What causes acne, and how do we treat it?

We all get pimples, or spots of acne, we hear things like “Don’t eat chocolate, don’t drink soda, its hormonal” but what are the real causes?

Well some of these explanations are true. Hormones can cause acne There are several times in our lives when our hormones can become unbalanced and wreak havoc, including puberty, pregnancy, menopause, and, well, any other time they feel like it. More specifically, acne may be precipitated by androgens, male hormones present in both men and women. The oil surplus created by these hormones may be instrumental in clogging hair follicles where bacteria grows and causes acne pimples and blemishes Hormonal acne is seen mostly in women due to the natural cycles a woman goes through, such as menstruation, pregnancy and menopause. Because of this, doctors sometimes prescribe low-dose birth control pills and/or androgen receptor blockers to reduce blemishes by keeping androgens steady.

Diet also has to do with acne, Diet has a direct effect on our body's insulin levels. Insulin is our master hormone and affects all of our other hormones, including our androgens (male hormones). Scientists heavily suspect that hormonal fluctuations, particularly in our androgen levels, can result in acne flare ups. Insulin also affects growth hormone and a host of other hormones which may be related to acne formation on a cellular level. It is hypothesized, yet unproven, that a diet which causes insulin spikes may affect the pathogenesis (development) of acne.

The right diet may also be related to acne in positive ways. Eating a low glycemic diet rich in veggies, fruit, seafood, and grass-fed meat can help stabilize insulin levels, which theoretically may have an impact. Also, ingesting Omega-3 fats, such as fish oil, for instance, has been shown to be a powerful anti-inflammatory agent in our body. Since a big part of acne is inflammation, it makes theoretical sense that eating an anti-inflammatory diet would help.

Other factors can be stress, and vitamin deficiency. The best thing we can do for our acne is to address it, instead of piling on makeup try to keep your face clean and find products that will help keep acne and break outs at bay, getting facials will also help. I offer facials for any skin problem, be it teen acne, adult acne, or hormonal acne, or even just if you need to relax and want your skin to feel refreshed.

Acne is a battle that we all fight at times, it hurts our confidence, and makes us feel unattractive, so let’s take the steps to make it vanish together.

Infrared sauna facts!

At Revive Wax and skin studio we offer an infra-red sauna, there are many great things about this sauna. Here are some facts from the healthmate website.

How Does It Benefit Us?

Because infrared rays penetrate the body over 1-1/2 inches throughout conversion, there is a deep heating effect in the muscle tissues and internal organs without giving too much burden to our heart.

Our body reacts to the increased heating through the natural cooling process of perspiring. Through the perspiration process, acid and waste residue like toxins, sodium, alcohol, nicotine, cholesterol and the potentially carcinogenic heavy metals are removed from the cells (especially zinc, lead, nickel, cadmium, etc). As well as the pores of our skin opening and discharging waste products, the skin sheds any old skin cells, leaving it glowing and immaculately clean, with improved tone, elasticity, texture and colour.

The deep penetrating heat also stimulates the heart to send more blood to the body cells to increase blood circulation, which improves many symptoms. Over the last 25 years, Japanese and Chinese researchers and clinicians have completed extensive research on infrared treatments and report many provocative findings. In Japan, there is an "infrared society" composed of medical doctors and physical therapists dedicated to further infrared research. Their findings support the health benefits of infrared therapy as a method of healing.

Cardiovascular Conditioning

While the moisture on the surface of the skin evaporates and thus cools the body, a number of other changes occur in the body to release the heat as quickly as possible. The heart beats harder and faster, pumping more blood through the dilated blood vessels, thus achieving the conditioning benefits of continuous exercise.

Weight Control

As our body expends energy to produce sweat (1 gm sweat requires 0.586 kcal) a moderately conditioned person can easily sweat off up to 1000gms or more in a sauna session — the equivalent to running 10-15 kms. While this weight loss can be regained by re-hydration with water, the calories consumed will not. This is a valuable system for those who don't exercise and those who can not exercise, yet want an effective weight control and fitness program, along with the benefits that regular exercise bring.

How Safe Is It?

Because infrared is part of the sunlight, it's completely safe to use. Health professionals have used red infrared heat lamps for decades to treat muscle and joint problems. In hospital baby care units, incubators are often equipped with infrared heating systems to keep newborn babies warm.

Health Mate Sauna Vs. Conventional Saunas

Whereas conventional saunas transfer heat by circulating hot air, thereby warming your body from your head down, the far infrared heat rays warm your body directly. This allows an in-depth heat in a more pleasant temperature of 110 - 150°F (43 - 66°C ), thus providing more health benefits and a highly enjoyable and comfortable environment.

Our sauna is reasonably priced helps healing and is great for detoxification, it also burns calories and is great for your heart!  Call us and make an appointment!

Alcohol and your skin.

We all drink alcohol, but what are the negative effects on our skin, and how can we remedy it?

Alcohol dilates the blood vessel in the skin. Every time you have a drink, the blood vessels will dilate and remain permanently dilated until they lose their tone. Excessive drinking will lead to the development of telangiectasias or chronic dilation of the capillaries and a permanent flush on the face. Alcohol also worsens acne rosacea, a skin disorders that is characterized by redness, flushing, pusheads and pimply bumps and telangiectasias.  Alcohol also depletes the body of vitamin A, an important anti-oxidant.

