Staying Beautiful: Behind the Scenes with Angie

Conquering Common Skin Challenges

Taking care of my mind, body and spirit is important to me, I know that they are all connected and I make a daily effort to nurture all three. Having a mother who is a skin care expert has made it easier to take care of my body and skin because she shares her wealth of expertise and knowledge with me. I have been using hyaluronic acid (HA) products since I was 17 years old, knowing how incredibly beneficial HA is to beautiful skin. However, she also taught me that skin care is an ongoing commitment and knowledge, without effort, could not give me my desired results.

My skin care challenges are sensitive skin, adult acne and hyperpigmentation that results from breakouts, leaving dark marks on my face. But I do not let problem skin keep me from being beautiful! As Director of Production for dermHA, I have amassed a lot of knowledge about key ingredients that help a variety of skin challenges and I utilize that knowledge and our companies products to take care of my skin. Read below to learn how I manage my skin care challenges, my routine, combined with healthy diet and exercise, keep me feeling and looking beautiful...

Washing my face morning and night is a must and is always followed by dermHA Eye & Neck Creme. I use to think eye and neck creme was unnecessary until I attended esthetics school and learned that the skin under our eyes, neck and chest is thinner, dryer, and does not have as many oil glands as the rest of our skin. It gets dehydrated and starts to wrinkle, darken and age faster than other areas of our skin. Just imagine a grape that dehydrates and turns into a raisin! Eye creme has more lipids (fatty oils) to compensate for the lack of oil glands in the eye and neck area and helps hold the moisture in those dryer areas. Using eye creme can help lighten the appearance of darkness and minimize any wrinkles that have already appeared, but its best to start using an eye creme as a preventative tool before wrinkles occur!

In the morning:

I cleanse with our dermHA Rejuvenating Cleanser because it leaves my skin feeling clean and fresh. I love the green tea in it because it helps fight the free radicals that cause skin to age, and at age 36...well...

Then I apply a layer of dermHA Hyaluronic Moisture Serum to my freshly cleansed skin because it is like giving my skin a green tea cocktail to nourish and moisturize my skin. I have an oily t-zone and because the Hyaluronic Moisture Serum has the highest amount of hyaluronic acid of our products, I am hydrating my skin with the water it thirst for, instead of a lot of oils and waxes that would add to my oiliness and clog my pores.

Next I mix my foundation and sunscreen with a dab of dermHA HA Therapy Plus to help protect my skin from the damaging rays of the sun while giving it a natural glow. The HA Therapy Plus is beneficial to my acne prone skin because it contains Tamanu Oil, an ingredient that helps relieve irritations, inflammation and has the ability to help heal cuts and wounds and prevent infection.

In the evening:

I use the dermHA Cleansing Lotion to remove my make-up, then follow with the dermHA Acne Cleanser. the Acne Cleanser has salicylic acid which neutralizes bacteria and helps unclog pores. It has the ability to penetrate pores to exfoliate the dead skin cells, keep the pores from clogging, and prevents the breakout of acne.

Next I apply a thin layer of dermHA Lactic Acid Exfoliating Serum to accelerate cell turnover. By exfoliating the top layers of skin I help to lighten dark marks on my face until they eventually disappear. I follow with the dermHA Eye & Neck Creme and my dermHA Hyaluronic Moisture Serum.

My favorite skin care tips are: drink water and use an eye creme! Dehydration is the lack of water and expedites the aging process. In order for our skin to be healthy, we must keep it hydrated inside and out. We can do this by drinking enough water and applying moisturizers that contain and can deliver water to skin cells.

It may seem like a lot, but once you get into the habit and see the results you desire, it will become second nature. I haven't let labels like 'sensitive skin' and 'adult acne' keep me from having healthy, hydrated skin and feeling beautiful!


Wishing you happiness, peace and beauty in the New Year,
Angie


Angie is a co-owner and Director of Productions for dermHA. She is also the mother of a beautiful son and very involved in community activities and with her church family. To order any of the dermHA products that Angie highlighted above, just click on the product name. For more information about dermHA skin care products go to http://www.dermha.com For a free phone skin consultation, call 610-269-7009 to speak to one of our skin care specialists.

A Life Changing Experience: one woman's road to healthy skin...

