Foods that Break Down the Belly Fat by Manprit Sihra

Do you have tummy fat? Does it make you uncomfortable?  If yes, then this article can help you  . Here are some foods that can help break down belly fat.  These are incredibly effective for burning fat and making the skin beautiful. Also, these are easily available in the market. Here are best fat burning food that you must try:

Almonds:

Almonds can promote weight loss and improve cholesterol levels. Almonds are high in protein and fiber. Fiber can help you to stay full for a longer duration. They are slightly high in calories, but that will not grant to belly fat. Almonds increases memory also.

Green Tea:

Drink green tea every day for 2-3 times, it reduces weight rapidly.

Walnuts:

Walnuts also help to reduce weight. Walnuts being good in Omega 3 fatty acid, protein and fiber that makes you less hungry.

Apple:

“An apple a day keeps the doctor away”. Eating apple every day can help you lose weight. Apple is high in fiber and low in calories. Containing minerals and vitamins. It boosts your metabolism also.

Yogurt:

Yogurt can help reduce fat quickly from your body. It also reduce tummy bloating and is good in digestion. Eat yogurt on a daily basis to cut down the belly fat.

Citrus Fruits:

Citrus fruits help to promote weight loss. They are excellent source of vitamin C, which can help boost immune function. It contains fiber and low calories. Citrus fruits are that of: lemon, orange, lime, kinnow etc….
Eggs: Egg is high in protein, but less people know that it can burn fat. It contains less calories. Eat the white part of the egg for weight loss.

Flaxseeds:

Flaxseeds helps to reduce weight. It contains Omega 3 fatty acid and fiber; these aid in decreasing hunger. Flaxseeds are low in carbohydrate and also low in calories.

Watermelon:

Watermelon is a rich source of water, fiber and potassium. Watermelon cleanses your body and boosts metabolism.
Cantaloupe: Cantaloupe is sweet and high in water content, which helps aid in weight loss.

Pears: Pears are super food for weight loss. It is high in fibre that helps you to keep full.
Amla (Indian Gooseberry) Juice: Amla juice is good for our health in many ways. It removes toxins from our body. In addition, it burns calories faster and increases the metabolic rate of our body. It is high in vitamin C too.

Oatmeal:

Oatmeal is a great food for weight loss. Oats are high in soluble fibre.
Apple Cider Vinegar: Drink 2 tsp of Apple cider vinegar with warm/hot water before your meal, for 2 times a day. It burns fat faster.
Try the above food out. Do exercise daily, don’t starve yourself and most importantly feel proud about yourself.

Tagged as: almonds, Amla, Apple, apple cider vinegar, Breaks Down the Belly Fat, Cantaloupe, Citrus Fruits, egg, Flaxseeds, food for weight loss

Supplements for Hair Growth by Manprit Sihra(BUBBLY JI)

Supplements for Hair Growth
by Manprit Sihra

All of us suffer from hair blues once in every while. We lead hectic lives, brave the heat and sun, use too many chemical-based products, and have a ton of stress factors that take a toll on those lovely tresses.

It goes without saying that the best nutrition hair needs will come from the food we eat. But at times when your hair situation gets critical, some important supplements can come to the rescue.

I thought it might be helpful to list some inexpensive non-prescription supplements under their Indian brand names easily available at your local chemist. I have included the basic dosage, but you can consult your doctor if you wish to take more for exceptionally bad hair issues.

Vitamin A:

It is a powerful antioxidant that starts working at the hair follicle to stimulate the production of sebum, a natural lubricant for shiny healthy hair.
Natural Sources: Carrots, green vegetables, eggs.
Supplements: SevenSeas Cod Liver Oil
Dosage: Twice daily.

