Skincare Solutions
By: Alison VanKirk, Licensed Clinical Aesthetician
Is aging a main concern of yours?
"What skincare remedies can I do to slow down this aging process? What is the best anti-aging cream available? How can I get rid of these fine lines?" Professionals are asked these questions daily. The immense amount of information on the market today is often overwhelming to the consumer.
Healthy skin can be difficult to obtain, especially considering the fact that we do not start realizing we need to care for our skin until the damage is already done. We simply run to the nearest cosmetic counter and attempt to reverse the visible signs of aging with the most well known $200 cream on the market. For decades, we have been subjected to the advertising claims of cosmetic companies promising more youthful, vibrant, healthy skin. Unfortunately, in the past, most of these claims have been false and companies use enticing ads to draw in consumers. These products often do not live up to their claims.
Many consumers are jaded to the plethora of cosmetic ads making outrageous claims, and now tend to dismiss any claims as false advertising. How do you change one’s view of the cosmetic industry? Many are skeptical at any mention of anti-aging products that claim to make improvement. To alter this view, professionals must continue to educate consumers on skincare products and ingredients.
Maintaining healthy skin is the key to looking and feeling good about one’s self. The start to healthy, glowing skin is a good skincare regimen that includes the following steps: Cleanse, exfoliate, tighten, hydrate and protect. Let’s start with an explanation of these essentials!
Cleanse: Use a mild cleanser designed for your skin type. Cleansers should be used each and every morning to deeply cleanse pores and take off excess oils and debris. Avoid harsh soaps and look for alpha hydroxy acids for deep cleansing. For maximum benefit, try cleansing for 30 seconds to a minute. This will allow the ingredients to infuse your skin.
Exfoliate: Since the early days of Cleopatra, alpha hydroxy acids (AHA’s) have been used to create a softer smoother skin texture. AHA’s are meant to encourage cell turnover which will lead to overall healthier skin. Glycolic, Lactic and Citric acids are among the most commonly used acids. These acids are naturally sourced from sugars, milk and fruits. Exfoliation is something that we must perform in order to maintain a healthier more beautiful skin. Weekly at home products in addition to in-office professional treatments are all available for individuals to achieve the “glow” that we all desire.
Tighten: Retinoic acids are prescription only and are FDA approved to smooth fine lines, tighten the skin by promoting collagen production, and exfoliate the dead skin layer. Everyday use of a retinoid will lighten and brighten the skin. Retinol is a derivative of a Retinoid and will provide the same results with less irritation. Again, many advertising companies claim their products are anti-aging and contain Retinol, but what the consumer does not know is that there are many derivatives of Retinoids. These derivatives are not nearly as effective as Retinol, so be sure “Retinol” is listed in the top 10 ingredients.
Hydrate: Applying a daily moisturizer will boost your skin’s ability to retain moisture. Look for a lipid-based moisturizer; this will hydrate your skin to look soft and supple, and will also balance the pH of your skin.
Protect: We must take extra care to protect our skin with a broad-spectrum sunscreen. About 90% of aging skin comes from the sun. When purchasing a sunscreen it is important to look for these ingredients: Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide and/or Avobenzone (Parsol 1789). These will block the UVA rays (these are the “aging” rays). Apply your sunscreen daily before you leave your house in the morning, and if you are out for the day, reapply your sunscreen every 2 hours. It is also beneficial to apply an antioxidant daily. Antioxidants will protect your skin from free radicals, which breakdown our collagen and elastin, resulting in wrinkled and sun damaged skin. Both an antioxidant and a broad-spectrum sunscreen, when used together, work to form a protective barrier against the harsh elements.
When looking for quality skincare products, remember it is all about the ingredients, not how much the product costs. Once you get a good quality product it will be slightly more expensive than the drug stores due to the potency, research and development. The key to prevention is starting a good skincare regimen in your early years. We cannot stop aging, but we can slow the process down. It is never too late to begin a skincare regimen. Skin is the largest organ of your body and it is also your first line of defense. It is important to take care of your skin and keep it healthy and fit. For proper skin analysis, find a Dermatologist and/or a Medical Aesthetician to further advise you. A medical professional will also be able to provide in-office treatments such as Facials, Chemical Peels, and Microdermabrasion. You will find that these treatments and many more are available to both correct and restore your skin.
