Skin Care Tips for Colorado Newcomers

Whether you live in Colorado year-round or are just passing through our great state, the dry climate is one of the first things you’ll notice. The lack of humidity, dry air, and harsh winter winds can wreak havoc on your face, skin, and hair.

The best skin care regimen is tailored to your particular skin type, so it’s imperative that you consult with a skin care specialist in order to establish the routine that will be most effective for you. However, in our arid environment, there are certain universal guidelines that you should always keep in mind.  Listed below are a few tips for caring for your skin in the harsh Colorado climate.

Exfoliate

Dead cells can build up on the skin’s surface, leaving it dry, lackluster, and flaky.  Gentle exfoliation helps clear out that layer of dead skin cells and boosts blood circulation, which leads to renewed, glowing skin. We recommend gently exfoliating 1-3 times per week. Any more than that, and you risk stripping your skin of its natural oils, which will irritate it. We offer several gentle exfoliants, from powders to masks, that work to remove dead skin cells and impurities.

Cleansing

During the winter, we recommend adjusting your skin care regimen to include a gentle, soap-free cleanser (one that does not leave your skin feeling tight afterward), followed by a rich moisturizer.

Moisturize

Apply a rich moisturizer morning and night after cleansing, and reapply throughout the day as needed. You can even apply a light serum over your makeup! We often recommend cream cleansers to our clients with dry and sensitive skin, as they are super gentle and nourishing.

To keep your legs, arms, neck, and torso soft and smooth, try using a body oil after showering. While your skin is still damp, rub a quarter-size amount of oil between your hands and over dry skin. Gently towel off, or let it air-dry.

Protect

Living in a high altitude state that receives 300+ days of sunshine each year means daily use of sunscreen is non-negotiable. We love this one, which protects you from UVA and UVB rays with SPF 40, all while giving you nice, light coverage.

Hydrate

The bestway to hydrate skin is from within. During the winter months (or whenever you notice excessive dryness), we recommend drinking at least a quart of water a day. Caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco all dehydrate the skin, so although you don’t have to kick your coffee habit to the curb for good, you should compensate for it by drinking a few extra glasses of water. You can also use a humidifier while you sleep to replenish your skin’s moisture.

Leah Nickie ADVANCED AESTHETICS offers a full lineup of products designed specifically for dry and dehydrated skin. Schedule your consultation today, and let our team create a customized skin care plan that will help your skin look naturally beautiful, no matter the climate.

Feature Photo via Pexels

Retinol And Why You Need It

Retinol is another name for Vitamin A. It belongs to a class of ingredients called retinoids, which simply means it’s part of a larger group of compounds that are all related to Vitamin A. Retinoids are perhaps the most studied of all ingredients used in skin care and decades of research prove that they work. I’m sure you have heard of the anti-aging benefits of Retin-A and the highly effective acne treatment Differin.   However, the active ingredient in prescription forumlas (tretinoin), has a history of causing irritation.

Retinol, on the other hand, is still highly effective but better tolerated. Prescription or not, retinoids all work the same way. They communicate with skin cells, causing them to act as if they were younger and healthier. Younger healthier skin produces new cells faster and this increase in cell turn over leads to positive results for your skin, including increased collagen and elastin production, reduced wrinkle depth, improvement in skin texture, reduction in breakouts, smaller pores, lightening of sun damage and pigmentation, and generally glowing skin. 

I have tried to add retinol to my routine on a few occasions, knowing the results it promised. Each time I failed miserably. After weeks of sensitized, peeling, and burning skin I threw in the towel. Why did I fail? Simply, I needed to find the correct product.

We now have a brand new breed of retinol, formulated with hydrating and anti-inflammatory ingredients to combat irritating side effects. After using one of these for six months, I can say with confidence that the results are transformative. Since starting my regimen, I have received more compliments on my skin, and I can see the difference in texture, tone and added glow! Here are some tips I’ve learned that should help you successfully add retinol to your regimen!

1. Talk to a skin care professional to determine which product is best for you. With so many choices, a knowledgeable aesthetician can help you narrow down the field. Starting with a lower concentration moisturizer is a great way to get begin.

2. I can’t stress this enough. Start slowly and remember that more is NOT better. Allowing your skin time to adjust to this powerful ingredient is essential for success. Typically, a twice per week application of a pea sized amount is a good place to start.

3. Be aware of common reactions that can occur while using retinol. Always wear SPF; retinol makes your skin sensitive. Also, your skin may be more sensitive to peels, microdermabrasion and other facial treatments, so be sure to let your skin care professional know you are using any product containing retinol. Remember that, facial waxing while using retinol is a big no - no. Doing so could result in serious injury to your skin. Discontinue use for 7 to 10 days before waxing or just get threaded instead.

