The truth about Vitamin C and the Peel Kit:

We all know the benefits Vitamin C has on our skin whether it is taken internally or applied topically.  My work with topical vitamin therapies began over 20 years ago in our medical clinics.  Recent advancements increasing the stability and penetration effect of ascorbic acid when used in topical formulations has changed the skin care industry.

The excellent results our patients and clients experience with these advanced vitamin formulations has led us to develop the Clinage 

Vitamin C Peel Kit.  It uses 10% non-buffered glycolic and Vitamin C Crystals. The Vitamin C crystals are non-oxidizing and pairing glycolic with the crystals makes them   highly penetrating and effective.  The skin’s permeability is improved by lifting off suffocating dead cells from the stratum corneum allowing high amounts of Vitamin C to be absorbed into the lower dermal area.

Available and to be used regularly at home, this product will return your skin to a supple, radiant, healthy state because it :

1.     Encourages the skin’s dermal growth factors through increased collagen and elastin production

2.     Disburses the melanocytes (brown pigment cells)

3.     Enhances the skin’s moisture retaining molecules.

4.     Improves resilience, suppleness, and support of the skin.

This will result in fine line reduction, will even out pigmentation, increase elasticity and hydrate the skin’s top layers, leaving healthy glowing skin. Visit www.clinage.com for more info.

Until next time.........

Dark Circles and How to Lose Them!

Dark circles under the eyes are one of the most frustrating facial features the general public complains about.  Dark circles can be hereditary, many times based on ethnicity. Another prevalent cause is allergies, specifically asthma or long-term allergies and even dust elements, often called the allergic shiner.

Other causes could be swelling from lack of sleep or even an increased salt intact, which can result in the under eye looking dark and forming shadows. Lines and folds can also accompany the dark circles from swelling or aging.

The most difficult dark circles to get rid of are those caused by hereditary factors since they are deep and resistant to many therapies including advanced laser. The allergic shiner can be minimized by controlling the allergies with prescribed medicine or even some over the counter brands.  The dark circles that result from sleep deprivation and the puffiness from a high sodium diet will obviously be diminished by plenty of sleep and a reduced salt intake. Avoid processed foods. Drink plenty of green tea and water.

Luckily, you can also include topical Vitamin C in the form of Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, which can be used around the eyes up to twice a day to help reduce puffiness and wrinkles. This is a natural anti-inflammatory as well as a collagen builder. Additionally, topical niacinamide assists with building collagen and aiding our skins immunology. Vitamins A and E also help with elasticity and can reduce fine lines.

All of these treatments and products by Clinage will improve your skin and make you look younger and healthier. It is not expensive and worth a try. And don’t forget the glycolic acid, which gets rid of the dead, dull layer and opens the pores for advanced penetration.

Until next time…..

A life-saving skin lesson by Marcia

The A, B, C and D’s of Pigmented Mole Lesions.

Look for any new lesions, especially with a color to treat either dark brown, black, red, white or multi-colored. Keep track of moles that were once flat that have become raised or change.

Now more about the ABCD lesson. A is for asymmetry, meaning you cannot fold the mole onto itself. B is for border—the border of the spot or lesion is irregular, not round or oval, or notched. C is for color, as mentioned above with elevation and redness and sometimes white. Anything new on your skin is a warning sign. An amelanotic melanoma, which is very rare, is a lesion, growth or spot that flakes, bleeds and just does not heal. The diameter is the least important factor. A dermatology check could save your life.

One of the key factors is knowledge and early detection by a trained eye. The post, growth or lesion can be completely removed for a full cure. Any growth you have a question about and is changing or growing needs to be checked on. Early, complete removal with margins is the key. Biopsies should be wide as well as not to diffuse the cancer cells into the bloodstream. So, if you think it is cancerous or precancerous, do not cut into it. Always get a good margin, good pathologist and a good skin specialist.

Go for the sunny glow with a tinted moisturizer. Also maintain an anti-aging and anti-acne diet high in antioxidants.  Topical skin vitamins are also helpful to build skin immunology such as topical C (magnesium C) topical A, E and topical niacinamide.

Avoid the sun and tanning booths. Do a self body check every six months and see a dermatologist if something is suspicious as outlined in this blog. I sure hope you will pass on these life-saving tips.

Until next time…..

Can the Sun Kill You?

Can the Sun Kill You?

Unfortunately, yes with the right doses. Some forms of skin cancer, particularly melanoma have become one of the top killers of young adults. Melanoma has been named a “condition of lifestyle.”

The sun provides us with Vitamin D and A and may give us a healthy glow but the dangers far outweigh the benefits.  All of us are born with a skin type from one to six.  One being the fairest, which burns easily and allows very little natural protection from the sun.  If you are rated a six, your skin is dark brown/black with little chance of burning and more natural protection.

All are candidates for skin cancer but the lighter the skin and the more burns over your lifetime, the greater chance for these deadly cancers to show up.

What kind of cancer is the worst? Melanoma, which is cancer of the melanin cells, which takes off in the bloodstream and can be deadly. The usual chemotherapy agents, which work on other cancers, are not successful with melanoma so early diagnosis is critical and makes this cancer curable.

The serious question to ask yourself is how much sun exposure have I had over my lifetime, starting as a baby and how many bad burns (the ones we remember blisters or ice packs.)

This exposure does not include sun-tanning booths. Recent studies indicate that teens that use these tanning booths are creating a time bomb. In fact, most cancers, such as melanoma tend to be in highly exposed areas not protected by clothing.

So, what to do about it? Stay out of the sun and do not using tanning booths. If you are going to be in the sun, use sun block with a protection of 50 with titanium or zinc oxide and apply frequently with enough volume to cover the skin. Next, early detection of spots or lesions on the body is very important. Everyone needs a full body check at least once a year. Do not forget hidden areas such as the scalp and behind the ears.

In my next blog, I will cover lesions and more tips for protecting your skin. Visit www.clinage.com for more info. Until next time…..

What is the difference between Glycolic acid and Salicylic acid?

Glycolic acid is an Alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) also known as a fruit acid. It comes from sugar cane juice. Glycolic acid is considered by the medical community to be the work horse of AHA’s, and the most effective for skin rejuvenation. It is water soluble and because it has the smallest molecular size of all the AHA’s, glycolic ccid will penetrate into the skin better than all the others. It's great for exfoliating dead skin cells, refining pores, and stimulating fresh new skin cells to come to the surface. It also helps lighten pigmentation and age spots. Glycolic acid is suited for all skin types that include dry/sensitive, normal/combination, or oily/acne prone as well as aging, sun-damaged skin. Clinage makes a wonderful Glycolic acid product you might want to consider.

Salicylic acid is a Beta hydroxy acid derived from willow bark. Beta hydroxy acid (BHA) is a mild acid and has a slightly different chemical structure. This structure is used in 95% of the over-the counter products for acne. Salicylic acid is a little more drying and works best on oily or acne prone skin. Salicylic acid molecular structutre is large and cannot penetrate deep in the cells and therefore cannot stimulate action in the dermis (lower layer of skin) to produce collagen and elastin. Although good for acne becuase it will clean a pore out, Salicylic acid does not have the same rejuvenating effects of Glycolic acid. It is not recommended for dry, sensitive or normal skin types. 

Until next time.......