PURE SKIN BY MAGGIE

The Showdown: Micro-needling Vs. The Erbium Laser

Posted on 中午12:34, under

When looking at a facial treatment menu, there are so many options and they all sound amazing. So, how on earth do you choose the best option for your skin? And how do you know it’s the most effective treatment available?

The good news is, there are professionals to guide you! You don’t have to pick the perfect treatment without help. Your esthetician has not only years of experience, but ongoing education to guide you in these important decisions. And, as technology and research advances, we have so many new and amazing treatments to offer. Your dream skin is within reach!

But, as you are always your own best advocate whether in skincare or a doctor’s visit, it’s still important to be educated about your options, what is involved, and the benefits and drawbacks. Make an informed decision about what is best for your goals and unique needs.

Today, let’s compare two treatments for skin texture and appearance.

The Erbium Laser VS. Micro-needling. Who will win???

Scarring? Wrinkles? Uneven texture? Large pores? They don’t stand a chance! But which method should you talk to your esthetician about?

The Erbium Laser

Laser treatments have a few pre-conceptions of discomfort and long periods of downtime / healing. Thankfully, technology continues to improve at a rapid clip and we get to enjoy the benefits! This non-ablative (less invasive) laser gently and effectively improves skin by precisely treating a fraction of cells at a time. These tiny, deep microscopic columns of skin are surrounded by healthy tissue that initiate rapid healing. This treatment is able to dramatically diminish deep scarring, including ice pick scars from acne, as well as sagging skin, large pores, stubborn pigmentation like brown spots and melasma, lost pigmentation or white spots, and even active acne.

Pro’s

Penetrates deeply and treats scarring and issues that other treatments cannot reach.
Gentle and effective with less down-time than other laser resurfacing treatments.
Stimulates the body’s collagen production and tightens the skin.
Effective not only on the face, but also the neck, décolletage, and body, where skin sags or droops.
Permanent results!
Treatment times vary by the individual need: stretch marks need 6 – 8 treatments, facial smoothing and scarring needs 3 – 5 treatments, ice pick scarring needs 6 treatments.
More effective than creams and injections (Botox and collagen) that promise skin tightening but need constant upkeep.
Treats pigmentation and evens skin tone as well as texture (bonus!).
Simultaneously treats active acne breakouts (double bonus!!).

Con’s

For those who love to be out in the sun, it is recommended to avoid excessive sun exposure and tanning prior to and throughout the course of treatment and healing process.

Micro-needling

As scary as it sounds, and trust us, clients at our Honolulu spa hear the word “needle” and immediately panic, the key word here is “micro”. These are not needles for flu shots or Botox injections. Very fine, very short needles are used to harness the body’s ability to remodel and heal itself through collagen induction. Combined with powerful serums and nutrients for the skin, this treatment works best on mild scarring and skin texture issues.

Pro’s

Helps to smooth skin’s texture, including wrinkles, acne scars, surgical and burn scars, stretch marks, and large pores.
Results are noticeable after 24 hours.
Treatment plans vary depending on the type of remodeling needed. Pore size can be decreased in one treatment while mild scarring can take 6 or more treatments.

Con’s

Umm…hello??? Needles? The stress of hearing that word can take a peaceful spa visit to a not-so-fun place.
Treatment works best on mild scarring, stretch marks, and wrinkles. The needles do not penetrate deeply and cannot penetrate as deeply as a laser treatment.
It can be somewhat painful with some side effects and a 24 hour healing period.
Results are not permanent. With this type of treatment, periodic re-treatment is necessary to maintain results.
Micro-needling only treats facial texture, they do not help with skin tone and discolorations.

And the winner is…

The Erbium Laser! We love the fact that this treatment offers lasting results and effective treatment for those “problem” areas that used to be only wishful thinking. Smooth, beautiful skin without the wrinkles, sagging, and discolorations? Sign us up!

Fun in the Hawaii Sun (Part 2)

Posted on 下午2:05, under

In case you missed it, Part 1 covered prevention and after-sun care (for normal sun exposure). In Part 2 we have some suggestions on what to do if prevention wasn’t quite as successful and you are experiencing a burn.

