At-Home Masking in 1.2.3. The Best Way to Brighten Up, and Clean Up Skin in Between Studio Facials

1. Yes, mask at home in between appointments. To get started, clean up your skin, get all your makeup off, and get your masks out.
   
   
2. Read the ingredients, not the claims, to make sure it fits your lifestyle and ecological expectations. Listen to your skin, not their marketing budget. Honey, Aloe Vera, Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid, probiotics, and kaolin are all great ingredients to look for. Also, we prefer ones that are non-comedogenic, non-irritating, non-sensitizing, dermatologist tested, and cruelty-free.
   
   
3. Use two different masks to address your needs. A lot of people like deep cleaning or pore reducing in the t-zone and moisturizing or redness reduction on the cheeks and neck. The one thing to remember about clay masks? Once it’s dry, buh bye. Rinse it off and re-hydrate your skin. Leaving it on past the drypoint leads to leaching good moisture out of your skin; its work is done. Bonus: add a 3rd mask, the GM Collin Instant Radiance Eye Patches (available here at our Studio!), especially if you’re masking and prepping for an event where you will be photographed. Mwah! So amazing.

Our favorite at-home masks: Odacité Synergie Immediate Perfecting Mask; Farmacy Bright On Vitamin C; Herbivore Blue Tansy.

Ingredients to avoid in your masks:

Mineral oil, synthetic fragrances, sulfate detergents, parabens, urea, DEA, TEA or phthalates, Sulfates SLS and SLES, formaldehyde, formaldehyde-releasing agents, phthalates, coal tar, hydroquinone, Triclosan, Triclocarban.

Want to shortcut all of this? Grab a sheet mask (love Tatcha), apply, and spin up Netflix.

Should You Try Collagen Supplements?

Walk or click into any grocery store these days, and you can’t miss seeing bone broth, Collagen Peptide powder, and collagen-infused coconut bites.

Fad or something you should try?

It’s the ingredient of the year for the wellness world. People are injecting it, drinking it, and applying it topically. But why?

Collagen is a structural protein found in connective tissues -- skin, hair, muscles, bones, blood vessels, about 30% of your body. It’s also the building block of proteins so of course, we’re all talking about it along with the keto and Whole30 trends. By our mid 20’s our bodies aren’t repairing themselves as fast as they used to and our collagen stores naturally decrease by about 1% per year after that. It’s because collagen makes up 75% of our skin keeping it supple, plump, fresh, and wrinkle-free that has us all curious if we can help restore some of that with supplements.

Three Points of Caution:

1. Vegetarians beware, it’s made from animal proteins.
2. Be sure you’re buying the powder or supplements from a credible source that is NSF certified to be sure it’s been checked for contaminants. 
3. It’s expensive, and many dieticians recommend eating a balanced diet rich in collagen (salmon, steak, chicken) and cutting back on smoking, alcohol, and sun exposure -- all of which affects your body’s natural collagen production -- and all of these are cheaper than supplements.

You could spend all day reading about it, the science is shaky but there are boundless stories of people feeling like their hair is shinier, nails stronger, and skin more luminous while there are not identifiable downsides to trying it for a month to see if it works for you.

Overall, it seems there are more questions than answers in this arena for now.

Here's What We Recommend:

We recommend collagen-rich treatments that have been scientifically tested, and topicals that we know stimulate collagen and are based on years of independent scientific research. Vitamin C and retinoids are the gold standards for this purpose. Consider investing in treatments that also stimulate collagen production such as micro-needling, chemical peels, and microdermabrasion.

Resouce References: GoodHousekeeping, Women's Health, Cleveland Clinic, George Washington University Sciences Center.

Whaaaat are those red bumps on the back of my arms? Can you get rid of them? Yes. Here's How.

Ah, those! Medically, this is called keratosis pilaris, and some people mistakenly call them arm acne. First of all, they’re common and benign so while they may be cosmetically unappealing, they are medically harmless. Second of all, keratosis pilaris is not contagious. They appear on the upper arms and sometimes thighs. While the cause is mostly unknown outside of an overproduction of keratin and dry skin, we’re sure you still want them to go away; here’s how to help that.

Here’s how to battle those bumps:

• Use mild, non-drying soaps when bathing
• Avoid really hot water; this dries skin and can make bumps worse
• In the shower or tub gently exfoliate with a loofa or other at home exfoliating product
• Be sure your skin is well hydrated; this condition thrives on dry skin, so apply lotion immediately after showering and look for one containing urea and lactic acid
• Consider using an exfoliating lotion on your skin like PCA SKIN Body Therapy which has both the ingredients mentioned above.
• Professional treatments include applying exfoliating acids such as glycolic, salicylic or lactic acids
• Results are not immediate so be patient. You should see improvement in 4 to 6 weeks.

Did you know your cells have an energy source and we can help you recharge it?

