AntiAging Archives • Page 2 of 3 • Sleekskin® Aesthetics of Scottsdale AZ offers facials, waxing, make-up applications, and skin care products.

Sleekskin Factor 10 Cream Amazing Results to Car Accident Injury

September 19, 2017 by debbiedavis

After being in a minor car accident that resulted in an airbag injury to her arm, Debbie Davie relied on the power of Sleekskin Aesthetics new Factor 10 Cream to reduce scaring and redness on her arm. In a little over 2 weeks, the results speak for themselves.

Amazing Astaxanthin -THE Antioxidant by Debbie Davis

August 24, 2017 by debbiedavis

First of all, how do we pronounce this nutritional gem? It’s Astazanthin, pronounced with a “z” but spelled with an “x”. All of us care about our health and rate of aging and astaxanthin is a warrior against oxidative stress brought on by too many free radical attacks on a cellular level! Antioxidants protect your cells while the body and skin do the repair work. I love the anti-aging writings and research of Dr. Al Sears, and will be sharing some facts from him and other doctors on possibly the strongest antioxidant in the world; astaxanthin is part of the carotenoid family of nutrients which includes beta-carotene.

Here are some Fun Facts! Astaxanthin may be the best antioxidant for DNA protection, more than 6000X more effective than vitamin C, 800 X more than COQ10 and 550X more than vitamin E and green tea! According to Dr. Gerald Cysewski, an authority on micro-algae research, over 200 studies demonstrate the many super-charged antioxidant health benefits of astaxanthin. First and most importantly from our anti-aging vantage point, is skin health. By now, thanks to much media exposure, we know that free radicals are highly reactive molecules that cause premature cellular death when left unchecked. This can damage our internal organs and lead to aging of the skin. Natural astaxanthin is very unique due to the shape of its molecule. It protects the entire cell from damage because it is both water and fat-soluble. Research shows that astaxanthin benefits our skin by improving the moisture content, promoting better elasticity, reducing wrinkles and the appearance of age spots. It may even help prevent skin cancer by its UV protective qualities of the cellular membranes. Taking a natural Astaxanthin supplement of 4-6 mg. has been noted to be anti-inflammatory and to act as an “edible sunscreen”, working from the inside out to soothe skin during harsh sun exposure and with the after effects of sunburn. Supplementation may also benefit the skin by protecting and supporting the nerves that carry blood and nutrients to the cells.It is noted that people notice a nice improvement within 2-6 weeks of astaxanthin supplementation. I take a 10-12 mg. supplement. It is best to take it with food, preferably with an oil to get the best benefits. I consider supplementation as a safety net for when my healthy eating is compromised. As with any supplement recommendation, especially for pregnant and breast-feeding women, always check with your doctor!

Topical use on the skin with astaxanthin is just now being talked about in the U.S. market as a promising new anti-aging ingredient , but it has been in Sleekskin’s Brilliance Antioxidant Serum for the last 2 & 1/2 years!!! My formula also pairs it with vitamin C and other stellar ingredients for superior collagen production and skin brightening! Topically, astaxanthin works so well as a brightening agent, showing a 35-59% improvement in skin elasticity and smoothness . It reduces hyper pigmentation and melanin production by about 40% , including dark eye circles !

More health benefits of our new friend astaxanthin include eye and brain health. Again, due to the unique shape of the astaxanthin molecule, it can cross the blood-brain barrier! This assists neurodegenerative conditions like macular degeneration, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease. It can also cross the blood-retinal barrier, so it is a terrific supplement for eye health! Want to improve joint and tendon health? Yes, astaxanthin will help in a quicker post-exercise recovery. This is great for all of us, especially athletes.

By now you may be wondering what the food sources of astaxanthin include? The best way to ingest this and other antioxidants, is to “eat the rainbow” as they say. This includes all manner of fruits and vegetables and a few nuts per day. You can find astaxanthin in its highest concentration in wild salmon, which contains 450% more than in farm-raised salmon! You can also get it in lobster, shrimp, crab, salmon roe, and some wild berries. This is what gives these marine creatures their reddish/pink color. Here’s a cute fun fact- did you know that Flamingos are born white/gray and develop their pink color from eating fish that contain astaxanthin? Flamingos and some other red-colored birds are unable to digest the astaxanthin, so it accumulates in their feathers and feet!! I’m glad we don’t have this side effect!!

