Skincare 101: Common Myths & Questions Answered

0

Ever since having my daughter, I feel completely behind when it comes to giving my hair and skin the tlc it deserves. I then get desperate and find myself turning to trending Facebook articles where they tell me what I should and shouldn’t be doing. But are those articles actually truthful or are they just trying to sell me something? I assume it’s the latter and sadly, I get sold on the products when they claim my hair will look like Princess Kate’s or my skin will look like J-Lo’s (will she ever age!?). I know I’m not the only Mom out there struggling with simple skin and hair care, so I turned to my own hair salon, Salon Surreal, to answer the most commonly asked questions. This month, they sat down with me to talk skincare, and next month, look for my post on commonly asked hair care questions.

Skincare Myths Debunked and Questions
Answered by the Skin Care Professionals at Salon Surreal

If I wax my lip, will it grow back rough like a man’s beard?

Waxing does not make your hair grow back thicker or darker. The color and the texture are determined by your genes. Removing hair with wax cannot change that. Overtime, waxing causes the hair bulb to become permanently damaged. Hair will not grow when a hair bulb is damaged, so the long-term effect of waxing is actually less hair growth.

Should I moisturize my neck and chest?

Yes! One of the biggest signs of aging is a wrinkly neck and décolletage.

Is it really bad to sleep with makeup on? Why?

Yes. Sleeping in your makeup can cause exposure to free radicals in the environment, which the make-up holds on to. Free radicals causes our collagen to break down, resulting in fine lines. Also, makeup can clog your pores while you sleep which can cause acne.

What should someone do if they start to get really dark hair on their face?

There are different times in our lives when it’s normal to notice more hair growth. For example puberty, menopause, and if the women in your family have similar facial hair. However, if there is a rapid significant change in thickness or pattern, it would be worth it to call a doctor and have your hormones checked.

What should I do if I get acne in my 30’s?

Everyone thinks of acne as something only teenagers struggle with. Unfortunately, anyone at any age can be affected by it. Breakouts are usually your body’s outward way of saying something isn’t quite right. Take a look at your skin care products, cosmetics, stress level, diet, hormones, birth control etc.

My skin is very dull and dry, but also sensitive. What’s the best routine?

For dry, sensitive skin I would recommend finding a cream cleanser. PCA has a great one that has aloe vera leaf juice, which softens and soothes the skin. I would also recommend exfoliating your skin 1-2 times a week too remove dead skin cells or rough flakey patches. And of course moisturize morning and night. PCA’s Collagen Hydrator has shea butter to help maintain moisture without feeling greasy.

Does Retin-A really work? What does it do?

Retin-A is a derivative of Vitamin A. Vitamin A thickens and stimulates the dermis where your collagen and elastin are. It reduces wrinkles and increases blood flow to the surface of the skin. Vitamin A treats acne, rosacea, aging skin and melasma (hyperpigmentation). It can be very effective when used in the right dose and the right way. You should take it gradually, building up your skin’s strength.

What’s the best way to keep your skin looking young?

The best thing you can do to keep your skin looking young is wear sunscreen everyday! Make sure to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen. That means it protects against not only UVB radiation but also UVA radiation, which is what causes tanning, skin again as well as contributes to skin cancer.

What is a good night-time routine I can do without taking up too much time?

New skin cells grow faster while you sleep. The focus is to repair the damage from outside factors throughout the day such as pollution, Sun damage, etc.

# 1 – Start with a cleanser to remove make up oil or lotion.

# 2 – Apply hydrating facemask even if it’s just for a few minutes.

# 3 – Apply moisturizer all over your face and décolleté.

# 4 – You may apply Eye cream to reduce puffiness and dark eye circles as you sleep.

P.s. It is also a good idea to exfoliate 2 to 3 times a week after your cleanser to remove dead skin cells. You may also use a serum under moisturizers for added benefits.

What does it mean to exfoliate?  

The use of a granular substance such as a body scrub to remove dead surface cells and leave skin bright and smooth. Should be performed 2 to 3 times per week to avoid build up.

Can you explain what each kind of facial is? Dermaplane, microderm, custom facial and why they work and for what kind of skin they work best for?

Dermaplane: removes vellus hair commonly known as peach fuzz. Leaves the skin glowing and smooth for your next make-up application.(beneficial for everyone, especially those with larger amount of facial hair)

Microdermabrasion: Noninvasive mechanical exfoliation procedure to remove dead skin cells and smooth wrinkles, acne and scarring. (great for all skin types)  

Custom facial: Target problem areas of the skin so that you may correct and prevent future damage. (best for everyone as you can specialize which products to use for each skin type and needs)

Can you explain the benefits of high frequency?

High frequency kills bacteria and reduces inflammation. It is great for treating acne-causing bacteria and reducing inflammation in puffy undereyes. When used on the scalp, high frequency can stimulate hair growth.

What high-end (expensive) skin care treatments are worth the money? Are there any that we can skimp on too?

Some high end treatments that clients see the best results with are chemical peels and microneedling. Both treatments dramatically promote collagen production and skin cell turnover (with a series of treatments). As far as skipping certain high end treatments, it would be dependent on the client. While some clients may think a classic facial may not be aggressive enough, a teenager would benefit from the extractions and deep pore cleansing. So it varies case by case on which treatments you can skip on.

Is SPF in the foundation enough to protect your skin all day?

SPF should be broad spectrum and approved by the Skin Cancer Foundation. It is important to use an SPF with these requirements, every day before you apply foundation. SPF in foundation is wonderful, but should be treated as additional coverage, because you never know how much protection you’re actually getting from the makeup.

Salon Surreal is located on 16th Street and Glendale and offers professional hair and skin care services. This is not a sponsored post for them, they kindly offered their advice to help our mamas out!