Cure those dark circle blues…

“How do I get rid of the dark circles under my eyes?” This is one of the most common questions I get asked.

First and foremost, we need to understand why those dark circles appear. Basically, they are calling out an internal imbalance that needs to be corrected. You cannot get rid of dark under-eye circles completely until you identify this imbalance and correct it.

In Chinese medicine, the appearance of dark under-eye circles is caused by a “kidney deficiency” which is not seen as the organ that filters our fluids, but as a set of functions that regulate the aging process, from birth to death. This deficiency can be overcome with herbs and acupuncture. Many allergy sufferers also experience these dark under-eye circles because again the body is responding to an internal imbalance. Additionally, those of us who are highly stressed and suffer from sleep disorders also have dark under-eye circles. There are several other reasons for these, but they all signify some type of imbalance.

While you should work towards correcting the imbalance, there are topical solutions that can help reduce the appearance of dark under-eye circles. Because these dark circles are the result of blood stagnation under your eyes, herbs that enhance blood flow such as Yarrow, Horse Chestnut, Gingko Biloba, Eyebright, Pycnogenol®, Peach Seed Oil, Dang Gui, Astragulus, Ginseng, and Salvia (to mention a few) can help move this stagnation out. This could take days or weeks to work so mineral pigments such as titanium dioxide or zinc oxide can offer immediate lightening effects.

derma e® has formulated our Eye Bright Dark Circle Crème with blood moving herbs, antioxidants and mineral pigment zinc oxide to help visibly reduce the appearance of dark circles. For maximum benefits, gently massage the crème from the inner corner to the outer edge in a half circle under the eye area to stimulate the flow of blood and lymph. Regular use of the Eye Bright Dark Circle Crème will promote younger, brighter, and healthier-looking eyes

Yours in Health, Dr. Linda Miles, L.Ac., D. O. M. SHARE

Say ‘Good Bye’ to large pores; ‘Hello’ to great looking skin

Large pores are the curse of oily skin and are frequently seen in the T-zone of combination skin (normal skin). However, before you belittle them too much, remember that pores play a vital function in oil production and help keep the skin soft and supple.

So why do pores become enlarged? Well, genetics certainly plays a part and so does hormonal activity, but 78% of enlarged pores are because of incorrect skin care. Pores appear enlarged when they are irritated, inflamed, and clogged with debris, like dead skin cells, dirt and oil. So this is certainly an issue we can do something about.

So how do we reduce the appearance of these pores? First and foremost is cleansing. Washing your skin morning and night (if your skin is really oily, then maybe at noon too) is the most important step in pore reduction. Choose a gentle cleanser that encourages the health of the skin without drying it out.

Second, would be regular exfoliation. Exfoliating with a scrub such as derma e®’s Microdermabrasion Scrub helps remove embedded dirt and dead skin cells. Additionally the scrub helps stimulate healthy new cell growth.

Third on the list: moisturize with an appropriate skin crème. For those with normal skin an anti-oxidant crème that optimizes the health of the skin would be a good choice. For those with oily skin you probably need a crème that helps balance oil production such as the Very Clear ® Moisturizing Crème.

Never squeeze blackheads or pimples. For blackheads I do recommend a “strip” to gently extract them. Once a week, steam your face to open up the pores, loosen debris and help detoxify in general. This is actually good to do for all skin types. And lastly, deep-cleansing facial mask preferably containing bentonite clay (this is a great detoxifying ingredient!) will also help remove debris, retexture skin and bring out your healthy best.

Of course drinking those 8 glasses of water a day, exercising and eating lots of fruits and vegetables will help as well (remember skin is the outer expression of inner health). With a good skin care program in place you will be able to say ‘Good Bye’ to large pores and ‘Hello’ to great looking skin.

Yours in Health,

Dr. Linda Miles, L.Ac., D. O. M.
SHARE

Manage Hormonal Imbalance, Naturally

Most women suffer from hormonal imbalance at some time in their lives. From premenstrual syndrome (PMS) to the full blown symptoms of menopause, there can be hot flashes, mood swings, night sweats, or vaginal dryness. The list goes on and on.

