For the Love of Skin Blog - Skin Care by Monica

Bioelements Skin Care

Licensed Esthetician for all your skin care needs. Signature Osmosis Skin Care and BioElements Facials and waxing.

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Protect Your Skin

19... the number hours of incidental sun exposure per week you are exposed to. 80% of your life time! Protect your skin and keep it youthful with a sunscreen that provides a broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection and moisturizes and defends against aging. I can name of few;)... Sun Diffuser and SPF 50 by Bioelements and Shelter 29+ by Osmosis.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Tips For Healthy Skin

The skin on the face requires special treatment and a daily skin regime in order for the skin to look and feel its finest. There are certain things you can do to keep your skin healthy and supple. The key to having soft, smooth, clear, and glowing skin is constant and regular proactive maintenance of the face.
The first of the tips for healthy skin is to eat a good, well-balanced diet. Make sure your diet is rich in vitamins, minerals, and proteins. Eat plenty of vegetables and fruits and don't forget to drink water. Water is essential to the health of your face skin. The more water you drink the better (at least 6-8 8 ounce glasses per day).

Next, make sure you cleanse your face daily, preferably at the end of the day or at night before bed. By this time, your face needs some good cleansing to get rid of all the dirt and dust that has accumulated inside your pores throughout the day. Nighttime is when your skin gets to rejuvenate itself, so cleansing before bed is critical to a healthy skin regime. If you do not cleanse regularly at night, usually people see congestion and built up in some areas of the face, and this can be avoided with regular cleansing. Click on this link for more about skin care product tips for healthy skin.

Choosing A Cleanser
When you choose a cleanser, make sure it is not too drying, especially in winter months when your skin naturally gets drier due to the cold temperature outdoors and drying heat indoors. Soaps and other stringent cleaners can suck up all the good oils in your skin, which makes your skin produce even more oil than normal. There are several good essential oil-based or lotion-based cleansers that leave your face feeling clean and refreshed, rather than tight and dry, and they don't leave an oily residue behind. Bioelements has some great cleansers. Bioelements Cleanser

Also, it is important to exfoliate at least 1-2 times per week. This aids with skin renewal and improves your skin's elasticity. Elasticity is what makes our skin appear younger, and as we get older we lose elasticity and that youthful ability of our skin to 'bounce back' from any damage that may occur. Anything you can do to preserve your skin's youthful glow is encourage, and exfoliating is definitely one of the keys to healthy skin!

After cleansing, always use a non-stringent, acid-based toner that will remove any remaining dirt on your face.



Follow with a good moisturizer after cleansing. There are plenty of moisturizing products on the market that can be applied in the morning and nighttime in order to ensure that your skin maintains moisture 24 hours a day. My aesthetician swears by Bioelements (which I use), but there many others out there to choose from that have similar natural ingredients; Bioelements Moisturizer. Something with sunscreen in it for daytime is recommended to protect the skin from sun damage (if you are tanning indoors, you can purchase 'solar masks' to completely block UV from your face). Use a deep-moisturizing nighttime balm or lotion, and then eye cream for the delicate area around eyes.

In summary, here are the five essential tips for healthy skin:

Eat a nutritious, well-balanced diet that includes lots of water for good skin hydration.
Cleanse your skin daily and use top quality face care products to nourish, protect, and revitalize your skin (make sure the skin care products you use match your skin type). Follow with a good quality toner to remove excess dirt before moisturizing. I would recommend bioelements skin care products.
Exfoliate at least 1-2 times per week for skin renewal and improved elasticity. This is one of the key tips for healthy skin, so don't forget!
Moisturize and use sun protection as part your daily facial skin care regime. The sun's rays can cause major damage to your skin and are the primary cause of wrinkles.
If you have fine lines around your eyes, you can help reduce them by using eye creams that are specially formulated to work on this sensitive and delicate part of the skin.
Winter Tips For Healthy Skin: Try steaming and facial masks periodically (once every two weeks) to give your skin extra hydration and deeper cleansing. Steaming opens up your pores and helps with releasing any toxins trapped underneath the skin, and also gives your skin the added water and hydration it needs this time of year. Facial masks immediately after steaming help draw out dirt an toxins released from steaming, and will leave your skin feeling healthy and clean. Make sure you moisturize your skin afterwards with a well-hydrating balm or other oil or lotion-based moisturizer.

