Laser Therapy and Treatments

Recently there has been a number of laser treatments introduced to the cosmetic industry, all with different functions and results. Such lasers produce benefits such as increasing tissue growth, removing unwanted body hair, and treating hyperpigmentation such as sun spots, treating scarring on the face and body and for basic rejuvenation of the skin among other things.

Laser therapy is a very popular method of treating the skin because many machines offer treatments with little or no pain levels, very short downtime and great, almost instant results. Furthermore, many of these cosmeceutical breakthroughs are becoming FDA approved, which is great for those administering the treatments and those receiving the treatments.

But not all great results have to come from a machine. Dr. Brandt Laser in a Bottle – Laser Tight is formulated to instantly tighten and tone the skin, treating sluggish or slackening skin. Rosacea sufferers can enjoy Laser in a Bottle – Laser Relief, also from Dr. Brandt. Immediate relief for redness and irritation can be expected with such amazing technology. Considering a facial peel? Try Dr. Brandt Laser a-peel, which removes the upper skin cells to reveal a healthy and young looking skin underneath.

Treat Skin…with Chocolate

Forget the nonsense that chocolate is bad for the skin, it will cause breakouts, clog the pores, etc. Dermatologists have said the things you eat will not directly affect your skin. But how about chocolate helping the skin? Colorescience Chocolate Mousse addresses such skin issues as wrinkles and acneic breakouts. Chocolate Mousse by Colorescience works for oily or combination skin as their everyday moisturizer – without clogging pores! Antioxidant actives fight off free radical damage and inflammation caused by acne.

Combine this with Colorescience Box of Chocolates for a natural, healthy looking glow to the skin. Enjoy six different lip gloss colors to match any skin type or tone.

If you’re a real chocolate lover, or want to give a sweet gift, try Jaqua Mint Chocolate Luscious Lotion and Jaqua Mint Chocolate Sinfully Rich Body Butter.

The Benefits of Spa Treatments

Women and men alike enjoy being pampered: having massages, relaxing for a facial or getting wrapped up for a body treatment. Although these are great for stress reduction, relaxation and inner peace, they are also extremely beneficial for intrinsic health, as well as extrinsic health, such as our skin's health.

There are numerous types of facials and facial treatments one can receive, all providing different benefits to the skin. Whether they are done in a series to jump-start or boost your skin's overall health or to maintain the beauty of your skin, facials should be incorporated into one's lifestyle regularly.

Many people are interested in alpha hydroxy acid peels, such as lactic or glycolic acid peels, mostly for the treatment benefits rather than the relaxation benefits. Alpha hydroxy acid peels are good to resurface the skin's uppermost layer, or epidermis. By sloughing away dead skin cells, AHA peels minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. AHA peels can help to diminish pigmentation issues as well as treat rosacea and acne. Glycolic acid peels are great when done in a series for acneic or congested skin types.

Microdermabrasion treatments have become extremely popular in recent years. There are two basic or general types of microdermabrasion treatments one can undergo. The first uses a machine that blows micro-fine crystals across the skin's surface. The second is done with a microdermabrasion wand device that uses vacuum pressure to increase collagen and elastin to the skin, helping to fill in lines and wrinkles. Microdermabrasion is good to temporarily decrease the size of pores, exfoliate the skin and minimally help to reduce scarring.

Customized facials, such as European facials or basic facials, are great because your skin care specialist will adjust this facial to fit your skin's needs and your wants. These usually include deep cleansing of the skin and pores, exfoliation, extractions of blackheads and congestion, a chosen treatment serum and mask and a finishing of hydration to fit your skin type. These facials are great to start you with regular facials or to keep your skin looking great.

At-home treatments are available for those who just can’t make it to the spa. Kinerase Instant Radiance Peel combines lactic acid with extracts to deeply exfoliate the skin and provide an even skin tone. Bliss Lemon + Sage Scrubs Deluxe Set is a great bath and body kit to clarify and leave the skin glowing.

Each spa or salon you visit is going to offer different treatments for your skin and body that will benefit your health and well-being. Visit a spa in your area and check out what they have to offer for you any concerns you may have.

Anti-Aging Lip Repair

Aging is an aggressor we are all trying to fight off. We invest our time and money in eye creams, facial moisturizers and serums for the skin; however many forget that the lip area should be a major concern. Vertical lines around the lips are not our friends, which is why we need to start caring for this area with the right regimen.

As we age our cellular turnover slows down dramatically compared to our teen years. Exfoliation is essential as we get older to help the cells turnover, revealing new, vibrant skin cells. Ingredients such as alpha hydroxy acids and retinols are excellent for shedding the dead skin cells and helping to minimize those vertical lines. Pevonia Botanica Youthful Lip Retinol Serum deeply penetrates into the lip area, providing soft and supple lips, as well as addressing wrinkles and lines.

