Do I Need to Come Back?

"How often do you need to get a facial or skin treatment?  How often do you need to use your products at home?  For how long?"

These are questions I hear daily at work.  Think of taking care of your skin like taking care of your muscles or heart. 

Do you go to the gym for one training session and expect to be in shape?  Do you go home and eat chips and ice cream afterwards? 

OR

Do you go 3 times a week to work out and change your diet to healthier foods to get and maintain results?  Which one will give you better results?  It's obvious!

Taking care of your skin and expecting to see changes requires commitment, much like going to the gym.   Regular facial treatments, along with daily use of recommended home care products, will produce positive changes in your skin over time.  The key is consistency. 

Treatments meant to create collagen and elastin are needed in a series to produce optimal results.

Your skin is your body's largest organ.  Take care of it, so it can protect you for a long time.  Regular treatments to exfoliate, extract, create collagen & elastin and hydrate are a MUST.  Daily use of professional grade products recommended by your esthetician enhance the results of your monthly treatments. 

Your basic skin are routine is pretty easy.  Cleanse using a facial cleanser morning and night.  Use a treatment serum, moisturizer and SPF in the morning and Retinol Night Cream at night.  Easy right? 

Just like you eat healthy foods and workout regularly, you need regular skin treatments and professional skin care products at home. 

Why You Should See a Licensed Skin Professional

Are you always looking for the 'next best thing' to combat your wrinkles, age spots, sagging skin, general aging or acne?  Are you someone who will try something because your neighbor, friend or 'everyone' is using it?  You should keep reading!

The skin is our largest organ.  It protects our internal organs from invaders and injury.  You should treat your skin with TLC, using products specifically created for your type of skin and your specific skin concerns.

A Licensed Esthetician (LE) is trained specifically in how to treat different skin concerns, product ingredients & how they help these concerns/conditions.  The most common skin concerns people have are:

• Pore Size
• Fine lines & Wrinkles
• Deep Wrinkles
• Sagging Skin
• Redness/Sensitivity
• Acne/Breakouts
• Blackheads 

Not everyone has all of these concerns/conditions. Everyone's skin is unique and your skin care routine should be unique and customized for you as well.   There is a large array of skin care products out there.  They fall into 3 catetories: 

1. Over the Counter (OTC)
2. Professional Grade 
3. Medical Grade 

The differences lie in the active ingredients, the amount of active ingredients allowed in each level, and the delivery system.  The delivery system is important as these are the ingredients that allow the active ingredient to penetrate the upper most layer of the skin.  They also control how deep a product can go into the epidermis or dermis to effectively treat concerns.  

Medical grade products have prescription levels of active ingredients and can only be administered by a doctor or a medical spa with a medical director overseeing product prescriptions.  

Professional grade products have higher levels of active ingredients than OTC products, but less than prescription strength.  These can and should only be administered by a licensed esthetician trained in the product line(s).  Your LE can analyze your skin, discuss your concerns and recommend the proper professional grade products (or medical grade if in a medical spa) that will address your concerns.  They can monitor how your skin reacts to these products and make necessary adjustments. 

If you buy OTC (which includes anything you can buy without seeing a doctor or LE), you may be getting less active ingredients which may address your concerns, but could take longer to see results.  You will also not have the added value of a licensed professional to monitor your routine, consult with about your skin concerns and address any adverse reactions.

You only get one skin!  Please take care of it by seeking out licensed pros who are trained to guide you!  There is no One Size Fits All in skin care!   

What Can Professional Skin Care Products Do For You?

It's been some time since I've written a post and I figured it was time!  So, have you been thinking of starting a professional skin care routine, but aren't sure where to begin?  Let me show you some real result and explain them to you!

Look at the line next to her nose and how filled in it is! 

Look at her under eye area!  

This is a 50 year old woman who previously didn't have a skin care routine.  She used whatever was in her shower.   We used 5 professional grade products on her skin for a week (morning & night) and just look at her results!  Let's break down what we did.

1.  A 100% organic, exfoliating professional grade cleanser morning & night.
2.  An anti-oxidant serum
3.  An anti-wrinkle peptide serum
4.  An anti-oxidant moisturizer with SPF
5.  A retinol night cream

What do these products do?  Why did she have such great results?

• Consistency.  She used the products as prescribed by a licensed skin care professional. 
• Efficacy of products.  She used professional grade products that are only sold by licensed professionals.  The products have a higher grade of active ingredients to achieve results faster than OTC products. 
• Customized.  A licensed professional knows what products and ingredients will correct your skin care concerns.
  

Do you have concerns about your skin?  Schedule a professional  consult with a licensed skin care specialist to go over your concerns and work together to find the best products and treatments for you!  

Natural Makeup

Natural Makeup...sounds like an oxymoron right?  I mean, if you're wearing makeup, you're not 'natural' and all natural means no makeup.  Well, hold on a second.  You know how you have to 'do' your hair for that 'just rolled out of bed-head' look?  The same applies to having a just rolled out of bed, but polished, glowing face.   Here are my go-to products and application:

• Foundation/Concealer - If you prefer (like me) to even out tone all over, use a light  foundation that matches your skin tone.  Do not try to  change your skin color via foundation - it will look fake!  If you don't want all over coverage, use a concealer a shade lighter than your skin to cover blemishes and blend blend blend!  
• Blush - use a sheer cream  blush for a glow that looks like it comes from within.  Blend onto the apples of cheeks. 
• Eyes 
• A neutral shade of eye shadow works here.  You can use 2 shades to blend and shadow if you want, but don't go for the smokey eye look.  
• Skip liner for a natural look.  Liner is a makeup dead give-away.  If you must, use a brown and blend well! 
• Don't go overboard on mascara, but don't skip it either!  Long lashes gives a youthful look.  Apply one coat and comb through to remove any clumps.  
• Brow powder - I love to frame my eyes using brow powder.  Use one shade darker than your natural brows and blend well with a brow brush.  
• Lips - use a natural gloss to a finished look.   

