I spend my days getting up close and personal with peoples’ pores and doling out skincare tips-but how much of my own advice do I follow? I really religiously do these things. I don’t want the wrinkles or the acne!
SPF 30 or higher is a rule estheticians live by. Daily SPF protection. I always wear a broadband SPF 30 daily, specifically Image Tinted Moisturizer and make sure to see the latest beauty product testing reviews as its a well-known fact that every skin type is different. The SPF 30 cream I use is only $35, so you can be diligent when applying-UV rays can cause damage even on cloudy days, and on sunnier days, you should reapply SPF every two to three hours for maximum protection. A hat would make this whole thing perfect, but baby steps…
The 69-year-old man on the right spent more than 25 years as a truck driver, according to the New England Journal of Medicine, and the Northwestern University doctor who studied him concluded: “The biggest take-home message from all of this is that you can get UV radiation through window glass even if you are just running an errand.”
Keep that little image in your mind when you are feeling lazy about your face!
What order do they go? There’s no use investing in skincare products if you don’t know when to avoid skin bleaching and aren’t applying them in the right order. A golden rule, is apply your products in the order from lightest to heaviest.
At night: cleanse-retinol (serum)-moisturizer-eye cream. In the morning: cleanse-serum-moisturizer-sunscreen. Think of a serum as like a single vitamin, while a moisturizer is more like a multivitamin.
Your routine doesn’t have to be long and drawn out. Just pick something that you will actually do and stick with it. If you can find a product that is a moisturizer AND a sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher, your routine is that much quicker.
Stop picking. The best thing to do is to replace the habit with another habit. You could try getting acne facials, or find a distraction solution, like a fidget toy. If you train yourself to do something else instead of picking, it will be easier to stop doing it than if you just order yourself to quit.
Predictably, it’s painful-but it also feels sooo good. The question, then, is this: Why? Why do we subject ourselves to such misery, knowing that (a) it will hurt, and (b) it will only make things worse in the long run? Knowing these truths, why do we proceed?
One of the main reasons people have a compulsion to pick is that it feels very gratifying when the thing comes out. Keep in mind, a blemish usually lasts 5-7 days, but the red or dark scar from picking at the blemish can stick with you for weeks, or sometimes forever!
Moisturizers prevent and treat dry skin, but that’s not all they do. Moisturizers especially those recommended by experts like Emeraldspa or Impressions Skin Solutions in Hendersonville, TN can protect sensitive skin, improve skin tone and texture, and mask imperfections.
Skincare can be one of the most confusing things in life. While a Google search may tell you it’s OK to embrace essential oils, your friends could simultaneously warn you that you’re doing it all wrong, and then you go down this skin disaster spiral. Alright, so it’s probably not that serious, but finding the right way to moisturize your face can be a battle.
Skip the long, steamy showers and opt for shorter, cooler sprays. Long, hot showers strip skin of its moisture and wash away protective oils. So limit showers to 10 minutes and keep the water cool.
We tend to forget that our skin on our body can also show signs of aging, and keeping it properly moisturized will slow down the signs of aging. I also use a cucumber mist throughout the day to reset my mineral powder and hydrate my skin.
Find a line without parabens. Six different parabens have been identified in biopsy samples from breast tumors. Think about it. I use Image skin care, and we carry the line at our office. It won’t blow your budget either.
Exfoliation is key. Whether it’s Dermaplaning, or a chemical peel, this is a huge deal. You simply have to!
As the skin ages, the rate of skin cell turnover slows down. The result is a dull, lifeless complexion. Major bummer. Proper exfoliation is necessary to maintain a healthy glow.
You owe it to yourself to get a professional exfoliation every month. You have to force the cells to turn over more frequently and reveal a healthy glow. Whether you use glycolic pads, dermaplaning or a chemical peel, I can help you design a system that works for you. Just please, DON’T USE PRODUCTS WITH MICROBEADS! This will cause tiny tears in your skin and premature aging.
Neurotoxins such as Botox and Dysport can help stop the clock by preventing wrinkles and fine lines that haven’t even popped up yet. These work by relaxing the muscles that “make” the expression that is causing the wrinkle. Does that sound complicated? I promise it isn’t. And its a simple, quick, easily tolerated procedure (if you go to the right person.)
