Sun Savvy

As I finished giving one of my clients a chemical peel, I began to go over the after care protocol with her. My one thing I stressed to her was SUNSCREEN, SUNSCREEN, SUNSCREEN. She told me she doesn't wear it during the week because she works indoors. Unfortunately I've heard this excuse before. We need sunscreen every day, even if we work indoors. When you're driving to your job or school ,you're being exposed. When you run outside to grab the mail ,you're being exposed. Even on cloudy days, your skin is exposed to UV rays. Unless you're home sick and won't be leaving the house all day, make sure you apply your sunscreen. Makeup that contains an SPF is not enough for those sunny days either.

Some tips for applying sunscreen:

• Apply a generous amount(about the size of a quarter)


• Apply sunscreen about 30 minutes before exposure to sun


• Don't forget your neck, declotte and ears


• Reapply 2-4 hours after you're in the sun


• Reapply immediately after swimming or excessive sweating

For those of you who drive, don't forget about applying sunscreen to your hands and arms. Who wants sunspots on our hands! After applying sunscreen, wearing a hat is still a good idea.Preferably a wide brimmed hat that covers your entire face and neck. Sunglasses are also a must have to prevent crows feet around the eyes.

Remember sun damage is the biggest cause of aging. So lets lather up!

A life without gluten

I started implementing a gluten free diet sometime in November of last year, but it wasn't until late December when I realized I was on the right track. My sister had gotten me Elisabeth Hasslebeck's book, The G Free Diet, for Christmas, and I read it in about two days. As I was reading her story about having celiac disease (gluten intolerance), it was like me telling my own story. I could relate to so many things and I felt like I wasn't alone in my journey. Sometime later I shared this book with my neighbor for her husband to read. He too had the same story and came to the same conclusion. Since then we have been able to share our ideas, GF recipes, and new GF products. My neighbor started a blog, We Being G-Free, to chronicle their family's journey into a life without gluten. For any of you out there that are gluten intolerant or know someone that is you may enjoy following their story. With 1 in 133 people in the United States having celiac disease, its nice to share the information.

Gentle Exfoliant

My favorite daily exfoliator that I like to use is PCA's Gentle Exfoliator. I keep a bottle in my shower and use it every morning. It's a non-abrasive creamy scrub that is very effective in preventing the build up of dead skin cells. With the combination of aloe vera and glycolic acid, your skin is polished and smooth feeling. Great for keeping those pores cleaned out.

Milia

Milia, or whiteheads, is caused by an accumulation of dead keratinized cells and sebum trapped beneath the skin. Very similar to a blackhead, yet you cannot extract them as easily. When they are extracted though, the trapped matter feels like a grain of sand.

The best way to treat milia, is by daily exfoliation and facials. A good exfoliator will help slough off the dead cells and excess sebum so it doesn't get trapped under the skin. A facial will further soften the skin and with the proper tools and technique, the esthetician can extract the milia.

The Brazilian Bikini wax

We dread getting it done, yet every month we hoist ourselves up on the table and prepare ourselves for whats going to happen next....yes ladies its the dreaded bikini wax. And not just any bikini wax, the Brazilian bikini wax.

There has been so much talk about Brazilian bikini waxes and its been called so many different things, "Full Brazilian, " The Sphynx", "Full Monty", "The Playboy", but what is it really?

A Brazilian bikini wax involves removing hair in the pubic and anal area. You can either have it all removed or you can leave a small strip of hair , called "the landing strip", towards the top of the public bone. All modesty is left at the door and your legs are put in various positions in order to remove all the hair. After the hair is removed in the front, you flip over and get on all fours to remove the hair in the anal area.

Its really not as bad as it may sound. The procedure is over fairly quick and then you are on you way and you won't have to worry about it again until next month. No more shaving. The pain is tolerable, and the more you get it done the less your hair grows in. See there is a light at the end of the tunnel. So what are you waiting for?