Saving Face by Skin Essentials

I hate moisturizer!

2011-08-26T10:31:00.000-07:00

I hate “moisturizers”. Ok, maybe hate is too strong of a word but here’s why: They often don’t truly moisturize at all. Often you are unknowingly coating your skin with a “protective” layer of chemicals and irritating ingredients that actually work to weaken the skin over time. Some moisturizers also add to the problem of acne or clogged pores for individuals that are susceptible to those conditions.

So instead of traditional “moisturizer” I prefer these two wonderful products that help the skin to maintain it’s own moisture instead of just gunking it up with…gunk!

Recovery Plus from 302 Professional Skincare:

A facial moisturizer - light, non-residual, effective lotion with a wonderful essential oil blend. This is an outstanding product for milder climates and mild skin dryness that leaves the skin perfectly toned without residual feel.

Symptomatic relief, hydration, and rapid barrier build out through prompting of carbamoyl phosphate formation, an essential step in the process.

Restores natural systemic moisture functions to the skin - it helps the skin produce its own moisture.

Compliments other topicals and may be used daily without causing skin fatigue as so often occurs with many topical moisturizers.

Reduces the appearance of irritation

Skin Savior Waterless Multi Balm by One Love Organics

Hair tamer, Illuminizer, Make up remover, Moisturizer, Pomade, Primer for mineral power, Skin soother...

Skin Savior works in mysterious ways. Pure, cold-pressed plant oils and extracts break down dirt and makeup, clearing out your pores without stripping your skin of its natural protective layer. And you can use the very same balm for head-to-toe cleansing, moisturizing, conditioning, smoothing and massaging.

A little goes a long way, so there’s plenty left for the rest of the family.

Every single ingredient in Skin Savior is plant-based: Organic Cocos nucifera (Virgin Coconut) Oil, Organic Glycine Soja (Sweet Soy) seed oil, Beeswax, Mangifera indica (Mango) seed butter, Salvia Hispanica (Chia) Seed Extract, Avena sativa (Oat) Extract, Citrus aurantium dulcis (Orange) peel wax, Vanilla planifolia fruit extract, Tocopherol (Vitamin E)

Something besides coffee this morning...

2011-06-16T11:55:00.000-07:00

I must finally be hitting my blogging rhythm cuz I had some profound blogging thoughts in the shower this morning. However, if you know me you know that mornings are not when I'm at my best so I hope I can remember it all now!

Just wanted to share with you how much I LOVE Dr. Bronner's peppermint soap! I opened a fresh bar this morning and for a meager $4.05 from my favorite health store (Food For Thought) it was a just what I needed to get me going this morning! In fact, I was so caught up in this small bit of luxury that I was inspired to even shave my legs....sorry T.M.I. You may think 4 bucks for a bar of soap is spendy, but who hasn't spent that on one cup of fancy coffee? Besides I promise you this bar of soap will live for quite a while compared to your average sulfate laden, skin drying stuff you find at Walmart.

NOW:

Having suddenly remembered again why I switched to the natural soap I am putting it on my list to switch to a healthier shampoo. I have a lot of hair-do hangups so this should be an interesting project....stay tuned.

Here is the description from Dr. Bronner's website:

DESCRIPTION:Our most popular fragrance. The peppermint essential oil tingles the body and clears the mind. Because therapeutically peppermint oil is a mild stimulant it increases vitality and clarity. All oils and essential oils are certified organic to the National Organic Standards Program. Wrapped in 10% hemp-flax / 90% post-consumer recycled paper from Living Tree Paper Co.

INGREDIENTS:

Organic Coconut Oil*, Organic Palm Oil*, Sodium Hydroxide**, Water, Mentha Arvensis*, Organic Olive Oil*, Organic Hemp Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Peppermint Oil*, Salt, Citric Acid, Tocopherol

* CERTIFIED FAIR TRADE INGREDIENTS

** None remains after saponifying oils into soap and glycerin

Summer Skin Nutrition: Watermelon

2011-06-14T08:24:00.000-07:00

Watermelon has beneficial effects on the body's fluid balance, helping prevent water retention and promoting well-hydrated skin. It supports the body in shedding excess fluid, which is often held in the face, hands, ankles and feet. Watermelon is 92 percent water and 6 percent sugar, stays well diluted, does not negatively affect blood sugar levels and helps pull watter into the cells. The bright red color of the flesh is due to the watermelon's high levels of the carotenoid antioxidants beta-carotene and lycopene, which help protect skin from the damage caused by the sun's ultravoilet rays. Its diuretic effects help clean out the kidneys, thus supporting revitalizing detoxification. Eat slices of watermelon to cool down on a hot day, or make juice by scooping out the seeds and blending the flesh.

Source: LNE & Spa June 2011

Summer Skin Nutrition: Red Bell Peppers

2011-06-10T06:21:00.000-07:00

The color of the red bell pepper comes from the antioxidant carotenoid lycopene, just one of the nutrients that distinguishes them from green bell peppers. It also has twice the vitamin C and about nine time the carotene as thier green counterpart. Its rich vitamin A content helps stop the damage to skin from ultraviolet light, which can appear in the form of wrinkles and age spots. The folate, needed for cell growth and skin renewal, keeps skin looking young. The red bell pepper's fat-soluble carotenoid needs oil to carry it into the body, so eating it with olive oil will double its health benefit and optimize its absorption.

(source: LNE & Spa June 2011)

Summer Skin Nutrition: Raspberries

2011-06-09T09:30:00.000-07:00

Bursting with vitamin C and proanthocyanidins, raspberries have one of the highest antioxidant profiles of any fruit. They support circulation and, in combination with vitamin C, contribute to the health and vitality of our veins, skin and hair. These wonder berries are high in fiber, which helps remove toxins from the body. Fiber is as important as antioxidant content in the pursuit of staying young because it helps the body rid itself of toxins. Buy these beauties in season from local growers to enjoy the maximum benefit from thier nutrient content and choose the darkest berries.

(source: LNE & Spa June 2011)

Yum! I like 'em on yogurt with a little granola...try it!

2011-06-06T15:15:00.000-07:00

I have been answering so many questions about sunless tanning lately. I think with summer heat creeping in and the shorts coming out people are considering it. Sunless tanning has come along way in just the last 5 years that I've been doing it. It looks more natural than it used to and the formulas seem to be of much higher quality than they once were too. So with more and more newcomers to the sunless concept I thought I'd share my own personal sunless success strategy:

The secret to sunless tanning success is all in the preparation.

The night before or the morning of my spray tan I do the following:

Shave
Use a sugar scrub on the top and bottom of my feet and on my elbows if they feel rough. (100% pure body scrub is what I have.)
Scrub my whole body (not face) with a body brush and natural soap (I like Dr. Bronners)
Use my Clarisonic brush on my face with my 302 Cleanser.
After my shower I moisturize entire body (not face) with 302 Body Treatment Lotion and use 302 Recovery lotion on my face.

