The holiday season is creeping up on us quick!  This time of the year can cause a lot of stress.

While everyone knows that stress can take a toll on a person physically and psychologically, it also can lead to other problems, such as acne, brittle nails or even hair loss.  When you become stressed, your cortisol level rises.  This in turn causes an increase in oil production, which can lead to oily skin, acne and other related skin problems. Professionals have also found that stress has a negative effect on the barrier function of the skin, resulting in water loss that inhibits the skin’s ability to repair itself after an injury.  Scientist’s and Doctor’s have said that skin rejuvenation procedures such as Facials, Pedicures, Massages, etc. can help lower your stress levels.  When people feel more attractive and more confident in their appearance, they tend to perform better in other areas of their lives (work, family life, social life, and marriage or personal relationships.)

Here are some tips to help lower your stress level this Holiday Season!

Tip#1 – Drink lots of water! – Its not just good for your body but its great for your skin!

Tip#2 – Take time for yourself! – Call up your sitter and schedule a Spa day!  It’s a fun and relaxing way to lower your Cortisol levels! Plus, who doesn’t love to be pampered?

Tip#3 – Ask for help! – Nothing is better then getting stuff prepared together!  Friends and family are great listeners and are always good to have around!

Tip#4 – Have fun! – Turn up the radio while cleaning or cooking and dance away! (Make sure your blinds are closed! lol)

Tip#5 – Follow your skin care regimen! – This will help control the oil production and will keep your face looking gorgeous!  Ask your Esthetician if there is anything else you should be doing/using!

Happy Holidays!

Fall is an awesome time to concentrate on reversing any damage that has been done during those harsh summer days.  Or maybe you have acne scars that you are self-conscious about…microdermabrasion is a non-invasive treatment that exfoliates the dermis (outer layer of skin) and gets rid of those pesky dead skin cells.  Your skin becomes smooth, has more of an even texture, and there is NO down time…and that is after just ONE treatment!  Just imagine how fresh, smooth, and luminous your skin will look after the recommended 4-8 weekly treatments!

One of my favorite things about micro’s (for short) is that it stimulates collagen, which is responsible for keeping the skin hydrated and helps prevent fine lines & wrinkles.  It also helps to increase cell turnover aiding in the removal of blackheads & acne scarring.

Microdermabrasion is (in my humble opinion) one of the BEST things you can do for your skin without using lasers or botox…or, needless to say, ”going under the knife”!

My own father was very reluctant to get spa treatments when I became an esthetician 15 years ago.   He is an “old-school” kind of guy…raised in an era when men never got these types of treatments.   At first, I had to talk him in to it…but now he is not only comfortable getting treatments, he actually looks forward to them!   He leaves feeling refreshed, with unclogged pores and with  younger, healthier looking skin.

A first-time male client (age 50+) who had never been into a spa before describes his experience…”I had a good feeling as soon as I walked in to Kimberly Spa.   It was luxurious, and comfortable…while still being clinically professional.   They earned my trust.”

Ladies, if you have a boyfriend, brother, father, spouse or just a good male friend who is curious about what a “spa experience” is all about…share our “Look Good~Feel Good” secret and send them to Kimberly Spa!   They will love it just as much as you do, and it will be an experience they’ll never forget!

If you can’t seem to shake youracne, talk to your Esthetician. She can help design a program that will fit your specific needs, and even tell you how small changes in your diet will help to keep your face clear.

How interesting that all of the women that have crossed over “the change” tell you all the wonders of menopause – no cramps, no bloating, no monthly visit from Aunt Flow…sounds great, right?  But what about the ACNE???  No one mentioned this to me!  Will my little pink estrogen pill help with that too?  Sadly …no.

At least 10% of women suffer from menopausal acne.  Hormonal changes during menopause, are a lot like the ones we experience during puberty.  And I don’t know about you, but please put that at the top of my list of times I do not want to revisit.  Our skin has glands that produce oil, known as Sebum.  Although our skin cells die and regenerate, during hormone changes this becomes exasperated.  Therefore, we end up with more oil and dead skin cells than we want or need.  Hair follicles will be more likely to become clogged with dead skin cells and Sebum during our hormone rages, thus causing pimples.   So what do we do to end these frustrating little bumps?

   1. Washing your face twice a day is a great start.  Use an exfoliating  scrub regularly to rid skin of excess oil and dead skin cells. 

   2.  Speak with an esthetician regarding a facial experience that will work for your skin condition.  

   3.  Don’t forget to eat a healthy diet full of calcium and fiber and drink 8 to 10 glasses of water daily – remember the freshman 15 – no one wants to re-live that! 

   4.  Most importantly during this time be kind and pamper yourself! 

And then remember, sometimes a change of life can be a beautiful thing…even with a few bumps in the road.

Have you experienced any bumps in the road?  Please share!

-Christy

Hyperpigmentation-  Darkening of the skin in areas due to sun exposure, a wound, inflammation, acne or injury.  Hyperpigmentation can be temporary or permanent. Also known as sun spots, age spots, liver spots, or  larger areas of hyperpigmentation can occur during pregnancy, known as melasma.  Common Treatments: Skin lightening serum or cream like Visual Changes Lightening Serum daily and facial treatments like chemical peels, microdermabrasion and Photo Rejuvenation based on your esthetician’s advice.

Broken Capillaries-  Small red or pink threads under the skin’s surface commonly found on the cheeks or nose area.   These occur when capillary walls narrow and widen too quickly causing the muscles in the walls to tear allowing blood to seep within the skin. Common Treatments:  Daily use of a redness reducing products like Visual Changes Lactic Nutrient Cream and Advanced Calming Serum, as well as Photo Rejuvenation spa facial treatments based on your esthetician’s advice.