Easy right?  You can be ready in 15 minutes and people will think you woke up looking that great!  

Remember, good makeup starts with good skin!  Your skin is the canvas for your makeup, no matter what look you choose.  See an esthetician to get your skin in the best possible condition and health!  

Here is my natural look:

Skin Care Products - Who Do You Trust?

I saw something recently that prompted me to ask - who do you trust when it comes to what you put on your skin?  TV commercials?  Celeb endorsed products?  Mall kiosks?  Direct Sales people?  Your educated, licensed esthetician? 

Seems pretty clear who you SHOULD trust right? 

Here is what you need to know:

• TV commercials and products endorsed by celebrities are usually NOT used by those celebrities.  Can you imagine Sarah Jessica Parker using a drugstore  box color on her hair?  Jennifer Anniston getting her skin care at CVS?  Of course not.   Yes, some of those products do have the right ingredients, but in what percentages?    Probably too low to have the desired affect on your skin. 
• Mall kiosks have very high energy sales people who's job it is to SELL.  They do not know anything about the skin (except that everyone has it).  They are given quotas and will tell you anything in order to make those quotas.  Want to get rid of your lines?  Sure, the products will do that!  Have acne?  They can fix that too!  There is no one size fits all product for skin care. 
• Neighbor selling skin care out of her house?  From a catalog?  She (probably) isn't educated in skin care either.  She also has quotas to meet and if she isn't a licensed esthetician, she can't truly direct you to the best products for your skin. When she tells you her products are the 'best ever' and will make you look 20 years younger, please ask a licensed pro for an opinion.  

Now, an educated, licensed esthetician KNOWs the skin.  Knows how it works. Knows what ingredients will work for whatever YOUR issue is.  And it may be a different product from what she tells your best  friend to use.  That is because everyone's skin is unique.  There is no 'one size fits all' when it comes to skin care.  Your regimen must be customized to your skin, to your needs.   So before you whip out your credit card to try the 'next great thing' from TV, the Mall or your neighbor, please, get a FREE consult with a licensed esthetician (Skin Care Specialist) and get products that will fit your budget, your skin, and won't just sit in a drawer after a few days, unused. 

Remember, we are educated in skin.  We are trying to get YOU the best results.   I truly love skin and want to improve everyone's! 

Skin Care for Colder Weather

As the temps drop, you may need to tweak your skin care routine.  Cooler temps and drier air can dry out your skin, cause senstivities, and possibly even redness.  So what do you need to do? 

• If you have normally dry skin anyway, colder weather can make it worse.  If you are using a gel based foaming cleanser, switch to a creamy cleanser, which will leave your skin more hydrated immediately after cleansing.  DO NOT skip cleansing.  This is a very important step of any skin care routine.  Consider an oil based cleanser!
• Use tepid water to cleanse.  Hot water may feel good, but can strip your skin of it's lipid barrer, leaving it vulerable to drying and redness. 
• Use a hydrating serum containing hyaluronic acid.   HA can hold 1000 times it's weight in water, which can significantly increase your hydration. 
• Use a heavier moisturizer, especially at night.  Your skin loses most of it's moisture as you sleep.  Using a heavier, more occlusive moisturiser helps hold that mositure in.
• Consider a special pillowcase.  There are some available that actually help your skin retain it's own natural moisture.  

• If you have oily skin, you will still need to tweak a few things.  If your skin feels dry and tight after cleansing, consider using a more  calming cleanser.  If you are using an acne cleanser twice a day, you may need to back off to only once daily. 
• You definitely need to hydrate your skin.  Look for an oil free mositurizer and use it nightly. 

• If you are prone to sensitivity, look for products that are calming, soothing and hydrating.  You will need to use a very gentle cleanser, and pat your skin dry, never rub! 
• Rinse with cool or tepid water. Never steaming hot!
• Use an occlusive moisturizer to protect your skin while your lipid barrier heals itself.
• Cover skin if temps are harsh or there is alot of wind.  These will increase redness and sensitivity.

Above all else do not forget your sunscreen!  This is still an important daily MUST! 

What about exfoliation in winter?  Do you need it? 

• Yes, you can still exfoliate, but make sure you are protecting that new skin with moisture and SPF.  If you feel more sensitive in colder weather, and are prone to redness and dryness, reduce exfoliation to once a month. 

What are the best hydrating ingredients to look for?

• For exfoliation - Lactic acid is hydrating and non-irritating to most.
• For serums - look for Hyaluronic acid.  As discussed above, this will definitely help your skin hold on to it's own moisture.
• For moisturizers - if your skin is dry, steer clear of 'oil free'.  Your skin needs the oil in heavier moisturizer, especially this time of year! 

Questions on all this?  Schedule a consult with your skin care specialist. 

Do You Need a Toner?

Do you remember the days of harsh astringents for your skin?  Do you know why they made these harsh  toners back then?  It was because soap was causing the pH of our skin to go from acidic to alkaline.  The toners of the 80s helped return our skin to the proper pH after cleansing. 

