From pro bodybuilding to baseball, steroids have taken the world by storm. Everyone is trying to get bigger than the next person, and the health aspect of bodybuilding has been thrown out the window. These chemicals are used to make you stronger, faster, leaner in a short period of time. They promise the world, but in the end they fail to deliver.

From when I was in high school, I noticed football players and friends starting to use these illegal supplements. They would gain sheer muscle mass to the extent of 30+ pounds in a short time frame (8-12 week cycles). They could get all the girls they wanted but they were never happy. Most of them would only work their upper body and their quads and calves would be scrawny. They looked totally disproportionate.

Sometimes they would walk on their hands as a joke because they knew they were too lazy to work their chicken legs! This muscle mass would soon start to disappear rapidly, and they would start suffering from gyno (enlarged breast glands). They would get depressed and start another cycle, then another – it was an ongoing cycle. Some of them have to be on steroids for life because their natural testosterone levels are equivalent to that of a 100 year old grandmother!

I also noticed an increase in aggression in these individuals and lots of acne. One guy’s ears and jaw line got bigger as he was on human growth hormone which has bad effects on your cartilage. I could go on and on telling you about the many negative side effects caused by performance enhancing drugs. To those that use steroids, it is no longer about being healthy – it’s only about gaining that next pound of muscle. This is why I decided that I will never use steroids. My life is so much more valuable to me and I believe that natural bodybuilding is the only way to go!

Steroids have spread across the planet like a plague. My country of origin is Pakistan and even in Pakistan they are having issues with them! The big sport in Pakistan is cricket and Shoaib Akthar and Mohammed Asif, two of the best on the Pakistani team failed for steroids. I am not even going to get started at all the names of people who failed steroid drug tests in football, baseball and a lot of the other sports. Sure these “juicers” will get to be bigger than a natural athlete and maybe faster, but they’re always fighting to get as big as someone else. They will never be truly happy and content with themselves.

Now if you’re a natural bodybuilder on the other hand, you know the true meaning of dedication. You are doing natural bodybuilding for yourself and your own health. I believe that all players in all sports should be drug tested for steroids but this is just too expensive as these tests cost $700+ per individual. Since this is out of the question maybe a better monitoring system is to monitor players’ excessive changes in body composition over short periods of time. This is being done now and the rules are finally starting to get strict as they should be. I believe anyone failing this system should automatically be kicked out, no fine, just removed from the sport. I don’t think any professional athlete should be allowed to play in a sport if they are using illegal performance enhancing supplements.

Trends in health and beauty are placing more trust in the efficacy of natural and organic ingredients. Skin care is no exception, with more women coming to realize the purity of what they put on their skin is as important as that of what they eat. The skin is the largest organ, and is generally permeable to substances placed on it. This is particularly important in healing wounds, for the skin may be broken and more sensitive. Enter essential oils; these powerful plant derived medicines have been used for many years for treating skin conditions, enhancing beauty and promoting wellness. Oils have been found particularly useful for regenerating skin that has suffered from accidents or surgery, or has their remaining signs in the form of keloid, acne, or other scars. Certain essential oil blends can speed healing time, reduce or eliminate scars from recent wounds and even greatly diminish the appearance of old ones.

There are a few primary essential oils used in skin care which offer their regenerative properties; these oils can be used in low concentrations, and are generally well-tolerated – certainly more so than many synthetic ingredients. The most important of these may be Helichrysum italicum, also known as Everlasting oil. This wonderful oil is distilled from the daisy-like flowers of the herb. It has a lovely earthy aroma and, despite it’s apparent expense, works in very low concentrations (only a few drops per tablespoon of your total blend). Helichrysum is strongly anti-inflammatory and contains powerful regenerative molecules unique to this oil only.

Helichrysum essential oil is the cornerstone for many blends for healing the skin, and is the only one necessary for supporting currently healing skin damage – it should be used at appropriate concentrations with Rosehip Seed and Hazelnut oils, as mentioned later in this article. As noted by well-known aromatherapists Kurt Schnaubelt, “The triple unsaturated fatty acids (of Rosehip Seed oil) strengthen the cell membranes and, combined with the regnerative qualities of Everlasting oil (Helichrysum), heal wounds with minimal or no scarring”.

Lavender essential oil the most commonly used aromatic oil due to it’s pleasant, soothing aroma and broad range of healing effects. Lavender is also included in many skin care blends as it also contains ketone molecules which stimulate tissue regeneration. The specific type of lavender oil is distilled from the flowers of the Lavendula angustifolia species. Lavender, also like helichrsum, is an anti-inflammatory, and is generally thought to bring synergy to essential oil blends. It can be included to almost any skin care blend to enhance the effects and aroma.

The essential oil distilled from common Sage leaves is also used in the healing of scars, particularly old or unsightly scars. It’s natural regenerative properties and ability to promote circulation aid in gently breaking down the tough skin resulting from wound healing. Sage oil should only be used in these instances and in small quantities, as it’s Thujone content can be toxic in high quantities. If used in a recipe for stretch marks (see below), it should only be used post-partum. Despite it’s powerful components, however, when diluted and used with respect, one can use this oil safely.

