Aging skin pt. 2

Photoaging plays a big role and is considered an external cause for the aging process. It is given this name because of the damaging affects the sun and its ultraviolet rays have on the skin over a period of time regardless of race, color or creed. These changes are more easily seen in the fair-skin population than those with dark skin.
Changes which can occur together, or at different times during the aging process include freckles; age spots; rough and leathery skin; fine wrinkles that disappear when stretched; loose skin; blotchy complexion; wart-like lesions; rough, reddish, skin and colored or brownish skin patches.
In the dark skin population, the signs of photoaging are usually, but not always, limited to fine wrinkles; rough, wart-like lesions; moles that are either flat or protruding and discolored or an uneven skin complexion. That does not give the okay for dark-skinned people to spend long or short intense periods in the sun because they too can be at risk for abnormal skin cell changes that can be cancerous.
As we age, changes - either wanted or unwanted, occur on the skin and may be noticed because of the unanticipated general loss of skin tone in sun exposed areas, or dryness, roughness, itchiness or increasing spottiness to the skin. On the other hand, changes may be noticed on the skin because of improved complexion, resolving acne and oil reduction. Either way, our attention is heightened to what is going on with our skin to actually seek medical attention or continue with what is working for us at that time. As a result, the addition of sun exposure for either long or short intense periods of time will help to augment the already aging and changing skin cell process. Therefore, as time goes by, the amount and growth of unwanted dark spots such as freckles; solar lentigines (known as age or liver spots); wrinkles; droopy skin; lips that become drawn, pale and thin; yellowish-looking skin; rough leathery skin and broken blood vessels on the nose and cheeks become more visible and skin cancers can increase.
Keeping in mind that aging is inevitable, and changes begin from the mid-20s and beyond, the following preventative and regular skin care regimes can help to slow down signs of aging and/or the photoageing skin process.
o Daily application of sunscreen with UVA and/or UVB coverage, regardless of race, color or creed, sun or no sun, or season. Sunscreen should be applied to all exposed parts of the body - face, neck, arms and legs and then reapplied after sweating or swimming.
o Sun protective accessories, umbrellas, hats and shades should be used without embarrassment. This goes for men as well as women.
o Creams with antioxidants such as Vitamins E, Vitamin C and coffee/berry enhance the ability of skin cells to repair the damage done by ultraviolet radiation on a daily basis.
o Procedures that assist in skin rejuvenation over a period of time, that help to exfoliate old or damaged skin cells to encourage the increase in skin cell turnover stimulating younger healthier skin cells. Such procedures are microdermabrasions or chemical peels, facials, extractions and laser treatment just to name a few.
We only have one body and we must do our best to take care of it using the correct substances that are right for our skin type and not someone else's because how we treat ourselves now will determine how our body will treat us as we go through the aging process.

oDr. Rokeisha Clare-Kleinbussink studied at Cosmetology Cosmetic Training for Dermal Filler in London, UK and attended the Academy of Beauty Training for Laser and Microdermabrasion in Nottinghamshire, UK. She is also an associate lecturer of dermatology at the University of The West Indies. She has a private practice at Roseona House of General and Cosmetic Dermatology and can be reached at 422-2022.