Today's cleansers are pH balanced to your skin.  Your skin has a natural acidic pH of 2.0-3.0.  When you use regular soap, your skin will feel dry and tight.  This is because soap is alkaline.  Always use a pH balanced cleanser made specifically for your face and you won't get that dry/tight feeling after  cleansing. 

Today's toners are really hydrating mists.  They are great for helping serums and moisturizers penetrate, for hydrating and refreshing your skin throughout the day.   Some contain anti-oxidants, which help fight the free radicals our skin is assaulted with every day.  Spritz an anti-oxidant mist on your skin immediately after cleansing.  While still moist, apply your serum and moisturizer with SPF.  Anti-oxidants also help with UV damage, so doing this in the morning is the best time. 

**Photo courtesy of ASCP**

Others are made with hydrating ingredients and can  be used morning, night and all throughout the day.  Spritz anytime you feel you need some hydration.  Take with you on a plane trip to keep your skin moist in the dry cabin air.  (Remember to pour some in a 3 oz spray bottle for flying!) Spritz your face if you need an afternoon pick-me-up to get through the rest of your day! 

There are still astringent toners out there.  There are some for acne & anti-aging that have active ingredients such as salicylic acid (acne) and glycolic acid (anti-aging).  These should only be used as directed, as they will be too harsh for your skin to use repeatedly throughout the day.  They have exfoliation properties, and over exfoliation is NEVER a good thing!  If you are using a treatment toner, follow your estheticians instructions for use. 

Gone are the days of swiping harsh ingredients on our skin to restore pH balance.  Using the right cleanser changes the way the toners of today work.  So spritz away and stay hydrated! 

Masks - How and Why?

So you are wondering about all those masks, whether on the shelves for home use, or in treatments.  What do they do?  Are they just luxury or do they deliver results? 

**Photo courtesy of ASCP**

Masks come in a few different forms:

• Pre-mixed, just spread on
• Powders that must be mixed with water
• Setting masks that set up/dry
• Peel off masks

The purpose of a mask is to deliver ingredients into the skin, or draw impurities from the skin.  Since they are left on for 10-20 minutes, they have time to perform their function, if used correctly.

To deliver ingredients, choose a mask for your skin type and main concern.  If it's aging, choose a mask with vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, collagen, etc.  Start with clean skin, then apply an anti-aging serum under the mask, as the mask will help 'push' or penetrate the serum into the skin for better results.  Follow the instructions on the mask you choose for optimum results.  When removed, your skin may still have some residue, rinse but do not wash your skin to remove.  Your skin should have a smooth, soft, plumped, hydrated look and feel after this type of mask.  Finish with your moisturizer and repeat once or twice a week for optimal results.

**Photo courtesy ASCP** 

To draw impurities out of the skin, choose a clay mask.  This is good for oily, acneic, congested skin prone to breakouts and blackheads.   To use, cleanse skin, and apply a thin layer of clay mask to skin.  Let dry for at least 10 minutes (check instructions on individual masks).  Clay will draw impurities to the surface of pores, clearing blackheads and help to draw bacteria out of breakouts.  Clay also helps control oil production in skin, to reduce that shiny, oily feel.  Since clay can be drying, use once a week only on areas prone to blackheads, breakouts and excess oil production (usually the T-zone area).  Rinse with water, again, do not cleanse to remove, and follow up with an oil free moisturizer. 

Masks that must be mixed can be tricky to achieve the proper consistency.  Follow instructions, and apply/remove as noted above depending on the purpose of the mask. 

Peel off masks can be harmful if used improperly, I do not recommend them for home use.  If you do use one, follow instructions and if you notice any irritation from the peeling process, call me or another esthetician for instructions on how to treat skin. 

Masks in treatments are used in both ways above, depending on skin type and the treatment.  The serums applied under an ingredient delivering mask in a treatment will be a professional strength one, which will have greater amounts of active ingredients for faster results.  Masks in treatments are usually left on longer then one will do at home as well, so for this reason, monthly professional treatments are advised. 

Know your skin, know what you want to achieve for your skin and choose your mask carefully.  Then apply, close your eyes, relax and take some 'me' time. 

Basic Skin Care - What Should You Do?

Ok so you're not into elaborate skin care routines like I am...not everyone can be nuts about skin.  :)  But we should all take care of our skin.  So what are the basic steps everyone needs to do to keep their skin healthy?  It's pretty simple really. 

**Photo courtesy of ASCP**

Step 1. Cleanse - AM and PM

 

Cleansing your skin is important to remove dirt, makeup, pollution, sweat, etc from your skin.  It is especially important before you go to bed.  Going to bed with makeup on your skin can clog pores, leading to breakouts.  There are many varieties of cleansers, with different functions (Acne, Anti-aging, Calming.)  Choose one for your skin type/issues.  But make sure you use a cleanser or bar formulated for use on your face.  This is important to keep your facial skin in balance and feeling good.

Step 2.  SPF Protection - AM

 

Protecting your skin from the UV rays of the sun is the most important thing you can do to prevent skin cancer and premature aging.  You need at least SPF 15, but preferrably SPF 30 every day to adequately protect your skin.  Sun damage is cummulative.  Driving 30 minutes to work can cause damage that adds up over the years to pigmentation, wrinkles, sagging, and possibly skin cancer.  Such a simple step to prevent all that. 

Step 3 - Moisturizer at night - PM

 

Your skin loses most of it's moisture while you are sleeping.  It's important to keep your skin properly hydrated for optimum health.  Hydrated skin also looks plumper and younger, smoothing out fine lines.  Choose one for your skin  type (oil free if oily, antiaging, or calming) and apply immediately after cleansing every night. 

