The answer is a mix of genetics, age and overall health — with a few other factors thrown in.

Here’s what could be causing those silver strands to crop up…

• Hydrogen peroxide buildup. H2O2 is produced naturally in your body, but you become less able to break it down as you age. As it builds up in your cells, it can interfere with melanin, the pigment that colors your hair.¹
• Vitamin B12 deficiency. Without enough B12, hair becomes dull, brittle and dry. You should know that some drugs may interfere with your absorption of the vitamin — for example, drugs used to treat acid reflux and ulcers, such as Pepcid, Prilosec and Zantac.
• Smoking. The chemicals in cigarettes may damage the hair follicles and slow the production of melanin. Smokers are four times more likely to go gray prematurely.²
• Stress. Although there’s no definitive proof that your kids or your demanding job cause gray hairs… stress may be a factor. Some researchers believe it affects your “follicle factories.”

Several illnesses like autoimmune and thyroid disorders are also associated with gray hair.

Nature’s Hair Care

So what can you do? Try these superfoods to chase away the gray — or at least slow down the process.

1. Oysters. They’re rich in copper, which your body needs to produce the melanin that colors your hair.
2. Alfalfa. Alfalfa has something that can keep your hair strong, shiny and rich in color: Silica. If you aren’t too excited about eating alfalfa every day… you can also get your silica from bell peppers, beets and whole grains.
3. Fish, meat and eggs. Animal products like these are the only natural sources of vitamin B12. Plus, the protein and amino acids they contain will improve your hair’s texture and strength.
4. Kefir. If you’re deficient in vitamin B12, kefir can help, too. It’s a fermented drink that contains bacteria and yeast, and these work together to help your body absorb B vitamins.

And if you’re concerned about brittle, dry hair, I recommend a strengthening and thickening spray like this one.

Best Wishes for Health and Beauty,

Tara Smith, ARNP, NP-C

[Ed. Note: Tara Smith, ARNP NP-C, is a board-certified nurse practitioner. Her medical concentration is on aesthetics, teaching and family practice.  Tara is conducting research trials into novel ways of naturally boosting the human growth hormone and working on a new book on anti-aging for women.]

1 Wood JM, et al, “Senile hair graying: H2O2-mediated oxidative stress affects human hair color by blunting methionine sulfoxide repair,” The FASEB Journal. 2009;23(7):2065–75.

2 Mosley JG, Gibbs AC, “Premature grey hair and hair loss among smokers: a new opportunity for health education?" BMJ. 1996; 313(7072): 1616.

Hair loss is common subject among men, but you may be surprised to know that more and more women are looking for solutions to thinning hair, too.

As a woman, I know that your hair is your “crowning glory.” When it’s full and silky, you just feel younger and more beautiful.

But when you start seeing more and more hair going down the drain every morning when you take a shower, it can take a real toll on your esteem and your confidence.

The good news is, there are some natural remedies you can try to help combat thinning hair and help your hair look thicker and more luscious than ever before. The secret lies in blocking the deteriorating effects of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the naturally produced metabolite that causes hair loss.

Some vitamins and nutrients that can help “feed your follicles” and decrease the potent DHT are:

• Fenugreek – Chinese traditional medicine has used Fenugreek for more than 2000 years. Fenugreek can stimulate your blood circulation and promote the appearance of a full, luscious head of hair.
• Panax Ginseng Root – Increases scalp stimulation, enhancing hair depth and thickness
• Articum Majus Root and Saw Palmetto – Help block DHT, one of the main causes for hair thinning
• Arginine, Acetyl Tyrosine, Citrulline, and Ornithine HCL – These amino acids are the building block of hair structure
• Biotin, Niacinimide – B-vitamins that help block the conversion of testosterone to DHT and regulate cellular nutrition
• Zinc Gluconate – Teams with the B-vitamins to block DHT
• Panthenol and Hydrolized Soy Protein – Proteins to shine, thicken and moisturize hair

These nutrients can help reinvigorate your scalp and restore it to good health. But these solutions may not work for everyone. There could be other underlying reasons for your hair loss. But give it a try and see if it works for you.

