A lot of my clients have questions about ingrown hairs...why they have them and how they can be avoided. Ingrown hairs are most common on the face and pubic ares, though they can occur on legs, arms, backs, etc.
Ingrown hairs, or pseudofolliculitis, are the result of the hair curling and growing back underneath the skin. If the hair is broken off or cut it can leave a sharp edge, giving it the ability to penetrate. These bumps can also happen if you shave in the opposite direction of the natural hair growth or by shaving too close to the skin. Oil can also get trapped in the hair follicle, creating a red, irritated bump that resembles acne.
Waxing is a wonderful option for people who experience ingrown hairs or who have course and curly hair that is prone to these annoying little pests. Because waxing removes hair at the root, it does not leave a sharp edge. Even better is that, with repeated waxings over the course of time, the root of the hair is eventually damaged, causing the hair to grow back thinner and more sparse. Threading, electrolysis, tweezing, sugaring and laser hair removal are all options that will leave you experiencing ingrowns.
If you prefer to shave there are a few things that you can do to try to eliminate ingrowns. First, exfoliate the area on a regular basis. If it's on the legs, back, bikini or any other area than the face, use a loofah sponge or scrubbing mitt and rub in circular motions. Keep the area clean, especially if it's in an area where you sweat, such as underarms or pubic area. Cleanse after exercising, especially. On the face, use a grainy exfoliant or a product with salycilic or glycolic acid. Try to find an aftershave that includes these exfoliants but also moisturizes. Exfoliating this often can dry out the skin, particularly in Winter. Always shave in the direction of hair growth. Sometimes, take a few days off from the razor will help it to be less irritating. Try to go "au naturale" on weekends if you have to shave regularly for work.
I try to encourage my clients to never, ever pick at an ingrown hair or try to extract it themselves. I know, I know...it's tough to let it go, but if picked at, an ingrown hair may actually become infected or, EVEN WORSE, could scar.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Friday, November 9, 2007
What do I do with that leftover pumpkin?
Don’t throw away those leftovers! Pumpkin has long been used in skin care products and makes a fantastic ingredient for facial masks. It is wonderful for all skin types and is packed with useful enzymes that exfoliate the skin naturally, plus is high in vitamins A (alpha hydroxy acid), C (antioxidant) and Zinc. Adding honey, a natural humectant, is great for dehydrated skin…and almost everyone except my toddler son suffers from dehydrated skin. Mix in a bit of milk for moisture and you’re set. Here’s a basic recipe:
2+ teaspoons of fresh cooked pumpkin or certified organic canned pumpkin
1/4 teaspoon honey
1/4 teaspoon milk* (lactic acid, an AHA)
*If your skin is oily, use soy or skim milk; if your skin is dry, swap the milk for heavy whipping cream. Organic only please!
Mix ingredients together and apply to face using clean hands or a facial brush. Leave on for 10-15 minutes and relax, enjoying the Autumnal aroma of pumpkin. Rinse with cool water and follow with a moisturizer that is appropriate for your skin type. If used during daylight hours, apply an SPF with or to follow your moisturizer.
This is also a wonderful mask for hands and feet. Apply and wrap in plastic wrap. Leave on for 15 minutes, then rinse with cool water and apply hand/foot cream.
Happy Fall!
2+ teaspoons of fresh cooked pumpkin or certified organic canned pumpkin
1/4 teaspoon honey
1/4 teaspoon milk* (lactic acid, an AHA)
*If your skin is oily, use soy or skim milk; if your skin is dry, swap the milk for heavy whipping cream. Organic only please!
Mix ingredients together and apply to face using clean hands or a facial brush. Leave on for 10-15 minutes and relax, enjoying the Autumnal aroma of pumpkin. Rinse with cool water and follow with a moisturizer that is appropriate for your skin type. If used during daylight hours, apply an SPF with or to follow your moisturizer.
This is also a wonderful mask for hands and feet. Apply and wrap in plastic wrap. Leave on for 15 minutes, then rinse with cool water and apply hand/foot cream.
Happy Fall!
Thursday, November 1, 2007
where has the time gone?
Wow! I can’t believe it’s been almost a month since my last entry. I have been busy, busy, busy during October. I just got the final version of the New Moon Skin Care logo and I am busy getting ready to make my official “launch.” I am testing out skin care lines on friends and getting to know my microdermabrasion machine, which I LOVE. I am so glad that I decided to go diamond tip, rather than crystal. I am looking at a variety of preservative-free, organic skin care lines. I’ll post here once I have more info.
