The Truth About Skin Tightening

There are many ways you can tighten your skin. Criteria to look for when trying to find the treatment that fits your lifestyle, budget, and skin fall upon the right questions. The first question you should always ask is, "Who am I getting the answers from?"

The following will help you to get an idea of what is important to ask in the initial phone conversation when you call to make your appointment and speak to the staff.

1. Is the doctor is trained and certified to do these treatments?

2. How long has the staff been doing these particular treatments?

3. What are there other certifications?

4. What skin care do I use in conjunction with the treatments?

5. Most importantly how much are the treatments?

Skin tightening can be done with injectables, lasers, and or surgery. (Depending on variations of elasticity, health of the skin, and or color of the skin). If you go the direction of Lasers, you must know who is doing your treatment. Use the internet to your advantage and research the facility before handing them over your precious money. Laser treatments can vary depending on how many treatments it takes to get to great sustainable results and depending on area to be treated.

Most popular is the face and neck however body is slowly reaching popularity. Ranges could be $900 to $4500 per package depending on what you choose as your problematic area. When thinking about laser skin tightening pay special attention to the Sciton SkinTyte: Houston 's most trusted procedure is available in a number of locations.

If you go the surgery route you could have a facelift, thread lift, or natural fat transfer. The disadvantage of a Facelifts is the risk of looking unnatural, changing the shape of eyes, or other features. The cost of this procedure ranges from $6,000 to $15,000.

Thread lift is not sustainable and the cost, in my opinion, is expensive ($4,500). Natural Fat Transfer is your own fat transferred into your face or other regions of the body. Pricing varies depending could start at $3,500 to $10,000 adding into this would include Liposuction (which will just be a perk, right?).

Whatever you choose, do research before your skin tightening procedure. Make sure you are satisfied before your purchase and you will surely be satisfied after. Other than that, have fun!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Timothy_Kern

The Benefits Of Hydrolyzed Collagen Supplement

When doctors recommend nutritional supplements, they may also suggest hydrolyzed collagen. It is known as a digestible protein containing important amino acids. In addition, this multifunctional supplement can improve your bones and joints, keep your skin healthy, and your weight balanced.

Adding hydrolyzedcollagen to your daily dose of vitamins and supplements will help to reduce joint pain caused by arthritis and other joint crippling diseases. Studies have shown that collagen has positive effects on joints. A German hydrolyzedcollagen study showed that, after only 12 weeks, there were impressive flexibility and mobility improvements in the joints of the participating athletes. Improvements were recorded in, for instance, the knees, hips and shoulders.

Other benefits often associated with hydrolyzed collagen include:

• Increased bone density
• Treatment of osteoporosis
• Youthful, smooth looking skin
• Better elasticity of the skin
• Improved hair
• Weight management

Many people taking hydrolyzedcollagen find that their hair and skin vastly improve. The supplement will help to retain the moisture in their skin. It will also condition their hair, giving it a strong and healthy appearance. Hydrolyzed collagen has also been known to smoothen and soften the skin.

Hydrolyzedcollagen is often recommended to patients with osteoporosis and bone density problems. While generally quite safe, the supplement should only be taken under the supervision of a physician. Even though this nutritional additive is manufactured mostly from natural ingredients, it can have minor side effects in some individuals. Women who are pregnant or nursing should also consult a medical professional before taking hydrolyzed collagen. In fact, they should talk to their doctor about any supplement they want to take.

Rousselot Inc has been a global leader in the manufacture of premium gelatin and hydrolyzed collagen products. Our products are used in many applications all over the world since 1981. ( http://www.rousselotusonline.com/ )
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Graham_Pratt

The Uncomfortable Side Effects of Pregnancy

Pregnancy can bring with it a lot of excitement, anticipation and at the end, a beautiful baby. But pregnancy can also bring with it an untold amount of side effects, from morning sickness to other potentially life-threatening conditions.

Some conditions and side effects can be quite harmless to both mother and unborn child, but can still be, at the same time, quite uncomfortable. Some instances can spoil what should be a particularly happy time for any expectant mother. With this in mind, there are more and more women that are turning to natural treatments of acupuncture.

Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years but with a certain amount of doubt with some people. However, it is progressively being recommended by medical experts in the case of women who are pregnant.

It can help reduce all sorts of symptoms, particularly morning sickness with some women claiming it greatly reduced their morning sickness and other women saying it eradicated it altogether.

The use of acupuncture can also give your body a sense of calm, something that is most beneficial to a pregnant woman, after all you body is under enough stress when it is pregnant.

During the second trimester, it is also claimed to alleviate heartburn, a big and uncomfortable problem for a lot of women, along with hemorrhoids, another condition that can be quite uncomfortable.

It can also help with more serious conditions such as the treatment of Edema, elevated blood pressure and even excessive weight gain which can be the cause of these problems.

Although, if you have these symptoms then it is important that you are monitored by medical staff at the same time which will hopefully make sure that any medical conditions are able to be cured, and your pregnancy continues problem free.

By : Jessica_N_King

Menopause And Sex

These symptoms will start at different times for each woman and can get worse over time if not addressed and managed with some form of treatment or compensation. It is always best to consult with your physician because vaginal symptoms can be successfully treated but it is as in all things related to menopause, on an individual case by case basis that will determine the best treatment for you.

Your whole reproductive system is affected with menopause because your periods stop. You may experience less lubrication which will probably give you a feeling of vaginal dryness. This is one of the things that can be addressed with supplemental estrogen and/or use of vaginal lubricants.

It is possible to treat vaginal dryness, some sexual discomfort and irritation and the burning sensation accompanied with sexual intercourse with the readily available water-soluble lubricants such as Astroglide or K-Y Jelly and other lubricants you can find at your local grocery store and shops specializing in sexual products. It is highly recommended not to use anything that does not specifically state it is for internal use.

Also, until your doctor confirms you are not producing any more eggs and you can not become pregnant and and to prevent contracting sexually transmitted diseases you should not forego precautions for this and always used a condom. Also, be sure to always use the appropriate gels, lubricants and creams that do not deteriorate and/or weaken latex (the material used to make condoms

Non-water soluble lubricants, such as Vaseline, can also provide a good medium for bacterial growth, particularly in a person whose immune system has been compromised and weakened by chemotherapy. Keep in mind that STD's and AIDS is not an age, menopausal or other related disease. You must always use a condom to protect yourself from this and especially if you are with more than one partner or you are not sure if your partner is.

The walls of the vagina can become thinner and less elastic which can also contribute to some pain or discomfort during sex in menopause. The thinning of the vaginal walls and loss of elasticity can easily be determined by your gynecologist with an ultrasound.

Use of the ultrasound can often be a great way to determine upon inspection, the condition of the walls of the vagina, uterus and other female organs, just what stage of menopause you are in. Your doctor then is able to know just how to assist you through the perimenopause and menopause stages to avoid some of the symptoms accompanied with this time of a woman's life.

The lower estrogen level women experience with menopause is not the only reason for the decrease in libido. There are often many other factors, some listed in the Menopause Symptoms section above. They include but are not limited to:

* Menopause Insomnia caused by night sweats and other contributing factors
* Hot Flashes
* Menopause Weight Gain
* Menopause Weight Loss
* Menopause Hair Loss
* Menopause Depression
* Menopause Bleeding
* Bladder Control Problems
* Menopause Anxiety
* Stress related or unrelated to menopause
* Other health Issues related or unrelated to menopause
* Medications related to other health issues

By Sebastian Schepis

Identifying The Phases of Menopause

The phases of menopause or the menopausal transition is usually broken down into four categories; pre-menopause, peri-menopause, menopause and post-menopause. The signs and symptoms of menopause experienced by every woman include cessation of menstrual periods and decreased hormone production by the ovaries.

There is a long list of symptoms that may be associated with menopause and decreased hormone production. Not every woman experiences all of them, but most experience one or more.

The average age of menopause is 51, but a woman is only said to have experienced "premature menopause" if it occurs before the age of 40. Premature menopause is usually caused by illness or injury to the ovaries, but premature menopause occurs naturally in about 1% of all women. On the other end of the scale, some women do not enter menopause until they are well into their fifties. There is no way to predict at what age menopause will occur in a specific woman.

