Know Your Vitamins

Vitamin D:  The Sunshine Vitamin  --  without Vitamin D, calcium wouldn't be worth much to your bones because it prevents faulty bone growth and disease, including osteoporosis.  Some sources:  milk, fortified cereal and eggs.

Vitamin C:  The Strong, Silent Type  --  best known for boosting immunity, it also helps make strong bones.   It has a role in the production of collagen, which is found in all types of connective tissue (including the skin's) and bones, bolstering their strength.  How much Vitamin C is enough?  Most adults need 60 milligrams every day.   Smokers need 100+ milligrams.  Some sources:  oranges, kiwi and orange juice.

 1. Shake your booty  --   Twenty to 20 minutes of any aerobic exercise will give you a glow.  Exercise increases blood flow, which brings more nutrients to the skin.  But beware  --  the buildup of oil and perspiration can result in sweatband acne, folliculitis and prickly heat.  The solution>  Shower as soon as possible after working out.

2. Don’t get intimate with the phone  --   Constant rubbing on the mouthpiece may lead to breakouts around the chin, mouth and side of face.  Hold the phone away from your face and clean if OFTEN with rubbing alcohol.

3. Check your birthday suit for spots --  Any sudden or suspicious-looking bumps, moles, or other growths are reason to see a dermatologist.  But as skin-cancer rates rise, having a full body check by a professional is crucial -- especially for those of us in the baby-oil-and-iodine, pre-sunscreen generation.  You should also be doing monthly self-exams to keep an eye out for changes and growths. (For step-by-step instructions on how to do a head-to-toe self-exam, call the American Cancer Society at 800-227-2345; ask for a free copy of their brochure, "What You Should Know About Melanoma." Or visit www.cancer.org.)

4. Eat Healthy  --   Antioxidants (vitamins A, C & E) – which help reduce sun damage and fight certain cancers, including skin cancer --  are essential to your health.  A well-balanced diet filled with at leave 5 servings a day of fruits and vegetables, plus a multivitamin, is recommended.

5. Don’t wear your makeup to bed!!!  --   We all know it, but we sometimes do it anyway.  Layers of foundation, powder and blushed left on overnight can clog pores and lead to acne.   Take it all off before bed with a mild cleanser.  

6. Hand off those zits!!!  --  Poking, prodding, and popping can prolong a pimple's life and make the problem worse.  Scarring and the spread of infection are the two usual  consequences.  To speed up healing, cleanse your face, then apply a warm compress, such as a clean, damp washcloth.  Next, dab on either BLEMISH FIX  or  OVERNIGHT OXY-COMPLEX,  both of which contain agents to dry out the infection.   

7.  Get your shut eye  --     Most of us don't get the eight to nine hours we need to avoid sleep deprivation.  The effects are not hard to detect -- namely, under-eye circles.    Budget in sleep time, including a short afternoon nap whenever you can manage it. The downside:  Sleeping in the same position for years on end can lead to wrinkles.  Look for special pillows that help prevent sleep creases on your face.  One to try: PillowPositive ($129; to order, call 877-753-3711) or try a satin pillow case.

8. Adopt “water, water every day” as your mantra --   Yes, drinking water does keep you hydrated, which helps skin look and feel better.   Get in the standard 8 eight-ounce glasses throughout the day -- more if you're a heavy exerciser. Please be warned that many of the new sugar substitutes are dehydrating!

Try one of our NEW Treatments!!!

The Ultimate Hand Treatment  --  Your face is not the only area of your body that needs attention!  Your neck, décolleté and hands also show the telltale signs of aging from sun damage, dish washing, gardening.....  This sumptuous treatments includes a Mango Peel, Lactic Acid and Peach Paraffin.................................................$50.00

The Fabulous Fanny Facial  --  This luxurious treatment utilizes steam, glycolic and  a deeply hydrating masque to eliminate clogged pores and leaves your skin feeling silky smooth.  Includes a back massage!................................................................$60.00

Disincrustation  --  Utilizes an electrical current that softens and dissolves deeply clogged oil and debris which accumulate in the pore.  This process allows for easier extraction of blackheads, cysts and cleansing of plugged pores.  An absolute must for all acne suffers!..................................................................................................$40.00

New client special  --  $8.00 off the above treatments this month only