Boost Skin's Wattage with LED Light Therapy

Can certain wavelengths of light measurably improve your complexion? 

Surprisingly, "Yes",  according to years of research from numerous esteemed organizations (including the Imperial College of Science-Technology & Medicine, NASA, and the FDA). These science-backed studies prove specific rays from the visible light spectrum (read: colors of the rainbow) can safely and painlessly treat skin issues ranging from pimples to wrinkles. Sweet! Thank goodness those scientists finally used their noggins for something really important....

IN A NUTSHELL:

LED lights are not to be confused with lasers. Laser lights create thermal injury deep within tissue to induce a repair response. With non-invasive LED lights, cells absorb the photons and transform the resulting energy into adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is the form of energy cells recognize, and this sudden surge activates powerful, natural metabolic processes (like collagen stimulation). Hence, smoother, less-wrinkly skin!

Aside from being FDA-approved for wrinkle and acne reduction, here are more of LED's skin payoffs:

*Lessens pore size
*Reduces uneven pigmentation
*Faster scar healing
*Firms & tightens
*Stimulates collagen and elastin production
*Creates plump, hydrated skin
*Speeds wound-healing 

And all this from snoozing in front of some lights for 20 minutes. Add a flute of champagne and you've got one of Skintechie's favorite things: "A cheap, speed-vacation whilst complexion-enhancing".  Lovely!

Red and Blue are the go-to light colors for skin optimizing.

ANTI-AGING:

Red LED Lights (at 630-700 nm) are the aging diva's BFF. When red light is absorbed into skin, it increases blood and oxygen flow, which speeds up metabolism and leads to the marvelous beautifying rewards listed above.

ANTI-ACNE:

Blue LED Lights (400-495 nm) are germ-busters extraordinaire. This wavelength works by snuffing out acne bacteria. Combined with regular at-home care, pesky zits can be significantly zapped.

WHEN:

LED skin rejuvenation can be done as often as daily, or as little as once a month. Each session simply builds on the last, and faster results are netted with higher frequency of treatments. I often suggest an LED sitting once or twice weekly for 4-6 weeks, then backing off to once or twice a month to maintain newfound epidermal glory.

Note: In SKIN's studio, I apply a souped-up peptide serum onto cleansed, exfoliated skin before aiming the lights, as this further enhances results.

SO:

What're you waiting for? Follow the light...all the way to a creamy, dreamy complexion!

Passing Judgement: Neutrogena's Newest Sunblock

You know that list of desired soul mate qualities you've got, or have had, before he/she turned up?

I have a similarly long list of qualities... for the ultimate high-protection sun block!

I  already have a  love affair with my day-to-day UV shielder, Osmosis Shelter SPF 29. (30 ml. $28, http://www.SkinLoft.com).  But my quest for the perfect high-octane sun block has been ongoing for years. Extra-protective sun blocks (over SPF 30) should be used anytime you'll be outdoors over an hour, including time spent in the car. Unfortunately, serious UV squashers tend to be greasy, pore-clogging, and leave one with the dreaded skin affliction known as greased pig syndrome, or GPS. Unacceptable!

Here's my list of requests for the ideal extra-potent sun block potion. See if these resonate with you, too.

10 Desired Sun Block Qualities (in no particular order):

1. A light, smooth, non-sticky texture.

2. Best technology, broad-spectrum, high UV filters.

3. Non-irritating.

4. Has a bit moisture, but not too much.

5. Makeup glides effortlessly on top.

6. Unscented.

7. Affordable.

8. Waterproof, sweatproof.

9. Non pore-clogging (noncomedogenic).

10. Eco-friendly.

I spotted a new Neutrogena sunblock recently in the drugstore. It had a really long, important-sounding name: Neutrogena Spectrum+ Face Advanced Sunblock Lotion SPF 100. Naturally, I was immediately hooked and bought a bottle.

Bottom Line:

Happily, Neutrogena Spectrum+ Face Sunblock Lotion met nine out of ten desired qualities, and is by far the best 'extreme' sun block I've yet tried. It's Neutrogena's newest addition to their already dizzying array of sun products. If you can actually locate it amongst their sea of others, this is definitely Neutrogena's standout star.

The one quality it didn't pass muster with, unfortunately, was the eco-friendly category, as it's purely a chemical concoction. However, the formula's numerous benefits outweigh any equivalent sunblock currently in the 'natural' market. Until such time a viable eco alternative can be had, this one is simply the best.

SkinTechie Tip: To minimize chemical penetration into skin, apply sunblock over any treatment serum (Vitamin C, Prevage, etc.) and/or light moisturizer, so it has something other than bare skin on which to rest.

The high SPF (100) is extreme, but most of us use far less SPF than we think. You need about 1/2 tablespoon of sunscreen on your face to achieve the bottle's alleged SPF. Consider the extra high SPF to be an insurance policy against under-usage. Still, for optimum anti-aging protection, apply as much SPF as you can possibly stand. Yes, really. Sunblocks are one of the few examples where More really is More. 

Apply it like it's cheap. Know what I mean? Like that go-to jug of body lotion you always reach for instead of the fancy one your friend gave you.... use sun block like that.

I've said it before, but it bears repeating for optimum subconscious fermenting: THERE IS NO ANTI-AGER LIKE A GREAT SUN BLOCK, applied daily!

Neutrogena Spectrum+ Face SPF 100 uses the company's patented Helioplex technology to block rays throughout the UV spectrum, so rest assured you're getting the best protection possible. It's lightly moisturizing, amazingly un-greasy, and unscented to boot. Plus, you can work up a sweat and not end up sunburned or pimply. And did I mention inexpensive and available in most drugstores? Simply sublime.

SkinTechie rates this product 5 Stars.

Now, with my search for an effective, non-gnarly high-SPF product complete, maybe I'll start on that soul mate quality list. Stay tuned....

SkinTechie.

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!

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!

Why the Bleep do I need a Toner?

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!

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!

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 philosophy:

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)