I believe you should know what you are doing with your skin and why.  This enables you to always make an informed decision.  Too many of us have been fed  old wives' tales by well-meaning or possibly misinformed sources.  Unfortunately, some of the information you get from magazines is editorialized to support advertisers.  It's a financial reality that supports corporations, not your understanding, or your individual complexion's needs.    For instance, one popular myth is using hot or cold water can open and close your pores. You can't open and close your pores.  Neither can I.  If I could, I would open up everyone's pores, clean them out and close them.  End of story.  This is impossible.   We use warm water and steam to soften the skin to ease extractions.  Another widely held belief is that mineral oil is bad for oily skin.  Cheap mineral oil is bad for acne conditions because it is large enough to clog pores, but good, highly refined mineral oil, such as is used in the better professional lines, is actually good for oily skin.   If your skin is oily and breaks out the worst thing you can do is use harsh drying products in an effort to strip the oil.  This only promotes heavier oil production and more breakouts.

I spend a lot of time happily discussing skin care with my clients and trying to debunk myths.  I believed these myths myself once upon a time and suffered with acne.  I am always available for questions as there are no stupid questions.  Some of the questions I'm asked are

What is Acne?

Acne is a chronic condition (of varying types of blemishes and irritation), which occurs from excessive oil production and other imbalances. Internal and External influences affect the degree of acne.  There is no such thing as a cure for a chronic condition.   There is no cure for psoriasis, or eczema, or arthritis, which are also chronic conditions. There is treatment and management, which is why regular, proper skin care at home and professional treatments are necessary to promote your skin to heal itself.  The body knows what to do, but sometimes we must change our products, our habits, enlarge our understanding and treat more specifically to encourage the skin to regain its health.  The answer is in the seeking.

What causes my face to break out?

There are many reasons.  The things that contribute to, and cause skin to clog are hormones, stress, bacteria, diet, digestion and elimination, hereditary factors, products used and fabric softeners.  No one may have told you about the fabric softener connection but if you think about it you'll see it makes sense. 

Why no fabric softener for acne?

Fabric softeners are like creme rinse for your clothes.  They spread an occlusive film all over the fabric to artificially soften it with large molecular elements, which you then rub into your skin.  You sleep on “softened” sheets and pillowcases, dry your face with your towels, pull shirts over your face, etc etc.  These pore clogging softeners aggravate acne tendencies.  Many companies also use large amounts of artificial perfumes, which can additionally irritate sensitive skin conditions. To soften clothes, if your skin breaks out, use baking soda in the wash and Trader Joe's lavender sachets in the dryer.  Lavender is also very calming which is good for acne. It's a win-win: less expensive and better for you, as well as the planet.

If I don't have acne should I use fabric softener?

If you like it, absolutely. Everybody is different and the needs of people who have acne are vastly different that those with a more normal skin type.  Whatever you put on your skin, will be in your bloodstream in trace amounts within a short amount of time.  We are porous.  That's why we use dermal patches for pain, birth control, non-smoking, etc etc.. Commercial fabric softeners are loaded with ingredients and chemicals I wouldn't want to drink, much less press into my dermis.

I prefer plant based, organic skin care elements, or highest quality synthesized ones for treatment options that are manufactured by the most stringent standards.  It's my job to research what is available and science is advancing very rapidly.  There are many new treatment ingredients and elements and therefore new options, but I only want ethical, responsible products.  For instance I don't do microdermabrasion.  The vacuum, which lifts off the aluminum oxide crystals and dead skin cells off your face, can also burst capillaries and blood vessels in the future.  There are other ways to exfoliate the skin, which are not potentially harmful. 

How often should I get a facial?

Once a month for optimal skin care.  We are all on a lunar cycle and your skin cells renew every 28 days.  If you regularly, gently exfoliate and hydrate and oxygenate professionally the results will be visible to you and those who know you.    I always tell my clients get facials and treatments when you can afford the time.  It always comes down to time and money.  Sometimes we don't have both, only one or the other.  Do what you can, when you can and your skin will show it.   The reasons why we get facials haven't changed since the days of Cleopatra.  The three things your skin needs to optimize its beauty potential haven't changed in thousands of years.  Hydration, Exfoliation and Oxygenation.  We know cells need water and oxygen to thrive.   This is basic biology.  Your skin cells need water, oxygen and exfoliation too.  Because we are all made up of epidermis as our outer layer, if you regularly exfoliate, the excess dead cells your skin not only looks fresher, it stimulates more cellular renewal which keeps us, literally in a younger skin cycle.  Children's cells renew every 10 to 19 days.  Adults every 28 days or so.  That's why young kids’ skin looks so fresh.  Constant cellular renewal.  We can help our skin renew more rapidly with treatments and facials.  It is wise however not to do too much, too often or too strongly.  We've all seen people who do too much and their skin looks like stretched parchment.  Balance and consistency are vital.  Consistency and treatments however, remove useless dead dry tight layers of epidermis, which our modern world, and  California desert climate increase.

Why are there so many products out there and what should I use?

Capitalism, free enterprise a hungry market...Who doesn't want a product that will improve beauty?  There are so many options.  There are many good professional lines and many I think are basically junk.  Look at ingredients.  Unfortunately most of what is available is made from ingredients commercially sold by large manufacturers and widely used in almost every over the counter brand.  Sadly, many chemical components of commercially available skin care contain toxic elements in abundance.   The same product ingredients are used in expensive department store lines as are used in bargain lines.  It's truly all the same stuff.  You pay for the packaging and advertising.    Over the counter products, no matter who sells it can only have up to 4% product strength by federal mandate.  This is so you can't over treat yourself and cause an unwanted side effect.  Common thinking is, "If some is good, more is better" and people can irritate or over process their skin in an attempt to hurry a result along.  Effective products and strengths must be dispensed by board certified professionals, such as doctors or estheticians.   This is so dosage and frequency of products can be monitored by a professional. The States in which we practice have stringent license requirements so we are certain to regulate effective treatments.   The difference between over the counter products and professional products is

a) Ingredient integrity

b) Ingredient strength

c) Personalized, professional monitoring

d) Value.  You get what you pay for; you don’t pay for a famous actress posing

                      for magazine ads.  You spend your good money on what's in the

                      tube or jar, not what's pictured on the box.

e) Salespeople are not skin care experts.   They are expert sellers and there

         is nothing wrong with sales.  Everyone deserves affluence, but I want real experience behind my                                 

         products, not someone's commission.

Can My Skin Look Younger?   Can You Get Rid Of Sun Spots?

YES!  Depending on your hereditary background, which affects pigmentation and your sun habits, absolutely.  And I can do it without hydroquinone, which is now recognized as a known carcinogen, plus, if you want to have laser with a doctor to remove scars, stains or spots; a month or two of treatment and product usage prior to your procedure will multiply your result, and you'll be twice as pleased.  I love helping skin be it's best.  Resurfacing, and anti-oxidant treatments will freshen and strengthen your skin, making it look less porous, smoother and younger.   Anti-pigmentation and melanin suppressing potions can dramatically rejuvenate the skin.  We can't turn back the clock, but we can make your skin look as though we did.