Internal Collagen? Truth or Fad?

Consuming Collagen? Truth or Fad?

Consuming powdered or supplemental collagen has become increasing popular as of late. The fascination with aging backwards and transforming the skin to our youthful past has definitely become a concern for women and men as young as 20. I am constantly being asked about this new popular ‘Fad’ that has taken the world by storm. But is there any truth to this fad or are we all just living on a prayer?

What exactly is collagen? Collagen is a protein that binds to tissues and is commonly known for supplying our skin with elasticity and fullness. It is naturally occurring in our bodies and starts to deplete as we age leading to sagging, dryness and lack of elasticity, fine lines and wrinkles in our skin. It has been widely used in skin care for centuries. Added into products like masks and serums to help boost the skins elasticity or injectables delivered directly to the tissue to plump lips or soften wrinkles and fine lines. We’ve seen a ton of popularity in products that make a lot of claims for improving skin, hair and nails such a biotin or vitamins “hair, skin and nails.” How is this different? Biotin is a source of B Vitamins that is said to help improve the strength and vitality of your hair, skin and nails for some. While collagen supplements and powders are mostly made up of “ground-up fish, chicken, pig and cow parts” that are said to improve the skins hydration levels, softness and complexion. The ingredients of some of these supplements are what make this more controversial for many health professionals who are concerned about the internal consumption of collagen possibly including toxic heavy metals and possible dangerous diseases such as (BSE or mad cow disease). 

The idea behind collagen is for its consumption by pill or powdered form to be absorbed into our cells and translated to our skin, making it plumper, rosier, less dry and less wrinkled. There is unfortunately not much scientific evidence that this really does all that much. Many are unsure if our stomach acids are breaking down these collagens before they ever provide any actual benefits. 

So, what is the verdict? Many people have seen huge improvements in dryness which helps the skins appearance from looking dull, more radiant and plump. However, it is extremely important to find a source of collagen that is vegan, and free of additives. I would highly suggest “Vital Proteins” for its purity and safety. I am not a medical doctor and do not have any scientific evidence that this will provide any actual benefits to your skin or body. But with celebrity endorsements all over the internet I know that a lot of you are going to want to try it for its potential benefits. 

My own personal opinion: I prefer to take care of aging in different ways. The three most important contributors to anti-aging are: hydration, sun protection and cell-turnover through chemical exfoliation as well as a focus on overall healthy. Eating a healthy diet full of healthy fats, fiber and whole grains and getting plenty of exercise to increase blood flow and circulation throughout the body and our organs.

·      Hydration internally and externally by consuming adequate amounts of filtered water, and applying hydrating ingredients directly to your skin such as hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture. It’s also important to have adequate oil production by not over drying your skin with the wrong products or too many exfoliants. 

·      Sun Protection is crucial. I repeat CRUCIAL for skin health and anti-aging. UV rays both A and B are culprits for aging the skin, depleting the skin of moisture and breaking down collagen as well as making you more susceptible to skin cancers and skin lesions. Applying sun protection every 2 hours is standard for protecting your skin. Choose a sunscreen that is physical (which won’t disrupt your hormones or cause skin irritations) of an SPF of 50. 

·      Cell turnover is HUGE and a step most people leave out. As we age are cell turnover rate slows down dramatically which is responsible for keeping our skin youthful and plump. When the skin is constantly producing new cells as at fast rate it is producing collagen and fresh new skin regularly. In order to continue producing these fresh new cells at the rate we did when we were in our teens and 20s, regular chemical exfoliation is needed. Chemical exfoliation increases the rate of cell turnover. This can be done through enzymes, peels, adding glycolic or lactic acids and retinols into your daily routines in cleansers, serums or exfoliants. This is extremely effective in achieving youthful skin.

So, while the verdict is still out about collagen increasing our skins youthfulness, there are so many other ways to fight aging without potentially adding in yet another dietary supplement to our already hectic routines. But if internal collagen does spark an interest in you and you absolutely need to keep up on the latest and greatest trends, make sure you do your research and know your facts. It may help to increase your skins hydration and complexion according to some. 