Seconds before my spray tan:

I put an excessive amount of body lotion on the bottom of my feet and a little of it on my hands and wrists. (we keep this in the tanning room)
I do not wash off my makeup since I usually only wear a couple light layers of mineral powder makeup and the spray tan soaks right through it nicely. If you are wearing liquid makeup I recommend removing it or not wearing it to your spray tan appointment.
Once I'm done being sprayed I wipe off the palms of my hands and the soles of my feet. I usually wipe the soles of my feet several times. (using baby wipes that we keep in the tanning room)

After my spray tan:

I wait at least 8 hours to shower although it usually ends up being at least 12 hours just because of my schedule.
I use moisturizer on my whole body (including face) after my shower. I alternate daily between body lotion and 302 Sunless Tanning Gel. This makes my tan look better longer and it tends to fade more evenly too. Also if you're shaving alot this will help keep color on your legs since shaving exfoliates some of the color off each time.
I use the Swedish Foot File on the soles of my feet after that first shower and it tends to correct any spray tan that accidently got left on the bottom of my feet, plus it keeps my feet from looking rough and callus-y in my flip flops.
On day 3 or 4 I use the body brush lightly on my whole body again. Don't know why but seems too make my tan look better, longer.
When my tan starts to visibly fade, I do the total exfoliation all over and repeat daily until I feel most of the sunless tanner is gone.

Then it's time to get another spray tan!

Summer Skin Nutrition: Cucumbers

2011-06-03T11:49:00.000-07:00

One of my favorites...
Not only do they actually have a cooling effect on the body, they are a great source of silica which is a mineral needed for a healthy complexion. Cukes have a high water content too so you get the bonus of extra hydration too! It's a win/win with this vegetable all the way around. They reduce inflammation and prevent dryness AND they remove toxins that can cause further aging.
Everyone knows you can put a couple slices on the eyes to fight puffiness and fatique, but did you know you can use cucumber juice for cooling relief on cuts, burns and some skin conditions?

So when you're in the produce isle picking out those cucumbers, envision yourself as a fresh beauty with non-puffy eyes and ultra hydrated, smooth skin!

Summer Skin Nutrition: Avacados

2011-06-02T10:26:00.000-07:00

Avocados provide nearly 20 essential nutrients, including fiber, potassium, Vitamin E, B-vitamins and folic acid. They also act as a "nutrient booster" by enabling the body to absorb more fat-soluble nutrients, such as alpha and beta-carotene and lutein, in foods that are eaten with the fruit.
Avocados have both monosaturated and polyunsaturated fat.
These healthy fats help to maintain the water level in the epidermis and supply the ceramides and fats that keep the bricks and mortar of the skin healthy and intact. This translates into less itchy, healthy-looking, glowing skin.

...so break out the guacamole' or put a healthy dose of avacodo on your next salad or try them on a sandwich...or just have one for a snack if you want they are yummy!
(Try to remember they have a lot of calories, recommended serving size is 2 tablespoons which is about on fifth of an avacado)....

The Art of Service

2011-05-13T09:52:00.000-07:00

So I’ve been reading “Minding Your Business-Profits that Restore the Planet” by Horst M. Rechelbacher (Founder of Aveda and Intelligent Nutrients.) This book is full of very wise ideas about social responsibility in business as well as a personal manifesto about managing ones personal life as a holistic corporation. He calls this corporation “I, Inc.” which exists within a larger conglomerate-the ecosystem of all our relationships with others, with society and with nature itself. It’s pretty heavy reading at times!

There are so many good ideas and principles presented in this book, but the one that has really got me thinking is “The Art of Service.” I can relate to his experience of having a service job at a young age and how it taught him how to treat customers, relate to them and show them respect. “When we serve without expectation of reward, everyone gains. And those who serve in this fashion benefit the most, often in unexpected ways.” These words really rang true for me. I have spent my entire adult life in some sort of service industry. As an esthetician, I have found that when I provide service in earnest and really put my entire focus on my client and meeting their needs it can be rewarding and sometimes in very unexpected ways. The feedback I receive from clients can be so insightful and helpful to me. I am also blessed with some of the greatest people as clients, which I believe is part of my unexpected reward for all my service.

He makes an interesting point as well about the decline of service in today’s world. “The ideal of service has been greatly devalued, and those who serve are often viewed as lesser or even lower class. As a result, the quality of service has declined.” Please try to think about the people in your life who provide you service and really think about how it makes you feel. Whether it’s that voice on the other end of the customer service line you waited for on hold for a while to talk to or the waitress serving your lunch or the nail tech giving you a pedicure or the guy who fixes the brakes on your car.

“When service is devalued, life and relationships are devalued, and an essential quality of our humanness and our business is lost. When service is devalued , work and business are engaged grudgingly, regarded merely as ways of getting by or getting rich. And the higher purpose and spiritual opportunity of service that work and business are called to, that are their very reason for being, are lost.”

Mr. Rechelbacher makes an extremely valuable argument about serving others and the effect that this art has upon us. Service through altruistic acts bestows immediate and long-term emotional and physical health benefits upon the giver and receiver, with the giver benefiting more than the receiver and it even transforms the personality over time. In many studies altruism is specifically cited in alleviating ailments including, insomnia, migraines, ulcers, arthritis, anxiety, depression, lupus and even cancer.

I think I’ve always had the spirit of service in mind in my career. Now having seen the idea depicted so articulately in this book, I think I will be view the “art” of my service in a whole new light with much more intension and conviction. I hope you’ll do the same whomever you serve and as Bob Dylan said “You gotta serve somebody.”

It's good to know the make up of your makeup...

2011-03-10T14:14:00.000-08:00

So many people come in talking about Bare Minerals. This seems to be the most recognizable mineral makeup on the market. Could it have anything to do with all those infomercials that are constantly playing on tv? Anyhoo, I have tried bare minerals and I must say I did NOT look anything like those women on tv. Maybe I need to carry some tv studio lighting around with me?

My intension is not to bash Bare Minerals here. It does bug me that Sephora stamped them with their “natural” seal of approval, when their foundation actually contains things like Laurel Lysine a “conditioning agent” and Calcium Silicate a “bulking” agent. While these may be a little more “natural” than what’s found in your drugstore brands, I’d hardly classify them as minerals.

Minerals are, by far, the healthiest way to wear makeup. Minerals are a physical sun barrier. By sitting on the surface of the skin and reflecting light. Because of this reflective quality they are a natural UV blocker causing most UV rays to bounce off the surface of the skin. Liquid makeup or moisturizers that contain non-mineral SPF such as Oxybenzone allow chemicals to soak into the skin. These chemical sunscreens also allow UV rays to penetrate the skin where a reaction occurs with the chemical to “protect” you from the sun. Technically you may not get a sunburn, but I promise you there is plenty of damage occurring in your skin cells during this reaction, not to mention some chemical sunscreen ingredients are endocrine disruptors which can lead to certain kinds of cancers in women. Mineral makeup is not only a great sunscreen, it is naturally anti-bacterial and will not expire or go bad on you.

There are so many mineral brands out there that are miles above Bare Minerals in quality of ingredients. I prefer brands with only mineral ingredients in them. Skin Essentials carries Alima Pure which contains only minerals, no fillers or bulking agents. It also does not contain Bismuth Oxychloride (also in Bare Minerals foundation), which while it’s a mineral, it’s the one that makes you shiny and in some cases way too shiny. Other quality choices of minerals are Jane Iredale Cosmetics and Colorescience Mineral Makeup.

Calling all Exfoliators..and Nylon Magazine

2011-01-21T15:19:00.000-08:00

While vacationing in sunny Florida I read an article in Nylon magazine:
"Doctor' Orders" (January 2011 Issue) which was advice from skincare experts including 2 Dermatologists, an Internist and a "Facialist" (not sure why they didn't call her an Esthetician?)

