Back To School With Botox Myths Busted 101

August 18, 2021

Researchers estimate that the global Botox market will reach 7.9 billion in 2026, after showing a post COVID-19 compound annual growth rate of 8.6%. These numbers show that the pandemic did little to slow the growth of the Botox industry, which is now shedding its image of exclusivity and achieving greater levels of social acceptance.

The normalization of Botox can be attributed to its increased affordability and the accessibility of information about its benefits, properties, and effects. Therefore, for the industry to gain complete mainstream acceptance, it’s important to dispel the myths and misconceptions surrounding Botox and other minimally invasive procedures.

Myth 1: Botox will freeze your facial muscles

When injected, Botulinum toxin type A, the drug that makes up Botox, blocks nerve signals from reaching facial muscles. The procedure, in effect, relaxes the muscles, and only limits movement within the targeted area. The rest of your muscles retain their full range of motion.

Myth 2: Botox injections are painful

Most people don’t feel any pain when going through the procedure. Of course, this can be different depending on the individual and their level of pain tolerance, but in general, Botox needles are too small to cause any significant discomfort.

Myth 3: Botox treatments are toxic

Botulinum toxin type A is considered a neurotoxin, but because it’s administered in small doses, it is generally harmless, and the risks are extremely minimal.

Online health and wellness website SymptomFind has many articles on skincare, and outlines that Botox injections are in fact safe. The treatment has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, and is a non-surgical and minimally invasive procedure that also serves as an approved treatment for chronic migraines, overactive bladders, and excessive underarm sweating. That being said, you need to ensure that a licensed professional administers your treatment, such as a physician or cosmetologist, to ensure the procedure is performed correctly.

Myth 4: Botox is permanent

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports that Botox treatments last for about 3-4 months on average. Results vary, and it’s possible for the treatment to last longer (6 months), or shorter (2 months), depending on the individual. After that, the nerves regain their ability to send signals to the facial muscles.

Your body might even develop a resistance to Botox after a long period of repeated dosage. If you are worried about Botox losing its effect on your muscles, there are similar alternatives like Dysport and Xeomin. Xeomin also contains Botulinum toxin A, but unlike Botox, it contains no other additives. This reduces the risk of developing neurotoxin resistance.

Myth 5: Wrinkles will worsen when Botox fades

When the neurotoxin wears off, the facial muscles simply return to their natural state. Muscles can weaken after repeated dosage over a long period of time, but this does little to exacerbate the appearance of wrinkles.

Myth 6: Botox can be addictive

Botox contains no addictive properties or elements. It’s possible to develop an addiction to cosmetic procedures, but Psychology Today explains that these addictions are never caused by the procedures themselves. Instead, they are rooted in psychological issues like Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), which is a condition characterized by an extreme preoccupation with perceived physical flaws. The causes of BDD include genetics, experiences with abuse or bullying, or other mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and OCD.

The High-Performance Vegan, Non-Yoxic Hair Products That Work

August 17, 2021

Hairloss Happens and here’s why:

As we age, the anagen (growth) phase can shorten due to decreased levels of IGF-1 and microRNA31. Hair moves into the resting phase more quickly, causing excess shedding and thinning of hair. Also, as we age, our hormone levels change which often results in increased levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which can damage the dermal papillae, resulting in inflammation, reduced circulation and follicle miniaturization.

STRESS & LACK OF SLEEP: Anxiety, fear and poor sleep can cause cortisol levels to spike. Increased cortisol levels can cause hair to prematurely exit the anagen phase and enter into the shedding phase. Cortisol can also trigger proinflammatory cytokines, increase interleukin 1, 6 levels and cause weight gain.

POOR NUTRITION: A diet low in zinc, iron, vitamin A, B6 &12, C, D, E, biotin, folic acid and natural collagen boosters can also lead to hair thinning and loss.

‘DIRTY’ HAIR CARE PRODUCTS & ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION: Use of hair products containing synthetic chemicals, fragrances and silicones can damage & dehydrates hair while blocking pores, irritating the scalp and inhibiting healthy sebum production. Environmental pollution can also cause growth signals to weaken over time.

