2012 is here and so are yearly resolutions. We all have bad skin habits to break, so why not add some skin care resolutions? Below is a list of our top 5 bad habits to break for the New Year.

1. Stop touching your face

Trying to self treat blemishes or other imperfections on your face can mostly lead to making the problem worse. Stay away from facial extractors available in your local drugstore, and leave it to a professional.

2. Appointments

For healthy skin, be sure to keep monthly appointments with your aesthetician, dermatologist, or doctor. And don’t forget to make an appointment for a yearly mole check up!

3. Stop sleeping with your makeup on

Once you get in the habit of cleansing your skin before bedtime, it will become routine and your skin will thank you!

4. Sunscreen

Levels of SPF can be found in almost any beauty product these days, so there really aren’t any excuses on why you are skipping this life saving step.

5. Set your own skin care goals

Setting skin care goals can only lead to you fully achieving what you would like most for your skin. We all have them, we just need to stick with them and the results will truly be rewarding…a younger looking you!

Best wishes for the New Year and new improved you!

Skin-care issues can range from minor to life threatening, and there are several types of professionals you can consult to ensure that your skin is cared for in the best possible manner to promote future health and wellness. Before making a call to your skin-care professional, however, you must first understand the difference between a dermatologist and an aesthetician.

Determining Whether to Consult an Aesthetician:

1. While a dermatologist specializes in the cause and cure of skin afflictions, an aesthetician focuses on more superficial issues and discovering their causes. First, determine the nature and severity of your skin-care issues, and then consult with your Aesthetician in determining the most appropriate treatment for your specific condition.
2. Next, understand the services offered by the aesthetician you will consult with. Some aestheticians practice independently or in conjunction with a physician.
3. Finally, consult this short list of superficial skin afflictions, and if your own issue is on the list or is similar in nature to a list item, consulting an aesthetician may help lead to fast relief for your skin-care concerns.
4. Superficial skin-care problems: minor to moderate acne; acne scarring; clogged pores; fine to medium lines; off-colored pigmentation; rosy cheeks; dry or rough skin; and the formation of wrinkles.

Determining Whether to Consult a Dermatologist:

1. A dermatologist is a medical doctor whose specialty are skin-related issues. To determine the range of skin-care issues appropriate for your dermatologist, first become familiar with your dermatologist’s practice.
2. Next, focus on your own skin-care problems, and determine their extent and severity before deciding to call your dermatologist.
3. Finally, consult this short list of serious skin afflictions, and if your own issue is on the list or is similar in nature or severity to a list item, contact your dermatologist immediately.
4. Serious skin-care problems: bleeding, persistent or painful acne; moles or freckles that change in color, size or shape; rashes that bleed, swell or fail to respond to over-the-counter medicines; lumps, bumps or protrusions under your skin; or open sores that do not heal after proper over-the-counter treatment.

Source: By an eHow Contributing Writer

Key Ingredients to Help Fight Acne

It’s really important to know what ingredients are in acne skin care products.

It’s also important not to over wash your skin, especially if the products you are using contain salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. Although both of these key ingredients are effective for treating acne, if used more than twice a day your skin can become irritated or even start to peel.

Below is a list of ingredients that are effective for acne prevention. Be a savvy shopper, and know what’s in your skin care products, and the functions they serve.

1. Salicylic Acid: Helps shed dead skin cells more rapidly, and prevents clogged pores.
2. Lactic Acid: Derived from sour milk, this acid helps with the removal with the top layer of skin cells.
3. Clindamycin: Commonly used as an antibiotic to treat infections, studies have shown that in the treatment of acne, this ingredient is effective.
4. Hyaluronic Acid: This acid is a natural ingredient and is already found in the body. It is used to repair skin problems such as scarring, and acne.
5. Oligopeptide-10: This peptide is similar to salicylic acid, where it can be used as a toner in products to maintain healthy skin. Excellent for activity against acne bacteria.

With our private line of products being formulated with the above mentioned ingredients, allows our Aestheticians to properly treat and diagnosis all grades of acne. Just to mention a few products; we recommend our PerfectaCleanse, PerfectaClear & PerfectaStick as part of a healthy skin care regimen.

Acne Triggers

So what triggers adult acne?

Acne can be triggered by a number of things, but most acne within adults can be caused by chronic stress. Adults suffering from chronic stress, a continual stress; can lead to an increase in hormone levels, which then leads to more oil production.

Some triggers are:

Heredity: Acne is considered a genetic disease. Those who inherit acne are more susceptible to triggers that can exacerbate the condition.

Cosmetics: Most cosmetics and hair care products carry ingredients such as plastics and fragrances. If you are currently being treated for acne, it’s important to know what ingredients are in the products you are using.

Environment: UV rays, diet, and pollution. These are all factors that can worsen acne in some. Heat and humidity can also produce an increase in oil production and blood flow.

Medications: Certain medications can cause acne as a side effect, such as those to treat epilepsy and depression.

Hygiene: Poor hygiene, and picking at any lesions, or trying to extract pores by yourself. It is also very important to clean your makeup brushes each week. This helps minimize the amount of bacteria, and helps with fewer breakouts.

It is important to be aware of issues such as phone hygiene, picking or touching the face, fabric conditioners, sport clothing, stress levels, diet, & exercise. These are all contributing factors to triggering acne.

Source: IDI

What is Acne?

The word “acne” is a medical term for clogged pores (blackheads & whiteheads), pimples, and even deeper lumps (cysts or nodules) that occur on the face, neck, chest, back shoulders, and also on the upper arms.

Acne is most often associated with teenagers, but is not restricted to a specific age group. It can occur in most adults and studies show that the percentage of adults with acne is rising.

There are four contributing factors to acne:

• Sebaceous Follicle (houses the oil-producing glands and hair follicles, where pimples form)
• Cell Proliferation (retention of dead skin cells)
• Sebaceous Gland & Sebum (cause blackheads & whiteheads)
• Bacteria

Acne can be both upsetting and disfiguring. Severe acne can lead to serious and permanent scarring. While acne is not life threatening by any means, it should still be properly treated by an Aesthetician, or Dermatologist.

We have more information on the way in our following segments addressing acne statistics, triggers, and medical options for acne treatment.

Stay tuned!

Source: IDI