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Black Health Matters > Looking Great

Category: Looking Great

Getting Rid of Pesky Breakouts

Apr. 06 Beauty, Looking Great, Skin no comments

Get Rid of Pesky BreakoutsQuestion: I keep getting follicultis—a skin infection—and it’s beginning to take a toll on my mental state. Is there any way to cure it by diet? So far, I’m using a steroid cream.

—Tonya H. asked on Facebook

Folliculitis is a skin infection around the hair follicles, where hair comes through the skin. It looks like clusters of small, raised, red bumps. You can develop folliculitis anywhere, especially the arms, back, thighs, beard and pubic area. Folliculitis is different from ingrown hairs, though.

Most folliculitis goes away on its own. But, if you keep getting the rash and the steroid cream isn’t working, your follicles may be chronically infected with bacteria.

Eating a particular food likely won’t help, but using garlic on the skin may. There’s been some success with making garlic into a paste and applying it to the rash. Garlic is known to have antibiotic properties.

Other things you can try:

  • A bleach bath. It’s not as dramatic or dangerous as it sounds. Put 1/4 cup of actual cleaning bleach in a tubful of water and take a 15-minute bath in the water every day for a week. This is to rid the body of resistant bacteria.
  • Wash the area daily with products containing benzoyl peroxide, preferably with a high percentage. Oxy-10 contains 10 percent, for example.
  • If you’d like to use prescription creams, try Bactroban or mupirocin. It’s particularly good for resistant bacteria.
  • Avoid hot tubs and swimming pools until the rash is gone, and, if you can, avoid shaving. If you must shave, make sure to clean the blades with a strong cleanser or rubbing alcohol after each use.
  • Never sit in sweaty gym clothes or wet bathing suits. Change immediately.

If your problem persists, talk to your doctor or a dermatologist.

—Tyeese Gaines, M.D.

Read more about treating breakouts on theGrio.

Bye-Bye Blisters!

Mar. 26 Beauty, Looking Great, Skin no comments

bye-bye blisters!Heels, sneakers and flats—all of them can rub your feet the wrong way, causing friction that leads to blisters. Follow these simple  tips to ensure a blister-free summer:

 

How to Prevent Blisters

  • Make sure the shoe fits. Always try on shoes before you buy them, even if you know and have other shoes by the manufacturer. Have shoe fittings in the late afternoon or early evening because that’s when your feet are biggest (they swell during the day). Stand while the salesperson is measuring your feet. Walk in the shoes.
  • Slip on a pair of socks. Before taking a new pair of shoes out for a spin, wear them with socks around the house the day before for a few hours. This practice serves two purposes: You’ll figure out if your new shoes are rubbing your feet and where, and it helps break in the shoes by making the leather more supple. Wear moisture-wicking socks with athletic shoes to reduce friction and keep feet dry.
  • Tape it up. Got a blister-prone spot? Cover the area with tape. Many runners swear by duct tape because it stays put. And moleskin over a piece of gauze is generally stickier than Band-Aids, though any bandage that minimizes friction will work.
  • Use a slicking agent. Apply talcum powder, petroleum jelly or Dr. Scholl’s For Her Miracle Shield to your skin to provide a barrier between your skin and your shoe. If it’s going to be a long day—or you’re going for a long run—you may need to re-apply.

 

How to Treat a Blister

If you already have a blister, try to keep it from getting bigger or infected. A tiny one that’s not causing much discomfort should be left alone to heal on its own. But you can pop a large, fluid-filled blister that’s too painful even for comfy shoes. Clean the blister and the surrounding area first with rubbing alcohol or antibiotic soap and water. Sterilize a needle (wash it with soapy water, dry it and rub it down with alcohol), pierce the blister where it meets the skin, apply an antiseptic and cover with a bandage. Do not puncture the top of the blister, and change the bandage daily.

Related Posts

4 Tips to Treat Your Feet With Love

It’s Time for a Spring Twist-Out

Mar. 22 Beauty, Hair, Looking Great no comments

spring twist outIt’s spring, and we know you’re looking for a change of pace for your natural hair. New York stylist Lisa Bailey recommends two-strand twist-outs. A twist-out is a double strand twist or a flat twist that lays on the scalp. The style should last three to five days.

