Healthy Living, Healthy Skin

Healthy living should be easy.  But it’s not.  If it were, we all would be doing it.  Life gets in the way, between work, kids, spouses, fast food, and quick solutions, it’s no wonder our health and our skin suffer.  I can’t help you with work or the kids, but below is a list to start helping you have healthier skin today.

Hydrate!!-If you do nothing else for your skin, this is one of the main ones.  Start drinking more water.  Current science recommends at least 8 glasses of water a day.  Drink more if you can.  If your skin is not getting the sufficient amount of water, the lack of hydration will present itself by turning your skin dry, tight and flaky. Dry skin has less resilience and is more prone to wrinkling.

You Are What You Eat-Foods have been used for centuries as beauty treatments.  But, it’s not just about spreading them on your face, the foods you eat also affect your skin. Try to have a diet high in Vitamins E & C (vegetable oils, margarine, eggs, fish, whole-grain cereals and dried beans for vitamin E; citrus fruits, berries, potatoes, tomatoes, sweet and hot peppers and leafy green vegetables for vitamin C.). Essential Fatty Acids (cold-water fish, such as salmon, mackerel and tuna. For healthy mono fats, stick with olive oil and nuts.)  Vitamin A (orange, red and yellow fruits; vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes, tomatoes and cantaloupe; and green leafy vegetables such as spinach and broccoli.)  As with anything, moderation is key.  Eating too much of any one thing can be dangerous

Get Moving- Exercise causes us to sweat-which clears skin of impurities, automatically making us glow.  It also promotes production of sebum, or oil, your skin's natural moisturizer, and enhances blood flow to the skin. That's important because blood carries oxygen and valuable nutrients that help maintain skin health.  Physical activity also helps us manage stress, which can cause breakouts and wrinkles.

It’s in the Air- Smoking is not good for your entire body-it’s especially not good for the skin.  Smoking constricts your capillaries restricting blood flow and oxygen to your skin.  Making your skin look older and wrinkle prematurely.  Smoking also damages collagen and elastin — the fibers that give your skin strength and elasticity.  

• Use Sunscreen-Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 50. Apply sunscreen generously, and reapply every two hours — or more often if you're swimming or perspiring.  Try not to be in the sun for long periods of time as it can dry out skin and attribute to sun damage.  When you do have to be out be sure to wear sunscreen and protective clothing.
  
  

Don’t Stress- Uncontrolled stress can make your skin more sensitive and trigger acne breakouts and other skin problems. To encourage healthy skin — and a healthy state of mind — take steps to manage your stress. Set reasonable limits, scale back your to-do list and make time to do the things you enjoy. The results might be more dramatic than you expect.  Regular facials from your esthetician can help alleviate stress as well as promote healthy skin.

This is a good, basic list of things you can start doing for your skin.  Remember, the changes won’t happen all at once and no one is perfect, just start doing every little bit you can to help your skin keep you happy and healthy.

Why you should get a monthly Facial

Facials always seem like a luxury or something you get on special occasions.  However, a professional facial should be something you work into your monthly routine.  You will reap the benefits right now and later in life.  

Facials increase circulation of the blood under the skin allowing the skin optimal health to facilitate the renewal of skin cells.  Heightened circulation helps skin heal itself, as well as keep skin taut and an outward glow close at hand. It also promotes collagen production(Which starts slowing down as we age), which smoothes out fine lines and decreases the likelihood of sagging. By also promoting lymphatic drainage your skin will retain fluid less often, also aiding in detoxification.

A facial will cleanse the pores on a much deeper level.  Even skin not prone to acne can use a good deep cleanse. Extractions/cleaning out the pores can help to maintain clear skin, stop acne formation, as well as can help to change the pore’s size. Often times left unchecked, pores can start to stretch and widen with the accumulation of oil and debris. (Please do not attempt to extract or pick at your own skin unless you are a professional and know how to do it properly- you could be at risk of scarring and infection).

Spa facials include a much more effective exfoliation process–it rids of everything your daily face wash can’t. It also banishes bad skin and allows your beautifully clean face to shine.  These processes lead to new skin cell growth and allow products to penetrate skin, improving hydration retention.

Facials slow the aging process(Which we can all appreciate). They allow your skin to feel healthier, smoother, and look more vibrant. They reduce fine lines, age spots, and relieve dehydrated skin. Thanks to these benefits, facials make us feel better about our skin. With the use of exfoliation, massage, and the penetration of nutrients and antioxidants, facials also fight to reverse aging. We all age, but we all want to look our best at our age.