The Burn Has Happened…What to Do?

You thought you had adequate protection, but something didn’t work right and now it’s too late. Unfortunately, because the sun reaches so deep, it often takes hours before the visible and physical evidence makes itself known. Even the fairest skin may not turn pink until it is too late. (This is where spending shorter periods of time in the sun and then returning to the shade can really help – it gives you time to see how your skin is doing.)

If you get home from your fun and find you have a burn, here are some important ways to care for your skin.

Take a cool shower to remove salt, chlorine, and sweat that irritate the burn. This will help skin cool down and hydrate.
Avoid scrubs, rough washcloths, brushes, and other exfoliating products until your skin has completely healed – and give it a few extra days after the visible signs of the burn are gone before exfoliating.
Drink water…and more water. Rehydrate from the inside out. While this may not relieve the pain of the burn, it is vital to the healing your body is working on.
Take some electrolytes. And no, we do not mean from sports drinks. Sugar impedes healing in the body and slows the absorption of the minerals needed. Take some calcium / magnesium or purchase an electrolyte supplement from your local health food store to help your body rehydrate more quickly.
Hydrate your skin from the outside as well as the inside. For your face, our Serum Infusion Masks penetrates deeply to rehydrate and restore.
Place a cool compress on the burned area.
Choose an aloe vera gel that is pure aloe, not mixed with chemicals that can clog pores and leave a film on the skin that irritates the burn further.
Select an after-sun cream or serum and test it before you go out in the sun. Do a patch test and make sure you don’t have any irritations before sun; your skin will be even more sensitive after sun exposure. Be cautious with pain relieving sprays and creams that can clog the skin instead of allowing it to breathe.
Keep your aloe vera or anti-inflammatory after-sun cream in the fridge to offer some instant pain relief and cooling.
Do not pop blisters or hasten the process of peeling skin! Allow the body to control the healing process. It knows best what needs to happen and when.

For an intense sunburn, please seek medical attention. Sunstroke, sun poisoning, and other sun-related illnesses are not something to mess around with. Stop at a Long’s Drugs and ask the pharmacist if you have questions about your burn.

There are many home remedies on the Internet to soothe and calm a burn, beyond aloe vera. Some work and others aren’t as successful and it all depends on your individual body chemistry. The key when selecting a home remedy is to do a small test and see how your skin responds. For example, many sites recommend using yogurt (particularly plain Greek yogurt) or dabbing on milk as an after-sun lotion. However, if you have a dairy allergy, your skin will be sensitive to it as well as your digestive system.

We have not personally tried the following home remedies, but have heard from others who have had success with them.

Plain Greek Yoghurt as a lotion. Make sure it does not have any added sugar.
Milk dabbed on and allowed to dry. Use cool, not cold, milk for this.
Lavender essential oil mixed with a gentle non-comedogenic (one that doesn’t clog pores) carrier oil. Argan, avocado, jojoba or rosehip oil.
Calendula Cream from a health food store.
Cold compresses made from freshly brewed black tea. The tannic acid in the tea is said to draw the heat from the skin while restoring the pH balance.
Black teabags that have been brewed and cooled can be applied to smaller areas like eyelids that have burned.
Cool baths can soothe the discomfort. Be sure to avoid soaps and perfumes. Some remedies to add to the bath would be (but only use one at a time, don’t mix them!) one cup of apple cider vinegar, oatmeal, lavender or chamomile essential oils, or two cups of baking soda.

If you have a relationship with a local naturopath, acupuncturist, or other wellness practitioner, check with them about either home remedies that you should try or avoid, as well as if they carry any natural products. Some Chinese medicine practitioners have burn creams that work on sunburns as well.

While we hope you never get another sunburn, we do hope you heal quickly and enjoy our beautiful Hawaii sun for many years to come!

Fun in the Hawaii Sun – Safely! (Part 1)

Posted on 中午12:58, under

Oh, Hawaii sun, how we love thee…but not so much your effects. ☹ No matter how well we think we have protected our skin, it seems you always manage to find a spot that we missed. Those beautiful days in the ocean, on the beach, or at the park are delightful with warmth and light mixed with family and friends. But the shine disappears when you get home and realize that your skin has fried. The sun is fun, yes. But it needs to be respected for the power it has and the damage it can cause.

