How does tetrasodium EDTA work in cleansers?

Many people take soap for granted. We know it works, but we don't know why. We base our purchasing decisions on brand names and price more than we do on ingredients, and who can blame us? Trying to read the ingredients on the back of a shampoo bottle can be like trying to read a foreign language for the first time. But if you tried, you might find tetrasodium EDTA mixed in with all those other hard-to-pronounce chemical compounds. It's a common ingredient in cleansers such as shampoo and hand soap, and you'd have a hard time getting clean without it. Tetrasodium EDTA is used as a chelating agent, or to put it in layman's terms, it makes hard water become soft. As water makes its way through the water cycle, it sometimes picks up metal ions such as calcium and iron. These metal ions can make water hard, which is a problem because hard water won't get you clean. Body washes, shampoos and other cleansers work as surfactants, which are responsible for attracting dirt and oil and pulling it off your skin so it can be rinsed away by water. The only problem is that surfactants also attract the metal ions found in hard water, hindering the surfactants' ability to cleanse your skin. That's where tetrasodium EDTA comes in. As the chelating agent, it neutralizes the metal ions in hard water and allows the surfactant to do its job. The end result is soft water and squeaky clean skin [source: Parbhoo].

Whitmore, Elizabeth.  "How does tetrasodium EDTA work in cleansers?"  20 August 2009.  HowStuffWorks.com. <http://health.howstuffworks.com/skin-care/cleansing/products/tetrasodium-edta-in-cleansers.htm>  01 October 2010.

Coming Soon! MIDNIGHT AZURITE EYE SHADOW COMPACT COLOUR

Truly a colour collection of excitement and beaute, La Bella Donna continues to offer newness and options for women to build upon their existing makeup wardrobe.  Fall is inspired by elegance and mystery. Classic cocoa and straw are balanced by midnight navy and aubergine.  The La Bella Donna clientele continues to search for practicality and multi-tasking products. THE LOOK Apply aubergine to the lid of the eye, using a very soft stroke of colour, next apply cocoa to work up to the brow bone, straw is placed under the brow brow the to brighten the eye and open the eye. Now for the real hero of the compact colour midnight navy, using an Eye Liner Brush use this colour as your eyeliner, working closely to the hair line of the lashes.  Balance your eyes with a strong brow from the Complete Brow Kit Collection. Crème Fresh palette to select a lovely berry or pink, or blend the two and La Bella Donna Mineral Lip Colour Holly Berry to complete the look.  Fall a palette of excitement and beauty.  Midnight Azurite Eye Shadow Compact Colour, $55.

Kasia Cool*Down Hair Rehab Tips!

The Kasia Team has been very busy with our Informed Beauty Bella's …repairing, moisturizing and color corrections from the  summer fade.

"Don't doubt the fact there's life within you. Yesterday's ending will tomorrow life give you. All that dies, dies for a reason, To put it's strength into the seasons.

Simple hair rehab tips!

1. Brush before you shampoo

Brush before you shampoo ad jump in the shower.  This action stimulates the scalp and promotes blood flow to deliver nutrients like oxygen to the hair follicle.  Brushing also reduces product buildup and scalp flakes.

2. Clarify the scalp and shaft!

Get  rid of build up from hard water and synthetics (silicon and petroleum are hidden in many hair care products …even Aveda).   Over time hard water can make hair look lackluster and impart a brassy hue to tresses. The damaging minerals can also make hair a tangle town mess - hard and difficult to be managed.

3. Moisture Me!

The  Kasia  team strongly suggests our custom professional deep conditioning treatment once a month. This is a great way to relax and keep your hair healthy and shiny in the cooler months. If this isn’t in their budget, we recommend our at home products:

Hamadi Moisturizing Mask

John Masters Dry Hair Nourishment & Defrizzer

(Apply the product to clean, damp hair. Leave on for 5-10 minutes and rinse out.)

4. Air dry!

We encourage our clients to try and let their hair dry slightly before blowing it completely dry. The less hot air they infuse into their locks with the drier, the more moisture they will seal in from their shampoo and conditioning products.

