#1 – “It’s so gloomy and overcast through the winter I have to go to the tanning bed to get enough Vitamin D.”  – Fiction

The Fact Is:  Vitamin D is synthesized by skin through UVB exposure, which anyone who has ever gotten a sun burn on a cloudy day can tell you that UVB rays penetrate through clouds.  Another way to get Vitamin D is through diet.  Foods such as Salmon, Shiitake mushrooms, and fortified cereals are loaded with Vitamin D.  A great multivitamin or calcium supplement does the trick as well. 

#2 – “I have to lie out in the sun to get my Vitamin D for the day.”  – Fiction

The Fact Is:  It only takes 10 minutes of sun exposure to produce enough Vitamin D for the day.  This can typically be achieved just by driving to work or running errands in your car.  UV exposure doesn’t stop at the window.  This also means that it doesn’t matter if you get exposure at 9AM or 3PM you will still get what you need.  However, sun exposure at a cooler part of the day is better for your skin.

#3 – “Tanning reduces the risk of breast cancer.” – Fact, but perhaps a better statement is Vitamin D reduces your risk of breast cancer.

In recent studies potent forms of Vitamin D have been shown to reduce  the risk of breast, colon and prostate cancers.  This research also showed cancer cells shriveling up and dying when exposed to Vitamin D in mice and petri dishes; however, this is not a cure for cancer but perhaps a helpful start to a hopeful cancer free future.  So when it comes to the statement of tanning reducing your risk of breast cancer I find it very intriguing.  Tanning companies try to cover up the fact that tanning increases your risk of skin cancer by telling you that it decreases your risk of breast cancer but I think we can all agree that they are both bad so lets try to find a happy medium.

As a rule of thumb, 10-15 minutes maximum sun exposure daily will allow your body to create enough Vitamin D and if  that’s not possible, talk to your health care provider about taking a supplement today.  However, if you get all the healthy Vitamin D you need and you’re still wanting that golden tan Kimberly Spa has an array of self tanning products and an air brush tanning booth that look so natural you’ll never go back to that old tanning bed again!

 Take into consideration the darker the chocolate the better. Dark chocolate also contains vitamins D and E which are great for your skin and body. In a study woman who took a ½ cup of cocoa with 329 milligrams of antioxidants a day for 12 weeks saw:

• -protection from harmful UV rays
• -42% reduction in skin scaliness
• -30% reduction in skin redness
• -16% increase in skin density
• -13% increase in skin moistness
• -11% increase in skin thickness
• -25% reduction in UV light induced skin reddening compared to tests conducted before the study

Overall, chocolate will leave the skin feel smoother and more moisturized. Your skin will appear less scaly and red after exposure to ultraviolet light. (Be sure you are still wearing your daily SPF!!) Chocolate helps increase blood flow which makes it look more refreshed and smooth.

Think about this while purchasing that bag of candy for Halloween.  That way when you sneak a snack, you won’t feel so guilty!

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”!

In order to choose a correct sunscreen, you need to understand the differences between UVA and UVB rays.  UVA (ultraviolet-A) are long-wave solar rays that are less likely to cause sunburn; however, they penetrate the skin more deeply and contribute the most to photo-aging.  Recent studies also show that UVA increase UVB’s cancer-causing effects.  UVB (ultraviolet-B) are short-wave solar rays that are more likely to sunburn; however, these rays are considered the main cause of basal and squamous cell carcinomas as well as significant cause of melanoma.

Now that you’re armed with UV information, let’s talk about the why some sun protection is called sunscreen or sunblock. Their main purpose is right in the name and most UV protection has a combination of both types.  Sunscreens chemically absorb UV rays and sunblocks physically deflect UV rays.  Sunscreens have always been a means to protect against UVB but until recently they provided little to no UVA protection. While some ingredients such as octylcrylene and benzophenones have improved sunscreen’s defense against shorter UVA rays, the ingredient avobenzone (Parsol1789) works against all UVA wavelengths.  Some other key ingredients to search for when choosing a broad-spectrum sunscreen include:  titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, or mexoryl.

The last piece to our puzzle is SPF (sun protection factor).  Who really knows what this means?  Against popular belief, SPF does not mean stronger protection. It measures the length of time you’re protected from skin reddening from UVB rays, compared to how long it takes the skin to redden without protection.  Keep in mind that there is not a comparable standard in measurement for UVA rays.  If it takes 15 minutes without protection to begin reddening, using an SPF 15 should prevent reddening 15 times longer, however, this only applies when you are not swimming or sweating.  If you are swimming or engaging in vigorous activity please use water-resistant sunscreen, towel-dry before applying more, and re-apply every 45-75 minutes.   Studies have shown that the average person only applies half the recommended amount of sunscreen, doesn’t apply it often enough, and doesn’t wait the recommended 15-30 minutes to go outside.  No matter how you look at it, sunscreen should be applied often and liberally!

So the next time you’re standing in front of shelves filled with options for sunscreen, you will feel confident in choosing one that will meet all requirements to offer you the best UVA and UVB protection.

I remember back in high school, it was the week of prom and all of the girls just had to be as dark as they could get.  I can still distinctly remember the ones who went into a spray tanning booth.  The real give away was when they would wave at you… the palms of their hands were so discolored and streaky that you would question if they were dirty or not.

Ever since then I haven’t been too fond of spray tans… then I found out there was an alternative, St. Tropez Airbrush Tanning.

With St. Tropez, you get a more natural looking tan with even results.  This “airbrush tan” is applied in precise amounts and it’s customizable, you can decide if you only want certain areas to be tan.  Whereas with a “spray tan,” a booth will spray your whole body making your already tan areas darker and it will miss small areas here and there.

Since the St. Tropez solution is a natural brown color (verses an orange solution that is used for Spray tanning), you won’t look like a walking carrot!  St. Tropez works with your skin… not against it.  Your skin allows the solution to get as dark as you naturally would. Granted, the orange hued girls at my school gave me a small chuckle, I wish they would have known about the difference in solutions.

I, personally, feel EVERYONE should convert to airbrush tanning.  The poor people that have to suffer with discoloration have been humiliated enough.  It’s time to say goodbye to orange and say hellooooo to bronze.

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?