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 importance of exfoliating, even dry skin

Skin never rests. It is constantly changing, growing, sloughing. One skin cells' life cycle is about 28 days from birth to shedding. As a skin cell makes it's way from the inner layers of skin to the outside of your body, it goes through a process of hardening. Once the skin cell is completely hardened, it has died, and serves it's role of protection for your body. Skin replaces the outer layers of dead cells with new cells to keep that safety barrier intact.

It is a constant process of regeneration. The rate at which the skin cells are moves to the surface and sloughed off is dependent on many factors, such as age, sun exposure, amount of exfoliation, treatments, skin conditions and others. Age causes cell turnover and metabolism to slow down. This lead to a decrease in lipids and moisture within the skin. This results in dead skin cells remaining on the surface longer. If the dead skin cells don't slough off, the new cells won't grow as fast, either.

To speed up the process of new cell generation, we can help our skin by exfoliating. There are chemical and mechanical means of exfoliation. Which you choose is up to you, but make sure you know what is happening to determine if you are satisfied with the ingredients that are being used.
Mechanical means of exfoliation is achieved by using a mildly abrasive substance, such as sugar, salt, pumice, oatmeal, etc, to gently scrub the dead skin cells off. This generally means that fewer or no chemicals are involved, so you don't need to worry about ingredients being absorbed into your body. You do have to use caution so that you choose an appropriate exfoliant so that you don't use something too harsh for your skin. Sugar and oatmeal are very gentle, if a small sized particle is used. These are usually in a base of lotion or oil to soothe and soften the skin during the process.

Chemical means of exfoliation is just that, a chemical that literally digests the dead skin cells. Substances such as alpha hydroxy acids, enzymes and other ingredients can be natural or artificial, but they all do the same thing. There are many different strengths available, and many treatments, like chemical peels, require you to slowly work up to using them. These chemical exfoliants generally leave skin feeling softer, though you may not really notice the difference between a chemical and a mechanical exfoliant's results.

In either case, exfoliation is vital to healthy skin. It not only softens and increases your skin's protection of your body, but it also enhances nerve stimulation and skin respiration. Exfoliation is important to your skin and overall health.

Book a facial with Pam K in Appleton at The Salon Professional Academy for a thorough skin evaluation, facial, exfoliating treatment, and a complementary service. Mention this blog DURING YOUR FACIAL consultation, and you will get a coupon for $5 off your first service making the basic facial cost only $17! Call Pam today at 920-420-2450 to book an appointment. Don't wait, call today to reserve your spot since space is limited and this offer only lasts for a few months. You won't believe the difference in your skin, and you will learn secrets to better skin health.

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.

Waste Removal

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Although every cell of the body assists in waste removal, certain organs specialize in waste management. The liver can be viewed as the recycling center of the body, where one of its responsibilities includes sorting out toxins and directing them to the appropriate organ for elimination. If the liver is inflamed or damaged, toxins remain to circulate throughout the body. When functioning optimally, the skin can actually help or hinder the liver's detoxification process. The skin and liver detoxification relationship has two facets:

1. the skin can absorb poisonous chemicals, increasing the liver's detoxification load
2. the skin can expel toxins, relieving the liver's detoxification load

Unfortunately, people regularly slather their skin with a coating that prevents toxin elimination through the pores – a surefire way to contain poisons earmarked for elimination. With this exit blocked, more toxins remain in the body's circulation to fan the flames of hepatic inflammation.

The skin is the elimination organ with the largest surface area. In addition to regulating temperature and body moisture content, the skin also functions as a backup or waste removal. If the liver is unable to process toxins, the skin provides an alternate escape route. However, the pores must be open and clear for this process to occur without event. Skin rashes, acne or other skin disorders are often indicators of a toxic build-up beneath the skin's surface caused by clogged pores.

Common Clogging Culprit
Also known in the fossil fuel industry as crude oil, most of us come into contact with petroleum every day. Products containing petroleum include gasoline, Styrofoam, lubricating oils and many cosmetics. Claiming to moisturize our hair, skin and lips, mineral oil and petroleum are the primary ingredients in many beauty products. By covering the skin to form a protective barrier, petroleum and mineral oil effectively lock moisture against the skin.

