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”!

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!

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?

I had noticed a small brown spot on my right shin that through up a red flag.  Just to get it checked out, I scheduled an appointment with a plastic surgeon that did a scar revision on my arm a few years ago, and I thought he did a great job.  The doctor was flanked by a pretty young lady standing beside him taking notes.  He sat down in front of me and took a brief look at my suspicious spot and said, “This is nothing, is there anything else I can do for you?”  Immediately my over-active imagination kicked in!  Uh yeah, tummy tuck, liposuction, a million dollars, world peace! Come on Kimberly, you have this guy’s attention, now use it!  

Next thing you know, I’m asking him about the hollows under my eyes.  He lightly pulls and stretches out the skin around my eyes and proceeded to say, “We rate the severity of needing surgical procedures on a scale of one to four, four being the worst.”  And without even taking a breath the words came flowing out of his mouth, “and you are a four.”  Aaaaggghhh!  What?!  My heart rate jumped 10 levels, my emotions took over, my thoughts went from, “Would a daytime soap-slap be appropriate right about now?” to “Tell me how to fix this!  I can’t possibly be seen with these four-rated eyes!” 

I was escorted by his pretty young assistant to an equipment filled room to deliver me the dirty ugly truth.  I stood against a wall posing for pictures that I felt would surely be sent to the Guinness Book of World Records for the world’s worst eyes.  Next thing I knew, bing, bang, boom, there I was on Miss Perfect’s computer screen, ready to be Photoshopped from my four-rating to a zero!  

This is where my brain finally overcame my 50 year old, four-rated eye emotions.  My rational conclusion… anyone can look good on a computer after the pictures are photo shopped!  Not only did she photo shop my eyes, but she continued to “improve” my whole face!  I kept having her switch back and forth from the original pictures to her revised pictures.  I finally gave a huge sigh of relief.  The revised photos did look “younger,”  but only slightly.  As it turns out, I’ll live to see another day with my four-rated eyes!  I’ve decided to rate myself a one. 

I read this quote and realized how appropriate it is …”Plastic surgeons are always making mountains out of molehills.”  — Dolly Parton

The miracle anti-aging product that most of us already have on hand is…. You guessed it, sunscreen. Sun damage, or Photo Damage, is the #1 cause of the appearance of aged skin. It breaks down your collagen and elastin production causing skin to sag, droop, and wrinkle. Sun damage also causes dark spots, freckling and uneven skin tone, or “hyperpigmentation” that can be buried deep within your skin layers and show up years later. Of course there is always the looming dark cloud of skin cancer that can pop up on you.

Using SPF, or skin care products containing SPF, is really the best way to insure your beautiful skin to stay fit for longer. There are 365 days in a year, and whether you realize it or not, your skin is penetrated by UV rays every single day of the year. So it only makes sense to wear a sunscreen every day of the year! We recommend using an SPF of 30 or higher depending on your activities and your lifestyle.

Our Pevonia skin care products all include SPF in every skin cream so there is a sun protection given to you every day. You can add more protection to a water activity day, by using a layer of Fallene Cotz Water Resistant SPF 58. Remember to reapply sunscreen every few hours especially when in the water or sweating.

How about your makeup? Put it to work! Buy makeup with built in SPF to give you added protection daily. Our Youngblood Mineral Makeup line is made with Titanium Dioxide which is quite simply, sunscreen! The heavier the coverage you apply the more you’re SPF covered!

Keep your skin as youthful as possible for as long as possible! It’s so easy to add a little SPF to your life. If you already have sun damage you would like to correct, we have experienced Estheticians that will get you results. Give us a call at 402-614-8400 or book online for a First Time Stress Relief Facial for a full skin care consultation.