Skin Care Tips

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Don't wear tight clothes. Things tight around the body (including belts) can cause irritation and don’t allow skin to breathe. Keep clothing clean including scarves and hats.

Remove makeup. This is an always. Over the day makeup collects oils and bacteria. The skin repairs itself at night.

Throw away makeup older than 6-months from date of purchase. Sorry, it's a perishable product that does degrade over time.

Keep hair clean. Minimize getting hair products on the skin which can cause irritation and inflammation.

Protect by using a good sunscreen. Zinc oxide, the physical block ingredient in quality sunscreens, is used as part of acne treatments. It' healing & non-inflammatory

Protect from the sun. Over exposure to sun can cause the body to produce extra sebum, which may worsen acne and inflammation.

Read article about lack of sunscreen here.

Skin Care Tips

Wash with mild cleanser & warm water no more than 2x/day. Gently massage skin with circular motions. Don’t scrub. Over-washing can cause irritation, inflammation and dehydration. 

Don't squeeze. Pimples are caused by sebum, dirt and bacteria in a pore festering. Squeezing pimples can push infected material further into the skin, leading to more swelling and redness, and even scarring. Treat pimple with topical products from a reputable Esthetician and get regular facials with extractions from an Esthetician.

Don't touch with your hands or objects like telephones (do you know where your cellphone has been?). Touching the face can spread bacteria and other organisms causing inflammation and irritation.

Clean glasses (including sunglasses) often to keep oil and bacteria from clogging and infecting pores. This is especially true for those of you who put your sunglasses in your hair.

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Can Stress Cause Acne?

Although stress does not directly cause acne, it can aggravate acneic conditions in those who are prone toward acne. Stress increases cortisol. And, long term stress keeps the cortisol levels elevated for long periods of time. Cortisol is a hormone released by the adrenal gland and it:

* Is a diuretic dehydrating the skin.
* Increases blood sugar.
* Weakens the the immune system.
* Creates inflammation of the skin and other organs.

Common causes of adult Acne are:

* Heredity
* Hormones
* Stress (see above)

In my practice, an acne facial consists of deep cleansing the skin, addressing the infection and inflammation and soothing the soul to calm your stress. It's more than just an acne facial.
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Reflexology and Gallbladder Warning Signs

Did you know that if you have pain on the right upper back/ shoulder area with pain under your right rib cage... Could be your gallbladder and you should get it checked. In Reflexology, the gallbladder is a small area on the arch of the right foot, between the fourth and pinky toes.

Best Facial Includes Wise Use of Skin Care Products

In the consultation with first time clients I emphasize that we are in this together. Their monthly visit with me will enhance and improve their skin on a professional level. However, for this process to be completely successful they have daily work to do at home with the quality products that I recommend. The initial purchase of the basics which would include a cleanser, toner, daytime moisturizer with SPF, a night cream, and a serum can run over $200 a big investment on top of the cost of a facial.

Here's how to get the most out of your products - wear nitrile or vinyl gloves. These gloves can be purchased inexpensively at most drug stores.

By wearing nitrile or vinyl gloves your products go on your face and neck where you want them and not on your hands. This technique can extend the life of your products by several weeks.

What Are Free Radicals and Antioxidants?

Antioxidants are chemicals that break down or neutralize the damaging effects of free radicals - chemicals produced as a byproduct of normal cellular metabolism. Under normal circumstances, there is a balance between the rate at which free radicals are produced and the rate at which they are eliminated by the action of antioxidants. Free radicals are destructive in that they cause oxidative damage to tissues - essentially causing tissues to rust like a piece of iron left outside in the weather. They damage proteins, fat and even our DNA. In fact, damage to our tissues by free radicals is thought to underlie the process of aging, a theory first described by Dr. Denham Harmon in his "free radical theory of aging" proposed in 1956. Indeed, Dr. Harmon laid the groundwork for the whole antioxidant industry when he demonstrated that free radicals are "quenched" by antioxidants.

*Note: excerpted from an article by David Perlmutter, MD, FACN, ABIHM Free Radicals: How They Speed the Aging Process originally published in The Huffington Post on January 25, 2011.

