LED Light Therapy Treatment

What is it?

LED Light therapy is an advanced technology in the field of skin treatments which is gaining popularity at a rapid pace. Though there are various anti-aging or acne treatments in the market offering the same advantages, this is a very unique form of skin care treatment which gives it an edge over others. Skin care light treatments do not use a UV lamp for the therapy. Professionals use a much more advanced form of technology to treat the skin problems: Light Emitting Diodes.

How does it work?

LED light therapy uses different colors of light emitting diodes that stimulate the cells in your skin. Different forms of light colors are used for treating different skin problems. For instance, the red light is the most widely used form which can treat wrinkles, fine lines and sunburn. After receiving this treatment, your skin will be more elastic, supple and soft. On the other hand, the blue light is mainly used for treating acne and pimples.

The benefits you can get from regular LED treatments (once a week for up to 6 weeks):

• Promotes collagen production
• Skin texture appears smoother
• Skin appears brighter
• Assists in killing bacteria
• Improves the appearance of aging and sun damaged skin
• Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
• Reduces superficial hyperpigmentation

The advantages of LED light therapy over other skin care treatments:

• Excellent for all skin types and skin color
• No risk of burning or damaging the skin
• No downtime or peeling
• Progressive anti-aging treatment rather than aggressive

Fresh Faced Skin Care offers a variety of LED light therapy treatments, starting at $35. Our Summer Radiance Facial features a 60 minute LED facial treatment customized to treat acne, hyperpigmentation, redness, or wrinkles for only $68 (save 10%). Offer good until June 30, 2012. Call 302-689-3223.

Skin Cancer Affects Everyone

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, 1 in 5 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime. There are different kinds of skin cancers, and the most common cause for each of them is sun exposure. The different skin cancers are categorized under three main types.

Basal cell carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common kind of skin cancer. More than 90% of all skin cancers in the U.S. are basal cell carcinomas. It is most often found on areas of the body that are always exposed to the sun, such as the head, neck, and arms. It grows slowly and rarely spreads elsewhere in the body, unless it is left untreated. If caught early enough, basal cell carcinoma is very treatable. Look for flat, shiny, waxy areas on the skin.

Squamous cell carcinoma develops in the squamous cells of the skin, which are in the upper layers of the epidermis. Like basal cell carcinomas, they are often found on the areas of the body that are most often exposed to the sun, including ears, neck, and lips. Squamous cell carcinomas tend to spread more than basal cell carcinomas. They are more likely to advance into fatty tissues of the skin, as well as lymph nodes. As with basal cell carcinoma, if caught early, squamous cell carcinoma is quite treatable. Look for small lumps with a reddish, rough surface.

Malignant melanoma is the most serious kind of skin cancer because it may spread rapidly to other organs. Melanoma accounts for 75% of all skin cancer related deaths. Melanoma develops within the melanocyte cells, the skin cells that are responsible for making skin pigment. Malignant melanoma is more common in people who get occasional, high-intensity sun exposure. People who sunbathe on vacations or during brief sunny periods in cold climates may get such exposure. Look for abnormally large moles, a mole that changes color, size and texture, or one that feels sore to the touch.

It is commonly thought that those with darker skin don't have to worry about skin cancer. In fact, everyone is at risk. Even though darker skin produces more melanin, which translates into more protection from the sun, people of any race or ethnicity can develop skin cancer. For this reason, it is important to wear sunscreen, and check your body for signs of cancer on a regular basis, no matter what your skin tone.

There are more and more cases of skin cancer every day. However, many cases can be prevented by avoiding ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure- or at least limiting it. Sunlight emits both UVA and UVB rays, which both contribute to skin cancer. Full-spectrum sunscreen protects against both types of UV rays. Additionally, skin cancer can be prevented or at least caught early by paying close attention to any changes on your skin.

PCA SKIN Sunscreens

Ask Fresh Faced Skin Care about our variety of cosmetically elegant sunscreen formulations.

What are These Bumps?