Maintaining glowing, young looking skin is simple once you make it a regular routine in your life. If you follow these tips for healthy skin, you will likely see improvements over the course of several weeks. Remember that healthy skin is the combination of a well-nourished and hydrated body, along with a good daily facial cleansing and moisturizing routine.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

How to Get the Most out of a Facial

Many of my patients enjoy getting facials and other spa treatments because they can be very relaxing — after all, it’s not often we get to lie down during the middle of the day with our eyes closed. There are many wonderful, experienced facialists (also known as “aestheticians”) who can help your skin. However, not all facialists are created equal. Here are some tips to help you find a good one:

Ask for Referrals. As with any professional with whom you entrust your health, it’s important to choose your facialist carefully — not out of the yellow pages. A good place to start is to ask your dermatologist for a recommendation, especially if you have medical skin issues (such as acne, dermatitis, or allergies) that require prescription medications and that may affect how you respond to a facial. If you have friends or family members with good complexions, you could also ask them for a recommendation.

Do a Background Check. After you’ve collected the names of a few facialists, check their credentials. At the minimum, they should be licensed. Many salons and spas also have Web sites that list a facialist’s qualifications and additional certifications.
Stop By for an Inspection. Before you book an appointment, visit the facility in order to make sure that it’s clean and hygienic. If you find it to be less than spick-and-span, look elsewhere.
On the day of your appointment, be sure to notify the facialist of any skin conditions you have or any medications you’re using or taking. During the treatment, your facialist may recommend certain products for you to use at home. Don’t be shy about gently but firmly saying “no thanks” or about asking for a sample if you’re not ready to make a purchase on the spot.

There are two specific situations where I feel that facials can really help your skin. People with oily skin who have a tendency to get blackheads and breakouts can often benefit from deep-cleansing acne facials. During this type of treatment, the facialist will typically cleanse your skin to remove makeup, dirt, and oil. He or she may use products that contain ingredients like glycolic acid and enzymes in order to help loosen and dissolve clogged pores.

This may be followed by “extractions,” in which the facialist gently presses on the skin to remove blackheads and superficial whiteheads. It’s normal to be slightly pink for a few hours after getting extractions. However, if you have bleeding or scabs, then the extractions were too aggressive and could potentially injure your skin. Remember, gentle is always better.

Some facialists also perform a procedure called “microdermabrasion,” which uses a combination of fine crystals and a vacuum device to unclog pores and exfoliate dead skin cells. For mild breakouts, monthly acne facials, along with topical acne medications, can help keep the skin clear.

For those with moderate to severe acne, occasional facials can help reduce the appearance of blemishes and mild acne scars. If you are taking prescription medications, you should definitely ask your dermatologist whether a facial is a good idea — for certain creams and pills may make you more sensitive to ingredients like glycolic and salicylic acids, which are commonly used in acne facials.

The other patients that I often refer to get facials are those with extremely dry skin. A hydrating facial can temporarily soothe dry, sensitive skin. Facialists typically perform a facial massage to help stimulate circulation, and they might also apply topical ingredients such as oils and hyaluronic acid, which helps to bind moisture to the skin. This may be followed by a warm mask to help the products penetrate and further hydrate the skin.

Since dry skin can be especially sensitive, tell your facialist ahead of time whether you tend to have itchy reactions to any products, so he or she can select ones with gentle ingredients. Also, be sure to notify your facialist if you experience any itching or tingling during the facial. If so, the facialist should rinse off the product immediately.

Monica is an esthetician colorado springs

Deep Pore Cleansing Facial Treatments - "traditional facials"

Deep pore cleansing facials are most commonly known as “traditional facials” because they include cleansing, steam, extractions, facial massage and facial masks. This treatment is beneficial because it targets specific problems, such as breakouts, dehydration, fine lines and many other skin problems. After this treatment, your skin will be glowing and clean. This facial treatment is best for anyone with imperfect skin.

