MSM for Hyper-Pigmentation (Brown Spots)

When you have Melasma, hyperpigmentation or sun spots as some call them, only about 30% of it is actually visible. The rest of the spots are still in the lower layers of the skin waiting to surface. This is why it can seem really hard to get rid of this particular condition.

MSM which contains organic sulfur  is a powerful anti-oxidant and natural hormone balancer that targets abnormal pigmentation without effecting the pigmentation process or tanning mechanism of the body. The recovery rate for taking MSM for brown spots is relative to how long you've had the spots and also the cause of the pigmentation. Some have results in 12 hours to 3-7 days and others take weeks and months.
Melasma can appear darker during menstruation even while taking MSM, don't get discouraged as this is just a temporary set back. Results can include tiny "cracks" or "holes" in the dark patches that gradually combine to form larger patches of normal skin color.Overall fading of the dark patches can occur at the same time or later on.  Taking birth control pills may hamper progress of fading brown spots but you may see results to varying degrees. This is true with other medications that affect hormones.

MSM is a mineral and therefore considered safe. 2000 mg  is great for general health and then increasing the dose gradually up to 5000mg showed results for pigmentation. It's well tolerated by most people. Always consult your health care provider or physician before taking supplements or changing your diet. Especially if you take medications of any kind.*

If MSM or other treatments have not worked to reduce your hyper-pigmentation then other underlying health issues could be hindering your results.
Here's some things that are definitely worth a try:

1. Improve your diet with more wholesome organic food and fresh produce. Cut down on excess sugar and salt
2. Take a good quality B-group vitamin daily (Focusing on B3, B5, Folic Acid and B12)
3. Try Coenzyme Q10, Vitamin E or Selenium in addition to MSM (They are anti-oxidants)
4. Increase your water intake, reduce alcohol and caffeine.
5. Reduce your exposure to chemicals whenever possible. Environmental pollution or chemical makeup and sunscreen could be aggravating the condition. (Use only mineral sunscreens and natural organic makeup and skincare)
6. Reduce your stress! Indulge in relaxing activities.
7. Don't Give UP! Be patient, it could take some time!

I would love to hear from you if you have tried MSM supplementation for hyper pigmentation, or if you've found other successful treatments for this condition. Feel free to comment here or contact me directly.

*Source: Melasma-Is this the Clear Solution? by Vanessa Wild

Avocados for your skin

You probably know that avocados are super foods—rich in antioxidants and heart-healthy monounsaturated fats. But they’re also wonderful for your skin, and here’s why. Avocados contain the nutrient avogen, which is crucial to repairing what’s called the extra-cellular matrix, or ECM. As we age, our ECM becomes more brittle and less elastic—leading to thinner, drier, damaged skin.

This daily supplement and facial mist isolate the avogen nutrient to deliver unique, visible results with all-natural ingredients. Avogen helps repair ECM cell and protect them from aging and stress. What that means is that your skin is softer, smoother, and more plump. Just take a capsule once a day, and spray a light, even layer of the facial mist in the morning and before bed, right after washing your face.

As long as you’re not allergic to avocados, Avogen is great because there are no side effects—no stomach upset, no skin irritation, nothing. It’s a pure and natural supplement that does what it says: makes your skin look younger and healthier. (Available at Skin Essentials)

   

Eyelashing gone wrong

Sorry but I just had to share this.
I'm constantly being asked why I charge so much for eyelash extensions when there are so many places out there doing it for much, much less. Well I usually politely tell them that I set my prices to what my time and experience are worth. (I also kinda have to wonder if some of these cheap places are just using slave labor, I mean doing eyelash extensions is alot of work and I feel really bad for those not getting paid adequately for it!)
Here's a picture for those looking for the ultimate eyelash deal. Sometimes you really do get what you pay for. I took this picture of client who had extensions applied for a family members wedding. She was getting her hair done for the event and another stylist at that particular salon offered to apply eyelash extensions for $30. Great deal right? She liked the look but a few days later they started to become uncomfortable and she called her salon to make an appointment to remove the lashes. They not only told her that they don't remove lashes, (what?) they also told her to just soak her eyelashes in baby oil to get them off. (Please don't put baby oil on your eyes people!) She tried her best to remove them, but some just wouldn't come off. She came to see me for a facial and I removed what was left of these extensions. They were single extensions and there were massive amounts of them applied in "piles" or "clumps" using ALOT of strong adhesive. It took about 15 minutes of soaking them in a strong solvent for me to be able to remove them.
Here is a photo of what they looked like when she came in:

