SkinSense Wellness Blog
Read on to learn about the latest news and tips to stay healthy, happy and ageless. We scour our trade journals and consult with many other health professionals to make sure the advice and recommendations we make are safe and beneficial. If there are any topics you would like to hear about, please let us know.
Ever since I was a child, I’ve been utterly enchanted by pumpkins. I mean, which other vegetable can boast about transforming into a magnificent carriage fit for Cinderella’s grand ball? None, I tell you! As the leaves turn and the air crisps up, the magic of pumpkins isn’t just limited to fairy tales, or lattes.
Pumpkin: Nature’s Skincare Superhero!
One of our seasonal favorites is the pumpkin enzyme mask. Beyond their carriage and latte potentials, pumpkins are brimming with secrets for that enviable autumnal glow.
Vitamin-packed: Pumpkins, from their seeds to their radiant flesh, delve deep into the skin thanks to their small molecular structure. Loaded with nutrients, they hydrate and repair skin from within. Their repertoire boasts alpha hydroxy acids, Vitamin A & C, beta-carotene, magnesium, zinc, Vitamin E, and even Omega-3 Fatty Acids!
Anti-aging Powerhouse: Armed with vitamins C and A, pumpkins defy age, battling lines & wrinkles and reinforcing skin immunity.
Acne Busters: With their unique blend of zinc, fatty acids, and vitamins, pumpkins target acne and regulate oil production. Zinc, alongside Vitamin E, manages oil, combats breakouts, and enhances skin tone, while Vitamin A gracefully diminishes acne scars.
Collagen Companion: That pumpkin’s vivid orange? It’s beta-carotene teaming up with collagen, ensuring skin remains taut and vibrant.
Bright and Beautiful: Thanks to alpha hydroxy acids and fruit enzymes, pumpkins shoo away dullness, making way for radiant skin.
Nature’s Defender: Vitamin E-packed pumpkins stand guard against sun damage & free radicals, and they moisturize while they’re at it.
Skin Soother: Trust zinc to ensure your skin feels soothed and rejuvenated.
These are no ordinary vegetables; they’re a natural multi-vitamin for your skin!
Choosing Your Face Mask and Perfecting the Routine
Navigating the world of skincare can be as complex as picking the perfect pumpkin from a patch. While our beloved pumpkins hold a special place, there’s an entire universe of masks waiting to be explored.
- Quality Over Popularity: That Instagram sensation might have great selfies, but their mask might not suit you. Buy from aestheticians or beauty specialists for knowledgeable choices.
- Types of Masks:
- Overnight Masks: A dream for mature, dry, and dehydrated skin.
- Clay, Sulfur, or Mud Masks: Soak up oil and gently exfoliate.
- Sheet Masks: Antioxidants, hydration, and a cool touch from your fridge.
- Cream or Gel-based Masks: 15-20 minutes of pampering for an instant glow.
- Frequency Matters: Mask up 1-2 times weekly. If sensitivity is a concern, patch-test a cream or gel mask first. Radiant skin, here we come!
In conclusion, while we revel in the magic of pumpkins and their fairy tale transformations, remember there’s a world of skincare magic ready to unveil itself. This Fall, and as Winter approaches, embrace the chance to shine, bask in your glow, and perhaps twirl in a ball of your own (even if it’s just in your living room).
For skincare tricks and treat(ments), contact us at (323) 653-4701, email us at skinsense@skinsensewellness.com, or visit us at 8448 W. Third Street, Los Angeles, CA 90048. Let’s embark on a magical skincare journey together!
“I’m not old. I’ve just been young for a very long time.”
At the airport once, the customs officer looked from my passport to me and back again in disbelief. “You can’t be ** years old,” he exclaimed, “You’re joking, right?” I wish I could attribute my youthful looks to a passport typo or some mythical Fountain of Youth. But here’s the truth? It’s the potent power of retinoids. I’m not just young at heart; thanks to retinoids, my skin has stayed remarkably young too.
Throughout my younger years, acne was an all-too-familiar foe. I felt my reflection mocked me daily. Then I discovered retinoids, and everything changed. Now, as fall breezes in, it might be the perfect moment for you to explore this skincare marvel.
Why Retinoids?
Derived from vitamin A, retinoids are not just integral in skincare but are also scientific marvels. Amidst the sea of anti-aging solutions, retinoids stand out. They are like the masons ensuring our skin’s foundational collagen bricks are firmly in place. From boosting immunity and preserving collagen to reducing inflammation, clearing pores, and regulating skin cell growth, retinoids are the comprehensive answer to skincare.
The Science Behind the Magic
Retinoids actively engage with our skin’s retinoic acid receptors, enhancing collagen strength and encouraging its production. My first experience with retinoids was Accutane, an acne solution. However, I soon recognized its broader potential. Whether combatting early signs of aging, addressing persistent wrinkles, or seeking a radiant glow, there’s a retinoid tailored for you.