ENTER VEGAMOUR…. to restore hair growth

There are many factors that can contribute to poor hair health and subsequent hair fallout. Oftentimes, it’s a combination of two or more internal concerns that are further exacerbated by external issues such as environmental pollution or ‘dirty’ hair care and/or styling products.

Hair, like anything else that grows in nature, requires a healthy ecosystem in order to thrive. Therefore, any successful approach to hair concerns requires a holistic (or comprehensive) solution that not only addresses the symptoms of poor hair health (shedding follicles, irritated scalp, damaged cuticles, split ends, toxicology, etc.) but also the underlying causes (hormonal changes, stress, poor sleep, lack of essential vitamins & minerals, UV & environmental pollution as well as all of the horrible things we do to our hair like bleaching, dying, curling , straightening, washing and styling with harmful chemicals).

VEGAMOUR studied the most common causes of our most sensitive hair concerns and developed a truly holistic approach to hair wellness that incorporates powerful phytoactives in clean, vegan supplements, topical serums, hair care & styling products that work in tandem to help address both the symptoms and underlying causes of poor hair health & fallout.

They take an inside-out approach into consideration the health of the entire follicular ecosystem and works to promote a healthy environment for hair to flourish naturally.

The Hair Breakthrough: Karmatin™

Daily hair wellness from a non-toxic, 100% vegan ingredient that leaves hair smooth as glass.

What is Karmatin™?

Karmatin™ is an innovative, encapsulated vegan b-silk™ protein that replaces traditional keratin, a building block that occurs naturally in the hair. Many hair care products contain keratin, an animal protein that rinses away before it can repair damaged hair. But Karmatin™ bonds to the hair, nourishing it instantly for a glass-like feel. A true miracle and the hero ingredient in Vegamour’s shampoos, conditioners & masks, Karmatin™ deeply nourishes, repairs and protects hair from external aggressors like chlorine and sun, and keeps color vibrant without hurting animals or the planet.

Growth Without Compromise

Here’s what is in the formulas.

Synthetic Prostaglandins, Steroids

Finasteride

Bimatoprost

Isopropyl Cloprostenate

Minoxidil

Keratin

Safe, Vegan Formulas

Their formulas are clean, safe and healthy to use every day. There are no known harmful side effects or long-term health risks associated with anything we put in Vegamour products.

Vegamour products are cruelty-free (Leaping Bunny) and 100% vegan (Vegan Action), so they don’t hurt animals either.

Witness the growth.

Here is how hair works.

We dig deep into the field of molecular biology to create breakthrough processes and high-performance products that have been optimized for maximum efficacy. Each bio-active ingredient is clinically tested and incorporated into each of our formulas at the appropriate levels to achieve optimal benefits.

Culture Files: LA’s Department of Cultural Affairs Announces Cultural Grant Guidelines

August 2, 2021




The City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) released its 2022-23 Cultural Grants Program Guidelines for nonprofit organizations and festival producers seeking grant support for free and/or low cost cultural events to take place between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023.
 
Guidelines and instructions for DCA’s 2022-2023 Cultural Grants Program can be found online at: https://culturela.org/grants/cultural-grant-program-org/. Friday, August 27, 2021, at 11:59 p.m. is the deadline for online submission of application materials.
 
“Our Cultural Grants Program supports creative projects that reflect the core values of the Department of Cultural Affairs: inclusion, diversity, equity, excellence, and access,” said Danielle Brazell, DCA’s General Manager. “Through these vital partnerships with local organizations, we deliver world-class arts and cultural experiences throughout the year that activate and engage our residents and visitors in neighborhoods all across Los Angeles.”
 
“DCA’s grant guidelines contain incremental changes to increase the City’s alignment with contemporary topics regarding social justice, with one category name-change, and a stratification of the ‘Outdoor Festivals/Parades’ category into three sizes. New instructions welcome applicants to present their authentic values toward fostering inclusion, diversity, equity, excellence, and access. This can be demonstrated by showcasing specific workers and/or themes within project-proposals,” said Joe Smoke, DCA’s Grants Administration Division Director. “Please carefully read the educational introduction and online instructions written by DCA’s expert Grants staff, and enroll in a webinar or workshop in order to feel wholly prepared to enter this ‘open call’ system which will result in a spectrum of the most competitive proposals being funded.”
 
