Tanning beds vs Natural Sunshine

It's no secret that tanning beds are bad for you but do you really understand the reasons why?

When you use indoor tanning, the UV rays penetrate much deeper then those of the sun and with that, set you up for pre-mature ageing. The UV ray is penetrating to a cellular level and manipulating the DNA of the cell causing collagen and elastin breakdown. Also when you are in tanning booths you don't wear any sort of protection on your skin, in fact, people typically use accelerators thus doing far more damage then necessary. At least in Vancouver, when we have sunshine (all 2 months of the year) we protect our selves with appropriate sunscreens.

The most frightening thing to think about is we don't know the long term effects of indoor tanning. Here are some interesting statistics: http://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/skin-cancer-facts

INDOOR TANNING

• Those who make just four visits to a tanning salon per year can increase their risk for melanoma by 11 percent, and their risk for basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma by 15 percent.⁵⁷
• Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is a proven human carcinogen.³³ Currently tanning beds are regulated by the FDA as Class I medical devices, the same designation given elastic bandages and tongue depressors.³⁴
• The International Agency for Research on Cancer, an affiliate of the World Health Organization, includes ultraviolet (UV) tanning devices in its Group 1, a list of the most dangerous cancer-causing substances.³⁵ Group 1 also includes agents such as plutonium, cigarettes, and solar UV radiation.³⁶
• Frequent tanners using new high-pressure sunlamps may receive as much as 12 times the annual UVA dose compared to the dose they receive from sun exposure.³⁷
• Ten minutes in a sunbed matches the cancer-causing effects of 10 minutes in the Mediterranean summer sun.³⁸
• Nearly 30 million people tan indoors in the U.S. every year³⁹; 2.3 million of them are teens.⁴⁰
• On an average day, more than one million Americans use tanning salons.⁴¹
• Seventy-one percent of tanning salon patrons are girls and women aged 16-29.⁴²
• Indoor ultraviolet (UV) tanners are 74 percent more likely to develop melanoma than those who have never tanned indoors.⁴³
• People who use tanning beds are 2.5 times more likely to develop squamous cell carcinoma and 1.5 times more likely to develop basal cell carcinoma.

Tanning beds are relatively new as they were only introduced in 1979 so I can only imagine what we are going to find with the generations to come in terms of effects on our health. The 'warning signs' of overexposure, such as a sunburn, do not appear at the same rate indoors as out because indoor tanning beds emit mostly UVA (age) rays. The radiation levels are more intense then those of the sun and require individuals to limit their exposure in tanning beds to brief periods.

The BC government has implemented new rules to regulate tanning bed use by young people. You must be 18 years of age or have parental consent to use a tanning bed now and photo ID is required each visit, just as you would get ID'd in a liquor store. When your are looking for signs of skin cancer, you want to watch for the A, B, C, D's...

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Favourite Self Tanning Products

           As a skin therapist I'm not one to condone tanning beds but I still love how I feel when I have a tan. I thought I'd share a few of my favourite products to help achieve that natural sun kissed glow.

          St.Tropez tanning products are hands down my favourite tanning products :) I prefer the spray over the lotions. Just make sure that you prepare your skin properly. Proper preparation includes a really good exfoliation for the whole body. I would recommend using Dermalogica's ultimate buffing cloth along with a pH balanced body wash (one that doesn't dry out the skin) such as conditioning body wash by Dermalogica.

          After exfoliating the skin you want to make sure it's properly hydrated for a nice even application. Be sure to moisture your skin earlier on in the day NOT immediately before applying the tanning product because if you do it may act as a barrier cream. With that being said, you can use moisturizer immediately before on dryer areas such as elbows, knees, palms of the hands and feet, knuckles, and ankles so that you don't absorb too much product in those areas creating darker pigmentation.

Clarisonic

We got this product in our spa not too long ago and started to use it in all of our facials during the second cleanse. It is an effective and efficient way to do a really deep cleanse without disrupting your skins integrity. There are different heads and attachments you can use depending on your skin type or the part of the body you are working on. I'm going to get the body brush with my next order because it's such a great exfoliation, it stimulates circulation and it helps reduce the appearance of cellulite (daily vigorous massage & increased circulation).  May as well give it a go!