Your Retinoid Roadmap
Prescription Strength – Think Tretinoin/Retin-A, Tazarotene/Tazorac, and yes, the all-familiar Isotretinoin/Accutane. Reserved for the more pressing skin concerns, ranging from stubborn acne to profound aging signs, these powerhouses are usually recommended by dermatologists. Though they promise results (trust me, they do!), they demand patience. Initial irritation is common but is usually a sign they’re getting to work. The results? Absolutely worth it.
Over-the-Counter Friends – Adapalene or Adalene as you might find in your local drug store is your go-to for mild to moderate acne, with the added perk of addressing scarring. While gentler than its prescription siblings, remember to couple it with a good moisturizer.
Cosmetic Staples – This is where you meet Retinol, Retinaldehyde/Retinal, and Retinyl Palmitate. If I had to pick a favorite? Retinol, hands down. While it’s a more stable choice, it demands respect. Start with a low-concentration, pea-sized dose 2-3 times a week to begin with to avoid the usual side effects: redness, stinging, and dryness. But hang in there, the benefits, like reduced pigmentation and wrinkling, are worth the initial hassle. Once the skin has adapted, you can step it up to every other night.
A Few Golden Rules
- Night Owl Rule: Use retinoids at night. These are nighttime allies, never day companions.
- Sun Protection: While they work their magic at night, ensure you protect your skin with SPF during the day.
- First-Timer Caution: Always, always consult your dermatologist before embracing retinoids, especially if it’s your first rendezvous.
My retinoid journey began as an acne solution but unveiled a realm of youthful, radiant skin. As fall arrives, perhaps it’s your turn to discover retinoid magic.
For tailored skincare product recommendations, contact us at (323) 653-4701, email us at skinsense@skinsensewellness.com, or visit SkinSense Wellness at 8448 W. Third Street, Los Angeles, CA 90048.
My grandma? Oh, she was a knockout! Always put together, even if she was just pottering around at home. Watching her do her beauty routine was like getting front-row seats to a magic show. And oh boy, did she have some tricks up her sleeve!
The one that always gets me laughing is her go-to solution when she was out of blush. “Just tip your head upside down, darling,” she’d say with a twinkle in her eye, “a quick 15 seconds and you’ll have the rosiest cheeks in town!”
You see, beauty tricks and ‘secrets’ aren’t a new fad. Our great-great-great-oh-so-great grandmas were pros at it! Think 17th century and even earlier, and you have beauty routines that are the stuff of legend. Want to lose weight? They had a hack for that! Teeth not quite pearly enough? They knew what to do! Skin not smooth? Lice being a party pooper? They had solutions!
Now brace yourselves, because some of their methods were… um, let’s say ‘interesting’. We’re talking everything from the toxic (yikes to belladonna extracts, lead, and mercury) to the pretty icky (hogs grease, bird droppings and urine – eew!), and then the more ‘oh-okay-that-sounds-normal’ kind like egg whites, vinegar, almond oil, rosewater, and lemon juice.
So, let’s buckle up and take a wild ride through the beauty rituals of yesteryears and see how they stack up against what we’re doing today. Remember, the aim of the game has always been the same – chasing after that fountain of youth and beauty. Ready to time travel? Here we go!
Journey Through the Wrinkle in Time: Face and Skin Care Chronicles
Once upon a time, the ladies crafted a face mask to die for – a concoction of egg white, chalk, lead, and vinegar. It promised a smooth, ethereal glow, but dear me, you couldn’t dare smile. Your skin might crack, and oh, the trifling matter of being poisoned. Meanwhile, urine, yes you heard it right, urine diluted with rosewater, lemon juice, and wine was a popular skin cleanser.
Cut to today, we’re rather fond of our lasers, peels, injectables, and the occasional zaps of electrotherapy.
Pout into the Past: Lip Care Through the Sands of Time
Luscious lips The red pout has been quite the rage for centuries, but who knew it was achieved with vermillion from mercuric sulfide? Its side effects included minor inconveniences like tooth loss, gum disease, and organ failure! Some even rubbed their lips with ear sweat to battle dryness – quite the beauty hack, huh?
Nowadays, our lips are pampered with balms, fillers, and sometimes a nip and tuck.
Glimpse into Yesteryears: Eye Care Across Ages
Eyes ah, the windows to the soul. Back then, ladies loved lining their eyes with malachite, soot, copper and other shiny things. Drops of belladonna were favored to achieve that desirable wide-eyed look. The catch? A bit of blindness.
Fast forward to now, and it’s all about the smoky eyeshadow and precision eyeliner for us.
Face Fashion Through Time’s Mirror
Face fashion beauty patches, or ‘mouches’, were the ‘it’ accessories, disguising smallpox scars and lead damage.
In our modern world, it’s silicone patches to iron out those pesky wrinkles and salicylic acid-infused patches to banish breakouts.
Brow Back to the Future: Eyebrow Trends Across Epochs
Brows from lead and burnt cork to mouse skin (yes, you read that right!) for the black brow look, the ladies of the past had their brow game on point.
Modern times see us turning to microblading, growth serums, and vegetable tints for the perfect arches.
Mane Moments in History: Hair Care Time Machine
Our ancestors had a bit of a hairy situation going on. Lacking the nutrition to grow luscious locks, they resorted to wigs constructed on wooden frames, glued with bear grease and beef lard. Yum!