Follow these tips and enjoy beautiful glowing skin!

The Benefits of Vitamin C Serum

Everyone knows vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that provides many health benefits. But did you know how important it is for your skin? A study conducted by The National Institute of Health, concluded “Vitamin C results in clinically visible and statistically significant improvement in wrinkling when used topically for 12 weeks.” Vitamin C is an essential component of any good skin care routine. I would go so far as to say, if you were to purchase only one professional skin care product, it should be a Vitamin C serum.

Our skin needs Vitamin C to stimulate collagen synthesis, wound healing, and to provide antioxidant protection. We also need its bountiful antioxidant properties. It protects us when we are exposed to UV light (though it is not a sunscreen) and it decreases photo damage (think wrinkle and pigment reduction.) Further, Vitamin C has been shown to protect our skin cell’s DNA and help start the repair process when we have been exposed to the sun’s UV rays.  Applied topically to the epidermis, it is readily absorbed into the dermis where our skin’s battle against anti aging begins.

Studies have shown that Vitamin C applied topically provides greater benefit for the skin than when taken as an oral supplement. Do take your vitamins, but if you want to see positive changes in your skin, apply a C serum every morning, followed by a moisturizer and sun protection.

There are many C products on the market, which can be overwhelming when looking to find the best one for you. Here are three things to look for when shopping for vitamin C serum:

1. The efficacy of any Vitamin C serum depends on the type of C used, the delivery method, and strength. Look for a serum in strengths ranging from 10 to 20%. Less than 10% is minimally effective, and more than 20% can be irritating; plus in studies higher potency did not provide better results.

2. Vitamin C is easily oxidized when exposed to light, which renders it useless, so proper packaging is essential. Products packaged in opaque bottles or tubes are your best option for superior stability. Store products away from sunny windows.

3. Not all serums are created equal. Quality ingredients are essential. Look for an acidic preparation of L-ascorbic acid for optimal skin absorption.

Leah Nickie Advanced Aesthetics caries six Vitamin C Serums, and each one meets my strict requirements for potency and efficacy. Schedule a consultation to find out which one is best for you!

Welcome Isabelle

We are excited to welcome Isabelle McDowell to the Advanced Aesthetics Team! A native of Santa Fe, Isabelle graduated from SMU and received her aesthetics training at the College of International Esthetics. She has experience in a variety of settings including a medical spa in Cherry Creek, and two of Colorado’s premier resort spas. Isabelle joins us after training extensively with Leah, and learning the techniques that make our services exceptional. Isabelle brings a love of aesthetics and healthy living, a nurturing touch, and the sincere desire to help clients have the healthiest skin possible.

Isabelle is currently available for advanced skin care, waxing and tinting services. Call to reserve your spot today!

The Essentials Of An Effective Skin Care Regimen

Regular visits with your aesthetician are the first step towards healthy, beautiful skin. However, we find that optimal results are achieved when you work with your skin care specialist to establish a regular home care regimen as well. Daily use of professional products designed specifically for your skin type/condition is also key.

Below are general guidelines that we commonly recommend to our clients. The first is a basic, or essential regimen. The additional regimens supplement the basics, and will lead to superior results. At Advanced Aesthetics a consultation is always free. Schedule an appointment and let us help you achieve naturally beautiful skin.

ESSENTIAL SKINCARE REGIMEN

Cleanser: used for morning and evening cleansing, detoxifying and make-up removal.

Treating Mist/Toner: used morning and evening to treat, hydrate, deliver active ingredients, and enhance absorption of subsequently applied products.

Moisturizer: applied morning and/or evening to hydrate, soothe, protect, and balance skin.


Sunscreen: used each morning and re-applied every two hours when outdoors, to prevent collagen and elastin breakdown, photo-aging, pigmentation and skin cancer. 

ENHANCED SKINCARE REGIMEN 
Begin with the Essential Skincare Regimen and add:

Exfoliant: used one to three times per week to refine skin texture, remove dead skin cells, encourage cell rejuvenation, diminish the appearance of fine lines, detoxify, reduce the occurrence of blemishes, and allow subsequently applied products to penetrate further.

ADVANCED SKINCARE REGIMEN
Begin with the Enhanced Skincare Regimen and add:

Serum: applied morning and/or evening, these corrective products contain the highest percentage of active ingredients. They are designed to address specific skin issues such as pigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles, acne or redness.

Eye Cream: specific to the eye contour, eye creams contain ingredients to address dark circles, crow’s feet, puffiness and skin laxity.

Mask: formulated for specific skin needs, masks aid in reducing oil, healing acne, diminishing redness, reducing pore size, and increasing hydration, as well as delivering anti-aging ingredients.