Before menopause, the imbalance is usually an abundance of estrogen relative to progesterone. At menopause the production of both estrogen and progesterone is reduced and imbalances between the two are even more apparent. For hundreds of years, women have used herbal remedies to balance hormones and smooth the transition of menopause.

Black Cohosh and Wild Yam are two herbs that are well known as “women’s herbs” and with good reason. Native Americans used black cohosh for depression, menstrual disorders, kidney problems and rheumatism. It contains phytoestrogens and is rich in triterpenes and saponins. Recently black cohosh has been recognized for its ability to help relieve hot flashes, night sweats, anxiety, mood swings and PMS.

Wild Yam contains diosgenin, a precursor to progesterone. Also known as “colic root”, it is anti-spasmodic,anti-inflammatory and helps balance the hormones.

derma e® has blended these two powerful herbs with St. John’s Wort (that enhances mood and reduces anxiety), Ginseng (an adaptogenic herb), and Lavender (soothes and calms the body) in our Flash Relief Crème. Applied topically to fatty areas of the body (lower abdomen, inner thighs,breasts, etc.) this amazing crème soothes, calms, and reduces the symptoms of menopause or PMS.

Menopause should not be a medical condition; it should be a natural transition in a stage of life. However, because of modern diets, stress, lifestyle, and exposure to an abundance of xenoestrogens in our environment, our bodies can become very unbalanced. Nature provides the answers to this imbalance and with a little effort you too can be PMS-free and make menopause a smooth transition in your life.

Yours in Health,
Dr. Linda Miles, L.Ac., D. O. M. SHARE

Happy 4th of July!!!

So how did you spend the holiday? Perhaps a day at the lake, lounging around a pool, a couple rounds of golf, or a BBQ with family and friends? Chances are you may have spent a good part of it outside in the summer sun.

Photo oxidation is one of the primary reasons for skin damage and aging. The free radicals created by the sun’s rays go to work on damaging just about all the structures of the skin. Add this free radical exposure to the already overwhelming list of stress-induced, exercise-induced and of course environmental exposure (pollution, etc.) and your skin and body are under a very impressive assault.

However, as a holistic practitioner, do I want you to give up the sun exposure or the exercise? Absolutely not! Sunshine is needed for vitamin D synthesis (we are seeing more and more deficiency of this very important vitamin) and for production of several “feel good” brain chemicals.

So how do you protect your skin and body? With antioxidants of course! Make sure the vitamins you are taking include a good measure of antioxidants to protect your body in general and use a moisturizer loaded with antioxidants to keep your skin healthy and younger looking. Pycnogenol®, Green Tea, Astaxanthin, Cranberry, Pomegranate, and Tamanu Oil all have research to show that they are very effective antioxidants when topically applied. The “topically applied” is an important piece of information, as not all antioxidants work topically or when applied externally to the skin.

Let’s look at a couple of the super antioxidants for optimal skin health:

Pycnogenol®
SHARE


This amazing antioxidant is 50 times more effective than vitamin E as a free-radical scavenger, helping to protect your skin from the damaging effects of oxidation. Pycnogenol® is an extremely important nutrient that builds strong capillaries, reduces puffiness around the eyes, and most importantly gives the skin smoothness and elasticity. It even enhances skin's resistance to inflammation. Pycnogenol® works synergistically with vitamin C to rebuild collagen and helps prevent UVB radiation damage. Nature has given us this amazing ingredient in the bark of France's maritime pine tree.

Astaxanthin
SHARE


From sea algae off the coast of Hawaii, this amazing antioxidant has been reported to be 500 times more powerful than vitamin E. Astaxanthin has the amazing ability to shut down free radicals and protect the skin from UV damage (it is 1000 times more effective than both beta-carotene and lutein in protecting skin from exposure to UV light) and environmental stress. This remarkable nutrient reduces skin inflammation, helps normalize skin and enhances the activity of defensive cells. As a natural anti-inflammatory, it stimulates the killer cells in the skin to find and destroy potential pathogens before they can damage the skin.

So for great looking summer skin nourish your skin daily with moisturizers rich in anti-oxidants and after sun exposure reapply to diminish the damage caused by UV radiation.

