The first line is what I like to call our luxury line and once you apply it to your skin you will know what I am talking about. It is called Jadience and it is composed of organic east asian herbs which are packed with vitamins and minerals and then there are antioxidants, oils and jade powder to top it off.  It feels as though you are rubbing silk on your skin. Jadience has products for anti-aging, acne, rosacea and is a great preventitve skincare line to keep the skin healthy.  My two favorite products are Jade and Ginseng Regenerating Serum, which I believe is a must have product for everyone and it is self adjusting so your skin will gradually take what it needs. It is a serum so the ingredients are microsized particles that your skin will immediately absord and it will protect, hydrate, heals and tighten your skin. After I apply my serum I use Radiance because I have dry skin and this product keeps my skin soft and hydrated all day long. People often comment on my skin saying it looks so tight and glowy and they are shocked when I say I have dry skin because it looks the complete opposite.  My job gives me the pleasure of working with skin clients everyday and I have not had one client dissapointed with the Jadience line.  Plus, I am the only person outside of America currently offering this product to clients so it is somewhat of a natural skin world secret.

The new addition to the SKN Shop is Seaflora, now this product line comes from the beautiful oceans of  British Columbia. It is a marine based line and the seaweeds are harvested ethically with love and care so they continue to grow each year offering us fantastic products. The products use four main seaweeds which are filled with every imaginable vitamin and mineral your skin needs to look its absolute best. This line is great for anti-aging, acne, rosacea and skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis and any other skin condition which may be due to a lack of minerals.  Seaflora is really great for people with very oily skin, specifically the Laminara moisturizer as it will be absorbed and healing to the skin while supplying your skin with much needed minerals and vitamins. You will not look greasy. Another great product for people with oily skin is the Jadience Jade and Ginseng regenerating serum because it is quickly abosrbed and will protect your skin and not leave any oiliness lingering on your skin throughout the day.   Now back to seaflora, this skincare line makes some great exfoliants and masks, they are stinky but very effective so plug your nose and reap the rewards.  There are masks for every skin type out there, my personal favorite is the potent sea kelp.   Myacne clients love the Iridea Purifying mask to de-congest the skin.

Now for those of you who deal with eczema anywhere on the body you should opt for the laminara body lotion and soothing sea kelp soak. There is also what we like to call the Super Power product and this is the Seaweed firming gel. It is anti-bacterial, anti-septic, soothing, and healing. It is used for sore joints and muscles, bug bites, stretch marks, and eczema and psoriasis.

We have more info on each and every product at www.SKNShop.ca and we would love to help you pick the perfect product for your skin type. For our help just send an email to amanda@SKNClinic.ca with any questions you have and a detailed description of your skin.   We will help you choose the products best suited to your skin.

IPL stands for Intense Pulse Light. The IPL is penetrated through a Safire crystal to target pigment in the hair follicles during the active stage of growth. For example, if you were to pluck out a hair and see a bulb on the end, that is a hair that is currently in the active stage of growth. The rest of the hairs are in the resting phase or they are getting ready to shed.

The IPL can target all types of hair except for blond, grey and red hair. It cannot target blond or grey because there is no pigment. Red hair is the same color as the light and therefore not able to be targeted.

Why do I need more than one treatment?

During an average growth cycle approximately 10% – 20% of the hairs are in the active stage of growth. These are the hair follicles that are cauterized by the light during a treatment.
For approximately 2 weeks after your treatment the hairs will push their way out of the skin and fall out. During the course of the average 6 week growth cycle, all the hairs will grow back minus 10% – 20%. The hairs that do grow back are finer and lighter. When you return for your second treatment we repeat the process to target another 10% – 20% and so on etc… until all the hair is gone. The average person needs between 5-8 treatments to be hair free.

Will it work for me?
It is important to note that no machine can guarantee 100% permanent hair removal because there are so many things that affect hair growth such as hormones, pregnancy, certain medications, different stages in life etc… However with IPL we can offer a drastic hair reduction and in many cases all of the hair is completely removed. The hairs that are destroyed cannot come back, however we cannot control new hair growth that happens as a result of the aforementioned reasons like hormones, medication etc…

What should I know before coming in for a treatment?
1.)Since the light needs pigment in the hair follicles to target, it is important not to remove the hair from the skin before a treatment. No waxing, tweezing, depilatory creams etc… If you were to wax the area then come in for a treatment there would be no pigment for the light to see and essentially nothing would happen. However you can shave as much as you like, never having to go through the awkward hairy stage that is always needed for waxing.