A Little Self-Guide for Self-Care!

ohhh, that wonderful beating in our ears, thoughts racing through our head, sleepless nights, and the constant fast paced rush through life feeling that reminds us that we are alive. We all know it too well. Life is full of emotions, are we good enough parents, are we working hard enough, are we balancing everything perfectly? This ebb and flow of life can get in the way of living well-fulfilled, healthy lives. We are programmed to do more, do better. We put everyone before ourselves in the hopes that we will live selflessly and feel purposeful. But how much of this energy is draining us? How often do we stop and say "am I taking care of me"?

Most people consider the act of self-care as an act of selfishness. That could not be further from the truth. Self-care is often overlooked, ignored and considered a luxury. That once in a blue moon massage you get for your birthday or the glass of wine you have after the kids go to sleep but how much is that supporting your own needs on the regular? It is so important to care for yourself before you care for others so you can be the best version of yourself. Self-care can look differently for everyone. It could be carving out 30 minutes at night to read a good book or for others taking a bubble bath. It doesn't have to be an all day elaborate affair. It could just be fulfilling a need you would otherwise normally ignore.

Stress plays such a huge roll in our health. It is partially responsible for so many diseases, cancers, premature aging, and many skin conditions. After all, when you breakdown the word disease it becomes DIS-EASE. Think about it. When we are stressed we are in a constant state of tension. We aren't thinking clearly, eating healthy, sleeping well and probably skipping our regular workouts. But it's more then that. Almost 40 million adults between 18-54 suffer from anxiety disorders in the US. It's really easy to fall into horrible habits or to not know what to do when life seems unmanageable. When we are stressed out our bodies release the "stress hormone" called cortisol. When we are too stressed and the body is releasing too much of this hormone it can disrupt a lot of different functions of the body, but especially the skin. High levels of cortisol can overproduce sebum levels in the skin which is essentially excess oil production. This can clog your pores and create inflammation and bacteria which can become acne lesions. It can also magnify other skin conditions like rosacea, psoriasis and eczema.  Cortisol also accelerates the aging process of the skin, enhancing unwanted wrinkles, fine lines, age spots and overall ruddiness.

Having a self-care kit when the going gets tough is an easy reminder that taking care of yourself can be at your finger tips at any moment and it doesn't haven't to seem like this unattainable task. Put together a basket of the things that bring you to your happy place. You don't have to do everything at once or even more then one. But on days you feel like you need a little more love for yourself, maybe the cup of tea before bed so you sleep better is as crazy as it gets. But that's ok, because you listened to your own needs for once and that's one step further then you took in the past.

This is a little look into my own self-care kit and what brings me to my happy place or gets me out of my head when stress is at a high. You can copy mine if you can't get started but this is a little run down of why I chose these things to help me along my calm journey. I want to start by saying that I think managing stress should cover all 5 senses and the mind.