Best Wishes for Health and Beauty,

Tara Smith, ARNP, NP-C

[Ed. Note: Tara Smith, ARNP NP-C, is a board-certified nurse practitioner. Her medical concentration is on aesthetics, teaching and family practice.  Tara is conducting research trials into novel ways of naturally boosting the human growth hormone and working on a new book on anti-aging for women.]

And this protection is exactly what you need to keep your skin smooth and firm — no matter what your age. In fact, antioxidants could be the reason why one 50-year-old woman can have smooth skin and another can have wrinkles that make her look many years older.

Free radicals are unstable atoms that come from pollution, smoking — even overexposure to the sun. And they cause damage to the healthy cells in your body.

I consider them to be the number one enemy of youthful skin.

That’s why antioxidants are so important. Antioxidants are nutrients that come from fruits and vegetables. And they help neutralize free radicals before they have the chance to do damage to your skin.

If you’re anything like me, it can be a struggle to eat your daily fruits and vegetables and stick to a balanced diet. This means it’s also pretty difficult to get all of the antioxidants your skin needs to stay healthy, youthful, and strong — unless you put your mind to it.

If you always find yourself grabbing lunch on the go or munching on a power bar between meetings at work, you’re probably not getting enough nutrients from the foods you eat. But don’t beat yourself up. I’ve been there.

The majority of us don’t get the antioxidants we need every day to keep our skin healthy. And without these vital antioxidants, your skin is even more susceptible to damage. And there’s an even greater chance that your skin will wrinkle — no matter how many fancy products you put on it.

Fight free radicals with fruit.

It’s what’s on the inside that counts.

The good news is that cleaning up your nutrition for just a few days is enough to visibly improve the quality of your skin.

Some great ways to give yourself some skin-essential nutrients are through these vitamins A- and C-rich foods:

• Carrots
• Sweet potatoes
• Cantaloupe
• Peaches
• Green peppers
• Strawberries
• Tomatoes

Remember, the brighter and more diverse the selection, the better!

Best Wishes for Health and Beauty,

Tara Smith, ARNP, NP-C

[Ed. Note: Tara Smith, ARNP NP-C, is a board-certified nurse practitioner. Her medical concentration is on aesthetics, teaching and family practice.  Tara is conducting research trials into novel ways of naturally boosting the human growth hormone and working on a new book on anti-aging for women.]

Is a professional facial really worth the hefty price tag? Let’s take a look.

The average facial lasts 60 to 90 minutes and promises to restore a youthful glow and smooth texture to your skin. In a smaller city, the average price range is $75 to $100 or so. But at a spa resort or trendy metropolitan area, a facial could set you back $150 to $300.

Though the services and extras vary from one aesthetician to another, here’s a short summary of what you can expect …

A good aesthetician will always talk to you about your skin-care concerns first and even have you fill out a questionnaire. Then he or she will examine your face to determine your skin type and condition.

The first step of treatment is cleansing and exfoliation, which are typically followed by a steam treatment to gently open your pores.

For those with breakout-prone skin, the most crucial part of the facial is next: the unclogging of your pores, also called extraction. Any impurities or unsightly blackheads are cleared out, and—when done correctly by a trained professional—this can be done without harming your skin.

A facial massage is also typical. It stimulates your skin. After that, a mask designed specifically for your skin type is applied. It may be followed with an additional smoothing treatment like a moisturizer.

You might even get a neck and shoulder massage to relieve some tension and help you feel refreshed, depending on where you go.

So can a professional facial really improve the youthful radiance, texture and clarity of your skin?

In a word … yes.

When we break it down and consider the expert skin analysis … customized treatments … the careful preparation needed to prime your pores … and the gentle unclogging … that’s what makes a facial worth it. Take one look at your glowing complexion afterward and you’ll agree.

I’ve heard a lot of controversy about whether facials cause breakouts and the answer should be no. If you find your skin irritated or problematic after a facial, it’s likely that the products were too harsh for your skin, or some clogged pores were left behind.

What about more advanced facial services, like chemical peels and microdermabrasion?

These more aggressive treatments are quite popular at medical spas … but they’re also more expensive. And they’re not right for everyone.

