6 Common Skin Problems of Summer

6 Common Skin Problems of Summer:

1. Pityrosporum folliculitis type of acne from sweating
2. Staph folliculitis from shaving with an unclean razor
3. Self-tanning product problems, such as alligator-looking skin scale or significant darkening of age spots
4. Increase in rosacea from the sun
5. Rough thick scale on feet from wearing sandals
6. Intertrigo from sweating

Which Chemical Peel Is Right For Me?

Determining which chemical peel is right for you is a difficult decision but the most important question a person needs to ask themselves is what are your goals for your skin. It is important to realize that all chemical peels all differ in result and how deep they penetrate the skin.

If you want to exfoliate the skin, then using a low strength glycolic, jessner or salicylic chemical peel can be used. In order to correct any pigment abnormalities such as melasma, using an AHA Kojic peel is very beneficial. For deeper peels that target fine lines and wrinkles, a TCA peel is a good peel to use.

In order to maintain healthy skin, it is vital to use a chemical peel to maintain that beauty. Several factors should be considered before applying a peel which include possible downtime and budget. A chemical peel that is applied by an esthetician usually ranges between $200 and $300 per application; however, any individual who is knowledgeable on the result they want to achieve can apply a peel.

It is important to consult with an esthetician so they can guide you in the proper direction and can help you with the result you plan on achieving. Please take a look through our  peel lineup and talk to our estheticians before making any decision.

Hydroquinone: What are the risks?

For those of us who had unfortunately had the experience with using this harsh bleaching agent know the long term outcome. Hydroquinone is a very popular bleaching agent that is often prescribed and used in many skin lightening products. We often want a quick solution that doesn't always results in a better result. Hydroquinone works by pulling out the melanin in skin cells, which causes discoloration and hyperpigmentation of the skin. In theory, that's ideal in a skin lightening product but what many of us are not aware of, is that prolonged use of hydroquinone has been associated with the development of hyperpigmentation, especially in darker skin tones. So the result is more often worse than we anticipated  

A great, safe and natural alternative is Arbutin agent and Kojic acid. Arbutin is extracted from bearberry plant with natural lightening benefits due to it inhibits tyrosinase and thus prevents the formation of melanin. Kojic acid  comes from a type of fungi (mushrooms) and can be harvested from numerous species. It can also be derived from plant sources too, such as the case during rice fermentation. Since discovered in Japan 20 years ago in has taken the industry by storm in its lightening benefits. Both ingredients are excellent in treating melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, lightening the skin to its lightest natural skin tone, treating sunspots and suppresses melanin production. As a result,very natural alternatives yet still very effective

One puff of exhaust from a city bus could expose your skin to more pollutants than those your grandmother was exposed to in her whole lifetime.

Air pollution, fluorescent lights, and some computer screens, even tap water with iron in it – all of these expose your skin to more free radicals than any generation before us. And, since your skin can no longer keep up with these assaults, a chain reaction of oxidation is happening right on it. It’s like your skin is….rusting.
Welcome to modern society, right? Free radicals run free and your skin really does look like it’s aging faster than you are.
We have the environment to thank for unprecedented levels of free radicals challenging the skin cells you have right now. But here’s the real problem. These same free radicals also cause damage to the skin cells you’ll have in the future. Which means that without intervention, damaged skin cells continue to emerge and make your skin look older – way before its time.
In short, skin you don’t even see yet already looks older.
What are the major sources of free radicals in/on our skin?
1) Unprotected sun exposure
2) Pollution/chemical exposure/smoking
3) Skin care products- ingredients that produce free radicals (i.e. benzoyl peroxide, hydrogen peroxide, hydroquinone)
4) Normal chemical processes in the body that give off free radicals
The good news – our skin can tolerate an infinite supply of antioxidants. When we give our skin the nutrients it craves, the skin’s aging process will dramatically slow down – provided the skin is protected from sun damage and free radicals are no longer being applied to the skin. It will produce healthy cells. Healthy cells = healthy, soft, radiant looking skin.

Does milk cause acne?

The links between diet and acne have been controversial for the last century.  However, there is a growing body of evidence that what you put in your mouth may show up on your skin; and wholesome milk is at the center of that controversy.

