Welcome to a virtual treasure trove of expert skin care ideas & reviews!

Check out my SKIN-studio website: www.SKINsantamonica.com

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Upper body Makeover

You've been busted!
The charge?
The crime of catering to your face's skin needs, while cold-shouldering other visible skin areas.
How do you plead?

A recent study from the University of Gottingen in Germany and Proctor & Gamble in Cincinatti found that people whose decollete and arms appeared healthy & even-toned were assumed to be a full decade younger than their face alone indicated. Decollete is the fancy-pants name for that specific area between cleavage and the neck (try it in your next conversation without batting an eye).

No citizens-arrests for guilty pleas...those guilty-by-neglect are hereby sentenced to community service, or more appropriately, self-service!

Why?

Visibly neglected body skin showcases a glaring disconnect from your pampered facial epidermis.
Body skin as well as facial skin responds to positive attention & care. Imagine that! By dissing skin care for the neck, decollete, shoulders, arms & hands, these areas wind up aging faster than the face. Yet with easy lovin' care they can become a signature beauty calling card.

SKINtechie Tips for a luscious upper-half:

* The simplest plan to implement right now: Pump or scoop an extra dose or two of whatever skin goodie you're layering on your face, and apply it south of your face.
Now how hard was that, hmm?  Whether exfoliating, antioxidant, or moisturizing, if it's healthy for your face it's usually equally helpful elsewhere.

* Swap harsh bars of soap for a hydrating body cleanser.
Whether from a drugstore or health store, a good liquid body wash will clean, soothe, and hydrate skin without stripping it. If you suffer from body breakouts, invest in an acne body wash (Neutrogena has a good one) or just grab your acne face cleanser and use.

* Mix up your own high-octane body anti-ager.

Take any topical vitamin A product (retinol, Renova, Retin-A or Osmosis Renew are options) and mix 50/50 with any gentle face or body lotion. Apply lightly once a week up to nightly, depending on skin's tolerance. If skin winds up a tad pink or sensitive, that's a positive sign it's taking notice of its newfound care and is merely adjusting. You want to push your comfort level, but without overdoing and ending up raw-skinned. If you're getting too itchy, dry, or red, back off the concoction and use gentle lotion by itself. If you're really over-cooked, blend mild moisturizer with hydrocortisone and apply daily until skin calms down. Then slowly resume the program to find your personal best application frequency.
Be sure and slather on sunblock during daytime to prevent further UV-damage, as skin will be more susceptible to sun's damaging rays.

* Once a week or so, slough off dead, dry, flaky skin cells with a body-specific exfoliator
. Do this consistently. Toss bacteria-festering loofahs, and use either a clean washcloth with liquid cleanser or buffing beads, a face polisher already in your stash, or an appropriate body scrub.

Upping the Ante:

If virtual sand-blasting is needed to take your decolletage from Robin's egg-speckled to alabaster smooth, toss in some pro treatments.

*A series of 4-6 diamond-tip MicroDermabrasion treatments is a perfect non-chemical counter-treatment to home care. MicroDermabrasion can be adjusted from feather-light to atom-smashing-powerful, so there's a perfect level for any body to benefit.

*A series of 3-6 chemical peels (like SkinMedica Vitalize Peels) work wonders, as their souped-up solutions assault crepey-ness and mottled-pigment like nobody's business. One peel every 4-6 weeks is recommended for non-facial skin.

*Most aggressive, a series of 3-5 "V-Beam" laser treatments in a dermatologist's office zap away red marks & broken blood vessels, while fractional laser resurfacing (such as Total FX) can, in one super-hero treatment, remove years of gnarly sun damage and tighten skin a bit to boot.

*On a soothing note, ultrasound 'vitamin cocktails' (available at SKIN's studio) are a nurturing treatment
utilizing 100 % pure anti-aging compounds. Custom-blended, vitamin cocktails combine peak doses of hydrating, anti-wrinkling, and de-pigmenting ingredients to deeply moisturize and brighten. Benefits are immediate and cumulative.

Whatever you decide, begin by assessing the difference in quality between your facial skin and other areas. Then summon up genuine intent to provide all your skin the attention and care it's surely worthy of. Implement whatever options feel right, and slowly but steadily, formerly abandoned skin will start reflecting the love it's receiving with improved clarity, hydration, and smoothness!