These simple steps are easy, don't take much time, but will go a long way to keeping your skin healthy and younger looking.   If you want to add more advanced skin care to your routine, you can look for serums, masks, eye creams and exfoliators.   If you add a serum, apply under moisturizer.  Since the molecules in serums are smaller, they will penetrate directly into skin.  Apply eye cream along the orbital bone around eyes - never on lids - under moisturizer.  Use a mask for your skin type once a week.  Exfoliation can be done once or twice a week, no more than that.  Over exfoliation can lead to premature aging, something we all want to prevent. 

If you aren't sure what you need beyond the basics, then scheduling a FREE consult to go over your skin type and what products would work best for you would be a great start! 

Sunburn! Oh no, now what?

So you thought you had it covered, but missed a few spots, didn't reapply or simply ignored the advice to wear sunscreen...and you look like this!  Help is on the way!

First, get out of the sun pronto! For relief, you can apply cool compresses  to reduce heat and inflammation.  Apply cooling aloe gel to sooth and hydrate skin.  Schedule a facial ASAP with a licensed esthetician, who can do the following:

• Cleanse skin with a calming, hydrating cleanser.
• Use a GENTLE enzyme to exfoliate the damaged skin off the surface with no irritation
• Use massage techniques to help soothing, hydrating serums penetrate deep into skin to reduce inflammation and promote healing
• Vitamin C serum helps protect skin and reverse pigmentation
• Hydrate with a soothing moisturizer with SPF

Your skin will look immediately better, will not be irritated, and will feel cooler and soothed!  This could also help reduce future peeling.  Check out Jodi Braun at JS Medspa on Facebook for more information on this treatment! 

Sun damage.  UV rays damage skin by breaking down collagen and elastin, causing wrinkles and sagging.  UV rays also ramp up the production of melanin, the substance that produces the 'tan' color.  The melanin is trying to protect the nucleus of the cell from damage.  The more melanin, the more tan, and also the more damage!  Uneven spots of melanin overproduction will eventually make their way to the surface of the skin in the form of brown spots.

Can sun damage be reversed?  Absolutely!  Sun damage happens deep in our skin and some of it may not work it's way to the surface for years.  A lot of the damage we do to our skin won't surface until during or after menopause.  But there are steps you can take to keep this damage from ever coming to the surface as well as reduce visible damage!

 

• Use a Vitamin C serum twice daily immediately after cleansing.  Serums have smaller molecules and penetrate faster and deeper.  Vitamin C lightens and brightens damage already showing on the surface.  It also can help speed up the skin's natural repair system, thus repairing the underlying damage before it can surface.
• Use Vitamin A in a night cream.  Vitamin A is the powerhouse of anti-aging.  It speeds up cell turnover, which will help your skin exfoliate surface damage hyperpigmentation (freckles or brown spots).  It also increases collagen production, helping keep skin firm and smooth, reducing wrinkles  brought about by sun damage. 
• Hydroquinone is found in alot of 'lightening' creams and can be effective at reversing sun damage, but should be used with caution.  Hydroquinone works by stopping the melanin production in the cell, which naturally will stop any brown spots from surfacing.  The problem is, it can be irritating and can cause 'white' spots of hypopigmentation.  Discontinuing use will not fix that issue, as once the melanin production is turned off, it will not start again.  The products I use do not use this ingredient, but you may see it on shelves, at other spas, and even in some stores.  Proceed with caution!
• Regular facials will help with all of this!  Regular professional strength exfoliation will  remove some surface damage. Professional strength serums massaged deeply into skin will go to work immediately to 'attack' below the surface damage and being the repair process.  Regular hydration in the form of masks helps keep skin soft and supple. Microcurrent treatments will increase collagen and elastin production, thus reducing wrinkles.
• Regular daily use (365 days a year) of SPF 30 is essential for reducing sun damage.  All of the above will be a waste of time if you do not remove the trigger (UV rays) by protecting your skin daily! 

 

Follow the above advice and you can stop the sun damage.  Remember, what you do to your skin in your 20s may not surface until your 40s or 50s!  Keep your skin beautiful for your whole life!

Sunscreen - What Kind? How Much? What Strength?

So by now you know you need daily sun protection, right?  But which one? What ingredients?  What SPF?  I read a great article in a Spa industry magazine that answers these questions and I want to share it with you.  I'm not retyping the article, just filling in the blanks to the questions alot of people have about sunscreen. 

 

Ingredients.
The ingredients in a sunscreen determine if it's a physical sunscreen, a chemical sunscreen, or a combination of both.  What's the difference?

• Physical sunscreen reflects the UV rays, blocking them from interacting with your skin.  The ingredients to look for in a physical sunscreen are Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide.  If these are the ONLY 2 active ingredients, then this is a physical only sunscreen. 
• Chemical sunscreens work by absorbing the UV rays.  There are numerous ingredients.  If neither of the above 2 physical ingredients are listed, then it's a chemical sunscreen. 
• Combination sunscreens work with a mix of both physical and chemical, and most sunscreens provide some sort of combination. 

Is one better or safer than the other?  Physical sunscreens are the most stable and provide the best protection.  They are also less likely to sting the eyes or cause any reactions to the skin.  Some may be concerned with chemical sunscreens penetrating the skin.  The FDA has found these are safe and effective, and the Skin Cancer Foundation found no evidence these sunscreen ingredients damage cells.  UV rays, however, DO damage cells. 