Evidence that Milk Causes Acne

In 2008, researchers looked at almost 2,500 young men in a well-designed study to assess this issue. The group of men who drank the most milk tended to have the worst acne. This finding supports the results of a previous study in teenage girls in which diets rich in dairy products were found to be the culprit. Interestingly, it seems that skim milk was a worse offender than whole milk. Sherbet, cottage cheese, and chocolate milk also negatively affected the acne counts. The studies also failed to link fatty foods with breakouts. So while chocolate, pizza, soda, and fast food are not completely off the hook in my opinion, they do not seem to have the acne-generating potential of milk.

So Why Milk?

I need to specify that it was only cow’s milk studied. Rice, soy, and goat milk still have no data to support any links with breakouts. The prevailing theory is that people are absorbing the hormones given by dairy farmers to the cattle to stimulate milk production. Cow’s milk is rich in a hormone called insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1). During adolescence, when acne is at its worst, the human body churns out a massive amount of IGF-1. It is believed that the IGF-1, testosterone, and another hormone called DHT (all found in milk) trigger acne breakouts through a complicated chain reaction. DHT is known to stimulate the oil glands, called sebaceous glands, to create a thicker, oilier substance that is more prone to block pores. The acne associated with testosterone is well-recognized from its use in body builders and athletes also. Two previous studies showed high milk consumption was linked to high IGF-1 levels; and again skim milk was worse than whole milk. The method of processing skim milk may account for this as whey proteins are added to impart a creamier texture. Some researchers speculate that these added proteins account for the effect. However no one really knows at this point.

So Should You Reduce Milk Consumption to Protect Against Acne?

Many dermatologists are still wary of the milk-acne link. They point out the studies only draw a correlation and not a provable causal relationship. The Dairy Council also refutes the studies. I’m sure we all know people who guzzle milk and have beautiful complexions and vice versa.

At this point, we feel it is safe to conclude that excessive intake of milk in acne prone teenagers may worsen pre existing acne. In reality, there will never likely be a double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled study addressing this and you never really know how compliant teenagers are with either prescribed medicines or diets. Who hasn’t snuck a bowl of ice cream in while on a diet.

What Are Some Exfoliation Options I Can Use?

Can't decide between the exfoliation options? Let us help you in some handy information. Exfoliants are charged with the task of removing dull, dead cells on the skin’s outermost surface. There are two general categories of exfoliation treatments: topical and mechanical. The exfoliation action of topical treatments may be considered “physical,” as when abrasive action is applied to create friction to slough off the dead cells, or “chemical,” as when the natural exfoliating properties of the topical product alone get the job done. 

Chemical exfoliants dissolve and loosen dead skin cells and encourage them off the skin. Once the dead skin cells are removed, new, healthy skin cells are revealed, creating a more youthful, vibrant complexion. Physical exfoliation has a long history of popularity thanks to its simplicity, reliability and versatility. There are two kinds of physical exfoliants: Gommage applications, also known as “sloughing creams,” best used on young, oily skin and rubbed into the skin using massage-like movements and the good old scrub applications. Which are often used for dry to normal, sensitive as well as mature skin, really depends on the constitute of the scrub. 

Chemical exfoliation as “the application of a liquid or gel solution that contains an alpha hydroxyl acid (AHA) or beta hydroxyl acid (BHA).” AHAs may include glycolic, lactic, citric, malic and tartaric acids; the most commonly used BHA in skin care is salicylic acid. Fruit enzymes such as pumpkin, papain (from papaya) or bromelain (from pineapple) also fit into this category. Enzymes functionally work to ‘digest’ dead skin cells after they have been brought to the surface.

 The skin cells are like layers of bricks held together by a glue-like substance. AHAs dissolve the glue that holds the cells together, which allows them to fall off. BHAs, on the other hand, digest protein, dissolving the actual skin cell.” Because the skin has an acid mantle to protect itself, a chemical exfoliant needs to have a specific pH to work. The skin’s pH range is 4.5 to 5.5, thus to penetrate the protective mantle, the product pH must be lower. So the simplicity of choosing the right peel lies in your hands and the options are there!