 
The final and most enjoyable reason, is that they feel like heaven.  In the world today where everything is go, go, go, a facial is a time for you to relax and enjoy letting someone else take care of you. The power of touch, massage, proper technique, and professional products can heal. 

 

The Importance of Eye Cream

What is under eye cream?  And do you really need to use it?  At first glance it does seem like a marketing ploy, but, there are very specific reasons why this cream should be in your skin care regime.

The skin around your eyes is the thinnest skin on your body, and it is constantly in motion.  For this reason, aging is most noticeable around your eyes.  Given the thinness of skin, the cream that you put around your eyes needs to be lighter to retain the moisture, if it isn’t, the thicker moisturizers can cause puffiness.  Also, regular moisturizers do not contain specific ingredients needed that address dark circles by targeting weakened blood vessels to counteract the leakage that causes them.

Eye cream is like your morning coffee, an instant pick me up.   They both contain caffeine.   Caffeine will constrict the blood vessels under the eyes the reduce puffiness.  It should also contain peptides to stimulate collagen and antioxidants to tame free radicals.

But that still leaves us with the question: At what age should i start using eye cream?  There’s no specific age where eye cream is necessary.  People with dry skin or noticeable dark circles are the best candidates.  With the delicate skin around your eyes it’s best to start sooner rather than later.  

Apply eye cream after face has been cleansed. (to see how to properly wash your face click here)  After face has been cleansed, get a small amount of cream on the end of your finger and gently start dabbing it around the eye.  DO NOT rub cream in.  Since the skin is delicate it will stretch and mark the skin.  Apply cream in the morning and at night.

Following a good moisturizing routine will keep your skin looking young and fresh for years.

Why Exfoliate?

      You’ve heard everyone from your mother, sister, best friend, and glossy magazines talking about exfoliation.  But, do you know why we should be exfoliating?  And how much?  Keep reading and we will shine some light on the subject of exfoliation.

    Your skin has it’s own natural , physical way of losing dead skin cells from the top layers of the skin, and this process is called desquamation. Exfoliation is the term used to ‘accelerate’ or speed up’ this process by using facial exfoliating products. You can get exfoliation treatments done at home, or ones done by professionals in a salon.   

   For teenagers, skin cells regenerate new skin cells every 14 days. For adults (until the forties), skin regenerates every 30-40 days.

So you can imagine, if you exfoliate everyday, your skin will eventually become thinner,extremely sensitive, easily irritated,  more prone to sun damage, and premature ageing. And when that happens, only a dermatologist can help you.

You should aim to exfoliate once or twice a week. For those with dry or sensitive skin, it is not recommended that you exfoliate quite that much. This is because your skin is already thin, so if you exfoliate, it will only make your skin become thinner.

Exfoliation for Oily Skin

Exfoliation is excellent for those with oily skin. People with oily skin have a thicker Epidermis layer, which is prone to excessive sebum being produced and most commonly, acne. Exfoliation therefore helps to act as ‘deep cleansing’ for oily skin, removing dead skin cells, grease and impurities from deep inside the pores.

Exfoliators for oily skin usually contain a mild astringent effect (for antiseptic and tightening), with ingredients such as witch hazel, tea tree oil, calendula, or cucumber to help soothe the skin, and that can also help to lessen acne. For those with oily skin, you can exfoliate twice a week.

Exfoliation for Men

Men should love exfoliating!  Not only because it gets rid of the grease from their skin, but it also helps to soften it, giving it a better appearance. Men and women (that have oily skin) both have something in common: they have a thick Epidermis, prone to shine and acne. Exfoliating products for men are often stronger with more granules in them, because men generally have thicker skin than women.

Exfoliation for Mature Skin (40yrs+)

  As we mature, our skin cell regeneration deteriorates –– the rate of skin cells renewing and growing weakens. This means that more and more dead skin cells are unable to desquamate. Exfoliation is strongly recommended for people with mature skin as the removal of the surface dead cells has a rejuvenating effect on the skin’s appearance.

Exfoliation for Normal Skin

This is also great for people with normal skin, but choose a facial exfoliator that is mild and gentle to use. Exfoliating helps to brighten the facial appearance as dead skin cells are removed. Aim to exfoliate once or twice a week.

Exfoliation for Combination Skin

Especially for those oily areas prone to acne and blackheads, you can exfoliate these areas with a facial exfoliator. An oily T-Zone is the most common area. You can exfoliate once or twice a week, depending on you.

