The "open and closed" pore myth

Time and time again I see people saying that we need to "open" our pores to clean them and "close "them up to prevent them from getting clogged. The truth is that pores don't have muscles to open and close. When skin therapist's use steam during facials it's really to relax the skin which makes it easier and less traumatic to take out black heads. Using cool water or a cool spritz at the end of a facial helps to temporarily tighten the skin, but alas will not "close" pores to prevent blackheads.

So what temperature water should you use to wash your face? Does it make a difference? Warm water is still a great choice since it will help to warm up and dissolve oils and waxes from makeup, therefore making it easier for your cleanser to do it's job. If you plan on trying to remove your own blackheads (which I would discourage if your a "picker"), putting a warm, damp cotton pad over the spot could help relax the pore reducing the chance of swelling.

As for a cold water rinse? While it won't close pores, it definitely feels refreshing, can help reduce swelling and redness, and can temporarily tighten the skin.

Inspire him to be healthy

When my Hunny went to the Police Academy, he realized then that he was terribly out of shape. Though he was a young looking 30 yr old in good health, he was in no shape to compete with 20-somethings-straight-out-of-the-marines in the 2nd toughest Police Academy in California. My Hunny injured his shoulder in the 3rd week and was unable to complete the academy in the required time. Though this came as a HUGE disappointment (we cried for about a week), it gave him inspiration to get back into shape (and back on the saddle for a career in law enforcement). Here is a booklet from Men's Health that has simple yet effective exercises that helped my Hunny reach his goal. I printed them out, put them in plastic page protectors and filed them in a binder to make it easy for him to do the exercises. Hope you can use them as well!

No Sweat Exercise for your Tummy

Belly dancers have always been known for their incredible tummies. In this clip, the instructor shows the correct posture for belly dancing. I made a concience effort to keep this posture all day (plus a did a little practice belly dancing when I passed by the mirror :>), boy did I feel it the next day! This simple position works the inner most ab muscles that help to keep your tummy looking flat. Check it out!

Japanese Dry Brushing

Dry brushing is a very popular method of exfoliation and detoxifying treatment done by most spa's. It was my favorite way to exfoliate clients when I worked at the spa. Here are some of the benefits:

• It's super quick...it takes 1-2 minuets to do your whole body
• It's cheap...a nice natural bristle brush is about $10. You can find them usually at health food stores
• No need for messy body scrubs
• Leaves your skin smooth
• It stimulates circulation of blood (which promotes healing) and circulation of the lymph (which removes cellular waste)
• With repeated use it can help the appearance of cellulite
• Helps to reduce edema (water retention)

So this is how you do it. Your skin should be completely dry. I prefer to do it right before I take a shower:

• Starting at your feet, lightly brush your skin toward your heart.
• Use long strokes and brush over entire leg area. It may feel a little tingly but that is your skin being stimulated. Just be sure and use light strokes.
• Switch and do the other leg.
• Continue with entire body always brushing toward the heart.
• Do not brush your face or neck. These area's are much too sensitive.

And that's it! Take a shower, rub some yummy lotion on and your skin is gorgeous! Try to do this every day and you will definitely see a difference in your skin.