Deep pore facials are beneficial in facial rejuvenation. Your Aesthetician will help to nourish your skin by stimulating blood circulation. Blood helps to stimulate oxygen to flow and remove toxins by ridding the skin of impurities. Your muscle fibers will be strengthened, toned and tightened by facial massage techniques. This technique helps to slow the aging process and minimize signs of aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles.

Deep pore facial treatments are tailored to each client’s need. There are a variety of skin care conditions and needs and certain products benefit different skin conditions. Facial cleansing begins with either a facial scrub, gentle cleanser that contains AHAs, BHAs or a mild facial exfoliant. Once the skin is cleansed, the Aesthetician begins the exfoliation process. Exfoliation products include Enzymes, which are natural fruit extracts to dissolve the top layer of skin cells. Enzymes which are most common in facial exfoliation are activated by steam. Steam helps to open the pores and relax the client as well. Most enzymes are professional products only and cannot be sold or obtained by the general public.

Once the skin is exfoliated and the pores are open, your Aesthetician will begin Extractions. Extractions help to squeeze the blackheads and whiteheads from the pores. Once completed, your Aesthetician will help calm the skin. The facial massage is performed at this time.

To complete the facial service, your Aesthetician will apply a facial mask. Facial masks come in many different varieties and specify in different skin care concerns. Depending on the skin’s condition after a facial massage, your Aesthetician will tailor a mask for your skin type. The mask remains on the skin for approximately 10 minutes and is removed with a warm towel. Masks help to tighten the pores and draw any dirt and oil not extracted to the skin’s surface where it will be sloughed off when cleansed with a towel.

Moisturizer and/or sun block is applied to complete the facial. Moisturizer is important to protect the skin’s freshly exfoliated surface from dirt to enter the skin. Moisturizer helps to prevent any moisture loss from within. Sun block is applied because the top layer of skin has been gently removed and extra protection is important.

It is important to maintain this regimen every 6 - 8 weeks for optimal results.

If you live in the Carlsbad area contact Monica to book an appointment at her Esthetician Colorado Springs.

Monday, November 2, 2009

Tips to apply sunscreen more effectively

Anupam Agnihotri | Nov 3 2008

Before going out in the sun, question that strikes the brain is how to prevent the skin from the harmful UV rays of the sun. The answer is simple- by using sunscreen lotions. However, sometimes sunscreen lotions are used quite inappropriately, which prevents from accessing its full benefits. However, before applying any sunscreen lotion make sure that it suits your skin. Here are some genuine tips to use sunscreen lotions:-

• Make sure that you apply sunscreen lotion at least 30 minutes before you go out, as it would allow skin to absorb the lotion.

• Applying sunscreen lotion just once is not sufficient. Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours when outdoors, especially if you’re swimming or sweating.

• Skin around the tops of the ears, nose, and cheeks is quite susceptible to sunburn, so apply sunscreen on these areas, liberally.

• Use roughly a handful to cover your entire body.
These were some of the authentic ways of applying sunscreen lotion, however, it should not be forgot that clothes serve as the best shield against UV rays, therefore, try to dress up in such a manner that most of your body parts are covered. In addition, don’t forget to drink lots of water.

If you are in the Carlsbad area and are looking for a facial, call Monica. She provides services out of a Day Spa in Carlsbad.

Ten Benefits of Chemical Peels

Having radiant skin every day isn’t always easy, and even the healthiest lifestyle and skincare regiment can leave you with a dull or ruddy complexion.

Chemical peels are some of the simplest and most effective treatments for achieving that radiant glow, and are one of the oldest cosmetic procedures performed around the world. Not only can you expect smooth and clear skin with these treatments, but chemical peels can also help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

If you’re looking for a dramatic ‘lift’ to your appearance without expensive surgery, chemical peels could be the secret to getting that youthful look. Also, it's the perfect time of the year to get a peel done because summer is over and you'll be spending less time in the intense sun.

For at home skin care products, consider Bioelements skin care.