Today, our hair care routine includes serums, nutritional supplements, and occasional extensions – no grease, lard, or rats involved.
Squeezing into the Past: The Hourglass Figure Frenzy
The quest for that dream figure is a tale as old as time. Once upon a time, women used to squeeze themselves into tight-lacing corsets to get the hourglass figure that was all the rage. I’m not talking about the lace-up, cute kind of corsets we occasionally don as fashion statements today. Nope, these were the ‘take-a-deep-breath-and-pray-you-don’t-faint’ kind. They cinched the waist down to dizzying (and organ-crushing) sizes. It wasn’t just uncomfortable; it was genuinely dangerous and could cause real harm to the internal organs. But all in the name of that petite waist, right?
Zap back to the present, and we’ve swapped corsets for more comfortable, less life-threatening options. Modern shapewear like Spanx and Skims has taken the fashion world by storm, offering a safer way to achieve that desired silhouette. And we haven’t stopped at that. We have gym memberships, fitness apps, a variety of diet plans, and even the latest fat-burning aids like Ozempic and Berberine at our disposal. For those looking for a more instant change, there’s the option of surgical nips and tucks.
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So, here we are, centuries later, chasing after the same beauty standards but with new gadgets and gizmos. But let’s not forget good looks may fade, but a good heart? That, my darlings, is a beauty that time can’t touch. That’s the kind of beauty that never withers and is truly forever.
While we love a good stroll through beauty history, the most important glow-up happens inside. Keep that heart of yours beautiful, and it’ll outshine any beauty trend, every single time.
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For more beauty and skincare tips, check out my other blogsor email me at skinsense@skinsensewellness.com. And for skincare services, please visit us at 8448 W. Third Street, Los Angeles, CA 90048. We will be happy to help you with your skincare needs.
“Dear Mother Nature… Please check the thermostat. Someone has set it to hell!”
I vividly remember my very first California summer many years ago. I had just moved to the heart of the sun-soaked state, where the Pacific Ocean’s soothing breeze often served as a solace from the relentless heat. However, that year, the summer intensity trailed well into the night, morphing my restful sanctuary into a sweltering cocoon.
Sleep was elusive, and I couldn’t help but notice the immediate impact on my skin. My once glowing visage turned dull, and the lack of rest was visibly etching itself onto my complexion. This led me to delve into the relationship between summer heat, sleep disruptions, and skin health.
The Sleep-Heat-Skin Triad
Sleep regulation is intertwined with two key processes: homeostatic sleep pressure and our internal circadian rhythm. Interestingly, both these mechanisms are significantly influenced by temperature.
Our bodies naturally cool down at night as part of the circadian rhythm, aiding the onset of sleep. Hot environments impede this cooling process, making it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep. The extended daylight in summer can further disrupt our sleep patterns by delaying the production of melatonin, our sleep-inducing hormone.
From a facialist’s standpoint, the connection between sleep and skin health is undeniable. During deep sleep, the body goes into repair mode, releasing growth hormones that help regenerate cells, including skin cells. If you’re not getting enough sleep, these repair mechanisms are interrupted, leading to visible effects on the skin over time.
Here are some ways sleep disruption can affect the skin:
- Dull Complexion & Lackluster Skin: Lack of sleep can lead to poor circulation, resulting in a dull complexion. Your skin may appear lackluster, tired, and less youthful.
- Dark Circles: The blood vessels under your eyes may dilate when you don’t get enough sleep, leading to dark circles. Prolonged lack of sleep can exacerbate this issue.
- Accelerated Aging: During sleep, your body produces growth hormones that help repair damaged cells. Without these hormones, daily small breakdowns can accumulate, resulting in signs of aging like fine lines, wrinkles, and decreased elasticity.
- Weakened Skin Barrier: The skin barrier function, which is responsible for keeping skin hydrated and protected from harmful external factors, can be compromised with inadequate sleep. This can lead to dry, dehydrated skin, and increase the risk of skin issues such as eczema and dermatitis.
- Inflammation and Breakouts: Lack of sleep can cause stress and hormonal imbalances in the body, which can increase inflammation and exacerbate conditions like acne, psoriasis, and even allergic reactions. Inflammation can also contribute to aging, a concept known as “inflammaging.”
- Reduced Immunity: Sleep plays a crucial role in the proper functioning of the immune system. Chronic sleep deprivation can lower immunity, making the skin more susceptible to infections and diseases. It can also cause flare-ups of immune-related skin diseases such as psoriasis and eczema.
In short, prioritizing sound sleep is an indispensable step toward maintaining a youthful, rejuvenated appearance.
Heatwave Effects on Skin Health
Heat also directly affects our skin by increasing transepidermal water loss, which can result in dehydration, dryness, and a compromised skin barrier. The overall result is tired-looking, lackluster skin that mirrors those restless summer nights.
Reclaiming Your Beauty Sleep: A Summer Guide
Despite the challenges, there are practical measures to mitigate sleep disruptions caused by summer heat and wake up to refreshed, radiant skin.
