How much do you love Ginger? I know I do! This really easy recipe is so straight forward and fun to make and most of all it tastes lovely, like hot and sweet at the same time.
There are a good few good uses for this Root (Rhizome) you will find in Teas, Cookies and you cant find an Asian Dish such as Curry with Ginger! and of course a long standing Natural Remedy for ailments such as Nausea, Cramping and Indigestion. Crystallized Ginger that has been preserved in sugar, makes it tastier and easier to consume.
Fresh Ginger Root from my Local Asian Supermarket
Ingredients
1 Pound of Fresh Ginger Root
5 Cups of Water
Approximately 500g of Granulated Sugar
Powdered Sugar (Icing Sugar)
Butter for greasing
A Tray (Baking Tray will do)
Parchment Paper
Saucepan
Sieve
A Container or Jar
Directions
Slice and peel the ginger into small squares around 2/3 mm in size, I like…
It looks daunting doesn’t it? like some sort of medieval torture weapon! I suppose the last thing you would think about in your skincare regime is running tiny needles over your face! With my love of Ancient Therapies did you know that ‘micro-needling’ has been used in China for centuries, not only did use they for beautiful skin but they also believed that it had a positive effect of the Qi (Chi) life energy of that person. While Western Medicine is finally catching up, Chinese Medicine has known this for centuries: that micro subcutaneous injuries to the Epidermis (most outer layer of the skin) stimulates new collagen growth and renew skin cells to produce smoother, healthier skin, it has now been scientifically proven, though it doesn’t account for the Qi .. give it time though!
I myself have been using the Derma Roller for the passed six years after was trained in Medical and Cosmetic Derma Roller atDermaspa in Milton Keynes, UK, with The Nouveau Beauty Group. At 48 years old I have kept my skin healthy and firm through the use of the Derma Roller at home.
I will give you a little hint here, as most of you will know the skin is the largest organ in the body and is of course our outer waterproof covering. If you think of the Moisturisers we use are mostly Aqueous, when applied it will only sit on the surface of the skin, which is good for softening the skin, but if you would like it to absorb into the skin and rehydrate the skin, then using the Derma Roller will create micro channels (you can’t see these by the way!) on the the skin, thus your moisturiser will penetrate further into skin plumping it up, and we all want plump youthful skin do we not!
As Anne Marie says in her YouTube Video and I can vouch for this, it is only advisable to use a needles of 0.25mm to 0.5mm, once you get confident you can go to 1mm but no further than that if you are using for cosmetic reasons. The higher measurement needles are used for the Medical Derma Roller procedure and is used for scarring and deep stretch marks, you can use the lower needles for these but it would take just that little longer to see a difference.
What is the Best Derma Roller?
There are so many Derma Rollers available today and although they look quite similar they may not produce the same results, and without a quality roller it may do more harm than good. Firstly is the needle quality, if they are made from cheap surgical steel then it would be advisable to avoid, what you will be looking for is a Derma Roller made of fine 540 (for better coverage) Titanium Needles which are ultra sharp and the strongest and will not succumb to bending or rusting.
Ultra Sharp though? Does it Hurt?
You’ve been thinking this all along haven’t you? well firstly it does depend on your pain threshold and skin sensitivity. For me personally it doesn’t hurt, though where the skin is thinner on the forehead it does make my eyes water, but once I’ve rolled a few times the sensation is less, the only thing I can compare it with pain wise on the area of the forehead (oh and the upper lip area) is like the feeling of mild sunburn across the skin, though in the other fleshy areas such as your cheeks, chin and jaw line, with a 0.5mm it doesn’t hurt. You can start lightly and gage for yourself on any pain level. I promise you will get use to it! if you are a little dubious you could use Topical Anaesthetic from your local Pharmacy, though I recommend as caution to do your own patch test by applying a little behind your ear, leave for 24 hours to make sure you are not allergic to it, its quite rare that you will be but best to be precautious.
There is an alternative to Topical Anaesthetic Cream, by using an ice pack or small bottle of ice to de-sensitise the area, this practice is just as effective and without any side effects. To be honest I really don’t think you will need to use any of these on a 0.25 – 0.5mm needle. The longer the needle the more it will smart! ouch!
Jennifer Aniston uses the Dermaroller
Preparation Dermaroller!
Pre-Procedure Advice
Since delicate skin or sensitive areas may be swollen or red (usually lasts no more than 2 hours, will look like mild sunburn for this time) I would advise not to make any social plans for the same day. I usually roll mine on the evening, on my evenings in!
Do not take Aspirin or Ibuprofen for 2 days beforehand unless you are instructed by a doctor to do so. Aspirin and Ibuprofen thins the blood, this only occurs usually if you are using a higher needle grade on the lower grade there is no risk of bleeding.
Do not drink alcohol the night before, the skin will be dehydrated.
Any waxing should be performed at least 72 hours before using the Derma Roller. Electrolysis no less than 5 days and Botox it is advisable 3 weeks later. Who needs Botox though when you have the Derma Roller!
Firstly make sure you roller is sterile, you can use a sterilising solution like Mylee or immerse in boiling water for 5 minutes.
Cleanse the skin thoroughly removing all make up and then re-cleanse with cotton wool soaked in cooled down boiled water. I usually add a tiny bit of salt to make it a saline solution.