October has given me plenty of ideas for things to write about. First of all, we had TWO trips to the beach. Earlier in the month, we were fortunate enough to be invited to a wedding at Daufuskie Island, off the coast of Hilton Head, SC. Then, two weeks later, we went with some friends to Jamaica for a trio of birthday celebrations. My husband Steve, along with our friends Charles and Curt, celebrated their birthdays so along with their wives and another couple, we went to The Caves Resort in Negril, Jamaica for four days. I highly suggest you get there if you need some R&R or just to recharge the batteries. Anyway, back to the skin care and all that the beach has reminded me about it…
First, I cannot say enough about how good the salt water is. For skin, it is so wonderful…just swimming in the ocean and soaking in the saltwater pool was reminder enough of how amazing it is for the body. Remeber how when you are ill or trying to heal from an injury an old homeopathic trick is to soak in Epsom Salt? This is for a reason. Salt water is detoxifying and pulls impurities from the skin and body. A nice thing if you spend the day indulging in pina coladas!
The next thing, and most obvious for me, is the importance of a high SPF – at LEAST SPF 15. I chuckled yesterday when a friend said, “You just got back from the beach? Where’s your tan?!?” Now, I am much more of a lounge in the shade person than one who prefers to tan. I have fair skin that never really tans but just turns pink, so I never have benefited much from lying in the sun baking like a potato. I have always favored sunscreen over a suntan. But I don’t fault people who do like to lay out or bronze themselves. I just try to educate about the damage that harmful UV rays can cause.
Trying to warn clients about sun damage is like trying to tell a smoker about lung cancer…they all know it’s a possibility but usually they find out the sad truth when it’s too late and they’ve been diagnosed with it. Even people who are blessed with darker pigmented skin can suffer from dark spots that are caused by harmful UV rays.
There are plenty of great suncreens available on the market. I prefer something with zinc oxide, which is marketed as a sunblock. I think the term “sunblock” is misleading because nothing truly blocks the sun, but it does reflect it rather than absorb it like a normal sunscreen would do. Zinc Oxide is tricky though, and people who have oily skin will most likely hate it. It actually stays on top of the skin, creating a barrier against the sun, so people whose skin is oily will feel like they are wearing a sweater. If your skin is more pigmented, you may find that applying it will cause it to look as if you put a layer of kabuki makeup on. Don’t be afraid…you may need to wait and see if it absorbs after a minute. If zinc oxide is not for you, just try to use something higher than an SPF 15. Just use a sunscreen at all…and re-apply often! There’s nothing like getting a sunburn on your first day of vacation, only to spend the next week looking like a snake shedding its skin!
October has given me plenty of ideas for things to write about. First of all, we had TWO trips to the beach. Earlier in the month, we were fortunate enough to be invited to a wedding at Daufuskie Island, off the coast of Hilton Head, SC. Then, two weeks later, we went with some friends to Jamaica for a trio of birthday celebrations. My husband Steve, along with our friends Charles and Curt, celebrated their birthdays so along with their wives and another couple, we went to The Caves Resort in Negril, Jamaica for four days. I highly suggest you get there if you need some R&R or just to recharge the batteries. Anyway, back to the skin care and all that the beach has reminded me about it…
First, I cannot say enough about how good the salt water is. For skin, it is so wonderful…just swimming in the ocean and soaking in the saltwater pool was reminder enough of how amazing it is for the body. Remeber how when you are ill or trying to heal from an injury an old homeopathic trick is to soak in Epsom Salt? This is for a reason. Salt water is detoxifying and pulls impurities from the skin and body. A nice thing if you spend the day indulging in pina coladas!
The next thing, and most obvious for me, is the importance of a high SPF – at LEAST SPF 15. I chuckled yesterday when a friend said, “You just got back from the beach? Where’s your tan?!?” Now, I am much more of a lounge in the shade person than one who prefers to tan. I have fair skin that never really tans but just turns pink, so I never have benefited much from lying in the sun baking like a potato. I have always favored sunscreen over a suntan. But I don’t fault people who do like to lay out or bronze themselves. I just try to educate about the damage that harmful UV rays can cause.
Trying to warn clients about sun damage is like trying to tell a smoker about lung cancer…they all know it’s a possibility but usually they find out the sad truth when it’s too late and they’ve been diagnosed with it. Even people who are blessed with darker pigmented skin can suffer from dark spots that are caused by harmful UV rays.
There are plenty of great suncreens available on the market. I prefer something with zinc oxide, which is marketed as a sunblock. I think the term “sunblock” is misleading because nothing truly blocks the sun, but it does reflect it rather than absorb it like a normal sunscreen would do. Zinc Oxide is tricky though, and people who have oily skin will most likely hate it. It actually stays on top of the skin, creating a barrier against the sun, so people whose skin is oily will feel like they are wearing a sweater. If your skin is more pigmented, you may find that applying it will cause it to look as if you put a layer of kabuki makeup on. Don’t be afraid…you may need to wait and see if it absorbs after a minute. If zinc oxide is not for you, just try to use something higher than an SPF 15. Just use a sunscreen at all…and re-apply often! There’s nothing like getting a sunburn on your first day of vacation, only to spend the next week looking like a snake shedding its skin!
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