All proposed cultural activities should be easily accessible for targeted communities or general audiences of City of Los Angeles residents, visitors, and/or tourists. Eligibility and scoring are described for proposals in various art discipline(s), with a special emphasis this year (DCA’s odd-numbered year cycle) on projects in: Culture/History, Design/Visual Arts, Literary Arts, Media Arts, Outdoor Festivals/Parades, Traditional/Folk Arts, and Field Advocacy and Sector Learning (FASL).
 
With this Request for Proposals (RFP), DCA is seeking to invest in a variety of expertly produced, uniquely disbursed, and socially relevant projects that: may take the form of participatory workshops and/or engaged demonstrations; include full-time, part-time, seasonal, or occasional jobs for artists and art-event coordinators; and have both broad marketing and measurable impacts.
 
The proposed projects should be aligned with the applicant’s mission, history, and a defined public purpose. Project budgets should be estimated as public/private partnerships for which applicants should forecast matching funds of at least 1:1. Examples of eligible projects include: arts business/networking activities; culture/history presentations; dance concerts or classes; design/visual art exhibitions or museum projects; literature or publishing projects; media activities or presentations; music concerts or classes; outdoor festivals or parades in one public street or public area over one day or one weekend; theatrical workshops or productions; traditional/folk arts activities or presentations; and/or multi-disciplinary arts activities.
 
A series of free online webinars and in-person workshops are available to provide assistance to potential applicants. Webinar space is limited to 30 participants per webinar, and RSVPs are required at least two business days in advance. The calendar of webinars and workshops, and instructions to register may be found below and at: http://dcaredesign.org/grants/training/workshop-schedule/.
 
UPCOMING ONLINE WEBINARS AND IN-PERSON WORKSHOPS:
 
Friday, August 6, 2021 (Virtual Meet-and-Greet with DCA Grants Staff)
(Recommended for new applicants to discuss organization and project eligibility.)
12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
 
Thursday, August 12, 2021 (Webinar)
4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
 
Wednesday, August 18, 2021 (In-Person Workshop with the Grants Director)
(Recommended for new applicants or new staff at returning organizations.)
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Sun Valley Youth Arts Center on the Rear Patio

Saturday, August 21, 2021
Online Webinar
1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
 
For more information, please contact DCA’s Grants Administration Division at dca.grants@lacity.org. We are still telecommuting, so please expect emailed questions and inquiries to be returned in approximately 48 hours.
 
In addition to the release of the new Cultural Grants Program RFP, DCA is also inviting arts managers, cultural events producers, arts experts, and cultural business financial managers to participate in the grant review process through an Open Call for Panelists. If selected, eligible individuals may be invited to serve as a part of one democratic team who would determine a set of grant-funding priorities for DCA. For more information about how to nominate yourself as a potential grant-reviewer, please visit:
https://form.jotform.com/211934716880158.

Here’s how to help your pet’s mental and emotional health now that we’re back in the office

As you slowly navigate the transitions between last year’s COVID lockdowns and this new “whatever-this-is” that’s coming, your beloved furry companion is responding to your energy through your energetic bond. My heart is breaking thinking about how Lolo, our beloved Quarantine pup (thank you Wags and Walks!!) will do when I am gone to work and kids are in school all day (please please please!).

How does that energetic bond work? One way to imagine it is if you can remember a time when you had an experience of talking with a friend or co-worker when they were in a less-than-pleasant mood. When leaving the conversation, do you feel that same less-than-pleasant energy lingering with you? This feeling happens because of energy transfer; it occurs between all living things, especially between us and our pets.

The bond with our beloved animals is powerful and unbelievably complex. They ground us, entertain us, and love us unconditionally. They know our schedules. They can feel and respond when we are stressed. They react when our routine changes. All this sensitivity comes from the energetic bond. As we move from our homes back to work and school, our animals respond to the shift, and energy healing is a fantastic way to support them.

The first and best thing that you can do to support your pets during these times of transition is to keep your energies grounded and calm. Starting each day a few minutes early to sit quietly, take a few deep breaths, feel your feet on the ground and settle yourself with the day ahead can help that first interaction with your pet be more stable. Your stability and grounding set an excellent tone for their day. Rather than your pets entraining the energies of an ungrounded morning, they will think, “Hey! Mom or Dad is calm and relaxed, which means I don’t have to take care of them, and I can be calm and relaxed too!