Rosacea-  A chronic skin condition that causes inflammation, redness, red lines, swelling or pimples across the forehead, chin, cheeks and nose. Rosacea most often affects adults between the ages of 30 and 50 and individuals with fair skin.  Common Treatments: Specially designed home regimen like Pevonia RS2, and Pevonia RS2 spa facial treatments based on your esthetician’s advice.

Congestion- A skin care term used to describe dull skin, uneven skin, skin with blocked pores, blackheads and whiteheads.  Congestion can be a result of a pore buildup of oil, sebum, dead skin cells, toxins, pollution, make up and dirt. Common Treatments: Weekly exfoliating home treatments like Visual Changes Double Enzyme Mask and monthly spa facial treatments based on your esthetician’s advice.

Acne-  A skin condition that can occur in people of all ages — teens, adults and women going through menopause and is identified by pimples, cysts, blackheads or whiteheads.  Common Treatments: Specially designed home regimen like the Agera Acne Relief Kit and Acne Relief spa facial treatments based on your esthetician’s advice.

Milia-  A tiny cyst on the surface of the skin caused by a buildup of dead skin cells that have not sloughed off normally.  Common Treatments: Weekly home exfoliation with Agera Microderma Crystal C System and spa facial treatments like the Ultrasonic Express.

This is a scenario I put together from the many different clients that have come to me with this typical summer skin problem. The answer is skin treatments and nutrition. I’ve done a lot of research pertaining to irritated skin and I can tell you with great certainty that the Pevonia RS2 Facial Treatment will calm down, sooth and cool off your hot, swollen, aching, acne skin. I’ve seen it a hundred times! This treatment really excites me because you can see the difference in just one treatment. So imagine what regular treatments every 2 to 3 weeks could do!

We’ll make sure you’re facial bed is comfortable, the music is soothing and you’ll realize that this treatment isn’t about putting “stuff” on your skin. Your esthetician’s excellently trained hands will help transform your skin and calm your mind. We have some sensible Pevonia Skincare products that are completely botanically derived and are of the highest quality to help facilitate a quicker recovery. Your skin health will be in caring, knowledgeable hands. Caring because we hear the pain in your voice. Knowledgeable because we care and want to help!

In my next blog, I’ll tell you how nutrition can really make a difference to those with this condition.

What is your summer skin complaint?

Most of us don’t have a handy assistant ready to give us our daily intake of vitamins, and prepare our well-balanced meals for the day.  It’s easy to forget about putting proper nutrition and vitamins in our bodies to fuel us for our busy lives, and treat our bodies well.

Good nutrition is key in having healthy and glowing skin.  If you want a beautiful garden, you fertilize the soil to make it rich and ready to grow big beautiful plants.  Well, your skin is the plant and vitamins are the fertilizer!  We are all really good at applying our anti-aging creams and getting our facials every month, but we forget about what goes in must come out. 

Pevonia Botanica has really addressed this with their Pevo-Vital drink mixes that are full of complexion boosting anti-oxidants.  They remind us of taking the fruity vitamins as a kid, only they are perfect for on the go moms, dads, professionals, and hectic men and women.  You simply add the powder pouch to your water bottle, shake and enjoy!  Yum!

Some vitamins are effective for skin both internally and externally.  Vitamin A can help fight wrinkles and even acne when it is applied externally to skin.  Vitamin C is fantastic for skin when consumed, and the benefits are best when it is in it’s purest form in skin care products.  This will help with cell regeneration and evening out skin tone.  Vitamin E has been known for years and years to benefit the skin.  Eat foods rich in Vitamin E like nuts and salt-water fish, as well as try it topically with your skin cream.  Kimberly Spa sells Jason Vitamin E Oil in the highest I.U. (Individual Unit) we can find.

For more information on healthy skin from the inside, ask your Kimberly Spa Esthetician for more tips and insight.  We love to help our clients look and feel their best!

Q:  Do you feed your skin the nutrients it needs?

Some spas have crafty schemes to book ‘em, buff ‘em and boot ‘em.  Who wants to be herded in, hardly get a moment to relax and rushed out the door while the next person practically bowls you over on their way in?  We know we don’t like to be treated this way, and we NEVER want to see our clients treated this way!

A great example of our “quality vs. quantity” mission starts with a little history about our now famous Stress Relief Facial.  Kimberly set her wheels in motion trying to find the perfect way to help her client understand that serious skin care starts with a complete skin consultation.  A skin consultation is not like meeting with your interior designer for the first time!  Estheticians need to handle the skin, see the skin through a magnifying lamp, and test different treatment options on the skin.  Not to mention the most important part, ASKING the client about her skin goals and concerns!  With so many treatment options available to help us all get the skin results we are looking for, Kimberly just couldn’t fit all this into a nice and neat 45 minute generic “European Facial” time slot.  Since we believe in first impressions being important ones, Kim decided to stretch the time out, give the client some relaxation, and take her time building a professional/client relationship.

The name “Stress Relief Facial” came from Kimberly’s experience seeing and meeting new clients.  She saw new clients coming in wired and having trouble relaxing and enjoying the time to themselves.  She thought telling the client what to expect before ever getting to the appointment was the best solution!  The first time Kimberly or any of our Estheticians sees a new client, her goal is to relax the client, learn the client’s skin care needs and goals, and treat the client’s skin according to those needs and goals.  She found the perfect way to relieve the stress of the mind, body and SKIN!