5.  Keep frizz away.

Frizzy hair is one of the worst things about the  approaching cool weather dryness (think static cling, hat hair…ect.) Kasia’s upcoming shampoo and conditioner launch will have ingredients to help  ‘tame the frizz,” but in the meantime….try Shine On from John Masters or Hamadi Shea Spray, an anti-frizz and moisture protector that is applied to towel-dried, damp hair.

Beautiful Health Nutrition

We are what we eat.  The same rules apply for the health of the hair. Adequate amounts of protein and minerals can make a huge difference in the overall appearance of hair and skin

Out:

Our Kasia Skin Care “enMoist” moisturizer delivers  the proper nutrition in direct antioxidants of Vitamins A and C, and E which are essential to maintaining stability, protection, building block, and more.

In:

Add dark green leafy vegetables have both vitamin A and C and also provide you with calcium and iron too. Beans are not only good for the heart, but promote hair growth with a punch of protein. 3 or more cups of legumes a week is recommended.

Other excellent sources of protein include nuts, poultry, and eggs. Create your plate!

Article " Natural Alternatives for a Wrinkle-free Complexion" on Momtalk.com

Check out Kasia Upcoming articles - teaming up with momtalk.com !

Natural Alternatives for a Wrinkle-free Complexion

by Kassie Kuehl Think organically! Natural alternatives to anti-aging, wrinkles, toxins and modalities as we uniquely age. One of the most difficult signs of aging to 'correct', wrinkles begin appearing on our faces in our 20s, and continue to deepen and multiply right through the rest of our lives. The fight against the innocent wrinkle has caused the rise of the Botox phenomenon ... but the insanity of injecting the world's most lethal disease into our body purposefully has given rise to the organic wrinkle-treatment ideology! If you like the idea of looking younger and healthier, but don't like the idea of paralyzing your face for it, read on. We examine the natural alternatives to Botox for a smooth, glowing, radiant complexion ... and for Beautiful Health. What planet do wrinkles come from? Unfortunately, we can't just send them back where they came from! Wrinkles are caused by several factors. Some of these are beyond our control, and some we can have an effect on. The following are the main causes of wrinkles:

More here!

Essential Oils for SAD - plan ahead!

Diffuse your way to Treating SAD

Plan ahead for SAD!

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) seriously affects thousands during our long, dark, cold winters. The lack of sunlight can cause symptoms like fatigue, oversleeping, sadness, depression, irritation, decreased sex drive, and loss of pleasure and interest in life.

A holistic approach to treating SAD includes light therapy, dietary changes, nutrient supplementation, exercise, and the use of essential oils, which can bring some aromatic light into the dark of northern winters.

Essential oils stimulate the nerve endings of the olfactory bulb, which lies at the back of the nose. These nerve endings stimulate a part of the brain called the limbic system, associated with our most primal instincts, emotions, and memories. Essential oils are particularly effective at stimulating the olfactory system because the molecules of the oils are so small that they enter the bloodstream rapidly and are carried to all parts of the body. This allows the aromatic essences of the oils to affect not just our sense of smell but our entire being.

Essential oils can act as a restorative to the spirit when used in an aromatherapy diffusor, bath, or in a massage oil.

Essential Oils for SAD

• Clary sage (mild depression, aggression, PMS) • Lemon & grapefruit (mild depression, water retention) • Rosemary, basil (fatigue, mental confusion, respiratory concerns) • Pettigrain & bergamot (balancing, uplifting) • Lavender (insomnia, tension headaches)

Bergamot (Citrus bergamia) has a fresh, sweet, fruity scent (it’s often described as being like sunshine in a bottle), and has an uplifting, cheerful effect. Bergamot can help with anxiety, stress, tension, agitation, depression, and insomnia. Bergamot can be used in a diffusor, bath, or on the skin with a carrier oil (do not apply directly to skin).

Lemon (Citrus limonum) has the unmistakable smell of fresh lemons. The oil can stimulate the white blood cells that defend the body against infection. Lemon is refreshing and cooling, brings clarity to mind and emotions, restores vitality, and encourages clear thinking. Its antimicrobial properties and fresh scent also make lemon a great household cleanser and air freshener. Use as an inhalant or with a diffuser, or on skin with a carrier oil in massage oil or bath.

