Don't pop that zit!

You can feel it; it feels like Mount Rushmore growing on your face.  The urge to squeeze can be overwhelming, but stop!  You are likely to damage the follicular walls causing the acne to spread leaving you with an unsightly scar.  Acne can be caused by genetics, clogged pores, bacteria, hormones, stress, some cosmetics and skin care products.  So it is a good idea to figure out what is causing the breakouts.

Exfoliating helps keep acne under control by removing the dead skin cells, some professional exfoliators contain stronger ingredients to help clear out pores.  If professional exfoliators are outside of your budget then look for gentle exfoliators that are oil-free and do not contain any alcohols.  Adding a little baking soda to your cleanser is another gentle, inexpensive way to exfoliate.  Acne caused by bacteria is never any fun and it is best to see a Dermatologist.  Hormonal acne can be annoying, this acne is common during puberty when the hormones are going crazy, but rest assured that once the hormones settle down the skin will begin to clear up.  If you are under a lot of stress your body can sometimes produce more oil which can lead to clogged pores, so try to alleviate stress.  Check your cosmetics and skin care products to make sure they are non-comedogenic.  Products containing waxes and oils can clog pores; look for products that are water based. 

A good skin care regimen and proper nutrition will help keep acne under control, Aestheticians can help with skin specific facials and Dermatologists can prescribe medications for the more severe acne.  And please remember...don’t pop that zit!

The Blue Wax Chronicles

When I was in beauty school we were taught waxing.  I wasn't impressed, I thought it was a hassle to smear runny wax on the body and then pull the hair off with strips while trying to refrain from going over the same spot.  The wax we used would grab a hold of the skin and the hair...it hurt and it left the skin tender and red.  One day this mysterious blue wax showed up, I was curious.  I remember my Aesthetician and Mentor, Tania, going on about how wonderful this stuff was.  So I tried it...on my classmates, my friends and even myself...I was hooked!

There are many types of waxes out there for Aestheticians and each Aesthetician has their favorite brand and type of wax.  These are just my opinions and my thoughts on the different types of waxes that are out there that I have played with.  I do use myself as a guinea pig, I am a firm believer that I have to try it out first before I would use it on a client.

Honey Wax - OUCH!  My other Mentor Diana loves this stuff!!  It is super sticky (and messy!!) and it does grab a hold of that hair like there is no tomorrow.  One day I decided to try it out on my legs.  I was almost in tears at first from the intense stinging sensation with each pull.  By the time I was done my lower legs were red, blotchy and warm.  I was impressed with how it did pull the tiniest of hairs, but I was not happy with the trail of wax I had from the wax pot to my legs and the random "streams" of honey wax on my shirt.  To this day I still can not figure out how I managed to get wax on my shoulder.

Cream Wax - Out of all of the runny, messy waxes I do prefer the cream wax.  I have tried several different brands and I still go back to the original cream wax I started with.  I'm not sure if it is a comfort thing or if it is really that good.  Some cream waxes don't grab the hair as well as the honey, but it does seem to be a little easier on the skin than the honey wax.  I do use the cream wax on larger parts of the body, to this day I still use it on my own legs.  The nice thing about the cream wax is "speed waxing", it is easier to cover large areas at one time and you do not have to worry about waxing over the same spot you just waxed.

Hard Wax aka Blue Wax- My favorite!!  I love this wax!!  The hard wax doesn't grab onto the skin like other waxes which is really nice.  Since it doesn't grab the skin there is less irritation, redness, and the only discomfort is from the hair being pulled, not the skin.  I use this wax for facial waxing, underarms, bikini, and brazilians.  This wax is easier to shape brows with, you can really get close without removing half of an eyebrow.  The downside to this wax is that you need to apply a thick layer and wait for the wax to harden before you can pull.  My clients know when I use the hard wax it will take a little bit longer, but they are willing to spend the extra time with less pain and redness.

