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Category Archives: Skin Care

How Cortisol Affects Your Skin

   Skin Care  Sep 06, 2018  Comments Off on How Cortisol Affects Your Skin
How Cortisol Affects Your Skin

Did you know that even on a good day stress shows on your skin? Cortisol, the hormone your body produces in response to stress, has a number of detrimental effects on your body and skin and has been aptly named the “death hormone.” Skin irritation, wrinkles and loss of collagen are just a few of the effects that cortisol has on your skin. Since cortisol increases over time (older people have more than younger), it goes hand in hand with normal aging and can speed up your aging process.

How Cortisol Affects Your Skin

Cortisol: the stress hormone

Your body produces cortisol in response to stress as it helps your body functions to remain stable under acute stress. There is nothing wrong with cortisol when it functions like it should, since it should peak and then dissipate quickly. However, the problem comes when your cortisol level stays heightened. Prolonged periods of stress can keep your body producing cortisol far longer than it should. When this happens, it will destroy your immune system, shrink your brain cells, decrease muscle mass and damage your skin.

Acne

Cortisol can cause acne or aggravate existing acne by triggering the production of sebum. Sebum is the oil that your skin naturally produces which can build up and clog your pores, causing breakouts. Cortisol kicks sebum production into overdrive which will cause breakouts.

Skin conditions

Psoriasis, eczema and rosacea are all affected by cortisol. If you have any of these skin conditions, you know that being stressed will make them worse. Heightened levels of cortisol cause these issues to flare up.

Aging

Younger people have the same amount of cortisol as older people, but studies show that cortisol levels do not stay elevated as long in younger people as they do in older. Cortisol causes skin to thin which makes blood vessels more prominent. Loss of collagen also causes sagging skin and wrinkles.

What you can do

The best thing you can do is, of course, reduce your stress levels. However, if you can’t reduce your stress level there are still some things you can do to support your skin.

  • Drink water
  • Get enough sleep
  • Stick to a skin regimen (cleanse, moisturize, sunblock)
  • Consider skin treatments to reverse existing damage

Keep your skin hydrated from inside and out by drinking plenty of water and using a moisturizer appropriate for your skin. Get enough sleep so your skin has time to regenerate and heal itself overnight. Finding a proper skin regimen is key to support your skin through stressful times. Never forget sunblock since sun exposure also speeds the aging process. You can also use skin treatments like chemical peels, microneedling or facials to reverse any existing damage from stress that you already have.

Feel free to speak to your licensed esthetician in Petaluma, CA about your personal skin concerns.

How to Care for Your Skin When You’re in a Hurry

   Skin Care  Sep 01, 2018  Comments Off on How to Care for Your Skin When You’re in a Hurry
How to Care for Your Skin When You’re in a Hurry

It’s a question I receive often: How do I care for my skin when I just can’t find the time for a multi-step regime? We lead busy lives and often our skincare is the last thing on our minds when we finally get to relax at the end of the day.

Luckily, there are only three steps that need to be taken each day to provide the proper care for your skin- cleansing, moisturizing and sun protection.

Let’s take a moment to go over these and explain how you can add them into your daily routine without hassle so you and your skin can benefit from proper care.

How to Care for Your Skin When You’re in a Hurry

Cleansing

The method and product you choose should always be tailored to your specific skin type. While cleansing wipes are popular, they sometimes leave a thin film on the surface of your skin, which can not only lead to breakouts but can potentially lessen the efficiency of creams or treatments that you use. Micellar water is growing in popularity as it allows fast and easy cleansing of the skin and makeup removal without the concern just mentioned. These cleansers are great for a fast and easy way to clean and refresh your skin; just wipe and go.

Moisturize

Every skin type benefits from moisturizing. Beyond the cosmetic benefits of anti-aging, proper moisture balance protects your skin’s natural barrier. When you’re in a hurry you might be tempted to skip this step if moisturizer makes your skin oily or applying makeup difficult. Luckily skin-care companies are changing formulas to provide fast-absorbing moisturizers that don’t leave an oily coating. Cosmetic companies now produce many face creams that combat oil production, as listed in this Allure article. If you are searching for a simpler approach, the oil in skincare revolution has lead to the creation of many dry-oil formulas that hydrate without the oily sheen.

Sunscreen

We know that limiting sun exposure is one of the easiest and most beneficial things we can do for our faces, but if traditional sunscreen makes your skin break out or just doesn’t work under makeup, it’s another vital part of your skincare routine you might skip. BB Creams often combine moisture, sunscreen and makeup. If you would like a little more coverage, many foundations and face powders contain sunscreen, so you can combine these two steps and save time without sacrificing coverage. Just like regular sunscreen, you do have to reapply after time. Always remember that not all sunscreen is created equal. If you choose this route, be sure to pick a product with broad-spectrum coverage.

By choosing a cleanser that’s easy to use and using products that do double-duty, you can properly care for your skin without stressing your schedule.

 

Mottled Skin Causes And Treatment Options

   Skin Care  Aug 24, 2018  Comments Off on Mottled Skin Causes And Treatment Options
Mottled Skin Causes And Treatment Options

When your skin takes on a patchy or red and brown spotty areas it is called skin Mottling. Over time these areas can become dark brown or even purple. Although it looks like it would be painful or discomforting, the affected areas are painless. It does cause mental pain as people deal with issues of self consciousness or embarrassment.

Mottled Skin Causes And Treatment Options

What Causes Skin Mottling?

Mottled skin is when the blood vessels that are close to the surface of your skin become more visible. The lighter your skin the more noticeable it can become. Mottled skin can be a sign of medical conditions such as blood disorders or heart disease. It also could be nothing more than a sign of age or excessive exposure to the sun. So see a doctor. Once your health is in order then you can make a plan for treating the condition.

Treatment and Prevention

For many people, the affected areas can be treated with regular applications of topical lotions and creams. If you are a person with fair skin and at risk of mottled skin, it is recommended that you wear protective clothing in any situation where you might find yourself in temperature extremes of hot or cold.

Thankfully, most mottled skin conditions are reversible once the cause has been identified.

Anyone with mottled skin seeking some temporary relief can warm the affected areas. The heat will open the blood vessels providing short term relief.

Chemical peeling is another method of treatment that helps improve discolored skin. These exfoliation treatments remove damaged layers of skin allowing new skin to take the place of the old damaged skin.

In more extreme cases where topical treatments or peels do not clear it up, patients can seek other treatments such as laser therapy. Laser resurfacing is a chemical free treatment but can be combined with a chemical peel in some cases.

Lastly, photo-rejuvenation is a treatment that uses powerful light pulses to deeply penetrate the layers of the patient’s skin and improves its overall appearance.

Feel free to discuss mottled skin with your licensed esthetician for treatment options and skin care advice.