1. Music, A podcast, or a guided meditation: (hearing) As we know hearing is one of our senses and a very powerful one especially when it comes to reducing stress. In my own life, getting out of my head is something that needs to happen first, before I can truly relax and the only way that I really get out of my head is by distracting my thoughts with music I love or listening to a podcast that talks about something I'm really interested in or even a guided meditation podcast. I have been really loving the guided meditation ones especially on those difficult nights where I can't sleep. 
2. Natural Calm: (taste) This has become a must-have item in my house. It is a magnesium powder that tastes like raspberry lemonade and you put it in hot water and drink it like a tea. It literally calms your whole nervous system down. It's perfect to wind down with at the end of the day. It can definitely make you sleepy so I suggest nighttime use.
3. Journaling: (mind) This one felt a little silly and juvenile at first but I've truly learned to love journaling my thoughts. It could even be as simple as writing lists for the next day or writing 5 things your grateful for at the end of each day. It really helps to get things out and organize your thoughts better so you can eliminate stress before bed and to allow you to have a more peaceful day ahead.
4. Reading: (sight) If you don't know who Cleo Wade is I suggest you drop everything you are doing and look her up. She is everything. I literally carry this book around with me at all times to lift me up when I need it or to remind me of where I'm going. She wrote a guide that is meant to be re-read over and over. I even bookmarked all the pages that resonate with my life at the moment. I find that anyone on this planet can relate to this book in some way and it really does lift your spirits and give you hope. This is just my choice. Pick a book that resonates with you or even a magazine that relaxes you. 
5. Tea: (taste) Tibetan and Buddhist monks have used tea for thousands of years as a spiritual practice before meditation or martial arts. There is a very spiritual link to tea when used specifically to balance your chi energy. Whether you use it for this purpose or just to drink it for the taste or relaxation properties of an herbal tea such as this Trader Joes Well Rested tea, it can definitely calming benefits as long as its void of caffeine.
6. DoTerra Balance Blend Essential Oil: (smell) As a "wellness advocate" I have become rather familiar with essential oils and all of their beneficially properties. This is one of my favorite oils for when I feel like I need to come back down to earth. It is a grounding blend that eases anxious feelings while providing full body relaxation. You can either diffuse it or apply to the bottoms of your feet with a carrier oil.
7. Crystal Healing: (touch) This is a therapeutic healing practice that uses certain crystals to cleanse the body of negative energy while allowing positive energy to flow inward. They can balance your chakras. If you are interested in a practice like this there is plenty of information on the internet on how to begin your chakra balancing practice. 
8. Calming "Sleep" Balm: (touch) This is a homemade balm that I make which contains a few balancing and calming essential oils. I apply this to the bottoms of my feet, over my heart and behind my ears before I sleep. It promotes relaxation and better rest. Ask me about it at your next visit.
9. Palo Santo wood: (smell) Similar to burning incense, burning palo santo wood has medicinal and therapeutic healing benefits. It has been used by many people for spiritual purifying, energy cleansing and healing. It has even been used to relieve common colds, flu, stress, headaches, asthma, anxiety and depression. I personally find the smell so calming but it's not for everyone, so once again pick something that calms you. 
10. Warm Eye Pillow: (touch & smell) warm up an eye pillow or even a regular heating pad in the microwave and apply to a part of your body that provides a comforting feeling. I personally love the way it feels over my eyes or on the back of my neck after a long day. 
11. Face Masks: Let's face it, we all need a little pampering sometimes. Even if it's to ourselves. Apply a sheet mask for 10-15 mins and veg-out. I love these ones from amazon. They contain tea tree oil which is great for minor breakouts and evening skin tone. Place it in the fridge before using it for an extra cooling sensation. 
12. DHA or Fish Oil: (mind) I take these everyday but if you aren't a supplement person it can benefit you even if you take them when you are feeling extra stressed or anxious. These are really high in omegas which is fatty acids that are great for the brain and can actually lower feelings of depression and anxiety when taken regularly or in larger doses. I personally can feel a huge difference when I take these and when I forget. 

These kits should be personal to you. These are my go-to's. Hope that you found this helpful or that it can get your started on your journey to calm and relaxation. Take time for you. Your body is a temple. Treat it like one. You deserve it!

Suncare 101. Everything you need to know about sun protection and prevention!

Ahhhh. Summer. What we long for all winter long. That "healthy" sun-kissed glow to mask our ghostly, vampire-esque appearance we've been hiding, behind chunky scarves and sweaters. Ever since fashion and beauty icon Coco Chanel, accidentally caught too much sun on a vacation in the 1920's, sunbathing became a popular beauty ritual that is still consuming our culture today. Shows like the Jersey Shore have glorified tanning beds and spray tans and it has become a part of our daily routine as much as brushing our teeth. But cases of melanoma have tripled in the past 35 years. Which raises the question, are we being misinformed or are we putting more emphasis on appearance than health? It's hard to say. 

Clients are rushing to spas all over to rid themselves of their sun damaged, sagging, and pigmented skin. But haven't made the effort to seek a Doctor for a routine skin cancer screening in years, if at all. So, how do we as skin care specialists and one of the first lines of defense next to a dermatologist, make it known to our clients how serious sun exposure can be when not taking the correct precautions? Well, for starters, we can educate you as much as we can and hope that it will register. 

So let's begin by first understanding that sunscreen is not solely a skin cancer prevention. Although, using sunscreen correctly helps reduce your risk it is still not 100% effective in preventing skin cancer. Avoiding direct sun especially from the hours of 10:00am-3:00pm is another measure in preventing your risk. 

But let's focus on sunscreen and the importance of knowing which sunscreen is right for you, how to apply it correctly and how often. Sunscreen should be worn every single day, rain or shine. It should be applied in lotion form NOT spray form and 1 ounce (the amount of a shot glass) should be reapplied every 2 hours, regardless of it's claims for water and sweat resistance. Spray sunscreens seem awfully convenient and useful but it's not easy to measure the amount of sun protection that is covering your skin. Most of it is being absorbed into the air and not to mention the inhalation effects it could be having on your lungs. Body lotions, makeup and moisturizers with SPF are NOT enough sun protection when being exposed to sun directly or for long periods of time. Broad spectrum sunscreens are extremely important! Blocking out both UVA (what's responsible for aging) and UVB (what is most often the cause of skin cancer and sunburns). 

