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Love Your Freckles with Aloe

April 29, 2012 by We Love Aloe 3 Comments

Lately there’s been a rash of new skin care products on the market claiming to reduce hyperpigmentation. Judging by their ads, hyperpigmentation seems mean less than flawless skin. So what is hyperpigmentation really? Do we all have it? Is it dangerous? And can we really expect to look airbrushed after 4-6 weeks of applying $75 cream?

Not all freckles are bad

Some pigmentation on the skin is perfectly natural and like it or not, unavoidable. Pigmentation actually has a beneficial function, protecting the deeper layers from skin damage (tanning still does you more harm than good, however). The term hyperpigmentation refers to an over-production of pigment resulting in blotches and dark spots more prominent than your average freckle. If a spot has you concerned about skin cancer, read up on the warning signs here. Many changes in skin tone are harmless and at worst cause some self-consciousness (fed by advertisements for miracle creams).

Causes of hyperpigmentation

Prevention is better than a cure, and some causes of hyperpigmentation can be avoided. Among them:

  • Acne: Sometimes skin pigmentation occurs as the result of  minor injury to the skin, including scarring caused by acne. Once an inflammation has subsided and the wound has healed, a mark might remain as long as several months. Treating acne to reduce its severity and avoiding irritation to the skin during an outbreak can lessen the aftereffects.
  • Aging:“Age spots” or “liver spots,” are a well-known form of hyperpigmentation. Otherwise known as “solar lentigines,” they typically crop up on the hands or faces after long periods of repeated sun exposure.
  • Fluctuating hormone levels: Another type of hyperpigmentation is called, “melasma” or “chloasma.” These spots look very much like age or liver spots but are larger and usually appear at the end of hormonal changes such as pregnancy or menopause. Pregnancy can cause the body to produce too much melanin. This can result in a darkening around the eyes and nose, sometimes also appearing on the abdomen and on other areas. Birth control pills can also result in the same type of hyperpigmentation because they cause the body to undergo hormonal changes that are similar to those experienced during pregnancy. This latter type usually goes away when the person stops taking the pills, however.
  • Prescription drugs such as concentrated salicylic acid or benzyl peroxide can cause temporary skin discoloration.

Store-bought Cures

Some of the most effective solutions for hyperpigmentation include laser treatments. These are very expensive, however, and can sometimes make the condition worse rather than better. Concentrated glycolic acid, azelaic acid and chemical peels are also used to treat hyperpigmentation, but these are all harsh treatments and each can be dangerous and cause more harm than good.

Most of the products commonly available in drugstores and at beauty counters to treat discoloration include a mild acid or bleaching ingredient. Unfortunately, many carry a high price tag and produce somewhat disappointing results (that’s been my experience anyway). Requiring consistent application, they can take up to 6 months to show any results at all, and can cause irritation, especially for sensitive types.

The Alternative

Safe for all skin types, gentle and moisturizing, Aloe Vera is an alternative treatment for hyperpigmentation that actually does your skin some good. Aloe Vera has been used for thousands of years to treat both skin conditions and other health issues. The pure gel from inside the stem can be applied directly on the skin. Just as Aloe speeds the healing of sunburned skin, it encouraging the skin to regenerate new cells when applied to discolored spots and scars. As new skin cells form, the old ones are sloughed off, gradually fading dark surface pigment.

Like your $75 creams, it takes regular application and patience to see results, and some spots you might just have to live with. Freckles are beautiful – learn to love them. Aloe doesn’t work any faster than the most effective cream. But it does work well for some spots, and has the added benefit of cleansing and moisturizing your skin. Whether you use store-bought Aloe gel or gel straight from the plant, mix it with a little sunscreen and apply to your trouble spots daily to protect and heal them.

Photo: Frederic Poirot

Filed Under: Skin Care

Spring Cleaning: Rid your body of toxins with Aloe

March 8, 2012 by We Love Aloe 20 Comments

Aloe plants, native to northern Africa, have long been used as a natural remedy for healing burns and cuts. Today these hardy plants are grown as houseplants and farmed all over the world, and are more sought after than ever. Aloe leaves, juice, and supplements now available in most grocery stores, and its benefits beyond sunburn relief more widely known. While Aloe is a popular treatment for a wide range of skin conditions, it has many nutritional and digestive benefits as well and makes a great addition to a detoxifying dietary cleanse.