"Hello,

I was introduced to your skincare line by a friend of my mom's Liz. She was watching me suffer with horrible acne, and told me to lose faith, that this skincare line might offer some much needed relief. I am 26 and had NEVER had acne. I actually remember the two pimples I had in high school. All of a sudden, in my mid-20's I was beginning to see these horrible blemishes, and they just got worse and worse until my cheeks were covered in painful, stubborn pimples that just wouldn't budge. I was absolutely miserable, and my mind was CONSTANTLY busy with feelings of self-consciousness and sadly self-loathing came with those feelings. Not long after the acne took over, my boyfriend proposed. It's sad to say, but I almost couldn't enjoy the engagement because I was so worried that my skin would continue to look horrible, and that I would have to walk down the aisle looking like an acne ridden teenager. I tried EVERYTHING...and nothing worked. I was absolutely heartbroken. In this time, Liz told my mom about dermHA, and was kind enough to send me sample. Right away, I could tell that this product line was different, nothing smelled strong, there weren't crazy ingredients in the washes and creams. My skin started to feel softer just one day after I started using the products. I was noticing an all over difference. Nothing was dry, my face just felt clean. The Gentle Face and Body Wash has this fantastic lather, and when I rinse my face and it doesn't feel like there is residue left behind. The toner is fantastic, and doesn't have the extreme smell like so many toners do. It adds that extra feeling of cleanliness post-wash. And the HA Therapy is one amazing lotion! It is unlike any moisturizer I have ever used. The consistency is perfect, and it is the first lotion that I have ever used that I can really feel working long after I have applied it. Using your line in addition to a topical solution prescribed by my dermatologist has completely eradicated my acne!!! I am emailing you right now, because I just washed my face and looked in the mirror and was GENUINELY happy with the way my face looks. My skin is almost totally perfect. I now see these products as the backbone of my beauty routine. I recently also started using the enzyme mask more frequently, and the gentle exfoliating cream, and they have both been helping a lot with the scarring that the acne left behind. I could not be happier, and it is important that you know that you have created products that change lives. I'm living proof! I will walk down the aisle with my head held high because my skin is amazing, thanks to you. "

A.G.

This is a real letter, unsolicited, by a real dermHA user. To order the products she mentioned, go to www.dermha.com or for a free skin consultation with one of our skin care experts call 1.610.269.7009 . Healthy, hydrated skin is possible with dermHA...

1st Day of a dermHA Christmas

http://facebook.com/dermha

AGELESS BEAUTY: Behind the Scenes with Millie

Mildred Bell, Founder of dermHA

dermHA Founder and Co-Owner Mildred Bell knows that beautiful skin is a constant work in progress and is diligent about her skin care routine and habits. Read on to hear Millie's skin care challenges and how she conquers them to remain an ageless beauty...

"My skin care challenges change a little with the seasons and as I get older they seem to magnify. My skin has always been sensitive to the cold and the heat. Winter weather packs a double whammy as I go from the frigid cold to high heat in my car and home. Luckily, my regimen of gentle cleansing and super hydrating keeps my skin glowing!

In winter months, I cleanse my face daily with dermHA's Cleansing Lotion. Although you need water to activate the lotion, it doesn't lather. But that doesn't keep if from gently and effectively cleaning off make-up, dirt and oils. I combine a pea sized amount of cleanser with a little water and massage it over my face in circular motions. In addition to cleansing, this stimulates circulation and helps with lymph drainage. After cleansing I rinse with cool water and then take a damp cotton pad or clean, wet washcloth and wipe away the residue. If I've used heavier make-up that day, I sometimes follow my cleansing with a cotton ball dampened with dermHA's Rejuvenating Tonic to make sure all traces of makeup are removed.

My night time cleansing is followed by a thin application of the dermHA Vitamin C Therapy all over my face and neck. I then apply a dot of dermHA Eye & Neck Creme from the outside area of each eye inward, being careful not to get it too close to my lower lash line. I also massage the Eye & Neck Creme onto my neck and I apply a dot on my lips as well to keep them soft and lubricated. A quick application of our luscious Moisture Creme Plus all over my face tops off my nightly routine to keep my face glowing.

In the morning, my mature skin lacks oil as well as moisture. In order to keep those precious natural lipids from being washed away during the winter, I often skip my morning cleanser and just rinse my face several times with cool water. After blotting dry, I reapply my Eye and Neck creme and my luscious Moisture Creme Plus. After waiting two minutes, I apply my sunscreen and makeup and I'm ready to start my day.

Because cellular turnover slows as you age, I occasionally use the dermHA Lactic Acid Exfoliating Gel to speed the removal of dead surface cells. And once a week, every week, I use the dermHA Enzyme Mask to nurture and polish my skin.

I know that it is important to take care of not just the skin on my face, but my whole body. dermHA's Hand Creme is a staple in my glove compartment, desk drawer at work and my purse. After every bath or shower, while my skin is still damp, I quickly massage the dermHA Therapeutic Creme all over my body. A moist body allows a small amount of the creme to liquefy and glide smoothly over the body, quickly absorbing into the skin. Because feet (and elbows and knees) can become especially rough and/or dry, before popping into bed, I apply an extra coat of the Therapeutic Creme to keep my feet silky soft.