The different phases of menopause are experienced by all women, but may not cause any symptoms. During pre-menopause a woman's periods are regular. Symptoms such as worsening PMS, periods that are heavier or lighter than normal may be associated with "peri-menopause" or the time "around" menopause.

Women in their late thirties may experience these symptoms, but may not enter menopause for another ten years. Symptoms such as this can also be caused by other more serious health conditions and sudden changes should be evaluated by a physician.

Menopause is simply a term that means the end of menstruation. When a woman has not had a period for 12 consecutive months, then she can no longer become pregnant. She is post-menopausal. Women may experience the signs and symptoms of menopause for several years before menopause and for several years following menopause. The most common symptoms for which women seek treatment are hot flashes, night sweats and vaginal dryness.

About 50% of all women have hot flashes and/or night sweats during the phases of menopause. About 10% have them in their pre-menopausal years and the percentage gradual increases as menopause approaches. Researchers refer to these symptoms as "vasomotor symptoms", because circulation and blood vessel dilation are involved.

The exact cause of hot flashes and night sweats are unknown. It is known that women who are surgically menopausal, due to removal of the ovaries, typically have more severe vasomotor symptoms.

Men who must take drugs to suppress hormone production also experience hot flashes. All of this seems to indicate that decreased hormone production causes hot flashes. But all women experience a gradual decrease in hormone production, but all do not have hot flashes.

By Patsy Hamilton

Stigmas For Menopause

One of the main stigmas for menopause is that it will not begin until a woman reaches her early 50s. While it is true that some women will head into menopause around age 50, 51 or 52, most women are in their late 40s and sometimes earlier. Another thing people believe that is simply not true is that menopause lasts around a year.

Oh, women would be jumping up and down rejoicing if there were the case but unfortunately, it is not! Typically, menopause will last anywhere from three to ten years, sometimes less and unfortunately, sometimes more. Keep in mind that does not automatically mean she will have all the symptoms or difficult symptoms the entire time, although she could. In most cases, the menopause will start out gradually and then reach a few years when everything is challenging but with the right treatment, the symptoms do not have to be overpowering.

Probably one of the most unsettling stigmas for menopause is that the woman simply needs to take hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and everything will be fine. For years, women around the world were taking HRT and actually had fewer symptoms but as more and more in-depth studies have been performed it has come out in the past few years that HRT is actually very dangerous.

Although there might be some cases when HRT is prescribed, these studies show us that HRT can actually lead to a number of cancers. Therefore, while HRT is certainly one option for treating the symptoms of menopause, it generally would be the last option to consider. Instead, new drugs and natural remedies have been used, most with great success.

Now, speaking of dangerous, another stigma for menopause is that once a women starts in to the years of menopause, she can no longer become pregnant. You would be amazed at how many "menopausal" babies there are running around the world. The truth here is that during peri-menopause, the years when the woman still ovulates and has a period, she can still become pregnant.

Although the level of estrogen hormone is decreasing, many times a high enough level exists that pregnancy happens. Therefore, if you are finished having your family or do not want children at all, do not assume that because you are in the menopausal years, you are safe. In this case, you would need to keep taking birth control or use other forms of protection to ensure you are not surprised nine months later with a little bundle of joy.

For some reason, there is also the stigma for menopause that this is somehow connected to the "empty nest syndrome" when all the children are finally out of the house.

The belief here is that the depression associated with menopause is the depression of the children no longer being around and the woman becoming older. The bottom line is that menopause does produce depression in some women. However, the only connection would be that the depression already begin experienced may be temporarily magnified because of the children leaving but nothing more.

Finally, a disconcerting stigma for menopause is that this natural process of a woman's life does not have any consequences or does not need to be treated, that it will simply go away in time. Well, when the body stops producing normal amounts of the hormone estrogen, many things change.

For starters, this places the woman at greater risk for Alzheimer's disease, osteoporosis or osteoarthritis, heart disease, tooth loss, vaginal and/or urethral atrophy, Parkinson's disease, impaired vision, some forms of cancer, and diabetes.

