Tag Archives: menopause
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.
http://www.allureaesthetics.com
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.
Dermaplaning: The Quickest Way to Get The Most Beautiful Face Ever
What Is Dermaplaning?
Dermaplaning is the controlled scraping of the skin using a sterile, stainless steel blade for the removal of dead skin cells as well as all of the “fuzz” (fine facial hair).
It immediately rejuvenates the skin and is highly effective in minimizing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and acne scars, while leaving skin smooth, supple and vibrant.
It also increases penetration of active ingredients in professional treatments and home care products.
Dermaplaning is an ideal treatment for women with fine (otherwise known as vellus) hair all over their faces.
The growth of this type of hair, which can appear like a light fuzz on the face, can make the application of make-up difficult and occurs for many women as they undergo menopause and experience hormonal changes. Removing this hair with laser treatments is not a viable option for many since the hair can be white or blonde and the light then cannot capture it for effective hair removal.
Mature Skin and Hormones
As we age, our skin goes through significant changes as a result of shifts in hormone balance. Microcirculation is affected by this balance.
As women enter perimenopause in their 40s and continue into menopause (50s) there is a decrease in estrogen. As estrogen depletes, the skin begins to lose its tone, all tissues begin to thin, vascular and capillary walls begin to weaken, there is less moisture in the tissues, cell turnover is reduced and protective pigment lessens.
Hormone replacement is often suggested for women experiencing menopause. These therapies may be derived from animal-source estrogens and plant-source estrogens. Estrogens from plants are about 400 times weaker than animal estrogens.
Hormonal changes are the cause of the microcirculation problems that are common in mature skin. One such problem is red blotches and rosacea. Some of the causes of couperose veins are:
- alcohol
- smoking
- sun damage
- harsh cosmetics
- heat/cold fluctuations
- topical corticosteroids
- inflammation
These all lead to permanent dilation of the capillaries. The following ingredients are proven to have a positive effect on mature and rosacea skin:
- green tea
- squalane oil – rich in vitamins A,D, and E
- seaweed
- camomile
- allantoin
Microcirculation problems are best controlled with a combination of medical therapies, including in-office treatments, daily care products and lifestyle considerations.
Causes Of Excess Hair Growth
Everyone has hair follicles all over their body except for the palms of their hands and the soles of their feet. In women, the follicles on the face, arms and body usually produce tiny, almost invisible hairs (vellus) that are not generally noticed. However, sometimes this hair growth is so thick and/or dark that it becomes very obvious.
There are racial differences in the degree of hair growth on the face and body. Individuals of Mediterranean and Semitic decent are hairier than those of Nordic or Anglo-Saxon decent. Whites are hairier than blacks, while Orientals and American Indians are the least hairy.
If the increase in excess hair has been relatively sudden or rapid, you may have a hormonal disorder. Hirsutism refers to androgen (male hormone) dependent, terminal hair growth in a male sexual pattern, occurring in women. The commonest areas involved (and the best indicators of an elevated hormone) are the chin, chest, abdomen and pubic thigh areas.
Unwanted facial and/or body hair can result from drug treatment. These drugs include Dilantin, cyclosporine, danazol, anabolic steroids, minoxidil, diazoxide, tamoxifen, and high doses of cortisone over long periods of time.
Increased facial hair growth is fairly common after menopause. Hairs on the upper lip, the chin, and the sides of the face become darker, thicker and courser. This increased hair growth is not considered abnormal.
Unwanted hair can be an annoying and embarrassing problem for many women, men and teens. Most people have tweezed, shaved, waxed and used depilatories with only temporary results – often causing increased growth, ingrown hair and skin damage. The sites of body hair that individuals find undesirable are varied. Men most frequently shave their facial hair and mature males often need to remove excess nasal and ear hair. In women, the underarms, legs, abdomen, bikini, breasts, face and eyebrows are common sites of cosmetic reasons for hair removal.
Laser hair removal is a safe and effective treatment for all skin types.
Most hair growth is normal. But if you are concerned that it may be abnormal, you should consult your physician to determine whether your hair growth is indeed abnormal or excessive.
Allure Aesthetics 