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.

Clients often ask, “What can I do about my blackheads?”

The T-Zone of the face consists of the forehead, nose and chin.  When visualizing these zones, you will note that they form the letter T.  These areas of the face are known to produce the most oil.

We have pores all over our face.  Some produce more oil than others.  Pores are most noticeable when they are filled with oil, a.k.a. human sebum.  When the sebum rises up to the surface and meets the air, it turns black due to a process known as oxidation.  (Similar to how an apple turns brown shortly after it is cut open.)

Most women mistakenly believe that the dark specks that they see on their nose are blackheads…that is incorrect!  These are actually “sebaceous filaments.”

Whereas a true blackhead differs from a sebaceous filament since it contains not only oil, but also dirt along with dry and dead skin cells.  Blackheads often look like a little pebble is embedded in the skin.  In this case, products that help to dissolve sebum and stimulate cell turnover will help to keep pores clean while reducing (not eliminating) excess surface oil production.  Cleansers containing alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) such as salicylic acid as well as glycolic acid would be appropriate.

Here’s a simple way to lessen the appearance of oxidized sebaceous filaments.  Mix a teaspoon of baking soda with a small amount of water in order to create a paste.  Apply this to your nose before entering the shower.  Let the steam activate the baking soda while you’re washing your body.  At the end of the shower, gently rinse the paste from your nose.  Doing this once to twice a week will probably be sufficient.  (Overusing the baking soda mixture should be avoided as it will cause the skin to peel and become irritated, so be sure to use good judgement.  If you plan to use this on the forehead, be careful not to let the paste drip into your eyes.)

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

Last weekend, we experienced some of the coldest temperatures in years.  The mercury dipped to almost zero and the windchill made it unbearable to be outdoors for even just a few minutes!

Clients have been complaining to me about the condition of their skin which they describe as extremely dry, itchy or scaly.  The clinical term for this is known as Xerosis. Everyone is wondering how to address this problem.

Why is my skin so dry? 

The skin’s purpose is to protect the body.  Healthy, normal skin is made up of 20-35% water which helps to keep it supple.  During the winter when the humidity levels in the air drop, moisture is pulled from our skin.  When our skin has less than 10% water, it becomes dry and flaky.  Long, hot showers and frequent hand-washing serve to further aggravate and irritate the skin thus leading to an even drier surface.

With less water in the skin cells, the natural oil in the tissues diminishes.  When this happens, the skin ceases to exfoliate properly.  The result is an excessive layer of dead cells on the surface.

What should I do?

STEP ONE:  Exfoliate (Please note that the face and body should be handled differently.)

The body will benefit from the use of a loofah sponge which has a mild abrasive texture.  Note that you should not be scrubbing with force; just maintain a comfortable pressure while moving the loofah in a circular fashion over the skin.  This first step will help to loosen and remove the dead, dry skin cells.

For the face, I would recommend the use of a mild enzyme which is ideal for a woman’s delicate facial skin.  Enzymes can be used by all skin types, even sensitive and reactive types.  (With regard to scrubs, I am not a fan of them as they often contain rough ingredients which can scratch and scrape women’s faces.  Scrubs are better used by men whose facial skin is typically thicker and hardier.)

STEP TWO:  Moisturize

Moisturizers work to seal in the natural moisture of the skin.  They help to minimize irritation and dryness while soothing the skin’s surface.

I often recommend to clients that they “layer products” used on their facial skin in order to protect it during harsh weather.  Begin by applying a light oil (such as jojoba or grapeseed, for example) allowing a few minutes for the oil absorb.  Next, add a creamy moisturizer of your choosing to further protect the skin.

For the body, it is best to apply lotion immediately after showering while the skin is still damp.  That way, the body lotion will help to lock in the moisture.

RECIPE: Avocado Facial Moisturizer

2 tsp – Avocado oil

2 drops – Geranium essential oil

1 drop – Lemongrass or lavender essential oil

Blend well and then lightly massage onto clean skin.  Allow to absorb for several minutes prior to applying makeup.

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

Are you guilty of committing acts of aggression against your skin? Did you know that skin trauma causes premature aging?

This post addresses common misconceptions regarding a number of popular skin treatments. Manufacturers are very clever at marketing and their strategies have tricked the unknowing public into believing the hype.

FACT: Skin inflammation and injury cause premature aging!

• Microdermabrasion – This mechanical form of exfoliation serves to remove the top layer of the skin. The theory behind this treatment considers that our skin needs to be sloughed off in order to remain youthful-looking. This results in inflammation, dehydration and a damaged barrier repair function. Additionally, the microdermabrasion crystals become airborne during the treatment and may be inhaled into the lungs.
• Peels – Acids are applied to the skin in order to facilitate removal of the uppermost layers of the epidermis. The strength of the peel and the length of time that it sits on the skin’s surface will determine the depth of the peel. The strongest peels are quite painful and may require several days of “hiding” before the client is ready to face the world again. Although women may love the after glow of a peel, they are compromising the skin and inducing a premature aging response.
• Laser – Depending upon the laser used, the client may require a numbing agent prior to treatment and several days of reclusiveness to allow the skin to heal. Laser is actually an acronym with the “R” standing for “radiation.” So not only is the skin undergoing a significant assault, it is also being subjected to the dangers of radiation.
• Clairsonic® – This mechanical brush is primarily used for deep cleansing. When utilized with moderate frequency, it can lead to over-exfoliation, irritation, dehydration, abrasions and even broken capillaries. Additionally, the bristles of the brush don’t fully dry out and often become moldy and a breading ground for germs. For the acneic client, the brush spreads the dirt, oil and bacteria all over the face further exacerbating an already comprised skin.
• Botox® – This drug is made from a toxin produced by the strain of bacteria which causes a life-threatening type of food-poisoning called Botulism.  The toxin does not act directly on muscles; it binds to the neurotransmitters thus preventing them from signaling the muscles to contract. It is typically used on the frown lines between the eyebrows as well as on crow’s feet.  While this can reduce wrinkles and relax undesirable facial expressions, overtime it will lead to muscle atrophy. With all the recent pubic emphasis on health and wellness, I believe that women will seek alternatives to the injection of this toxin into their faces.
• Fillers – Commonly known as Restylane®, Juvederm®, Radiesse®, etc., these fillers are typically injected in the fine lines of the mouth to restore lost volume resulting in a plumped look. Long-term use may eventually lead to additional sagging if the client decides to discontinue the procedure. A good visible example would be a balloon that has become deflated.

