Fighting Aging Skin

If you are 20 years old and haven't started using skin care products start NOW! You should at least be using a skin cleanser for your skin type and a moisturizer combined with SUNSCREEN!

I always tell my clients to read the labels of skin care products. If the label doesn't have some of the ingredients I have listed below don't buy them.


I know I have said a million times... use a broad spectrum sunscreen it helps block the UVA ( aging rays) and UVB (burning rays). When you are out in the sun getting your tan you are altering you DNA. Yes, DNA! The UVA & UVB rays penetrate into the skin at different depths and they change your cells and thats how skin cancer and many more problems arise. Not only are you altering your skin cells, you are also allowing your collagen and elastin to break down. Have you ever wondered why someone who tans all the time also has flappy or loose skin? It is the damaging UVA & UVB rays.

So now that I have had rant about sunscreen lets talk about other skin care & anti-aging products.

If you start young with a good home care regime and make regular appointments for professional treatments with your esthetician you are on your way to healthy skin. I have heard men and women say I don't need anti-aging products yet! Sure you do... Why wait later in life to start taking action for the health of your skin? Now that being said if you recently have decided to start a new skin care routine to help fight aging or the overall health of your skin thats AWESOME! The important thing is to take care of your skin. I have suggestions for you too! By the time you are 20 years old you have already had 40% of the sun damage done. So I am going to give you a few good skin care tips.

• Oily/Acneic Skin - You should be using a 3-5 % salicylic cleanser. This will help remove any debris in clogged pores. Also use an exfoliant up to 3 times per week this will help cell turnover as well as assisting in unclogging pores. Follow up with an oil free moisturizer. If you get these steps down add a hydrating serum that has Vitamin's A, C,  E,  green tea, and grape seed extract for inflammation and anti-aging you can use this morning and night. This is really going to help with removing black-heads and bringing everything to the surface. A matte sunscreen is a must!!!!!

• Normal/Combination - You should be using a glycolic acid skin cleanser. Glycolic acid will help promote cell turnover help with fine lines and wrinkles also helps with hyper-pigmentation (sunspots). Exfoliate 2-3 times a week with a glycolic, lactic, or malic acid exfoliant. Exfoliating helps with product penetration, skin texture and cell turnover as well. Use a serum that is full of antioxidants like cucumber, grape seed extract, japanese green tea & echinacea. All of the ingredients I named are helpful for anti-aging as well as fighting free radicals. Moisturizers are needed morning and night. Sunscreen !!!

• Sensitive Skin - A balancing organic cleanser would be great for you. No chemicals! A cleanser with  an aloe base with ingredients like chamomile, arnica flower extract, & comfrey root extract would be best for you. You can still exfoliate just use an enzyme exfoliant that dissolves and eats the dead skin cells away (this is a very gentle exfoliation but effective). Use a serum for sensitive skin with some of the ingredients above that will aide in hydration and soothing the skin. Moisturize with a light cream morning & night. Sunscreen is a must!

• Dry/Dehydrated Skin - A hydrating creamy non foaming cleanser would be best for you with vitamins A,C & E. Exfoliate with an enzyme or glycolic exfoliant to remove dead skin cells ( This is going to help with product penetration). A good hydrating serum!! Moisturize with a rich repair cream that has hyaluronic acid, alpha lipoic acid, linoleic acid, grape seed extract, and green tea. Some of these ingredients are for moisture retention, fighting free radicals and inflammation ...A MUST FOR DRY SKIN! Remember sunscreen !!! 

These are general guidelines. Some products or ingredients are not for everyone. I can determine which products would be best for you through a consultation. Please feel free to contact me anytime. Consults are free of charge. 

Chemical Peels.. Who Can Get one?

Ok So Let's Talk Exfoliation !

Exfoliation is a skin care therapy in which the outer layers of dead skin cells are gently sloughed off with the use of a tool or product. Any area of the skin can be exfoliated, but it is important to use products intended for your facial skin type. By speeding up the skin’s natural process of shedding dead skin cells, exfoliation helps prevent pimples and blackheads, which develop when pores and sebaceous glands are blocked by built-up debris. As we get older, our cellular turnover slows, causing dullness of the skin; exfoliation also addresses this problem.

