Fine Lines

Volume 1, Issue 3

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4 ASCP Fine Lines A S K E S T Y E M I L Y By Emily Morgan Associated Skin Care Professionals emorgan@ascpskincare.com Decisions, Decisions Esthetician visits and natural skin care products I love my esthetician, and I usually see her every two or three months, but now she wants me to come every month. I feel like she just wants me to spend more money. While it may seem like a more-than-obvious ploy to increase her weekly paycheck, your esthetician really just cares about the well- being of your skin's health and wants what's best for you! Seeing a skin care professional every 2–3 months is good, but if you are trying to target and treat a specific area or concern, once every few months may not cut it. While there are certain factors that can increase or decrease the exact length of your skin shedding cycle (age, hormones, sun exposure, etc.), the average time it takes for your skin to go through an entire cellular turnover is about a month. In order to achieve the best results from your facials, it's necessary to treat the skin during each cellular turnover cycle. Yes, this does mean a little extra moola will be going to the pocket of your esthetician each month, but rest assured, her reasoning is backed by science and the desire to provide the best results for your skin! I would prefer to use natural/ organic/plant-based products on my skin, but are they as effective as these other products that contain hard-core chemicals? The great thing about skin care is that there is something out there that works for everyone, whether it's on the natural or synthetic spectrum. However, the effectiveness of a product depends entirely on a few factors: the current condition of your skin, your genetics and lifestyle habits, and your skin goals and expectations. For example, if you struggle with recurring cystic acne and live in a city with pollution, it's not likely that a daily swipe of witch hazel and a clay mask here and there is going to clear up all your acne versus using a product that contains ingredients such as salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, or retinoids. On the other hand, if you have relatively problem- free skin and are looking for a simple cleansing routine, an all-natural, chemical- free routine could work perfectly for you! Chemical-based skin care is great for those who have more intensive conditions they want to treat, as they can create results more efficiently and quickly. Natural- based skin care is great for those who have minimal conditions and simply want to maintain their current state. Plus, natural ingredients tend to absorb into the skin more readily since the body is able to recognize the ingredient components a little easier. At the end of the day, it's important to keep in mind that any ingredient has the potential to cause damage or irritation (yes, including natural ingredients!), especially when used incorrectly or in excess. This is why it's crucial to consult with your esthetician to find a balance of what will work best for you, whether that's an all-natural or chemical routine, or even a little bit of both. ▪ Have a question for Esty Emily? Email her at estyemily@ascpskincare.com.

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