Summer Skin

by | Jul 10, 2019 | Health & Wellness, Summer 2019, Uncategorized

Summer Skin

By: Ashley Dininny

July 10th, 2019

Finally, Summer has arrived, and we are all more than ready to have some fun in the sun. Whether we plan to head to the pools, catch some rays, or wear our strappy dresses, our skin can take a serious beating come summer. With that said, as summer begins, we need to reevaluate our skincare routine.

Sure, we all know about the importance of using sunscreen, but maintaining healthy skin throughout the summer requires a different kind of attention than it does during the rest of the year. Along with a summer safe skin care regime, I included some smart tips and tricks to aid for a better, beautiful, healthy skin summer.

 

Physical Sunscreen

An obvious first step to healthy skin in the warm months is sunscreen, but here’s the thing: you should be using a physical blocker, like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, as opposed to a chemical blocker (e.g., oxybenzone, avobenzone).

Physical Blocker: Physical blockers work as a shield over the skin and absorb, reflect, and scatter UV rays from the surface of the skin.

Chemical Blocker: I was shocked to learn that the vast majority of mass-market sunscreens and tinted moisturizers rely on chemical blockers that break down in sunlight and lose effectiveness after two hours.

Image Skincare Physical Sun blockers:
PREVENTION+ daily hydrating moisturizer SPF 30+
        PREVENTION+ daily tinted moisturizer SPF 30+
        PREVENTION+ daily ultimate protection moisturizer SPF 50
        PREVENTION+ daily matte moisturizer SPF 32+ 

 

Antioxidant Serum

Another little-known fact: sunscreen only protects against 55% of the environmental damage that causes premature aging. Every single day you should also be wearing an antioxidant serum like Vitamin C to prevent against “free radical damage” like pollution that could make your skin look old sooner. The Image Skincare VITAL C Hydrating Anti-Aging Serum is a favorite amongst the skincare community. 

“This comforting serum is an IMAGE bestseller for a reason: It works effectively on all skin types to soften the appearance of wrinkles, support collagen, and protect skin against oxidative damage. It acts as a wake-up call on the skin to fight the visible signs of stress and fatigue that commonly appear in aging skin.”*

 

Mattify The Look of Your Skin with A Face Mask

Does your skin tend to look oily during the summer? Then add a purifying face mask!

AgeLess Favorite:
Image Skincare I MASK Purifying Probiotic Mask.

This fortifying mask balances the skin’s natural flora and helps it resist dehydration and imbalance. This deep green mask contains essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to nourish the skin and fight the look of dullness and signs of damage. Purifying green clay and charcoal help to detoxify and clear away impurities, leaving the skin clean, smooth and refined. *

 

Don’t Forget Your Lips and Scalp

You’re probably already a pro when it comes to putting SPF on your face and body. But what about those forgotten areas like your lips and scalp?

Ø  For the scalp: Wear a hat. Even on cloudy days, ultraviolet (UV) light can still cause sunburns and damage skin. The easiest way to protect your head is to cover it with your favorite broad-brimmed sun hat or a sporty baseball cap.

  • Don’t have a hat available? Try to walk in such a way that minimizes your exposure to the sun. (i.e., walk on the shady side of the street instead of the sunny side, or choose a path that keeps you beneath the shade provided by trees).
  • Also, you can consider wearing a ponytail, bun, or updo. Unlike hairstyles with a part, these will cover your scalp completely, preventing sunburn.

Ø  For lips: I LOVE the IMAGE MD line, Post-Treatment Collagen Lip Enhancement SPF 15.

Formulated by plastic surgeons for maximum results, this ultra-hydrating polypeptide complex visibly enhances the volume of lips AND diminishes the appearance of fine lines. This product is SPF 15 that provides enhanced sun protection and promotes skin health. Paraben free.*

Ø  Not a Fan of Lip Plumpers: Since the sun is extremely drying, keep your lips soft and smooth by using ORMEDIC Balancing Lip Enhancement Complex. Although this product does not have SPF in it, this lip-enhancing moisturizer instantly infuses lips with soothing hydration while improving the appearance and volume of lip contours. It diminishes fine lines and contains a powerful, anti-aging polypeptide complex that supports collagen in the lips, so they look naturally firm and full. Feels amazing on chapped lips and provides lasting moisture for continued healing.

 

Cool Off with A Mist

Stash a bottle of face mist in your cooler so you can mist your face and body by the pool or at the Beach. Make your own Soothing Lavender & Aloe Vera mist with the recipe below.

