Monthly Archives: December 2017

Winter Skincare

Winter Skincare

Winter Skincare

Winter is here, and for many, this means dry, flaky, red, irritated skin. Do you think that simply layering on an extra coat of heavier moisturizer will do the trick? Think again. Here are the  most common mistakes that people make, and my expert solutions to keep your skin looking its best during the driest season of the year.
 
Over moisturizing with the wrong moisturizer
When the skin is dry and flaky on your face, applying an extra thick coat of moisturizer will surely take care of this, right? Wrong. Your skin is like a sponge, so applying an extra layer of moisturizer may be wasteful, since the can only absorb so much. In addition, for blemish-prone skin types, too much moisturizer may cause congestion, bumps, and breakouts. The solution is to use the right moisturizer with the most effective hydrating ingredients that actually repair the lipid barrier and prevent trans-epidermal water loss.
 
Some of my favorite moisturizing products for winter skincare are: Dry Relief Oil, Repair Balm and Restorative Moisturizer. Unlike other types of moisturizing ingredients used in skincare formulations, these ingredients will actually correct the lack of oil and lack of hydration deep within your skin and repair your skin’s lipid moisture barrier to make your skin moist, supple and smooth. And don’t forget to increase your exfoliation. After all, trying to moisturize cells that are already expired won’t get you very far.
 
Not adjusting your skin care routine.
Our skin, like our bodies, is constantly changing. Add in a severe drop in the weather temperature and this will definitely affect your skin. You must make certain that you are using the right products to adapt to your skin’s changing needs. This might include switching from using an AHA face wash to a gentler cream cleansing lotion. You also can start using a serum underneath your moisturizer to give your skin a boost of much needed hydration. If your skin doesn’t feel good, then your routine simply isn’t working and it is time to change it up.
 
 Not sealing in moisture fast.
Did you know that you have a 60 second window after cleansing your skin to seal in moisture while your skin is damp to prevent severe dehydration? Because the air is so dry in the winter, it looks for water wherever it can get it – this means taking it from your skin at its most vulnerable time after cleansing. When you wash your face, your skin is damp with water afterwards and since water acts like a magnet, it will attract water from the deep layers of the skin, and evaporate into the dry air. The result is even tighter, drier skin. After cleansing, when your skin is still damp, immediately apply moisturizer so your skin can stay moist and hydrated.
 
Humidifier for Your Skin.
Loss of moisture is a big concern with winter skincare. As we mentioned, dry winter air draws moisture from wherever it can, through a process called osmosis, and often times it will be from your skin. Using a humidifier helps counteract the drying air so moisture is less likely to evaporate from your skin. Be sure to modify your nighttime skin care routine since the air is driest at night when the temperatures drop.
 
An added benefit of using a humidifier is prevention of spreading the flu.
We’ve all known that a humidifier can ease coughs and congestion, but a recent study showed that a virus is 32% less likely to survive when relative humidity is between 40% and 60%. A home in the winter can drop to a 15% humidity level, but a humidifier can boost this up significantly. An add bonus is using essential oils to also kill viruses and bacteria. Stay healthy this winter!

 

Winter Skincare

 

Non Surgical Microcurrent Facial

Non Surgical Microcurrent Facial

Have you ever worked out your face? An eyebrow-raising beauty trend, called a microcurrent facial, aims to do just that.
 
Facial microcurrent is a safe, painless, non-surgical, non-invasive cosmetic procedure that helps tone, lift and firm sagging facial muscles back to its original position and shape.
 
“It’s like a little workout for your face,” actress Jennifer Aniston said in an interview last year.
 
The electrical stimulation technology behind the microcurrent facial has been used in partnership with various treatments for patients afflicted with Bell’s palsy, a sudden paralysis or weakness of facial muscles that causes one side of your face to appear to droop. Now the technology is making waves in the cosmetic field.
 
Microcurrent facials have been used for facial paralysis for about 70 years, and it’s a common use for other areas of the body.
 
For a cosmetic procedure, an aesthetician would apply a conductive gel to your face. The same type of gel is used for ultrasound scans, since it allows for the distribution of electric impulses.
 
Next, the aesthetician would use two metal prongs to apply electrical currents to the skin’s surface, stimulating the facial muscles underneath.
 
“These two wands talk to each other. They’re delivering currents back and forth. This treatment starts out with lifting and tightening,” she said. “It’s just electrical currents going back and forth here and stimulating the top layer of the skin and the muscle.”
 
A microcurrent facial ranges around $88 takes about 45 minutes.. The more procedures you undergo, the more results you may see, she said.
 
During the treatment, patients might feel “a little bit of a tingle” on the skin or have a metallic taste in the mouth, but many find the procedure to be relaxing.
 
The technology could be used similarly for a medical procedure. For instance, when people have facial paralysis or Bell’s palsy, they would see a physical therapist to learn how to move and retrain certain facial muscles.
 
Treatment sessions last for about 30 minutes to an hour. A complete treatment course has an average of 10-15 treatments within the first 8 weeks with a recommended once a month maintenance treatment. However, the number of treatment varies depending on each client’s skin condition and muscle tone.
 
 

Non Surgical Microcurrent Facial