Rosemary will be the final essential oil we’ll mention here for scar treatment. For the skin, Rosemary of the Verbenone chemotype has many important properties – it contains regenerative ketone molecules, and stimulates cellular metabolism. This oil helps new skin form, bringing nutrients into the cells and supports the removing toxins and wastes.

The essential oils mentioned here must be diluted in a carrier oil for daily application. In aromatherapy, more is not better! There have been numerous studies showing the great efficacy of essential oils in low concentrations based in seed or nut carrier oils. The two most commonly used base oils for skin care are Rosehip seed and Hazelnut oils. Rosehip seed has many documented uses in skin care, with it’s triple-unsaturated fatty acids and it’s vitamin A compounds. Rosehip seed has the ability to support tissue regeneration like Retin A, but without the drying or redening side effects. Hazelnut oil is the most well tolerated of all the carrier oils, and with its mild astringent properties, can even be used in cases of very oily skin. It will tend to leave the skin feeling nourished without feeling greasy.

Now for the recipes. For effective wound healing of recent cuts and scrapes (and has been used successfully on surgical incisions), to 1 ounce Hazelnut oil and 1 ounce Rosehip seed oil add 1 milliliter of Helichrysum essential oil and 1 milliliter of Lavender essential oil – apply twice a day for 7 to 10 days. For older scars from wounds or acne, including keloid scars, replace the Lavender in the previous recipe with Sage essential oil. Apply regularly for 3 to 6 months. For the healing of stretch marks, post partum, use 1 ounce Rosehip seed and 1 ounce Hazelnut oil with 1 milliliter Sage essential oil and 2 milliliters with Rosemary Verbenone essential oil; again use for 3 to 6 months.

This is a summary of a particular aspect of using essential oils for natural health, wellness and beauty. These are effective, tried and true recipes used for their specific, wound healing applications. With some research, you will find there are wonderful recipes using essential oils for a broad range of skin care applications – they work, and they’re heavenly to use! As with all aromatherapy use, go slowly, watch for any (rare) skin reactions, and remember that less is more with essential oils – almost all have been noted to work in very low, well tolerated concentrations.

The skin has a normal cellular turnover in which older cells are replaced by newer skin cells. This turnover rate gradually declines with increasing age and sun exposure, leaving behind the appearance of older skin.

Glycolic acid peels react with the outer layer of the epidermis. They weaken the binding properties that hold the dead skin cells together and stimulate new growth of skin underneath. This allows the outer layer of dead skin cells to be removed gradually. The skin underneath has a healthier, fresher appearance with more even color and texture. Regular treatments are also helpful in stabilizing acne prone, oily skin and improving skin tone.

Chemical facial peels vary in strength, and only professionals can administer stronger acid concentrations. These treatments can be repeated every week or two due to rapid recovery rates. Multiple treatments may be needed to see the desired results.

The face should be thoroughly cleansed prior to application. Peels are usually left on the face for only a few minutes, depending on the strength. The solution is then neutralized and washed off. Mild redness, stinging and irritation may occur. Stronger peels may cause more redness and the recovery time may last several days. There is little to no recovery time with milder glycolic treatments. Mild peeling may occur for a few days following treatment.

One of the most popular types of mild chemical peels contains alpha hydroxy acids (AHA). Alpha hydroxy acids are organic acids derived from natural sources. Glycolic acid is the most commonly used type of alpha hydroxy acid for facial treatments. It is derived from sugar cane. This small alpha hydroxyl acid is odorless, colorless, and soluble in water. Lactic and citric acid are also useful is skin care products.

Mild forms of glycolic chemical peels containing less than 10% acid can be used by consumers at home. Stronger peels containing a higher concentration of acids are administered by professionals such as dermatologists. Other types of chemical peels offered by professionals include beta hydroxyl acid peels, trichloroacetic acid peels, retinoic acid peels, and phenol peels. These deeper treatments are much stronger and are often administered with sedation and pain medication.

Alpha hydroxy acids can also be included in facial cleansers in lower concentrations. These facial washes cleanse and buff away surface cells, leaving the skin smooth and fresh. Mild acidic cleansers can be included in a daily skincare routine. They gently retexture the skin over a period of a few months.

Glycolic acid has an excellent capacity to penetrate the skin, and is used for many types of facial care products. With higher concentrations and long term use, glycolic acid can also affect the deeper skin layers. Elastin and collagen can regenerate leaving fine lines and wrinkles less noticeable.

Glycolic acid peels have the ability to rejuvenate the skin by increasing the shedding of old damaged surface cells. This improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and strips away plugs where acne can form. Chemical peel treatments containing glycolic acid reduce uneven pigmentation, control acne, smooth rough dry skin, and improve the texture of sun damaged skin.

br
br
pRenaud Professional will help you look and feel fabulous using all natural, organic products. Take 20% off any online order – just use coupon code RP20. Be kind to your body – use natural products! To learn more about our skin and body care products visit a target=_new href=http://www.renaudprofessional.com/ rel=nofollowhttp://www.RenaudProfessional.com/a Renaud Professional Where Science and Nature Become One/pbr
br