We all know that alcohol isn’t always the best choice for us, but in moderation it can lower cholesterol, reduce chances of diabetes, and lessen the chances of heart attacks.

Be sure that after you drink you rehydrate, we’ve already talked about how hydration is very important to your body and your skin. Alcohol dehydrates you, and that is why you get a headache when you are hung over, drinking water, and drinking fluids with electrolytes will help you rehydrate and get your skin and body to heal itself.  Also be sure to get your vitamins after drinking, by eating fruits and veggies, these will also help to rehydrate you. 

Also keep yourself hydrated while drinking by drinking a glass of water between drinks, this will keep hang overs at bay, and reduce dehydration brought on by alcohol! 

Microdermabrasion

To some of us the word “Microdermabrasion” seems extreme or scary.

The purpose, and the process of microdermabrasion is not extreme at all. Basically Microdermabrasion is a general term for the application of tiny rough grains to buff away the surface layer of skin. Many different products and treatments use this method, including medical procedures, salon treatments and creams and scrubs. The idea of this process is that if you remove or break up the stratum corneum, the body interprets that as a mild injury and rushes to replace the lost skin cells with new and healthy ones. In the first hour after treatment, this causes mild edema (swelling) and erythema (redness). Depending on the individual, these side effects can last anywhere from an hour to two days

With the stratum corneum gone, the skin's surface is improved. The healing process brings with it newer skin cells that look and feel smoother. Some of the skin's visible imperfections, like sun damage, blemishes and fine lines, are removed. Also, without the stratum corneum acting as a barrier, medicinal creams and lotions are more effective because more of their active ingredients and moisture can find their way down to the lower layers of skin. As microdermabrasion temporarily removes some moisture from the skin, it is always followed by the application of moisturizing creams.

Basically old skin is removed, and newer healthier skin is brought to the surface hyper pigmentation (the darkening of skin because of skin damage and pollutants) can be removed. The skin becomes fuller, fine lines are less noticeable, and products are absorbed more easily. None of that seems scary or extreme now does it?

Give me a call at 858-361-2156 to set up any appointment, including microdermabrasion!

Bion skin products

I recently introduced you to Rhonda Allison skin care products,  Today I am going to show you the other line of skin care products that I use Bion Skin care is a line based on biochemistry that can do wonders.   Bion Skin care is an affordable, reliable line with some really amazing products.  Here are a few of my favorites:

- GLYCOLIC CLEANSER - One of our most popular cleansers, Glycolic Cleanser is designed for clients with oily to excessively oily skin. As it enters the follicles to clear them of cellular debris, it also provides minor antibacterial action. The 3% glycolic acid works to retexturize the surface of the skin and is fast acting. It removes make-up and efficiently removes oils and lipids. Refreshing citrus scent. pH3.7

- TITANIUM DIOXIDE SUNSCREEN - This award winning sunscreen (Day Spa Magazine) provides UVA and UVB protection without chemicals. With SPF 30, BiON’s physical sunscreen is water resistant with maximum antioxidant and anti-carcinogenic protection.Physical sunscreens provide much better anti-aging benefits than chemical sunscreens because they help eliminate much of the secondary free radical damage that can result from sun exposure. The non-greasy formula is non-irritating to eyes and has a creamy consistency that goes on smoothly and provides mild moisturization. Dermatologists have recommended the combination of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide as superior sun protection. BiON uses these in highly micronized particles that are absorbed evenly on the skin and provide complete protection from harmful rays. Pleasant almond vanilla scent. pH 3.9

                                                                

- ULTRA MOISTURE RENEWAL- For dry to normal skin, this light but rich moisturizer uses ingredients that retain moisture and provide anti-aging and antioxidant benefits.  Ultra Moisture Renewal provides significant immune and repair stimulation, with eye cream performance.  pH 4.1

- BIO-ESSENCE NIGHTTIME CALCIUM COMPLEX - This is an outstanding product for mature skin of all types. It stimulates cell renewal within 36 hours and significantly hydrates skin to cause a flattening of lines and wrinkles.  Bio-Essence Nightime Calcium Complex is essential following microdermabrasion, peels and laser treatments, as it helps to re-establish the lipid barrier functions and promotes repair and healing.  It also reduces dry, scaly skin conditions and stimulates antioxidant production. Topical calcium provides anti-aging benefits and enhances skin cancer protection. Topical Calcium is available in an extra strength Professional Topical Calcuim Capsule also.    pH 4.2

These are just a few of the great products by this line, as always feel free to stop by and get a consultation about what products will help your skin thrive!!

Do you exfoliate regularly?

Everyone knows that we should exfoliate, but do we know why? The skin is constantly generating new skin cells at the lower layer (the dermis) and sending them to the surface (the epidermis). As the cells rise to the surface they gradually die and become filled with keratin. These keratinized skin cells are essential because they give our skin its protective quality. But they are constantly sloughing off to make way for younger cells. Exfoliation is sloughing off of the dead skin cells in the epidermis to show the bright new skin under it.  Of course we always want to see new bright full skin, but over exfoliating can also be bad for your skin.

Though exfoliation is a key part of skin care do you know if you’re doing it enough, or with the right products? The best way to know how much exfoliation you need is to book a consultation with me and we can discuss the best regimen for your skin. I offer body scrubs, microdermabrasion, peels, facials, and of course awesome products for you to take home to use between visits.  

My goal is always for my clients to look my best, and I am looking forward to seeing all of you!