What about SPF? How much do you really need?  Dermatologists recommend nothing less than SPF 15.  SPF 30 is the standard most professionals recommend for optimum protection.  SPF 15 blocks 93% of UV rays, SPF 30 blocks 97%.  Over SPF 30, you may gain a .5% more, but don't get a false sense of security.  SPF 100 is not protecting you 3X more than SPF 30.  You still need to reapply every 2 hours (or every 90 minutes if swimming or sweating). 

Is SPF really waterproof?  No.  It can be water resistant and new FDA guidelines now specify they can't say 'waterproof' on the bottle.  You must reapply for the highest protection. 

What does Broad Spectrum mean?  This means it protects against both UVA and UVB rays.  UVB rays are the ones that cause burning.  UVA rays are those that cause premature aging.  You need protection against both.  Both can cause skin cancer. 

Is tanning safe if you don't burn?  No.  No no no!  Never.  A tan is a sign of UV damage.  Your skin produces melanin to protect the cells from the UV rays.  The melanin is what causes the tan  color.  The more melanin, the more tan, the more damage to the cells.  And the artifical UV rays from tanning beds cause DNA damage.  Researchers from the National Cancer Institute blame tanning in tanning  beds for the increase in melanoma (the most dangerous type of skin cancer). 

 

Bottom line?  Wear SPF 30 every day on any exposed skin.  Reapply every 2 hours when out in the sun or water.  Find shade, wear sunglasses and a hat.  And see a dermatologist once a year to get any suspicious spots checked. 

Don't believe the sun causes damage?  Look at the picture below.  This man was a truck driver for years. Look at the difference in his face from the left side to the right side.  The left was exposed to UV rays through the side window during all his driving hours.  Dramatic, isn't it?  Going to buy sunscreen now?  I hope so! 

**Source - Practicing Safe Sun - American Spa Magazine - June 2013**

Chemical Peels - What You Need to Know!

Chemical peels, they are everywhere!  In salons, spas and now on drugstore shelves!  Which ones are best for you?  What is the difference between Lactic, Glycolic, Salicylic?  What about percentages? 

Chemical peels are a form of exfoliation.  What is exfoliation? 

Exfoliation:

• Increases cell turnover
• Decreases fine lines
• Lightens & brightens skin
• Decongests pores
• Makes surface of skin softer & smoother
• Makes pores appear smaller
• Helps to increase collagen production

Peels are a form of chemical exfoliation.  This means there is no scrubbing involved.  The chemicals  do the work.  There are a few different types of peels:

• Enzymes
• Acid Peels
• Chirally Correct Peels

Let's talk a little bit about each.

Enzymes are gentle and effective for every skin type.  Enzymes are derived from different fruits (pineapple, pumpkin, papaya, etc).  Enzymes do not damage living skin tissue on the surface. Enzymes digest the desmosomes (the cells that hold skin together), thus releasing any hold on dead skin cells, causing them to slough off the surface.  The results are less irritation to the skin surface, but yet reveal a soft, smooth, brightened appearance to the skin surface. 

Acid Peels are just that. They peel off top layers of skin.  The depth depends on the percentage used and length of time left on the skin.  There are different acids that are better for different skin types.  The most popular are Lactic and Glycolic.  Salicylic can also be used, but can have more 'bite', a stinging sensation.  Lactic acid is gentle, it hydrates, brightens and increases collagen.  Glycolic penetrates faster, isn't as hydrating, but because the molecules are smaller, it will penetrate faster, giving a faster result.  If used in excess, it can induce a higher inflammatory response, so use with caution!  Salicylic will also lighten, brighten and smooth, but also has 'bite'.  Salicylic is often thought to be an acne product, but is also an effective peel in the right percentages. 

Chirally Correct peels work differently.  These do not cause any inflammatory response and do not strip off the top layers of skin.  These penetrate in to the skin, with minimal discomfort and work from the inside out.  They increase the action under the skin, which in turn causes surface cells to exfoliate off faster, revealing softer, smoother, brightened skin. 

Why peel?  As we age, our rate of cell turnover slows down.  This can lead to a build up of dead skin cells on the surface, resulting in dull, dry, flaky skin.  Aging also slows down collagen production.  We are born with 80% collagen.  The 1st year after menopause, we lose 30% of collagen, and then lose 2% every year after!  Collagen is what keeps our skin plump!  Without it, you see sagging and wrinkles.  Since peels help our bodies boost production of new collagen, as well as removing dull, dead skin from the surface, peels are a great anti-aging procedure!  And because peels remove the surface of the skin, they will help remove surface sun damage, leaving skin brightened and more even-toned.

How often can you peel?  Depending on the depth and type, peels can  be done anywhere from every 2 weeks to every 3 months.  Anything over 30% is considered medical grade and best left to the dermatologist or medical aesthetician with advanced education.  30% and under can be done by your aesthetician in a salon or spa setting.  Chirally correct peels can be done every 2 weeks safely with no downtime.  A 30% lactic acid peel will not leave most people red and visibly peeling.  Lactic acid and Chirally correct are wonderful options for anti-aging as they are the least irritating, and also increase hydration!  

At home peels, should you?  I've seen peels as high as 25%+ on drugstore shelves and I'm just not comfortable with people using these at home.  If you are untrained in peeling, and unsure of what you should be feeling/seeing on your skin, then you risk injury and damage to your skin.  Over peeling can actually accelerate the aging process.   Peels are best left to the pros! 

Still not sure which is best for you?  Schedule a consult with your aesthetician. He or she can analyze your skin and determine exactly what your skin needs!

Waxing, Shaving, Tweezing Oh My!

It's that time of year, the time we all want to be hair free to show off our great summer skin!  Let's explore all the different ways to remove unwanted hair, and you can figure out what works best for you! 