B Vitamins:

Helps maintain good haemoglobin levels in the body and carry oxygen and nutrients to the hair follicle. Improve overall body immunity and strength to fight stress, unhealthy conditions and play a vital role in the repair-and-regrowth mechanism of the body.
Natural Sources: Whole grains, pulses, eggs, meat
Supplements: Becosule Capsule
Dosage: Once daily

Biotin

This is perhaps the most important b-vitamin for hair which can help tide over problems like hair loss or damaged hair even when they are in serious stages. You may need to take this in addition to your regular b-complex pill.
Natural Sources: B-vitamin sources
Supplements: Zubitin
Dosage: Once daily

Hair style in many ways

Updo’s For Medium Hair

1. Messy bun updo:

Now this is one updo hairstyle that is ‘IN’ these days. Sport it with any type of outfit, and you’ll never go wrong with this style. Apply some volumising mousse in your hair, make a pony tail, and wrap the remaining hair around the base of the ponytail. Remember not to give it that sleek look. Secure with bobby pins at the base. Now, take a tail comb, and gently lift some sections on hair around the crown area.  This will add some more drama to the look. Don’t forget to leave a few loose curls around the face to add more feminity to the look. Finish off with a medium hold hair spray to keep the style in place for longer durations.

Breathtaking Arabic Mehndi Designs To Try Right Now

Mehndi is popular not just in India and Pakistan but also in the Arabic countries, where it is a part of the culture too. The mehndi designs inspired from Arabia are popularly termed as Arabic Mehndi. The main distinction between normal Indian Mehndi and Arabic Mehndi is the use of motifs inspired by their religion and culture. The Arabic mehndi designs are nowadays largely used to add some uniqueness to age old Indian designs, thus we see a lot of mixed patterns.
But there is another difference between regular Indian mehndi and Arabic mehndi designs which is the use of black mehndi that makes the Arabic designs more prominent and beautiful. Even in India, many mehendi artists now prefer to highlight their designs using black mehndi as an outer liner to make the design more prominent.

Mehndi Designs For Hands

Mehndi designs are hugely diverse. We can’t even imagine the plethora of beautiful designs available to decorate our hands and feet. We always keep searching for a unique and intricate mehndi design to flaunt at social gatherings. Such unique and beautiful design helps us to stand out in the crowd.


Here are some beautiful yet simple round mehndi designs which you can try. These designs will definitely help you to garner attention!

  A rather beautiful and simple round mehndi designs option suitable for any special occasion. This design is a great way to decorate and add beauty to your hands. You can find fine, intricate detailing in both the designs for your palm and fingers. The intricate, round patter on the palm as well as the fine detailing on the fingers makse this a really beautiful mehndi design option for festive occasions as well as for any blushing bride. The use of black mehndi makes the details more prominent.

  This beautiful hand mehndi design is perfect for any occasion, be it a family function or wedding. The central, small round motif is surrounded by small half circular motifs with fine detailing. The weave patterns on the finger looks beautiful.

 This simple yet interesting mehndi gives the round mehandi design a new modern twist. The design is a dense, intricate pattern and looks beautiful with blue glitter used to highlight the central flower motif. The detailing is very refined and not cluttered, making the design quite elegant. The use of black mehndi surely helps to bring out the design.

 

 This feet mehndi design looks quite apt for the blushing bride. The round shape on top of the feet and small detailing on the toes makes your feet look resplendent. The central, floral design is encircled with another round design. Small detailing work around the circles makes it a very pretty design. The toes are decorated with small floral patterns which looks great.

 This beautiful mehndi is done using a red mehndi color. The main central design is in a circular pattern with an inner circle filled with red color. The simplicity of the design makes it easy for beginners to try out. The tips are filled with color and minimal designs are drawn on the fingers.

 Another great combination of red and black mehndi, this design is apt for any contemporary mehndi lover. The outline is done with black mehndi and the patterns are filled with red mehndi.

 A small floral, round mehndi design for the hands. The central round design is done using floral motifs and the fingers are also decorated with floral, weave and lace like patterns. The mehndi used here is orange Another great combination of red and black mehndi, this design is apt for any contemporary mehndi lover. The outline is done with black mehndi and the patterns are filled with red mehndi.

Three Amazing Hair Colour Charts From Your Most Trusted Hair Brands for YOU.