Tuesday, February 2, 2010

S & M for your Face (The Deep Sea Peel)

What: Allure magazine, February 2010 issue.
Article title: "The best facialists from Fifth Avenue to the Pacific Northwest".
SKIN is first under the 'Los Angeles' heading. Sweet. I'm beyond tickled pink. I'm tickled fuschia!

You may've been wondering what the h*#! I used on their beauty-writer's face. Pulverized cement? Smashed glass? Nah, but I'm sure it felt like that. The mysterious, beautifying wonders of the Deep Sea Peel: For the faint of heart, it ain't. I privately refer to this super-slougher as the Hellfire and Brimstone treatment (hey, I'm from the South). However, it is an acid-free peel treatment, and safe for all skin colors & during pregnancy.

The Nitty Gritty:
After thorough cleansing of your face, I mix up a concoction of sea herbs, vitamins, minerals, algae, and the top secret 'scratchy' ingredient (which is no longer secret)...a very special ground coral powder.
I slowly massage this powerful paste into skin from 1-10 minutes, depending on tolerance to the truly astounding pain. Gotta be real here. It does not burn. It does not sting. Deep Sea Peel just nearly scratches you to beautiful. The longer the massage, the deeper the results. Thankfully, even one minute can produce amazingly cleared out pores, as the Allure writer experienced. Personally, I usually curse my way through a few minutes, then  collapse onto a fainting couch and down a shot of tequila. Wait! I shoulda done that first. Note to self.

What's Deep Sea Peel do?

It's superlative for clearing up acne, especially stubborn under-the-surface bumpy kind. It visibly lessens lines. Evens out skin color. Re-texturizes face to silky-soft. With a series (for the truly iron-willed), it reduces mild to moderate scarring.


Following Deep Sea Peel:
You'll likely be bright pink to red-faced anywhere from a few hours to a few days. It can usually be disguised with full-coverage foundation, which can be applied immediately. About 48 hours later, you'll likely experience mild-moderate flaking off of dead skin cells. This is a great thing! It's visible evidence all the aforementioned skin woes are being ousted. The flaky period lasts a few days to a week.

The completely bizarre after-effect, though, starts immediately following the peel and remains about a day. Every time you touch your skin, or it touches anything (a pillowcase, for example) it'll feel like it's been jolted with a nano-bolt of electricity. Huh? I know. Though not unduly painful, it's very, very strange. That's the deep sea for ya...full of exotic mysteries. About a week later, skin's regeneration is complete.

Deep Sea Peel is obviously not for extra-sensitive complexions. And only a select few are brave enough to dive into these shark-infested waters! Are you one of them? Come into SKIN's studio and find out.

Don't worry, if it's not in your face's best interest, I'll tell you so directly. Hehe...if I like you...

Special deal on Deep Sea Peel for SKINtechie followers only!
Deep Sea Peel: normally $195
SKINtechie followers: $175 till March 30, 2010!






Saturday, January 16, 2010

Why the Bleep do I need a Toner?

www.skinsantamonica.com
Misunderstood. Under-appreciated. The bland sheep of skin care.

Rarely revered or despised, Toner just seems more of a 'skin care afterthought' for many.

However, a great toner is the elegant background accompaniment of any well-rounded skin care program. Whether calming or stimulating, toner plays a vital supporting role enhancing skin's function, health, and radiance.

So what the bleep does an effective toner actually do?

#1
TAKES OFF TAP WATER RESIDUE
Have you been at least somewhat alarmed reading what's being discovered in most tap water? Residue of prescription meds. Fecal matter. Bacteria. Lots of etc.'s. Without wiping your face with toner after cleansing, you're left with a virtual pile of crap on your face. Lovely! And if you use moisturizer afterwards, you're sealing in that very same tainted water, which is anything but pretty. When shopping a toner, read the ingredient list fully, knowing that whatever's in it will be sealed on your skin after applying anything over it. So make sure you know what you're feeding your face! If in doubt, confer with your facialist or dermatologist.

#2
RESTORES 'PH BALANCE'
On average, it takes up to 8 hours for your skin to return to its normal Ph balance (usually around 5.5) after you wash it. During those hours of ph inbalance, skin is an easy target for unhealthy bacteria to flourish. This is an especially important fact for skin that tends to break out. After washing, acne bacteria and other germs have free reign for much of the day before natural acidity is naturally restored. By simply using a proper toner, skin is immediately restored to its normal, healthy alkaline/acid state. Keeping this continuous ph balance in skin greatly lessens breakout potential.

