Lotion Source Underground

Caribbean Cruise? Be Prepared!

2009-06-15T12:01:00.000-07:00

Great question this morning from Tim: "I am going on a Cruise in a few weeks and have been prepping with Sun Sauce Diamond ultra dark at the tanning salon. What do you recommend for the Caribbean sun to continue tanning without burning?Thanks for your help,Tim" I always recommend that you build up the darkest tan that you can (your natural sun protection) before such a trip by using the best tanning lotion possible, a great tan enhancing moisturizer twice daily, and tan enhancer pills to boost your melanin production. All of these along with tanning 3-4 times a week until your trip will give you the darkest tan possible in the shortest time possible. Once out in that sunshine you will want a solid SPF like Hempz SPF 30 to protect you from sunburn. You should also continue using the moisturizer for tanners to keep your skin moisturized and healthy and tan. We also carry a wide variety of lip balms to protect those sensitive areas out in the sun. And last but not least we do also have sunburn coolers just in case you do stay out a little too long but always avoid burning! Have a great trip Tim!

American History of Nail Polish

2009-05-21T13:16:00.000-07:00

Although nail polish has been around for over 5,000 years, it wasn't until the 1940s when it became acceptable for the average woman to wear enamel paint on her nails.

Nail polish was first used by ancient Chinese cultures around 3,000 B.C. It was used by women to make their nails appear "rosy." The ancient Chinese blended flower petals with other ingredients, such as beeswax and egg whites to make a substance they would rub on their finger and toe nails.

In ancient Egypt, both women and men colored their nails to indicate social status. While Egyptian royalty used dark red colors on their nails, the lower classes would only tint their nails a pale, rose color. No one dared to color their nails the same color as the Queen or King.

In later centuries, women would polish their nails with cloth to give them a shiny appearance. Oils were introduced in the late 19th century as were pastes. These substances simply "polished" the nail while giving it a red tint. It wasn't until the 20th Century when nail polish, as we know it today, was invented.

Today's nail polish is the direct result of the automotive industry's quest to discover automobile paint. When enamel paint was first produced in the 1920s, it inspired the creation of colored nail enamels. Although the fashion of painting ones nails became the rage in Paris, where French make-up artist Michelle Menard introduced the paints, American women did not begin painting their nails until the 1940s.

It was generally unacceptable for the average American woman to wear make-up in the early part of the 20th century. Women who wore powders and rouges were considered to be of loose morality. With the introduction of moving pictures in the early part of the century, actresses were seen wearing make-up. American women, however, did not begin using make-up on a regular basis until the 1930s. And while film stars of that era often wore nail polish, most American women dared not paint their nails.

The cosmetic industry began an arduous campaign to press American women into using nail polish in the 1930s. Ads placed in fashion magazines were largely ignored. Despite all attempts to try to get women to paint their nails, American women continued to resist until ads for the products began to frequent movie magazines, such as Photoplay.

In the early part of the 1940s, the cosmetic industry began to see an increase in the sales of nail polish. Many American women, at this time, had gone to work to help the war effort. They worked in jobs traditionally held by men, who were off fighting the war. Many longed for an escape and theaters were normally packed on weekends. Sales of movie magazines began to skyrocket as more American women looked for an escape from their every day existence through films. They soon began emulating their favorite film stars, most of whom, at this time, wore nail polish.

The tradition of painting ones nails continued to boom throughout the latter part of the 1940s and into the 1960s. Towards the end of the 1960s, younger women began opting for a more casual look and nail polish sales began to dwindle.

In the 1980s, women again began wearing more make-up and sporting nail polish. It was during this time that many women chose to get acrylic nails offered in salons. Having "fake" nails soon began to be all the rage. Manicurists, who were normally only seen in beauty parlors, became in demand as more women from all walks of life began sporting long, acrylic nails. The French Manicure became popular among American women. The French Manicure consists of whitening the tip of the nail and painting the nail bed either a rose color or with clear enamel. Nail salons opened in strip malls across the country as women chose to have long nails and French Manicures.

Today, nail polish itself is a billion dollar industry. Nail salons are abundant throughout the United States and they make approximately ten billion dollars a year. American women, after a long struggle that began in the 1930s, are finally happy with painting their nails.

