How to Keep your Skin Hydrated

Your body is 70 % water, so we don’t have to tell you that hydration is important.  Due to normal tasks of living water is depleted through sweat, evaporation and usage.  You have to replace that water for your body to function the way it was designed to and to look and feel it’s best.  This includes your skin.  Even slight dehydration can cause flaky irritable skin, dermatitis, and eczema .  Your body is in need of constant rehydration.

Adequate water intake promotes the body's natural healing process.  It flushes out toxins, such as chemicals and free radicals, which can be very damaging.  There are also more vanity conscious reasons to keep your skin hydrated.  Properly hydrated skin becomes more plump, diminishing the appearance of lines and wrinkles and supplying a radiant glow.  Not to mention it will feel better on the inside and out.  

So how much water do we really need to drink in a day?  The Institute of Medicine (IOM) established some general guidelines for water intake in 2004. Healthy adult women need around 91 ounces of total water and healthy adult men need about 125 ounces every day.   However, keep in mind that you don’t have to stand around throwing back cups of water all day.  Some of that tally comes from water that’s in your food or other beverages, even tea or coffee.  Remember that if you’re working out, pregnant or breastfeeding you will require a little extra water.  Also,  keep in mind that if you’re thirsty, you’re already dehydrated.  Thirst is a symptom.  Make sure you sip on water slowly throughout the day so it has a chance to get equally distributed throughout your body.  

Another dry skin culprit that people miss is their home.  Due to most of our homes being temperature regulated with filtered air our skin can become dry.  An easy remedy to this is to run a humidifier.  If you don’t wish to run one all day long, placing a small humidifier in your bedroom and run it while you sleep. It will make a world of difference!

Importance of Sleep for Healthy Skin

Getting or not getting enough sleep can affect many aspects of your life.  In your skin’s case, it’s a pretty big effect.  A good night's sleep can mean healthy skin.  If you don’t have good sleep,  your body makes more of the stress hormone cortisol. Elevated levels of cortisol can lead to increased stress and inflammation in the body, hurting your skin’s quality.    

Not getting enough sleep can:
 

• Worsen skin conditions-it creates inflammation which can flare up acne, dermatitis, and eczema
• Develop dark circles under your eyes-If you lie on your stomach, liquid can pool in the trough of your under-eye throughout the night and cause puffiness.  It’s always best to sleep on your back or side if possible.  Sleeping on your stomach can also increase the likelihood of stress lines on the face from being pressed into a pillow.
• Drier skin-sleep is nourishment for your entire body, if you’re not getting adequate amounts your body can’t go through it’s normal functions or normal lubrication-resulting in flaky, dry, and non lustrous skin.
• Fast track for aging-Sleep deprived skin is aging skin.  During deep sleep, the rise in growth hormones allows damaged cells to become repaired.  Without REM sleep, this won't happen, so your skin doesn’t get the repair that it needs, resulting in older looking skin.

Basically, sleep is something we all need.  So how can I increase my sleep and the quality of that sleep?

1. Develop a routine and go to bed at the same time every night-if your body gets on a schedule it will normally keep it.  If you get used to going to bed at 10pm every night you should start getting sleepy around that time.  
2. Plan your work-out- early, midday, or dusk. Ideal times. Big cardio after dark revs up the metabolism and makes sleep elusive.
3. Stop caffeine mid-day- and no sugary treats after 7pm.
4. Eat dinner earlier- A light dinner also requires less digestion which helps sleep to arrive earlier.
5. Shut down those electronic devices by your bedside- Turn the computer off and relocate that TV to another room. A dark, quiet,   cool bedroom promotes deep, peaceful sleep.

Not getting enough sleep wreaks havoc on your life and your skin, but all is not lost.  Start trying to implement these tips into your day and you’ll be on your way to healthier skin!

The effects allergies have on skin

 Puffy eyes, a red, runny nose — allergy symptoms aren’t pretty. Seasonal allergies not only affect how you feel, but how you look. And we know you feel your best when you’re looking good, too.  

Congestion, drowsiness, and itchy, watering eyes aside, seasonal allergies don’t only make you feel less than stellar, their symptoms can also manifest on your complexion. If you suffer from allergies during this transition period between seasons, the puffy eyes and dry, red patches you’re experiencing aren't merely a coincidence.   The time change can also wreak havoc with your hormones and increase the likelihood of breakouts.

So how do you combat all of these issues?  Taking an allergy pill is always a good start.  Like any allergy symptoms, avoidance is your best solution for allergy-related skin problems. Staying inside when pollen counts are at their highest, washing outdoor clothes, like jackets, more often, washing your hair before bed, leaving shoes outside the door and even rinsing out your sinuses.   You should also combat your allergies and the skin issues that come along with it by changing your skin routine to one for Spring.  

Exfoliate

As skin dries more during the winter it builds up more dead cells on the surface.  So first thing’s first, we need to help our skin to get rid of those dead cells. As skin underneath is still more sensitive it is recommended to use a gentle exfoliator 1 to 2 times per week.

Moisturize

During the seasonal transition periods the moisture levels in our skin always change.   Thus, with added moisture in the air, skin tends to become oilier during the transition period as the weather gets warmer. To help balance skin’s naturally changing moisture level, choose a lighter lotion instead of a cream, and go for an oil-free formulation if you already have oily or combination skin.

Sunscreen

Although you should be wearing an SPF for every season,  Spring presents more challenges as the sun gets more active and we like to hang out to enjoy the beautiful weather.  So, the skin is exposed for longer times and gets more sensitive to the sun.

Use products that address your specific skin type

It is very important to use products formulated for your skin type to avoid irritation and other related problems. Abstain from products formulated with chemicals, parabens or fragrances. Do not use products based on mineral oils as they contain allergens that could further irritate skin and clog pores.

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!