Gearing skin up for weather changes with DIY moisturizer

In Tennessee the weather changes fast, sometimes even in the same day.  One minute, we’re in flip flops, the next minute we’re covering ourselves in blankets or pulling out hoodies. In addition to changes in wardrobe (yay for Fall boots!), skin can take a hit too. If you are already a client, you know I believe in seasonal skin care.

For example: during the summer months if you were used to a shiny forehead and breakouts, you may have been using a salicylic or glycolic cleanser, but once the heat is turned on in the house (and the office), your once shiny forehead is replaced with dry, patchy spots. Initially, cut your cleansing with that cleanser – down to once a day (preferably mornings) and then simply use grapeseed oil to cleanse your face at night. Trust me on this one! Even oily skin likes grapeseed oil. It is a fantastic make up remover and adds moisture as well.

Going right along with my seasonal skincare recommendations, in middle tennessee, most of us do not need a heavy moisturizer during spring and summer, but Fall and winter is a great time to add extra moisture (again, at night). If you are already using grapeseed oil, but really feel like you could use a boost, here are a few DIY moisturizers that I make for a fraction of the cost of any store or spa bought product.

First, select your oil (here is a list of my most commonly used oils):

• Argan oil (excellent for dry, aging, oily, normal, or acne-prone skin)
• Jojoba oil (excellent for dry, aging, oily, normal, or acne-prone skin)
• Grapeseed oil (my personal favorite, excellent for normal, oily, or acne-prone skin)
• Avocado oil (great for dry and aging skin)

Select a container (preferably a dark glass container) and fill it 2/3 of the way up with your “base” or “carrier” oil.

Next, for an added boost, select one of the oils listed below.  These oils are a little more expensive than grapeseed oil, but they will add a beautiful kick to your troubled skin’s pants. It is also okay to not use one of these oils, it will still work to use a carrier oil above plus any of the essential oils below.

• Borage oil.  High in oleic acids, this oil is great for most skin types, but especially oily and acneic skin.
• Carrot seed oil. You only need a small amount of this oil, but it’s fantastic for any skin type – there is not anything it will not heal)!
• Emu oil (emollient like you wouldn’t believe, emu oil is protective and nourishing for dry or aging skin)
• Evening primrose oil.  Acne, aging, normal skin, you name it – evening primrose oil is fantastic! (This oil  can even be taken internally to help with acne)
• Neem oil. Neem oil is extremely antimicrobial and healing and is a stellar choice for acne and oily skin.
• Rosehip seed oil. This is a great regenerating oil (especially if you have scars and or imperfections to resurface) and is great for firming and other anti-aging tricks – a good choice for dry, aging, and normal skin.

Fill your container up to nearly the top with the oils above (except carrot seed oil, you only need a little of that), leaving just enough room for your selected essential oils. If using just one essential oil, you’ll only need enough space for 4-7 drops.

• Chamomile -Chamomile is wonderfully healing and soothing, so it’s great for ALL skin types.
• Lavender – great for acne, oily, or even dry skin – lavender is healing, but a little bit goes a long way.
• Lemongrass – this is great for brightening, lightening and toning the skin (think brown spots or actinic bronzing). Excellent for normal, oily, or acneic skin.
• Palmarosa – although Palmarosa is great for any skin type, it does seem to work very well for breakouts.   addition to being softening and soothing for aging skin, which, yes, I have)
• Peppermint – like lavender essential oil, peppermint is great for oily and acneic skin, and just like lavender don’t use very much. It’s very astringent, and it might give a tingle – hang on a few seconds, it will stop.
• Rose – a wonderful oil for aging, dry and normal skin.
• Rose geranium = another great, all-around healing essential oil – this is especially good for dry, sensitive, aging, and normal skin.
• Rosemary. If you have acne and oily skin? You might just want to grab a bottle.

I normally pick 2 or 3 essential oils from the list above to add to my moisturizer. 4-7 drops of any oil is enough. I use a 1 ounce glass bottle and follow the instructions above. I find that many of us are heavy handed when it comes to using products. Keep in mind essential oils are concentrated and do not require very much – a little bit goes a long way. As always, essential oils can be a little “top heavy” meaning, you spend a little money in the beginning (but they last a long time), therefore if you are interested in one of the above, I would be glad to make one for you. If you make one, be sure to let me know how it works for you.

For the readers that read the entire post, your bonus is learning about this once a year special where you can purchase a laser package that will last all year (or half a year – and at a discount!). It doesn’t matter what laser treatment you have each month -you can mix and match (leg veins one time, laser genesis the next, etc)- it doesn’t matter to me,  we do them all! (They do not have to be in 6 or 12 consecutive months and they do not expire -all laser services include facials, so no need to purchase those). This offer expires Friday, November 7th. If you are interested in this offer and do not have an appointment before 11/7/14, please shoot an email to: thatwoodardgirl12@hotmail.com.

See you in the treatment room!

UPDATE/CLARIFICATION

To clarify the special (there have been a lot of questions – I apologize, I assume everyone lives in my head and I should have been more specific. As most of you know, my laser services are already discounted and able to be combined (ie, I treat using any laser in my tool box for the time you have scheduled). Because of this, About Face does not offer traditional “packages” that you might normally be accustomed too. In many aesthetic centers, clients pick from long (and sometimes confusing) “menu’s” – for example: a package of 3 IPL (brown spot removal) for x amount and a package of 6 laser hair removal for upper lip, chin, underarm..you get the picture. In my journey to simplify life (and to please my long time scheduler who claimed clients would call to schedule and when she asked what they would like to schedule, they’d say “whatever Lori says” with the result of that being a long list of clarifications that made me giggle, but not the scheduler! Therefore, clients at About Face, simply schedule time. My fees are flat – $100 per hour for any laser treatment. What does this mean? It means if you have a few stubborn hairs on your chin that need to be removed, and a brown spot or two that have emerged from your last trip to the beach, and you just noticed a little red spot (hemangioma) – I can take care of all of that in one session.  Most clients pay on a “as they go” plan, $100 for any laser and $50 for any aesthetic service.

