PREVENTION, Anti-Ageing Skincare In Your Twenties

Today we all seem to be more time poor then ever before, stressed out, sleep deprived and to top it off we now live in the age of the SELFIE!  I don’t know if you feel the pressure, but I sometimes do, to be wonder woman and have gorgeous, glowing skin 24/7! 

As a practising beauty therapist I am often asked the question, when is a good age to introduce a skincare regime and anti-ageing ingredients?  To start the basics in skincare application, I believe it’s once we enter puberty, with a regime that would consist of deep cleansing and skincare products that protect the skins barrier such as a moisturiser and SPF.  To address the appearance of the signs of ageing, I believe we need to start in our early twenties, as I’m a huge believer in prevention. 

From my experience I find that women in their early twenties would rather spend money on clothes and social gatherings, then invest money in skin care products.  A lifestyle that consists of late nights, drinking and not removing make-up are stressors that contribute to a tired, dull and weakened complexion. What this demographic doesn’t realise is that the lifestyle choices they make now, and by not looking after their skin, could possibly result in the early signs of premature ageing. 

Just as it is important to eat fresh fruit and vegetables, to obtain a healthy skin foundation we also need to be mindful of the skincare products we apply to our skin topically, to nurture and look after our complexion. My message from my experience is for woman of all ages in particular early twenties, if you haven’t already, NOW is the time to start simple, results driven and cost effective skincare regime. 

TIP: PREVENTION + DAILY MAINTAINCE is KEY to achieve good skin health. 
A great skin health regime is like going to the gym, if you don’t practice methodically you don’t see the results! 
Stick to your regime and you will see the results- there is no Band-Aid solution- great skin doesn’t happen over night. 

I often hear many excuses on a day-to-day basis such as ‘time poor’ and skincare products being ‘too expensive’. I believe there should be no excuses! Fortunately we have a plethora of personal care products that cater to everyone and products are available at our fingertips! 

If you are truly passionate about great skin health, you need to be committed- it is through commitment that you will start to see positive changes in your complexion. 

3 SKIN HEALTH TIPS
1. Take the time to select the right products for your current skin condition
2. Discipline, a methodical approach
3. Three to five minutes is all it takes to create a skin health ritual

KEY ANTI-AGEING INGREDIENTS
Anti-ageing ingredients are usually referred to as actives or cosmeceuticals. 
The ingredient that is responsible for producing the desired effect of a mixture of ingredients and for giving the product its main characteristic. They may be proteins, vitamins, botanical extracts and so forth. NOTE: The active ingredient is not necessarily the most common ingredient in a product.  

There is a plethora of anti-ageing ingredients that I will flesh out for you in another post. 
For now, read below three of my favourite topical vitamin actives. 

*VITAMIN A (Retinoids) 
A class of chemical compounds related chemically to vitamin A.  Used in skin care formulations for their properties in regulating epithelial cell growth. (Stimulate collagen production, regulates cell turnover) 

I always apply a vitamin A serum sparingly in the evening only as it makes the skin photosensitive. Because of this, make sure to apply and reapply your sunscreen and wear a hat when outdoors. 

*VITAMIN B3 (Niacinamide)
One of my favouritate ingredients! Niacinamide has an endless list of skin health benefits, this multitasking ingredient is designed to rejuvenate and strengthen skin. 

*VITAMIN C (Look for L-Ascorbic Acid) 
I apply this fabulous skin soothing, anti-oxidant in the am to help fight free radicals (environmental pollution and other stressors). Vitamin C applied topically to the skin is also great to even out skin tone, revitalise the complexion and improve hydration. 

80/20 RULE
Lastly, I always inform my clients about the 80/20 rule.  20% as a skin health consultant I provide treatments with higher strength ingredients, most important is that 80% of great skin health is achieved with a simple and effective at home skin maintenance routine. 

