BEFORE AND AFTER

real_results_ppt.pdf

Do You Have Sensitive Skin?

As a skin care technician, I frequently see a very common condition that affects approximately 50 percent of women.Sensitive Skin. This presents itself as skin that is inflamesd, irritated, perhaps itchy, with dryness, uneven skin tone, and prone to breakouts. This sensitivity can occur at any point in life. Skin can be labeled as sensitive for a variety of reasons. If you have rosacea or eczema or even skin that has been sensitized by sun exposure or chemical peels or even using products that contain preservatives or perfume,take heart. sensitivity issues can be reversed.

If you are using Retin-A, benzoyl peroxide,glycolic or are over exfoliating, you may be breaking down the lipid barrier. Nature’s natural defense mechinism against enviornmental stressors.

What are the ways you can strenghthen the skin and hopefully limit the incidence of sensitive reactions? Stay out of the sun. Use a SPF of at least 30. Avoid synthetic, preservative or perfumed products. Keep your skin well hydrated.Hydrate inside by drinking lots of water, and taking omega-3. When trying a new product start slowly and let your skin adjust to it. Stay away from soap or detergent based cleanser that strip the natural oils from your skin.

Look for products that have, shea butter, willowherb, centella asiatica, squalene for hydrating. If you have rosacea you may consider IPL intense pulsed light( a non ablative laser) to reduce the redness. Try facials that imploy ultrasound to deep clean and deep hydrate, and incorporate oxygen and LED blue light. This would be an excellent facial for someone that needs to address clogged pores dry and irritated skin.

GOT CLEAVAGE WRINKLES?

Got Cleavage Wrinkle?

Consider a remarkable and more lasting way to rejuvenate the décolleté area

If you looked at your upper chest (décolleté area)lately and saw lines, wrinkles and

crepey skin, you probably thought something like “Oh no, another sign of aging”.

Although aging does enter into the equation, probably the main culprit to blame is years of sunbathing without using sun protective lotions.

The collagen on the fairly thin area of skin on the décolleté  area is most unforgiving when it come to the abuse we have inflicted upon ourselves , all in the name of having that golden tanned look when we wear our plunging neckline.

I have been reading about all sorts of gimmicks to try when addressing the issue of wrinkles on the décolleté area. I have a friend who tried sleeping with a pair of socks between her breasts to keep them separated, but the socks would not stay in place. She also sent for an assortment of devices promising help with her “wrinkle” issue. One item looked like a sports bra type invention worn backwards (how comfortable could it be to wear a bra to bed? And so NOT sexy.

If you are not into gadgets, gimmicks or wearing a bra to bed, here is a treatment that will not only work, but be a more long term solution.

First you receive approximately 60-100 units of Botox placed into the décolleté area. This is so the area looks good while the other treatments are taking place and have a chance to kick in.

Typically you could expect to get 3-4 months from Botox placed in the face, but since this is an area that doesn’t get much movement, it should last up to  6 months; long enough for the entire treatment to take place.

Two weeks after the Botox is placed, you are treated with the Swich Dermal Rejuvenation. After exfoliation of the area, the Swich™ solution is painted on the skin. The Swich™is a brilliant treatment that switches on your body’s own collagen and elastin production.

One week later the area is treated with Fractional skin resurfacing, which is a laser treatment that causes the body to reproduce brand new skin. You would need approximately 3 treatments of alternating the Swich™with the Fractional resurfacing, which would be anywhere from 6-12 weeks apart.

Now remember the Botox has already smoothed out the wrinkles, so the skin on the décolleté already looks good, and stays that way while the other treatments are taking place.

You can expect to maintain this regenerated skin look for anywhere between 3-5 years before a maintenance treatment is needed. You would also want to be much more conscientious about sun exposure and using products known to stimulate collagen synthesis.

Cost: Approximately $3,000 for a series.

Downtime: Really not a consideration since a buttoned up blouse covers all.

The Importance of At Home Skin Care

As a skin care specialist, there is only so much I can do to the skin if a client is not doing their part at home.

When addressing skin conditions, only a percentage of results are experienced in the treatment room. The rest consists of what clients are doing at home. Two of the most common conditions that clients come in for are acne and hyperpigmentation . With both of these conditions, using the right products is essential to obtaining the best possible result. One of the main causes of acne grades I and II,which are the milder forms of acne, is simply the use of the wrong products. There are many products that claim to be good for acne, but are often just to drying or irritating to the skin.

Where pigmentation is a concern, skin lighteners and broad spectrum sunblocks are the most important things a client should use at home. If sunblocks are not used as a regular part of the at home care regime, treatments by your skin care specialist are pointless.

From the point of view of the physician, using the proper at home care to prep the skin for laser or surgical procedures is very important in achieving the best the result. Topical antioxidants are recommended to patients  because they are beneficial to all skin types and they help strengthen the skin  by fighting off free radicals. Sunblocks are always a recommendation,  before and after these procedures because incision areas may become scarred if not properly protected from the sun.

With the hundreds of products on the market, you should rely on your skin care specialist to guide you on the at home care regime that is right for your skin. When you purchase an OTC (over the counter) product you are usually purchasing something designed to meet the needs of the most amount of people for the least amount of money. How much actual research and quality ingredients could be in a product that several different skin types could use? What could be more important than your skin and  your skin’s health. It affects your self image as well as the outcome of any in office skin care treatments as well as any surgical or laser treatments offered by your physician.

Work with your skin care specialist to set up the proper at home care routine for you. Ask for samples to try and if you are on a tight budget, skip at treatment to invest in the products you need to make your skin look and feel it’s very best.

Julie Phillips, Licensed Esthetician

Stress and your Skin

Stress and Your Skin

STRESS IS THE MOST COMMONLY acknowledged personal health dilemma affecting modern society. The stress of work, home and dealing with unpleasant social situations can have a number of negative physical and psychological repercussions. Stress can lead to sickness, convoluted thoughts and a short temper. To put it simply, stress can make us ill.

Effects on skin

How does this pertain to skin? The skin is a sensory organ and responds to nerve activity, which is affected by touch, pressure pain and temperature. Nerve activity is also affected by mental and emotional stressors.

When a person experiences stress, the hypothalamus secretes a hormone into the bloodstream. This hormone cause blood vessels to dilate and trigger inflammation and heat in the skin.

This could translate into anything from a mild sensitivity to major breakouts to agitation of an inflammatory skin disorder such as psoriasis or eczema. Stress has also been linked to the manifestation of hives, rashes and acne flare-ups.

Reduce the stress

Of course eliminating the stress is the answer! All a person has to do is make sure they never feel anxiety again right?

Instead a person should encourage the reduction of stress, by taking deep breaths, meditating , and stepping away from an environment that is causing stress.

In terms of appropriate products, your esthetician could suggest antioxidants, barrier-restoring ingredients and calming agents to soothe stress sensitized skin.

It is important for a skin treatment to be more than just a set of protocols followed with good home care advice. A skin treatment should provide a client with the therapeutic benefits of stress reduction to encourage better mental health, thereby encouraging better skin health.