Anti-aging Perfume?

 Can there be such a thing as perfume that makes you appear younger? I'm a prettty skeptical person so at first thought, I'd say this is rubbish. But Harvey Prince, the company behind Ageless Fantasy perfume gave me food for thought. The premise behind Ageless Fantasy's ability to make you feel and look younger is that scents generate certain feelings. You know, like the smell of mothballs reminding you of your grandmas closet, the smell of fresh baked cookies making you feel mouth-watering happy or the smell of fresh-cut grass reminding you of summer. I have experienced this scent association with past boyfriends and their cologne. I'm not so sure I want that reminder.

Anyway, Harvey Prince based their formulation on the writings of Chandler Burr, perfume critic of The New York Times and author of The Perfect Scent and the Emperor of Scent to produce a blend of scents that is associated with youth. Their "essence of youth" elixir consists of pink grapefruit, mango, anti-oxidant rich pomegranate, jasmine and musk. Research has shown that men associate tropical fruits and pink grapefruit scents with younger women. Additionally, the blended tropical flavors of pineapple: mango and leafy greens are known to bring a feeling of comfort often associated with positive child hood memories giving a sence of coziness, youthfulness and joy.
I became aware of this perfume when Jackie Silvers, author of Aging Backwards presented it on ShopNBC. They sold a lot the day I was there and gave me a sample. The first time I used it I went for a jog. Who uses perfume right before a workout right? But, I needed a youthful energizing pick-me-up and I do believe it helped. I'd describe it as light, frisky in a citrus way and pretty. So would those 5 guys following me rather closely on the jogging trail. Just kidding it was only 3. So, I think Harvey Prince is onto something here.

Transform Your Own Lashes into Voluptous Flashers

Several months ago I trialed a new product called neuLash. I love it and it delivered on it's promise to make my lashes fuller, healthier and longer looking. So I agreed to make a commercial about it. There are other eyelash enhancement products on the market but you have to get a prescription and there are side effects. There are no side-effects with neu-Lash and you don't have to visit a doctor for a prescription. I've heard from so many people about their positive experience. I felt perfectly confident to share this with all my friends. 

I don't always wear mascara now because I don't feel the need to use it. I'm all for natural beauty. Another cool feature about neuLash is that sometimes it darkens eyelashes so if yours are blonde, you could be in for a nice surprise. Watch the video on TalkMarket and know that if after 4-6 weeks you don't see any results you can return it for a 100% refund. 

Chemo Drug Cream May Fade Wrinkles

I found this news release from WebMD very interesting so I thought I would pass it on.

Study Shows Skin Cream Containing Fluorouracil May Be a Wrinkle Fighter
By Miranda Hitti
WebMD Health News
Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD

June 15, 2009 -- The chemotherapy drug fluorouracil, used in a skin cream, may have potential for fading wrinkles.

Fluorouracil is already used as a prescription skin treatment for actinic keratoses, which are precancerous lesions caused by sun damage.

Patients getting such treatment have also reported softer, smoother, less wrinkled skin -- and now, a new study confirms those skin improvements.

The study included 21 patients with actinic keratoses who applied a 5% fluorouracil skin cream called Efudex to their entire face twice daily for two weeks.

The patients were followed for about six months, and during that time, they got skin biopsies, close-up facial photographs, and dermatology checkups on a regular basis.

First, the patients' facial skin got dry, itchy, and peeled. In the following weeks, their skin recovered, with softer wrinkles and better texture.

Twenty patients completed a questionnaire in the tenth week of the study. Of those patients, 40% said their sun damage was "much" improved and 35% said it was "moderately" improved.

When it came to their wrinkles, 42% of the patients reported "mild" improvement, 26% noted "moderate" improvement, and 16% reported "much" improvement.

All noted at least mild improvement in their skin texture. Overall, 75% of the patients said they were "very" or "moderately" satisfied with the results.

One person developed severe skin inflammation and quit using the skin cream after the first week, and most of the patients said they found the treatment at least "moderately" uncomfortable.

Still, most patients said they were willing to get the treatment again and 17 out of 19 patients said they would pay for it out of pocket.

The researchers -- who included Dana Sachs, MD, of the University of Michigan's dermatology department -- say the skin cream was generally well tolerated.

A fluorouracil cream would cost less than laser skin resurfacing but "may not, however, achieve the same degree of improvement," write Sachs and colleagues.

The study, published in June's edition of the Archives of Dermatology, was funded by Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, which makes Efudex.

