The benefits experienced from a basic professional facial include: › Relaxation of the facial muscles › Soothed nerves › Increased microcirculation › Deep cleansing and exfoliation of the skin › Improved skin tone › Preventative measure against › premature aging of the skin › You receive instructions for a home regimen customized for your skin › Enhanced health of the skin › A better understanding of your skin’s needs › Visible results How to Pop a Zit without Scarring Your Skin First, check to see if there is a whitehead on the blemish. If there is you may proceed, otherwise it’s best to do nothing at this point. Wash your hands and the skin where the blemish is. Apply a warm compress for a few minutes. Next, wrap your index fingers with gauze and position them at 3:00 and 9:00 and gently squeeze from under and up. Change the position of your fingers to 2:00 and 7:00 and repeat. Now position them at 5:00 and 10:00 and repeat. Wipe with an antibacterial treatment. This should do it but if not do not continue.  Do not try to force it.  You can check the next day to see if there is a whitehead on the blemish then repeat the process gently. Botox Parties ~ are they safe? Botox Cosmetic is a form of botulinum toxin type A that is used to improve facial wrinkles. Social gatherings, where Botox injections are given, usually in someone’s home, can be dangerous.  To prevent reactions these injections are best done only under a doctor’s care. Examples of possible situations that could happen include drinking alcohol at the time, which could create a reaction or not using sanitary precautions when handling needles increasing the risk of an infection such as Hepatitis.  A health care provider is better able to handle an emergency that might arise from the injection. Lipstick Facts Queen Elizabeth II had a special lipstick called Balmoral made for her to wear at her 1952 coronation to complement her purple and crimson robes. Coco Chanel favored the number five thinking it was a lucky number.  On May 5, 1921 she introduced her No. 5 fragrance and eight years later she introduced No. 5 lipstick, which became one of the most sought after lipsticks for more than 70 years. A lipstick recipe, circa 1559, was to grind alabaster and then combine a coloring ingredient.  Mix them into a paste then form it into a pencil shape.  Place it in the sun, let it dry and wait until it becomes solid before using it. Treat Your Feet Your feet probably don’t always get the attention they deserve until they start to hurt.  With 26 bones, lots of muscles, tendons and ligaments, your feet absorb the impact of your full body with every step.  Here are some recipes to honor them for all they have to endure: Olive Oil – This will naturally moisturize dry, cracked feet. Work some olive oil in a circular motion then slip on some heavy cotton socks for about an hour then wash it off. Peppermint Oil – Buy good quality peppermint oil and add a few drops to your favorite lotion.  The mint will invigorate sore, tired feet while it kills bacteria. This fabulous recipe works both as an antiseptic and a stimulant but is not recommended if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Oatmeal Scrub – Oatmeal with jojoba oil has major moisturizing properties.  Apply a paste and leave it on for 30 minutes then rinse in cool water and pat dry. Home Remedies to Fade Age Spots As you age it isn’t uncommon to begin to notice age spots from years of sun exposure popping up, especially on your hands.  There are home remedies that can help to reduce the color. Lemons contain enough acid to slough off the outer layers of damaged skin by gradually fading the dark spots.  Red onions are also a good choice for its acidity.  By rubbing one slice into the skin daily the natural bleaching abilities go to work on the dark spots.  Both of these remedies can take from 6-8 weeks. While the acids from lemons and onions are completely safe as a topical application, using either excessively for an extended period of time can cause skin burns or they could bleach the spots whiter than the other skin so be cautious when trying these remedies. Tattoos ~ know the risks Dyes, especially red, green, yellow and blue can cause an allergic reaction, such as itching or a rash at the site even years after the tattooing.  These same dyes can sometimes cause bumps, known as granulomas, around the ink. Fact:  During the filming of the 007 “Goldfinger” movie the first actress died from the gold paint that covered her entire body. Your Skin Care Questions  Answered by Sandi Q:  Does shaving make hair grow back thicker and darker? A:  No – shaving hair doesn’t change its thickness, color or rate of growth. Q:  What foods can I eat for healthy skin? A:  Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables, (especially green leafy vegetables), choose low fat or fat-free dairy, and include nuts, seeds and beans.  Limit sweets and drink plenty of water. Q:  Is caffeine really bad for you to drink? A:  Research indicates that drinking a large amount of caffeine over a period of time will contribute to cellular aging.  It has a direct affect on the general appearance and the internal functioning of the skin because it depletes Vitamin C from the body. Q:  What exactly does pH mean? A:  pH refers to the potential hydrogen, a unit of measurement that indicates whether a substance is acidic, neutral or alkaline which has a huge impact on skin care products and your skin. Q:  Why do they say that you shouldn’t get waxing done if you are on acne medication?  A:  Topical and oral antibiotics used to treat acne will heighten sensitivity, irritation and dryness while steroids thin the skin. Each would be a contraindication for exfoliation and waxing services. Q:  How do I make my lipstick last longer? A:  Apply foundation or a lip primer to the lips prior to applying lipstick. Q:  What is the purpose of using lip liner? A:  It defines or corrects the shape of the lips and helps to keep lipstick from bleeding out beyond the lip line. Q  I have dark patches on my face since having my daughter last month, is there anything I can do for them?  A  Chloasma or melasma is a common disorder in pregnant women which results in increased pigmentation (hyperpigmentation), usually referred to as the “mask of pregnancy” which often improves when hormone levels drop after pregnancy.  Light chemical peels, hydroquinone or kojic acid can improve this condition.  You should avoid sun exposure, especially after treatments to avoid reactivating the pigment. Do you have a question you would like to send to Sandi about your skin concerns ? You can email your questions to her at handsofki@yahoo.com. Your question may be featured in our next issue.]]>