© Amy Erbacher Copyright 2016

PROFESSIONAL SPA TREATMENTS AND BEAUTY PRODUCTS

MASSAGE
Throughout my pregnancy I experienced aches and pains, mainly lower back, leg pain and sciatic pain. I discovered massage really helped me to assist and manage muscular pain as well as taking time out for rest and relaxation. I personally believe it’s important and beneficial to take time out if you can, to nurture you and your baby during this special time. According to Aimee Raupp, a women’s health and fertility expert; when pregnant, positive emotions such as courage and joy and negative emotions like fear and anxiety not only affect our health and wellness, they affect the health and wellness of the baby growing inside our belly’

IS PREGNANCY MASSAGE SAFE?
My massage therapist Chontelle Stevens, director of purewellbeing.com.au introduces massage into pregnancy at any time, providing the client has their doctor’s approval for the first trimester or during any pregnancy concerns such as high blood pressure.

TIPS FROM CHONTELLE STEVENS
• Check that your practitioner is qualified and experienced in performing pregnancy massage.
• Avoid massaging the belly completely. I do work on the hips and pelvis but leave the baby belly alone.
• There are some potential trigger points in the hands and feet and below the collarbone that need to be worked through gently – no downward pressure on these points until mum and bub are ready to meet!

FACIALS
The skin is consistently changing throughout pregnancy. Follow a simple yet effective skin health regime to gently cleanse and nourish your skin. 

Treatments and ingredients that I would personally avoid during this special time are: –

CONTRAINDICATED TREATMENTS DURING PREGNANCY

ELECTRICIAL TREATMENTS
Whilst pregnant I advise to stay away from the use of electrical modalities such as High frequency, and Galvanic current (Iontophoresis) a machine that is used usually to infuse and push serums deeper into the skin.

CHEMICAL PEELS
I’m often asked to treat pregnancy acne and pigmentation. Personally I don’t perform professional high percentage chemical peels on my clients whilst pregnant.

WHY?
Skin can be extra sensitive during pregnancy due to factors such as your hormones and your overall immune system is down and working overtime for you and your bub. Lumps and bumps and skin discolouration may appear whilst pregnant and as soon as you’ve had your baby may instantly disappear. A common example of this is the butterfly mask of pregnancy. I’d also steer clear of any abrasive facial treatments that involve harsh scrubs and microdermabrasion.

SKIN CONDITIONS DURING PREGNANCY
#BUTTERFLY MASK of PREGNANCY (Pigmentation)
Melasma presents itself usually like the shape of a butterfly on the face- this discolouration and darkening of the skin can be found usually on the chin, upper lip, cheeks and forehead. It is characterized by irregularly shaped light or dark brown patches of hyperpigmentation.

PREGNANCY ACNE
Hormones go into overdrive during pregnancy and this may explain hormonal breakouts and therefore over stimulation of the sebaceous glands and sweat glands. Acne may appear on the face (chin) chest and back.

SOLUTIONS
Brightening and antioxidant serums to target pigmentation some are considered safe during pregnancy; I personally use ingredients such as Vitamin B (Niacinamide) also great to treat acne and skin congestion, Vitamin C a fantastic antioxidant and Rosehip facial oil, nourishing and also great for cell renewal.

PHYSICAL SUNSCREEN
I absolutely love the cosmetic ingredient Zinc oxide; fantastic to treat pigmentation and acne. This amazing ingredient when applied to the skin is anti-inflammatory, calms redness and when used in zinc-based lotion, hydrates the skin without clogging pores. As a sunscreen zinc reflects heat away from the skin- limiting exposure to ultraviolet light. Always wear a hat whilst outdoors and regularly apply your sunscreen.

SKIN SENSITIVITY
Rashes, itchy and sensitive skin, are also heightened during pregnancy, not to mention your sense of smell! Steer clear of products containing artificial fragrances when pregnant, which may irritate skin and the strong aroma could possibly make you feel nauseous, and may contain chemicals such as parabens, and phthalates. Remember your skin is the largest organ and anything you apply to your skin may potentially not only affect you, possibly your little one too.

SOLUTION
Look for organic and natural products by a reputable company, I always try to support Australian and local brands when possible.

PRODUCTS TO AVOID

BHA’S
Avoid leave on salicylic acid products, although there are some recent studies that when used as a spot treatment and low percentage is considered safe there is still not enough evidence to support this case.

RETINOIDS Including Topical And Oral Application
Vitamin A is a wonderful ingredient to turn back the clock, unfortunately this ingredient is contra indicated during pregnancy. Studies have shown high doses of vitamin A during pregnancy and breast-feeding can be harmful to an unborn child and may even cause birth defects.

