Happy Saturday, beauties! We’re giving away a $50 gift certificate to one lucky follower who can tell us which Grammy award winning artist hated one of fall’s biggest beauty trends: “berry lips?”

1. Kanye West
2. Drake
3. Lil Wayne
4. Cee Lo Green

The winner will be announced this Monday at 3 p.m. CST. Good Luck!

Nicole L. Townsend

Photos Courtesy of: latimes.com

Source: Thrive Med Spa in Chicago and Lakeview

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

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 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

“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® (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”:

• ALWAYS have Botox® administered by a well-trained, licensed clinician.
• Make sure you are receiving true Botox® (made EXCLUSIVELY by Allergan Inc.)
• Do your research!!  Know what you want and where you want it…Discuss this with the person who is administering the Botox®

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

Fraxel® provides similar dramatic results to laser skin resurfacing, dermabrasions and deep chemical peels, but without the extended recovery time or anesthesia.  Fraxel® lifts away years from your face and improves your skin’s texture and tone to fight fine lines, wrinkles, stretch marks and acne scars.

Many patients choose Fraxel® because it:

1. Fills in acne scars
2. Minimizes stretch marks
3. Clears sun-damaged skin
4. Smoothes fine lines and wrinkles
5. Shrinks the appearance of pores
6. Blends uneven pigmentation

Simply put, Fraxel® treatment promotes your skin’s own healing process, resulting in natural rejuvenation that removes years from your appearance.  Depending on your skin, you can decide how you want to attain the remarkable results Fraxel® treatment delivers.  Aggressive treatments require fewer sessions and result in more post treatment side-effects – meaning a few days of social downtime.  Less aggressive treatments accomplish the same results, with a few more treatment sessions and less pronounced side-effects.  For some types of skin and skin conditions, gentle and/or fewer treatments are best.  Fraxel® treatment was specifically engineered to give your skin professional complete treatment control, based on your particular needs.

How Fraxel® treatment works

The technology behind Fraxel® treatment is as revolutionary as the results it can deliver.  Unlike other laser treatments, Fraxel® treatment is able to precisely treat thousands of microscopic areas of skin, using pinpoint laser beams that penetrate beneath the skin’s surface to eliminate old, damaged skin cells.  Fraxel® treatment stimulates the body’s own natural healing process which replaces damaged skin with fresh, glowing, healthy skin.

Your personalized Fraxel® treatment plan

Your skin is unique – your genetic make-up, lifestyle and personal history all contribute to how your skin looks and feels.  With Fraxel® treatment, your skin professional can develop a treatment plan tailored to your skin’s individual needs.  By design, Fraxel® treatments can target between approximately 5 to 50 percent of the skin’s surface, leaving the remaining 50 to 95 percent available to quickly heal the treated areas.  Since Fraxel® treatment is so precise, it is safe and effective on delicate skin areas like the neck, chest and hands, in addition to the face.  You can expect two levels of results, immediate and progressive.  Immediately after initial healing is complete, the surface of your skin will feel softer, look brighter, and tone will start to become even.  Progressive results occur over the next three to six months as the deeper layers of skin continue to heal.

*Please note that Dr.  Summers highly recommends a series of treatments for optimal results.

Source: Thrive Med Spa in Chicago and Lakeview

The first thing we must uncover is whether or not our skin is dry or dehydrated.  Yes, there is a difference!  Dry skin is caused when there isn’ t enough oil in the skin and is represented by flaky skin.  Dehydrated skin comes when there isn’t enough water in the skin and is usually represented by a tight feeling, especially after you wash your face.  Dealing with both of these problems is necessary for healthy, radiant skin that glows.

Here are some helpful tips for battling dry and dehydrated winter skin:

*Fish Oil!  This seems to be the wonder supplement these days!  Taking a fish oil supplement, such as Metagenics Fish Oil vitamins, can have all kinds of health benefits.  When talking specifically about the skin, fish oil supplements provide essential Omega 3 fatty acids that most of us don’t get enough of in our regular diet.  These, along with Omega 6 fatty acids, help to regulate cellular function and maintain elasticity and suppleness in the skin.

* Exfoliate…Exfoliate…Exfoliate!  Exfoliation helps shed dead skin cells so that a good moisturizer can do its job.  If you don’t lose those dead skin cells, moisturizer will only help the dehydrated skin on the surface.  Having a monthly microdermabrasion or non-drying peel will keep the skin exfoliated and increase the penetration level of the products you are using at home.

* Find a good moisturizer….Here is a list of products that are recommended by skin care experts at Thrive Integrative Medical Spa:

• Dermaquest Revive Cream
  Dermaquest Hydrating b5 Serum
  PCA Protective Hydrator
  PCA Silkcoat Balm
  Avene Tolerance Extreme Cream
  Avene Trixera Cream

**Remember, speaking to a skin care professional is recommended to help you find the most appropriate product for your skin!

Source: Thrive Med Spa in Chicago and Lakeview

We’ve all seen the commercials and print ads with Claire Danes and Brooke Shields batting their longer, darker, thicker lashes thanks to Latisse…but are they for real or just being paid big bucks to promote a product?  Yes!! Those lashes are real thanks to Latisse and it is time for you to try it for yourself!

Latisse was made from a prescription drug used to treat Glaucoma patients.  As a side effect, these patients noticed their eyelashes growing, Latisse was born.  One of the unique things about Latisse, when compared to many other “beauty” products, is that it is still considered a pharmaceutical so it is regulated by the FDA.  This regulation is the reason you will hear warnings about possible side effects.  What are the side effects you ask?  The ads state that some patients noticed a change in eye color, but you should know that any patients who saw this change were using the Glaucoma medicine directly in their eye (which you don’t do if you are using Latisse correctly!).

So how does it work?  Latisse is sold as a kit which includes disposable applicators and one bottle of solution that should last around two months.  When you start using Latisse it is applied every night before you go to bed.  Latisse works by keeping your lashes in the last of the three growth phases they go through, which allows them to continue to grow and shed less.  Results typically are seen within three weeks, but after the full two months you will definitely see a difference!

You do not need a prescription for Latisse, but it must be purchased from a Doctor’s office or medical spa.  Offer expires April 30, 2011.

Source: Thrive Med Spa in Chicago and Lakeview