MF
Tinley Park, IL

Why More Sun Exposure And Vitamin D Are Essential To Health: New Book

2009-03-23T12:46:00.000-07:00

Sunlight is a vital component of good health. Like plants that thrive in the sun, we humans too depend on sunlight, in our case for the production of vitamin D. In the past few decades, however, cultural trends have steered us away from sun exposure. From fear of the potential dangers of UV radiation and the heavy promotion of sunscreen products to artificial work and recreational environments centered on virtual reality, we are all spending much more time indoors and away from the sun. In THE SUNLIGHT SOLUTION: WHY MORE SUN EXPOSURE AND VITAMIN D ARE ESSENTIAL TO YOUR HEALTH (Prometheus Books, $19.98), Laurie Winn Carlson delves into benefits of sunlight and the consequences we would face without it.

In this informative overview of an often-neglected topic, Carlson examines the historical and cultural factors that have created our indoor lifestyles and the medical evidence that suggests we need to get out in the sun.

"The Sunlight Solution is a wealth of knowledge about the history of vitamin D," says Bruce W. Hollis, Ph.D. Professor of Pediatrics, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Director of Pediatric Nutritional Sciences at the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston. He adds, "Even I, who have studied this topic my whole career, learned a significant amount about the history. Also, the practical knowledge in this text will aid in maintaining the health of the general public."

Carlson begins by tracing the behavior patterns that have caused a shift indoors. She notes that it was common decades ago for children to spend hours playing outside. The lure of video games and computers has changed all that. Adults also live and work in the perpetual twilight of electric lighting. Though we feel comfortable, there is evidence that our bodies have not really adjusted to a lifestyle that is less than a century old. In fact, we may be suffering from the unnatural hours we work and sleep. The sun was once our wake up call. Now, alarm clocks determine the start of our days without any regard for daylight or nighttime darkness.

Dr. Michael F. Holick, of the Boston University School of Medicine says, "The reader will be enlightened by the historical perspective and how our sunphobic attitudes have resulted in this insidious vitamin D deficiency."

The production of Vitamin D from sun exposure is crucial to maintaining the body's calcium levels and is an important factor for building and repairing bones. Vitamin D is also necessary for regulating insulin, cell growth, and the immune system. Carlson explains the growing body of research that challenges government and health industry warnings against the dangers of sunlight by detailing the new benefits of Vitamin D and sun exposure scientists and researchers continue to find. An increased intake of vitamin D may help in preventing heart disease, obesity, and even cancers. There is also evidence of the sun's beneficial effects on psychological disorders such as seasonal depression or difficulty sleeping. Carlson explains why vitamin D from supplements and nutrition sources is simply not enough to fulfill our health needs.

The public has been repeatedly warned about the potential dangers of tanning and UV rays. The heavy and mandatory sunscreen use that's been promoted in recent years has affected how much beneficial sun exposure people receive when they are outdoors. Carlson discusses common misconceptions about the benefits of sunscreen and sun-avoidance. She argues for a more balanced approach to sun exposure, maintaining that although the risk of skin cancers should not be ignored, excessive avoidance of the sun can be just as risky to our health, if not more so.

Now more than ever we need to be concerned with the quality and quantity of sun exposure that we can get. Because of pollutants and changing weather patterns, fewer of the sun's rays are reaching us. The world is literally becoming a darker place. In areas of high pollution, particles in the air absorb or deflect the sun's rays, keeping them from reaching the surface of the Earth. Those rays that do reach us have been decreasing in radiation strength. The environmental affect of solar dimming on plant life, animals, and humans is a growing area of research.

THE SUNLIGHT SOLUTION provides information for people to begin incorporating the sun and its vitamin D into a healthy lifestyle. Carlson includes ways for individuals to measure their ideal level of sun exposure. She explains on a cellular level how the body creates its own vitamin D from UV light and the multiple ways it is used. The digestive process of absorbing and activating vitamin D from foods and supplements is also discussed.

Part history, part prescription, and part environmental warning, THE SUNLIGHT SOLUTION is an essential look at our vital relationship with the sun.

Notes:

Laurie Winn Carlson (Dallas, OR) is an adjunct assistant professor of history at Western Oregon University and the author of twenty books including William J. Spillman and the Birth of Agricultural Economics and A Fever in Salem: A New Interpretation of the New England Witch Trials.

