What happens when you get a massage?

Studies of the benefits of massage demonstrate that it is an effective treatment for reducing stress, however there are a number of additional physiological changes that occur and contribute to the overall feeling of relaxation we experience during and post-massage.  Additional benefits are:

Pain relief.  the release of endorphins, which are the body’s feel-good hormones, offers pain relief to the body.

Improves circulation. Massage improves the circulation of blood in the body and that means an improved supply of nutrients to individual cells of the body, and also improved transport of waste materials from these cells. Moreover, improved circulation promotes clearer, softer and healthier skin as the skin cells become more nourished with nutrients and oxygen.

Improves lymphatic system. When your lymphatic system is healthy, you are less susceptible to various illnesses, plus your body has a heightened ability to heal itself.

Relieves inflammatory conditions and promotes flexibility. Inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, tendinitis and bursitis can be treated using massage to loosen and relax muscles. Frequent massage increases flexibility in the joints and improves a wider range of movements.

Relieves stress. The body is more capable of healing itself when stress levels are low. It also lowers blood pressure, allows the body to breathe more properly and lessens feelings of anxiety. A side benefit is that massage fulfills the body’s need for touch. Regular massage improves emotional well-being by making the person feel nurtured. This lowers stress levels and feelings of anxiety.

Improves concentration. Massage makes one feel relaxed and calm, which promotes focus and concentration. This, in turn, helps the mind to be more creative and productive.

Promotes better sleep. A lot of people suffer from anxiety, depression or some other issue that deprives them of regular sleep. Regular massage sessions can relax the mind and the body, which can often be the first step to getting the body ready to shut down for the night.

There are many health and wellness benefits associated with massage, and by regularly taking time out to make time for massage, whether it be a facial massage or full body, you can keep your mind, body, and skin in top condition.

What to expect from your first facial

So you’re getting ready to have your first facial and you don’t know exactly what to expect.  There are many reasons people get facials.  They could have acne and are looking to help it clear up.  They may have gotten a gift certificate for a birthday or Christmas and finally decided to cash it in.  They could need to relax and can’t imagine a better way to do so.  Either way, if you’ve never had a facial before, here’s a guide to help you out on what to expect the first time you get a facial. (information related to basic facial).

• Consultation-In order for your esthetician to determine what's best for your skin, she'll more than likely ask about your concerns (think acne), along with things like diet and lifestyle, this will help give them a larger picture of how to treat your skin
• Game plan-After the initial consultation, your aesthetician will determine the proper course of action for you and your skin type
• Cleanser- The esthetician will pick the product best suited to your skin type and cleanse.
• Exfoliate-Your esthetician may skip this step depending on the sensitivity level of your skin.
• Extraction- Now is the time to remove blackheads and potentially whiteheads, Because the previous steps were preparation for this one, the extractions should not be very painful.
• Facial Mask-The mask will be specially formulated to match your skin type and help treat any skin conditions that were discussed during the consultation. During most facials you will receive a massage while you wait for the mask to work its magic.
• Massage-A facial massage will be used to stimulate your facial muscles and put you in a state of deep relaxation. Depending on the type of facial, oil or lotion may be used during the massage.
• Final touches- After the mask is removed you will likely receive an application of skin specific cream or gel. You may also receive moisturizer, serums, and sunscreen.

Following the final step, your esthetician will give you advice on how to best take care of your skin in the future. Facials are recommended once a month for the best skin health results.

Freckles and Moles: When to see your dermatologist

Everyone has moles on their skin. On average, most people have at least 10, but less than 40 moles. A mole can appear anywhere on your body, and most moles appear by age 20.  How many moles you have and the pattern that they’re in is largely determined by genetics, but environmental factors such as the sun can play a part.  

Moles come in many shapes, sizes, and colors. Depending on its appearance and when it developed, a mole can be classified as one of the following types:

• Congenital moles. When a mole is present at birth, it is called a congenital mole, or congenital nevus. About 1 percent of people have congenital moles, and these moles may be at increased risk of turning into skin cancer.
• Acquired moles. Acquired moles account for most moles and usually develop during childhood or early adulthood. These moles are usually smaller than a quarter inch, and are thought to be due to excessive sun exposure. Most acquired moles will not develop into skin cancer.
• Atypical moles. Atypical moles (also known as dysplastic nevi) are larger than a pencil eraser and shaped irregularly. These moles are usually uneven in color, with a dark brown center. The borders of atypical moles may be irregular, with a lighter or reddish color, and unevenness or black dots around the edge. Atypical moles tend to run in families and they may be at increased risk of developing into skin cancer.

