Vol. 4, No. 3, March 2007
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Sensational Skin
Spa treatments can protect your skin from the worst of winter
As the cold weather continues, many people have already winterized their homes and cars—but what about themselves?
Frigid temperatures, harsh winds and indoor heating systems can be brutal on your skin. I met with skin care experts on a recent visit to Tranquil Touch Day Spa, to learn the correct procedures for protecting and preserving your skin.
Dry Skin
Humans produce approximately a million skin cells per minute, but low humidity can dry out that skin, causing it to feel tight or stretched. The most important thing you can do for your skin in winter is to exfoliate. By exfoliating, which stimulates the blood flow, dead skin cells are removed to reveal newer and smoother skin. During colder seasons, you should exfoliate daily or every other day.
Between spa visits, try Dermalogica’s daily microfoliant. Scrub your skin gently in a circular motion and complete with a daily moisturizer. One bottle lasts from four to six months. Using an exfoliant on a regular basis not only refreshes skin cells but also assists with the removal of blackheads.
Just for Men
Men’s skin requires different attention than women’s. The majority of men never consider the damage their skin faces. A male’s skin is approximately 20 percent thicker than a female’s. That makes cleansing very important.
“About 40 percent of our clientele are men,” says Kacey Caruso, owner of Tranquil Touch Day Spa. “When a man comes to the spa we really teach them how to care for themselves. We offer a treatment on shaving, proper cleansing, and exfoliation.”
Daily cleansing is essential to every man’s routine. Before shaving, combine a cleanser and warm water on a washcloth and apply it directly to your face and neck to remove dirt, open clogged pours and remove excess oils. Then, apply shaving cream with a brush evenly across your face in a circular motion. Shave using a multi-blade (three or four) razor, rinsing the blade in running water after each pass. While following the grain is suggested, you should shave however you feel most comfortable. Never shave horizontally; the sideways motion will cause redness, razor burn and ingrown hairs. Finish by using an after-shave vitamin toner and moisturizer.
For a 30-day supply kit that takes only five minutes to make skin healthier, men can purchase the Dermalogica skin kit, which includes a cleansing gel, medicated clearing gel and skin prep scrub. The $30 kit comes in three-ounce bottles perfect for travel.
A Hand to Hold
You use your hands every day. Whether washing dishes, dealing cards, or typing reports, the constant use—combined with below-freezing temperatures—wreaks havoc on your hands. While applying lotion daily is essential in the colder weather, some still find their hands painfully cracked and dry.
Keeping your hands moisturized starts with keeping yourself hydrated. Drink extra water or fluids during the colder months to keep your body hydrated and your skin from drying out. Also, limit hand-washing, especially in hot water, as well as prolonged exposure to cold and wind. Moisturizing is the best way to prevent and cure dry hands. Your daily lotion should include sunscreen and active ingredients avobenzone, titanium dioxide, and/or zinc oxide.
To ensure silky soft hands during the harshest of weather, go the extra mile with a multivitamin paraffin treatment. Paraffin wax instantly hydrates skin while the heat soothes aching muscles and joints.
“For dealers who are using their hands nonstop, this heat helps with arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome, and eases pain,” says Tanya Gonzalez, skin care manager at Tranquil Touch. “Even great for the wrists of cocktail servers who are carrying drinks all day, the treatment is a great way to moisturize and repair dry hands.”
