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Laura Skin Care

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Category Archives: Facial

Facial Sculpting Tools – Hope or Hype?

   Facial  Jul 18, 2022  Comments Off on Facial Sculpting Tools – Hope or Hype?
Facial Sculpting Tools – Hope or Hype?

This season, facial sculpting tools continue to be the go-to for a toned, lifted, smooth and yes, youthful summer look.

Not only do these facial sculpting tools claim to calm and de-stress skin, they also claim to massage, tone, tighten and fight off aging effects.

Do these tools deliver everything they promise or are they too good to be true?

Gua Sha

The gua sha massage, also known as Chinese “scraping” therapy, involves using a handheld massager, typically made of stone. By performing just a few minutes of massaging, upward strokes on various areas of the face and neck each day, it claims to deliver the following benefits:

  • Improves circulation
  • Reduces stress
  • Reduces puffiness, swelling
  • Aids lymphatic drainage
  • Lifts, tones, sculpts skin on face and neck
  • Reduces appearance of fine lines and wrinkles

While the gua sha may help reduce stress, mildly improve circulation and reduce some forms of skin inflammation, lasting improvements to the skin tend to be short-term, especially if the massage is not performed frequently and consistently.

Anyone recovering from surgery, taking blood thinners or is at risk for blood clots should not use gua sha massage.

Jade Face Roller

The jade face roller is a handheld massager, which works by rubbing a jade stone over the face for massage.

Using upward strokes, the face roller can be used to massage your neck, jawline, entire face and smoothing forehead lines. Move each massaging stroke towards lymph nodes located under your ears and other areas of the face.

For more refreshing, cool the stone face roller in the fridge before use.

The jade face rollers claims to deliver benefits such as:

  • Eliminates puffy skin
  • Increases circulation
  • Drains lymph nodes
  • Lifts and sculpts contours of the face and neck
  • Decreases appearance of wrinkles
  • Stimulates collagen
  • Tightens pores
  • Reduces skin inflammation

The truth is, any kind of facial massage will improve circulation, because it stimulates the tissues under the skin.

Positive results from a jade roller may feel great but are usually temporary.

The only way to truly stimulate collagen is with retinoids, laser treatments or acid peels, which cause the trauma to skin needed to activate more collagen production.

Face Massager with Heat and Vibration

A face massager uses the power of vibration and heat to give you a relaxing facial and neck massage. You can use a face massager on other areas of the body like backs of hands or other sore muscles in your arms or legs.

Benefits:

  • Stimulates collagen production
  • Reduces look of fine lines and wrinkles
  • Smooths skin
  • Skin more receptive to absorbing skincare products
  • Reduces tension in the face muscles
  • Decreases puffiness
  • Improves blood circulation
  • Aids in lymphatic drainage

While these benefits sound great, once again, it may feel good in the moment, but results are temporary.

Conclusion

Unless using facial sculpting tools are used incorrectly or not disinfected, there isn’t harm in using them. Truthfully, they are all more of relaxing, self-indulgences than long-term skincare solutions.

For professional long-term solutions, call Laura Skincare in Petaluma for organic products, facials and an individualized skincare routine that delivers noticeable results.

Understanding and Treating Hyperpigmentation

   Facial  May 09, 2022  Comments Off on Understanding and Treating Hyperpigmentation
Understanding and Treating Hyperpigmentation

Hyperpigmentation by definition is a common issue in which darker patches of skin appear in and around surrounding skin. It’s caused by underlying skin cells that overproduce the melanin pigment.

While cells produce melanin to protect skin from the harmful effects of damaging UV rays, too much melanin sometimes results in uneven, darker patches of skin.

Hyperpigmentation shows up in the form of freckles, age spots or acne scars. It can manifest anywhere on the body, but typically appears on the torso, hands and especially the face.

If you want to get rid of a blotchy, uneven skin tone, read on to find out the causes and treatments for this condition.

Why You Have Hyperpigmentation

Hyperpigmentation is caused by the overproduction of melanin, which is a pigment responsible for the color of our skin. Typically, it’s a harmless condition and affects anyone of any age or skin color.

Various causes for onset or worsening of hyperpigmentation include:

  • Overexposure to sun
  • Heredity
  • Aging
  • Medications
  • Acne scarring
  • Pregnancy or other hormonal changes

Types of Hyperpigmentation

The most common types of hyperpigmentation are:

Sunspots

Results from overexposure to the sun in the form of freckles, solar lentigines (age, liver spots) primarily on the face and hands.

Overexposure to the sun or tanning is hyperpigmentation in action. While a tan looks healthy, it’s actually sun damage and your skin responds by overproducing melanin for protection. A tan may look great until you start seeing patchy, muddled areas of darker-colored skin.

Post-Inflammatory

Changes in skin pigment resulting from skin trauma or inflammation (such as acne).

Melasma

This type of hyperpigmentation is caused by hormonal changes; there are varying degrees of melasma.

As you get older, you may have more of an issue with hyperpigmentation. This is because as you age, melanin tends to pool together to form age spots. As the skin (especially on the face and hands) loses hydration and thins, it’s easier for dark patches of skin to form and become more obvious.

Treatments for Hyperpigmentation

Now that you know what hyperpigmentation is and possible causes for why you have it, let’s look into the treatment options to restore your skin back to an even tone.

