• Question:  What is Ratin–A and how does it work?

• Question:  Is an artificial tan safe?

• Question:  How to treat sunburns?

• Question:  What is an effective nail care?

• Question:  What is an alternative skin care?

• Question:  What are the Homeopathic First Aid Supplies?

• Question:  What are the Herbal First Aid Supplies?

Question:  What is Ratin–A and how does it work?
Answer:  Retin-A, or retinoic acid, is a vitamin A derivative that has long been used to treat acne. Known medically as tretinoin, Retin-A acts as an exfoliator. While Retin-A may not be precisely the fountain of youth imagined by early enthusiasts, over time it can make skin more uniform in texture and color, make brown spots disappear, and soften fine lines. All this, however, comes at price. Retin-A may cause unpleasant side effects, such as red and/or dry skin. More over, because it is for cosmetic, not medical, purpose, its cost is not covered by most insurance.

Still, many swear by Retin-A. Today this drug, which is available by prescription only, is recommended by dermatologists on regular basis to counteract the effects of aging. Although Retin-A has not been approved as a wrinkle treatment, doctors are permitted to use FDA- approved prescription in any medical way they wish.

The most common forms of Retin-A are creams and gels. The product comes in various concentrations, but even low concentration of the drug may leave skin temporarily dry, scaly and red. Retin-A should be used under the guidance of a trained and experienced dermatologist.

back to top

Question:  Is an artificial tan safe?
Answer:  Depends on how you get it. Artificial sources of UV radiation can be just as deadly as the sun. Self -tanning cosmetics, on the other hand, are safe way. Over-the-counter melanin promoters can activate the production of your own melanin cells.

Ultraviolet rays, whether they are UVA or UVB and whether they are from the natural or artificial sources, cause skin damage that can lead to skin cancer. Despite its apparent cosmetic appeal to many people, this type of tan is a sign that damage to the skin has occurred and may cause serious health problems down the line.

back to top

Question:  How to treat sunburns?
Answer:  If, despite all the precautions you take, you end up with sunburn, try these tips:

• Apply cool compresses to burned areas.

• Take a cool bath.

• Drink lots of liquids to replace depleted body fluids.

• Never apply greasy ointment or butter, which seal in heat and make sunburn more painful.

• Apply cool Green Tea to burned areas.

• Apply Aloe Vera to relieve inflammation, promote healing.

• In the case of severe sunburn accompanied by fever and blistered skin, see your doctor fro medical treatment. Sunburns in infants are and should be treated as medical emergencies.

back to top

Question:  What is an effective nail care?
Answer:  The most effective nail care consists of keeping your nails trimmed, clean, and dry. Yet many women extend their attention to nails far beyond these simple basics. Bad manicures are to blame for many nail problems. In an effort to make nails more attractive, for example, we often over cut cuticles and overuse nail products. Nail should also be allowed to go bare for a few days each month in order to let air reach them.

Many nails products today are made with gentler chemical formulas than in the past. Another advantage to modern polish is its chip-resistant formula. Nail polishes or enamels are fine for most women, although some become sensitized to chemicals in them and experience allergic reactions. If your skin tends to be easily irritated, nails may also split and scale. Look for fragrance-free and formaldehyde-free formulations of polishes and polish removers. Since polish removers contain ingredients such as acetone, which can be drying and irritating, choose removers that are non acetone or contain lubricants. Rinse well after use.

Try water based color nail polish. It is safe and you need water to remove it. It stays on for about a week just like the regular polish.

back to top

Question:  What is an alternative skin care?
Answer:  More and more women and men today are choosing natural skin care product as an alternative to commercial cosmetics. Some women choose food from the kitchen shelf or refrigerator to make their own cosmetics at home. Many others purchase botanical products in local health food stores, and an increasing number of mainstream drugstores and department stores are beginning to carry these products as well. Keep in mind that because most natural products do not contain preservatives, they should be used after you make or purchase them. Following are some natural ways to address some special care concerns:

• Apply natural moisturizers to soften our skin. Natural moisturizers include aloe oil, apricot oil, avocado oil, cocoa butter, coconut oil, jojoba oil, olive oil, sesame oil, and shea butter.

