Esthetics by Liliya Spa and Acne Clinic's Blog

Building new skin via Exfoliation

January 20th, 2014 • Posted by Liliya Yaruskaya • Permalink

Building New Skin via Exfoliation
Exfoliation is an age old form, dating back centuries, of wounding the skin to initiate new cell activity, producing new generations of cells for younger-looking skin. Spectacular results, are achieved with chemical peels containing all types of substances. Action of these actives is different, but the general endpoint can be seen via visual erythema of the skin showing slight to extreme inflammation. After a professional exfoliation and inflammation response, wound healing and rebuilding of the skin immediately begin to take place.
Inflammation results from a trauma and the response is seen in the blood vessels. The instant response of small capillaries in the area of injury is a vasoconstriction which lasts generally five to 10 minutes at the most, followed by active vasodilatation.
As stated previously, the epidermis is subject to constant wear and as a result, dead, horny cells of the outermost SC are constantly shed. Following a professional exfoliation, the corneocytes of the SC causes a trauma which causes the resting dermis to respond quickly to the shedding SC. This action results in the mechanism of regeneration called mitosis of preexisting cells. Mitosis occurs mainly in the cells of the basal layer and many of the daughter cells formed by cell division migrate into the upper layers of the stratum malpighi and, without further division, differentiate into keratinizing cells. The maximal increase in mitosis varies from 48 to 72 hours after injury. The main regenerative activity occurs in the basal cell layer and the dermis-epidermis junction is of considerable importance in healing of any trauma of the epidermis.
The dermis-epidermis junction is of a flat surface, but is defined by ridges known as rete ridges. It has been scientifically substantiated that alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) strengthen rete ridges worn by the aging process to help keep this junction intact. The portion of the dermis immediately under the basal cell layer consists of delicate collagenous elastic and reticular fibers, enmeshed with superficial capillaries and surrounded by viscous ground substance. Aestheticians know this dermal environment as the extracellular matrix (ECM) and professional exfoliation treatments are of great value to increase production of collagen, elastin, proteoglycans, hylauronic acid and other ground regulation substances to rebuild new skin.


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How to Best Care For Your Skin

December 27th, 2013 • Posted by Esthetics by Liliya Spa and Acne Clinic • Permalink

Taking proper care of your skin will determine how your skin looks and feels. We all want the best looking skin and we all want to age gracefully. It is necessary to use the right products for your particular skin and we have a quick guide to get you started. There are five main skin types - normal, combination, oily, dry and sensitive. Knowing yours is a vital first step to planning a routine, and choosing which treatments are best suited to your skin's needs. A visit with our professionals is a sure way to find out, but knowing which of the five basic categories you fall into can also easily be self-diagnosed.

Normal

If you have a normal complexion, you may consider yourself to be favored by the skin Gods. Normal skin is the least problematic of the five types making up the spectrum. A quick study of your skin in the mirror upon rising in the morning, is unlikely detect any oil; pores are also minimal. Your skin has an even tone, feels smooth to the touch and has a supple or elastic consistency. A minimal or basic skin care routine is usually all that's required to care for normal skin types, and perhaps the best news about normal skin is that it ages well.

Combination 

Because it requires a skin care routine that encompasses both moisture and oil control, combination skin is one of the hardest types to care for. If you have combination skin, you are likely to have an oily ‘t-zone' (forehead, nose and chin) and pores around your nose are likely to be larger than usual. Around the eyes, and the cheeks are usually dry, and will benefit from rich moisturizers and creams. Thorough cleansing, and oil control products should be focused on the t-zone.

Oily 

Oily skins are often problematic. Enlarged pores and excess oil on the forehead, nose, cheeks and chin lead to regular breakouts. Your skin care regimen should be carefully chosen. A common mistake oily skin types make is over cleaning, and using harsh cleansers. This constant stripping of the skin may result in excess oil production. Opt for light, oil free moisturizers, although, believe it or not, some natural oils actually help to balance oily complexions. Consult our skin care professionals to find out more. Finally, the brightest ray of hope for oily skin types is that you age best. Those oils help to keep wrinkles at bay, so that later in life, you may just wake up with the skin you've always wanted.

Dry 

Dry skin types easily develop fine lines and wrinkles. This skin type is usually tight and may feel stretched or taught to the touch. Because dry skins produce insufficient amounts of oil, this skin type lacks the protective barrier required to protect it from various external elements. Rich and regular moisturizing is required for dry skin types, and extra caution should be taken to protect the skin in extreme or severe weather conditions.

Sensitive 

The most problematic and fragile of the five skin types, sensitive skin, is often red, tight and itchy. This skin type is prone to irritation and breakouts. A great deal of research and care should be taken when planning a regimen for sensitive skin types, giving care not to use products that exacerbate your sensitivities. Consulting with our skin care professionals to help you choose the right products for your skin care routine is highly advised.

Finding a skin care regimen that you're comfortable with and that works can often be a process of ‘trial and error'. Be sure to visit our aestheticians to discuss your concerns and to get help planning your regime. Once you find a routine that works for you, be faithful to it, because it just may be a key component to helping you grow old gracefully.


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Is It Time To Replace Your Makeup?

December 13th, 2013 • Posted by Esthetics by Liliya Spa and Acne Clinic • Permalink

Do you have a tube of lipstick in your cosmetic bag that's been in there for a while? When was the last time you replaced your mascara? Women have a tendency to hang on to makeup long past its prime. Learn when to kick cosmetics to the curb below.

Mascara

This eye-opening makeup has the shortest lifespan of all cosmetics. Mascara is only good for about three months. When you apply mascara, you're constantly forcing air into tube as you pull the brush in and out of the bottle. This causes the paste-like substance to clump and dry out. Once it's clumpy, it's a breeding ground for bacteria, so don't keep it around.

Lipstick

Your favorite shades of red will last about a year. Again, if your lipstick starts to dry out, you'll want to toss it. Lip gloss lasts a little longer, usually about 18 months.

Foundation

Whether its power or liquid, your foundation will typically last about a year. However, if your foundation starts to separate or has pockets of discoloration, you'll want to discard it. Foundation is usually the most expensive cosmetic women buy, but that doesn't mean you should keep it past the one-year mark. Expired foundation can aggravate acne and cause skin rashes.

Overall, if you can't remember when you bought your makeup, it's probably time to replace it. When you buy new cosmetics, use a permanent marker to put the date you purchased it on the bottom. This way, you'll know exactly how old your cosmetics are.


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