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Ask Our Esthetician

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Ask Our Esthetician FAQ's:

Q:  What is the big deal with having antioxidants in your skin care products?

A: Antioxidants do a number of things when they are in topical skin care products. What antioxidants do in general is to defend you against free radical damage. Free radicals are basically a group of molecules that are missing an electron. When they enter your body they try to steal an electron from the proteins in your skin- causing cell damage. When you use products that contain antioxidants they help keep the skin from aging caused by these damaging free radicals that are everywhere in our environment ex. smoke, smog, UV rays, etc… When used with sunscreens antioxidants increase and prolong the sunscreen’s efficacy. Vitamins A, C, E, and beta carotene assist in skin repair and the strengthening of blood vessels. Eating a diet full of fruits and vegetables is one way to get antioxidants in your body but why not go the extra mile and apply them directly to your skin as well!!

Q:  I am starting to notice some things with my skin that I have never noticed in the past.  I have 3 kids under the age of 6 and I have no time for professional facials or even at home facials.  I really just need to know what would be the best thing that I can do at home to take care of my skin without taking too much time away from my very busy lifestyle. 

A: What I would suggest is for you to start with a cleanser followed by a treatment that would best benefit your specific skin concerns; then a moisturizer that works well as a day and a night cream.  During the day you must wear a sunscreen of at least SPF 15.  Sunscreens are the most important part of an anti-aging regimen and it will only take another minute to apply every morning.  Typically I would suggest for someone to exfoliate and mask twice a week, but this can be time consuming.  So what I suggest for you is to make sure that either the cleanser or the treatment you use contains some mild form of exfoliation.  For example, you could use a cleanser that has enzymes or AHA’s in the formula or your treatment could contain other exfoliants as well. We have several different cleansers and treatments that contain exfoliants to help you save time.  Also, for your mask you could always do it in the shower while you shave your legs.  Multitasking with skincare is easy to do; you just have to be creative with it.  If you do not have the time for a facial you can stop by our Beauty Boutique for some advice on the specific products you would need for your skin type.  We have several estheticians that work at the front desk and they would be more than happy to talk to you about your skin concerns. 

Q.     Last month in your newsletter you introduced a home laser hair removal device. Can you tell me how it compares to laser hair removal treatments in a doctor's office?
A:      The device you are referring to is TRIA and it uses the same technology and power level as the professional hair removal lasers that physicians use but it has been modified for safety for use at home. For instance, you will not be able to unlock the device if your skin tone is not the correct color, which keeps people that have darker pigmentation from damaging their skin. The laser targets the dark pigment in the hair follicle and basically heats the follicle to the point that it disables it, making the hair fall out. That is why darker pigmented skin will not be able to use this device-the laser would not be able to target a follicle and could burn the skin. Likewise, if you have very blonde, gray, red or white hair TRIA will not work for the same reason.
    Just like professional treatments, TRIA does require several treatments since hair grows in different stages so you will have to go over the same area several times as the hair grows through its stages. Unlike professional treatments, you do have to shave the area before you use the Tria. Also, you can not wax before you use it because there will not be hair in the follicles to target.
    As long as you follow the directions correctly and be patient, TRIA can be just as good as getting laser hair removal treatments done in the doctor's office, only much less expensive and much more convenient.