2.)Be sure to shave before your first treatment to ensure that no hair is singed to your skin.

3.)It is important to check with your doctor if you are taking any kind of photosensitive medication like Accutane, retinol creams or photosensitive birth controls. If you are taking anything photosensitive you run the risk of hyper-pigmentation, which can be very uncomfortable and unsightly. For your safety we would need to wait until the photosensitive medication is out of your system before beginning treatments.

4.)The most important instruction I can give, and I can’t stress this enough is, absolutely no tanning for 4 weeks before your treatment! If you have ever heard any horror stories about laser hair removal 9 times out of 10 it is because there was tanning.
When you are in the sun your body begins to produce melanocytes to create the tan. When the melanocytes are in the active stage (which can last for up to 4 weeks) the machine may not be able to tell the difference between the pigment in your follicles and the pigment in your skin, which could result in hyper or hypo-pigmentation. This can be very painful and unsightly, and could take up to a year to go away, if it even goes away at all. I cannot stress enough how important this piece of information is. If for some reason you have been tanning, like a vacation or a beautiful day in the park etc… simply wait four weeks before your next treatment. It will not ruin your treatments if you need to wait a little bit. Better to wait than risk a burn.

Will it hurt?
Most people say it feels like an elastic band snap. The pain is very similar to waxing only a different kind of pain. Waxing is more stingy whereas laser is more achey. However once the zap has happened the pain has stopped. It does not continue to ache for hours and hour, only a split second. If you can handle waxing you can definitely handle IPL.
If you are someone who happens to have a low tolerance for pain there are many things you can do to ease the discomfort.
1.) Take an Advil or some kind of pain killer an hour before your treatment.

2.) If you are female, you will be more sensitive to pain a week before and during your period. So we recommend you wait until you are done before coming in. (However if you still want to come in during that time you are more than welcome to, you may just be a little bit more sensitive to pain.)

3.) Emla numbing cream. Only recommended for those who have a very low tolerance to pain as Emla can be quite awkward to use. But if you need it I highly recommend it. Simply go to the drug store and purchase it from the pharmacist. No prescription is needed. Apply a thick layer 1hr before your treatment and cover the area in plastic wrap. You need to wear it until we begin the treatment. You then take it off and we begin the treatment.

Is it worth it?
In the long run IPL hair removal is worth the time and effort. You never need to go through the hairy stage in between treatments. The hair removal in majority of cases permanent and only needs to be done 5-8 times, then your done. As opposed to waxing that needs to be done every six weeks for the rest of your life to be hair free. This will not only save you time, but money in the long run. The pain is no worse than waxing and most of the treatments are 10 times faster than waxing. If you are someone who has had to deal with the frustration of hair removal, never having that smooth feeling, ingrown hairs, or the endless hours of time consuming shaving, permanent hair removal can be that simple procedure that gives you one less thing to think about in the morning.

At SKN we always do a complimentary consultation and test patch for anyone interested in giving IPL hair removal a try. In the consultation we go into as much detail as possible so you are fully informed about the procedure, and you get a test patch to see if you are a good candidate for the machine. The test patch will also give you a good idea as to how it feels. There is absolutely no pressure to have a treatment if you decide not too. If you do decide to go through with a treatment, be assured that the treatments are very discreet and in no way rushed. We take our time to make sure the treatments are accurate and effective and so that each person gets the attention they need.

I hope this has answered any questions you may have. For further information I hope you will take advantage of our free consult. Hope to see you there.
Kirsty

Interested in learning more about Laser Hair Removal?  visit Vancouver Laser Hair Removal

It has played a very important role in the ancient Maori tribes of New Zealand. Often call Greenstone, it was considered to be a treasure. They also made tools, weapons and ornaments of it.

It was used in Mesoamerica, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Bahamas, Grenada, Montagua valley of Guatemala among others. To the ancient Mayans it was considered to be an elite gem, and used in rituals. It was often inscribed with hieroglyphics, and made into figurines.

The largest piece of Jade known in the world is in India, where there is a 5 ft tall stature of Mahavira.

In ancient Egypt, Jade was admired as the stone of love, inner peace, harmony and balance.

However no other place on earth has honored the Jade stone like that of ancient china. Jade was placed in the tomb with buried royalty and became associated with high status and royalty ever since.

In ancient East Asian medicine, Jade was used to heal stressed organs and discharge toxins. Pumiced Jade was applied to the cheeks for beauty and absorbed into the skin for health.

In Modern times we now know that Jade helps to slow down the process of aging as it has the ability to strengthen the body’s natural defenses and healing abilities. It contains vital elements the human body needs for health and vitality such as calcium, magnesium and water.