Anyhoo, usually these types of articles are bogus claims that all kinds of cheap drug store products will save your horrible skin. I was pleasantly surprised that this one, while still mentioning their fair share of OTC stuff like all these magazines do, (who do you think pays for the ads in these mags after all?) it also had some great skin advice that I don't usually find in the fashions mags.

Dr. Sabena Toor, the Internist warned against Microdermabrasion:
"Go Easy: I hate microdermabrasion- I just don't like anything that abrasive on the skin; you should think of your skin as a piece of silk. Encouraging cell turnover with good products without tearing at the skin is important because too much abrasion can increase breakage of blood vessels, capillary damage, and collagen breakdown."

This is such unbelievablyy wonderful advice! In my experience as an Esthetician I have seen countless casualties of Microdermabrasions and refugees of many other types of over-exfoliating!
Go Easy!!!
(We like Ultrasound facials as a safe and healthy, yet VERY effective alternative.)
While you're at it, stay away from the home peeling agents and walnut shell scrubs and all other methods of commercial-skin-torture!

There were lots of other surprisingly good pieces of advice about nutrition in this article as well as my favorite obvious solution: Get facials! I also enjoyed tidbits about music and books as well as some very bright funky and wearable makeup looks!

I declare this one not your average fashion mag!
check it out at www.nylonmag.com

One Very Easy, Healthy Change For Your New Year.

2011-01-03T15:04:00.000-08:00

No diets.
No workouts.
Just an easy change to your routine that could do you a world of good.

What product do you use on your entire body?
Is it soap?
Body Lotion?
Body Oil?

Well pick one of those and change it out with an organic option.
See that's easy.
What we put on our skin does to some degree absorb into the body that's why I'm saying start with just one thing that use one your entire body daily.
Once you've traded it for a healthy alternative then you've just done your whole body a favor!

See that was easy!
And you don't have to analyze all the ingredient labels on everything in your medicine cabinet or beauty regime, panic-stricken by how you were going to ever be rid of all those chemicals. That all-over body product covers the most surface area, so you can worry about the other things one at a time and explore new options as you run out of stuff.

No need to thank me, just pat yourself on the back and give yourself a cookie.
Unless you're on a diet....sorry....it is New Years!

Fig+Sage Organic Goodness and Eco Finds.

2010-12-28T09:51:00.000-08:00

Here is a neat site if you haven't seen it yet and they are having a little give away from organicbeautynow.com which has a nice selection of natural beauty products...in fact it might have inspired me to try that organic perfume from Tsi-La. I'll let ya know what I think.....
Happy Almost New Year!

My Green Beauty Attempts in 2010

2010-12-23T13:45:00.000-08:00

I’m not one for resolutions.
When I do make resolutions they tend to be things I KNOW I can achieve, for instance next year I resolve to get more marshmallows in my diet. They are yummy and fun and who doesn’t need a little more of that in their life?

I’ve been interested in healthier skin care and makeup for years and I feel like I do relatively well using things in that category that are not only safe and healthy but pretty effective. For the last year I’ve really tried to focus even more and pay close attention to the products I put on my body and I believe it has paid off. I mean, have you seen me? (I know, modest, what can I say?)

I’ve stopped using regular old soap on my skin and now use either 302’s Face & Body Bar or one of many natural soaps I find at the health food store. (Right now it’s Tom’s Moisturizing Bar) They aren’t as bubbly, but they work nicely, smell great and I feel better about not putting frothy sulfates all over my body on a daily basis.

I've used natural toothpaste for years. One of my favorites is Young Livings Theives Ultra toothpaste, but Burts Bee's and Tom's are really nice ones too. I’ve stopped using shaving cream all together, and just use my natural soap to shave with. Again, not as frothy, but it does the job well and I don’t have that pesky stinging sensation when I’m done!

For body moisturizing I’ve alternated between 302 Body Treatment Intensive and Intelligent Nutrients anti-aging body serum which I don’t retail yet but love, love, love! (see previous posting about this product.) I find that even though it’s December and dry as can be out, I don’t have to work that hard at keeping my skin moisturized anymore and all without a bunch of gunky lotions.

I’ve experimented with several natural deodorants. Right now I switch it up between Thai Crystal and Toms natural deodorant. It seems that after a few days I have to switch to a different one because they stop working? I don’t know if this is common or just one of my freakish qualities so I’ve been alternating them. I also must admit there are days I regress and use my Dove antiperspirant because it just works so well. I know it has aluminum in it and it’s not so great for my health but there are some situations I just can’t run the risk of stinking!! It’s a minor weak point in my regimen I guess.

The other weakness in my routine is hair care. I currently own an arsenal of professional hair care products because I possess a cosmetology license and can purchase them at wholesale and my hair looks great when I use them! I have tried Burts Bees Super Shiny Grapefruit and Sugar Beet shampoo and conditioner and keep in in my shower to use when possible but it just doesn’t meet my beauty standards even though it smells yummy and is free of SLS, has no petro-chemicals. Maybe I’ll keep at it and get used to it? At any rate, I plan to try other natural or organic shampoos in the months to come so I feel I’m bound to find one I can live with. I’ll let you know how that little experiment goes. I am however NOT willing to give up my highlights at this point in time. I just can’t wrap my head around that idea, so to speak. Maybe someday I’ll change my mind but I’m just way to vain about my hair. Nobody’s perfect I guess!

I’m a little slower at making the healthy transitions around the house, but when cleaning products run out I’ve been trying to make it a point to replace them with healthier alternatives. This is an area where I think I need much more information because cleaning stuff all seems to be toxic to me! Guess I better do some more reading on that subject.

Please feel free to make a comment or email me about your green-beauty attempts and what has worked or not worked for you!

Ah Behold, the Christmas Pimple

2010-12-23T07:23:00.000-08:00

....also related to the vacation or wedding pimple. It shows up about a day or two before a large gathering or important occasion where there will surely be photographs.

Mine arrived today on the eve of Christmas Eve, right on my upper lip. It is so adorable.
I've already lanced it. (Not always the best decision, but it had to be done!) Applied some Acne Mist and 302 Ointment RX. I plan to spend some time later inspecting it to see if it needs further treatment. Perhaps some A-Boost and some high frequency current.

I vow to conquer the Christmas Pimple this year.

Please feel free to contact me today or tomorrow morning if you need to conquer the Christmas Pimple...

New Info for our 302 Skincare Users

2010-12-15T08:55:00.000-08:00

We were fortunate last week to get a visit from our 302 Skincare representative, Justin! Although I've been using and selling this product for over 5 years there are still new things to be learned! It is truely a remarkable product from remarkable company that just keeps evolving! I wanted to take this opportunity to pass the information along to my 302 using clients. If you have any questions about anything please feel free to contact me. If I don't know the answer, I'm confident I can find out what I need to know from Justin.

Sincerely,

Pam

For experienced 302 users (on 302 more than 6weeks) 302 drops will be beneficial used daily in the mornings. A good tip for applying 302 drops is to dispense one pump into palm of your hand then spray Calming Mist 4-5 times into your hand and rub hands together to create an emulsion. This makes the product spread easier and makes your 302 drops go farther!

