Facial Peels

Winter is a great time to get facial peels because the procedure requires you to stay out of the sun. Winter=less sun=good time for facial peels!

Did you know that your skin replaces itself every 3-5 weeks? However, the dead skin cells don’t always shed themselves without a little help.

Dead skin cell build-up makes the skin look dull and flat. Peels  help dissolve the  “glue” or the intercellular cement that holds the clumped-up dead cells on the surface, allowing the dead cells to fall off.

Refining peels also eliminate rough textured, sun-damaged, large pored and blemished skin. Simply put , the peels restore the skin to a healthier younger texture.

When the skin regrows it is thicker, firmer, plumped and looks smoother with smaller pores.

Peels are recommended in a series for the best results or can be done as a stand alone treatment once a month.

1.Take shorter showers and do not rub dry rather pat dry or even better put on moisturizer while you are sill damp. This will help hold in the moisture.

2.Raise the humidity in your home or office with a humidifier, your skin will thank you.

3.Select mild fat/oil based soaps and skip the ones with perfume.

4. Take a milk bath, 2 cups of milk in the tub exfoliates and hydrates.

5.Remember caffine dehydrates, so less coffee and more water. Eate more fruits and vegies, they are high in water content and your body will assimilate this type of water more efficiently.

Halloween is not necessarily a treat for your skin. Did you now that sugar ages the skin, cause acne and increase body fat?

The sugar aging connection is called glycation. Glycation is the process where sugar attaches to proteins of collagen in the skin causing the collagen to cross link. This cross linking makes the collagen stiff and inflexible leading to sagging, wrinkling and browning (age spots).

Refined carbohydrates and sugary treats raise insulin levels which up the skins oil production, this can cause acne and enlarged pores.

Spikes in blood sugar encourages your body to store fat, which most of us do not care for.

While sugars and carbohydrate provide essential fuel for our cells, your skin will thank you for not overdoing it this time of year.

Suggested reading:

The wrinkle cure by Dr. Nicholas Perricone

Stop aging, start living by Dr. Jeannette Graf

Color correctors are also available in mineral powder form, so you can hide an angry blemish or calm down  the red in a ruddy complexion.

If you are going to wear make-up, mineral is the cleanest way to go.

1. Sun protective clothing is made to block 99% of UVA/UVB rays, where as a normal white T-shirt only blocks 5%. These clothes are available at REI or on line, Solumbra, Solartex, Lands End and Coolibar.

2.You can DIY with Rit sungaurd a laundry detergent additive, this makes your favorite clothing more sun protective.

3. Of course there is the usual wide brim hat, also available with sun protective fabrics.  Sunglasses, make sure they are high quality, there should be a sticker on the lens that qualifies it has UV protection.

4. With so many options there is no reason go with out sun screen. Sun screen wipes, sun screen spray, sun screen cream, sun screen lip balms, sun screen shampoo and sun protective make-up.

5. The sun is most potent between 10a.m. -4p.m. This is the worst time to go with out sunscreen.

6. One application of sunscreen will not protect you all day!!!!!!! Even if you wear SPF100 you need to reapply. I like to reapply my sun screen every two hours when I am out in the sun. Also note that some sun screens takes 30 minutes to absorb and become active, put it on well before you head outside.

7. Things that make you more sensitive to the sun are, spray perfumes,  synthetically fragranced  products, acne washes and creams, dry skin, Retine A, certain medications, waxing and not wearing sun screen.

So go out and have some fun in the sun, but use sun protection!

Hair removal is the other reason hair can become ingrown. The hair can be snapped up, break and bounce back into the pore creating inflammation. Then skin cells grow over the area causing an ingrown hair. This can be caused by any kind of hair removal (waxing, threading, shaving, tweezing or hair caught and pulled out by clothing.)

If you do get an ingrown hair the best thing to do is treat it immediately!! There are skin care products designed especially for ingrown hair, but it only works if you use it regularly!

The average life span:

Mascara and liquid liners 4-6 months Throw out immediately if you have any type of eye infection or sites and NEVER share eye or lip make-up!!! Close the lids tightley, never pump the wand this causes bacteria formation and dries it out making it flacky and clumpy. Note: flacky and clumpy means time to throw it out!

Eye and lip pencils 1 year  If there is a white film or decay smell of decay this means it has turned bad. Always sharpen the pencil after each use this shaves away bad bacterias.

Foundation and concealer 1 year Always use an new applicator cotton swab to extract liquid from jar to keep it clear of bacteria that could be on your fingers. Also if there is a puff or sponge wash it or replace it frequently. Time to toss when liquid seperates or thickens. A stick or cake formula will crack or turn tough when it has expired.

Eye shadow and blush 1-2 years If powder crumbles or has a white crust or smells funny throw it out.

Lip stick and gloss 8 months Throw out immediatly if it come in contact with a cold sore.

Make-up brushes Good quality brushes can last a life time if properly cared for. Brushes should be cleaned often with a brush cleaner that cleans and conditions the brush.  Be kind to your brushes and store them in a seperate case designed specifically for brushes.

Extra notes: Keep your make-up out of the direct sun or any hot place so that the oils do not spoil.