8 min read
With the vast array of high-tech ingredients and the plethora of skin care brands from which to select, it is easy to be overwhelmed by all the choices. Lately skin care formulations are looking more like a supermarket or health food store. The spa market has clearly embraced formulations that are based upon food ingredients or nutraceuticals. Alongside all of these products remain the AHAs that have revolutionized the aesthetic industry in terms of the treatments and results they can offer. Recent advances in molecular biology have led to a better understanding of how the cells work and the development of skin care that contains topical ingredients such as peptides, stem cells and growth factors. Read More
- Published in Aging
10 min read
We are constantly in search of the elusive "Fountain of Youth" and the answer to a common question: what causes the skin to age? While we have yet to find the one magic antidote or fix-all, today we have more insight into what ages our skin and it goes beyond skin deep. There are two primary culprits of skin aging, intrinsic and extrinsic agers. Intrinsic refers to the internal, less controllable factors – namely our genetic programming and physiological decline. Extrinsic are the external, controllable factors such as sun exposure, smoking, sleep, diet and stress, lifestyle factors and choices. Read More
- Published in Aging
9 min read
Everyone’s skin ages in its own unique way. Much of the inevitable part of facial aging is driven by a person’s DNA and is considered intrinsic. Fortunately, 85 percent of the visible signs of aging can be directly attributed to extrinsic causes that are preventable, and can often be corrected, even if the damage has already been done. Making informed decisions about sun exposure, diet, exercise, smoking, and regular use of skin care products is key to staving off skin aging. Knowing the primary offenders and learning the best ways to protect you and your patients puts healthy, younger-looking skin within reach. Read More
- Published in Aging
8 min read
They are the chemical messengers that control nearly every aspect of the human body. Without hormones, growth and development, metabolism, reproduction, mood control, digestion and other necessary functions would not be possible.Small changes in hormones can cause big changes within the bodyand the skin. Hormonally induced skin conditions, like acne and melasmacan be frustrating, asfluctuations in hormones are unpredictable and often not easily detected, even with medical testing. Knowing the pivotal times in life when hormonal fluctuations are most likely to occur and becoming familiar with the skin conditions influenced by hormonal changes are crucial to successfully controlling hormonally induced skin concerns. Read More
- Published in Aging
7 min read
So much emphasis in our industry and society is placed on rejuvenating the face. After all, it is our calling card. But what about the rest of the body? Our hands and lips are the most active parts of our bodies and along with the chest and neck areas, the most exposed to the sun and other environmental aggressors. Yet these areas of skin don't receive near as much time and attention as the face does. Fortunately, new, non-invasive rejuvenating treatments targeting these often-neglected areas are emerging in growing numbers and presenting skin care professionals with new opportunities to expand their service menus and their bottom line. Read More
- Published in Aging
10 min read
As Americans of the 21st century, we sometimes beat ourselves up for our youth-obsession. More traditional cultures, we remind ourselves, honor elders. We berate ourselves for being shallow and vain as we fret over the evidence of the passing years. But, really… even the Confucian sages of ancient China were full of praise for the “Yin” of very young women, commenting that this essential quality dissipated quickly as the woman moved out of her teens; and so on. The fact is, the only people who ever want to look older are tweens and teens, who just want to hang out in cool nightclubs and other places grown-ups go. Read More
- Published in Aging
16 min read
Everyone wants to maintain their youthful appearance. Everyone wants smooth skin. No one wants wrinkles and sagging. But let’s face it: aging is inevitable. There are no true anti-aging products or treatments out there. We all age, whether slow or fast, and eventually we all start to show our maturity in our skin. One thing we can do though is age healthily. We can monitor what we put on our skin, in our bodies, in our mind, etc… I have broken down healthy aging into four groups: in your body, on your body, emotional, and activity. Simply, you can slow down the aging process if you eat right, exercise, stay away from certain elements, and even have the right attitude. Read More
- Published in Aging
7 min read
Not a single one of the Webster’s definitions seems all that flattering, especially when relating to my skin, and most certainly not when relating to the skin on my face! However, it is what it is, and mature is mature, whatever that means! OK, let’s get serious and talk about “mature” skin. For the purpose of this article, I am going to refer to relating to, or being an older adult, as mature. Of course we can now ponder over exactly what does “older adult” mean. For simplicities sake, our clients easily classify themselves as “older,” and are generally quite quick to refer to their own skin as “mature.” Read More
- Published in Aging
12 min read
Gaining a New Perspective Both modern medicine and spa services have tended to be symptom-based in their approach to disease. Symptom-based approaches are short-term fixes that don’t affect the cause, or necessarily the recurrence, of the problem. If instead you develop an understanding of the underlying mechanisms of disease, and tune your perspective to eliminating them or protecting the body from them, you have turned a corner and are taking your services to an entirely new level. Read More
- Published in Aging
9 min read
As industry professionals we can see our treatments make a difference. However, there were so many times when I was performing treatments that I wished I could show the client solid facts that showed a difference. With the fight against aging showing no signs of slowing down and increased interest in non-invasive aesthetic procedures, skin care professionals are looking for new technologies to satisfy their clients and stay competitive in the industry. Read More
- Published in Aging
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In today’s beauty landscape, clients want youthful, healthy skin and a firm, toned body without compromising long-term health. Amid an
