• Insect bites
• Acne scarring
• Shave bumps
• Pregnancy
• Birth Control
• Dry skin which leads to chapping
• Oily skin which leads to clogged pores

Since skin discoloration can be caused by any combination of the above elements, Dr. Gram suggests employing the following treatments and products to ensure brightness and uniformity of skin tone.

1. Scrubs: Scrubs remove unwanted dead skin cells and stimulate your body to produce new, healthy looking skin. Since your body is producing new cells, scrubs help to even the tone of your skin. Product Recommendation: GRAM Skincare Daily Scrub ( http://www.drgram.com/products/daily-regimen/daily-scrub )
2. Skin Lighteners: Using a proper lightener is important. Do your research and learn what the product is intended to do. Some fade the dark spots, while others work by controlling melanin production. I recommend using products that control the melanin production rather than fading spots. I also recommend staying away from Hydroquinone products because there are potential side effects, especially in Asian skin. My patented Nutra-Vit Complex, which is found in every GRAM Skincare product, includes Niacinamide, Glucosamine and Vitamin E. These three ingredients have many functions but one is to control skin tone by inhibiting the tyrosinase enzyme from activating the melanocytes which secret melanin and lead to discoloration. Product Recommendation: GRAM SKincare Daily Moisturizer (http://www.drgram.com/products/daily-regimen/daily-moisturizer )
3. Acids: Alpha Hydroxy Acids should be used by a professional only. I am a firm believer in regularly visiting an esthetician to receive a chemical peel or glycolic acid facial. I would not suggest using glycolic acid washes at home because improper use can dry, damage and destroy your skin. Beta Hydroxy Acids are similar to salycylic acid and are safe to use at home on a daily basis. Product Recommendation: GRAM Skincare’s Clarifying Regimen which uses salicylic acid as a mild exfoliator to brighten and even skin tone. It is not just for acne prone skin. (http://www.drgram.com/products/acne-regimen )
4. Micro-Dermabrasion: Micro-dermabrasion is like a gentle sandblast of your face. Sounds scary, right? It is actually painless and can provide immediate gratification. I always recommend seeing your esthetician to see if this treatment is right for you and I do not recommend the home micro-dermabrasion kits. These often do more harm than good.

Overall, the combination of good skin care products and professional peels and services, will help to fade skin discoloration and prevent further damage when part of a consistent routine. Read the labels on your skin care products and always consult your esthetician to avoid causing further damage by using harsh chemicals in the wrong way.

This emollient-rich shave cream provides the perfect combination to deliver a close, comfortable shave you desire.  Wheat Germ, Grape Seed Oil, Aloe and Salicylic Acid blend harmoniously to prevent irritation and promote healthy, conditioned skin. Ideal for daily use, GRAM™ Men’s Shave is comforting to even the most sensitive skin.  The small size makes it ideal for travel.

The stats:

• Essential oils soften the beard in preparation for shaving.
• Fruit Stem Cell Technology
• Exclusive Nutra-Vît Complex™
• Paraben Free
• No pre-shave prep required: essential oil beard preparation and shave cream all-in-one
• Anti-Inflammatory Properties

The gentlemen of Whom You Know put this to the test, and they say:

I am now at day four of using GRAM’s men’s shave cream and I have to say this stuff rocks.  It’s spreads out much more densely than normal shaving creams, so you don’t use nearly as much for an optimal shave.  I have soft skin, that easily gets irritable with any lack of cream or an even slightly dull razor, but this cream makes life much easier.  I only use and need about a quarter of the cream I normally would with standard cream, it spreads thin and works perfectly.  Some of the ingredients in the cream are very unique, like grape seed oil & wheat germ which clearly make your skin far less irritable with every shave during and after.  The cream is soothing and the fragrance is extremely unique and addicting.  I highly recommend picking up a 2 oz tube to try and experience the GRAM way, it’s something that every guy who has to shave at least a few times a week needs to experience.  Great work GRAM!!!

I simply want to say that I love this shaving cream. Dr Gram has the best men’s shaving cream on the market. It’s amazing how it cushions your skin and really prevents your face from getting nicks and cuts. My face comes out smooth clean and so soft.  It’s very light and doesn’t clog up my razor. If you want a smooth clean shave then you have the best product out there.

I am the type of guy that sticks to one shave cream when I find one that I like, but since joining the skin care panel for Whom You Know, I’ve had the opportunity to sample more than my share of shave creams that I would never had tried before.  Some were good, a few were great, and then there are the ones that ended up in the trash can.  See, I have sensitive skin prone to irritation and bumps, so I am picky about my shave cream.  Having tried Grams Men’s Shave Cream, it’s safe to say this shave cream is GREAT.   I followed the instructions, (as I always do), dampening my face with warm water, lathering up, and rinsing the blade often.  No bumps or irritation, and my face was smoother than ever before.  And a smooth face makes for a happy wife. Gram Shave cream is definitely a keeper.

