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Let’s face it. You’re only born with one complexion, so you might as well take care of it. There is no documented evidence that proves people are born with naturally flawless skin. But guess what? I’m willing to bet that people with gorgeous skin are happier, more confident and score more dates than their smartphones can handle. Ready to get started? Here’s how:
Change Your Diet: Yes, it’s true. Pizza, french fries and burgers are great comfort foods that we all love. But seriously. Can you really expect to have flawless skin if you regularly scarf down junk food? I’m not saying you need to deprive yourself completely, but start by substituting your favorite foods with leafy green salads, lean fish and chicken and plenty of foods with antioxidants. If you happen to be a vegetarian well, good for you, but don’t assume you’re leading the “pretty people” pack with your chosen lifestyle. Besides, there is no documented research that proves your diet will leave you with flawless skin.
Exfoliate: I get it. Chicago winters are brutal, and it wreaks havoc on our skin. Sorry folks, it’s not all Mother Nature’s fault. Show her who’s really in charge by exfoliating your skin twice a week for at least five minutes. Use products that contain Salicylic or Alpha Hydroxy Acids for the best results. These ingredients not only help to prevent breakouts, but they gently polish the skin’s surface and unclog pores to reveal a smooth and radiant complexion.
And remember — if these tips don’t work, you can always blame your parents.
– Nicole L. Townsend
Source: Thrive Med Spa in Chicago and Lakeview
Why exfoliate?…Exfoliants brighten the skin by removing flaky, dead, ashy cells. Your skincare products will work more effectively because they can penetrate deeper to the fresher skin, rather than sitting atop dead cell layers. The dead skin cells sitting on top of skin are the reason skin can develop a dull, lifeless appearance. Once the old dead cells are removed from the surface of the skin and washed away, the skin is left with a lovely, smooth glow. Exfoliation will soften the appearance of wrinkles and stimulate healthy cell renewal. Exfoliation also helps to deter breakouts by keeping skin pores clean and clear.
Does everyone need to exfoliate?…There seems to be endless ways to help shed dead skin cells. While every skin type (aside from those with certain skin diseases) should exfoliate, the amount, formulation, and frequency depend on an individual’s skin type and preference. Even extremely sensitive skins can exfoliate, but only with a product that is truly gentle.
What type of exfoliation should I use and how often?…There are basically two methods of exfoliation available: mechanical or manual exfoliation and chemical exfoliation. Mechanical or manual exfoliation is essentially a scrubbing action at the skins surface and includes physical scrubs, bushes, sponges, washcloths, and loofahs. A scrub is one of the quickest ways to exfoliate the surface of the skin. You can smear it on in the shower, lightly rub in circles, rinse, and you are good to go! Always be careful when choosing a scrub. Many contain ground nutshells, coffee bean, apricot kernels, or something of the like. These sharp abrasives can cause microscopic tears in the skin. Look for the terms “spheres” or “beads” in the product name or description, these are rounded and gentler to the skin.
Chemical exfoliation includes alpha and beta hydroxyl acids which dissolve the skins intercellular glue which in turn causes the skin to shed cells. Enzymes actually digest the skins layers! Certain enzymes can distinguish between living and dead cells, so they only exfoliate the dead skin.
**Remember to always consult with a skincare professional when beginning or changing a skincare routine!
Source: Thrive Med Spa in Chicago and Lakeview
The short answer to the last question…NO! While most of use are always looking for the cheapest way to have healthy skin, a cleanser is not something we should skimp on. Most bar soaps have high levels of alkalinity, a bitter, caustic mineral. Few bar soaps and bar cleansers are pH-balanced, and even if they are, contain wax to bind its ingredients together which can irritate the skin and leave a light film on the skin. That “squeaky clean” feeling that marketers write about is actually the result of dehydration in the top layers of your skin. That tight feeling is a result of the absence of oils your skin should have to properly function.
Cleansing milks, gels, and oils (yes, oils) are the most common types of liquid cleansers. A milk type cleanser is an effective cleanser and gentle on the skin. Many people prefer a gel cleanser. While some gel cleansers are excellent, many produce a lot of foam because they are detergent based. It is best to use a light foaming gel cleanser that will gently cleanse your skin without irritation. The thought of smearing oil onto your face to clean it often raises eyebrows. What most find even more surprising is that an oil cleanser is often recommended for those with oily skin! OIL CLEANS OIL! Think about it this way, a mechanic will wash the grease off his hands with a heavy, oily cleanser. Oil helps liquefy other oil.
One last thought…using a washcloth, brushes, or sponges are okay, but you MUST keep them clean. Sponges should be cleaned in the dishwasher at lease once a week and disposed of after a month. Sponges, if kept clean, can work great and help to gently exfoliate skin and remove make-up.
