05/03/2012 In Non-Invasive Skin Care Techniques that Work, Skin Care 101 by bien-être

Have any of you ever accidentally burned yourself getting something out of the oven, with the curling iron, or ah-hem, in the sun? It hurts, and it’s even worse when the skin blisters. Most of our mothers have told us that running the burn under cold water immediately helps to soothe the burn and prevent it from getting worse (which is true.) But I’ve found another little trick that can easily be done after the cold water treatment to help prevent blistering: tomatoes!

Slice a fresh cold tomato and apply (skin-side out) directly to the affected are of the skin. Hold the tomato in place for at least 10-15 minutes. Tomatoes contain lycopene, an important nutrient that reduces the heat from minor burns. (*Common sense note: If you have a serious burn, get to the doctor immediately.)

Incidentally eating tomatoes on the regular can help prevent sunburn, so make sure you stock up this summer! The antioxidants and lycopene found in tomatoes strengthens the skin’s natural protection from UV radiation and inflammation.

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02/21/2012 In Non-Invasive Skin Care Techniques that Work, Product Knowledge, Spa Community by bien-être

Bien-etre is featured on Discover SD again for the month of February! They love our Osmosis Stem Cell Facial almost as much as we do, and told their readers as much. Thanks for the love Discover SD, and for those of you who haven’t yet tried the Osmosis Pur Medical Skincare Line…do it! It’s a medical grade line formulated with the help of Dr. Ben Johnson. The ingredients are all organic and work by calming inflammation while boosting the health of the skin’s natural functions.

From Discover SD:

In a rejuvenating stem cell facial offered at Bien-Etre Spa, the skin is healed using the Osmosis Skin Care line also sold at the spa and online. Used on even the most sensitive of skin, nutrients within Osmosis Skincare are non-inflammatory and still highly efficacious. Osmosis addresses every aspect of skin damage including collagen/elastin production, scar tissue build-up, loss of skin nutrition and growth factors, and DNA damage. By using advanced ingredients, Osmosis is the first to offer DNA repair strategies using Zinc Finger Technology. Available products at Bien-Etre include the Osmosis Quench Moisturizer, Clarify Serum, Deep Clean Cleanser, Calm Serum, Catalyst Serum, and the Purify Cleanser. For more information, visit bienetrespa.com.

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12/30/2011 In Non-Invasive Skin Care Techniques that Work, Skin Care 101 by bien-être

image sources: Canyon Ranch, stresstips.com

We posted a little while ago about how stress can affect your health of your body and your skin. When stress is left unchecked, it can wreak serious havoc on your skin’s beauty potential. Breakouts, dehydration, rashes, fine lines and dark circles are just some of the symptoms you’re dealing with higher than normal stress levels.

While reading one of our favorite celeb-blogs, GOOP, we came across this great article of dealing with daily stress and wanted to pass it along.

Here are our favorite tips, suggested by highly respected stress-busting professionals:

When you are stressed, be aware of your blood sugar levels. It is important to eat several times throughout the day and not go hungry.
Keep up with regular exercise so your body has the opportunity to release all the unwanted energy. Showering before bed can be helpful too. It tends to wash off the stress from a long day to allow you to sleep better. – Dr. Oz Garcia

“There is a tool we all have, one of such simplicity and purity, such minimalistic beauty that its power is often and easily overlooked. This tool doesn’t cost a thing, requires no complicated instruction, is available to everyone and can be accessed anytime and anywhere. It is, without a doubt, among the most effective antidotes to stress and a key component to wellbeing that we human beings possess. Let’s consider, for a moment, the power of breathing. – Olivier Bros

There is a kabbalistic tool that can be of assistance in awakening the consciousness of certainty. It is called the mikveh, which is simply immersing our entire body in water, preferably in natural flowing water such as a stream, ocean or river. If that’s not available, then a pool or a bath will also suffice. – Monica Berg

We’d like to add two more de-stressing tips:

Drink more water! When you are stressed, your body uses more H2O and needs more for fuel and hydration. Drinking more water can calm the system quickly and save your face.

Get outside. We live on the coast of Southern California, but wherever you live, getting outside at least once a day to walk, sit, enjoy a sunset or lunch outdoors can do wonders for your overall stress level. The coastline is especially good for de-stressing as the ocean releases negative ions that clear the air and promote healing. Nature can nurture in more ways than one – so go on, get outside.

We live in a world where stress cannot be avoided. We make huge efforts to avoid pesticides, trans fats, harmful chemicals and dyes, but too much stress can be more harmful to our system than all of these things combined. What’s that saying? “The stress will kill you faster than the french fry.” Well, something to that effect anyway. Be sure to take time each and every day to deal with stress in a positive way…your skin will thank you!