Chemical peels use an acid solution to remove the outer layer of the skin and reveal the smoother, younger-looking skin underneath.

Watch out for the “chemical” part of these peels. Look for a natural fruit acid peel instead. This is a great, natural way to use alpha hydroxy acids to restore radiance in older skin. Natural peels with beta hydroxy acids are good for acne-prone skin.

And here’s where your aesthetician’s skill and experience come into play: If the peel isn’t left on long enough, you won’t get the benefits … but left on too long, it can cause irritation and damage.

Microdermabrasion is a non-chemical alternative. It involves a small instrument with a suction wand that buffs away the top layer of your skin. You still get the exfoliating and renewing effects similar to a chemical peel, but with less potential for irritation. However, you may need several treatments (four to 12) to get the full results.

Bottom line: If it’s done right by a licensed professional, a facial or other pro-skincare treatment can be a beautiful thing … and worth the occasional splurge. But don’t risk the health of your skin to someone without proper training and experience.

And if you can’t spare the expense or the time that goes along with a professional facial, don’t fret. There are a few “mini-facials” you can make at home with natural, non-irritating ingredients.

You can try the egg mask I recommended last month. Or check out the make-at-home mask designed by fellow Ageless Beauty Secrets correspondent, Elina Grosmane. It’ll have you looking refreshed and glowing.

However, there’s one more thing to remember, and this is very important …

Radiant, youthful skin starts at home. From my experience in aesthetic medicine, you just can’t beat the effects of drinking plenty of water and giving your skin the right nutrients for a youthful look.

In particular, I recommend:

• Vitamin C, to help your body make collagen.
• CoQ10, to rejuvenate your face and help reduce the signs of wrinkles.
• Antioxidants, to combat the damaging forces of pollution and toxins.

You can look like a million bucks … without spending it!

Best Wishes for Health and Beauty,

Tara Smith, ARNP, NP-C

[Ed. Note: Tara Smith, ARNP NP-C, is a board-certified nurse practitioner. Her medical concentration is on aesthetics, teaching and family practice.  Tara is conducting research trials into novel ways of naturally boosting the human growth hormone and working on a new book on anti-aging for women.]

But now the truth is out. Eggs may have gotten a bad reputation in the past for being high in cholesterol, but you don’t have to steer clear of them. Even better, you don’t have to eat egg substitutes or egg whites in your omelet the next time you whip up a delicious breakfast.

The good news is, one medium egg has roughly 185 mg of cholesterol, mainly in the yolk. And scrambling up a few eggs for breakfast won’t cause any problems for your heart health when you enjoy your eggs in moderation.

Eggs are one breakfast superfood not to be overlooked. One single egg yolk has 3 µg of choline, a vital nutrient that regulates the cardiovascular system, nervous system and brain. Eggs are also one of the only foods that naturally contain vitamin D.

Vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption to improve bone health and enhance the structure of healthy skin cells. Calcium will stimulate cell renewal and support antioxidants in the skin to protect healthy cells from DNA damage.

Eggs are also an excellent source of amino acids to strengthen the skin, hair and nails. Amino acids are essential to naturally moisturize the skin, too, leaving it silky, soft and balanced.

In fact, the collagen in your skin is made up of amino acids. Collagen is a substance that breaks down with age, causing the skin to wrinkle and sag prematurely. Eating foods rich in amino acids like eggs will support the natural structure of your skin and strengthen collagen to greatly reduce sagging and wrinkling.

Eggs are a unique food because they can benefit the quality of your skin inside and out. Eating an egg or two for breakfast each day will help keep your skin firm and strong. You can also try a natural home remedy to tighten aging skin using an egg white mask treatment.

To try this home remedy, whip two egg whites for 30 seconds and apply to clean skin. Allow the egg whites to dry completely. You will feel tightening as the egg whites dry on your skin. Leave the mask on for 15 minutes, rinse well, and moisturize as usual.

Egg whites are highly nourishing to soften and hydrate the skin. An egg white face mask will also tighten the pores and give you a quick mini-facelift in the comfort of your own home. As the egg whites dry, they draw deep impurities from the pores to firm the skin. This home remedy will leave your complexion soft, clean and exfoliated.

