September Shape-up
     (for your skin)

Fall is in the air – finally!  After a very hot humid sultry summer, the cool evenings and  crisper days are a welcome relief.  This is the perfect time of year to perk up and recondition sun stressed skin. Smooth silky skin is not only beautiful; it also serves the important functions of protection, temperature control, and nutrition.

What promotes skin health?  Skin health like general health begins with a healthy lifestyle.

Well, what is a healthy lifestyle?  Drink plenty of purified water, eat a balanced diet rich in unprocessed foods, take vitamin and mineral supplements, sleep 7 or 8 hours per night and keep stresses to a minimum.   The last component for skin health is good skin care regime.

What is a good skin care regime?    The bare essentials consist of a quality cleanser, scrub, and moisturizer. 

Is it okay to use soap on my face?  NO!  Soap is alkaline which upsets the normal mantel of the skin and strips all oil and moisture, leaving it stressed and out of balance.  The normal ph of skin is 5.5 which is slightly acidic.  Any skin care products used must be ph5.5 or lower in order to properly penetrate the skin’s epidermal layer and provide essential nutrients.  If the ph is not correct, the benefit to the product used is greatly reduced.  “Body chemistry” is the complicated science of cellular activity and function. All of the exchanges take place at the cellular level.

Are all products the correct ph or ph balanced?  No, they are not unless it is indicated somewhere on the packaging.

Why cleanse and scrub?  A cleanser does just that – it gently cleans the surface from dirt, oil and environmental toxins.  A scrub gently exfoliates (removes) the dead skin cells that are lying on the upper most surface of the skin.  Cleansing alone will not remove these dead cells.  The friction from the scrubbing action loosens the dead cells and the gummy substance that forms to hold them in place as well as stimulates blood flow in the dermis.  The benefits of increased blood flow are numerous – collagen and elastin are stimulated to reproduce more quickly and fortify the dermis causing it to become stronger, thicker and more resilient.  Nutrients are carried by the blood supply and are delivered to the dermis which increases the speed of cell production and turn over.  As we age, this process naturally slows down, so exfoliation is an essential step in promoting and maintaining younger, tighter, resilient skin.  The cleanser and the scrub may be mixed and used together as one step.  Depending on the skin type, the scrub may be used one time a week, up to daily.  Never sleep in make-up!  Cleanser should be used every night before bed to remove make-up, dirt, oil, and toxins.  After several weeks, improved tone and condition of the skin will be noticeable even to the most critical eye.

Do I really need to moisturize?  Most people, men and women alike benefit from a moisturizer or a treatment cream.  Today, technology has engineered skin care products for all skin types so there is literally something for everyone.  You may not need any more moisture, but a treatment in a non-greasy formula may be extremely beneficial.  Moisturizers, treatment creams, and make-up foundations help to protect the skin from environmental toxins and the sun’s rays (if they contain sunblock, of course).  The moisturizers and treatment creams that we use here at Serenity are all ph balanced and contain many nutrients that are essential for promoting skin health and a glowing beautiful complexion.

Do I really need to use a sunblock?  YES, YES, and YES!!!  This fact cannot be emphasized enough!  A physical sunblock is one favor that you can do for yourself.  But, it must be a physical block.  The sun’s rays are so powerful and there is no protection from the ozone layer, so we all must apply sunblock.  Skin cancers are on the rise and sunblock is our first line of defense. The definition of true sunblock is zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.   Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide lie on top of the skin and provide a physical barrier to UVA and UVB rays. Today, most formulations are micronized and suspended in lightweight non-greasy lotions that disappear completely.  No more “white nose”!

How do I know which products are right for me?  This is truly a difficult process for a nonprofessional as there are so many choices – some are wonderful and many are not.  It is extremely beneficial to seek the assistance of a trained professional such as a licensed esthetician.  Typically the women behind the make-up and skincare counters in department stores have no formal training in skincare, particularly anatomy and physiology and the true science of skin health and function.  A licensed esthetician is trained in all aspects of skin care and health and will make the process of choosing just the right products and treatments a pleasure and a joy.  We encourage you to begin your September Shape-up by making an appointment for a complimentary skin analysis today.  You will be glad you did!