My Skin Care Story

Facial Skin Care

My professional career began many years ago in the field of permanent hair removal known as Electrolysis (the “Un-laser”).  As an Electrologist, I have been conditioned to expect and achieve results from the services I perform.  This mindset has carried over to my work as an Esthetician.  I am dedicated to performing non-invasive treatments that are beneficial to the skin while honoring its integrity and improving its condition. (Note: Esthetician is a fancy word for an individual who has special training in the care and maintenance of the skin.)  I didn’t originally plan to become an Esthetician…

Without giving away my exact age, I will share with you that I am from the generation of women known as “Baby Boomers.”  It was my own skin and its lackluster appearance that led me on a quest for accurate fact-based skincare information. 

One day, when I was in my late 40s, I looked in the mirror — really looked — and discovered fine lines on my face. When did this happen??

I was so busy working, raising my daughters and running a household that I hadn’t noticed.  So like many other desperate women, I raced to the nearest department store and wandered around like a lost puppy.  I was completely overwhelmed and intimidated by the glitzy cosmetic counters and the perfectly groomed saleswomen who worked behind them. 

Thus began my pattern of buying products, using them, not achieving results, and feeling both disappointed and discouraged.  Eventually I realized that the only hope for my skin — short of a facelift or some other invasive procedure — was to enroll in an educational program that would teach me all about caring for my skin. 

Becoming an esthetician was the absolute best thing that I did for my skin!  Not only have I been able to minimize those fine lines and even out my skin tone, my complexion now has a radiant glow.  People often comment about my skin and say that I don’t look my age! 

I have two lovely daughters who are in their early 30s and they have benefited from my knowledge.  Not to mention that they also receive great products from mom that they never pay for!  Most importantly, my girls have an understanding of how to properly care for their faces in order to delay the visible signs of aging. 

Things you should know about me:

  • I am not a risk taker
  • I always read directions
  • I take my responsibilities seriously
  • I continually educate myself

Why did I share these particular traits with you?  Because I think it is important for my clients to know that not only can they rely upon me for solid skincare information, they can also be certain that I will make recommendations for them to the best of my ability.  To keep abreast of new trends, I maintain subscriptions to numerous skincare publications that are credible sources of education in the field of esthetics.  I also attend seminars and classes, bot online and in-person.  And, I’m forever reading books that will further increase my knowledge of the skin. 

For many years, I did NOT sell products at my office because I didn’t feel comfortable recommending products containing ingredients that I didn’t know enough about.  I felt that it was imperative to have an understanding of the various ingredients and their formulations.  As the saying goes, “you can’t judge a book by its cover,” which also applies to the lovely packages that contain skincare products.  Subsequently, I did lots of research on cosmetic chemistry in order to gain a complete understanding of what really works and why. 

I have learned that most products do NOT do what they claim.  Some contain active ingredients that are too large to penetrate the skin while others contain active ingredients that are too low in concentration to be effective.  Other important considerations are protective packaging and expiration dates.  Even within the professional skincare industry, I often encounter products of inferior quality.  Sadly, many of my esthetician peers are either confused by the marketing hype or are more intent on making a quick, easy profit to know the difference. 

The products that I recommend to my clients are the very same products that I use daily on my own skin.  These products are intelligently formulated with excellent delivery systems that allow the ingredients to penetrate deep into the skin where they can make a real difference.  In order to represent the line that I distribute, I attend a yearly educational course that requires passing a series of exams. 

If you’re tired of wasting your hard-earned dollars on lackluster skin care products, or you just don’t know what to use, reach out to me for assistance.

Got Cellulite?

body skin care

An estimated 85% of adult women suffer from the embarrassment of mild to severe cellulite.  Fluctuating hormones and enzymes are responsible for its development.  Our skin contains “cushioning” in the form of fat cells.  Dense fibrous connective tissue which surrounds the fat cells contributes to the dimpling and lumpy appearance of the skin.

Cellulite Facts:

  • It primarily effects women
  • Heredity is a factor in who is predisposed to develop cellulite
  • It is a condition caused by female hormones
  • Appears mostly on the buttocks and thighs
  • May also be located on the stomach, hips and upper arms

What can a women do to reduce the appearance of cellulite?