Unfortunately, this supposedly beneficial barrier blocks more than is desired. Because it prevents the skin from breathing and expelling toxins, petroleum-based products can obstruct the skin from eliminating waste, thus increasing the liver's detoxification load. Check the ingredients on your skin care products to see if any of these petroleum derivatives are present:

· Mineral Oil
· Petroleum or Petrolatum
· Propylene Glycol
· Isopropyl Alcohol
· Ceresin
· Toluene
· Benzene

Perfluorochemicals

Perfluorochemicals, or PFCs, are widely-used water, grease and stain repellents.

What are perfluorochemicals?

They’re found in carpets and on clothes, on fast-food wrappers, and on the inner lining of pet food bags. You might know them as Teflon®, Scotchgard^TM, Stainmaster® and Gore-Tex®. They pollute water, are persistent in the environment, and remain in the human body for years. Companies that manufacture PFCs have agreed to phase out one variety, called PFOA, by 2015. Unfortunately, there’s no evidence that the chemicals being used to replace it are any safer.

What problems are associated with PFCs?

PFCs are associated with smaller birth weight and size in newborn babies, elevated cholesterol, abnormal thyroid hormone levels, liver inflammation, and weaker immune defense against disease--all good reasons to reduce your exposure.

HOW TO AVOID PFCS

• Forgo the optional stain treatment on new carpets and furniture.
  Find products that haven’t been pre-treated, and if the couch you own is treated, get a cover for it.
• Choose clothing that doesn’t carry Teflon® or Scotchgard^TM tags.
  This includes fabric labeled stain- or water-repellent. When possible, opt for untreated cotton and wool.
• Avoid non-stick pans and kitchen utensils.
  Opt for stainless steel or cast iron instead.
• Cut back on greasy packaged and fast foods.
  These foods often come in treated wrappers.
• Use real plates instead of paper.
• Pop popcorn the old-fashioned way on the stovetop.
  Microwaveable popcorn bags are often coated with PFCs on the inside.
• Choose personal care products without “PTFE” or “perfluoro” in the ingredients.
  Use EWG’s Skin Deep at cosmeticsdatabase.com to find safer choices.

from http://www.ewg.org/node/26667

Panthenol for skin and hair

Panthenol is also known as vitamin B5 since panthenol is converted into pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) a major constituent in coenzyme A, when it is oxidized. Coenzyme A is needed by every living cell to help it grow and survive.

Panthenol is an important part of skin and hair care. Providing revitalizing and conditioning effects, panthenol possesses humectant-like properties that aid in skin absorption and hydration. As an active ingredient for sophisticated cosmetic skin care and hair care products, it improves the appearance of skin, hair and nails.

In hair care products, panthenol fills in cracks in the hair shaft to strengthen the hair. This plumps and moisturizes the hair shaft to make it appear thicker, and reduces split ends. Panthenol is an excellent hair nutrient with penetrating abilities to support cellular growth and tissue repair.

In skin care, panthenol acts as a penetrating moisturizer. In the skin it aids moisture retention (ability to both hold and attract water) and increases elasticity. It helps heal skin problems such as acne, eczema, dermatitis, diaper rash and soothes burns. Panthenol has humectant-like properties that promote moisture absorption. It can effectively reduce irritation and reduce redness and add additional moisturisation. Also useful in after-sun care or tanning lotions.

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Hyaluronic Acid in skin care products

Hyaluronic Acid (HA) is natural substance found in the connective tissues of your body. The benefits of HA are many and include internal and topical applications. It is naturally occurring in our bodies, and less is produced as we age.

One benefit of HA is that it helps maintain the very shape of our skin. If you are a specimen of healthy skin, more than likely, you have a large amount of HA in your body. Of course, the opposite side of this is that, a reduced amount of this acid is associated with the appearance of wrinkles. Thankfully, topical treatments of skin care products with HA can reverse the signs of aging, with continued use.

