Posts Tagged ‘mature skin’

GM Collin’s Newest Addition

Being that GM Collin is so well-known for their innovations in anti-aging skincare, it’s no surprise that they’ve come out with a brand new technology and a brand new product! It’s called GF Advanced Repair Serum and is made for use on mature skin with obvious signs of cellular damage (lines, wrinkles, loss of elasticity etc.).

Two Types of Skin Aging
Skin aging can be classified as being biological (genetically determined by our biological clock) or environmental (determined by extrinsic factors such as UV damage). According to GM Collin, the breakthrough in epigenetic and gene science combined with growth factor technology allow a direct ‘time reverse’ action on both genetic and extrinsic factors to help delay the visible signs of aging.

What does all of this mean?
Growth factors are naturally occurring substances (that are depleted as we age) which can stimulate cellular growth, regulate cellular processes, repair damaged cells, rejuvenate aging tissues, and help to maintain optimum functions of the skin – all of which are vital for maintaining a youthful appearance. The GF Advanced Repair Serum contians 4 different growth factors.

Clock Genes
Clock genes are responsible for regulating the cycle in which the cells turn on and off their repair function. This function coordinates with UV exposure to repair at night and protect during the day. Over time these genes become de-synchronized dramatically increasing the skin’s aging process (repair capacity drops by 50% by the age of 50!). GF Advanced Repair Serum uses a peptide called ‘tetrapeptide 26′ to re-synchronize the internal clock of skin cells. This will greatly boost the skin’s natural repair process and defense mechanisms.

Last but not Least
GM Collin has one more trick up its sleeve: a peptide and protein complex. This complex provides an integral treatment to improve the overall collagen quality in our skin. To make a long story short, GF Advanced Repair Serum is formulated to boost the skin’s natural repair and protection processes which will prevent and delay the visible signs of aging.

Results
In GM Collin’s 35 day clinical trial users reported up to a 94% reduction in forehead wrinkles and a 69% reduction in nasolabial fold lines. In 14 days pore size was reduced by up to 35% and skin firmness was increased by up to 61%.

GF Advanced Repair Serum is applied 1-2 times per day on cleansed face, neck, and decolette. A small amount is all you need and this light fluid absorbs into the skin very quickly. Remember that this is not a moisturizer so you will want to apply your moisturizer right after your serum.

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The Secret to Glowing, Dewy Skin? Moisturizing.

Mositurizers. The last step in any complete skin care routine. This is the product that stays on your skin, so it’s very important that the one you use is appropriate.

It’s often the product that most people dislike the results of and will base their decision of whether or not they like a line on. This isn’t always an accurate judgement as people sometimes buy the wrong moisturizer for their skin.

So in the interest of you being a better consumer we’re going to go over what to look for when choosing a moisturizer.

What is a moisturizer?

Designed to add, you guessed it, moisture to the skin. Whether they’re called lotions, hydrators or creams they all have the same purpose.

Day creams offer hydration and protection, usually in the form of anti-oxidants and sunscreen. They seal and protect the skin, holding moisture in and protecting the skin from the environment. Night creams are more nourishing, they’ll have more active ingredients and take advantage of the skins hyperactive, repairative night-time activities.

You will notice that most professional moisturizers don’t contain SPF. This because Health Canada requires years of testing and thousands of dollars before they grant the DIN to allow SPF to be claimed by a product. Companies like to keep upgrading their formulas. They would have to go throught that process every single time they release a new moisturizer. It’s much more efficient to develop a seperate, approved SPF product. Also chemical SPF’s absorb into the skin and breakdown after two hours in the sun. So you would have to reapply your potentially pricey moisturizer every two hours to be protected.

It just makes more sense for them to be seperate.

Which one for your skin?

Everyone should be moisturizing, even oily skin. The difference is going to whether you are adding water or oil into the skin.

Water based ones are emulsions. They absorb quickly and are glorious for oily and acneic skin. They  counteract the dryness associated anti-acne products.  Look for humectants (they attract and trap water in the skin) like aloe vera, hyaluronic acid, glycoproteins or sodium PCA. If oily skin dries out too much it over compensates and produces more oil. For those people it may just be best to apply a light moisturizer at night.

