This website uses affiliate links to generate revenue. We only recommend products and services we trust and offer honest opinions, regardless of affiliate relationships. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. See our Terms and Conditions for details.
August 12, 2021

End Of Summer Curly Hair Repair Guide

End Of Summer Curly Hair Repair Guide By Barbies Beauty Bits

 Barbie's End Of Summer Curly Hair Repair Guide For Your Curly Haired Beauties!

August is the hottest month out of the year and one of the worst months for curly hair. While many of us love August because it represents the last month of the summer. Those with curly hair will be singing a different tune. 

When it comes to the health of the hair, the month of August is a buildup of everything from sun damage, salt water, chlorine exposure, and of course let's not forget about the August humidity! Mix that all together and you've got the perfect storm for making those curls into a damaged, hot, frizzy mess.

But fret no more you curly hair beauties, as all your summer-related hair problems can fade away with our "End Of Summer Curly Hair Repair Guide!" From protecting and treating your sun dried, damaged hair, to washing, hydrating and a lot more, we have you and your curls covered.

Protect Your Curly Hair From The August Summer Heat
Any source of heat is going to burn your hair and the UV rays from the sun will do the same to your once beautiful curls. The scorching summer sun can also strip the hair of its natural oils, leaving it more vulnerable to breakage. Luckily, we are here to help you restore your curly hair to its pre-summer glory, with these four simple steps.

  1. Use a good conditioner after you wash your hair. It should contain heat-protecting ingredients, for example, argan oil or coconut oil.
  2. Apply a leave-in hair moisturizer that will hydrate your curls and reduce frizziness.
  3. Use hair oils that contain fatty acids which can coat and seal the hair follicles to make them healthy and strong. Hair oils also work great for a nourishing mask for damaged hair.
  4. Use a thermal heat protector before styling your hair with a curling iron, straightener or blow dryer.

Use Hair Products Made For Curls
It's not to late to give your curls an extra layer of protection by using styling products designed for curls.  Start by using a creamy deep conditioner or a hair mask once a week. It will help retain moisture and prevent frizzy hair. Also, use a lightweight gel that will hydrate your hair while giving it hold - it's ideal for days when you want to achieve defined curls that aren't too tight or feel heavy on your hair.

Cut Your Hair With Texturizing Shears
If your hair gets weighed down easily, you can give it more body and bounce by trimming it with texturizing shears. What can texturizing shears do to your hair? It's a simple and inexpensive technique that will make your hair look healthier and less frizzy. You can get texturizing shears from any beauty supply store. Just remember to cut your hair when it's damp, and trim approximately one inch off from each strand.

Dry shampoo for curly hair By Barbies Beauty Bits

Use Dry Shampoo When Going Out In The Summer Heat
If you have to go out even though your hair isn't thoroughly dried, you can give it a little boost by using dry shampoo. It will absorb excess oil and grease and make your curls look bigger and bouncier. That way, you’ll be able to leave the house with your hair looking fresh and healthy.

Deep Condition Your Curly Hair Once A Week
A great summer hair recovery is deep conditioning your curls once or twice a week, this will ensure that they become sufficiently hydrated, soft and frizz-free from the summer heat. If your hair doesn't require frequent washing, apply a deep conditioner once every three days, and if you shower every day, do it once a week.

Washing curly hair tips By Barbies Beauty Bits

Don't Wash Your Hair Every Day
You may think that washing your hair more often would ensure that it stays clean and healthy, but it actually has the opposite effect. Curls tend to get weighed down easily, so washing them every day can cause hair breakage and loss.

Instead of doing it every day, wash your hair twice a week at most and use a mild shampoo - it will not weigh down your hair but still will get rid of excess oil and product buildup. If your hair is prone to frizziness, use a leave-in conditioner or a curl cream after shampoo.

Don't Rub Your Hair When Washing It
Rubbing your curls while washing them will only cause frizziness and breakage because your curls are very fragile when wet. Instead of rubbing them, massage your scalp with your fingertips to stimulate blood flow. Thus, you will not only maintain the overall good condition for your lock but will also promote healthy hair growth.

Ditch The Towel On Humid Days And Dry Your Hair With A T-shirt Instead
Something as simple as how you dry your hair can make a big difference for your curls when the humidity is high, and boy is it ever so high in my neck of the woods. A trick we use is ditching the towel and replacing it with a cotton t-shirt. The extra moisture will result in frizz as soon as your hair is exposed to the humidity and towels retain more moisture.