Getting your hair colored is a big decision. Don’t think I’m trying to be dramatic; it’s true. The color you pick is going to stay with you for a minimum of 45 days. Of course, this depends on which brand of color you use, how well you take care of it, how often you condition it, what kind of hair care products you use and other such things. It also depends on how fast your hair grows. So, it only makes sense to be absolutely sure about the color that you dye your hair in.
While picking a hair color on a whim may work sometimes, mostly it is a well-judged and analyzed decision that proves to yield a better result. So, let us try to understand what exactly these different colors are and how they are devised.


The actual process of devising and defining hair colors take place in secret laboratories and have millions of dollars invested in it. But what we see when we look at a hair color chart is basically a version, a standard, or a combination of the four basic hair colors: blonde, brown, red and black. The different shades and tones of hair colors are merely slight tweaks of these four parent colors. Take a color like burgundy for example. What is it? It’s just a fusion of deep red with a deep brown, isn’t it?
Now, let’s take a look at a couple of hair colour charts from renowned brands. It will help you understand and identify the combinations and fusions of the four basic hair colors.

Hair Color Charts

1. L’Oreal Feria’s Hair Color Chart:

Note how the tones gradually get darker from blonde to finally black.

• Sunflower Blonde
• Pure Diamond
• Caramel
• Hot Toffee
• Sparkling Amber
• Havana Brown
• Espresso
• French Roast
• Copper Shimmer
• Ruby Fusion Crushed Garnet
• Blowout Burgundy
• Chocolate Cherry
• Midnight Ruby
• Leather Black

• 2. Garniar  Nutrise Hair Color Chart:

  
  This contains more tones and shades, but the same darkening pattern; did you notice it 

   This contains more tones and shades, but the same darkening pattern; did you notice it?

  

  • 1- Honey Butter  Chamomile, Apricot Chardonnay,  Ginger Ale, MacadamiaCream Soda,  Champagne Fizz,  vanilla Malt, Butternut,  Hot Tamale, Honey Dip, Sweet Latte, Almond Crème, Sweet Pepper,,Ginger Spice,Pomegranate, Summer Berry ,Brown Sugar Mochaccino, Acorn Sangria,  Chocolate Peanut Butter Chocolate ,Caramel Chestnut, Cool TeaTruffle, Chocolate Cherry, Cinnamon Stick, Cocoa BeanDark Chocolate, Sweet ColaBlack Licorice,
  •  Less fancy names but the same pattern of gradation is followed here too., Light Ash Blonde ,Light Blonde, Light Golden Blond, Beeline honeyMedium Champagne,
  •  ButterscotchLight Cool BrownLight Brown,  Light Golden Brow,  Chocolate Brown,  Dark Golden Brown,  Medium Ash Brown,  Reddish Brown, light Auburn, Medium Auburn, Red Hot Cinnamon, Expresso, Jet Black
  
  
  Well, that was simple. Trying and testing different combinations of four colors can give rise to so many wonderful hues for hair color.  get a better idea and a visual sense of what each of these individual colors looks like. You can mix and match your favorite hair colors and come up with an entirely new shade to flaunt.
  So how well did you understand these hair colouring charts? Please do share your feedback with us in the comments section below.
  
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8 korean beauty secrets you should definitely know!!

Skin Care Ideas- 8 Korean Beauty Secrets You Should Definitely Know! 

Most Koreans are known for their Flawless skin. Koreans spend a great deal of time and moneyin nurturing their skin and are known to be very skin conscious.All over the world people envy Korean beauties because of their looks and skin. In fact, when Korean Actress Go Hyun Jung published herbeauty secretsin a documentary titled ‘Go Hyun Jung’s Texture’, it was a best seller & all copies were sold out within two days of its launch in 2011. 

Here are few Korean beauty secrets & tips to get a gorgeous looking healthy skin.
 1. Adequate Hydration:
Koreans believe that drinking lots of fluids helps to add a healthy glow to their skin, hence they start their day by drinking a cup of water & splashing their face with cold water for a few minutes. Fruits & vegetables are the most important part of their meals & they consume foods with very less sodium to maintain the hydration in their body.

