The Air is Hurting Your Skin!

Icky Goop In the Air Is Giving You Acne and Wrinkles. 4 Key Steps to Stop It.

By Liesa Goins

You don’t have to be Gwyneth Paltrow or an owner of a Vitamix to have heard the hype about detoxing. The obsession with clearing your internal organs of pollutants for a generally healthier life has made juice cleanses essential popular rituals among even those who don’t think negativity ruins water.

But according to emerging research, we should all be focusing more attention to pollution’s effects on the outside of our bodies—namely, what it does to our skin. “Pollution is one of the main sources of skin damage because toxins in the air cause the skin to age prematurely, especially on the face, neck and hands,” says Debra Luftman, M.D., a dermatologist in Beverly Hills and member of the Simple Advisory Board.
“Skin is designed to work as a barrier against any irritants including pollution; however, it is not completely impenetrable,” she explains.

French researchers also found a link between skin rashes and pollution. They saw a rise in doctor visits for rashes and irritation following days when particulate matter was the highest.

What’s more troubling is that pollution is affecting almost everyone: Air quality in most cities worldwide that monitor outdoor air pollution fails to meet World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for safe levels. About half of these urban populations are exposed to air pollution that's at least two-and-a-half times higher than recommended. Air pollution is now the "single largest environmental health risk," says the health agency.
How the Air Can Attack Your Skin“Skin is our first line of defense against increasing free radicals in our atmosphere,” says New York City dermatologist Dennis Gross. “Our skin absorbs these harmful impurities on a daily basis which leads to diminished health and beauty of our skin.”

Pollution in the air comes in two forms: ozone and particulate matter, explains Elizabeth Tanzi, M.D., a dermatologist in Washington, D.C. Ground-level ozone (as opposed to that which makes up the ozone layer) is a gas created when toxic emissions from cars and factories combine with sunlight. The resulting molecule is highly reactive and causes free radicals to form that can damage the lipids and proteins of the skin, she says.

The other main pollution source is solid dirt particles. “Particulate matter sits on the surface of the skin and increases inflammation, which also breaks down the skin’s proteins and may accelerate the aging process,” Dr. Tanzi says.

In addition, environmental impurities such as carbon monoxide, nitrous oxide, and ozone destroy the skin’s natural oils, which act as a protective barrier, Dr. Gross says. “Once this protective barrier breaks down, skin is exposed to free radicals which lead to collagen breakdown, cell damage, redness, and irritation.”

While looking older offers legitimate concerns, there are more immediate consequences as well. Gross explains that particulate matter clogs pores, which can make them appear larger. Airborne pollutants cause a chemical reaction with your natural oils, changing them to a waxier consistency that can clog pores. And those suffering from rosacea can experience flare-ups due to irritants in the air.

And we’re not just talking about the air outside your home.

What You Need to Know About Cooking, Cleaning, and CandlesEven the air in your own home can contain some toxins that threaten the health of your skin.
“Volatile organic compounds are released from burning fuel, some paints, and glues,” Gross explains. Cooking over natural gas and the fumes from cooking oils or using a wood-burning stove can release particulate matter, as well as free radicals that weaken the skin barrier and damage healthy cells.
Paint, glue and cleaning products also emit VOCs. Gross suggests using these products outside or making sure the area is well ventilated—especially when cooking with natural gas or using caustic cleaning agents.

Paraffin wax candles also release airborne toxins. Byproducts of the wax, synthetic fragrances and dyes, and soot from the wick can emit harmful pollution particles. Dutch researchers studied the air particles in churches, where candles are burned for hours at a time, and found up to 10 times as many damaging free radicals in the air inside churches as they did in the air next to a busy highway.
Burning candles in a well ventilated room will help minimize the dangers. And replace your paraffin versions with healthier beeswax candles.

Your Four-Step Pollution Protection Plan
1. Power CleanYou’re already doing the most important pollution defense: washing your face. The particulate matter in the atmosphere is up to 20 times smaller than your pores, Dr. Tadlock explains. Daily deep cleaning will remove these microscopic particles before they can cause inflammation and irritation.
“In most cases, our hands alone cannot effectively remove pollution matter this size,” Dr. Tadlock says. That’s why a cleansing brush could be a powerful anti-aging tool. Clarisonic applied a tinted solution that mimics pollutants found in the air. After 60 seconds of cleansing, Clarisonic removed 30 times the pollution than manual washing.

2. Spike Your Skincare With AntioxidantsAdd an antioxidant serum to your routine. These concentrated treatments deliver high levels of agents that have been shown to neutralize free radicals to help decrease inflammation and lipid breakdown, Dr. Tanzi says. (Try: SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic, $118.) Eating your antioxidants will also fight pollution, Dr. Luftman says. So make sure you’re eating colorful fruits and vegetables with every meal.

3. Stay Sun SafeYou already know wearing sunscreen every damn day, no matter what, is the number one commandment in skincare. UV protection is even more crucial in light of the new knowledge about the effects of pollution.

For additional defense against pollution, make sure your daily SPF includes extra skincare ingredients. Antioxidants will help fight damage from pollution.