Here’s how to achieve the look:

  • Twists are always done with wet or damp hair. Use setting lotion, balm, or leave-in or natural oil as you twist. This helps moisturize the hair and helps set the curl pattern. Twist as many as you like; it’s up to you depending on the look you want to achieve.
  • Place flexi-rods on the ends of the twist for super curls with terrific definition.
  • Sit under a hooded dryer or let your hair air-dry overnight or for a couple of days.
  • Undo the twists with your fingers. Be sure to separate the hair into sections so it doesn’t clump, and fluff it with your fingers or a wide-tooth comb. You will have a curly or wavy-textured Afro.

To maintain your new ’do, sleep in a satin bonnet, not a scarf. (“A scarf will flatten the hair and the wave pattern won’t be noticeable,” Bailey says.)  Top off daily with oil sheen. When the hair gets older, you may want to use a headband or clips.

A word of caution: “This style is not gym-friendly,” Bailey says, “as sweat and moisture will cause some loss of the curls and waves.”

The two-strand twist out gives curls and waves to natural hair without thermal heat. It is easy on the hair and it is a protective style that promotes growth while eliminating breakage.

4 Tips to Treat Your Feet With Love

Mar. 16 Beauty, Looking Great no comments

4 tips to treat feet with loveYou love your stilettos, but if you’re going to wear them, you should protect your feet. Here’s how:

Make sure the shoe fits. If your feet slide forward—causing pressure and pain—your high heel doesn’t fit properly. Wear shoes with a narrow heel where there’s no gap behind your foot.

Thicker is better. You might think stilettos are sexier, but a thicker heel provides better stability.

Invest in “shock absorbers.” Standing all day? Buy silicone metatarsal pads. They provide the cushion you need.

Switch up heel heights. Don’t wear sky-high pumps every day. Alternate heel heights so you have fewer problems with your Achilles tendon.

March Beauty Must-Haves

Mar. 12 Beauty, Looking Great no comments

beauty must havesThese are the products we can’t live without … this month.

Sorry, baby oil, but we’re stepping out on you with new Vaseline Spray & Go Moisturizer, a line of continuous-spray lotions. Benefits: deep moisture that absorbs in seconds, leaving skin soft, not greasy. Available in three varieties: Total Moisture (infused with pure oat extract), Aloe Fresh (with aloe vera) and our favorite: Cocoa Radiant (with pure cocoa butter). 6.5 ounces, $8.99-$11.99; drugstores.

We’re in love with Gillette’s Venus & Olay razor! Combine Venus’ five-blade shaving technology with Olay’s moisturizing elements, and you get a smooth shave and soft, touchable legs. No shaving cream required; just wet and go! Razor and cartridge, $8.99-$10.99, three replacement cartridges $14.99-$19.49; drugstores.

T.N. Dickinson’s Witch Hazel is an oldie, but goody. (I’ve been using it since I was a teenager.) It’s great as a cleanser, toner and astringent—all in one. The 100 percent natural formulation (read: no artificial dyes or perfumes) tightens pores and tones skin without drying it. And it pulls triple duty, providing relief from cuts, scraps and sunburn. Best: With all these uses, witch hazel is still easy on the wallet. 16 ounces, $7.25; drugstores.

Safety First: Eye Makeup Checklist

Mar. 08 Beauty, Looking Great no comments

Eye Makeup Safety ChecklistIf a dramatic eye is your thing, go ahead and get your wink ready. Just be sure to follow these safety tips:

