Be Gentle To Your Skin

Tiffany Holley
Sometimes we do things a certain way just because “that’s the way we’ve always done it”. This is true even in our skin care routines sometimes. You may try a new product here and there if you think it will make a big difference but ultimately, you don’t change the basics like how you wash your face. If you are someone who uses a washcloth on your face while cleansing, this information is for you. You may be using a mild facial cleanser but using a washcloth on your face is not gentle at all. In fact, you may be doing more harm than good. The problem is that most people who use a washcloth tend to scrub too vigorously which can damage the skin. And while the skin does need to be exfoliated to remove dead skin cells, there is something better to do the trick. A Smooth Skin Shammy is a great choice to cleanse and remove dead skin cells while still being completely gentle to your sensitive facial skin. This 9”x9” cloth has a soft spongy texture that can be used on even the most sensitive skin – even those who suffer from Rosacea. The Smooth Skin Shammy is so gentle it can even be used to remove makeup from the eye area. Unlike harsh washcloths, it won’t pull and tug at this ultra delicate skin which can cause under eye wrinkles.     The Smooth Skin Shammy is extremely durable and will give you several years of use for just $8.00. Making this important change to your daily skin care routine will help you to care for your skin properly by removing dead skin cells from the surface and pores while avoiding all the problems associated with using a washcloth.

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Who Should Use Lactic Acid Peels?

Tiffany Holley
When it comes to at home peels, it can be confusing when you are trying to decide which one to try. You have probably heard the good and the bad during your research including people who have had amazing results and some who have had some downright scary results. This is why alpha-hydroxy chemical home peel products are great, as they work on all skin types and deliver the results you expect. If you are considering lactic acid products, here are the basics and some information about who would benefit from the use of lactic peels. chemical home skin peels at home A lactic acid peel works by exfoliating and peeling the outer layer of skin to rejuvenate and stimulate new skin cell growth and to reveal the more beautiful skin underneath those dead skin cells. It is derived from milk sugars, so it is all-natural. The properties of lactic acid when compared to other alpha hydroxy acids are different in that the molecules are larger which causes a lactic acid skin peel to penetrate the skin more slowly. This means it is gentler on the skin but is still very effective for its intended uses. Because lactic peels are proven effective, work on any skin type and are gentler to the skin than other chemical peel products, they are a good choice for:
  • The Beginner – someone who has never used at home peels before
  • Sensitive Skin – someone whose skin is easily irritated
  • Acne Prone Skin – someone whose skin breaks out with acne often and has acne scars
  • Mature or Dry Skin – someone who is over 35 or has very dry skin
Skin care experts recommend starting out with the lowest concentration possible, as in 30% lactic acid peels, and then increasing in strength once the skin is accustomed to undergoing at home peels. Skin Rx offers lactic acid facial peel products ranging from 30% lactic acid to 50% lactic acid for all levels of chemical home peel users.

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Do Lactic Acid Face Peels Work on Acne Scars?

Tiffany Holley
People who have acne scars, whether mild or severe, are never fully happy with their appearance. These red blemishes are difficult to cover and never seem to fade very much on their own. With certain chemical peel treatments however, acne scars can either fade drastically or even disappear completely. It does take time and consistency to achieve great results but it is well worth the effort if you are unhappy with acne scars on your face.  One very common treatment for acne scars is lactic peels. This type of chemical peel is made with lactic acid, an Alpha-Hydroxy acid derived from milk and which also can be found naturally inside the human body. Because of its natural occurrence in our bodies, lactic acid products tend to be safe even for very sensitive skin and do not often cause allergic reactions. As an added benefit to the skin, lactic acid is different from other chemical skin peel products due to its hydrating properties which allow the lactic acid facial peel to moisturize the skin. For people with dry skin and acne, this is a great choice. Lactic acid products have anti-aging benefits as well as they stimulate both collagen and elastin production. chemical home skin peels at home Now as far as acne scars, lactic acid is a good choice. Alpha-hydroxy acids like lactic acid are good for all skin types, so there is no concern about what skin type you have when choosing to control your acne and fade acne scars with lactic acid facial peels. Lactic acid peels are not deep peels and they work to exfoliate and peel off the top layer of the skin. This means that it will take more than one lactic peel to really see significant results in fading or eliminating acne scars. Skin care experts recommend doing six lactic acid peels spaced out every two weeks and then one lactic acid facial peel per month to control reoccurring acne. With larger molecules than other AHA’s like glycolic acid, lactic acid slowly penetrates the skin which causes less of a burning sensation during the chemical peel. Lactic acid facial peels are proven effective in moisturizing the skin and in improving the tone and texture, even on mature skin. As with similar alpha-hydroxy chemical skin peel products, lactic acid peels are available in different strengths which can be increased for more dramatic results over time.

