How to Prevent a Cut, Wound, Pimple, or Acne from Scarring

The best way to promote healing of a cut or wound and to prevent it from leaving a scar is to keep it covered with a band-aid. Place a bit of anti-biotic ointment on the cut or wound to help keep it moist and keep it covered with a bandage, gauze, or a band-aid. It used to be thought that a cut needs to breath to heal and therefore you should uncover it and keep it open once a scab is formed. This is no longer thought to be true. The skin actually heals better and faster when covered and keeping your wound covered also helps prevent bacteria from getting in and causing an infection. Think about how many times you've knocked a scab off that was healing nicely. This can cause even deeper scarring where you would only have had a minor mark; so be sure to keep it covered until the scab comes off if it's on a part of your body that you want to minimize scarring.

This is also a wonderful way to heal acne on your face if it was perhaps picked too much and now you have a bleeding spot on your face. I know you did it accidentally and didn't mean for that to happen. The same treatment I described above of covering with a bandaid and keeping moist will help heal your pimple quickly while minimizing any scarring. I understand that you may not want to walk around all day with a band-aid on your face, but overnight while you sleep is a fine time to use this method to help it heal. It will look so much better the next morning. Remember, it's best not to squeeze your pimples!

See you on YouTube,
YouTips4U

Shaving for the First Time Tips

Hello. can u please answer these questions!!!! (: I have never shaved before.

- if you buy a razor with the built in shave gels and it tells u not to use shaving cream/gel. is it better to use it for your underarms anyways?

- is it better to use shaving gel or cream for a normal razor, for your underarms?

- how long is the hair suppose to grow before you shave it?

- when it grows back... will it grow back really hard and prickly or like your hair on your head?

- can you recommend a good razor for me.

THANKS!

YouTips4U: Hi, I'll answer your questions one at a time:

1) I have never used these new razors that contain gel cartridges, but you are supposed to have the gel right in them so no need to use additional cream/gel. If you try it and you don't find it to be enough lubrication, switch to using a separate razor and gel. It'll be cheaper for you too in the long run because you can get a lot more shaves out of a can of gel that the two cartridges that come with the razor.

2) Using either a cream or gel is fine, so it depends on what you like. I really like the gels and they come in so many great scents!

3) How long you wait between shaves is up to you; there's really no rule and everyone's hair grows at a different pace. If it's winter and no one sees your underarms much, you may want to do it once a week. Also if you have very light hair, it is harder to see it so you can get away with it longer. Many girls write to me asking about the dark shadow that they get right away after shaving and how they can minimize it. For them, I recommend shaving each night to keep the hair as short as possible; this will help keep that shadow (which are just the tiny hairs growing in the follicle) less noticeable. Everyone has that, but it is much more noticeable with dark-haired women. Also, if you have a problem with underarm odor, keeping your underarms hairless will help reduce bacteria growth and keep you smelling fresher.

4) When your hair grows back it's the same as before you started shaving. You may think it is thicker or darker, but it really isn't, it's just that shaving cuts the hair at a straight angle to the skin which makes the hair appear courser as it comes in making it look more prickly rather than thinner and more angular at the tip.

5) Any razor you choose is fine except the most inexpensive kind with one blade and no lubricant strip. As long as you choose a razor with two blades and a lubricant strip, you'll be fine. I like Gillette Plus because the head pivots which helps it move to the contours of your skin; especially important when shaving your legs and knee area. Also, it has two blades which gives you a closer shave, but not three which can be too much for your skin and cause nicks and ingrown hairs because they tend to shave too close. They also have a lubricated strip to help the razor glide better on your skin which is helpful even if you use shaving gel. Also, they are not really expensive and you can buy a bag of 10 for about $7.00 in any drugstore ensuring you always have a clean new razor available. I hope that helps. Please refer to my video on YouTube on how to shave your underarms to avoid rashes and bumps. I have a special gentle technique that I think you will find most helpful. Here's the link: How to Shave Your Underarms to Prevent Skin Rashes & Razor Bumps/Burn in Armpits

-YouTips4U

Your New Years Resolution Pep Talk!

