by Debbie Kho | Sep 6, 2016 | Facial Treatments, Uncategorized
Fall is upon us, pumpkin latte, pies, cookies, stews and 
pumpkin facials! What’s all the buzz about pumpkin?
Pumpkin seed oil is full of phytoestrogens, rich in beta-carotene and many other antioxidants. Research shows it’s beneficial for preventing hypertension and have cancer protective properties.
Fiber in pumpkin can also help lower risk of coronary heart disease. That does not include pumpkin desserts, sorry folks! Add pumpkin chucks to roasted vegetables or pumpkin puree in smoothies. For antioxidant powerhouse add coconut milk, flax and chia seeds.
Pumpkin used in skin care products are packed with fruit enzymes and AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), which increases cell turnover to brighten and smooth the look and feel of the skin. Pumpkin is loaded with vitamins A and C to help soften and soothe the skin and increase collagen production that prevents signs of aging. Vitamin E in pumpkin is high in fatty acids, which helps regulate sebum production.
Enjoy the changes of the seasons, incorporate pumpkin in your diet and by all means get your pumpkin facial.
Experience your Pumpkin Radiant treatment today!
https://spalakeoswego.com/spa-facial-treatments/
Debbie Kho
Owner/Licensed Esthetician
Spalakeoswego.com
Spalakeoswego@gmail.com
(503)307-3833
by Debbie Kho | Aug 24, 2016 | Add Ons, Facial Treatments, healthy skin, holistic, Instant skin rejuvenation, natural, organic, Skin Care Tips, Skin Health and Well Being
What to do with dark, baggy circles under eyes and fine lines?
Let’s start with fine lines, moisturize with a good quality eye cream. Application: apply cream with ring finger, work cream gently from outer corner in circular motion towards the nose and over over eye lid. Always gentle when working around the eyes. Well worth the money investing in a great quality eye cream!
Dark circles…definitely not enough sleep contributes to it. But did you know certain nationalities dark circles are heredity? Asians, Middle Easterns, Italians and darker skin complexions because low iron count usually contributes to dark under eye circles. Have your iron count checked.
Under eye bags…sometimes certain medications cause fluid built up, kidneys not functioning at optimal level, traveling, dehydration, all of that may contribute to bags under the eyes. Solution: use eye cream while performing lymph drainage during a facial will aide in removing fluids and re-hydrate the orbital area.
As always, esthetics is my passion, I love to share my expertise with you all!
Debbie Kho
Owner/Licensed Esthetician/Skin Concierge
SkinSense Spa
by Debbie Kho | Apr 18, 2016 | Add Ons, facial special, Facial Treatments, facials, healthy skin, Instant skin rejuvenation, Mother's Day, Skin Health and Well Being
Love your mama, as they love you unconditionally.
Smile often as it is an unbreakable bond between a mom and child.
Hug, hug and hug…because it’s never enough hugs for us mommies.
Love between mom and child is magical, can’t be bought or borrow.
Mommy’s love lift us up when we feel low.
Love from our moms are transparent, for when we cry they also shed tears.
Mom’s love is sweet, gentle, soft, yet oh so powerful.
Nothing is more beautiful or special then a mother’s love.
Moms make sacrifices we know nothing of, until we become moms ourselves.
Moms teach us wisdom…silently, in action rather then words.
Strength of a mother’s love is unjudgemental…perfection, heart-felt, calming, giving and loving.
Mom’s touch so irreplaceable and cherished.
Remember her scent, the twinkle of love in her eyes, her smile, sweet laughter, and the warmth of her gentle loving touch. Hug your mom often and tightly. Tell her everyday how special she is and how much you love her.
Mother’s Day Special….
Complimentary Age Defense Hand Treatment with your choice of any facial treatment.
(savings of $40)
Debbie Kho
Owner/licensed esthetician
SkinSense Spa
spalakeoswego.com
spalakeoswego@gmail.com
(503)307-3833
by Debbie Kho | Mar 31, 2016 | Acne Treatments, Facial Treatments, facials, healthy skin, Instant skin rejuvenation, Skin Care Tips, Skin Health and Well Being
Benefits are many for teens in particular, facials will help clean and clear up clogged pores and blackheads. An professional esthetician will re-educate the teen with safe and effective methods, rather then what they learn from social media or their peers.