When it comes to "do it yourself" waxing I do become a little concerned.  It may seem easy to just run to your nearest beauty store and pick up a wax pot, sticks and strips, but waxing is not as simple as it seems.  There are many contraindications to consider when waxing.  Using medications or topical treatments that thin the skin can cause the skin to tear when waxed.  You should never wax a mole, skin tags, bruises, scars, varicose veins, sunburns or open wounds.  There are many other contraindications to look out for so it is best to just leave it up to the professionals. Also, I find it disturbing when I hear about young children getting their eyebrows waxed.  Seriously?  Can the parent not wait until the child goes through puberty and the skin begins to "mature"?  If the child needs their brows done at an early age then use tweezers.  Waxing when done improperly can damage the skin and the underlying tissues.

And don't forget...in the State of Texas double dipping is not allowed when it comes to waxing but you are safe to double dip your veggies, fries and chips.

Show your Skin for 2011

Stress, fatigue, and aging can contribute to the loss of the natural youthful radiance, loss of skin elasticity, and the appearance of pigmentation marks.  The skin’s top layer becomes clogged with dehydrated cells that can build up on top of each other creating a dull complexion.  The Guinot Beaute Neuve Facial is a fruit infused gentle peel that uses the natural exfoliating properties of AHA’s with pure Vitamin C and anti-aging ingredients to gently remove the dead skin cells to reveal healthy radiant skin while regenerating the elastin fibers.

After a gentle cleansing the Guinot Peel In gel is applied.  This exfoliating gel uses AHA’s derived from sugar cane, citrus fruits, apples and grapes to separate the dead cells from the healthy ones.  The gel is left on for 5-9 minutes, depending on the skin’s sensitivity.  When the gel is finished exfoliating the Guinot Peel Out foam is applied, this foam not only neutralizes the gel, but it washes away the exfoliated skin cells, stimulates cell renewal and soothes surface irritation while protecting and maintaining the skin’s natural pH balance.

The next step in this unique facial is the Guinot Dermanove Regenerating Serum.  This serum with passion fruit extract is an intensive anti-aging serum that regenerates the skin, reducing fine lines and wrinkles.  While the serum is massaged into the skin it moisturizes, soothes, and restores and protects the skin’s natural protective barrier.  After the serum has been absorbed the Guinot Clarimasque is applied.  The Clarimasque uses the power of pure, concentrated Vitamin C to lighten dark spots and restore the skin’s radiance.  This cool, relaxing mask also stimulates the production of collagen and elastin fibers while defending the skin against damaging free-radicals and oxidants which can damage the surface layers.  This facial is completed with moisturizers appropriate for your skin type.

The Guinot Beaute Neuve Facial exfoliates, brightens and regenerates as well as reducing dark spots.  Since the level of exfoliation can be controlled it can be used on all types of skin, even sensitive skin!  Oily and acne prone skin can benefit from the deep pore cleansing and more mature skin can benefit from the rehydration and anti-aging ingredients.  This facial is about 45 minutes in duration and to receive the maximum benefit it is recommended to have this facial once a week for the first three weeks, then just once a month for maintenance.  After one treatment a radiant complexion is restored, after three treatments cellular renewal is accelerated, revealing a more youthful and radiant complexion.

This blog was originally posted for L'Image Dallas' blog on wordpress  on January 6, 2011

You're a what?

People who ask what I do for a living usually ask, "you're a what?" and then I explain to them that I am a Licensed Aesthetician who is a Beauty Professional who specializes in skin care, hair removal and lash extensions.  Skin care and Guinot specialized facials are what I really love, but I also wax anything from legs to brows and everything in between...yes, including female brazilians.

Your skin type is not a one size fits all.  There are many factors making up your skin type, such as genetics, diet, environment and in some cases medication that makes your skin unique.  Billions of dollars are spent every year on skin care trying to correct problems from acne to anti-aging.  Sometimes there are underlying issues that only an Aesthetician can detect and there are times when your Aesthetician will need to refer you to a Dermatologist.  The relationship you have with your Aesthetician can help you achieve healthier, younger looking skin.