How do Lip Plumpers/Primers Work?
There is an array of ingredients used for lip plumping; a common one is Red Chili. They work by causing localized skin irritation, whereby the lips become irritated and swell. But keep in mind that where there is inflammation, there is potential for accelerated aging.
The Skin and Vitamin C
Oranges, strawberries and limes are all natural sources of vitamin C.
It’s been centuries since British sailors discovered the key to avoiding scurvy was vitamin C.
You’ve heard the wive’s tale that getting enough vitamin C would ward off colds. Now the word is out that vitamin C may not play a big role in preventing colds, however, plays a vital role in maintaining the health of the skin.
Vitamin C, (ascorbic acid), is key to the production of collagen, a protein that aids in the growth of cells and blood vessels and gives skin its firmness and strength. Vitamin C also helps create scar tissue and ligaments (created from collagen), and helps the skin repair itself.
Free radicals are unstable molecules that damage collagen and cause skin dryness, fine lines and wrinkles. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that slows the rate of free-radical damage. Research shows that ascorbic acid 2-phosphate, a derivative of vitamin C, not only neutralizes free radicals, but also reverses DNA damage.
Research suggests that vitamin C may also reduce sunburn caused by exposure to ultraviolet B radiation and prevent the consequences of long-term sun exposure, which can lead to skin cancer. This doesn’t mean you can take vitamins or apply topical vitamin C and then bake safely in the sun, but you can help keep the skin healthy and supple by making sure you get enough of this antioxidant vitamin.
Smart Lip Care Tips
Avoid excess licking of your lips and do not pick at them.- Protect your lips daily with a balm or lipstick containing sunscreen.
- Be careful about what products you use and always read the ingredient list first.
- Exfoliate your lips no more than once per week.
- Use moderation with matte. Matte lipsticks can be extremely drying (which helps these lipsticks stay put for so long). That’s why you should use them sparingly when your lips are extremely chapped. Instead, alternate the use of them with hydrating lipsticks (as indicated by ingredients like Vitamin E and/or Glycerin), or add a layer of moisturizing lip balm underneath.
Ingredients to look for:
- Vitamin E
- Cocoa Seed Butter
- Hyaluronic Acid
- Palmitoyl Oligopeptide
- Arginine/ Lysine Polypeptide
- Avocado Oil
- Rice Bran Oil
- Wheat Germ Oil
- Shea Butter
Ingredients to avoid:
- Artificial fragrance
- Isopropyl Esters (Myristate, Palmitate, Lanolate and Linoleate)
- Myristyl Lactate
- Sweet Almond Oil
- Coconut Oil
- Sesame Oil
- Lanolin Wax (Lanolic Acid
- Red D&C Dyes
- Petrolem Jelly
- Baby Oil
A Serum for Hyperpigmentation and Acne
I am proud to carry and use PCA Skin products. they are formulated to solve a number of skin problems. For example, A and C Synergy Serum works double-time!
Hyperpigmentation (dark skin discoloration) and acne are two stubborn skin concerns all by themselves. More commonly than not, however, these two will present at the same time.
This is where PCA Skin’s A&C Synergy Serum® takes the lead!
This product is a powerhouse of ingredients that provide multiple benefits for both hyperpigmentation and acne:
Retinol and retinyl palmitate (vitamin A) are part of a retinol complex. This is the perfect form of retinol for those who may be too sensitive for a pure retinol or a retinoic acid product. Vitamin A helps to increase cell turnover, suppress melanin (what creates the dark spots) production, stimulate collagen and provide antioxidant protection.
Kojic acid is an effective antibacterial agent that also suppresses melanin production.
Lactic acid is a biocompatible alpha hydroxy acid that exfoliates the skin and suppresses melanin production. It is also a hydrating and antibacterial ingredient.
Licorice root extract not only suppresses sebum production, but it is also an anti-inflammatory ingredient that suppresses melanin production.
Of course, these aren’t all of the ingredients in this multi-faceted product, but they are just some that work double-time to keep troubled skin healthy and clear from both acne and hyperpigmentation. Additionally, this is a great product to mix with our C-Strength 15% or 20% with 5% Vitamin E to boost both the skin brightening and antioxidant protection we all need.
Make an appointment and let’s get started with treatments and products that will put you on the road to healthier skin.
Some Things for Before and After a Peel
Before a peel, you should have a consultation with the esthetician or physician. You should complete a client history, which will include recent skin care procedures, current medications, allergies, etc. These things can avoid complications later on by giving your esthetician or physician some insight to know whether you are a candidate for a peel. Understand that everyone is not a candidate for chemical peeling nor is chemical peeling an anti-aging panacea.
For best results, for several weeks before and after a peel, you should avoid sun exposure, strong scrubs and masks, self-tanners, waxing, bleaching and excessive tweezing. For a couple of days after a peel you should avoid getting the body too hot particularly by exercise. Heating up the body a day or two after a peel can reactivate the peel causing a deeper peel than intended. Avoid scratching or peeling your skin, limit exercise the first week, drink plenty of water, use moisturizer, stay out of the sun and/or use an antioxidant sunscreen with UVA and UVB protection, and have a realistic expectation of the healing process.
