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A few days ago, a client asked me why peptides were so good for her skin. I knew the base answer, but honestly couldn’t break it down any further than that to simple terms (We’re all learning every day right?!) So I told her I’d look it up…and here’s the result of that…. Simply put. peptides are small chains of amino acids. Amino acids make up proteins. Therefore, peptides are small chains of protein. (actual numbers, for you nerdy types like me…. if there’s a chain of 50 or more amino acids, its a protein, if there’s a chain of 49 or less amino acids, its a peptide) Peptides act as the messengers between ingredients and our cells.There are three types of Peptides currently used in skincare: Signal peptides- tell fibroblasts to make more collagen or protect existing collagen Neurotransmitter Peptides- limits muscle contraction, acting in a similar way to Botox (HELL YES! for all you needle-phobes like me!) Carrier peptides - deliver trace elements of things like Copper for wound healing Currently my favorite peptide laced product is Bioelements Power Peptide Toner - it balances the pH of your skin so everything you use after it is more effective, as well as hydrates, improves overall skin tone and boosts moisture. (you have to buy this through a dermatologist or esthetician….do not buy this product on Amazon, it cannot be guaranteed at all at that point.) So that’s it for my peptide mini-lesson. Questions? Comments? I’d love to hear them! #imageskincare #peptides #skincare #esthetician #antiaging #serums

Aromatherapy, Essential Oils, Fragrance…there’s so much information to share, and so many things I love about it, that I almost didn’t write this as a single post, but a series. Somehow, through many cups of coffee, and a few bottles glasses of wine, I’ve managed to compress the information The very BASIC you need to know: *Don’t use essential oils on your skin undiluted. Use a carrier oil to allow for best absorption and least chance for skin irritation (exception to this is Tea Tree oil, lavender oil, rose geranium oil, and sandalwood oil. These are widely recognized as safe to use directly on the skin, sparingly) *the best carrier oils are jojoba oil, coconut oil, safflower or grapeseed oil, almond oil *Do not EVER use undiluted on babies or small children *to test the purity of your oil, place a single drop onto a sheet of construction paper. When it evaporates, the less visible the ring that’s left behind, the more pure the oil *Essential Oils can last up to 10 years if stored correctly. (in their dark bottles, cap on tightly, in a dark cool area) *Many essential oils are antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral. They are wonderful to use in home cleaning products *Most oils are not recommended for ingestion (i.e. don’t drink or eat them without a certified aromatherapist teaching you how) However, there are a few companies out there that have recipes and high enough grade oils that *should* be safe for ingestion. (Young Living is one such company. No, I don’t work for them. I’ve just used them) So what exactly IS an essential oil? A volatile aromatic organic compound. It is derived from any part of a plant or flower through a process of expression or distillation. Here are some of my favorite uses: Lavender- for cut scrapes and burns. For headaches and to relax. I put a few drops of lavender on my pillow or in a bath. Tangerine- for energy. If I’m having a difficult time waking up in the morning, I’ll put a few drops on the floor of my shower, the steam helps dissipate the aroma through the room Eucalyptus- to clear sinuses, to relax. I make something similar to the old Vicks shower disks with Eucalyptus. Tea Tree- for acneic or oily prone skin. Helps to control oil production, and kill p.acnes bacteria that cause blemishes Peppermint- headaches. I usually use a drop of peppermint and a drop of vanilla on a heating pad Here is short list of what oils are commonly used for what: Low Energy Orange/tangerine, Peppermint, Rosemary, Lemon, Eucalyptus Stress/Anxiety Basil, Bergamot, Clary Sage, Jasmin, Lavender, Ylang Ylang, Chamomile, Rose #aromatherapy #essentialoils

Ahhhh the sun….it’s finally arrived in the Midwest, so I’m a pretty happy girl. A happy girl with (still) pasty-white skin. And I’m totally okay with that. I embraced it when I was 12 years old. I am never going to be one of those people who can get a tan. I’m genetically predisposed to burns and skin cancer, and I’m not willing to risk it. So I slather on the good stuff every two hours diligently, and continue to enjoy my hard cider or bloody mary on a patio. There is no reason to give up the fun just to stay pale. All that being said, these tips are not just for my ghostly readers…they’re for everyone. If your skin is predisposed to tanning, your skin is going to tan, regardless of the protection you use. Those 3+ % of rays that seep through the sunscreen will tan you. Don’t be fooled into thinking you shouldn’t wear it…mmmmkay? :) (humor me) Q: “I’ve heard tattoos need to be covered for the immediate time after they are applied, but how about a year later? or more?” A: “ALWAYS cover your tattoos. The ink spreads and fades quicker when exposed to sunlight, and we want your ink to last and look as fresh as possible for always, right?! The best is a Zinc or Titanium oxide sunscreen.” Q: “what is the best way to make sure I’m covered for a long day at a music festival or the beach?” A: “First, make sure you apply minimum 30 minutes before sun exposure. Second, Double up. Start with a layer of lotion and follow with a layer of spray. Continue to add layers of just the spray every 2 hours, or every 60 minutes if you’re in water. Yes, that means you have to bring your sunscreen with you. Don’t leave it at home, it’s no good to you on your kitchen counter” Q: “okay, so I didn’t listen to you….and I got a burn….what now?” A: “I’m sorry to hear that…I had one nasty burn as a child, and I can still remember crying when water touched it. The best thing to do is keep the area cool. You’ve literally burned the skin. So keep aloe on hand and apply as often as needed. This will help re-hydrate and soothe the skin.You can take an ibuprofen for inflammation as well. This will help keep you comfortable.When the skin begins the unsightly peeling process, do not, I repeat, DO NOT peel or scrub the skin. Allow it to shed naturally to avoid infection.Take cool showers until it is healed. Hot water can exacerbate already irritated skin.Next time, wear sunscreen. 30+ please. Thanks.” #summer #skincare #spf #tattoocare