Did you know there are actually two different types of sunscreen? There are physical (mineral) and Chemical sunscreens, but not all are right for everyones skin conditions or skin type. 

Physical vs. Chemical Sunscreen: Physical sunscreen is often referred to as mineral sunscreen. Includes ingredients such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. These active mineral ingredients are known for deflecting damaging UV rays away from the skin. It is naturally a broad spectrum sunscreen and is used on people with sensitive skin especially when prone to irritation from heat. Mineral sunscreen has the ability to block heat and energy from the sun away from the skin. It is less likely to clog your pores and a very good choice for those who suffer from melasma or hyperpigmentation since the heat of the sun can actually worsen the condition.  

Chemical Sunscreen- uses active ingredients oxtinoxate, oxybenzone, and octisalate which are organic carbon based compounds that are known as chemical ingredients due to its chemical reaction on the skin, creating heat from the UV rays and releasing it from the skin. Chemical sunscreens take longer to absorb then physical ones which means they should be applied 20 minutes prior to going into the sun. it is not suitable for sensitive skin, those with pigment issues, or rosacea. 

SPF WHAT? Ever stare aimlessly as the sunscreen aisle and become overwhelmed by the SPF ratings or numbers and which one is actually supposed to protect you? Most people think, the higher the better. SPF 100 is perfect, I won't have to reapply all day. WRONG. Despite our common misconceptions, anything over SPF 50 is not giving you any more significant coverage or protection. SPF 70 is only slightly more coverage then SPF 50 and so on. The number is misleading to many. Most people think the higher the number the longer the coverage but that is not exactly what the number actually stands for. For example, let's say we are using an SPF 30. If it takes you 10 minutes to burn without sunscreen and 300 minutes to burn while wearing a sunscreen then you would divide 300/10 and you would get an SPF of 30. Which essentially means you are getting 300 minutes of protection before you burn. But this DOES NOT mean that you shouldn't continue to reapply every 2 hours. This is the biggest mistake we make when it comes to sun protection. We give our sunscreen too much credit by thinking it is protecting us way longer then it is. So reapply. reapply. reapply. 

Other Essentials: Besides the obvious sunscreen precautions stated above, wearing protective gear such as wide brimmed hats, lightly colored clothing and UV protective eyewear is crucial to providing protection from the sun. 

Expired Sunscreen: Ever notice that your moisturizer with SPF has an expiration date and your regular sunscreens? Well, it's for good reason. They actually do lose their effectiveness, so toss those sunscreens when they expire or you can be doing yourself a disservice. 

I provide both chemical and physical sunscreens to my clients as well as tinted SPF and SPF that contains both chemical and physical ingredients. I have sunscreen that is perfect for every skin condition and skin type, so if you are struggling with knowing which option works best for you, please contact me for a skin consult. 

All About Facial Oils

It's hard to believe that at one point we tried to avoid oil in our skincare products at all costs. Oil was the enemy. We searched long and hard for oil free products to prevent acne and we dried out our skin as much as possible to get rid of it. I am happy to say skincare has come a long way. These oils we once feared are not only welcome but have become the focus of skincare to some degree. Not only to heal our skin but to brighten, prevent wrinkles/aging and believe it or not, to prevent and diminish acne. The key is to find the right oils in your products or to add the right oils into your routine.

Going back to basic chemistry, we know that like attracts like. Well this holds true for oil as well. Oil attracts oil, therefore, if our skin is extremely oily applying oil to the skin will actually degrease it. When our skin is dried out from acne medications and harsh cleansers that strip the natural oils from our skin, the skin will overproduce oil to compensate for what it is lacking.

This doesn't mean we slap on loads of oils everyday and go on our merry way. It is important to know that oil should be applied in a specific manner and order for you to get its true benefits. Oils should really only be applied at nighttime because of their weight on the skin. They can be too heavy and give you too much of a sheen for daytime.  If you wear makeup you are creating too much slip for the makeup to stay on throughout the day.  Nighttime is the perfect time for oils to penetrate into the skin when your body and skin is repairing itself. The order which you apply oil is just as important as when. Oils can be applied alone after your cleanser and toner OR they can be applied on top or mixed in with your moisturizer. You only need 1 to 2 drops of oil. Overdoing it can actually lead to bacteria build up on your skin. How should it be applied? The oil should be dabbed or patted onto the skin the same way you apply a serum. 