By Dawn Olsen

How to Survive Menopause Naturally

One thought that will be haunting today's young women is that they will have to pass through the menopause period. The common menopause symptoms are night sweats, hot flashes, vaginal dryness, itching and burning. These menopause symptoms will make the young women feel like they are in hell.

The menopause symptoms are not limited to the above mentioned ones. In addition to these common menopause symptoms some women experience an uncontrollable urge to urination. This will affect the mental health of the women. Though menopause is associated with several other problems, thankfully there are some natural remedies for menopause.

The Ideal Food for Women in during Menopause Period

According to various researches conducted to deal with menopause symptoms, it was found that consuming foods with plant estrogens will help to control cholesterol along with controlling the menopause symptoms. Consuming foods rich in plant estrogens is one of the best natural remedies for menopause.

When it comes to foods rich in plant estrogens, there are several items to choose from. Lima beans, seeds, soy products, celery, nuts, parsley, and flaxseed oil are rich in plant estrogens. Hence consuming an ideal meal with all these estrogen rich items will help women to overcome the menopause period with ease.

Don't avoid exercise

Proper diet and exercise are indispensable during the menopause period. Many people avoid exercise during the menopause period, thinking that it will harm their health. This thinking is totally wrong. Lack of exercise during the menopause period will increase the menopause symptoms.

Inactivity during the menopause period will put women in the risk of abnormal weight gain, osteoporosis and heart problems along with increasing the common menopause symptoms. Estrogen which protects the heart and bones will drastically fall down the normal level during menopause. This loss of estrogen is one of the menopause symptoms which should be compensated by healthy diet and effective exercise.

Meditation for dealing with psychological issues

The menopause symptoms lead to many psychological problems in most of the women. Hence it is necessary to maintain good mental health along with physical health. As there are many natural remedies for menopause for maintaining physical health, you don't have to worry about it. When it comes to mental health the only natural remedy available is meditation. You will be well aware of the fact that meditation is an excellent stress buster. Hence meditation plays an important role in maintaining mental health during menopause.

Menopause occurs naturally and hence it cannot be grouped under any kinds of diseases. While a few women will be able to pass through the menopause period without any medical attention, many others need some special care for dealing with the menopause symptoms. There are many kinds of natural health care products available for controlling the menopause symptoms. Thanks for the advancements in the healthcare industry.

Valerie Balandra is a nurse practitioner that uses a naturopathic healing approach to help people achieve good health. For more information on menopause, menopause symptoms, causes of menopause, menopause diet and menopause supplements visit http://www.
HealthRemedies.com

By Valerie Balandra

A Look At Different Menopause Treatment Solutions

There are three ways that a woman can get herself through the ups and down of menopause. The first is by just living through the process and trying to not take anything, most women do not find this option much fun. The second is to go to your local doctor and ask to be put on a drug regime. The problem with artificial drugs is that they can lead to some really serious side effects. The third method is with natural menopause treatment solutions.

When a menopausal women goes to her doctor and complains about her symptoms the first thing most doctors are going to suggest is hormone replacement therapy. The idea behind these treatment programs is that they will help balance the hormone levels in a woman's body and decrease the severity of her menopausal symptoms. While the treatments do usually ease the symptoms, hormone replacement therapy is not without some risk.

Since the onset of perimenopause means that the ovaries are starting to shut down, it also means that the woman is not producing the estrogen and proestrogen her body is accustomed to. The goal of the hormone replacement therapy is to make up for the loss.

The problem is that there have been several really severe side effects that have been linked directly to hormone replacement therapy. Women who indulge in hormone replacement therapy are more prone to developing blood clots, gall bladder disease, increasing blood pressure, strokes, breast cancer and endometrial cancer. The severity of the potential side effects often is enough to have the woman reconsidering and taking a hard look at natural remedies.

A prescribed hormone replacement therapy is not the only option available to women. Many of them opt for a more natural way of treating menopause. More and more women are trying out natural remedies before they go to the doctor. Natural treatments are ideal because they involve things that the woman's body needs anyway.

This means that not only will the woman be easing her menopausal symptoms but she will also be improving her overall health. There are several different herbs and natural supplements that a woman can take to make up for her decreasing levels of estrogen. Eating a balanced diet will also improve both her health and mood. Staying hydrated and sleeping in the same room with a table fan will help her keep the night sweats at bay and allow her to enjoy a full nights sleep.

