Seeing Red?

5 TIPS FOR TREATING SENSITIVE SKIN

Everyone loves a sensitive soul. But sensitive skin? That’s a different story. Understanding what causes inflammation is the first step to stop seeing red.

1. Determine If You Are Sensitive or Sensitized. The root of your redness will determine how to treat it. “Sensitive” skin is red due to internal factors like hormones, diet, and DNA. It can manifest in a general ruddy complexion, reactivity to certain products and foods, or varying degrees of Rosacea. And chances are, other family members have it, too.

On the contrary, “sensitized” skin is red due to external factors that compromise the skin’s natural barrier. Daily habits and environmental factors like the overuse of harsh ingredients, product allergies, changing weather conditions, and sun damage can all cause unnecessary redness.

2. Don’t Use “Natural” or “Organic” Products. People with sensitive skin often turn to “natural” products because they mistakenly believe that what's safe to eat is safe for the skin. But these products have an inappropriate pH for skin that can trigger allergies, creating even more redness and inflammation.

3. Don’t Overuse Harsh Ingredients. Having sensitive skin can make you more prone to other conditions like excessive dryness, wrinkles, and acne. And the typical treatments for these facial flaws can break down the skin’s barrier function. Heavy oils, glycolic acids, and retinols are all off limits.

4. See an Esthetician. Sensitive skin not only looks and feels bad, it can cause all kinds of problems if left unchecked. Effective treatment requires finding the right balance of active and soothing ingredients, and a professional esthetician can help. Book an appointment today.

THANKSGIVING PREP

PAMPER YOURSELF BEFORE THE HOLIDAY HUSTLE.

As Thanksgiving approaches, so does the stress of family gatherings, Whether you're hosting, travelling, or simply enjoying the festivities, a little pre-holiday pampering can help you look and feel your best. 

Prep Your Skin with a Facial. Fall weather can leave your skin feeling dry and dull, especially with the drop in temperature and indoor heating. Consider booking a facial a week before Thanksgiving. It will help restore moisture, brighten, and refresh, leaving you with a beautiful glow on the big day.

Unwind with a Stress-Relieving Massage. From cleaning and decorating to cooking up a feast, Thanksgiving prep can be intense. Taking time for a massage can help ease any pre-holiday tension and get you feeling relaxed and ready to enjoy the festivities. Choose a massage that suits your needs—a deep tissue for tight muscles, a hot stone to ease the chill, or a seasonal massage to lift your spirits.

Keep Up with Skin Care at Home. To maintain the spa glow through Thanksgiving, revamp your routine at home. Incorporate a brightening Vitamin C Serum and a richer moisturizer to lock in hydration during the cooler months—your skin will thank you!

Treat Yourself to a Post-Thanksgiving Spa Day. After Thanksgiving is over, treat yourself to another round of relaxation to recover from the hustle and bustle, and reset as you gear up for the rest of the holiday season.

It's Peel Season!

Time to Get Tough on Facial Flaws.

Everybody knows how much I love peels. This versatile form of chemical exfoliation sloughs off dead skin while triggering new cell production. Why is this important? Because almost every facial flaw--from acne to congestion to wrinkles to pigmentation--is rooted in exfoliation. And now that summer is over, it's the perfect time to start sloughing!

I understand that the concept of a "peel" is a little foreboding. But there are so many wonderful options today that allow you to choose a pace that suits your lifestyle. You don't have to peel to get results. In most cases, you won't peel at all. And you definitely won't look like Samantha from Sex & the City.

Light Peels. These can be added on to a facial or received a la carte. We offer AHA (lactic/glycolic), BHA (salicylic), and pumpkin peel formulations to ensure the perfect fit for your skin type.

Medium-Depth Chemical Peels. These stronger lactic peels from industry-expert PCA Skin are a great choice when you want to get a little more aggressive. We offer both TCA and Jessner formulations that are completely customizable. They take a little at-home prep work, and work best when done in succession, but can dramatically improve your skin with little to no downtime.As an interesting side note: we get a lot of calls from people asking percentages on our peels. The strength of a peel has more to do with its ph level than the actual percentage. A 10% glycolic, for example, can be a lot stronger than a 30% glycolic if it is formulated with a lower ph. So if you are one of those people shopping for peels on Amazon, be very careful. These ph levels are rarely divulged so you don't know what you are really getting.

