying out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. is the best way to avoid too much sun.

Second, a diet high in fatty foods can result in unhealthy skin.

"Dull and lifeless skin is a direct indication as to what is going on inside your body.  Fill your diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, beans, healthy fats, and essential fatty acids such as fish or krill oil to ensure that your cells are healthy and strong," according to Hive Health Media.

Finally, pollution can cause a lot of damage to the skin. This is why you should eat foods that contain antioxidants such as pomegranate and green tea, or use African American skin care products that contain these extracts.

Men are beginning to see the value in African American skin care products

 

Women aren't the only ones who want smooth, even complexions, and men are beginning to catch on that ladies don't just wake up with glowing skin – as looking good often requires African American skin care products.

As such, men's skincare grew by 11 percent between 2010 and 2011, according to research company NPD Group.

However, men seem to struggle figuring out just what products they should be using, as they have trouble identifying what their problem is to begin with.

"Once men know they have a need to fill, their problem-solution orientation will fuel their desire to find products to alleviate their grooming challenges," said Karen Grant, VP and senior global analyst at NPD Group. "They also have to unlearn the idea that the body skin care products they use, such as bar soap and body lotion, works just as well for facial skin."

Men who experience dryness or uneven skin tone – which may appear as dark spots on brown skin – should consider trying African American skin products that contain antioxidant ingredients and hyaluronic acid, which gently helps to lighten discolorations.

 

Ways to beat seasonal acne

 

As the seasons change, your skin can change right along with it. While many people know that the winter can cause dry skin, did you know that it can also cause seasonal acne? According to AcneSkinHelp.com, this can occur when your skin has an allergy or sensitivity to the changing of the seasons.

Recently, Bold Sky published an article explaining some simple ways to combat this particular skin problem.

First, the news source said you should wash your face daily, particularly after coming in from outside since dirt and pollution can clog your pores. You may also want to get an African American skin care product with antioxidant extracts, such as green tea, as these ingredients can protect against harmful free radicals that come from pollution.

Next, Bold Sky said that you should not touch the pimples on your face, as the oil from your hands can transfer to your skin and worsen breakouts.

Finally, try to maintain a healthy diet, as toxins in the body can lead to bad skin and breakouts. 

Getting rid of unwanted facial hair can be simple

 

If you experience a stray chin hair or two or have some unsightly fuzz on your upper lip, you may be tempted to take a razor to these unwanted strands. However, the only thing less feminine than hair on the lip or chin is stubble in these areas, which is what you'll end up with if you take your Lady Bic to them.

As such, it's a good idea to consider other options, such as tweezing, waxing or laser hair removal.

Tweezing is a great way to remove sparse hairs for some women, but poses risks of scarring or inflammation for others. So, you may want to begin by plucking a single hair in a less noticeable place to see how you react.

Waxing is a quick and effective – albeit painful – way to get a smooth-looking face. But again, some women react to this technique better than others, so be sure to try a test spot before waxing the facial region. Additionally, there are some African American skin care products that are meant to soothe skin post-waxing.

Laser hair removal is a semi-permanent option that is effective and relatively pain-free. However, women with dark skin should be sure they seek out a practitioner who has experience with black skin care.

 

Men's skin care field experiencing a boom

 

Ladies, when you're applying your African American skin care products do you ever see your husband or boyfriend eyeing that face cream with envy? Recently, the Los Angeles Times reported on a study conducted by the NPD Group, which found that men are becoming more interested in having more skin care products of their own.

"There is a huge opportunity with men for facial skincare," said Karen Grant, a senior global industry analyst with NPD, in a statement quoted by the news source. "The challenge is getting them involved and engaged."

Furthermore, the study found that African American and Latino men seem to be particularly interested in male skin care products. The news source noted that ethnic men spend $88 million a year on skin care products already.

Discovery Health recommends that all men have trimmers to get rid of unwanted hair. For example, most guys would want something to get rid of a unibrow and to give the back of their neck a touchup in between haircuts.

Expert offers tips for a sleek office look

 

It can be a struggle to feel glamorous in the office, especially when you're not sure how much of your African American skin care product you should use to look professional, and not like you're heading to a bar. Recently, Forbes magazine spoke to makeup artist Gucci Westman who offered some expert tips for the working woman.

First, Westman gave a quick breakdown of how to create a "five-minute face."

“Add foundation where needed, use a powder if you have any skin problems or cream for smooth skin, curl lashes and give yourself a quick sweep of color on your cheeks. Apply mascara to your top lashes and a little to your bottom lashes and dark brown liner along the bottom lash line," said Westman, quoted by Forbes.

With this routine, Westman said it'll also be easy to go straight from a day to night look. The expert said that all you'll need is a sexy lipstick, such as a blue-red or orange-red shade, to get yourself ready for a night out.

Elle Magazine reminded readers not to forget about their hair when heading into the office. Well-groomed hair can be a good indicator of professionalism in the workplace.

911 for beauty emergencies

 

Have you ever gotten all ready for your day, picked out the perfect outfit and applied your African American skin care product flawlessly, only to have a beauty emergency erupt? This can be anything from makeup on your clothes to the tingling sensation of a cold sore coming on. Never fear, as there are many simple tips and tricks that can help you deal with any beauty problem.

Daily Glow reported on some strategies that you can use for any beauty situation. For example, if you're at a party and find a foundation smudge on your neckline, then reach for a box of baby wipes.

"It's an old retail trick," said Jill Anderson, owner of Horseshoe boutique in Seattle, quoted by the news source. "We keep a box of baby wipes on hand to remove makeup and deodorant that transfers to our clothes when customers try them on. Gently pat on the fabric to remove."

Next, the news source said that if you've noticed that your mascara tends to run, causing circles to form underneath your eyes, then keep some eye lotion handy. Using a bit of lotion on a tissue, the mascara comes off easily without leaving excess oil or grease.

Real Simple also had some tips to offer, for example, how to get rid of a pimple when it first appears. According to the news source, you should place an ice pack over it for five to 10 minutes, which will reduce swelling, then pat the area dry and apply benzoyl peroxide cream or gel. Use a cotton swab so that the oil from your hands doesn't get into the area.

Certain hairstyles may be the cause of hair loss in African American women

 

Researchers at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio conducted a study on the potential causes of scarring and hair loss in African American women, and came up with multi-faced results.

Authors of the study surveyed about 326 black women in order to gather their data. They discovered that central centrifugal cicatricical alopecia (CCCA) – a condition characterized by scarring and hair loss that begins on the center of the scalp and moves outward – is strongly associated with braiding, weaves and type 2 diabetes.

Moreover, these hairstyles and the blood sugar disorder have the potential to cause infections on the scalp. Braids and hair weaves often require the hair to be pulled tightly and, in some cases, for long stretches of time.

"Given the fact that many African American women pay hundreds of dollars to have their hair braided and weaved, they often maintain these hair styles for weeks to months at a time to justify the money spent," wrote the study authors.

Women who are concerned about hair loss or scarring may want to talk to their hair stylist about going back to their natural texture, which can easily be enhanced using black skin care products.