- Create a Cool Haven: Keep your bedroom cool by opening a window to let in a cool breeze. You can also use thermal insulating blackout curtains to reduce daytime heat.
- Embrace Breathable Bedding: Choose lightweight, breathable bedding and sleepwear. Cotton is excellent as it allows for better air circulation than synthetic materials.
- Freeze Your Sheets: A slightly unconventional tip, but effective. Put your sheets and pillowcases in a freezer for a few minutes to cool them down. Ensure they are in a plastic bag before freezing, to prevent moisture accumulation.
- Hydrate Inside Out: Ensure you’re drinking plenty of water throughout the day to combat heat-induced dehydration. However, limit your intake before bedtime to prevent nocturnal bathroom trips. And use a hydrating night-time skincare regimen to counter the increased transepidermal water loss.
- A Pre-bed Cooling Routine: Consider a cool shower or bath before sleep to lower your body temperature, signaling your body it’s time for sleep. A soothing skincare routine following this – a chilled face mask – can work wonders!
- Deep freeze: Ice packs and frozen wash cloths pressed against any pulse points like the wrists can help make you more comfortable. Apply them against the back of your neck or forehead to cool your body down. Using either one ninety minutes before sleep is enough to kickstart the body’s own cooling mechanisms and allow for a restful night.
- Manage Light Exposure: Use blackout curtains or an eye mask to block out excessive sunlight. Expose yourself to bright light in the morning to help regulate your circadian rhythm.
- Keep Your Blinds Closed: During the hottest parts of the day, consider keeping blinds and curtains closed to block any unwanted heat getting in. White or cream blinds are best for deflecting heat. Open blinds and windows during the early morning or late evening to provide airflow that cools the room before bedtime. A fan in the room can also help air to circulate and is less dehydrating for the skin than air conditioning.
- Find your ideal sleeping position: There is no one-size-fits-all answer to the ideal sleeping position in summer as it varies from person to person, and it depends on various factors including personal comfort and health conditions. However, here are a few options for comfortable sleep:
- Sleep on your back: This position can help prevent facial wrinkles and skin breakouts by keeping your face off the pillow, and it can also help your mattress absorb your body heat, thereby keeping you cooler.
- Elevate your body: Use a few extra pillows to elevate your head and upper body. This can aid in heat exchange as heat rises and could potentially help with issues like snoring and acid reflux, which may worsen in the heat.
- Starfish or spread out: The less your body touches itself, the cooler you’ll stay. Therefore, lying on your back or stomach with your arms and legs spread apart can be a good option.
- Minimal contact with the mattress: Try to minimize the amount of your body surface in contact with the mattress, as it absorbs body heat. A side sleeping position could be beneficial in this case.
Welcome the Californian (or wherever you are in the world) summer armed with these strategies and you will definitely be able to reclaim your restful nights and revitalized complexion. Remember, radiant skin is a testament to quality sleep, no matter the season!
For more skincare tips, check out my other blogs, visit my website, or call us at (323) 653–4701. And for skincare services, please visit us at 8448 W. Third Street, Los Angeles, CA 90048. We will be happy to help you with your skincare needs.
One of my favorite things about winter is spending time next to a warm and cozy fireplace fire. For me, nothing is more relaxing during cold nights than a warm, crackling fire and a steaming cup of tea in my hands. Who knew that this is one of the surefire ways to join the Toasted Skin Syndrome Club? Luckily, I don’t stay in front of my fireplace too long. That or my sunscreen is just a miracle worker.
For those who are curious, this condition is a skin problem that causes a net-like, discolored, and sometimes itchy rash. The culprit? Prolonged exposure to heat sources, like hot water bottles, heating pads, and, in some cases, cozying up to a fireplace for too long.
When the syndrome was first discovered, wood-burning stoves, working with hot coals or simply sitting way too close to a fire were the culprits. Glass blowers and chefs who have prolonged exposure to heat sources can also develop this syndrome on their faces. But Toasted Skin Syndrome and its association with laptops gained significant attention around 2010 when case reports and news articles highlighted the risks of using laptops directly on the skin for extended periods.
Nowadays, the common culprits may include:
- Use of a laptop on the thighs.
- Seat heaters in cars.
- Heating pads, blankets, or hot water bottles.
- Space heaters.
According to Dr. Daniel Grove, pediatric dermatologist, toasted skin syndrome or scientifically known as Erythema Ab Igne (EAI) can lead to skin discoloration, hyperpigmentation, itching, and burning. Extended exposure can even cause degeneration of elastic fibers and basal cells stimulating the release of melanin.
To keep skin safe when using personal heating devices, here are some tips:
- Use the lowest heat setting.
- Avoid prolonged exposure by setting timers on space heaters and heating pads so they automatically shut off, after a certain period of time.
- Keep space heaters at least 2 feet or more away from your skin and rotate where the heat hits your body.
- When using heating pads and blankets, make sure there is a clothing barrier between the heat source and your skin. Never place heat sources directly on bare skin.
Often, putting on an extra sweater is a better solution to staying warm. Maybe it’s time to invest in some cashmere.
