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Have you ever been confused as to what products you should use? What about how many steps you should be doing and what order you should apply the products? The list of questions can go on and on. At ASerenity we encourage our clients to use an at-home skincare routine to get the best possible results for achieving the skin you want. ASerenity would like to introduce you to a the steps of a basic skincare routine:
Step 1: Cleanse
Cleansing the skin is the first step in your routine. It is important because cleansing the skin allows the removal of dead skin, makeup, dirt & oils. Theses things can contribute to clogged pores, dull skin & make it hard for your other products (i.e. moisturizer or treatments) to penetrate. It is important that your cleanser leaves you feeling clean, but not to the point where your skin feels uncomfortably tight or you feel the urgent need to apply your moisturizer. This "squeaky clean" feeling means that the skin has been over dried and many skin problems stem from dehydration in the skin.
Step 2: Treat
If there is something about your skin that you wish to change, this is the step that will do it. Treatments are skincare products that contain high level of active ingredients to bring about a change in your skin. Treatments can come in many different forms. Some treatments come in a serum form which can have either an oil, gel or cream like texture. Some treatments come in the form of a toner as well. No matter the form, expect to see the most change in your skin from committing to this step. Not sure what kind of treatment you are looking for? Give us a call & speak to one of our highly trained estheticians who will ask you questions to determine what treatment product is right for you.
Step 3: Moisturize
Keeping the skin hydrated is a must. Many times, a clients skin concern is linked to dehydration. For example: Some clients are concerned with lines & wrinkles. When the skin is lacking moisture it tightens up creating a parched appearance which can be mistaken for wrinkles. Or for a client who is already showing signs of aging, the look of wrinkles becomes intensified the drier the skin gets. Plumping up the skin with moisture allows it to remain balanced and function properly. The skin is the largest organ of the body & we must keep it hydrated to ensure proper function.
Step 4: Protect
When clients ask what the #1 anti-aging product is on the market, my answer is & will always be the same. Sunscreen. UVB & UVA rays are the #1 reason that skin ages. UVB rays are the rays that give the skin a sunburn. Surprisingly, these rays are the least harmful. UVA rays are what actually age the skin. They are responsible for breaking down collagen & elastin, which makes the skin lose its tightness. They are responsible for uneven skin tone like freckling, age spots & darkening of acne scars. Excessive exposure to these UV rays can also cause permanent redness of the skin, including broken capillaries or spider veins on the face & chest. The more shocking things is, is that UVA radiation doesn't just come from the bright, hot sun. UVA rays are damaging us on cloudy days, when we sit in front of computer screens or spend time under the fluorescent lighting of an office or shopping mall. At ASerenity, we encourage our clients to wear an SPF of at least a 15 to 30 on a daily basis.
Think you are doing enough to protect your skin? Let's debunk some of the most common myths about sunscreen.
Myth #1: I work indoors & never get sun exposure.
Facts: Since UVA rays come from computer screens & fluorescent lighting, even if you work indoors & never spend time outside, the skin is still being exposed & damaged. That damage will add up throughout the years, resulting in sagging skin, wrinkles & age spots.
Myth #2: I wear mineral makeup that contains an SPF.
Facts: While some makeup products do contain a sunscreen, the use of a regular SPF or moisturizer with SPF is important for a couple of reasons. 1) Most of us do not apply foundation all the way down the neck, back of neck, chest or ears. These areas are often left exposed to the sun with no protection allowing for damage to occur as well as the possibility of skin cancer. 2) Even if you do decided to apply your foundation all over, most of us do not apply our foundation heavily enough to get the advertised benefits of SPF. For example: if you lightly dust on mineral makeup to even out skin tone, you are probably only getting an SPF of 6 to 8 vs the advertised 15.
Myth #3: I have dark skin that never burns, so I don't need to wear SPF.
Facts: Even if your skin does not burn easily, you are not immune to sagging, wrinkles & age spots. To keep skin looking youthful for as long as possible, commit to wearing an SPF everyday.
We encourage all of our clients to maximize the results of their in-spa treatments or facials by using an at-home 4 step skincare routine. You will be amazed at the results you get when you treat your skin with kindness on a daily basis. As always, please call & speak to one our our highly trained estheticians who can make things easy for you by recommending products for your routine that will fit in the best with your skin concerns & lifestyle.
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