So now that you know when, how and what order to apply it. Let's talk about which oils are right for YOU. I'm not going to list every oil because there are so many on the market now. This list of oils are the ones I use the most on myself and my clients because I personally love them. But what I love might not be what you love, so feel free to experiment with other oils as well. Argan, macademia, marula, maracuja oil are some other examples of oils commonly used for the skin and hair. 

Aging Skin or Dry and Dehydrated skin

Rosehip Seed Oil- This oil has recently taken the internet by storm and for perfectly good reasons. If you haven't noticed from it's name, this oil comes from the seeds of a rose bush and is slightly orange in color. It's packed with antioxidants, vitamins and fatty acids that are very beneficial to the skin. This is a great natural alternative to chemical based moisturizers filled with synthetic ingredients and parabens. It has wonderful moisturizing properties. But if your not willing to ditch your routine yet, you can always add a few drops to your moisturizer for added hydration. With Vitamins A & C this oil has been used to help treat dry, aging and pigmented skin. It can help tighten sagging skin by improving its elasticity, rebuilding collagen, fading hyperpigmentation and minimizing scars, stretch marks and fine lines. 

Grapeseed Oil- This has easily become the best carrier oil I have used. It's so lightweight and absorbs easily into the skin. It is rich in beta-carotene and Vitamin D, C & E and also has essential fatty acids: Stearic, Linoleic & Palmitic which makes it great in the treatment of wrinkles and scars. Grapeseed oil also contains Polyphenols which are antioxidants with anti-inflammatory benefits, which makes it a great oil for moisturizing acne prone skin (especially adult acne). It also restores collagen since it contains "OPC" a flavanoid that firms the skin and keeps it youthful. This oil makes a great base oil for oil cleansing as well. My favorite oil cleansing combination is: 1 part castor oil, 2 parts grapeseed oil and 2 drops tea tree oil, 1 drops Vitamin E oil. (Too much castor oil can be very drying, if you're typically dry you may only need a few drops of castor oil). 

Acne Prone (Teen-Adult)

Jojoba Oil- This is one of the most useful oils in my opinion. It can be used on any skin type but it's specifically a special oil for acne prone skin. Jojoba is a very unique oil. It is actually a mix of monounsaturated liquid wax esters and it mimics our own sebum. Therefore, it does an amazing job at balancing out the oil production of our skin. It is rich in iodine which fights the bacteria that is responsible for acne (p. acnes). Most bacteria die when coming into contact with jojoba oil. It has a high content of Vitamin E which promotes healthy clear skin. It is also an antioxidant that protects and prevents free radical damage. 

Evening Primrose Oil- This oil is especially effective for hormonal acne. Some women suffer from some type of hormonal acne from teen-adult. Evening primrose oil can be used both internally and externally to balance hormones. Applied directly to the skin can have just as many benefits for hormones and acne. It will greatly help reduce inflammation, speeds up the healing of acne, reduces the size of an acne lesion and prevents future acne scars. It helps reduce redness both topically and orally due to it's anti-inflammatory properties. It provides psoriasis relief due to linoleic acid (an omega 6 fatty acid). It's also great at reducing hyper-pigmentation such as melasma and other types of pigment issues are usually caused by hormonal fluctuations and imbalances. This can also be used as a carrier oil for essential oils or for treatment oils (which are explained below). 

Treatment Oils

Sea buckthorn oil- This oil comes from the seeds and berries from the sea buckthorn plant. It can be used to reduce many skin conditions including acne, dermatitis, dry skin, eczema and skin ulcers. I love adding a few drops with another oil (jojoba, evening primrose, or rosehip seed) for facial massage or for added benefits as a night moisturizer. It can also be very soothing to treat sunburns. 

Tamanu oil- This is by far my favorite "treatment" oil for healing skin conditions such as ingrown hairs, wounds, scars and acne. This special oil comes from a Tahitian tree that contains a green fruit that dries and produces a greenish oil. It is very rich in fatty acids and is very emollient so use sparingly if you are acne prone. I use this oil in with the sea buckthorn oil for my facial massages as well. This oil can be used as a spot treatment for acne: add 1 drop of tamanu and 1 drop of tea tree and apply to a q-tip, dab on acne lesion before bed. As an ingrown hair treatment: 3 drops of tamanu and 2 drops tea tree to a cotton ball and apply to shaved legs or face to prevent and treat ingrown hairs. 