  • Your hands carry bacteria. Wash your hands before applying eye makeup.
  • Avoid using eye cosmetics if you have an eye infection or the skin around your eye is inflamed. Wait until the area heals. Discard any eye cosmetics you were using when you got the infection. If your makeup causes irritation, stop using it immediately. If irritation persists, see a doctor.
  • Be careful not to scratch your cornea when applying or removing eye makeup.
  • Don’t use any cosmetics near your eyes unless they are made for that use. For instance, don’t use a lip liner as an eyeliner. You may be exposing your eyes to contamination from your mouth, or to color additives that are not approved for use in the area of the eye.
  • Avoid color additives not approved for use in the eye area, such as kohl or “permanent” eyelash tints. Keep kohl away from children; it has been linked to lead poisoning.
  • Throw away dried-up mascara. Don’t try to moisten it by adding saliva or water. The bacteria from your mouth could grow in the makeup and cause infection. Toss mascara after two to four months.
  • Keep makeup containers clean.
  • Don’t share your cosmetics. Your sister’s bacteria may be hazardous to you.
  • Store makeup at temperatures below 85 degrees. Too much time in a hot environment (your car, the bathroom) can deteriorate the preservative in makeup.

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Makeup 101: Clean Out Expired Beauty Items

 

Celeb Workout 101: Laz Alonso Keeps It Tight

Feb. 19 Exercise, Fitness, Looking Great, Nutrition & Fitness 1 comment

laz alonso workout“When I was in New York filming [‘Deception,’ NBC, Mondays, 10 p.m.], my workout included regular helpings of macaroni & cheese from this dope spot on Long Island,” actor Laz Alonso says with a laugh. “Seriously, it varied from week to week and episode to episode. Sometimes you’re heavier in a scene, and sometimes you’re a bit lighter. My work schedule was nowhere near as hectic as Meagan [Good]’s, so I’d find time to work out at least once a day, an hour at a time. I’d do basic crunches, pushups, some cardio. Just enough to keep it tight.

“Now that I’m back [at home] in California, I’ve been going crazy. It’s nice weather, so I run in the mornings and hit the home gym regularly.”

—William I. Dawson

The Benefits of Protective Styling

Feb. 14 Beauty, Hair, Looking Great no comments

havana twists The benefits of getting a protective weave are many. You can change your look, try a new color, have options on vacation, or stay chemical-free during pregnancy or after surgery. Most women wear protective weaves as a tool to transition from thermal styling or to avoid the big chop when going natural. And many people chose it because it requires less manipulation, so it’s like having your cake and eating it, too.

The styles of protective weaves are as varied as the reasons women choose them, including twist extensions (Havana twists), flat twist sets, Bantu knots, cornrows, double-strand twists, box braids, comb twists and ponytails.starter locs

If you choose a protective style, Lisa Bailey, New York stylist and natural hair care specialist, offers these Hair Homework Tips:

  • Envision the look you want. Look at pictures in magazines and on the web to determine the look that best suits you. Come out of your comfort zone; try something new. If you have long hair, try short, go curly or straight—have fun with your selection. Once you know what you want, discuss your choice with your stylist.
  • Talk with your stylist about the technique she uses.  Ask specifically how the style will protect your hair and scalp. You want to gain hair, not lose it. You hair and scalp should be less dry and stressed.
  • Water is not the enemy. It adds moisture, rinses impurities from the scalp, flushes and cleanses. Wash your protective weave every two weeks, and oil your scalp with non-petroleum products every two to three days. You can wear your weave for six to eight weeks. Use human hair with the weave if you can. Don’t wear a protective weave too tightly.
  • Wear a silk scarf or satin bonnet at bedtime.

body curl extensionsProtective weaves can be addictive because they are so low maintenance. There is less fuss so you are always ready for your close-up, Bailey says. But done properly, wearing a protective weave can lead to healthier hair and scalp.

Love Your Hair Healthy

Jan. 15 Beauty, Hair, Looking Great no comments

love hair“Healthy hair is beautiful hair,” says New York stylist and natural hair care specialist Lisa Bailey. “In order to have healthy hair, you must have a healthy scalp, which requires taking a more active role in your hair care regiment.” Sleeping with a silk bonnet or scarf, using a satin pillowcase, washing hair with moisturizing shampoos and conditioners that don’t contain harsh detergents are some of the actions called for by that regiment.