Dry skin solutions for the winter. Try one or all of the following:

a.)Use Recovery Intensive or Body Treatment intensive as a “night crème” for the face.

b.)Use Moisturizing Drops as a “pre-wash” for dry facial skin. Let it sit on the face a minute before washing off with cleanser.

For the body:

c.)Apply Moisturizing drops to the body while skin is still wet from showering.

OR

d.)Dispense Moisturizing drops in the palm of your hand, spray Calming Mist 4-5 mists into hand and rub hands together to create an emulsion then apply to the body. Can layer Body Treatment or Body Treatment Intensive over this to lock in extra moisture.

Everyone can use 2 cleansers. This keeps the skin from getting lazy and bored believe it or not! Alternation of all products can be great for your skin and really “keep it on it’s toes”!

For instance, try a combination of Face & Body Bar in your morning shower and 302 Cleanser at night before you go to bed.

Or pair up any two of the Cleanser varieties based on your skin condition. For example, for breakout-prone skin use Sensitive Cleanser RX in the morning and Acne Cleanser in the evening.

Sensitive Cleanser RX has been improved. It is gel-like and slightly foaming. It also has more zinc in it so nicely calming to the skin. This product can be also be used in place of shaving cream! (Follow with Ointment RX)

302 Now has travel sizes in cleansers, mist and moisturizers. Great for traveling or for sampling.

What’s the difference between 302 Drops/Serum and 302 Plus?

While 302 drops/serum have only Avogen (3%) as their active ingredient, 302 Plus has 1.5% Avogen but also contains Vitamin C, Rice Peptides and Niacinamide. Vitamin C boosts collagen production and moisture retention as well as building the dermal barrier. Rice peptides have a tightening effect and stimulate the overall barrier function of the skin. Niacinamide increases the skin’s circulation.

For more information about all our products and services visit our website

www.skinessentialswichita.com

Are your acne-care products causing more acne?

2010-12-08T10:45:00.000-08:00

Sheesh…I hope not!

Check your ingredients!

This topic REALLY bothers me since I’ve been fighting those angry little pimples for YEARS! Makes me wonder how many products I’ve used that simply just kept fueling the problem!

Many “Acne” products contain chemicals that are known hormone-disrupters. Hormonal imbalances definitely contribute to breakouts.

It makes sense that hormonal imbalances cause acne. Think back to high-school, ahh, good times…hormones present during puberty cause the oil glands to produce more oil therefore clogging the pores, which leads to pimples of course. So please, please, read your labels. Do some research, call me and ask about your products and I’ll find out for you if you like. There are a lot of reasons besides acne to stay away from these ingredients including cancer risks and birth-defect risks in pregnant women.

I double checked my 302 products and didn’t find anything suspicious luckily so I feel like I’m definitely, FINALLY on the right track!

Here are just a few ingredients to avoid (and not just for acne-prone skin, but for anyone who is concerned with long term exposure to hormone-disrupting chemicals.)

Parabens. “xeno-estrogens” that penetrate the skin, contributing to sterility and hormone imbalances. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) called parabens the most widely used preservative. Avoid these preservatives if at all possible for several reasons – including their link to breast cancer in both men and women.

Sodium Laureth Sulfate. An ingredient tested by the FDA and found to contain dioxane. (see Dioxins below)

PEG’s potentially hormone disrupting due to presence of dioxin and phthalates

Dioxins. Family of chlorine-containing chemicals widely recognized as some of the most toxic chemicals ever made by humans. Dioxins are often contained in antibacterial ingredients such as triclosan; it was also in Agent Orange. Most Acne products contain antibacterial ingredients.

Phthalates. Scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have found that chemicals called phthalates, which are known hormone disruptors, cause birth defects in animals. These are powerful reproductive and developmental toxicants. They do not belong in acne products, shampoos or any other products marketed to teenagers or women of child-bearing age.

FD & C Color Pigments, Perfumes. “Humans are exposed to tens of thousands of potentially harmful synthetic organic and inorganic chemicals in their daily lives in the form of pesticides, dyes, pigments, perfumes, flavorings, and other products. At relatively low levels of exposure these chemicals may promote weight gain,” contends Dr. Baillie-Hamilton, “by altering metabolic functions in the body.” According a study reported in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, these chemicals may cause hormonal disruption and damage many of the body’s natural weight-control mechanisms, playing a significant role in the global obesity epidemic.

Fragrance. Some fragrance ingredients are hormone disruptors; containing highly toxic chemicals (Environmental Health Network; FDA Office of Cosmetics Fact Sheet)

Benzyl peroxide. This may not be a hormonal disruptor but it causes skin irritation, allergic reactions & inflammation as identified in the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). No one with acne needs an ingredient that causes inflammation and redness.

Information on ingredients taken in part from the following article:

http://www.articlesbase.com/acne-articles/hormone-disrupting-chemicals-do-not-belong-in-acne-products-266269.html

Intelligent Nutrients - "What's IN"

2010-12-03T13:53:00.000-08:00

This is a new line I've been testing out to see if I want to retail it. I was oringinally attracted to it by thier Certified Organic Multi-Functional Aromatics category. Since perfume usually makes me look like I've been attacked by killer bees I was interested to see what organic perfume might do to me.
I tried Certified Organic Intelligent Nutrients Innercalm™ - Wind Down. I LOVE the smell and didn't see any freakish reactions on my skin which is always a plus! The only down side to this perfume is it doesn't really last long, after about 2-3 hours it seemed to be gone. Of course the absense of chemicals is probably to blame for the weak staying power so I guess that could be counted as a benefit depending on how you look at it. However $50 for a .94oz bottle might be considered steep for the length of time the scent lasts but I think it's probably worth it since the bottle is small enough to keep in my purse for multiple spritzes a day so I'll take it!

I'm kinda Ga-ga about thier Certified Organic Total Body Elixir. I purchased the "Restore" formula and I am in love with it. It is so much nicer than traditional lotion. It's a thick, yet dry oil that you massage into your skin. I've been doing it after I shower for the last week and I smell really good if I do say so myself! (It has Patchouli in it which I've always loved anyhoo.) The scent does stick around all day too, but it's not overbearing, I'm not sure if anyone around me has noticed it but I like that I can smell it all day. Also for something with such a strong scent it hasn't caused any irritation on my skin which tells me it's truely an all natural fragrance. I can't wait to use all the flavors of this product now!

The jury is still out on the facial items. With ingredients like Argon, Black Cumin, Pumpkin, Red Raspberry, Red Grape and cranberry I was definately curious to see how it worked out. It falls into my requirements of non-acid and no artificial fragrance etc., but it may take a little while to see how it effects my freak-of-nature skin type. So far, there have been no ill effects using the facial serum and moisturizer although I do think I smell a little like spaghetti after I use it, not that that is a bad thing, just kind of interesting I guess. I do wonder though if that particular scent would be a little too much for clients though....

Overall I think it's a great brand with some smart concepts (like organically growing ingredients on thier own farm for research and use in thier products).
I will definately be retailing the body exlixirs and quite possible the perfume in the near future. If the facial products make me look gorgeous you'll be seeing them on my shelves as well!