#3
OPTIMIZES OTHER PRODUCTS
Applying serum or moisturizer immediately after using a toner helps it penetrate into the skin easier and faster. The water component acts as a virtual water slide, encouraging other products to slip on down into the epidermis, maximizing the product's potential!

Toners also have intrinsic skin benefits. Some contain glycolic, salicylic, or lactic acids, which slough dead skin cells and help clear clogged pores. Some contain soothers like aloe vera, chamomile, or lavender, which are an oasis for dry and sensitive skin, and also for some clogged complexions. Anyone with acne who's on typical breakout busters (Retin-A, antibiotics) tend to end up with dry and irritated skin. A calming, mild toner can perfectly soothe this gnarly side-effect without adding clogging ingredients.

My personal favorite toners are by Sircuit Cosmeceuticals. Molecular Mist is tops for normal-dry skin, or the beloved Immaculate Mist for normal-oily/acne skin. You're welcome to contact me for further info.

Try using a custom-suggested toner for at least one month, twice daily after cleansing. Then go a week (or even a few days) without. See and feel the difference yourself, and report the results back to SkinTechie!

Sunday, January 10, 2010

10 for '10: Ten easy Skin goals for the New Year

Cheers to all for a brand new decade, a brand new year, and a brand new day!

As we practice other affirmations we may have for 2010, why not add some easy, attainable skin care goals to the mix?  They're not unduly time-consuming, and when adhered to, can help generate a complexion worthy of being the shell that covers your very soul.


10 for '10:
I challenge you to start implementing the following 10 simple skin care intentions, and do them continuously throughout the entire year.   By December 2010 (even sooner) you'll revel in a more consistently healthy, radiant face.

1.
I (insert name here) will wash my face twice a day.  Even if I'm tired. Even if I'm tipsy from too many cocktails with friends.  If I'm home late afternoon/early evening and am not going out again, I'll wash my face then for the night so it's done before the sleepies take over. Period. No excuses.

2.
I will keep my hands off my face. I will not pick at my zits, scabs or whatnots.  If I realize I'm unable to NOT pick at my face,  I will see my doctor about possible OCD therapy and/or medication to forego picking. For some, this is a legitimate answer, and I will not judge myself. Picking can create irreversible scarring, and I'm worthy of seeking help if I can't sit on my hands when the picking-urge strikes.

3.
I'll exfoliate my face at home 1-3 times a week, or as prescribed by my skin guru.  Consistent, safe, at-home sloughing removes dry, oily, flaky, & clogging dead skin cells, which not only clarifies my complexion, but makes my other pricey products work optimally.  I will not, however, go off the deep end and take a loofah to my face.  I will use only an exfoliator approved by my personal skin consultant.

4.
I'll apply an antioxidant serum (or blemish serum/prescription, if needed) as close to daily as possible/needed.  After I've washed my face I'll apply at least one product that's been chosen by a skin pro that's customized to my specific skin condition. I will try each new product for at least 4-6 weeks before abandoning it.  If I hate the product I'll speak up and try something else.  There's a world of effective skin enhancers out there, and I shall seek out my personal holy grail items...and then actually use them.


5.
I'll get regular professional skin treatments to maximize my skin's health, beauty, and vitality.
For a customized map of what and how often is best for me, I'll ask my trusted skin care pro.  And whatever fits my financial and time budget, I will use that time to honor  my worth and my body's largest organ with regular, professional care.

6.
If I may be at risk, I'll get a full-body skin-cancer screening from my dermatologist.
If I've had numerous sunburns in my life and/or live in a sunny climate, I'll take this intention seriously enough to pick up the phone and make an appointment.  It could be life or death, and if skin cancers are caught early enough, can often be treated effectively. I not only honor myself by doing this, but all my loved ones as well, who deserve to have me around as long as possible.

7.
I will apply an SPF product to my face and neck every single day this year.
(Bonus goal :  Apply SPF daily to tops of my hands as often as possible throughout each day.
I'll keep a tube near every sink so everyone in my house has easy access to SPF.  I realize there is NO anti-aging product as effective as a top-notch sunblock, and I will unabashedly slather it on whenever/wherever I can.  I will go through as many tubes as possible this year.