  • Devices:  Endermologie, is one such deveice, that uses heat to breakdown the fat cells so that the body can expel them as waste products.  Other modalities that use heat are ultrasound, radio frequency and lasers. Another method, Cryolipolysis, works by freezes the fat cells which essentially causes them to die.
  • Minimally Invasive Procedures: With Cellfina, a physician anesthetizes the skin in order to cut numerous fibrous bands of connective tissues.  Sculptra is filler that is injected into the depressions to give the skin a smoother, more even surface.  And then there’s a fat dissolving process called Mesotherapy.
  • Topicals:  Rebuilding healthy collagen tissues requires a consistent application of topical products containing Vitamins A and C as well as antioxidants.  Caffeine is used in many creams due to its dehydrating properties and ability to accelerate fat metabolism.  Other helpful ingredients include Gota Kula, Horse Chestnut and a type of seaweed called Bladderwrack.
  • Home Care:  A skin technique which I absolutely adore is known as Dry Brushing.  It works to reduce cellulite while also aiding the body in the removal of toxins through the lymphatic system.  If you’d like to learn how to Dry Brush, please read my earlier blog article: Healthy Body Ritual.
  • Lifestyle:  A balanced diet full of healthy, organically grown fruits and vegetables will help to eliminate the toxins that contribute to the development of cellulite.  And, of course, drinking lots of pure fresh water throughout the day will help as well!

Lori Weintraub is a licensed skin care therapist, holistic health coach and a hair removal expert. She offers consultations, skin care lessons, exceptional products and hand-holding guidance to help women over 40 regain their youthful glow.

The Eyelash Edition

Facial Skin Care

“The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.”  Audrey Hepburn

You’re not fully dressed without mascara…or some other eyelash enhancing product!  Here’s is a primer on accentuating your eyelashes for eyes that pop:

  1. MASCARA – There is no denying that a good mascara can make all the difference.  I recently visited a Sephora store when I was shopping at the mall with my daughter.  I must admit that I was totally and completely overwhelmed by the vast array of mascara selections (among other things!).  Waterproof, regular wear, washable, length, fullness, fiber, etc.
  2. FALSE – These come in strips or individuals.  Some already have glue at the base, others require a line of glue to be placed on the lids prior to application.  Recently, I learned of magnetic eyelashes that sounded great.  My daughter and I tried to use them and it was a disaster!  The lashes got stuck to each other, we couldn’t separate them and they ended up dangling off the corner of our eyelids.  It was great fun and we looked ridiculous, so we returned them for a refund.
  3. EXTENSIONS – These are really popular right now, and they look fabulous when done correctly.  As long as you don’t have allergies or sensitivities, you should be fine with special occasion applications.  They do require periodic fill-ins.  Also, you must be extremely careful when cleansing off your eye makeup so that you don’t end up pulling out the extensions along with your own natural lashes.
  4. SERUMS – These advanced serums contain vitamins and peptides which work to strengthen and lengthen your existing eyelashes.  They really work and yield amazing results!  The key here is to use the product as directed…which typically means one/twice a day consistently for several weeks.  Once your eyelashes respond, you can reduce usage to just a few times a week.  Always read the manufacturer’s instructions for best results.
  5. LIFTING/PERMING – Remember back in the 80s woman when used to get their hair permed?  (I was one of them!)  Well, a lash lift is basically a perm for the eyelashes.  A chemical is used to set the shape of your natural lashes so that they curl upward.  Similar to the look that results when you use an eyelash curler.
  6. TINTING – Your natural eyelashes can be tinted a darker shade to make them stand out. Obviously, the lighter your hair color the more dramatic the change will look.

Although I don’t offer eyelash services, I can recommend several eyelash serums that are effective, high quality products.  In my opinion, Rapidlash is the best and the one that I’ve had personal experience with.  The runners up are: Grande Lash-MD serum and RevitaLash.  (Stay away from Rodan & Fields Lash Boost as they are under investigation.)

Please share your personal experience (by commenting below) with any of the above eyelash services – whether good or bad – so that all readers can benefit.  Thank you in advance!

Lori Weintraub is a licensed skin care therapist, holistic health coach and a hair removal expert. She offers consultations, exceptional products, results-driven treatments and hand-holding guidance to help women over 40 regain their youthful glow. Learn more here.

Word of the Year (2018)

Reflections

I have a yearly tradition that begins at the start of the new year. It pertains to the choosing of a special word which will become my theme as the year unfolds.

I don’t know about you, but I prefer choosing the Word of the Year as opposed to making a New Year’s Resolution.  My chosen word helps to bring focus and clarity for what I want to create in my life.

In the past, I’ve chosen words such as GRATITUDE and BALANCE.  This year’s word presented itself to me during a recent shopping excursion to Marshall’s Home Goods.

As most of you know, I am a organized person who functions best when my environment is orderly and without clutter. This past summer my home underwent a long overdue renovation on the family room level.  Furniture was moved to other areas of the house and smaller items were packed into a series of boxes.  As a result, I was totally and completely discombobulated!!

Although I’m far from a pack rat, I’ve been donating household items and clothing that no longer serve me.  I’ve also been sorting through my file cabinet and putting aside a plethora of old documents, etc. for shredding as well as filling my recycle bin.  My goal is to become as much of a minimalist as possible.

