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Examine Your Face

Face mapping has been around since the ancient times of Confucious as a way to diagnose certain ailments. By closely observing the skin, Chinese doctors concluded that the body manifested certain ailments through the skin. Face mapping techniques that break down each 'zone' and corresponds the 'zone' with a body part are becoming more and more popular. I am a firm believer that your body cleanses itself from the inside out. If you are suffering from excessive dryness, oiliness, breakouts in certain areas this might be very helpful to you! Remember, this isn't a means to diagnose you, but a tool to use to learn the potential strengths and weaknesses your body has. 

Forehead is broken down into 2 areas ~ The area in between the eyes and the rest.

If you tend to break out on the forehead this could be related to your small intestine, don't rush through meals and eat more "whole" foods. 

Breaking out between the eyes is linked to liver toxins. This potentially indicates eating too many rich foods, a food allergy and/or eating late at night. Load up on dark, leafy vegetables and drink plenty of water each day. Try mixing a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a 16 ounce glass of water each day. 

Look at your ears ~ are they redder than the skin on your face? Do they feel hot? The ears relate to your kidneys, these signs could mean you are working your adrenal glands too hard. Cut down on alcohol, caffeine and drink plenty of water. 

If you break about 1/4 inch from your nose on your cheeks this could reflect stomach stress. Try eating clean and consuming plenty of water (are you noticing a trend with the water??)

Breakouts or redness around the chin are related to your endocrine system. Many women will notice they get a premenstrual breakout about once a month. If there is excessive redness it could point to yeast infections or too much dairy or sugar in the diet. Limit your dairy consumption and limit your meat intake. 

More often than not, if you've noticed congestion or breakouts around the jawline it points to bowel issues. IBS, Crohn's and other colon concerns can manifest around the jaw and neck. Be aware of any food that irritate (i.e. nausea, diarrhea, constipation etc.) and avoid the triggers. 

Do you have puffiness or dark circles under your eyes? While both of these issues can be hereditary, this area relates to the kidneys. Drink plenty of water and de-stress! Eyelid irritation can mean allergies or a deficiency in the diet. 

Face-mapping is as relevant today as it was in ancient times. We all have certain issues that could very well relate to the health of our skin. Don't let your complexion get the best of you, take a step back and look at the bigger picture. You might just find the answer to your problems! 

P.S. Drink more water ;) 

Choose Wisely....

Although shopping online for the best price on a new car or handbag might be wise, shopping for medical grade cosmeceutical products is not - here’s why:

·       Products sold on discounted websites are NOT purchased direct from the skincare manufacturer and cannot be returned or guaranteed – some websites even sell counterfeit goods. (How scary is that?!)

                                                                                                

·       Given the above, there is no guarantee that the products you purchase online have been stored properly, aren’t past their expiration date or haven’t been destabilized – given the high concentrations of active ingredients contained in medical skincare products, this could mean that you are compromising the results we have achieved with your skin care program thus far. Products must be stored in a cool, dark place for best results. 

                                                                                      

·       If you decide to “try” a new product while shopping around, you could end up buying something that wasn’t meant for your skin type which could trigger a reaction or aggravate a skin condition.

Now here comes the fun part.... I'm going to start a Splurge/Save series. We're all on a budget and I can help you find the products your skin deserves without breaking the bank! Every week I'll present 1 item to splurge on and another item to save on. Sounds fun, right?! 

As your skin care professional, I know your skin best and can therefore recommend the products and services that will ensure the results you are looking for – I am experienced, well educated and dedicated to providing you with the best possible care and I would greatly appreciate your loyalty Innovative Aesthetics! 

Hair Be Gone!

More than 50% of surveyed women will choose an outfit based on the appearance of their underarms, a poll from TNS Research shows. Keep your wardrobe options open and choose LASER HAIR REMOVAL. No more irritating bumps, embarrassing missed hairs or 5'o' clock shadow! 

Laser Hair Removal offers patients a safe, fast, and effective alternative for dealing with unwanted hair. These lasers work by emitting a specialized light that is passed through the skin and preferentially absorbed by its target, in this case hair. The laser used in hair removal targets the melanin (color) in the hair follicle, damaging the follicle and removing the hair. Laser hair removal is safe enough to be used on all body parts, including the face, back, underarms, bikini line, legs and arms.

The Profile laser selectively targets your hair follicles and heats them with infra-red energy. Unlike other processes, the laser beam treats many hairs at once making the treatment of large areas practical. The Profile employs a unique computer guided scanning system that automates the treatment ensuring that your skin is rapidly and evenly treated. The computer sets the parameters and places the beam in an optimum pattern for your skin. On average, each laser treatment will be associated with some permanent hair loss (YES!). So in most cases hair removal can only be achieved after several treatments. The number will depend on each patient's individual response to laser treatment and the amount of hair to be removed. 

