Surprising Acne Causers!

In honor of some of my favorite Reno clients, teenagers,  I thought this would be a timely post for you, since you’re out of school and actually have time to check the blog!  :)
A new landmark compilation of studies has been done showing that 50 years of research may in fact prove once and for all that there is a link between diet and acne. The study is showing that we should be looking at diet, in combination with hormones. And you may be surprised by a few of the culprits at the source of the problem.

1. Milk is being called out as one. One particular study showed a definite link between teenage boys and the consumption of milk.
2. Eating a diet high on the GI index (glycemic index). These foods would include processed sugars of any kind and even breads and potatoes. Here is a complete list of high GI foods to avoid. 
3. Fish Oil. Although it is suppose to be great for your health in every other way some studies are popping up showing that it actually increases the production of testosterone, which is a huge culprit in the cause of acne for teenagers in particular.
4. Eat more soy products. Soy creates more estregon in the body than whole proteins such as beef and chicken. This is recommended more for teens and not adults. (Adults should shy away from soy, due to the breast cancer connection for now).  It will give you the protein you need without the added testosterone. 
5. Not enough water. Your skin is comprised of 90% water. If your diet is not in sink with this ratio that could add to your problem. Try to keep your diet, water based, lots of fruits and veggies. Raw, preferably and if you hate them raw try to steam them lightly, to retain as much moisture and vitamins as possible. 

Sadly this may or may not be the cure, or end to the dislike of your skin at the moment. But it may help a bit. I am very passionate about this subject, having such a problem as I did as a teen. And I have three daughters that are struggling with the same issues, so this subject is very near and dear to my heart.

Thanks for checking in on my blog. If you have any tips or ideas that have helped you to get closer to your ideal skin and avoid acne I would LOVE to hear them. 

Please leave your comments in the link below. 

The Buzz Words of Anti-Aging

There is some amazing technology coming down the pike in the way of Anti-Aging skincare. Even if you are still in your 20’s you would be very wise to start taking good care of your skin now so that it will take care of you later! The earlier you start using good clinical grade products the better. 

I am just going to list a couple of the best key ingredients that you will hopefully find in your skincare regimen. Consult with your skin care professional for their recommendations and products that they carry. Here are some ingredients you need to look for.

1.              Serums: Vitamin C, Vitamin A and Vitamin B are great antioxidants. Serums typically reduce wrinkles and fine lines. They eliminate redness and blotchiness. Decrease discoloration, puffiness, and dark baggy spots around eyes. Restores facial tone and firmness. Plus heals dry skin. 

2.              Acids: Glycolic, retinol, and lactic acids help to remove dead skin. They are exfoliating in nature. They are amazing when it comes to brightening and lightening the skin. The exfoliating natures of these products are very beneficial. I would suggest using them once a week or less depending on your skin type. (Consult your skin care professional for frequency of exfoliating).

3.              Hyaluronic: This popular acid replenishes lost moisture into the skin. It allows your facial serum (your A, C or B) to penetrate more deeply. Look for additional ingredients that include Idebenone. This will, in turn, encourage stimulation to new skin cell growth. 

4.              Peptides: Peptides can be found in many of your high-end skin care regimes. They are the new word in skincare. Peptides have become an essential ingredient in anti-aging skin care. Peptides are able to penetrate the epidermis, send signals to the cells, telling them how to function. A couple of the most effective ones to look for are SYN-AKE, copper,  palmitoyl, and Acetyl.

5.              Stem Cells: Plant stem cells that is, are the newest generations of skin care technology. This technology offers the protection from photo-damage and oxidative stress. They also benefit the skin by firming action to restore skin’s elasticity and contour. 

6.              Sunscreen: This product cannot be overstated. The number one ingredient in your sunscreen should be at least 18% zinc oxide. You should use sunscreen everyday, year round. On cloudy days up to 80% of the sun’s harmful UV rays can penetrate your skin. Snow, sand, and water increase the need, since they reflect the sun’s rays. 

There are so many cool, new, amazing products on the market for your skin this year, it is astounding! As I continue to delve more and more into the aesthetic world and learn everything I can about anti-aging products, I am constantly astonished by the results!!  I hope to bring my clients the top of the line and most innovative products to combat aging.  There is so much more than meets the eye to many of these products. More updates to follow...

See you next time, 

Michon :)

Nail News

You will be happy to hear that UV lights that cure the instant dry nails are not harmful. When I decided to venture back into offering nail services I worried that I may be putting my clients at risk so I researched the subject.This new study from Dec 2012 set my mind at ease.
UV Nail Lamps Don’t Appear to Cause Skin Cancer

 Assuming 10 minutes of use per UV nail lamp session -- a common length of time of use -- the researchers calculated that it would take 250 years of weekly UV nail sessions to equal the risk of exposure associated with one course of narrowband UVB treatments for certain kinds of skin conditions.Based on this finding, the researchers concluded that UV nail lamps do not play a substantial role in the risk of developing keratinocyte carcinoma.

*(correction to above site quote, my gel cures for 6 minutes and 10 seconds per hand)*

This was my "planned entry" for a blog post that I had slated for May, right before peak pedicure season. But I decided in light of Dr. Oz’s recent episode on the dangers of gel manicures that I should put it out there now instead.
I am not sure how far in advance Dr Oz tapes his television program but I am wondering if he ever got the memo from the latest research regarding UV lights and gel manicures. I wrote to his producers and shared the above link with them to see if they had had a chance to look into this. I have not heard back from them to date and I am pretty sure I won’t but I had to speak up about my feelings regarding that episode. It is sad that TV works the way that it does and that the producers for Dr. Oz feel that the only way to sell his show is by sensationalism. Most of that particular episode was designed to gross you out and incite fear.
That being said, I do have to agree with his reporting on several issues.