Source: Thrive Med Spa in Chicago and Lakeview
Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that involves inflammation on the cheeks, nose,
forehead, and chin. Inflammation can occur either as small spider-like veins, swelling,
or be sensitive to touch.
Rosacea can be triggered internally or externally by things such as sun damage, the environment,
and cosmetics. Internal triggers that can cause a flare up include spicy foods, alcohol,
coffee, and smoking, which are all stimulants. Foods that are high in sugar, including soda
and candy, and processed foods can also be internal triggers. The environment can also
have an internal effect on Rosacea with the pollution, free radicals, sun, and
temperature change. The external effects that trigger flare ups are things such as cosmetics,
skin care products, and the environment. When choosing cosmetics, you should always choose a
mineral based make-up line. Mineral make-ups are calming to the skin because they only use
the finest ingredients, they let the skin breathe and can actually improve the
look and texture of your skin. Harsh soaps or cleansers are another external trigger for Rosacea.
After cleansing your skin it should feel soft and radiant, not tight and dry. Most skin care professionals recommend using a creamy cleanser that is hydrating to add moisture
back to your skin. **TIP: do not use a washcloth when cleansing your skin, it is over
stimulating and will cause a flare-up. An overall suggestion for anyone who is dealing
with Rosacea, or isn’t sure if they have it, is to seek professional help for
treatment and product recommendations. Another suggestion is to monitor how your
skin feels and its appearance during or after eating certain foods and/or using certain products.
We have covered what triggers Rosacea, now let’s discuss what can be done to help soothe
the skin and reduce the number of flare-ups. Essential fatty acids such as Omega 3 play
an important role in fighting inflammation. Having a healthy well balanced diet with
fruits and vegetables is what our skin and body needs to operate to its full potential.
When consuming foods that are high in antioxidants and fiber your body is able to work
from the inside out to treat the condition. The cucumber family (watermelon, zucchini,
and pumpkin) have shown to fight off toxins and relieve inflammation.
Source: Thrive Med Spa in Chicago and Lakeview
With what seems like an endless barrage of commercials, print ads and people telling us about the latest, greatest and most of all necessary skincare products out there, how do we determine what is necessary and what is not. There is definitely a division between “must haves”, “wants” and “waste of money”, and it is important we learn to recognize our skin’s needs.
“Must Haves”/Necessary:
* Cleansers, exfoliants, sunscreens, and a hydrator/moisturizer are the bare minimums. The majority of us need these things to keep our skin looking healthy, young and feeling good. Cleansers should be liquid and chosen based on your skin type. Your face should never feel “squeaky clean” or tight after cleansing, this is a sign of dehydration in the top layers of the skin.
* Exfoliants allow your skincare products to work more effectively because they able to penetrated deeper into the skin after dead, flaky skin cells are removed.
* Sunscreen should be worn EVERY DAY…regardless of whether it is sunny or cloudy. Sun is the number one cause of many skin conditions and AGING! Make-up and many skin lotions now contain SPF, but it is important to make sure the SPF is at an acceptable protection factor. An SPF of at least 30 is usually adequate.
* A hydrator/moisturizer should be chosen based on your skin type and needs. You want to choose one that penetrates the skin, rather than simply sitting on the top layer of the skin. Think about whether your skin is dry or oily, acne-prone, sensitive…all of these need to be considered when choosing a product.
A skincare professional, such as those at Thrive Medical Spa, can and should help you chose your products.
While serums, toners, masks, eye creams, spot treatments, etc are not absolutely necessary in skincare, they can certainly add to the efficiency/visible results of any skincare routine.
Source: Thrive Med Spa in Chicago and Lakeview
Botox® seems to be as common these days as cell phones and coffee breaks. Everyone seems to be doing it, talking about it, having parties for it and doing it on their lunch breaks. But is it really safe? How sure are we that what we are putting into our bodies won’t affect us 10 years down the line?
Botox® (medically known as botulinum toxin type A) is a natural, purified protein used to treat overactive muscles and sweat glands. It is now FDA approved to treat wrinkles and excessive sweating. Botox® works by blocking signals to overactive muscles that tell those muscles to contract. It can typically be done partially or totally, depending on the desired effect. The effects are temporary and typically last between 3-4 months.
Botox® is SAFE as long as you follow these “rules”:
As with many things, Botox® is safe as long as you are a smart consumer. It can be dangerous if you don’t follow specific guidelines and are casual about who you are trusting to administer it.
At Thrive, all Botox® injections are performed by a licensed physician.
Source: Thrive Med Spa in Chicago and Lakeview
