Many clients tend to over-exfoliate their skin in hopes of sloughing off dead cells and achieving a fresh and renewed complexion. This belief is a misconception; the skin is a very efficient organ and does not require daily exfoliation. Exfoliating daily can strip the skin of its natural oils, which may cause breakouts. Read More

Everyone has seen the commercials on television with a fresh-faced, young model lathering up her skin with a luxurious, white foamy cleanser. As she smiles, the narrator says, "Your skin's not clean unless it's squeaky clean!" The problem with this statement is not only that it is not necessarily true, but also that it has led to an epidemic of over-cleansing. Read More

Clients often wonder whether it is better to use a sunscreen or a two-in-one product that combines the properties of both a moisturizer and a sunscreen. Furthermore, is it even safe to use a sunscreen daily, year round? A sunscreen's basic function is to prevent sunburns. A moisturizer brings hydration and comfort to the skin and, if makeup is worn, it can serve as a primer. High-end moisturizers also have nutrients, antioxidants, and corrective ingredients that help to achieve results such as reducing signs of aging, pigmentation, or acne.  Read More

There are many benefits of vitamin E, including that it can be helpful in treating and preventing heart and blood vessel diseases, such as hardening of the arteries; diabetes; brain and nervous system diseases; and nerve and muscle disorders. Furthermore, immunity levels can improve when vitamin E is consumed on a regular basis. An important benefit of vitamin E is that it reduces cholesterol and the risk of developing cancer. Read More

Clients with oily skin constantly fight the battle of reducing the shiny- and greasy-looking appearance of their skin. This skin type often shudders at the thought of putting an emollient on their skin for fear of increasing the oily and slick look they are trying to diminish. However, oily skin still needs to be moisturized. Oily skin is characterized by having excess oil or sebum. The purpose of sebum is to support the skin's acid mantle and help create a barrier to prevent moisture loss from the skin. It does not, however, provide moisture to the cells, helping only to lock it in. Read More

Young girls are often told by their mothers, grandmothers, and sometimes even a skin care professional that shaving will cause their hair to grow back thicker and darker. Is there any truth behind this belief or is it just an old wives tale? If this statement were true, anyone who has ever suffered from balding would be shaving their heads religiously, expecting the regrowth to solve all of their problems. On the other end of the spectrum, any client who has been shaving for years would be covered with a tremendous amount of thick hair. Read More

Try as they might, there are often times when even the most brilliant, well-funded product developers get a run for their money by inexpensive, food-based products. Hair masks are an example of this conundrum. A stroll through any well-stocked hair aisle will provide dozens of masks promising shine, bounce, health, and manageability of even the most bleached-out, porous hair. Many of those products actually do what they say they will. Read More

Dark circles are common at all ages, even in children. For some, they are permanent; for others, they vary based on lifestyle or medical conditions. While they are not a health concern in most cases, it helps to identify causes or aggravators; usually, lifestyle changes, combined with adapted skin care, will improve the condition. When the skin has an abundance of melanin around the eyes, it appears darker. Read More

Pimples happen to the best of us. No matter how diligent clients are with their cleansing routine, every now and then a pore can become blocked and an uninvited guest takes up residence on the face. Read More