Skin Science Sunday: What do high frequency treatment do for the skin?

What Do High Frequency Treatments Do For The Skin?

So what is it?

The high frequency device consists of a hand held wand with a glass electrode on the end. When in use, the electrode produces a small electrical current (Tesla Current), ozone, & argon gas. Your esthetician glides this wand over your skin or directly to a specific area, you may sense a mild warming sensation in the skin & hear a buzzing sound.

What does it do?

The benefits of this device include: antibacterial effects, healing, stimulated circulation & collagen, reduced inflammation, oxygenation of the skin, as well as increased cell metabolism. 

Who should receive this treatment?

Most can benefit by receiving high frequency in a facial treatment. Those that would benefit the most from this device are individuals who suffer from acne, enlarged pores, & oiliness. Other candidates for this treatment include those with lack luster skin, aging, or simply those looking to just "refresh" their skins appearance. High frequency is also great after waxing services for those that often breakout after receiving their wax from a professional. 

Be sure to talk with your esthetician to see if this treatment is right for you, there are some contraindications that may prevent you from receiving high frequency. 

Skin Science Sunday: Why Your Apricot Scrub Is Ruining Your Skin.

The widely popular St. Ives Apricot Scrub is actually damaging your skin. The crushed walnut powder actually creates microscopic tears in the skin & can create long term damage. With this scrub being so abrasive, it can also leave you vulnerable to irritation & even worse, infection. More people have become aware of the concerning effects of this product, that the company is now facing a lawsuit. This just goes to show you shouldn’t just use what is popular, but to educate yourself on the products you choose. So if this is a product you currently are using, it's time to switch!

Alternatives: 

Skin Script’s Raspberry Refining Scrub.

This exfoliant uses jojoba beads & blue corn meal for gentle physical exfoliation, with raspberry to soothe any irritation or inflammation. Using this product weekly will help remove any surface build-up, as well as brighten, energize, & refine your skin. This non-abrasive exfoliant is great for any skin type.

An organic option is Livia’s Blueberry Botanical Exfoliating Masque.

This product also helps to exfoliate & decongest pores with jojoba beads & blue corn. Blueberry & cranberry load the skin with antioxidants helping create a healthy glowing complexion. Oxygenating, detoxifying, & exfoliating for most skin types.

Skin Science Sunday: What Are The Benefits Of A Facial?

So what benefits can you actually get from receiving a facial treatment?

Here are 5 Top Benefits:

1. Increased circulation & product absorption through massage movements, creating a rejuvenated & healthy complexion.

2. Smooth the texture of skin & stimulate cell renewal with professional exfoliation options.

3. Extractions of clogged pores & blackheads resulting in less congestion in the skin, & prevent damage of at home "picking".

4. Stress relief from relaxation, including the relaxation of facial muscles, then creating less tension in the face. 

5. Lessen the appearance of acne scarring through professional enzyme peels & prevent future breakouts.

Aside from these reasons, you will have a better understanding of your skin & learn of proper product usage, getting you on the path to healthy glowing skin. 

Making sure you receive monthly facials can help you achieve these great benefits & much more! 

Skin Science Sunday: Why Oily Skin Needs Moisturizer

Those with oily skin will usually skip the use of a moisturizer due to the fact they think it will worsen the issue. Oily skin can be confusing in the fact that your skin is actually lacking moisture, which is why it's producing excess oil. To make up for this lack of moisture that your skin is begging for, it thinks it needs to start producing oil to solve the problem. The best way to find a solution for this is to use a lightweight moisturizer. One that is not heavy or pore clogging will help hydrate without feeling a sense of thickness on the skin. With consistent use, your skin will begin to balance itself out with oil control & proper hydration. 

Steps To Improve Overly Oily Skin: 

1. Stop using overly drying products. Avoid harsh acne products or toners that include alcohol in the ingredients. Using these types of products will result in stripping your skin of its natural moisture, in turn, more oil.

2. Stay hydrated drinking water. Half your body weight in ounces is recommended. 

3. Use a lightweight moisturizer to provide gentle hydration & avoid excess oil buildup. 

Skin Script's Light Aloe Moisturizer is a great product for those that have this skin issue. This moisturizer normalizes & hydrates the skin without feeling heavy or leaving a "film" on the skin. It helps to balance the oil & water content in the skin, soothes, & reduces redness. A great option for those who suffer with acne & oily skin. 