FALL IN LOVE WITH YOUR SKIN

5 TIPS FOR THE SEASON

The transition from summer to fall brings cooler temperatures and lower humidity, which can leave your skin feeling dry, dull, and sensitive. To keep your skin healthy and radiant, it's essential to adjust your skin care routine to suit the season.

 SWITCH TO A RICHER MOISTURIZER: As the air gets drier, your skin needs extra hydration. Swap your lightweight summer moisturizer for a richer, cream-based formula. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, shea butter, and ceramides to lock in moisture and prevent dryness.

 EXFOLIATE GENTLY. With cooler weather, dead skin cells accumulate more quickly, leading to a dull complexion. Use a gentle exfoliant once or twice a week to slough away cells and allow your moisturizer to penetrate more effectively.

CONTINUE USING SUNSCREEN. Just because summer is over doesn’t mean you should ditch your sunscreen. UV rays are still present in the fall, so make sure to apply broad-spectrum SPF daily to protect your skin from damage and premature aging.

HYDRATE FROM WITHIN. Don’t forget to hydrate your skin from the inside out. As you transition from iced beverages to warm drinks, keep drinking plenty of water to maintain your skin’s moisture balance.

ADD A HYDRATING SERUM. Consider adding a hydrating serum with hyaluronic acid or plant oils. These ingredients provide an extra layer of moisture and help plump up your skin, keeping it soft and supple during the drier months.

Back to School Checklist

Books, backpacks, new clothes, dorm gear…you’re on it! But what about a plan for clear skin? Book a little spa time will send them back looking great!

Teen Facials: (for ages 16 and under): When hormones start ramping up, both oil and cell turnover go into overdrive. And it takes time for the skin to figure out what the heck to do with it all. So you end up with is a face full of oil trapped under layers and layers of dead skin cells, A.K.A a fun-fest of bumps, blackheads, and pimples. Our teen facials are designed for the needs of young skin, and include instruction on how to care for teen skin at home.

Express Facials: (over 16 years): In your 20s, it’s all about starting good habits that minimize bad ones…like drinking, staying out late, eating poorly, and stressing out over college. Oh the memories! Our Express Facials can help unclog pores, minimize breakouts, and counteract sun exposure that leads to damage down the road.

Waxing: Brows, lips, legs, and more, we specialize in professional hair removal. We use the highest quality waxing products to minimize irritation, along with the utmost sensitivity and discretion during all procedures.And let’s not forget mom and dad! Now that the kids are back in the books you have a little more time to take care of you! Book a massage and/or a facial for yourself. You deserve it!

The Hidden Dangers of Sun Exposure

HOW HEAT AFFECTS YOUR SKIN

As summer beckons us outdoors, it's easy to forget that our skin is at risk from the very sunlight that we crave. While the warmth of the sun can feel rejuvenating, excessive sun exposure and heat can cause significant damage to our skin.

Harmful UV Rays. Not only can UV rays cause sunburn and damage DNA which increases the risk of skin cancer, they can penetrate deep into the skin and cause premature aging, wrinkles, and pigmentation/age spots.

Effects of Heat: High temperatures can worsen sun damage by causing dehydration and heat rash. They can also stimulate oil production, potentially leading to acne breakouts.

PROTECTION TIPS
Use Sunscreen: Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 and reapply every two hours.
Seek Shade: Avoid direct sun from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Wear Protective Clothing: Use long sleeves, hats, and sunglasses.
Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated.
Use After-Sun Care: Apply aloe vera or moisturizers after sun exposure.

BRIDES, DADS & GRADS

Celebrate Summer at the Spa

June is a month of many celebrations. And brides, dads, and grads all need the same thing...relaxation!

Brides. All brides want to look their best on the big day. But they also suffer significant stress from wedding planning and preparation. Our Bridal Package offers for the perfect combo of relaxation and results with a Bride-to-Be Facial, paraffin hand treatment, massage, and glass of champagne.