Remember mitochondria from middle schools science? Our mitochondria provide power as adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a form of energy our cells use to grow and divide. ATP can be thought of as molecular currency because it is the only energy molecule the body can utilize.

Over time, beginning in our 20s, oxidative damage adversely affects the mitochondrial membrane where youth-giving ATP is located and produced. By our 60’s our mitochondria’s ability to synthesize ATP is reduced to just half of what it produced in our youth. Since ATP synthesis is essential to our overall health as well as a youthful appearance, it is important to eat well and exercise.

When it comes to aging skin--reduced ATP is near the top of the list of causes and increasing ATP synthesis is one of the hidden keys to “the fountain of youth.”

For the facial area, there are two known and scientifically proven ways to reinvigorate and recharge your cell energy, and we have both of these remarkable innovations available:

1. LED Light Therapy: it works by delivering energy-packed beams of light into the dermis layer of the skin, energizing the cells responsible for collagen and elastin production. In turn, it builds up collagen in the dermis layer, plumping up aging skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Red Light LED stimulates the fibroblasts that produce collagen, which gives skin its youthful, plump look while Infrared Light penetrates deeper and provides a firming effect.
   
   
2. Microcurrent Lifting: this uses tiny electric currents to gently stimulate the muscles of the face while increasing blood circulation, lymphatic flow, collagen, and elastin production. It targets face and neck muscles and tightens and tones the facial contours.

We also offer a highly effective combination of LED therapy and microcurrent lifting, which combines the benefits of both procedures for incredible results.

All LED and microcurrent treatments are painless, relaxing, have no downtime, and are safe for nearly everyone. We recommend using them in a series for optimal results. We believe they are beneficial to just about everyone!

It can be hard to believe that these technologies are so effective since most of the time clients fall asleep during the process! However, if you ask any of our clients (or us) who get these treatments regularly, they are the closest thing we have to an anti-aging miracle.

Questions? Let us know.

Spring = Glossy Skin (right on trend!). 6 Ways to Get the Glow!

Every time we see an image of Katie Jane Hughes @katiejanehughes on our IG feed, it makes us happy. We love seeing a woman who celebrates life, tackles new projects readily, doesn’t take makeup too seriously but takes skin care very seriously allowing her to feed her own, and our, glossy skin devotion. We love the look.

6 ways to amp up your youthful glow:

Stay Hydrated

Drinking plenty of water improves your body’s overall health and does great things for your largest organ: your skin. Glow from the inside, out. And, yes, those daily La Croixs count as water.

Know Your Skin

Do you have oily skin, dry skin or combination?

Products like astringents, retinoids, hydroxy acids and benzoyl peroxide (BPO) decrease sebum or oil, and help eliminate shine. Oily skin is caused by hormone changes which cause excessive sebum production and enlarged pores. There’s definitely a difference between oily skin and healthy skin that glows. The right combination of water, foods, treatments, and products help you achieve the look you want.

If your skin feels tight, cracks or peels you may want to adjust your environment. Lower the heat or air conditioning and shower and cleanse skin in water that isn’t super hot. Dry or ashy skin can be due to lack of moisture from overuse of products that dry skin like retinoids, hydroxy acids or BPO, changes in estrogen levels due to menopause or even workplaces with dry environment. The right combination of water, foods, treatments, and products help you achieve the look you want plus an at-desk, in-room, or whole home humidifier definitely makes an impact.

Taste the Rainbow

Green tea and chamomile extracts soothe the skin, while fruits add moisture. Vitamins C, B and E decrease free radicals in skin, which helps eliminate brown spots and dull, flaky skin. Think, strawberries, brussel sprouts, broccoli, papaya, tomatoes, kale, and bell peppers to name a few of the top sources. So, another reason to aim for rainbows of color on every plate.

Try a Topical Retinoid

Retinoids are vitamin A products that increase cellular turnover so younger cells replace old, dull skin cells. Retinoids cause younger, plumper cells to absorb moisture and they decrease pigmentation or brown spots. But these wonder products are not one size fits all. Ask your facialist which might be best for your skin, and follow the directions. With retinol, more is not better!

We all use one at LNAA. Our top selling retinoid is: PCASkin Intensive Age Refining Treatment .5 Retinol

No matter what, wear sunscreen every day and be extra vigilant if you use a retinoid since they increase sensitivity to the sun. There’s a reason I have so many hats now!

Use a Serum Containing Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid (HA) helps draw moisture from the environment so skin looks and feels more dewey and plump. In the right form, it can also penetrate quite deeply and maintain hydration for a full 24 hours plus smooth the surface of the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines. We don’t recommend scrimping on this ingredient; look for a serum that has various molecular weights of HA for the very best results. We are loving PCA Skin’s newest serum, Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum, which contains a proprietary blend of ingredients that encourage your skin to make its own HA. $115

Enhance Your Natural Glow With Makeup

One of the quickest ways to make your skin glow is by finishing your look with a luminescent highlighter or a hydrating setting spray. Swipe on a powder, cream or liquid highlighter to give your skin an instant glow. Set your makeup with a hydrating setting spray to keep your makeup from melting off, while increasing your skin’s glow. Look for product descriptors like cooling, dewy or luminous. These don’t do much for your skin overall, but they do enhance the look of dewiness. Be sure to let them set for a few minutes before applying more. You can go from dewey to space-glow really fast.