Jade also transmits FIR (far infrared rays) in the same wavelength of the human body and emits negative ions, both necessary for ultimate health and vitality.

The FIR reaches the body the same as light does and heats the body, dilating the blood vessels, and increasing chi, which allows the red and white blood cells to carry nutrients and oxygen to circulate through the body faster. Helping to remove toxins, damaged cells and tissue faster. It then returns to the kidneys and lungs to regenerate and allow the filtration process to occur faster.

When heated Jade also emits negative Ions, also known as the vitamins of the air, and are essential for human health. All of nature, plants, trees, and the ocean all emit negative ions. Which is why we feel so rejuvenated when out in nature. Whereas objects such as computers, TVs, and most electronic equipment emit positive ions, which can often leave us feeling tired and drained. 85% of Negative ions are absorbed through the skin, whereas only 15% is absorbed through the lungs. Making Jade a perfect deliverer of skin health and general well being. It is no wonder that Jade has been valued and honored by almost every culture in the world for thousands of years.

Kirsty

Just as you would go to the spa for a monthly facial you can go to the clinic for a monthly cosmetic acupuncture treatment. Cosmetic acupuncture increases blood and oxygen flow to the face which deeply nourishes the skin with nutrients without the use of skin products.

The benefits of cosmetic acupuncture go beyond radiant skin. It works to bring one’s health into balance and clients have reported improved sleep, better digestion, decrease in stress and anxiety and much more. Women who are going through menopause have experienced a decrease in hot flashes and night sweats.

Cosmetic Acupuncture also:

-minimize or eliminate fine lines and improve the look of deep wrinkles
-reduce a double chin and sagging jowls
-help to reduce inflammation on face with rosacea and cystic acne
-diminish age spots ⁄ sun spots
-reduce frown lines
-lift sagging skin, puffy or droopy eyelids
-brighten the eyes
-improve muscle tone and dermal contraction
-improve hormonal balance to reduce acne
- even facial colour and tone
- increase blood, energy and lymph circulation
- feeling refreshed, relaxed and rejuvenated
- give your face a younger, more youthful look
- increases collagen production
- tightens the pores
- keeps acne skin under control
- nourishes the skin, giving you a healthy complexion with a natural glow
- Moisturizes the skin from inside, and gives rosy cheeks to people with dull, tired looking skin

If you are interested in learning more about cosmetic acupuncture call 604-568-6333 and book your free consultation or go to www.SKNClinic.ca and request an appointment online.

There are many foods and activities that cause an increase of circulation to the face and neck can cause the condition to worsen.  

Rosacea Activators:

-Hot foods or beverages

-spicy foods,

-caffeine withdrawal (caffeine itself isn’t a factor),

-alcohol,

-sunlight,

-stress, anger or embarrassment,

-strenuous exercise,

 -hot baths, saunas,

-corticosteroids (as well as drugs that dilate blood vessels),

-temperature extremes, cold weather, wind, and

-certain skin care products.

- foods that are blood vessel dilators such as vinegars, hot spices and various other spicy seasonings, hot sauces, peppers (including black pepper) and meat marinades.

-Tomatoes, citrus fruits and related juices, bananas, and red plums, raisins, figs, pasta, cheese, and chocolates

-other known flushing foods are liver, yogurt, sour cream, vanilla, soy sauce, yeast extract, eggplant, avocados, spinach, broad-leaf beans and pods, including lima, navy or peas.

***Many people also have reported outbreaks after eating chocolate, lobster, prawns, artificial sweeteners, preservatives, food colorings and MSG.   Aspartame and NutraSweet as a sugar replacement causes noticeable flushing in 30% of rosaceans.***

Foods to eat for Rosacea

Rosacea redness is partially caused by high calorie carbohydrates (pastas, breads) and sugar spiking from all sweet foods. So think of things that give you a high burn rate, high energy, or foods that would most likely add fat to your body, and you would be identifying the worst culprits.

The goal is to reduce food consumption, which reduces the heat/calories burned, which results in the body being noticeably colder during the winter and likewise providing less heat during the summer. Since there is less heat by calories burned, there is less redness of the face or dilation. Therefore, three small meals with breakfast being the most important and snacking in between meals is better for limiting vascular dilation flushing.

-whole grains,

seeds, nuts

-fresh vegetables and fruit Cherries, blackberries, and blueberries are vascular constrictors, which actually assist in reducing redness.

-Chicken and fish are preferable to red meats.