Remember…the skin is an intelligent organ and should be treated with respect. Honor it with gentle therapies and quality products that will encourage cellular repair and renewal. As always, please feel free to contact me with your questions and concerns.

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

As both an esthetician and holistic health coach, I am continually investigating healthy ways to improve the skin. I have been especially interested in the science of microcurrent and have done extensive research in this regard.  Microcurrent is a form of esthetic massage which uses low levels of electrical current to re-energize aging skin cells.

MICROCURRENT ~ THE ULTIMATE ANTI-AGING TOOL

I am thrilled to announce that I completed extensive training on a wonderful new device that has amazing capabilities. My high-tech machine combines microcurrent with two other modalities for superior results. The device connects to a tablet computer which allows a specific profile to be created for each individual based on their unique skin type and condition.

As always, I am committed to providing services that are safe as well as effective. What makes this device so special, is that it performs treatments that are HOLISTIC; which means that it works in harmony with the body…unlike laser, peels, dermabrasion, etc. which damage the skin while “purporting” to improve it.

Benefits of Advanced Microcurrent Treatment:

• Holistic, non-invasive approach to skin rejuvenation
• Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
• Calms inflammation caused by rosacea and acne
• Builds muscle and tightens the skin without the use of fillers
• Increases blood circulation and ATP (cell energy) resulting in collagen and elastin production
• Targeted treatment relaxes the muscles that create frown lines and crow’s feet
• Enhanced product penetration enables more nutrients to reach the cellular level
• Works in harmony with the body
• Safe and effective

Skin Aging  As we age, our body’s biological current and chemical energy slows down, cellular renewal takes longer and skin cells don’t perform as efficiently. This can lead to loss of tone, elasticity, fine lines and wrinkles. Microcurrent can help reverse this process by re-energizing and increasing the levels of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), known as the “energy of life.” With each treatment, ATP levels are stockpiled, which is why microcurrent results are cumulative and last longer as a series of treatments progress.

Clinical Studies  “Examination of skin tissue treated with microcurrent showed a 45% increase in the number of elastin fibres in the dermis, and the length of the fibres on average doubled. The collagen thickness in the connective tissues increased by 10% and the number of blood vessels increased by 35%. The application of microcurrent to skin and tissues produced a firmer and tighter feeling on the skin surface.”

How does microcurrent work?  Also known as facial toning, microcurrent is an esthetic treatment that physically firms and tones the skin through reeducating the aging muscles. This process is achieved by stimulating 32 of the 53 facial muscles at traditional acupuncture points with tiny amounts of electricity to re-energize their biological currents and re-establish muscle memory.

What does it feel like?  The extremely low level of electricity generally causes little to no sensation. Microcurrent facials are painless and often so relaxing that many clients fall asleep during treatment.

How often should treatments be done?  Treatments can be done monthly, but best results are obtained by re-educating the facial muscles weekly for 6-10 sessions, continuing with muscle memorization every 10 days for 4 sessions, and monthly maintenance thereafter. Individual results will vary due to age, ethnicity, skin condition and lifestyle.

Would a single, occasional treatment be worthwhile?  Absolutely! This would be perfect for the client who desires a refreshed appearance for a special party or event…or just because.

What’s included in the session?  The skin will be cleansed, toned and exfoliated prior to treatment followed by the application of high-potency serums with targeted ingredients. Client will remain fully dressed with a head wrap while relaxing on the table. The session will take approximately 45-60 minutes.

How long has this technology been around?  The medical community has safely used microcurrent for many decades. Its use as an esthetic treatment was established when a physician used it to treat his Bell’s palsy patients for paralysis, noticing that the facial lines were much softer, the face more lifted and the eyes less droopy.

Why is Lori’s advanced microcurrent device superior to the competition?  This advanced  “multi-modality” microcurrent device allows a specific computer profile to be created just for you. The intelligent circuitry at the heart of this device will measure your unique tissue composition to achieve the best results in facial contouring possible.

Note: There are some contraindications to receiving treatment as follows:  Pregnant or trying to conceive; epilepsy or history of seizures; arrhythmia or implanted pacemaker; history of cancer; Botox or cosmetic fillers (90 day wait period); blood thinners.

All clients must schedule a complimentary consultation before committing to microcurrent treatment. You will be provided with a Client Intake Form for completion and evaluation. It will give me some background as to your health, your skincare issues and your goals.

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