Autoimmune Disease and Skin

"Today, I was reminded that this is Lupus Awareness Month.  My niece has Lupus, and today she walked in The Walk to End Lupus to raise money for more research into this debilitating autoimmune disease.  I am very proud of her as she has overcome many obstacles when it comes to her health.  She, at the moment, is not taking any medication for her Lupus symptoms.  Eating correctly, exercising (she enjoys and instructs Yoga) and doing her best to stay ahead of the debilitating effects she suffers from is key to feeling better.

Autoimmune Diseases can be very hard to diagnose and treat.  When I first started studying skin, I didn't realize all of the things we think are common skin conditions are actually autoimmune diseases.  A couple of these are psoriasis and eczema.  The good news is as an esthetician I can suggest things that will help relieve  some of the symptoms that can be annoying.  I also have an incredible skincare line that clears up so much of these symptoms.  I have witnessed first hand the incredible results.

I wish I could make these type of diseases disappear but I can't.  I can, however help overcome some of the hurdles when the skin is compromised.  My prayer is when someone learns they have an autoimmune disease that affects their skin they will seek out professionals that can help them with symptoms."

Wedding Day!!!

"Well here I am, one week before my only daughter gets married! She is my baby, the youngest of two, and her older brother is not yet married either.

 I have so many mixed emotions as I come down to this final week of lists, lists, and more lists!  I don't even know where to start.  I am happy, sad, excited, frantic, calm (sometimes), and overwhelmed, just to name a few!  I know there are so many things I didn't say, didn't do, etc.  No regrets, as I will do my best now to say what I need to when I need to say it.

My husband and I are pleased with her choice.  She waited and prayed a long time for this man. He honors her, adores her and loves her.  What more could parents hope for?  May the blessings flow for a life of good fortune and love.

This is a new chapter in all of our lives.  I look forward to this on many levels.  She will make a stunning, beautiful bride, a wonderful wife and a fantastic mother whenever God blesses them with children.

Of course, skin care always weaves it's way into our everyday routine, and this not-so-everyday occurrence is no different.  The skin being the largest organ filters everything, from the inside out and visa versa.  I have said it before.  So we started preparing her skin early for her wedding day!  With the right skincare regimen, and products her skin will be beautiful and radiant for her big Day! We are ready for the emotional breakouts with Herbal Spot treatment, one of my favorites (and one of hers too)! We've removed all of that pesky hair from her bikini and underarms. And her skin is looking fabulous after facials and other treatments designed especially to give it what it needs. The trick to all of this, as with any other part of planning a wedding, is to have (you guessed it) a plan.  One shouldn't think going to her esthetician the month before her wedding is enough time.  Three to six months with the correct plan mapped out is more appropriate.  An Esthetician should be able to take care of all the skin care needs along with makeup, and the perfect travel products for your skin type and honeymoon destination. (You wouldn't want to take a heavy moisturizer if you were traveling to a tropical setting, so to speak).

An Esthetician can help you move off to the BIG day with confidence, so you can make it beautiful! Here we go!"

Sun Protection

With the warmer weather on the way and the clouds clearing as we approach summer I want to clear up some recent controversy about sunscreens. Lately a lot of research has been published on how certain chemicals in most sunscreens cause cancer but going out without some kind of protection is just as bad. While true on both counts if you know what to look for in your sunscreens then you can have a fun and fruitful day in the sun! After all we still need some UV exposure in order to make Vitamin D and help our bodies function at peak efficiency.

Read your labels! If the product you are using contains Oxybenzone or any Parabens, stay away from it. Research shows that when exposed to sunlight Oxybenzone changes into a form of estrogen which can feed cancer cells. Parabens actually change the DNA of the cell, sometimes causing it to become cancerous. The FDA has stepped in to keep companies from falsely advertising their products with claims like "waterproof" and "all-day protection",  however it is up to the consumer to know what they are putting on their skin.

So where do we go from here? Too much protection or Too much sun? The point is to use the correct protection, correctly. It doesn't last on the skin forever, reapplying is the only way to keep the protection current. Also, don't be fooled into buying something that can do just as much, if not more, harm to your skin. Osmosis Pur Medical Skincare has a Harmonized water that protects from the inside out without any side effects.  If you have questions ask your personal esthetician. Don't have one? I would love to help you with your choices. Please contact me and we can see how to make your days out in this beautiful weather both fun and healthy.

You can find more information at MedicineNet.com or google sunscreens.

The time has changed, are you ready?

Here we are in mid March. We have just sprung forward, so now I am getting up in the dark - again.  And we are still experiencing the most unusual weather patterns we have seen in years.  If your skin is like mine, it still feels dry from the elements and the heat in the house.  It is very important to continue to stay hydrated, use the proper moisturizer and remember to use sun protection.  Did you notice I didn't say sunscreen?   I believe some sunscreens create more damage in the long run.  Be careful of what you put on your skin.  I will talk more about sun protection in April.

