The Perfect Shave

First I’d like to start with a little information about razor bumps, razor burn and ingrown hairs, also know as Pseudofolliculitis Barbae. Pseudofolliculitis Barbae is a common condition mostly experienced by men, although women can experience it as well, and occurs more frequently among those with curly hair (and in areas where the hair is naturally curlier). The problem results when curved or curly hair grows back into the skin, causing irritation, infection and inflammation.

So how can we help to prevent razor bumps? First, I suggest trying different types of razors until you find one that agrees with your skin the most. Also try a few different products specifically for the razor bump problem, such as Glytone’s Serious Shave Cream, or Bikini Zone’s Anti-Bumps Shave Gel.

Ingrown hairs can be prevented by taken proper precautions while shaving. Exfoliating beforehand will help soften the hair and make it easier to shave. Always be sure to shave with the "grain" (the direction in which the hair grows), not against it.

If you’re still experiencing issues after trying different razor blades and suggested products, consult with your dermatologist.

Make your own Makeover

Everybody wants to be pampered, whether they are pampering their face, body, hands or feet. And even though I do recommend seeing a professional, such as an esthetician, massage therapist, or manicurist, I do know they can get expensive. Here are a few tips and products to try at home to give yourself at-home treatments.

For an at-home facial, try putting wet warm towels in the microwave or a crock pot to get them nice and warm. Cleanse your face for 1-2 minutes and then remove the excess product with one of the warm towels. Next, use a scrub or an alpha hydroxy acid peel to slough off those dead skin cells, again removing the excess product with another warm towel. For a more invigorating facial, follow with a mask. Be sure to select one that would be beneficial to your skin and suitable for your skin type. Leave it on the advised time – usually about 10-15 minutes for most masks – then remove with another warm towel. Spray your face with the correct toner, and follow with your eye cream and moisturizer. You’ve given yourself a quick facial.

Murad’s Optimal Health Kit Peri-menopausal and Menopausal Skin is great for easing the hard-to-deal-with symptoms associated with menopause. Also try their Vitamin C Infusion System, which is formulated with pure 30% Vitamin C and works great on hyperpigmentation and the other effects of sun damage.

Vital Vitamins

The human body relies on vitamins to function properly. However, most of the vitamins we need are either not produced by our body or available at extremely low levels. Vitamins are available in raw foods, but often are lost in the cooking process. Therefore, a vitamin supplement is essential for a healthy body.

Vitamins are essential for normal metabolism control and for the development and maintenance of tissue structure and function. Each vitamin is responsible for a different aspect of our body’s health and maintenance, including ones that are directly responsible for proper skin care.

So what vitamins do we need the most, and what does each one do?

Vitamin A is fundamental for healthy hair and skin, as well as vision, cell growth and development, growth in general, reproduction, the immune system, and mucous membranes. If you’re not consuming enough Vitamin A, you may experience dry skin, slow growth, night blindness, and increased infections.

B Vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B6 and B12) are responsible for cellular division, tissue repair and metabolism, among others. Vitamin B deficiency may lead to depression, fatigue and anemia, as well as dermatitis and scaly, flaky skin.

Vitamin C helps the body produce collagen and repair tissue, in addition to aiding the immune and nervous systems. It is abundant in citrus fruits and leafy green vegetables. A lack of vitamin C will lead to anemia, easy bruising, poor wound healing, frequent infections, nosebleeds and scurvy.

Vitamin D, which our bodies receive from sunlight, properly metabolizes calcium, which we know helps keep our bones strong and healthy. Rickets, a skeletal deformity, is one of the major diseases caused by Vitamin D deficiency.

Vitamin E is an antioxidant vitamin that protects fats, cell membranes, DNA, and enzymes against damage. It is also responsible for normal growth and development and protects the immune system. Vitamin E deficiency increases the risk of heart disease, cancer and premature aging.

DermaVite Dietary Supplement is a great multivitamin full of minerals like zinc, copper and magnesium, all of which produce healthier skin.

Murad Pure Skin Clarifying Supplement is clinically proven to reduce blemishes by 55% within six weeks.

