End-of-Summer DETOX! Your Skin Needs it.

Summer is winding down.  It's a little sad, isn't it?  All of that time enjoying the outdoors and long summer nights might be showing up on your skin: sunburns, wind, sunscreen, less sleep and passing out without washing your face will cause patchy skin, break-outs, dryness, oiliness, dullness and clogged pores.

Get back on track and get a professional DETOX FACIAL or BACK TREATMENT SPECIAL:

- Deep cleaning with steam and ozone

- Mild to deep exfoliation, depending on skin's condition

- High Frequency treatment

- Seaweed Mask with chamomile and aloe vera to nourish, detoxify, rebalance, hydrate and regenerate oily, congested skin OR

- Multi-Vitamin Mask to deeply hydrate and nourish dry, damaged skin

- Oil-free hydrating serum or Vitamin C Anti-Oxidant moisturizer depending on skin type

- Sunscreen

A professional Detox Skin Treatment will go the extra mile by not only deep cleaning the pores, but also by killing lingering bacteria beneath the skin's surface, and stimulating cell regeneration.  A professional esthetician can do this by using the ozone function on the facial steamer, combined with the high frequency machine.  Ozone is stimulated oxygen and has been used for many years to speed up stubborn break-outs and increase healing.  It doesn't hurt, is completely safe and healthy for your skin (but not to be used on pregnant women, people with large metal implants or pacemakers).

You can also do a Detox Facial at home if you don't have the time or money.  Check out my blog from last year with step-by-step instructions DIY DETOX FACIAL - Be a Bitchen Kitchen Beautician.

I'm offering a great END-of-SUMMER deal: Get a Detox Facial and Back Treatment for only $50.   Make it $65 and I will travel to your house (in Oakland/SF area).  The regular price for each treatment is $35.  You save $20!

Peels! Not So Scary: Fruit Enzymes vs Chemical Peels

Does the word "PEEL" make your skin crawl?

People often recall images of red, swollen, burnt faces seen on their friends, coworkers or on Samantha in Sex in the City.  

NO!  I WON'T DO THIS TO YOU!!

Those are powerful chemical peels performed in a doctor's office.  These powerful peels can result in burning, peeling, scabbing and even scarring. The client must stay out of the sun completely.  Celebrities will hide at a retreat covered in gauze while their skin repairs...and sometimes the results are not as expected. These procedures are for people who want immediate results, are under constant care, and have a lot of money.


Personally, I don't believe in assaulting skin like that, but if it works for them, they can spend the thousands of dollars to do it.  


I perform peels that are gentle and create beautiful effects on the skin over a few sessions.  Clients have a choice of how strong they want their treatment, but I will always perform a regular facial prior to deciding on a peel.  This way, I can see how the skin reacts to ingredients, learn about the client's skin care routine, and prepare their skin for the next step.

Gentle peels create a variety of noticeable results

- Smooth skin by exfoliating dead skin cells
- Plump skin by stimulating collagen, elastin and new cell growth
- Improvement of fine lines
- Clear skin by unclogging blackheads and closed comedones (clogged pores under the skin)

ENZYMES

Enzymes occur naturally in fruits.  They are nutrients and proteins that instigate metabolic processes and speed up biological reactions in all cells of all living things.  Just as enzymes are necessary us to digest food, they aid in digesting dead skin cells and stimulating active new ones.


They are like Pac-Man, gobbling away dead skin, allowing new skin cells to grow and nutrients to penetrate the skin:

Enzyme peels use fruit enzymes, combined with Alpha Hydroxy Acids (Glycolic and Lactic Acids).  The enzymes destroy dead skin cells and gently release new skin, while the AHAs loosen and detach the dead skin cells.


Why get rid of dead skin cells?  Well, they can increase the appearance of wrinkles, and clog pores, creating blackheads and pimples.  Acne is a result of an overproduction of skin cells.  The skin doesn't have a chance to shed them fast enough, the pore clogs with cells, bacteria gets blocked in, and a pimple grows.


Enzymes penetrate the top layers of skin, stimulate new cells, detox the pores, and increase the natural exoliation process, resulting in immediately better tone and texture.


Enzyme peels are usually recommended for dark skin, active acneic skin, and sensitive skin, as there are no extreme chemicals, friction or temperatures involved.


I have two great fruit enzyme peels:  

The Pomegranate Enzyme Peel is good for all skin types, as deeply cleans pores while adding hydration and brightening qualities.  Lactic Acid can be added to the peel for additional brightening.  

The Pumpkin-Yam peel is best for oily and break-out prone skin.

CHEMICAL PEELS

Chemexfoliation is one of the least invasive ways to improve your skin's appearance.  Chemical solutions are carefully applied to skin by a certified practitioner to improve break-outs, texture, fine lines and pigmentation, resulting in a healthier glow.  A combination of alpha hydroxy acids and beta hydroxy acids are used (such as glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid and maleic acid).

I have been certified by PCA Skin, the provider of my chemical peels.  They are the lightest and gentlest and come with a Post-Procedure Kit to ensure the best results.

PCA chemical peels can be very effective at treating facial blemishes and acne, uneven skin pigmentation, fine wrinkles, and damage caused by the sun, aging, and other sources of skin imperfections.


It is normal for clients to experience some temporary redness, flaking, scaling, and/or dryness which usually resolves as the skin adjusts to PCA chemical peels. In order to achieve the desired results, a client will often need a series of PCA chemical peels. 


Here's a really good article about the Myths and Truths about chemical peels:


Top 5 Myths and Truths about Chemical Peels


If you're interested in learning more about peels, or would like to schedule one, please feel free to contact me any time!


--Stephene