Source: Lynn Pasquale
Prometheus Books

The Latest In Herbal Skin Care!

2009-01-14T10:18:00.001-08:00

HEMPEROR Natural Shea Butter Hemp Moisturizer is The smoothest, most advanced herbal moisturizer on the market today. Earth & Skin Friendly Hemperor silky smooth herbal moisturizer provides superior skin rehydration through the latest innovations in natural science. Hemperor goes several steps beyond your average herbal moisturizer maximum levels of Natural Shea Butter, natural Hemp Seed Oil, Monoi Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Jojoba Oil, Vitamins C, E & A, Natural Anti-Oxidants, Omega Oils, Ginseng, Tea Tree Oil and more are scientifically blended in perfect ratios for maximum skin health and nutrient distribution. Fresh Tropical Fragrance. One Of The Hot New Lotions For 2009 From Lotion Source!

The Benefits Of Hemp

2008-10-29T10:22:00.000-07:00

Hemp is quite simply, nature’s beauty secret - and the secret is in the seed. Hemp seed oil and extract offer many benefits useful in personal care products. The reason hemp is so effective is largely because of the essential fatty acids (EFAs) it contains. More than 75% of the EFAs in hemp seed oil are poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), known for their excellent emollient and lubricating properties.

Hemp seed oil contains what is considered to be an ideal ratio of Omega 6 and Omega 3 fatty acids- 3:1, perfectly matching the needs of the human body. In addition to the EFAs hemp seed provides, it is also one of The Earth’s richest sources of amino acids. Along with the EFAs, these two components are responsible for keratin formation, the primary protein that gives your hair structural integrity.

Facts on hemp

The hulled hempseed does not contain any THC. (THC is normally stored in the fleshy parts of the plant, especially the leaves. None is contained in the seeds, flowers, or roots of the plant.)

Hemp seed can be processed, much like soy, into many nutritious foods and cosmetic ingredients. Hemp seed is far more nutritious than even soybean oil and though it contains less total protein, it is far more digestible to humans.

Hemp seed contains, on average: 25% protein, 30% carbohydrates, 15% insoluable fiber, 30% oil, the nutrients carotene, phosphorous, potassium, magnesium, sulfur, calcium, iron, zinc, and the vitamins E, C, B1, B2, B3, and B6. Hemp seed also is one of the few seeds to contain Omega-6 and Omega-3 Linoleic acid, comonally found in fish and useful to the immune system.

Hemp oil has been found to be a highly nutritious, essential hair and skin aid for protection, growth and anti-aging.

Hemp has excellent healing and moisturizing properties.

Because of its EFA profile, hemp seed oil instantly counteracts the effects of degreasing and dehydration, conditions that produce dry skin and hair.

In addition to improving the structural quality of the hair, hemp seed oil's high lipid content helps increase elasticity, volume, combability and shine.

Hemp is used as fiber for rope, twine, tough cloth, and paper as well as other products where wood pulp is currently used.

Hemp could help preserve natural resources. For instance, hemp used for paper would replenish itself in 90 days instead of the 20-40 years required to grow trees.

An acre of hemp can produce 4 times the amount of paper that an acre of trees can produce.

Hemp requires no herbicides or pesticides for cultivation and refertilizes soil naturally making the ground useful for future crops.

History of hemp

Hemp has been in continual use by human civilization for at least 10,000 years.

The first written record of cannabis was supposedly penned by one of the early Chinese emperors around 2700 B.C.

Islamic/Arabic empires created Europe's first paper mill utilizing hemp in about 1150 A.D.

In 1563 A.D., as part of the economic and military buildup of the time (80 years war), Queen Elizabeth I orders all land owners with 60 acres or more to grow Cannibus or face a £5 fine.

For centuries the fiber of the hemp plant has been used for rope, sails and other textiles.

Early drafts of The Declaration of Independence and The Constitution were written on hemp paper.

George Washington and Thomas Jefferson both farmed hemp crops – the colonists were legally bound to grow hemp as one of their crops and could use hemp to pay their taxes. During times of shortage, farmers were sent to jail for not growing hemp.

In 1941 Popular Mechanics introduced Henry Ford's new plastic car, manufactured from and fueled by hemp (an early biodiesel variant). Hoping to break the petroleum industries' monopoly of control on his company, Ford illegally grew hemp for over a year.