Another reason why using a t-shirt to dry your hair instead is it is flat with no roof edges, so the t-shirt will glide through your hair with less friction. Less friction equals less frizz and damage to your beautiful curls. 

Dry your curly hair with a tshirt by barbies beauty bits

Let Your Curls Air Dry Whenever Possible
If you want to have bouncy curls let them dry naturally as much as possible. You can do this by air drying or blow-drying your curls with a hair diffuser. This way, your curls will hold their shape longer afterward. However, if you want to use a hairdryer, always use a low heat setting and protect your locks with a thermal heat protector.

Final Note
It is essential to remember that the way you take care of your curly hair throughout all summer months will impact its overall condition. While the above tips are for end of summer curly hair repair, you can get a head start by implementing these summer hair-care tips in June, this way you will ensure that your curls look amazing even in the hottest month of summer!



August 9, 2021

Body Contouring - How To Get The Figure You Want

Body Contouring - How To Get The Figure You Want  By Barbies Beauty Bits
Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Stark shares with award-winning beauty blogger, Barbie's Beauty Bits on Nonsurgical Body Contouring Treatments To Help You Get The Figure You Want.

You may have worked hard with diet and exercise for months even years to get the body you want. Perhaps you have spent hours on a treadmill or Peleton to get rid of fat and give you the body of your dreams.

But despite all that work, you still have excess fat on your belly, sides, or under your chin. This is where body contouring can help you take the final steps to get rid of those stubborn pockets of fat and give you the svelte shape you have dreamed of. 

There are several ways to contour your body that is minimally invasive and without surgery that may give you ideal results. Lets see what Double-board-certified Philadelphia Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Stark is sharing with Barbie's Beauty Bits on how to get the body you want with body contouring.

Top Nonsurgical Body Contouring Treatments

Laser Lipolysis For Body Sculpting
This is known as SculpSure, and it uses laser energy to heat and destroy fat cells. The high temperatures created by the device cause the fat cells to overheat and die. Your lymphatic system will flush out the fat cells out after about 12 weeks.

The most popular areas of the body are the flanks (love handles) and abdomen. Each SculpSure treatment takes about 25 minutes, and there is no recovery time. You will usually need three or four treatments for the best results.

How SculpSure can help to reduce fat Barbie's Beauty Bits

Radiofrequency Lipolysis For Non-Surgical Fat Reduction
This is a nonsurgical body contouring procedure that features ultrasound technology to contour your body. The advantage of this technique is it’s gentle to your skin as it treats fat pockets. Patients report that the treatment is effective and causes no discomfort.

It’s used most often on the flanks and abdomen, with each treatment taking about one hour. Most patients can go back to their activities the same day. Several treatments within those treatment areas are required to get the body shape you desire.

Injection Lipolysis For Effective Reduction Of Chin Fat
This technique uses the FDA-approved Kybella injectable treatment to treat fat tissue under the chin, also called a double chin. Kybella uses a form of deoxycholic acid that helps the body to absorb fat. When used in the chin, it reduces fat by killing undesirable fat cells.

Your body will metabolize the dead fat cells for several weeks after the treatment. Kybella is usually used under the chin only to treat a double chin.

The treatment takes about 30 minutes, and there is some bruising and swelling afterward. But you should be able to return to daily activities the same day. 

How does kybella work for chin fat By Barbies Beauty Bits

Body Contouring Compared To Liposuction
Tumescent liposuction is an effective way to remove undesirable fat pockets from the body. The surgeon places a cannula under the skin that injects lidocaine and epinephrine to reduce swelling and bleeding.

Next, fat is suctioned out with the cannula to give your body the contours you desire. However, liposuction is surgery, and there are risks, including:

  • Infection
  • Anesthesia risks
  • Damage to organs
  • Fluid accumulation
  • Deep vein thrombosis
  • Pulmonary and cardiac complications

The advantage of nonsurgical body contouring is fewer risks because it isn’t surgery and doesn’t require anesthesia. Also, non-surgical body contouring is usually less expensive than surgical procedures as liposuction.

The other factor is liposuction requires recovery and downtime. You also will need to wear a compression garment for several weeks after surgery.