Milia are small, whitehead-like blemishes that often appear under your eyes, on your cheeks or around your mouth. These small bumps occur when dead skin cells are trapped beneath the skin’s surface. The result is a small, pearl-like bump. Milia are more stubborn than regular acne.  Picking or squeezing them can lead to scarring or their reappearance.

There are several ways to help prevent milia:

1.    Exfoliate the top skin layer regularly (3x per week). Since milia appear when your skin isn't exfoliating itself naturally, you need to slough away all the dirt, oil and dead skin cells that can cause milia. Gentle exfoliation helps make eventual removal of the milia easier because the skin layer around the milia becomes thinner, with frequent, yet gentle exfoliation.

2.       Wear a sunscreen of at least SPF 15 or higher every day. Exposure to the sun day after day begins to thicken your skin, making it harder for it to naturally exfoliate by expelling dead skin and oil through the pores. The resulting milia are even more difficult to get rid of because your skin becomes too thick to drain the milia.

3.    Switch your beauty products. Using products that are too rich for your skin may be the source of your milia. The skin around your eyes is thinner than your face and it is very easy to smother it if you are prone to milia. Simply switching the type of product you use to an oil-free formula can help your milia to disappear.

4.    Seek professional exfoliation every 4 to 6 weeks. Microdermabrasion or an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) peel helps soften the skin so that the skin’s natural exfoliating process can expel dirt and oil.

Make an appointment with your dermatologist or esthetician if exfoliating, peels and lifestyle changes aren't enough to clear up your milia. Some milia are so deeply embedded in the skin that they cannot come out naturally and need to be extracted by a professional.

Help Reduce Facial Redness

Whether your skin is irritated or simply flushed, redness can be a symptom of many skin conditions. Exposure to the sun and wind are common causes of skin redness. However, skin may also become red due to contact with an allergen or irritating substance. Facial redness can often be uncomfortable or even embarrassing. Mild skin redness over a prolonged period of time can even damage the skin by promoting wrinkles and discoloration.

Reducing facial redness may take a combination of avoidance techniques and soothing skin care products.

Things to Avoid:

1. Hot or Spicy Foods
Hot drinks or hot and spicy foods can trigger a red face and a heavy sweat for a huge number of people.

2. Caffeine
Caffeine is a terrible cause of facial flushing and redness in general around the face. Try to cut it out as much as possible as it literally dehydrates your body and the tiredness as a result can cause redness, flushing and hot flashes.

3. Smoking
Similar to caffeine, cigarettes dehydrate the body and have the very same side effects. Drink more water if giving up smoking. It is difficult, but obviously do make an effort to give up smoking whenever you can.

4. Sun

Protection from the sun reduces existing inflammation and prevents further damage. Going back out in the sun with a sunburn or skin irritation can worsen redness.

5. Irritating Cosmetic Ingredients

These include alcohol, witch hazel, menthol, peppermint, eucalyptus oil, clove, cinnamon, geranium, fragrance, and perfume. Discontinue using skin care products that cause burning or stinging. This is important for acute inflammation and may cure instances of chronic redness. To avoid buying similar products in the future, check the ingredients before you toss the bottle.

Things to Do:

1. Protect Against Environmental Factors

An SPF of at least 15 applied to bare skin or under makeup will significantly reduce sun damage. In winter months, switching to a richer moisturizer and covering exposed skin will limit skin redness.

2. Learn What Allergens and Irritants You Are Sensitive To

By knowing what affects your skin, you can limit exposure or avoid them altogether. The longer skin is subjected to irritants, the more susceptible it is to irritation, with the reaction often getting worse each time.

3. Use Calming and Soothing Cosmetic Ingredients

These include sea whip, chamomile, and azulene. If you have dry skin, apply moisturizers immediately after showering to retain moisture. If your skin tends to be oily, use a cleanser that cleans thoroughly but does not dry out your skin.

4. Apply Cool Compresses

Soft washcloths dipped in cool water make effective skin care compresses for sensitive facial areas.

Professional Product Spotlight

PCA SKIN Anti–Redness Serum
Product Overview

This unique serum has proven benefits for patients with sensitive skin, rosacea, barrier dysfunction and sunburn. Clinical studies have shown that twice-daily use of PCA SKIN® anti-redness serum results in a 14% decrease in transepidermal water loss (TEWL) over a four- week period and a 50% reduction in redness over an eight-week period.

