2 PICK OR NOT 2 PICK? OBVIOUSLY DON'T PICK!

Have you ever found yourself with a scab on your face? I know most of us want that unsightly brown spot off of our faces asap, however it's best to leave it alone. The scab is there for a reason, after all, and tearing it away may cause further damage to the skin, and may even cause a fresh injury. This will obviously prolong the healing process. If you find yourself with a scab on your face, there are a few simple remedies you can try in order to heal it. Of course, your mileage may vary. Some treatments may do the trick for you, while others may not do a thing. The severity of your injury and the size of the scab must also be considered. The following are some tips for healing scabs on the face: -Apply a warm (not hot!) compress to the scab. The moisture will help soften and loosen the scab. Do this several times a day for best results. You may need to moisten the compress several times as it cools down. It's important not to use water that is too hot -you don't want to scald your skin or cause any unnecessary redness. -Keep it clean. Avoid the temptation to use harsh exfoliating scrubs; this will only increase your discomfort. Use a mild cleanser, such as Cetaphil, and finish by drying the area thoroughly. -To prevent a scar from forming after you've picked at a blemish, cleanse the skin thoroughly and apply an antibiotic cream, such as Neosporin. Leave it alone after that - you don't want to aggravate the area further.

"I'M BIZZZZAYYYYYYYY!!!!" Lady Gaga

BUSY?! Is that the word? I'm still not sure. Maybe, it would be more appropriate to say I'm distracted. It's already 12pm, and sniff sniff- WHAT'S THAT SMELL?! Oh yea...I haven't showered yet. That's right! I have baby spit-up dripping down my shirt, the smells of yesterday stained on my skin, and my hair smells like my breakfast. All joking aside, this is "my normal." Finally! It's SHOWER TIME!!! YAY!!! (me time) Allow me to paint the picture for you: My 6 month daughter is on the bathroom rug (already bathed thanks to her very helpful father.) She has a plastic cup in hand, a few toys to keep her busy, and is surrounded by stuffed animals to make sure she doesn't fall and bump her head on our tiled floor. Now, here's me. I have shampoo in my hair, I'm playing peek-a-boo through the shower curtain to make sure Emm doesn't cry, meanwhile I'm attempting to do a half ass job shaving one leg (2 is always impossible!) At the same time, I'm reciting my grocery list inside my brain, thinking of new 4N21 products to develop and oh yea...trying to hurry the hell up bc a repair man is about to knock on my door in 5 minutes to look at my broken kitchen sink. 5 Minutes...this craziness only took place in a matter of 5 friggen minutes. Now, let me ask again, BUSY?! Who cares to be honest! The bottom line is that I need a days worth of gadgets and gizmos to help get me through this never ending story called life. Luckily there are products like 4N21, Iphones, Ipads and Swifter to help us clear through the clutter and be more efficient. But, my favorite thing to do in the midst of everything is smile! Why you ask? Well, as a NYC bum put it the other day, "Smile! It won't cost you a thing!" And he was perfectly sane! This man is right! Smiling keeps us young, it requires 0 time and best of all, it doesn't cost us a thing! Laugh when you find yourself spread thin, and maybe cry too. After all, we certainly need a release from time to time. Now, here's the takeaway from 2day's blog: READ when you have time of course! THE BENEFITS OF LAUGHING AND SMILING WHEN YOUR DAY HAS BECOME TOO MUCH TO HANDLE: -When you laugh, your body releases endorphins. These are brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters, which make us feel happy. They are also a natural pain and stress reliever. -Laughing reduces levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, and gives us a quick burst of energy. -A good laugh can be beneficial to the lungs, boost immunity, and could even burn off calories. -Smiley, happy people are thought to have more friends and be more successful, by appearing more confident and approachable.

Whiteheads....blackheads...pimples...what's the difference anyway?

The words pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads are things you have probably dealt with before, but what’s the difference between them? Pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads are various forms of acne that affect the face, chest, back, and shoulders. Treating these various forms of acne can be tedious and take dedication, but once you’ve devoted yourself to keeping the skin and body healthy, you’ll see noticeable results in no time. The right combination of diet, nutrient supplements, and topical skin products can work to combat acne while also fighting the signs of aging from the inside out.

Various Forms of Acne

Not to be confused with just a teenage phase, acne can affect teens, adults, and sometimes even infants. Since it is a very common disease, you need to know what form of acne you are personally dealing with. Although they may look different, pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads are all results from clogged pores.

Initially, to understand what a pimple is, you have to understand the difference between whiteheads and blackheads. If the pore is completely clogged and remains closed at the surface, it is called a whitehead. Whiteheads:

Are clogged with sebum, an oily substance

Have a white appearance

Most commonly evolve into pimples

Differing from a whitehead, a blackhead is formed when a pore is only partially clogged, allowing some of the trapped sebum to slowly drain to the surface. The black color is caused by the oxygen in the air reacting to the exposed pore.

Usually, pimples are confused as another name for acne, but pimples are just another form of acne. When a pore becomes infected and is inflamed, it is considered a pimple. As part of your immune response, blood flow increases, which is the body’s natural defense against acne. Pimples usually develop after whiteheads or blackheads have become infected.