Laser vs Peels

Your face is clearly a journal of your life past – all those suntans and burns, all the smiles, frowns grimaces, the not so great diet mixed with the too strenuous diet, poor sleeping habits and even lack of exercise will show up on the skin in time.

Many of these tattletale marks on the face can be addressed with laser or peels. I’m not an expert in laser since I don’t do it (you need to be a licensed physician). However, I do know that it is expensive, painful and the downtime is significant.

Similar results can be achieved with peels over a longer period of time at a fraction of the cost of laser.  Peels use a variety of naturally occurring acids. While the acid is being applied there is some discomfort which is monitored by the licensed esthetician and does quickly subside. The discomfort indicates that the peel is doing its job. You will leave the office slightly red and glowing and should be able to return to your everyday activities (although strenuous activities may be limited for the first couple of days). You will begin peeling on the third and fourth day and should be able to pursue your regular activities.

Either way pigmentation will lessen and wrinkles will soften. You will still need to stay out of the sun and have healthy habits. The issues are cost, downtime, and pain.

What has been your experience?

Reiki and Animals

If you read my blogs about Reiki and/or you have received a Reiki session, you know what a wonderfully healing holistic modality this is.

As my animal clients will confirm, Reiki is also a wonderful treatment for them. Reiki can help our animal friends in their lives. It can be used to calm, heal an injury, maintain good health and even help animals to pass more peacefully. Kathleen Prasad is co-founder of the Shelter Animal Reiki Association (SARA) and has made it her mission to help shelter and sanctuary animals through the use of Reiki. See her video on Healing Quest TV.

Gee, You Look Good . . . . For Your Age

Gee, you look good . . . . for your age! Is that a compliment, a qualifier or an insult?

Perhaps only the giver and receiver of such a remark are the only ones to decide.

Regardless, as we age, the only thing we can hope for is to keep looking our best. As time trots on the looking our best target takes a little more time, care and money.

How much time, care and money? That's up to you.

If you are a person who has moved away from thinking that looking your best is looking as young as possible in favor of wanting to look as good as possible for your age. Away from the rarely natural looking facelift for youth to a maintained subtle natural beauty. There are many safe, no or low downtime, cost effective, healthy options.

In reality, "Gee, you look good for your age" says that you look as if they have a healthy lifestyle and are happy.

Its easier to maintain your looks rather than getting on the "turn back the clock" treadmill. Here are some options:

~ Diet. That's easy. Eat healthy.
~ Exercise. Heard that one before. You know what to do.
~ Beauty treatments. They are restorative. Read on.
~ Maintenance. Of your health and your beauty. Value yourself.

All on the list are about looking better, not younger. In the beauty treatment and maintenance department here are some possibilities:

` Professional skin care options such as microdermabrasion, microcurrent, oxygen, LED, peels or just a good facial.

Some things these treatments can help with:

. As we age our mouths tend to turn down giving us an unhappy look. Microcurrent can help retrain those muscles giving a more pleasant look.

. Light peels will help keep the skin glowing. A glowing complexion is far more important to a "Gee" look than a line here or there.

. Microdermabrasion, LED and peels can create a look of luminosity and get rid of the sun damage (brown spots and superficial wrinkles).

And last but not least - use the recommended products from your skin care professional to keep up to "Gee" look in between treatments.

Increased Hydration & Suppleness With Microcurrent

We all know that through exercise metabolism is increased, muscles are strengthened, circulation is improved, inflammation is decreased and our stamina and energy is increased.

What if you could accomplish all these things for the skin? Truth is you can. By maintaining a proper daily skin care regimen the skin is stimulated and protected. A daily regimen is how the skin's beauty, function and longevity are continued.

Added to that proper skin care regimen  microcurrent services can gently stimulate sagging facial muscles, increase circulation, significantly increase collagen and elastin production as well as hydration and suppleness regardless of past history of photo-damage or negligence. For these reasons  microcurrent sessions have been given the nickname of "non-surgical face lift".

Facials with Ultrasound

Ultrasound, when used by a trained skin care technician, is a non-invasive and painless topical facial rejuvenation treatment. Research using ultrasound has demonstrated its ability to stimulate fibroblast activity (collagen formation), increase local circulation and increase the rate of wound repair.

