5 Ways to Perk Up Last Year’s Skin
By Cheryl Harbour

Wouldn't it be nice if every New Year came with a new face? Or at least new skin? Skin that hadn't been parched by too much summer sun or worn out by sub-zero winter temperatures…skin that hadn't been fatigued by too little sleep and too much alcohol. There are ways to help your skin recover, and we talked to experts at two famous sister spas -- Hotel Casa Del Mar and Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica, California -- to find out their recommendations. The experts we interviewed also have experience in medical spas, so their advice is about health as well as beauty.

The recommendations from Rachel, Laura, Dijana, and Melissa apply to five areas:

  • Giving your skin what it’s hungry and thirsty for
  • Getting a fresh start
  • Improving your skin care routine
  • Experiencing the benefits of new technology
  • Boosting your skin for a special occasion

Giving your skin what it’s hungry and thirsty for

If the end of 2017 brought you too many opportunities for hors-d’oeuvres and champagne toasts, now is the time to recover. Drinking enough water can’t be emphasized enough. One of our experts suggested drinking at least as many ounces of water each day as half of your body weight (in pounds). So if you weigh 130 pounds, you’d want to drink at least 65 ounces, or about eight 8-ounce glasses.

Certain foods containing healthy oils also nourish your skin. Examples are avocados, organic olive oil, and salmon and other fish with Omega 3. Beyond that, the key is knowing that an overall healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables will result in better skin.

Taking a break from alcohol will help, too. Within a few days of eliminating alcohol, you may notice your skin feeling more hydrated. Ruddiness in cheeks starts to fade, and other skin conditions such as dandruff, eczema, or rosacea also may improve. The most significant improvement in overall skin appearance tends to occur after about four weeks after you stop drinking alcohol. One of the most common skin problems, especially as people get older, is skin dehydration and alcohol just exacerbates this.

Getting a fresh start

The history of your lifestyle is written on your skin, so it makes sense to give it a fresh start. Our skin regenerates at different rates, depending on our age. For babies, it can be as often as every two weeks; for teens, every 3-4 weeks. After that, skin renews itself about once a month, and after age 50 the cycle can take as long as 45-90 days.

Exfoliating with either a physical product (containing small granules) or an enzyme-based product will help you shed skin old skin cells and make way for the new. Physical products often contain jojoba beads, micro beads or ingredients such as apricot or walnut. Commonly, enzyme products can be made with papaya or pumpkin.

Our experts recommend continuing a routine of exfoliation. The best time is at night after you’ve cleansed your face – two times a week for sensitive skin and more often if your skin is oily or a combination of oily and dry. You don't need to scrub vigorously - a light touch and the right exfoliating product will get better results.

Improving your skin care routine

Virtually every person, no matter what her age or skin type, can benefit from a routine that includes these steps:

  • Cleanse
  • Apply serum and/or a toner that is suitable for your skin type
  • Moisturize
  • Use sunscreen (in some cases, moisturizers contain sunscreen)

Serums and toners are often the "forgotten step" for people who haven't updated their skincare routine in some time. Toners help keep the ph-balance of the skin, and serums have a variety of benefits, depending on which you choose. They can be soothing, hydrating, brightening, remineralizing, pore minimizing, plumping, or firming, among others. This where the advice of a professional can help - deciding what will benefit your skin most. A serum or toner that "firms and tones" is a good choice for more mature skin that has lost elasticity, while "plump and hydrate" is good for just about anyone.

Many people have heard the myth that only the first product applied will penetrate the skin - but our experts dispelled that idea. Your skin can absorb multiple products offering different benefits.

Experiencing the benefits of new technology

The key to exceptional skin is no longer just finding the right product. Technology has come a long way in giving skin a treatment that either makes products more effective or does something products can’t do. Our experts particularly love the LED Light Stim. Once available only in medical spas, this treatment is little by little finding its way into more advanced spas such as Hotel Casa Del Mar and Shutters on the Beach. Our experts have seen dramatic results in skin clarity, tone and overall vitality. There's no discomfort or downtime. With alternatives like health spas such as RenewMD Wellness you’ll have tons of options.

Its name describes pretty well what it is and what it does. This treatment is particularly good for skin that’s showing the effects of sun damage. A cream is applied and then an LED light is used for about 20 minutes. What UVA and UVB light has done to skin, this type of light can go a long way in correcting and repairing.

Other technologies to consider are:

Micro current, which stimulates the facial muscles and helps to lengthen muscles that have "bunched up" and caused expression lines or creases in the skin. Collagen and elastin production is stimulated, so the main benefit is restored firmness and muscle tone. (It does use a mild, painless electrical current, so if you have any special condition, such as epilepsy, seizures, blood clots, active cancer, or a heart device, this may not be right for you.)

Hydrafacial and Hydradermabrasion are similar treatments that resurface the skin, smooth, brighten and clarify with an advanced mechanical and chemical exfoliation. They involve a machine with a hand-held device that basically "vaccuums up" impurities at the same time it applies treatment products.

The frequency of your facials depends on your skin needs and your budget. A target might be at least every three months.

Thanks to advancements in technologies, you may also consider consulting a plastic surgeon if you're just not getting the results you're after with the suggestions mentioned above. Many people are surprised to learn that plastic surgeons often offer a range of non-surgical options, as well as surgerical procedures, to help you achieve your goals. Contact a skin care clinic like 8 West Facelift Vancouver to learn about different options.

Boosting your skin for a special occasion

Our experts are often asked to “make something magical happen” for a wedding, reunion or other major event. While nothing replaces long-term and consistent skin care, one type of facial that gets particularly good immediate results is an oxygen facial.

Oxygen is essential to optimize cellular behavior. It's used medically for wounds and burns because it promotes rapid healing and does not allow bacteria to thrive. During an oxygen facial, professionals use a small airbrush to infuse the skin with pure oxygen and serums that deeply hydrate and target special needs. The result is glowing, plumper skin that provides a great base for makeup application.

Does it sound like these recommendations are worth a try? Our experts emphasize two more steps to take:

Be sure your ongoing routine includes a good night’s sleep – and do your best to manage stress.




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