Best Wishes for Health and Beauty,

Tara Smith, ARNP, NP-C

You don’t have to bake in a tanning bed to damage your skin from too much sun exposure. Spending time outdoors summer after summer without any protection can leave you with dark spots of hyperpigmentation that seem to pop up out of nowhere.

But before you slather on that over-the-counter SPF, keep in mind that using a generically formulated sunscreen religiously isn’t the answer – no matter what magazine or TV ads may tell you. Chemicals in commercial sunblock can do more harm than good. Instead of protecting your skin from sun damage, chemical sunblocks can cause premature aging and damage to your skin.

The use of sunblock is an interesting paradox in the health world.

We’re told over and over again to apply sunblock regularly because the sun is our enemy. But that’s not the whole picture. Your skin has everything it needs to naturally protect itself from the sun’s UV rays. You may have noticed that your skin starts to tan after spending time in the sun because it produces a substance called melanin. Melanin is your skin’s natural way of protecting yourself from sun damage.

But because of our constant use of chemical sunblock and sun avoidance, we’ve become more sensitive to the sun over time. This means that we’re at a greater risk for sun overexposure that could cause damage to our skin.

The solution? Zinc oxide is a mineral ingredient that won’t be absorbed into your bloodstream like so many chemicals found in over-the-counter sunblocks. Zinc oxide sits right on top of your skin to reflect the rays of the sun. Not only that, but it will boost your body’s natural antioxidant defenses to neutralize free-radical damage from the sun that causes wrinkles and brown spots.

Choose a natural product like Solis that contains zinc oxide to protect your skin from the sun. Solis is free from chemicals and carcinogens commonly found in over-the-counter sunblocks. In fact, many chemicals in commercial sunblocks in the United States are banned in other countries. But Solis uses natural, safe ingredients like moisturizing Shea butter, glycerin for deep hydration, and Canadian willow herb to soothe inflammation in the skin.

Solis is also made with cupuacu butter, a moisturizing plant extract full of antioxidants to fight free-radical damage caused by sun overexposure. This moisturizing ingredient will improve the natural defense of your skin to shield from outside sun damage – so that you can finally reduce the appearance of wrinkles and brown spots.

Click here to try Solis risk-free today for a pure solution to sun protection.

Sincerely,

Kamila Fiore, ARNP, NP-C

But as she got closer, I glanced down.

Immediately, my opinion changed. “Well over 50,” I guessed… in spite of a face that said “mid-30s.”

Then I started looking at other women shopping there. There were several with youthful faces… but who gave away their real age with a quick downward glance.

The problem? Their necks. They were taking good care of the skin on their faces, but neglecting skin that’s just as delicate… and just as visible.

Chances are you use a gentle cleanser, a natural toner and a powerful moisturizer to keep your face looking young and fresh.

But what about the skin on your neck? This skin is as thin and delicate as the skin on your face. And it’s often exposed to harsh weather… pollutants… and even chemicals like chlorine in your water.

For a truly youthful look, expand your facial regimen to the tender skin on your neck and chest. It will make all the difference in your overall look. And unless you wear turtlenecks year-round, people will notice.

The best thing you can do for your skin is to keep it hydrated. Well-hydrated skin is softer and smoother… showing fewer lines and creases.

Nothing keeps you hydrated like old-fashioned water. For the maximum benefit, I suggest drinking about 2 liters of purified water every day. But the elements can take a real toll on you skin.

To help keep your skin cells hydrated, I suggest Nature’s moisturizer – hyaluronic acid (HLA). I call it “Nature’s moisturizer,” because it’s naturally present in all your skin cells… and it pulls moisture into your skin from inside and from outside your body. HLA promotes healing, too.¹

Aloe vera and vegetable glycerine are two other natural moisturizers to look for.

You probably use a toner on your face before you moisturize. You should do the same for your neck and chest, too.

A toner should freshen and tighten up your skin. Most toners do it with alcohol. But believe me, there’s nothing age-defying about alcohol. It will dry your skin out and leave you looking older instead of younger.

For a toner that will leave your neck looking smoother, younger and more vital, you can’t beat CoQ10. Here’s why…

Your skin cells use CoQ10 to make the energy they need for everything they do. But as you get older, your body makes less and less of this nutrient. That’s one reason your skin starts to look older, drier and more wrinkled.