 

Tweezing: This is literally tweezing out one hair at a time.  Works basically only for eyebrows and strays not removed by other methods. 

Facts of Tweezing:

• Removes hair by root
• Easier to control what hair will be removed.
• Easy to do at home or on the go
• Minimal products/equipment necessary
• Time consuming
• Not a good option for larger areas  

Shaving:  We all know what shaving involves.  We've been doing it since we were 12 right?

Facts of Shaving:

• Removes hair at skin surface only
• Grows back quicker
• Easy to do at home, in shower
• Minimal products/equipment
• Regrowth can be stubbly
• Requires daily/every other daily maintenance
• Can cause red bumps/ingrown hairs

Waxing: Waxing can be done at home or in salon.  Waxing removes alot of hair at one time.

**Photo courtesy of ASCP**

Facts of Waxing:

• Quick result for larger areas
• Area stays smooth for 4-6 weeks
• The more often you wax, the less hair grows back over time
• Can be slightly painful
• If done at home, must follow directions to the letter!  Improper waxing technique can result in bruising, skin lifting, bleeding, ingrown hairs.
• Best done in salon/spa by a licensed professional.
• If done at home, various equipment/products needed
• Must let hair grow to 1/4 inch to get area waxed again (4-6 weeks)

All the above methods can be done on all areas of unwanted hair (although tweezing should really be reserved for the brow area). 

How do you choose?  You just have to decide what are your goals.  Waxing is great for the summer months for legs, underarms, bikini and for men, backs & chests.  Results last longer, daily shaving not required! 

How do you maintain the areas after hair removal? 

• Wash with gentle cleanser the day following hair removal. 
• Days 2 & beyond, use a lotion with a gentle exfoliator (such as salicylic acid) to keep skin cells from clogging the follicle, leading to painful bumps and ingrown hairs. 
• If you are getting waxed, DO NOT SHAVE!  It is important that you let the hair grow back to at least 1/4 inch by your next wax appointment for safe hair removal.  If hair is too short, wax will not grab the hair and can damage the skin. 

Still unsure?  Talk to your skin care professional, try a waxing on a small area to experience it before deciding to go all out and wax everything! 

Have a great, hair-free summer! 

Facial Oils - Oil Based Cleansers

Oil for your skin?  Even oily skin?  YES and YES!  Here's why these are not just hype. 

Oil based cleansers are great for a first cleansing.  Oil attacts oil, so these cleansers clean your skin of excess oil and makeup.   They will also help dislodge blackheads and congestion in the skin.  This can lead to less breakouts.  After cleasning with an oil, use your regular cleanser to remove any residue and cleanse your skin.   The double cleanse method will leave your skin feeling cleaner than it has ever felt.  

If you experience blackheads and congestion below the skin (bumps), using an oil cleanser is one of the best things to help aleviate the issue.  Use twice daily along with your regular cleanser.  And no picking or squeezing!  Leave that to the pros! 

The only time you want to limit oil cleansers is for drier skin.  Since it removes oil from the skin, it can leave skin without excess (or even enough) oil dry and tight.  Use once a day rather than twice if you still prefer the double cleanse method. 

Oils as serums and moisturizers are also very good for skin.  Oils help active ingredients in anti-aging creams penetrate with less irritation.  They are also calming and add hydration, since certain active ingredients can be drying to the skin.  

As skin matures, we produce less oils naturally, so these oils can help replace what nature takes away.  Adding moisture and retaining moisture is great for skin plumping, reducing the look of fine lines and wrinkles. 

There are alot of facial oils and oil based cleansers on the market.  Do your homework, read the ingredients and what the oil is meant to do and choose the one best for your skin type and needs. 

Tanning - Just Say No

You've heard that tanning is bad for you, but do you do it anyway?  Do you think a tan looks healthy?  It may look good in the early stages, but a tan is still UV damage to your skin and eventually will cause pre-mature aging and could lead to DNA changes that cause skin cancer. 

When UV rays enter your skin, it triggers melanin production to protect your skin from the damaging rays.  The melanin is what produces the tan you see.  But while this is happening, the UV rays are still damaging the cells which can lead to permanant changes in your skin. 

UV damage causes:

• Brown spots
• Wrinkles

Alot of the damage we do to your skin doesn't show up on the surface for years after we've done the damage.  There are 'skin scanners' that can show you the damage  below your skin.  If no action is taken, this damage will surface as brown spots years later. 

 

How can you stop this?  There are a few things you can do:

• Wear sunscreen EVERY day.  SPF 30.  This will stop continued damage. 
• If you tan in a tanning bed, stop immediately.  It may take time for you to get used to being 'pale' but remember, pale is healthy.  Tan is not. 
• Use of a Vitamin C serum can slow the damage  below the surface from reaching the surface.  The combination of Vitamin C and SPF can significantly reduce brown spots on the surface of your skin for years to come.
• Use of a Retinol cream can increase collagen production (which UV rays break down) to plump wrinkles.  SPF is mandatory if you use Retinol, as it  can be a photo-senstivitity agent. 
• Regular exfoliation can help remove surface damage so skin appears more youthful, even-toned and smoother. 

Please remember, none of the above will do any good if you continue to 'lay out' in the sun, or tan in a tanning bed.  There is no such thing as a healthy tan (unless it's from a self tanner/spray tan).  I have a Tshirt I love that says..."Pasty by Choice...Pale is beautiful".  Love the skin color you were born with, and you will be rewarded by looking younger your whole life. 

