Since I started working here at SKN, (I am the in house makeup artist, as well as working reception) I now see the light. I have always been into taking care of my skin, I wash my face every night and have tried every night cream under the sun. But until working here and being surrounded by the positive influence of the amazing and talented staff, I realize now…that I need a skin care plan too. If I want beautiful, healthy skin, I need to work at it. I need to honor a consistent plan and take action, much like I need to do with fitness. I need to protect and maintain this wonderful (yet challenging) organ.  As we age, our cell turn over slows down, thus producing wrinkles. However, along with regular treatments, (that are ever changing, depending on what the skin needs) I can keep my skin looking great throughout the years.

Now think of cosmecuticals as food for your skin. You need to feed your skin the proper nutrients it needs in order for it to fully produce the desired results. Just like fitness, you can’t expect to have an amazing body, while you eat KFC every night.  So with a little commitment and a plan, we can have strong healthy bodies, and beautiful skin, that ages with grace and dignity!

I have had the opportunity to try the cosmeceuticals lines we have here, such as Jadience, Seaflora and the newest addition Osmosis. These lines are amazing and will nicely fit into any skin care plan.

If you are looking to start a personalized skin care plan, SKN can help. Feel free to call us and make an appointment with our newest addition to the SKN team, Amy Chalmers.  Amy is a Cosmetic Dermal Specialist and Trainer as well. She just moved back to Canada after living and working in Austrailia, where she gained numerous industry qualifications, recognized at both a national and international level. Amy is beyond qualified and we are thrilled to have her here. Amy can sit down with you and address any skin concerns, head to toe…and get you on YOUR PLAN!

SUCCULENT SALMON SALAD
Serves 4-6.
Prep time: 8 minutes
Cook time: 11 minutes.

Ingredients
(Stir-fry)
4 oz. Atlantic Salmon (fresh) cut into cubes
2 Tbsp. finely grated or chopped ginger
3 cloves finely chopped garlic
1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
1 red pepper (cut into squares)
1 cup fresh green beans (cut in half)
1/3 cup of honey garlic sauce (Oriental brand)
(Salad)
1 iceberg lettuce head (chopped into bite size squares)
1 English cucumber (cut into quarter pieces)
2 large Roma tomatoes (cut into squares) or 20 cherry tomatoes (cut in half)
salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Directions
Salad: Cut all ingredients into a bowl, toss and set aside.
Stir-fry: Heat large skillet/pan over medium heat, add oil, garlic and ginger. Once ginger and garlic are brown, add cubed salmon. Cook for about 5-7 minutes. Salmon is cooked once it is firm, flaky and a light pink color. Add red pepper squares to stir-fry. Cook for 3 minutes. Add sauce, satay for 2-3 minutes. Add green beans, cook for 1 1/2 minutes. Immediately remove from heat. You want the red pepper and green beans to be somewhat crunchy when it is plated. Plating: Plate fresh salad from bowl into bowl or plate. Add salmon stir-fry onto salad, drizzle salad with sauce and serve immediately.

*So after you try this delicious salad, incorporate these food into your diet and your skin will thank you:

Strawberries, citrus fruits, red peppers, broccoli,Fortified cereal, lean meat, pork, poultry, oysters,
Sunflower seed, almonds, Dark orange, leafy green and red vegetables, Wild salmon, Atlantic mackerel, walnuts.

Thanks to my dear friend Sanna for the inspiration:) If you want to follow her blog, check out
http://freshandfabulousfood.blogspot.com/

 HAPPY EASTER from The SKN Team!

“Your skin is like a mirror – it reflects everything that is going on within your body and mind. Pay attention to keeping your mind, body and emotions balanced, and the results will show up as a clear, glowing complexion.” -This is a quote I recently heard and I really liked the message. It’s so true, we get so caught up in the hussle and bustle of our daily lives, we don’t even realize that our stress levels are affecting our immune system, AND the body’s biggest organ-SKIN!  Stress  puts a damper on the body’s digestive system and interferes with the ability to absorb proper nutrients. So we need to reduce our stress levels and work on staying positive,  But if you don’t have time to meditate the stress away for 3 hours at a budist temple (which I’ve done and is amazing btw). There are small, day to day steps you can do to help achieve and maintain that glowing skin…oh and stress levels too:)

1. DIET: A balanced diet and proper eating habits help keep the body and mind performing at optimal levels. I try to eat unprocessed foods. I am also aware of the eat for your skin diet, which includes foods like Salmom, blue berries, nuts and seeds, leafy greens, sprouts, wheat grasses,etc.

2. SLEEP: We hear it all the time, but it is so important. Do whatever you need to do to get relaxed so you can sleep better. I try to do a quick half hour yoga session before bed. Check out www.eoinfinnyoga.com He has a “quickie” lesson you can download for free.