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08/08/2011 In Non-Invasive Skin Care Techniques that Work, Skin Care 101 by bien-être

Regular facials and quality skin care at home is an essential part of self care. PERIOD.

Think of it like this. You take good care of yourself: eat right, exercise, get restful sleep, go to the dentist twice a year, get annual check ups from the doctor…but are you including skin care in that health plan of yours? Professional facial treatments help to correct small imbalances before they become big skin problems.

The problem is that over the past decade, facials have grown into the medical and cosmeceutical fields so much so that one may not feel they need traditional facials at all. Facials have been replaced with medical skin treatments. It is not uncommon to hear from a dermatologist or plastic surgeon that someone has signed up for a face lift or major chemical peel without ever having had a facial in their life.

Research suggests that our society seems to be feverishly chasing the quick fix method of skincare. Combined with our society’s obsession with looking 20-something, this can be a slippery (and dangerous) slope for anyone with the cash to fund it.

Bien-etre spa’s skin care philosophy has always been non-invasive. This basic principle is that invasive methods like severe peeling, burning, cutting or injecting are replaced with more gentle treatments meant to enhance the skin’s natural functions. The skin is an amazing self healing organ. When given the right tools and environment (vitamins, massage, gentle exfoliation, antioxidants, gentle stimulation, reduction of inflammation, etc) the skin can correct the signs of damage and premature aging like acne, scarring, lines, wrinkles, sagging, hyper-pigmentation, irritation and more.

No one would think to burn their kidneys or shave off a few layers of their heart. One big reason is that the skin is much more resilient than internal organs. Skin is the gatekeeper and the security system for our body (picture the huge, muscle-y bouncer outside a Miami Club armed with a clipboard and all the power in the world for those waiting on the other side of the velvet rope.) Our skin can handle a lot of abuse…but not without some sort of negative effect. Every time the skin experiences trauma, collagen and elastin fibers become a little more tangled, dermal layers become thinned and weakened, precious antioxidant and energy supplies dwindle, and skin becomes more vulnerable. Add all these together and what do you get? Premature Aging. Huh? But we were trying to stay 20-something? I know…that is exactly my point. You can go to extremes with invasive skin procedures and look young for a short amount of time. Are the results dramatic? Yes, of course. Do they last? Of course not.

I’m on a mission to bring back the facial. Facials, when done properly and on a regular basis, work!! They absolutely keep your skin looking and feeling healthy and youthful. When partnered with necessary dietary improvements, they correct skin imbalances like Acne, Rosacea, Hyper-pigmentation, Lines and Wrinkles, Loss of Elasticity, Minor Scarring and more. Here’s why:

Skin needs regular workouts: sometimes our skin needs a gentle kick in the pants. Skin cells positively respond to a slight drop in pH, healthy dose of strength training vitamin A, exfoliation and an increase in circulation. These non-invasive facial techniques grab the attention of the skin and send the following messages: “help out here,” “heal or replace these cells,” “ break up and remove this protein deposit,” “thicken these capillary walls,” and “bring more nutrients here.” Our bodies need regular exercise, and our skin is no different.

Regular Facials Reduce Stress: Stress is the enemy of healthy skin, it’s also an unavoidable part of life. There is no such things as a stress-free lifestyle. However, it is our responsibility to reduce and eliminate excess stress in order to stay healthy. The tradition of spas as a place for healing, renewal, relaxation, and feeling well is for good reason. Spas are stress-free zones. Stress can negatively affect digestion, sleep, hormone balance, and many other key functions. When these functions take a hit, our skin pays the price. Poorly digested foods leads to lack of nutrients and a build-up of toxins and waste. This can lead to skin breakouts, dark circles, puffiness, hyper-pigmentation, and more. Hormones are a huge factor in skin aging and clarity, and a lack of sleep can effect skin texture and tone. Facials are meant to treat the skin, but they also treat the entire body and mind. Quiet music, dim lights, soft linens, gentle massage, aromatic steam and warm compresses all come together to enhance relaxation and eliminating excess stress.

Skin needs regular deep cleaning: we live in a filthy world..and I don’t mean dirt. Dirt can actually be good for our skin. We are surrounded with toxins, bombarded with synthetic chemicals and exposed to radiation on a daily basis. Steam, exfoliating masks, extractions, compressing, massage, and Infrared therapy not only cleanse the pores, they also help the skin eliminate excess waste and detoxify. We visit the dentist on a regular basis (even though we brush our teeth daily) for a deep cleaning and exam…think of the facial as a MUCH more enjoyable version of this visit for your skin.

