The basic principle of understanding your skincare routine is to recognize that you are a complete SKindividual. Skincare product ingredients can produce results for virtually all skin types and conditions, but the the key is finding a routine that includes ingredients you need and that works for you. We obviously recommend professional care and guidance BUT - you play the most important role in your skin's health.
Education & empowerment are the cornerstones of our skincare philosophy. Healthy skin means not only what you put on the outside, but your entire physical and mental health and wellbeing. Your skin's health is your first priority and it's a work in progress. It's not a destination, it's a journey and it is one that will change over time. You make the best choices you can each day - understanding what's in your skincare products, observing your skin's changing moods (seasonal, hormonal, stress-related, diet-related, etc.) and addressing those conditions appropriately.
The skin is the largest organ of the body (we say it often, but its worth repeating!) and composed of 3 key layers: the epidermis (outer layer), the dermis (middle layer of collagen and elastin), and the hypodermis (adipose or fat layer). They all work together to protect our insides from the stuff that attacks it from the outside. At night, when we are resting, our skin is hard at work doing damage control - repairing and generating new cells (which is why a good night's sleep is so important).
The skin is designed to be self-managed but it is affected by lots of intrinsic (genes, hormones, digestive health and medical conditions) and extrinsic factors (tobacco, alcohol, stress, too much sun and other environmental toxins). So that means you have to be the responsible parent because your skin needs you to help it function at its best! As part of our curriculum, we encourage a 2 step approach to skin health:
Taking care of the inside. Eating nutritiously (just a little step towards nutritionish can make a big difference!), taking natural supplements if indicated, and generally following a healthy lifestyle.
Taking care of the outside. Increase your skin's ability to defend and repair itself by using high quality professional skincare products and getting professional skincare treatments on a regular basis. Using SPF religiously.
There is no such thing as flawless skin, despite what skin influencers and the beauty culture would have you believe. Flawless implies that perfect skin is possible and that anyone who doesn't have perfect skin is flawed in some way. Not true! We work toward skin health and the confident glow that comes with it - not perfection.
Loving the skin you're in, accepting it and above all RESPECTING it is a concept we all should embrace. Our skin is the first thing that greets the world, so how we feel about ourselves in our skin is important.
In the end, it comes down to accepting your unique "skindividuality" and working with it to shine bright as the beautiful person you are. Healthy skin that has its ongoing concerns and conditions addressed with a skin-dividual routine, protected, treated, and nourished according to what it needs is the heart and soul of how we feel about ourselves.
Have you been in to see us lately? Make an appointment with our Spa Desk and visit our Spa page to find a treatment. And check out our Fall specials while you're there - our front desk is happy to answer your questions!
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