Skin Science Sunday: 10 Things Making Your Acne Worse, Or Causing It.

Why are you breaking out?

This is a question that many ask themselves while looking in the mirror feeling aggravated, and the frustration of forever finding some sort of remedy or solution. If you deal with acne or have acne prone skin I am sure that you have tried every acne product on the shelves, possibly even taken dermatologist prescribed medications, and had still no such luck. If that sounds like you, it can be possible that you are making simple mistakes, or have acquired bad habits that can be making your skin worse. 

Here are 10 common causes or worsening factors for acne prone skin:

1. You Sleep in Your Makeup/Don't Cleanse Before Bed. Too lazy to wash your face before bed? This could be a major factor in your acne. Sleeping with your makeup on can cause extremely clogged pores, which can then lead to more breakouts & blackheads. Your skin must be cleansed before bed to remove any dirt, oil, and bacteria that collects throughout the day. Going to bed and placing your head on your pillow can cause all that junk to get embedded into your skin. 
2. You Constantly Touch Your Face/Pick at Breakouts. As everyone knows, germs are everywhere. They are on surfaces, doorknobs, cell phones, & of course, your hands. This means you should never be touching your face unless your hands are fully washed. Even then you should not mess with any current breakouts, picking at them can lead to breaking open the skin & causing possible scarring & infection. Make sure to wash your hands before cleansing your skin and applying products.
3. You are Eating Excessive Dairy/Sugar. Both dairy & sugar can cause inflammation. The inflammation can cause acne to become worse and or enlarged. In milk, hormones are one of the biggest factors that can then affect your breakouts. There is also evidence that these hormones bind to your sebaceous glands (oil glands) which then produce more sebum (oil) in your follicles, leading to more breakouts. If you are eating/drinking lots of dairy products and your acne is an issue, cut back or slowly cut out any dairy if your acne is quite severe.
4. You're Sleeping on Dirty Pillow Cases.  When was the last time you washed your pillow case? Your face lays on your pillow for hours at a time, and if it is loaded with excess oil from your skin and even from your hair, this can be creating an issue for your breakouts. Make sure to wash your pillow case at-least every week, if you overly produce oil throughout the night, you may want to switch it every 3 days. 
5. You are Using to0 Many DIY Concoctions. Been scrolling through Pinterest too often? The many DIY face masks, exfoliants, etc. can actually be making your skin worse. Many of the concoctions are not recommend from a skin professional, but rather someone who has too much fun mixing leftover ingredients from their pantry. A big no no that is recommended a lot through Pinterest is baking soda. Baking soda is not a skincare product, this can ruin the barrier of your skin & irritate acne. The PH of your skin is between a 4 - 5.5, while baking soda is at a PH of 9. Due to it's alkaline content, this can create extreme water loss in your skin causing sensitivity & an overproducing of oil which then become a breeding ground for acne. 
6. Your Cell Phone is Dirty. Cell phones carry lots of bacteria and germs. Wiping them down daily with a cleansing wipe can help kill that bacteria. We use our phones constantly, they rest on our faces during phone calls, we text, some people even sleep with them. Make sure it is disinfected daily to help avoid any buildup that can create a worsening in your breakouts.
7. You're Lacking Water Intake. This one may create a bit of controversy, but I personally still believe in its affects. Drinking water can help flush out toxins in your body and transport nutrients throughout, then helping contribute in clearer skin and a healthier body. Our bodies consist of 60-70% of water, so water is essential to us. Think of it as if we are not drinking water, we are most likely replacing that with drinks such as, coffee, soda, juice, which all contain lots of sugar, which as we stated before can make acne worse. All in all, water is essential in keeping your skin healthy and preventing acne. 
8. You're Using too Many Acne Products. This may sound confusing, but a lot of the times these acne products can be quite harsh on the skin. Many strip your skin of its natural moisture which then can result in your skin trying to make up for that by producing excessive oil, causing breakouts. Other products like certain drying spot treatments can lead to your breakout taking longer to heal. When you dry the area of a breakout it is trapping in that bacteria with dead flaky skin. The bacteria has no way to release, then prolonging to breakout. Your best bet is to leave the breakout alone, and applying a spot treatment that is not drying, or to apply it only to post acne marks. 
9. Your Shampoo Contains Sulfates. Many know that sulfates are bad for color treated hair, as it strips the color out and fades color quickly. Sulfates, also known as cleansing agents, are the ingredients that create the ultra sudsy effect in your shampoo. This can lead to breakouts around the hairline, chest, and back of your body. These sulfates can adhere to your skin & clog pores, creating little breakouts. 
10. Your Using Bad Makeup. This is a hard one for some, as there are so many brands to choose from. Makeup tends to not have the best ingredients in them. Parabens, synthetics, added fragrance or dyes, talc, silicones, etc. Although makeup has come a long way, these ingredients still exist in many brands, and can all aggravate acne. Making sure you read ingredients and choosing non comedogenic makeup can help ensure you are making the right choice. Brands like Jane Iredale (my personal favorite) and GloMinerals have skin-loving ingredients. 