You may have to zoom to see how clumped these poor lashes were. Notice the sparseness of the rest of the eyelashes. Trying to remove them with baby oil of course doesn't really break the bond of the glue, therefore there is a lot of pulling which results in the natural eyelashes just being pulled out.

My client was thankful to finally have them removed completely, since her eyes were becoming very irritated from trying to get them off on her own. She really regrets having done the service and felt really abused by the particular salon she went to since they didn't tell her what she was really getting into and then didn't help to fix the problem in the end. She's now using Latisse to try and recover the growth of her lashes and get them healthy again.

Notice I am not naming the particular salon that applied these lashes, they know who they are and it's not my job to give them bad press. I would encourage anyone who wants to provide eyelash extensions professionally to get the proper training needed. Experience and training do make a very big difference when it comes to this service.

Cosmetic Filler Injection can lead to blindness?

Whoa! Just read this little tidbit from Skin Inc. Magazine. Freaked out? uh yeah...
I do not partake in fillers and don't judge those who do BUT If you get injections please do your research too and make sure you know for sure what you are getting into.

Study: Cosmetic Filler Injections Can Cause Retinal Blockage Leading to Blindness

Posted: October 19, 2012

A study conducted by a team of Korean researchers has revealed that cosmetic filler injections can cause a dangerous retinal blockage that can lead to blindness and other serious conditions.

The American Journal of Ophthalmology has published a report  from Sung Wook Park and a team of researchers with Seoul National University’s Bundang Hospital that evaluated 12 consecutive patients with retinal artery occlusion, which is a blockage in one of the small arteries that carry blood to the retina, caused by cosmetic facial filler injections. 

The team concluded that cosmetic filler injections into the glabellar region or nasolabial fold can cause retinal artery occlusion. Iatrogenic ophthalmic artery occlusion is associated with painful blindness, a thin choroid, brain infarction (an ischemic stroke) and poor visual outcomes particularly when autologous fat is used.

Ophthalmic examination and systematic brain magnetic resonance imaging, they noted, should be performed in patients with ocular pain after such injections.

Source: http://www.skininc.com/skinscience/physiology/174981081.html?utm_source=newsletter-html&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=SI+E-Newsletter+10-24-2012

Is keeping up your appearance a declaration of feminism?

I read this article in Harpar's bazaar:
Looking better at 45 than 25.

The author, Elizabeth Wurtzel argues that Self-improvement is a matter of self-respect. And she doesn't just mean getting a Harvard education. She's talking about keeping up your appearance and combating what she called "slovenliness" . "The current state of slovenliness is a sign of a nation in decline and of despairing distaff population."

You can't take a "fashion" magazine too seriously anyhoo...I honestly look at it for the pictures of all the pretty clothes and cool makeup looks. I try my best to look good. I do it because it makes me feel better about myself and on some level for artistic expression, but feminism?  I don't know, that's a stretch. (And I certainly don't aspire to look like the women in this magazine!). Now I'll admit sometimes I see folks out in public who have thrown in the towel but who am I to judge...maybe they are just having a really bad week? Is what you wear and how you do your makeup a reflection on the state of your life, your values or a reflection on the condition of our country?

What do you think?

Is your spray tan safe?