Prevention

Before we get to post-sun help, let’s start with what to do before even walking out the door. Prevention, prevention, prevention. Did I mention prevention? If you have ever experiences the burning heat and pain of even a mild burn, you know that it is better to be safe than sorry.

Whether you live here or you are visiting our lovely home on Oahu, please do not underestimate the power of our sunshine.

Apply sunscreen as part of your morning routine – every day. The damaging UV rays of the sun still come through on a cloudy day. We know fair-skinned people who have sunburned – with blisters! – on a cloudy day! Use a minimum of 30 SPF every day.
Use a cream or lotion based sunscreen. While aerosol sunscreen is convenient, and the feeling of the lotion on our hands is not particularly pleasant, you are far less likely to miss a spot or have the wind blow the product away before it reaches your skin.
Give your sunscreen at least 30 minutes to soak in before leaving the shade.
Take sunscreen with you to re-apply if you are going to be out for an extended period of time.
Think through and time how long you spend in the sun. Most of us take tents or umbrellas to the beach for some shade. Spend some time in the sun, then give your skin a break.
Sweat and humidity affect performance of sunscreen. If you are in the heat and sweating, enjoying time in the ocean, or live on the Windward side of the island where it is frequently damp, re-apply every hour, regardless of what the bottle says about being “waterproof”.
Don’t forget under your chin! If you are going to be out on the water, skiing on the mainland, or visiting a farmers market surrounded by reflective asphalt, make sure that you hit the “undersides”. These areas are often forgotten in the application process, but they are just as likely, if not more likely, to get burned because of reflections.
Don’t assume that your hat will protect you. Don’t neglect to cover your ears, face, and forehead thoroughly. And hats can cause us to sweat a bit more, so re-apply!
Protect your smile. Even the skin of your lips can burn, so choose a lip balm with sunscreen in it.

Normal Sun Exposure

Whether you get a burn or not, taking care of your skin after time in the sun is important for your health and in preventing premature aging.

We need the sun. Nothing can replace the Vitamin D that our bodies produce when we spend time in the sun. And the impact on our emotional well-being is just as critical. We are so lucky to live in Hawaii where we have an abundant number of sunny days and the rainy days are a rarity. But that does require knowledge of and taking responsibility for our health.

Hydrating. While out in the sun and after, it is critical to drink lots of water, keeping the body and our skin hydrated.
Cleansing. Typically, time in the sun involves either sweat, salt, or chlorine. None of these are good for your skin. Rinse off as soon as and often as possible while outside and then take a cool shower with a gentle cleanser when you get home. Take extra care with the tender skin of your face with our Rose Whitening Foaming Gel.
Moisturizing. Hand in hand with internal hydration comes external. A high-quality moisturizer soothes and protects the skin. Look for products that are free of parabens and unnecessary chemicals. While do not currently have a body lotion, our Rose Whitening & Repair Moisturizer hydrates, repairs and protects and a Serum Infusion Mask is ideal for gentle, penetrating hydration.
Cooling. Whether you have a sunburn or not, relax and cool your body with a lukewarm shower rather than blasting your body with another layer of heat. This is a good idea not only right after you return home, but your next evening or morning shower as well.
Soothing. Before you go out, put your aloe vera or after-sun cream in the refrigerator to soothe and cool skin when you get back.

Yes, the sun causes aging, and yes, we have to be careful, but it is an amazing natural resource, and staying inside all the time isn’t the solution. Proper prevention and post-sun care allows us to enjoy this life giving resource in a healthy manner.

Teatime Is the Right Time for Healing

Posted on 下午5:20, under

“Tea makes everything better.” This quote from Bindi Irwin is so true! Relaxing on the lanai with the trade winds blowing, the sound of the ocean wafting through, and a soothing cup of tea. Just the mental picture melts stress off my shoulders!