It stems from Plants

Plant stem cells are extracted from Apple Stem Cells, Rosehip, Pomegranate grown on the Uttwilerr spatlauber tree, native to Switzerland where the original skin research took place.  Because they are compatible with human skin cells, the plant stem cells can increase collagen production, stimulate human stem cell growth, soften wrinkles and restore elasticity to aging skin. 

TRY: Stem Cells Anti Aging Skin Care Duo, $64.00, skin-peel.com

How Much Do You Really Know About Your Oily Skin?

This skin type is shiny an hour after you wash your face or apply powder, especially on your forehead, nose and cheeks. It also tends to have large pores, often with blackheads and whiteheads and even pimples and deep cysts—although it can simply feel greasy with no signs of acne.

On the bright side, oily skin is also thicker and less likely to act sensitive or wrinkle. Typically, those with oily skin tend to show signs of aging much later than their dry-skinned counterparts.

The science: The “male” hormone dihydrotesterone (DHT) triggers your sebaceous glands to produce sebum. This mixture of waxes of lipids like squalene and fatty acids protects and conditions your hair and skin. When there’s a spike in testosterone, your DHT levels rise as well and your skin produces too much oil.

Causes: Hormones control how much oil your skin produces, so anything that throws off their balance can affect sebum levels. During puberty, testosterone levels rise and are metabolized into DHT, which is why teenagers tend to have oily skin. Stress can also send your hormone balance into a tailspin, as can your menstrual cycle, pregnancy, birth control pills (especially when you go off of them), menopause, stress, medications like Lithium and cortisteroids—even smoking and diet.

Oily skin vs. acne-prone skin
While acne-prone skin is usually oily, oily skin does not have to be acne-prone: Pores only get clogged if dead skin cells get trapped with bacteria and sebum. People with acne tend to have “sticky” skin cells, meaning they clump together and are more likely to clog pores. If your skin sheds dead cells efficiently, overactive sebaceous glands can simply mean your skin is shiny.

Tips for oily skin:

• Look for products labeled “non-comedogenic”, “non-acnegenic” and “oil-free.”
• Don’t punish your skin with harsh cleansers—they can irritate your skin but won’t reduce the amount of oil it produces.
• Go for a lotion moisturizer, which is lighter than a cream. If you are very oily, try a gel formula or hydrating serum.
• Use a toner that contains salicylic acid to exfoliate dead skin that can clog pores.
• If you are extremely oily, try avoiding milk and refined carbs, which are thought to increase the amount of oil your skin produces, to see if it helps. Find out how food can interfere with your skin here.
• Avoid greasy hair products like waxes and pomades.
• Use oil-absorbing papers and oil-free powder to cut shine.

Nutrients for Healthy Skin

A good daily regimen  with chemical peels is essential in a healthy skin routine, but what about type of nutrients we should be consuming for our skin within. That plays a vital role too. The skin is one of the most powerful indicators of health. Wrinkles, dry or oily skin, acne, and inflammation all are signs of poor internal health. We often forget oral consumption of mineral and vitamins are just as important as topic treatments. Skin reacts particularly well to certain vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that nourish the skin, making it appear youthful and healthy. The following nutrients are among the very best to consume for healthy, young-looking skin:

• Silica is a trace mineral that strengthens the body's connective tissues and is vital for healthy skin.
• Zinc is an important component of healthy skin, especially for acne sufferers. Zinc acts by controlling the production of oil in the skin, and may also help control some of the hormones that create acne.
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids for dry, inflamed skin or skin that suffers from the frequent appearance of whiteheads or blackheads can benefit from supplementing with essential fatty acids (EFAs), especially omega-3s. EFAs are responsible for skin repair, moisture content, and overall flexibility.
• Selenium is an antioxidant mineral responsible for tissue elasticity as it can protects the skin from damage from excessive ultraviolet light.
• Vitamins C, E and A are significant too. Vitamin C is highly effective at reducing free radical damage, such as that caused by overexposure to the sun or pollution. Free radicals consume collagen and elastin - the fibers that support skin structure - and can cause wrinkles and other signs of premature aging. Vitamin C is especially effective at protecting the skin from overexposure to the sun as well as vitamin E which is very healing and repairing.

