Tag Archives: acne
Seasonless Skincare
Here are three skin care habits that should be continued all year long.
SUN PROTECTION
Daily sunscreen is imperative for healthy skin. Sun exposure not only leads to skin cancer, but to aging, hyperpigmentation, capillary damage, free radical damage and collagen and elastin deterioration. Daily sunscreen can be in moisturizer form and comes in all weights and formulas. Allure Aesthetics Advanced Protection SPF 30 is designed to lighty hydrate your delicate skin with natural ingredients. It is developed for the face and the body.
EXFOLIATION
Exfoliating is an important step to a smoother skin texture. Removing dead skin from the surface of the skin will allow other products to absorb quickly. The removal of dry, dead, surface cells can help the skin in the following ways:
- It makes the skin smoother.
- It facilitates the extraction of matter that clogs pores.
- A faster cell turnover rate brings cells to the surface more rapidly.
- It improves the skin’s ability to retain moisture.
- It helps product penetration which makes the ingredients in your skin care products more effective.
Allure Aesthetics Papaya Creme Enzyme Polish gently cleanses and exfoliates in order to prevent pores from becoming clogged. It contains a high-powered antioxidant fruit blend and anti-aging peptides that provides new ways to quench the skin’s need for free radical fighting power.
MOISTURIZE
Moisturizers seal and protect the surface of the skin. Even oily skin needs hydration or it will overcompensate for dryness and produce more oil or become dehydrated. Allure Aesthetics Herbal Silk Moisturizer is a silky moisturizer that leaves a light protective moisture barrier that helps smooth skin texture.
Home Care Can Make A Significant Difference In The Skin’s Health And Appearance
Home Care Facial Protocol
Allure Aesthetics skin care products contain specially chosen natural herbal extracts, specialty ingredients and aromatherapy essential oils that are blended with water-based emulsions to provide results. No sensitizing fragrances are used.
1. Cleanse – Apply Oxygen Revitalizing Cleanser to remove all facial make up around face and neck. Rinse completely with tepid or warm damp towel.
2. Tone – Apply Vital Hydrant Toner. Spray several pumps of mist to flat cotton pad and apply small gentle upward sweeping motion to face and neck.
3. Exfoliate – Use a quarter size Papaya Creme Enzyme Polish and massage in gentle upward motion to face and neck area. Do not use pressure while massaging. Massage for 1 to 2 minutes. Rinse completely with tepid or warm damp towel.
4. Address eye areas – Apply a small amount of Refreshing Anti-Puff Eye Gel to eye area. Carefully apply to top and bottom of the eye not too close to the lash line.
Final step – Apply Herbal Silk Moisturizer and Advance Protection SPF 30.
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Properly Sequenced Order For Applying Skin Care Products
Do you have questions about whether or not a product is best used in the morning or night? Are you confused about whether special treatments should be applied before or after moisturizer or sunscreen?
These general guidelines should help provide specific directions about when and how to use skin care products.
1. Apply eye makeup remover on a two-sided moistened cotton pad and swipe the eye area in a downward direction. Flip the pad and wipe the eyes until clean. If necessary, turn the pad inside out or use a newly moistened pad and repeat until the eyes are completely clean.
2. Cleanse the face with a cleanser that best suits your skin type and condition. Cleansers should be used twice a day.
- oily or combination skin – foamy cleanser or face wash
- normal or combination skin – cleansing lotion
- dry skin – milky cleanser
- very dry or mature – cleansing cream
3. Toners are used after cleansing. They remove residue left by cleansers and they restore the skin’s natural pH after cleansing.
- oily and acne prone skin – astringent
- normal and combination skin – toner
- dry, mature and sensitive skin – fresheners
4. Exfoliation removes the dry, dead surface cells that makes the skin smoother, helps unclog pores, helps product penetration making them more effective and improves the skin’s ability to retain moisture.
- limit exfoliation to once a week ( 3 times a week for oily skin types)
- use exfoliants at night to avoid leaving the skin exposed to the elements during he day
5. Masks work best on freshly exfoliated skin. Used weekly, masks can:
- tighten and tone the skin
- draw impurities out of the pores
- clear up blemishes
- hydrate
- nourish
- calm and soothe
- rejuvenate the skin
6. Serums are thinner liquids and eye creams are usually thicker to protect thin, delicate skin. Serums and eye creams are applied under moisturizers.
7. Moisturizers seal and protect the surface of the skin. Even oily skin needs hydration or it will have to overcompensate for dryness and produce more oil or become dehydrated.