1. You get what you pay for, we (us, women) know that when we choose to go to a “chop shop” (this is what “we in the industry" refer to them as), you are asking for it. I am not going to call any place out. We all know who “they" are. They are assembly line workers. They get you in and get you out as fast a possible (which is what some people love about them) but they are not the most sanitary, skilled or professional environment. 
2. Un-neccessary roughness to the nails when removing the gel manicure should never be tolerated. There is no need to be abrasive to the cuticle when removing the gel. In fact when following manufactures directions your technician should remove the gel from the cuticle to the end of the nail. The only time a “skilled manicurist” would be going from the tip of the nail to cuticle would be to “gently” push the cuticles back after having soaked them in a soapy bath for the purpose of removing overgrowth of cuticles. 
3. Un-neccessary roughness to the nail plate before applying the gel manicure should not be tolerated either. A soft white buffer that barely removes any cuticle that has been removed from the base of the nail is all that should be done on top of the nail plate. The part of the episode that  said that these manicures would weaken your nails is untrue. If done properly your nail plate should be minimally effected. In fact, the top coat being applied will greatly strengthen your nails and allow them to grow naturally much longer than you can on your own. 
4. Implements are an issue that I believe many "chop shops" short cut on. If you do not see your implements being removed from a sterile drawer or a barbicide bath, walk away. I did agree with his report that it would be excellent idea to bring your own implements if you want that peace of mind and you are unsure of the place you are frequenting. I give my clients the files, buffers and toe separators that I use on them to bring again if they would like. My environmentally conscience clients do bring them back and we use them again on the next visit. Otherwise Nevada state board requires that we throw all of that away. 
5. I have seen some of the infections that where shown on his big screen that made all the audience oh and ah. I have three words for you: VICKS VAPOR RUB! I have had client after client come to me with fungus of that nature under their toenails, taking prescription medicine that was not working  for them having tried oils and potions galore. I would recommend Vicks on their toes before bed with socks and Viola! The fungus is gone before the next pedicure! The Eucalyptus, Menthol, and Camphor, mixed with the carrier oil that stays put like petroleum jelly is perfect for removing Fungus. That being said, however, I would not want to go someplace that isn’t properly sanitizing their foot baths and get it, so beware. Also be aware that there is a simply cure if you get it!  Please know that you can get a fungus from the gym, your children can get it from school, dance class, the list goes on. It is curable.
6. In the 30+years I have been doing nails I have NEVER seen anyone come in or had any complaints of staph infection. This is new to me. Again, I follow the law requiring me to properly cleanse and sanitize my implements between each appointment. The only nail clients that I have ever had through the years that had issues with any type of infections at all were all nurses. That leads me to believe it is more about what "they" are exposed to on a daily basis rather than what “we" were all doing on their nails. Just my opinion there. But 30 years is a long line to draw from IMO. ;)

So at the end of the day I hope you will find some peace of mind in knowing that you do not have to give up your beautiful long lasting manicure. That going to lunch with the girls and doing pedicures together is still a luxury that you can enjoy without fear or worry. And that sometime even those we look to for advice are wrong on occasion. 

Aunt Denny’s Peanut Brittle

This is a little more involved than the last two Christmas Recipes but if you like peanut brittle you should give this recipe a try. I have been told by Peanut Brittle connoisseurs (aka my stepfather) that it is their favorite.

Aunt Denny says it is all about the cast iron pan. Honestly it is the only time I break that darn heavy thing out of the cupboard. So the ingredients are pretty simple.

• 2 cups of sugar
• 1 cup of water
• 1 cup of corn syrup
• 2 cups of raw spanish peanuts
• 3 TBSP of butter
• 1 1/2 tsp of baking soda
• 1 tsp of vanilla 

Bring those ingredients to a boil and bring up to a hard ball stage. Denny says it has to spin a super fine hair. I tried to capture a picture of what that looks like for you here. When the mixture looks like baby fine hair and just kind of floats away you know you are there. 

Add 2 cups of raw peanuts to the mixture at this point. Stir frequently and continue to cook until it reaches a nice amber color. This is kind of guess work. Each batch that I do is varying degrees of this color.

Once the amber color is reached, remove from heat and add 3TBSP of butter, 1 tsp of vanilla and 11/2 tsp of baking soda. Stir all that in until it is well mixed. It will foam up. Turn this all out onto a VERY WELL BUTTERED cookie sheet. The cookie sheet I use is 12 x 15. Much bigger than your average cookie sheet. I suppose it would work with a smaller one you would just have thicker peanut brittle. 

And finally allow to cool for at least an hour and half. 

Happy Baking Season!

Thanks for stopping by the blog! 

See you next year! 

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder...

Okay,
Here we go.
If you love all things beauty related and enjoy surfing for beautiful images I hope to be a source for you.
If you hate typos and grammatical errors, you are going to hate this blog. Consider yourself warned! :D
I am working on finding a better location to photograph my work and hoping to bring you some cleaner images on a consistent basis but for now we will have to suffer with my iphone pictures inside the studio and out back on our patio.
Hope you enjoy and subscribe to my new blog.
Sincerely,
michon :)