The 1942 Japanese invasion of the Philippines cut off the US supply of Manila hemp, among other vital resources. The US government distributed over 400,000 pounds of hempseed to farmers in order to limit the supply gap as much as possible, subsidizing hemp cultivation during WWII. American farmers grew about a million acres as part of that program.

The Canadian government legalized the growth of industrial hemp for commercial purposes in 1998, issuing a license to Health Canada.

By 2004, four U.S. states had passed legislation to permit production of industrial hemp for research and commercial purposes; Hawaii, Maryland, North Dakota, and Minnesota. Legislatures in 5 other states (Illinois, Montana, Vermont, Virginia, and California) have passed declarations asking for a change in federal policy on the issue. Hemp-based products are legally sold within the United States.

Why Use Tanning Stickers?

2008-07-01T12:34:00.000-07:00

Tanning stickers are a great way to measure you tan. It is always hard to see your own tanning progress by looking in the mirror. Tanning is a somewhat gradual process and therefore your color changes throughout the day and from one day to the next. The only effective way to measure your tanning progress is to use a tanning sticker in the same spot each time you tan. Almost everyone is surprised by how tan they actually are once they have used a sticker for a few weeks.

Tanning stickers also have another benefit. They are used as a cool reverse-tattoo like mark that can be sweet or naughty as they can be used almost anywhere. With the recent craze towards tattoos and body art, many people have added daring designs to their skin. However, some people are leery about getting a permanent tattoo. The effects only last as long as your tan. They simply leave a design of lighter untanned skin wherever you choose to place them. These designs show up brilliantly under black light at night clubs. Just imagine a glowing "sexy" or peace sign on your shoulder or hip.

Tanning stickers can be used indoors, outdoors and even in sunless spray booths. These stickers come in a wide variety of styles and patterns. These can range from miniature a playboy bunny and a devil to short words or phrases. One popular sticker is the lightning bolt, while another is shaped like a heart. Hemp leaf, happy face, and the peace sign are also among the most popular. Tanning Stickers are also inexpensive; a pack of 100 stickers is only $4. If you find one you intend to keep for a long time, you can purchase a roll of 1000.

How To Apply Sunless Tanner

2008-04-08T10:50:00.000-07:00

Things You’ll Need:

Exfoliating shower scrub.
Scrub brush
Towels
Damp cloth
Soap
Old clothes
Sunless tanning lotion

Step 1:
Exfoliating brush or sponge
Before you begin: Give yourself plenty of time, 2-3 hours of personal time or before bed. Take a shower and using your exfoliating shower scrub and scrub brush or sponge, thoroughly wash all areas of your body to remove dead skin cells. Focus on areas such as feet, knees, elbows, and hands. WARNING: Do not shave or scrub hard enough to cause irritation. This will cause inflammation or itching when lotion is applied.

Step 2:
After shower dry skin completely by patting lightly with a towel. Make sure a damp washcloth and soap are handy by the sink, along with towel and sunless tanning lotion.

Step 3:
This application process does not use gloves and should be completed in 5-8 minutes. Begin by placing a gumball sized amount of sunless tanning lotion in your hands, rub your hands together quickly to get an equal amount in each hand and begin applying to lotion to your legs. Thoroughly and quickly rub the lotion making sure it covers all large surfaces of the legs. Add extra lotion when needed. Then apply leftover lotion that is on your hands to the tops of the feet. Avoid bottoms of feet and rough areas.

Step 4:
Stop here! Wash hands thoroughly with scrub brush and soap. Scrub palms, in between fingers, and fingernails. Now take the damp rag and begin removing excess lotion from creases by barely patting ankles, sides of feet, toes, knee caps, behind knees, and anywhere you see a crease or uneven patch of sunless tanning lotion.

Step 5:
Repeat these steps of application for abdominal, buttock, back and chest. Be sure to wash hands again after application and use damp rag to lightly pat creases and uneven application.

Step 6:
Repeat these steps for arms and neck. Be sure to wash hands again after application of lotion and use damp rag to pat creases and uneven application, especially underarm area, arm crease, elbow, and wrist crease.