Dietary Benefits of Aloe Vera

The benefits of a diet that is supplemented by Aloe Vera can be varied and profound. To name a few, research suggests that Aloe may lower cholesterol, slow tumor growth, prevent kidney stones and ease inflammation. It is widely known that topical use of this plant will increase recovery time for scratches and burns, however, it is less well known that ingestion of the gel, or derivatives thereof, may also increase healing time of internal afflictions like ulcers. Nutrients from these plants have also been used as a natural treatment for colon polyps and pre-cancerous lesions in the colon. Moreover, when ingested, the gel is a gentle natural laxative that cleanses the colon and detoxifies the blood.Nutrients in Aloe Vera include minerals, vitamins, essential amino acids and plant compounds like triterpenes and polysaccharides. Triterpenes are known to exhibit antioxidant activity and reduce blood sugar. Polysaccharides boost immune function and digestive function. It is this breakdown that makes Aloe one of the most useful herbal products on the market today. The unique blend of these vital ingredients allows aloe to cleanse the body in a way that is safe and powerful.

Benefits of Cleansing

Cleanses are used to break down and clean out waste from the colon and detoxify the blood stream. Toxins in the colon, if reabsorbed into the blood stream, may cause fatigue, low energy and headaches. Cleansing the colon flushes the toxins from the colon and the blood stream, and rejuvenates the body. This can help with weight loss, boost the immune system and reduce the risk of colon cancer.

Other popular methods for cleansing range from doing yoga, juice fasting, and eating a raw-only diet, to seeking a procedure such as a colon irrigation, and drinking salt water.  Aloe Vera does not require a procedure or a major lifestyle change and is easy to incorporate into other types of cleanses. It’s readily available on the market in juice, powder and pill forms, and can also supplement a normal diet without major expense.

Supplements and Products

For those who grow this plant at home, the fresh gel inside the thick and fleshy leaves may be harvested and blended into a nutritious smoothie. If this is too labor-intensive, supplements may be purchased in powder, pills or juice form. These supplements are available for purchase online and in health and nutrition stores. These products have an advantage over fresh leaves from the plant because a diet daily gel from the plant could require someone to have many plants on hand at all times. These products can have a long shelf life and require no upkeep.

Juice or powder may have a bitter taste that is usually mixed with sweet ingredients like sugar and berries to make a smoothie. Pills, like other dietary supplements, should be taken as directed by the instructions on the label.

Filed Under: Skin Care, Medicinal Uses, Recipes

Aloe: Better than a raw steak for that black eye

January 6, 2012 by We Love Aloe Leave a Comment

Contusions like black eyes are usually not a serious medical condition, but they can be uncomfortable and embarrassing. While there are plenty of products on the market that will take care of the swelling, pain and discoloration, one useful and all-natural alternative is Aloe Vera. Aloe Vera will soothe skin irritation and clear up the discoloration.

The gel found in Aloe Vera leaves provides a barrier between the skin and the environment preventing bacteria, dirt and debris from irritating the contusion further. The natural antibacterial properties of the gel will prevent infection from forming in the injury. In addition, Aloe Vera pumps moisture into the skin, helping speed up blood vessel repair so the contusion disappears faster than it would if left to heal on its own. Aloe Vera also gently soothes skin irritation, so a painful contusion will feel much better after an Aloe Vera application.For best results, Aloe Vera should be applied to the contusion as quickly as possible after an injury happens. Before applying the gel, clean the area of any dirt, debris or blood that might be present with water and a gentle soap. Next, apply the Aloe Vera. There are many lotions, creams and gels on the market that contain Aloe Vera, and one with the highest concentration of the plant should be used. Aloe Vera straight from the plant is also a great choice; simply break a leaf off the plant, snap it in half and squeeze the gel onto the contusion. Reapply several times a day until the contusion heals. Aloe Vera is a better alternative to other products on the market to heal contusions. The biggest leg-up it has on other products is how gentle it is. It can be used on black eyes, for example, without causing any irritation to them. While one should take care not to get it into the orifices, it can safely be used around them without fear of injuring those areas. Aloe Vera is also completely natural. Unlike other products for contusions or skin irritations, pure Aloe Vera contains no chemicals or additives that might dry the skin or clog pores. The gel  can be frozen and applied raw-steak style to provide relief. In addition to over-the-counter pain relievers, and elevation, the cold will help reduce the swelling. A day or so into the healing process moist heat can be added, which can speed the reabsorption of the remaining blood below the skin’s surface.

Filed Under: Skin Care, Medicinal Uses

Aloe for Happy Babies: an easy solution for diaper rash

October 14, 2011 by We Love Aloe 8 Comments

Aloe Vera does wonders for just about any type of skin irritation, thanks to an anti-inflammatory component called B-sitosterol, infection-fighting properties, and skin-friendly vitamin E. Aloe’s ability to multitask and offer quick relief makes it a great home remedy for rashes whether the cause is bacterial, fungal, viral, or a big fat mystery.

Beyond treating irritation, Aloe Vera can keep skin healthy by maintaining moisture levels, elasticity, proper circulation, and cellular turnover. It’s gentle enough to be used on delicate tissue (it’s a common ingredient in eye and ear drops), and is suitable for gentle baby skin to prevent diaper rash and other common irritations.