Hi Everyone, right about now many people have already discarded their new year's resolutions and broken the promises they have made to themselves whether they be losing weight through dieting and exercise, quitting a bad habit, relaxing more, etc. Oftentimes, this occurs because of one slip-up. You promised yourself you would stick to it and you tripped up and gave up. Well, I'm writing to you now to tell you to get right back on track. It's a long year and you have plenty of time for stops and starts. No one climbs to the top of a mountain without a few missteps and rest spots. You just hit a small bump in the road, so forgive yourself and move forward. Whatever it is, start again. Just dust yourself off and start over. No child would have learned to walk if at first try they plopped down and just remained there and gave up. Baby steps are sometimes necessary to get to your goal. In my prior New Year's blog entry, I suggested writing down in a special journal one thing you did during the day toward your goal that will get you one step closer to achieving it. This is a wonderful exercise and will help to keep you motivated. I will help you as well by reminding you now and then to stay on track and not to give up if you hit a bump in the road. Many of you have written to me that your goal is to stop smoking or drinking or overeating. I applaud you on this decision. It's not easy and takes great willpower, but I assure you it can be done! You may need to seek help during your journey if you need some assistance and that's o.k. Don't be afraid to ask for help from those you love. Be kind to yourself, but also firm. Now may be the time to take up a new hobby to divert your attention away from constantly focusing on what you are trying to give up. I have a wonderful video on YouTube about Binge Eating. Please check it out and be sure to watch both parts. Many of the skills and remedies for trying to overcome binge eating can be used in many other aspects of life. Here is the link for you: Tips to Help with Binge Eating

So, remember, stay focused on your long-term desire and don't compromise it for your short-term want. The happiness and sense of accomplishment you will feel when you reach your goal is so much better than any short-term satisfaction you could feel by giving into your immediate want.

Best wishes. I'll see you on YouTube,
YouTips4U

I want to Weight Train to Tone and Strengthen, but not add Bulk

Hi, I really like your videos on YouTube. They help alot!
I'm a long distance runner. I've just recently started weight training. I get different answers from everybody but my question for you is: how can I avoid bulking up? I'm confused about what amount of weight I should lift. Should I avoid heavy squats and lunges? I just want tone and definition.

YouTips4U Answer: long distance runners often don't spend needed time doing resistance training to maintain upper body strength so it's really good that you are considering adding it to your life because it is important for your muscles. Don't worry about bulking up. As a woman that is really hard achieve unless you gain a lot of weight on top of your muscles. That will usually give the appearance of bulk. You being a long distance runner burns a lot of excess calories and keeps your metabolism revved and therefore your less likely to store fat; very hard to bulk up, but you do need the strength training and its very good for your body. Keep the repetitions between 12-15 and do 2-3 sets of each weight exercise. That will tone and strengthen your muscles and not add bulk. Don't lift excessively heavy weight, but just enough to feel muscle fatigue as you approach your last 2-3 reps. Also, I really don't recommend using heavy weights with squats and lunges. Both squats and lunges are very good for toning, but you don't want to use heavy weights as you can damage your knees that way. Adding some weight for resistance is fine with lunges. With squats it can be tricky and should only be done with light weight and only if you have no history of back problems as this tends to place excess strain on the spine.

Happy New Year 2011!

Hi to all my wonderful supporters. I want to wish you all a very happy new year. I love the new year so much because it gives everyone a fresh start, almost like a wave of fresh air into our lives. It's a time to make longer-term plans and be optimistic about life. So much is ahead! I want you all to inhale that fresh breeze deep into your lungs, seize that feeling, and take a big step toward your goals. Don't let one more day go by. Now is the time to do it! Stay on that path and fight whatever obstacles come to pass because they inevitably will. Do not lose sight of your long-term desire for a short-term want. So whatever it is in your life that you want to "make happen" for yourself, write down in a special book one line each night of what you did to take a step toward that goal. It will help to keep you motivated, and it will be so much fun to go back and read once you achieve your goal.

I wish you so much luck, happiness, good health and cheer in this coming wonderful new year. I'll have many more new tips for you so please check back often.