This is part 1 of a 2 part series. I’ve taken some questions friends have asked recently about summer suncare for your skin and answered them below. Question: I’ve notices fine lines around my eyes, how can I avoid accelerating this in the summer? Answer:Use an eye cream with SPF daily- Supergoop has one with an SPF 37 and Shiseido has one with SPF 34 (and yes, this means you’ll need an eye cream for day, and for night…don’t panic…just use the SPF in the day, and use one with firming and lifting ingredients at night)Wear sunglasses with UV protection (remember, both UVA and UVB need to be blocked) and glasses with brown or green tint lenses protect better than any other color lenses Question:Is my sunscreen from last year still good? Answer:It doesn’t expire for three years. HOWEVER, be sure to look at the manufacture date, not the date you opened it. It could have been sitting on a shelf for two years and now you’re past year three. Better to just buy a new one for this year. Question:I burned my scalp, how can I avoid this in the future? Solution:Treat as you would a normal sunburn for now…but next time, remember to wear a hat, or at the very least, use a hair product with SPF in it or rub/spray your sunscreen into your part. No, it doesn’t look great, but it looks a lot better than a sunburn feels.Pureology, Aveda and several other companies make sprays for hair with UV filters in it. (initially developed for color treated hair, they are good for any hair type exposed to sunlight) Question:How much sunscreen should I be applying? Answer: If it’s a cream, roughly one ounce. That’s the size of a shot glass, people. I love drink math in skincare. Question:Is an SPF 15 really that much less than an SPF 30 or SPF 50? Answer:SPF 15 blocks about 94% of the suns rays. SPF 30 blocks about 97%. SPF 50 about 98%. So yes, SPF 30 is better. But anything above that, for most people is just a marketing trick. For my very fair and burn-prone skin, SPF 50 is really worth it to me. But that’s really at your discretion. Question:How often should I reapply sunscreen? Answer:Every two hours, or after being in the water or perspiring profusely #skincare #spf #summer #pureology #aveda #supergoop #shiseido

Waxing. The very thought sends many running for the hills. Or rocking back and forth in the corner in the fetal position. But it really doesn’t have to be that way. Waxing is a cumulative effort. The comfort level of your wax, while yes, it does depend on your technicians skill level, also depends on your pre care and prep. Here are my recommendations (and yes, I am a licensed Esthetician, and a Wax Specialist…I wouldn’t tell you these things if I didn’t stand by them for each and every client) PRE wax Exfoliate, Exfoliate, Exfoliate. A combination of both chemical and manual exfoliants will yield the best results, but I’ll take whatever you’re working with. At the VERY minimum, exfoliate roughly 24 hours before your appointment. Preferably, you’d be exfoliating every day to every other day. Take an ibuprofen about an hour before your appointment, this will cut down on the sting factor a bit. Ladies, if you’re on your period, it’s most likely going to be more painful if you’re having a bikini/brazillian done. Just know that. EVERYONE: your hair should be the length of a grain of white rice. If its longer than that, the wax could get stuck. That WILL hurt more to remove, and take a lot longer. Don’t you want to be in and out as fast as possible? Get one of those beard trimmers and use it. You will be very glad you did. Repeat after me: the length of a grain of rice. If you are on a treatment such as Accutane or a Retinol, your skin is more sensitive to “lifting” or tearing. Proceed with caution. Some waxers will not work on skin if you’re using those products DURING your wax: Breathe. Ask questions if you have them. Don’t be embarrassed. Waxers are generally very comfortable with the human body in all forms. We usually want to help you experience as little pain as possible, but getting you in and out quickly, so we’re looking at your hair, which direction it grows, and working fast. Special note for brazillian/bikini: Hold still in whatever position we ask. There’s a reason for it. We don’t make you frog your legs for nothing. It’s quicker, easier, and holds most skin taught. Do not, I repeat, do not, close your knees until we say its okay. You don’t want to be stuck together. Just breathe and hold still. POST wax: wait 24 hours before exfoliating, but then continue to exfoliate every 24-48 hours Using a product like TendSkin or the Ingrown Hair Serum from European Wax Center really does work. Don’t underestimate the power of an antibacterial agent and exfoliant working together inside your pores. #waxing #skincare #amberbudd #amberbuddatelier #burnsvillemn #burnsville #sexyskincare