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Laura Skin Care

Phone: 707-295-8905

 

Category Archives: Skin Care

Crepey Skin Fixes

   Skin Care  Feb 19, 2023  Comments Off on Crepey Skin Fixes
Crepey Skin Fixes

Yet another sign of aging is the appearance of crepey skin. A different look from that of good old-fashioned wrinkles, crepey skin takes on a thin, crinkled, crepe papery texture and appearance.

Read on to find out what causes crepey skin and how to tame it.

What Causes Crepey Skin

Crepey skin, much like wrinkles, is caused by a variety of things:

  • UV Sun Damage
  • Environmental Toxins / Smoking
  • Genetics
  • Age
  • Dry Skin
  • Lack of Sleep
  • Poor Diet
  • Extreme Weight Gain/Loss
  • Stress/High Cortisol Levels
  • Medications
  • Alcohol

The biggest reason for crepey skin is UV damage from the sun or UV radiation from tanning beds.

Harmful UV rays damage the skin by breaking down elastin, which along with collagen, are the proteins that build underlying connective tissue and keep skin firm.

While natural aging, genetics and all the other causes listed certainly contribute to the onset of crepey skin, UV sun damage over time is the primary cause.

Prime Areas for Crepey Skin

The first areas of the body where crepey skin is notorious for showing up is on the underside of the arms (along with sagging skin commonly referred to as “bat wings”) and legs.

Other prime target areas crepey skin appears is on the neck, face, and backs of hands.

The more skin is exposed to UV rays, the higher the risk for developing crepey skin.

Fighting Back Against Crepey Skin

Because crepey skin is the result of elastin and collagen loss, it needs consistent treatment to improve skin texture and appearance.

Without fillers or surgical intervention, here are some things you can do to fight back against crepey skin.

Sunscreen

You’ve heard it a million times, but sunscreen is one of the most important weapons you can use to combat crepey skin.

Choose a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more. Apply frequently and generously on sunny and cloudy days.

Hydrate

Dry skin is basically an invitation for fine lines, wrinkles and crepey skin to form on your skin.

It’s important to keep skin clean as well as moisturized and hydrated.

Use a rich moisturizing sunscreen before heading outdoors for the day.

At night, reach for a retinol-based product to stimulate collagen production and skin cell turnover. To avoid flakiness, follow up by applying hyaluronic acid which locks in moisture to keep skin plump and hydrated.

Nutrition

Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet is always the goal but not always the reality.

Supplement your diet with skin friendly vitamins A, C, D and E, along with Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil).

Sleep

Getting enough sleep each night not only keeps you alert and functioning at your best each day, but the extra z’s help keep crepey skin and wrinkles away as skin regenerates each night.

Exercise

Getting enough exercise is not only good for your heart and overall health, but it also reduces stress and yes, helps improve the appearance of skin.

Increased blood flow and circulation gives you a healthier glow.

Wrap Up

Crepey skin may be an inevitable sign of what’s to come in the golden years, but until then, there are ways you can keep your skin looking firm and smooth.

For a consultation with professional estheticians who can help make a noticeable difference in the appearance of your skin, call Laura Skincare in Petaluma today.

 

The Benefits of Massaging Skin

   Skin Care  Jan 21, 2023  Comments Off on The Benefits of Massaging Skin
The Benefits of Massaging Skin

There’s nothing more relaxing than a facial massage. But did you know that there are more benefits to performing even minimal face massage than simply feeling good?

Here are some of the benefits of massaging your skin.

Stress Buster

Stress puts a strain on your entire body from your immune system to your skin. A lot of times, stress shows up on the skin, resulting in fine lines, wrinkles and those annoying “eleven” lines between the eyebrows.

A simple facial massage performed each morning and night while cleaning your skin can make a world of difference. This eases tension in the face muscles and tissues, relaxing you and reducing the amount of the body’s natural stress response hormone, cortisol. Massage signals the brain to release endorphins, which work to calm cortisol levels.

You’ll notice a difference in the appearance of dark spots, circles under the eyes, enlarged pores and fine lines.