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How to Use a Home Microdermabrasion Kit

Tiffany Holley
Whether you are using home microdermabrasion as a follow-up to professional microdermabrasion treatments or because you can not afford the cost otherwise, you will need to know a few basic instructions before you get started. Using your personal microdermabrasion system properly is the best way to ensure the most significant results. Follow these steps, using Skin Rx’s Microdermabrasion Peel Kit #1. 1. Wash face with a mild cleanser such as Skin Rx’s Arnica Facial Wash. After washing, rinse your face clean and gently pat your face dry. Patting dry gently helps to keep your skin calm. It is important not to skip this step, as your face needs to be clean before you use microdermabrasion creams. 2. Apply Microdermabrasion Peel to your face with the rotating wand applicator tool. For best results, work in small sections for 3 to 4 minutes on each section. As you apply the Microdermabrasion Peel to your face, you will feel a soft, fine sand-like texture which is the Corundum Crystals. This key ingredient, along with 10% glycolic acid, work to peel away dull surface skin and age spots to give a rejuvenated and younger-looking appearance. As you use the product with the applicator wand, you will see small clumps forming and falling off. This is the used product absorbing the dead skin which is peeling away from your face. Home microdermabrasion is good for reducing fine lines, acne scars, and uneven texture. The process also helps to get rid of sun damage, age spots, brown spots, and other areas of hyperpigmentation.

Professional Microdermabrasion results at home

3. You can repeat Step 2 until you have covered your entire face. The home microdermabrasion kit can also be used on your neck and other areas of the body such as your hands. Because age spots or brown spots are a common occurrence on the hands, microdermabrasion treatments are an easy and effective way to remove them. 4. Rinse face thoroughly to remove the microdermabrasion cream and dead skin cells when have been sloughed off. To avoid any unnecessary irritation, it is extremely important to rinse away every bit of the product and not leave any on the skin. Pat your skin dry again. Your face will feel very refreshed and smooth after your microdermabrasion treatments. You should not experience any pain or discomfort at all but your face may feel a bit tingly for awhile. rinsing 5. The last step is to apply Soothing Serum. This product contains Hyaluronic Acid to provide superior moisture and Canadian Willow Herb and Vitamin K to soothe and calm the skin.

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Microdermabrasion FAQ

Tiffany Holley
When you have questions about skin care topics like microdermabrasion, it is best to turn to the experts. Skin Rx Clinic has put together a comprehensive list about microdermabrasion treatments and everything involved. If you still have additional questions about microdermabrasion systems or home microdermabrasion, please post a comment and we’ll get back to you with an answer! Q: What Do Professional Microdermabrasion Treatments Involve? A: First, your skin will be cleaned using a specially formulated cleansing gel. The microdermabrasion procedure is then started with the use of a special hand-held device. The microdermabrasion crystals are then sandblasted onto your skin through a small tube. The same tube simultaneously vacuums off the dead skin cells which were removed. The flow of microdermabrasion cream begins at the moment the microdermabrasion wand is applied to the skin. The wand will be moved across your whole face, not just your problem areas, to achieve a consistent skin texture and color. Following your microdermabrasion treatments, a special soothing cream will be applied to your skin to nourish it and protect it from the sun. You can then get back to work or whatever your daily routine is immediately following the treatment.