DIY Essential Oil Facial Mist Recipe
What you Need:
Water
Rosehip oil
Aloe Vera
Glass spray bottle
TheraPro Lavender essential oil
 Method:
Step 1: Fill your spray bottle ¾ with water.
Step 2: Now drop in 7 drops of your essential oil.
Step 3: Add a couple drops of Rosehip oil.
Step 4: Fill the rest of the bottle with Aloe Vera.
Step 5:  Gently shake the bottle to combine all the ingredients.

Keep Eye Cream in the Fridge

There’s nothing more refreshing than a cooling eye cream straight from your refrigerator. You can also try cooling your moisturizer:

Image Skincare VITAL C Hydrating Eye Recovery Gel

This cooling gel formula soothes the delicate eye area and improves the signs of aging with ultra-hydrating hyaluronic acid, wrinkle-altering peptides, and nourishing antioxidants. Featuring our proprietary Collagen Recovery Complex, it helps to firm skin, improve elasticity and diminish dark circles and puffiness.*

 

Image Skincare ORMEDIC Balancing Eye Lift Gel

A cooling gel brings instant relief to tired, puffy eyes and gives lasting benefits by hydrating delicate skin, relaxing crow’s feet and lessening the look of dark circles. An advanced neuropeptide complex promotes healthy skin functions like collagen synthesis and the strengthening of thin, fragile under-eye skin.*

 

Create A Faux Glow with Airbrush Tanning or Self- Tanner

The Safe way to get bronzed this summer with Airbrush Tanning Service or self-tanner products.At AgeLess Integrative Medical SPA, we offer Sjolie Airbrush Tanning.

Sjolie Bronze Fusion Sunless Tan Gel

Sjolie’s spray tan solution is made fresh from naturally derived ingredients certified vegan by the PETA Foundation. No parabens or fragrances are present. Only FDA approved DHA is used as the active sunless ingredient.

 

Don’t Scratch Bug Bites

Often, the price to pay for connecting with Mother Nature is a souvenir of itchy bug bites. We know it’s tempting, but—just like your mother told you—scratching makes bug bites worse and can even cause scarring! Instead, try keeping an anti-itch cream in your purse for any surprise insect attacks.

Therapro Peppermint essential oil

Peppermint essential oil can create a cooling sensation on the skin; Helping with burning, stinging, and itching sensations caused by bites or stings. Research suggests peppermint oil may act as an antimicrobial, reducing the risk of infection associated with some bites.

Therapro Tea Tree oil

Tea Tree oil may help prevent bacteria and other microbes from growing in a bug bite and reducing the risk of infection; making it an excellent choice for children who cannot resist scratching.

 

Prevent Razor Bumps and Burns

Since you’re probably shaving the most during the warm summer months, it’s important to always prepare your skin properly for the sometimes harsh process of shaving. Here are a few shaving-specific tips:

  • Use a body scrub, to gently exfoliate your skin, before starting to shave. Soothing Touch Brown Sugar Scrub
  • Swap out dull blades for clean, sharp razors.
  • Apply a generous amount of shaving cream.
  • Shave with the grain (i.e., the direction in which the hair grows).
  • Moisturize liberally directly after showering.

 

Slough Away Dry Skin

 Exfoliate during summer, use a scrub on dry skin before you shower. Pay attention to the knees and elbows. Finish with a rich body cream or oil within three minutes after your shower.

Rich Body Cream: Image Skincare Vital C Hand & Body Lotion

 

Take a Cool Shower

Hot showers after sun exposure further dry your skin. Turn down the temperature. A cool shower after excess sweating can help to keep skin clear.

 

Drink Plenty of Water

The beating sun can dry your skin and make you sweat more, so keep hydrated by drinking plenty of water. If you’re active, you need to drink at least eight (8) glasses during the day. 

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There Are No “Happy Endings” Here…

by | May 2, 2018 | AgeLess SPA information, Health & Wellness, Massage, Uncategorized

We were inspired by the ‘me too.’ movement and the article, 22 Brutally Honest Confessions From A Massage Therapist from Buzzfeed to shed light on what happens during a massage. We take great pride in the professionalism provided by our service providers and we expect the same from others who visit us for a massage or any other service. It’s time we educate others on what happens during a massage at our spa, increase awareness of the inappropriate behavior that may occur at other spas, but is not tolerated at AgeLess SPA, and protect our massage therapists from the inappropriate behavior.

Massage may not be for everyone, but often times we hear reasons why people won’t get a massage, and we realize their reasons tend to stem from the lack of education of massages. One of the most common responses we hear is how people think they’re going to be touched. This is why it’s important to note every single one of our massage therapists completed an intensive massage curriculum and are licensed to treat pain related concerns. A massage therapist’s mission is to help improve your quality of life by preventing or decreasing pain using a variety of massage modalities; not give a “happy ending” (if you know what we mean).

