News and Events

by Makayla Allison, Licensed Esthetician,BSW

Skin is the largest organ of our bodies. According to Ohio State University Medical Center, the skin serves as a protective shield against heat, light, injury and infection. In addition to protection, the skin is very much alive and processes and reacts to our lifestyles in order to keep us healthy. One major component in our lifestyle that affects our skin is exercise.

We all know that it is important for the health of our bodies to exercise, but what does it do for our skin? According to Discovery Health, stress hormones (such as Androgen and Cortisol) can contribute to acne. The release of Cortisol, in particular, increases sebum production; in turn, this can increase acne! Regular exercise can actually decrease the amount of Cortisol our body produces, thus decreasing the likelihood of acne. Exercise also speeds up the body’s metabolism, helping flush out toxins we may have absorbed through our skin via pollution, the use of daily hygiene products such as deodorant and lotions, and dirt and grime we come in contact with throughout the day.

So, how come when we work out we seem to break out more? Well, there are several reasons! Exercise boosts the process of cell renewal in our skin, but in order to benefit from this and not expose our cells to an increase in dead skin and clogging, we must promptly wash those dead skin cells off with a gentle loofah or scrub after working out. This is especially important if you are working out outside and wearing sunscreen. Secondly, it is crucial to begin a workout with a clean body free of makeup and lotions. Sweating unclogs your pores, making it easier for debris on the surface of the skin to cause problems. So, wash your face and body prior to working out, not just afterward to remove the excess salt and dead skin on the surface of the skin which unfortunately can do the same thing. Finally, be sure to use clean headbands, face guards, armbands, etc., to prevent the chance of an increase in acne mechanica due to friction or heat from those devices.

In summary, enjoy a clean, healthy body from the inside all the way out by considering some of these key steps to keep your skin acne free!

by Makayla Allison, BSW, Licensed Esthetician

Perhaps, like me, you have just turned 30 and realized you have been poked by the wrinkle fairy. Or, maybe you haven’t caught up to me or surpassed me years ago… Regardless, this month’s blog is written for YOU. Whether you are eager to prevent your 1st wrinkle or your 100th wrinkle, it is absolutely possible to do your skin justice and start taking better preventative care of it today.

According to Dr. Fredric Brandt, a NYC and Miami based Dermatologist, sun is the number one offender to the skin, causing both wrinkles and skin cancer. He says the best thing you can do for your skin is to wear a broad spectrum (UVA & UVB) protectant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 every single day and stay out of the sun as much as possible. When you want to enjoy the outdoors, wear protective gear such as sunglasses, hats and sun protective clothing, as well as staying in the shade as much as possible.

A second way to prevent the development of wrinkles is to get enough sleep. According to Nicholas Perricone, MD, author and dermatologist at Yale University, when you get enough sleep, your body produces HGH (Human Growth Hormone), which helps keeps your skin thick and healthy. On the contrary, he says that with a lack of sleep, the body produces excess cortisol, a hormone that actually breaks down skin cells. Since wrinkles can increase when the production of collagen and elastin decreases, you can see why this encourages the formation of lines on the face. Dr. Perricone also insists that the way you sleep matters, too! Sleeping on our backs allows gravity to have less of an effect on our aging process and can prevent sleep wrinkles from becoming a permanent attribute. If you must sleep on your side, it is best to rotate rather than staying on the same side every night.

A third way to prevent wrinkles is to eat a nutritious diet. Good nutrition is a fundamental building block of healthy skin, explains Leslie Baumann, MD, a Miami Beach dermatologist. This should include fatty acids, five to eight servings of fruits and vegetables per day, as well as plenty of water. A good diet full of antioxidants will help reduce the number of toxins in your body, and water can help flush out the toxins that are residing.

Finally, according to research done in Psychology and Aging, actually being happy and having an optimistic approach to life can also prevent wrinkles! So, no matter your age, enjoy life’s precious moments and love the skin you’re in!