The benefits of tea go far beyond the calm and peace of our various tea rituals. Inside and out, healing properties make that morning, mid-morning, early afternoon, late afternoon, and bedtime cups (what can I say, I love tea) a powerful addition to your self-care and health plans. Yes – outside! Just as various teas and herbal teas aid digestion, they also help support glowing skin.

Tea Tips

Before we get into which teas to look for, here are a few tips.

Buy organic. Just as our other crops have been touched by herbicides, pesticides, and runoff in the water, tea is no exception.
Use high-quality, filtered water. Providing your body with the cleanest possible water allows it to focus on absorbing the “good stuff” without having to filter out the bad.
Read the recommendations for a particular type of tea for what temperature and how long to steep to bring out the best flavor and properties.
Change it up! It’s easy to reach for the same box of tea all day, but our bodies need variety in more than just our fruits and veggies. If green tea is your favorite, drink a cup or two in the morning, then switch to healing herbal teas after 2:00 pm for restful sleep.
Skip the milk and sugar due to their inflammatory properties and opt for lemon.
Add a little honey to your cup to absorb all the wonderful enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and antibacterial properties of local, raw honey. “A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down,” right?

Choosing Teas for Your Skin

If you like the sound of drinking your healing, but the plethora of options overwhelms, you’ve come to the right blog! You can get personalized recommendations from your acupuncturist, naturopath, or other functional medicine professional, but you can get started right away with a few of these teas.

Here are the benefits of caffeinated teas.

Green Tea is an antioxidant wonder! It contains catechins (EGCG) that fight free-radicals – reviving dying skin cells, promoting new cell growth, and preventing wrinkles. One of the most studied teas in relation to health, the University of Maryland Medical Center’s recommendation is based on polyphenols (antioxidant compounds). Drinking 2 to 3 cups per day, depending on brand, provides 240 to 320 milligrams of polyphenols.
White Tea is the least-processed caffeinated tea. With even more antioxidants and catechin levels than green tea, and antibacterial properties to fight skin conditions, it is amazingly healing for the body and skin. One additional benefit is that it can help prevent the increase of MMP (matrix metalloproteinases), an enzyme that can decrease collagen and elastin as we age. Whole leaf tea typically has less caffeine than bagged tea.
Matcha. A distinct powdered green tea that is grown and produced in Japan (and we know the wonders of Japanese skin care!), this potent tea goes far beyond the traditional tea ceremonies. Matcha Mochi, anyone? No, seriously. This antioxidant-rich tea is nutritionally dense with natural antibiotics, catechin, and chlorophyll, that detoxify the skin and fight bacterial infections. One study found that matcha has 137 times the polyphenols (EGCG) than regular green tea. Reduce inflammation and free radicals one frothy, delicious cup at a time!

Here are just a few of the top herbal teas for a glowing complexion.

Chamomile Tea. The sweet sleep tea, chamomile has antispasmodic, antibacterial, anxiolytic effects that help with stress and anti-inflammatory properties for a rested glow to your skin.
Rooibos. An anti-aging powerhouse, rooibos has high levels of antioxidants including SOD (superoxide dismutase) and zinc that can help correct hormonal acne.
Hibiscus Tea. Yes, our beautiful Hawaii hibiscus flowers can help our skin! A ruby-red tea with a refreshing tart flavor, hibiscus is rich in vitamins that our bodies and skin need, including vitamins C, A, B1, B2, as well as much needed minerals zinc and iron. Don’t forget the alpha-hydroxy acids and omega-3. A powerhouse in a lush flower we see all around our island home!
Spearmint Tea. With anti-androgenic properties that can help balance hormones, spearmint can also help heal hormonal acne. It also has contains several antioxidants for anti-aging benefits!

These are just a sampling of the benefits from the teas we have available to us. Talk to your natural healthcare provider for more tips specific to your body’s needs. The health of your skin is an indicator of the health of your body. A few well-chosen additions to your routine can reap an abundance of healthy benefits!

A few notes…

As with all things we consume for health, we recommend that you consult your doctor regarding any potential interactions with current medications or health conditions.
When it comes to healing the body through food, if a little does well, do NOT use a lot! Too much of a good thing is not healthy either. Seek the balance that is right for your bio-individual needs.