Additionally, based on the article from Buzzfeed, it’s clear some people perceive massage therapists as someone who would give them a “happy ending.” However, many of these occurrences are from the eyes of massage therapists across the pond where the culture is different, but we are aware it can happen anywhere. It’s not often one of our massage therapists experiences a client displaying inappropriate or suggestive behavior during a service, but in the event, it does occur, our massage therapists are expected to stop the massage the moment they realize a client is acting inappropriately, leave the room, and alert management.

So, what happens during a professional full body massage by a licensed massage therapist at AgeLess SPA?

First, your massage therapist will consult you on your needs (e.g., neck pain or lower back pain) privately in the massage room. After the consultation, they will step out of the room so you can undress to your level of comfort, and lay face down under the blanket on the massage table. It’s important to note that you stay under the blanket at all times except when your therapist is working on a certain area, like the back or legs, and will appropriately drape the blanket to expose those areas.

After a few minutes of getting settled, your massage therapist will come back in to make sure you are comfortable, and the massage will begin. Typically massages start at your neck and end at your feet, featuring hot towels and/or heating pads, but it depends on what you talked about in the consultation and your massage therapist’s unique modalities.

Most importantly, when getting a massage, you need to communicate with your therapist. They need to know if it’s too much pressure or not enough, and if you do or don’t like the particular modality they’re using, so don’t be afraid to kindly speak up at any point during the massage. You are in control of your body and they need to know your needs and feelings to make you feel relaxed and refreshed. This how you will get the most out of your time, money, and overall wellness experience.

It’s our mission to give you the wellness experience you deserve, but we can guarantee you won’t find a “happy ending” here. However, if you’re looking for help with lower back pain, tension headaches, muscle soreness, relaxation, or anything else massage can help with, our licensed professionals will gladly assist you and work on helping you feel your best.

How The Founders of AgeLess SPA Adjust to Daylight Saving Time

by | Feb 28, 2018 | AgeLess SPA information, Health & Wellness, Natural Remedies, Stress, Uncategorized

Ahh, it’s that time of year again where we spring forward and lose an hour of sleep, which makes it hard to adjust to our day. But what if we didn’t let Daylight Saving Time (DST) ruin our routine while we adjust to the time change where it feels like we never get back that hour of sleep until we set our clocks back in the fall?

The founders, Michael and Michelle Cilip, of AgeLess SPA don’t let Daylight Saving Time affect them at all, though, and they can’t really have those kinds of hiccups with running a small business that is growing at an exceptional rate. So how exactly do they not let Daylight Saving Time get the best of them? The answer is quite simple.

The Cilips follow a certain trick that they got from SomnoMed, which includes making a plan, regulating your sleep pattern, staying conscious of your physical activity, creating an environment to sleep in, and avoiding the clock when it’s time to sleep. Find out more details below on how the Cilips follow this simple trick!

According to SomnoMed, the first step to do is plan on starting your adjustment to Daylight Saving the Saturday before Daylight Saving Time. This means to modify when you wake up and go to sleep by 15 minutes increments until Daylight Saving Time occurs. Once DST occurs, you will just have to wake up at your usual time or earlier, and already feel adjusted, as noted by SomnoMed.

The second step to follow is regulating your sleep pattern, according to SomnoMed. It’s important to make sure you go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day, including weekends. SomnoMed also suggest taking a nap for at least 20 minutes if that is an option for you and does not affect your sleep pattern at night if you are feeling very tired and feel you need more sleep.

The third step to follow is to have at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise, like walking outside when the sun is still out, about three times a week to help you sleep at night, according to SomnoMed. However, it’s important that this exercise takes place in the afternoon and not the evening before you go to sleep to not completely mess up your sleep pattern, according to SomnoMed.

The fourth and one of our favorite steps is to create a sleep environment you genuinely enjoy being and sleeping in, according to SomnoMed. It’s important to make sure the your room is dark and you have tools to drown out the outside light and noises. SomnoMed suggests using ear plugs, a white noise machine, or an eye mask. Additionally, SomnoMed suggests keeping your room between 60-75 F for a comfortable temperature to sleep in. And mostly importantly, SomnoMed suggests unplugging from the social media world and anything that has to do with electronics an hour before bed to unwind before you go to sleep (we might have to make this a habit for the rest of the year and not just for DST!)

Lastly, we know this may be hard for some people who tend to look at the clock, but SomnoMed suggests avoiding the clock and if you are unable to sleep then pick up a book or journal (not your smartphone or electronic device) to help you relax your mind to help you sleep.

The Cilips find this trick from SomoMed to be quite effective and they swear by it for when it’s time to start getting ready for a time change, so we hope this also helps you with your overall wellness needs!

Find more in-depth details on ways to adjust to Daylight Saving Time from SomnoMed here.