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

Teen Facials & Skin Education

Because of the great response to the teen skin facials offered, dermHA is extending the offer through May 15th. Don't miss this chance to help your teen find the beauty of healthy, hydrated skin, call now to schedule your appointment!

610-269-7009

Just for Teens!

Jana's Journey...

My skin care challenges go back to my teen years. In high school I went to doctors and took medications and managed to get it somewhat under control. However, during college, my skin went haywire. I went to tons of doctors, had numerous medical grade skin peels, changed my diet, took medication and anything else people told me might help change the appearance of my skin. I keep my hair in my face as much as possible to block people from seeing my skin. I eventually even stop trying to put myself together, what did cute clothes and shoes matter, once people saw the pimples, bumps and discoloration of my face, I knew that would be all they saw. It really hurt my self-confidence and when my skin was at its worse, I retreated from the social world. Eventually my dermatologist put me on accutane for almost ten months, which finally cleared up the acne. However, I was still left with splotchy discoloration on my face and neck.


I had my acne under control for a while when I was introduced to dermHA and Millie, but I was still bothered by the discoloration that had not receeded. I tried all of the time to scrub off the dark marks, but it never worked. Millie gave me one on one attention, wanting to learn everything about my skin care routines, skin care needs and ultimate goals. She had such a thorough knowledge of skin health and skin care and was able to tell me what my skin needed to achieve my goals. After an extensive evaluation and treatment session with Millie, I made a conscious decision to 'listen to Millie' from then on because I knew that her knowledge and her desire to provide others with beautiful skin would help me achieve my skin care goal of clear, healthy skin. I had been to some of the best dermatologists in the country and never got the kind of personal attention that Millie gave me. The regimen and behavioral recommendations were specific to me, my history and my needs. Millie did a great job of explaining the whys of everything. She knew about products, not just her own, ingredients, skin care tools and everything connected to skin health and beauty.


I immediately noticed that my skin felt different. From the day I meet Millie, I made the commitment to wash my face every morning and every night and to use sunscreen and moisturizer. Now, I will not leave my home in the morning without using the dermHA HA Therapy Plus. It doesn't feel greasy or heavy. I've been using it and the other products Millie recommended for six months and the discoloration is fading and my tone is even. I think I have a glow now and my skin looks healthy. I no longer feel that I have to put foundation on my face to be presentable, I can just put on my moisturizer to refresh and I feel ready to go!


Feeling beautiful,

Jana


Jana is a teacher, wife and mother and eats healthy and exercises to complete her healthy living goals. Jana is also the coordinator of the REVHS AVID program, an innovate education program that helps promote academic achievement and college readiness for low to moderate income families. Jana has won numerous awards for her work with AVID and is an incredible role model and community leader. For more information about the AVID model go to http://www.avid.org/

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

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

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!