Everyday, the majority of us apply products in the attempt to obtain beautiful, glowy skin, but what if I told you that some of the ways people go about “improving” their skin, can actually wear down the very thing in place to protect it. 

Our barrier from the outside world

Our skin naturally has a built in shield, the skin barrier. It is constantly working to fend off things like dust and allergens from penetrating the skin. When in perfect harmony it helps keep our skin: 

• Hydrated
• Clear of breakouts 
• Protected from age-causing inflammation 
• Soothed for irritants 

Alternatively, when our skin barrier is broken and damaged our skin can become more prone to breakouts, redness and overall irritation. It also helps the skin stay protected from loss of water which is imperative to the skin’s overall texture and elasticity.

Ways we compromise our skin barrier

In the attempt to achieve better skin, individuals unknowingly destroy their skin barrier by exfoliating their skin incorrectly. 

• Harsh beaded exfoliants
• Exfoliating too frequently 
• Not properly caring for your skin post-exfoliation 

…are all ways to put your skin barrier at risk. Instead, using gentle exfoliants like the Sleekskin® Overnight Facial Exfoliant, made with Glycolic, a naturally-occurring non-toxic Alpha Hydroxy Acid found in Sugar Cane. The Sleekskin® Hibiscus Microderm Scrub is another great option for a gentle exfoliant, great for use 1-2 times per week.

Restoring the skin barrier

Hope is not lost if you have done some damage to your skin barrier. Incorporating products with barrier-restoring into your routine can have your skin back to glowing and protected in no time!

Antioxidants – Getting plenty of A, E and C vitamins can help both protect and restore your skin.The Sleekskin® Brilliance Antioxidant Serum is a potent blend of antioxidants great for fending off UV damage, including damage to the skin’s barrier. 

Arnica Extract – This anti-inflammatory skincare ingredient is great for reducing inflammation.  Sleekskin® Arnica Barrier Serum contains arnica extract along with cucumber seed oil which are great for reducing redness and restoring the skin barrier. 
For more information on safely treating and caring for your skin without compromising your skin’s integrity, contact Sleekskin® Aesthetics today!

Does redness make you feel less than confident in your skin? Erythema, also known as redness, shows in the form of patches that appear on the skin and are more common than you may think. One study found that rosacea, a single cause for skin redness, affected roughly 415 million people. That doesn’t even include all of the individuals that experience redness from other causes such as: 

• Seborrheic dermatitis
• Eczema 
• Allergic reactions
• Too much exposure to the elements 
• Acne

So what is someone who is suffering from rosey skin to do? What is it causing it and is there any hope? We are happy to report that we have all of the answers to that and more, so just keep reading! 

What specific thing is causing our skin to appear red and how do we treat it?:

Inflammation: Our skin comes in contact with internal and external irritants everyday that result in inflammation. These include toxins floating around in the environment (like pollution and UV rays) that result in inflammation and slight damage to the skin that accrues over time. 

Solutions: Soothing serums like our clients personal favorite, Sleekskin® Aesthetics Arnica Barrier Serum are great to treat and soothe skin irritation that causes our redness. Sleekskin® Calming Defense Cream is another great product to combat inflammation. 

Autoimmune response: Another form of inflammation that our skin can experience is the type that results from the inside-out. Our immune system becomes overactive and thinks it needs to “protect” us from something we are putting in or on our body. This can result in skin irritations like eczema and acne presenting themselves.

Solution: Maintaining a healthy gut is important for our immune response, as well as our skin. Foods high in fiber and fermented foods are great additives to a skin-healthy diet! 

Lack of protection: We expose our skin to the harsh elements such as the sun and wind everyday, which is why it is important to protect it daily with quality skincare products and SPF. 

Solution: In addition to SPF, having products like Sleekskin® Aesthetics Brilliance Antioxidant Serum is sure way to provide your skin with additional protection thanks to ingredients like Ferulic Acid, an antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals and helps prevent damage to cells from ultraviolet light. Another great form of protection is a high quality moisturizer. These help keep your skin safe from drying out. A great one to consider is Sleekskin® Aesthetics Telomere Intensive Moisturizer, Not only is it great for protection,  but it also promotes the collagen synthesis process.  

DIrty skin: When skin isn’t cleaned properly dirt and bacteria can irritate our pores, resulting in red and less than desirable skin. It can also cause unwanted breakouts and blemishes to appear, thus adding to the discoloration.  

Solution: Make sure to clean your skin enough and often! Using a cleanser that is gentle on even sensitive skin, such as Sleekskin® Aesthetics Advanced Apricot Cleansing Cream is ideal for keeping the skin clear of harmful impurities without resulting in the over-drying that can often clog pores and leave us looking dull. 

With all of these solutions, rosey skin doesn’t have to be something that we just accept and live with. In addition to all of these at-home remedies, Sleekskin® Aesthetics has several, in-studio treatment modalities to treat inflammation, irritation, and any other cause of redness. Contact us today to find out how we can help your skin!

If you’ve done a little research into how to improve your skin’s complexion then chances are you’ve come across high frequency treatments. If you haven’t, allow us to shed some light on one of skincare’s versatile and multifunctional modalities that is virtually painless and extremely safe. 

What is High Frequency?

High frequency treatments are performed with a wand that emits violet and red light. Unlike other energy-based facial treatments, the frequency is not passed through the skin, making this as non-invasive as it gets. The technology was originally developed by Nikola Tesla in the 1800s and was intended for medical treatments. It has since gained additional recognition for the aesthetic benefits after first being used for cosmetic purposes in the 1970’s.  

How exactly do High Frequency Treatments work?

When a glass high frequency electrode is used a mild electrical current is passed through argon gas or neon which causes a buzzing noise. This produces light that is exceptional for treating both bacteria causing acne and fine lines! If you ask Deb Davis with Sleekskin® Aesthetics, the louder the buzz, the more there is to “treat ;)” 

What are the benefits of High Frequency Treatments?

High frequency has several benefits, but the two most common and noteworthy ones are the antibacterial (from the violet/blue light) and anti-inflammatory (from the red/orange light). Common uses for this powerful combination include: 

• Clearing the skin of breakouts and preventing new ones 
• Reducing fine lines and wrinkles 
• Minimizing the appearance of dark spots 
• Increasing collagen production
• Refining pores and minimizing oil production 
• Lymphatic drainage promoted by the rush of oxygen molecules 

How long does a High Frequency Treatment take?

These treatments pack a powerful punch in a short amount of time. At Sleekskin® Aesthetics, we like to incorporate our High Frequency treatments into your routine monthly facials. They don’t add much time but can speed healing and ignite collagen.  I can also do the neck for this reason.  High frequency can be added to any facial for $12.00! Interested in learning more about High Frequency treatments or ready to schedule your facial featuring this treatment? Contact Sleekskin® Aesthetics today