Got a lot of moles? You may not like the way they look and have sought cosmetic laser skin treatments to get rid of them, but you may appreciate them a little more after reading this.

A British study has found that people with many moles (technically known as melanocytic nevus) may actually age slower than their less moley counterparts. Researchers at King’s College of the University of London studied more than 1,800 twins over 10 years and found that participants with less than 25 moles on their body were 6 to 7 years older in biological age than those with over 100 moles. While a lot of moles have been shown to increase the risk of skin cancer (particularly when located on the arms), this research has suggested that illnesses related to aging, like osteoporosis, may occur less in individuals with more moles, however further research is required.

But scientists still don’t know why moles exist at all. What are those brown benign growths of melanocytes for anyway? All we do know is that they appear and disappear over a lifespan, depending on such factors as sun exposure and genetics. Very mysterious…

Researchers in the UK and Italy have found that people who don’t sleep enough are 12% more likely to die within 25 years due to resulting health problems related to lack of sleep. Research found that routinely sleeping too much (considered more than 8 hours) can also increase the risk of dying prematurely, but this may be related to existing health problems rather than resulting in them (which explains why we sleep more when we’re sick or recovering from surgery).

The researchers were quick to point out, however, that even if you sleep an adequate amount, you may or may not experience a longer life or better health.

The researchers examined reports based on 16 studies that included 1.5 million people in the US and several countries in Europe and East Asia. Results are based on the belief that a healthy amount of sleep is 6-8 hours, although the researchers do understand that the adequate amount of sleep for each person varies, and may be based on such factors as age, weight and lifestyle.

Are you sleeping enough? For me, I know that I don’t operate at optimal capacity when I don’t get at least 7 hours of uninterrupted sleep. My skin gets dull and dark circles form around my eyes that not even makeup can hide.

(news source BBC)

Smoking can make your breasts sag at an earlier age.

Bad news for female smokers. This statement is true.

Smoking is seriously damaging to healthy skin, harming levels of collagen and elastin that are responsible for maintaining supple and taut skin. We all know that the habit causes wrinkles and creases on the face (particularly around the mouth and eyes), but did you also know that it can damage breast tissue? With both the skin and breast tissue adversely affected, your breasts begin to sag faster if you’re smoke on a regular basis.

To prevent this from happening, follow a healthy lifestyle and kick the habit. You’ll reduce your risk of getting breast cancer as well.

Did you know having poor posture can negatively affect your health and mental state? Constant slouching causes the spine and back muscles to adopt a shape that isn’t natural, permanently becoming disfigured. This can cause a variety of health problems including poor digestion, weaker bones and serious back pain that can be debilitating. Researchers have even found that poor posture can contribute to headaches and migraines.

And if these reasons aren’t enough for you to start paying more attention to your posture, how about how it can make you look: older and more tired, with a more pronounced belly. That’s right – bad posture can make your core weaker resulting in flabbier stomach muscles.

Stretching and strength training exercises can help improve your posture, but it’s always best to seek the advice of your physician before starting any new fitness regimen.

Fat contributes a lot to determining the unique contours of your face, primarily in the areas in and around the cheeks and chin. Pockets of fat distributed in these areas contribute greatly to the curves and lines of our facial features. They can help define the jawline, mold the chin, and create the overall shape of the face.

That’s why when we experience weight loss, it can be most apparent on the face. Fat pockets in the face decrease in size, altering the shape of our facial features. You may find that your jawline becomes more defined or angular, your chin more distinguishable from your neck, and/or your cheeks more hollowed.

Some amount of weight loss may help improve the aesthetic appearance of your facial features. However, for some, it can leave the face looking gaunt and aged.

If you like you’re at a healthier weight and have a flatter stomach and smaller butt, but aren’t happy with what weight loss has done to your face, we may be able to help with injectable fillers at Toronto Cosmetic Clinic. Call us for more information at 416-221-5554.

The summer is over but before you head to the tanning salon to maintain that sunkissed look, beware!

Some people experience a reduction in the amount of acne they have after tanning, leading to the popular myth that the habit is actually beneficial for acne sufferers. Although it may be nice to have less pimples after a few sessions under the sun (or under the lights of a tanning bed), in the long term, this practice can actually contribute to increased levels of sebum production in the skin, leading to the potential of more pimples.

Why?

Well, the role of sebum is to hydrate the skin. However, pimples are often caused by excess levels of sebum which support the growth of acne causing bacteria. Tanning dries some amount of sebum in the skin, which is typically how it positively affects breakouts. Unfortunately, the skin will naturally react to drier conditions by producing more sebum, thereby contributing to the formation of more pimples.