8. Daily sunscreen is imperative for healthy skin. Sun exposure not only leads to skin cancer, but to
- aging
- hyperpigmentation
- capillary damage
- free radical damage
- collagen and elastin deterioration
Double Trouble: Wrinkles and Acne
Just as wrinkles start to make you feel old, zits bring you back to your youth. At least a quarter of women ages 35 to 55 have acne. Though adult acne can be the result of a hormonal imbalance (just as in your ten years), it usually flares premenstrually or during times of increased stress. It also usually crops up along the jaw, chin and neck, whereas teen acne is typically across the entire face.
Causes and Recommended Treatment
- Oil, when it gets hard in the pores, can cause plugs. Cleanse the skin to loosen existing plugs of oils, bacteria and other debris.
- Comedogenic oils can cause the oil glands to become clogged, such as Vaseline. Use oils that are not comedogenic; vitamin E, castor oil, oil of borage and wheat germ are just a few.
- Bacteria found on objects can be transmitted to one’s skin causing breakouts in that particular area. Hair products block pores around the hairline. Avoid contact with objects that might be bacteria-ridden such as phones, hands, workout clothing, dirty pillow cases. Clean objects regularly with alcohol or antibacterial wipes, where applicable.
- Oily ingredients in makeup can clog pores. Rancid oil from old makeup carries bacteria. Not removing makeup before going to bed may cause breakouts. Avoid makeup that is very heavy or that contains comedogenic oils. “Oil Free” does not mean “non-comedogenic.” Wash applicators frequently.
- Over stimulating the oil glands topically can happen when using alcohol or products that dry the skin out. Skin can be oily and still be dry (dehydrated). Avoid products that over-stimulate the oil glands. Remember that with respect to oil and hydration, balance is the key to beautiful skin.
- Scarring may occur from picking at deep (cystic) acne and forcing the substance out so that it tears the skin, leaving the tissue broken, which forms into a scar. Control the acne before it becomes a problem. Leave extractions to a professional. Chemical peelings address acne problems.
What Is Available To Treat Acne?
- Oral Medication – Accutane for the most severe cases. Outcome (one to three months) is usually good; regular blood monitoring is required. This medication is systemic and causes extreme dryness and flakiness. There may be hormonal changes that not everyone can tolerate.
- Chemical Peeling – uses acids and enzymes to unclog the pores and balance the skin’s surface. Most people require ongoing treatments, which depend on the severity of the cases, but with continuing treatments you can achieve excellent results. Superficial monthly peels help with maintenance.
- Home Care – most important because there is no such thing as a one time quick fix. Consistency of maintenance is the key to the condition of the skin (washing and hydrating). Personal hygiene is within your control and you should participate in your skin care and wellness.
Conclusion
Skin changes as you change, internally and externally and according to environment and climate. Awareness and good maintenance of the skin is a balance and the key to healthy and beautiful skin.
Do You Have Milia?
Milia are whitish, pearl-like masses of sebum and dead cells under the skin and are more common in dry skin types. They are found on the face, lip borders and eye lids. They are not pimples or acne. They are actually tiny cysts that appear as white beads under the skin. Many people try to “pop” them as if they were removing a pimple, but most milia have hard, seed-like centers. Removing them at home may cause scarring. An esthetician can remove it simply by piercing the surface and extracting the dead cells.
Trapped skin cells that cannot exfoliate naturally are the main cause of milia. Some people can prevent them by regularly exfoliating their faces with facial scrubs. Exfoliate your skin to prevent milia, not to cure them. Papaya Creme Enzyme Polish gently cleanses and exofoliates the skin in order to prevent pores from becoming clogged.
Has Acne Already Damaged Your Skin?
Acne, a skin disorder of the sebaceous glands, is characterized by comedones and blemishes and is a hereditary trait which is also triggered by hormonal changes.
Acne ranges from mild breakouts to disfiguring cysts and scarring. Causes of acne include the following:
- clogged pores – a plug of mixed dead skin cells and sebum in the follicle.
- bacteria – when follicles are blocked with sebum and dead skin cell build-up, oxygen cannot reach the bottom of the follicle, resulting in bacteria growth.
- cosmetics and products – moisturizers and sunscreens should be water based.
Acne is broken down into four grades. The number of lesions, comedones, papules, pustules or cysts present determines the severity of the acne.
- Grade I – Minor breakouts, mostly open comedones, some closed comedones and a few papules and pustules.
- Grade II – Many closed comedones, more open comedones and more papules and pustules.
- Grade III – Red and inflamed, many papules and pustules.
- Grade IV – Cystic acne. Cysts with comedones, papules, pustules and inflammation are present.
Hormonal changes, stress and certain foods may aggravate acne.
- Hormones – during puberty, androgens stimulate sebaceous glands and testosterone causes an increase in oil production. Adult acne is more common in females. Hormonal fluctuations from birth control pills, premenstrual changes, pregnancy and menopause can lead to acne inflammation in women.