Are You A Good Candidate For Body Contouring?
Body contouring is nonsurgical, so many people are good candidates for these procedures. Ideal candidates include:

  • People who are close to their ideal weight. Remember that body contouring, like liposuction, isn’t a way to lose weight. It does get rid of fat cells, but body contouring is designed to fine-tune your shape, not eliminate many pounds of fat. The best body contouring patient is within 10 or 20 pounds of their ideal body weight. If you are above that weight, you should probably work with your doctor to slim down first.
  • Those with realistic expectations. As with any cosmetic procedure, you should go into it with realistic expectations. If you have reasonable goals, you should be pleased with your body contouring results.
  • People who want to firm up sagging skin. Some body contouring can tighten up the skin as well as eliminate fat pockets.

Body contouring can be an ideal way to help get the figure you want by fine-tuning your shape after significant weight loss. It is also is a great way to take that final step to give you the body you have worked so hard to achieve.

Dr. Ran stark best plastic surgeon for body contouring By Barbies Beauty Bits

Experience The Stark Difference
More About Dr. Ran Stark And The Practice

Dr. Ran Stark is double board-certified by the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Plastic Surgery. After medical school, he finished more than 10 years of surgical training, including an aesthetic surgery fellowship under Dr. Louis Bucky.

Dr. Stark was born and raised in Philadelphia and earned his bachelor’s in biology from the University of Delaware. He completed medical school at Tel-Aviv University, where he won the Hillel Nathan Award for Academic Excellence in Anatomy.

To learn more about StarkMD Plastic Surgery in Philadelphia, visit him online.

References

August 5, 2021

Stem Cells And Snail Mucus, Bizzaire Skincare Ingredients That Really Work

 Stem Cells And Snail Mucus, Bizzaire Skincare Ingredients That Really Work By Barbies Beauty Bits

 Award winning beauty blogger barbies Beauty bits

As a beauty editor, it is my job to stay on top of all things BEAUTYful, especially in the skincare and aesthetic industry. This niche is one of my favorites for advancements in skincare, whether with at-home skincare gadgets, cosmetic treatments, or cutting-edge skincare ingredients.

And today, I am going to be talking about two buzz-worthy and slightly bizarre skincare ingredients that have intrigued me. One is stem cells, and the other is snail mucus, aka snail mucin. Now I know the first thought to many when you hear this is the thought of some crazy horror movie. But there is nothing scary here.

For this post, I partnered up with Glowyskin.Care to try out some Shidoa skincare products that included these two buzziest skincare ingredients.

So, if you want to find out why you need to add snail slime and stem cells to your skincare routine, continue reading about "Stem Cells And Snail Mucus, Advanced Skincare Ingredients And How They Work"

bizarre skincare ingredients that work by Barbies beauty bits

Snail Slime Has Slid Into Skincare
Snail mucus, also known as snail mucin, is one of the most trusted skincare ingredients in the K-beauty world. And while there may be an initial yuck factor involved, you will soon be sure to get over that when you hear about all of the tremendous anti-aging benefits that snail mucin can offer.

What The Heck Is Snail Mucin, And Where Does It Come From
Snail slime began with the ancient Greeks and was later rediscovered by Chilean farmers who noticed their hands were softer after touching snail secretion. So what the heck is slithering skincare substance? Simply put, it’s the excretion that snails naturally create to protect themselves. It's made up of properties like glycoproteins, glycolic acid, and hyaluronic acid all of which have long-documented benefits for the skin. And no worries, there are various “cruelty-free” methods of snail production and slime extraction, making it widely acceptable in the skincare industry.

Best snail creams for the face By Barbies Beauty Bits

The Many Benefits Of Snail Mucin For The Skin
This powerful ingredient is a multitasker skincare ingredient. It can do so much, all while helping your other skincare ingredients to penetrate the skin further. See some of the many benefits of snail slime for the skin below.

Snail Mucin Promotes Collagen Production: Snail mucin is secreted when the snail feels stressed. It consists of natural growth factors meant to repair and protect by triggering collagen production and new cell growth.

Snail Mucin Moisturizes The Skin: Fitting the name, snail slime is highly moisturizing and is fantastic at repairing damaged, dehydrated skin.

Snail Mucin Soothes Skin Irritation: Snail secretion contains Allantoin, a healing component that calms and smooths the skin while stimulating cell regeneration.

Snail Mucin Is Enriched With Vitamins, Minerals, And Antioxidants: Microfiltrate snail slime contains peptides, which are great at aiding in collagen production while minimizing fine lines and wrinkles. It also includes antioxidants such as vitamins A and E, which are a must to helping restore the skin from oxidative stress caused by free radicals.