Dads. Guess what? Men love spa days, too! Our male clients ask a lot of questions about redness, brown spots, crow’s feet, and more. Which tells me that they’re spending more and more time looking in the mirror. They’ll just never admit this to you. Book them a facial or a massage for Father’s Day. A little bit of pampering goes a long way.

Grads. After years of hard work, late nights, and academic pressure, grads deserve a moment of relaxation and rejuvenation. A spa day is the ultimate celebration of their achievements, and the perfect segue to life’s next chapter.

The Busy Mom's Guide to Skin Care

You deserve a little self-care.

Almost every day I find myself telling a client, “If you don’t take care of yourself, you can’t take care of anyone else." But for busy moms, self-care often lands last on the list. Most days you’re lucky to take a shower, let alone practice any consistent skin care regimen. But the ritual of taking care of your skin is about much more than looking good. It also helps preserve mental health and overall wellness. Here are a few tips to work with even the busiest of schedules:

Simplify your routine. Nobody has time for the 14-step Korean skin care routine, let alone busy moms. Focus on the basics: cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen. If you feel really ambitious, weave in a mask once a week. You can even create an activity involving your kids and mask together.

Take advantage of the shower. Multitasking in the shower? You bet! Keep a second cleanser in the stall, along with an exfoliating mask you can apply while conditioning your hair or shaving your legs.

Keep products within reach. Out of sight is out of mind! Don’t hide your products in a cabinet. Keep 'em right next to your toothbrush so you remember to use them. Wash your face and moisturize right after dinner if you’re often too tired before bed.

Prioritize stress management. Stress can take a toll on your skin, leading to breakouts, inflammation, and other issues. Make time for stress management activities like getting a facial or a massage. Or throw on a mask and take a bath (can you imagine?)!

Taking care of your skin doesn't have to be complicated or time-consuming. Happy Mother’s Day!

SPRING CLEAN YOUR SKIN CARE ROUTINE

Get a fresh start with these 3 ingredients.

It’s spring—the season of transition. And your skin is transitioning, too. Which makes it a great time to reevaluate your skin care regimen and weave in some new ingredients that are perfect for the season.

Vitamin C. We all know the benefits of Vitamin C when ingested. But applied topically, it’s really a game changer in terms of skin health and vitality. First, it’s an antioxidant, which means it fights free radicals that can damage your skin. It also brightens, hydrates, and treats pigmentation without making you sun sensitive. And it’s a natural UV filter, which makes it perfect for sunny spring days to come.

Chamomile. Not only does this fair flower bloom in spring, its properties can really help transition your skin. Chamomile helps rejuvenate skin cells to address cellular damage while soothing and hydrating. Look for its derivatives including Bisabolol and Azulene, as well.

Sage. I know sage seems like a fall favorite, but this healing herb is perfect for spring due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Winter weather is harsh, and chances are you’re still suffering from dryness, eczema, redness, and sensitivity. Sage helps relieves these symptoms, and regulates oil production that can get out of whack with the change in temperature and humidity.

March Madness

Healthy skin for the win!

As a basketball fan and an esthetician, March Madness has multiple meanings. Sure I love college ball (go Gauchos), but this season presents some unique challenges for your skin as well. Here are a few tips practiced by the pros:

Start with a Solid Defense. Rain one day, sun the next...your skin needs a strong defense against this month’s wonky weather. Moisturizer plus sunscreen is the winning combo against winter winds and UV rays.

Stay Hydrated to Avoid Fatigue. To ensure your skin stays hydrated from the inside out, drink plenty of water throughout the day. You can also incorporate hydrating foods like watermelon, cucumber, and citrus fruits into your diet for an extra boost.

Take a Time-Out for Self Care. Even the best players need to regroup and refocus. Take some time to relax and prioritize your skin by getting a facial or trying a new product.

Be Mindful of the Competition. Seasonal allergies, spring sickness…March is full of potential skin irritants. Maintaining a winning skin care routine will ensure you finish strong all season long.