Ultrasound is a method by which sound waves are created by a rapidly oscillating hand piece. By altering the frequency of the oscillations the depth of penetration is controlled. For the skin, these oscillations are superficial to impact only the epidermal tissue and not muscle, bone or other tissue.

In facial treatments ultrasound waves cause epidermal tissue to warm increasing blood flow, stimulating fibroblast activity resulting in collagen production. It stimulates wound repair to environmentally damaged skin. It also drives the nutrients from serums, gels and creams into the skin.

Research has shown that clients receiving ultrasound with their professional skin care have improved skin texture,  reduction in skin laxity and a youthful plumping of the skin. Unlike many treatments there is no downtime and all skin types can receive benefits.

Were You a "Picker"

When you were younger did you pick at those annoying zits? Now you have the depressed scars to prove it? There are solutions!

Use a good primer under your makeup. I recommend and sell Youngblood Mineral Primer which is rich in nutrients, minerals and vitamins. The primer smoothes out the skin filling in the indentations. Apply that mineral powder over and for slight imperfections - you're good to go.

Want something more permanent?

• A retin-A serum will trigger collagen production and smooth the skin over time.
• microdermabrasion will help to smooth and polish the skin over time.
• a good natural acid peel (see peel section of this blog for some good information) can help slough off skin and encourage elastin and collagen growth to plump the skin.  

Smoking and the Puckered Pout

So you smoked or are smoking and are noticing those little tiny lines above your lip. Some of the lines are the natural result of all those years of pursing those lips. However, the added pursing of the inhale, the heat and chemicals from the smoke take an additional, and in some cases dramatic, toll. The skin of the upper lip is 1/3rd as thin as the rest of the facial skin (excluding that around the eyes).

There are at least 12 "expression" muscles that are attached to the dermis are around the lips. Besides frying that upper lip drying it out and poisoning it; you've trained the muscles to contract further wrinkling and creasing the skin.

What to do? Things that can help from your esthetician:

• light microdermabrasion
• microcurrent
• hydrating treatments that include hyaluronic acid
• An SPF30 sunscreen with a physical block (zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide)
• a clear waxy lip liner can help to keep lipstick from bleeding up the creases

To just have the lip treated would run around $25 - $50 each treatment plus take home products to continue the treatment.

Things that can help for more severe cases:

• hyaluronic acid fillers (Restylane, Juvederm, etc.)

Dermal fillers run about $400 per treatment.

Is That Youthful Fun Showing Up In Undesired Ways?

Age spots develop in many places on the body particularly the tops of the shoulders, upper back, chest and back of hands. They are generally caused by the sun exposure of our youth. 

Remember that burn you had on your shoulders, back or chest? Well, there it is again!

The backs of our hands are constantly exposed to the sun as well as the magnified sun in the car while we drive.

Other signs of sun damage in these areas including the backs of the hands are:

• Deep wrinkles
• Dry, rough skin
• Fine red veins
• Thinner, more translucent-looking skin

Although not something we want, age spots are generally harmless. Have a doctor check evaluate any that become dark or have changed appearance.

To get rid of or at least minimize the spots there are pigment lightening gels, microdermabrasion, peels and for extreme cases lasers. All of these remedies will target the melanin in the brown spots to fade or remove them.

To prevent age spots, prevent them from getting worse, and particularly after we've faded them - use a good SPF 30 with a physical block like zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide. And, you might want to consider wearing gloves while driving.

More on Botox

As reported in the OC Register today - Dr. John DiSaia of San Clemente and Anaheim says, there is no proof that using Botox over any period of time is a guarantee that you won't wrinkle in those areas. He says, "This would be very difficult to prove. Whether or not aged tissue would form some sort of wrinkle even with less activity may be more a matter of genetics than of use of a paralytic."

Plastic surgeon Dr. Joseph Cruise of Newport Beach says, "Certainly, permanent wrinkles can be avoided if there is no motion within the skin. The real cause of wrinkles, however, is not from our facial muscles getting stronger with age. Facial muscles are just like every other muscle in the body - they get weaker with age. Wrinkles occur with age because the facial fat that separates the skin from the muscles 'melts' away."