60% Off Shidoa Skincare
CLICK HERE TO START SHOPPING AND SAVING

So Where Can I Find Skincare Products With Microfiltrate Snail Slime
As mentioned earlier, I partnered up with Glowyskin.Care to try out some of their Shidoa skincare products. If you're looking to use snail mucin as a multi-purpose anti-ager, try Shidoa Snail & Hyaluronic Face Cream. This product contains other well-known active ingredients such as hyaluronic acid- a star skincare ingredient naturally occurring in the human body.

Hyaluronic acid attracts up to 1000 times its weight in moisture; add that to the snail slime, and you are in for an ultra-moisturizing treatment that helps to keep skin hydrated, plump, and more radiant. It even visibly softens fine lines and wrinkles without breaking the bank.

where do stem cells in beauty products come from by Barbies beauty bits
Stem Cells For Younger Looking Skin
Yep, this is another brilliant, must-have skincare ingredient that dermatologists have raved about for years for antiaging.  But no worries, unlike stem cells used to treat medical issues, you will not be rubbing someone's stem cells on your face, as the stem cells I am talking about are derived from plants.

Similar to human stem cells, plant stem cells contain proteins and amino acids, two powerhouse ingredients for skin rejuvenation. And according to  Dr. Michele Green, board-certified dermatologist, stem cells naturally have antioxidant properties that nourish skin cells, promoting cell turnover and increasing collagen production and elastin.  

If there is a magic potion that can delay skin aging and protect it from further damage, it is a powerful antioxidant. Not only are they super anti-inflammatory, but they’re also excellent at neutralizing, repairing, and preventing free radical damage (the number one cause for premature aging).

How To Incorporate Stem Cells Into Your Skincare Routine
Now that you understand how stem cells and antioxidants can serve as a line of defense against free radical damage, it's time to start guarding your skin with some stem cell skincare products like Shidoa Stem Cell Face Cream.

This face cream is excellent at protecting your face from external factors and creates a more youthful look because it goes into the skin’s cellular level.  Delivering moisture and reparative agents to where they need to go.

A Bonus Tip: Dead skin cells lay on the top of the skin and act as a barrier against skincare products. Hence for better results of your Shidoa Stem Cell face cream, I suggest exfoliating to remove any dead skin cells creating an unobstructed pathway to the layers of your skin.

best stem cell eye cream by Barbies beauty bits
Show Your Eyes Some Love With A Stem Cell Eye Cream
You look in the mirror, and what are those crinkly areas around the eyes that you see? Crow's feet! While we may say the eyes are the windows to our souls, they present a clear picture of something else; premature aging, as unfortunately, this thin, delicate skin around the eyes is one of the first to show signs of aging.

But no worries as Shidoa Stem Cells Eye Contour is here to the rescue. This 100% natural stem cell eye cream has been created with an extraordinary AM and PM formula, which is indicated to help firm and tighten the delicate eye area while helping to smooth the appearance of crow’s feet and fine lines for a more awake, lifted complexion.   

For ultimate results I like to keep this eye cream in my skincare fridge. Not only does storing this eye cream in the fridge help it to last longer, but the cooling sensation is perfect for bagging puffiness and brightening a tired appearance.

So there you have it, some bizarre skincare ingredients that actually work! Add that to bee and snake venom, magnetic clay, cactus oil, Cica and I think I've more than dipped my toe in some unique skincare ingredients.

Have you tried any unusual skincare ingredients? If so, let me know below. Until next time!

                                                                




August 2, 2021

How To Consult Young Plastic Surgery Patients

 

How To Consult Young Plastic Surgery Patients By Barbies Beauty Bits And Bella Ritz Media

With social media pressures, selfies, HD cameras on cell phones, and reality TV shows, I wondered how many teenagers actually seek plastic surgery for the right reasons. More importantly, how do plastic surgeons consult young plastic surgery patients to make sure they are good candidates? 

This is why I was excited to have plastic surgeon Dr. Ashley Steinberg located at The Clinic for Plastic Surgery in Houston, weigh in on the topic "How to Consult Young Plastic Surgery Patients."

How To Consult Young Plastic Surgery Patients From Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Ashley Steinberg

Teenagers seek plastic surgery for various reasons ranging from addressing a health need to fixing a feature that has made them susceptible to bullying. Add that to the social media pressures, selfies, HD cameras on cell phones, and reality TV shows, it’s not unusual for young adults to want to look their best with cosmetic procedures.

For a long time, plastic surgery was only for people in their 40s, 50s, and beyond. But now, I often see patients come to our practice in their teens, 20s, and early 30s. It’s estimated that teenagers account for about 4% of all cosmetic procedures. 