8.
If I'm in the car more than 15 minutes a day, I'll get my car windows UV-tinted to further prevent photo-aging and reduce skin cancer risk.  This sweet trick will keep me aging vastly slower than my  not in-the-know pals. I realize that every minute I'm in a vehicle, I'm getting immense UV damage to my face, neck, hands, and arms.  I understand I may as well be sitting on the beach, even if I have 'normal' tinted windows. If I live in California or Florida, it's absolutely imperative I do this.  Usual window-tinting does NOT have UV filters despite how dark the tint, so I'll look up the following website and find a reputable dealer near me.
http://www.llumar.com/en/Default.aspx


9.
If I live in a dry environment or have the indoor heat on, I will have a humidifier humming in my bedroom every night.  I recall how plumped and pretty my skin looks when I'm in a humid environment, and I replicate this every night when my humidifier is on.  I wake up to a glowing, yummy complexion, and am actually feeling quite smug right now....


10.
I'll change my pillowcases and towels at least once a week (twice a week for acne skin) and will never use fabric softener/dryer sheets on those items that touch my face.  I understand that the numerous chemicals used in these products are harmful not only to our fragile environment, but can exacerbate acne and create dermatitis (skin irritation).


My Signature___________________________________________________________
January 2010


Let's now rock this futuristic-sounding year out of the park!

Thursday, December 10, 2009

SKIN & Work Philosophy

As I've mentioned before, I love what I get to do for a living. It is truly a joy and privilege for me to see every uniquely beautiful face that enters my studio.

I believe we derive a hefty chunk of our self-worth from our feelings about our work, whether positive or negative. Like most, I've been in prior work situations that left me feeling depleted, frustrated, and exhausted. I now have immense work satisfaction, as owning and running SKIN feeds me genuine soul nourishment.

I have an extremely high personal/professional code of ethics, and working for myself, now have no one 'over' me pushing me to sell more and more expensive products and treatments. My own integrity always has me suggest only those skin enhancers, both in-studio and at-home, that are in my client's best interest.

And that leaves me filled to the brim with genuine happiness while serving and nurturing my fellow humans.

Life can be grueling by its very nature. If you don't enjoy what you do for a living, change your job if at all possible. Think, ponder, and explore. What do you enjoy doing when you're NOT at work? What gives you the warm fuzzies? Any hobbies? Perhaps something there could translate into an affirming, enjoyable work prospect. Investigate outside the box, then STOP thinking and listen to the wisdom of the universe, and see what magical ideas and possibilites emerge...life's too short to dread the start of each work day!

For those of you who don't know me firsthand or face-hand, I thought you might want to read the following summation of my SKIN business philosophy. Original it ain't (though I did write it), as I freely admit to copying it from my SKIN studio website: http://www.SkinSantaMonica.com


Hey, it's a busy time of year! Hope you'll pardon this transgression, with the promise of my usual, thorough reports returning in the New Year!


SKIN treatment studio philosoph
y:


SKIN believes in 'only the extraordinary'
treatments & products that are . . .
•  supreme quality
•  results-achieving
•  cutting-edge
•  personally customized
•  complexion-clearing
•  age-defying
... administered with utmost professionalism, care, and consideration of your uniqueness.



SKIN believes in Green treatments & ingredients FREE of:
•  parabens
•  sulfates
•  emulsifiers
•  surfactants
•  chemical preservatives
•  artificial fragrance and colouring

With a big-time ‘Yes’ for:
•  relentless recycling
•  organics when possible
•  ECO-ver laundered towels & linens
•  cruelty-free products & peels

SKIN believes in homework . . . 
. . . through extensive and constant research. New technologies & ‘wonder’ ingredients are thoroughly investigated, and only if meticulous standards are met can they be provided at SKIN.
SKIN’s menu continuously evolves to reflect this, offering only the crème de la crème of medical-strength, eco-friendly complexion enhancers.

SKIN believes in commerce with compassion . . . 
Acne can be emotionally devastating for anyone.
SKIN provides on-going donation-based or free healing & clearing treatments for low-income teens, women & men with acne.
(if you know someone eligible, please contact us)

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Nab a fuzz-free face with DermaPlaning



DermaPlaning provides a fuzz-free face, creating light-reflecting luminosity.