Free radicals are everywhere and they damage our skin. Antioxidants help to fight off these free radical aggressors that prematurely age the skin. Treating the lips with antioxidants will help to keep your pout healthy and youthful. Antioxidant Lip Repair from SkinCeuticals moisturizes the lip and lip area while extracts and antioxidants treat aging.

Point and Click Tan

The world of sunless tanning has definitely come a long way in the last 20 years. Whereas the concept once conjured up images of orange, streaky skin, modern advances have led to the creation of products that create evenly glowing skin, quickly and safely.

One of the more intriguing self tanning products to hit the market recently is GlowFusion Air Glow Gun from Fusion Beauty. By combining a motorized spray gun and a cutting-edge tanning formula, the Air Glow Gun coats the skin in an instant dose of color while penetrating the skin to provide long-lasting results. What's more, its unique formula won't stain clothes or towels, and can be used on the face and body.

For best results, you should exfoliate beforehand. Exfoliation removes dead, rough and dry skin cells, providing an even canvas for your new glow. For the face, Bioelements Pumice Peel works wonders to clarify and even the skin tone. For the body, Dermalogica Exfoliating Body Scrub softens and smoothes every inch of the skin.

And of course, when you go out to show of your new bronzed bod, don't forget sunscreen!

Caring for Your Hair

Our hair is an attribute of our body that should be well cared for and groomed. Healthy hair demonstrates a healthy lifestyle and diet and is very well noticed by others. Proper hair care, including the correct shampoos and conditioners, as well as supplements, will ensure beautiful hair for all types of hair.

Revivogen Bio-Cleansing Shampoo is perfect for fine or thinning hair to combat hair loss and promote a more healthy hair growth rate. Not only does it strengthen the hair, it also neutralizes the hormone linked to male pattern baldness. For optimal results, use in conjunction with Revivogen Thickening Conditioner, which adds body and shine to the hair as well as protein throughout the hair strand to the hair follicle.

For high-maintenance hair that is styled and colored often, use Sircuit Skin Crystal Crème. This hydrating conditioner will help to transform bleached and over-treated hair into soft and smooth locks in no time.

Because males tend to bald more so and more often then women, special hair treatment should be considered. Osmotics FNS Male Treatment for Thinning Hair is perfect for males experiencing any type of thinning or who would like to prepare for balding if this gene runs in the family.

Ethnic Skin

Ethnic or darker skins tend to type higher on the Fitzpatrick scale, giving the skin a greater ability to tolerate sun exposure: less burning yet more tanning. Ethnic skins have more melanin, making them less likely to burn compared to lighter skin tones.

Certain skin conditions are more common or more commonly experienced by darker skin tones. African American skin is more prone to hyperkeratosis, which is a thickening of the skin caused by a mass of keratinized cells. Exfoliating regularly can prevent this condition. Pevonia Botanica Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser is an excellent cleanser that also offers exfoliating properties, ideal for dark skin types. Hyperpigmentation is often experienced with over-exfoliation in darker skins, which is why one must use non-aggressive products. Physicians Complex Microdermabrasion Cream is a mild formula that will leave the skin feeling soft and smooth.

Asian skin is known to be more reactive or sensitive compared to other skin types. Cellex-C Sensitive Skin Serum 2 Step Kit is perfect for any type of sensitive skin, and offers anti-aging benefits.

All skin types need to be cautious about wearing sunscreen on a daily basis to protect from hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation. A UVA/UVB sunscreen is best, such as Shady Day Daily Sun Protection Flat Pack SPF 30.

Quick Tips for Summer

With fun summer activities on the way, it’s sometimes hard to remember to take care of our skin and maintain its health. General skin management should be kept up, but here are few quick tips to help care for your skin.

For quick cleansing, great for a camping trip or for a day on the lake, try Skin Purifying Wipes from Dermalogica. Not only are they excellent for the face, but they can also be used on the body if needed and are easily disposable.

Need a little extra hydration during the day? Try Pevonia Botanica Phyto-Aromatic Mist, which is ideal for hydration, to help relieve sunburn and can also help to set makeup. Talk about a multi-functional product!

Most of us are a little bit dryer in the winter and slightly oilier during the summer. Keep shine at bay with Jane Iredale Facial Blotting Paper/Compact, formulated with flax seeds to absorb excess sebum and mattify the skins complexion. The compact is so small you could fit it in your pocket.

Don’t forget your sun protection, which is most important for summer. Colorescience Sunforgettable Rock and Roller Ball SPF 30 is a lightweight powder available in both All Clear and Almost Clear. Its highly water-resistant formula is ideal for athletes and children.