Expect, to varying degrees, increased sun sensitivity, redness and possibly some dry skin. With deeper peels there can be some swelling and scabbing, and peeling. It is vital to use sun protection that includes chemical and physical blockers as well as antioxidants that should be provided in the at home skin care products. Sunscreens should be applied no less than every 30 to 90 minutes during the day. You should never go out, even on a cloudy day, without sun protection.
Five Things You Shouldn’t Keep From Your Esthetician
When an esthetician hands you a questionnaire to complete, it’s not just a formality. The information that you give the person giving treatments to your skin, not only on the initial questionnaire but before each session, helps the skin care provider to give you the best possible service and results without harming you.
Aspirin: If you are allergic to aspirin and your esthetician uses products containing salicylic acid in your treatment you could wind up with a severe allergic reaction. If you are taking aspirin or have taken aspirin within 48-hours of your treatment, your esthetician needs to know because you will have a greater probability of bruising and/or bleeding during extractions or waxing.
Botox: If, 48-hours before your treatment, you have received Botox injections, tell your esthetician. A facial massage could move the Botox diminishing the Botox result that you were expecting.
Microdermabrasion: If you have received this treatment up to one week before a facial let your esthetician know before your treatment. Microdermabrasion thins and sensitizes the skin for a period of time. The skin needs to be treated gently, if at all, after microdermabrasion.
Allergic to seafood, shellfish or iodine: Your esthetician needs to know this. Many skin care products contain products from the sea. You could have an allergic reaction countering any benefits of the facial.
Medications: Many medications have an impact on the general condition of the skin. They can also cause the skin to respond differently than expected to various products. Also, knowing your medications, gives your esthetician a better understanding of your general health and the condition of your skin.
Chemical Peels That Should Only Be Done By a Physician
Light and medium peels are safe in the hands of a well-trained and competent esthetician. Both these peels are considered superficial peels. Superficial peels really don’t penetrate very far into the skin. However, a deep peel is made to penetrate nearly 4 times the depth of medium peels. You’ve read what happens in a medium peel so at 4 times the depth, you can imagine the consequences of a deep peel!
A deep peel requires operating-room procedures, sedation and/or anesthesia, and complete cardiac and pulmonary monitoring.
This peel will lead to excessive shedding of the skin. The several weeks of downtime are not only because of how you look but also to prevent infection in what are essentially open wounds. Possible complications include scarring, excessive redness, infection, hypo- and hyperpigmentation, permanent lines of demarcation and cardiac arrest. The short and long term complications are serious and sometimes cannot be reversed.
The primary agent used for deep deeps is phenol many times in combination with other agents. This is the strongest chemical. Therefore, these peels should not be taken lightly.
Deep peels should be used for treating extremely coarse skin, deep facial wrinkles, damaged and scarred skin or precancerous growths.
The successful results of these peels are a spectacular smoothing of the skin. But, keep in mind that the risks are great. At this point it is my responsibility to mention that you will no longer be able to go out into the sun and a sunscreen of the highest quality will be required everyday, rain or shine. And, wide brimmed hats!
Things to Consider When Getting a Peel
Peels can yield wonderful results when properly done by a skin care professional that has been fully trained in the science and applications of skin peels. The necessary training should include hands-on. You really don’t want your esthetician practicing on you.
My own preference is to offer a series of 6 mild peels. I find that this method avoids negative complications, creates little or no downtime and produces significant and sustainable results. I expect my clients to follow the recommended at home regimen so that we’re both working toward the same result.
A small study at Stanford University concluded that subjects who received skin resurfacing including chemical peels, when compared to untreated subjects, had a lower risk of skin cancer.
Medium ChemicalPeels
As it would imply, medium peels are in stronger concentrations than light peels. Medium peels remove parts of the epidermal layer resulting in deeper penetration of the skin. A series of treatments, over time, will produce measurable and sustained results with little or no downtime.
Medium peel treatments are cumulative so that each peel improves on the previous one. The flaking or peeling that can occur can be soothed and minimized with take home products.
These are the peels that should be part of an ongoing skin care commitment. For the best measurable and sustained results, medium peels should be taken at least every two to three months; and, in many cases, once a month.
As would be expected, these peels use stronger levels of glycolic, salicylic and lactic acids; Jessner peels, which are a combination of salicylic, resorcinol and lactic acids; resorcinol; and TCA.
A medium-depth peel, particularly when using TCA, can address fine lines, wrinkles, uneven skin tone and problematic skin. It can be used on all parts of the body. In fact, TCA can be used on all skin types including darker skins if they have been pre-treated properly.
A Jessner peel is a mixture of salicylic and lactic acid combined with resorcinol, an exfoliating agent. The results of this peel are spectacular and severe. There is definitely down time with this peel as it will cause cracking and peeling of skin after an initial period of darkening. After a Jessner peel the skin looks and feels soft and smooth. Pigmentation may even be temporarily improved along with fine lines.
As with the light peel, SPF25 or better is an absolute must to avoid sun burn and recurring pigmentation.
Just so you know, I don’t offer Jessner peels because of the down time. However, the same results can be accomplished with the TCA.
19831 Yorba Linda Bl, Suite D Yorba Linda, CA 92886
Available by appointment
Tuesday - Saturday
714-470-2329 or
Massage Practitioner ~ 28412
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