Certain foods can help or hurt your complexion. If you have tried everything to no avail:
*Try eliminating dairy and red meat (some people are sensitive to the hormones in these foods) and highly processed foods (which make you heal less quickly and cause inflammation) from your diet. Try organic meat and milk which is hormone free.
*To help your body heal faster, which is helpful when treating acne, get your fill of berries for their anti-oxidant benefits, especially cranberries, pomegranate and blueberries.
*drink plenty of water.
"Recipe for an Acne-Free Lifestyle"
Stress, skin care regime, sleep and smoking cigarettes are important lifestyle choices that may affect acne
*Find ways to manage stress. Write in a journal, take a yoga class or simply set aside time to calm your nerves -- it may just clear up your skin.
*Aim to get the recommended seven and a half to eight hours sleep at night, it helps keep your skin care routine in check.
*Regular cleansing and exfoliating is key to keeping pores clear.
*Finally, avoid smoking cigarettes, which can make scarring and skin discoloration worse, and healing time longer.
"Prevent Cellulite With Food"
Diet and exercise can minimize the look of cellulite from the inside out.
*Exercise aids circulation and can minimally break up fat, and eating certain foods can improve circulation and strengthen skin.
*Eat foods that help build collagen and elastin like lean meats, eggs and whole grains. Raw fruits and veggies help with hydration and antioxidants, while the good oils in black cod, almonds, flax seeds and walnuts help build skin cell walls.
"Hands giving Away Your Age"
According to a study published in the June 2007 issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, most people can accurately discern a person’s age just by looking at their hands. Hands do, in fact, appear to age more quickly than the face. One reason for this is that skin on the back of hands is much thinner than that on the face. There is very little fat on the back of hands, so when collagen and elastin fibers begin to break down in aging, the effects are quite noticeable.
The most common signs of aging hands are textural skin changes, vein prominence, and loss of volume. Prolonged sun exposure at the beach multiplies the affects of aging with production of actinic keratoses (precancerous spots) and lentigines (age or liver spots).
Fortunately, there are things we can do to make hands appear more youthful. Topical therapies with SPF and resurfacing procedures for aged skin such as chemical peels, ultrasonic therapy, sclerotherapy (a procedure that eliminates unwanted hand veins) and dermal fillers all offer promising options.
At Spa Phoenix, we offer the Phoenix Peel and the Amnesty Peel as professional treatments to restore your hands' youthful appearance. Use of home products, including the Amnesty Peel Kit, Skin Amnesty Moisturizer and the Skin Amnesty Infusion, supplement the benefits of the professional treatments.
Hands are important, but so often neglected. In the meantime, keep the back of your hands looking young by avoiding direct sunlight and using a good sunscreen applied to backs of hands several times daily. Using the same sunblock on your hands as you use on your face is a good rule of thumb
"Tips for Aging Gracefully"
*Don't Overdo it: Using harsh products or over scrubbing your face can damage skin. Over the counter exfoliators can contain ingredients such as apricot seeds or walnut shells which can irritate the skin, causing breakouts and uneven texture. Exfoliating just twice a week with a gentle exfoliant such as Skin Amnesty's exfoliating face mask with jojoba beads can make all the difference and give you the healthy glow you've been craving!
*After cleansing, feed your skin! Look for targeted serums with proven anti-aging ingredients like Skin Amnesty's Restore and Protect Serum containing 15% Vitamin C, powerful antioxidants, and Bioactive Modulator Blends to improve collagen production. Moisturizer is critical for attaining and maintaining youthful skin. Skin Amnesty's moisturizing treatment reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and offers a light, non-irritating protection from UV damage.
* Protect your skin: Use sunblock! Buying makeup or moisturizer with an SPF of 15 or higher is imperative to ensure constant protection. Jane Iredale Pressed and Loose Powders contain an SPF of 20 and give instant, chemical-free sun protection. They also have a very water resistant rating.
*Talk to the Experts: Talking to a skin care professional will give you a good base of knowledge about how to care for your skin. We want you to truly understand the best ways to care for your skin at every age and in each season of the year.