About GRAM Skincare
The professional apothecary line was launched in 2008 by compounding pharmacist, Dr. Bernard Gramlich. The highly effective yet gentle unisex formulas focus on the treatment of chronic skin inflammation by harnessing the power of unique, certified natural, organic and pharmaceutical grade ingredients. Products are free of parabens, sulfates and benzoyl peroxide. www.gramskincare.com

Source: Whom You Know

Why is the skin around the eye so delicate?

The skin around the eye is very thin.  Since there are no oil glands in the skin around your eyes to help keep it moisturized, the fine lines and wrinkles show up sooner than they do other places on your face.  Dark circles come from exhausted capillaries under the eyes that leak and lead to darkness. In addition, this can be the cause of puffiness under your eyes.

Let’s take a look at the eye care hurdles we face, as well as the solutions to the issues…

DARK CIRCLES
Dark circles can be the result of one of the following: lack of sleep, dehydration, smoking, heavy drinking or aging. While you can’t control the aging or hereditary factors, men can beat the dark circle syndrome by getting at least 8 hours of sleep per night, drinking 7-8 glasses of water per day and avoiding smoking or being around those who smoke. In addition, you should always use Eye Rescue both morning and night. GRAM Skincare’s Eye Rescue contains Vitamin K and Rutin which work together to reduce dark circles.

PUFFINESS
Typically, puffy eyes are from lack of sleep, allergic reactions or fluid retention/dehydration. To avoid such baggage, some easy solutions include getting proper sleep and drinking water.  Vitamin C is a great ingredient to combat puffy eyes. Also, the ingredients in my patented Nutra-Vit Complex help to reduce puffiness.

AGING
As you already know, the skin around your eyes is delicate and thin, and as a result, fine lines and wrinkles show up faster. Another point to make is that as we get older, our collagen and elastin production decreases. Collagen and elastin are the ingredients that keep the skin tight and firm.  Using GRAM Skincare Eye Rescue will help keep eyes looking youthful because of my Nutra-Vit Complex which has Vitamin E, Glucosamine, and Niacinamide.  These three ingredients work synergistically to build more collagen and elastin so the windows to the soul stay young longer.

TAKE NOTE…

Now that we’ve addressed the most common issues and why they occur, it is necessary to note that applying eye products must be done properly to ensure you are taking care of the skin around your eyes correctly. Applying eye care products is a technique like a golf swing.  The recommended technique is to lightly dap the product around your eye area from the outer margin to the inner margin.  Rubbing your eye like you pet your dog is not advised.  The skin is delicate and will wrinkle faster if you rub because you will break the collagen and elastin down faster.

Products and tools you will need:

• Hot water (Recommendation: shave after showering)
• GRAM Skincare Daily Scrub
• GRAM Skincare Shave Cream
• Razor (Recommendation: Fusion Pro-Glide Razor)
• GRAM Skincare Daily Moisturizer

Step1 #:  Prepare

Begin by exfoliating with Dr. Gram’s Daily Scrub. This will soften and lift facial hair for a closer shave. For those who shave daily, you can alternate days with GRAM Skincare Clarifying Cleanser.

Step #2:  Applying the Shave Cream

Most shave creams require the additional application of a shave oil to provide a slick enough surface for the razor. GRAM Skincare Shave Cream includes shave oils to eliminate a step and create a better shave.  To use, simply use fingers to work the shave cream into the beard aggressively in a circular motion.

Step #3:  Shave

Grab your Fusion Pro-Glide Razor and begin shaving with the grain of the hair, which is normally a downward stroke.  Use short strokes and rinse the blade often in warm water.  In the tough-to-get areas, you can go against the grain to ensure a close shave without the fear of shave bumps.

Step #4: Moisturize

Rinse your face first with warm water and follow it with a couple of rinses with cool water to tighten up the pores. Pat your face dry. Now it is time to moisturize skin with GRAM Skincare Daily Moisturizer and your favorite SPF product.

The benefits of Nutra-Vît Complex™are:

• Balances skin hydration
• Supports collagen and elastin production
• Aids in wound healing
• Reduces appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
• Reduces skin discoloration (age spots, pregnancy mask, sun damage)
• Helps prevent the appearance of future hyperpigmentation
• Anti-inflammatory
• Anti-oxidant – combats free radical damage
• Promotes healthy cell turnover and natural repair process
• Protects skin from environmental aggressors and premature aging
• Helps maintain the natural oil balance

www.spamagazine.com/articles/healthy-living/nourish-yourself-eco-friendly-products?cmpid=enews042910