Good Love

Valentine’s Day gives us a license to love. It’s a wake-up call, a reminder that love is important and valuable. Love needs to be expressed, to be nurtured and to be cherished. Make your Valentine’s Day special by giving a gift from the heart. Men as well as women love to be pampered and spoiled. Making a special dinner, a bubble bath and massaging your mate with oils by candlelight can work wonders for any relationship. Remember, love in itself is-the greatest gift of all. If you don’t have a special someone, or friends to share the day with…plan a pamper party for yourself. Loving yourself is sometimes the greatest challenge, but it’s crucial to attracting love in your life. The best way to receive love is to give love. Make love and kindness a part of your daily life and watch it blossom. Enjoy your Valentine’s Day and let your love light shine!



Stay Beautiful,
Millie

Keeping Teen Skin Beautiful

At a time when fitting in becomes really important to tweens and teens, puberty rears its unpredictable head and causes all kinds of skin care challenge.  Pimples, blackheads, pustules and cysts can cause insecurity, low self-esteem and a tendency for teens to isolate themselves. The emotional scars--we know how cruel children can be--as well as the physical scars and disfigurement resulting from untreated acne or blemishes- can last a lifetime.

 Teaching skin care at an early age to both girls and boys can save lots of stress for them and save lots of money for you. Selecting the right product for your teen is crucial. Products that are too harsh can overly irritate skin and do just as much damage as the acne. Products that are too heavy can plug pores and cause blockages that lead to more breakout.


Diet plays an important part in skin care too. You really are what you eat and rising teen obesity is a big reminder of “Junk in-Junk out.” Constantly eating double fries, soda and brownies will probably show up the face as well as on hips and waistline. Did you know that the skin is an organ of elimination and it’s sometimes called the third kidney. It breathes oxygen and excretes sweat, oils and wastes from the body. During adolescence with increased hormone activity, there’s an overload of wastes, especially if a teen’s diet includes lots of sweets, pastries, fast foods, fried food, sodas , etc.
Teens are living breathing ‘transformers’ and as their body goes through physical changes their emotions are going through ups and downs. To help their transformation be fun instead of traumatic, I suggest preparing a small arsenal of products to help them navigate through these transitional years.

Teen Skin Care Must Haves:

• A gentle, water based, non-oily cleanser (use when skin is dry, irritated or normally clear)- like dermHA’s Gentle Face and Body Wash.

• An exfoliating cleanser with alpha hydroxyl acids (for oily thick skin or with frequent breakouts) like dermHA’s Rejuvenating Cleanser.

• An acne cleanser with alpha hydroxyl acids and salicylic acid /or benzyl peroxide (for consistant acne breakouts with pustules and blackheads) like dermHA’s Acne Skin Cleanser.

• A non-alcoholic tonic with witch hazel an zinc (to use when needed with the gentle cleanser) like dermHA’s Rejuvenating Tonic.

• A water based moisturizer, like dermHA’s Therapeutic Crème or Therapy Plus, to use daily after cleansing.

• An enzyme and/or creme mask, like dermHA’s Enzyme Mask or dermHA’s Crème Mask with tamanu, to help refuine pores and calm acne irritations.

• A small bottle of pure tea tree oil from (after cleansing face, apply with a Q-tip directly onto blemishes, blackheads and pustules). Tea tree oils, like dermHA Tea Tree Oil, kills bacteria. (You can also purchase pure tea tree oil that’s pesticide free at a reputable health food store.)

Acne can also be a result of abnormal hormone production and you may need to see a dermatologist if cysts or pustules increase and become painful. In our next blog entry, we’ll talk about habits that can increase acne flare-ups. For more information or to find out the best dermHA products for you or your teen, call one of our licensed aestheticians at 1-877-933-7642. We can talk to you about how to better care for your skin on a daily basis.

Stay Beautiful,
Millie

Summer Skin 101

Summer skin needs special care to stay healthy looking and prevent damage. Although we all can derive benefits from the sun’s seductively simmering rays, we have to use care when we’re exposed to it or you can do more harm than good.  A sun screen of with UVA & UVB protection of SPF 15 or more is non-negotiable. If you’re in the sun for long periods of time, reapply sunscreen every two to three hours.  Pay special attention to areas where the skin is thinnest, like the nose, forehead, earlobes, chest and shoulders. Make sure that you are also paying attention to your lips, where skin is even more vulnerable.