But when you put CoQ10 on your skin, it absorbs quickly into the cells… and has an amazing effect. As your skin cells start to absorb the CoQ10, they start pumping out energy and acting like younger cells again.²

And this skin doesn’t just act younger… it looks younger, too. Because CoQ10 helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.³ Which means your neck could easily look as young as your face.

Of course, your cleanser is your skin’s first – and best – line of defense. And that’s where most skin regimens go wrong.

You see, most cleansers contain sodium lauryl sulfate – SLS – and SLS is a skin irritant. Even worse, SLS robs your skin of moisture. In a California study, SLS made women’s skin look red and irritated and increased water loss.⁴ Do you really want to “cleanse” your skin with something like that?

That’s why a gentle, nourishing cleanser is so important. To keep the skin on your face and neck looking younger, use a gentle cleanser that supports healthier skin.

For example, rose hip oil promotes the production of collagen – one of the basic building blocks of healthy skin.⁵ So rose hip oil doesn’t just gently wash away impurities… it helps wash away the effects of years of wear and tear.

Extending your skin care regimen to your neck and chest makes all the difference. It doesn’t matter how young your face looks, if your neck gives away your real age.

Adding just a couple of minutes a day to your skincare regimen can have people thinking you’re years younger than you really are – because all your visible skin looks smooth, supple and youthful.

Best Wishes for Health and Beauty,

Tara Smith, ARNP, NP-C

1 King, S.R., et al, “Beneficial actions of exogenous hyaluronic acid on wound healing,” Surgery. Jan 1991;109(1):76-84
2 Prahl, S., et al, “Aging skin is functionally anaerobic: importance of coenzyme Q10 for anti aging skin care,” Biofactors. 2008;32(1-4):245-255
3 Inui, M., et al, “Mechanisms of inhibitory effects of CoQ10 on UVB-induced wrinkle formation in vitro and in vivo,” Biofactors. 2008;32(1-4):237-243
4 Cua, A.B., et al, “Cutaneous sodium lauryl sulphate irritation potential: age and regional variability,” Br J Dermatol. Nov 1990;123(5):607-615
5 Fazekas, Z., et al, “Protective effects of lycopene against ultraviolet B-induced photodamage,” Nutr Cancer. 2003;47(2):181-187

But can you believe all the ads for popular cellulite creams that claim to “get rid of cellulite in only four weeks” or even “smooth and transform your skin”? In most cases, it pays to do a little investigating before buying an expensive cellulite cream that may be ineffective.

You can save money and treat cellulite at the same time with a number of home remedies that can help you get rid of that "cottage cheese" on your thighs.

• Exfoliate with used coffee grounds. Not only is this an inexpensive home beauty treatment, but recycling used coffee grounds as a body scrub is eco-friendly! Why are coffee grounds beneficial to treat problemareas with cellulite? Caffeine is a vasodilator that tightens the skin to reduce cellulite pockets.

• Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Drinking enough water each day will hydrate and firm your skin. Staying hydrated will also flush harmful toxins and chemicals from your body so that your skin looks fresh, healthy and radiant from head to toe.

• Eat antioxidant-rich foods. Bright fruits and vegetables like blueberries, cranberries, raspberries, yellow peppers and tomatoes are rich sources of antioxidants. By adding more antioxidant-rich foods to your diet, you’ll naturally boost collagen production in your skin to keep it supple and strong.

  Blueberries especially are rich in vitamin C, vitamin E, riboflavin and fiber. As an added bonus, blueberries will help to reduce blood pressure and cholesterol, improve your vision, and protect your memory.

• Eat more healthy fats. But wait a minute – if you’re trying to tone your body and get rid of fatty pockets of cellulite, it doesn’t make any sense to eat more fat! Does it? Actually, healthy fats like omega-3 fatty acids found in wild-caught salmon help to lengthen telomeres – protective compounds attached to your DNA that shorten as your skin ages.²

  So, if you want your skin to stay healthy and youthful, eating healthy fats like salmon will keep your telomeres long and slow down the aging process. Healthy, firm skin is less likely to show signs of damage in all areas – including cellulite.