Our skin has layers which need to be efficiently connected to each other. HA helps to maintain healthy collagen and to keep the skin moisturized and avoid wrinkles. It stands to reason then, that HA is a key ingredient used in many of the best anti-aging skin care creams and products.

HA retains water much like a sponge. It absorbs an astonishing thousand times its weight. It hydrates your skin and increases its volume and density. HA has the ability to be effectively absorbed by the skin as well as serves as an efficient "carrier" of other anti-aging ingredients to cells. That means that the active anti-aging ingredients are transported to the cells through the layers of skin.. It also provides the volume necessary in your skin's overall appearance.

The benefits of Hyaluronic Acid are many, with no known side effects that you need to be concerned about in HA products, except there have been reports of some side effects associated with knee and facial injections. HA is not only beneficial in lubricating our joints, heart valves and eyes, it is essential to having wrinkle-free skin.

Skin care products containing HA help to hydrate the skin, allowing it to appear smoother and more radiant. Clinical studies have shown that it also helps wounds heal more quickly, and can reduce the appearance of both old and new scars. Topically, the benefits of HA can be quite significant, though continued use is necessary to maintain the benefits.

Hyaluronic acid helps to store water in the skin, providing essential moisture to body processes. HA helps control cell migration, which protect cells and also activates white cells in the blood. The benefits of using hyaluronic acid include: softer skin, faster wound healing, dry skin relief, reduced fine lines, tissue reconstruction, and more.


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Aloe Barbadensis

Aloe is an age old plant that has been around since the time of the Bible. It is even spoken of in scripture, though it may have been a different variant of what we know today. Aloe has long been known as a skin rejuvenator, healer and soother. It has even been known to have internal benefits for diabetes and more.

Aloe is easily grown and many have one growing in their kitchen to use for minor cuts and burns. Once the thick leaves have grown big enough to produce a thick gel, you can simply snip or break a small piece off one of the tips, and apply to your abrasion. It soothes burns, heals cuts, and vanishes bug bites.

Chemical analysis has shown that Aloe contains minerals, vitamins, amino acids, enzymes and proteins which all contribute to its beneficial nature.

Benefits of Aloe:

• Relieves itching from insect bites and allergies
• Promotes suppleness of the skin
• Helps control acne, burns, cuts and scratches
• Relieves symptoms of psoriasis

Aloe can be purchased in many forms, but for cosmetic use it is mainly in powder or gel form. Aloe juice or gel is prone to spoilage, so the powdered form is much more easily stored and can be hydrated quickly for use. Aloe can be added to lotions, creams, toners and more to get the full benefits for skin care.

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Allantoin: what is it and why is it good for your skin?

Allantoin is the primary ingredient of the comfrey plant. Chemically synthesized allantoin is natural-identical, safe, non-toxic, compatible with cosmetic raw materials, and meets CTFA and JSCI requirements. It is a common ingredient in many high end skin care products.

Manufacturers of allantoin promote many beneficial effects when used as an active ingredient in over-the-counter cosmetics:

• stimulates new tissue growth
• soothing effect
• moisturizing effect
• softening effect
  
• gently sheds outer layer of skin
• increases the water content of the outer layers of skin
• promotes cell proliferation and wound healing
• has a soothing, anti-irritant, and skin protectant effect by forming complexes with irritant and sensitizing agents, preventing them from causing grief with your skin

Allantoin is even be found in toothpaste, mouthwash, other oral hygiene products, shampoos, lipsticks, anti-acne products, sun care products, lotions, creams, and more.

It is important to note that allantoin has not been proven scientifically to reduce the appearance of aging, but the evidence doesn't lie. Use of products containing a sufficient amount of allantoin has shown to be effective in reducing wrinkles and rejuvenating skin by womens' testimonies all over the world. When used in conjunction with other ingredients, allantoin can show signifiant improvement in your skin. It is not an overnight solution, but rather a great ingredient to add to your skin care regime.


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