Optimum Health for Your Skin – ‘Like You Read About’

Take Care of Your Skin Early & Often…

“In the ’60s we smoked cigarettes like there was no tomorrow, and in the ’70s we baked ourselves in the sun like Christmas hams. Why? Because we were young, that’s why.

“Of course, these days we now know the errors of our ways, and as we look back on our careless skin care missteps, all we can think about is how important it is to make sure the next generation does not repeat our mistakes.

“Begin to care for your skin at a very early age. It’s never too early. That’s what I wish I would have known as a teenager,” from ‘What I Wish I Knew Then: Mothers Share Their Skin Care Mistakes‘ as reviewed by the Truth in Aging Community.

There is plenty of advice both online and in printed publications about the importance of taking care of your overall health in general; as well as taking the time to focus on specifics – such as taking care of your skin. Keeping sun exposure to a minimum, hydrating both inside and out by drinking lots of water and moisturizing, gentle exfoliation and using safe, natural products are all part of a healthy skin regimen.

Building a relationship with a qualified esthetician is the best way to establishing and maintaining a healthy skin care plan. These skin care professionals create a customized skin-care plan that is unique for each individual – providing healing and protection to skin – for optimal skin health and beauty. Health and beauty services provided by most professional spas include:

• Facials – Ageless/Anti-Aging*
• Chemical Peels
• Microdermabrasion
• Dermaplaning
• Body Treatments
• Spray Tanning
• Full Body Waxing

*”Now-a-days there is great advancement in technology and due to that, a number of treatments and concoctions are designed in order to help in slowing down the aging process. One who these treatments in anti aging facial, it improves well being as well as beauty of individuals,” FacialBook.com.

Keep Your Skin off the Endangered List through Proper Care

Here in Florida, we have adorable sea creatures called manatees. These slow-moving gentle giants roam the coastal waters of our state, providing both tourists and locals alike with fond memories of their time here. But alas, their habitat along our shores, coupled with their lethargic pace just under the water’s surface, makes these herbivores an accident waiting to happen by boaters unaware of their presence.

We also feature some of the most direct sun exposure here in the Sunshine State due to our proximity to the equator; making it imperative to take good care of one’s skin. Even limited, unprotected sun exposure can lead to premature aging of skin; while long-term exposure can lead to a host of other more serious side effects.

In ‘4 Ways to Take Care of Your Skin, Inside and Out‘ as posted on healthcare insurer Florida Blue, Victoria Edwards writes, “Taking care of your skin is probably second nature to you by now. It’s critical to always apply sunscreen and scan your skin for new or changing moles to keep your skin happy and healthy. The right care can improve its support, elasticity, and shine. Your skin’s appearance and texture can give you clues about the rest of your health.”

Ms. Edward’s tips include treating skin gently, eating a healthy diet, not smoking and managing stress to help skin ‘inside and out.’ Another great way to keep your complexion at its best, especially in sunny Florida, is to regularly seek out the advice and care of professionals including licensed dermatologists for annual skin checks, and estheticians – for ongoing skin treatments and facials.

Consistent high temperatures and sunny days can wreak havoc on one’s skin. As we perspire in the heat to cool our bodies, we lose moisture, and dehydrate our skin. The constant flow of fluid can also lead to clogged pores – another bane to our complexions. Fortunately, there is a solution – your skin’s friend in need – the esthetician; providing a variety of skin regimen options to keep you looking and feeling your best. Even offering a safer alternative to the sun’s damaging rays with glowing results in spray tanning!

And about those Florida manatees – here are some fun facts from the Smithsonian:

·       Manatees are herbivores – eating ten percent of their body weight daily

·       Warm water is a must for manatees – 60 degrees or warmer – or they suffer from cold stress and can perish

·       Manatees can hold their breath for up to 20 minutes – but 3-5 minutes is the average submersion

·       The closest living relatives of manatees are elephants

·       Female manatees usually have one calf every two to five years – the calf stays with mom and nurses for two years

·       Manatees have no natural predators in the wild – but humans in speeding boats are a large threat

Spray Tanning – the Safe Way to a Bronze Glow

Spring has sprung – which means that summer is just around the corner; time for many people to get their seasonal glow back. But better to do it safely with a spray tan – rather than exposure to the sun’s UV rays. Spray tanning is also a much more efficient method to achieve a golden glow and provides much more even coverage with minimal effort – especially when applied by a professional!