SOLUTION
or safe exfoliation opt for a low percentage lactic acid exfoliant to resurface and brighten the skin. Make sure you feel comfortable whilst experiencing a treatment. For example ask your therapist to slightly elevate the bed head and lye on your side with pillows supporting you under your belly. If unsure about a treatment firstly check with your doctor and never rush into anything, research is key.

© Amy Erbacher Copyright 2016

This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to treat, diagnose or prevent any disease. The information is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional, doctor and is not intended as medical advice. 

At the start of each year, ‘detox’ is on the cards for most clients I know. There are a plethora of detox programs available where the focus is to eliminate toxins internally by following a healthy eating plan and supplements. Our skin is the largest organ, and according to research absorbs up to 60% off what we apply to our skin. Wouldn’t it make sense to eliminate toxins we apply topically to our skin by being mindful about what personal care products and beauty tools we use and how they could potentially be ruining our skin?  From a beauty therapist perspective, I‘d like to share with you four simple tips I often share with my clients. Sometimes the most simple tweaks in your beauty regime can make a vast improvement to your skin health.

STEP 1: 
Beauty products, no longer serve you

It’s wonderful for some of us ‘product junkies’ to have a collection of fabulous beauty products at our fingertips. In my profession I consult many dry and inflamed skin conditions due to clients who over cleanse their skin by applying a cocktail of exfoliation products containing chemical acids such as AHA’S and BHA’S.  When used incorrectly and applied to the skin daily, you are giving yourself a slight chemical peel, thus creating skin sensitivity and even worse an impaired barrier function.

STEP 2:
Bespoke facial & spa treatment

A personal trainer and nutritionist will provide expert advice in regards to what types of exercises and diet work best for you and your body during a detox. The skin is our largest organ and it’s visible! Whilst on a detox you may notice these toxins appear on the surface of your skin. The usual tell tale signs are pimples, pustules, congestion, lumps and bumps, skin sensitivity and inflammation.

I highly advise seeing a professional skin therapist to assess your current skin condition. They can prescribe the best treatments, and skincare products tailored just for you. Most often I prescribe a detoxifying deep cleanse facial treatment, along with extractions to purge toxins and hurry this process along.

A facial and body treatment is also a great way to unwind and let the stressors of the outside world float away.  Stress can also play a major role by creating havoc within the skin.

STEP 3:
Check the use by date on cosmetics

The start of any disciplined detox usually starts off with a decluttering process; I believe the same principle applies to your beauty products. All beauty products have a use by date once opened. Over time product ingredients including essential oils and anti-oxidants may oxidize, losing their potent and effective benefits. Other environmental factors to consider are heat, sunlight and water. Dipping your very own fingers into products such as creams will also affect the shelf life of products.

STEP 4: 
Toxic beauty tools

How often do you clean your facial cleansing device, cloths and body mitts? Dead skin cells and debris accumulate in these tools and you need to clean them regularly.

Makeup Brushes
Cosmetics are an important investment to one’s skin health. By not cleaning your make up brushes regularly, you maybe washing money down the drain. Bacteria can be found lurking in your foundation, bronzer and blush brushes. Dirty tools in contact with your skin everyday may lead to skin breakouts, congestion and sensitivity. 

TIP
Clean brushes and beauty tools with your own gentle shampoo (try fragrance free) and add a few drops of your favourite essential oils that have antibacterial properties such as Tea Tree and Eucalyptus. Additionally, opt for an antibacterial spray, once the cleaning has been achieved place outside to dry out in the sun. 

Cosmetic Bags
I love mineral make-up, but on the odd occasion when I don’t place the lid on my bronzer correctly, I tend to find shimmery powder dust everywhere! It goes without saying, be sure to clean out every so often.

Hands
I’m a tactile person and in my profession, my hands are my tools of the trade. Each time I work with a new client, my hands have to be squeaky clean. Your hands are a breading ground for bacteria and if you are constantly picking and squeezing your face, this may create future breakouts and more skin issues. Be sure to wash your hands before you touch your face. 

© Amy Erbacher Copyright 2016

This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to treat, diagnose or prevent any disease. The information is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional, doctor and is not intended as medical advice.