Reasons for facials are receiving professional expertise to care for their skin properly. That may include which products will work best for each teen based on his or her skin type and they will learn how to care for their skin at home.
Suggested age for teens getting facials.
Depends on when him or her hormones start changing. When their skin becomes easily aggravated causing blemishes and breakouts. It’s best to get ahead of blemishes before they become stubborn cystic acne. Average age is around 13 but some kids may start as early as 9 or as late as 17. Even if problem skin is not an issue, it’s a great time to have a professional educate teenagers how to maintain healthy skin safely.
What is included with a teen facial?
I include a thorough skin analysis and one-on-one consultation with the teen. I always encourage parent participation as the parent is an important process understanding how to work with the teen at home. With that being said a teen facial may include gentle deep cleansing, exfoliation, extractions and a customized mask appropriate for their skin type. Usually will include finishing with a moisturizer.
April Special…
Fresh Face Teen Facial – Prom season just around the corner, this facial is designed with the teen in mind. Gentle cleansing, exfoliation, extractions, mask and finish with light weight moisturizer.
60 mins $89
Love working with my teens!
Debbie Fong Kho
Owner/Esthetician
SkinSense Spa
spalakeoswego.com
spalakeoswego@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/skinsensemobilespa
(503)307-3833
by Debbie Kho | Feb 25, 2016 | Dry vs. dehydrated skin, Facial Treatments, facials, healthy skin, Skin Care Tips, Skin Health and Well Being
One of the most common questions is: “My skin is so dry, what should I do?”
This question makes my eyes twinkle!
Is it dehydrated or dry skin?
What is the difference?
Dry Skin
During the winter months when indoor heat and outdoor cold air, lacks moisture, causing our skin to become dry. #Dryskin lacks moisture on the top (epidermal) layer of skin, over a period of time may cause rough, uneven textured, unhealthy looking skin. Additionally, skin may become dull, overly sensitive, itchy, noticeable dryness, fine lines becomes more apparent with dry flaky patches of skin. If this is your skin, make sure to use a gentle exfoliant to remove flaky skin and hydrate with an appropriate moisturizer for your skin. Why exfoliate? Exfoliation remove layers of dead skin cells sitting on the surface that creates a barrier, prevents skin from breathing, and skin care products from penetrating. Over time causes dehydration in the dermis layer. If acne prone, the layers of dead skin may actually increase breakouts because it’s blocking the skin’s ability to breath. Makeup application is not able to glide on skin smoothly. A person may actually look older then their actual age since the skin lacks the hydration.
Dehydrated Skin
Over an extended period of time dry skin may become #dehydratedskin, from the lack of moisture and nutrients underneath the top layer of skin. Dehydrated skin feels dry, skin may look dull, blotchy, tight, may have deep wrinkles around the eyes, mouth, cheeks, jawline, around the lips and forehead area. Over a period of time dehydrated skin will break down collagen and elastin which may cause premature sagging skin.
Keep Skin Hydrated
After cleansing and exfoliated skin, apply an appropriate serum for your skin type. If uncertain which serum is best for your skin, seek an experience professional to diagnose your skin type to recommend the best serum for you. Apply your serum first, as serums have smaller molecules, it’s highly potent, that’s what you want to penetrate into the dermis for the intense hydration. Apply an appropriate day or night time moisturizer.
Sometimes it’s difficult to distinguish between dry and dehydrated skin, I highly recommend seeking an experience professional to show you the difference between the two skin types. Pair up with your professional to work out treatment plans and home care regime to protect, re-nourish and rehydrate your skin.
March special…Moisture Drench Facial!
by Debbie Kho | Oct 27, 2015 | Acne Treatments, aromatherapy, Ayurvedic medicine, Bride to be facial, Celebrity Facial, essential oil, Facial Treatments, facials, healthy skin, Instant skin rejuvenation, Intraceutical Oxygen Facial, Oxygen Facial, Red Carpet Facial, replace botox, Skin Care Tips, Skin Health and Well Being, Uncategorized
Ahhh…romatherapy
The National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy defines it as “combination of art and science utilizing naturally extracted aromatic essences from plants to balance, harmonize and promote the health of body, mind and spirit.”