Normal skin types can use the basic, no nonsense ones. In the winter you may want to go for a slightly heavier version, or simply introduce a hydrating serum into your routine. What is not a good idea is trying to use an anti-aging cream that is too rich, too soon. It’s often assumed that if you start with those creams early, you’ll be slowing the signs of aging. If it’s too rich, skin will reject the product in the form of irritation, excessive oil and milia (little white bumps) around the eyes. Leave the mature skin products for mature skin, they are meant to repair and won’t work if the skin is still functioning well. Instead focus on anti-oxidants: Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Green Tea, Coenzyme Q 10, or grapeseed polyphenols. These are preventative.

Sensitive skin, look for fragrance and color free products. Fragrance free means no perfumes have been added. If the line is botanical it may have a natural scent from the actual ingredients. That’s okay. If you’re sensitive it’s often difficult to find creams that will deal with any other issues than that. Active ingredients can be too much for fragile ingredients. It’s a matter of trial and error in finding the cream that will work with your skin. See if you can identify over time exactly what it is you react to.

Dry skin.  you want heavier creams that contain emollients or oils to soften, smooth and fill in lines and cracks. They deliver the hydrating ingredients and then trap them  under the cream. A good one will comfort and nourish the skin. Even though they’re heavier, it should never feel greasy on the skin. Look for words like ceramides, lipids and peptides as well as sweet almond oil, jojoba oil and squalene.

Mature Skin. At this point you’re wanting to repair and prevent further lines. Look for a combination of anti-oxidants and humectants. On top of that, moisturizers that contain AHA’s, glycolic or Retin A will exfoliate, brighten, smooth and increase absorption of the active ingredients.

Finding the right moisturizer can be daunting at first, so having a good grasp on your skin type and knowing what it is you want to accomplish will help. Skin care consultations can be great, but suggestions can be suspect. FInd a consultant or esthetician that will work with you.

Tanda: Light Therapy for Acne and Wrinkles

After much deliberation we have decided to start carrying the Tanda Professional Skincare System.

We here at Spa Boutique aim to only carry the best in skin care. Lines that we truly believe in . When we were first approached by this, our instant reaction was “It’s not for us.”

It seemed fad-ish. Also none of us knew anything about light therapy. And it comes with a fairly hefty price tag. We were frightened of the change. I may have cried.

But being the little troopers we are, we looked into it, and went to the training. We learned. We laughed. We grew.

So let’s talk about the how and why Tanda works.

Who’s it for?: Ideally those with mild to moderate acne. Those experiencing the first signs of aging and fine lines and wrinkles. Cystic acne sufferers are best to stick with a doctor perscribed solutions.

What’s it do?: LED light is proving to be more and more useful for the skin. While studies are still continuing and we are still learning more, Tanda has an impressive array of studies from NASA and the British Journal of Dermatology that show it’s benefits.

The different colors have been found to accomplish different things. The blue light functions at a wave length that is thought to be bacteria killing. Since P. Acnes is the bacteria culprit behind acne, there is a significant decrease in the appearance of blemishes with regular use.

The red light has shown some ability to encourage collagen production in the skin over time. This suggests that with regular usage there would be an improvement in the elasticity of the skin and a reduction in lines and wrinkles.

Most of the studies are very scientific, and the verbage is slightly beyond me. What I thought was interesting were the studies where they only used the lights on half of the face of each of the participants. There was noticable differences for both the acne and mature skin sets on the sides where the light was used.

The Tanda is definitely an investment. But if you are looking for the best possible skin care you can receive at home, this is the way to go. It has more supporting research that almost any cream or serum, so those would be a great boost, but it doesn’t replace more intensive medical procedures like laser peels and the like.

With products like this it’s very important to have realistic expectations. It will take time to see results. Lines and wrinkles have taken a lifetime to form, they will not disappear after three 15 minute treatments. Follow the instructions, be consistent and you will be thrilled with the results.

At-home light therapy devices are becoming increasingly popular, crazily so in fact, because of the results people are seeing.

We’re very proud to carry the Tanda and we would LOVE to hear your thoughts or experiences.

Visit www.spaboutique.ca for more great solutions for acne and the first signs of aging.