Looking for healthier hair? Try Matrix 5000. This vitamin compound helps grow out both hair and nails that are strong and healthy.

To find out more information on what vitamins do and how much you should be taking, talk with your doctor or a dietician.

Sunscreen Safety

Believe it or not, summer is just around the corner. That means short sleeves, beach blankets and, of course, sunscreen.

All sunscreens have an SPF rating, and it's important to find the right one for you. SPF stands for “sun protection factor,” and determines how long you can possibly stay out in the sun while avoiding the sun’s damaging rays and potentially becoming sunburned. For example, if you normally redden after 15 minutes, a sunscreen with an SPF of 4 would allow you to stay out in the sun for up to an hour before showing signs of sun damage.

As a licensed esthetician, I highly recommend sunscreen for everyday use, whether it be in your lotion, makeup or used alone. Using sunscreen will not only protect you from signs of aging such as hyperpigmentation, wrinkles and deep lines, it will also protect you from more dangerous effects like skin cancer. The three types of skin cancer are basal cell, which is the most common form, squamous cell, common among the fair-skinned and African Americans, and malignant melanoma, which is the most fatal form.

Certain medications and skin care regimens require a daily sunscreen. Consult with your physician or dermatologist to determine if you need to be using one.

Sunscreen should be applied all over to the face and body and reapplied according to the directions given. I suggest SkinCeuticals Ultimate UV Defense SPF 30, which contains zinc oxide, a natural UV ray blocker, and also Blue Lizard Sport Suncream, a non-greasy sunscreen rated SPF 30+. (Blue Lizard’s bottles even turn colors when exposed to UV light, so they provide a good warning sign of when you need to apply).

Be proactive about your skin's health. When seeing your physician, always have them check you over for any moles or any unfamiliar markings that may have appeared on your body.

Stretch Mark Solutions

If you have stretch marks, you hate them. So why do we have them and what will help minimize them?

Stretch marks look like silvery, possibly sunken-in lines that can be found most commonly on the thighs, abdomen, breasts, buttocks and upper arms. The skin is usually very elastic. However, when the skin is not able to maintain an adequate growth rate to match that of the internal structures of the body, like growth spurts and pregnancy, stretch marks appear. Stretch marks usually will not completely disappear. Weight loss is by far the healthiest way to make these marks appear less visible. In the mean time, you can reduce the size and appearance of stretch marks with the use of professional products.

I like Procyte’s Striae Stretch Mark Creme, which helps fade stretch marks, usually within 4-6 weeks. Murad also has some great products such as Firm and Tone Dietary Supplements, which works internally and also helps reduce cellulite, Firm and Tone Serum, which helps refine the skin, and the Body Firming Cream. If you need a quick cover up, try Dermablend’s Leg and Body Cover. It's a great body camouflage that lasts up to 16 hours.

Dry Skin Solutions

Some people are born with dry skin. Other people experience dry skin due to medications they are taking. Others are just dehydrated. No matter the cause, dry skin can be identified by the obvious dryness, flakiness, tightness and itchiness. Many times people with dry skin have heightened sensitivity as well.

So what can one do to help soothe dry skin? First of all, drink more water. Increasing your water intake will not only show in your skin, but it will help with all of your body functions. Avoid alcohol and unnecessary medications. Incorporate healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables into your meal regimen. Keep yourself and your skin healthy by staying physically active, although extreme heat and cold exposure will dry out the skin, so be prepared when going out into such weather. Also keep in mind that winter months tend to dry everyone’s skin. Exfoliating helps, but be careful not to overdo it. One-to-three times a week is recommended. Consider spa treatments such as facials and body wraps. Remember that pools and hot tubs have large amounts of chlorine in them, so be sure to shower and moisturize afterwards.

Most skin care brands have products that are specifically made for dry skin. Try Dermalogica Skin Hydrating Masque one-to-two times a week along with Cream by Kinerase. I also recommend Murad’s Wet Suit Cell Hydrating Supplements. Taking two tablets per day will help strengthen your cell membranes and lock in moisture where it is needed.