Taking the time to nurture my skin each day is a must, and I challenge you to take that time for yourself!"

Stay beautiful,


Millie

...to learn more about the dermHA products Millie uses or to order, go to http://www.dermha.com ...

Behind the Scenes at dermHA

Carletta Williams, co-owner of dermHA

How Carletta Stays Fabulous...

Carletta Williams, mother, grandmother, businesswoman, community leader and one of the co-owners of dermHA, has one, no excuses, beauty rule: wash your face before you go to bed. Carletta remarks, "when I started washing my face before going to bed, that really made a difference in my skin. I can tell that extra step has helped my skin stay clearer, softer and supple."

As a woman on the go, and one who is frequently in the public eye as the Director of Sales and Marketing for dermHA, maintaining a healthy glow starts from the inside with a healthy diet, vitamins and holistic health practices. Carletta's commitment to her health and beauty gives her confidence and energy, and allows her to keep up with her active life and active family.

Carletta's dermHA skin care regime includes:

rejuvenating cleanser, moisture creme plus, therapeutic creme, vitamin C, lactic acid exfoliating body gel and the enzyme mask.

Carletta shares her routine:

-I use the rejuvenating cleanser morning and night. I love the way it lathers and removes my makeup.

-After a shower I use the lactic acid body exfoliating gel to keep feet, heels, elbows and other hard to hydrate areas soft and exfoliated. It also helps keep ingrown hairs at bay from shaving. I follow with therapeutic creme because it contains arnica and calendula, two ingredients with great healing and soothing properties. The therapeutic creme is great for all over body moisture.

-I hydrate my skin morning and night with our moisture creme plus, it's full of botanicals and anti-oxidants.

-I use vitamin C at night, it's great for anti-aging.

-Once a week I use the enzyme mask to rejuvenate and exfoliate. It gives my skin a nice rosy glow and I feel good about taking that extra 10-15 minutes to pamper myself!


~Stay Beautiful!


For more information about dermHA skin care products or to order Carletta's regimen, go to www.dermHA.com or call 877.933.7642. You can email Carletta directly for more information about her regimen or her healthy living regime at cwilliams@dermha.com

Erica Terry Derryck Reflects on The Power of Pretty

Primping Our Souls...




Pretty is as pretty does. Beauty is only skin deep. Be more than just a pretty face. All these adages pay proper patronage to our supposed moral code, but blatantly belie the truth. In reality our attitudes on beauty are generally cute from far and far from cute. The ugly truth is that we spend a great deal of time and effort tearing ourselves and one another down because of appearances.

How many times have you berated a perfect stranger for thinking she's cute; or judged a fellow female harshly for her weight, style of dress, hair color or skin tone? This is to say nothing of the damage we inflict on ourselves. How many of us have skipped a night out on the town because of a few extra pounds or the unwelcomed arrival of a zit? Have we refused the offers of a potential suitor who measured up in every other way except for being cute enough or tall enough or fashionable enough?

Despite how self-assured we may appear, or how pro-woman we try to be, we all are susceptible to being shallow sometimes. Our best defense is to own up to this weakness. If we don't, then we can't possibly gird against all the ways in which our best intentions to look past appearances to find the beauty within are subverted by unattainable standards of beauty promulgated in every sector of our society.

We have whole aspects of mainstream culture where the only requirements for getting ahead are a pretty face and a thin body. These so-called success stories populate our magazines and dominate our movie screens. Lackluster talent and poor performances are repackaged and sold to us as aspirations for success based on looks alone. It's hard to swim against this tide.

Merit and hard work, moral fiber and goodness are sloppy seconds in a world of instant gratification where the only fixins for success you need are the trappings of beauty you can buy online and in a plastic surgeon's office. But beauty and looks alone should not be the key ingredients for fame, fortune and success. Happiness and contentment form that foundation. Character and good judgment count. Empathy and intelligence should spur you ahead in life, not thin thighs and high cheek bones.

But we're never going to move past the lip service to make all the old sayings ring true unless we are as vigilant and deliberate about grooming our inner beauty as we are in maintaining our outward appearance. This means we have to primp our souls as much as we do our weaves. We have to excise the dead weight from our lives as readily as we cut our split ends. We have to make sure our hearts shine as brightly as our teeth or our shoes!

We have to challenge the women we love to do the same. If you can keep a weekly hair appointment, ask yourself why you can't mentor a young lady once a month? The next time you plan to meet up with your girlfriend at the nail shop, consider a trip to the local soup kitchen instead. For every time you tell your sister or your daughter how beautiful she is, make sure you tell her ten times over how smart and kind she is too.