3. EXCERCISE: Here too, it’s whatever works for you. I love running, yoga, hiking. I do some at home workout videos if i’m really inspired. I find morning  to be the best time to excersise, you wake up, get it done and feel great all day.  Being outside, in nature at least a few times a week will definitely help with stress. We live in such a beautiful city, we have endless outdoor adventure possibilities.

4. DE-STRESS. Deep breaths, all is well in your world. Life really is a gift. Take some time for yourself and de-stress. It could mean a yoga class, a walk by the beach, a glass of wine with a girlfriend, popcorn and movie, or buying a new pair of shoes.

Here at SKN, we want to aid in your quest for a zen state of mind, we want you to radiate the light that you are. Book a facial this Good Friday (april 2) and receive a  complimentary Seaflora product of choice. Give us a call at 604-568-6333

HAPPY DE-STRESSING!!

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.

Unlike Western medical treatments where non-prescription antihistamines only provide temporary quick fixes to relieve those miserable symptoms, Chinese Medicine can cure hay fever naturally. It works by correcting underlying imbalances and strengthening the immune system so it can repel external pathogens such as pollen, bacteria and viruses.

Hay fever sufferers are hypersensitive to things due to constitutional weaknesses. Firstly, they are unable to resist repeated attacks from offending substances in their surroundings. Secondly, they are also unable to dispel unresolved pathogens that have invaded their immune systems, and it is these that cause the recurring episodes of discomfort. Unfortunately, allergies happen very quickly so you cannot predict when you need to be on guard and when you’re susceptible to an attack. Sometimes all it takes is a single allergen exposure and you’re doomed with full blown misery for weeks and even months!

The beauty of Chinese Medicine is that there are natural herbal remedies that work to support the immune system to fight offending substances and at the same time dispel previous irritants from the body. Furthermore, a customized herbal formula not only solves the root of the problem but can also relieve acute allergic symptoms that are specific for the individual. Allergy sufferers may share similar symptoms but the effects do vary slightly from person to person. Some victims may experience more nasal congestion, others more intense episodes of sneezing and runny nose. Some people may experience severe itchy sore eyes, and others may not. That is why conventional drugs do not work because they assume everybody’s body constitution is the same and everyone’s symptoms are identical. We all have specific imbalances so it is important that herbal formulas are tailored to the individual.

Don’t forget that each time you pop in conventional drugs, these all contain side effects. Some may even produce life-threatening ones when taken with other medications. Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine effectively and safely manages hay fever without any adverse effects.

So stop sporting off-season trends, appearing as Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer during springtime or hibernating indoors during gorgeous spring weather. Beat the pollen! Find out what Chinese Medicine can do for you. Herbal consults come free with Acupuncture. For more information you can email Adrienne at Adrienne@sknclinic.ca

Taking new approaches with these tips:

1. Plan to eat at a holiday party.  Instead of eating before you go to a party in order to control temptations…if you feel hungry go ahead and eat! Try to really go for what your body craves. If you eat exactly when you are hungry, and exactly what you are hungry for…the food will taste more satisfying and you will eat less!

2. You don’t have to stick to carrots and celery sticks at a party.  If you are really craving low-fat foods than that is great! But if you eat them when you really want something else, you will find yourself overeating later in response to the deprivation.

3. Choose comfortable, flattering holiday party outfits that make you feel sexy!  Instead of wearing tight outfits to remind yourself not to eat, wear something special that will make you feel attractive and good about yourself to prevent emotional overeating at parties. Anxiety usually leads to compulsive overeating.

4. Instead of forcing yourself to say “No thanks, not today….” Love yourself enough to say “YES” when you feel like saying yes and “NO” when you feel like saying no. Trust yourself, stop stressing, count your blessings and truly enjoy what this holiday season may bring!

Stone Chi Massage is a deeply relaxing, invigorating and healing form of massage therapy.  This unique form of massage combines traditional Chinese medicinal theory with Hot Jade stone massage. It is a rejuvenating experience whereby the muscles, bones, cells, even down to a DNA level are balanced through hot and cool stones.

Dena will be able to determine which of your energy centers may be experiencing imbalance, through the use of touch and symptoms described by the client. Then hot and cold stones are placed on key acupressure spots to help release any blocked energy and balance your chi as she deeply massages your aching muscles with heated Jade stones.

When Jade stones are heated they emit negative ions which help to rejuvenate and re-energize your body while the far infrared rays emitted by the Jade stone bring your body back into balance.

Apart from the overall healing of your body, you will be extremely relaxed. It is not far fetched to say you will be drooling.

Dena is the only one in Vancouver who does Stone chi massage. Come see her down at the SKN Holistic Rejuvenation Clinic for your treatment. Your body will thank you.

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