What is DermaPlaning?
Simply put, it's a lot like shaving.  But an extra, extra-close shave designed more for a woman's face.  DermaPlaning lightly exfoliates, eliminating surface layers of dead, dulling skin cells. The polished result also allows skin products applied afterwards to penetrate more efficiently. For the same reason, it's also excellent pre-peel/microdermabrasion. DermaPlaning also temporarily k.o.'s unwanted facial hair. And frankly, what woman wants facial hair? DermaPlaning's glassy skin effect is largely due to its removal of that pesky peach fuzz most of us have. Or even downright whiskers.

Oh joy! Isn't aging delightful?

It gets even more fun, as we tend to accrue yet more facial fuzz the older we get, the result of jitterbugging hormones.This fiendish facial hair, no matter how light-colored, dulls your face's appearance.  Makes it impermeable to light's natural reflective properties. Eliminate this fuzz, and pay homage to a newly luminous complexion.

Men who shave receive some of DermaPlaning's buffing-up benefit, though the forehead and nose are usually snubbed. Shaving is even suspected as one reason men tend to age better than many women. Daily, gentle exfoliation stimulates skin-cell turnover which, similar to exercise, keeps skin's metabolism on its toes. This healthy, renewing process keeps only fresh, vibrant cells showcasing your epidermis.

So what's the Process?

After thorough cleansing, an actual surgeon's scalpel is used to 'uber-shave' the skin. DermaPlaning's administered all over your face (and neck if needed), but no shnozzes...too many curves to safely navigate. Cystic acne patients, however, should avoid DermaPlaning.

Does DermaPlaning hurt?

DermaPlaning doesn't hurt one bit.  It feels a bit like someone lightly scraping a fingernail over your skin. You could technically create a similar effect with a Bic razor, but the result won't be nearly as close, smooth, or lasting.

Will DermaPlaning make my facial fuzz grow back darker and thicker?


if I had a dollar for every time I've been asked this...


Fortunately, no. I've been DermaPlaning my skin, as well as numerous long-term clients, for yearsI doubt they, nor I, would return for more if darker, thicker stubbles came a-calling! Hair follicles inside skin (where sprouts begin) are clueless that hair's visible ends have been whisked away. It may feel somewhat strange as fuzz starts to grow back & nudge through skin's surface, but it gradually returns to its prior state if you elect to diss further DermaPlaning. 

Depending on individual hair-growth rate, results typically last around 3-6 weeks.

Summing up:

The time to de-beard is now, my fellow SkinTechies! Bring in your sweet, fuzzy face to your favorite facialist and give gentle DermaPlaning a try. You'll be rewarded with immediate, dazzling results, and all with no worry of gorilla hair replacing your once-downy facial locks.

My one extra-helpful hint: Make sure it's done by a caffeine-shunning, steady handed provider! hehehe

Friday, November 13, 2009

All aboard the A Train! Destination? Spectacular Skin

Are you pestered by clogged pores, acne or oily skin?  Perhaps wrinkles and dry, aging skin are more your worry. Heavens, all the above? Oy!  What's a girl or guy to do?
Let's take a little trip together...a train ride to skin care utopia...

Hop aboard the A-Train, SkinTechie friends...it's first class all the way!
While we zip along our epidermal journey, let's discover the nitty-gritty of vitamin A, the big cheese of skin care.
Topically-applied vitamin A (called a retinoid), is one ingredient that virtually guarantees you superstar skin.  Retinoids are absolute workhorses, fending off multitudes of complexion worries simultaneously! They clear blemishes & pores, fade uneven skin pigment, lessen lines, reduce dryness, stimulate collagen and elastin production, and can prevent basal cell & squamous cell carcinoma. Used correctly, retinoids provide a light-reflective clarity to skin that's just not possible with any other single product.

Quick Facts:
You've probably heard of retinoid's most famous prescription-strength brand, Retin-A. Other prescription retinoids include: Avita, Differin, Tazorac, Avage, and Renova.
Retinol, on the other hand, is simply a non-Rx level retinoid. These can be found in inexpensive formulas at the corner drugstore, or in fancier bottles at upscale department stores.

