Category Archives: Pending
“With age, comes wisdom. And dry, flaky skin.”
Menopause is derived from the Latin root for “WTF is happening to me!” Okay, not really, but that’s certainly how it felt when I first began my menopausal journey. Picture this: one day, I’m glowing and radiant, and the next, I’m scratching my suddenly Sahara-desert-like arms wondering why my skin has declared mutiny. This unpredictable shift might seem sudden, but after some digging, I realized I was not alone.
What Science Says About Dry Skin During Menopause
A recent survey of 3,875 postmenopausal women over 40 highlighted that 36.2% experienced the same desert-like dryness that I was grappling with. As you approach your 50s, skin changes happen due to a decrease in estrogen and progesterone levels. The consequence? Our skin becomes drier, duller, and far less perky than we’d like.
Symptoms: Are You Part of the 36.2%?
If you ever step out of the shower and feel your skin scream for moisture, you might just be among the 36.2% facing these common symptoms:
- Flaky or peeling skin
- Cracked hands and feet.
- Persistent itchiness
- For darker skin tones, the appearance of grey or ashy undertones
Beyond Dryness: Elevating Your Skincare Game
Navigating the tides of menopause might seem daunting, especially when your skin starts sending out SOS signals. With the right arsenal of products and knowledge, you can ensure your skin not only navigates but thrives through menopause.
Here are a few of my go-to skincare products:
- Gentle Cleansers: Using harsh products can further irritate menopausal skin. Gentle cleansers, especially milk-based ones, are kinder to the skin. They help remove impurities without stripping away the skin’s natural oils, keeping the face soft and hydrated.
- Hydrating Toners: These aren’t your average toners. Instead of drying out your skin, they add a layer of hydration. Toners with ingredients like rose water or chamomile are particularly soothing and can help reset the skin’s pH balance.
- Topical Retinoids: Retinoids are a form of vitamin A that can promote collagen production and reduce fine lines. Used with oil, they can be particularly hydrating. However, always consult with a skincare professional regarding the right percentage to use.
- Vaseline: In the harsh winter months or during particularly dry spells, a thin layer of Vaseline under your moisturizer can be a lifesaver. It locks in moisture and creates a protective barrier against environmental stressors.
- Bath Oils: These oils are not just luxurious; they’re a boon for dry skin. Adding a few drops to your warm bath can help lock in moisture, leaving your skin feeling soft and supple post-bath.
- Plant-based Serums: These serums, often rich in antioxidants and hydrating agents, can be a game-changer. Look for ones with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, or rosehip oil. They offer deep hydration, brighten the complexion, and combat signs of aging.
- Sun Protection: Daily sunscreen application is crucial, even on cloudy days. UV rays can exacerbate skin dryness and accelerate signs of aging. Opt for broad-spectrum sunscreens with an SPF of 30 or higher.
- Gentle Exfoliation: While exfoliants like AHAs and BHAs should be used cautiously during dry spells, a gentle exfoliation routine can aid in removing dead skin cells, making the skin look refreshed.
- Face Masks: Incorporate hydrating face masks into your weekly routine. Ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and peptides can provide an added boost of hydration and nourishment.
Eating Your Way to Glowing Skin
While topical treatments can work wonders, nourishing your skin from the inside out is equally, if not more, essential. Embrace foods that don’t just satiate your taste buds but also serve as the building blocks for radiant, youthful skin.
Let’s explore the dietary choices that can unlock your skin’s natural luminosity.
- Vitamin C-rich foods: Include oranges, strawberries, bell peppers, and kiwis in your diet to brighten your skin. Vitamin C promotes collagen production, which is crucial for skin elasticity.
- Bone Broth: This nutrient-rich liquid is full of collagen and amino acids that can help maintain the skin’s elasticity and keep it hydrated.
- Avocado: Packed with vitamin E and healthy fats, avocado moisturizes the skin from the inside out.
- Salmon: Omega-3 fatty acids found in salmon help keep the skin moisturized and reduce inflammation, leading to clearer, more radiant skin.
- Nuts: A handful of nuts can do wonders for your skin. Nuts contain essential minerals and fats that support skin health. Just remember to consume them in moderation, as they are calorie-dense.
- Olive Oil: It’s rich in monounsaturated fats and antioxidants like vitamin E. These properties not only combat oxidative stress but also help maintain the skin’s moisture barrier, resulting in a softer and more youthful complexion. Opting for extra virgin olive oil ensures you reap the maximum benefits from this liquid gold.