It’s a fascinating concept that certain foods and supplements can really make a difference in our health and aging. The more I learn about “skintrition” and cellular longevity, the more exciting I feel the future will be for aesthetics and our vitality! It’s a pleasure to share these monthly articles with you and thank you for your interest. Please contact me for any of your aesthetic needs at 480-315-1364.

Yours in Beauty,

Debbie Davis-Licensed Aesthetician/Owner and Certified Holistic Nutritionist at Sleekskin Aesthetics

Client Before/After: Molly S

August 15, 2017 by debbiedavis

Molly loved the lift and smooth result of this specialty facial at Sleekskin Aesthetics!

Client Before/After: Cristen F.

August 10, 2017 by debbiedavis

Cristen has been coming to Debbie since she was 9 years old! (never too young for deep relaxation!) She trusts Sleekskin Aesthetics with any stage of skin care challenges that she has experienced! This is a comparison of immediately after her Level 3 Clean&Clear Facial and 3 days after treatment. This facial included deep pore extractions and LED light therapy. You can see the treatment working even after she left Sleekskin Aesthetics!

Healthy Hydration by Debbie Davis

July 25, 2017 by debbiedavis

You think this is a “dry subject”? Think again! Hydration turned out to be a larger subject than I thought it would be, you will be surprised at the interesting and healthy things that I found! When you are thirsty you’re already dehydrated! In Arizona, we need to drink before we feel thirsty, especially in our dry climate. You lose water when you sweat, exercise, are ill, and even when you breathe. If you feel foggy-headed or dizzy, you’re probably dehydrated. Some other symptoms of dehydration include: headache, irritability, constipation, dark urine, cravings for sugar and salt, dry mouth, joint and muscle pain, dry eyes, nausea/vomiting, and the obvious, dry mouth. Your body is 70% water and it’s needed for every function. Water delivers nutrients to your cells, and of course, your skin. You can use every fabulous skin cream imaginable to no avail, if you are dehydrated! Water is your skin’s best moisturizer because dehydrated skin has microscopic cracks in the surface that allow irritants and pollution to easily penetrate. Skin sensitivities often signal a high toxic load in the body and water is the best remedy. When you are dehydrated , toxins are reabsorbed by the body, stressing your liver and weakening your immune system.

As we age, our cells start to leak intracellular water. This cellular dehydration accelerates aging as well as decreasing fat burning and DNA repair. We can drink more water, but if the cell is “leaky” it can’t hold the water we drink. So what to do?? An interesting idea that I came across in my nutrition studies, is that in addition to drinking, we should consume our water in the form of juicy, nutrient-rich foods and vegetable. Nutrition is brought to the cells through the bloodstream, so they can repair and the leaks can close. The water will stay inside and the rejuvenated cell will be stronger. Fruits like watermelon and strawberries are over 90% water. Other hydrating fruits are grapefruit, cantaloupe, and peaches. Vegetables like cucumbers and lettuce have a water content of over 96%! Honorable mention goes to soups and bone broth as ” hydration foods”. Bone broth is fantastic for collagen building! You can make it yourself (recipes online) or find it ready-made in Sprouts. If you are hungry, drink water first, as thirst is often confused with hunger. Each time you hydrate you give your cells the necessary water for cellular growth and proper function, giving you more energy! As a side note for health, if you are drinking plenty of water and are still getting dehydration symptoms, you may be suffering from adrenal fatigue. The adrenal glands are two tiny organs sitting on top of your kidneys. They regulate hormone levels and are tied to our stress levels. Adrenal health is another subject, and you may consult your physician to know more.

Most experts agree that you should drink half your body weight in ounces each day. So if you weigh 140 lbs. this equates to ingesting 70 ounces. I fill up a 32 ounce container about twice a day, and that serves as a good visual for me to track what I’m drinking. It is best to drink 2-3 ounces at a time with meals, during and after exercise. Drink pure, high quality water preferably in glass containers. Plastic is particularly bad to drink from in our Arizona heat, as it leaches some unhealthy chemicals into the water. Reverse osmosis water is good, but can be acidic, so adding some liquid minerals helps. You can click on the article linked on this subject at the end. Some good choices for magnesium – rich waters include Evian, Vichy, and Volvic. A common complaint that I hear is that people find water “boring”, so I will give you plenty of healthy, tasty options.