For example, Licorice tea is very beneficial for digestion, but those with high blood pressure should be cautious when consuming licorice as it can raise blood pressure. This is a tea that is recommended only in moderation.

Drink tea & be well! ☺

Keeping Skin Beautiful Through the Holidays

Posted on 晚上11:49, under

Okay. I know. It seems a bit early to hear that word. Gulp. Holidays. Hard to believe that autumn is here and Halloween is just weeks away and the holiday season will begin. Delicious food, fun time with friends and family, travel and parties - don’t forget the presents!

It’s a time of fun and celebration, but can also come with stress as we try to fit more activities into already full schedules. What none of us want to see is the effects of that stress on our skin, and in the photos.

Never fear! Starting now to take extra care of your skin can keep that vibrant glow through every party, event, vacation, and photograph.

The first step to keeping skin beautiful is to get it to a good starting point. While we do not have drastic autumn weather and humidity changes in Honolulu that affect your skin and your skin care routine the way they do on the mainland, it still takes time for our skin to heal, treatments to work, and vitamins to work, so the beginning of fall is a good time to get started.

First, let’s take an honest look at what you’re putting on your skin every day. Start with these questions:

Are my products working or am I just following habit with what I am using?
What are my main skin care concerns? Aging? Hyperpigmentation? Sensitivity? Acne? Rosacea?
Do the products I’m using address my personal concerns?
Am I remembering to do the “extras” beyond cleansing, toning and moisturizing every day? When was the last time I took extra care of my skin with a mask or treatment?
Do I feel good about where my skin is at?

Once you have answered these questions, particularly identifying what your main concerns are, the next step is to say, 1) “YAY!! My skin looks awesome and my skin care is working!” or 2) “Umm… I think I need to re-evaluate my skin care routine because my skin is not where I want it to be” or 3) “I am mostly happy with my skin, but I have a few things that I want to address.”

Whether you are in Group One, Two, or Three, once you have your starting point, it’s time to talk to an esthetician and get a professional’s help choosing products and pampering your skin with a treatment that is personalized for your skin. We talk to many clients who are trying to recover from choosing the wrong products for their skin, in addition to sun damage, acne, and aging concerns. This is one of the reasons we offer a 30 minute free consultation to our new clients, to go over what has worked, what hasn’t, and explore a skin history and set some goals.

Group One

Yes, even Group One may want to schedule some extra TLC for their skin during the holidays. The stress of the holidays can disrupt even the most beautiful skin, if you’re not proactive! You may be happy with your skin, but you know your body’s reaction to stress, climate changes during travel, yummy foods we indulge in. A few things to consider. Here are some tips.

Schedule a periodic facial to make sure that your skin is remaining properly protected and hydrated. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! (And, hey, a little bit of pampering during the holidays is always a welcome treat!)
Identify what has disrupted your skin in the past – stress, food, lack of hydration – and get proactive about circumventing their disruptions this year.
Find out what climate changes you will be faced with if you plan to travel. We often joke about Las Vegas being another Hawaiian Island – if it is, it’s certainly the driest! Preparing ahead of time that you need to amp up your serum and moisturizer or your destination includes parties where you plan to wear heavier makeup and therefore deeper cleansing than normal can keep your skin glowing through the entire holiday season! Don’t forget to pick up the Serum Infusion Mask to keep skin hydrated on the plane!

Group Two

Don’t despair! There is time and there is always hope for beautiful skin. This is an important time to call for help, rather than using the trial and error method. So many products make claims of glorious results, but those claims are not true for every user. At Pure Skin by Maggie, we firmly believe that each client’s skin is unique, with unique needs and a unique treatment plan. Your skin does not belong in a box!

