by Debbie Kho | Oct 1, 2015 | Facial Treatments, Skin Care Tips, Skin Health and Well Being
As we enter October we say goodbye to summer and welcome the cool, crisp weather and beautiful colors of fall. Some parts of the country are lucky enough to have an extended “Indian Summer” and other parts get slammed with the first snow!
While some skin types love the cooler weather, becoming soft and silky, others are not so lucky! Their skin becomes dull, dry, itchy and flaky with the cool temps. UGH! I am one of those!
One common mistake I see is that many push their sunscreen to the back of the drawer because they think they don’t need sunscreen in the fall, right? WRONG! Even though it may be cooler, the sun still takes a toll on our skin if we skip protection.
It’s time to start adjusting your skin care for fabulous fall skin
Humid temps, sweat, chlorine, heavy sunscreen and saltwater may have done a number on your skin from the summer – now that it’s fall it is time to start repairing the summer damage and prepare your skin for the winter by making a few adjustments to your products and routine.
** Depending on your skin type, if you are naturally on the drier side, switch to milky, creamy, soothing cleanser rather than soap or gel cleanser. This hydrates your skin while gently cleanse at the same time. If you are on the oily or acne side a gentle gel cleanser without alcohol or witch hazel is ideal.
** Use a gentle exfoliant more frequently to slough off dead skin cells for a healthier glow. When using a product to exfoliate remember – always be gentle with your skin and avoid exfoliating around your eyes. Let your skin care therapist take care of that area. If you use an at home exfoliating brush make sure to be EXTRA gentle. For those troubled with acne, use the exfoliating brush with extra care, as not to increase irritating breakouts and spread the acne bacteria. FYI… exfoliate your puckers for smooth silky lips.
** Change out your summer moisturizer, add a more hydrating moisturizer and invest in a nice, nourishing serum for added protection for colder temps. This provides a barrier to prevent water loss and has the benefit of adding hydration at the same time.
** Winter is about PROTECTION, PROTECTION, PROTECTION! – Save your skin from harsh wind, sun (yes, I did say sun!) freezing temps and high indoor heat that will suck the moisture from your skin. Load up on lip balm, lather up your entire body with lotion – even your hands! I always get a few chuckles but it’s just as important in the winter, so I repeat… SUNSCREEN!
By making small changes to the products you use regularly and your skin care routine you will keep your skin hydrated, glowy, healthy and youthful while you enjoy the change of the seasons!
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by Debbie Kho | Sep 14, 2015 | Facial Treatments, Skin Care Tips
Age spots, liver spots, freckles, sun spots and pregnancy mask are all terms that are used to describe the symptoms of hyperpigmentation. Your skin contains melanocyte cells that produce melanin which gives our skin its color.
When our skin produces too much melanin this leads to hyperpigmentation of the skin.
Hyperpigmentation affects men and women of all ethnic groups. It’s most common in middle age and beyond.
There are a number of things that can cause hyper-pigmentation, including:
- Overexposure to the sun
- Tanning beds
- Birth control or hormone replacement therapy
- Post inflammatory
- Freckles for fair skin types
- Heredity
- Hormonal changes
- Pregnancy
- Acne scarring
- Certain medications such as antibiotics, hormone treatments and anti-seizure medications
- Addison disease
One very important note – always have uneven moles checked out! These could be signs of a far more serious condition called melanoma (skin cancer).
So how do you go about getting rid of these spots?
There are many treatments available, but not all of them are effective, and some may even make the condition worse!
- Getting a prescription for topical application which contains alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) that exfoliates the skin quicker than it’s normal process. That comes with it’s own set of side affects and may not always be effective.
- Nonablative professional procedures such as deep skin peels, Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy which targets only the dark areas are used under strict supervision with a trained physician or laser skin resurfacing. All very aggressive, very expensive and again not always the best choice for all skin types and may lead to scarring.
- Spa treatments are a very popular option for majority of the population. There are many very effective options such as microdermabrasion, Oxygen Fusion facials and more natural skin lightener products. Your results will be best with an experienced practitioner.
- Over the counter remedies are often money down the drain – they usally the come in a very low dosage and without direction of a professional, they can cause skin damage.
- There are also many “DIY” remedies but for the same reasons as the OTC remedies these are not usually effective and are often dangerous.