- Stress – stress causes hormonal fluctuations and increased sebum production.
- Foods – eating fresh vegetables and fruits and increasing water intake seem to help those with acne experience fewer breakouts.
- Irritations – pressure or friction from rubbing or touching the face, phone use, or wearing hats can contribute to acne breakouts. Dirty pillow or makeup brushes can also transfer bacteria to the face. Keeping hands and items that touch the face clean can help keep the skin from breaking out more.
In the field of skin care, we define the process of removing excess accumulations of dead cells from the outer layers of the skin as superficial peeling. Peels are used to control skin conditions such as acne, hyperpigmentation, clogged pores, eczema and dry skin.
After treatment, skin looks and feels smoother and softer. Peels dramatically enhance the skin’s health and appearance. After having a peel, you should not necessarily expect to “peel.” However, you might have light flaking in a few localized areas for a couple of days. Most clients who undergo these treatments have only residual redness for anywhere from one to twelve hours.
The Best Treatment For Hyperpigmentation (Brown Spots)
Hyperpigmentation is a condition that affects many people. As acne blemishes heal, they leave dark spots on the skin. Sun exposure also causes dark pigmentation areas on the skin that clients often want to diminish. The best preventative measure is to stay out of the sun and wear sunscreen daily. Peels and brightening agents can be effective in reducing breakouts and some of these hyperpigmented areas. Hydroquinone is the only FDA approved agent. It is not a bleaching agent, but a melanin suppressant. Brighteners such as kojic acid, mulberry, licorice root, bearberry and azaleic acid are known to reduce pigmentation. These affect melanin production and are more effective when used with peels.
Peel Benefits
Peels improve the texture of the skin and increase hydration, moisture retention, elastin and collagen production.
Peels also reduce fine lines, wrinkles and pigmentation. After treatment, skin looks and feels smoother and softer.
Peels are used to control skin conditions such as hyperpigmentation and clogged pores.
When It Comes To Professional Treatments, Trust The Experts
Whether you are trying to even out skin discoloration, clear acneic/blemished skin, smooth fine lines and wrinkles, improve the texture of your skin or reduce redness, you may be a candidate for a peel. It is your physician’s, nurse’s or skin care professional’s role to select what type of peel is right for your skin type and condition. They are the key to creating a customized plan that will help you achieve younger-looking, healthy, beautiful skin.
Tips To Help Control Acne Prone Skin
Most acne stems from the following:
- 5 – 10% is hereditary
- improper hygiene
- diet/health issues
- medications
- the use of wrong products
What is the fastest way to get results with acne prone skin?
- Change pillow cases often.
- Never use a wash cloth as it transfers the P-acne around.
- Cleanse face two times a day at a minimum, more if you are into sports.
- You need to moisturize. Be sure to use the correct one to balance out oil production.
- Get clinical treatments (peels, facial, extractions) at least once a month.
Acne is a complex disease and the degree of control varies. It is not necessary to let acne make your life miserable and it need not be feared as something as untreatable. Most cases can be controlled, minimizing the severity and resulting scarring. Left untreated, it can result in permanent scarring and affect your self-image.
Ingredients Your Skin Must Have
The cosmetic industry is continually developing new products to improve the appearance of the skin. The products you use can make a significant difference in the skin’s health and appearance. You need to make decisions about products that will best suit your skin type.
When products are used correctly, results are more noticeable. Performance ingredients, sometimes called active ingredients, are ingredients that benefit the skin. Hypoallergenic describes ingredients that may be less likely to cause allergies. Noncomedogenic will not clog pores or cause blackheads.
These ingredients can usually be tolerated by sensitive skin. Try them one at a time.
- Aloe
- Oatmeal
- Chamomile
- Green Tea
- Licorice Extract
If you have normal skin use products with these ingredients to get the best results:
- Dimethicone
- Algae Extract
- Sodium Hyaluronate
- Glycolic Acid
- Panthenol
Soothe, relieve and moisturize dry skin with products that contain:
- Dimethicone
- Glycerin
- Lanolin
- Lactic Acid
Don’t over-dry oily skin. Use products that contain:
- Salicylic Acid
- Tea Tree Oil
- Glycolic Acid
- Benzol Peroxide
- Hyaluronic Acid
Most effective ingredients to fight acne:
- Alpha-hydroxy Acids (AHAs)
- Benzoyl Peroxide
- Clay
- Salicylic Acid
- Sulfur
- Tea Tree Oil
There are countless skin care ingredients and hundreds of product lines from which to choose. Choosing the correct product formula is important to effectively and safely treat the skin. Knowing which ingredients are best for your skin type will make it easier to choose the right skin care products that your skin must have.
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