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 | Jul 2, 2016 | Uncategorized
Most common questions I get from moms’ are: “I had acne as a teenager, how can I help my pre-teen from suffering with bad acne?”
Kids are entering puberty earlier then ever and early on set of acne is also increasing. Kids younger then 10 are seeking medical attention for acne.
We are bombarded with DIY, social media, informercials, and quickie fixes. Parents can help their tweens by reminding them the dos and dont’s of tween skin care. This is new territory to tweens and they need your help.
Mild acne is manageable using gentle cleanser and oil-free moisturizer. I can’t stress enough to seek advice of an expert skin care therapist/esthetician.
Beware of over the counter acne products Benzoyl peroxide and commonly used salicylic acid on tweens as their skin is still soft and gentle. These items maybe too harsh for their sweet skin causing more harm then good, adding to skin irritation and potentially increasing skin sensitivity increasing acne and changing the pH of the skin.
If your tween has moderate to severe acne, dermatologist are quick to prescribe oral and/or topical antibiotics, side effects are stomach upset, dizziness and with girls, yeast infections. Some cases, birth control are prescribed (for girls) to address severe acne.
When all else fails doctors may prescribe Isotretinoin, brand names Roaccutane (formerly Accutane) and Claravis.
Some drugs may have temporary results, but down sides are are birth defects, inflammatory bowel disease, depression and suicidal thoughts. Once the patient is off prescription meds their acne returns.
Experts in the Western medical field say “acne is not caused by dirt, poor hygiene, certain foods, such as spicy & fatty foods, chocolate, dairy or sugar. With my experience, poor diet is key contributors to acne and when working with acne clients to have them cut back on these foods, their acne showed significant improvements. Here is a link of 9 foods that cause acne http://dailyhealthremedies.com/9-foods-that-cause-acne/9/
The next thing I do is educate tweens and parents on basic skin care and teach them what to look for in skin care products. Tweens’ skin is treated differently then teen or adult skin. Just as female skin is treated differently then male skin, also, different ethnicity skin has certain traits.
I love to be your skin care therapist/esthetician, serving the greater metropolitan area…Portland, Tigard, Beaverton, West Linn, Oregon City, Lake Oswego and beyond!
Tween Facial Special
Address specific skin care between ages 9-12, let’s start your tween on a life long journey to healthy skin together. Includes consultation with tween and parent, facial and closing consult to start the tween on a good regime for their age.
1.5 hours – $89
Debbie Fong Kho
Owner/Esthetician
SkinSense Spa, LLC
www.spalakeoswego.com
503-307-3833
by Debbie Kho | Dec 1, 2015 | Uncategorized
REFLECTION AND GRATITUDE
I am grateful every day for my family, decent health, amazing group of beautiful, supportive, special people in my life. I LOVE LOVE LOVE my growing business, which in reality is my passion. Somewhere in my youth and childhood I acquired tenacity and strength to weather through painful, bumpy personal and business times…survived it…came out happier, better and stronger.
My 2 AMAZING children (getting misty eyed) the most beautiful, loving human beings on earth. They are my strength, light, fight and every breath I inhale.
The love of my life…builds me up when I feel beaten, will never let me fall. I am loved and cherished!
My mind and heart belongs to someone much younger then my actual age…thank goodness! LOVE MY LIFE!
I have the most AMAZING people in my life, they are strong, loving, warm, compassionate, giving, caring individuals from all walks of life… I cherish each and everyone!
My business/passion – passion/business…geez where do I start? Always knew I would be self-employed, didn’t know what, how and when. Well…I am doing it now! Loving the ride…enjoying the growth, warms my hearth I am able to help acne clients improve and rebalance their skin! All my AMAZING clients keeps my trucking! Me…I have the knowledge to help! Woohoo! Few favorite client stories here…a client frustrated spending $$$ on skin care products, don’t remember what, why and how to use them… essentially not loving the products. By educating her on how to use my skin care line and all the sweet benefits, she is now thrilled using her new items! Or a beautiful young client using Botox for minimal forehead wrinkles (can’t even say the $$$ she spent) poisoning her body with horrible chemicals, because nobody was able to help her…I did, with safer options. She is a very confident gal now, putting her beautiful flawless face forward. Very proud of myself!
Growing up wasn’t easy…could have been worst…cup half full rather then half empty, that’s the outlook through experiences in life. Every experience, every path, every person, every day, is my window to learn and grow…I am truly living life, having a blast and HAPPY!
My wish for everyone is find simple joys all around you…it’s there…dog running against the wind, it’s ears and jaws flopping, watch a stunning colors of a sunrise in the fall, or see pure joy in a young child eating ice cream, a toddler getting their little ears pierced and mom is taking pictures of her…imprint these priceless moments in your mind…that’s joy.
Thank you for following my 2015 journey!
Happy holiday my friends!
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