Procedures such as Collagen Induction Therapy (Microneedling) and skin tightening treatment like this skin tightening in Apollo Beach, FL are great for building collagen and maintain a youthful glow. This no-downtime skin rejuvenating treatment is affordable, and yields great results! Please choose a provider with experience. Every local medspa in town has employees performing this procedure with minimal training. Leave the needles and your skin to trained professionals like this medspa in New Albany, IN or med spa in Tempe, AZ. Another procedure you can consider is ultherapy and PRP injections in Fort Lauderdale, FL. These are non-invasive and they can help tighten your skin to make you look more youthful.
Stop smoking. Period. You know all of the reasons why already, but in case you need a refresher, here it is! Prevent yourself from getting cancer, wrinkles, smokers lines, yellow teeth… etc.
Use Retinol or Retin-A? Both are Retinoids. They’re both made from vitamin A and promote faster skin cell turnover. And they’re some of the most proven, effective, and powerful options for treating skin issues ranging from acne to signs of aging.
Retinol-we hear the word constantly and by now all know it’s the main ingredient we should look for if we want clear, healthy skin. But do estheticians really swear by it as much as they make it seem? Quite simply, yes.
Retinol is found in many products that don’t require a prescription. Retinols are much weaker than prescription retinoids. Unless vitamin A is listed as one of the top five ingredients and the product is packaged in an airtight opaque bottle, what you’re getting might not be all that effective. Neither retinoids nor retinols should be used by breastfeeding or pregnant women for which many doctors recommend to use products such as the boric acid capsules | FlowerPower.
Precription retinoids require a prescription and make the cell turnover process get rolling even quicker! Retin-A, Tazorac, Tretinoin, we can evaluate your skin and see if you are a candidate for any of these.
With regular use of either retinoid, pores appear smaller, brown spots will lessen, and lines and wrinkles are truly softened. It’s key for collagen production and cell turnover.
My clients ask me every day “what is the most important thing for my skin?” Make sure your face is clean, toned, and moisturized before you put on makeup or get into bed, since your skin rejuvenates naturally when you sleep.
When it comes to washing your face, it’s not so much about how you do it, but if you will actually do it at all. Wash your face right after dinner instead of waiting until right before bed when you’re more likely to skip it.
As for how to cleanse, it’s really a personal preference and depends on your skin type and lifestyle. I swear by my Clarisonic and some Ormedic Cleanser. You can use towelettes, wash cloths or whatever you will get into the routine of doing. We can work out the logistics later.
Get a consultation with someone who knows skin care well, and get a professional’s opinion. Make an appointment for a facial, a dermaplaning or something you can’t do for yourself.
Those who actively seek facial treatments are usually doing so for a reason. It’s true that your skin’s overall health can be greatly improved with the proper application of certain processes.
These treatments are especially effective if you choose to indulge on a regular basis, particularly if you are looking to achieve drastic results due to an underlying skin condition or are simply unhappy with your skin’s current condition as a personal preference. There is nothing wrong with enjoying the process either, a great spa experience will brighten your skin and your day!
I know you’ve heard this. Pay attention. Change your diet!
A splurge is a splurge, but what indulgences are 100% off limits because they’re just that bad?
- soda: There are about 40 grams of sugar in one single can- artificial sweeteners in soda (and other junk food) actually contribute to obesity and diabetes, even though they were created to solve those issues. Artificial sweeteners have been linked to infertility and cancer as well. Read labels and be cautious of ingredients like neotame, sucralose, advantame, saccharin, and acesulfame potassium (acesulfame K).
- processed meats: Processed meats typically come from animals which are held in confined spaces, spreading disease and being exposed to a number of hormones and antibiotics. They’re also filled with sodium nitrate, which is used to chemically flavor, preserve, and add color. When your body is exposed to nitrates, it converts them into cancer-causing chemicals. Processed meats include salami, sausages, deli ham, and yes, bacon. Sigh.
- high fructose corn syrup. it’s everywhere.
- processed soy: Free glutamic acid, or MSG, which is a potent neurotoxin, is formed during soy food processing. Soy phytoestrogens are potent antithyroid agents that cause hypothyroidism and can lead to infertility and promote breast cancer in adult women.
- microwave popcorn: Are you ready for this news? (Probably not.) Your favorite at-home movie snack is straight up dangerous to your health. Researchers have linked the chemicals used to cancer, increased LDL cholesterol, decreased immune function, thyroid disease and infertility.
- margarine: Packed with trans fats, and made from the cheapest, lowest quality oils.
- Fat-free foods: Here’s the thing about fat-free foods-you might feel like you’re making a healthier decision because in most people’s minds, “fat” equals “bad”, but in reality, these overly-processed foods are actually quite damaging to your health. These highly refined sugars cause your blood sugar to spike, increasing your risk of weight-gain, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.