Skin Type and Foundation

Confused by all the different brands and types of makeup foundations out there?  Should you use powder, liquid, tinted moisturizer, BB cream?  What the heck is BB cream anyway?  Let's take a closer look.

Not all makeup is created equal.  There are oil free formulas, thick hydrating formulas, powders, lightweight formulas, and treatment foundations.  The list goes on and on.  Finding the one that works for your skin can be trial and error if you aren't sure what to look for. 

Foundations:

• Liquid foundations blend easily into skin, but may feel heavier than other forumlas.
• Powder foundations are lighter to the touch, feel lightweight, but can be harder to blend
• Tinted moisturizers are simply moisturizers with some color added to them. These offer light coverage and won't cover blemishes.  These are great for warmer months when you don't want to put both separately on your skin.
• BB Creams are multi-tasking formulas that combine moisture with tint, along with other ingredients to address even skin tone and some anti-aging concerns.  Offering heavier coverage than a tinted moisturizer, these can be layered to cover blemishes.
• Treatment foundations have an ingredient to counteract a certain skin problem.  Some for acne, most for aging concerns, including pigmentation (brown spots) and wrinkles.

Oily Skin:

• If your skin is oily, you want an OIL FREE formula, always.  This won't contribute to oil production, will likely have an ingredient that helps control oil and shine.  It will feel lightweight on your skin.  There are also oil free BB creams and tinted moisturers.  These are multi-tasking products!
• Powder foundations are great for oily skin!  They won't feel greasy or heavy and can help control oil and provide a matte finish for shine free skin all day.

Normal Skin:

• Women with normal skin can use any formula as long as it feels good on their skin.  Find what works well and looks best and stick with it!

Combination Skin:

• If there is excess oil in the T-Zone, use a formula geared for oily skin.  You can use a tinted moisturizer or BB cream, just choose an oil free one.

Dry Skin:

• If skin is dry and/or dehydrated, steer clear of powders!  These will sit on top and will make skin feel even drier.  Look for formulas that are NOT oil free, as your skin needs the excess hydration provided by thicker formulas. If you want lightweight looking coverage, opt for a BB cream or tinted moisturezer. 

Aging Skin:

• If skin is more mature, powders are not a good choice, as the powder will settle into fine lines.  You will want a more 'dewey' finish so skin looks more youthful.  My favorite product for aging skin is BB Cream.  It doesn't cover your skin, but gives a dewey youthful glow and has ingredients to combat aging and help even skin tone. 

Some people change formulas with the seasons.  Winter can be more drying on skin and you may want a heavier, more hydrating formula, while in the summer you want a more lightweight formula.  Using the above guide can help you pick the right formula all your long, for your skin type!

Exfoliation

When you hear the word exfoliation, what does it mean to you?  Do you think of  scrubs?  Microdermabrasion?  Acid peels?  All of these are a type of exfoliation. 

Exfoliation defined:  Exfoliation is simply ridding the surface of your skin of dead skin cells.  We all turn over new skin, but at differing rates.  The rate varies based on age and lifestyle.  Someone who is 20 years old gets 'new' skin on the surface every 15-20 days.  Someone who is 45 gets 'new' skin every 30-45 days.  This is a big difference in terms of how skin looks and feels. 

Skin that isn't exfoliating at a fast rate will build up dead skin cells on the surface.  This can lead to skin that feels rough, looks dull and won't allow for serum and moisturizer penetration.  Removing these cells from skin's surface gives a more youthful, hydrated look to any skin.

How do we do this?  There are 2 types of exfoliation:

• Chemical
• Physical

Chemical consists of enzymes and peels.  These work without physical stimulation, they simply use their ingredients to break down dead skin cells to help them slough off.

•  Enzymes are gentle and work simply by devouring the cells that hold the dead skin cells together.  They have no action on live cells on the skin's surface.  There is little irritation, no down time, no visible peeling. 
• Peels work in a few different ways.  Depending on the strength and type of peel, they will remove the top layer(s) of skin.  How deep a peel depends on the strength, type of acid used, and length of time left on skin.  Depending on the depth, there can be redness, peeling and down-time. 

Physical exfoliants work by using beads in scrub form to physically remove dead skin cells.  Beware of scrubs using broken nuts and seeds as these can cause tiny tears in the skin leading to damage and pre-mature aging, or at worst, infection. 

There is such a thing as over-exfoliating your skin.  You should only exfoliate at home once a week.  Professional exfoliation can be done every 2 -4 weeks by a licensed professional. 

Questions about this?  Schedule a FREE consult/face mapping with me and learn more! 
Follow my skin care page on Facebook at Skin Care by Jodi at Elements to Wellness.  Follow me on Twitter at @skincarebyjodi1. 

Which Ingredients Work for YOUR Skin Type?

Are you always seeing hundreds or thousands of skin care products promising to fix every possible skin issue and have no idea what works and what doesn't?  Do you know your skin type, and which ingredients are best for YOUR skin?  Let's break it all down.

Skin Types. 
There are 5 skin types:

• Normal
• Combination
• Dry
• Oily
• Sensitive

Still not sure which one describes you? 

• Normal - You have no issues with breakouts, oil production, dryness, redness, sensitivity.  Your skin behaves and needs minimal maintenance.
• Combination - You tend to be shiny in your 'T' zone (forehead, nose, chin), experience a few breakouts and feel dry or normal in your cheek area.
• Dry - Your skin lacks oil production and often feels tight & flaky, can have a tendency to redness and be senstitized. 
• Oily - Your skin always looks shiny, feels greasy and you tend to experience breakouts. 
• Sensitive - Your skin feels tight, itchy, burny, and has a tendency to redness.  Alot of products can cause stinging and further redness. 