By: Alison VanKirk, Licensed Clinical Aesthetician
Is aging a main concern of yours?
"What skincare remedies can I do to slow down this aging process? What is the best anti-aging cream available? How can I get rid of these fine lines?" Professionals are asked these questions daily. The immense amount of information on the market today is often overwhelming to the consumer.
Healthy skin can be difficult to obtain, especially considering the fact that we do not start realizing we need to care for our skin until the damage is already done. We simply run to the nearest cosmetic counter and attempt to reverse the visible signs of aging with the most well known $200 cream on the market. For decades, we have been subjected to the advertising claims of cosmetic companies promising more youthful, vibrant, healthy skin. Unfortunately, in the past, most of these claims have been false and companies use enticing ads to draw in consumers. These products often do not live up to their claims.
Many consumers are jaded to the plethora of cosmetic ads making outrageous claims, and now tend to dismiss any claims as false advertising. How do you change one’s view of the cosmetic industry? Many are skeptical at any mention of anti-aging products that claim to make improvement. To alter this view, professionals must continue to educate consumers on skincare products and ingredients.
Maintaining healthy skin is the key to looking and feeling good about one’s self. The start to healthy, glowing skin is a good skincare regimen that includes the following steps: Cleanse, exfoliate, tighten, hydrate and protect. Let’s start with an explanation of these essentials!
Cleanse: Use a mild cleanser designed for your skin type. Cleansers should be used each and every morning to deeply cleanse pores and take off excess oils and debris. Avoid harsh soaps and look for alpha hydroxy acids for deep cleansing. For maximum benefit, try cleansing for 30 seconds to a minute. This will allow the ingredients to infuse your skin.
Exfoliate: Since the early days of Cleopatra, alpha hydroxy acids (AHA’s) have been used to create a softer smoother skin texture. AHA’s are meant to encourage cell turnover which will lead to overall healthier skin. Glycolic, Lactic and Citric acids are among the most commonly used acids. These acids are naturally sourced from sugars, milk and fruits. Exfoliation is something that we must perform in order to maintain a healthier more beautiful skin. Weekly at home products in addition to in-office professional treatments are all available for individuals to achieve the “glow” that we all desire.
Tighten: Retinoic acids are prescription only and are FDA approved to smooth fine lines, tighten the skin by promoting collagen production, and exfoliate the dead skin layer. Everyday use of a retinoid will lighten and brighten the skin. Retinol is a derivative of a Retinoid and will provide the same results with less irritation. Again, many advertising companies claim their products are anti-aging and contain Retinol, but what the consumer does not know is that there are many derivatives of Retinoids. These derivatives are not nearly as effective as Retinol, so be sure “Retinol” is listed in the top 10 ingredients.
Hydrate: Applying a daily moisturizer will boost your skin’s ability to retain moisture. Look for a lipid-based moisturizer; this will hydrate your skin to look soft and supple, and will also balance the pH of your skin.
Protect: We must take extra care to protect our skin with a broad-spectrum sunscreen. About 90% of aging skin comes from the sun. When purchasing a sunscreen it is important to look for these ingredients: Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide and/or Avobenzone (Parsol 1789). These will block the UVA rays (these are the “aging” rays). Apply your sunscreen daily before you leave your house in the morning, and if you are out for the day, reapply your sunscreen every 2 hours. It is also beneficial to apply an antioxidant daily. Antioxidants will protect your skin from free radicals, which breakdown our collagen and elastin, resulting in wrinkled and sun damaged skin. Both an antioxidant and a broad-spectrum sunscreen, when used together, work to form a protective barrier against the harsh elements.
When looking for quality skincare products, remember it is all about the ingredients, not how much the product costs. Once you get a good quality product it will be slightly more expensive than the drug stores due to the potency, research and development. The key to prevention is starting a good skincare regimen in your early years. We cannot stop aging, but we can slow the process down. It is never too late to begin a skincare regimen. Skin is the largest organ of your body and it is also your first line of defense. It is important to take care of your skin and keep it healthy and fit. For proper skin analysis, find a Dermatologist and/or a Medical Aesthetician to further advise you. A medical professional will also be able to provide in-office treatments such as Facials, Chemical Peels, and Microdermabrasion. You will find that these treatments and many more are available to both correct and restore your skin.