- As a licensed esthetician, I recommend a professional, non-aggressive treatment that is tailored to your skin type and takes into account other factors including your current skin care regimen and other skin issues that may be present.
After successfully getting rid of hyperpigmentation, it is now important to focus on preventing the condition from returning. The easiest way to do this is limit exposure to UVA/UVB rays, tanning beds and have good sunscreen protection.
For more information or to schedule a complimentary consultation, please call me at 503-307-3833
by Debbie Kho | Jun 3, 2015 | Acne Treatments, Add Ons, Bride to be facial, Celebrity Facial, Facial Treatments, Instant skin rejuvenation, Intraceutical Oxygen Facial, Oxygen Facial, Packages, Red Carpet Facial, replace botox, Skin Care Tips, Skin Health and Well Being
Oxygen Facial does not require injections or application of any chemicals or have any down time, it is performed by a licensed esthetician in a spa setting. Prior to the treatment, the skin care specialist follows same protocol as any other facial by offering a consultation to determine whether the Oxygen Facial is the best choice for the client’s skin. Following the
consultation the esthetician will than cleanse and exfoliate your skin to ensure it’s free of dirt and oil. After manual exfoliation or using a product to exfoliate the skin, a serum is chosen just for your skin type, than the serum is gently misted on to the skin and oxygen is introduced directly on the skin like a cool spray of air. The serum is packed full of botanical vitamins, aloe and hyaluronic acid that are highly and naturally beneficial for the skin, to help the skin retain its firmness and soften fine lines and wrinkles. Oxygen Facials are just as relaxing as any other facial, painless, with no harsh chemicals and it’s focus is to oxygenate the skin for a more youthful, healthy, more radiant looking skin.
Unlike chemical peels or injections, Oxygen Facial has no side effects, burning, stinging or pain. The method of delivering oxygen into the skin is very gentle, which makes Oxygen Facial for those with sensitive skin, and those who choose not to have harsh injections to get rid of wrinkles. After an Oxygen Facial one can resume normal activity, apply makeup without any concerns of irritations or down time.
The combination of fusing the skin with vitamins and oxygen is excellent for the skin as it encourages regeneration of new cells as well as collagen. This treatment may also rejuvenate skin that has been damaged by pollutants, free radical and other toxins that have starved skin cells of oxygen. Intraceutical Oxygen Facial is less expensive and safer than Botox injections or other chemical form of facial fillers. Oxygen Facial has been used to help get rid of acne scars and helps the skin create new cells at a faster rate to help reduce the appearance of blemishes.
Oxygen Facials has gain in popularity as THE facial for celebrities such as: Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, Gwyneth Paltrow to drop a few names. And they’re just some of the high profile stars who use Oxygen Facials to keep their skin looking well-rested and radiant. As well as being a popular skin booster for weary celebrities, it’s also a great treatment for brides-to-be who need their skin to look stunning before their big day or any special event. This is because there is no risk of side effects that may occur with any other professional skin care treatments. Most importantly after the treatment your skin looks naturally years younger, luminous, glowing, plump and radiantly healthier for weeks!
by Debbie Kho | Jan 23, 2010 | Facial Treatments
A high-performance facial combines ultrasonic and micro-current technologies with Plant Stem Cell Serum to stimulate new skin growth and slow cellular aging. This delivers relaxation and results. Recommended monthly.
70 Minutes – $105 | Package of 3 – $295
consultation the esthetician will than cleanse and exfoliate your skin to ensure it’s free of dirt and oil. After manual exfoliation or using a product to exfoliate the skin, a serum is chosen just for your skin type, than the serum is gently misted on to the skin and oxygen is introduced directly on the skin like a cool spray of air. The serum is packed full of botanical vitamins, aloe and hyaluronic acid that are highly and naturally beneficial for the skin, to help the skin retain its firmness and soften fine lines and wrinkles. Oxygen Facials are just as relaxing as any other facial, painless, with no harsh chemicals and it’s focus is to oxygenate the skin for a more youthful, healthy, more radiant looking skin.
A high-performance facial combines ultrasonic and micro-current technologies with Plant Stem Cell Serum to stimulate new skin growth and slow cellular aging. This delivers relaxation and results. Recommended monthly.