Why has K-Beauty (Korean Skin Care) taken the world by storm & why you should probably get on board…

If we know anything about Korean skin care we know their beautiful porcelain, glass-like complexion is unmistakable.  So how can a sun worshiping country like us, be suckered into a world of skin care that’s main goal is to avoid UV damage at all costs? That means absolutely NO TANS, not to mention the extensive 10-step system both morning and night, when we can barely find time to drink our morning coffee or remove our makeup at night, let alone apply essence? And what on earth is – essence?

We have already dabbled into a little world of K-beauty with out even knowing it, most likely. When bb and cc creams started to replace your foundation and concealer and you started to bare more of your skin then probably ever before, incorporating nutrient and vitamin enhanced bb and cc creams to your everyday regimen.  The main goal of K-beauty is to look beautiful without makeup. Prevention is the key to their very involved beauty routine, but all for a good cause. We are used to treating a problem once it has already risen, which is why spot treatment acne solutions are one of the most purchased skin care items on the market. K-beauty’s goal is healthy, vibrant, hydrated skin that is free of pigment from sun damage. Pale=Beauty.  This goes against the soul of our existence. We escape to “paradise” on beach getaways to literally bask in the sun for hours on end, some even wearing little to no sunscreen at all. (Which is why my biggest clientele are hyperpigmented sun worshipers).  So why would I make this change you may ask? Because it is the key to product absorption and YOUTHFUL looking skin, BEFORE your skin begins to age.

Although this system is very involved and seems nearly impossible for the average person to consider, please note that all 10 steps of Korean skincare do not have to be done daily. And I specifically want to state that if you barely even wash your face as it is, please do not go from 0-100 overnight. Your skin will go into shock and will react. I can promise you that. Start out slow. Less is more. And READ ingredients. Below will not be a list of products that you should incorporate into your regimen. Instead it will be a guideline to follow as far as how this system works and the order that it should be done in. The order is very important. Layering skin care products correctly is a huge necessity for the products to do their job properly and penetrate into the layers of skin that they need to penetrate into. So if you are starting from 0, I suggest you start out by using a very good oil cleanser, cleanser (or water cleanser) and moisturizer and then the key role in all of this sunscreen, in that order.  I will provide a description as to why all of these are important below. So lets get to it…

10 step K-Beauty Routine

1. Oil Cleanser- This is actually a step I have incorporated not only in my own routine but in my clients facial routine as well, a few years ago. Mainly because oil is a magnet to dirt and oil and will provide a great first cleanse to remove any makeup or residue prior to your next step. 

2. Cleanser- For a second cleanse it is crucial you follow up your oil cleanse with a second cleanse, now that your skin is rid of dirt, oil and makeup, your cleanser can actually do its job, which is cleanse your skin. I like to use a gel cleanser with lactic acid for hydration which is perfect for combo skin but you can also use a foam cleanser or anything specific to your skin needs. 

3. Exfoliate – When it comes to Korean or American beauty when it comes to exfoliating less is more. Some people can get carried away with this step because the grainy feeling of a scrub feels like it’s doing more then you’re used to but over exfoliating causes redness and irritation. That is not going to give you porcelain skin. 

4. Tone – Toning has truly become my favorite skin care step. Some people never include toning into their routine but it is refreshing and also rids the skin of any residue left over from the previous steps and resets the PH of your skin so it’s ready for the next steps.

5.  Essence – Here’s that word again. What on earth is essence? Essence is considered a treatment, sort of between a toner and a serum but provides a necessary step for better absorption of a serum while also providing cellular turnover which keeps your skin youthful.

6. Serum – A serum is crucial for skin change! Serums can target a number of issues and they usually are geared toward certain skin concerns. They are super concentrated active ingredients that provide a delivery system to deeply penetrate into the layers of the skin. They can target pigmentation, repair the barrier layer of the skin, aging etc…

7. Sheet Masks – If you haven’t heard of K-Beauty before now you would have to be living under a rock if you haven’t seen at least one of these sheet masks in either the store or on your insta feed in the past few months. These sheet masks do way more then scare your roommate. But there are so many on the market it is extremely important that you do your research when it comes to these masks. Some are not only drenched in beneficial serums but also a ton of harmful and scary chemicals and parabens that are not healthy for your skin or your health. These masks are not a daily step, they can be used up to 3 times a week.