Exfoliation for Dry Skin

If you must exfoliate, exfoliate with a product that is gentle, and do this once every two weeks. Your skin needs all the natural sebum it can get produced to help keep your skin stay moisturized.

Make sure to talk with your esthetician about which skin type you are to get the best results!

Common Skin Problems for Teens

When it comes to being a teenager acne is part of the territory. Many teens expect it and suffer through the unsightly and painful pimples. But you don’t have to! Many products are harsh on the skin and end up making teen skin worse! What you need is a consistent regimen that caters to your EXACT needs. Everyone is different and so should your skin care! Here is what you should do to start your journey to healthy, PAIN FREE skin:

Schedule an appointment with an esthetician: Estheticians are trained to look deeper than the surface to see the underlying issues.

Listen and Learn: A dedicated esthetician will help you create a routine to keep your skin healthy and pain free even with the excess oils purging from your skin due to hormones.

Follow the regimen you and your esthetician come up with. Your should have a daily morning routine, evening routine and scheduled exfolications. Remember you shouldn’t exfoliate more than TWICE a week. This does more harm than good.

Follow up: Monthly facials are a great way for your esthetician to get a good look at your skin! They can work to unblock pores and adjust your regimen as needed.

Teen skin is incredibly sensitive and changing constantly (just like the rest of your body). Learn to take care of your skin from the beginning! The last thing you want is scarring from popping pimples and stressing your skin to the point of destruction. Have more questions? Ask #CynthiaSterrettSkinCare for help!

Signs of Unhealthy Skin

Your skin is several layers deep. Meaning that the causes for unhealthy skin often come from within. It has to do with not only how you care for your skin but what you eat, how much you drink and your sleeping habits. To say the least your skin is sensitive to these elements of your daily life. Let’s get down to what the signs and symptoms are of unhealthy skin.

Uneven complexion: This is noted by having an uneven tone to your skin. This can include dark circles under your eyes, blotchiness, and blemishes.

Dehydrated skin: This is most noted by your skin feeling tight. You will also see dry, flaky patches and can
 experience itching. To remedy this you will want to ensure you are drinking the recommended amount of water for your body weight. An equation you can use is: Your body weight divided by 2 = the amount of fluid ounces of water you should drink on a daily basis. You will also want to moisturize. Ask a licensed Esthetician about the different types of moisturizers on the market and which can benefit you the most.

Texture of the skin: Healthy skin should be smooth to the touch and void of acne, (white/blackheads) and millia (hard tiny bumps under the skin). If you experience these skin complications it is time to adjust your skin care regimen.

Note: Harsh chemical cleansers and exfoliants will act as a catalyst for your unhealthy skin. They often remove all oils from the skin leaving it dry and tight. In many cases you can experience redness and a burning sensation.

The best way to care for your skin is to ask an Esthetician what to do. Not all products are created equal! Unhealthy skin takes time and dedication to correct. Work together with your Esthetician to achieve the results you desire. #CynthiaSterrettSkinCare Helping You Put Your Best Face Forward.

Caring for your Teen Skin

Teen skin is not only unique but changes all the time due to hormone levels. Estheticians often see in teen skin the overproduction of oils that clog pores and cause acne. These clogged pores can be painful, become infected and even cause scarring! When it comes to caring for your teen skin you have to go deeper than the surface. A regimen designed for your skin type and complications will be the key to healthy, clear skin.

A Teen’s Guide to Skin Health and Skin Care

Step 1: Determine your skin type. A trained and licensed Esthetician can help you determine what skin type you have (mind you it is subject to change as your hormones fluctuate). Having monthly visits with an Esthetician will give you the upper edge in caring for your skin.

Step 2: Follow a Morning and Evening Skin Routine. It is important to care for your skin both in the morning and at night. Dead skin cells, and especially makeup can clog pores. It is important to NEVER go to bed with your makeup on.

Step 3: Exfoliate 1-2 times per week. Your skin could use to be exfoliated once a week. Note: Exfoliating more than twice a week will actually damage your skin and be counterproductive to your skin health.

Tip: Your skin will change throughout your life causing acne breakouts, blemishes and more. Starting early with a skin care regimen will help you reduce these occurrences.

Skin care takes dedication and a routine to see long term results. Stick with it and your acne breakouts will diminish and your skin will be healthier. Have any more questions about how to care for your Teen Skin? Ask #CynthiaSterrettSkinCare for more tips to keep your skin healthy.