Step 7:
Next apply the sunless tanning lotion to your face, or apply a sunless tanning lotion specifically for faces to decrease chances of irritation. TIP: Apply regular lotion to hair line or areas you don't want sunless lotion to penetrate. Use a smaller amount of sunless lotion and apply to face, covering all surfaces, careful around eyes, and only applying barely to top of ears. Wash hands thoroughly. Take damp rag and pat around hair line, eyebrows, ears, back of ears and hairline at back, and creases around neck.

Step 8:
To give hands a sunless tan you can apply regular lotion to palms to protect that area from tanning. Then pat the backs of hands on areas of the body where sunless lotion is still wet. This is a light pat technique to prevent any streaks or patches on hands.

Step 9:
Finally put on old clothes and wait to dry. Be careful where you sit, sleep, or what you wear because the lotion may rub off when wet or dry and stain. You can sleep with lotion on if you like, but be prepared for stains that may or may not wash out depending on the brand/type of lotion you use.

Step 10:
Flawless sunless tan!
After 2-3 hours or overnight setting of sunless tanning lotion, then take a light shower washing off excess lotion and shave if desired. Look at new flawless application in mirror and congratulate yourself for a job well done with no risk of skin cancer. For a darker tan, repeat the process immediately, and to maintain the tan reapply 1-2 times a week.

Step 11:
Did you miss a step? Don't worry if you're not perfect yet! If you have blotches or streaks then there are things you can do. Exfoliate in the shower to remove dead skin cells and new color. You can also buy a sunless tanning lotion remover, and follow the directions on the bottle. Happy Tanning!

From eHow.com

Sun Exposure For Vitamin D?

2008-03-17T12:03:00.000-07:00

What Is Vitamin D?
From The National Institutes Of Health - NIH.GOV

Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin that is found in food and can also be made in your body after exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. Sunshine is a significant source of vitamin D because UV rays from sunlight trigger vitamin D synthesis in the skin. Vitamin D exists in several forms, each with a different level of activity. Calciferol is the most active form of vitamin D. Other forms are relatively inactive in the body. The liver and kidney help convert vitamin D to its active hormone form. Once vitamin D is produced in the skin or consumed in food, it requires chemical conversion in the liver and kidney to form 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D, the physiologically active form of vitamin D. Active vitamin D functions as a hormone because it sends a message to the intestines to increase the absorption of calcium and phosphorus. The major biologic function of vitamin D is to maintain normal blood levels of calcium and phosphorus. By promoting calcium absorption, vitamin D helps to form and maintain strong bones. Vitamin D also works in concert with a number of other vitamins, minerals, and hormones to promote bone mineralization. Without vitamin D, bones can become thin, brittle, or misshapen. Vitamin D sufficiency prevents rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults, two forms of skeletal diseases that weaken bones. Research also suggests that vitamin D may help maintain a healthy immune system and help regulate cell growth and differentiation, the process that determines what a cell is to become.

Sun Exposure

Sun exposure is perhaps the most important source of vitamin D because exposure to sunlight provides most humans with their vitamin D requirement. UV rays from the sun trigger vitamin D synthesis in skin. Season, geographic latitude, time of day, cloud cover, smog, and sunscreen affect UV ray exposure and vitamin D synthesis. For example, sunlight exposure from November through February in Boston is insufficient to produce significant vitamin D synthesis in the skin. Complete cloud cover halves the energy of UV rays, and shade reduces it by 60%. Industrial pollution, which increases shade, also decreases sun exposure and may contribute to the development of rickets in individuals with insufficient dietary intake of vitamin D. Sunscreens with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 8 or greater will block UV rays that produce vitamin D, but it is still important to routinely use sunscreen to help prevent skin cancer and other negative consequences of excessive sun exposure. An initial exposure to sunlight (10 -15 minutes) allows adequate time for Vitamin D synthesis and should be followed by application of a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 to protect the skin. Ten to fifteen minutes of sun exposure at least two times per week to the face, arms, hands, or back without sunscreen is usually sufficient to provide adequate vitamin D. It is very important for individuals with limited sun exposure to include good sources of vitamin D in their diet. recommended daily intake for adults between the ages of 51 and 70, and approximately 15% of the recommended daily intake for adults age 71 and over.