One of the things that many women seem to forget is that just because they can not feel a symptom does not mean it will not effect their life. One of the biggest things that changes during and after midlife is that the woman's bones start to weaken. The deterioration of the bones can lead to all sorts of breaking, shrinking, and pain. The more diligent the woman is about consuming large amounts of calcium the better her over all health is going to be.

By Preston Morace

Simple Menopause Solutions

When a woman reaches a certain age, as every woman will, they reach what is called menopause. While this can be a very natural and very important part of an aging woman, it can also come saddled up with some uncomfortable symptoms and circumstances. With that being said, you should look to this particular article to aid you with some menopause symptoms solutions.

Without getting into too much detail, but still being very thorough, this article will help you to understand some of these symptoms as they come. If you have not started menopause, this should give you a look at some of the common symptoms of the process and how you are going to be able to contend with them as they arrive.

For most women, menopause actually starts with irregular periods. This will start to mark in what is known as perimenopause, which is the time just before your menopause begins. This should give you a good bit of time to see the changes and prepare yourself for what lies ahead. However, to contend with irregular periods, you should always keep pads on hand in case you start your period unexpectedly.

Another common indicator that menopause is upon you, would be vaginal dryness. This becomes more and more common as a woman ages, and therefore when it is a frequent or constant, than you can be assured of your position. You should be able to still be active, so long as you take some precautions to protect yourself from an uncomfortable situation. There are many different lubricants and even some medication that can keep you from having to hang up the fun.

You might notice some hot flashes as well. This is a telltale sign as well. You should look to purchase some supplements that can help you to beat the heat. Additionally, you should layer up on clothes, as you might find that you want to shed a top shirt or sweater when a flash comes over you. Apart from this, there really isn't a lot that you can do to contend with hot flashes.

Decreased fertility is another thing that you are going to want to understand is heading your way if you are about to, or have entered menopause. This really is the nature of menopause, as it is the end of fertility for nearly all women. So, you might notice that if you have been trying to get pregnant that this might be an uphill battle. Contending with this is difficult, but certainly not impossible.

In all of this, you should consult your physician. Your particular conditions might be unique and therefore your doctor should be aware of what you are deciding to do through the entire process. This will help you stay safe and be able to manage your menopause properly. This is a hard time for most women, and if you are having a hard time, you are certainly not alone. You should stay in contact with your physician and find someone that you can confide in to ride out the storm. Hopefully some of these menopause symptoms solutions were able to help as well.

By Liana Badea

Average Age Of Menopause - As Unpredictable As Menopause Is!

By the time women reach their 50's, the average age of menopause, they will undoubtedly experience the silent agony that menopause brings. Even just a thought of it will make you feel a sudden melancholy. Why not? This stage of life brings lots of changes and these are all accompanied by annoying symptoms. It's as if life hits you on the back and says "try some discomfort for a change"!

Many women do not know how dreaded this condition is, maybe because they still hold some sense of denial or anger. But either way this unpalatable truth will soon catch you, no matter what you do. Of course these symptoms are untreatable because they are normal processes that happen to a women's body overtime. You are not to be blamed, if you too complained about your body.

It's funny that women at this stage are fond of sharing their menopausal stories with others but often each has her own different symptoms, which can make you worried all the more. It is because the wrath of hormonal changes differs in every woman. However during the early stages of menopause, signs are apparently uniform. It commonly begins with changes in menstrual period, the opening salvo of a big change.

Typically this 'opening' occurs during early 40s or late 50s. There are some family patterns also involved and it is a good idea to ask your mother, sister or grandmother when it happened to them. No matter what your age is, if you've had hysterectomy which involved removal of both ovaries, menopause can happen instantly. Women who smoke reach menopause earlier than those who don't.

Hot flashes, night sweats, physical changes and psychological changes will all come together in a tumult of vehement feelings. Some are thrown into sullen submission and end up depressed. You can hear them say "I'm giving up." It sounds too dramatic, right?

