Wednesday, January 22, 2014

How To Thicken Skin

 If you have noticed that your skin is beginning to thin, or if you have decided to prevent thinning skin before it occurs, this article is for you. Be sure to bookmark it and share to ensure that you stay on track. 
Beauty routines have been around since day one, but the promise of actually thickening the skin by using products and having professional skin services is only approximately 35 years old.


After years of poor nutrition combined with the natural aging process many women begin to fear the most alarming sign of aging, thinning skin. In the normal aging process the fat under the skin slowly diminishes and the components of youthful plumpness are lost.  Collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid are the key to full, youthful looking skin. Oxidation from pollutants damages and ages your skin by attacking these very structures. With this knowledge one of the wisest things that one can do to keep premature aging at bay is to combat oxidation with antioxidants. 

Supplements can help your skin and your overall health.

1) Look for a supplement that contains at least 30 mg of SAMe (S-Adenosyl-Methionine) and at least 50 mg of Carnosine. SAMe is an excellent nutrient involved in methylation; Carnosine stops glycation, which destroys healthy proteins, including collagen and elastin; Carnosine also has the unique ability to halt glycation that is already in the destruction process.

2) Another powerful skin supplement is omega 3 fish oil.  In clinical studies it has been shown to actually thicken skin and dramatically soften its texture.

3) Eat Salmon - This is one of the least expensive ways to dramatically reduce signs of aging. Salmon contains DMAE, which is one of the few substances that has been proven to thicken skin.  The carotenoid that gives salmon its beautiful pink color, improves skin's elasticity. Also, the DHA-omego-3 fat  in salmon will add sheen and lustre to your hair.

4) Drink green Tea- The polyphenols are free radical scavengers. It is believed to thicken the epidermis and protect the skin from the sun. It can be taken topically or orally.

5) Eat Pomegranates regularly. They thicken the epidermis and prolong the life of fibroblasts which produce collagen and elastin.



Always remember that using a moisturizer containing beta carotene,  & vitamins, A, C and E. They will help slow down the aging process. Also, taking a multivitamin daily will ensure that you are getting essential nutrients. 

Skin care lotion or cream;
Several ingredients in skin care lotion or cream have a proven clinical record of reversing the toughen skin and renew its flexibility, month after month. Here are some of the best:

1) Retin A. (tretinoin) Hands down, this is the best researched and proven way to thicken this skin. It requires a prescription and can cause irritation, but its effectivness in thickening the skin are well proven. It is well verified and evaluated over decades and if you had to choose just one option Retin A should be your first choice. 

2) Peptides. Peptide formulas such as Regenerist, Oil of Olay Pro X, and Strivectin are another well studied and documented option.

3) Cynergy TK stimulates the skin's own natural production of collagen and elastin. It has also been proven to increase cell turnover dramatically.

4) A cream containing copper is an excellent way to thicken skin. Studies have show that within six months of use, women who suffer from extremely thin skin around the eye area had noticeably thicker skin and therefore, less darkness around the eyes. 

5) Scrubbing. That's right. Scrubbing with a luffa can actually stimulate your skin to produce more collagen and thicken the skin. If you really don't want to spend much money on your skin this could be your answer. 

Monday, January 20, 2014

How To Choose An Esthetician For Eyelash Extensions

If you have finally decided to join the thousands of women who have done away with the mascara and the painful battle for extended lashes  via gooop, and decided to go for extensions, "the Rolls Royce" of eyelashes", then the next major step is finding a good esthetician who is educated, experienced, and well practiced in the art of eyelash extensions.
This may not be easy, but the search is well worth it.

Extensions are an art but because they involve glue and sharp objects being held so close to the eye, you will do yourself a great favor by seeking out an esthetician who is either certified in eyelash extensions, has worked in the medical field, or is a highly educated esthetician, such as a CIDESCO diplomat.

The trouble with eyelash extensions is that it is a relatively new service and many people who are not seriously in the profession of esthetics are jumping on the band wagon to make a quick buck. These technicians are leaving behind a trail of unhappy customers who have permanently lost their own lashes and others who have had to seek medical help for their botched eyelashes. With this knowledge it is wise to ask a few questions before letting the technician touch your eyes. You have every right to question this procedure and the technicians training. If your questions are not welcomed then its a pretty good sign that you are in the wrong place.