ABC News/ Good Morning America recently aired a story regarding the safety of spray tanning.
The news media did not differentiate between data that was obtained for automated spray booths and for hand-held turbine devices. The hand-held turbine devices are considered to be safe and do not need/require many of the safety precautions that the automated spray booths require.


The study that was used in the report presented by the media was done by the European Commission Scientific Study on Consumer Safety:
http://ec.europa.eu/health/scientific_committees/consumer_safety/docs/sccs_o_048.pdf

Spray tanning technique

The techniques that should be used are designed to minimize dihydroxyacetone (DHA) exposure to the clients. The suggested treatment time consists of less than two minutes of spraying with approximately 50 mL of product. The spray pattern should be designed to push the overspray to the ground, minimizing it and, recommend using an extraction fan if you do not have proper room ventilation.

Products

The report by the European Commission shows that high levels of DHA should not be inhaled by either the technician or the client. Most “rapid-developing” products that are on the market have active ingredient levels of 14-22%, which are considered too high for inhalation.

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA)

DHA (the same active ingredient in every self-tanner, spray tan or sunless tanning treatment) has been approved for decades by the FDA for cosmetic use. As there have been no studies on inhalation and exposure done directly by the FDA (even though the European Commission has done studies), they advise that the products should not be used in the mucous membranes.(*Source: Skin Inc. Magazine June 18, 2012)

Skin Essentials uses a hand-held turbine device for sunless tanning and we use extraction fans. We also have all suggested safety items available to our clients: nose filters, eye covers, undergarments and lip balm.

True Story: Brazilian Bikini Waxing

Since I became an Esthetician this is probably the service people ask me about the most! I should say that I personally do not offer or perform this service, however my co-worker Kelly offers it and it is starting to become popular. 

Here is an actual interview of a client's experience with Brazilian Bikini Waxing Service. I purposely found someone who had not had this done at Skin Essentials, since I wanted a true, unbiased opinion/testimonial.

I would love to hear any words of wisdom or tips and tricks from anyone out there who partakes in this type of waxing.

If you could just tell me a little bit about your brazilian wax experience:Was it in Wichita? 
    I've had Brazilian waxing at numerous places, including Wichita.      A few towns in California, another in Kansas and one in Minnesota.
What was it like?
    The 1st time was terrible....I swore I would never do it again.    When I say terrible....it was because it took almost 2 hours and some areas were rewaxed.  OUCH!   Not a good sign when that happens.  A year went by and I went to a salon that was recommended.  I ended up going there for 2 years, about every 4-6 weeks for "maintenance"..  That woman could get every stitch of hair in 13 minutes.  She and her products were gentler and they worked. 
What did you love about it?  
    I loved the results.   When the hair started to grow back, it was finer, which is great since mine is so dark and coarse.  I can get ingrown hairs, red bumps and a rash from shaving.   When done right, waxing almost eliminated those problems.  It never will truly go away, but it is unnoticeable enough for me to confidentially wear a swimsuit.
What did you hate about it?
    The lady at the first place (and later when I moved to KS) didn't know what she was doing and the wax was cheap....I am apparently sensitive to certain waxes and not all of them actually work (as in, removing the unwanted hair).   Because I am a brunette, my hair is coarse and harder to remove.  Certain waxes are better than others.  It does take a few times to be comfortable with some of the odd positions, so be prepared for that.
Do you regret doing it? And why?
    I do not regret it, even the bad experiences.  I learned what is good for my skin and what I should stay away from.Or would you do it again and why?    If I find someone where I live now (OK), I will definitely do it again.  Its a MUST for the summertime, but if I kept it up throughout the year, the hair grows back at a slower pace, is finer, and by the next summer, my life is easier.  
How did the experience make you feel? (for example, embarrassed, scared, relieved..etc)
    I was embarrassed the first few time because of the positions you have to sometimes get in.  But if you want it done right, it is necessary.  Even if the wax is better, and the person knows what they are dong, it is going to hurt.  There is no way around that.  Do research before you book an appointment (and take a Motrin before you  go).  It's worth it!