Most moles are generally harmless, but it’s a good idea to keep an eye on them and see a doctor if anything changes.  Keep a look out for the following:

• A – Asymmetry: Draw a line through the middle. If the halves don’t match, it’s asymmetrical.
• B – Border: Borders of cancerous moles tend to be uneven, notched, or bumpy.
• C – Color: A variety of colors in a mole is a warning sign.
• D – Diameter: A mole bigger than 1/4 inch (a pencil tip) may be cancerous.
• E – Evolving: Report any change in size, shape, color, or elevation to your doctor.

Freckles are small brown spots on your skin, often in areas that get sun exposure. In most cases, freckles are harmless. They form as a result of overproduction of melanin, which is responsible for skin and hair color (pigmentation). Overall, freckles come from ultraviolet (UV) radiation stimulation.

There are two categories of freckles: ephelides and solar lentigines. Ephelides are the common type most people think of as freckles. Solar lentigines are dark patches of skin that develop during adulthood. This includes freckles, aging spots, and sunspots. The two types of freckles can look similar but differ in other ways such as their development.

Keep an eye on your freckles the same way you keep an eye on your moles, following the ABCDE rule.    

As long as you keep a check on your moles and freckles and know your body you should be able to alert your doctor early enough should anything be wrong.

Skin cancer detection

Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer.  If you know what to look for, you can spot warning signs of skin cancer early. Finding it early, when it’s small and has not spread, makes skin cancer much easier to treat.

There are three main types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Because each has many different appearances, it is important to know the early warning signs.

Use the “ABCDE rule” to look for some of the common signs of melanoma, one of the deadliest forms of skin cancer:

• Asymmetry: One part of a mole or birthmark doesn’t match the other.
• Border: The edges are irregular, ragged, notched, or blurred.
• Color: The color is not the same all over and may include shades of brown or black, sometimes with patches of pink, red, white, or blue.
• Diameter: The spot is larger than ¼ inch across – about the size of a pencil eraser.
• Evolving: The mole is changing in size, shape, or color.

Basal and squamous cell skin cancers are not as dangerous as melanoma, but they are much more common.

Basal cell carcinomas, or cancers, usually grow on areas that get the most sun, such as the face, head, and neck. But they can show up anywhere. Look for:

• Flat, firm, pale or yellow areas, similar to a scar
• Raised reddish patches that might be itchy
• Small, pink or red, translucent, shiny, pearly bumps, which might have blue, brown, or black areas
• Pink growths with raised edges and a lower area in their center, which might contain abnormal blood vessels spreading out like the spokes of a tire
• Open sores (which may have oozing or crusted areas) that don’t heal, or that heal and then come back

Squamous cell carcinomas, or cancers, also tend to grow on areas that get sun, such as the face, ear, neck, lip, and hands. But they can also show up anywhere. Look for:

• Rough or scaly red patches, which might crust or bleed
• Raised growths or lumps, sometimes with a lower area in the center
• Open sores (which may have oozing or crusted areas) that don’t heal, or that heal and then come back
• Wart-like growths

Not all skin cancers look like these descriptions, though,  do not ignore a suspicious spot simply because it does not hurt. Skin cancers may be painless, but dangerous all the same. If you notice one or more of the warning signs, see a doctor right away, preferably one who specializes in diseases of the skin.

Follow this guide from skincancer.org on How to Perform A Skin Check.  

Acne Lesions: There's more than one?

Acne is usually associated with hormonal fluctuations experienced during your teenage years, but adults can experience acne too. Identifying which type of acne you’re experiencing is key to successful treatment. Acne may be noninflammatory or inflammatory. Subtypes of acne within these two categories include: 

Open Comedone (Blackhead) – a buildup of sebum, dead skin cells, bacteria, and other debris inside the follicle. Appears dark because the oil has been oxidized (exposed to oxygen). An open comedone may be referred to as congestion.