Aromatic Inhalation  through Kasia Apothecary Diffusion Blends..... Lemonlift and Lavendaire!

Reference: Bev Gray, RA, CH, is a Yukoner, skilled herbalist, and registered aromatherapist who loves to share her passion for medicinal and aromatic plants. aromaborealis.com

Goal setting and your skin

Sure - Goal setting is pivotal in current time fiscal responsibility- but it is alsoan interesting idea in relation to skin care.

Really?  How does one set skin care goals?

Let’s answer this question with these three questions:

1.     Am I happy how my skin looks right now?

2.     Are there any skin issues I would like to resolve?

3.     In 3 years – how do I want my skin to look?

Of course the obvious answer is "fabulous" if you already have a great thing going your statement is "I want to look the same in 5 years time as I do now. "

What are realistic goals and how do you support them?

They may well be but does the skin care you are currently using support the goal you have identified? If you are unsure, the next step is to find out. How? Well there are a number of things you can do:

1.  Critique your skin care products- sit down with all the products you use regularly and read the labels.   Does the label even indicate what the product does? What are the ingredients?  Do the ingredients include the “Toxic 10?”

2.   If you don't know or can't work out how your skin care is supporting your goals, we would love to offer you a FREE consultation with our Kasia skin care specialist.

3.     If your current skin care regimen is congruent with your goals – great!  If not, then make the change with time to products that support and work with your skin. Remember consistency is key – combined with your product ingredient makeup.

4.     Don’t forget great nutrition!

With just a few minutes a day and these three simple steps you can improve your skin's tone, texture, clarity and function for a smooth, soft and radiantly healthy complexion.

Why We Need To Remove Toxic Chemicals From Our Bodies

We live in a toxic world.

By simply avoiding toxic chemicals in your home and specifically taking an action that removes toxic chemicals from my body, one should experience these improvements:

* sleeping more deeply and getting a full night’s rest * waking up refreshed and rested

* having good energy, but not hyper

* clear mind

* feeling happy and cheerful

* feeling like I have the energy to do whatever I want

* digestive tract improvement

* suddenly scheduling evening social activities instead of resting

* getting a lot of work done

* not feeling stressed

* don't feel like I'm "slogging through the mud"

* eyesight noticeably better

* wanting to go for a walk instead of making myself exercise * increased strength and muscle development without exercise * feeling more alive and vibrant * skin is very soft and smooth, a noticeable change

* lost six pounds in one week with no exercise or change of diet

* feeling like I can take on more and bigger projects

Avoiding new chemical exposures in my home got my body from being disabled to functional, detoxing my body to remove the chemicals stored in my body from past exposures is bringing my body closer to its natural state of good health.

Our Toxic World

We can take control of the toxic chemicals we are exposed to at home, but the minute we walk out the door we encounter all kinds of toxic chemicals from pesticides spraying, automobile and commercial vehicle exhaust, airplane exhaust, incinerator emissions, manufacturing smokestacks and other industrial sources. As soon as we walk into a building, we’re likely to be hit with toxic emissions from building materials, carpets, pesticides, and cleaning products.

And the world has been toxic for at least as long as I’ve been alive. Rachel Carson wrote about the poisoning of songbirds by carcinogenic DDT in 1962, when I was seven years old. But researchers had already found residues of DDT in human fat in 1944. Before I was born, DDT had already been detected in Antarctic penguins living thousands of miles from the locations were the pesticide was being used.

In 2005, Environmental Working Group established that toxic industrial chemicals can be transferred from mother to baby before birth via the umbilical cord blood, proving that babies are now being born contaminated with toxic chemicals. But babies didn’t start being born contaminated in 2005. I suspect now that I was born contaminated way back in 1955. Toxic chemicals were already in consumer products and the environment then. We just didn’t know about them or their devastating effects.

So even if we remove toxic chemicals from our homes—where we have our greatest and most immediate toxic exposures—we still have already been exposed to toxic substances for most or all of our entire lives and continue to be exposed to toxic chemicals out in the world each day.

This is just the reality of today’s world. There is no place on Earth that is 100% pristine, nor any product that is 100% pure.