This is the company's description of "Restore" Certified Organic Total Body Elixir, and I'd have to say it's pretty acurate in my opinion:

Mental rehab & refuge. Deep, spicy, ancient medicinal oils of ravintsara, oregano, everlasting and cinnamon rest, on a bed of regenerating patchouli, rosemary and thyme oils to help promote personal restoration. This multifunctional certified organic oil uses our Intellimune seed oil and other essential oils to take care of the cells and the system while it makes skin smooth. And that's sexy. Completely free of mineral oil or other petrochemicals. Also available in certified organic mist form for daily personal aroma. Smells like: A haute bohemian with a wee bit of incense and some definite spice. Feels like: Your emotions were just cleaned, polished, massaged and fully moisturized.

You can read more about this product on the companies website:
http://www.intelligentnutrients.com/

Oncology Esthetics? What's next?

2010-11-23T09:42:00.000-08:00

When I first saw this book title in one of the industry trade magazines, I was slightly disturbed. (“Oncology Esthetics: A Practitioner’s Guide” from Allured Publishing) I also found a website: touchforcanceronline.com, that offers a 3 day course for licensed Estheticians (you have to purchase the book separately by the way.) Some of the reasons this website lists that make this “advanced” training important for Estheticians are:

“Estheticians learn to handle each client/patient according to their specific conditions and issues.”

“Most estheticians need training that provides skill building for interviewing the person living with cancer and to learn how to apply clinical thinking. All practicums are performed under medical supervision.”

I’m not sure the typical Esthetician is working under medical supervision however, I know of very few that are. This organization is in Canada, although I do see that they have offered a certification course in Phoenix and North Carolina. I’m curious what all the “certification” includes.

I guess what I’m getting at is this smells a little like the big business of Cancer to me. While this program may be perfectly valuable and legitimate, most of the educational programs I have found in this business are product-driven at best, so I’m skeptical. I’m all for making people feel better, whether they have Cancer or not, but I’m not a doctor. I’d like to leave the Cancer treatments up to the Physicians, thank you very much.

Until then, I plan to handle clients with Cancer like those with truly sensitive skin and continue to use natural, safe products without any toxins in them. That will be my version of "Oncology Esthetics" That’s never steered me wrong.

Put yourself at the top of your holiday list!

2010-11-19T10:32:00.000-08:00

This year I swear I'm going to take better care of myself for the holidays. Repeat after me: "Freaking out is not an option!" Now say that out loud as often as you need to...

First of all, I'm getting organized. No, really, I am truely organized! (Or at least I'm starting out that way!) I have made myself seperate lists that are all stapled together. I was going to put these lists in my handy new phone, but decided I LOVE to actually cross stuff off my list so I'm sticking with the paper method, for now anyway. For all things "Holiday" I have a list for work, a list for home, and a list of gift ideas for all my loved-ones.

Secondly, I'm going to follow some of my own advice! I'm not exactly a spiritual person, (don't judge me!) but it's probably a good time to take care of the "Temple", so to speak. Time to make it a point to drink more water, maybe add some green tea to my day and go back to taking those wheatgrass pills! Yum, I know sounds delicious! Probably wouldn't hurt to try and eat more actual "real" food instead of the quick trip to Taco Bueno, huh? I'll do my very best to make it so and I'll keep in mind that the side-effects of this effort will make me look and feel great!

Last but not least, it's time to give up a little control and RELAX! This will be the hardest for me, but I'm going to make myself give up some of the little things that drive me crazy every Christmas. I've hired someone to do some heavy duty cleaning for me right before the company comes. ("Freaking out is not an option...") I'm not going to sweat the small stuff like gift wrapping and Christmas stockings and having the decor just perfect. ("Freaking out is not an option...") I'm making my workload at the salon a little lighter by hiring a laundry service and having someone else do the cleaning. I'm also going to forgo sending Christmas cards this year! This is the year to give that up, it'll be better for my sanity and will be a little nicer for the planet as well. Folks will have to settle for a nice email greeting instead, I don't think anyone will protest. I've also already scheduled time to take care of me (facials and hair-do's!) and some down-time for myself, it's actually in black and white on my calander right now and I'm looking forward to it!

So, (deep breath) these things will not take alot of time and will require very little effort so I'm going to make it happen! The time I used to spend stressing myself out over the holidays is going to be spent taking in all the great things to experience during this time of year! When you take good care of yourself, taking care of others comes naturally and is more enjoyable. (So my clients are going to look and feel great this Christmas too!)
I'm at the top of my list this year, are you!

Dry skin, seasonal or otherwise.

2010-01-07T13:47:00.000-08:00

What’s your problem?

As a skin care professional , people are always looking to me for advice on a variety of skin conditions. This time of year everyone seems to have the same complaint: dry and flaky. With little or no moisture in the air skin can get this kind of cruddy, sluggish look to it as the outer laters dry up. Dry skin is caused by lack of sebum, the skin’s natural oil. There is a difference in dry skin and dehydrated skin. While dry skin lacks oil,dehydrated skin is lacking in water. The sypmtoms are similar in dry or dehydrated skin. Often dehydrated skin is caused by external factors and can be easily and quickly improved by just drinking 8 glasses of water per day and avoiding dehydrating substances such as excessive alcohol or caffiene. Dry skin takes a little more work to make improvements, since the cause of truly dry skin is genetic, it’s a skin “type.” Fair-skinned people seem to be more likely than others to have dry skin, especially as they age.

One size does not fit all.

The thing about skin care that most people don’t understand is that it isn’t an exact science. Every single person has a different reaction to skin care products and regimines. Your skins ability to repair itself can depend on things such as, diet, environment, allergies, medications, even heritity. I always encourage clients to try different things and combinations to see what their skin likes. Whenever I try a new product or routine on my skin I always give it at least a week or two and see how my skin reacts before I make a decision on the product. Now if you have a severe reaction or irration then of course you’d want to discontinue whatever that potion is immediately. If you have underlying health issues or conditions that may have an effect on your skin, you should consult your doctor for severe skin problems. If you search the internet for dry skin you get about a hundred of the same articles. And every year about this time you’ll see lots of advice in “beauty” magazines that all say about the same thing…no hot baths, use your moisturizer…go see your derm…blah blah…I’m trying to give some more specific remedies that I’ve actually tried or that I have seen really work on my clients.

Dry Skin symptoms and treatments.

If you are a naturally dry skin-type your skin will stay dry for long periods of time or all day after washing. Prolonged bouts of excesive drynes in the winter months probably leave you with a chapped angry look that you don’t find necessarily attractive. A moisturizer or lotion that has an thick, occlusive quality will help hold moisture in but in a lot of cases, will feel too think and gunky. I recommend my clients use 302 Body Treatment Intensive lotion (can be used on face or body). It’s a little thicker than the 302 Recovery Lotion but moisturizes without the “spackle” quality that a lot of heavy moisturizers have. It also has a yummy citrusy-minty smell that’s very light. If you still feel that is not enough and need more moisturizing , I recommend coating the skin with a thin layer of Jojoba oil after cleansing in the evenings. You can usually find it at the health food store in the skin care section or sometimes in drug stores. Don’t use so much that you could fry an egg in the oil slick on your forehead! Just a dime size amount on your entire face is plenty. Applied nightly after cleansing the skin can help soften the skin and hold in moisture at the same time. If you feel too oily or slippery after you apply it just blot your face with a tissue. Doing this nightly for a few weeks during the winter or just when your skin is overly dry is a good way to get through the frozen months with your skin still looking subtle. Another option would be to mix a few drops of Jojoba in your hand with one pump of 302 Recovery Lotion or 302 Body Treatment and apply it to the face when you are feeling too dry. I would also recommend a light exfoliation with the ultrasound machine for dry skin in the winter. And I emphasize “light”, just enough to get rid of a tiny bit of dead skin on the surface so that the skin can more easily absorb products applied for moisurizing. Also the Ultrasound treatment provides a deep penetration of a serum into the skin using sonophoresis. For someone with dry skin an infusion of this type using a non-acid Vitamin C serum can give the skin a nice boost of moisturizing. For experienced 302 users, a Signature Vitamin B Treatment will increase blood flow and really perk up skin that has been unresponsive to moisturizers. The vitamin b treatment drastically stimulates circulation and boosts metabolic activity in skin for up to a week afterward. (This treatment is not recommended for clients who have any kind of inflamation or acne present.)