Sonic Cleansing Benefits:

• Removes 6X more makeup than manual cleansing
• Leaves skin feeling and looking smoother
• Removes impurities that keep creams and serums from working their best
• Gentle enough to use twice a day
• Reduces oily areas, dry skin patches and blemishes
• Minimizes the appearance of visible pores

How to Use Sonic Cleansing

Our Sonic Skin Cleansing Systems gently and effectively remove dirt and oil, and prepare your skin for moisturizers and serums. 

Softer, smoother, cleaner skin in just 60 seconds:

Charge the handle in the charging cradle.

Wet your skin and apply cleanser to the brush head.

Use circular motion; 20 sec. on forehead, 20 sec. on nose/chin, 10 sec. on each cheek.

Wedding Season

Wedding season is upon us so I'd thought I'd share a few useful tips when it comes to photo ready skin :)

      The most important aspect of wedding makeup starts with the canvas. Having smooth, refined, and hydrated skin is the best base for flawless makeup. I recommend a series of 3 facials, 2 weeks apart leading up to the big day. Your last facial should be 7 to 10 days prior to the wedding. This just ensures that you have time for your skin to heal incase it starts to detoxify before the big day. If you have it in your budget, try and incorporate a microdermabrasion or an AHA peel into that series at least once for best results. Night before the wedding, exfoliate your skin and use a nourishing masque - my favourite "pick me up" for your skin is Multivitamin Power Recovery Mask by Dermalogica.

          Now that you've prepared the perfect canvas, ensure you have the right make up style picked out. The main focus should be your skin. Ensure that you have a flawless base (foundation set with a powder - preferably a mineral powder as they tend to give you a nice natural glow), and a nice soft blush and maybe a little bronzer. If  you don't typically wear a lot of make up, now is not the time to be experimenting. Simple neutral colours on the eyes always look best. Maybe incorporate some bronze colours in the eyes if you want. If you don't wear strip eyelashes on a regular basis, I would advise against wearing strip lashes on your wedding day. They can be quite heavy and cause you to look like you have "lazy eyes" in photos. You can achieve the same look using individual eyelashes - they are much lighter and won't weigh down your eyelids. Eyebrows frame the face so make sure they've been shaped and trimmed before hand. If you are going to fill them in (which I recommend) use a colour that is a couple of shades lighter then the colour of your actual brows. For your lips, lip liner tends to work best and last the longest. Be sure that you fill in your lips completely with the liner after you line them and then top off with a nice gloss. Powder is best for lining the lower lash line of the eyes and use a dark brown not black. Most brides tend to cry, so we want to try and avoid "racoon eyes" or streaking. With that being said, waterproof mascara is a must!

     Be careful when it comes to spray tans, as a lot of them rub off onto light clothing, especially if you sweat. Maybe try out a few spray tans before the wedding and see which ones look the best. You want it to look natural and ensure that it doesn't streak or rub off on clothing. Make sure you exfoliate your body before the tan and use moisturizer everyday so that it lasts :)

Obagi CLENZIderm M.D.™ Systems

Best Acne Treatment EVER!

     I just started using the Cleanziderm System because with the stress of school, I have been having some serious stress related breakouts. As a skin therapist, I find it a little embarrassing when I can not control my breakouts, especially when I have access to so many amazing products. Well I think it's safe to say the search is finally over :)  I Started using Cleanziderm a month ago and my skin has made a HUGE improvement! I highly recommend this system to anyone with problem prone skin or if you experience excessive shine. This is a much safer and more effective alternative to proactive AND so easy to use!

Just Follow 3 simple steps:

Obagi CLENZIderm M.D. Normal to Oily Skin System

STEP 1

Daily Care Foaming Cleanser

• Wet face with warm water.
• Dispense a dime-sized amount of Daily Care Foaming Cleanser into the palm of hand.
• Lather and gently massage Cleanser over entire face for at least 20 to 30 seconds; avoid getting Cleanser in eyes.
• Rinse skin thoroughly and pat dry.
• Wait 10 to 15 minutes to allow skin to dry completely before applying Pore Therapy.

STEP 2

Pore Therapy

• Following Step 1, moisten a cotton ball or pad with Pore Therapy.
• Apply Pore Therapy over entire face; avoid getting near eyes or in nose and mouth.
• Allow Pore Therapy to air dry on skin—do not rinse off.
• Make sure Pore Therapy has dried thoroughly.