When you leave the house, our pets are suddenly taking on the job of being in control. When you were home to manage the household energies, the animals could focus on other jobs like loving, playing, and being a loyal companion. When you leave, suddenly, the house’s energy is empty, and your pets can take on hyper-vigilant and protective personalities because you aren’t there to help them feel safe.

As you are leaving, you can place one palm on their upper chest over their heart (fingers pointing down) and the other hand between their shoulder blades and send love and reassurance to them. Talk with them (I promise, they will hear you) and let them know that their job is to keep playing with their toys, take some great snoozes and that you will be back after work and look forward to going for a great walk. Speak to them while holding them, and let your love and words flow between your hands and bodies. (There are two energy centers here – one flows energies of love and caring, and one flows energies of personal power. Your words and holds are helping to support these.)

All healing happens in a relationship. Working on yourself is just as important as working with your pet. Remember, keep yourself calm and relaxed and then send loving messages of support to your furry friend to support their health and wellbeing in these times of transition.

Amelia Vogler (www.AmeliaVogler.com) is a Grounding and Energy Medicine Specialist. She loves helping people and animals and has three fantastic animal healers supporting her in her practice. Veda, the lab mix, keeps all meals on time, Ethel, her whoodle puppy, makes sure everyone is heart-centered, and Meatball, her 18-year-old Manx cat, keeps everyone in line!

 

If you are interested in the energetic, sign up for her FREE grounding course at www.AmeliaVogler.com/Grounding or find her on Instagram: @AmeliaVogler_Healing

 

 

Cruelty Free Environmentally Conscious Makeup Now At CVS

July 29, 2021

Sorme

Here to redefine the drugstore makeup experience: Sormé Cosmetics.

I love nothing more than doing all my shopping at my beloved CVS. My purse, bag, whatever you want to call it, is always overflowing with their epic receipts. I collect the coupons like they are going out of style. Look, I love a  deal and finding ways to save on things we don’t need to spend a ton on. I can grab toilet paper, Fiber One cereal, a six-pack of Celsius, essential oils, gum for days, my menopause meds, my main squeeze – Prozac, and all the make-up goodies a woman needs.

With a 15-year-old girl who is more on top of makeup trends than we will ever be, I was thrilled to learn about Sormé Cosmetics. Their cosmetics line is formulated with clinically proven anti-aging peptides, natural antioxidant botanicals, sunscreens, and the finest color pigments available and it’s also cruelty-free (she is vegan) and environmentally conscious.

Fortified with botanicals, not chemicals

You won’t find ingredients that you cannot pronounce, instead you’ll find “Good for you” additives like:

•Arnica

•Cucumber Oil

•Marula Oil

•Apple Peptides in Dermaxyl

•Natural Minerals

•Natural antioxidants

•Vitamins A, C,D & E

•Aloe Vera

•Rosewater

Some fun picks:

❤ Lip Rescue Tinted Lip Balm & LipThick Plumping Gloss: hydrate lips while giving them a natural-looking color or for a more juicy look, add some plumping gloss on top.

-Fortified with Shea Butter complex, fruit acids, aloe vera and infused with antioxidant Vitamins A, E and F

❤ Velvet Cheek Stick: an on-the-go beauty essential that will enhance your cheeks to achieve that perfect rosy, dewy glow (without having spent hours in the sun!)

-Dermatologically tested lightweight creams with vitamin E

❤ Chubby Eyeshadow Pencil & Smearproof Eyeliner: incorporate a pop of color with a fun teal graphic eyeliner design or for the less artistic, a simple blue eyeshadow pencil enriched with Jojoba oil that glides easily over the lids and provides rich color pay-off.

-Vitamins C and E to nourish skin and Lecithin to prevent dryness

❤ Optical Illusion Illuminizer Stick: a little goes a long way with this highlighter stick that helps illuminate skin with light-reflecting optics for an amazing glow and subtle shimmer.

-Skin conditioning formula with moisturizing Marula, grape seed and jojoba oils

Known as makeup that cares, Sormé’s philosophy revolves around enhancing natural beauty and protecting the skin while remaining environmentally conscious forming a brand that approaches makeup from a skin care point of view.