Hello, Hindsight?

SKIN CARE ADVICE FOR MY YOUNGER SELF.

‘Tis the season for holiday movies. And my personal favorite, A Christmas Carol, always makes me ponder the possibilities. If I could go back in time, what would I change? Unfortunately, any serious alteration might set off a Butterfly Effect. So I’d be happy with just a few words of wisdom about my passion…skin care. Here’s what I’d say…

“Wear SPF 30 every day.” Obviously skin Cancer is the biggest danger here. I don’t want to downplay that. But I have spent thousands of dollars trying to correct the other effects of sun damage like wrinkles and pigmentation.

“Wash your face morning and night, even if you don’t wear make up.” So many people tell me that they don’t wash their face morning and night. But we produce oil 24/7. Throw in a little pollution, dog kisses, sticky kid hands, and drool and you’ve got a recipe for clogged pores and irritation.

“Don’t smoke.” Smoking asphyxiates the skin, which leads to clogged pores, dehydration, and collagen breakdown. And those vertical lines around your lips? Totally caused by puffing and puckering.

“Don’t use drug store products.” Before I became an esthetician, I never bought professional skin care because, well, I didn’t know any better. I also thought that I couldn’t afford them. But products sold to the masses have such low percentages of active ingredients that they basically do nothing. They also have a lot of alcohol and cheap fillers. Why settle when there are professional products close to the same price?

“Start using eye cream before you need it.” Oh crow’s feet…how you taunt me every time I look in the mirror. Using eye cream in your 20s and 30s helps keep fine lines from forming in the first place.

“Get regular facials.” I used to view facials as a luxury. But now I know that getting regular facials really does make a difference. And I hear it time from my clients all of the time. They help keep your pores clear, and your skin exfoliated and hydrated. It’s all about wellness and prevention, just like going to the dentist.

It’s never too late to start good habits. Happy Holidays!

Aging Gracefully

Skin Care in Your 60s, 70s, and Beyond

Have you ever noticed that skin care after 50 seems publicly non-existent? After a certain number of birthdays, the world stops talking to you. No more products, no more articles, no more advertising. It's like they assume you stop caring about your skin. Let's change that!Everyone ages differently. But certain conditions like dryness, thinness, age spots, wrinkles, and sensitivity are common for most. It's easy to look in the mirror and think, "maybe it's too late." But the key is not to focus on younger skin, but on healthy skin.

1. Cleanse. Cleansing your skin morning and night is just as important in your 70s as it is in your 20s. Choose products that remove oils without stripping your skin. Suffering from menopausal acne? Try a cleanser with alpha-hydroxy acid twice a week.

2. Exfoliate. Your skin is constantly regenerating, but cell turnover slows significantly as years go by. Gentle exfoliation can help speed up the process by sloughing away dead skin and pushing damaged cells up and out. Facing dark spots? Consider a daily spot treatment with hydroquinone.

3. Smooth. The key to creating a smoother-looking complexion is moisturizing. Consider double-duty formulations that contain a humectant (to draw in water) and a sealer (to prevent it from evaporating). Incorporating retinols and antioxidants like coenzyme Q10 and vitamins C and E can also help minimize skin imperfections by increasing collagen production.

4. Protect. Sunscreen use can significantly slow the signs of aging, so slather up. It's important to use a product with broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher every day. And see your dermatologist if you experience any rough patches, pimples that don't heal, or bumps that bleed easily.