For clients who are on a “maintenance” type schedule such as myself – and whose best friend is laser genesis for smooth skin with no sign of acne, pores, redness or aging – we schedule monthly (or every 6-8 week) appointments for laser genesis. Laser Genesis always includes a facial, too – so there is no need to schedule and pay for a facial in addition to that. This is best for clients who want to look their best – and stay that way.

The special above – takes into account the already discounted $100 laser discount and then discounts it further for loyal clients. The one year package (they never expire, just a set of 12 laser services) is $900. This makes each hourly laser service $75 versus $100.

The package of 6 works out to be $85 versus $100.

If everyone is still with me, I have had several calls and emails asking questions like these:

1. Can these specials can be “split up”? Meaning, if they bought one years worth (12 sessions) and wanted to do leg veins for one or two of those and maybe another area of the body treated for brown spots, could they do that, and get the rest in laser genesis? The answer is YES. 12 sessions = 12 hours of services.

2. I knew this one was coming…could the package be “split up” meaning can two or more people share one package? The answer is YES.  By yes, I mean, you will have to work out the money part and one person will pay – but you may split the sessions with a written agreement between you and your bff and a copy given to About Face. We will not, however – keep up with who has used how many – we will simply have 12 to use. We will notify both bff’s as each one is used.

3. What if I really want to purchase the 1 year package, but I go out of the area for an extended time during the summer, etc? The answer is no problem. The package is for 12 sessions. It is safe to treat with most lasers every two weeks. If you want to use one session for your face, and the other for a laser bacial (thats a facial for your back) – we can do that, too. Flexibility, it’s what this is all about.

Laser Specials

Laser One year $900.00 USD Laser 6 months $510.00 USD Essential Oil Moisturizer with 2 oils $20.00 USD Essential Oil Moisturizer with 3 oils $25.00 USD

The secret to successful Fall skin

Fall in New England (Home)

 Just like that, Fall has arrived. Although this summer was mild compared to some in Middle Tennessee, it feels good to put away hot weather clothes and drag out jeans, boots and sweaters. For those of you following my blog and receiving treatments at About Face – this is a good time to remember that I am a big fan of seasonal skin care.

 Towards the end of October, if you are a Retin A user (or want to be), cooler temps mean better skin conditions for use. If you tried it before but your skin reacted with peeling and the “lizard” look, you might be encouraged to try it again in cooler temperatures. If you are sensitive/reactive – try applying Retin A to areas where age shows up most on the face (smile lines, between the brows, and upper forehead or jowls). Remember this product is not for everyone, and should be used in moderation. If you need assistance in determining if you would benefit from Retin A, schedule a consultation or facial and we’ll make a decision together.

 Fall temperatures commonly mean turning on the heating system. With this comes dryer air and – sometimes dry skin. Perhaps you didn’t need a moisturizer all summer long, but now you do. Do not skip moisturizer during this time. I love using grape seed oil (see products page to the right) – and adding a drop or two of Lavender Essential oil to it. This will nourish and moisturize your skin, as well as soften fine lines and give your skin a much smoother appearance. Thanks to our friends at Epicurean Olive Oils, we now have 2 ounce “try it before you buy it” Grapeseed oil bottles, exclusively at About Face (not available in their store). This is also a fantastic size for travel. They are $6.

Don’t forget your body! Remember the best way to treat a skin condition is to prevent it. A little extra moisturizer can prevent dry flaking skin for both face and body. Make your own DIY body butter at home, or pick on up at About Face. For $10 you can moisturize all winter long.

DIY Whipped Body Butter

What you’ll need:

 Shea butter

Coconut Oil

Jojoba oil – an ounce or so OR – vitamin E oil for an extra kick

Essential oils of choice (i.e. tea tree oil, lavender, etc.)

 How to:

Mix equal parts of shea butter and coconut oil (you can add jojoba oil here too if you like) in a double boiler.

Allow mixture to melt, remove from heat, and add essential oil if using (we like tea tree and lavender).

Allow to cool completely (about half an hour). Oil mixture will begin to solidify. Once it is partially solidified:

Whip on medium speed for several minutes. Mixture will take on a nice, whipped, buttery texture.

Place in airtight containers and apply at night or after bathing/showering.

 

Fall will most likely bring seasonal allergies and sinus issues. Now is a great time to have preventative ear candling. Ear candling, also called ear coning or thermal-auricular therapy, is an aesthetic service to improve general health and well-being by lighting one end of a hollow beeswax candle and placing the other end in the ear canal. Of course this removes wax build-up, but also removes pollen and clients report that it improves ear trouble, sinus trouble, tmj and snoring. It is listed on the scheduler under aesthetic services. Schedule by clicking here.

 Here is the October special you’ve been waiting for:

Purchase  3 Laser Genesis, 3 Dermaplane treatments and 3 hand rejuvenation (exfoliation, brown spot removal for the hands) and a take home hand cream! This package would retail at $690 of individual services and $18 for hand cream – but is on special this week for $375. Purchase this week – use whenever (services do not expire).

 

Happy Fall

~ Lori