It may seem uncomfortable and forced at first, but no more than the first time you curled your eyelashes, permed your hair or donned a pair of Spanx. If you do it often enough, it will eventually become second nature. Like looking into the mirror before you leave the house-only this time you'll see past what's staring at you to catch glimpses of your true humanity. Before you know it, you'll be reveling in the fruits of this labor. It will be measured in the way your daughter walks taller when she enters a room, the confidence that gives you the moxie to ask that guy out, and the strength that tells you to do more than just think you deserve a raise, but to ask for it too!

Erica
wife, mother, communications maven...

Erica has worked in communications her entire career, filling the roles of writer, editor, producer and communications director in such venues as ABC, MTV and the Fresh Air Fund. She is a graduate of Wesleyan University and received her Masters in Journalism from the University of California at Berkeley. Erica loves to travel the world, but currently resides in The Bay Area with her husband and her two children, and serves as the Communications Director for the San Francisco District Attorney's office.

Freelance Writer Sugey Palomares Reflects On: The Power of Pretty

Getting Underneath Your Cover Up

Ever since I was in grammar school, my mother would powder me up and add blush to my cheeks before walking to school. She would say, "This is so you won't look so pale. Que linda. (How pretty)." I looked in the mirror and felt beautiful with my Cover Girl-covered face. There I was, a bilingual kid with an accent who wanted acceptance more than anything else in the world. If my mother told me that makeup made me look prettier-I believed her. What I was unaware of was how those early years would mark my relationship with makeup and its relation to beauty as an adult.


When I think about not wearing make-up publicly now, a voice inside of me is saying, no just some under-eye concealer, mascara and lip gloss please! I should be able to walk around barefaced from time to time, but why don't I feel comfortable? I don't lack inner beauty or self-confidence. So what is the problem here? After reading a women's magazine blog post, I sent an email out to some of my close girlfriends asking them to challenge that voice along with me and not wear makeup in public. No one wanted to join my made up makeup revolution.


As a Latina, a lot of my earliest life lessons with beauty and makeup were cultural. We take pride in looking good for ourselves and others. It is ingrained in us from the time we are able to walk, but the bigger picture is also society's view on the 'power of beauty'. We are living in a society that teaches little girls that looks are a part of who we are and sometimes, that looks are everything. Ad campaigns, magazines, and reality television shows don't help the idea either.


After taking the challenge on my own, I realized that the voice or idea that we can't be beautiful without makeup is conditioned. It runs deep and normally it takes looking in the mirror and talking to that little girl with the Cover Girl-covered face. There is nothing wrong with makeup. It sparks our creativity and makes us feel good, but when we become dependent on it, then we need to have a little makeup challenge--even if it means just going to the grocery store without anything (and I mean anything) on. I challenge you to do the same.


Sugey



Sugey Palomares likes to read between the lines. As a freelance writer she has focused on a wide range of issues including politics, music, entertainment, and more. Experienced in online publishing and editing, most recently as an Associate Editor for MTV Networks, Palomares hopes to launch the demographic success of her own site, titled The Freelancer's Blog. Sugey graduated with a M.A. in Latin American Caribbean Studies with a concentration in Media Studies from the University at Buffalo. Before graduating with high honors, she also conducted research in Cuba, Mexico and Spain. She lives in Brooklyn and enjoys yoga, reading, and spending time with loved ones. You can read more of Sugey's thoughts on her blog http://sugeypalomares.wordpress.com/

Thanksgiving Tips for Beautiful Skin

Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy your feast, we certainly will, but keep in mind that rich creamy sauces, candied foods, breads, stuffing and decadent deserts overwork your digestive system. When digestion and elimination are sluggish and backed up, it can wreak havoc with your skin. Dark circles and puffiness appear under eyes, pores work extra hard to eliminate excessive wastes along with sweat and oil and to top it all off, your energy can plummet!

Start each morning with a big glass of water spiked with lemon to help cleanse your system. Walk at least 30 minutes a day to keep things moving, and cleanse your face AM and PM to keep pore congestion to a minimum. Remember, the holiday season just started, there are lots of pictures still to be taken and posted, be smart and pace yourself.

Stay beautiful,

Millie

The Notorious Winter Itch, Oh that pesky W-itch!

The notorious winter itch rears its annoying head once cold weather arrives. Skin often feels dry, tight and itchy, especially right after a bath or shower. The accumulation of dry cells makes the skin look ashy. Winter itch can occur at any age, although its more common as we get older. That's because older skin develops tiny cracks allowing moisture to escape, making skin even dryer. Add that loss of moisture to the heat and low humidity found in homes, schools and offices... and winter itch can pose quite a challenge!

Personal care products can also play a part in aggravating winter itch. Soaps or shower gels with fragrance, harsh cleansing agents or deodorants, even body depilatories that were fine in warmer weather, can suddenly become irritating. Fragranced body lotions and cremes can also add to the itch. Unfortunately, the more you scratch, the more you itch.

