What Is A Facial?

A facial cleans, exfoliates and nourishes the skin to promote clear, well-hydrated skin. A facial is the second most popular spa service after massage.

Basic Steps of a Facial

• cleansing
• skin analysis, where the esthetician puts eyepads over your eyes and looks at your skin through a brightly lit magnifying lamp
• exfoliation, usually while a steam vapor is directed at your face.
• extraction of blackheads if you want it and it's suitable for your skin type. (It can cause broken capillaries and discoloration if done on sensitive skin, or done improperly.) People have different pain tolerance for extractions. They can be uncomfortable, especially on thin or ruddy skin.
• facial massage to relax you and stimulate your skin and facial muscles
• a mask targeted to your skin type (dry, oily, combination, sensitive, mature.)
• application of toners and protective creams
• advice on home skin care

Ideally, get a facial every four to six weeks because that's how long it takes the skin to regenerate. Try to have a facial at least four times a year, as the season changes. You may need it more frequently if you are trying to clear up a case of acne, especially at the beginning. Otherwise, once a month is plenty.

Variations on the Classic European Facial
Variations on the classic European facial include the "mini-facial" (cleansing without extractions) and specialty facials. Add vitamin C, and you have an "age defense" facial. It's an "oxygen facial" when a mist of pure oxygen is part of the treatment, and a "collagen facial" when special collagen sheets are placed on the skin. An acne facial will pay special attention to extractions

For a complimentary skin care analysis and to book a facial please contact Amanda at AmandaJSkincare.com

Basic Skin Cleansing

The aim of cleansing is to remove:
*surface dirt
*all make-up
*the top layer of dead skin cells
*potentially harmful micro-organisms (bacteria

The way in which any individual chooses to carry out this process is determined by habit, skin feel requirements and activity.

Young (teenage) skin

Typical skin type - oily /combination:
*remove make-up
*cleanse, using mild or light cleanser
*tone
*moisturise (using a light product, because of the presence of sebum) containing sunscreen ingredients that will block UVA/UVB.

Adult skin

Example skin type - normal to dry:
*remove make-up
*cleanse twice daily with a mild cleanser
*tone
-by day, use a medium moisturizer, with sunscreen ingredients (UVA/UVB)
-by night, use a heavier night cream without sunscreens
moisturise hands regularly.

Elderly skin

Usual skin type - dry:
*cleanse with cream cleanser
*use heavy-duty moisturizer daily with sunscreen
*always use a night cream

For a complimentary skin care analysis please contact Amanda at AmandaJSkincare.com

About Your Skin

Your skin is one of the most important organs that your body has. Not only is it the largest, comprising about 15% of the body weight, the total skin surface of an adult ranges from 12 to 20 square feet, but it protects what is inside and reveals the health of what is internal as well. Because of this, it is very important to take care of our skin because that is what we show the world each day.

In terms of chemical composition, the skin is about 70% water, 25% protein and 2% lipids. The remainder includes trace minerals, nucleic acids, glycosoaminoglycans, proteoglycans and numerous other chemicals.

The skin consists of three main layers: epidermis, dermis and subcaneous tissue.

The epidermis is the topmost layer of the skin. It is the first barrier between you and the outside world. The epidermis consists of three types of cells keratinocytes, melanocytes and Langerhans cells. Keratinocytes, the cells that make the protien keratin, are the predominant type of cells in the epidermis. The total thinkness of the epidermis is usually about 0.5 - 1 mm. At the lowermost portion of the epidermis are immature, rapidly dividing keratinocytes. As they mature, keratinocytes lose water, flatten out and move upward. Eventually, at the end of their life cylce, they reach the uppermost layer of the epidermis called stratum corneum. Stratum corneum consists mainly of dead keratinocytes, hardened proteins (keratins) and lipids, forming a protective crust. Dead cells from stratum corneum continuously slough off and are replaced by new ones coming from below. The skin completely renews itself every 3 - 5 weeks.


Another significant group of cell in the epidermis are melanocytes, the cells producing melanin, the pigment responsible for skin tone and color. Finally, Langerhans cells are essentially a forepost of the immune system in the epidermis. They prevent unwanted foreingn substances from penetrating the skin.