Identify what your concerns are with your skin. Bring those to your esthetician and create a plan together to achieve the results you desire. A combination of facials and treatments along with products that support those goals at home will bring you closer to your ideal skin much faster than you expect.
Know your body! Our skin is an integral part of our body’s detoxifying process. And sometimes, it’s the part that gives us the neon blinking signs that something is wrong. Listen to what it is trying to say. We have seen clients listen to their body and discover that they had a hormone imbalance causing their skin issues or a simple food allergy. What we put in our bodies is just as important as what we put on them. A few dietary and lifestyle adjustments along with healing supplements like our Pure Skin Capsules can bring you that much closer to glowing skin.
Think through your holiday plans. What can you be pro-active about? If you are traveling, knowing where you are going and how it can affect your skin. If you’re autumn explorations help you identify a food or lifestyle concern, how can you adapt your plans to ensure that you stay healthy?

Group Three

Congratulations! Your skin care routine is working, it just needs some fine tuning. This is the perfect time to call in some help and take your skin that step or two farther.

Schedule some “you” time – if you don’t make the time, life will take over. Talk to your esthetician about your skin dreams and make them a priority, both at the spa and at home. Now is the time to do this, because while they may seem minor now, time, weather, and environment are not our friends.
Recognize factors that have prevented you hitting your skin goals and counteract them. We speak to many clients who express that the hardest thing is finding the time to take care of their body, including their skin. Others express a lack of knowledge or the right products. Whatever it is, if you are aware, they cannot hold you back!
Plan ahead for your holidays! Travel, parties, being busy. Fine tuning doesn’t necessarily mean perfect skin overnight. Work with your esthetician to stay on track.

For all of our clients, we know that stress is just part of life, particularly this coming holiday season. Take care of yourself!

Eat good food
Drink plenty of water
Plan time to rest
Make time to exercise
Practice saying “No” when needed

And above all, enjoy this festive time with family and friends! We wish you a glowing, beautiful holiday season!

The Low-Down on Whitening

Posted on 下午2:21, under

If you’ve looked at the treatment menu of our Honolulu skin care spa, you’ve probably noticed several treatments with the word “whitening” in them. Vitamin C & E Whitening Facial. Micro-Hydro Whitening Treatment. Pure Foundation & Whitening Treatment. Don’t forget the “Snow White” Whitening Treatment.

Or our newest, the Picosecond Whitening Treatment – a breakthrough in whitening treatments! During this treatment, extremely short pulses of light energy at specific wavelengths are sent into the skin. The energy absorbed by pigments shatters pigment particles into micro-fragments that the body can eliminate naturally. By gently disrupting the particles responsible for pigment conditions, most clients only experience a few hours of mild redness and minor swelling. No long painful recovery; no need to cover up; no missing out on life. Whether your concern is face, hands, underarms, inside of legs (particularly after pregnancy) or any other body part, this treatment is ideal for bringing out an even skin tone.

But what does whitening mean?

When we talk to clients new to professional skin care treatments, they’re a bit concerned about “whitening”. It’s a bit of a misnomer. We’re not trying to change anyone’s skin tone. No one is going to walk out from our office looking like a sheet of printer paper.

Every skin shade is beautiful, but most of us have spots that are uneven. Freckles, age spots, acne scars and more. The purpose of whitening is more literally, “evening”. Evening out skin tone so you show a flawless face to the world, without the help of heavy make-up.

Where does skin get its color?

Melanin. A pigment that is not just stored in the epidermis, but made there. While we all have about the same number of epidermal cells that make melanin, not everyone makes the same amount of melanin. That is determined by genetics. The more melanin your skin makes, the darker your skin.

Melanin is also why our skin either tans or burns when exposed to the sun. Melanin has more jobs than simply giving your skin its color. Increased melanin production is a protective mechanism in your body against the damaging rays of the sun. Unfortunately, by the time your skin turns either red or dark, the damage has already been done. That tan may look beautiful, but it’s just as much a sign of danger as the lobster shade we see walking around the beaches of Waikiki.

A little cool fact. People with darker skin have more melanin and usually don’t develop as many wrinkles with age and are less prone to skin cancer. However, this does not mean that they cannot get skin cancer, so no matter what shade your skin, please, please, please protect it against the damage our beautiful Hawaii sun can cause.

What causes the unevenness?

Uneven skin tone, no matter the cause, is called hyperpigmentation. This irregular darkening of the skin is caused by overproduction of melanin. We tend to perceive these uneven patches as coming from age, and while that is true to a point, it’s more accurately damage that has built up over time.