STEP 3

Therapeutic Lotion

• Apply 1 pump of Therapeutic Lotion to fingertips.
• Apply evenly to entire face; avoid getting near eyes or in nose and mouth.
• Wash hands after applying but do not wash medication off face.
• People with sensitive skin may feel temporary tingling or stinging during the first week of usage, which can be minimized by reducing the frequency of application.
• Therapeutic Lotion contains benzoyl peroxide, which may bleach hair or dye fabric.
• Use once daily or as directed by a physician.

Obagi CLENZIderm M.D. Normal to Dry Skin System

STEP 1

Daily Care Cream Cleanser

• Wet face with warm water.
• Dispense a dime-sized amount of Daily Care Cream Cleanser into the palm of hand.
• Gently massage Cleanser over entire face; avoid getting Cleanser in eyes.
• Rinse skin thoroughly and pat dry.
• Wait 10 minutes to allow skin to dry completely before applying Therapeutic Lotion.

STEP 2

Therapeutic Lotion

• Apply 1 pump of Therapeutic Lotion to fingertips.
• Apply evenly over entire face; avoid getting near eyes or in nose and mouth.
• Wash hands after applying, but do not wash medication off face.
• Allow Therapeutic Lotion to absorb completely before applying Therapeutic Moisturizer.
• People with sensitive skin may feel temporary tingling or stinging during the first week of usage, which can be minimized by reducing the frequency of application.
• Therapeutic Lotion contains benzoyl peroxide, which may bleach hair or dye fabric.
• Use once daily or as directed by your physician.

STEP 3

Therapeutic Moisturizer

• Apply with fingertips to face.
• If going outside, use a sunscreen after Therapeutic Moisturizer.
• Follow sunscreen directions for application.

Sweat it out

     In my personal opinion, one if the best things you can do for your skin to achieve that "healthy glow" that everyone strives for, is sweat it out! Sweat at least once a day! I releases toxins built up in your body that could be contributing to potential skin conditions like acne, congestion and even eczema. Be sure you have a face cloth or towel within reach to blot off (not wipe) your skin as you want to avoid reabsorption of toxins. During facials we use steam to promote a more intense exfoliation. This allows for a more effective use of the exfoliant being applied (in most cases) and steam induces sweating which opens your pores for a better cleanse and easy extractions. 

     Whether you go for a steam, infrared sauna, run, yoga, whatever way you choose to "sweat it out", be sure to cleanse your skin afterwards. One of the biggest contributions to breakout activity (particularity back and chest acne) is sitting in your own sweat. What I mean by this is wearing your damp sweaty clothes or not cleansing your face after a good work out kind of defeats the purpose of detoxing your skin. All those toxin you worked so hard to sweat out are now just sitting on the surface and getting reabsorbed back into the epidermis...and that alone can make you more susceptible to breakout and let's not forget to mention prickly rash or heat rash (pesky little red, irritating bumps). 

    Be sure that you are still exfoliating your skin 1 - 2 times a weeks as you would normally do because we all know that when you refine your skin you get that really nice, even texture complete with a radiant, youthful glow. Through on some mineral make-up for your Sun protection and voilà.

Product Profile: Multivitamin Hand and Nail Treatment

     For those of you who know me, you know that in my profession I'm constantly handling very powerful products and always washing my hands. Now with nursing school, my hands are taking even more of a beating. I've developed pretty bad eczema on my hands and have tried treating it with all kinds of lotions and potions prescribed by the doctor. It wasn't until recently that I decided to take the matter into my own hands (literally) and find something that works.

    I've worked with Dermalogica's skin care products for about 6 years now and I don't know why it didn't even occur to me to try their multivitamin hand and nail treatment. It's part of their AgeSmart line (for a mature skin) so I just never thought that I would benefit from it, until now.

    It has to be HANDSDOWN my favourite  hand cream. My eczema has totally cleared up and my hands even look younger! No Joke!! It's an intense, non-greasy treatment of botanicals and vitamins to protect and repair and it strengthens nails, preventing them from splitting or peeling.

It runs at about 24$ but worth every cent. A little goes a LONG way :)