Skin Bleaching/Lightening

For very mild cases of hyperpigmentation, there are many over-the-counter products available to help lighten the skin. It’s important to follow directions to the letter to avoid poor results, harm or damage to your skin.

The main ingredients most commonly found to lighten skin are those containing hydroquinone, kojic acid, vitamin B-3, C or natural extracts like licorice or mulberry.

Vitamin C, a strong antioxidant in the fight against free radicals, not only slows down melanin production but also gives you a brighter complexion and firmer skin as it boosts collagen production.

Retinoids

When thinking retinoids, retinol is what most likely comes to mind. All retinoids are derivatives of vitamin A.

Over time with consistent use, retinoids penetrate deeper into skin layers, increasing the skin cell turnover rate which reveals new, more evenly toned skin underneath.

Because they increase skin sensitivity, retinoids are best used in the evening to avoid sun exposure. It’s also recommended to use a high SPF cream before heading outdoors in the morning.

Retinoids can cause inflammation, dryness and peeling of the skin so use according to directions. Pregnant or lactating women should never use a retinoid without first checking with a doctor.

Skin Peels

Skin peels should be performed by a licensed professional and according to your skin type and condition.

By using skin-healthy acids, peels work by removing damaged skin layers to reveal healthier, more evenly toned skin underneath.

It’s important to see an expert for any type of peel to prevent permanent damage and trauma to the skin such as burning, redness and even scarring, especially for those with sensitive skin.

LED Treatment

Another non-invasive treatment that produces great results is to treat the affected area with LED light.

Also known as a “photo facial,” LED treatment has been shown not only to lighten dark skin patches, but also to stimulate collagen production for firmer skin. As an extra bonus, LED light treatments also help minimize the appearance of large pores and fine lines.

For maximum results, treatment by an esthetician is recommended.

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is an effective treatment method which involves a thorough, non-invasive exfoliation of dull surface layer skin to expose more evenly toned skin underneath.

This procedure requires the attention of an expert to not only deliver maximum results but prevent any potential skin damage.

Conclusion

Whether too much sun, aging or your genes are responsible for hyperpigmentation, treatment can restore your skin and boost your self-esteem.

In Petaluma, call on the skincare professionals at Laura Skincare to treat all your hyperpigmentation concerns and conditions. For the best results, we offer facials, microdermabrasion, peels and LED treatments to help restore your natural, even skin tone.

Tips for Stimulating Collagen

   Facial  Mar 09, 2022  Comments Off on Tips for Stimulating Collagen
Tips for Stimulating Collagen

As you may already know, one of the keys for youthful looking skin is collagen. Collagen is a fibrous protein found in your tissues, bones, muscles, blood vessels and skin. It’s like the glue that keeps your skin lifted and taut.

As time goes by, collagen production decreases which is why at a certain age, you notice your skin begin to become loose, wrinkle and sag.

The good news is that there are things you can do to stimulate and boost collagen production in your skin.

Add Supplements

Ideally, getting all those good nutrients and vitamins to feed your skin comes from a healthy diet. But even with the best of intentions, we sometimes give in to cravings or eat foods that aren’t the best choices for our skin.

This is where supplementing your diet with skin-loving vitamins comes in. For a boost in collagen production, add these vitamins to your diet and daily routine.

Vitamin C

This vitamin is a powerful antioxidant that strengthens the immunity system, heals wounds, is good for your bones and teeth and more. It is also one of the best vitamins you can take to help promote collagen production.

Vitamin E

This vitamin helps repair and restore skin. When coupled with vitamin C, it helps fight off the negative effects of UV sun damage to the skin, which is important in preserving collagen.

Together, they make excellent partners to boost collagen production.

Collagen Supplements

Whether you take collagen supplements as a daily supplement in pill form or you mix collagen powder with water, tea, juice or in your favorite yogurt or smoothie, it gives your healthy beverage or snack an added collagen boost.

Collagen Tea, White or Green Tea

High in collagen-boosting antioxidants, tea is a healthy way to work magic on your skin. The high antioxidant levels in tea fight off free radical damage, which is responsible for dull, tired-looking and aging skin.

There’s nothing more relaxing or indulgent than a steaming cup of tea which not only tastes delicious but is excellent for ramping up collagen levels.

Skincare Routine

A healthy skincare routine starts with clean skin.

In the morning, wash your face and don’t forget to apply sunscreen. Whether you apply sunscreen before applying makeup, or using a foundation with sunscreen mixed in, keeping skin protected from UV rays (even on cloudy days) helps prevent the premature breakdown of collagen and the onset of fine lines and wrinkles.

At night, follow these tips:

  • Thoroughly wash face to remove all dirt and makeup
  • Exfoliate to remove dead skin cells
  • Apply a gentle retinol or hyaluronic acid cream
  • Top off with a night cream

Facials

Giving your skin a simple massage while applying facial creams at night is a little extra step that stimulates blood flow, helps remove toxins and built up fluid in the skin and just feels good.

However, treating yourself to a professional facial is another way to really jumpstart collagen production.

Skin literally drinks in all the vitamin-rich, organic ingredients in the salon quality products applied during and after a facial. You will really be able to see and feel the difference in the appearance of your skin.

Professional facials use several different methods to boost collagen production in the skin. They include:

  • Exfoliation / Microdermabrasion
  • Acupressure
  • LED light treatments
  • Facial peels

Conclusion

In Petaluma, let the experts in skin firming and regeneration at Laura Skincare help boost collagen in your skin.