Treating Toasted Skin Syndrome primarily involves identifying and eliminating the source of heat exposure that is causing the condition. Once the heat source has been removed, the skin will usually start to heal on its own.
However, there are some additional steps that can be taken to aid in the healing process and relieve any discomfort:
- Avoid exposing the affected skin to further heat and keep it cool and dry to promote healing.
- Topical treatments, such as hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion, may help soothe itchiness and reduce inflammation.
- Use a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer to keep the skin hydrated and promote healing.
- Apply sunscreen with broad-spectrum protection and a minimum SPF of 30 to the affected area if it will be exposed to the sun. Sunburn could worsen the condition and delay the healing process.
- Avoid scratching as it may lead to further irritation or even infection.
- If the rash persists, worsens, or shows any signs of infection, consult a dermatologist.
Keep in mind that the healing process might take some time, as the pigmentation from the rash can take weeks or even months to fade completely. The key is to be patient and follow the recommended care steps to ensure proper healing of the skin.
For more skincare tips, check out my other blogs, visit my website, or call us at (323) 653-4701. And for skincare services, please visit us at 8448 W. Third Street, Los Angeles, CA 90048. We will be happy to help you with your skincare needs.
“I’ve had so much plastic surgery, when I die they will donate my body to Tupperware.” – Joan Rivers
Growing old is tough… especially on the ego. Just having to hold my book (or whatever I’m reading) out to see the fine prints or hearing myself grunt as I pick up something from the floor… I feel so old! The amount of food that I have always consumed now makes me fat. And when I look in the mirror, I seem to have grown a new wrinkle on my face. Ugh… it’s horrifying! What do I do now?
While none of us can prevent aging, there are a variety of options to ward off the more visible signs of growing old. Among the most popular, of course, is cosmetic surgery. We hear about how it maintains a youthful look and enhances appearance… on our social media feed, in magazines, and in television ads, and see the results on some of our friends and favorite celebrities. It’s so hard to keep up with the ever-changing looks of the Kardashians or remember how they looked before all the nips and tucks.
Cosmetic surgery has become synonymous with the quest for youth and beauty. It has spawned a new aesthetic of desirability and is driven by the need for social acceptance.
Historically, the field has, for centuries, been driven by medical necessity. During World War I, the sheer volume of patients with facial injuries and burns — coupled with advances in blood transfusions and infection control — allowed doctors to experiment with innovative new techniques. Skin grafts, bone grafts, facial reconstructions, and wound-stitching techniques all made dramatic leaps forward.
By the 1950s plastic surgery became more mainstream and by the 1990s, procedures in America grew tenfold into the area of cosmetic surgery. Institutes around the US were offering brow lifts, hair replacement surgery, rhinoplasty, blepharoplasty, collagen and fat injections, breast augmentation, tummy tucks, and face lifts. In 1994, there were nearly 400,00 esthetic surgeries performed, many on patients with family incomes under $50,000 a year.
New technology continues to drive the sector’s growth, with some 85% of these procedures (of which Botox and fillers are by far the most popular) considered “minimally invasive.” And in 2022, 15.5 million procedures were performed in the U.S. alone.
Before you commit to going under the knife, it is helpful to understand your motivations: why you want to have cosmetic surgery, what specific changes you want to make, and why they are important to you. It’s also important to have realistic expectations about what the surgery can and cannot achieve. And no matter what kind of enhancement you decide on, a consistent daily skincare routine and regular facial treatments should be in place before and after any procedures are done to support the overall results.
Here is a list of how long the most popular surgeries last:
Facelift – The skin on your face will continue to age after you have a facelift. For most, results will last about 10 years. A facelift works best for people in their late 40s through 60s when signs of aging begin to become prevalent.
A forehead lift (also known as a brow lift or forehead rejuvenation) improves the appearance of the forehead, the brow, and the area around the eyes. The results of a forehead lift typically last anywhere between 5-10 years or longer.
Blepharoplasty or Eye Lift removes excess skin from the eyelids to make the eyes look younger. It can also reduce or get rid of peripheral vision problems. Upper eyelid surgery is good for at least 5-7 years. Lower eyelid surgery rarely needs to be repeated.
Rhinoplasty/nose surgery – will typically last a lifetime. Normal aging may cause some gradual changes in the appearance of your nose but most of the improvements seen after rhinoplasty will be relatively permanent.
Neck Lifts will last between 10 and 15 years, in most cases. But if you opt for this procedure in your early 40s to address problems with the muscle structure in your neck, results will last a lot longer than if you are in your 60s and addressing loose, sagging skin.
Hair transplant – the results of a hair transplant can last anywhere from 5 to 10 years, or longer, depending on the individual. However, it’s important to note that the natural aging process and genetic factors can continue to impact hair growth and may eventually result in additional hair loss.
More than ever, people are focused on their appearance and what they can do to help themselves feel better about their looks. With every snip, pull, tighten, reduction, addition, and injection, we try to conform to the unrealistic beauty standards plaguing the society that we live in. Ultimately, living beautifully is accepting who we are, warts and all. And self-acceptance, being comfortable in our own skin, is the kind of beauty that will last a lifetime.