When skin gets really dry, even skin that is typically considered 'normal' begins to itch. Skin with eczema, psoriasis or other skin diseases are especially prone to winter itch and the scratching associated with it can cause welts, swelling and blisters. When skin becomes broken or severely cracked, it is more susceptible to infection and it may need the help of a physician.

Here are a few dermHA tips to help keep the pesky W-itch at bay:

• A long hot bath feels good, but pulls moisture from the skin. Keep baths and showers short and water warm, not hot.


• Lower room temperatures at night, open a window slightly and/or use a humidifier or a pan of water on radiators to keep moisture in the air.


• Use hydrating bathing and personal care products with no fragrance, alcohol, lanolin, dyes or propylene glycol to prevent irritating already dry skin.


• Use non-greasy moisturizing cremes after a bath or shower--especially on arms and legs because they have fewer sweat glands than other parts of the body.


• Keep toasty in cold weather, but eliminate itchy wools and synthetics garnished with glitter. Prevent further moisture loss by layering light weight items.


• Switch to fragrance free detergent and stop using fabric softeners on sheets, pillowcases, wash clothes and towels or anything that comes in direct contact with your skin.
  

When you are a victim of winter itch, that pesky W-itch, take time to investigate what your skin is telling you. Cortisone cremes are a quick fix, but they thin the skin and aren't recommended for daily use long term. Winter skin needs increased hydration. Check out dermHA's products http://www.dermha.com/ to see which ones would be best to help you fight winter dryness! You can also call dermHA directly at 610.269.7009 or 877.933.7642 for advice from one of our skin care experts.

Stay beautiful,

Millie

dermHA's Dry Skin Help Series: The Importance of Hyaluronic Acid in Skin Care

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is one of the most amazing ingredients in skin care. It is safe, versatile and effective. HA has the ability to hold 1000 times its weight in water and is the most powerful natural moisturizing ingredient known to science. HA's unmatched hydrating ability plumps the skin, resulting in an increased smoothness, softening and a decrease in wrinkles. Any skin care formulation targeting anti-aging and the restoration of damaged tissue should include this valuable ingredient.

Hyaluronic acid is found naturally in our bodies in connective tissue and it contributes to the elasticity of the skin. Medical grade HA is used to replace fluid in joints and is commonly used in cosmetic injectibles to fill in wrinkles. As our skin ages, hyaluronic acid dimishes, resulting in a loss of elasticity that leads to the formation of wrinkles. However, HA can be applied in order to provide anti-aging assistance. When applied topically, hyaluronic acid holds water onto the surface of the skin while allowing the skin to breathe.

In the article, 33 Secrets to Perfect Skin on MSN.com's Lifestyle page, Dr. Shimamoto emphasizes the importance of HA. "Your skin needs its daily dose of water, which is more than your intake of H2O, " says Dr. Shimamoto. "Sodium hyaluronate, more commonly know as hyaluronic acid, helps balance your skin, bringing it to a normal pH level. Balanced skin is optimal for all healthy skin functions. When this ingredient is used in cosmetic formulations at a high concentration (check the ingredients list and make sure it is some where in the middle or toward the top of the list), it will leave your skin plump and dewy looking."

All of dermHA's products include this miracle of nature and science, helping you create healthy, beautiful skin. Go to our website http://www.dermha.com/ to find which products will be most helpful in achieving your skin health goals!

Stay beautiful!

Millie

Trick or Treat? Tips for Halloween Makeup Success

Dressing up for Halloween can be loads of fun and using make-up instead of masks for little ghosts and goblins can be a wise choice because it doesn't obstruct their vision when they are trick-or-treating.

Here are a few tricks to keep their skin safe instead of sore when the fun is over:

1. Clean and moisturize their skin before applying makeup. This will prevent stubborn to remove pigments from lodging into skin.

2. DON'T use wig glue, long-wearing eyelash fixatives or other harsh glues to apply mustaches, eyebrows or facial hair on children...use special glues or gentle lash adhesives that won't irriate skin and are easy to remove.

3. Don't get body or face paint too close to eyes. Use eye pencils, and liner shadows that are made for use in the eye area...and caution kids not to rub their eyes.

4. Gently loosen makeup by massaging skin with cold creme or Vaseline. Once it is loosened, gently wipe with a soft cloth or cotton pads. Repeat until all surface makeup is removed.