Milk Makeup and Glossier both have great products for simplifying your makeup routine and adding a little luster.

Here’s to Spring, we’re glad you’re here!

Injectables: The Real Real. Part 1 of 3: Dermal Fillers

Because there is a lot of folklore out there about Botox, Juvederm, Kybella, and others, let’s break down injectables by separating them into their respective categories and three sections since we get a lot of great questions about these!

1. Dermal Fillers
2. Neuromodulators
3. Kybella--a category of its own!

1. Dermal Fillers (commonly Restylane or Juvederm)

First, let’s talk about dermal fillers.

To demystify most of the folklore about fillers specifically, the Wikipedia entry of facts:

Dermal filler From Wikipedia
Injectable filler (injectable cosmetic filler, injectable facial filler) is a soft tissue filler injected into the skin to help fill in facial wrinkles, restoring a smoother appearance. Most of these wrinkle fillers are temporary because they are eventually absorbed by the body. Some people may need more than one injection to achieve the wrinkle-smoothing effect. The effect lasts for about six months or longer. Successful results depend on the health of the skin, skill of the health care provider, type of filler used.

In the US, fillers are approved as medical devices by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the injection is prescribed and performed by a healthcare provider. In Europe and the UK, fillers are non-prescription medical devices that can be injected by anyone licensed to do so by the respective medical authorities. They require a CE mark, which regulates adherence to production standards, but does not require any demonstration of medical efficacy. As a result, there are over 140 injectable fillers in the UK/European market and only six approved for use in the US.

What it is

There are several types of dermal filler that can be injected into the skin, providing a rejuvenating effect. At Advanced Aesthetics, Drs. Cynthia and Julie prefer hyaluronic acid (HA) based fillers because they are the safest to inject, have the fewest side effects, and can be easily reversed. There are many types of HA fillers and each has unique qualities. Some fillers are best used to lift the cheeks, while others are better for subtle and natural enhancement of the lips and correction of under eye hollowness. Fillers can stimulate your own collagen and improve skin texture. Most fillers will last 6-12 months, but some may last as long as 2 years.

Done with an expert hand, your face still moves and shows the courage, laughter, and spontaneity that makes you, you. When we see over-done work, it’s really a shame because it often has the reverse effect.

How it works

Dermal fillers, also known as "injectables" or "soft-tissue fillers," do just what their name suggests: they fill in the area under the skin.

• filling in wrinkles, fine lines, and deep creases
• increasing facial volume in the temples
• improving other imperfections like scars
• plimping earlobes so earrings hang better
• filling out thin or wrinkled lips
• plumping up cheeks
• contouring the jawline and other areas of the face
• changing the contour of the nose

How to Prepare for your procedure

Drs. Cynthia and Julie offer a 30-minute complimentary consultation, during which you can discuss treatment expectations, costs, risks, outline a treatment plan, as well as go over your health history. Although every precaution is taken, there is always a chance of bruising at the injection site. To reduce the risk of bruising, we recommend the following:

• A week before treatment, discontinue aspirin or ibuprofen and take Tylenol for pain relief instead.
• A week before treatment discontinue Fish oils and Omega complexes, vitamin E and St. Johns Wort-they are blood thinners.
• 48 hours before treatment, reduce or discontinue garlic and alcohol consumption.
• Take a dose of Arnica Montana, the homeopathic remedy, 24 hours before treatment.
• Be sure to tell your doctor about any medications you take. Medically necessary blood thinners should NOT be stopped. 

Bottom line? They’re safe and highly effective. It’s been proven that injectables have an anti-aging and preventative effect. That’s not to say you should start at age 19 getting treatments. Instead, it’s something to consider when there’s a feature that starts bothering you every day. And you don’t have to look like you’ve “had work done.” It’s the expert hand that matters most, not the juice. Lastly, yes, they’re on the expensive side but provide long-lasting results. There have been plenty of articles written about why bargain-shopping for injectables is a bad idea -- namely, they are often diluted or you are being used as a practice-client while the person builds up their skillset. Be cautious.

The reason LNAA invited Dr Cynthia Ruggero, Medical Director for Medical Aesthetics and Dr Julie Seaman, Medical Aesthetics, to join our Studio is because of their years of successful cosmetic and medical work in addition to their approach. Injectables offer our clients a long-lasting way to complement their focus on smooth, vibrant skin and offset some of the effects of aging in a way that supports their outlook and lifestyle.

If you’ve ever been curious about them or have questions you were afraid to ask, reach out to us.