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Tag Archives: Skin

How to Keep Your Skin Healthy During the Holidays

   Facial  Nov 19, 2020  Comments Off on How to Keep Your Skin Healthy During the Holidays
How to Keep Your Skin Healthy During the Holidays

With the holidays right around the corner, many often forget to take care of their skin due to the hustle and bustle of the season. This can lead to issues like acne, dark circles under your eyes, and the development of fine lines. Below you’ll find a few tips you can keep in mind to ensure your skin stays healthy during this time of the year.

4 Ways to Protect Your Skin During the Holidays

  1. Limit Your Sugar Intake: Pies, cakes, cookies – these are just a few of the tempting treats that grace holiday tables. While they might taste delicious, the massive amount of sugar in them can hurt your skin. When you consume sugar, it raises your glycemic index which can result in inflammation. This inflammation spreads around your skin causing it to become easily irritated and more susceptible to free radicals.
  2. Drink Enough Water: It’s easy to forget to drink enough water during the cooler months of the year. However, water is crucial for your skin’s health as it prevents premature aging, balances out your pH levels, and improves your skin tone. Ideally, drink around 5-8 glasses of water per day. This will keep you hydrated and improve your skin health.
  3. Watch Your Stress Levels: Stress is common during the holidays. While normal, too much of it can wreak havoc on your skin. This is because it encourages your body to produce cortisol, a stress hormone. This causes your skin to produce more oil than necessary which can lead to acne and premature aging.
  4. Get Enough Sleep: Not sleeping enough is a frequent problem this time of year. With errands to run and many other things to do, it can be difficult to get a good night’s rest. If you don’t get enough sleep, it doesn’t give your body time to relax. This makes it harder for it to flush neurotoxins out of your lymphatic system. Because of this, these toxins will get stuck in your skin which can damage it. To prevent this, try your best to get at least eight hours of sleep per day.

While the holidays can be fun, they can surprisingly hurt your skin’s health. If you’re concerned about your skin’s current health, consider stopping by Laura Skin Care in downtown Petaluma. We can suggest ways as to how you can improve your skin’s health. We also offer soothing facial treatments that will moisturize your skin and prevent many common skin ailments.

How the Sun Damages Your Skin

   Facial  Oct 20, 2019  Comments Off on How the Sun Damages Your Skin
How the Sun Damages Your Skin

Between tanning beds, beach trips, gardening, and kids’ soccer games, your skin is getting more sun than you think. Damage can even occur from the sunlight that enters your car while driving. You may believe you are safe from the rays, but the sun can be sneaky and get you in ways that you weren’t expecting. Even this late into the year. 

UVA vs. UVB Rays

In order to fully understand how the sun damages your skin, you’ll need to know the difference between UVA and UVB rays and how they affect you. 

Skin is composed of three layers: the epidermis, or outermost layer; the dermis, or middle layer; and the subcutis, or bottom most layer. The dermis contains collagen, elastin and other fibers that support the skin’s structure. It is these elements that give skin its smooth and youthful appearance — and that are damaged by UV radiation (Skin Cancer Foundation).

According to The Skin Cancer Foundation, ultraviolet radiation is energy emitted naturally from the sun and is also emitted from tanning beds. There are two types of UV light that contribute to sun damage and skin cancer:

  • Ultraviolet A (UVA) has a longer wavelength and is associated with skin aging.
  • Ultraviolet B (UVB) has a shorter wavelength and is associated with skin burning.

When protecting yourself from the sun, you want to make sure to block both UVA and UVB; do not treat one as less harmful than another. 

“Unprotected exposure to UVA and UVB damages the DNA in skin cells, producing genetic defects, or mutations, that can lead to skin cancer (as well as premature aging.) These rays can also cause eye damage, including cataracts and eyelid cancers.”

How to Fully Protect Yourself from the Sun’s Rays

  • Purchase broad-spectrum sunscreen that has both UVA and UVB protection.
  • The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using an SPF of 30 or higher and choosing a water-resistant type.
  • Wear a hat when outside in the sun; there are even clothing options with UV protection that you can purchase at various stores. 
  • Water, snow, and sand reflect the sun more so than in an area without one of those factors, therefore you will want to make sure you are fully prepared and protected.
  • Stop going to tanning beds and sun-bathing; you may want to go back to work showing off your beachy tan after a long vacation, but realize that there could be long-term health consequences in the future because of the UV rays.
  • Install UV-blocking film on your car windows as UVA rays can still reach you through glass, although UVB cannot. 

When stepping out into the sun, start getting into a good habit of applying broad-spectrum sunscreen and planning ahead to ensure you and your loved ones are properly protected from the harmful UVA and UVB rays. Remember–you may be having fun in the sun in that moment, but those moments will catch up to you one day. Be sun smart! 

In the meantime, if you would like to diminish the appearance of any skin damage you notice, contact Laura Skin Care and book an appointment for a microdermabrasion or skin firming and regeneration session or a chemical peel! 

Microdermabrasion Could Be Right For You

   Microdermabrasion  Jan 15, 2019  Comments Off on Microdermabrasion Could Be Right For You
Microdermabrasion Could Be Right For You

Even in a temperate climate like Petaluma, exposure to the sun can leave your skin wrinkled, spotted, and uneven in tone and texture. The sun’s ultraviolet rays are notorious for damaging the elastin in our skin and prolonged exposure can cause the skin to sag, bruise, or tear more easily. You can help protect yourself this winter by making microdermabrasion a part of your skin care routine.

What is Microdermabrasion?

One safe, non-invasive procedure that brightens and smooths your skin is microdermabrasion. It is a mechanical exfoliation method that only affects the epidermis by removing the dead skin cells from the face, neck, chest and back area, allowing healthy skin cells to surface. Microdermabrasion requires little to no downtime, and you can see a noticeable difference in your skin after just one treatment with the small, hand-held wand your esthetician uses. However, several treatments are recommended for best results.

Is Your Skin Right for Microdermabrasion?

Winter weather can affect any type of skin. Someone with historically oily skin would likely benefit from a chemical peel, while those with drier skin would have positive results from exfoliation with a microdermabrasion. Combination skin might require a treatment that includes a mixture of both a microdermabrasion and a chemical peel. However, during the winter, all types of skin can become dry and itchy. That’s why this procedure would be effective for any skin dried out by cold weather.

What You Can do to Prepare for the Procedure

Try to schedule your microdermabrasion with a licensed esthetician a few days in advance of having it done, and don’t use other exfoliation methods at home prior to your appointment. You don’t want your skin to be too sensitive when your treatment is performed. Direct sunlight can be damaging to otherwise healthy skin prior to exfoliation, so it is wise to limit your exposure to the sun before the procedure to prevent hypersensitivity afterward.

How to Ensure the Best Results After a Microdermabrasion

It’s also important to limit exposure to the sun after having a microdermabrasion procedure. Exfoliants are not necessary for several days after the procedure has been performed and can actually be harmful, as the dead skin cells have already been removed. Further exfoliation can irritate your skin, and that pretty much negates the results you just paid for! Skin care products are better able to penetrate the skin after it has been through a microdermabrasion, so this can be a great time to start a new skin care regimen that includes a moisturizer that is right for your skin type.

Get Out There and Glow!

Worrying about how the winter weather affects your skin doesn’t have to be a reason for sitting home all season. Microdermabrasion can help keep your skin healthy, smooth, and glowing. Remember to take care of your skin by keeping it well covered when you’re outdoors, and by keeping it well hydrated with a good moisturizer. Contact your local skin care professional to find out if microdermabrasion is right for you.