Fantasia Salon / Spa and Wig Specialists

There are many things you can do to have clearer, fresher and younger skin. Let’s talk about a few of them. Most good skin care lines have products which address skin issues such as acne. Salicylic acid and glycolic acid are good ingredients to look for. Salicylic acid has an antibacterial effect and glycolic acid has an exfoliating effect. Obviously if you have severe acne you should see a dermatologist. There are different types of acne which would be treated differently. For example, sulfur, benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid can work wonders on cystic acne, underground pimples respond better to a warm compress which will stimulate blood flow, bringing them to a head, allowing them to open or speed the body’s ability to heal and reabsorb.

There are supplements which are wonderful for the skin such as beta-carotene. This is high in vitamin A, a super exfoliator and antioxidant that turns skin cells over rapidly. For those with mild acne not interested in taking Accutane (known to cause birth defects,) beta-carotene is a great alternative.

Sometimes when blemishes finally clear, the skin is red and irritated and occasionally brown spots will appear. Look for moisturizers for sensitive skin to reduce redness. If the redness is really pronounced, you may want to think about laser treatments to target broken capillaries. You will need at least three treatments which could cost $400. each.

To diminish brown spots, it’s best to look for botanical based lighteners so as not to irritate the skin. Most of these products will have a pigment-producing enzyme called tyrosinase which are gentler than those containing hydroquinone, another option.

If you are dealing with keratosis polaris, those ugly red bumps on the backs of arms and thighs, use a moisturizer with at least 15 percent glycolic acid. If you have seriously dry skin, try an emollient formula. Another tip for seriously dry skin, consider supplementing your diet with fish oil. Fish oil will help moisturize your skin from the inside out in addition to providing many other health benefits.

For younger skin, we all know about being sunscreen-savy. Nothing, however, is going to protect you 100 percent. For extra defense, layer an antixoidant serum such as SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum under your sunscreen every morning. Studies have shown that this combination produces significant improvement in fine lines, inflammation (redness) and hyperpigmentation.

There are products which can help undo sun damage to a degree. They stimulate your immune system to attack the diseased cells. If you have serious issues, you may need a prescription cream such as Aldara. For more minor symptoms, you can use a retinoid cream to take care of the fine lines around your eyes and mouth, the brown spots and the rough skin texture. And as we have discussed in several post, there are wonderful non-surgical solutions such as Microdermabrasion and Facial Sculpting.

Can we turn off cancer genes? New research suggest that the polyphenols in brown algae may help repair sun damage and prevent skin cancer. To add them to your diet, you can order a mixed seaweed salad from your favorite Japanese restaurant. In order for the seaweed properties to remain stable, it is best eaten raw.

Another secret to look younger is to brighten your eyes. Vascular dark circles, the kind resulting from blood vessels underneath thin skin, can be camouflaged with concealer. If you are really bothered with this, some dermatologist offices offer Restylane injections to hide the dark circles. If you are afraid of needles, there are hydrating creams and serums with water-binding ingredients such as collagen and hyaluronic acid. These can temporarily plump up the skin to mask blood vessels. If puffiness is a problem for you, try smoothing an algae mask over the area which can stimulate your skin cells to eliminate excess fluid.

There are many products to apply topically to assist you in having clearer, fresher and younger skin. However, diet and nutrition are equally important. At Fantasia, we promote SkinCeuticals Skin Care products to assist you topically and Isagenix Supplements to help with your diet as we feel both areas are necessary.