LOTION SOURCE COMMENT:
A great way to get the recommended amount of UV exposure is to tan in a regulated tanning bed for 20 minutes. In this controlled environment you can easily avoid overexposure by controlling your time. You also get the added benefits of UV eye protection by wearing tanning goggles. We also recommend taking care of your skin and accelerating your tan by using a great tanning lotion and a moisturizer for tanners.

The Darkest Tan Of Your Life!

2008-02-12T13:53:00.000-08:00

Most people go to a tanning salon or lay outside for one simple reason, they want to be dark! There are many more things you need to do in order to achieve the darkest tan of your life other than simply buying the latest trendy lotion. Tanning should be thought of as a process, not just a 20 minute excursion a few times a week. It's vitally important to take good care of your skin all day long if you want to get and keep your dream tan.

The first step is to pick out a high quality tanning lotion with great acceleration and moisturization as well as a variety of skin care ingredients. Look for ingredients such as L-Tyrosine and Unipertan and apply lotion shortly before tanning. If you want instant color while you build your base tan, use a lotion with good bronzers.

There are many tanning lotions on the market, all claiming to be the best. You want to find a brand with a reputation for quality ingredients. Just because a brand is popular at any given time, doesn't mean that it will deliver past the fancy packaging. Lots of products make a big splash when released but people don't buy them twice.

Another aspect of the lotion that you want to pay attention to is the skin care ingredients such as Shea Butter, Hemp Seed Oil, Caffeine, Exotic Oils and many others that nurture and protect your skin while you tan. Read the descriptions and look for these ingredients.

Faces are harder to tan than the rest of the body. This is usually because faces are exposed to the sun more and therefore have more resistance to it. To solve this problem get an advanced facial tanning lotion with great skin care properties.

The next step is to find a high quality daily moisturizer for tanners. These typically contain L-Tyrosine, Vitamins & Anti-oxidants. Use after tanning, bathing and even at night before bed in order to promote healthy skin and increased melanin production.

One very good way to boost your tan is to take tan enhancer pills daily. These either 100% L-Tyrosine or a combination with anti-oxidants to promote healthy skin and dramatically boost your tan. Take these daily as directed and watch the dramatic results.

Along with avoiding overexposure, eye protection is extremely important when you are tanning. You must wear tanning eyewear when tanning because the damage done to your eyes from tanning without eyewear is cumulative over time and irreversible. Sunglasses or closing your eyes will not protect eyes from UV penetration.

Most people don't realize the damage they are doing until they go night blind, color blind or start getting inoperable cataracts at a young age. If you are worried about "raccoon eyes," try a different brand of goggles. Some are slimmer than others and contour to the shape of your eyes. Since everyone is different, certain brands may fit your eyes better. Alternatively you can use disposable tanning eyewear that stick on your eyelids when you tan. There is no chance of raccoon eyes while using those and you will save your vision!

Have you ever looked in the mirror and felt that you just weren't getting any darker? Tans are hardest to see on ourselves so it's important to have a way to measure your progress. One of the best ways to do this is with a tanning sticker applied in the same spot every time you tan. You will see the results with your own eyes and be much more satisfied with your tan.

Lips, nipples and other sensitive areas do not have melanin and therefore do not tan. It's best to protect and moisturize these areas with a good spf lip balm while tanning or out in the sun. There are several brands on the market that not only protect your lips but also keep them soft and supple.

Another very important part of tan maintenance is to use a gentle cleanser when bathing. Soaps can be harsh and drying to your skin and can dramatically reduce the life of your tan. Use a shower gel or body wash that is gentle and soothing.

Remember, healthy skin tans best!

Lotion Source Signs Hawaiian T-Shirt Deal

2008-01-09T14:14:00.000-08:00

Lotion Source has signed a deal with the popular Sunrise Design Hawaii, T-Shirt Company to exclusively offer their beautiful T-Shirt product line on the web. We will be adding many designs over the spring season. SDH, Inc shirts are famous for their high quality heavy cotton shirts and beautiful Hawaiian designs.

SDH, Inc has been selling their popular T-Shirts for over 20 years and have a loyal following, not only in Hawaii but all over the US and in several other countries. Lotion Source is now the authorized online retailer of SDH, Inc T-Shirts.

