Summer is the season for shaving which can often lead to pesky ingrown hairs (and is the last thing you want as you head out to the pool or beach). But what is the underlying cause of those red bumps? Sharlyn asks our experts and Dr. Ben Johnson shares his insights. Check it out, then shop the solutions below!
Q: "What do you think is the main cause of ingrown hairs? Specifically, the male beard line and woman bikini area. I've heard you discuss other theories in the past besides the common ones. Can you touch on this a bit?" -Sharlyn
A: "Ingrown hairs and/or folliculitis are a detox reaction. The toxin generates inflammation on its way out of the follicle, this swelling traps the hair. Facial lesions are from estrogenic toxins, bikini line is likely from mercury so look at their fish intake." -Dr. Ben Johnson
Tackle it with Osmosis:
Start within by addressing possible imbalanced mercury levels in the body. Environmental Protection Water will help harmonize environmental toxicity, then turn to Rescue topically to soothe and heal the inflammation of the follicle, neutralize toxins in the skin, and prevent scarring from the wound. Bonus Tip! Apply Rescue to scars caused by previous ingrown hairs and watch them fade away leaving smooth, even, and radiant skin!
Have a question that you would like to have featured in an #AskTheExperts forum? Submit it to social@osmosisskincare.com we'd love to hear from you!
We talk a lot about environmental toxins and how we are constantly at bat with them. We create supplements, Harmonized Waters, and plenty of skincare products to balance these toxins that enter our bodies or come in contact with our skin. So, what exactly are these environmental toxins and where in the world do they come from? Well, you are in the right place! Welcome to education station, we are here to answer these questions for you so that you have a better understanding of why it's so important to keep them at bay and which Osmosis products can help do just that!
Q: What are they?
A: Dr. Ben Johnson defines environmental toxins as follows, "We ingest, inhale, and rub on many chemicals and natural substances everyday. They are either beneficial to the body, don’t have a positive or negative effect (neutral), or they cause some type of interference in normal physiologic function. Environmental Toxins include everything that we are exposed to that causes harm or in some way interferes with the healthy operations within the body.".
Q: Where do they come from?
A: Environmental Toxins can come from various substances, from particles in the air, to chemicals in everyday products that you are putting in or on your body such as food, hair product, or skin care products. We are exposed to these toxins every day, so it is important we know how to encourage our body to fight against them.
Q: How do they effect our body?
A: There are many different ways that environmental toxins can effect our bodies based on where the toxin came from. But all-in-all, these toxins negatively affect the normal physiological function of your body, and the symptoms you feel is your body doing its best to fight back in an effort to return to normal processes. This may show up in the form of allergies or sickness if the toxins enters into your body, or multiple signs and symptoms that you see on your skin or hair if accumulated through toxic ingredients applied to the outside of the body. Pay attention to these signs and assist the body in the recovery process by simple, healthy choices!
Q: How do we avoid them?
A: While it can be hard to completely avoid toxins in the air, we can back up our immune system to have a better chance of warding them off without the negative affects. We can, however, avoid harsh chemicals or ingredients that do not benefit the skin and hair. Key words to look out for on the ingredient deck of your hair care, deodorant, toothpaste, and facial products are parabens, D&C (followed by colors), fragrances, phthalates, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), propylene glycol, and PABA or benzophenone found in many commercial sunscreens. These are just to name a few, be sure to do your research before you invest! Know what you are putting in your body and on your skin.
Q: Which Osmosis product can help?
A: All Osmosis products will put your mind at ease that you are not putting any foreign chemicals in or onto your body and skin. Our holistic approach to skincare, makeup, and wellness ensures only the most quality, natural ingredients for the healthiest you! But we do have specific products that help provide the body an extra boost of defenses against environmental toxins we come in contact with every day.
1. Environmental Detox is a supplement formulated specifically to ward off these toxins and bring balance to your skin and body (read more about this super-supplement here).
2. Restore is another internal wellness product made with medicinal herbs combined with modern technology to enhance your body's overall immunity against toxic attacks.
3. Environmental Protection, one of our Harmonized Waters, contains frequencies that balance or neutralize these negative energies that affect the body.
4. Rescue serves as a powerful topical agent to defend against environmental toxins that we accumulate on our skin throughout the day. Makeup, dirt, allergens, and other particles are removed from the surface of the skin while this potent serum goes to work repairing any damage that they may have caused.
5. Replenish, another topical defense, offers a splash of nourishing antioxidants and can be used in any regimen as a preventative measure against free-radical damage caused by toxins in the air around us.
Shop for your environmental defenses here.
Wellness in the summer time is pretty easy to do. You have a bounty of amazing fruits and veggies in season, you work out more to keep your bikini body in shape, and you probably get plenty of Vitamin D. There are of course, some unwanted results of summer. The main one we always think of is mosquito bites. Is there anything worse? With viruses being spread by these pesky buggers, it is vital to protect yourself from them. Are you that one person who attracts bug bites like Brad Pitt attracts everyone on the planet? Then we have what you need. Bugs, especially mosquitoes, are attracted to three core things: Heat - Mosquitoes can sense heat from a living being, which to the bug means FOOD. Perspiration - Sweat can put off scents of lactic acid and body odor which is a huge attractant to these little fools. Standing Water - Standing water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Be sure to empty any buckets, barrels, or any other outdoor still-water source.
How can we help? Being that our own bodies attract the bite, we can alter the frequency of attraction. Mosquito Harmonized Water helps by creating a vibration on our skin which detracts them from landing and feeding. Of course, as with all mosquito prevention, there is always that one mosquito who lives on the edge, and may go for it anyway. Keep your eyes peeled for the adventurous one.
Take 5 pumps of water within the hour of venturing outside for your evening BBQ or party! Keep the water with you and re-dose every three hours while you are outside. This is the most natural and effective way to protect yourself without dowsing your body in harmful chemicals.
Keep perfumes and cologne at a minimum and wear a natural antiperspirant to fend them off. If you do get bit, keep some Environmental Protection Harmonized Water and Rescue on hand to treat the bite and harmonize your antihistamine reaction.
You don't have to stay inside all summer to avoid being a mosquito victim. Just utilize our Mosquito Harmonized Water and get out and enjoy your summer with wellness, health, and love!
Shop here.
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