We cannot avoid 100% of toxic chemicals that exist in the world today.

But until we remove toxic industrial chemicals from our Earth, there are things we can do to protect our health from this onslaught of poisons.

Learn about our Infrared Sauna for Detoxification at Kasia HERE

Your Body's Detoxification System

To sustain life, our body systems need inputs of food, water, and air and--equally as important—they need to eliminate wastes. When we don't eliminate wastes from our bodies, it's like having the garbage in our homes pile up because we haven't put it outside in the garbage can to be taken away. Not a very pretty sight either way.

Many millennia ago, when our bodies were designed to flourish in the larger web of life, the only wastes the body had to deal with were natural ones:

* metabolic wastes generated by body functions * foreign invaders, such as bacteria, viruses, mold, pollen and other natural materials * natural poisons, such as spider and snake bites, and toxic chemicals in smoke

Because our bodies need to eliminate things that don’t belong in them, they have natural systems of purification and elimination to keep the whole body system running smoothly. Toxic chemicals enter the body through being injected into the skin (such as drugs), ingested through the mouth (such as pesticides in food), absorption through the skin (such as chlorine while taking a shower or swimming in a pool) and inhalation through the nose (such as toxic chemicals in cleaning products). Toxic chemicals then enter the bloodstream, which carries them to all parts of the body. Then they exit the body through the kidneys via urine, through the liver via bile which goes into the intestines and leaves the body through feces, through the skin via sweat, and through the lungs as we breathe.

How toxic chemicals in consumer products and in the environment affect the health of your individual body depends entirely on the condition of your body’s detoxification system.

Body Burden

If your body’s detoxification system is not working well, or is insufficient for the amount of chemicals you are exposed to, then the toxic chemicals that come into your body will not be excreted, but instead will be stored in your fat, semen, breast milk, muscles, bones, brain, liver and other organs.The total amount of these chemicals that are being stored in your body at a given point in time is called your “body burden.”

Various chemicals move through your body at different rates. Arsenic, for example, is mostly excreted within 72 hours of exposure. Some pesticides can remain in your body for 50 years. Of course, how quickly chemicals are removed from your body depends on the condition of your body’s detoxification system and the amount of toxic chemicals you are exposed to. When you are continuously exposed to toxic chemicals, more toxic chemicals enter the body than can be removed by your detoxification system, and body burden results.

Approximately 80,000 industrial chemicals are used in the United States. We are exposed to these chemicals through the consumer products we use and from the air, water, and soil pollution put into the environment by their manufacture.

Scientists say that everyone alive today is contaminated with at least 700 toxic chemicals in their bodies. It doesn’t matter where you live or what you do. Just being on this planet, every body is contaminated.

In recent years it has become abundantly clear that we are being exposed to more toxic chemicals than our bodies can eliminate. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is now monitoring the body burden of the US population, taking samples every two years.

EPA biopsies of human fat show that 100% of human bodies have carcinogenic PCBs, styrene, dichlorobenzene, xylene and dioxins stockpiled in their fat.

The condition of your detoxification system determines how much of each chemical is eliminated from the body versus how much is stored, and where in the body it is stored.

Toxic Overload

Quite simply, in today's world

health = the amount of toxics we are exposed to + our body’s ability to detoxify

For good health the ratio should be less exposure to toxic chemicals than the capacity of our bodies to detox.

But for most people the ratio is more exposure to toxic chemicals than the capacity of our bodies to detox. Not only is the volume of toxic exposures greater than our natural capacity to detox, but our natural capacity is diminished by the toxic chemicals as they harm and overwhelm detoxification organs such as liver and kidneys.

Our bodies simply don’t have enough “detox ability” to handle the amount of toxic chemicals we are exposed to.

What We Can Do

When toxic chemicals build up in our bodies because our bodies are not able to eliminate them, we need to give our bodies some help.

There are two things we can do.

1. Reduce our exposure to toxic chemicals, at least in our own homes and workplaces. 2. Remove toxic chemicals from our bodies by a) Improving the functioning of our bodies’ detoxification systems and b) remove toxic chemicals directly from our bodies.

By taking these actions, we can give our bodies the best chance for good health.