“Sun tanning is the most common method to achieve a sun-kissed glow. However, sun tanning is not only outdated, it’s also unhealthy because it exposes the skin to the damaging rays of the sun. Up to a certain extent, sun exposure is healthy. It activates the skin to produce vitamin D, which is an essential nutrient. However, the ultraviolet rays of the sun break the skin down.

“You can achieve a glowing, bronzed skin through spray tanning. Unlike sun tanning, spray tanning does not harm the skin at all. It does not cause sunburn, premature aging, and skin cancer,” from ‘Benefits of Spray Tanning vs. Sun Tanning‘ as posted on HealthyDietBase.com.

There are many advantages to achieving beautiful bronzed skin without exposure to the sun:

·       Looks the same as a Suntan – you’ll look good & feel good with a safer long-lasting tan that looks the same as a suntan!

·       Healthier Skin – spray tanning adds nutrients to the skin through fortified healthy formulas (vs. the harsh drying & skin-damaging effects of the sun)

·       A Year-Round Streak-free Tan – streaks and burns from sun tanning are a thing of the past with spray tanning – which is applied through an even fine mist – for a perfect tan every time

A spray-on-tan gives a rejuvenating glow during the long winter, and a safe alternative during the warmer weather months. A skilled esthetician offers a variety of ways to get that ‘sun-kissed’ glow – from natural to dark tans – and even mobile-tanning services serving individuals, as well as group gatherings such as bachelorette, Sweet 16 and wedding parties. So indulge yourself – or a group of friends – with a relaxing, confidence-boosting safe tan alternative – you’ll be glad you did!

It’s Springtime – & Girls (& Guys) Just Want to have Fun…

Getting Outdoors More Means having to Take Even Better Care of Your Skin

“The beautiful spring came; and when Nature resumes her loveliness, the human soul is apt to revive also.” ~ Harriet Ann Jacobs

Spring has sprung; and that means that people spend more time outdoors in the fresh air and sunshine after their winter hibernations. It also means that we need to be vigilant about taking care of our skin from exposure to the elements. Sun, wind and environmental detritus can damage even healthy skin, but a proactive skin care regimen can protect against harm – and help reverse damage – restoring our epidermis to a healthy, youthful feeling and appearance.

As much as Spring provides a fresh beginning and a restorative time for nature; so too do treatments such as facials, body cleansing treatments and massages provide new beginnings for face, body, mind and soul. These restorative techniques keep skin refreshed, pliable and hydrated; building up a resistance against the natural elements of the environment – so we can enjoy the great outdoors!

Covering our skin with creams, lotions and oils; along with washing with harsh chemicals are some of the things that we tend to do in order to ‘help’ our skin. The reality is we may be doing more harm than good as we are potentially washing away the good bacteria that help us maintain our health.

According to author and Building Biology practitioner Andrea Fabry in ‘4 Ways to Protect Your Skin Microbiome,’ Covering our skin with petroleum-based chemicals may be one of our most hazardous modern day practices. Research shows that our skin contains billions of valuable microbial allies that leave us vulnerable when wiped away.’

She suggests that bathing too frequently robs our skin of its natural antibiotics; and that we use skin care products that ‘work with our microbiome rather than against it,’ including sunscreen:

” Sunscreens typically block UVB rays but not UVA rays. The UVA rays are responsible for the majority of skin problems due to overexposure. For this reason, a sunscreen with a mineral such as zinc oxide is recommended as it offers UVA protection. Be sure to choose non-nano zinc oxide to avoid health complications that can arise from manipulation of materials at the microscopic level.”

A professional esthetician will work with you – offering the best consultation for your unique skin type and lifestyle; providing a regimen that will help protect you while you enjoy the great outdoors this spring and summer. So get out there and have fun!