We all know we are supposed to apply sunscreen when we are outside, but what is it really protecting us from? UVA, UVB, UVC, and IR rays are all damaging to our skin. When you're not wearing sunscreen on a daily basis to help protect your skin's health, UVA and UVB rays can cause skin reddening, brown spots, accelerated skin aging, and increase your risk of skin cancer.
UVA - stands for Ultraviolet A or " UV Aging Rays". These rays cause long term skin damage and photo-aging.
UVB - stands for Ultraviolet B or "UV Burning Rays". These rays are the cause of a sunburn. UVB rays are the common cause of most skin cancers.
UVC - stands for Ultraviolet C. It is the strongest and most deadly of solar rays, however the ozone layer stops these from reaching the Earth.
IR or Infrared Rays- these rays penetrate the deepest into the skin causing the skin to lose elasticity.
Here are a few things to remember when protecting yourself.
Look at your sunscreen ingredients and make sure you see titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.
Avoid tanning and UV tanning beds.
Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen daily with an SPF of 30 or higher.
Apply 2 tbs of sunscreen 30 minutes before going outside; reapply every 80 minutes or after swimming or sweating.
Sun Protection Factor (SPF) measures a sunscreen's effectiveness in preventing a sunburn in relation to the length if time spent in the sun.
Schedule a yearly visit with your dermatologist for a complete skin exam.
Acne is something that we help treat on a daily basis and can happen to anyone at any age. We are going to share with you some of our favorite acne treatments and products.
Extractions are a very easy inexpensive treatment for active acne. When doing extractions yourself it can actually make acne worse by pushing the contents deeper into the skin, introducing more bacteria into it through unclean nails, or risk scarring. Aestheticians have a sterile environment and can use the appropriate tools to prevent these things.
HydraFacials are another very effective way to help clear up active acne. The HydraFacial treatment will help clean debris out of the pores by using a Vortex technology that will extract, exfoliate, and infuse the skin. You will also receive a peel containing Glycolic and Salicylic Acids. This treatment for best acne results can be given on a weekly basis.
And lastly, acne laser treatments are going to destroy the P. acne bacteria that is actually causing the breakout. Inflammation and redness will decrease even after the first treatment. Acne laser treatments are a safe treatment with 80% of acne clearance on average. We recommend 4 treatments over a 4 week period.
Using a great at home regimen in conjunction with acne treatments will always maximize the results you will have.
Retin-A or Tretinoin is used to treat mild to moderately acne. Retin-A will speed up cell turnover rates, rapidly exfoliating your skin and decreasing the buildup of dead cells within the follicle. This will keep your pores from becoming blocked, no blocked pores means no pimples (or blackheads).
Obagi Medical Clenziderm MD System contains three simple products. The Daily Care Foaming Cleanser and the Pore Therapy Toner are both 2% Salicylic Acid based products to use morning and night dry up active acne and prevent new breakout. Followed by the Therapeutic Lotion which contains 5% Benzoyl Peroxide. This can be used all over for severe acne or as a spot treatment.
SkinCeuticals also have a very effective acne treatment kit the Adult Anti-Acne System. Included is cleanser with is LHA, glycolic, and salicylic acid designed to unclog pores, smooth irregularities and brighten the skin. The LHA Solution is used to then exfoliate the skin and remove excess residue. Finishing with the Blemish + Age, this oil-free serum prevents the formation of acne.
With these amazing treatments and products we have helped our clients achieve the flawless skin they've been hoping for! Don't let acne be something that you struggle to control.
