Wash-On Sunscreen?

Wear your sunscreen… everyday!

There are many misnomers about sunscreen, sun block and all of the rays out there. I would like to try and shed some light on the subject.

On my ‘About FACE’ show this morning (www.rhinoonair.com) I had an exceptional guest by the name of Allyn Armstrong who is a chemical engineer with the skincare/SPF line, Solise.  There are so many misnomers about sun care, ultraviolet rays, product ingredients and chemicals and today’s show struck a particular chord with me. And by writing this I also wanted to share this wonderful new invention with you, use it personally and then report on my findings.

Firstly here are some facts…

Experts say that consumers should not purchase sunscreens with an SPF that is greater than 50. SPF (sun protection factor) works by absorbing, reflecting or scattering the sun’s rays on the skin. It is in fact very misleading to put high SPF numbers on labels because it gives consumers a false sense of security and my research proved just that, there is very little difference between SPF 85 and SPF 30. The higher the number doesn’t always guarantee a greater protection.

Studies show that a sunscreen with a SPF of 15 can block about 93% of all incoming UVB rays, SPF 30 blocks out 97% and  SPF 50 blocks 98%.

The protective factors plateau from there and a product with a SPF of 100 plus blocks about 99.1 percent of all UVB rays. You don’t really need a high number SPF’s, it can end up being very expensive and you’re not guaranteed that much more protection than with a SPF 50. Also keep in mind that SPF protects only against UVB rays.

Cannot get enough sunscreen!!!

It’s very easy to get overwhelmed with the sunscreen options on offer on store shelves so here’s a quick guide to try and help find the best products to protect your family from the sun:

1.    Use a sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 15 and a maximum of SPF 50.

2.    Make sure that labels list UVA and UVB (or broad spectrum protection)

3     Choose lotions versus spray sunscreens for a more evenly distributed protection.

4     Remember to apply at least 2 ounces of lotion (about a shot glass full) and reapply often. The sun breaks down the ingredients in sunscreen that protect your skin and experts always recommend reapplying every two hours or after swimming or heavy sweating.

I would like to thank Allyn Armstrong for sending me this information: In 2012 the FDA made final a number of standards while proposing a cap of the SPF number at 50 plus and reviewing the efficiency of sunscreen sprays. The large body of data does not demonstrate that an SPF number higher than 50 provides any more benefit than an actual SPF 50 provides. An SPF 50 only provides 1% more protection than an SPF 30 and many experts question whether or not that extra 1% can truly be demonstrated outside of the testing environment. We err on the side of scientific research and not from the voices of an independent, un-biased, third party validation from an accredited testing source.

The Oxybenzone   http://www.webmd.com/healthy-beauty/features/sun-safety-sunscreen-and-sun-protection

The SPF Graph      http://www.beautystat.com/site/skincare/2012-fda-final-sunscreen-monograph-new-ingredient-label-requirements-what-is-spf-uva-and-uvb-rays/

“If you are interested in learning or purchasing this new and innovative product visit www.solise.com , and use code SAE76729 for a discount””

I am looking forward to getting my product in the mail! I want to wash on my sun care!

So Many Skincare Lines, So Little Time

I was stood in the middle of a huge expanse in the Miami Convention Center at the International Congress of Esthetics and Spa surrounded by hundreds of different skincare lines and feeling, not only overwhelmed but incredibly excited. There were so many lines biding for the attention of the professionals in the hope of a sale and for the opportunity to utilize their skincare line in the professionals practice.

While I think every line is great and  every line has its place, not every line is perfect. Every line is known to have its ‘star product.’ I used to say this all the time when I was a sales representative specializing in outbound sales. First I was careful not to speak negatively about any of the competitors and I would also make sure I was astute to all the ingredients, buzz words and new technology that not only my line had, but my competitors had too.

I have a standard in why I pick and choose the products I work with. My standard is that I have extensive knowledge of the company and the specific ingredients in each bottle. I also know that it works on a personal level as well. Some professionals make their choice by what they learned in school while others choose the philosophy behind the line.

I write this for anyone who is pondering what line to carry in their practice. The following list are specific elements that a line should have. They read as an A to Z.

Here you go then. Regarding the products you use on your clients:
1) Are they certified toxic free?

