Category Archives: Uncategorized

The Toenail

Uncategorized

foot-bathStrange topic…but an interesting one that might be of help to some of you!

Many years ago when my younger daughter was in college, she and her girlfriends would go for regular pedicures.

Unbeknownst to me, she had developed a fungal infection on both of her big toes.  I was unaware of this since her nails were never without polish, no matter the season of the year.  Surprisingly (or maybe not so surprisingly) not one nail technician ever turned her away after seeing what the nails looked like when the old polish was removed.  (I have plenty to say about that, but I don’t want to deviate from the main focus of this blog article.)

My daughter subsequently realized that her toenails were getting worse and that it was high time that she told me about it.  I was horrified to see that they were yellow, thick and rough in appearance.  I’ve seen this on diabetics and elderly people with poor leg circulation, but never on a young person.

I immediately scheduled an appointment with a local podiatrist.  He diagnosed her with onychomycosis which is a fungal infection that affects toenails.  She was instructed to apply a medicated polish for a period of time.  When that proved unsuccessful, he wanted to write her a prescription for an oral medication that would require regular blood work to be certain that it was not adversely affecting her liver.  As far as I was concerned, this medication was not an option!

Truth be told, my daughter’s entire immune system was a disaster.  Since infancy she was continually getting colds, viruses, and ear infections.  She was a magnet for germs.  At seven years of age, she contracted the mono virus and had to miss several weeks of school.  As a young teen, she was also plagued with sinus infections, yeast infections and urinary tract infections.  She also had pneumonia and bronchitis in college.

I wondered…

Why was she always sick?

Why was her body chemistry so different from her older sister who rarely got sick?

Why did she always need antibiotics to get better?

That was it!

The difference between the immune systems of my two daughters must have something to do with antibiotics!  My younger daughter was given antibiotics at least 4 times a year; whereas, my older daughter had only been on antibiotics once since she was born.

Antibiotics work by killing bacteria  in the intestinal tract.  Unfortunately, the good bacteria which we need for proper digestion and overall good health, are eradicated along with the bad bacteria when we take antibiotics.  When our good bacteria levels are reduced, our immune system becomes compromised and does not work optimally.

The superhero of this story is —-> probiotics!!

My daughter completely turned her immune system around…

She began taking a good quality probiotic on a regular basis.  Probiotics provided her digestive system with the good bacteria which had been destroyed by the antibiotics.  (In the beginning, she also added prebiotics which are food ingredients which help to feed the probiotic bacteria.)  As her immune system strengthened and the good bacteria started to flourish in her intestinal tract, the new toenail growth came in healthy and smooth without a hint of yellow discoloration.

It is truly amazing how the body can heal when given the proper nourishment.  So much of our health is tied in to our digestive system.  My daughter rarely gets sick these days and has probiotics to thank for that!

NOTE:  If you are considering adding a probiotic to your diet, please discuss with your personal physician or health care provider.  I have shared this story for informational purposes only.

Lori Weintraub is a licensed skin care therapist, holistic health coach and a hair removal expert. She offers consultations, skin care lessons, exceptional products and hand-holding guidance to help women over 40 regain their youthful glow.  Learn more here. 

Does Your Neck Show Your Age?

Facial Skin Care, Uncategorized,

Soft skinWhile performing facial services, I often notice that the skin on the neck looks older than that of the face. Women who are diligent about applying moisturizers to their face neglect to protect the neck and décolleté (fancy name for the upper chest region).

One might think that the skin on the neck and décolleté is essentially the same as the face.  However, since there are fewer oil glands in this area there is a tendency towards dryness. Additionally, the skin here is very thin and fragile.  Collagen breakdown can be seen upon close examination. Facial skin, in contract, has a layer of adipose tissue which functions like a cushion.  There is also a network of blood vessels in facial skin that is minimal in the skin of the neck and chest.

As we age, the dermal layer of the skin breakdowns and thins. This is especially apparent on the delicate skin of the neck and chest region. Subsequently, this area is more apt to develop a saggy, crepe-like appearance with visible wrinkling due to dehydration and loss of elasticity. There will also be an increase in lines and uneven pigmentation from years of sun damage.

Even though the neck and upper chest region are exposed to the same ultraviolet assaults as the face, they tend to be more vulnerable due to the above-mentioned factors in combination with minimal, if any, sunscreen protection. Skin degradation is cumulative and is a telling sign of a client’s age. Because the skin on the neck and décolletage are thin, sun damage causes a breakdown of the supporting network of collagen and elastin. The result is that the skin loses its elasticity and firmness. It is important to protect the skin from damaging UV rays by routinely applying a broad spectrum SPF after moisturizing…even during the winter months!

Note that for women with extremely loose saggy skin — aka, the “turkey neck” — the only way to eliminate this condition would be with a surgical procedure performed by a plastic surgeon.

The good news is that it’s never too late to begin properly caring for your skin. Recent advances in the science of skin care have produced products that are extremely effective in combating the signs of aging skin on the neck and décolleté. Peptides, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, antioxidants, etc. are just a few of the amazing ingredients that work to repair this damage.

If you are serious about your skin, I will be happy to discuss your concerns.  As a licensed esthetician and skincare therapist, I have the knowledge, education and resources to turn your skin around.  I will teach you proper techniques and provide you with outstanding products which will help to repair and improve your skin condition.  You will be rewarded with a healthy, glowing, radiant complexion!  Feel free to email me at lori@integrativeskincaring.com.

Lori Weintraub is a licensed skin care therapist, holistic health coach, and PCOS hair removal expert.  She offers online consultations, skin care lessons, exceptional products and hand-holding guidance to help women over 40 regain their youthful glow.  Learn more here.