My Favorite Product by Amber Lukas

Needless to say, I have many Image products in my medicine cabinet. I use 4 different cleansers, 2 serums, 2 eye creams, 1 repair cream, and that is just my daily routine (mix and match, of course. I don't put all of those on every day.) I also have masks and spot treatments to use when needed. Choosing a favorite is not easy. I really believe that my skin is doing so well today as a result of the consistent use of a system of products over an extended period of time. I used to have a serious issue with acne, for about 15 years of my teen and adult life. The products that helped me get to the clear skin that I have today contain benzoyl peroxide, glycolic acid and retinol.

This brings me to my favorite Image product. Every third night or so, I apply the Ageless Total Retinol A Creme. It contains a high concentration of retinol and polypeptides. These resurface and repair the skin. You may notice it is not an acne product, rather an anti aging product. Retinol has been touted as one of the ingredients that nearly everyone should be using daily. I use it more sparingly during pregnancy and summer, but will start up on a more rigorous schedule once Fall (and the baby) comes.

So, how does my skin feel when using this product? My skin never looks better than it does the morning after I put it on my face. I feel like it glows differently than any other time after I have used the Ageless Total Retinol A Creme. I love this product! It has made such a difference in my skin. My skin is smoother, plumper and has better tone.

When I first started using a highly concentrated retinol product, I had some peeling and sensitivity. On occasion, I still do. This is because of the level of extra exfoliation that the product is inducing in my skin. Now, my skin is used to the level of exfoliation and is vibrant and fresh almost every day. I'd love to share more about my personal struggle with acne, the skin care products that helped me, or the products that will help you find the same satisfaction with your skin.

I am so happy to be using Image, both on my own skin and in the treatment room. I believe it is one of the most effective, both in results and in cost, that you can find. Please let me or your esthetician know if you have any questions about the skin care we use at Skin Essentials. We would love to share with you.

To read more about the Ageless Retinol A Creme, click on this link:

http://www.imageskincare.com/ageless_total_retinol_a_creme.html

New Product Release: Ageless The MAX

A brand new product is hitting our shelves. Image Skincare Ageless The MAX is now available.


"The MAX™ opens a new dimension in skin care. This revolutionary serum delivers unsurpassed preventive measures against the aging effects on the skin.3 phase product: CPN™ Systems by Image, Correction Prevention Nutrition."


"This revolutionary day and night serum rejuvenates your skin in a new dimension. The multi-layered technology of nutripeptides work synergistically to plump your skin while stem cell technology in an exclusive complex support natural defense mechanisms and repair cell damage. Dramatically reduces the appearance of fine lines due to facial expressions, wrinkles and other signs of aging. The unparalleled high concentration of effective ingredients will give you the MAXimum benefit." -Image Skincare website description


The MAX contains a complex combination of peptides, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory ingredients, vitamins and hydrators. To be used on any skin type and any age, it serves as a preventative measure against aging and damage as well as minimizing damage that has been done by promoting collagen production, repair of damaged cells and relaxation of wrinkles due to facial expressions. The MAX is an easy addition to your skin care regimen. Your esthetician can help you determine whether this product is right for you. Let her know if you have any questions about this or any other of our anti-aging products.


You may read more here: http://www.imageskincare.com/ageless_the_max.html

Clear Up Ingrown Hairs

Image Skincare Clear Cell Salicylic Clarifying Pads


One of the best uses I have found for these handy little pads, aside from their intended use on facial acne, is on ingrown hairs. Many people, including me, find that their bikini line is spotted with inflamed bumps due to ingrown hairs. This can happen to those who shave or wax and is not limited to the bikini line. Ingrown hair can happen anywhere, it does not discriminate. Some men experience them on their legs from wearing pants all the time; some people have difficulty under their arms. Waxing can bring some relief as it creates a softer hair tip, but does not always remedy the problem. The salicylic/glycolic acid blend gently exfoliates while allantoin calms the skin. Tea Tree Oil is an antimicrobial that helps ward off the bacteria that cause inflammation.


A couple of months ago, after the product was released, I decided to give them a try. since I am not having a current acne problem, I decided to try them somewhere else. What great results! My inflammation and redness diminished very quickly. Next to go were the ingrown hairs. Not to say that I don't still get a few, but they have become much less of a nuisance.

The Clear Cell Salicylic Clarifying Tonic can achieve similar results. It comes in a tube, so it is not as handy as the pads are. I love to be able to open the jar, grab a pad and swipe. These two products are also great for body acne. Any place those pesky bumps show up, a swipe will do a great amount of good.


How to use: After a shower, remove a pad from the jar and swipe over the affected area. If using the tonic, apply it to a cotton pad and swipe. Easy as that!

Lighten Those Brown Spots

So, the sun has left it's fingerprint on your face. The brown spots on our faces are indicators that there was plenty of time, not just in our cars, that we did not realize that we needed to protect ourselves. The good news is that are are some remedies for brown spots, as well some measures we can take to avoid future signs of damage.

Tyrosinase is an enzyme in the skin that catalyzes the production of melanin in the skin when the DNA in the skin is damaged. This is triggered by UV radiation from the sun as the body's way of protecting itself. When the danger to to the skin is gone, the cells called melanocytes, retract the melanin back into themselves. This is how a tan fades. Over time, these melanocytes become damaged and tired. They are no longer able to distribute the melanin evenly. The melanin then gets stuck in the skin in the form of a brown spot.

There are many ingredients that can aid in reducing brown spots. Here are some of the most effective ingredients as well as the products that we recommend to help make your skin glow.

Rumex- Derived from the plant Western Dock, this botanical is a tyrosinase inhibitor. This means it blocks the action of the enzyme that produce melanin. Studies have shown that when Rumex is combined with Kojic Acid and Arbutin, as in IMAGE Ageless Total Skin Lightening Serum, it's effectiveness is greatly increased.

Mulberry, Kojic Acid, Bearberry, Licorice- Botanical skin lighteners

Arbutin- Derived from the bearberry plant, a tyrosinase inhibitor

Hydroquinone- A skin "bleaching" ingredient. This is the only ingredient proven to "bleach" the skin. As well as decreasing the production of melanin, hydroquinone increases the breakdown of current melanin in in the skin. It will not, however, cause unwanted white spots. Hydroquinone is most effective when used in conjunction with glycolic acid. It is also imperative to use sunscreen during use. It is recommended that hydoquinone be used for 3 months at a time, with a 3 month break between sessions. It is available in either 2% or 4% formulations. The 2% formulations are available over the counter 4% formulations are available by prescription or through your dermatologist.

These ingredients can be found in many commercial products. Image Skin Care provides two options for skin lightening. Ageless Skin Lightening Serum and Ageless Skin Bleaching Serum provide the right combinations of ingredients to combat unwanted brown spots. The Lightening Serum is a must for anyone wanting to prevent brown spots as well as those suffering from redness associated with inflammation and rosacea. The Bleaching Serum can provide the extra boost to those who have already begun to see an increase in brown spots. Used in conjunction with the proper skin care regimen, they can be even more effective than on their own.

When shopping for lightening products keep the above mentioned ingredients in mind. Many product claim to brighten and lighten, but may do so with light reflecting ingredients or some other cosmetic ingredient. This may not be bad, but it will not address the problem on a cellular level. Better yet, make it easy on yourself, and ask your esthetician what she recommends next time you are in.

http://www.imageskincare.com/ageless_total_skin_lightening_serum.html

http://www.imageskincare.com/ageless_total_skin_bleaching_serum.html