For more beauty tips, check out my other blogs, call us at Skinsense Wellness at (323) 653–4701, or email us at skinsense@skinsensewellness.com. And for skincare services, please visit us at 8448 W. Third Street, Los Angeles, CA 90048. We will be happy to see you.
“Life is like looking for your phone. Most of the time, it’s in your hand.” – Unknown
I’ve always been fascinated by hands. They are beautiful, useful, and expressive. We use them to work, care for ourselves and other people, and communicate (just ask any Italian). No other body part can claim to do all that.
Recently, I was reminded of the power of the human hands when I had a facial treatment, for the first time in a long while. It was super relaxing and had me feeling luxuriously pampered in no time. Just proves that a hand is not just a hand. It has power that is literally at our fingertips!
German philosopher, Immanuel Kant, once said the hand is the “visible part of the brain.” This is so true! Physically, our hands have many more sensory and motor nerve endings than other parts of our bodies. As a consequence, our thoughts are readily expressed through our hands. When you touch another person, the pressure and movement of your hand tell that person your intention. In a reciprocal way, we are able to discover things about the person we are touching. In my profession, I am able to discover more about my client’s lifestyles, diets, and stress levels.
The Science Behind the Power in your Hands
Hands, we learn, have the power to impact the world. Let’s explore how this seemingly simple body part affects our brains, physical and emotional well-being, as well as our relationships.
If you’ve ever touched the hand of a newborn baby, then you’ve likely witnessed one of the earliest instinctual responses to manifest in humans: the “grasping reflex.” Instinct makes a baby grab your finger and squeeze it tight. Babies may relinquish the grasping reflex over time, but the importance and vitality of touch remain essential.
When holding hands with a lover or getting a massage, the stimulating pressure help improve the functioning of the vagus nerve – the cranial nerve that controls your parasympathetic nervous system also referred to as the “rest and digest” system. As a result, our body enters a state of relaxation – heart rate and the blood pressure goes down – and this relaxation breeds healing. The more time we spend in this relaxed state, the healthier we are.
Creatures of comfort
As we’ve seen, humans are not only creatures of habit, we’re also creatures of comfort. We gravitate toward situations and people who make us feel as content and secure as possible.
One thing is certain: our entire bodies, from our nerves to our brains, respond positively to touch and crave it from the time we are born. Whether it’s due to instinct, comfort, intimacy, or love, touch brings us closer to each other both physically and emotionally — and is a necessity for our overall well-being.
How can we harness the power of the hands?
If a touch of a hand can make us healthier, happier, and closer to our loved ones, then we should consider how we are using it more consciously on a daily basis. Here are some ways to harness the power of the hands
- Holding hands, hugging, giving a pat on the back, cuddling
- Massage, acupuncture, reiki
- Physical therapy
- Facials
- Hair treatments/head massage
However and wherever and you find it, maximizing the power of the touch of a hand is always a good thing.
For more wellness tips, check out our other blogs, call us at Skinsense Wellness at (323) 653–4701, or email us at skinsense@skinsensewellness.com. And for skincare services, please visit us at 8448 W. Third Street, Los Angeles, CA 90048. We will be happy to see you.
‘Tis the season… for a crazy, busy holiday schedule filled with shopping, traveling, hosting, and attending parties. Then there’s the holiday food – an endless array of decadent entrees, spiked beverages, and sweet treats. All these can, no doubt, wreak havoc on your skin and leave you feeling more no-no-no than ho-ho-ho.
Here are some of the ways the winter holidays can affect your skin and how you can counteract it:
Stress
Holiday stress causes your body to produce cortisol which makes your skin more sensitive and reactive. The signs of stress can show up in the form of acne breakouts, hives, and blisters. It can also cause flare-ups in skin conditions like eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis.
When you’re feeling stressed, take some time to relax. Some ways to help you relax and de-stress include yoga, deep breathing techniques, meditation, and massage.
Sweet treats
Sugar and carbs cause inflammation. And too much sugar triggers a reaction in the body called glycation – a process when collagen and elastin break down. On the skin, this shows up as wrinkles, sagginess, and a loss of radiance.
You don’t have to give up sweet treats for good. Slow down and savor small portions of your favorite holiday desserts. Or put a healthy twist on the classic recipes by using honey, maple syrup, or stevia instead of sugar.
Not enough getting enough sleep
With all the excitement the holiday brings, it’s easy to miss a few zzz’s. Your skin repairs itself while you’re sleeping. Not getting enough sleep can result in dull and dehydrated skin in the morning.
Not to mention, a lack of sleep also increases collagen breakdown. Less collagen accelerates aging – this means more wrinkles and decreased skin elasticity.
Try to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep every night. And give your skin a little pick-me-up with a dose of antioxidants. Don’t book every night with parties and gatherings. If you can, space them out so that you get enough rest in between.
Alcohol consumption
Alcohol can dehydrate your body and your skin. This means the skin loses fluid and nutrients that are vital for healthy-looking skin. This can make the skin look wrinkled, dull, and grey, or bloated and puffy.