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Aging skin pt. 1

Aging is a process no one wants to go through, particularly women. We want to remain looking and feeling young -- forever.
Skin ages as a result of internal or external causes or a combination of both. Internal aging is caused by the genes we inherit, and is an ongoing process that commences in our mid-20s and continues until God calls us home. This occurs when the quality and quantity of collagen in the body begins to slowly decline. Collagen is an important structure of fibrous protein within the body that provides support and strength to many structures. Collagen in the skin ensures flexibility and strength, like building blocks to a building, along with elastin which is the substance that allows skin to snap back into place.
As we age, the loss of collagen in the skin leads to thinner and weaker skin that bears an increasing amount of fine wrinkles, thin and transparent skin, hollowed cheeks and sunken eyes, coupled with noticeable loss of firmness on the hands and neck and sagging skin, as well as dry skin that may itch. But the reality of what we do with our skin as we age depends on us, regardless of how old we are. Media and beauty companies promise ways to youthful, glowing and radiant skin -- for some it works -- for others it doesn't. And for those people for whom the products don't work, they tend to keep trying different concoctions hoping that what worked for their friends or colleagues would work for them. However, no two skins are the same -- not even people closely related to each other, and what one does to the skin can determine a positive or negative outcome.
Finding the appropriate sunblock is important for all skin types, and having the right moisturizer is key to preventing skin dryness and dehydration which in turn reduces skin discoloration, skin roughness and early development of fine wrinkles. The use of anesthetics, such as Botox and fillers, can also be beneficial in stalling deep wrinkle development of the forehead, smoothing out crow's feet around the eye's and erasing and reducing fine lines, frowning lips, droopy eye brows and thin lips. Peels and exfoliation procedures with chemicals and/or microdermabrasion can also be beneficial in restoring a healthy, youthful, less oily and smoother skin appearance of the face or body.
External aging is caused as a direct result of what the skin is exposed to, or what is applied to it. These products or the environment often act together with the normal internal aging process to prematurely age our skin. External factors include sun exposure, repetitive facial expressions, smoking and certain applied beauty products.
Sun exposure can lead to premature aging because of the ultraviolet rays that are given off by the sun. Several long, or multiple short intense sunbathing sessions cause gradual damage to the skin cells changing them from normal growing to abnormal or cancerous cells. These changes are more commonly seen in the fair skin population than those with dark skin. In the dark skin population, the signs of aging are usually limited to fine wrinkles and a discolored or an uneven skin complexion. However, that does not give the okay for dark-skinned people to spend long or short intense periods in the sun because they too can be at risk for abnormal skin cell changes that can be cancerous.
Repetitive facial expressions also cause premature aging. If you are constantly practicing facial exercises or expressions to either maintain a youthful-looking appearance, or want people to see what you really want to say, it is time you stop. Repetitive facial movements cause the development of fine lines and wrinkles. Every time your facial muscles move, grooves develop under the skin, which is why you may notice lines form with each facial expression. As we mature, our skin loses its elasticity and stops springing back to its line-free state, hence these grooves that are gradually developing become permanently etched on our faces as fine or deep lines and wrinkles.
Smoking on the whole is not good for you. Not only does it contribute to destroying your lungs and other internal organs, but it interferes with the normal growth and development of skin cells which speeds up aging. As a result, it helps in the formation of deeply wrinkled, leathery skin, and sometimes causes an unhealthy yellowish hue to appear.
Last but by no means least, certain beauty products that bleach, whiten, brighten or tone the face or body skin used regularly for prolonged periods can cause premature aging. It does this by drying out the skin, stripping it of essential moisture and disturbing the pigment cells so that an unnatural light complexion is obtained. Then, because the skin gradually becomes dry, it becomes more susceptible to premature wrinkling and to becoming more unevenly toned and sun sensitive. It is super important to always wear a sunblock to prevent further damage to the skin and precancerous development.

oDr. Rokeisha Clare-Kleinbussink studied at Cosmetology Cosmetic Training for Dermal Filler in London, UK and attended the Academy of Beauty Training for Laser and Microdermabrasion in Nottinghamshire, UK. She is also an associate lecturer of dermatology at the University of The West Indies. She has a private practice at Roseona House of General and Cosmetic Dermatology and can be reached at 422-2022.

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Scents of summer

Fragrance is so personal that the scent you wear says something about you.  But as the temperature changes, it's a good idea to consider new aromas. As the heat soars into the mid-90s Villamae Newbold, perfume specialist at John Bull, says you should be wearing fragrances that are clean, fresh or a light floral that won't stick to the skin during the hot summer months when you sweat a lot.
"When you wear a fragrance that is heavy during the summer season, it sticks to you and gives off a funny odor," said the 15-year perfume specialist, "so in different seasons you should look to use different fragrances."  She also says the one thing that turns her off is being able to smell someone's scent before she even sees the person as they've applied too much perfume or are wearing one that's too strong for them.
HOW TO WEAR FRAGRANCE
Newbold says women and men should apply fragrance behind their ears, in the wrist area and at the back of their knees -- places that are warm and hold the fragrance longer.  "Men tend to splash it on their face, which they shouldn't do.  That's what aftershave is for as it doesn't have much alcohol. Men should apply cologne the way ladies do at the pulse points."
GET YOUR SCENT TO LAST LONGER
Layering your scent is the best way to get your fragrance of choice to last longer.  Newbold says starting with the shower gel, applying the body lotion or cream in the fragrance line and your favorite scent should last all day.
IT'S PERSONAL
With hundreds of scents to choose from, Newbold says there are people that have identified a scent they love and stick to it over the years, but she says perfume specialists like herself can help you find a scent or scents that will be perfect for you, but that you also have to have input into the selection process.
"I can say a scent is spicy, but another person may think it's sweet and light.  It varies with people and their body chemistry, which plays an important factor. You may like a scent on the strip, but when you test it on your actual skin it smells completely different. So what I tell customers is that if they like a scent on the strip to test it on their skin to see, because sometimes the scent changes.  She says before smelling a strip,  give the fragrance five to 10 seconds to sit before smelling it rather than smelling the fragrance as soon as they spray.
BLOTTER NOTES
Working your way through new fragrances to find the one you like takes time, and it is advised that you take breaks and give yourself a five-minute rest after sniffing a set of three to five perfumes or colognes to really capture the true essence of each.
Always spritz your skin as certain ingredients in perfumes/colognes may stain your clothes or jewelry, so spray your scent on before dressing.  If you're wearing pearls, always remember the delicate surface of pearls is especially vulnerable to damage.  And always apply perfume to pulse points such as the neck and wrists.  The elevated temperature there will help release the scent.