• Use elder and aloe products to both moisturize your skin and whiten age spots.

• Make an herbal skin tonic of chamomile and lavender to revive dull and tired skin.

• Make your own facial steam bath by adding a few drops of peppermint oil to a pot of hot water. Cover your head with a towel and rest your face over the pot to cleanse pores. Make sure the water is not too hot. (Note: Steaming is not recommended if you have sensitive skin, broken skin, or an active flare-up of acne.)

• Use products made from the herb lady’s mantle to help shrink large pores.

• Use products made from sage, a good natural astringent, to tighten skin.

• Tone your skin with diluted with hazel, a natural astringent.

• Make an exfoliating scrub from natural abrasive materials. These include ground cornmeal, oatmeal, apricot seeds, and almonds; simply combine them with a small amount of water or use a base of plain yogurt. (Reminder: Do not attempt to scrub or exfoliate if you have sensitive skin, broken skin, or an active flare-up of acne).

• You can do healthy sweating in a sauna or stem room. Sweats are often recommended, especially to people who smoke, drink or use other drugs, suffer chemical exposure, or eat a lot of salt. Depending on the temperature, you can stay in the heat for ten to twenty minutes or until you perspiring freely. Make sure to take along a plenty of pure water and drink it often.

back to top

Question:  What are the Homeopathic First Aid Supplies?
Answer:  Natural preparations can be used for many common ailments. These homeopathic pharmaceuticals are commonly prepackaged and can be found at health food stores and on our site. More information and dosage is available in our “store front”, under the list of Products in the Home Remedies/Supplements section, click on Homeopathy.

• Aconite - colds, croup, fever, shock

• Apis - bites and stings, hives

• Arnica - bruises, dislocated joints, shock

• Arcenicum album – colds, food poisoning, influenza

• Belladonna – earache, fever, headache, infection, heatstroke

• Bryonia – back pain, fever, headaches, influenza

• Gelsemium – fever and influenza

• Hepar sulphuris – abscesses, boils, croup, sore throat

• Hypericum – injury to nerves, insect bites

• Pulsatilla – childhood infections, colds, fever, sinus problems

• Rxus toxicodendron – back pain, chickenpox, influenza, sprains, strains

back to top

Question:  What are the Herbal First Aid Supplies?
Answer:  These herbs and oils may be used for many common ailments. More information and dosage is available in our “store front”, under the list of Products in the Home Remedies/Supplements section, click on Herbal.

• Aloe (Aloe barbadensis) – apply gel externally for cuts, bee stings, sunburn

• Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) tea for indigestion

• Chickweed (Stellaria media) – cream for relief of skin irritation

• Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) – leaf ointment for cuts, not for puncture wounds

• Dandelion (Traxacum officinale) – root decoction as a secretary laxative

• Elder (Sambucus nigra) flower, Peppermint (Mentha piperita) and Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) – hot infusion of equal parts three times a day to relive sinus pain

• Flaxseed – bulk laxative

• Gintian (Gentiana lutea) - hot tea to relieve indigestion

• Ginger (Zingiber officinale) - hot infusions of root as needed to relive nausea

• Horehound (Marrubium vulgare) – hot infusions as needed for coughs

• Marsh mallow (Althaea officionalis) – hot infusions as needed for coughs

• Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria), Wild cranesbill (Geranium maculatum), and Peppermint (Mentha piperita) – infusion of equal parts to relive symptoms of diarrhea.

• Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) – hot infusion three times a daily for coughs; good for children.

• Osha (Ligusticum porterii) – root for sore throat relief.

• Peppermint (Mentha piperita) – tea or infusion to relieve indigestion, diarrhea.

• Psyllium (Plantago psyllium) – bulk laxative.

• Sage (Salvia officinalis) – gargle infusion for sore throat.

• Sourdock (Remex crispus) – decoction three times daily as secretary laxative.

• Tea tree oil (Melaleuca spp) – externally for athlete’s foot.

• Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) – distilled, use externally for relief of itching

back to top