Key Ingredients

Aldavine
Capparenols and Bisabolol
Directions

After cleansing and toning, apply one to two pumps of anti-redness serum over entire face, focusing on areas of persistent redness. Follow with the appropriate PCA SKIN® moisturizer with SPF in the daytime and moisturizer in the evening.


Get your anti-redness serum today, only at Fresh Faced Skin Care!



 

Glycolic Acid Does What?!

What is it?

Glycolic acid is a natural fruit acid or alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) derived from sugar cane. It is water soluble, making it versatile for dermatologic and cosmetic formulations. Because it is the shortest-chain AHA molecule, glycolic acid has been shown to be effective in penetrating dermal layers.

How does it work?

With time and sun exposure, there is a gradual decrease in the rate at which old cells leave the surface of the skin and are replaced by newer cells. This results in a surface layer of dead skin cells that are responsible for the appearance of aged skin.

Glycolic Acid works by penetrating the skin and breaking up the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface of the skin. It exfoliates and revitalizes skin by allowing fresh, new skin cells to come to the surface and, over time, helps spur the growth of new skin and the formulation of collagen. The cumulative effects of exfoliation, along with the moisturizing and penetrating properties of glycolic acid, produce changes in skin surface texture and tone, smoothing fine lines and wrinkles.

Products containing glycolic acid include but are not limited to peels, facial washes, and moisturizers. Those seeking a more complete exfoliation may opt for a chemical peel. In general, a chemical peel involves a careful degreasing of the skin followed by an application of a powerful AHA, such as glycolic acid. Glycolic acid peels provide a gradual effect, so for best effect they need to be used over a period of a few weeks. Most skin types are able to tolerate these peels, which are available in various concentrations and in a wide array of applications. This allows you to find the right combination that best suits your individual skin. A typical course would be once a week for four to six weeks, with a few weeks off between courses.

Who should use Glycolic Acid?

Glycolic acid peel preparations are recommended for those whose skin is showing signs of aging. Fine lines, brown marks and dry spots can improve with regular applications or peels. Glycolic acid may also prove helpful for those prone to acne. Pregnant women and women who are nursing should avoid glycolic acid treatments.

Glycolic Acid Approved Uses

·         Acne Scarring

·         Facial Rejuvenation

·         Wrinkles

·         Hyperpigmentation

·         Melasma

·         Keratosis Pilaris (KP)

Professional Treatment Spotlight      

Fresh Faced Skin Care offers a series of 3 Glycolic Peels for $120 (regularly $150, save 20%). The peels are spaced 1 week apart and are about 15 minutes in duration. What a quick way to achieve smooth, rejuvenated skin! Call 302-689-3223 to schedule your series.

How To: Apply Skincare

Cleansers, moisturizers, and serums….oh my! How much of each product do I apply and in what order do I apply them? Arranging your skin care products seems relatively easy, but can be difficult to understand which products follow which. To receive the maximum benefits of an effective skin care routine and quality skin care products, it is important you know how to apply them correctly. The way a skin care product is applied has a great influence on its efficacy.

As a general rule, apply products with a thinner consistency before the thicker products. This is because products with heavier consistencies can block the lighter-weight products from penetrating the skin and doing their job. The only exception to this rule is prescription topical medication. Anything medicated or with a clinical purpose (including acne creams) should go onto a clean face first so that it can penetrate the skin most effectively.

Here are some tips to apply skin care products correctly:

Step 1: Cleanse

Before applying any skin care product on your face, make sure it is clean of all dirt and debris. Apply a pea-sized amount of a mild cleanser to clean your face and flush out all dirt, dead skin cells and toxins from within the skin pores. Don’t forget about your neck!

After washing your face with a cleanser, don't wipe it dry completely. Rather, gently pat with a soft towel so that it is still a bit damp (not dripping wet.) The active ingredients of skin care products penetrate better when the skin is moist. Please note:  prescription products should only be applied on completely dry skin.