See you on YouTube,
YouTips4U

Delicious and Easy Oreo Truffles

I want to share with you a delicious treat that's easy to make and a favorite of so many. It's the always loved chocolate truffle. This one, however, has a special twist; it has an Oreo center and it's covered in a hard chocolate shell. Yummy! I served them as one of my Christmas desserts this year and they were a big hit so I want to share them with you. Here's the recipe. I hope you enjoy:

Ingredients:

1 Package of Oreo cookies (not double stuff)- I suggest the reduced-fat Oreos to save on calories

1 bar of cream cheese (I suggest using 1/3 less fat Neufchatel Cream Cheese, again saves calories)

One 12 oz bag of Semi-Sweet or Dark Chocolate Morsels

Mix one package of Oreo cookies in your food processor (Cuisinart)until fine.
Next, cut one bar of cream cheese into 4 pieces and add to cookie crumbs in Cuisinart. Mix until well blended.

Next, line tray with wax paper. Form cookie/cream cheese mixture into small balls (whatever size you want them to be)and place them on the wax paper-lined tray.

When done forming the balls, place them into the refrigerator to chill while you melt the chocolate morsels. Melt 1/2 a bag at a time. I like to melt the morsels in a small saucepan on low heat on the stove. Stir chips quite often while melting them. You can also melt them in the microwave.

Next, remove tray of oreo balls from fridge. Roll oreo ball in warm melted chocolate using two forks to help move it around until it is covered with melted chocolate. Lift out of pot and let excess chocolate drip off. Then place back on wax paper on tray. You dip in sprinkles onto the top of the truffle for a colorful look. Once all balls are coated, place truffles back into the refrigerator so that the outer chocolate coating can hardened. Once hardened, you can remove them from the tray and place in your holiday tin or onto a serving plate. Let them chill about an hour before serving. Store them in the refrigerator and bring them out when you serve them.

Enjoy!

Happy Holidays!!!

Trim Down Fat and Calories from Your Favorite Comfort Foods!

With the holidays upon us, our minds immediately go to thoughts of yummy dishes and desserts. I know my family starts talking about their favorite dishes that I make but once a year for the holidays,as soon as September rolls around. I'm sure this is the case with you and your family.

Foods can be such a comfort to us, especially in the cold winter months, not only because they taste so wonderful, but because they bring back many happy memories and traditions. Unfortunately, many of our favorite comfort foods are high in fat and calories. But don't fret because there are ways to trim down some of your heart-warming family favorites. Just making some small changes to the ingredients can help reduce a lot of the fat contents, as well as salt and empty calories. Here are some suggestions for you to consider:

1. If you are making a dip that calls for cream cheese, be sure to use the 1/3 less fat variety, or substitute 1/2 cup of ricotta cheese blended with 1/2 cup of fat-free cream cheese. Adding crushed garlic and other spices can really spruce it up too. Serve with whole-grain crackers.

2. Instead of using heavy cream when making creamy soups or casseroles, use fat-free evaporated milk instead.

3. Add lots of fiber and protein to your soups and stews by adding beans. They will not change the taste of what you are making and they are extremely healthy for you.

4. Substitute applesauce for butter and oil in your baked goods. Just a 1/2 cup apple sauce equals 1 cup of oil or butter.

5. Many people like to put out a plate of cookies or candies to decorate their table during the holidays and for guests to nibble on when they stop by. Why not put out a bowl of nuts with a nut cracker handy and some fresh fruit like clementines, or oranges and apples. Fruit goes great with nuts and is a wonderful snack. Be sure the fruit is washed and ready to eat.

6. When making your favorite homemade pies and breads, be sure to use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour. You will add lots of fiber and turn your simple-sugar dessert bread into a complex carbohydrate food bread.

7. Remember eggs are good for us, but for those who love to eat them and are watching their cholesterol as well, why not use egg beaters to cook with instead of whole eggs. Your dishes come out just as wonderful, you can eat the batter if you like (no worries about salmonella because they are pasteurized), and you can save the eggs in your diet for eating them as a meal where you can really enjoy them rather than in baked goods.

8. When making anything with ground beef, try substituting ground turkey instead. There is much less fat and cholesterol and your dishes taste virtually the same.

9. Love sausage? Try chicken sausage in your dishes or just at it plain. It has much less fat and is absolutely delicious!

10. When making mashed potatoes, eliminate the butter and use only skim milk to make them. They come out just as wonderfully fluffy and you save tons of calories.

Remember, you can enjoy desserts and yummy foods, just watch your portion size. Eating a small portion of dessert will help you fit dessert into your meal plan without sacrificing nutrition or your slim figure!

Happy Holidays and I'll see you on YouTube,
- YouTips4U