Dry Winter Skin...why do I have it and what do I do about it?

What do I do with this Dry Winter Skin?

The season has definitely changed and Old Man Winter is doing his best to make you look old and winter-y too!  

What is going on?  Why is this happening?   Well, there are several factors.   In our efforts to keep warm, heating systems can be very drying.  They remove the moisture from the air that our skin thrives on.  This can result in tight, flakey, rough skin that can itch, sting and redden easily.  Ouch!  

Exposure to cold and windy conditions can also damage the healthy oil barrier that your skin naturally produces.   Conditions such as Rosacea can be especially irritated by all of this!

What to do?

1.  Schedule a consult with your Aesthetician to go over the changes in your skin and discuss what you might need to add to your regimen for extra moisture, and also what you might need to subtract as well.  Some overly sudsy cleansers can be a little harsh in the winter months.  

2. Consider using a humidifier next to your bed while you sleep, this is also helpful for dry nasal passages that are caused when running heat.  

3.  For the face, you may need to incorporate an additional  moisturizer under your sunscreen during the day (yes, we still wear sunscreen in the winter!).  Or, adding a hydrating serum may do the trick. Hyaluronic acid is great addition to your regimen to bind water to the skin and give it additional hydration. It comes in serum form, or I like to cocktail it right into the moisturizers and customize my client's moisturizing products to meet their specific needs.   I suggest Image's Hyaluronic acid and their Vital C hydrating serum.

4. For the body, resist the urge to take a really hot shower as this can strip healthy oils we are trying to preserve.  Also limit showering to once a day to preserve these lipids.   

5. Immediately after showering apply a light body oil to the skin to trap in moisture.  I suggest Agave Nectar from FarmHouse Fresh, it's light, absorbs quickly and doesn't leave an oily residue on the skin.  Not to mention the light fresh scent!  You can also add this to a bath.  An "oily bath" as my mother calls them, is a great way to add a soothing healthy glow to chapped winter skin. 

6.  Keep exposed skin covered with scarves and gloves to keep it safe from harsh conditions.

7. Schedule a hydrating facial!   Nothing is nicer on a cold winter's day than snuggling up in a warm facial bed and being pampered with your Aesthetician's arsenal of hydrating products! 

I hope you find these tips helpful.   For more information, make sure you stay connected to my facebook page!   Facebook.com/SkinTherapyByAJ

To Retinol or not to Retinol: That is the Question

Posted on December 16, 2014 Shared, from my friends at IMAGE Skincare, great info!!!

What is retinol? Chances are you’ve heard of it, perhaps even used it before. But do you know what retinol is, and what it does for your skin? Are you hesitant to try it because you’ve heard of the possibility of harsh side effects? Let’s take a closer look at what retinol is, what it does, dispel some rumors, and figure out if it is right for your skin. 
Retinol is a derivative of vitamin A—an excellent antioxidant and cell communicator. It works by attaching itself to the skin cells and telling them to act healthy and younger, causing cells to turn over faster, making way for new growth. It also hinders the breakdown of collagen and thickens the deep layer of skin where wrinkles first start, thus making retinol extremely effective in not only decreasing fine lines, but also reducing pore size, improving texture, stimulating collagen production, and also managing acne and discoloration. 
While many dermatologists agree that retinol is the best age eraser available, it doesn’t come without side effects. For some, retinol can cause the skin to become irritated. This is far more common when using the prescription form of retinol known as Retinoic Acid, Retin-A or Tretinoin, which as you might suspect, is a much higher concentration. Retinol on the other hand is milder and is converted into retinoic acid when absorbed into the skin.
One of the reasons retinol products cause less irritation is because of the combination of other ingredients formulated to sooth and hydrate. For example, the IMAGE Ageless Total Eye Lift Crème uses retinol combined with green tea, cucumber extract and Echinacea, which are all natural anti-inflammatory ingredients—giving your under eye area all the benefits of retinol, but with less irritation. The Ageless Total Repair Crème blends retinol with AHA exfoliators to repair sun damage and reduce wrinkles, along with Hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin. Both the Eye and Repair crème are applied nightly, a general rule for all retinol products, as the skin renewal process makes your skin more sensitive to the sun.
When deciding if retinol is right for you, it’s important to note that even with the soothing agents, retinol based skincare products can still cause irritation. Often symptoms subside as your skin adjusts, but if the irritation worsens, it’s time to discontinue use and perhaps look into a milder repair line such as Ormedic. Still, it’s hard to dismiss the scientific proven results of this “miracle” product, and it’s well worth checking out the variety of retinol products that Image offers.

Face Mapping: What is your acne telling you?

Clients constantly ask, why am I breaking out here?

One of the most common areas to break out is the chin and jawline.  You will find this happens during your menstrual cycle time.  Why there?  Well, according to face mapping an ancient Asian science, the face is the window to the soul. The chin area represents a hormonal imbalance.    Below you will find a face mapping graphic.  See if it pertains to your outbreaks.  Some tips for avoiding future breakouts are:

• Stay hydrated
• Don't pick-bacterial can spread and cause new pimples
• Get regular facials, let the pro's do the extractions.
• Seek the help of physician to help get those hormones under control
• Use pharmaceutical grade skin care products to treat acne
• Exfoliate-Exfoliate-Exfoliate!!!
• Don't deprive you skin of moisturizer and hydration-it will just make more oil to compensate

Why Dermal Filing instead of microdermabrasion?

What is microdermabrasion and why is Dermafile™ the perfect alternative?

Dermafiling is a safe, effective microdermabrasion alternative. But, what is Microdermabrasion, you say? It is a process that sprays microcrystals across the skin's surface, blasting away the top layer of dead skin, leaving healthy, younger-looking skin underneath. Usually, microdermabrasion takes several treatments to be effective, and the treatments can be expensive. This alone may mean it's not an option for you.
The process can be uncomfortable, as well. Technicians use a high-powered machine to spray the microcrystals, and people with sensitive skin may find it uncomfortable.
A fear some people may have with microdermabrasion is finding a good technician. For example, there can be irritation if any of the microcrystals are not completely removed from the surface of the skin after the treatment. If a technician is not proficient with the process, this may not be done properly.
Dermafile offers an alternative to microdermabrasion that can make your skin look as young and beautiful as you feel, achieving the same effects as microdermabrasion in a safer, more cost-effective way. Dermafile does not use crystals or machines.
It is a skin resurfacing and polishing tool, manufactured of stainless steel and finely crushed cosmetic diamonds. With the Dermafile, your skin is polished by hand, ensuring it has the beautiful, healthy glow you want and the even skin tone you deserve. Dermafile can also be used on areas of the skin to even skin tone on the chest, back, or even hands.

Benefits of Microdermabrasion, but Better!

Dermafile offers all the benefits of microdermabrasion that can make your skin look as young and beautiful as you feel, but without all the harsh side effects and exorbitant price! The Dermafile™ is a safe, natural, holistic alternative to chemical peels,skin needling, lasers and microdermabrasion. Now you can achieve the same effects in a safer, more cost-effective way. Dermafile does not use crystals or machines.
Benefits of Dermafile™ Exfoliation:

• Helps build collagen and smooth fine lines.
• Helps remove sun damage and uneven skin tone.
• Helps remove age spots.
• Helps lessen ingrown hairs.
• Helps smooth away dead skin cells and rough, bumpy, dry patches of skin.
• Helps smooth away acne scars and other types of facial scars.
• Helps makeup go on smoother.
• Skin feels silky smooth and clean!

Dermafile Channel10 News

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