First, make sure that you are seeing a professional. Ask if your technician of choice is a licensed professional. The law says that in order to perform eyelash extensions one must be an esthetician, cosmetologist, or a nurse, however, many savvy people have discovered that they can perform eyelash extensions without a license due to legal loopholes. Basically, they do not sell the service, but the product. They will not tell you this up front but if you ask then they will disclose it. 
 This is a perfectly legal way for an un-licensed person to perform eyelash extensions. In their own paperwork they will state that the eyelash extension application was free of charge and that they simply charged you a high price for the eyelashes themselves. This is how nail technicians, and many lay people are jumping on board and hurting the reputation of the beauty business. You see, if they damage someone they will not lose their license because they did not have one to begin with. It all boils down to let the buyer beware.

Second, even though your technician of choice is licensed, it is best that he or she be certified. The reason for this is that it shows you that the person has spent  time, money and effort to become a specialist. The chances of getting great results increase greatly when your technician has gone through rigorous training rather than just a few youtube videos.   

Finally, ask your technician what would happen if glue were to get into your eye, or if you were to experience an allergic reaction to the glue. You just never know when an emergency situation might arise and if your technician says something like, "that won't happen" then you should know ahead of time that this is not the safest technician to have working on your eyes.  I personally created an emergency kit for every situation I could imagine when I started doing extensions. I still haven't had a guest get glue in her eyes but I am prepared for that guest who opens her eyes against my instructions. I have a portable eye wash at my table every time I perform extensions, and topical medication for allergies combined with hypoallergenic materials. I have never yet had to use any of these, but I feel prepared. Imagine being on a table and accidentally opening your eyes and experiencing the stinging of glue only to have your technician panic and run to a far away sink for water. Not good!


Thursday, January 9, 2014

Top 10 Ways To Reduce Wrinkles

As an Aesthetic Nurse my goal is to help my valued guests look as young and beautiful as possible. The question that just about every one of my clients over the age of 25 has is how to keep wrinkles at bay. There are numerous things that one can do to keep the skin as thick, moist and smooth as possible. Here are some simple guidelines that, if followed religiously, will keep your skin beautiful, and reduce the signs of aging.


1) Avoid the sun. I know you've heard this one before but it is truly the number one thing in our lives that causes wrinkles. Studies have followed the lifestyles of identical twins and discovered that the twin who has spent the most time outdoors ends up with the most wrinkles by far.  Being born with good genes is certainly helpful but the recent in depth studies that have been conducted on twins who have the exact same genetics has flattened the long standing theory that its all about being born with the right parents.
The amount of sun exposure you get is even more important in the way you age than genetics. Many of my clients know that they should wear sunscreen every day but they have no idea of how to distinguish one sunscreen from another. The best sunscreens are not easy to find and many people simply will not use them because of the thick consistency of zinc oxide, but its your skin and I highly recommend using a sunscreen that does contain zinc oxide.
How much zinc oxide should a sunscreen contain? As high a concentration as you can find.
Coppertone has one for faces that is a 50 SPF and contains 14.5% zinc Oxide. It will go on rather white but this is because of its effective sun screen value. There are a few on the market that are tinted slightly brown and may actually be used as a makeup substitute, though these tend to be much more expensive, this type of sunscreen can be used for special occasions when you have to be outdoors and look put together at the same time.
Remember that you are not totally protected from the sun just because you have sunscreen on. You should still make an effort to avoid being out during peak sun hours, wear a large brim hat and a parasol would not be a bad idea too. Sound too excessive? That's because our culture has not fully accepted the sun as a danger to our skin, but in the coming years we will see more hats with veils and young people carrying parasols in the summer.


2) Eat more fish.  Salmon and other oily fish are a great source of protein which is the foundation of great looking skin. This type of fish also contains Omega 3, which is essential for plump, thick and flawless skin.


3) Drink cocoa instead of coffee. Cocoa contains flavanols that protect the skin from the sun, improves circulation and hydration. All components of youthful skin.

4) Eat more raw fruits and vegetables. They are loaded with antioxidants to fight free radicals that cause wrinkles.

5) Use moisturizer. Never overlook the simple daily use of moisturizer.  It will instantly make your skin look better.

6) Alpha-hydroxy acids. Natural fruit acids slough away the top layer of dead skin cells and can instantly reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and will also stimulate your skin to produce more collagen.

7) Topical vitamin C. Increases collagen production, protects againt sun damage, and helps reduce dark spots.

8) Chemical peels. Chemical peels should be performed by an experienced esthetician. In this service a variety of different chemicals are used to burn off the top layer of skin, revealing fresh looking un-damaged skin within one week. In the months following a peel the skin will continue to improve because chemical peels stimute collagen.

9) Microdermabrasion. There are microdermabrasion devices for home use but nothing can compare to a professional level microdermabrasion. Clients simply love the instant gratification that comes with this service. A vacuum device removes the dead skin cells which will even out the texture of the complexion and reveal brighter skin.

10) Microcurrent. Stimulates sagging muscles giving your face an almost instant lift.