So now you have an idea what skin type you have, let's find out what products/ingredients work best for you.

Normal:

• Your skin needs minimal maintenance and basic products. Pick a cleanser specific for facial skin and without any reference to acne or oil control.  Your skin doesn't need it.  You need a basic moisturizer with SPF for day and if you are over 30, a good anti-aging night cream with a retinol ingredient will be good to keep skin looking and feeling young. 

Combination:

• Your skin needs a gel based cleanser that foams to help combat oil production and give you a feeling of clean skin.  On extra oily areas, a clay mask once a week will do wonders to reduce oil and draw out impurities and blackheads.  Look for an oil free moisturizer with SPF for day and a slightly more hydrating one for night.  Anti-aging products are fine for your skin as well if you are in that age group.

Dry:

• Your skin needs hydration and humectrants to keep any oil you do produce in your skin.  Start with a creamy cleanser to avoid stripping your skin of oils.  A hydrating mask once a week will really help your skin retain moisture and look radiant.  Avoid oil free moisturizers, your skin needs heavier creams to maintain hydration.  You can use anti-aging creams with retinol as well, but build up to them, start using every other night to avoid drying skin too much. 

Oily:

• Your skin produces too much oil which can contribute to breakouts.  The key here is to reduce oil production, but not stop it completely.  Going overboard with oil-combating products will cause your skin to over-compensate, resulting in even MORE oil production.  A clay  based cleanser will greatly reduce your oil production and help your skin feel more balanced.  It can also double as a mask once a week, simply apply to dry skin and rinse off after 10 minutes.  Your skin still needs SPF and moisturizers.  Make sure you use OIL FREE, which will hydrate your skin, but will not clog your pores.  This could take some getting used to, as it may feel like too much, but trust me, it will balance your skin, reducing oil production.  Oily skin can still get dehydrated, which is why a moisturizer is essential. For breakouts, using 2% salicylic acid in a cleanser and 5% benzoyl peroxide will clear skin in 3 months, when used as directed. 

Sensitive:

• This one can be tricky.  You want to look for calming products (most have this right in the name).  My recommendation is getting checked by a Dermatologist first, to rule out Roseca or any other ailment contributing to sensitivity.  Look for creamy cleansers.  Avoid anti-aging products until sensitivity is controlled.  A product that promotes repair of the skin's natural barrier is best to protect it from outside elements while it heals itself.  

All skin types have different needs.  If you are still confused, schedule a FREE consultation for a skin analysis and I can help you determine what will work best for you! 

SPF - Not Just for Summer

You need to wear SPF every day.  365 days a year.  Not just in the summer, or when it's sunny out.  Here's why.

• UV rays travel through clouds, fog, haze, & windows to reach your skin.  Weather is irrelavant.  UV rays will damage unprotected skin even when it's raining.
• UV rays are present in daylight hours every day of the year. 
• UV damage is cummulative.  That means the UV rays that come through your windshield on your morning commute will continue to contribute to sun damage if your skin isn't protected.

Sun Protection Factor should be renamed Daylight Protection Factor.  The sun doesn't have to be shining bright to damage your skin.  Always protect your skin, including the backs of your hands with at least an SPF 15, preferrably SPF30 every morning before you head out. 

UV rays contribute to premature aging, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation (brown spots) and skin cancer. 

Tanning is one of the worst things you can do to your skin.  A tan is UV damage.  Even if you never burn, you are still damaging your skin cells and possibly the DNA.  

Love the skin color you were born with! 

Skin Treatments - What do YOU Expect?

What has been your experience with skin treatments or facials?  Good, bad, indifferent?  None?  Do you know what you should expect?  Let me break it down for you.

A facial takes approximately 60 minutes and should consist of the following basic steps:

• Cleansing
• Skin Analysis
• Exfoliation
• Extractions (if necessary)
• Massage
• Mask
• Moisturer and SPF

Here is a breakdown of how I do my facials.  I feel relaxation and great skin care are not mutually exclusive.

I start with a gentle precleansing using an oil based cleanser to break down oils and makeup on your skin so they are easily removed. This is followed by a second cleanse with a cleanser geared for your skin type, removed with a warm steamed towel. 

Cleansing is followed by exfoliation.  There are 2 types of exfoliation:

• Physical
• Chemical

Physical uses beads in a scrub form to gently but effectively scrub dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. 
Chemical uses enzymes or acids to chemically breakdown the top layer of skin, resulting in smoother, fresher surface skin. 
Enzymes are the gentlest form of chemical exfoliation, and good for even senstitive skin. 
Exfoliations are normally completed under steam. This helps open the pores to prep the skin for extractions of any blackheads. 

Skin analysis and extractions follow exfoliation.  Extractions can be done with fingers or an extraction tool.  You need to let your esthetician know if you feel discomfort during extractions.  We should be firm, but gentle, and never force anything.  If you are uncomfortable, you may request this step be skipped.

A soothing facial massage follows extractions, to gently help any serums applied penetrate and promote relaxation. 

A mask will be applied based on your skin's needs.  While the mask is on, you will receive a shoulder, hand and arm massage, further promoting the relaxation phase of your treatment.  The mask will be gently removed with warm steamed towels.  The proper serums, eye creams, moisturizers and SPF will then be applied specific to your skin's needs to finish up this wonderful treatment. 

A facial should never be uncomfortable, and I don't believe in leaving clients alone in a treatment room with products on the skin.  You should feel pampered and relaxed when your treatment is complete.