Archives February 2016

When I was a child, I was told like most other people how a high sugar diet could contribute to acne problems. There are also many other ways in which a person’s diet can affect their skin, and unfortunately it can be hard to pay attention to this fact when everything tastes so good!

Sugar doesn’t just contribute to acne, but it also contributes to skin blemishes and other skin tone imperfections. Starches and sugars are causing rapid rises in blood sugar and that spikes cause the inflammation. A lot of people forget about simple carbohydrates and starches, they think about white breads, pastas, and potatoes but the body metabolizes these foods into sugar almost immediately, which causes your blood sugar to rise.

Gluten is another ingredient in many food items that can affect people’s skin and cause other health issues as well.

Naturally, eating the right healthy foods is going to affect your skin in positive ways, and it’s just as important to know what foods those are as it is to know which ones to avoid.

Alcohol causes redness, dehydration and fine lines look worsen. It affects the liver, which helps the body rid itself of toxins. This can cause the skin to look grey and dry. Other symptoms include: redness between the eyes, droopy eyelids and a dehydrated complexion. Alcohol is also known to create a ruddy appearance on the cheeks and nose due to increased inflammation.

You also want to avoid processed foods as much as possible, which means you should be eating whole foods, organic foods even, and cook whenever possible. Start with breakfast, and make a healthy and nutritious breakfast without all the gluten that cereal contains.

Dairy products can be good for your skin, but not if you’re lactose intolerant or your body doesn’t digest these types of foods well enough. Dairy signs on your skin includes: puffy complexion, dark circles, spots. If you feel bloated or slightly nauseous the next time you drink a glass of milk that might be because of inflammation. Later that leads to puffiness, bags under the eyes and dark circles. Not even mentioning the hormones and chemicals contained in dairy products. They can upset your  hormonal balance too, causing skin cell reproduction to go haywire ?

Remember to pay just as much attention to helpful foods like blueberries, strawberries and other whole fruits and vegetables. Eat the right foods, and you’ll notice a huge difference in the way your skin looks each day.

For more info about skin care treatments visit our website at www.laestetica.co or call us at 415 787 2772

SPF- wear it on not?

As an Esthetician I can assure you that you will regret in 20 years from now for not having worn sunscreen when you look at your skin compared to friends and family who have worn daily sunscreen.

Top five reasons you should wear sunscreen:

1. The ozone layer is depleting and our body needs shielding from harmful rays.
2. Skin cancer rates are on the rise and sunscreen has been proven to decrease the development of skin cancer.
3. It helps to prevent skin discolorations.
4. It helps to reduce the appearance of facial red veins and blotchiness.
5. It slows down the premature skin aging and wrinkles.

What about the need for obtaining vitamin D via the sun?

Most people can meet vitamin D requirements of 600 IU per day with daily 30 minutes outdoor activities, twice per week. Same result they can achieve by eating vitamin D rich diet of fish, milk, dairy, liver, eggs or taking vitamin D supplement. So prolonged sun exposure gives no extra benefits of Vitamin D production.

Medications, that increase risks of sun burns and damage.

There are many medications which may make the skin extra susceptible to sun. These include: anti-inflammatory, cardiovascular and acne medications.:

• Doxycycline and Minocycline used in the treatment of acne
• Accutane
• Topical acne products, such as vitamin A (Yes! your Retin A from Doctor office!)
• Benzoyl Peroxide.

Are there any natural sunscreen?

Yes. The newest sunscreens are formulated with either tinted mineralized zinc oxide or titanium dioxide that can bronze the skin or matched to skin color.

Are there any natural spray-on sunscreens?

Yes, Spray-on sunscreen are great for people who don’t like the feel of lotion on their hands or face. Great spray sunscreen to try is a Cosmedix Reflect.

Do I need to reapply SPF every 2 hours?

Yes. Most of the SPF stop working after 2 hours. If you plan to spend ore time outside then you need to reapply it after 2 hours.

For more info about skin care treatments visit our website at www.laestetica.co or call us at 415 787 2772

If you have cellulite on your legs or midsection, you are not alone. There are many people, primarily women, who have found these unsightly types of fat dominating certain areas of their body, leaving them feeling uncomfortable in certain clothing or even being intimate with their life partner.

