The Power of Peptides

A SPRINKLE A DAY KEEPS THE WRINKLES AWAY?

When it comes to anti-aging, a lot of ingredients come to mind. Retinols, Vitamin C, CoQ10, Glycolic Acid. But there's another group of free-radical fighters that really packs a punch! These are, of course, Peptides.

What are they? Peptides are chains of amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein in the skin. They send signals to our cells that tell them how to function. One important protein is collagen, which gives our skin its thickness and suppleness.

Why do I need them? When collagen breaks down in the skin (from age and environmental factors like the sun and stress), wrinkles form. Peptides applied topically to the skin send signals that trigger the formation of new collagen, which plumps the underlying tissues. Voila! Fewer wrinkles. Additionally, Peptides have been shown to reduce pigmentation by suppressing the creation of melanin. Bye bye brown spots!

Where can I get them? Once you start looking more closely at Peptides, it gets a little confusing. Matrixyl, Copper Peptides, Oligopeptides, Pentapeptides. Yikes! Ask your esthetician which products are best for you. And kick start it all with our Line-Refining Peptide Facial.

Microdermabrasion

What is is and is it right for me?

Microdermabrasion is a wonderful way to treat skin conditions like acne, fine lines, dark spots, large pores, and scarring with almost zero downtime.

What is it? Microderm is a method of advanced exfoliation that uses crystals and high-pressure air to exfoliate dead skin off the surface of the face.

Why is it better than what I am doing now? Exfoliation is the key to correcting skin issues. And turning over your skin cells faster encourages new cells to grow faster and correct problems faster. Even if you are getting regular facials/peels and practicing good skin care at home, nothing exfoliates as efficiently and effectively as microderm. It will also help your at-home products penetrate better.

How will my skin look afterwards? You may look a little pink after your session, but will typically return to normal within an hour. More sensitive people get a little bumpiness and remain pink until the next day.

What is the prep/post care? You will need to refrain from sun exposure and using retinols, glycolics, or other anti-aging/acne treatments 1 week before and after treatment. For best results, we recommend multiple treatments spaced 7-10 days apart.

Why Ritual Day Spa? It’s all about the machine. Unlike other units that utilize large crystals and low pressure, our brand-new, state-of-the-art machine uses small crystals and high pressure. This allows for a faster, more comfortable experience with less “aftermath” like redness and irritation. We can get better results in just one pass; no need for cross-hatching that can irritate the skin. It also allows us to treat areas that other machines can’t like the upper lip and eyelids! Unlike other systems, ours also includes an oxygen infusion which calms the skin and restores lost vitamins and minerals.

What about the newer diamond tip technology? Don’t be fooled by the fact that something is “new.” Diamond tip systems don’t allow for as much control as crystal systems do. Most of the time you end up with too much or not enough abrasion. We chose a crystal-based machine to allow for the maximum versatility to treat all skin types safely and effectively.

How much does it cost?

Check out our pricing here >>

'Tis the Season of Dehydration

LEAVE THE RED NOSE TO RUDOLPH THIS HOLIDAY!

This time of year I hear the same complaint over and over, "my skin's so dry!" Fine lines, flakiness, redness, roughness, itchiness, tightness, unusual breakouts...such are the woes of winter skin. But given the season, it's possible that dehydration, not dryness, is the real culprit.

Dry or dehydrated–what's the difference? Dry skin is defined as a lack of oil production. It is your genetic "skin type," and probably something you've dealt with your whole life. It can definitely be made worse, or better, by your products, the season, and your lifestyle. Dehydration is defined as a lack of water or moisture in the skin. Even oily skin can experience dehydration. It is a "skin condition," thus much easier to control.

What causes dehydration? Living in California, specifically during the winter, is especially hard on the skin due to the low humidity. And we all admit that when the temperature drops below 60 we start blasting our heaters, which evaporates water from the skin. Additionally, lifestyle changes such as holiday stress, hot showers, cold medications, winter sports, and increased party-going make matters worse.

What can I do? The key to treating dehydrated skin lies in retaining moisture. You need to re-hydrate the cells, from the inside and from the outside, while preventing water evaporation. Use moisturizers and serums rich in hyaluronic acid, glycerin, squalene, and plant lipids, and don't forget to keep exfoliating or your products won't penetrate. And drink plenty of water. Sleeping with a humidifier can also help tremendously.

Learn More >>

Aging & Antioxidants

What's our beef with free radicals anyway?

You've probably been told that staving off the signs of aging requires using antioxidants to fight free radicals in our skin. And you probably nodded agreeably even though you were thinking, "what the heck is this person talking about?" "What's a free radical?" "What's an antioxidant?" "And why do I need a $75 serum?" Well for all of us afraid to ask for fear of looking stupid, here you go....

What's a free radical? Basically, free radicals are atoms that have lost an electron and have gone rogue. They live to become whole again. They need that electron back. So they go around and steal one from a happy, whole atom, hence turning that atom into a free radical, too. But alas, the stolen electron eventually gets rejected and the original thieving atom turns back into a free radical. And so the process continues exponentially.

What causes free radicals and why do I care? Smoking, drinking, sun damage, stress, pollution, and aging in general all cause electrons to die through oxidation. Clearly, a lot of these factors can't be prevented. Once an atom loses an electron and no longer functions properly, it can lead to tissue damage that appears in the physical form of wrinkles and sunspots. Who wants that?

What's an antioxidant? Antioxidants are electron-filled ingredients like Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Retinol (Vitamin A), Peptides, and CoQ10 that are capable of counteracting the damage free radicals cause. They do this by donating compatible electrons to the defective atoms, allowing them to become whole and function like proper cells again. In addition to preventing future damage, antioxidants also help the body repair itself by encouraging cell and tissue growth. Sign me up, please!