- Tomatoes: A delightful addition to salads and dishes, tomatoes are packed with lycopene, a powerful antioxidant. Lycopene helps protect the skin from harmful UV radiation, working as a natural sunblock from within. Additionally, the vitamin C present in tomatoes aids collagen production, ensuring your skin remains firm and radiant.
Drinking Your Way to Glowing Skin
Hydration and skin health go hand in hand, and what you sip can have a profound effect on your complexion. These drinks can give your skin that extra boost of radiance, hydration, and nutrition.
- Water: It can’t be stressed enough how essential water is for skin health. It flushes out toxins, aids in cellular processes, and ensures that your skin remains plump and hydrated.
- Green Tea: Rich in antioxidants, green tea fights inflammation and free radicals that accelerate skin aging. It also helps reduce redness and can be beneficial for those with sensitive skin.
- Bone Broth: We’ve touched on its dietary benefits, but sipping on this nutrient-packed liquid can directly contribute to improved skin hydration and elasticity, thanks to its rich collagen content.
- Red Wine (in moderation): While alcohol can be dehydrating, red wine when consumed in moderation, offers resveratrol, a potent antioxidant that can combat skin aging.
- Aloe Vera Juice: Known for its soothing properties, drinking aloe vera juice can help with skin hydration and inflammation. It’s also packed with vitamins and minerals that promote skin health.
- Herbal Teas: Chamomile, hibiscus, and rooibos teas, among others, offer a range of skin-friendly antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. They’re a great caffeine-free option for evening relaxation.
Remember, while these beverages offer benefits, moderation is key. And always ensure that the bulk of your fluid intake comes from pure, clean water.
Vital Vitamins and Powerful Antioxidants for Vibrant Skin
When it comes to maintaining that youthful glow during menopause, the role of vitamin supplements cannot be overlooked. These powerful nutrients offer a two-fold benefit: supporting overall health and directly enhancing skin vitality.
- Vitamin C: This powerhouse antioxidant is your skin’s best friend. Regular supplementation can boost collagen production, fade dark spots, and protect against environmental aggressors. Think of it as your skin’s shield, always on guard.
- Vitamin B12: Beyond energy and brain health, Vitamin B12 plays a subtle yet essential role in skin wellness. By maintaining adequate levels, you ensure your skin remains even toned and radiant.
- Collagen: The skin’s natural scaffolding begins to wane during menopause, but introducing a collagen supplement can be a game-changer. It helps restore lost elasticity and suppleness, keeping your skin looking as youthful as it feels.
- Vitamin E: Known for its antioxidant properties, it helps combat oxidative stress and skin damage.
- Vitamin D: Most known for bone health, it can also rejuvenate the skin, especially if you’re not getting enough sun.
- Biotin: Often associated with hair and nail growth, it’s also essential for maintaining skin health.
Remember that while these supplements can offer benefits, they’re not a substitute for a balanced diet, adequate hydration, and a comprehensive skincare routine.
Exercise for a Youthful Glow
Glowing skin is not just the result of a dedicated skincare regimen or a nutrient-rich diet; it’s also about getting your heart rate up and muscles moving. Physical activity plays a pivotal role in rejuvenating our skin, ensuring it remains supple, radiant, and alive.
Let’s explore workouts that not only keep you fit – they promise a radiant glow that’s hard to miss.
- Yoga: The improved blood circulation from various poses ensures that the skin gets a good dose of oxygenated blood, promoting a youthful glow.
- Cardio workouts: Running, cycling, or even brisk walking can help improve blood flow, providing your skin with a burst of oxygen and nutrients.
- Strength Training: It not only tones your body but also helps improve skin elasticity by promoting muscle growth underneath the skin.
Additional Skin Care Tips
While key products and dietary choices lay the foundation for glowing menopausal skin, sometimes it’s the smaller, daily habits that make all the difference. Beyond the bottles and jars on your vanity, the path to radiant skin lies in the nuances of your routine and environment.
From mindful choices in the shower to the air you breathe indoors, let’s delve into some lesser-known yet impactful tips to elevate your skincare journey during menopause.
- Avoid fragrances and limit sugar intake.
- Warm showers and timely moisturizing are your friends.
- Boost your skin health with dry brushing.
- Breathe better indoors with humidifiers and diffusers.
- Limit Hot Tools: Using hot tools like hairdryers near the face can further dry out the skin. Use them on cooler settings and keep them at a distance.
- Switch to Silk: Consider switching to silk pillowcases. They are less abrasive than cotton and can prevent moisture loss from the skin.
- Avoid Smoking and Limit Alcohol: Both can dehydrate the skin and accelerate aging.
- Regular Facial Treatments: Visit a trusted aesthetician regularly. They can customize your treatment to address your unique level of dryness and specific skin concerns.