The effect of alcohol on your immune system and the way your cardiovascular system works affect the skin too. And it can worsen psoriasis and rosacea.
You can still drink and be merry but limit the amount of alcohol you drink and have plenty of water between alcoholic drinks to avoid dehydration. Also, you can opt for red wine over hard liquors. Red wine has healthy antioxidants.
Air Travel
The low humidity in the cabin of the plane can dehydrate the skin resulting in dry, flaky, or red skin. And if you are sitting in a window seat, you get extra exposure to closer UV rays.
Before you board, make sure your skin is super hydrated – eye cream, serum, moisturizer, and sunscreen. Go make-up-free or minimally made-up face so as not to clog pores. And don’t forget to drink copious amounts of water (60 – 80 ounces of water daily) to hydrate from the inside out. Lastly, avoid alcohol, tea, and coffee and order a light meal.
Harsh winter weather
The cold winter air can cause the skin to dry out exponentially, leading to cracking, chapping, itchiness, and redness. And while room heaters can keep you warm, they should not be your go-to solution for the cold. They turn the air dry and can, in turn, lead to dry skin and allergies.
Use a heavier-formula moisturizer for your nighttime skincare routine. In the daytime, apply a serum and moisturizer under your sunscreen (yes, even in the winter months you still need SPF). Twice a week, give yourself an extra soothing and hydrating mask that you leave on while you sleep.
Again, drink plenty of fluids and include flax or fish oils with your supplements. Exercise regularly as it helps increase the oxygen to your skin, making you feel warm and your skin looking youthful. Refrain from taking long, steamy showers. Instead, keep bath time short and sweet – a 5 to 10 minutes lukewarm bath or shower is much better.
And plug in a humidifier to add moisture to the air and prevent dryness.
Finally, splurge on a comforting winter facial to keep your skin shiny and bright until spring.
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For more skincare tips, visit our website, call us at Skinsense Wellness at (323) 653-4701 or email us at skinsense@skinsensewellness.com. And for skincare services, please visit us at 8448 W. Third Street, Los Angeles, CA 90048. We will be happy to see you.
“Let me make something very clear… your skin.”
Being an aesthetician for over three decades, I know that taking care of our skin is the ultimate act of self-care. But I’m also a real person with real skin issues of my own, so I know first-hand just how confusing skincare can be. From understanding why you just got hit with a major case of adult acne or keeping abreast of the latest science behind skincare, to figuring out whether the latest buzziest ingredient is the panacea to all your skin woes (as they claim to be), I’m here to help.
I love my clients to bits but here are a few of the common confusions I stumble upon in my conversations with them at the salon.
Not knowing the ingredients in their skincare products.
One thing I find myself asking on every spa visit is “what performance ingredients are you currently using?” The answer is invariably, “I don’t know.”
As consumers, we are inundated with hundreds of skincare products every time we go to the store. And most skincare brands will put certain phrases like hydrating, clarifying, or anti-aging on their labels to grab your attention and stand out in the sea of products. With such simple labeling, it should be easy to find a product that will address your skin concerns, right? Not exactly! Often times you may end up choosing a product that claims to produce a specific result and end up with lackluster results if any at all.
One way to combat this misinformation is to be an ingredient sleuth – be a more informed consumer to find the products that will help in achieving your skincare goals.
Influenced by skinfluencers.
Social media can be a great resource and tool. But sometimes misinformation is circulated as facts, and before-and-after images can be photoshopped. It can be hard to tell who’s spreading dangerous skin care lies and who’s trustworthy… the number of followers does not always mean they know what they are talking about.
While there are skinfluencers that are licensed estheticians or dermatologists, remember that your skin is as unique as you – unique genetics, environmental exposure, and sun damage. Skincare needs to be individualized to your specific skin type. Consult with a board-certified dermatologist or a licensed esthetician who can customize your skincare regimen for optimal results.
Judging a skincare product solely by its ingredients list
The ingredient list on a skincare product can be helpful, especially if you have allergies or sensitivities. They tell you what’s in the product, in a roughly descending order, but not everything. Among the things it doesn’t tell you is the concentration of each ingredient (unless the ingredient is active), how much of the ingredient there is, how the ingredients are formulated together, the grade of an ingredient, and where the brand sources its ingredient.
Furthermore, markers like “dermatologist-tested” or “clinically proven” are fairly prevalent but are actually meaningless as there are no industry standards for designations for terms like these.
Beyond marketing and branding, skincare products are only as good as what they are made of and how they are formulated. The quality and combinations of ingredients are therefore very important. Choosing products from a reputable skincare brand can be helpful since each component may be designed to work in conjunction with the others and you can be more assured of the product’s quality.
Switching products too often
Change can be a good thing… but not when you are switching your skincare products too often. Skincare products take time to do their job. So when you have finally chosen the product for your skin stick with it for at least 3-4 months.
The skin’s outer layer, the epidermis, takes 4 weeks to completely renew. Once your skin goes through this cycle 3-4 times then you’ll have given your skin enough time to start making the real long-term changes and the results more visible.