Yours in Health,
Dr. Linda Miles, L.Ac., D. O. M.

Cellulite…. There is Hope!

Cellulite is the dimpled-looking skin that often appears on the thighs, hips and buttocks. Although excess fat certainly adds to the problem, it is compounded by insufficient muscle and weakness in the connective tissue allowing the fat to poke through.

The good news is that with a little work you too can have great looking legs. Wayne Wescott Ph.D. & Rita La Rosa-Loud have written a book “No More Cellulite”. Their findings show, that with as little as 40 minutes of exercise three times a week the cellulite disappears in as little as 6-8 weeks. Their exercise program included 20 minutes of cardio-vascular workout and 20 minutes of squats, lunges and crunches with weights. They also found that people who modified their diet melted pounds and cellulite much faster than those who did not have a dietary change.

Other experts on cellulite recommend daily thigh-firming exercises – a few suggestions are:

1) Sit with your back against a firm surface with your knees bent and your hands on the floor. Place a cushion between your knees and squeeze as you breathe in slowly to the count of 8, as you exhale, release. Repeat five times.
2) Stand with your knees slightly bent in a ballet position and hands on your waist. As you breathe in, rise onto your toes and as you breathe out, lower yourself into a squatting position. Be careful to only go as low as is comfortable and keep the back straight.
3) Brisk walking, rebounding, swimming, and cycling are highly recommended for toning the buttocks and legs.

Find a way to make exercise an enjoyable activity that you want to do. For example, exercise with friends or use it as time for yourself, and then delight in increased self-confidence and body strength. Research shows that results-only orientated exercise is doomed to failure, so beat the odds and make it fun.

Proper nutrition to help fight cellulite includes eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fish and chicken. A daily caloric intake of 1800 – 2200 calories is recommended to help shed that extra fat. Drink eight to ten glasses of water a day. Cut back on your consumption of coffee, black tea, fat, sugar and salt. And if you are in good health, a vegetable or juice fast to completely cleanse the system can help.

Dry skin brushing will stimulate the circulation not only of blood, but also of lymph, and encourage the drainage of excess fluid and waste. Dry skin brushing gives the added benefit of exfoliation and can be done before bath or shower. Take a natural bristle brush and stroke in the direction of the heart avoiding sore or broken areas of the skin. Massage the thighs using the balls of your fingers in a circular motion. Massage and brushing will help encourage the breakdown of fats that give the dimpled appearance.

Incorporate the above ideas into your life in an enjoyable and positive way. Not only will you reap the rewards of lovely legs, but you will enjoy improved health and well-being too.

Healthy Wishes,
Dr. Linda Miles L.Ac., D.O.M.
SHARE

For Beautiful Summer Skin ...

The temperature on the thermometer is climbing, and the sunshine beckons: summer has arrived. So put away those jackets and scarves, slip on a pair of shorts and sandals, and grab the sunscreen. And just as you switch to your summer wardrobe, remember that you also need to change your skin care routine.

During the summer months, skin has different needs. Foremost, your skin needs protection from the sun; the ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun produce harmful free radicals which damage cell structures including DNA. This photoxidation accelerates the aging process, causing lines, wrinkles and skin cancer. Antioxidants protect the skin by scavenging and thus inactivating the free radicals. Studies have shown that daily supplementation with astaxanthin, a potent antioxidant, significantly reduces UV-induced skin damage. A daily antioxidant supplement and a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help protect your cells from free radical damage. Your face, because it is constantly exposed to the sun, needs extra protection. Use a daily moisturizer rich in antioxidants (Astaxanthin, Pycnogenol®, Ester C®, Green Tea and Vitamin E) to give that added protection to your face. Antioxidants should be part of your daily skin care routine to nourish and protect skin.

Although antioxidants offer some protection from the sun, if you intend to be in the sun, periodically apply sunscreen. If possible, avoid spending long hours in the sun, do your outside activities in the early morning or late afternoon when the sun is less intense, wear a hat, and use sunscreen. Even though we are careful about protecting our skin, sometimes we still end up with a painful, red sunburn. Allantoin and panthenol, applied to sunburn in a cool gel, draw out the heat and stimulate healing. After spending time in the sun, sunburned or not, rehydrate yourself. Drink plenty of fluids, and apply an antioxidant rich moisturizer to help your skin recover. Remember that sun damage is not always visible instantly and that even tanning is harmful. Sun damage today and tomorrow and next week causes next year’s wrinkles. Protect your skin everyday to prevent wrinkles and to keep skin looking younger.