Do you have any of these bad habits in your daily life? 

Skin Science Sunday: Why You Need To Get A Crystal Facial

Why Should You Get a Crystal Facial?

Firstly, what are crystals? Crystals are known for their healing powers & producing unique energy vibrations. Ancient civilizations have used them in past for a variety of reasons including healing and empowerment. As for some people crystals may seem "out there", but there is research that has proven its beneficial qualities. Every crystal emits energy and frequencies that can be used in specific purposes. So long story short, our bodies have energy & crystals have energy, boom, they go together. So let's talk skin...

The use of crystals in skincare has been an ongoing trend lately, as more people have become aware of the variety of benefits that crystals produce, & the popularity of natural beauty. Crystal grids are a great way to incorporate the positive benefits of a variety of crystals all at once. The combination of vibrations can create a unique flow of energy that you can incorporate into skincare. Whether you want to focus on anti-aging, acne, or simply "waking up" the skin, these grids can be your solution. Different crystals can increase blood flow, providing a healthy glow & vibrant complexion. Another benefit is that they can even enhance other ingredients or act as a semiconductor, making it a perfect time to apply a face masque & then create the crystal grid upon the skin. 

Still not convinced? Come into Pure Bloom Skincare and receive a facial that incorporates these facial grids. As seen on the service menu: 

CRYSTAL SKIN TREATMENT GLOW: $7

Take your facials to the next level with these crystal energy combinations. A selection of crystals applied in a unique grid on the face to stimulate energy, and promote healing benefits for the skin, mind, & body. Reveal your inner & outer goddess glow. Add to any facial during the masking step.

• Detox Crystal Grid: Purify & Detox. Promotes circulation & breaks up negative & stagnant energies.
• Stress Free Crystal Grid: Release Tension & Stress. Promotes calming & peaceful energies.
• Anti-Aging Crystal Grid: Refresh & Rejuvenate. Promote self love, youthfulness, and beauty.
• Sweet Dreams Crystal Grid: Relax & Unwind. Promotes soothing energy & induces a calming dream state. Perfect for an evening facial.

Skin Science Sunday: Do I Need to Change my Skincare Routine in the Fall?

Do you need to transition your skin care routine from summer to fall?

🍂YES. Transitioning from summer to fall usually means you will want to slightly tweak your skincare routine. This may sound like extra work, but here are a few simple tips to flawless fall skin!

💧Boost Hydration. In the summer you can get away with a lightweight moisturizer, but when the weather starts to cool down you will want to switch to a richer moisturizer. This will help prevent any moisture loss & improve the barrier function of the skin. 

🍋Exfoliate. Summertime is spent with hours in the sun & the outdoors which can make the skin more sensitive, causing exfoliation to be at a minimum during these months. Fall is the perfect time to slough off dead skin cells to reveal a smooth, brightened appearance, & helping repair any possible sun damage.

😴Sleep with a humidifier. This is not necessarily a skincare step, but this can help dramatically in your skin. While the temperature drops, you will start to turn on the heat in your home, causing the air to become quite dry and making your skin feel dried out & “tight”. Adding this while you sleep will help prevent this issue & keep your skin soft & replenished in the morning. 

💦Cleanse. Switching to a thicker or creamy cleanser is a good idea for the fall. Our skin tends to produce much less oil during this time so you will want to avoid stripping your skin with a harsh or acidic cleanser, and instead with a hydrating option. 

🌞SPF. Even though our hours in the direct sun is diminished during this time, our skin is still exposed to its harmful rays. Make sure to thoroughly apply your SPF to any exposed areas like the face, neck, chest, etc. daily to avoid any sun damage, even if it’s a cloudy day!