Berry Water – You can use raspberries, blueberries, or strawberries and fresh mint (organic please!) and add any of these to a bottle of cool water and let it sit for a few hours. The water will take on a nice color and the mint will cool the body down as well. You will get the wonderful antioxidants as you bathe your cells in a deep drink!

Lemon Water – You can juice fresh lemons or limes to your water and add some stevia or raw Manuka honey to make lemonade with fresh mint leaves added, and you’ve got a cool summer drink. I have written on this subject as a great” first thing in the morning” drink to clean your liver, boost your immunity, collagen synthesis, and start your digestive tract moving! You can also add in some raw apple cider vinegar to taste for a potassium-rich alkalizing drink that lowers blood sugar and helps you digest animal protein. Much has been written on the benefits of adding apple cider vinegar to your diet! Important to note is that controlling your blood sugar will help you preserve your hydration levels. Elevated blood sugar exits through

the kidneys and carries needed water with it!

Unsweetened Cranberry Juice – don’t pucker your lips-you can add stevia or raw honey to sweeten! Cranberry juice reduces cellulite and fluid build-up in tissues while it hydrates and flushes a sluggish lymphatic system. Your “Cran-Water” should be filtered and non-carbonated to help rid the body of waste and to keep tissues moist and lubricated (great for skin!). These potent red berries are loaded with organic acids and antioxidants for liver detoxification. You make your own by boiling a 12 ounce bag of fresh cranberries in 4 cups of water until they “pop”. Strain the juice, add your stevia and it will make 32 ounces. You then mix 4 ounces of the cran-water into 28 ounces of water. This will make 4 days worth of cran-water!

Rooibus Tea – (Ruy-bos). Tea has powerful antioxidants, vitamins and minerals with great flavors. I suggest herbal non-caffeinated varieties to preserve hydration, and Rooibus is amazing! This delicious, calming tea from South Africa is known to protect against cancer, lowers blood sugar, reduces inflammation, and prevents heart disease. It does not contain caffeine like green and black tea, so you can drink as much as you want anytime. One of the best benefits is the mineral content of magnesium, calcium, iron, and zinc. Rooibus is so gentle and soothing that many mothers in South Africa use it to soothe colic babies! Red Rooibus has a delicious nutty and sweet flavor. I get a great organic blend with vanilla by the Organics brand at Safeway.

Green Juice – There are many versions of this and much has been written on the benefits of juicing. I like this blend for good hydration; coconut water, green apple, cucumber, celery, lemon, some lettuce greens, and stevia to taste if you need more sweetness.

Coconut Water – A perfect hydrator with natural electrolytes. Electrolytes are important to include for their role in fluid regulation, muscle contraction, and nerve function. They are found in good balance in coconut water and sea vegetables and also have a healthy mineral content. If you are watching your blood sugar levels, restrict the coconut water as it does contain sugar, as do the following selections.

Cactus Water – Prickly Pear Juice is another good source of antioxidants to revitalize your skin and body. Try drinkcaliwater.com to order.

Maple Water – Tasty, delicious, and a new rival to the coconut water industry. Find it at Whole Foods, Trader Joes, or drinkmaple.com.

Watermelon Water – Along with lycopene, a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, this also contains another powerful superstar amino acid called Citrulline. This gets converted in our bodies to create nitric oxide, which lowers blood pressure and causes blood vessels to relax, prevents fat accumulation, and can also improve erectile dysfunction in men! You thought this was going to be boring? You can go to wtrmlnwtr.com to order this juice or put watermelon in your blender!

One last question that people ask about hydration – Is carbonated or sparkling water as good as drinking “still” or regular water? Experts agree that carbonated water hydrates just as well as regular water, but that you may feel fuller as your body processes the carbonic acids, which may cause you to ingest less. No doubt, water is “life” to our cells and the gateway to health! Are you still here?? Wow! Thanks for “drinking all this in!”

Debbie Davis writes an article each month for her blog on sleekskinaz.com to offer helpful information to create, her signature phrase, “radiant skin from within”. She is a licensed aesthetician and holds a certification in holistic nutrition. Since much of this information includes dietary suggestions, she advises that you always check with your healthcare professional.