5. Remove makeup residue with a gentle facial cleanser or mild soap and water.

6. Use a moisturizer after cleansing to rehydrate skin and transform those goblins back to little angels!

Millie

For the Men: Tips for Handsome and Healthy Skin

With the advent of HD TV, its harder to hide breakouts or blemishes on the faces of male athletes, entertainers and actors. And with cell phones with cameras, facebook and other public forums for personal lives, everyone is in the spotlight. Previously, "quick and easy" was the mantra when it came to a man cleansing his skin...whatever he had in the shower would serve the purpose. However, in the past few years, the male cosmetic and skin care market has exploded.

Men have stepped up to the plate and admitted that they want smooth, blemish free and even-toned skin too. Men know that in today's competitive job market, your appearance can play a crucial role in getting the job, the promotion..or the girl! Having clear, healthy looking skin will keep the attention on what you're saying when you have to spend face time with your boss, a client, customer or a new friend.

Caring for your skin is smart. Healthy skin reflects the overall health of your body and it works to keep you protected from germs, bacteria and the environment. The sudden appearance of lesions or eruptions in the skin can signal problems with your health and should be investigated with your health care providers.

All skin functions the same, however the structure of a man's skin differs in several ways from women's skin. Because of the increase in androgens (male hormones), men have a thicker skin and they have more terminal hair (dark, course hair), especially on the face, back and chest. The oil and sweat glands on men are also more active and when you combine sweat, oil and hair in pores, you get congestion that can cause blemishes, ingrown hairs and rough, uneven skin. In our culture, men are typically outdoors more than women and protect their skin less from the sun, wind and cold. This increase exposure to sun, wind and cold can result in premature aging and an increased risk of skin cancer.

Healthy skin should be important to everyone, regardless of gender. Men, like women, can put their best face forward in just a few easy steps. Read on for some smart tips on maintaining healthy and handsome skin...

• Cleanse your skin every morning AND night (for skin with ingrown hairs, use a cleanser with AHA's and/or salicylic acid and try a drop of pure tea tree oil on infected pores)


• Use a hydrating (water based) moisturizer daily to keep skin healthy and functioning properly


• Choose products that are free of ingredients that could irritate the skin ie. fragrance, alcohol, lanolin, dye and propylene glycol


• Use sunscreen every day with a minimum SPF 15


• Wear a brimmed hat to protect face and ears in prolonged direct sunlight


• Check your face and body regularly for any dar, scaly or irritated lesions that don't heal

dermHA has many male clients who are faithful to the products. We have had great success with helping men with skin issues created by constant shaving and ingrown hairs. Call or email and we can put together a simple skin care routine to help you look your best. You can also order online at http://www.dermha.com/

Stay handsome!

Millie

dermHA Breast Cancer Awareness Special

Women, Hormones and their Skin

Many of the changes you experience in your skin are a result of hormones. Hormones are crucial to the healthy functioning of your body. they fluctuate throughout your lifetime and are responsible for both physical and emotional changes that we feel. When your hormones are out of wack, skin problems can occur...most notable, acne.

During puberty, acne occurs due to an increase in oil production in glands. During menopause, the loss of estrogen results in the body having more androgens (the male sex hormone), so hair growth on the chin and jaw line along with adult acne becomes more common in women.

Breakouts occur when pores become blocked with a sticky combination of dead cells, sebum and bacteria. This accumulation can be as small as a pimple or it can become as large and painful as a cyst. The severity of the acne breakout is determined by a variety of factors including heredity, diet, environment, and the way that you care for your skin. No matter what the cause, acne can be a wake up call to take better overall care of your health.

Tips for improve your overall health:

• Exercise daily to stimulate circulation, healthy sweat and oil secretions, metabolism, as well as those feel-good hormones.



• Drink plenty of water so toxins can be flushed from your body through the kidneys and liver



• Eat a diet full of colorful veggies and fruits and switch to organic meat if you can afford it.



• Eliminate sugar and sweets, caffeine, and sodas.



• Dairy is a suspect in contributing to acne and should be eliminated for a month to see if the condition improves.



• Cleanse and hydrate your skin daily and exfoliate when needed.



• Look for a hyaluronic acid based moisturizer to keep skin hydrated without blocking pores. A hydrated skin functions better by keeping skin soft and allowing for the transfer of oils. Dry, tight skin constricts pores and solidifies sebum, trapping it and causing pores to become congested.
  

As we age, women lose precious hormones. Visible changes occur in the bones, muscles, hair and skin. Skin and hair may begin to thin and skin loses elasticity, gets dry and begins to form wrinkles. Aging skin also becomes more vulnerable to infection and often more sensitive. Irritants such as fragrance, alcohol, lanolin, dye and propylene glycol should be avoided in skin care products. Hyaluronic acid, found in dermHA products, is the most powerful natural moisturizing ingredient known to science and a key ingredient in keeping aging skin healthy and younger looking.