Closed Comedone (Whitehead) – a buildup of sebum, dead skin cells, bacteria, and other debris inside the follicle. Appears flesh colored. Because the follicle opening is blocked, the sebum has NOT been oxidized. A closed comedone may also be referred to as congestion.

Papule – Papules are tender red bumps, usually fairly small, up to a cm in diameter, and somewhat raised. The defining factor is that they are not filled with pus, although they may go on to fill with pus later on and become a pustule.

Pustule – Pustules are your classic pimple. Hard, inflamed, and full of pus that has the defining white or yellow centre. May remind you of a volcano. While it’s ever tempting to pop these, please try to refrain.

Nodule – a very deep lesion, similar to a papule. A nodule often involves more than one follicle.

Cyst – a closed sac of tissue. May contain air, fluid, dead skin cells, and pus. In the case of acne, a cyst is a nodule with a large amount of inflammation (white blood cells). Acne scarring is due to cysts that rupture.

Milia – tiny, white, hard, pearly masses under the skin, typically around the eyes and nose. Composed of keratin (trapped dead skin cells). Often mistaken for a whitehead. These tiny cysts have no opening, so they cannot be extracted and must be excised with a lancet.

Open and closed comedones are categorized as non-inflammatory acne. Papules and pustules are inflammatory lesions.

How should acne be treated?

Blackheads and whiteheads are the mildest forms of acne. These can sometimes be cleared up with OTC topical medications, such as salicylic acid-based toners or benzoyl-peroxide spot treatments. If they don’t respond to OTC medications, comedones are easily treated with topical retinoids. There is even one type of retinoid, known as adapalene, which is now available over the counter. It’s very effective in clearing blackheads and whiteheads.

Pustules and papules are more moderate forms of acne. These may or may not clear up with OTC meds. Widespread moderate acne may require an oral or topical prescription from a dermatologist.  Nodules and cysts are the most severe form of acne. You have to see a dermatologist to clear up severe acne. Picking or popping nodules and cysts can lead to scars.

The Layers of your Skin

The skin is the body’s largest organ. It forms a barrier that helps prevent harmful microorganisms and chemicals from entering the body, and it also prevents the loss of body fluids. It protects the vital structures inside the body from injury and from the potentially damaging ultraviolet rays of the sun. The skin also helps regulate body temperature, excretes some waste products, and is an important sensory organ. Both delicate and resilient, the skin constantly renews itself and has a remarkable ability to repair itself after injury.




Layers of the skin


The epidermis is composed of keratinized, stratified squamous epithelium. It is made of four or five layers of epithelial cells, depending on its location in the body. It does not have any blood vessels within it . Skin that has four layers of cells is referred to as “thin skin.” From deep to superficial, these layers are the stratum basale, stratum spinosum, stratum granulosum, and stratum corneum. Most of the skin can be classified as thin skin. “Thick skin” is found only on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. It has a fifth layer, called the stratum lucidum, located between the stratum corneum and the stratum granulosum. The epidermis is a continually renewing layer and gives rise to derivative structures, such as pilosebaceous apparatuses, nails, and sweat glands. The basal cells of the epidermis undergo proliferation cycles that provide for the renewal of the outer epidermis. The epidermis is a dynamic tissue in which cells are constantly in unsynchronized motion, as differing individual cell populations pass not only one another but also melanocytes and Langerhans cells as they move toward the surface of the skin.


The dermis might be considered the “core” of the integumentary system, as distinct from the epidermis (epi- = “upon” or “over”) and hypodermis (hypo- = “below”). It contains blood and lymph vessels, nerves, and other structures, such as hair follicles and sweat glands. The dermis is made of two layers of connective tissue that compose an interconnected mesh of elastin and collagenous fibers, produced by fibroblasts. The dermis comprises the bulk of the skin and provides its pliability, elasticity, and tensile strength. It protects the body from mechanical injury, binds water, aids in thermoregulation, and includes receptors of sensory stimuli. The dermis interacts with the epidermis in maintaining the properties of both tissues.