Q.     I have wrinkles on my forehead and in between my eyebrows.  I have heard that the only way to get rid of them is to do Botox.  I really hate needles first of all and second I do not like the idea of injecting poison into my muscles.  Is there any alternative or am I just stuck with these awful lines?
A:         You are in luck! There actually are healthier alternatives to reducing expression lines. One alternative is using micro current.   This technology works on the nerves and muscle cells to increase tonicity by speeding up the rate at which the body produces its own muscle protein.  It is also known to stimulate collagen and elastin, increase circulation and help products penetrate deeper into the skin.  We have an at home micro current device that can be used everyday to help prevent and correct problems that develop as we age.  The device is called NuFace and can be purchased in our store for $379. 
            There is also another safe and affective technology that helps with wrinkles.  LED (light Emitting Diode) sends light energy to the skin cells and then your body naturally turns the light energy to cell energy; encouraging the skin to corrects itself.  This energy has an effect on the skin that can help with many different types of skin concerns such as: acne, rosacea, enlarged pores, wrinkles, discolorations/age spots, and redness in the skin. LED treatments are cumulative and do require maintenance once skin rejuvenation is complete. We also sell an at home LED that can be used everyday from the convenience of your home and is yours to keep for maintenance treatments. The LED device is called New-U and it sells for $299.
   
              There are also topical products that contain peptides that can help with expression lines.  Peptides are chains of amino acids that basically act as messengers to cells.  These peptides communicate to the cells the way our bodies own natural peptides would do.  As we age and as our bodies become exposed to the environment and stressors, our cells do not communicate the way they once did.  There are several different types of peptides and each of them sends a different message to different cells.  There are products that contain peptides that communicate to the cells to create more collagen in certain areas of the dermis.  Some products have more than one peptide and can carry out several different tasks.  Line Ease and Smooth Surface Instant Line Filler are two great products for expression lines. 
   
    Here I have listed three different and safe ways to decrease the look of expression lines.  All of them work well alone, however, when all three are combined is when you will see the most dramatic results in less time.  Each treatment compliments the others.  All of these treatments are totally safe and have more long term affects on the skin than injections.  Also, other areas of the face are improved instead of just one specific area like with Botox. 

Q. I have a lot of blackheads on my nose/cheek area and my skin feels very rough-almost like sandpaper. Why is that and can I do anything to fix it?
A. It sounds to me like you might be using a product that is not right for your skin type. Many people with oily skin like to use cleansers and astringents that strip the skin of all oil. At first, this may feel like the solution. However, over time, you skin becomes dry and your skin's response is to produce even more oil. when the skin overcompensates for the dryness, oil ends up trapped under all of the dry and dead skin, causing blackheads.
    The rough texture that you are feeling is a combination of many layers of dead skin along with clogged pores. What I would suggest is to have at least one facial so that your esthetician can make sure to remove all of the dry, dead skin that is built up over your pores and then clean your pores out for you. It is not a good idea to try to extract the blackheads on your own since you can really damage your skin if you are not careful.
    During your facial your esthetician can determine what skin type you are and what types of products would work best for you. After you have your blackheads removed, the best way to help keep them from returning is to exfoliate on a regular basis. For some people this may be every other day and for others it may only be twice a week. That is why it so important to see a professional, so that the two of you can determine what would be the best regimen for your skin.

Q. I have a 16 year old daughter that will be going to prom this year. She is very fair and burns easily in the sun. She is begging me to let her go to the tanning bed and I am so hesitant because I have heard that they are really bad for you. I was wondering how your spray tan would look on someone who doesn't tan easily and if it is safe for young girls?
A. First of all, I want to tell you that if your daughter burns in the sun she will burn just as bad in the tanning bed, and YES, they are very bad for you. The sun and the tanning bed have the same harmful rays and are the number one reason for premature aging. Not to mention that you raise your risk of skin cancer.
    Our spray tan is perfectly safe. It contains no alcohol, oils, perfumes, harmful chemicals or preservatives. The tanning ingredient creates a chemical reaction with the proteins of the top layer of dead skin cells, similar to what happens to an apple when you cut it and leave it to turn brown. Your new tan will wear away slowly (usually in 7-10 days) as your skin exfoliates, but you can prolong the color by moisturizing your skin twice a day.
    We have three color options so for someone who doesn't tan naturally, I would suggest the lightest level. To prep skin for the tan, I suggest using a scrub to exfoliate the night before without using any moisturizers or oils on the skin.  I hope this helps and please keep your daughter out of the tanning bed!
   
