Proud to be an FGI fashion business panel presenter June 6! Tickets are available

I’m proud and honored to announce that I’ve been chosen by Fashion Group International, Inc. Detroit to be on a fashion business panel on Thursday, June 6 starting at 6 p.m.

I will be speaking about building my brand, Clinage. With more than two decades dedicated to the beauty industry, I'm very happy to be sharing my experiences and knowledge.

This event will take place at Marlaina Stone’s Studio, located at 311 North Washington Avenue in Royal Oak. Tickets are $10 students; $25 for members and $35 for non-members. Those interested in attending can pre-order tickets at fgifdetroit.org/tickets. 

Yes, topicals can change the skin.

Can topical creams and lotions really change our skin or do we need laser surgery and invasive procedures? Yes! Topicals can change the deeper layers without surgery, botox treatments, laser or fillers. The answer is in the word cosmeceuticals—medical grade substances used for mostly beauty and some non-beauty purposes.  It’s all in the chemistry composition of the substances and the preparation of the skin prior to placing the products on the skin. Formulations must be pure and non-buffered with the most active ingredients—glycolic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid from sugar cane acid, which is non-toxic and safe.  Key vitamins are critical for healthy skin and in the reconstruction of damaged skin.  The number one vitamin is Magnesium C. This is a form of Vitamin C that can be used with lower pH anti-aging and anti-acne products.  Other vitamins of extreme importance are Vitamin A coming in all forms from retyinyl palmitate to retinoic acid. Retin-A is the mirror isomer of Vitamin A, assisting in elasticity and the prevention of pore clogging. It’s also a strong antioxidant.  Also of importance is niacinamide—an incredible healing agent working on skin pigment and collagen production as well as preventing skin cancer and fight aging. The key is to use higher, un-buffered concentrations of glycolic acid via a chemical peel such as Clinage’s in salon, office or at home. As well, you can use lotions and gels with frequency to target the cells in the dermis. Glycolic acid has a small molecular structure, allowing it to deeply penetrate the pores.  Preparation of the skin is very important. Think of it as a regime, similar to a daily exercise workout. Preparing the skin is everything! Work out your skin and you will see incredible results. Clinage can help you do this. Until next time……..

May is National Skin Cancer Awareness Month-- a must read!

Can the Sun Kill You?

This month I thought I would revisit some advice I shared with you in 2012. Unfortunately, the sun can kill you. 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, takes off in the bloodstream and can be deadly. The usual chemotherapy agents, while they 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. Don't forget hidden areas such as the scalp and behind the ears.