Prevent Aging Skin

Ok, so you can't totally prevent it, but you wouldn't believe how much you can do to virtually eliminate the signs of aging. Did you know that there are two types of aging: Intrinsic and Extrinsic Aging?

Intrinsic aging is the natural aging process, determined mostly by genetics. This type of aging we can do nothing about, and just have to blame our parents for it. Diseases and poor nutrition also contribute to an increase in the aging process by depleting the body of important co-factors that our skin needs to function properly.

The amazing thing is that Intrinsic, or Natural aging only makes up 10% of our aging process. ONLY TEN PERCENT!! That means that 90% of the effects of aging can be controlled or even avoided altogether! Isn't that a relief? So, what can you do about it?

Extrinisinc aging is due to external, or controllable factors, like sun exposure, smoking, alcohol, and how you take care of your skin.

The number one factor in skin aging is SUN EXPOSURE. If you did a lot of sun worshiping when you were young, the damage is done, but don't let it get worse. Protect your skin every time you go out to minimize further damage. A sunscreen with SPF 15 is the minimum that you should use.

Sun damage exhibits itself outwardly by wrinkles, fine lines, loss of elasticity and hyper-pigmentation, or age spots and freckles. Sun damage can not always be seen to the naked eye. I special piece of equipment called Wood's Lamp can be used to reveal the amount of damage that a person has on her skin.

During a facial, an esthetician can evaluate the amount of sun damage and prescribe treatments to repair damaged skin. While elasticity and collagen tend to decrease, there are products that can help encourage the skin to produce more collagen and elastin to restore some of its lost vitality.

There are degrees of damage, and the less severe it is, the easier it is to repair. Preventing further damage is easy by covering your skin with a garment, sunscreen, or a makeup with sun protection. Tan glowing skin may look nice, but the damage it is doing will be your skin's undoing in the future.

Smoking and excessive alcohol deplete the skin of vital nutrients like oxygen, vitamins and more. These affect blood circulation within the skin, affecting the general health and function of the skin. Alcohol also dehydrates the skin and causes premature aging.

While you can avoid further damage by these outside aging factors, you can also work on repairing your damaged skin by regular skin care with quality product containing beneficial ingredients. Regular facials (every 4 - 6 weeks) are more effective than home treatments because of the equipment, and higher strength of ingredients that is available to better penetrate the skin layers. Hand in hand, facials and home skin care work together to keep your skin healthy and beautiful.

Please book your facials with Pam today, to learn more about your skin and what you can focus on to keep it healthy. She is taking a course at The Salon Professional Academy on College Ave in Appleton, to earn her Esthetician’s license. During her training, she is taking clients at the Academy for facials, waxing, and makeup services. Because she is still in training, her prices are very reasonable, AND you can earn discounts!
This first coupon entitles you to $5 off your first service with Pam. If you refer more clients to her, you receive $5 off for each referral. Simply fill out the back of a coupon (get more from Pam) and send your friend in for a service. Once the friend books a service and redeems her coupon, you will have credit at the Academy toward future services. There is no limit to the number of friends you can refer and get discounts for.
Once licensed, Pam will be performing these services in Oshkosh, but prices will be higher. Space is limited and she will fill up fast, so call the Academy(968-0433) and request Pam right away to schedule your service (Facials are a relaxing 1-1½ hours).
Book your appointment by the end of June and get a complimentary add on service during your first visit.

The Skin and its Functions

The skin, or the integumentary system, is the largest organ of the body. It performs 6 main functions: protection, absorption, secretion, excretion, regulation, and sensation. Here is a quick summary of each of the functions:

Protection
-shields internal tissues and organs from pollutants, smoke, UV rays, chemicals and other harmful substances
-barrier to infection from bacteria and viruses and to extreme temperatures
-the skin contains immune cells that provide the body with its first line of defense

Absorption
-vitamins and acids, water and oxygen are all absorbed through pores in the skin
-provides moisture, nourishment, protection

Secretion
-sebum, or oil, keeps the skin soft and pliable
-this layer of sebum makes up the acid mantle (pH of 4.5-5.5), which acts as a barrier to prevent bacteria from entering the body

Excretion
-the skin is the body's largest waste removal system
-release of toxins such as carbon dioxide, are release through sweat glands
-release of urea, salt, and other chemicals (ever eat garlic and it seeps out your pores so that others can smell the garlic??)

Regulation
-temperature is regulated by the skin
-goose bumps and shivering warm the body
-sweating cools the body
-the skin also changes blood flow to regulate body temperature

Sensation
-millions of nerve fibers transport information to the brain from the skin
-receptors detect pain, heat, cold, pressure, touch

By no means is this inclusive, but it is the basic example of what the skin does. It is important that you care for your skin. It doesn't have anything to do with vanity, it has to do with better health. Take care of your skin and what you put on it, so it can perform its duties well and keep you healthy.

6 steps to a healthier you

Life is full of things that drain us and affect our health. Some of those things, we can't do anything about. We just have to deal with events the best we can.
There are things that we can control, and those things have the greatest impact on how healthy we are. Here, we review 6 things that are vital for good health and mental well being.
1. Rest & Relaxation
Most people neglect their rest and don't give sleep enough importance. There are well documented effects of sleep including renewed vigor, reduced tension, and time for the body to repair and regenerate. Although each person is different, generally a person needs 6 to 8 hours of sleep per night. Keeping a regular sleep schedule is just as beneficial for your body. If you can find your pillow the same time each night, your body will find your sleep much more restful.
2. Exercise
I know, the dreaded word, but it doesn't have to be agonizing. Simply finding the activity that works for you is the key. There are a myriad of options you can choose from for picking the right activity for you. Most importantly is to balance your workout so you include cardiorespiratory fitness with strength training and flexibility. Even simple things go a long way toward keeping you fit, like parking at the farthest distance from the entrance to work or shopping, or taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Believe it or not, these little things help keep you fit in the long run.
3. Stress Management
Did you know that there is good stress and bad stress? Stress that compels us to action is considered good stress. Feelings of stress, anger, helplessness and depression are bad stress. Learning to manage the bad stress and deal with life's blows is vital to good emotional and physical health. Often times, just having a good shoulder to lean on and listen to you vent is all you need to make it through tough times.
4. Nutrition
Nutrition is the process of turning raw materials such as carbohydrates, fats and proteins, into energy. The energy is then used to regulate body temperature, build and re-build structures of the body, and move and think. Adult men and women have different needs and different body types have different needs, but basic nutrition is vital to us all. Common sense dictates raw fruits and vegetables are good for you, but what about sweets and fats? You can easily include these items in moderation into your diet without guilt. Don't deprive yourself, or you will more than likely binge. A little bit once in a while helps keep urges under control.
5. Hygiene
Simply put, keeping your body and environment clean and healthy. Both in your work and your home, there are basic things that keep you healthy. For example, use products that don't contain any harsh chemicals or toxins, and maintain a regular cleaning and bathing routine. This includes reading labels to see what you are putting on and in your body, as well as asking questions about what options you have when making a purchase. Seek the advice of qualified professionals to help you make these decisions.
6. Ergonomics
Most of the above topics are pretty basic. What most people don't think of, though, is the workplace. How you sit at your desk, how you stand while working, how you lift a box, and many more instances are vital to your health. You can easily sprain a muscle or permanently damage yourself by simply twisting or moving the wrong way. Seek proper technique for your particular workplace to make it as safe and ergonomically friendly as possible.