Though their effectiveness varies, each of these retinoids work similarly. Imagine your skin as an escalator. Skin cells start at the bottom of the stairs and slowly migrate upwards till they slough off the top.  Retinoids differ as they journey to the bottom of your 'skin escalator' and shout, "Hurry up already!" They nudge skin cells up the steps faster, stimulating collagen production in the process. Other types of exfoliators, such as glycolic acid or fruit-enzymes, help cells already at the escalator's peak to be polished off.

But alas, there are some inconvenient truths on the A-Train.
If you've ever tried using the Rx version, you know what I mean.  Unwanted hazards can include rashy, irritated skin, flaking, redness, & extreme tenderness. But wait! There's more! Retin-A's extreme exfoliation creates a compromised epidermis (your skin's protective barrier). This makes skin extra-vulnerable to sun's damaging, wrinkling, excess-pigment-bestowing rays. In short, Retin-A can leave you with side effects polar opposite your optimum complexion destination.

So how to minimize or eliminate these nasty travel companions, while still being on the receiving end of Vitamin A's goodies?  Peek through your A-Train's window-seat for options...

Window number 1:
Use Rx-strength 'A' once or twice a week only. If desired, slowly try building tolerance to every other night or nightly.  Top off with moisturizer  about 20 minutes after applying Retin-A to clean, dry skin.  If  bedtime is calling you, nix the 20 minute wait: Just mix equal parts of both in your hands and apply. This inhibits Retin-A's penetration somewhat, but is a far better option than having raw, irritated skin as a result of skipping hydration.

Window number 2:
Try over-the-counter retinol. You'll have little to no irritation traveling this route, but to be blunt, you'll have little to no results, either.

Window number 3: (Oooh!  Check this one out--my favorite window)
Hark! There's a new retinoid to be had, and it literally makes me swoon.
Its name is retinaldehyde.
I know, kind of a scary name. But it's your complexion's new BFF, and it's my deepest pleasure to introduce you two.
Retinal is its shortened name. Note it's spelled a bit differently than retinol, but it's actually a world apart. A new & improved world, and totally worth the visit!

Retinal crams in all the famed rejuvenating effects of Retin-A without side effects.
More astonishing, my favorite brand of retinal does so without increasing sun sensitivity. With this retinal, you're privy to all the wrinkle-busting, zit-zapping, photodamage-squashing that Retin-A is famous for, with no epidermal irritation. Just think...It's like the dating the gorgeous hunk (or pretty lass) who bewitches you with smarts, humor, & sass, but does it kindly. All the good with none of the fuss. Sign me up!

Retinal, though not medical-strength, is an immediate precursor to Retin-A. Kinda like its first cousin. Lower-end retinol is a mere 3rd cousin once removed.
Alas, most retinal formulations have not made their star ingredient shine. As is true with ALL forms of topical vitamin A, its molecular size is too large to effectively penetrate skin. That's why Retin-A is so irritating. To make it skin-permeable, companies put vitamin A in a highly acidic formula to force-feed it into skin, which naturally irritates the heck out of your complexion.

Fortunately, I've discovered retinal's holy-grail version. Osmosis is a physician-created line of retinal products in a patented, liposomal delivery form. Their retinal formulas completely bypass the epidermis, heading straight to the dermis (bottom of the skin-escalator). This keeps skin's top layer healthy and intact, thereby insuring it against extra sun sensitivity. Osmosis retinals also contain a high level of niacinamide, which helps build a stronger epidermis to make it MORE resilient to UV-light and other environmental aggressors. Plus, niacinamide is clinically proven to naturally fade sun spots.

Osmosis offers differing strength retinal formulas: Calm, for rosacea or sensitive skin, Clarify for oily skin or acne, Renew for anti-aging, and Boost, a super-potent concoction used a few times a week to rev up any skin's results.
Osmosis Infusion is their most potent retinal solution. An in-studio peel treatment, this juiced-up elixir can stimulate and reinforce premium results, and is still safe for all skin types.

Where must I roam to acquire this hailed skin hero?


SkinTechie's Santa Monica-based skin studio carries it! Feel free to contact me for purchasing details.
Email SkinTechie:  Sara@SKINsantamonica.com
Ph#  310.339.6783
Instead of train-travel, I happily ship products anywhere.
Hope you enjoyed the ride. Your journey on the A-train is now complete!

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