Here are just ten benefits of this popular cosmetic procedure:

1. Reduction or removal of blotchy patches. Skin blotches can create a dull complexion, and typically do not clear up on their own. A chemical peel can penetrate deep enough to remove the layer of darker skin to even out your skin tone.

2. Removing the appearance of sun damage. The sun is the leading cause of fine lines and wrinkles, and these can be prevented with a healthy skincare regiment. Chemical peels remove the layer of skin that may be affected by sun damage to leave behind a fresh and smooth layer.

3. Acne management. If you’re suffering from acne, a chemical peel may be a valuable part of your treatment program. Lighter peels such as AHAs and glycolic acid peels are more appropriate for sensitive and acne-prone skin, and can help clear up inflammation and even acne scars after a few months of treatment.

4. Lightening of the skin. The change of seasons, poor diet, or even a lack of rest can leave you with a dull and ruddy complexion. Powerful chemical peels made with phenol acid are used to treat deep wrinkles, and can turn your skin lighter as a side effect.

5. Low downtime. Most peels require just one or two treatments before the cells begin to turnover; you’ll start to see effects in just a few days with little recovery time required.

6. Smoother skin. Revealing a fresh layer of skin means you’ll have a smooth and youthful appearance and improved skin texture.

7. Age spot removal. Age spots can be difficult to hide under makeup, but chemical peels can help reduce pigmentation and even out your skin tone.

8. Fast and simple procedures. The process of applying the chemical peel solution and letting it set rarely takes longer than 15-20 minutes. You can be in and out of the doctor’s office within an hour.

9. Improved collagen growth. Glycolic acid peels in particular will help with collagen production; collagen is a building block of skin tissue that creates a strong and supple skin surface.

10. Better skin quality. Removing dead skin cells regularly will freshen up the skin and leave it silky smooth; chemical peels help remove dead skin cells and will even out the skin tone to leave you with a fresh and youthful glow.

Chemical peels work by ‘burning’ the top layer of the skin with an acid solution; this slowly removes dead skin cells and the outer layer of skin to reveal a softer and smoother layer underneath.

Monica has a Glycolic Peel Facial she provides. She is an Esthetician Colorado Springs she works at.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Seven Reasons for Appointing Professional Facials

By Janet McCormick

Analysis by a trained professional

A university study shows that over 60% of people define their skin types and home care incorrectly. A skin care professional is trained in skin analysis and in providing this information to you correctly.

Professional extraction, when needed

Acne and breakouts can be spread and scarring caused by picking. A professional is trained to perform this service when needed in the least invasive, though effective manner. The skin is prepped with products that ease the procedure, then the professional performs extraction safely, with great results.

Deep Cleansing of the skin by a professional

Cleansing the skin of dirt, debris and environmental factors can allow your skin to maintain a healthy balance and enhance its ability to fight off disease and aging. It can also enable the skin to better utilize the products that you apply for nourishment, protection and exfoliation.

Deeper penetration of products through the benefits of professional facial massage

Professional facial massage techniques warm the skin, thus opening the pores to allow deeper penetration of products.
Warmth resulting from professional facial massage also dilates the vascular system, encouraging it to bring nutrients and moisture to the deeper layers of the skin and to remove toxins produced during normal metabolism. This stimulation also brings a healthy glow to the skin that only a professional facial massage can produce.

Professional recommendation

Skin care professionals are trained to recommend appropriate professional services that will meet your treatment needs. The professional can also recommend the correct home care program to enable you to meet your goals for your skin.

Professional products

The treatment level products used by your skin care professional produce enhanced results in your treatment. Also, the professional level home care product recommended by your skin care specialist will maintain and improve the condition of your skin between services.
You will be educated on the benefits of each treatment, on the benefits of home care products and on how to use them correctly for achieving your skin care goals.

Pampering by the professional

Facial professionals can de-stress even the most tense person, leaving him or her relaxed and rejuvenated after the treatment. An added and highly recommended bonus to the facial treatment!

If you live in or around Carlsbad Ca and would like to book a facial appointment with Monica at her Carlsbad Day Spa don't hesitate to visit her website: www.fortheloveofskin.com.


Monica is an esthetician Colorado Springs!