 2. Regular Cleansing, Toning & Moisturising:

They have a unique way of applying skin care products because they believe it yields better results.Cleansing :Korean actress Suzy Bae talks about the ‘424’ technique, where you must clean your face with an oil (coconut, almond or any cleansing oil) for 4 minutes , follow it with a foaming cleanser for 2 minutes & then rinsing your face for 4 minutes, start with lukewarm water ending with cold water to close all opened pores . .Toning:Koreans prefer tapping the toner with fingertips for better absorption.Moisturising: By rubbing the hands together, the product is warmed on the fingertips & thenapplied all over the face in an outward & downward manner.

 3. Face Pack/ Mask/ Sheets: 
Korean face sheets are infused with ingredients that were tried & tested by their ancestors and today they are most sought out skincare product all over the world. A routine of using two masks – a cleansing mask & a nourishing mask simultaneously once a week helps reduce the puffiness of the face. Using amask made up of silkworm cocoon powder called baekgangjam helps in achieving white skin. Besides this, homemade masks with egg white & honey mixture are an all time favourite.

 4. Neck Care:
Actress Go Hyun Jung applies her neck cream from jawline to décolletage as stated by her in her documentary for it to be more affective. 5. Beauty Sleep:Sleeping for at least 6 – 8 hours is as important for ahealthy skin.

 6. Skin Care Products:
Asian brands are gaining more popularity these days all over the world for their good properties and Koreans use about 10- 20 products each day for their skincare. 

 7. Facial Stretching Exercise:
This is a common practice among Korean actors & actresses, where ‘Ma Me Mi Mo Mu’ is repeated 10 times for exercising their lip & cheek muscles. In addition to this, co-ordinated stretching of facial muscles with breathing is also recommended. 

8. Subtle Make-up:
Koreans keep it simple.*

.Eyes are kept minimal with warm hues over the lid, lined by a black eye-liner.*.Loads of mascara for the lashes*.Eyebrows are kept tidy with brow gel*.A hint of pink for flushed cheeks*.Natural colours for luscious lipsRemember, the most important Korean beauty secret is Less Make-up, More Skin care. Hope you find this article useful. Formore beauty tips& secrets, visit and subscribe my Blog.

Ways to Getrid of scars.

3 Ways to Get Rid of Scars and Cuts Left by Acne-

As if struggling through acne wasn't hard enough, it can also leave behind scars and hyperpigmentation marks long after puberty! These scars are often a huge source of insecurity. However, it is possible to get rid of those acne scars and marks and reclaim your confidence -- you just need to find a method that works for you. Methods of dealing with these scars can vary from simple creams to invasive surgery and everything in between. Start with Step 1 below to find out more.

 

Method 1 of 3: Getting Rid of Scars

1

Figure out what kind of scars are on your skin. Acne scars fall into four types, and knowing what you're dealing with can help you choose the right treatment

• Icepick scars are the most common marks left behind by acne. They're characterized by deep pits that are relatively narrow on the surface.
• Boxcar scars occur primarily on the temples or cheeks, and feature deep, angular edges that resemble chicken pox scars.
• Rolling scars give skin a wave-like appearance and have tapering edges, that start shallow and go deeper.
• Keloid (or hypertrophic) scars are thick and raised from the skin, caused by excess collagen sent to repair the original scar. 
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Try topical treatments for atrophic scars. Atrophic scars (or, anything that's not a keloid or raised scar) might respond well to topical treatments designed to boost collagen production. Look for compounds that contain:

• Retinoic acid, or vitamin A. In some countries, such as the U.S., you might need to get a prescription for Retin-A because it can cause birth defects if you happen to get pregnant.
• Glycolic acid, which is an alpha-hydroxy acid (or AHA). You might be able to find gentle AHA peels sold over-the-counter. Be sure to avoid sunlight if you use this method. Glycolic acid is safe for pregnancy.
• Vitamin C, or absorbic acid. Several over-the-counter products contain absorbic acid as an active ingredient. Vitamin C is also safe for pregnancy

Try microdermabrasion for atrophic scars. Microdermabrasion will buff down the skin surrounding the scar, evening out the surface and making the pits and shadows less apparent. Microdermabrasion used to be a painful process administered by a metal sander, but now most offices exfoliate the skin with tiny crystals, which is relatively painless and almost bloodless.

