2021 has been another one for the books! Navigating change, new work routines, schooling our children from home, trying to juggle it all with every closure and re-opening of businesses and schools, here we are at the end of another year. We made it!
One of the most notable highlights in the industry has been the focus on bare skin. With the morning commute becoming shorter from our shower to the home office, many people have opted for a more natural, minimal and glowing appearance. As a result, our skincare routine has kicked up a notch, and we’re seeing just how beautiful and resilient skin can be when we give it some TLC.
This past year, Loshen & Crem has covered everything good for your skin, from slugging, meditation, medical aesthetics, and the glowing benefits of the Big O. In this blog, we highlight some key blogs for our skincare year in review. Be sure to check our online Journal for the full articles.
Good skin starts from within.
Skincare is more than just the products we apply daily. It’s how we treat our bodies, our mental attitude and nourish our body and spirit from the inside out. We have discussed how a healthy mind equals healthy skin with meditation and mindfulness.
These two modalities have proven to calm the nervous system and decrease the production of cortisol, the stress hormone, but a good night's sleep is often one of the best things you can do for your skin. In addition, creating a bedtime routine signals to your brain that it’s time to wind down for the day and prepare for sleep. This can include journaling before bed to brain dump the stress of the day, reading a book with a cup of tea and turning off devices that emit blue light, such as cell phones and computers thirty minutes before bed.
It can still be challenging to relax after going through your routine. So what do you do? Take matters into your own hands - literally. It’s all about the vibes, and self-pleasure is one of the best ways to relax and drift off into dreamland.
Having frequent orgasms releases oxytocin and prolactin, the feel-good chemicals that can increase your immunity, decrease cortisol levels, protect your heart and clear brain fog. It’s also nature’s best pain killer and naturally brings a rosy glow to your cheeks. Oh yes!
What is your skin type?
We’ve all got a type, and we may think it’s one type, but at various stages of our lives, can be more than one, and as we mature, our type can change. It’s a relationship we have had our entire lives, and sometimes it can be challenging to know how to care for it. It can be aggravating, sensitive, painful and even glow with the radiance of love, but we never give up on it. This relationship is with our skin.
The relationship to our skin can be complex, but there’s no need to give up on it. Our skin goes through changes as we mature and will require a change of routine and products at various stages of life. Understanding your skin type is the beginning of developing a practice conducive to healthy skin, whether dry, oily, combination or sensitive. Normal isn’t a skin type as it is an identifier for balanced skin.
Consulting with a skin care professional can help you determine your skin type and recommend products best suited for you.
Pro Ageing
For decades there’s been a societal taboo with ageing, yet it affects all genders and is an inevitable privilege of life.
Some people confuse getting older with skin age. However, there is a difference between our biological age and chronological age. Although our birth certificate dates us in chronological years, our skin and internal organs can vary in age range. For example, you may be 48 years old, and after a skin consultation with a professional, you may learn that your skin age is only 38 years old and is dependent on how well you have taken care of your skin throughout your life. On the other hand, you could be 36 years old, and your heart may be biologically older due to lifestyle choices. Thus, genetic disposition and lifestyle determine our ageing process.
As we mature, our skin shows signs of ageing through pigmentation, skin tone change, skin type, wrinkles, skin laxity and loss of muscle tone. But, there are ways to increase collagen production and contour the face without invasive procedures. No one said we had to take this lying down.
Sometimes you just want a little more help.
At Loshen & Crem, we are PRO ageing. We love to educate our clients on the best skincare practices for each individual to embrace every stage of their life. There is no one size fits all, and your skin is as unique as you are. Sometimes you just want a little more help to increase collagen production and decrease signs of ageing.
Some aesthetic modalities are minimally invasive and require little to no downtime. So, yes, you can get that lift without surgery, and we introduced microcurrent technology and the at-home NuFace device to help contour and tone facial muscles with zero pain.
Although these at-home devices are compact, user-friendly, and cost-effective, they require more time before seeing visible results. As with professional treatments, consistency is key.
If you're looking for a non-surgical skincare treatment that can help reduce fine lines, wrinkles, and firm skin, look no further than radiofrequency therapy. RF is one of the most popular treatments among dermatologists and aestheticians today because it's effective and non-invasive.
Radiofrequency can treat loose or sagging skin around the eyes and chin and lines and wrinkles around the mouth, nasolabial folds, crow’s feet, and those 11’s between the brows. It can also target “bat wings” on the arms, crepey skin on your chest, neck, contour abs, thighs and buttocks. In addition, RF waves have a therapeutic effect on skincare by heating the deep layers of your dermis with very little energy consumption.
Another aesthetic therapy for deep wrinkles and acne scarring is microneedling, a minimally invasive procedure involving tiny needles that create a wound with thousands of almost invisible punctures (wounds) in the skin. When your skin is injured, it naturally responds to healing by producing an abundance of collagen and elastin.
The consultation process for this procedure should be very in-depth and consider other health factors, including medications, supplements, health conditions and current skincare products. It should always be performed in a sterile environment (like a surgical room) and only by a trained professional.
One of the most effective products for wound healing and aftercare is hypochlorous acid. Aestheticians and medical professionals can use this technology with their clients pre-treatment and post-treatment to reduce inflammation and speed up the healing process of certain services such as laser, chemical peels, micro-needling and more.
If you manage skin issues such as eczema, psoriasis, acne, hypochlorous acid can also help treat problematic skin. And a little secret, hypochlorous acid also is good for dental care and podiatry. Check it out.
Ringing in the New Year
As we ring in the New Year, it might be good to note the effects of alcohol and your skin.
Heavy alcohol consumption increases premature skin ageing by generating free radicals, affecting the skin’s structure. Dehydration and inflammation are the two most common side effects of overconsumption of alcohol and advancing fine lines on the skin.
Drinking alcohol causes blood vessels to dilate, bringing more blood to the surface. For those who suffer from rosacea, alcohol exacerbates the condition, increasing the likelihood of symptoms such as flushed cheeks, inflammation and irritation.
Some of the long-term effects of drinking can damage the skin by breaking down collagen, broken blood vessels, sagginess, and deep wrinkles. Alcohol affects all of our organs, and the skin is a tell-tale sign of what is happening inside.
Even the occasional night out can cause a hangover, and the day after, tell-tale signs are dull, red and puffy skin. Along with a pounding headache, you don’t even look like your natural glowing self.
So, how do you get that glow back?
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.
Alcohol is a diuretic and can leave you feeling thirsty and lethargic. Having a glass of water for every drink you consume is ideal for hydrating and preventing a massive hangover, but we know that isn’t always the case. So, upon waking, guzzle a few glasses of water and add some electrolytes for better hydration.
It’s always best if you can remember to wash your face before crawling into bed, or at the very least, use micellar water or a wipe to remove as much dirt and makeup as possible. Sleeping with makeup on can cause pores to clog and leave you with an unsightly and tender pimple.
Using a calming face mask the next day can help calm redness and reduce inflammation. Click to read the full blog for skin rescue after indulging in holiday celebrations.
That’s a wrap!
2021 has been a GLOWING year of learning just how resilient our skin and spirit can be. Yet, when we slow down to take it all in, there’s so much to be grateful for.
Thank you for being part of our journey and trusting us with your skin. We have exciting things happening in 2022 and can’t wait to share them all with you!
Happy New Year to you and yours, from all of us at Loshen & Crem!
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