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SKIN TAGS

 

Here are a few tips regarding skin care, procedures and products that I have been asked in the past. 

 

MICRODERMABRASION

 

Microdermabraision has been around for several years in many salons and doctors offices.  It has only been in the last couple of years that smaller hand-held tools have been manufactured for smaller spaces.

The larger machines uses a mechanism of "shooting fine crystals" onto the skin to "buff" the skin and then a vacuum that suctions up the used crystals and dead skin that is being exfoliated.  This handheld tool has the same idea except instead of using the crystals it has a pad that has crystals adhered to it.  Therefore the suction raises the skin and buffs it as it passes and giving the same results than using the larger machine. 

This service is safe for all skin types and can assist in many skin conditions: fine wrinkles, acne scars, hyperpigmentation, uneven skin tone and texture, as well as, giving an overall glow to the skin.  The other benefit is that by exfoliating the top layer of skin (the stratum corneum) your products are able to penetrate the skin much deeper and be more beneficial overall. 
        

As a client you would be assigned a disk with your name that will only be used on you and only by you.  This service is safe enough to be done weekly, so you don't have to wait as long in between like you do for chemical peels. Chemical peels are still an effective way of helping with all types of skin conditions.  Microdermabraision is just another procedure and may be better for those that are a sensitive skin type to ingredients.  There are four different disks for different intensity: sensitive up to course.  It can also be performed on areas of the body that need extra attention, such as the chest, hands, feet and arms.

 

 

 

ARE YOU AT RISK for SKIN CANCER?

 

~ Using a tanning bed one time increases your risk of skin cancer by 75% (most states are banning them or getting parental consent for use);  

   occasional use triples the chances of cancer.

~ 1 million will die this year from skin cancer; 1 every hour

~ One bad sunburn increases your risk by 50%.
~ Skin cancer is the 2nd most common cancer in women age 20-29.
~ 4% of skin cancers are a melanoma and 79% of those 4% result in death.
~ Most common areas women get skin cancer is on their legs; on men it's their back
~ If diameter of pigmented area is larger than a pencil eraser - get it checked by a doctor.
~ Remember your ABCD's - Look for Asymetric size, Border uneven, Color changes, Diameter change
 

2-5 MINUTE SKIN CARE REGIMEN

 

We all deserve a bathroom break - so excuse yourself from your kids or husband or life - and go!

1. CLEANSE - Despite what Lady Gaga says  - you must wash your face every night. DO NOT SLEEP IN YOUR MAKEUP! (she sleeps in hers - God bless her good genes).  Even if you don't wear makeup, wash off the dirt, dust, pollution off your face. Note: Unless you have very oily skin or you want to, you only have to wash your face at night. (30 seconds) 

  •  Dry skin - cream cleanser

  •  Oily skin - oil-free, gel-based cleanser

  •  Aging  - glycolic or lactic acid

  •  Any skin - gel-based cleanser

                         

 2. EXFOLIATE - 2-3x a week.  Do you take a shower at least 2-3x a week?  Great!  If you don't want to add one more step, then do it in the shower while your hair is conditioning.  We are known for multi-tasking, so let's do it!
Use: a gentle daily exfoliant that won't irritate your skin (St. Ives Apricot Scrub is the opposite of this...don't use on your face - I have other suggestions you can try - that even my husband will use).
OR
If you have a facial brush or a Clarisonic brush use cleanser with it.  Also a form of exfoliation. (30-40 seconds) 

 
3. TREAT - this is where you use those serums and potions (5-7 seconds) 

  • Dry skin - hyaluronic acid, glycerin, cucumber, lavendar, rosewood

  • Oily skin - Vitamin A, salicylic acid, willow bark, witch hazel, lactic acid

  • Breakout-prone - benzoyle peroxide, salicylic, sulfur, tea tree, clay

  • Aging - Vitamin A/C/E, antioxidants, peptides, retinoids

  • Pigmentation - hydroquinone, licorice root, Vitamin K, grapefruit, rice

  • Rosacea - chamomile, aloe, Vitamin E, lavendar, cucumber, raspberry 


4. MOISTURIZE - in the PM some skin needs two different moisturizers - one for fall/winter and one for spring/summer.  Our skin has

   different needs throughout the year.  (10 seconds)  

  • Dry skin - use a cream (see ingredients above)

  • Oily skin - oil-free, gel-cream, or lotion (see ingredients above)

  • Aging  - peptides, retinoids, vitamins, antioxidants

  • Any skin - gel-cream/lotion


5.  PROTECT - in the AM, in place of a moisturizer.  If you are using both in the morning, then you are adding another layer/step you may  not need.  Use: a broad-spectrum UVA/UVB SPF of 30 or higher no matter what age or where you work or what time of year.  This is your first line of defense against wrinkles, pigmentation, and breakouts.   

VITAMIN C & E: Lifeguards on Duty

 

We've all heard that Vitamin C and E are great topically for our skin.   It rids our skin of free radicals, which makes

our skin age faster and breaks down the collagen. Vitamin C is water soluble so it can't get rid of free radicals by

itself.  Vitamin E is oil soluble, therefore it neutralizes the free radicals before they can cause damage to other cells.

As a result of this neutralization, Vitamin E becomes a free radical.  Think of Vitamin E as a Jr. Lifeguard jumping

into the pool to save the swimmers, but starts drowing  as well.  Therefore,  Vitamin C, another Jr. Lifeguard, needs

to save E and make it a stable molecule again.   BUT by doing this C has given all it's strength so they are both bobbing

around for a rescue.
 

Solution? Don't use an equal amount of Vitamin C and E.  Use something that has a higher % of C than E so that it

can not only rescue E but it can save them both.  My favorite: PCA Skin C-Strength: Vitamin C 15% & Vitamin E 5%

ALL STAR #1 TIPS

 

  • #1 Tip I Tell my Clients: exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate.  Everyone can benefit from exfoliation 2-3x once a week, whether with a rotary brush or a scrub.   If you need suggestions, let me know. 

  • #1 Ingredient Everyone can Benefit from: Vitamin A /retinoids help with wrinkles, evening out skin tone and texture and clarifying skin. 

  • #1 Neglected Body Part: Don't forget to treat your neck the same you do your face.  Neck and hands are clear giveaways to age....equality for all!!

  •  #1 Waste of Time and Product:  you don't need to wash you face 2x a day.  If you wash your face, do so in the evening to take the dirt and makeup off from the day.  Only if you are very oily, should you wash your face in the morning.  Otherwise, splash some cold water on your face and dry off with a washcloth.  This will leave your skin prepped for your morning routine.  

  • #1 Anti-Aging Product: Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen 

 

 

 
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