• Ask around for a recommendation. If at all possible, consult someone who's undergone microdermabrasion for acne scars.
• Some people with deep scars skip the "micro" and go straight for dermabrasion, which is a more intensive process that goes deeper into the skin. Ask your doctor if this is the best option for you.
• Be prepared for the recovery time. Your skin will be red and sensitive after the treatment. Avoid direct sunlight for a few weeks, as well as any sports that involve having a ball potentially hurled at your face (such as baseball)

Get a chemical peel. A chemical peel will remove the top layer (or a few more) of your skin, so that new skin can regenerate without pigmentation or scars. Chemical peels should always be administered by a doctor, though they shouldn't feel too painful — the sensation should be a light tingling or burning.

• Ask your doctor about what kind of peel you need. There are several different formulations tailored to different skin problems, as well as how deeply the peel needs to go into your skin.
• Stay out of the sun and use sunscreen. Your skin will be extremely sensitive after the peel. Don't undo the good work with a sunburn!

Get laser treatments. The good news is, laser treatments work for both atrophic and keloid (or raised) acne scars. Consider:

• Laser resurfacing for atrophic acne scars. Like microdermabrasion, laser resurfacing buffs down the skin around the scars, reducing the appearance of pitting and shadows.
• Pulsed dye laser treatments for keloid scars, which can induce apoptosis (or individual cell death) and bring the scars down.

6

Ask your doctor about fillers. Sometimes acne scars are so deep that skin resurfacing alone won't help. In this situation, your could consider getting injectable fillers which plump out the scars and make them less noticeable.

• The only downside to fillers is that the material gets absorbed by the body over time, so you will need to receive repeat injections every four to six months.  
•  Experiment with home remedies. Some people prefer to stick with all-natural ingredients when treating their skin. The following home remedies are believed to fade hyperpigmentation marks:
• Lemon juice: Lemon juice contains citric acid, which is a natural bleaching agent. Dilute a small amount of fresh lemon juice to half strength with water, then apply the juice directly onto the hyperpigmented skin, Leave for 10 to 15 minutes the rinse off. Repeat once a day until the scars begin to fade, but stop using if your skin becomes dry or irritated.
• Honey: Honey can help to fade hyperpigmentation marks thanks to its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. Simply use a q-tip to dab a little honey directly onto the affected skin. This is a great option for people with sensitive skin, as honey is moisturizing as opposed to drying.

flat stomach within 7 days!

You want to wear your favourite saree or figure-hugging dress but are worried about your flabby stomach bulging out. Well, you still have a last option. While you cannot reduce fat, you can lose belly fat by decreasing your total body fat percentage. And you don't have to completely alter your daily habits to get a flat stomach within 7 days!

Step one:

If you want to build muscle and burn fat at the same time, you have to perform circuit training, three days per week. How can you achieve this? Indulge in full body exercises like lunges, push-ups, and pull-ups, for one set of 15 repetitions. Don't forget to follow every exercise with one minute of jumping rope. You should be able to burn around 500 to 600 calories per workout.

Step two:

You have to work on your abdominal muscles three times in the week. Crunches and leg raises for three sets of 20 repetitions should be done. Also, do planks by holding your body in a push-up position on your elbows for 30 to 60 seconds for four sets.

Step three:

The kind of food you will eat in this period is vital in bringing about any change. Natural foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grain breads and pastas, chicken, beef, fish and low fat dairy should replace processed foods full of sugar.

Step four:

To minimize water retention, lower your sodium intake. This means you need to avoid salt. You can flavour your food with other herbs and spices instead.