The Makeup Bar with Melanie
"I want to get better results from makeup."
The first step to applying great-looking makeup is to start with clean, fresh brushes.
Over time, the hair and bristles collect oil, dirt and bacteria, thus making an unsmooth application. Plus, not to mention how much powder and makeup you are wasting when it's stuck to your brushes and not gliding on your face.
Soak and wash your brushes regularly with warm, soapy water and let them air dry. The Jane Iredale Makeup Brush cleaners are great! Just spray your brush after each application and let it air dry.
Jessica, The Massage Guru
"The Beauty of Pregnancy Massage"
Imagine weight lifting 24 hours a day....That is in essence what a pregnant woman is doing. Her body is going through many changes and new demands are put on her physically and mentally. Her body must accommodate a growing baby and so her blood volume and blood flow will increase;fluid retention will increase;she may find new sensitivities to smells,temperatures,and tastes;hormones increase; and joints move.
There are also lifestyle changes such as a change in work schedule and preparing a nursery for the baby that add to the physical demands. These are just a few of the new demands of pregnancy.
So with all these added stresses a pregnancy massage is the perfect way to brighten her day! There are numerous benefits to pregnancy massage. I had the blessing of being pregnant while I was in massage therapy school so I was able to learn and experience all of these benefits.
Some of the benefits are an increase in circulation to bring oxygen and nutrients to mother and baby; a decrease in swelling because of the increase of circulation; slowing down the nervous system to promote relaxation and relax muscles and cramping; an easier childbirth;and an improvement in sleep.
"I feel guilty about taking time to have a massage when there's so much to do."
Massage lowers blood pressure and slows down the nervous system. Taking time for yourself helps prevent "burn out" and is so rejuvenating! If you are less stressed you can enjoy the things you like best about the holidays, like family traditions and celebrating with friends.
Spending a lot of time on your feet shopping or shopping online can be hard on your back. Having a massage can prevent injury by helping the body reduce toxins.
Massage is also a great gift for that hard working loved one who needs some pampering and stress relief. I always tell my clients that massage is something you can do for yourself. So, having a massage is the best thing to rejuvenate your mind and body!
Michele, The Manicure Maven
"Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize"
Winter is here. You notice your hands and feet are feeling a little rough. The cold weather and indoor heat take a toll on us. Yes, there is help! First, you need to drink lots of water. It’s the best way to keep your body hydrated in the winter months.
Next, moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! I cannot say it enough. From when you get out of the shower in the morning, as much as you can through out the day and before you lay your head down on that pillow, moisturize. It’s a must; it’s the only way to keep those hands and feet from getting so dry that they start to crack.
You want to use a lotion that has Shea butter, vitamin E and oils in it. A lotion with these ingredients in it will be best at moisturizing your skin. Solar oil is also a great product for your fingers. It helps shrink and tighten your cuticles to prevent hangnails.
If you are looking for some great products to help your skin this winter, come by and see us. We can find the product that is right for you. We carry moisturizers from Get Fresh, Biotone, and Skin Amnesty.
Brenda's "As the Chakra Turns"
"The Miracle of Steam"
In massage school, the benefits of moist heat were continually stressed to help with the release of contracted muscles. As I reached for an extra edge to help a client who was healing from an auto accident, I kept my focus on this idea.
I borrowed a facial steamer from one of our Estheticians to optimize the ultimate moist heat that was available. This steam penetrated my client's back while I gave her the massage. The benefit was beyond my expectations! My massage technique will never be the same! My clients have commented that I am "really on to something." They have encouraged me to broaden the use of steam as well.
All of my arthritic clients said that the steam brought them comfort. My client with Fibromyalgia experienced relief from it also. It softened contracted muscles that I would not have been able to release with one session. In addition, the steam is emotionally very pleasing and instantly calming.
This steam procedure is available for all clients and will be used as I feel that it is needed. Requests are welcomed. I thank my clients for constantly giving me new experiences, enabling me to grow.
