Summertime Clues

Ok, so it’s only the beginning of March, and you’re probably wondering why we are posting a blog about summer treatments….  Well, in a few months, the weather will be warming up, and your patients are going to be planning their summer vacations.  Sometimes chemical peels aren’t always the best type of treatment this time of year, mainly because it’s important to stay cool after a peel.  As a clinician, you need to be planning ahead in order to maintain the health of your patients’ skin and practice revenue in the commonly slower summer months.

Start talking to your patients about their vacation plans.  This way you can begin to plan treatments that will maintain their skin health and minimize any treatment risks.

Treatment masks are a great alternative to chemical peels during the summer months.  Masks are typically removed so there is less time on tissue.  As a result, they don’t penetrate as deeply.  Enzyme masks, such as pumpkin or papaya, work to dissolve keratinized skin cells on the surface of the skin; salicylic masks are also keratolytic, but salicylic also assists with sebum regulation and keeps the pores clear of debris.  Retinoid masks will assist with cellular turnover, pigment control and collagen production.  Clay-based masks help to detoxify the skin and refine pores.

If masks are not an option for some reason, consider an antioxidant treatment.  Summer brings increased UV exposure and increased pollution, which results in an increased need for antioxidants.  You may consider having patients come into your practice for one of these specialized treatments once a week.

Another thing to consider is to make sure your patients have enough daily care and SPF product to last them through any long-term vacations.  Many times patients will leave town, or even leave the country, and then call you in a panic because they are out of product.  Shipping costs may escalate depending on where they are, so they will appreciate your reminding them to order ahead which will save them the extra expense.

Our patients depend on us to keep their skin healthy…. Impress them by planning a couple of months ahead!

another long-standing PCA SKIN® favorite takes a leap into the future

The Oxygenating Trio has been part of PCA SKIN’s professional treatment offerings for over a decade. It has long been a favorite amongst PCA SKIN customers and their patients. Although it has always been a highly effective treatment, the science of product formulation has advanced by leaps and bounds over the decades since Oxy Trio was first formulated. The new Oxygenating Trio is still a three-step system, although the names of the steps have been changed to Activator, Detoxifier and Oxygenator to better reveal the part each plays in achieving healthy, beautiful skin.

Environmental and oxidative stress wreaks havoc on the skin and speeds up the aging process, leading to dull, sluggish complexions. The newly reformulated Oxygenating Trio is the skin’s best defense against these external factors. A combination of superoxide dismutase, fumaric acid, niacinamide, hydrolyzed candida saitoana extract and stabilized hydrogen peroxide provides antioxidant therapy to stimulate oxygenation and circulation, revitalizing damaged skin by bringing oxygen to the surface. AHA and BHA reduce inflammation and promote exfoliation, while also providing essential hydration. Even more dramatic and immediate results can be achieved with these revolutionary treatment improvements. Use the Oxy Trio to help clear acne, on smoker’s skin, or simply to reveal the radiant, healthy skin beneath the surface.

the power of pumpkin

This time of year, the thought of pumpkin is typically visions of pie.  Aside from is role in holiday desserts, this nutritious and delicious vegetable is also great for your skin. The natural enzymes found in pumpkin have excellent keratolytic properties and help release impacted cells from the stratum corneum, leaving the skin smooth and soft.  This is especially important in the winter months when colder temperatures and lower humidity can leave skin dry and flaky.

In the exfoliation of the skin, enzymes function differently from acids. Alpha hydroxy acids exfoliate by dissolving the bonds (desmosomes) holding cells together, while enzymes work by cleaving the bonds between amino acids that make up proteins.  Exfoliation with enzymes is typically a more gentle process than with single acid peels, and highly effective.

In addition to the excellent surface-smoothing action provided by its enzyme component, pumpkin is also a rich source of vitamins A and C, and a host of other beneficial nutrients.  Treat yourself and your patients to a professional pumpkin mask.  The result is smooth, glowing and healthy skin.  Find these ingredients in the PCA SKIN Pumpkin Peel Treatment. This treatment is especially good for acneic, breakout-prone patients or those with sluggish, dull complexions. Pumpkin Peel Treatments are a great choice for the holidays, and for healthy skin.

tricks for having smooth, hydrated lips all year

The colder temperatures and lower humidity of the fall and winter months tend to lead to dry, chapped lips.  The skin on the lips is thinner than facial skin and does not have the natural barrier function to protect them from environmental challenges.  Also, saliva contains some of our digestive enzymes, which can be irritating and exacerbate dryness and chapping.

To fix dry lips and keep them full, hydrated and healthy all year, follow these weekly guidelines:

• Avoid licking your lips, as this is dehydrating and can lead to chapping.
• Apply peptide lip therapy twice daily to hydrate, plump and protect the delicate skin on the lips.
• Apply the appropriate PCA SKIN SPF product under peptide lip therapy in the daytime to protect from damaging UV rays.
• Perform the following protocol weekly to exfoliate, smooth and nourish the lips.

lip renewal treatment

1. Cleanse the entire face with a dime-sized amount of facial wash. Rinse with warm water and pat dry.

2. Massage a pea-sized amount of gentle exfoliant in a circular motion over the lip area. Remove with warm water.

3. Apply one pump of rejuvenating serum to help stimulate healthy cell proliferation, leading to healthier, smoother lips.