Step five:

Stressing and anxiety can cause the over-production of a certain hormone called cortisol, which encourages weight gain about the belly area. So try to keep your cool!

skin care

Sometimes it may seem like your skin is impossible to manage, especially when you wake up and find a huge zit on your nose or a cold sore at the corner of your mouth. The good news is that there are ways to prevent and treat common skin problems — read on for some tips.

Acne

A pimple starts when the pores in the skin become clogged with a type of oil called sebum, which normally lubricates the skin and hair. Acne is common during puberty when hormones go into overdrive, causing the skin to overproduce sebum. Because many oil-producing glands are on the forehead, nose, and chin, this area — the T-zone — is where a person is most prone to pimples.
Here are some tips to help prevent breakouts and clear them up as fast as possible:

• Wash your face twice a day (no more) with warm water and a mild soap made for people with acne. Gently massage your face with circular motions. Don't scrub. Overwashing and scrubbing can cause skin to become irritated. After cleansing, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends applying an over-the-counter (no prescription needed) lotion containing benzoyl peroxide. This will decrease oil and bacteria.
• Don't pop pimples. It's tempting, but here's why you shouldn't: Popping pimples can push infected material further into the skin, leading to more swelling and redness, and even scarring. If you notice a pimple coming before a big event, like the prom, a dermatologist can often treat it for you with less risk of scarring or infection.
• Avoid touching your face with your fingers or leaning your face on objects that collect sebum and skin residue like your phone. Touching your face can spread the bacteria that cause pores to become inflamed and irritated. To keep bacteria at bay, wash your hands before applying anything to your face, such as treatment creams or makeup.
• If you wear glasses or sunglasses, make sure you clean them frequently to keep oil from clogging the pores around your eyes and nose.
• If you get acne on your body, try not to wear tight clothes. They don't allow skin to breathe and may cause irritation. Scarves, headbands, and caps can collect dirt and oil, too.

• Remove your makeup before you go to sleep. When buying makeup, make sure you choose brands that say "noncomedogenic" or "nonacnegenic" on the label. Throw away old makeup that smells or looks different from when you first bought it.
• Keep hair clean and out of your face to prevent additional dirt and oil from clogging your pores.
• Protect your skin from the sun. It may seem like a tan masks acne, but it's only temporary. A tan may worsen your acne, not improve it. Tanning also causes damage to skin that will eventually lead to wrinkles and increase your risk of skin cancer.

If you're concerned about acne, talk to a dermatologist. Dermatologists offer a range of treatments that help to prevent and acne scars. A dermatologist can help you find the treatment method that's best for you and can also give you lots of useful tips for dealing with acne and caring for your skin type. Some salons and spas have trained skin specialists, called estheticians, who can offer advice and skin care treatments.

Sun and Skin

We all know we need to protect our skin from the sun's harmful rays. Of course, it's impossible to avoid the sun — who wants to hide indoors when it feels so great to get outside? And the sun's not all bad, anyway: Sunlight helps our bodies create vitamin D. So follow these tips when you're outdoors to help manage sun exposure:

• Wear sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15, even if it's cloudy or you don't plan on spending a lot of time outdoors. If you sweat a lot or go swimming, reapply sunscreen every 1½ to 2 hours (even if the bottle says the sunscreen is waterproof).
• Choose a sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays. Look for the words "broad spectrum protection" or UVA protection in addition to the SPF of 15 or greater. Select a sunscreen that says "nonacnegenic" or "noncomedogenic" on the label to help keep pores clear.
• The sun's rays are strongest between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM, so reapply sunscreen frequently and take breaks indoors if you can. If your shadow is longer than you are tall, then it's a safer time to be in the sun (you should still wear sunscreen, though).
• Apply more sunscreen (with higher SPF) when you're around reflective surfaces like water, snow, or ice.

• We all know that the sun can damage skin, but did you know it can contribute to eye problems, too? Protect your face and eyes with a hat and sunglasses that provide 100% UV protection.
• Some medications, such as prescription acne medications, can increase your sensitivity to the sun (and to tanning beds). So if you're taking medication, increase your sun protection.
• If you want the glow of a tan, try faking it with self-tanners. Avoid tanning beds. They still contain some of the same harmful UV rays as the sun.