Professional Microdermabrasion results at home

Q: Can Microdermabrasion Treatments Only Be Done By Skin Care Professionals? A: Originally, microdermabrasion could only be performed by trained plastic surgeons and later a variety of skin care professionals such as beauty spas and dermatologists became specially trained to perform professional microdermabrasion treatments. Today however, home microdermabrasion products allow anyone to perform this simple, yet effective, skin care treatment. Q: Do Microdermabrasion Systems Work To Even Out Red Marks On The Face? A: Microdermabrasion products work to remove the top surface layer of the skin. Over time and with multiple microdermabrasion treatments, red marks can fade or even disappear depending on their severity to begin with. Some red marks on the face will not disappear with microdermabrasion alone. Q: Does Microdermabrasion Do Anything For Younger People With Skin Problems? A: Microdermabrasion treatments are considered safe for young people with a variety of skin types. Microdermabrasion creams should not be used on anyone younger than 14 however, especially since teenagers and younger people still face major hormonal changes that could diminish the results of the microdermabrasion treatments. Q: Can Home Microdermabrasion Improve the Appearance of Stretch Marks? A: Yes, a microdermabrasion kit is design to exfoliate and shed the top layer of skin. For all intents and purposes, stretch marks are a part of your skin that has an uneven tone and texture. Microdermabrasion treatments have been proven to even out the skin’s texture and tone and can therefore reduce or erase some unsightly stretch marks. Q: Can I Use Microdermabrasion Creams On My Eyelids? A: No, home microdermabrasion creams are not meant to be used on your eyelids under any circumstances. This eye area is extremely thin and therefore prone to irritation or possibly even scarring because the skin can be easily damaged. There are alternative eye wrinkle creams that you should use on your eyelids instead to treat fine lines and wrinkles. Q: Can I Use Microdermabrasion Products for Skin Lightening? A: No. While microdermabrasion treatments do exfoliates and help you to shed the top layer of skin, it can not entirely lighten your complexion. Microdermabrasion products can, however, help even out blotchy skin tone for a more even appearance. Q: Who Is Suitable To Receive Microdermabrasion Treatments? A: If you are over the age of 14 and you have skin care concerns such as mild acne scars, blotchy or uneven skin tone, enlarged pores, fine lines and wrinkles, and/or age or sun spots, our microdermabrasion systems can probably help you. Microdermabrasion products work for all skin types and colors. Q: How Many Microdermabrasion Treatments Will I Need? A: The answer to this question depends on the severity of your skin care issues. For most people, significant changes are noticeable after at least five microdermabrasion treatments when done on a regular schedule. If you were to go to a dermatologist or other skin care professional for personal microdermabrasion, you would more than likely be told that you will need six to ten treatments, each about two to four weeks apart. However many treatments it takes you to reach your desired results, you will have to continue to use microdermabrasion products every two to three months to maintain the effects. Q: How Long Does a Microdermabrasion Treatment Take? A: Usually, your microdermabrasion treatments should take no more than 20 minutes from start to finish. If you are doing other areas of the body such as your neck or hands, the process will take longer. Home microdermabrasion is very simple, so you should be able to complete the process even in a half-hour lunch break! Q: Does Microdermabrasion Remove Acne Scars? A: For mild acne scars, microdermabrasion treatments can even out the skin’s overall texture and improve superficial acne scarring. If you have deep acne scars, microdermabrasion will not likely provide significant improvement. Q: Can Microdermabrasion Work as a Treatment for Hyperpigmentation? A: Skin Rx’s microdermabrasion system is a good choice for treating hyperpigmentation issues. The microdermabrasion creams help to remove the surface layer of the skin where those hyperpigmented skin cells gather. While it normally requires several microdermabrasion treatments, you will usually see significant improvement in a more even skin tone.