Diaper Rash is characterized by red, tender, swollen skin, usually warm to the touch. Very common in infants, it’s usually caused by prolonged contact with the moist, enclosed environment of a soiled diaper. Diaper rash is often accompanied by a yeast or bacterial infection and exacerbated by skin allergies. It’s sometimes confused with heat rash (see our post, Aloe can help with that too), which the diaper wearing set are also prone to.

Tips to Treat Diaper Rash

  • Frequent changing, thorough drying, and giving your baby lots of diaper-free time helps by increasing air flow to the area.
  • Experiment with eliminating possible irritants like fragrance in scented diapers, lotions, powders, or even scented dryer sheets if you’re going the cloth route.
  • Disposable diapers are often to blame for frequent diaper rash. Cloth is more breathable than plastic, and a switch might clear up the problem.
  • Whatever the cause, Aloe Vera can offer relief from symptoms and, in most cases, prevent their recurrence with regular use.

Aloe for Diaper Rash: Adding Aloe to Your Diapering Routine

Apply Aloe gel, the purer the better, a few times a day and allow it to dry completely before re-diapering. Aloe straight from the plant is 96% water and allows the skin to breath while fighting infection (both bacterial and fungal), as well as reducing pain and inflammation.

Making your own Aloe baby wipes is another great way to treat diaper rash. Baby wipes are easy to make using thick paper towels, and much cheaper than the store-bought variety, especially when you buy ingredients in bulk. Going the home-made route also allows you to control ingredients if allergies are an issue. Check out  Hillbilly Housewife for a reusable flannel version.

Here’s what you’ll need for the solution:

  • 1/2 cup Aloe Vera gel (store bought or fresh. If using the fresh stuff, use a blender or food processor to liquify)
  • 2 cups Water, boiled and cooled to room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons baby oil (substitute tea tree oil if fungal infection is a problem. Olive, almond, or vitamin E oil also make good substitutions)
  • 2 tablespoons gentle soap or baby shampoo (optional)

Mix ingredients together or shake up in a container with a lid and store in a spray bottle. When you’re ready to use it, just spray it on the cloth/paper sheets, moistened with warm water. Aloe is quickly absorbed by the skin and you should notice changes in swelling, redness, and discomfort within a few applications. Most rashes will take no more than a few days to heal.

Happy diapering!

Filed Under: Skin Care

Here Comes the Sun… Aloe For Sunburn

July 20, 2011 by Guest Author 3 Comments

Blame it on our reptilian ancestry. We seek warm rocks and bask in its life giving energy. Since we are no longer thick-skinned lizards, we sometimes ending up getting way too much of a good thing. The light of the sun gives us life, but can also slowly kill us by radiating our fragile skin, mutating cells, causing cancer.  We cover ourselves, donning artificial skins to hide our more fragile ones, keeping ourselves pale and pasty for longevity’s sake. Yet still the light beckons, hitting us on primitive level that overturns our sophisticated technological thinking. This time of year we bask in its glory despite the possible costs, and sometimes we burn.

Thankfully, we’ve invented ways to satisfy the lizard within and stay relatively safe. We have replaced out crude fake hides with magical transparent balms that keep out the harmful rays. However, even the strongest formulas cannot fully prevent the sun from getting to us if we give it enough time.

Sunburns can be nastily painful, especially for those of us who are on the pinker side of the spectrum. Once a sunburn occurs there is very little you can do about it besides covering up and letting it heal, however there are several ways you can naturally sooth the burning pain as well as help promote the healing process. One of the best things that you can use on a mild to medium sunburn is the gel of the Aloe Vera plant.

Aloe Vera has been grown and cultivated by mankind for several thousand years and utilized for its multitude of medicinal values. It has been called the “garlic of the lily family.” One of the main benefits of the Aloe Vera plant is the soothing quality of the watery inner gel of the plant’s spike-shaped leaves. This gel contains salicylic acid (the stuff found in aspirin) that relieves the pain as well as polysaccharides, which promote cell rejuvenation. It also has anti-viral properties that help keep burned flesh from getting infected. Aloe Vera gel also contains significant amounts of vitamin E, which will help moisturize your skin while you wait for the redness to go away. You might, however, want to supplement your Aloe application with a bit more of this skin friendly vitamin to help counteract the plants astringent qualities.

The sun beckons and we answer, and even with SPF 150 lotion on, we still might end up getting burned. Thankfully, our naturally primate curiosity has enabled us to find a plant that will help sooth the pain and heal our tender, non lizard skin.

Yulia Berry is an independent health researcher and author of the best selling e-book on aloe vera, “Aloe – Your Miracle Doctor.” She distributes a weeklynewsletter regarding homeremedies and has written another popular e-book “Pharmacy In Vegetables,” as well as dozens of natural health articles published on hundreds of websites worldwide. For more information, please visit her website.


 

Filed Under: Skin Care

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