Understanding the affects of hormones as they relate to unwelcome changes in skin during puberty and menopause, and every stage in between, can help you make healthy choices in diet, lifestyle and daily skin care. Learning to incorporate proper skin care into your daily routine is essential for improving the health, appearance and integrity of your skin.

Stay beautiful!

Millie

Trouble Shooting Problem Skin

Everyone has problem skin from time to time, whether it's a pimple or blackheads, a rash, hives, athletes foot, dry cracked skin, blisters...whatever the problem, your skin becomes more sensitive and more reactive to irritants, cold and heat.

If the skin is broken and won't heal, if there is an infection or intense swelling, if the rash is spreading or if the pain or discomfort is intolerable-you should see your family doctor or dermatologist.

If the problem or condition has just started-try to figure out why before the condition gets worse. A few of the usual suspects include:

• contact with something your skin is sensitive to such as a plant like poison ivy, a material like wool, or a metal like nickel

• a change in cleansers, moisturizers, sun screen or makeup can also cause skin reactions. Soaps and shower gels can dry skin making it itchy

• hair care products seal hair shafts to make them smooth and shiny. But when they spread or are sprayed onto skin, they can block pores and cause breakouts

• diet can also play a part in breakouts. Since skin is an organ of elimination, an overload of toxins can surface on your skin along with sweat and oils causing it to react.

• contact with jewelry and even diet should be examined and considered as a possible cause.

Skin diseases like acne, rosacea, psoriasis and eczema can be aggravated by dryness so keep skin hydrated. Use cool water for daily cleansing and hydrting. Try using products (like the dermHA line) that are free of major irritants like fragrance, alcohol, lanolin, dye and propylene glycol to help keep skin clean and hydrated.

Trouble shooting skin problems can help prevent current conditions from getting worse and prevent reoccurrence in the future. Eat a healthy well balanced diet (try to eliminate or avoid sugar), drink plenty of water (eliminate sodas and sugary fruit juices) and exercise daily to keep yoru body strong and healthy and your skin looking its best.

Dealing with Blemishes: Getting Your Teen Back to School Part II

Anxiety about new classes, new friends, sports try-outs and 'fitting in' can keep hormones , especially testosterone, pumping non-stop for teens. Combine that with sweet snacks, fast foods and soda and you've got the makings of a major breakout. When you or your teen is ready to seriously commit to clearing your skin, you've got to consider changing more than just your skin care products.


Millie with teen actor and dermHA user Kwame Boateng


1. Change your diet. Commit to eating healthy. Fatty foods, fried foods, cow's milk, soda, juice and sweets are all suspects when talking about acne. Make water your drink of choice, switch to almond or rice milk, and snack on fresh apples, oranges and bananas.

2. Check out your hair care products. If your hairstyle requires heavy oils, gels, sprays or other fixings, its probably sealing your pores as well as your hair cuticle. Wear your hair off your face with a style that is more skin friendly. Avoid hair or oil sprays to see if skin clears.

3. Consider what else you are putting on your skin that may aggravate it. Make-up is more popular than ever with teens. Unfortunately, covering up your blemises will cause big problems if bacteria, sweat and oils are sealed in already congested skin. Focus on clearing up and change to a light mineral powder. Never cover infected skin with make-up or cover-up.

4. Check medications that may stimulate acne such as steroids, oral contraceptives, phenobarbital and high levels of iodine.

5. Friction and sweating caused by tight collars, head/sweat bands, backpacks, bike or sports helmets should be monitored and avoided if possible. Keep clothing loose, secure backpacks so they don't rub and make sure helmets and cleaned and wiped down with alcohol regularly.

6. Don't pick! When you do have a blemish, picking or squeezing them can cause them to spread. After cleansing, use a drop of tea-tree oil on inflamed pustules or blemishes to kill the bad bacteria but not the good.


Remember, having acne doesn't mean that your skin is dirty. Overcleansing skin, washing your face more than twice a day, can actually make acne worse. Make sure that you are using a good cleanser that doesn't over dry sin. In addition to your cleanser and moisturizer, using a tonic with zinc and non-alcoholic witch hazel can fight bacteria while soothing irritation from blemished skin. Acne can be dealt with, don't give up. Taking care of your body holistically and knowing what triggers or exacerbates your acne will help you take better care of your skin.



Be Beautiful!
Millie

Countdown to School: TEEN SKIN

At the start of a new school year teens want to look their absolute best, but hair and clothes are not the only factors in helping your teen get ready to face a new year of learning and adventures, how their skin looks greatly impacts their self-esteem.

After a summer full of fun, sun and water sports, a teen's skin may need special care. Although most teens see an improvement in their skin during the beginning of the summer season, repeated sun exposure, sweat, accumulated oils and dirt can create a thin, hard shell over the surface of their skin. By summer's end, increased breakouts, peeling skin and irritation can occur. Adolescent hormones complicate the process by speeding up oil production and overloading already congested pores.