Prepare to roll! using this method of movement. Think of the Union Jack Flag! Sectioning approximately a 4×4 cm square for each manoeuvre, back and forth 6 times.
for fine wrinkles it is ok to roll over them, for deeper wrinkles, with clean hands make the skin taut with your thumb and forefinger and roll, you can roll this area a little more, but don’t over do it.
By now you will see slight glow of the skin, in actual fact you will need to see some reddening of the skin, as this is the actual process of the skin’s natural mechanism to renew itself. If you think of when you grazed or cut yourself, what happens is all the skins supervisors (fibroblasts) come to the surface providing their own ‘building materials’ to repair the tissue with a protein called COLLAGEN! which in a case of a cut or graze will go towards forming a scab. There will be no scabs when you roll as it only reddens the skin but it will go through the same process to renew itself.
Aftercare Advice
You will your skin slightly tighter than normal. This effect will reduce the next 2-4 hours after, and continue to reduce over the next 24 to 48 hours.
If you are not using an Organic Moisturiser or Serum then I can recommend using CoEnzyme Q10 which is made especially for use with the Derma Roller.
Again as the same as the pre-advice do not consume alcohol on the same day as your skin will become dehydrated.
Initial Healing Characteristics and Timescale
The skin continues to regenerate over the next month and you may experience some dryness during this time. This is completely normal.
The First 24 Hours
Erythema (Redness) will start to subside, the skin will feel tight and slightly sensitive.
Keep your hair away from the face or off your face.
Cleanse the your face with boiled water, gently with gauze or cotton wool pads.
Drink plenty of water!
Change your pillow case
There is no need to take anytime of work, there are no ill effects.
Avoid any false tan.
Avoid touch skin unless your hands a clean.
Avoid direct sunlight.
Avoid using the sauna or steam room.
Avoid excessive exercise.
Avoid going into the shower or bath until the redness has gone down.
The Next 24 to 48 Hours
Visible line softening caused by the initial swelling.
Continue to use boiled water or a saline solution and pat your face dry.
Continue using an a Natural Serum or Moisturiser.
I would recommend wearing Mineral Foundation or even avoid foundation altogether for the next 2 days.
The Next 2 to 7 Days
For some there maybe still some dryness. This is due to increased exfoliation.
By now you can go back to your usual moisturiser.
The Next 1 to 3 Weeks
Visible improvement of skin contour and brightness.
In the Following Weeks
Over the following weeks the skin may take on a new texture and tone, as the blood supply is enhanced and the new skin cells regenerate. You will experience skin tightness, firmness and plumpness and a reduction in fine lines due to the generation of new collagen within the skin.
Optimum Results
On the 4th week repeat the whole procedure again for the next 3 to 6 months for the best results. Then maintenance every 3 months. I can wholeheartedly say you will definitely see an improvement.
So do you think you will try the Derma Roller? If you have a questions I will happy to answer them for you..
It’s so hard to believe, charcoal toothpaste, turning your teeth black can actually make them whiter. Charcoal has been putting the beauty industry in a spin over the last couple of years, with charcoal toothpaste, facial scrubs, cleansers and facial masks all growing in popularity.
The benefits of charcoal toothpaste
Most people would admit that their teeth aren’t brilliant white, and would love Reasons for a brighter smile included wanting to look younger and boosting self-esteem.
With no added chemicals, charcoal toothpaste is a natural teeth whitener with antibacterial properties. It can help to brighten teeth by removing plaque and the stains caused by smoking and drinking tea, coffee and red wine. It can also give you a fresher feeling by removing the bacteria leaving them feeling squeaky clean and smooth.
But how can Charcoal Clean your Teeth?
The charcoal found in charcoal toothpaste, beauty products and supplements isn’t the same charcoal you’d use to fuel your BBQ. The charcoal in toothpaste is ‘activated charcoal’ which is made when charcoal is heated with a gas which causes it to expand and pores to be created. These pores absorb toxins and other substances, such as tartar, with the result being whiter teeth.
Ecodenta Charcoal Toothpaste is Fluoride free and contains ‘Teavigo’ a natural Green Tea Extract, which helps to protect against tartar and provides antibacterial benefits.
Your teeth should feel fresher and cleaner from the very first time you use it.
At present it is on offer on Holland & Barratt Website, not forgetting they have a Natural Beauty Range with Sukin and Beauty Kitchen. I recently bought their Bamboo Mineral Rich Charcoal Konjac Sponge for my Son, it cleared his skin up beautifully, he’s pleased, I’m pleased!
175 grams of Grated Cheddar Cheese (Welsh, Lancashire or Red Leicester)
30 grams of Butter
1 Teaspoon of English Mustard (or Mustard Powder)
3 Tablespoons of Stout
2/3 Dashes of Worcester Sauce
2 Slices of Thick Cut Bread
Method
Mix the Mustard with a little of the stout in a saucepan to make a paste, then stir in the rest of the stout. On a low heat add the butter until it has melted.
Add the grated cheese and stir until it melts, don’t let it boil as it will become stiff. Once smooth, add the Worcester Sauce to taste, then take off the heat and allow to cool until just slightly warm, be careful it doesn’t solidify.
Pre heat the grill to a medium high heat and toast the bread on one side and lightly toast the other as it will go back under the grill.
Then beat the egg yolks into the warm cheese until smooth, and spoon onto the toast and grill until bubbling and golden.
Fresh Ginger Root from my Local Asian Supermarket 
SKINLOVIN 