When you've already reached the average age of menopause, there's no reason to deprive yourself of comfort. There are lots of ways to control the symptoms of menopause. One of the safest ways to manage these discomforts comes straight from nature. They are all organic products that offer a verdant hope for women like you in an unspeakable experience.

Among the natural products, Amberen has received lots of positive feedback from its users. There are lots of testimonials online if you search for Amberen reviews. Do your research.

By Gina Wilkerson

Best Anti-Aging Skin Cream Products

Choosing a desirable anti-aging skin cream can be a difficult task considering the sheer number of products now available. Understand that not every option would be as useful as the claims that are made, what works for one person may not be as effective for another as we all have different types of skin. That being said, there are certain rules you can follow to help you make the best choice.

The product that you purchase should help to rejuvenate your dermatological cells as well as offer protection from the harmful impact of excessive sun, wind, and humidity. It is the sun that can cause us to age far sooner than normal, it can cause damage and dehydration to cells. Make certain that the cream you choose has an in-built sun block.

Locating a product that contains a moisturizing compound is also preferential. A moisturizer would help to keep your skin feeling soft and supple, and allow you to remain looking young until later in life. Be aware that for results to be seen, it will take a considerable amount of time, do not expect a dramatic change in your features overnight.

Be wary of using anti aging creams that are primarily chemical based, these can end up causing more harm than good. Also, limit the amount of make up you wear as this may lead to an exaggeration of the problem.

As a general rule, organic or natural skin care products provide the best results. This is because they contain ingredients which have been used to reduce the occurrence of lines and wrinkles for centuries, and which have very few side effects.

The product you choose should be rich in antioxidants and vitamins. Vitamins E, B, and A can help minimize the damage caused by free radicals and also boost your natural biological systems to prevent a built up of harmful toxins.

It would be useful if you could find an anti aging product that offers a free trial. At the end of the day, a manufacturer or vendor of beauty creams would not offer their goods for free without knowing that they will work and the consumer is going to come back.

To learn about specific brands, check out a number of online reviews and the information given by other women in various forums. Making an informed choice can help you retain your good looks and also save you from wasting your money.

Now that you are armed with this information you will be able to make a better decision about your skin care products.

By : Carol_A._Woods

Perfume and Cosmetics - A Woman's Lifeline

While natural beauty is important, makeup has become one of the biggest necessities for most women in the world. This does not mean that a woman can not look good without putting on a whole lot of makeup. This just means that women feel a lot better with a drop of makeup at their disposal.

Cosmetics of all sorts can change your appearance almost magically. It's no wonder that you see women in the bathroom of the airport dabbing on makeup after a long flight. It has a way of changing your look, no matter how you feel. As tired as you may be, with a dab of makeup, you can change that look, followed by that feeling, in minutes. It has a way of making you feel more vibrant and awake.

When you wake up in the morning, with a long day ahead of you, there is nothing more refreshing than opening your cosmetic's bag and applying a soft layer of makeup and dabbing on a little perfume. It is a refreshing way to start your day.

Be it for work, to shop, go out on the town, or just to feel that control; it is an excellent renewal and gives you a feeling of accomplishment. You can feel more prepared to conquer your different tasks and chores for the day. It is certainly something to consider for women who do not put on makeup and need that extra boost in the morning. It is almost as good as that cup of coffee!

Cosmetics also play an incredible role in special occasions. Arrive at any celebration of sorts a few hours early and you are certain to find the main women of the party, applying hefty layers of makeup, perfume, and all sorts of cosmetics at a frantic pace to prepare for the event.

Take a wedding for example. One, of the main preparations for the bride for the big day, is finding the perfect makeup artist to do her makeup for the wedding. It is part of what makes her feel and look beautiful on her incredibly special day. All the women in her wedding party get involved in this preparation, and it brings a unique feeling that mixes with the joy of the day.

Even for women who do not regularly apply cosmetics and perfumes, they will almost always put on for a special occasion. Not just when they are the immediate members, but even just an attendee.

When getting ready for a special occasion, dinner, or event, it changes the whole mood to apply a nice layer of cosmetics. This is something that women feel is a necessity in preparation. It is a feeling of completion.

