Skin needs protection from Old Man Winter November 21, 2008

Beware of Old Man Winter on Your Skin.

Next time you decide to go on an outside adventure, don’t just dress to protect your body; protect your face. When snow covers the ground and a chill sets in, we are faced with itchy, flaky, and painfully dry skin — conditions that can be avoided with just a little care.

According to skin specialist Dr. Debra Wattenberg, one of the most common mistakes people make is to go out during the day without wearing sunscreen. “People come in with some of the most severe sunburns, especially from winter sports like skiing or ice skating.

She advised people to resist the temptation to take scalding hot showers after coming in from the cold, especially if their skin has been dry. “Use a moisturizing soap,” she suggested, “and consider investing in a humidifier.”

In addition to winter outside, the heat at home further strips the skin of natural oils. Cosmeticians recommended using a moisturizer that has sun protection and contains alpha hydroxy.

With the right colors, makeup can at least create an illusion of warmth. Makeup artist Bobbie Brown said richer shades like burgundies and bronzes provide a healthy glow. Since matte lipsticks can further damage chapped lips, cosmeticians advise using a lip balm underneath.

To keep skin healthy for winter, drink lots of water and using a moisturizer such as AdvanSkin Hydrolic Moisturizing Serum twice a day. And if your skin is still painfully dry, make that trip to the dermatologist.

Stress incontinence: Help is available. November 21, 2008

It may be embarrassing, but stress urinary incontinence is a common problem among women. It’s also highly treatable. In fact, eight in 10 women who seek treatment see an improvement or are cured.

Stress incontinence occurs when any kind of pressure is put on your bladder, such as when you sneeze, laugh, lift, cough, exercise, or even rise from a chair. Childbirth and weight gain are two common causes of incontinence because these conditions stretch the pelvic floor muscles. hormone changes during menopause, some medications and other factors can also cause incontinence.

Your physician has many treatment options, including medication,  biofeedback, strength exercises and, in extreme cases, surgery.

There is also the Myself U Pelvic Muscle Trainer, previously available by prescription, Myself, Pelvic Muscle Trainer, guides women through a five minute exercise program that strengthens and tones the pelvic floor muscles.

Myself is easy to use; just turn on the trainer and follow the cues on the screen. Each time “pump” is displayed, press the pump button once to fill the vaginal sensor with air. The sensor will form fit to each individual woman, allowing the trainer to measure the sensor’s resistance to each pelvic muscle contraction.

When “flex” is displayed, contract your pelvic muscles. The trainer immediately displays visual feedback on the strength and duration of each contraction. During the “relax” periods, the trainer will alert you if you are not fully relaxing your muscles.

The first four minutes of the exercise session guides you through 10 second contractions, building endurance; the final one minute guides you through quick, one second contractions, building strength. This exercise program is specifically designed to work both the long and short muscle fibers ensuring ideal muscle tone and strength.

Myself includes:

Myself U for Incontinence.

* 1 Trainer

* 1 Vaginal Sensor (non-latex) (replace every 4 weeks)

* 1 Replacement Sensor

* 1 Travel Bag

Buy Myself U for $89.95 and get a  Replacement Sensor FREE!

*So don’t let embarrassment keep you from asking for help.