This month I have spring fever. I assume it is due to the mild winter we are having in Bellingham and my desire to feel the sun. My clients are fitting me into their schedules before taking off to Maui or Mexico. When dreaming of taking a sunny vacation, I think about the dramatic lifestyle changes I have made in regards to sun exposure and tanning beds.

When packing for a trip to Costa Rica I consider what hat will look the least silly on me and how long I can get away with wearing a long sleeved shirt in 104 degree weather. Before going on a walk with my greyhound Freya to Blvd. Park, I look at the top I am wearing in the mirror to make sure my decollete(chest) is covered. Every night before I go to bed I apply my pigment gel and follow up with a peel every month. Most importantly, I apply sunscreen rain or shine every single day. I can remember a time in my early twenties that white was not attractive. I, as well as other women like me, spent time in the sun and in tanning beds with the hope of bronzed skin. Now in my thirties, I treat clients who are my age and older for past sun exposure and skin cancer.

When I think of my rituals for going on a walk or planning a vacation, I am proud to say that I take care and protect my skin. It is my job as an Aesthetician to set a good example. I must practice what I preach. In doing so, I also want to look and feel healthy. I embrace my white legs and pale skin as a sign of hard work. My days of going to tanning beds before a vacation are over. If I feel pasty, I visit my Aesthetican friend Pam Keller who gives me a beautiful bronze glow. Pam spray tans at Envy Salon and Spa in Mt. Vernon, Washington. It's affordable and looks fab.

To end this note, I would like to provide a link in regards to tanning beds. As of 2009, they now join cigarettes as a top cancer threat. View this link below compliments of the New York Times.

http://www.turkishweekly.net/media/663404/sunbeds-join-cigarettes-arsenic-as-top-cancer-threat-reuters.html

Do you have KP?

What is KP? Keratosis Pilaris (ker-uh-TO-sis-pil-AIR-is) is a common skin condition that causes rough patches and small, acne-like bumps, usually on the back of arms and thighs. Although annoying, it isn't serious and there are no long-term health implications.

Symptoms are small acne-like bumps, painless skin-colored bumps, (at times can be red and inflamed), dry, rough patches, and in some cases itchiness. Again, KP can show up on arms, thighs, buttocks, and sometimes appear on the face. KP can develop at any age and can improve and also worsen with time. The cause of KP is the build-up of Keratin, the hard protein that protects your skin from harmful substances and infection. The keratin forms a scaly plug that blocks the opening of the hair follicle. Many plugs form causing patches of rough, bumpy skin. Why this happens is unknown and could be genetic. It can happen to anyone, even those with healthy skin.

What can you do? Here are 5 easy at home remedies that can treat KP.

1. Moisturize: After showering or bathing use a thick, moisturizing body cream. This will help keep water from escaping from your skin. Over the counter brands such as Cetaphil or Eucerin are ok or Cocoon body lotion by Amino Genesis. (Found at Hecht Aesthetic Center, see review from previous posts)
2. Use warm water and limit bath times: Hot water can strip oil from our skin. If you like to take long showers limit your time to 15 minutes or less. Use warm water instead of hot.
3. Avoid harsh, drying soaps: Use mild soaps (body only) that have added oils & fats like Dove. Avoid deodorant & anti-bacterial detergents. You might have to try several brands in order to find something that works for you. Your skin should feel smooth and soft after cleansing, never dry or tight.
4. Pat dry: Gently pat or blot skin dry with a towel. This action allows moisture to remain on the skin. Immediatley moisturize.
5. Use a humidifier: Low humidity can make skin feel dry. Add moisture to the air inside your home.

See treatments for KP offered at Hecht Aesthetic Center on my next post.

Can You Shrink Your Pore Size?

This is a very common question I hear in my consultations. No, you unfortunately cannot shrink your pores. I do see products that claim this, but we cannot change pores other than making them bigger. This happens when we self-extract (pick or squeeze our blemishes). Our job is to keep our pores clean with facial treatments and gentle exfoliation. This can minimize our pore size and help keep our skin looking healthy. Gentle exfoliation in my book means using a scrub once per week with micro beads and avoiding products with apricot kernels, husks or natural grains. Scrubs with these ingredients can easily scratch or lacerate the skin causing more damage than good. Gently scrub with your finger tips in a circular motion- do not be rough or vigorous.

Facts About Water You Should Know

Did you know that.......

• 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated
• The number one trigger of daytime fatigue is lack of water
• A dry mouth is the first sign of dehydration
• 37% of Americans mistake thirst for hunger
• A 2% drop in body water can cause an individual to have a fuzzy short term memory
• Dehydration can cause stress and stress causes further dehydration
• Drinking 5 glasses of water a day may decrease the risk of colon cancer by 45% and breast cancer as high as 79%
• Water regulates the volume of a cell from the inside and salt regulates the amount of water from the outside
• Research indicates that 8-10 glasses of water daily could significantly ease back and joint pain for up to 80% of sufferers
• Every function of the body is monitored and regulated by the efficient flow of water

Is your skin dry or just thirsty?

New Years Resolution For Your Skin

Inspect your Cabinet
If your products are older than two years, toss them! An average shelf life for a skin care product is two years. One year for sunscreen. Ask yourself if you know how to use the product, why did you buy it and why do you have it?


Find an Esthetician
Need advice on products you already have or an issue with your skin? Ask your friends for a reference. Spend time researching estheticians in your area and interview them. I personally provide free consultations for newbies. I can get to know them and their needs, they can ask me questions. We develop a plan together.

Start Caring for your Skin
It takes 28 days to develop a new habit. How do you take care of your skin? Do you cleanse morning and night? Do you use a sunscreen every day and a night cream every night? The benefit in using skin care is that we cleanse away dirt and debris, we protect against environmental factors such as the sun and pollution, and we nourish and moisturize with active ingredients. Without a regime, our skin looks dull, can become sensitized and age at a faster rate. Our skin is our largest organ and we should spend time taking care of it.

Love Yourself!
We have to face it that we are born with certain genetics. Learn to accept what you might think to be a flaw. A person may have expression lines and although we can treat them with peptides, we can't to forget to keep smiling.