Types of exfoliants:

• Using a tool that scrubs or abrades , like a loofah or washcloth
• Using a cleansing product that contains micro-beads or coarse particles
• Using a product that contains gentle exfoliating acids such as alpha-hydroxy acids or a beta-hydroxy acid
• Using a product that contains enzymes which digest the dead skin cells and are gentle and non-abrasive.

* Some enzymes are safe for pregnant and women who are breast feeding. Always ask if you are in doubt about any products being used on you. 

* There are many different types of chemical peels. Your esthetician will know which one is best for you. If you have certain skin concerns ( such as hyper-pigmentation, scarring or acne) you want to take care of make sure you let your esthetician know. The right peel will need to be chosen to get the right results! 

Professional exfoliating

Professional exfoliation is often more intensive than home treatments, and can include options such as microdermabrasion and chemical peels. 

Chemical Peeling


A chemical peel is an acid solution that is applied to the skin. It dissolves the outermost layer of skin cells, which then peels off over the following days to reveal the fresher, younger layer below. Peels are very effective in treating a large range of skin concerns such as aging, sun damage, acne, mild scarring, improving skin brightness, and evening skin tone.

Peels can be light, moderate or deep. Light peels require no down time from work and your normal activities. Moderate peels may require a day or two, and deep peels can require a week or more of down time to allow the skin to fully heal. Estheticians who are not working in a medical setting perform light to moderate peels only. Deep peels can only be performed by a physician, or under a physician’s supervision, for your safety.

Preparing for treatment

Most skin colors and types can benefit from chemical peels, though it is best to check with your esthetician about which peel might be right for you. If you’re taking acne medication, Retin-A or Accutane, talk to your esthetician and/or doctor about stopping the medication before and during treatment to avoid complications. Your esthetician can review any other contraindications with you prior to your treatment to determine if a chemical peel is right for you. Be sure to get a thorough consultation prior to your peel.

*Accutane users should not be exfoliated for at least 6 months to 1 year after stopping the medicine.

What to expect during a chemical peel

The skin is cleansed and a prep solution will be applied to remove surface oils and allow the peel to penetrate the skin evenly. Any sensitive areas that cannot be treated will be protected with a thin film of petroleum jelly. Your eyes will be covered to protect them. One or more chemical mixtures will be applied, such as glycolic acid (from sugar cane), trichloroacetic acid (similar to bleach), salicylic acid (wintergreen—good for acne), lactic acid (from milk), or a combination peel called a Jessners peel. The peel will be applied in 1–3 layers, depending on the depth of penetration intended. The acids react with the skin to produce a “controlled wound,” allowing fresh skin to regenerate and emerge. A tingling, burning or hot sensation is normal. Most peels remain on the skin only a few minutes, and are closely watched by the esthetician. A fan may help you stay more comfortable. After some peels, a neutralizing solution is applied to stop the peel. A Beta Hydroxy Acid will neutralize on its own.

After the peel

After most peels, the skin will be pink to red, and look shiny and tight. It is vital to apply sunscreen of SFP 30 or greater to the skin for the next 48 hours, minimum. You must also stay out of the sun, as your skin will be very sensitive to UV rays and could be damaged by sun exposure. The skin will begin to flake or peel within 2–3 days after the treatment, unless you had a lactic acid peel—these encourage moisture retention and may not produce any actual peeling. Sun-damaged areas of your skin will appear darker at first, then will lighten. This is normal. Deeper peels can produce peeling for a week or more. To assist in removing the flaking skin, an enzyme peel or light microdermabrasion treatment is sometimes scheduled a week or so after the initial peel. For maximum results, a series of peels is usually recommended, and may be necessary for treating challenging issues such as hyper-pigmentation.

Home care after a chemical peel

Your esthetician will recommend healing products to use for the week or two following your peel. These will soothe and nourish your skin, and aid in its recovery. Usually it is best to avoid makeup during this time, to allow the skin to heal and function without interference. However, if you must wear makeup, mineral makeup will not adversely affect the skin.

I am available for consultations if you are interested in having a chemical peel or any other skin care service, Or if you simply would like to know what products to use for home care. Please post any questions you would like answered I will get back to you as quickly as I can.