-Tofu is an excellent form of protein, which has cooling qualities.

-Foods are better cooked rather than raw, because cooked food is easier to digest and less damp forming. ——Seaweed is also good for the skin and helps eliminate dampness. You need to use trial and error to see which foods won’t aggravate your condition.

It is best to avoid all hot foods and drinks until they have cooled to body temperature or cooler. If you want to drink coffee, tea, or a soft drink, it is best to chill it in a refrigerator. This will not cause as much vascular dilation.

It is also helpful to drink 10-12 glasses of water daily between meals, and no drinks with your meals. Chew your food to a cream before swallowing. This helps speed digestion. Take small bites, chew thoroughly, and eat slowly.

The good news is it can be treated.    The most effective and only treatment that exists today combines eastern medicine, and nutrition with the modern day advanced treatment of Photo Rejuvenation.  Chinese herbal medicine in combination with acupuncture will work to put out the internal fire that is causing the facial redness and really get to the source of the rosacea so it does not return.   It is important that the rosacea sufferer follow the nutritional guidelines of what foods to eat and not to eat.   What one puts on their skin has an impact on the flare ups of rosacea so I highly recommend using a natural herbal cream designed for rosacea.

Then we go to the external to address the damage the rosacea has caused to your face.  We do this with Photo rejuvenation which  is a cosmetic treatment designed to produce younger and healthier looking skin.    Photo Rejuvenation is the only procedure that can externally treat vascular redness, the appearance of Rosacea, and enlarged pores.  With the use of Intense Pulsed Light (IPL™) technology, dramatic improvements can now be accomplished with little or no “downtime” and with very minimal discomfort.

After completing the Rosacea Wellness plan you will not only have great looking skin but you will reach an optimal state of health.  How?  Because the acupuncture, nutritional program and herbs work to correct any internal imbalances that where occuring.  It is a holistic health plan that works on the body, mind and spirit.

Stop spending hundreds of dollars on creams, and antibiotics, and get to the source and re-create your health and reveal the beautiful skin you soooo deserve.

Turmeric makes the skin soft and supple.  This results from the blood purifying effects of turmeric, it stimulates the liver, increases red blood cell formation, inhibits red blood cell clumping, and increases circulation.   This allows wounds to heal faster and tired cells to rejuvenate.  Beautiful skin results from pure blood.    The blood purifying effects of turmeric keep the body toxin free and help to counteract pimples, acne, boils and other skin conditions. 

Turmeric brightens up and bring more color to very pale complexions.  It adds moisture to dry skin.

How to use turmeric:

Turmeric can be used in place of ginger.  It may be added to salad dressings, smoothies or through a small piece in the juicer to spice up your juice.

Turmeric oil may be applied externally as a beauty aid.  To create a turmeric oil, mix 30 grams of turmeric powder with 1/2  a litre of sesame oil.  Allow this mixture to seep in a warm place for two weeks, and then strain out the residue throug a cloth.

Eating For Beauty by Daivd Wolfe       www.eatingforbeauty.com

• improves nutrient absorption
• helps prevent osteoporosis
• boosts energy
• increases metabolism
• aids in weight loss
• treats digestive disorders
• treats candida
• increase hair health
• increase hair health
• protects against bacterial and viral infections
• increases immunity
• helps protect the liver
• helps prevent cardiovascular dx
• helps prevent cancer
• decreases inflammation
• helps prevent hypoglycemia
• treats enlarged prostate
• heals skin burns

I encourage you to start using coconut oil in your skincare routine. My skin is softer than ever due to my all natural coconut oil skin care routine.  It also provides your skin with a free radical shield to prevent the signs of aging.  The lauric acid in coconut oil is antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and also anti-allergenic and because of this is is extremely effective in treating burns, cuts, bites, stings, psoriasis, eczema, athletes foot and even diaper rash.

The benfits are endless when taken internally and externally. Be sure to purchase a high quality virgin, unrefined coconut oil.

I highly recommend DME Extra Virgin Coconut oil.

This excess heat will be worsened with the consumption of alcohol, spicy foods, coffee and other heat producing foods.  It is important to follow a healthy diet comprised of cooling and neutral foods to reduce and eliminate the excess heat accumulated in the body.

A successful rosacea treatment program should include acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, and nutritional guidance to address the internal imbalance.

The external signs of rosacea can be quickly reduced and eliminated with facial acupuncture, photo rejuvenation and LED light therapy.    These three treatments are very safe and effective and require no downtime.

For more information on the treatment of rosacea and a detailed food list email amanda@SKNClinic.ca