Issue link: http://www.finelinesmagazine.com/i/1192395
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 The Answers You Want The miracle of hyaluronic acid, and what's with all those forms? My skin is so dry, and I keep hearing that hyaluronic acid can help with moisture. Is that true? How does it work? A: Hyaluronic acid is ahh-mazing for locking in moisture, especially if your skin is dry or dehydrated. Hyaluronic acid is famous in the skin care world for its ability to hold up to a thousand times its own weight in water. A THOUSAND TIMES! That's one hefty little molecule. But how is it so efficient and why is it considered such a "holy grail" ingredient? One reason is that hyaluronic acid is naturally found in your skin, which makes it super easy for it to do its job well because your skin knows how to process it. And due to its ability to hold so much water, it keeps skin looking plump and feeling moisturized longer than products without hyaluronic acid do. Another great benefit of hyaluronic acid is its texture. Those with dry or dehydrated skin may struggle with their products actually penetrating into their skin or may even suffer from acne. Moisturizing creams are very little help here, as they're generally too thick to be absorbed into tight, dry skin, and really, who wants to apply heavy creams over acne? No one. Due to its watery texture and smaller molecular size, hyaluronic acid has no trouble squeezing into those tight cracks in the skin to begin the hydrating process. It also feels delightfully lightweight for those who are combating acne. Is this a miracle ingredient? It just might be. I just went to a day spa for the first time to get a facial, and I had to fill out a bunch of forms that seemed to ask a lot of personal medical questions. Why do they need all that information? A: This is a very normal concern to have and I'm glad you asked! To the person completing the form, answering all these questions may seem borderline intrusive. Why does your esthetician need to know what kind of birth control you're taking or if you've ever undergone chemotherapy? But to your esthetician, disclosing this information is crucial for one major reason: contraindications. A skin care contraindication is anything (a medication, procedure, or other existing circumstance) that prohibits the esthetician from safely performing a particular service or using a certain product. Think of it like a chemistry class: some ingredients vibe well together, and some ingredients cause explosions when introduced to each other. And no one wants explosions happening on their face Your esthetician wants you to have the best treatment possible, and above all else, does not want to cause you harm or injury. Every question on that consultation form is there because your answer could indicate a possible contraindication, and your esthetician needs to be made aware of that before you move forward with the service. Just remember: your concerns are 100 percent normal, and if you have questions, be sure to ask your esthetician. It's important for both of you to feel confident in the treatments and to have a line of open and honest communication so that you can be sure you are getting the best and safest treatment protocol. ▪ Have a question for Esty Emily? Email her at estyemily@ascpskincare.com.