4. Keep Your Skin HydratedMoisture is crucial in pollution protection because hydrating agents help strengthen the barrier function of the skin. A healthy barrier can protect against pollution and irritation.
For those with dry or easily irritated skin, add a boost of omega-3 fatty acids to your moisturizer.

If you suffer from irritation, soothe your skin with calming agents, Gross suggests. The anti-inflammatory benefits will help short circuit the damaging effect of irritation and pollution.

Don’t forget your skin needs the same TLC as the rest of your body. “Treat it holistically—eat healthy, exercise and drink lots of water,” Dr. Luftman says.

And if juicing works for you, be our guest.

Call and schedule your facial today!  831.373.2273 or book on line at www.montereydayspa.com


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Article source: youbeauty.com

Skincare should start early

Skincare should start early

All your skincare and beauty problems answered.

My daughter is nine years old and is required to attend school activities most of the time. I’ve noticed recently that her face is getting drier and darker. May I know, at her age now, is it advisable for her to apply moisturizer or sunblock everyday? If not, when is the best time for her to start? – Teresa

Product trainer Regenn Lee says that external aggressors such as pollution and the harshness of the sun do not recognize age. These will harm and damage the skin, regardless whether you are a child or an adult. Outdoor activities and excessive exposure to the sun are bound to cause UV damage, which appears initially as merely a darker skin tone and dehydration.

The darker skin tone is due to the overproduction of melanin. In between the epidermis and dermis, there are cells called melanocytes which, when exposed to ultraviolet radiation from the sun, will produce melanin.

This is absorbed by keratinocytes, which use it to protect themselves from the UV rays as a form of “sunshade”. This melanin response to UV becomes a natural sunscreen, providing protection to the keratinocyte cells by absorbing UV radiation, resulting in a visible tan.

This explains why your daughter’s skin gets darker after her outdoor activities. In the long run, overexposure to the sun will lead to hyperpigmentation which will be more prominent later when she becomes an adult. Prolonged exposure also causes water to evaporate from the surface, reducing the water and natural oil content in the skin.

Children may be too young for more intensive or targeted skincare. But a proper skincare regimen is recommended as soon as the child is able to be take ownership of taking care of her own skin. At different stages of our lives, our skin requires very specific needs that evolve over time.
At the tender age of nine, a child’s skin is still healthy and able to exfoliate naturally. The key is giving them the correct products to use, and this should be basic, water-based, light textured, non-comedogenic, gentle on the skin, yet able to meet her skin’s needs.

So, do use a moisturizer and sunblock every day for your daughter. She also needs to clean and tone her skin properly to keep a healthy skin.

A very mild and gentle cleanser helps to remove impurities and dirt, without drying the skin, and soften skin’s texture.

For help in choosing products that are right for your child, call Monterey Day Spa, to seek advice from our Estheticians - 831-373-2273

Book your appointment online now at www.montereydayspa.com!
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6 Ways for Men to Benefit from the Spa

The word “spa” has a unique way of frightening many otherwise brave men. The same guys who ride motorcycles, climb mountains, and jump out of airplanes are often deathly afraid of walking into the lobby of a spa. We can’t really blame them. In the beginning, many spas were very feminine and the treatments were mostly geared toward women. But, times are changing! Most spas now welcome men with open arms, offering unisex environments and plenty of treatments to choose from. Here’s a look at just a few of the ways that men across the country are now taking advantage of their neighborhood spa.

Massage Therapy
Massage has always been the favorite spa treatment for men. It gives them a chance to unwind, de-stress, and relax. Monterey Day Spa offers a wide range of massages, such as hot stone and deep tissue, which allows men to customize their massage according to their needs.

Manicures
Male nail grooming has become more important, as men regularly meet with clients, co-workers, and sales contacts. No one wants to close a deal with a guy who has dirt under his nails, unless he’s building you a house.

Waxing
The days of the uni-brow are over, which is evidenced by the fact that many electric trimmers now come standard with brow trimmers. An increasing number of men are visiting spas to remove the uni-brow, and then finding that a bit of brow grooming helps to polish the look. Why stop at brows? Many are signing up for a back wax, chest wax, or opting for laser hair removal.

Skincare
Most women will agree that men grow more handsome as they get older. However, many men would not agree, and they are always looking for ways to retain their youthful appearance. This is where the spa can help by offering skin treatments that improve hydration, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, restore collagen, reduce the size of pores, and more!

Sauna
Few men visit the spa without going into the sauna. Before or after a treatment, the benefit of sweating out some toxins for a few minutes while breathing in the dry heat is a great addition to any trip to the spa.

Homecare
Shopping for personal care items can be confusing for a lot of men. A spa professional who is well trained will help both men and women to choose the correct products for their skin type. Men are usually overjoyed to learn that they can get all of their personal care items from one place, and with the help of an expert.

If the men in your life don’t go to spas, maybe now is the time to invite them to join you for your next visit. Start with a massage for two; that way, he will feel more comfortable, and enjoy the experience!


To schedule an appointment, give us a call at 831-373-2273.  You can also book online at www.montereydayspa.com

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Article source: southwestdayspa.com