What Hormone Therapy Costs-Find an Anti-aging MD- Suzanne Somers Bio-identical

Oprah and Suzanne Somers brought the term "bio-identical hormones" into discussions about PMS, menopause and anti-aging. They revealed to the nation that you don't need to suffer. Many men and women are benefiting from hormone replacement therapy (HRT) both internally and externally. If you've seen the first two videos in this 3 part series you've learned that besides leveling out PMS, HRT promotes weight loss, gaining more youthful skin and much more. You also learned the difference between synthetic and bio-identical hormones. In this third video, Dr. Mahmud and I bring you important information about all important lab testing, cost involved, and how to find the proper physician.

It may appear that HRT could become expensive however, you can influence what lab test you receive and therefore reduce expenses. Additionally, check with your insurance company to see what they will and won't cover, some might cover 50% while others might cover 80%. Then in some cases you have to ask, "what price sanity?" I hope you've received enough information from this video series to start on a path towards a more enjoyable life.

Warning about Synthetic Hormone, Bio-identicals Safe

A recent NY Times article reads, "New Warning on Hormone Replacement." A clinical study found an increased risk in lung cancer with women who took hormones for menopausal symptoms. The key is, the hormone given in this study was Prempro, a pharmaceutically manufactured hormone and not a "bio-identical" hormone. In part two of a three part video series, Dr. Mahmud, anti-aging specialist and founder of Innovative Directions in Health, Edina, MN, agrees with the NYT article but he also educates on how to safely benefit from hormone therapy with bio-identicals. He also exposes dirty little secrets of big pharma and lets you know the right way to take bio-identical hormones. The education in this video below is priceless.

Suzanne Somers' most recent book, "Breakthrough: Eight Steps to Wellness" is essential reading on wellness and hormone therapy. Additionally, Dr. Mahmud authored a book on breast cancer prevention, "Keeping aBreast." Dr. Khalid Mahmud can be reached at 952.922.2345 or www.idinhealth.com.

Hemp Benefits for Anti-aging

I'm not talking about the kind of hemp that's smoked but the kind that's rubbed. Did you know that hemp seed oil is rich in anti-oxidants, protein, vitamins and minerals? It can be used in hair care products, skin lotions and lip balm. And it's all legal because there's no THC, the chemical that produces a high.

A reader of my blog recently sent me samples of Hemperor. A divine smelling body lotion that contains hemp seed oil and a blend of vitamins and herbs that go beyond just moisturizing. It's a skin firming and anti-aging product. It's not heavy but super moisturizing with extra anti-aging benefits.

I'm always looking to learn how to shop for the best products in skin care and want to pass this information along. I found it on http://www.sunsauce.com/.

• Sweet almond oil is used in many cosmetic products because it is rich in protein and can help reduce irritation and inflammation of the skin. It is effective on eczema, psoriasis and relieves dry, itchy and inflamed skin. This rich oil penetrates, moisturizes and restructures your skin.
• Monoi oil is coconut oil refined to a cosmetic grade with a fragrance extracted from tropical flowers. It can be used as a facial moisturizer, as well as an all over body moisturizer. Monoi oil is the closest oil in nature to the oils found in your scalp and skin.
• Chamomile extract contains active essential oil compounds, which are great for sensitive skin. This calming extract helps prevent blackheads and acne as well as soothe, soften and moisturize skin.
• Ginseng extract is very popular because of its anti-aging benefits. It is especially beneficial for the skin because it enables the delivery of water and nutrients to the skin to improve tone and firmness.
• Ginseng extract revitalizes and conditions the skin creating a healthy glow.
• Comfrey extract is often used in cell therapy treatments; face creams and sun care preparations as a healing agent and moisturizer. This anti- inflammatory extract will also promote skin cell regeneration.

Here's hemp to your health and beauty.

Hormone Replacement Therapy - Dr. Mahmud

If you're in your late 30's or 40's you'll want to know how hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can help you rid PMS symptoms, keep your skin young and give you back youthful energy . Lucky women who once suffered from menopausal symptoms are greatly benefiting from HRT right now. In this 3 part video series on HRT, I interview Dr. Khalid Mahmud who is the founder of Innovative Directions in Health, the only Minnesota clinic fully dedicated to anti-aging and preventive medicine. He is one of few physicians board certified by the American Academy of Anti-aging Medicine. Suzanne Somers recently interviewed Dr. K. Mahmud for her book, "Break Through", where he's featured in an entire chapter. Please note I stated a different book of Somers' in the video. Here's video I of III.