The hypodermis (also called the subcutaneous layer or superficial fascia) is a layer directly below the dermis and is the deepest section of the skin. It serves to connect the skin to the underlying fascia (fibrous tissue) of the bones and muscles. It is not strictly a part of the skin, although the border between the hypodermis and dermis can be difficult to distinguish. The hypodermis consists of well-vascularized, loose, areolar connective tissue and adipose tissue, which functions as a mode of fat storage and provides insulation and cushioning for the integument. The hypodermis refers to the fat tissue below the dermis that insulates the body from cold temperatures and provides shock absorption. Fat cells of the hypodermis also store nutrients and energy. The hypodermis is the thickest in the buttocks, palms of the hands, and soles of the feet. As we age, the hypodermis begins to atrophy, contributing to the thinning of aging skin.


This is a very basic overview of the physiology of the skin to learn more refer to the American Academy of Dermatology.

How Hormones Effect Our Skin

Teens: The Oily Years
 

Girls start puberty around ages 12 or 13, sometimes this number differs based on genetics and environmental factors. During puberty, the female body starts producing sex hormones, namely estrogens and androgens, in higher quantities than before as it gears up towards adulthood.


When it comes to popular hormones, estrogen takes the prize for most widely known and discussed. However, there are many misconceptions about this elusive and incredibly important substance. First of all, it is not purely a female hormone. True, it is primarily made in the ovaries and is abundant in females, but it is also found in males and made in different tissues outside of the ovaries. Secondly, the word estrogen actually encompasses a group of chemically similar hormones, so it is not a single substance. Estrogens include estradiol, the most abundant form in adult females, estriol, the primary estrogen during pregnancy and estrone, which is produced during menopause. During puberty, estrogen also communicates to other parts of the body through specialized receptors, causing breasts to develop, for example, or giving a new curve to hips and thighs. In the skin, estrogen decreases pore size, creating a smooth surface. It also helps build collagen and elastin, proteins that give the skin its springiness and elasticity, respectively. And, it helps the skin heal and maintain moisture.


Androgens include testosterone, which is generally thought of as the male hormone, but, as with estrogen and males, testosterone and other androgens are also present in females. During puberty, a boost in androgens stimulates coarser, thicker hair growth, particularly pubic and underarm hair. In the skin, the hormones enlarge pores and boost the production of sebum, an oily substance produced in the skin.What you get is the telltale sign of teenage skin: acne.


20s to Mid-30s: The Best of Times

Estrogen peaks during your 20s, giving most women their best-ever complexion: luminous, taut, and even-toned. The shift in hormone levels around your period, however, can lead to acne.


If the cycle remains on schedule, estrogen peaks right before ovulation, which can make the skin appear to glow (this is the same hormonal boost that gives pregnant women their shining skin). Testosterone also peaks, which drastically increases the likelihood of blemishes and breakouts. The hormone also increases the libido.After ovulation, both estrogen and testosterone drop.


Late 30s and 40s: Getting Drier
                                                                                                                                  

Your 30’s are when estrogen levels start to dip, heralding sinking levels of skin-tightening collagen and elastin and skin-plumping hyaluronic acid.


As the overall level of estrogen decreases, the skin does not bounce back the same way. Instead, collagen and elastin production decreases, which causes the skin to get drier and lose its elasticity. Estrogen loss impacts aging skin far more quickly than sun damage.


By their mid-to-late 40s, most women are in perimenopause, the transition between regular ovulation and menopause, which is when ovulation stops completely. As the hormone cycles change to accommodate this new stage, you may experience adult acne, increased facial hair and a thinning head of hair.


50s and Up: Menopause Realities

Menopause has usually started once a woman is in her 50’s. The ovaries still produce hormones, including estrogen and testosterone, but the levels are very low. The main hormone that affects the skin during menopause is estrogen and, as it fades, the skin produces less collagen and elastin. During this time, the skin gets thinner, drier and more wrinkled. Menopause may cause other skin problems, including acne or rosacea.


Drops in estrogen can also cause hot flashes. These flashes can cause a sudden sensation of warmth in the face and chest, making your skin appear very red.


Every human being experiences the changing of our skin as we age, the best way to keep your skin at it’s healthiest is to have a proper skin care routine that will need to change as we age. Make sure you check in with your skin care professional to make sure you’re using the right products for your age and skin type.