Oily skin does not equal hydrated skin
It is important to note that although the words “dry” and “dehydrated” are often used interchangeably, the two indicate very different underlying issues when it comes to your skin. While dry skin lacks sebum (something oily complexions have in abundance), dehydrated skin lacks water. If you skip out on regular moisturizing, it can do more harm than good.
It’s important to find a moisturizer that does not add oil to the skin but is hydrating. Look for products that are lightweight and contain water-loving ingredients like linoleic and hyaluronic acid.
Finally, here are a few pieces of advice I repeatedly tell my clients.
- The order of things. You should apply your products starting with the lightest product to applying the heaviest product. Apply cleanser first followed by toner, serum, and moisturizer. During the day, sunscreen and makeup come next.
- Layering is great but don’t overdo it. Your skin doesn’t need six products in the morning and six in the evening. The skin can only absorb so much at one time. Using fewer products ensures better absorption and effectiveness of the ingredients you’re putting on your skin.
- And finally, DON’T PICK!! Doing so could crack, damage, or wound the skin and cause hyperpigmentation. If you feel the need to pick, see a skincare professional.
For more beauty and skincare tips, call us at Skinsense Wellness (323) 653–4701 or email us at skinsense@skinsensewellness.com. And for skincare services, please visit us at 8448 W. Third Street, Los Angeles, CA 90048. We will be happy to see you.
“You can’t help getting older. But you don’t have to get old.” – George Burns
50 is the new 40… I’ve heard it too many times before, if only it were true… well, maybe it is for the very few who are genetically blessed with eternally youthful-looking skin. For the rest of us mere mortals, we just have to keep trying these anti-aging products and skin-glowing treatments on the market to see which among the latest ingredients or technology delivers real results.
Among the latest treatments I came across, the claims about the Light Emitting Diode (LED)therapy certainly sounded appealing to me. They’re touted to treat everything from wrinkles, redness, and signs of aging to acne, scarring, and dark spots. Besides, it is popular among celebrities and social media influencers, posting selfies with their LED masks. So, let’s take a look at some of the details that will shed light on this skin treatment innovation.
Initially, LED therapy was used exclusively for the needs of science. The application of lamps was intended to grow plants in space shuttle missions. But then it was discovered that a certain wavelength promotes better tissue regeneration and can be useful in healing wounds. Overtime, LED therapy has spread to cosmetology and is now actively used to treat skin diseases and fight wrinkles.
The lights are generally classified into three wavelengths: ultraviolet, visible, and infrared. And according to how many LEDs and wavelengths in the device being used, you can treat pigmentation, aging, and acne skin. Here’s a rundown of the different LED light therapy benefits:
Blue Light Therapy
Blue light therapy has a shorter wavelength and can be very effective when applied topically to kill the acne-causing bacteria known as Propionibacterium acnes or P acnes. These bacteria found in the sebum and oil glands cause inflammation and breakouts on the skin surface. The good news is that P acne is sensitive to blue light and can be eliminated with this kind of therapy. Coupled with proper cleansing and treatment regimens, it offers a safe alternative to antibiotics and harsh topicals.
In addition, blue and red light treatments can be combined to treat acne conditions – heal the skin, diminish scarring, and reduce inflammation. The treatment is great for occasional breakouts too. It takes just a few minutes to get great results when used at home.
Red Light Therapy
Red light belongs to the higher wavelength component of the visible light spectrum. Red light therapy, or RLT, exposes you to low levels of red or near-infrared light for treating certain conditions, such as skin and muscle issues. It can speed wound healing, reduce scarring, stimulate collagen production, promote firmness, and improve skin texture.
Red light therapy can also be used to relieve chronic pain and some sports injuries. In fact, there are now red LED light beds that athletes and some medical professionals use for this purpose.
RLT, known by several names: photobiomodulation (PBM), low-level laser therapy (LLLT), biostimulation, and soft laser therapy, is a popular therapeutic option. It is provided at various facial clinics, wellness centers, spas, and athletic centers. RLT devices for home use are also widely available. The safest way, however, to get this therapy is through a qualified practitioner or aesthetician.
Results from using red light therapy take longer but are noticeable after 4–6 weeks of regular application.
Green Light Therapy
Green light therapy helps to lighten hyperpigmentation spots for a brighter complexion and the soothing effect has anti-inflammatory properties. It is used to treat dilated capillaries, loose skin around the eyes, under-eye circles, hyperpigmentation, and sunspots, especially on the hands.
Because green light waves penetrate more deeply than blue light, it is recommended that the application of green light to the face be done in a salon.
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Light therapy is painless, non-invasive, and requires no recovery time. Red, blue, and greenlights can be used on all skin conditions and ages with no side effects. However, I would highly recommend seeking the help of a skincare professional for a series of treatments in the salon and adding a hand-held or even a full-face unit to your skincare routine at home.
At our salon, we have been using the handheld units during our facial treatments to great effect and have also been retailing them to many clients for home use.
For more beauty and skincare tips, call us at Skinsense Wellness (323) 653–4701 or email us at skinsense@skinsensewellness.com. And for skincare services, please visit us at 8448 W. Third Street, Los Angeles, CA 90048. We will be happy to see you.
