Fantasia Salon / Spa and Wig Specialists

Wrinkles. How do they happen? They are commonly associated with aging. However, when proper skin care is neglected, wrinkles can appear sooner than they should.

There are products and treatments available which promise to reduce and even eliminate wrinkles. Unfortunately, some promise more than they can actually deliver. Let’s talk about common causes of wrinkles and a few treatments and steps you can take to prevent them.

Wrinkles are caused by the breakdown of collagen fibers and the thinning of the skin. As the skin becomes thinner, it’s less capable of retaining moisture. When the moisture is released, the skin becomes dry. The collagen fibers begin to deteriorate which causes the skin to lose its former elasticity. Meanwhile, the subcutaneous layer (beneath the dermis) begins to lose its ability to support the dermis and epidermis. As these events converge, the skin experience increased sagging and wrinkling.

Excessive exposure to direct sunlight can result in premature wrinkling. This happens as a result of the sun’s UV rays penetrating the epidermis and dermis. Prolonged exposure to UV radiation leads to accelerated collagen deterioration, thinning of the epidermis and the stimulation of free radicals.

At Fantasia, we carry the SkinCeuticals Skin Care line. SkinCeuticals uses alpha-hydroxy acids and various antioxidants in addition to vitamins to assist in minimizing the appearance of mild wrinkles and fine lines. There are lots of wrinkle cremes on the market which, in truth, have varying levels of efficacy. Whether or not they work is largely dependent upon the active ingredients used, the concentrations of those ingredients and how consistently the creams are applied. Most wrinkle creams have not undergone rigorous clinical testing.

There are positive steps you can take which are proven effective for slowing the development of wrinkles.

• Use a sunscreen that offers protection from UVA and UVB rays.
• Stop smoking. You may not see the effects immediately but cigarette smoke will accelerate your skins aging process. If you won’t stop for your health’s sake, stop for vanities sake!
• Moisturize your skin. How many times have you heard this? Help your skin retain water and moisture by using a moisturizer that is rich with antioxidants. This can further prevent skin damage while encouraging the production of collagen fibers. As mentioned previously, SkinCeuticals is a wonderful product line. One of the skin care professionals at Fantasia would be happy to give you some samples if you would like to try before you buy.

Other solutions include peels, microdermabrasion and facial sculpting. These treatments, when done in a series, offer visible results. These treatments are non-invasive. Of course there are invasive procedures available such as injections, laser resurfacing and surgery.

The basics of skin care are built upon a foundation of preventative measures. These measures prolong the youthful appearance of your skin while sustaining its health. Some simple basic steps can help prevent the deterioration of collagen fibers and loss of elasticity, thereby avoiding the onset of wrinkles. We may be getting older but we don’t have to look it.

As humidity levels rise, it might be a good time to pay attention to your skincare regime. Managing your skin during the summer can sometimes be a challenge particularly for those with extreme skin conditions like acne or excessively oily skin. The heat and environmental toxins can all play a role in the overall look and feel of the skin. Humid weather can exacerbate a variety of skin problems.

You can’t escape entirely from the humidity unless you stay inside, and that would be a travesty as summer is all too brief in Minnesota! Here are a few tips and strategies to help restore and balance your skin so you can enjoy summer fun!

Use a clarifying facial wash or cleanser. SkinCeuticals has an excellent skin care line which we sell at Fantasia. Clarifying cleansers help to unclog pores that are working overtime during the hotter months as skin sweats more often.

Drink plenty of water! This is good for your overall health anyway in addition to flushing out toxins and keeping your skin well - hydrated.

Use an exfoliating scrub at least once per week. Try different scrubs to remove dull skin cells and increase circulation in the process. If you can afford it, think about having some microdermabrasion treatments at the salon or treat yourself to an anti-aging facial.

Use a toner with glycolic acid to further help remove pollutants and toxins. Again, I would recommend SkinCeuticals.

Use a light moisturizer with SPF protection on a daily basis. This will leave skin supple, smooth and well-toned. If your skin is oily, make sure you are using a light moisturizer. Apply it sparingly.

Use a eye gel before bed. This can help reduce puffiness and any tenderness in the eye area as well as have you waking up with bright eyes and smooth skin.

Use botanical products and essentials oils which can help you stay cool. Anything based in chamomile and lavender will be soothing and cooling. Cucumber and aloe-based products are rejuvenating and restoring.

This is a no-brainer, always wash off your makeup before bed. Your skin needs to breathe overnight and can detoxify naturally without the blockage of makeup. Eat lots of water-based foods. You will get vitamins and minerals from your daily diet but you can stay hydrated with less water if you consume lots of water-based foods.

Be sure to use a shower filter to filter out the chlorine which can be very damaging to your skin. Keep your skin well protected when swimming and showering.

Exercise early in the morning. You can enjoy the benefits of exercise without worry of overheating or dehydration if you exercise early.

Humid summer weather can affect your skin in many ways. It can be more likely to breakouts and can become imbalanced. Use the right products for your skin type and follow a healthy regime to create a healthy and vibrant summer glow!

You already know Fantasia is excited about SkinCeuticals Skin Care line. We could tell the product ingredients were superb without knowing anything about the science behind them. It’s always great when you find a product that looks and sounds good and has the science behind it. We’d like to talk a bit about the company and it’s philosophies.

SkinCeuticals was founded in 1994, and as we have discussed, they have innovative dermatology products designed to improve the overall health and appearance of the skin. The company’s goal was to create and market innovative products backed by science. They have been careful to devote significant resources toward careful controlled and peer-reviewed research in support of the technology behind the products. SkinCeuticals is committed to clinical research, product development, and education to promote complete skin care solutions. (At Fantasia, we like this because we are all about solutions. Solutions for thinning hair and hair loss as well as solutions for damaged and aging skin.)

Here’s what dermatologist are saying: SkinCeuticals has a great product lineup. The products are pleasant and even elegant. There are three SkinCeuticals product classes that stand out as an exceptional amongst an impressive overall lineup. Vitamin C products, broad spectrum sunblocks and phyto skin lighteners which are rich in botanicals are areas in which SkinCeuticals truly excels.

SkinCeuticals topical vitamin C products comprise an innovative skin care line featuring stabilized L-ascorbic acid at a low pH. We all know that vitamin C products like SkinCeuticals are supposed to visibly improve skin clarity, tone and texture as well as minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, leaving the skin with a firmer, smoother, younger looking appearance.

Peer-reviewed clinical studies have shown that in order to be effective, a vitamin C formulation must contain stable, acid pH, L-ascorbic acid of at least 10% concentration. SkinCeuticals topical vitamin-C products feature the Duke University-patented technology for stable L-ascorbic acid, in concentrations ranging from five (for around the eyes)to fifteen percent, in cosmetically-elegant formulations.

SkinCeuticals sun protection products contain Z-Cote, a form of micro fine, transparent zinc oxide which provides true broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection. These sunscreens are cosmetically elegant and perfect for use under makeup or other cosmetics. SkinCeuticals are really among the best we’ve seen. The products are quite elegant, the packaging is awesome and the price is reasonable.

So, it’s not just Fantasia. If you are seeing a dermatologist for whatever reason, be sure to ask about SkinCeuticals. At least ask if they are familiar with the products and what they think.