Aromatherapy is extracted oils from flowers, seeds, barks, roots and herbs. While there is not enough evidence to support its effectiveness in preventing illness, but there are clinical studies found to be an effective complimentary therapy to: anxiety reduction, lessens depression and headaches, while others increase energy and healing, boast immunity, improve digestion, aides to more restful sleep pattern and even increase circulation.
How aromatherapy is used
Facials – ashwagandha is spicy and woodsy scent, often used to rejuvenate skin and diminish dark circles under the eye. “A staple of Ayurvedic medicine, this oil is prized as an adaptogen and is traditionally used to help increase the body’s resistance to stress,” says Barbara Close, founder and CEO of Naturopathica. Clary sage, neem, thyme, cucumber, juniper and rosemary is ideal for combination, oily and blemished skin. They help to purify skin, reduces oil production and tightens enlarged pores and rebalances the skin. Rose oil softens, hydrates and soothe the skin, while frankincense provides relief to stressed skin. Lavender, petitgrain, ylang ylang, bergamot is highly popular for spa professionals as it is used to calm and relax the mind and body. Grapefruit, lemon, vitamin c and licorice root are natural skin brighteners. These are just a fraction of essential oil blended into skin care products.
Massage – basil helps to soothe and calm, hyssop is healing and soothing, immortelle repairs scar tissue. Kanuka is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory, relieve muscle pain and swelling, making it an excellent ingredient in massage oil for sports massage.
Inhalation – eucalyptus oil is widely popular to clear upper respiratory congestion. Grapefruit, bergamot, ylang ylang, lemon, peppermint is often used as an uplift that energizes the mind and body. Melaleuca and rosemary is healing and stimulating, clear foggy thoughts, aid in concentration. Vetiver is earthy and the smoky scent helps with grounding and promote relaxation. There are multiple methods to inhale these wonderful essential oils, using in a diffuser or burner allowing the scent to fill the entire room is widely popular, adding it to steamer during a facial treatment or adding couple drops to a cotton ball, hold it few inches away from your nose and breathe deeply.
Soaking – adding couple drops to a nice warm bath soak is an effective use of essential oils, not only will the warm vapors absorb into your skin to relax you, the oils will make your skin silky smooth.
Few cautions while using essential oils
Proper care should always be taken. Essential oils are highly concentrated so when apply directly to skin may cause burning, stinging or allergic reactions, while others may react with certain medications, or shouldn’t used with certain health conditions. Due to high concentrated levels of essential oils, they MUST be diluted with carrier oils such as: almond, jojoba, flaxseed, safflower, apricot, borage, cranberry, evening primrose, hazelnut, hempseed, coconut, avocado, vegetable, grapeseed or olive oil. Avoid mineral oil and petroleum jelly, as they are byproducts of petroleum, therefore, is not natural rather more harmful. Mineral oil is used in baby oil and lotions because it is inexpensive to product, however will clog pores, prevent skin’s ability to breathe naturally, prevent essential oil absorption and toxins from excreting the body through sweating.
Have fun with essential oils
The rule of thumb for mixing: 1 drop of essential oil to 1 teaspoon of your favorite carrier oil. Always store your mixture in a sterilized glass bottle. Mix your oils with fine sea salt for body scrub, or couple drops in distilled water to use as toner or room freshener, add your scented water mixture to old flannel sheet as a fabric softener in your dryer, or add a few drops to unscented lotion! Unlimited of uses with aromatherapy!
Here are a few of my favorite mixed scents:
Woody/earthy – cedar wood, patchouli and sandalwood
Floral – lavender, geranium and jasmine
Citrus – ylang ylang, grapefruit and bergamot
What are your favorite scents? Be creative!
As always, if you like it, share it!
Debbie Kho
Your Skin Concierge
@facialslo