4. Apply a pea-sized amount of silkcoat® balm for soothing and maximum hydration.

5. Finish with a liberal application of peptide lip therapy.

If you perform this treatment in the daytime, remember to apply the appropriate PCA SKIN broad-spectrum SPF product before applying peptide lip therapy to protect from UV rays.

We are happy that peptide lip therapy won Prevention magazine’s 2010 Defy Your Age Beauty Award!

maintaining healthy skin throughout the summer

With the dog days of summer in full-swing, maintaining results achieved during cooler months can be a challenge.  Not only do many people choose to forgo their regular treatment appointments for long days in the heat and sun, the increase in heat and humidity also exacerbates many common skin conditions. To help keep skin healthy and beautiful throughout the summer, PCA SKIN® has assembled a group of highly effective, results-oriented treatment protocols appropriate for hotter weather. Below is one of our treatments designed to soothe and re-hydrate normal to dry, combination and mature skin types.  It will also help to minimize the damage and dehydration caused by increased environmental exposure.

(Please note that a 48-hour respite from any excessive heat exposure following any PCA SKIN professional treatment is recommended. In addition, daily use of a broad-spectrum SPF 25 or higher is strongly encouraged.)

non-burning hydra-renewal treatment protocol

This treatment will not create any burning sensations and may be applied on anyone with any condition (including rosacea) at any age; however, it may be too moisturizing for those with oily, acneic skin. It is likely to cause some delayed flaking two to four days post-treatment.

Contraindications: pregnancy and lactation.

1. facial wash oily/problem (pHaze 1) – Cleanse the skin thoroughly. Rinse.

2. BETA-C Nutritioner (Steps 1&3 from the Pumpkin Peel Treatment) – Apply with a cotton pad. Allow the skin to dry.

3. ExLinea® peptide smoothing serum (pHaze 25) – Apply to areas of laxity and wrinkling.

4. C-Quench® antioxidant serum (pHaze 15+) – Apply two pumps for strengthening and hydrating benefits.

5. hydrating serum (pHaze 43) – Apply two pumps to encourage ceramide, essential fatty acid and moisture retention.

6. anti-redness serum (pHaze 42) – Apply two pumps to improve microcirculation and barrier function while reducing inflammation and redness.

7. retinol renewal with restorAtive complex (pHaze 26) – Apply one to two pumps to increase cellular renewal, moisture content and collagen production.

8. rejuvenating serum (pHaze 24) and C-Strength 15% with 5% Vitamin E (pHaze 16) – Apply a mixture to stimulate collagen and elastin synthesis and cell division while improving barrier function.

9. BETA-C Gel (Step 4 from the Pumpkin Peel Treatment) – Using the fan brush or gloved hands, apply a thin layer to the area of treatment.

10. Ultra Peel® II - Dispense one pump into gloved hands. Gently spread the product over the area of treatment, keeping the application even and thin.

11. ReBalance (pHaze 17) and hydrator plus spf 25 (pHaze 6+) - Apply a combination to calm, hydrate and protect the skin from UVA and UVB exposure.

12. peptide lip therapy - Finish with a liberal application to reduce peeling, improve hydration and reduce lip lines.

a treat for the eyes

PCA SKIN® Certified Professionals, try this moisture replenishing eye treatment as an excellent add-on to any protocol. It is suitable for all skin types. To avoid getting product into patients’ eyes, only apply product from the orbital bone half way up to lash line. This anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, strengthening, hydrating treatment is a perfect choice for tired eyes!

1. Prior to treatment: Dispense one pump of hydrating serum and a pea-sized amount of eyeXcellence side by side into a peel dish and refrigerate for at least one 30 minutes.

2. creamy cleanser – Using a small amount, gently remove eye make-up. Rinse with warm water.

3. Beta-C Nutritioner (Steps 1 & 3 from the Pumpkin Peel Treatment) – Apply to the orbital bone with a cotton pad to gently nourish and provide light degreasing to the delicate skin around the eyes.

4. ExLinea® peptide smoothing serum – Using a small fan brush apply one pump around the eyes, concentrating on areas of wrinkling and laxity.

5. hydrating serum and eyeXcellence – Mix the refrigerated product together and using a small fan brush, apply to orbital rim to lock in moisture and reduce eye area puffiness, dark circles and wrinkling.

6. après peel® hydrating balm – Apply a liberal amount using a small fan brush and then gently massage product into treatment area until absorbed to plump the skin and provide additional hydration.

7. hydrator plus SPF 25 - Apply to entire treatment area to hydrate and protect the skin from UVA and UVB exposure.