My word — SIMPLIFY — has already become a mantra as it guides my daily actions and helps me to become a happier version of myself!  Have you chosen a word for 2018?  If so, please share in the comment section below. 

Lori Weintraub is a licensed skin care therapist, holistic health coach and a hair removal expert. She offers consultations, exceptional products, results-driven treatments and hand-holding guidance to help women over 40 regain their youthful glow. Learn more here.

 

No Such Thing as “Anti-Aging”

Preventative Skin Care

There is no such thing as “anti-aging.”  This is a misleading term that is over used in the beauty industry.

Aging is a process…but we can slow it down.  It is never too early to start taking proper care of your skin!

My “anti-aging” term  =  “restorative age-management.” 

Over time, our tight plump skin begins to show sun spots, fine lines, wrinkles, laxity and uneven pigmentation.  There are two types of skin aging that occur at the same time:

  • Intrinsic skin aging – pertains to genetics, internal factors within the body, and the normal aging process associated with reduced estrogen production as women enter menopause
  • Extrinsic skin aging – caused by environmental factors such as exposure to UV rays from the sun, as well as lifestyle habits, i.e. smoking, dehydration, excessive alcohol and sugar consumption

What can a woman do??

To begin with, getting back to basics is a good place to start.  Simple adjustments to your skin care routine can make big improvements. Additionally, you should also be mindful of eating a healthy diet and finding quiet, time to relax and renew.

Double-cleansing is a great way to prepare your skin.  By cleaning out impurities and irrigating the pores, serums and moisturizers will readily penetrate into the skin tissues to perform their benefits.

It is important to renew your commitment to prevention and protection. Each year our skin gets thinner and loses its ability to retain moisture. Daily sun protection (no matter the season) is imperative along with a good quality moisturizer for extra hydration.

Skin care through the ages:

  • Twenties (protect and repair) – daily sunscreen, products containing vitamins A, C & E
  • Thirties (exfoliate and regenerate) – gentle enzyme exfoliation, retinol-based serums or creams
  • Forties and fifties (plump and nurture) – use a creamy or milky cleanser, add pigment-reducing ingredients such as kojic acid, licorice, mulberry, vitamin C or arbutin, add hyaluronic acid and vitamin A serums/products for extra hydration
  • Sixties and beyond (hydrate and soothe) – in addition to the above, services such as microcurrent and LED light therapy will help to re-energize the skin cells thus improving muscle tone and suppleness.

I love helping clients to improve their skin so that they can age naturally, safely and beautifully! My personal skin care philosophy is built on a holistic approach that promotes healthy skin with non-invasive, age management treatments. Please feel free to contact me with your questions and your concerns.

Lori Weintraub is a licensed skin care therapist, holistic health coach and a hair removal expert. She offers consultations, exceptional products and hand-holding guidance to help women over 40 regain their youthful glow. Learn more here.

The Acne / Dairy Connection

Facial Skin Care, Preventative Skin Care

Did you know that the skin is the body’s largest organ?  Not only does it act as a protective shield, it also functions to assist our bodies in eliminating and expelling toxins.

Acne is an inflammatory skin condition that is exacerbated by the food we consume. Dairy, particularly milk, increases the severity and frequency of acne breakout activity.

How do milk and diary products relate to acne? 

Firstly, it is worth acknowledging, that dairy is not an essential part of the human diet.  Female mammals nourish their young with their own milk until their babies are weaned and begin eating solid foods. Humans are the only mammals who continue to consume milk into adulthood.

A mother cow produces milk for approximately ten months after giving birth. In order to maximize milk production, the dairy industry may inject the cow with a bovine growth hormone to increase their milk output. Additionally, the milk of pregnant cows is also being pumped for bottling purposes. Elevated hormones, like estrogen and progesterone, will therefore be present in the extracted milk.

Acne breakout typically develop at puberty. That is the time that the bloodstream is flooded with hormones. By drinking milk, more inflammation and eruptions will occur.  The consumption of milk also causes the body to increase the production of insulin, which in turn, sparks the levels of androgen and testosterone.

Consuming a diet high in diary, as well as sugar, put the body under a constant state of stress and inflammation. Stress has a huge impact on acne since it triggers an increase in insulin production.

For those of you who are dealing with acne issues, it would be advisable to limit — or even completely remove — milk and dairy products from your diet.  Try doing this for a month and evaluate your skin condition after this time frame.  I am confident that you will see a major improvement in the reduction of breakout activity.

Lori Weintraub is a licensed skin care therapist, holistic health coach and a hair removal expert. She offers consultations, exceptional products and hand-holding guidance to help women over 40 regain their youthful glow. Learn more here.