Now is a good time to start or prepare to start a spring detox.  There are many good cleansing systems out there, from colon cleansing to just a gentle tea cleansing.  When starting a cleanse don't be surprised if your skin seems to breakout more or feel differently, however your skin should response positively by the end and look radiant and beautiful.

I hope March doesn't go out like a lion because it came in like a lamb!

March!? Really?

Wow, can you believe it is March 2014?  I am having a hard time wrapping my head around that one!

I have just spent 4 days in continuing education, learning more about skin, the oncology client and how to better serve my clients with compromised health issues.  (you know I am a geek when it comes to learning about skin!)  The skin never stops amazing me!

As I write this I am freaking out just a little, my daughter will be married in two MONTHS!  Yikes.  I have so much to do and yet so much is already completed!  We are really excited for her and her new husband and what the future holds for them.

I am really excited about the Dermafiles I have added to my menu.  I am working on creating a video to demonstrate this awesome service, it will be posted on my website and FB when it is completed.  I prefer Dermafile because it is, in my opinion, a much safer alternative to microdermabrasion.  It exfoliates without causing damage and allows me to get closer to the nose and delicate eye areas.  I complete every treatment by feeding the skin with a nice healing mask, allowing the rejuvenation to take place.  When performed in a series of at least 6 sessions incredible results follow.  The reduction of fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and the smoothing out of ones complexion and more. Try it I think you will like it, but hurry this treatment can't be performed May thru September.  Of course I have other rejuvenating treatments for summer months!

It looks like March came in like a lamb.....

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR YOUR SKIN!

Well here we are in the middle of a winter storm!  This is supposed to be sunny North Carolina!  And I promise it will be...in a week.  We are expecting temperatures to rise into the seventies by next Thursday.  Only in North Carolina. 

The change in weather can create skin problems to say the least.  Do not forget sunscreen!!! I can't say this enough.  Cloudy days, windy days, every day we need to protect the largest organ of our body.  The organ that protects everything coming and going.  Choose the right sunscreen.  I believe physical sunscreens are better then chemical sunscreens because they aren't absorbed by the body.  I believe chemical sunscreens can cause health issues.  Anyway, use sunscreen, your aging skin will thank you later.

Make sure you moisturize as well!  Drink plenty of water and use the correct moisturizer for your skin type.  Even oily skin can become dehydrated.  Remember oil and water are two different things.  If you are unsure about what you need to use, I can help.  Call me, consults are NO CHARGE.

Don't forget your lips.  Choose a lip balm without petroleum or petrolatum. 

Enjoy the snow, when it is 90-100 in July we will be wishing for a little coolness.  Save a snowball in the freezer and take it out on that really hot day. Ahhh.

Soon it will be spring and I am preparing for a wedding!  Caitlin, my daughter is getting married.  We are very excited.  More on that later, stay tuned.

Myth #6

WebMD - Myth #6 "Expensive skin care products work best." Sometimes expensive products are not what they appear.  Knowing your ingredients and how they are delivered, or finding a trusted esthetician that stays up to date on education and products benefits your skin much better than simply spending more money.  I believe that Professional skin care products do work best.  My products are formulated to penetrate better than OTC products.  Osmosis Skin Care products are chirally correct, which is less irritating, allowing the ingredients to be accepted into the cells.  Also, the liposomal delivery system penetrates into the dermis where it does the most good. 

Just because the products are expensive doesn't mean they work better.  Do your research and spend your money wisely.

January 6, 2014

Wow where has the time gone?  I know I haven't blogged in a long, long time.  My goal is to get better at posting in 2014!  So watch for it!

Well good to know, my philosophy about skin hasn't changed.  I have, however; learned more and I am going to share so much.

I had an email come through recently from WebMD about myths of skincare.  I wanted to share with you my opinions about what they shared.  Some of it I agree with and some of it I don't.  I will state the myth and then give you my view point and why.

Myth #5- Facials and microdermabrasion are good for your skin care routine.  In my personal experience working with clients, facials have stimulated collagen and elastin, drains the lymph, relieves skin issues far more than just relaxation.  Much more goes into a facial than applying products.  I perform a skin analysis before any treatment, thereby allowing for a customized protocol specific for what my client needs.
When it is stated that 80% of the people experience breakouts, this could be because of several different reasons.  One being that inflammation has been created due to the disturbance of the skins natural flora.  Sometimes with my products there is a purging effect that happens causing micro-comodones (blemishes that started weeks or months ago) to surface.  I do my best to control this with specific products and modalities.  My clients state they have better results because of my treatments, as opposed to other treatments and medications they have tried. This even includes treatments done by dermatologists.
Microdermabrasion is another story.  I usually don't recommend this modality because of the inflammation and damage caused when preformed.

Watch for the next post!