In relation to topical applications of vitamin C, E and A which are equally imperative. We have a few excellent suggestions that you might wish to add in to your daily regimen for a ultimate looking skin within and out. Our Stem Cells Anti-Aging Duo for stabilized Vit C and our unique Squalane oil (serum/moisturizer form) for your topical Vitamin A. Many of our skin care products contains Retinols (also type of Vitamin A) and Vitamin E extensively throughout. So take control and be the leader in your skin’s health.

Learn How to Buy Skin Care

If you have a lot of pimples, lack of knowledge on skin care can worsen an acne condition. You can rub and scrub your face and overuse topical medications. It can cause your skin to peel so badly.  If you want your skin to become better we  suggest using salicylic acid .

Most women visit an esthetician or a dermatologist enduring each session as they manually tweeze pimples using  special equipment. Then they give out a skin care regimen to follow daily. Most, would always buy skin care products from the clinic. Those bottles didn’t have any brand names. Only the active ingredients were included in the label. You may not even have a clear idea what products you were using.

Do your research, learned about the ingredients found in your personal care products. Also learn how to read the labels, research thoroughly and see which works best for you.

Sleep your way to beautiful skin!

Just because you're out cold doesn't mean your skin is off the clock. In fact, the hours you're sleeping may be the best time to help your skin look its best. When asleep, your metabolic rate is lower, so you're not producing as many skin-damaging free radicals. Plus, you're not exposed to environmental pollutants or UV light that can harm the skin. Because your body doesn't have to work at skin protection overnight, it can instead focus on repairing the damage done throughout the day. So any products you use will be that much more effective at hydrating, reducing fine lines and wrinkles, and brightening. Take advantage of the epidermal downtime with these easy tips to make you a sleeping beauty.

Sounds like a no-brainer, but many women don't bother washing their face at night, especially if they don't wear makeup. Any dirt, debris, and oil that has collected on your skin will clog your pores while you sleep — and lead to inflammation and acne. If you don't wash first, any product you apply won't be as effective if there are layers of grime in the way. So, at night, be sure to wash your face with a gentle daily cleanser like  Pre Peel Cleanser. You'll want to take off any eye makeup as well — pigments from liners and shadows can get into your eyes and create irritation, and left-on mascara may cause your lashes to break. So, at night, be sure to wash your face with a gentle daily cleanser. 

To get the look of fresh, youthful skin, you need to slough off the dead surface cells, but the process can leave your skin a little vulnerable. Exfoliating away the dull surface layers can make you sensitive to the sun and other elements, so it's best to shed that skin at night. Depending on your skin type and sensitivity, use a granular scrub or a chemical exfoliant containing glycolic or salicylic acid a couple of nights a week.

While you sleep, your body temperature goes up, causing you to sweat and release moisture, which dries out the skin. This is especially true in the winter months, when you have cold, dry air outside and the heat on inside. To keep your skin hydrated, apply a thin layer of moisturizer that contains humectants like hyaluronic acid.

Patting or Rubbing which is better for absorption?

The outer dead cell layer of the skin (called the stratum corneum) is THE single, main protective barrier for our skin. Once something gets through the stratum corneum it has a free ride into the rest of the skin, but getting through the stratum corneum is no easy job– and the act of rubbing or patting is inconsequential.

To put it in perspective, if it wasn’t for the strength of this huge (like biggest organ in the body sort of huge) barrier all our important body stuff would be leaching out from our skin all day long, and every substance we came into contact would enter. The integrity of this barrier is a big deal for our health, and it takes more than patting or rubbing to impact it. To breach the stratum corneum you need to assault it with tactics like a facial acid peel that dissolves it entirely, laser vaporization where it goes up in smoke, repetitive stripping with tape until you’ve pulled it all off (anyone who has had hair removal waxing knows what I mean), or severe irritation that disrupts the components of the stratum corneum rendering it defective (think dish pan hands).

When we apply skin care products, by either rubbing or patting, our skin care products sloooowly penetrate our stratum corneum by gradually seeping in (a process called diffusion). Again, whether we pat or rub, they aren’t going to get through any faster than the stratum corneum will let them.