Step 2: Tone

You can spray toner directly onto the skin or apply the toner to a cotton pad and pat (don’t rub) your face and neck gently. The purpose of toner is to restore your skin’s pH and remove any leftover residue from your cleanser.

Step 3: Treat

Apply serums, gels, and any topical spot treatments to clean skin and let them soak in (about 2-3 minutes). Remember, treatment products are highly concentrated. Therefore, you only need to use a small amount. One or two drops/pumps are all that is needed. Gently apply with your fingertips in an upward, circular motion. More than one product may be used and they can be applied together.

Step 4: Nourish and Moisturize

Using the tip of your ring finger, gently dab eye cream or serum around the orbital socket of the eyes. The size of a grain of rice is all you need for each eye.

Apply moisturizer (if needed). A nickel-sized amount is sufficient.

Step 5: Protect

Slather on a quarter-sized dollop of sunscreen all over your face and neck (don’t forget your ears) and let it set for a few minutes. Apply your makeup after.

Additional Steps: Exfoliants and Masks

Exfoliate your skin at least once or twice every week on clean skin to remove the layer of dead skin cells from the skin surface. Do not exfoliate more than 4 times a week. This could lead to skin irritation, breakouts, or itchiness.

A purifying or hydrating mask may be used on clean skin once a week.

 

Professional Product Spotlight:

Skin Script™ Retinol 2% Exfoliating Scrub, with Kojic

This scrub is a powerful cellular turnover scrub with Retinol (Vitamin A) and jojoba beads to clean, soothe and polish the skin. The retinol encourages the breakup of blackheads and clogged pores, jojoba beads gently exfoliate dead skin cells, while kojic lightens age spots and blemishes left from scars.

Retinol 2% Exfoliating Scrub Benefits:

• Lessens Visible Aging
• Lightens Discolorations
• Provides Chemical and Physical Exfoliation
• Promotes Collagen Synthesis
• Assists in Healing and Rejuvenating

Available only at Fresh Faced Skin Care! Call 302-689-3223.

Focus On: Broken Capillaries

What are they?
It's easy to spot broken capillaries, particularly on someone's face. They are commonly found around the nose or mouth area and look like small red or pink threads under the skin’s surface.

How do you get them?

It turns out that there are a number of factors that could lead to broken capillaries. The tiny veins just under the surface of the skin are delicate. Damaging these veins may cause them to dilate and break. Once broken, the veins remain that way and will not constrict back to their normal thickness or repair themselves.

It's not difficult to damage these veins, since they are just beneath the skin. Scrubbing your face too vigorously or washing with water that's too hot can do it. Excessive exposure to the sun, drinking too much alcohol or caffeine, or facial injuries can also lead to broken capillaries.

Can you get rid of them?

If you do develop broken capillaries, you can seek treatment from a dermatologist. Depending on how deep and long the capillaries are, you may need to undergo laser treatments that will stop the capillary from leaking blood and shrink the blood vessels to prevent future breaks. If you don't want to undergo laser treatments, your dermatologist may be able to prescribe medication that can shrink blood vessels.

Skin care products are also available that aim to strengthen the capillary walls, reducing the redness. Look for products containing one or more of the following ingredients:

·         Chamomile

·         Rose oil

·         Vitamin K

·         Vitamin C

Can you prevent them?

You can take some steps to prevent broken capillaries. Be gentle when you wash your face and use warm water (not hot water). Apply sunscreen to your face, particularly around your nose and mouth, when going outside. Don't abuse alcohol. Drink chamomile tea to help improve your body circulation. While these measures won't prevent broken capillaries in every case, they can help minimize the chance that you'll develop them.

Professional Product Spotlight:

Skin Script™ Ageless Skin Hydrating Serum

This serum can be used to firm and plump fine lines. Hyaluronic attracts and binds moisture around cells for extra hydration.

Hydrating Serum Benefits:

• Improves Hydration
• Reduces Visible Wrinkles
• Tones Capillaries
• Improves Cellular Respiration
• Plumps the Skin
• Assists in Healing and Rejuvenating

Pick up Ageless Skin Hydrating Serum today, only at Fresh Faced Skin Care.