Oily Skin Symptoms and Treatment

Now you naturally oily skin types are a whole different story. If your skin is naturally oily, usually when you wash your face in the morning you end up oily before lunch and your one of those people who is needing to powder your nose all the time…This can be an especially hard thing to deal with in the winter because even though the weather has you feeling dry applying more moisture can end up clogging your pores since the pores tend to be a little bigger in oily skinned individuals. Clogged pores just lead to acne eventually, which oily skin types are prone to enough already.

Oily skin is actually a blessing in my opinion. It means you will end up with less wrinkles in the long run, so I don’t like the idea of just drying up the oil. What you need to do is get your skin functioning correctly again. I recommend staying away from all exfoliating acids such as alpha or beta hydroxy. Benzoyl peroxide is another one to stay away from. In the long run they’ll do you more harm than good. If you are oily and have no acne breakouts I would recommend using 302 Recovery Lotion for a moisturizser as needed. I say “as needed” because many oily skin types use too much moisturizer. Only use it if you feel or look dry, this may be every day or may not. While Recovery Plus is designed for any skin type, oily people tend to love it’s light, gel-like texture that soaks in without leaving any slippery feeling. Another good product for oily skin types is 302 Calming Mist. It’s a calming spray that is moisturizing and soothing. You can use it in combination with Recovery Plus Lotion or by itself depending on how much moisture you need.

Acne and Dry Skin

Sometimes in the winter, even though you are feeling dryer than normal you find your face breaking out even worse. And you might notice more of what I call “underground” acne. That’s when you get those mean, painful, cyst-like pimples that sometimes don’t even come all the way to the surface, they just sit there and look red and swollen and miserable. Sound fun? These can mean the skin isn’t function normally. The skin is an organ and has it’s own systems and functions just like your kidneys would. If somethings not functioning correctly it tends to look sick or inflammed. Those “underground” pimples, I believe in some cases, are a result of an infected and impacted sebaceous (oil) gland combined with a build up on the surface of too many dead, dry skin cells. Often the whole mess is compounded by an evil hormone of some kind… whether it be the garden variety female once-a-month thing or good old fashioned stress. So what’s a girl (or guy) to do?

If you are acne-prone or if you have current acne breakouts I would suggest Recovery Lotion (RX), which has a similar texture and feel as Recovery Plus but has some added calming and soothing ingredients. Also the use of 302 Acne Mist is a nice thing to add to your routine if you have acne, no matter what time of year it is. This spray used twice a day on bare clean skin has an outstanding result on acne. It contains Epigallocatechins (I didn’t even try to sound that one out!) that come from green tea and have been found to provide an anti-bacterial effect equivalent to 4% Benzoyl Peroxide. It also contains natural sapponins which reduce discomfort and redness and enzymes which reduce or even eliminate the formation of pimples! It also has a light moisturizing effect as well. This is by far one of my favorite 302 products.

If you have oily and/or acneaic skin and are having increased dryness in the wintertime, a little exfoliation will help also. Use a facial brush once a day or every other day when washing your face instead of a wash cloth. A light, even scrubbing with a brush will help get the skin completely clean, while removing any debri like dead skin so that moisturizers can soak in more effeciently. An Ultrasonic facial as mentioned earlier with an infusion of vitamin C will add a nice boost of light moisture and help the skin look more alive during the winter months. For acne sufferers, an additional infusion of Vitamin A serum with the ultrasound device will help with breakouts without over-drying the skin. A great non-drying spot-treatment for acne is 302 Ointment-rx, a natural, fragrance free, neutral ointment barrier cream designed for burns, rashes and open wounds.

Nutritional and Medical Considerations

Eating a balanced diet that includes vegetables (especially yellow and orange ones for the vitamin A), fruits, seeds and nuts and eating quality protein from vegtable sources and Increasing your intake in raw foods can show a significant improvement in dry skin conditions. Fish oil and flax seed which contain Omega-3 fatty acids are great for all the connective tissues in your body including your skin. And while I love my potato chips or some good ole french fries, oils that are heated either in processing or cooking are proven to have a destructive effect on the skin, so try to limit those fried foods. They are yummy but they are bad for the rest of your body too, moderation is key.

I have tried many products over the years and found many that work and many that don’t. Clients ask me all the time about specific products they have bought or are thinking about purchasing and I’m always happy to weigh in with my opinion based on what I know about the ingredients of a product. I try not to pay too much attention to the actual marketing of any product since lets face it, they all claim to be miraculous! I try to do as much research as I can on the ingredients and delivery system of the skin care products I use or am thinking about using.
If you’d like to pick my brain…just give me a call!

You can find more information about me and my business at:
http://www.skinessentialswichita.com/

Fact: You are 20% more beautiful than you think...

2009-01-02T21:04:00.000-08:00

You’re 20% more beautiful than you think…

Now this is not just my opinion.

This statement is actually based on scientific research. I learned this recently while reading The Beauty Prescription: The Complete Formula For Looking and Feeling Beautiful by Debra Luftman, M.D. & Eva Ritvo, M.D.
This book which is written by a Beverly Hills Dermatologist and a South Beach Psychiatrist, really had a lot of eye-opening tid-bits of information in it. According to these two physicians, women view themselves 20% less attractive than others perceive them. “Many people stand before the mirror as though they’re having a mug shot taken. There’s none of the personality, fire, or swagger that they exhibit in the real world. Your reflection is simply not the whole you. Others also see your charisma, wit, kindness, empathy, intellect, talent-whatever makes you special.” In other words the world sees you as more than the sum of your parts.

Evidently this book was a collaboration of two friends, a Dermatologist and Psychiatrist. While they practiced different specialties they found they were treating the same patients with the same concerns and found a powerful connection between self-esteem and physical appearance. They noticed when their patients received help in one area, they improved in the other.

The premise of The Beauty Prescription is the difference between “Innate Beauty” and “Evolving Beauty”. Innate beauty refers to beauty as a genetic purpose, to send signals to potential mates that one is healthy and able to bare children. The book also talks about study after study showing how “beautiful” people are often times more successful and tend to live better and longer lives. One study showed that the brain’s “reward circuitry” actually lit up on an MRI when young men viewed images of attractive female faces!