What Is The Age Of Consent For A Plastic Surgery Consultation

The first thing to remember when you do a plastic surgery consultation with a young adult is the age of consent. All patients must be 18 years old to undergo plastic surgery. If they are younger than that, their parents must provide legal consent for the procedure.

When consulting with a minor patient, it’s essential to also talk to the parents to understand why the young person wants surgery. There are situations, such as rhinoplasty, where having the procedure can make sense because of a cosmetic problem with the nose being too large or having a significant hump, etc.

But some young people are swayed by images from social media, and they want surgery to look like one of their favorite celebrities. Or, the patient may have an overly critical view of their body based on low self-esteem that is frequent in the teen years.

You should talk to the young person’s parents to understand why their son or daughter wants surgery and if they have a healthy frame of mind about the possible outcomes. If they want a perfect body or face, it’s your job to tell the patient that they have unrealistic expectations.

Find Out What Their Goal Is Regarding Plastic Surgery
The young patient should be able to say why they want cosmetic surgery. As I stated earlier, it’s essential to ask questions and find out if they have realistic goals met with plastic surgery.

For example, if a young female has a big bump on her nose bridge and wants it removed, this is a reasonable request, and she will probably be happy with the result. Likewise, if the goal is to have a smaller straighter nose, so she looks like others in their social circle, this is reasonable.

But if the teenager thinks having a smaller and straighter nose will help her get on the cheerleading team, this isn’t a realistic goal, and she isn’t a good candidate for the procedure.

Look For Maturity In A Plastic Surgery Candidate
A good, young plastic surgery candidate should demonstrate maturity and understand the procedure and potential risks and complications. They also should understand what the recovery will be like.

For example, if a young male wants a tummy tuck after significant weight loss, he needs to understand that he will have a four to six-week recovery that will limit most of his activities. In addition, if he is still in high school, he may need to take his classes remotely, and physical activity will be off-limits during that time.

Or, a teenager who wants their nose reshaped but cannot postpone soccer obligations for the six-week recovery isn’t ready for plastic surgery. A mature young candidate should also understand things could go wrong and need revision surgery in a rare case.

Pay Attention To Who Is Asking For The Plastic Surgery
When you meet with the young person and the parents, watch who talks the most. Who is requesting the surgery - the teen or the parent? Be cautious of situations where the parents seem to be suggesting the surgery, not the patient.

It’s possible a parent could project their own experiences and want to safeguard their child from emotional harm. If the patient has ears that stick out, but he doesn’t care about them, you shouldn’t do an otoplasty even if you are confident they'll have a good outcome.

If the patient isn’t requesting that his ears be changed surgically, there is no consent from the patient, even if the parents give theirs.

Remember That Teens Are Self-Conscious About Their Bodies
Most of us are self-conscious about our bodies, but even more so in our teens and early 20s. Some young candidates for plastic surgery procedures may have negative feelings about their bodies, and that is driving them to go under the knife.

But we should remember that their bodies are still developing, and what they think they want now could be different in a few years. For example, a teen female may be self-conscious about her small breasts.

However, the female body can continue to develop well into the mid-20s, so it’s wise to wait on breast augmentation in many cases.

Dealing with young candidates is a different part of a practice surgery practice. Therefore, you will need to use particular caution and consideration when performing a consultation with someone in this age group.

More About Houston's Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Ashley Steinberg And Her Practice
Dr. Ashley Steinberg is from New York City and completed her undergraduate studies in London and Windsor, Ontario, and St. George’s Grenada. After graduation, she completed her general surgical residency in Brooklyn, New York, where she worked with highly skilled and renowned plastic surgeons.

Next, she attended the University of Nevada, School of Medicine, where she worked with the highly-regarded Dr. William Zamboni. After medical school, she did three more years of plastic surgery residency at Houston Medical Center. There, she had the opportunity to work with expert surgeons in microsurgery, aesthetics, craniofacial, and hand surgery.

For more information about Dr. Steinberg, visit her practice online at Dr. Ashley Steinberg Plastic Surgery in Houston.

References

ASPS Weighs In On Growing Popularity Of Teen Plastic Surgery. (2019). Accessed at

https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/press-releases/american-society-of-plastic-surgeons-weighs-in-on-growing-popularity-of-teen-plastic-surgery

Plastic Surgery Consultation Tips. (n.d.). Accessed at

https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/plastic-surgery-consultation-tips