Gift Bags & Baskets From Lotion Source

2007-11-27T09:49:00.001-08:00

Lotion Source has a large selection of lotion gift bags, gift baskets and other gift ideas for your Christmas season. We have a wide selection including Hempz gift bags & herbal gift baskets, Brown Sugar Gift Bags, Designer Skin Gift Bags, Hoss Sauce & Sun Sauce Gift Bags & Many Others.

We also offer fast 2-3 day shipping so there is no problem getting your gifts in time!

Thank you for choosing Lotion Source!

Lotion Source Staff

Don't Tan Without Protective Eyewear

2007-11-19T09:50:00.000-08:00

When some people think of goggles for indoor tanning they sometimes conjure up the incorrect image of a person emerging from a tanning bed boasting a dreaded set of raccoon eyes.

The purpose of indoor tanning goggles is to protect your eyes from the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) light. Since the eyelids don't actually tan or provide protection from UV, it is essential to wear goggles for indoor tanning every time you attend a session.

Tanning salons provide an assortment of different clam-shaped tanning beds for your to choose from. You lie down on an acrylic surface through which ultraviolet light passes from above and below. The ultraviolet lights used in tanning beds are the same UVA and/or UVB rays emitted by the sun.

Refusing to wear goggles inside a tanning bed is very dangerous and over time can cause long-term damage to your eye sight.

Many tanning beds emit a combination of both UVA and UVB, the raios vary depending on the type of bed. Exposure of the eyes to one or both types of UV rays in a tanning bed can result in severe burns and damage to the eye.

The human eyelid is too thin to protect the eyes from ultraviolet radiation, so merely closing your eyes is simply not enough protection. Draping a towel across your face does not block the UV either, it only filters it. Without goggles for indoor tanning, clients risk burns to the cornea, cataracts and retinal damage.

Eye irritation and conjunctivitis characterize burns to the cornea. Individuals who contract conjunctivitis can expect tearing and crusting of the eyelids as well as blurry or foggy vision.
Cataracts are a serious condition in which a membrane on the eye clouds over, like a foggy lens, and must be removed surgically. Retinal damage can cause you to literally see black or purple spots and result in eye surgery.

A cancerous condition called malignant melanoma of the eye is also associated with the use of sunlamps and tanning beds without wearing eye protection.

Independently conducted research has shown that even short-term exposure to ultra-violet light can be damaging to the eye as radiation levels inside a tanning bed can be many times greater than the radiation levels emitted by the sun.

To protect your eyesight during a visit to a salon, it is suggested that you get a pair of FDA regulated goggles for indoor tanning. You can usually purchase these at the salon or borrow a pair from the front desk. Call the salon before your appointment to make sure that you will be wearing a pair of goggles for indoor tanning from the moment the attendant switches on the machine.

When it comes to something as precious as your eyesight it is better to be safe than sorry.

VITAMIN D AND TANNING

2007-11-19T08:57:00.000-08:00

VITAMIN D and Tanning: According to Readers Digest, September 2006: "New evidence shows that getting enough vitamin D may be the most important thing you can do for your health."

For the first time in years, scientists are coming out from behind the clouds and giving us some good news about sunlight - in the form of vitamin D. What they want you to know is this: healthy vitamin D levels are being associated with lower risks of several forms of cancer, heart disease, multiple sclerosis and other diseases. How do you get more vitamin D? SUNLIGHT. Tanning beds are a controlled source of sunlight.

What is Vitamin D?

Vitamin D is necessary for the body to properl absorb calcium and phosphorus. Only in the past decade have researchers discoverd that vitamin D also plays an important role in cell growth in the body. Vitamin D comes naturally from sun exposure to the skin, and to a limited extent is available in milk, fatty fish and cod liver oil.

So as studies are completed and there are many it is being found that exposure to UV light helps with vitamin D production and the vitamin D has many positive attributes. SO if you are going outside exposure is good, burning is bad so lets say that sensible use of sunscreens is good but exposure to the sun is as well. Now, tanning inside in a tanning bed is a controlled and timed environment. Remember by developing a good tan before you spend hours in the sun will really help prevent sunburn.

DR. MARC SORENSON and Vitamin D: You will probably be hearing a lot more about Dr. Marc Sorenson he is the author of Solar Power for optimal Health.

Dr. Sorenson is a very forward thinking scholar, entrepreneur, author, speaker and health expert. This book states: Sunlight and Vitamin D May Save Your Life!