Eyebrow Perfection

What’s the purpose of waxing, tweezing, penciling and gelling your brows? How can you get that perfect look with your brows? Perfectly sculpted brows frame the face beautifully, add definition, and, in some cases, can take years off your face.

Licensed professionals are trained to shape your brows in a way that will revamp your face. Waxing and tweezing can be done at home, but it is not highly recommended. If you’re planning on waxing or tweezing at home, consult with a professional beforehand. I suggest first going to an esthetician and then tweezing when necessary to keep the brow clean.

Brow pencils and gels can also help enhance and maintain your brows. I suggest Brow Fixation by ColoreScience. This gel helps tame unruly brows by straightening them and keeping them in place where you want them. glominerals gloBrow Powder Duo has a deep brown and a lighter brown combination you can mix to fit your look.

10 Beauty Products for under $10

Looking for beauty on a budget? Taking care of your skin is vital to keeping a young and healthy appearance, but you don't always have to pay top dollar for amazing results. Here are some products that have good results and even better price tags.

For severely dry, chapped lips, try La Roche Posay Ceralip Lip Repair Cream. It’s great for clients who are sensitive due to weather extremes or taking meds such as Accutane.

Credentials Avocado Body Lotion offers maximum hydration enriched with sweet almond oil and avocado oil.

Pharmaceutical Specialties Free and Clear Liquid Cleanser is a gentle soap containing no dyes, fragrance, parabens, lanolin or formaldehyde. Works well with any skin type.

La Roche Posay’s Thermal Spring Water is an antioxidant spray filled with trace elements and mineral salts that soothes and softens skin. You can get the smaller travel size, which is nice to bring with you anywhere.

Everyone should be using a brush cleaner if they use makeup brushes. I like ColoreScience’s Brush Cleaner Spray. Its quick-drying aromatherapy formula helps keep brushes bacteria free.

Neutrogena Alcohol Free Toner balances the pH of the skin while purifying and hydrating.

Nivea Daily Protective Lotion for Men is moisturizing plus it has an SPF 15. It’s easy and fast, making it perfect for male clients.

Give your skin a radiant glow with Sothys Instant Radiance Ampoules. They tighten and firm while moisturizing your skin.

If you’re a bar soap type, try La Roche Posay’s Toleriane Gentle Cleansing Bar. It works with all skin types and doesn’t leave that residue feeling on the skin.

If you’re one of the very common people that have acne breakouts, I suggest Exuviance Blemish Treatment Gel. It has a 2% salicylic acid, which will help calm the skin and prevent breakouts.

Back Acne – the workout punishment

Although acne is most commonly found on the face, many people experience acne on the back and shoulders as well. Although quite normal, back acne can be very embarrassing for those who have it. Back acne is commonly caused by excess sweating, which is why it is sometimes experienced by those who work out often.

Sometimes products that are used on the face to help alleviate acne problems are not strong enough for acne on the back. Many spas or salons will have services that can help reduce back acne. If you are looking for at home care, Murad’s Clarifying Body Spray is a natural clay-based product that draws out impurities while cleaning breakouts with a formula strong enough to work on back acne.

Keratosis Pilaris

Keratosis Pilaris, also called “chicken skin,” is a common skin disorder in which small, rough bumps appear on the skin, typically on the outer upper arms, thighs and buttocks. The hair follicles’ openings are filled with hard plugs, or keratin, a process known as hyperkeratinization. Many people who carry the skin disorder confuse KP with acne. KP affects 40-50% of the adult population and 50-80% of adolescents.
Although there is no known cure for KP, it can be alleviated. Areas of the skin that are affected with KP rarely get sore or itchy, so the main concern is its unattractive appearance.
Exfoliants containing Alpha Hydroxy Acids and moisturizers that are extremely hydrating are best suited to treat KP, particularly in the colder times of the year when the air is extremely dry. Try using Glytone’s Keratosis Pilaris Kit in conjunction with Baker Cummins’ Ultra Mide 25 Lotion.