The condition of epdermis determines how "fresh" your skin looks and also how well your skin absorbs and holds moisture. Wrinkles, however, are formed in lower layers.

The junction between the epidermis and the dermis is not straight but undulates like rolling hills - more markedly so in some areas of the body than others. A series of finger-like structures called rete pegs project up from the dermis, and similar structures project down from the epidermis. These projections increase the area of contact between the layers of skin, and help to prevent the epidermis from being sheared off. They are not present in the skins of unborn babies but rapidly develop after birth, and are very noticeable in a young person's skin when it is examined under the microscope. As skin ages they get smaller and flatter.

Networks of tiny blood vessels run through the rete pegs, bringing food, vitamins and oxygen to the epidermis. In pale people these vessels can be seen through the epidermis, particularly if the veins widen (so-called 'broken veins'). If the blood carries plenty of oxygen it will be pink and the skin will tend to have a rosy color. If the blood is running sluggishly and has lost most of its oxygen the skin will look bluer. These blood vessels respond to temperature changes. They open up in hot weather, bringing lots of red blood cells - and hence a pink flush -to the skin, and close down in the cold; this is why cold skin often looks blue.

To learn more about your skin type and how to care for it please contact Amanda at AmandaJSkincare.com

Skin Care Myth #2-Skin cells and Skin Repair

Myth:
It is important for skin regeneration to have at least eight hours of sleep a night. While we are sleeping new skin cells are formed, waste is removed and the skin prepares itself for the day ahead.

Fact:
Skin repair continues day and night, and is not dependent on the length of sleep. Other factors associated with not sleeping may have a more negative effect.

Your skin completely reknews itself every 4 weeks that is why it is important to visit your skin care professional once a month. Though you can't see it happening, every minute of the day we lose about 30,000 to 40,000 dead skin cells off the surface of our skin.

So just in the time it took you to read this far, you've probably lost about 40,000 cells. That's almost 9 pounds of cells every year! But don't think your skin might wear out someday. Your epidermis is always making new skin cells that rise to the top to replace the old ones. Most of the cells in your epidermis (95%) work to make new skin cells.

The other 5% make a substance called melanin (mel-uh-nun). Melanin gives skin its color. The darker your skin is, the more melanin you have. When you go out into the sun, these cells make extra melanin to protect you from getting burned by the sun's ultraviolet, or UV, rays.

That's why your skin gets tan if you spend a lot of time in the sun. But even though melanin is mighty, it can't shield you all by itself. You'll want to wear sunscreen and protective clothing, such as a hat, to prevent painful sunburns. Protecting your skin now also can help prevent skin cancer when you get older.

To schedule your skin care analysis and treatment program please contact Amanda at AmandaJSkincare.com

Skin Care Myth #1 Cucumbers On The Eyes

Myth:
Cucumber contains a special ingredient that helps to reduce swelling around the eye or bags under the eyes.

Fact:
More than 90% of the cucumber consists of water. It is the cooling effect of the water in the cucumbers on eyes, together with increased humidity, that reduces the swelling. Some products contain extracts of cucumber, which in high concentration may help to improve the hydration of the skin. Gentle massage also helps.

For a complete Skin Care Analysis and treatment program please contact Amanda at AmandaJSkincare.com

Skin Care Just For Men

For the most part, men need gender-specific beauty products—their skin is oilier, thicker, and warmer (more blood vessels), and shaving heightens some of these differences by regularly removing surface oils, causing micro-inflammation and dehydration. Men’s skin ages differently from women’s, too, and it can be more vulnerable to external aggressors.

While finding a man who will surrender himself to the joys of manicures and facials is still far from commonplace (let alone one who cares about what facial cleanser—if any—he puts on his face), with Father’s Day coming, an occasion presents itself to cajole an overworked dad, husband, or other to find his Adonis within and start exploring the beauty of life without under-eye bags, deep forehead creases, and out-of-control cuticles.

You can check out the rest of that article anytime at Black Box Magazine, but make sure you check out the Father's Day special at Amanda J Skincare today!

Father's Day Special

Includes deep pore cleansing, exfoliation, hand and foot, and scalp massage. Reg. $65.00. Only $50.00 for Dad if you mention this ad!

For all specials and services see www.amandajskincare.com