Regular facial and scalp massage is important: our facial muscles are attached to your skin, allowing us to make facial expressions and silly faces at our dogs/children/husbands/co-workers. This attachment is also responsible, in part, for the breakdown of elastin leading to wrinkles and sagging skin. The muscular structure beneath our skin needs to be strong in order to help us fight this breakdown of elastin, as well as general gravitational pull. Regular face and scalp massage gently detoxifies the muscles, increases circulation (which brings nutrients to the muscles and skin) and strengthens the muscles. *Scalp massage is possibly even more important due to the fact the our scalp muscles are the main muscles responsible for holding our skin in place and fighting gravity.

Facials Feed Our Skin: Our skin is starving. It’s no secret that as a nation (and a planet) our food is nutrient deficient. Our skin gets the leftover nutrients after they have been picked through by more “important” organs like the brain, heart, liver, kidneys…you get the idea. Skin gets the scraps. That’s why our skin is starving for nutrients. Antioxidants, fat, protein, water, vitamins and minerals are in high demand. More nutrients means prettier, healthier skin. Regular facials supply the skin with vitamins, antioxidants, water, fats, and more – topically. These nutrients are all small enough to be absorbed through the pores of the skin. Once in the skin, they are used however they are needed most. Treatments like masking, massage, LED Light Therapy, Ultrasound Therapy and other wonderful techniques help with absorption rates and proper usage of these nutrients.

Invasive procedures yield better results when combined with non-invasive facials: Boom! Preparing the skin for a deep chemical peel, laser treatment, or surgery with deep cleaning and nutrient supplementation will help the procedure work more effectively and reduce healing time and side effects. The stronger your skin is, the more its able to withstand. In addition (because trauma is a huge factor in skin aging) reducing excess inflammation and encouraging skin healing after any traumatic procedure will increase the results and decrease the negative effects.

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06/16/2011 In Non-Invasive Skin Care Techniques that Work by bien-être

Hi Jenn!

Here is the link to the company who sells the acne prevention sun visor, as well as some other skincare products.

http://www.sunacnetreatment.com/index.html

Their info video says their products absorb blue UV rays. Let me know what you think!

Amy

Amy,

I’ve certainly heard of clothing with sun protection built in. And I highly recommend the use of blue LED Light Therapy for acneic skin. This product seems to combine these two ideas. Here’s what the company has to say about the Blumod system:

• Blue light interacts with porphyrin from the bacteria and naturally occurring oxygen to produce a singlet oxygen which is lethal to the bacteria – this is an example of Photo-Dynamic Therapy
• Infrared light is proven and common in skin healing procedures in physician offices and spas.
• Infrared light causes the hemoglobin in our blood cells to release nitric oxide which is a vasodilator. The dilation provides greater blood flow to damaged skin cells and tissues, resulting in a speedier healing process with damage skin tissues. This damage may be due to aging, or overexposure to the sun’s UV rays.
• blumöd material offers the benefits of high-end sport fabric in that it is light weight, breathable and wicks moisture away from the skin
• blumöd material has been shown in three separate clinical trials done in New Zealand/Austrailia, Hong Kong and Canada, to be effective in managing mild to moderate acne.
• The average dose of sunlight to manage acne is about 2 hours per week in the sun wearing the blumöd products – this exposure will deliver about the same dose of blue light as one would receive in a dermatologist’s office from a light device.

So, is this a hoax or does it work?

From what Ive gathered from their research and testimonials, it appears to work on at least a small level. The Blumod clothing and hats provide the skin with blue light therapy by using sunlight, filtering out unwanted UV rays and allowing infrared light to come through the fabric. The fluorescent fabric itself contains the blue pigments needed to destroy acne bacteria, and it is activated with sunlight. The clothing all contains a UPF sun protection factor of 45.

The downside is that the beneficial color of the clothing will start to fade after about 30 or so washes. At $45-$85 per item of clothing…this could get expensive if you need to re-order multiple times. The UPF 45 will still remain no matter how many times the items are out through the wash – so you could always still wear them as sun protection.

This company also makes yelomod clothing, which they claim helps diminish hyper pigmentation and redness in the skin. Same concept, different color.

Bottom line: These products will certainly not HURT your skin and may help calm breakouts or other unwanted skin conditions. I would suggest that they be used in combination with dietary changes, regular facial treatments and gentle home care products for the best possible results.

If anyone has used these products with any luck, we’d love to hear from you. Thanks for the info Amy!

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