This article is shared from Debra at :  http://toxics-health.com/why-we-need-remove-toxic-chemicals-from-our-bodies

Learn about our Infrared Sauna for Detoxification at Kasia HERE

Infrared Sauna Guide and Benefits Explained

 

How Does It Work?

Kasia brings you the goodness of the healthy sun rays, while keeping away the harmful ones!

The sun is the primary source of radiant energy on earth, but not all of this energy is beneficial to us. Sunlight is a combination of visible light and invisible light. The seven colors of the rainbow are found in the visible light spectrum, and the invisible infrared rays and ultraviolet rays are found either side of the visible light spectrum. Ultraviolet rays are well-known for their ability to damage the skin, causing premature aging, sunburn and even cancer. In contrast, infrared rays are healthy, they penetrate into your skin deeply and dissolve harmful substances accumulated in your body. The infrared rays revitalize your cells and metabolism.

Key Benefits: 

› Increase the metabolism, burn calories, and help you to lose weight

› Relieve muscle and joint pain

› Remove toxins and improve the immune system

› Improve the appearance of cellulite

› Reduce stress and fatigue

› Improve the skin

› Improve a poor circulation

› Reduce depression and mood imbalances

Increase the metabolism, burn calories, and help you to lose weight

Far infrared saunas have been shown to assist in weight loss. Studies have shown that a 30-minute far infrared sauna session can burn 200-600 calories. This is in addition to the weight lost due to perspiration, which is mostly due to water loss and as such is quickly regained after the sauna session through drinking fluids.

The body has to work hard to cool itself back down after being in a far infrared sauna and this effort produces an increased heart rate and metabolism. It was reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association in August 1981 that the blood flow could double in such circumstances.

“Saunas are an important aid to weight loss and thyroid repair because as you lose weight, fat tissue releases stored toxins such as PCBs and pesticides.” Dr. Mark Hyman, author of Ultrametabolism

Relieve muscle and joint pain

Far infrared saunas can provide relief to patients suffering from fibromyalgia, arthritis, and painful joints and muscles. Far infrared sauna therapy penetrates deeply into joints, muscles, and tissues, it increases the oxygen flow around the body and increases the circulation. Natural body healing with Sunlighten™ therapy can lead to a healthier lifestyle for you.

Remove toxins and improve the immune system

We believe in removing daily toxins from our lifestyles. Toxins and heavy metals are found in our soils, personal care products, water supplies, and the air. They have a destructive influence on our normal homeostasis (the healthy function of our body), causing enzyme dysfunction, hormonal imbalances, and the weakening of our immune system. Many people do not realize that toxic overload of the body can produce these health problems.

The benefits of detoxification with Sunlighten's Solocarbon® heaters include decongested, brighter skin, an increased mental clarity, restored energy levels, fewer allergies, improved sleep, and a restored liver and immune function.

How does this work?

Essentially, far infrared rays cause water within the body to vibrate. Since the human body is approximately 70% water, this can have pronounced effect on our tissues:

1. The infrared heat energy penetrates deeply into the tissues, heating them and breaking down clusters of water molecules.
2. Toxins are then easily released.
3. The capillaries expand due to the extra heat, improving the circulation of the blood.
4. The body's metabolism is increased and the tissues are activated to produce needed enzymes.
5. Fat soluble chemicals are eliminated from the body through the sebaceous and sweat glands.

The average person sweats out 20% toxins and 80% water! In conventional saunas the average person sweats out just 3% toxins and 97% water.

Improve the appearance of cellulite

Cellulite gives skin a distinctive appearance, similar to an orange peel. It is made up of fat, water, and whatever waste products are trapped below the skin because of poor circulation. Infrared saunas can help to reduce the appearance of cellulite by heating the tissues under the skin and increasing the blood circulation, clearing the body of unwanted waste products and toxins.

Reduce stress and fatigue

Far infrared saunas can assist in stress reduction and provide relief from chronic fatigue syndrome. Relaxation is more important to your health than most people realize. According to many health professionals – the more stressed you are, the more cortisol your body will produce. Cortisol is the “fight or flight” hormone made in the adrenal glands. It raises the heart rate, blood pressure, and encourages the deposit of any excess calories into the midsection of the torso.