Smooth, cellulite-free skin starts with a healthy diet. And what you eat is reflected in the quality of your skin. You can use the natural home remedies above to minimize problem areas – for a fraction of the cost of over-the-counter cellulite creams.

Best Wishes for Health and Beauty,

Tara Smith, ARNP, NP-C

And it’s too bad we’re so frightened of sharks. Because they have a lot to teach us about health and beauty. Take shark cartilage for instance. It’s been proven to help protect joint tissue from arthritic breakdown.¹

And now we’ve discovered an old fishermen’s cure-all may be one of the most important anti-aging breakthroughs in decades.

Shark liver oil comes from sharks that swim in cold, deep waters – even down to 3,000 feet, where light doesn’t penetrate. At those depths, the pressure is intense and most sharks can’t survive.

But deep-water sharks have a substance in their liver that helps them survive in such harsh conditions. It’s a type of fat called squalene.

Squalene is also found in almost every cell of your body. Especially your skin cells. Sebum – your body’s natural skin lubricant and conditioner – is rich in squalene.

As it turns out, squalene has tremendous hydrating and moisturizing abilities, too… along with other anti-aging properties. And because it’s already naturally in and on your skin, squalene is safe and gentle.

But squalene doesn’t have a long shelf life and deep-water sharks are in short supply. So taking advantage of squalene’s benefits has been expensive. Until recently.

First, scientists discovered that squalene can be naturally stabilized. The result is squalane (with an "a"). Squalane has all of squalene’s benefits… plus, it remains stable for a long time. And new technology has opened up another, renewable source of squalane: olives.

Now the anti-aging benefits of squalene – once out of reach for most women – are available to everyone. And that’s great news, because squalane may be one of your most powerful allies in your fight against the effects of aging.

Squalane doesn’t act like a typical fat. Most fats oxidize easily. That is, they’re easily damaged by free radicals. But squalane resists oxidation. But it goes further. It acts as a powerful antioxidant on your skin. Studies have shown it’s as powerful as BHT, an antioxidant chemical used in many cosmetics.²

Squalane is so effective, the Academy of Anti-Aging Research reports it can even help restore smoothness to skin that’s been damaged by frequent detergent use or sunburn.³

And that’s not all. Squalane helps strengthen your skin’s ability to hold in moisture by forming a barrier on your skin. It absorbs deeply into your skin to promote flexibility and suppleness.⁴ French researchers also report it can help reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles.⁵

In other words, if you wanted to invent a perfect anti-aging cream for your skin, you’d invent something very much like squalane.

Squalane is already being used in some sunscreen products and acne creams… as well as in vaccines. With so many anti-aging properties, you can expect to see it cropping up in more products soon.

But beware. Some products contain very little squalane – as little as 1/10th of 1%. I doubt you’ll get much benefit from such tiny amounts. Be sure to read labels carefully before you buy. Ingredients are listed on product labels in the order of what it includes the most of, so be sure squalane is one of the first items listed.

Best Wishes for Health and Beauty,

Tara Smith, ARNP, NP-C

1 Imada K., et al, “Anti-arthritic action mechanisms of natural chondroitin sulfate in human articular chondrocytes and synovial fibroblasts,” Biol Pharm Bull. 2010;33(3):410-414.
2 Kohno Y., et al, “Kinetic study of quenching reaction of singlet oxygen and scavenging reaction of free radical by squalene in n-butanol,” Biochim Biophys Acta. Apr 28, 1995;1256(1):52-5 Biochim Biophys Acta. 1995 Apr 28;1256(1):52-6.6.
3 Lam M., Sulindro M., “Aging Skin,” Academy of Anti-Aging Research 2001;23(1):5.
4 Huang Z.-R., et al, “Biological and Pharmacological Activities of Squalene and Related Compounds: Potential Uses in Cosmetic Dermatology,” Molecules 2009;14:540-554.
5 Jame P., et al, “Differentiation of the Origin of Squalene and Squalane Using Stable Isotopes Ratio Analysis,” SOFW-Journal Jan/Feb 2010;136:1-7.