MD Skincare All-in-One Tinted Moisturizer Sunscreen SPF 15 is another multi-functional product that provides hydrating benefits, sun protection and has a slight tint to help conceal imperfections or simply give you a healthy glow.

Sun Protection for Your Hair

It’s common knowledge that you should protect your colored hair from the sun's rays to maintain hair color longer, and to also help keep it hydrated and healthy. The sun's rays diminish the strength of our hair dye and dry out our hair strands, causing hair to look dull and lifeless.

To help protect the hair during spring and summer months, use a SPF like ProCyte Ti-Silc Scalp Defense SPF 20, which coats the hair strands to ensure enough protection. Reapply as desired or as necessary. This formula is also good for the face and other areas of the body.

To help hydrate and provide nutrients to the follicle and improve hair texture and vitality, incorporate FNS Anti-Aging Follicle Nutrient Serum from Osmotics Cosmeceuticals to the scalp and style as usual.

Common Sunscreen Ingredients

We all know and have heard a million times that sunscreen is the most essential part of one's skin care regimen. And if you do not have a skincare regimen, it is still an essential part of your daily routine. Listed are common sunscreen ingredients used, as well as those said to be most recommended by dermatologists.

Parsol 1789, also known as avobenzone, is a chemical sunscreen ingredient, meaning it absorbs UVA and UVB rays once they have hit the skin, thus protecting the skin from sun damage. Parsol 1789 is said to be a “broad spectrum” sunscreen additive and is commonly used due to its ability to absorb ultraviolet light over a wider range of wavelengths when compared to other sunscreen actives. Although Parsol 1789 is said to be a recommended sunscreen ingredient, it does break down easily, therefore should be formulated with a stabilizer.

Titanium dioxide, although used in many different products such as paint and dyes, is a very popular sunscreen ingredient. Titanium dioxide is UV resistant and a UV reflector, meaning that it prevents the sun's rays from reaching the skin and sends them back out in the environment. It is insoluble in water, therefore is commonly used in formulations to be water-resistant. Again, titanium dioxide is highly recommended among dermatologists.

Perfect Your Neck

The neck and chest area is often forgotten about, or even thought to be a major concern. However the neck is generally one of the main areas that are damaged by the sun, especially in the hotter seasons when women wear lower cut shirts or tank tops.

To help protect this area not only from sun damage, premature aging and hyperpigmentation, but also cancer risk, sun protection should be worn on this part of the body at all times. I recommend something quick and easy and that can be easily reapplied when necessary, such as Colorescience Sunforgettable Almost Clear, which gives the neck and chest a high physical SPF 30 as well as a hint of color.

The neck and chest area can also be treated with skin care products to help firm and tighten. Pevonia Botanica offers its Restore Neck and Bust Concentrate, a serum delivery system that ensures penetration of highly active botanicals and extracts.

In addition to protection, the neck also needs regular exfoliation, just as the face does. I suggest Alpha Beta Daily Body Peel from MD Skincare, which utilizes a blend of AHAs and salicylic acid to slough off the dead skins cells revealing a more uniform and healthy neck and chest.

Quick Fix Products

Sometimes, we don't have enough time to indulge in a full skin care regimen. That's when a quick fix product really comes in hand. From multi-tasking to fast-acting, these products deliver the results you want when it counts.

Whether your skin suffers from dehydration, excessive signs of aging or pesky acne, Kerfole, made by Bioelements, will help refine and revive your complexion. This 10-minute exfoliating mask uses natural fruit acids and plant extracts to unclog pores and tighten, tone and smooth the skin.

For sensitive or reactive skin, Pevonia Reactive Skin Care Cream provides immediate calming relief. This lightweight cream also acts as a moisturizer to keep skin smooth and comfortable.

For a quick makeup fix, try Jane Iredale's new Active Light. Available in six colors, this under-eye concealer features light-reflecting minerals that disguise fine lines, wrinkles and dark circles, all the while stimulating hydration and circulation for serious results.

The Detox Treatment

Muscle tension, stress, aches, pains, cramps, and symptoms of arthritis and rheumatism can all be treated and reduced with naturally soothing home spa products. Aromatic Moor Natural Black Mud with Essential Oils works by using moor mud to pull out the toxins that cause these symptoms in the body.

Made by Pevonia Botanica, Aromatic Moor Natural Black Mud is perfect to be used at the end of a stressful day by pouring a half of a cup into warm water and relaxing for as long as desired.

For a luxurious finish, apply Pevonia Botanica Dry Oil Body Moisturizer, which gives a light yet hydrating feel to the skin.