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Microdermabrasion Products – The Basics

Tiffany Holley
Microdermabrasion treatments are an easy, non-invasive procedure which renews and rejuvenates dull skin, improves fine lines and wrinkles, reduces the appearance of large pores, lightens acne scars, reduces the appearance of stretch marks and age spots, and improves mild hyperpigmentation problems. Personal microdermabrasion is just as effective as other skin treatments to reduce the appearance of superficial imperfections but it does not require any down time so that you can immediately return to your normal routine after a treatment. Microdermabrasion works to resurface the skin to get rid of the dull dead skin cells and restore one’s natural glow. Home microdermabrasion is a simple procedure for anyone to do and it is completely painless. When compared to the results of treatments like dermal abrasion and laser skin resurfacing, microdermabrasion treatments are equally effective and provide comparable results. Although personal microdermabrasion can be performed at home, it previously was performed only by skin care professionals, plastic surgeons, and dermatologists who utilized a hand-held machine, much like a sandblaster, which sprayed and circulated a high-pressure flow of special facial crystals onto the patient’s skin.

Professional Microdermabrasion results at home

Home microdermabrasion has significantly lowered the cost of this skin treatment. Personal microdermabrasion kits will differ in contents depending on where it is purchased, however, the majority of them will contain a crystal cream and an applicator. The applicator is usually a small hand-held wand to re-surface the skin or foam type of applicator which is used to massage the cream into the skin. Microdermabrasion treatments consist of polishing special crystals onto the surface of the skin which in turn helps to remove dead cells, debris, and sebum to get to healthier, younger-looking skin underneath. Some of the best microdermabrasion products or kits include additional creams, gels, and moisturizers which are formulated specifically to enhance the results of microdermabrasion treatments. Skin Rx, for example, offers a unique formulation which combines a home microdermabrasion treatment with glycolic acid for a “double peel” effect for even better results than other personal microdermabrasion kits available.

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Glycolic Facial Acid Peels – The Basics

Tiffany Holley
True glycolic acid comes from the natural acids of fruit, also called alpha hydroxy acids. As a skin treatment, glycolic acid products are used to renew a person’s skin through peeling old, dead sun-damaged skin cells on the surface. Overall, glycolic acid is the most commonly used form of alpha-hydroxy-acid used for glycolic acid facial peels. There are 5 common fruit acids used for facial peels: citric acid peels (derived from the citrus fruits), lactic acid peels (derived from sour milk, but it’s still considered a fruit acid), glycolic acid peels (derived from sugar cane), malic acid peels (derived from apples), and tartaric acid peels (derived from grapes). chemical home skin peels at home Lactic Acid Peels - Lactic acid peels are a derivative of sour milk. Lactic acid is sometimes said to be a more mild chemical peel compared to a glycolic acid peel, though it is similar to how a glycolic facial peel works. People with super sensitive skin, such as those with Rosacea, sometimes prefer to try lactic acid peels first before moving on to glycolic acid products. Citric Acid Peels - Citric acid peels are easy to use, minimally invasive, but take many treatments to see significant improvement on the skin. Malic Acid Peels – Malic acid is used in the same way as a citric acid peel in that it is only mildly invasive and requires several treatments to get significant results. A malic acid peel is also used for acne treatments as it can open pores to allow the sebum to be cleared out which helps reduce blemishes. Tartaric Acid Peels – Tartaric acid is a derivative of grape extract. This type of peel is very similar to all other fruit acid peels and works to improve the skin and reduce acne with repeated treatments over time. Buffered Glycolic Acid - Buffered glycolic acid peels are neutralized to some degree to about a 2.1 on the pH scale. For the home user, a buffered glycolic acid product is considered safer. Unbuffered Glycolic Acid - Unbuffered glycolic acid peels have a lower pH and are known to be more aggressively and to produce faster results when applied to the skin. Unbuffered glycolic acid products should only be applied by a skin care professional or dermatologist for best results. Alpha-hydroxy-acids including the lactic acid, fruit acids, and glycolic acid, are a safe alternative to chemical peels which home users can use to obtain smoother, younger-looking and more even colored skin for those who do not want to or can not afford to get a peel from a physician or dermatologist. AHA facial peels can treat and improve the appearance of fine wrinkles, dryness, uneven skin color, and also acne. Different concentrations of an alpha-hydroxy-acid peel can be applied at regular intervals to achieve significant results. Skin Rx Clinic offers the very best glycolic acid products with high quality ingredients formulated to give home users the same results that can be achieved from a doctor strength glycolic peel. Skin Rx Clinic has 15% Glycolic Acid, 30% Glycolic Acid, and 40% Glycolic Acid products and a variety of Glycolic Peel Kits for beginners and experienced glycolic facial peel users alike.