3 Amazing Homemade Toners 4 Dry Crackly Winter Skin

A couple of easy toners you can make to help nourish, protect,and moisturize your skin during the winter are the PH Toner,Herbal Refresher, and the Aloe Soother.

PH Toner

1Cups distilled water

4 TBS Bragg's Apple Cider vinegar(or any other nature non-distilled apple vinegar)

10 drops of rose oil

8 drops of chamomile oil

Mix all ingredients in your bottle of choice and shake vigorously before each use. You may use a cotton ball to apply your toner after cleansing and spritz throughout the day.

Herbal Refresher

1 cup witch hazel

1/2 cup distilled water

1 chamomile tea bag

10 drops of Lavender Oil

6 drops Sandlewood Oil

Heat water to boil and steep the tea bag in the water for 15minutes. Add the chamomile water to the witch hazel and add essential oil. Shake before each use.

Aloe Soother

1/2 cup aloe vera gel

1 cup distilled water

10 drops chamomile oil

Mix all ingredients and shake well before each use.

All three toner recipes are great to help you get through the cold and wintery harsh months that follow. Your skin will thank you by remaining soft, refreshed and healthy.

Be French!!

What a great article! Here's a quick sneak peak: What we sometimes forget—and the media are helping us lose our memories in this regard—is that beauty, style, sensuality, generosity, wit, and charm have no expiration dates. We must learn to believe this and act accordingly. Act like a French woman.

http://womensvoicesforchange.org/age-defying-secrets-of-les-femmes-francaises.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+womensvoicesforchange+%28New+from+Women%27s+Voices+for+Change%29

Flower Flower on the Wall..

Who's the fairest of them all?

Find out why looking into a flower instead of a mirror can help us achieve beauty from the inside out. Crazy? Kind of...but we women will do anything to be gorgeous.
Why consider flowers? Find out by following the link below:
http://www.positivehealth.com/article/flower-essences/flowers-and-colour-as-a-healing-tool

C SPOT RUN! RUN SPOT RUN WITH THE HELP OF VITAMIN C AND THEN SOME...

Your acne is clearing up and your skin is looking better every day. But then you notice dark pink or brown spots on your skin where the acne lesions have healed. Is it scarring? And what can you do about it?

A post inflammatory hyperpigmentation macule often is the remnant of an inflamed acne lesion. PIH macules can follow relatively minor pimples and papules, in addition to more serious lesions. However, the more inflamed a breakout, the larger and darker the PIH macule tends to be. Picking or popping a pimple increases the chance of developing post inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Treating PIH

Most acne sufferers are relieved to learn that post inflammatory hyperpigmentation is not scarring. PIH will fade away over time, even without treatment. It can take three to 24 months for PIH to fully fade, although in some cases it may take longer. The length of time it takes for PIH to fade depends on how dark the PIH macule is compared to your skin tone. The bigger the contrast between the macule and your natural skin tone, the longer it will take to fade.
There are treatment options available to help fade post inflammatory hyperpigmentation more quickly. However, your acne should be under control before beginning any treatment for PIH. Otherwise, each new pimple could cause another PIH macule, reducing the effectiveness of treatment.

Whatever treatment option you choose, understand that improvement will take time. Think in terms of months rather than weeks. Also, many dermatologist recommend using a broad-spectrum sunscreen daily. The sun may darken the discolorations and increase fading time.

Over-the-Counter Treatments
Mild cases of post inflammatory hyperpigmentation may respond well to over-the-counter products. There is a plethora of "brightening" treatment products on the market today. Many use a combination of alpha and beta hydroxy acids (including glycolic acid), vitamin A, vitamin C, and other ingredients to exfoliate the skin. Others, such as M.D. Forte Skin Bleaching Gel, use lightening agents to fade discolorations.

Hydroquinone
Hydroquinone is a widely used treatment for post inflammatory hyperpigmentation. It is available over-the-counter at 1% to 2% strength, and in 3% to 4% prescription creams. Hydroquinone works by blocking the enzyme responsible for melanin production, thereby lightening the skin.

Hydroquinone creams often contain additional lightening ingredients, such as kojic acid, glycolic acid, tretinoin and other retinoids, or vitamin C. These combination creams can give you better results than using hydroquinone alone.

Topical Retinoids
Retinoids, such as tretinoin and tazarotene, are often prescribed to acne patients. Retinoids help clear acne by speeding up cell turnover rates. It is this rapid exfoliation that can also help clear PIH. Retinoid creams include Retin-A, Tazorac, and Differin. The fact that they lessen post inflammatory hyperpigmentation as they treat acne breakouts is an added benefit for many people.

Obvious results may not be apparent for several weeks to several months after beginning treatment. Topical retinoids may cause excessive dryness, redness, and/or irritation, which may in turn increase hyperpigmentation. Let your doctor know right if you experience any of these side effects.

Glycolic Acid
Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid found in many skin care products. It effectively exfoliates the skin, helping to lighten post inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Available in cleansers, creams, and gels, glycolic acid not only helps improve postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, but also leaves your skin smooth and soft.

**4N21 USES GRAPE, FLOWER, FRUIT AND PUMPKIN EXTRACTS TO TREAT UNWANTED SPOTS!
WWW.4N21.COM