San Francisco Skin Care

Summer tips for great skin

Ok, it happened to me the other day, I got sunburnned and boy, did it make me mad! I am always telling my clients how to protect themselves from the sun, and I never thought that it would happen to me.  So, I thought it would be good to go over the basics; follow these few tips on how to enjoy the weather but making sure you protect your skin. Sun protection works IF you apply it! Just don't forget to re-apply after every hour to be safe, this is what happened to me Avoid direct sunlight between 10 AM and 3 PM  these are peak hours when the sun is at its most intense time These are a few misconceptions; cloudy weather won't protect you from the sun, and either will putting a towel or t-shirt over your face.  The sun's UV rays are very powerful and can penetrate through clothing, I have had to scold a few clients on that tip! When you know you are going to be outside, I reccomend putting on a layer of cream or gel sunscreen and then using the micronized minerals over the skin, this will give you double the protection, always wear a hat, and make sure your sunglasses have a UV rating to protect your eyes.

Expired Products

When should I throw out a product?

Currently there are no FDA regulations that require manufacturers to put expiration dates on their skincare products, except for sun protection products and acne products that contain salicylic acid. Standards are quite different in Europe.  Labels there contain the symbol of a jar with a number on it, followed by the letter "M".  This is the PAO, which means "period after opening". Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your products.

• Most products have a shelf life of one year after opening.  If a product changes in appearence or scent, or is exposed to high heat or sunlight it could possibly lose effictiveness or have microbes that could cause infection.
• Date all your products, so you can have your own PAO date. 
• I recommend a shorter time for eye creams and mascaras, due to the chance of infection if bacteria is present. Consider replacing after 3 to 6 months.
• Store all products in a cool, dry area and make sure the lids are placed on tightly.  This will help to extend the efficacy of all your skin care products.
• If you have doubts about the safety of your product, it's better to be safe and toss it.

Shari's Skin Care Tip-Wash and Go

Whether its because you are on the go, too tired for words, or simply L-A-Z-Y, sometimes washing your face just seems like too much of a hassle. But you know that washing off makeup and daily build up is a MUST in any good skincare regimen.
Solution? Glymed Plus Nooners! These wonderful, individually wrapped wipes are formulated with Beta Hydroxys, pure botanical extracts and antioxidants. They can be carried anywhere and used anytime in place of washing. (Be careful not to use on eyes) Salicylic acid and Tea Tree kill bacteria and help fight acne from inside the pore; while Aloe and Arnica  soothe and smooth the skin's surface.
Nooners are great for oil touchups during the day, pre- or post workout,and of course those late nights.

While there is no real replacement for good ol' fashion suds, you can cheat from time to time with no terrible results.

( Definitely better than not washing at all!)

Breakouts 101: Do's & Don'ts

It happens to the best of us; whether its a small pimple once a month, or a random stress breakout, there are definite DO's and Don'ts for dealing with your situation.

DON'T:

• Pick, poke, or squeeze with your bare hands ( your own attempts to "fix" a pimple are  likely to cause more redness, spread the bacteria--leading to more problems, or even  scarring.)
• Use anything metal or pointed to attempt to burst a zit
• Scrub at your face vigorously in the hopes of exfoliating- which will just irritate the skin more
• No steam, saunas, or steam rooms--bacteria loves warm, wet places!
• Obsess all day long, (It's never as bad as you think)

    DO:

• Ice, Ice, baby. Ice helps calm inflammation and is anti-bacterial.
• Apply a treatment with salicylic acid such as PCA 35 Acne gel 2x a day after you have washed your face thoroughly
• Inspect your products--did you start using a new product? Do you have products that are more than a year old? ( If a product has changed color, separated, or has funny smell--toss it!)
• Use an oil absorbing mask such as Glymed's Sulfur mask every other day until skin calms down
• Incorporate a product with a chemical exfoliant (such as glycolic, lactic, or salicylic acid) into your regular routine to help slough away dead skin cells and avoid future breakouts!
• Spot treat with Glymed's Astringent #2 ( Apply once a week after mask to increase exfoliation)

And remember, when all else fails: Go get a facial!!!
To make an appointment to  visit Shari at Pacific Heights Skincare call 415-922-5694

Shari's Skin Care Tip - Oil Blotting Papers

                           Oil Blotting Papers

Have you ever noticed around 12PM that your skin looks like it has a giant oil slick across the surface? You reach for those oil blotting papers that your trusty girlfriend recommended, hoping they will do the trick. But, you find yourself asking, why is my skin suddenly breaking out? Here is where I come in. Please, don’t use oil absorbing blotting sheets, thinking they will sop up the grease. They won’t work! Why? Because, you can’t fight oil with more oil. One of the main ingredients in these papers is mineral oil. Oh, and for those of you who don’t know, mineral oil is bad, bad, bad for your skin!

For more products to help with oily skin, visit San Francisco Skin Care.

Shari's Skin Care Tip - Oxygen

                           Breathe in Breathe out

     Oxygen facials and products are the hottest thing in skin care, and here is           why:
   * Oxygen promotes the cellular regeneration of collagen boosting cells in your skin,         leaving your skin looking absolutely flawless.
   * It helps produce the energy your skin needs to detoxify.
   * it is anti-inflammatory and has incredible anti-aging properties.
   * Acne, rosacea and anti-aging are the three most common beauty concerns targeted                                by oxygen containing products.

My new favorite face cream is Force De Vie by Luzern Laboratories.  Its pure oxygen formula, combined with Co-Q10 and hyaluronic acid, brings a glow to tired skin, diminishes signs of lines and wrinkles, and deeply hydrates.

For more information, please visit San Francisco Skin Care.

Shari's Skin Care Tip - Sun and Acne

                            Does Tanning Clear up Acne?

Pimples are not like Shrinky Dinks; they don't shrivel when baked. Back in the day, Dermatologist used to recommend ultraviolet light to treat acne. But, the long term consequences are so negative, they aren’t advising it as a treatment anymore. It accelerates aging! , and why would we want to do that?

So, remember class, if you think a day by the pool makes your skin look great, just know that when that tan fades and your rebound acne starts up again. You have only the sun to be angry at!    

For more information, visit San Francisco Skin Care.

Shari's Skin Care Tip - Skin Cancer Facts

Skin Cancer Facts;

1. One in five Americans is  expected to develop skin cancer during their lifetime, especially those who experienced serious childhood sunburns.

2.  80% of a person's lifetime sun exposure, is estimated to occur before the age of 18.

3. Even one blistering sunburn can double a child's lifetime risk of developing skin cancer.

4. The dangers of harmful UV radiation are present in the winter and the summer;just because it is a foggy day does not mean UV rays are not reaching your skin.

5. Over the past two years, the number of Americans using sunscreen has declined at a time when more people are being diagnosed with sun cancer than ever before.

Wake up, the sun is not your friend. Everyone needs protection from the harmful UVA and UVB rays. I know you think the sun feels good, but try to limit exposure to late afternoon and early morning. ( And still wear your full spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen!)