Sun Exposure. Repeated exposure to UV rays causes damage that can result in brown spots and uneven skin tone as your skin tries to protect you from the UV light.
Hormones. More than just causing PMS, hormones can cause melasma, a hyperpigmentation caused by increased hormone stimulation. Melasma is most commonly experienced during pregnancy or taking contraceptives, but can also indicate a reaction to cosmetics or medications.
Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation. A result of scarring, either from acne or injury, this skin darkening is typically localized.
Pollution. While not as much of an issue with the trade winds removing traffic-related air pollution from the islands, the particles and gasses from produced in traffic can penetrate the skin leading to hyperpigmentation.

How can I prevent hyperpigmentation?

Ever heard the saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”? This is so true when talking about hyperpigmentation, particularly that caused by the sun.

Apply SPF every day. No exceptions! The sun still filters through clouds and causes damage, so a cloudy day is no excuse not to wear protection. And we’re not talking about the sticky smelly stuff at the corner store. There are much better options that are designed to protect the delicate skin of the face without clogging pores and causing breakouts. Quick tip for those who love the beach, water and even snow – don’t neglect to carry your daily SPF under the chin, down the neck and over the décolletage. The sun reflects on these surfaces and you can still burn.
Protect. It may not be the height of fashion, but a good, broad-rimmed hat is an essential item to your beach outfit along with SPF sunblock to re-apply frequently.
Hydrate. Your skin, yes, but also your body. Drinking plenty of water is part of our bodies detox mechanism to remove pollution and other toxins. Keep flushing those out, whether you feel thirsty or not.
Skin care. Choose your skin care wisely, gentle products that don’t sting or burn as this irritation can exacerbate melisma. Our Rose Whitening line has ingredients designed to calm and heal hyperpigmentation with gentle ingredients.
Talk to your doctor. If you are taking or considering oral contraceptives, talk to your doctor about all of the options, their risks and benefits. This is true of all medications. Make sure you know what medications might cause melasma and talk to your doctor about alternatives. You have to be your own advocate with your doctor to make the best decisions for your body and skin.

How can I correct hyperpigmentation?

Hyperpigmentation cannot be completely avoided, particularly when it comes to stubborn acne that takes time to get under control and dark areas caused by hormone imbalances. Hormones are a very delicate balancing act.

Start at home. A good esthetician will tell you that we can only do so much in the brief time that you visit us. You need to be actively involved in prevention and correction by using the right products at home and being consistent with your skin care. Proper exfoliation, cleansing, and hydrating are essential. Talk to your esthetician about what products to use and when so that you are finding the “Goldilocks” routine for your individual skin needs.
Professional treatments. We work with many clients to correct sun, age, hormone, and other hyperpigmentation issues, beginning with a complimentary consultation to assess your individual needs and concerns. From there, we develop a treatment plan personalized for each client’s needs.

Here is to pure, vibrantly even skin tone!

Essential Oils Should Not Be Taken Lightly

Posted on 晚上9:51, under

The popularity of essential oils has been growing exponentially over the past few years. And with good reason! They are powerful plant medicines that used both in aromatherapy and topically are healing, body, mind and soul. Just opening a bottle of lavender essential oil for a deep breath is a soothing experience – so peaceful it makes me want to go for a midnight stroll through lavender fields!

Let’s look at just a few of the benefits of lavender specifically.

Sleep. Well known as a relaxing scent, dried lavender and lavender oil helps to induce sleep. A study conducted on college students showed lavender oil improved the quality of sleep (how long, time needed to fall asleep, and restfulness) by 60%. And the improvement is immediate, unlike other therapies for sleep.
Anxiety, stress and depression. Studies over the past five years show the tremendous impact of lavender oil on the brain and the autonomic nervous system. It has a calming yet refreshing effect that addresses anxiety, stress and depression.
Pain relief. Often used as a gentle treatment for headaches and migraines, lavender oil is also helpful in soothing sore and tense muscles, sprains, aches, etc.
Skin Healing. Typically with a cut or a burn, we reach for cool water, soap and ointment before bandaging. Research has repeatedly shown that lavender has amazing antimicrobial properties to combat infection and bacteria. Mixing raw coconut oil, which also has antimicrobial properties, with lavender is a simple but effective treatment for burns.
Nausea. Forget that nasty tasting pink stuff from the pharmacy! Keep a bottle of lavender oil in the bathroom for stomach upsets and take it with you for a natural remedy for motion sickness. Simply breathing it in can calm the nausea – spray some on skin or clothes or rub on your temples or palms for soothing relief.