The infrared sauna gives you the ultimate relaxation experience. The therapeutic far infrared heat triggers an invigorating deep tissue sweat, leaving you feeling completely mesmerized after every session. Additionally, scientific evidence shows that far infrared therapy can help the body to maintain healthy levels of cortisol. While cortisol levels may stay the same or rise slightly during a sauna session, they drop afterwards.

Improve the skin

Infrared therapy has been shown to reduce inflammation and improve cell health. This means that wounds can heal quicker with reduced scarring and the effects of acne, eczema, psoriasis, burns and any skin lesions or cuts may be lessened. Far infrared therapy may help to reduce wrinkles and make the skin look radiant and firmer with improved skin tone and elasticity. It may also help to reduce cellulite trapped beneath the skin.

Natural infrared therapy can have amazing results in eczema and psoriasis treatment. Regular use of an infrared sauna not only helps to clean toxins from inside your body and lowers your stress levels (a proven trigger for both eczema and psoriasis), but also to control the skin inflammation. Infrared helps to eliminate the itching associated with eczema and psoriasis and then stimulates the healing processes of the skin. So you may be able to rid yourself of the risks associated with emollient creams, lubricating ointments and steroid creams that often cause thinning of the skin, acne-like breakouts, broken blood vessels, and stretch marks.

Improve a poor circulation

Improve your circulation in conjunction with our recommended Kasia Apothecary Essential Oils and Jojoba blends to help flush out cellulite!

The problems of high blood pressure, heart disease and a poor circulation may be decreased through infrared sauna therapy. During a 15-30 minute sauna session, the heart rate increases by 50-75%, providing a similar metabolic result to that gained through physical exercise. Your blood vessels become more flexible and there is increased circulation to your extremities, the capillaries expand allowing your blood to circulate at an increased rate. Effective blood circulation is vital for thehuman body to operate correctly, bringing nutrients (from your food) and oxygen to all parts of the body, and taking away carbon dioxide and other waste products to be eliminated from the body.

Reduce depression and mood imbalances

Far infrared heat therapy has been documented to boost the body’s natural endorphins just as if it were exercising. These feelgood hormones and the release of stored up tension and stress by the body's muscles and tissues elevate your mood, leaving you uplifted and relaxed, both physically and mentally. This can be an effective aid in the treatment of depression and other mood imbalance conditions.

Psychological Benefits

* reduced stress and anxiety

* increased creativity and intelligence

* reduced depression

* increased learning ability, moral reasoning and memory

* reduced irritability and moodiness

* feelings of vitality and rejuvenation

* increased emotional control

* increased self-esteem

* increased alertness

* improved relationships

* improved concentration

Physiological Benefits

* may help lower blood pressure

* prevented, slowed or controlled pain of chronic diseases

* boosted immune system

* lowered cholesterol levels

* improved airflow, especially in those with asthma

* younger biological age ________________

What do I do during an infrared sauna session?

Be prepared to sweat. You will disrobe in our private room and lie comfortably within the far-infrared sauna dome. The temperature and timer are set and you can relax to peaceful music for 15-30 minutes. When the timer turns off the sauna, you can remove the dome and simply get up on your own.

Is Infrared Heat harmful?

Not in the least bit. Infrared light and infrared heat have been used by doctors and scientists for decades. There have been thousands of documented studies and there has been no recorded evidence that there are any ill effects of infrared rays. Unlike ultraviolet rays, which can be very damaging to the skin and ultimately cause cancer, infrared rays are completely safe and have numerous beneficial health effects on the human body.

What to expect?

The Kasia Infrared Sauna is experienced while lying comfortably on your back. Your head stays outside the sauna for the duration of the 30-minute treatment. You will find the Kasia Infrared Sauna to be much more comfortable than a conventional sauna as you are not breathing in hot air.

After approximately twenty minutes, the infrared heat will have penetrated deep into your tissues, your pores will have opened up, and your body will be producing large amounts of perspiration. This release of sweat also includes toxins so the process doesn't just remove water.

The treatment will leave you feeling profoundly relaxed and stress-free.......