by Mia Valleskey | Apr 14, 2022 | Tips & Tricks
Taking care of your skin requires the right products day and night. However, not all facial care products are worth your time or money. In fact, some can damage your skin, causing micro-tears, drying with alcohol, or adding preservatives. Which ones should you avoid? We’re not going to point fingers at specific products, but we will highlight key ingredients that should be on your no-no list. Avoid any product that contains anything from the following list.
Parabens
There are a lot of conflicts out there about parabens. Some studies claim they’re fine. Others claim they are potential endocrine disruptors, which can lead to hormone imbalance. Usually, parabens are used as preservatives, and you will find them in a lot of moisturizers and cleansers. How do you tell if something is a paraben? The ingredients will have names that start with methyl, butyl, ethyl, or propyl.
The Ethanolamines
Found mostly in things like facial cleansers and some types of soaps, three products fall into this category. They are DEA, MEA, and TEA. Or, more accurately, they are diethanolamine, monoethanolamine, and triethanolamine. You may also find them in sunscreen and makeup products.
Mineral Oil
Mineral oil is used in products as wide-ranging as a paint strippers and skincare products. It’s made from petroleum and can clog your pores very quickly. It also prevents the skin from eliminating toxins, which increases the chance of developing acne and other skin conditions. Where will you find it? Almost everywhere. Check your cosmetics, your creams, and your lotions.
Aluminum
At this point, this should be a no-brainer, but aluminum is still found in an incredibly wide range of skincare products and many women are none the wiser for it. Aluminum is a toxic metal. It also creates estrogen-like effects in the body. Because it disrupts the endocrine system, it leads to hormone imbalances.
PEG
PEG, or polyethylene glycol, is used to control moisture and as a product thickener. You’ll usually find it in cleansers designed to help you get rid of oil on your face. The problem is that eliminating your skin’s natural moisture leads to aging and skin damage.
These are just some of the toxins that you should avoid in your facial care products. There are tons of others, including commonly-used options like propylene glycol and butylene glycol, sodium lauryl sulfate, and sodium Laureth sulfate.
Interested in learning more about effective skin care and rejuvenation? Contact me to schedule your skin consultation.
by Mia Valleskey | Apr 1, 2022 | Skin Care
You want clear, clean, healthy skin, but you don’t want to pay a fortune for skincare products. You also know that a lot of commercially-available skincare products contain problematic ingredients. There’s good news! You’ll find quite a few home remedy options for skincare that are both affordable and gentle on your skin. We’ll run through the ones you should know about below.
Dry Skin
Struggling with dry skin? While there are lots of products on the market that promise to help, most of them ultimately cause damage. Instead, consider something like coconut oil. It’s an effective moisturizer, plus it’s antibacterial. Best of all? There are no unwanted ingredients like parabens or petroleum byproducts. Did I mention that it’s also anti-inflammatory? With that being said, there is some potential to clog pores (as with any oil), so you might want to use this on your body, but not your face.
Oatmeal
Good old oatmeal – it’s great for your heart, but did you also know it’s good for your skin? That’s why it’s touted on the labels of so many commercial products. An oatmeal bath can soothe irritation and help your skin retain much-needed moisture. It also helps treat quite a few skin conditions, such as eczema.
Honey
Give your skin a sweet treat! Honey is a powerful aid in the battle against aging skin and fights wrinkles. It also exfoliates, while treating many different skin conditions. You can use it on its own, or combine it with other ingredients to create scrubs and baths.
Essential Oils
Lemon, rose, and jojoba oils can be combined with carrier oils to create powerful anti-aging skincare products. They help to fight wrinkles and other signs of aging, and can also reduce redness and help with other skin challenges you might be facing. Make sure to dilute them with a carrier oil first, though. Undiluted, they can cause irritation and damage.
Aloe Vera
Renowned for its ability to treat burns and sunburns, aloe vera is also a must-have tool to help keep your skin strong and healthy. It brings healing properties to the table, but also stimulates new cell growth and moisturizes your skin, without clogging up your pores the way oils will do.
These are just some of the many home remedy options for skincare. There are plenty of others! Probiotics, Gotu kola, shea butter, tea tree oil, and even soy can all help you heal damage, moisturize, and fight the signs of aging.
If you want to learn more about the top Skin Care recommendations, then reach out to me. I am more than happy to explain the differences, or even set an appointment for you to come in talk about which skincare treatment is the best one for you and your results.
by Mia Valleskey | Mar 14, 2022 | Skin Care
When you’re looking to improve or maintain the look of your skin, it’s important to have a normal regimen. Your skin is incredibly delicate, and any changes to your regimen can irritate it, leaving you with blemishes or outbreaks.
It can be challenging to find the right procedure that works for you, and it may take some experimentation. In the following article, we’ll give you some tips regarding the top skincare regimens and procedures.
The Best Skincare Routine
The following steps can give you a route to building an efficient skincare routine.
1. Cleanser
The first step should be applying an efficient cleanser. If your face isn’t clean, it doesn’t matter what the other steps are.
You want a cleanser that effectively cleans dirt and grime away from your pores. Clogged pores lead to blackheads, and this is something you don’t want. Try getting an alcohol-free cleanser to avoid drying out your skin.
2. Serum
A skin serum does two things for your skin – it treats it and protects it. Applying a good serum will help you reverse many of the aging effects caused by the sun and other damaging elements.