Q. There seems to be so much hype about organic products. Are they really as effective?
A. You are certainly right. Everywhere we look there seems to be the word "organic." But, organic products are not all created equal. It is important to do your research before choosing your products.
    At FACES, we carry Eminence Organics, a triple certified organic product line. High concentrations of vitamins and potent healing properties derived from fruits, vegetables and herbs make for amazing treatments that have proven results.

Q. I am 31 years old and have large cyst-like acne along my chin and jaw line that lasts for weeks and even months. I never had acne as a teenager and have tried every acne line available and even antibiotics. Nothing seems to help and just dries out my skin. Now I have scars all over my lower face because of this. Is there anything I can do?
A. Most cystic acne is due to some sort of hormonal imbalance. I would suggest trying a hormonal skincare line instead of an over the counter acne line. Acne lines usually contain some type of retinoid and/or benzoyl peroxide, which exfoliates and dries out the skin. And, if your acne is hormonal, then these might do very little to treat it.
    Hormonal skincare products contain topical phytoestrogens (plant estrogens) that balance out the hormone levels enough to keep these cystic acne spots from forming. My favorite products are Eminence Organic's 8-Greens Youth Serum, 8-Greens Whipped Moisturizer and 8-Greens Phtyo Mask. These products are available for home use and can be used in our CustomCare Organic facial as well.
    As far as the scars left behind, Lightwave Rejuvenation LED treatments can help to reduce this hyper-pigmentation as well as kill bacteria related to your acne. I would suggest having a few treatments about a week apart. This will help to knock-out the acne you have now and keep it at bay with monthly maintenance treatments. I hope this helps. Good Luck! For more information, check out the Acne Assasin forum.

Q. I've never tried one of the new chocolate facials. Do they offer any special benefits?
A. In addition to being a sensory indulgence, chocolate contains over 300 different compounds, some of which can have a significant impact on your health and beauty. Some of these benefits  have been shown to reduce stress and thwart free radicals which are responsible for cell aging.

Q. My New Year's resolution is to not look another year older in 2010. Any suggestions?
A. We have an entire arsenal of wonderful, non-invasive anti-aging treatments that really work. Your esthetician knows your skin best and can help determine a course of treatment for you.

Q. I've been hearing a lot about the new eyelash growth products. Do they really work?
A. Yes, they do. Just ask Tanya, one of our estheticians who has seen her own lashes double in length and density with Revitalash, the brand we carry. The founder of Revitalash, who is an ophthalmologist, developed the product for his wife, who was undergoing chemotherapy and losing her lashes. A portion of all Revitalash sales go to breast cancer research and education.

Q. Why is there such a difference in the skin on my face and the skin on my neck? My neck looks twice as old as my face does.
A. I have a question for you. Do you treat this sensitive area the same way that you treat your face? People often have this issue because they do not cleanse, treat, moisturize or apply sunscreen like they do on their face. The skin on your neck is thinner and has fewer oil glands than the skin on your face so it is very susceptible to early signs of aging. The same products you use for lines and dark spots on the face will work well on your neck. I recommend a patch test in this area to avoid irritation.

Q. I have dark circles underneath my eyes. I feel like I get enough rest, so why are they there and what can I do about them?
A. Contrary to popular belief, sleep habits have nothing to do with dark under eye circles. They actually may be caused by allergies and a simple OTC antihistamine may the answer. Another factor is that under eye skin is thin and there are numerous veins in this area so the color beneath can give a darker hue. Increased pigmentation caused by sun exposure could be another cause.
    Many people have dark under eye circles and there is no real cure. Using an eye cream that contains peptides and retinoids will help build collagen and thicken the skin over time, making the dare circles less noticeable. Also, using an eye cream that contains an SPF will help prevent further sun damage to this delicate area. Finally, invest in a good concealer that is a half shade lighter than your skin tone and use it regularly.