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We have made the switch to the blog world and would like to make it official. Stay updated on the latest specials and skin care information. Receive updates from the Skin Essentials Blog via email. Each time a new post is published, you will be notified in your inbox. This will replace the direct emails that used to be sent from skin.essentials at hotmail .dot .com.

On April 30, one lucky reader, who has signed up for email updates, will be randomly chosen to receive a free facial (a $70 value). To enter, sign up to receive our blog updates via email in the box on the right side of the screen.

Refer a friend, who is not a current client to sign up, and receive $10 off your next service. Simply leave a comment to this post with your name and the name of the friend you referred.
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The Best Alternative Tan

Let's face it. Though having any amount of tan from the sun or a tanning light bed is far from healthy, the look of sunkissed skin has it's allure. Many women feel best putting on those shorts or that swim suit when they have a little color on their body. For that person, spray tanning is the best and only safe option. There are tanning spray booths widely available at tanning salons. This can be a good option, but sometimes leads to less than optimal results. The best results come from airbrush tanning, which is done by a technician with a hand held sprayer. She is able to be precise and give a flawless application.

Glamorous Tan is a local company that specializes in this service. Below is an introducton to the company by my friend and client, Jessica.

"Glamorous Tan is an innovative tanning experience that exclusively specializes in the art and science of a natural looking flawless airbrush tan without harmful UV rays. Airbrush tanning is a safe alternative to sun tanning and the best way to acquire a beautiful tan without harmful affects of the sun. To achieve a natural golden bronze tan, a solution called DihydroxyAcetone or DHA is applied to the skin. DHA (a derivative from sugar cane) is a safe and effective chemical approved by the FDA for cosmetic use. The DHA causes a reaction with the amino acids on the outermost layer of the skin, causing the color of the skin to change, producing a tan.
Glamorous Tan offers a mobile service that conveniently comes to you in the comfort of your own home or business. We offer state-of-the-art HVLP equipment and world-class, paraben free, sunless tanning solutions that use all natural products with essential oils and healing ingredients. Our technicians are professionally trained, certified, and insured. Our method is superior to automated spray booths such as Mystic. We have a trained technician customize the color and application to meet your personal needs with a high quality odorless and alcohol free solution leaving you with a long lasting glow."

Glamorous Tan has kindly offered $15 off your first tan with them. Just mention this article from the Skin Essentials blog when you make your appointment. What a great option to get that glow in the comfort of your own home. They are also available for parties and offer great package deals.

Contact Jessica or Elena at 916.532.0307

For more information, visit their website: http://www.glamoroustan.com/www.GlamorousTan.com/Home.html

Sunscreen Know-How

Are you applying your sunscreen in a way that makes it effective? Many people are wearing sunscreen daily, but are not gaining the full benefits of the product. Read on and make sure you are protecting your skin adequately.

1. The sunscreen you choose is very important. There are many "sunscreens" on the market that only provide part of what makes a good sunscreen. Most of the ingredients in sunscreens at the drugstore and department store have what is called a chemical sunscreen. A chemical sunscreen is absorbed into the skin where it absorbs the penetrating rays. Not all chemical sunscreens are bad, there have been many advances in chemical sunscreen formulations. However, there should be a physical sunblock included in the formulation to provide optimal protection. Physical sunblock does not absorb into the skin. It creates a barrier on top of the skin and reflects the rays off of your skin. This is considered to be a much better protection. There are 2 physical sunblock ingredients: Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide. Any other ingredient on the active ingredients list is considered a chemical sunblock. A good sunscreen can include both physical and chemical sunscreens or just physical sunblock. A sunscreen that contains only chemical sunscreen should be considered inferior, regardless of the Sun Protection Factor (SPF). The higher the percentage of physical block listed, the better.

2. Sunscreen should be applied at least 30 prior to sun exposure. Apply your sunscreen every morning as a part of your daily routine. It should be the last skin care product applied before any makeup is applied. An SPF included in makeup should not be considered inadequate unless it contains a good percentage of a physical sunblock ingredient.

3. Apply it to your neck as well as your face.

4. Apply liberally and thoroughly. When applying, make a routine of doing a facial massage to ensure you are taking your time and getting the product dispersed evenly. Sunscreen should be applied so that it covers the area before it all soaks in. Rule of thumb is 1/4 of a teaspoon. Think of this as a dime size amount for the face and neck. If you are struggling to get it to spread to the edges of your face, you can know it is not doing it's job. If you only purchase your sunscreen once or twice a year, you are not applying an effective amount. A 4 ounce tube should last 3-4 months.

5. Be vigilant. Sunscreen does not last all day. A physical block lasts longer than chemical ingredients, however. Chemical ingredients are eventually broken down by the sun and environmental pollutants they are in place to protect you from. Reapply every hour or two, especially if you are spending the day outdoors.

6. Boost the effectiveness of your sunscreen. Studies have shown that antioxidants applied topically, as well as taken internally, boost the effectiveness and, in some instances the SPF rating, of sunscreen. This should not be taken to mean that your SPF 15 is a 30, if you apply an antioxidant with it. However, any help you can give your skin in fighting the damage of free radicals should be considered beneficial.

7. Enjoy the sun. The sun provides us with beauty, warmth and energy. Make sure to get outdoors a bit every day to enjoy it. Just make sure you are protected.

To learn more about the sunscreens available at Skin Essentials, including their ingredients, click here:http://www.imageskincare.com/sun_.html

Referrals

We would love to provide the same great service to your friends and family. Please let them know about us. Then, when they come in to see us, make sure they tell us you sent them.

As always, feel free to forward a link to our blog to anyone you think may be interested.

Please view our complete referral offer here:

http://skin-essentials-lincoln.blogspot.com/p/referrals.html

We look forward to seeing you and them!

Sun Protection Imperative

As the weather gets warmer, we naturally want to go outside and enjoy the sun. This is a healthy activity for many reasons. It increases our activity level, we breathe the fresh air. the sun brightens our spirits and lightens our mood. It can also cause damage to our skin, if we do not protect ourselves. An SPF is imperative. Even when we plan to spend most of our day inside, the sun exposure we receive while driving our cars or taking a walk on our break at work is enough to warrant sunscreen. Applying an SPF of atleast 15, SPF 30 is even better, should be a part of every adult and child's morning routine. Did you know that most of the sun damage that causes aging, skin cancer and wrinkles happens before the age of 18? It might take years before it shows up, but much damage is being done during the younger years.

This is, of course, no excuse to slack off after 18. Isn't every ounce of prevention worth the effort, when you are looking at a future of fighting brown spots, wrinkles and possibly skin cancer? Incidental exposure to the sun will cause plenty of the unwanted signs of aging, there is no excuse to help it along by neglecting to protect yourself. No matter your age, put on your sunscreen.

It should not even need to be mentioned that tanning in an artificial tanning bed should be off limits. Much better options are available, if you just can not get the idea out of your head that tan looks healthier.

IMAGE Skincare has five options in sun protection for the face, as well as a hand creme with SPF:

Solar Defense Oil Free SPF15
Solar Defense Oil FreeSPF30
Solar Defense Creme SPF30
Solar Defense Organic SPF30 (this one is great for babies!)
Tinted Solar Defense Organic SPF30
Solar Defense Hand Creme SPF15

Talk to your Esthetician to find out which sunscreen is right for you.