2) Do they contain no hormone disruptor’s or age accelerators?
4) Do they go beyond natural and organic to “inhibit” cancer?
5) Do they reach and feed the “mother cells”?
6) Do they restore and repair broken capillaries?
7) Do they provide a unique one-of-a-kind luxurious experience?
8) Are they made with organic ingredients and contains “live” fresh resveratrol?
9) Do they naturally contain antioxidants and phenolic compounds?
10) Are they all natural but deliver cosmeceutical strength with visible results on the first application?
11) Are they all backed by clinical human trials to “inhibit” skin cancer?
12) Do they reduce free radical activity?
13) Do they stimulate cell energy?
14) Do they rapidly improve and heal acne, rosacea, dermatitis, seborrhea or any other skin conditions?
15)  Are they healthy for the whole body?
14) Do they provide oral supplementation for body and skin?
Chemicals are OUT. The “baby boomers” want to look good. Luxury proven ANTI-CANCER is IN and spreading like wild fire!

I hope this helps you to make the right decision on what line to choose for your practice. I also hope this opens your mind to all the skincare lines out there and remember, every skincare line has its place and every skincare line has its star product.

So many lines, so little time. Just take your time and find the best fit for you!

Layers of the Skin… Made Easy

Have you ever tried to explain the different layers of the skin to your clients and then observe them as they look back at you with that blank stare?

I like to paint a picture in their mind’s eye of all the layers, what they each do and which layer you are working with. I start by explaining the function of the skin as a whole and then break each layer down. I like to clarify by saying, “The skin is alive and it will repair itself, I am causing the skin trauma in order for the skin to regenerate and make new cells. These new cells go on to replace the old cells.”

Understanding the anatomy and physiology of the skin can provide insight to the measures that can be made to minimize the damage that can surface due to exfoliation treatments. Personally I like to paint the picture all the layers of the skin, including muscle tissue as a bed. This helps your client to understand of how deep the treatment penetrates and which part of the Epidermis, Dermis and Subcutainous layers that I am stimulating.

Lets break it down…

Comforter= Top Layer of the Epidermis- (Stratum Corneum)- Removal of the comforter by way of bio-chemicals (enzymes), chemical (AHA, BHA, Jessner and TCA) or physical treatment (Microdermabrasion, pumice, etc) allows any treatment to penetrate deeper.

When I stimulate the comforter by removing the top layer of the skin I put the skin in defense mode, thus results are inevitable.

Blankets= Medium or “between” layers of the epidermis (Stratum Lucidium, Granulosum, Spinosum, Germinativum)- The blanket layer is always regenerating every 28-42 days depending on age, lifestyle and genes. The cell cycle is exactly what the treatments are trying to encourage, a speed up of the cycle itself. This is great for wrinkles, fine lines, hyperpigmentation, un-even skin tone and pore size.

Sheets=Stratum germinativum also called the”stratum basale” or the nursery where all the cells are generated. This is a crucial layer for the client to understand as this layer is where the skin makes cells because of stimulating treatments. New cells replace the old cells.

Mattress= Subcutaneous Layer- Collagen and elastin are the building block and structure of the skin. Elastin fibers give skin its ‘rubber bands’, – its ‘snap-back quality’. Sagging skin is lacking youthful levels of elastin fibers . Wrinkles form because there is elastin fiber deficient (sagging) skin lying over the moving muscles of your face. Stimulating exfoliating treatments treats this loss of important elastin fiber by returning the elastin content of your skin to that of elastic, youthful skin.

Box Spring= Muscle layer. This is where the main structure of our skin covers.  Muscles need to be massaged and stimulated in the same way our skin does. Muscle tension can cause wrinkles such as crow’s feet, labial folds and forehead lines. Memory lines. Treatments such as micro-current www.beautifulimagellc.com and high frequency can stimulate and relax muscle tension.

I hope this helps you understand the structure of the skin, and if you are a service provider like an Aesthetician, then you can be more effective in explaining what exactly what part of the face you are working on.

Please keep you eye out for this is an exerpt from the article I am writing for Les Nouvelles Esthetique & Spa or visit www.www.lneonline.com that should be published in this years May issue.