Daily cleansing, morning and night, plus a light, water based moisturizer helps to keep a teen's skin healthy. Although morning cleansings are important, washing your face at night-much like brushing and flossing your teeth-is crucial. However, washing your face more than twice a day can also cause problems, especially with acne skin. Don't be afraid of moisturizers because of oily or problem skin. A light, water based moisturizer actually helps suppress oil production and keeps skin soft and healthy looking.

Finding a regimen that is right for your teen during this transitional season and often nerve wracking start of school, is one of the best things you can do to keep you teen looking and feeling their best.

Go to http://www.dermha.com/ now to order our gentle face and body wash that can be used on people of all ages, and a soothing dermHA moisturizer to help your teen get ready to put their best face forward this school year!

More Healthy Behaviors

Moisturizing the skin helps keep it soft, smooth, relaxed and healthy. When skin is dry it is easily irritated and can feel tight and itchy. Dryness also aggravates skin diseases such as eczema, psoriasis, rosacea and acne.

Chose a moisturizer without major irritants like fragrances, alcohol, lanolin, dye or propylene glycol, so ski won't be aggravated. The skin is an organ of elimination. Healthy skin needs to breathe and pores need to eliminate sweat, toxins and oils in order for our body to stay healthy. Depending on your skin type, you should use a moisturizer that will hydrate your skin without sealing it and blocking pores. Hyaluronic Acid moisturizers keep it healthy while reducing dryness and offers an excellent environment for healing damaged skin.

Sun protection is another important element in keeping skin healthy. Everyone needs a daily dose of Vitamin D, but keep in mind that the sun is responsible for 80% of the effects of aging. Although darker skins have some built in protection, they will see an increase in skin tags, pigmentation and dehydration with continued unprotected sun exposure. Remember to wear an SPF sunscreen of 15 or more every day, all year round. When you're in hot climates or direct sun, wear sunglasses (sun can cause long term damage to eyes) and a hat with a brim that will shade the delicate skin on the ears.

Healthy Behaviors to Keep Skin Clear

Getting to know your skin is the ultimate goal. our skin is affected by the foods we eat, what we drink...whether we smoke, exercise or not, the climate we live in and whether we spend too much time inside or outside...our ethnicity and the traits we inherited. Keep in mind that a holistic approach to improving the condition of problem skin may include altering your lifestyle or habits along with proper skin care. Keeping a mental record of the circumstances surrounding a skin breakout, rash or sensitivity can help pin point its cause. Listen to messages your skin sends and change your skin care regimen, diet or others habits accordingly to insure a life of healthy skin.

1. Cleansing your skin morning and night is the most important step in a healthy skin care routine.

Cleansing removes dirt, debris, sweat and oil secretions, and tiny microorganisms that live on our body. Choose a cleanser that is gentle but also effective for your skin type. Feeling waxy, too tight, itchy or a burning sensation is not normal and you may need to change your cleanser.

The way you cleanse is also important. With clean, wet hands, apply cleanser to your fingertips and lightly massage it in small up and outward circular motions--not down and under. Make sure to include the corners of the nose, around the hairline as well as the neck. This will loosen dirt, and make up, stimulate circulation and help reduce facial puffiness. Rinse well with cool water and repeat if needed.

Stay tuned for more skin care healthy behaviors...

Knowledge is Power: Creating & Maintaining Healthy Skin

Stay tuned for our five part skin education series,

Creating and Maintaining Healthy Skin .

Learn tips for maintaining your skin when it is looking fabulous and tips for troubleshooting. Regardless of your age or gender, dermHA's founder and leader, Millie Bell, has information that will help you take better care of your skin.

The Power of Pretty by Millie Bell

Growing up I was a shy child who did not do much talking, but I watched how people reacted to other people. I learned that how you looked drove the way that people treated you. But it wasn't just physical characteristics, it was also attitude, confidence and grooming. People who looked like they cared about themselves inspired other people to care for them. It was easy to identify the people who felt good about themselves, when you feel 'pretty' you act 'pretty'. Inner qualities, talents, accomplishments and gifts add a glow that cannot be replicated. When you embrace you--your age, your challenges, your strengths and your limitations--and embrace change as an exciting evolution, your true beauty will be apparent to all. The power of your 'pretty' is that it will challenge others to see your best and give you their best.

A Movement

dermHA is committed to the concept of beauty being holistic; encompassing the mind, body and soul, not just the parts that are visible to others. To that end we have begun a dialogue about what it means to be pretty and the power that pretty has in our lives. I hope you will join us in this dialogue and inspire and be inspired by others.

Be Beautiful,

The dermHA family