Just when I read enough about “Innate Beauty” to feel like the genetic cards were stacked against most of us, I got to the part about “Evolving Beauty”. This part of beauty is about how as our brains change with age and experience they are able to be “reprogrammed” as to what we find beautiful and attractive. They suggest that when you know and love who you are as a whole person and when you feel confident about yourself and your choices, it will automatically effect your physical appearance. Outer beauty influences your health, happiness, social status and success, and vise versa. If you look good you feel good, if you feel good you look good!

I enjoyed the fact that this book is packed with real advice on recognizing inner beauty and true wellness. They state that the purpose of the book is to come up with a new standard of self-worth that goes beyond physical beauty. The best part is the “beauty-brain” loop. You are who you think you are. You see yourself as you see the world. If you don’t think your beautiful, just look around you and see the beauty in life and in turn, you will be beautiful! I love books with little sidebars to read along the way and this one has “Beauty Busters”, which were little myths about beauty, mental health and cosmetic medicine. There are also some great quotes from prominent women, celebrities and beauty biz insiders.

Ok, I do have to mention that I’ve read many books on the subject of “beauty” and a lot of them are filled with “tests” to find your “true skin type” or your “real age”. Then they tend give you the same old lists of regimens and products that seem to be regurgitated by every single dermatologist that decided to write a book. This book has very little of that, it does have some practical tips on sunscreen and nutrition which are great. Unfortunately there is a small section on “shopping at the beauty counter with with Dr. Debra”. Once again I was disappointed to see almost all over-the-counter products, most of which are packed with synthetic ingredients and preservatives not to mention harsh exfoliating acids. Having tried an amazing amount of the products listed in the book, I will concede that while these products may not be the root of all evil, I am not a fan of them. It may be a while till the dermatological book writing circuit realizes there are many more natural and non-inflammatory methods of taking care of the skin.*

So now that I’ve shared my humble opinion on The Beauty Prescription, my professional advice is: read it! You will find it refreshing and empowering!

The Beauty Prescription can be found on Amazon

* To learn more about me, my services and products, visit my website www.skinessentialswichita.com

Oprah and Dr. Oz's Take on Beauty

2008-11-14T05:56:00.000-08:00

There are so many opinion’s out there on what products to use on your skin and what treatments to get and the options really run the gamut. You can pay just about any price and never really know what you’re getting till your money is already spent. It’s hard to know who to believe sometimes even when you are a self-described “expert” like me!

This week Oprah ran a show with her resident expert on health, Dr. Mehmet Oz. I am a big fan of Dr. Oz because he has a way of explaining health issues that really get right to the point and give you the information you need to know with just enough technical and scientific information so that you’re aren’t completely bored at the same time.

The show titled, “Dr. Oz: Science of Beauty”, contained a lot of good advice about nutrition and the skin. For instance consuming vitamin a, b and c to turn back the clock and using niacin and licorice extract to help with sunspots. Dr. Oz also recommended many foods for skin health on the show. "Avocados, soybeans and nuts all contain biotin, an essential vitamin for healthy skin," he says. "A lack of biotin has been known to cause dermatitis—swollen, itchy or extremely dry skin." Add salmon for skin elasticity, pomegranates to help produce more collagen and keep the skin looking young, and plenty of tomatoes. "Studies have shown that Lycopene in tomatoes can protect your skin from aging by preventing sunburns," Dr. Oz says. "The most important thing with tomatoes is to make sure they're with oil. If you heat them up and mix them with oil, that's called pasta sauce."

I was impressed with his simple explanation of acne and how a pimple is formed. I think most people don’t know that. He basically described a pimple as excess oil trapped in the hair follicle that builds up and becomes infected. I agree with his advice on not popping a pimple as well…most of the time it makes them worse, causes more redness, inflammation and further infection.

So many of my clients ask me about under-eye bags and circles. That is such a tough problem to address for most women, and I think Dr. Oz had a very good explanation of what they are how they can be treated. “Everyone has natural fat around the eyes,” Dr. Oz explains. "It cushions the eye so if you get hit, it protects the eye," he says. When people develop long-term under-eye bags, it's usually because that fat begins to herniate. "The fat oozes out and starts to stick [under the eyes] because of gravity."

If your under-eye bags come and go when you're sleep deprived, eye creams or cucumber slices can help. But Dr. Oz says the only true solution for long-term bags is plastic surgery. "Eyes are the first place you really see aging, and it's probably the safest [invasive] plastic procedure that there is," he says. "But I don't want you all running out to get it, because I think across the board women are more worried about the bags under their eyes than the men who love them are."

Now I know Dr. Oz has got a new book to sell and while I’m a HUGE Oprah fan, I disagreed with many items on the show….You don’t need a Harvard-trained Dermatologist or a Visia Complexion Analysis System to find out if your skin is healthy. The Dermatologist on the show, Dr. Susan Evans, recommended many over the counter and drug store products which usually contain a large amount of synthetic ingredients and preservatives and not too many actual active ingredients. While I agree that skin products don’t have to be expensive to work, I don’t agree that just any product that claims to have vitamin A or C in it will improve the skin. Some formula’s that advertise these ingredients have a very small amount in them and also are constructed out of very large sized molecules that cannot absorb into the skin. Many vitamin C products, like the ascorbic acid they mentioned on the show, can be very inflammatory and aren’t for everyone. Especially people with sensitive skin, they can often exacerbate the problem and create an inflammatory cycle for people with acne.

I was also disappointed that most of the anti-aging recommendations made by both Dr. Oz and Dr. Evans were for strong acid products and chemical peels and laser treatments. These are again, all inflammatory ways of caring for the skin and can result in further damage and visible wrinkles. And the advice to use gel sunscreen on someone who has acne seemed strange to me when there are so many good mineral sunscreens on the market that work so much better for both sun protection and controlling break-outs.

So there is my “expert” opinion on what Oprah’s “experts” had to say. The bottom line is, research what you are using on your skin before you use it. Don’t fall for the advertising…ask someone who has used it before, what was their response to the product or treatment. I only use products and treatments that I have personally used on a regular basis and believe in their results. I do have a few product lines for sale, but I am not in the retail business to get rich or I would invest in a huge inventory. Instead, the products I carry are more of a service to my clients to support the treatments and advice I am giving on skin health. I carry mostly testers and samples and then you can order the product if you like it.

To learn more about me, my services and products, visit my website www.skinessentialswichita.com

Visit http://www.oprah.com/slideshow/oprahshow/20081023_tows_beautybook/1 to see the entire content of the show “Dr. Oz the Science of Beauty” There is more to read about there such as bad breath, feet and hair issues! Oh and sorry but there is also no cure for cellulite...damn!

Dr. Oz’s book is called You: Being Beautiful co-written by Dr. Michael Roizen and yes…I plan to read it!

Eyelash Extensions - Your Questions Answered

2008-11-05T09:15:00.000-08:00

I'm always getting phone calls and questions about eyelash extensions. They are a fairly new phenomenon in my part of the country so there are alot of details and instructions to know.

One thing that is often asked is why are they so expensive? "Can't I just go get a $20 eyelash job at my corner nail salon?" Well, I suppose you could, and judging from what I've seen from lesser priced establishments, the question should really be why are they so cheap? Are they licensed and trained to perform a delicate procedure on your eyelids? Are they using safe and effective products? How many days can you expect them to last?