Women do not always need makeup to make them beautiful. It enhances your natural beauty. It also gives you great mental health to feel so put together; and that adds an extra glow. Makeup can be used in wondrous ways and it is an extraordinary thing what it can do. Sometimes, all it takes is a light soft layer of cosmetics or perfume to make a woman feel like the world is hers for the taking!

By : Tamar_Rosen

Bridal Pearl Jewelry - Where Pearls Come From and Why They Are Great on Your Wedding Day

Pearls are produced by mollusks including oysters, mussels and clams. However, mussels and clams rarely produce them while oysters commonly produce them no matter if they are in freshwater or in saltwater.

The idea that pearls are produced from sand intruding into the shell of an oyster is false. Sand is an inorganic material while the gems are formed by organic materials that are caught inside the oyster. As a defense mechanism, the oyster wraps the organic material with a substance called nacre, resulting to what is known as mother of pearl.

Most people believe that pearls should have an imperfect form since they are products of nature. However, there are those that are formed perfectly and these are considered very valuable pearls. Unlike the common belief that pearls are usually white, pearls come in various colors like black, green, red and even blue. Different-colored pearls can be found all over the world but only the South Pacific has produced black pearls.

Among the kinds of pearls are cultured pearls either in saltwater or freshwater. South Sea pearls produced by golden lipped oysters and are cultured in Indonesia and Tahitian pearls or black pearls that are produced by black lipped oysters and are cultured in Cook Islands or in the French Polynesia.

So how can one determine if it is real or an imitation? Real pearls tend to feel sandy when rubbed along the edge of the front teeth while imitation ones fell smooth.

Aside from the kinds of oyster from which pearls are produced, the quality is determined according to their luster or shine. Thick nacres that have been left in the water longer are generally shinier. The shape is also important and the rounder, the better. The larger the pearl, the rarer they are and the more expensive.

There is a legend that Cleopatra dissolved a pearl in a glass of wine before drinking it, simply to win a bet with Marc Antony that she could consume the entire wealth of a nation in just one meal.

However, in another version of that story, it was intended to help her win Antony's heart. In ancient Rome, the pearl was the decisive symbol of affluence and social standing, while the ancient Greeks associated it with love, marriage, and unrivaled attractiveness.

The Greeks also believed the pearl would encourage marital accord and prevent new brides from crying. During the Dark Ages, knights wore pearls on the battleground, believing they had the magic to shield them from injury.

By : Matt_Baehr

How To Become A Sexy Woman

Many people asked me about how to become a sexy woman and I gave them different answers. Being sexy is the spiritual state that you have, which has nothing to do with your hot body or attractive hair.

1. Be confident.

Please be confident. Being confident is the first step to become a sexy woman. Try to find your own sparkling spots and tell yourself you feel great every morning. Remember, no one will notice you if you don't even love yourself.

2. Believe in yourself.
Please believe in yourself. You are the most special woman in the world because there's no other woman who can imitate you. You are the unique flower among the people and no one will destroy your beauty. Just love the way you are.

3. Make some changes to your appearance.

When was the last time you look at yourself carefully in the mirror? It's time to take really good care of your body. Check your hair and complexion. Do they look bright or pale? Get some new skin care products or a new bottle of shampoo. Check your whole body carefully and don't ignore tiny parts such as your armpits, knees or your heels. Details decide everything.

4. Take some dancing lessons.

Dancing is magic. Dancing improves your body figure, raises your elegance and brings countless health benefits. Just take dancing lessons whatever you like; salsa, hip-hop, ballet, belly dancing, anything will do.

5. Try sexy lingerie.

The item on which women should spend most money is lingerie. Lingerie takes care of your body at least 14 hours every day. Lingerie is your most intimate friend and she knows your whole body even better than yourself. Can you imagine the pleasure rising from the bottom of your heart when you put on a piece of fancy, chic, wonderful, gorgeous and sexy lingerie? Just feel the confidence sexy lingerie could bring to you.

6. Act like yourself.

You don't have to imitate anyone while there's no one who can imitate you. Just act the way you are and that's what a naturally sexy woman would do.

When you finish all the things above, I believe you have already made the first steps of becoming a sexy woman. I hope this tutorial is helpful to you. Remember, God always helps!

By : Joan_Miss