NEW LADIES SCENT FOR SUMMER
Jimmy Choo's Eau de Parfum is said to express an aura of strength and beauty.  It's a scent that is perfect for the woman that is glamorous in attitude, confident, intelligent and who has a sense of fashion and fun.  Evening is the perfect time to wear this sweet, spicy fragrance inspired by modern women. It is said to be a modern fruity chypre with warm, rich, woody depths.  

A CLASSIC SCENT FOR LADIES
Esprit d' Oscar Eau de Parfum by Oscar de La Renta is a light, soft powdery scent and a more up-to-date fragrance with floral notes of  ylang ylang which are the Japanese flowers, and vanilla. The scent embodies the spirit of femininity re-imagined in a timeless floral-oriental fragrance that is exceptionally feminine and sparkling in spirit.  The original Oscar de la Renta can be worn day or night.  When you wear it depends on your mood.  Even though the scent is more than 30 years old, it's nice.  

LADIES SCENT FOR

DAYTIME WEAR
Daisy March Jacobs Eau So Fresh is more appealing to the younger group of women.  It's described as vibrant, charming and said to be the spirited new version of the original daisy. And a scent that can transport you to a place that is happy and sunny. It's a floral scent that has tangerine and a little touch of cinnamon.  But the base note is the lily of the valley and vanilla.

CLASSIC SCENT FOR MEN
F by Ferragamo is a classic scent perfect for daytime wear for men.  The scent is described as the essence of masculinity that embodies the extreme fascination of the Ferragamo man.  It's the cologne of a man fatally seductive without provocation. The base note on F by Ferragamo is patchulie which is softer.  It's said to be an intense amber, woody fragrance.  An immediate intriguing addiction emerges with herbaceous lavender illuminated by touches of fruity crispy apple.  Warming the heart, black pepper from Madagascar, resounds from top to bottom like a vibrant echo.  Voluptuous labdanum releases rich amber undertones and leathery facets endowing the fragrance with solar sensuality.

DAYTIME SCENT FOR MEN
Mount Blanc Legend is dedicated to inspiring virtuous and self-confident men who are courageous, passionate and authentic. The perfect daytime cologne has a fragrance that is subtle but striking and masculine and filled with contrasts, combining notes that evoke strength and tenderness, tradition and modernity.  The composition opens with fresh aromatic tones of bergamot, lavender, pineapple leaf and exotic verbena. The heart emphasizes oak moss merged with geranium, coumarin, apple, rose and Pomarosa molecule (notes of dried fruit).  The base contains sandalwood, tonka and evernyl.

THE PERFECT SUMMER

SHARED FRAGRANCE
Eau de Cartier has a clean ocean scent that makes it perfect for women and men. It's the Eau de toilette for him and her, with a genuine fragrance as it is textured and sensual, almost warm. It has top notes of violet leaf, coriander and lavender with a middle note of nutmeg.  The base notes are cedar, patchouli and musk.

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Crown Jewellers The Diamond Shoppe

• Bay St
• Nassau
• Nassau / Paradise Island, Bahamas

John Bull

• Marina Village
• Nassau
• Nassau / Paradise Island, Bahamas

John Bull

• Port Lucaya Market Place
• Freeport
• Grand Bahama, Bahamas

Crown Jewellers

• Mall At Marathon (Food Court)
• Nassau
• Nassau / Paradise Island, Bahamas

Leather Goods

John Bull

• Harbour Bay Shopping Plaza, East Bay Street
• Nassau
• Nassau / Paradise Island, Bahamas

John Bull

• 284 Bay Street
• Nassau
• Nassau / Paradise Island, Bahamas