Incorporate these additional tips into your routine, and you’ll be well on your way to achieving and maintaining that coveted glow.
Ready for Radiant Skin? Let’s Chat!
Navigating the menopausal maze can be challenging, but with the right skincare guidance, you can come out glowing! If you’re ready to embrace radiant skin again, reach out and let’s embark on this journey together.
📞 Call me at (323) 653-4701
💌 Email at skinsense@skinsensewellness.com
📍 Visit me at 8448 W. Third Street, Los Angeles, CA 90048
“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.
Electrotherapy treatment has long been used to combat aging. It’s one of the best ways to help the skin maintain its tone, elasticity and youthfulness. This type of treatment has lots of benefits. It is non-invasive, suits all skin types, is pain free and suitable for any age.
So, let’s learn more about the types of electrotherapy treatments that are currently available.
Electrotherapy Treatment Types
#1 Microcurrent Electrotherapy Treatment
Microcurrent is an electrotherapy treatment that boosts collagen and elastin production. This process gently lifts the contours of the face by tightening the muscles. And softens the appearance of lines and wrinkles. It also stimulates the production of ATP ( Adenosine triphosphate) a form of glucose necessary for all cellular rejuvenation.
At Skin Sense we often combine Chinese herbs and glycolic acid with our microcurrent electrotherapy treatments to help exfoliate the surface of the skin and repair sun damage. The result is healthier-looking skin and improved complexion.
#2 Ultrasound Facials
Ultrasound is another type of highly effective electrotherapy. Suited for all skin types
Ultrasound facials deeply cleanse the skin and help active ingredients to absorb more readily. This improves skin texture, repairs sun damage and decreases pigmentation.
Are you having problems with acne? Ultrasound facials will help to clear breakouts and rebalance the skin.
#3 Galvanism
Galvanism, also known as galvanic current, has been used by aestheticians for decades because of its ability to penetrate the tops layers of the epidermis. It uses two different probes — positive and negative. The positive probe uses specialized acid-based serums that clean the pores and reduce inflammation. The negative probe uses alkaline serums. Together this process of iontophoresis detoxifies the skin and increases circulation and cellular activity.
#4 High-Frequency Electrotherapy Treatment
As its name suggests, this method of treatment uses an alternating high frequency current. By producing oxygen on the skin surface it has an anti-bacterial effect that is ideal for treating breakouts and acne.
High-frequency electrotherapy treatment is one of the best methods to ensure the skin does not breakout after extraction or a facial treatment. Extraction is often done as part of a facial procedure to remove blemishes and blackheads. This improves the texture and appearance of the skin and prevents scarring. It can also be performed on all skin types including the most sensitive.
Bottom Line
If you’re tired of sagging skin, acne, and wrinkles, fret not. These treatments will get rid of all these skin imperfections. By combining them your skin will look much healthier and younger. So book your facial today and have your aesthetician customize an electrotherapy treatment for you!
Ultrasound Facials * Call (323) 653-4701 – Skin Sense Wellness
Anti-oxidants can be vitamins, minerals, or proteins (enzymes) that assist in reducing the damage caused by free radical activity.
Free radicals are groups of atoms that come to us through food, chemicals, the environment, radiation and stress. In part, they are a necessary and natural by-product of our bodily functions and metabolism. But when the production of free radicals is beyond the capability of our natural anti-oxidant defenses they can have damaging effects on our body cells and immune systems and can be extremely aging.
Skin is especially vulnerable to damaging free radicals, which can cause wrinkles (cross-linking) sagging and in extreme cases, when over exposure to UV light is involved, cancer.
Here is a list of ways to fight free radical activity:
Make sure your skin care products contain high levels of anti-oxidants and when having spa treatments have your aesthetician include vitamins along with hydrating and anti-aging ingredients that maintain the skin’s general well being.
Eat organic foods that have a high antioxidant level. Include lots of color in you daily food intake of fruits and vegetables – dark green, yellow, red and orange are the best – and eat moderate amounts of nuts and oil. (Extra virgin olive oil, flaxseed and hemp are excellent.) Make sure when you shop, you add carrots, kale, broccoli, avocados, spinach, citrus fruits, onions, walnuts, berries and tomatoes to your basket.
If you feel the need during extremely stressful times, add supplements, especially vitamins A, C and E, which speed up the skin’s natural repair systems by directly inhibiting further damage. B vitamins prevent itchy, dry skin and drinking green tea and eating dark chocolate keep skin soft and supple. There is also some proof that both may help protect the skin from cancer.
We cannot fully influence the environment or the level of radiation around us. But we can control what we are putting in our own internal environment – our bodies.