My personal experience with laser hair removal.... I had been waxing my underarms and bikini for a couple of years and I was ready for a bigger reduction in hair growth! I was a little nervous for my first treatment but I have to say it was LESS painful than waxing! Each treatment became easier and easier, even after we started becoming more aggressive with our laser settings to treat more fine hairs. And the results were amazing. I had 6 underarms treatments and I shave maybe once every month now, the hair that comes back is similar to peach fuzz and no one would notice it anyhow. I had 3 brazilian (leaving behind no hair) treatments and 3 french bikini (leaving behind some hair) treatments done and it is great to not have to worry about shaving or waxing. I would highly recommend this to any of my friends/family/clients! 

Thursday's Thought

Today, I am thankful for my health and my happiness. Expand your consciousness and decide what moves and heals you. Set an example for others around you, pay it forward and fill a greater need. Positive actions beget more positivity in your life. Respect your body and become mindful about what you nourish it with. Today, take time to stop and notice the details. 

Good for the body is the work of the body, good for the soul the work of the soul, and good for either the work of the other.  ~Henry David Thoreau

Sprinkles Are Better On A Cupcake!

I've been loving this fantastic weather, although it's been very hot I'll take as much sun as I possibly can :) My husband and I enjoyed a nice 30-mile bike ride through Cedar Rapids on Saturday and I convinced a friend to run with me on Sunday (running in 97-degree heat is not the greatest idea I've ever had). Needless to say, my skin has been feeling the brunt of these workouts. I'm noticing more congestion in my oily areas (chin and nose) and lots of breakouts on my forehead and when I say breakouts my forehead looks like the top of a sprinkle cupcake, not a good look for me. I can only assume that's from my bike helmet and sweat etc. 

Even though I use medical-grade skincare and the Clarisonic Cleansing System, I can still have problematic skin. It's natural to find yourself fighting oiliness and acne during the Summer months, the humidity in Iowa is brutal! We all have to keep in mind that there are external and even internal factors that can trigger a breakout or more oiliness. Hormones are... well, let's just say they can be pretty annoying. It is common to have a 'hormonal' breakout about once a month and these generally occur in the chin area. Working out can cause breakouts, when sweat combines with dead skin and bacteria it's the perfect breeding ground for pimples! Even a new hairstyle, wearing bangs over your forehead or sweeping your face-framing layers forward can cause the skin to clog. 

The key to keeping your skin clear?? Let me 'Sprinkle' some tips on you....

~Wash daily and nightly (or after an excessive workout). Do not dry your skin out with harsh products or excessive cleansing, this will cause your skin to overproduce oil.

~Keep your fingers and hair off of your face as much as possible. I have bangs, I keep as much product away from them as possible. Wearing a headband or a clip can help with that. 

~Apply a salicylic acid gel to your nose (and even chin) if you are prone to blackheads and congestion in this area. This will gently exfoliate and prevent these pockets of oil from forming. 

~Change your pillowcase weekly. You don't want me to tell you what's on your pillowcase....

~If you feel a breakout coming in, be proactive! Use a salicylic acid gel over the area until you feel it beginning to heal. If you already have a breakout, DO NOT PICK AT IT! This only pushes the infection deeper into the pore. Continue to apply a salicylic acid gel and it will heal on its own. 

~If you use a Clarisonic (and you all should!) make sure to cleanse it weekly with an anti-bacterial soap. 

~Lastly, wipe your cell phone down with an antibacterial wipe that is safe to use on your phone. I recently read a study that found that cell phones have more bacteria than a toilet seat. Ewwwww. 

Clear skin is always within your grasp by following a disciplined skin routine and proper hygiene! 

Finding Beauty In A Wet Dog....

Photography has been a passion of mine for a little over a year now. I've taken such pleasure behind the viewfinder and capturing happy, candid, wild moments. I took this picture yesterday when Bill and I decided to take Dutch out to a pond to swim... Whether it's an action shot or a pose, there is something magical about the memories that can be captured. I wanted to share this moment with you :)

Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole. ~Roger Caras

Bronze & Cancer-Free!

A recent study from the Cancer Institute shows that even people that have a family history of melanoma skip sunscreen and sunbathe regularly! People automatically correlate tan skin with healthy skin and pale skin with being unhealthy. Personally, I love having a healthy glow.... that comes from a tube! Some self tanners that I would recommend are: 

Lancome Flash Bronzer ~ This is a great lightweight gel with barely a hint of the DHA smell. 

Clinique Self Sun Tinted Face Lotion (and body too!) ~ These are both great. You get a great color, the downfall is that they do have a 'scent' to them. 

Norvell Amber Sun ~ My favorite, it's hard to find but once you get it you'll be hooked!! I discovered this last year and ONLY use this product. It has a nice rasberry smell to it. 

Tan Towels ~ These can be a little tricky at first but once you get the hang of using the towelettes they are easy to use. These little towelettes are convenient, smell nice and give great color. 

Lastly, make sure to exfoliate before applying self tanner! This is such an important step, to get off all the dead skin cells so your self-tanner doesn't look blotchy. I prefer a self-tanner that already has the bronzing color in it, that way it's easier to apply and see where you've already gone. Self-tanning is the safest way to get a tan and it doesn't have to be intimidating. Have a wonderful & safe 4th of July!