Summer temperatures and humidity cause more perspiration and more oily skin. Winter moisturizers often contain oils to hydrate dry winter skin. In the summer, choose a water or serum-based moisturizer to hydrate skin without adding heavy oils. To remove oil and dirt, it is important to use a light, quality cleanser, and you may also find you need to cleanse your face more often. Toners can help refresh the skin, and if you have enlarged pores, refine their appearance. Avoid using any isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) based cleansers or toners; they are extremely drying and remove the natural oils the skin needs. Witch hazel is an excellent natural astringent that refreshes and hydrates skin without removing the natural oils. People prone to acne or blemishes may find that summer increases breakouts. Look for a natural cleanser specifically formulated for acne to heal and prevent breakouts. Even if your skin is oily, resist the temptation to skip the moisturizer: your skin still needs moisturizing. Not moisturizing will only lead to very oily patches and very dry patches.

Remember, drink lots of fluids, protect your skin, cleanse, moisturize, and enjoy!

Yours in Health, Dr. Linda Miles, L.Ac., D.O.M.

Skin Problems and Solutions

Fungal Infections – Due to the increased humidity, those undesirable fungal infections show up more often. Tea Tree is a natural antifungal and antiseptic that can be used topically to treat any fungal infection including athlete’s foot.

Insect Bites – Tea Tree is a natural antibacterial antiseptic that can be used to heal and soothe pesky insect bites. Some people even find it works as a natural insect repellent.

Rashes – Heat and humidity also cause rashes and pathogenic itching. Use a soothing gel or crème containing healing herbs such as aloe vera, chamomile, and peppermint to calm irritated skin and soothe away rashes. These can also help soothe skin after a brush with poison oak or ivy.

Cracked Feet – Barefoot walks, though enjoyable, lead to dry, cracked heels. Rub Vitamin E oil directly into the cracks before bed to heal your feet. Products formulated specifically to treat cracked skin are moisturizing and contain healing oils such as clove, bay leaf, and arnica for inflammation.

Spider Veins- In the winter we can hide spider veins, but in the summer we want them to disappear. Horse Chestnut strengthens and supports leaky capillaries and veins. It can be taken internally or applied topically. Remember that continuous dietary supplementation or topical application is required to keep the spider veins from reappearing.

NATURAL WONDERS

I love to hike and am lucky enough to visit several places on the Pacific Crest Trail here in Southern California. Recently, I was hiking in the Kennedy Meadows area (tall pines and mountain stream – very beautiful) when I met a couple and their black Labrador. The dog's ears were taped and I asked what the problem was. It turned out that when he shook his head hard the veins in his ears broke and began to bleed. They had him on steroids to try and stabilize the vessels and were also physically supporting the ears with the bandages.

We started talking and I mentioned that Horse Chestnut was used in Europe to support the venous system, especially when the veins lacked strength as they do when spider or varicose veins develop. And that Pycnogenol® also supported the capillary system in the skin and body to help prevent bleeding issues. They were very appreciative of the information and said that when they got back down the mountain they would pick up the dietary supplements as they really wanted a natural approach to the problem.

derma e®'s Clear Vein® Crème for spider veins and bruising uses both Horse Chestnut and Pycnogenol®, as well as Grape Skin extract and Witch Hazel. The combination of these ingredients in a pleasant-to-use crème is a very effective treatment in reducing the appearance of spider veins and other skin issues due to venous fragility and inflammation. derma e® does not use Vitamin K, a naturally occurring clotting factor, because we wanted a very safe product that could be used everywhere, even on those broken vessels around the nose or cheek area.

I subscribe to the statement that "God didn't make a problem that he didn't make a cure for" so no matter what your problem, keep looking for the solution. It does exist! SHARE

Yours in Health,

Dr. Linda Miles, L.Ac., D. O. M.