Beauty School Directory Blog

Posts Tagged ‘anti-aging skin care’

Don’t Forget the Sunscreen!

Posted on: March 30th, 2010 by Beauty Schools Directory 1 Comment

shutterstock_49236946Spring has finally sprung! It time to get outdoors and enjoy nature. But as you leave your home, there’s one beauty must you mustn’t forget – sunscreen!

When searching for sunscreen, it’s important purchase one with both UVA and UVB ray protection. Many reports claim that UVA radiation is more harmful the UVB. According to the Environmental Working Group, in 2008 only 29% of sunscreens on the market contained FDA approved UVA filters. The good news is, by the summer of 2009 that number had increased by 70%.

Here are some sunscreens for you to try this spring and summer that provide both UVA and UVB protection:

La Roche-Posay is known for their innovative sun protection products, and their Anthelios SX Daily Moisturizer SPF 15 is no exception. This is a great option for protecting and moisturizing facial skin at the same time, with one simple product.

Neutrogena is a major heavyweight in the skincare market and they continue to outdo themselves when their new products hit store shelves. Neutrogena® Spectrum+ Advanced Sunblock Lotion SPF 55, 70, & 100 is their latest product, and features their Helioplex360™ Technology, which protects skin from UVA rays, UVB rays and oxidative damage.

For those who prefer natural skin care products, you needn’t go without protection from the sun! Check out Jason Natural Sunbrella Chemical Free Sunscreen collection. The line included sunscreen products for the face, lips and body, that are PABA-free, Alcohol-free, and water resistant.

What sunscreens do you use to protect your skin? Have you tried any of these products out? Let us know!

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Using Botox to treat acne?

Posted on: September 24th, 2009 by Beauty Schools Directory 12 Comments

Botox a Treatment for Acne?Chicago plastic surgeon Anil Shah M.D. recently published the only study ever done showing that Botox lowers the skin’s oil production and thus, can be used to treat acne. “Botox definitely clears up acne,” says Dr. Shah, who has treated about 100 patients in this way.

Of course, the media and spas around the country jumped on this information. “Another acne-treatment product to throw at consumers!” Only one small large problem. It seems like Botox as an acne treatment isn’t really that great of an idea.  When tiny amounts of Botox are injected directly throughout the dermis of face, yes, oil production is limited. But, sorry Dr. Shah, seems like Botox injections are a stupid way to treat breakouts.

First, to significantly reduce oil production, very large areas of the face would need to be treated, resulting in the expressionless look for which Botox is often mocked.

Second, the procedure is difficult. Even Dr. Shah admits that “Experience here is really essential.” The muscle paralyzer has to be injected directly into a layer of skin just 1/25th of an inch thick. If it’s injected too deeply it can alter the patient’s facial expressions.

Third, Botox as an acne treatment can be prohibitively expensive. Once you find a doctor willing to treat your break-outs in this way, a treatment can cost upwards of $500 and last for only 4 months.

Of course, this is only my opinion of Botox as an acne treatment. I tend to be skeptical of most trendy things, though. And over a few years, my skepticism usually proves to be right. Atkins Diet, anyone?

What do you think about the prospect of Botox being used to treat acne? Estheticians, skin care specialists and makeup artists – do you think Botox is a viable solution to cure or treat acne?

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Learn Your ABCs: 5 Warning Signs of Melanoma

Posted on: March 25th, 2009 by Beauty Schools Directory No Comments

Phaedra Connolly - Esthetician

Phaedra Connolly, RFS is a licensed Medical Esthetician with Associates in Dermatology in Orlando, Florida. She specializes in the prevention and treatment of skin cancer, acne and anti-aging. She graduated valedictorian in her class at the Florida College of Natural Health.

Melanoma is the most deadly of all skin cancers. In fact, this year 46,000 new cases will be diagnosed and 7,700 Americans will die from melanoma.

But being aware of the warning signs of melanoma could help you to recognize this potentially deadly cancer. Your trusted and trained esthetician will be on the lookout for these warning signs, but you see yourself every day. If you have a lesion that falls into any of the following categories, make an appointment with your dermatologist for an exam as soon as possible.

A = Asymmetry – Test your mole for asymmetry by drawing an imaginary line down the middle. Do the two halves match? Ordinary moles are usually round and symmetrical, while most early melanomas are asymmetrical.

B = Border – Ordinary moles are round or oval and have well defined, smooth, even borders. Melanomas often have ragged, uneven, or notched borders. Also, spreading of pigment (color) from the border of the mole into surrounding skin is a warning sign of melanoma.

C = Color – Ordinary moles are usually one color throughout and are usually brown, tan or flesh-colored. Melanomas may have several colors (black, brown, red, white, blue) or an irregular pattern of colors.

D = Diameter – Moles can be many different sizes, but ordinary moles are generally less than 1/4 inch (6 millimeters) in diameter, which is the diameter of a pencil eraser. Melanomas may be as small as 1/8 inch, but are often larger.

E = Enlargement/Evolving – Ordinary moles usually do not change over time. A mole that suddenly grows in size or rapidly becomes elevated is suspicious for melanoma.