These are just a few of the benefits of this one essential oil! Diffused in the air, lavender makes a lovely alternative to chemical laden air fresheners. Try using it as a refreshing perfume alternative as well! The aromatherapy benefits can be enjoyed alone with a single oil or blended with complimentary oils to make your own unique scent.

Spend some time researching reputable websites about essential oils and you will find that there IS a place for these in your life and home.

The key is RESEARCH!

As with any amazing medicinal products, it is imperative to research and know what you are putting on or in your body. Not all essential oils are created equal. It is important to look for Therapeutic Grade essential oils. While there unfortunately is not an individual organization who tests quality, oils are partially a “you get what you pay for” product as well as necessitating research into the ethics of a company. A little research goes a long way.

In addition to quality concerns, there are also safety concerns and good practices to follow.

Dilution. We cannot stress this enough. Dilute. Dilute. Dilute. While some oils, such as lavender, are safe to put on the skin neat (without dilution), many oils are not safe and can cause harm if mis-used. “Hot” oils such as oregano, cinnamon, clove, thyme, cassia and others can literally burn skin, particularly the thinner areas such as face, neck, behind the ears, etc. A neutral oil such as fractionated coconut oil, jojoba oil, almond oil, and many others, will help you receive the benefits of the oil without risking a burn or damage to your skin. You can purchase a package of rollerballs and blend small amounts of your essential oil and carrier oil to use when needed.
Ingestion. While many proponents of essential oils recommend ingesting essential oils, we caution against this unless under the care of a qualified professional. These are potent plant medicines and just as you can burn skin, you can harm your digestive system if they are not taken properly.
Sun exposure. Certain oils, particularly citrus essential oils, are photosensitizing, meaning when used on the skin, they make skin more sensitive to light, not just sun, but any strong UV lights such as a tanning bed. The furocoumarins in these essential oils react to light and can make you more prone to sunburn or even change the pigmentation of skin. Always avoid sunlight and strong UV lights for 12 hours after using these oils.
Storage. Just as your cooking oils in the kitchen can go bad, so can your essential oils and blends with carrier oils. Avoid exposure to heat, oxygen, and light when storing your oils. Properly stored, they have a long shelf life. However, if they do go bad, they can cause skin irritation. With our consistent heat here in Hawaii, you may want to store your less-used oils in the refrigerator to keep them fresh longer.
Pregnancy. Women who are pregnant need to be very cautious in using essential oils. Oils can harm both mother and baby if used improperly and certain oils, when placed on acupuncture points, can trigger premature labor. We recommend consulting a medical professional before incorporating any oils into your natural pregnancy plan.
Children. The soft, delicate skin of our kiddos as well as their developing bodies require even more caution than adults when using essential oils. Dilution is even more critical for children than adults. Research carefully before using oils directly on your child’s skin. When diffusing oils, be aware of their properties. For example, peppermint is great for focus and energy, but can disturb sleep patterns when diffused after 2 pm.
Allergies. As with anything else, sensitivities can occur when using essential oils. While reactions are not common, it’s important to pay attention to how your body reacts to a new oil. A small patch test with a carrier oil is highly recommended when you first start using a new oil.

We use essential oils frequently for their healing properties in our Honolulu spa facials and treatments. We have studied them and follow safety guidelines very carefully in every instance and keep our clients informed regarding photosensitivity concerns after a treatment.

One final tip! The next time you have the hiccups, put one drop of essential oil on your finger and put it on the roof of your mouth. Hiccups? What hiccups? (It also works by putting the peppermint oil at the base of your skull at your C-1 vertebra, but the mouth works faster.)

Happy healing!

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