Although the sun feels great, stay in shaded areas whenever possible. Wear a hat (there are some really cute ones that can add to your 'look'), and sunglasses with UV protection to prevent damaged to those precious eyes.


All summer skin needs hydration, even oily, acne skin. dermHA’s Therapeutic Crème is a must-have for summer skin care. High concentrations of hyaluronic acid provide skin soaking moisture, while healing aloe, calendula, arnica montana, plus a combo of vitamins help to soothe, calm and protect sun stressed skin.
In addition to daily use, apply dermHA’s Therapeutic Crème immediately after prolonged sun exposure to soothe irritation and help prevent peeling. Reapply as often as needed to soothe and moisturize.
No matter what your skin color, you will burn if you get too much sun. Symptoms of severe sunburn don’t always appear while you’re in the sun, but usually occur within twenty four hours and usually peaks in two to three days. Extreme reddening, swelling, blisters and pain need immediate care. Dehydration, chills, fever, nausea and/or delirium often accompany severe sunburn and so does dehydration. Avoid the sun completely until the burn is repaired.

**Sun Burn Alert-- For severe sunburn consult a physician.  Sunburn is especially dangerous in children so make sure they’re protected and limited their exposure to direct sunlight. A child having more than two or three serious sun burns will be more likely to develop skin cancer as an adult.

Summer Skin Regimen

for additional skin protection:

**If you take medication ask your physician or pharmacist if it may increase sun sensitivity.

• Eat raw fruit and veggies as well as protein for tissue repair.

• Drink plenty of fluids, preferably water.

• Try to avoid the sun between 10 AM and 3 PM.

• Cloudy or hazy days have 80% of UV rays passing through clouds- so keep your guard up.

• Avoid alcohol based fragrance on exposed skin as it could lead to discoloration or heightened skin damage

• Wear light colored, lightweight, tightly woven material that breathes for maximum comfort.

• If you are sun burned, avoid further exposure until the skin has healed.

• Use dermHA Vitamin C Therapy to help repair and protect dry, dehydrated environmentally damaged skin

Stay Beautiful,
Millie

One Man's Shaving Victory: Banishing Ingrown Hairs

My name is KG and dermHA has changed the way I shave and view skin care forever. I have gone from hating to shave to looking forward to it because it gives me an additional opportunity to utilize one of my favorite dermHA products, which seems to make my skin smoother every time I use it.


I am 32 years old and most of my shaving life I have had tremendous battles with razor bumps and ingrown hairs. For several years I tried products like bump stopper products and like most African-American males that I know, I still found myself plagued by razor bumps and ingrown hair. I also tried a product called Tend Skin, and I rotated between shaving with razors and with machines manufactured for shaving. I was told I was doing it wrong so I tried using a warm towel before I would shave, and I applied well known cleansers like Noxzema. I even tried very harsh exfoliating products which left my skin raw and feeling like an open wound. Everthing I tried ended with frustration. My relief eventually came when I was introduced to dermHA almost four years ago.


I first started using the dermHA cleansers and therapeutic creme, and I saw a tremendous decrease in the amount of razor bumps and ingrown hairs that shaving produced. Then I began using the product that I now simply cannot live without, the dermHA gentle exfoliating creme. Since I have been using it my battle with razor bumps and in-grown hairs is over. My in-grown hairs and razor bumps are now a thing of the past. Now, every day after shaving, I use the dermHA rejuvenating cleanser, then I apply the gentle exfoliating creme. After that dries, I apply the dermHA therapeutic creme, which also helps to prevent that dry, rough, and raw feeling that seemed to come with my irritated skin. I am convinced that the dermHA gentle exfoliating creme by itself is the ultimate "bump stopper", but these three products in combination seem to have reversed the damage done to my skin before I found dermHA. It seems to have reversed the clock of my skin's age...


Grateful,
KG

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