Now that you know what to look for, here are some suggestions to protect yourself from skin cancer.
• Avoid the sun and/or seek shade between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun’s rays are at their strongest.
• Cover up by wearing light colored, tightly woven clothes that cover well.
• Wear a wide brimmed hat and sunglasses.
• Use a quality, broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 – and reapply at least every two hours.  Clouds do not screen out the damaging rays of the sun.
• Do a monthly self-exam to check for unusual marks or changes in your skin.
• Get a regular exam from a board certified dermatologist – once a year if you’ve never had a skin cancer and more often if you have.

The sunny days of summertime are approaching quickly. What do you do to protect yourself? Do you have any favorite sun protection products?

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How much is too much?

Posted on: March 11th, 2009 by Beauty Schools Directory 3 Comments

Some companies have gone to the ends of the earth to seek out the miracle ingredient that can help anyone with enough cash turn back the hands of time.

Do you want softer, smoother, more supple skin? It’s going to cost you. It costs $230 to purchase just 2 oz of Crème De La Mer. Why is it so expensive? It probably has something to do with one of its main ingredients: a rare sea kelp that is harvested twice a year and transported back to the lab on ice. However, according to its creator, Dr. Max Huber, it’s not the fancy ingredients that make this skin miracle happen – it’s the way they are distilled. The fermentation process, which takes three to four months, includes harnessing the powers of both light and sound.

Think that’s expensive? Compared to Switzerland’s La Prairie, it’s a steal! A few of La Prairie’s products also purport to harness the miracles of the deep. Ingredients like sea water and caviar in products sporting $500 price tags have people asking why eat this appetizer when I can put it on my face?

This company doesn’t just rely on the treasures found under the sea. When it comes to beauty, La Prairie leaves no stone unturned. Just 1.7 ounces of Cellular Cream Platinum Rare costs $1,000 thanks to its star ingredient – you guessed it: platinum. Rarer than gold, platinum’s unique ability to bond with the human face insures ageless performance by protecting your skin’s DNA. Its most expensive product boasts an even heftier price tag: $2,000. Although caviar is included, the limited edition Jeweled Skin Caviar Luxe Cream is probably so expensive thanks to its packaging. This refillable jeweled jar features 2,400 Crystallized Swarovski elements and targets the makeup jar collector audience.

Do They Really Work?

Although many people have seen results from these products, there isn’t an unbiased consensus among the scientific community on whether they’re worth it. In fact, most experts say that maintaining a youthful glow has less to do with spending exorbitant amounts of cash, and more to do with taking care of yourself. So, protect yourself from the sun, stay hydrated, eat a healthy diet rich in omega threes, exercise regularly, and of course, avoid smoke at all costs.

Want to see more outrageously priced products?

Forbes Magazine published a list of the 14 most expensive skin products it could find. Here’s a list of more really expensive skin serums and wrinkle solutions:

1. RéVive Intensité Volumizing Serum
Price: $600 per oz.
Star ingredient: Keratinocyte growth factor.

2. Sisley-Paris Sisleya Elixer
Price: $582 per oz.
Star ingredient: Extract of weeping willow.

3. Clé De Peau Beauté La Crème
Price: $475 for 1 oz.
Star ingredient: Actually comes with a silver spoon.

4. Dermagenetics DNA Test & Custom Anti-Wrinkle Night Cream
Price: $400 per oz.
Star ingredient: Your DNA. After your genetic propensity for wrinkling is tested, you receive a customized night cream.

5. Natura Bissé Inhibit-Dermafill
Price: $385 per oz.
Star ingredient: Octapeptide and black pepper extract.

6. Kanebo Sensai Ex La Crème
Price: $368 per oz.
Star ingredient: Extract of apricot kernels.

7. Dermalab Swissline Cell Shock 50% Pure Cellular Extract
Price: $331 per oz.
Star ingredient: Pure cellular extract.

8. Darphin Replenishing Anti-Wrinkle Serum
Price: $310 per oz.
Star ingredient: Iris isoflavones and essence of mamaku.

9. Valmont L ‘Elixir des Glaciers
Price: $288 per oz.
Star ingredient: Extract of coneflower, sea buckthorn and rosa moschata.

10. N.V. Perricone M.D. Neuropeptide Facial Conformer
Price: $285 per oz.
Star ingredient: Peptides and neuropeptides.

11. Orlane Hypnotherapy
Price: $277 per oz.
Star ingredient: Red tocol arctic cranberry.

12. AmorePacific Time Response Skin Renewal Crème
Price: $235 per oz.
Star ingredient: Green tea.

13. Guerlain Sérénissima
Price: $210 per oz.
Star ingredient: Patented H-Captine Complex.

14: Estée Lauder Re-Nutriv Ultimate Lifting Eye Crème
Price: $100 per oz.
Star ingredient: Crushed South Sea pearls.
So, how much is too much?

How much would you pay for these top-of-the-line cosmetic products? Do you know of any that accomplish the same goals with a much smaller price tag?

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