Doctor's agree that focusing on Botox as a wrinkle-fighter misses the most important causes of wrinkles. "Stopping cigarette smoking and limiting sun exposure may be more effective and would certainly be cheaper," says Dr. DiSaia.

I will add that adding monthly facials can do wonders for keeping the skin clean, increasing circulation and moisture. Try a microcurrent facial at a fraction of the cost of Botox for healthy skin, encouraged collagen and elastin replacement and amazing facial rejuvenation.

The Benefits of Oxygen for the Skin

Oxygen is one of the latest esthetic finds to change the structure and appearance of the skin.

Oxygen applications to the skin began with its being applied topically to assist in the healing of severe burns. 

Oxygen skin care is based on the belief that stable natural oxygen increases skin cell metabolism. Applying oxygen with a serum or hydrosol offers several advantages. The chemistry of the serum by itself is healing, transforming and antioxidant. When the serum is delivered with oxygen it carries the oxygen directly into the epidermis feeding the skin.

Generally the serum(s) are lightly misted over the skin. The mist is a very fine and consistent particle size for better infusion into the skin.

For maximum benefit, the oxygen needs to remain on the skin to stimulate the skin's metabolism. The longer the oxygen is on the skin the better the results. Proper oxygen application can flatten out wrinkles.

If you're looking to feed the skin beneath the surface and receive better benefit from serums and hydrosols. This may be the treatment for you.

Ear Coning - What's That??

This ancient process is also called ear cleansing with herbs, ear candling, auricular candling or cleansing. The cone process was used by many ancient cultures. Glazed clay or stone cones were used with a double helix carved inside to create a spiral energy flow carrying herbs or incense into the ear canal, which is a spiral itself. This created a counter clockwise spiral energy by the vacuum action of the cone.

The best cones today are made of strips of unbleached 100% cotton dipped into a mixture of beeswax and herbs in the form of extracts, oils, or essences.

When coning, the cone is lit on the wide end, gently placed in the ear and burned to create smoke containing spiral energy into the ear canal. German medical students are taught Ear Candling as a remedy.

How coning works: The wide end of the cone is lit, smoke comes out the narrow end of the cone and it is gently placed in the ear. Smoke goes into the ear. Picture a chimney with its’ fire and oxygen dynamics. A draw is created for a reverse osmotic pressure and equalizing Eustachian tube pressure. Candling is very soothing, relaxing and non-invasive. At no point does the tip of the cone in the ear get hot to the touch. Heat is not a factor. The spiral of the cone and the smoke are the active ingredients.

The Eustachian tube is part of the middle ear and connects the middle ear to the throat. It manages the pressure in and drains mucus from the middle ear. Upper airway infections or allergies can cause the Eustachian tube to become swollen, trapping bacteria and causing ear infections. Sinus infections can be caused by swollen Eustachian tubes or can impact the Eustachian tubes. Earaches are more common in children because the tube is more horizontal and thinner, making the movement of fluid harder. By equalizing the Eustachian tube mucus, infectious materials and sinus problems can drain clearing the situation.

Frequency: Coning is a healing process. I suggest 3 conings, 3 - 7 days apart, allowing the process to complete a cycle of clearing accumulated debris. Normal earwax replenishes itself within 24 hours. Thereafter the ear can be coned every 6-months.

Physically: This is also a cleansing process. You may feel increased pressure in the ears, fluid in the ears, movement or inflammation of the lymphatic system. The body is clearing. Cranial fluids are being realigned. You may feel improvements in sight, color perception and balance. This is due to subtle changes in energy flow. (If the pressure reaches a point of distracting discomfort, a follow-up coning should be done as soon as possible, as a strong movement has begun which needs completion.) Drink lots of water.

Metaphysically: Coning works directly on the chakra system. Negativity can be dislodged. The nerve endings are connected by streams of the subtle energy flow which carry our life force energy. If hearing is impaired or blocked, we are disconnected from that energy. Ear coning acts as a catalyst to clear out debris accumulated on nerve endings. This allows for clear vibrational flow to the corresponding area of the mind, body and spirit. This clears the way for other methods of healing.

Disclaimer: This information has not been evaluated by the Food And Drug Administration and is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.