• Sunlight profoundly lessens the risk of breast, prostate, colon and other major cancers.
• Sunlight dramatically reduces the risk of osteoporosis and hip fracture.
• Sunlight and/or vitamin D aids in relieving depression, chronic pain and lower back pain.
• Sunlight and vitamin D help to control heart disease, blood pressure and multiple sclerosis and increase muscle strength.

Is the book worth reading? In my opinion it is a must.

DR. HOLICK and Vitamin D: Last week I mentioned a book that I thought would be of interest to Tanners. How many have gone out and purchased that book and started reading? Raise your hand if you have! Had you going for a minute. But the book is excellent.

Now I want to mention one more it is called the UV Advantage by Dr. Michael Holick of Boston University. What is sun-phobe? Sun-phobe is a term coined by researcher and author Dr. Michael Holick that means "a person with an irrational fear of sunlight."

Unfortunately, says Holick, we've become a nation of sun-phobes. We hide from the sun and feel guilty when we don't. "The UV Advantage" asks you to take a deep breath and thoughtfully consider the idea that sunlight is actually good for you.

Holick, a Boston University professor, is perhaps the world's leading researcher shedding light on the belief that humanity is ignoring the importance of sunshine and vitamin D. His book, "The UV Advantage: The Medical Breakthrough that shows how to Harness the Power of the Sun for Your Health" calls those beliefs into question.

A strong challenge? You bet. And one so controversial that Holick's former boss at the Boston University Dermatology Department, Dr. Barbara Gilchrest, essentially fired him from the dermatology faculty after the book was published. He's now the director of the General Clinical Research Center at the Boston University School of Medicine, and also directs the school's Vitamin D, Skin and Bone Center. He is perhaps the world's most respected photobiologist who believes that the benefits of regular exposure to UV light received in a non-burning fashion outweigh the risks.

The book is available in Paperback as well as Hard Cover.

HOW TO DEVELOP A GOOD BASE TAN

2007-11-19T08:40:00.000-08:00

DEVELOP A GOOD BASE TAN: How is your Tan going? Dark? Dark as you want to be? You know with the weather improving and the fourth of July just around the corner the opportunity to go outside in the sun, sun bathing, swimming well you know what I mean can invite sunburn and unwanted looks at those white legs.

It would be a pretty good idea to try to get a nice base tan prior to going to the beach, river or pool. Despite what was considered normal for tanning (go outside get burnt, peel and then turn Tan) it is not good for you, it is not comfortable and it is actually a pain. So my best suggestion would be to come to the salon and enjoy tanning at least every other day or so while you are developing a nice base tan. Every other day will work for some while others need maybe every third day. You won't gain by trying to tan when you are pink so before you go tanning make sure you are not a little pink from a previous session. Use a good tanning lotion that will take care of your skin and accelerate the body's natural tanning process. Doing this process correctly will actually help you develop a tan faster. Keep in mind if you are already a person with a good base tan what I just wrote really does not apply. I am trying to help those of you who are not tan and are likely to go outside and over do the exposure to UV light thing that so often happens and really shouldn't.

The rest of you who actually have good base tans and even more, my advise to you is to keep doing what you are doing, keep tanning on a regular basis and enjoy tanning outside. Even with a good base tan or a little more you still run a risk of getting burnt due to overexposure while outside. Use a good SPF and re-apply frequently depending on how long you are planning on staying out in the Sun. Another good thing I might suggest you purchase and keep with you is a sunburn cooler gel. Body Drench's Skin Therapy Sunburn Cooler Gel will help you in the case of you getting a bit sun burnt. It is a marvelous cooling product.

Something else I should bring up is if you use SPF you really need to use an excellent moisturizer. Most SPF products are created for one thing and that is to keep you from burning. They are not good skin care products. You need to rehydrate your skin after being out in the Sun for any length of time. Remember it would be in your best interests to use a very good lotion all the time, you will soon be amazed at how nice and soft your skin feels.

Review:
1) Get A Base Tan Before Heading Outside In The Summer
2) Tan At The Salon Every Other Day Or Every 3rd Day
3) Use A Good Tanning Accelerator
4) Use A Good Daily Moisturizer
5) Use SPF Protection & Avoid Sunburns
6) Use A Sunburn Cooler Gel If You Burn