Shedding cellulite is not the same as exercising fat away, and it is quite the challenge to get rid of it. In fact, depending upon how bad yours is, you may want to consider visiting a cosmetic specialist who may be able to assist you in diminishing the appearance of cellulite on your body.

One of the proactive steps that you must take when it comes to reducing the cellulite that you have is to detoxify your body. Most people today have a strong need for cleansing, even if they do not realize it. This is why you need to investigate a comprehensive detoxification plan that will address all of the systems of your body related to detoxification.

A good cleanse will begin with your bowels and your urinary tract. If you are having difficulties eliminating food in these manners, you could have an excessive amount of toxins lurking inside of you. The bowels are often overlooked though they are vital to good health. If you do not consume adequate fiber to keep your intestines thoroughly flushed out, then you will begin to accumulate fecal matter in the folds of your intestine walls. Left unattended and untreated, the amount of fecal matter will continue to rise. At the same time, this putrid material will begin to become toxic, leaving your sensitive intestine walls to filter these harsh substances back into your body, where you may experience a variety of pains and other discomforts associated with it, including the accumulation of cellulite.

For more info about internal detoxification programs and detox body wraps visit www.laestetica.co or call 415 787 2772

Fad diets and health fads come and go but one that has stood the test of time is the benefits of drinking lemon water. For many years proponents of drinking fresh lemon juice with pure, warm water have claimed that those taking regular doses of this mixture enjoy some amazing health benefits.

Lemons are filled to the brim with Vitamins. C, B-complex vitamins, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, and fiber. (Fun fact: they contain more potassium than apples or grapes!). So a regular glass of water with lemon juice helps to keep the bodies vitamin C levels topped up – which is great news for those who suffer during cold and flu season. Secondly warm lemon water is said to aid in digestion – making it the perfect drink to accompany morning cereal.

Just remember that lemon juice can be hard on the enamel of your teeth so it’s important to dilute it with water of any temperature. Drink it first thing in the morning, and wait 15 to 30 minutes to have breakfast to receive full benefits.

Lemons are also very detoxifying. They help digestion system to eliminate toxins from the body thanks to pectin fiber. Aside from aiding in digestion a warm lemon juice and water drink can also help reduce inflammation of joints which makes it a favorite with those who may suffer from arthritis or similar conditions.

Those who enjoy the drink also claim that it has almost miraculous effects on the skin – keeping it elastic and helping to maintain a youthful appearance free of blemishes. It also helps maintain the health of the eyes and can assist in fighting eye problems.

The ideal mixture should use one teaspoon of fresh lemon juice in a medium sized glass

For more info about body detoxification program visit our website at www.laestetica.co or call us at 415 787 2772

Today, there are many products on the market that promote anti-aging benefits of the ingredients. The one thing that you need to remember is that price does not always reflect quality, and you want to be certain that the things you choose to use in your skincare routine are made with quality ingredients that have benefits to your skin.

Perhaps one of the most exciting ingredients to hit the market lately is hyaluronic acid. If you purchase a serum that contains hyaluronic acid and a minimal of other ingredients, you are sure to be pleased with the results you will see on your face, neck and decolltage.

The way that hyaluronic acid works to help improve the appearance of your skin is through attracting water to plump up and fill in your fine lines and wrinkles. The products that are made with this powerful ingredient may also minimize the appearance of your pores.

It does not take very much of the serum to have dramatic effects on your appearance. Best used just after washing your face, you can apply a small amount to the areas of your skin that you are most concerned about, such as crows feet and laugh lines. You should let it dry entirely prior to proceeding with your skin care and makeup routine for the day.

The hyaluronic acid can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water. This attraction to water is why the serum is so effective at eliminating the appearance of fine lines, and reducing the harshness of those that are deeper.

If you want a fantastic addition to your routine that will allow you to look younger without having to undergo surgery or other invasive procedures, then a hyaluronic acid serum is the best choice.

For more info about skin care treatments visit our website at www.laestetica.co or call us at 415 787 2772