The New Maxi Dress Craze

August 21, 2013August 13, 2013drstaceynaito Leave a comment

The maxi dress has become popular once again and women can be seen wearing them everywhere this summer. The newer crop of maxi dresses is more body conscious, transforming this particular dress style into neck breaking wear if seen on a hot body. Why are maxi dresses so popular? Well, for one thing, they are extremely comfortable, and in some cases lend a more elegant, polished style to a look without any effort. Some clothing manufacturers have made maxi dresses extremely affordable (one of my dresses cost $14), another sign that the maxi dress is a major fashion trend this season.

One of my favorite newer maxi dresses...this one is a neck breaker1

One of my favorite newer maxi dresses…this one is a neck breaker! It has already sold out and is no longer available.

My desire for comfort, coupled with my love of fashion, has prompted me to purchase a nice little collection of maxi dresses and maxi skirts which I am currently a bit obsessed with. I have even worn one of my maxi dresses in a recent photo shoot and got some beautiful images in it. So if you are looking for a way to resurrect your fashion style for the season and haven’t checked out the newest maxi dresses, check them out. If you are like me and you don’t enjoy shopping in stores, you can check out a number of websites which carry fashionable yet affordable options.

http://www.bodycentral.com

http://www.venus.com

http://www.forever21.com

Surrounded by Silver – Image Shot By Chaz Photographics

August 15, 2013August 8, 2013drstaceynaito Leave a comment

Shot taken August 2nd, 2013

White Bikini Image Shot In July 2013 by LHGFX

August 12, 2013August 5, 2013drstaceynaito Leave a comment

Aspirin Masks For Oily Skin

August 11, 2013August 5, 2013drstaceynaito Leave a comment

Most of you have baby aspirin somewhere in your medicine cabinet but have not considered using it on your skin. If you have oily or acne-prone skin and are not allergic to salicylic acid, you can make a mask which will leave your skin soft and will also calm down acne eruptions. You can either use one teaspoon of water, or you can use lemon juice. Add 4 to 6 baby aspirin tablets or three 325-milligram asprin tablets. Make sure to AVOID coated (aka enteric) aspirin because it will NOT easily dissolve or crush. Next, add about a tablespoon of honey and mix.

This mixture is then applied to the skin in an even layer. If you prefer to get some exfoliation, you can rub it into the skin using a circular motion for a couple of minutes. Allow this mixture to sit on the skin for about ten to fifteen minutes, then rinse off and apply your regular moisturizer. Do not be alarmed if your skin tingles after removing the mask. You can safely apply this mask to your skin one to two times a week.

You can’t beat the economical price of this mask, and it is easy to mix and apply. Many people who suffer from excessively oily skin and acne breakouts swear by this miracle concoction, so it is worth a try if you have similar issues with your skin.

Mineral Oil Sensitivity

August 9, 2013July 29, 2013drstaceynaito Leave a comment

Mineral oil is a petroleum product which is used in many cosmetics (including foundations and face powder) as well as ointments to soothe allergic reactions. Ironically, mineral oil can incite allergic reactions which can be severe enough to send one to the emergency room. I always find it alarming how the oil typically used to moisturize babies’ skin is mineral oil, but since it is cheap and hypoallergenic, it continues to be used on infants who may develop reactions to it.

I was compelled to write about mineral oil after I had to use it on my midsection yesterday at a photo shoot. Despite a long history of severe reactions to mineral oil, I reluctantly applied the oil and just hoped that I would not react this time. By the time I got home from the photo shoot I was itchy EVERYWHERE, especially on my arms and legs where I had NOT applied oil. This was a deep, unrelenting itch, one that was not relieved by scratching, and I broke out in a rash on both arms. I was so uncomfortable that I took a shower to soothe my skin. Even with the shower I hardly slept last night because of the itching. I could have calmed the reaction down with Benadryl but did not want to be groggy so I opted not to take it.

Please be aware of mineral oil sensitivity and if you suspect that you might be susceptible, make sure to avoid any products that contain mineral oil. Women who have had regular skin reactions to foundations or face powders should be especially aware of this potential reaction. I NEVER recommend mineral oil to any of my patients and am especially against the use of mineral oil on babies.

As an alternative, you can use almond oil, olive oil, or sesame oil, unless you have allergies to any of those substances.

DIY Sugar Scrub

July 30, 2013July 22, 2013drstaceynaito Leave a comment

Those of us who compete must undergo intense exfoliation for several days before competition spray tan is applied. This is easily done at home with a sugar scrub which can be purchased at many drugstores. However, sugar scrubs do not travel well and have a tendency to leak everywhere, leaving an oily, grainy mess in checked bags. My solution has always been to purchase a sugar scrub at my destination.

I recently traveled to New Jersey and assumed that I could easily purchase a sugar scrub at Trader Joe’s. Much to my chagrin, there was no sugar scrub product to be found at the Trader Joe’s in Paramus, so I improvised. Since I wanted to avoid leaving an oily film on my skin, I avoided using almond or olive oil and instead purchased a liquid body wash and a bag of turbinado sugar. When I returned to my hotel room, I employed a system in which I would pour a dollop of body wash into the palm of my hand and then scooped up some of the sugar. If you prefer, you could mix the sugar and the body wash together in equal amounts right before you step into the shower, but I went the lazy route. What surprised me was how well this makeshift scrub worked at exfoliating my skin without irritating it or leaving a greasy film on my skin.

So if you find yourself in need of a sugar scrub and cannot get a hold of a pre-made version (by the way, Liquid Sun Rayz has a fantastic sugar scrub), you can purchase sugar and body wash and make one yourself. Just make sure to get a large grain sugar like turbinado for more exfoliative power.