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Expert Skin Care Beauty Tips & Advice Newsletter!
Compliments of the Maximum Beauty Supply Stores Cosmetology Staff - located at:
http://maximum-beauty.com
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####EXPERT SKIN CARE BEAUTY TIPS & ADVICE####
****LINES & WRINKLES
To some degree, fine lines and wrinkles are inevitable. As skin naturally ages, the rate of cell renewal slows and skin loses elastin and collagen, resulting in wrinkles and a loss of firmness. Prevention is key. Staying out of the sun, refraining from smoking, drinking plenty of water, treating skin gently (not pulling or picking at it), eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, and taking vitamin supplements are all good ways to prevent premature wrinkles.
On a day-to-day basis, a skin-repairing product can help prevent future wrinkles and keep skin well moisturized to minimize the appearance of fine lines. Look for products packed with antioxidants (such as vitamin C) to fight free radicals. We suggest using products with mild exfoliants such as alpha hydroxy acids or salicylic acid. (If skin is very sensitive, consider a natural, non-acid skin refinisher.)
Retinol (a vitamin A derivative) creams have longer-term benefits because they rev up natural collagen production. Depending on the severity of the lines and wrinkles, a dermatologist can prescribe specialty vitamin A regimes that may help. Or, the dermatologist can administer a chemical peel to slough off dead cells and expose a fresh new layer of skin.
Felderman recommends a combination approach—she may use an alpha hydroxy acid lotion in the morning and a retinol or vitamin C cream at night. As long as the products are not layered on top of one another, a combination treatment can be very effective.
****BLEMISHES
There are many reasons why blemishes crop up on skin (heredity, puberty and other hormonal changes are the biggest culprits), and there are even more ways to treat them—from over-the-counter topical creams to prescription oral antibiotics. First, look for any bad habits that may be contributing to breakouts—touching the face with hands, holding a less-than-clean phone to the face, or letting oily hair brush the face and deposit grime on skin. It’s also important to wash pillowcases regularly. Next, consider your diet. Eating chocolate will not cause blemishes, but iodized salt-laden foods, such as shellfish and seaweed, have been linked to pimples. Stress can cause breakouts, as can birth control pills (even though some forms of the contraceptive incidentally abolish them).
The most important thing is to develop good cleansing habits. Wash your face in the morning, after any vigorous workout, and before going to bed. Don’t over-cleanse skin or use a harsh detergent-like soap; both will strip away natural skin oils and throw oil glands into overdrive. Instead, go for a mild cleanser that will wash away surface dirt, acne-causing bacteria and oil. Use a gentle exfoliant once or twice a week to slough off dead cells, keep skin smooth, and act as a primer for medicated treatments.
To treat a blemish, use a topical cream that contains salicylic acid. Salicylic acid stimulates the skin’s turnover rate so that fresh clear skin can be brought to the surface faster. Avoid manipulating blemishes, which can lead to scarring.
A retinol cream applied regularly to keep pores clean and unclogged will help prevent future breakouts. If blemishes persist, see a dermatologist.
****BLOTCHY SKIN
Dark discolorations are often the result of sun damage, so it’s important to protect skin on a daily basis. Sunscreen is the best prevention against dark brown patches.
Hormones are another factor that often play a role in uneven skin tones; anything that alters hormones, including pregnancy or birth control pills, can result in brownish patches of skin. First, use an exfoliating cream or scrub to slough off dead cells. Then apply a cream that contains a skin brightener such as hydroquinone. Licorice, arbutin, kojic acid, vitamin C, azelaic acid, white mulberry and arrowroot may also help. If creams don’t do the job, consider visiting a dermatologist who can prescribe stronger medication or administer a chemical peel or laser treatment to get rid of discoloration and unevenness.
If skin is red and blotchy, it can be an allergic reaction or a symptom of rosacea, so it’s best to see a dermatologist. If skin is itchy and irritated, it’s most likely an allergic reaction. For minor irritation, calm down the skin by applying a compress of cloth soaked in cold whole milk. The next step is to think of any products that could cause the irritation—such as cosmetics, hair spray or laundry detergent—and stop using them. Try non-allergenic products while you reintroduce your favorites, one at a time.
****IRRITATED SKIN
It is important to determine what’s causing the irritation. Skin may be reacting to something in the environment such as pollen or pollution, to a prescription drug, cosmetics, food, even clothing. Sometimes skin becomes irritated if it’s exfoliated too frequently or harshly. Avoid over-using scrubs, peels or creams that contain alpha hydroxy acids. Or, skin may simply be too dry—but if a good moisturizer isn’t solving the problem, there’s something more to it and you should see a dermatologist.
Next, look for products that contain calming and moisturizing ingredients like green tea extract, chamomile or cucumber. Sea whip extract (derived from sea whip coral) soothes irritated skin by stopping the release of cytokines, the chemicals that trigger itching, redness and dryness. Hydrocortisone creams are also very effective and recommended by dermatologists. Finally, avoid any products with dyes, emulsifiers or parabens, as well as products with alpha hydroxy acids. If irritation persists for more than four or five days, see a dermatologist.
****OILY SKIN
Oily skin is mostly hereditary, but the way you treat it can improve the condition or make it worse. Don’t be overzealous with your skin care routine. You don’t want to set up a vicious cycle of overdrying, which makes skin produce more oil.
Instead, treat skin gently by washing the face—no more than two or three times a day—with a mild soap; skip harsh, alcohol-based toners and astringents. If you need to soak up excess oil, use a gel or lotion that contains a low concentration of salicylic or glycolic acid or benzoyl peroxide.
And of course, only use makeup that’s formulated not to clog pores. Stick with oil-absorbing powders instead of creamy foundations or blushes.
****DRY SKIN
Dry skin can occur any time, but cold winter weather can dry out even the softest skin. The combination of cold, dry air outside and hot, dry air indoors can quickly make even oil-prone skin scratchy and flaky. Stay away from anything that’s even a little bit abrasive. That includes scrubbing with a washcloth or loofah, or using any type of harsh, grainy, exfoliating cleanser.
And while no one would recommend that you stop washing your face, try to limit the skin’s exposure to water. Use lukewarm water and avoid saunas, steam rooms and hot mask facials.
The kindest thing you can do for a dry complexion is to moisturize as much as possible. Use a creamy, extra-rich lotion that really hydrates, and apply it while skin is still slightly damp from washing. You’re not so much adding moisture as you are helping the skin to retain it. For seriously parched skin, try this overnight: slather your face with petroleum jelly and reap the benefits of eight hours of continuous hydration.
****COMBINATION SKIN
Combination skin is so common that it’s considered more of a skin type than a problem. Usually, combination skin is moderately oily in the T-zone or moderately dry in the outer areas of the face. There might actually be more oil glands in the T-zone, or they might just be producing excess oil; this could be due to hormones, diet changes, or even the season.
Alpha hydroxy and salicylic acids can alleviate the problem by sloughing away dead skin cells in dry areas while simultaneously helping to control breakouts in the T-zone. However, you should note that topical treatments will not affect the amount of oil produced. They just make the surface look better.
While there’s no way to actually change your skin type, the right makeup regimen can reduce the appearance of combination skin. Blotting papers used regularly on the T-zone will absorb oil without leaving a powdery residue. Oil-free foundation can help reduce shine, while moisture-rich foundation on the cheeks will smooth the skin’s appearance. “A water-based foundation is great for just about any kind of skin - We also recommends a rich moisturizer on dry cheeks under a sheer cream blush—one that doesn’t dry to powder.
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In your Service,
Maximum Beauty Supply Stores Cosmetology Staff at:
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