Additionally, if you choose a quality serum, you can accomplish two important jobs at once. With the right product, you’ll not only be able to hydrate but also simultaneously treat skin concerns like acne and other blemishes.
Look for a serum that has antioxidants and plenty of vitamins. These will also help with preserving a natural and healthy skin tone.
3. Eye Cream
This step is optional, but we included it because it definitely can’t hurt. Eye cream will help eliminate the bags under your eyes, which leads to a more refreshed appearance.
4. Moisturizer
You want to get a good quality moisturizer with plenty of ceramides. Ceramides help your skin retain moisture, which is what you need to preserve soft, healthy skin.
Choose a nice, heavy moisturizer to give you the softest skin possible.
5. SPF
Finally, protect your skin with a sunscreen containing of at least 30 SPF. This will not only prevent sunburn but the daily abuse your skin takes from the sun’s rays.
Coming up with a good skincare routine doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. If you shop around and get the right products, you can get all of the right ingredients for less than $50. This should actually last you for quite a while (at least a month).
When you have the right skincare regimen, your self-confidence is boosted considerably. If you play your cards right, you’ll end up with healthier, much younger-looking skin that will stand up to the test of time.
If you want to find out more about the top Skin Care recommendations, then reach out to me. I am more than happy to explain the differences, or even set an appointment for you to come in talk about which skin care treatment is the best one for you and your results.
by Mia Valleskey | Mar 1, 2022 | Microneedling
It’s important to go the extra mile to look your best, especially during the summer. You’ll get the most exposure during this time of year and most likely spend a lot of your time out and about in large crowds. Naturally, you’re going to want to look your best, and keeping your skin in good condition is important. If you’ve never considered a microneedling treatment, you should read this article and find out what this unique process can do for you.
What Is Microneedling?
Looking up photos about microneedling might actually scare you away. The process looks painful, and photos usually depict the tiny needles that puncture the face. You’ll also notice the blood drawn during the process, but we promise there’s no need for alarm.
Microneedling is a cosmetic treatment that’s used on the face to eliminate scars and other blemishes. The process involves puncturing the face with multiple tiny needles, which increases collagen production in the face.
Think of it as having acupuncture done on your face. In all reality, that’s exactly what it is.
What Does Microneedling Help With?
Microneedling helps with a variety of different skin issues. The following list is just a fraction of the conditions microneedling can treat:
- Blemishes
- Acne scars
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Leathery skin
- Sunburn scars
- Stretch marks
- Uneven skin textures and tones
There are many more conditions that microneedling can help with, and the process has been known to be incredibly effective. So what does the process consist of?
What to Expect
During a microneedling session, you’ll lay back and have your face numbed before the treatment begins. This eliminates any potential pain from the insertion of the needles.
Over the course of 20 minutes, multiple pin-sized needles are inserted in and around the problem areas of the face and left for a brief period. After they’re removed, you’re all done. It’s a very simple process that takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish.
The Benefits
The overall goal of microneedling is to increase the production of collagen in the face. Increases in collagen lead to firmer skin, which enhances the texture, tone, and smoothness of the face.
In the end, you’re left with a smoother, more enriched facial tone that can improve your look.
Microneedling isn’t as bad as it looks, and the rewards are much greater than the risk. If you have scars or other intense skin blemishes, you should absolutely consider giving this treatment a shot – no pun intended. Contact me today to learn more about scheduling your microneedling procedure.
by Mia Valleskey | Feb 15, 2022 | B12 for weight loss, EMSCULPT
Do you feel like you could stand to lose some weight? A lot of men and women feel this way, but they have trouble taking off and keeping off the pounds. It can be hard if you aren’t following a good plan for weight loss and good overall health. Fortunately, getting on the right track doesn’t have to be too hard. Here are some tips you will want to keep in mind.
B12 for Weight Loss
B12 can be a good option for helping you to lose some weight. It is an essential B vitamin, and it helps to support the nervous system. It converts the food we ingest into sugar and other fuel for the body. It can help to boost metabolism and provide you with lasting energy, which can help with weight loss efforts. As helpful as B12 might be, you will also want to use some other tips to help you with your weight loss efforts.
Eating Right
You need to think about the food you are putting into your body. Eating healthy food like fresh vegetables and lean protein will help with your weight loss and toning efforts. Too many people today rely on comfort food, fast food, and unhealthy options without realizing just how many calories they are ingesting. It’s not about “dieting”; it’s about building a healthy dietary lifestyle you stick to going forward.
Exercise Equals Results
Supplements and good eating habits are part of the equation. However, you also need to exercise. Try to exercise about five days a week for 30 minutes a session at least. If you need, you can start with less and then build up to longer and longer sessions until you reach half an hour to an hour. Just make sure you have at least a couple of rest days during the week for your body to recover.
Body Treatments
Additionally, you might want to consider some of the various available body treatments that can help to boost muscle growth and help with weight loss. One of those is EMSCULPT. This procedure can help to tone muscles and lose fat weight without the need for any surgery. It’s a non-invasive option, so there is no downtime. The device causes powerful muscle contractions that assist with toning and fat loss.
Some of the other options to consider include radiofrequency treatments, ultrasound cavitation treatments, and Liposonix.
You can always speak with me to learn more about these body treatments, and to see whether you might be a candidate for them.
Call Beauty & Body by Mia to Find Out More
If you want to find out more, then reach out to me. I am more than happy to set an appointment for you to come in talk about B12 treatments, and other services that can help you with your goals.