Most bargain-priced eyelash jobs last anywhere from a few days to a week. Typically they are using the same false eyelashes you can buy at a drugstore with the same temporary glue you can apply on your own. I've even seen some jobs where the eyelashes were applied with hair glue which is sticky and rubbery and very obviously visible and unattractive in my professional opinion.

At Skin Essentials I use only NovaLash adhesive.

NovaLash is the ONLY lash extension product that is:

•AEWCA-approved
•American made – Pharmaceutical grade
•Physician-formulated
•Made in the USA in accordance with FDA recommendations for formaldehyde content

Most of the leading brands of lash extension adhesives tested by the AEWCA were found to contain toxic and carcinogenic irritants such as formaldehyde. Many untested industrial-grade adhesives (commonly used in auto manufacturing) enter the US and European market through China and Korea. These Asian-produced adhesives are branded in the US and marketed as "American" brands.

Because the eye area is one of the most sensitive parts of the body, the NovaLash team of physicians and scientists formulated the first formaldehyde-free, medical-grade lash extension adhesive (patent pending). Their adhesive is manufactured and delivered free of formaldehyde as confirmed by testing under EPA method TO-11A/8315HPLC-UV.

For more information on NovaLash products, you can visit them on the web at www.novalash.com

As far as everything else you want to know...take a look at my F.A.Q.......
-Pam Spillman, Owner, Skin Essentials

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Eyelash Extensions?

Eyelash Extensions are a totally new way to extend the length and thickness of your eyelashes. They are applied on a hair-by-hair basis to your own lashes for a totally natural look. All you have to do is close your eyes and relax. When you open them you’ll have gorgeous, natural looking, long eyelashes!

How long do they last?

When properly applied, lashes can last up to two months or more. Touch-ups are recommended after initial full set application to replace any lashes that might have fallen off. For best results touch-ups are recommended every two weeks. For extra-thick extensions or for long-term wear (more than three months) use of an eyelash conditioner product is recommended to keep your lashes extra healthy and strong.

How do I care for my Lash Extensions?

Avoid getting your eyelashes wet for the first 24 hours after the application. This allows the glue to set.
Care must be taken not to rub eyes, or scratch. It is very important not pull on your eyelash extensions as this can result in loosing your natural eyelash.
Only use water based products on the eye area, any creams, eye makeup removers, lotions, or cleansers containing oils can loosen the bond of the adhesive.
Regular touch-ups are the best way to care for your lashes. These appointments allow the lashes to be carefully cleaned and more lashes to be applied to keep a fresh, full look.

Can I add mascara to Lash Extensions?

Use of mascara on your extensions may shorten their life-span. You may however wear mascara on your bottom eyelashes

How much do Lashes cost?

The initial application of your eyelashes is $250 and can take up to 2 hours.
Touch-ups every two-weeks are $45 and last up to 45 minutes. Extended touch-ups beyond a two-week period start at $60
Never attempt to remove eyelash extensions yourself. Removal of extensions is free of charge.

For the lashes nature should have given you…
Professional training and experience make all the difference!
Skin Essentials @ Clifton Square
316-250-0287
www.skinessentialswichita.com

Are you being mislead by cosmetics advertising?

2008-10-19T15:22:00.000-07:00

Just the Essentials...

Did you know?

Neither cosmetic products nor cosmetic ingredients are reviewed or approved by the FDA before they are sold to you.

The FDA cannot require companies do safety testing of their products before marketing.

There is no regulation that says a cosmetic has to have proof that their product lives up to it's advertised results.

Are you being mislead by Cosmetics Advertising?
The huge number of things we are told about skin care and other beauty concerns is nothing less than astounding. That's why, when you begin thinking in terms of reality, facts, and balanced information, it is important to ignore the baseless, unfounded claims that are constantly bandied about in the guise of serious information. You may have run into the following terms and sales pitches for myriad skin-care and makeup products. These come-ons entice purchasers, even though they are vague or illogical.

"Soothing botanicals"
Botanicals is simply another name for plants, such as herbs and flowers, or plant extracts in the form of oils or juices. Is any of that soothing? There are definitely some soothing botanicals, such as green tea, kola extract, willowherb, bisabolol, licorice root (glycyrrhetinic acid), and burdock root to name a few. But there are also a great many natural ingredients, from lemons to strawberries, lavender oil, and jojoba, that can be problematic for lots of skin types, either as irritants or because they can clog pores. I can't tell you the number of products I've found that make claims about being good for sensitive skin, even though they contain a host of these irritating ingredients.

"Superficial lines"
Watch out for the word "superficial"; it is a powerful tool when used in cosmetics advertising. "Superficial lines" really refer to the temporary, transient lines caused by dryness, not sun damage (sun-damaged wrinkles are hardly superficial). Most products could make elaborate claims about smoothing superficial wrinkles and they would not be lying to you. Superficial wrinkles go away when you put on any moisturizer, and that is wonderful. But—and I repeat, but—superficial wrinkles are not the ones you are worried about. Permanent wrinkles, like laugh lines, furrows between the eyes and on the forehead, and expression lines, are not eliminated by a moisturizer unless it contains irritants that temporarily swell the skin. The word "superficial" is misleading because it doesn't really refer to the lines and wrinkles women are most concerned about.

"So advanced, it's patented"
Patent law just means that the company was able to show a formula or ingredient was in some way unique. It can also establish that an existing ingredient or formula has a unique use. None of that has anything to do with efficacy. A company could patent a terrible formula or a good formula; an erroneous or verifiable claim; as long as it's unique—that's all a patent means. The patent is simply about who can use or sell the formula or ingredient, or who can make a specific public claim about the use of a formula or ingredient. Most major cosmetics companies own thousands of patents, but that doesn't tell you anything about how advanced or mediocre those patents are.

"Just for your ultra-delicate eye area"
The advertiser may want you to use the eye cream only around your eyes, which means you have to buy a face lotion separately, yet the ingredients of these products are rarely different enough to warrant the extra expense and rarely have any special formulary function specific to the eye area. There is no reason an eye cream can't be used on the face or the face lotion can't be used around the eyes. The only time a special eye cream would be necessary is when the skin around the eyes is different from the skin on the rest of the face, which may require a more or less emollient moisturizer, but that's a different issue from the need for an eye cream.

"Visible lift with proven results"
The study mentioned in this ad doesn't say what the improvement was based on. A comparison to another product? To one side of the face that was stripped bare with alcohol? It also doesn't comment on who made the assessment about the improvement. If it was the company's own appraisal, they clearly had reason to notice that the skin looked better. Claims like these are meaningless, but sound great.

To the cosmetics industry a wrinkle signifies a pot of gold. So do liver spots, dry skin, and gray hair. People have tried all sorts of concoctions for centuries , even millennia to reverse the signs of aging. Today’s arsenal of chemicals, though, is unique. Some products may actually work. The trick is to know which may be based on scientific evidence and which are just fantasies. Consulting a licensed professional who has studied and continued to study cosmetics and their ingredients can prevent you from wasting money on products that either don’t work, or just aren’t worth it.

Concerned about what you are spending your money on in the cosmetics isle? Want to know what really works? You wouldn’t eat something without knowing what it was. Don’t you want to take the same care with what you put on your face? I choose only professional skincare products that I’ve personally researched and believe in their results. Call me to find out about simple things you can do to improve your skin, without wasting your money.

Pam at Skin Essentials.
316-250-0287
www.skinessentialswichita.com