 

Read the Label

“I always advise my clients to pay attention to the hair care products they buy, to read the labels and ingredients, because all products are not created equal, and every head of hair is unique,” Bailey says. “I also caution clients not to become product junkies.”

Bailey also advises her clients to talk with their hair care provider while trying to find the right product for their hair type. “This helps them avoid stocking up on too many brands they will never use.”

 

Bailey’s Protective Tips

  • Avoid petroleum-based products. These will never penetrate the hair follicle, but will cause buildup and heavy, lifeless, greasy hair.
  • Buy organic. These add life, shine, bounce and movement to hair, while moisturizing both the hair and the scalp.
  • Deep condition hair. Over time, deep conditioning and steam treatments will strengthen the hair shaft.
  • Don’t resort to excessive blow drying or thermal styling. These dry the hair and may cause breakage.

If you become overwhelmed with your daily hair care routine, there are lots of options to help you; protective styling is just one option. “Your hair is unique,” Bailey says. “Love it. Wear it. Embrace it. Care for it!”

 

Makeup 101: Clean Out Expired Beauty Items

Jan. 07 Beauty, Looking Great no comments

makeup

The new year is here, and now is the perfect time to take inventory of your beauty and skincare products—time to weed out the cosmetics duds you never wear, toss containers with barely any product and throw out makeup that’s past its prime. To help with your task, I’m including some helpful guidelines on expiration dates for your beauty products.  Note there are no federal laws when it comes to makeup expiration dates, but these are recommended guidelines you should follow. It’s also a good idea to go through and review your makeup collection at least every six months.

It Expires When?

  • 3 to 6 months:  mascara and liquid eyeliner
  • 6 months to 1 year:  gel eyeliner and moisturizer
  • 1 year to 18 months:  liquid foundation and lipgloss
  • 18 months to 2 years:  cream or mousse foundation, concealer, cream blush and cream eye shadow
  • 2 to 3 years:  face powder, powder blush, powder bronzer, powder eye shadow, lipstick, lip and eye pencils

Keep Your Eye on the Product

Products without water (powders, eye shadow, bronzer) can last two years or more, as can pencils that can be sharpened. Everything else should be thrown out immediately if it doesn’t seem normal. Product separation, weird odor or a change in color or texture—uncommonly thick or watery—can all be indicators of a product gone bad. Mascara has the shortest shelf life. Toss it immediately if it develops a weird smell or color. To keep mascara from drying out too quickly, make sure you don’t pump the wand in the tube; you want to use more of a circular swirl motion. And make sure to close the top securely after each use.  That goes for all products in pots, jars and bottles.

In general, cream and liquid products expire more quickly. Cream blush will get a chalky white film that tells you it’s time to dump it. If a product looks hard and doesn’t apply correctly, it’s probably best to get rid of it. Cream eye shadows are more likely to grow bacteria than powder, so look for any change in the texture and color. To extend the life of your cosmetics do not introduce water or saliva into the product; that will encourage bacteria growth. Use brushes, not your fingers, to access products in jars. And never share your cosmetics, especially eye or lip products.

PRO TIP: Keep your makeup in a cool location, away from moisture and heat, both factors in bacteria growth. So storing your makeup bag (or giant kit if you’re makeup obsessed like me) in the bathroom is a big no-no!

You should also clean your makeup brushes and sponges on a regular basis.  Clean synthetic brushes that you use to put apply concealer and foundation weekly (once a month for powder brushes).  My preference for cleaning synthetic brushes is Dawn dishwashing liquid. It breaks down cream and oil-based products wonderfully, and it’s anti-bacterial.  Use any clear shampoo or brush cleanser on hairbrushes.

PRO TIP: Dry your brushes laying horizontally on the edge of a table or counter. Drying them standing up causes water to run in the ferrule and loosen the glue holding the hairs in your brush. Good makeup brushes are an investment and you don’t want to ruin them!

Karen E. Duncan is a freelance makeup artist and beauty consultant in New York City and lead makeup artist for Bilkerdijk Custom Blend Cosmetics created by celebrity makeup artist Barbara Bilkerdijk. Visit her at kareneduncan.com.