Boosts Skin Regeneration

When cortisol levels are reduced and you’re relaxed, the body can go to work to regenerate the skin.

With an increased ability to regenerate skin at night while at rest, the better your skin bounces back from scarring, dullness, sagging and wrinkles.

Circulation Booster

Massage stimulates blood vessels and helps expel fluid retained in the lymphatic system.

When blood flow and circulation improves, veins and capillaries under the skin receive more blood, ramping up their ability to remove toxins.

These toxins are flushed out and eventually make their way to the kidneys, where they are eliminated.

Drinking more water along with your massage makes this flushing process even more effective.

Helps Lymphatic Drainage

Massage helps reduce toxin buildup in the skin. As the toxins flush away, you’ll notice an improvement in your skin tone and texture.

Effective lymphatic drainage achieved through massage also helps reduce puffiness, dark circles under the eyes and brightens your overall complexion.

An added bonus is that massage stimulates the production of collagen, which is the key protein responsible for skin elasticity and firmness.

Wrap Up

Overall, massage has been shown to reduce tension, combat anxiety, and improve both sleep and focus. We all know that when you feel better, it shows up on your skin and in your life.

For your skin, it can transform from dull and dry to noticeably healthier and glowing.

To get started, schedule a rejuvenating facial massage appointment with the skincare experts at Laura Skincare in Petaluma.

 

Defining Skin Cosmeceuticals

   Skin Care  Jan 09, 2023  Comments Off on Defining Skin Cosmeceuticals
Defining Skin Cosmeceuticals

Although the term has been around for a while, it may be new to you.

Cosmeceuticals is a name coined to describe products that are part of the ever-evolving beauty industry to address skincare problems and concerns.

Read on to learn how cosmeceuticals differ from cosmetics.

Cosmetics vs. Cosmeceuticals

Cosmetics

Cosmetics, commonly referred to as make up, are used to make the outer or surface layer of skin look less flawed and more beautiful.

These products act as a mask or shield used on the skin surface to hide imperfections such as acne or rosacea.

The positive results of using cosmetics are immediate. While skin might look great temporarily, cosmetics don’t do much to address the deeper, internal skin issue.

Cosmeceuticals

On the other hand, cosmeceuticals are formulated to address these bigger skin issues. It’s a blending of both cosmetics and ingredients specifically designed to address and heal skin problems.

There is a lot of science and research that goes into cosmeceutical formulas to make them effective. Whether using a cream, cleansing, toning or serum formula, the products are designed to penetrate into and heal deeper layers of the skin.

Cosmeceuticals work slowly but over time, are designed to give a more lasting, permanent solution to correct skin issues from the inside out.

Cosmeceuticals address skin problems such as acne, rosacea, pigmentation, sun damage, large pores, dry or oily skin and other skin concerns.

FDA Classifications

Another big difference between the two is that cosmetics, with the exception of color additives, do not need FDA approval before going on the market. As long as the products meet FDA-governed guidelines and labeling restrictions, cosmetics are ready for retail sale.

Cosmeceuticals are considered to be both a cosmetic and a “drug,” if it claims to treat or cure a specific condition. While the FDA does not recognize the term “cosmeceuticals,” these products must comply with regulations for both cosmetics and drugs.

An example of a cosmeceutical would be a cream foundation that contains sunscreen. It is both a cosmetic to even out skin tone immediately, and also considered a drug because it contains active ingredients to protect the skin from harmful UV rays.

Basically, it boils down to the intended use of a product which determines if it’s a cosmetic, cosmeceutical or both.

Wrap Up

Although the term might be new, you use cosmeceuticals a lot more than you think. Products ranging from fluoride toothpaste to anti-perspirant deodorants and sunscreen-infused moisturizers and creams.

To address and treat more pressing and serious skincare issues than cosmetics alone can handle, it’s always best to consult with a skincare expert.

To answer your questions about cosmeceuticals and recommend professional skincare products and practices, start the New Year off right with Laura Skincare in Petaluma.