Twelve reasons for problem skin

As a bride your beauty is not only about lotions and potions it’s about making healthy lifestyle choices.

1. The Sun. Without protection from the sun’s rays, just a few minutes of exposure each day over the years can cause noticeable changes to the skin. Freckles, age spots, spider veins on the face, rough and leathery skin, fine wrinkles that disappear when stretched, loose skin, a blotchy complexion, thick wart-like, rough, reddish patches of skin, and skin cancer can all be traced to sun exposure.
2. Smoking. Cigarette smoking causes biochemical changes in our bodies that accelerate aging. 10 years of smoking is statistically more likely to develop deeply wrinkled, leathery skin and an unhealthy yellowish hue to their complexion than a nonsmoker
3. Lack of exercise: Living a sedentary life contributes to aging skin, because exercise helps to tone your muscles and get your blood flowing which is important to nourishing the skin.
4. Weather: Cold winds and low temperatures contribute to aging skin by making skin dry. Extreme changes in temperature shock the skin just like going in and out of door in winter. Heaters and air conditioning can make the skin very dry
5. Facial Expressions. Repetitive facial movements actually lead to fine lines and wrinkles. Each time we use a facial muscle, a groove forms beneath the surface of the skin, which is why we see lines form with each facial expression. As skin ages and loses its elasticity, the skin stops springing back to its line-free state, and these grooves become permanently etched on the face as fine lines and wrinkles.
6. Gravity. Gravity constantly pulls on our bodies. Changes related to gravity become more pronounced as we age. In our 50s, when the skin’s elasticity declines dramatically, the effects of gravity become evident.
7. Sleeping Positions. Resting your face on the pillow in the same way every night for years on end also leads to wrinkles. Called sleep lines, these wrinkles eventually become etched on the surface of the skin and no longer disappear when the head is not resting on the pillow. People who sleep on their backs do not develop these wrinkles since their skin does not lie crumpled against the pillow.
8. Stress: Stress and worry cause frowning, and over time the muscles in the face actually conform to that movement. Be aware of your stress level and use relaxation techniques and do activities you enjoy this will help you look and feel younger.
9. Lack of sleep: Too little sleep makes you look and feel tired with dark circles and bags under the eyes, and sagging skin. The average adult functions best with around 8 hours sleep each night and maintain a sleep routine that includes going to bed at the same time each night.
10. Nutrition . To have a balanced diet eat healthy and follow your Canadian food guide, drink 8 glasses of water daily and support your diet with vitamins and minerals.
11. Skin Care. When was the last time you had a professional facial care that included a deep cleansing, pore care and balancing of the skin. Having your monthly facial may slowdown the ageing process.
12. Home Care. The soap and water days of your grandparents are over. Pollution, nutrition and lifestyle make it necessary to properly tend to your skin both day and night.

Glowing vibrant skin is determined by the health and lifestyle decisions you make every day. Talk to a certified skin care professional about what you can do to prevent you not looking your best for your special day.

Written by Jessica LoRusso, Certified Master Esthetician

Mother of the Bride Fears Wedding Photographer

In this day and age where beauty is determined by young and thin models, women over 40 are stressing over how they will look in the captured forever wedding pictures.

Losing that vibrant fresh young skin can for some cause stress that can be overwhelming. This may cause camera shyness and feelings of lowered self esteem. Instead of being excited at the wedding you’re in fact hiding knowing you are not at your best.

Move over plastic surgery. Did you know that there are non surgical options that are affordable for any pocket book?

• Laser
• Micro current
• Myopulse
• Microdermabrasion
• LED Photo rejuvenation
• Chemical Peels
• Clinical Facials

Talk to your certified skin care professional about these treatments and how they can return you to your youthful glow.

Text By: Jessica LoRusso, Zealous MediSpa

Top 12 Tips for Great Pre-Wedding Skin

1. Cleanse Throughly

2. Moisturize Daily

3. Always Wear Sunscreen

4. Wear a Hat & Sunglasses

5. Use a Night Cream

6. Get Plenty of Sleep

7. Drink at least Eight Glasses of Water Daily

8. Eat lots of Fresh Fruits & Vegetables

9. Have Regular Facials

10. Don’t Smoke or Drink Alcohol

11. EXERCISE

12. Smile – It helps alleviate Stress

Text by Christy Kim, LPN

Cosmetic Tips for Your Wedding Day

Your wedding day may still be weeks away, or even months from now, but it is never too early to learn some cosmetic tips to ensure you have long-lasting foundation, flawless skin, gorgeous eyes and very kissable lips, before and after your wedding and in your wedding album!

So what are the best cosmetic tips? What are the secrets that only professionals know? When it comes to applying foundation, good quality brushes are a must. Using brushes to apply foundation also saves on the amount of product required.

To make your foundation last, prepare your skin before applying your makeup by using a primer product. Once you have applied your makeup, set your face with a hydrating mist. This mist also gives your skin a soft, dewy appearance which will translate equally well over a candlelight dinner or in your wedding photos.

To help promote luxurious skin consider having a facial or mild glycolic peel done at a salon. You can also promote healthy and beautiful skin at home with a facial scrub that rejuvenates your skin to give it a healthy glow. Make sure you follow the facial with a moisturizing application. Well-moisturized skin will make your makeup last longer. If you don’t know what your skin needs are, ask a professional – it’s often hard to determine your skin type by yourself.

Eyes figure prominently in wedding photos so be careful when using shimmer shadows which are very much in style at the moment. These shadows pose a problem for brides. Wear only the finest of products as some heavier shimmer products won’t photograph well and also create added shine. Brides often use a concealer to banish dark circles under their eyes, but that can be problematic. If your makeup application is too thick, that area can look cakey. Solution – use a lighter toned foundation under the eyes to banish those darker circles.

Since you will be doing quite a bit of kissing at your wedding, try using a lip stain – it’s long-lasting and therefore a great choice for brides. For best results, apply with a lip brush, not your finger. Ironically, the less lip stain you apply, the longer it lasts. And don’t worry if your lips are thin, you can give your lips a fuller appearance by using a lip gloss that temporarily plumps up your lips to give you that kissable pout.

Text by Norma-Jean Alt