8. Eye Cream – It is very important in Korean skin care to very carefully treat the eyes using delicate motion, eye cream and eye makeup remover prior to the first step. Your eye area needs a lot of attention and should definitely be incorporated to avoid aging.

9. Moisturizer – This step ties all the other steps together by supercharging the other 8 steps into the deeper layers of the skin and helping them all work properly and together. Sleep packs are also used in place of this step nightly a few times a week. Sleep packs are an overnight mask that is not washed off until the following morning when you begin your morning routine.

10. SPF – The MOST important step which I know may sound redundant because I said that about a lot of these steps but the sole purpose of these steps is to achieve perfect, porcelain skin. Porcelain meaning pale and free of pigmentation. To avoid aging and retain youth you must avoid the sun and sun damage. Which means wearing sunscreen every single day.

This may sound extremely time consuming and it definitely can be in the beginning but skin care should be a lifestyle, just as exercise, diet and hair care. Make it a priority now and you will avoid a lifetime of fixing skin care conditions you could have avoided throughout the years.

(Photo courtesy of ASCP)

When & How Often Should I Get A Facial?

This question is definitely my most frequently asked question. I will start out by saying that if you are looking for results, getting a facial regularly is very important. When I say regularly, I mean making your skin a priority, like you would work and working out. I suggest scheduling in self care as if it were part of your day. This means washing your face morning and night, not sleeping with makeup on, exfoliating at least once a week, treatment masks etc.. That also means rebooking facials/treatments about every 3-4 weeks depending on the severity of the treatment you are getting. A basic facial with a scrub based exfoliant that is gentle and not abrasive can be performed as often as every week. That is not feasible or realistic for most people. So I suggest 3-4 weeks, however during the weeks you are not getting worked on, home care is so so important. It prolongs the effects of your facial and prevents further irritation post treatment, or speeds up the process of the treatment (all depending on the home care that was provided to you at the end of your treatment). 

For treatments such as chemical peels, enzymes or any other treatment that exfoliates the skin on a deeper level, I suggest no sooner than 4-6 weeks. It generally takes 3-4 weeks for the skin to move through a full life cycle of cell regeneration. As we age this process slows down dramatically which is why our skin starts to age and lose its elasticity. Chemical peels and enzymes are such an amazing anti-aging treatment because they speed up the process in which the skin turns over, creating fresh new skin that is firmer and younger looking. 

For microdermabrasion and physical exfoliation that is less intense can be performed as often as 2-3 weeks depending on the sensitivity of your skin. Microdermabrasion and physical exfoliation are great treatments for smoothing the surface of your skin, lightening and brightening your complexion, unclogging very minor acne, diminishing the appearance of large pores and blackheads and smoothing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Most importantly, NEVER get a facial too close to an important event. If you are getting married especially, 2-3 weeks prior to the event to prevent any possible allergic reaction or purging of the skin. 

(Photo courtesy of ASCP)

NEW to the Menu: Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is a form of mechanical exfoliation that removes dead skin cells from the epidermis (outermost layer of skin). The type of microdermabrasion that I perform is Diamond Tip Microdermabrasion. This uses a crushed diamond tip that is coarse for exfoliation combined with suction to aid in pore cleansing and provides the level of exfoliation. There are many benefits of Microdermabrasion which include:

• Smooths Fine lines and wrinkles
• Diminishes large pores
• Helps mild skin congestion
• Mild hyperpigmentation
• Smooths superficial scarring
• Smooths Stretch marks
• Stimulates the production of collagen

Treatments work best in a series of 6, 7-10 days apart. Post treatment, the client should always use moisturizer and SPF of 30 or more. Clients should avoid hot showers, exercise, steam or saunas for at least 24 hours and should avoid exfoliation prior and post treatment for at least 7 days. Please avoid prior to treatment for at least 1-2 weeks: Botox, Fillers (6 weeks prior), Electrolysis, waxing, Retin A, or any topical prescription acne medication. This treatment is not for those with Diabetes, Hepatitis, Auto Immune Disorders and results may vary in clients who smoke. 

(Image courtesy of ASCP)