Cold Sores

Cold sores usually show up as tender blisters on the lips. They are caused by a type of herpes virus (HSV-1, which most often is not sexually transmitted) so they are contagious from person to person. Once you get this virus it stays in your body, meaning you'll probably get cold sores every now and then throughout your life.
Here are ways you can help prevent cold sores from making an appearance (or reappearance if you've had them in the past):

• Avoid getting cold sores in the first place by not sharing stuff like lip balm, toothbrushes, or drinks with other people who might have cold sores. The virus that causes cold sores is transmitted through the nose (in mucus) and the mouth (in saliva).
• People who have the virus know that cold sores can flare up from things like too much sun, stress, or being sick. Just one more reason to lather on that suntan lotion, eat well, exercise, and get plenty of sleep!

If you do have a cold sore, here are some tips for keeping yourself comfortable:

• Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen if the cold sores are painful.
• Suck on ice pops or cubes to ease pain and keep cold sores cool.
• Stay away from acidic foods (like oranges, tomatoes, and lemonade) and salty, spicy foods, which can cause irritation.
• Don't pick at cold sores while you're waiting for them to go away. They may bleed or become infected with bacteria or you could spread the virus.

Usually, cold sores go away on their own after a week or two. But if you get them frequently or they're a problem, talk to your doctor or dermatologist, who may be able to prescribe medication to alleviate symptoms and shorten the amount of time cold sores last.

Eczema

Eczema is a condition that causes skin to become red, itchy, and dry. If you have eczema, you might notice that you are prone to getting itchy rashes — especially in places like where your elbows and knees bend or on your neck and face. The symptoms of eczema can vary from person to person.
Though you can't cure eczema forever, you can take steps to prevent it from flaring:

• Stay away from things like harsh detergents, perfumed soaps, and heavily fragranced lotions that tend to irritate the skin and trigger eczema.
• Because hot water dries by quick evaporation and over-washing with soap may dry skin, take short, warm showers and baths. If you're going to have your hands in water for a long time (like when you're washing dishes or your car), try wearing gloves. Detergent can dry and irritate skin.
• Soothe your skin with regular applications of a fragrance-free moisturizer to prevent itching and dryness. Creams generally moisturize a bit better and last longer than lotions for most people. Creams work best if applied when the skin is slightly wet, like just after bathing.
• Be careful which fabrics you wear. Cotton is good because it's breathable and soft. (But if you are exercising, some of the newer synthetic materials actually keep you drier and are better for you than cotton.) Try to stay away from materials like wool or spandex that may cause irritation or allergic reactions.
• Keep stress in check. Because stress can lead to eczema flares, try activities like yoga or walking after a long day to keep your stress levels low.
• If you wear makeup, look for brands that are free of dyes and fragrances that can aggravate eczema.

If you're having trouble managing your eczema, talk to a dermatologist, who can suggest ways to better control it.

Other Skin Conditions

Warts are tiny skin infections caused by viruses of the human papilloma virus (HPV) family. There's no way to prevent warts from occurring (other than avoiding contact with people who have them). But if you do get them, don't rub, pick, or scratch them because you can spread the virus and get new warts.
Some over-the-counter medications containing special acids can help get rid of warts, but it's always a good idea to see your doctor before trying one. If you find warts in your genital area, you should see your doctor, who can recommend the best treatment method for that sensitive area.
Another type of wart-like viral infection is molluscum contagiosum. (It's not as scary as its name sounds!) Like warts, it can be transmitted through scratching and sexual contact.
Fine white or purplish lines on the skin called stretch marks are pretty common in most teens. Stretch marks are formed when the tissue under your skin is pulled by rapid growth or stretching, like during puberty. Stretch marks usually fade on their own over time. Talk to a dermatologist if you're concerned about them.
Because our skin is the most visible reflection of what's going on in our bodies, people equate healthy skin with beauty. But healthy skin is about more than just good looks; it's essential to our survival. So keep your skin glowing with the right skin care techniques and by eating well and getting lots of exercise