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Rosacea Diet – Foods to Avoid

Tiffany Holley
If you are just learning that you have Rosacea, it might be helpful to know that there are certain foods you should avoid which are known to trigger the condition. Rosacea has symptoms such as facial redness which lasts for extended periods of time, pimples, red lines on the face, swollen bumps on the nose, and eye irritation. Obviously you will want to do everything possible to avoid triggering an outbreak of Rosacea, even if it means giving up a few of your favorite foods. The following foods are known triggers for Rosacea: Spicy foods – includes foods that are blood vessel dilators such as vinegars, hot sauces, hot spices, various spicy seasonings and peppers (even black pepper) and spiced meat marinades. Certain produce – includes tomatoes, citrus fruits and citrus juices, raisins, bananas, figs, red plums, peas, eggplant, spinach, avocados, lima beans, and navy beans Pasta Certain Dairy Products – includes Cheese, Yogurt, and Sour Cream Chocolate (sorry!) Liver Vanilla Soy Sauce Yeast Extract In addition to avoiding Rosacea trigger foods, you can also use skin care products to keep the condition under control. The right skin care products are made for ultra sensitive skin and contain no irritants. Skin Rx recommends the following products for Rosacea: Rosacea Kit #1 – Contains Arnica Facial Wash, Soothing Serum, Skin Recovery, Visible Lift Eye Gel, PVA Shammy. This kit is specifically made for highly sensitive skin and works to cleanse, heal, and calm the skin. Aloe Soothing Mask – Aloe plays a huge role in calming, soothing, and hydrating the skin in this mask. RosaPlex Skin Serum – This calming skin serum soothes and hydrates the skin while helping to resolve issues specific to Rosacea including flushing and redness, visible capillaries, pimples, and other symptoms.

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What are the symptoms of Rosacea?

Tiffany Holley
If you are searching to find out what the symptoms of Rosacea are to find out if you may have this condition – you are in the right place and our team of skin care experts is here to help! Rosacea can sometimes be difficult to diagnose, so it is a good idea to visit a doctor or dermatologist if you find you have one or more of these symptoms. The following symptoms are common in people with Rosacea: Facial Redness – As Rosacea begins to develop, facial redness, especially on the cheeks, will be noticeable for lingering periods of time just like sunburn. The redness may also be on the forehead, nose, and chin. Things which may trigger the facial redness include sun exposure and alcohol consumption. Bumps and Pimples – When the facial redness is noticed, you may also see or feel bumps or pimples within the red areas or on the outer edges. The bumps are round and red, and are unlike acne pimples known as whiteheads and blackheads. Skin Thickening – Skin thickening will happen most often on the nose of people with Rosacea, and most commonly on men with the condition. This is caused by excess tissue forming. Eye Irritation – About half of the people who suffer from Rosacea will experience some form of eye irritation. This may include redness or dryness, pink eye, burning, crusty mucus, tearing up, or a feeling like there is sand or dirt in your eye. If you have been diagnosed with Rosacea and you are looking for the right skin care products to care for your skin type, Skin Rx suggests the following Rosacea skin care products: Arnica Facial Wash – The perfect facial wash for people with Rosacea. It is mild and completely free from dyes, perfumes, oil, and alcohols - which means nothing to irritate your skin. Contains Arnica extract and aloe which is great for highly sensitive skin and works well to cleanse the skin of makeup and other dirt or residue. Rosacea Kit # 2 – Contains six of the best products Skin Rx has to offer for people with Rosacea with Arnica Facial Wash, Willowherb Soothing Serum, Herbal Moisture Crème, Liquid Silk, Aqua Crème for Eyes, and Shammy.

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